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February 28, 2023

Is Houston still affordable?

By: David Brown

An orange haze, a vicious wind, in some places visibility cut close to zero – is an exiting dust storm a warning of more? With high winds expected to return later this week, what the layers of dust across Texas may tell us about changes to our climate.

A recent survey from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed roughly four out of five Houstonians are stressed out about recent price increases – raising the question of whether Houston still deserves its long-held reputation as one of the most affordable large cities in the country.

Tens of thousands protest against the president in Mexico amid concerns about threats to elections there.

A bill set to raise the penalties for illegal voting in Texas gets the green light from a Senate committee.

On Rare Disease Day 2023, we’ll hear how advocates for people with such diseases are pushing for change.

And an online hack targeting Asian Texans.


Episodes

April 21, 2026

Texas to launch its own clinical trials of psychedelic drug

The state of Texas is poised to spend millions on psychedelic drug research. We’ll have the details about the clinical trials set for ibogaine.Profits for Texas restaurants are plummeting as ICE conducts more immigration raids. We’ll hear what restaurant owners want the Trump administration to do.A deadline to ensure digital materials are accessible for people […]

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April 20, 2026

War with Iran hits Texas energy from two directions

The war in Iran and the big energy bottleneck presents implications for the Lone Star State. As we parse out the latest, we’ll have a closer look at the impact on oil and why one top analyst says despite record oil exports from Texas, we’re still not out of the woods.There has been a lot […]

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April 18, 2026

Texas Extra: Writer David Streitfeld on ‘Lonesome Dove’ and why Larry McMurtry loved and hated Texas

David Streitfeld wrote the new biography “Western Star” about his friend Larry McMurty. In this extended interview, you’ll hear more about “Lonesome Dove,” McMurtry’s reaction to the television miniseries and whether McMurtry himself was more of an Augustus McCrae or a Woodrow Call.

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April 17, 2026

Big Thief guitarist Buck Meek talks solo album ‘The Mirror’

As Corpus Christi and neighboring cities try to head off a water catastrophe, water demand exceeds supply across Texas and there are new staggering estimates for a statewide water plan. We’ll go over the numbers, what’s behind them, and what comes next.A runoff for lieutenant governor looms in Texas — but do Texans know either […]

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April 16, 2026

Camp Mystic ruling could shape flood accountability case

The biggest city in Texas faces intense pressure from Gov. Greg Abbott over cooperation with immigration enforcement. David Goodman of the New York Times joins us with more on a threat to cut funding for Houston police unless it changes a new policy on collaboration with ICE agents.What happens next to Camp Mystic? A hearing […]

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April 15, 2026

Why the Spurs owe San Antonio millions after failed MLS bid

Texas Republican Tony Gonzales has begun the process of resigning amid accusations tied to sexual misconduct. What’s next for Texas’ 23rd congressional district?There’s an annual ritual going on right now on parts of the Texas Gulf Coast. Why conservationists are celebrating the unusual display of the Attwater’s prairie-chicken.The San Antonio Spurs are headed into the […]

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April 14, 2026

Tracking state takeovers of Texas schools

The state is taking control of more struggling school districts, but how effective are the takeovers? We’ll discuss with two Houston Chronicle reporters tracking takeovers in Texas.Should the state attorney general make national politics one of his primary duties as outgoing AG Ken Paxton has done? It’s become an issue as voters elect the state’s […]

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April 13, 2026

Discovery in Central Texas cave reshapes understanding of Ice Age wildlife

After talks with Iran fall apart, energy prices are back on the rise — as are military tensions. UT global affairs expert Jeremi Suri on what happened in talks and what it means for the foreseeable future.The end of the Artemis II mission, the start of a new chapter in space exploration. We’ll have more […]

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