City Cast Houston

Today, in our weekly team chat, we’re tackling our favorite things to do this Fall season. Lead producer Dina Kesbeh talks about how Kemah Boardwalk becomes THE place to be in October; producer Carlignon Jones shares how her wardrobe changes the moment the leaves change color, and Brooke Lewis drops her favorite comfort food places to visit. Kemah Boardwalk Rooftop Cinema Club Pumpkin Patch Fall F...

Joshua Martin is the Youngest SGA President in history at the University of Houston after winning his freshman year on campus, and with that title he’s making big plans, including getting more students out to vote! With Election day stiffly approaching on November 8 and early voting kicking off October 24th, Joshua has started an initiative to get at least 2,000 students registered by the October...

Today, DJ, producer, journalist, and podcast host Donnie Houston is here to chat with producer Carlignon Jones about how he got to work with some of the biggest names in our city and just how he made a name for himself. Listen to the Donnie Houston podcast here You can also watch it on Youtube!  Follow him on Instagram and Twitter  @ImDonnieHouston! Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for...

American alligators, the kind that live in the Houston area came off the endangered species list in the 1990s. But now they're facing a whole new round of threats. Today, host Lisa Gray is joined by City Cast contributor Scott Solomon, biology professor at Rice University and alligator expert Cord Eversole to explain how you study an alligator next and what risks face the alligator population at B...

It's that time of the week where we look back at a weeks worth of news! Today, you'll hear a special shout out from our contributor Antrechelle Dorsey, host Lisa Gray talks about the state of the elections, lead producer Dina Kesbeh spotlights the Spring Branch ISD school that broke a losing streak and so much more. More on the inflation rates here More on the 7.5 million grant here More on Spring...

Houston spawns talent. (You’re welcome, world.) Today lead producer Dina Kesbeh will rave about Mo Amer, producer Carlignon Jones talks about Meghan Thee Stallions' love for our city, newsletter writer Brooke Lewis spot lights a special Gray's Anatomy star that happens to be from Houston, and host Lisa Gray shares the inspirational Karamo Brown. To enter the giveaway, be sure to email or text us y...

Today, we're bringing back one of our favorite episodes. The one where we talk about DJ Screw. In the early 90's, Houston hip-hop artist DJ Screw developed a sound called "chopped and screwed." It drew from artists he'd appreciated from a decade earlier – like DJ Glove, Ice T's DJ whose appearance on the movie Breakin' inspired him. Screw was not drawn by the rappers in that movie, nor the breakda...

Hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, and floods: Thinking about Houston's natural world can be stressful. But investing in nature not only makes our city more resilient against all those threats, it also boosts Houstonians' mental health. City Cast nature and ecology contributor Jaime Gonzalez is here talking with host Lisa Gray about how to get more of the goodness of nature in such an urban place. ...

It’s that time of the week where we dive into a weeks worth of news. Today, host Lisa Gray is joined by producer Carlignon Jones and Rachel Carlton, a report for America fellow for Community Impact Newspapers. They discuss the violence prevention conference at NRG, the mysterious case of a woman who was poisoned by a napkin, Serena Williams' retirement and so much more.  Napkin Poisoning A Final W...

If you’re looking to thrift on a budget or hunt for the latest designer items for half the cost, we’ve got it all covered. Today, producer Carlignon Jones shares the deal she scored on a designer wallet. Lead producer Dina Kesbeh highlights how Harwin is the place to shop for just about anything. And host Lisa Gray shares her favorite Estate Sale purchase.  Harwin Outlet Mall Estate Sales Family T...

The iconic Shamrock hotel was torn down decades ago, but its presence still looms large in Houston legend. It was filled with glitz, green glamour, and big stars; making it one of the biggest ritziest hotel and club that oil money could buy in the 1940s and fifties. Host Lisa Gray is with David Bush and Jim Parsons, the executive director and programs, director of preservation Houston to reminisce...

Today, Beekeeper Nicole Buergers, from Bee2Bee Honey Collective, responds to an episode we aired earlier this month called Why Houston’s Bees Are at War With Each Other, where we discussed environmentalists’ concerns for native bees. Nicole shares with host Lisa Gray about how Houston’s rich biodiversity has created the perfect environment for honeybees to thrive. The fun doesn't stop here! We've...

Charter schools, private schools, public schools and more! Houston, has so many options when it comes to schooling.. possibly more than any city in America. So how do you choose what’s best for your kids? Well, host Lisa Gray is here with City Cast contributor Evan Mintz to help you weigh your options and narrow things down.  The fun doesn't stop here! We've got even more Houston news here when yo...

It’s that time of the week where we dive into a weeks worth of news from around Houston. Today host Lisa Gray is joined by lead producer Dina Kesbeh and Bloomberg energy reporter Sergio Chapa. They’ll talk about how a Katy ISD police officer temporarily removed what some parents call a controversial book from the school library. And Dina and Sergio gush over Houston star Mo Amer’s new Netflix show...

This week, we dive into the best date night spots from around the city. Producer Carlignon Jones is a thrill seeker who convinces the team that go-karting around downtown Houston is an experience worth having. Newsletter writer Brooke Lewis will share her go-to first date ideas that offer both food and entertainment. Host Lisa Gray dishes her favorite intimate spot for a fancy night out. And, lead...

Lead producer Dina Kesbeh, who grew up in Alief, discusses the neighborhood with two of her high school classmates, Firas Abulawi and Christina Phan — and shouts out restaurants worth getting to know. Want more Houston news? Sign up for our morning newsletter here. We're on social media too! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram  You can also leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with yo...

Magnolias are a symbol of the Old South — but they’re also so much more. Lisa Gray talks with City Cast environmental contributor Jaime González about the trees’ past and future in Houston. Want to know more about magnolias? Here are a few resources: Magnolias and Pollination Magnolias, a symbol of the Old South, should we plant it? (One perspective) About Southern Magnolias Houston nicknames, inc...

Texas teachers are leaving the profession in droves, and to get a grip on the problem, the governor has appointed a task force. But we thought, why not ask former teachers why they left? So here’s a frank, emotional talk with two Houston-area women who recently left the job they used to love.  Searching for more Houston news? Sign up for our morning newsletter here. We're also on social media! Fol...

In this week’s Houston news: The Farmer’s Almanac chilling prediction; new developments in a 50-year-old serial-killer case; and how Megan Thee Stallion repped Houston (salty! hot!) on the Tonight Show. Contributor Olivia Flores Alvarez joins producer Carlignon Jones and host Lisa Gray to kick around the developments. More on The Farmer's Almanac here More on Megan Thee Stallion reppin' our city h...

Do you brunch? Even if you don't after you hear this episode we promise you'll walk away with a robust list of top brunch spots that you must try! Producer Carlignon Jones talks about the high bar set by Taste Bar for amazing mac and cheese, newsletter writer Brooke Lewis gushes about her love for the Breakfast Klub's fried chicken, host Lisa Gray convinces us of a salad at Local Foods that combin...

Rice University biologists Scott Egan and Scott Solomon describe the gorgeous, disgusting, and supremely weird lives of insects that grow inside oak galls. Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram  Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Learn more about your ad choic...

Houston is changing before our eyes — and nowhere more than downtown. Joining host Lisa Gray to discuss the radically different approaches architects have taken over the last 50 years are Stephanie Burritt, co-managing director of the architecture firm Gensler’s Houston office; and Raj Mankad, the Houston Chronicle’s op-Ed editor and a former managing editor of Cite, the magazine of the Rice Desig...

Divorce has never been an easy subject, but now with factors like the pandemic and new abortion rights laws in place - it seems to be getting even meaner. Host Lisa Gray talks with family lawyer Susan Myres about how all this plays out in a court of law!  Looking to check out the new restaurant mentioned in today's newscast? Here's the link to Pacha Nikkei On the hunt for more Houston news? Then s...

On Fridays, we look back at a weeks worth of news in Houston. Host Lisa Gray, lead producer Dina Kesbeh and cultural contributor Antréchelle Dorsey will talk about HISD's largest teacher raise, increased school security, the loss of Shasta VI and so much more. More on HISD teacher raises here More on Shasta VI here More on school security here More on Pearland Little League here Looking for more H...

How, in just a day, can you make your out-of-town friend understand what’s great about this place? The City Cast crew — Lisa Gray, Dina Kesbeh and Carlignon Jones — has loads of ideas. (Spoiler: Most involve food.) Food spots to take your pal from out-of-town:  Snooze  the Breakfast Klub We’re Dough  Cedars Native  Phil & Derek’s Turkey Leg Hut Luce Fadis Kasra Graces Chocolate Zeina  The Original...