DOVER – With Delaware’s annual spring wild turkey hunting season approaching, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Hunter Education Program reminds both resident and non-resident hunters age 13 and older that they must pass a Division-Approved turkey hunting course before they can legally hunt turkeys in the First State. Also, hunters age 13 and older born after Jan. 1, 1967, must have completed an approved basic hunter education safety course and have a course card/number. These hunter education requirements have collectively helped Delaware turkey hunters achieve an excellent hunting safety record.

DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship is now accepting project proposals for matching grants for community water quality improvement projects.

DNREC reduces the striped bass fishing quota for commercial fishing and limits the number and size of fish that recreational anglers can keep.

Delaware spring 2020 downstate freshwater trout season will begin Saturday, March 7.

DNREC will launch a program to provide incentives to businesses to install refrigeration systems that are less harmful to the environment.

Attorney General Kathy Jennings today announced that Delaware has joined a bipartisan, multistate investigation of JUUL Labs. The 39-state coalition is investigating JUUL’s marketing and sales practices, including targeting of youth. The investigation also concerns claims regarding nicotine content, statements regarding the risks and safety of e-cigarettes, and the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation […]

LEWES – The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park, including a stretch of ocean beach and dunes, and a half-mile along the bay shoreline, will close Sunday, March 1, for the benefit of threatened and endangered beachnesters and migratory shorebirds, including red knot, piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns, and other species. The Point’s nesting habitat […]

Media Contact: Christina Dirksen, Strategic Communications Manager, DTI (302) 739-9500 Christina.Dirksen@delaware.gov DigiGirlz Program Contacts: Claudette Martin-Wus, DTI (302) 739-9636, claudette.martin-wus@delaware.gov HANDS-ON TECH DAY FOR 8TH AND 9TH GRADE GIRLS  DOVER, Del. — Registration is now open for Delaware DigiGirlz Day 2020, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary! Girls in the 8th and 9th grades (or […]

Sanford School senior to advance to National Finals in Washington, DC Smyrna, Del. (February 26, 2020) – From a field of 15 Delaware high school students, Camille Decker, a senior from Sanford School, earned the title of 2020 Poetry Out Loud Delaware State Champion at the state finals held in Smyrna, Del. on Feb. 25. […]

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is actively taking steps to prepare for community spread of the coronavirus disease known as COVID-19, as well as providing information to Delawareans about the actions they can take now to make preparations. To date, no one in Delaware has tested positive for COVID-19.

W.B. Simpson Elementary School 4th grader Latrell McGinnis spent last spring tending to his cabbage in hopes of growing the best-looking cabbage in Delaware. After all the judging was completed, McGinnis’s hard work paid off when he was announced as the state winner during a presentation at his school this week.

Applications for rising 11th or 12th grade student seat are due March 20, 2020  DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Thursday the application period for the student seat on the State Board of Education is open through March 20, 2020. The application can be found on the State Board of Education website. Governor […]

Organizations looking to reduce energy consumption and related costs through energy-efficient lighting now have expanded grant opportunities.

The Delaware Department of Justice’s Office of Civil Rights & Public Trust announced Monday that a grand jury has indicted a Pennsylvania man on two counts of the crime of Abusing a Corpse. In two separate incidents, James T. Schaeffer-Patton, 39, of Pennsylvania is accused of having improperly moved decedents’ bodies during his employment as […]

STANTON (March 2, 2020) – Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) Director Dr. Karyl Rattay announced at a press conference today that DPH has two Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for coronavirus disease in Kent County, who had traveled to a country under a travel alert. Three previous PUIs were tested and all came back negative. […]

The DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Harbor Reserve will reopen for the 2020 season Wednesday, April 1.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is investigating an outbreak of mumps cases among school-age children in New Castle County. As of March 3, 2020, DPH had identified nine cases of mumps as part of this outbreak, including seven confirmed cases and two probable cases.

Tours explore the surviving hull section of an 18th-century shipwreck.

Deadline to submit nominations is midnight on April 21, 2020 WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy (OWAA) on Tuesday announced that the nomination process is open for induction into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame for 2020. Nomination forms are available online at de.gov/women. The deadline for […]

Division of the Arts announces award-winning artists in its annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition Dover, Del. (March 14, 2020) – The talented state employees and their family members were recognized for their artwork exhibited at the ninth annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition sponsored by the National Arts Program®. Twenty-nine awards were awarded in […]

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is focused on taking a proactive and preventative approach to keep communities safe.

A Wilmington man has been sentenced to life without parole for his central role in a June 2016 murder. Brian Wilson, also known as Fudayl Wakim, was convicted in January by a Superior Court jury for Murder First Degree, Conspiracy First Degree, and Criminal Solicitation First Degree after witness testimony, cell phone evidence, and collaboration […]

Email from Governor John Carney:   This is an uncertain time, and Delawareans have understandable questions about the potential impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on their families and communities.   We’ve repeatedly heard versions of this question:  Why would the state close schools, but recommend that childcare centers remain open?   The current guidance from the Delaware Division of […]

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney announced on Monday that the State of Delaware Government Efficiency & Accountability Review (GEAR) public meetings planned in each county over the coming weeks will be postponed until further notice. The town halls were originally scheduled for March 19, 24, and 30.   Delawareans with questions about COVID-19 or their […]

The Delaware Department of Education has received a waiver from the federal government to allow school nutrition programs to provide meals to students during the closure.

To limit the potential spread of the Coronavirus, the Delaware Forest Service is announcing the following actions, effective immediately: The Lodge at Redden State Forest will be closed to the public until further notice. All campsites at Redden and Blackbird State Forests will be closed to the public until further notice. All large gatherings (>25 people) scheduled for any of the State Forests will be cancelled. State Forests will remain open to the general public for the time being for outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, etc.

In accordance with the Governor’s amended State of Emergency declaration, the Honorable Cerron Cade, Secretary of Labor for the State of Delaware has issued new guidelines to enhance the flexibility of Delaware’s unemployment insurance program to provide cash assistance to many Delaware workers whose employment has been impacted directly by coronavirus [COVID-19] and who would […]

DOVER (March 18, 2020) – Maintaining the supply of food and fiber for our citizens, especially during times of an emergency, is of paramount importance. Our poultry industry plays a critical role in feeding our citizens and supplying an abundant, healthy source of protein. “It is extremely important that the entire vertically integrated chain of […]

With COVID-19 and a State of Emergency reshaping daily life in Delaware, Attorney General Kathy Jennings reminds consumers to stay vigilant about businesses illegally raising prices to take advantage of the public’s anxiety. “We will not tolerate preying on people’s fear and uncertainty in a public health emergency,” said Attorney General Jennings. “More than ever, we need […]

Second update provides support to restaurant industry WILMINGTON, Del. –  Governor John Carney on Wednesday issued a second modification to his emergency declaration that allows any restaurant, brewpub, tavern or taproom with a valid on-premise license to sell alcoholic beverages as part of transactions for take-out food or drive through food service. Alcohol sales cannot […]

With the passing of former State Representative William “Bobby” Outten on Tuesday, March 17 Governor Carney has ordered the United States and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff beginning today, March 20 as a mark of respect for Mr. Outten and his service to Delaware. Mr. Outten was elected to […]

Insurers asked to waive prior authorization requirements, cease cancellations and nonrenewals due to missed or delayed payments Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro and the Delaware Department of Insurance today issued a bulletin with recommended actions for the insurance industry. Requests included asking health insurers waive all prior authorization constraints for lab testing and future treatment of […]

Anglers encouraged to practice responsible social distancing. Trout streams closed March 21 until opening.

Delaware beaches closed to help slow spread of coronavirus REHOBOTH, Del. – Governor John Carney on Saturday issued a third modification to his emergency declaration. The new orders close Delaware beaches to help slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The public is prohibited from accessing the beach except to exercise or walk their dogs […]

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is providing an update on the number of positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reported in the state. There have been 56 total laboratory-confirmed cases in the state since March 11. This includes 11 additional cases since yesterday. Of the Delawareans diagnosed with COVID-19, 39 are from […]

Delaware volunteer fire departments that respond to rural wildfires can apply for matching grants up to $4,500 from the Delaware Forest Service's 2020 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Equipment Grant Program. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $350,000 to enhance wildfire response in the First State. The application deadline is Wednesday, May 13, with awardees notified by June 1. All requests must show a 50-50 match in either cash or in-kind services, such as volunteer hours spent on training or responding to field fires. Projects and purchases must be completed by August 1, 2020. For more information, contact Kyle Hoyd at (302) 698-4548 or Kyle.Hoyd@delaware.gov

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday declared a Public Health Emergency and released a more robust Order to assist with Delaware’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) issued a companion order focused on strengthening Delaware’s health care workforce in response […]

State Continues Processing Returns – Taxpayers Urged to File The Delaware Division of Revenue (DOR) today announced the deadline for taxpayers to file their 2019 Delaware personal income tax returns has been extended to July 15, 2020. DOR and the Internal Revenue Service remain open, and taxpayers are encouraged to continue to file their state […]

Sixth SOE modification also protects Delawareans from evictions, foreclosures    WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday issued a sixth modification to his State of Emergency declaration, moving Delaware’s presidential primary to June 2, and suspending residential foreclosures and evictions during the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). The order goes into effect at 8:00 a.m. on […]

In consultation with the Delaware Department of Insurance, Governor John Carney today issued a sixth modification to the state of emergency that requires that insurers cease cancellations or nonrenewals of insurance policies due to nonpayment throughout the duration of the declared Delaware State of Emergency for those residents and business owners who are experiencing a […]

DNREC announced the following changes to Ommelanden shooting range, the Brandywine Zoo, and Go Ape course as a result of COVID-19 issues.

All Non-essential businesses ordered closed at 8 a.m. Tuesday WILMINGTON, Del. –  Governor John Carney on Tuesday provided additional guidance from the State to help employers better understand the fourth and fifth modifications to his State of Emergency declaration, which ordered Delawareans to stay at home whenever possible and closed all non-essential businesses in Delaware to help […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined Wednesday a letter with 32 Attorneys General, led by Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Vermont, urging Amazon, Facebook, eBay, Walmart, and Craigslist to more rigorously monitor price gouging practices by online sellers using their services. “We want the business community and American consumers to know that we endeavor to balance […]

State requests vendors help supply products and services to assist with COVID-19 response WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday announced the State of Delaware requests assistance from vendors throughout the state in the effort to combat coronavirus (COVID-19). In response to Governor Carney’s State of Emergency Declaration, the State of Delaware received many vendor […]

H.E.L.P. to include more industries and additional small businesses WILMINGTON, Del. –  Governor John Carney on Thursday announced the expansion of the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (H.E.L.P.) to provide financial relief for additional industries impacted because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The expansion makes personal care services businesses – such as barber shops, hair salons, nail salons, and beauty shops […]

SMYRNA (March 26, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is confirming the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related fatality in the State of Delaware. The deceased is a 66-year-old male from Sussex County who passed away while hospitalized out of state. The individual had underlying health conditions and was critically ill. The […]

Take advantage of the early opening of the upstate trout season for adult anglers on Tuesday, March 31 to help minimize crowds.

The Draft 2020 Delaware Strategies for State Policies and Spending (State Strategies) document and maps have been released for public review. The review period is from March 30 – April 30, 2020. Please join us for Virtual Public Information Sessions on April 7, 2020; two identical sessions will be held at 10:00 am and 5:30 […]

Wilmington. Governor Carney changed the Presidential Primary to June 2, 2020 in his 6th update to the State of Emergency.  The change caused changes in two deadlines. The  deadline to change party affiliation changed April 3, 2020. The  deadline to register to vote changed to May 8, 2020. The Governor also ordered that citizens who […]

Existing clients may receive additional benefits for March 2020 and April 2020 NEW CASTLE (March 30, 2020) – Emergency benefits will be made available to Delaware Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants for the months of March and April as part of a provision set forth by the federal Families First Coronavirus Responses Act of […]