Hello Houston (June 18, 2026)

Hello Houston (June 18, 2026)

On today’s Hello Houston, as Juneteenth approaches, historian and author Blair LM Kelley [https://www.profblmkelley.com/bio] and Prairie View A&M’s Dr. Melanye Price [https://www.pvamu.edu/blog/melanyeprice/] join us to explore what the holiday means to us today and how it’s still shaping conversations about social justice in the United States. Next, Militza Mezquita, the Texas State Director for Save the Children [https://www.savethechildren.org/], joins us to share tips for how parents can keep their children learning throughout summer break. In the second hour, we hear an excerpt of the latest installment of Ernie Manouse’s InnerVIEWS series, in which he talks with Netflix BBQ star and fourth-generation Texas pitmaster Sloan Rinaldi [https://texasq.com/our-story/], who shares some simple grilling tips that can help take your Father's Day cookout to the next level. Plus, it’s Thursday, which means it’s time for our regular feature, Current Obsessions, in which our hosts and listeners share the latest things that are taking over all their free time. You can send us your Current Obsessions anytime by emailing us at talk@hellohouston.org. And, as always, Ernie and guest host Chau Nguyen [https://www.instagram.com/chaunguyenhouston/?hl=en] discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the city of Houston offering certain residents financial assistance for the $5 fee [https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/city-of-houston/2026/06/17/554799/houston-trash-fee-assistance-budget-city-council/] related to solid waste services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizing millions of dollars in counterfeit World Cup merchandise, and the opening of The Obama Presidential Center.

Hello Houston (June 17, 2026)

On today’s Hello Houston, University of Houston Energy Fellow Ed Hirs [https://www.uh.edu/uh-energy-innovation/uh-energy/about-uh-energy/faculty-engagement/energy-fellows/ed-hirs/] joins us in the first hour of the show to share his thoughts on the United States' memorandum of understanding with Iran and what we can expect to see with oil prices going forward. Then, Kevin Myer [https://www.organdonationalliance.org/profile/kevin-myer/], CEO and President of LifeGift [https://www.lifegift.org/], the organ procurement organization for North, Southeast and West Texas, joins us to discuss the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation as well as how Texans can register to become donors. In the show's second hour, we hear the latest edition of Ernie Manouse's InnerVIEWS series in which he talks about the business side of the arts and the economic impact they have on our community with Hillary Hart, the Executive Director of Theatre Under the Stars [https://www.tuts.org/]. Plus, we highlight the Houston-area skate park, North Houston Skate Park [https://www.northhouston.org/parks-and-trails/north-houston-skate-park/], and the park adjacent to it, Dylan Park [https://www.northhouston.org/parks-and-trails/dylan-park/], which has features benefitting children of all abilities, with Sally Bradford, Executive Director of the North Houston Development Corporation. And, as always, Ernie and guest host Chau Nguyen [https://www.instagram.com/chaunguyenhouston/?hl=en] discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including President Trump's press conference at the G7 summit in France, the Galveston area experiencing flooding risks [https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/local/galveston/2026/06/16/554721/tropical-storm-watch-galveston-weather-texas-flood/] due to Tropical Storm Arthur, and the FIFA World Cup match between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Hello Houston (June 16, 2026)

On today’s Hello Houston, we discuss the latest on the state of Texas and the Smithsonian’s battle over where the Space Shuttle Discovery should call home with Kelly Crow [https://www.wsj.com/news/author/kelly-crow], a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, who’s been covering this story. Then, Laurette Veres, owner and producer of The Bridal Extravaganza Show [https://bridalextravaganza.com/about/], one of the largest bridal expos in the country, joins us to tell us all about how the upcoming event aims to help future brides plan their special day. In the second hour, we’re joined by Ryan Hyatt, host of the Texas Tech-focused radio show and podcast “Raiderland” in Lubbock, who helps us break down the gambling scandal surrounding former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby and the reactions the decision to allow him to play during the 2026 season is receiving. Plus, Tamarie Cooper [https://catastrophictheatre.com/personnel/tamarie-cooper/], Producing Artistic Director of The Catastrophic Theatre [https://catastrophictheatre.com/], joins us along with her onstage "partner in crime," Kyle Sturdivant, to tell us about Tamarie’s Greatest Hits Volume 3 [https://catastrophictheatre.com/production/tamaries-greatest-hits-volume-3/], and how it celebrates 30 years of her work. And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Chau Nguyen [https://www.instagram.com/chaunguyenhouston/?hl=en] talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including City Controller Chris Hollins’ formal investigation into Mayor Whitmire’s financial integrity advisor [https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/city-of-houston/2026/06/15/554610/controller-hollins-announces-investigation-into-mayor-whitmires-financial-integrity-advisor/], Gov. Greg Abbott issuing a disaster declaration for 101 Texas counties, and the growing public support for Luigi Mangione in the murder case against him.

Hello Houston (June 15, 2026)

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by the Harris County reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John Lomax V [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/author/john-lomax/], who discusses what led to the resignation of the Harris County Flood Control District’s director and where its flood control projects currently stand. Then, we check in with Justin Ballard [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/author/justin-ballard/], the Newsroom Meteorologist for the Houston Chronicle, who gives us the latest information on what we can expect from the heavy rainfall expected across Houston and Southeast Texas this week. In the show’s second hour, University of Houston political science professor and co-host of Houston Public Media’s Party Politics [https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/shows/party-politics/], Brandon Rottinghaus [https://www.uh.edu/class/political-science/faculty-and-staff/professors/rottinghaus/], joins us to give us a recap of last week’s 2026 Texas Republican Convention, which was held in Houston. Plus, Houston Broadway Theatre [https://www.houstonbroadwaytheatre.org/] president and founder Tyce Green [https://www.tyceofficial.com/about] joins us to tell us all about their production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame [https://www.houstonbroadwaytheatre.org/shows/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame], which is running starting tomorrow, June 16, through July 5 at the Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host HPM reporter Michael Adkison [https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/staff/michael-adkison/] talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the aftermath of the first FIFA World Cup match in Houston [https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/sports/world-cup/2026/06/14/554487/world-cup-houston-weather-germany-curacao-nrg-stadium/], Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s verbal attacks on James Talarico at the Texas Republican Convention, HPD's response to a “teen takeover” at Discovery Green over the weekend, and more.

Hello Houston (June 12, 2026)

On today’s Hello Houston, we talk with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa [https://house.texas.gov/members/3210] in the show’s first hour, who explains why she believes Texas voters are ready for a change in leadership and what she would do differently if elected governor. Then, the Garden Theatre [https://www.thegardentheatre.org/]’s founding artistic director, Logan Vaden and Houston-based vocalist Wendy Taylor join us to tell us all about the "Musical Theatre Extravaganza,” running tonight through Sunday at the MATCH. In the second hour, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup now upon us, we’re joined by former Houston Dynamo soccer star Mike Chabala [https://www.houstondynamofc.com/players/mike-chabala/], who gives us his thoughts on the massive global event and which match-ups he thinks soccer fans are most looking forward to seeing. Plus, we have our regular Friday feature “Last Minute Plans,” in which our hosts share a comprehensive rundown of events going on this weekend in H-town, in addition to sharing their own weekend plans. And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Tessa Barerra [https://www.instagram.com/tess1tess2/?hl=en] discuss today's top stories at the top of each hour, including the “UFC Freedom 250” event that will take place on the White House’s South Lawn this weekend, Texas Republicans gathering in Houston for the party's state convention, and a new super PAC launched in support of Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico.