City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
School bomb threat case cracked
October 26, 2023
Good morning! The pandas have an official farewell date: Nov. 15. Turns out they're not a “travel light” kind of family. They’ll be taking 900 lbs of bamboo, water, treats, and three zoo staff members with them on the 9,000-mile flight to Chengdu. And I thought I was high-maintenance.
What's CITY Talking About?
Preteen Responsible for Bomb Threats
Montgomery County police say a local 12-year-old was behind seven total bomb threats against three public schools, all this month. Under Maryland law, the child cannot be charged. The police say that the child was “well aware of the legal limitations surrounding their age.” [WTOP]
- Related: Going to school shouldn’t be scary, but threats of shootings and bombings are something kids across the DMV are dealing with. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Deadly Biking Accident
A graduate student from George Washington University was killed while biking on the 1700 block of L Street NW. The 24-year-old man from Azerbaijan was struck by a car as he biked across Connecticut Avenue NW. The D.C. government has highlighted bike safety as a major priority, however, bicyclist fatalities have been on the rise. [NBC4, Axios]
Threat to Rock Creek Park Trees
A project to repair an 18-hole golf course in Rock Creek Park would mean cutting down more than 1,000 trees in the park. Environmentalist groups are up in arms over the proposed clearing of about 8 acres in the park. The public comment period on the project was extended to Nov. 4 after major public pushback. [DCist]
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What To Do
👠 Spooky Queens Drag Show | Thursday | 6:30 p.m.
Head to Gateway Park for this 90-minute, fabulously frightening show that includes a costume contest at the end. [$10, Rosslyn]
🎥 Rocky Horror Picture Show | Friday | 7 p.m.
Metrobar is throwing this Halloween classic up on the big screen. Costumes are highly encouraged. [Free, Edgewood]
🍴 Tim Ma Pop-Up | Friday | 5 p.m.
The restaurant Any Day Now is starting a recurring dinner series, "Chinese Prime Rib House," with the first one tomorrow. [$80, Navy Yard]
🎉 Hill-O-Ween | Friday | 5 - 8 p.m.
This outdoor festival includes pumpkin carving, a costume contest, kids activities, and lots of candy. [Free, Eastern Market]
🪩 Family Spooky Disco | Saturday | 4 - 6 p.m.
Show off your costumes at this family-centered dance party with a live DJ, snacks, and party games. [$15, Brookland]
Today on City Cast
D.C. is rolling out a new slogan this November, to entice more international tourists to visit. But our hosts Michael and Bridget are ... less than thrilled about it.
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Death of a Giant
Sad news for arborists. The giant white oak tree in Georgetown’s Montrose Park has been cut down after years of being ill with a fungal disease. The tree was hundreds of years old, and it was sad to see it fall. The wood will be used to restore the park’s pergola.
Bearer of bad news,
Kaela
Today’s newsletter was edited by Priyanka Tilve. News was written by Susannah Broun.
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