City Cast Houston

Let’s get this week started with the news you need to know! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Danya Pérez, diverse communities reporter at Houston Landing, to talk about Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s accusations against Controller Chris Hollins of ethics violations. Plus, they get into a historic bust of a sex trafficking ring, how Galveston’s growing its cruise industry, and more!  Here’s more o...

Early voting has officially started in Houston, so we’re getting you ready by doing a deep dive into the Harris County ballot. But with a City Cast Houston spin … a civics quiz! Executive Producer Laura Isensee is putting host Raheel Ramzanali against Tim Carlin, civic engagement reporter at the Houston Landing, to see who knows more about all the down-ballot races in Harris County. Oh, and by the...

Let’s talk about the big news from the week in H-Town! Host Raheel Ramzanali and Evan Mintz, Pulitzer Prize finalist, breakdown the big moments from Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Colin Allred’s debate. Then, they’re talking about why thousands of Houstonians are still in the dark when it comes to knowing if their drinking water is coming from lead pipes. Also, will Houston ever fix its sidew...

Back by popular demand, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from across the country to talk about what stories they're watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Hear from Houston's own Raheel Ramzanali along with hosts from our daily local shows in Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, and Portland. City Cast is now in 13 cities across the country! Joinin...

Let’s talk some food with Eric Sandler, CultureMap Houston’s editor, and host Raheel Ramzanali. The longtime friends debate what suburbs is the best for H-town foodies, then thye dive into some surprising high-profile closings, and some exciting openings. And finally, get ready for a hot food take that has Eric and Raheel going at it!  Some of the restaurants we talked about in today’s episode:  F...

A major issue on this year’s ballot is the largest school bond in Texas history. Houston ISD is asking voters to approve a $4.4 billion bond to rebuild and renovate over 30 schools, upgrade security, expand pre-K, and more. So to help voters prepare, host Raheel Ramzanali is moderating a debate featuring both sides of the issue. Judith Cruz, former HISD board president and co-chair of the bond’s c...

We made it to Friday! To recap the week in Houston, host Raheel Ramzanali and Lucio Vasquez, newscast producer and reporter at Houston Public Media, are breaking down the biggest stories. The duo start by talking about how Raheel’s family is dealing with a break-in, then discuss the 6-year prison sentence for ex-cop Gerald Goines, and why Houston homeowners won’t see property taxes go up, at least...

Road trip!! With a long weekend ahead and fall break for a lot of families, it’s time to jump in the car and enjoy a fall getaway. Host Raheel Ramzanali and Sofia Gonzalez, food and travel editor at Houstonia Magazine, are creating a list of the best road trips to take this fall. From spooky destinations to unforgettable food, there’s so much to explore! Check out places we talked about on today’s...

Houston might be known as a Tex-Mex and BBQ town, but our seafood scene features some of the freshest Gulf shrimp and fish in the country. Now with oysters, blue crab and more in season, we wanted to take full advantage of our coastal cuisine. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Raz Halili, owner of Fish Company Taco and Pier 6 Seafood and Oyster House, to get his recommendations of the best...

City Cast Houston Host Raheel Ramzanali and Faith Bugenhagen, reporter at Houston Press, are breaking down the stories you need to know to start the week. The duo start by discussing if CenterPoint will finally be held accountable for its response to Hurricane Beryl and then move onto the latest with Fort Bend County Judge KP George’s indictment over trying to use fake Facebook accounts to influen...

With the election less than a month away, we’re all consuming a lot of information about politics, but how do we know if a website if objective and based on facts? Well, sometimes we don’t. Enter ‘pink slime’ journalism. Investigative reporter Steven Monacelli is joining host Raheel Ramzanali to explain the dangers of ‘pink slime’ websites in an election year, how we can spot them, and solutions t...

It’s Friday and that means host Raheel Ramzanali is recapping the big news from the week. Joining him today is dynamic media personality Antre’chelle Nova to talk about why hate crimes are going unreported, the heated debate around property tax hikes, the difference between the rapper Big Boi and a train with the same name, and more!  Stories we discussed on today’s show:  Your Guide to October 20...

There are SO many fall festivals happening around H-Town, but host Raheel Ramzanali is on the hunt for the best free options to check out this month. So, he’s bringing on Meagan Clanahan, co-owner of HoustonMom.com, to get her recommendations of where to go for the best fall vibes, pumpkin patches, spooky experiences, and more…all for free!  Recommendations from today’s show:  Cornelius Nursery Ho...

A lot is happening in Houston food scene, so host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Erica Cheng, food reporter at Chron.com, to dish on the latest buzz for foodies, from the decline of steakhouses to which restaurants will get a Michelin star. Plus, is H-town now a burger city? Raheel and Erica are talking all about food on today’s episode!  Here are stories that we talked about on today’s show:  Ho...

It’s the spookiest month of the year, and that means we’re exploring the haunted side of Houston. Plus, we’re going beyond the pumpkins with some memorable shows and literary festivals to check out this month. And you know we’re giving you some delicious recommendations for fall flavors in H-Town, from pumpkin cheesecake to dining in the dark. Our October guide is laying out how to enjoy the best...

In today’s City Cast Houston episode, Raheel Ramzanali gets an insider’s take on the local GOP, if they’re dealing with an identity crisis like the national party, between old-school conservatives and the MAGA movement. He talks with conservative commentator Charles Blain about that, plus the local Republican Party’s strategy for local races this November.  You can check out more from Charles Blai...

Let’s recap the week with host Raheel Ramzanali, political analyst Rafael Lemaitre, and Monica Flores Richart, education advocate and attorney. The trio start off by talking about where our city’s justice system stands after former Houston officer Gerald Goines was found guilty of felony murder. Then, they talk about our infamous sidewalks to nowhere and what it would mean to H-town if we eliminat...

In the late 1970s, Houston was once considered the murder capital of the country, and many cases went unsolved, especially in Houston’s Latino community. So, the Houston Police Department did something radical. They created the first ever all-Latino, fully bilingual homicide team called the ‘Chicano Squad.’ Sergio Selvera joins host Raheel Ramzanali to explain how the group changed community polic...

With Oktoberfest officially in full swing, we wanted to revisit our guide to Houston’s amazing craft beer and brewery scene. Host Raheel Ramzanali gets recommendations from Lennie Ambrose with Saint Arnold Brewing and board chair of Texas Craft Brewers Guild, of the best brews to try around H-Town!  Here’s more recommendations from the show: Saint Arnold Brewing  8th Wonder Brewery  Walking Stick...

The Latino community plays such an important role shaping Greater Houston, and now their economic power has grown so much, it’s bigger than some entire states! Host Raheel Ramzanali and Danya Pérez, diverse communities reporter at the Houston Landing, are talking about that, plus why property taxes are going up in Harris County, the latest drama at the Turkey Leg Hut, and other news you need to kn...

Today on City Cast Houston, Raheel Ramzanali talks with Houston Public Media reporter Lucio Vasquez about his latest investigation into the crisis at Harris County Jail. In 2019, a massive bail reform was supposed to ease overcrowding at the jail. But, as Lucio found for NPR’s Here & Now, that hasn’t been the case. He shares stories of families who have lost loved ones in custody and breaks down t...

We all make mistakes in the work place, but imagine not reading an email that ended up costing your office $6 million! That’s exactly what happened at the Harris County District Attorney’s office. Plus, why is Houston Mayor John Whitmire talking about the previous mayor and throwing shade at that administration at his state of the city address? Host Raheel Ramzanali is recapping those stories and...

Recent data from the Child Opportunity Index revealed that despite our diversity, Houston ranks among the worst cities in the country when it comes to the child opportunity gap. But what is the Child Opportunity Index, and how does it affect the future of our kids? Host Raheel Ramzanali sits down with Aswad Walker, associate editor at The Defender, to break down the numbers and explore why there’s...

We’re kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with a culinary tour of places around Houston you need to try. Host Raheel Ramzanali is getting recommendations for breakfast, lunch and dinner — and dessert! — from a special guest, Patti Delgado. She’s the executive chef at the Original Ninfa’s Uptown, and her resume includes cooking alongside Ronnie Killen of Killen’s Barbecue and preparing meals for fo...

It’s been almost a year since the Houston Police Department overhauled their policy on high spped car chases, but did it make a difference? Plus, parents and students are on edge after threats were made on social media towards schools in Texas and two schools went on lockdown. And, a mall that’s beating the odds and celebrating Houston’s diversity. Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking about those stor...