A Wilmington man has been convicted in a nearly four-year-long cold case. On May 15, Dashawn Daley, 29, of Wilmington pleaded guilty to Murder 2nd Degree, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. This conviction follows an investigation into the fatal 2019 shooting of then 29-year-old Hakeem Smalls. “I am grateful […]

Delaware 250 is pleased to announce the recipients of its inaugural cycle of grants to support planning and programming for the upcoming United States Semiquincentennial Anniversary in 2026.  This anniversary recognizes 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A special project of the Delaware Heritage Commission and the Delaware Public Archives, Delaware […]

Conviction is State’s first use of updated “partial nudity” statute  A Wilmington man could spend the rest of his life in prison following a litany of felony convictions in a child pornography case. Sheldon Lee, 64, was convicted on May 16 of 50 felonies — 25 counts of Dealing in Child Pornography and 25 counts […]

For the third consecutive year, the ASPIRE529 program will again offer financial assistance to youth in or aging out of the foster care system seeking higher education according to State Treasurer Colleen Davis. “The high school graduation rate for youth in foster care in Delaware is just over 50 percent, with less than 5 percent […]

Wilmington, DE, May 31, 2024 – Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HFHNCC) and Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), in partnership with Governor John Carney’s office, are proud to announce a press conference to highlight their efforts in supporting homeownership and community development across Wilmington and the entire state of Delaware. The press conference, […]

DNREC will present a free lecture Thursday, June 13 to introduce property owners to living shorelines in Delaware, a type of green infrastructure using natural materials. The hour-long lecture hosted by the South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach is presented by the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship in conjunction with the Delaware Living Shorelines Committee.

Olympic athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee delivered a motivational keynote address DOVER, Del. (June 6, 2024) – The Delaware Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention (PANO) Program hosted its second annual Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference today. At Delaware State University’s (DSU) Martin Luther King Jr. Conference Center, approximately 300 participants came together […]

Notice of Funding Opportunity About Delaware 250 The year 2026 will see the United States Semiquincentennial, the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of America’s (and Delaware’s) independence. This anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on Delaware’s unique history and its contributions over the course of the nation’s history. This is a story that begins millennia […]

Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski joined state and local officials to celebrate the opening of the $21 million first phase of the Park Avenue relocation project on Friday. The nearly two-mile segment of road included reconstruction of Arrow Safety Road from Route 113 to S. Bedford Street, a new roundabout at the intersection of S. […]

Residents can learn about programs that provide grants to help make their homes more energy efficient.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) in partnership with the Delaware State Police announce that beginning Monday, July 8, 2024, the Electronic Speed Safety Program (ESSP) will be active in the I-95/Route 896 construction zone in Newark and will last until the end of the project.

By aligning outreach efforts at the Positively Dover African American Festival, DPH and DST aim to improve health outcomes statewide. DOVER, DEL. (June 20, 2024) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) Bureau and the Community Health Mobile Unit are partnering with the Dover Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma […]

Attorney General Kathy Jennings released today the following statement on the Supreme Court of the United States’ ruling in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma: “Today the Supreme Court issued a ruling that jeopardizes a $45 million opioid settlement that Delaware reached with Sackler family. While this represents a setback for us, we are not giving up. […]

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday issued the following statement on the Delaware Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of absentee and early voting: “I’ve always believed that we should make it easier, not harder, for Delawareans to exercise their fundamental right to vote. I’m pleased that the Supreme Court has unanimously confirmed that Delaware […]

Employer participation in Delaware EARNS is required by law for those who do not offer a qualified retirement plan. Beginning today, employer registration opens for the state’s new retirement saving program, Delaware EARNS. All Delaware employers who have five or more W-2 employees and do not offer a qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k), […]

  Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 Study Highlights Vital Role of Arts and Culture in Building More Livable Communities Around the Country   Wilmington, Del. (July 1, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts today announced that Delaware’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $209.5 million in economic activity in 2022, according to the […]

The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) has received reports of out-of-state entities contacting potential social equity applicants in Delaware. These entities may be trying to trick you into paying for help securing a social equity license.   The OMC does not endorse these activities and is working to investigate them, partnering with the Department […]

DNREC will hold a joint virtual public hearing Tuesday, July 9 at 6 p.m. on multiple permit applications and authorization requests made to DNREC by wind energy developer US Wind, Inc. involving Delaware aspects of the company’s proposed Maryland offshore wind project.

More than 140 students and advisors from across Delaware joined more than  12,000 other members at the 47th annual HOSA-Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference in Houston last week. Delaware students represented the First State in competitive events that included: medical math, public health, behavioral health, community awareness, and more.   

The Delaware Department of Education announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy for free and reduced-price meals for children unable to pay the full price for meals served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and After School Snack Program (ASSP). Each participating school and its administrative office have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

On July 1st, the Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Unit launched a new personal data privacy portal, privacy.delaware.gov, as a navigational tool for parents, consumers and businesses that handle Delawareans’ personal data to help prepare for the upcoming implementation of the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act (DPDPA), which goes into effect in January 2025. […]

Delaware county and municipal governments, conservation districts, and estuary programs can now submit proposals to DNREC through Aug. 21 to receive matching grants for surface water project planning.

The Smart Food Program, a first in the nation project, will save food waste and reach families in need by using an AI-driven app to match surplus food to SNAP demands    WILMINGTON, Del. — Delaware will be the first state to pilot an innovative app to help those hardest hit by economic challenges stretch […]

DNREC invites families of all ages to participate in “Life in the Bay,” the popular youth education program geared toward children aged 6 and older, but with equal appeal to adults who want to learn about fish and other aquatic creatures that live in the Delaware Bay.

   A Maryland man has been sentenced to more than three decades in prison for the fatal shooting of Charles “Jaimie” Kupidlowski in 2023.     On June 17, Steven M. Smith of Centreville, MD, pleaded guilty in Kent County Superior Court to Murder 2nd Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a […]

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has confirmed a find of box tree moth (BTM; Cydalima perspectalis) at a private residence in Kent County, Delaware. The box tree moth is a federally regulated pest that primarily feeds on boxwood species (Buxus spp.). If left unchecked, it causes significant damage and can potentially kill the plants. Boxwoods are a popular ornamental evergreen shrub common to many landscape environments in the United States.

The Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) is seeking funding requests for tree-planting projects that will be completed in 2025.

The Delaware Department of Justice has secured five years in prison followed by probation for a Wilmington woman who stole thousands of dollars worth of goods from Delaware retail chains between 2023 and 2024.      On July 10, Jasmine Williams, 36, was sentenced to five years of Level V prison followed by one year of […]

The Delaware State Fire Commission has recently announced the implementation of new updated emergency medical services (EMS) protocols aimed at improving healthcare response in critical situations. These protocols were established after extensive consultations with medical professionals, emergency responders, and other stakeholders in the healthcare industry. The objective is to ensure a consistent and standardized approach […]

Dover, Del. – July 22, 2024 –The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and Discover Bank announced a significant milestone in their long-standing partnership to expand homeownership opportunities for low-to-moderate-income residents across the state. Over the past decade, the collaborative lending program has provided more than $500 million in mortgage financing to 2,780 first-time homebuyers with […]

Two districts and two charter schools will benefit from the federal Rural and Low Income Schools program grant to provide rural districts and schools with financial assistance for initiatives aimed at improving student achievement.

Early childhood professionals who earn a Child Development Associate credential now also can receive 12 credits at Delaware institutes of higher education under a new agreement with the state.

Today the Delaware Tourism Office (DTO) announced a new grant program, the Tournaments, Events, and Athletic Meets Sponsorship (TEAMS) Program, designed to expand the office’s resources in recruiting sporting events to Delaware. The program aims to attract new regional, national, and international sporting events at amateur, collegiate, and professional levels while ensuring that current sports events maintain their place and continue to grow for years to come in Delaware.

In early June, DNREC kicked off a summer internship program to offer accomplished college students and recent graduates an opportunity to work alongside experts in public service and science.

Dover, Del. August 7, 2024 – The Delaware State Housing Authority  (DSHA) has awarded over $5,000,000 in Housing Stability Program (HSP) grants to eight community partner organizations throughout the state. HSP’s mission is twofold: to prevent imminent evictions by offering emergency rental assistance to households facing court dates, and to secure new housing opportunities by […]

Statewide, DEL. (August 7, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts is investing nearly $4.5 million in more than 100 arts and community organizations that will serve Delawareans statewide with arts programming and services, arts education, and arts marketing and promotion. This first round of funding for FY2025 includes General Operating Support, Project Support, […]

The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced the 28th round of easement selections by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation, preserving 40 farms and 2,262 acres of farmland. With this announcement, the Carney administration has preserved 403 farms, the highest number in the program’s history.

For Immediate Release: August 13, 2024 Contact: Samuel Barry, Policy Advisor (302) 382-0651, Samuel.Barry@delaware.gov The tracker is a publicly accessible tool for Delawareans to learn about how Prescription Opioid Abatement and Remediation Grants have been distributed to date. Dover, DE – Delaware Auditor of Accounts Lydia E. York published an official Prescription Opioid Settlement Tracker […]

DNREC announced today the 2025 Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) grants will have a focus on equity. This change comes after the CEPF grant process was revamped to better address community needs and strengthen partnerships.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney and First Spouse Tracey Quillen Carney joined Senator Coons, members of the General Assembly, Mayor Mike Purzycki, the Christina School District, the Delaware Department of Education, the Wilmington Learning Collaborative, educators, students, families, and community members to celebrate the grand opening of the Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy. “The brand-new Maurice Pritchett Sr. Academy […]

Students across Delaware benefitted from multiple enrichment programs this summer designed to enhance literacy skills and overall well-being. Backed by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), Governor John Carney, and key community partners, the programs were offered in school districts and charter schools statewide.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE by Delaware, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, Wisconsin and 25 other states Arkansas, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, Wisconsin, their coalition partners, and other states will take possession of more than $190 million in unclaimed property. August 28, 2024 – Officials from the state of Delaware, and officials from the states of Arkansas, Pennsylvania, California, […]

To celebrate September as National Preparedness Month, more than 45 public safety agencies, nonprofits, and utilities will join together for the 18th Annual Family Emergency Preparedness Day on Saturday, September 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brecknock County Park, 80 Old Camden Road, Camden, Delaware. There is no cost to attend and free parking is available onsite at the park. There is no rain date. The event offers attendees a chance to meet first responders and public safety experts in a fun, friendly environment where families can find a wealth of information and resources to promote emergency preparedness and help them “make a plan, build a kit, and stay informed” by visiting PrepareDE.org. Family Emergency Preparedness Day is sponsored by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), Kent County Parks and Recreation, Kent County Department of Public Safety, Delaware State Fire School, and the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Office of Preparedness.

Navarro notes consumer reports spurred investigation Following a nearly years-long Market Conduct investigation, Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro announced today penalties against Highmark totaling $363,570 relating to improper volunteer ambulance company claims reimbursement. Investigations began after reports were received that payments were going to residents rather than directly to volunteer ambulance companies for payment of services. […]

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA), in partnership with the Division of Small Business, officially launched the Delaware Agricultural Financing Program (DAFP) today. This new program aims to increase the viability of Delaware’s agricultural industry by broadening lending opportunities across the agricultural sector.

Two individuals have been sentenced in connection with a 2020 missing person investigation turned murder case that crossed state lines. On August 28, Leonard Church of Henderson, Maryland and Esther Wright AKA Esther Hurtado-Chavez, of Clayton, were sentenced in Kent County Superior Court. Church, 43, was sentenced to 90 years of prison, suspended after 65 […]

DOVER – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and a coalition of partners will elevate awareness about Delaware 988 — the state’s suicide and crisis lifeline — and foster a supportive community environment for mental health during September, National Suicide Prevention Month. DHSS has organized a Week of Action as part of […]

The Delaware Department of Elections is informing voters that automatically registered voters may declare their party at the State Primary Election, September 10, 2024. Delaware is a Closed Primary State, meaning that only voters affiliated with the Democratic or Republican parties may vote in their party’s Primary Election. Eligible Voters must vote at their assigned Polling Place, and Polling Places are open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Primary Election Day.

MONEY MATCH is One of Several Ongoing Initiatives to Increase the Return of Unclaimed Property to Owners The second week of September means it is time for back-to-school, pumpkin spice lattes, football, cool fall weather, and the State of Delaware’s annual MONEY MATCH check program. This week, the Delaware Office of Unclaimed Property will return […]

The Fire Prevention Commission was honored by a visit from Senator Carper on September 13, 2024.  This was an opportunity for the Fire Commission to celebrate Senator Carper and the years of support and dedication that he’s shared with first responders both nationally and in Delaware. Representing the Delaware Fire Service Center was the Fire […]