City Cast DC with Michael Schaffer
Bowser declares sewage spill an emergency
February 20, 2026 · 💌 Kaela
Happy Friday, neighbor! A new episode of “Your City Could Be Better” — City Cast’s new weekly national podcast — just dropped. This week is all about the expansion of data centers, a major issue for the DMV as one of the largest data center markets in the world. Tune in and let us know what you think!
What's CITY Talking About
Bowser Declares Sewage Spill An Emergency, Seeks Funds
Mayor Bowser declared a state of emergency for the Potomac River sewage spill and requested federal assistance. She also asked for the federal government to reimburse D.C. for the costs related to repairing the damage. [City Cast DC 🎧]
Arts Panel Approves Trump’s Ballroom
A federal fine arts panel — primarily made up of President Trump appointees — approved his East Wing ballroom project. The final vote originally wasn't scheduled until next month. The National Capital Planning Commission will also discuss it next month. [NBC4]
Cold Spell Delays Cherry Blossoms
Experts say recent record-breaking cold temperatures in D.C. will delay the cherry blossom’s peak bloom. There is still no official peak projection yet. [Axios]
- Related: The National Park Service is planting 250 new cherry trees — gifted by Japan — to replace those removed in the 2024 basin wall construction and celebrate America’s 250th birthday. [NoVa Magazine]
A Neighborly Meet Cute
Two next door neighbors fell in love in a Kalorama condo building. They wanted to combine their individual units into one larger one, but work brought them abroad. Now, they are selling the two side-by-side units. Me and who 👀 [Washingtonian]
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DC Insider Trivia
In case you’re new around here, we ask a D.C.-related trivia question every Friday. Click the button below to answer the question and see if you got it right!
One of the streets on Capitol Hill is called Capitalsaurus Court. Where does it get its strange name?
What To Do
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)
Saturday, Feb. 21
- 🗑️ “Love Is Trash” Community Clean Up (Malcolm X Park)
- 💍 Fidget Jewelry Making at Merry Pin (Takoma)
- 🎻 Celtic Love Songs at the Georgetown Library
- 💘 Cupid's Undie Run at Union Stage (The Wharf)
- 🐲 Lunar New Year Festival at the Asian Art Museum (National Mall)
- 🐻❄️ Polar Plunge at National Harbor
- 🚲 Garage Bike Racing Championship at National Landing
- 🚪 Illustrate Your Own Door Portrait at Right Place Studio (Brookland)
- 🎛️ DJ Set: Girl, Go Crazy at DC9 (Shaw)
Sunday, Feb. 22
- 🍺 Black Brewers Tasting Party at metrobar (Brentwood)
- 🎉 Lunar New Year Parade (Chinatown)
- ✍️ Resistance and Healing Writing Workshop at the Mt. Pleasant Library
- 🎂 George Washington’s Birthday at Mt. Vernon
- 🎊 Mardi Gras at The Wharf
- 🌱 Seed Starting Workshop at Edgewood Community Garden
- 🔪 Kitchen Tool Swap at Poplar (Sixteenth Street Heights)
- 🛸 Profs & Pints: The Everyday Supernatural at Highline R&R (Arlington)
🐘 Nothing to see here, just a list of cutest baby animals born at local zoos recently. The African Penguins are taking me out 😩
📣 P.S. Shoutout to our newest City Cast DC members Lola L., Erica P., and Oliver S. I hope to see you at our upcoming members event at the Folger Theater! If you also want an invite, become a member today!
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