Houston Matters

On Thursday's show: Houston police recovered the body of a man in White Oak Bayou Wednesday morning, the seventh body found in the bayous in about a month. Investigators do not suspect foul play. Houston Public Media's Michael Adkison brings us the latest on this particular instance and what law enforcement has to say about the frequency in which human remains are found in the city's bayous.Also this hour: We examine what renewed efforts to ramp up coal production might mean for the energy industry here in Texas.And Chef Adán Medrano discusses his new cookbook celebrating the plant-based traditions of Texas Mexican-American families and their ancestors.Watch

On Wednesday's show: We get insight on the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: We reflect on the legacy of Monica Roberts, an influential activist for transgender rights who passed away five years ago. We remember her work fighting for equality and visibility during a time of progress and pushback, and we discuss where Houston’s transgender community is headed next.And how can something as innocuous as design fight racism? Author Omari Souza discusses his book, Design Against Racism, ahead of an event at Kindred Stories Thursday night.Watch

On Tuesday's show: A new Texas-based national stock exchange has moved one step closer to becoming a reality. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is allowing the Texas Stock Exchange, operated by a Dallas-based startup, to move forward as a direct competitor to the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq. We learn what this could mean for Texas and its economy.Also this hour: From solitary confinement, to group recreation, we learn how small changes are reshaping life on Texas death row.Then, comedian Maria Bamford has an amazing ability to slip into and out of characters on stage. We talk with her in her real voice (and maybe some others) ahead of a performance at Houston Improv Wednesday night.And we learn how Houston’s Korean community is shaping the city’s cultural landscape ahead of the annual Korean Festival this weekend at Discovery Green.Watch

On Monday's show: Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week that the Department of Public Safety is launching a new task force in Harris County aimed at targeting what he called “repeat violent offenders.” The governor says the DPS-led effort will bring more resources to Houston and Harris County law enforcement. But questions remain about what this task force will actually do, how it will operate alongside local agencies, and what role politics may play in its creation.Also this hour: We offer Houstonians a chance to vent about their pet peeves about life in our city.And we discuss the latest developments in Houston sports.Watch

On Friday's show: As the government shutdown enters its third day, Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw joins us to talk about the impasse and what it would take to reopen.Also this hour: We meet Abdullah Antepli, the new president of the Rothko Chapel.Then, from a controversial Halloween display depicting political hangings, to a potential new movie star being an AI creation, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd talks about the 30th anniversary of Ledbetter Heights, the album that put him on the map while he was just a teenager. He performs the album in its entirety Feb. 21 at House of Blues Houston.Watch

On Thursday's show: Much of the federal government is shut down after Senate Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a spending bill to keep the government open. Houston Rep. Lizzie Fletcher joins us to discuss the implications and what it would take to reopen.Also this hour: We learn about a program from Houston Methodist and Rice University to train Houston students and teachers to shape the future of digital health.And we preview the Nigeria Cultural Parade and Festival, which takes place this Saturday, Oct. 4, in downtown Houston.Watch

On Wednesday's show: Experts offer insight on the latest developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Food writers talk about some of their favorite sandwich places around Houston in this month's installment of The Full Menu.And Houston’s Black rock scene is alive and evolving, and a local band is at its heart. We hear from Nicotine & The Warmtones about what it means to carve out space in the city’s music landscape.Watch

On Tuesday's show: As hurricane season nears its end, what can Harris County do to make sure our region is prepared for all kinds of emergencies?Also this hour: The national unemployment rate held steady last month at 4.3 percent, but that remains the highest it has been in nearly four years. However, that is still a far cry from COVID-era rates. We talk about what we’re seeing in terms of jobs and unemployment benefits in the Houston area with Juliet Stipeche of Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions.Then, the new film The Long Walk takes endurance athletics to a horrific level, but some Houstonians walk or run long distances without their lives being on the line to motivate them. We meet one on this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture.And we visit Galveston’s East Beach, the site of the annual Galveston Sandcastle Festival.Watch

On Monday's show: The Astros will miss the playoffs for the first time in nine years. We discuss how much injuries plagued the team this season, and what, if anything, the Astros can do to avoid the same fate next year with Jeff Balke, co-host of the Bleav in Astros podcast. And the Texans pulled off their first shutout in 15 years, beating the Titans 26-0.Also this hour: Fort Bend County has a new budget, but it didn’t come without contention. Houston Public Media's Natalie Weber explains.Then, this week marks six months since Hello Houston launched on Houston Public Media. We check-in on how the show is going with hosts Ernie Manouse, Frank Billingsley, and Celeste Diaz-Schurman.And most of us daydream about winning the lottery, but too often people who receive such financial windfalls end up watching the money slip away. We discuss why and seek advice from Juan Hernandez Ariano, a certified financial planner from WealthCreate Financial.Watch

On Friday's show: We examine the wave of massive data centers expanding across Texas, prompting warnings from experts who say the new water demands could push the state’s already strained supply to the brink.Also this hour: We get a new perspective on local democracy by talking with self-described "local government enthusiast" Emily Hynds about observing every Houston City Council meeting for the last five years and sharing what she sees through her blog, Emily Takes Notes.Then, from Camp Mystic planning to reopen partially, to a statue of President Trump holding hands with Jeffrey Epstein briefly showing up on the National Mall, our non-experts break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we recall how an underdog team of Major League prospects -- including some future Astros stars -- managed to pull off an upset and won the gold medal in baseball at the 2000 Olympics. We talk with Houstonian Dave Fanucchi, author of a book about that story, Miracle on Grass.Watch