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New Chief of Police, an AirBNB Gone Wrong, and Middle School Drops Novels Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

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.

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 December 19th episode:

⁠Nace Law Group⁠

⁠Black Cat⁠

⁠Public Welfare Foundation⁠

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠

How Trump Is Tanking DC’s Dining Scene Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

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. 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 December 18th episode:

Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Nace Law Group

Black Cat

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

Where Are DC’s Deadliest Roads and How Is The City Fixing Them? Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

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.

If you enjoyed this interview with Janessa White, the Director & General Manager of Simply Eloped, learn more here.

Learn more about the sponsors of this December 17th episode:

Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Nace Law Group

Black Cat

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

DC's Best Cozy Coffee Shops Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about the sponsors of this December 16th episode:

Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Nace Law Group

Black Cat

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

Is Trump Using the Park Police To Strengthen Control Over DC? Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about the sponsors of this December 15th episode:

Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Nace Law Group

Black Cat

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

Is DC’s Airspace Getting More Dangerous? Plus, Sandwich Guy Jurors, and More Trayon White Drama Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

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.

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

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

How Developers Used Affordable Housing to Rip Off DC Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

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 to explain.

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

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

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

Last Minute Travel Hacks For Holiday Season in DC Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

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.

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

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

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

Police Chief Retires, Council Shake Up, And Why DC Politics Will Be Wild in 2026 Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about the sponsors of this December 9th episode:

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

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

Why DC Is Full of Weird Traffic Circles Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

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.

Learn more about the sponsors of this December 8th episode:

Babbel - Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

Aura Frames - Get $35 off the Carver Mat frame with Promo Code CITYCAST

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

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