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Sara Phillips

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Sara Phillips is a senior national politics reporter for Times Media Service, based in the Washington bureau. Phillips covers national politics and policy, including federal government decisions and how those decisions affect Americans across the country. Phillips holds a master's degree in public policy and grew up in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Stories by Sara Phillips

7 explainers

  1. August 2026

    3 stories: 3 explainers

  2. Thu

    Explainer · Politics · Washington DC

    Trump has not chosen Karoline Leavitt’s replacement as names circulate for White House press secretary

    The public faces a transition in presidential communications as Karoline Leavitt prepares to exit her White House press secretary role in August.

  3. Sun

    Explainer · Travel · Florida

    Celebrity Cruises raises daily gratuities by $1.50, prompting passenger backlash

  4. Sat

    Explainer · Politics · New York City

    What New York City’s delivery-tip rules did — and what Mamdani can claim

  5. July 2026

    3 stories: 3 explainers

  6. Tue

    Explainer · Business and Finance · San Francisco, California

    Former Netflix executive alleges ketamine disclosure at retreat cost him a $1.1 million job

    Former executive Kevin Baillie sues Netflix, alleging he was fired in April 2026 from his $1.1M job after disclosing medical ketamine therapy.

  7. Wed

    Explainer · Arts and Entertainment · United States

    What Terrible’s reopening of Primm Valley Casino means for the border-town resort corridor

  8. Sun

    Explainer · Business and Finance · United States

    Why KFC became KFC — and why the rumors still won’t die

  9. June 2026

    1 story: 1 explainer

  10. Thu

    Explainer · Travel · United States

    How a teen’s 50-star flag ended up over state capitols across the country

    Tour US state capitols where Bob Heft's original 50-star flag was flown from 1960 to 1962 after adoption by the Eisenhower administration.