City Cast DC

Latest Episodes:

D.C.'s Federal Takeover, One Year In Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

It’s been one year since President Donald Trump launched what he called a federal takeover of D.C., sending National Guard troops into the city and dramatically expanding the federal law enforcement presence on our streets. His stated goal was to make D.C. safer -- looking at the crime stats, it hasn’t necessarily worked out that way. But it has had a huge impact on the lives of D.C. residents.
Bloomberg Law reporter Keith Alexander has been reporting on the lives of those caught up in the federal crackdown. He’s here to explain what happened to them, what the National Guard is doing in D.C. a year later, and what this past year tells us about the future of the federal presence in the city.

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 11th episode:

DC Sustainable Energy Utility

DC Department of Behavioral Health

Library of Congress

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

Best Places to Camp Before Summer Ends Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Now that August is here, you might be feeling the stress of trying to wrap up that summer bucket list. Today we’re helping you check off that weekend camping trip you’ve been telling everyone you want to do… but haven’t actually planned! Let’s revisit our conversation from last fall with Leo Murray, founder of Kibiboyz and leader of Concrete Escapes. Leo’s been breaking down barriers around camping and helping DMV city folks reconnect with nature, one campfire at a time. Whether you're an experienced outdoorswoman or just testing out the waters with a bit of car camping, this episode’s got something for everyone.

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.

If you enjoyed this interview with Richard Reyes-Gavilan, the Executive Director for DC Public Library, ⁠learn more here⁠.

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

⁠DC Sustainable Energy Utility⁠

⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠

⁠Library of Congress⁠

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

'Your City Could Be Better': Bridget Todd Debates Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

As much as you love DC, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have complaints, questions, and quandaries. On our first call-in episode, DC’s very own Bridget Todd joins City Cast Seattle host Jane C. Hu and City Cast CEO David Plotz to respond to your dilemmas, from when it’s acceptable to intervene on a bike path to what to do about that neighbor that really lets it all hang out.

Have more city dilemmas? Send them in for our next call-in show.

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.

Inside Trump’s $22.5 Billion Plan To Remake Dulles Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

President Donald Trump has unveiled a $22.5 billion vision to remake Dulles International Airport, with plans to replace its iconic people movers, build a new passenger train, and totally transform one of the region's biggest transportation hubs. But how much of this is actually likely to happen? Who will pay for it? And what could it mean for the millions of people who use Dulles every year? Kriston Capps, writer for Bloomberg’s CityLab joins us to break down the proposal and what it means for DC and beyond.

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 6th episode:

DC Department of Behavioral Health

Library of Congress

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

D.C.'s Next Mayor Wants To Make Buses Free For SNAP Recipients Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

The very likely next mayor of DC wants to make buses free for public-assistance recipients. If that sounds familiar, it should: over the last few years, there have been a bunch of proposals to make buses free for some — and sometimes all — Washingtonians. Zara Norman from NOTUS has been reporting on this, and is here to explain.

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 5th episode:

DC Department of Behavioral Health

Library of Congress

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

One of D.C.'s Greatest Novelists Just Dropped a New Book Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

George Pelecanos is maybe the greatest Washington novelist — and he never writes about the Senate. Over the years, his crime stories have doubled as a kind of history of our city. And his most recent novel, The Blue Flame, drops today. I talked with Pelecanos about growing up in the city, working on The Wire, and where he finds his stories.

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 4th episode:

DC Department of Behavioral Health

Library of Congress

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

D.C.’s Streateries Are Closing, But Are They Gone For Good? Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Have you walked by Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights recently? The familiar picnic table streatery is gone! A string of high-profile closures of DC’s streateries has reignited the debate over outdoor dining, parking, public space, and what kind of city Washington wants to be. City Cast's Alyssa Fowers and Kaela Cote-Stemmermann have been following the issue. They're here to explain how we got here, why this debate has flared up, and what comes next for restaurants and the future of our streets.

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 3rd episode:

DC Department of Behavioral Health

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

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One City Beat Restrictive Zoning — Presented By City Cast DC Aug 02, 2026

Show notes

Do you know how zoning laws affect DC’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made it physically impossible to build tall buildings downtown, even for housing — that is, until the local government finally aligned to overturn it. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with Eli Sabin, a New Haven native and one of the alders (aka city council members) responsible for passing this change in recent months. Eli spent years working toward this goal, and he talks with David about what now needs to happen to fully realize its potential and increase affordability for locals.

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.

Luxury Digs for the National Guard, Bowser Ditches the Budget, and Wild New Plans for Dulles Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

We’re talking about the National Guard in D.C., how Muriel Bowser isn’t signing the DC budget, and the goofy plans for Dulles. Plus in a members-only fourth segment, a blistering report on the MPD’s cooked-books scandal.

We’re doing our annual survey to learn more about our listeners. We’d be grateful if you took the survey at dc.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 DC swag.

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

DC Department of Behavioral Health

District Bridges

Library of Congress

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

Your Guide to August 2026 in D.C. Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Whether it’s chomping on an apple with strangers in Malcolm X Park or vibing to local music at a summer concert series, our August Guide has got you covered.

For even more tips on how to make the most of August in D.C., check out City Cast DC’s take on what to do this month.

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

DC Department of Behavioral Health

District Bridges

Library of Congress

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

Reach us at DC@citycast.fm.