When the Galleria opened just before Thanksgiving in 1970, it changed how the country viewed shopping malls. It was massive, completely air conditioned, and away from downtown – it was designed to be its own destination spot. Now, over fifty years later, the Galleria isn't just existing, it might still be thriving. Today on City Cast Houston, the team chats about the Galleria and what it has meant to Houston throughout the years. Here's City Cast Houston's Website - sign up for the podcast and t...
Apr 14, 2022•18 min
In 2018 Lina Hidalgo shocked pretty much everyone in the world by winning an upset election to become Harris County's county judge -- basically, the chief executive of a county with a population larger than Louisiana's. She was 27 years old then, an immigrant from Colombia who'd never held public office before. She ran promising to clean up the way that Harris County does business. But this week, a Harris County grand jury indicted three of Hidalgo's aides on charges related to an $11 million co...
Apr 13, 2022•11 min
It was once the Barbara Jordan Post Office, but Houston’s new downtown spot POST Houston has become a galleria-type oasis, custom made for the modern Houstonian. Complete with a (don’t call it a food court!) “food hall,” its beautiful stairwells offer cavernous spaces for patrons to lounge on blue bean bag chairs while considering the “convivial expression of our capitalistic exuberance.” Houston Chronicle’s opinion editor Raj Mankad (who uttered the aforementioned description of Post) joins Cit...
Apr 12, 2022•21 min
We’re approaching the peak of birds’ spring migration, which means that soon, thousands of birds will pass over your head each night. Scientists know remarkably little about how birds manage these epic journeys. On today’s podcast, Rice University professor Cin-Ty Lee joins City Cast contributor Scott Solomon to describe to Lisa Gray a fascinating project. In 2020, when the pandemic quieted the city, Lee set up a recorder on a Rice soccer field to catch the sound of birds as they flew overhead. ...
Apr 11, 2022•21 min
It’s a Friday round up! On this week’s episode, we discuss the ongoing conflict between Kim Ogg and Lina Hidalgo. Also on the agenda: Dan Patrick’s Don’t Say Gay push, the tragic catalytic convertor thefts around town, and a successful study showing surprising, positive data that involves the Houston Police Department. This week’s contributor is Evan Mintz, who joins Lisa Gray and Ferrill Gibbs. Sign up for our newsletter! Lisa Gray crafts it each week day to spotlight everything that's importan...
Apr 08, 2022•26 min
Art Car Weekend peaks Saturday when the 35th Annual Houston Art Car Parade rolls through downtown. The giant rolling chicken will be there — not to mention lowriders, slabs, the enormous roach, the car with a beaded foam Steve Ray Vaughan on top, and a new “Rising Strong” mechanical phoenix. Today, art-car artist Rebecca Lowe joins Lisa Gray to tell her all about it. Here’s a complete schedule of Art Car Weekend events! City Cast Houston's Website is where you can sign up for the pod *and* the n...
Apr 07, 2022•19 min
Boozy groups pedaling party bikes are a fixtures of Washington Ave. and Eado, but Trill on Wheels is different: It’s a Houston hip-hop themed pedal party through historic Third Ward. Its four wheels are bedecked with swangers. Megan Thee Stallion and DJ Screw blast from its speakers. And if the pedaling partygoers aren’t karaoke-rapping to classics from the city’s past, they might be smoking a hookah. Today, owner Johnathan Mark joins City Cast Houston cultural correspondent Antréchelle Dorsey a...
Apr 06, 2022•15 min
A lawsuit forced Harris County to release most people accused of misdemeanors while they await trial, rather than keep them in jail. Two years later, that’s working great, says City Cast Houston contributor Evan Mintz (who’s also Arnold Ventures’ communications manager for criminal justice issues). It’s the rare change supported by Crime Stoppers, the county sheriff and the ACLU. And it’s ridiculous to blame it for the rise in violent crime. Sign up for our newsletter! Lisa Gray crafts it each w...
Apr 05, 2022•19 min
Is Trump with Ted Cruz or against him these days? Is Tucker Carlson an ally or an enemy now? And one more time: What did Houston’s hometown senator really think of January 6? Keeping track of Cruz is harder than remembering Marvel Cinematic Universe lore — but Ben Wermund, the Houston Chronicle’s Washington correspondent, walks us through his twists and turns. Sign up for the City Cast Houston newsletter! It's a great way to wake up to the news of the city every day. Our number is 713-489-6972. ...
Apr 04, 2022•19 min
On today’s episode of City Cast Houston, it’s a Friday news round up! Todays topics include whether there’s much of a case to be made against aides of Lina Hidalgo for illegally steering a contract (Texas Monthly says it’s pretty flimsy ), and if there’s a case to be made against the Museum of Fine Arts Houston for a piece that once was sold to a Nazi art collector. Also, with booster shots now available for Houstonians over 50 this week, will there be citywide motivation to get them with COVID ...
Apr 01, 2022•16 min
Ramadan begins this weekend in Houston, and it means a time of fasting, prayer and self-reflection for Houston's Muslim Community. When it concludes 29 days later, it will bring about a time of celebration, friends, family and the great tradition of food and community. In this episode, Dina Kesbeh, City Cast Houston's lead producer, is among the devout who will observe Ramadan this month. She shares her fond Houston memories of the observance with host Lisa Gray and producer Ferrill Gibbs, and i...
Mar 31, 2022•20 min
We think of Houston as a city of skyscrapers, sprawl and freeways — but it's also a surprisingly natural place. Today we’re talking with City Cast Houston's environmental contributor, Jaime Gonzales about Houston's designation as a "hotspot city" for biodiversity. Here's where to find the iNaturalist app. Here's where to find the SEEK app. Have a thought or an idea you'd like to share with us? Call and leave us a voicemail or text us at 713-489-6972. We love hearing from y'all! We're also Tweeti...
Mar 30, 2022•15 min
Recreational weed has been available in Illinois since 2020. Meanwhile, in Texas, Beto O'Rourke will be stomping for weed legalization while he makes his case for Governor. On the other side of the aisle, the Republican contingent is still resistant to the idea, even though there's evidence that they, too, might be softening. City Cast Houston’s Lisa Gray and City Cast Chicago’s Jacoby Cochran talk about the status of legal weed in both states, as Jacoby offers his tips on what Texas should watc...
Mar 29, 2022•17 min
What should Houston do? The sanctions against Russia sent the world scrambling to make up for hundreds of thousands of lost barrels, which could force Houston's energy sector to consider the pursuit of even more oil and gas development – at least in the short run. Business writer Loren Steffy stops by the show to give his thoughts on why Houston should develop more fossil fuels in the here-and-now, while continuing to be a "city of big ideas" in the pursuit of green energy. Sign up for our newsl...
Mar 28, 2022•14 min
First-time guest and journalist Claudia Kolker joins City Cast Host Lisa Gray and Lead Producer Dina Kesbeh to talk about the news of the week, from Russia’s uncertain future with the International Space Station to the refugee crisis and the Texas wildfires. We also had to mention some Houstonians doing cool things right now, like Douglas Mills, who wowed the judges with his audition on American Idol this week, and Brené Brown, whose HBO Max show based on her latest book , “Atlas of the Heart,” ...
Mar 25, 2022•16 min
Two years after the start of the pandemic, Hermann Park is coming back to life, and Houstonians are there for it! Today, City Cast Houston Host Lisa Gray and Producers Dina Kesbeh and Ferrill Gibbs chat about Hermann Park's latest projects and events, what this 108-year-old urban park means to Houston, and some of their favorite spots. And then, of course, there’s the perennial struggle to find parking... Find out more about the Kite Festival this Sunday, and see what else is coming up at Herman...
Mar 24, 2022•15 min
Let’s just say it: Houston’s art scene is way whiter and more Anglo than the rest of the city. But there’s a proposal that is gaining traction — and money — to build a major Latino arts center. It’d be on par with the Museum District’s Asia Society, or with Latino centers in cities such as Dallas, Albuquerque, and Los Angeles. City Cast’s Cultural Correspondent Olivia Flores Alvarez couldn’t be more excited. Today, Lisa Gray is talking with Olivia and artist Geraldina Wise , the board chair of A...
Mar 23, 2022•14 min
Houston's Dr. Peter Hotez is having an extremely busy year. In February, he was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, and last week, his vaccine, Corbevax, began to enter the arms of 300,000 children across India. Now, as he turns his attention to the new subvariant Omicron BA.2, does he expect it to spread dramatically in Houston? And, if so, does he believe it will be mild or severe? What about Houston's shot at a life completely free of COVID? In today's episode, Dr. Hotez sits down with City Ca...
Mar 22, 2022•13 min
After a two-year hiatus, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo came back in full force at the end of February, and just ended its run yesterday. It was a milestone year for RodeoHouston, already the biggest rodeo and livestock exhibition in the world, as they celebrated their 90th anniversary. But does the rodeo really reflect Houston's roots? In 1932, the Houston Rodeo (known then as The Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition), was born. Ever since then, it has styled itself in the Old ...
Mar 21, 2022•17 min
Today we'll dive into the most important stories of the week and the ones that weren't in the headlines enough. Contributor Shiyam Galyon joins City Cast Houston producers Dina Kesbeh and Ferrill Gibbs . Together they discuss the thieves that got away with over a thousand gallons of diesel, a young Ukrainian trying to get his family to safety, and a high schooler who is fighting a book ban by giving away books. Want all the Houston gossip straight to your inbox? Then make sure to sign up for our...
Mar 18, 2022•22 min
Blue Bell lovers, today's sweet treat is for you! Blue Bell just dropped a new flavor called Peachy Peach, and people are stoked! But is Blue Bell really all that? Just how special is it? Today, we got Roving Producer and Denverite Lizzie Goldsmith to try Blue Bell and give us her hot take. She joins producers Dina Kesbeh and Ferrill Gibbs for a chat about why everyone loves this creamery. And on a less-pleasant note, for tips on how to avoid getting Listeriosis, check out these recommendations ...
Mar 17, 2022•18 min
They say you can find anything on Harwin Drive: Clothing, party supplies, jewelry, furniture, and the list goes on and on. This bargain shopping strip near near Hillcroft Street in Southwest Houston has been called “Houston’s best-kept secret,” and today we’re cracking it open with long-time shop owner Sam Kesbeh, who happens to be City Cast Houston producer Dina Kesbeh ’s dad. He’s owned American Eagle Trading, Inc., since 1987, where he primarily sells flags. Dina and her dad talk about Harwin...
Mar 16, 2022•18 min
Would Houstonians ever eat insects, not just as a fear factor kind of dare, but because they are delicious? Chef Hugo Ortega , best known for Hugo's and Xochi, and Dr. Scott Solomon , entomologist at Rice University and City Cast Houston contributor, join us today to tell us the benefits of eating bugs. Today's episode will either leave you salivating for a cricket, or make you run for the hills. Do you want the juiciest Houston news delivered straight to your inbox? Then subscribe to our mornin...
Mar 15, 2022•18 min
The Houston hustle is real, and knows no bounds as far as age is concerned. At least, that’s been 17-year-old Aaliyah Arnold’s experience. She started BossUpCosmetics at age 14, and, thanks to a TikTok video featuring her grandpa, the business went viral last year. City Cast host Lisa Gray and producer Dina Kesbeh go behind-the-scenes with Aaliyah to talk about the company’s origin story, how it’s truly become a family operation, and what’s it like juggling high school and her business at the sa...
Mar 14, 2022•16 min
On Fridays, we discuss the most important stories of the week (and the most under-reported ones, too). Today, author and City Cast Houston business contributor Loren Steffy joins Lisa Gray to cover the incredible rise in oil prices due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Also: The transgender fight simmers in Texas this week, becoming useful as a hot-button issue to opportunistic politicos. Finally, the fate of WNBA star Brittney Griner remains unclear as she's held in Russia on charges of hashish ...
Mar 11, 2022•19 min
Houstonians are passionate about their doughnuts: Is it light and crispy? Is it too heavy? Is it just a chunk of wet fried dough? Or maybe it’s too sweet, too lurid, or gives you thoughts of the “diabeetus” guy? At any rate, the Canadian fast food chain Tim Hortons has dared set up shop here, which prompts a City Cast team discussion of what’s good in the Houston doughnut world: Krispy Kreme vs. Shipley’s, or maybe all the great boutique shops like Voodoo Doughnut. So... will the newcomer with t...
Mar 10, 2022•19 min
This months Harris County primary elections were a wreck, a total disaster. And now, Harris County's Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria has submit her resignation, which will take effect July 1. Today City Cast contributor Evan Mintz joins us to talk about what went wrong – and how, with democracy in the balance, we can fix it. Want the latest Houston news straight to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter here . We're on Twitter, follow us here ....
Mar 09, 2022•18 min
The proposed megaproject to widen I-45 has been controversial for loads of reasons – including that it would displace many people of color, and destroy historic buildings in Independence Heights. But according to Tanya Debose, a fifth-generational Independence Heights resident – as well as founder of Preserving Communities of Color – TXDOT has listened to the concerns. Sealed into the environmental impact study are now every concession requested of it to that benefits the community. Today, Tanya...
Mar 08, 2022•18 min
Houston has begun to rethink many of its streets. It's making them friendlier to pedestrians, bicyclists and other people not encased in their cars – but not everybody loves that. Today, Joe Cutrufo, Director of Bike Houston, and City Cast Houston contributor Allyn West, who is car-less, discuss the improvements that Houston has made to some roads, with resistance from others around the city who've muddied the waters. Check out Bike Houston and see what Joe has been up to: Bike Houston's Site Al...
Mar 07, 2022•19 min
Hey City Cast Houston listeners, today we have something different for you. On March first, Texas voters schlepped to their neighborhood polling locations to cast their ballots in our state’s primary election. For today’s City Cast, we’ve teamed up with The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news org that covers politics and policy, to bring you the latest from their show, TribCast, a weekly podcast full of water-cooler talk on political news. In this special LIVE edition of TribCast, recor...
Mar 05, 2022•56 min
