Houston Matters

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What Houston Expects From Its Next Police Chief (March 16, 2021) Mar 16, 2021

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On Tuesday's Houston Matters: HPD Chief Art Acevedo’s impending departure has community groups wondering what the next chief of police may -- or may not -- do to further law enforcement reform efforts. What should Houstonians expect from their next chief? We talk it over. Also this hour: City Council Member Dr. Letitia Plummer answers your questions about issues affecting the city. Then, after last month's freeze, many Houstonians are wondering if their plants survived... Read More

I-45 Widening Project Stalled Amid Lawsuit (March 15, 2021) Mar 15, 2021

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On Monday's Houston Matters: The I-45 widening project is on hold as TxDOT faces a lawsuit from Harris County and an investigation by the Federal Highway Administration. We learn the details. Also this hour: We hear an excerpt from Eddie Robinson's conversation with renowned historian Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. about his series The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song and his PBS series Finding Your Roots. Their full conversation can... Read More

When Will Houston Reach Herd Immunity? (March 12, 2021) Mar 12, 2021

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On Friday's Houston Matters: When will we reach herd immunity in Greater Houston, across the country, and around the world? Dr. Paul Klotman, president and CEO of Baylor College of Medicine weighs in. Also this hour: We conclude our weeklong reflection on the 12 months since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Greater Houston by remembering some of those we've lost to the virus. And a Clear Lake couple talks about the website they created to... Read More

One Year Later: How The Pandemic Has Reshaped Society (March 11, 2021) Mar 11, 2021

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On Thursday's Houston Matters: We re-examine renters' rights in Texas after tenants were left without water for weeks following February’s hard freeze. Also this hour: As we continue to reflect on the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolding here in Greater Houston, we discuss the social impact of the past year -- from working from home, to virtual classrooms, to not seeing loved ones for extended periods, to wearing masks in public.... Read More

Will Restaurants And Other Businesses Fully Reopen? (March 10, 2021) Mar 10, 2021

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On Wednesday's show: The state's mask mandate ends today, and businesses -- including restaurants -- are allowed to open at full capacity. But will they? Also this hour: We discuss the week in politics. Plus, this week as we mark the anniversary of the pandemic unfolding in Greater Houston, we reflect on the role politics played in the spread of -- and fight against -- COVID-19 and the impact the virus has had on the... Read More

What New CDC Guidelines Mean For Houston (March 9, 2021) Mar 09, 2021

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On Tuesday's Houston Matters: The CDC made it official Monday. Fully vaccinated individuals can safely socialize privately in small groups without masks or social distancing provided they don’t have underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk for COVID-19. It’s a long-awaited and huge step forward for Americans who, in some cases, have gone a year or more without spending time in close proximity with some family or friends. We discuss the implications of... Read More

Reflecting On The Anniversary Of The COVID-19 Pandemic (March 8, 2021) Mar 08, 2021

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On Monday's Houston Matters: Should Texas expect another spike in COVID-19 numbers after Gov. Greg Abbott lifted the mask mandate last week? Houston public health authorities weigh in. Also this hour: We begin a week of marking the anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic arriving in Houston by walking through a timeline of the events that led to the shutdown and our new mask-wearing, social-distancing reality. Then, how the pandemic has improved the fortunes of many... Read More

Teachers Move Up The Priority List For COVID-19 Vaccines (March 5, 2021) Mar 05, 2021

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On Friday's Houston Matters: Teachers are now joining the priority list for vaccines. We learn more. Plus: the City of Houston takes a step toward equitable access to city contracts for LGBT-owned businesses. Also this hour: The U.S. declared segregation in schools unconstitutional in 1954, but students of color still faced those separations in HISD until 1984. We find out why and how it all affected local populations of color. Then, a Houston Chronicle investigation... Read More

How Do We Define When The Pandemic Is Over? (March 4, 2021) Mar 04, 2021

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On Thursday's Houston Matters: Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to end the statewide mask mandate despite pleas from public health officials not to do so has once again brought into focus a key -- and, so far, unanswered -- question: when will the pandemic really be over? We seek some clarity on the eventual finish line. Also this hour: What should our public policy priorities be after the COVID-19 pandemic? A new survey from Rice University's... Read More

Local Reaction To Gov. Abbott Ending The Texas Mask Mandate (March 3, 2021) Mar 03, 2021

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On Wednesday's Houston Matters: We get local reaction to Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that he’s ending Texas’ statewide mask mandate next week and will allow all businesses to open at full capacity. The change, which comes as the seven-day average of new coronavirus deaths remains above 200, will go into effect March 10. And the CEO of Shell says oil production is on its final decline. Is Houston listening? Also this hour: We discuss the governor’s... Read More

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