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Delaware ranked best in nation at tipping
Here’s another thing that Delaware is first at: Tipping at restaurants. That seems to surprise Food & Wine magazine, which noted in a recent article how small the state is and suggested the higher tipping likely is because Delaware has no state or local sales taxes. Carl Georigi, CEO of Platinum Dining Group, wasn’t surprised – but only after he ... Read More
Carney vetoes bill to rework employee benefits committee
Gov. John Carney on Tuesday vetoed a bill to restructure the state committee that tried to move state retirees from a rich health plan to a Medicare Advantage one to save money. House Bill 282, sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, is one of several that grew out of a year’s worth of committee hearings. It promised to revise the ... Read More
Senate moves to address school funding study with commission
After a couple of briefings on the landmark December 2023 report on school funding that says Delaware should invest up to $1 billion more into it, the state legislature is moving to take action. Tuesday, the Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 201, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Hockessin and chair of the Senate Education Committee, which establishes the Public Education ... Read More
Trans athletes should compete based on birth gender, bill says
A controversial topic that has swept the nation – transgender athletes – will show up in the Delaware General Assembly Wednesday. Dubbed the “Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act,” Senate Bill 191 is on the agenda of the Senate Education Committee and if approved would force a trans student athlete to compete only with others who share their biological gender. Sponsored ... Read More
Legislator: Mental health programs hurt Delaware classrooms
A member of the state task force that’s trying to improve student behavior and school environments in schools said that tiered mental health programs are killing Delaware classroom productivity. “They don’t need all the fancy stuff,” said Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, said. “They don’t need the interventions. They don’t need the couches, they don’t need the specialists. They just need ... Read More
Delaware House to salute 6 departing members
Among the last week’s work in the 2024 session will be Delaware House of Representatives saluting six legislators who are leaving or have left the Delaware House. They include Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, D-Wilmington; Rep. Sean Matthews, D-Middletown; Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark; Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach; Rep. Michael Ramone, R-Newark/Pike Creek; and former Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown. On ... Read More
Bond bill: 5 school districts will share $160 million for projects
The state will invest $160 million for school projects in six districts and $100 million in deferred maintenance and capital improvements in state buildings, according to the $1.1 billion capital budget introduced Monday. The $160 million for school construction projects is the largest amount of money designated and will go to Smyrna, Red Clay, Colonial, New Castle County Vo-Tech, Polytech ... Read More
Animal Partners to host free vaccine clinic for Sussex pets
An animal welfare group will host two free wellness and vaccine clinics for Sussex County pet owners, the first Thursday, June 27, at the Bridgeville Goodwill. Humane Animal Partners, which has adoption centers in Rehoboth Beach, Wilmington and Stanton/Christiana, is sponsoring the clinics because it can be difficult for people in Sussex County to find accessible, affordable veterinary care. The ... Read More
Delaware LIVE wins 4 awards in national contest
Delaware LIVE reporters won four awards, including a first place, in the 2024 National Federation of Press Women Professional Communications Contest. The national contest pits first-place state winners against each other, in this case winners of the the 2024 Delaware Press Association 2024 Professional Communications Contest. Editor Betsy Price won first place in specialty articles/hobby for “They spend weeks lighting ... Read More
Fireworks and so forth to celebrate Independence Day in Del.
Most Delaware places known for Fourth of July fireworks and other Independence Day activities have announced their plans. Organizers consistently ask for people to arrive early and leave late, and the Delaware Department of Transportation warns that many events close roads, too. In other words, traffic could be bad. Organizers also often ask for contributions to support the celebrations. Go ... Read More
Wilmington task force finds fines, fees are ‘high pain, low gain’
Water fees have risen the most of any city of Wilmington fees, and the city is increasing its use of the water/sewer fund to pay for general city expenses, according to a city task force report. The report said, among other findings, that using fines and fees is a low-reward system. The 16-page report, conducted by Wilmington’s Fines and Fees ... Read More
Blue team breaks records in 68th DFRC All Star game
The 68th DFRC Blue-Gold All Star Football Game took place Friday night at the University at the University of Delaware. The Game showcases Hand-in-Hand Buddies children and young adults with intellectual disabilities and Delaware’s finest high school student leaders who participate as football players, cheerleaders, band members, and school ambassadors. Forty-eight schools across the state will be represented ... Read More
NBN Sports Academy opens new facility in Hockessin
NBN Sports Academy has opened its new facility in Hockessin. NBN purchased the old Hockessin Indoor Tennis Facility and turned it into a basketball and Volleyball training facility with 3 high school courts with shot clocks. The basketball courts can then be converted into 5 volleyball courts. The facility also includes a cafe, classrooms, and training and physical therapy area. ... Read More
State moves to bolster sports tourism with $11.3 million in grants
An indoor track, a Frederica sports site, a pickleball complex and a tournament site have been awarded $11.3 million from a state fund devoted to boosting sports tourism. Established last year, the Sports Tourism Capital Investment Fund’s allocations are announced by the Delaware Tourism Office, providing grants in support of sports facilities like arenas, courts, fields, aquatics facilities, track and ... Read More
Delmarva Corrugated Packaging shows off $90M high-tech plant
Delmarva Corrugated Packaging recently showed off its $90 million high-tech manufacturing facility in Dover that makes state-of-the-art packaging and has created jobs for 160 people. During its “open the box” event, it also announced a new solar panel project and a partnership with Autism Delaware. The 465,000-square-foot, rail-served facility is located on a 37.4-acre site at 1601 POW/MIA Parkway and ... Read More
Breast cancer young survivor wants to help others cope
Stephanie Cumella was only 32, with two young children, when she was diagnosed with a deadly form of breast cancer. The disease threw her world into chaos as she tried to cope with treatment, work, family life and more. It would also lead her into a career change, working with young breast cancer survivors who, like her, were diagnosed in ... Read More
Assisted suicide bill dies in Senate
A controversial bill that would give terminally ill people the right to end their lives failed to pass the Delaware Senate Thursday. House Bill 140, sponsored by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, would have permitted a terminally ill adult resident of Delaware to request and self-administer medication to end the individual’s life in a humane and dignified manner. The medication is ... Read More
Budget blows through Senate; bit slower in the House
The 2025 Delaware state budget quickly passed the Senate Thursday afternoon and the House in the evening. The $6.1 billion budget, outlined in Senate Bill 325, goes into effect July 1, and likely will be signed into law next week by Gov. John Carney before the session ends. Quick budget approval hasn’t always been the case in the General Assembly. ... Read More
State may get official cocktail: The Orange Crush
Delaware residents soon will be able to say “cheers” or “bottoms up” with the First State’s official cocktail. House Bill 444, sponsored by Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, designates the Orange Crush as the state cocktail, passed the state House Thursday night. The point of declaring a state cocktail is to increase tourism, Schwartzkopf said before asking for a vote. ... Read More
Affordable housing group seeks school tax exemptions
The Delaware legislature pushed through a bill that would exempt an affordable housing organization from paying certain taxes. Senate Bill 78, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, D-Wilmington, exempts people from paying school property taxes on real estate owned by Todmorden Foundation and used for the purposes of affordable housing. That organization is a non-profit that provides affordable ... Read More
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