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PODCAST

City Cast Houston

The daily podcast for food, culture, news, and nature in the sweaty Bayou City. Join host Raheel Ramzanali and the City Cast Houston team every weekday morning 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 at houston.citycast.fm.

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All Episodes

28:17

How Bad Will This Hurricane Season Be?

City Cast Houston ·

2025/06/02

Hurricane season is officially underway, and we’re getting a hype-free preview of what to expect from Space City Weather’s Matt Lanza. He joins host Raheel Ramzanali about NOAA’s official forecast, what lessons we learned from Hurricane Beryl, and how you can prepare. Stories we talked about on today’s show: With calm Houston weather, we take a very early look at hurricane season NOAA predicts 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be ‘above normal’ Tips To Get You Hurricane Ready in

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32:39

Mail Theft Ring, Throwing THC at Reporters, and Pools...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/30

It’s Friday so host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking down the big stories of the week in H-Town. Today, he’s joined by ABC-13’s Pooja Lodhia to talk about her story on a mail theft ring that was busted this week and why victims can’t find out if their identity was stolen. They also have the latest on a lawsuit that could derail Houston’s budget and share good news with more neighborhood pools opening this summer. Plus, why our Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is throwing TCH products at reporters! Stories we

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33:01

Your Guide to June 2025 in Houston

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/29

June is filled with big events, moments to reflect, and delicious meals for dad. So host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on executive producer Laura Isensee and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to help you make the most of June in Houston. Want even more delicious spots to eat at around Houston? Check out our ⁠the top brunch spots in Houston right now!⁠ Places we talked about on today’s show: ⁠Galveston Island Revue Weekend⁠ ⁠A Juneteenth Conversation: With the Family of George

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21:53

The Top Brunch Spots in Houston Right Now

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/28

Houston’s brunch scene is one of the best in the nation, from chicken and waffles to dim sum and everything in between. But with so many standout spots, choosing the perfect spot for your brunch plans can be overwhelming. That’s why host Raheel Ramzanali is teaming up with Bao Ong, the Houston Chronicle’s restaurant critic, to round up the top brunch experiences around H-town. Whether you’re looking for party vibes, a decadent Mexican meal, or a classic buffet, they’ve got you covered!Places we

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33:47

Three Houstonians Caught up in Trump’s Immigration...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/27

During his presidential campaign, President Trump vowed to crack down on illegal immigration and deport violent criminals. But how is the crackdown actually playing out in Houston? Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with award-winning immigration reporter Anna-Cat Brigida about how some regular Houstonians are getting their visas revoked, detained in ICE raids, and more. ICE says it deported more than 500 people in the Houston area in one week University of Houston assistant professor preparing to

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41:54

Future of RenFest, George Floyd Mural Destroyed, &...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/23

It’s Friday so we’re breaking down the biggest stories from the week. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Lucio Vasquez, breaking news reporter at The Texas Newsroom, and executive producer Laura Isensee to talk about the future of the Texas Renaissance Festival after its founder died this week. Plus, Houston’s growing income inequality and the legacy of George Floyd. And don’t miss our moments of joy! Stories we talked about on today’s show: ⁠George Coulam, controversial founder of Texas

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26:42

The Best Road Trips From Houston This Summer

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/22

Whether you’re planning a quick one-hour trip or a long-haul adventure, Houston offers plenty of great road trip options. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is teaming up with Sofia Gonzalez, Houstonia Magazine’s travel editor, to share their top picks for the best road trips to take this Memorial Day weekend, or anytime this summer with your friends, family, special someone — or even solo! Check out all our recommendations here: Galveston Surfside Blue Coast Highway Drive The Pearl in San

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31:09

What Happened to Our Beloved Whataburger?

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/21

There was a time when host Raheel Ramzanali celebrated every birthday at Whataburger with a patty melt. But now, as the Texas legend marks its 75th anniversary, he swears it’s just not the same. So, he’s talking to Omar Gallaga, an independent Texas-based writer, about whether Whataburger has changed since it was bought by a Chicago company in 2019 and went national. Plus, we’ll hear from some loyal fans and their favorite memories. Stories we talked about on today’s show: What happened to

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26:05

How Houstonians Really Feel, Budget Updates, &...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/20

The annual Kinder Houston area survey is out so host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking down some of the interesting takeaways on how Houstonians are feeling with ABC-13 reporter Shannon Ryan. Plus, what’s the latest with Mayor Whitmire’s proposed budget and what services will be impacted if it passes? And, we learn what a popular former HISD principal is up to during “Only in H-Town”! Stories we talked about on today’s show: Houston's budget and voters' changing attitudes Houston parks

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27:54

Will Housing in Houston Ever Be Affordable Again?

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/19

Houston has long prided itself on being an affordable place to live, for both homeowners and renters. But that reputation is starting to slip. As more people move to the city, housing supply hasn’t kept up. And prices in traditionally working-class neighborhoods are skyrocketing. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to City Cast Houston contributor Evan Mintz about how we got here, what Houstonians can do to slow rising costs, and if state lawmakers might actually do something to fix our housing

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31:17

Ending the “Ted Cruz Curse,” Jeep Weekend, & Goodbye...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/16

It’s Friday so host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking down the big stories of the week with some of our brightest journalists in the city. Joining Raheel today is Houston Chronicle’s Texas government reporter Isaac Yu to explain why state lawmakers might scrap the STAAR testing — and what would come next — and the latest with the state takeover of HISD. Plus, we get an update on how Galveston officials plan to keep Bolivar’s wild Jeep Weekend under control. Stories we talked about on today’s

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25:48

9 Spots You Need on Your Houston Bucket List

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/15

Houston has SO much to do, sometimes you have to play tourist in your own town. That’s exactly what host Raheel Ramzanali, producer Carlignon Jones, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis are doing on today’s episode — they’re updating their personal bucket lists of must-do Houston experiences. And let us know what we missed! Places on our bucket list: Texas-Shaped Pool at the Marriott Marquis Space Center Houston Downtown Tunnels Get a Grillz The Cistern Project

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20:33

Houston’s Best Ice Cream and Cold Treats To Beat the...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/14

Sigh, the Houston heat is here earlier than we expected, but don’t stress, we’re going to cool you down with some of our favorite cold treats! 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 these blistering days. 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. Check out the recommendations and links from

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32:05

The Houston Landing Tried to Reinvent Local News....

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/13

The Houston Landing made a huge splash when it launched as a local non-profit newsroom in 2023. But this week, it’s closing down. So, what went wrong? Host Raheel Ramzanali breaks it down with Michael Hardy, senior writer at Texas Monthly. They explore the outlet’s early missteps, how funding became a challenge, and what its closure means for local journalism in Houston. Plus, we’ll hear from some of the Landing’s journalists themselves about their favorite stories, what they loved about H-town, and

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23:57

Are We Going to Lose Power This Summer?

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/12

It’s been a nearly year since a derecho and Hurricane Beryl left Houston in the dark, making many Houstonians lose trust in CenterPoint and the Texas grid. Host Raheel Ramzanali talks with energy expert Sam Luna with BKV Energy about what’s changed, why power bills are rising, and if Texas grid is ready for more wild weather this summer.Stories we talked about on today’s show: Remember last May's derecho? CenterPoint will soon raise rates to recover those storm costs. Data centers are

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29:22

Trash Crisis, Mayor’s New Budget, and Inmates Return...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/09

Happy Friday! We made it through another busy week in H-Town. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Monique Welch, diverse communities reporter at the Houston Landing, and conservative commentator Charles Blain of the Urban Reform Institute. They break down the biggest stories of the week, from Mayor John Whitmire’s proposed budget cuts to Houston running out of landfills for trash. Plus, their moments of joy!Dive deeper into the stories we talked about today: While Houston could pass a

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32:50

The Unwritten Rules of the Road in Houston

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/08

Last year, Houston drivers spent almost 50 hours in rush hour traffic. And making matters worse, one key stretch of Houston freeway is by far and away the most congested highway segment in the Lone Star State. So, host Raheel Ramzanali, executive producer Laura Isensee, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis talk about the unwritten rules of the road you need to survive Houston streets.Stories we talked about on today’s show: Houston drivers spent almost 50 hours in rush hour traffic

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29:37

H-E-B Catching Heat, Dessert Tariffs, & Where to...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/07

President Trump’s tariffs are raising prices on so many different things … including chocolate and other desserts! Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Chron.com’s food writer Erica Cheng about why we’re going to pay more to satisfy our sweet tooth. Plus, our beloved H-E-B was caught in a firestorm online over a sandwich. And, where should you take mom for Mother’s Day? Erica has some great recs plus a wild card option that will shock you! Trump tariffs threaten chocolate imports, prices at

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37:14

Weed at Turkey Leg Hut, Racist Group Texts, & Police...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/06

Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Chron.com’s trending news reporter Faith Bugenhagen to break down the biggest stories impacting Houstonians. They dig into Mayor Whitmire’s proposal to give Houston police a nearly 40% raise. Plus, you won’t believe the wild FBI allegations against the former Turkey Leg Hut owner. And Faith talks about her deep dive into racist messages leaked from a Texas A&M student group. Dive deeper into the stories we talked about on today’s show: Ex-Turkey Leg Hut

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28:16

How to Survive a Recession in Houston

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/05

With oil prices falling and consumers spending less, it looks like we could be heading towards a recession. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Chris Tomlinson, the Houston Chronicle’s business columnist, about what you can do now to prepare. Plus, we look back how Houston survived previous downturns. Stories we talked about on today’s show: Oil price drop is a warning light for the Texas economy. What to look for and how to prepare Houston will be in recession by summer because of

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