Houston Matters

On Thursday's show: A new investigation from the Houston Chronicle called Unchecked Forces examines the growing number and power of Harris County constables. We learn what their reporting found and why it matters. Also this hour: We meet Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, the new board chair for Houston METRO, the agency that oversees public transit in Harris County. She's the first Hispanic woman to serve in that role. We discuss what she's focusing on in that position as METRO aims to increase ridership and improve the customer experience on buses and rail lines. Then, Ernie Manouse chats with Broadway legend Patti LuPone. The three-time Tony Award winner performs tonight at the Hobby Center. And writer Michael Arceneaux talks about writing and working through upheaval and grief -- along with his discontent with the trolls on social media. The Houston native has a new book of essays called I Finally Bought Some Jordans.

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: Entomologist Erin Mills of the Houston Botanic Garden joins us to talk about insects and bugs. And, as interest in pickleball grows, so do dedicated courts around Greater Houston.

On Tuesday's show: Harris County is paying millions to outsource many of its inmates, sending hundreds of people to privately owned, out-of-state prisons — one of which is accredited by an organization with an “irreconcilable conflict of interest,” according to a congressional investigation. News 88.7's Lucio Vasquez explains how the county is "surrendering control" of its inmates to private prisons with questionable oversight. Also this hour: As the annual CERAWeek conference continues this week in Houston, S&P Global’s Daniel Yergin discusses the role mining may need to play in the global energy transition. Then, we learn how Houston researchers help patients with the rarest diseases find elusive medical answers. Plus: Some signs suggest our region is more consistently embracing renovation over demolition. And the latest installment of the Movies Houstonians Love series at the MFAH takes moviegoers back to the 1904 World’s Fair with Meet Me in St. Louis.

On Monday's show: CERAWeek starts today. We preview the annual energy conference and listen back to a conversation with Stephanie Hertzog, CEO of Houston-based Sodexo Energy & Resources North America, about the role women play in the oil and gas industry’s “great crew change.” Also this hour: It’s Women’s History Month. We revisit our 2022 conversation with NASA's Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, author of the book Making Space for Women. Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers your pet care questions. And we learn how the bracket shapes up for the UH Cougars as we preview the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments with the help of Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: How often do court-appointed defense attorneys in Harris County visit their clients who are facing the death penalty? We learn more about a new report and what it says about the criminal justice system. And we get the latest on some off-and-on stormy weather expected Friday and through the weekend in and around the Houston area. Also this hour: Amid rising prices over the past few years, how are Houston's renters doing? And, from artists dropping out of SXSW in protest of certain event sponsors, to universities once again requiring students to submit SAT and ACT scores for admission, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

On Friday's show: Houston is set to receive $43 million from the Department of Transportation for flood and heat mitigation, pedestrian safety, and green space. We'll learn what those improvements will look like from Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, and discuss the value of new tree canopies with Barry Ward from Trees for Houston. Also this hour: Ahead of St. Patrick's Day, we revisit a conversation about Irish-Americans in Houston. Then, following a PBS Frontline win at the Academy Awards for 20 Days in Mariupol, we'll listen back to conversations about previous Frontline documentaries with Houston connections. And we meet the founder of Hopera, a company of singers that performs opera at local craft breweries.

On Wednesday's show: Nancy Sims joins us to discuss local, state, and national politics. Also this hour: It's been four years since the COVID pandemic started--we talk with Dr. Peter Hotez about where we are today and what's in store for the future. Then, Troy Schulze talks with some of the folks behind this year's FotoFest Biennial festival.

On Tuesday's show: We talk with Jennifer Hadayia from Air Alliance Houston about a number of developments in environmental news, from highway projects and emissions to new federal standards and lawsuits from the state. Also this hour: Reporter Roxanna Asgarian shares what her book We Were Once a Family reveals about inequities in the child welfare system. Then, allergist Dr. Dat Tran joins us to answer questions about getting allergy relief. And we go behind the scenes of a new concert series at the University of Houston-Downtown.

  On Monday's show: NPR's Franco Ordoñez joins us to discuss the Republican National Convention's spring meeting in Houston that took place on Friday. Also this hour: After losing an hour of sleep from Daylight Saving Time, we talk about how to get back on proper rest with sleep expert Kristin Eckel-Mahan. Then, we answer your gardening questions with Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston. And the NFL free agency period starts today. We'll talk with Jeff Balke about what moves the Houston Texans might consider.

On Friday's show: We discuss President Biden's State of the Union address and any implications for Texas with Texas Southern University professor Michael O. Adams. Also this hour: We revisit a conversation with death row exoneree Anthony Charles Graves from I SEE U. Then, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the week's news, including an investigation into the Houston Police Department, and a Texas land swap with SpaceX. And Ernie Manouse talks with the local author of a book about Academy Award winner Hattie McDaniel.