City Cast DC

With Council member Trayon White’s bribery trial set to begin in 2026, this next year is fixed to become a hall of famer for D.C. political scandals. But how does it rank against the District’s other legendary scandals, and what other hall of fame political transgressions should every Washingtonian know? We’re revisiting Michael Schaffer’s conversation with NBC4’s Mark Segraves to find out. Learn...

It is almost 2026, and if you are like us here at City Cast D.C., one of your new years resolutions is to learn more about this city that we love. H Street got some bad press this year, and if you believed that alone you might think every business is failing. But that's just not true, H Street may be a historic neighborhood, but it is vibrant and alive with new businesses and incredible experience...

If you’ve got a Swedish ivy plant in your home and you’re not quite sure where it came from, there’s a non-zero chance it once lived in the White House. Cuttings from a Swedish ivy plant that lived for decades on the mantle of the oval office have quietly made their way all over D.C. — part of a little-known local tradition that’s been spreading for decades. City Cast’s Annie Rees has a cutting an...

Shalom Baranes is one of Washington’s most prolific architects and the designer behind a lot of the most prominent modern buildings of the past few decades. So how did he wind up as the new architect of Donald Trump’s White House ballroom? After all, Trump has promised classical beauty and old-school design. Douglas Fruehling from the Washington Business Journal has covered Baranes for years and e...

We’re talking about the state of DC’s police — the old chief is out, and her replacement is going to have to deal with an investigation into alleged manipulation of crime stats, among other challenges. Plus, DC’s top public middle school has stopped teaching novels. A nightmare story about an Airbnb tenant who wouldn’t leave, and what DC’s laws did and didn’t allow the frustrated owner to do.  Wan...

Between mass layoffs that hit people’s wallets, the federal takeover, and an ongoing ICE crackdown, DC’s restaurants are facing a lot of headwinds resulting from the Trump administration’s choices. Jessica Sidman from Washingtonian is DC’s top reporter on the industry and she’s here to share some of her reporting.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC...

What are the deadliest roads in the DC area? The city has actually made a lot of improvements, especially compared with other places in the country, but given America’s grim stats, that’s not good enough. The Washington Post’s Rachel Weiner and Ian Duncan have worked on a major investigative project about the issue and are here to share some of their reporting.  Want some more DC news? Then make s...

We’re officially in winter weather season, and staying holed up at home sounds pretty tempting. But Dominique Bazil is here with a guide to the cozy cafés that are absolutely worth bundling up for. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as...

The Park Police’s massive hiring binge, that would more than double its size, has some locals worried. The Park Police, after all, is part of the federal government, ultimately answering to President Trump — and not to the people they’d be policing in Washington. Olivia George from the Washington Post has been covering the controversy and is here to explain.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure...

The 51st’s Martin Austermuhle is here to chat about dangers in DC's airspace, less than a year after the DCA crash. Plus, more Trayon White shenanigans, Sandwich Guy jurors, and in a members only fourth segment, we’ll talk about Democrats boycotting certain DC restaurants.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at:...

The politically-connected developers of a new affordable-housing building have walked away with millions more than experts say is typical — and taxpayers footed the bill. That’s one takeaway from a big Washington Post investigation, and it also goes a long way to explaining just why it’s so hard to build affordable housing in the city. Steve Thompson, the reporter behind the investigation, is here...

It’s the holiday season, which means holiday travel….so much holiday travel. And to make sure your air travel is as boring, seamless and unmemorable as possible, we’ve got your travel playbook from certified expert Scott Keyes from Going, formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (20...

We already know Mayor Bowser isn’t running for another term, but both Councilmember Anita Bonds and MPD Chief Pamela Smith also just announced their retirements, meaning a real shakeup is coming for the DC government. WAMU's Alex Koma is here to explain what all of these resignations mean for the city and why the 2026 field is looking so crowded. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up f...

Traffic Circles are the secret to getting around DC — navigating them is a right of passage that separates the locals from the newbies. City planner Dan Reed is here to talk about how we wound up with all these circles on the map, and what’s going to become of them in the years ahead. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a vo...

We’re talking about the entry of a bona fide progressive into the DC mayor’s race, Donald Trump’s plans for Dulles Airport, and the return of stars to the Washington Post’s restaurant reviews. In a members only 4th segment, what’s going on with ranked choice voting in DC? Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (...

For a lot of people in DC, the name “Saint Elizabeth’s” still conjures the likes of John Hinckley. But the sprawling campus that housed what used to be known as an insane asylum has transformed over the past two decades, with the hospital’s footprint shrinking and a lot of new stuff coming in: A cabinet department, a basketball arena, some pretty-looking housing. And according to the Washington Bu...

Join City Cast DC co-host Bridget Todd alongside fellow hosts from Austin, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities for a special episode that’ll help you knock out your holiday shopping early and support small businesses around the country. From a handlebar mount (and app!) that’ll turn your phone into a bike cam, to a m...

After the tragic attack on two National Guard members that left one of them dead and the other fighting for his life in the hospital, the Trump administration quickly announced plans to put 500 additional National Guard troops on DC’s streets, this time with DC police accompanying them for protection. All of this while there are still many unanswered questions about what exactly happened in this a...

Whether you’re a holiday grump or can't get enough of all things merry and bright, we’ve got your guide to what to eat, drink, see, and do this December in DC, from Guinness World Record kissing to DC’s best gifts. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast community. For even more tips on how to make the most...

Muriel Bowser has announced that she’s going to hang it up after 12 years in office. What happens now? And what should we make of the decade-plus that Herronner has spent dominating DC politics? City Cast’s Michael Schaffer, Bridget Todd and WAMU’s Alex Koma explain every juicy detail.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a...

Thanksgiving is here! And we’re thankful, seriously and unseriously, about a whole bunch of things. The CCDC gang chat about what this Thanksgiving means for them and all the things we’re thanking DC for. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening,...

Aging isn’t something most of us like to think about, but it’s something all of us will experience. And in D.C., older residents are more likely to face memory challenges like dementia, which occurs here at higher rates than in much of the country. But a new approach to elder care might offer a better path forward for how the city supports its aging population. Washington Post reporter Michael Bri...

We’re talking about the latest scoop on DC’s looming mayoral election, the latest spillover effect from the city’s youth-crime problem — it’s going to affect your ebike rental — and the fate of the federal building DC loves to hate. Plus, Thanksgiving tips! And in a member’s-only fourth segment, we’ll talk through the latest Congressional bills that would rewrite DC laws. Our representatives don’t...

You’ve probably never heard of the Wilbur J. Cohen federal building. It’s a government office building just off the Mall houses a collection of masterpieces of American art. Some of them are literally part of the building, murals by the legendary 1930s artist Ben Shahn. For decades, they’ve been open to the public, not that most people knew about them. Now, they might be destroyed: The Cohen build...

That taut, pulled look, full lips, jawlines that suddenly seem… suspiciously sharp. It’s what some are calling “Mar-a-Lago Face,” a plastic-surgery trend that’s gaining popularity here in DC. So who’s getting the work done? And what exactly are they asking for? We’re revisiting our conversation with journalist POLITICO’s Joanna Weiss about what DC really thinks of plastic surgery, why certain face...