On Monday's show: A new report sheds light on how much lead is showing up in drinking water at Texas schools.

Also this hour: Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers, author of 14 novels including The Overstory and The Echo Maker, talks about his work and his latest book, Playground, ahead of an event with Inprint tonight at 7:30 at The Alley Theatre.

Then, veterinarian Dr. Lori Teller talks about issues affecting pet health.

And we get an update on sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: We get the latest results from an election survey from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs. And two Houston elected officials traded barbs on Thursday in the latest round of a political fight that’s been escalating over the last few months.

Also this hour: Our non-experts consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And musician Big Mama Thornton will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this weekend. She recorded "Hound Dog" at Houston's Peacock Records, and it was a No. 1 hit three years before Elvis Presley put his mark on it. We reflect on her life and musical career.

On Thursday's show: We get updates on several stories happening in Fort Bend County, including the latest on the scandal involving County Judge KP George, and a wave of petitions by landowners wanted to de-annex from the city of Fulshear.

Also this hour: Local entomologist Erin Mills of the Houston Botanic Garden answers listener questions about bugs and insects.

And we learn about a play in Pasadena called Shelter in Place that sets some family drama against a background many Houstonians will find familiar -- an approaching hurricane.

On Wednesday's show: Senator Ted Cruz and his challenger, Rep. Colin Allred, took to the stage last night in their only debate of the campaign. We get reaction on each of their performances and discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Also this hour: We talk with Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter and author Mary Gauthier, who performs at The Heights Theater Oct. 18.

On Tuesday's show: Exactly three weeks from Election Day, a new poll finds former President Donald Trump holds a five point lead in Texas over Vice President Kamala Harris, and Senator Ted Cruz is up four points in his race against Congressman Colin Allred. We discuss that and other findings in the latest pre-election survey from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs.

Also this hour: How you feel about an issue may have a lot to do with how close you are to it -- not in terms of impact, just geography. Party Politics co-host Jeronimo Cortina discusses that concept in his new book, Proximity Politics.

And we meet pianist Adam J. Ivey and hear him perform. His story illustrates how minorities who grow up in the inner city often don't have opportunities to learn classical music. He talks about overcoming that and being born deaf to become a performer and composer.

On Monday's show: We discuss environmental concerns raised by chemical leaks, fires, and other accidents following last week’s deadly leak at the Pemex chemical plant in Deer Park.

Also this hour: Meg Tapp from the Garden Club of Houston answers listeners' gardening questions.

And we discuss Sunday's Texans game against the Patriots with Houston Chronicle reporter Jonathan Alexander.

On Friday's show: The U.S. Supreme Court’s latest term started this week. So far, highlights seem to be about what the High Court is not considering and speculation over what it might have to do if next month’s election results are disputed. We talk it over with a constitutional law expert.

Also this hour: From questions still swirling around that blue alert that woke up Texas to teachers in Spring ISD being accused of giving children sleeping aid patches, our panel of non-experts mull over The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week's news.

And we celebrate the joys of pinball machines and arcade games ahead of the Houston Arcade Expo this weekend. 

On Thursday's show: We meet Bryan Brown, the new president of the Energy Corridor District.

Also this hour: We talk with Frank Lorenzo, the former CEO of Continental Airlines, which was based in Houston, about his new memoir. It's called Flying for Peanuts: Tough Deals, Steep Bargains, and Revolution in the Skies.

And we tour the latest renovations at Jones Hall.

On Wednesday's show: We talk to meteorologist Eric Berger of Space City Weather as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.

And former Houston police officer Gerald Goines has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after being convicted on two counts of felony murder for his role in the Harding Street drug raid in 2019. Reporter Lucio Vasquez gives us the details.

Also this hour: We discuss the latest developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

Then, we meet Houstonian Marcus Bridgewater, the personality behind Garden Marcus on social media. He discusses his passion for plants and his new book, Seasons of Growth.

And, from the 1970s to the early 2000s, some radio stations were doing things a little bit differently -- including here in Houston. The documentary Runaway Radio tells the story of KLOL-FM, an iconic rock station and a different time in radio. Ahead of an Oct. 28 screening at the River Oaks Theatre, we revisit our conversation from March about the film.

On Tuesday's show: Have budget cuts affecting how kids get to and from school at Cy-Fair ISD contributed to recent accidents?

Also this hour: We talk with Dean Gladden, the managing director of The Alley Theatre, who has just announced he’s retiring in June.

Then, we talk with some people who participated in last week’s Week Without Driving challenge and learn what it says about mobility in the Houston area.

Plus, Chef Chris Shepherd tells us about his love for the animated film Ratatouille, which he’s selected for the next screening in the Movies Houstonians Love series at the MFAH.

And Brenda Valdivia reports on last weekend’s Southern Smoke Festival, proceeds from which benefit food and beverage workers nationwide.