

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.
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
Mentioned books

Oct 30, 2023 • 17min
Could A New Bill Save Local News?
The D.C. Council is considering a bill that would allocate government funding for local news outlets, and residents would get to pick which ones get money. City Paper's Alex Koma helps explain.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 HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Oct 27, 2023 • 20min
New Crime Bill, Zebra Saga Ends, and Leaf Collection Guide
We’re joined by Axios’ Cuneyt Dil and City Cast contributor Dan Reed to talk through the D.C. mayor’s sweeping new anti-crime proposal, the latest twist in the story of the Beltway zebras, and Dan has thoughts on leaf collection.As always our roundups are powered by the great local journalism in the area:
Check out Cuneyt’s reporting on the new crime bill proposed by Mayor Bowser.
We also covered the uptick in store thefts on the pod with Emily Davies of the Washington Post.
The Department of Public Works has this handy guide for how to handle leaf collection.
The Washington Post explains the acquittal of Jerry Lee Holly, the owner of the escaped Maryland zebras.
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 HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Oct 26, 2023 • 24min
Why We Hate D.C.’s New Slogan
D.C. is rolling out a new slogan this November, to entice more international tourists to visit. But our hosts Michael and Bridget are ... less than thrilled about it.If you’re interested in signing up for Alliance Francaise’s Paris trip, French language classes, or any of their other educational opportunities, head to francedc.org. 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 HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Oct 25, 2023 • 10min
A New Home for D.C.'s Coolest Artifacts
D.C.'s got some incredible historical artifacts. Think Duke Ellington’s birth certificate, a will for Alexander Graham Bell, and even some 2,000-year-old hunting camps. But right now, there’s not one central place where D.C.’s archives all live. Axios’ Cuneyt Dil has been following the plan to build a new, high-tech building to change that. 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 HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Oct 24, 2023 • 27min
RFK Stadium Frustration, Fake Headlines, and Listener Emails
There was a HEATED community meeting last week about RFK stadium, and the team breaks it all down. Plus, we’re playing a new “news” game, and hearing directly from YOU, our listeners, about our episode about the National Landing neighborhood in Northern Virginia.Click here to learn more about Loggia Townes!Check out the local news that powers our roundups:
The Washington Post has you covered on what went down at the community meeting regarding RFK Stadium.
Got thoughts on some of our recent episodes? Tell us by sending an email.
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 HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Oct 23, 2023 • 13min
How D.C.’s Parole System Could Change
D.C.’s parole system is run by the federal government, just like the prison system as a whole, and that has impacts for all of us. There’s an effort in DC to take control back from the Feds. Emilia Calma of DC Policy Center tell us why, and if it could really happen. 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.

Oct 20, 2023 • 23min
Wawa Fight, Statehood Struggles, and a Transformed Museum
We’re talking about a fight at a Wawa — or at least about how that fight was covered, and what it says about where DC’s at right now. Plus, we chat through the state of statehood and a great big museum reopening. As always our roundups are powered by great local reporting:
Check out the Washington Post’s play-by-play of the WaWa fight.
Washington City Paper explains what’s happening with DC Vote.
And the new National Museum of Women in the Arts is open!
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 HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Oct 19, 2023 • 18min
D.C.’s Most Haunted Spots
Halloween is here! Which means it’s time to tell scary stories. And rather than make brand-new ones, we chatted last October with Washingtonian senior editor Andrew Beaujon about the best creepy urban legends.Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter.And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 2026422654.

Oct 18, 2023 • 23min
Is The DMV’s Next Great Downtown in NoVa?
Is National Landing the next big thing in the DMV? That bit of Northern Virginia — including Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Potomac Yard — is on a mission to be the next great live-and-work center. Axios’ Cuneyt Dil says it’s hoping to compete with D.C.’s downtown. To learn more about our sponsor Alliance Francaise, the group's trip to Paris, or any of the classes it offers, go to francedc.org.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.And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Oct 17, 2023 • 25min
Local Palestine-Israel Efforts, Stop Sign Cameras, and Best Speakeasies
The weight of what’s happening in Israel and Palestine is so heavy that it’s palpable for many of us here in D.C. We’ve got some suggestions for what YOU can do to aid the peace and humanitarian efforts. Plus, we’re talking about some tricky stop sign cameras in D.C., and the best speakeasies now that the Gibson is shuttering its doors.
Priyanka wrote up this piece, summarizing all of the Palestine and Israel aid efforts we mentioned today.
Bridget’s got you covered on how to spot disinformation with her podcast There Are No Girls On The Internet.
Check out Alan Henny’s “stop sign” video. Should he contest the fine? Tell us what you think.
The Gibson is closing and we are SAD.
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 HEREAnd we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.


