A NIMBY fight in the suburbs is pitting mental health advocates against disability rights activists. Plus, there have been shocking reports about a toxic and racist work environment over at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen on The Wharf. Contributor Dan Reed and Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman chat with us about those two stories plus some exciting restaurant openings. As always, our Friday roundup is powered by amazing local journalism: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/09/12/group-homes...
Sep 15, 2023•26 min
How can you tell if someone’s from D.C.? Minnie Quartey can do so with her eyes closed: As the coordinator of Georgetown’s Language and Communications in Washington DC project, she’s the world expert on the way locals talk — and has a bunch on pointers on what to do if you want to up your hometown accent and slang game. Check out our episode on the fate of Washington Commanders. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with Ci...
Sep 14, 2023•20 min
Hiring in D.C. can be tricky and time-consuming, especially if you want to be mindful of diversity and inclusion along the way. In this episode sponsored by District Bridges, City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with District Bridges' Executive Director Brianne Dornbush and Deputy Director Madeleine Odendahl about the work they’re doing to help local companies hire more efficiently and thoughtfully, including a free business summit they’re having in partnership with DC Workforce Investment Counci...
Sep 13, 2023•13 min
Property crime is on the rise in DC and there’s an aspect to it you might not be familiar with -performance crime, where young people commit steal things as part of viral social media content. Washington Post reporter Emily Davies explains what the city is doing about it. Check out Emily’s reporting on this for more details. Plus, here’s our episode about the COVID-19 surge in D.C., and what you should do about it. Lastly, sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC if you want even more news like...
Sep 13, 2023•17 min
“Beyond Granite: Pulling Together” is a first-of-its-kind outdoor exhibit on the National Mall, highlighting stories that are underrepresented in the Smithsonians. The six provocative sculptures are meant to start a conversation, and you only have one more week to check them out. Teresa Durkin of the Trust for the National Mall and Marcel Acosta of the National Capital Planning Commission explain what makes this exhibit so special. Go check out “Beyond Granite” before it closes on Sept. 18. More...
Sep 12, 2023•17 min
You might not know it, but DC is in the middle of the drought. But we’ve also had flooding in the city- so how can both things be true? And should we be conserving water? Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
Sep 11, 2023•13 min
The only major grocery store east of the Anacostia River is facing a theft crisis that has prompted big changes. Plus, we’re talking about a food court, a heat wave, and a newly swimmable river. As always, our roundup is powered by amazing local journalism: WTOP is all over the Giant security concerns in Anacostia DCist covered the heat advisory and also the Anacostia swim event Kaela wrote up a review of The Square for our website, dc.citycast.fm Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign u...
Sep 08, 2023•23 min
It’s one of the saddest stories of the year — and the most infuriating. A flood at a DC doggie day-care last month led to the deaths of 10 dogs. Mark Seagraves from Channel 4 has been all over the story, which turns out to say a lot about the dysfunctional state of the city’s 911 call center, among other city agencies. Mark talked about the Bowser administration’s troubling reaction to the news, and what the fallout is likely to be. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morni...
Sep 07, 2023•17 min
Joining a book club not only forces you to actually finish a book for once, it also lets you tap into a new social community. With book clubs on everything from queer romance to cooking to labor strategy, how’s a reader to choose? Book club connoisseur Serena Zets explains how to find the one that’s right for you. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE And we’d love to feature you on the s...
Sep 06, 2023•17 min
Anyone who lives here knows that if you want to get any two people in the region into an argument, all you need to do is bring up something involving traffic, Metro, or one of the other things he covers. Today, Jordan Pascale of WAMU is here to walk us through some of the big changes coming to local transit this fall — listen along and prep for your next argument with a neighbor! Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with C...
Sep 05, 2023•22 min
Pandemic-era changes in where people live may be messing with DC’s budget, self-driving cars may soon be messing with DC’s roads, and lots of folks hope the new Washington Commanders owners will mess with the team’s name. Also, what do you think about D.C. building out more pedestrian zones? Would that revitalize downtown? Would it get people to move back to D.C.? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-642-2654. to share your thoughts. As always, our Friday roundup is powered by amazing local journ...
Sep 01, 2023•25 min
Streateries were a feature of the pandemic. Three years on, they’re still with us — and city planners are looking at ways to make them permanent. Joe Sternlieb and Faith Broderick from the Georgetown Business Improvement District are here to talk about what that means for diners and restaurants — as well as drivers looking for a place to park. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE And we’...
Aug 31, 2023•22 min
The COVID-19 hospitalization rate in D.C. rose 29% earlier this summer. But it definitely doesn’t feel like a pandemic out here. Everything’s open, people are out and about. So how seriously are we supposed to take all this? Politico’s health reporter Chelsea Cirruzzo joins us at our live taping at Sonny’s Pizza to talk it all out. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE And we’d love to fe...
Aug 30, 2023•16 min
The 911 call center is back in the news after the flooding that killed 10 pups at District Dogs daycare on August 14th. A dispatcher error delayed the emergency response, and it’s not the first time that’s happened. Veteran journalist Dave Statter has been covering the call center’s troubles for decades, and in this interview originally aired in February, he tells us why it’s such a mess. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. And we’d love to feature you o...
Aug 29, 2023•20 min
Poplar Point is a federally-owned waterfront property in Anacostia. It’s also one of the most contested spaces in D.C. because everybody agrees it’s prime real estate but nobody can agree on what should go there. Tristan Navera explains some of the options and who’s fighting for what. Learn more about Summer Restaurant Week, check out which restaurants are participating, and browse menus at our sponsor RAMW’s website: www.rwdmv.com. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morni...
Aug 28, 2023•19 min
A new poll says most Americans think DC is a safe city to live in, but around here, it seems all people are talking about is crime. So how bad is it really? Bridget Todd, Priyanka Tilve, and Julia Karron are here to chat about that, plus some major drama in DC’s Little League and also the best pizza in town. As always, our Friday news roundups are powered by the fabulous local reporting around here: Check out the latest Gallup poll about America’s safest cities. Frederick Kunkle of the Washingto...
Aug 25, 2023•20 min
Locals Siddharth Muchhal and Bobo Stankovikj set out to visit every Bikeshare dock in the DMV. Why did they do it and what tips and tricks do they have for the rest of us? Host Michael Schaffer found out for us. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2...
Aug 24, 2023•15 min
Roller skating became all the rage during the pandemic, but for D.C., this wasn’t really a new thing. Just ask D.C. skate enthusiast, Salleta Coleman. She tells us why the District has always had a special connection to skating. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-265...
Aug 23, 2023•19 min
The word “iconic” gets used too much in D.C. But in the case of Ben’s Chili Bowl, the U Street Mecca for late-night half-smokes, it fits. Bridget and Mike sat down with Virginia Ali, the matriarch of the restaurant which turns 65 today! They talk about the early days serving Howard University students, living through the fires of 1968, and what business is like in spiffed-up 21st century U Street. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in ...
Aug 22, 2023•18 min
Houselessness is still below pre-pandemic levels in the District, but that good news doesn't paint the entire picture. Because there’s also been an increase in houselessness this year. The city also has a social worker shortage. Marissa Lang, reporter at the Washington Post, has been covering how this is impacting the city. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE We’re also on Twitter! Foll...
Aug 21, 2023•17 min
District Dogs day care in Northeast flooded again, but this time, 10 dogs drowned. Our team talks about what happened and how the owner’s past pleas to the city went unheeded. Plus, we break down a “freedom of speech” lawsuit by anti-abortion protesters against D.C. and size up Washington City Paper’s Best of D.C. 2023. Check out the local reporting that powers our roundups: News4 Reporter Walter Morris spoke with several pet owners whose dogs were in a flooded dog day care. John Domen of WTOP h...
Aug 18, 2023•24 min
D.C. has loads of parks and trails, which make it a great city for running. It also has a lot of hills, which, for a lot of people….not so much. We sat down last year with Washington Post wellness reporter Kelyn Soong to get his sense of Washington as a running town — and as some of his tips and tricks to get out there and start pounding the pavement. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc And we’d love to fe...
Aug 17, 2023•17 min
The pandemic changed where you work — and where the people who sell you stuff want to set up shop. In the D.C. area, this has meant jobs, and people, moving from the city to the suburbs. Will it last? And what comes next? Tristan Navarra from the Washington Business Journal is here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc And we’d ...
Aug 16, 2023•22 min
During World War 2, women took on roles as codebreakers, pilots, butchers, and farmers to aid in the war effort. These women are “Rosies” like Rosie the Riveter. College student Raya Kenney has been trying to get a memorial to these women built in DC for half her life — since she was 11. She explains what it takes to get a new monument constructed. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE An...
Aug 15, 2023•10 min
D.C. gets a bad rep ... in a lot of ways. People say we're not fashionable, we're careerist snobs. Are they right? Co-hosts Mike Schaffer and Bridget Todd sat down to discuss D.C.’s stickiest stereotypes. Also, we're doing a live taping, and we'd love to see you. Come on by to Sonny's Pizza on Monday, Aug. 28. There will be a wine tasting from 5-6 p.m., followed by our recording at 6:30 p.m. It's also our anniversary party, so it's going to be a really special night. RSVP here. Want some more DC...
Aug 14, 2023•22 min
This week, a Councilmember called for the National Guard to help curb D.C. crime, Beyonce fans came up against the famously terrible FedEx Field, and a bunch of DC restaurants announced they’re taking summer breaks. The team wraps it all up with Washingtonian’s food editor Jessica Sidman. As always, our Friday roundup is fueled by great local journalism: Fox5 lays out Trayon White’s call for the National Guard and how the city’s responded WTOP covers the fallout of the Beyonce concert at FedEx F...
Aug 11, 2023•23 min
When you think of city skylines, you might picture dazzling skyscrapers and high-rises. But not in D.C., where the Height Act of 1910 has given the city its iconic shorter vista. But we’re in the midst of another conversation about tinkering with the law. Should we? WTOP’s Luke Garrett breaks it down. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc A...
Aug 10, 2023•18 min
D.C. can be a tough city and sometimes we all need to have a little cry. And it turns out D.C. is a great city for crying in public. Kiara McGowan from the now viral TikTok account “Crying in DC” grabs the tissues to talk about the best spots to shed some tears and how she’s making space for D.C.’s public criers. Follow Kiara on TikTok @cryingindc Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE We’...
Aug 09, 2023•14 min
Mount Zion is one of the oldest Black cemeteries in D.C. and a lot of former enslaved people are buried there. Plus, it was a stop on the underground railroad! Lisa Fager from the Black Georgetown Foundation is here to tell us about the site’s unexpected and rich history, efforts to restore Mount Zion and its sister cemetery, and how Washingtonians can find their locally buried ancestors. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertisi...
Aug 08, 2023•15 min
It’s a common attitude among foodies that gas stoves are better, but not if you ask Rob Rubba, chef at Oyster Oyster. And he would know, because he just won a James Beard Award. As D.C. Council considers legislation that incentivizes a switch from gas stoves to electric, Rob tells us why in his kitchen, it’s electric! Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us...
Aug 07, 2023•14 min
