City Cast Houston

From extravagant displays to decade old neighborhood traditions, Houston has some of the best holiday lights in the state. Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Justin Lacey from the Houston Botanic Garden to get you ready to check out the best holiday lights around Houston. Links: Radiant Nature at the Houston Botanic Garden Locations of all the places we talked about Looking for more Houston news...

What’s your favorite style of pizza, New York, deep dish, pan style, Italian? How do you like your pizza, stone oven, baked, round or square? Do you know what Detroit style is? Well Houston has got you covered, there is a pizza style for any taste palate. Even for you pizza haters out there like our very own producer Carlignon Jones, we bet that after listening to lead producer Dina Kesbeh, produc...

Early voting has started for the runoff elections on December 9th and we have some early poll numbers regarding who the next mayor will be in Houston. Plus, there was a major oil spill in the region, but nobody talked about it. And you won’t believe how much damage a pack of stray dogs caused in Cypress! Host Raheel Ramzanali and executive producer Dina Kesbeh recap these stories and more on today...

If you’ve been to a big grocery store in the last month or so then you’ve noticed the thousands of black birds all around you. So, what are these black birds and why are they taking over?! Rice professor Cin-Ty Lee joins host Raheel Ramzanali to answer all of our questions about those loud black birds we see everywhere across Houston.  Learn more about Professor Lee Learn more about grackles  Inte...

What Thanksgiving traditions do you have? Host Raheel Ramzanali is chatting with producer Carlignon Jones and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis about their favorite traditions, sides, and much more in our pre-Thanksgiving day chat!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagr...

It might be a slower week in the city with people taking off from work, but the big stories are still working! Host Raheel Ramzanali and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis recap the latest like why state leaders are focused on school vouchers instead of uninsured kids, Houston getting labeled as the “cockroachiest” city, a local meteorologist retiring changing our perspective on time, and...

As we all hit the Texas roadways this week, we can help end the deadly streak of at least one death a day on Texas roadways. Danny Perez, public information officer for the Texas Department of Transportation, joins host Raheel Ramzanali to talk about ways we can drive safer and a look at the new I-45 expansion project set to start in 2024. Learn more about TxDOT’s #EndTheSteakTX campaign  North Ho...

Is host Raheel Ramzanali too old for a grill? Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz gives his opinion on this pressing question to start the show and then the duo jump into the news. From a public condemnation of the DA to a watchdog stepping down for criticizing ERCOT, here are the biggest stories from the week that impacted H-Town. Featured stories: Sean Teare out raises Kim Ogg  Harris County Jail...

As we make our way to big stores with big parking lots, we need to take steps to prevent becoming victims of jugging and slider crimes. Houston Police Department Sergeant Jeremy Lahar joins host Raheel Ramzanali to explain the steps you can take to protect yourself and what to do if you’re a victim of these crimes. Learn more about Jeremy Lahar  HPD safety tips  Looking for more Houston news? Then...

More and more restaurants are starting to stay open on Thanksgiving, but where should you go if you don’t want to cook? Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Eric Sandler, food editor at CultureMap, to get his recommendations of the best restaurants in Houston that are open on Thanksgiving. From best traditional spot to an epic splurge, the duo are picking some delicious spots for you.  Full list o...

From a new expansion project that will make traffic a nightmare in downtown to a major ruling over a century later, host Raheel Ramzanali and producer Carlignon Jones catch you up on the biggest stories impacting our city. Plus, Raheel talks about his biggest gym fear that will for sure make you laugh. Featured stories: I-45 expansion project Jimbo Fisher fired  Camp Logan soldiers receive justice...

Health insurance renewal season is here and we all have questions! Host Raheel Ramzanali is going to help answer those questions by talking to Emily Trevino, managing partner at Wise Insurance, about the different types of insurances, common mistakes to avoid, and a free tool we should all be using when comparing health insurances before renewal season.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? L...

Election week is over, but the runoff races are just starting. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Houston Landing’s civic engagement reporter Tim Carlin to recap the biggest stories from election night and observations heading into the runoff for key races. Plus, the duo recap some overlooked stories and find some joy in the news cycle. Featured stories: Election Returns  Tim Carlin’s work The Q-P...

From incredible parks to stunning views of downtown, there are so many cool places to propose at in Houston. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on longtime Houston photographer Zia Ahmed, owner of Aventography, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to get their picks of the best spots in H-Town to pop the big question. Thinking about popping the big question? Check out these spots! McG...

It was an eventful Election Day in Houston and host Raheel Ramzanali highlights important outcomes. Plus, we’re talking the best ice cream spots around Houston with Marissa Fiala, the creator of the popular @HoustonHotSpots account. Election Results City Controller race heads to runoff Houston Hot Spots  Craft Creamery Booza Creamistry Cosmic Ice Cream The Dough Cone Flower and Cream Milk & Sugar...

It’s finally here, Election Day! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Houston Landing’s political writer Paul Cobler for one last chat about the race for mayor. From the key candidates to what outcome is most likely, Paul is breaking it all down. The duo also recap the candidates for city controller, key amendments, and what to expect out at the polls. Learn more below! Election Guide  Read Paul’s w...

As we get closer to winter, is our grid ready to handle all the power we’ll need to heat our homes? Texas energy reporter Loren Steffy joins host Raheel Ramzanali to talk about how ERCOT is preparing to avoid blackouts on the coldest days of the year and why our grid still isn’t fixed.  Read Loren’s work in Texas Monthly here Check out Loren’s novels here The grid is not fixed Interested in advert...

It’s Friday and that means we’re recapping the biggest stories of the week. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by media personality Antre'chelle Nova and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz to talk about an HISD student who went missing, how gentrification has claimed another business, a new research facility in the Medical Center, and more! Featured stories: State officials meeting with Harris County...

Former Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins is running for city controller and has been campaigning for almost two years for the position. So, what’s it like on the campaign trail for a local election? Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Chris to talk about the ups and downs of running for office while balancing a family and what changes he would make to level the playing field for future candidates....

Deets Hoffman, owner and founder of Leaf & Grain, has been on a mission to find the best sandwiches around Houston as he created his restaurant’s new sandwich menu. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Deets to pick his brain about the best sandwiches around Houston before we celebrate National Sandwich Day on November 3, 2023!  Central Market’s Cali Connect  Local Foods Truffled Egg Salad Nie...

Well, it’s official, Houstonians have really bad commutes. Plus, we’re getting a new area code so we’re judging all of the other existing ones as well. And, things got heated in Austin regarding a new immigration bill and how it would impact Houston. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by special guest Reginald Smith Jr. from the Houston Grand Opera’s newest production Falstaff to recap the biggest st...

There are 14 amendments to the Texas constitution on this year’s ballot. From property tax relief to funding new state parks, Houston Landing staff writer Tim Carlin joins host Raheel Ramzanali to breakdown the key propositions for you before you head out to the polls. Learn more about whats on the ballot by reading the articles below: Read Tim’s work on Houston Landing The numbers behind Prop 4 C...

Dusty Baker is calling it a career, but does that mean the Astros window to win a title is closing? Plus, we all know Beyoncé is popular, but you won’t believe how popular she is when it comes to the economic impact of her tour. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Houston Chronicle writer Marco Torres and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz to talk about the biggest stories of the week. News from ar...

As the siege on Gaza continues and pro-Palestine protests continue in Houston, what impact do international events have on the city? Lead producer Dina Kesbeh talks to University of Houston professor Dr. Abdel Razzaq Takriti, Dr. Daniel Cohen, history professor at Rice University specializing in Israel and Palestine, and activist Hannah Thalenberg from Jewish Voice for Peace Houston about the loca...

Are you ready to go on an H-Town taco road trip? Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by the taco king Marco A. Torres, also the Taco Columnist at the Houston Chronicle, to get his best picks of the tacos you need to try across the entire city! Best Tacos Spots Taconazo (4003 Fulton Street) Alamo Tamale & Taco (809 Berry Road) Inside the loop Tacos Bomberos (2206 Edwards Street, Holler Brewing @ Sawyer...