City Cast DC

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.

Teo Armus, a reporter for The Washington Post, dives into the troubling ongoing collaboration between the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and ICE in D.C. He shares startling evidence of eyewitness accounts and video showing continued enforcement despite prior claims of a halt. Teo discusses the surge in arrests and the shifting tactics being employed, alongside the challenges of tracking ICE detentions. He also notes the political and legal tensions these practices create and speculates on the future of MPD-ICE relations in the city.

It’s the question everyone’s been asking since DOGE first showed up: How screwed is DC? A new program at the Brookings Institution called DMV Monitor pulls together a ton of data to help answer the question. And their most recent report is kind of a jaw-dropper. The region’s unemployment has shot up nine times faster than the rest of the country, with more to come. Brookings Fellow Tracy Hadden Loh is here to break it all 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 $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this October 6th 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.

We’re talking about the government shutting down — and what the city is going to do about it. We’re talking about a ride-share service being shut down — and why they’re mad at the city about it. Plus, a new music venue and in a fourth segment, we’ll talk about great DC challenges (and we don’t mean, like, balancing the budget).  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 3rd episode: Wise Library of Congress Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The government shutdown affects the whole country, but it’s an especially big deal in DC. Our city is already reeling, and now we’re facing an event that threatens to scare off tourists and possibly lead to mass layoffs. How is the local government reacting? And what does the shutdown mean for your day-to-day even if you’re still employed? NBC4’s Mark Segraves is here to brief us. 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 2nd episode: Wise Library of Congress Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

October in DC is just lovely. The weather is good. The leaves are turning. And even though the city is still reeling from the federal takeover, we are still finding joy and ways to connect with this city we call home. So from fast cars to throwing back a few drinks with a former US president, we give you OUR top picks for what to do in DC this October . 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.  Learn more about the sponsors of this October 1st episode: Wise Library of Congress Folger Shakespeare Library Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Reach us at DC@citycast.fm