City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
💰 Who Won (and Lost) in DC’s Budget Battle?
July 29, 2025 · — Natalia Aldana
Hey there! City Cast editor Natalia Aldana here, filling in for Kaela for the next few newsletters.
If you’re a fan of great music and tasty food, check out The Listening Room in Arlington, a new vinyl bar serving up over-the-top sushi and sake flights 🍣 Vinyl bars are just so trendy right now — here’s a few recs to keep the party going 💿
What's CITY Talking About?
What’s In Mayor Bowser’s Budget
Mayor Bowser’s budget for the 2026 fiscal year passed yesterday after a flurry of eleventh-hour amendments — and we’ve got everything you need to know on today’s podcast episode. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Does DC Really Have the Worst Traffic?
Consumer Affairs recently reported that D.C. has the worst traffic in the U.S. But a new piece from the Washington Post says we should take a deeper look at the data, like the fact that the data on commute times is from 2023. Plus, is traffic even a bad thing?! You be the judge. [Washington Post 🔒]
Sewage to be Released into Northeast Creek
Officials are considering intentionally releasing sewage into Beaverdam Creek in the chance of heavy rain after a 108-inch sewer pipe collapsed last week. The intentional release would prevent sewage from flowing into the neighborhood. The National Weather Service has issued a record number of flood watches in D.C. this year. [NBC 4]
Maryland Firefighter Under Review for Water Hose Use
After a video went viral of a Maryland firefighter firing a high-pressure hose over a baseball game at the Blair Baseball Stadium in Silver Spring, the firefighter’s alleged misconduct is now under review by Montgomery County’s Fire and Rescue Service. It’s one of three similar incidents in Maryland just this month. [Washington Post 🔒]
What To Do
Tuesday, July 29
- 🤠 Country Line Dancing and Two Step in Georgetown Waterfront Park
- 📰 Watergate: Then & Now at City Tavern (Georgetown)
- 🌀 Sound Bathing at the National Arboretum
- 🀄️ Mahjong & Scrabble at MLK Library (Downtown)
- 🤟 American Sign Language (ASL) Class at Francis Gregory Neighborhood Library (Fairfax Village)
- 🪡 Summer Sit & Stitch at Shaw Neighborhood Library
Wednesday, July 30
- 🎙️ Only in DC: Stories of Our City at the Speakeasy at Capo Deli (Shaw)
- 🎨 It's A Vibe: Sip, Paint, & Communication at Takoma Station Tavern (Takoma)
- 🇸🇦 Cultural Society Evening at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Foggy Bottom)
- ♟️ Chess Club at Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library
- 📖 “The Artist’s Way” Book Club at MLK Library (Downtown)
As if this heat wasn’t tough enough, those annoying invasive lanternflies are everywhere 🙄 Here’s what you need to know 🪰
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