Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Tuesday, President Biden announced the government will provide free at-home COVID-19 tests in order to combat the contagious Omicron variant.

After a surge of calls on our previous episode regarding concerns over vaccines, boosters, and the variant; we continue to take a deeper dive into the latest news regarding the virus.

Our COVID experts stress the importance of meeting in outdoor gatherings for the holidays, staying masked, and getting booster shots to combat the spread.

We also heard from listener Amber, a single mother of a two-year-old, who has tested positive twice for COVID using an at-home test kit.

Dr. Susan McLellan walks her through the steps about the best ways to protect her child from the virus.

Dr. Pei-Yong Shi

Dr. Susan McLellan

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

With reports that the CDC is narrowing use of the J&J vaccine due to rare odds of a fatal blood-clotting problem called Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) occurring (approx.. one case in every 100,000 doses given to women age 30 to 49), many people want to know what the vaccine protocols should be moving forward to those who took J&J.

As we take a deeper dive into the CDC announcing new recommendations regarding the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, we also learn that Pfizer has extended their study on vaccinating young children - reporting that the lower-dose version of its vaccine for 2- to 5-year-olds generated a weaker immune response than expected.

In this episode, medical experts address questions regarding Omicron, Delta, and the future of COVID-19 vaccinations and vaccines.

We also talk with one passionate caller who is very concerned about the physical side effects of the vaccines.

Dr. Gregory Poland*:

Dr. Michael Chang

*Dr. Poland is a paid scientific advisor for Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Global Services LLC. Dr. Poland is the chair of a Safety Evaluation Committee for novel investigational vaccine trials being conducted by Merck Research Laboratories. Dr. Poland offers consultative advice on vaccine development to Merck & Co., Medicago, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi Pasteur, Emergent Biosolutions, Dynavax, Genentech, Eli Lilly and Company, Kentucky Bioprocessing, Bavarian Nordic, AstraZeneca, Exelixis, Regeneron, Janssen, Vyriad, Moderna, and Genevant Sciences, Inc. Dr. Poland holds patents related to vaccinia, influenza, and measles peptide vaccines. Dr. Poland has received grant funding from ICW Ventures for preclinical studies on a peptide-based COVID-19 vaccine. These activities have been reviewed by the Mayo Clinic Conflict of Interest Review Board and are conducted in compliance with Mayo Clinic Conflict of Interest policies. This research has been reviewed by the Mayo Clinic Conflict of Interest Review Board and was conducted in compliance with Mayo Clinic Conflict of Interest policies.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Are the holidays triggering for you? Do you feel overwhelmed by the preparations? Maybe seeing family at this time of year leads to anxiety and conflict for you?

According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.

Today, our experts talk about ways to deal with depression during the holidays, signs and symptoms of depression, as well as what you can do to manage your mental wellness during this time of year.

We also have a special guest who shares her own personal story of developing seasonal depression, how she learned to manage it, and ways to help others.

If you’d like to talk to someone to get help, our guests recommend reaching out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline or calling 800-273-8255 for more information.

Additionally, the CDC announced new recommendations regarding the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, so we'll explore what you should know if you received the J&J shot.

Guests:

Dr. Hana El Sahly

Dr. Jeff Temple

Tashell Williams

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Actor and playwright Jaston Williams took the traditions and characters of small-town Southern life to create a show that touched audiences for decades – even performing at the White House for former President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush.

Williams is known for creating and performing the Greater Tuna shows set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas.

Plus, what is it about traditions and memories that bring us closer together, especially at this time of year?

A sociologist from Rice University joins Town Square to talk about nostalgia during the holidays.

Listeners shared their holiday memories, including Mary, who decided to create a new tradition this year.

Guests

Jaston Williams

Dr. Elaine Howard Ecklund

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Today is another milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic, where the U.S. has passed 800,000 deaths due to the virus. However, it seems as though many have become numb to such numbers. 

Amidst reports of the fast-spreading omicron variant, Houston hospitals have been developing a new, easy-to-make vaccine that will cover the gaps in other counties that are working to inoculate against the virus.

In this episode of Town Square, we talk with Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, Co-Director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, about the vaccine she’s working on with her Co-Director, Dr. Peter Jay Hotez.

Along with the latest COVID headlines, we answer your questions about the effectiveness of vaccines against omicron and provide an update on the virus, vaccines, and variants.

Guests:

Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi

Dr. Katelyn Jetelina

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

According to the CDC, more than one in three adults in the U.S. has prediabetes, and 84 percent of these adults don’t even know it.

Left untreated, this can develop into type 2 diabetes.

According to the Houston Health Department, Houston has a higher rate of diabetes than the rest of the country – it affects almost 14 percent of our local population, compared to 10 percent nationally.

It’s also a factor when it comes to COVID-19. Houston Public Media reports that more than 50 percent of Houstonians who died from COVID had diabetes.

Today, experts are here to take a deep dive into the disease.

What should you know about prevention and treatment?

And what community resources are available to help?

Guests:

Dr. Stephen Ponder

Dr. Faith Foreman-Hayes

Dr. Sean Hartig

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Libraries – they’re not just for books!

Some have podcasting gear, recording studios, book clubs, classes and services – all for free.

Today, a look at today’s libraries.

We talk about challenges, including librarian shortages and controversial books.

And we discuss the ways libraries impact and serve communities, from bridging the digital divide to the importance of literacy.

Has a librarian or library changed your life? 

Did you discover a love of reading through the library?

What are some of your favorite books and even current recommendations?

Guests:

Mary Woodard

Roberto Zapata

Resources

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day's most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today’s show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

They sparkle, twinkle and glow - bring joy - and sometime even awe.

They are holiday lights, which help make the season feel magical and special.

Where you can you see the best holiday light displays in the city?

We’ll talk about the places where you can see the biggest, brightest, most dazzling and creative winter lights in Houston – from Galveston to the Houston Zoo to NASA.

Plus, Ernie has a co-host direct from the North Pole. Yes, that’s right, SANTA will join us today.

Below are holiday lighting events shared with us as local favorites, including call-in guests. Due to the high call volume, not all links below were mentioned on the show.

Houston Botanic Garden: Lightscape - Justin Lacey, Director of Communications & Community Engagement 

River Oaks Christmas Lights - Mister McKinney, Owner and operator of the Houston History Bus

Santa's Wonderland

Houston Zoo Lights - Jessica Reyes, Public Relations Manager

Moody Gardens: Holiday In The Garden - Jerri Hamachek, Marketing & PR Manager

Sugar Land Holiday Lights -  Ryan Posner Manager, Media Relations for Sugar Land Skeeters

Space Center Houston: Galaxy Lights - Mary Baerg, Space Center Houston Chief Operating Officer 

Guest:

Santa Claus

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

Where do you like to shop during the holidays?

Do you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the mall with its name-brand stores?

Or do you prefer small, independent retailers?

The winter holidays are the biggest shopping time of the year with big box stores offering huge selections and slashed prices.

But many people like to focus their spending on locally owned businesses as a way to find unique gifts and to give back to the community.

Today, we talk about the impact of shopping locally and what this holiday season might mean for small businesses trying to recover from the pandemic.

We invite local businesses to call in and share their story and gift ideas.

Below are businesses listeners shared with us as local favorites. Due to the high call volume, not all links below were mentioned online.

Guest:

Tim Jeffcoat

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.

Town Square with Ernie Manouse airs at 3 p.m. CT. Tune in on 88.7FM, listen online or subscribe to the podcast. Join the discussion at 888-486-9677, [email protected] or @townsquaretalk.

During the holidays, people are in a giving mood, but sometimes gifts are not enough.

Sometimes giving your time and helping others is what is really needed.  

Not only can it make a difference for the community, it can have positive impact on your life as well.

Today, we talk about how and where to volunteer this holiday season.

From helping fill ongoing needs to seasonal opportunities to quirky ways to volunteer, a representative from Volunteer Houston will discuss the needs across the city.

Plus, yesterday it was announced that the Justice Department is suing the state of Texas over redistricting.

What’s going on there, and what does it mean for Texans and the next election?

A political expert is here to explain.

Guests:

Jeronimo Cortina

Gayla Wilson

Call-in Guests / Volunteer opportunities:

Town Square with Ernie Manouse is a gathering space for the community to come together and discuss the day’s most important and pressing issues.

Audio from today's show will be available after 5 p.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, and other apps.