On Monday's show: Last week, President Biden issued pardons for thousands of people convicted under federal law for marijuana possession. The move will clear the records of those convicted since simple possession of the drug since became illegal in the 1970s. We learn more about who the pardons apply to and discuss changing attitudes about marijuana laws in Houston and the rest of the state.

Also this hour: Between 2017 and September of this year, more than 100 cyclists have been killed on Harris County roads, including 11 this year. That's according to the Houston Chronicle's recent analysis of TxDOT data. And the numbers have trended upward since 2018. What can be done to improve safety for people riding their bikes around the region? 

Then, we learn what's taking place during Fotofest, the biennial celebration of photography and visual art.

And we preview the Astros' playoff series against the Seattle Mariners, which begins Tuesday.

On Friday's show: HISD's challenge to the TEA's attempted takeover of its board went before the Texas Supreme Court on Thursday. News 88.7’s Dominic Anthony Walsh tells us the outcome could determine who controls the largest school district in Texas.

Also this hour: Houston is holding another gun buyback program this weekend after a mostly successful first effort. The event will be Saturday (Oct. 8) from 8 a.m. to noon at the METRO Park and Ride at 11050 Harwin Drive in Alief. We learn what will be different at this event and discuss the effectiveness of such programs at preventing gun violence.

Then, we consider The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And the Bayou City Art Festival celebrates its 50th year this weekend.

On Thursday's show: Over the weekend, two people died while being held at the Harris County Jail. That brought the total death count at the jail up to 21 for the year – the most deaths there in more than a decade. We learn more about those deaths and what role – if any – overcrowding at the facility played.

Also this hour: Derrick Johnson, the national president of the NAACP, talks about the issues his organization is working on in the realm of racial justice. Johnson got his law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston.

Then, we tour the new UH Law Center building.

And a Kinetic Ensemble concert on Sunday called The Winter Anthology draws attention to climate issues and includes a piece inspired by 2021's Winter Storm Uri.

On Wednesday's show: One of Harris County's Republican commissionerss is offering a way out of the county's deadlock over its tax rate. We learn more about what Jack Cagle is proposing.

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

Then, in this month's installment of The Full Menu, local food writers discuss restaurants in Houston where you don't want to skip dessert.

And the Houston Chronicle recently followed one of Gov. Greg Abbott's migrant buses from Texas to Chicago. We talk next with reporter Sam Gonzalez Kelly about what he learned.

On Tuesday's show: Nearly 50,000 more Texas students dropped out of school during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020-2021 school year compared to the year before, according to new analysis of state data from the Houston Chronicle. Reporter Hannah Dellinger gives us the details.

Also this hour:  We continue our series of interviews with candidates in some of the key races around Texas and Greater Houston that are on the ballot on Election Day. Today, we talk with Rochelle Garza, candidate for Texas Attorney General.

Then, the NPR culture program It's Been a Minute recently announced Brittany Luse as its new host. We talk with her about the show and her new role, which she begins this weekend.

And comedian Sheng Wang talks about his career, his latest Netflix special, and about growing up in Houston.

On Monday's show: We review some of the bond measures going before voters on the November ballot for both Harris County and Spring ISD and discuss what you should know about them ahead of Election Day.

Also this hour: We offer you your monthly chance to vent your pet peeves.

And we discuss the pros and cons of the Astros having time off between the regular season and their first playoff series. Can they stay sharp during the down time?

On Friday's show: We preview tonight's debate between Gov. Greg Abbott and his challenger, Beto O'Rourke, and discuss whether such events influence the outcome on Election Day. The debate will air at 7 p.m. on Houston's CW Ch. 39 and here on News 88.7.

Also this hour: We discuss the controversial merger of Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railway and how it might affect rail traffic here. Hearings on the matter have been taking place this week in Washington, D.C. Residents can submit public comments on the merger through Oct. 14.

Then, we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And writer Javier Zamora discusses his memoir, Solito, which chronicles his journey from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine. Zamora will speak Monday night at an event from Inprint at the Ballroom at Bayou Place.

On Thursday's show: We learn how Houstonians are gearing up to help those in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian.

Also this hour: We explore how long COVID is affecting children and members of the local workforce from News 88.7 reporter Sara Willa Ernst, who's been following those stories.

Then, in this month's installment of The Bigger Picture, we examine Olivia Wilde’s new film Don’t Worry Darling, the off-screen drama surrounding it, and why we seem to care about the details of celebrities’ lives so much.

And we learn about the Houston Museum of Natural Science's new HoloTheater, a multimedia holographic cinema experience.

On Wednesday's show: Katy ISD officials changed several school library policies this week, including how the school district responds to complaints about books and who is allowed in its book review process. We discuss the continuing battle over books in school libraries with Dominic Anthony Walsh, News 88.7's education and families reporter.

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

Then, we learn about the art of creating infinity rooms, such as the one obtained by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston created by artist Yayoi Kusama called Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity.

And we visit the Rice University baseball program’s new high-tech pitching lab.

On Tuesday's show: The Houston area is seeing a rise in cases earlier than anticipated for the flu season. Dr. Wesley Long of Houston Methodist outlines what we should know.

Also this hour: The television series The West Wing inspired a whole generation to engage in the world of politics, but did it establish unrealistic expectations? We ask University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus, who uses clips from the show in his classes.

Then we meet Jennifer Hamburg, the Houston-based creator and executive producer of Rosie's Rules, a new show debuting on PBS Kids and Houston Public Media (weekdays at 12:30 p.m.) beginning Oct. 3. The show features a blended family living in suburban San Antonio and aims to teach young kids about social studies and civic engagement.

And we revisit our conversation with director Ti West from earlier this year. He talks about how he got into making horror films. At the time, he'd just released the movie X, which takes place in and around Houston. A prequel to that film, Pearl, is in theaters now, and a third film in the series has just been announced.