City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
🏳️⚧️ Feds threaten funding for 5 NoVa schools
July 31, 2025 · — Natalia Aldana
Hiya! The New York Times just came out with their list of the top 25 restaurants in the DMV, and now I’m officially hungry. Here’s what had me salivating the most:
- 🍗 Wood-smoked meats at Salvadoran-owned 2Fifty Barbecue in Riverdale Park
- 🍜 Cambodian and Taiwanese noodles at Maketto in H Street Corridor
- 🍋 Palestinian chef Michael Rafidi’s fragrant dishes at Albi in Navy Yard
- 🐐 A final turn at Tail Up Goat in Adams Morgan before they close this year
What's CITY Talking About?
Your Guide to August 2025 in DC
This is the point in the summer where you might be feeling, well, over it. But before you rage quit the season, listen to this episode. The City Cast team is here to break down our guide to making the most of August in DC, from summer restaurant week to yoga inside the National Building Museum. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Who Won and Who Lost in DC’s 2026 Budget
The Washington Post published an interesting look at the winners and losers in D.C.’s 2026 budget. One winner that hasn’t been talked about as much? D.C. theaters, who will see an infusion of cash for renovations and repairs. Health care programs for low-income residents make up a major section of cuts. [Washington Post 🔒]
- Go deeper into this year’s budget with us and WAMU’s Alex Koma. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Feds Push NoVa Schools to Restrict Transgender Access
The U.S. Department of Education is suggesting that five Northern Virginia school districts “voluntarily comply” with their policy to prohibit transgender students from using facilities that match their gender identity — or risk losing federal funding. The federal government claims Title IX protections have been violated. But can the feds coerce compliance? [Washingtonian]
Blue Line Construction Ending, Green Line to Start
The Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street stations will open Saturday, Aug. 2 after three weeks of repairs. From Aug. 2 through Aug. 31, Metro will begin construction on the southern end of the Green Line. Here’s what will be affected. [WMATA]
County and State Fairs to Visit this Summer
Funnel. Cake. Need I say more?! Four county fairs are now open in Virginia to give you all the classic county fair fun you’ve been craving. Check out this list for current fairs and the ones that will open in August and September. [NBC4]
What To Do
Thursday, July 31
- 🎤 Live! At The Library at the Thomas Jefferson Building (Capitol Hill)
- 🍿 Shrek 2 at Transit Pier (Wharf)
- 🧩 Board Game Night at Labyrinth Games & Puzzles (Capitol Hill)
- 🔢 BINGO Night for Miriam's Kitchen at the Dew Drop Inn (Edgewood)
- 🌳 Genealogy Workshop at Southwest Neighborhood Library
- 🍨 Ice Cream Crafternoon at Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library
Friday, Aug. 1
- 🎶 Local Tunes: Flowers for the Dead at Comet Ping Pong (Chevy Chase)
- 🎞️ African Diaspora International Film Fest (Starts) at George Washington University
- 📚 Book Talk: “A Terribly Nasty Business” at Solid State Books (H Street)
- 🕺 SOS: The Recession Pop Party at 9:30 Club (Shaw)
- 🎨 Art Walk at Glen Echo Park
Neighborhood Shoutouts
ICYMI: Every week, we include some D.C. recs from our City Cast DC Neighbors!
📣 Rahul J. wants to recommend Kookoo in Columbia Heights. “They serve delicious Iranian food. It's reasonably priced, and the food is served in a very welcoming and warm atmosphere. (Don't we all need that right now!)"
📣 Diane M. wants to shoutout Seoul Food in Takoma Park. “Korean Food that is mostly vegan. Amazing flavors! The Pistachio Cardamon Cake is my favorite dessert in the city.”
📣 Stephanie A. wants to recommend Dacha Beer Garden in Shaw. “Love the beer selection, the staff, the vibes, and the run club.”
Become a member today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter.
💸 One D.C. driver is dealing with a major headache. Six weeks after her license plate was stolen, she’s received about 80 tickets racking up a whopping $16,000 — and counting 🤯
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