State Democrat leaders condemn Brady for racist speech

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

House Democratic leaders condemned one of their own Tuesday after an email was uncovered in which he joked about human sex trafficking and referred to women of Asian descent as “chink broads.” Rep. Gerald Brady, D-Trolley Square, sent the message from his state email June 27 in response to a plea from an out-of-state advocate asking Brady to consider decriminalizing …

Passenger abandons car as 5 teens steal it in Newark

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Police & Fire

Car thieves jumped into a car that was left running in Newark last week, only to find a passenger in the back seat.   Five brazen teenagers successfully stole an idling car in Newark late Friday evening after discovering a passenger was still inside the vehicle, according to Newark Police.  The driver parked the car on Amstel Avenue near South …

State Fair opened Thursday with honor-system COVID masking

Charlie MegginsonCulture, Headlines

  It’s that time of the year: The Delaware State Fair returned to the Harrington Fairgrounds last week, bringing eclectic foods, rides, music, and more. This year’s event, dubbed ‘Your Passport to Summer Fun,’ will run until Saturday, July 31.  The ten-day event has been hosted annually at its current location for 102 years. Only four times was the fair …

Milford Schools seek referendum to redo historic middle school

Charlie MegginsonEducation, Headlines

  Milford Middle School will be renovated to 21srt century standards for fourth and fifth graders, if an October referendum passes.   The Milford School District announced at a sparsely attended Board of Education meeting Monday that it would be seeking a referendum on the question of increasing property taxes to finance the revitalization and expansion of a historic school …

‘Walking the talk:’ Carney signs bill to raise minimum wage to $15

Charlie MegginsonBusiness, Government, Headlines

Gov. John Carney shows off minimum wage raise law he signed Monday. Delaware Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, signed a bill Monday which will incrementally increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025. Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Jack Walsh, D-White Clay, and Rep. Gerald Brady, D-Greenville, passed along party lines in both the House and the …

Sen. Ernie Lopez will not seek re-election in 2022

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Sen. Ernie Lopez   Republican State Senator Ernie LĂłpez will not be seeking re-election in 2022, according to a press release issued by the Senate Republican Caucus Friday afternoon.  He didn’t cite a reason why. LĂłpez’s district includes Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Harbeson. “It is with a great deal of thanks and humility to the people of …

Public Health: Delta variant is dominant strain of virus in Delaware

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Health

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is causing a rising number of cases.   The COVID-19 delta variant is now the predominant strain of the coronavirus in Delaware, The Division of Public Health said in a Friday press release.  Variants are mutations of the virus, including changes to the spikes on the surface of the virus. Some variants are more transmissible …

Fishermen, scientist praise increased dredging in Sussex waters

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

$16 million has been allotted to help DNREC dredge inland Sussex County waters. Archival photo courtesy of DNREC   Delaware’s inland bays, canals, and waterways are about to become easier to navigate after the General Assembly last month authorized a record $16 million for dredging projects. The hope is that boaters will be able to enjoy more consistently navigable channels …

Here’s list of $70 million in projects picked by legislators for their districts

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

  The General Assembly has posted the list of its $70 million in community redevelopment projects picked by individual legislators.   The list of projects included in the Delaware General Assembly’s $70 million community redevelopment grants includes $2 million for a private school stadium, $1.6 million for the Delaware Agricultural Museum, and $1.35 million for the Nanticoke Indian Association. Community …

Women’s group asks Senate to start Darius Brown ethics investigation

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Senate says the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of one of its meetings.   A women’s group has called on the Senate Ethics Committee to conduct a formal inquiry into the arrest of State Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington. That committee rarely meets and requires a fellow senator to ask for an investigation because of legislative misconduct. In …