The Wilmington community celebrated the topping off of its first new school building in decades. (Jarek Rutz/Delaware LIVE News)

First new Wilmington school in 50 years topped off with joy 

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Dozens of Wilmington elementary school students chanted “raise it up” and a drum team played while the ceremonial last beam on the first new city school in 50 years was lifted into place by a construction crane. The new $84 million Bancroft School in Christina School District, which will span several blocks in Wilmington, is expected to open for students …

Food service workers and paraprofessionals are next up for the PECC to solidify salary schedule recommendations.

Food service workers, paraprofessionals could get raises

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Food service managers, lunch cooks and paraprofessionals in Delaware schools could soon see a bump in their paychecks.  The Public Education Compensation Committee Monday night discussed increasing food service managers’ and lunch cooks’ pay 2.5% starting in the 2024-2025 school year.  It did not vote to recommend the raises, but is expected to at its June 12 meeting. This would …

Booster seats and beer gardens were topics of discussions for two bills Thursday.

Booster seats, beer gardens, banking discussed in Senate

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Child booster seats and beer garden workers  had two things in common Thursday: Bills involving each were on the Delaware Senate’s agency, and both passed handily. Senate Bill 68, sponsored by Rep. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, would require children under 2 years old and under 30 pounds to be seated in a rear-facing seat with a 5-point harness.  Children under …

Oral health checks bill passes through.

Oral health checks, animal abuse report bills pass House

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Three bills unanimously flew through the Delaware House of Representatives Tuesday. The first one, House Bill 83, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton, requires every public school to provide kindergarten students an oral health screening by the last day of each school year.  “Oral health care is so vital for our children’s health, not just physically but mentally and socially,” …

School board elections are Tuesday with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

School board elections: polls open until 8 p.m. Tuesday

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Today’s the day: after nine weeks of campaigning, 40 Delawareans will compete for 23 school board seats in Tuesday’s school board elections.  “Over the last couple of months, our campaign has had the opportunity to connect with thousands of voters who’ve shared their stories, hopes, and aspiration for Red Clay and its future,” said Jose Matthews, an incumbent board member …

SB would ramp up the state's efforts to eliminate lead paint exposure and lead poisoning for children. (Jarek Rutz/Delaware LIVE News)

State looks to rectify effects of lead paint with new bill

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Health

A state senator introduced a bill Monday that would crack down on lead paint in homes, including rental apartments, to prevent lead poisoning in children. Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington, would create a process for health officials to identify and remediate homes that contain exposed lead paint, which includes screening every residential rental property in Delaware.  The …

The Senate voted to lower the workload for Division of Family Services caseworkers.

Senate votes to ease workload of Family Service workers

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Case workers for the Division of Family Services could soon be getting a reduced workload. The Delaware Senate voted Tuesday to approve a recommendation made by the Child Protection Accountability Commission to drop the number of families that case workers follow from 18 to 12. Senate Bill 33, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, would act on the commission’s …

creates a tax system for legal marijuana in Delaware. The Senate votes next. (Wesley Gibbs photo from Unsplash)

Delaware House approves marijuana tax bill

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill that creates a tax system for legal marijuana in the state. House Bill 2, which passed 27-13, is a companion bill to House Bill 1, which was passed by the House the other day and would legalize marijuana. HB2 next goes to the Senate. Gov. John Carney vetoed a similar …

IN A LETTER TO LAWMAKERS EXPLAINING HIS VETO, CARNEY SAID IT’S ALREADY LAWFUL FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS IN DELAWARE TO POSSESS FIREARMS UNDER STATE LAW. (GETTY IMAGES)

2022 Rewind: Carney vetoes medical marijuana gun bill

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines

This story was originally published in October 2022 Delaware Gov. John Carney on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have allowed medical marijuana patients to possess firearms without fear of prosecution by the state. It’s illegal under federal law for medical marijuana patients to purchase or own firearms. That wouldn’t have changed under House Bill 276, but patients who are not …

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 …