City Cast Houston City Cast

Another week is in the books, so that means it’s time to recap the local news stories you need to know. City Cast Houston producer Carlignon Jones is filling in for Raheel Ramzanali this week and is joined by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Evan Mintz to discuss a massive bust on bail bond fraud, why COVID is on the rise, the growing list of politicians vying for Shelia Jackson Lee’s spot, and much more!
Dive deeper into the stories we talked about in this episode:

Houston candidates pitching themselves to replace the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee on November ballot

‘Colossal’: 50 in custody following two-year long bail bond fraud investigation in Harris County

Exclusive: Former Police Chief Troy Finner alleges he was pushed out to bury HPD scandal

COVID is on the rise again

Felix Fraga, former Houston City Council member and longtime activist, dies at 94

Here's what VP Kamala Harris did once she landed in Houston

Watch Live: Kamala Harris addresses teachers union in Houston

40,000 Black women rally behind Kamala Harris' campaign, raising $1.5 million in 3 hours

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Downtown Houston+
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The opening ceremonies for the Olympics go down tomorrow and Houston is going to reppin’ big time with so many athletes and coaches competing for Team USA and other countries. So, to learn more about our local Olympians, host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to Danielle Lerner, sports enterprise reporter at the Houston Chronicle, about Houstonians competing in Paris, just how much it costs to be an Olympian, and under-the-radar events to check out at the games.
Learn more about the Paris Olympics with the links below:

Read all of Danielle’s Olympic coverage from Paris here.

Every Houstonian competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics

How much does it cost to be an Olympian? Most of Team USA earns less than you think

In with the new: What are the new sports and events at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

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It’s been a long month in Houston since Hurricane Beryl hit. And one of the best ways to recover is with your favorite comfort food. Luckily, here in H-town we have so many options, from Tex-Mex to Viet Cajun! So today, host Raheel Raheel Ramzanali is revisiting this conversation with Abbas Dhanani, owner of Burger Bodega and the guy behind @HoustonEatz, where they try to pick the official food of Houston. 
Learn more about the sponsors of this July 24th episode here:
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Check out Burger Bodega . And get more food tips from Abbas Dhanani on Instagram.
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President Biden dropping out of the presidential race has caused major ripples in the political world, but how will it impact Houston? Plus, we remember Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and all the work she did for Houston. And, you won’t believe why traffic on the Hardy Toll Road came to a stop over the weekend. Host Raheel Ramzanali is joined by Joy Sewing, Houston Chronicle columnist, and Jim Kovacik, executive producer at Houston Public Media, to recap those stories and more to start the week.
Here’s more about the stories from today’s episode:

No one loved Houston more than Sheila Jackson Lee

Houston sees multi-day flood risk this week. Here's how much rain you can expect

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a champion of civil rights and progressive causes, dies

From high praise to calls for resignation, Texas officials react to Biden decision

Joe Biden drops out of the presidential race. Democrats could see an election bump in Texas.

"Win With Black Women" group raises $1 million for Harris' election campaign

Lawsuit claims to show CenterPoint has one of country's least reliable power grids

Hurricane Beryl debris pick up could take six to eight weeks for some Houston neighborhoods

Cow spotted on the 'moo-ve' across the Hardy Toll Road in north Harris County

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The last two weeks since Hurricane Beryl have been physically and emotionally draining. So much that a lot of Houstonians are questioning their relationship to the city. Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking with Houston’s Poet Laureate Aris Kian about the emotional aftermath of Beryl, and also hearing from listeners about their frustrations. 
Read Aris’ poem “Tired of #HoustonStrong.” And check out more of her work here.
And if you want to donate to a group working on Beryl recovery efforts, consider West Street Recovery.
Learn more about the sponsors of this July 22nd episode here:
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It’s Friday so host Raheel Ramzanali recapping all of the big news from the week. Monique Welch, Houston Landing’s diverse communities reporter, and Marco Torres, Houston Chronicle taco columnist, are joining him to talk about CenterPoint’s new resiliency plan (and who will pay for it!), a new survey about some Houstonians wanting to leave the city, the Michelin Guide finally coming to H-town, and so much more!
Dive deeper into the stories we talked about today:

CenterPoint being held accountable? A look at Gov. Abbott’s demands from the energy company

3 in 10 Houstonians surveyed by UH is considering leaving due in part to severe weather

Tony Buzbee’s class-action lawsuit against CenterPoint now includes more than 100 restaurants

Public Utility Commission of Texas launches investigation into CenterPoint Energy after Hurricane Beryl

CenterPoint is working on a $2 billion resiliency plan. Here’s what it means for Houston

'Houston’s frustrated': City Council says residents are tired of being 'Houston Strong' after Beryl

Hurricane Beryl death toll: 22 killed in Houston-area by fallen trees, flooding, fire

Texas had the most power outages in the country in last 5 years, new report finds

As Beryl left millions in the dark, a network of moms stepped in to help feed Houston babies

It’s official! Houston breakdancer Jeffrey Louis qualifies for Paris Olympics

The Lion King Comes to Houston

Latin Restaurant Weeks

Mamajuana Cafe

City Cast Houston’s episode on why Houston didn’t have the Michelin Guide ratings 

What Restaurants Should Make The Michelin Guide?

Michelin Guide restaurant reviews coming to Houston, other Texas cities

Artisans Restaurant

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