Shows / City Cast DC
City Cast DC
City Cast DC is the daily, local audio companion you knew DC needed.. Washingtonians are deeply passionate about our city, whose story is still being written, and City Cast DC is here to tell it. Every weekday morning, our hosts Michael Schaffer and Bridget Todd will engage people from all over the eight wards in conversation about DC’s crises and its beauty, both literal and figurative. It’ll have the feel of eavesdropping on an energetic and informative coffee shop chat, except that with City…
Episodes
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s Most Underrated Bars
If you committed to dry January, you might be ready for a nice cocktail. Luckily, D.C. is a great bar city. Raman Santra, creator of the super popular account…
- City Cast DC
The Billionaire Vs. The Busker
Could a street musician have driven D.C.’s hockey and basketball teams out of town? That’s the takeaway from a wild Washington Post piece by Erik Wemple. Erik…
- City Cast DC
Police Reformer Recall, RFK Redevelopment, and Black History Month Guide
As a recall campaign gets going against a top police reformer, the D.C. Council is on its way to passing a tough crime bill. Plus, the mayor really wants a…
- City Cast DC
What D.C.’s New Environmental Laws Mean For You
A bunch of new environmental proposals in DC could change the way you drive, bike, and even cook. Jacob Fenston from WAMU is here to give us the lay of the…
- City Cast DC
Fixing D.C.’s High Infant Mortality Rate
D.C. has the fourth highest fetal mortality rate in the US. And while it’s mostly Black babies who are dying in the District, it’s an issue that says a lot…
- City Cast DC
Your Guide to February in D.C.
We’re LIVE at The Square Food Hall to bring you our guide to February in DC. Jade Womack of the Clockout DC instagram account talks us through which activities…
- City Cast DC
D.C. Speeding Is Out Of Control. Could This Law Fix It?
D.C. is on the verge of passing a new traffic law that's supposed to actually stop people from speeding in the city. It means your car could be booted even if…
- City Cast DC
Razing Cap One Arena? Plus, Deadly Carjacking Spree and Wolf Trap’s Lineup
The Washington Post’s Emily Davies and City Cast contributor Dan Reed join us to talk about carjackings, whether D.C. should tear down Capital One Arena, and —…
- City Cast DC
Valentine’s Day Plans For Lovers and Haters
February is here, and heart-shaped decor is everywhere. We wanted to have a whole episode dedicated to Valentine’s Day planning! Cornelia Poku is here with…
- City Cast DC
Why Salary Transparency is Important in D.C.
People in D.C. aren't shy about talking about how much they make. And D.C. recently passed a law requiring employers to post salary ranges, which will go into…
- City Cast DC
51 Cars Smashed, CVS Closing, and Defending the Arena Move
Crime is on everyone’s mind, a bunch of CVS’ are closing in DC, and the owner of the Washington Wizards and Caps is defending his decision to move the teams…
- City Cast DC
D.C. Parents Vs. Weed Dispensary
We’re talking about a fight over a cannabis dispensary that some parents say is too close to their kids’ school. But the real story is that the city hasn’t…
- City Cast DC
D.C.'s 100 Best Restaurants, Bus Lane Fines and City Harassment Probe
We’re talking about Washingtonian’s annual ranking of best restaurants with the magazine’s lead critic, our pal Ann Limpert. Plus, we’re also going to talk…
- City Cast DC
Metro's New Look
If you’ve spent any time recently at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station, you might have noticed something about the signage: It’s different! And the new look is…
- City Cast DC
Bowser Wants to Make Downtown D.C. More "Livable"
Conversations about the Caps and Wizards potentially moving to Virginia are just one more strike against D.C.’s downtown as a meaningful destination. Most of…
- City Cast DC
Restaurant ‘Junk Fees,’ Boil Water Advisory, and What Makes a Real Washingtonian
A pretty popular restaurant group in D.C. just dropped its “Initiative 82” service fee after it was sued over it. Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman is here to…
- City Cast DC
Understanding D.C.'s Dognapping Spree
We love our furry friends here in D.C. But sadly, there have been at least 11 dognappings in the city already in 2024 and thieves are going after one breed in…
- City Cast DC
Another Blow For Downtown, Snow Closures, and Pocket Parks
There’s more worry about the future of downtown DC. Plus: Snow! It snowed, and might snow again, and people in the city have thoughts about how we handled it…
- City Cast DC
Power Ranking D.C.’s Cupcakes
What IS the best cupcake in D.C.? We tested a bunch of them, for scientific reasons of course, to figure out which one is worth splurging for. Like what we do?…
- City Cast DC
Will D.C.’s New Bill Slow Down Crime?
Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto just introduced a massive 90-page crime bill to counter the uptick in homicides, carjackings, and petty theft across the…
- City Cast DC
The Bizarre D.C. Buildings That Never Got Built
Sometimes the most interesting buildings in a great city are the ones that didn’t get built. Like the Lincoln Pyramid, the Washington Pedestal, and the grand…
- City Cast DC
Chinatown Task Force, New Speeding Crackdown, and MLK Day of Service
DC is making plans — a little late — about the future of Chinatown. Plus, some changes to DC traffic policy are on the horizon. And it’s about to be MLK day…
- City Cast DC
Tips for Composting in D.C. in 2024
Composting can seem like a smelly, messy, complicated affair. But City Cast DC Contributor Abi Newhouse tells us that in D.C., it’s easier than it seems and…
- City Cast DC
How To Get Fit for Free in D.C.
Most gyms in D.C. are expensive. It’s a bummer, especially if your New Year's Resolution involves getting out and moving more. But don’t worry! Because D.C…
- City Cast DC
Washington Post Buyouts, TikTok Tunnel Girl, and Barnes and Noble Returns
In today’s Tuesday roundup, the team breaks down what’s going on with the Washington Post buyouts, a Herndon woman digging tunnels under her home, and the…
- City Cast DC
What’s In and Out in D.C. in 2024
It’s the season of in-and-out lists, and Washingtonian food editor Jessica Sidman and City Cast DC Senior Producer Julia Karron are here to break down their…
- City Cast DC
Charles Allen Recall, Local Mall Youth Ban, and D.C.'s Weird Weather
There’s a recall effort against a liberal DC Councilmember, more agita about shoplifting teens, and…snow! Or maybe not? Yep, it’s January and Axios’ Cuneyt Dil…
- City Cast DC
Why D.C. Traffic Is Getting Worse
People in D.C. are working from home pretty often. So why does it seem like traffic is getting worse? It turns out the pandemic changes have altered commuting…
- City Cast DC
How To Find Local Music Around D.C.
Finding local music can be tough - where do you start? Christopher Naoum co-founded Listen Local First to support D.C.’s homegrown music scene and he’s here to…
- City Cast DC
Your Guide to January in D.C.
It’s January, which usually means the cold weather is setting in, the holidays have wrapped up, and maybe you’re feeling a bit blah. But January doesn’t have…
- City Cast DC
What Bill Nye (the Science Guy) Learned From D.C.
Bill Nye, yes the science guy, is also a D.C. guy. The legendary science educator is a D.C. native and has recently moved back. We talked with him back in…
- City Cast DC
The Secret to Finding Housing in D.C.
Pretty much everyone in DC is obsessed with finding a good place to live, including Jamie Manning, the creator behind the popular Instagram and newsletter…
- City Cast DC
Honoring the History of Ben’s Chili Bowl
Virginia Ali, the woman behind one of the most historic D.C. spots, Ben’s Chili Bowl, recently turned 90. So in honor of the many late-night half-smokes Ben’s…
- City Cast DC
Our Most Scandalous D.C. Restaurant Takes
What are D.C.'s most overrated restaurants? Are Georgetown cupcakes actually the best in the city? And How much is too much to pay for a sandwich? In August…
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s Best and Worst of 2023
In our last new episode of the year, we’re turning it over to you, the listeners. What did D.C. do right this year, and where did our city come up short?…
- City Cast DC
How To Make Sense of 2023’s Crime Wave
Crime has been one of the biggest issues of the year, with high-profile incidents drawing national attention and Congressional intervention. Carjackings and…
- City Cast DC
Alexandria’s Concerns About a New Stadium
There’s been a vocal contingent of Alexandria residents grumbling about the planned Washington Capitals and Wizards stadium in Potomac Yard since the second it…
- City Cast DC
D.C.'s Hollywood Problem
DC shows up in films and movies all the time, but how many of those projects actually film in the District? Writer Hannah Docter-Loeb tells us how D.C. has…
- City Cast DC
Metro's 'Catastrophic' Budget Proposal
Metro recently released a dire looking budget. Layoffs, fewer trains and stations, and higher fares are all on the table. We sat down with Metro Chief Randy…
- City Cast DC
Mayor's Response to 'Monumental' Loss, and RIP Harrington Hotel
Cuneyt Dil from Axios joins us to analyze the political fallout of the shocking announcement that the Wizards and the Capitals are leaving DC for Virginia …
- City Cast DC
How Virginia Poached the Caps and Wizards
Well, it’s almost official. Ted Leonsis is probably moving the Capitals and Wizards across the river by 2028. Tristan Navera from the Washington Business…
- City Cast DC
Our Take On NYT's '36 Hours In D.C.'
Recently, the New York Times put out an itinerary of how to spend 36 hours in D.C. And our team of locals had some feelings on it! So we’ve got some alternate…
- City Cast DC
Unpacking D.C.'s Huge Fentanyl Drug Ring Bust
Recently, D.C. police helped bust a fentanyl distribution ring with global impact, and the two-year investigation all started after a young mother here in D.C…
- City Cast DC
Is Crime Driving Restaurant Closures?
Some recently closed restaurants blame crime as a main reason they're closing — but the stats are a little less clear. The man behind the Eat DC social…
- City Cast DC
24/7 Police Surveillance, Arlington House Explosion, and Snow Days
We’re talking about a new surveillance program with D.C. and the feds that’s supposed to target crime. Plus Axios’ Mimi Montgomery breaks down a crazy house…
- City Cast DC
Are Open-Air Drug Markets The Key To Solving D.C. Crime?
A new D.C. effort aims to crack down on open-air drug markets. It’s the city government's latest attempt to grapple with the rise in homicides and other…
- City Cast DC
Best D.C. Winter Activities, According to Clockout DC
When the temperature drops, it can be tempting to cozy up inside if you don’t love the cold. But Jade Womack of Clockout DC is here to tell us about the fun…
City Cast DCD.C.'s Most Influential People of 2023 (Part II)
D.C. is a special city. There’s so much to do, see, and taste here. And with so much to experience, we wanted to narrow it down to the most transformative of…
City Cast DCD.C.'s Most Influential People of 2023 (Part I)
It’s our first annual list of the City Cast 6: A half-dozen people who have changed D.C. in 2023, for better or worse. We’ve assembled a panel of experts and…
- City Cast DC
Controversial Zoning, Metro Shutdowns, and Heurich House Christmas Markt
Alexandria has moved to ban single-family zoning — which is kinda a wonky concept, but one with big implications that ought to matter to you even if you don’t…
- City Cast DC
Ranked Choice Voting Has Powerful Enemies in D.C.
A potential D.C. referendum called Initiative 83 could pave the way for ranked-choice voting in D.C. At first blush, it sounds like a great idea in a city…
- City Cast DC
An Alternative to Cops in D.C.
To call the police or not call them? D.C. is exploring alternative emergency responses in the city. How would they work and what would they do? Gloria Gong…
- City Cast DC
How to Hit All 98 Metro Stops
Have you ever wondered how long it would take to visit every metro stop on the Metro? Well, these three friends don’t have to wonder. On July 17th, they became…
- City Cast DC
The Ultimate D.C. Holiday Shopping Guide
Holiday shopping season is stressful, to say the least. Luckily, Cornelia Poku of Black Girls Explore DC is here to make this time of year a little bit…
- City Cast DC
How a Turkey Gets Pardoned
This week, President Biden pardoned two turkeys, Liberty and Bell, in honor of Thanksgiving. Last year, we had so much fun talking about the ins and outs of…
- City Cast DC
Delayed Shelter Opening, Giving Tuesday, and New Underrated Restaurants
A group of anonymous property and business owners are trying to block a homeless shelter in the West End, and they’ve already delayed the opening once. The…
- City Cast DC
The Future of D.C. Housing
DC has built a ton of housing over the last 20 years, but it’s mostly been in a small number of neighborhoods — and the city still has a big housing shortage…
- City Cast DC
D.C. Sues Landlords, FBI Building Mayhem, and Climate Protest Vandalism
D.C. is suing a bunch of landlords over a program that may be costing you money. Plus, remember when we talked about the FBI moving to Maryland? Well, things…
- City Cast DC
The Flaws in Metro's Redesign Plan
Metro is considering building out a Blue Line Loop (the Bloop), and a lot of us are excited about it! But one GGWash contributor thinks the plan is seriously…
- City Cast DC
Why Pickleball Is Dividing Neighborhoods
Pickleball is taking over the nation. But not everyone is so happy to see the sport take off - it’s causing disputes between players and homeowners. WAMU’s…