City Cast DC

City Cast
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Sep 9, 2025 • 26min

DC’s $1.1 Billion Con

The Commanders kicked off their season over the weekend with a big win over the New York Giants. It’s setting the stage for an interesting council vote in the next month over funding a new stadium at the RFK site. The fight now isn’t over whether there should be a stadium, but in how much more DC can extract on things like affordable housing. It got us wondering: did DC get a good deal out of this? Michael Friedman from the University of Maryland is here to explain what the council might want to change in the next vote. 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 September 9th episode: Mosaic Theater Company Food & Friends - Move For Meals Washington Nationals Library of Congress The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
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Sep 8, 2025 • 24min

How Maryland Can Protect DC From Trump

Everyone knows about DC’s push for statehood, but the current crisis got us thinking about a question we asked a few months ago: Should DC rejoin Maryland? It’s called Retrocession, the once-taboo idea that instead of becoming the 51st state, Washington should simply join Maryland. For years, David Krucoff has been the lonely champion of this cause. He joined City Cast earlier this year 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 $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this September 8th episode: District Bridges Food & Friends - Move For Meals Washington Nationals Library of Congress The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
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Sep 5, 2025 • 35min

National Guard Extension, House Interference, and No Phones Bar

We’re talking about Mayor Bowser and indefinite National Guard presence — and Congress’ coming attempts to write a bunch of laws to change the District. We’re talking about gun prosecutions in DC. And we’re talking about a bar that will lock up your phone. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we’ll listen to Neil Young’s new DC-takeover protest song and a few others from the city’s past.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, to get our take on D.C.’s newest protest song, for as little as $10 a month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this September 5th episode: Nace Law Group District Bridges DC Sustainable Energy Utility Mosaic Theater Company Food & Friends - Move For Meals Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
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Sep 4, 2025 • 31min

DC’s Most Underrated Arts Scene

You might not think of D.C. as a city with a thriving literary scene, but it is. Not only is the world-renowned National Book Festival happening here this Saturday, September 6th, but according to writer Hannah Greico, D.C. also has a robust literary community. She’s here to give her best book and poetry recommendations from local authors. If you enjoyed today's interview with Backroom's Founder, Ethan Downs, learn more here. 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. If you enjoyed today's interview with Backroom's Founder, Ethan Downs, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this September 4th episode: Nace Law Group District Bridges DC Sustainable Energy Utility Mosaic Theater Company Food & Friends - Move For Meals Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
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Sep 3, 2025 • 26min

How Trump is Censoring the Smithsonian

The fate of the Smithsonian is one of the biggest DC storylines of the year. A lot has happened since the last time reporter Manuel Roig-Franzia joined us to talk about it. Today he’s getting into President Trump’s latest demands on Washington’s most prominent museums and when we’re likely to see what happens in response.  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 September 3rd episode: Nace Law Group District Bridges DC Sustainable Energy Utility Mosaic Theater Company Food & Friends - Move For Meals Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Reach us at DC@citycast.fm.
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Sep 2, 2025 • 35min

Your Guide to September 2025 in DC

There’s been a lot going on in the city lately, but we aren’t letting that keep us from enjoying this city we love. So from new restaurants with bugs to checking out subversive art while it’s still legal, here are our top picks for what to do in DC this September. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast community. For even more tips on how to make the most of September in DC, check out Hey DC’s take on what to do this month.  If you enjoyed today's interview with District Bridges' Director of Storytelling and Marketing, Anna Claire, learn more here. Learn more about the sponsors of this September 2nd episode: Nace Law Group District Bridges DC Sustainable Energy Utility Mosaic Theater Company Food & Friends - Move For Meals Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Reach us at DC@citycast.fm.
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Aug 29, 2025 • 31min

Trump's Death Penalty Push, Feds Take Union Station, and the Food Hall Fad

WAMU’s Alex Koma is here to talk about Trump, Bowser and the death penalty in DC, the federal government’s Union Station takeover, and the strange death of food halls. Plus, in a members-only fourth topic, we’re learning about the weird new AI private school in Virginia.  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 August 28th episode: Overlook Maps DC Sustainable Energy Utility Wise Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
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Aug 28, 2025 • 22min

Must-Hear Jazz in DC

To mark the start of Jazz Fest, we’re re-airing a conversation our co-hosts Michael Schaffer and Bridget Todd had about earlier this summer, where they get into the history and present of jazz in DC and the best ways to experience it. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 28th episode: Overlook Maps DC Sustainable Energy Utility Wise  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE
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Aug 27, 2025 • 31min

Why Cashless Bail is Trump’s Latest DC Target

Earlier this week, President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at eliminating cashless bail in D.C. and requesting that officers bring people arrested in D.C. into federal custody. But what is cashless bail? And can he actually do this? WAMU’s Alex Koma is here 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 August 27th episode: Overlook Maps DC Sustainable Energy Utility Wise Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
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Aug 26, 2025 • 29min

Trump's 'Beautify DC' is Displacing People. Where Do They Go?

President Trump is clearing homeless encampments as part of his plan to make DC "more beautiful”. But he’s not alone – Mayor Muriel Bowser has also cleared encampments in DC, most notably a big spate in March of this year. But what are the numbers, where are folks going, and are there enough shelters for them to go to? We talked with the Washington Post’s Marissa Lang to get the details. 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 August 26th episode: Overlook Maps DC Sustainable Energy Utility Wise Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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