The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1587: Early Warplanes

Episode: 1587 In which airplanes gradually learn to wage war. Today, we turn plowshares into swords.
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By Dr. John Lienhard at Houston Public Media · · 1 min read

Episode: 1587 In which airplanes gradually learn to wage war. Today, we turn plowshares into swords.
This preview is provided by Spring News. Full article available at .
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Episode: 1587 In which airplanes gradually learn to wage war. Today, we turn plowshares into swords.

A total of seven World Cup matches will be played in Houston, beginning with Sunday's game between Germany and Curaçao.

After 13 Investigates identified 10 cases involving fired HPD officer Ashley Gonzalez, the Harris County District Attorney's Office said it expects to issue notices to defendants.

Judge Lina Hidalgo says Harris County is exploring giving workers a new type of paid time off for mental health, adding that employees need days to "clear their mind."

One man is facing charges after authorities said he stole brisket and ribs from a Houston business, authorities said.

Abbott pledged to spend at least $25 million to flip Harris County from blue to red. His legislative priorities include restricting further growth in property taxes, closing the state’s primary system, banning Islamic religious law across the state, and regulating AI data center...

Harris County's top elected official also claimed she had been denied access to NRG Stadium until two days before the start of the World Cup. The county owns the stadium, which is under FIFA control during the soccer tournament.

Eight cases have now been confirmed in Texas as officials expand surveillance efforts, release millions of sterile flies and mobilize resources to stop the flesh-eating parasite from spreading.

TORCH CIN, a physician-hospital organization representing 45 rural and community hospitals across Texas, announced Friday it will end its contracts with UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company over "unsustainable" reimbursement rates. The leader of TORCH CIN said the current rates...

The falsified results included illegal levels of ammonia, E. coli and phosphorus, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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.

The maximum heat index, or feels-like temperature, is forecast to reach 109 on Friday, 106 on Saturday and 105 on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Today: We talk with Democratic candidate for Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa, learn about the Garden Theatre’s “Musical Theatre Extravaganza,” and discuss the FIFA World Cup with former Houston Dynamo player Mike Chabala.

The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the suspected shooter as Victor Mata Villarreal, 45, of Odessa.

The district’s state-appointed board of managers opted to delay voting on the $2 billion proposed budget. The vote has been rescheduled for June 25, less than a week before a deadline.

The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.

The total number of people living on the streets or in shelters held steady for the sixth year in a row. Mayor John Whitmire’s administration is shifting its goal from “ending street homelessness” to “reducing” it.

A deputy was injured after being hit by a driver while investigating a fatal pedestrian crash scene in north Houston, HCSO said.

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.

Public records show Ryan Seiders, co-founder of global lifestyle and outdoor brand YETI, is one of the owners of the Moody Bennett Ranch in the state's Big Bend region. The ranch, which lies in the path of the Trump administration's planned border wall, has been involved in...

The state’s environmental regulator will hold a public hearing June 15 on its proposed rules for how the toxic wastewater can be reused. Here’s what you should know.

On Friday's show: We learn why the head of the Harris County Flood Control District has resigned. An author explains everything there is to know about soccer. And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

A woman was killed after being hit by a vehicle while attempting to cross Highway 249 Thursday night, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.The crash happened around 10:32 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 249 and Old Bammel North Houston Road.Executive director of...

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.
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