Hello Houston (May 7, 2026) | Houston Public Media

This episode of Hello Houston features Pearland Mayor-Elect Quentin Wiltz discussing his priorities and what residents can expect from him. Hosts also talk with actors Simone Jasmine Gundy and Mark Ivy, co-hosts of the 2026 Tommy Tune Awards honoring Houston-area high school musical theatre. Energy reporter Andy Uhler explains renewable energy in Texas, and hosts cover top stories including apartment safety rules, a Hantavirus outbreak, and federal border funding.

To embed this piece of audio in your site, please use this code: On today's Hello Houston, we're joined by Quentin Wiltz, the mayor-elect of the City of Pearland, who joins us to talk about his winning campaign, his priorities, and what residents can expect from him in this new role. Then, we talk with Houston actors and singers, Simone Jasmine Gundy and Mark Ivy, who are co-hosting this year's 2026 Tommy Tune Awards, celebrating the very best in Houston-area high school musical theatre. In the second hour, Andy Uhler, a University of Texas energy reporter and host of the podcast Phases and Stages: The Texas Energy Story, discusses what renewable energy means for Texans and how his podcast explains what's happening in Texas energy. Plus, our hosts and listeners share the latest things that are taking over all their free time as part of our regular Thursday feature, Current Obsessions. And, as always, Ernie Manouse and guest host Brandi Smith talk about today's top stories at the top of each hour, including the Houston City Council approving an ordinance cracking down on apartment complexes with health and safety issues, health officials monitoring a Hantavirus outbreak, and Republicans moving forward with a plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol for the rest of President Trump's term.