City Cast Houston

The Lakewood Church community is still healing after Sunday’s shooting as they learn more information about the shooter and what happened. Plus, HISD has officially moved to a longer school year for the 2024-2025 year, but will teachers be paid more for more work? Host Raheel Ramzanali and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis talk about the biggest stories that will impact you this week in H...

A new project in the Energy Corridor could be the solution for a lot of empty office buildings around Houston. Marissa Luck, senior real estate reporter at the Houston Chronicle, joins host Raheel Ramzanali to explain why this trend is important, what real estate trends could impact you in 2024, and why so many office buildings are left empty around H-Town. Check out Marissa’s work here.  Marissa'...

Few things upset host Raheel Ramzanali like government inefficiencies, and today one story really got him going! Plus, Texas Education Agency commissioner Mike Morath visited HISD schools for the first time since assigning Mike Miles as superintendent. Media personality Antre’chelle Nova joins Raheel to recap these stories and more. Featured stories: Houston man without birth certificate Turkey Le...

Are you looking for some fun and unusual date ideas around Houston for Valentine’s Day or the month in general? We have you covered! Host Raheel Ramzanali, Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis, and producer Carlignon Jones are giving out their recommendations in a unique way, so get ready to plan the perfect date night around H-Town! Try these recommendations out to make your Valentine's Day...

Can one food really define our entire city? Host Raheel Ramzanali asked this question on X and the responses, as you guessed it, ranged from Tex-Mex to Viet Cajun crawfish! So, to help narrow the list and get a second opinion, Abbas Dhanani, owner of Burger Bodega and the man behind @HoustonEatz, is joining the show to help pick the official food of Houston. Burger Bodega  Follow Abbas on Instagra...

The World Cup is two years away, but that isn’t stopping the city from getting hyped about how many matches will be played here. Plus, new crime data is showing a rise in this type of auto crime. Host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking down those stories and more with Texas Senate candidate Karthik Soora. Featured stories: Auto theft on the rise  Mattress Mack ad gets backlash  Houston to host seven Wor...

Some Houstonians have been waiting for months to have their recycling picked up, but can this problem be fixed? KHOU consumer investigative reporter Grace White joins host Raheel Ramzanali to share her findings on why the solid waste management department keeps dropping the ball and what solutions are out there to fix future delays.  Recycling delays are frustrating Houstonians  Check out all of G...

Are state lawmakers really focused on solutions at the border or is it more of a show for election year? Plus, office buildings in Houston are having trouble finding tenants as more people work from home. And, Food Not Bombs is fighting back against the city with a new lawsuit. Host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking down these stories and others from the week with Evan Mintz and local newspaper reporte...

From romantic dates to the Houston Rodeo, February is a PACKED month in H-Town. So, to get you ready for all the fun stuff happening around the city, host Raheel Ramzanali and producer Carlignon Jones are giving their top recommendations for things to do this month! Visit these places this month: Bungalow Crawfish Cafe Crafty Crab Mikes Seafood  BB’s Tex-Orleans  Houston Rodeo Black History Tour ...

Houston’s coffee scene caught some heat this week from Clever after it was named the worst coffee city in the nation! It’s time to put some respect on our coffee shops and we’re doing just that by chatting with Bianca Carol, creator of @HoustonCoffeeBlogger, to get her best recommendations for drinks, shops, and more! Try these spots on your next coffee stop: Blendin Coffee Club  Latte at Catalina...

New evidence could help a former TSU student get out of jail after 40 years. Houston is getting a much needed animal shelter, but it going to cost a pretty penny. Plus, we find out what’s been causing so many USPS delays! Executive Producer Dina Kesbeh and newsletter editor Brooke Lewis, chat about all of this and more! Featured stories: Darius Elam Conviction  Oxtail Thief  USPS Delays  New Anima...

When you think of the Bissonnet Track, likely what comes to mind are all the headlines riddled with news of crime and sex trafficking. For years city officials have tried to combat this and give business owners the relief they’ve been asking for, but nothing has worked. Until now. Producer Carlignon Jones chats with Monroe Trombly from Houston Landing about what the Houston Police Department did d...

A new study reveals a disturbing reality resulting from Texas’ abortion laws. Galveston is getting a hot new attraction that is sure to boost tourism and Blue bell just dropped a new flavor. Catch up on this weeks news with executive producer Dina Kesbeh, political commentator Evan Mintz and culture commentator Antrechelle Nova. Featured stories: Water Billing Crisis  Margaritaville The Masthletes...

Do you ride a horse when you go to the store? Do you do Yeehaw dances? These are just some of the crazy things people wonder about Houstonians… And there’s so many more, that’s why host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on lead producer Dina Kesbeh, producer Carlignon Jones, and Hey Houston editor Brooke Lewis to answer all these burning questions and even throwing in some of their own questions they’v...

There’s something special about eating fried chicken hot out of the fryer on a cold day, but where are the best hidden and overlooked spots to get a bite into a crunchy bird? Join producer Carlignon Jones and Houston Chronicle food reporter Erica Cheng as they lay out a list of must try fried chicken spots. Frenchy’s  House of Bowls Hong Kong Café Star Snow Ice Choongman Chicken Krisp Gus’ Fried C...

If you were supposed to receive a package or mail through USPS and still haven’t gotten it, we might know why. Plus, Houstonians are taking matters into their own hands by starting a petition to make changes at HISD and these crawfish prices are going to shock you! City Cast Houston podcast host Raheel Ramzanali recaps the news to start the week with producer Carlignon Jones. Featured stories: Tee...

Why are there so many delays in moving residents out of the cancer cluster in 5th Ward? Plus, why are new developments still being allowed in such a toxic part of the city? ABC 13 reporter Shannon Ryan joins host Raheel Ramzanali to unpack all of the latest updates regarding the cancer cluster in 5th Ward.  Read Shannon Ryan’s stories on the cancer cluster in 5th Ward.  Looking for more Houston ne...

The winter weather was all the rage this week, but so many other things happened. From a new potential police department merger to parents and teachers getting upset at Mike Miles for his recent comments, host Raheel Ramzanali and independent journalist Camilo Hannibal Smith recap the week that was in Houston! Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Foll...

How Houston are you? Today on the show, host Raheel Ramzanali is chatting with producer Carlignon Jones and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis about things that Houstonians REAL Houstonians. From experiences in traffic to waiting in lines, you’re not a real Houstonian until you’ve… Magic Island  City Cast Houston’s Taco Guide  Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning new...

It’s really cold in Houston, but we’re going to warm you up today with City Cast Houston food contributor Shawn the Food Sheep’s picks of the best cold weather dishes around town. From best pho to best soups, host Raheel Ramzanali and Shawn are creating a list that will help you get over the winter blues. Follow Shawn the Food Sheep Amy’s Ice Cream  Jeni’s Ice Cream  Tiny’s Milk & Cookies  Menudo...

We’re starting this cold week off with some hot news from around the city. From an update on why the unhoused population is rising to a new mysterious animal in our region, host Raheel Ramzanali and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis break down those stories and more! Featured Stories: New report on homelessness in Texas  Why Houston is good at helping the unhoused community Library Wine B...

It’s time to breakdown the biggest news from the week around H-Town! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and media personality Antre’chelle Nova to get their thoughts on the upcoming freeze, new drama with DA Kim Ogg, a new report on sexual assault crimes, and more! Featured stories: Houston GOP attorney worked on DA’s investigation  Former softball coach groomed...

It’s Chevron Houston Marathon weekend! Over 30,000 runners will be hitting the streets to set personal records or just finish the race. So, what does it take to put on a major event like this? Race Director Carly Caulfield joins host Raheel Ramzanali to talk about the thousands of volunteers who help put on the race, the economic impact of the event, and how you can get involved even if you aren’t...

Dry January is here, but there’s more to it than drinking sugary mocktails. Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Danny and Helenita Frounfelkner of Sipple, Texas’ first non-alcoholic bottle shop, to learn about why Dry January is gaining popularity, where to get the best drinks if you’re participating, and why it’s more than just drinks. Events at Sipple  Eater Houston’s list of zero-proof cocktail...

We’re only nine days into 2024 and we might have the craziest story of the year with a group of feral peacocks taking over a neighborhood! Plus, producer Carlignon Jones and host Raheel Ramzanali are talking about the new Uplift Harris program, new vaping punishments, the Texans heading to the playoffs, and so much more. Featured stories: New law punishing students who vape Uplift Harris program F...