Delaware

Ragweed allergy season is extending into late summer and early fall across areas including Greater Philadelphia, South Jersey, and Delaware. According to experts, increased temperatures and humidity linked to climate change are contributing to higher pollen counts, which means symptoms like itchy eyes and congestion may last longer this year and in the future.

The article discusses the Delaware election in 2026, noting that three Democrats are fighting to unseat Chris Coons for the U.S. Senate seat. Separately, readers are asked to provide feedback on what journalists might be missing from Delaware or what topics they would like WHYY News to cover.

Jellyfish are increasing significantly on Delaware’s beaches, causing hundreds of stings daily and discouraging some beachgoers from entering the ocean. These jellyfish blooms are attributed to intensified environmental factors, including warmer waters, hot and dry conditions, and favorable water circulation.

The Delaware election 2026 features three Republicans aiming to unseat Sarah McBride in Congress. The content also prompts readers for suggestions on topics journalists are missing about the state of Delaware, specifically asking what WHYY News should cover.

Small businesses are increasingly offering retirement plans, leading to millions more workers having access than they did in 2019. This trend is driven by factors including state mandates and the need for small firms to stay competitive against larger corporations in the talent market. High-growth sectors include public administration, professional services, and finance.

The Democratic primary for attorney general in Delaware involves Kathy Jennings, who seeks a third four-year term, facing challenges from Dwayne Bensing and Patty Rickman during the Sept. 15 primary. This office serves as the state’s chief law enforcement officer, overseeing the Department of Justice, which prosecutes all felonies and almost all misdemeanors statewide. The role also involves investigating police shootings, such as the pending probe into Kadir Skinner.

Heavy rain and winds hit the Northeast U.S., causing impacts including a possible tornado that damaged beach clubs on Long Island. Flooding led to roads closing in Queens and required emergency crews to rescue dozens of people stranded in cars in New Jersey and Delaware. Damage was reported across multiple areas, including downed power lines and property damage.

Heavy rain and winds are currently pounding the Northeast U.S. Storms caused damage, including tearing through a beach on Long Island and knocking out power in Delaware’s capital city.

Delaware lawmakers allege Governor Matt Meyer is retaliating by supporting progressive challengers, such as Adriana Bohm and Shay Frisby, against incumbent senators like Dan Cruce and Ray Seigfried. The accusations point to previous political disagreements over issues including drug costs, corporate law, and the special-election process.

A Delaware lawmaker prompted the General Assembly to mandate reforms regarding how state drug benefits are negotiated with Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). The State Employee Benefits Committee was tasked with examining ways to increase transparency and reduce hidden costs in this process. The reformer argued that requiring PBMs to supply detailed pricing data, rebates, and contract information is necessary for the state to better manage its group health insurance plan.

The Georgetown Town Council voted to start the repeal process for a cottage housing ordinance that was initially adopted last December. This action follows opposition from residents, who argue the zoning regulations are too dense and do not reflect the character of the community. Furthermore, new state law (Senate Bill 23) requires municipalities to incorporate affordable housing plans into their comprehensive plans.

Since 2018, multiple states have banned child marriage, but many US states still permit minors to wed with specific approvals like parental consent or court order. Attention to the issue was recently raised by a child endangerment case in Ohio, prompting renewed national conversation about protections against exploitation. States such as Oklahoma are enacting bills that aim to remove all exceptions for minors seeking to marry.

A user reported receiving a suspicious phone call from someone claiming to be affiliated with the Delaware department of finance or the Delaware treasury. The caller supposedly knew the user's name and then immediately requested their Social Security number (SSN). The user found the interaction highly suspect but is not entirely sure about its legitimacy.

Since 2018, many states have banned child marriage; however, most still permit minors to marry with various approvals. A recent child endangerment case in Ohio increased national discussion about this issue, prompting legislative efforts like the bill passed by senators in Ohio. Oklahoma recently strengthened protections by passing a law that removed all exceptions for marrying under age 18.

Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) is now effective in New York, allowing eligible terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to request medication for self-administered death. The law, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in February 2023, includes safeguards like a five-day waiting period and mental health evaluation. New York joins states like New Jersey, Delaware, and Vermont in implementing MAID.

Global Indemnity PLC reported a second-quarter net income of $11.1 million, or 76 cents per share, with adjusted earnings of 59 cents per share after investment gains. The company generated $116.1 million in revenue during the period.

Delaware's Farm to Processing program, an expansion of the Farm to Community initiative, employs incarcerated individuals at the Sussex Community Corrections Center to prepare fresh produce for distribution to the Western Sussex Boys and Girls Club. The program addresses gaps in processing infrastructure for local farmers while providing skill development opportunities for correctional residents.

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer's Executive Order 25 establishes a conflict of interest policy for his administration members on a legislative unclaimed property task force, a standard not extended to other legislative committees. Critics question the necessity of the order, while supporters highlight ethical governance. The state faces ongoing legal challenges over its handling of unclaimed property revenue.

A nearly $1 million federal grant will fund the construction of 24 affordable homes in Delaware’s Kent and Sussex counties through Milford Housing Development Corporation’s Self-Help Housing program. The initiative uses 'sweat equity' labor to reduce costs and empower low-income families to build their own homes and those of neighbors.

Governors from Oklahoma, Maryland, and Delaware highlight states as laboratories of democracy, focusing on affordability through policies addressing housing, education, child care, and energy. They emphasize states' ability to lower costs via housing supply, consumer protections, child care investments, and growth-oriented policies amid challenges like AI and data centers.

Measles cases in the US have risen to the highest level in 30 years, with 2,371 confirmed cases by July 2023. Clusters in Arizona, South Carolina, and Utah, along with decreasing vaccination rates, are contributing to the outbreaks. Delaware is addressing a cluster through vaccination and contract tracing, though resources have been weakened by cuts.

US measles cases have surpassed 2,371 confirmed infections by July, driven by clusters in Arizona, South Carolina, and Utah. Delaware officials are using vaccination and contact tracing to address a local outbreak, but public health efforts face challenges from decreasing vaccination rates and resource cuts.

Hunter Biden claimed under oath that his family is broke and he owns no valuable assets, amid a lawsuit with Winston Taylor over $17 million in unpaid legal fees. Former President Joe Biden also faces financial challenges, including personal debt and difficulty securing paid speaking engagements.

Governors from Oklahoma, Maryland, Utah, and Delaware announced a bipartisan immigration task force to address a politically divisive issue in the U.S. The initiative was revealed during a Bloomberg This Weekend interview with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Utah Governor Spencer Coz, and Delaware Governor Matt Meyer.

Red knot populations in Delaware Bay have shown slight improvement, with the highest single-day count since 2019, but remain significantly below historic levels. Overharvesting of horseshoe crabs, used for bait and biomedical purposes, has contributed to a 75% decline in red knot numbers since the 1980s. Delaware and New Jersey have implemented partial protections for horseshoe crabs, but recovery remains limited.

Delaware's 2026 primary elections will include races with multiple candidates per party, while unopposed candidates advance directly to the Nov. 3 general election. Voters can determine their state House and Senate district online using their address.

A Russian ballistic missile destroyed a Kyiv drone factory owned by Delaware-registered Terminal Autonomy, marking the first time Moscow has targeted a US company in the war. No casualties were reported.

Delaware police and other entities use Flock Safety's automated license plate readers (ALPRs) for crime investigations, but the technology faces backlash due to privacy concerns, data sharing with federal immigration agents, and reports of misuse. Critics, including privacy advocates and the ACLU, argue the cameras enable warrantless mass surveillance and potential abuse, while law enforcement emphasizes their utility in solving crimes.

Delaware's measles outbreak has risen to five cases in Kent County, all among unvaccinated individuals. A bill requiring private insurers to cover CDC-recommended vaccines before January 2025 is pending. Health officials stress the MMR vaccine's effectiveness and warn of measles' high contagiousness.

Sussex County in Delaware may adopt regulations requiring developments to preserve 30% of pre-existing forest in 'growth areas' and 50% in 'rural areas' to counter development. The proposed law, deferred for further consideration, stems from recommendations by the Sussex County Land Use Reform Working Group.

Candace Owens faces defamation claims from French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte over allegations that Brigitte is a transgender woman. Owens denied retracting her claims, asserting they are based on evidence, while the Macrons argue her statements are false and defamatory. Owens' legal team seeks dismissal using Delaware's borrowing statute and challenges jurisdiction.

Delaware's largest trades union is targeting incumbent Democrats after a labor bill failed in the House, with union leaders expressing anger over not receiving a floor vote. The Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council is attempting to remove House Democrats it accuses of insufficient support and has requested the return of a $5,000 political donation.

Sussex County in Delaware paused land use application reviews after the state adopted Senate Bill 23, the 'Housing for Every Delawarean Act,' which allows certain residential developments to be approved without public hearings. County officials cited concerns over local authority and unclear implementation guidelines, leading to the cancellation of hearings for two major subdivision projects. The county plans to establish new public meeting standards while complying with the law, though this process may delay applications for months.

Wilmington Mayor John Carney vetoed legislation aimed at preventing water shutoffs for households with senior citizens, people with disabilities, and children under 5. The bill, sponsored by Councilwoman Shané Darby, passed the City Council 7-4 but was rejected by Carney, who argued it could incentivize non-payment of public utilities.

A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general has joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s halt of onshore wind projects, which has stalled over 155 projects due to the Department of Defense refusing to conduct national security reviews. The states argue the federal government has unlawfully blocked renewable energy development without providing a reasonable explanation.

A new mobile mammography unit, TidalHealth Mobile Mammography, launched in Sussex County, Delaware, to improve access to breast cancer screenings. The 3D imaging technology bus operates in areas with limited healthcare access, supported by donations including $100,000 from the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation and $125,000 from Joseph Zimmer LLC. It targets underserved regions like Route 13 and Route 113 areas in Sussex County.

Delaware has installed sports betting kiosks in 89 retail stores, offering self-service options for customers to bet on various sports events. While business owners and state officials view the kiosks as a revenue-generating convenience, gambling advocacy groups warn they may increase addiction risks. The kiosks process cash-only bets and contribute to state budget revenues.

Delaware has declared a measles outbreak after identifying four cases in a week, all among unvaccinated adult men in Kent County. The state had no measles cases for over a decade before July 20, and the U.S. is on track for the highest annual infections in 35 years.

President Donald Trump honored four U.S. soldiers killed in the Middle East, including three from an Iranian attack on a Jordanian base and one from a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone in Iraq. Trump met with the families and described the soldiers as heroes before the remains transfer ceremony in Delaware.

A federal appellate court struck down New Jersey’s assault weapons ban on Second Amendment grounds, marking the first such ruling in a case that could influence similar laws in other states. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals decision, led by Judge Arianna Freeman, cited U.S. Supreme Court precedents as grounds for invalidating the law, potentially affecting Delaware, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and pending cases in Illinois and Connecticut. The Supreme Court will hear challenges to assault weapons bans later this year, with a ruling expected by 2027.