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.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’ll talk with Adam Langley, associate director of tax policy at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, who helps break down Governor Abbott’s proposed plans for lowering property taxes in Texas and their long-term impact.

Also, Adam-Cohen Aslatei, CEO of the modern matchmaking service Three Day Rule, shares his thoughts on how singles and new and existing couples can navigate the difficulties of dating during the holidays.

Then, in the show’s second hour, we discuss “Trump Accounts," new government-funded savings accounts that offer $1000 to every newborn in the United States, with financial planner Juan HernandezAriano, who explains how these accounts will affect the parents’ finances.

Plus, Houston-based actress Courtney Markowitz joins us to tell us about her role in the Theatre Under the Stars production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, which is currently at the Hobby Center through December 24.

And, as always, Ernie, Frank, and Celeste discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Texas universities possibly using AI to rework how some courses discuss race and gender, and President Trump signing an executive order that designates fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

On today’s Hello Houston, we begin the show by talking with legendary Houston broadcaster Shara Fryer, who discusses her colleague and co-anchor from 1986 to 2003, Dave Ward, following his passing at the age of 86 on Saturday.

Also, Ed Hirs, Energy Fellow at the University of Houston, breaks down the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers by the Trump administration, and Ernie talks with Kelli Soika and Michael Fahey of the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra (ECHO), who discuss what they have in store ahead of the New Year.

In the second hour of the show, we are joined by longtime ABC13 anchor Melanie Lawson, who, after recently announcing her retirement, reflects on her more than four decades at the station, the stories that shaped Houston, and what comes next as she enters this new chapter of her life.

And, as always, Ernie, Frank, and Celeste discuss the top stories of the day, including Alejandra Salinas winning the runoff election to fill a vacant at-large seat on the Houston City Council, Houston Mayor John Whitmire being reprimanded by the Harris County Democratic Party, and the deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Chet Garner, host of the six-time Emmy Award-winning travel series, The Daytripper, who tells us more about the series and where you and your family can travel during this holiday season.

Then, Daniel Ackermann, Director of Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens at MFAH, joins us to tell us all about Christmas Village at Bayou Bend and how the museum’s historic mansion is transformed into an immersive holiday experience.

In the second hour of the show, Russell Boening, President of the Texas Farm Bureau, helps break down President Trump’s $12 billion aid package for American farmers, and whether this aid package will be enough to support farmers dealing with deep financial losses.

Plus, our hosts share a rundown of events happening this weekend in Houston for our regular Friday feature, “Last Minute Plans.”

And, as always, Ernie, Frank, and Celeste discuss the top stories of the day at the top of each hour, including subsidies for the Affordable Care Act expiring by the end of the year and the Trump administration ordering national parks to remove any merchandise from their gift shops that promotes DEI.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Houston City Councilman Edward Pollard in the show’s first hour, who fills us in on all the issues concerning District J, as well as the highlights, challenges, and what’s ahead for the district.

Then, we’re joined by Broadway stars Laura Bell Bundy, Kerry Butler, and Marissa Jaret Winokur, who tell us about reuniting for their upcoming show Mama I’m A Big Girl Now, which is coming soon to the Hobby Center.

In the second hour of the show, as we get closer to the new year and begin making our New Year’s resolutions, we revisit an episode of Celeste’s "Cold Coffee" series in which she sits down with board-certified physician Dr. Gabrielle Lyon.

Plus, our hosts and Hello Houston listeners talk about the things they’re currently obsessed with this week for our regular Thursday feature, “Current Obsessions.”

And, as always, Ernie, Frank, and Celeste discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Australia introducing a social media ban for children under the age of 16, HPD cracking down on speeding and road rage during the holidays, and the U.S. State Department being ordered to stop using the Calibri font.

On today’s Hello Houston, we are joined by Harris County Precinct 6 Constable Silvia Trevino in the first hour of the show, who talks to us about holiday shopping safety and the threat of porch pirates during the holiday season.

Also, in the show’s first hour, engineer Dale Link joins us to explain how he comes up with his hurricane landfall predictions, as well as his forecast for the upcoming 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.

In the second hour of the show, we discuss the legacy of former Houston ISD superintendent and U.S. Secretary of Education, Rod Paige, following his passing yesterday morning, with his former press secretary, Terry Abbott.

Then, we break down the latest Houston housing numbers and what they all mean for homeowners and buyers, with Kat Robinson, Vice Chair of the Houston Association of Realtors.

Plus, local actors Brandon Hearnsberger, Adam Gibbs, and Dylan Godwin join us to tell us about the Alley Theatre’s annual production of A Christmas Carol and how they feel about being a part of a Houston tradition.

And, as always, Ernie, Frank, and Celeste discuss the top stories of the day at the top of each hour, including a proposed bill that would require fathers to provide financial support for pregnant mothers, applications opening for Houston ISD's school choice program for the 2026-27 school year, and actor Dick Van Dyke turning 100.