City Cast DC

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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.