Sophie Kaplan

Fairfax County hopes solar panel deal saves on electric rates

Fairfax County has contracted with energy providers to install solar panels on schools and other government properties at no cost to taxpayers -- a move officials say will save $60 million in electric costs over 25 years.

December 11, 2019

D.C. Council weighs breakup of consumer and regulatory agency

The D.C. Council on Tuesday considered legislation that would break up the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) into two agencies and moved forward with procedures to expel council member Jack Evans.

December 10, 2019

Karl Racine, D.C. attorney general, sues Greyhound over idling buses

D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine has filed a lawsuit against Greyhound for idling its buses at Union Station for longer than the legal limit, polluting the air and endangering the health of commuters and workers.

December 10, 2019

Montgomery County Council seeks to close educational gaps

The Montgomery County Council on Monday examined ways to improve educational outcomes for black, Latino, low-income and special education students and English learners in public schools in light of a recent report that noted difficulties in closing performance gaps among these groups in part because they are concentrated in poor schools.

December 9, 2019

D.C. Council weighs rise in school absenteeism, truancy

D.C. lawmakers on Thursday reviewed strategies to combat chronic absenteeism and truancy, following a report last week that showed an increase in students cutting classes in the District.

December 5, 2019

D.C. Council mulls solutions to high rates of teacher turnover in District

Teacher burnout, frustration with the evaluation system and a workplace culture that doesn't include teachers in decision-making were some of the issues raised Wednesday as D.C. Council members examined high turnover rates for public school teachers that exceed the national average.

December 4, 2019

Jack Evans recommended for expulsion from D.C. Council by panel vote

All 12 of lawmaker Jack Evans' colleagues voted Tuesday to recommend his expulsion from the D.C. Council, making him the first city legislator to face such punishment in the District's history under home rule.

December 3, 2019

Smithsonian’s National Zoo increases security after fireworks incident, nearby shooting

The Smithsonian's National Zoo has increased security after teens set off fireworks that frightened patrons and a nearby shooting left two teens hospitalized at the start of the annual ZooLights festival this weekend.

December 2, 2019

We Are Family nonprofit delivers Thanksgiving meals to Washington D.C. seniors

Elizabeth Stockton was one of the many volunteers who helped deliver more than 800 free Thanksgiving meals across the District this week.

November 27, 2019

Thanksgiving weekend traffic in D.C. area to have ‘mind-numbing gridlock’

With the Wednesday before the holiday and the Sunday after traditionally having the highest volume of travel, AAA Mid-Atlantic is predicting a nearly 500% increase in delays on stretches of the Capital Beltway and a 2% increase in the number of travelers by car compared to Thanksgiving weekend in 2018.

November 25, 2019

D.C. Council hears complaints about ethics board, reforms

The D.C. Council held a hearing Thursday to gauge the effectiveness of the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability (BEGA), responding to a city auditor's report that criticized the agency's handling of a whistleblower and amid a scandal involving a city lawmaker.

November 21, 2019

Catherine Pugh ‘Healthy Holly’ books bring indictment against ex-Baltimore mayor

"Healthy Holly," a children's book series written by former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, was supposed to be a book about a young black girl who likes to exercise and eat nutritious food. Instead, it is the center of a spoiled scheme.

November 20, 2019

Investigative lawyers defend report on D.C. Council member Jack Evans

An ad hoc committee of the D.C. Council on Tuesday questioned the lawyers who investigated and reported on how council member Jack Evans' private consulting firm influenced his decisions as a public official.

November 19, 2019

D.C. Council holds hearing on city agencies failing to inspect, enforce building code standards

A number of D.C. agencies had been aware of safety violations at a Northwest building months before a fire ripped through the property this summer and killed two tenants, including a 9-year-old boy.

November 18, 2019

Suspect arrested in fatal stabbing at Popeyes

Prince George's County Police have announced the arrest of a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a man who had been cutting in line for chicken sandwiches at a Popeyes restaurant in Oxon Hill earlier this month.

November 14, 2019

Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to White House protested by more than 200 activists

More than 200 protesters demonstrated Wednesday in Lafayette Park against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he visited President Trump at the White House.

November 13, 2019

D.C. Metro riders want more accountability from Metro Transit Police Department

Subway riders and their advocates told a D.C. Council hearing Tuesday that more accountability, oversight and engagement would help improve the Metro Transit Police Department's relationship within communities.

November 12, 2019

Smithsonian’s National Zoo preparing to say bye bye to Bei Bei

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is saying bye bye to Bei Bei next week, as the 4-year-old giant panda prepares to be flown to China.

November 11, 2019

Douglas Taurel’s ‘The American Soldier’ play sheds light on veterans’ stories

The one-man play "The American Soldier," to be presented Wednesday at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, uses the letters between service members and their families to offer a view of the lives, loves and losses of those who go to war — and those they leave behind.