City Cast DC

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Must-Hear Jazz in DC Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

To mark the start of Jazz Fest, we’re re-airing a conversation our co-hosts Michael Schaffer and Bridget Todd had about earlier this summer, where they get into the history and present of jazz in DC and the best ways to experience it.

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

Overlook Maps

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

Wise

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Why Cashless Bail is Trump’s Latest DC Target Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

Earlier this week, President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at eliminating cashless bail in D.C. and requesting that officers bring people arrested in D.C. into federal custody. But what is cashless bail? And can he actually do this? WAMU’s Alex Koma is here to dig into it.

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 August 27th episode:

Overlook Maps

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

Wise

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Trump's 'Beautify DC' is Displacing People. Where Do They Go? Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

President Trump is clearing homeless encampments as part of his plan to make DC "more beautiful”. But he’s not alone – Mayor Muriel Bowser has also cleared encampments in DC, most notably a big spate in March of this year. But what are the numbers, where are folks going, and are there enough shelters for them to go to? We talked with the Washington Post’s Marissa Lang to get the details.

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 August 26th episode:

Overlook Maps

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

Wise

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Inside The New Policy That’s Completely Changing DC Schools Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

It is the first day of school for DCPS and also the start of a new bell-to-bell cell phone ban in schools — part of a trend around the country and around the city. One early adopter of the no-phones policy was Georgetown Day School in Tenleytown. Back in June we talked to their head of school, Russell Shaw, about why and what results they’ve seen because of it.

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 August 25th episode:

Overlook Maps

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

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Were DC's Crime Stats Faked? Plus, Ghost City & Your Love Letters To DC Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

The Washington Post’s Perry Stein joins us to talk about local D.C.’s response to the Trump law enforcement surge, the coming debate over crime stats, and we’re going to hear some of your love letters to DC. Plus, in a member’s-only fourth segment: What about that new Metro design?

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 August 22nd episode:

⁠Overlook Maps⁠

⁠Nace Law Group⁠

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Are Dems Doing Enough to Fight For DC? Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Jamie Raskin is a Congressman from Maryland — but he’s also a DC Native and one of the District’s champions on the Hill. This month, he’s the author of a bill to terminate Donald Trump’s takeover of the police department. In a GOP Congress, passing it may be a stretch, but Raskin stopped by for an interesting talk about just how political figures like him can oppose the administration’s unprecedented surge into hometown Washington.

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 August 21st episode:

Overlook Maps

Nace Law Group

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

Every Question You’ve Had About ICE in DC, Explained Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

For the past week, we’ve seen videos take off online of ICE agents arresting people, dragging them into cars, and driving off. The Washington Post’s Teo Armus has been tracking those incidents and answers every question you might have about what we know about ICE in D.C., their involvement with MPD, and what’s ahead.

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

Overlook Maps

Nace Law Group

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

Inside the First Week of Trump’s DC Takeover Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

It’s been one intense week since Trump seized control of DC’s police force and sent in the National Guard. In the days since, the city has seen arrests, protests, and growing fear. WAMU's Alex Koma has been on the ground covering and he’s here to break down what’s happened so far and what’s next for DC.

We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.

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 August 19th episode:

Overlook Maps

Nace Law Group

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

DC Sued Trump — Here's What Happens Now Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

On Friday, the D.C. government claimed a small victory after a hearing over the latest twist in Donald Trump’s efforts to take over Washington’s police. But the details aren’t quite so clear-cut: Yes, D.C.’s police chief is still in charge, but it looks like the feds may still be able to order local cops to violate D.C. laws. There’s another hearing this week. National Security Attorney Brad Moss is here to break down where the case stands, and the current legal state of play with all those other federal forces on D.C. streets.

Also, we’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at citycast.fm/survey—it’s only 7 minutes long. You’ll be doing us a big favor. Plus, anyone who takes the survey will be eligible to win a $250 Visa gift card–and City Cast City swag.

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

Overlook Maps

Nace Law Group

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE

City Leadership Stays Silent, MPD-ICE Collaboration, and Meme-ifying the Takeover Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

The Washington Post’s Olivia George joins the show to chat about the federal takeover of DC law enforcement: on the streets, in politics — where city officials from the mayor on down are sticking with a muted response — and online, where locals have been reacting in a wild variety of ways. And in a member’s only segment, we’ll get into the Trump administration’s latest edict on the Smithsonian, and check in on how the Trumpification of DC culture is proceeding.

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 August 15th episode:

Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Backroom

Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST

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