City Cast DC

This September – we've got D.C.'s middle-school-girl-pop concert lineup, another chance to eat fruit in Malcolm X Park, and the best way to see (and taste) the District by bike. As the leaves start to change, the September Guide has you covered. 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 September 1st episode: Tasti District Bridges Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

You may know Sara Polon as the woman behind Soupergirl, the D.C. company whose soups are now in hundreds of supermarkets. But before that, she was a comedian. And after launching the company, she went through – as Sara puts it – a personal explosion. This week, her struggles are the subject of a one-woman show she's launching in D.C. Sara's 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 31st episode: Tasti District Bridges Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The D.C. airports definitely have a lot going for them, but they don't have their own electrical grids, like Pittsburgh's airport does. For the past few years, Pittsburgh International Airport has been generating on-site electricity, more than it needs even at peak operation, to fortify itself against the kind of power outages that hit airports (unsettlingly often) across the world. City Cast Pittsburgh host Megan Harris brings David into the little-known world of airport energy independence, showing how a one-time investment can bring the kind of peace of mind that both travelers and operators hope for every day. 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. 

This week, we're talking about a Sunoco station on U Street and what it says about actually getting things built in D.C. We also look at the fate of a park that was supposed to be our version of NYC's High Line. Finally, we discuss a lawsuit against a think tank and what it means for that crucial industry. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we talk about how the District is mourning our Earth Angel, Dolly Parton. 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 28th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Tasti Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Police say license plate reader cameras like Flock are an important tool for solving crimes. But a new Washington Post investigation found dozens of cases where officers have been accused of using license plate readers for unauthorized purposes, including tracking exes and spouses. Today we're joined by Washington Post technology reporter Douglas MacMillan, whose investigation uncovered some of those abuses and has already prompted police investigations and new safeguards from Flock itself. 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 27th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Tasti Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

A new organization plans to fight for D.C.'s rights — by going into Congressional districts to unseat Republicans. Defend D.C. was announced this week by Robert White, D.C.'s all-but-certain next Congressional delegate. Ike Allen just profiled White in Washingtonian and is here to explain the PAC and its organizer. 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 26th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Tasti Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

D.C. Public Schools is the national leader — by a lot — in at least one category: enrollment in pre-kindergarten programs. Almost every D.C. 4-year-old goes to pre-K; about 80 percent of 3-year-olds do. That's more than twice the national average. Sara Mead recently wrote an essay for Capital Commonsense describing this as a D.C. triumph. She's here to explain how it happened, and what it means. 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 25th episode: ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ ⁠Tasti⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

In a few weeks, D.C.'s Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White will stand trial for allegations of corruption. This is embarrassing for any city, but especially so in D.C., where some say we don't have the right to self-government. City Cast reporter Emma Uber covered White's preliminary hearing last week, and she's here to set the scene. 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 24th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Tasti Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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. Mentioned on the show: Portland's riverfront park, named after former Governor Tom McCall Swiss residents using river to swim home from work RFK Jr. swimming (in jeans) in Rock Creek in Washington, D.C. 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.

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.

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. 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 20th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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. 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 19th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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. 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 18th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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 local project. 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 17th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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.

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.

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. 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 13th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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. 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 12th episode: DC Sustainable Energy Utility DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 5th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of Congress

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. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 4th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Library of Congress

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

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.

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. 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. 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.

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.  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 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.

The National Guard is sticking around — and, like a lot of people who decide to stay in D.C., they're about to pay through the nose for real estate. City Cast's Alyssa Fowers and Emma Uber looked through the contract and crunched the numbers and they're here to explain what it means that the troops are about to pitch up in some of the city's buzziest neighborhoods. 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.  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 29th episode: DC Public Library DC Department of Behavioral Health District Bridges Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

D.C. taxpayers — you — spent $220 million last year on overtime for public-safety agencies in D.C. How did this happen? According to a new report from D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson, agencies are chronically understaffed, so bosses need to pay overtime to get the job done. How did we get here? And what does it mean? Kathy's 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 July 28th episode: DC Public Library DC Department of Behavioral Health District Bridges Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Our co-host Bridget has just published an audiobook that starts with her own journey into an AI relationship — and then examines the phenomenon through a range of others. As she notes, it's a particularly ubiquitous thing in D.C., even if we don't talk much about it.  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 July 27th episode: DC Public Library DC Department of Behavioral Health District Bridges Library of Congress Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

It's not a given that every Washingtonian will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writer Taylor Lahey about how functional incentives could be the missing link in traditional systems of donations and volunteering. Inspired by a waste exchange program in Curitiba, Brazil, Lahey is working to create circular systems that effectively incentivize donations and just as effectively get them into the hands of those who need them. When investment and morale are low, sometimes an unconventional approach is the right way to go. Want to hear your question on an upcoming episode of Your City Could Be Better? Submit your city dilemmas for our upcoming call-in show by using our Google Form: https://forms.gle/45X33jhGHf8BYDM5A  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.

We're talking about D.C. versus DoorDash, the D.C. building everyone wants to demolish, and the best way to see The Odyssey. Plus, in a members-only segment, the latest on Metro's plans for the new RFK stadium. 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 July 24th episode: ⁠DC Public Library⁠ ⁠DC Sustainable Energy Utility⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

Virginia Horse Country looms large in the DC imagination — a preppy land beyond the suburbs you may hear about from time to time. Especially lately, because Vice President JD Vance is moving there, to a 500-acre estate in Middleburg. The Washington Post's Paul Schwartzman is here to explain what the place means. 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 July 23rd episode: DC Public Library DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

To get public housing in DC, you need to cough up a lot of data about yourself. Which makes it a particular problem when the public housing authority is hacked — and when they don't tell anyone about it. Reporter Suzie Amanuel has been covering the story 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 July 22nd episode: DC Public Library DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

The movie Heavy Metal Parking Lot turns 40 this year — and feels weirdly contemporary. The basic setup is this: A couple of guys showed up at the parking lot of a Judas Priest show outside DC and just let cameras run as the tailgaters go wild. The difference: The cringe behavior didn't wind up on social media, but instead became part of an underground art film that slowly became a cult classic. The filmmakers Jeff Krulik and John Heyn are here to tell the story of the metal show and what happened next.  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 July 21st episode: DC Public Library DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

D.C. has an app that lets citizens request services and report problems around town. And this spring, it just stopped working. Our guest Josh Jacobson worked with a colleague to build their own. You'd think the city would be grateful. You'd be wrong. Josh 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 July 20th episode: DC Public Library DC Sustainable Energy Utility Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Sometimes it can feel like DC is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans don't have, they make up for in advocacy, whether by showing up to city council and organizing for change or just doing things themselves. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with creator and city lover Hope Henchey about how she and her neighbors are sneakily and secretly fixing up their city. You've heard of the Nashville bench builders — now get ready for the Chattanooga pothole fillers, sidewalk layers, and (literal) trail blazers. Mentioned on the show: Atlas Obscura feature on the community-built benches in Chattanooga Efforts by Strong Chattanooga to make a path through the woods in a sidewalk-less neighborhood Review of Hoboken's streak of zero traffic fatalities  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.

We're talking about the problems at the Lincoln Memorial undercroft, that viral July 4 photo of a woman on the Metro, and World Cup specials. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment, we'll get into the proposed very expensive upgrades to Audi Field — that D.C. taxpayers are going to pay for 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 July 17th episode: ⁠DC Department of Behavioral Health⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE⁠.

Dating in D.C. can get expensive fast. But romance doesn't have to come with a $300 price tag, which yes that is how much some people are paying for dates in cities! Whether you're planning a first date, trying to keep date night affordable, or just looking for something fun to do with a partner, there are plenty of ways to have a great time in this city without spending much at all. Jade Womack, aka Clockout DC, has built a following by finding the best affordable things to do around the city. Today, she joins us to share her favorite DC date ideas for around $15 or less. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this July 16th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Waymos—the autonomous, self-driving ride-hailing vehicles—are already cruising around D.C. with one big catch: under current D.C. law, there's still a human safety driver behind the wheel. But will D.C. ever allow Waymos to operate without a human driver? And more importantly, should it? The D.C. Council is considering a bill that could finally allow them to operate in the District, but not without a fight. Labor unions, disability advocates, tech companies, and business leaders all packed a marathon hearing to debate what the future of transportation in D.C. should look like—and who it should serve. Ben Brasch was there for many many hours. He joins me today to explain where the debate stands and what the future of AVs in D.C. could look like. 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 July 15th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Arena Stage is one of D.C.'s most prestigious theaters, but this month its biggest drama happened offstage: The theater's artistic director was abruptly ousted, and the fallout has been bitter, with accusations of racial bias and workplace toxicity — plus allegations about making staffers fetch groceries. Rebecca Ritzel reported on this for NOTUS and she's here to share some dishy details.   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 July 14th episode: DC Department of Behavioral Health Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.