Another week, another layer of confusion for federal workers: this time in the form of an email telling them to list their accomplishments … or else. Amidst all the chaos, so many employees are looking for their next gig. Maybe even in the restaurant industry. Axios’ Anna Spiegel is here to break it down for us. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about t...
Feb 26, 2025•18 min
DC can be a hard place to raise kids. So how can new parents make the most of life in the District? Courtney Whittington, founder of the group DC Area Moms, is here to share her tips for new parents in DC. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 25th episode: The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University District Br...
Feb 25, 2025•20 min
The Washington Post’s Philip Kennicott is here to tell us the ways Donald Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center could do massive damage — but maybe not the exact damage a lot of people are predicting. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 24th episode: The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University District Bridge...
Feb 24, 2025•22 min
Axios' Cuneyt Dil joins the City Cast team to talk about Donald Trump’s conservative-activist US Attorney for DC, the closure of downtown’s indie movie house, and the future of scooters in DC. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 21st episode: National Landing BID Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Interes...
Feb 21, 2025•24 min
For generations, DC has been a city where square young professionals — not just bohemian hipsters — share big houses. How’d it get that way? And what does it mean? Newsletter editor Kaela Cote-Stemmerman and City Cast alum Susannah Broun are here to talk about it. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn...
Feb 20, 2025•21 min
8 p.m. Tuesday was the Trump administration’s deadline for firing probationary federal workers. It was a chaotic rollout over a holiday weekend and it has left D.C. reeling. We talk through the scale of the purge and how it affects DC, and hear from a federal employee who experienced it firsthand. Check out the comprehensive reporting that helped inform this episode: Trump administration fires thousands for ‘performance’ without evidence, in messy rush Will laid-off federal workers find new jobs...
Feb 19, 2025•24 min
With the Trump administration’s overhaul of the federal workforce, a lot of people in the area are understandably wondering what all of this chaos means for DC’s housing market. Business Journal’s Michael Neibauer is here to explain what all the uncertainty means for real estate in DC. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this Februar...
Feb 18, 2025•19 min
We’re talking about the Kennedy Center and DC culture in the age of Trump, we’re talking about super high electric bills, and, oh, there was a snow day this week and we’ve got some thoughts. Check out our guide to saving money on energy costs this winter. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 14th episode: National Landin...
Feb 14, 2025•28 min
Donald Trump’s federal downsizing could leave a lot of high profile federal buildings hitting the market. One cluster of them sits just south of the Mall on Independence Avenue and stretches down towards the Wharf. To DC planners, it could be a whole new neighborhood in a choice location. The Washington Post’s Aaron Wiener has been covering the story and is here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-...
Feb 13, 2025•17 min
With return-to-office mandates suddenly coming into effect, Metro is seeing a huge boost in traffic. And so we figured it was a good time to bring the City Cast team together to talk through some essential unwritten rules and quirks of taking public transit in DC. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 12th episode: Nation...
Feb 12, 2025•24 min
Is the Trump administration’s deferred resignation offer even legit? Brad Moss is a DC attorney who represents federal employees, and he’s here to explain what’s happening in the courts and how federal workers are responding. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 11th episode: National Landing BID Gala Theatre The Peabody...
Feb 11, 2025•23 min
Bike lanes are weirdly one of the most emotional subjects in DC, and Washington Post columnist Marc Fischer stirred up a lot of that emotion with a recent column that was sharply critical of them, or at least sharply critical of how the city has sold them. He shares what he learned while reporting the column, and the wild reaction it got. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 ...
Feb 10, 2025•27 min
There's a new Congressional bill to repeal DC’s home rule, which hits just as the region is obsessing about what the campaign against federal workers will do to the economy. Plus, we’re talking about the union push in a bunch of high end DC restaurants. And for something fun, what to bring to your Super Bowl party. Check out our guide to the best Super Bowl takeout. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free lis...
Feb 07, 2025•30 min
It has been a crazy few weeks for Washington, particularly when it comes to Donald Trump and Elon Musk's war on the federal government in the District. So today, we’re explaining how Trump and Musk are directly affecting our neighbors and community, from the resignation decrees to what it means for DC’s economy. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about t...
Feb 06, 2025•26 min
DC Council has officially expelled Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White for violating the body’s ethics rules. The entire Council excluding Trayon White voted in favor of the expulsion, but this might not be the last we see of White yet. NBC’s Mark Segraves was at the hearing, and he’s here to share what it was like and what’s next. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. ...
Feb 05, 2025•22 min
If you’re feeling like the last few weeks in DC have been A LOT, you are not alone. If you’re looking for community and things to distract from everything, you’re in the right spot. From coping strategies to fun stuff to look forward to, we’ve got your guide for making the most of February in DC. If you still haven’t gotten your REAL ID here’s our guide to get you started. Also! Check out our daily newsletter Hey DC’s take on what to do this month. And if you're finding our recs helpful, please ...
Feb 04, 2025•25 min
As of Sunday, 55 bodies from last week’s air catastrophe over the Potomac had been recovered. The investigation is ongoing. But a lot of the conversation is already focusing on just how crowded the space is around National Airport, and whether that makes it inherently dangerous. Aviation expert Ian Petchnick, who runs the Avtalk podcast, is here with us to explain DCA’s complicated geography and politics. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You ca...
Feb 03, 2025•20 min
We have more on the deadly air accident in the Potomac River, the latest on Donald Trump’s battle against his own workforce, and – should DC schools ban cell phones? We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for...
Jan 31, 2025•26 min
Is DC … going to become Detroit? That’s the fear as President Trump moves to slash the workforce. We’re talking to two people about what the big national news of the week means for our city. Emilia Calma from the DC policy center studies the local economy and is here to talk about the impact of possible federal cuts on the health of the region. And the Washington Post’s Aaron Wiener has spent the week talking to federal employees and is here to talk about how they’re feeling about the president’...
Jan 30, 2025•22 min
A devastating crash between a passenger plane and a blackhawk helicopter has everyone’s eyes on the Potomac River. The planes went down at 9 pm last night. Rescue efforts are underway, and it’s unclear how many passengers, if any, survived. As of 5 am this morning, here is everything we know about the crash. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Interested in advertis...
Jan 30, 2025•13 min
Facing expulsion over federal bribery charges, Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White finally gave a defense for why he should stay on the DC Council yesterday. It’s clear he’s not going down without a fight. The tense hearing will ultimately determine the Council’s decision on whether White stays or goes. NBC’s Mark Segraves was there, and he’s here to tell us what happened and what’s next in this spicy political saga. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you t...
Jan 29, 2025•21 min
President Donald Trump has made big changes to how remote work and telework will function in the federal government - which will have a big impact on the DMV. The Washington Post’s Emily Davies has been collecting stories from federal workers in the area and is here to share how they’re feeling and what they’re doing about it. If you’re a federal worker with a story to share, get in touch with Emily over Signal, at 202-412-9091. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be gra...
Jan 28, 2025•18 min
Donald Trump’s pardon of January 6 rioters hit close to home for Lauren Ober and Hanna Rosin. Literally: Last year, the journalists created We Live Here Now, a podcast about what happened when a house of J6 activists moved in next door. They’re here today to talk about what the pardons mean for their block and our city. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Pl...
Jan 27, 2025•33 min
We’re talking with The Washington Post’s Lisa Rein about the new Trump administration’s role as our city’s biggest employer — and what its whirlwind of new rules mean for us. Plus, Washingtonian food critic Ann Limpert is going to share highlights from the magazine’s annual list of top restaurants. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes t...
Jan 24, 2025•31 min
So it’s a weird political time for a lot of people in DC. But a strange and pretty retro phenomenon is lightening the mood: The city seems to be falling back in love with its football team, the Commanders. After years of futility, the team that was once the one subject guaranteed to unite our city is now one game from the Super Bowl. The Washington Post’s Sam Fortier is here to explain their revived hold on our imagination, and provide a primer for anyone who’s game to jump on the bandwagon. We’...
Jan 23, 2025•22 min
Dupont Circle is known for embassies and think tanks. But did you know that it’s also a place where you can find good sushi, cool architecture, and symbols of DC’s changing landscape? Longterm Dupont residents HH Leonards and Paul Cohn, and our City Cast DC contributor Austin Graff, share their guide on how to spend the perfect day in Dupont Circle. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as li...
Jan 22, 2025•28 min
As the second Trump term begins, many in D.C. are worried about their legal rights in a city that’s not quite a state. Monica Hopkins, who runs the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, has been tracking the threats and is here to talk about what’s real and what isn’t. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 2...
Jan 21, 2025•23 min
We’re talking about the newest idea for converting unused downtown office buildings, the long legacy of the Comet Ping Pong shooting, and everything that is happening this weekend. We’re going to tell you how to navigate it all. ICYMI: How to Navigate Inauguration Weekend in DC, from Metro closures to high security. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more abo...
Jan 17, 2025•31 min
How much impact does the president actually have on D.C.? As president Biden prepares to leave the White House, City Cast hosts Bridget Todd and Michael Schaffer reflect on the ways Biden shaped our city. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 16th episode: Roda - use promo code CITYCAST20 for 20% off Restaurant Association...
Jan 16, 2025•21 min
Inauguration Day is a huge event for our nation with loads of fanfare, politicking, and of course security, but for many of us who live in DC, it can be a major headache. That’s why Axios’ Cuneyt Dil joins us to go over the tips and tricks to avoid the spectacle. Plus we answer: is there really more security in DC this month than ever before and why the mayor is paying 1.5 million to attend the parade. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can a...
Jan 15, 2025•20 min
