City Cast DC

Latest Episodes:

D.C.'s Best Spy Stories May 08, 2023

Show notes

It is City Cast’s SPY WEEK, presented by the International Spy Museum. Which means we’re doing a week’s worth of episodes about secret agents and covert goings-on right here in D.C. We’ll kick it today with a battlefield tour of sorts — the best spy stories in the District’s long secret history.

And at the end of the episode, a short bonus interview that has nothing to do with espionage — there’s been a shakeup in the city government and we’re talking to a reporter who’s been covering the fracas.

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

D.C.'s Public Transit Feud, New Food Halls, and the XFL Final May 05, 2023

Show notes

DC Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser are engaged in a battle over the free Metrobus plan versus the redesign of K Street downtown. Plus, there are a bunch of exciting new restaurant openings and DC News Now Sports Journalist Brandy Flores joins the team to chat about the one, surprising DC team that seems to be excelling right now.

Check out all the amazing local coverage that powers our roundups:

The Washington Post breaks down the feud over the K Street Transitway.
Axios has you covered on all the new restaurant openings and closings.
Check out Brandy Flores’s coverage of the D.C. Defenders.

Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast _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

How Avalon Theatre Defied The Odds May 04, 2023

Show notes

D.C.’s Avalon Theatre was founded in 1923, back when neighborhood movie houses were everywhere. And as movies moved to suburban multiplexes, the Avalon stayed put. Locals were so upset by the idea of it going away that they kicked in to turn the place into a nonprofit. What’s their secret?

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

Can We Make Downtown D.C. More "Livable"? May 03, 2023

Show notes

Downtown D.C. is known as a place to work, not live or hang out. In a new ranking of downtown vitality scores, D.C. ranks almost last. But the city is trying to change that. Tristan Navera from the Washington Biz Journal explains how.

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.

Does Marion Barry Deserve His Own Street? May 02, 2023

Show notes

It’s official: the city is moving ahead with changing the name of Good Hope Road in Southeast to Marion Barry Avenue SE, to honor D.C.’s Mayor for Life. But is this a good idea? Performative nonsense? Both? Cohosts Bridget Todd and Michael Schaffer spent some time breaking it down.

Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. 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 2026422654.

DCPS Is Trying To Fix Historic Inequities May 01, 2023

Show notes

City officials are considering redrawing school boundaries for the first time in a decade, and it’s a big deal, even if you’re not a DCPS parent, because it could significantly improve the city’s equity.

Abigail Higgins has written a ton about why the current system is so unequal (racism, real shocker) and how redistricting could change that.

Definitely sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC for more local news, events, and fun facts.

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

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

Police Chief’s Exit, Fare Evasion Crackdown, and Arlington’s Zoning Battle Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee “shocked” many with the surprise announcement of his retirement on Wednesday. We’re talking about that, plus Metro head Randy Clarke’s push to crackdown on fare evasion on Metro, and Arlington’s battle over “missing middle” housing.

As always, we’re grateful to our local news colleagues across the city for helping bolster this episode. Check out:

DCist’s look at Contee’s career and what might be ahead for MPD
The Washington Post’s piece about Arlington residents suing over the housing zoning changes
The DMV Download episode where Randy Clarke talked about the need to rein in fare evasion.

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.

Is Local TV News Dead? Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

Pat Collins was a staple of local TV news at a time when local TV reporters were celebrities. But after decades over covering snow days and street crime, he retired a few months ago. We sat down with him to talk about his rollicking on-camera past and local TV news’ uncertain future.

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

Why D.C. Residents Are In Prisons Across the U.S. Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Like most things in the District, D.C.'s criminal justice system is all tied up in the federal government. That means D.C. residents convicted of committing local crimes can end up all over the country. We sat down with Rob Barton, a Washingtonian behind bars who's been campaigning for a D.C. prison, and a local researcher who's been looking into why it's so hard to make that happen.

Why D.C. is One Big Adult Playground Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

From arcade bars, to kickball leagues and adult mini golf, D.C. has a lot of pastimes geared toward our inner child. But does that make D.C. a city for adult kids? Mike Schaffer and Bridget Todd discuss why D.C. sometimes feels like a playground for big kids.

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.

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