Houston summers can be draining, but they’re also packed with unique events that you have to check out. Writer Olivia Flores Alvarez and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis join host Raheel Ramzanali to give their picks for the must-do summer events in H-Town. And yes, a lot of them are indoors! Make sure you check out some of these events this summer! The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Thunder Knocking on the Door at Stages Houston George Lopez at Smart Financial Centre Wicked (At the Hobb...
Jun 22, 2023•25 min
Houston hip-hop legend Lil’ Keke is celebrating his 25th year in hip-hop with his new album “25 Summers”. Producer Carlignon Jones sat down with Lil’ Keke to talk about H-Town’s impact on hip-hop, how he keeps moving his sound forward, and what he’s learned over the last 25 years in the industry. Follow Lil Keke on instagram @donke713 and check out his latest project, 25 Summers , on all streaming platforms! Our morning newsletter Hey Houston brings updates on local news to you daily. Sign up he...
Jun 21, 2023•16 min
There are SO MANY delicious burgers to pick from in Houston so we’re helping you narrow the list with our guide to the best burgers in H-Town! From most unique burger to the most H-Town burger, host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Nick Scurfield, co-founder of Trill Burgers and president of the Scurfield Group PR Firm, to break it all down. Want to try out some of Raheel and Nick's recommendations? Check them out below: The Q Stack at Q’s Deli Spicy Greek Burger at Tornado Burger Shake Shack in Ri...
Jun 20, 2023•26 min
There was a lot going on in Houston this week! From the Ken Paxton trial moving to Harris County to a new coalition forming to help animal shelters and how new courts could help the overcrowding in our jails. Host Raheel Ramzanali breaks it all down with Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and writer Shiyam Galyon. Ken Paxton Trial New Courts in Harris County The best and worst legislators It’s hotter in Houston Mayoral candidates discuss art Coalition of Animal Shelters Title IX lawsuit Governor...
Jun 16, 2023•23 min
Keeping the kids entertained during summer break can be overwhelming, so we’re focusing on summer activities for kids in the second installment of our Summer Entertainment Guide! Jenny Isaminger of Houston Moms and producer Carlignon Jones join host Raheel Ramzanali to give their best recommendations of things to do around H-Town so you can make it a memorable summer for the kids. Check out some of these great recommendations: Drippin Slime CreATEery Houston interactive aquarium & animal pre...
Jun 15, 2023•27 min
Next week will mark the third year we celebrate Juneteenth as a federal holiday, but how can we celebrate it respectfully while honoring the history of one of the most important days of our region? Houston artist Reginald Adams, who has painted 10 Juneteenth murals across the nations along with his team of creatives, joins host Raheel Ramzanali to answer just that! He'll also explain why every Houstonians should celebrate and what traditions the historical day inspired. Learn more about Reginald...
Jun 14, 2023•20 min
We already know Houston has one of the best food scenes in the nation and with that comes a vastly underrated pizza scene that features several types of pies and unique toppings. So, what’s the best slice in H-Town? Lead producer Dina Kesbeh, newsletter editor Brooke Lewis, and producer AK Al-Moumen chat with producer Carlignon Jones about their top spots to try right now! Check out these spots! Coltivare bellagreen Home Slice Pizaro's Pizza Napoletana Vinny's Love Buzz Pizza Pub Frank’s Pizza E...
Jun 13, 2023•27 min
Food Not Bombs has been serving meals to the unhoused community in Houston for years without any issues, but now HPD has started to ticket members of the group for their food distribution events. So, why are they being targeted and what are they doing to fight the potential fines? Food Not Bombs volunteer Nick Cooper joins Raheel to explain why he thinks the group has been ticketed almost 30 times since March and what the group is doing to help stop these tickets. We’re doing a survey to learn m...
Jun 12, 2023•24 min
The weather is heating up and so is the news in H-Town. Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and Houston personality Antre'chelle Dorsey join host Raheel Ramzanali to breakdown how a small city budget win will have a big impact on neighborhoods, why Houston is making noise nationally, and so much more! Saudi Oil ramp down Ashby High-Rise drama Drainage gets a bump in the budget Trill Burgers opens up Uplift Harris Houston still the tallest Jugging crimes on the rise Houston makes the best cities l...
Jun 09, 2023•29 min
Summer is finally here and we’re helping you put together the perfect first day of summer with tips and ideas from producer Carlignon Jones, Hey Houston! editor Brooke Lewis, and host Raheel Ramzanali. This is the first installment of our Summer Entertainment Guide where the City Cast Houston team will have you ready to take full advantage of summer like a pro! Check out some of our recommendations! Places to eat: Crafty Crab , Dona Leti’s , Lopez Mexican Restaurant , Bebidas Houston , Escalante...
Jun 08, 2023•22 min
Now that the Texas Education Agency has officially appointed Mike Miles as the new superintendent of HISD and a new board, what major changes are coming to the district? Houston Chronicle reporter Kennedy Sessions has been covering the TEA takeover and she joins host Raheel Ramzanali to explain how Miles’ background could impact the future of HISD schools and how a new outcome based model could change the salary structure for teachers. Check out more of Kennedy Session's work here Listen to our ...
Jun 07, 2023•19 min
There’s something so perfect about getting fresh Louisiana crawfish and boiling it up to the perfect spice level with your friends, family, and neighbors at a crawfish boil, but what if you’re a beginner to the boil game? Mike Trinh of Mike’s Seafood joins host Raheel Ramzanali to breakdown how to do your first at-home crawfish boil, why our city loves these mudbugs so much, and the perfect way to eat them! Check out Mike's Seafood here ! We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, s...
Jun 06, 2023•14 min
The 2023 hurricane season is officially underway and this year is a bit different because of El Niño, but what exactly does this mean in terms of how many hurricanes we could see impacting Houston? ABC13 Chief Metrologist Travis Herzog joins host Raheel Ramzanali today to explain how El Niño will impact Houston, what the early models are showing, and what it’s like to cover a major storm in local news. Keep up with ABC13 Hurricane coverage here We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listen...
Jun 05, 2023•21 min
What. A. Week. We had alligators trapping swimmers on a dock and that wasn’t even our biggest story of the week! Political contributor and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz joins host Raheel Ramzanali to talk about HISD’s new superintendent, all the drama surrounding your property taxes, and yes, alligators trapping swimmers at a state park! Columbia Tap Trail attacks Columbia Tap trail attacks from 2013 Mike Miles named HISD superintendent Special session drama Ken Paxton impeachment Alligator...
Jun 02, 2023•23 min
Hurricane season is officially here and while prepping for the season is a summer ritual for Houstonians, we often forget about our pets and what they need in case of a major storm. From packing an emergency kit to helping calm your fur babies during a hurricane, lifestyle contributor and writer Olivia Flores Alvarez and producer Carlignon Jones join host Raheel Ramzanali to layout a plan to keep your pets calm in case a storm hits H-Town. Looking for some extra tips? Check out this articles! 12...
Jun 01, 2023•24 min
The invasive hammerhead flatworm is being spotted all around Houston so we had to bring in Scott Solomon, biology professor at Rice University and City Cast Houston nature contributor, to help breakdown if these worms are dangerous to humans, how they arrived to Houston, and what we need to do when we spot one. Useful links: Listen to Wild World with Scott Solomon here . Learn more about the hammerhead flatworm Scott’s video of a hammerhead flatworm Meow Wolf is opening in Houston Interested in ...
May 31, 2023•19 min
Visiting Katy Asian Town for the first time can be overwhelming because of the dozens of restaurants to choose from in one area. So, where should you eat? Joining host Raheel Ramzanali for Food Tuesday is James Beard semifinalist chef Alex Au-Yeung of Phat Eatery to give his top spots in Katy Asian Town and items you need to try at his restaurant. Phat Eatery First Recommendation: Soju 101 Second Recommendation: Chung Wang Chinese BBQ Third Recommendation: Bing Su Fourth Recommendation: Beard Pa...
May 30, 2023•15 min
New election bills are targeting Harris County, but are they just political theater or will they impact how we vote? Plus, state vehicle inspections could be a thing of the past and HPD is cracking down on prostitution on Bissonnet. A lot happened this week so host Raheel Ramzanali is tagging in political contributor and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and culture contributor Antre'chelle Dorsey to help recap the biggest stories of the week. Featured stories: Election bill targeting Harris Co...
May 26, 2023•25 min
From the blistering weather to crazy traffic, the Bayou City can be a beast of a city to conquer so the City Cast Houston crew is preparing you to take on Houston with some essential rules. Lead producer Dina Kesbeh, producer Carlignon Jones, and newsletter editor Brooke Lewis join host Raheel Ramzanali to discuss their tips to survive Houston. Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Don’t have social media? Then leave...
May 25, 2023•26 min
Diversity, equity, and inclusion offices have been part of public universities for years, but now state lawmakers are close to removing DEI offices and policies in the final days of the 2023 Texas legislative session. So, how will this impact students and faculty? Suzanne Pritzker, PHD Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Houston and Samira Ali, Associate Professor at the University of Houston, join host Raheel Ramzanali to voice their opinions on how these bans may impact st...
May 24, 2023•22 min
Aga’s Restaurant and Catering was barley surviving when Shaukat Maredia and his family bought the Alief based restaurant in 2011. Fast forward a few years and now they’re serving thousands of customers a week. So, what changed? Owner Shaukat Maredia joins host Raheel Ramzanali to explain how they turned things around, dishes you need to try, and how they’re giving back to the community with their scholarship fund. HART program Aga’s scholarship fund application Looking for more Houston news? The...
May 23, 2023•22 min
The 2023 Texas legislative session is about to end, but so many bills are still being discussed. Which ones could impact our city? James Barragán, politics reporter at the Texas Tribune, joins host Raheel Ramzanali to breakdown which bills are still being pushed in the final seven days of the 88th Legislature’s regular session. Keep up with the 2023 Texas Legislature here Keep up with what's going on in Houston by subscribing to our daily newsletter, Hey Houston ! Keep up with us by following us...
May 22, 2023•19 min
The 42nd annual Kinder Houston Area Survey was released earlier this week so Raheel is bringing on political contributor and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and culture contributor Antre'chelle Dorsey to break down the most interesting finds. Plus, the trio talk about the proposed city budget, college grads moving to Houston, and more! Read more on these stories below: Kinder Institute annual survey results Mayor Turner new budget for 2024 "Houston Is Inspired" mural turns 10 HISD enrollment ...
May 19, 2023•22 min
There’s no denying the fact that we have some terrible roads and traffic in Houston, so today we’re doing a little therapy session about Houston roads with a special team chat. Houston sports radio legend John Granato joins host Raheel Ramzanali and newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to breakdown the worst roads, worst freeways, areas to avoid, and so much more. Exxon execs are coming to Houston Follow John Granato on Twitter Our morning newsletter Hey Houston brings updates on local news to you dai...
May 18, 2023•23 min
We’re only five months into 2023 and 12 inmates have already died inside Harris County Jail. This is coming off 27 deaths in 2022 and an FBI investigation. Why is it so deadly inside our jail system? ABC-13 reporter Pooja Lodhia joins the show to recap her investigation into why so many inmates are dying and what’s being done to fix our jail. Check out Houston's budget at houstonbudget.cool . You can find out more about today's special meeting and how to watch here . Our morning newsletter Hey H...
May 17, 2023•14 min
Since 1969, China Garden has been a downtown institution with a legendary lunch rush which included some of the biggest names in Houston as customers. But now the restaurant is still struggling after the pandemic due to the decline in office workers in downtown. Carol Churchill, partner at China Garden, is on the show to explain how the community embraced her family from the start and the most famous person she’s ever served. Learn more about China Garden Houston by checking out there website! O...
May 16, 2023•16 min
After burning for over 70 hours, the Shell fire in Deer Park was finally put out, but now the real work starts as officials determine what the environmental and health impacts will be from the chemical blaze. So, should we be worried about dangerous chemicals in our air? What about the impacts on our health? Jennifer Hadayia from the Air Alliance Houston joins the show to break it all down. More on Air Alliance here Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houst...
May 15, 2023•24 min
It’s Friday so that means it’s time to talk about the biggest stories of the week. Will the recent attacks on drag shows be the reason a historic lesbian bar in Montrose might have to shutdown? Plus, The City of Houston celebrated ‘Houston Week’ in Mexico, but what does that mean for us? Political contributor and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and contributor and author Shiyam Galyon join Raheel to break it all down. Featured stories: The Pearl Bar could close down Fort Bend Propositions pas...
May 12, 2023•25 min
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) month is here and with so many events going on, we’re bringing on Stephanie Wong from the Asia Society to preview some of her favorites and to talk about the importance of the month. Plus, our very own newsletter editor Brooke Lewis joins the chat to preview the BIPOC Book Fest, one of the biggest AAPI Month events in Houston! If you're looking for AAPI Events check out there website! Want to read more about Aldine, Houston ISD topping school districts ...
May 11, 2023•17 min
The Art Car parade needs no introduction, but there’s another parade cementing its place in our city. The Art Bike Festival is back for its second annual parade this weekend. Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with the Houston Parks Board COO Matt Nielson and the Orange Show Center for Visionary Arts Curator of Programs Pete Gershon about what a bike parade means for cyclists in our city and how this aims to help HISD students. More on the Art Bike Festival here Keep up with what's going on in Houston ...
May 10, 2023•15 min
