The D.C. Council is considering a bill that would allocate government funding for local news outlets, and residents would get to pick which ones get money. City Paper's Alex Koma helps 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 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 ab...
Oct 30, 2023•17 min
We’re joined by Axios’ Cuneyt Dil and City Cast contributor Dan Reed to talk through the D.C. mayor’s sweeping new anti-crime proposal, the latest twist in the story of the Beltway zebras, and Dan has thoughts on leaf collection. As always our roundups are powered by the great local journalism in the area: Check out Cuneyt’s reporting on the new crime bill proposed by Mayor Bowser. We also covered the uptick in store thefts on the pod with Emily Davies of the Washington Post. The Department of P...
Oct 27, 2023•20 min
D.C. is rolling out a new slogan this November, to entice more international tourists to visit. But our hosts Michael and Bridget are ... less than thrilled about it. If you’re interested in signing up for Alliance Francaise’s Paris trip, French language classes, or any of their other educational opportunities, head to francedc.org. 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 f...
Oct 26, 2023•24 min
D.C.'s got some incredible historical artifacts. Think Duke Ellington’s birth certificate, a will for Alexander Graham Bell, and even some 2,000-year-old hunting camps. But right now, there’s not one central place where D.C.’s archives all live. Axios’ Cuneyt Dil has been following the plan to build a new, high-tech building to change that. 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 l...
Oct 25, 2023•10 min
There was a HEATED community meeting last week about RFK stadium, and the team breaks it all down. Plus, we’re playing a new “news” game, and hearing directly from YOU, our listeners, about our episode about the National Landing neighborhood in Northern Virginia. Click here to learn more about Loggia Townes! Check out the local news that powers our roundups: The Washington Post has you covered on what went down at the community meeting regarding RFK Stadium. Got thoughts on some of our recent ep...
Oct 24, 2023•27 min
D.C.’s parole system is run by the federal government, just like the prison system as a whole, and that has impacts for all of us. There’s an effort in DC to take control back from the Feds. Emilia Calma of DC Policy Center tell us why, and if it could really happen. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 23, 2023•13 min
We’re talking about a fight at a Wawa — or at least about how that fight was covered, and what it says about where DC’s at right now. Plus, we chat through the state of statehood and a great big museum reopening. As always our roundups are powered by great local reporting: Check out the Washington Post’s play-by-play of the WaWa fight. Washington City Paper explains what’s happening with DC Vote. And the new National Museum of Women in the Arts is open! Want some more DC news? Then make sure to ...
Oct 20, 2023•23 min
Halloween is here! Which means it’s time to tell scary stories. And rather than make brand-new ones, we chatted last October with Washingtonian senior editor Andrew Beaujon about the best creepy urban legends. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. 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 2026422654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 19, 2023•18 min
Is National Landing the next big thing in the DMV? That bit of Northern Virginia — including Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Potomac Yard — is on a mission to be the next great live-and-work center. Axios’ Cuneyt Dil says it’s hoping to compete with D.C.’s downtown. To learn more about our sponsor Alliance Francaise, the group's trip to Paris, or any of the classes it offers, go to francedc.org. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in a...
Oct 18, 2023•23 min
The weight of what’s happening in Israel and Palestine is so heavy that it’s palpable for many of us here in D.C. We’ve got some suggestions for what YOU can do to aid the peace and humanitarian efforts. Plus, we’re talking about some tricky stop sign cameras in D.C., and the best speakeasies now that the Gibson is shuttering its doors. Priyanka wrote up this piece, summarizing all of the Palestine and Israel aid efforts we mentioned today. Bridget’s got you covered on how to spot disinformation...
Oct 17, 2023•25 min
Thomas Jefferson High School, the math and science magnet school in Northern Virginia, is one of the most famous public schools in the country — and one of the toughest to get into. But some parents say the school’s new admissions process — which aims to improve diversity — actually discriminates against Asian students. They want the Supreme Court to get involved. Karina Elwood from the Washington Post brings us up to speed. Listen to our episode about the John Falcicchio scandal in the Mayor’s ...
Oct 16, 2023•19 min
The team chats about the latest twist in a goofy Adams Morgan development saga — and why it oughta matter to you even if you never hang out at the late, unlamented SunTrust Plaza. Plus, we’ve got some thoughts on school renamings and suggestions for how to get in a haunted mood this Friday the 13th. As always, our Friday episode is fueled by great local journalism: Read up on the AdMo Plaza update, from this Washington Post report. And get caught up on the long saga, with our episode featuring M...
Oct 13, 2023•22 min
In D.C., you’re only allowed to use one sports betting app — and the company behind it is a WRECK. It’s a status quo that has real costs — even if you don’t bet on sports. How did this happen? And what does D.C. do now? We break it down with Danny Funt, who has broken some of these stories for The Washington Post. 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...
Oct 12, 2023•17 min
There have been a lot of buzzy new restaurant openings in DC lately, but don’t forget about the durable, DC staples that fly under the radar, but endure for a reason. The Washingtonian’s Food Critic Ann Limpert joins me and newsletter editor Kaela Coh-tee-Stemmerman to dish on DC’s most underrated restaurants. 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!...
Oct 11, 2023•20 min
D.C. has had intense floods this year, and with climate change, it’s only poised to get worse. Marcelo Jauregui-Volpe, a journalist at Hola Cultura, is here to explain why the old way of mapping flood risk in D.C. is out of date and what we need to know to be more prepared. Check out our episode about D.C.’s troubled 911 call center, and some of the fatal mistakes it’s made. And if you need a refresher of what happened at the District Dogs flooding, we went through it minute-by-minute and also c...
Oct 10, 2023•18 min
Mike is joined by Julia Karron and Kaela Cote-Stemmermann and they’re talking about taxpayer money — first for a stadium scoreboard, then for a boost in food assistance. And, in both cases, what the debate says about where DC stands right now. Plus: Pandas! They’re leaving, and they have feelings. If you want to help choose the zoo’s next favorite animal, vote here. And afterward, catch up on this great local reporting that fueled our roundup: WTOP covered the Nats’ scoreboard story The Washingt...
Oct 06, 2023•26 min
The House Oversight Committee actually agreed on something, and that was to possibly bring the Washington Commanders back to the old RFK site. The legislation would give DC a 99-year lease on the site with fewer restrictions on how the site can be redeveloped. The Washington Post’s Sam Fortier chatted with us a few months ago about what that land could mean for the team’s future and the city’s. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. (TRY TO CHANGE IT...
Oct 05, 2023•19 min
Some Shaw residents are calling for a three-year moratorium on new bars and nightclubs on 9th Street between T St and U St. NBC Reporter Mark Segraves tells us why, and how business owners in the area feel about it. Let us know what you think of the newscast at the end of our episodes with this short, multiple-choice survey: https://forms.gle/7mggSwc1jNSETNoP7 Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. (TRY TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY TIME) Interested in adver...
Oct 04, 2023•19 min
The team discusses new details about how D.C. government handles sexual harassment complaints. Short answer: not well. Plus, D.C. is considering a new tax to save Metro’s budget, and we read out surprisingly hilarious one-star reviews of the Washington Monument. Check out these articles for more background on our three topics today: The Washington Post update on how D.C. handles sexual harassment complaints Alex Koma’s piece about solutions to Metro’s budget problem Laugh at some more one-star r...
Oct 03, 2023•23 min
It’s no secret that homicides are up in DC: Last week, we recorded our 200th murder of the year. But there’s more confusion about why this is happening. ProPublica's Alec MacGillis has been writing about violence in America, and one of his reports touched on an idea that hadn’t gotten much notice: that social media is propelling the carnage. Let us know what you think of the newscast at the end of our episodes with this short, multiple-choice survey: https://forms.gle/7mggSwc1jNSETNoP7 Want some...
Oct 02, 2023•21 min
DC passed a grim homicide milestone this week — 200 murders before October, for the first time since 1997. Plus, we’re on the cusp of a government shutdown in a city where 25% of the jobs are for Uncle Sam. But it’s not all heavy duty: McDonalds is about to start serving Mumbo Sauce, and we have some thoughts. We mentioned a few other episodes you might want to hear: The Giant in Southeast is pulling national brands because of theft DC’s homicide rate is rising, even as other cities see that num...
Sep 29, 2023•24 min
D.C. is not always known as a fashionable city. But as you’ll see this weekend, at D.C.’s fashion week events, that doesn’t mean there aren’t stylish people making waves here, through new clothing lines and creative accessorizing. Digital creator Libby Rasmussen was recently named one of Washington D.C.’s most fashionable people. She explains the city’s distinct take on style. Fashionable D.C. friends: https://www.instagram.com/mr.rondavid/ https://www.instagram.com/gracedrones/ https://www.inst...
Sep 28, 2023•21 min
It’s the last installment of our fall guide, and we’re talking wineries and vineyards. You might not realize the DMV is a place that grows award-winning wine, but Dave McIntyre of the Washington Post is here to tell us which we should try for ourselves. Let us know what you think of the newscast at the end of our episodes with this short, multiple-choice survey: https://forms.gle/7mggSwc1jNSETNoP7 Here’s our written guide to local wineries and how to make the most of them. Sign up for our mornin...
Sep 27, 2023•19 min
It’s day two of our fall getaway guide and we’d be remiss if we let this week go by without talking about the most obvious of fall activities: leaf peeping!! We’ve got a studio full of producers today to talk through the best local spots to see beautiful foliage, all without a car. 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 though...
Sep 26, 2023•19 min
With the humidity finally abating, we’re eagerly looking forward to fall festivities. In the first installment of our three-part fall getaway series, we’re talking about the many fairs in the area, from pumpkin picking and hay rides to dressing up and getting scared. Local journalist Chelsea Cirruzzo breaks down which ones are worth your time. If you enjoyed the section where Chelsea, Mike, and Bridget debated best D.C. seasons, there’s more where that came from. If you want to learn more about ...
Sep 25, 2023•22 min
Amanda Michelle Gomez from WAMU tells Mike and Julia about her reporting on liquor licenses and allegations of discrimination against Black businesses. Plus, we’re discussing a big renovation at the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum and Metro’s scheme to rename bus lines — with your help. Learn more about these stories through some great local reporting: Read Amanda’s investigation into ANC liquor licenses at DCist. There are so many cool new modern art exhibits at the Smithsonian, check ‘em all...
Sep 22, 2023•21 min
How well do you know our city? Actually, how well does City Cast know our city? City Cast CEO David Plotz and Michael Schaffer, both D.C. natives, squared off in a trivia showdown. Listen in, and let us know how you did. 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 ...
Sep 21, 2023•20 min
Things are getting TENSE up in Cleveland Park over a plan to install bike lanes on Connecticut Avenue. Arguments over a plan to install bike lanes on Connecticut avenue have reached a boiling point. Last week, protestors argued that removing valuable parking spots to make way for bike lanes would kill businesses along the strip. The city is still reviewing the design plans for the bike lanes, but back in April, we hosted a debate between two neighbors over whether or not they should even happen....
Sep 20, 2023•25 min
After slavery, D.C. paid financial restitution...to former enslavers that is. Now, DC Council is considering creating a task force to explore paying reparations to the descendants of enslaved people. The Washington Post’s Michael Brice-Saddler explains how it would work and if it’s likely to pass. If you’re interested in the episode we mentioned about racial inequities in traffic enforcement, listen here: https://dc.citycast.fm/podcasts/why-dc-traffic-enforcement-is-such-a-mess Want some more DC...
Sep 19, 2023•15 min
Metro is planning to redevelop the Brookland Metro stop, but what should the new version look like? Considering this project touches on Metro, housing, parking, and retail, it's no surprise that the public hearing on it on Sept. 12 was SPICY. Washington Business Journal's Tristan Navera tells us what folks said and what WMATA is planning to do about it. If you want to learn more about the views, amenities, and cool things to do at Kite House at The Parks, check out their website! Want some more ...
Sep 18, 2023•21 min