City Cast DC

The DMV is the capital of Ethiopian America, and for 50 years eating Ethiopian food has been a Washington tradition. Over the years, the scene has become richer, more diverse, and more innovative. Washingtonian’s Ike Allen is the author of a new guide to local Ethiopian dining and he’s here to give us some highlights. Where to Eat Ethiopian Food Around the DC Area Right Now Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 September 10th episode: District Bridges DC Department of Behavioral Health Mosaic Theater Company Washington National Opera The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Signature Theatre Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The Washington Commanders season opens on Sunday. But a lot of fans are busy talking about 2020, when the team changed its name from an ugly racial slur. Now some observers think they’re tiptoeing towards changing it back. D.C. sports podcaster Al Galdi is here to talk us through the politics of the name — and the bigger question of what it takes to re-ignite a city’s love affair with its once great franchise. (Note: This story discusses the history of the Washington Commanders and the team’s former name, which some listeners may find offensive. The former name is repeated throughout the story as part of that discussion.) Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 September 9th episode: District Bridges DC Department of Behavioral Health Mosaic Theater Company Washington National Opera The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Signature Theatre Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What does it look like when local artists try to capture living through this particular moment in Washington? That’s the idea behind “Tomorrow The Sun Will Rise,” a new exhibition at the Phillips Collection featuring 56 works from 48 artists across the DMV. The exhibition is open through September 20th. Today we’re speaking with Tie Jojima, the Phillips Collection’s curator of global contemporary art, and one of the people tasked with narrowing 1,500 submissions down to the works on the walls. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 September 8th episode: District Bridges DC Department of Behavioral Health Mosaic Theater Company Washington National Opera The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Signature Theatre Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Do you know what kind of surveillance technology is being used in DC? In Nashville, the city government has blocked numerous measures to install and use it. From license plate readers to drone cameras, the technology is routinely rejected by the Metro Council and mayor, and locals are somewhat split on if that’s for the better. City Cast Nashville host Rachel Iacovone joins “Your City Could Be Better” to walk through all the measures that the Nashville government has reviewed and rejected, why people have reason to fear the tech, and what the city may lose by saying no to surveillance. 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.

This week we’re taking a look at likely mayor Janeese Lewis George’s all-ward listening tour. We’ll be talking about why current Mayor Muriel Bowser is fighting against a roof for Audi Field. And we dive into the Maryland Renaissance Festival’s ban on all things furries. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, there’s been a lot of news this week on Trump’s efforts to change D.C.’s landscape – we’ll get into all of it with City Cast’s Kate Corliss and NOTUS reporter Martin Austermuhle. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 September 4th episode: Tasti District Bridges DC Department of Behavioral Health Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

City Cast’s Alyssa Fowers has done some important reporting about problems at D.C.’s 988 suicide-prevention call line. In the spring, nearly half the calls went unanswered. What’s going on? And what does it mean for people in crisis? Alyssa is here to talk us through the numbers. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, contact the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or chatting online at https://chat.988lifeline.org/. To reach the Crisis Text Line, text HOME or HOLA to 741741. D.C.’s Access Helpline is also available at 1-888-793-4357. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 September 3rd episode: Tasti District Bridges Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Last week, The Washington Post’s Perry Stein broke news that US Attorney Jeanine Pirro has convened a special grand jury in what looks like a probe of how the District does or doesn’t protect youth. One particular focus: The city’s truancy problem. It’s an unusual probe — but one that also seems to be touching on a genuine problem. Perry is here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 September 2nd episode: Tasti District Bridges Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

This September – we’ve got D.C.’s middle-school-girl-pop concert lineup, another chance to eat fruit in Malcolm X Park, and the best way to see (and taste) the District by bike. As the leaves start to change, the September Guide has you covered. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 September 1st episode: Tasti District Bridges Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

You may know Sara Polon as the woman behind Soupergirl, the D.C. company whose soups are now in hundreds of supermarkets. But before that, she was a comedian. And after launching the company, she went through – as Sara puts it – a personal explosion. This week, her struggles are the subject of a one-woman show she’s launching in D.C. Sara’s here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 31st episode: Tasti District Bridges Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The D.C. airports definitely have a lot going for them, but they don’t have their own electrical grids, like Pittsburgh’s airport does. For the past few years, Pittsburgh International Airport has been generating on-site electricity, more than it needs even at peak operation, to fortify itself against the kind of power outages that hit airports (unsettlingly often) across the world. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris brings David into the little-known world of airport energy independence, showing how a one-time investment can bring the kind of peace of mind that both travelers and operators hope for every day. 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. 

This week, we’re talking about a Sunoco station on U Street and what it says about actually getting things built in D.C. We also look at the fate of a park that was supposed to be our version of NYC’s High Line. Finally, we discuss a lawsuit against a think tank and what it means for that crucial industry. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we talk about how the District is mourning our Earth Angel, Dolly Parton. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 28th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Tasti Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Police say license plate reader cameras like Flock are an important tool for solving crimes. But a new Washington Post investigation found dozens of cases where officers have been accused of using license plate readers for unauthorized purposes, including tracking exes and spouses. Today we’re joined by Washington Post technology reporter Douglas MacMillan, whose investigation uncovered some of those abuses and has already prompted police investigations and new safeguards from Flock itself. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 27th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Tasti Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

A new organization plans to fight for D.C.’s rights — by going into Congressional districts to unseat Republicans. Defend D.C. was announced this week by Robert White, D.C.’s all-but-certain next Congressional delegate. Ike Allen just profiled White in Washingtonian and is here to explain the PAC and its organizer. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 26th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Tasti Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

D.C. Public Schools is the national leader — by a lot — in at least one category: enrollment in pre-kindergarten programs. Almost every D.C. 4-year-old goes to pre-K; about 80 percent of 3-year-olds do. That’s more than twice the national average. Sara Mead recently wrote an essay for Capital Commonsense describing this as a D.C. triumph. She’s here to explain how it happened, and what it means. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 25th episode: ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ ⁠Tasti⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

In a few weeks, D.C.'s Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White will stand trial for allegations of corruption. This is embarrassing for any city, but especially so in D.C., where some say we don’t have the right to self-government. City Cast reporter Emma Uber covered White's preliminary hearing last week, and she’s here to set the scene. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 24th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Tasti Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

How often are you out in nature in DC? It’s not always easy to know which natural resources are clean and safe to use in an urban setting, and city rivers get a particularly bad rap. It’s true that cities have had eras of sewage mishandling and high boat traffic — but many have also cleaned up their act, through the tireless work of local advocates and politicians. Portland, OR, is one of those cities, and City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza joins this episode of Your City Could Be Better to debunk the assumptions and fears about her city’s river, the Willamette. Learn all about how a journalist-turned-governor led the charge to clean up Portland's waterfront, and how a quirky organizer — and lots of enthusiastic swimmers — have carried the torch. Mentioned on the show: Portland’s riverfront park, named after former Governor Tom McCall Swiss residents using river to swim home from work RFK Jr. swimming (in jeans) in Rock Creek in Washington, D.C. 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.

D.C. public schools open on Monday — we'll get into the politics of it all. Plus, six DC police employees have been charged for $440K in overtime fraud. And the latest on the Kennedy Center and the beleaguered National Symphony Orchestra. In a members-only fourth segment: is Obama’s tan suit somewhere in DC? We’re joined by City Cast reporters Ben Brasch and Emma Uber. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 21st episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for D.C., really wants to throw the book at the woman accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial. According to Politico’s Josh Gerstein, it’s one way for her to get back in the good graces of her boss, Donald Trump. Josh puts the national politics of the case in context — and explains what it may mean for the District. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 20th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re a few days out from the IndyCar race that will be taking over the National Mall this weekend. And while D.C. types are mostly talking about the massive road closings, we figured we ought to chat up someone who actually knows car racing.Jordan Bianchi covers motor sports for the Athletic and caught us up on the race itself — plus what D.C. can learn from other cities that have hosted their own downtown races. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 19th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Last week, the Kennedy Center’s board voted to uphold its previous decision to close for two years of renovations, while also approving a new inscription crediting Trump for restoring the building. But — these plans are still subject to court approval.The Washington Post’s art, architecture and performing arts critic Philip Kennicott has been closely following the turmoil at the Kennedy Center, and he joins us to answer what closure could mean for its future. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 18th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

President Donald Trump wants to renovate the East Potomac Park golf course, but there’s one big problem: the park — and the island it’s on — is sinking. Mother Jones reporter Stephanie Mencimer examines the problems facing Trump’s latest local project. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 17th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What will DC do when it runs out of space for trash? Madison, WI, has a plan, and it’s one that other cities could follow. What could’ve just been another county landfill, slated to open in 2027, will instead be a “sustainability campus”, where local businesses will unite to more intentionally sort incoming waste, increase recycling intake, and generally aim to slow the flow of trash. And Dane County has historically handled waste disposal in a savvy way, making big bucks off of trash collection that they then use to fund future projects like this forthcoming campus. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin breaks this all down for David, and together they uncover the quirks — and opportunities — that come with talking trash.  Mentioned on the show: Conversion of Dane County landfills into pollinator fields 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 metro union's fight back against bus fare quotes, D.C.’s slump in condo sales, and Republicans’ efforts to repeal the motorcycle helmet requirement. Plus, in a members’ only fourth segment, we’ve got the latest on RFK Stadium and the Commanders’ chances this year. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 14th episode: ⁠DC Sustainable Energy Utility⁠ ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ ⁠Library of Congress⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

Many people don't realize that the D.C. region sits on Indigenous land. But recently, one local tribe made history by reclaiming a piece of its ancestral homeland after centuries of displacement. Washington Post reporter Dana Hedgpeth talks with us today about the Pamunkey Tribe's return to Windsor Shades in Virginia. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 13th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Ice cream is the best antidote to D.C's hot, muggy August days. Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman serves up the scoop on the city's best ice-cold treats. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 12th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

It’s been one year since President Donald Trump launched what he called a federal takeover of D.C., sending National Guard troops into the city and dramatically expanding the federal law enforcement presence on our streets. His stated goal was to make D.C. safer -- looking at the crime stats, it hasn’t necessarily worked out that way. But it has had a huge impact on the lives of D.C. residents.Bloomberg Law reporter Keith Alexander has been reporting on the lives of those caught up in the federal crackdown. He’s here to explain what happened to them, what the National Guard is doing in D.C. a year later, and what this past year tells us about the future of the federal presence in the city. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 11th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Now that August is here, you might be feeling the stress of trying to wrap up that summer bucket list. Today we’re helping you check off that weekend camping trip you’ve been telling everyone you want to do… but haven’t actually planned! Let’s revisit our conversation from last fall with Leo Murray, founder of Kibiboyz and leader of Concrete Escapes. Leo’s been breaking down barriers around camping and helping DMV city folks reconnect with nature, one campfire at a time. Whether you're an experienced outdoorswoman or just testing out the waters with a bit of car camping, this episode’s got something for everyone. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠⁠⁠⁠ sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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.  If you enjoyed this interview with Richard Reyes-Gavilan, the Executive Director for DC Public Library, ⁠learn more here⁠. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 10th episode: ⁠DC Sustainable Energy Utility⁠ ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ ⁠Library of Congress⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠.

As much as you love DC, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On our first call-in episode, DC’s very own Bridget Todd joins City Cast Seattle host Jane C. Hu and City Cast CEO David Plotz to respond to your dilemmas, from when it’s acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor that really lets it all hang out. Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show. 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.

President Donald Trump has unveiled a $22.5 billion vision to remake Dulles International Airport, with plans to replace its iconic people movers, build a new passenger train, and totally transform one of the region's biggest transportation hubs. But how much of this is actually likely to happen? Who will pay for it? And what could it mean for the millions of people who use Dulles every year? Kriston Capps, writer for Bloomberg’s CityLab joins us to break down the proposal and what it means for DC and beyond. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 6th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

The very likely next mayor of DC wants to make buses free for public-assistance recipients. If that sounds familiar, it should: over the last few years, there have been a bunch of proposals to make buses free for some — and sometimes all — Washingtonians. Zara Norman from NOTUS has been reporting on this, and is here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠⁠ sign up⁠⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 5th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠.

George Pelecanos is maybe the greatest Washington novelist — and he never writes about the Senate. Over the years, his crime stories have doubled as a kind of history of our city. And his most recent novel, The Blue Flame, drops today. I talked with Pelecanos about growing up in the city, working on The Wire, and where he finds his stories. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠⁠⁠ sign up⁠⁠⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 4th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠⁠.

Have you walked by Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights recently? The familiar picnic table streatery is gone! A string of high-profile closures of DC’s streateries has reignited the debate over outdoor dining, parking, public space, and what kind of city Washington wants to be. City Cast's Alyssa Fowers and Kaela Cote-Stemmermann have been following the issue. They're here to explain how we got here, why this debate has flared up, and what comes next for restaurants and the future of our streets. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 August 3rd episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of CongressInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Do you know how zoning laws affect DC’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made it physically impossible to build tall buildings downtown, even for housing — that is, until the local government finally aligned to overturn it. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with Eli Sabin, a New Haven native and one of the alders (aka city council members) responsible for passing this change in recent months. Eli spent years working toward this goal, and he talks with David about what now needs to happen to fully realize its potential and increase affordability for locals. 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 National Guard in D.C., how Muriel Bowser isn’t signing the DC budget, and the goofy plans for Dulles. Plus in a members-only fourth segment, a blistering report on the MPD’s cooked-books scandal. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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. We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at dc.citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City DC swag. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 31st episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health District Bridges Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Whether it’s chomping on an apple with strangers in Malcolm X Park or vibing to local music at a summer concert series, our August Guide has got you covered. For even more tips on how to make the most of August in D.C., check out City Cast DC’s take on what to do this month.  We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at dc.citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City DC swag. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 30th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health District Bridges Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Reach us at DC@citycast.fm.

The National Guard is sticking around — and, like a lot of people who decide to stay in D.C., they’re about to pay through the nose for real estate. City Cast’s Alyssa Fowers and Emma Uber looked through the contract and crunched the numbers and they’re here to explain what it means that the troops are about to pitch up in some of the city’s buzziest neighborhoods. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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.  We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at dc.citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City DC swag. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 29th episode: DC Public Library DC Department of Behavioral Health District Bridges Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

D.C. taxpayers — you — spent $220 million last year on overtime for public-safety agencies in D.C. How did this happen? According to a new report from D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson, agencies are chronically understaffed, so bosses need to pay overtime to get the job done. How did we get here? And what does it mean? Kathy’s here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 28th episode: DC Public Library DC Department of Behavioral Health District Bridges Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Our co-host Bridget has just published an audiobook that starts with her own journey into an AI relationship — and then examines the phenomenon through a range of others. As she notes, it’s a particularly ubiquitous thing in D.C., even if we don’t talk much about it.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 27th episode: DC Public Library DC Department of Behavioral Health District Bridges Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

It’s not a given that every Washingtonian will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writer Taylor Lahey about how functional incentives could be the missing link in traditional systems of donations and volunteering. Inspired by a waste exchange program in Curitiba, Brazil, Lahey is working to create circular systems that effectively incentivize donations and just as effectively get them into the hands of those who need them. When investment and morale are low, sometimes an unconventional approach is the right way to go. Want to hear your question on an upcoming episode of Your City Could Be Better? Submit your city dilemmas for our upcoming call-in show by using our Google Form: https://forms.gle/45X33jhGHf8BYDM5A  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 D.C. versus DoorDash, the D.C. building everyone wants to demolish, and the best way to see The Odyssey. Plus, in a members-only segment, the latest on Metro’s plans for the new RFK stadium. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 24th episode: ⁠DC Public Library⁠ ⁠DC Sustainable Energy Utility⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

Virginia Horse Country looms large in the DC imagination — a preppy land beyond the suburbs you may hear about from time to time. Especially lately, because Vice President JD Vance is moving there, to a 500-acre estate in Middleburg. The Washington Post’s Paul Schwartzman is here to explain what the place means. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 23rd episode: DC Public Library DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

To get public housing in DC, you need to cough up a lot of data about yourself. Which makes it a particular problem when the public housing authority is hacked — and when they don’t tell anyone about it. Reporter Suzie Amanuel has been covering the story and is here to explain.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 22nd episode: DC Public Library DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The movie Heavy Metal Parking Lot turns 40 this year — and feels weirdly contemporary. The basic setup is this: A couple of guys showed up at the parking lot of a Judas Priest show outside DC and just let cameras run as the tailgaters go wild. The difference: The cringe behavior didn’t wind up on social media, but instead became part of an underground art film that slowly became a cult classic. The filmmakers Jeff Krulik and John Heyn are here to tell the story of the metal show and what happened next.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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.  If you enjoyed this interview with Richard Reyes-Gavilan, the Executive Director for DC Public Library, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 21st episode: DC Public Library DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

D.C. has an app that lets citizens request services and report problems around town. And this spring, it just stopped working. Our guest Josh Jacobson worked with a colleague to build their own. You’d think the city would be grateful. You’d be wrong. Josh is here to explain.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 20th episode: DC Public Library DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sometimes it can feel like DC is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans don’t have, they make up for in advocacy, whether by showing up to city council and organizing for change or just doing things themselves. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with creator and city lover Hope Henchey about how she and her neighbors are sneakily and secretly fixing up their city. You’ve heard of the Nashville bench builders — now get ready for the Chattanooga pothole fillers, sidewalk layers, and (literal) trail blazers. Mentioned on the show: Atlas Obscura feature on the community-built benches in Chattanooga Efforts by Strong Chattanooga to make a path through the woods in a sidewalk-less neighborhood Review of Hoboken's streak of zero traffic fatalities  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 problems at the Lincoln Memorial undercroft, that viral July 4 photo of a woman on the Metro, and World Cup specials. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we’ll get into the proposed very expensive upgrades to Audi Field — that D.C. taxpayers are going to pay for Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 17th episode: ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

Dating in D.C. can get expensive fast. But romance doesn't have to come with a $300 price tag, which yes that is how much some people are paying for dates in cities! Whether you're planning a first date, trying to keep date night affordable, or just looking for something fun to do with a partner, there are plenty of ways to have a great time in this city without spending much at all. Jade Womack, aka Clockout DC, has built a following by finding the best affordable things to do around the city. Today, she joins us to share her favorite DC date ideas for around $15 or less. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 16th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Waymos—the autonomous, self-driving ride-hailing vehicles—are already cruising around D.C. with one big catch: under current D.C. law, there's still a human safety driver behind the wheel. But will D.C. ever allow Waymos to operate without a human driver? And more importantly, should it? The D.C. Council is considering a bill that could finally allow them to operate in the District, but not without a fight. Labor unions, disability advocates, tech companies, and business leaders all packed a marathon hearing to debate what the future of transportation in D.C. should look like—and who it should serve. Ben Brasch was there for many many hours. He joins me today to explain where the debate stands and what the future of AVs in D.C. could look like. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 15th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Arena Stage is one of D.C.’s most prestigious theaters, but this month its biggest drama happened offstage: The theater’s artistic director was abruptly ousted, and the fallout has been bitter, with accusations of racial bias and workplace toxicity — plus allegations about making staffers fetch groceries. Rebecca Ritzel reported on this for NOTUS and she’s here to share some dishy details.   Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 14th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

A new Trump administration report says the Smithsonian institution is run by radicals who aren’t trustworthy. And while the report focused on the American history museum, a lot of people read it as a shot at the institution's leader, Lonnie Bunch. Clint Smith is the author of a recent piece in the Atlantic that profiles Bunch and ponders the future of the Smithsonian. He’s here to walk us through what all of this may portend.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 13th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

There’s lots to love about DC, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livability. Accommodating, accessible, and affordable local airports are a specific resource that many cities need. To find out which cities are leading the charge and the kinds of amenities that elevate an airport to gold status, City Cast CEO David Plotz chats with Scott Keyes, founder and Chief Flight Expert of Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) about everything he’s seen in his work and travels. How does your airport stack up? 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 new taxes for D.C. residents, the politics of our fountains, and whether Rock Creek Tennis Center is going to be the next local park that gets a controversial Trump-era glow-up. Plus in a members-only fourth segment: DC is finally about to have its debate about Waymo, and we’ll get into the contours. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 10th episode: ⁠Library of Congress⁠ ⁠Alliance Française Washington DC⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

What does it take to make a dangerous street safer? That's what we're talking about today with Dan Reed. Dan is a transportation planner and the Maryland Policy Director at Greater Greater Washington. Last year, they were walking their dog through their neighborhood in Silver Spring, Maryland when a driver struck both of them. Dan wrote about the accident—and then about the year they spent fighting to make their street safer. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 9th episode: Library of Congress Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Have you ever sat on the Metro and wished it could transport you anywhere you dreamed? In her new novel Retro, D.C. author Jessica Goldstein imagines the Metro not as the boring backdrop of everyday life in the DMV, but as a time machine, ferrying wealthy tourists to the Old West for bachelorette parties, Prohibition-era speakeasies, and other moments in history. Today, Jessica is here to talk about turning one of D.C.'s most recognizable landmarks into the centerpiece of a sci-fi adventure—and what her story tells us about our urge to escape the present. Want some more D.C. news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter. 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 July 8th episode: ⁠Library of Congress⁠ ⁠Alliance Française Washington DC⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

City Cast’s Emma Uber and contributor Marc Fisher are here to talk about the Fourth of July weekend in retrospect, the latest on the Reflecting Pool and the fate of the old Capitol Skyline Hotel. In a members-only segment, we're talking about teen gun violence in D.C. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 July 7th episode:DC Department of Behavioral HealthLibrary of CongressAlliance Française Washington DC

Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman, who just published a wild investigation about D.C. food trucks, is here. It seems those rickety trucks that sell hot dogs to tourists down by the Mall are a front for what cops call organized crime — not to mention violence, illegal parking, and some truly gnarly food-safety violations. Jess is here to tell the whole sordid story. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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. (TRY TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY TIME) Learn more about the sponsors of this July 6th episode: Library of Congress Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

See if your DC knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes head to head with journalist and historian Alexandra Petri to see who knows more about U.S. history, geography, and celebrities ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial. Sean McPherson, trivia wiz and City Cast Twin Cities host, leads four riveting rounds of questions covering everything from The Declaration of Independence to the hottest college rivalries, and all 13 City Cast cities make an appearance. See how you stack up! Mentioned on the show: Trivia Mafia website and locations Alexandra Petri's US History: Important American Documents (I Made Up) Milwaukee's block of Frank Lloyd Wright - Atlas Obscura 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.

D.C. may not be a state, but we can all agree that it has an awesome flag. A couple years ago, we sat with a couple of the world’s top vexillologists — that’s flag experts — to talk about why the D.C. flag became so ubiquitous and why it works. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter . You can⁠ also become a member⁠, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this June 2nd episode: ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ ⁠Spur Local⁠ ⁠Library of Congress⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

Happy July! What are you going to do this month? Mike Schaffer, Bridget Todd, and Kaela Cote-Stemmermann to talk about the best of eating, drinking, and exploring D.C. in July — especially the part after Independence Day.  For even more tips on how to make the most of July in D.C., check out City Cast D.C.’s take on what to do this month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 1st episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Spur Local Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Reach us at DC@citycast.fm.

Sylvie McNamara was in the crowd the night Donald Trump’s name was supposed to come off the Kennedy Center. But she didn’t feel quite the same exultation as everyone else. A classical music lover as well as a staff writer at Washingtonian, Sylvie has spent months reporting on the endangered state of the Kennedy Center and knows that the name on the outside is a lot less important than the endangered programming within. She’s here to explain where things stand.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 30th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Spur Local Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re chatting with City Cast CEO David Plotz and Executive Producer Annie Rees about the news organization we’re building within City Cast. Then, City Cast reporters Ben Brasch and Alyssa Fowers join to talk about the Great American State Fair and Alyssa’s deep dive into mayoral campaign numbers. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, Ben’s going to walk us through his reporting on the ongoing fallout over the campaign-finance charges against Janeese Lewis George that dropped right before election day.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 29th episode: ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ ⁠Spur Local⁠ ⁠Library of Congress⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

Just how good are the sidewalks in DC? The state of a city’s sidewalks can be a good indicator of how healthy that city is — and pedestrian safety is just the beginning. In Denver, voters approved a new fee a few years ago to fund much-needed sidewalk repairs, and after a lot of back-and-forth, those repairs are finally underway. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about what drove this initiative, how it’s going, and who’s paying for it. And speaking of sidewalks, do bikes, scooters, and people playing music belong on public sidewalks? 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 4th of July in D.C., the city budget, and two new D.C. museums. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment: Makeup! How did D.C.’s likely next mayor maintain her look through election day? Want some more D.C. news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 26th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Spur Local Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The D.C. Council this week voted to allow independents to vote in D.C. primary elections — a potentially huge change in a city where the Democratic Primary essentially picks the mayor. But wait, you say: Didn’t you already vote for this? Yes, you. D.C. voters approved the change by referendum two years ago, but the Council refused to fund it, so it wasn’t in effect for last week’s primary. City Cast DC reporter Emma Uber has been covering this issue and explains what changed Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 25th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Spur Local Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

D.C.’s reflecting pool is … not so reflective. It’s been all over the social media feeds for the last few days, and probably yours too – so how the heck did we get here? The Atlantic’s Matt Viser is taking us back to biology class to explain why we’re hearing about algae, sealant, and the uptick in law enforcement at the reflecting pool.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 24th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Spur Local Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

There’s a big apartment complex in Northeast D.C. where the landlords have let conditions get so bad that the local D.C. Councilmember wants to give them….. A tax break. Say what? Zara Norman of NOTUS has been covering the saga of the Gale Eckington and she’s here to explain.   Want some more D.C. news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 23rd episode: Folger Shakespeare Library DC Department of Behavioral Health Spur Local Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The dust is settling on DC’s mayoral election, and plenty of people are trying to interpret just what message the electorate was sending. I decided to outsource that job to DC Councilmember Christina Henderson. She’s worked closely with Janeese Lewis George in her time on the Council — but she’s also pushed for a somewhat different set of priorities than the likely next mayor. I talked with her about what the progressive surge may mean for the Council, and the city, going forward. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 22nd episode: ⁠Folger Shakespeare Library⁠ ⁠Spur Local⁠ ⁠Alliance Française Washington DC⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

We’re talking about the fallout, so far, a day after DC’s earthquake of a mayoral election. We’re talking about the reaction from DC’s business community, which was petrified about the idea of a socialist winning. And we’re talking about the best of Pride, whose parade is this morning. Plus, in a members only fourth segment, between the algae in the Reflecting Pool and the many many closures ahead at DCA, it’s a weird time on and above the National Mall. We’ll get into what it all means.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 18th episode: ⁠Folger Shakespeare Library⁠ ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ ⁠National Museum of the American Indian⁠ ⁠Alliance Française Washington DC⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

It was a very big night for DC’s left. With a little under two-thirds of the vote counted, Janeese Lewis George is up big over Kenyan McDuffie in first-choice votes for the Democratic mayoral election. Her fellow democratic socialists are leading a couple of DC Council races, and a top progressive is way ahead in another. And progressive Robert White appears to have run away with the race for DC Delegate to Congress. It is 4:30AM the morning after election day. Michael Schaffer, Emma Uber and Bridget Todd were at watch parties last night and are breaking down what we know so far. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 17th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library DC Department of Behavioral Health National Museum of the American Indian Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Today is the first DC election under ranked-choice voting. And anyone who thought “instant runoff” meant immediate results is in for a nasty surprise: The city says it may be 10 days before they announce results. We're talking with Lisa Rice, one of the people behind the referendum that okayed RCV a few years ago, about what to expect at the polls, when we might know a winner, and whether we’re right to feel irritated about potential delays. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 16th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library DC Department of Behavioral Health National Museum of the American Indian Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

DC is facing a double-barreled housing crisis where nothing is getting built. No one is building regular houses apartments because of the grim DMV economy. And no one is building subsidized “affordable” housing because epidemic rent nonpayment makes builders think they’ll never break even. In a city where housing is still super expensive, this adds up to a big problem. Emilia Calma is the author of a new report on this for the Brookings DMV Monitor and she’s here to explain.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 15th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library DC Department of Behavioral Health National Museum of the American Indian Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Do you know how many parks DC has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta set out to catalog them all. Over the course of two years, she visited all 511 parks in the county, seeking to record their amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds), write helpful summaries, and track down the people in charge. The resulting map has already become a valuable tool for locals, who now not only know who to call when trash cans are overflowing: they can also find outdoor spaces that meet their needs. Mentioned on the show: Every Park SLC - The First-Ever Guide to Every Park in Salt Lake County (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 whether DC is in for a tax hike, we’re talking about what’s missing in some of the Trump administration’s park makeovers, and we’ll try to read the tea leaves about where DC candidates are planning their election night parties. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we’ll get into the proposal to bring a giant homeless shelter to the HUD building.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 12th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Mugsy Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about St. Elizabeths. As a lot of folks know, the campus of D.C.’s psychiatric hospital has transformed over the past 15 years. There’s still a hospital, but a huge part of the former campus now holds a federal cabinet agency and another part is being redeveloped as stores and houses. NBC4’s Mark Segraves recently gained access to a part that the new management really doesn’t want to talk about — the site of some pretty ghastly surgeries and experiments from the time when St. Elizabeths was known as an insane asylum.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 11th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Mugsy Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about the state of the mayoral race with a week to go. We’re also talking about whether it really is just a week to go, since DC voters just got some pretty shocking news about how long it may take to count. And we’re talking World Cup specials in DC. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we’ll get into the logistics and politics of Sunday’s White House UFC fight. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 10th episode: ⁠Folger Shakespeare Library⁠ ⁠Mugsy⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

New York City might be known for its iconic bodega staple, the bacon egg and cheese, but DC also does breakfast sandwiches pretty well, too. In a quest to find the best one in DC, Washington Post food reporter Tim Carman asked the internet for its best recs—and the replies came pouring in. Within days, he had a list of more than 60 to try. And after some seriously tasty fieldwork, he’s narrowed it down to the top 10 breakfast sandwiches in DC. Last year, we sat down with Tim to get a taste of his ranking of DC’s best breakfast sandwiches.  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 June 9th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Mugsy Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

A new think tank study has some fascinating findings about Donald Trump’s national guard deployment in DC: The dramatic surge reduced property crimes by almost a quarter — but did nothing about violence. Richard Hahn from the Niskanen Center is here to explain.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 8th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Mugsy Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Washington, DC, recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city possibly have enough water for its year-round tourists, a metro area population of over 2 million, and all those pools? The process just might be grosser than you think. With innovative recycling, strict lawn rules, and infrastructure to monitor it all, Vegas has become a global leader in water reuse. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Las Vegas podcast host Jesse Merrick to learn how the city makes do with what it has and how its practices could save other cities’ water supplies. Plus, are any Las Vegans actually going to the casinos? Mentioned on the show: "Reality Check - There are Big Fines If You Don’t Change Your Watering Clock" (Southern Nevada Water Authority) "Federal Regulators Cut Lake Mead Water. Can Vegas Handle It?" (City Cast Las Vegas) 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.

D.C.'s June Primary is June 16th  and this year, voting works differently. For the first time, D.C. is using Ranked Choice Voting, which means you can rank up to five candidates in order of preference instead of picking just one. For this sponsored episode, Senior Executive Producer Annie Rees is chatting with Gary Thompson, Chair of D.C.'s Board of Elections, to explain exactly how it works, bust the myth that ranking more than one candidate splits your vote, and walk you through what your ballot will actually look like. In other words, everything you need to know before you head to the polls or fill out your mail-inballot. Learn more from the sponsor of this episode at dcboe.org/rcv.

We’re going to get into the mayoral race as it heads into its final week, we’re going to talk about why you should pay attention to what’s happening at the Rock Creek Tennis Center, and we’re going to talk new bars. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, the DC Council has done something weird to the city’s open-meetings law, and we want to look at the state of transparency in our city.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 5th episode: District Bridges DC Department of Behavioral Health DC Board of Elections Mosaic Theater Company Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

For more than 50 years, the Combined Federal Campaign has been a part of DC life. It’s the world’s biggest workplace charity, letting government employees steer money straight from their own paychecks to their chosen charities. It’s especially important to charities here because so many feds live here. But the campaign is now on life support — threatened with termination by the Trump administration. Why target a beloved institution? Drew Friedman from Federal News Network has been covering the story, and according to her it’s more complicated than it looks.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 4th episode: District Bridges DC Department of Behavioral Health DC Board of Elections Mosaic Theater Company Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about the latest twist in the battle of The Star versus The Washington Star, we’re talking about the odds that Donald Trump’s name will actually come off the Kennedy Center, and we’re going to get into the DC DOX documentary film festival that’s coming up. Plus, in a members only fourth segment, the politics of dissing Trayon White, the only DC Councilmember currently under indictment.   Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 3rd episode: ⁠District Bridges⁠ ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ ⁠DC Board of Elections⁠ ⁠Mosaic Theater Company⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

The two best-known candidates in the race for DC’s Congressional Delegate are sitting members of the DC Council. We’re talking today with a different candidate who has a somewhat different resume. Kinney Zalesne has worked in national politics and held a major Washington job at Microsoft. She’s here to explain why that resume — along with her own set of values and priorities — is right for this very weird moment in our city’s history.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 June 2nd episode: District Bridges DC Department of Behavioral Health DC Board of Elections Mosaic Theater Company Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What are you gonna do this month? We’ve got answers: Pride programming. America 250 programming. America 250 counter programming. And lots of barbecue. For ⁠even more tips⁠ on how to make the most of June in DC, check out City Cast DC’s take on what to do this month.  If you enjoyed today's interview with District Bridges' U Street Main Street Manager, Kelsye Adams, ⁠learn more here⁠. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 1st episode: ⁠District Bridges⁠ ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ ⁠DC Board of Elections⁠ ⁠Mosaic Theater Company⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠. Reach us at ⁠DC@citycast.fm⁠.

Where would DC be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what these institutions offer residents. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran about how Chicago’s libraries have evolved to meet community needs, from opening a food pantry inside a branch to turning student IDs into automatic library cards — and how they could be even better. Plus, are the Chicago Bears still the Chicago Bears if they move to Indiana? 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 NDAs for feds, we’re talking about the World Cup in DC (even if it’s not in DC), and we’re talking about the Spelling Bee, which is in fact in DC. And in a members-only fourth segment we’re going to talk about the new look of Freedom Plaza. DC has some thoughts.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 May 29th episode: ⁠Arena Stage⁠ ⁠Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC⁠ ⁠Petworth PorchFest⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

Summer's here, and if you're already sweating through your shirt on the Metro platform, it might be time to find a beach. DC isn't exactly known as a beach town, but you're actually within a short drive of some seriously good options, from the Chesapeake Bay all the way down to the Outer Banks. The question is: which one is right for you? Luckily, we’ve got the answers. City Cast contributor Tim Ebner has THE definitive guide to the area's best beaches, and today he's breaking it all down.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 May 28th episode: Arena Stage Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC Petworth PorchFest Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking with Brooke Pinto. She currently represents Ward 2 on the D.C. Council but is currently running in the Democratic primary to be D.C.’s Congressional Delegate. We talked about why she wants the job, what she’d do differently than the retiring incumbent Eleanor Holmes Norton, and how she’d work with whoever runs Congress after the November elections.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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. If you enjoyed today's interview with Gary Thompson, Chair of DC Board of Elections, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 27th episode: Arena Stage Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC Petworth PorchFest Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast DC host Bridget Todd, compete head-to-head and debate which city is the best for a weekend trip this summer. From hot tub boats (exactly what they sound like) to epic outdoor summer festivals, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season. Can Bridget beat out her competitors from Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities? Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 May 26th episode: Arena Stage Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC Petworth PorchFest Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about the politics of crime in DC — and other intel we picked up from our big election poll. We’re talking about who deserves credit for restoring those gorgeous Malcolm X Park fountains. And we’re going to get into DC’s booming EDM scene. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, Metro’s boss wants to take on bus fare evasion in a new way, and not everyone who works for him is happy about it. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 May 22nd episode: Window Nation Signature Theatre DC Department of Behavioral Health DC Board of Elections Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking with Janeese Lewis George. According to our new City Cast poll, she’s leading the race for mayor. We talked about how she really thinks about public safety, how she wants to spend more on our safety net, and how it feels to be a Democratic Socialist candidate whose support comes from some of DC’s best-educated and newest residents. I hope you’ll stick around and listen. 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 May 21st episode: Window Nation Signature Theatre DC Department of Behavioral Health DC Board of Elections Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

There have been no citywide public polls of the DC mayor’s race. That changes today. I’m here with Giacomo Squatriti, one of the pollsters who conducted City Cast’s very own poll — which is full of jaw-dropping findings about the state of the mayoral race, DC’s new demographic divide, and the ways new Washingtonians are shaping this year’s vote. We are SO excited to dive into this – and there’s more coverage for you to check out on our website and in our newsletter this morning.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 May 20th episode: Window Nation Signature Theatre DC Department of Behavioral Health DC Board of Elections Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

It’s officially summer travel season. And listen, gas prices and travel prices are through the roof right now, but that doesn't mean you can’t still enjoy a fun trip, because Tim Ebner has your guide of trips from the DC area for around $150 a pop. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 May 19th episode: Window Nation Signature Theatre DC Department of Behavioral Health DC Board of Elections Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What’s going on with the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool? The blue paint is slowly covering the national landmark. But nearly every day there’s a story about new controversies over Donald Trump’s pet project. And a lot of those stories are written by David Fahrenthold, an investigative reporter for the New York Times. He’s here to give us a lay of the land. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 May 18th episode: Window Nation Signature Theatre DC Department of Behavioral Health DC Board of Elections Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Would DC be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, the city brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they make DC safer. Plus, is DC becoming the new rave capital? Mentioned on the show: "The deadliest road in America" (Vox) 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 state of the mayor’s race, the new plans for Dulles Airport, and all the great meals you can buy off Facebook Marketplace in DC. Really. Plus in a members-only fourth segment, the calendar just dropped for Pride — make that, Prides — and we’ll talk about how to get the most out of the festival in DC and elsewhere around the region.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 May 15th episode: ⁠Window Nation⁠ ⁠Arena Stage⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

Today we're talking with Randy Clarke, the head of Metro and one of the most popular officials in D.C. Mike busted his chops about bus schedules, he busted Mike's chops about Metro’s budget, and they also managed to talk about the new Gold Line, his favorite Metro station, and that Washington Post editorial that has Metro fans fuming. 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 May 14th episode: Window Nation Arena Stage Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about a DC Police Scandal — but not the one you think! We’re talking about the latest twists in Donald Trump’s various schemes for the National Mall. And a new D.C. reality show. Plus in a member’s only fourth segment, the Trump administration’s odd campaign against a crucial source for DMV charities Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 May 13th episode: Window Nation Arena Stage Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Hey parents! Remember those early pandemic days when you were stuck inside with your kids, just trying to figure out how to keep them entertained? Austin Graff spent that time walking every single street in the District, all 136-plus neighborhoods, with his young daughter, using the city itself to teach her the alphabet. The result is his new book, 111 Places for Kids in Washington D.C. That You Must Not Miss. Austin joins us now to talk about hidden gems, favorite spots, and how you can have those same kinds of adventures right here in the city.  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 May 12th episode: Window Nation Arena Stage Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.