DOGE at City Hall, HPD Helping ICE, and Deadly Shooting Over Poster

Host Raheel Ramzanali is recapping the news you need to know with Danya Pérez, diverse communities reporter for the Houston Landing. They start with how Houston Police Department is now calling ICE because of a new database. Then, Mayor Whitmire is offering buyouts for city employees, but will it be enough to close the budget gap? Plus, we’re psyched for March Madness as the University of Houston gears up as one of the top contenders for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament! 

Stories we talked about on today’s show: 

• DACA resumes taking applications, but Texas applicants won’t be able to receive work permits
• What is DACA? These are the basics of the program
• ‘Tell the truth’: Family decries HPD’s role in Houston ICE arrest
• Houston Police directed to call ICE during traffic stops, including man stopped for broken window
• Fear could be driving immigration fraud and scams. Here is how to protect yourself.
• Girl deported with parents to Mexico while trying to reach Houston for brain cancer treatment
• Christian Menefee vies for Congress with Sheila Jackson Lee's daughter by his side
• Houston Mayor John Whitmire offers voluntary retirement to 2,700 city workers amid budget crunch
• Meet the City Cast Houston Team Before the Rockets Game

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 18th episode:

Visit Port Aransas

Destination Bryan

Meow Wolf

The Village School

Bayou City Art Festival

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Photo Credit: Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images