
City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
Nat Guard can stay, court rules
December 18, 2025 · 💌 Kaela
Good morning! How about some Cinnamon Crankin’ Crunch cereal for breakfast? A D.C. couple is launching GoGo Puffs, a cereal brand with flavors that pay tribute to D.C.’s homegrown music.

What's CITY Talking About
Nat Guard Can Stay For Now, Court Rules
The National Guard deployment in D.C. can continue temporarily, a federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday. The ruling stops the implementation of a lower court order that would have put an end to the troops’ presence. [WTOP]
Bowser Names Interim Police Chief
Mayor Bowser named Jeffery Carroll — MPD’s second-in-command — as the D.C.’s interim police chief. He will take over when Chief Pamela Smith steps down at the end of the year. Carroll, a department veteran, managed MPD’s relationship with federal agents during the takeover. [Washington Post 🔒]
- Related: Why Chief Smith and so many other local leaders are stepping down. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Maryland Considers Reparations
Maryland will create a new commission to study potential reparations for slavery, overriding Gov. Wes Moore’s veto. The study is meant to ensure the reparations aren’t dismissed as symbolic or unconstitutional, said Democratic state Senator Charles Sydnor. [NBC4]
DC Restaurants Face ‘Trump Slump’
D.C. restaurants are suffering as a result of the Trump administration’s policies, despite Trump’s claims that the industry is “booming,” says Washingtonian food reporter Jessica Sidman. Unemployment, immigration concerns, and the federal takeover have culminated in what she calls the “Trump slump.” [City Cast DC 🎧]
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What To Do
Thursday, Dec. 18
- 🚀 The Future of Cooking in Space at the Air and Space Museum (National Mall)
- 🎊 Fried & Festive: A Chanukah Party at Sixth & I (Chinatown)
- 🎤 Local Tunes: Oh, Gynander (Emo) at the Rhizome (Takoma)
- 🎼 Heifetz Holiday Concert at the Kreeger Museum (Berkley)
- 📚 New Sci-fi Book Club at Takoma Park Library
- 🎄 Make Your Own Ornaments at Shop Made in VA (Alexandria)
Friday, Dec. 19
- 👕 Ugly Sweater Party at The Stacks (Southwest)
- 🎛️ Tunes: DMV Music Alliance *Local Frequency* at DC9 (Shaw)
- 🕹️ Nintendo Themed Drag Show at Black Cat (14th St. NW)
- 🎸 Tunes: Dogpark (Alt/Indie) at 9:30 Club (U St. Corridor)
- 💃 Bollywood Holiday Ugly Sweater Night at Public Bar Live (Downtown)
- 🛍️ Sip & Shop Holiday Market (Starts) at Wunder Garten (NoMa)
- 🎶 Local Tunes: Boxer/Scenic Overlook at Pie Shop (H St. NE)
P.S. shoutout to the lovely Monica R., our latest City Cast DC Neighbor! So many hotties are joining, makes me think maybe you should too 🤔
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