City Cast DC

There's a big debate happening in Shaw over potential new condos at 1515 Ninth Street NW. A local developer wants to replace the vacant building and parking lot with a six-story-high building. But some residents see the development as a "monstrosity" that will ruin the neighborhood. Today, two neighbors with different perspectives hash it out. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more in...

CAVA just went public, to huge success in the market. District Taco announced this year that it wants to go national soon. CYM is going national already. D.C. has SO MUCH success as an incubator for fast-casual spots! Why!? City Cast DC Contributor Tim Ebner is here, as well as one of the co-founders of the Indian fast-casual eatery, RASA to dig into it. Pun intended.

Hundreds of people showed up to a Montgomery County school board meeting this week, protesting the LGBTQ+ books in the curriculum. Plus, there’s a lot of uproar over Qatar potentially investing in the D.C. sports franchise that owns the Wizards, Mystics, and Capitals. And for some fun at the end, we’ve got Fourth of July events for you. Check out the local reporting that powers our roundups: Axios...

This week has brought still more ugly workplace sexual misconduct allegations in the case of John Falcicchio, who was Mayor Bowser’s indispensable top aide until his abrupt resignation in March. Alex Koma from City Paper is the reporter behind one of the scoops, and he’s here to tell us what’s happening — and what it may say about just what sort of office culture exists around D.C.’s mayor.  Want...

Traffic fatalities in D.C. are up 50% this year. But enforcement is way down. Now, the city is sending out texts and mail to high-risk drivers, to remind them to obey the law. Jordan Pascale, transportation reporter at WAMU, is here to explain why D.C.’s traffic enforcement is so haphazard and what’s being done about it. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter...

Lime broke its D.C.-area record for e-scooter and e-bike trips in May, with 430,000 trips. It’s proof of the thing we’re all feeling: that these new forms of transportation are everywhere. What does that mean for the culture, the look, and the feel of D.C.?  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 inf...

Bears! They’ve been spotted in Rockville, Hyattsville, Arlington, Roosevelt Island, and Northeast D.C.’s Brookland, where neighbors called animal control about a bear they named Franklin, after the street where he was roaming. Lauren Crossed from the Humane Rescue Alliance is here to explain why the bears are hitting urban neighborhoods, and what to do if you see one. Want some more DC news? Then...

In this week’s roundup, Cuynet Dil from Axios DC and City Cast contributor Dan Reed are here to chat about the latest in the troubling saga of John Falcicchio, the top mayoral aide who abruptly left his job this spring. Plus, House Republicans have unveiled a draft budget bill that includes a bunch of riders that would change how we drive, go to the doctor, and regulate cannabis sales. And Montgom...

Washington is the rare city where locals have three airports to choose from. And even if you’re aiming to buy tickets just based on price, it’s not always that simple to figure out what works best. Scott Keyes, the founder of Going — formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights — is here to walk us through the secret strategies of Dulles, National, and BWI. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for...

The DC public library is officially kicking off its annual dinosaur roar competition. In the past, the contest has been so popular it’s gone global, and the children’s librarian behind the whole thing, Elaine Pelton, explains what that says about our city, and how you can join the competition.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can subscribe b...

Today we’re all about festivals — summer in D.C. is full of them, and Nicole Schaller from District Fray is here to tell you which ones to hit, which to skip, and how to get the most out of them. This is the final episode of our Summer Entertainment Guide, presented by Clyde’s Restaurant Group, where we help you make sense of summer’s overwhelming options for how to spend your days. Check out the...

There’s a big fight going on over adding more flights to DCA — which side should you be on? Plus, Britt Peterson is here to talk about her Washingtonian expose about the scandal that brought down Casa Ruby, a once-celebrated refuge for Trans kids in D.C. And City Cast DC’s Priyanka Tilve is here with some Juneteenth events you gotta attend. Check out these stories that fueled our episode:  Cuneyt...

The fight for statehood has been a longstanding wish for residents of the District. Will D.C. get it? Who is against it? And what would it look like if the District got it? D.C. broadcast legend Kojo Nnamdi gives us his perspective on what D.C. statehood could look like if it’s granted. This episode won a Dateline Award, from the Society of Professional Journalists. It was one of three awards we w...

D.C. is in prime season for snake sightings. That might sound a little scary for some, but local wildlife educator Caroline Seitz says they're more afraid of us than we are of them. Her love for the scaly, slithery creatures is infectious, and she explains what to do when you see one. Text “DC” to 66866 to subscribe to our newsletter Hey DC. Our editor Kaela has a brilliantly curated list of news,...

D.C. has one of the most dynamic parks around. It’s bigger than NYC’s Central Park, and you can roller skate, go boating, or even take a class. Richard Trent is the Executive Director of Friends of Anacostia Park and he tells us what it has to offer. This episode is part of our Summer Entertainment Guide series, presented by Clyde’s Restaurant Group. We’ve also got guide content in our newsletter....

Did you know that Dave Thomas Circle — that weird, notoriously chaotic triangle-shaped block out in Northeast where there used to be a Wendy’s — was never actually officially designated Dave Thomas Circle? Now there’s a plan to give it a new name and redesign the space. Maura Brophy runs the NoMa Business Improvement District and she tells us what‘s in store for the space. Got a name you think wou...

It’s hazy out there! We chat about what to do about the Canadian smoke spreading across D.C. Plus, Congress has some thoughts on voting rules in the District. And of course, it’s pride month, and CCDC contributor Dan Reed has been reading up on that month’s local history.  As always, our Friday episode is fueled by local journalism:  Capital Weather Gang is all over the haze and smoke status aroun...

D.C.’s craft brewery scene is young, but prolific. There are 16 craft breweries in the city, and it’s home to the largest percentage of Black beer brands in the U.S. So where should you start with your tastings? Kim Bender, the CEO of Heurich House and Executive Director of the D.C. Brewers Guild is here with recs. Plus, we’ve got a room full of beer lovers with us at this live taping at Right Pro...

D.C. residents voted to phase out the tipped minimum wage, and it’s finally now happening, but gradually and confusingly. In the meantime, what’s happening to prices? What does the service charge mean? And are you still supposed to tip? Jessica Sidman from Washingtonian is here to walk us through it all. We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast [City] an eve...

Grab your blanket and popcorn, because we’re kicking off our Summer Entertainment Guide series by talking about outdoor summer movies! Which has the best location? Which has the best movies? We ranked them so you don’t waste your time going to the wrong ones.  We’ll have more Summer Entertainment Guide episodes for you the next two Tuesdays, all presented by Clyde’s Restaurant Group. Be sure to tu...

Moon Rabbit, the award winning restaurant that was at the base of the Wharf’s Intercontinental Hotel, closed down abruptly two weeks ago. The Washington Post reports that the shocking closure might have been the hotel’s attempt to union bust the staff’s labor organizing efforts. In the fallout, chef Kevin Tien legally got ownership of the name Moon Rabbit, and his recipes. We chatted with him abou...

On this week’s CCDC roundup, we’re talking crime on the Metro, more drama around the name of our football team, and — now that it’s summer — we’re breaking down places to swim.  Thanks to this local reporting that helped inform this episode:  Check out the Washington Post’s reporting on Metro crime SBNation’s got the scoop on the Commanders’ potentially changing their name again And subscribe to o...

DC’s police chief is moving on after just two years atop the force. It’s a moment of rising crime, Congressional meddling, and lingering worries about policing. We’re talking with Washington City Paper’s Mitch Ryals about Robert Contee’s legacy and how the city might replace him.  We’re doing a survey to learn more about our listeners, so we can make City Cast DC an even better, more useful podcas...

WAMU’s food culture podcast Dish City is nominated for yet ANOTHER James Beard Award this year. It’s a huge accomplishment, and in celebration, we’re rerunning this conversation about all things D.C. food, with the show’s creators, Ruth Tam and Patrick Fort. Whether it’s Old Bay on crabs, the history of D.C.’s Chinatown, or half smokes and pupusas, we’ve got you covered. And we’re doing a survey t...

Did you know that D.C.’s public housing authority is the poorest performing one in the country? Yikes. The federal government gave DCHA a scathing review and some time to improve. The deadline is up tomorrow. So how is it doing? Morgan Baskin, WAMU’s Housing & Development Reporter, is here to fill us in. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC! Intereste...