Leg Hall

Senate Dems pick up committee seats with larger majority

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Leaders in the Delaware Senate have revealed the body’s committee assignments for the 152nd General Assembly which begins in January. Senate President Pro Tempore-Elect Dave Sokola announced the assignments Monday. “Legislative committees are an essential part of the legislative process where senators gather public input and determine which bills should move forward,” Sokola said in a news release. “The assignments …

EB

Public advocate slams Delmarva Power’s rate hike request

Charlie MegginsonBusiness, Headlines

Delaware’s public advocate is speaking out against Delmarva Power’s plan to increase its electric distribution rates by $72.3 million. “As customers are struggling to pay bills, Delmarva Power is seeking one of the largest electric distribution rate increases we have ever seen,” said Public Advocate Andrew Slater. “Simply put, reliability is extremely important but so, too, is affordability. The role of …

Wilmington crime

Wilmington police chief selected to lead St. Louis PD

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki hasn’t yet said how the city plans to replace police Chief Robert Tracy, who on Tuesday was selected to lead the St. Louis, Missouri Police Department. Tracy’s selection as the Gateway City’s top cop was announced by St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones Tuesday morning. It’s the first time in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s 214-year …

Supreme Court of Delaware

DE Supreme Court explains decision to overturn vote-by-mail

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

In a 69-page decision that cited versions of Delaware constitutions dating back to 1776, the state’s Supreme Court this week explained its ruling overturning mail-in voting and same-day voter registration laws passed by the General Assembly earlier this year.  The state’s highest court in October unanimously ruled the statutes unconstitutional but issued an abbreviated order due to time constraints imposed …

Leg Hall

Carney extends health emergency to protect hospital capacity

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Not everyone is thrilled about Gov. John Carney’s decision to extend Delaware’s COVID-19 public health emergency for another 30 days. The order “aims to help protect capacity at our health care facilities and it enables the state to maintain eligibility for federal funding or assistance,” said Charlie Quimby, a spokesman for the governor’s office. Charlie Copeland, co-director of the Caesar …

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State to hold virtual workshops on gas-powered vehicle ban

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware’s environmental protection agency will hold two virtual workshops this week on Gov. John Carney’s proposal to ban most gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. The meetings will be livestreamed Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. Carney announced in March that Delaware would adopt California’s zero-emission vehicle regulations, which require automakers to deliver an increasing number of zero-emission light-duty vehicles each year …

Rent

Rental assistance program to stop accepting applications

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

After dispersing $122 million in rental and utility assistance, the Delaware State Housing Authority will stop accepting applications in the new year to manage application volume, the agency announced Tuesday. “There is no guarantee when the program will resume accepting new applications,” the Housing Authority said in a news release. The program closure is necessary due to overwhelming demand, the …

Pharma

Walgreens, CVS to pay Delaware $43.6M opioid settlement

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware stands to receive some $43.6 million from settlements with CVS and Walgreens over their roles in America’s opioid epidemic. In total, CVS will pay $5 billion and Walgreens will pay $5.7 billion, which will be distributed amongst states and municipalities involved in the litigation. The announcement comes just days after public health officials announced that Nov. 2022 was Delaware’s …

Dogfish Head 2

Dogfish Head unveils 2023 beverage release calendar

Charlie MegginsonCulture, Headlines

Beer lovers and liquor connoisseurs have a lot to look forward to in 2023. Dogfish Head this week announced its beverage release calendar for next year, featuring a lineup of beers, canned cocktails and full-proof spirits and liqueurs.  The lineup includes more than a dozen new products and packages, all of which Dogfish fans can expect to see on shelves …

Ruth Briggs King

A woman’s place? For Ruth Briggs King, it’s the legislature

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

It’s not uncommon for state Rep. Ruth Briggs King to be the only woman in a room full of men.  The Georgetown lawmaker is the only female legislator in Delaware’s General Assembly who belongs to the Republican Party. She doesn’t let that get in the way of representing her constituents.  In fact, she sees it as an opportunity. “There have …