Politics
Texas Joins Florida Lawsuit Challenging COVID-19 Cruise Restrictions
Paul DeBenedetto
The states are looking to reverse CDC guidance that grounded ships for a year and implemented lengthy regulations for their return.
The Coronavirus In Greater Houston
Houston Methodist Nurse Says 4th Wave Of COVID-19 Feels Different
Sara Willa Ernst
Houston Public Media spoke with Avery Taylor, the managing nurse at Houston Methodist’s highly infectious disease unit, about whether the current surge of infections feels different from previous ones.
Health & Science
Delta Variant Is Making Up More Than 75% Of New COVID-19 Cases In Texas, Health Officials Say
Ashley Lopez, KUT
New COVID cases are up 92% in Texas, hospitalizations are up 49% and fatalities are 15% higher, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Health & Science
Hospitals Across Texas And The U.S. Mull Vaccine Mandates In Wake Of Houston Methodist Lawsuit
Paul DeBenedetto / Shivani Parmar, HPM Intern
At least five more Texas hospitals have followed Methodist's lead, and hospitals in New York, Michigan and Kentucky have done the same.
News 88.7 In-Depth
Houston Methodist Nurse Says 4th Wave Of COVID-19 Feels Different
Houston Public Media spoke with Avery Taylor, the managing nurse at Houston Methodist’s highly infectious disease unit, about whether the current surge of infections feels different from previous ones.
Sara Willa ErnstPosted on
Most Viewed
The Lambda Variant: What You Should Know And Why Experts Say Not To Panic
Houston Methodist Nurse Says 4th Wave Of COVID-19 Feels Different
The Governor’s Executive Order Banning Mask Mandates (Aug. 2, 2021)
Fort Bend County Raises COVID-19 Threat Level Due To Spread Of Delta Variant
Mayor Sylvester Turner Mandates Masks For City Employees, Despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s Ban
Sports
Texans In Tokyo: Mensah-Stock Wins Wrestling Gold, U.S. Women's Basketball Stomps Australia & More
Hady Mawajdeh, KERA
Katy's Tamyra Mensah-Stock became the first American Black woman to win wrestling gold. The U.S. women's basketball team won its 53rd consecutive Olympic game. America regained the overall medals lead. At 77 total medals, the U.S. now leads China by seven.
Immigration
Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Texas And Gov. Abbott From Restricting The Transportation Of Migrants
Dan Katz, Texas Public Radio / Paul Flahive, TPR / Carolina Cuellar, Texas Public Radio
A federal judge in El Paso issued a temporary restraining order stopping Texas Gov. Greg Abbott from carrying out his executive order restricting migrant travel in the state.
Politics
The Biden Administration Issues A New Eviction Moratorium After A Federal Ban Lapsed
BARBARA SPRUNT, NPR
After intense pressure from progressives, the CDC has announced a more limited eviction moratorium, days after an earlier freeze on evictions expired.
Health & Science
Mayor Turner Mandates Masks For City Employees, Despite Abbott's Ban
Paul DeBenedetto
In an internal memo, Turner directed all city employees who can "medically tolerate" a face covering to wear one while on city premises in areas where it’s difficult to maintain social distancing. The mandate is effective Wednesday.
Town Square
Understanding COVID-19 And Vaccines As Delta Variants Rate Rise
Brenda Valdivia
Medical experts are here to discuss more of the latest COVID issues as we cope with the fourth wave and the Delta variant.
Energy & Environment
Southwest Houston Gas Leak Cleared, HFD Says
Lucio Vasquez
The Houston Fire Department declared the incident mitigated by Wednesday afternoon.
Houston Matters
The Full Menu: Where To Eat During Houston Restaurant Weeks
Michael Hagerty
Local food writers discuss what they're excited to try during this year's event, which runs from Aug. 1 to Sept. 6 and benefits the Houston Food Bank.
Health & Science
Last Week, 1 In 3 U.S. COVID Cases Were In Florida And Texas
EMILY ALFIN JOHNSON, NPR
In the last week, 3 million Americans got their first vaccine shot. On Tuesday, the U.S. hit President Biden's July Fourth goal of 70% of adults receiving at least one shot.
News from NPR
Why WHO Is Calling For A Moratorium On COVID Vaccine Boosters
The director general is asking for a halt for at least two months. His hope is to use all available doses to vaccinate 10% of the population in every country by the end of September.
Unapologetically Moderate, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema Says She's Focused On Results
The senator from Arizona has been leading bipartisan talks on infrastructure. Asked about criticism from fellow Democrats she's compromising too much, Sinema said she's focused on getting things done.
Immigrant Activists Say ICE Is Purposely Targeting Them. They're Urging Biden To Help
In a new report, activists say ICE systematically retaliates against them for their work, despite the agency's denials. Advocates want the Biden administration to officially forbid the practice.
Osama Bin Laden Biography Goes Inside Al-Qaida Leader's Final Hideout
Journalist Peter Bergen visited bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, before it was demolished. His new book, The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden, draws on materials seized in the raid.
Houston Matters
Fort Bend County Judge KP George On The COVID Threat (Aug. 4, 2021)
Michael Hagerty
On Wednesday's show: The COVID-19 situation in Fort Bend County, the week in politics, a preview of Houston Restaurant Weeks, and a conversation with blues musician The Reverend Shawn Amos.
Town Square
The Fourth Wave – Where Are We With COVID Vaccinations And What Could Happen Next?
Catherine Lu
Medical experts discuss more of the latest COVID issues and local concerns, and we provide a forum for your COVID questions.
Politics
Houston U.S. Rep. Al Green Given Citation During Voting Rights Rally In Washington D.C.
Lucio Vasquez / Paul DeBenedetto
Representatives Al Green and Ron Reynolds were arrested in Washington D.C. Tuesday.
The Coronavirus In Greater Houston
Fort Bend County Raises COVID-19 Threat Level Due To Spread Of Delta Variant
Lucio Vasquez
The threat level will increase from "yellow," or moderate risk, to "orange," indicating a significant risk of exposure to the virus in Fort Bend County.
Houston Matters
Houston Is A Hotbed For Many Of The Summer Olympic Sports
Michael Hagerty
In a five-part series, Houston Matters takes a closer look at how some of the sports at the Tokyo Olympics are enjoyed in Greater Houston.
Tested
Unsung Heroes Of The Pandemic Response
Doug Mueller
“I don’t feel like I’m a hero. Just doing a job like I always do. But if somebody can benefit… from what I do. It’s good.”
Transportation
Business Groups Stand To Profit From Controversial I-45 Expansion, Critics Say
Lucio Vasquez
The Greater Houston Partnership spent about $10,000 on social media advertisements in support of the controversial project last month.
Sports
Simone Biles Makes A Triumphant Return And Takes Bronze On Balance Beam
Merrit Kennedy, NPR / LEILA FADEL, NPR
Biles looked happy and relieved after dismounting the four-inch-wide beam, smiling and waving at the crowd to roaring applause. She's still dealing with the "twisties" but has found ways to cope.
Housing
White House Calls On States To Do More After Federal Eviction Ban Expires
Alana Wise, NPR
Democratic allies have called on the Biden administration to extend the federal eviction moratorium, but the White House maintains that its hands are tied by a Supreme Court ruling.
Houston Matters
What Parents Need To Know About COVID Before School Starts (Aug. 3, 2021)
Michael Hagerty
On Tuesday's show: Local pediatricians help parents prepare for a new school year amid a pandemic, City Council Member Tiffany Thomas answers your questions, and Houston as a hotbed for Olympic fencing.
Town Square
COVID 'Is Really That Contagious,' Says Admiral Brett Giroir Regarding Delta Variant
Brenda Valdivia
The former Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns those who have not been vaccinated, "Are going to get the Delta variant." Those who had COVID before do not have a guarantee of protection against the virus.
Sports
Texans In Tokyo: Simone Biles Returns, UT Graduate Tara Davis To Compete In Long Jump Finals & More
Elizabeth Myong, KERA
Star gymnast Simone Biles is set to return for the balance beam event. Over the weekend, some athletes had a chance to reach the podium but fell short. Still, the U.S. leads the medal count at 64. China is hard on its heels with 62 medals, 29 of which are gold.
Health Matters
Travel & COVID-19
Doug Mueller
Guest: Dr. Winston Liaw
Politics
It's In — And Big: Senators Unveil $1T Infrastructure Proposal
Associated Press
The over 2,700-page bipartisan bill, finalized Sunday night, includes money for roads, transit systems and high-speed internet access. It's the first phase of President Biden's infrastructure plan.
Sports
Simone Biles Will Return For The Olympic Balance Beam Final
Merrit Kennedy, NPR / Scott Neuman, NPR
"We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S. athletes in the balance beam final tomorrow - Suni Lee AND Simone Biles!!" USA Gymnastics said. Biles has withdrawn from other events.
Education News
With School Openings Near, Parents And Teachers Say State Leaders Have Stripped Them Of Weapons Against COVID-19
Reese Oxner, The Texas Tribune
Public health experts and medical professionals are sounding the alarm over the highly transmissible delta variant of COVID-19. The governor has stood firm on his ban against masking mandates in schools.
Politics
With Time Running Out, Texas Legislature Still At Impasse On GOP Elections Bill
Cassandra Pollock, The Texas Tribune / Patrick Svitek, Texas Tribune
Republicans believe they have already compromised enough on the legislation, while Democrats are distrustful of both the policy driving the bill and their GOP colleagues after seeing how they have managed the process around the proposal so far.
Immigration
Afghan Interpreters In Houston Fear For Friends, Family And Colleagues Back Home
Elizabeth Trovall
As the U.S. military completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan, many interpreters and others who worked alongside allied forces are left behind despite them and their families being eligible for special visas. Houston has resettled some 1,700 of these Afghan visa holders. Some sat down with Houston Public Media to talk about the danger their former colleagues face back home.
Houston Matters
The Governor’s Executive Order Banning Mask Mandates (Aug. 2, 2021)
Michael Hagerty
On Monday's show: A closer look at Gov. Abbott’s new executive order prohibiting local governments from issuing mask and vaccine mandates, your pet peeves about life in Houston, and an update on sports.
Health & Science
COVID-19 Vaccinations Climb Across Texas, As Delta Variant Boosts New Infections
Florian Martin
It’s the first vaccination increase since early April.