Whitmire’s approach to Trump (Oct. 21, 2025)

On Tuesday's show: Over the weekend, the New York Times ran a profile on Houston Mayor John Whitmire, highlighting his approach to dealing with President Donald Trump. In the article, Whitmire, a Democrat, suggested his city is in less turmoil than other Democrat-led municipalities because he keeps his head down and avoids confrontations with the Republican president. We talk with J. David Goodman, the Houston bureau chief for the Times who wrote the story.

Also this hour: We talk with Houston Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg about a recent column in which she reported on HISD early elementary school teachers having to sneak books into the hands of their students because the lesson plans they’re required to follow don’t leave time for reading actual books. And we hear a response from Superintendent Mike Miles to her article.

Then, a documentary screening this week at the River Oaks Theatre called The Librarians digs into how the books students have access to in public schools has become politicized. We talk with director Kim A. Snyder.

And we visit one of Houston’s most anticipated food events, the Southern Smoke Festival, where chefs, bartenders, and food lovers come together not just to eat and drink, but to give back.

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