City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
💰DC Council reverses budget cuts
April 23, 2024
Morning, D.C. A Taylor Swift class will be offered at American University, so you can now get credit for crying to “The Tortured Poets Department.” The class, called "Swiftonomics," will explore the economic impact of the Swift’s Era's Tour.
What's CITY Talking About?
Mendelson Pushes Back Against Education Cuts
City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson says he will undo Mayor Bowser’s contentious cuts to D.C. Public Schools, the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, and other social programs. These cuts came in response to a looming $500 million budget deficit and the CFO’s request to top up the city’s local reserve fund. Mendelson says he also plans on rejecting the CFO’s request to help restore program funds. He will drop his proposed budget on May 28. [Washington Post 🔒, City Cast DC 🎧]
AI Taking Over D.C.
A new study shows D.C. is hiring for AI jobs at three times the national rate. There were 2,241 AI jobs posted in the first quarter of 2024, only 581 fewer than the national leader, San Jose. Experts point to the defense industry’s interest in AI as the leading factor for the surge. As AI emerges as one of the hottest new industries, it could mean lucrative economic gains for D.C. [Axios]
VA Outlaws Uninsured Drivers
Starting July 1, all Virginia drivers will be required to have car insurance. The new law, passed last year, repeals the “uninsured motorist fee,” a loophole that allows drivers to skip insurance for $500. Only in Virginia! [ALXnow]
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What To Do
Tuesday, April 23
- 📚 Emily Henry Themed Happy Hour | 5 p.m. | Free | Capitol Hill
- 🪱 Profs & Pints: Good, Evil and "Dune" | 6 p.m. | $15 | Penn Quarter
- ⁉️Trivia Night: The Great Outdoors | 5 p.m. | Free | Downtown
Wednesday, April 24
- 🍸 Book Talk Soirée for “The Paris Novel” | 6 p.m. | $40 | Georgetown
- 🎵 Tunes: Nicky Youre at DC9 | 8 p.m. | $18 | Shaw
- ✂️ April Collage Night at Femme Fatale | 7 p.m. | Donation | Cleveland Park
- 🎉 Heurich House Birthday Party | 4 - 8 p.m. | Free | Dupont
- 📜 Protecting Cultural Heritage under Siege | 6 p.m. | Free | National Mall
Thursday, April 25
- 🛝 Crispus Attucks Park History Talk | 7 p.m. | Free | Bloomingdale
- 🎤 “Language and Identity” Storytelling Night | 7 p.m. | $5 | H Street
- 🎼 Singers Choice Opera Show at Wonderlands | 7 p.m. | Free | Columbia Heights
- 🎲 Backgammon Night at Kucheh Art Studio | 6 - 8 p.m. | $20 | Brookland
Today on City Cast
DCPS Cuts, Wydown Unionization, and the Real Housewives of DC
The City Cast DC team joins Washington City Paper’s Cat Sposato to chat about major cuts facing DCPS, a D.C. coffee shop unionizing, and Real Housewives of D.C. finally being released on streaming.
Today is National Picnic Day, so get some sweet treats, a blanket, and enjoy this perfect weather.
💌 Kaela
Today’s newsletter was edited by Julia Karron. News was written by Ashe Durban.
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