Houston Matters

On Wednesday's show: Houston has the fourth worst commute in the country -- ahead of New York and Los Angeles -- according to a recent report from Forbes. We discuss why that may be the case and get an update on efforts to alleviate congestion on our highways.

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

Then, now that the hot weather has eased, food writers discuss their favorite places to eat outdoors in Greater Houston in this month's installment of The Full Menu.

And we learn about The Houston Herricanes, a women's professional tackle football team that played here in the 1970s. The team is the subject of a documentary screening Nov. 12 at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival.

On Tuesday's show: Gas-powered lawn and garden equipment in Harris County generates more fine particle pollution than in any other county in the country, according to a new report from three environmental groups.

Also this hour: We learn some ways patients are greatly overpaying for anesthesia.

Then, we discuss some of the best horror movies about Texas or made here.

And we learn about Historic Cemeteries of Houston and Galveston with the author of a new book about them.

On Monday's show: We're seeing colder temperatures this week after a front blew in overnight. We talk about it with Houston Chronicle meteorologist Justin Ballard.

Also this hour: Former Spring ISD Superintendent Duncan Klussmann tells us how school districts contend with both growth and shrinkage in their student population.

Then, we learn about how parents care for their children with special needs from members of the support group Steel Magnolia Moms.

And with Dia de los Muertos coming up, we learn how to create and altar for a deceased loved one.

On Friday's show: We get the latest on the walkout at Eastwood Academy from HPM's Rebecca Noel.

Also this hour: We meet Houston mayoral candidate Annie Garcia.

Plus, how speed limits are determined and enforced in the state of Texas.

Then, our "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" panelists take on tipping, a traveling hip hop museum, and a proposal at the Eiffel Tower.

And we meet the actor playing Sweeney Todd for Theatre Under the Stars.

On Thursday's show: We discuss a U.S. Supreme Court case involving domestic abusers and gun ownership with the Houston Area Women's Shelter.

Also this hour: We continue our conversations with area candidates in the upcoming election, this time with Shannan Nobles, who is running for City Controller.

Then, this month's The Bigger Picture explores The Killers of the Flower Moon and Native American history.

And Houston gets a visit from Little Amal!

On Wednesday's show, we learn more about Chevron's acquisition of Hess Corporation and what it means for Houston.

Plus, from the House Speaker saga, to local election developments, to why the Lieutenant Governor is spending campaign funds on Israeli bonds, we seek context and clarity in our weekly political roundup.

Also this hour: Writer Viet Thanh Nguyen talks about his new memoir, A Man of Two Faces, which reflects on his experience coming to the United States as a refugee after the Vietnam War and growing up feeling neither fully Vietnamese nor fully American. He'll be in Houston for an event with Inprint on Oct. 30.

And we visit an area pumpkin patch to learn about the process of keeping these staples of the Halloween season running.

On Tuesday's show: We reflect on another long playoff run by the Houston Astros, who lost Game 7 of the American League Championship Series to the Texas Rangers Monday night.

Also this hour: We continue our series of conversations with area candidates this time with State Sen. John Whitmire, who's running for Houston mayor.

Then, we discuss the history of tipping, what etiquette says is appropriate, and how that’s changing these days.

And we discuss 50 years of HSPVA – the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, with an alum and editor of a book about it, a fellow classmate, and a former principal.

On Monday's show: A new study reveals the key issues and priorities for residents and likely voters heading into the November election.

Also this hour: With some recent stories about mishaps involving self-driving cars in Houston and elsewhere, a local professor updates us on how the technology of autonomous vehicles is developing and when it might be more common -- and more affordable.

Then we discuss developments in technology with columnist Dwight Silverman.

And we get an update on Houston sports from Jeff Balke.

On Friday's show: A federal judge has given Galveston County's leaders an extra week to come up with a new redistricting plan that complies with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. But the legal fight over the county's 2021 political map could be far from over. We learn more from Charles "Rocky" Rhodes of South Texas College of Law Houston.

And we learn about the pickleball scene in town.

On Thursday's show: We preview tonight's mayoral debate with Houston Public Media's Christina Yao Lee, who's moderating it. The debate airs at 7:30 on TV 8, News 88.7 FM, and houstonpublicmedia.org.

Also this hour: We continue our series of interviews with candidates in some key races this November with a conversation with City Councilman Robert Gallegos, who’s running for Houston Mayor.

And we get a behind-the-scenes preview of a world premiere opera called Intelligence about spies during the Civil War. Its creator, Jake Heggie, is one of the big names in contemporary opera. The show runs at Houston Grand Opera Oct. 20 through Nov. 3.