City Cast DC

For some reason, we all just take it for granted that every Thanksgiving, the White House pardons a turkey. Have you ever stopped to think about how the turkeys are chosen? Where they come from? Where they stay in D.C., and where they go afterwards? We found out for you, and learned more about turkey personalities than we ever thought possible. Also, big news, our first-ever live taping is one wee...

In March 1977, a group of Hanafi Muslim gunmen took 149 people hostage in Washington, D.C. Marion Barry was shot. A Howard journalist was killed. But today, almost no one remembers the siege. With a big new book that drops today and has already drawn rave reviews, author Shahan Mufti is out to change that. You can find Mufti’s book, American Caliph: The True Story of a Muslim Mystic, a Hollywood E...

D.C. has a ton of bookstores with their own personalities. So how can you possibly pick one? Coralyn Maguigad, who’s been exploring every bookstore in the District, gives us her tips. Plus, check out this recent roundup, where we talk about the sidewalk vending controversy. For more D.C. news, sign up for our morning newsletter and follow us at @citycast_dc.

DC Council this week agreed to overhaul the city’s ancient criminal code, but not everyone’s thrilled about it, including the mayor and police chief. Plus, we’re talking Thanksgiving plans, and where to watch the World Cup. Our roundup relies on local journalism. Here’s what we pulled from this year:  NBC Local’s piece about D.C.’s new criminal code DCist’s guide to World Cup viewing around town H...

The Washington Commanders are looking for a new home. They currently play at the much-maligned FedEx Field in Landover, MD. But could they ever return to the District at the old RFK Stadium site? Sports columnist Rick Snider tells us why it’s not as far-fetched as it seems. And we're doing a holiday giveaway!! You can win two free tickets to the Heurich House Christmas Markt by sending us a voicem...

Ruth Tam and Patrick Fort, the team behind WAMU’s Dish City, join us to chat about all things D.C. food. 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 holiday giveaway!! You can win two free tickets to the Heurich House Christmas Markt by sending us a voicemail about your D.C.-focused New Year's Resolutions. How...

Go-Go has been THE sound of D.C. since the late 1970’s. In 2020, Mayor Muriel Bowser designated it the official music of the District. But should it be? Hosts Michael Schaffer and Bridget Todd discuss what Go-Go means to both of them, how its influenced their perspective on the city, and if Go-Go could go national. Sign up for our morning newsletter for more cultural tidbits like this.  And we’re...

Dulles Airport used to be in the middle of nowhere. But 21st century suburban sprawl caught up to the Space Age airport — and as of this month, so has Metro. Will people use it? We’re talking to Washington Post transportation reporter Lori Aratani about the airport’s future — and her secret tips on how to navigate the place.  To find out how to reuse and recycle some of your second-hand household...

D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine delivered yet another blow to Dan and Tanya Snyder as they apparently prepare to sell the Washington Commanders. Sports journalist Kevin Blackistone and Greater Greater Washington’s Dan Reed join us to talk about how the latest investigation details could affect the Commanders’ sale. We’re also talking election results in Maryland and Virginia, and about a wonky D...

While federal Washington was paying attention to the midterms, hometown D.C. had its own consequential election on Tuesday. What happened? Washington Post city hall reporter Michael Brice-Saddler is here to break it down for us. And check out these juicy updates on how restaurants are planning to deal with the new normal, now that I-82 has passed, courtesy of our friend Jessica Sidman from Washing...

First up, we've got election results for you. And then for something completely different — Is D.C. a good place to hike? What about rock climbing and kayaking? Calleva Founder and outdoorsy expert Nick Markoff joins us to talk about the incredible outdoor sports available in the D.C. area for the adventurous among us. Plus, we're here to answer any lingering election questions you've got, in an e...

There’s been a one-man crusade against D.C. Home Rule in the House of Representatives. But if Republicans turn the House, could it mean Home Rule is actually in danger? Cuneyt Dil from Axios D.C. explains how this year's national elections could mean for Washingtonians.  If you need to find your voting site, click here. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter....

We’ve got one more election prep episode for you before voting ends tomorrow. There’s a ballot initiative on scrapping the tipped minimum wage, and a lot of people are confused. How is this different from the 2018 vote? Would it affect restaurant menu prices? Michael Brice-Saddler from the Washington Post is here to explain. And we’ve also got a bunch of other election guides for ya:  Matt Frumin’...

Dan and Tanya Snyder are officially considering selling the Washington Commanders football team. Twitter is buzzing, of course, as are we. The City Cast DC team chats about that, MPD dropping a bunch of gun and drug charges over an internal investigation, and Taylor Swift snubbing the DMV in a big way. As always, our Friday roundup is powered by local journalism:  Axios DC breaks down the Snyder n...

In our final installment of our election coverage, we’ve got D.C. proper covered. What’s the deal with the At-Large Council Race and why is it so competitive? Alex Koma from Washington City Paper breaks it all down for us. Check out Alex Koma’s coverage on the at-large candidates and State Board of Education race. From the news section:  Margaret Barthel’s threads on the 14-hour-long Prince Willia...

Should marijuana be legal in Maryland? And what does this year’s Governor race say about politics in the state more generally? Hannah Gaskill from the Baltimore Sun tells us everything else you need to know ahead of the Maryland elections next week. Read up more ahead of the election here: https://www.baltimoresun.com/hannah-gaskill-staff.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/10/26/edi...

We’re a week out from the election and here at City Cast, we’re keeping everyone informed about the various races. Today is our first election guide, and it’s for Virginia voters. Public radio reporter Micheal Pope fills us in on the local races to watch, including Abigail Spanberger v. Yesli Vega and why “missing middle housing” could determine Arlington’s County Board. Check out these articles f...

Halloween is here! Which means it’s time to tell scary stories. And rather than make brand-new ones, we asked Washingtonian senior editor Andrew Beaujon to come in and talk to us about the best spooky D.C. urban legends. 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 you...

We’re going a bit transportation heavy in today’s episode. Dan Reed of Greater Greater Washington and Martin Austermuhle from WAMU are here to chat about what is going on with those 7000-series trains and how parking in the district may be changing dramatically. Let your voice be heard on residential parking permits! The DC Council public hearing about it is TODAY at noon. Follow this link to keep...

With the Marine Corps Marathon this weekend, we got to thinking: What makes D.C. different from all other cities when it comes to running? Washington Post wellness reporter Kelyn Soong is here to tell us why, as well as some of his tips and tricks to get out there and start pounding the pavement. Also, new neighborhood library hours are:  Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. — 9 p.m. Thursday: 1 p.m. — 9 p...

DC Council is about to rewrite the city’s ancient criminal code. And that’s just one of the many big projects they’re working on right now. To help us get the lay of the land, Ward 6 Councilmember and head of the judiciary committee Charles Allen joins the show.  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...

We’re putting a microscope on the Ward 3 council member race. After nabbing an endorsement from the Washington Post, David Krucoff, the Republican candidate for Ward 3, joins us and tells what he would bring to the D.C. Council. For more information, you can check out his website here.  You can hear what his opponent, Matt Frumin, has to say on his episode with us. Need to check your voter status...

D.C’s satirical website “The Cherry Swamp" is bursting with gut-busting headlines. Think “The Onion,” but specifically for D.C. One of the publication’s founders, Erick Acuña, tells us how D.C. is tailor-made for this type of satire.  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 s...

Montgomery County’s Planning Board quit last week in a huge, dramatic shake-up, and it’s Dan Reed, from Greater Greater Washington, is here to tell us what’s next there. Plus, Dan, Priyanka, and Mike break down the latest Dan Snyder drama, and look through the final designs for D.C.’s most ambitious urban park plan in years. Our Friday roundup is fueled by some great local journalism: Check out th...

It's spooky season, and our team went on a field trip to Markoff's Haunted Forest. Which we've learned is actually haunted? Paul Brubacher is head of operations for the haunt. He prepared us, and scared us some more, while telling us about the origins of the forest. You can sign up to visit the forest here. For more D.C. news, sign up for our sister newsletter Hey DC, which also publishes every mo...