50 episodes
Houston Matters Houston Public Media
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- News
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4.4 • 88 Ratings
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Houston Matters is a radio program airing weekdays at 9 am on Houston Public Media News 88.7 FM in Houston. During each hour, we’ll investigate the issues and ideas, people and places that make Houston…well…Houston! We’ll talk about current events, politics, education, health care, the environment, business, transportation, arts and culture, literature, sports and leisure. But we also hope that what we do each day on Houston Matters serves as the beginning of a conversation — one we hope you’ll continue here, at home, at work, with family, with friends and neighbors. We hope to introduce Houstonians to one another, to celebrate our diversity, and to engage one another through stories and conversations that demonstrate depth and context. Just the sort of thing you count on from public media.
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Revisiting ShotSpotter (May 31, 2024)
On Friday's show: After another round of storms rolled through the area, we briefly talk weather with Space City Weather's Eric Berger.
Next, Mayor Whitmire wants to end the city's ShotSpotter contract. We discuss why with Houston Chronicle reporter Yilun Cheng.
Also this hour: Our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week
Then, we preview an upcoming Houston Chamber Choir concert featuring music by Dave Brubeck.
And we learn about Taurean "Tory" Bush's efforts to release a graphic novel while serving time in prison -
Hurricane season forecast (May 30, 2024)
Houston Matters begins at 9 a.m. CT on 88.7FM or listen online. Join the discussion at 713-440-8870, talk@houstonmatters.org or @HoustonMatters.
On Thursday's show: News broke yesterday that ConocoPhillips plans to buy Marathon Oil in an all-stock deal valued around $17.1 billion. We learn more about the deal and what it could mean for Houston and for energy prices.
Also this hour: Atlantic hurricane season officially begins Saturday. Matt Rosencrans, lead hurricane season forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, walks us through what to expect in terms of major storms over the next several months.
Then: We discuss how the latest Planet of the Apes film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, explores legacy and how history is remembered, which is the subject of this month’s installment of our film segment, The Bigger Picture.
And we reflect on the life of Sam Houston, namely the final few years of it, which he spent in self-imposed exile in the pines of East Texas. It's the subject of Ron Rozelle’s book Exiled: The Last Days of Sam Houston.
Audio from today's show will be available after 11 a.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and other apps. -
Houston’s future problems (May 29, 2024)
On Wednesday's show: Storms on Tuesday brought wind, rain, and hail, and left some streets flooded and power out -- again. So, naturally, there’s more rain coming. Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard tells us what to expect the rest of this week.
Also this hour: We discuss results from the primary election runoffs and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, there are some things Houstonians deal with today that will probably always be a challenge -- public safety, mobility, flood risk, and more. But how will they change long term? We contemplate what challenges our city will face in 2044.
And we meet the new artistic director for Stages Houston. -
How the storm affected Houston trees (May 28, 2024)
On Tuesday's show: We learn about the recent storm’s impact on tree cover from Barry Ward of Trees for Houston.
Also this hour: We preview a busy month ahead for the U.S. Supreme Court with Charles “Rocky” Rhodes of South Texas College of Law Houston.
Then, Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians and a native Houstonian, talks about his latest book, Lies and Weddings.
And we visit Camp for All near Brenham, where kids with disabilities, health conditions, and other challenges can have a traditional summer camp experience. -
How CenterPoint restored power (May 24, 2024)
On Friday's show: An official with CenterPoint Energy talks about the past eight days’ worth of repairs and electricity restoration, how mobile generation was used through the storm and recovery, and what’s left to do where.
Also this hour: A live music program launches at an area hospital. We learn what Musicians on Call seeks to do for patients, families, and caregivers.
Then, our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And, with Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd scheduled to speak this weekend at Comicpalooza (in a session moderated by Houston Public Media's Ernie Manouse), we revisit a 2015 conversation marking the film's 30th anniversary where we invited listeners to speculate on what Houston would be like 30 years in the future. -
Storm recovery one week later (May 23, 2024)
On Thursday's show: One week after deadly storms struck parts of Greater Houston and knocked out power for thousands, we take stock of the recovery effort so far.
Also this hour: Former Houston Chronicle reporter Mike Hixenbaugh talks about increased political battles in public education, which is the subject of his new book: They Came for the Schools.
Then, ahead of this weekend’s Comicpalooza, we hear from a star of the comic book world who’s appearing there: writer and illustrator Chip Zdarsky. He’s written for popular DC and Marvel comics, including Batman, Spider-Man, and Daredevil.
And, ahead of a concert next week celebrating the music of Joe Sample, we revisit a 2013 conversation with the late Houston jazz musician.
Customer Reviews
Love the show: Information without bias or hyperbole.
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.
Extreme political bias
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.
Special Edition
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.