New evidence could help a former TSU student get out of jail after 40 years. Houston is getting a much needed animal shelter, but it going to cost a pretty penny. Plus, we find out what’s been causing so many USPS delays! Executive Producer Dina Kesbeh and newsletter editor Brooke Lewis, chat about all of this and more! Featured stories: Darius Elam Conviction Oxtail Thief USPS Delays New Animal Shelter HISD Longer School Year Reddit : What’s Normal in Houston? Looking for more Houston news? The...
Jan 30, 2024•26 min
When you think of the Bissonnet Track, likely what comes to mind are all the headlines riddled with news of crime and sex trafficking. For years city officials have tried to combat this and give business owners the relief they’ve been asking for, but nothing has worked. Until now. Producer Carlignon Jones chats with Monroe Trombly from Houston Landing about what the Houston Police Department did differently in order to bring about the most significant change to the notorious street. Houston Land...
Jan 29, 2024•15 min
A new study reveals a disturbing reality resulting from Texas’ abortion laws. Galveston is getting a hot new attraction that is sure to boost tourism and Blue bell just dropped a new flavor. Catch up on this weeks news with executive producer Dina Kesbeh, political commentator Evan Mintz and culture commentator Antrechelle Nova. Featured stories: Water Billing Crisis Margaritaville The Masthletes Return New Blue Bell Flavor Texas Abortion Laws Texas GOP Primaries Harris County Judged Charged Cit...
Jan 26, 2024•31 min
Do you ride a horse when you go to the store? Do you do Yeehaw dances? These are just some of the crazy things people wonder about Houstonians… And there’s so many more, that’s why host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on lead producer Dina Kesbeh, producer Carlignon Jones, and Hey Houston editor Brooke Lewis to answer all these burning questions and even throwing in some of their own questions they’ve been too afraid to ask! Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey...
Jan 25, 2024•26 min
There’s something special about eating fried chicken hot out of the fryer on a cold day, but where are the best hidden and overlooked spots to get a bite into a crunchy bird? Join producer Carlignon Jones and Houston Chronicle food reporter Erica Cheng as they lay out a list of must try fried chicken spots. Frenchy’s House of Bowls Hong Kong Café Star Snow Ice Choongman Chicken Krisp Gus’ Fried Chicken Lucillle’s Barbecue Inn Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter...
Jan 24, 2024•16 min
If you were supposed to receive a package or mail through USPS and still haven’t gotten it, we might know why. Plus, Houstonians are taking matters into their own hands by starting a petition to make changes at HISD and these crawfish prices are going to shock you! City Cast Houston podcast host Raheel Ramzanali recaps the news to start the week with producer Carlignon Jones. Featured stories: Teens surrender in Humble shooting Mike Miles petition Twice as many teachers resigned from HISD this y...
Jan 23, 2024•28 min
Why are there so many delays in moving residents out of the cancer cluster in 5th Ward? Plus, why are new developments still being allowed in such a toxic part of the city? ABC 13 reporter Shannon Ryan joins host Raheel Ramzanali to unpack all of the latest updates regarding the cancer cluster in 5th Ward. Read Shannon Ryan’s stories on the cancer cluster in 5th Ward. Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t ...
Jan 22, 2024•18 min
The winter weather was all the rage this week, but so many other things happened. From a new potential police department merger to parents and teachers getting upset at Mike Miles for his recent comments, host Raheel Ramzanali and independent journalist Camilo Hannibal Smith recap the week that was in Houston! Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at ...
Jan 19, 2024•24 min
How Houston are you? Today on the show, host Raheel Ramzanali is chatting with producer Carlignon Jones and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis about things that Houstonians REAL Houstonians. From experiences in traffic to waiting in lines, you’re not a real Houstonian until you’ve… Magic Island City Cast Houston’s Taco Guide Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a v...
Jan 18, 2024•26 min
It’s really cold in Houston, but we’re going to warm you up today with City Cast Houston food contributor Shawn the Food Sheep’s picks of the best cold weather dishes around town. From best pho to best soups, host Raheel Ramzanali and Shawn are creating a list that will help you get over the winter blues. Follow Shawn the Food Sheep Amy’s Ice Cream Jeni’s Ice Cream Tiny’s Milk & Cookies Menudo from Taqueria Arandas Ramen Bar Ichi Samurai Noodles Pho Dien on Bellaire Boulevard Pho Binh Pho Fi...
Jan 17, 2024•18 min
We’re starting this cold week off with some hot news from around the city. From an update on why the unhoused population is rising to a new mysterious animal in our region, host Raheel Ramzanali and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis break down those stories and more! Featured Stories: New report on homelessness in Texas Why Houston is good at helping the unhoused community Library Wine Bar The Galveston Ghost Wolf Wild fires could fall this year New production incentives Looking for mor...
Jan 16, 2024•21 min
It’s time to breakdown the biggest news from the week around H-Town! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and media personality Antre’chelle Nova to get their thoughts on the upcoming freeze, new drama with DA Kim Ogg, a new report on sexual assault crimes, and more! Featured stories: Houston GOP attorney worked on DA’s investigation Former softball coach groomed young girl ERCOT says grid is ready for winter storm The Effects of townhomes to Houston housing mark...
Jan 12, 2024•27 min
It’s Chevron Houston Marathon weekend! Over 30,000 runners will be hitting the streets to set personal records or just finish the race. So, what does it take to put on a major event like this? Race Director Carly Caulfield joins host Raheel Ramzanali to talk about the thousands of volunteers who help put on the race, the economic impact of the event, and how you can get involved even if you aren’t running. Best places for spectators to cheer on runners including Crescendo Hill and Memorial Park ...
Jan 11, 2024•19 min
Dry January is here, but there’s more to it than drinking sugary mocktails. Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Danny and Helenita Frounfelkner of Sipple, Texas’ first non-alcoholic bottle shop, to learn about why Dry January is gaining popularity, where to get the best drinks if you’re participating, and why it’s more than just drinks. Events at Sipple Eater Houston’s list of zero-proof cocktails Chron’s list of the best places to get drinks for Dry January Coltivare’s Dry January menu Looking ...
Jan 10, 2024•17 min
We’re only nine days into 2024 and we might have the craziest story of the year with a group of feral peacocks taking over a neighborhood! Plus, producer Carlignon Jones and host Raheel Ramzanali are talking about the new Uplift Harris program, new vaping punishments, the Texans heading to the playoffs, and so much more. Featured stories: New law punishing students who vape Uplift Harris program Feral peacocks causing issues Houston Texans to host playoff game Stanley cup craze Looking for more ...
Jan 09, 2024•25 min
From school closures to superintendent drama, there’s a lot going on in education around the Houston area. Houston Landing reporter Miranda Dunlap joins host Raheel Ramzanali to break down all of the stories from districts across the city, and how one issue could impact every district. Read all of Miranda’s work on Houston Landing here Spring Branch ISD to close schools HISD gets green light for district of innovation designation Chaplains in schools Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up f...
Jan 08, 2024•19 min
Today on the City Cast Houston podcast, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Zac Emmons, director of marketing and communications for the Houston 2024 Host Committee, to explain how Houstonians can take advantage of all the free events around the city before the big championship game. Plus, Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and Raheel recap the biggest stories of the week. Events for the College Football Playoff final weekend 43,000 Monkeys Houston bidding for the 2026 World Baseball Classic Ma...
Jan 05, 2024•29 min
There’s nothing like starting the year off with a good set of goals, but why do we always give up on them? Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on mental health expert Anum Ali to understand why we quit on our new year’s resolutions, how to stay on track, and the best tricks to achieve our goals. Learn more about Anum "Atomic Habits" by James Clear Check-in questions for conversations with your partner Sharing your goals publicly makes you less likely to complete them Sharing your goals and success...
Jan 04, 2024•20 min
There’s nothing like starting a new year off with health and fitness goals, but finding healthy places to eat at can be challenging. Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Chef Rafael Nasr from Craft Pita to get his best picks of healthy restaurants, desserts, sandwiches, and more to keep us on track in 2024. Try these spots to stick to your healthy eating goals! Salad & Go Leaf & Grain Craft Pita Phoenicia Mo’ Better Brews Pokeworks Juiceland Flower Child Dish Society Michael’s Cookie Jar...
Jan 03, 2024•20 min
New year, new things! Host Raheel Ramzanali is putting together the ultimate guide to Houston for January with producers AK Al-Moumen and Carlignon Jones. From music adventures to fitness classes, the trio are picking their must-do things around H-Town to start 2024. Sloomoo Institute Gold Tooth Tony’s Pizza Pilates classes around Houston Green Mountain Energy Outdoor Ice Rink at Discovery Green (Open until January 28th) Ostia Houston The Honey Hole Parsifal at the Houston Grand Opera Pictures f...
Jan 02, 2024•27 min
Of course, AstroWorld is the most iconic place that no longer exists, but there’s so many more! From restaurants to malls and even nightclubs, host Raheel Ramzanali takes a trip down memory lane with lead producer Dina Kesbeh and ESPN Houston radio host Lance Zierlein. Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Have feedback or a show idea ? Let us know! or leave us a voicemail/text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thought...
Dec 29, 2023•23 min
Surviving the sprawling city that is Houston can be challenging, but the City Cast Houston team is preparing you to survive it with these essential rules. Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to executive producer Dina Kesbeh, producer Carlignon Jones, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis about the best tips to help you thrive in H-Town! Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Have feedback or a show idea ? Let u...
Dec 28, 2023•26 min
How did one local South Asian restaurant go from barely surviving to serving thousands of people in one weekend? Aga’s Restaurant and Catering owner Shaukat Maredia joins Raheel 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. Check out Aga’s menu and order here Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Have feedback or a show idea...
Dec 27, 2023•22 min
Houston is a GREAT city, but the traffic and roads definitely cause a lot of stress for drivers. Host Raheel Ramzanali is doing a little therapy session about traffic with Houston sports radio legend John Granato Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to talk about the worst roads, worst freeways, areas to avoid, and so much more. Follow John Granato on Twitter Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Have feedback ...
Dec 26, 2023•23 min
We’re so close to 2024, but we still have a couple of weeks left so we’re recapping the biggest stories of the year in H-Town. From the a new mayor to a heat dome that left us all in a sweat, it was a busy year. Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and dynamic media personality Antre’chelle Nova to get their picks of the biggest stories of the week and year! Scarface’s Tiny Desk performance Houston Community College scandal AJ Armstong’s case Beyoncé announced ...
Dec 22, 2023•30 min
Friends and family are getting ready to visit you for winter break, but where are you going to take them?! Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on lead producer Dina Kesbeh and producer Carlignon Jones to help build out the ultimate visitors guide to Houston. From iconic places to most “Instagrammable”locations, the trio is helping you find places to take your guests! Segway Tours Of Houston Nameless by Nomad CityCentre The Space Center Trill Burgers Proper Rose Garden Sho...
Dec 21, 2023•26 min
As we start wrapping up 2023, we wanted to look back at the best things we ate this year. Host Raheel Ramzanali and Grundy, known as G, the food blogger behind Bless Tha Belly recap their culinary adventures around H-Town by picking their best burgers, desserts, and more! Taqueria la Parrilla in Richmond Marguaex’s Drunken Lobster Bistro Menil Spring Branch Burger Shack Athena’s Greek Kitchen Pappadeux Mike’s Seafood Burger Bodega Roll ‘N’ Grace egg rolls Benny’s Pizza in Katy The Gypsy Poet Sav...
Dec 20, 2023•19 min
As we end the year, who is Houston’s person of the year? Host Raheel Ramzanali and producer AK Al-Moumen nominate a few people and breakdown their chances of winning the award. Plus, we have a new report highlighting the top cities Houstonians love to visit. And, we’re the duo is also talking about the never-ending construction, a new housing project that will help a lot of families, and more! Where Houstonians travel the most Transportation projects planned in 2024 Texas ranks 3rd worst for dru...
Dec 19, 2023•27 min
When you think of court, you probably think of lawyers representing their clients. But, that’s usually not the case at the justice of peace courts on Preston Street. So, to better empower citizens, Judge Steve Duble is creating a new legal resource center that will better prepare self-representing litigants and hopefully lay the blueprint for other courts to deploy this resource. More on the legal resource center More about Judge Duble Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning ...
Dec 18, 2023•14 min
Channelview's residents have been impacted by cancer causing Benzene for years, but nothing was done about it. How did that happen? Plus, we recap Saturday’s runoff and how it’s impacting the Latino community in Houston. Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz and Houston Chronicle reporter Marco Torres join host Raheel Ramzanali to recap the news from the week. Channelview impacted by cancer causing Benzene Policies impact state population Lucha Libre wrestling in the East End John Whitmire wins the...
Dec 15, 2023•31 min
