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City Cast DC

City Cast DC

995 episodes — Page 17 of 20

Maryland Senate Race, WashPo's Mea Culpa, and Secret Spy Spots

Maryland has suddenly got a hot, open senate seat race and it’s likely to feature at least three DMV icons, with major implications about race, ideology, and public safety. Plus, the Washington Post’s Editorial Board issued a mea culpa about a key race in D.C.’s last election, and the team reflects on lessons from Spy Week to defend their personal spy spot suggestions. As always, check out the local news that powers our roundups: Politico has all the details on Angela Alsobrooks’ campaign for Maryland’s open senate seat. Check out The Washington Post Editorial Board’s mea culpa to Elissa Silverman. 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 We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc 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.

May 12, 202323 min

D.C. Restaurants With Secret Spy Lore

Why do restaurants play such a big role in spy stories? And which DC eateries should you hit if you want to dine where the secret agents met their sources? Andrew Hammond from the International Spy Museum fills us in. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

May 11, 202319 min

Did “The Americans” Get D.C. Right?

It’s the 10th anniversary of the hit FX show The Americans, which is all about the spies living among us in D.C. But despite being set in D.C., the show was actually filmed in Brooklyn. Its creators Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields tell us how they painstakingly recreated '80s era D.C. digitally. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

May 10, 202318 min

How To Spot A Spy in D.C.

It is Day Two of our Spy Week, presented by the International Spy Museum! Today, former CIA agent Lindsay Moran tells us how to spot a spy in DC, whether it’s your neighbor, best friend, or that guy hitting on you at the bar. Because if you’re in D.C., where there are an estimated 10,000 spies, there’s a non-zero chance that you’re being tailed. Check out Lindsay’s book, "Blowing My Cover," for more tips. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC and follow us on Twitter at @citycast_dc for more D.C. news and spy intel. Plus, we're thinking about where we'd meet with our handlers if we were spies! (We're not; we promise.) What would be your spot of choice? Leave us a voicemail or text us at 202-642-2654.

May 9, 202322 min

D.C.'s Best Spy Stories

It is City Cast’s SPY WEEK, presented by the International Spy Museum. Which means we’re doing a week’s worth of episodes about secret agents and covert goings-on right here in D.C. We’ll kick it today with a battlefield tour of sorts — the best spy stories in the District’s long secret history. And at the end of the episode, a short bonus interview that has nothing to do with espionage — there’s been a shakeup in the city government and we’re talking to a reporter who’s been covering the fracas. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

May 8, 202318 min

D.C.'s Public Transit Feud, New Food Halls, and the XFL Final

DC Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser are engaged in a battle over the free Metrobus plan versus the redesign of K Street downtown. Plus, there are a bunch of exciting new restaurant openings and DC News Now Sports Journalist Brandy Flores joins the team to chat about the one, surprising DC team that seems to be excelling right now. Check out all the amazing local coverage that powers our roundups: The Washington Post breaks down the feud over the K Street Transitway. Axios has you covered on all the new restaurant openings and closings. Check out Brandy Flores’s coverage of the D.C. Defenders. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_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

May 5, 202325 min

How Avalon Theatre Defied The Odds

D.C.’s Avalon Theatre was founded in 1923, back when neighborhood movie houses were everywhere. And as movies moved to suburban multiplexes, the Avalon stayed put. Locals were so upset by the idea of it going away that they kicked in to turn the place into a nonprofit. What’s their secret? 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

May 4, 202320 min

Can We Make Downtown D.C. More "Livable"?

Downtown D.C. is known as a place to work, not live or hang out. In a new ranking of downtown vitality scores, D.C. ranks almost last. But the city is trying to change that. Tristan Navera from the Washington Biz Journal explains how. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

May 3, 202316 min

Does Marion Barry Deserve His Own Street?

It’s official: the city is moving ahead with changing the name of Good Hope Road in Southeast to Marion Barry Avenue SE, to honor D.C.’s Mayor for Life. But is this a good idea? Performative nonsense? Both? Cohosts Bridget Todd and Michael Schaffer spent some time breaking it down. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

May 2, 202319 min

DCPS Is Trying To Fix Historic Inequities

City officials are considering redrawing school boundaries for the first time in a decade, and it’s a big deal, even if you’re not a DCPS parent, because it could significantly improve the city’s equity. Abigail Higgins has written a ton about why the current system is so unequal (racism, real shocker) and how redistricting could change that. Definitely sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC for more local news, events, and fun facts. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc.

May 1, 202315 min

Police Chief’s Exit, Fare Evasion Crackdown, and Arlington’s Zoning Battle

D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee “shocked” many with the surprise announcement of his retirement on Wednesday. We’re talking about that, plus Metro head Randy Clarke’s push to crackdown on fare evasion on Metro, and Arlington’s battle over “missing middle” housing. As always, we’re grateful to our local news colleagues across the city for helping bolster this episode. Check out: DCist’s look at Contee’s career and what might be ahead for MPD The Washington Post’s piece about Arlington residents suing over the housing zoning changes The DMV Download episode where Randy Clarke talked about the need to rein in fare evasion. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Apr 28, 202323 min

Is Local TV News Dead?

Pat Collins was a staple of local TV news at a time when local TV reporters were celebrities. But after decades over covering snow days and street crime, he retired a few months ago. We sat down with him to talk about his rollicking on-camera past and local TV news’ uncertain future. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Apr 27, 202323 min

Why D.C. Residents Are In Prisons Across the U.S.

Like most things in the District, D.C.'s criminal justice system is all tied up in the federal government. That means D.C. residents convicted of committing local crimes can end up all over the country. We sat down with Rob Barton, a Washingtonian behind bars who's been campaigning for a D.C. prison, and a local researcher who's been looking into why it's so hard to make that happen.

Apr 26, 202318 min

Why D.C. is One Big Adult Playground

From arcade bars, to kickball leagues and adult mini golf, D.C. has a lot of pastimes geared toward our inner child. But does that make D.C. a city for adult kids? Mike Schaffer and Bridget Todd discuss why D.C. sometimes feels like a playground for big kids. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Apr 25, 202316 min

D.C.'s New Environmental Justice Center Spotlights Marginalized Voices

On Saturday, the Anacostia Community Museum opened a new Center for Environmental Justice. It draws on the neighborhood’s long legacy of fighting for change along the Anacostia River, sets up impressive programming for both kids and adults, and spotlights marginalized voices who are often left out of conversations about the environment. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc 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.

Apr 24, 202316 min

Metro Funding Struggles, Police Shortages, and Concert Season

In today's roundup, friend of City Cast Hannah Denham, from the Washington Business Journal, is here to talk about everyone’s favorite subject: How screwed is Metro? Their funding is running out, and they know it. How do they fix it? Plus we talk about how many cops D.C. needs, and a summer of bountiful music festivals. Our Friday roundups wouldn’t be possible without all the great local reporting going on: Read Hannah Denham’s piece on Metro’s lack of funding. Peter Hermann from the Washington Post has all the info you need on DC police and their hiring problems. So. Many. Concerts. All Things Go, Re:SET, you name it, it’s happening. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Apr 21, 202320 min

D.C.’s Rat-Hunting Dogs, And Other Rat Solutions

The D.C. rats are already scurrying around this spring, and it’s only going to get worse as this warm year gets warmer. We sat down with Gerard Brown, who runs D.C. Health’s Rodent Control Department, and Bomani Mtume, whose dog hunts rats in Adams Morgan, about how to stop the rats before they get out of control. For more information on getting rid of rats in your neighborhood, check out DC Health’s rodent control page. And our morning newsletter Hey DC is all over this too, with tips from listeners and readers alike. Subscribe here. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Apr 20, 202322 min

Power Ranking D.C.'s Seasons

Today, we’ve got another classic co-host debate: Which season is best in D.C.? Spring’s got deadly allergies. Summer, its mugginess. Fall, shortening days, and winter, dreariness. Mike and Bridget make the case that their favorites’ pros outweigh the cons. What season do you love - or hate - in DC? Let us know after you listen by leaving us a voicemail at 202-642-2654. For more fun debates like this, plus news and events, sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc.

Apr 19, 202317 min

Your Guide To 4/20 in D.C.

It’s the week of 4/20 and days before the National Cannabis Festival, and we’re talking with its founder about the city’s ever-shifting, complicated relationship with pot. There’s been stigma, criminalization, standoffs with Congress, and now, the D.C. government just changed the rules again around how residents can buy and sell cannabis. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Apr 18, 202318 min

Traffic Cameras Everywhere!

If you drive in D.C., you probably know all about the city’s red light cameras. But did you know D.C. will soon use cameras to ticket drivers who cruise in bus lanes? This is just one piece of Mayor Bowser’s Transportation Safety and Mobility budget. But is this plan really about improving safety or more about generating revenue from ticket fines, which, let’s face it, nobody likes to pay. Jordan Pascale, transportation Reporter at WAMU, breaks it down. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Apr 17, 202318 min

Dan Snyder Picks A Buyer. Plus, Buses, Cannabis, and Georgetown Transformers

After months of hand wringing, Dan Snyder has picked a buyer for the Washington Commanders! Audio Producer Julia Karron is here to celebrate but also caution us all against getting TOO excited yet. Then, we’ve got City Cast contributor Dan Reed and WAMU reporter Martin Austermuhle here to talk new Metro bus routes, legal cannabis rules in Maryland, and a very strange dispute over Transformer statues — yes, those Transformers — in Georgetown. Our roundups wouldn’t be possible without all the local reporting that happens: Axios’s Cuneyt Dil broke the Snyder news to us. *Cue cheers all around.* Jordan Pascale of WAMU is on it for the Metro Bus updates. Cheyenne Corin from WTOP gives us all the new Md weed rules. Martin Austermuhle of WAMU explains what’s going on with these transformer statues in Georgetown. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE How do you feel about Dan Snyder selling the Commanders? Share your thoughts with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Apr 14, 202328 min

The Mosquitos Will Be Worse This Year

D.C.’s mosquitos are about to be back. And, after a warm winter, this year could be especially bad. Reporter Jacob Fenston, who covers the environment for WAMU, is here to talk about these confounding Washington swamp creatures — and share some secrets on how to beat them. Got questions about Mayor Bowser's hearing on the hill? Email us. And sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC to follow along our coverage there as well. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc.

Apr 13, 202314 min

Celebrating Lou Stovall’s Impact on D.C.’s Art Scene

D.C. lost an icon this year. Born in 1937, artist Lou Stovall studied printmaking at Howard and his posters and prints are a reminder of the spirit and struggles of the Civil Rights Movement, and D.C.’s fight for Home Rule. He died at the age of 86 in March. Before his death, we joined Lou and his son Will at his collection at the Phillips Collection to find out more about his arts legacy and what it says about D.C.’s past and present. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc 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.

Apr 12, 202322 min

A New Civil Rights Investigation Into D.C. Police

On March 18th, Park Police shot and killed 17 year old Dalaneo Martin as they tried to apprehend him in a car they say was stolen. And last week, the FBI and federal prosecutors opened a civil rights investigation into what happened. Mitch Ryals, Managing Editor for the Washington City Paper, has been following the story and what it means for D.C. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Apr 11, 202316 min

Should There Be Bike Lanes on Connecticut Avenue?

The city’s bike lane plan for Connecticut Avenue NW is so controversial that there are petitions floating around with thousands of signatures, and the city has delayed finalizing the design concept yet again. So we’ve brought in two community members who STRONGLY disagree on the bike lanes to lay out their cases. Plus, watch DDOT Director Everett Lott testify on the project in front of DC Council today at 9 am. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. And be sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC for a dose of local culture, events, and news first thing at 6 a.m. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. And we love hearing from you! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Apr 10, 202325 min

Yellow Line Drama, Big Bucks for Pickleball, and a New Concert Venue

The Yellow Line is coming back! But its route is not quite the same. Plus, D.C.’s proposed budget sets aside a small fortune for building out new pickleball courts, and there’s good news for fans of the old 9:30 Club. As always, our news roundup couldn’t happen without the great local reporting in the area: Greater Greater Washington helps us rationalize the Yellow Line changes The Washington Post breaks down the pickleball budget Check out Bowser playing pickleball while making the budget announcement Local NBC Reporter Mark Segraves tweeted out this list of potential pickleball court spots. Testify if you have strong feelings about them! Northern Virginia Mag lists out the upcoming concerts at Atlantis and how you can get tickets before the lottery closes TODAY. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc (TRY TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY TIME) 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.

Apr 7, 202321 min

Why D.C. Is A Great Place To Raise Kids

Austin Graff has made a living off of exploring D.C., and with a kid in tow, no less. He’s here to share why D.C. is uniquely suited for cultivating kids’ curiosity, and also some tips about how to do it. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Apr 6, 202318 min

Remembering the 1968 Unrest, With the Founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl

D.C. burned for days in April 1968, after Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, and Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street was one of the only places in town whose doors were kept open by the city. Bridget Todd and Michael Schaffer visited Founder Virginia Ali at her restaurant to reflect on what D.C., and Ben’s, were like during that time. Check out part one of our series about 1968 — our interview with Vann Newkirk, the host of The Atlantic podcast “Holy Week.” 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc (TRY TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY TIME) 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.

Apr 5, 202315 min

What D.C. Learned From the 1968 Uprisings

More than 900 D.C. businesses were damaged, and nearly 700 homes destroyed during the unrest in April 1968 after Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. But what’s even more striking is to hear about that part of D.C.’s history through the words of its residents: how they processed the grief and anger for a fallen icon. Vann Newkirk, the host of the Atlantic’s podcast Holy Week, spoke to several Washingtonians who were there, and he relays those stories to us today, in part one of our 1968 series. Be sure to tune in tomorrow, for our conversation with Virginia Ali, the founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc (TRY TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY TIME) 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.

Apr 4, 202327 min

D.C.'s Youngest Politician Wants to Revitalize Local Schools

We’ve all heard the misconception about young people being apathetic when it comes to government and politics. But here in D.C., at just 18 years old, Quentin Colon Roosevelt is the youngest ANC rep in city history, a position he holds while also attending high school. Quentin tells us how he juggles being a full-time student and an elected official. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Apr 3, 202314 min

Congress's 'Oversight' Hearing, Awful Traffic, and Bizarre Smoke

The House Oversight Committee voted Wednesday to block D.C.'s police discipline and accountability bill. It was part of a larger hearing they SAY was all about stopping crime in D.C. But… it didn’t quite feel that way. Audio Producer Julia Karron and City Cast DC Contributor Dan Reed join Bridget Todd to chat about that, plus the recent boom in traffic congestion and why D.C. smelled like smoke earlier this week. Our roundups wouldn’t be possible without all the local reporting going on: Cuneyt Dil from Axios gives us the skinny on the hearing. Justin George of the Washington Post explains why traffic was heinous this weekend. The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang breaks down the science behind the smoke and smells. We also covered the House hearing on Thursday morning in our morning newsletter Hey DC. Sign up now. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Mar 31, 202321 min

How Walmart Abandoned H Street

The Walmart on H Street Corridor closes for good tomorrow, and it’s pissed off city officials more than you’d expect. Many felt like D.C. made a deal with the devil by allowing Walmart into the city in the first place ten years ago, and now the retail giant is leaving H Street NE in a lurch. Washington Post columnist Petula Dvorak is here to explain the whole sordid story. Check out Petula’s spicy column on this. Plus, here’s Clockout DC’s list of public restrooms in D.C. And sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC to get more content like this first. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Mar 30, 202316 min

What Makes D.C.'s Gay Clubs Special

LGBTQ spaces are under attack nationally, and that means D.C.’s queer bars and clubs have even more importance. D.C. actually has a rich history of gay bars but not necessarily when it comes to clubs. Ed Bailey, the founder of D.C.’s iconic gay nightclub Town, explains why and what clubs mean for D.C.’s LGBTQ culture 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc (TRY TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY TIME) 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.

Mar 29, 202320 min

What 'D.C. Cab' Gets Right (and Wrong) About Our City

There are so many pieces of media that take place in D.C. - some good, some bad, and some totally cringey. So in this new series, City Cast D.C. cohosts Mike Schaffer and Bridget Todd are looking back at some famous portrayals of D.C. in media to break down how they depict our city. Starting with the iconic ‘80s Mr. T classic D.C. Cab, where a group of rag tag DC cab drivers try to keep their struggling cab company afloat while solving a kidnapping on the side. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Mar 28, 202324 min

Union Station’s Upgrade Will Transform The Entire Neighborhood

Union Station is about to undergo a massive renovation. In this interview originally aired last summer, WAMU’s Jordan Pascale walks us through what the transit hub will look like inside and out, and how it's going to impact the neighborhood around it. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_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.

Mar 27, 202317 min

Mayor's Top Advisor Abruptly Resigns, Plus a New Budget, and E-Bikes

There’s never been a D.C. mayoral aide quite so powerful as John Falcicchio. And all of a sudden, he’s gone — departed amid scandal. Alex Koma, Loose Lips columnist from Washington City Paper, is here to walk us through what it means. Also, we’ll be talking about the wonky nature of the new city budget, and Lead Producer Priyanka Tilve explains the future of ebikes in the District. We couldn’t do our news roundups without the great local reporting in the area: Alex Koma’s Loose Lips column about John Falcicchio’s departure. Check out the Mayor’s budget for FY 2024 here. ABC7 explains gives you everything you need to know about the new e-bikes. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc (TRY TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY TIME) 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.

Mar 24, 202325 min

Why Uyghur Restaurants Are Booming in the DMV

For decades, geopolitics has shaped Washington’s restaurant scene. And one of the latest trends is the boom in Uyghur restaurants, often run by folks fleeing oppression back home. Today, we’re talking with a Uyghur advocate based in the DMV about the food and the new Washingtonians who are cooking it. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Mar 23, 202317 min

Why D.C.'s Flag Is the Best in the U.S

It’s official: DC’s flag is awesome. And Maryland’s isn’t too shabby, either. Virginia’s? Well… Today we’re talking with two leading vexillologists — that’s flag experts — who will walk us through how the DC flag became so ubiquitous, and why it works. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc (TRY TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY TIME) 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.

Mar 22, 202321 min

Here’s How To Game the D.C. Housing Market

Pretty much everyone in D.C. is obsessed with finding a good place to live. Jamie Manning started the popular Instagram and newsletter Exposed Brick after she got obsessed with finding good deals on rentals on Craigslist. She shares her tips and tricks to navigating D.C.’s rental market. Also, that promo code we mentioned at the end of the podcast is: ‘TRYCABIEBIKE.’ Enter it in the rewards section of the Capital Bikeshare or Lyft app to take $2 off one e-bike ride before March 31. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Mar 21, 202316 min

Union Kitchen's Got Union Troubles

Staffers at Union Kitchen, a food business accelerator, are suing their employee for wage theft. It’s the issue that initially sparked their interest in forming a union last year, and the lawsuit is now raising tensions with management. The DCist’s Amanda Gomez is following the case. Make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC for more local news and hot tips. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. And leave us a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654. We’d love to hear what stories YOU want us to cover on City Cast DC.

Mar 20, 202318 min

Redeveloping Eden Center, D.C. Jail Controversy, And A New Commanders Bidder

The Eden Center, the Vietnamese mall in Northern Virginia, is about to see some changes and the local Vietnamese community is making its voice heard. Plus, there’s a new billionaire in the mix for owner of the Washington Commanders, and it’s someone with ties to the arts in DC. And Marjorie Taylor Greene is concerned about horrible living conditions at D.C. Jail. Why ever could that be? As always, our Friday roundups rely on great local journalism: Hector Arzate’s piece about the Eden Center redevelopment The Hill’s article about Marjorie Green Taylor’s push to visit D.C. Jail to observe living conditions The Washington Post’s assessment of Mitchell Rales as a bidder for the Commanders Our morning newsletter Hey DC covers news like this and more every single weekday more. Sign up now. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc.

Mar 17, 202321 min

Why D.C.'s Metro Is Actually Underrated

Anyone who’s ever stared at a Metro map has probably fantasized about their ideal Metro line, the new route that takes them exactly where they want to go. Cleveland Park to National Harbor? No problem. Hains Point to Potomac Mills? Just close your eyes. I’m sitting down with Metro historian Zack Schrag and transit planner Matt Johnson to talk about why D.C.’s metro is designed the way it is, how it compares to other cities, and why our fantasy lines can — or can’t — happen in real life. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC and follow us on Twitter at @citycast_dc. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. And we’re always looking for more D.C. life hacks! Share yours with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654 and you may be featured in a future episode.

Mar 16, 202325 min

Washingtonians Love Sharing Their Salaries. Here's Why.

This week marks Equal Pay Day, the point in the year that women have to work just to break even with men’s salaries from the year before. Talking openly about what you make is a big part of closing the pay gap. Hannah Williams, a Washingtonian and the creator of the popular Salary Transparency TikTok account, is here to talk about the push for pay transparency in D.C. Also, sign up here at 10 a.m. on Thursday for the White House Easter Egg Roll lottery. Our morning newsletter Hey DC highlights cool accounts, D.C. life hacks, news, restaurant openings, and more alllll the time. Be sure to sign up. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Got any hot tips that would work as a D.C. life hack? Share them with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Mar 15, 202320 min

What AI Gets Wrong about D.C.

We’ve been told that ChatGPT would take over our jobs, so we had to put it to the test to see how much it really knows about D.C. It told us that “dating in D.C. can be exciting” and had some wild views on D.C. statehood. Agree to disagree, ChatGPT. We chat with Axios DC reporter Chelsea Cirruzzo and ChatGPT to find out what the internet gets wrong about D.C. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Mar 14, 202322 min

How D.C. Landlords are Profiting Off the Housing Authority

For years, D.C. has paid rent to landlords for poor people who might otherwise live in public housing. But a recent Washington Post investigative series reports that the city has been shelling out way more than the apartments would get on the open market. It’s not just a wonky budget thing — the pattern has real impact for people using housing vouchers, but also for anyone in D.C. trying to find an a place to live. Plus, here’s the Kennedy Center’s My Tix program, with huge discounts for adults under 30. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Mar 13, 202324 min

Senate Rejection, Dress Codes in Bars, and Weekend Events

The biggest local news in a long time, the Congressional vote to overturn a DC bill for the first time in decades. City Cast DC producer Julia Karron and newsletter editor Kaela Cote-Stemmerman are here break down what it means and what happens now. Plus, we’re talking about the weird trend of dress codes for D.C. bars, and Kaela’s going to tap her newsletter knowledge to tell us about the best of weekend events. We couldn’t do our news roundups without the stellar reporting of D.C.’s local journalists: Jenna Portnoy, Ellie Silverman and Meagan Flynn of the Washington Post break down the Senate vote. Amanda Gomez of DCist explains the dress code fiasco at Bunker Bar. Subscribe to our newsletter, Hey DC, for more fun weekend events! And here’s the full schedule for the Washington Women In Jazz festival. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Mar 10, 202322 min

Senate Blocks D.C. Crime Bill

It’s official. Senate has voted to reject D.C.’s criminal code reforms. The President has said he’s going to sign it, which means this will be the first time in 30 years that Congress has rejected a duly enacted D.C. law. NBC Reporter Mark Segraves joins us to talk about how we got here, and what it means for the fight for statehood. 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc 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.

Mar 9, 202323 min

A Walking Tour of D.C. Women’s History

Today is International Women’s Day and D.C. is full of stories of female empowerment and impact that might not always get the recognition they deserve. Kaitlin Calogera organizes tours of D.C. women’s history to change that, and she’s here today with some tips for how we can all embark on that journey. Plus, check out our episode about how the D.C. nightlife task force affects you 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. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Mar 8, 202323 min

This Rising D.C. Band Started As Buskers At Dupont Circle

The band Dupont Brass started unexpectedly as a side gig for a group of Howard University students, and now they’re about to go on tour, starting April 12. As they prepare to share their music up and down the East Coast, two of the band’s original members are here to tell us about Dupont Brass’s evolution and sound. Buy tickets here for Dupont Brass’s upcoming tour. And if you want to ride around D.C. via water taxi, check out their schedule here. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Mar 7, 202318 min

This New Southeast Park Wants To Build Community, Not Displace It

The 11th Street Bridge connects Anacostia to Navy Yard. And a project to create a park there for everyone to share, while also not leaving out longtime residents of Anacostia, has been years in the making. The project’s start date was recently pushed back to the end of this year. 11th Street Bridge Park Director Scott Kratz and Ronald Moten of Don’t Mute DC say community buy in has been a big part of getting project off the ground. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. 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.

Mar 6, 202319 min