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
A Guide To D.C.’s Indigenous History
Today is the last day of Native American Heritage Month, but we shouldn’t limit conversations about Indigenous culture to November. So we’re joined by Dana…
- City Cast DC
D.C. Charities Worth Your Support
It’s Giving Tuesday. And whether you’re writing a check or planning to volunteer your time, you’ll want to know whether you can trust the organizations you’re…
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s Hidden Gems, According to Clockout DC
Washington is full of world-famous tourist sites, but there are so many hidden gems you’ve probably never heard of. Today, we’re sitting down with Clockout…
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s Turkey Whisperer
For some reason, we all just take it for granted that every Thanksgiving, the White House pardons a turkey. Have you ever stopped to think about how the…
- City Cast DC
The 1977 Siege That Paralyzed D.C.
In March 1977, a group of Hanafi Muslim gunmen took 149 people hostage in Washington, D.C. Marion Barry was shot. A Howard journalist was killed. But today…
- City Cast DC
An Expert Guide to D.C.'s Best Bookstores
D.C. has a ton of bookstores with their own personalities. So how can you possibly pick one? Coralyn Maguigad, who’s been exploring every bookstore in the…
- City Cast DC
World Cup Bars, a New Criminal Code, and Best Thanksgiving Pies
DC Council this week agreed to overhaul the city’s ancient criminal code, but not everyone’s thrilled about it, including the mayor and police chief. Plus…
- City Cast DC
Where Will the New Commanders Stadium Be?
The Washington Commanders are looking for a new home. They currently play at the much-maligned FedEx Field in Landover, MD. But could they ever return to the…
- City Cast DC
What D.C.’s Food Tells Us About The City
Ruth Tam and Patrick Fort, the team behind WAMU’s Dish City, join us to chat about all things D.C. food. Whether it’s Old Bay on crabs, the history of D.C.’s…
- City Cast DC
Tracking Go-Go Music’s Controversial Past and Present
Go-Go has been THE sound of D.C. since the late 1970’s. In 2020, Mayor Muriel Bowser designated it the official music of the District. But should it be? Hosts…
- City Cast DC
The Silver Line and Dulles Airport Get An Upgrade
Dulles Airport used to be in the middle of nowhere. But 21st century suburban sprawl caught up to the Space Age airport — and as of this month, so has Metro…
- City Cast DC
Judging The Commanders' Potential Buyers, Plus DMV Election Analysis
D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine delivered yet another blow to Dan and Tanya Snyder as they apparently prepare to sell the Washington Commanders. Sports…
- City Cast DC
So the Election Is Over. What Now?
While federal Washington was paying attention to the midterms, hometown D.C. had its own consequential election on Tuesday. What happened? Washington Post city…
- City Cast DC
Election Results and an Outdoorsy Distraction
First up, we've got election results for you. And then for something completely different — Is D.C. a good place to hike? What about rock climbing and…
- City Cast DC
What This Election Could Mean For Home Rule
There’s been a one-man crusade against D.C. Home Rule in the House of Representatives. But if Republicans turn the House, could it mean Home Rule is actually…
- City Cast DC
Should D.C. Scrap The Tipped Minimum Wage?
We’ve got one more election prep episode for you before voting ends tomorrow. There’s a ballot initiative on scrapping the tipped minimum wage, and a lot of…
- City Cast DC
Snyder Explores Selling, Bad PR For MPD, and Taylor Swift‘s Snub
Dan and Tanya Snyder are officially considering selling the Washington Commanders football team. Twitter is buzzing, of course, as are we. The City Cast DC…
- City Cast DC
This D.C. Election is ... Spicy?
In our final installment of our election coverage, we’ve got D.C. proper covered. What’s the deal with the At-Large Council Race and why is it so competitive?…
- City Cast DC
A Guide For Maryland Voters
Should marijuana be legal in Maryland? And what does this year’s Governor race say about politics in the state more generally? Hannah Gaskill from the…
- City Cast DC
What’s At Stake In Virginia’s Election
We’re a week out from the election and here at City Cast, we’re keeping everyone informed about the various races. Today is our first election guide, and it’s…
- City Cast DC
D.C.’s Creepiest Ghost Stories
Halloween is here! Which means it’s time to tell scary stories. And rather than make brand-new ones, we asked Washingtonian senior editor Andrew Beaujon to…
- City Cast DC
Metro Updates, A Parking Controversy, And Local Halloween Costumes
We’re going a bit transportation heavy in today’s episode. Dan Reed of Greater Greater Washington and Martin Austermuhle from WAMU are here to chat about what…
- City Cast DC
A Runner’s Guide To Washington, D.C.
With the Marine Corps Marathon this weekend, we got to thinking: What makes D.C. different from all other cities when it comes to running? Washington Post…
- City Cast DC
D.C. Is Reforming Its 121-Year-Old Criminal Code
DC Council is about to rewrite the city’s ancient criminal code. And that’s just one of the many big projects they’re working on right now. To help us get the…
- City Cast DC
What David Krucoff Wants For Ward 3
We’re putting a microscope on the Ward 3 council member race. After nabbing an endorsement from the Washington Post, David Krucoff, the Republican candidate…
- City Cast DC
D.C. Has Its Very Own “Onion”
D.C’s satirical website “The Cherry Swamp" is bursting with gut-busting headlines. Think “The Onion,” but specifically for D.C. One of the publication’s…
- City Cast DC
MoCo’s Planning Board Troubles, Dan Snyder Drama, and an Ambitious Park Plan
Montgomery County’s Planning Board quit last week in a huge, dramatic shake-up, and it’s Dan Reed, from Greater Greater Washington, is here to tell us what’s…
- City Cast DC
At Markoff's Haunted Forest, Someone Is Always Watching
It's spooky season, and our team went on a field trip to Markoff's Haunted Forest. Which we've learned is actually haunted? Paul Brubacher is head of…
- City Cast DC
What Makes For An Iconic D.C. Jersey?
With both the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals debuting new throwback jerseys this season, it got us thinking about what makes those jerseys…
- City Cast DC
Matt Frumin's Vision for Ward 3
Election season is here! To kick off our coverage, we sat down with Matt Frumin, the democratic candidate for Ward 3 council member, and he tells about his…
- City Cast DC
The Secret History Of Gay Washington
The D.C. History Center just unveiled a new exhibit to celebrate LGBT History Month. But D.C’s queer community hasn’t always felt welcome here. Gay federal…
- City Cast DC
D.C. Public Safety Scandals, Plus Some Local Fall Adventure
In today’s news roundup, we’re joined by DCist’s Jenny Gathright to discuss the history of the D.C. Jail uprising and the jail’s current conditions, Michael…
- City Cast DC
Meet D.C.'s Ramen King
Daikaya Owner Katsuya Fukushima knows D.C.’s food scene like few others. He’s led the way on a bunch of local food trends and launched some of the city’s most…
- City Cast DC
Why the Capitals Could Surprise Fans This Season
The Washington Capitals are one of D.C.’s most successful teams, and they start their 2022-23 campaign tonight. The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell joins the…
- City Cast DC
What D.C. Could Learn From Tiny Home Communities
Eden Village is a complex of tiny homes that has helped mitigate homelessness in Missouri. But could it work in D.C.? As part of the 2022 Homeless Crisis…
- City Cast DC
Threats against Children’s National Hospital, Left v Center Left, and the Wharf Reopening
In this week’s Front Page Friday, the team discusses the recent threats against Children’s National Hospital, the Wharf reopening, and the Washington Post’s…
- City Cast DC
Can DCPS Change its Toxic Work Environment?
The toxic work culture in the DC Public School system has long been an open secret. Now, Deputy Chancellor Melissa Kim has resigned over it. Tomorrow is her…
- City Cast DC
The Meteoric Rise of Clockout DC
Jade Womack never expected her Clockout DC to grow as quickly as it did. But now, she’s got 70,000 followers and her instagram stories get thousands of views a…
- City Cast DC
How To Find Decent Rent in This City
Rent is too damn high!! Urban Turf's Mark Wellborn joins us to talk about why rents are skyrocketing in D.C. this year and some tips on how to find an…
- City Cast DC
How El Tamarindo Became an AdMo Institution
We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the longest-standing Salvadoran restaurant in the city. Ana Reyes’s family opened El Tamarindo in Adams Morgan…
- City Cast DC
Get That Metro Money
In today’s roundup, Michael Brice-Saddler from the Washington Post joins Michael Schaffer and Julia Karron to discuss a new initiative to give D.C. residents…
- City Cast DC
How You Can Help End Food Insecurity in D.C.
September is Hunger Action Month, and as it draws to a close, we’re thinking about how one in three D.C. residents is food insecure. Radha Mutiah from the…
- City Cast DC
The Fight Over Trans Rights In Virginia Public Schools
Virginia's “model policies” on how schools should treat transgender students received more than 17,000 public comments in just the first two days of the open…
- City Cast DC
Do You Still Need to Tip With Service Charges?
Over the last few months, you've probably seen a 20% service charge on some of your restaurant bills. Are you supposed to tip on top of that? Why are…
- City Cast DC
Prepare Yourself for Downtown D.C. 2.0
D.C.’s use of office space during the pandemic plummeted, and it hasn’t returned. What does that mean for the city at large, and for all those empty office…
- City Cast DC
A Long-Awaited Grocery in Southeast, NoVa Takes on Youngkin, and 'Monumental' Graffiti
In this week’s roundup, we discuss why the new LIDL grocery store is a big deal, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s new "model policies" for Virginia’s schools, and the…
- City Cast DC
The 'Biggest Trivia Event Ever' Is Coming to DC
People in D.C. love trivia. And that love of trivia has reached its peak since SporcleCon, a gathering of everyone who’s into trivia, is this weekend. Nick…
- City Cast DC
How a Soccer Icon Can Save D.C. United
D.C. United used to be at the top of Major League Soccer. Now, they’re floundering and have enlisted one-time United star and English soccer legend Wayne…
- City Cast DC
Meet the Legendary Artist Behind the Dupont Center
85-year-old artist Lou Stovall has made an indelible mark on the D.C. art scene — from his protest artwork in the 1960s, to his founding of the Dupont Center…
- City Cast DC
D.C. Council Could Abolish Right on Red ... Tomorrow
The D.C. Council is set to debate legislation that would allow the Idaho Stop for bikers and discontinue Right on Red for cars. But would this help mitigate…
- City Cast DC
Housing Vouchers, Mayoral Beef, and Renaming Metro Stations
In today’s news roundup, we’re covering D.C.’s potential new housing voucher rules, the feud between Mayor Muriel Bowser and Chairman Phil Mendelson, and what…
- City Cast DC
‘Ghost Kitchens’ Are Hiding in Plain Sight
Throughout the pandemic, ghost kitchens — restaurants without seating — thrived. But where can you find them and how do they work? City Cast Contributor…
- City Cast DC
Tipped Minimum Wage is Back on the Ballot
D.C. residents have the chance to vote again on a new minimum wage for restaurant and bar workers on this year's ballot, thanks to Initiative 82. If you’re…
- City Cast DC
Kojo Nnamdi’s Take On D.C. Statehood
The fight for statehood has been a longstanding wish for residents of the District. Will D.C. get it? Who is against it? And what would it look like if the…
- City Cast DC
The Showdown Over Adams Morgan Plaza
The battle for AdMo Plaza is being heard right now in the D.C. courts to decide if the land can be developed. Why so much hubbub over a scrappy concrete…
- City Cast DC
Youth Curfews, Landon Boys, and Frances Tiafoe
So it turns out it's not just PG County enforcing its youth curfew ban. D.C. quietly restarted enforcement weeks ago. But do policies like this actually help…
- City Cast DC
The FBI is Moving Out
The FBI Headquarters at 935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW is a famously ugly blot on an otherwise beautiful D.C. street. But maybe not for long (we can hope)? There’s…
- City Cast DC
Why D.C.’s Restaurants Are Dropping Like Flies
It’s been a brutal month for D.C. area restaurants, with a bunch of favorite eateries going out of business. What’s going on? Why now? We’re talking to the man…
- City Cast DC
The Science to Making Friends in D.C.
Did you know there’s a science to making friends? Psychologist and D.C. local Marisa G. Franco has been researching friendship, and she shares some tips with…
- City Cast DC
Carjackings, NIMBYism, and Judging Your Neighbors
The shooting of Commanders’ running back Brian Robinson Jr. was a huge talking point all week long, especially in light of the most recent carjacking stats…