On Thursday's show: When an elected official leaves office, what happens to their campaign funds? Well, it turns out many Texas politicians are using those funds on everything from luxury hotels, to steakhouse dinners, to salaries for political operatives. Taylor Goldenstein of the Houston Chronicle tells us what her reporting uncovered.

Also this hour: We get a better understanding of municipal utility districts, or MUDs, which are entities formed for handling water services and other utilities in unincorporated areas across the state. People are often lured to buy homes in them for affordable prices but then are surprised by high costs for property taxes or for basic services, like trash collection.

Then, we discuss what makes a good workplace these days.

And we visit an annual gingerbread house building contest.

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On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: As DEI programs roll back nationwide, one Houston leader is doubling down on inclusion -- starting with kids as young as nine. Shevann Steuben of the NAACP Houston Branch discusses what it takes to build a generation that shows up to vote.

And singer/soprano Sarah Brightman is known for originating the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and for her many PBS fundraising specials. But she explains the role disco played in getting her there ahead of a holiday concert in Sugar Land on Dec. 19.

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On Tuesday's show: Beginning in January, a new Medicare program in Texas and five other states will use AI to approve or deny certain services. We learn what that could mean for Houston patients and what it signals about the future of health care.

Also this hour: We discuss the city of Houston’s current approach to homelessness, and, in particular, giving out tickets to homeless people who can’t possibly pay them. We discuss with Kelly Young, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County.

Then, we consider how Houstonians can keep the peace at home while navigating holiday traditions that might put an unfair burden on someone in the household. We discuss with Robyn Martin from The Menninger Clinic.

And we take you to an immersive multimedia holiday experience at ARTECHOUSE Houston.

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On Monday's show: A recent study into pay equity among Harris County employees has come under fire from county commissioners and has led to some fear among county workers. We learn more.

Then, Houston Mayor John Whitmire's political party of more than five decades admonished him on Sunday, barring the lifelong Democrat from receiving its endorsement in the future.

And we remember longtime Houston television news anchor Dave Ward, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 86.

Also this hour: We talk with longtime labor advocate Rick Levy, who recently retired from the Texas AFL-CIO.

Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller answers questions about pet care.

And we get an update on Houston sports.

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On Friday's show: President Donald Trump has frozen the processing of immigration requests for all Afghans pending a review of security and vetting procedures. Now, many Afghan immigrants, including many in Houston who came to the United States through the appropriate legal channels, are growing increasingly worried about their status.

And we learn about a cold front arriving late Saturday that could bring Houston's first freeze of the season early Monday morning.

Also this hour: From a State Department policy change involving fonts, to the debut of the world’s longest commercial flight route, to In-N-Out Burger doing away with 2025’s most annoying outburst, our non-experts consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And we meet Angolan-born, Houston-based singer Vivalda Ndula, who blends traditional rhythms with Afro-contemporary sounds. But her music does more than entertain. It also confronts inequality, celebrates resilience, and uplifts unheard voices.

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On Thursday's show: We examine steps Texas is taking to reduce waste and other takeaways from a new report called: Trash in America.

Also this hour: We talk with Brad Pritchett, the new CEO of Equality Texas, the statewide nonprofit advocating for LGBTQIA+ Texans.

And we learn about a new documentary chronicling the Bum Phillips era of the old Houston Oilers, called Love Ya Bum.

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On Wednesday's show: From last-minute jockeying in races for the U.S Senate and Congress, to some calls to end investigations into a military strike that killed survivors of an attack on an alleged drug running boat, we discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: We talk with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, the hosts of the podcast The War on Cars, who are bringing their war to car-centric Houston for a live event tonight at the MATCH and have a new book, Life After Cars.

And we hop on board Ensemble Theatre’s production of Take the Soul Train to Christmas.

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On Tuesday's show: As Houstonians prepare for the holidays, new data shows they're planning to cut spending by 11 percent compared to last year, with the average person expecting to spend around $1,600. Yet, despite this local pessimism, online sales during the five-day Cyber Week period hit $44.2 billion nationally, up nearly 8 percent from last year. We make sense of those seemingly contradictory trends.

Also this hour: We get an update on the longstanding nationwide nursing shortage and find out how area universities are responding to a shortage of nursing educators as well.

Then, we reflect on why former Astros star Ken Caminiti admitted he’d used steroids long before anyone else did and the demons that led to his untimely death, which are the subject of a book by journalist Dan Good, called Playing Through the Pain.

And Houston native director Alex Stapleton talks with us about her new Netflix docuseries Sean Combs: The Reckoning.

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