Full Show: The Shutdown’s Effect On Airports, And Harvey Recovery Centers Opening (Jan. 14, 2019)

On Monday’s Houston Matters: The government shutdown causes a security checkpoint to close at Bush Intercontinental Airport. The City of Houston is opening four Harvey recovery centers. A new book calls into question America’s approach to working for the release of kidnapped journalists. A documentary details the role nutria have come to play in Gulf Coast culture. And Jeff Balke updates us on Houston sports.

Abner Fletcher

| January 14, 2019, 6:00 AM

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On Monday’s Houston Matters: A TSA checkpoint was closed Sunday afternoon in Terminal B at Bush Intercontinental Airport and stayed that way for the rest of the day. Officials ascribed the closure to staffing issues associated with the partial government shutdown. We learn more about the situation.

And the City of Houston is opening four Harvey recovery centers to begin the process of distributing $1.1 billion in recovery funds. Tom McCasland, the city’s housing director, explains how the centers work and who’s eligible for the funds.

Also this hour: A new book calls into question America's approach to working for the release of kidnapped journalists. Joel Simon of the Committee to Protect Journalists discusses his book We Want To Negotiate: The Secret World of Kidnapping, Hostages, and Ransom. He’s in town this week for a pair of events.

Then: Nutria — invasive, over-sized, beaver-like rodents — have taken over a lot of territory along the Gulf Coast, including Houston’s bayous. A new documentary called Rodents of Unusual Size details the role nutria have come to play in the economy and culture of places like Louisiana and Texas.

And Jeff Balke updates us on local sports.

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