City Cast DC

Pandemic-era changes in where people live may be messing with DC’s budget, self-driving cars may soon be messing with DC’s roads, and lots of folks hope the new Washington Commanders owners will mess with the team’s name. Also, what do you think about D.C. building out more pedestrian zones? Would that revitalize downtown? Would it get people to move back to D.C.? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-642-2654. to share your thoughts.As always, our Friday roundup is powered by amazing local journalism:  Cuneyt Dil’s piece about how D.C. lost $1.6B in taxable income because of pandemic migration WBJ’s Tristan Navera told us all about how D.C.’s tax structure could change, in this episode about the city losing jobs and businesses to Virginia Read this letter from local leaders begging the federal government to force workers back into the office TechCrunch covered what Cruise’s D.C. expansion could look like Check out Time’s piece about how former Tuskegee Airmen feel about renaming the Commanders the “Red Tails” 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.

Streateries were a feature of the pandemic. Three years on, they’re still with us — and city planners are looking at ways to make them permanent. Joe Sternlieb and Faith Broderick from the Georgetown Business Improvement District are here to talk about what that means for diners and restaurants — as well as drivers looking for a place to park.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.

The COVID-19 hospitalization rate in D.C. rose 29% earlier this summer. But it definitely doesn’t feel like a pandemic out here. Everything’s open, people are out and about. So how seriously are we supposed to take all this? Politico’s health reporter Chelsea Cirruzzo joins us at our live taping at Sonny’s Pizza to talk it all out.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.

The 911 call center is back in the news after the flooding that killed 10 pups at District Dogs daycare on August 14th. A dispatcher error delayed the emergency response, and it’s not the first time that’s happened. Veteran journalist Dave Statter has been covering the call center’s troubles for decades, and in this interview originally aired in February, he tells us why it’s such a mess.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 202-642-2654.

Poplar Point is a federally-owned waterfront property in Anacostia. It’s also one of the most contested spaces in D.C. because everybody agrees it’s prime real estate but nobody can agree on what should go there. Tristan Navera explains some of the options and who’s fighting for what. Learn more about Summer Restaurant Week, check out which restaurants are participating, and browse menus at our sponsor RAMW’s website: www.rwdmv.com.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.

A new poll says most Americans think DC is a safe city to live in, but around here, it seems all people are talking about is crime. So how bad is it really? Bridget Todd, Priyanka Tilve, and Julia Karron are here to chat about that, plus some major drama in DC’s Little League and also the best pizza in town.As always, our Friday news roundups are powered by the fabulous local reporting around here:  Check out the latest Gallup poll about America’s safest cities. Frederick Kunkle of the Washington Post delves into Northwest Washington’s Little League drama. Eater D.C. compiled a list of essential D.C. pizza spots.  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.

Locals Siddharth Muchhal and Bobo Stankovikj set out to visit every Bikeshare dock in the DMV. Why did they do it and what tips and tricks do they have for the rest of us? Host Michael Schaffer found out for us.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.

Roller skating became all the rage during the pandemic, but for D.C., this wasn’t really a new thing. Just ask D.C. skate enthusiast, Salleta Coleman. She tells us why the District has always had a special connection to skating. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter.We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc.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.

The word “iconic” gets used too much in D.C. But in the case of Ben’s Chili Bowl, the U Street Mecca for late-night half-smokes, it fits. Bridget and Mike sat down with Virginia Ali, the matriarch of the restaurant which turns 65 today! They talk about the early days serving Howard University students, living through the fires of 1968, and what business is like in spiffed-up 21st century U Street. 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 HEREWe’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dcAnd 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.

Houselessness is still below pre-pandemic levels in the District, but that good news doesn't paint the entire picture. Because there’s also been an increase in houselessness this year. The city also has a social worker shortage. Marissa Lang, reporter at the Washington Post, has been covering how this is impacting the city. 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 HEREWe’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dcAnd 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.