Houston Matters

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 Thursday's show: The City of Houston appears likely to hike its tax rate, as it faces a budget shortfall and unexpected costs from multiple disasters. We learn more and find out what the increase might cost the average homeowner. And the council has delayed its push to require developers to build sidewalks or pay a fee for new construction.

Also this hour: On the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s “moon shot” speech at Rice University, in which he challenged America’s scientific community to get to the moon and back, we ask you: what’s the next big “moon shot” that Greater Houston can achieve? What’s the one big challenge we should marshal our will, time, and resources to meeting? We welcome your suggestions at [email protected].

Then we learn about an area nonprofit that helps fund medical and mental health care services for Houston’s restaurant and bar workers. It’s called I’ll Have What She’s Having, and it’s holding a Rock & Roll Picnic on Sunday at the Last Concert Amphitheatre featuring music and a lot of food from a number of area chefs and restaurants.

And Houston poet Ayokunle Falomo talks about his new collection, called Autobiomythography of, ahead of a book launch tonight at Kindred Stories.

On Tuesday's show: We get the latest on what has become Hurricane Francine as the storm approaches the Louisiana coast and find out how related conditions might affect Galveston and the Greater Houston area.

Also this hour: We recap the presidential debate and discuss other developments in local, state, and national politics in our weekly roundup.

And we consider the future of physical retail space in Houston — where it works, where it doesn’t, and why.

On Friday's show: A legal challenge is under way in Louisiana over that state’s new law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in school classrooms there. That a suit was brought on behalf of Louisiana families came as no surprise to that state’s governor, Jeff Landry, who said before signing the bill: “I can’t wait to be sued.” But challenging the limits of Constitutional protections -- isn’t that what Texas usually does before anyone else? Lawmakers here certainly tried. We discuss that, the Louisiana law, and what the Texas Legislature might try again to do next session, with Houston Public Media’s politics and government reporter Andrew Schneider.

Also this hour: We invite listeners to offer suggestions for how they might redesign a Houston road or freeway in some way. Maybe there are speed bumps you want (or don’t want), or there's a one-way street you wish wasn't, or there's a median you wish wasn’t there. Whatever it is, wherever it is, we want to know about it. You can share your suggestions now at [email protected].

Then, from uncertainty over the future of bike sharing in the city after BCycle shut down, to METRO trains losing their stripes, we discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.

And, with the explosion of streaming services -- and new films being available on them -- we discuss the state of traditional cinema and movie theaters.