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
Mar 24, 2025 • 33min
How Safe Are Immigrants in the DMV Right Now?
The DMV is front and center in the Trump administration’s campaign to deport undocumented immigrants. Atenas Burrola Estrada of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is here to tell us what it means for the region and what people need to know about their rights in this legal landscape. 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 March 24th episode:The Pew Charitable TrustsInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Mar 21, 2025 • 30min
Purple Line Delays, USIP v DOGE Showdown, and Community Stew. Plus, a Members Bonus
Discover the scoop on the delays plaguing the Purple Line project and its impact on local businesses. Dive into political tensions in D.C. as audiences express their dissent. Enjoy a heartwarming tale of community connection through a woman's generous stew contributions. Plus, there's an intriguing members-only discussion on the potential economic challenges facing the DMV. Tune in for a delightful mix of local news and community stories that resonate!
Mar 20, 2025 • 15min
Will All The Fired Federal Workers Be Reinstated?
So we know that the federal government fired thousands of workers in D.C. earlier this year. Now some court rulings suggest they’re being rehired?! But not fully?! It’s a mess. Emily Peck from Axios tells us what’s going down between the Trump administration and the federal workers that DOGE tried to purge.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 March 20th episode:Urban PaceThe Pew Charitable TrustsBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Mar 19, 2025 • 16min
DC Leaders Lobby House GOP To Pass Budget-Saving Bill
The District is anxiously waiting for the House of Representatives to return to session and decide the fate of D.C.’s budget. Depending on what they decide, D.C. could potentially see a $1 billion hit, right away. The Washington Post's Jenny Gathright is here to explain how D.C. leaders are trying to convince the House to vote their way.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 March 19th episode:Urban PaceThe Pew Charitable TrustsBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Mar 18, 2025 • 21min
How the Kennedy Center Takeover Changes Theater in DC
Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center has left the DC art community reeling. How is DC’s vibrant but sometimes overlooked theater community dealing with the fallout? Chad Dexter Kinsman, arts administrator and host of Theater District podcast explains what all of this means for the future of theater in the District. 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 March 18th episode:Urban PaceThe Pew Charitable TrustsBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Mar 17, 2025 • 24min
Could Rejoining Maryland Save DC From Trump?
Should DC rejoin Maryland!? In D.C.’s current crisis atmosphere, the idea of retrocession has gained traction. For years, David Krucoff was the lonely champion of this cause. He’s with us today to explain why he thinks it’s the best way forward.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 March 17th episode:Urban PaceThe Pew Charitable TrustsBabbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCASTInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Mar 14, 2025 • 25min
Congress Battles Over DC Budget, Measles, and Ovechkin Eyes NHL Record
The Washington Post’s Meagan Flynn joins the show to talk about the federal budget and that weird billion-dollar hole it may blow in our own city budget, measles in the DMV, and everything you need to know about Alexander Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal record.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 March 14th episode:Urban PaceInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Mar 13, 2025 • 25min
Unwritten Rules That Distinguish DC
DC has a whole host of rules that are the kind of thing where if you know, you know. Is it Malcolm X Park or Meridian Hill Park? Is it Reagan National Airport or DCA? We talked to ClockoutDC’s Jade Womack and Greater Greater Washington’s Dan Reed last summer about the essential rules to life in DC. If you like culture hot takes like this, sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for just $8 a month.Learn more about the sponsors of this March 13th episode:Urban PaceInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Mar 12, 2025 • 19min
House Votes to Slash $1B From DC Budget. Now What?
The House just passed a budget stopgap bill that would fund the federal government through September but would also cut $1.1 billion from D.C.’s local budget. If the Senate passes the bill without changing this provision, it would cripple the District’s budget and the effect would be immediate. NBC’s Mark Segraves is here to tell us what’s happening.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 March 12th episode:Urban PaceInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Mar 11, 2025 • 24min
DC’s Halving Traffic Fines, But Only For Some
D.C. is trying out a new pilot program that’s designed to give low-income people a break on traffic camera tickets. Martin Austermuehle has covered the issue for the 51st and he’s here to talk about why the program has been so controversial.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 March 11th episode:Urban PaceInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
