Ciara Wells

Washington, D.C., United States

Deputy Writer and Editor at WTOP-FM (Washington, DC)

be nice to me, it’s the law 🖋 opinions are my own

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Articles

‘Very surprised’: What DC-area clergymen have to say about the new pope

6 days ago | wtop.com | Thomas Robertson |Ciara Wells

Two days into the conclave, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the new head of the Catholic Church, choosing the papal name Leo XIV. It is the first time in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church that the pope is from the United States. Prevost, 69, was born in Chicago and raised in a nearby Illinois suburb. He joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1977 and spent most of his career ministering in Peru.
DC restaurant association says city should reassess Initiative 82, despite uncertainty with the council

1 week ago | wtop.com | Ciara Wells

The head of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington is backing D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s effort to repeal Initiative 82 — the controversial 2022 law that created one wage scale for workers regardless of their industry. Shawn Townsend, president and CEO of RAMW, told WTOP that he’s heard from multiple restaurant owners that they’ve had to adjust their business models every year since the bill was passed. “The industry is suffering.
Small earthquake rattles Farmville area, felt as far north as Arlington

1 week ago | wtop.com | Ciara Wells

This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partner InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today. A magnitude 3.0 earthquake rattled the Farmville area Tuesday afternoon, with people as far away as Leesburg, Culpeper and Arlington reporting they felt it, too, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake occurred at 1:08 p.m. in Buckingham County, about 12 miles from Farmville and about 40 miles from Charlottesville.
PHOTOS: 2025 Met Gala pays homage to Black history, influence on style

1 week ago | wtop.com | Ciara Wells

Every spring, three things are sure to happen: Flowers bloom, rain pours and celebrities take over the Upper East Side for the annual Met Gala!This year’s theme is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which pays homage to the history and cultural influence of Black style, especially the 18th century dandy. Dandyism is a fashion movement out of the 1700s, steeped in a rich history of resistance and a celebration of Black individuality.
Q&A: Everything you need to know about Real IDs as the deadline nears

1 week ago | wtop.com | Ciara Wells

It has been decades in the making, but the government deadline to get a Real ID is nearly here. That deadline is Wednesday. May 7. The regulations for the new ID have been in place since Congress passed a law back in 2005 tightening the guidelines to board airplanes. The law was first introduced in Congress after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The new IDs have a security-enhanced star in the upper right-hand corner to show they are compliant with the law.
Six Flags America in Prince George’s County to close this fall

1 week ago | wtop.com | Ciara Wells

This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker. Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland, will close in November. The amusement parks are not a “strategic fit” with the company’s long-term growth plan, Six Flags said in a statement announcing the decision to close the parks. Six Flags America opened for the season on April 21 and will have its last day of operation on Nov. 2.
Six Flags America in Prince George’s County to close this fall

1 week ago | wtop.com | Ciara Wells

Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland, will close in November. The amusement parks are not a “strategic fit” with the company’s long-term growth plan, Six Flags said in a statement announcing the decision to close the parks. Six Flags America opened for the season on April 21 and will have its last day of operation on Nov. 2. It has some 70 full-time employees, and severance and benefits will be provided to eligible workers, the company said in a news release.
How a Virginia school is empowering the next generation of financially literate adults

2 weeks ago | wtop.com | Ciara Wells

This article is part of WTOP’s monthlong series, “Money Matters,” where we explore tips for saving, budgeting and making your money work for you. Check for new articles all month, right here on WTOP.com. This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker. In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker. On a rainy day at Hayfield Secondary School in Virginia, a group of students took turns standing up and down.
Maryland Gov. Moore gives update on ‘successful’ trip to South Korea, Japan

3 weeks ago | wtop.com | Ciara Wells

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who just returned from a seven-day economic mission to Japan and South Korea, joined WTOP on Wednesday to talk about what he got out of the trip. The governor got a chance to ride the high speed magnetic train, Japan’s Maglev, during his time overseas. Moore spoke to WTOP’s Shawn Anderson and Anne Kramer about everything from tariffs to a potential presidential run in 2028.
Man fleeing Virginia State Police hits 3 vehicles — including WMATA bus - WTOP News

3 weeks ago | wtop.com | Ciara Wells

A man fleeing a traffic stop hit three vehicles — including a WMATA bus — in Alexandria, Virginia, on Saturday night, according to Virginia State Police. Around 9:20 p.m., a Virginia State Police trooper tried to stop an Infiniti that was “driving recklessly” on I-495 northbound near Gallows Road, according to a news release. The driver of that car was identified as Cory Michael-Joseph Zufall, 21, of Reisterstown, Maryland.