Spotlight Delaware

School has been canceled this week for Lulu M. Ross Elementary School students after their Milford school caught fire Sunday, causing extensive damage to classrooms and the general building. Read the full story, free: https://ow.ly/PFnf5101tl9

The Wilmington City Council isn’t done trying to oust Councilman James Spadola, the Republican-turned-Democrat who kept his seat last month after a Chancery Court judge sided with him in a dispute over his party switch. Get the full story, free: https://ow.ly/nUOQ5101rqV

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings is suing gun manufacturer Glock for allowing the handguns it sells to easily be converted into automatic weapons, an unprecedented move for the state. Get the full story: https://ow.ly/Ig9m5101nav

A Smyrna couple will share their curated collection, The Ossuary — a free “mom and pop museum” of human bones — with the public in a special event on Oct. 31. Meet the couple, and learn more ahead of Halloween: https://ow.ly/Kb4g5101988

As development and population booms in Sussex County, the results of two competitive county council races this November will determine who is voting on growth and development in the county for the next four years. Get the full story, free: https://ow.ly/h2n551015M8

Wilmington reporter Brianna Hill joins “Beyond the Headlines” to give insight into her process reporting on the community’s response to a recent increase in violence in Wilmington, and other pressing local issues. Listen to the podcast or read a transcript: https://ow.ly/xoe551012xh

This week in Delaware: early voting continues, Georgetown reneges on tiny homes, and more. Get all of the info you need to get involved in local issues: https://ow.ly/vEAT5100ZzF

Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and Republican challenger Dr. Mike Katz laid out differing approaches to health care, Social Security and U.S. support for Israel during a candidate forum in Wilmington Thursday — the first day of early voting in Delaware. https://ow.ly/SrMx5100BJC

Delaware, what are you doing this weekend? You may not know, but we do — get the scoop on five fun events across the First State, right here: https://ow.ly/wei45100xKI

All New Castle County school districts have announced they will raise local taxes later this year. Some districts cited increased costs for special education services, while Red Clay said its increase comes from the final phase of a 2024 tax referendum. https://ow.ly/boTi5100xmT

New Castle County intends to reassess every property in northern Delaware a year earlier than previously planned after a recent audit of dozens of commercial properties found more errors. Read more, free: https://ow.ly/vbZu5100l1P

Downstate hospital systems lambasted two proposed ChristianaCare campuses in Georgetown and Camden on Tuesday, following what has been months of controversy that could derail the projects. Read the full story: https://ow.ly/M5Fq5100iN0

The small beachside city of Lewes is considering a temporary ban on new large housing developments. Read the full story: https://ow.ly/G8ww5100hWA Don't miss a Delaware housing update with our free newsletter: https://ow.ly/eili5100hWE

The race to represent Wilmington’s 3rd House District has been unusually turbulent. A residency dispute involving Branden Fletcher-Dominguez now adds to the acrimony. Get the full story: https://ow.ly/b9815100hRQ Don't miss a Delaware update with our newsletter: https://ow.ly/zmVW5100hQZ

Spotlight Delaware's morning newsletter will be delayed today due to a global outage at our email provider. All Spotlight stories are available to read on the website now. We appreciate your patience. Read today's stories here: https://spotlightdelaware.org/latest-news/

Delaware is still 13 days from Nov. 3, 2026 midterm elections, but voters can cast a ballot as soon as Thursday. Early voting will be open 10 days before Election Day. Get all the information, free: https://ow.ly/5cu450ZZTjy

When you think of a restaurant where “everybody knows your name,” a steakhouse likely won’t top the list. But at Rare Steak & Seafood in Lewes, the welcome is as much a part of dinner as the beef: https://ow.ly/A4xy50ZZRps

The state board guiding charity care — how nonprofit hospitals will provide free and discounted care to eligible patients — recently met about long-term accountability for providers. Get news from inside the meeting: https://ow.ly/wStZ50ZZOkG

A federal agent was seen at a Delaware middle school campus Tuesday before apprehending a man in front of the school. The action followed a surge of immigration arrests nationally over the summer. Get the full story, free:https://ow.ly/pftf50ZZHB2

The Delaware Symphony Orchestra’s 121st season will present centuries-old masterworks alongside contemporary compositions. In our latest story, learn what you need to know before you go, after the season's Oct. 25 kickoff: https://ow.ly/Ac4X50ZZvAe

For a Delaware Republican Party that has long struggled to win statewide office, the lead up to this year’s November election has been far from smooth sailing. But discord within the party has made its electoral prospects and future direction more cloudy. Read more, free: https://ow.ly/cQME50ZZvst

Delaware is home to about 120,000 immigrants, and about half have been able to obtain U.S. citizenship. The process often takes years, and experts say getting permanent legal status is getting harder and harder. Read more about pathways to citizenship in Delaware: https://ow.ly/xFNN50ZZvaL

Thinking about becoming a Spotlight Delaware member? A gift of $100+ gets you invited to our Member Mixers! 📅 Oct. 22, 6–8 p.m. 📍 Home Grown Cafe, Newark 🍻 First beer's on us! Join today, then email areives@spotlightdelaware.org for the RSVP link. 👉 spotlightdelaware.org/support?…

Dayesla Ixtli’s free “Diosas & Guerreras: The Living Canvas” is on display at Wilmington's Mezzanine Gallery until Oct. 30. Meet the artist, who uses makeup, body paint, costumes and headdresses to transform her subjects into living, breathing artwork: https://ow.ly/fbyM50ZZ5XI

The Department of Homeland Security has planned a surge of immigrant detentions, leaving some parents in Delaware with the uncertainty of where their American-born children will be placed should they be deported. Get the whole story, free: https://ow.ly/CJ2g50ZZ5wv

Weeks after a late-summer spike in violence, many Wilmington residents are saying they want to see more services for youth and more beat cops building relationships in their neighborhoods. Get the full story, free: https://ow.ly/MXIa50ZZ4BO

Where can you find information about the most important or interesting public meetings happening in Delaware this week? On our website, for free: https://ow.ly/afZx50ZYZEI This week's meetings cover hospital charity care, opioid commission grants, solar fields, data center regulations, and more.

Colleges and universities have spent millions to retain and recruit student athletes. But some schools, including in Delaware, struggle to compete with larger athletic programs. Last month, the U.S. Senate passed a bill aiming to address these concerns. https://ow.ly/4y0m50ZYKVc

Booming data center construction to power artificial intelligence has sparked nationwide backlash over potential for facilities’ electricity use to cause power bill surges. New Castle County’s new ordinance is Delaware's latest attempt to stop this. https://ow.ly/EZ2o50ZYKPn

This weekend’s Delaware events include ConCon in Wilmington, CAMP Rehoboth’s block party, Milton Zombie Fest, the Delmarva Folk Festival and Opera Delaware’s “Don Giovanni.” See dates, locations and ticket details: https://ow.ly/7Igu50ZY5tq

Bayhealth outlined seven expansion and renovation projects, mostly in Kent and Sussex counties, including proposed hybrid emergency department in Smyrna and a $250 million expansion at its Dover campus. Nick Stonesifer reports: https://ow.ly/hq0e50ZY5pm

New Castle County Council passed a second ordinance regulating data centers. Developers of large energy-use facilities would have to show there is enough electricity and transmission infrastructure to support them. Olivia Marble reports: https://ow.ly/8g1q50ZY4Vh

Join us in Wilmington on Sunday, Nov. 15 to celebrate the cultures that make Delaware vibrant at the second annual Our Delaware Cultural Festival. Get your tickets and learn more: https://ow.ly/yhPP50ZXPhr

State police regulators will implement statewide standards for using Flock cameras — modern, artificial intelligence-backed automatic license plate readers, which Delaware police departments say help fight crime, and the public see as a privacy concern. https://ow.ly/5x9b50ZXOG2

In December, a state task force charged with reworking school district boundaries in Wilmington laid out a plan that would impact tens of thousands of families in New Castle County. Now, subcommittees must determine how district consolidation could happen. https://ow.ly/SbMn50ZXNXF

In our latest story, get to know Ben and Diane Winiarczyk, the restaurateurs behind Rehoboth Beach's Shorebreak Lodge — and get to know their restaurant before you visit. Read for free: https://ow.ly/1IRa50ZXMXm

For Delaware painter Logan Farro, art is a tool for navigating young adulthood, self-expression, and countless other topics. Get to know the artist, get a preview of his work, and learn how to catch his exhibition at CAMP Rehoboth, running through Oct. 27: https://ow.ly/WfkF50ZXojr

Dover officials voted to pass a 18-month data center moratorium that is the first regulation of its kind in the state. The move may signal shifts in how municipalities will address concerns over data centers' massive energy use and environmental impact. https://ow.ly/kLSB50ZXl1N

Do you want to see who is funding candidates running for state and county offices? Ahead of the November general election, use Spotlight Delaware's free, public, easy-to-use Campaign Finance Explorer. Access it here: https://ow.ly/byEN50ZXk62

The Hip-Hop Cultural Summit comes to Wilmington on Saturday, Oct. 17. The day will feature an MC battle, drumline and dance performances, live DJs and panel discussions with graffiti pioneer Darryl “Cornbread” McCray and Public Enemy co-founder Chuck D. https://ow.ly/MTUy50ZWZa9

In 2024, Delaware enacted a law expunging low-level criminal records that was expected to clear records for close to 300,000 adults, but disagreement among state officials delayed the process. Now some are unsure if their record was cleared. Read for free: https://ow.ly/RHoj50ZWYmG

Reporters from Spotlight Delaware will be onsite at Browseabout Books tomorrow, Oct. 13 working on news coverage, while also being available to talk with the public about journalism and to hear ideas about stories that should be covered. Get the event rundown here: https://ow.ly/3xYH50ZWXUM

A leading Democrat in the Delaware Senate wants to reform the state’s Freedom of Information Act by opening broad sections of government business to scrutiny, while also giving officials the ability to deny records requests they deem abusive. Get the full story for free: https://ow.ly/3aX650ZWW9E

A new week brings new opportunities to get involved in public meetings statewide as Dover votes on a data center moratorium, New Castle County considers an impact fee hike, Georgetown cottage ordinance discussions continue, and more. Get all the details, free: https://ow.ly/POzV50ZWUwl

Last month, federal regulators approved a gene therapy treatment to prevent complications for children with Sanfilippo Syndrome, a genetic condition. A Delaware 5-year-old received the treatment in an experimental trial, and his family says it's a miracle. https://ow.ly/ITtY50ZWUo8

Join Spotlight Delaware’s second annual Our Delaware Cultural Festival on Sunday, Nov. 15, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Arsht Hall in Wilmington. Adult admission is $10; children get in free. Advance tickets let you skip the ticket line: https://ow.ly/YV6Z50ZWti4

As part of a nationwide legal effort, the Trump administration is suing the University of Delaware to end a longtime policy allowing undocumented students who meet the school’s residency criteria to pay in-state tuition rates to attend UD. Get the full story: https://ow.ly/sMje50ZWo7e

Wherever you are in Delaware, there's something to enjoy this weekend, from Halloween festivities starting early, to art outdoors, and more. Get the full rundown with your Weekend Spotlight: https://ow.ly/5B7G50ZWn6E

After months of building up an office, Delaware’s new government watchdog charged with investigating fraud, waste, mismanagement and corruption is formally seeking out whistleblowers. Get the whole story, free: https://ow.ly/Ym0g50ZW5up

A traffic stop for a flat tire near Bear last month ended with police pepper-spraying and punching a man in the face, leading to injuries that sent him to the emergency room. Get the full story on the incident, for free: https://ow.ly/w0CS50ZW2JS