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
Dec 23, 2024 • 16min
Cheap Places to Eat Out in DC
Eating out in D.C. doesn’t have to break the budget. Big Schlim’s food reviews will show you how to eat well in D.C. – and get you hungry while you scroll. He joins us to highlight some of his spots for what he calls a “light pocket meal.”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 December 23rd episode:Paulson & NaceBlack CatInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Dec 20, 2024 • 28min
Trump & Musk Scrap RFK Deal, Attacks on DC Culture, & Cafe Bans 20-Year-Olds
We’re talking about the fate of RFK — the stadium, that is. We’ll also talk about DC culture in the second age of Trump. And can a restaurant ban twenty-somethings?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 December 20th episode:Paulson & NaceJones Dairy FarmCall2RecycleBlack CatInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
Dec 19, 2024 • 25min
New DC Laws That Will Affect You Most in 2025
The DC Council just wrapped its 2024 session by passing a flurry of bills dealing with everything from pets in apartments to teens in detention. Meagan Flynn covers the Council for the Washington Post and is here to tell you what your elected reps are 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 $8 a month.Learn more about the sponsors of this December 19th episode:Paulson & NaceJones Dairy FarmCall2RecycleBlack CatInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Dec 18, 2024 • 23min
The Secret History of DC's Alleys
It seems like every other day there’s a new, hip spot opening up in the alleys near Union Market. But the long and bizarre history of DC’s alleys dovetails with the city's complex relationship with race and class and power. Historian Kim Prothro Williams has literally written the book on DC’s alleys and she joined us in April to share how the history of Washington is all about the streets behind the streets.Like what we do? Please consider becoming a member! It’s just $8/month and you get ad-free listening, a weekly events guide, and the satisfaction of supporting local journalism. And while you’re at it, sign up for our free daily newsletter Hey DC.Learn more about the sponsors of this December 18th episode:Paulson & NaceJones Dairy FarmCall2RecycleBlack CatInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Dec 17, 2024 • 21min
DC Council Committee Votes to Expel Trayon White
A DC Council sub-committee yesterday unanimously recommended expelling Ward 8 councilmember Trayon White, saying he violated council ethics by allegedly receiving large bribes. Washington City Paper’s Alex Koma, who was at the Wilson Building for the hearing, joins to tell us what went down.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 December 17th episode:Paulson & NaceJones Dairy FarmCall2RecycleBlack CatInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Dec 16, 2024 • 19min
Haven't Paid Your Ticket? DC is Towing More Cars
There are more than a billion dollars in unpaid tickets owed to the DC government — and a lot of those cars are still driving around. But, there’s a new law that’s trying to hit the scofflaws where it hurts. The Washington Post’s Rachel Weiner is here to explain. 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 December 16th episode:Paulson & NaceJones Dairy FarmCall2RecycleBlack CatInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Dec 13, 2024 • 36min
Where Trump & Bowser Agree, City Cast 6 Reactions, and Co-Living Trend
We’re talking about what a Trump return-to-work order might mean for local DC, a novel type of apartment about to make its local debut — and some reactions to our annual end-of-year awards: The City Cast 6, presented by Christopher Nace and the trial lawyers at Paulson & Nace. 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 December 13th episode:Paulson & NaceJones Dairy FarmDistrict BridgesInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Dec 12, 2024 • 19min
DC's Coziest Bars and Fireplaces
It’s cold! And wet! But we’ve got you covered, figuratively and kind of literally, too: The City Cast team put together a collection of cozy winter spots where you can drink, eat, and hang out until the weather turns. 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 December 12th episode:Paulson & NaceJones Dairy FarmDistrict BridgesInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Dec 11, 2024 • 18min
Where to Eat in Southeast
Southeast DC is home to some of the city’s most interesting spots to check out. LaVondra Shinholster, a DC influencer who you might know as @typicalblaqueen, is from the area. We sat down to discuss her favorite Southeast gems and why the quadrant reflects the tensions of the city itself. 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 December 11th episode:District BridgesPaulson & NaceJones Dairy FarmInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Dec 10, 2024 • 17min
How a Football Powerhouse Scammed Its Way To the Top
A crazy high school football scandal has been roiling the Northern Virginia suburbs all year. It’s like a movie plot: The new coach at Hayfield High School is accused of having recruited a team of ringers to romp to the championship by beating other teams by 75 points. But the whole scam fell apart thanks in part to the work of a small local newspaper. Dave McKenna from The Defector has been covering it and is here to lay out the whole gory saga.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 December 10th episode:District BridgesPaulson & NaceJones Dairy FarmInterested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
