City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
🚆 DC wants to pay $5.6B to automate Metro
May 20, 2025 · 💌 Kaela
Hey, neighbor! Memorial Day is right around the corner! If you’re watching your budget but still dreaming of that summer getaway, tune in to the City Cast DC podcast for our best summer trips under $150.
What's CITY Talking About?
Military Parade Could Damage DC Roads
The Army plans to put large metal plates over D.C. roads in preparation for the 60 ton tanks that will be part of Trump’s military parade on June 14. Mayor Bowser said money should be set aside in the parade’s estimated $45 million budget to repair any damage. [NBC4]
DC Leaders Want to Automate Metro
Local leaders agreed to spend $5.6 billion to automate Metro starting in 2027. But, local officials quickly rejected the regional sales tax proposed to cover the cost. [Washington Post 🔒]
The Pandas Are Flirting
The pandas at the National Zoo have started flirting through a combo of bleats and scent marking. They are still too young to breed, but staff say it's encouraging. [National Zoo]
Let It Rain, Let It Pour
During May 13 and 14, 480 billion gallons of rain fell in the D.C. area, causing surging rivers, flooding, and sewage overflows. [NBC4]
- Why is D.C. always flooding? [City Cast DC 🎧]
New Rent Controlled Apartment Portal
After ten years of delays, D.C. is finally launching RentRegistry, an online database of the city’s rent-controlled apartments. It will be open to the public on June 2. [Urban Turf]
Sponsored Content
WorldPride International Choral Festival
50 concerts. 25 venues. 30 choruses. 16 days. WorldPride 2025 is coming and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC is presenting an International Choral Festival that will be the Arts & Culture Marquee Event for WorldPride. Free daily pop-up performances. For the full schedule and more information, visit GMCW.org.
What To Do
Tuesday, May 20
- 🗓️ Palindrome Party at Cleveland Park Library
- 🦁 AAPI Heritage Night with Hung Ci Lion Dance (Nats Park)
- 🖋️ Poetry & Spoken Word Workshop at Busboys & Poets (14th St Corridor)
- 🎶 Jazz Night at Ciel Social Club (Downtown)
- 📚 Queer Book Club at MLK Library (Chinatown)
- 🏳️🌈 DC Dyke Night at Dew Drop Inn (Edgewood)
Wednesday, May 21
- 🖼️ Art After Dark at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Downtown)
- 🫓 Pupusa Workshop with El Tamarindo’s Ana Reyes (Adams Morgan)
- 🍻 Pride Pils Can Release Party at Crush Dance Bar (14th St Corridor)
- ✏️ Noir Drawing Workshop at the Phillips Collection (Dupont Circle)
- 🤣 Comedy & Burlesque Fundraiser at the D.C. Comedy Loft (Dupont Circle)
- 🫡 Reflections on Captivity at the Air and Space Museum (National Mall)
Thursday, May 22
- 🥕 Spring Farm Dinner at Common Good City Farm (Le Droit Park)
- 🛍️ Spring Night Market at Union Market
- 🩰 The Washington Ballet Performance at City Center
- 📚 Lecture: Sex Work in Civil War Washington with Humanities DC (Penn Quarter)
- 🧑🍳 Cookbook Talk: “Ghana To the World” at Bold Fork Books (Mt. Pleasant)
- 🎤 Rewind Storytelling Workshop at the DC Writers’ Salon (Dupont)
Thanks to all the City Cast Neighbors who came out for the Fort DeRussy tour with City Cast CEO David Plotz last weekend!
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