City Cast DC logo
February 9, 2026

Local Schools Are Reinstating Their Racist Names

City Cast DC

Local Schools Are Reinstating Their Racist Names

00:00:00
View all City Cast DC episodes

After 2020, there was a huge trend towards changing out schools named for confederates and slave owners. But what happens when the general public opts to restore them? That’s what’s been happening in some Virginia counties just beyond the DC area — and the fight is creating some case law that could ultimately affect those of us who live here, in a place where folks absolutely aren’t trying to restore those kinds of names on local schools. Karina Elwood, who covered some of the legal battles when she was a reporter for the Washington Post, is here to explain. 

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 February 9th episode:

Library of Congress

Nace Law Group

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore Museum of Art

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
June 18

DC's Earthquake Election, the James Beard Awards, and What the Heck Is Up With the Reflecting Pool

We’re talking about the fallout, so far, a day after DC’s earthquake of a mayoral election. We’re talking about the reaction from DC’s bu...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 17

DC’s Left Scores Big in Primaries

It was a very big night for DC’s left. With a little under two-thirds of the vote counted, Janeese Lewis George is up big over Kenyan McD...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 16

What You Need to Know About Ranked Choice Voting Election Delays

Today is the first DC election under ranked-choice voting. And anyone who thought “instant runoff” meant immediate results is in for a na...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 15

Why Plummeting Rents Could Kill DC’s Housing

DC is facing a double-barreled housing crisis where nothing is getting built. No one is building regular houses apartments because of the...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 14

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lake’s — Presented By City Cast DC

Do you know how many parks DC has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Sal...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 12

Council Raids Reserves to Avoid Cuts, Logan Circle Gets No Bathrooms, and McDuffie's Boozy Brunch Victory Spot

We’re talking about whether DC is in for a tax hike, we’re talking about what’s missing in some of the Trump administration’s park makeov...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 11

Inside St. Elizabeth's Abandoned Lobotomy Lab

We’re talking about St. Elizabeths. As a lot of folks know, the campus of D.C.’s psychiatric hospital has transformed over the past 15 ye...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 10

DC's 10-Day Election Scenario, World Cup Specials Hit DC, and UFC Chaos at the White House

We’re talking about the state of the mayoral race with a week to go. We’re also talking about whether it really is just a week to go, sin...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 9

DC’s Best (and Most Underrated) Breakfast Sandwiches

New York City might be known for its iconic bodega staple, the bacon egg and cheese, but DC also does breakfast sandwiches pretty well, t...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 8

A New Study Says DC’s National Guard Surge Did Not Reduce Violent Crime

A new think tank study has some fascinating findings about Donald Trump’s national guard deployment in DC: The dramatic surge reduced pro...

City Cast DC podcast episode art