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 26, 2024 • 26 mins
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...
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April 25, 2024 • 27 mins
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 ...
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April 24, 2024 • 16 mins
Pigs in a blanket? Kolaches? Klobasnek? What do you call our iconic breakfast treats? No matter what you call them, we can all agree that they are delicious! With so many great bakeries to choose from, where should you go first to celebrate National Pigs in a Blanket Day? Houston food content creator Shawn the Food Sheep joins host Raheel Ramzanali to give his recommendations of places you need to try ASAP. From fruit fillings to h...
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April 23, 2024 • 24 mins
Today on the show, host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to talk about the biggest stories impacting H-Town to start the week. From a look at the latest information from HPD regarding the suspended cases to new scams impacting residents, Raheel and Brooke break it all down!
Featured stories:
34 charges filed in review of suspended cases
Houston Texans jersey leaked online
Measles cases a...
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April 22, 2024 • 26 mins
We’re known for our medical center and health innovations here in H-Town, but recent headlines are making host Raheel Ramzanali question what’s going at the med center. First, he’s talking to Houston Chronicle health reporter Julian Gill about the Memorial Herman transplant scandal and what exactly happened with patients being taken off a donor database. Then, he’s talking to Dr. Erica Giwa of Legacy Community Health about why blac...
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April 19, 2024 • 28 mins
It was another busy week in H-Town, but don’t worry, we’re recapping everything that happened with host Raheel Ramzanali, Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz, and media personality Antre’chelle Nova. From Mayor Whitmire blocking much-needed improvements in Montrose to a wild nail salon story you have to hear, the trio is talking about it all to end the week!
Learn more:
Houston ranked as a miserable city
Murder and violent crimes...
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April 18, 2024 • 17 mins
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month so host Raheel Ramzanali is chatting with Megan Green from the DePelchin Children’s Center about how we can help recognize and prevent child abuse in Houston. From tips to share with parents to tips on how to report child abuse, Megan is breaking it all down for us on today’s episode.
Learn more:
Resources for Parents and families from DePelchin’s Children Center
Looking for more Hous...
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April 17, 2024 • 22 mins
Pickleball is here to stay, but knowing where to start can be hard. So, host Raheel Ramzanali and is talking to pickleball enthusiast Johnny Lee on how every beginner in Houston can jump into their new addiction…pickleball! From the courts you should play at to the delicious eats at the many facilities, the duo will get you ready to go from beginner to pro in no time!
Start your pickleball journey with the links below!
How to pla...
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April 16, 2024 • 22 mins
It’s already a busy start to the week with so many stories to know about so host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on ABC13 reporter Chaz Miller to recap some of the big ones. The duo start things off with by talking about the economic impact of healthcare access disparities, then jump to rapid fire where hemp products might get regulation, and then they’re ending with a story so wild that it can only happen in H-Town!
Featured stories:...
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April 15, 2024 • 23 mins
It’s been 100 days since Chris Hollins took over as city controller and A LOT has happened! Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Controller Hollins about the hardest part of job so far, how the new firefighter settlement will impact the city’s financial future, and how the city can help balance the budget.
Learn more about Controller Hollins
SENDS:
Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Housto...
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April 12, 2024 • 21 mins
Today on the show, Host Raheel Ramzanali and Pulitzer Prize finalist Even Mintz are recapping the biggest stories of the week. First, they’re talking about Ken Paxton suing Harris County for a program that other Texas cities have implemented. Then, the duo focus on stories like President Joe Biden’s push to get the Houston to Dallas train done, a new midtown housing project that’s sparking debate, Art Car Parade weekend, and more!
...
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April 11, 2024 • 23 mins
The weather might be perfect right now in Houston, but it’s about to get really hot. That’s why host Raheel Ramzanali is chatting with Brent Moon, Horticulture Manager at the Houston Botanic Garden, on what we should be planting right now to have that perfect garden in the summer. From fruits and veggies to tips on keeping your grass green, Brent is breaking it all down for you!
Want to know more? Check out the links below
Classes...
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April 10, 2024 • 25 mins
Get your eating pants on because it’s time for Houston Black Restaurant Week! From upscale choices to outstanding Caribbean fare, host Raheel Ramzanali is getting the best spots to try from Falayn Ferrell, Black Restaurant Week Managing Partner, and RC Simmons, founder of Park Place Steakhouse!
Check out our recs:
Learn more about Houston Black Restaurant Week
Kindred Stories
LetsDoThisHouston
Brown Sugar Cafe
A lil Taste ...
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April 9, 2024 • 35 mins
We’re rounding up the news a little differently today with a very special episode of CCH! We’re bringing our live taping from the Toyota Center straight to your ears, and discussing all the crazy stories that happened over the weekend. Dynamic media personality Antre’chelle Nova, Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis, and producer Carlignon Jones join host Raheel Ramzanali to talk about everything from metered parking to illeg...
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April 8, 2024 • 18 mins
Diversity is celebrated in Houston so why is racial profiling still occurring when it comes to traffic stops? New data shows just how bad racial profiling was in 2023 for black Houstonians. So, what are the impacts of these traffic stops and how can we stop them? Host Raheel Ramzanali is getting answers about these questions from Christopher Rivera from the Texas Civil Rights Project.
Learn more here:
Black drivers were pulled ove...
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April 5, 2024 • 24 mins
It was another busy week in Houston so host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking down all of the big stories with independent journalist Camilo Hannibal Smith. The duo are talking about a government official’s son being killed in a targeted hit, Senator Ted Cruz’s relationship with iHeartMedia, tensions flaring at Houston City Council, and more!
Learn more here:
Targeted shooting kills son of Dominican Republic government official
Tempe...
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April 4, 2024 • 28 mins
Coffee City, Texas just another small town in Texas until a former Houston cop made his way up there. What followed was corruption, indictments, and an entire police for being disbanded. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by KHOU investigative reporter Jeremy Rogalski to learn about how he uncovered this shocking story and why it should matter to every Houstonian.
Learn more:
Jeremy’s reporting on Coffee City
More reporting on Cof...
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April 3, 2024 • 22 mins
The Houston craft beer scene has exploded in the last few years, but getting started in it and knowing where to go can be overwhelming. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is getting recommendations from Lennie Ambrose, Chief Marketing Officer at Saint Arnold Brewing and Texas Craft Brewers Guild’s Board Chair, of the best breweries and beers to try around H-Town!
Check out our mentions:
Learn more about Saint Arnold Brewing
8th Wonder Br...
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April 2, 2024 • 27 mins
It’s a busy start to the week so host Raheel Ramzanali is tagging in Houston Landing’s education reporter Asher Lehrer-Small to break down the stories you should know about in Houston this week. From the EPA’s contamination report in Greater Fifth Ward to the recent changes at Houston Public Library, they’re talking about it all on today’s episode.
Featured stories:
Asher’s story on HISD students
Major changes at Houston Public...
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April 1, 2024 • 19 mins
Earlier this month Mayor Whitmire and the firefighters union agreed on a settlement that solved a longstanding contract dispute, but what will be the impacts of that deal on Houstonians? From potential tax implications to talks of a trash fee, Houston Public Media’s government reporter Andrew Schneider joins host Raheel Ramzanali to explain it all.
Learn more here:
Response times and financial impacts of the new firefighters deal...
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