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We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Houston

Tips and tricks by Houston locals, for locals.

Flu season in Houston starts next month and stretches until late May. So, how can you protect yourself from the flu as the weather (finally) cools?

Since COVID-19 cases are still popping across Houston, you 

might wonder if you have COVID or the flu? 

COVID-19 spreads more easily than the flu.

It can also cause more severe illness than the flu.

It may take longer for you to show symptoms of COVID-19 compared to the flu.

Since the symptoms of COVID-19 and flu can be similar, it’s best to get a COVID-19 test to rule out what you have.

Starting today, four free rapid COVID-19 home tests are now available 

If you catch the flu, it can be a mild illness, but sometimes symptoms can be severe and lead to death. Most common flu symptoms will clear up in two weeks, but sometimes they 

can lead to pneumonia or other severe complications

. Some common flu symptoms include fever, cough, muscle and body aches, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea. Below are severe symptoms you should be aware of. If you experience these, please seek medical care immediately.

The best way to protect yourself from the flu is getting a vaccine every year. 

 offer free flu shots to the community. You can also visit your local Walgreens or CVS pharmacy for a shot.

How Houstonians Can Protect Themselves From The Flu

Houston Life Hacks

Are you a new homeowner? Trying to understand the recycling schedule? Do you have a large item that you need to throw out, but don’t know when to leave it out for trash pick-up? If any of these questions have plagued you lately, I have a breakdown on how to understand Houston’s trash and recycling pick-up.

If you just moved to a new area, type in your address in this map 

 Recycling is picked up every other week on the same day as your trash pick up. Some items can be recycled improperly and contaminate clean recyclables at the sorting center. 

: cans, cartons, glass, paper, and plastic. Also, don’t put a plastic bag around your recycled items because it can contaminate it further.

Tree waste such as tree limbs, branches, and stumps are picked up once a month during odd numbered months: January, March, May, July, September, and November. Junk waste such as furniture, appliances, and other bulky items are picked up during even numbered months: February, April, June, August, October and December. To find out which day is your heavy trash pick up, 

. If you want to get rid of tree or junk waste before your designated day, then you can drop it off at 

your Neighborhood Depository/Recycling Center.

Has your trash or recycling pick up been irregular? Do you have other tips that I need to know? 

How To Understand Houston Trash Days 

Donating blood can be daunting and the question of eligibility can be confusing — earlier this year, the FDA updated its 

eligibility guidelines for men who have sex with men

. Here’s a guide on how to donate blood in Houston.

As a person with tattoos who has donated blood, I know that merely hearing myths about blood donations can be discouraging. The best place to start is to review an 

eligibility checklist like the one from the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center

. There are general requirements to keep in mind, such as a minimum age of 17 without parental consent, and health guidelines, as well as more specific health protocol. Always verify eligibility information.

 Yes, the moment the needle goes in can hurt momentarily, but it goes away once it’s placed.

My blood type is common, so it’s not needed:

 Every two seconds someone in the country needs blood. Every blood type is vital.

 There is no maximum age for blood donation.

 The entire process typically takes around an hour. That’s less than the TikTok rabbit holes in which I frequently find myself.

Organizations often host blood drives around Houston. You can start by searching “blood drives near me.” Blood donation appointments can also be made directly with organizations like the 

Have a blood donation story? We want to hear it.

Share a Blood Donation Story

How to Donate Blood in Houston

It’s no secret that Houston is a hot spot for air pollution — our 

air quality is often among the worst in the country

. Whether it’s air pollution, wildfire smoke, or fireworks, there are ways you can clean up the air in your home. Air purifiers can be expensive, so here’s how you can make your own at home with a few simple items.

Necessity is the mother of invention, so let’s start with the most simple version of a DIY air purifier.

: Acquire a square fan (most air filters are squares or rectangles, so we’re applying basic geometry).

: Get yourself a HEPA filter (shoot for one similar in size to your fan).

: Secure the filter to your fan via duct tape or packing tape, making sure to seal the connection as tightly as possible.

 from the New York Times’ Wirecutter. Their testing showed this simple version outperformed a fancy $800 air purifier!

After covering the COVID-19 pandemic, The Washington Post reporter Lena H. Sun took it upon herself to build what’s called a Corsi-Rosenthal Box, which basically takes the version above and gives it superpowers. She has a great 

If you build one of these we want to hear about it.

Share Your DIY Experience

How to Make Your Own Air Purifier

Is your car registration getting ready to expire? Are you new to Texas and trying to figure out how to get your car registered? I always dread renewing my registration, but I’m here to make your process as painless as possible. Let’s get to it!

First, you’ll need to get your vehicle inspected at a certified vehicle inspection station. Use 

 to get your new Texas license plates and registration sticker.

Make sure to bring a copy of your insurance, a copy of the vehicle inspection report, and proof that you own the vehicle or title from your previous state.

If you have a document showing foreign/military ownership or foreign evidence of ownership, then you can bring that with you too.

Wondering how much this is gonna cost? Here’s a breakdown 

 might be the move. You can renew online 90 days before your sticker expires and up to 12 months after your sticker expires, as long as you don’t receive a citation for expired registration. It can take up to three weeks for your new registration sticker to arrive in the mail.

using the Texas by Texas mobile application

, which is a digital assistant that allows you to renew your registration. The app is available in the 

If you want to renew by mail, you’ll send these items to your county tax office: renewal notice, a copy of your vehicle inspection report, proof of insurance, and your payment for registration fees.

Finally, you can go in person to your local county tax office or an approved substation. My go-to substation 

. In person, they will likely be able to look up whether your car has passed inspection or not. However, make sure to bring your copy of insurance and registration renewal notice.

If you dread getting your yearly inspection, rejoice! A new bill will allow

 most Texas vehicle owners to skip the vehicle inspection

 starting in 2025. [City Cast Houston 🎧]

Is there another task you want me to break down or a news story you want me to explain? 

How To Renew Your Texas Vehicle Registration 

Hurricane season started this month and lasts until Nov. 30. Some of us know how to properly prepare ourselves for the big storm, but sometimes it’s easy to forget our pets. Our City Cast Houston crew revealed ways they prep their fur babies 

Keep calm during the storm. Our pets take their cues from us. If we are frantic and scattered, they will be hyper and crazy right along with us.

Keep your pets in the same room with you. They need to know where you are. If you have to evacuate your home, you don’t want to have to search for them.

. Put them on them before the storm and it’ll help them with the sound.

Toys and treats ease stress. Make sure you have their favorite toys and treats to distract them.

Pets rely on smell. City Cast Houston host Raheel Ramzanali puts an old shirt on his dog that smells like him. You could also put a shirt that smells like you inside their crate.

Have a way to call them and make sure that they answer you. Practice this pre-storm. Once the storm blows in, they might start to hide. For City Cast lifestyle contributor Olivia Flores Alvarez, it’s a can of tuna for her cats.

If you don’t want to bring them inside the house to ride out the storm, then keep them in the garage.

City Cast Houston producer Carlignon Jones puts her dog in a really big cage outside. She stuffs hay, old blankets, and sheets everywhere to block the wind.

If you have to bring your pet inside and want to keep them in one specific area, 

Get an airtight container to transport all of your pet’s medication, food, toys, and treats.

Have a list of hotels and shelters that are pet-friendly.

Update your pet’s vaccines. You may be denied shelter or hotel if you don’t have updated vaccine documentation. Have a hard copy of those record vaccines.

Learn the heimlich maneuver and CPR for your pet.

, so they can be tracked if they get lost during the storm.

Join a neighborhood pet group on social media. They show photos of lost pets. If you get separated from your pet, this might be a resource to find your pet.

Take clear, color photos of your pet’s face and whole body, in case you need to use it .

Did we miss any pet prep tips for hurricane season?

Got other tips? 

How To Prepare Your Pets for Hurricane Season

The holidays are over, and if you aren’t dawdling about taking your tree down (I may keep mine up until the end of the month), there are places around the city where you can safely recycle your real Christmas tree.

Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department 

has several drop-off spots open until Jan. 31.

recycled by Living Earth, a manufacturer and retailer of mulch, compost and soil products.

 Your tree can also be picked up during 

Before recycling, your live Christmas tree you must remove:

How To Recycle Your Christmas Trees

Warning: We’re ten days out. If you’re clueless in the kitchen, too lazy to cook, or just want to try something new, I got you covered on the best Thanksgiving to-go.

I’m a Luby’s stan because of all my Sunday afternoon dinners there with family. But 

this classic Texas cafeteria is also a great option for Thanksgiving meals

. If you want to skip cooking the main meat yourself, order a turkey (deep-fried, smoked, or roasted), a or spiral-sliced ham. If you’re looking for side dishes, they have many: mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, candied yam and more. Luby’s will also be open on Thanksgiving Day, in case you just want to pull up and eat a home-cooked meal 

Central Market offers full holiday meals, appetizers, sides and desserts throughout the holiday season. 

Place an order to pick up until this Sunday at 6 p.m.

 They’ll give you a designated time to pick up your holiday haul during Thanksgiving week. A minimum order of $50 is required.  

ordering starts today at H-E-B, one of Houston’s favorite grocery chains.

 Order a meal for four or eight with traditional sides like mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato casserole and more. You can pick up your meal curbside at your local store location, or have it delivered to your door during Thanksgiving week. 


If you’re looking to be the star of your Thanksgiving celebration, 

pick up a pie from this favorite old-school diner.

 The options are endless: pecan, pumpkin, lemon icebox, apple, sweet potato. There’s always a line here the day before Thanksgiving, so I recommend going earlier in the week. 


wrong with a pastry, pie or cake from this beloved bakery.

 They’re known for their Jewish breads, and also make themed treats for each holiday. 


these ten Texas dessert shops ship to your door.