City Cast Houston

Wasn’t e-commerce supposed to kill malls? Or the recession? Or COVID? Why do those havens for Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Build-a-Bear Workshop survive? City Cast architecture contributor Allyn West and Alexandra Lange, author of “Meet Me By the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall,” join host Lisa Gray to talk about ice rinks, mall walkers and food courts. More on Alexandra Lang's book here Wan...

Even before the pandemic, anxiety was rising among kids and teens — and now the Uvalde shooting is causing many Texas families to fear for children’s safety. Host Lisa Gray talks with mother Wafa Taiym; and with child psychologist Melissa Goldberg Mintz, author of the upcoming book “Has Your Child Been Traumatized? How To Know and What To Do To Promote Healing and Recovery.” More on Melissa Goldbe...

Today on City Cast Houston, host Lisa Gray speaks with Houstonian, Don Hartsell, founder and 1st Commissioner for the World Air League. He's organizing a first of its kind, a race of airships that will fly around the world, which is known as the World Sky Race. He envisions a race of blimps, dirigible, and Zeppelin. And it would include a stop in a Texas city, maybe Houston. We're talking with the...

It's Friday, which means it's that time of the week where we round up the news! One of Sylvester Turner’s top aides pleads guilty to a bribery charge. Homeland Security buses border-crossing migrants out of Texas — and to the wrong address in New York. FIEL Houston executive director Cesar Espinoza joins host Lisa Gray and producer Ferrill Gibbs — who says goodbye in this, his last episode on staf...

Alligators, ships, and water the color of chocolate milk: Can we talk about Buffalo Bayou? Happy Thursday everyone! On team chat today, the City Cast Houston crew talks about Buffalo Bayou - that life source of Houston touching so much of our daily lives. Listen in to discover so many cool things about it, like its boat tours, parks, hiking trails, and the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern where you can...

It's been 60 years since the Rice Stadium speech when John F. Kennedy announced the creation of NASA. And, it's been more than 50 years since Houston was the first word ever spoken on the moon. Today, we wonder: is Houston still “Space city?” Lisa Gray speaks with David Alexander, Director of The Rice Space Institute and Chair of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Aerospace Committee, about Houston...

Like pollinators everywhere, the bees native to the Houston area are struggling. Environmentalists say that’s in part due to honeybees, which came from Europe and often out-compete our homegrown species. As local honey and beekeeping grow in popularity, can a truce be reached? City Cast Houston environmental contributor Jaime González explains. More on Native bees of Harris County here Resources f...

Today, we are bringing back one of our favorite episodes. City Cast's velvet voice CEO David Plotz has a list of basic Houston questions, and he's using them to test host Lisa Gray and lead producer Dina Kesbeh's Htown knowledge. Want more Houston news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @CityCastHouston Not on social media? Then leave us...

It’s that time of the week where we look back at a weeks worth of news. Today, host Lisa Gray, lead producer Dina Kesbeh and Raj Mankad, editorial editor at the Houston Chronicle, are talking monkeypox, highway expansions, a blimp race and so much more.  More on monkeypox here More on unhygienic apartments here More on a blimp race here More on Beyonce's new album here Listen to our episode where...

It’s team-chat Thursday! Today, we are talking about all the great spots you can take your dog in Houston. Also! We are sharing some tips that, in this blistering heat, might help keep your dog safe from burning, dehydration and heat exhaustion. Join us! Also, you should check out Johnny Steele Dog Park- you might just catch host Lisa Gray there! (It's awesome.) Millie Bush Dog Park is the fantast...

Today, we're passing the mic on to you, our listeners. We have been asking y'all to call in and give us tips on ways to stay cool in Houston in this awful unbearable heat. And man did y'all deliver. Want more Houston news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @CityCastHouston Not on social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 71...

Today, we kick off an occasional series about Houston neighborhoods – this time, we're talking about West U. It's a small, upscale town entirely surrounded by Houston, and two proud West U. residents join the show today! City Cast contributor Evan Mintz, along with Houston writer Chris Cander, who has some spot-on descriptions of West U. in her brand new book, A Gracious Neighbor. (You should defi...

The oil companies' favorite option to fight global warming appears less and less viable. So, what now? Is carbon capture still a viable option? Is Houston's green energy future *screwed?* Today, on the podcast, Lisa Gray speaks to business contributor Loren Steffy, author and writer-at-large who explains all that is wrong with this current model in Houston, and abroad. Stay up to date with Houston...

Today, City Cast Houston features a bonus episode – it's our friends at the Houston Chronicle's podcast Texas Take! It's hosted by Quorum Report's Scott Braddock, along with Chronicle politics reporter Jeremy Wallace. Today, the two journalists break down the upcoming gubernatorial election – and just how tight the race may be. If you enjoy this episode (and we hope you do!) – make sure to find th...

It’s Friday again! That means we’ve got a week’s worth of news to catch up on. Host Lisa Gray, Producer Ferrill Gibbs and special guest Dr. Batoul Abuharb wrap up the week. Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Check out The Houston Palestine Film Festival Want more details on some of the story's mentioned in today's show? Look no further: Home testing makes predicting new COVID waves in T...

In its annual “Top States for Business” ranking, CNBC gave Texas an F for “Life, Health and Inclusion.” Join host Lisa Gray, lead producer Dina Kesbeh, producer Ferrill Gibbs and roving producer Carlignon Jones as they dissect this survey and discuss their own rankings for The Lone Star State. Want more Houston news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter here We’re also on Twitter!...

Houston we have a PROBLEM, and this time it's more than just the heat! A drought has started causing some major issues for our water system. Pipes are bursting all over the city, but that hasn't stopped Houstonians from increasing water usage. The Director of Drinking Water Operations for the City of Houston, Drew Molly, is here to tell us how our water system really works and how we can help decr...

This is not your average hot dog. Jacob Irving is a 16-year-old who started his own hot dog food trailer with the help of his parents. The inspiration behind it all was his grandfather, affectionally known as Pop Pop. He’s not only in the name of Jacob’s food trailer, Pop Pop’s Dandy Dog, but he’s also the guy behind a lot of the recipes and wisdom passed down. Today, Lisa Gray chats with the youn...

Houston’s record-breaking heat has been the talk of the town for months, and it seems there’s no end in sight. KPRC chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley explains why it’s so hot this year — and what it’ll take to break the heat wave. 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 o...

It's FRIDAY! Which means it's time to round out the week with some of Houston hottest news stories [weather pun intended]. Host Lisa Gray along with Lead Producer Dina Kesbeh and City Cast Contributor Antrechelle Dorsey chat about a few viral videos, Lizzo, and NASA's latest success. They top it off with a few moments of joy, one of which might just help you cool down in this record breaking heat....

This is the time of year for a good road trip. However, the temps have been so blistering, is it even worth doing? Are road trips even fun in this kind of weather? It's team chat Thursday! Today, the City Cast Houston crew breaks down the best road trip destinations far and near, with very special guest, roving producer Carlignon Jones. Looking for some near by summer fun? Check out some of the sp...

In a master planned community in Cypress, a couple named Kathleen and George Rowe have been feeding the ducks behind their house for years now. But recently, their homeowner's association filed suit against them for a penalty that could amount to $250,000, if they don't stop feeding. Will it be enough for the couple – who really love to feed their ducks – to stop? Today, the Houston Chronicle’s Re...

Houston has one of the best food scenes in America, but inflation is hitting prices hard. Still, there are deals to be had — and City Cast cultural contributor Olivia Flores Alvarez has hunted them down. Today, she describes seven great lunch deals under $15. Treebeards, four locations La Carreta, the Heights Champ Burgers, Second Ward D’Amico’s Italian Market Cafe, Rice Village Zydeco Louisiana D...

Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, not many smaller companies seem willing to announce public support for their employees who seek an abortion. However, in Houston, the law firm AZA has not shied away from it – even as the conservative group Texas Freedom Caucus sent a letter to a similar firm in Dallas threatening litigation. On behalf of AZA is attorney Jane Robinson, who explains to Lisa about...

It’s a Friday News Roundup! Each Friday, we talk about the most important Houston news stories of the week. Today, Lisa is joined by producer Ferrill Gibbs and City Cast contributor A.K. Al-Moumen. They cover everything from the Brittney Griner trial, NASA’s newly-set sights on the moon (Houston is *still* Space City!), Ken Paxton’s State Bar struggles, and those creepy dolls that washed ashore ne...