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Hello Houston: The Commuter Cut is your connection to the heart of the Bayou City, but shorter, for our busy commuters. Every weekday, we dive deep into the stories that matter to Houstonians — from breaking local news to cultural happenings, community voices, and the everyday joys and challenges of life in our vibrant city.
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In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we hear from Eric Sandler, the food and culture editor at CultureMap Houston, who shares his thoughts on why many Houston restaurants are shutting down and what factors are driving these closings.Then, we discuss the use of force by law enforcement with Dr. Beth Gilmore, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Houston–Downtown, who explains what protocols guide these decisions, and what rights individuals have if they're stopped or pursued by law enforcement.Plus, we also learn all about the local all-female mariachi band “Las Chabelitas,” from two of its members, Chloe McGhee and Siumy Coreas, who also tell us more about the group, what mariachi means to them, and how it feels to be a part of an all-female mariachi band, considering how male-dominated the genre has traditionally been.
In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear from News 88-7 reporter Bianca Seward, who tells us about a new study on HISD, which found a continued decline in student enrollment and experienced teachers in the district since the state takeover began.Then, Registered Dietitian Catherine Kruppa joins us to discuss the new U.S. dietary guidelines and to share advice on how you can get your diet right for the new year.Plus, we’re then joined by Houstonian Terry Estes, who shares her experience with mission work in Guatemala, while Faith in Practice CEO Dr. Ben Adesope discusses the non-profit’s work leading medical mission trips to the country.
In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie and guest host Doris Childress talk with Roderick Jackson, director of the Houston Emergency Center, who discusses how the center stays prepared to provide Houstonians with emergency services.Then, actor, singer, and comedian John O’Hurley, known for several film and TV roles, including playing J. Peterman in Seinfeld, joins us to tell us more about his career and his upcoming one-man show in Houston.Plus, John McClain, a legendary Houston sportswriter and Texas Hall of Famer, joins us with film producer Rob Lynch to discuss the new sports documentary he’s hosting, The PVIL Story: Separate…But Equal, about the Prairie View Interscholastic League, a Black high school football league that existed in Texas before desegregation.
In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie and Celeste talk with Beth Wiedower Jackson, executive director of the Astrodome Conservancy, who discusses the organization’s efforts to save the iconic Houston landmark, while Hello Houston listeners call in to share their thoughts on what should be done with the dome.Also, we hear from DACAMERA artistic director Sarah Rothenberg and renowned cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton, who tell us about the upcoming program D’Est en musique, which they're both performing in for two nights only at the Hobby Center.Plus, we also talk with Brian Ellison, the senior program manager for the area non-profit Project Row Houses, who discusses their Business Residency Program, which is a new initiative that’s aimed at providing affordable space and support to help local entrepreneurs thrive while also remaining in Houston’s Third Ward neighborhood.
In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie and Celeste talk with interim Harris County Attorney Jonathan Fombonne, who discusses Governor Greg Abbott’s recent threats to take over Harris County elections and what we can expect to happen next. Also, we hear from the president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, Marty Lancton, who’s running as a candidate for Harris County Judge. He discusses his platform, why he decided to run, and responds to questions from Hello Houston listeners.Then, Hank Schyma, a Houston-based musician, author, filmmaker, and professional storm chaser, talks to us about his storm chasing career, the dangers involved in what he does, and the safety precautions he takes when documenting dangerous storms.
In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie and Celeste discuss the 2026 jobs outlook with John Diamond, senior director of the Center for Tax and Budget Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.Then, local radio personality Madd Hatta joins us to tell us about the MLK Unity Parade, an event which brings together – for the first time in 30 years – two of Houston’s biggest Martin Luther King Day parades into a single event.Also, we hear from newly elected Houston City Councilmember Alejandra Salinas, who responds to questions from Hello Houston listeners, as well as weighs in on the latest city council issues and her plans for the city in this new role.
In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, joins us to discuss Texas politics in 2026, which races Texans should be aware of, and which rising political stars could shape the state’s political future.Then, we hear from Jaime González, the new director of the University of Houston's Institute for Ecological Resilience, who shares his vision for the institute and why he believes ecological resilience is important for the future of our region.
In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Celeste and guest host Doug Miller discuss the surge of flu activity in recent weeks with Dr. Michael Chang, a pediatric infectious disease physician at UTHealth Houston, who also explains how families can stay safe.Also, we hear comments from Hello Houston listeners who share how they feel about the controversial plan to expand Ben Taub Hospital into Hermann Park through eminent domain.Then, we’re joined by Houston entrepreneur Jerome D. Love, who tells us about the docuseries he’s hosting, What is Rich, which is an exploration of how wealth is being redefined across the country.Plus, we also learn about athletes with disabilities who participate in the Chevron Houston Marathon, with Bernie Tretta, who serves as the Athletes with Disabilities Captain for the marathon.
In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Celeste and guest host Doug Miller are joined by Tony Payan of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, who discusses what unfolded yesterday with the shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE agent, and what might happen next.Then, we hear from sports dietician Brett Singer of the Memorial Hermann Rockets Sports Medicine Institute, who helps break down the new U.S. dietary guidelines released yesterday, as well as explain which food groups are being promoted the most, and whether these new guidelines were needed.
In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear from State Representative Donna Howard, who shares her thoughts on educators across Texas raising concerns about freedom of speech due to the current political climate.Then, we’re joined by Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who tells us about his vision and priorities for 2026, which include investments in public safety, infrastructure, and community services.Plus, we also talk with Matt West, director and choreographer of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, who explains what audiences can expect from the hit musical’s 30th anniversary production, currently running at the Hobby Center.
In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we hear Ernie and Celeste’s conversation with first-time candidate Tony Box, who discusses his run for Texas Attorney General, as well as what made him decide to run for this position.Then, we hear Ernie and Celeste share their predictions for what they believe is likely to happen in 2026, as well as respond to predictions from Hello Houston listeners.Plus, Linda Dodge, author of the book A Museum is Born: How the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Came to Be, tells us all about the history of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and what makes the story of its creation so remarkable.
In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Bill King, a fellow at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, discusses his newest book, Depopulation: Our New Demographic Reality, and what changing demographics could mean for Houston and beyond.Then, we’re joined by University of Houston energy fellow Ed Hirs, who talks to us about the role oil is playing in the U.S. military operation in Venezuela as well as President Trump’s plans to bring in American oil companies to fix the country’s oil infrastructure.
In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we hear from Dr. Theresa Tran, Director of the Houston Health Department, who discusses health equity in Houston and what's being done to close the gaps in healthcare access.Also, we’re joined by Stanton Welch, artistic director of Houston Ballet and Jennifer Sommers, director of the Houston Ballet Academy, who tell us more about this year’s production of The Nutcracker, a long-standing Houston holiday tradition.Then, we hear Ernie’s conversation with actor, playwright, and director John Cameron Mitchell, who discusses his upcoming event with Arthouse Houston, and our hosts share a rundown of holiday-themed weekend events for our regular Friday feature, "Last Minute Plans."
In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we discuss the potential takeover of Warner Bros. by Netflix, with the University of Houston Law Center’s Dr. Nikolas Guggenberger, who gives us the latest on this deal and its potential impact on the entertainment industry.Then, we hear Ernie, Frank, and Celeste’s conversation with former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who responds to her recent criticisms by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, tells us about her run for Harris County Judge, and more.
In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we hear Ernie, Frank, and Celeste talk with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who discusses the county's budget shortfall, addresses her comments about possible successors, and more.Then, we hear Celeste’s one-on-one with Tom Llamas, the anchor and managing editor for NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas, who will be broadcasting tonight from Houston, as part of the network's "Reporting for America" campaign.
In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we break down Governor Abbott’s proposed plans for lowering property taxes in Texas and their long-term impact, with Adam Langley, associate director of tax policy at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.Then, local certified financial planner Juan HernandezAriano joins us to share his thoughts on “Trump Accounts,” as well as how these kinds of accounts will impact the parents’ finances, and whether they will help benefit kids in the future.Also, we hear from Houston-based actress Courtney Markowitz, who tells us all about Theatre Under the Stars’ production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, which is on stage now at the Hobby Center through December 24, and her role as Betty Haynes in the musical.
In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Houston broadcaster Shara Fryer joins us to discuss the legacy of legendary Houston newsman Dave Ward, her longtime colleague and co-anchor from 1986 to 2003, following his passing on Saturday.Then, we hear from longtime ABC13 anchor Melanie Lawson, who joins us to reflect on her extraordinary 43-year-long career with the station, as well as what comes next following her recently announced retirement.
In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear Ernie, Frank, and Celeste talk with Chet Garner, host of the award-winning travel series, The Daytripper, who tells us more about the series and the places in Texas he’s traveled to.Also, we’re joined by Daniel Ackermann, Director of Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens at MFAH, who discusses Christmas Village at Bayou Bend and the history behind the museum’s famous mansion.Then, we break down President Trump's $12 billion aid package for U.S. farmers, with Russell Boening, President of the Texas Farm Bureau, who shares his thoughts on whether this aid will be enough to support farmers dealing with severe financial losses.
In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie, Frank, and Celeste discuss a world-first social media ban that’s now in effect in Australia, which blocks any child under the age of 16 from accessing major platforms.Then, we talk with Houston City Councilman Edward Pollard, who joins us to give us the latest on issues concerning District J, including the highlights, challenges, as well as what’s ahead for the district. Also, Broadway stars Laura Bell Bundy, Kerry Butler, and Marissa Jaret Winokur join us to discuss reuniting on stage for the first time in 20 years, for their upcoming concert Mama I’m A Big Girl Now.And finally, our hosts and listeners share the things they’re currently obsessed with this week for our regular Thursday feature, “Current Obsessions.”
In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear from Harris County Precinct 6 Constable Silvia Trevino, who joins us to discuss how we can stay alert and keep ourselves and our communities safe during the holiday season.Also, we’re joined by Kat Robinson, Vice Chair of the Houston Association of Realtors, who helps break down the latest Houston housing numbers and what all of this means for homeowners and buyers.Then, we discuss the Alley Theatre's annual production of A Christmas Carol with Houston-based actors Brandon Hearnsberger, Adam Gibbs, and Dylan Godwin, who all tell us about this year’s production, what the story means to them, and how it feels to be part of a Houston holiday tradition.
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