

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

Mar 2, 2023 • 16min
Where Is the FBI Moving?
The FBI Headquarters at 935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW is a famously ugly blot on an otherwise beautiful D.C. street. But maybe not for long (we can hope)? There’s a renewed push for the FBI to move to the suburbs, and we’re dreaming up alternate uses for that plot of land with WBJ Reporter Tristan Navera, who has been covering the FBI’s winding relocation process.For more D.C. news, sign up for our morning newsletter, and follow us at @citycast_dc.Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.And we want to hear from you too! Leave us a voicemail about your neighborhood hopes and frustrations by calling 202 642 2654.

Mar 1, 2023 • 20min
Meet D.C.’s Death Doula
There's just no way around it — all of us are going to die. Sadly, in D.C., a lot of folks are dying alone. Laura Lyster-Mensh, Congressional Cemetery's Death Doula in Residence, is trying to change that by encouraging death positivity in the District.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.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.

Feb 28, 2023 • 19min
A Peek Inside Navy Yard's Newest Bar
Trouble Bird Bar is opening tonight in Navy Yard, in the space that used to be Maxwell Park Wine Bar. But it's got a very different vibe. Think pajamas AND glitter. Confused? We talked to the founders for some answers.Plus, here’s that Ballpark Access Pass from our D.C. life hack of the day. And, more info on our live taping at the Politics & Prose Union Market, TOMORROW, at 6:30 pm. 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.

Feb 27, 2023 • 18min
Should D.C. Public Schools Have Cops?
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says she’s redoubling her efforts to reverse the council’s move to pull police who have been serving as school resource officers out of D.C. public schools. The Metropolitan Police Department’s School Safety Division was once staffed by 100 school resource officers; it’s now down to 40, with the division set to disappear altogether by July 2025. WAMU’s Martin Austermuhle spoke to students, parents, and school resource officers to find out how folks are feeling about the effort to get police out of D.C. schools. 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.

Feb 24, 2023 • 18min
A New Museum, Housing Segregation, and Weekend Events
We’ve got a new museum that will open under the Lincoln Memorial! And the D.C. metro area is banding together to form a new fair housing plan. Mike Schaffer is joined by Julia Karron and Kaela Cote-Stemmerman to talk about that, plus fun events taking place this weekend.As always, our roundups wouldn’t be complete without the great local reporting in the city:
Andrew Beaujon from Washingtonian has the new potential Lincoln Memorial museum plans on lock.
Dan Brendel of Washington Business Journal explains the new regional fair housing plan.
Check out our Hey DC newsletter for events happening this weekend!
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 2026422654.

Feb 23, 2023 • 21min
What Makes D.C.'s Roller Skating Culture Unique
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, Saletta 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.

Feb 22, 2023 • 16min
Bathrooms Are D.C'.s Most Neglected Public Space
We’ve all been there. You’re out and about when nature calls. And if you’re in D.C., this could be especially bad news because there aren’t a ton of public bathrooms in the city. But there’s new legislation that might get D.C. to what Jonathan Katz calls “potty parity.” To learn more, here are some resources Jonathan recommends: The Big Necessity, by Rose GeorgeNo Place to Go, by Lezlie LoweThe American Restroom AssociationAnd for some non-potty related news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and 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

Feb 21, 2023 • 16min
D.C.’s Fentanyl Crisis is Different
Fentanyl is a national crisis, and the D.C. area is no exception. But the communities bearing the brunt of it here are different compared to the rest of the country. As the FDA pushes to make narcan, the life-saving antidote to opioid overdoses, available over the counter, Axios DC reporter Chelsea Cirruzzo is here to tell us what harm reduction specialists say about the problem and how we can all help. DBH offers a full range of behavioral health services. To learn more, call the 24-hour Access Helpline at 1-888-793-4357. Read the full LIVE.LONG.DC. plan here.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.

Feb 17, 2023 • 20min
Defending Statehood, RIP MetroHero, and Logic’s New Album
Congress is pushing back hard on two D.C. bills and many local leaders are … letting them? City Cast DC Contributor Dan Reed and Lead Producer Priyanka Tilve join the show to talk about this wrinkle in the fight for statehood. We’re also talking about the best apps for tracking metro and Logic’s new rap album, which is an homage to the DMV.As always, our roundups are powered by stellar local reporting:
Josh Jacobson’s Twitter spat with Sen. Michael Brown.
Jordan Pascale’s eulogy for MetroHero at DCist.
Logic breaks down the trailer for his new album, College Park.
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 2026422654.

Feb 16, 2023 • 14min
How To Prevent More Break-Ins in Adams Morgan
If you've been in Adams Morgan recently, you’ve probably seen the aftermath of attacks on local businesses. For example, Retrobottega on 18th street had its glass doors smashed in just yesterday. It’s alarming! But business owners and local leaders aren’t taking it lying down. Today, we’re looking at what they’re doing to protect themselves and the community.Do you live or hang out in AdMo? Let us know what you think about the recent break-ins by emailing us at dc@citycast.fm or leaving us a voicemail at 202-642-2654. And as you heard, we're also starting to share daily "DC life hacks," so we'd love any tips you might have!Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and follow us on Twitter at @citycast_dc.


