City Cast DC

Latest Episodes:

Why D.C.'s Crime Lab Is In Trouble Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

A few years ago, D.C. set up its own crime lab to process evidence and help investigators work cases faster. After fumbling multiple cases, the lab embarrassingly lost its accreditation last year. Now, part of the operation is coming back online. Washington City Paper’s Alex Koma is here to explain what it means for crime in the district.

Want to stay up to date on everything DC? 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 $8 a month.

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And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Crime Bill Passes, Service Fee Cap, and Office-to-Art Conversion Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

D.C. Council passed two major bills this week — one that’s supposed to fight crime, and another that deals, yet again, with restaurant service charges. Plus, the Artomatic show opens today, transforming an empty office building downtown. Emily Davies of the Post and Anna Spiegel of Axios are here to explain.

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And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

The Development Fight Tearing Chevy Chase Apart Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

There’s an epic fight over the redevelopment of the public library in Chevy Chase —- a fight that involves affordable housing, NIMBYism and historic preservation. The Washington Post’s Meagan Flynn is here to explain why it might give a glimpse into the future of development in D.C.

After the interview, senior executive producer Priyanka Tilve joins for a conversation sponsored by Alliance Francaise, about the organization’s exciting summer opportunities.

Check out Alliance Francaise at francedc.org.

Don’t forget to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

How D.C. Broke Sports Betting Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

GambetDC, the District’s sports betting platform, is marred with issues. So much so that the city was willing to find a new contractor. But it turns out that maybe they’re too late and will have to stick with Intralot for another year. We chatted with Danny Funt last year to discuss why GambetDC was a mess in the first place.

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 $8 a month.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

How the Smithsonian is Rectifying its Racist Past Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

It sounds like something out of a horror movie, but throughout the early 20th century, the Smithsonian acquired more than 280 human brains as a part of racist eugenics studies. More than a quarter of the brains still held by the Smithsonian today belonged to people in the DMV. Now, a Smithsonian task force says those remains should be repatriated. The Washington Post's Nicole Dungca is here to explain the reporting that triggered an investigation.

After the interview, our executive producer Priyanka Tilve chats with the folks from our sponsor Tudor Place about about the creative and eye-opening guided tour they’ve got running through April 21.

Learn more about Tudor Place’s Ancestral Spaces tour and buy tickets today.

For more DC news, sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Your Guide to March in D.C. Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

The days are finally feeling longer, it’s greener outside, and we’ve got an estimate for peak cherry blossom and it’s in this month! Welcome to March! We’re talking through some event and activity recommendations to take advantage of the good weather.

If you loved Kaela’s recommendations for bars, why not check out some underrated ones we talked about in a recent episode?

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 $8 a month.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Ambitious Downtown Plan, Maryland Senate Shakeup, and Foggy Bottom Catnapping Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Mayor Bowser has a plan for a wild future of downtown D.C., The Washington Post’s Michael Brice-Saddler is here to tell us all about it. Plus, City Cast contributor Dan Reed gives us the latest on an abortion ballot initiative and Senate shakeup in Maryland politics and finally a possible catnapping in Foggy Bottom.

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 $8 a month.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast _dc

And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

How DCPL Preserves D.C.'s Unseen Black History Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

The MLK library is home to D.C.'s People’s Archive, a living breathing collection honoring the city's cultural, social, and political history. Program Coordinator Maya Thompson and Archivist Derek Gray join us to explain how the archive preserves and celebrates Black History, and why right now, that's more important than ever.

After the interview, senior executive producer Priyanka Tilve joins for a conversation sponsored by Alliance Francaise, about the organization’s exciting summer opportunities.

To learn more about opportunities at Alliance Francaise, check out francedc.org.

Don’t forget to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC.

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

What D.C.'s Empty Offices Cost You Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

D.C. could be “ground zero” for office distress, AKA expensive downtown office buildings sitting unused and empty. And It could have big impacts for all of us, because D.C. relies on office taxes for revenue. So if office values go down, we’ve got a big problem. Emily Wishingrad, reporter at BisNow, has been covering the story of what D.C.’s office distress means for the city.

Check out more of Emily’s comprehensive reporting on this topic.

And if you want to support those impacted by the WAMU layoffs, here’s how you can do that.

At this difficult time for D.C. journalism, consider supporting your favorite outlets. If we’re your go-to source, you can become a City Cast DC member today, for just $8/month.

Want some more D.C. news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC.

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

Unions Protest Arena Move, RIP DCist, and D.C.’s Polyamory Scene Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

The Washington Post’s Teo Armus explains why some Virginia unions have come out against the plan to move the Capitals and the Wizards to Virginia. Plus, we pour one out for DCist shutting down and what it says about the state of media, and why it seems like polyamory is on the rise in D.C.

Plus, after the interview, City Cast CEO David Plotz joins us for a conversation sponsored by Urban Pace, the mid-Atlantic leader in development real estate services, about the new Ebenezer Row homes in Capitol Hill. Click through to learn more about how the development is building upon the neighborhood’s rich history.

You can check out more information on polyamory support groups and resources here.

And if you want to help support us, become a member! It only costs $8/month.