City Cast DC

Latest Episodes:

Feds Face Trump NDAs, DC's World Cup Watch Parties, and Scripps Spelling Bee Dreams May 29, 2026

Show notes

We’re talking about NDAs for feds, we’re talking about the World Cup in DC (even if it’s not in DC), and we’re talking about the Spelling Bee, which is in fact in DC. And in a members-only fourth segment we’re going to talk about the new look of Freedom Plaza. DC has some thoughts.

Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 little as $10 a month.

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

⁠Arena Stage⁠

⁠Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC⁠

⁠Petworth PorchFest⁠

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

Your Guide to DC’s Best Beaches May 28, 2026

Show notes

Summer's here, and if you're already sweating through your shirt on the Metro platform, it might be time to find a beach. DC isn't exactly known as a beach town, but you're actually within a short drive of some seriously good options, from the Chesapeake Bay all the way down to the Outer Banks. The question is: which one is right for you? Luckily, we’ve got the answers. City Cast contributor Tim Ebner has THE definitive guide to the area's best beaches, and today he's breaking it all down.

Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 little as $10 a month.

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

Arena Stage

Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC

Petworth PorchFest

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

Brooke Pinto Talks Her Hill Strategy, Stadium Deal, and Dossier Debacle May 27, 2026

Show notes

We’re talking with Brooke Pinto. She currently represents Ward 2 on the D.C. Council but is currently running in the Democratic primary to be D.C.’s Congressional Delegate. We talked about why she wants the job, what she’d do differently than the retiring incumbent Eleanor Holmes Norton, and how she’d work with whoever runs Congress after the November elections.

If you enjoyed today's interview with Gary Thompson, Chair of DC Board of Elections, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 27th episode:

Arena Stage

Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC

Petworth PorchFest

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

Who Wins Summer in the USA? DC Makes Its Case May 26, 2026

Show notes

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast DC host Bridget Todd, compete head-to-head and debate which city is the best for a weekend trip this summer. From hot tub boats (exactly what they sound like) to epic outdoor summer festivals, our hosts are bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season. Can Bridget beat out her competitors from Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Pittsburgh, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and the Twin Cities?

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 26th episode:

Arena Stage

Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC

Petworth PorchFest

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

Most Popular DC Baby Names, Malcolm X Park's $16 Million Glow-Up, and Why DJs Love DC Now May 22, 2026

Show notes

We’re talking about the politics of crime in DC — and other intel we picked up from our big election poll. We’re talking about who deserves credit for restoring those gorgeous Malcolm X Park fountains. And we’re going to get into DC’s booming EDM scene. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, Metro’s boss wants to take on bus fare evasion in a new way, and not everyone who works for him is happy about it.

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 22nd episode:

Window Nation

Signature Theatre

DC Department of Behavioral Health

DC Board of Elections

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

Janeese Lewis George Talks Affordability, Education, and Policing May 21, 2026

Show notes

We’re talking with Janeese Lewis George. According to our new City Cast poll, she’s leading the race for mayor. We talked about how she really thinks about public safety, how she wants to spend more on our safety net, and how it feels to be a Democratic Socialist candidate whose support comes from some of DC’s best-educated and newest residents. I hope you’ll stick around and listen.

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 little as $10 a month.

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 21st episode:

Window Nation

Signature Theatre

DC Department of Behavioral Health

DC Board of Elections

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

Here's What Our Poll Says About the State of the Mayor's Race May 20, 2026

Show notes

There have been no citywide public polls of the DC mayor’s race. That changes today. I’m here with Giacomo Squatriti, one of the pollsters who conducted City Cast’s very own poll — which is full of jaw-dropping findings about the state of the mayoral race, DC’s new demographic divide, and the ways new Washingtonians are shaping this year’s vote. We are SO excited to dive into this – and there’s more coverage for you to check out on our website and in our newsletter this morning.

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 20th episode:

Window Nation

Signature Theatre

DC Department of Behavioral Health

DC Board of Elections

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

DC’s Best Summer Trips Under $150 May 19, 2026

Show notes

It’s officially summer travel season. And listen, gas prices and travel prices are through the roof right now, but that doesn't mean you can’t still enjoy a fun trip, because Tim Ebner has your guide of trips from the DC area for around $150 a pop.

Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter City Cast 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 little as $10 a month.

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 19th episode:

Window Nation

Signature Theatre

DC Department of Behavioral Health

DC Board of Elections

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

Inside Trump’s No-Bid Contract Turning the Reflecting Pool Blue May 18, 2026

Show notes

What’s going on with the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool? The blue paint is slowly covering the national landmark. But nearly every day there’s a story about new controversies over Donald Trump’s pet project. And a lot of those stories are written by David Fahrenthold, an investigative reporter for the New York Times. He’s here to give us a lay of the land.

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 18th episode:

Window Nation

Signature Theatre

DC Department of Behavioral Health

DC Board of Elections

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

'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? May 17, 2026

Show notes

Would DC be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, the city brought in nearly $270 million from more than 500 automated traffic enforcement cameras — including a single camera that issued $9 million in tickets. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast DC co-host Bridget Todd about how these cameras work, the congressional scrutiny they've been getting, and whether they make DC safer. Plus, is DC becoming the new rave capital?

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