City Cast DC

The DC Board of Elections announced Friday that Initiative 83 has enough signatures to be on the ballot this November. That means ranked choice voting and open primaries could be on the horizon for D.C., and they’d seriously shake up D..C politics. City Paper’s Alex Koma is here to explain what the future of our elections could look like. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our m...

After a couple of years of alarm, crime in D.C. is down. But we don’t really know why! We’re talking to Lindsey Appiah, D.C.’s deputy mayor for public safety, about her theory of the case — and what she thinks we need to do now. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Lea...

DC has surprised itself by building a lot of housing. Plus, Amtrak’s officially taken over Union Station, there’s a new lawsuit that might — maybe? — speed up train service, and we’ve got City Paper’s Best of DC. Washington Post reporter Meagan Flynn joins the team to break it all down. Learn more about the Catherine Fuller murder here. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our mor...

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a whole guide for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to our City Cast DC community. August is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of month for DC. But even if you hate it, you have to ride it out, so the gang’s all here to talk through fun things happening around town. Plus, we've got tips to get through the swampy heat, from basics like carrying b...

Montgomery County Public Schools just announced that pickleball will be a varsity sport during the fall 2024 season. So in anticipation of more thunking and thwacking around the DMV, we’re revisiting our conversation with WAMU’s Matt Blitz last fall about how the trendy sport is causing a pickle in Northern Virginia. Sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC for more D.C. news, as well as events a...

The city is trying to buy up vacant lots to repurpose them, but have they made a mistake somewhere along the way? Plus, would you, yes YOU, run to represent your neighborhood without pay, and what are the best breakfast sandwiches around? The CCDC team is here to break it all down. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, wi...

Tony Willliams became D.C. mayor at a time of crisis in 1998 and was credited with turning around the city government during his eight years in office. Well, now we’re at another moment of anxiety about Washington’s future, and we figured we’d check in with him about just how screwed we are — and what he thinks we oughta do next. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning ne...

In today’s roundup, we’re talking about how the Nethanyahu visit disrupted local D.C., a catfight over a Georgetown mansion, and what you need to know about the 2024 DMV Made Festival. If you want to hear more about the Old Georgetown Board’s outsized influence, check out our episode about how this group got its power, and how it uses it. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our m...

There’s more conflict over DC’s weird sports-betting system — and it’s worth paying attention to even if you never gamble, because it says a lot about how the city government is doing its job. The Washington Business Journal’s Alan Kline is here to explain what’s up. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free list...

Dognappings in the District have become all too common over the past year, and thieves are going after one breed in particular. As a small dog owner, this story is personal for Axios’ Mimi Montgomery. She shared her reporting with our host Bridget Todd in January, when DC had already seen 11 dognappings in the span of three weeks. Like what we do? Sign up to be a member and get exclusive perks lik...

DC held its annual restaurant awards, the RAMMYs, on Sunday, and the City Cast team is here to debrief the wins and losses. Plus, DCA is getting five new flights, and UMD released an earth-shattering new report about escalator etiquette.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a...

The building that houses Hana Market at U Street NW and 17th Street NW is up for sale, and it got us thinking about how vulnerable corner markets are to real estate whims. In Capitol Hill, a group of neighbors bought the century-old Mott's Market to protect their beloved community space. We interviewed one of the new owners about how they did it and how it could be a model for others. Want some mo...

The gang is here to talk about the hot hot heat and the not-so-hot future of Silver Spring. And the Olympics are about to start! We’ve got a list of who you should be cheering extra hard for. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this Ju...

D.C. is in the process of rethinking a part of town called North Capitol Crossroads. And for those of you who think urban planning is a case of big-shot planners coming in and dictating what your neighborhood is going to look like, think again. City Cast’s Bridget Todd worked with the Office of Planning on a podcast about the area and its residents. At our latest live taping, we sat down with Ebon...

D.C. is a city known for its pupusas. So from El Tamarindo to La Casita, who’s got the best one? The City Cast DC team taste-tested them all (for science!) to get to the bottom of this important question. And go sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC! You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 17th episode: Roda...

A few months ago, when the news site DCist abruptly shut down, it was a shock. So we were intrigued by the rumors that a bunch of former DCist employees were starting up their own, homegrown thing. Natalie Delgadillo and Abby Higgins are two of the founders, and they’re sitting down to give us the exclusive details on what their new organization is, how they’re going to survive when DCist couldn’t...

It doesn’t get a lot of attention compared to other stuff going on in the presidential election, but Donald Trump has made a number of radical proposals for what he’d do to D.C. if elected. Cuneyt Dil from Axios is here to tell us how it could affect you.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for...

We’re talking about the future of the Mall, a spate of weird crime stories, and why you need to go to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens right now. Come hang out with us at metrobar tomorrow! RSVP here. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of...

For decades, Prince George’s County has been a top draw for Black professionals looking for a suburban life. But lately its demographics have been changing in interesting ways. Greater Greater Washington’s Olubusayo Shabi is here to tell us more. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little...

Police are clamping down amid a massive boom in moped riders. But it turns out it’s not just a new way of commuting — mopeds are at the core of a trend in food-delivery where the riders are some of the most vulnerable people in the industry. Axios’ Anna Spiegel is here to explain.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, wi...

School’s out, the first big holiday of the summer is past us, and it feels like endless days of humidity lie ahead. So we sat down with food and travel writer Tim Ebner to lay out your perfect summer bucket list for 2024, from one-off events like pig racing (yes you read that right) to the quintessential D.C. summer activities we often take for granted. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to si...

There are so many places to get coffee in DC, it’s a real cafe hot spot. And digital creator Domonique Panton of As Told By Dom is making it her mission to visit every single one in D.C. Here’s her guide to the best underrated cafes in the District.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 3rd episode: Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District District Bridges Babbel Want some more DC ne...

City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with hosts from all 13 City Cast daily local podcast hubs to talk about what stories they’re watching in their hometowns that are likely to impact yours too. Listen in for how Bridget Todd's story stacks up against the rest. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening,...

Crispus Attucks Park in Northeast D.C. is a great place to spend your 4th of July holiday, so we’re revisiting our episode with Tyrone Goodwyn, who helped transform the space from asphalt into a hidden gem. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the spon...

What’s happening with converting D.C.’s office buildings, rats in Dupont Circle apartments, and swimming in the Anacostia River? To get into all of it, City Cast’s Julia Karron and Ashe Durban join the show to roundup the weekend. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. L...