- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Houston Today
By the People, for the People
Hello Houston Covers D.C. Politics and Local Arts
Radio show ties national news to Houston's air quality, traffic, and arts scene
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Houston Public Media's Hello Houston program covered a range of national and local topics in a single midweek show, including the political fallout from the State of the Union, an EPA rollback, and local arts events like the ReelMusic festival and Theatre Under the Stars' production of Million Dollar Quartet.
Why it matters
The show aimed to help listeners understand how big national debates and policy changes in Washington actually impact Houston's air, traffic, neighborhoods, and cultural offerings, providing a bridge between abstract federal decisions and their local implications.
The details
The episode included segments on the State of the Union and the removal of Rep. Al Green from the House chamber, an interview on the EPA's decision to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding, and coverage of the ReelMusic festival showcasing musicians and performers with disabilities as well as the TUTS production of Million Dollar Quartet. Producers wove these national and local stories together to give listeners a comprehensive look at how the political and cultural landscapes are shaping up in Houston.
- The EPA finalized its rule to rescind the Endangerment Finding in mid-February 2026.
- The State of the Union address and Rep. Al Green's protest occurred in early 2026.
- The ReelMusic festival and Million Dollar Quartet production are ongoing events in early 2026.
The players
Hello Houston
A weekday radio program on Houston Public Media that aims to translate national storylines for a Houston audience.
Garrett Bohlmann
A producer who assembled the national news segments for the Hello Houston episode.
Alan Sealls
A meteorologist who was interviewed on the Hello Houston episode about the EPA's decision.
Rep. Al Green
A Houston-area congressman who was escorted from the House chamber during the State of the Union address after holding up a sign protesting racist rhetoric.
Dee Dee Dochen
An organizer of the ReelMusic festival, which showcases musicians and performers living with disabilities.
Nat Zegree
The actor playing Jerry Lee Lewis in the Theatre Under the Stars production of Million Dollar Quartet.
What they’re saying
“I wanted the president to be confronted about a racist social media video and that I was prepared to accept any punishment that might follow.”
— Rep. Al Green (The Houston Chronicle)
What’s next
The legal challenges to the EPA's Endangerment Finding rollback are expected to continue moving through the federal courts, potentially shaping how cities and states approach transportation planning and air quality goals in the coming years.
The takeaway
Hello Houston's episode demonstrated how a local radio program can help listeners understand the real-world implications of national political debates and policy changes, while also highlighting the vibrant arts and culture scene that provides an escape from the noise of Washington.
