On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by John Diamond, senior director of the Center for Tax and Budget Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute, who helps break down the job market outlook for 2026 as well as what lies ahead for workers and employers.

Also, in the first hour, we learn all about the upcoming MLK Unity Parade - which unites two of Houston’s longstanding Martin Luther King Day parades into a single event - with local radio personality Madd Hatta, who’s one of the parade’s grand marshals.

In the second hour of the show, we’re joined by newly elected Houston City Councilmember Alejandra Salinas, who discusses the latest city council issues, shares her vision and priorities for 2026, and fields questions from Hello Houston listeners.

Plus, Brett Ishida, artistic director of the ISHIDA Dance Company, choreographer Kristian Lever, and dancer Maddie Medina, join us to tell us more about the nationally recognized dance company and their upcoming program, Rara avis, which is being presented by Asia Society Texas.

And, as always, Ernie and Celeste talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Texas faith leaders urging public school boards not to adopt rules setting aside time for prayer, the introduction of a bill to make Greenland the 51st state, and Texas Democrats calling for an investigation into Elon Musk’s AI chatbot on X.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by University of Houston political science professor and co-host of Houston Public Media’s Party Politics, Brandon Rottinghaus, who breaks down where Texas is headed politically in 2026 and which races we should be paying attention to.

Then, Sharon Fletcher, executive director of the Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy, joins us to tell us more about the history behind this historic Houston neighborhood and how the Conservancy is keeping its story alive for future generations.

In the second hour of the show, we’re joined by the new director of the University of Houston’s Institute for Ecological Resilience, Jaime González, who discusses his vision for the institute and why ecological resilience matters for the future of our region.

Plus, Raheel Ramzanali, formerly of ESPN radio and CityCast Houston, joins us to share his thoughts on tonight’s big playoff game between the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as what’s at stake for the Texans.

And, as always, Ernie and Celeste discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including Governor Greg Abbott threatening a takeover of Harris County elections, the nationwide protests following last week’s shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Chang, a pediatric infectious disease physician at UTHealth Houston, who discusses the surge in flu and COVID cases around the country over the holiday season, as well as what’s driving this increase.

Then, we’re joined by Anthony Brandt, a professor of composition and music theory at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, who tells us all about the school’s new Music, Mind and Body Lab, and what it will be focused on studying.

In the show’s second hour, Houston entrepreneur Jerome D. Love fills us in on What is Rich, a new docuseries he is hosting, which explores how people across the country, from entrepreneurs to everyday Americans, are redefining wealth beyond just money.

Also, Bernie Tretta, the Athletes with Disabilities Captain for the Chevron Houston Marathon, talks to us about the marathoners with disabilities who participate in the event and her work with them.

And, as always, Celeste and guest host Doug Miller talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the controversial plan to expand Ben Taub Hospital into Hermann Park, the unclear future of the Astrodome, and more.

Plus, University of Houston energy fellow Ed Hirs joins in to share his thoughts on oil executives meeting at the White House to discuss plans for Venezuela.

On today’s Hello Houston, Celeste and guest host Doug Miller begin the show by talking with the Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Tony Payan, who joins us to discuss yesterday’s tragic shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE agent.

Also, in the first hour, Dr. Debalina Sengupta, Assistant VP and COO of the University of Houston’s Energy Transition Institute, explains what the government can do to improve recycling rates in the U.S. and the challenges preventing these changes from happening.

In the show’s second hour, Brett Singer, a sports dietician with the Memorial Hermann Rockets Sports Medicine Institute, joins in to share his thoughts on the new U.S. dietary guidelines unveiled yesterday, and the food groups being prioritized.

Then, we hear another edition of Frank Billingsley’s “Friends of Frank” series, in which he sits down with podcaster, author, content creator, and former Houston news anchor of nearly 30 years, Dominique Sachse.

Plus, our hosts and listeners share a rundown of the things they’re currently obsessed with this week, for our regular Thursday feature, “Current Obsessions.”

On today’s Hello Houston, we talk with State Representative and chair of the House Democratic Caucus Committee on Free Speech, Donna Howard, who shares her thoughts on educators leaving the state of Texas due to free speech issues.

Also, in the show’s first hour, we learn more about the popular health challenge Dry January, in which people abstain from alcohol for the entire 31-day month, with Julian Braithwaite, CEO of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking.

In the second hour of the show, we’re joined by Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who joins us to share his vision and priorities for 2026, including investments in public safety, infrastructure, and community services across the precinct.

Then, Beauty and the Beast director and choreographer Matt West tells us all about the 30th anniversary production of the hit musical, which is on stage now at the Hobby Center through Sunday, January 18.

And, as always, Ernie and Celeste discuss today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the Pentagon reviewing women in ground combat jobs to ensure their "effectiveness," and Dr. Peter Hotez joins in to discuss the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reducing the number of vaccines routinely recommended for children.

On today’s Hello Houston, we’re joined by former FBI agent and federal prosecutor Tony Box, a first-time candidate running to be the democratic nominee for Texas Attorney General, who tells us about his platform and why he decided to run.

Then, Ernie and Celeste share a rundown of predictions they have for the new year for Hello Houston’s 2026 Bingo Card.

In the second hour of the show, author Linda Dodge joins us to discuss her new book A Museum is Born: How the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Came to Be, as well as tell us more about the museum's history and why its story still resonates today.

Plus, we find out how we can manage our New Year’s resolutions and follow through on our self-improvement goals with Durrell Douglas, director of TEDxThirdWard.

And, as always, Ernie and Celeste talk about today’s top stories at the top of each hour, including the criminal trial of former Uvalde school police officer Adrian Gonzales, the non-displaying of a plaque honoring the police who defended the Capitol during the Jan. 6 attack, and more.

On today’s Hello Houston, in the wake of the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, Ernie, Frank, and Celeste talk with Rice University’s Dr. Richard Stoll, who breaks down the recent developments and how this situation impacts Houston.

Then, we’re joined by Bill King, a fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, who discusses his new book, Depopulation: Our New Demographic Reality, which is about how shifting population changes will reshape our world.

In the second hour of the show, we continue our coverage of the U.S. military operation in Venezuela with University of Houston energy fellow Ed Hirs, who shares his thoughts on President Trump wanting to bring in American oil companies to fix the country’s oil infrastructure.

Also, Jack Massing, executive director of the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, and one half of the legendary artist duo “The Art Guys,” joins us to discuss the 25th anniversary of one of their most recognizable works – “SUITS: The Clothes Make the Man.”

Plus, we also learn more about pet health and nutrition with Houston-area veterinarian Dr. Kristen Cleary and Barbara Marshall, owner of the organic dog food company Wag Tantrum.

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.