Houston Matters Full Episode - February 3, 2026

Описание: Today on Houston Matters, the window for families to apply for the state’s new school voucher program, officially called Texas Education Freedom Accounts, opens Wednesday for the 2026-27 school year. Houston Public Media reporter Bianca Seward discusses why the state is trying to limit when schools can participate and other questions as the new program begins. Also, how much should you trust the quality of the water coming out of the tap? Pedro Alvarez, director of Rice University’s WaTER Institute, explains what we should all know about the quality of water where we live and work. Then, Sonny Messiah-Jiles from The Houston Defender and Dorris Ellis-Robinson from The Houston Sun reflect on the history of the Black press in Houston, how it has shaped the city through pivotal eras of history, and why its voice still matters. Plus, we talk with standup comedian Mohanad Elshieky about his comedy and his work as a writer for NPR’s “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”

Houston Matters is an essential daily guide to the people, places, issues, and ideas that define Greater Houston. Hosted by Craig Cohen.

Houston Matters streams live on YouTube weekdays from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. CT, and airs live on Houston Public Media’s News 88.7.

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Timestamps:
00:00 Pre-show news
07:21 Intro
07:43 Bianca Seward on Texas school voucher applications
18:35 Pedro Alvarez on drinking water quality
37:43 Sonny Messiah-Jiles & Dorris Ellis-Robinson on Houston’s Black press
52:49 Comedian Mohanad Elshieky