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‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Portland Made Its River Cool — Presented By City Cast DC Aug 23, 2026

Show notes

How often are you out in nature in DC? It’s not always easy to know which natural resources are clean and safe to use in an urban setting, and city rivers get a particularly bad rap. It’s true that cities have had eras of sewage mishandling and high boat traffic — but many have also cleaned up their act, through the tireless work of local advocates and politicians. Portland, OR, is one of those cities, and City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza joins this episode of Your City Could Be Better to debunk the assumptions and fears about her city’s river, the Willamette. Learn all about how a journalist-turned-governor led the charge to clean up Portland's waterfront, and how a quirky organizer — and lots of enthusiastic swimmers — have carried the torch.

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D.C. Goes Back To School, MPD Overtime Fraud, And The NSO Hits the Road Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

D.C. public schools open on Monday — we'll get into the politics of it all. Plus, six DC police employees have been charged for $440K in overtime fraud. And the latest on the Kennedy Center and the beleaguered National Symphony Orchestra. In a members-only fourth segment: is Obama’s tan suit somewhere in DC? We’re joined by City Cast reporters Ben Brasch and Emma Uber.

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 August 21st episode:

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

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

Pirro Doubles Down On Vandalism To Keep An Angry Trump At Bay Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for D.C., really wants to throw the book at the woman accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial. According to Politico’s Josh Gerstein, it’s one way for her to get back in the good graces of her boss, Donald Trump. Josh puts the national politics of the case in context — and explains what it may mean for the District.

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

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

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

Breaking Down D.C.'s Upcoming Grand Prix Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

We’re a few days out from the IndyCar race that will be taking over the National Mall this weekend. And while D.C. types are mostly talking about the massive road closings, we figured we ought to chat up someone who actually knows car racing.
Jordan Bianchi covers motor sports for the Athletic and caught us up on the race itself — plus what D.C. can learn from other cities that have hosted their own downtown races.

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

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

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

Is It Time To Close The Kennedy Center? Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Last week, the Kennedy Center’s board voted to uphold its previous decision to close for two years of renovations, while also approving a new inscription crediting Trump for restoring the building. But — these plans are still subject to court approval.
The Washington Post’s art, architecture and performing arts critic Philip Kennicott has been closely following the turmoil at the Kennedy Center, and he joins us to answer what closure could mean for its future.

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

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

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

Trump's Plans for an East Potomac Golf Course Are Sinking — Literally Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

President Donald Trump wants to renovate the East Potomac Park golf course, but there’s one big problem: the park — and the island it’s on — is sinking. Mother Jones reporter Stephanie Mencimer examines the problems facing Trump’s latest localproject.

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

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

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

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A Madison Landfill That’s A Smart Business Move — Presented By City Cast DC Aug 16, 2026

Show notes

What will DC do when it runs out of space for trash? Madison, WI, has a plan, and it’s one that other cities could follow. What could’ve just been another county landfill, slated to open in 2027, will instead be a “sustainability campus”, where local businesses will unite to more intentionally sort incoming waste, increase recycling intake, and generally aim to slow the flow of trash. And Dane County has historically handled waste disposal in a savvy way, making big bucks off of trash collection that they then use to fund future projects like this forthcoming campus. City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin breaks this all down for David, and together they uncover the quirks — and opportunities — that come with talking trash.

Mentioned on the show:

Conversion of Dane County landfills into pollinator fields

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.

Bus Drivers Fight Against Fare Quotes, Condo Sales are Down, and Congress Takes Up Motorcycle Helmets Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

We're talking about the metro union's fight back against bus fare quotes, D.C.’s slump in condo sales, and Republicans’ efforts to repeal the motorcycle helmet requirement. Plus, in a members’ only fourth segment, we’ve got the latest on RFK Stadium and the Commanders’ chances this year.

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 August 14th episode:

⁠DC Sustainable Energy Utility⁠

⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠

⁠Library of Congress⁠

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

How the Pamunkey Tribe Bought Back Their Virginia Homeland Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Many people don't realize that the D.C. region sits on Indigenous land. But recently, one local tribe made history by reclaiming a piece of its ancestral homeland after centuries of displacement. Washington Post reporter Dana Hedgpeth talks with us today about the Pamunkey Tribe's return to Windsor Shades in Virginia.

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

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

DC Department of Behavioral Health

Library of Congress

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

D.C.’s Best Ice Cream For These Humid Days Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

Ice cream is the best antidote to D.C's hot, muggy August days. Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman serves up the scoop on the city's best ice-cold treats.

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

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

DC Department of Behavioral Health

Library of Congress

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

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