Legislative leaders spar over mask protests at school board meetings

Betsy PriceEducation, Government, Headlines

Delaware legislators issued dueling press statements about people opposing the school mask mandate. Photo by Vera Davidova/Unsplash   Democratic members of the Delaware Senate Education Committee lashed out Wednesday night, calling vocal protesters at school board meetings opposing the state mask mandate “immature and irresponsible.” “Our schools and our children’s education should not be held hostage by a vocal minority …

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 …

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 …

More safe havens likely for surrendering babies

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

(Photo by Jill Sauve on Unsplash) A bill to allow families to safely surrender babies at Delaware’s police stations received only positive comments at a Senate Health & Social Services hearing Wednesday. SB 161 expands the safe haven concept from hospitals, and the idea came from nurses at ChristianaCare, according to Sen. Marie Pinkney, the bill’s primary sponsor. “Abandonment of a baby is …

Child care 6

Kent, Sussex child care centers may get higher Del. payments

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A bill that would force the state to pay Kent and Sussex County child care programs the same fees that it pays New Castle ones seems headed to the Senate floor. No one spoke against Senate Bill 59, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, when it came up Wednesday in the Senate Health & Social Services Committee. Gay said …