Sigh, the Houston heat is here and we need to find a way to cool down! So, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Josh De Leon, head ice cream slinger at Underground Creamery, about the best cold treats we need to try to fight the summer temps. To change things up a bit, Raheel and Josh are picking their frozen treats in a sports style draft going back and forth for five rounds! Featured spots: Learn more about Underground Creamery Follow Josh on Instagram Josh’s Picks Milk + Sugar Creamery Bingsu ...
Jun 05, 2024•18 min
From a city employee accused of stealing millions from city projects to a local celebrity helping lead efforts for Houston Independent School District’s $4.5 billion bond proposal, a lot is happening in Houston to start the week. So, host Raheel Ramzanali and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis are breaking down the stories you should know for the week. Learn more here: Former Houston public works manager charged in contract scheme HPD expands training for sex crime investigators Rep. She...
Jun 04, 2024•21 min
We’re all on edge right now with the recent storms that have hit our city and with hurricane season officially here, it’s important we get a hype-free look at the upcoming months. That’s why host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Matt Lanza, meteorologist at Space City Weather, to help breakdown the latest hurricane season forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and how it could impact our area. Learn more: Read Matt’s work on Space City Weather Read Matt’s work about the...
Jun 03, 2024•27 min
It’s time to recap the news from the week! Host Raheel Ramzanali and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz start by talking about the impacts from this week’s primary runoff election. Then, they’re talking about a new fee that could be showing up on our electric bills because of the historic derecho from earlier this month. After that, they’re recapping why Mayor Whitmire is under fire for his comments regarding residents of Gulfton and public transportation. Finally, Raheel and Evan spend some tim...
May 31, 2024•28 min
If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you , with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Houston community. There are so many things to do in June around H-Town, but trying to figure out the best of the best is really hard! That’s why we’re talking about events for Juneteenth, Pride Month, Father’s Day, and more in our guide for June. Do you love celebrating summer by eating barbecue? We put together a guide to the city’s best barbecue that you can list...
May 30, 2024•31 min
Houston’s barbecue scene is absolutely ELITE, 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, to help us navigate Houston’s barbecue joints with his recommendations. From brisket to Houston fusion, Patrick is picking it all! Try these spots next time you're craving BBQ: Feges’ BBQ Truth BBQ Corkscrew BBQ Gatlin’s Pinkerton's Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue Blood Bros BBQ Bar-A-BBQ Roegel’s Barbec...
May 29, 2024•22 min
It’s been one year since Mike Miles took over HISD as the state-appointed superintendent so host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Houston Landing’s education reporter Asher Lehrer-Small about Mike Miles’ biggest wins, shortcomings, and upcoming challenges with the district’s budget. Plus, Raheel and Asher talk about why so many public school districts are facing a budget crisis. Learn more: Read all of Asher’s work here HISD’s plan for new bond package | Detailed look at the bond HISD unveils new ...
May 28, 2024•34 min
Are we really keeping a count of how many hugs Mayor Whitmire is giving out in a professional setting? We sure are! That’s just one of the stories host Raheel Ramzanali and Houston Landing’s political reporter Paul Cobler are talking about on today’s episode. The duo also look at the timeline for recovery in downtown, why we’re on alert with mosquitoes, a deep dive into the annual Kinder Houston area survey, and more! Featured stories: Read Paul’s work here What to know for May elections New fee...
May 24, 2024•30 min
Last week we learned about the various forms of human trafficking impacting our city in our special series. Today, we’re uncovering what it’s like to be a victim of sex trafficking. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Kathy Givens to talk about how one trip changed her life forever in part two of our special series. Learn more about Kathy Givens and her foundation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be gratefu...
May 23, 2024•39 min
Nothing says Memorial Day weekend like a mouthwatering burger! That’s why host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Nick Scurfield, co-founder of Trill Burgers and president of the Scurfield Group PR Firm, to put together the ultimate list of burgers around Houston! Check out these spots for National Burger Month! The Q Stack at Q’s Deli Spicy Greek Burger at Tornado Burger Shake Shack in Rice Village Butter Burgers at Riel Double Double at Tookie’s Trill Burger FM Kitchen Burger Animal Style Double ...
May 22, 2024•25 min
It’s been a crazy few days in Houston since the storm last week. From power outages to cleaning up debris, there is SO much going on. On today’s episode, host Raheel Ramzanali and producer Carlignon Jones are breaking down all the news you need to following the destructive storm. Featured stories: 7 people died from Thursday’s storm Update on CenterPoint’s efforts to restore power Houston Chronicle’s blog on live updates from the storm 54 schools remained close on Monday Closures from the storm ...
May 21, 2024•25 min
Over 3,000 janitors in Houston are ready to go on strike, but why? Service Employees International Union’s President Elsa Flores joins host Raheel Ramzanali to explain what their members are currently going through with low pay and not enough hours, what they are bargaining for, and how we can help janitors in our community. Learn more: More info on the strike More info on SEIU Disaster Recovery Resources Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow u...
May 20, 2024•25 min
What. A. Week! From a barge collapsing into a bridge to Mayor Whitmire releasing his new budget, there were a lot of stories impacting Houstonians. Host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking them all down with Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz. The guys start things off with budget talk and then move to new acquisitions surrounding HISD Superintendent Mike Miles and his former charter schools. Then they’re talking about the passing of an iconic civil rights leader and an update on the HPD suspended case...
May 17, 2024•22 min
Houstonians have often heard about sex trafficking and the crimes that come along with it in our city, but there’s another form of human trafficking that isn’t talked about nearly enough. We’re launching our new special series on human trafficking in Houston today by talking to Dr. Mollie Gordon, Medical Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Program at Baylor College of Medicine, about what’s being done to combat human trafficking, how the city is helping victims, and what we can do to help sto...
May 16, 2024•27 min
Houston’s AAPI communities are a big part of what makes H-Town so great and with that comes the outstanding food! So, to celebrate AAPI Month, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Sydney Dao, Chairwoman of the Asian Chamber of Commerce, about Asian Restaurant Month and her favorite spots to try in May. Try out these spots to celebrate AAPI month: See the full list of restaurants participating in Asian Restaurant Month Kiran's Karne Korean Steakhouse MaKiin Tan Tan for Vietnamese and Chinese Himal...
May 15, 2024•23 min
There’s a lot happening in Houston right now and host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking it all down with Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis. The duo is talking about the recent HISD staff cuts, why grads don’t want to move to Houston, why thieves are targeting Tesla charging stations, and more! Featured stories: HISD staff is heartbroken with recent staff changes Houston Landing’s event with Mike Miles Recent grads don’t want to move to Houston U.S Rep Troy Nehls investigated over allegations...
May 14, 2024•28 min
The latest Child Opportunity Index numbers are out and Houston is one of the worst in the nation when it comes to child opportunity gap. Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Aswad Walker, associate editor at The Defender, about how this number impacts our children, why our city is so low, and how we can fix it. Plus, at the end of our episode Content Director Wil Fulton is speaking with Kristopher Larson, CEO of our sponsor Downtown Houston+, to hear about the best things to do in downtown Housto...
May 13, 2024•31 min
Hey there! We are excited to share the trailer for a new special limited series from our friends and colleagues at City Cast Denver. If you’re a fan of what we do at City Cast, you’ll want to check it out: You’ve probably heard a story about Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. Like, how she got kicked out of a production of “Beetlejuice” for vaping and groping her date. Or, that time she heckled President Biden during his State of the Union address. Throughout it all, she keeps winning elections and a...
May 11, 2024•2 min
It’s been a few days since Troy Finner stepped down as HPD chief, but how is morale in the department? Plus. what’s next for the department as Mayor Whitmire embarks on picking a new chief? Host Raheel Ramzanali, Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz, and dynamic media personality Antre’chelle Nova are answering those questions plus talking about the latest in the Astroworld Festival lawsuits, the most popular cars in Houston, and more! Learn more here: Mayor Whitmire said Chief Finner lost focus 2...
May 10, 2024•27 min
Nurses are some of the most important people in Houston because of our incredible medical center, but what’s being done to help them face the issues they struggle with on a daily basis? Rama Walker, RN and Chief Nursing Officer at Nurseify, joins host Raheel Ramzanali to explain the challenges Houston nurses are facing. Check it out: Learn more about Rama and Nurseify Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t ...
May 09, 2024•30 min
Patio season is here and with so many different spots to check out, host Raheel Ramzanali is calling in Houstonia Magazine’s Editor in Chief Emma Balter to get her recommendations. From best drinks to spring vibes, these are the patios you need to go check out right now! Try out Emma's recommendations: West Alabama Ice House Truck Yard Heights & Co Axelrad Beer Garden d'Alba Backstreet Cafe Tiny Boxwoods Wakefield Crowbar NettBar Patio By LaPasha Catbirds More patio recommendations from Emma...
May 08, 2024•15 min
Flooding continues to impact areas north of Houston so host Raheel Ramzanali and Houston Press reporter Faith Bugenhagen talk about the communities impacted and how those impacted can get a break on their property taxes for 2024. Plus, they’re also recapping the special election results, a case of bullying at MD Anderson, politicians who can’t get along, and more! Featured stories: Read Faith’s work here Molly Cook wins SD15 race Runoffs expected in Harris County appraisal board elections Katy I...
May 07, 2024•29 min
Houston has led the nation in road rage shootings since 2014, but why are numbers so high? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Fox 26 news anchor Rashi Vats to understand the deadly trend. Plus, Francisca Hernandez of Breathe, Connect, Thrive! joins the show to teach you how to de-escalate situations with breath work. Plus, at the end of our episode Content Director Wil Fulton is speaking with Kristopher Larson, CEO of our sponsor Downtown Houston+, to hear about the best things to do in downtow...
May 06, 2024•30 min
It’s been a busy week in Houston and host Raheel Ramzanali is calling on Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz to help him recap all of the news. From the teacher’s union calling for the removal of Mike Miles to a former mayor potentially challenging Judge Hidalgo, the trio are talking about it all! Learn more here: Former Mayor coming for Judge Hidalgo’s job Third Ward crime prevention HISD teachers union calls for removal of Mike Miles Express is closing...
May 03, 2024•29 min
Today on the show, host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Houston comedian Barry Laminack and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to ruin a Houstonians day in one sentence! From quirky food takes to driving on certain roads, the trio is having some fun all while learning about what bothers Houstonians the most. Check out these links! Watch Barry on Deck daily here Find Barry’s touring schedule here Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on...
May 02, 2024•30 min
If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you , with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Houston community. There are so many things to do in May around H-Town, but trying to figure out the best of the best is really hard! That’s why we’re talking about all of the big cultural celebrations, outdoor dining spots, and even a trip to space in our guide for May. Do you want to spend more time outside during our last stretch of great weather? Our recent epis...
May 01, 2024•28 min
We’re already off to a busy start of the week in H-Town so host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on producer Carlignon Jones to recap some of the biggest stories trending right now. From HPD increasing their presence in Third Ward to a warehouse transformation that could spark an increase in movie productions in Houston, the duo are talking about those stories and more! Featured stories: Charles Barkley makes fun of Galveston Why Galveston Doesn’t Suck Tank Dell suffers minor injuries in shooting Ma...
Apr 30, 2024•29 min
New crime data is out regarding crimes in Houston and host Raheel Ramzanali is digging into it with Houston Public Media’s digital reporter Adam Zuvanich in hopes of answering one big question: Is Houston ACTUALLY safe? Learn more: Crime data report Read all of Adam’s work here 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 +1 713-489-6972 with your thought...
Apr 29, 2024•16 min
A Houston police officer was involved in his fourth deadly shooting and he’s back on duty. We’re learning why he’s back on the force. Plus, last year’s historically hot summer might be the new norm. And, you won’t believe which grocery store has taken the top spot from H-E-B. Axios Houston reporter Jay Jordan and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz join host Raheel Ramzanali to recap those stories and more! Learn more here: Houston police officer back on duty after another deadly shooting Another...
Apr 26, 2024•26 min
We’ve all come across some wild 1-star reviews online, but can you guess a place based on those reviews? Today on the show, producer Carlignon Jones is assuming the role of gameshow host and putting host Raheel Ramzanali and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis on the hot seat to see if they can guess the Houston restaurant based on their worst review. The reviewed restaurants: Whataburger Frenchy’s Lotus Seafood Timmy Chan’s Ninfas Pappasito’s Cantina Turkey Leg Hut Looking for more Houst...
Apr 25, 2024•27 min
