Episodios

  • Parking Ticket Scam, New Light Rail, & Oil Prices Plummeting

    Parking Ticket Scam, New Light Rail, & Oil Prices Plummeting
    May 2 2025
    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 Trump funding cuts loom MD Anderson cuts spending, pauses some hiring after multi-million dollar budget shortfall A third of eligible Houston employees accept buyout package, saving city $11M this fiscal year Texas Senate passes bill to limit Harris County’s authority over millions of surplus toll road funds Houston-Galveston Area Council studying light rail, bus route feasibility in Fort Bend County Third-Party Permitting Bill & Bill for Stairway Requirements How Houston became one of America's biggest Vietnamese hubs, 50 years after the fall of Saigon If you enjoyed today's interview with Stages Houston, Denise Fennell, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 2nd episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Visit Port Aransas 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: Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 m
  • Your Guide to May 2025 in Houston

    Your Guide to May 2025 in Houston
    May 1 2025
    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 out and about enjoying all of our recommendations? Check out the best snacks to pickup at H-E-B, Trader Joe’s and more! Links: Mossrose Bookstore B. Elevated Candle Bar Perfume Time Houston on Harwin Lee Tools on Harwin AAPI Restaurant Weeks Agnes and Sherman Filli Cafe on Hillcroft iFest USA Miller Outdoor Theatre Schedule POST Houston Free Zumba Jazzy Sundays in the Park The Best Free Workouts in Houston Learn more about the sponsors of this May 1st episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Visit Port Aransas 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 m
  • The Best Fried Chicken in Houston

    The Best Fried Chicken in Houston
    Apr 30 2025
    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 School's Enrollment Officer, Cassie Riddle, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 30th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Visit Port Aransas 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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    22 m
  • The Battle for Polk Street: City Leaders vs. East End

    The Battle for Polk Street: City Leaders vs. East End
    Apr 29 2025
    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 decides when to abandon a public street, and what else is at stake. Stories we talked about on today’s episode: How Houston decides when to abandon public streets and alleys Houston’s East End residents concerned about closure of Polk Street for convention center expansion Why this busy downtown Houston street is being abandoned by the city Houston's GRB South will feature the largest ballroom in Texas, but not everyone is excited What impacts your quality of life the most in Houston? Learn more about People of Polk Learn more about the sponsors of this April 29th episode: Cozy Earth - Use code HOUSTON for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Visit Port Aransas 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: Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 m
  • Strip Clubs, Walmart Cash Payments, & More from HISD Bribery Trial

    Strip Clubs, Walmart Cash Payments, & More from HISD Bribery Trial
    Apr 28 2025
    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 drama at HISD.Dive deeper into the stories we talked about today: Former HISD COO, vendor found guilty on 33 charges of conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud Strip clubs, parking lot cash handoffs and other surprises in Houston ISD's federal bribery trial Former Houston ISD board president testifies that she accepted $17K in bribes at Walmart parking lot Houston ISD plans around estimated 6,800 student drop for next academic year Ex-HISD principal sues Mike Miles for $3M over emotional distress, 1 year after mass exodus Houston ISD pauses contract nonrenewal conversations with teachers after miscalculation Houston ISD will pay all teachers based on performance, not years of experience in 2026-27 Please see below for tomorrow's sponsor show notes:Learn more about the sponsors of this April 28th episode:Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCASTVisit Port AransasLooking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHoustonDon’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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    25 m
  • Crime Anxiety, Goodbye Alief YMCA, & Tax Breaks for Landlords?!

    Crime Anxiety, Goodbye Alief YMCA, & Tax Breaks for Landlords?!
    Apr 25 2025
    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 Houston shop. Is it a sundial? A shade from the sun? Mason Park's new $20M solar sculpture is all that — and more. Third Ward residents worry about safety: 'We can't love our neighbors and stop killing each other?' More Houstonians are staying home at night and moving neighborhoods to avoid crime, poll says Houston Housing Authority stops granting millions in tax breaks for not-so affordable apartments Alief YMCA to shutter its doors on May 30 amid federal funding cuts: 'Devastating news' Texas' insurance crisis is hitting an unexpected target: Public schools Why This Republican Wants More Money for Public Schools Watch all of Pooja’s Stories here Learn more about the sponsors of this April 25th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Trees For Houston Cozy Earth - Use code HOUSTON for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more. 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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    31 m
  • How To Save Money in Houston

    How To Save Money in Houston
    Apr 24 2025
    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 considered affordable, according to report Texas drivers can expect to see 23% cost spike in full coverage car insurance this year. Here's why Learn more about the sponsors of this April 24th episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Trees For 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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    31 m
  • The Best Spring Snacks From H-E-B, Trader Joe’s & More

    The Best Spring Snacks From H-E-B, Trader Joe’s & More
    Apr 23 2025
    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 Rather Bee at the Sea Sea Salt Honey Cheddar Cheese Fig Goat Cheese at H-E-B Kerrygold Grass-Fed Dubliner Irish Cheese Fruit Riot Frozen Fruits Freakin’ Wholesome Stuffed Dates Chobani High Protein Yogurt Cups Hello! I’m Ugly Fruit Snacks Solely Fruit Jerky Jonny Pops Tozi Tortilla Chips Rosa Salsa Follow Emily on Instagram Learn more about the sponsors of this April 23rd episode: Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Trees For 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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    22 m
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