Pipeline fire and air quality (Sept. 17, 2024)

09/17/24 • 49 min

On Tuesday's show: The Energy Transfer pipeline fire in La Porte near Deer Park has continued burning this morning, though it’s diminished. We get the very latest on the situation and discuss how it might be affecting air quality.

And Houston Chronicle reporters outline a stark decline in high-speed police chases over the last year since HPD changed its policy on them.

Also this hour: We learn about the University of Houston’s role in an effort to develop better, longer-lasting batteries, which is a crucial step towards a cleaner energy future.

Then, we visit Brays Bayou to discuss maintaining and restoring vulnerable native plants there.

And we learn about a new satire called The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote, from Houston native playwright Bernardo Cubría, which is making its world premiere at Stages through Oct. 6.

And Houston Chronicle reporters outline a stark decline in high-speed police chases over the last year since HPD changed its policy on them.

Also this hour: We learn about the University of Houston’s role in an effort to develop better, longer-lasting batteries, which is a crucial step towards a cleaner energy future.

Then, we visit Brays Bayou to discuss maintaining and restoring vulnerable native plants there.

And we learn about a new satire called The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote, from Houston native playwright Bernardo Cubría, which is making its world premiere at Stages through Oct. 6.

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Muggy heat returns (Sept. 16, 2024)

Houston Matters begins at 9 a.m. CT on 88.7FM or listen online. Join the discussion at 713-440-8870, [email protected] or @HoustonMatters.

On Monday's show: Fall is supposed to begin on Sunday, but it sure doesn’t feel like it here. We learn why from Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard.

Also this hour: Author Mary Ellen Curtin reflects on the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, the Houston native who was the first Black woman from the South to serve in Congress. Jordan is the subject of Curtin's new biography, She Changed the Nation.

Then, we chat with Here & Now host Peter O’Dowd, who’s broadcasting from Houston Public Media next week.

Plus, we get an update on some projects to desalinate water in Texas.

And we recap Texans' win over the Bears in their home opener last night and get an update on the Astros from Bleav in Astros podcast co-host Jeff Balke.

Audio from today's show will be available after 11 a.m. CT. We also offer a free podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and other apps.

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The week in politics (Sept. 18, 2024)

On Wednesday's show: We discuss Mayor John Whitmire’s State of the City address. Then we learn about a lawsuit against a fertility clinic over in vitro fertilization.

Also this hour: From the mayor's State of the City address, to a growing field in the race for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, we discuss developments in local, state, and national politics, in our weekly roundup.

We discuss the SCOPE Act, a new law that went into effect this month aimed at preventing Texas children from accessing certain content on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. With that Meta’s announcement that its establishing a more restricted version of Instagram for younger users, we discuss how to best protect kids on social media.

And, ahead of an event with Performing Arts Houston on Thursday, we revisit a 2019 conversation with Jenna Bush Hager and her sister Barbara Pierce Bush. They’re the daughters of former President George W. Bush and the granddaughters of Houston’s own late former President George H.W. Bush.