Education
Fort Bend ISD considers tax increase election to address financial crunch
Posted on · If approved by voters, the funds would go toward increased pay for district police, teachers and staff.
Education
Houston ISD enrollment down 15,000 compared to pre-pandemic level
Posted on · School officials said the pandemic caused chaos in public education, leading to ongoing declines in enrollment.
Houston
University of Houston student arrested, charged with arson after Monday night fire in campus dorm
Posted on · No injuries were reported in the fire, which started on the fourth floor of the University Lofts and prompted the evacuation of hundreds of residents and staff members.
Energy & Environment
Pablo Vegas, a utility executive in Ohio, named ERCOT’s new CEO
Posted on · The state power grid operator has been run by an interim chief since the previous CEO was fired following the deadly 2021 winter storm that crashed much of the grid.
Health & Science
Harris County has its first monkeypox case in a child, under 2 years old
Posted on · The child is asymptomatic as of now and does not attend a school or daycare.
NASA
Watch NASA Artemis I rocket rollout to pad at Kennedy Space Center
Posted on · The Artemis I Moon rocket is being rolled out with less than two weeks to go until its scheduled August 29 launch.
Health & Science
Over-the-counter hearing aids expected this fall in U.S.
Posted on · The devices will be sold online or over-the-counter at pharmacies and other retail stores.
Education
Houston-area districts improve in state ratings, but Democrats say more money needed for Texas schools
Posted on · The ratings are based on performance on state standardized tests, graduation rates, college, career, and military readiness outcomes.
Town Square
‘Mean Girls’: Lessons from the show and how to stop bullying in school
Posted on · Bullying and cyberbullying are very prominent in our culture. Today, we talk to a cast member of 'Mean Girls' the musical about the show, and how she is helping provide a safe space for youth to open up and share. Plus, a school psychologist shares lessons can we learn from musical, and how students can combat bullying in school.
Below the Waterlines
Flood control goes green: How Houston is using nature to combat flooding
Posted on · From floating wetlands to an abandoned golf course-turned-nature preserve, innovative green solutions to reduce flooding are being tested in Houston.
Food
Little Red Box Grocery Store addresses food desert in Houston’s East End area
Posted on · Little Red Box Grocery opened a few months ago and sells around 450 items so far, including fresh fruits and vegetables, along with other things that you might expect at a larger store.
Houston Matters
Congressman Al Green on establishing a national Slavery Remembrance Day (Aug. 16, 2022)
Posted on · On Tuesday's show: Rep. Al Green answers questions about issues before Congress and his efforts to establish a national Slavery Remembrance Day. Then we examine the role green infrastructure could play in preventing future flooding. And we visit the Banksyland exhibit.
Town Square
Challenges, updates on the Uvalde school shooting. What’s actually been done?
Posted on · Since the tragedy in Uvalde, the new school year has us all looking for answers. Today, we get a current update from The Texas Tribune, talk with those who have the power to make change, and we hear from the father of one of Robb Elementary School's shooting victims.
Politics
Greg Abbott still leads Beto O’Rourke three months ahead of Election Day, new poll finds
Posted on · The poll found that 46% of Texans were in favor of the incumbent Gov. Abbott -- a seven-point lead ahead of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke.
Health & Science
New CDC COVID-19 recommendations reflect herd immunity, Houston health expert says
Posted on · The CDC's recommendations no longer requires quarantining if exposed to the virus, or screenings for symptoms.
Criminal Justice
Seventh MS-13 member sentenced for role in teen’s gang-related murder in Missouri City
Posted on · Estuar Quinones was a member of the MS-13 gang and working with police as a murder witness when he was lured to Buffalo Run Park and shot to death in 2016, according to authorities.
Sports
Texas A&M ranked No. 6, Houston No. 24 in 2022 preseason AP Top 25
Posted on · Alabama starts the season at No. 1 while defending champion Georgia is No. 3.
Education
After the rise of BLM, Black students and their families are heading back to HBCUs
Posted on · Some historically Black colleges and universities have seen increases in application and enrollment numbers after years of decline.
Education
As school year approaches, administrators scramble to help short-staffed Texas campuses
Posted on · Few schools have been able to keep up with the recent wave of teacher resignations.
Health Matters
Current COVID Surge
Posted on · Ways to continue to protect yourself.
International
Lawyers for basketball star Brittney Griner appeal her Russian prison sentence
Posted on · Griner's attorney was quoted by Russian news agencies on Monday as saying the appeal was filed, but the grounds of the appeal were not immediately clear.
Houston Matters
New COVID guidelines, and addressing the crisis in the teaching profession (Aug. 15, 2022)
Posted on · On Monday's show: We take a closer look at the CDC's new COVID guidelines, we discuss ways to address the crisis in the teaching profession, a local veterinarian answers your questions, and we consider the impact of putting kids under the spotlight of events like the Little League World Series.
I SEE U
I SEE U, Episode 53: The Valley of the Shadow of Life
Posted on · Olivier Award-winning playwright, Katori Hall, shares her unguarded perspective on why it took over a decade for her to create the STARZ hit series, P-VALLEY – one of the most intriguing, yet controversial drama series on cable television.
Town Square
Actress Sharon Gless opens up about her personal memoir and iconic TV roles
Posted on · Award-winning actress Sharon Gless of 80s hit TV show 'Cagney & Lacy' talks about her remarkable career, struggles with alcoholism, fear of romantic commitment, encounters she's had with some of Hollywood’s biggest names, and her memoir, 'Apparently There Were Complaints'.
Transportation
Houston METRO to receive over $21 million for electric buses from federal grant program
Posted on · The $21.6 million federal grant will help cover the cost of 20 electric buses, as well as charging equipment.
Coronavirus
Children who experienced COVID early in the pandemic face long-term symptoms, UTHealth study finds
Posted on · Children who had experienced mild COVID symptoms are reporting to see long COVID symptoms for up to 12 weeks, a UTHealth study finds.
Housing
Harris County apartment residents say they’re living in “inhumane” conditions; property management says work is being done
Posted on · City Crossing Apartments residents say they are experiencing mold, excess rodents and no air conditioning.
Sports
Pearland youngsters off to Pennsylvania for Little League World Series
Posted on · A sendoff party was held Thursday for the all-star baseball team from Pearland Little League, which has been showered with support from the Greater Houston community.
Politics
Ten years after journalist Austin Tice’s abduction in Syria, his family holds out hope for his return
Posted on · A recent prisoner swap with Russia suggests the Biden administration may be more willing to engage with the Syrian government than it has in the past.
Texas
4 years after school shooting in Santa Fe, ‘There is still a lot of pain’
Posted on · In 2018, a 17-year-old gunman killed 10 people at Santa Fe High School. But even with an influx of time and money for mental health services, the community is still struggling with grief and trauma.
Houston
Houston named first Child Friendly City candidate in US by UNICEF
Posted on · The City of Houston and Rice University’s Kinder Institute conducted a situational analysis on the state of children’s rights with a community assessment of over 600 Houstonians.
Education
Houston ISD approves funding for police equipment in case of active shooting situation
Posted on · Equipment includes rifles, ballistic shields, bulletproof vests and ammunition for HISD officers.