Yow, what a week for Houston news this has been! Scott Braddock, of the Quorum Report and Texas Take, joins host Lisa Gray to process it all. Our newly named Hey Houston newsletter is a great way to keep up with all the news around the city! Make sure you sign up! We’re also on Twitter and Instagram follow us @CityCastHouston We love hearing from you! Leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts!...
Nov 11, 2022•25 min
Though Republicans swept statewide offices (same as it ever was), Democrats overwhelmingly won in Harris County. Do those skinny margins of victory mean that Harris County is firmly Democratic now? Plus, were Tuesday’s polling place problems understandable screwups or harbingers of future chaos? Political contributor Evan Mintz and host Lisa Gray try to get their heads around it all. Texas Election results update by the Texas Secretary of State. Houston Chronicle reporting on Election issues in ...
Nov 10, 2022•19 min
Election update from host Lisa Gray. Plus, producer AK AL-Moumen interviews Rafael Struve and Eliot Carter about the GOP push to attract young people. For regular updates on the polls check out FiveThirtyEight Want more Houston news? Then make sure to sign up for our newly named Hey Houston newsletter We’re also on Twitter and Instagram ! Not on social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts!...
Nov 09, 2022•19 min
Producers Carlignon Jones and AK AL-Moumen capture the sounds Astros’ World Series championship parade. Plus: City Cast Philly makes good on its bet. Astros World Series MVP Jeremy Pena's interview at the parade. Fox 26's Live Coverage of the prade. The Houston Chronicle's reporting on the parade. Wanna enjoy more of our Astros coverage? Head on over to our Twitter Wanna see City Cast Philly pay up!? Check out our Instagram And if you want to tell us what this moment means for you don't be shy! ...
Nov 08, 2022•10 min
Politics contributor Evan Mintz and host Lisa Gray discuss tomorrow’s mid-term election. What do we know from early voting? How does it look different from other years? Will challenger Alexandra Mealer unseat County Judge Lina Hidalgo? New York Times's story on Republicans focusing on inner-city Hispanic voters. Houston Public Media's reporting on the unassociated mailers trying to pit Hispanic voters against Black voters. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency breakdown of GOP candidate Johnny Teague's ...
Nov 07, 2022•16 min
Political analyst Scott Braddock joins host Lisa Gray and producer AK AL-Moumen to unpack the week’s news. Want more Houston news? Then make sure to sign up for our newly named Hey Houston newsletter We’re also on Twitter and Instagram ! Not on social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts!...
Nov 04, 2022•22 min
We're breaking down the best food trucks in Houston today with host Lisa Gray, and producers (and noted food truck enthusiasts) Carlignon Jones and AK AL-Moumen. They’ll dive into Houston’s expanding and wildly diverse food truck scene, explain why food trucks might be the future of food in Houston, and reveal our top picks for food trucks in the city. Food trucks mentioned in this episode: Abu Omar Halal Oh My Gogi! Turkey Leg Hut Stick Talk Cajun-Hibachi Pollos Asados La Silla Tacos Tierra Cal...
Nov 03, 2022•21 min
Sprawling, spread-out Houston is a different kind of city than Chicago or New York, so we need to think differently about our parks. Our guest, Pulitzer-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin , author of the new book "Who Is the City For?", says that transforming Houston’s park system won’t be easy — but he’s impressed by what he’s seen so far. Find out more about Houston's ParkScore (from the Trust for Public Land ). For more great Houston content, make sure you subscribe to our morning newsle...
Nov 02, 2022•16 min
Fall means that the weather perfect for exploring Houston neighborhoods. Today we’re revisiting one of our favorite “neighborhood guide” episodes. Two West University residents — novelist Chris Cander and City Cast contributor Evan Mintz — tell us where to go and what we should know when we visit their town. Chris Cander's phenomenal fictional novel 'Gracious Neighbor'. Here are some parks to try it out if you find yourself in West U. The Chron reporting on the famous 'Darth Vader' house. Tiny's...
Nov 01, 2022•23 min
When playwright Brendan Bourque-Sheil was 18, he and his mom lived in an apartment in The Woodlands. One night, they started hearing a knocking sound that kept waking them up around 3 a.m. Eventually, his mom became convinced that there was a ghost in the house. Brendan tells the true story of their ghostly encounter, and talks with host Lisa Gray about why it's still impactful years later. Check out Grown-Up Storytime , where Brendan first shared this story. Want more Houston news? Then make su...
Oct 31, 2022•14 min
With the World Series about to start, City Cast Philly ’s Trenae Nuri challenges host Lisa Gray to a bet that Philly is gonna regret. Plus, Lisa and producer AK AL-Moumen talk over the week’s Houston news. FiveThirtyEight's breakdown of Astros dominance by the numbers. The Center Square reports inspectors sent to Harris County to monitor election. ABC 13'S reporting on the Houston ISD lead in water situation. Sign up for our newsletter, Hey Houston it has a new name and exciting Houston news on ...
Oct 28, 2022•25 min
Obviously Houston is better. But why? Dallas partisan Angelica “Jelly” Walker bravely makes the case for the wrong city. Host Lisa Gray and producer Carlignon Jones respect her for even trying! Check out our previous episode on Texas city rivalries. And what makes Houston a tier above the rest! Want a deeper dive into the city? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Houston Want updates at a glance? Follow our Twitter Want to see it to believe it? Follow our Instagram Tell us ...
Oct 27, 2022•27 min
Independence Heights, now in northwest Houston, was originally its own town — and in fact, was Texas’ first municipality registered by African Americans. Tanya Debose , a fourth-generation descendant of an Independence Heights landowner, tells us the best way to experience the history that gentrification threatens to erase. The community site for Independence Heights Esther's Cajun Soul Food Gatlin's BBQ Gatlin's Fins & Feathers Want a deeper dive into the city? Then make sure to sign up for...
Oct 26, 2022•15 min
What does Beto have to do with the Alamo? Why are people screaming at school boards? And what’s the deeper meaning of it all? University of Houston history professor Raul Ramos dives in. Raul Ramos' UH page and link to his book; Beyond the Alamo: Forging Mexican Ethnicity in San Antonio, 1821-1861 Houston Chronicle's reporting on the strange Beto O'Rourke billboard Want more Houston news? Then make sure to sign up for our newly named Hey Houston newsletter We’re also on Twitter and Instagram ! N...
Oct 25, 2022•15 min
When did bike paths become the stuff of attack ads? And was that Pride Ride hit-and-run an accident or an attack? Joe Cutrufo, executive director of Bike Houston, brings us up to date. The Fallout from Alexandra del Moral Mealer campaign ad. Click 2 Houston full story on the Pride Ride victim. Click 2 Houston full coverage of the Waller rolling coal incident. Want more Houston news? Then make sure to sign up for our newly named Hey Houston newsletter We’re also on Twitter and Instagram ! Not on ...
Oct 24, 2022•15 min
What happened this week in Houston? Host Lisa Gray, producer Carlignon Jones, and journalist and podcaster Donnie Houston recap it for you. Our daily newsletter has a new name. It's now called Hey Houston ! Our twitter bio got a shiny upgrade! Follow us at @CityCastHouston Get a visual of our stories by following our Instagram! follow us at @citycasthouston We love hearing from y'all! Leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...
Oct 21, 2022•21 min
Outdoor horror movies, costume ideas, and other suggestions from the City Cast crew — host Lisa Gray, producers Carlignon Jones and AK AL-Moumen, and “Hey Houston” writer Brooke Lewis. Hocus Pocus Movie screening at Levy Park next Friday, Oct. 28th. Hermann Park Centennial Gardens has a screening of Ghostbusters on Thursday. Rooftop Movie always has endless Halloween movies throughout the month. The Post Houston Halloween party Called “Post Apocalypse Party” Scream Fest events are every weekend ...
Oct 20, 2022•24 min
What does the poet laureate of Houston do ? Can poetry be a day job? Emmanuel Outspoken Bean, Houston’s poet laureate, talks about his career — as well as his latest project, “The Space City Mixtape.” Want to find out more about Outspoken Bean? Check out his Website , Twitter , and Instagram Want more Houston news at your fingertips? sign up for our morning newsletter here . Get in touch with us on social media by following us on Twitter and Instagram Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voi...
Oct 19, 2022•18 min
Standing sewage, gang extortion, and guards who carry knives to protect themselves: Keri Blakinger, of the Marshall Project, recently reported on the post-pandemic breakdown of our overcrowded, understaffed jail. Keri Blakinger's Book Corrections in Ink Keri's article on the conditions in Harris county Jail The meltdown at Harris County Jail by the numbers The consequences of the breakdown at HCJ The County response to the jail issue Want to keep up with the city? Then make sure to sign up for o...
Oct 18, 2022•19 min
Last week Joe Biden pardoned people for federal marijuana possession. Does that change anything in Houston or Texas? What’s the deal with Delta-8 here? And what would it take for the state to legalize marijuana completely? Katherine Neill Harris, a Baker Institute researcher on drug policy, explains. More about Katharine Neil Harris . Texas Tribune on whether the pardons have an effect on Texas . ABC 13: Experts weigh in! Want a deeper dive into the city? Then make sure to sign up for our mornin...
Oct 17, 2022•14 min
What happened this week in Houston? Scott Braddock, of “ Texas Take ” and “ The Quorum Report ,” joins host Lisa Gray and producer AK AL-Moumen to unpack the news. Harry styles endorsement of Beto O'Rourke Uvalde shooting still shakes the state Yordan Alvarez' smashes one home into the record books Want a deeper dive into the city? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Want updates at a glance? Follow our Twitter Want to see it to believe it? Follow our Instagram Tell us your favo...
Oct 14, 2022•21 min
If you could designate four great people who represent this city, who would they be? Barbara Jordan? Beyoncé? The City Cast crew — host Lisa Gray and producers Carlignon Jones and AK Al-Moumen — discuss their picks. Want to know more about why we picked some of these Houston greats like Phyllis Frye and DJ Screw ? Check out these episodes! 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 voic...
Oct 13, 2022•31 min
Why was Houston picked to play a dystopian, crime-ridden Detroit in “RoboCop 2”? What did that wretched movie have to say about us in 1990, the year it came out? And why, for Houstonians, is it still worth watching? Host Lisa Gray is joined by graphic artist and RoboCop fan Evan O’Neil; and by City Cast culture contributor Allyn West to explain. Searching for some daily news to get you more in touch with the city?Then sign up for our morning newsletter here . We're on social media! Follow us on ...
Oct 12, 2022•19 min
In Harris County, early voting starts October 23. What’s at stake this year? Will Beto have coattails? How is a normal human being supposed to deal with our super-long ballots — to pick the best probate judge or justice of the peace? City Cast politics contributor Evan Mintz helps host Lisa Gray make sense of it all. 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 ...
Oct 11, 2022•18 min
Can the Astros win the World Series? What do roller-coaster oil prices mean for Houston’s economy? And can police find the man who, on downtown Main Street, bit a chunk out of a stranger’s ear? The City Cast crew — host Lisa Gray, producer Carlignon Jones, and cultural contributor Antréchelle Dorsey — break down the week’s news. Authorities are asking for any info on a man who bit a chunk off a victim's ear More problems at Harris County Jail Texas is having an unusual spike in Flu Cases Want a ...
Oct 07, 2022•26 min
How should we savor this glorious weather? The City Cast crew — Lisa Gray, Carlignon Jones and Brooke Lewis — weigh in on the best spots to enjoy the outdoors! 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 choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 06, 2022•23 min
Rodeo Goat, in EaDo, serves great burgers. But what really wows its guest is the welcoming spirit and the wildly diverse staff that makes everyone who enters feel at home. General manager Kelsey Rabah sits down with producer AK AL-Moumen to explain how she pulls it together. Sign up for our newsletter here . It'll make your mornings much brighter! Food for thought? Follow us on Twitter ! Delicious Memories? Follow our Instagram ! Why not tell us the best place you have worked at? Leave us a voic...
Oct 05, 2022•18 min
The City of Houston already buys more renewable energy “than any other place,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told us when we sat with him this past week — and that’s only part of his plan for the city’s green future. But can the city handle climate change and the economic turmoil of the energy transition by itself? City Cast policy contributor Evan Mintz says we’re going to need help. Sign up for our newsletter here . It'll make your mornings much brighter! We're also active on social media! Fo...
Oct 04, 2022•21 min
In the wake of Hurricane Ian, we thought you might be wondering: How do hurricanes work? And what's the best way to prepare for one? So, to help answer your questions, Meteorologist Eric Berger from Space City Weather joins host Lisa Gray to talk all things hurricanes. Want more local Houston news? Sign up for our morning newsletter here . You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram @CityCastHouston OR if you have thoughts on the show, leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 we'll...
Oct 03, 2022•17 min
It’s that time of the week y’all! We’re diving into a weeks worth of news from around Houston with producer AK AlMoumen, host Lisa Gray and special guest Gabriela Barahona, program associate at Texas Jail Project. Fight Toxic Prisons Harris County Jail Spaghetti Western Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter here . Want to see what we are thinking? Follow our Twitter Want to see what we are doing? Follow our Instagram if you have thoughts on the show, leave us a v...
Sep 30, 2022•28 min
