HOUSTON – She’s not a reporter in the traditional sense. No press pass, no newsroom and no deadlines. But when something happens in Houston’s streets, Griselda “Grizzy” Castillo is often first to the scene.
She’s with just her phone and a voice that booms her signature opening line: “What’s up with it, Hood News Peeps.”
Grizzy has built a million-strong following by turning raw, real moments into community journalism that feels more like family than news.
What started as an empty-nester’s hobby has become Houston’s most unconventional and undeniably influential newsroom.
An Accidental Journalist
“It was an accident. It wasn’t supposed to be the Grizzy’s Hood News that people are aware of today,” Grizzy told KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding.
What began in summer 2019 as a way to fill time after her daughter left for college has evolved into a full-time commitment to community journalism.
Initially covering Slab Sundays and lowrider shows, Grizzy’s approach was purely entertainment, comical at times.
“It was just me having fun with the phone,” she says. “I was just having fun mimicking reporters.”
The turning point came when a lowrider club reached out, asking her to help amplify a Crime Stoppers fundraiser for a boy who was murdered in Houston.
“It felt very fulfilling,” Grizzy remembers. “I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, this felt so good to use this platform to bring awareness to what happened to the little boy and to also try to get some justice for him.’”
Quitting Her 9-5
Before becoming Houston’s go-to source for breaking news, Grizzy worked for a forklift company and held a corporate position. The transition to full-time community journalism wasn’t immediate. She initially juggled both roles.
“Hood News was always happening all the time. And I was trying to juggle both things,” she explains. “And I’m like, you know what? Let me bank on myself.”
She gave herself a year or two to make it work, willing to use her 401 (k) if necessary.
The gamble paid off.
A Day In The Life
Nine years later, Grizzy receives between 500 to 700 messages daily across various platforms, though she primarily manages Facebook.
She’s sometimes covering up to seven scenes in a single night, spending about $46 on gas each time she fills up her tank. (She does that three times every week)
Her coverage area extends from Lake Jackson to Polk County, and she’s even flown to Lubbock for stories that needed attention.
“Sometimes I’m in the shower putting videos together,” she said. “Sometimes things don’t get posted because of not being able to keep up. It’s a lot.”
Turning A Second Chance Into A Calling
Perhaps what makes Grizzy’s story most compelling is her own journey of redemption.
She openly discusses her past, including time served in prison for aggravated robbery charges.
“I just kind of veered off into a life of craziness,” she said.
After her release, she re-enrolled in school, earned her associate’s degree, and found a new purpose.
“I want everybody to know that their past doesn’t dictate their future,” Grizzy said.
Now, she uses her experiences to connect with both victims and perpetrators, bringing a unique perspective to her reporting.
What sets Grizzy’s Hood News apart is the trust she’s built across all segments of Houston society.
“We’ve got rich peeps, we got poor peeps,” she said. “I have a community of followers that are homeless and they share their journeys with me. I just tell people just, you know, have fun. Don’t take it too serious but also try to help where you can and be as truthful always.”
The Million Member Mark
The platform’s growth has been remarkable. From just around 20,000 followers in its first year to over 1.3 million and growing today.
Grizzy has developed relationships with law enforcement, government officials and community leaders, though she maintains her independent spirit.
“I think there’s a need for what I’m doing,” she reflects. “I think I’ve inspired others to do it too and I think it’s pretty cool.”
The Future Of The Hood News
Despite health scares and the demanding nature of her work, Grizzy says she’ll be telling stories for years to come.
When asked if she’d ever consider selling Grizzy’s Hood News, Grizzy laughed before pausing to think.
She admitted it’s something she’s considered, especially after recent health scares, but said her family isn’t interested in taking it over.
“Not anytime soon,” she said with a smile. “I’m gonna be an old lady. I’ma die with it first.”
She echoes Houston legend Mattress Mack: “H-town till I drown.”
Authentic. Real. Relatable.
Beyond breaking news, Grizzy has become a maternal figure in the community.
“I think it’s like an auntie kind of situation where ‘Tia Grizzy’ can help out,” she says.
She’s particularly proud of stories that lead to positive change, like helping reunite families or bringing attention to overlooked issues.
“At the end of the day, all these different hoods, it’s all one struggle, whether you’re rich, poor, whether it’s River Oaks or Fifth Ward,” Grizzy explained. “There’s a little bit of everything everywhere and the one thing that unites us in Houston, we’re Houston strong.”