Houston Matters: episodes
50 recent episodes from the show's feed. Back to the show
GOP candidate’s racist comments (Sept. 15, 2026)
Sep 15, 2026 · 50 min
On Tuesday's show: A candidate’s post of a photo featuring University of Texas students celebrating an upset win over Ohio State set off a public rift among Texas Republicans over the last few days. A member of the Houston Chronicle editorial board says condemnation of GOP railroad commissioner candidate Bo French's comments is not enough. Also this hour: The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy ended i
Houston’s anthem (Sept. 14, 2026)
Sep 14, 2026 · 50 min
On Monday's show: The Texas Supreme Court blocked Galveston County from using a new precinct map in the November election. And Fort Bend County approved its budget and a lower tax rate amid a heated meeting as Democrats returned to court last week. We get updates on both stories from Houston Public Media reporters. Also this hour: On the anniversary of Francis Scott Key writing the words that wou
Memories of 9/11 (Sept. 11, 2026)
Sep 11, 2026 · 50 min
On Friday's show: We look back at Sept. 11, 2001, 25 years later as we hear from Houstonians who were in New York the morning of the terrorist attacks there, in Washington, and in Shanksville, Penn. And we hear from different generations of Houstonians about how they remember the day and how it has affected them and their respective generations differently. And, from President Trump saying he’d gi
Expanding school vouchers (Sept. 10, 2026)
Sep 10, 2026 · 50 min
On Thursday's show: Texas Comptroller Don Huffines has requested legislators double the money behind the state’s private school voucher program to $2 billion. More than 100,000 students sit on the waitlist, but critics argue there is little evidence vouchers are delivering on their promises to justify expanding the program. Also this hour: We consider why the federal minimum wage hasn’t been raise
The week in politics (Sept. 9, 2026)
Sep 9, 2026 · 50 min
On Wednesday's show: From this week’s GOP mid-term convention in Dallas, to the New Hampshire primary and other stories, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: We consider the challenges and importance of communicating with the public about science and scientific research as Rice University launches a new center dedicated to that mission. And we revis
Houston real estate market (Sept. 8, 2026)
Sep 8, 2026 · 50 min
On Tuesday's show: After years of scarcity, there is now a much greater selection of homes for sale in the Houston market. Despite that, Houston Chronicle reporter Marissa Luck talks to us about why there still aren't many good bargains out there. And we take the pulse of the Houston real estate market with Theresa Hill, chair of the Houston Association of Realtors. For years during the pandemic,
NASA’s new space telescope (Sept. 4, 2026)
Sep 4, 2026 · 50 min
On Friday's show: A Galveston County jury has sentenced James Elmore, 61, to 20 years in prison for his role in a decades-old "Texas Killing Fields" case that went unsolved for over 40 years. We get the details on his trial and sentencing. Also this hour: NASA just launched a new telescope. We learn what makes the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope different than others before it, like the Hubble a
AI and medicine (Sept. 3, 2026)
Sep 3, 2026 · 50 min
On Thursday's show: We discuss the recent deal the city of Houston made promising to never absorb The Woodlands in exchange for $50 million over the next four years. Also this hour: We discuss how the growth of AI is shaping the medical field for doctors and patients. Then, a DPS trooper tells us what to do if (and, let's face it when) you’re in a fender bender on Houston roads and highways. And t
The week in politics (Sept. 2, 2026)
Sep 2, 2026 · 50 min
On Wednesday's show: We get an update on the after effects of Tropical Storm Edouard after it made its way through southeast Texas. Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Then, what's the holy grail of memorabilia from NASA's Apollo program? We find out as we learn about the realm of space memorabilia. And a new art exhibit at Rice called Radiant Geom
Tropical Storm Edouard (Sept. 1, 2026)
Sep 1, 2026 · 50 min
On Tuesday's show: Tropical Storm Edouard has formed moving in the Gulf and could bring heavy rain to parts of Greater Houston today. We have the very latest on the forecast and how area communities are preparing. Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, Houston foodies offer their suggestions for the best breakfast and brunch options in town. And, last week, Houston Audubon a