Houston Matters

Houston Matters is a radio program airing weekdays at 9 am on Houston Public Media News 88.7 FM in Houston. During each hour, we’ll investigate the issues and ideas, people and places that make Houston…well…Houston! We’ll talk about current events, politics, education, health care, the environment, business, transportation, arts and culture, literature, sports and leisure. But we also hope that what we do each day on Houston Matters serves as the beginning of a conversation — one we hope you’ll continue here, at home, at work, with family, with friends and neighbors. We hope to introduce Houstonians to one another, to celebrate our diversity, and to engage one another through stories and conversations that demonstrate depth and context. Just the sort of thing you count on from public media.

Houston Matters is a news podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 50 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Houston Matters, a news show with 50 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Houston Matters

  The week in politics (Aug. 19, 2026)

  Aug 19, 202650 min

  On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup. Also this hour: When Texas became a state in 1845, it might have been given Congressional permission to divide itself into five states . We contemplate what such a move might have meant and would mean today for a metro area like Houston, which might've become a state unto itself. And we visit a first-of-its-kind monument to Black pioneers in space called EarthRise . Watch

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  Houston Matters

  Galveston redistricting (Aug. 18, 2026)

  Aug 18, 202650 min

  On Tuesday's show: We take a closer look at the redistricting saga in Galveston County. Also this hour: We get a primer on MUDs, municipal utility districts, which handle water services and other utilities for unincorporated areas of Texas. Then, we discuss how to deal with burnout in your job or career. And people in Texas love their barbecue, but how did a lower-quality cut of meat like brisket become the main event ? Houston Chronicle barbecue columnist J.C. Reid explains. Watch

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  Houston Matters

  HISD school ratings (Aug. 17, 2026)

  Aug 17, 202650 min

  On Monday's show: We discuss state school ratings , and questions about reading proficiency at some HISD schools with Houston Public Media’s education reporter Bianca Seward. Also this hour: It’s hardly a new phenomenon, but it just keeps increasing -- people, industry, and venues moving from the core of the city outward into the suburbs, exurbs, and beyond. From housing developments, to company headquarters, to new arenas, we explore what this continuing shift means as Greater Houston continues to transform. Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers listener questions about pet care. You can submit yours now to talk@houstonmatters.org . And, as the WNBA was suddenly thrust into a challenging spotlight last week over whether transgender women should be allowed to play in the league, we consider how professional sports leagues can navigate divisive issues in the culture that rile up fans and players alike. Watch

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  Houston Matters

  Comedian Ron Funches (Aug. 14, 2026)

  Aug 14, 202649 min

  On Friday's show: A representative from Pride Houston 365 will join us to preview Saturday’s rescheduled Pride Houston parade. Also this hour: As a recent tragic incident of domestic violence reinforced here in Houston, while conversation about abuse often encourages people to “watch out for the signs,” it’s not always clear who is ultimately responsible for speaking up when those signs begin to show -- or even how to do it. We discuss that with Leticia Manzano the Houston Area Women's Center . Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And we talk with comedian Ron Funches , who just brought his standup to Houston last weekend. Watch

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  Houston Matters

  Ballot measures in November (Aug. 13, 2026)

  Aug 13, 202650 min

  On Thursday's show: Marijuana enforcement and no-knock warrants will be on the ballot for Houston voters in November. And airport workers are getting a raise. Houston Public Media's Dominic Anthony Walsh has been following those developments and breaks them down for us. Also this hour: As Johnson Space Center continues preparations for the next Artemis mission and America's return to the moon, it reminds us that NASA's long-term vision includes using the moon as a stepping-stone for future missions to Mars. But there is a lot to consider about what human beings spending extended time on the moon or Mars will mean. We revisit a February conversation with Rice University biology professor Scott Solomon , author of Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds. Then, we consider how alcohol consumption habits are changing and what that might mean for the health of younger Houstonians. And we learn about a documentary in production about soccer in Houston. Watch

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