Houston Matters

12/05/2024

In this month’s edition of The Full Menu, food writers share their top picks for new restaurants that have opened in the past year.
 
Eric Sandler of CultureMap shared that his favorite new restaurant of the year is Ema, a Mexican breakfast and lunch concept in The Heights.
 
Listen to the full conversation with Eric Sandler of CultureMap Houston, Felice Sloan of the Swanky Maven lifestyle blog, and David Leftwich of Edible Houston and Houston Food Finder at HoustonMatters.org.

12/03/2024

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, or ARPA, provided nearly $2 trillion in stimulus for the nation as we sought to dig our way out of the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and response. Among those funds were billions of dollars that assisted municipal governments, colleges and universities, and health systems, among others.
 
Well, the last penny of that money must be allocated by the end of this month. That means those governments, schools, hospitals, and more can’t rely on it anymore to fund projects and make up budget shortfalls.
 
To find out how ready they are and what other sources of funding could help fill in future gaps, Houston Matters producer Mincho Jacob talked with John Diamond, the director of the Center for Public Finance at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, and Joyce Beebe, a fellow in public finance at the institute.
 
Listen to the full conversation with John Diamond at HoustonPublicMedia.org.

11/26/2024

If you’re planning on hitting the roads for the Thanksgiving holiday here are some safety tips to follow as the Texas Department of Public Safety will have increased enforcement.
 
According to AAA, more than 5.7 million Texans are expected to travel 50 miles or more. During Thanksgiving last year, DPS said it issued more than 41,000 warnings and citations statewide. Fifty-four felony, 36 DWI, and 18 fugitive arrests were also made during that same period.
 
On Monday, DPS Sgt. Rich Standifer and Sgt. Sasha Latham with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office spoke with Houston Matters’ Craig Cohen about what Texans should look out for if they plan to drive this holiday season.
 
Latham said impaired driving is a leading cause of fatal crashes, especially in Harris County, which leads the state in traffic fatalities.
“Looking at [the] data, we can actually narrow down the causes of those crashes to five main things; first and foremost, impaired driving,” she said. “Just under half of fatality crashes involve one or more impaired drivers, regardless of who caused the crash.”
 
Other leading causes are speeding, improper lane departure, failure to wear a seat belt and ignoring traffic control devices i.e. running stop signs or red lights, Latham said.
 
You can find more information on DPS safety tips for traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday at HoustonMatters.org

11/25/2024

Every month, Houston Matters goes to the dogs (and cats) as we welcome your questions about the care and feeding of your canine and feline friends, for veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller from the Meyerland Animal Clinic and Texas A&M University.
 
Dr. Teller offers some holiday-related reminders about foods that may or may not be good for our pets, as well as what to remember about holiday decorations those dogs and cats may try to chew on.

She explains that many of the foods we serve at Thanksgiving aren’t good for them, and in some cases, can be dangerous.

Listen to the full conversation at HoustonMatters.org

11/20/2024

On this week’s political round-up we discuss the key themes emerging from President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominations including connections to Fox News, policies favoring Elon Musk, and a strong emphasis on loyalty to Trump.  
 
We also analyze the recent cabinet and advisor appointments and their potential implications and explore significant happenings in local, state, and national politics.
 
Listen to the full conversation with expert commentary Nancy Sims, a political analyst and lecturer at the University of Houston, and Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston and co-host of Party Politics at HoustonMatters.org.

11/15/2024

A new rideshare app could be introduced in Houston and other major cities in Texas, offering a unique service: All of its drivers have fi****ms.
 
Blackwolf started in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2023 as an alternative ridesharing app for those who wanted an extra layer of security. The founder, King Brown, had a career in private security and started the company after one of his former clients voiced a need for such a service.
 
“She was trafficked for three years and [during] the last couple of months that I had with this particular client, she told me to create a transportation system for herself and her daughter,” he said. “I started it initially to transport women and children who have been [victims] of domestic violence or trafficking.”
 
According to Blackwolf’s website, all drivers must have at least four years of experience in the military, law enforcement or private security. The company’s “premium” service also requires that drivers have proof of an active security license in the state where they are operating.
 
“We love to recruit our veterans and we’re a big supporter of the boys in blue, those who have been in the private sector, firefighters, EMTs [and] those who are actually licensed through their state,” Brown said. “The biggest thing is the comfort in the vetting process. ... It’s all about the perception.”
 
Currently, the Blackwolf app has more than 300,000 downloads, and Brown said social media has played a large role in the growth of the service’s user base.
 
You can learn more about Blackwolf coming to Houston at HoustonPublicMedia.org

11/13/2024

What are the top spots in Houston for celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or graduation? In this month’s edition of The Full Menu, food writers share their recommended restaurants for those special moments. 
Notably, several of these establishments were among the 24 recognized by the Michelin Guide in its inaugural Texas list this week.
 
Listen to food critics Eric Sandler from CultureMap Houston, David Leftwich from Edible Houston, and Isabel Protomartir, a social media and public relations specialist, discuss their favorite go-to restaurants for special occasions at HoustonMatters.org.

11/04/2024

Many of the battles over public education have focused on curriculum, resources, and, in Houston, the state takeover of Houston ISD. But an even more fundamental challenge has yet to be addressed: chronic absenteeism.
 
In a recent interview, Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles discussed strategies to combat this problem.
 
Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing at least 10% of school days, affected 30% of U.S. students in the 2021-2022 school year, and the numbers have doubled in Texas over the past five years. Miles emphasized that to address absenteeism effectively, schools must demonstrate their value to students.
 
The district typically responds to absenteeism by contacting parents, educating them about attendance policies, conducting home visits, and monitoring attendance patterns. Miles noted that both students and parents are increasingly aware of the widening skills gap.
 
The district has implemented intervention programs to support students who miss class. Teachers often contact the parents of absent students and provide lesson plans and online lessons to help students catch up.
 
Currently, Zoom’s video conferencing capabilities allow students to attend classes remotely in 130 schools, enabling them to participate in real-time lessons.
 
You can listen to the full conversation with Mike Miles on Chronic absenteeism at HoustonMatters.org

10/30/2024

This month, fifty years ago, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre premiered in theaters. Texas filmmaker Tobe Hooper produced, directed, and co-wrote it with Kim Henkel.
 
It was bloody, it was gross, and it shocked and appalled audiences when first released, receiving mixed reviews, as many critics, like other moviegoers, were turned off by its extreme violence.
 
In the five decades since, though, the film has become regarded as a landmark in horror, though it remains controversial. It’s also credited with originating many of the tropes we’d see again and again in slasher films, spawning a franchise of nine movies (so far).
 
Houston Matters producers Garrett Bohlmann and Joshua Zinn wanted to explore the legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre by consulting local film experts Joe Leydon, Charles Dove, and Kevin Ranson, film critic and horror writer.
 
Listen to the full conversation at HoustonMatters.org.

10/02/2024

Have you ever wondered which of your favorite restaurants started as pop-ups and farmers market vendors?  
 
Houston food writers , , and share their top picks for food trucks, pop-ups, and farmers market vendors that have successfully expanded to brick-and-mortar stores.
 
For the complete list of restaurants featured in this month’s full menu, visit HoustonMatters.org.

09/30/2024

Does Houston need a new, unmistakable landmark or monument? And if so, what could it be or look like?
 
Of course, for decades, the Astrodome was our most distinctive landmark. Technically, its shell probably still is, though it mostly reminds us of what Houston once was.
 
While the city certainly has its fair share of popular local landmarks, like the Downtown Aquarium, the fountain in Hermann Park, and the Texas-shaped lazy river at the Marriott Marquis Houston, we seem to be lacking a big identifiable landmark akin to the Astrodome that instantly makes people think of The Bayou City when they see it.
 
We talk it over with Emma Balter, editor-in-chief for Houstonia Magazine, Stephen Fox, architectural historian and lecturer at Rice University and the University of Houston, and Jason Draper, associate professor at the UH Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, who all weigh in on this question.
 
We also hear from several listeners who share their thoughts on whether Houston needs a new big honkin’ thing and what it could be.
 
Listen to the full conversation at HoustonMatters.org

09/06/2024

Pickles and pickle-flavored foods are having a moment, including in Kingwood this weekend

Houston Matters learns more about some of the unusual pairings of pickle flavor available Saturday at the fifth annual In a Pickle Festival.

09/06/2024

J.B. Sauceda, from La Porte, is set to take over as the host of the well-known “Texas Country Reporter” TV show, which is scheduled to Saturday.
 
Fans of the TV show “Texas Country Reporter” are familiar with the voices of longtime host Bob Phillips and his wife Kelli, who became co-host in 2015. However, the couple is retiring from the program, which showcases life on the back roads of the Lone Star state.
 
Starting this Saturday, the episodes will feature a new host raised in Greater Houston. J.B. Sauceda, known for his work as a writer, photographer, and multimedia storyteller.
 
Sauceda shares with Houston Matters Producer Michael Hagerty his aspirations as a “Texas Country Reporter,” drawing on his Houston roots and the impact of the city’s history and culture on his storytelling.
 
You can listen to the full conversation with J.B. Sauceda at HoustonMatters.org

09/05/2024

Michael Moore, the president of Uptown Houston, outlines recent developments in the area, home to upscale retail and landmarks like The Waterwall and The Galleria.
 
Moore explains how the recently completed Boulevard Project rebuilt Post Oak Boulevard, outlines renovations and upgrades along San Felipe, and explains Uptown Houston’s role in recent dramatic changes to Memorial Park.
 
Listen to the full conversation with Michael Moore at HoustonMatters.org

09/04/2024

If you’re looking for the best restaurants with small plates and shareable dishes, this month’s full menu is for you.
 
Sometimes, you might be in the mood for a traditional meal of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. However, there are times when you want to explore a wider variety of what a particular restaurant has to offer. If that’s the case, opting for smaller dishes and sharing is the way to go.
 
Food critics , and share their recommendations for the top restaurants in Houston that offer small plates and shareable options.
 
For the complete list of restaurants featured in this month’s full menu, visit HoustonMatters.org

09/02/2024

You know what’s annoying? Scheduling something as popular as Houstonian Pet Peeves on the first Monday of every month, only to realize later that every Labor Day, the show it’s scheduled to appear on is pre-empted!

But exceptions can be made, and so on Tuesday's Houston Matters, we'll present a rare non-Monday edition, and sweat the small stuff. Because you can’t tackle life’s big challenges, when the little ones get in the way.

So, what's on your mind, Houston? What's annoying you? What small slight's taking the wind out of your sails? Vent! Here! Now!! (And I might just share it on the air Tuesday. Thank you!)

08/30/2024

The vast sprawl of Greater Houston is made up of many smaller communities and neighborhoods, each with its unique qualities and history.
 
One such community is looking to showcase those unique attributes through a project that involves painting murals on the walls of local businesses and institutions like schools.
 
The Gulfton Story Trail is a project developed by CHAT. That organization is based in Gulfton and aims to help the neighborhood’s largely immigrant and refugee population with art, advocacy, education initiatives, and access to health care.
 
Houston Matters producer Joshua Zinn talks with CHAT Founder and Director Dr. Aisha Siddiqui about the murals and what they mean to the community.
 
Listen to the full conversation with CHAT Founder and Director Dr. Aisha Siddiqui at HoustonMatters.org

08/27/2024

With a 5-0 vote and two abstentions, the Katy ISD board of trustees implemented a library policy that bans books “adopting, supporting, or promoting gender fluidity.”
 
Tompkins High School student Travis Thornton held up a copy of “Mein Kampf,” the 1925 manifesto published by Adolf Hi**er, saying it had been checked out of the school library.
 
As of Monday night, though, students like Thornton must get parental permission to access books that touch on gender identity, while elementary and junior high students in the district cannot even find them in their school libraries.
 
“If we can allow a book written by Adolf Hi**er to be read by students, and you don’t find it dangerous, we can most definitely allow books that have trans characters in them,” Thornton told board members before they voted.
 
“Giving kids access to books with transgender characters will not make your kids trans, just like reading ‘Mein Kampf’ for history class does not make you a Nazi.”
 
You can find more information on the ban on books about gender identity in Katy ISD at HoustonMatters.org