

City Cast DC
City Cast
City Cast DC is the daily, local audio companion you knew DC needed.. 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. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at dc.citycast.fm.
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. Learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter at dc.citycast.fm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 18, 2024 • 14min
What To Know About D.C.'s Impending Budget Crisis
It looks like D.C.’s city budget is about to have a big fat hole in it. If you feel like we were swimming in cash not so long ago, you’re right. Tristan Navera from the Business Journal is here to tell us how this happened and what could be on the chopping block. 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. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Mar 15, 2024 • 21min
Fare Evasion, Baseball Tax, and Pricey Parking Spaces
We’re talking Metro fare evasion, the future of Nats Park, and the cost of a parking space. City Cast Contributor Dan Reed and our senior producer Julia Karron are here to give us the latest.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. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREWe’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Mar 14, 2024 • 14min
How to Avoid Trash Collection Fines
Are you confused about your trash? What goes in what can, when should you use bags, and just what are you supposed to do with batteries? We sat down with Marlon Wright, the city’s solid waste administrator, to get the dirt on garbage. If you need help figuring out what to do with your garbage, reach out to the Department of Public Works.Want to keep up with all things DC? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Mar 13, 2024 • 12min
Why You Should Explore 16th Street Heights
Big changes could be coming to 16th Street Heights. Businesses on the 4700 and 4600 blocks of 14th are doing a big push to revitalize this stretch and bring more commercial and residential development. City Cast contributor Austin Graff, who runs a popular Instagram account about exploring D.C., is here to tell us about all of the neighborhood's vibrant spots you should check out.You can find Austin on Instagram @austinkgraff!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.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Mar 12, 2024 • 18min
Is the Monumental Sports Arena Deal Dead?
The deal to move the Capitals and the Wizards to Virginia isn’t looking good. Last week, both VA’s senate and house removed language about adding an arena to the state’s budget, potentially killing the deal for good. Michael Pope from Virginia Public Radio is here to explain where everything went wrong and if this plan still has a chance.Want to stay up to date on everything DC? 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.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Mar 11, 2024 • 15min
Why D.C.'s Crime Lab Is In Trouble
A few years ago, D.C. set up its own crime lab to process evidence and help investigators work cases faster. After fumbling multiple cases, the lab embarrassingly lost its accreditation last year. Now, part of the operation is coming back online. Washington City Paper’s Alex Koma is here to explain what it means for crime in the district.Want to stay up to date on everything DC? 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.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Mar 8, 2024 • 26min
Crime Bill Passes, Service Fee Cap, and Office-to-Art Conversion
D.C. Council passed two major bills this week — one that’s supposed to fight crime, and another that deals, yet again, with restaurant service charges. Plus, the Artomatic show opens today, transforming an empty office building downtown. Emily Davies of the Post and Anna Spiegel of Axios are here to explain.Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC to get hip to all the latest from around the city. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREHit us up on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dcAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Mar 7, 2024 • 23min
The Development Fight Tearing Chevy Chase Apart
There’s an epic fight over the redevelopment of the public library in Chevy Chase —- a fight that involves affordable housing, NIMBYism and historic preservation. The Washington Post’s Meagan Flynn is here to explain why it might give a glimpse into the future of development in D.C.After the interview, senior executive producer Priyanka Tilve joins for a conversation sponsored by Alliance Francaise, about the organization’s exciting summer opportunities. Check out Alliance Francaise at francedc.org.Don’t forget 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.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Mar 6, 2024 • 16min
How D.C. Broke Sports Betting
GambetDC, the District’s sports betting platform, is marred with issues. So much so that the city was willing to find a new contractor. But it turns out that maybe they’re too late and will have to stick with Intralot for another year. We chatted with Danny Funt last year to discuss why GambetDC was a mess in the first place.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.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Mar 5, 2024 • 22min
How the Smithsonian is Rectifying its Racist Past
It sounds like something out of a horror movie, but throughout the early 20th century, the Smithsonian acquired more than 280 human brains as a part of racist eugenics studies. More than a quarter of the brains still held by the Smithsonian today belonged to people in the DMV. Now, a Smithsonian task force says those remains should be repatriated. The Washington Post's Nicole Dungca is here to explain the reporting that triggered an investigation.After the interview, our executive producer Priyanka Tilve chats with the folks from our sponsor Tudor Place about about the creative and eye-opening guided tour they’ve got running through April 21.Learn more about Tudor Place’s Ancestral Spaces tour and buy tickets today.For more DC news, 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.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.