Hello Houston

On today’s Hello Houston, Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth joins us to explain what voters need to know about upcoming runoff elections, as well as share her thoughts on voter fatigue with May being a busy month for elections in Harris County.Next, comedian and filmmaker Lahna Turner tells us all about her new documentary Come What May, which tells the story of her ex-husband, the late comedian Ralphie May, who began his stand-up career in Houston’s comedy scene.In the second hour, we’re joined by Kat Robinson, Vice Chair of the Houston Association of Realtors, who breaks down the latest report on the Houston housing market, with new numbers showing that home sales picked up in April, and what this means for buyers and sellers as we approach the summer season.Also, as health officials continue to monitor the exposed passengers from the hantavirus outbreak that occurred on a cruise ship, epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Troisi joins us to help us understand what the virus is and what Texans should and shouldn’t be worried about.And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Katharine Shilcutt talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn introducing a bill to rename a U.S. highway as “Interstate 47” in honor of President Trump, several businesses on Galveston’s Bolivar Peninsula planning on closing for this weekend’s annual "Jeep Weekend,” and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, City Controller Chris Hollins joins us to share his thoughts on Mayor Whitmire’s proposed plan for the city’s budget, after having raised concerns about the proposal and what it could mean for taxpayers and city services.Then, we hear from BBC reporter and cultural commentator, William Lee Adams, the internet’s number one source for all things Eurovision, who gives us an inside peek into some of the contestants for this year’s event, which is set to take place this weekend.In the second hour, Memorial Hermann Health System’s Director of Emergency Management & Organizational Resilience, Adam Lee, and UTHealth Houston’s Chief of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Luis Ostrosky, join us to discuss preparing for health emergencies during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, from increased ER traffic to infectious disease concerns.Plus, Doug Meikle, the President and CEO of the Houston-based homeless shelter Star of Hope, tells us all about their work and impact on our community.And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Houston Public Media reporter Michael Adkison discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including organizers saying Houston is prepared for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton suing Netflix for allegedly collecting users' data without their consent.

On today’s Hello Houston, U.S. Representative Christian Menefee joins us to discuss his campaign for the upcoming runoff election for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, the issues he’s focused on, and what he hopes to accomplish if elected to a full term in Congress.In the second hour, we’re joined by Shubhra Endley, the Director of Mental Health and Wellness at Communities In Schools of Houston, who tells us about the non-profit organization’s Mental Health Initiative and the growing need for student mental health support in our community. And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Shelley Wade talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including a new survey that’s found nearly 70% of Houston-area residents disapprove of ICE, new UFO files released by the Pentagon, the man charged with targeting President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner pleading not guilty, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, we talk with UT Health Houston assistant professor, psychologist, and childbirth educator, Dr. Angel Glover, who discusses maternal mental health and how motherhood affects brain chemistry in recognition of Maternal Mental Health Month.Also, in the first hour, director Paul Bunnell joins us to discuss his new film A Blind Bargain, and how it reimagines a long-lost Lon Chaney film from 1922.In the second hour, the University of Houston’s Dr. Tara T. Green and Dr. Demetrius Pearson tell us about the Black Cowboy/girl Preservation Project, a growing oral history archive documenting the experiences of Black cowboys and cowgirls, that will be housed at the Houston Public Library’s African American History Research Center.Plus, singer and stage actress Teal Wicks, known for her roles in Wicked and & Juliet, joins us to talk about her Broadway career and her cabaret-style concert & Broadway, which will be performed tonight at the Hobby Center.And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Doris Childress talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the city of Grand Prairie cancelling a private Muslim event after Gov. Abbott threatened to cut the city’s funding and Attorney General Ken Paxton announcing an investigation to ensure Texas school districts are complying with the state’s Ten Commandments law.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Quentin Wiltz, the mayor-elect of the City of Pearland, who joins us to talk about his winning campaign, his priorities, and what residents can expect from him in this new role.Then, we talk with Houston actors and singers, Simone Jasmine Gundy and Mark Ivy, who are co-hosting this year’s 2026 Tommy Tune Awards, celebrating the very best in Houston-area high school musical theatre.In the second hour, Andy Uhler, a University of Texas energy reporter and host of the podcast Phases and Stages: The Texas Energy Story, discusses what renewable energy means for Texans and how his podcast explains what’s happening in Texas energy.Plus, our hosts and listeners share the latest things that are taking over all their free time as part of our regular Thursday feature, Current Obsessions.And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Brandi Smith talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Houston City Council approving an ordinance cracking down on apartment complexes with health and safety issues, health officials monitoring a Hantavirus outbreak, and Republicans moving forward with a plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol for the rest of President Trump’s term.

On today’s Hello Houston, Jason Cunningham, Deputy Chief Appraiser for the Harris Central Appraisal District, joins us to walk us through the process of how people can protest their property taxes in Harris County ahead of the deadline on Friday, May 15.Next, director and choreographer Jakari Sherman talks to us about his residency, Our Road Home: Gallery as Instrument, which honors the legacy of Houston’s Freedmen’s Town as part of Fresh Arts' 2026 Space Taking Artist Residency initiative.In the second hour, we’re joined by Bryan Sisk, Chief Nursing Executive with the Memorial Hermann Health System, who discusses the shortage of nurses in Texas with a new projection showing the state could be short of more than 50,000 nurses by 2032.Plus, Justin Lacey, the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at Houston Botanic Garden, talks to us about their new sculpture exhibition ViewPoints: Nature in Focus, which will be on view through October 2026.And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Brandi Smith talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s proposed city budget plan, a murder-suicide in River Oaks connected to Houston area restaurant owners, and a new poll showing President Trump's approval ratings dropping due to rising gas prices.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by University of Houston researcher Francisco Haces-Garcia, who discusses the use of AI in flood mapping as well as what was found in a recent flood risk study he authored and what it could mean for the future.Next, we talk with Houston-based James Beard Award-winning chef and TV host, Chris Shepherd, who tells us all about his new live conversation series, Breaking Bread, which is being presented by the Hobby Center.In the second hour, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of a truly one-of-a-kind Houston institution, notsuoH, with co-founders and owners Jim Pirtle and Missy Bosch, who walk us through the story of how it all began, and what’s ahead as the popular art space and bar enters a new chapter.Plus, Houston entrepreneur Moe Vickers tells us about the non-profit she founded, Salon 180 Angels, which provides free hair‑care services to immobile seniors, while also supporting underserved youth through beauty education programs.And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Lisa Gray discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Galveston County Sheriff's Office announcing increased patrols for Jeep Weekend 2026, historic U.S. documents coming soon to Houston as part of a national tour, a new poll showing Ken Paxton statistically tied with John Cornyn in Texas’ Republican Senate primary runoff, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, we talk with Sarah Kirkle, the Policy and Legislative Affairs Director for the Texas Water Association, who helps us understand what needs to be done for the state of Texas to avoid a major water crisis in the future.Then, we hear from Performing Arts Houston President and CEO Meg Booth and Director of Artistic Programs, Lee Strickland, who tell us all about the arts organization’s upcoming 60th anniversary season, which they are calling “The Diamond Season.”In the second hour, David Froomkin, assistant professor of law at the University of Houston Law Center, joins us to discuss the continuing legal battles surrounding redistricting and voting rights following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decisions involving Texas and Louisiana’s congressional maps.Plus, Nicholas Sawicki, Executive Director of the Houston Public Library Foundation, rejoins us on the show to explain how the library helps foster a love for reading among children and families in recognition of Children’s Book Week this week.And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Houston Public Media Reporter Michael Adkison talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Houston's World Cup host committee taking over parts of the region in preparation of the massive international soccer event, Mayor John Whitmire proposing an administrative fee for trash pickup, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick exploring ways to close “gambling loopholes” for online prediction markets, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, we're joined by Gus Faucher, the Chief Economist for PNC, in the first hour of the show, who breaks down a new report with insights on where Houston’s economy stands currently and what we can expect in the months ahead.Then, we learn all about the local women’s organization, The Women's Resource of Greater Houston, with its Chief Development Officer, Stephanie Magers, who tells us about their work empowering women to make choices to become financially stable.In the second hour, Phoebe Tudor discusses the importance of historical preservation and her role as Board Chair at the National Trust for Historic Preservation as she takes on Washington and the preservation of the White House.Plus, as it’s Celeste Diaz Schurman’s last show as a full-time Hello Houston host, we bring in some special guests and a few surprises to wish her well as she steps into a new chapter.And, as always, Ernie Manouse and Celeste Diaz Schurman (for one final time) talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Camp Mystic withdrawing its application for a summer 2026 camp license and nationwide May Day demonstrations calling for a boycott of work, school and shopping.

On today’s Hello Houston, we hear from local Pastor Sean Palmer, who shares his perspective on the intersection of politics and religion with Celeste Diaz Schurman in the latest installment of her “Cold Coffee” series.Then, writer, speaker, and influencer Libby Ward joins us to explain how she’s redefining the motherhood narrative through an honest, unfiltered, and relatable lens, as well as her new book Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself. In the second hour, we’re joined by Houston Public Media Fort Bend County reporter Melissa Enaje, who tells us all about a new initiative that will take a closer look at the air residents breathe in Fort Bend County to identify potential health risks.Plus, our hosts and listeners share the latest things that are currently taking over all their free time, as part of our regular Thursday feature, “Current Obsessions.”And, as always, Ernie Manouse and Celeste Diaz Schurman talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the FCC ordering several TV stations owned by Disney to re-file their broadcasting licenses within 30 days and the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Louisiana must redraw its congressional map, which they discuss with Democracy Docket reporter Jen Rice.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Anne Sung, the Chief Policy and Innovation Officer for Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones, who discusses a new business accelerator initiative designed to help childcare providers expand in Harris County.Then, local media personality Tessa Berrera, formerly of Houston Life on KPRC, joins us to share what she’s been up to since leaving local television.In the second hour, we take a closer look at what Superfund sites are and where they exist in Harris County with Dr. Bhagavatula Moorthy, the program director and principal investigator of the Baylor College of Medicine – Rice Superfund Research Program, who also explains how researchers are studying their effects.Plus, Becky Seabrook, Senior Director of Guest Engagement at The Health Museum, joins us to tell us all about their annual Global Teen Medical Summit, and how it gives high school students the opportunity to explore modern-day health and bioscience challenges.And, as always, Ernie Manouse and Celeste Diaz Schurman talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including a new poll showing state Rep. James Talarico leading in Texas’ U.S. Senate race, the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s current congressional map, and former FBI Director James Comey’s second indictment.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Kim Kofron, Director of Early Childhood Education at Children at Risk, who discusses their new report on “childcare deserts” across Texas, which are areas where finding affordable and quality childcare is becoming more difficult.Next, Dr. Lavanya Rajagopalan, the founder and Executive Artistic Director of the Indian arts organization, Silambam Houston, tells us about their original production Kāvya: Poetry in Motion, which will be performed at the Hobby Center on Friday, May 1.In the second hour, Dr. George Santos, a psychiatrist and member physician with the Harris County Medical Society, discusses what we should know about protecting our long-term brain health and new findings that suggest heavy screen time could be linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline.Plus, the Junior League of Houston’s Margie Sutton talks about the organization’s Community Assistance Grants, which offer funding to local non-profits working in children’s education, women and children’s health, and whole family basic needs.And, as always, Ernie Manouse and Celeste Diaz Schurman talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Supreme Court issuing a decision allowing Texas’ newly redrawn congressional maps to be used and Houston Mayor John Whitmire facing ethics complaints over his new city-funded podcast.