City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
🏢 Is Bowser's new budget too pro-development?
May 8, 2025 · 💌 Kaela
Hey, neighbor! Nominations for Washington City Paper’s “Best of D.C.” awards are live. Why not nominate your favvvvorite local podcast City Cast DC? 👉👈
What's CITY Talking About?
Is Bowser's New Growth Plan Too Pro-Development?
As part of her 2026 budget, Mayor Bowser is addressing the mass federal layoffs by giving business a freer hand to do what it wants. It could speed up growth around town, but also would mean fewer environmental and tenant protections for Washingtonians. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Georgetown Researcher Immigration Case Goes To Court
Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown researcher who was arrested in Rosslyn and taken to Texas, will have his case heard in Virginia. Suri holds a visa for visiting scholars and says he was illegally targeted for deportation. [ACLU]
2001 Murder Case Solved
Eugene Gligor pled guilty for the 2001 murder of Leslie Pree in her Chevy Chase home. He had been living on the U Street Corridor and working as an account executive when detectives caught him using DNA evidence 23 years later. [Washington Post 🔒]
Museum Postpones LGBTQ Exhibit
The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art has postponed an exhibit featuring LGBTQ+ African artists until 2026 because of budget issues and “shifts in the fundraising environment.” The exhibit was supposed to align with WorldPride. [Washington Post 🔒]
New Trader Joe’s In Brookland
A Trader Joe’s is opening on May 15 in Brookland. The grocer is also considering locations in Chevy Chase and Friendship Heights. [Urban Turf]
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What To Do
Thursday, May 8
- 🧊 Popsicle Party at Art Enables After Hours (Woodridge)
- 🎞️ Film Screening & Talk: “Idle Warriors” with the Department of Energy & Environment (Online)
- 💃 Swing Dance Celebration at the Embassy of France (Georgetown)
- 🎤 D.C. Women Writers Reading with the Inner Loop (Shaw)
- ✍️ Resume Review at the Anacostia Public Library
Friday, May 9
- 🌲 Potomac Bonsai Festival (starts) at the National Arboretum
- 🎥 Set In DC Film Festival at Sitar Arts Center (Adams Morgan)
- 🖼️ Asian Art Museum After Dark on the National Mall
- 🤹 Juggling Convention (starts) at the University of Maryland (College Park)
- 🏋️ Bodyweight Circuit Workout at the Embassy of Canada (Penn Quarter)
- 🍿 Drive-In Movie: “Sister Act” at Union Market
Neighborhood Shoutouts
ICYMI: Every week we include some D.C. recs from our City Cast City Neighbors, from food, to local orgs, to helpful community members!
- 📢 Marissa C. recommends La Coop Coffee in Petworth for great food, service and atmosphere.
- 📢 Emily R. gave a shout out to the community org Free DC as a unifying force in D.C.’s response to new Trump administration policies.
- 📢 Leah S. recommends DC Movie Club for novice movie watchers and cinephiles alike!
Become a member today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter.
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👏 👏 👏 Welcome to Ellen B., Joseph P., Sarah F., and Adam K., our newest City Cast DC neighbors! Let’s party.
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