A mint green skyline against a dark blue background with the words Houston Matters with Craig Cohen in white

On Tuesday's show: The window for families to apply for the state's new school voucher program, officially called Texas Education Freedom Accounts, opens on Wednesday for the 2026-27 school year. We discuss why the state is trying to limit which schools can participate and other questions as the new program begins.

Also this hour: How much should you trust the quality of the water coming out the tap? Pedro Alvarez, director of Rice University’s WaTER Institute, explains what we should all know about the quality of water where we live and work.

Then, representatives from The Houston Defender and the The Houston Sun reflect on the history of the Black press in Houston, how it has shaped the city through pivotal eras of history, and why its voice still matters.

And standup comedian Mohanad Elshieky performs this week at Punch Line Houston. We talk with him about his comedy and his work as a writer for NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!

Watch

School voucher applications (Feb. 3, 2026)