City Cast DC

Writer Dorothy Parker once said that the two most beautiful words in the English language are “check enclosed.” With things being so expensive in DC right now, maybe a little check in your mailbox is just what you need. Ike Allen of the Washingtonian explains how DC’s unclaimed property unit could have money waiting for 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 October 20th episode: National Center for Victims of Crime Nace Law Group Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Junaid Dill, an Axios reporter specializing in D.C. politics, joins to discuss the future of Mayor Bowser as she navigates a potential fourth term amid possible challengers like Kenyon McDuffie and Janice Lewis-George. The conversation shifts to D.C.'s booming cannabis market, highlighting the tension between licensed retailers and informal shops, with regulatory pressures complicating the landscape. They also bid farewell to the 2000-series Metro cars, exploring upcoming 8000-series replacements, promising a new era for transit in the city.

In the second episode of our special three-part series sponsored by the Public Welfare Foundation, City Cast DC executive producer Annie Rees talks with Stefanie Mavronis, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement in Baltimore, and David Muhammad, Executive Director of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform. They discuss how Baltimore has achieved three consecutive years of declining gun violence, and what D.C. might be able to learn from their approach. From life-coaching programs that help residents rebuild their lives to coordinated citywide strategies that bring agencies and communities together, Baltimore’s results are offering real hope, and can be a model for cities like D.C. This conversation is part of an ongoing series highlighting local and national leaders working to build safer, more just communities across the country, supported by the Public Welfare Foundation. Learn more about their work and the efforts of leaders like Stefanie Mavronis and David Muhammad at realsafetydc.org

People don’t really think of DC as a Friday Night Lights kinda town, but it actually has a pretty robust high school football scene, with big crowds turning local games into a scene. Until this year, at least: The DCPS season has been upended by a bunch of fights in the stands – which has led to night games being curtailed and the whole atmosphere being less fun. The Washington Post’s Matt Cohen is here to give us the blow by blow — and also tell us where in town you can still have a good time taking in a game.  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 October 16th episode: Public Welfare Foundation National Center for Victims of Crime Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Trump’s deployment of the national guard and ICE had some obvious targets. But in the background, homeless folks were also feeling the pain. There were displacements and arrests of homeless encampments, all in the name of keeping the city clean and crime free. Franziska Wild and Madi Koesler from Street Sense Media are here break down what happened over that month and where DC’s homeless population stands now. This story is part of our 2025 contribution to the D.C. Homeless Crisis Reporting Project in collaboration with other local newsrooms. The collective works will be published throughout the week at bit.ly/DCHCRP. 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 October 15th episode: ⁠Public Welfare Foundation⁠ ⁠National Center for Victims of Crime⁠ ⁠Babbel⁠ - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

Historically, a government town like Washington didn’t have to scrape and scrap for jobs like other cities. These days, amid unprecedented cuts to federal employment, DC has no option but to focus on finding other ways for locals to pay the rent. Deputy Mayor Nina Albert is in charge of that effort, and she’s here to talk about what they are — and aren’t — up to.  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 October 14th episode: Public Welfare Foundation National Center for Victims of Crime Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

We’re talking about the jockeying for DC’s House seat and the explosive controversy over crime stats. Plus, your ideal shutdown itinerary of non-federal DC attractions, and in a members only fourth segment, the latest on whether federal workers will get back pay if this thing ever ends. WAMU's Alex Koma joins City Cast’s Michael Schaffer and Julia Karron. 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 October 10th episode: Wise Folger Shakespeare Library Nace Law Group The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Public Welfare Foundation National Center for Victims of Crime Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

On this bonus sponsored episode of City Cast DC, the Public Welfare Foundation is all about supporting safer, more just communities here in DC. And today, we’re kicking off a special three-part series with a conversation about what that really looks like. City Cast DC CEO David Plotz is joined by Eric Weaver and Dr. Roger Mitchell. Eric Weaver is the founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens and helps people reenter society and break cycles of harm. Dr. Roger Mitchell is former DC Chief Medical Examiner and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, and now President of Howard University Hospital, and he’s become a national voice for treating violence as a public health issue. They discuss what it will take to build safer neighborhoods in the District, and why rethinking public safety is critical to creating stronger, healthier communities for us to live in. Learn more about their work and the efforts of leaders like Eric Weaver and Dr. Roger Mitchell at realsafetydc.org

Leo Murray, founder of Kiwi Boys and leader of Concrete Escapes, shares his passion for reconnecting DC residents—especially people of color—with nature. He recounts his first camping trip at Lake George and discusses surprising perceptions about Black outdoor enthusiasts. Leo reveals favorite local spots like Shenandoah and Greenbelt, and explains car camping versus backpacking. They also cover essential gear, creative camp cooking, and preparing for colder weather, highlighting Concrete Escapes' pop-up events as a gateway for urban campers.

Tom Sietsema, the longtime food critic at the Washington Post, announced yesterday that he’s retiring. And he finally revealed his identity! Now, most DC restaurants still knew what he looked like and tried to look out for him, but he can now put down his disguises. To honor his many years scouring the DMV for the best food, we’re taking you back to an episode he sat down for with City Cast Co-Host Michael Schaffer describing what it was like to be anonymous and use pseudonyms. 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 October 8th episode: Wise Folger Shakespeare Library Nace Law Group The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Public Welfare Foundation Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.