City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
🎒 How Trump’s policies are devastating DC schools
April 8, 2025 · 💌 Kaela
Hey, neighbor! It's National Library Week and D.C. has one of the best in the business (no, actually, we’ve won awards). To celebrate, here are a few of our favorite free things to get with a D.C. public library card.
What's CITY Talking About?
Police Officers Investigated for Pandemic Relief Fraud
Federal prosecutors are investigating dozens of D.C. police officers for potentially pocketing federal pandemic relief dollars. Last month, a former D.C. police officer was convicted of wire fraud related to $35,000 in stolen pandemic relief loans. [Washington Post 🔒]
Trump Tries To Ban Return Of Deported Marylander
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has temporarily blocked a court order demanding the return of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. The Trump administration concedes that Kilmar Abrego Garcia should not have been deported, but says it has no way to get him back. [New York Times]
VA Governor Race Heats Up
Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger will face off against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the race for the next Virginia governor in November. No other candidates got enough signatures to make the ballot. [ABC7]
Trump Threatens DC Public Schools
The Trump administration is pressuring public schools to abandon any programming related to DEI, or risk losing federal funding. Here’s how local schools are responding. [City Cast DC 🎧]
What To Do
Tuesday, April 8
- 🥟 National Empanada Day Party | 6 - 8 p.m. | $40 | Takoma Park
- 🎤 Tunes: Kylie Minogue | 7:30 p.m. | $54+ | Capital One Arena
- 🎼 Courthouse Songwriters Group | 6:30 p.m. | Free | Courthouse Library
- 😶Silent Book Club | 6:15 p.m. | Free | Alexandria
- 🎶 Tunes: Tallest Man on Earth | 8 p.m. | $28+ | Bethesda
- 🌱 Volunteer at THEARC Farm | 9 - 11 a.m. | Free | Shipley
Wednesday, April 9
- 🌸 Planet Word After Hours: Cherry Blossoms | 5-8 p.m. | $5+ | Downtown
- 📔 Writerly Happy Hour | 6 - 8 p.m. | Free | Park View
- 📚 Bookbinding Basics (Begins) | 5:30 p.m. | $140 (three classes) | Takoma Park
- 🧩 Speed Puzzling | 7 p.m. | $20+ | Alexandria
- ✨ Lecture: The Terrestrial Worlds of Other Stars | 6:30 p.m. | Free | National Archives
- 🍫 Chocolate Circle & Meditation | 7 p.m. | $27 | Cleveland Park
🍨 It’s Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's from 12 to 8 p.m. Please, lick responsibly.
Free · 5 days a week