City Cast DC

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Rabid or Rad? The Bats of DC Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Now that it’s fall, we’re finally moving out of mosquito season, and today we’re talking about one of the animal heroes that eats mosquitos – that’s right, the bat. It turns out, DC is a lot battier than you might think. Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick, Associate Professor of Urban Ecology and DC Master Naturalist Coordinator at the University of DC, joins us to share everything you need to know about the city’s bat population.

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 November 5th episode:

United Healthcare

Nace Law Group

St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families

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

How the Delay in SNAP Funding is Impacting DC — And How You Can Help Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

With the Trump administration saying Monday that it would only partially fund food benefits for low income families during what is about to become the longest government shutdown in history, D.C. announced the city has 30 million dollars in local funds that could be used to cover November food benefits for low income residents. Marissa Lang has been covering food assistance programs for the Washington Post. She explains what all of this means for the district and why it matters for everyone, even if you’re not on SNAP.

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

United Healthcare

Nace Law Group

St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families

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

Your Guide to November 2025 in DC Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Happy November! Now we know, things in the city are a bit weird since we’re still in the middle of the government shutdown, but from checking out DC art to scarfing tacos and sipping wines, there's still a ton to see, do, drink, and eat in DC this November.

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 of November in DC, check out Hey DC’s take on what to do this month.

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

United Healthcare

Nace Law Group

St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families

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

Reach us at DC@citycast.fm.

Did MPD Cover Up a Shooting? Plus, SNAP Runs Out, and DC-Centric Halloween Costumes Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

We’re talking about a federal police shooting — and a potential coverup. We’re talking about what happens in DC as SNAP benefits dry up. Plus, your DC-specific Halloween getups, and in a members-only fourth segment we’ll get into Donald Trump’s firing of an obscure planning commission and what it means for DC (and not just the White House ballroom).

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 31st episode:

United Healthcare

Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival

Public Welfare Foundation

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Real People. Real Safety Solutions {Sponsored} Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

In the final episode of a three-part sponsored series with the Public Welfare Foundation, City Cast DC CEO David Plotz talks with two leaders working to make D.C. a safer, more just place. Kristy Love, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and Victor Battle, President and Founder of Right Direction and longtime violence interrupter.

Together, they explore what real safety looks like on the ground: how data and coordination are helping D.C. reduce crime, why jobs and mentorship matter as much as policing, and how partnerships between community groups and government agencies are creating lasting change. They also share what gives them hope, from young people finding new opportunities to neighbors reclaiming their blocks.

Learn more at realsafetydc.org

Data shows Washington, D.C., is a city that has made significant public safety gains in the past two years, particularly in reducing violent crime. 2024 marked DC’s lowest violent crime rate in over 30 years, and this year it has fallen by 26% from last year.

You're Not A Real Washingtonian Unless You Know DC's Ghosts Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

You're Not A Real Washingtonian Unless You Know DC's Ghosts

How haunted is DC? Have you ever had particularly spooky paranormal experiences here? We haven’t, but Katie Kirkpatrick with Nightly Spirit Ghost Tours HAS and she’s here to share the DC stories that might just make you keep a light on tonight.

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

United Healthcare

Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival

Public Welfare Foundation

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

DC's Best Spots for a Big (Public) Cry Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

It’s been a rough few months in DC, and today, we’re running back one of our favorite episodes all about public crying, because, as it turns out, DC is a great city for public crying! A couple of years ago, Bridget talked with Kiara McGowan from the now-viral TikTok account Crying in DC about how she is making space for DC’s public criers and the best spots for you, too, to cry in public.

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 October 29th episode:

⁠United Healthcare⁠

⁠Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival⁠

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

VA’s Election is Next Week — And the Race Has Tightened Up Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

One week from today is election day in Virginia, and early voting has already started. Every seat in Virginia is on the ballot this November including the high-profile race for whether Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears will replace Glenn Youngkin as Governor. Now, this is one of the most important and closely watched in the country, and it’s also gotten a lot tighter and a lot more scandal-plagued. Michael Pope, a reporter for Virginia Public Radio and host of the Press Room podcast, is following why all eyes are on Virginia this election season.

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

United Healthcare

Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival

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

Is DC Cutting Red Tape — or Eviscerating Tenant Protections? Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

DC has just passed some big changes to the law that’s supposed to help tenants buy their apartments if the landlord decides to sell. Is this a giveaway to Big Real Estate? Or a much-needed evisceration of red tape that makes DC housing so scarce? Emilia Calma from the DC Policy Center is here to walk us though the not-totally-wonky details.

Please see below for tomorrow's sponsor show notes:

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

United Healthcare

Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival

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

East Wing Demolition, Driverless Cars, and a Copycat Restaurant Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

We’re talking about the fate of the White House east wing, whether there’s ever going to be Waymo in DC, and a very funny slapfight over the restaurant Millie’s and one of its imitators. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment: Remember the shutdown? It’s still ongoing. We have updates.

If you’re a City Cast DC Neighbor, you’re invited to a private tour of one of the DMV’s true hidden wonders, Fort DeRussy! It will be hosted by our CEO and lifelong Washingtonian, David Plotz. Interested? Email usherefor more details.

Not a City Cast DC Neighbor but would love to be there? Join today!

Learn more about the sponsors of this October 24th episode:

National Center for Victims of Crime

Nace Law Group

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

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