City Cast DC

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.

We’re chatting with DC Councilmember Robert White. He’s one of the candidates running for the job of DC’s nonvoting Congressional delegate. During our conversation, we got into how he’d work with a hostile Congress, why he doesn’t support youth curfews in DC, and just how he’d be different from the retiring delegate, his old boss Eleanor Holmes Norton. 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 11th episode: Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Washingtonians, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number of tourists coming to town for World Cup games and semiquincentennial events, so the city is allowing its bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during most of June and July. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri about the city’s nightlife, and the pros and cons of this extended hours experiment. Plus, how to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary without feeling like you’re serving a Trump narrative. 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.

Happy Friday. We’re talking about the fallout from the MPD’s scandal over manipulated crime data. We’re talking about the Obama musical that’s currently playing in town. And we’re talking about a change at the National Mall that DC can actually get behind. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment — which is actually free for everyone today, because it’s the LAST DAY of membership drive — we’ll talk about how and if the city can help local restaurants and retail survive the DMV’s grim economy.  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 8th episode: TodayTix Window Nation Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Does Donald Trump want to hijack a DC municipal golf course from the middle class and hand it over to the rich? That’s what critics of his plans for East Potomac Park say — and their suspicions got stronger last weekend, when new renderings emerged that show humble old Hains Point as an elite golf course — with no bike lane, playground, minigolf, or old men fishing, all the stuff that makes the place a part of DC life. The Washington Post’s Rick Maese has been covering the 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.  If you enjoyed today's interview with TodayTix's Head of North America, Kyle Sircus, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 7th episode: TodayTix Window Nation Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Josef Palermo is the author of an explosive recent piece in the Atlantic recounting what he saw as a senior staffer at the Kennedy Center. Palermo’s an interesting case because he was actually hired by the new leadership that came in after Donald Trump took over the center. But that didn’t stop him from being aghast at the ineptitude and financial shenanigans he witnessed. He breaks it down for us. 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 6th episode: TodayTix Window Nation Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

It’s the 35th anniversary of the protests that rocked D.C.’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood after the police shooting of El Salvadoran immigrant Daniel Gomez. Ellie Walton and Quique Aviles, creators of the documentary ‘La Manplesa: An Uprising Remembered', are here to explain what happened and why they think it was a turning point for D.C.’s Central American communities. The documentary is showing for free at Lamont plaza in Mount Pleasant this Friday May 8. 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.  Learn more about the sponsors of this May 5th episode: TodayTix Window Nation Alliance Française Washington DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We’re talking with Kenyan McDuffie. As you may have heard, the longtime DC Council member is running for mayor. We talked about how he thinks our city can recover from DOGE devastation, what he thinks it would take to put a dent in the cost of housing, and whether he’d be different from the incumbent, Muriel Bowser. This is the first in a series of sit-downs with candidates. Want some more DC 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 May 4th episode: Capitol Hill Restoration Society TodayTix Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

City Cast’s Emma Uber and the 51st’s Martin Austermuhle are here talking about the state of the DC election campaign, who’s up, who’s down, and whether ranked choice voting is going to confound everyone; the stats and politics of crime; the worst possible take on the WHCD gunman incident; and, in a members-only fourth segment: The dastardly scheme to return Arlington and Alexandria to 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 May 1st episode: Capitol Hill Restoration Society Nace Law Group LIV Golf TodayTix Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What are you gonna do this month? We’ve got answers. Aperol Spritzes! Raves! Beaches! Allergies! Jazz! Upcoming elections! Stick around because we’ve got you covered.  For even more tips on how to make the most of May in DC, check out Hey DC’s take on what to do this month.  If you enjoyed today's interview with TodayTix's Head of North America, Kyle Sircus, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 30th episode: Capitol Hill Restoration Society Nace Law Group LIV Golf TodayTix Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Reach us at [email protected].

It’s almost one of the most fun times of the year — porchfest season! Adams Morgan’s is this Saturday, Petworth’s is in May. City Cast’s own Mark Kulkosky and Kaela Cote-Stemmerman are Porchfest pros, and they’re here with everything there is to know to do Porchfest right.  Get more from City Cast DC when you become a City Cast DC Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC.  Learn more about the sponsors of this April 29th episode: Capitol Hill Restoration Society Nace Law Group LIV Golf Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about the fallout from the White House Correspondents Association shooting over the weekend; we’re talking about the ride-share app Empower and its latest fight with DC. We’ll also take a dip, metaphorically, in the debate over Trump’s plans for the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. And a question that will affect the upcoming DC mayoral election: Does the Post editorial board still have any sway over local voters?  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 April 28th episode: Capitol Hill Restoration Society Nace Law Group LIV Golf St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth & Families Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

You probably had a sense that members of Congress got some special goodies at National airport. But what are they? We asked Gary Leff, the legendary travel blogger who lived in the DMV for years. Gary spilled some beans, but also talked through how us regular folks could get the same VIP treatment, the Dulles renovation, and the secret luxury room hidden inside DCA.   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 April 27th episode: Capitol Hill Restoration Society Nace Law Group LIV Golf St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth & Families Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Are DIY urban projects the key to improving the infrastructure in cities like DC? The grassroots group To Nashville, With Love has built and installed 60 benches at bus stops around Nashville, all without government approval. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Nashville podcast host Marie Cecile Anderson about what this guerrilla campaign is doing, why it’s gotten pushback from the city, and where Nashville’s Tactical Urbanism program fits into all this. Plus, the unique challenges of Nashville tourism.  Mentioned on the show: "Who Put Benches at Nashville Bus Stops — and Why Did the City Remove Them?" (City Cast Nashville) "Guerrilla Public Service Redux" (99% Invisible) 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.

City Cast reporters Michael Brice-Saddler and Emma Uber join host Michael Schaffer to talk about the state of the DC mayoral election, the weird new drama over the teen curfew, and the new baby elephant at the Zoo. Cuter than the pandas? Plus in a members-only fourth segment, some absolutely devastating jobs numbers about the DMV. We’ll talk about how the city is, or should be, responding. 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 April 24th episode: ⁠Window Nation⁠ ⁠National Museum of the American Indian⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠

Which region has the BEST food in the USA? Eater has tried to answer that question in ⁠their new book Eaterland⁠, and our very own Tim Ebner made his case for Mid Atlantic cuisine – and why he’ll fight anyone who dunks on the Mid Atlantic food scene. 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 April 23rd episode: ⁠Window Nation⁠ ⁠National Museum of the American Indian⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

The head of DC’s Hirshhorn Museum is leaving to take over the Guggenheim in New York. Ordinarily, that’s something that might be looked at as a normal career move. But at a moment when the Smithsonian museums are in the MAGA crosshairs, everything’s a bit complicated. Journalist Kriston Capps is here to take us inside the departure of Melissa Chiu and talk through what it means for arts in our 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 April 22nd episode: Window Nation National Museum of the American Indian Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about the bombshell report on DC police and the case of Republican Congressman Cory Mills; we’re talking about the troubling conversation after the murder-suicide of former Virginia Lt Gov Justin Fairfax; and, how to get your money back as part of DC’s Ticketmaster settlement. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment: Amazon is way behind on all those jobs it promised would come to its Arlington HQ2. 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 April 21st episode: ⁠Window Nation⁠ ⁠National Museum of the American Indian⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠

Teen Takeovers — and what to do about them — has become one of the most divisive issues in local Washington. The mayor announced a new curfew; rivals like mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George oppose them. Georgetown University juvenile-justice scholar Eduardo Ferrer is not one of the folks who’s on the fence about the issue: He thinks curfews are a rotten idea. We talked about how to reach kids, how to avert antisocial behavior, and what Washington should expect as a long hot summer looms.  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 April 20th episode: Window Nation National Museum of the American Indian Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Could public financing get D.C. more involved in local elections? For the last decade, the City of Seattle has issued $100 in vouchers to every voter to donate to the candidate of their choice in municipal elections. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Seattle podcast host Jane C. Hu about how these Democracy Vouchers work, how many people are participating, and what the impact on local elections has been. Plus, is the “Seattle Freeze” a real thing? 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 OPPO-GATE, the baffling turn in the D.C. Congressional Delegate race, where candidate Brooke Pinto has inexplicably posted an entire dossier of dirt about her principal rival…. We’re looking at the plummeting numbers of new students entering DC Public Schools, and what that might say about where the city is headed… Also: There’s a state-fair-themed fair coming to the Mall as part of the America 250 celebrations. And in a member’s only fourth segment, some possibly hot takes about the state of our city. We’ll leave it to you to assess the hotness. 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 April 17th episode: Alliance Française Washington DC Window Nation St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth & Families KATSUMI Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

January’s massive Potomac sewage spill has led to it becoming the most endangered river in the nation. But that failure didn’t come out of nowhere. Washington Post investigative journalist Aaron Davis uncovered the red tape that stopped needed repairs for years. Davis chatted with us about what he found and who’s to blame. 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 April 16th episode: Alliance Française Washington DC Window Nation St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth & Families KATSUMI Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

DC is a big city, but did you know that it’s actually illegal to build anything other than a suburban-style house in most of it? According to today's guest David Alpert, that’s one reason housing is so expensive in Washington. Alpert has spent years advocating for rewriting the rules, and this month, he’s among the folks who are bitterly disappointed that the Bowser administration’s land-use map for the next couple decades is basically the same as the one we’ve had since the 20th century. He’s here to explain what happened and where things go from here. 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 April 15th episode: Alliance Française Washington DC Window Nation St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth & Families KATSUMI Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The mayor has just rolled out her final budget and it’s pretty painful. Jenny Reed walked us through the administration’s theory of the case — why they think it’s a good idea to make cuts TO day care and medical leave, and why it beats the alternative of raising more money through taxes. 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 April 14th episode: Alliance Française Washington DC Window Nation St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth & Families KATSUMI Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about another Trump-era controversy at a DC cultural institution — in this case, the Holocaust Museum, which last year yanked down content talking about the fragility of democracy and the ties between German Naziism and American Jim Crow. Unlike the blowups at the Kennedy Center, this happened quietly. And according to reporting from Irie Sentner at Politico, that’s because the museum didn’t even wait for the administration to ask — they just pulled down stuff that they thought might upset the president’s team. What happened? And what does this mean for other museums in our city? Irie 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 April 13th episode: Alliance Française Washington DC Window Nation St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth & Families KATSUMI Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Washingtonians, what do you do when your night life starts to dwindle? Nightlife is a huge economic driver for cities, but city offices are often closed when those businesses need help. That’s why Portland is considering hiring a Night Mayor. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Portland podcast host Claudia Meza about what this new position would do, and if it is the answer to the pandemic’s enduring negative impact on walkability, small businesses, and nightlife in cities everywhere. Plus, should your city be weirder? Mentioned on the show: "Can a Night Mayor Revive Downtown Portland?" (City Cast Portland) 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.

DC is starting to feel like an old Dennis the Menace cartoon. Last week, the city was up in arms about teens running wild at Navy Yard. This week, there’s agita about dirt bike riders. We’ll get into it. Also: A big Pennsylvania Avenue re-do may be in the works, and the neighbor at number 1600 gets a big say in it. And we’ll talk about the end of the Ovi era in DC.  Plus: City Cast members can listen in on a special members-only conversation about a rare new political poll of DC, just a couple months before the election. 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 April 10th episode: ⁠Alliance Française Washington DC⁠ ⁠Olney Theatre⁠ ⁠Mosaic Theater⁠ ⁠Nace Law Group⁠ ⁠Window Nation⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠

Once upon a time, the food critic of the Washington Post was an all-powerful — and totally anonymous — figure in the local restaurant industry. But the paper’s new critic, Elazar Sontag, takes over at a very different moment. We had a long chat with Sontag about the Washington dining scene, the role of a critic, and how to communicate about food in 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 April 9th episode: Alliance Française Washington DC Olney Theatre Mosaic Theater Nace Law Group Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Have you always wanted to be one of those people who can tell a Georgian D.C. rowhouse from a Federal D.C. rowhouse, or drop the name of Harry Wardman? Then settle in. We chatted with Joe Himali, who makes his living as a real estate guy but who you might know from his strangely addicting social media posts about D.C. architecture. All kinds of people these days talk about the way official Washington looks, but Himali explains why our houses look the way they do.  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 April 8th episode: Alliance Française Washington DC Olney Theatre Mosaic Theater Nace Law Group Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The DC area lost 56,000 jobs in 2025, the worst of any major Metro area. But is it as bad as it sounds? Tracy Haddon Low of the Brookings Institution studies the regional economy as Donald Trump transforms the federal government and she’s here to walk us through our state of municipal health.  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 April 7th episode: Alliance Française Washington DC Olney Theatre Mosaic Theater Nace Law Group Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The hangover— it happens to the best of us, it can even happen if you don't drink! So crack open that Pedialyte and settle in, because Ann Limpert and her colleagues at the Washingtonian put together a list of DC's best hangover foods and fair warning, some of these picks are going to surprise you.  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 April 6th episode: Alliance Française Washington DC Olney Theatre Mosaic Theater Nace Law Group Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

While both D.C. and Denver have a professional Women's Soccer team (go Spirit!), Denver is only the second city in the U.S. to build a stadium specifically for women’s soccer. Will betting on women’s sports drive Denver’s economy or will Denverites be left paying the price for another stadium? City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Denver podcast host Bree Davies about why Denver has invested so much into having sports downtown, how Denver has capitalized on repurposing old industrial spaces, and how bad traffic gets when all your sports are downtown. Plus, is it better to have a Mayor with or without aims for a greater political office? Mentioned on the show: The $tadium Game: Inside the lucrative world of Colorado’s pro sports stadiums [⁠⁠The Denver Post⁠⁠] 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.

The 51st’s Martin Austermuhle is here to talk about the DC Council, Muriel Bowser, and public safety — where the Council keeps handing the mayor defeats, the freeze on the White House Ballroom and a slew of DC chefs are on the James Beard list. Plus, in a members only fourth segment, how Virginia’s data center boom is affecting the safety of the local water supply. 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 April 3rd episode: Folger Shakespeare Library District Bridges Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The Trump Administration is about to reclassify tens of thousands of federal jobs so that it can treat them like patronage appointees. This is huge news for your neighbors who may have those jobs, since it will make it a lot easier to fire them for political reasons. But it is also big news for the economy of our city, and, in a way, for the soul of a city that has long drawn people to public service. Drew Friedman from Federal News Network 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 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 April 2nd episode: Folger Shakespeare Library District Bridges Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Whether you’re looking to become a baseball fan, escape to a rave on the mall, or just admire all the pretty flowers, the City Cast DC gang has some great picks to make the most out of your April in the city. For even more tips on how to make the most of April in DC, check out Hey DC’s take on what to do this month.  If you enjoyed today's interview with District Bridges' Director of Storytelling and Marketing, Anna Claire, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this April 1st episode: Folger Shakespeare Library District Bridges Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Reach us at [email protected].

NBC4’s Mark Segraves is here to talk about the shooting of a police officer that could upend the status quo between local Washington and the Trump administration, the sudden appearance of Zionism as a theme of the mayoral election, and the next zoo animal you might be talking about. Plus, in a member’s-only fourth segment: Remember that January 6 pardon recipient who was arrested for assaulting women on the Metro? We sat down with one of the people he serially stalked for a conversation about how we got here.  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 31st episode: Folger Shakespeare Library District Bridges Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Donald Trump’s war on big law has been a big political and constitutional story everywhere. But in Washington, it’s also a business story: the big law firms are a huge employer and major part of the economy. So what do the ongoing threats from the administration, and the legal rulings in favor of the firms who actually stood up for their rights, actually mean for our city. Erin Mulvaney covers national legal affairs for the Wall Street Journal and is here to discuss.  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 30th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library District Bridges Window Nation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

More affordable housing is needed in places like DC. Some cities, however, are doing better than others at meeting this need. Austin, Texas, for example, is building more affordable housing than any other American city right now — 50% more, by some measures, than the second most successful city. However, this fast-growing city is also seeing a shortage in housing that middle- and lower-income residents can afford. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Austin podcast host Nikki DaVaughn about this paradox, the city’s affordable housing successes, and where Austin’s still falling short. Plus, how far is too far to walk to a neighbor’s house? 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.

WAMU’s Alex Koma is here to talk about the DC mayoral race, where public safety has suddenly become an issue, the quadruple-amputee cornhole champion accused of murder, and the end of the DC streetcar. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, more on how much DC’s local police should tell the public about how the feds use deadly force in our 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.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Traffic Circles — they’re the secret to getting around DC. Back in December, we talked with city planner Dan Reed about how we wound up with all these circles on the map, and about what’s going to become of them. With Cherry Blossom traffic about to swamp the city, we’re rerunning it again now to give you a leg up on the tourists.   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.

Everyone hates sitting in traffic. But what if you could skip the gridlock entirely and travel underground in a high speed pod instead? That was the vision behind Elon Musk's Hyperloop and back in 2017, Musk claimed he had secured official government approval to bring it to DC. It never happened. Tech journalist Matt Ribel is here to explain the bizarre story of how one of the most hyped transit promises in recent memory quietly collapsed.  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 draft DC land-use map that is enraging YIMBYs, a slew of new town-gown fights between local Washington and the Trump administration, the Polymarket Bar flop. And in a members-only fourth segment: Should DC’s minimum-wage go up to $25 an hour? The question is about to be on the ballot, and people have 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. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Julia Child is a lot more associated with Paris, or maybe Cambridge, Massachusetts, than with DC. But the legendary cook and writer actually spent some of her most important years in a little house in Georgetown, scrounging for ingredients in the much less foodie city of the 1950s. Her Washington years are the subject of a story in the new issue of Edible DC, and the magazine’s editor, James Whitman, is here to tell us all 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.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The unionization efforts of sex workers in Nevada might have implications for gig workers in DC. At Sheri's Ranch, a legal brothel 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, some of the workers are seeking both recognition as employees and union representation. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with former City Cast Las Vegas podcast host, current contributor, and longtime Nevada attorney Dayvid Figler about why sex workers are considered independent contractors, what sparked this legal battle, and what happens if they win. Plus, what's different about neighborhoods in Las Vegas? Mentioned on the show: Could a Pahrump Brothel Union Set a New National Standard for Labor Laws? (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.

We’re talking about a fracas at a DC mayoral forum, the new changes that make it easier for Trump to fire career federal workers, and the windstorm that wasn’t. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we’ll get into the case of the cop-killer seeking clemency that may be the next home-rule standoff.  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 20th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library DC Environmental Film Festival Nace Law Group Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Between the East Wing of the White House, the proposed Arc de Trump, and whatever’s going to happen to the Kennedy Center, it’s no secret that our first real estate developer president is poised to have a big impact on how our city looks. But what are all of these individual projects going to do to the city as a whole? According to one of America’s foremost architecture critics: Nothing good! We sat down with Paul Goldberger, the longtime New York Times and New Yorker critic who wrote a blistering essay about the Trump effect on DC’s delicately balanced city scape. 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. Please see below for tomorrow's sponsor show notes: Learn more about the sponsors of this March 19th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library DC Environmental Film Festival Nace Law Group Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

DC just had another weekend of controversy around out-of-control behavior by huge groups of teens, this time around the Navy Yard. Allegations of youth lawlessness have been front and center in DC for a few years, often tied to the related question of school truancy. Back in August, we talked about this with the Washington Post’s Lauren Lumpkin and Robert Samuels. 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 18th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library DC Environmental Film Festival Nace Law Group Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Here in DC the nice spring weather is right around the corner. And you know what else is right around the corner in DC? Delaware. You may not think it, but this tiny state offers some of the best hidden gems for a charming getaway. Tim Ebner’s here with your guide to the best Delaware trips for around $150.  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 17th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library DC Environmental Film Festival Nace Law Group Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.