City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
🏈 Arena deal hangs by a thread
March 12, 2024
Good morning! What are your weirdly specific D.C. pet peeves? Mine is getting stuck behind motorcades and people who call Crystal City “NaLa.” This Reddit thread is a gold mine of annoyances I think we can all relate to.
What's CITY Talking About?
Arena Deal Hanging on By a Thread
The Potomac Yard arena deal might finally be dead. Virginia Senator L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), a vocal opponent of the deal, stripped all language relating to the arena from the budget proposed on Thursday. Governor Glenn Youngkin’s last chance to resurrect the deal will come when the legislature returns on April 17. [City Cast DC 🎧]
DC Lottery All-In on FanDuel
Sports betting behemoth FanDuel is taking over GambetDC. After years of technical issues and low revenue, the District is partnering with FanDuel to improve its mobile betting services. Intralot will continue as D.C.’s official vendor, after signing a controversial $215 million contract with the city in 2019. [City Cast DC 🎧, Washington Business Journal]
Grant Expands Social Services “Warmline”
D.C. has pledged $9 million to expand its social services hotline. Families in need can use the 211 “warmline” to get connected with rent, food, and monetary assistance. The grant aims to mitigate more than 20,000 child welfare referrals in 2023 and has received over 2,000 calls in its first three months. [Washington Post 🔒]
Women Carrying DC’s Small Businesses
A new report shows women own 47.4% of all businesses in D.C. compared to 40% nationwide. Yelp found that women-owned businesses jumped 25% between 2022 and 2023. Owners say that D.C.’s burgeoning economy is bolstered by a strong, collaborative community of female business owners. [Axios]
Sponsored Content
Ancestral Spaces: People of African Descent
Visit Tudor Place through April 21 to experience this unique guided tour experience. Curated in collaboration with the descendant community, this multifaceted tour gives voice to the enslaved and free people who lived and worked here. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Registration recommended at tudorplace.org.
What To Do
Tuesday, March 12
- 🌱 Plant Care As Self Care | 5:30 p.m. | $25 | Dupont
- 🧑🍳 “SUGARCANE” Cookbook Talk | 7 p.m. | $8 | Bold Fork Books
- 🍪 Girl Scout Cookies Cheese Pairing Class | 5:30 p.m. | $50 | H Street
- 🏛️ Lecture: How The National Mall Evolved | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. | Free | Georgetown
- 🎭 COMPANY Opening Night | 7:30 p.m. | $45+ | Foggy Bottom
Wednesday, March 13
- 📚 "Tell Me My Story" Author Chat | 6 p.m. | $10 | Downtown
- 🍸 Cocktails & Conversation: Women in Business Panel | 6 - 9 p.m. | $30 | Union Market
- 📺 “Survivor 46” Watch Party | 6 p.m. | $30+ | Navy Yard
- 🎵 Tunes: The Kooks | 8 p.m. | $45 | The Wharf
Thursday, March 14
- 💐 Art In Bloom Flower Show | Time Varies | $15 | Dupont
- 💀 Comedy Show for Climate Defiance | 7:30 p.m. $10+ | Mt. Vernon
- 🖼️ Sydney Vernon: Interior Lives Exhibit | 6 - 8 p.m. | Free | Anacostia
- 📚 People’s Book Author Talk | 6 p.m. | Free | Takoma Park
Today on City Cast
Is the Monumental Sports Arena Deal Dead?
Last week, both VA’s senate and house removed language about adding an arena to the state’s budget, potentially killing the deal for good. Michael Pope from Virginia Public Radio is here to explain where everything went wrong and if this plan still has a chance.
🚶 From Washington to Washington
This 26-year-old walked from Washington State to Washington D.C., strolling into town last Sunday. The trip took him an entire year, and he walked through 14 states. Part of his motivation was to fundraise for America Walks, an organization that supports walkable cities.
💌 Kaela
Today’s newsletter was edited by Julia Karron. News was written by Ashe Durban.
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