Food, culture, news and nature in the sweaty Bayou City. Join Host Lisa Gray and the City Cast Houston team as we... more
On Fridays, we look back at a weeks worth of news in Houston. Host Lisa Gray, lead producer Dina Kesbeh... more
How, in just a day, can you make your out-of-town friend understand what’s great about this place? The City Cast... more
Wasn’t e-commerce supposed to kill malls? Or the recession? Or COVID? Why do those havens for Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and... more
Even before the pandemic, anxiety was rising among kids and teens — and now the Uvalde shooting is causing many... more
Today on City Cast Houston, host Lisa Gray speaks with Houstonian, Don Hartsell, founder and 1st Commissioner for the World... more
It's Friday, which means it's that time of the week where we round up the news! One of Sylvester Turner’s... more
Alligators, ships, and water the color of chocolate milk: Can we talk about Buffalo Bayou? Happy Thursday everyone! On team chat... more
It's been 60 years since the Rice Stadium speech when John F. Kennedy announced the creation of NASA. And, it's... more
Like pollinators everywhere, the bees native to the Houston area are struggling. Environmentalists say that’s in part due to honeybees,... more
Today, we are bringing back one of our favorite episodes. City Cast's velvet voice CEO David Plotz has a list... more
It’s that time of the week where we look back at a weeks worth of news. Today, host Lisa Gray,... more
It’s team-chat Thursday! Today, we are talking about all the great spots you can take your dog in Houston. Also! We... more
Today, we're passing the mic on to you, our listeners. We have been asking y'all to call in and give... more
Today, we kick off an occasional series about Houston neighborhoods – this time, we're talking about West U. It's a small,... more
The oil companies' favorite option to fight global warming appears less and less viable. So, what now? Is carbon capture... more
Today, City Cast Houston features a bonus episode – it's our friends at the Houston Chronicle's podcast Texas Take! It's hosted... more
It’s Friday again! That means we’ve got a week’s worth of news to catch up on. Host Lisa Gray, Producer... more
In its annual “Top States for Business” ranking, CNBC gave Texas an F for “Life, Health and Inclusion.” Join host... more
Houston we have a PROBLEM, and this time it's more than just the heat! A drought has started causing some... more
This is not your average hot dog. Jacob Irving is a 16-year-old who started his own hot dog food trailer... more
Houston’s record-breaking heat has been the talk of the town for months, and it seems there’s no end in sight.... more
It's FRIDAY! Which means it's time to round out the week with some of Houston hottest news stories [weather pun... more
This is the time of year for a good road trip. However, the temps have been so blistering, is it... more
In a master planned community in Cypress, a couple named Kathleen and George Rowe have been feeding the ducks behind... more
Houston has one of the best food scenes in America, but inflation is hitting prices hard. Still, there are deals... more
Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, not many smaller companies seem willing to announce public support for their employees... more
It’s a Friday News Roundup! Each Friday, we talk about the most important Houston news stories of the week. Today,... more
Texas just doesn’t do sweet tea the way other Southern states do. Why is that? Host Lisa Gray and lead... more
The Supreme Court is evaluating the scope of the Clean Water Act and its protections of wetlands, with oral arguments... more
The issues mount as November’s election closes in. Recent decisions by the Supreme Court have sent shockwaves across the country... more
It’s Friday, which means we are diving into a weeks worth of news in Houston. This week, host Lisa Gray... more
From motoring around the Port of Houston to rolling your own sushi, strolling the arid scrublands of Hempstead, and getting... more
The Twilight Epiphany Skyspace at Rice University is one of Houston's most peaceful places. The structure is among more than... more
Texans continues to grapple with the most influential Supreme Court decision of our lifetimes, but the overturning of Roe V.... more
The Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, and abortion became illegal in Texas. (Even though the “Trigger law” has yet... more
It's Friday, which means it's time to round out the week with some news! This week Host Lisa Gray and... more
It’s chat time! And this week, the City Cast Houston team is talking about some of the most prestigious universities... more
The new Texas Republican platform is only the latest reason why trans people in Houston feel that their rights --... more
The novel, 'The Last Queen' takes readers on a historical journey by telling the fascinating story of Rani Jindan. This... more
It's that time of the week y'all! We're looking back at a weeks worth of news. Lisa is joined by... more
It's blazing hot – with no relief in sight! As all-time temp records drop like flies, so does the morale... more
Summer is upon us! So you know what that means: constantly swatting at mosquitos, declaring war on fire ants, and... more
Have you ever wondered what your neighborhood looked like before there were buildings on the land? What was Uptown like... more
The current proposal for the Ike Dike - a barrier to protect the Houston/Galveston area from hurricanes - is making... more
It’s News Roundup Friday! Lisa is joined by producer Ferrill Gibbs and the City Cast culture contributor Olivia Flores Alvarez.... more
How do you like yours? Stuffed with cottage cheese? Maybe with meat and jalapeno? Or, perhaps you like an old-school... more
It's summertime, you're walking around barefoot running through the grass and you get bit by a snake, what should you... more
Welcome back to Part II of Keri Blakinger's story: a top-level ice skater who, after her skating career fell apart,... more
At 17, Keri Blakinger was a top-level ice skater. But after her skating career fell apart, so did she. She... more
Hey City Cast Houston listeners, today we have something different for you. For today’s show, we’ve teamed up with The... more
Today we're looking back at a weeks worth of news around Houston. Freelance producer AK Al Moumen joins Lead Producer... more
Yesterday was the first day of hurricane season, and already "Alex" threatens to form from the remnants of Agatha. The... more
It's officially hurricane season. We continue our weeklong hurricane coverage by breaking down what an actual hurricane is. To tell... more
Tomorrow is June 1st, which means it's hurricane season. So! We will be covering all things "hurricane" this week on... more
The weekend following the elementary-school shooting Uvalde, the NRA shamelessly holds its convention in Houston. Host Lisa Gray, City Cast contributor Shiyam... more
Roller coasters? Funnel cakes? Ferris wheels? What exactly defines an amusement park, and do we have any now near Houston?... more
Ancient people dealt with sea levels that changed even faster than they are now. What does geology and archeology tell... more
Magnolias are a symbol of the Old South — but they’re also so much more. Lisa Gray talks with City Cast... more
Chris Clarke explains high-level economics on a social platform more often used for dance trends. In 60 seconds or less,... more
Instead of bringing the news to life, in this bonus episode, we're leaning into the sleep-inducing qualities of the rules... more
On this episode of City Cast Houston’s Friday Round-Up: Texas Tribune’s Zach Despart joins Lisa and Ferrill to discuss the... more
Is there one main Texas accent, or are there many? How differently do Texans speak from other Southerners? And what... more
From time to time, the City of Houston's sewage overflows and spews poo and other undesirable waste into our city.... more
It’s time to get past the cliché. Who are the people that make Houston great? We put out the call... more
LyondellBasell, in a recent announcement, said it would shutter its Houston refinery at the end of 2023 — a site... more
It's Friday — and the City Cast Houston gang rounds up the week! This week's coverage: the Roe V. Wade... more
It’s hot, y’all! With temperatures already in the 90s, we figured it wasn’t too early to talk about how to... more
City Cast lead producer Dina Kesbeh has been in the market for a house for a while now, in Houston.... more
Houston is changing. It's getting hotter here, and summer lasts longer. We're getting bigger storms. Energy is way more expensive.... more
4.7 million people live in Harris County, making it the third-most populous county in the country … and one run... more
On this week's news round-up, contributor Olivia Flores Alvarez joins producer Ferrill Gibbs and host Lisa Gray. They dive into... more
You’ve probably seen the meme: Texas cities as depicted by different versions of Matthew McConaughey. Dallas: the Tuxedoed McConaughey. San... more
Most Houstonians know Crime Stoppers as that nonpartisan, nonprofit group who pays rewards for tips that help police solve crimes.... more
In the early 90's, Houston hip-hop artist DJ Screw developed a sound called "chopped and screwed." It drew from artists... more
The pandemic forced many Houstonians to work from home, and it left vacant office buildings in the lurch. It's still... more
It's Friday, and we're talking news. This week advocates for asylum seekers are calling for an investigation into Houston’s Asylum... more
People who are not Houstonians have no clue how full this city is of incredible sights to see, foods to... more
This weekend, hundreds of Houstonians will play along with the city nature challenge. They’ll take photos of the wild things... more
Gaby Diaz is a teacher at Bellaire High School who recently penned an op/ed for the Houston Chronicle called, "Texas... more
With hurricane season just over a month away - a season forecast to be 130% more active than last year... more
It's Friday! And on Fridays, Lisa Gray recaps the week in Houston news, like when Lizzo appeared on SNL. She... more
It's Thursday, and this week the team chats about the best coffee in Houston: from Minuti Coffee to Koffeteria to... more
Did you ever wonder what Houston was like, before there were freeways and concrete? What was the land like before... more
Should you get solar panels? Wouldn’t Houston be the perfect place for them to soak up so much glorious sunshine... more
On April 29, to protest the latest wave of banned books, caravans from Houston and San Antonio will converge on... more
Today, we look back at the week in news. Host Lisa Gray, Lead Producer Dina Kesbeh and La Opinion reporter... more
When the Galleria opened just before Thanksgiving in 1970, it changed how the country viewed shopping malls. It was massive,... more
In 2018 Lina Hidalgo shocked pretty much everyone in the world by winning an upset election to become Harris County's... more
It was once the Barbara Jordan Post Office, but Houston’s new downtown spot POST Houston has become a galleria-type oasis,... more
We’re approaching the peak of birds’ spring migration, which means that soon, thousands of birds will pass over your head... more
It’s a Friday round up! On this week’s episode, we discuss the ongoing conflict between Kim Ogg and Lina Hidalgo.... more
Art Car Weekend peaks Saturday when the 35th Annual Houston Art Car Parade rolls through downtown. The giant rolling chicken... more
Boozy groups pedaling party bikes are a fixtures of Washington Ave. and Eado, but Trill on Wheels is different: It’s a... more
A lawsuit forced Harris County to release most people accused of misdemeanors while they await trial, rather than keep them... more
Is Trump with Ted Cruz or against him these days? Is Tucker Carlson an ally or an enemy now? And... more
On today’s episode of City Cast Houston, it’s a Friday news round up! Todays topics include whether there’s much of... more
Ramadan begins this weekend in Houston, and it means a time of fasting, prayer and self-reflection for Houston's Muslim Community.... more
We think of Houston as a city of skyscrapers, sprawl and freeways — but it's also a surprisingly natural place.... more
Recreational weed has been available in Illinois since 2020. Meanwhile, in Texas, Beto O'Rourke will be stomping for weed legalization... more
What should Houston do? The sanctions against Russia sent the world scrambling to make up for hundreds of thousands of... more
First-time guest and journalist Claudia Kolker joins City Cast Host Lisa Gray and Lead Producer Dina Kesbeh to talk about... more
Two years after the start of the pandemic, Hermann Park is coming back to life, and Houstonians are there for... more
Let’s just say it: Houston’s art scene is way whiter and more Anglo than the rest of the city. But... more
Houston's Dr. Peter Hotez is having an extremely busy year. In February, he was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize,... more
After a two-year hiatus, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo came back in full force at the end of February,... more
Today we'll dive into the most important stories of the week and the ones that weren't in the headlines enough.... more
Blue Bell lovers, today's sweet treat is for you! Blue Bell just dropped a new flavor called Peachy Peach, and... more
They say you can find anything on Harwin Drive: Clothing, party supplies, jewelry, furniture, and the list goes on and... more
Would Houstonians ever eat insects, not just as a fear factor kind of dare, but because they are delicious? Chef... more
The Houston hustle is real, and knows no bounds as far as age is concerned. At least, that’s been 17-year-old... more
On Fridays, we discuss the most important stories of the week (and the most under-reported ones, too). Today, author and... more
Houstonians are passionate about their doughnuts: Is it light and crispy? Is it too heavy? Is it just a chunk... more
This months Harris County primary elections were a wreck, a total disaster. And now, Harris County's Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria has... more
The proposed megaproject to widen I-45 has been controversial for loads of reasons – including that it would displace many... more
Houston has begun to rethink many of its streets. It's making them friendlier to pedestrians, bicyclists and other people not... more
Hey City Cast Houston listeners, today we have something different for you. On March first, Texas voters schlepped to their... more
It's Friday! And on Fridays, we talk about all the latest news! Raj Mankad, the op-ed for the Houston Chronicle,... more
As America tuned in to one of the most momentous State of the Union Addresses in modern time – one... more
An hour north of downtown Houston, on I-45, is Huntsville. The home base of Texas' enormous prison system. Keri Blakinger,... more
The day Bravo’s Top Chef asked Evelyn Garcia – the chef behind Kin HTX – to appear on its 19th... more
A few weeks ago, a glowing op-ed appeared in the LA Times: “What Can Houston Teach Los Angeles About Solving... more
It’s been an eventful week – and not just here in Houston. Our planet felt the tremors of war on... more
I'm sure you had a lot of epiphanies during the pandemic. That was definitely the case for Ivy Walls, who... more
Some Houston neighborhoods seem to flood every time it rains. So why do people keep rebuilding there? After Hurricane Harvey,... more
You would not believe why fire ants, who only recently arrived in Houston (probably in the 1930’s when stowaways docked... more
The day Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale donned a costume mattress and shouted “Gallery Saves You Money!” he became a Houston... more
The Houston growing seasons are not so very Texan. Our climate is humid subtropical – it has extremely mild winters... more
For half a century, Rothko Chapel has been the stillest place in Houston. We’re a city where too much is... more
Smack at the center of Rice's main quad is a bronze statue of Rice's slave-holding founder, William Marsh Rice. For... more
Last time we opened up the phone lines for caller submissions, Houstonians regaled us with inspiring stories from the 610... more
It’s been an eventful week – and not just here in Houston. Our planet felt the tremors of war on Thursday morning... more