Houston Matters Houston Public Media

On Thursday's show: Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer weighs in on the sudden retirement of HPD Chief Troy Finner.
Also this hour: We talk with actor Joe Pantoliano, aka "Joey Pants." The longtime actor, who's known for roles in The Sopranos, The Matrix, and The Fugitive, is in Houston to speak at an event with The Menninger Clinic. We talk with him about his life, career, and mental health journey.
And, ahead of another Houston Symphony performance of Harry Potter music, we discuss the enduring impact of John Williams’ film scores and why symphonies have taken to performing concerts of his music in sync with the movies he’s written it all for.

On Wednesday's show: Late last night, Mayor John Whitmire announced in an e-mail to city employees that Houston Police Chief Troy Finner has retired, and that Larry Satterwhite has been appointed acting Chief of Police. This follows, of course, the revelation and ensuing investigations into many thousands of cases and incidents in which HPD officers for years used a code – “SL” – to indicate in police reports that they weren’t pursuing them any further due to lack of personnel.
The final nail in the coffin for Chief Finner may have been an e-mail reported by ABC13 and other news outlets, which Finner apparently wrote in 2018, three years before he became the police chief, referencing the suspended cases problem. That timeline contradicts his previous statements about when he became aware of it. Finner said he didn’t recall the e-mail.
We discuss this and other developments in local, state, and national politics, in our weekly roundup.
Also this hour: We preview this weekend's Big As Texas festival this weekend in Montgomery.
And, ahead of a concert on Sunday of traditional klezmer music featuring renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, we revisit a 2021 conversation with the frequent Houston Symphony collaborator.

On Tuesday's show: Ever since the Whitmire administration struck a deal with the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, questions have swirled around how the City of Houston, already facing upcoming budget deficits, could pay for a $650 million settlement. On Monday, Houston Controller Chris Hollins, the elected chief financial officer for the city, expressed his view that, while it’s not up to him to decide how to pay it off, it would likely require tax hikes and budget cuts. Hollins joins us to explain why.
Also this hour: University of Houston political scientist Brandon Rottinghaus talks about his new book, Rick Perry: A Political Life.
Then, local artist Abuela M’api Rainflowa explains how learning the truth about her ancestry led her on new journey of creative expression and activism for indigenous people. Her story is told in the latest episode of the PBS series The Express Way with Dulé Hill, which airs tonight at 8 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.
And dancer and artist Li Cunxin talks about his life and career. He left his native China to dance with the Houston Ballet and eventually became a principal dancer with the company. When he decided to stay in the United States, he was detained in the Chinese consulate, setting off an international incident. His story is told in the 2009 film, Mao's Last Dancer, which was based on his autobiography. He was recently in Houston for a screening and conversation.

On Monday's show: While protests against the war in Gaza have been raging at some college campuses across the country in recent weeks, Houston has been relatively quiet. Why? Is Houston just not much of a protest city? Or are other reasons behind why demonstrations here often look a bit different? Maggie Gordon of Houston Landing discusses her recent article on the subject.
Also this hour: We offer Houstonians their monthly opportunity to vent about their pet peeves.
And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: Meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather recaps a busy week in weather, provides the latest on storms and flooding from Thursday and outlines what we can expect the rest of Friday and through the weekend.
Also this hour: Patrick Jankowski of the The Greater Houston Partnership joins us to discuss the state of Houston’s global economy.
Then, from the University of Houston using “Houston blue” uniforms, despite threats from the NFL, to rapper Kendrick Lamar confusing Joel Osteen and Haley Joel Osment, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And we talk with the stars of The Alley Theatre’s production of Jane Eyre.

 
On Thursday's show: There have now been a few different city transportation and mobility projects halted – or even reversed – since Mayor John Whitmire took office in January. Are they just isolated projects in need of review, or are Houston’s years-long efforts to become more walkable and bikeable…over? We talk it over.
Also this hour: We consider ways to minimize or eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.
Then, with Cinco de Mayo approaching, we discuss how holidays like it come to popularity and become about something completely different.