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Sophie Kaplan

skaplan@washingtontimes.com

Sophie Kaplan was a metro reporter for The Washington Times.

Articles by Sophie Kaplan

Washington, D.C. City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 12, 2016, before a House Government Operations subcommittee hearing on whether the District of Columbia government truly has the power to spend local tax dollars without approval by Congress. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) **FILE**

Phil Mendelson blasts D.C. agencies over late vendor contracts

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said Monday that lawmakers have seen an increase in the number of contracts requiring retroactive approval, suggesting that some city agencies "don't know what they are doing" in drafting the agreements with vendors.

January 13, 2020
Police car lights. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

ACLU sues police department for sexually abusive search

The American Civil Liberties Union of D.C. filed a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Police Department officer for the "unconstitutional and exceedingly invasive bodily search," of a District resident, according to a press release.

January 13, 2020
In this Sept. 16, 2019 file photo Flavored vaping solutions are shown in a window display at a vape and smoke shop in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File) **FILE**

D.C. Council hears concerns over e-cigarette access

D.C. lawmakers held a public hearing Thursday on legislation that would require a prescription to purchase of any electronic smoking device or liquid, and would ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and the sale of vaping devices within a quarter mile of middle or high school.

January 2, 2020
Newseum staffers change the display of the front pages of newspapers from around the world for the last time before the museum closes for its final day on Tuesday. Officials announced last year that the building would be sold to Johns Hopkins University. (Sophie Kaplan/The Washington Times)

Newseum closes doors for last time

It's the start of a new year and new decade -- but the end of an era for the Newseum, which closed its doors for the last time Tuesday.

December 31, 2019
Michael Harris charges his electronic devices at the Northwest One Neighborhood Library. The 58-year-old man, who has been homeless for nearly two decades, has finally secured a voucher for housing and now has plans to become a homeless advocate. He also wants to restart his construction business and reconnect with his family. (Sophie Kaplan/The Washington Times)

Formerly homeless, D.C. man to become community advocate

Michael Harris has many dreams to pursue in the new decade -- restart his construction business, reconnect with his five kids, launch an inspirational Youtube channel -- and it all soon may become a reality because he has secured a housing voucher.

December 23, 2019
D.C. Council member David Grosso, at-large independent (The Washington Times) **FILE**

D.C. Council weighs abortion anti-discrimination bill

The D.C. Council held a hearing Thursday on legislation that would bar employers from discriminating against job seekers who have performed abortions and protect patients seeking abortions from government interference.

December 19, 2019
A nurse points out the image of a three-month-old fetus during a sonogram scan for "Nancy" Yin (Associated Press). **FILE**

D.C. Council seeks to lower maternal mortality rate in District

Lawmakers on Wednesday discussed two bills that aim to reduce the District's maternal mortality rate by creating training opportunities for community based perinatal health workers and requiring insurance companies to cover postpartum health care visits, among other services.

December 18, 2019
In this Aug. 7, 2018 file photo, a doctor performs an ultrasound scan on a pregnant woman at a hospital in Chicago. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford, File) **FILE**

D.C. Council aims for more accessible prenatal care

Lawmakers on Tuesday introduced legislation that aims to make health care for pregnant women more accessible and create more protections for pets, as well as furthered the process to expel Jack Evans from the D.C. Council.

December 17, 2019
Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh vowed to investigate whether bidding at the Department of General Services involves "inappropriate contacts." (Associated Press) **FILE**

D.C. Council seeks ways to reduce District’s waste

D.C. lawmakers on Monday discussed legislation that aims to reduce the District's waste and divert more of it from landfills and incineration as a means to help reach the city's sustainability goals in 13 years.

December 16, 2019