On Thursday's show: Dominic Anthony Walsh provides an update on why the City of Houston continues to pay dues to the Houston-Galveston Area Council after a proposition last year allowed Houston to leave the organization.

Also this hour: Amid recent foodborne illness outbreaks and kids hauling buckets of Halloween candy home, we consider how to ensure that our food is safe to eat.

Then, we hear from listeners and HPM staffers about some of their favorite Halloween songs.

And author and former Houstonian Shea Serrano talks about Werewolf Lawyer, his latest novella about a lawyer for werewolves.

On Wednesday's show: We discuss the latest developments in local, state, and national politics with Party Politics co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina.

Then, we consider whether adults have co-opted Halloween from kids.

And we look back on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which released 50 years ago this month.

On Tuesday's show: With a hot and dry October so far, we talk with meteorologist Justin Ballard about what we can expect for trick-or-treating weather.

Plus, we look at why Rice University has seen a drop in admissions for Black students over the past year.

Also this hour: We consider how minors are viewed in the legal system, amid efforts to fix foster care in Texas.

Then, we talk with the filmmaker of a new documentary about the film Chasing Amy.

And Meow Wolf Houston officially opens this week! We get a preview of the new immersive experience.

On Monday's show: We dive into the political battle happening over the delayed execution of Robert Roberson.

Also this hour: Last week we discussed why choosing an electricity provider in Texas can be complicated and intimidating. Today, we revisit how we got to this point after the state deregulated the retail electricity market and consider how that truly affected energy prices in the state.

Then, columnist Dwight Silverman discusses recent developments in consumer technology.

And Jeff Balke recaps the Texans' important divisional matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

On Friday's show: While Houston ISD voters are contemplating whether to approve a record-setting bond for their school district, Fort Bend ISD is revising plans for an over-budget bond approved there last year. We discuss both with Houston Public Media’s Adam Zuvanich and Natalie Weber.

Also this hour: From a Missouri woman using an Apple AirTag to track a stolen campaign sign taken from her yard and shaming the thief on social media, to the Yankees' general manager saying his team's World Series drought should’ve ended in 2017, our non-experts discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

Then, we reflect on the life and career of Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon with reporter Mirin Fader, author of Dream: The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon.

And we visit the Wings Over Houston air show at Ellington Field where a local pilot explains what it's like re-enacting the attack on Pearl Harbor flying vintage World War II aircraft.

On Thursday's show: A dust-up between Houston’s mayor and controller seems to have escalated in recent days. We walk through what’s going on with News 88.7 reporter Dominic Anthony Walsh.

Also this hour: We visit an event raising funds for cancer research while celebrating children who are combatting cancer.

Then, this month’s installment of The Bigger Picture examines the new film Saturday Night, about the behind-the-scenes chaos leading up to the first episode of Saturday Night Live back in 1975. Joshua Zinn discusses the film and the show's affect on live sketch and improv comedy in the Houston area.

And classical music meets hip hop tonight as the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra teams up with Houston’s Fly Dance Company and Outspoken Bean.

On Wednesday's show: More polling results are in from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs. We learn what they have to tell us about the upcoming election and opinions on the integrity of those elections.

Also this hour: With early voting underway and a hyper-focus on the presidential election, we seek context and clarity about recent developments in politics in our weekly roundup.

And choosing an electric provider in Texas can be quite complicated. We talk to one of those electric providers to learn how they operate and with the founder of a company that helps Texas residential electricity customers find the best plan.

On Tuesday's show: As we enter the final weeks of campaigning before Election Day, we check in with reporter Andrew Schneider on how the candidates for U.S. Senate are making their last appeals to voters.

Also this hour: With early voting underway in the 2024 election, we revisit a conversation from 2022 about the television series, The West Wing, which 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 talk with content creator Felecia for the Win, who's the host of the PBS Digital series Roots of Resistance, which is produced by Houston Public Media and examines social movements that have changed life in America throughout our nation's history. The latest episode, which is out now on YouTube, delves into the age-old question: Is voting a privilege or a fundamental right?

And we visit an event called Coffee with the Composer, where Joel Thompson, composer-in-residence for Houston Grand Opera, meets with community members to share insight into his process and engages in dialogue about his music with attendees.