City Cast Houston

From school closures to superintendent drama, there’s a lot going on in education around the Houston area. Houston Landing reporter Miranda Dunlap joins host Raheel Ramzanali to break down all of the stories from districts across the city, and how one issue could impact every district. Read all of Miranda’s work on Houston Landing here  Spring Branch ISD to close schools  HISD gets green light for...

Today on the City Cast Houston podcast, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Zac Emmons, director of marketing and communications for the Houston 2024 Host Committee, to explain how Houstonians can take advantage of all the free events around the city before the big championship game. Plus, Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and Raheel recap the biggest stories of the week.  Events for the College...

There’s nothing like starting the year off with a good set of goals, but why do we always give up on them? Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on mental health expert Anum Ali to understand why we quit on our new year’s resolutions, how to stay on track, and the best tricks to achieve our goals. Learn more about Anum "Atomic Habits" by James Clear  Check-in questions for conversations with your part...

There’s nothing like starting a new year off with health and fitness goals, but finding healthy places to eat at can be challenging. Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Chef Rafael Nasr from Craft Pita to get his best picks of healthy restaurants, desserts, sandwiches, and more to keep us on track in 2024. Try these spots to stick to your healthy eating goals! Salad & Go Leaf & Grain Craft Pita P...

New year, new things! Host Raheel Ramzanali is putting together the ultimate guide to Houston for January with producers AK Al-Moumen and Carlignon Jones. From music adventures to fitness classes, the trio are picking their must-do things around H-Town to start 2024.  Sloomoo Institute Gold Tooth Tony’s Pizza  Pilates classes around Houston  Green Mountain Energy Outdoor Ice Rink at Discovery Gree...

Of course, AstroWorld is the most iconic place that no longer exists, but there’s so many more! From restaurants to malls and even nightclubs, host Raheel Ramzanali takes a trip down memory lane with lead producer Dina Kesbeh and ESPN Houston radio host Lance Zierlein.  Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram  Have feed...

Surviving the sprawling city that is Houston can be challenging, but the City Cast Houston team is preparing you to survive it with these essential rules. Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to executive producer Dina Kesbeh, producer Carlignon Jones, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis about the best tips to help you thrive in H-Town!  Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our m...

How did one local South Asian restaurant go from barely surviving to serving thousands of people in one weekend? Aga’s Restaurant and Catering owner Shaukat Maredia joins Raheel to explain how they turned things around, dishes you need to try, and how they’re giving back to the community with their scholarship fund.  Check out Aga’s menu and order here Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up f...

Houston is a GREAT city, but the traffic and roads definitely cause a lot of stress for drivers. Host Raheel Ramzanali is doing a little therapy session about traffic with Houston sports radio legend John Granato Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to talk about the worst roads, worst freeways, areas to avoid, and so much more.  Follow John Granato on Twitter Looking for more Houston news?...

We’re so close to 2024, but we still have a couple of weeks left so we’re recapping the biggest stories of the year in H-Town. From the a new mayor to a heat dome that left us all in a sweat, it was a busy year. Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and dynamic media personality Antre’chelle Nova to get their picks of the biggest stories of the week and year!  Sca...

​​Friends and family are getting ready to visit you for winter break, but where are you going to take them?! Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on lead producer Dina Kesbeh and producer Carlignon Jones to help build out the ultimate visitors guide to Houston. From iconic places to most “Instagrammable”locations, the trio is helping you find places to take your guests!  ​​ ​​Segway Tours Of Houston...

As we start wrapping up 2023, we wanted to look back at the best things we ate this year. Host Raheel Ramzanali and Grundy, known as G, the food blogger behind Bless Tha Belly recap their culinary adventures around H-Town by picking their best burgers, desserts, and more!  Taqueria la Parrilla in Richmond Marguaex’s Drunken Lobster  Bistro Menil  Spring Branch Burger Shack  Athena’s Greek Kitchen ...

As we end the year, who is Houston’s person of the year? Host Raheel Ramzanali and producer AK Al-Moumen nominate a few people and breakdown their chances of winning the award. Plus, we have a new report highlighting the top cities Houstonians love to visit. And, we’re the duo is also talking about the never-ending construction, a new housing project that will help a lot of families, and more!  Wh...

When you think of court, you probably think of lawyers representing their clients. But, that’s usually not the case at the justice of peace courts on Preston Street. So, to better empower citizens, Judge Steve Duble is creating a new legal resource center that will better prepare self-representing litigants and hopefully lay the blueprint for other courts to deploy this resource.  More on the lega...

Channelview's residents have been impacted by cancer causing Benzene for years, but nothing was done about it. How did that happen? Plus, we recap Saturday’s runoff and how it’s impacting the Latino community in Houston. Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and Houston Chronicle reporter Marco Torres join host Raheel Ramzanali to recap the news from the week.  Channelview impacted by cancer causing...

Are you really going to risk ordering a gift online with all of these delivery delays?! Shop local instead and check out these great stores in Houston. Host Raheel Ramzanali is getting recommendations from Houston Chronicle reporter Brittanie Shey of the best local Houston stores for last minute holiday shopping. Kuhl-Linscomb  Whole Earth Provisions Cargo Vintage  Space City Collective  Perfume T...

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, it can be hard to find restaurants that are open on December 25. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined once again by Eric Sandler, food editor at CultureMap, to get his take on the best restaurants in Houston that are open on Christmas Day. From the best take-out spots to great places to splurge, we’ve got you covered on both traditional and non-traditional Christ...

Mayor Elect Whitmire is set to take office on January 1, 2024, but could this create a delay in a major billing issue for Houstonians? Plus, a Heights resident is fighting back against the city because of her front yard. Host Raheel Ramzanali is recapping those stories and more with Rice University journalist Brandi Smith. Houston Suburbs are growing fast Pumpkin biohazard  Latest on the bullet tr...

State Senator John Whitmire won Saturday’s runoff election over Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, but how different will the city look in 2024 under his guidance? Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Houston Landing reporters Tim Carlin and Paul Cobler to talk about the biggest changes we could see from the new mayor and a recap of the runoff election.  Read Paul Cobler’s work here Read Tim Carlin’s...

We all know Houston has terrible traffic, but you won’t believe how many hours we waste on the road. Plus, there’s some major drama going down in Fort Bend ISD with the retirement of their superintendent. Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz joins host Raheel Ramzanali to recap these stories and more to end the week here on City Cast Houston.  Featured stories: Find your polling place for tomorrow’s...

We’re ending 2023 with a bang by putting together our guide for things to do in December around H-Town. From restaurants to experiences, host Raheel Ramzanali, executive producer Dina Kesbeh, and producer Carlignon Jones are getting you ready to take full advantage of the final month of the year! Spots to check out this December! Houston Holiday Lights episode  Grace’s on Kirby Santa’s Wonderland ...

Finding the perfect date night dinner spot can be hard, but host Raheel Ramzanali is making it a bit easier by picking the top spots from Houston Chronicle food reporter Erica Cheng. From casual spots to upscale eateries, the duo are picking places for everyone!  Pop Stroke  Ebi Ebi Shrimp Roka Akor Bori Korean BBQ  Mico’s Chicken  Aga’s Restaurant  Nancy’s Hustle  Kim Shabu  Bistro Menil  Aladdin...

A group that stole more than $30k in donations has finally been caught and convicted, but you won’t believe how they did it. Plus, a local city council candidate is under fire from Houston’s LGBTQ+ community for a flyer she put out. And, Texas teachers are underpaid, but will anything change? Host Raheel Ramzanali and producer Carlignon Jones recap the biggest stories impacting Houston to start th...

For more than a year we’ve been hearing about residents being sent incorrect water bills and being stuck paying them. Now, there’s finally some reform in the works, but was it because of KPRC’s investigative reporter Amy Davis’ viral clip with Mayor Turner? Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Amy Davis and Houston Landing’s Matt Sledge to talk about why these incorrect water bills are creating a sh...

Social media is flooded with the most streamed musicians of the year, but who did we love as a city? Plus, an anchor in midtown is closing and that could mean good things for the rest of downtown. Houston Landing’s education reporter Asher Lehrer-Small and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz join host Raheel Ramzanali to recap those stories and more. Featured stories: Houston’s most streamed artist...