A major issue on this year’s ballot is the largest school bond in Texas history. Houston ISD is asking voters to approve a $4.4 billion bond to rebuild and renovate over 30 schools, upgrade security, expand pre-K, and more. So to help voters prepare, host Raheel Ramzanali is moderating a debate featuring both sides of the issue. Judith Cruz, former HISD board president and co-chair of the bond’s community advisory committee, represents the pro-bond side, while Traci Riley, a concerned HISD paren...
Oct 15, 2024•40 min
We made it to Friday! To recap the week in Houston, host Raheel Ramzanali and Lucio Vasquez, newscast producer and reporter at Houston Public Media, are breaking down the biggest stories. The duo start by talking about how Raheel’s family is dealing with a break-in, then discuss the 6-year prison sentence for ex-cop Gerald Goines, and why Houston homeowners won’t see property taxes go up, at least not this year. You won’t want to miss the photoshoot that stopped traffic on U.S. 59. Dive deeper i...
Oct 11, 2024•26 min
Road trip!! With a long weekend ahead and fall break for a lot of families, it’s time to jump in the car and enjoy a fall getaway. Host Raheel Ramzanali and Sofia Gonzalez, food and travel editor at Houstonia Magazine, are creating a list of the best road trips to take this fall. From spooky destinations to unforgettable food, there’s so much to explore! Check out places we talked about on today’s episode: Dewberry Farms Creepy Hollow Haunted House Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg Katie’s Seafood H...
Oct 10, 2024•16 min
Houston might be known as a Tex-Mex and BBQ town, but our seafood scene features some of the freshest Gulf shrimp and fish in the country. Now with oysters, blue crab and more in season, we wanted to take full advantage of our coastal cuisine. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Raz Halili, owner of Fish Company Taco and Pier 6 Seafood and Oyster House, to get his recommendations of the best spots for shrimp, fish, crab and more. Plus, we get into how important the seafood industry is to ou...
Oct 09, 2024•18 min
City Cast Houston Host Raheel Ramzanali and Faith Bugenhagen, reporter at Houston Press, are breaking down the stories you need to know to start the week. The duo start by discussing if CenterPoint will finally be held accountable for its response to Hurricane Beryl and then move onto the latest with Fort Bend County Judge KP George’s indictment over trying to use fake Facebook accounts to influence an election. Plus, they’re talking about the Ted Cruz sports curse, our new appreciation for dock...
Oct 08, 2024•26 min
With the election less than a month away, we’re all consuming a lot of information about politics, but how do we know if a website if objective and based on facts? Well, sometimes we don’t. Enter ‘pink slime’ journalism. Investigative reporter Steven Monacelli is joining host Raheel Ramzanali to explain the dangers of ‘pink slime’ websites in an election year, how we can spot them, and solutions to get rid of them. Stories we talked about on today’s show: WhoDunnIt?: West Texas Billionaire Funds...
Oct 07, 2024•28 min
It’s Friday and that means host Raheel Ramzanali is recapping the big news from the week. Joining him today is dynamic media personality Antre’chelle Nova to talk about why hate crimes are going unreported, the heated debate around property tax hikes, the difference between the rapper Big Boi and a train with the same name, and more! Stories we discussed on today’s show: Your Guide to October 2024 in Houston Hate crimes and incidents in Harris County often go unreported to police, study finds Un...
Oct 04, 2024•22 min
There are SO many fall festivals happening around H-Town, but host Raheel Ramzanali is on the hunt for the best free options to check out this month. So, he’s bringing on Meagan Clanahan, co-owner of HoustonMom.com, to get her recommendations of where to go for the best fall vibes, pumpkin patches, spooky experiences, and more…all for free! Recommendations from today’s show: Cornelius Nursery Houston Farmer’s Market Great Pumpkin Hunt in Bellaire Zoo Boo Scream on the Green City Centre’s 12th An...
Oct 03, 2024•19 min
A lot is happening in Houston food scene, so host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Erica Cheng, food reporter at Chron.com, to dish on the latest buzz for foodies, from the decline of steakhouses to which restaurants will get a Michelin star. Plus, is H-town now a burger city? Raheel and Erica are talking all about food on today’s episode! Here are stories that we talked about on today’s show: Houston restaurant known for fine-dining and steaks to pivot to casual menu Houston chosen as host city ...
Oct 02, 2024•22 min
It’s the spookiest month of the year, and that means we’re exploring the haunted side of Houston. Plus, we’re going beyond the pumpkins with some memorable shows and literary festivals to check out this month. And you know we’re giving you some delicious recommendations for fall flavors in H-Town, from pumpkin cheesecake to dining in the dark . Our October guide is laying out how to enjoy the best of Houston and our surrounding areas this month. Want even more fall food recommendations in Housto...
Oct 01, 2024•32 min
In today’s City Cast Houston episode, Raheel Ramzanali gets an insider’s take on the local GOP, if they’re dealing with an identity crisis like the national party, between old-school conservatives and the MAGA movement. He talks with conservative commentator Charles Blain about that, plus the local Republican Party’s strategy for local races this November. You can check out more from Charles Blain at the Urban Reform Institute . Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newslet...
Sep 30, 2024•21 min
Let’s recap the week with host Raheel Ramzanali, political analyst Rafael Lemaitre, and Monica Flores Richart, education advocate and attorney. The trio start off by talking about where our city’s justice system stands after former Houston officer Gerald Goines was found guilty of felony murder. Then, they talk about our infamous sidewalks to nowhere and what it would mean to H-town if we eliminate them. Plus, why Texas pushed over 2 million people off Medicaid, an inspiring children's choir in ...
Sep 27, 2024•32 min
In the late 1970s, Houston was once considered the murder capital of the country, and many cases went unsolved, especially in Houston’s Latino community. So, the Houston Police Department did something radical. They created the first ever all-Latino, fully bilingual homicide team called the ‘Chicano Squad.’ Sergio Selvera joins host Raheel Ramzanali to explain how the group changed community policing. He’s the executive producer of the new docuseries ‘The Chicano Squad’ on A&E, and the son o...
Sep 26, 2024•24 min
With Oktoberfest officially in full swing, we wanted to revisit our guide to Houston’s amazing craft beer and brewery scene. Host Raheel Ramzanali gets recommendations from Lennie Ambrose with Saint Arnold Brewing and board chair of Texas Craft Brewers Guild, of the best brews to try around H-Town! Here’s more recommendations from the show: Saint Arnold Brewing 8th Wonder Brewery Walking Stick Brewing Company Senate Avenue Brewing Company North Shepherd Brewing Equal Parts Brewing Great Heights ...
Sep 25, 2024•21 min
The Latino community plays such an important role shaping Greater Houston, and now their economic power has grown so much, it’s bigger than some entire states! Host Raheel Ramzanali and Danya Pérez, diverse communities reporter at the Houston Landing, are talking about that, plus why property taxes are going up in Harris County, the latest drama at the Turkey Leg Hut, and other news you need to know this week! Here are the stories we talked about in today’s episode: Texas Latinos offer second-la...
Sep 24, 2024•20 min
Today on City Cast Houston, Raheel Ramzanali talks with Houston Public Media reporter Lucio Vasquez about his latest investigation into the crisis at Harris County Jail. In 2019, a massive bail reform was supposed to ease overcrowding at the jail. But, as Lucio found for NPR’s Here & Now, that hasn’t been the case. He shares stories of families who have lost loved ones in custody and breaks down the ongoing issues of understaffing, medical neglect, and rising jail populations despite reforms...
Sep 23, 2024•23 min
We all make mistakes in the work place, but imagine not reading an email that ended up costing your office $6 million! That’s exactly what happened at the Harris County District Attorney’s office. Plus, why is Houston Mayor John Whitmire talking about the previous mayor and throwing shade at that administration at his state of the city address? Host Raheel Ramzanali is recapping those stories and more with Monique Welch, diverse communities reporter at the Houston Landing, and Abby Church, City ...
Sep 20, 2024•33 min
Recent data from the Child Opportunity Index revealed that despite our diversity, Houston ranks among the worst cities in the country when it comes to the child opportunity gap. But what is the Child Opportunity Index, and how does it affect the future of our kids? Host Raheel Ramzanali sits down with Aswad Walker, associate editor at The Defender, to break down the numbers and explore why there’s such a huge gap between Houston’s neighborhoods. Dive deeper here: Analyzing Houston's child opport...
Sep 19, 2024•26 min
We’re kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with a culinary tour of places around Houston you need to try. Host Raheel Ramzanali is getting recommendations for breakfast, lunch and dinner — and dessert! — from a special guest, Patti Delgado. She’s the executive chef at the Original Ninfa’s Uptown, and her resume includes cooking alongside Ronnie Killen of Killen’s Barbecue and preparing meals for former President George H. W. Bush! Xalisko Xochi Ema El Taconazo Ninfa’s El Bolillo El Sol Sabor Vene...
Sep 18, 2024•18 min
It’s been almost a year since the Houston Police Department overhauled their policy on high spped car chases, but did it make a difference? Plus, parents and students are on edge after threats were made on social media towards schools in Texas and two schools went on lockdown. And, a mall that’s beating the odds and celebrating Houston’s diversity. Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking about those stories and more with Shannon Ryan, a reporter at ABC-13, to get you ready for this week in H-Town. Dive...
Sep 17, 2024•23 min
The majority of American can register to vote online — just like filing taxes or ordering from Amazon. But not in Texas. With the deadline to register to vote for the general election fast approaching on Oct. 7th, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to state Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Houston Democrat, about how Texas could make it easier to register to vote, and where the pushback’s coming from. Check out more here: Your Guide to Registering to Vote in Texas Opinion: It’s past time for online voter re...
Sep 16, 2024•20 min
It could get more expensive to live in Houston, now that local leaders are considering tax increases! That’s just one of the biggest stories host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking down with Lucio Vasquez, reporter at Houston Public Media. They also discuss how a former Houston police officer is on trial for murder, and how the Houston Police Department is trying to regain trust from another scandal. And, for a moment of joy, what exactly is Meow Wolf? And who’s with us for the reopening of the histor...
Sep 13, 2024•26 min
Houston is known for so many great sports teams, celebrities, symbols, and more. But what is the ultimate Houston icon that represents H-Town? We put together a tournament bracket so host Raheel Ramzanali and executive producer Laura Isensee can narrow down the choices with the help of Deborah Duncan, host of Great Day Houston on KHOU, to crown one icon as the ‘Most Houston’ thing ever! Think we got it wrong? Or want to see the full bracket as you listen to the show? Weigh in on the matchups, an...
Sep 12, 2024•37 min
We’ve all heard it before, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” and host Raheel Ramzanali agrees! So, today he’s talking to Bao Ong, restaurant columnist at the Houston Chronicle, to dish out the best breakfast spots around H-Town for your morning fix. Whether you’re craving American classics like eggs and bacon or want to try something more adventurous like dim sun, Raheel and Bao have you covered to kickstart your day! Recommendations from today’s conversation: The top 25 breakfa...
Sep 11, 2024•18 min
Hurricane season was quiet last month, but just when we thought we could exhale, Tropical Storm Francine is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. So host Raheel Ramzanali and Faith Bugenhagen with the Houston Press are breaking down what you need to know about the storm. Plus, Raheel and Faith are talking about what tough questions need to be answered for Houston and Texas in tonight’s presidential debate. Also, HISD is taking steps to better protect students, another home insurance provider is pulling...
Sep 10, 2024•32 min
For the first time in five years, Houston is on pace to see the fewest number of homicides and the highest number of traffic fatalities, but why? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Jay R. Jordan, reporter at Axios Houston, about why traffic deaths are up, what city leaders are doing to lower the traffic deaths, and what the future of road safety could look like in Houston. Stories we talked about in today’s show: More die in Houston traffic crashes than by homicide Here's how many miles the ave...
Sep 09, 2024•21 min
It is Friday, and the end of Mayor Whitmire’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week. There’s a lot to cover, so Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on dynamic media personality Antre’chelle Nova and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz to dissect the Mayor’s claims that Pro-Palestine protestors in front of his house were being paid by Iran. Plus, Executive Director of Harris County Public Health was fired for taking kickbacks, why the FBI is now investigating the Houston park ranger who is accu...
Sep 06, 2024•26 min
The NFL season starts tonight and there’s a buzz around our Houston Texans as being one of the best teams in the NFL. Sure they’re favored to win the AFC South, but are they good enough to make a run to the Super Bowl? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Cody Stoots, creator of HouFootball.com, and Texans diehard fan Pammy Umatiya about why this team could be playing in the Super Bowl and what it would mean for the city if they accomplish something no other football team in Houston’s history has...
Sep 05, 2024•20 min
It might not be crisp and cool outside yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy some fall snacks and treats from H-E-B! Host Raheel Ramzanali is getting recommendations from our friend Emily of Texas Grocery Finds on the best football watch party snacks, tailgating must-have treats, back-to-school snacks for the kiddos, pumpkin spice inspired items, and more! Snacks we talked about: H-E-B pumpkin spice muffin bars H-E-B pumpkin granola bars Wednesday Blueberry Grape Despair Gushers Sensible Por...
Sep 04, 2024•20 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. Summer is gone and fall is almost here in Houston! Right now is the perfect time to head outside with great weather and get your first taste of fall. Plus, we have so many festivals, football games, and other huge gatherings that celebrate the diversity of our city. Oh, and you know we’re giving you some food picks as well. Our September guide is ...
Sep 03, 2024•28 min
