Advertise on podcast: City Cast Houston

Since the beginning of City Cast Houston, every story we’ve shared on this podcast has shown us something new about this city. In this final episode, the entire City Cast Houston team including host Raheel Ramzanali, producer Carlignon Jones, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis are looking back at what this journey has taught them and how it’s changed the way they see Houston. Stay connected with the team by following them on instagram:  Host Raheel Ramzanali - @raheeldoingthings Producer Carlignon Jones - @carlignon Newsletter editor - @booksbybrooke63 Learn more about the sponsors of this October 24th episode: Houston Cinema Arts Society  Visit Pearland The Village School Holocaust Museum Houston Midtown Houston Downtown 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!  Photo: City Cast Houston

We’re in our final week of shows, so host Raheel Ramzanali is sharing one of his favorite episodes of all-time. We love H-Town, but when you love something, you can’t help but think about how it could improve… even in the pettiest ways! Business owner and the voice of the streets KB Brown is joining Raheel to air out their pettiest Houston gripes. Plus, we dig into a few of the 500+ grievances Houstonians left on reddit.  Want to see all 500+ petty gripes from the Houston subreddit? Check it out ⁠here⁠.  Learn more about the sponsors of this October 23rd episode: ⁠Houston Cinema Arts Society⁠ ⁠Visit Pearland⁠ ⁠The Village School⁠ ⁠Holocaust Museum Houston⁠ ⁠Midtown 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!  Photo: Houston Skyline at Night - Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash

It’s our final week of shows and we’re playing back some of our favorite episodes. Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis has today’s pick and it’s an epic showdown on where to live in H-Town! Host Raheel Ramzanali is reppin’ the burbs, producer Carlignon Jones is making a case for hidden gems outside the Loop, but inside the Beltway, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis is standing up for the Inner Loopers! To make things even more fun, we’ve brought on a special guest, Rozmin Virani, who’s fairly new to Houston and deciding where to live. She’ll pick today’s winner, so stay tuned until the end!  This episode originally aired on August 22, 2024 Our last episode and newsletter will be released on Oct. 24. But before we go, we want to celebrate this community and our city. And we want to include you in our final episode! Tell us how City Cast Houston has been a part of your life. From your favorite episode, to a story that changed your mind, or something that made you feel more connected to our city. Please email us at [email protected] or leave us a voice message at +1 713-489-6972. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 22nd episode: Houston Cinema Arts Society Visit Pearland The Village School Holocaust Museum Houston Midtown 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!  Photo: Houston City Skyline with Freeways Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash

It’s the final week of operations at City Cast Houston, and what better way to say goodbye then to share some of our all-time favorite episodes. If there is one thing that unites Houstonians, it is hating our roads. From potholes so deep you could find oil to construction that never ends, Houston has more than our fair share of road gripes. Houston sports radio legend John Granato joins host Raheel Ramzanali and newsletter editor Brooke Lewis to breakdown the worst roads, worst freeways, and areas to avoid around H-Town. This episode originally aired September, 21, 2023. Our last episode and newsletter will be released on Oct. 24. But before we go, we want to celebrate this community and our city. And we want to include you in our final episode! Tell us how City Cast Houston has been a part of your life. From your favorite episode, to a story that changed your mind, or something that made you feel more connected to our city. Please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a voice message at +1 713-489-6972. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 21st episode: ⁠Houston Cinema Arts Society⁠ ⁠Visit Pearland⁠ ⁠The Village School⁠ ⁠Holocaust Museum Houston⁠ ⁠Midtown 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: 19th Street in The Heights by Brooke Lewis

It’s the final week of operations at City Cast Houston, and what better way to say goodbye then to share some of our all-time favorite episodes. We’re kicking it off with what was the celebration of a lifetime in our city, the 2022 Astros world series win! Producer Carlignon Jones and AK AL-Moumen took to the streets to report live from the parade in one of our most beloved conversations with the community.  Our last episode and newsletter will be released on Oct. 24. But before we go, we want to celebrate this community and our city. And we want to include you in our final episode! Tell us how City Cast Houston has been a part of your life. From your favorite episode, to a story that changed your mind, or something that made you feel more connected to our city. Please email us at [email protected] or leave us a voice message at +1 713-489-6972. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 20th episode: Houston Cinema Arts Society  Visit Pearland The Village School Holocaust Museum Houston Midtown 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!  Photo by CY on Unsplash.jpg

Mayor Whitmire is breaking his silence about the removal of the iconic rainbow crosswalk. Plus, why is Ken Paxton suing to try and shut down a Houston civil rights organization? Producer Carlignon Jones is talking to Chron.com trending news reporter, Faith Bugenhagen, about those stories and more! We have some sad news to share today: City Cast Houston and Hey Houston are suspending operations. Our last episode and newsletter will be released on Oct. 24. Next week, we’ll be sharing a mix of fresh and beloved conversations, to celebrate this community and our city. And we want to include you in our final episode! Tell us how City Cast Houston has been a part of your life. From your favorite episode, to a story that changed your mind, or something that made you feel more connected to our city. Please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a voice message at+1 713-489-6972. This show has been such a meaningful part of our lives and we know it’s meant something to so many of you too. We want to thank you for listening, for trusting us with your stories, and for helping us make this show everything that it was. Stories we talked about on today’s show:  ⁠Former detective says string of Houston deaths may be linked to alleged ‘Smiley Face’ killer network⁠ ⁠Houston leaders vow to fight rainbow crosswalk removal, look into legal action⁠ ⁠Houston mayor breaks silence on rainbow crosswalk removal⁠ ⁠Houston City Council votes to permanently close Polk St. to make way for $2B GRB expansion ⁠ ⁠Paxton's suit to shut down FIEL Houston can move forward, court rules  ⁠ Learn more about the sponsors of this October 17th episode: ⁠AIA Houston⁠ ⁠Downtown Houston+⁠ ⁠Contemporary Arts Museum Houston⁠   ⁠Houston Cinema Arts Society ⁠ ⁠Visit Pearland⁠ 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!  Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash

Believe it or not, but Houston’s theater scene is one of the best in the nation. So, why don’t we get the respect we deserve?! Host Raheel Ramzanali is learning about just how robust our scene is with Hillary Hart, Executive Director at Theatre Under the Stars. Plus, Hillary is giving her picks on what shows you should watch this season.  Hillary’s recommendations of productions you should check out:  • Spelling Bee and White Christmas at TuTs • Shows at Discovery Green  • Shows at POST Houston  • The Nutcracker  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 by Jeswin Thomas on Unsplash.jpg

It’s been a tough year for restaurants in Houston with so many popular places closing down. But, what’s being done by the restaurants to stay open and survive 2025? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Sonia Garcia, trending food reporter at the Houston Chronicle, about the different things restaurants are trying to stay afloat in this economic down turn.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  The Houston restaurant scene is struggling. Here's why. How Houston restaurants are using AI to save time and money If you enjoyed today's interview with Awty International School's Head of Secondary, Tom Oden, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 15th episode: AIA Houston Downtown Houston+ Contemporary Arts Museum Houston   Houston Cinema Arts Society  Visit Pearland 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: Marco Torres/@MarcoFromHouston

Why is Harris County’s bail system always brought up by state leaders? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to John Wayne Ferguson, reporter at the Houston Chronicle, about what stands out with our bail system and how a forgotten part of it is now being amplified because of an FBI raid and trial.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  Inside a Houston bail company’s alleged fraud scheme that helped get murder suspects out of jail AABLE Bail Bonds case started as a gang investigation, HPD investigator testifies The first AABLE Bail Bonds trial is over in Houston. Here are 3 things it revealed. If you enjoyed today's interview with the Midtown Management District's Project Director, Cynthia Alvarado, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 14th episode: AIA Houston Downtown Houston+ Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Houston Cinema Arts Society Visit Pearland CAF Wings Over Houston - Use code CCWOH25 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: Katrin Bolovtsova/Pexels

Why is Governor Abbott forcing Houston to remove the iconic rainbow crosswalks in Montrose? Plus, are we going to see flight delays across Houston airports because of the government shutdown? And, what kind of workforce reductions will we see in the Texas Medical Center after President Trump increased the cost of H-1B visas? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Monica Flores Richart, education advocate and attorney, about those stories and more!Stories we talked about on today’s show:  Metro to remove pride crosswalk after Greg Abbott threatens to withhold funding from Texas cities Government shutdown could trigger ground stops at Houston airports, FAA says Airport delays through the eyes of Houston Redditors  When the U.S. government shuts down, Houston does what it does best: shows up How a $100,000 visa fee could shake up Houston’s health system East Downtown ‘Superhub’ for homeless proposed by Houston Housing Department Can Mayor Whitmire Really End Homelessness in Houston? Learn more about SERJobs Learn more about the sponsors of this October 10th episode: Westbury Christian School Wise AIA Houston Bayou City Art Festival Downtown Houston+ Inprint 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! Photo: Pixabay/Pexels

Fall is PACKED with fun events and things to do in Houston, but with the holiday season looming, how can we experience it all without breaking the bank? Host Raheel Ramzanali is calling on his friend Meagan Clanahan, co-owner of HoustonMom.com, to put together a list of fun fall events for under $100. From classic pumpkin patches to scary mazes, you’ll enjoy the season without it costing a fortune. Places we talked about on today’s show:  Houston Pumpkin Festival at Discovery Green  Viral SLAB at Discovery Green Saturday Stargazing at George Observatory  ArBOOretum  The Great Pumpkin Hunt in Bellaire  Haunted Maze  The Ultimate Houston Fall Bucket List Spooky, Scary, and Frightfully Fun: Houston’s Haunted Houses Houston Area Guide to Pumpkin Patches and Fall Festivals Learn more about the sponsors of this October 9th episode: Westbury Christian School Wise AIA Houston Bayou City Art Festival CAF Wings Over Houston - Use code CCWOH25 Want to become a City Cast Houston Neighbor? Check out our membership program.  Submit what YOU love about Houston here for our 1,000 things list. Or, leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram @CityCastHouston Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Photo: Kaboompics.com/Pexels

It’s National Seafood Month and Houston has so many delicious seafood spots to try … so, where should you go first? Host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Raz Halili, owner of Fish Company Taco and Pier 6 Seafood and Oyster House, to get his recommendations of the best places to eat fish, shrimp, oysters, and more. Plus, we get into how important the seafood industry is to our region!  Check out recommendations from today’s show: Pier 6 Seafood and Oyster House La Lucha Caracol Katie’s Seafood House Goode Co. Fish Company Taco Uchi Trulucks Brennan’s Submit what YOU love about Houston here for our 1,000 things list. Or, leave us a voicemail or text us at +1 713-489-6972 with your thoughts! Want to become a City Cast Houston Neighbor? Check out our membership program.  Learn more about the sponsors of this October 8th episode: Westbury Christian School Wise AIA Houston Bayou City Art Festival Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston  Follow us on Instagram  @CityCastHouston Don’t have social media?  Have feedback or a show idea? Let us know!  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk! Photo: Maria Orlova/Pexels

Why is HISD creating a new plan to limit how the district is covered by local media? Plus, the Houston Avenue bridge on I-10 keeps getting hit by trucks … what is going on?! Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Gwen Howerton, Texas culture reporter at Chron.com, about these stories and others, including a new religious community center in Montrose.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  ⁠Houston ISD to control coverage of district by hiring own news crew⁠ ⁠Houston Avenue bridge struck by semi-truck, temporarily blocking eastbound lanes on the Katy Freeway⁠ ⁠Houston U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt joins Republican Senate primary against John Cornyn and Ken Paxton⁠ ⁠Sprawling Muslim community center eyes fall opening in Houston⁠ ⁠2025 2nd Annual Faith and Affordable Housing Summit⁠ ⁠Indie Rock Band Passion Pit Calls for Houstonians to Help ⁠ ⁠Before becoming a hip-hop legend, a Houston producer helped Selena find her pitch⁠ ⁠Passenger attempts to open door on United flight after landing at Bush Airport, police say⁠ Learn more about the sponsors of this October 7th episode: ⁠Westbury Christian School⁠ ⁠Wise⁠ ⁠AIA Houston⁠ ⁠Bayou City Art Festival⁠ Want to become a City Cast Houston Neighbor? Check out our ⁠membership program⁠.  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: Larry D. Moore/Creative Commons

What is going on in Houston’s historic 18th congressional district? It’s been targeted by state leaders since Representative Sylvester Turner died earlier this year, which has caused it to go without representation for nearly eight months. And now with the special election to fill the vacant seat just weeks away, the future of the district is about to change because of redistricting court battles. Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Tannistha Sinha, political reporter at The Defender, about why the future of the historic 18th congressional district should matter to every Houstonian.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  Two-way dead heat: Texas Congressional District-18 Special Election field still wide open, survey finds How Texas’ mid-decade redistricting could affect voters in one Houston community Potential primary challenge next year by U.S. Rep. Al Green looms over November’s special election in TX-18 Learn more about the sponsors of this October 6th episode: Westbury Christian School Wise AIA Houston Bayou City Art Festival Want to become a City Cast Houston Neighbor? Check out our membership program.  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: Ed Uthman/Creative Commons

What’s the deal with Governor Abbott’s new crime task force focusing on Houston? Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Maggie Gordon, senior storytelling editor at Straight Arrow News, to explain what’s going on and break down other news of the week. Plus, are you avoiding the bayous because of the 22 bodies found in them? And, why is one state leader worried about a halftime show?  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  ‘All-in effort’: Governor Abbott unveils public safety initiative in Houston to combat violent crime Reddit: Abbott to launch Houston crime crackdown. But will Whitmire be on board? We were always told to fear Houston's bayous. Now we fear what we're not being told 22 people found dead in Houston-area bayous, but cause of death released for only 6 Here are the biggest impacts on Texas during the government shutdown Space Center Houston remains open during government shutdown; NASA tours paused Where can Americans afford to live solo in 2025? Ken Paxton, conservatives criticize NFL's decision for Bad Bunny halftime show at Super Bowl 60 Members-only dog park coming to Houston this fall Learn more about the sponsors of this October 3rd episode: 4th Wall Theatre Company Midtown Houston Bayou City Art Festival FotoFest CAF Wings Over Houston - Use code CCWOH25 Downtown Houston+ Want to become a City Cast Houston Neighbor? Check out our membership program.  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: Brooke Lewis