City Cast Houston
Food, culture, news and nature in the sweaty Bayou City. Join Host Lisa Gray and the City Cast Houston team as we celebrate and interrogate this sprawling place with our favorite journalists, thinkers, leaders, neighbors and gadflies. Learn more and subscribe to our daily morning newsletter at houston.citycast.fm.
Episodes
March 21, 2023 • 23 min
We continue our deep dive into the TEA takeover of HISD by looking at why the takeover may not be a good thing for students, schools, and teachers. Producer AK ALMoumen sat down with Jackie Anderson, President of the Houston Federation of Teachers, and asked her the same five questions he asked HISD Board Secretary Dr. Kendall Baker.
Want to get involved with the the Houston Federation of Teachers? Check out there website!
Our mo...
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March 20, 2023 • 19 min
Last week the Texas Education Agency announced it is officially taking over the Houston Independent School District effectively putting the 8th largest school district in the country in the state’s hands and it has generated a severe backlash from lawmakers, activists, teachers and parents. Producer AK ALMoumen sat down with HISD Board Secretary Dr. Kendall Baker who is optimistic about the takeover to understand how we got here an...
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March 17, 2023 • 31 min
It’s Saint Patrick’s Day and Friday, what a perfect combination! In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day, we have a fantastic nomination for who should be Houston’s new face of Saint Patrick’s Day. Plus, how preservation districts are really backdoor zoning, the Texas Education Agency takeover of HISD, another Houston mayoral candidate emerges, Texas takes another step towards legalizing weed, and $275k art at the rodeo! Producer Carlignon...
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March 16, 2023 • 29 min
This is the last weekend of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo so our intrepid producers Carlignon Jones, AK ALMoumen and Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis went on a field trip to the Rodeo to taste test some of the more unique food options available at the fairgrounds. From fried cheesecakes to pickle pizzas to an ending that will make you question truly what food can be.
Get you tickets for the Rodeo!
Some other food re...
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March 15, 2023 • 20 min
A lot of Texans are known for riding horses or even riding sheep during the Mutton busting events at the rodeo, but not many people have the guts to get on a bull! It’s a craft that takes courage and passion, something that longtime bull-rider and owner of Bar-N-Bar Arena, Mutt Neuman said he’s had since a young age. Producer Carlignon Jones is sitting down with him today to find out what it really takes to be a bull-rider!
Want t...
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March 14, 2023 • 21 min
Daniel Wolfe is the owner of City Cellar HTX. It’s an upscale restaurant that offers a full brunch and dinner menu that spotlights a twist on some classics, like mac and cheese, and Chicken Parmesan. But his key component is that no kids are allowed in his restaurant. It’s nothing personal, he just wants all those coming in to have a dining experience that’s geared for those 21 and up. Lead producer Dina Kesbeh sits down with Danie...
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March 13, 2023 • 22 min
Governor Greg Abbott has been a fierce voice against diversity, equity and inclusion hiring programs, saying that these programs are not providing an equal opportunity for all. He has also pressured numerous universities in Texas, like the University of Houston, to backtrack their DEI programs. Lead producer Dina Kesbeh talks with Houston Chronicle reporter Jeremy Wallace, who has been following this story for a while, about what's...
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March 10, 2023 • 28 min
It’s been a week of so much news in our city. From the TEA circling around HISD with a possible state takeover, to the women who are suing Texas over their abortion ban saying this ruling has put their lives at risk, to the two 13-year-old twin brothers that went missing while swimming near pleasure pier — and so much more. Catch up on all that you might have missed with producer Carlignon Jones, politics contributor Evan Mintz, an...
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March 9, 2023 • 18 min
We got an email from a listener who is 63 years old, asking us for help on how to meet people her age in Houston. So, lead producer Dina Kesbeh, producer Carlignon Jones, and newsletter editor Brooke Lewis talk about the best things to do and places to go that would help all our listeners make new friends in the city.
Things to do that we mentioned in this episode:
City Girls Who Walk Houston
Jazzy Sundays
Modern Ink Fine Art G...
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March 8, 2023 • 14 min
Some say the Houston Rodeo is a right of passage for any transplant or longtime resident. From the concerts to the food and the rides — there’s so much to experience. But, one of our team members has never been to the Rodeo. Listen to producers AK ALMoumen and Carlignon Jones document what it was like to spend an evening at the Rodeo.
Get your rodeo on!
Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Ho...
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March 7, 2023 • 19 min
Our city is full of places to get your grub on, but what about places to satisfy your sweet tooth? Today lead producer Dina Kesbeh is talking dessert hidden gems with food blogger Sean The Food Sheep.
Milk Mustache
Raja Sweets
Shun Japanese Kitchen
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March 6, 2023 • 21 min
From 2019 to 2021, six Houston-area refineries dumped 55 million gallons of chemicals into the Houston Ship Channel and other public waterways — and this was all done legally. Lead producer Dina Kesbeh and contributor Loren Steffy talk what implications this might have and how this is allowed.
Learn more about the story by clicking here!
Looking for more Houston news? Then sign up for our morning newsletter Hey Houston
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March 3, 2023 • 26 min
It’s Fri-YAY! Which means it’s time to dig deep into some Houston news! This week was packed with big stories, so hold tight as Lead producer Dina Kesbeh, producer Carlignon Jones, and contributor Evan Mintz break down all the headlines for you!
Stories:
Legalizing Fentanyl Test Strips
Nonprofit to honor George Floyd’s memory!
Crosby ISD 4-Day School Week
“Food Not Bombs” Ticketed For Feeding the Homeless
State takeover o...
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March 2, 2023 • 24 min
The humidity is low and the temperatures are rising, which means it's the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with some good food, friends, and family! And what better way to do so than patios? The City Cast Houston team's newsletter writer, Brooke Lewis, and producers Carlignon Jones and AK AL-Moumen are chatting about the best patios to sit and enjoy the breeze!
Patio spots we mentioned in this episode:
Brasil Cafe
Original Ninf...
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March 1, 2023 • 18 min
Freedman Town (now known as Freedmen’s Town), was established in 1865, and was home to one of the most robust black communities Houston has ever known. But why don’t many people know of its existence? Producer Carlignon Jones is with Debra Blacklock-Sloan, lead docent and historical researcher for the Yates Museum, and Gladys House, a native Freedmen's Town resident, to talk about the things you didn’t learn in your history classes...
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February 28, 2023 • 19 min
Soul Food is a staple in many southern households but what about if you want to add a little variety to your soul food experience? Well we got a treat for you! Food influencer G from Bless Tha Belly joins producer Carlignon Jones to give us the low-down on the best spots to get your meals made with love and — most importantly — seasoning!
Links:
Esther’s Cajun Cafe & Soul Food
Mikki’s Soul Food Cafe & Catering
Comfort Foodies
...
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February 27, 2023 • 22 min
This week, The Houston LiveStock Show and Rodeo officially kicks off. What’s the concert line-up looking like? What’s new this year? Here to talk all things rodeo with lead producer Dina Kesbeh is culture contributor Antrechelle Dorsey.
More on the concert list here
More on the giveaway here
Read up on the lack of diversity for the first time in 10 years at the rodeo here
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Let’s Talk!
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February 24, 2023 • 33 min
It is this time of the week again and the City Cast crew lead producer Dina Kesbeh and producer Carlignon Jones are joined by politics contributor Evan Mintz to round up the biggest stories impacting Houston this week.
LINKS:
Tesla Engineering HQ is moving from Travis County back to California.
Mattress Mack is launching a website to collect evidence of voter disfranchisement.
Houston is getting new floodplain maps.
Mental He...
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February 23, 2023 • 20 min
Are you tired or bored of going to AMC or Cinemark over and over again. Well buddy City Cast Houston’s lead producer Dina Kesbeh, newsletter writer Brooke Lewis and producers Carlignon Jones & AK ALMoumen have teamed up to give you the most intimate, interesting and underrated movie going spots in the city that will have you remember why movies are so magical!
Our Recommendations:
Movies at Market Square Park
Discovery Green pre...
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February 22, 2023 • 31 min
Houston is known for its diversity but in Alief, that diversity is amplified to the max! This neighborhood is known for its culture, food, and the stars it raised! City Cast Houston Lead Producer, Dina Kesbeh, who grew up in the area sits down with two of her high school classmates Firas Abulawi and Christina Phan to reminisce on the beauty of the neighborhood.
Phoenicia Speciality Foods
Fadi's Mediterranean Cuisine
Aga's Restaur...
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