Florian Martin

Business Reporter

Florian Martin is currently the News 88.7 business reporter.

Florian’s stories can frequently be heard on other public radio stations throughout Texas and on NPR nationwide. Some of them have earned him awards from Texas AP Broadcasters, the Houston Press Club, National Association of Real Estate Editors, and Public Radio News Directors Inc.

Florian is a native of Germany. His studies in Leipzig (Houston’s German sister city) included a year abroad at the University of Houston.

After earning his M.A. in journalism, American studies and Hispanic studies at the University of Leipzig, Florian returned to Houston and started off his new life interning in the KUHF newsroom.

After a 16-month stint as a reporter for Houston Community Newspapers, Florian was invited back to Houston Public Media in 2012 to take over the NewsLab Coordinator position and quickly morphed into a daily reporter.

Florian is often heard saying that he is living the American Dream. He lives in Clear Lake City.

The Harding Street Raid

2 People Arrested By Former Houston Police Officer Gerald Goines Have Been Exonerated. Will There Be More?

Posted on May 13, 2021 · It’s one of many cases under review that involved disgraced former Houston police officer Gerald Goines.

Criminal Justice

In Mayor Turner’s Police Reform, Houston Works To Correct Police Oversight Shortcomings

Posted on May 6, 2021 · Houston’s police oversight system fared poorly in comparison to other cities in a 2020 report by the Kinder Institute.

Housing

Houston Apartment Rents, Occupancy Up After Sluggish 2020

Posted on May 6, 2021 · In April, apartments gained more tenants than ever in one month.

News

HPD Officer Being Sued For Excessive Force ‘No Longer Employed’

Posted on April 30, 2021 · A federal lawsuit accuses the former officer of beating a handcuffed suspect and calling for him to be shot.

In-Depth

Rising Prices Are Making Houston Homebuyers Lower Their Expectations

Posted on April 30, 2021 · Houston homes remain relatively affordable compared to the rest of the country, but rising prices are making the search for the dream house harder.

Guns

Bill To Allow ‘Constitutional Carry’ Of Firearms Gains Momentum In Texas House

Posted on April 14, 2021 · Opponents, including firearm instructors and police, worry permitless carry would be a public safety risk.

Criminal Justice

Houston Man Who Says He Was Beaten By Officer While Handcuffed Sues The City

Posted on April 13, 2021 · Aundre Howard says he was beaten and publicly humiliated by Houston police officers.

Criminal Justice

More People Are Violating Felony Bonds In Houston. No One Can Agree On A Solution

Posted on April 8, 2021 · County officials, researchers and victim advocates are concerned with an increase in violent crimes committed by defendants out on bond.

Criminal Justice

UPDATE: Pamela Turner’s Family Files Lawsuit Over Deadly Baytown Police Shooting

Posted on April 7, 2021 · The wrongful death lawsuit comes on what would have been Turner’s 46th birthday.

Criminal Justice

Troy Finner Sworn In As New Houston Police Chief, As Art Acevedo Heads To Miami

Posted on April 5, 2021 · Former HPD Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner will officially take over the department, Earlier in the day, Art Acevedo was sworn in as Miami police chief.

Business

Pandemic Drives Rural Land Sales In Texas

Posted on April 1, 2021 · Sales of properties outside cities rose by 29% in the fourth quarter of last year.

Houston

15% Of Houston-Area Unhoused Population Cite Pandemic As Reason For Homelessness

Posted on March 26, 2021 · The overall numbers are lower than last year but the Coalition for the Homeless said comparing might not work due to a different methodology.

Criminal Justice

New Houston Police Chief’s Priorities: Transparency, Curbing Violent Crime

Posted on March 25, 2021 · In his first interview with Houston Public Media, incoming Houston Police Chief Troy Finner also touches on the fallout from the Harding Street Raid, lawsuits against the department, and recommendations from Houston’s Police Reform Task Force.

Criminal Justice

Family Of Nicolas Chavez Sues Houston, HPD For $100 Million After Deadly Police Shooting

Posted on March 18, 2021 · The lawsuit aims to show that HPD policy allowed the officers to kill the 27-year-old because he picked up a Taser.

Criminal Justice

Baby Shot By HPD Officer Still ‘Fighting For His Life’ 2 Weeks Later, Mother Says

Posted on March 17, 2021 · The 1-year-old boy is in the ICU with bullet fragments in his head.