City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
House passes two DC crime bills
November 20, 2025 · 💌 Kaela
‘Tis the season! We’re working on a holiday podcast episode and need your help! What are you grateful for in D.C. this year? For me, it’s short train wait times and Tuesday lunch at Menya Hosaki.
Email us a voice memo or note with yours! Please and thank you 💁🏻♀️
What's CITY Talking About
House Passes Two DC Crime Bills
The House passed two bills late last night with bipartisan support that threaten D.C. autonomy. One will detain every person in D.C. charged with a violent or dangerous offense before trial and remove cashless bail for certain crimes, while the other repeals portions of the policing reform act passed in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. The bills will now head to the Senate. [House.gov / Meagan Flynn/X]
Second People Mover Collision
Two mobile lounges collided at Dulles Airport last night for the second time this month. There were no injuries, but it adds to Trump nominee Trent Morse's argument to do away with them. [NBC4/Axios]
Pit Bulls, Welcome Back to PG
Prince George’s County lifted its 27-year ban on pit bulls, putting to an end the only such ban in the DMV. Local leaders hope it will prevent the inhumane euthanasia of dogs and allow for more pit bulls and pit mixes to be adopted. [ABC7]
Trump Is Gutting DC’s Coolest Secret Museum
Hidden in the Wilbur J. Cohen government building off the Mall houses a collection of New Deal-era American art masterpieces. For decades, they’ve been D.C.’s best kept secret. Now, a new Trump directive means they could likely be destroyed. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Local Teachers Embrace AI
Prince William teachers are adopting an educator-specific AI tool to help design lessons, create tests and analyze writing samples. Leaders hope it will give them more time to spend working with students. [WTOP]
Sponsored Content
What Does It Take to Shop Local?
Checkbook’s director of content challenged herself to shop locally in D.C. for 30 days. That meant no purchases from chain stores or non-local websites, embracing farmers markets, mom-and-pop pharmacies, and thrift shops, and documenting any slip-ups and challenges. She answers the question: Is buying local doable and affordable?
What To Do
Thursday, Nov. 20
- 🍽️ An Evening with Pati Jinich and Anna Spiegel at Capital Jewish Museum (East End)
- 🖼️ Third Thursday Extended Hours at The Phillips Collection (Dupont Circle)
- ☕ Tea and Tarot at PLNTR (National Landing)
- 🎶 The Bends at DC9 (Shaw)
- 🌊 Profs & Pints: A Scientific Plunge into Ocean Movies at Hill Center (Capitol Hill)
- 🍻 BIMBY Fall Happy Hour at Buddy’s (Columbia Heights)
- 🎭 A Christmas Carol Opening Night at Ford’s Theatre (Downtown)
Friday, Nov. 21
- 🎁 DowntownDC Holiday Market (Begins)
- 🎙️ Local Tunes: Kids Table (pop/rock) at Songbyrd (Union Market)
- 🎛️ &friends DJ Set at Culture (Ivy City)
- 🖼️ Finding Awe Workshop at the National Gallery of Art (National Mall)
- 🧛 Movie: “Twilight” at Miracle Theater (Capitol Hill)
- 🖼️ Gallery Talk: Missy Dunaway at Folger Shakespeare Library (Capitol Hill)
- 🎷 Tunes: Amaarae (pop/R&B) at the Anthem (The Wharf)
- 🎵 Jon Camp Band (Record Release Show) at the Rhizome (Takoma)
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🥧 If that meringue on your lemon meringue pie isn’t turning out quite as you’d hoped, it’s not too late to grab a Thanksgiving treat from a local bakery. Some things are best left to the professionals.
📣 Special shoutout to reader Robin T. for becoming a City Cast DC member! We 🫶 you.
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