City Cast DC

City Cast DC

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.

Episodes

October 17, 2025 32 mins
We’re talking about whether DC’s mayor is actually going to hang it up after this term, we’re talking about the weird economics of DC’s cannabis stores, some news about one type of transit that’s going away and another that just might be on the horizon — and in a members-only fourth segment, we’ll take you inside the final act of the Big Balls assault trial.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsle...
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In the second episode of our special three-part series sponsored by the Public Welfare Foundation, City Cast DC executive producer Annie Rees talks with Stefanie Mavronis, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement in Baltimore, and David Muhammad, Executive Director of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform. They discuss how Baltimore has achieved three consecutive years of declining gun viol...
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People don’t really think of DC as a Friday Night Lights kinda town, but it actually has a pretty robust high school football scene, with big crowds turning local games into a scene. Until this year, at least: The DCPS season has been upended by a bunch of fights in the stands – which has led to night games being curtailed and the whole atmosphere being less fun. The Washington Post’s Matt Cohen is here to give us the blow by blow ...
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Trump’s deployment of the national guard and ICE had some obvious targets. But in the background, homeless folks were also feeling the pain. There were displacements and arrests of homeless encampments, all in the name of keeping the city clean and crime free. Franziska Wild and Madi Koesler from Street Sense Media are here break down what happened over that month and where DC’s homeless population stands now. This story is part ...
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October 14, 2025 41 mins
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 n...
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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...
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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...
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October 9, 2025 26 mins
Summer’s over, but that doesn’t mean camping has to be. Whether you’re an experienced outdoorswoman like me or just testing the waters with a little car camping, there’s still time to get outside. We’re here with Leo Murray, founder of Kibiboyz and leader of Concrete Escapes, who’s helping DC city folks reconnect with nature one campfire at a time. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC...
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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 ...
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New reporting from the Washington Post and the New York Timesalleges that MPD is still very much still collaborating with ICE. Teo Armus from the Washington Post is here to talk through MPD and ICE enforcement in DC and what the future looks like. 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 abou...
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October 6, 2025 29 mins
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. Wa...
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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 becom...
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October 2, 2025 32 mins
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 ...
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October 1, 2025 32 mins
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 e...
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Imagine walking through the woods and stumbling across a few tombstones. That’s what happened outside the old House of Reformation, where more than 230 bodies of young black boys are buried. But you wouldn’t know it given the condition of the area. Michael Brice-Saddler from the Washington Post is here to dig up the secrets that lie beneath that ground and tells us a story that has largely been overlooked until now.  Want some mor...
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September 29, 2025 25 mins
The Fort Dupont Ice Rink has been in shambles for years. But it has a storied history: it’s home to one of the oldest black hockey clubs in the states. The rink needed a little TLC but never got it, until now. But there’s another delay for when it’ll open again, and Martin Austermuhle from the 51st is here to tell us why it’s taken so long to get this historic rink back on its feet. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign u...
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Welp, that was fast — the new stadium just got approved and already there are delays in the new neighborhood DC was supposed to get as a result. We’re going to talk about why, and what it means for DC even as the Trump administration threatens new mass firings if there’s a government shutdown. Plus, we’re going to talk about the end of the streatery program. And there’s a new list circulating of the best DC movies, books, and songs...
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The city government actually has a way to predict, pretty accurately, just who is going to get into an accident. And DC’s AG Brian Schwalb has recently launched even more lawsuits to curb this behavior. But can they get them off the road? That’s the tricky part. Washington Post transportation reporter Rachel Weiner is here to explain a fascinating recent DC experiment in automotive behavior.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure...
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September 24, 2025 29 mins
Federal immigration crackdowns are adding even more strain to DC’s already fragile and not to mention costly child care system. Now, many child care workers are worried they could be targeted. Reporter Chabeli Carrazana from The 19th breaks down what this all means for families and providers in the city. 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 ...
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September 23, 2025 27 mins
Fall in D.C. really does feel special. And if you’re dreaming of a fall getaway but trying to stick to a budget, don’t worry, City Cast contributor Tim Ebner has rounded up the best trips you can take from D.C. this season for around $150. 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 sp...
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