City Cast Houston

Things get emotional as host Raheel Ramzanali, media personality Antre’chelle Nova, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz breakdown Judge Lina Hidalgo mental health leave, Travis Scott coming back to the city to perform, the looming childcare shortage, and more. It’s time to recap all the biggest stories from the week! Stay in touch with Evan Mintz  and Antre’chelle Nova by following them on Twit...

Yes, wasps look scary and our first instinct is to kill them, but Rice biology professor Scott Solomon is here to change your mind on wasps. Lead producer Dina Kesbeh talks to professor Solomon about why we need wasps around our houses, the different types of wasps around the city, and so much more! Read the latest from Scott Solomon Monkey on the loose Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up...

Healthy food doesn’t have to be boring food! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Houston food blogger Shawn the Food Sheep to get his top spots for healthy food around H-Town. From best salads to a vegan spot that you need to try ASAP, we have it all for those of you who are ready to put down the cheeseburgers and pickup a smoothie. Try these spots to make your next diet a breeze: Mamaka Bowls - Ac...

Houston news never stops so host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on producer Carlignon Jones to recap stories you might’ve missed from the weekend and start of the week. From an update on HISD to the city not backing down from Food Not Bombs, we’re recapping it all. Plus, our rapid fire section will have you laughing and excited about the future of our area. Featured stories: Houston re-filing dismis...

The Houston Independent School District has gone through significant changes, some extremely contentious that have gained backlash from Mayor Sylvester Turner. So, why have these changes brought on so much controversy? To recap it all, lead producer Dina Kesbeh chats with Houston Landing reporters Asher Lehrer-Small and Miranda Dunlap. HISD receives backlash  HISD restructures their power Special...

It’s Friday, which means it’s time to dive into the hottest news stories of the week! The tea was hot this week and producer Carlignon Jones, Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz, and lead producer Dina Kesbeh have some hot takes on it! From HISD trying to hire uncertified teachers to the Lizzo lawsuit, we’re unpacking it all! Featured stories: HISD seeks to hire uncertified teachers Houston ranked...

Summer is winding down, but before you start planning your back-to-school shopping and prep, join host Raheel Ramzanali, lead producer Dina Kesbeh and producer Carlignon Jones as they share their must do last minute summer adventures. End your summer by trying out these adventures: Break Life Houston   Angel Pines Safari Astros Tickets Hamilton Pool Houston Dynamo Tickets San Marcos Premium Outlet...

Houston has an incredibly underrated coffee scene, but with so many places to choose from, it can be overwhelming. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Bianca Carol, creator of @HoustonCoffeeBlogger, to get her best recommendations for drinks, shops, and more! Check out these recommendations: Blendin Coffee Club  Latte at Catalina Coffee Iced cold brew – Grinder’s Coffee Siphon style method- S...

Host Raheel Ramzanali and lead producer Dina Kesbeh want to make sure you’re caught up on all things H-Town so today they’re recapping some stories you might’ve missed. From a new investigation regarding inmate violence at Harris County Jail to Houstonians hibernating during the summer, the duo recap it all. Food Not Bombs Volunteer Trial Harris County Jail investigation AstroWorld Report Houston...

Jugging and slider crimes are on the rise across Houston, but how can we protect ourselves from becoming victims? 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 sign up for our morni...

Get ready for the hottest of hot takes from host Raheel Ramzanali regarding the Houston Oilers uniform drama. Then, Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and media personality Antréchelle Nova help recap the news from the week featuring stories about the HISD Zoom rooms, the cost of renting, dry snitching in the Texas A&M system, and more! Zoom Room examination Mayor Turner not happy with changes at...

Did you know you could book a recording studio with your Houston Public Library card?! Yeah, we definitely didn’t know that was possible. Host Raheel Ramzanali is helping you unlock the full power of your library card with tips from Houston Public Library’s assistant director of customer experience Roberto Zapata. Learn more about Houston Public Library resources by clicking here. Featured story:...

Zombie oil wells are wrecking havoc on the environment, but what exactly are they and why isn’t anybody stepping up to stop the damage? Longtime Texas energy reporter Loren Steffy joins host Raheel Ramzanali to explain why zombie oil wells are impacting us now, who is responsible, and what we can do to stop further damage to the environment. Read more about Zombie Wells here Looking for more Houst...

Ice cream is a great way to cool down during the Houston heat, but the game is changing and we’re moving on from just the basic chocolate and vanilla scoops. Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Marissa Fiala, the creator of the popular @HoustonHotSpots account, to get her top spots for the best ice cream in Houston. Houston Hot Spots  Craft Creamery Booza Creamistry Cosmic Ice Cream The Dough Con...

Last week a whistleblower came forward to describe the inhumane conditions that migrants were facing as they crossed the Texas-Mexico boarder, but these conditions aren’t new. Cesar Espinosa, executive director at FIEL Houston, joins host Raheel Ramzanali to breakdown what migrants are facing at the boarder, how policy is impacting our immigration crisis, and how Houstonians can help.  Migrants fa...

Are we traveling less as Houstonians? Plus, is there a new energy source on the horizon that could help us generate cleaner power? From illegal campaign donations to HISD changing the teacher salary structure, Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and writer Shiyam Galyon join host Raheel Ramzanali to break down all the news impacting Houston. Featured Stories: HISD teacher pay change Some HISD teach...

Picking the right snack at HEB can be overwhelming because of their huge selection. So, today we’re bringing in Emily Meghill, the creator of @HEBobsessed on Instagram, to join producer Carlignon Jones, newsletter editor Brooke Lewis, and host Raheel Ramzanali to pick their favorite Texan HEB snack, best poolside HEB snack, best HEB snacks for kids, and more! Get more HEB snack tips from Emily by...

It’s been a quiet hurricane season thus far, but it only takes one major storm to change that lucky streak. Host Raheel Ramzanali is taking this quiet time to get hurricane ready by bringing on ABC-13 meteorologist Elyse Smith to get tips on what you need to do now to prepare your home and items you should buy now before a storm hits. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Looking f...

Does the perfect taco exist? Well, it’s not a secret that we have an abundance of taco joints to choose from, but where can we get the best taco? We call on the taco king Marco A. Torres, the Taco Columnist at the Houston Chronicle, to take us on a tour through the city one taco at a time. Best Tacos Spots Taconazo (4003 Fulton Street) Alamo Tamale & Taco (809 Berry Road) Inside the loop Tacos Bom...

A new investigation by the Houston Chronicle found that the Houston Police Department is responding to high priority calls at the slowest rates in decades. So, why is this happening and what can be done to improve these response times especially in communities that need it the most? Today on City Cast Houston, investigative reporter Mike Morris joins host Raheel Ramzanali to talk about his latest...

A lot happened this week in Houston so host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and writer Shiyam Galyon to recap the biggest news stories from the week. From fecal matter in our beaches to why Texas is dropping in lists when it comes to business, the trio is breaking it all down on today’s episode. Featured stories: Texas is declining in business  Exxon officially m...

Throw up your H because it’s 713 Day! There’s no hiding the fact that we really love H-Town so today host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on producer Carlignon Jones, lead producer Dina Kesbeh, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to talk about things they love about Houston and misconceptions they want to change. News story: Cyclospora cases on the rise Looking for more Houston news? Then...

Houston was ranked as the 12th hardest place to live for people with allergies by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Host Raheel Ramzanali is chatting with Jessica Rajan, M.D., FACAAI, FAAAAI Board Certified Allergist, Immunologist, and founder of Bellaire Allergy and Asthma about why allergies are so bad in Houston, how you can survive pollen season, and a forgotten indoor allergy that...

Tired of eating fast food as your late night meal when you’re heading home from a fun event in Houston? On today’s episode, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Houston writer Olivia Flores Alvarez to get her list of the best late-night spots you need to try around the city after a fun night out. Check out these spots on your next late night out! Shipley Do-Nuts on Westheimer  Frank’s Pizza  Dot C...

Bzzzz! Bzzzz! Nothing says summer like Houston mosquitoes buzzing by your face, but could we be in for some relief when it comes to these pests? Host Raheel Ramzanali talks to Scott McGrath, owner of McGrath Pest Control, about how an unlikely source could be the reason we see less mosquitoes this summer and what other summer pests could be invading your home.  Hottest ZIP codes in the USA  Housto...