City Cast DC

A new think tank study has some fascinating findings about Donald Trump’s national guard deployment in DC: The dramatic surge reduced property crimes by almost a quarter — but did nothing about violence. Richard Hahn from the Niskanen Center is 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)...

Washington, DC, recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city possibly have enough water for its year-round tourists, a metro area population of over 2 million, and all those pools? The process just might be grosser than you think. With innovative recycling, strict lawn rules, and infrastructure to monitor it all, Ve...

D.C.'s June Primary is June 16th  and this year, voting works differently. For the first time, D.C. is using Ranked Choice Voting, which means you can rank up to five candidates in order of preference instead of picking just one. For this sponsored episode, Senior Executive Producer Annie Rees is chatting with Gary Thompson, Chair of D.C.'s Board of Elections, to explain exactly how it works, bust...

We’re going to get into the mayoral race as it heads into its final week, we’re going to talk about why you should pay attention to what’s happening at the Rock Creek Tennis Center, and we’re going to talk new bars. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, the DC Council has done something weird to the city’s open-meetings law, and we want to look at the state of transparency in our city.  Want som...

For more than 50 years, the Combined Federal Campaign has been a part of DC life. It’s the world’s biggest workplace charity, letting government employees steer money straight from their own paychecks to their chosen charities. It’s especially important to charities here because so many feds live here. But the campaign is now on life support — threatened with termination by the Trump administratio...

We’re talking about the latest twist in the battle of The Star versus The Washington Star, we’re talking about the odds that Donald Trump’s name will actually come off the Kennedy Center, and we’re going to get into the DC DOX documentary film festival that’s coming up. Plus, in a members only fourth segment, the politics of dissing Trayon White, the only DC Councilmember currently under indictmen...

The two best-known candidates in the race for DC’s Congressional Delegate are sitting members of the DC Council. We’re talking today with a different candidate who has a somewhat different resume. Kinney Zalesne has worked in national politics and held a major Washington job at Microsoft. She’s here to explain why that resume — along with her own set of values and priorities — is right for this ve...

What are you gonna do this month? We’ve got answers: Pride programming. America 250 programming. America 250 counter programming. And lots of barbecue. For ⁠even more tips⁠ on how to make the most of June in DC, check out City Cast DC’s take on what to do this month.  If you enjoyed today's interview with District Bridges' U Street Main Street Manager, Kelsye Adams, ⁠learn more here⁠. Learn more a...

Where would DC be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what these institutions offer residents. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran about how Chicago’s libraries have evolved to meet community needs, from opening a food pantry inside a br...

We’re talking about NDAs for feds, we’re talking about the World Cup in DC (even if it’s not in DC), and we’re talking about the Spelling Bee, which is in fact in DC. And in a members-only fourth segment we’re going to talk about the new look of Freedom Plaza. DC has some thoughts.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast DC. You can text us or leav...

Summer's here, and if you're already sweating through your shirt on the Metro platform, it might be time to find a beach. DC isn't exactly known as a beach town, but you're actually within a short drive of some seriously good options, from the Chesapeake Bay all the way down to the Outer Banks. The question is: which one is right for you? Luckily, we’ve got the answers. City Cast contributor Tim E...

We’re talking with Brooke Pinto. She currently represents Ward 2 on the D.C. Council but is currently running in the Democratic primary to be D.C.’s Congressional Delegate. We talked about why she wants the job, what she’d do differently than the retiring incumbent Eleanor Holmes Norton, and how she’d work with whoever runs Congress after the November elections.  Want some more DC news? Then make...

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast DC host Bridget Todd, compete head-to-head and debate which city is the best for a weekend trip this summer. From hot tub boats (exactly what they sound like) to epic outdoor summer festivals, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season. Can Bridget beat out he...

We’re talking about the politics of crime in DC — and other intel we picked up from our big election poll. We’re talking about who deserves credit for restoring those gorgeous Malcolm X Park fountains. And we’re going to get into DC’s booming EDM scene. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, Metro’s boss wants to take on bus fare evasion in a new way, and not everyone who works for him is happy a...

We’re talking with Janeese Lewis George. According to our new City Cast poll, she’s leading the race for mayor. We talked about how she really thinks about public safety, how she wants to spend more on our safety net, and how it feels to be a Democratic Socialist candidate whose support comes from some of DC’s best-educated and newest residents. I hope you’ll stick around and listen. Want some mor...

There have been no citywide public polls of the DC mayor’s race. That changes today. I’m here with Giacomo Squatriti, one of the pollsters who conducted City Cast’s very own poll — which is full of jaw-dropping findings about the state of the mayoral race, DC’s new demographic divide, and the ways new Washingtonians are shaping this year’s vote. We are SO excited to dive into this – and there’s mo...

It’s officially summer travel season. And listen, gas prices and travel prices are through the roof right now, but that doesn't mean you can’t still enjoy a fun trip, because Tim Ebner has your guide of trips from the DC area for around $150 a pop. 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. Y...

What’s going on with the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool? The blue paint is slowly covering the national landmark. But nearly every day there’s a story about new controversies over Donald Trump’s pet project. And a lot of those stories are written by David Fahrenthold, an investigative reporter for the New York Times. He’s here to give us a lay of the land. Want some more DC news? Then make sure...

Would DC be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, the city brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they...

We’re talking about the state of the mayor’s race, the new plans for Dulles Airport, and all the great meals you can buy off Facebook Marketplace in DC. Really. Plus in a members-only fourth segment, the calendar just dropped for Pride — make that, Prides — and we’ll talk about how to get the most out of the festival in DC and elsewhere around the region.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to...

Today we're talking with Randy Clarke, the head of Metro and one of the most popular officials in D.C. Mike busted his chops about bus schedules, he busted Mike's chops about Metro’s budget, and they also managed to talk about the new Gold Line, his favorite Metro station, and that Washington Post editorial that has Metro fans fuming. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morni...

We’re talking about a DC Police Scandal — but not the one you think! We’re talking about the latest twists in Donald Trump’s various schemes for the National Mall. And a new D.C. reality show. Plus in a member’s only fourth segment, the Trump administration’s odd campaign against a crucial source for DMV charities Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Ca...

Hey parents! Remember those early pandemic days when you were stuck inside with your kids, just trying to figure out how to keep them entertained? Austin Graff spent that time walking every single street in the District, all 136-plus neighborhoods, with his young daughter, using the city itself to teach her the alphabet. The result is his new book, 111 Places for Kids in Washington D.C. That You M...

We’re chatting with DC Councilmember Robert White. He’s one of the candidates running for the job of DC’s nonvoting Congressional delegate. During our conversation, we got into how he’d work with a hostile Congress, why he doesn’t support youth curfews in DC, and just how he’d be different from the retiring delegate, his old boss Eleanor Holmes Norton. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sig...

Washingtonians, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number of tourists coming to town for World Cup games and semiquincentennial events, so the city is allowing its bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during most of June and July. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri about the city...