
City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
Inside Bezos’ betrayal of WaPo
February 19, 2026 · 💌 Kaela
Morning, neighbor! I love seeing where in the world the retired D.C. circulator buses end up. This one made it all the way to Stowe, Vermont! Miss you, bus bby!

What's CITY Talking About
DC Housing Market Allegedly Getting More Affordable
Zillow’s chief economist says D.C. homes are becoming more affordable, especially compared to 20 years ago, citing a combo of slightly lower home values and higher incomes. The average home value of $572,000 is still a weee bit out of my reach though. [WTOP/Zillow]
Crap Snowstorm Response Inspires Mayoral Run
Another contestant has entered the mayoral race. Rini Sampath says D.C.'s snowstorm failure was the catalyst for her to run, and that she wants to focus on government efficiency. She also called out the race's front runners, Janeese Lewis George and Kenyan McDuffie, as being political insiders. [Axios]
Petworth Parent Group Chat Drama Gets Political
Pull out the popcorn. A popular Petworth parenting group chat has fallen into disarray. Petworth Peanuts, a group of around 1,000 neighbors, disagreed over the place politics should have in the group. Come for the drama, stay for the examination of parenting in 2026. [Washington Post 🔒]
Former WaPo Editor Roasts Bezos’ Management
“I've never seen brand damage so complete and so fast,” former Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron told us. Baron’s decade at the Post gave him a close-up of Jeff Bezos’ stewardship — and how the billionaire went from standing up to Trump to mollifying him. Baron shares his thoughts on the Post’s recent layoffs. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Sponsored Content

Join Us: Open House March 31
Your path to professional and personal growth continues here. Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies offers a variety of master’s degrees and certificates. Whether you’re hoping to level up, pivot into something new, or finish what you started, learn how at our SCS Open House Lunch on March 31. Reserve your spot.

What To Do
Thursday, Feb. 19
- 🥄 Cookbook Club: “A Table With Friends” at Bold Fork Books (Mt. Pleasant)
- 🧧 Celebrate Lunar New Year in Central Place Plaza (Rosslyn)
- 🍻 Jeopardy Bar League at Astro Beer Hall (Downtown)
- 🌌 Science Talk: Human Exploration of Mars at the National Academy of Sciences (Foggy Bottom)
- 🎥 Movie Screening: “Amistad” at Bellevue Library (Neighborhood)
- 💘 Month of Romance Bookclub at flor. coffee + books (Georgetown)
Friday, Feb. 20
- 👯 Asian City Pop Dance Party at Lucky Danger (Chinatown)
- 🎞️ Film Screening: “Left-Handed Girl” at the Asian Art Museum (National Mall)
- 🎊 Mardi Gras Shabbat at Sixth & I (Chinatown)
- 🎶 Tunes: Cryptid Summer (Record Release!) at Comet Ping Pong (Chevy Chase)
- 💃 Rumba Queer at Transmission DC (H Street Corridor)
- 🪩 2000s Dance Party at DC9 (Shaw)
- 🎵 Local Tunes: Alex Alavi & The Funky Breakfast at The Pocket (Truxton Circle)
- 🇺🇦 War in Ukraine: An Update from the Front at The Institute of World Politics (Logan Circle)
Sponsored Content

The Best Wedding Planner? Your Gut.
If your gut says small, intentional and real; trust that. Simply Eloped offers personalized elopement and vow renewal packages in stunning destinations nationwide, so you can celebrate your love story, your way. We handle the logistics. You stay present on the first day of the rest of your lives.
🎵 The latest release by local band Broke Royals “Campr” is dreamy, anthemic, and the perfect playlist for a rainy day metro commute. My top song on the album is “Weather.”
Free · 5 days a week
