Houston Matters

On Friday's show: We check in on the status of long wait times at Bush Intercontinental Airport amid a partial government shutdown. And the UH Cougars were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament with a loss to Illinois last night. We recap the game.Also this hour: From repurposing the Astrodome to the high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas, there are some big -- potentially visionary -- projects in Greater Houston that never quite come to fruition. We consider some of the reasons why.Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And Houston’s EZ Band, which brings Tejano flavor to covers of modern pop songs, performs for us in studio.Watch

On Thursday's show: We check in again on the latest efforts to reduce security delays at Bush Airport as TSA workers remain unpaid during the partial government shutdown.Also this hour: Following the conviction of a Houston man for murder in a case involving stalking, we discuss how to recognize it and what practical steps can be taken to help someone in danger.Then, we examine how diagnostic delays, a lack of tailored treatments, and historic underinvestment in conditions that primarily or disproportionately affect them all combine to impact women’s health outcomes across Greater Houston.And we get an update on Houston’s real estate market.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We check in on the continuing security delays at Bush Airport amid a partial government shutdown.Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Then, we revisit a question we’ve asked before: is Texas too big?And we reflect on the women’s suffrage movement in Houston and Texas and discuss why women's voting access is still a relevant topic today.Watch

Laura Hughes, co-owner of Basket Books and Art, talks indie bookstore life and community. Margot Lee Shetterly, author of Hidden Figures, discusses documenting women’s roles in space. Imran Ghani, director of CAIR Houston, addresses local Muslim responses to rising anti-Islamic rhetoric. Jordan Bloom, Fortune energy editor, reports from CERAWeek on oil prices, nuclear interest, renewables and protests.

On Monday's show: The University of Houston Cougars men's basketball team is back in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament after a blowout win over Texas A&M. They will take on Illinois on Thursday night in what is essentially a home game at the Toyota Center. We review how they got here and contemplate what’s next with the help of Houston Chronicle reporter Joseph Duarte.And Houston Public Media’s Michael Adkison drops by to review the reaction in Houston and Texas to the allegations against the late 20th century labor leader and activist César Chávez.Also this hour: The Trump administration claims the war in Iran will not be an extended engagement. But what if it is? We discuss how it might affect Houston -- beyond high gas prices.Then, we take a deep dive into the rollout of the state’s school vouchers program with Houston Public Media's Bianca Seward and Elizabeth Sander from the Houston Chronicle.And we preview the new baseball season for the Astros, who kick things off Thursday night against the Angels at Daikin Park.Watch

On Friday's show: A battle over immigration enforcement is playing out at Houston City Hall, and it puts the mayor and city council on a collision course. And Harris County commissioners have voted to pass a controversial expansion of Ben Taub Hospital through eminent domain. We get details on both stories from the Houston Public Media newsroom.Also this hour: We preview the Houston Hockey Hall of Fame induction event tonight, emceed by our own hockey enthusiast, Craig Cohen. Inductees include Chie Chie Yard, an NHL executive, former Olympian, and Houston-native. And we find out what's on tap for the annual Hockey Day in Houston event this Saturday at Saint Arnold Brewery.And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.Watch

On Thursday's show: Delays in heavy trash pickup around the city are sometimes forcing residents to take matters into their own hands. We find out what's behind the crisis and whether any solutions are on the horizon.Also this hour: A national conference exploring the intersection of medicine and religion takes place in Houston March 22-24. We preview the event and discuss where those two things should and should not intersect.And we learn about this year’s Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta, the biggest canoe and kayak race in Texas, which takes place on Saturday.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: When people think “rodeo,” they often picture one thing. But in Houston, rodeo culture tells a much bigger, more layered story -- one shaped by music, diverse cowboy traditions, fashion, and community. We explore how Houston’s version of rodeo culture stands apart.And a recent survey revealed some things about how Houstonians experience loneliness these days, so much so that it inspired a public event on the topic next week called Stronger Together. With those facts in mind, we ask a licensed professional counselor for some practical advice on how to address loneliness in our lives and communities.Watch

On Tuesday's show: An Australian gambler known as “The Joker” has confirmed he was behind the plot to engineer a guaranteed Lotto Texas jackpot win in 2023. In his ongoing coverage of this story, Houston Chronicle investigative reporter Eric Dexheimer tells us more about the man and the ring of high-stakes gamblers who pulled off the plot, reportedly with the full support of the Texas Lottery Commission.Also this hour: The next launch window for Artemis II is April 1-6. The mission to send astronauts around the moon and back has been delayed over technical issues found during testing, which remind us of the complicated nature of spaceflight. We discuss aerospace and aviation safety standards with an industry expert.Then, author Mark Stevens talks about his new memoir, The Last Club Kid, which recalls how Houston’s nightlife once offered refuge, freedom, and community for a generation during the height of the AIDS epidemic.And, on this St. Patrick's Day, we learn about Irish Americans, immigrants, and ex-pats who gather at Houston-area parks to play traditional Gaelic football, which combines elements of soccer and rugby, among other sports.Watch

On Monday's show: Houston-area public school districts have recently become inundated with requests for Individualized Education Programs, or IEPs, linked to Texas' new $1 billion school voucher program. Houston Public Media's Bianca Seward joins us to explain.Also this hour: We learn why Corpus Christi could run out of water by next year and discuss the possible ramifications for the state.Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listener questions about their pets.And, we get an update on Astros Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic.Watch