

City Cast DC
City Cast
City Cast is the daily, local audio companion you knew DC needed. Washingtonians are gritty, proud, and resilient — necessary qualities for a community facing issues that range from an affordability crisis to the fight for statehood to the movement for racial justice… and useful qualities for a region full of whip-smart people, dynamic culture, and constant change. Washingtonians are deeply passionate about our city, whose story is still being written, and City Cast DC is here to tell it.Every weekday morning, our hosts Michael Schaffer and Bridget Todd will engage people from all over the eight wards in conversation about DC’s crises and its beauty, both literal and figurative. It’ll have the feel of eavesdropping on an energetic and informative coffee shop chat, except that with City Cast DC, consider this your official invitation to listen in.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2025 • 28min
Budget Day: Winners, Losers, and Last-Minute Chaos
It’s finally done! The D.C. Council passed the 2026 budget, but not without some hiccups along the way. WAMU’s Alex Koma takes us inside the Wilson Building to tell us what those hiccups were and what DC will be spending our tax dollars on next year.
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 July 29th episode:
Framebridge
Overlook Maps
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 28, 2025 • 32min
Can the Washington Post Still Serve DC?
What in the world is going on at The Washington Post? Our city’s venerable daily is hemorrhaging employees and going through a wild change in its identity. And it's weird because the last thing a lot of folks might remember is that the news organization seemed until recently to be swimming in Jeff Bezos’ money. Paul Farhi spent years writing about the industry for the Post, and more recently has turned his eye on his former employer. He’s here to talk about how things got to this point.
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 July 28th episode:
Framebridge
Overlook Maps
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 25, 2025 • 32min
Trump's Stadium Threats, Congress Targets DC Budget, and Lanternfly Apocalypse 2025
We're talking about Trump and RFK stadium, Congress and its weird new rules targeting DC traffic regulations, and lanternflies — the 2025 winged nuisance of the year. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we'll talk about AI and romance for the DC crowd.
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 July 25th episode:
Library of Congress
DC Sustainable Energy utility
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Framebridge
Nace Law Group
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 24, 2025 • 31min
Are the Commanders Trying To Use Nostalgia to Sell Their RFK Stadium Deal?
News broke yesterday that the head of the D.C. Council reached an agreement with the Commanders to adjust the financial terms of the stadium deal, opening the door for the Council to vote on the deal in a matter of days. All the back and forth over the stadium in the last months might have made you wonder: What were those old glory days of the culture around the team that everyone over 50 talks about? We sat down with columnist Kevin Blackistone, a fan from way back, to dig into it.
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 July 24th episode:
Library of Congress
DC Sustainable Energy utility
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Framebridge
Nace Law Group
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 23, 2025 • 30min
Storms, Floods, and Tornadoes: Is This the New Normal for DC Summers?
We started the week with a rare treat: actual summer weather we can enjoy: humidity that’s not too terrible, bearable heat, maybe even a breeze! But don’t get too comfortable. This summer hasn’t just been brutally hot — it’s also brought extreme storms, flooding, and the worst may still be ahead. Jason Samenow from Capital Weather Gang is here to break down tips for surviving in these hot months, what’s coming and why DC’s summer heat is far from over.
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 July 23rd episode:
Library of Congress
DC Sustainable Energy utility
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Framebridge
Nace Law Group
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 22, 2025 • 20min
This Housing Project's Been Stalled for 25 Years. Why is DC Like This!?
For 25 years, there’s been a project to build housing on top of an open parking lot next to the Takoma Metro station. The Washington Post’s Aaron Weiner is here to explain what’s taken so long and what it says about the prospects to create more of the housing that the city needs.
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 July 22nd episode:
Library of Congress
DC Sustainable Energy utility
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Framebridge
Nace Law Group
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 21, 2025 • 30min
How DC's Best Airport Became a Nightmare
In this discussion, Tim Ebner, a City Cast contributor and frequent traveler, shares his insights on the growing frustrations at DCA. He explores the impact of high passenger volumes and weather woes leading to frequent delays and cancellations. Tim also highlights the recent expansion of flight services, while raising concerns about airport congestion. With practical tips for navigating these challenges, he emphasizes the importance of patience and alternative rebooking strategies to ease the travel experience.

Jul 18, 2025 • 35min
Trayon White's Comeback, Trump's DC Antisemitism Probe, and Citi Open
NBC4’s Mark Segraves is with us to discuss the return of Trayon White to the DC Council, the Trump-led antisemitism investigation in DC, and the Citi Open. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment: The Congressman accused of not paying his rent.
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 July 18th episode:
Library of Congress
DC Sustainable Energy utility
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 17, 2025 • 33min
DDOT Answers Our Burning Transportation Questions
There is a TON of transportation stuff going on right now: changes to the bus lines, the Dupont Deckover, the Penn Ave West project, fights about bike lanes. Today, Sharon Kershbaum, DC’s Director of the Department of Transportation, is here to answer our questions – and yours – about everything related to DC transportation.
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 July 17th episode:
Library of Congress
DC Sustainable Energy utility
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 16, 2025 • 31min
DC Budget Latest: What's In, What's Out
The DC Budget still hasn’t passed, but it’s getting closer. The D.C. Council advanced a budget that pencils in more than $1 billion dollars for the RFK Stadium deal and approves ranked-choice voting. Plus, it rejects Bowser’s proposed rollback of the I-82 tipped wage law… for now. Another vote is expected July 28. WAMU’s Alex Koma is here to get into what it means for the city.
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 July 16th episode:
Library of Congress
DC Sustainable Energy utility
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices