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
Meet D.C.’s Death Doula
There's just no way around it — all of us are going to die. Sadly, in D.C., a lot of folks are dying alone. Laura Lyster-Mensh, Congressional Cemetery's Death…
- City Cast DC
A Peek Inside Navy Yard's Newest Bar
Trouble Bird Bar is opening tonight in Navy Yard, in the space that used to be Maxwell Park Wine Bar. But it's got a very different vibe. Think pajamas AND…
- City Cast DC
Should D.C. Public Schools Have Cops?
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says she’s redoubling her efforts to reverse the council’s move to pull police who have been serving as school resource officers out…
- City Cast DC
A New Museum, Housing Segregation, and Weekend Events
We’ve got a new museum that will open under the Lincoln Memorial! And the D.C. metro area is banding together to form a new fair housing plan. Mike Schaffer is…
- City Cast DC
What Makes D.C.'s Roller Skating Culture Unique
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, Saletta Coleman. She…
- City Cast DC
Bathrooms Are D.C'.s Most Neglected Public Space
We’ve all been there. You’re out and about when nature calls. And if you’re in D.C., this could be especially bad news because there aren’t a ton of public…
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s Fentanyl Crisis is Different
Fentanyl is a national crisis, and the D.C. area is no exception. But the communities bearing the brunt of it here are different compared to the rest of the…
- City Cast DC
Defending Statehood, RIP MetroHero, and Logic’s New Album
Congress is pushing back hard on two D.C. bills and many local leaders are … letting them? City Cast DC Contributor Dan Reed and Lead Producer Priyanka Tilve…
- City Cast DC
How To Prevent More Break-Ins in Adams Morgan
If you've been in Adams Morgan recently, you’ve probably seen the aftermath of attacks on local businesses. For example, Retrobottega on 18th street had its…
- City Cast DC
What a New Nats Owner Means for D.C.
Ted Lerner, the 97-year old patriarch of the family that owns the Washington Nationals, died this week. But the team has been on the market for months —…
- City Cast DC
From D.C., With Love
Happy Valentine’s Day! We asked all of you to share your love stories, and boy did you deliver. Here are some of the stories we received, plus love letters…
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s 911 System Needs Fixing
911 is no joke to Dave Statter. The longtime D.C. investigative reporter is the man behind some huge scoops on how the District’s emergency-call center has…
City Cast DCD.C. Is Clearing the McPherson Square Tent Encampment
In today’s roundup, the Washington Post’s Marissa Lang joins us to chat about the plan to clear the McPherson Square encampments, the D.C. Council’s take on…
City Cast DCLast-Minute Date Ideas in the District
The D.C. Love Kit — our week of episodes devoted to love in the District — would not be complete without some solid date ideas. We’re joined by Clockout DC’s…
City Cast DCHow to Love Making New Friends in D.C.
D.C. Love Kit Day 3 is all about friendship. Did you know there’s a science to making friends? Psychologist and D.C. local Marisa Franco has been researching…
City Cast DCDating in D.C. Sucks. This Dating Coach Can Help
For day two of the City Cast DC Love Kit, we're here with dating coach Erika Ettin to break down all your District-specific questions. Like should you date…
City Cast DCLocal Trips to Spice up Your Love Life
Valentine's Day means couples trips. City Cast DC Contributor Tim Ebner is here to break down all the best deals in the area this February, plus some solid…
- City Cast DC
Rising Crime, Reeves Center Facelift, and D.C.'s Weird Sports Culture
It’s another week where crime stories are in the headlines. Dan Reed from Greater Greater Washington joins us to talk about why this is happening and what it…
- City Cast DC
Our Conversation with Bill Nye, the D.C. Guy
Legendary science broadcaster Bill Nye has recently moved back home to D.C, where he was born and raised. Here’s here to tell us about growing up in D.C., his…
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s 100 Best Restaurants
Washingtonian just put out its list of D.C.’s 100 Very Best Restaurants, for the first time since before the pandemic. And unsurprisingly, COVID-19 changed a…
- City Cast DC
The 1984 Murder that Transfixed D.C.
The horrific murder of Catherine Fuller transfixed Washington in 1984. And now, nearly 40 years later, it’s the subject of a book by former D.C. public…
- City Cast DC
The D.C. Civil Rights App Created by Students
Black History Month is coming up, which has a special significance in a place like D.C. Lily and Eliza Dorton, sisters and high school students, founded the DC…
- City Cast DC
Home Rule Under Attack, Plus RIP Movie Theaters
The old Metro boss is now head of transportation in Maryland — what does that mean for DC commuters? Congresspeople are scheming to overrule local voters — how…
- City Cast DC
Single and Seeking Help
City Cast D.C.’s single ladies have grabbed the mic to chat about dating in D.C. Spoiler alert: it’s hard. So dating coach Erika Ettin, a.k.a. "A Little Nudge"…
- City Cast DC
Odometer Fraud Has Hit The District
Did you know that D.C. is one of the worst cities for odometer fraud? Emilie Voss from Carfax says it’s making buying a car more expensive AND making all of us…
- City Cast DC
Mayor Bowser's Plan to 'Bring D.C. Back'
Mayor Bowser’s office has an ambitious plan to revitalize DC’s downtown, and a big part of it is getting remote workers back in physical offices. There’s even…
- City Cast DC
The People Counting D.C.’s Cats
Like a lot of people, we love cats! But if you’re a bird or a squirrel, our purring four-legged friends are also furry little killing machines that are…
- City Cast DC
Metro Troubles, Wes Moore, and E-Bike Rebates
It’s been yet another rough week for Metro and its safety commission, and this time it seems like they want to go for some couples counseling. Lead Producer…
- City Cast DC
Dulles Is Getting Noisier. Here's How Neighbors Are Fighting Back
This will be a surprise to no one: airports are loud. Which maybe means you’re not that sympathetic to someone who bought a house next door to one and realized…
- City Cast DC
How D.C.'s Nightlife Task Force Affects You
In an effort to increase public safety, D.C. police launched what they’re calling the Nightlife Task Force. Axios DC’s Chelsea Cirruzzo is here to explain what…
- City Cast DC
How To Do Shrooms in D.C.
Here in D.C., cannabis is mostly established — folks know how to use it and where to buy it. But what about psilocybin mushrooms? People use mushrooms for all…
- City Cast DC
Karon Blake, New Economic Goals, and Racing Presidents
2023 is off to a grim start on the crime front, most recently with the shooting of 13-year-old Karon Blake on Saturday morning. We cover that, the mayor’s new…
- City Cast DC
This D.C. Spy Hid in Plain Sight
The most damaging female spy in US history operated out of an apartment in Cleveland Park and used to do ops at the zoo. Now she's been released from prison…
- City Cast DC
The Struggles of Regulating Weed
The Maryland legislature is back in session for a new term, and there’s one topic that residents have gotten onto the agenda: weed regulation. Voters approved…
- City Cast DC
Why Georgetown is In and The Wharf is Out
Washingtonian Food Editor Jessica Sidman just put out a controversial list of predictions for D.C.’s restaurant scene this year. Like Georgetown is cool again?…
- City Cast DC
What This Murder Conviction Means For D.C. Cops
A jury has convicted a D.C. police officer of murder in the case of Karon Hylton-Brown. Another officer was convicted of trying to cover it up. Mitch Ryals…
- City Cast DC
Major Tuddy, Proud Boys Trial, and Downtown’s Transformation
It’s a new year! But we’re still talking about familiar storylines: Football ineptitude, January 6 fallout, and the fate of central Washington. We discuss the…
- City Cast DC
Why D.C. Wins at Fast Casual
District Taco just announced that it’s planning to expand across the East Coast, from New Jersey to Florida, and it’s just the latest DMV-born fast-casual spot…
- City Cast DC
Is D.C. Part of 'The South'?
Today, Bridget and Mike tackle a question that needs an answer: Is D.C. considered ‘The South’? And if not, what part of the country DOES it best fit in? Need…
- City Cast DC
New Year, New D.C.
2023 is going to be our year! At least if all of us, and our neighbors, and city leadership pay heed to the New Year’s resolutions featured in this episode…
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s Hidden Oasis
Today's episode is related to our NYE resolution to follow through even more on listeners' pitches! Like this episode, which we originally aired in August…
- City Cast DC
The Rat Problem Is Our Fault
One of City Cast DC's resolutions is to not just present problems about the city, but also find a way to help YOU solve them. So in that vein, here’s our chat…
- City Cast DC
D.C.'s Most Haunted Forest
A big resolution for us here at City Cast is to continue picking stories that make people smile, have fun, and also get them out of their comfort zones! And if…
- City Cast DC
How The Whittle School Failed
One resolution we have at City Cast DC is holding those in power to account. We are local journalism after all! But we rely on listeners like you to help us…
- City Cast DC
D.C.'s Best Bread
What’s the best bread in DC? Jill Nguyen, the Bread Lady of Capitol Hill, dove into baking during the pandemic, and has some thoughts — about what’s coming out…
- City Cast DC
How George Mason Helped Transform the Suburbs
George Mason University started 50 years ago as a pokey little commuter school. Since then, it’s evolved into a global institution that helped lure Amazon to…
- City Cast DC
A New Vision for the National Mall
The National Mall has limited space. So what happens when you want to add a new monument or site? This is actuallu poised to take place with the addition of…
- City Cast DC
How 'Street Sense' Empowers D.C.'s Homeless
Street Sense is a newspaper with a mission- to end homelessness in DC. In honor of the paper’s 20th anniversary, two vendors, Aida Peery and Jackie Turner, are…
- City Cast DC
D.C. Public Housing Troubles, Plus Our Dreams for RFK Stadium
The D.C. Housing Authority's troubles seem to just dig deeper and deeper. Lead Producer Priyanka Tilve and Mitch Ryals from the Washington City Paper are here…
- City Cast DC
At This DMV Farm, Plants Taste Like Oysters
Area 2 Farms in Arlington is not what you imagine when you think of a farm. It's indoors and has bizarre plants that taste like roasted garlic, cheese, or…
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s Rap Scene is Booming
D.C. has it own sound that sticks with you. And nobody knows that more than D.C. rap legend Kokayi. He joins us today to talk about his new book, You Are…
- City Cast DC
What Metro’s Changes Mean For You
It’s a big week of changes for Metro — more service and shorter waits on trains, free rides on D.C. buses. But there will also be some fare hikes and other…
- City Cast DC
The Best Cocktails in D.C. Might Be Non-Alcoholic
Bottoms up! But hold the hangover? Booze free bars are becoming a new trendy thing with one called Binge Bar opening right here in D.C. in January. We’re…
- City Cast DC
Facelifts For Two D.C. Institutions, Plus Huge Women's Soccer News
For this week's roundup, we’re talking about some pretty notable D.C. renovations — one for an outdoor music venue and the other that’s at the heart of the U…
- City Cast DC
The Debate Over Marion Barry Ave
There’s a plan to rename Good Hope Road after Marion Barry. Is this a good idea? Performative nonsense? Both? Cohosts Bridget Todd and Michael Schaffer spent…
- City Cast DC
The Push To Decriminalize Street Vending
DC Council is closer than ever to decriminalizing unlicensed street vending, but … as the year end nears, sellers pushing for the change may be running out of…
- City Cast DC
The D.C. Holiday Spots You Have To Visit
The holidays are here! Which means it’s time to entertain yourself and your visiting family. City Cast DC contributor Cornelia Poku is here to tell us how to…
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s Recent School Shooting Scare
On November 18, a mass shooting DIDN’T take place at D.C.’s Jackson-Reed High School. But the day was still traumatic. After reports of gunshots, the school…
- City Cast DC
Judicial Vacancies, Zoo Opinions, and Books to Gift
It’s our first ever live taping! We’re at Politics and Prose Union Market, but we’re still talking about the news in D.C. — like the far too many judicial…
- City Cast DC
Should Childcare Workers Need College Degrees?
There’s been a push to require that all D.C. childcare workers have college degrees, and the first set of new regulations go into effect today. But, people who…