On today’s Hello Houston, Ernie, Frank, and Celeste begin the show by discussing the ACLU of Texas urging state schools to reject any policy allowing teachers or students to pray or read religious texts during the school day, arguing this policy violates the First Amendment.

In the first hour of the show, we talk with Dr. Asher Lubotzky, a Teaching Fellow and Scholar in Residence in the University of Houston’s Department of Political Science, who joins us to break down the future of Gaza, Hamas, and the broader regional dynamics.

Also, we discuss the Houston Methodist-Rice University Digital Health Institute with Houston Methodist's Dr. Kurram Nasir, who tells us about their work using healthcare technology and artificial intelligence to shape the future of digital health. 

In the show’s second hour, Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin, who represents District C, joins us to discuss the ordered removal of Montrose’s rainbow crosswalks to comply with federal regulations.

Then, we learn about a recent investigation from Public Health Watch reporter Salina Arredondo, which looked into the over five million pounds of unpermitted air emissions released by industrial facilities in the Houston area after Hurricane Harvey.  

And finally, Joanie Steinhaus, Ocean Program Director for Turtle Island Restoration Network, discusses their efforts in protecting the five threatened or endangered sea turtle species found in the Gulf.