On today’s Hello Houston, we talk with Dr. Theresa Tran, Director of the Houston Health Department, who explains what’s being done to address the disparities in healthcare access in Houston, and what changes could be made to make healthcare more accessible.

Then, Houston Ballet artistic director Stanton Welch and Jennifer Sommers, director of the Houston Ballet Academy, tell us all about this year’s annual production of The Nutcracker, which is running through December 28.

In the second hour of the show, in the wake of the tragic death of actor/director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle, we pay tribute to his legacy with a portion of Ernie Manouse’s conversation with Reiner from 2010 for his series “InnerVIEWS.” To watch the full interview, click here.

Plus, Ernie talks with actor, playwright, and director John Cameron Mitchell, ahead of his upcoming event with Arthouse Houston. And finally, our hosts share a list of holiday-themed events happening this weekend in Houston for our regular Friday feature, “Last Minute Plans.”

And, as always, Ernie, Frank, and Celeste discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the White House adding plaques that criticize some of President Trump’s predecessors, President Trump signing an executive order reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous substance, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton agreeing to unseal his divorce case.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center, Dr. Nikolas Guggenberger, in the first hour of the show, who helps break down the potential takeover of Warner Bros. by Netflix.

Then, we hear from Memorial Hermann and UTHealth Houston cardiologist Dr. Khash Hematpour, who explains how people can maintain a healthy heart during the holidays and why there’s an increase in heart attacks during this time of the year.

In the second hour, we talk with Midtown Management District board members Jeanette Criglar and Maggie Segrich about the 10-year, $38 million plan to reinvent Houston’s Midtown, as well as how the plan will be implemented, and what other improvements we can expect.

Also, Matt Bailey, founder of the music analytics company Your Hit Momentum Report, joins Ernie, Frank, and Celeste for a special Christmas music edition of our regular Thursday feature, "Current Obsessions."

And, as always, Ernie, Frank, and Celeste discuss today’s top stories, including President Trump’s primetime address to the nation yesterday, and at the top of the second hour, we’re joined by Harris County Judge candidate and former Houston Mayor, Annise Parker, who discusses her recent criticisms by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, we begin the show by discussing White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ interview with Vanity Fair in which she discusses President Trump’s first year in his second term, and what was revealed from the interview.

Then, we hear from psychologist Dr. Kelly Cosgrove, who shares her thoughts on whether Australia’s ban on social media for kids under 16 would be effective in the United States, and Moody Gardens PR Manager Jared Schaller tells us all about their annual Holiday in the Gardens Festival and what’s new this year.

In the show’s second hour, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo joins us to discuss the county’s budget shortfall, her comments about possible successors, and more. Also, AP Reporter Juan Lozano breaks down his report on the Justice Department quietly ending its monitoring of illegal dumping in Houston neighborhoods.

And finally, we hear Celeste talk with NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas just ahead of his broadcast tonight from Houston, as part of the network’s “Reporting for America” campaign.