Trump Tariffs Hit Car Insurance and Beer, HISD Closures, & Weather Firings
When Superintendent Mike Miles took over HISD, he promised no immediate school closures. But with enrollment dropping, school closures are now on the table. Host Raheel Ramzanali and Faith Bugenhagen, trending news reporter at Chron.com, break that story down. Plus, how President Trump’s tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada will impact your car insurance and craft beer. And finally, with the freeze of federal funding, how will Harris County handle disaster response?
Dive deeper into the stories we talked about on today’s show:
- Houston ISD to propose closing schools in summer 2026 as enrollment keeps falling
- Harris County is waiting for $600 million in funds that may not arrive
- Your auto insurance premium could rise with proposed tariffs. Here's how much Texas drivers could pay.
- How Trump's 25 percent aluminum tariff could hurt craft beer
- Trump administration layoffs hit NOAA, agency that forecasts weather, hurricanes
- Join City Cast Houston for a pre-game mixer at the Houston Rockets on March 25th. Get your tickets here with the special code: CITYCAST2025
If you enjoyed today's interview with A.D. Players Theater's Director of Education and Theatre for Young Audiences, Andy Pederson, learn more here.
Learn more about the sponsors of this March 4th episode here:
Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce Foundation
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: Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
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.
Latest Episodes
Our Final Goodbyes and What We’ve Learned About Houston
Since the beginning of City Cast Houston, every story we’ve shared on this podcast has shown us something new about this city. In this fi...
Tiny Things That Annoy Us About Houston
We’re in our final week of shows, so host Raheel Ramzanali is sharing one of his favorite episodes of all-time. We love H-Town, but when...
Where to Live: Houston vs. The Suburbs
It’s our final week of shows and we’re playing back some of our favorite episodes. Hey Houston newsletter editor Brooke Lewis has today’s...
The Houston Roads to Avoid
It’s the final week of operations at City Cast Houston, and what better way to say goodbye then to share some of our all-time favorite ep...
Remember When We Won the World Series?
It’s the final week of operations at City Cast Houston, and what better way to say goodbye then to share some of our all-time favorite ep...
Saying Goodbye to City Cast Houston. Plus, Other Major News From The Week
Mayor Whitmire is breaking his silence about the removal of the iconic rainbow crosswalk. Plus, why is Ken Paxton suing to try and shut d...
Can Houston’s Theater Scene Rival Broadway?!
Believe it or not, but Houston’s theater scene is one of the best in the nation. So, why don’t we get the respect we deserve?! Host Rahee...
How Houston Restaurants Are Surviving One of Its Biggest Economic Downturns
It’s been a tough year for restaurants in Houston with so many popular places closing down. But, what’s being done by the restaurants to...
Why Our Bail System Should Matter to Every Houstonian
Why is Harris County’s bail system always brought up by state leaders? Host Raheel Ramzanali is talking to John Wayne Ferguson, reporter...
Gov. Abbott Targets Rainbow Crosswalks, Medical Center Workforce Reduction, and Airport Delays
Why is Governor Abbott forcing Houston to remove the iconic rainbow crosswalks in Montrose? Plus, are we going to see flight delays acros...
