City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
What news coverage is DC missing?
February 12, 2026 · 💌 Kaela
Hey neighbor. ICYMI we’re growing! In lieu of the Washington Post layoffs we’re hiring several new reporters and an editor to fill D.C.’s local news gap. And we want to hear from you! What beats should they cover?
📣 Oh, and if you want to help us hire these reporters, support us by become a City Cast DC member!
What's CITY Talking About
Penn Ave Overhaul Gains Momentum
A federal commission stacked with Trump appointees is looking to remake Pennsylvania Ave NW. They hope to fill retail holes, create a better path for tourists to access downtown, and have a better events space. Updated designs are expected in April and will be finalized in 2027. [Axios]
New MoCo Bill Limits ICE, Protects Immigrants
Montgomery County unanimously passed a bill limiting its cooperation with ICE. Specifically, it prevents county officials from giving ICE access to buildings without a warrant and bans the county from retaining residents’ immigration status unnecessarily. [WTOP]
Bowser Warns of Big Budget Cuts
Mayor Bowser says there will be tough cuts this budget season. Maintaining D.C.’s current programs would leave D.C. $1 billion over budget. Bowser outlined a plan to reduce it reigning in D.C.’s health care and child care subsidy programs [Washington Post 🔒]
The Housing Development Pissing Off YIMBYs and NIMBYs
A Chevy Chase fight over affordable housing tells a D.C. tale as old as time. Many agree we need more affordable housing … just not in their yards, and definitely, in the case of Chevy Chase, not on top of a library. Martin Austermuhle of the 51st explains the outcry that’s uniting NIMBY’s and YIMBY’s. [City Cast DC 🎧]
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What To Do
Thursday, Feb. 12
- 🧑🤝🧑 How Not to Die Alone: Dating Workshop and Mixer at Edgewood Community Farm (Northeast)
- 😘 Awkward Sex ... and the City at Comet Ping Pong (Chevy Chase)
- 💸 Cowork. Co-learn. Co-survive the job market at MLK Library (Downtown)
- 📚 Hybrid Author Event: Murder Bimbo, Rebecca Novack at East City Bookshop (Capitol Hill)
- 👀 Profs & Pints DC: The Single Lesson at Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (Capitol Hill)
- 💗 Pal-entine's Day at Upside on Moore (Rosslyn)
Friday, Feb. 13
- 💗 Venus Galentine's Dance Party at Black Cat (14th St. NW)
- 🎹 Love Songs of the 15th Century at the Folger Shakespeare Library (Capitol Hill)
- 🎵 Tunes: Runo Plum (Indie-Rock) at DC9 (Shaw)
- 🌹 Situationship Bollywood Party at Decades (Dupont)
- 🎸 A Night of Black Sabbath and Ozzy at The Pocket (Truxton Circle)
- 🎥 Movie Screening: “Jexi” at Southwest Library (Waterfront)
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🎊 P.S. Cheers to Mary A. and Kristen P. for becoming City Cast DC members! We appreciate you. If you want to support our expansion into bigger, better D.C. news and reporting, then become a member today!
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