City Cast DC

Latest Episodes:

‘Your City Could Be Better’: What DC Needs To Know about Madison's Data Centers Fight Feb 22, 2026

Show notes

Everyone’s talking about AI these days, including Washingtonians. And now, more data centers are popping up across the country, thanks in part to the AI revolution. But some cities are stemming the tide, including Madison, Wisconsin, who recently passed a one-year moratorium on new data center construction. City Cast CEO David Plotz feels strongly that this was the wrong choice! He’s sitting down with City Cast Madison podcast host Bianca Martin to weigh the pros and cons of data centers, and debate the economic, ethical, and ecological considerations at the heart of this debate. Plus, David and Bianca share must-know tips for making it in Madison and DC.

We also mentioned this City Cast Madison episode.

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

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

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Potomac River in Deep Shit, Anti-ICE Bills, Cat Fight Over Cat Cafes Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

It's kind of an emergency! We’re talking about the latest in the Potomac River sewage spill. Plus, Maryland and Virginia versus ICE, a union catfight at a kitty cafe, and in a member’s only 4th segment, the lawsuit against Donald Trump for trying to steal DC’s golf courses.

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 February 20th episode:

South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Marty Baron On Bezos' Betrayal of the Washington Post Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Marty Baron spent almost a decade as Executive Editor of the Washington Post, which gave him a close-up view of Jeff Bezos’ stewardship of one of our city’s most important institutions during the first Trump term. And it’s why Baron’s emergence as one of the sharpest critics of Bezos’ stewardship during the second Trump term has been such a big deal. In the wake of Bezos’ decision to dismantle much of his old paper, Baron here to share his own thoughts.

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

South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge

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

Your Guide to DC’s Vinyl Bars Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

When it’s chilly out, there’s nothing better than a cozy bar, and vinyl bars appear to be that peak winter vibe. About a year ago, City Cast’s Julia Karron and Claudia Rosenbaum from Eater did their darnedest to make the case that vinyl bars are the new speakeasies, and they shared tips and tricks to enjoying them. We’re revisiting that conversation today, and you can decide if they were convincing.

Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.

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

South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge

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

Is ‘Fedlandia’ DC’s Newest Neighborhood? Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

A group of people in Donald Trump’s orbit have a plan to demolish and rebuild a whole swath of DC — and, in this case, it echoes something that actual Washingtonians have been talking about for years. CityLab’s Kriston Capps has been reporting on the plans for “Fedlandia” in Southwest DC; he’s here to tell us all about it.

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 February 17th episode:

⁠South by Southwest⁠ - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge

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

How DC Could Be Better: How the Twin Cities Organized. Plus, What Counts As ‘Cold’? Feb 14, 2026

Show notes

All eyes have been on the Twin Cities lately, including Washingtonians’. Operation Metro Surge is reportedly ending in Minnesota, with the withdrawal of immigration agents expected over the next week. Over the last two months, though, residents of the Twin Cities have organized a range of local collective action efforts including protests, mutual aid, and monitoring ICE — and they’ve done it quickly. In this inaugural episode of “Your City Could Be Better,” City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Twin Cities podcast host Sean McPherson about how his community self-organized, why these networks have been so successful, and what other cities can take away from Minnesotans’ response to Operation Metro Surge. Plus, we have a D.C. vs. Twin Cities face-off on local cultural norms.

We also mentioned this episode of City Cast Twin Cities.

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.

Childcare Cuts, Kennedy Center Layoffs, Love Letters to DC Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

We’re talking about the big budget troubles ahead for DC, and what they’ll mean for your bottom line; we’re digging into the latest Kennedy Center news — mass layoffs; and we’re talking Valentine’s Day in DC. Plus, in a member’s only fourth segment: There’s a plan to totally redo Pennsylvania Ave, and we’ll get into what it might look like.

Learn more about the sponsors of this February 13th episode:

Library of Congress

Nace Law Group

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore Museum of Art

South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

The Showdown Over Housing in One Of DC’s Richest Neighborhoods Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

There's this neighborhood fight that’s worth paying attention to even if you don’t live in Chevy Chase. For a couple of years, the city has been trying to rebuild a library and rec center, putting up new apartments on top of the buildings. The arguments for this will seem familiar if you’ve been following DC: The city needs more housing or else it risks being a place no one can afford. The arguments against it might feel familiar, too: Neighbors say adding more people will make parking difficult and “change the character” of their leafy part of town. Martin Austermuhle of the 51st has been covering it and he’s here to explain.

Learn more about the sponsors of this February 12th episode:

Library of Congress

Nace Law Group

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore Museum of Art

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

Waymo Vs. DC Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

Driverless taxis are coming to DC! At least, that's what Waymo, the California-based autonomous vehicle company, announced last year. The company revealed hopes of expanding into the District, despite DC's current laws requiring a human driver behind the wheel for all vehicles. So will these robotaxis actually arrive? Andy Hawkins has been covering Waymo for The Verge, and CityCast's own Priyanka Tilve has logged serious hours riding in Waymos around Austin. They’re bringing their expertise front and center to tell us if DC is serious about driverless cars.

Learn more about the sponsors of this February 11th episode:

Library of Congress

Nace Law Group

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore Museum of Art

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

Read the DC Thriller That’s Blowing Up Right Now — Before You See It On TV Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

What happens when you add DC's hyper-competitive personalities, with big bank accounts, and real estate anxiety? You get Best Offer Wins, the hit thriller by Marisa Kashino, a former Washingtonian real estate reporter who knows this world inside and out. It's full of twisty plots, cutthroat competition, and references that'll make any Washingtonian nod in recognition. The book is even in talks to become a Hulu series starring Greta Lee. Kashino’s here to talk about how DC inspired this deliciously dark story.

Learn more about the sponsors of this February 10th episode:

Library of Congress

Nace Law Group

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore Museum of Art

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