Ding Dong Ditch Tragedy, NASA Funding, & Lizzo’s Kolache Picks
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
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Thank you Houston, we’ve loved the conversation we’ve been having with you for the past three years. City Cast Houston and Hey Houston have suspended operations. Our last newsletter and podcast episode was Oct. 24, 2025.
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