City Cast Houston

Harris County saw major political moves this week when Judge Lina Hidalgo announced she would not seek reelection for a third term. Host Raheel Ramzanali breaks down that story, from Hidalgo’s legacy to what this means for the Texas Democrats, to who’ll take her seat. Plus, a local suburb is getting some national attention and the heartbreaking story behind why a man died outside a restaurant. And, a special goodbye to a member of the City Cast Houston team. Stories we talked about on today’s show:  Harris County politics heating up with Hidalgo’s decision and more on the ballot Lina Hidalgo was supposed to turn Texas blue. What happened? | Editorial Lina Hidalgo's exit draws sharp reaction from Houston Police Officers union Houston suburb ranked No. 1 place to live in Texas What’s the Best Suburb to Live in Greater Houston? A Houston restaurant carried a passed-out man outside, where he died. Why didn't staff call 911? Follow Laura on LinkedIN  Learn more about the sponsors of this September 19th episode: Holocaust Museum Houston Kidney Cancer Association The Texas Tribune Festival 4th Wall Theatre Company Texas Renaissance Festival 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: Ed Uthman/Creative Commons

Houston’s packed with so many things to see and do, sometimes you’ve got to play tourist in your own town. And now that the weather’s cooling down (just a little), it’s the perfect time to start crossing that off your Houston bucket list. Host Raheel Ramzanali, producer Carlignon Jones, and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis share the must-do experiences they’re adding to theirs — and we want to know, what’s on yours? This conversation originally aired May 15, 2025. If you enjoyed today's interview with Switchyards' Creative Director, Brandon Hinman, learn more here. RSVP here for the Sneak Peak.  Learn more about the sponsors of this September 18th episode: Holocaust Museum Houston Kidney Cancer Association The Texas Tribune Festival 4th Wall Theatre Company Texas Renaissance Festival Places on our bucket list:  Texas-Shaped Pool at the Marriott Marquis  Space Center Houston  Downtown Tunnels  Get a Grillz The Cistern  Project Row Houses  Japanese Gardens  Downtown Aquarium  Houston Botanic Garden Learn more about the sponsors of this May 15th episode: Stages Prolonlife.com/city - Use this link for 15% off  Buffalo Bayou Partnership Bandera County Convention & Visitors Bureau 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:Jermaine Thomas II/City Cast

We’re all feeling the financial pressures of today’s economy. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is getting some great budget bites around the city from Culture Map Houston’s editor Eric Sandler. Plus, Raheel has a hot take on a new viral ice cream that might get Bluebell lovers in an uproar. And, what is going on with James Harden’s restaurant?!  Places we talked about on today’s show:  Loro’s Happy Hour  Bludorn’s extended Houston Restaurant Weeks Menu  Cali Sandwiches  The 5 Best Tacos You Need To Try Right Now Cantina Barba  Paulie’s in Montrose Aga’s Uber Eats deal More than 30 Houston bars are selling $7.13 drinks for Texas Cocktail Week James Harden's Houston restaurant locked out over $2.2 million in unpaid rent What’s Eric Eating [podcast] Learn more about the sponsors of this September 17th episode: Holocaust Museum Houston Kidney Cancer Association The Texas Tribune Festival 4th Wall Theatre Company Texas Renaissance 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: Marco Torres/@MarcoFromHouston

Houston’s annual count of our homeless population shows a troubling trend. And now, our city just ranked first in the country for the highest poverty rate. What’s going on?! Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking with Rebecca Schuetz, housing reporter for the Houston Chronicle, about what’s being done by the city to reduce homelessness. Plus, what happens when the fire truck’s too big for the station, and why one of the world’s most famous influencers got banned from the Galleria.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  ⁠Houston's chronic homelessness is rising as funding wanes, survey shows⁠ ⁠Inside Houston’s quiet shift to police the homeless and crack down on public spaces⁠ ⁠Houston has the highest poverty rate among the biggest U.S cities, new Census data finds⁠ ⁠Houston’s new million-dollar firetruck goes unused because it’s too big for its fire station⁠ ⁠Why thousands of bugs are taking over the Texas Gulf Coast right now⁠ ⁠Streamer IShowSpeed filmed his own ejection from Houston Galleria⁠ If you enjoyed today's interview with the Texas Renaissance Festival's King, Greg Taylor, ⁠learn more here⁠. Learn more about the sponsors of this September 16th episode: ⁠Contemporary Arts Museum Houston⁠ ⁠Holocaust Museum Houston⁠ ⁠Kidney Cancer Association⁠ ⁠Huel⁠ - Save 15% with code HOUSTON ⁠The Texas Tribune 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: Jermaine Thomas II/City Cast

Last month, local journalists with the Houston Chronicle and The Texas Newsroom revealed that Elon Musk and a Texas Congressman are quietly pitching a plan to build tunnels under Houston, apparently to ease flooding. It would cost $760 million. It’s part of a playbook from so-called “Tesla” tunnels in other cities like Las Vegas and Nashville. So Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on Dayvid Figler, host of our sister show City Cast Las Vegas, to talk about how these tunnels have played out for residents in Sin City and what Houstonians need to know. Dive deeper into the Tesla tunnels: Elon Musk’s Boring Company Is Tunneling Beneath Las Vegas With Little Oversight A Texas Congressman Is Quietly Helping Elon Musk Pitch a $760M Plan to Build Tunnels Under Houston to Ease Flooding Texas A&M weighs Elon Musk’s underground tunnel system to ease campus congestion If you enjoyed today's interview with the British International School of Houston's Principal, Barrie Scymgeour, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this September 15th episode: Holocaust Museum Houston Kidney Cancer Association The Texas Tribune Festival 4th Wall Theatre Company Texas Renaissance 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: Brooke Lewis/City Cast

Meltdowns at commissioners court, a hotel workers’ strike, and a new investigation into building in the floodplain— it’s another busy week in Houston! Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Chron.com’s trending news reporter Faith Bugenhagen and conservative commentator Charles Blain to unpack why Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo abruptly walked out of budget talks, what the Hilton Americas strike means for other workers, and why Houston is STILL building in flood zones. Dive deeper into stories we talked about on today’s show:  Harris County Judge abruptly leaves budget talks to attend concert Houston developed 65,000 flood-prone properties since Harvey. Who profits, and who pays the price? Houston's promise of opportunity tested by striking hotel workers | Editorial Hilton Americas-Houston workers extend ‘historic’ strike by 11 days, rally at city hall Houston City Council questions pension chairperson as municipal retirees await payments Learn more about the sponsors of this September 12th episode: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Awty International School Houston Holocaust Museum Houston Kidney Cancer Association Huel - Save 15% with code HOUSTON 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: Ed Uthman

Houston isn’t the easiest place to find love — a recent study ranked us 33rd for dating, factoring in cost, activities, and more. But a new trend could change the dating scene in H-Town. Host Raheel Ramzanali chats about it with two of our fave singles — Houston influencer Shawn the Food Sheep and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis. Places and people we talked about in our show:  Houston Hot Spots  Keenya Kelly  Shawn’s recap of a run club Learn more about the sponsors of this September 11th episode: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Holocaust Museum Houston Kidney Cancer Association Huel - Save 15% with code 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: Jermaine Thomas II/City Cast

Your go-to bar or restaurant says a lot about you, especially in Montrose! Host Raheel Ramzanali and executive producer Laura Isensee are welcoming back the creator of the popular Montrose meme account @⁠montrosecellectuals⁠ to get his take on some of the newest hotspots, plus some beloved classics. Spoiler alert: He listens … and judges! Places we talked about on today’s show:  ⁠Phoenix on Westheimer ⁠ ⁠ChopnBlok⁠ ⁠West Alabama Ice House⁠ ⁠Light Years ⁠ ⁠Montrose Cheese and Wine⁠ ⁠Drake’s Hollywood⁠ ⁠Lolas Depot⁠ ⁠Toasted Coconut⁠ ⁠Anvil⁠ ⁠El Tiempo⁠ Learn more about the sponsors of this September 10th episode: ⁠Contemporary Arts Museum Houston⁠ ⁠The Village School⁠ ⁠Holocaust Museum Houston⁠ ⁠Kidney Cancer Association⁠ ⁠Huel⁠ - Save 15% with code 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: Laura Isensee/City Cast

Houston’s great bike lane drama rolls on. Newly released texts show Mayor John Whitmire was paying more attention to his inside circle — not public safety data — when he began to remove the Austin Street bike lanes in Midtown. Host Raheel Ramzanali breaks that down with ABC-13 reporter Shannon Ryan and looks at how the biking community plans to protest by “going commando.” Plus, is Judge Lina Hidalgo going to run for reelection or not? And why one cosmetics company is facing a felony.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  Inside John Whitmire’s texts: How the mayor shaped road projects and bike lane removalsas Houston cyclists plan naked bike ride to protest Mayor John Whitmire's bike lane removals Lina Hidalgo continues push for childcare tax hikes during State of the County address Texas Rep. James Talarico to launch Democratic primary bid for U.S. Senate Cleveland ISD driver said he was 'distracted' when bus overturned with 57 students inside, docs say Houston cosmetics company accused of releasing 100 gallons of coconut lotion into White Oak Bayou Learn more about the sponsors of this September 9th episode: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston British International School of Houston Holocaust Museum Houston Kidney Cancer Association Huel - Save 15% with code 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: Ed Uthman

Houston lost 30,000 jobs over the summer and now Conoco Phillips announcing major layoffs, making the local job market tough. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Juliet Stipeche, executive director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, about how hard it is get a job right now in Houston, how to make your application stand out, and other advice to land your next gig. Resources to help you in the job market:  ⁠Workforce Solutions’ Career Exploration Guide ⁠ ⁠2025 Targeted Industries Report ⁠ Learn more about the sponsors of this September 8th episode: ⁠Inprint⁠ ⁠Contemporary Arts Museum Houston⁠ ⁠Westbury Christian School⁠ ⁠Holocaust Museum Houston⁠ ⁠Kidney Cancer Association⁠ 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: Jermaine Thomas II/City Cast

It’s been a hard week in Houston since 11-year-old Julian Guzman was shot while playing an age-old prank called ding-dong ditch in east Houston. Host Raheel Ramzanali brings on Evan Mintz, editor of opinion at the Houston Chronicle, and Maggie Gordon, senior storytelling editor at Straight Arrow News, to talk about what this crime means for kids’ safety in Houston. Plus, they breakdown the latest push to get more funding for NASA, an update on the THC ban (good news for those who partake!), and more.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  "Ding-dong ditch" shooting suspect was "waiting in the shadows," police say I played ding-dong ditch as a kid. In Texas today, that could get me killed. | Opinion Neighbor accused of shooting SE Houston teen burying guinea pig now in custody Ted Cruz warns NASA is at risk of losing ground to China: 'We are in a new space race' Most Texas THC products remain legal after GOP leaders fail to break legislative impasse Houston-based ConocoPhillips says it will lay off up to 25% of its workforce R&B artist Lizzo crowns king of all kolaches in TikTok food review Japan Festival in Houston  Follow Maggie’s work here  Read Evan’s latest here  Learn more about the sponsors of this September 5th episode: Downtown Houston+ Wise Inprint 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:  CY/Unsplash

Houston has a lot of great things about it, but finding places to hang out is not one of them. Why is that? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Regina Lankenau, a columnist for the Houston Chronicle's opinion desk, and executive producer Laura Isensee about why it’s a struggle to find informal community spaces in Houston, and how we can fix that. Plus, some of our own favorite hangout spots!  Stories and places we talked about on today’s show:  Houston makes hanging out hard. We need more 'third places.' | Opinion Can we make room for fun in downtown Houston? I rode an e-scooter to find out. | Opinion City of Houston Parks and Recreation  Club Tropicana on Fondren  Bohemeo’s in the East End YMCA of Greater Houston Learn more about the sponsors of this September 4th episode: Downtown Houston+ Wise Inprint 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!

From food trucks to fancy restaurants and everything in between, Houston has tacos for all occasions, at every hour, day or night. So it’s a tough task to pick the absolute best, but luckily, we’re friends with Chron.com’s taco columnist Marco Torres. He’s giving host Raheel Ramzanali the insider’s guide to the top five tacos right now in Houston.  Check out the places we talked about on today’s show:  Duck carnitas huarache @ ⁠Maximo⁠ Taco árabe @ ⁠Tio Trompo Taqueria ⁠ Bacon & egg breakfast taco @ ⁠Cochinita & Co ⁠ Barbacoa tacos @ ⁠Gerardo's Barbacoa in El Northside ⁠ Table-side trompo @ ⁠Xalisco in The Woodlands ⁠ Quesadillas de fajita @ ⁠Taconazo⁠ The Taco Omakase @ ⁠Late August ⁠ For more taco adventures, follow Marco on ⁠Instagram⁠.  Learn more about the sponsors of this September 3rd episode: ⁠Downtown Houston+⁠ ⁠Wise⁠ ⁠Inprint⁠ 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: Marco Torres/@MarcoFromHouston

Do you feel that? It’s the weather slowly, but surely, getting a bit cooler. That means we can head outside more and do more fun things in H-Town. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is getting you ready with a curated guide featuring insider tips for the month with producer Carlignon Jones and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis on what to do, what stories to know, and where to eat in September!  Want even more great places to eat this month? Check out our guide for the best Caribbean food in H-Town.  If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Houston community.  For even more tips on how to make the most of September in Houston, check out Hey Houston’s guide on the best patio and picnic spots around town.  Places and stories we talked about on today’s show:  Harris County leaders clash over looming budget deficit Lina Hidalgo's proposed Harris County budget cuts would hurt Baytown and Deer Park | Opinion Texas AG warns school districts to comply with Ten Commandments law despite court block How The Trump Burger Saga Unfolded in Houston El Pueblito de Frida  Atomic Wings Houston | Big City Wings | Pluckers  Savoir  Learn more about the sponsors of this September 2nd episode: Downtown Houston+ Wise Inprint 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: Alisa Matthews/Unsplash

We’re heading into the long weekend, but not before breaking down the biggest stories from the week. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by political insider Rafael Lemaitre to break down what exactly is happening with Harris County’s budget deficit. Plus, how one politician is pushing for Elon Musk’s Boring Co. flood tunnel project. And, why teachers are taking HISD to court. Stories we talked about on today’s show:  A Texas Congressman Is Quietly Helping Elon Musk Pitch a $760M Plan to Build Tunnels Under Houston to Ease Flooding Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, Judge Lina Hidalgo hold separate budget briefings Harris County leaders clash over looming budget deficit Here are the Republicans who might run for Texas’ newly drawn congressional seats Pay-for-performance dispute between Houston ISD and its largest teachers union continues in court Thursday Houston Furniture Bank Should Texans stop being surprised when the Gulf of Mexico is blue? Learn more about the sponsors of this August 29th episode: British International School of Houston The Holdsworth CenterTurboTenant Downtown Houston+Wise 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

Look, we LOVE Houston, but we also have some complaints about our city. So, host Raheel Ramzanali is bringing on local business owner and the voice of the streets KB Brown to air out our 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 August 28th episode: British International School of Houston The Holdsworth Center TurboTenant Wise 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!

Houston’s Caribbean population is small, but is making a huge impact on the culinary scene. On today’s show, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to James Beard Award-winning food and travel journalist and Senior Editor at eater, Kayla Stewart about where to go to get the best Caribbean food in H-Town. From classics like jerk chicken to fusion dishes blending Houston influences with island vibes, these spots are definitely worth checking out.  Places we talked about on today’s show:  Taste of the Caribbean  Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill Jamaica Pon di Road  Val’s Jerk Pan  700 Isles Cafe  Reggae Hut Cafe  Helen’s Kitchen  ChopnBlok Buboy by Chef Tristen Epps Sonia’s Kreyol Kitchen  Griot Gardens  Read Kayla’s work on Eater  Learn more about the sponsors of this August 27th episode: British International School of Houston The Holdsworth Center TurboTenant Wise 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!

Today on City Cast Houston, host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by ABC13 reporter Pooja Lodhia to talk about how the state’s new proposed congressional maps that are on Governor Abbott's desk will impact Houston. Plus, they’re breaking down how a former detention officer was caught running a Facebook Marketplace scam, and they say goodbye to a legendary Houston gem. Stories we talked about on today’s show:  Texas Legislature sends Trump-backed congressional redistricting plan to Gov. Abbott’s desk Fresh off Texas Senate’s approval, new congressional map is target of lawsuit Here are the Republicans who might run for Texas’ newly drawn congressional seats In response to failures and grieving parents, Texas lawmakers advance flood bills I taught Chloe to obey authority. At Camp Mystic, that got her killed. | Opinion Former Harris County officer and former inmate worked together to steal and sell luxury car: docs Houston Police cruiser crashes into Heights pool where children were swimming Exclusive: Alief's FunPlex, a Houston amusement park, has closed after 40 years How This Houston Voice Became America’s First Ismaili Sportscaster Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: British International School of Houston The Holdsworth Center TurboTenant Wise Photo: CY/Unsplash

It’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and in a time of crisis, Houstonians stepped up. Today on the show, host Raheel Ramzanali talks with former Houston Mayor Bill White about how his administration responded. Plus, author Kionna Walker LeMalle shares her story of evacuating New Orleans and what she’s learned about trauma, grief, and healing.  Stories we talked about on today’s show:  ⁠Behind the Waterline ⁠ ⁠Ten years later, Katrina evacuees now part of Houston fabric⁠ Want to hear more? Check out the event ⁠The Lingering Storm ⁠coming to Houston in September. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 25th episode: ⁠British International School of Houston⁠ ⁠The Holdsworth Center⁠ ⁠TurboTenant⁠ We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at⁠ citycast.fm/survey⁠—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. 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: Jeswin Thomas/Unsplash

It’s Friday so host Raheel Ramzanali is breaking down the big news from the week with the best and brightest journalists from the city. Today, he’s joined by Gwen Howerton, Chron.com’s Texas Culture Reporter and the Houston Chronicle’s religion reporter Haajrah Gilani to talk about the latest from Governor Abbott’s second special session and court rulings on displaying the Ten Commandments in public classrooms! Plus, a fun news quiz!   Stories we talked about on today’s show: Texas House approves GOP congressional map after two-week delay from Democrats’ walkout Why these transgender people told their stories at the Texas Capitol Federal judge blocks Texas law requiring Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms Car crashes into Houston restaurant, narrowly misses influencers filming review This major Houston highway is getting a makeover—thanks to the World Cup Make sure you don't have these radioactive shrimp in your freezer Why Austin's Pride Month is different from other Texas cities Learn more about the sponsors of this August 22nd episode: Apollo Chamber Players British International School of Houston 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: CY/Unsplash