City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
🎉 The shutdown is finally over
November 13, 2025 · 💌 Kaela
Gooood morning D.C.! And it finally really is good because the government shutdown is officially over. (More on that below.) But don't get too excited, because the effects of the shutdown — like cancelled flights, museums, and SNAP benefits — may take days to return to normal.
What's CITY Talking About
Shutdown Ends
Last night the House narrowly approved (222-209) a Senate-backed spending package to reopen federal agencies. President Trump signed the legislation shortly thereafter, officially ending the longest shutdown in history at 43 days. Federal paychecks will begin going out Saturday. [Washington Post 🔒]
The Inn at Little Washington Loses a Michelin Star
After six years with the highest possible ranking, the only three star Michelin restaurant in the DMV has been downgraded. The official rankings won't be out until Nov. 18, but star removals were announced early. [Washingtonian]
- Related: Chef Patrick O’Connell explains how The Inn maintained its stars for so long. [City Cast DC]
Call To Eliminate Dulles People Movers
Trent Morse, a Trump nominee to the advisory board at IAD, wants to get rid of their infamous people movers, saying they are slow, outdated and dangerous. The push comes after 18 were injured Monday in a crash on the tarmac. “Any meeting I’ve had with a senator, the idea gets the most attention — by far,” said Morse. [Washington Post 🔒]
MBT Gets an Upgrade
The Metropolitan Branch Trail opened a new segment from Fort Totten to Takoma yesterday, adding 1.7 miles of trail and closing one of the last gaps on the 8-mile D.C. trail. [ABC7]
Behind the Scenes with DC Food Critic Tom Sietsema
The Washington Post announced new food critic Elazar Sontag on Monday, so former critic Tom Sietsema can finally spill the tea on D.C.’s food scene. Tom chats about how D.C. dining has changed and what’s next for him. [City Cast DC 🎧]
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What To Do
Thursday, Nov. 13
- 🏺 Pottery Jam! At Eastern Market North Hall
- 🎞️ The Lavender Scare Film Screening at the Capital Jewish Museum (Downtown)
- 🛍️ Dupont Circle Holiday Sip and Shop
- 🐟 Bluefin Tuna Carving at Kyojin (Georgetown)
- 🧑🍳 Chef Talk: Alison Roman at Sixth & I (Chinatown)
- 🎤 Stories About Food & Family Drama at Penn Social (Penn Quarter)
- 🎵 Tunes: Braxton Cook at Songbyrd (Union Market)
- 👓 State of Reading with the Librarian of Congress at Planet Word (Downtown)
- 📚 Cookbook Club: “Pomegranates & Artichokes” at Creative Grounds (Bloomingdale)
Friday, Nov. 14
- 🎁 DC Holiday Market at Dupont Circle (Starts)
- 🧼 Botanical Soap Making Workshop at Plntr (Dupont)
- 👍 No Agenda Gathering at the Eaton Hotel (Downtown)
- 🎪 Side Yards Carnival (Navy Yard)
- 💃 Single Ladies 2000’s Dance Party at DC9 (Shaw)
- 🎵 Tunes: The Lone Bellow at Union Stage (The Wharf)
- 🪩 Taylor Swift Rave at Black Cat (14th St. Corridor)
Neighborhood Shoutouts
ICYMI: These shoutouts are from our City Cast DC Neighbors because there is so much to love about our city!
📣 Hayleigh G. wants to shoutout DC ACTS Local 1927, which is expanding unions to charter schools in D.C.!
📣 Joseph K. says to check out Primrose in Brookland which “serves great food with incredible ambience.”
Become a member today and share your own shoutout. Plus, by joining you’ll enter the running for a pair of free tickets to see “A Case for the Existence of God” at Mosaic Theater!!
Get after it this week!
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