City Cast DC

DC Council recently passed emergency legislation requiring local police to release body-worn camera footage of incidents involving federal forces they patrol with, and to collect the names of federal officers who make arrests. It’s a big shift in local policy, partially motivated by the fact that local cops have damaged their reputation by patrolling with feds. City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran talks with City Cast DC co-host and executive editor Mike Schaffer about the political stakes involved, the effectiveness of body cameras, and how Washingtonians are dealing with the heavy federal law enforcement presence. Plus, Mike and Jacoby weigh in on public transit etiquette in their cities when it comes to people playing music out loud. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email us now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Axios’ Cuneyt Dil is here to talk about the fallout from the newly released video of DC cops helping DOGE guys take over the US Institute of Peace, congestion pricing in DC, and mayoral candidate Kenyan McDuffie’s quiet start. And in a member-only fourth segment, an interview with the reporter behind a scoop on the latest federal presence in DC: rookie FBI agents. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 13th episode: Johns Hopkins University Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Should DC get rid of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, the closest-to-the-ground level of local democracy? That’s one of the implications of an essay published this month by Wesley Sturhan in Greater Greater Washington. Sturhan writes about all of the different hurdles DC has erected that get in the way of building the kinds of neighborhoods most of us would agree are nice places to live. He’s here to explain that maybe it’s time to take a hard look at a lot of the choke points — including one that a lot of local activists consider sacred. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 12th episode: Johns Hopkins University Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Anyone paying attention to the DC mayor’s race knows that for all the talk of affordability or crime that all mayors have to deal with, there’s one central issue that’s unique to DC: Home rule. Today we’re revisiting a conversation we had last year with Howard University’s Robinson Woodward-Burns about what home rule is, how it happened, and how it might go away. 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 $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 11th episode: Johns Hopkins University Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

If you've been to great spots like Purple Patch in Mount Pleasant, then you already know there's a rich history of Filipino culture in the DMV. Erwin Tiongson is an amateur historian who walks folks through the area's Filipino historical and cultural landmarks — literally, on a walking tour. Erwin joins us to share DC's hidden Filipino history. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 10th episode: Johns Hopkins University Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

It’s one of the DMV’s grisliest, and weirdest, crime stories in years: an 87-year-old millionaire shot to death inside a Potomac nursing home. When the news first broke, it petrified residents of the luxe assisted-living facility. Now that there’s been an arrest and cops have laid out what they say looks like an elaborate pre-planned scheme — there’s a bigger question: Why? The Washington Post’s Dan Morse has been covering the story and he’s here to tell us the latest. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 9th episode: Johns Hopkins University Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Homelessness is one of the major issues that cities like DC are trying to solve. The state of Utah is planning to build a 16-acre homeless campus on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, where unhoused people with mental illnesses or addiction issues could be sheltered and in some cases involuntarily committed. This controversial idea is the brainchild of conservative think tanks, and it’s one that’s very much being embraced by the Trump administration and the Utah legislature. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta about how this plan is meant to work, the concerns about forced institutionalization, and why the state is pushing for this even though it goes against the recommendations of local experts and service providers. Mentioned on the show: Interrogating Controversial Homeless Policy Proposals (City Cast Salt Lake) Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

We’re talking about the politics of bodycam footage around federal arrests in DC, your crazy high utility bills, and a possible tax break for…. Bidets. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment: What’s going on with your taxes? Did Congress really whack DC’s tax code, or not? Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 6th episode: National Museum of the American Indian Awesome ConInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The Petworth Peanuts group chat was a place for people to commiserate about parenting, get doctor recommendations and meet up for beer. Until a slew of posts about Gaza, immigration enforcement, and the federal takeover threw its 1000 plus members into intense disagreements. The Washington Post’s Maura Judkis was a member and has just published an essay chronicling the meltdown that followed — and asking whether even something so simple as a parenting group chat has to be so fraught in the DC of 2026. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 5th episode: National Museum of the American Indian Awesome Con Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Okay so you want to impress someone but your wallet is giving “balling on a budget.” We've all been there. Good news: Jade Womack, the genius behind Clockout DC, is here to prove that romance does not have to break the bank in this very expensive city. She shares DC’s best date spots for around $15 or less. 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 $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 4th episode: National Museum of the American Indian Awesome Con Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about the politics of Waymo in DC, the state of the Potomac after the spill, and allegations about workers getting stiffed at what was supposed to be a groundbreaking gay bar. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we’ll talk about George Washington University selling a Virginia campus — and what it might mean for downtown DC. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 3rd episode: National Museum of the American Indian Awesome Con Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Happy March! The City Cast DC team is running through the best of food, culture, and fun in and around DC this month. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast community. For even more tips on how to make the most of March in DC, check out Hey DC’s take on what to do this month. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this March 2nd episode: National Museum of the American Indian Awesome Con Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

A lot of cities, including DC, are trying to figure out how best to revitalize downtown. It's an issue that's especially top of mind for Pittsburgh, who is hosting the NFL Draft in April. To solve the problem of vacant properties and empty storefronts, the city is trying out a new rent abatement program. So, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Pittsburgh podcast host Megan Harris about why their downtown emptied out, whether this program will bring new businesses downtown for the long-term, and other revitalization plans that are in the works. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

We’re talking about the very weird state of the DC mayor’s race, the Trumpian rebranding of DC’s landscape, and our favorite question: What are Washingtonians mad about this week? Plus, in a member’s only fourth segment, we’ll return to the ride-sharing app that DC can’t seem to force out of town. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 27th episode: Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

For more than a decade, the question of whether the city would redevelop the McMillan Sand Filtration site was perhaps DC’s ugliest political battle. And now, the redevelopment is kinda… here. There are million-dollar townhouses for sale and the first residents of the new neighborhood have moved in. So is it the nightmare that opponents predicted? Or the engine of urban amenities that proponents promised? Tristan Navera from realtor.com has been covering it for years and he’s here to give us his take. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 26th episode: Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

There is nothing that hits quite like a good diner. Unlimited coffee, comforting, no-frills food that's just the right amount of greasy. But in a city like DC, where everything seems bespoke and overpriced, do we even have any good ones left? That's what writer Warren Rojas set out to answer and his list of DC's best diners in the Washington Post got people talking. He’s here to defend his picks. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 25th episode: Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Last week, a British coffee chain called Caffè Nero bought DC’s Compass Coffee at auction. It was an ignominious end for what was once one of the DMV’s hospitality high-flyers, a company founded by a pair of local guys, including one of DC’s most famous families. What went wrong? It’s a story that involves hubris, betrayal, bad decisions, and the economics of a work-from-home city. The Washington Post’s Tim Carman published a deep dive into the fall of the house of Compass, and he’s here to tell all. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 23rd episode: Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

DC’s violence interruption program has become one of the most controversial subjects in local politics. One program, Life Deeds, finds itself front and center in the upcoming corruption trial of a DC councilmember. Jenny Gathright and Megan Flynn from the Washington Post recently published a deep-dive investigation of the group and they’re here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 23rd episode: Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Everyone’s talking about AI these days, including Washingtonians. And now, more data centers are popping up across the country, thanks in part to the AI revolution. But some cities are stemming the tide, including Madison, Wisconsin, who recently passed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. City Cast CEO David Plotz feels strongly that this was the wrong choice! He’s sitting down with City Cast Madison podcast host Bianca Martin to weigh the pros and cons of data centers, and debate the economic, ethical, and ecological considerations at the heart of this debate. Plus, David and Bianca share must-know tips for making it in Madison and DC. We also mentioned this City Cast Madison episode. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

It's kind of an emergency! We’re talking about the latest in the Potomac River sewage spill. Plus, Maryland and Virginia versus ICE, a union catfight at a kitty cafe, and in a member’s only 4th segment, the lawsuit against Donald Trump for trying to steal DC’s golf courses. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 20th episode: South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Marty Baron spent almost a decade as Executive Editor of the Washington Post, which gave him a close-up view of Jeff Bezos’ stewardship of one of our city’s most important institutions during the first Trump term. And it’s why Baron’s emergence as one of the sharpest critics of Bezos’ stewardship during the second Trump term has been such a big deal. In the wake of Bezos’ decision to dismantle much of his old paper, Baron here to share his own thoughts. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 19th episode: South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

When it’s chilly out, there’s nothing better than a cozy bar, and vinyl bars appear to be that peak winter vibe. About a year ago, City Cast’s Julia Karron and Claudia Rosenbaum from Eater did their darnedest to make the case that vinyl bars are the new speakeasies, and they shared tips and tricks to enjoying them. We’re revisiting that conversation today, and you can decide if they were convincing. 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 $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 18th episode: South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

A group of people in Donald Trump’s orbit have a plan to demolish and rebuild a whole swath of DC — and, in this case, it echoes something that actual Washingtonians have been talking about for years. CityLab’s Kriston Capps has been reporting on the plans for “Fedlandia” in Southwest DC; he’s here to tell us all about it. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ⁠(202) 642-2654⁠. You can⁠ also become a member⁠, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 17th episode: ⁠South by Southwest⁠ - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

All eyes have been on the Twin Cities lately, including Washingtonians’. Operation Metro Surge is reportedly ending in Minnesota, with the withdrawal of immigration agents expected over the next week. Over the last two months, though, residents of the Twin Cities have organized a range of local collective action efforts including protests, mutual aid, and monitoring ICE — and they’ve done it quickly. In this inaugural episode of “Your City Could Be Better,” City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Twin Cities podcast host Sean McPherson about how his community self-organized, why these networks have been so successful, and what other cities can take away from Minnesotans’ response to Operation Metro Surge. Plus, we have a D.C. vs. Twin Cities face-off on local cultural norms. We also mentioned this episode of City Cast Twin Cities. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

We’re talking about the big budget troubles ahead for DC, and what they’ll mean for your bottom line; we’re digging into the latest Kennedy Center news — mass layoffs; and we’re talking Valentine’s Day in DC. Plus, in a member’s only fourth segment: There’s a plan to totally redo Pennsylvania Ave, and we’ll get into what it might look like. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 13th episode: Library of Congress Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Museum of Art South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

There's this neighborhood fight that’s worth paying attention to even if you don’t live in Chevy Chase. For a couple of years, the city has been trying to rebuild a library and rec center, putting up new apartments on top of the buildings. The arguments for this will seem familiar if you’ve been following DC: The city needs more housing or else it risks being a place no one can afford. The arguments against it might feel familiar, too: Neighbors say adding more people will make parking difficult and “change the character” of their leafy part of town. Martin Austermuhle of the 51st has been covering it and he’s here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 12th episode: Library of Congress Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Museum of Art Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Driverless taxis are coming to DC! At least, that's what Waymo, the California-based autonomous vehicle company, announced last year. The company revealed hopes of expanding into the District, despite DC's current laws requiring a human driver behind the wheel for all vehicles. So will these robotaxis actually arrive? Andy Hawkins has been covering Waymo for The Verge, and CityCast's own Priyanka Tilve has logged serious hours riding in Waymos around Austin. They’re bringing their expertise front and center to tell us if DC is serious about driverless cars. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 11th episode: Library of Congress Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Museum of Art Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What happens when you add DC's hyper-competitive personalities, with big bank accounts, and real estate anxiety? You get Best Offer Wins, the hit thriller by Marisa Kashino, a former Washingtonian real estate reporter who knows this world inside and out. It's full of twisty plots, cutthroat competition, and references that'll make any Washingtonian nod in recognition. The book is even in talks to become a Hulu series starring Greta Lee. Kashino’s here to talk about how DC inspired this deliciously dark story. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 10th episode: Library of Congress Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Museum of Art Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

After 2020, there was a huge trend towards changing out schools named for confederates and slave owners. But what happens when the general public opts to restore them? That’s what’s been happening in some Virginia counties just beyond the DC area — and the fight is creating some case law that could ultimately affect those of us who live here, in a place where folks absolutely aren’t trying to restore those kinds of names on local schools. Karina Elwood, who covered some of the legal battles when she was a reporter for the Washington Post, is here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 9th episode: Library of Congress Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Museum of Art Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about the jaw-dropping cuts at the Post and the future of DC local news — including some exciting stuff cooking at City Cast. Plus: A shocking investigation into outlandish spending on so-called violence interrupter programs in DC, a baby elephant ISO a name, and in a member’s only fourth segment, what you need to know about the latest Congressional vote that could blow a hole in our city’s government. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 6th episode: Library of Congress South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge Nace Law Group Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Yesterday was an incredibly grim day for the Washington Post — and for our city, too. The Post, owned by Jeff Bezos, laid off up to a third of its staff. The sports section is being shuttered, the Metro section cut by three-quarters, and many of the critics who followed local culture sent packing. My friend Jack Shafer has been covering the Post for 40 years, since he was editor of Washington City Paper in the 80s and 90s — this is the guy I call when I want to talk shop about the media. We talked yesterday as the cuts were going down to reflect on what the change means. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 5th episode: Library of Congress South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

DC offers so many ways to celebrate Black heritage and history. Case in point: the MLK Library. Because the MLK Library is so much more than just books. It's also the People's Archive, a living, breathing collection honoring D.C.'s vibrant Black cultural, social, and political history. We’re revisiting a conversation with Maya Thompson and Derek Gray, who both work there and agree that at a time when our history is under attack, preserving and celebrating Black history is more important than ever. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 3rd episode: Library of Congress South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge Don’t forget to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey 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

WAMU’s Alex Koma joins the team to talk Trump shutting down the Kennedy Center for two years, snow removal’s effect on the mayoral race, and D.C’s bill from the National Guard. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 3rd episode: Library of Congress South by Southwest Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We’re here to warm you up with ideas about how to have the absolute best February possible in DC, from new restaurants, to museum openings, to line dancing. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast community. For even more tips on how to make the most of January in DC, check out Hey DC’s take on what to do this month. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 2nd episode: Library of Congress South by Southwest Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Reach us at [email protected].

We’re talking about plowmaggedon, the city up in arms about icy streets and blocked-off alleys. We’re talking about the looming cuts at the Washington Post and what they mean for hometown DC. And we’re talking about an appalling apartment building in Chinatown — and what it says about DC’s ability to enforce its own rules. Plus, in a member’s only fourth segment, the comeback campaigns of two very longtime local politicians. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 30th episode: Library of CongressInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

D.C.’s Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton announced this week that she’s not going to run again. This ended a horrible series of news cycles for the Civil Rights icon, who at 88 was a much-diminished presence on behalf of the city, and whose determination to stay in office enraged some locals and dismayed a lot more. Today we’re hearing from someone who had a unique perspective on her thinking: John Norton, the Delegate’s son, who was also hoping his mom would step aside — and having just as little luck as the rest of the political world. John talked with us about what it's like to be a family member of a politician who stays too long — an increasingly common phenomenon nationally, and an excruciating one over the last year for the District. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 29th episode: Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

DC saw an eight year low in homicides in 2025, following a national drop. But our neighbors in Baltimore have an even more impressive story: their homicide rate plummeted to a nearly 50-year low. So what's behind these numbers? Today we're talking with Dr. Joseph Richardson, MPower Professor at UMD and co-chair of DC's Homicide Review Committee, about what's actually working to reduce gun violence. Correction: The original version of this episode stated that there was a 30-year low in homicides, rather than a 30-year low in violent crime. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ⁠(202) 642-2654⁠. You can⁠ also become a member⁠, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

We’re rounding up some of DC’s biggest stories today. After months of speculation, the campaign of 88-year-old Eleanor Holmes Norton filed to “terminate” her re-election efforts. And for the last week, 40 million gallons of raw sewage a day has spilled into the Potomac – gross. Finally — we’re sharing our best snow stories from DC’s very snowy, sleety, icy storm. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The snow hit DC this weekend in a big way. It might be hard to get around, but the city’s got a lot of neighborhood bars, cafes and restaurants that are worth a trudge while the streets are still getting cleared. Plus, sometimes there's nothing cozier than hanging out at a place you have to schlep to. So we’re running back this City Cast team convo about DC’s coziest winter spots. 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.

We’re joined by Alex Koma of WAMU and Jessica Sidman from Washingtonian to chat about our newest councilmember, the priciest traffic cameras in the area, and DC’s 100 very best restaurants! And, in a members only fourth segment, we’re gonna go deep on the Las Vegas style-sphere coming to National Harbor in Maryland. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ⁠(202) 642-2654⁠. You can⁠ also become a member⁠, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 23rd episode: ⁠Folger Shakespeare Library⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠

Virginia made history this week, swearing in its first female governor. Democrats now hold the House, the Senate, and the governor’s office. A new legislative session is also getting underway, and from affordability issues to a major redistricting fight, there’s a lot on the agenda. Michael Pope of The Virginia Press Room Podcast and Virginia Public Radio joins us to explain this session. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 22nd episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The Washington National Opera announced this month that it was leaving the Kennedy Center. It’s the most shocking departure yet since Donald Trump’s takeover — and it could spell enormous changes for both the center and the opera, as well as Washington’s status as a high-culture city. The Washington Post’s Philip Kennicott has been covering the chaos and he’s here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ⁠(202) 642-2654⁠. You can⁠ also become a member⁠, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 21st episode: ⁠Folger Shakespeare Library⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

We know what you're thinking - why would City Cast be talking about summer camps in January? If you're a parent asking yourself that question, you need to get your head in the game. Finding summer camps in D.C. can be cutthroat, and the deadlines are just around the corner. City Cast DC contributor Austin Graff is here to help you get prepared. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about the Washington Opera’s departure from the Kennedy Center, the FBI searching a Washington Post reporter’s house, and more furor over DC police working with ICE. Plus, in a members only fourth segment — and a dose of fun in a tough week – we’ll talk about the great Congressional Cellphone Caper, in which a staffer stole 240 smartphones from Congress. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 16th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

With the explosion of AI, data centers have proliferated. And the DC metro area is the focal point of it all, with Northern Virginia leading the way. Prince George’s County lawmakers are debating whether to build a data center amid rising water use and electricity costs. Jenny Abamu from WAMU joins us to explain how these centers became so popular, and what it means for the locals who live near them. 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 $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 15th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Tracey Hadden Loh runs a program at Brookings that compiles economic data about the DC area — which means she tends to be a step ahead when it comes to noticing, like, blinking danger signs about how our region is doing. As you can imagine, her phone’s been ringing off the hook in this year of DOGE and dislocation. Luckily for us, she answered when we called, and is here today to share some new data about a weird plunge in DMV consumer spending and what it might mean for you and me. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 14th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Remember when cupcakes were all the rage in DC? Or espresso martinis? DC loves a food trend, but what will be THE THINGS in drink, dining and DC’s food scene in 2026? Washingtonian’s food editor, Jessica Sidman, is here to walk us through what's in and out in DC dining in 2026. 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. Please see below for tomorrow's sponsor show notes: Learn more about the sponsors of this January 13th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What does Donald Trump want with DC’s public golf links? The question is suddenly on a lot of people’s minds because the administration has suddenly injected itself into the obscure question of who runs facilities that for years have been used for recreation by middle-class Washingtonians. The Washington Post’s Rick Maese has been covering the golf-course takeover and is here to tell us what he knows. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 12th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about the Transportation Department’s proposal to get rid of all traffic cameras in DC, the plan to build a giant Arc de Trump along the Potomac, and the latest chapter in the saga of DC’s Compass Coffee — that chapter, alas, is Chapter 11. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we’ll talk about the anniversary of January 6 and how the day lives on (or doesn’t) in the city where it went down. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

You might be experiencing a bit of the January Blues. On cold days like these, you don’t have to just stay in your apartment. But you also might want to do something more creative than visit a museum! Strap on your coat, because we are revisiting this conversation with Clockout DC’s Jade Womack about the most underrated indoor activities 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. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.