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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

39:09

Parking Ticket Scam, New Light Rail, & Oil Prices...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/02

It’s Friday so we’re breaking down the biggest stories in Houston. Host Raheel Ramzanali and Pulitzer Prize finalist Evan Mintz talk about how a big drop in oil prices could threaten our economy, the latest fight between the city of Houston and Harris County, and the latest scam you need to watch out for!Dive deeper into the stories we talked about on today’s show: Officials urge Houston drivers to watch out for scam parking tickets Baylor College of Medicine lays off 122 employees as

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27:58

Your Guide to May 2025 in Houston

City Cast Houston ·

2025/05/01

May is full of celebrations, good eats, and things to do for free! The City Cast Houston team is getting you ready for the month by recommending places you can shop local for Mother’s Day, graduations, and more. Plus, it’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month so we’re picking some great places to eat to celebrate our AAPI neighbors. And finally, we’re recommending some free events to check out so you can save money while enjoying the city. Need some good snacks to enjoy while you’re

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22:10

The Best Fried Chicken in Houston

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/30

There’s nothing quite like biting into crispy, hot fried chicken — but where can you find the best hidden gems in Houston? Producer Carlignon Jones teams up with Chron.com’s food reporter Erica Cheng to share their list of must-try fried chicken spots around the city. Check out the recommendations from today’s episode: Frenchy’s House of Bowls Hong Kong Café Star Snow Ice Krisp Gus’ Fried Chicken Lucillle’s Barbecue Inn If you enjoyed today's interview with The Village

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35:13

The Battle for Polk Street: City Leaders vs. East End

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/29

When Houston officials unveiled a massive $2 billion expansion for the George R. Brown Convention Center, the project quickly faced pushback from residents in the East End. Their concern: it would shut down part of Polk Street, a busy street in downtown and their key access into downtown. Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Ryan Nickerson, quality of life reporter at the Houston Chronicle, and Amy Erickson, organizer with People for Polk, about why East End residents are so concerned, how Houston

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24:34

Strip Clubs, Walmart Cash Payments, & More from HISD...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/28

Today on City Cast Houston, host Raheel Ramzanali talks with the Houston Chronicle’s education reporter Nusaiba Mizan about the explosive HISD bribery trial that detailed how district officials and one vendor exploited public trust and tax dollars. From the courtroom’s wildest moments to what this means for the future of HISD, Nusaiba breaks it all down. Plus, they dive into the district’s looming budget crisis, a calculation error that nearly cost dozens of teachers their jobs, and more ongoing

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30:45

Crime Anxiety, Goodbye Alief YMCA, & Tax Breaks for...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/25

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 Cactus Music is turning 50. Here are things to know about the iconic

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30:32

How To Save Money in Houston

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/24

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 Houston is just one of five major cities where owning a home is still

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22:07

The Best Spring Snacks From H-E-B, Trader Joe’s & More

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/23

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 Pepperdige Farm Lemon Blueberry Swirl Bread Emporium Selection Honey I'd

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25:00

Will the City Ever Fix Our Neighborhood Parks?

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/22

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 better parks. Here's how to pay for them. (Opinion) Learn more about the

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21:23

Can These Houstonians Really Kick Mayor Whitmire out...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/21

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 make it happen. Stories we referenced in today’s show: Is Mayor

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32:59

Here Come School Vouchers, Student Visas Revoked &...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/18

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 talked about on today’s show: Texas House preliminarily approves

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26:30

What’s Your ‘Toxic Houston Trait’?

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/17

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 Port Aransas Momentum Indoor Climbing - Save 10% on camp registration

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32:31

Is Tipping Fatigue Hitting Houston?

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/16

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 tippers in America, but still better than California Has U.S. Tipping

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28:10

Why Abandoned Shopping Carts Are Part of Bigger Problems

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/15

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 solve it. What impacts your quality of life the most in

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32:53

Inside the Battle Over Bike Lanes in Houston

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/14

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 decisions affect safety, what’s at stake on 11th Street in the Heights,

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37:45

Wildest Political Quote Ever, HISD Bribery Trial, and...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/11

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 lunchroom, and more. Stories we talked about on today’s show: Texas AG

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39:15

The Perfect Spring Day in Houston for Under $50

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/10

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 at ChopnBlok Visit The Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel Laura’s

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18:07

Your Guide to the Best Kolaches in Houston

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/09

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 kolaches will have you ready to conquer the day. This episode originally

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28:51

Thousands Protest DOGE, Refugee Network Crisis, &...

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/08

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 Bugenhagen.Learn more about the stories we talked about

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28:03

How Long Will the Texas Measles Outbreak Last?

City Cast Houston ·

2025/04/07

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 Cohan and Lorena Mottu, both with Legacy Community Health, to learn

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