50 episodes
Houston Matters Houston Public Media
-
- News
-
-
4.4 • 88 Ratings
-
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.
-
Houston’s global economy (May 3, 2024)
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. -
Transportation projects in limbo (May 2, 2024)
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. -
The week in politics (May 1, 2024)
On Wednesday's show: Legal action continues in connection with the kidney and liver transplant programs at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. In April, the hospital halted those transplants due to a “pattern of irregularities with donor acceptance criteria.” We get an update on the story and learn about a woman whose husband died while waiting for a liver transplant.
Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.
Then, in this month's edition of The Full Menu, food writers discuss their favorite underrated restaurants and hidden gems around the city.
And Stages Houston is presenting a fresh take on a Shakespearean classic. Othello: The Remix blends hip-hop and a rotating stage to bring new life to the themes found in the Bard’s classic work. -
Title IX and transgender discrimination (April 30, 2024)
On Tuesday's show: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Biden administration over revised Title IX rules that would expand discrimination protections to transgender students.
Also this hour: On the heels of protests at college campuses over the war in Gaza, including some protests here in Texas, we discuss what a Supreme Court non-decision signals about the future of protests in Texas and other states.
Then: The latest about changing guidance surrounding cancer screening.
And this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture examines some of the social and political issues at play in the movie Civil War. -
Southwest Airlines leaving Bush Airport (April 29, 2024)
On Monday's show: We get an update on severe weather and flooding overnight around the region. And we explore how Southwest Airlines leaving Bush Airport will affect travelers.
Also this hour: The city of Corpus Christi is pursuing development of the state’s first ocean desalination project. Turning ocean salt water into healthy drinking water would have some obvious benefits, but could it have a negative impact on the environment? And we learn about a desalination project here in Houston.
Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions.
And, on the heels of the NFL Draft, Jeff Balke reflects on how Houston sports teams have fared in drafts over the years -- who were some of the biggest successes and the biggest busts? -
How Texas jails deal with overcrowding (April 26, 2024)
On Friday's show: The Harris County Jail continues to face challenges with overcrowding. And it’s not just the jail here. We learn how jails across the state are dealing with the same issue.
Also this hour: For students going to college, picking where to go can be a complicated decision. And visiting all the campuses on your wish list might not be feasible. But what if they came to you? That’s what happened recently when Houston’s NRG Center hosted the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s National College Fair, where dozens of institutions from across the country got a chance for some face time with busloads of local high school students and others there with their parents.
Then, from the Texans unveiling new uniforms, to a former college football star getting back a trophy he had to forfeit years ago, our panel of non-experts discusses The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
And the local ensemble WindSync is celebrating its 15th anniversary at their annual Onstage Offstage Chamber Music Festival, which runs through the weekend. We reflect on the group's history and how it has changed over years.
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.