Engines of Our Ingenuity 2998: Evolution in a Test Tube

Mar 13, 2024

Episode: 2998 Test Tube Evolution. Today, evolution in a test tube.

How a horrific story exposes the ills of Texas’ child welfare system

Mar 13, 2024

Roxanna Asgarian discusses her book on the tragedy of the Hart family and their adopted children.

In the heart of downtown Rosenberg, Fort Bend county hopes to restore Historic Cole Theatre

Mar 13, 2024

The cinema showed films for 64 continuous years, making it one of the longest-running theatres in the country.

Our future with coronaviruses (March 13, 2024)

Mar 13, 2024

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics, including whether runoffs ever have dramatically different results. Then we consider if we are ready for the next major public health emergency.

Tour de Houston registration open for April 7 event

Mar 13, 2024

The event will host 20 mile, 40 mile and 60 mile races around the metropolitan, but a map hasn't yet been released. Beginning and ending at Avenida de las Americas at Discovery Green, check-in and registration for the event begins at 6:30 a.m. The routes are secured until 1 p.m., and riders can hop on the sag wagon to continue the ride without support after that, according to the event's webpage.

Uvalde police chief who was on vacation during Robb Elementary School shooting resigns

Mar 13, 2024

Chief Daniel Rodriguez was taking pre-scheduled vacation time in Phoenix during the Robb Elementary School shooting on May 24, 2022.

With new state funds in hand, community colleges waive tuition for some high school students

Mar 13, 2024

In Texas and across the country, young people and their families have become increasingly skeptical of the benefits of college. Negative public perception of higher education costs has mostly centered around four-year, private institutions. Experts say community colleges often get lumped into that conversation, even though they usually have lower tuition rates.

Engines of Our Ingenuity 2851: Unplanned Obsolescence

Mar 12, 2024

Episode: 2851 The Lake Breeze Fan: Unplanned Obsolescence. Today, invention and obsolescence.

Environmental news in Texas (March 12, 2024)

Mar 12, 2024

On Tuesday's show: We discuss a number of environmental stories across the state. And we consider how to deal with seasonal allergies as we near the official start of spring.

Family of slain Houston-area doctor files wrongful death lawsuit against apartment complex

Mar 12, 2024

Dr. Talat Jehan Khan, a pediatrician for Texas Children's Hospital, was stabbed to death Oct. 28 in an outdoor common area at Alys Luxury Living in Conroe. The man accused of killing her is jailed and faces a murder charge.

Former mayor ‘shocked’ investigation exonerates all Uvalde officers in Robb shooting

Mar 12, 2024

Don McLaughlin, who called on the investigation, said acting police chief Mariano Pargas failed as a leader on the day of the mass shooting.

Galveston Ferry adds new boat to fleet for first time in more than a decade

Mar 12, 2024

The Esperanza "Hope" Andrade, named after a former Texas Secretary of State, is the first boat at the Galveston Ferry to be named after a woman and the first in Texas to be named after a Latina, according to TxDOT.

Man accused of killing 12-year-old in Cloverleaf apartment shooting arrested at U.S.-Mexico border

Mar 12, 2024

Rivera last week was charged with capital murder and police escalated their searching efforts for the suspect.

Sam Houston medical training program aims to keep new physicians in Fort Bend

Mar 12, 2024

The university is partnering with the Ibn Sina Foundation and the OakBend Medical Center in Richmond.

Tree pollen high in Houston, but considered low compared to last year, allergist says

Mar 12, 2024

It's allergy season in Houston, and many are feeling its impact. But allergist Dr. Dat Tran said the pollen count is low compared to 2023.

Two dead after Houston-area officer involved shootings Monday

Mar 12, 2024

Seven people have died in officer-involved shootings just this month in the Houston area, including in Galveston, Conroe and Montgomery. Each of the men who died was holding a gun at the time that they were shot, and one was brandishing a knife, according to the Houston Police Department.

U.S. Supreme Court extends pause on SB4, Texas’ immigration bill; new lawsuit challenges law

Mar 12, 2024

A temporary hold on the law was set to expire Wednesday, but the high court extended the pause.

UT Austin will again require standardized test scores for admission

Mar 12, 2024

Other schools in Texas, including University of Houston, will remain test-optional.

Valen the Valentine headlines the Tiny Desk-inspired Rhythm & Books series

Mar 12, 2024

Houston Matters goes behind the scenes of the University of Houston-Downtown's new digital concert series.

2 National Guard members and Border Patrol agent are killed in Texas helicopter crash

Mar 11, 2024

On Sunday, Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, said the bureau was mourning the deaths of Grassia, Frankoski and Luna.

Azaleas, wisteria, and Chia Pets – Your gardening questions answered

Mar 11, 2024

Each month, we turn to the Garden Club of Houston’s Meg Tapp to offer advice for Houston area gardeners.

Big 12 coaches pick University of Houston guard Jamal Shead as player of year and top defender

Mar 11, 2024

Shead was the only unanimous pick on the first team announced Sunday.

Bluebonnet season in Houston arriving earlier than usual in 2024

Mar 11, 2024

The blooming cycle for Texas' state flower is 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule because of earlier-than-usual warm weather, according to Texas A&M horticulturalist Michael Arnold. Bluebonnets already can be seen in places such as the Houston Botanic Garden.

Engines of Our Ingenuity 1132: The Siege of Paris

Mar 11, 2024

Episode: 1132 In which balloons deliver the mail during the Siege of Paris. Today, the very first airmail service is used to break a siege.

Houston ISD warns 120 principals to improve performance, suggests possible legal action against Houston Chronicle over leak publication

Mar 11, 2024

Houston ISD is again embroiled in internal strife and public controversy. On Friday, the district released performance ratings to principals. After the Houston Chronicle published details about the ratings, the administration suggested the possibility of legal action against the news outlet and launched an investigation to find the source of the leak.

Houston Rodeo grounds attendance spikes as spring break begins for most schools

Mar 11, 2024

The Livestock Show and Rodeo will continue through Sunday, March 17.

Houston-born filmmaker Wes Anderson wins first Oscar for short film on Netflix

Mar 11, 2024

The 54-year-old Anderson, known for feature-length films such as "Rushmore," "The Royal Tenenbaums," "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and "Asteroid City," won in the Best Live Action Short Film category for "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar." He had previously been nominated for seven Academy Awards.

In Fort Bend, Black cowboys helped shape the county’s history

Mar 11, 2024

As the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo wraps up, many are focused on the area's cowboy culture. Black cattle hands living just outside the city played a key part in that history.

Los Tigres del Norte tops Rodeo Houston’s all-time paid concert record on Go Tejano Day

Mar 11, 2024

That major turnout comes as Rodeo Houston saw significantly lower attendance than last year's event nearing the halfway point last week. 

Mayor John Whitmire says water bill relief plan to address high payments is still not ready, but coming ‘very, very soon’

Mar 11, 2024

“I was prepared to roll out some improvements and reforms, but was unsatisfied with the product that I received from Public Works yesterday,” said Mayor Whitmire during Tuesday’s public session meeting. “So I sent them back to the drawing board.”

Mayor Whitmire calls for more resources for Houston police as officers continue investigating backlog of suspended cases

Mar 11, 2024

After Gov. Greg Abbott said there should be consequences for the suspended cases via X, Whitmire suggested the state send money to Houston to help HPD.

The RNC spring meeting (March 11, 2024)

Mar 11, 2024

On Monday's show: We talk with NPR's White House Correspondent about the Republican National Convention, then we answer your questions about sleep and gardening--separately, of course.

The Texans have been more active in free agency than any other team three years running. Will GM Nick Caserio make it four?

Mar 11, 2024

NFL free agency is underway, with teams able to negotiate with players now. They can start signing contracts Wednesday.

Violent crime on Bissonnet Track reduced by 22 percent since blockade efforts began last year, police say

Mar 11, 2024

Houston officials and community members are touting the success of the barricades they say have driven away prostitutes and those actively seeking them.

With Texas births rising post-Roe, disability advocates say child services need bolstering

Mar 11, 2024

More than 16,000 additional babies were born in Texas in 2022 compared to 2021 after the state banned almost all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, according to a University of Houston analysis of 2022 fertility data.

‘20 Days in Mariupol’ wins best documentary Oscar, a first for AP and PBS’ ‘Frontline’

Mar 11, 2024

Only about 40 minutes of footage made it out to the world in real time because of poor connections, but when Chernov and his colleagues were finally able to leave, he decided he needed to do something with the 30-some hours they had on tape.

‘Fear’, ‘intimidation’: Texas school districts, experts respond to AG’s electioneering lawsuits

Mar 11, 2024

Attorney General Ken Paxton has now targeted seven school districts over alleged electioneering in what he calls an effort to stop elections from being “illegally swayed by public officials improperly using state resources.” Those school districts are responding.

Engines of Our Ingenuity 1131: John Hunter

Mar 10, 2024

Episode: 1131 John Hunter: idiosyncratic medical pioneer. Today, the history of medicine provides a strange hero.

Engines of Our Ingenuity 1129: Alphonse Penaud

Mar 09, 2024

Episode: 1129 In which Alphonse Penaud invents the model airplane. Today, a very young man teaches us to fly, after all.

Mayor John Whitmire considering 5% budget cuts, exempting police and fire

Mar 08, 2024

The new fiscal year begins in July and the city is anticipating a budgetary gap of about $160 million.