Illegal Immigration

The immigration reform bill, "The Dream Act", died at the end of 2010. What options are being considered to address the complicated concerns of illegal immigration? Guests: Michael Berry, KTRH; Jeronimo Cortina, Ph.D., University of Houston; and Charles Foster, FosterQuan LLP.

Finance, Failures and the Future of Education

While discussing the State of the State, Texas State Senator Dan Patrick spoke of the budget cuts focused on education. We wanted to know more. This week on Houston 8, we invite education pundits and activists to join us in a discussion of the current situation with Education in Texas. What have been the successes, what have been the failures; what will balancing the state budget cost us, and how can we insure our children are getting the best education possible? If, in fact, the children are our future, how now does the future look? Guests: Andy Dewey, Houston Federation of Teachers; David Sanborn, Ed.D, Children at Risk; and Allen Weeks, Save Texas Schools

The State of the State - A Special Legislative Session Recap

When the 82nd Texas Legislative session came to a close, and there was still work left to be done, a special session being called - with a myriad of issues that were to be covered: everything from redistricting and education, to sanctuary cities and TSA pat downs...This week on Houston 8, we discuss what issues made it to the special session, which issues recieved the Governor's signature, and what it all means for those of us living in the lone star state. Guests: Texas Senator, Dan Patrick, District 7; Charles Kuffner, 'Off the Kuff'; and Dr. Theo Herrington, Texas Southern University

Social Media – The Ins & Outs for a New Day and Age

Try as we might – we are all connected… We tweet, we Facebook, we Foursquare and we blog – and along the way we leave a trail to everything we think, feel and everywhere we go…But there are other applications of which we are unaware that are doing the same things. Congress convened a panel to look at the hidden trackers that follow and store our movements without our even knowing about it. What is the future of these programs, products and services? Our panel discusses our evolving online existence, and how our handy little cell phones, tablets and PDA’s are changing our world. Guests: Tom Tovar, CEO, Nominum; Dr. Christopher Bronk, Baker Institute Fellow, Rice University; and Ed Schipul, CEO, Schipul the Web Marketing Company

Freedom Riders

American Experience aired “Freedom Riders” a documentary exploring how the Freedom Riders set out to challenge the status quo in the south and ended up changing a nation. In this episode of Houston 8 – we continue the conversation about this event with a group of real life freedom riders who took part in this movement and ended up making history. Guests: Robert Farrell, Freedom Rider; Herbert Hamilton, Civil Rights Activist; and Steve McNichol, Freedom Rider

Jim Crow Laws

The Jim Crow laws in the United States (enacted between 1876 and 1965), mandated racial segregation in all public facilities, with a supposedly "separate but equal" status for black Americans, which actually led to inferior treatment and accommodations to those provided for white Americans, systematizing a number of economic, educational and social disadvantages. This week on "Houston 8" as a follow up to the PBS documentary "The Strange Demise of Jim Crow," we discuss the impact and ramification of "Jim Crow". Guests: Dr. Alexander Byrd, Associate Professor of History, Rice University; Dr. Christine LeVeaux-Haley, Political Science and Interim Dean for Academic Programs, Honors College, University of Houston; and Dr. Merline Pitre, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences, Texas Southern University

Life And Legacy Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream that all would one day truly be equal and his work has continued long after his death. This week on Houston 8, we discuss the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Guests: Ovide Duncantell, Founder, Black Heritage Society; Tyrone Tillery, Ph.D, Professor/Author, Department of History, University of Houston; and Virgil Wood, Ed.D, frmr member, Dr. King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Beloved America Jubilee

Stanley Nelson Making Freedom Riders

Through the lens of his camera he has taken on the issues of Religion, Segregation, and Racism. And in doing so, Stanley Nelson has educated us on the way we have evolved as a nation. His newest film, “Freedom Riders”, he sits down with us on Houston8 for a discussion on Jonestown, Wounded Knee, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Gambling and the Lone Star State

As the state’s budget continues to spiral out of control, the question of Gambling once again becomes a topic for serious discussion. Texans spend approximately four billion dollars each years in casinos in Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and Nevada, so maybe it is time to look at ways to keep that money closer to home. Advocates say gambling would boost the economy, add thousands of jobs, and help balance the state budget. Opponents say that gambling is not family or business friendly and would lead to more crime in the state. As with the State House, Houston 8 will again look at the possible future of gambling in our state. Guests: Robert Kohler, CEO & General Manager, TLG Inc, Christian Life Commission, Baptist General Convention of Texas; Jack E. Pratt, Sr., Chairman, Texas Gaming Association; and Professor James Wortman, Conrad Hilton College, Director, Gaming & Research Institute, University of Houston

Building Financial Literacy in our Youth

Of the many subjects taught in school, money management is often overlooked: how to handle it, invest it, and understand it. In this episode of Houston 8, education meets commerce when three of our community’s most dedicated advocates come together to educate our children about business, banks and the mighty buck. Guests: Jennifer Anderson, Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas; Michael Holthouse, Holthouse Foundation for Kids, Lemonade Day; and Becky Page, Academy of Finance Program for Spring Branch ISD

The Census Numbers, What Do They Mean For Us?

As the results from the 2010 Census are announced, what does it mean for Houston and the surrounding areas regarding taxes, services and redistricting? How do we compare as a city and state to the rest of the U.S.? Guests: Sylvia Garcia, Former Harris County Commissioner, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO); Dr. Franklin Jones, Political Science Department Chair, Texas Southern University; and Dr. Richard Murray, Survey Research Institute Director, University of Houston, Hobby Center for Public Policy

U.S. Security, Infrastructure and the War on Drugs

A nation in military conflict in two foreign lands…a country struggling with a war on drugs…and a land whose infrastructure is in need of repair. This is America at the dawn of a new decade. Guest: General Barry McCaffrey, United States Army General (ret.), former U.S. Drug Czar

Job Retraining and the Economy

The headlines tell us that the stock market is coming back, that companies are starting to hire, and that the future looks bright. But on the other hand, home prices continue to fall, foreclosure rates are increasing, and unemployment remains at more than 9 percent. In today’s market– where are the jobs and what skills are needed? How take what we already know and refine it for the future? Guests: Sue Cruver, Public Information Officer, Workforce Solutions; Dr. Steven Craig, Professor Of Economics, University Of Houston; and Rick Gillis, Job Search Expert, Author, “The Real Secret To Finding A Job”