News
The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1611: Benjamin Franklin and Cotton Mather
Episode: 1611 Benjamin Franklin and Cotton Mather: ideologies diverge and converge. Today, Benjamin Franklin and Cotton Mather.
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schools
Why getting your birth certificates ahead of the school year is so important
As families across the Houston area prepare for the first day of school, Saturday became another stop on the back-to-school checklist. Instead of shopping for backpacks or notebooks, hundreds of parents visited Harris County Clerk annexes to pick up one document many schools requ...
Local
A federal judge upheld stricter air quality standards. Here’s what it means for Harris County
The court ruled the EPA must enforce stricter limits on PM 2.5, which is fine particulate matter such as dust, smoke and soot that can be harmful to health....
parks
The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1610: Experimental Proof
Episode: 1610 Thoughts on the nature and purpose of experiments. Today, we wonder why people do experiments.
business
Career criminal charged with 12 felonies since 2025 creating havoc for business owner
A Houston business owner says a repeat offender has become a constant problem after Richard Herrin was convicted of four felonies this year yet spent only days in the Harris County Jail, prompting renewed calls for tougher penalties on habitual felony thieves....
safety
Houston Methodist fire: Piece of equipment catches fire on roof of Centennial Tower in Med Center, fire out
The Houston Fire Department is on the scene after a fire has been reported at Centennial Tower at Houston Methodist in the Medical Center.
safety
Houston Fire Department responds to fire at Houston Methodist Hospital in medical center
The fire department received a call about a 2-alarm fire near the intersection of Fannin Street and University Boulevard shortly after 5 p.m. Friday.
safety
Piece of equipment catches fire on roof of Centennial Tower in Texas Medical Center
Emergency and fire crews responded to Centennial Tower in the Texas Medical Center after Houston Methodist says a piece of equipment on the roof of the building caught on fire Friday. The fire was reported at 6565 Fannin St. SKY 2 video showed black smoke billowing from the roof ...
Local
Harris County launches ‘Priority Pass’ in an effort to streamline vehicle registration
The new online service is designed to speed up vehicle registration for Harris County residents by reducing tax office wait times.
News
‘After the Flood’ podcast: Fifth episode reviews Kerr County’s readiness one year after deadly July 4 flood
"After the Flood," a collaboration of The Texas Newsroom and PBS’ Frontline, is an intimate and deeply reported look at catastrophic flooding in Central Texas....
business
Barbecue Inn is closing its doors after 80 years. These food lovers came for one last plate
The restaurant had been a staple of Independence Heights since the 1940s. Some guests waited hours in a line that went out the door for one last chance at shrimp and fried chicken....
Local
'I'm a celebrity': Unlicensed funeral director accused of stealing dead man's estate dodges questions after court
A Houston funeral home director accused of stealing a dead man’s estate stormed out of the Harris County criminal courthouse Friday morning, claiming to be a “celebrity” who had nothing to say — then quickly changed course and started hurling insults. Unique Green is accused of p...
News
Galveston County health officials report neuroinvasive West Nile virus case in resident
It's the first West Nile virus case in Galveston County in 2026. Health officials there say the resident, who is hospitalized, had "travel exposures" outside of the county during their incubation period....
safety
Pedestrian dies after being hit by vehicle in southwest Houston parking lot
An investigation is underway after a pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle in a parking lot Friday morning in southwest Houston, according to the Houston Police Department. The incident was reported around 11 a.m. in the 9800 block of South Kirkwood Road. Police said th...
schools
How to apply for free or reduced cost meals at Houston ISD schools
The new school year is rapidly approaching and with its arrival, so is the reality of lunches for children. Some families may qualify for free or reduced cost meals for their children at Houston ISD schools, but there is a process to determine and apply for it. Application Famili...
schools
Three Houston-area moms sue over Ten Commandments in schools. They say it violates Texas’ own laws
A 2025 state law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms was upheld last spring by a federal appeals court. Now it's being challenged in a state-level court in Harris County....
safety
Parked car potentially saves child's life after driver falls asleep at wheel, crashes in East Texas
Police in a small East Texas city say a parked car may have made the difference between a frightening crash and an unimaginable tragedy. The incident happened on Highway 69 in the City of Huntington, which is just east of Lufkin. Harris County deputies investigating apparent murd...
safety
DNA testing leads to arrest of man suspected in Houston sexual assaults over decades-long period
Phillip Cerf, 62, has been charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault for alleged crimes committed between 1996 and 2016.
News
John Oliver goes after Buc-ee’s: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the week
The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.
schools
New HISD athletics rules start Aug. 1: Here's what you can and can't bring to games
Fans heading to Houston ISD athletic events this school year will need to plan ahead. Starting Aug. 1, HISD is rolling out new security and entry rules for UIL sporting events at district athletic facilities, including a new clear bag policy, student ID requirements and adult sup...
government
State finds some registered Texas voters were wrongly flagged as potential noncitizens
The secretary of state told counties to immediately reinstate any Texans who were removed from the voter roll despite showing DPS proof of citizenship....
News
Texas is banning several THC products. Find out what will still be legal on July 31.
Although several synthetically derived cannabis products will be banned on July 31, delta-9 THC products will still remain legal.
News
Houston-based oil companies reap massive profits as U.S. and Iran fighting drives energy prices higher
Exxon Mobil on Friday reported doubling its second-quarter profits to $14.53 billion, up 105% from the same time a year ago, while Chevron nearly quadrupled its profits to $12.07 billion....
News
The Trump administration has undercut the U.S. asylum program. These 3 charts show how
A new rule for asylum applications adds to the bevy of changes under the Trump administration to the core program for those fleeing persecution in their home countries....
Local
Elderly couple found dead in Cypress home in apparent murder-suicide: HCSO
Harris County officials are investigating a possible murder-suicide scene after a son found his parents dead in their home near the Cypress area.
parks
Harris County deputies investigating apparent murder-suicide of married couple at Cypress home
Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating what appears to be a murder-suicide at a home in the 13000 block of Campos Drive in the Cypress area. HCSO Sgt. Mike Ritchie said deputies responded to the residence earlier in the morning after a man called 911 and report...
News
THC ban begins (July 31, 2026)
On Friday's show: We get details on Texas' new ban on certain THC products, which begins today. And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week....
News
The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1609: Franklin’s Heat Experiment
Episode: 1609 Benjamin Franklin’s experiments in thermal radiation. Today, Benjamin Franklin thinks about theoretical and applied science.
business
Harris County: Body found behind business on FM 1960
Authorities are investigating after a body was found behind a business in Harris County on Thursday evening.
safety
Harris County: 13-year-old dies following 'possible medical emergency'
Harris County authorities are reporting a 13-year-old has died following a “possible medical emergency."
News
Houston MRI technician says she was attacked while on the job at St. Joseph Medical Center
A Houston MRI technician says she has resigned from her job at St. Joseph Medical Center after she was allegedly attacked by a stranger inside a hospital stairwell, leaving her too afraid to return to work....
schools
HISD families should prepare for these back-to-school changes
HISD families should verify campus assignments, transportation information and school meal eligibility before the new school year. Here's what parents need to know about Bluebonnet Learning and other changes....
schools
‘Why here?’: Hockley residents push back against proposed fuel storage terminal near neighborhoods, school
A proposed fuel storage terminal in northwest Harris County is drawing growing opposition from residents who say they’re worried about potential impacts on their health, quality of life and property values. The project, proposed by Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P., now part of ONE...
safety
13-year-old dead after possible medical emergency in north Harris County, Precinct 4 deputies say
A 13-year-old is dead after a possible medical emergency in north Harris County on Thursday, according to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office....
News
Leaders of new Fort Bend LULAC chapter say fatal ICE shooting in Houston accelerated its launch
Latinos make up about 25% of the growing population in the suburban county outside Houston, and that demographic is trending upward, according to the U.S. Census Bureau....
safety
17-year-old faces felony charges after opening fire at deputy in west Harris County, sheriff says
Charges have been filed against a teen suspect accused of opening fire at a Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy in west Harris County, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez....
safety
Liberty County correctional officer fired following inmate’s escape from hospital
The search for Yorlan Rafael Reyes, the 31-year-old inmate who escaped July 18, remained active as of Thursday.
News
Trump says he ‘may’ pull Blanche AG nomination temporarily
The news comes as two key Republicans, including Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, are withholding their support over concerns about the Justice Department's deal with President Trump....
News
Hello Houston – The Commuter Cut (July 30, 2026)
For our busy Houston commuters, we have – The Commuter Cut – a special 40-minute version of our show to listen to during your journey home.
government
Hello Houston (July 30, 2026)
Today: We learn about the creation of a synthetic cell, talk with Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis about the county’s budget, hear a conversation with Houstonian playwright Cris Eli Blak, and more....
News
The Houston Heights celebrates White Linen Night’s 20th anniversary this Saturday
This year's ticketed celebration on West 19th Street will span from Ashland to Yale streets and feature live music, food and drinks and an artisan market....
safety
Vehicle crashes into Menchie's Frozen Yogurt in northwest Harris County
An investigation is underway after a vehicle crashed into Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in northwest Harris County on Thursday morning, according to Constable Deputies with Constable Mark Herman’s Office. The crash happened at the yogurt shop in the 10880 block of Louetta Road. Officia...
News
Dream Con brought Black nerd culture to Texas, but to keep it, founders say support is needed
Dream Con, one of the country’s largest Black-owned pop culture conventions, is at risk of looking elsewhere to find financial support and resources.
government
Senate panel delays vote on Blanche AG nomination as key Republicans, including John Cornyn, withhold support
The Senate Judiciary Committee had been expected to vote Thursday on whether to advance Blanche’s nomination to the full chamber.
business
Gov. Greg Abbott cleared the way for the hemp industry in 2019. Now businesses are being pushed out
Texas will ban hemp products containing certain intoxicating cannabinoids starting July 31, and local businesses are feeling the strain — and even closing....
News
Texas could send a record four GOP women to Congress — if they make it through November
Despite sending more Republicans to Congress than any other state, Texas has elected only five GOP women to the U.S. House in its history. Redistricting and retirements could change things....
business
City contracts & minority-owned businesses (July 30, 2026)
On Thursday's show: We learn why a longstanding city of Houston program requiring some government contracts to be awarded to minority-owned businesses was ruled unconstitutional this week and discuss the ramifications....
business
With future of U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade in limbo, Texas businesses navigate choppy waters
The Trump administration announced July 1 it would not renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Rising uncertainty has led businesses that depend on the trade pact to pull back on investment in Texas, experts say....
safety
Houston teen fires at deputies responding to Westpark family disturbance, taken into custody
Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies were fired upon by a teenage suspect Tuesday evening while responding to a family disturbance call on the west side of Houston. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on July 29, 2026, at a complex located at 14906 Westpark Drive. Deputies ...
business
The Engines of Our Ingenuity 2623: Thomas Carlyle’s Past and Present
Episode: 2623 Thomas Carlyle and the Working of Free Markets. Today, economic salvation.
News
Witness to Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s shooting released from ICE detention as prosecutors argue against it
Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego was one of three passengers in Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s van when he was killed by an ICE agent. The other men remain detained....
safety
Suspect in custody after allegedly firing gunshots at Harris County deputies responding to family disturbance
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office says a suspect is in custody after he allegedly fired shots at deputies responding to a family disturbance at an apartment complex. It happened at a complex located at 14906 Westpark Drive, in the West Oaks area of Harris County. Deputies were c...
safety
Suspect arrested after being accused of opening fire towards deputy in west Harris County, HCSO says
The Harris County Sheriff's Office says that a suspect was arrested after being accused of firing shots towards a deputy while responding to a disturbance in west Harris County on Wednesday....
safety
Harris County explores AI-powered cameras to monitor jail inmates, improve emergency response
Harris County is exploring the use of artificial intelligence-equipped surveillance cameras inside the county jail to improve inmate monitoring, detect emergencies more quickly, and reduce staff workload....
Local
Harris County shooting: Teen taken into custody after firing shots at deputies, officials say
A teen has been taken into custody after firing shots at deputies on Wednesday evening, officials said.
Local
Man rescued after falling into manhole in North Harris County
According to Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Office, the man fell into a manhole at the intersection of Cypresswood Drive and James C. Leo Drive.
safety
Teen from El Salvador charged with murder in two separate Houston shootings
Houston police have charged 18-year-old Jefferson Velasquez with murder in a Midtown shooting, and he was already in the Harris County Jail facing a separate murder charge from a house party in East Harris County. Records show both deadly shootings happened under similar circumst...