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PODCAST

City Cast DC

City Cast DC is the daily, local audio companion you knew DC needed.. Washingtonians are deeply passionate about our city, whose story is still being written, and City Cast DC is here to tell it. Every weekday morning, our hosts Michael Schaffer and Bridget Todd will engage people from all over the eight wards in conversation about DC’s crises and its beauty, both literal and figurative. It’ll have the feel of eavesdropping on an energetic and informative coffee shop chat, except that with City

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All Episodes

21:48

‘Mar-a-Lago’ Face is Taking Over DC

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/19

That taut, pulled look, full lips, jawlines that suddenly seem… suspiciously sharp. It’s what some are calling “Mar-a-Lago Face,” a plastic-surgery trend that’s gaining popularity here in DC. So who’s getting the work done? And what exactly are they asking for? We’re revisiting our conversation with journalist POLITICO’s Joanna Weiss about what DC really thinks of plastic surgery, why certain faces rise and fall with each administration—and how, in Washington, even our aesthetics are

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37:11

Is Student Truancy Behind DC's Youth Crime?

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/18

DC is in the middle of two youth crises: One involves school truancy; the other involves high-profile teen mayhem, like the skirmish on Halloween between young people and law enforcement at Navy Yard. Are the two related? Washington Post reporters Lauren Lumpkin and Robert Samuels wrote a blockbuster report on the city’s failures to combat truancy. They walk us through the shocking details. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or

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41:28

New Details About How Bowser Kept Trump At Bay — And...

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/17

What really went on between Muriel Bowser and Donald Trump during the DC police takeover? The Washington Post’s Jonathan O’Connell has reported out an epic look at the relationship between the blue mayor and the people that make up the MAGA administration, full of jaw-dropping details. Come for the cocktail party with Russ Vought, stick around for the Marshawn Lynch meme. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at:

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34:51

RIP Streateries? Plus, Shutdown Ends, and a New WaPo...

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/14

We’re talking about the future of streateries, the end of the federal shutdown, and a new Washington Post food critic. Plus, in a member’s-only fourth segment, we’ll talk about the trend of senior Trump officials living in military bases — and what that means for DC.Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey 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

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41:43

Confessions of a DC Food Critic: Behind the Scenes...

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/13

On Monday, the Washington Post announced that Elazar Sontag would be its new food critic. Which means that Tom Sietsema, who held the job for 26 years, is finally free to dish about what life was really like as the most powerful man in DC’s restaurant scene. We talked to Tom about the way the dining world has evolved, the way the critic’s job has changed, and whether he’d actually make me pay if we go out to dinner together. He also let slip some hints about what he’ll do next. Want some more DC

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26:40

Food Halls Took Over DC — But Are They All Mid?

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/12

Here’s a hot take: food halls are stressful. Too many options, not enough standout bites. So when we heard that DC was getting another one in the form of a chain called Wonder, we had to know why. Anna Spiegel joins us to dish on DC’s newest food hall chain and whether they’re actually worth the hype.Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ⁠(202) 642-2654⁠. You can⁠ also become a member⁠, with ad-free

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27:11

Mayor Bowser and Qatargate. Plus, Shutdown Latest

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/11

A blockbuster New York Times report last week announced that Mayor Bowser is under federal investigation over a foreign trip she took. But within hours, other news organizations reported that the investigation isn’t targeting the mayor, and may not be much of an investigation after all. Nonetheless, it lands at a terrible time for Muriel Bowser as she weighs a reelection run. And it highlights once again the bizarre dance between DC’s leaders and the Trump administration. Michael Schaffer talks with

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16:10

How This Tax Change Could Reduce Child Poverty in DC

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/10

DC is on the cusp of passing a law whose proponents say it could massively reduce child poverty. But the catch is that the bill would take away a lot of the local tax benefits that at least some folks would get as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill passed by Congress. Jenny Gathright from the Washington Post has been covering the debate and is here to explain. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ⁠(202)

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35:29

Could a Mamdani Win in DC? Plus, Youth Curfews And...

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/07

All eyes this week were actually on New York City’s mayor’s race, and as our own race for mayor heats up, we’re talking about whether DC could ever get its own Zohran Mamdani. Plus, inside chaos at Navy Yard and the youth curfew in DC, and we dig into the trial of Sandwich Guy. And in a member’s-only fourth segment, we’ll talk about the strange K-shaped real estate market in DC. Co-host Michael Schaffer chats with the 51st’s Martin Austermuhle and City Cast’s Julia Karron. Want some more DC news

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32:17

DC's Foliage is Radically Different This Year

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/06

Do you spend much time thinking about trees? Me neither. All we know is that DC has a lot of ‘em. But it turns out that our treescape has undergone some radical changes lately. And, thanks to climate change, more are in store. The Washington Post’s Marissa Lang and John Harden worked on an epic report on Washington’s trees and they’re here to explain how it all works. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: ‪(202)

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19:19

Rabid or Rad? The Bats of DC

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/05

Now that it’s fall, we’re finally moving out of mosquito season, and today we’re talking about one of the animal heroes that eats mosquitos – that’s right, the bat. It turns out, DC is a lot battier than you might think. Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick, Associate Professor of Urban Ecology and DC Master Naturalist Coordinator at the University of DC, joins us to share everything you need to know about the city’s bat population. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter

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27:31

How the Delay in SNAP Funding is Impacting DC — And...

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/04

With the Trump administration saying Monday that it would only partially fund food benefits for low income families during what is about to become the longest government shutdown in history, D.C. announced the city has 30 million dollars in local funds that could be used to cover November food benefits for low income residents. Marissa Lang has been covering food assistance programs for the Washington Post. She explains what all of this means for the district and why it matters for everyone, even

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28:23

Your Guide to November 2025 in DC

City Cast DC ·

2025/11/03

Happy November! Now we know, things in the city are a bit weird since we’re still in the middle of the government shutdown, but from checking out DC art to scarfing tacos and sipping wines, there's still a ton to see, do, drink, and eat in DC this November. If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast community. For even more tips on how to make the most of November in DC, check out Hey DC’s take on what to

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35:18

Did MPD Cover Up a Shooting? Plus, SNAP Runs Out, and...

City Cast DC ·

2025/10/31

We’re talking about a federal police shooting — and a potential coverup. We’re talking about what happens in DC as SNAP benefits dry up. Plus, your DC-specific Halloween getups, and in a members-only fourth segment we’ll get into Donald Trump’s firing of an obscure planning commission and what it means for DC (and not just the White House ballroom).Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can

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24:49

Real People. Real Safety Solutions {Sponsored}

City Cast DC ·

2025/10/30

In the final episode of a three-part sponsored series with the Public Welfare Foundation, City Cast DC CEO David Plotz talks with two leaders working to make D.C. a safer, more just place. Kristy Love, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and Victor Battle, President and Founder of Right Direction and longtime violence interrupter.Together, they explore what real safety looks like on the ground: how data and coordination are helping D.C. reduce crime, why jobs and

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28:06

You're Not A Real Washingtonian Unless You Know DC's...

City Cast DC ·

2025/10/30

You're Not A Real Washingtonian Unless You Know DC's GhostsHow haunted is DC? Have you ever had particularly spooky paranormal experiences here? We haven’t, but Katie Kirkpatrick with Nightly Spirit Ghost Tours HAS and she’s here to share the DC stories that might just make you keep a light on tonight. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening,

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12:20

DC's Best Spots for a Big (Public) Cry

City Cast DC ·

2025/10/29

It’s been a rough few months in DC, and today, we’re running back one of our favorite episodes all about public crying, because, as it turns out, DC is a great city for public crying! A couple of years ago, Bridget talked with Kiara McGowan from the now-viral TikTok account Crying in DC about how she is making space for DC’s public criers and the best spots for you, too, to cry in public.Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave

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30:00

VA’s Election is Next Week — And the Race Has...

City Cast DC ·

2025/10/28

One week from today is election day in Virginia, and early voting has already started. Every seat in Virginia is on the ballot this November including the high-profile race for whether Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears will replace Glenn Youngkin as Governor. Now, this is one of the most important and closely watched in the country, and it’s also gotten a lot tighter and a lot more scandal-plagued. Michael Pope, a reporter for Virginia Public Radio and host of the Press

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24:40

Is DC Cutting Red Tape — or Eviscerating Tenant...

City Cast DC ·

2025/10/27

DC has just passed some big changes to the law that’s supposed to help tenants buy their apartments if the landlord decides to sell. Is this a giveaway to Big Real Estate? Or a much-needed evisceration of red tape that makes DC housing so scarce? Emilia Calma from the DC Policy Center is here to walk us though the not-totally-wonky details. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also

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31:55

East Wing Demolition, Driverless Cars, and a Copycat...

City Cast DC ·

2025/10/24

We’re talking about the fate of the White House east wing, whether there’s ever going to be Waymo in DC, and a very funny slapfight over the restaurant Millie’s and one of its imitators. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment: Remember the shutdown? It’s still ongoing. We have updates.If you’re a City Cast DC Neighbor, you’re invited to a private tour of one of the DMV’s true hidden wonders, Fort DeRussy! It will be hosted by our CEO and lifelong Washingtonian, David Plotz. Interested? Email us

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