• Houstonians protest ICE (Jan. 9, 2026)
    Jan 9 2026

    On Friday's show: We learn what took place at Houston protests in connection with the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis.

    Also this hour: We find out why the state teacher's union is suing the TEA following investigations into teachers’ social media posts last fall.

    Then, our non-experts consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

    And the series Movies Houstonians Love returns this weekend to the MFAH with a documentary decades in the making. The 2023 film Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird focuses on Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler Zavala, the duo behind the El Paso progressive rock band The Mars Volta. It’s culled from hundreds of hours of footage filmed across decades. Houston DJ and producer Gracie Chavez talks about why this film means so much to her.

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    50 mins
  • Houston Marathon preview (Jan. 8, 2026)
    Jan 8 2026

    On Thursday's show: The Chevron Houston Marathon is this Sunday. That means a lot of runners, a lot of spectators, and a lot of traffic. We talk with one of the organizers about what Houstonians need to know ahead of this weekend's events.

    And we find out why the mayor and the city controller are clashing again, this time over how flood mitigation funds are being used.

    Also this hour: We recall great speakers and speeches in Houston’s history.

    Then, we discuss the long term impact of GLP-1 medications on Houstonians’ health.

    And we chat with reggae musician Shaggy ahead of his performance with the Houston Symphony on Sunday.

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    50 mins
  • The week in politics (Jan. 7, 2026)
    Jan 7 2026

    On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

    Also this hour: In this month's installment of The Full Menu, Houston food writers discuss their favorite new restaurants that opened in 2025.

    And we chat with Puerto Rican composer and saxophonist Miguel Zenón about his upcoming performance with Kinetic Ensemble.

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3yBFRAOI_M

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    50 mins
  • Venezuelans navigating legal limbo (Jan. 6, 2026)
    Jan 6 2026

    On Tuesday's show: We hear from a local immigration attorney about questions that may be arising for Venezuelan immigrants after the U.S. takeover of the country.

    Also this hour: We answer questions about sleep and sleep disorders with a pulmonologist and sleep expert.

    Then, producer Brenda Valdivia takes us to a world where cats rule and humans happily comply at the Houston Cat Expo.

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRMdXLLCc0A

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    49 mins
  • Venezuelan impact on oil and gas (Jan. 5, 2026)
    Jan 5 2026

    On Monday's show: We discuss the implications of the takeover of Venezuela on Houston's oil and gas industry.

    Also this hour: We start the year off with some gripes and grievances in our regular segment called Houstonian Pet Peeves.

    Then, we preview the upcoming Wild Card playoff matchup between the Texans and the Steelers.

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjMcB1BP_Iw

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    50 mins
  • Houston’s favorite holiday music (Dec. 23, 2025)
    Dec 23 2025

    On Tuesday's show: We learn about problems with group homes for elderly or disabled people across the state, which is the subject of an investigation from the Texas Observer.

    Also this hour: The holidays may bring realizations about the health of aging family members in your life. We get some advice on how to handle that situation with care.

    Then, in this month’s installment of The Bigger Picture, we consider what the new Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man, has to say about religious leadership and guidance.

    And listeners share some of their favorite holiday songs in the Houston Matters Holiday Mixtape.

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    51 mins
  • Top ten stories of the year (Dec. 22, 2025)
    Dec 22 2025

    On Monday's show: Civil rights organizations are seeking to block parts of Senate Bill 12, a sweeping Texas law that prohibits discussions about gender identity in public schools as well as student clubs based on sexual orientation. We take a closer look at these lawsuits, the arguments they’re making, and confusion about a key question at the heart of it all.

    Also this hour: What is the top news story in Greater Houston from 2025? From snow, to flooding, to almost winning an NCAA championship in men's basketball, we count down the top ten stories from the past year.

    And how close is Houston to having a WNBA team again? We get an update on Houston sports.

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    50 mins
  • Letting go of Houston’s past (Dec. 19, 2025)
    Dec 19 2025

    On Friday's show: Every Houstonian has something they miss, but should we still be missing it? As the year wraps up, we’re asking which beloved parts of the city deserve remembrance and which might be holding us back.

    Then, our non-experts weigh in on The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week’s news.

    And for 40 years, Houston chef Courtney Lindsay didn't know his biological father. Then the two found each other and formed a close relationship. We revisit a conversation with Lindsay about that experience and the documentary he made about it, which will be screened tonight at the MATCH.

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    48 mins