Energy & Environment
Benchmark oil prices are at their highest point since 2014. Experts say that's good for Houston's economy
Caroline Love
About one-third of Houston's economy is tied to the oil and gas industry.
Politics
11 GOP candidates crowd the race to replace Woodlands Congressman Kevin Brady
Andrew Schneider
Brady is vacating what’s generally regarded a solidly Republican seat, Texas’ 8th Congressional District.
Weather
Winter weather hits Texas and it's expected to last through early Friday
Julián Aguilar, The Texas Newsroom
Most of Texas has been hit by cold temperatures that could last into the weekend.
Politics
Former police chief Art Acevedo sues city of Miami, commissioners after being fired
ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON, AP
Acevedo, who was also Houston’s former chief, is suing his former employer and city commissioners in Miami, saying his public firing three months ago was in retaliation for him speaking out against corruption.
Most Viewed
Winter weather hits Texas and it’s expected to last through early Friday
HISD closed its campuses and offices Tuesday because of COVID-19
New Texas law restricts transgender students’ participation in school sports
The Postal Service is now taking orders for COVID-19 test kits
3 teenagers found dead in Crosby-area home
Politics
FBI searches Congressman Henry Cuellar's Laredo home
Texas Public Radio Staff
The FBI confirmed that it conducted a search of Congressman Henry Cuellar's Laredo home on Wednesday but did not specify what it is investigating. Cuellar's office said it is cooperating with the FBI.
Politics
Sylvester Turner urges action on voting rights in national mayors conference speech
Matt Harab / Paul DeBenedetto
The Houston mayor called movement on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act "a defining moment."
Politics
Biden acknowledges his team should have done more COVID testing earlier
Alana Wise, NPR
President Biden took questions from reporters on Wednesday as his term approaches the one-year mark. "Should we have done more testing earlier? Yes. But we're doing more now," he said.
Health & Science
Houston doctor suspended for vaccine misinformation sues Methodist Hospital
Matt Harab / Paul DeBenedetto
Dr. Mary Bowden, a doctor in River Oaks, had her provisional privileges taken away after making claims online related to vaccine efficacy.
Town Square
Best of: Navigating Career Changes And The Future Of The Workplace
Brenda Valdivia / Catherine Lu
Today, it’s our career counseling show. Are you reassessing how to find meaning in your work? A career coach is here to discuss tips and field questions on how to reach your full potential.
Politics
11 GOP candidates crowd the race to replace Woodlands Congressman Kevin Brady
Andrew Schneider
Brady is vacating what’s generally regarded a solidly Republican seat, Texas’ 8th Congressional District.
Houston Matters
Is the power grid ready for another blast of winter weather? (Jan. 20, 2022)
Michael Hagerty
On Thursday's show: The latest forecast and whether the state's energy grid is prepared for another blast of cold weather.
Immigration
A year after mobilizing for Biden, young supporters feel let down on immigration
FRANCO ORDOÑEZ, NPR
Young people helped mobilize voters for President Biden. Many now feel Biden hasn't pushed hard enough to deliver on the immigration goals he set.
News from NPR
Schumer insists failed votes on voting rights and filibuster were right thing to do
The Senate majority leader downplayed the risks of holding such a public demonstration of the rift within his caucus ahead of the midterm elections.
Even babies and toddlers know that swapping saliva is a sure sign of love
For infants, toddlers, and children, one sign of an especially close relationship is if two people do something that involves exchanging saliva, like taking bites from the same piece of food.
Activists look ahead to what could be the 'last anniversary' for Roe
On both sides of the abortion debate, activists say this could be the last anniversary before Roe v. Wade is overturned or significantly rolled back.
With U.S. focused on defense, China's trade and infrastructure sweep Southeast Asia
The Biden administration hopes to make deeper inroads in Southeast Asia but lags far behind China, which has already built up major trade ties, as well as roads and a high-speed rail.
Politics
Senate Democrats march forward on their all-but-doomed voting rights bills
Alana Wise, NPR
Democrats in the Senate will proceed to a vote on two voting rights bills Wednesday, despite lacking the votes needed to pass either measure.
Harris County
3 teenagers found dead in Crosby-area home
Matt Harab
A family member of at least one of the kids discovered the scene inside the home near Houston, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Houston Matters
Why oil prices have spiked and what it means for Houston (Jan. 19, 2022)
Michael Hagerty
On Wednesday's show: We learn why oil prices have spiked to their highest point since 2014, and we discuss the week in politics.
Politics
New Texas law restricts transgender students’ participation in school sports
Joseph Leahy, The Texas Newsroom
Transgender students are prohibited from playing on school sports teams that align with their gender identity under legislation taking effect Tuesday.
Politics
The Senate is set to debate voting rights. Here's what the bills would do
Brian Naylor, NPR
The two measures the Senate will debate aim to prevent states from limiting access to the ballot and make it easier for people to vote.
Education News
HISD closed its campuses and offices Tuesday because of COVID-19
ShaVonne Herndon
Sealy ISD also announced campus and office closures.
Politics
Texas abortion law challenge heads to state's supreme court, likely adding more delays to case
Lomi Kriel, Texas Tribune
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision means it could take months before abortion providers’ challenge to the restrictive law returns to a federal court.
Houston Matters
Do past COVID infections mean you don’t need a vaccine? (Jan. 18, 2022)
Michael Hagerty
On Tuesday's show: Does natural immunity developed from a previous COVID infection provide anywhere near the same protection as a vaccine? And what kind of immunity do people really have after recovering?
Health Matters
Fruits and Vegetables in your Diet
Doug Mueller
Guest: Dr. Bich-May Nguyen
Criminal Justice
The bail bond industry hopes a recent court ruling kills Harris County’s reforms. Supporters don't see that happening
Andrew Schneider / Paul DeBenedetto
The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that district court judges have sovereign immunity from the sort of suits that led to the consent decree that ended the O’Donnell v. Harris County lawsuit.
Health & Science
Houston's addiction treatment centers are feeling the effects of the omicron variant
Caroline Love
Houston inpatient addiction treatment centers are experiencing staffing shortages and other issues during the latest wave.
Politics
Texas election officials blame new voting law for rise in rejected mail-in ballot applications
Julián Aguilar, The Texas Newsroom
All over the state, county officials report they’re rejecting hundreds of applications for mail-in ballots, an issue several attribute to recent election law changes championed by state Republicans.
obituary
Dick Raycraft, longtime Harris County budget chief, dies at 82
Andrew Schneider
Raycraft worked in Harris County government for more than 40 years, and served as the forerunner to the modern county administrator.
Health & Science
The Postal Service is now taking orders for COVID-19 test kits
Brian Naylor, NPR
The Biden administration announced Friday that Americans can begin ordering free at-home COVID-19 tests starting January 19th. Orders can be placed using a website, COVIDTests.gov.
I SEE U
I SEE U, Episode 31: Maybe We Don't Belong Here
Eddie Robinson
Acclaimed British actor David Harewood is featured in the first of a two-part series on Black mental health and how racial biases and discrimination are revealed in the treatment of mental illness
Politics
Ken Paxton violated law and must release records related to Jan. 6 Trump rally, district attorney says
JAMES BARRAGÁN, The Texas Tribune
The Travis County district attorney, a Democrat, says the Republican attorney general has four days to provide communications, multiple Texas news outlets first reported.
Energy & Environment
HISD should do more to address lead contamination in the water at schools, local groups say
Katie Watkins
Past testing by the district found more than 200 schools had at least one tap test positive for lead contamination.
Houston Matters
How inflation affects Houstonians (Jan. 14, 2022)
Michael Hagerty
On Friday's show: We discuss what recent inflation means for Houston-area consumers. And we mark the 30th anniversary of the end of the civil war in El Salvador and talk about what it means for Salvadorans who resettled here.
Education News
Houston-area school trustee defends remarks about black teachers and dropout rates
Matt Harab
In defending his own district, Trustee Scott Henry appeared to link a higher percentage of Black teachers at Houston ISD to that district's dropout rate.
Houston Matters
Space City is no longer the home of SpaceCom: The Good, Bad, And Ugly Of The Week
Michael Hagerty
The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.