Hello Houston: The Commuter Cut

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear Ernie and Celeste’s conversation with Houston City Council at large 4 candidate Alejandra Salinas, who joins us to discuss the upcoming runoff election, issues she’s passionate about, and what sets her apart from other candidates.

Then, we are joined by critically acclaimed filmmaker Ira Sachs, who talks to us about his career, his newest film, Peter Hujar's Day, as well as what drew...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we break down a new study about abandoned oil wells known as “zombie wells,” with Dr. Michael Nikolaou from the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering and reservoir engineer Muhammad Haseeb Muktar.

Then, we hear from Michelle Nahsser, the interim executive director of the area non-profit Girls on the Run Greater Houston, which works to inspire young girls to recognize their in...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we discuss weight loss drugs with Dr. Sarah Nadeem, an endocrinologist and Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, who also shares her thoughts on President Trump’s plan to lower their cost and what that could mean for patients.

Also, for Veterans Day, we hear from Noel Cardenas, Senior Vice President and CEO of the Memorial Hermann Pearland and Southeast Hospitals, who tells us a...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we discuss the United States’ shrinking immigrant population and how this could impact the country’s economic outlook with Bill King, a fellow in public finance at Rice University’s Baker Institute.

Then, we’re joined by legendary American trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, who discusses his career and upcoming concert at the Hobby Center with the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Plus...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we discuss Communities In Schools of Houston and their upcoming fundraiser with Houston barbecue restaurant The Pit Room, with its owner, Michael Sambrooks, and the event's co-chairs, Jen Espey and Jen Moss.

Then, we talk with Deborah Birge, a former rancher, who tells us more about the current state of the Texas cattle industry after the Trump administration announced plans to quadruple low...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we hear Ernie and Frank’s conversation with District 18 Congressional candidate Amanda Edwards, who shares her thoughts on her campaign advancing to a runoff election, the issues she’ll make a priority, what makes her qualified for the seat she’s seeking, and more.

Also, we learn about the Houston area nonprofit The Book Cycle, with its director and founder, Sara Loperena, who explains how t...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear Ernie and Frank’s conversation with District 18 Congressional candidate Christian Menefee, who discusses the upcoming runoff expected early next year, issues related to Houston that are important to him, and more.

Then, we discuss anti-aging supplements with Dr. John Cooke, a professor and chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences at Houston Methodist, who also tells us more...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we learn about Steel Magnolia Moms and their upcoming holiday market, with their founder and executive director, Elizabeth Elder, holiday market chair Maribel Farish, and volunteer Tiffanie Williams.

Then, we’re joined by Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, who shares his thoughts on a potential crime spike this month amid a loss of SNAP benefits for nearly half a million residents a...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie, Celeste, and Frank discuss the history of redistricting in Texas with Eleanor Klibanoff, a Texas Tribune reporter, who helps break it all down for us.

Then, Mari Carmen Ramírez, the Wortham Curator of Latin American Art at MFAH, tells us about their new exhibition, Gyula Kosice: Intergalactic, a large-scale tribute to the works of Argentine artist Gyula Kosice.

Plus, we also hear from ...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie and Celeste talk with Houston Public Media reporter Bianca Seward, who breaks down the upcoming Cy-Fair ISD Board Election, which has become one of the most contentious races in Texas.

Then, we hear from historian and Ghosts of Galveston author Kathleen Maca, who shares some spooky ghost stories from the Houston/Galveston region’s past.

Also, we discuss how Texans are coping with the ri...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we hear from KFF health reporter Amanda Seitz, who helps break down the current uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act and how much coverage will cost.

Then, we’re joined by Sean Tajipour, founder and host of Nerdtropolis, who shares his movie recommendations for Halloween, from classics to new releases.

Also, our hosts and listeners share a rundown of the things that are currently t...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie and Celeste talk with Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL Houston, who gives us the latest on the current ICE activity in the Houston area following a recent arrest that took place in Pasadena.

Then, we learn about the films from Texas that will be showcased during the second annual  Round Top Film Festival with Micky Duzdevich, the programming director of the festival.

Plus, we ...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie, Celeste, and Frank talk with Houston-born actor Mark Ivy, who discusses his role in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, currently playing at Theatre Under The Stars.

Then, we discuss Houston White Cane Safety Day with Reverend Michael E. Garrett, who tells us about this event, shares his experience as a blind man, and walks us through the various accessibility challenges faced...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we discuss whether we’re currently in the middle of an A.I. bubble and what might happen if it bursts with Steven Craig, a professor of economics at the University of Houston.

Then, we hear from Chefs Alain Verzeroli and Salvatore Martone of The Bastion Collection, who both tell us about the Houston area restaurant Le Jardinier, and how earning a Michelin star has impacted the restaurant in ...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we learn about Texas Children’s Kangaroo Crew, with their program director, Dr. Basheer Ahmed and critical care nurse Lamont Seltzer, who tell us about the medical transport team's history and the critical care they provide to children and adults.

Then, we hear from Greg Newkirk, a paranormal researcher and host of the Haunted Objects Podcast, who tells us all about the show he’s performing ...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," we discuss how blood donations are being used for medical research with Nikhil Nayak, President and CEO of Gulf Coast Blood, who also explains how people can participate in this effort.

Then, we learn about The Fragility of a Creative Mind: Rediscovery of Self, a women-led immersive art installation that will be at this year's annual AfroTech Conference. We hear from the exhibition’s founder...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” Ernie, Celeste, and Frank talk with University of Houston cybersecurity expert Chris Bronk, who breaks down the recent Amazon Web Services outage and what went wrong.

Then, we’re joined by Will Wright, Chief Creative Officer of the Galveston Historical Foundation, who tells us about the many haunted history tours they're offering this month.

Plus, we hear from Houston City Council member Dr. ...

In today's edition of "The Commuter Cut," Ernie, Celeste, and Frank discuss the start of the new Houston Rockets season tonight with Raheel Ramzanali, formerly of ESPN radio and CityCast Houston, who shares his thoughts on what we can expect.

Then, we’re joined by Colton Berry, Founding Artistic Director of Art Factory, who tells us about their annual production of The Rocky Horror Show.

Also, we discuss the new Asia Society Texas ex...

In today’s edition of “The Commuter Cut,” we discuss the ACLU of Texas’ recent letter to all Texas superintendents urging caution over SB 11 allowing school districts to adopt daily periods for prayer with the organization’s engagement coordinator Caro Achar.

Then, we hear from Dr. Linda Yancey, an infectious disease specialist with Memorial Hermann, who discusses the importance of getting vaccinated this flu season.

Plus, we also le...