By Kim Malcolm, KERA 90.1 reporter

Dallas, TX – Kim Malcolm, KERA 90.1 reporter: It's debate night at the KERA studios in Dallas. Supporters of U.S. Senate candidates Ron Kirk of the Democrats, and Republican John Cornyn throng the halls, wired on adrenaline. In about 30 minutes, the major statewide debate of the senate campaign will be broadcast live by KERA and the Texas Cable News Network, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers. But inside the lobby, another debate is going on.

By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 business commentator

Dallas, TX – For some people, it's just the last day of the month. But for the rest of us, it's Halloween, the day to be spooked, surprised and even deceived. I'm Maxine Shapiro with KERA Marketplace Middays.

By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 business commentator

Dallas, TX – The good, the bad, and the ugly in North Texas...and there's a lot of it. I'm Maxine Shapiro with Marketplace Middays.

By Suzanne Sprague, KERA 90.1 reporter

Dallas, TX – Suzanne Sprague, Reporter: Public service announcements on Dallas Chinese radio urge voters to turn out at the polls. 700 Vietnamese attend a candidates' forum in Houston. And for the first time, statewide nominees in Texas hire Asian-outreach specialists. It's a far cry from how politicians addressed the Asian communities eight years ago, when Jennifer Kim started organizing voters.

By Bill Zeeble, KERA 90.1 reporter

Dallas, TX – Bill Zeeble, KERA 90.1 reporter: The sounds of a pop-rock band with strings, a horn, flute, trumpet, and a dozen choral singers began germinating in Tim DeLaughter's head while he was still playing this kind of rock with the Dallas band, Tripping Daisy.

[Cut: "Brown Eyed Pickle Boy" from the Tripping Daisy album, Bill]

By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 business commentator

Dallas, TX – The market trend of ignoring economic data will most likely be broken today as we enter into the homestretch of the earning season. There's no turning our back on this one. I'm Maxine Shapiro with KERA Marketplace Middays.

By Bill Zeeble, KERA 90.1 reporter

Dallas, TX – Bill Zeeble, KERA 90.1 reporter: As they've done throughout their campaigns, both candidates stuck to tested, if worn slogans, during the debate. When asked what he'd get from spending tens of millions of his own dollars running for governor, Democrat Tony Sanchez said he just wants to give back to the state he loves and people he cares about.

By Tom Sime, KERA 90.1 arts commentator

Dallas, TX – "Silence" is anything but. The play at Undermain Theatre is overflowing with delightfully witty dialogue, delivered by a top-flight cast in this first Texas production of a work by rising British playwright Moira Buffini.

By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 business commentator

Dallas, TX – See what happens when you have a little downturn in the economy? Imaginations have to get fired, communities have to and want to come together, resulting in positive forward action. I'm Maxine Shapiro with KERA Marketplace Middays.

By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 business commentator

Dallas, TX – It's Friday so "It's Only Money," a review of the big and not-so-big stories of the week. I'm Maxine Shapiro with Marketplace Middays.