Episodes

  • Mayor's Ethics Probe, Helicopter Crash and New Rodeo Clown

    Mayor's Ethics Probe, Helicopter Crash and New Rodeo Clown
    Oct 22 2024
    Let’s get this week started with the news you need to know! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Danya Pérez, diverse communities reporter at Houston Landing, to talk about Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s accusations against Controller Chris Hollins of ethics violations. Plus, they get into a historic bust of a sex trafficking ring, how Galveston’s growing its cruise industry, and more! Here’s more on the stories we talked about today: Mayor Whitmire accuses Controller Hollins of ‘pay-to-play’ over sponsorship solicitations Chris Hollins on ethics accusations ‘Nunca viene nadie’: Canvassers travel across the Houston region to engage Latino voters Multiple people killed after helicopter crashes into radio tower in Houston's East End Only on 13: At least 50 sex trafficking victims rescued after raids on 9 Houston-area businesses Human Trafficking in Houston Pt.1: Beyond the Headlines Port of Galveston seals 10-year deal with Norwegian Cruise Lines Royal Caribbean fined $470,000 for environmental regulation violations at Galveston terminal RodeoHouston introduces new barrelman to replace legendary Leon Coffee Learn more about the sponsors of this October 22nd episode here: Visit Pearland Downtown Houston+ British International School of Houston Museum of Fine Arts AIA Houston Stages Nigerian - American Multicultural Council Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Photo: Bob Levey/Getty Images for Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Get Ready to Vote with Our Ultimate Civics Quiz

    Get Ready to Vote with Our Ultimate Civics Quiz
    Oct 21 2024
    Early voting has officially started in Houston, so we’re getting you ready by doing a deep dive into the Harris County ballot. But with a City Cast Houston spin … a civics quiz! Executive Producer Laura Isensee is putting host Raheel Ramzanali against Tim Carlin, civic engagement reporter at the Houston Landing, to see who knows more about all the down-ballot races in Harris County. Oh, and by the way, Tim wrote the Houston Landing’s voter guide, so Raheel has his work cut out for him! And after the episode, check out Houston Landing’s full election guide, Your Voice, Your Vote. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 21st episode here: Visit Pearland Downtown Houston+ British International School of Houston Museum of Fine Arts AIA Houston Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston. Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Contaminated Drinking Water, Allred vs Cruz, and Fixing Houston Sidewalks

    Contaminated Drinking Water, Allred vs Cruz, and Fixing Houston Sidewalks
    Oct 18 2024
    Let’s talk about the big news from the week in H-Town! Host Raheel Ramzanali and Evan Mintz, Pulitzer Prize finalist, breakdown the big moments from Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Colin Allred’s debate. Then, they’re talking about why thousands of Houstonians are still in the dark when it comes to knowing if their drinking water is coming from lead pipes. Also, will Houston ever fix its sidewalk problem? Plus, Raheel is excited for a new documentary focused on the Gulf Coast! Dive deeper into the stories we talked about today: From abortion to insurrection: a fact check of the Cruz v. Allred debate Ted Cruz would like to reintroduce himself Lead pipe risk remains unknown at thousands of Houston and Texas homes, despite EPA deadline What To Know Before Voting on HISD’s $4.4 Billion Bond Houston City Council delays ordinance that would remove sidewalk requirement LetsTalkHouston.org Nearly 40% of Houston sidewalks rated subpar: How bad are the sidewalks in your neighborhood? Family hopes for justice after man allegedly strangles his pregnant wife to death HarrisVotes.com VoteTexas.org Recommendations by the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board Houston Landing’s Your Voice, Your Vote Learn more about the sponsors of this October 18th episode here: The Village School The Moody Center for the Arts Visit Pearland Asia Society Stages Downtown Houston+ Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins
  • The Local Stories About To Go National

    The Local Stories About To Go National
    Oct 17 2024
    Back by popular demand, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from across the country to talk about what stories they're watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Hear from Houston's own Raheel Ramzanali along with hosts from our daily local shows in Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, and Portland. City Cast is now in 13 cities across the country! Joining our member community is the best way to support what we do. Get all the details and sign up here. Learn more about the sponsors of today’s episode here: The Village School The Moody Center for the Arts Visit Pearland Asia Society Stages Looking to advertise on City Cast? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • I-45 Expansion Hurts Restaurants, Best Burb for Food, & Austin Invades H-Town

    I-45 Expansion Hurts Restaurants, Best Burb for Food, & Austin Invades H-Town
    Oct 16 2024
    Let’s talk some food with Eric Sandler, CultureMap Houston’s editor, and host Raheel Ramzanali. The longtime friends debate what suburbs is the best for H-town foodies, then thye dive into some surprising high-profile closings, and some exciting openings. And finally, get ready for a hot food take that has Eric and Raheel going at it! Some of the restaurants we talked about in today’s episode: Fish Company Taco Baso P. Terry’s new location in Richmond Larry’s Original Mexican Restaurant Xalisko Cocina Mexicana Tris Buttermilk Baby Coltivare Mimo Credence Bar Bluedorn Chopnblok Coltivare Cabo Bobs Drake’s Hollywood If you enjoyed today's interview with The Village School's Boarding Admissions Manager, Natalie Cantwell, and their Enrollment Officer, Cassie Riddle, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of today’s episode here: The Village School The Moody Center for the Arts Visit Pearland Asia Society Stages Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • What To Know Before Voting on HISD’s $4.4 Billion Bond

    What To Know Before Voting on HISD’s $4.4 Billion Bond
    Oct 15 2024
    A major issue on this year’s ballot is the largest school bond in Texas history. Houston ISD is asking voters to approve a $4.4 billion bond to rebuild and renovate over 30 schools, upgrade security, expand pre-K, and more. So to help voters prepare, host Raheel Ramzanali is moderating a debate featuring both sides of the issue. Judith Cruz, former HISD board president and co-chair of the bond’s community advisory committee, represents the pro-bond side, while Traci Riley, a concerned HISD parent, argues against it. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 15th episode here: The Village School The Moody Center for the Arts Visit Pearland Asia Society Stages Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • Photoshoot in Traffic, Airport Construction Update, and Property Tax Relief

    Photoshoot in Traffic, Airport Construction Update, and Property Tax Relief
    Oct 11 2024
    We made it to Friday! To recap the week in Houston, host Raheel Ramzanali and Lucio Vasquez, newscast producer and reporter at Houston Public Media, are breaking down the biggest stories. The duo start by talking about how Raheel’s family is dealing with a break-in, then discuss the 6-year prison sentence for ex-cop Gerald Goines, and why Houston homeowners won’t see property taxes go up, at least not this year. You won’t want to miss the photoshoot that stopped traffic on U.S. 59. Dive deeper into stories we talked about today: Raheel’s video of his dad’s store getting robbed Ex-Houston cop Gerald Goines sentenced to 60 years in prison after Harding Street murder convictions Houston property taxes will not go up thanks to $50 million in relief funds Burn bans, firework restrictions issued across Harris County ahead of Diwali celebrations Houston Police: Stopping in the middle of interstate for photoshoots is both dangerous and illegal Bush Airport finally announces opening date for its new Terminal D expansion Learn more about the sponsors of this October 11th episode here: The Village School Downtown Houston+ The Moody Center for the Arts Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Visit Pearland Asia Society Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • Unforgettable Fall Road Trips From Houston

    Unforgettable Fall Road Trips From Houston
    Oct 10 2024
    Road trip!! With a long weekend ahead and fall break for a lot of families, it’s time to jump in the car and enjoy a fall getaway. Host Raheel Ramzanali and Sofia Gonzalez, food and travel editor at Houstonia Magazine, are creating a list of the best road trips to take this fall. From spooky destinations to unforgettable food, there’s so much to explore! Check out places we talked about on today’s episode: Dewberry Farms Creepy Hollow Haunted House Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg Katie’s Seafood House Martin Creek Lake State Park Mission Tejas State Park San Antonio, Texas Learn more about the sponsors of this October 10th episode here: The Village School Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST BetterHelp - get 10% off at betterhelp.com/CITYCAST Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media? Then leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know! Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 mins