City Cast Houston

Today on City Cast Houston, over 100 people have died from the Texas floods, raising questions if the scale of this tragedy could have been prevented. Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with columnist Chris Tomlinson about why he believes state leaders ignored warnings of worsening flood risks. Plus, former camper Rachel Kherkher shares what made Camp Mystic so magical —  and how she’s trying to help upl...

It’s been one year since Hurricane Beryl hit Houston and knocked out power for millions. In the aftermath, state leaders and local lawmakers blasted CenterPoint for multiple failures, from its outage tracker, to delayed power restoration, and generators that never turned on. But, did our leaders hold CenterPoint accountable? Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with Claire Hao, energy and power grid report...

Historic rainfall in the Texas Hill Country over the July Fourth weekend killed at least 67 people statewide. Some of the missing are from the Greater Houston area, including some young girls from the sleep-away camp, Camp Mystic. With state leaders promising a “relentless” search and federal assistance on the way, host Raheel Ramzanali and executive producer Laura Isensee talked on Sunday to brin...

Raheel Ramzanali and all 12 other City Cast podcast hosts (from Austin, Boise, Chicago, DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Salt Lake City) compete head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown to answer the question that’s been burning up our company-wide Slack for weeks: which city is the best for a summer weekend trip? From naked bike rides to ‘the country’s be...

Houston’s barbecue joints keep winning awards, but with so many places to visit, it can be overwhelming. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is calling on Patrick Feges, co-owner and pitmaster of Feges BBQ, for his top picks from Houston’s barbecue scene, from brisket to fusion.  Don’t miss our 713 Day Pre-Party at Saint Arnold Brewing on July 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This event is free, but please RSVP here....

It may be hot and sticky outside, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make this month the best July ever in H-Town! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis and producer Carlignon Jones to give you insider recommendations on the best ways to stay cool, where to take out-of-town guests, and of course, where to eat!  Want more great food recommendations? Check out our...

A new investigation in the Houston Chronicle found that Houston police called ICE on woman after she called 911 for domestic abuse. So, is HPD working with ICE despite Mayor Whitmire saying they aren’t?  Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with Sam González Kelly, one of the Houston Chronicle reporters on that investigation, and Maria Espinosa of FIEL, the largest immigrant-led civil rights organization i...

It’s Friday so we’re breaking down the biggest news in H-Town. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Faith Bugenhagen, trending news reporter at Chron.com, and Maggie Gordon, senior storytelling editor at Straight Arrow News, to talk about the next steps in the THC ban after Governor Abbott vetoed Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s bill, the rise in deaths at Harris County Jail, why your recycling isn’t getting...

It’s Beyonce weekend here in H-Town as Queen B takes over NRG for her Cowboy Carter tour. So, Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Dr. Alicia Odewale, National Geographic MasterClass professor, about how Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album spotlights Black cowboy culture and how we can celebrate it in Houston.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 26th episode: Visit Navasota Jones Dairy Farm A.D....

Host Raheel Ramzanali is hanging out with his friend Eric Sandler, editor of CultureMap Houston, talking about all of the big food news in Houston. From throwing shade at the cost of fajitas to discussing the true impact of food awards, Raheel and Eric are talking about it all. Plus, their favorite summer foods and a new restaurant from an OG Houston chef you have to try.  Places and stories we ta...

Since the 1970s, Montrose has been Houston’s neighborhood for artists, musicians, bohemians, and so much more. Basically, it’s the cool neighborhood. But, with rent going up and more upscale boutiques, is Montrose still MONTROSE? Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Quinn Bishop, co-owner of Cactus Music, and executive producer Laura Isensee to talk about how Montrose became the heart of Houston’s c...

Earlier this month, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker announced she’s running for Harris County Judge in 2026. And today she’s sitting down with host Raheel Ramzanali to talk about why she’s getting back into local politics. They discuss where Parker thinks Harris County has fallen short, if she’s talked to incumbent Lina Hidalgo, and how she would address challenges like flooding and affordable...

City Cast hosts are on the pulse of what's happening in our communities. So Raheel Ramzanali and all 12 other hosts sat down with City Cast CEO David Plotz to talk about creative local problem solving that might work in your hometown too and to commiserate about stressors affecting most of our cities, from unaffordable housing to bike lanes. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 20th episode:...

Montrose is home to some of the hottest restaurants and bars in H-town. Whether you’re planning a fancy dinner or a weekend brunch or a night of cocktails in between, host Raheel Ramzanali is getting recommendations from Emma Balter, senior editor at Texas Monthly. Plus, they dig into some delicious bites at ChòpnBlọk! Places and stories we mentioned on today’s show:  ⁠Black Hole Coffee Shop⁠ ⁠Cho...

Today on City Cast Houston, host Raheel Ramzanali talks with Faith Bugenhagen, trending news reporter at Chron.com, about the new contract and big raise for HISD’s state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles. And, you better slow down on Interstate 45 and U.S. 59 because Houston police are cracking down on speeding and reckless driving. Plus, Houstonians vent their frustrations about The Galleria, a...

Buying a whole-home generator has become a trend in Houston, especially after multiple power outages during Hurricane Beryl and other disasters. Today on City Cast Houston, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking with Texas Monthly’s senior writer Michael Hardy about why he installed one for his Heights home, what he learned along the way, and why Houston has a growing “generator divide.” Read more about...

It’s Friday so we’re recapping the week that was in Houston. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by attorney and education advocate Monica Flores Richart and political commentator Rafael Lemaitre to talk about Texas Under Trump with a look the latest methods ICE is using to detain undocumented residents, how politicians are creating fear ahead of this weekend’s protests, and more. Plus, they’re breaki...

Houston isn’t just about the Loop — the city stretches deep into the suburbs. But which one is the best? We’re settling that debate with a good old-fashioned suburb showdown. Host Raheel Ramzanali is repping his beloved Richmond. Meagan Clanahan, co-owner of HoustonMoms.com, is making the case for one of our OG suburbs, Katy. And longtime Pearland resident Phil Jacob, executive director at The Buc...

Nothing says summer like chilling in the shade with a cold margarita. And with those hot summer days coming, we’re giving you the best margaritas to enjoy around H-Town! Producer Carlignon Jones is getting recommendations from Sofia Gonzalez, food and travel editor at Houstonia Magazine. From frozen to on the rocks, this episode will get you ready to soak up everything Houston’s margarita scene ha...

Montrose has so much to offer from restaurants and bars to museums and local shops. But it’s actually hard to walk around what should be one of Houston’s most walkable neighborhoods. A project to overhaul Montrose Boulevard was supposed to help fix that — until Mayor John Whitmire stepped in. Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with Houston Public Media’s Dominic Anthony Walsh about why the project got po...

It’s been almost four years since 10 people died and hundreds of others were hurt at the Astroworld Festival, and now Netflix is releasing a new documentary, Trainwreck: the Astroworld Tragedy, explaining how this tragic event could’ve been avoided. Host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking it down with Jose Partida, an Astroworld concertgoer, and Zach Despart, journalist at the Texas Tribune who was part...

It’s Friday so we’re breaking down the biggest stories of the week that impacted YOU. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Abby Church, city hall reporter at the Houston Chronicle, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz to talk about the drama surrounding Mayor Whitmire’s budget passing, the extension of the state’s takeover of HISD, big takeaways from the 89th State Legislature, and some big career...

You don’t have to spend money to have a good time in H-Town! Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Houston content creator Shawn the Food Sheep about the best free things to do this summer in Houston. From world-class art to free concerts, Shawn’s recommendations will help you plan the perfect free day for families, friends, and even your significant other! Places we talked about on today’s show:  C...

We’re talking food with Chron.com’s food reporter Erica Cheng! First, host Raheel Ramzanali and Erica have some hot takes regarding the Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joints list and bbq in general. Then, is Chick-Fil-A about to change the way we consume fast food? Plus, Erica explains what a Chinese tamale is! Stories and places we talked about today:  ⁠⁠Eight Houston-area barbecue restaurants make Tex...

Montrose is arguably the coolest neighborhood in Houston, and today we have the popular Montrose meme account, @montrosecellectuals, giving us a guide to the perfect and wildest day in Montrose. Help us grow the show by sharing this episode with three of your friends who live in, or LOVE, Montrose because we’ll be focusing on the neighborhood once a week throughout June. ⁠Follow @Montrosecellectua...