What Is DCist and What Kind of Content Does It Publish?

Updated

DCist is a local Washington, D.C. news and culture website owned by WAMU 88.5, the American University radio station. It publishes reporting and guides on D.C. news, city politics, arts and entertainment, food, events, and local curiosities. It is aimed at readers who want to follow what is happening in and around the District, from policy and metro budget debates to weekend plans and restaurant openings.

What DCist Covers

The site's own description frames its scope as "news, city politics, arts, events, culture, and curiosities in Washington, D.C." The homepage shows these categories in practice:

Category Example content from the site
News Maryland counties facing lost property tax revenue after a mailing error; the D.C. Attorney General shutting down a recruitment firm over treatment of foreign exchange teachers
City politics Coverage of the D.C. crime bill and reader questions about it; 50 years of D.C. home rule
Arts & Entertainment Smithsonian policy recommendations on returning collected human remains; Howard students working on a Woolly Mammoth Theatre show
Events "11 Things To Do Around D.C. This Weekend"; a Presidents' Day week events roundup
Food A popular bagel shop, Call Your Mother, getting into the coffee business; a possible ballot initiative on tipped minimum wage in Maryland
Regional coverage Metro budget projections and fare changes; Virginia Senate budget negotiations affecting Metro funding and an arena deal

The mix is deliberately local and regional: D.C. proper plus Maryland and Virginia stories that affect the Washington area.

Who Runs It

DCist is owned by WAMU 88.5, which is identified on the site as American University Radio. The footer lists the station's mailing address (PO Box 98101, Washington, DC 20090-8101) and station address (4401 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington DC 20008), along with a Combined Federal Campaign number. The site also links to WAMU's Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.

What Kinds of Articles You'll Find

  • Reported news: short, focused stories on local government, courts, budgets, and institutions.
  • Explainer-style pieces: for example, answering reader questions about a major D.C. crime bill.
  • Service and listings journalism: weekend event roundups and seasonal "things to do" lists.
  • Culture and food reporting: openings, business moves, and community history pieces such as coverage of "Keep The Beat Week" for go-go music.
  • Editor's Picks and series: a curated section highlighting selected stories and ongoing editorial series.

Who It's For

DCist suits readers who live in or follow the D.C. area and want a single local source spanning hard news and culture. If you need national or international coverage, or deep data journalism, this is not the site's focus. If you want to know what the D.C. Council is voting on, which roads or budgets are changing, or what to do this weekend, it is a direct fit.

One practical note: the site presents its content openly, but the available material does not state subscription prices or whether any content is gated, so check the site directly if access terms matter to you.