Flood Relief, Blue Bell, and Red Light Cameras: Wednesday’s show (April 20, 2016)

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect in the Houston area until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, as some areas in Greater Houston may receive 2-to-4 more inches of rain (and perhaps more, depending on the speed of storms today and tonight). Meanwhile, the region is beginning to get a fuller picture of the damage wrought by the storms and flooding this week. Law enforcement confirmed seven flood-related deaths in Harris and Waller Counties. Harris County officials confirm 744 homes and 400 apartments have been flooded as a result of this week’s storms – that number is expected to rise.

[Above: The Harris County Sheriff’s office continues search and rescue efforts after this week’s storms and flooding. Photo by Houston Public Media].

As the region begins to assess and recover, on this edition of Houston Matters, we discuss what volunteer efforts are already under way, and how Houstonians can help one another.

Also this hour:

Revisiting Blue Bell

A year ago today, Brenham-based Blue Bell Creameries voluntarily pulled all of its products off store shelves after samples tested positive for listeria. We talk with Mark Collette, investigative reporter for the Houston Chronicle, about what’s happened in the year since.

Red Light Cameras in Sugar Land: Should They Stay, or Should They Go?

A recent debate in Sugar Land asked the city's mayoral candidates whether they are for or against the present automated red light camera enforcement system and why.

We hear candidates’ positions, and revisit previous conversations about these controversial devices.

Surviving Wrongful Conviction

Co-authors Nikki Pope and Courtney Lance recently came to Houston to promote their new book Pruno, Ramen, and a Side of Hope: Stories of Surviving Wrongful Conviction. It weaves recipes in with stories of men and women who spent years in prison for crimes that they didn't commit.

Pope and Lance recently joined Ronnie Carmona, whose son was wrongfully convicted and eventually exonerated, in an interview with Houston Matters' Maggie Martin.

Author Describes How She Came To Admire Texas Women

When author Sarah Bird first came to Texas in the 1970s, she was skeptical about living here. But, over time, she came to appreciate the state, as well as the people living in it.

In particular, Bird says, she grew to admire Texas women, as she tells Maggie Martin from her home in Austin. They discuss Bird’s new book, A Love Letter to Texas Women.

Houston Matters begins at noon.

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