Houston Matters

On Wednesday's show: The Supreme Court of Texas has blocked implementation of Uplift Harris, the county’s guaranteed income pilot program for low-income households. And opening statements and testimony began in the first criminal trial of a former president. We discuss those and other developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We learn about the annual Frida Festival this weekend, a celebration of creative expression and of a legend of visual art, Frida Kahlo. And more than 40 years ago, a film hit theaters showcasing a slice of life in Houston in the 1980s. Urban Cowboy starred John Travolta and Debra Winger – along with Gilley’s dance hall in Pasadena and one very popular mechanical bull. We listen back to a 2020 interview with the late Mickey Gilley on his memories from the film and what it did for his career and his business.

 On Tuesday's show: From the ongoing court challenge to the county’s income assistance program, to calls for more transparency in how the county hands out contracts for infrastructure projects, we discuss issues facing Harris County with its chief executive, Judge Lina Hidalgo.Also this hour: Term-limited Galveston City Council Member John Paul Listowski looks back on the island’s successes and challenges over the past six years.

On Monday's show: A new PBS documentary called Poisoned Ground tells the story of the Love Canal environmental disaster near Niagara Falls that led to the creation of the EPA's Superfund program. Much of the fight against that site was led by women, and we hear from one of them. And we learn how one of them inspired and mentored Houston activist Jackie Medcalf, who’s working to clean up superfund sites around this area.Also this hour: We discuss recent developments in the world of consumer technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: The Anti-Defamation League recently conducted an audit of antisemitic incidents that showed a 45 percent increase in the region that encompasses Houston. We learn more about the audit and what kinds of incidents have been reported.Also this hour: From the Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail project gaining new momentum, to retired NFL player Jason Kelce losing his Super Bowl ring in a pool of Skyline Chili, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And a new book follows women who moved to Houston from Iraq, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan as refugees and are trying to move forward with new lives. We meet two of the women and talk with Kim Meyer, author of Accidental Sisters.

On Thursday's show: While a cool front and some thunderstorms are expected to come through the region over the weekend, Houston has been experiencing plenty of warm, humid weather already this spring. We talk over some of the recent weather and climate trends with Space City Weather meteorologist Eric Berger and Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon.Also this hour: We discuss the challenges many Houston businesses face with parking and how that can affect them economically.And Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! host Peter Sagal talks about what he's learned after 25 years of making fun of everything. Sagal is coming to town for an event with Performing Arts Houston on May 3.

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Writer Anne Lamott, who recently turned 70, shares the revelations she's had over the years about love and how her idea of love and the forms it takes has changed since she was younger. She'll discuss her latest book, Somehow: Thoughts on Love, at a sold out Brazos Bookstore event tonight at Christ Church Cathedral.And acclaimed fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie talks with Houston Public Media's Ernie Manouse about his career. Mackie designed attire for many celebrities, including Cher. The musical based on her career is on stage at The Hobby Center through April 28.

On Tuesday's show: A new poll from the Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation examines the presidential horse race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in Texas and considers how those numbers might look whether independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on the ballot or not.Also this hour: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston continues its series Movies Houstonians Love with a screening of the 1986 film Caravaggio. Artist David McGee, who's presenting the film, talks about what it means to him.And we hear a Skyline Sessions performance and interview from musician Mackenzie Ruth Scott, who performs as Torres.

On Monday's show: We reflect on the last 18 months at HISD and preview a new Houston Public Media podcast called The Takeover, which examines power and public education with a focus on the largest school district in Texas as it grapples with sweeping reforms from state-installed leaders.Also this hour: Texas Southern University professor Thomas Meloncon talks about his new play, Stagolee and the Funeral of a Dangerous Word, which is on stage now through April 21 at Main Street Theater, making its world premiere. The story takes place in an office in a small town in East Texas where the local NAACP chapter is planning a funeral for the “N word.”And we discuss what's behind the rough start to the Astros season with Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: Fort Bend ISD trustees have responded to a complaint filed with the Texas Education Agency over the early retirement of then-superintendent Christie Whitbeck. News 88.7 reporter Natalie Weber explains what the complaint alleges and what the trustees have to say about it. And she discusses other developments in Fort Bend County, including Sugar Land banning new smoke shops, vape stores, and hookah bars.Also this hour: Our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week, including plans to demolish a house featured in the movie Reality Bites.And we learn about the Houston Symphony's performances of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. While many people will recognize its opening and closing numbers, the entire piece has influenced composers for TV, film, and video games.

On Thursday's show: Memorial Hermann Health Systems has halted a kidney transplant program days after abruptly announcing they also stopped liver transplants. A public health expert helps us understand why and considers the impact the news might have on patients.Also this hour: A new book called Space Shuttle Stories from veteran astronaut Tom Jones chronicles the history of the space shuttle program -- its successes and failures -- along with details, oral histories, and photographs from all 135 missions.And Eddie Robinson talks with musician, composer, and filmmaker Samora Pinderhughes, who brought his work, The Healing Project, to Houston last month. The multi-media project uses a variety of creative works to examine policing, violence, and the U.S. prison system. We hear an excerpt of their hourlong conversation from this week's edition of I See U.