Houston Matters Houston Public Media

On Wednesday's show: We get an update on heavy rainfall that was expected today in Greater Houston but hasn't really developed. And a new report coinciding with Juneteenth details the state of Black Texas these days.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
And a big part of Juneteenth celebrations for some rural Texas communities over the years is an annual rodeo. A new book about just that, called Juneteenth Rodeo, celebrates that tradition with photos and essays, including writing from Demetrius Pearson from the University of Houston. We listen back to a 2021 conversation with him about his book, Black Rodeo in the Texas Gulf Coast Region: Charcoal in the Ashes.

On Tuesday's show: Heavy rain is expected in Greater Houston this evening through Wednesday resulting from a disturbance near Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula that could become the first named system of the hurricane season. While any storm that comes from it is unlikely to make landfall near us, Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard explains how it could bring some heavy rain and possible flooding to our area.
Also this hour: With so much attention paid lately to issues at HISD, we take some time to learn about what's going on at other school districts around Greater Houston.
Then, Ciera Rogers grew up in Houston where she and her family struggled with money, sometimes living in her mother's car. In her new book, The Outsider Advantage, she explains how she leveraged experiences like that to launch Babes, a body type inclusive women's clothing line. She'll discuss the book in an event at Kindred Stories on June 20.
And we begin a summer series of visits to local museums and other attractions with a trip to Moody Gardens in Galveston.

On Monday's show: The Supreme Court struck down a rule that banned bump stocks and rejected a bid to restrict access to an abortion pill. We examine the latest decisions coming out of the High Court with Charles “Rocky” Rhodes from South Texas College of Law Houston.
Also this hour: If you map all sorts of things within Houston's city limits, a shape has a tendency to form. It looks like an arrow. We learn what the "Houston Arrow" represents and why.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke and reflect on the Rockets' first NBA Championship, which occurred 30 years ago this week.

On Friday's show: Meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather tells us about some potential rain in the region next week and what might become of a tropical disturbance that is likely to develop in the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days.
Also this hour: Sony Pictures is buying Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. And competitive eater Joey Chestnut is out of the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest this July 4th. We discuss those and other stories in the news on this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Then, we revisit our tour of some of the items from The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection that are on display at Holocaust Museum Houston through June 23.
And, ahead of Father’s Day Sunday, we revisit Joshua Zinn’s 2023 conversation with Isobella Jade, Houston-based author of a book about connecting to her late father through the few objects he left behind in his car after his death.

On Thursday's show: With Houston City Council finally approving the city's budget, we talk with Sallie Alcorn, At-Large Council Member Position 5 and the chair of the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Committee.
Also this hour: We examine how commercial real estate is doing in Houston.
Then, we consider ways that downtown Houston could be changed and revitalized, inviting input from listeners.
And we learn about the Houston Show Choir, one of the oldest performing arts groups in the city.

On Wednesday's show: Houston City Council is taking on the city's next budget, and Hunter Biden was convicted on felony gun charges. We discuss those and other developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of late President and longtime Houstonian George H.W. Bush. We listen back to Craig Cohen’s 2015 conversation with biographer Jon Meacham about Bush, based on Meacham’s book Destiny and Power. Meacham has a new book out about Bush to mark the centennial. It’s titled The Call to Serve and features some never-before-published photos celebrating the 41st President.
And we talk with Varsha Bajaj, the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade novel Thirst and numerous children's books. She’s back with her latest book, A Garland of Henna, and she’ll be in Houston for an event at Blue Willow Bookshop on Saturday.