City Cast Houston – Details, episodes & analysis

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 department ‘hit pretty hard’ by cuts under proposed budget for FY 2026 Kinder Houston Area Survey Former Houston principal looking for love in '90 Day Fiance' spinoff Learn more about the sponsors of this May 20th episode: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Texas Monthly Taco Fest Buffalo Bayou Partnership Visit Boerne 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: Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 affordability crisis. Soaring home values threaten to displace Houston’s blue-collar homeowners and renters Could Empty Office Buildings Offer a Real Housing Solution? Commercial-to-Residential Conversion Bill - SB 2477 Staircase Bill - SB 2835 Third-Party Review Bill - SB 1450 Texans for Reasonable Solutions Texans for Housing Learn more about the sponsors of this May 19th episode: Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe | Houston - Save 40% from May 9-26 when booking summer travel! Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Texas Monthly Taco Fest Buffalo Bayou Partnership Visit Boerne 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

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 owner Lynn Price paid crew $1,400 for bar arson, could face 20 years in prison, FBI says Turkey Leg Hut sold hundreds of pounds of marijuana using bags branded with restaurant logo, FBI says Houston police officers to get 36.5% salary increase by 2030 under proposed contract Private school vouchers are now law in Texas. Here’s how they will work. How Private School Vouchers Would Impact Houston Taxpayers & Parents Houston mogul Tilman Fertitta officially confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Italy Texas A&M young conservatives shared hate speech in group texts If you enjoyed today's interview with Xavier Academy's Founder, Richard De La Caudara, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 6th episode: Aura Frames - Get $35-off plus free shipping on the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST Downtown Houston+ Stages Gals Who Give Harris County 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! Photo: Bao Ong/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a week since Milby High School student Sergio Rodriguez was tragically killed by a train on his way to school. Now, Union Pacific is making some safety changes. But why isn’t more being done to protect communities of color from trains?! Host Raheel Ramzanali dives into that big question with ABC13’s Pooja Lodhia and Monique Welch, diverse communities reporter at Houston Landing. Plus, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s interesting donations as she leaves office, another chapter in the Mayor Whitmire and Judge Hidalgo drama, and more!  Stories we mentioned on today’s show:  Union Pacific to limit train traffic near Milby HS after student hit and killed Railroad says Milby student tried to 'outrun' train as mayor pushes for sky bridge Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s (Fake) Secret Diary Outgoing DA Kim Ogg donates forfeiture funds to respected charities, plus political allies Houston's dangerous rail crossings have killed, maimed and delayed us long enough | Editorial Why does Houston have so much trouble with trains?  Sheila Jackson Lee terminal may be coming soon to IAH after Houston city council vote. What to know ‘People need to be with community’: Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce hosts 9th annual holiday celebration  Grammy-nominated Khruangbin to return to the Houston area for its A La Sala tour Learn more about the sponsors of this December 20th episode here: Classic Christmas 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

The new year is right around the corner, and one of your New Year’s resolutions may be to get out of your comfort zone. So, today, host Raheel Ramzanali is helping you get a jump start on your goals. He’s bringing on producer Carlignon Jones, Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis, and executive producer Laura Isensee to get their top tips to leave your comfort zone and explore more what Houston has to offer!  This episode originally aired on June 20th, 2024.  LINKS: Well Done cooking classes  Camping spots around the Houston area  Improv classes at Station Theater or Houston School of Improv Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals  Dance classes at Houston Metropolitan Dance Center and the Houston Ballet adult classes  Float the river in New Braunfels or Schlitterbahn  Water park adventures at Splashtown in Spring or Schlitterbahn in Galveston Critical Mass Houston  Register to vote  Researching candidates via League of Women Voters of Houston  James Driver Inclusive Park  Learn more about the sponsors of this December 19th episode here: Classic Christmas 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

Today on City Cast Houston, the holidays are finally here, and host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Emma Balter, editor-in-chief at Houstonia Magazine, for her top picks for Christmas Day, whether you're dining out or grabbing takeout. They also debate if New Year’s Eve is overrated and offer some options for a chill celebration. Plus, they dish on Tilman Fertitta’s eye-popping $1,000 steak in Uptown and why Whataburger just isn’t the same anymore. Rainbow Lodge Hugo’s Fege’s BBQ Aga’s Hamsa Axelrad West Alabama Ice House Learn more about the sponsors of this December 18th episode here: Classic Christmas 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

Last week, a Houston-area toddler was killed and his grandmother injured while in a crosswalk, but the driver involved wasn’t arrested — despite a state law that could have led to felony charges. That’s the big story for today’s episode with host Raheel Ramzanali and executive producer Laura Isensee. They also dive into the latest moves from Attorney General Ken Paxton on abortion and Harris County’s guaranteed income program. And don’t miss how a glitch at Amazon caused a local community to issue a declaration of disaster!  Stories we talked about today:  Family wants justice for 2-year-old Houston boy killed in crosswalk Ken Paxton sues New York doctor accused of prescribing abortion pills to Texas woman Payments under revamped Harris County guaranteed income program halted pending Paxton’s appeal Texas Gulf Coast residents now spotting mysterious drones too Humble extends disaster declaration after glitch overwhelmed city with Amazon trucks Your Guide to December 2024 in Houston The Best Free Holiday Activities in Houston Learn more about the sponsors of this December 17th episode here: Classic Christmas 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

It’s the City Cast Houston Awards — our first ever end of the year awards for Houston’s most influential people. The Houston Chronicle’s editor of opinion, Lisa Falkenberg, and ABC 13’s anchor, Rita Garcia, join host Raheel Ramzanali to decide who influenced Houston the most in 2024, for better or worse. Plus, we have a bonus round for guest awards after our official awards show! Stick around to hear some memorable moments from the team and contributors from 2024.  The City Cast Houston Awards are presented by our exclusive sponsor, Downtown Houston+.  Learn more about the sponsors of this December 16th episode here: Classic Christmas 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

It’s been a difficult week in Houston, since a Milby High School student was struck and killed by a train on his way to school. Today, host Raheel Ramzanali dives into that difficult story and solutions to prevent another tragedy with Claire Partain, Houston ISD reporter at the Houston Chronicle, and Lucio Vasquez, reporter at Houston Public Media. Plus, they talk about outgoing Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s unprecedented move for capital murder cases, our Texas travel bucket list for 2025, and much more!  Family of Milby High School student struck by train files lawsuit against Union Pacific Railroad says Milby student tried to 'outrun' train as mayor pushes for sky bridge Mayor Whitmire calls for pedestrian sky bridge at Milby High School after student killed by train Community members call for removal of Milby High principal after student struck, killed by train HISD students are crawling under stalled trains to get to school. Where’s the outrage? | Editorial Harris’ outgoing district attorney recommends ‘unprecedented’ plea in capital murder cases Houston-area district SAT scores continue to decline and lag behind state average, new data shows Wild World with Scott Solomon LIVE from ANTARCTICA! At ‘homeless court,’ Houston’s unhoused population gets a second chance The Ultimate Texas Travel Bucket List Learn more about the sponsors of this December 13th episode here: PicMe Events Classic Christmas Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa 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: Sharon Steinmann/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

H-town is packed with holiday attractions. But which ones are actually worth your time and money? Today at City Cast Houston, we’re starting a new game called Worth It or Skip It. Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on dynamic media personality Antre’chelle Nova and his friend Iman Virani Umatiya to discuss which holiday attractions are worth going to, and which ones you can skip. From the trendy Frosty’s Original Christmas Bar to the famous Santa’s Wonderland, and, of course, ice skating rinks, they’ll help you plan your ultimate holiday game-plan, without wasting time or your dime. Check out the attractions from today’s episode here: Santa’s Wonderland Green Mountain Energy Ice Ice at the Galleria Classic Christmas Frosty’s Original Christmas Bar Your Guide to December 2024 in Houston Houston’s Best Holiday Pop-up Bars and Cozy Cocktails Learn more about the sponsors of this December 12th episode here: PicMe Events Classic Christmas Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa 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