City Cast DC

Driverless taxis are coming to DC! At least, that's what Waymo, the California-based autonomous vehicle company, announced last year. The company revealed hopes of  expanding into the District, despite DC's current laws requiring a human driver behind the wheel for all vehicles. So will these robotaxis actually arrive? Andy Hawkins has been covering Waymo for The Verge, and CityCast's own Priyanka Tilve has logged serious hours riding in Waymos around Austin. They’re bringing their expertise front and center to tell us if DC is serious about driverless cars. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey 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 February 11th episode: Library of Congress Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Museum of Art Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What happens when you add DC's hyper-competitive personalities, with big bank accounts, and real estate anxiety? You get Best Offer Wins, the hit thriller by Marisa Kashino, a former Washingtonian real estate reporter who knows this world inside and out. It's full of twisty plots, cutthroat competition, and references that'll make any Washingtonian nod in recognition. The book is even in talks to become a Hulu series starring Greta Lee. Kashino’s here to talk about how DC inspired this deliciously dark story. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey 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 February 10th episode: Library of Congress Nace Law Group Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Museum of Art Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Karina Elwood, a former Washington Post reporter who covered school renaming legal fights, unpacks the Stonewall Jackson rename-and-restore dispute in Virginia. She walks through the courtroom claims, the judge’s compelled-speech language, and the school’s segregation-era origins. Listeners get the timeline of the trial and why this case could shape future renaming battles.

They unpack dramatic newsroom cuts and what losing local coverage means for Washington life. They cover a jaw-dropping investigation into excessive city spending on so-called violence interrupter programs. They debate oversight failures and political fallout tied to local leaders. They also have fun with a baby elephant naming contest at the National Zoo.

Jack Shafer, a veteran media critic with about 40 years covering the Washington Post, reflects on the massive staff cuts at the paper. He walks through which sections were eliminated and the history of newsroom contraction. He discusses how unbundling sections changes value and why reduced metro coverage will weaken local accountability.

Maya Thompson, an archivist for the MLK Library’s People’s Archive focused on Black Studies. Derek Gray, a longtime D.C. Public Library collections specialist and exhibit curator. They talk about the MLK Library as a living archive of Black DC life. They discuss the Up From the People exhibit, music and activism in local exhibits, and surprising artifacts like letters and historic rules.

Alex Koma, WAMU reporter covering D.C. politics and on-the-ground news. He discusses Trump’s plan to close the Kennedy Center and the board, artists and staff fleeing the institution. Conversation covers whether federal rules would allow major changes. They also examine how the recent snow response exposed plowing inequities and the city’s political fallout, plus the National Guard’s bill and its value.

A lively roundup of February happenings in DC with picks for Lunar New Year parades, museum pop-ups, and standout shows. Highlights on Black History Month programming and a reenacted Walk with Woodson tour. New restaurant openings and must-try bites get tasty shoutouts. Plus tips for community events, line dancing nights, and local watch parties for the Winter Olympics.

Junait Deel, a local government reporter covering D.C. civic operations, breaks down the snow cleanup chaos and why communication and equipment failed. He also walks through looming Washington Post cuts and what they mean for local coverage. Finally, he details an appalling Chinatown apartment building and the city’s enforcement gaps.

John Norton, son of longtime D.C. delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, offers a family perspective on a politics career that ran too long. He reflects on her shifting energy, the toll of relentless public life, and the private struggles of convincing a powerful parent to step aside. Brief, candid, and personal takes on longevity in office and life after service.