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Clara Longo de Freitas

Clara

Clara Longo de Freitas is a breaking news reporter. She has worked for the Baltimore Banner for more than two years, covering all things East Baltimore before joining the express desk. She also covered the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, youth gun violence and immigrant issues. A graduate of the University of Maryland, she spent most of her college years looking into workers’ conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Clara is also an illustrator and likes to paint in her free time. Originally from Brazil, she moved to the United States in 2016.

The latest from Clara Longo de Freitas

Members of the CCB Women’s Elite Cycling team ride down Pratt Street on Friday as lane closures cause some traffic in downtown Baltimore ahead of Saturday’s race.
Baltimore, brace yourself for a traffic jamageddon this weekend
Baltimore officials are warning of heavy traffic Saturday as the city hosts the Maryland Cycling Classic, an Orioles home game marking a Cal Ripken milestone and a sold-out concert at CFG Bank Arena.
Tyjuan Chapple, 26, remains in the custody of the Maryland Division of Corrections.
State police charge incarcerated man in Somerset County prison death
A man who is incarcerated at a state prison in Somerset County has been indicted and charged with murder in connection with the death of another prisoner earlier this year.
Class 1 e-bikes are already permitted on the Western Maryland Rail Trail.
Maryland may open more state trails to e-bikes. Here’s what to know.
Officials with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are considering allowing e-bikes on more state bike trails, a move they say could increase accessibility to public parks.
Baltimore County Police said they aren’t seeking additional suspects and there’s no ongoing threat to the public.
Baltimore County Police continue to investigate double murder-suicide in Catonsville
Baltimore County Police said they are continuing to investigate the Catonsville double murder-suicide as they wait for a complete an examination into the manner and cause of death.
The state is considering replacing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
What to know about Labor Day weekend travel in Maryland
It’s Labor Day weekend, which for many Marylanders is the last opportunity to travel before summer ends and school starts.
State police are investigating a crash near Exit 89 that shut down Interstate 95 in both directions and hospitalized a Harford County Sheriff’s deputy.
Man arrested in New York after I-95 chase of truck loaded with stolen cooking oil
Juan Yahir Quiroz Manzueta, 21, was taken into custody in New York shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday, Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said in a news conference.
Southwest Airlines is adding another Caribbean destination to its flights out of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
BWI is getting new flights to St. Maarten, Cancun
New routes are coming to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport for those already dreaming about sunny destinations as summer wraps up.
Johns Hopkins Hospital campus.
Deadline looms for deal between Johns Hopkins and UnitedHealthcare to keep patients in network
Tens of thousands of patients at Johns Hopkins Medicine could be out of network starting Monday if the hospital system and UnitedHealthcare don’t reach an agreement.
A search and rescue team navigates around Beaver Dam on August 18, 2025. Rescuers on Monday morning resumed searching for a man who disappeared in the waters at Beaver Dam Swimming Club in Cockeysville on Sunday evening.
Body of 36-year-old man recovered at Beaver Dam Swimming Club quarry
Authorities recovered the body of a swimmer who drowned after searching since Sunday at the former quarry at Beaver Dam Swimming Club, a Baltimore County Police spokesperson said.
The Maryland Office of the Attorney General said it concluded its investigation into the November 2024 shooting earlier this month.
No charges for Howard County Police officers in fatal shooting in Laurel, AG says
State prosecutors will not file charges in the shooting of a 29-year-old man in Laurel last year that involved Howard County Police Department officers, authorities said on Monday.
A yellow and white road sign telling drivers to yield to pedestrians.
Man killed in hit-and-run near downtown Baltimore, police say
Baltimore Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run that took place early Thursday at the intersection of North President Street and East Baltimore Street.
MONDAY AUG 11 2025 - Residents in Baltimore's Park Heights community are still waiting for answers after a mass shooting Saturday night left one person dead and five others injured.
Police identify man killed in Park Heights mass shooting that rattled community
Residents in Baltimore’s Park Heights community are waiting for answers after a mass shooting Saturday night left one person dead and five others injured. 
A still from surveillance footage taken on a Ring camera outside of Kitchen Design by Iran shows Jonathon Wagner just before taping over the camera lens.
Man charged in connection with vandalism that left Israeli-owned business covered in red paint
Jonathon Wagner, 39, is facing multiple malicious destruction of property charges, including one based on race and religion.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will now be known as Belonging & Community at UMD, according to the university’s website.
University of Maryland renames its diversity office as ‘belonging’
The University of Maryland, College Park is renaming its Office of Diversity and Inclusion as the Trump administration pushes to end programs that support marginalized groups nationwide. The new office's name is Belonging & Community at UMD.
FILE - Shoppers look for school supplies deals at a Target store, July 27, 2022, in South Miami, Fla.
What to know about Maryland tax-free week ahead of school shopping
It’s back-to-school season, which means Maryland tax-free week is almost upon us.
Matthew Middleton is facing charges of assault for an incident outside of Peabody Heights Brewery in the Waverly neighborhood of Baltimore.
Man with Trump sign charged again after alleged attack at Baltimore queer event
In both incidents, Matthew Middleton stood outside businesses holding a sign supporting President Donald Trump before the situations escalated, according to charging documents.
Thomas Pinkerton, who now lives in Georgia, was extradited to Maryland on Wednesday.
Former Baltimore County youth pastor arrested on sex abuse charges
Thomas Pinkerton, Jr., 52, was working at Central Christian Church in Rossville at the time of the alleged abuse, according to charging documents.
Thursday, July 31, 2025 — A Mercedes sits in floodwater on Ruxton Road where Roland Run spilled over its banks during the afternoon thunderstorms that moved through the region.
Flash flooding leaves 1 dead, submerges vehicles and prompts water rescues across Maryland
July ended with a child’s death, water rescues, submerged cars, road closures and power outages after massive storms ripped through Central and parts of Southern Maryland.
An ADL complaint says the Baltimore school system, which is headquartered on North Avenue, hasn't done enough to address what the group says is harassment of Jewish students.
Baltimore schools ignored antisemitism complaints, ADL alleges
Baltimore City Public Schools, the complaint says, knew its schools were hostile places for Jewish students.
The 18-year-old and another swimmer were about 150 yards south of the lifeguarded zone of the seashore.
Assateague Island drowning victim identified as 18-year-old from Virginia
Authorities have identified the 18-year-old who drowned at Assateague Island as Crescencio Lucas Chavez Velasquez of Virginia.
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