City Cast Houston
Food, culture, news and nature in the sweaty Bayou City. Join Host Raheel Ramzanali and the City Cast Houston team as we celebrate and interrogate this sprawling place with our favorite journalists, thinkers, leaders, neighbors and gadflies. Learn more and subscribe to our daily morning newsletter, Hey Houston, at houston.citycast.fm.
Episodes
April 25, 2025 • 30 mins
Today, host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by ABC-13 reporter Pooja Lodhia to talk about why residents are worried about crime in the Third Ward, how the East End could become a new art destination, and the latest in a scandal over tax breaks for landlords. Plus, some newsthat’s actually good news!
Dive deeper into the stories we talked about today:
Smash Mouth to play free concert at Houston's Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park
...
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April 24, 2025 • 30 mins
Let’s face it, Houston isn’t as affordable as it once was because of inflation and other factors. So, we want to help you save some money! From insurance to groceries and eating out, host Raheel Ramzanali, Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis, and executive producer Laura Isensee are giving you their best money-saving hacks for H-Town!
Tips and trends we talked about:
Energy Ogre
Rakuten
TxFrugalFinds on Instagram
...
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April 23, 2025 • 22 mins
It’s that time of year where we’re outside enjoying festivals, backyard parties, and more! And it’s making us hungry for some delicious snacks. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on the Snack Queen Emily Hill, founder of Texas Grocery Finds, to get her top snacks to try this spring from H-E-B, Trader Joe’s and other grocery stores around H-town!
Snack recommendations from today’s episode:
Sprouts Pistachio Gelato Bombs
Peppe...
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April 22, 2025 • 25 mins
It’s Earth Day, and while our big green spaces like Memorial and Hermann parks get plenty of love, Houston’s smaller neighborhood parks are often overlooked. Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz about why these local parks lack funding and attention — and what’s keeping many Houstonians from enjoying our city’s outdoor spaces.
Follow Evan Mintz on X for more on Houston’s parks
Houston deserves bett...
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April 21, 2025 • 21 mins
Mayor John Whitmire is in his second year leading Houston. But not everyone is on board with his leadership and direction for the city. A grassroots group called Recall Houston is pushing to remove him from office, and they’re already raising money and preparing to gather signatures for a recall vote. Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with Alejandro Alegria of Recall Houston about why the group wants the mayor gone and how they plan to m...
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April 18, 2025 • 32 mins
It’s Friday, so we’re recapping the biggest stories in Houston this week! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Lucio Vasquez, breaking news reporter with the Texas Newsroom, to discuss the historic school voucher vote in Austin, how Mayor Whitmire managed to shrink Houston’s budget deficit, why international students are being sent home from Texas universities, and, of course, our moments of joy!
Dive deeper into the stories we tal...
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April 17, 2025 • 26 mins
We all do things as Houstonians that we’re not proud of…like honking at people driving 20mph below the speed limit or always showing up late to an event because of traffic! So, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on producer Carlignon Jones and Tessa Barrera, co-host of Houston Life on KPRC, to confess their toxic Houston traits and learn some from you, the listeners!
Learn more about the sponsors of this April 17th episode:
Visit P...
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April 16, 2025 • 32 mins
Now that almost every business interaction seems to end with a tip screen, we asked ourselves: What are the new rules of tipping in Houston? And have we reached a tipping point with tipping? Helping host Raheel Ramzanali dig into this is Houstonia Magazine’s editor-in-chief Emma Balter and Ryan Lachaine, chef and co-owner of RIEL in Montrose.
Stories we talked about on today’s show and more about our guests:
Texans among worst t...
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April 15, 2025 • 28 mins
You’ve probably seen them parked at bus stops, or at the edge of a parking lot: abandoned shopping carts. They might seem like just a nuisance, but dealing with them is more complicated than you think. Host Raheel Ramzanali talks it through with Ryan Nickerson, the Houston Chronicle’s quality of life reporter.
Dive deeper into today’s story:
Abandoned shopping carts are a persistent problem in Houston. Here's how the city wants to...
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April 14, 2025 • 32 mins
There’s been plenty of controversy over bike lanes in Midtown. Mayor Whitmire initially removed protected lanes on Austin Street without warning, later reversing course in a compromise with the biking community. But some worry that his track record could put other protected bike lanes at risk. Host Raheel Ramzanali digs into the bike lane battles with Joe Cutrufo, executive director of BikeHouston, to talk about how the mayor’s dec...
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April 11, 2025 • 37 mins
It’s Friday so host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on some of Houston’s smartest and most in-the-know journalists and commentators to recap the week’s bigest news. He’s joined by Monique Welch, diverse communities reporter at the Houston Landing, and Charles Blain, conservative commentator and president of the Urban Reform Institute, to preview a major GOP showdown, changes to teacher pay, a tragic attack on Afghan girls in a lunchro...
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April 10, 2025 • 39 mins
We’re in the final stretch of that perfect spring weather in Houston, and host Raheel Ramzanali wants to soak it all up, without spending a fortune. So, he’s challenged executive producer Laura Isensee and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to plan the perfect spring day in H-town for under $50!
Brooke’s Perfect Spring Day in Montrose:
Coffee at Empire Cafe
Shopping at Space Montrose, Leopard Lounge, and others
Lunch ...
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April 9, 2025 • 18 mins
We can thank the Czech settlers in the 1800s for bringing kolaches to Texas. Now they’ve become one of our favorite breakfast treats in Houston. But with so many places, picking the best kolache spot can can be overwhelming. So, Houston food content creator Shawn the Food Sheep joins host Raheel Ramzanali to give his recommendations of places you need to try ASAP. From sweet fruity fillings to savory and spicy options, these kolach...
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April 8, 2025 • 28 mins
Over 5,000 Houstonians rallied at City Hall to protest President Trump and Elon Musk, plus even more rallies in Montgomery County and across the country. Plus, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. visited the epicenter of Texas’ measles outbreak, and local nonprofits supporting refugees say their crisis is deepening. Executive Producer Laura Isensee is breaking it all down with Chron.com trending news reporter Faith Bug...
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April 7, 2025 • 28 mins
A second unvaccinated child with measles has died in West Texas, as the measles outbreak reaches nearly 500 cases and shows no signs of slowing. While U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., visited the epicenter of the crisis on Sunday, we wanted to know: how long will the measles outbreak last? And how can Houstonians protect themselves and their kids? Executive Producer Laura Isensee talks with Dr. Sandi ...
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April 4, 2025 • 28 mins
It’s the Friday News Roundup! Producer Carlignon Jones and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz break down the week’s biggest stories, from the city’s record-breaking overtime crisis to a national protest against President Trump coming to Houston. Plus, more on game room raids across the city, why the mayor’s removing bike lanes in Midtown, and their moments of joy!
Learn more about the stories we talked about today:
Mayor Whitmire,...
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April 3, 2025 • 30 mins
Planning a spring getaway or summer trip? You don’t need to splurge to take your dream vacation, at least for your flight. Travel expert and Going founder Scott Keyes is sharing his top tips for finding cheap flights out of Houston, whether it’s from Hobby Airport or Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Learn more about the sponsors of this April 3rd episode:
Visit Port Aransas
Rice University Precollege Program
Looking for more Houston...
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April 2, 2025 • 32 mins
Houston is buzzing with parties, but host Raheel Ramzanali has discovered one that’s a perfect match for his love of coffee. Meanwhile, how much would you shell out for exclusive access to a members-only bar? Plus, find out why the drama over a new matcha brand in H-town has gone viral. Erica Cheng, food reporter at Chron.com, joins Raheel to break down the latest food trends in Houston.
Want to know more? Check out the stories we ...
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April 1, 2025 • 30 mins
April screams spring in H-Town with that final stretch of perfect weather and exciting outdoor events! To help you make the most out of it, the City Cast Houston team has hand-picked the best things to do this month — events you won’t find anywhere else. From a picnic for adults to a Grammy-nominated Houston band…Oh, and amazing Black-owned restaurants to try, we’ve got your April plans covered!
Want to enjoy even more things arou...
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March 31, 2025 • 40 mins
Over 50 years ago, more than two dozen teenage boys in Houston were tortured and murdered by the "Candy Man," one of the country's most prolific serial killers. But the crime was ignored for too long. Now a new book reveals how a scientist restored the long-lost identity of several victims and why the case still matters today. City Cast Houston executive producer Laura Isensee sat down with Lise Olsen, author of “The Scientist and ...
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