Weather
June 2022 was the hottest June in Houston history
Posted on · A high-pressure ridge, effects of climate change and a lack of rain caused last month to break the record set in 2011 as Houston’s hottest June.
inDepth
Wesley Hunt holds edge over Duncan Klussmann in contest for Texas’ new 38th congressional district
Posted on · CD 38 was designed as a safe Republican seat for Hunt, leaving some voters concerned Hunt won’t be as responsive to constituents as their current member of Congress.
Events
LIST: Houston 4th of July events
Posted on · The usual Independence Day celebrations are back on in the Houston area after two years of pandemic-related changes.
Food
Your July 4th cookout will be pricier this year
Posted on · Prices of ground beef, chicken breasts and hamburger buns have increased as a result of supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine.
International
Russian prosecutors call first witnesses in case against Brittney Griner
Posted on · Griner, 31, is "a bit worried" because of the trial and the potential of a prison sentence, her lawyer tells NPR, "but she's a tough lady and I think she will manage."
Energy & Environment
Flooding, pollution more likely to occur in Houston minority communities
Posted on · Land-based contamination and rising floodwaters make Houston’s inner-city communities more vulnerable to pollution in the next 30 years.
Education
Afghan refugee students in Houston experienced culture shock. Now many are thriving
Posted on · Afghan refugee students finished their first year of classes at HISD schools in June, assisted by volunteers from Houston-area nonprofits.
Energy & Environment
Community members push back against proposed Carverdale landfill expansion
Posted on · More than 100 people met with state environmental regulators Tuesday night, many of whom spoke out against the expansion of the Hawthorne Landfill.
Houston Matters
Reflecting on a historic and controversial Supreme Court term (July 1, 2022)
Posted on · On Friday's show: Reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the so-called "Remain in Mexico" immigration policy and reflections on a monumentous term of the nation's highest court.
Houston Matters
Homeownership getting out of reach: 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.
Politics
Ketanji Brown Jackson sworn in as first Black woman on the Supreme Court
Posted on · Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden's first Supreme Court pick, has been sworn in as the 116th justice. She is the first Black woman to serve on the nation's high court.
Immigration
The U.S. Supreme Court rules Biden administration can end ‘Remain in Mexico’ immigration policy
Posted on · The decision is a setback for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who filed suit against the Biden administration when the White House tried to rescind the policy.
Politics
Supreme Court restricts the EPA’s authority to mandate carbon emissions
Posted on · The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency does not have the authority to mandate carbon emissions from existing power plants.
Houston Matters
Flooding and pollution in minority communities, and the impact of minority-owned businesses (June 30, 2022)
Posted on · On Thursday's show: Increased flooding across the country is exposing more people to industrial waste, especially those in minority communities. Plus, a new report examines the impact of minority-owned businesses on the region's economy. And a Houston teacher is honored at the Tony Awards.
UH Moment
UH Moment: Art Students Explore Creative Coding in Marfa
Posted on · "There is a passion and desire to pursue this without the appeal of a huge financial return"
Houston Matters
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on why he’s withdrawing his nomination to lead ICE (June 29, 2022)
Posted on · On Wednesday's show: Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez explains why he is withdrawing his nomination to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Town Square
The sixth Jan. 6 hearing: Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony, metal detectors, seem to help reveal a ‘smoking gun’
Posted on · And after today’s hearing, where should the investigation go from here? Today, we invite top political minds to discuss, inform and shed more light on what we are learning.
Politics
Commissioners court passes measures supporting abortion, contraception access
Posted on · All three measures were approved in contentious 3-2 party-line votes just days after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Arts & Culture
Alley Theatre building to be renamed after anonymous $25 million matching grant
Posted on · The change to the Meredith J. Long Theatre Center is in honor of the theater's longtime chairman, who served on the Alley's board for 31 years before passing away in June 2020.
Texas
Charles Butt family, H-E-B donate $10 million to replace Robb Elementary School in Uvalde
Posted on · The timeline is still unclear for demolishing the school building. The district has plans to replace it with a memorial park.
Politics
Texas judge blocks state’s pre-Roe ban, allows some abortions to continue
Posted on · The 1925 law at the core of the case was in effect until the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. It made performing an abortion punishable by up to five years in prison.
Immigration
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Biden’s pick to lead immigration enforcement agency, withdraws from nomination
Posted on · The withdrawal comes after the congressional vote to confirm Gonzalez, a vocal opponent of Donald Trump’s immigration policies, stalled for months.
Houston Matters
How the Roe ruling might affect other reproductive health matters (June 28, 2022)
Posted on · On Tuesday's show: We examine how the overturn of Roe v. Wade might affect other reproductive issues -- not just unwanted pregnancies. And a former second-in-command at NASA explains what she thinks is holding the space agency back.
Texas
Death toll rises to 51 after dozens of migrants found trapped in tractor trailer in San Antonio
Posted on · A federal investigation is underway to learn why dozens of people were left trapped in a tractor trailer in Southwest San Antonio.
Town Square
Documentary ‘Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness’ airs on PBS
Posted on · Executive producer Ken Burns presents both the unbearable obstacles faced by those who live with mental disorders and their hope for a better life in a two-part series airing tonight on all PBS platforms and TV 8 at 8 pm CT. Today, the filmmakers of the series and local mental health experts help shed a light on the mental health crisis among America’s youth.
Health & Science
Health care providers sue Texas over pre-Roe abortion ban
Posted on · In a memo issued last week, Attorney General Ken Paxton said prosecutors “may choose to immediately pursue criminal prosecutions based on violations of Texas abortion prohibitions predating Roe that were never repealed by the Texas Legislature.”
Weather
Chance for rain each day, all week in Houston area
Posted on · The cooler temperatures and rainfall expected are a result of a low-pressure weather system approaching from the Gulf of Mexico.
Texas
FAQ: Why have abortion services already halted in Texas?
Posted on · On Friday, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, abortions in Texas ceased despite the fact that the state’s trigger law banning the procedure has not yet gone into effect.
International
WNBA star Brittney Griner is seen at court, but Russia extends her detention again
Posted on · The star with the U.S. Olympic and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury was bracketed by four security officers and a dog as she was led down a stairwell to a courtroom for Monday's hearing.
Politics
Poll: Majorities oppose Supreme Court’s abortion ruling and worry about other rights
Posted on · 56% of Americans disapproved of the decision in an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll conducted after it was announced. A similar number say it was motivated by politics — not law.
Health Matters
Dealing with Migraines
Posted on · Guest: Dr. Frene' LaCour-Chestnut
Houston Matters
What overturning Roe v. Wade signals about politics and the judiciary (June 27, 2022)
Posted on · On Monday's show: We discuss what last week’s Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade signals about politics and the judiciary beyond abortion. Then, we learn about the challenges young people face when dealing with mental illness. And we get an update on Houston sports.