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Drivers looking for a bargain will want to buy gas in San Antonio this week. AAA reports that prices fell a nickel per gallon in the Alamo City, more than the decrease statewide. A gallon of gas is averaging $3.46 in San Antonio, comparing to the national average of $3.74 per gallon and the statewide average of $3.51.

The Texas Legislature will be back in a few months facing a budget deficit. Will the next round of state budget cuts clip Texas high school football? Or could expanded gambling in the state help solve education funding shortfalls? Nate Silver writes the New York Times political blog about polls and political probability, Five Thirty Eight, and talks about how useful (and reliable) pre-election opinion polls can be.

Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev on tap

An easy description for the Mid Texas Symphony program at Brauntex Theatre Sunday afternoon is, 'music just right for children of all ages.'

"Every time I hear it, there is just such passion," says director David Mairs. "Whether I was playing it (on french horn), or conducting it, or even just listening, I think Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony is such a masterpiece, with hummable melodies!"

Throwing spaghetti against the wall may be a good metaphor for San Antonio filmmakers Taylor James Johnson and Dylan Cody Altman.  The act itself would likely find a welcome home in one of the duo’s short films, which often take the form of pop culture parodies, full of outrageous behavior.  Whether it’s a mash-up of “Taken” and Stephen Spielberg’s “Hook,” or lending a hand as an actor in a fellow filmmaker’s sci-fi genre film, the camera loves Johnson, and he loves working with the camera. And the duo are prolific, releasing over a dozen films online this year so far. 

Thursday the field narrowed to eight competitors and will go down to five pianists for the finals at the San Antonio International Piano Competition.

There are 20 military training instructors are now under investigation for inappropriate relationships with trainees at Joint Base San Antonio; five have already been court-martialed. This week, the Air Force set up a special hotline for trainees and others to report cases of sexual abuse.

Utility smart meters  help you and the electric company save money, but are they hazardous to your health and part of a sinister plot? The latest story in the NAFTA series examines the environmental impact that the monumental agreement has had over the past 20 years.  Sheriff Joe Arpaio looks to still be in the lead heading into the final weeks before the election, but the challengers are making it interesting.

After a busy summer that included concerts in Italy, South Africa, New Zealand, and a recording with Renee Fleming, Sebastian Lang-Lessing leads his first concert of the season.

"It's the most exciting concert!" said Lang-Lessing. "Of course, I'm going to say that about every concert."

The varied program includes violinist Baiba Skride in Robert Schumann's Concerto in d minor.

"Baiba and I were to have performed several times, and it has just never worked out, so I am very excited to have her solo in San Antonio, in one of the most dramatic works."

So far, the redevelopment of Hemisfair has been mostly on paper, but planners are working to pull the park’s future into focus for residents. Officials are hoping holiday events starting on Halloween will bring families back to to the park.

The terraced seating being built on the old volleyball courts at Lockwood Park is in prime position for pushcart viewing and will be the centerpiece for fireworks watching and other community gatherings in the future for the Dignowity neighborhood.

Texas Public Radio presents the official unveiling of this winning design in the Lighter! Quicker! Cheaper! initiative in partnership with the City of San Antonio, the Project for Public Spaces and the AIA San Antonio.