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  On Tuesday's Houston Matters: The White House recently released an assessment of each state’s infrastructure needs and gave them a letter grade. Texas got a C. We talk about the report and what Pres. Biden’s infrastructure plan could do for Texas. Also this hour: On this date 51 years ago, an oxygen tank explosion severely damaged the Apollo 13 spacecraft some 200,000 miles from earth. Space Center Houston is marking the anniversary of the... Read More

  On Monday's Houston Matters: When it comes to COVID-19, could things really return to "normal by summer" as some have suggested? Also this hour: It came as little surprise when proponents of oil and gas tried to shift the narrative during February’s freeze and power failures and lay the blame on renewable energy, even as it was clear all sources of energy were struggling to provide power during the storm. But now, we’re learning... Read More

On Friday's show: Houstonians saw smoke from yet another industrial fire Wednesday afternoon. The fire ignited at a chemical plant in Channelview operated by K-Solv, a Houston-based company specializing in environmental emergency responses. The blaze was contained in about four hours, but it calls to mind the dozens of chemical fires and explosions in recent years in the area, which is home to more than 2,500 chemical facilities. What did we learn from the last... Read More

On Thursday's Houston Matters: Texas students saw technical issues in their first day of STAAR testing. And what do Latino parents want in a new HISD Superintendent? We learn more. Also this hour: In an attempt to stop drugs in state prisons at the beginning of the pandemic, officials stopped in-person visits and limited mail. A year later, the problem is actually worse. We learn more from Keri Blakinger of The Marshall Project and Jolie... Read More

On Wednesday's Houston Matters: More than three dozen Texans have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Why is that number so much higher than almost any other state? Also, Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an executive order banning state agencies from requiring vaccine passports in order to enter public spaces or receive public services. He says such a requirement treads on the personal freedoms of Texans. We talk... Read More

On Tuesday's Houston Matters: Some parts of the country are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations as of late. But are we seeing that here? Is it a fourth wave prompted by letting our guard down — or the last gasp of a pandemic on the decline? Also this hour: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee answers your questions. You can submit yours now to talk@houstonmatters.org. Then, from the Astrodome to integration, we discuss ways... Read More

On Monday's Houston Matters: Several major corporations with offices in Texas have made their displeasure known regarding new voting restrictions being considered in the state legislature. But does the threat of economic ramifications ever succeed in changing policy? Also this hour: We offer you another chance to vent in our monthly session of Houston Pet Peeves. Share yours now at talk@houstonmatters.org. Plus we reflect on the UH Cougars’ historic Final Four run, get an update... Read More

On Friday's Houston Matters: We preview the Final Four matchup between the UH Cougars and the Baylor Bears on Saturday. And, while Saturday's basketball game is huge, it still might not be the biggest in UH history. We reflect on the so-called Game of the Century against UCLA in 1968 at the Astrodome. Also this hour: A new report shows Houston businesses struggling with economic growth and racial inclusion over the past decade. We hear... Read More

On Thursday's Houston Matters: The Texas Senate has given preliminary approval to a bill designed to keep major social media platforms from blocking political speech. But will it hold up in court – and is it even a good idea? Also this hour: Women have left the workforce in larger proportions than men since the start of the pandemic. Why? And what needs to happen to help those who want to come back? Then, today... Read More

On Wednesday's Houston Matters: We discuss the latest news in our weekly political roundup. Also this hour: Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate each admit passage of a comprehensive immigration reform bill is unlikely, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t talking about it — and using the surge of people crossing the border illegally to further their positions on it. We ask News 88.7’s Elizabeth Trovall what our Senators are saying and doing about... Read More

On Tuesday's Houston Matters: Three legal proceedings are underway that have implications for Houston. We take a closer look at the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, we learn more about a lawsuit filed against Center Point Energy over deaths during the February freeze, and we get the latest on more women filing lawsuits against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Also this hour: Houston City Councilman David Robinson answers your questions about issues facing the city. Submit... Read More

On Monday's Houston Matters: Starting today, Texans age 16 and up can sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine. We have the latest on vaccine distribution in Houston and across Texas. Also this hour: Some jobs have to be accomplished in person, but one lesson many have learned during the last year of the pandemic is that more jobs than maybe previously thought can be conducted from anywhere, thanks to technology. So, will some jobs become... Read More

  On Friday's Houston Matters: The ACLU of Texas has found discrepancies in the number of voter fraud prosecutions Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office is pursuing. We learn more. Also this hour: We dig into why Paxton's office, which is supposed to enforce the state’s open record laws, isn’t releasing to reporters his own correspondence about his attendance at the Washington D.C. pro-Trump rally before the Jan. 6 insurrection at the capitol.  Then, we... Read More

On Thursday's Houston Matters: We discuss what qualities parents and teachers would like to see in HISD's permanent superintendent, now that longtime Interim Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan announced her departure. Also this hour: Today is the final day of operations for the River Oaks Theatre after it was announced that the venue had not been able to negotiate a new lease. This is just one of many notable Houston landmarks that have come and gone in recent... Read More

On Wednesday's Houston Matters: All adults in Texas will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination starting Monday. We learn how this changes things for those seeking a vaccine and what it means for the overall quest for herd immunity. Also this hour: We break down the latest news in our weekly political roundup. Then, we learn about efforts to bridge the digital divide and new research that shows how lacking computer skills affects earning... Read More

On Tuesday's Houston Matters: We get an update on sexual assault allegations against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Also this hour: State Rep. Gene Wu addresses recent hate crimes against Asian Americans across the nation and answers your questions. You can submit yours now to talk@houstonmatters.org. Then, we reflect on the women of the Bush family, which is the subject of author J. Randy Taraborrelli's book Grace and Steel: Dorothy, Barbara, Laura, and the Women of... Read More

On Monday's Houston Matters: The recent influx of young migrants crossing the border has forced federal officials to establish additional intake sites and seek additional temporary shelters to relieve overcrowding. We learn what unaccompanied minors go through after they cross the border and how the Biden administration is handling immigration issues so far. Also this hour: Houston is the only American city with two major airports using facial recognition technology at international arrival checkpoints. That... Read More

On Thursday's Houston Matters: The drama surrounding Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson took a startling turn late Tuesday. Houston area attorney Tony Buzbee announced on Instagram that his law firm has filed suit against Watson. Fox 26 reported Wednesday the plaintiff alleges sexual assault. Watson stated on Twitter Tuesday night that he has “never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect,” and that he looks forward to clearing his name. We discuss what... Read More

On Wednesday's Houston Matters: The state’s COVID-19 hospitalization rate has dropped under 4,000 — its lowest number since October. Has Houston’s hospitalization rate dropped too? We hear from local health officials. Also this hour: We discuss the latest news in our weekly political roundup. Then, Houston’s annual comic convention, Comicpalooza, will be returning in July this year after having to cancel in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s one of a small but growing... Read More

On Tuesday's Houston Matters: HPD Chief Art Acevedo’s impending departure has community groups wondering what the next chief of police may -- or may not -- do to further law enforcement reform efforts. What should Houstonians expect from their next chief? We talk it over. Also this hour: City Council Member Dr. Letitia Plummer answers your questions about issues affecting the city. Then, after last month's freeze, many Houstonians are wondering if their plants survived... Read More