Houston Matters

A great way to hear timely information affecting the Houston Area without being subjected to guests (or hosts) spouting unsupported opinion, bias, or hyperbole that insults the intelligence of the listeners. If I want to have my worldview affirmed, I’ll listen to Fox or MSNBC. If I want to hear what’s actually affecting my life, I’ll listen to Houston Matters.

It’s so unfortunate that so many great shows have been ruined by their obsession with partisan politics with no attempt at neutrality. Any deviation from the narrow minded, bigoted opinions of the producers is heresy because their tribe lose an election 2 1/2 years ago. I would have rated zero stars if not for the excellent content pre TDS. Hopefully rationality and openness to diversity of opinion will return eventually but I couldn’t justify donating to HPM anymore. I still listen occasionally but am rapidly losing interest in a once great show.

I am typically a fan of this show when it’s led by Craig Cohen & I have appreciated the local doctors and scientists that have contributed, but Ernie Manouse is insufferable and the way he treated a guest today by inserting his own political views (the guest had covid - his family got it & he said he’s a moderate, he asked for feedback on the media’s role in where we’re at, and the guy answered and he said he didn’t agree and just was patronizing) - if you don’t want politics inserted, then stick to the topic and don’t inject your own views (when it has nothing to do with the pandemic).along with this, it’s almost as if the info can’t evolve & we have to stay in the crisis / and downplay any progress or anything positive. That is one thing my friends who are thinking this is political keep saying & i can see their point because it’s all just intense. I’m not sure if he realizes the demographic that’s listening aren’t the ones that are anti-maskers, or believe this is a hoax - we are doing what we need to do & so i wish he’d save the lectures and hype for those who aren’t.

I used to listen to this show for daily local news. In recent months the fear mongering and aggrandizement of COVID related issues is insufferable. There’s a way of reporting the facts without sensationalizing it, Houston Matters should aim for that goal. Even the tone of the reporting is overkill. Every time I try to listen I hear myself saying “give it a rest!”