City Cast Houston

Houston’s packed with so many things to see and do, sometimes you’ve got to play tourist in your own town. And now that the weather’s cooling down (just a little), it’s the perfect time to start crossing that off your Houston bucket list. Host Raheel Ramzanali, producer Carlignon Jones, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis share the must-do experiences they’re adding to theirs — and we w...

We’re all feeling the financial pressures of today’s economy. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is getting some great budget bites around the city from Culture Map Houston’s editor Eric Sandler. Plus, Raheel has a hot take on a new viral ice cream that might get Bluebell lovers in an uproar. And, what is going on with James Harden’s restaurant?!  Places we talked about on today’s show:  Loro’s Happy Hour ...

Houston’s annual count of our homeless population shows a troubling trend. And now, our city just ranked first in the country for the highest poverty rate. What’s going on?! Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking with Rebecca Schuetz, housing reporter for the Houston Chronicle, about what’s being done by the city to reduce homelessness. Plus, what happens when the fire truck’s too big for the station, a...

Last month, local journalists with the Houston Chronicle and The Texas Newsroom revealed that Elon Musk and a Texas Congressman are quietly pitching a plan to build tunnels under Houston, apparently to ease flooding. It would cost $760 million. It’s part of a playbook from so-called “Tesla” tunnels in other cities like Las Vegas and Nashville. So Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Dayvid Figler, host...

Meltdowns at commissioners court, a hotel workers’ strike, and a new investigation into building in the floodplain— it’s another busy week in Houston! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Chron.com’s trending news reporter Faith Bugenhagen and conservative commentator Charles Blain to unpack why Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo abruptly walked out of budget talks, what the Hilton Americas strike mea...

Houston isn’t the easiest place to find love — a recent study ranked us 33rd for dating, factoring in cost, activities, and more. But a new trend could change the dating scene in H-Town. Host Raheel Ramzanali chats about it with two of our fave singles — Houston influencer Shawn the Food Sheep and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis. Places and people we talked about in our show:  Houston H...

Your go-to bar or restaurant says a lot about you, especially in Montrose! Host Raheel Ramzanali and executive producer Laura Isensee are welcoming back the creator of the popular Montrose meme account @⁠montrosecellectuals⁠ to get his take on some of the newest hotspots, plus some beloved classics. Spoiler alert: He listens … and judges! Places we talked about on today’s show:  ⁠Phoenix on Westhe...

Houston’s great bike lane drama rolls on. Newly released texts show Mayor John Whitmire was paying more attention to his inside circle — not public safety data — when he began to remove the Austin Street bike lanes in Midtown. Host Raheel Ramzanali breaks that down with ABC-13 reporter Shannon Ryan and looks at how the biking community plans to protest by “going commando.” Plus, is Judge Lina Hida...

Houston lost 30,000 jobs over the summer and now Conoco Phillips announcing major layoffs, making the local job market tough. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Juliet Stipeche, executive director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, about how hard it is get a job right now in Houston, how to make your application stand out, and other advice to land your next gig. Resources to help you in the j...

It’s been a hard week in Houston since 11-year-old Julian Guzman was shot while playing an age-old prank called ding-dong ditch in east Houston. Host Raheel Ramzanali brings on Evan Mintz, editor of opinion at the Houston Chronicle, and Maggie Gordon, senior storytelling editor at Straight Arrow News, to talk about what this crime means for kids’ safety in Houston. Plus, they breakdown the latest...

Houston has a lot of great things about it, but finding places to hang out is not one of them. Why is that? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Regina Lankenau, a columnist for the Houston Chronicle's opinion desk, and executive producer Laura Isensee about why it’s a struggle to find informal community spaces in Houston, and how we can fix that. Plus, some of our own favorite hangout spots!  Stor...

From food trucks to fancy restaurants and everything in between, Houston has tacos for all occasions, at every hour, day or night. So it’s a tough task to pick the absolute best, but luckily, we’re friends with Chron.com’s taco columnist Marco Torres. He’s giving host Raheel Ramzanali the insider’s guide to the top five tacos right now in Houston.  Check out the places we talked about on today’s s...

Do you feel that? It’s the weather slowly, but surely, getting a bit cooler. That means we can head outside more and do more fun things in H-Town. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is getting you ready with a curated guide featuring insider tips for the month with producer Carlignon Jones and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis on what to do, what stories to know, and where to eat in September!  Wa...

We’re heading into the long weekend, but not before breaking down the biggest stories from the week. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by political insider Rafael Lemaitre to break down what exactly is happening with Harris County’s budget deficit. Plus, how one politician is pushing for Elon Musk’s Boring Co. flood tunnel project. And, why teachers are taking HISD to court. Stories we talked about...

Look, we LOVE Houston, but we also have some complaints about our city. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on local business owner and the voice of the streets KB Brown to air out our pettiest Houston gripes. Plus, we dig into a few of the 500+ grievances Houstonians left on reddit.  Want to see all 500+ petty gripes from the Houston subreddit? Check it out here.  Learn more about the sponsors...

Houston’s Caribbean population is small, but is making a huge impact on the culinary scene. On today’s show, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to James Beard Award-winning food and travel journalist and Senior Editor at eater, Kayla Stewart about where to go to get the best Caribbean food in H-Town. From classics like jerk chicken to fusion dishes blending Houston influences with island vibes, thes...

Today on City Cast Houston, host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by ABC13 reporter Pooja Lodhia to talk about how the state’s new proposed congressional maps that are on Governor Abbott's desk will impact Houston. Plus, they’re breaking down how a former detention officer was caught running a Facebook Marketplace scam, and they say goodbye to a legendary Houston gem. Stories we talked about on today’s...

It’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and in a time of crisis, Houstonians stepped up. Today on the show, host Raheel Ramzanali talks with former Houston Mayor Bill White about how his administration responded. Plus, author Kionna Walker LeMalle shares her story of evacuating New Orleans and what she’s learned about trauma, grief, and healing.  Stories we talked about o...

It’s Friday so host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking down the big news from the week with the best and brightest journalists from the city. Today, he’s joined by Gwen Howerton, Chron.com’s Texas Culture Reporter and the Houston Chronicle’s religion reporter Haajrah Gilani to talk about the latest from Governor Abbott’s second special session and court rulings on displaying the Ten Commandments in publ...

Houston was named one of the best cities for Gen Z, but how does it fare for other generations today? Host Raheel Ramzanali is debating with producer Carlignon Jones and Houston Public Media’s Jim Kovacik about which generation has it best in H-Town. From cost of living to dating, each person makes a case why Houston is best for them.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  Texas ranked No. 1 d...

Houston has been building its national reputation as a foodie city, but some of our top-rated and longtime restaurants are closing down. What’s going on?! Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Culture Map Houston’s editor Eric Sandler about what’s behind the closures and what it means for chefs and restauranteurs in the future.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  Top-rated Houston restaurant...

Houston’s award-winning food scene features a ton of great dishes, but picking one is hard! So, today we’re drafting our ultimate Houston food plate with host Raheel Ramzanali, producer Carlignon Jones, Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis, and executive producer Laura Isensee. This draft is a full-on battle where each person will draft an appetizer, two sides, an entree, and a dessert from...

Texas Democrats are back in Austin for Gov. Greg Abbott’s second special session, but guess who’s weighing in on redistricting? One hint: “Hasta la vista, baby!” Plus, there’s a new app for Houstonians to track train traffic, but City Cast Houston host Raheel Ramzanali is still frustrated. Find out why as he breaks down these stories and more with Chron.com’s trending news reporter Faith Bugenhage...

After more than 15 years, our beloved TV show “King of the Hill” is back with a new season. Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Kate Sánchez, founder of the pop culture website "But Why Tho?", to talk about if the revival does the original justice, their favorite moments, and if it’s the greatest TV show ever about Texas.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  REVIEW: ‘King Of The Hill’ Seaso...

There are wild stories, and then there’s Trump Burger. Host Raheel Ramzanali teams up with conservative commentator Charles Blain and executive producer Laura Isensee to unpack the week’s biggest headlines — from the latest twists in the Trump Burger saga to the redistricting showdown between Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Democrats. Plus, they share the moments that brought them the most joy this wee...