City Cast DC

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‘Your City Could Be Better’: A ‘Rage Room’ That’s Saving a City — Presented By City Cast DC Nov 08, 2026

Show notes

It’s fall in D.C., but just this week, cities across the country experienced record-high heat. In Somerville, MA, the city government is realizing that rising temperatures deserve their attention and intervention year round — and they’re running a fun, generous program to help. David is joined by Elyse Belarge from the Somerville Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Environment to talk about the city’s pilot to de-pave and re-vegetate residential lots. Elyse shares the jaw-dropping impact of asphalt-free zones, as well as the joy of taking sledgehammers to driveways in your neighborhood.

Mentioned on the show:

Cooling East Somerville program and application for residents: https://voice.somervillema.gov/cooling-east-somerville
The Barr Foundation, which funds Somerville’s work as part of a cohort: https://www.barrfoundation.org/climate/initiative/community-heat-resilience/

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

The Battle Over Robert White’s Council Seat, JLG Has a Trayon Problem, and AdMo Porchfest Returns Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

This week, the 51st’s Alex Koma and my City Cast colleague Ben Brasch join me to discuss the fight taking shape between Councilmember Christina Henderson and D.C.’s Democratic State Committee over who can fill Robert White’s vacant at-large seat, why Trayon White was invited to speak at the mayor-elect’s celebration, and what’s different about this fall’s AdMo Porchfest.

Read Alex’s reporting: https://51st.news/author/alex-koma/

Read Ben’s reporting: https://dc.citycast.fm/authors/ben-brasch

Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.

Learn more about the sponsors of this November 6th episode:

Washington National Opera - Use code "CITYCAST" for 20% off your ticket

Nace Law Group

Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

What JLG’s Picks for Her Transition Team Could Mean for the City Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

One day after becoming mayor-elect, Janeese Lewis George got right to work announcing the details of her transition team. My colleagues Ben Brasch and Jaclyn Peiser join me to discuss what the early details signal about where the new administration could be headed.

Read Jackie’s reporting: https://dc.citycast.fm/authors/jaclyn-peiser

Read Ben’s reporting: https://dc.citycast.fm/authors/ben-brasch

Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. Leave us a voicemail at: ‪(202) 642-2654‬. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.

Learn more about the sponsors of this November 5th episode:

Washington National Opera - Use code "CITYCAST" for 20% off your ticket

Nace Law Group

Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Janeese Lewis George Wins, Foie Gras Banned and What the Blue Wave Means for D.C. Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

For the first time in over a decade, D.C. residents have elected a new mayor. And a new congressional delegate. The D.C. Council is also welcoming several new council members. City Cast contributor Marc Fisher joins us to discuss what the election results mean for the city.

Learn more about the sponsors of this November 4th episode:

Washington National Opera - Use code "CITYCAST" for 20% off your ticket

Nace Law Group

Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

How D.C. Would Change In the Shadow of Trump’s Proposed Arch Nov 03, 2026

Show notes

Trump's proposed 250-foot arch is currently facing legal challenges. While the courts sort that out, the Post’s Dan Diamond and Jarrett Ley join me to discuss how the arch would change the look of our city if it's built. We’ll dig into their 3D analysis mapping the shadows it could cast over D.C.

Read the piece: https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2026/10/27/trumps-arch-would-cast-shadow-arlington-cemetery/

Learn more about the sponsors of this November 3rd episode:

Washington National Opera - Use code "CITYCAST" for 20% off your ticket

Nace Law Group

Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Your Guide to November 2026 in D.C. Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

November is upon us, and fall is in full swing in the nation’s capital. City Cast’s Kaela Cote-Stemmermann joins me to talk about what’s good to eat, drink and do in the city this month.

Voting center wait time tracker: https://earlyvoting.dcboe.org/

DCDPW Leaf Collection: https://dpw.dc.gov/leaf

Learn more about the sponsors of this November 2nd episode:

Washington National Opera - Use code "CITYCAST" for 20% off your ticket

Nace Law Group

Roda - Save 20% on maintenance, repairs or detailing with code POD20.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Who Controls Austin’s Autonomous Vehicles? — Presented By City Cast DC Nov 01, 2026

Show notes

When you think of Waymo, you might not yet think of D.C. But you should definitely be thinking of Austin, Texas. State law governing autonomous vehicles (AVs) supersedes city authority and prevents local governments from regulating AVs, creating areas that have become increasingly attractive to AV companies. City Cast Austin host Miles Bloxson joins Your City Could Better to talk about if this loose regulation is good for Texas, particularly its dense capital city, whether local benefit is a priority for manufacturers at all, and how cities can learn from Austin if a similar influx hits their streets.

Mentioned on the show:

City Cast Austin’s episode on AVs regulation: https://austin.citycast.fm/podcasts/are-texas-schools-using-ai-to-ban-books-plus-driverless-cars-in-austin-and-new-michelin-stars
Waymo blocking emergency response to Austin shooting: https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/02/waymo-vehicle-blocks-ems-austin-mass-shooting
The city of Austin’s public dashboard tracking incidents involving AVs: https://austin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/dbd59d9b20634de1afad32a8267b739b#

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Robert White to Resign, Rent Forgiveness Bill Prompts Backlash, and the Battle Over Foie Gras Heats Up Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

This week, Axios’ Anna Spiegel and the Washington Sun’s Zara Norman join me to discuss DC at-large Democratic Councilmember Robert White's resignation, the controversial bill to help people pay rent if they’ve fallen behind, and a possible lawsuit over the proposed D.C. foie gras ban.

Plus, in a member’s only fourth segment, City Cast’s Kate Corliss weighs in on the best events happening around town this Halloween.

Read Zara’s reporting: https://www.washingtonsun.com/zara-norman

Read Anna’s reporting: https://www.axios.com/authors/aspiegel

Our guide to Halloweekend in DC: https://dc.citycast.fm/neighborhood-guides/dc-halloween-guide-2026

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 30th episode:

Pinky Swear Productions - Use code "Crambone" to get $10 off the ticket price!

Washington National Opera - Use code "CITYCAST" for 20% off your ticket

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Inside Southwest D.C.'s New Film, Opera and Theater Venue Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

The Revada Arts Center is now open in Southwest, and it's not your average arts venue. It's a theatre company, an indie film house and an experimental opera company all at once. Shanara Gabrielle, executive artistic director of Theater Alliance, joins me to discuss how the space came to be, their plans for the future, and how the new venture could breathe more life into the city’s arts scene.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 29th episode:

Pinky Swear Productions - Use code "Crambone" to get $10 off the ticket price!

Washington National Opera - Use code "CITYCAST" for 20% off your ticket

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Robert White Could Be Ineligible for Delegate Unless He Resigns Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

With less than a week until Election Day, at-large DC councilmember Robert White appears all but confirmed to become the city’s next congressional delegate. But a provision of a 56-year-old law could now stand in the way.

My City Cast colleague Ben Brasch joins me to explain what the law says, how this happened and what it could mean for the city’s politics.

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 28th episode:

Pinky Swear Productions - Use code "Crambone" to get $10 off the ticket price!

Washington National Opera - Use code "CITYCAST" for 20% off your ticket

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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