Ashley Clarke
reporter, Prince George's County
Ashley Clarke joined The Banner in 2026 as a Prince George’s County reporter. She previously worked at ProPublica as an engagement reporter, contributing to investigative projects on health, scientific research, environmental issues, the federal workforce and education. Before that, she worked at Bloomberg Industry Group, the Center for Public Integrity and NBC4 in Washington, D.C. Clarke grew up in Baltimore and graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts, where she focused on visual arts, and the University of Maryland, where she earned a degree in journalism with a minor in Arabic.
The latest from Ashley
Laurel man’s pleas for medical attention in ICE detention were ignored, lawyer says
An attorney representing the family says he is investigating the circumstances surrounding Julián Curo-Churata’s death at a Louisiana facility on Sept. 29.
Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse of teen at Bladensburg fire house
Anthony Shade says in a lawsuit he was sexually abused by a senior fire official when he volunteered with the department as a teenager.
Laurel father and husband died in ICE custody in Louisiana
Julián Curo-Churata lived in Laurel for about 17 years before he was detained in June by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. He died in the agency’s custody on Sept. 29.
Help The Banner track PGCPS school bus performance
The Banner is assembling a group of PGCPS families to log their students’ daily bus experiences over the next few weeks.
A free healthcare clinic is coming to Largo this weekend, but spots will fill up fast
Remote Area Medical will provide free dental, vision and medical services at Prince George’s Community College on Oct. 3 and 4. Organizers say come early, as availability is limited and demand is high.
Trump’s ‘pocket rescission’ threatens Maryland budgets
The proposed freeze targets money already approved by Congress across six federal departments. Local officials warn the county and state budgets cannot absorb or replace the loss.
PGCPS sees progress on bus route delays, but driver shortages and tech failures persist
School leaders say driver vacancies are down to 41 and ride times are dropping.
Teen shot on Prince George’s Community College campus is in stable condition
Prince George's Community College and neighboring Largo High School were put on temporary lockdowns following a shooting on the community college’s campus. The teenage boy who was shot is in stable condition.
Woman hospitalized, suspect dead following an early morning shooting in Temple Hills
Prince George’s County Police are investigating a shooting that left a woman hospitalized. She told police her boyfriend shot her, and police said he later died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Haitian woman detained by ICE was seeking asylum in the US legally. Trump wants to send her back ‘without proceedings.’
Wisline Platel was forced to leave her life and son behind in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after facing threats of gang violence. She came to the United States in 2024 through the humanitarian parole program. Platel was detained by ICE on Aug. 19 and is being held at an immigration detention facility in Virginia. Platel’s sister, Samara, is willing to share more about the impact on her family and the broader Haitian community.
She voted to oust New Carrollton’s mayor. Now she wants the job.
Briana Urbina spearheaded the effort to remove the city’s mayor from office. Less than a week later, she announced a bid to replace her.
Prince George’s social studies teacher arrested for alleged distribution of child sexual abuse material
Donald Kirk Marchand III, 70, a social studies teacher at Elizabeth Seton High School, was taken into custody shortly before 8 a.m. at his home in College Park, state police said.
Trump administration sued over warrantless ICE arrests in Maryland
A new federal lawsuit challenges warrantless immigration arrests in Maryland and seeks a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s enforcement practices.
New Carrollton City Council removed the mayor from office. She’s promised to run again.
The New Carrollton City Council voted out remove Mayor Phelecia Nembhard from office. She’s pledged to run again.
New Carrollton mayor faces removal over alleged attempts to hire during a freeze
City Council members are preparing to force Mayor Phelecia Nembhard from office.
Turmoil inside Prince George’s schools preceded bus challenges
Prince George’s County Public Schools faced significant transportation issues. Internal documents and staff accounts reveal deeper workplace problems.
Prince George’s school board says it will audit bus app after a disastrous first week
Frustrated parents and exhausted bus drivers demanded accountability for a transportation rollout marred by system outages, bus routes described as impossible and understaffing.
Bus tracking app failures left 10,000 Prince George’s students without a ride on the first day
About 10,000 students were left without a ride to school after a bus tracking app crashed.
Anacostia River water quality improves, but it’s still not safe for swimming
The Anacostia River’s improved water quality is a cause for celebration, but there’s still a long way to go before it’s safe to swim in.
In Forestville, Diamonds N the Ruff Boxing gym teaches the sweet science and beyond
Tai-Rhan McBride’s gym exists to train fighters. But there’s a deeper mission at play, too. He aims to address some of the community’s intractable problems.
