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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.

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Yesterday · 31 min
Secretary Lonnie Bunch on Fighting For the Smithsonian’s Future
Lonnie Bunch, the outgoing secretary of the Smithsonian, has been at the red-hot center of national political fights over culture. But in DC, he’s also the head of an institution that shapes the calendar of our city — and employs a lot of our neighbors. Secretary Bunch joins us to talk about his experience combating escalating pressure from the Trump administration, the role of museums, and whether Washingtonians should be scared that our city’s majestic cultural institution is about to be diminished in his absence. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. 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 21st episode: Nace Law Group Pinky Swear Productions - Use code "Crambone" to get $10 off the ticket price! Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20. Washington National Opera Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Tuesday · 39 min
Could New Taxes Fix D.C.’s Budget?
On Friday, the D.C. Council held a daylong session on raising taxes, and imposing new ones. It’s an issue council members usually wait until the last minute to address, but the real deadline comes next year, when a new mayor and a new Council need to figure out how to keep funding the programs D.C. residents have come to love, even though our current slew of taxes is bringing in less and less money to pay for it. Yesim Sayin of the DC Policy Center joins us to walk us through the options. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. 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 20th episode: Nace Law Group Pinky Swear Productions - Use code "Crambone" to get $10 off the ticket price! Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20. Washington National Opera Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Monday · 39 min
The Washington Post Food Critic Dishes On the 40 Best Local Restaurants
What restaurants make Washington, D.C. the city it is? That’s the question the Washington Post’s food critic Elazar Sontag set out to answer with his guide to the 40 best restaurants in the D.C. area. We get into how he put it together, the can't-miss dishes and spots that made the cut, and what he’s learned about the city’s food culture in his first year on the job. Read Elazar’s guide to the Top 40 local restaurants: https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/interactive/best-dc-restaurants/ Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. 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 19th episode: Nace Law Group Pinky Swear Productions Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20. Washington National Opera Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
Sunday · 25 min
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Salt Lakers are Adopting Storm Drains — Presented By City Cast DC
How much ownership or responsibility do you feel as a resident of D.C.? In Salt Lake City, people are being asked to “adopt a storm drain” to help keep city streets free of floods and trash — and to possibly slow the drying and pollution of the Great Salt Lake. City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta says it’s worth a shot. This week, she joins David to discuss how quick, periodic cleaning of a neighborhood sewer grate can be part of a much bigger solution. Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form. Mentioned on the show: SLC’s Adopt A Storm Drain map: https://www.slc.gov/utilities/adoptastormdrain/ Ali’s past Your City Could Be Better episode on making a park census: https://yccbb.citycast.fm/podcasts/why-every-region-needs-a-park-map-tool-like-salt-lakes-plus-dry-heat-vs-humidity Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
Friday · 34 min
The GOP Takes On Jury Nullification, JLG’s Housing Promise, and Name That Red Panda
On today's episode, we get into the House Republicans who, on the heels of the Trayon White mistrial, allege that two D.C. activist groups are advocating for the practice of jury nullification. We’re also talking about presumptive-mayor Janeese Lewis George's affordable housing promises. And the zoo asks for the public’s help… in naming their red panda cub. Plus, in a member’s only fourth segment, you might have heard of the guy who got his Balenciaga shoes stolen in Chinatown this week. We’ll dig into D.C.’s spike in youth crime, and how the city is responding. I’m joined by my City Cast colleagues Jaclyn Peiser and Emma Uber. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. 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 16th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Pinky Swear Productions Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
October 15 · 27 min
What A New Folger Exhibition Reveals About Black Women And Shakespeare
What do Black women and Shakespeare have to do with each other? A new exhibition at D.C.’s Folger Shakespeare Library explores that little-known history, tracing Black women’s engagement with the Bard across centuries. Dr. Patricia Akhimie, director of the Folger Institute and curator of To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare, discusses the exhibit and a new way to consider Shakespeare's legacy. Listen to the exhibition playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5xfhdikyCG7ltF5jpjoQtV Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. 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 15th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Pinky Swear Productions Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
October 14 · 29 min
Is Judge Reyes' Naivete To Blame For 400 Trees Chopped Down At East Potomac?
On Tuesday, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from cutting any trees at East Potomac Golf Links, where the president wants to replace a public park with a luxury golf course. But to some critics, the question is: What took Judge Ana Reyes so long? The order came days after the administration cut down more than 400 trees on the golf course — a move that sent the judge into a newsworthy fury. City Cast’s Jaclyn Peiser joins us to talk through the latest. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. Find out how in the description. You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. 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: Folger Shakespeare Library Nace Law Group Pinky Swear Productions Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
October 13 · 26 min
It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s A Stealth Bomber Flyover
You’re not imagining it — there are a lot more flyovers in D.C. these days. President Trump is the biggest fan of them that the White House has ever had. And while your 8-year-old may be into it, many aren’t — including Mother Jones reporter Stephanie Mencimer. On today's pod, she digs into the data with us to calculate the true toll of all these flyovers. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. 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 13th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library Nace Law Group Pinky Swear Productions Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
October 11 · 24 min
‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast DC
Another D.C. school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict no-phone school day can work, and they’ve got the (mostly) positive feedback to show for it. City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson joins David to talk about how St. Paul Central High School is succeeding at enforcing a phone-free school environment, the surprising ways that some students approach it, and how these kinds of bans can even affect adults like Sean. Listeners, it’s that time again! Send us the dilemmas you’re facing living in a city, and we might debate them on our upcoming call-in show. Email us or submit using this Google Form. Mentioned on the show: Kids using public radio comment sections as ad hoc communication Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
October 9 · 32 min
JLG's Campaign Fine Reversed, More Parking Tickets Ahead, and D.C.'s Most Expensive Bread Costs How Much?
This week, we unpack the tensions that led the Council to narrowly pass a bill letting businesses and college campuses pay extra for more parking enforcement. We also discuss why D.C.’s Board of Elections threw out a $16,000 fine against likely next mayor Janeese Lewis George. And we tackle a question that’s been rising to the top of D.C.’s debate: where can you score a great loaf of fresh bread without spending all your dough? Plus, in a member’s only fourth segment, hockey legend Alex Ovechkin says this season will be his last with the Caps – how are fans, enemies, and ticket prices responding? We're joined by City Cast reporter Ben Brasch and Axios DC reporter Cuneyt Dil. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. 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 9th episode: Theatre Washington Folger Shakespeare Library The Escape Game Nace Law Group Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
October 8 · 38 min
JLG Has Big Plans for D.C. Transit
D.C.'s likely next mayor, Janeese Lewis George, has been dropping hints about how she'll handle one of D.C.’s most fraught issues – transit. The 51st’s Alex Koma is here to talk about her agenda, and the politics around it. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. 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: Theatre Washington The Escape Game Nace Law Group Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
October 7 · 39 min
With the Kennedy Center Closed, What’s Next for D.C. Theater?
In partnership with Theatre Washington, City Cast DC theater critic Chris Klimek sat down for a live conversation Monday night at D.C.’s Studio Theatre to chat with some of the most prominent voices in the city’s theater scene right now. They discuss how the closure of the Kennedy Center is rippling through local theater, the richness of the D.C. theater scene, changes in theater leadership across the region, and more. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. 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 7th episode: Theatre Washington The Escape Game Nace Law Group Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
October 6 · 27 min
Why Is D.C. So Lonely?
Living in any big city has its moments of loneliness — but according to some studies, D.C. might be the loneliest city in the U.S. Washingtonian recently covered D.C.'s loneliness epidemic, and lifestyle editor Daniella Byck is here to talk about why making friends here can be so hard, and what we can do to make connections. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. 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: Theatre Washington Folger Shakespeare Library Shakespeare Theatre Company The Escape Game Nace Law Group Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
October 5 · 40 min
The Real Status Symbols in Trump-Era D.C.
D.C. has always had an in-crowd with its own hangouts, habits, and status symbols. But the in-crowd of the Trump White House has different tastes than what DC is used to. Vanity Fair’s Aidan McLaughlin has been reporting on the folkways of Trump’s D.C., and he’s here to share his findings. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. 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 5th episode: Theatre Washington Folger Shakespeare Library Shakespeare Theatre Company The Escape Game Nace Law Group Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
October 4 · 23 min
‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast DC
When D.C. looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City did in order to integrate flood mitigation into public housing. Inspired by places like Rotterdam, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) collaborated with other groups to give Queens a state-of-the-art, climate-resilient amenity — in this case, a basketball court. David talks with Katy Burgio from NYCHA and Runit Chhaya of Grain Collective, one of the involved design firms, about the larger infrastructure the court is a part of and how it’s setting up NYC for climate resilience. Mentioned on the show: Water Square and its creative facilitators: https://www.dezeen.com/2025/11/25/grain-collective-basketball-courts-flood-prevention/ Rotterdam’s own “water square”: https://landezine.com/water-square-benthemplein-by-de-urbanisten/ Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.
October 2 · 39 min
Trump Targets Mosquitoes, D.C. Courts Can’t Keep Up, And Next Steps For Trayon White?
Now that Trayon White’s bribery trial ended in a hung jury, what’s next for the Ward 8 Councilman? We’ll get into it. Speaking of D.C. courts, we’ll take a look at the problems they’re having staffing up. And Trump’s latest executive order takes aim at the District’s mosquito infestation -- we've got the latest. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we’ll get into the connection between Sweetgreen and RFK Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again movement. We're joined by City Cast reporter Emma Uber and contributor Marc Fisher. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. 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: Washington National Opera Theatre Washington Folger Shakespeare Library The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Shakespeare Theatre Company Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
October 1 · 31 min
How Lime Is Tackling E-Bike And Scooter Safety Issues In D.C.
Lime scooters and bikes are a fixture of D.C.’s landscape. They’re great for getting somewhere in a hurry, but safety issues persist. Lime is trying to address these concerns this year with a $17-million dollar investment in operations here in D.C. City Cast’s Alyssa Fowers has been reporting on their efforts, and she’s here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. 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 1st episode: Washington National Opera Theatre Washington Folger Shakespeare Library The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Shakespeare Theatre Company Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
September 30 · 31 min
Your Guide To D.C. In October 2026
We’re back with our regular monthly guide for October, but this time we tried something a little different. We answer questions submitted by readers on local and seasonal topics – then dish out the answers you asked for, and probably some you didn’t! City Cast D.C.’s Kaela Cote-Stemmermann is here to talk cozy fall lattes, where to see foliage this October without a car, and everything in between. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. 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 30th episode: Washington National Opera Theatre Washington Folger Shakespeare Library The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Shakespeare Theatre Company Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
September 29 · 34 min
What Comes Next for Trayon White?
The bribery trial of Ward 8 Councilman Trayon White ended yesterday with a hung jury and a mistrial. This will have repercussions in city politics, not to mention in the lives of Trayon White and his associates. City Cast D.C. reporter Emma Uber watched the entire trial, and she’s here to talk about how it ended. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. 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 29th episode: Washington National Opera Theatre Washington Folger Shakespeare Library The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University Shakespeare Theatre Company Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
September 28 · 26 min
D.C.’s Rat Czar Explains The War On Rodents
If you’re scared of rats, then I’ve got bad news – D.C. is one of the most rat-infested cities in America, at least as far as complaints go. But there’s an organization at the Department of Health that’s fighting the good fight. And there’s a man at the top of that organization – Andre Pitman. Sometimes he’s known as D.C.’s rat czar. Andre is here today to go over how the District is cutting down on rodent populations, and what you – yes you! – can do to help. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪⁠(202) 642-2654‬⁠. 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 28th episode: ⁠Washington National Opera⁠ ⁠Theatre Washington⁠ ⁠Folger Shakespeare Library⁠ ⁠The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University⁠ ⁠Shakespeare Theatre Company⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

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