The word “iconic” gets used too much in D.C. But in the case of Ben’s Chili Bowl, the U Street Mecca for late-night half-smokes, it fits. Bridget and Mike sat down with Virginia Ali, the matriarch of the restaurant which turns 65 today! They talk about the early days serving Howard University students, living through the fires of 1968, and what business is like in spiffed-up 21st century U Street. 

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.

Houselessness is still below pre-pandemic levels in the District, but that good news doesn't paint the entire picture. Because there’s also been an increase in houselessness this year. The city also has a social worker shortage. Marissa Lang, reporter at the Washington Post, has been covering how this is impacting the city. 

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.

District Dogs day care in Northeast flooded again, but this time, 10 dogs drowned. Our team talks about what happened and how the owner’s past pleas to the city went unheeded. Plus, we break down a “freedom of speech” lawsuit by anti-abortion protesters against D.C. and size up Washington City Paper’s Best of D.C. 2023.

Check out the local reporting that powers our roundups:

Want some more DC news? Then you should 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.

D.C. has loads of parks and trails, which make it a great city for running. It also has a lot of hills, which, for a lot of people….not so much. We sat down last year with Washington Post wellness reporter Kelyn Soong to get his sense of Washington as a running town — and as some of his tips and tricks to get out there and start pounding the pavement. 

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.

The pandemic changed where you work — and where the people who sell you stuff want to set up shop. In the D.C. area, this has meant jobs, and people, moving from the city to the suburbs. Will it last? And what comes next? Tristan Navarra from the Washington Business Journal is here to explain. 

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.

During World War 2, women took on roles as codebreakers, pilots, butchers, and farmers to aid in the war effort. These women are “Rosies” like Rosie the Riveter. College student Raya Kenney has been trying to get a memorial to these women built in DC for half her life — since she was 11. She explains what it takes to get a new monument constructed.

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

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. gets a bad rep ... in a lot of ways. People say we're not fashionable, we're careerist snobs. Are they right? Co-hosts Mike Schaffer and Bridget Todd sat down to discuss D.C.’s stickiest stereotypes.

Also, we're doing a live taping, and we'd love to see you. Come on by to Sonny's Pizza on Monday, Aug. 28. There will be a wine tasting from 5-6 p.m., followed by our recording at 6:30 p.m. It's also our anniversary party, so it's going to be a really special night. RSVP here.

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

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.

This week, a Councilmember called for the National Guard to help curb D.C. crime, Beyonce fans came up against the famously terrible FedEx Field, and a bunch of DC restaurants announced they’re taking summer breaks. The team wraps it all up with Washingtonian’s food editor Jessica Sidman. 

As always, our Friday roundup is fueled by great local journalism: 

And check out these other episodes that we referenced in today’s roundup: 

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.

When you think of city skylines, you might picture dazzling skyscrapers and high-rises. But not in D.C., where the Height Act of 1910 has given the city its iconic shorter vista. But we’re in the midst of another conversation about tinkering with the law. Should we? WTOP’s Luke Garrett breaks it down. 

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.

D.C. can be a tough city and sometimes we all need to have a little cry. And it turns out D.C. is a great city for crying in public. Kiara McGowan from the now viral TikTok account “Crying in DC” grabs the tissues to talk about the best spots to shed some tears and how she’s making space for D.C.’s public criers. 

Follow Kiara on TikTok @cryingindc

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.