Houston Matters

On Thursday's show: Houston Mayor John Whitmire clashed with the city's chief financial officer, Controller Chris Hollins, during the city council meeting this week after the controller's office presented an explosive report on overtime expenditures by the police, fire, and solid waste departments. We learn more and get an update on other developments affecting the city from News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.Also this hour: Houston native Debbie Allen talks about an effort to help people understand what it’s like to live with diabetes.Then, we talk with Cary Darling, entertainment editor for the Houston Chronicle, about Goldstone, the film he's presenting for the Movies Houstonians Love series at the MFAH.And we learn about Black Restaurant Week, which is marking its tenth year highlighting Black-owned restaurants across the city.

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Food writers talk about some of their favorite places to take kids to eat (and play) in the latest edition of The Full Menu.And blues singer ZZ Ward talks about her music ahead of an April 6 concert in Houston.

On Tuesday's show: While some things about the City of Houston's financial situation have improved over the last year, the city still faces some significant financial challenges, according to its latest financial report. Analysts from the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University reviewed that report and share what they found.Also this hour: Matt Lanza from Space City Weather talks about a growing trend in weather forecasting: too much hype.Then, investigative reporter Lise Olsen talks about her book, The Scientist and the Serial Killer. It details how scientists have used new technology and methods to identify the remains of most of the long-unidentified victims of Houston serial killer Dean Corll.And an upcoming concert from Houston’s Mercury Chamber Orchestra combines the upbeat rhythms of Venezuelan Joropo music and the classical style of Bach.

On Monday's show: A bipartisan bill to create a grant program for safer railroad crossings is headed to the Texas House after the Senate recently passed it unanimously. Senate Bill 1555 was filed after the death of Sergio Rodriguez, a 15-year-old Houston ISD student who was struck by a train while walking to Milby High School. We learn more about the bill from one of its co-authors, Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Houston Democrat who's also a Milby graduate.Also this hour: We explore how changing Medicaid and SNAP policy may impact Houstonians.Then, Houston Landing reporter McKenna Oxenden shares her experience of being diagnosed with endometriosis, and we learn about a local pilot program providing resources and education about the condition.And from UH making the Final Four, to the Astros’ season-opening series against the Mets, we recap developments in sports with the help of Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: Even on rainy days like this, it doesn’t take much to remember the extreme heat and occasional drought we suffer through in Houston summers. We learn what those ever-hotter summers may do to our water supply and what’s being done to prepare for potential shortages in Texas and Greater Houston.Also this hour: From a protest over the removal of bike lane dividers, to an area school district trying out some Bible-infused curriculum, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.And we learn about Resilient Grace, a Houston apparel brand that aims to educate customers about Black history through T-shirts.

On Thursday's show: There’s potential for some heavy rainfall, maybe even a bit of flooding, over the next 36 hours. We look at the forecast with Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard. And we preview the new Astros season, which begins tonight against the Mets.Also this hour: We talk over Houston’s credit landscape, saving for retirement, and other financial planning concerns with the help of certified financial planner Juan Hernandez Ariano from WealthCreate Financial.Then, on this month’s edition of The Bigger Picture, the new film Black Bag leads to discussion with a husband and wife about the joys and challenges of spouses working in the same industry.And Houston-raised jazz pianist and composer Jason Moran talks about his love of the music of Duke Ellington ahead of a concert Friday night with DACAMERA concert celebrating Ellington’s life and music.

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the White House security breach and other developments in national, state, and local politics in our weekly roundup.Also this hour: Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, the board chair of METRO, joins us to outline her organization's new transit initiative, METRONow, and to discuss other issues related to public transportation in the region.And we continue our quest to craft the ultimate Houston sandwich by going in search of Houston’s best veggies and condiments.

 On Tuesday's show: We learn how potential cuts to FEMA funding might affect Houston's ability to respond to and recover from natural disasters.Also this hour: Longtime Houston activist Lex Frieden reflects on what it took to get the Americans with Disabilities Act passed and signed into law in 1990. That story is the subject of an episode of American Experience called Change, Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act, which airs tonight at 8 on Houston Public Media, TV 8.And we learn about the new teacher evaluation system HISD will have next school year. Some like it, and some hate it (just like just about everything these days).

On Monday's show: State government can move fast or slow. Consider the speed with which the Texas Senate passed a bill calling for public schools to display the Ten Commandments, and how, so far, Gov. Greg Abbott seems to be slow playing what should be a simple call for a special election in a Houston-area Congressional district. News 88.7's Andrew Schneider updates us on both stories.Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in residential real estate here in Greater Houston, which has long been a seller’s market, with the help of Florian Martin of the Houston Business Journal and real estate agent Kristin Pomroy.Then, columnist Dwight Silverman talks about some recent developments in consumer technology.And Jeff Balke tells us about the UH Cougars men's basketball team making its sixth straight appearance in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament and updates us on Houston sports.

 On Friday's show: We get an update on efforts to contain a wildfire near the Sam Houston National Forest.Also this hour: We revisit the origins of civil rights protests here in Houston, and a figure at the center of them.Then, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the week's news.And with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back on Earth after an extended stay in space, we revisit a conversation with astronaut Scott Kelly, who set a record for continuous time in space.