City Cast DC logo
March 12, 2026

Should DC Get Rid of Its ANCs?

City Cast DC

Should DC Get Rid of Its ANCs?

00:00:00
View all City Cast DC episodes

Should DC get rid of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, the closest-to-the-ground level of local democracy? That’s one of the implications of an essay published this month by Wesley Sturhan in Greater Greater Washington. Sturhan writes about all of the different hurdles DC has erected that get in the way of building the kinds of neighborhoods most of us would agree are nice places to live. He’s here to explain that maybe it’s time to take a hard look at a lot of the choke points — including one that a lot of local activists consider sacred.

Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.

Learn more about the sponsors of this March 12th episode:

Johns Hopkins University

Folger Shakespeare Library

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey DC

Get smart about D.C. with our news roundup and analysis.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
August 21

D.C. Goes Back To School, MPD Overtime Fraud, And The NSO Hits the Road

D.C. public schools open on Monday — we'll get into the politics of it all. Plus, six DC police employees have been charged for $440K in...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 20

Pirro Doubles Down On Vandalism To Keep An Angry Trump At Bay

Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for D.C., really wants to throw the book at the woman accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial. Ac...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 19

Breaking Down D.C.'s Upcoming Grand Prix

We’re a few days out from the IndyCar race that will be taking over the National Mall this weekend. And while D.C. types are mostly talki...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 18

Is It Time To Close The Kennedy Center?

Last week, the Kennedy Center’s board voted to uphold its previous decision to close for two years of renovations, while also approving a...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 17

Trump's Plans for an East Potomac Golf Course Are Sinking — Literally

President Donald Trump wants to renovate the East Potomac Park golf course, but there’s one big problem: the park — and the island i...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 14

Bus Drivers Fight Against Fare Quotes, Condo Sales are Down, and Congress Takes Up Motorcycle Helmets

We're talking about the metro union's fight back against bus fare quotes, D.C.’s slump in condo sales, and Republicans’ efforts to repeal...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 13

How the Pamunkey Tribe Bought Back Their Virginia Homeland

Many people don't realize that the D.C. region sits on Indigenous land. But recently, one local tribe made history by reclaiming a piece...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 12

D.C.’s Best Ice Cream For These Humid Days

Ice cream is the best antidote to D.C's hot, muggy August days. Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman serves up the scoop on the city's best ice...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 11

D.C.'s Federal Takeover, One Year In

It’s been one year since President Donald Trump launched what he called a federal takeover of D.C., sending National Guard troops into th...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 10

Best Places to Camp Before Summer Ends

Now that August is here, you might be feeling the stress of trying to wrap up that summer bucket list. Today we’re helping you check off...

City Cast DC podcast episode art