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.

Edward-Isaac Dovere covered the 2020 presidential race day-to-day for his job. As he retraced his steps to write this book, he looked back on the “level of panic” a year ago:

In the midst of the pandemic, millions of Americans voted in booths and with record-breaking mail-in ballots. While the presidential election officially called President Joe Biden the winner in November 19, 2020, lawsuits, protests, and misinformation campaigns, dogged every step before and after the announcement and culminated in a deadly insurrection by Trump supporters on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021.

Dovere retraced his steps to write this book as he looked back on the “level of panic” a year ago:

Edward-Isaac Dovere

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.

This episode is part of an ongoing series of conversations.

You've seen the images, the headlines, and the reactions on social media as Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes in Gaza City.

Last week, during the height of the latest Israeli-Palestinian fighting, we had a show to discuss the complicated history of the region.

There’s now been a ceasefire, but we want to revisit and expand the conversation.

And we want to continue to find balance and to have dialogue -- to allow for more voices, perspectives and information to help you understand the conflict from both sides, in as much as we can reasonably do within an hour.

So, today, it’s “Discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: A continuation.”

How do we understand this conflict -- one of the longest in modern history -- and what is the future for resolution and stability in the region?

Guest:

Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian

Then, a historian answers your questions regarding the Middle East.

Guest:

Dr. Jeremi Suri

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.

Bitcoin.

Non-Fungible Tokens.

Security breaches.

Hacking.

How do we keep safe in the digital world? And how does the digital world increasingly intersect with -- and impact -- our analog world?

Today, it’s Cyberworld 101.

Experts will join us to answer your questions about new technologies and to discuss cyberconflict, cyberwarfare and cybersecurity.

And what about the rise of cyberweapons?

How do these technologies impact society, culture?

Even world order and peace?

And what does the future hold?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeLHlOUNOmY

Guests:

David E. Sanger:

Chris Bronk:

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.

It’s been one year since the murder of George Floyd.

How has this country changed? And, sadly, how has it stayed the same?

Still, the major impact of George Floyd has been felt here – and around the world.

We’re finally having national conversations about systemic racism and the racism of our country’s past.

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was passed in the House and currently sits in the Senate.

Houston has felt the loss of one of our own, and the city has seen protests and marches against police brutality over the past year.

Today, experts join us to reflect on the legacy and impact of George Floyd’s life and death.

And we invite listeners to call in to share thoughts and stories on how it’s impacted them.

Guests:

Jeff Storms:

Dr. Rockell Brown Burton: 

Houston Public Media reporter Matt Harab also joins Ernie outside the Cuney Homes Community Center in Third Ward, the neighborhood where George Floyd grew up, where a tribute is about to take place.

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.

On March 10th, Governor Abbot lifted COVID restrictions in Texas. State requirements to wear masks were lifted, and businesses and facilities have been allowed to open to 100% capacity. School districts and teacher's unions have pushed back against the lift. We hear from the president of the Texas State Teachers Association who shares what educators are dealing with in their schools since the mandate lift.

Then, an infectious disease epidemiologist answers COVID questions and concerns, including how Texas is moving forward from the pandemic and breakthrough infections.

And the sudden, heavy downpours caught a lot of us off guard. We speak to chief Space City Weather meteorologist, Eric Berger who walks us through what is happening with the weather.

Guests

Ovidia Molina

Dr. Catherine Troisi

Eric Berger

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.

Video Embed width="585" height="329"

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.

Twenty-five years, a quarter of a century.

How much can be accomplished in that amount of time?

As they say, time flies when you're having fun.

Twenty-five years ago today, Ernie Manouse joined Houston Public Media.

And you've allowed him into your lives and homes ever since.

Today, on this “Erniversary,” join us as we reminisce about the last 25 years -- from Channel 8 to Houston Public Media ... from InnerVIEWS to Manor of Speaking ... and now Town Square.

Matt Harab has an "investigative piece" on Who is Ernie Manouse? You'll hear from Ernie's friends, colleagues and past celebrity interviewees, including Barbara Taylor Bradford, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Lyle Lovett, Nana Mouskouri, Suze Orman, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Lisa Shumate and others.

Then, Sunny 99.1's Dana Tyson reminisces about Ernie's past shows, Weeknight Edition and Manor of Speaking, with his co-hosts and on-air colleagues Doris Childress, Doug Mueller and Luke Wrobel.

In the third segment, producers Catherine Lu and Brenda Valdivia take calls from listeners who share their memories of watching and listening to Ernie over the years. Plus, we hear Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner's proclamation of May 21, 2021 as "Ernie Manouse Day."

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.

Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church is presenting a virtual forum tomorrow and Saturday called “Justice Rising: Faith Dismantling Injustice.” 

The church, along with public officials, community leaders, activists, and law enforcement, will join together to address everything from criminal justice reform, education reform voter engagement, and other issues.

How do we move from dialogue to action, when it comes to social justice? Our experts answer your questions on how you can become more involved in social justice.

GUESTS

Reverend Don Odom, Jr. 

Reverend Doctor Angela Ravin-Anderson

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.

First, the weather has turned dark and stormy lately but is there caused for concern for flooding? Space City Weather meteorologist, Matt Lanza, gives insight into last night's rain and how we avoided Houston flooding.

Guests

Matt Lanza

Then, what is the impact of public art on society? From social justice to economic impact –we’ll get the lowdown on the importance of public art as Houston gears up for this weekend’s Big Walls Big Dreams festival.

Guests

Elia Quiles

Anat Ronen

Public artist and muralist

Featured artist in the "Big Walls, Big Dreams" festival

Dietrich von Biedenfeld:

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.

This episode is part of an ongoing series of conversations, which will continue next week.

You’ve seen the images, the headlines and the reactions on social media as Israeli warplanes launched air strikes in Gaza City.

The conflict between Hamas and Israel has been escalating and is now in its second week.

International pressure is mounting for a cease-fire.

And humanitarian officials raise the alarm on the violence and the civilian death toll, including many children.

How do we understand this conflict – one of the longest in modern history?

Today, a professor of Middle Eastern studies discuses the troubled region – from its history to US foreign policy and future possibilities for peace.

Guest is:

Emran El-Badawi:

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.

COVID-19 vaccines have been out for months and they’re now widely available. We discuss some of the new developments in breakthrough infections, fully-vaccinated individuals are infected, vaccines for children ages 12- 15, and concerns over CDC’s updated guidelines on masks.

Guests are:

Dr. Gregory Poland*:

Dr. Jill Weatherhead:

*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.