The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1586: Topsell's Beasts

Episode: 1586 Topsell's history of four-footed beasts and serpents. Today, a zoology book.
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By Dr. John Lienhard at Houston Public Media · · 1 min read

Episode: 1586 Topsell's history of four-footed beasts and serpents. Today, a zoology book.
This preview is provided by Spring News. Full article available at .
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Episode: 1586 Topsell's history of four-footed beasts and serpents. Today, a zoology book.

On the first day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Houston's fan festival reached its 7,500-person capacity and multiple people were reportedly hospitalized with heat-related illnesses.

A Houston-area nonprofit dog rescue is urgently seeking adopters, foster families and donations after new restrictions tied to Texas screwworm concerns abruptly halted plans to transport 16 rescued dogs to approved homes outside Harris County.

The proposed language by the party’s Legislative Priorities Committee appears to have strong support from rural delegates, but it potentially stands at odds with the priorities of Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders.

One of Houston's more glitzy shopping centers will soon have more police presence after a public safety contract between the Precinct 1 Constable's Office and Fertitta Entertainment was approved.

Dr. Tina Petersen, the Harris County Flood Control District Director, has resigned after a push to remove her from office due to severe project backlogs.

The popular restaurant in Houston's Third Ward filed for bankruptcy and closed in 2024 after its lease was terminated, according to bankruptcy court records.

Dr. Tina Petersen's resignation comes one month after county officials had questions over her leadership, as several project deadlines were missed.

The colorful bus is an essential tradition for Dutch soccer fans worldwide as fans typically march behind the bus to celebrate before and after their national team's soccer matches.

For our busy Houston commuters, we have – The Commuter Cut – a special 40-minute version of our show to listen to during your journey home.

Anthony, who is Black, has appealed his recent murder conviction for the fatal stabbing of Austin Metcalf, who was white, at a high school track meet last year. None of the jurors were Black.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup institutes a few new rules, including mandatory cooling breaks. Here’s everything you need to know as the tournament kicks off.

Tina Petersen, who had been publicly criticized by County Judge Lina Hidalgo, submitted her resignation letter after county commissioners heard an update on post-Hurricane Harvey flood bond projects.

Today: We discuss the future of the Texas Dream Act, learn about the lesser-known facts of Galveston’s history with the authors of “Secret Galveston,” talk with pianist Alfredo Rodriguez about his concert “Havana Grooves,” and more.
Dr. Tina Petersen, executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District, has resigned from her position, according to confirmation from officials.The resignation was confirmed Thursday by the Flood Control District. The agency later released a statement thanking Dr....

Nathan Scott Velez, the coach of a youth softball team, was arrested in Harris County for online solicitation of a minor.

Authorities with the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office are investigating a man accused of online solicitation of a minor.

HCSO said that Yury Chavez has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after speeding on Wednesday night.
A youth softball coach in Montgomery County has been arrested on a charge of online solicitation of a minor after allegedly seeking sex with a detective who was posing as a 15-year-old girl, Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen announced.The coach was identified as...

Here’s everything you need to know about the international soccer tournament in Houston, from free watch parties to transportation tips.

The more than $800,000 ad buy — the first by either candidate in the general election — continues the Austin Democrat’s push to win Latino voters as his race against GOP nominee Ken Paxton ramps up.

Repairs to vital infrastructure were abruptly put on hold with little explanation, impacting the park's most popular area.

Clarence Curtis Jordan, who is intellectually disabled and had no legal representation for decades, was resentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Trees in the Texas Hill Country have been consistently stressed by a lack of chill hours during the winter, leading to small crops in the summer.

Now that the party's nominees are set for the general election, Texas Republicans are shifting their focus to defeating Democrats in November. The 2026 Republican Party of Texas State Convention runs through Saturday.

A woman is in custody after allegedly driving a vehicle intoxicated and crashing, killing her common law husband, Harris County officials said.

On Thursday’s show: STAAR test results are out. We learn how Houston-area schools fared. And we find out if the City of Houston passed its $7.5 billion proposed budget, which would include a $5 trash pickup fee.
Houston-area transit riders can expect more frequent trains, expanded bus service and extended operating hours during the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO).METRO announced plans to increase service across its system...

A woman is facing charges after deputies say she crashed her vehicle while driving under the influence, killing her common-law husband overnight in north Harris County.The crash happened around 11 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of Century Plaza near Woodham Drive.According to...

Episode: 2603 Correlation and Risk: When more egg baskets don't help. Today, eggs and baskets.

A man accused of repeatedly targeting grieving families with funeral fraud is headed back to prison and one woman says he manipulated her just days after losing her father.Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen says Javian Major’s probation was revoked after repeated...

A suspect has been charged in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred in Harris County on Tuesday, authorities said.
UPDATE: The highway has reopened.A crash involving multiple vehicles has caused all eastbound lanes of the Westpark Tollway to be shut down.The crash happened near SH-6 in the Mission Bend area of Harris County.Houston Transtar cameras show emergency vehicles blocking the...

Chronically behind schedule, Dr. Tina Peterson, leader of the Harris County Flood Control District, will tell Commissioner's Court that she has a plan to get work on more than two dozen projects back on track and completed within 18 months without losing federal dollars.

A man is charged with murder of his roommate over an argument about apartment rental payments in northwest Harris County, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

Houston City Council approved Mayor John Whitmire’s budget with a vote of 15 to 1. Council Member Edward Pollard, the sole “no” vote, argued the plan was “fiscally irresponsible.”

Scores for the statewide annual assessment, STAAR, were released Wednesday. Houston ISD’s scores largely mirror statewide trends.

Ahead of the first World Cup match in Houston on June 14 between Germany and Curaçao, NRG Stadium has been turned into a FIFA fan’s dream. Houston Public Media got a look at the field, locker rooms, and more.

Reporters have been following survivors as they rebuild their lives in the aftermath of one of the deadliest floods in state history.

The guidelines include that any future data center or related industry in the Houston-area county must safeguard electric grid reliability, water and energy usage, agricultural land and public infrastructure.
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