The Green: Recent Episodes
Tom Byrne
It’s been nearly three years since the Biden Administration announced the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub or MACH2 was among a series of “hydrogen hubs” selected to receive substantial federal grants and jumpstart the hydrogen fuel industry. Delaware was to be a part of MACH2.This week, Delaware finally saw the first real move to get the ball rolling on hydrogen production here. Aternium — a Wilmington-based company — announced it plans to build a hydrogen production facility in Dover.But Aternium said it isn’t relying on MACH2 to be successful.Contributor Jon Hurdle took a closer look at their plans in Dover and where things stand with MACH2. He chatted with Tom Byrne earlier this week about what he learned.
Delaware’s current measles outbreak is now just over a dozen cases — all in Kent County — and four involving children.This outbreak — which comes as a surprise — doesn’t carry the same weight as COVID earlier in the decade, but is a cause for concern for some adults and children, especially those not vaccinated against measles.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry caught up with Delaware Healthcare Association President & CEO Brian Frazee and Kate Smith, Executive Director of the Delaware Academy of Medicine and Public Health, to discuss this measles outbreak, as well as vaccinations and dealing with mis-and disinformation in that area.
An increase in gas prices hit farmers hard at the start of the 2026 growing season. And those prices haven’t meaningfully dropped yet.Delaware Agriculture Secretary Don Clifton said, "The difference is 65% increase in a matter of just a few months. And the diesel cost; that's outrageous and unnecessary, and that is a...that ripples through the entire economy. The level that, that fuel is trading is also an indicator of what heating oil will be this fall."Now, drought conditions, fertilizer costs, and slow-going Farm Bill deliberations in Congress are adding weight to farmers already squeezed by high overheads.Delaware Public Media’s Isreal Hale checked in this week with Felton farmer Jim Minner to discuss how these issues are affecting his day to day operations.
With summer in full swing, lots of people head outdoors for hiking, biking, and camping. But summer is also prime season for all kinds of annoying and sometimes harmful insects, like ticks.These tiny bugs can cause a host of health problems, ranging from the minor to the serious. And in this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny talked to a trio of experts about those dangers, including how to avoid catching a tick-borne illness and what kind of research is underway to help combat those diseases.
Caesar Rodney is known for the many public offices he held in Delaware, and his famous ride on July 1, 1776 to cast the deciding vote declaring the U.S. independent from Great Britain.But like many founding fathers, Rodney was a slave owner and that part of his legacy led to a statue of him on Rodney Square in Wilmington to be removed in 2020 during a national reckoning with racism and police violence. This report confirms Rodney enslaved at least 26 people during his life.On this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Bente Boutiers sits down with Debbie Martin, Wilmington’s Historic Preservation Planner, who worked on the report to learn more about it.
Over the past couple of years, Delaware Public Media has reported on the fate of the fading Concord Mall in North Wilmington — another example of the demise of that particular retail concept.But there is another mall in the First State similar to Concord Mall that seems to be defying the odds and remaining viable. And we’re not talking about the Christiana Mall which is a very different animal. We’re talking about the Dover Mall.Recently, that mall got a boost from the planned revival of a movie theater there and this week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida delved into why a movie theatre could work there and help the continued health of Dover Mall.
Over the past couple of years, Delaware Public Media has reported on the fate of the fading Concord Mall in North Wilmington — another example of the demise of that particular retail concept.But there is another mall in the First State similar to Concord Mall that seems to be defying the odds and remaining viable. And we’re not talking about the Christiana Mall which is a very different animal. We’re talking about the Dover Mall.Recently, that mall got a boost from the planned revival of a movie theater there and this week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida delved into why a movie theatre could work there and help the continued health of Dover Mall.
Caesar Rodney is known for the many public offices he held in Delaware, and his famous ride on July 1, 1776 to cast the deciding vote declaring the U.S. independent from Great Britain.But like many founding fathers, Rodney was a slave owner and that part of his legacy led to a statue of him on Rodney Square in Wilmington to be removed in 2020 during a national reckoning with racism and police violence. This report confirms Rodney enslaved at least 26 people during his life.On this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Bente Boutiers sits down with Debbie Martin, Wilmington’s Historic Preservation Planner, who worked on the report to learn more about it.
Delaware lawmakers tried to crack down on cryptocurrency kiosks in 2026, arguing the machines had become a favorite tool for scammers targeting older adults.But despite unanimous support in the House, the legislation stalled in the Senate before lawmakers adjourned.Delaware Public Media intern Lily Grossberg examined the bill and where it'll go from here.
July 4th has come and gone, but Delaware’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary continues. One of those celebrations is a new exhibition by the Delaware Historical Society, which pairs objects from the society’s collection with student artists to ask - 250 years after the Declaration of Independence, are we living up to its promise?For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny spoke to Chief Curator Leigh Rifenburg about the show entitled “Objects, Ideals, & Delaware’s Unfinished Revolution.”
It’s been a month since the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to remove Temporary Protected Status or TPS, for around 350,000 Haitians and over 6,000 Syrians nationwide.Delaware has been home to nearly 5,000 Haitians and they’re considered to be among the fastest growing communities in the state.Until recently, this status helped them build a life here and avoid going back to Haiti, currently wracked by gang violence and humanitarian and environmental disasters.They are now at risk of mass deportations due to this ruling.To fully understand this, including long-term impact, and potential solutions, DPM's Jay Shah spoke to Rick Hogan, an immigration attorney and founding partner at Hogan and Vandenberg in Wilmington.
2026 has been a year of milestone anniversaries from America’s and Delaware’s 250th to the First State’s libraries celebrating 125 years. Among those was a slightly smaller yet equally significant anniversary — the Delaware Supreme Court’s which celebrated 75 years since its founding.To commemorate that, the judicial branch released a video with a brief history and testimonials from former and current chief justices, the attorney general and other figures about how the system has worked so far.In this edition of History Matters, DPM's Jay Shah sat down with Sean O’Sullivan — Chief of Community Relations with the state’s Administrative Office of the Courts — to understand that history and its impact on Delawareans today.
Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach is hard at work this summer, with a trio of blockbuster musicals running through August; plus a cabaret series and arts programs for young performers.On this week's Arts Playlist, DPM's Martin Matheny spoke to Clear Space's Managing Director, Joe Gfaller and James FitzSimmons, director of "The Cher Show" about what's on tap this summer.
One of the most notable bills to pass in the General Assembly this year was Senate Bill 9 — the Wetlands Stewardship Act. Once signed by Gov. Matt Meyer, this law will protect half of Delaware’s freshwater wetlands that were previously shielded from development by the federal governmentThis week, Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle took a closer look at the bill, how it got to the finish line and its expected impact. He joined Tom Byrne this week to discuss his reporting.
As we move closer to the end of July, an uncomfortable reality starts to set in for kids and their families. Summer break is slowly slipping away, and a new school year looms on the horizon. That means families need to start thinking about what gear and clothes they want and need in the fall.Yes, it’s back to school shopping season. And whether you are getting a college student ready to go back to campus or are checking off your K-12 student’s supply list, one thing is clear. You’ll need to dig deeper into your wallet this year.This week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida conducted her annual review of the back-to-school shopping landscape and she joined Tom Byrne earlier this week to let us know what to expect.
OperaDelaware kicks off its new season in October, coming off a successful week hosting a national opera conference in spring 2026 and with a new general director, Eric Einhorn at the helm.On this week's Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny talked to Einhorn about his vision for OperaDelaware, the future of its innovative Company Artist program, and the challenges of creating new opera lovers.
OperaDelaware kicks off its new season in October, coming off a successful week hosting a national opera conference in spring 2026 and with a new general director, Eric Einhorn at the helm.On this week's Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny talked to Einhorn about his vision for OperaDelaware, the future of its innovative Company Artist program, and the challenges of creating new opera lovers.
Delaware’s fire companies operate as individual entities with limited oversight outside of criminal cases. Some in the service say that’s working well, and others want to see a standardized code of regulations and a certification process put in place statewide.Delaware Public Media’s Abigail Lee looks into new efforts to add stronger oversight for fire companies in the First State.
First State Ballet Theatre recently announced the line-up for its 2025-2026 season, including something scary for Halloween, a mixture of traditional favorites and innovative new choreography, and a classic Romantic masterpiece.In this edition of Arts Playlist , Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny spoke to the ballet's marketing director Claire McGregor about the upcoming season, as well as a trio of summer performances around the state.
In this week’s Enlighten Me, we head to the University of Delaware to highlight work from student journalists – pieces produced by UD Communications students for a class taught by Nancy Karibjanian, a long-time First State journalist, Director of UD’s Journalism Program, and one of founders of Delaware Public Media.This week’s featured student journalists are McKenna Burke and Tyler Dodson/
It’s been over two years since the First State legalized recreational marijuana, and Delaware has yet to open any dispensaries.Rob Coupe, the first leader of the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner, stepped down in January, and the governor did not tap a replacement until last month.That new commissioner - cannabis attorney Josh Sanderlin - says despite Delaware’s challenges, he is confident in seeing a successful rollout.Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich spoke with Sanderlin about the trials and tribulations marijuana business owners have faced - and what consumers can expect moving forward.
During the Biden Administration, the EPA enacted strict limits on a laundry list of PFAS chemicals – and a timeline to start enforcing those limits. But the Trump Administration is pushing that timeline back and scraping limits on some forms of the chemicals for now.Locally, some state lawmakers are taking steps they believe will help ensure Delaware manages any PFAS contamination issues in line with the Biden-era rules.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle examines what the Trump Administration’s approach on PFAS means for the First State and Delaware’s response.
Delaware could become one of the strictest states when it comes to disclosure requirements around multi-level marketing companies, commonly referred to as MLMs.These types of businesses operate under a model where individuals sell products directly to consumers while also recruiting others to join the company.State Rep. Melanie Ross Levin believes these companies are often misrepresenting how much an individual can profit, and her legislation would create stricter guidelines to ensure distributors are not being taken advantage of.Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich spoke with Ross Levin, as well as legal experts and individuals who have been directly affected by MLM companies to better understand how this bill would work.
Delaware-based artist Jen Hintz Eggers' work is currently on display at the Mezzanine Gallery in Wilmington's Carvel State Office BuildingIn this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny speaks with Jen Hintz Eggers to learn more about her art and her current exhibition, "Seeds of Life."
In this week’s Enlighten Me, we head to the University of Delaware to highlight work from student journalists – pieces produced by UD Communications students for a class taught by Nancy Karibjanian, a long-time First State journalist, Director of UD’s Journalism Program, and one of founders of Delaware Public Media.This week’s featured student journalists are Joe Cosmedy, Madison Gelmin and Cris Granada.
To kick off Pride Month, Gov. Matt Meyer announced the individuals who will comprise nine-member LGBTQ+ Commission to further the state’s equity and inclusion efforts.Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich sat down with newly appointed Chair Cora Castle to discuss her vision for the commission and what gaps need to be filled when it comes to resources for LGBTQ+ Delawareans.
For decades, the Delaware Division of the Arts has been helping artists of all kinds practice their craft with yearly fellowships that provide some financial support.This year marks the 25th annual showing of some of this year’s fellows’ work.And in this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny chats with Delaware Division of the Arts program officer for artist programs and services Roxanne Stanulis about the fellowship and its impact.
This week – we bring you the latest episode of the Delaware Humanities’ podcast – ‘People and Planet.’In this episode, we focus on Delaware and oysters, exploring the history, science, and economic and cultural of oysters in First State with Ed Hale, Assistant Professor in the School of Marine Science and Policy and the Delaware Sea Grant Program at the University of Delaware and Morgan Krell, Science Technician at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays.
Tick season may be ramping up, but in Delaware, the risk never really goes away.That’s according to Ashley Kennedy – tick biologist for the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control – who says Delaware’s mild winters, diverse habitat, and year-round activity are changing how we think about tick exposure.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry sits down with Kennedy to discuss tick season and how to protect yourself.
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet isn’t easy.Most people turn to traditional cremation through their veterinarian, but there’s a gentler, greener alternative called aquamation – a process that uses water, mild heat, and alkali instead of fire.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon speaks this week with Chris Philippou – owner of Delaware Pet Aquamation, the state’s first standalone pet aquamation practice – about aquamation and the benefits of this alternative process.
A new exhibition at the Rehoboth Art League asks a simple but powerful question: What about the women?That’s the title of Rehoboth-based artist Kim Klabe’s latest show, which features a deeply personal collection of mixed media works exploring the stories, struggles, and strength of women across generations.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny catches up with Klabe for a closer look at the themes behind her work and the emotions she hopes to evoke through her art.
The University of Delaware was founded, built, and attended – at least for its first 140 years – by men.But it was Marian Coffin, one of the country’s first female landscape architects, who designed the entire look and feel of UD’s campus.Coffin left a lasting impression on both the university and the rest of Delaware. Her landscape designs and works include the Mount Cuba Center, the gardens at Winterthur Museum, and the grounds at Gibraltar mansion.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Anna Wik – associate professor of landscape architecture and board member of the nonprofit Preservation Delaware – for more on Coffin and her indelible impact on the First State.
As state officials and lawmakers look for ways to help Delawareans facing rising utility prices, one long-term answer could be solar – specifically something known as net-metering for homes and businesses that install solar panels.A recent report produced for the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, also known as Energize Delaware, suggests investment in net-metering produces significant benefits.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle takes a closer look at the report and what it could mean for the First State.
Colorectal cancer rates in adults over the age of 50 have been falling since the 1980s, but that’s not the case for young adults. New research shows that colorectal cancer incidences and deaths are increasing in people under 50.If that trend continues, colorectal cancer is expected to become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among young adults globally by 2030.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Bayhealth colorectal surgeon Dr. Assar Rather to examine the rise in colorectal cancer for young people and how it’s being addressed.
John Sloan is one of the most important American painters and printmakers of the 20th century.However, his biggest impact came as an art instructor, something the Delaware Art Museum showcases in its ‘John Sloan and His Students’ exhibition.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny catches up with curator Heather Campbell Coyle for a chat about Sloan and the exhibit highlighting his work and teachings.
The Zoar Methodist Episcopal Church in Odessa recently received grant funding for restoration work on the historic building.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry is joined by The Friends of Zoar's Steven Johnson to learn more about the Zoar Church’s restoration efforts and plans to preserve its history.
The role of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement was center stage in Delaware after the Town of Camden quietly entered into – and then quickly ended – an immigration enforcement agreement with ICE known as a 287(g) agreement.These agreements allow local police to collaborate with ICE, but critics argue they can erode trust within immigrant communities. One of those critics is the executive director of the Latin American Community Center Maria Matos, who recently penned an op-ed calling for a statewide ban on these agreements.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sat down with Matos to discuss her concerns and the impact these agreements have on local communities.
January brought a new Governor and a new General Assembly to Dover – and with them storylines of change on multiple fronts.What did we see in the first few weeks of the Meyer Administration and the 152nd General Assembly session?This week, Delaware Public Media political reporter Sarah Petrowich outlines the early actions and challenges of the First State’s new leadership as a new legislative session begins.
The Rehoboth Art League isn’t just a place to see art; it’s one of the few institutions in Delaware dedicated to collecting and preserving it.Their collection is made up of more than a thousand pieces featuring artists like Orville Peets, Jack Lewis, and Howard Pyle, and many of these rarely seen works are now on display in the League’s new exhibition ‘Recent Acquisitions.’For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny spoke with the Exhibitions Director Nick Serratore about ‘Recent Acquisitions’ and other fresh additions to the League’s galleries.
It's often said truth is stranger than fiction, but writer Zach Williams offers a different take – sometimes it’s fiction, especially the strange kind, that helps us see the truth more clearly.Williams, a Wilmington Friends School graduate who grew up just outside Wilmington, began his career teaching English to middle and high school students before fatherhood led him to start writing a collection of short fictional stories. He published that collection in his debut book ‘Beautiful Days,’ where he explores characters whose lives balance the mundane and strangely surreal in unexpected ways.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Williams for more on ‘Beautiful Days’ and how fiction can unlock deeper truths about our world and ourselves.
In October 2023, the Biden Administration announced the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) was among a series of “hydrogen hubs” selected to receive substantial federal grants to jumpstart the hydrogen fuel industry.But it wasn’t until the final days of the Biden Administration in January that MACH2 received the first 18.8 million of a promised $750 million.So where does this ambitious and at times controversial project stand after receiving that initial federal funding – and as the new Trump Administration takes office with its own energy strategy?This week, contributor Jon Hurdle takes a closer look at the status of MACH2 and its future prospects in his latest piece available at delaware-public-dot-org. And we chatted earlier this week about what he learned.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is urging Congress to mandate health warning labels that clearly outline the connection between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol consumption is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., and Murthy’s new advisory details how drinking alcohol can raise the possibility of developing at least seven types of cancer.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Dr. Ramya Varadarajan – ChristianaCare’s Breast Medical Oncologist and Medical Director of the Chemo Infusion Suite at the Helen Graham Cancer Center – about the surgeon general’s announcement and the link between alcohol and cancer risk.
Every year, Monarch Butterflies migrate to warmer forested areas in Central Mexico and Coastal California to overwinter, so they can survive the colder inclement conditions.But over the past few decades, the number of monarchs overwintering in Mexico has declined by as much as 80%, and monarchs overwintering in California has dropped by nearly 100%. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently recommended listing monarchs as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act in response, although advocates say that could make the situation worse.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry caught up this week with Michael Crossley – an Assistant Professor and Agricultural Entomologist at the University of Delaware who wrote about the issue – for more on why fewer Monarch Butterflies are overwintering and if federal protections could help or harm this iconic species.
In today’s information-driven world, math is everywhere; shaping the people we meet, the news we consume, and the jobs we get. Whether we recognize it or not, our ability to speak the language of math plays a crucial role in determining who holds social and economic power and who doesn’t.The new documentary ‘Counted Out’ delves into the math that underpins our democracy and how to become fluent in the numbers that shape our world. Starting this Sunday, the Delaware Council of Mathematics Leaders (DCML) is hosting a screening of ‘Counted Out’ in each county.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined by Crystal Lancour – past President of DCML and current Supervisor of Mathematics in the Colonial School District – and Jamila Riser – Executive Director of the Delaware Mathematics Coalition – for a preview of ‘Counted Out.’
It’s been more than three years since the remnants of Hurricane Ida dumped up to eight inches of rain in just a few hours on parts of the Brandywine Creek watershed in Delaware and Pennsylvania, causing heavy damage to private property and public infrastructure throughout the region, including in Northeast Wilmington.Last week, a group of stakeholders who spent the past 18 months examining flooding in the Brandywine watershed and what can be done to address it released a draft report of their findings.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle examines the report, its recommendations, and the reaction to it.
Delaware is facing a critical shortage of medical providers; everything from primary care doctors to psychiatrists and dentists.To help bridge the gap and incentivize providers to both work and live in Delaware, the state Department of Health and Social Services launched the Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program, offering clinicians up to $50,000 a year in loan repayment. Since 2022, more than $1 million has been doled out.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry is joined by Dr. Nancy Fan – Chair of the Delaware Healthcare Commission and OB/GYN with Trinity Health – and Certified Nurse-Midwife Angela Madariaga to learn more about the program and how it’s addressing the need for medical providers in the First State.
This year marks a major milestone for the Music School of Delaware, as it celebrates 100 years of providing music education in the First State.The nation’s only accredited, statewide community music school is commemorating its centennial with a series of special events throughout the year, starting with a violin and piano recital at the Newark Free Library on Sunday.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny spoke with Music School of Delaware faculty members Gus Mercante and Mary Jane Vanvestraut about the school’s centennial festivities and what it means to celebrate a century of fostering musical talent.
The NPR Student Podcast Challenge is back for 2025, offering students in grades 4-12 a national stage to tell their stories.Now in its seventh year, the Student Podcast Challenge has introduced more than 90,000 students from all 50 states to public radio and the art of audio storytelling, inviting young creators to produce stories on the topics that matter most to them.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with Steve Drummond and Janet Lee from NPR's Education desk for more on the Student Podcast Challenge.
Delaware recently signed an agreement to lease land at 3Rs Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park to US Wind to serve as the power access point for its planned Maryland offshore wind project. While that project has received all necessary federal and Delaware permits, Sussex County denied a conditional use permit for the substation and the project faces a pair of lawsuits targeting the permitting process and the environmental impacts.These flashpoints and the larger discussion of the potential benefits and drawbacks of offshore wind raise questions: how well do Delawareans understand offshore wind and how can that understanding be improved?This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sat down with Kathryn Lienhard – an Offshore Wind Energy Research Associate for Delaware Sea Grant's Marine Advisory Service – to discuss offshore wind literacy and the debate over offshore wind in the First State.
Homelessness is a persistent issue in Delaware, including in its largest city Wilmington.Wilmington continues to grapple with a rising unhoused population, exacerbated by a lack of resources and affordable housing, and advocates say new Mayor John Carney faces a steep challenge in solving the crisis.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently spoke with Stephen Metraux – Director of the Center for Community Research and Service and Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Delaware – about how Wilmington can address homelessness under new leadership.
The Delaware Art Museum is adding weekly film screenings to an increasingly dynamic catalog of arts programming.The ‘DelArt Cinema’ series aims to engage audiences in a whole new way; blending the visual arts with the power of cinema in the museum’s 160-seat auditorium where the screenings will take place starting this month.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined by ‘DelArt Cinema’s’ Film Curator Tom Cavanaugh to learn more about the weekly film series and what he hopes it brings to the community.
This week, The Green pays another visit to the University of Delaware to highlight work from student journalists.On this edition of Enlighten Me, we feature four pieces produced by UD Communications students for a class taught by Nancy Karibjanian, long-time First State journalist, Director of UD’s Journalism Program, and one of the founders of Delaware Public Media.
The Delaware General Assembly reconvenes next week and a week later Matt Meyer will be sworn in as Delaware’s next governor. One issue they’ll need to tackle together is education, but in fact, addressing education really requires working on a myriad of issues and topics simultaneously.Education funding, teacher pay, and school climate are just a few of the areas Gov.-elect Meyer and state lawmakers will be delving into in the coming months.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast reports on the state of play on education in Delaware.
Recreational adult-use marijuana in Delaware became legal in April 2023, but the First State has yet to establish a legal market.That process has been underway for more than a year and a half, but the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner has made significant headway, including distributing business licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, and testing facilities.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich starts her series Delaware’s High Hopes, which will follow three of the license awardees as they launch their businesses. In this first installment “Cultivating a Cannabis Industry,” they discuss what it’s like trying to establish a new industry in Delaware, particularly with several towns and counties working against them.
The Brandywine Valley Trail Plan at First State National Historical Park is moving forward.The plan designates a 27.8-mile shared-use trail network encouraging hiking and bicycling, among other activities, while promoting habitat preservation. After extensive environmental review and public input, the plan is now set to roll out over the next five years.Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined this week by Samantha Baranski – Visual Information Specialist for First State National Historical Park – for more on how the trail system is shaping the park’s future and connecting local communities.
For the better part of four decades, American sculptor André Harvey did much of his work in the Brandywine Valley; in Rockland. He created realistic and contemporary sculptures of all sizes, mostly depicting animals, cast in bronze using the lost wax method. Harvey also worked in granite, made collages, painted, and designed sculptural jewelry cast in 18K and 22K gold.Harvey passed away in 2018 at the age of 76 and in the new book “André Harvey Sculptor,” Bobbie Harvey, André’s wife, maps out his journey as an artist and their life together.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Bobbie Harvey at her Rockland home to reflect on André Harvey’s work and indelible legacy.
Christmas cookies are an age-old tradition that spans generations, kitchens, and continents.They tell stories about our backgrounds and our past, and making Christmas cookies isn’t just about baking, it’s about connection.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with award-winning Rehoboth-based Pastry Chef Dru Tevis to explore the magic of Christmas cookies and why these sweet treats are as much about memory as they are about flavor.
Next month, as November’s election winners are sworn in, one name will be notably absent from the roster of Delaware officeholders. For the first time in nearly 50 years, Tom Carper will not be serving the people of Delaware after announcing in May 2023 that he would not seek another term in the U.S. Senate.Carper departs after stints as Delaware State Treasurer, Congressman, Governor, and U.S. Senator, and his 14-0 record running for statewide office in the First State is unprecedented.Contributor Larry Nagengast recently sat down with Carper to reflect on his 48-year political career and his legacy as one of Delaware's most iconic politicians.
Since September, much of the Northeast has been experiencing drought conditions, with some areas like Baltimore and Boston lacking anywhere from 6 to 9 inches of rain.According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as of Dec. 3, roughly 98% of the Northeast is abnormally dry and 23% is in a severe drought, impacting the drinking water of nearly 14 million people.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich reports on the ongoing drought and the array of implications for the region.
The Delaware Council on Gambling Problems is expanding with the opening of a third office in Kent County.The Council now has locations in all three Delaware counties, providing greater access to services and support at a time when problem gambling is on the rise in the U.S. due to the growth of legal online sports betting.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up this week with one of the Council’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialists Jeff Wasserman about the new office and addressing gambling issues in the First State.
Imagine everyday objects turned into artistic ‘masterpieces’ with nothing more than duct tape and a sense of humor.That’s the premise behind the Biggs Museum of American Art’s “Duct-Taped Treasures” auction. From in-gallery headphones to archival gloves, the Biggs is auctioning off everyday items found around the museum to raise funds for its operations and programming, and spark conversation around supporting cultural institutions.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined by Biggs’ Director of Marketing and Public Relations Kerri Lacey for more on the auction.
Roughly 35% of Americans have received the flu shot and less than 18% have gotten Covid vaccines this season.That’s according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which notes that there’s still time to get vaccinated and many unvaccinated adults say that they intend to get their shots.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Senior Producer Kyle McKinnon sat down with the Chief Infection Prevention Officer and Hospital Epidemiologist for ChristianaCare Dr. Marci Drees to help make sense of the low seasonal vaccination rates and how to boost the numbers.
The coastal economy in the First State is booming.A new report from the University of Delaware outlines that growth, but the impacts of climate change and other factors threaten to stifle an economy that’s become a cornerstone to Delaware’s economic health.Delaware Public Media Reporter Abigail Lee recently caught up with the report’s co-author James Rising – Assistant Professor in UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment – about the state of Delaware’s coastal economy.
The Delaware Historical Society is blending tradition and art this holiday season with ‘LIT for the Holidays: Delaware’s Changing Winter Landscapes.’The exhibit at the Read House & Gardens in New Castle celebrates the spirit of winter; tying together history, art, and the next phase of the museum’s garden project.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media Reporter and Anchor Martin Matheny is joined by Read House & Gardens Director Laura Earls for a preview of ‘LIT for the Holidays.’
Thanksgiving is firmly in the rearview, but already, Christmas is nearly upon us, and the gift giving frenzy that innately comes with it.This year, American consumers estimate they will spend an average of around $1,000 on holiday presents; that’s a lot of gifts, a lot of time and money spent, and a lot of stress and anxiety.In this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Senior Producer Kyle McKinnon spoke with author and journalist Anna Goldfarb about the art of gift giving and why giving and, at times, receiving presents can be stressful.
There will be a new Mayor of Wilmington in 2025. Outgoing Governor John Carney won the office in this year’s election, which was open because Mike Purzycki decided to step aside and not seek a third term.Contributor Larry Nagengast recently sat down with Purzycki to discuss his impact on the state’s largest city, first as Riverfront Development Corp. executive director and then as Mayor of Wilmington.
The task force in charge of finding solutions to the state’s student behavior and school climate issues recently delivered its final recommendations.This comes after the group spent months putting together those recommendations to help districts better address increasing reports of student behavior incidents and absenteeism.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich spoke with Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend – Chair of the Student Behavior and School Climate Task Force – about the recommendations and next steps.
With Thanksgiving next week, the holiday shopping season moves into full swing.Retailers hope people are ready to spend big on gifts this year, while shoppers look for the trendiest gifts and the best deals.Contributor Eileen Dallabrida reports this week on what to expect from this holiday shopping season and which factors could play a role in both what gifts are given and how many land under the tree.
The countdown to the year’s most cherished feast is on.There's no shortage of things to do and buy if you're hosting Thanksgiving, and if you've only just started to plan for the festivities, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get cracking.For this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Emily Weinstein – editor-in-chief of New York Times Cooking and Food – and Lesley Stockton – senior staff writer reporting on all things cooking for the Times’ Wirecutter section – for more on tackling the big day, fresh recipes, and time-honored classics.
Schools and districts across Delaware are facing increasing challenges in recruiting and retaining their staff.According to a recent membership survey by the Delaware State Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, 75% of teachers said they’re more likely to retire or leave education earlier than planned.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Lauren Bailes – associate professor at the University of Delaware’s School of Education – to learn more about what’s causing teachers to leave the profession and how the issue can be addressed.
The Delaware STEM Educator Awards annually celebrates K-12 educators who go above and beyond to teach and inspire students in STEM, a methodology that engages students around the subjects of science, technology, math, and engineering.Among the winners this year are the Math Marigolds, a team of educators working to develop more students into math teachers.Delaware Public Media’s news director Tom Byrne sat down with Brandywine High School math teacher David Maloney, who helped start the Math Marigolds, to discuss the award-winning team and the importance of building a pool of math teachers.
Distributing grant money to nonprofits isn’t something high school students normally learn about, let alone actually do.But for more than 25 years, the Delaware Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Board has put high school students in charge of examining issues in their communities and ultimately deciding how to allocate thousands of dollars in funds for various programs that address them.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry chats this week with Yolanda Rushdan – Senior Program Officer for the Delaware Community Foundation – about the value of giving students an opportunity to help their communities through philanthropic work.
For many, birdwatching is more than just a chance to spot a feathered friend; it’s a way to slow down, reduce stress, and reconnect with the natural world.Next week, the Delaware Ornithological Society is hosting ‘The Birding Prescription,’ a talk about birding’s impact on our health and well-being.For this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined by the Society’s president Joe Francis for more on the benefits of mindful birding.
The 2024 Election nationally was a good one for Republicans, who returned Donald Trump to the White House and gained control of the U.S. Senate. But in Delaware, it was more of the same with Democrats dominating statewide races and drawing another seat closer to a House supermajority.To dive into these storylines and more, Delaware Public Media news director Tom Byrne sat down this week with University of Delaware Communications professor Paul Brewer – Delaware Politics Director at UD’s Center for Political Communication – to get his analysis of the post-election state of play in the First State.
The Green continues its breakdown of the fallout from Tuesday’s General Election in Delaware with a closer look at how the results will impact the state’s political landscape, especially in the General Assembly.There will be a new Governor in Matt Meyer, along with a new Democratic House Speaker and a new Republican House Minority Leader. However, Democrats failed to pick up the two seats they needed to grab a House supermajority to go with the one they have in the state Senate.Delaware Public Media political reporter Sarah Petrowich examines what to make of the statewide election results and what we might expect when lawmakers reconvene in January.
About a third of Americans will develop shingles and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone over 50 get the vaccine.At the University of Delaware, a $1.7 million study is underway allowing assistant professor of epidemiology Daniel Harris access to health records for roughly three million nursing home residents for a closer look at the effectiveness of the shingles vaccine in preventing the disease, dementia, and stroke.Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny caught up with Harris this week to learn more about the study and the efficacy of the shingles vaccine.
On Veteran’s Day, more than 20,000 students in all 50 states will be treated to video stories read aloud by active-duty service members.The ‘Story Time with a Service Member’ event, held by the nonprofit United Through Reading, gives young students the chance to connect with service members and highlights how crucial it is to keep our youth reading.For this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Melanie Sheridan – director of marketing and communications for United Through Reading – about ‘Story Time with a Service Member’ and teaching a child to love the act of reading.
How to handle the affordable housing crisis in the First State has been among the top issues during the 2024 election, but work on the issue is already underway in Delaware.This week, contributor Paul Kiefer takes a closer look at that work and what options it may provide a new Governor and General Assembly with to address this complex issue.
According to most major polls, or a combination of polls from around the country, the presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is a toss-up with Election Day nearly here.But we’ve heard this story before and the reality may very well wind up much different than what polls are forecasting.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with University of Delaware Communications professor Paul Brewer – Delaware Politics Director at UD’s Center for Political Communication – about polling projections and which numbers we can trust.
The cultural impact of the African diaspora in the Americas spans the Atlantic arc, from Delaware all the way to Uruguay.Encompassing thousands of miles and hundreds of years of Africans in the Americas, this arc brought cultural expressions and new types of music we still enjoy today; something the Millsboro-based arts nonprofit Echoes and Footprints is working to educate the public about.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny sits down with Echoes and Footprints’ founder and president Herman Boyd to learn more about the so-called music of the Americas.
The Delaware Historical Society named Hannah Grantham the new Director of the Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage.The Mitchell Center works to promote the history of Delaware’s African Americans and Grantham comes to the Center with an extensive background in musicology and museum work; most recently at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Grantham to discuss her new role.
The race for Delaware’s 34th House District sees incumbent Republican Lyndon Yearick trying to maintain his seat against Democratic challenger Tracey Miller in a district where registration numbers increasingly give Democrats an edge.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Abigail Lee takes a look at this race and whether this seat could flip from red to blue as Democrats pursue a House supermajority.
Republican incumbent Bryan Shupe is facing Democratic challenger Rony Baltazar-Lopez for Delaware’s 36th House District seat in Sussex County.Shupe has held the seat since 2018, but won the Primary Election by only 12 votes this year, leaving Baltazar-Lopez wondering if there is enough discontent to flip the Milford-area seat blue.Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich reports on those candidates and where they stand.
Settlers and Native Americans were living on the land now known as Delaware long before it officially became a state in 1787.So the area has had quite a while to stock up on stories of ghosts and hauntings between then and now.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Josh Hitchens, author of “Haunted History of Delaware” and “Eerie Delaware,” for a deep dive into the First State’s haunted history.
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and although fewer than one percent of men are diagnosed with the disease, their odds of survival are worse.To help with the stressors, anxieties, and uncertainty that come with having breast cancer, the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition offers a peer mentorship program with free one-on-one support to those who’ve been diagnosed.Delaware Public Media’s Abigail Lee sits down this week with Connie Holdridge – the Survivorship Director for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition – to learn more about the mentorship program during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The race for Delaware’s 9th House District in New Castle County is a rematch, pitting incumbent Republican Kevin Hensley against Democratic challenger Terrell Williams once again.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny examines where things stand in the district as the two face off for a second time.
Republican State Representative Mike Smith is running for re-election in the 22nd House District in New Castle County and is being challenged by political newcomer Monica Beard, as the Democrats seek to flip this seat in their pursuit of a supermajority in the State House of Representatives.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizzary takes a closer look this week at the state of play in the race.
Delaware’s efforts to manage the presence of so-called forever chemicals in its water seem to be on the right track. The latest EPA testing for PFAS in the First State produced some encouraging results, but there are still some areas of concern.Contributor Jon Hurdle talks with Delaware Public Media News Director Tom Byrne this week about the test results and reaction to them.
Saltwater was once known as an invisible threat.But that once invisible threat is now visible in Delaware and seawater intrusion is expected to only worsen over time.For this week’s edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with environmental geographer and associate professor at the University of Delaware Pinki Mondal to explore seawater intrusion in the state and how it’s being addressed.
Education funding remains a front-burner issue in the First State, but how it will be addressed and how quickly remains up in the air.Last year, the state received an independent report recommending it spend $600 million to $1 billion more annually on education and revamp its education funding system. Earlier this year, lawmakers created the Public Education Funding Commission to examine the report and offer its own recommendations on how to proceed.That group met for the first time last month and contributor Larry Nagengast reports that there are already questions about how quickly it can do its work and provide a path forward.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Insurance Commissioner and in this interview, Republican Ralph Taylor.
The Biggs Museum of American Art is closing out the year with an exhibition from American painter Rozeal.Best known for her contemporary work, Rozeal sets herself apart through her unique style of blending traditional ukiyo-e print techniques with Japanese folklore, geisha, kabuki, and samurai imagery, as well as hip-hop and Black culture references.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Biggs curator Laura Fravel for more on Rozeal and the new exhibit.
Nearly half of Americans believe ghosts exist. The concept of spirits is fundamental in many cultures and they regularly show up in books, movies, and folklore despite skepticism from the scientific community.University of Delaware Communications professor Paul Brewer – Delaware Politics Director at UD’s Center for Political Communication – sought to answer that question in a new study exploring the link between social media use and belief in the paranormal.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with Brewer about the study and its findings.
As Delaware ramps up recreational marijuana sales, a new report finds that illegal cannabis, containing harmful contaminants and unknown synthetic cannabinoids, is being sold at high rates at gas stations and smoke shops across the First State.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Registered Nurse Laura Barrett – founder and executive director of the National Clinical Director Consortium – and Chris Lindsey – director of State Advocacy and Public Policy at the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp – for a closer look at the report’s findings and the dangers of black market marijuana.
The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association recently announced it is moving the state’s high school football and field hockey championship games away from the University of Delaware – primarily citing the costs of holding football title games at Delaware Stadium and the field hockey final at UD’s Rullo Stadium.But some bitterness seems to be lurking beneath what seems to be a straightforward financial decision, with UD posting publicly on social media its disappointment with the move and laying out how much profit DIAA made last year with those events in Newark.Delaware Public Media’s Tom Bryne examines the decision and what lies ahead with News Journal/Delaware Online sportswriter Kevin Tresolini.
The co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered Ari Shapiro is bringing his one-man cabaret show to the Baby Grand in Wilmington.“Thank You For Listening” adapts narratives from Shapiro’s best-selling memoir “The Best Strangers in the World” into a litany of stories and songs about the power of listening to bridge divides.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined by Shapiro for more on “Thank You For Listening.”
The autumn season is underway and with it comes fallen leaves of orange, yellow, and gold that blanket our yards.That also typically means the long and tedious process of raking and bagging leaves, but what if taking the lazy way out means a healthier, more environmentally friendly yard?In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with Susan Barton – professor of plant and soil sciences at the University of Delaware – about the benefits of leaving the leaves alone this fall.
Long-running efforts to remove dams along the Brandywine River to allow shad and other fish to migrate up the waterway appear to be on hold indefinitely.However, environmental advocates involved in the effort are turning their attention to other opportunities to highlight the Brandywine and the resources it offers.Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle recently joined some of those advocates on a kayak trip down the Brandywine River to learn more about the fate of the dam removal project and new funding to promote the river as a resource.
A 200-year-old hilltop mansion in Wilmington that once faced demolition now has a new lease on life.The Brown House is expected to offer apartments and community space under an agreement between The Wilmington Housing Partnership and a local developer.This week, Delaware Public Media contributor Larry Nagengast reports on this new agreement to reimagine the historic Browntown property.
Gov. John Carney recently signed a package of environmental bills into law; among them Senate Bill 237, which mandates that state counties and larger municipalities include climate change and community resiliency in their comprehensive planning.Advocates call the bill an important step forward for the First State as it adapts to the effects of climate change and bolsters proactive planning efforts.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down recently with Emily Knearl – the Delaware Director of Government Relations and External Affairs for The Nature Conservancy – to learn more about SB 237 and its significance.
Nonviolent Seaford, a community organization encouraging nonviolence and justice, is holding an art crawl in downtown Seaford next week.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with Nonviolent Seaford's coordinator Beth Kopicki for a preview of the organization’s art crawl.
This week’s Delaware Primary brought an end to one of the most-watched and most contentious races the state has seen – the Democratic Primary for Governor. It also produced some eye-opening results both at the top of the ticket where a largely unknown newcomer muscled his way into the U.S. House race and down the ballot where Delaware’s House Speaker is suddenly out of a job.Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sat down with University of Delaware Communications professor Paul Brewer – Delaware Politics Director at UD’s Center for Political Communication – to get his analysis of the state of play post-primary.
The Delaware Primary has come and gone and next up is the much-anticipated General Election.And with young voters poised to greatly influence the election, it begs the question: How is our youth being prepared to vote and participate in civic life?This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Alberto Medina – communications lead at Tufts University’s Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, also known as CIRCLE – to learn more about youth civic engagement and ways to get young people involved in politics.
Art holds a mirror up to society, so it’s no surprise that there’s a long tradition of artists raising awareness and addressing social justice issues through their art.Using a range of art, be it visual, interactive, or performative, artists can engage communities and highlight important cultural and societal concerns.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Wilmington Recovery Café director Michael Kalmbach – founder of the former art-centric community mental health program Creative Vision Factory that’s now part of the Café – for more on the intersection between art and social justice.
If it seems like your allergies are getting worse, you're probably right.While Delaware’s allergy season typically runs from March to October, seasonal allergies are peaking right now due to higher pollen counts. This comes as the First State’s allergy season is starting to arrive earlier and last longer due to climate change.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with ChristianaCare internal medicine physician Dr. Amatul Khalid to discuss rising regional allergy rates and how to treat and relieve allergies.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. Senate and in this interview, Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester.
The Creative Vision Factory closed its former Wilmington location in June, ending more than a decade of work using art to help those facing homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction.Contributor Larry Nagengast reports on The Creative Vision Factory’s rebirth in a new site, with a new name, and a slightly altered mission.
The Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover has a new executive director.Hassan Najjar, whose career in the arts spans roughly two decades, takes the reins at the Biggs.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Najjar for a chat about his background in the arts and his vision for the Biggs.
AI has impacted many aspects of life in recent years, but maybe no more so than how we teach and learn.At the University of Delaware, the Academic Technology Services team is using AI this fall to give teachers and students more learning tools.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Erin Sicuranza and Jevonia Harris of UD’s Academic Technology Services team to learn more about how the university is using AI.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. Senate and in this interview, Republican Eric Hansen.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. Senate and in this interview, the Independent Party of Delaware’s candidate Dr. Michael Katz.
The Democratic primary for Wilmington mayor pits the sitting Gov. John Carney against former State and Wilmington City Treasurer Velda Jones-Potter. And with the winner expected to run unopposed in Nov. the stakes are high.Delaware Public Media contributor Paul Kiefer reports while the race lacks sharp policy divides, it does highlight long standing tensions about Wilmington’s future, including the city’s approach to neighborhood redevelopment and the pace of public education improvements.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Insurance Commissioner and in this interview, Democrat Kayode Abegunde.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Insurance Commissioner and in this interview, Democrat Trinidad Navarro.
Delaware’s 14th House District seat in Sussex County is up for grabs after being held by the House’s longest-current incumbent Pete Schwartzkopf since 2002.Following the former House Speaker’s retirement announcement in July 2023, three Democratic candidates – Kathy McGuiness, Marty Rendon, and Claire Snyder-Hall – have announced their bid to be his replacement in the Democratic-leaning district.Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich reports on these Democratic candidates and where they stand on key issues.
In the 10th House District in New Castle County, three Democrats – Stephen Jankovic, Melanie Ross Levin, and Dennis E. Williams – are vying to replace State Rep. Sean Matthews.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry outlines the 10th House District race and what to know about each candidate’s priorities.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Lt. Governor and in this interview, Democrat Kyle Evans Gay
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Lt. Governor and in this interview, Democrat Debbie Harrington.
For the first time since winning the 29th House District seat in Kent County, Democratic State Rep. Bill Bush must earn his spot on the November general election ballot. Bush and Monica Shockley Porter face off for that spot in the September 10th Democratic primary.Delaware Public Media’s Abigail Lee reports on the 29th House District race and where both candidates stand on key issues.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Lt. Governor and in this interview, Republican Ruth Briggs King.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Lt. Governor and in this interview, Democrat Sherry Dorsey Walker.
The gap in available affordable housing continues to grow in Delaware.Rents and housing costs are still rising, barriers to homeownership are widening, and the state is some 20,000 housing units short for median and low-income people. According to a new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, nearly a third of workers don't make enough to afford a one-bedroom apartment in the state.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by the executive director of Housing Alliance Delaware Rachel Stucker for a closer look at the challenges in providing affordable housing and why housing is getting more expensive in Delaware.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview Republican Donyale Hall.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview Democrat Sarah McBride.
Human composting officially became legal in the First State this year.It’s a process that involves the body decomposing into soil, which is then given back to the families of the deceased. Delaware is just one of 12 states to allow it as more Americans look for environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional burial and cremation.Earth Funeral, an organic reduction provider in Washington State, helped guide Delaware’s plans for the alternative funerary practice.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently spoke with CEO and co-founder of Earth Funeral Tom Harries about human composting and how it works.
As next month’s Delaware primary election approaches, Delaware Public Media is ramping up its coverage of the races and issues important to Delawareans.One area we are examining is issues surrounding the First State’s environment. Offshore wind, electric vehicles, ‘forever chemicals,’ and sea-level rise are just some of the topics that candidates are being asked to address to gauge their ability to lead on environmental issues.This week, Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle reports on his conversations with candidates up and down the ballot on where they stand on key environmental challenges the state faces.
The 21st House District seat in Newark is completely up for grabs this year.The incumbent – Republican House Minority Leader Michael Ramone – decided to run for governor and two Democrats, Frank Burns and Michael Alexander Smith, see an opportunity to flip the seat.Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki examines the race and why Burns and Smith believe they can turn the seat blue.
More and more older adults are becoming less physically active.That’s according to new data from the World Health Organization, which found that nearly 2 billion adults are at risk of disease from not engaging in enough physical activity. At the University of Delaware, the ACTIVE Lab – directed by associate professor of physical therapy Daniel White – is working to address the issue by creating practical ways to increase activity in older adults.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with White this week to explore the effects of prolonged sedentary behavior and ways to get older adults more physically active.
Social justice has meant many things over time and while definitions may vary, common concepts include equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal treatment.On August 20th, the Delaware Historical Society hosts a Social Justice Dialogue with Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. – one the country’s most prominent scholars and authors – that aims to challenge attendees to think critically about social issues and the present and future of American democracy.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by the Delaware Historical Society’s Executive Director Ivan Henderson and Reverend Ronald Whitaker of the Historic Mother African Union Church to learn more about the Social Justice Dialogue.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication. Among the races we are examining is the race for Governor and in this interview Democrat Bethany Hall-Long
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Governor and in this interview Democrat Matt Meyer.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Governor and in this interview Democrat Collin O'Mara.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Governor and in this interview, Republican Mike Ramone.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Governor and in this interview, Republican Jerry Price.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2024 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for Governor and in this interview, Republican Bobby Williamson
Wildfires burning out west recently brought smoke and haze to the First State.It’s the latest instance in what’s becoming a growing regional trend with prolonged poor air quality stemming from wildfires in the western part of the U.S. or wildfires in Canada.This week, Delaware Public Media Kyle McKinnon talks with Angela Marconi – the Director of the Division of Air Quality for DNREC – about how to make sense of the Air Quality Index and ways to protect yourself from lingering wildfire smoke.
Longtime New York-based photographer Frank Stewart – best known for photographing prominent Jazz musicians – has a new exhibition at the Brandywine Museum of Art.“Frank Stewart's Nexus: An American Photographer's Journey, 1960s to the Present” features 100 black-and-white and color photographs that trace Stewart's travels across the globe and his approach to capturing Black life and a range of diverse cultures.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon explores “Frank Stewart's Nexus” with Brandywine Senior Curator Amanda Burdan.
This week, The Green brings you the latest episode of Delaware Humanities’ podcast A More Just Delaware. The podcast examines pivotal moments and legislation related to hate, prejudice, and the fight for equal rights in Delaware.In this sixth and final episode, Dennis Coker, Principal Chief of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware, discusses legislation passed in 2016 formally recognizing the Lenape Tribe of Delaware, why state recognition was necessary, and its impact.
Gov. John Carney signed several marijuana bills into law last week, paving the way for existing medical marijuana businesses in Delaware to start recreational sales on an expedited basis.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich talks with Adam Goers – Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for The Cannabist Company, which currently operates three medical dispensaries in the First State – about the prospect of medical marijuana providers soon being able to sell recreationally to customers.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported the discovery of the Box Tree Moth recently at a Kent County home.The Box Tree Moth – typically found in New York, Michigan, and Massachusetts – is an unexpected find in Delaware. If left unchecked, it can quickly destroy and potentially kill plants.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry caught up with Brian Kunkel – Cooperative Extension Specialist of Ornamentals Integrated Pest Management at the University of Delaware – to learn more about the Box Tree Moth and how to help prevent the invasive pest from spreading throughout the state.
The question ‘What is truth?’ is no longer simply a philosophical debate; it’s an increasingly daily ask in a polarized society that consistently grapples with questions about the nature of truth.In that spirit, the Biggs Museum of American Art is rolling out the new exhibition ‘Circle of Truth: 49 Paintings Ending with Ed Ruscha,’ which unpacks the concept of truth and how our perceptions, biases, and interpretations shape our understanding of reality.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Biggs curator Laura Fravel to explore the ‘Circle of Truth.’
Human bodies donated to science are used in various ways for research, education, and medical testing. Most remains will be cremated after they have been used, and either scattered or returned to their next of kin. But some end up shoved away, abandoned by the institution, and forgotten.Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki visits one Smyrna couple’s home to learn how they are ‘rescuing’ skeletons and giving life back to the dead.
President Biden signed an executive order back in March aimed at bolstering the National Park Service’s recognition of women’s history, calling for increased representation in national parks across the country to honor the legacy and contributions of women and girls.Alison Parker, who has studied women’s history for decades and is Chair of the Department of History and Professor of American History at the University of Delaware, was invited to the White House recently for its announcement of that national initiative.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with Parker to learn more about her White House visit and work in increasing the recognition of women’s history.
The rules surrounding gender verification in women's sports have been discussed, debated, and scrutinized for decades, but maybe no more so than in recent years.Specifically, the issue of testosterone in women athletes, whether the athlete is transgender, or someone who has developed in a way that causes her to naturally produce atypical levels of the hormone; the question is whether higher testosterone levels, however they are achieved, give a female athlete an unfair advantage.In the new NPR and CBC podcast series Tested: A Surprising History of Women’s Sports, host and science journalist Rose Eveleth traces the century-long history of sex testing in elite sports through the eyes of athletes, historians, scientists, and doctors.In the lead-up to the 2024 Olympic Games, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Eveleth for a closer look at the issue and how Tested explores a question that goes far beyond sports: What’s fair? And who decides?
Centuries ago in 1631, a group of Dutch settlers landed and built their home in what later became the town of Lewes, Delaware.Without those settlers, the Delaware we know today would likely be a part of Maryland or Pennsylvania. In Lewes, the De Vries Monument honoring the Dutch colony and their settlement is finally getting a much-needed makeover.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with Lewes Historical Society archivist Denise Clemons about the history of the De Vries Monument and its renovation.
This week, The Green pays another visit to the University of Delaware to highlight work from student journalists.On this edition of Enlighten Me, we feature two pieces produced by UD Communications students for a class taught by Nancy Karibjanian, long-time First State journalist, Director of UD’s Journalism Program, and one of the founders of Delaware Public Media.
This week, The Green brings you the latest episode of Delaware Humanities’ podcast A More Just Delaware. The podcast examines pivotal moments and legislation related to hate, prejudice, and the fight for equal rights in Delaware.In this fifth episode, State Senator Sarah McBride discusses paid family and medical leave legislation passed and signed in Delaware in 2022, the work to pass it, and its anticipated impact.
The Delaware Historical Society has a new head of the Read House & Gardens in New Castle.Laura Earls – a longtime museum professional and historian of early American gender and material culture – took over guiding the Read House roughly three months ago. She’s already helped put together the one-night-only 'Read House Dozen' exhibit and has plans for a large revitalization of the garden.For this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Earls to learn more about her role and what she hopes to bring to the Read House.
This week, The Green visits the University of Delaware to highlight work from student journalists.On this edition of Enlighten Me, we feature three pieces produced by UD Communications students for a class taught by Nancy Karibjanian, long-time First State journalist, Director of UD’s Journalism Program, and one of the founders of Delaware Public Media.
New Castle County appears poised to halt the demolition by neglect of another historic building in one of its parks.Recently, the Jester Farmhouse in Brandywine Hundred saw its transformation into a home for a community art program completed. Now, it appears the historic Ivyside Farmhouse could get a makeover following a similar model.Contributor Larry Nagengast reports this week on Ivyside’s history and the plans for its new lease on life.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially began this month.Although Delaware has historically avoided direct hits, record-breaking warmth in the Atlantic Ocean and higher surface temperatures are increasing the likelihood of hurricanes or other major storms impacting the state.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently spoke with Mike Lee – a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey – about the First State’s hurricane forecast this year and how Delaweareans can prepare.
ChristianaCare is the first health care provider in Delaware to offer an FDA-approved focused ultrasound treatment for people suffering from essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease.A better alternative for patients who aren’t responding well to traditional methods, this new treatment, called MR-guided focused ultrasound, uses sound wave energy to remove areas of brain tissue that are the source of the tremor.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry sat down with Dr. Justin Martello – Director of the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Programs, and Focused Ultrasound Program at ChristianaCare – to learn more about the ultrasound treatment.
Roughly 50 years ago, The Grand Opera House in Wilmington received its first significant restoration.This year, The Grand is again undergoing another restoration and redoing its facade.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by The Grand's Executive Director Francis 'Skip' Pennella, Director of Sales and Marketing Dan Palmieri, and Director Of Operations Julia Dougherty for a closer look at the restoration efforts.
Contributor Jon Hurdle recently examined questions about the harvesting of horseshoe crabs last year during their annual spawning season – specifically in Kitts Hummock where several conservationists said harvesters violated state rules in a town that touts itself as a horseshoe crab sanctuary.With the 2024 spawning season underway, Hurdle visited Kitts Hummock last week to see what’s happening this year and how harvesting there could be affecting the horseshoe crab population and spawning shorebirds that rely on their eggs for food.
Summer officially begins this week and that means one of the busiest travel periods of the year is here as people hit the road for vacations.In Delaware, the state police have created a new Highway Safety Unit in an effort to cut down on car accidents and incidents and to educate the public on driving safety.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently spoke with Sgt. Lloyd McCann and Master Corporal Lewis Briggs with the state police about the Highway Safety Unit and how it plans to make First State roadways safer.
For the first time, the University of Delaware is combining theater and dance minors into one unit supported by its professional theater company, the Resident Ensemble Players.The change ensures students have a high-quality performing arts experience at a time when art programs at various schools across the country are being downsized and independent art institutions – like Philadelphia's University of the Arts – shut down.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Steve Tague – UD’s Interim Producing Artistic Director of the Resident Ensemble Players – joins Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel to chat about the school’s performance arts education expansion.
The Air National Guard we know today, a crucial reserve sector of the U.S. Air Force, used to be known as nothing more than a ‘flying club’ for World War II veterans.That was back during its early years in the mid-20th century, and in his new book “The Air National Guard,” Delaware Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force veteran Brigadier General Kennard Wiggins Jr. chronicles how the Guard evolved into an operational force during the Korean War and the so-called ‘Jet Age.’In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Brigadier General Wiggins to learn more about the Air National Guard’s transformative years.
Children’s literature has always held a mirror to society. As social norms change and culture evolves, so do the themes and characters in kids’ books.Yet, the role of the father figure, while pivotal, has largely remained narrow and stagnant, according to a new study from the University of Delaware.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with the study’s co-author Bill Lewis – a professor in UD’s School of Education – about his findings and the evolution of father figures in children’s literature.
Historian and author James Sears' new book “Queering Rehoboth Beach: Beyond the Boardwalk” chronicles the town's transformation into an attraction for queer residents and tourists.Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki caught up with Sears this week to discuss his book.
The Delaware Art Museum recently unveiled its latest exhibition ‘Paintings from the Collection,’ showcasing diverse abstract works, landscapes, and eclectic styles.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by the Delaware Art Museum’s Head Curator Margaret Winslow for more on ‘Paintings from the Collection.’
Despite not being as well known as other leaders of his time, Absalom Jones’ legacy is still felt today.Born into slavery in 18th-century Delaware at a time when slavery was being debated as immoral and undemocratic, Jones would go on to become America’s first Black Episcopal priest and founder of both the first Black Episcopal congregation and the first ‘Free African Society.’In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Philadelphia-based writer and educator Amy Jane Cohen for a closer look at Jones’ life and lasting influence ahead of Juneteenth.
Delaware, like most places across the nation, faces a serious affordable housing crisis. It’s a complex issue that takes on many forms, including the lack of affordable workforce housing.Contributor Jon Hurdle traveled to Laurel this week to take a closer look at a project there that hopes to offer one possible model to address the need for affordable housing.
A Delaware chef is named a ‘best chef’ finalist for the first time in the James Beard Awards' 34-year history. A James Beard Award is the most prestigious honor in the American restaurant world.So it’s a big deal that Matt Kern – the chef and co-owner of One Coastal in Fenwick Island – is the only First State chef ever to be named a Beard finalist in any culinary category.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Kern ahead of the James Beard Awards ceremony on June 10th to talk about the finalist nod and One Coastal.
This week, The Green brings you the latest episode of Delaware Humanities’ podcast A More Just Delaware. The podcast examines pivotal moments and legislation related to hate, prejudice, and the fight for equal rights in Delaware.In this fourth episode, former State Senator Karen Peterson discusses marriage equality legislation signed in Delaware in 2013, the work to pass it, and its impact.
Only two of Delaware’s 19 school districts have a formal policy outlining protections for transgender and gender nonconforming students – ensuring their preferred names and pronouns are used by all other students and staff, and allowing students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms and play on sports teams that align with their gender identity.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki explores the need for these policies and how the districts have created them.
Earlier this month, contributor Larry Nagengast opened a series produced by the Delaware Journalism Collaborative on the The Creative Vision Factory; specifically the circumstances prompting a program that helps those facing homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction to leave its Wilmington home. Nagengast returns to complete the series with a look at how housing is critical to building on programs like The Creative Vision Factory that provide services to deal with these issues.
A Philadelphia-based artist and teacher of more than seven decades has a new exhibition at the Brandywine Museum of Art.Peter Paone’s “In Shadows’ Embrace” showcases a selection of 22 prints he recently gifted to the Brandywine, drawing on themes of faith and isolation.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by Paone and former Brandywine associate curator Audrey Lewis to learn more about the exhibit and Paone’s work.
Two hundred years ago in 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette, one of the heroes in America’s fight for independence during the Revolutionary War, began a 13-month “Guest of the Nation” tour of all of the then 24 states, including Delaware.To commemorate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s return to America, hundreds of events have been planned across the U.S. and in France to celebrate and educate the public about both Lafayette and France’s role in our war for independence.For this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with historian Kim Burdick – Resident Site Manager for the Historic Hale-Byrnes House – for a chat about Lafayette’s return.
If you talk about how to improve education in the First State, one topic you’ll surely hear about is better pay for teachers and other support staff working on the frontlines in schools.Delaware is making strides in this area, most recently through the work of the Public Education Compensation Committee and the recommendations it delivered to Gov. John Carney and the General Assembly. However, as Carney and lawmakers move to enact those recommendations, one group may be left behind, at least for now: IT specialists.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Sarah Petrowich examines IT funding for First State schools and how it's being addressed.
What comes next after high school? For many students, the answer is college. But for others, the answer isn’t so clear, especially those in low-income Black and Latino communities that face barriers in picturing and actualizing their postsecondary futures.In a new University of Delaware study, Roderick L. Carey – assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development – examines those barriers and the ‘college-for-all’ school culture, and whether this strategy meets these students’ needs and future aspirations.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry talks with Carey this week about the study and his findings.
The Delaware Arts Alliance is preparing to launch its ‘Creative Economy and Cultural Tourism Recovery and Growth Plan’ this summer.The roll-out comes nearly a year after the plan was originally announced, with an eye toward bolstering the First State’s creative community and monetizing the arts’ impact on local economies.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by Neil Kirschling – executive director of the Delaware Arts Alliance – to discuss the plan.
Fast fashion has gone from beloved to belittled since its rise in popular culture over the past decade.But as fast fashion continues to get faster, what does it mean for sustainability and the environment? Will consumers even be able to recognize an authentically-crafted garment anymore?For this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Dana Thomas – writer and author of “Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes” – to learn more about the worsening issue of fast fashion.
Incumbent Georgetown Mayor Bill West narrowly won reelection to a sixth term, eking out a 34-vote victory over former Third Ward councilwoman Angela Townsend.But the dust has yet to fully settle in Georgetown, a community struggling to navigate Delaware’s homelessness crisis and housing shortage squarely in the public eye.This week, contributor Paul Kiefer examines how debate during the Georgetown mayoral election offers insight into the town’s approach toward homelessness.
Delaware has one of the oldest populations in the country, with nearly a quarter of Delawareans now at least 65-years-old, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.Although people are aware of the physical challenges of aging, what about our mental health?Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down this week with Geriatric Psychiatrist Dr. James Ellison – President of the Psychiatric Society of Delaware and consultant to Beebe Healthcare – to learn more about the unique mental health issues that older adults grapple with.
A historic building in New Castle County is about to come back to life with a new purpose.After years of fits and starts, the Jester Farmhouse in Brandywine Hundred is poised to become home to a community art program. It’s the culmination of decades-long efforts to find a use for the building and the land around it.Contributor Larry Nagengast reports on the effort to bring the Jester Farmhouse back to life and its new purpose.
The First State National Historical Park has an official Visitors Center.Since its creation a decade ago, the Park has been without any kind of welcome center, which can help visitors orient themselves and provide a sense of place.For this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne stopped by the visitors center inside Historic New Castle Sheriff's House and spoke with Park Superintendent Joshua Boles about the new center and ongoing development and interpretation of Delaware’s unique multi-site National Park.
If you’ve applied for a job lately, you may have been asked to check a box about whether you have a criminal record or a felony. For many, that’s not a problem, but for thousands of returning citizens in Delaware, it is.To help with workforce reentry, the nonprofit Delaware Center for Horticulture’s ‘Branches to Chances’ program introduces the formerly incarcerated, homeless, or unemployed to horticulture while working towards job placement and building work-life skills.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Branches to Chances Coordinators Robert Harris and Bonnie Swan to learn more about the Center’s reentry program and this year’s graduation class.
People of color have historically been excluded from artistic spaces but it’s particularly glaring at mainstream art museums where diverse representation is still lacking.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Elizabeth Humphrey – a Ph.D. candidate in Art History at the University of Delaware and creator of the traveling exhibit ‘There Is a Woman in Every Color’ – to talk about underrepresentation in art and how it's being addressed.
This week, The Green brings you the latest episode of Delaware Humanities’ podcast A More Just Delaware. The podcast examines pivotal moments and legislation related to hate, prejudice, and the fight for equal rights in Delaware.In this third episode, State Sen. Darius Brown discusses the genesis and current state of the ‘Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act,’ or the CROWN Act, passed and signed in Delaware in 2021 banning discrimination based on natural hairstyles.
One of the key races in the 2024 Elections in Delaware is the race for Governor.Incumbent Democrat John Carney is term-limited, leaving the office up for grabs. On the Democratic side, two-term New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer was the first to jump into the race in June, followed by Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long in September, and then National Wildlife Federation CEO and former DNREC Secretary Collin O'Mara in March.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sat down with O’Mara to discuss his decision to run and some key issues in the race.
The Environmental Protection Agency recently updated its maximum PFAS contaminant levels, meaning water utilities must upgrade their efforts to filter out the so-called ‘forever chemicals.’Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki recently visited Veolia Water in Wilmington to learn more about its ongoing construction of filters that remove PFAS from drinking water.
The Creative Vision Factory has used art to help those facing mental health issues and addiction for over a decade, but its time in Wilmington is nearing an end.DPM Contributor Larry Nagengast examines the circumstances prompting The Creative Vision Factory’s departure in the first story from a series produced by the Delaware Journalism Collaborative.
The First State is taking another significant step toward purchasing some of the electricity from future offshore wind farms.Last December, DNREC released a report calling on the General Assembly to pass a law authorizing the state to procure offshore wind power. That legislation, known as the Delaware Energy Solutions Act of 2024, was introduced last week with hopes of getting it passed before the end of this year’s session.Contributor Jon Hurdle reports on the Delaware Energy Solutions Act of 2024 and the chances it will be approved.
Birding is more than just looking to the sky or watching birds at a backyard feeder. The popular American pastime emphasizes conservation of wetlands and wildlife areas that attract and shelter birds.In the First State, known as one of the best places in the country to birdwatch, the Delaware Ornithological Society holds its annual Bird-A-Thon fundraiser from May 4-12 to support habitat preservation and conservation.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with the Delaware Ornithological Society President Michael Moore to discuss this year’s Bird-A-Thon event and birding in Delaware.
The Delaware Division of the Arts is showcasing the work of 20 artists awarded fellowships this year.The “Award Winners XXIV ” exhibit features a wide variety of art and this year’s winner of the Master Fellow award is instrumentalist, singer, and composer Mark Hagerty.Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by Hagerty on this edition of Arts Playlist to chat about his work and what it means to be named this year’s Master Fellow.
First State historian and author David Tabler’s new book focuses on the unique, unusual, and lesser-known aspects of Delaware’s past.In “Delaware from Railways to Freeways,” Tabler offers dozens of stories and historical photos from Delaware in the 19th century, including a first-of-its-kind 1874 peach sorter and the crawlspace in the Corbit-Sharp House where Quaker abolitionists Daniel and Mary Corbit hid a fugitive slave in 1845.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with Tabler about the book and the people, places, and ideas that have shaped Delaware.
Last fall, the Biden Administration announced substantial federal grants to create a series of “hydrogen hubs.”One hub funded is the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub, or MACH2. It’s receiving up to $750 million to bring together governments and business interests in Delaware, Southeast Pennsylvania, and South Jersey to create a hub with the promise of creating jobs while combating climate change.The U.S. Department of Energy and MACH2 officials are currently holding listening sessions to discuss plans for this hub and get public feedback. And contributor Jon Hurdle reports on the arguments for and against MACH2 heard in these sessions.
While many high school graduates spend time this summer preparing to go college, others take a so-called ‘gap year’ with plans for some sort of sabbatical.Postponing the start of college for a year is becoming more common in the U.S. According to a survey from the nonprofit College Savings Foundation, more than 22% of students now consider gap time before post-secondary education.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with First State native Belin Tate, a freshman at Middlebury College in Vermont who recently took gap time, and President of the Gap Year Association Rae Nelson to discuss gap years.
Early intervention for developmental delays like Autism can make a huge difference, but it’s difficult to diagnose those delays early. Michele Lobo, a University of Delaware associate professor and pediatric physical therapist, is working to change that by creating a new smart baby monitor that helps spot delays earlier in childhood.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry talks with Lobo this week about the monitor and the importance of detecting developmental delays early.
A photographic exhibition focused on the Harriet Tubman Byway is now on display at Old Town Hall in Wilmington.The exhibit “Landscapes of the Delaware Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway” showcases the work of award-winning Delaware-based photographer Lynn Dilliplane and is on view until the end of this month.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon visited Old Town Hall and met up with Dilliplane, Wilmington’s Historic Preservation Planner Debra Martin, and the Delaware Historical Society’s Chief Curator Leigh Rifenburg to learn more about the exhibit and the Harriet Tubman Byway.
Shopping malls across the country are remaking themselves as the retail landscape that once led to their growth and popularity continues to shift in ways that leave many of them struggling now.The latest mall to see some major changes is the Dover Mall. Like Concord Mall in North Wilmington, the Dover Mall is trying to find ways to reclaim foot traffic.This week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida reports on the Dover Mall and how it's making a comeback.
In 1868, Louisa May Alcott published ‘Little Women,’ a story of four sisters in Massachusetts, growing up, falling in love, and coming into their own.The story has seen dozens of adaptations and this May you’ll have a chance to see it come alive on stage with ‘Little Women – The Musical’ at The Playhouse on Rodney Square in Wilmington.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel sits down with cast members Camryn Hamm, Noa Harris, and conductor Thomas Fosnocht to learn more about their roles and the ‘Little Women’ tour.
This week, The Green brings you the latest episode of Delaware Humanities’ podcast A More Just Delaware. The podcast examines pivotal moments and legislation related to hate, prejudice, and the fight for equal rights in Delaware.In this second episode, historian, writer, and Black history educator Kathy Trusty examines the landmark Brown v. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court decision, its connections to Delaware, and how using the courts to advance the cause of delivering equity in education continues.
The annual horseshoe crab spawning season is approaching and a number of conservationists are urging Delaware environmental officials to step up enforcement of a ban on horseshoe crab harvesting.The call for the First State to effectively enforce its harvesting rules comes after a handful of harvesters violated the rules at Kitts Hummock in 2023.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle examines the response to the violations at Kitts Hummock and what to expect this year.
This Monday, April 8th, millions will gather across the U.S. to witness the first total solar eclipse in seven years.Although the First State isn’t in the coveted path of totality, Delawareans will still experience a partial eclipse, if the weather holds up.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon checks in with University of Delaware assistant professor of physics and astronomy Sally Dodson-Robinson to learn about the total solar eclipse and where to view the rare cosmic event.
Artistic spaces have historically excluded people of color; such artists have always existed, but the art world hasn’t always acknowledged them.That’s been particularly apparent for Black women and to showcase their presence in American art, the exhibit "There Is a Woman in Every Color: Black Women in Art" is now open at the Delaware Art Museum.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by the Delaware Art Museum’s Curator of American Art Heather Campbell Coyle to discuss the exhibit and representation in art.
Robert Kirkwood and Peter Jaquett were more than just contemporaries serving in the Delaware Continental Regiment during the American Revolution, they were close ‘battle buddies’ who fought alongside each other for nearly eight years.To document their time together on and off the battlefield, Delaware Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force veteran Brigadier General Kennard Wiggins Jr. wrote “Delaware Patriot Heroes.”In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Brigadier General ‘Ken’ Wiggins for a closer look at the intertwined lives of Kirkwood and Jaquett.
In December, an independent assessment of Delaware’s public education funding system was released recommending substantial changes.The American Institutes for Research study suggests what Delaware spends on education is not enough based on the student outcomes it produces. It recommends the state significantly increase spending while distributing more resources according to student needs and implementing a weighted student funding formula.Lawmakers received a briefing on the report earlier this month and it appears there’s no rush to implement the recommendations offered.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast examines state lawmakers' reaction to the report and the path forward.
The issue of an aging population is not a new one in Delaware, but it is an evolving one.The Delaware Population Consortium and the University of Delaware’s Institute of Public Administration recently held a workshop examining the effects of an older population on the state’s infrastructure.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast reports on that workshop and key issues raised during it.
A low-dose CT scan can detect lung cancer in its early stages and reduce the risk of dying by at least 20%, but only 14% of eligible Delawareans have been screened for lung cancer.To help improve those numbers, Delaware’s Division of Public Health is launching a new campaign to raise lung cancer screening awareness.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry is joined this week by ChristianaCare physician and researcher Dr. Heather Bittner Fagan to discuss the importance of getting screened for lung cancer.
The largest exhibition focused on America’s first successful Black fashion designer opens this weekend at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.“Ann Lowe: American Couturier” highlights the life and work of Ann Lowe, who created couture gowns for debutantes, heiresses, actresses, and social icons, including Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel sits down with Winterthur curator Kim Collison and guest curator Elizabeth Way to learn more about Lowe and the exhibit.
A World War I-era cannon was recently moved from the front lawn of American Legion Nanticoke Post 6 in Seaford for some planned restoration. The cannon has been there for nearly a century.In the week’s edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with Post 6 historian and finance officer Roy Lamberton about the cannon’s history and the restoration efforts.
Minnesota, New Mexico, Colorado, Vermont, Michigan, and Massachusetts are making school meals permanently free to all students regardless of family income starting this academic year, joining California and Maine.In Delaware, making breakfast and lunch free for all First State students has been discussed, but there’s been no movement on any legislation.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick talks with University of Delaware professor Allison Karpyn – Co-Director of the Center for Research in Education and Social Policy – about the state of food insecurity and nutrition in schools.
More than 1 in 3 Americans today have prediabetes.That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which also notes that of those with prediabetes, more than 80% don't even know it.The ‘Prevent T2’ program at the University of Delaware aims to curb type-2 diabetes and help those at risk or already pre-diabetic.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently caught up with one of the program’s leaders Tara Leonard to talk about type-2 diabetes prevention.
Arts education has been proven to have an invaluable impact on young students and how they learn. But it’s still largely underfunded and inaccessible to low-income or disenfranchised families.In the First State, the Delaware Institute for Arts in Education is working to make arts education more widely available. To celebrate that work, the Institute is holding a gala to highlight what goes into bringing arts-based learning to K-12 students statewide.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by the group’s executive director A.T. Moffett to preview the gala and discuss their efforts.
Historians at the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs are shining a light on the lost history of free and enslaved African Americans through an online database.In the week’s edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki sits down with the Division’s inclusive history researcher Jeanette Bendolph to learn more about the database.
Schools are increasingly focusing on teaching media literacy.In an era where information abounds across digital platforms making it easier for misinformation to be widely disseminated, teaching kids how to identify accurate, factual information and news is critical. Delaware is actually ahead of the curve on this issue after passing legislation in 2022 mandating media literacy be taught in public schools.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast reports on the law’s requirements and the challenges in implementing it for the Delaware Journalism Collaborative.
Widener University Delaware Law School recently named Todd Clark as its new dean.Clark previously served as senior associate dean of Academic Affairs and professor of law at St. Thomas University College of Law in Florida. He replaces Rod Smolla as dean, stepping in just as the school gets some fresh competition from the newly-launched Wilmington University School of Law.Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sat down this week with Clark to discuss his new role.
Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester held an official campaign kickoff rally last Saturday, formally launching her bid for the U.S. Senate seat held by Tom Carper who plans to retire after this term. If elected, Blunt Rochester would become just the third Black woman to ever serve in the U.S. Senate.While a record number of Black women serve in congressional, statewide, and legislative offices, they still make up less than 6% of those elected offices. That’s according to a new report from Rutgers University, which also found Delaware is among the top five states for Black women serving in the state legislature.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks this week with the report’s author Kelly Dittmar – an Associate Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University – to learn more about the state of Black women in American politics.
Art has been shown to have the ability to transform and revitalize public spaces. It humanizes the built environments and can provide a sense of belonging for both locals and visitors.With that in mind, Concord Mall in North Wilmington is seeking the services of local artists to put together pieces for its interior.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by Concord Mall’s General Manager Tom Dahlke for more on the mall’s creative initiative.
Orientation is underway at the new Wilmington University School of Law, marking a new chapter in Delaware’s legal community. Widener University Delaware Law School opened in 1975 and was the First State’s only law school until now.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne talks with the first dean of Wilmington University’s newly created School of Law Phillip Closius about the challenges and responsibilities of leading the state’s second law school.
Poor children and adolescents nationwide are participating in fewer sports and fitness activities than their more affluent peers.That’s according to a report out of the Aspen Institute, which finds that access to physical activities for young people in struggling schools is declining while opportunities for those who can afford them are increasing.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Jon Solomon – Editorial Director for the Aspen Institute Sports and Society Program – to learn more about the report’s findings.
The Delaware Division of the Arts recently secured new funding to bolster creative aging programs for adults aged 55 and up in Delaware.DDOA is one of nine state arts agencies awarded funding, which helps the Division meet the creative needs of older adults, especially in underserved communities.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by Division of the Arts’ director Jessica Ball and deputy director Kristin Pleasanton to discuss the funding and what it will do for creative aging programs.
A year ago, the City of Newark announced it was considering selling the Newark Passenger Train Station due to the extensive repairs that needed to be done.But thanks to the actions and fundraising efforts of the Newark Historical Society, city council members, and local state representatives, the City of Newark is now committed to fully renovating the train station.For this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick caught up with Newark Historical Society President Kaitlyn Tanis for more on the train station’s renovation.
We’ve recently reported extensively on Delaware’s efforts to address climate change – specifically Climate Change Solutions Act – recently signed by Gov. John Carney. That law puts the state on the path to make zero net additions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere by 2050.But the road to reaching that goal is already proving to be a bumpy one with tensions cropping up in numerous areas. One example – the effort to turn some First State farmland into solar farms.Maddy Luria took a closer look at this issue for the Delaware Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of local news and community organizations working to bridge divides statewide. This week, she joins us to discuss this potentially polarizing issue.
We’ve recently reported extensively on Delaware’s efforts to address climate change – specifically Climate Change Solutions Act – recently signed by Gov. John Carney. That law puts the state on the path to make zero net additions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere by 2050.But the road to reaching that goal is already proving to be a bumpy one with tensions cropping up in numerous areas. One example – the effort to turn some First State farmland into solar farms.Maddy Luria took a closer look at this issue for the Delaware Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of local news and community organizations working to bridge divides statewide. This week, she joins us to discuss this potentially polarizing issue.
Fentanyl is far from a new crisis, but it’s getting worse.Nationally, fentanyl overdose is among the leading causes of death for Americans ages 18 to 45. In Delaware, the Division of Public Health recently announced that the First State has the fifth-highest overdose death rate in the nation. Fentanyl was involved in 85% of overdose deaths last year.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down this week with Katie Capelli – epidemiologist in DPH’s Office of Health Crisis Response – to discuss the growing threat of fentanyl and how it’s being addressed in Delaware.
The national tour of ‘The Lion King’ musical debuts in Philadelphia next week and features two Delaware natives who star in the stage production as Young Simba and as the blue bird Zazu.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by Jackson Hayes and Nick LaMedica to learn more about their roles and ‘The Lion King’ production.
Tipping is on the rise across the U.S. and chances are you’ve noticed more businesses asking for a little extra.From fast-food restaurants and coffee shops to self-checkout machines, we’re being asked to tip with just about every sort of transaction.For this week’s edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with Ted Rossman – senior industry analyst at Bankrate – about why tipping has gotten out of hand.
In May, Senator Tom Carper announced his current term in the U.S. Senate will be his last. He will not run for reelection in 2024, ending his time in the Senate after 4 terms and 24 years and a political career that’s spanned nearly 50 years.Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sits down with Carper this week to discuss his retirement, the work he hopes to accomplish before he walks away, and the current political environment.
As the calendar turns to August, summer break heads into the home stretch for students. That means families need to start thinking about and buying the gear kids need for school this fall.While inflation is slowing compared to a year ago, that’s not necessarily being reflected in the prices consumers are paying for many items.This week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida reports on the back-to-school shopping landscape.
The Delaware Division of the Arts is showcasing the work of 17 artists selected from more than 100 applicants to receive fellowships this year.Titled “Award Winners XXIII,” the exhibit uniquely features a wide variety of art, including folk and visual art, literature, and music. The exhibit has been open at the Biggs Museum of American Art and it’s set to open August 10 at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by two of the exhibit’s artists, Charlese Phillips and Michael Miller, to learn more about their work.
Recently, what had been a wooded lot in central Brandywine Hundred was completely cleared out, creating a jarringly open site near the intersection of Silverside and Marsh Roads.The site used to be home to the historic Forwood School, but after years of slowly crumbling, that landmark building dating back to 1799 is gone, making way for new development.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast reports on what’s next for the former Forwood School site.
Three years after the pandemic forced most office workers to work from home, employers are now trying to get them back in the office.But the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown may have permanently changed norms and expectations about where employees are able and willing to work.Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick recently spoke with Emma Harrington – labor economist and assistant professor at the University of Virginia – about the return-to-office implications.
The Delaware Arts Alliance is set to launch its ‘Creative Economy and Cultural Tourism Recovery and Growth Plan’ on August 2.The Alliance recently received $1 million in state funding to research and implement the plan, which seeks to strengthen Delaware’s arts, culture, and creative economy, and help it become more sustainable and resilient to future financial droughts.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by Delaware Arts Alliance executive director Neil Kirschling to learn more about the economic plan.
The messages that revolve around quitting are usually straightforward – don't do it. But what if what we’ve learned and been told about quitting isn’t entirely true? What if being labeled a quitter isn’t a bad thing?Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Julia Keller says it’s not, and she explores these questions and more in her new book "Quitting: A Life Strategy: The Myth of Perseverance – and How the New Science of Giving Up Can Set You Free."For this week’s edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with Keller about the potential benefits and science of throwing in the towel.
The question of whether Delaware will get in the offshore wind game has been kicked around for over a decade, but after showing early promise, the state has largely sat on the sidelines.There appear to be opportunities for the First State to jump in if it is willing to make the needed moves, and this week, contributor Jon Hurdle reports on where things stand with Delaware and the offshore wind industry.
Kim Leisey has officially joined CAMP Rehoboth Community Center as its new Executive Director.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick catches up with Leisey to discuss her new role, connecting with younger LGBTQ+ people, and the challenges ahead in today's political climate.
The Delaware Symphony Orchestra recently announced its 118th season, which features five Classics Series concerts, three Chamber Series concerts, two concerts in Sussex County, and a return to the Hotel du Pont's Gold Ballroom.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel sat down with J.C. Barker – Executive Director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra – to preview the season.
The number of hate crimes and attacks on minority groups is rising and social media is exacerbating the issue.That’s according to a recent study cited in the 2023 Economic Report of the President and co-authored by Kassra Oskooii, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware.For this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Oskooii to learn more about his study and its findings.
From May to June, the Delaware Bay hosts the world’s largest population of horseshoe crabs.But the effects of human activity and climate change in the last century have led to an increased focus on how many of them actually make it to the Bay each year to spawn.Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick recently joined volunteers during the state's annual horseshoe crab count and reports this week on both the work that goes into gathering that data and how the horseshoe crab population is being negatively impacted.
AM radio once dominated the airwaves.That is, before it was overtaken by FM radio, and even more so in recent years by Sirius XM and streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.But as various automakers began announcing plans this year to remove AM radios from new vehicles, it raised concerns about how it’ll affect those who still use and rely on its signal.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with Noah Arceneaux – radio historian and professor of the media studies program at San Diego State University – about the history of AM radio, its prevalence, and its value in today’s world.
The Delaware Division of the Arts is set to showcase the work of 17 artists who were awarded fellowships out of a group of more than 100 people.Titled “Award Winners XXIII,” the exhibit uniquely features a wide variety of art, including folk art, literature, visual arts, and music.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel caught up with a few of the exhibit’s artists – B. Proud, TAHIRA, and Lauren E. Peters – to learn more about their work and what it means to be included in “Award Winners XXIII.”
There’s a plethora of research out there today that shows a strong correlation between the quality of a person’s childhood and how they fare both mentally and physically as an adult.But the nature of how these childhood experiences affect us when we’re older is nuanced.That’s according to licensed marriage and family therapist Vienna Pharaon, who says it isn’t just those who experienced trauma as kids who might carry what she calls “origin wounds” into adulthood. Pharaon actually says that all of us have some version of these wounds that shape our understanding of ourselves and our worldview.For this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Pharaon to talk about origin wounds and she explores them in her debut book “The Origins of You: How Breaking Family Patterns Can Liberate the Way We Live and Love.”
This time a year ago, state lawmakers backing a bill to give legal force to Delaware’s plan to respond to climate change were regrouping after the bill stalled late in that session.This year, those lawmakers are taking a victory lap after the Delaware Climate Change Solutions Act passed.Contributor Jon Hurdle reports this week on why the Delaware Climate Change Solutions Act was successful this time around and what’s in the final version of the bill.
The gender wage gap in the United States is unfortunately alive and well.Today, women in the U.S. are paid roughly 22% less than men on average. In Delaware, the pay gap is still prevalent with the First State sitting below the national average.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently sat down with Yana Rodgers – professor of labor studies and employment relations at Rutgers University, where she also serves as the faculty director of the Center for Women and Work – to discuss gender pay equity and how Delaware can close the gap.
The Delaware Division of the Arts is rolling out a portal that could revolutionize the way artists and groups connect across the First State.The refreshed ‘Delaware Artists Roster’ showcases artists from around the state who are available to perform, present, or exhibit in Delaware and the wider mid-Atlantic region.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel chats with Delaware Division of the Arts’ director Jessica Ball, artist programs and services officer Roxanne Stanulis, and marketing and communications program officer Andy Truscott about the new portal and its potential.
Katelyn Sewell started surfing when she was eight years old. Over time, it grew from something she just did with her father to a full-blown passion, so much so that Sewell competed in the National Scholastic Surfing Association championships in June.But her road there was anything but normal. During Sewell’s senior year of high school, she developed various debilitating health issues and eventually landed at Nemours Children’s Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a rare condition called lymphangiectasia and received two life-saving surgeries.For this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick sits down with Sewell and Dr. Deborah Rabinowitz – an interventional radiologist at Nemours Children's Health – to learn more about Sewell’s story and the lymphatic system.
Last week, the EPA finalized its Renewable Fuel Standard rule and this latest version of the rule could mean a significant increase in costs for smaller independent refineries, like PBF Energy’s Delaware City Refinery.To comply with the rule, refiners must either blend biofuels into their products or purchase Renewable Identification Numbers to make up for their limited capacity to blend. But as the EPA’s blending requirements rise, so does the number of credits refineries need and that drives up the price of credits.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle reports on the EPA’s final Renewable Fuel Standard rule and its impact on the Delaware City Refinery.
There’s more than meets the eye in Southern Delaware. In addition to beautiful beaches and bayside getaways, it’s actually home to a plethora of rich natural resources.But the threat of climate change, sea level rise, and development is putting those resources in communities like Milford and Slaughter Beach at risk if they don’t work to protect and sustain them. A new report details how ecotourism and nature-based investments can help, and make the area more resilient to coastal hazards.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry is joined this week by Delaware Sea Grant Coastal Hazards Specialist Danielle Swallow to talk about it.
The Delaware Art Museum rolls out a new exhibition this week featuring original artworks from 17 children’s books illustrated by award-winning artist Christian Robinson.Growing up in a one-bedroom apartment with his grandmother and five other relatives in Los Angeles, drawing was Robinson’s way to make space for himself and to create the kind of world he wanted to see. In his exhibit – titled “What Might You Do?” – Robinson does just that, showcasing the value of different perspectives and the need for children to see themselves reflected in books.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel caught up with the Delaware Art Museum’s Curator of American Art Heather Campbell Coyle to learn more about the exhibit.
In 2003, Laura Carney’s 54-year-old father Mickey was killed in an auto accident. In 2016, Carney, a Delaware native, found a list written by Mickey titled “Things I Would Like to Do in My Lifetime!”Mickey had completed only a handful of the 60 items on the ‘bucket list’, so Laura decided to finish it for him. From skydiving and surfing in the ocean to meeting the president and corresponding with the pope, Laura spent six years completing the list. Now she’s detailing her adventures in her new book "My Father's List: How Living My Dad's Dreams Set Me Free."For this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon met Carney at her book reading at Barnes & Noble in Wilmington to discuss her story.
Debates about police oversight in Delaware have simmered for years, occasionally lifted to the surface by a police shooting or headline case of police misconduct.The Delaware Department of Justice’s interpretation of a 60-year-old U.S. Supreme Court decision plays a significant role in that debate – an interpretation that tightly limits how much defense attorneys can know about what goes on inside Delaware police departments.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Paul Kiefer reports on how the Brady Rule is applied in the First State.
The Delaware Art Museum is partnering with Wilmington City Councilman Nathan Field on a new mural project called “Nature’s Palette.”The nature-inspired project showcases intricate and vibrant paintings and drawings from the museum’s Pre-Raphaelite collection, including quotes penned by Victorian-era writers.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel sat down with Margaret Winslow – Chief Curator and Curator of Contemporary Art for the Delaware Art Museum – to learn more about “Nature’s Palette.”
This week, The Green brings you a portion of the latest episode of the Delaware Humanities’ podcast 2023/1973 In Conversation. The podcast celebrates Delaware Humanities’ 50th anniversary by focusing on the conversations it’s engaged in with Delawareans for more than 50 years and continues to encourage today.In this episode, ChristianaCare family medicine physician Dr. Marshala Lee and University of Pennsylvania medical student Jasmine Brown – author of “Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought To Become Physicians, From the Civil War to the 21st Century” – discuss the barriers women of color in medicine face and the impact of disparities in medical care.
An overpass on I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia collapsed Sunday after a tanker truck carrying gasoline burst into flames beneath it.According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the entire southbound bridge on I-95 needs to be demolished. And Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said it’ll take “some number of months” to fully repair the roadway.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Michael Chajes – Dean of the Honors College at the University of Delaware, Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor, and consultant – to learn more about the I-95 bridge collapse.
Descendants of a family with a deep history in Brandywine Hundred recently returned to their roots. The Descendants of Valentine Hollingsworth Sr. Society drew members of the Hollingsworth clan from around the country back to New Castle County this month to celebrate their First State heritage.For his week’s History Matters, contributor Larry Nagengast examines the Hollingsworth story and efforts to keep the family legacy alive.
The Choir School of Delaware is more than just a school for choristers – it’s a comprehensive after-school program primarily serving Wilmington area at-risk youth under the age of 18. Through music and mentorship, the Choir School helps young people lift up their voices, with adults and older volunteers serving as mentors and choir members.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with the Choir School of Delaware’s Communication and Audience Development Manager Hannah Grasso, LatinX Family Services Coordinator Karelin Torres, and Director of Education and Programming Malcolm Richardson about the program’s commitment to inclusion in the performing arts and its upcoming performances.
After 5-plus years of leading Delaware Public Media as its president, Jane Vincent is retiring this summer.Vincent has left a lasting mark on DPM, solidifying its foundation and helping it grow as it marked its first decade as Delaware’s first and only NPR News station during her tenure.For this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sat down with Vincent to reflect on her time at DPM and the ongoing importance of its mission.
The State of Delaware is in the process of writing regulations to adopt California’s Advanced Clean Car II standards and phase out the sale of new small and medium gas-powered vehicles over the next 12 years.But the plan faces substantial pushback. During the recently completed comment period, DNREC received thousands of comments – most opposed to the effort – and GOP lawmakers are pushing legislative options to derail it.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle takes a closer look at the proposal and the contentious battle over it.
The sedative drug ketamine was approved by the FDA as an anesthetic in the 1970s, but more recently it’s seeing some use to treat severe depression and various mood disorders.Some call it life-changing, but concerns over scant oversight and abuse remain following a pandemic that saw telehealth and looser regulations allow a black market to flourish.Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki reports on what patients, doctors, and experts are saying about ketamine’s antidepressant properties and the potential dangers.
During Pride Month this year, the Biggs Museum of American Art is rolling out a new initiative called “A Vision of Pride,” where the Biggs commissions or purchases a work of art from a Delawarean LGBTQ+ artist to be featured on an outdoor banner throughout June and reproduce it as collectible prints for the Delaware Pride Festival.To kick off the initiative, the Biggs chose LGBTQ+ activist Murray Archibald’s “Drag Revolution.”In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel sat down with Biggs Curator Laura Fravel and Biggs Director Michael Dudich to learn more about “A Vision of Pride” and its significance.
It’s often been said that Delaware is the first state to give the bar exam – the test to determine whether an applicant is ready to practice law in a given state or jurisdiction.But according to Janet Lindenmuth, a Law librarian at the Widener University Delaware Law School, the bar exam originating in the First State is more myth than anything else.In this week’s History Matters, Lindenmuth debunks the claim and why it’s persisted as fact with Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon.
Last year, state lawmakers created the Long-Term Care and Memory Care Task Force to take a comprehensive look at Delaware’s long-term and memory care facilities and the policies governing them.After 14 public meetings, the group issued its final report late last week, offering more than a dozen recommendations to improve these facilities and the care they provide.Delaware Public Media’s Paul Kiefer sat down with the task force chair State Rep. Kendra Johnson this week to explore what the task force learned and the changes it’s recommending.
Four researchers at the University of Delaware are set to be a part of a new research center seeking to address accessibility and diversity in transportation, transit deserts, and growing congestion along interstate corridors.More than $15 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation will support the Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Regional Transportation Equity Research Center, better known as the SMARTER Center.Research at UD will be primarily led by Engineering Professor Ardeshir Faghri, Assistant Engineering Professor Jennie Saxe, and Assistant Professor Philip Barnes from the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with this trio to learn more about the SMARTER Center.
There’s no such thing as life without stress, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, frequent chronic stress, also known as ‘toxic stress,’ has severe and potentially lasting effects on physical and mental health.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry recently caught up with Kiera McGillivray and Shannon Fisch – Co-Directors of the Brain Science Training Institute at Children and Families First – for more on their recent workshop on toxic stress and how it impacts children and adults.
‘Juneteenth’ is this month, a day that refers to June 19, 1865, when the U.S. Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced to people there that the Civil War was over and enslaved African Americans had been freed by President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.To honor that historic day, Wilmington-based playwright, director, and actor Omar Rashada is putting on a play at the Schwartz Center for the Arts in Dover titled “Three Men: Three Women: The Stories of Six Strangers.”In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel talks with Rashada and actor K.O. Simms about the play and how it honors Juneteenth.
Two years ago – The historic Brown House in Wilmington was on the cusp of demolition that would pave the way for a townhouse complex. But the 200-year-old building got a reprieve from the wrecking ball. In the two years since, its fate has remained in limbo – until, now. Contributor Larry Nagengast explains what’s next in the effort to preserve the Brown House.
Social media can pose mental health risks to children and teenagers according to an advisory released this week by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who called on tech companies and policymakers to take “immediate action” to protect children’s mental health.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Dr. Leah Orchinik – Pediatric Psychologist at Nemours Children's Health – about the advisory and the impact of social media on youth mental health.
The Brandywine Museum of Art is set to present the first major museum exhibition dedicated to the nature-based works of pioneering American modernist painter Joseph Stella.“Joseph Stella: Visionary Nature” will feature more than 80 paintings and works on paper, showcasing Stella’s unique artistic traits and how he captured the spiritual qualities he felt in nature.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel sat down with Brandywine Museum of Art curator Audrey Lewis to learn more about the exhibit and Joseph Stella’s indelible work.
With the Memorial Day holiday upon us, expect a busy summer at Delaware’s parks, lakes, rivers, and beaches. One popular option to enjoy the summer outdoors in the First State is camping.Delaware is home to many campsites offering something for everyone -from beach views and picturesque sunrises over the water to traditional forest camping and bonfires, hiking, and stargazing among tall trees.In this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick caught up with Greg Abbott – Administrative Services Section Manager for Delaware State Parks – for more on camping season in Delaware and the dos and don’ts of camping.
Paid Family and Medical Leave – it’s for new parents, for helping aging parents, or being there for a loved one who faces a serious health issue.In Delaware, the Healthy Delaware Families Act expects to provide most workers statewide with up to 12 weeks of paid leave.But creating such a plan from scratch takes time. Right now, the state is collecting feedback about the program’s proposed regulatory framework.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne caught up with Chris Counihan – Director of the new Division of Paid Leave – to get an update on the public’s feedback and how the program is coming along.
Senior citizens have long played a crucial role in advocating for change despite being an often overlooked piece of social movements.Just this past March, they were at the forefront of nationwide protests against big banks for their financial support of the fossil fuel industry. That moment served as a reminder of what elders still bring to the table – a lifetime of experience and deep connections.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently sat down with Gary Alan Fine – Sociology Professor at Northwestern University and author of “Fair Share: Senior Activism, Tiny Publics, and the Culture of Resistance” – for more on how senior citizens continue to be significant forces for change.
What does peace look like? What does peace mean to you? And what would a peaceful world look like?Those are a few questions young people based in Seaford answer through art in Nonviolent Seaford’s upcoming “Visionary Peace Youth Art” exhibition.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by Nonviolent Seaford's coordinator Beth Kopicki for more on the exhibit and her new organization’s mission.
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki recently announced the city transferred ownership of five properties – including historic buildings that once belonged to the New Castle Leather Company and the Allied Kid Company – to the African American Heritage Center of Delaware.The group plans to use those properties as it creates an African American Heritage Center on Wilmington’s East Side.For this week’s History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick speaks with former Wilmington Mayor James Sills and Gary Hutt of the African American Heritage Center of Delaware about these buildings and the plans for the heritage center.
Gov. Carney’s signature education initiative, the Wilmington Learning Collaborative, hoped to get off the ground this spring and perhaps implement some changes in struggling city schools this fall.But nearly four months after the Collaborative Council’s first meeting in January, progress has seemingly stalled.Contributor Larry Nagengast explores what’s bogging things down and where things stand moving forward.
Newark, Delaware is a lively college town that’s looking for ways to grow and develop, but it’s also a town with hundreds of years of history behind it.So, it’s not surprising that there’s some tension between Newark’s past and its future, and which takes precedence.This week, University of Delaware senior and Delaware Public Media intern Meg Roessler takes a look at where the city stands on this debate.
Entering her 10th WNBA season, 33-year-old Delaware native Elena Delle Donne remains one of the biggest names in women’s basketball.And after being out of the spotlight the past few years due to severe back issues, the former WNBA champion and two-time league MVP is finally back to full health as a member of the Washington Mystics.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently caught up with Elena Delle Donne during the WNBA’s media day for more on her road to recovery, pay equity for the WNBA, and her love for Delaware.
A group of University of Delaware faculty and students are working on a research project covering UD’s historical relationship to slavery, unfree labor, land dispossession, and racism.In courses and independent studies, the student-led “Legacies of Slavery and Dispossession” project delves into the involvement of past university leaders with forms of unfree labor in the 18th and 19th centuries, including the 20th-century effects of UD’s growth on Newark’s Black community.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry talks with UD assistant history professor Dael Norwood and National Park Service historian and UD Ph.D. student Taylor Brookins to learn more about the project and its findings.
Several students who sued the University of Delaware seeking tuition refunds for online classes in 2020 during the pandemic have reached a settlement with the school.The settlement comes after two federal lawsuits were filed in October 2020 against UD on behalf of students and parents seeking tuition refunds for the spring 2020 semester, citing that prior to the pandemic, tuition for online courses was less expensive than that for in-person classes.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne spoke with Geeta Tewari – Assistant Law Professor at the Widener University Delaware Law School – about the lawsuit and its implications.
Eight years ago, former Gov. Jack Markell launched a program called ‘Pathways to Prosperity’ – designed to give high school students specialized instruction and hands-on training in specific fields that led to industry-recognized certificates or college credits.That program – now known as ‘Delaware Pathways’ – has grown and those involved reflected on its progress at a recent conference.Contributor Larry Nagengast takes a closer look this week at the program’s growth and what’s ahead.
The power of art to inspire and motivate is nothing new.But the discipline of neuroscience shows it’s more than just a pleasureful professional pursuit or a hobby. Whether it's sculpting, music, or dance, any form of creative expression can have major benefits for your brain and its health.That’s the theory behind the new book “Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us” – co-written by Susan Magsamen, founder and executive director of the International Arts and Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University.For this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with Magsamen about her book and the healing power of the arts.
After 15 years and nearly $2 million in renovations and repairs, a second World War II-era watch tower is now open to the public at the Delaware Seashore State Park.The newly rehabilitated tower, known as Tower 3, is one of 15 fire control towers built as part of Fort Miles to defend the Delaware Bay and River from a potential German attack.This week in History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick sat down with Ray Bivens – Delaware State Parks and Recreation Director – for more about the tower and its extensive rehab.
Last year, state lawmakers appeared poised to create a stronger framework to guide Delaware’s efforts to curb climate change. But after passing the State Senate, things fell apart for the Delaware Climate Change Solutions Act in the House.This week, a new version was introduced and contributor Jon Hurdle delves into the updated bill and its chances of becoming law this time around.
Delaware’s COVID Public Health Emergency ends on May 11.Many public officials, including President Joe Biden, say the pandemic is over. But in its wake, there’s an ongoing reminder of the damage it caused – long COVID, a disease that medical professionals are still trying to understand and treat.Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki takes a closer look this week at the effects of long COVID and how it's being addressed.
More than a third of children between the ages of nine and 13 say they worry at least once a week, and it only gets worse as they age.That’s according to a new national survey conducted by Nemours KidsHealth, whose findings sound yet another alarm over the state of the youth mental health crisis.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick caught up with Dr. Meghan Walls – Pediatric Psychologist and Director of External Affairs at Nemours Children’s Health – to discuss the study.
The Biggs Museum of American Art is hosting a concert photography exhibition and they’re doing it with help from you.The Biggs recently put out a call to the public to submit their favorite photos from concerts; anything from performers and crowds to venues.In honor of the museum's 30th Anniversary, 30 winning photos were chosen and are now on display in the “Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul” exhibit at the Biggs.For this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Kristen Matulewicz – Director of Education for the Biggs – to learn more about the contest and the winners.
Despite the pandemic, the housing market in Delaware was red-hot in 2020 and 2021.Since then, things have cooled, creating a very different environment for those interested in buying or selling.Contributor Eileen Dallabrida reports on the state of the housing market in Delaware this week and what’s driving it.
Talking about race isn’t easy.But talking with a friend about race and the difficult issues it encompasses is about far more than words – it’s about the health and trust of a relationship.Yseult Polfliet Mukantabana and Hannah Summerhill took that concept from living room conversations to their podcast called “The Kinswomen,” and now to a book titled “Real Friends Talk About Race: Bridging the Gaps Through Uncomfortable Conversations.”This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with Mukantabana and Summerhill to learn more about their book and building healthy relationships through difficult but necessary conversations about race.
Brandywine Hundred in northern Delaware has a rich history, but much of it could easily fall under the banner of “little-known.”However, that could change with the creation of the Brandywine Hundred Historical Society to help tell the area’s stories better and more widely.In this week’s History Matters, contributor Larry Nagengast takes a look at the work needed to create the organization and what it hopes to accomplish.
The Delaware Choral Society was founded in 1957 with the goal of working together to perform George Frideric Handel’s ‘Messiah.’These days, their mission is to get as many people interested in choral music as possible. You’ll have a chance to see the Society this week at their “Night at the Opera" concert at The Schwartz Center for the Arts in Dover.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Rocky Tejada – the Artistic Director for the Delaware Choral Society – about the upcoming concert.
It’s been nearly a decade since the state created its Downtown Development District program to spur downtown areas in cities and towns across Delaware.Since then, hundreds of projects have received a financial boost through the program, but has it had the impact officials hoped it would when it was rolled out?Contributor Jon Hurdle explores that question this week and what the program has accomplished up and down the state.
A recent study conducted by Nemours Children’s Health found kids with autism have a higher risk for serious eye disorders, but are less likely to receive vision screening.The initial stages of childhood are crucial to eyesight, and early detection of problems and subsequent treatment can prevent long-term damage, or even vision loss.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Dr. Brittany Perry – the study’s senior author and pediatrician at Nemours Children’s Health – to learn more about the study and its findings.
The art of animation has taken many forms over the years – from arranging hand-painted and drawn figures, to claymation and stop-motion techniques.And its ability to tell stories without boundaries is what leads so many artists to use it today, including Wilmington-based animator Tad Sare. Some of Sare’s work can be found this month at his “Projected Perspectives” exhibit at The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick chats with Tad Sare about the exhibit and working as an animator.
Roughly one in five children in the U.S. are living with a mental health disorder, and nearly one-third of them show signs of depression.That’s according to data compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services before the pandemic, which ushered in a major shift in daily routines and exacerbated kids’ mental health issues. At the same time, there’s a major shortage of treatment options both nationally and locally.In this week’s edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon catches up with Joshua Thomas – executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Delaware – for more on addressing the youth mental health crisis.
It’s never too early to plan for your future.That’s the guiding principle behind a new middle school pilot program expected to roll out this fall around the First State. It’s called ‘Rethinking Middle Grades’ and will launch in 10 schools in the 2023-2024 school year.Contributor Larry Nagengast takes a closer look this week at the project, who’s involved, and what it will look like.
The cost of senior care is becoming an increasingly heavy burden for many across the country, especially for members of the Baby Boomer generation and their families.Roughly 18 million seniors approaching retirement age are projected to fall short of having the funds needed for long-term care they may need.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick spoke with Angie Chen – researcher at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College – about the rising cost of senior care and what can be done to make it more affordable and accessible.
Spring is here, which usually means it’s time to put snow blowers and snow shovels away. But this winter, they probably never left your garage or shed.Following a pattern similar to recent years, the First State again didn’t see much snow this winter, and although some Delawareans may have celebrated, a lack of snowfall is not necessarily good news.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry recently caught up with Delaware’s state climatologist Dan Leathers for more on the lack of snowfall across the state and what it means.
Pierre “Pete” du Pont is a seminal figure in Delaware’s history.He served three terms in Congress and two terms as governor of the First State from 1977-1985. As governor, du Pont – a Republican – led a historic economic turnaround of then-debt-ridden Delaware and positioned the state as a central hub for the credit card industry. He also ran an unsuccessful campaign for president in 1988.To expand and preserve his legacy, the Hagley Museum and Library opened a collection dedicated to du Pont, featuring thousands of documents, more than 500 photographs, and dozens of recordings and other materials.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Erik Rau –Director of Library Services at Hagley Museum and Library – to learn more about the du Pont Collection.
During the pandemic, more Americans qualified for food assistance and cash aid.According to one non-partisan study, food benefits – through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP – lowered child poverty by roughly 14 percent and kept more than four million Americans above the poverty line. Now, many states are returning to pre-pandemic levels of assistance, in the midst of an economy featuring high inflation and higher costs at the grocery store.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Marcella Spady and Janneen Boyce to learn more about how the end of pandemic-related SNAP funding looks in the First State.
Many small businesses in Delaware were able to get through the pandemic and remain in operation thanks in large part to federal aid and local support.But the challenges for small business owners remain, as most emergency protections are set to end while supply chain issues, labor shortages, and low foot traffic continue to hurt brick-and-mortar businesses.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki spoke with small businesses throughout the First State about their struggles and the work needed to open and maintain a small business in today’s economic climate.
No single musician or band exemplified the Golden Age of music. The likes of Led Zepplin, Bob Dylan, and David Bowie inspired a generation while reflecting the social changes of the time.Photographer Larry Hulst covered much of it for the past five decades, capturing the legendary musicians and singers of that era.And you can now step back in time and relive those concerts and performances at the Biggs Museum of American Art. Its new exhibit “Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues and Soul” showcases Hulst’s visual anthology of the most celebrated musicians and their music from 1970–1999.For this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Kyle McKinnon spoke with Larry Hulst and Laura Fravel – Curator at the Biggs – about the new exhibit and the indelible influence of the Golden Age of music.
The term “influencer” gets thrown around a lot. These online celebrities are known for advertising products to followers, often leading to impulse buying decisions by viewers.But some on the internet are beginning to take a step back and question the motives behind these social media recommendations, launching a new category known as “de-influencers.”In this week’s Enlighten Me, University of Delaware senior and Delaware Public Media intern Meg Roessler looks at how this new wave of content creators is taking apps such as TikTok by storm and making users question, ‘Do I really need to buy this?’
This month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unveiled its new proposal for regulating so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water. These new enforceable limits on PFAS chemicals would be much stricter than the maximum contaminant levels Delaware had been considering.But enforcing those limits – if finalized – will come with a cost as water companies are required to test and treat to make sure their water is in compliance.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle reports on how much that could cost and who will pay for the EPA’s new regulations.
In the ultra-competitive world of college sports, recruiting programs dangle scholarships, exposure, and a quality education to snag prized student-athletes.Until recently, those athletes couldn’t further capitalize on their skills or celebrity. A 2021 U.S. Supreme Court changed that, giving student-athletes the right to cash in on their Name, Image, and Likeness, or NIL.Last week, we sat down with University of Delaware athletic director Chrissi Rawak to learn more about the impact of NIL and how it works at UD. The Green continues that conversation this week, learning how NIL is working on the ground at UD with women’s basketball player Tara Cousins and head football coach Ryan Carty.
The first signs of the 2024 election are being seen and as campaigns get rolling, one priority is likely to be the youth vote.Young voters tend to be more passionate than their elders about the issues, but less passionate about showing up at the polls. The drop-off between the age groups is typically long and deep, with the 2022 midterm elections being an exception when it saw the second-highest youth voter turnout in nearly three decades.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently spoke with Peter de Guzman – Associate Researcher at Tufts University’s Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement – about younger voters, the issues they care about, and their potential impact on the country’s political future.
The 2013 film “Frozen” is one of Disney’s most popular movies and the second highest-grossing animated film of all time.It spawned a Broadway musical version and following a national competition, one high school in every state is now getting a first crack at bringing it to the stage. In Delaware, Mount Pleasant High School was picked to present the state’s first-ever high school production of “Disney's Frozen: The Broadway Musical.”For this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick visited rehearsals to get a preview of how Mount Pleasant’s preparations are going ahead of the show’s debut.
For decades, Delaware has brought in hundreds of millions of dollars annually from the so-called ‘abandoned property’ of the nearly two million companies that call the First State their corporate home.Recently, others are taking issue with that practice. For example, Delaware has long said it can keep unclaimed cash issued by MoneyGram, the world’s second-largest money transfer company. But 30 other states sued Delaware over its claim on that unclaimed MoneyGram cash, arguing it should be returned to the state where the MoneyGrams were bought.The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided the case, ruling against Delaware, which could cost the state upwards of $250 million.Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne spoke this week with corporate governance expert Charles Elson – retired University of Delaware professor and Founding Director of UD’s Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance – about the Supreme Court’s decision and what it means for Delaware.
The NCAA’s college basketball tournaments – better known as March Madness – are underway; a reminder of the attention and money attached to college sports.Only recently have student-athletes been able to grab their share of that money. A June 2021 U.S. Supreme Court ruling opened the door for them to cash in through Name, Image, and Likeness, or NIL, deals.But that’s left student-athletes and schools scrambling to navigate the new NIL landscape, hoping to capitalize on opportunities, while understanding the implications on recruiting and avoiding potential pitfalls.UD launched the “Blue Hen Collective” this week, which allows fans, boosters, and businesses to essentially pool together money to fund NIL deals with student-athletes.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sat down with UD athletic director Chrissi Rawak to learn more about how NIL works at the University of Delaware and how it's changing college sports.
Loblolly Acres, an event venue nestled in Kent County, is starting its own nonprofit called The Art Society at Loblolly Acres.Together, Cheryl Epps – owner of Loblolly Acres, an Epps family-run farm since 1964 – and Angela Zielen – a Professional Dancer with First State Ballet Theatre and Director of Event Management at Loblolly Acres – hope their new arts nonprofit can both make a difference in the community and attract artists from all walks of life.On this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with Epps and Zielen to talk about their nonprofit and the importance of arts to a community.
The University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication unveiled the winners of its 2022 Voices of UD audio essay contest conducted last fall.The contest’s theme was “More Than a Number,” with students submitting 1-4 minute recorded essays sharing how being treated like a number affected their lives as well as their families and communities. First, second, and third-place award-winners were selected from a field of 10 finalists.For this week’s Enlighten Me, we give you a chance to hear the top 3 from senior Zoe Shapiro (third place), senior Esha Shah (second place), and sophomore Gianni Dollard (first place).
If you’re thinking about spending lazy hours on the beach this summer or enjoying the beach nightlife, you may be out of luck. Higher rental costs haven't kept people from booking at the beach, leaving availability limited and expensive.Contributor Eileen Dalalbrida breaks down the beach rental landscape this week and what can you do if you still want some fun in the sun in the First State.
The Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy recently released a report examining the state of Delaware women working in construction trades.According to the report, women make up 9.3% of Delaware’s construction industry and just 3% of construction and extraction jobs, such as carpenters, plumbers, and electricians.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry caught up with Melanie Ross Levin – Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy – to learn more about the report.
This year, the University of Delaware is celebrating 100 years of global study abroad.Today UD offers more than 100 programs in 40 countries and despite the pandemic disrupting global travel plans in recent years, the university has responded and adapted its study abroad program to fit post-pandemic needs.Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick recently spoke with Matthew Drexler – Director of Study Abroad at UD’s Center for Global Programs and Services – about the changes made to study abroad at UD and its centennial.
Maiss Hussein, a junior from Hodgson Vo-Tech High School, was recently crowned champion of the state’s 2023 Poetry Out Loud competition.Hussein’s recital of “The Poem You’ve Been Waiting For” by Tarfia Faizullah earned her high marks from the judges in the final round. As Poetry Out Loud state champion, Hussein advances to the national semifinals in May.This week on Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Maiss Hussein for more on her Poetry Out Loud title and what to expect from her at nationals.
Earlier this week, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control closed The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park for most of the spring and summer. It’s a move DNREC makes annually to help threatened and endangered beach nesters and migratory shorebirds that stop there, such as red knots and piping plovers, among others.But the effort to protect those birds continues on other fronts, specifically regulating the harvest of female horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay.Contributor Jon Hurdle reports on the issue and the work being done by some local groups to get state lawmakers to ban any such harvest.
The American Library Association recently announced the winners of the 2023 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction books for adult readers.In fiction, the winner was Japanese American author Julie Otsuka for her most recent novel “The Swimmers,” which is about a group of people who go to a local underground pool to escape from their problems and one woman, in particular, who is slowly losing her memory.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Otsuka to talk about her award-winning book and life as an author.
This week, The Green brings you a portion of the first episode of the new Delaware Humanities’ podcast 2023/1973 In Conversation. The podcast celebrates Delaware Humanities’ 50th anniversary by focusing on the conversations it’s engaged in with Delawareans for more than 50 years and continues to encourage today.The current Executive Director of Delaware Humanities Michele Anstine and past member of the Delaware Humanities board Barbara Benson are featured in the first episode as they break down the history of Delaware Humanities, how it started, and the issues and events that shaped it.
Maternal mortality continues to rise across the country, including here in the First State. Racial disparities exacerbate the issue for women of color and are linked to such factors as implicit bias in the medical system, and the effect of general racialized stress.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick examines the work being done to shine a light on Black maternal mortality and possible solutions.
After three decades of development, work to build up Wilmington’s Riverfront is in a bit of a transition. Attention is now moving to the largely undeveloped east side of Christina River, but before things take off on that side of the riverfront, there are still some spots on the west side that offer opportunities.Contributor Eileen Dallabrida reports one planned project will bring new dining and residential options to the west side of the Christina River.
A new Pew Research Center study found that some three-in-ten American adults have used a dating app or website, and more than half of adults under the age of 30 are hoping to make a match that way.But those apps have consequences. User experiences can vary considerably and some are concerned about the psychological and interpersonal ramifications of online dating.Washington Post technology reporter Heather Kelly covered the survey and joined Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon to talk about the results and the growing popularity of dating apps and websites.
The Delaware Historical Society recently named Ivan Henderson as its new Executive Director.Henderson is the 21st leader in the Society's 159-year history and brings nearly two decades of experience in museum education in Delaware and Philadelphia as he takes the reins.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon catches up with Henderson to discuss his new role and the challenges ahead.
A statewide count conducted last year found that the number of people experiencing homelessness in Delaware had doubled during the pandemic.This year, housing advocates expect that count to drop, but warn the numbers won’t tell the whole story.Delaware Public Media’s Paul Kiefer reports on the issue this week and what to expect from this year’s homelessness count in the First State.
Delaware recently joined the federal government and a growing number of states in banning the popular social media app TikTok from state-owned devices due to cybersecurity concerns.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sat down with University of Delaware professor John D'Arcy – whose research focuses on cybersecurity and cyber-risk management – to learn more about the concerns that prompted Delaware’s TikTok ban and what comes next.
Obesity in America is increasing and it only got worse during the pandemic – especially among kids and teens.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly one in five people between the ages of 2 and 19 in the U.S. are affected by obesity. In Delaware, the youth obesity rate remains higher than the national rate.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Pediatrician Dr. Thao-Ly T. Phan from Nemours Children's Health this week about the increasing rates of childhood obesity and solutions to combat it.
If you’re looking to exercise your creative side, concertina sketchbooks are a great way to do so.A concertina sketchbook isn’t your usual sketchbook. It’s a spineless accordion fold of paper and lends itself to a variety of artwork – from watercolor to pencil-sketch work. You’ll be able to make your own during the Rehoboth Art League’s upcoming “Make Your Own Concertina Sketchbook and Fill It!” class.For this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with Paula Holloway – the Rehoboth Art League’s Education Programs Director – for more on concertina sketchbook art and how to take part in the class.
Black History Month has been recognized across the county for more than four decades, and outside of acknowledging and honoring the achievements and contributions of Black Americans – it informs school curriculums every year.In 2021, Delaware lawmakers passed and Gov. John Carney signed House Bill 198, requiring all public schools to teach certain elements of Black history, including the significance of slavery in the making of America’s economy and the contributions of Black people to American life and history.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Michael Feldman – Social Studies Education Associate with the Delaware Department of Education – to discuss the Black history-centric curriculums and the Department of Education’s role.
Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control recently tapped urban geographer Katera Moore to be the state’s first environmental justice coordinator.Moore takes on the role with the goal of addressing Delaware’s underserved communities, which historically face disproportionate health and environmental effects as minority and low-income populations.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry caught up with Katera Moore this week to learn about her new role and the challenges these issues pose.
A new exhibit – ‘Andrew Wyeth: Home Places’ – is officially open to the public at the Brandywine Museum of Art.The exhibit is curated by William Coleman, the Museum’s inaugural Wyeth Foundation Curator and Director of the Andrew and Betsy Wyeth Study Center. It features nearly 50 paintings and drawings of local buildings that inspired Wyeth over his almost eight-decades-long career, some of which have never been displayed publicly before.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne talks with William Coleman about the exhibit and his new role at the Brandywine.
Chances are – even if you’ve lived in Delaware your entire life – you’ve never heard of Warner Mifflin.A native of Virginia before moving to Kent County in Delaware, Mifflin grew up with a father who was an enslaver and eventually became an enslaver himself. But Mifflin quickly changed his ways and he went on a relentless lifelong campaign to end slavery in Delaware and across the nation.For The Green’s History Matters series this week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon is joined by Mike McDowell – co-editor of “Writings of Warner Mifflin: Forgotten Abolitionist of the Revolutionary Era” – for more on Delaware’s unsung abolitionist hero.
The Super Bowl is the single biggest sports betting event each year – and with the Eagles in it this year, plenty of people locally may be interested in putting their money where their mouth is.But even though Delaware had sports betting before most other states, placing wagers here isn’t as easy as it is elsewhere, including neighboring Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.ESPN writer David Purdum joins us to look at sports betting in the First State and offer some advice on betting on football’s biggest game of the year.
The long-running legal battle over how Delaware picks judges for some of its courts appears to be over.After five years and two separate cases, the tussle over the state’s judicial balance provisions involving Wilmington lawyer James Adams and Gov. John Carney ends with a consent decree where the Carney Administration concedes part of Delaware’s rules for filling seats on its top-three courts is unconstitutional.Widener University Delaware Law School professor Alan Garfield examines why the Carney Administration moved to settle the dispute now and what it means for how the state appoints judges going forward.
Since the mid-1970s, February has been recognized federally as Black History Month.Educators take this time to focus on the Month’s theme and highlight the lives of icons such as Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks. But critics say Black History is American History and should be integrated throughout the school year, not relegated to a single month.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Delaware State University professor Donna Patterson – Chair of DSU’s Department of History, Political Science, and Philosophy, and Africana Studies Program Director – to learn more about how Black history is so entwined in the larger arc of our country that it cannot be separated.
William Shakespeare, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and Maya Angelou are just a few of the great poets who each masterfully wielded words and showcased poetry's uncanny ability to calm, console, and connect us to the minds and feelings of others.Chances are, you’ve read or written poetry in some form. But whether you have or not, you now have an opportunity through Delaware Shakespeare’s ‘Create Your Own Love Poem’ Workshop.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, our Kyle McKinnon spoke with Rachel O'Hanlon-Rodriguez – poet, actor, teaching artist, and instructor of Delaware Shakespeare’s poetry workshop – about the workshop and all things poetry.
The long-awaited redevelopment of 420 acres at the old Evraz Claymont Steel site and some of the surrounding area is about to see signs of life.After delays caused by the pandemic and changes to the plans for the site, the First State Crossing project is preparing to begin work on the first piece of its project – a 358,000-square-foot distribution center.Contributor Larry Nagengast explains where things stand and other first steps to make the project a reality.
The Delaware General Assembly welcomes its first Gen Z member this session – 26-year-old Sophie Phillips.The Bear resident and University of Delaware grad, Phillips has a master’s degree in environmental policy and was Miss Delaware 2021. She heads to Legislative Hall after winning the 18th House District seat with 70% of the vote – replacing fellow Democrat David Bentz, who chose not to run again.Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki talks with Phillips this week about being a young person in politics and plans for her freshman term.
The Delaware Department of Education recently released its ‘K-12 Mathematics Framework.’It took some eight months to put together and provides resources to support Delaware schools and districts – with the goal of teaching math effectively and equitably statewide.Our Kyle McKinnon caught up with the state Department of Education’s Renee Parsley – a Math Education Associate – and Kathy Kelly – Director of the Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development Workgroup – to learn more about the framework and what it hopes to accomplish.
After leading the Delaware Theatre Company for a decade, Artistic and Executive Director Bud Martin is retiring.During his tenure, Martin led the Company to historic success. He increased revenue threefold and doubled subscriptions, while bringing a broad spectrum of high-quality productions to DTC’s Wilmington Riverfront stage.In this week’s edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Tom Byrne sits down with Bud Martin to talk about his time at the Delaware Theatre Company and the legacy he leaves behind.
The Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware has become more visible in recent years, especially after receiving official state recognition in 2018.But less visible has been the behind-the-scenes battle over leadership of the tribe, a battle that remains unresolved and is now becoming more public.Delaware Public Media’s Paul Kiefer examines how the tribe got to this point.
Faculty at the University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation are using a new piece of so-called "mixed reality" technology called ‘HoloLens.’They describe it as augmented reality, but with more features and the potential to not only help people with mobility issues and other disabilities, but make collaboration in art conservation and many other sectors seamless.Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki recently joined Joelle Wickens – Associate Director of the UD Program in Art Conservation and an Assistant Professor of Preventive Conservation – and her team in the field to learn about HoloLens and its potential.
The arts industry in the U.S. – boards, staff, artists, and even the patrons – is a historically and overwhelmingly white space.In Delaware, equity in the arts is a glaring issue, but progress is quietly being made.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Division of the Arts director Jessica Ball joins Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon to discuss arts and equity in the First State.
Enlighten Me heads to the University of Delaware this week to highlight work from student journalists.We feature three pieces produced by UD Communications students for a class taught by Nancy Karibjanian, long-time First State journalist, Director of UD’s Center for Political Communication, and one of founders of Delaware Public Media.
Gov. Carney’s signature education initiative – the Wilmington Learning Collaborative – begins its work this month, trying to put efforts to improve city schools served by Brandywine, Christina and Red Clay schools districts on the fast track to implementation. But can it meet the ambitious aspirations to have changes ready to roll out this fall?
Pickleball is exploding in popularity in Delaware and across the country, as some five million so-called ‘picklers’ turn the game into the fastest-growing sport in America.It’s a simple enough game. Pickleball is essentially a combination of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, and it’s being hailed as a great equalizer – offering low-cost fun and exercise for all ages.This week, our Kyle McKinnon sat down with Gary Conway – President of the Diamond State Pickleball Club – to learn more about pickleball and its appeal.
When the pandemic abruptly halted in-person events and activities, the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s ‘Nurture with Nature’ program – which helps breast cancer survivors connect and reduce stress through nature – kept going by holding weekly photography challenges.Those challenges continue and the photography submitted by survivors is now being shared in an exhibition at the Delaware Center for Horticulture.In our latest Arts Playlist, Lois Wilkinson – Head of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s ‘Nurture with Nature’ program – joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to tell us about the exhibit.
Enlighten Me heads to the University of Delaware this week to highlight work from student journalists.We feature three pieces produced by UD Communications students for a class taught by Nancy Karibjanian, long-time First State journalist, Director of UD’s Center for Political Communication, and one of founders of Delaware Public Media.
One of the top New Year’s resolutions every year for many is to lose weight. Following through on such a resolution is especially important for those that are obese.One in four Americans now falls into the medical category of obese, which only worsened during the pandemic and affects everything from life expectancy to job prospects.This week, our Kyle McKinnon caught up with Jennifer Katz – registered dietitian and nutritionist – for more on why the rate of obesity is increasing and how it can be addressed.
LaShanda Korley – a Professor of Materials Science, Engineering, and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware – was recently appointed as a U.S. Science Envoy.Korley is among seven scientists who begin service as Science Envoys this month, working to strengthen collaborative efforts and relationships between other nations and the U.S.Our Rachel Sawicki sat down with Korley this week to learn more about her appointment and work as a Science Envoy.
The Rehoboth Art League marks its 85th anniversary with three new shows to start the year.The Art League’s “8th Regional Juried Photography Exhibition,” “Hot House Hybrids II: Photography from Jenee Mateer,” and “Everyday Life, Everyday People: The Work of Jack Lewis” are open at the Art League’s Henlopen Acres campus in Sussex County and run through February.On this week’s Arts Playlist, Rehoboth Art League exhibitions director Nick Serratore joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to tell us about these exhibitions.
A full workweek. Hobbies. Working out. Family obligations. A potential partner. Does anyone have time for friends anymore?According to the Census Bureau’s American Time Use Survey, Americans are spending less than half as much time with friends than they did a decade ago.In this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon chats with Marisa Franco – a psychologist, friendship expert, and author of “Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make and Keep Friends” – about why Americans are spending less time with friends and more time alone.
Around the country, nurses continue to be in high demand as hospitals, schools, and various long-term care facilities struggle to fill their ranks.The First State is no exception.Delaware’s Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester recently sent a letter to the Biden Administration asking it to address the nursing workforce shortage.This week, our Quinn Kirkpatrick caught up with Elizabeth Speakman – Senior Associate Dean, Chief Academic Nurse, and Professor at the University of Delaware School of Nursing – for more insight into the nursing shortage and what can be done about it.
Cooch’s Bridge, the site of Delaware’s only Revolutionary War battleground, is getting some much-needed improvements.To do that, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs is seeking community feedback.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon recently sat down with Kaitlyn Dykes – Site Manager of the Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site – to learn more about the plans for one of the state’s most hallowed areas.
Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is premiering a new educational outreach nature film.DNREC and Wilmington-based production company 302 Stories produced “Wetlands of Wonder: The Hidden World of Vernal Pools,” a 54-minute film available on DNREC’s YouTube Channel.In this week’s Arts Playlist, DNREC environmental scientist Mark Biddle talks with Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele about the film and its focus on vernal pools found in the bays around Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
Holidays are all about tradition and one of the sweetest is the holiday baking tradition.For those with a sweet tooth or who love to bake, holiday cookies, pastries, and cakes are something to look forward to all year long.From cut outs to no bake, there’s something for everyone.For this week’s Enlighten Me, our Kyle McKinnon spoke with Yewande Komolafe – author and cooking writer for The New York Times’ Food section – about all things holiday baking.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took a surprising step last week – stepping in to handle one way fish are protected in a portion of the Delaware River.The EPA’s move is a response to complaints from environmental groups that the Delaware River Basin Commission, which includes Delaware, is not handling dissolved oxygen requirements in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act, thus harming fish in a 38-mile stretch of the Delaware River between Wilmington and Palmyra, New Jersey.Contributor Jon Hurdle breaks down what’s happening with the EPA’s move and the implications this week.
A decision on the fate of a Wilmington charter school under ‘formal review’ by Delaware’s Department of Education comes later this month.In its eighth year, Great Oaks Charter School’s enrollment is falling short of its authorized minimum number of students as it phases out its middle school program and becomes a high school only.Contributor Larry Nagengast examines what to expect as the state wraps up its review of Great Oaks.
The Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover is expanding and they’re doing it with help from you.The museum is reaching out to the community for help in reimagining its new space so that it better serves patrons' needs. The Biggs is collecting information in three ways – an online survey, focus groups, and community listening sessions.For this week’s Arts Playlist, our Kyle McKinnon spent some time with Biggs Director Michael Dudich to talk about the museum’s expansion and what it hopes to learn from the community.
Over the past few years, there’s been a spike in what some call “employee activism.”We saw some of it when employees pressured their various companies to take a stand on social justice and racial inequity. Or when employees picketed employers who weren’t requiring vaccinations for COVID – and vice-versa.Now, according to a recent study, more than 80 percent of employers expect a rise in activism among their employees by 2024.In this week’s Enlighten Me, our Rachel Sawicki speaks with Kyle Emich, associate professor of management at the University of Delaware, about the study and how employers are responding to increased activism among their employees.
In an effort to bolster employment in the First State, the Delaware Workforce Development Board released the results from its recent survey of state employers.The survey was commissioned by the Board to help various programs and initiatives aiming to increase the number of Delawareans possessing the job skills that employers need.This week, our Joe Irizarry spoke with Joanna Staib – Executive Director of the Delaware Workforce Development Board – to learn more about the survey and its findings.
This week, Larry Nagengast updates us on progress to transform a wooded site into something that looks like a park.New Castle County has just under 250 park sites. About a year and a half ago, contributor Larry Nagengast put the spotlight on one of them – the lesser-known and little-used Forwood Preserve Park in Brandywine Hundred.Some of that park’s neighbors were mounting an effort to restore it and give it some purpose. The effort faces numerous challenges, but some good news arrived about five months ago.
The Delaware Theatre Company is offering a musical holiday celebration for audiences this year. “Plaid Tidings” revisits the characters and music of the hit musical “Forever Plaid,” with a Christmas twist.This week on Arts Playlist, our Kelli Steele caught up with Matt Silva – Delaware Theatre Company executive director and director of “Plaid Tidings’” run – to get a preview.
At the historic Hale-Byrnes House, experts say a more than 300-year-old sycamore tree’s time is nearing an end. Its lifespan famously included hosting a 1777 war council led by George Washington, earning the tree the nickname the “Witness Tree.”To commemorate the tree and its role in history, members of the Hale-Byrnes House raised money for a painting of that famed revolutionary-era meeting.In this week’s Enlighten Me, our Rachel Sawicki sat down with Kim Burdick – Resident Site Manager for the Hale-Byrnes House – to chat about the “Witness Tree” and the commemorative painting.
Retailers’ full attention is now on the holiday shopping season.They’re hoping shoppers will spend big money this year, but there are factors that could dash those hopes.This week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida previews what retailers and shoppers can expect from the holiday shopping frenzy.
For the third consecutive year, the American Lung Association released its “State of Lung Cancer” report exploring the burden of lung cancer at both national and state levels.The report found – among other things – that Delaware ranks near the top in the country for lung cancer early diagnosis, screening, and treatment.But medical experts say there’s still more work to be done.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry spoke this week with Deborah Brown, the Chief Mission Officer for the American Lung Association, about the report and the biggest takeaways for Delawareans.
A husband-and-wife team from central Delaware’s second book is out.“Secret Delaware: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure” is intended to serve as an armchair explorer guide to the First State. Rachel Kipp and Dan Shortridge leaned on their four decades of combined experience in journalism and public relations to produce this look into some of the stories that make Delaware unique.In this week’s Arts Playlist, the couple joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to take us inside the book and how they pulled it together.
World-class chefs are bringing a so-called “game-changer” to the Wilmington culinary scene.The Chancery Market Food Hall and Bar is set to open this month in downtown Wilmington – the 12,000-square-foot collective marries sophisticated fast-casual dining with a vibrant indoor-outdoor space catered to all kinds of food lovers.On this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Scott Johnson, who represents ownership of the Chancery’s location, and award-winning chef Akhtar Nawab to learn more about the Chancery and what patrons can expect.
After months of campaigning, debates, polls, and ads, the 2022 midterm election is over.When it was all said and done, an anticipated red wave for Republicans failed to materialize. Instead, both nationally and locally, the results generally seemed to land closer to maintaining the status quo.This week, University of Delaware Associate Professor of political science and international relations Phil Jones – Research Director at the UD Center for Political Communication – joins the show to help make sense of the results and their implications.
The term ‘quiet quitting’ is the latest business-centric buzzword to have gone viral.Quiet quitting doesn’t mean you’re outright quitting your job, though – it means you’re quitting on the idea of going above and beyond. According to a recent Gallup Poll, quiet quitters make up more than half of the U.S. workforce.For more on quiet quitting and its impact on workers and workplaces, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Jim Detert – Professor of both Business Administration and Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.
The Historic Odessa Foundation is once again using classic literature to celebrate the holiday season.Scenes and vignettes based on the popular Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist, or The Parish Boy’s Progress” fill the Corbit-Sharp House from November 15th through December 31st.In this week’s Arts Playlist, the Historic Odessa Foundation’s assistant curator Brian Miller talks with Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele about the interpretation of Oliver Twist they’ve put together for this 34th edition of an annual holiday tradition.
Delaware State University is set to premiere the documentary “United We Are Dreaming” next week, which centers around the challenges so-called ‘Dreamers’ face in the U.S.The term ‘Dreamer’ comes from the Dream Act – bipartisan legislation introduced in 2001 that, if passed, would provide a permanent pathway to citizenship for young undocumented immigrants – or ‘Dreamers.’Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry caught up with the documentary’s filmmaker Sharon Baker this week to learn more about “United We Are Dreaming” and what audiences can expect.
As part of our 2022 Election coverage, Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch” in November’s general election.State Rep. Stephen Smyk is vacating his seat in the 20th House District in Sussex County to run for the State Senate, and now an educator born and raised in the district – Stell Parker Selby – and a military veteran – Dallas Wingate – vie to take Smyk’s place in the House.Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki breaks down the race this week.
Delaware Public Media is part of the recently launched Delaware Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of local news and community organizations working to bridge divides statewide.This week with Election Day looming Tuesday– the collaborative offers its first piece diving into polarization in the First State. And its start in a somewhat unexpected place.Delaware prides itself on a unique post-election tradition known as Return Day. The event - held 2 days after the election - brings together election foes in Georgetown and ends with a literal burying of the hatchet in a box of sand.But the tradition is in danger of being swept up – at least in part – in the polarization that has become commonplace in our nation’s discourse.Contributor Andrew Sharp delves into what’s threatening Return Day and what it may reveal about polarization in Delaware in this inaugural Delaware Journalism Collaborative story.
A new exhibit at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington puts a spotlight on a Pre-Raphaelite power couple from Victorian England.“A Marriage of Arts & Crafts: Evelyn and William De Morgan” features 77 paintings, drawings, and pots by the De Morgans. It’s co-curated by Sarah Hardy – the director of the De Morgan Collection – and Sophie Lynford – the Pre-Raphaelite curator at the Delaware Art Museum.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele talks with Hardy and Lynford about the De Morgans and their work.
Ten years ago, Hurricane Sandy swept across the East Coast, devastating places like Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Sussex County.But out of the devastation came an opportunity to repair a refuge that was already fighting Mother Nature.In this week's Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki visits the refuge to see the results of that restoration work.
Gov. Carney’s signature education initiative – the Wilmington Learning Collaborative – is moving forward. It took two years and months of negotiating with and otherwise cajoling the three districts serving city schools, but those districts – Brandywine, Christina, and Red Clay – are now on board.Now the state, those districts, and others involved take the Memorandum of Understanding they agreed on and get to work.Contributor Larry Nagengast explains what that work entails and what to expect going forward.
Gov. Carney’s signature education initiative – the Wilmington Learning Collaborative – is moving forward. It took two years and months of negotiating with and otherwise cajoling the three districts serving city schools, but those districts – Brandywine, Christina, and Red Clay – are now on board.Now the state, those districts, and others involved take the Memorandum of Understanding they agreed on and get to work.Contributor Larry Nagengast explains what that work entails and what to expect going forward.
Gov. Carney’s signature education initiative – the Wilmington Learning Collaborative – is moving forward. It took two years and months of negotiating with and otherwise cajoling the three districts serving city schools, but those districts – Brandywine, Christina, and Red Clay – are now on board.Now the state, those districts, and others involved take the Memorandum of Understanding they agreed on and get to work.Contributor Larry Nagengast explains what that work entails and what to expect going forward.
As part of our 2022 Election coverage, Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch” in November’s general election.Republican State Senator Ernie Lopez is retiring in the 6th Senate District and three candidates – including a current State Representative – are vying to replace him.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry breaks down this race to represent Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Milton, and nearby communities in the state Senate.
As part of our 2022 Election coverage, Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch” in November’s general election.Republican State Senator Ernie Lopez is retiring in the 6th Senate District and three candidates – including a current State Representative – are vying to replace him.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry breaks down this race to represent Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Milton, and nearby communities in the state Senate.
As part of our 2022 Election coverage, Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch” in November’s general election.Republican State Senator Ernie Lopez is retiring in the 6th Senate District and three candidates – including a current State Representative – are vying to replace him.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry breaks down this race to represent Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Milton, and nearby communities in the state Senate.
The next race we’re focusing on as part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage is the 9th House District.Incumbent Republican Kevin Hensley faces Democratic challenger, Terrell Williams. It's the fourth election in a row Hensley's faced a challenge.Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick takes a closer look this week at the candidates and the issues.
The next race we’re focusing on as part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage is the 9th House District.Incumbent Republican Kevin Hensley faces Democratic challenger, Terrell Williams. It's the fourth election in a row Hensley's faced a challenge.Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick takes a closer look this week at the candidates and the issues.
The next race we’re focusing on as part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage is the 9th House District.Incumbent Republican Kevin Hensley faces Democratic challenger, Terrell Williams. It's the fourth election in a row Hensley's faced a challenge.Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick takes a closer look this week at the candidates and the issues.
Ethan Joelle’s new novel, ‘A Quiet Life,’ is set in a close-knit northeastern Pennsylvania suburb, and Joelle says he hopes the story about loss and grief is life-affirmingIn this week’s Arts Playlist, he spoke with Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele about his follow-up to last year’s ‘A Little Hope.’
Ethan Joelle’s new novel, ‘A Quiet Life,’ is set in a close-knit northeastern Pennsylvania suburb, and Joelle says he hopes the story about loss and grief is life-affirmingIn this week’s Arts Playlist, he spoke with Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele about his follow-up to last year’s ‘A Little Hope.’
Ethan Joelle’s new novel, ‘A Quiet Life,’ is set in a close-knit northeastern Pennsylvania suburb, and Joelle says he hopes the story about loss and grief is life-affirmingIn this week’s Arts Playlist, he spoke with Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele about his follow-up to last year’s ‘A Little Hope.’
How much would you pay for a ticket to watch your favorite team play in the biggest games of the year?That’s the question many Philadelphia sports fans face as the Phillies take on the Houston Astros in the World Series.Tickets to watch the Phillies and Astros in Philly hit an average of more than $3,200 – the second-highest average World Series ticket price in Major League Baseball history.In this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with University of Delaware Sports Management professor Matt Robinson to learn more about why these World Series tickets are so expensive and what it means for the region’s economy.
How much would you pay for a ticket to watch your favorite team play in the biggest games of the year?That’s the question many Philadelphia sports fans face as the Phillies take on the Houston Astros in the World Series.Tickets to watch the Phillies and Astros in Philly hit an average of more than $3,200 – the second-highest average World Series ticket price in Major League Baseball history.In this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with University of Delaware Sports Management professor Matt Robinson to learn more about why these World Series tickets are so expensive and what it means for the region’s economy.
How much would you pay for a ticket to watch your favorite team play in the biggest games of the year?That’s the question many Philadelphia sports fans face as the Phillies take on the Houston Astros in the World Series.Tickets to watch the Phillies and Astros in Philly hit an average of more than $3,200 – the second-highest average World Series ticket price in Major League Baseball history.In this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with University of Delaware Sports Management professor Matt Robinson to learn more about why these World Series tickets are so expensive and what it means for the region’s economy.
A new book offers a fresh look at Delaware’s tall ship in photos.“Kalmar Nyckel: The Tall Ship of Delaware” features about 200 original photos spanning the history of the ship, and it comes from Sam Heed, senior historian and director of education at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Heed joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to explain what readers can learn from the book.
A new book offers a fresh look at Delaware’s tall ship in photos.“Kalmar Nyckel: The Tall Ship of Delaware” features about 200 original photos spanning the history of the ship, and it comes from Sam Heed, senior historian and director of education at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Heed joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to explain what readers can learn from the book.
A Wilmington charter school is under ‘formal review’ by the state’s Department of Education as enrollment numbers slip.In its eighth year, Great Oaks Charter School is falling short of its authorized minimum number of students as it seeks to phase out its middle school program and become a high school only.Contributor Larry Nagengast takes a closer look at the issues that are putting the school’s future in doubt and what it means for the Wilmington charter school scene.
A Wilmington charter school is under ‘formal review’ by the state’s Department of Education as enrollment numbers slip.In its eighth year, Great Oaks Charter School is falling short of its authorized minimum number of students as it seeks to phase out its middle school program and become a high school only.Contributor Larry Nagengast takes a closer look at the issues that are putting the school’s future in doubt and what it means for the Wilmington charter school scene.
The 2022 midterm election is just over two weeks away and the only significant public poll assessing the state of the top-of-the-ticket races is out this week.The University of Delaware Center for Political Communication released its survey of voters, highlighting two major statewide races and a host of key issues.We sat down with UD Professor Phil Jones, Research Director at the Center for Political Communication, to discuss the results and what they tell us.
The 2022 midterm election is just over two weeks away and the only significant public poll assessing the state of the top-of-the-ticket races is out this week.The University of Delaware Center for Political Communication released its survey of voters, highlighting two major statewide races and a host of key issues.We sat down with UD Professor Phil Jones, Research Director at the Center for Political Communication, to discuss the results and what they tell us.
The next race we’re focusing on as part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage is the 14th Senate District.The seat is currently held by Democrat Bruce Ennis, who is retiring after serving in the General Assembly for nearly four decades.Delaware Public Media’s Paul Keifer reports on how the two candidates running here both cast themselves as the right choice to fill Ennis’ shoes.
The next race we’re focusing on as part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage is the 14th Senate District.The seat is currently held by Democrat Bruce Ennis, who is retiring after serving in the General Assembly for nearly four decades.Delaware Public Media’s Paul Keifer reports on how the two candidates running here both cast themselves as the right choice to fill Ennis’ shoes.
As part of our 2022 Election coverage, Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch” in November’s general election.The race for the 4th Senate district seat pits an incumbent Democrat who spent 25 years in the Delaware education system against a Republican challenger banking on his legal expertise and a strong belief in bipartisanship to win over voters.Delaware Public Media’s Mark Arehart breaks down this race.
As part of our 2022 Election coverage, Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch” in November’s general election.The race for the 4th Senate district seat pits an incumbent Democrat who spent 25 years in the Delaware education system against a Republican challenger banking on his legal expertise and a strong belief in bipartisanship to win over voters.Delaware Public Media’s Mark Arehart breaks down this race.
Hospitals in Delaware and nationwide are preparing for another winter with COVID-19 – the first that's also expected to be paired with high levels of influenza and other respiratory illnesses resigned to the background the past two years.We sat down with the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Medical Director Dr. Rick Hong this week to discuss concerns about COVID-19 and the flu this winter – and how to best protect yourself.
Hospitals in Delaware and nationwide are preparing for another winter with COVID-19 – the first that's also expected to be paired with high levels of influenza and other respiratory illnesses resigned to the background the past two years.We sat down with the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Medical Director Dr. Rick Hong this week to discuss concerns about COVID-19 and the flu this winter – and how to best protect yourself.
As part of our 2022 Election coverage, Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch” in November’s general election.This week, we turn to the new 4th District House seat. The seat is currently in Wilmington, but redistricting sent it to Sussex County.Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele dives into this three-way race between Republican primary winner Jeff Hilovsky, Democrat Keegan Worley, and The Independent Party of Delaware’s Amy Fresh.
As part of our 2022 Election coverage, Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch” in November’s general election.This week, we turn to the new 4th District House seat. The seat is currently in Wilmington, but redistricting sent it to Sussex County.Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele dives into this three-way race between Republican primary winner Jeff Hilovsky, Democrat Keegan Worley, and The Independent Party of Delaware’s Amy Fresh.
We depend on non-profit agencies to help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, provide health and mental health support, and essentially help the less fortunate in society.But those nonprofits are struggling. Low wages, low overhead, and competition from the for-profit sector combine to create workforce shortages and stress a system counted on to provide crucial services.Sheila Bravo – President and CEO of the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement – joins us to delve into this workforce shortage and some possible solutions.
We depend on non-profit agencies to help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, provide health and mental health support, and essentially help the less fortunate in society.But those nonprofits are struggling. Low wages, low overhead, and competition from the for-profit sector combine to create workforce shortages and stress a system counted on to provide crucial services.Sheila Bravo – President and CEO of the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement – joins us to delve into this workforce shortage and some possible solutions.
The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery in Delaware City have a new documentary called “Voices Long Forgotten.”The 20-minute film focuses on the history of the free Black community of Polktown, the restored African Union Church Cemetery, and Private James Elbert, who was among the thousands of free African Americans who enlisted and fought the Confederacy during the Civil War.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Craig O'Donnell and Marilyn Whittington of Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery to learn more about the documentary debuting this week.
The Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery in Delaware City have a new documentary called “Voices Long Forgotten.”The 20-minute film focuses on the history of the free Black community of Polktown, the restored African Union Church Cemetery, and Private James Elbert, who was among the thousands of free African Americans who enlisted and fought the Confederacy during the Civil War.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Craig O'Donnell and Marilyn Whittington of Friends of the African Union Church Cemetery to learn more about the documentary debuting this week.
When Concord Mall in North Wilmington switched owners in early 2020, the change fueled concern about the future of the mall, which has been a mainstay on Concord Pike since the late 1960s.But fast forward nearly three years and the mall appears to be experiencing a renaissance, finding the right blend of tenants to keep shoppers coming.This week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida takes a closer look at what’s working for the mall and what could be next.
When Concord Mall in North Wilmington switched owners in early 2020, the change fueled concern about the future of the mall, which has been a mainstay on Concord Pike since the late 1960s.But fast forward nearly three years and the mall appears to be experiencing a renaissance, finding the right blend of tenants to keep shoppers coming.This week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida takes a closer look at what’s working for the mall and what could be next.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for State Auditor and in this interview, Republican Janice Lorrah.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for State Auditor and in this interview, Republican Janice Lorrah.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for State Auditor and in this interview, Democrat Lydia York.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for State Auditor and in this interview, Democrat Lydia York.
A new exhibition is open at The Delaware Contemporary in Wilmington.“Through a Glass, Darkly” includes new and recent works by 33 artists working with glass and glass-related materials and processes.On this week’s Arts Playlist, The Delaware Contemporary’s curator of contemporary art Chase Dougherty joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to preview the exhibit.
A new exhibition is open at The Delaware Contemporary in Wilmington.“Through a Glass, Darkly” includes new and recent works by 33 artists working with glass and glass-related materials and processes.On this week’s Arts Playlist, The Delaware Contemporary’s curator of contemporary art Chase Dougherty joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to preview the exhibit.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Republican Lee Murphy
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Republican Lee Murphy
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Republican Lee Murphy
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Non-Partisan Delaware's David Rogers
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Non-Partisan Delaware's David Rogers
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Non-Partisan Delaware's David Rogers
Arts education is proven to have profound effects on students and how they learn. But too often, arts education is only accessible to the wealthy, leaving low-income or disenfranchised families on the outside looking in.The Delaware Institute for Arts in Education celebrates its 40th anniversary of working to make arts education available to all this yearAnd on this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon chats with the group’s new executive director A.T. Moffett.
Arts education is proven to have profound effects on students and how they learn. But too often, arts education is only accessible to the wealthy, leaving low-income or disenfranchised families on the outside looking in.The Delaware Institute for Arts in Education celebrates its 40th anniversary of working to make arts education available to all this yearAnd on this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon chats with the group’s new executive director A.T. Moffett.
Arts education is proven to have profound effects on students and how they learn. But too often, arts education is only accessible to the wealthy, leaving low-income or disenfranchised families on the outside looking in.The Delaware Institute for Arts in Education celebrates its 40th anniversary of working to make arts education available to all this yearAnd on this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon chats with the group’s new executive director A.T. Moffett.
Over the past year and a half, Delaware Public Media has followed the efforts to preserve and restore the Newark Union Church and Cemetery – a little-known piece of history nestled in Brandywine Hundred.Contributor Larry Nagengast joins the show this week with highlights on the remarkable progress being made there.
Over the past year and a half, Delaware Public Media has followed the efforts to preserve and restore the Newark Union Church and Cemetery – a little-known piece of history nestled in Brandywine Hundred.Contributor Larry Nagengast joins the show this week with highlights on the remarkable progress being made there.
Over the past year and a half, Delaware Public Media has followed the efforts to preserve and restore the Newark Union Church and Cemetery – a little-known piece of history nestled in Brandywine Hundred.Contributor Larry Nagengast joins the show this week with highlights on the remarkable progress being made there.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Libertarian Party candidate Cody McNutt
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Libertarian Party candidate Cody McNutt
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Libertarian Party candidate Cody McNutt
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Democratic incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Democratic incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Democratic incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester.
A regional fisheries regulator appears poised to allow people to catch female horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay for the first time in a decade.But that has some conservation groups up in arms and worried the move could threaten red knot and other migratory shorebirds that feed on the horseshoe crab eggs at increased risk.Contributor Jon Hurdle explains why the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is considering the change and the opposition to it.
A regional fisheries regulator appears poised to allow people to catch female horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay for the first time in a decade.But that has some conservation groups up in arms and worried the move could threaten red knot and other migratory shorebirds that feed on the horseshoe crab eggs at increased risk.Contributor Jon Hurdle explains why the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is considering the change and the opposition to it.
A regional fisheries regulator appears poised to allow people to catch female horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay for the first time in a decade.But that has some conservation groups up in arms and worried the move could threaten red knot and other migratory shorebirds that feed on the horseshoe crab eggs at increased risk.Contributor Jon Hurdle explains why the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is considering the change and the opposition to it.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Democratic incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Democratic incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Democratic incumbent Lisa Blunt Rochester.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Libertarian Party candidate Cody McNutt
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Libertarian Party candidate Cody McNutt
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for U.S. House and in this interview, Libertarian Party candidate Cody McNutt
“Out of sight, out of trouble.”That’s the expectation Colonial School District has when it comes to the new cell phone policy it’s rolling out this school year in middle schools.As students enter George Read, McCullough, and Gunning Bedford middle schools, they have the option to put their phones in pouches that will be closed and secured during the day.This week, producer Kyle McKinnon spoke with George Read Middle School Principal Nick Wolfe about the cell phone policy and why it’s being implemented now.
“Out of sight, out of trouble.”That’s the expectation Colonial School District has when it comes to the new cell phone policy it’s rolling out this school year in middle schools.As students enter George Read, McCullough, and Gunning Bedford middle schools, they have the option to put their phones in pouches that will be closed and secured during the day.This week, producer Kyle McKinnon spoke with George Read Middle School Principal Nick Wolfe about the cell phone policy and why it’s being implemented now.
“Out of sight, out of trouble.”That’s the expectation Colonial School District has when it comes to the new cell phone policy it’s rolling out this school year in middle schools.As students enter George Read, McCullough, and Gunning Bedford middle schools, they have the option to put their phones in pouches that will be closed and secured during the day.This week, producer Kyle McKinnon spoke with George Read Middle School Principal Nick Wolfe about the cell phone policy and why it’s being implemented now.
Wilmington’s EastSide Charter school received a $1 million donation from Barclays US Bank this week.The donation marks the continuation of a two-decade relationship between the school and the bank that goes much deeper than financial support.Contributor Larry Nagengast takes a closer look at that relationship and what the latest influx of funding will do for EastSide Charter.
Wilmington’s EastSide Charter school received a $1 million donation from Barclays US Bank this week.The donation marks the continuation of a two-decade relationship between the school and the bank that goes much deeper than financial support.Contributor Larry Nagengast takes a closer look at that relationship and what the latest influx of funding will do for EastSide Charter.
Wilmington’s EastSide Charter school received a $1 million donation from Barclays US Bank this week.The donation marks the continuation of a two-decade relationship between the school and the bank that goes much deeper than financial support.Contributor Larry Nagengast takes a closer look at that relationship and what the latest influx of funding will do for EastSide Charter.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication. Among the races we are examining is the race for Attorney General and in this interview, incumbent Democrat Kathy Jennings
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication. Among the races we are examining is the race for Attorney General and in this interview, incumbent Democrat Kathy Jennings
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication. Among the races we are examining is the race for Attorney General and in this interview, incumbent Democrat Kathy Jennings
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication. Among the races we are examining is the race for Attorney General and in this interview, Republican challenger Julianne Murray.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication. Among the races we are examining is the race for Attorney General and in this interview, Republican challenger Julianne Murray.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication. Among the races we are examining is the race for Attorney General and in this interview, Republican challenger Julianne Murray.
A new exhibit is on display at the Historic Odessa Foundation called “Love Stories: Photos by Brittany Lauren,” featuring 22 groupings of intimate portraits of couples.The exhibit is available to the public in the Historic Odessa Visitor’s Center Gallery until Sunday, October 30th.Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele spoke with Milford-based photographer Brittany Lauren to find out more about the exhibit and what inspired the photographs.
A new exhibit is on display at the Historic Odessa Foundation called “Love Stories: Photos by Brittany Lauren,” featuring 22 groupings of intimate portraits of couples.The exhibit is available to the public in the Historic Odessa Visitor’s Center Gallery until Sunday, October 30th.Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele spoke with Milford-based photographer Brittany Lauren to find out more about the exhibit and what inspired the photographs.
A new exhibit is on display at the Historic Odessa Foundation called “Love Stories: Photos by Brittany Lauren,” featuring 22 groupings of intimate portraits of couples.The exhibit is available to the public in the Historic Odessa Visitor’s Center Gallery until Sunday, October 30th.Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele spoke with Milford-based photographer Brittany Lauren to find out more about the exhibit and what inspired the photographs.
Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch,” starting with races in the upcoming September primary as part of our 2022 election coverage.This week, we look at two races – the first is the Democratic Primary for the 27th House District, which pits an incumbent State Representative who started his political career during the pandemic against a political newcomer with a deep law enforcement background.DPM’s Mark Arehart examines this race.
Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch,” starting with races in the upcoming September primary as part of our 2022 election coverage.This week, we look at two races – the first is the Democratic Primary for the 27th House District, which pits an incumbent State Representative who started his political career during the pandemic against a political newcomer with a deep law enforcement background.DPM’s Mark Arehart examines this race.
Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch,” starting with races in the upcoming September primary as part of our 2022 election coverage.This week, we look at two races – the first is the Democratic Primary for the 27th House District, which pits an incumbent State Representative who started his political career during the pandemic against a political newcomer with a deep law enforcement background.DPM’s Mark Arehart examines this race.
Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch,” starting with races in the upcoming September primary as part of our 2022 election coverage.The second race we’re highlighting this week is the Democratic Primary for the 26th House District, which sees an incumbent State Representative seeking a second term face an intra-party challenge.DPM’s Quinn Kirkpatrick breaks down the race.
Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch,” starting with races in the upcoming September primary as part of our 2022 election coverage.The second race we’re highlighting this week is the Democratic Primary for the 26th House District, which sees an incumbent State Representative seeking a second term face an intra-party challenge.DPM’s Quinn Kirkpatrick breaks down the race.
Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch,” starting with races in the upcoming September primary as part of our 2022 election coverage.The second race we’re highlighting this week is the Democratic Primary for the 26th House District, which sees an incumbent State Representative seeking a second term face an intra-party challenge.DPM’s Quinn Kirkpatrick breaks down the race.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for State Treasurer and in this interview, incumbent Democrat Colleen Davis.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for State Treasurer and in this interview, incumbent Democrat Colleen Davis.
Candidate Conversations are part of Delaware Public Media’s 2022 Election coverage, and the Delaware Debates we are producing with the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication.Among the races we are examining is the race for State Treasurer and in this interview, incumbent Democrat Colleen Davis.
Gov. Carney’s Wilmington Learning Collaborative faced a key moment this week. The school boards of three districts serving city schools – Brandywine, Christina, and Red Clay - met jointly to try and hash out their concerns about a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to guide this effort to transform Wilmington’s underperforming elementary and middle schools.Board votes on the MOU are scheduled this month and Carney wants the school boards to sign on as soon as possible to get the process rolling.Contributor Larry Nagengast explains the latest this week on where things stand.
Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch,” with races in the upcoming September primary as part of the station’s 2022 election coverage.In the 1st State House District, two Wilmington Democrats with similar resumes face off for the party’s nomination in the September 13th primary.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Mark Fowser breaks down the race and what you need to know about both candidates.
The First State is offering a clearer picture of the scope of its testing for so-called “forever chemicals” in Delaware’s drinking water.The state is checking PFAS levels at over a dozen sites as it continues to ramp up efforts to better regulate the chemicals with links to serious illnesses, including some cancers and immune and developmental problems.Contributor Jon Hurdle discusses Delaware’s work on this issue and what it means this week.
Broadway star and Tony award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell joins the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and OperaDelaware for an opening night concert at The Grand Opera House.On this week’s Arts Playlist, Stokes Mitchell spoke with Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele about what patrons can expect.
The First State continues spending the more than $600 million it received in federal COVID-19 relief funds, but understanding where all that money is going and what impact it’s having is no easy task.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast takes a closer look at what we do know about how school districts and charters are using the massive influx of funding, as well as the hurdles the public faces in following along.
Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch,” with races in the upcoming September primary as part of the station’s 2022 election coverage.In Sussex County, two Democrats are vying for the 6th Senate District seat being vacated by retiring Republican State Senator Ernie Lopez.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry breaks down that primary race this week, which will decide Republican State Rep. Steve Smyk’s opponent in November.
In Kent County, the 32nd House District seat is open, with Democratic State Representative Andria Bennett not running for re-election.A total of four Democrats are competing to take her place.Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki spoke with each candidate to get their positions on key issues and their plans if elected.
In a matter of days in March of 2020, the billion-dollar Delaware arts and culture industry came to a screeching halt – museums closed, performance venues went dark, and major and minor arts events were canceled.Smaller groups like the Southern Delaware Chorale suffered the most, despite being a staple of the state's arts and culture scene for nearly 40 years. But under the leadership of Artistic Director and Conductor Colin Armstrong, the Chorale is in good shape and has big plans for its upcoming season.In this week’s Arts Playlist, producer Kyle McKinnon caught up with Armstrong for more on the Chorale and how it's managing.
As part of our 2022 Election coverage, Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch,” starting with races in the upcoming September primary.This week, we head to New Castle County – specifically in one North Wilmington House district where Democrats have a choice this year: go with an incumbent or make a change to carry the party forward to the November General Election.Delaware Public Media’s Mark Fowser breaks down the House District 6 primary race.
Two University of Delaware researchers have launched the Delaware Center for Cognitive Aging Research on UD's campus.The center looks to build the number of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia researchers at the university, while also educating the community on risk factors.This week, Delaware Public Media's Joe Irizarry caught up with the center’s director Chris Martens about its mission.
After 16 years as the executive director of the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Mark Fields retires next month.To find Field’s successor, the Grand stayed in-house, turning to long-time senior staff leader Pamelyn Manocchio.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele chats with Manocchio about stepping into the new role and her plans for the Grand.
This week, Delaware Public Media celebrated its 10th anniversary of being on the air as Delaware’s first and only NPR member station.Over its first 10 years, DPM has covered a lot of stories – coverage made possible by a roster of terrific anchors and reporters who believed in the mission of providing public media style reporting to the First State – and delivered it day in and day out.For this week’s Enlighten Me, a group of those anchors and reporters caught up with The Green, offering their reflections on working at DPM and what it meant to them.
It was 10 years ago today on August 17, 2012, that Delaware Public Media signed on the air for the first time.But bringing Delaware its first and only NPR member station was no easy task. A small group dedicated to the idea made it happen, led in large part by DPM’s first president, Micheline Boudreau.This week, Boudreau joins the show to reminisce about getting DPM up and running and what it took to make that dream a reality.
Over its first 10 years, Delaware Public Media has covered a lot of stories – coverage made possible by a terrific roster of anchors and reporters who believed in the mission of providing public media-style reporting to the First State every day.A group of those anchors and reporters caught up with The Green recently, offering their reflections on working at DPM and what it meant to them.
While providing coverage of the First State is Delaware Public Media’s primary mission, DPM is also committed to working with students.Partnerships with the Brandywine and Red Clay School districts have put DPM in classrooms at Mount Pleasant and McKean high schools, and the station’s collaborative efforts with Delaware State University and the University of Delaware have created opportunities to work with aspiring journalists at the collegiate level.DPM co-founder Nancy Karibjanian teaches journalism at UD and has played a big role in shaping the educational component of the station. She joins the show to explain why education is such an important part of DPM’s mission.
10 years on the air is an accomplishment, but Delaware Public Media doesn’t plan to stand still.What’s next for DPM? The station’s current president Jane Vincent sat down with The Green with some answers to that question, as well as her thoughts on DPM’s 10th anniversary.
Delaware Public Media is highlighting a series of “Races to Watch” with races in the upcoming September primary, as part of the station’s 2022 election coverage.In Kent County, incumbent Republican Senator Colin Bonini faces not one, but two primary challengers for the state’s 16th Senate District.Delaware Public Media’s Paul Kiefer takes a closer look at the three-way race this week and what you need to know about the candidates.
In Sussex County, there’s a new House district following the latest round of redistricting.That took the 4th District seat currently in Wilmington – held by Democratic Rep. Charles “Bud” Freel – and moved it to a carved-out section of Long Neck, made up mostly of the area that had been in the 37th District, but also includes parts of the 41st, 38th and 14th districts.Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele spoke with the two Republicans – Bradley Layfield and Jeff Hilovsky – that are seeking to be the new district’s GOP nominee this week as part of the station’s “Races to Watch” series.
Many passersby unknowingly walked over the hallowed grass serving as the final resting place for Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler in Boston’s Fairview Cemetery.That changed in 2020, when the unmarked grave of Dr. Crumpler – who was born in 1831 in Christina, Delaware and would go on to become the nation’s first Black female physician – finally received a headstone.It’s representative of the attention and notoriety that Dr. Crumpler has received throughout time – little to none at all. Only in recent years are her contributions to the medical community and history alike being celebrated.This week, ChristianaCare Dr. Marshala Lee and Wilmington City Council member and founder of the Black Mothers in Power, Shané Darby, join us to examine Dr. Crumpler’s legacy, health care disparities in the state, and more.
Buttonwood is a 180-year-old riverfront “summer home” in the City of New Castle and is associated with a 19th century Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice.But it has fallen into disrepair and faces several obstacles to avoiding demolition by neglect.In this week’s Enlighten Me, contributor Larry Nagengast explains these obstacles as part of his ongoing examination of historic preservation efforts and issues in New Castle County.
The Delaware Division of the Arts announced its first round of grants to support arts projects statewide in Fiscal Year 2023.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Division of the Arts director Jessica Ball discusses this latest round of funding with Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele.
The U.S. Military faces what’s described as its worst recruiting environment since the all-volunteer force was established in 1973.A number of factors are plaguing recruitment efforts, and military leadership is looking at long and short-term strategies to reverse a downward spiral caused by the pandemic, an unstable economy, and a shrinking pool of eligible candidates.For a broader look at the military’s recruitment shortfall and what the issue looks like in Delaware, Delaware Public Media’s Joe Izarry spoke with Senior Reporter for the Army Times, Davis Winkie, and Sergeant Major Pablo Cortez with Delaware National Guard Recruiting.
August is here and for many families that means getting kids the gear they need for school this fall.This year, back to school shopping comes with a new set of challenges, as inflation leaves many trying to figure out how to pay for everything they need.Contributor Eileen Dallabrida takes a closer look at the back-to-school shopping landscape and how families can get everything their kids need.
Nearly 4,300 track and field athletes from around the country and beyond competed in this month’s Amateur Athletic Union National Club Championships in Orlando, Florida.And when all was said and done, the West End Neighborhood House ‘Above Xpectations’ team took home the gold and the title of national champions.In this week’s Enlighten Me, we meet Above ‘Xpectations’ head coach Antwain Flowers – as well as team members Anaeja Ferrell and Donte Dockery – to hear about their championship performance and what it means.
Author Aggie Blum Thompson’s second novel “All The Dirty Secrets” uses 1990s’ Dewey Beach as part of the backdrop for a murder mystery.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Thompson joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to discuss the book and how vacationing every summer in Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach provided some inspiration.
Delaware is one of only four states in the country without a medical school – a distinction one local elected official would like to change.New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer recently penned an op-ed making the case for creating a medical school in the First State, and says he plans to ask New Castle County Council to approve using county ARPA funds to study what doing so could mean locally.Meyer joins Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne to discuss why he’s taken up this effort.
Gov. Carney’s effort to bring his Wilmington Learning Collaborative to life seemed to be on its way to gaining the backing it needed to launch.But a review of the memorandum of understanding that will guide the three school districts serving city schools as they seek to transform Wilmington’s underperforming elementary and middle schools is seeing pushback from district school boards.Contributor Larry Nagengast examines the issues that have emerged and if they could delay or derail the collaborative.
The Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover opened a new exhibit this month.Tom Wilson: Super Realist/Surrealist focuses on the work of the late Lewes artist and in this week’s Arts Playlist, Biggs’ curator Laura Fravel joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to discuss the exhibit and Wilson’s life and legacy.
Delaware’s Climate Action Plan includes goals for boosting electric vehicles, but even with record-high gas prices lingering, the cost of EVs leaves many potential buyers feeling priced out.We’re joined by Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki with more on how the state is working on multiple fronts to get people to dive into the EV market.
Buying a car is tough these days. There’s a shortage, and shortages mean higher costs.Supply chain problems are fueling the scarcity of cars available for sale in the U.S. – so, if you’re in the market for a new or a used car – you face fewer choices and higher prices.To get a better picture of the current state of car sales and how consumers are adjusting to the changing market – we turned to Executive Editor for Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, Brian Moody earlier this week for his insight.
Delaware’s affordable housing shortage is only escalating, and state lawmakers say they are playing catch-up after years of sidelining housing policy discussions.This year, lawmakers largely focused their efforts on tenant protections, aiming to eliminate some hurdles for prospective renters and to scale back the risk of eviction for low-income renters.Delaware Public Media’s Paul Kiefer takes a look at where legislative efforts to address housing issues in the First State stand.
Just over a month ago – state lawmakers appeared poised to give legal heft to Delaware’s efforts to curb climate change.The Delaware Climate Change Solutions Act passed the State Senate – but when it reached the House, things fell apart.Contributor Jon Hurdle takes a closer look at what went wrong and where this legislation heads from here.
Hagley Museum and Library is helping celebrate the 60th anniversary of a global nonprofit organization focused on women in the workplace.That organization is Catalyst – and Hagley is home to a collection of the group’s records.Hagley archivist Diane Bockrath and Catalyst CEO Lorraine Hariton join us to discuss about the Catalyst and that collection.
The Town of Bellefonte’s town hall gets a needed face-lift – and using a boost from state funding – it managed to address the building’s functionality while honoring the town’s historyContributor Larry Nagengast walks us through the work done and how it happened.
The United States Geological Survey – better known as USGS – along with researchers from the University of Delaware, began part of its a full-scale survey of the Delaware River Basin last weekAnd chances are, if you live around the Delaware Bay, you may have gotten a close look at the process.Professor Holly Michael is the Director of the Delaware Environmental Institute at the University of Delaware, and she joined me earlier this week to walk us through the survey and what she hopes to learn from it.
A plan to develop the former Brandywine Country Club in Brandywine Hundred is finally gets the green light from New Castle County.But don’t expect the proposed mix of apartments, single-family homes, and townhouses to start popping up right away.And contributor Larry Nagengast reports issues remain about the Brandywine School District’s proposed early education center at the site.
Work from Navajo photographer Will Wilson's visit to Delaware First State is now on display at the Delaware Art MuseumIn this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele is joined by the Museum’s chief curator Heather Campbell Coyle and community engagement specialist Iz Balleto to discuss the photos and upcoming events connected to the exhibition.
This week – we bring you episode 5 of the Delaware Humanities’ podcast: A More Perfect Union.The podcast explores the concept of “identity” in Delaware - and this fifth episode focuses on stories and history.
The news cycle has been a whirlwind in recent weeks, especially with the stories coming out of Washington DC.The headlines have jumped from the testimony in public hearings held by the House Jan. 6th Committee to passage of bipartisan gun safety and mental health legislation to the U.S Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.Delaware’s senior Senator, Tom Carper recently visited the Delaware Public Media studios in Dover to discuss these issues and more.
Over the past couple of years, contributor Larry Nagengast has delved into a variety of historic preservation efforts and issues in New Castle County, chronicling the various successes and failures to save buildings of historic value and give some a new lease on life.This week, he picks up that coverage in Southern New Castle County, examining the fate of the nearly 200-year-old Achmester estate near Middletown, which appears on its way to being lost. But in this case the owner letting it slide into oblivion may surprise you.
Hagley Museum is taking with its patent collection on the road this summer.Hagley has an estimated 5,000 patent models that collection and a selection of them will be in display between Terminals C and D at Philadelphia International Airport this summer.In this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele chats with Hagley assistant curator Chris Cascio about patent model collection - and specifically the ones hitting the road this summer.
Summer is here and many are hoping to get away – some for the first time in after a couple years after limitations caused by the pandemic.But if you haven’t already locked in vacation plans, you may still be limited – by what’s still available and the inflated cost of everything.This week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida takes a closer look at the options – especially if you’re on a budget.
The owners of Delaware City Refinery got some bad news from the EPA earlier this month.Their hope for some relief from renewable fuel credits they are required to purchase was not realized as the EPA not only decided against reforming the program, but also increased what refiners are required to purchase this year to comply with the renewables program.Contributor Jon Hurdle has covered these credits and the refinery’s concerns about them previously and he explains what this move by the EPA could mean
A singer from Lewes performs several free, outdoor concerts there this summer to raise money for various children’s charities that help LGBTQ youth.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele chats with James Gary, aka Jgar, about his career and why spending the summer working to help LGBTQ children.
The Green takes some time again this week to highlight work from student journalists at the University of Delaware.We feature three pieces produced by UD Communications students for a class taught by Nancy Karibjanian, long-time First State journalist, Director of UD’s Center for Political Communication, and one of founders of Delaware Public Media.
School may be out for summer, but there’s no break for the Carney administration’s effort to bring the governor’s Wilmington Learning Collaborative to life.A draft of the memorandum of understanding that will guide the three school districts that serve city schools as they seek to transform the Wilmington’s underperforming elementary and middle schools is making the rounds.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast takes a closer look at the draft MOU and if work to get everyone on board is on track.
During the early months of the COVID pandemic, many efforts to respond to the needs and issues it created came together quickly to provide necessary relief and services.Now one such effort - the Cape Community Coordination for COVID-19 – is trying to take the connections made and lessons learned and expand the scope of its work.The group is renaming itself the Cape Community Coalition to reflect that change and we talked to two people involved - Patti Drago and Danielle Swallow – about their work to date and plans for the future.
Throughout the war in Ukraine, that nation’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has been the face of its efforts to repel Russia’s 3-month-old invasion.Now, TidalWave Comics is telling Zelensky’s story in comic book form.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele chats with the comic book’s author Michael Frizell about it and the decision to add Zelensky’s story to the ones it has selected to highlight.
The Green takes some time this week to highlight work from student journalists at the University of Delaware.
June is a busy month in Delaware’s General Assembly as lawmakers race to finish their business before the session ends June 30th.This week saw marijuana legalization fail and some gun bills advance. But beyond those headlines, there is other significant legislation being considered, including a bill to address impact of climate change in the First State.Contributor Jon Hurdle takes a closer look at the Delaware Climate Change Solutions Act.
Hurricane season is underway and the threat from those storms is considerable. But recent research shows that in our region non-tropical storms like nor'easters can cause as much damage as hurricanes - or even more.Delaware Public Media's Joe Irizarry recently spoke with University of Delaware climatologist and visiting assistant professor John Callahan – the lead author on this research – to learn more about what it tells us.
Two Years in Italy is a new book from Milford’s Rosemary Connelly.It was developed from a daily blog Connell and her late husband, Bob. kept while living in Italy from 2005 to 2007.And is this week’s Arts Playlist, Connelly joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to discuss the book and how it gave her a new perspective on life.
Delaware may be a small state, but it has more to offer than even some natives know.In this week's Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Rachel Sawicki talks with life-long residents and transplants to find out what drew them to the First State, what keeps them here, and how some less than favorable initial impressions of Delaware changed.
Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of summer and that means more time outdoorsBut state officials want people to be aware as they enjoy a hike, fishing, or just hanging out in the backyard that there is a danger lurking from ticks in Delaware.This week, experts from DNREC’s Div. of Fish and Wildlife and Delaware’s Div. of Public Health join us to discuss the risks associated with tick bites and how best to avoid them.
This week – we bring you episode 4 of the Delaware Humanities’ podcast: A More Perfect Union.The podcast explores the concept of “identity” in Delaware - and this second episode focuses on health and the environment.
Delaware’s language immersion program in public schools launched in 2011 - meaning some of the students who were there at the start are now in high school.So how is the program - and the students in it - faring?Contributor Larry Nagengast takes a closer look this week.
Delaware...dinosaurs... and a deep-sea dive.A wide range of experiences await visitors to the newly-reopened and newly-named Delaware Museum of Nature and Science.Delaware Public Media contributor Mark Fowser takes us on a visit.
The critically acclaimed Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof pulls into Wilmington next month, playing at The Playhouse on Rodney SquareAndrew Hendrick plays one of the main characters - Lazar Wolf, the village butcher - in this production and he joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele for this week’s Arts Playlist.
May is Mental Health Awareness month - an opportunity to work to erase stigmas, educate the public, and advocate for those with mental illnesses.And while progress has been made in these areas, Univ. of Delaware senior and Delaware Public Median intern Gabrielle Wuensch reports there’s still work to be done - especially among young people.
From time to time, we like to highlight work from student journalists.And in this week’s Enlighten Me, we bring you a story from Abe Burr – a senior in the radio career pathway at Mount Pleasant High who has spent time this spring as an intern with Delaware Public Media.As part of that internship, Abe reports on how high schools like Mount Pleasant are preparing to hold graduation ceremonies a bit closer to what we saw pre-pandemic.
An annual point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness in Delaware conducted earlier this year revealed an alarming statistic: twice as many people were unhoused in the state in early 2022 than were in early 2020, with the most substantial increase in Sussex County.
Delaware Public Media’s partnership with Delaware Independent gives us a chance to help highlight more stories in Southern Delaware.Delaware Independent is a website and email newsletter offering a combination of in-depth and hyper-local coverage of Southern Delaware.We feature some of their stories in our newscasts and this week on The Green we chat with Delaware Independent’s Andrew Sharp about some of their recent stories.
The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs recently received a donation of pottery fragments from a site known as the Green Pottery site in Smyrna.Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs curator of archaeology Paul Nasca visits to discuss the collection and Delaware’s roots in redware pottery.
Last summer, we took you to the Newark Union Church and Cemetery where Bob and Anne Daly – a retired couple – are working to preserve and restore this little-known piece of history nestled in Brandywine Hundred.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast takes us back there to check in on substantial progress they’ve made.
Just over a month ago, the state released a long-awaited report from UD’s Special Initiative on Offshore Wind. The conclusions reached in that report beg the question - is Delaware on brink of finally deciding to buy electricity from the offshore wind industry?Contributor Jon Hurdle looks at where the First State is in the process of answering that question this week.
Five people from Connecticut recently completed a journey through part of DelMarVa to retrace - as accurately as possible - a once-enslaved man's escape to freedom and a better life.Delaware Public Media's Mark Fowser has more on their trip included a stretch through the First State.
The new exhibit at Winterthur chronicles the role Henry Frances du Pont played in Jackie Kennedy’s efforts restore White House interiors during the 1960sAnd in this week’s Arts Playlist, Elaine Bachmann, guest curator of the exhibit, joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to discuss it.
Univ. of Delaware baseball coach Jim Sherman is in his final season as skipper for the Blue Hens.Sherman’s career highlights include more than 800 wins - over 600 of which came at UD – as well as multiple conference titles. But there is more to the longtime Blue Hen than what he accomplished on the diamond.And in this week’s Enlighten Me - UD senior and Delaware Public Media intern Patrick Laporte reports on the legacy of one of the state’s best known baseball coaches.
In April, a bill in Delaware’s General Assembly proposed a moratorium on new charter school applications and modifications to existing charters in New Castle County– while setting up advisory group to look at the application and modification process.That bill was amended to avoid torpedoing pending applications and still awaits action – leaving the state room to consider several modification requests this spring.Contributor Larry Nagengast reports on those requests and how they fared this week.
Despite a variety of efforts to address the opioid crisis, overdose deaths in the First State rose sharply in 2021.And one group - atTAcK addiction – suggests its time to try some new approaches to combat this issue, specifically creating overdose prevention centers.Earlier this week – we sat down with atTAcK Addiction board member Dave Humes to discuss the sites and the group’s decision to advocate for them.
The Delaware Theatre Company in Wilmington recently unveiled the schedule for its 2022/2023 Season.And in this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Theatre Company managing director Matt Silva joins with Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to discuss what audiences can expect.
From time to time, we like to highlight work from student journalists at both the high school and college level.Delaware Public Media partners with McKean and Mount Pleasant High Schools in the Red Clay and Brandywine school districts, as well as Polytech High School in Kent County to expose students to radio journalism.And in this week’s Enlighten Me, we bring you recent stories from students in the radio career pathway at Mount Pleasant High.
A recent report by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education ranks Delaware low when it comes to access to preschool when compared to other states nationally.Delaware Public Media's Joe Irizarry spoke with the institute's founder and senior co-director Steve Barnett about Delaware's ranking, how it can improve and if actions promised by the governor can make a difference.
The Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover is getting a new director.Michael Dudich takes over on July 1st and joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele on this week’s Arts Playlist to discuss the job and his plans for the Biggs.
This week – we bring you episode 2 of the Delaware Humanities’ podcast: A More Perfect Union.The podcast explores the concept of “identity” in Delaware - and this second episode focuses on health and the environment.
There could be some changes coming to the list of federal Superfund sites in Delaware.The Superfund program is designed to clean up some of worst contaminated sites nationwide – including here in the First State. The list of sites in Delaware current sits at 15 – but that could change as the Environmental Protection Agency is suggesting two be removed from its National Priorities List – while another one is added.Contributor Jon Hurdle takes a closer look at these proposed changes.
The response to the COVID pandemic has reached a somewhat confusing moment.Case numbers are significantly lower than during Omicron surge at the start of the year – and mask mandates are largely gone – leaving the appearance of normalcy in many placesBut cases are ticking up again and vaccination rates – especially among kids ages 5-18 that can be vaccinated – are stagnant.One group dealing with ongoing COVID questions – specifically vaccination - are those with disabilities, especially kids with disabilities.To learn more about what they are facing, we are joined this week by Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council Community Relations Director Emmanuel Jenkins and Nadine Chance, whose 13-year son Eugene is living with autism.
President Biden's younger sister released a memoir this week.Valerie Biden Owens’ Growing Up Biden offers readers an inside look at the Biden family.And Biden Owens recently joined Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to discuss the book.
When it comes to offshore wind, the First State has largely been a spectator in recent years, watching surrounding states ramp up projects – including some off Delaware’s coast – and commit to purchasing wind power while Delaware sits on the sidelines.But there could be movement on the horizon. A pair of studies offering insight into offshore wind’s economic feasibility and potential environmental impact locally are on the way.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle examines these studies and what they could mean for getting Delaware into the offshore wind game.
There are plenty of stories to tell up and down the First State. So many that no one news operation can get to them all.And that premise is the reason behind a new partnership between Delaware Public Media and Delaware Independent.Delaware Independent is a website and email newsletter offering a combination of in-depth and hyper-local coverage of southern Delaware. And going forward we’ll feature some of their stories in our newscasts and on The Green to get offer a fuller picture of what’s happening there.And this week, Delaware Independent’s Andrew Sharp stopped by to chat about some of their recent coverage.
The Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) in Wilmington celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022.And in this week’s Arts Playlist, DCAD president Jean Dahlgren joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to look back on its 25 years of work - and detail its plans to mark the anniversary.
The 2022 Thunder Over Dover Air Expo and Open House at Dover Air Force Base is May 21 and 22.And in this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media's Joe Irizarry sits down with Air Show Director Lt. Col. Dave Caswell, and Deputy Air Director Show Captain Henry Bacon for a preview from these C-5 pilots.
A bill recently introduced in Delaware’s General Assembly is reigniting the debate over charter schools in the First State.The legislation proposes a moratorium on new charter applications and proposed modifications to existing charters – while setting up advisory group to look at the application and modification process.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast examines the bill, the firestorm it’s created and what’s next.
The COVID-19 pandemic paused having a social life as we know it. Now, after two years, things seem to be returning to some semblance of normal with restaurants, bars, gyms and malls, and more up and running again.But the pandemic’s lingering impact is still felt in some subtle ways, including an impact on dating life that may be more significant than people realize. Delaware Public Media intern Gabrielle Wuensch has the story.
Delaware Shakespeare fully returns to Rockwood Park in Wilmington for its annual summer festival - just in time to celebrate its 20th anniversary seasonDelaware Shakespeare producing Artistic Director David Stradley joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele on Arts Playlist to discuss bring The Tempest to Rockwood and the 2022 season.
The Delaware Historical Society is taking its collection online, currently work to digitize its treasure trove of history and make it more readily available.In this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Historical Society’s Chief Curator Leigh Rifenburg discusses the process and what it will mean for anyone interested in examining the First State’s past.
They say a dog is man’s best friend. But at Baylor Correctional Institution in New Castle County, it’s women who have found friendship with the canines.The women’s prison is host to a new program called Paws for Change - a partnership with the Brandywine Valley SPCA which works with volunteers to bring certified therapy dogs into the facility.And as Delaware Public Media’s Rebecca Baer learned the animals are providing some encouragement to inmates working to turn their lives around.
The Univ. of Delaware has gotten some serious attention this month with both of its basketball teams reaching the NCAA Tournament.But how do you turn those briefly caught up in March Madness into true blue Blue Hen supporters. Delaware Public Media intern Patrick LaPorte – a UD senior - reports on UD’s efforts to build and keep a fanbase.
This week – we bring you episode 2 of the Delaware Humanities’ podcast: A More Perfect Union.The podcast explores the concept of “identity” in Delaware - and this second episode focuses on culture and community
The next step toward bringing Gov. John Carney’s Wilmington Learning Collaborative to life is being taken.The three school districts involved are working on the memorandum of understanding that will guide the effort to transform the city’s underperforming elementary and middle schools.This week, contributor Larry Nagengast explains who’s involved in the process and the issues that need to be addressed.
Over the last two years, healthcare workers have navigated through two pandemics - the coronavirus and the exhaustion, stress, and heartache that come with it.Staff at ChristianaCare say they need a lifeline - and they can’t wait.The health system’s Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Heather Farley and Delaware Public Media’s Rebecca Baer discuss a “rescue plan” for those workers.
Erin Entrada Kelly volunteers at the Corbitt-Calloway Library in Odessa where she hosts a kids book club.But she doesn’t just read books for kids. She also writes them. The Louisiana native is an award-winning author who now lives here in Delaware.Her latest novel for young teens and tweens, Those Kids from Fawn Creek, was released this month.And in this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Rebecca Baer joins Kelly at her book club to chat about discuss what inspires her and her books’ impact.
A New Jersey woman is sharing her experience overcoming childhood trauma.Lockey Maisonneuve’s A Girl Raised by Wolves chronicles how she was neglected, abused and ultimately sold into sex trafficking by her father.In this week’s Enlighten Me, she joins Delaware Public Media’s Kelli Steele to discuss surviving that past.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will pour billion of dollars into the First State.But how will the state manage spending that money? The Biden Administration recommended states name implementation coordinators – and in Delaware that job falls to Greg Patterson.We recently sat down with Patterson to discuss his role and how infrastructure spending will play out in the First State with this massive influx of funding.
This spring, the state is expected to release the latest information on drug overdose deaths in Delaware.Across the country, statistics show the opioid epidemic has gotten worse, and many people continue to face barriers to treatment.Earlier this year, students at the University of Delaware Center for Community Research and Service compiled information on Delaware’s treatment options and where the state can do better to reach those struggling with addiction.Delaware Public Media's Rebecca Baer talks to two people involved with the report.
New leadership takes the reins at the Wilmington Metropolitan Urban League. Last month, Jennifer Thompkins was named the organization’s new president and CEO.Thompson comes to the Urban League from TriZen, a business consulting and leadership development company in Philadelphia. Prior to that, she ran a youth program at the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA.Youth advocacy is just one of Thompkins’ priorities - as Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry discovered during their recent interview.
As Delaware continues to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, the state’s arts community is trying to get back on its feet.And to help, the Delaware Division of the Arts is launching the Arts Incubator Project.In this week’s Arts Playlist, Delaware Division of the Arts director Jessica Ball joins Delaware Public Media's Kelli Steele to explain this initiative