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.
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.
Politics
A new MAGA: Mothers Against Greg Abbott mobilizes against the incumbent governor seeking a third term
Posted on · Mothers Against Greg Abbott has grown into a potent political force in the governor’s race, with a membership of over 50,000 on Facebook. The group recently caught more attention after releasing ads that have gone viral on social media.
Health & Science
Houston monkeypox cases rise to nearly 200, officials say
Posted on · Houston Health Department expects Houston will see similar trends to areas like New York City.
Traffic
Galveston officials to address golf cart safety in wake of fatal collision
Posted on · Four people, including two children, were killed Saturday night when their golf cart was struck by a suspected drunk driver. The tragedy comes amid a golf cart boom on Galveston Island.
Sports
Pearland coach says team’s biggest focus is fun ahead of Little League World Series
Posted on · On Tuesday the Pearland Little League baseball team won the Southwest Region Championship, and now will go to the Little League World Series.
Houston Matters
School security and Pearland’s Little League success (Aug. 12, 2022)
Posted on · On Friday's show: How HISD hopes to improve security at schools in the event of an active shooter. We break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week. And we learn how Houston became a mecca for competitive air hockey.
Houston Matters
Using ‘Hamilton’ to preach an anti-LGBTQ message: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the week
Posted on · 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.
Town Square
In crisis, CORE brings relief to those who need it most
Posted on · With the crisis in Ukraine and flooding emergencies here at home, the CORE response team provides humanitarian aid to devastated areas around the globe.
Health & Science
With new guidance, CDC ends test-to-stay for schools and relaxes COVID rules
Posted on · Revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looks to minimize COVID-19's disruption of daily life while conceding that the pandemic isn't over.
Texas
Why are Texans’ electricity bills so high right now?
Posted on · "It’s important to remember that ERCOT does not make electricity. This is like when you buy tickets to a concert. ERCOT is not Bon Jovi. ERCOT is not the arena. ERCOT in this analogy is Ticketmaster."
Weather
Wednesday’s rain across Houston provided relief from heat, but much more needed to end drought
Posted on · Nearly three inches of rain was officially recorded at Bush Intercontinental Airport as the region got much-needed precipitation.
Politics
Beto O’Rourke curses at laughing heckler during speech about Uvalde school shooting
Posted on · The Texas gubernatorial candidate was speaking at a campaign rally in Mineral Wells when someone in the crowd laughed as he talked about the May 24 massacre at Robb Elementary School.
Economy
Phone bills are about to go up for some in Texas. Here’s why.
Posted on · Texans with typical individual cellphone plans will have to pay a few dollars more each month. The increase will be higher for those with family plans and those who pay per-minute rates.
Court
Family of Houston man killed in crash with police weighing options after officer’s acquittal
Posted on · Walter Cooper's children said they are considering a civil lawsuit against former HPD officer Matthew Valdez as well as the department.
Houston Matters
Hospital price transparency, and Chris Redd of SNL (Aug. 11, 2022)
Posted on · On Thursday's show: Why Texas hospitals are still not complying with federal price transparency rules. What's being done to address the teacher shortage. And SNL's Chris Redd explains how therapy made him a better comedian.
Town Square
‘Latino USA’ host Maria Hinojosa on her life, career and finding her voice
Posted on · Latino USA’s Maria Hinojosa talked with us about her work as a journalist sharing stories of immigration in America, the importance of representation for the Latino community, and her new book adaptation, “Once I Was You: Finding My Voice and Passing the Mic”.
Education
Houston ISD needs more equipment for active shooter situation, superintendent says
Posted on · HISD Superintendent says he is asking the board for 200 rifles and ballistic shields in order to be prepared for an active shooter situation.
UH Moment
UH Moment: Microchips Created at UH Headed to Space to Honor Artemis I Team
Posted on · “By flying our names aboard the maiden Artemis flight to the Moon, a small part of each of us will be flying up there too"
Politics
Texas Republicans rally around Trump after FBI search of former president’s Florida estate
Posted on · Lawmakers at the state and federal levels took to social media to decry the search and warn Texans that the heavy hand of government could come for them next.
Health & Science
How Houston played a big part in the history of breast augmentation
Posted on · Breast augmentation began here in Houston and the city has long been a destination for the surgery.
Politics
Greg Abbott agrees to one debate with Beto O’Rourke, but O’Rourke wants more
Posted on · The governor said Tuesday he has agreed to debate O’Rourke, his Democratic opponent, on Sept. 30 in the Rio Grande Valley.
Voting
Most Americans support using the popular vote to decide U.S. presidents, data shows
Posted on · There have been five presidents who won the electoral vote but not the popular vote, including George W. Bush and Donald Trump.
Houston Matters
Why teacher morale is so low, and the week in politics (Aug. 10, 2022)
Posted on · On Wednesday's show: What a new survey says about why teachers are leaving the profession, the week in politics, how Houston shaped a popular plastic surgery procedure, and a visit to the Houston Yacht Club.
Town Square
FBI raid on Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence is the first in presidential history
Posted on · The FBI execution of the search warrant at Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida is said to be unprecedented. Why is this happening now? We talk with local, national legal and political experts on what led to this and what the agents were actually looking for.
Education
Uvalde CISD adds virtual learning option for families reeling from mass shooting
Posted on · During a school board meeting Monday evening, Uvalde Superintendent Hal Harrell said the district had gotten permission from the Texas Education Agency to launch a virtual academy for any Uvalde family that wants it.
Health Matters
Back to School Vaccines
Posted on · Protect your children's health during the school year.
News
Grand jury declines to indict woman in Emmett Till killing
Posted on · After hearing more than seven hours of testimony from investigators and witnesses, a Leflore County grand jury last week determined there was insufficient evidence to indict Carolyn Bryant Donham on charges of kidnapping and manslaughter.
Business
New Houston Methodist employee reprimanded for showing confederate flag during virtual orientation
Posted on · According to an anonymous tip to Houston Public Media, the new employee sat in front of a confederate flag for a majority of the six-hour orientation.
Energy & Environment
Houston gasoline prices fall to their lowest levels in nearly half a year, thanks to lower crude prices and a decline in demand
Posted on · High prices at the pump this spring and early summer have caused people to limit their driving and their purchases at the pump.