Legislation recommending the creation of penalties for misrepresentation of a service animal under the Delaware Equal Accommodations Law and misrepresentation of an assistance animal under the Delaware Fair Housing Act has been introduced into Delaware's General Assembly.

Legislation to provide next of kin of Delaware National Guard, fire or police department members with a flag has been introduced in the General Assembly.

Last Friday, the Delaware Superior Court handed down a decision finding Delaware's early voting law to be in violation of the state constitution. Many House and Senate Republicans raised the unconstitutional nature of the legislation, House Bill 38, when it was debated in 2019. Unfortunately, our objections fell on deaf ears.

Like many of you, we watched and read about the horrific, unprovoked terrorist attacks that occurred throughout the sovereign nation of Israel this weekend. We witnessed the videos of innocent families being kidnapped, children senselessly murdered, and women dragged through the streets. The Delaware State Senate Republican Caucus stands firmly in support of Israel and its people. We mourn for those who have lost family members and pray for Israel's military personnel who are currently undertaking a campaign to protect its people and territory from terrorist organizations.

"I am formally calling for the Senate Executive Committee to take action on SB 79. Adding term limits for members of the legislature, Attorney General, Auditor, and more was not simply a campaign promise, but rather is a move that must be made..."

On Friday, August 11, 2023, Senator Brian Pettyjohn (R - Georgetown) and Senator Eric Buckson (R - Dover) issued the below statement regarding the release of the statewide assessment results.

On Thursday, August 10, 2023, Governor John Carney signed two bills into law that provide additional care and services for police K-9s into law. Both pieces of legislation were sponsored by Senate Republicans with wide bipartisan support.

On Friday, June 23, 2023, Senator Bryant Richardson (R - Seaford) announced his intention to introduce the Fairness in Girls' Sports Act. Senate Bill 191 (SB 191) would ensure a level playing-field for female student athletes, requiring individuals to participate in a sport associated with his or her biological sex.

A bill introduced Thursday adding protections for gender-affirming care in Delaware has drawn criticism from Republicans for the impact it would have on parental rights.

This afternoon, members of the House and Senate Democratic caucuses introduced House Bill 230 (HB 230). It would, in essence, change the policy of the state so that parental concerns about their children receiving irreversible gender-affirming care could be disregarded under Delaware law.

On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the Delaware State Senate passed Senate Bill 66 with Senate Amendment 1 (SB 66). Introduced by Senator Eric Buckson (R-Dover), SB 66 requires the Public Health Emergency Commission (Commission) to meet within 30 days after the declaration of a state of emergency relating to public health. The Commission would then meet every 30 days until the termination of the state of emergency order.

On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the Delaware General Assembly passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 72 (SCR 72). Introduced by Senator Dave Lawson (R-Marydel) and Senator Trey Paradee (D-Dover) in the Senate, and Representative William Carson (D-Smyrna) in the House of Representatives, SCR 72 congratulates the 2022 Eagle Scouts for attaining the highest rank one can earn in the Boy Scouts of America.

On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Senator Pettyjohn's Senate Bill 96 (SB 96) is slated to receive a hearing in the Senate Environment, Energy and Transportation Committee.

DOVER, DE - On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, the Delaware State Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 15 (SR 15). Introduced by Senator Dave Lawson (R-Marydel), SR 15 respectfully requests the President of the United States award Vietnam War veteran Jan C. Scruggs the Presidential Citizens Medal.

A new senator, Eric Buckson, has not held back in sharing his frustration about procedures on the floor of the Senate and in committee hearings. I appreciate his willingness to speak out.

As DNREC is closing the public comment period for its new electric vehicle regulations, car dealerships across the state aren't seeing an uptick in buyers.

During the mark-up of the state's operating budget Tuesday, the Joint Finance Committee approved $4.1 million to pay for regulation of a new marijuana industry in Delaware, including 28 new state jobs.

On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, the Delaware State Senate confirmed the nominations of the Honorable Abigail LeGrow and Mr. N. Christopher Griffiths. The Senate Republican Caucus issued the below statement following session.

"In the coming days, I will allow House Bill 1 and House Bill 2 to be enacted into Delaware law without my signature. These two pieces of legislation remove all state-level civil and criminal penalties from simple marijuana possession and create a highly regulated industry to conduct recreational marijuana sales in Delaware. As I've consistently said, I believe the legalization of recreational marijuana is not a step forward. I support both medical marijuana and Delaware's decriminalization law because no one should go to jail for possessing a personal use quantity of marijuana. And today, they do not."

Just a day after we first broke news that one of the Governor's Supreme Court picks was convicted of alcohol-related reckless driving, a Delaware State Senator is now speaking out to say he will not support his confirmation.

Bills Would Curtail or Eliminate DNREC's Ability to Adopt Regulations Seeking to Restrict and Eliminate the Sale of New, Fuel-Powered Vehicles

A state committee will vote April 24 on whether to once again extend retirees current health insurance for another six months.

Sen. Bryant Richardson has asked Gov. John Carney to veto bills dealing with the legalization of marijuana.

Legislation filed by Sen. Bryant Richardson, R-Seaford, last week would require additional state facilities to display public awareness signs about human trafficking.

County Council on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, approved a memorandum of understanding with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to form a funding partnership for the upcoming White Creek dredging project near Bethany Beach. The project would deepen the navigation channel of the creek that links the Indian River Bay and Assawoman Canal, both popular waterways among recreational boaters in eastern Sussex. The $4.7 million project is slated to begin in early February and be completed by March 31.

A Delaware construction executive says that Senate Bill 35, scheduled to be heard today in the House will effectively block non-union contractors from state contracts.

...the Senate's Republicans also opted to keep their leaders - Minority Leader Gerald Hocker of Ocean View and Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn of Georgetown will continue to head the caucus.

State lawmakers will consider a "right to repair" bill for a second time during this year's General Assembly - part of a growing national push to give consumers and independent repair shops more freedom to fix technology like cell phones, farm equipment or medical devices rather than relying on manufacturers' in-house technicians.

With food for thought, holiday favorites were in tune in the heart of Sussex County Monday Night at the 39th edition of Caroling on the Circle.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and La Vida Hospitality have mutually decided not to move forward at this time with a proposed restaurant for Cape Henlopen State Park, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens announced during a public meeting about the project Monday evening at Cape Henlopen High School.

The man killed by police following multiple carjackings and several shootouts on Friday had a number of previous run-ins with the law, including an incident where he fled from police, according to court records.

The Dover Air Force Base Compatible Use Study is nearing its final steps with a final report expected by March.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will hold its annual auction of low-digit surf fishing plates starting Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 9 a.m., at usgovbid.com. The online auction benefits Delaware State Parks.

As an elected official, I have always tried to do what is best for the constituents in the 20th Senate District. Regardless of party, and sometimes regardless of my own personal convictions, the needs of those I represent are always at the forefront of my mind when deciding on whether to support a particular policy or not.

On the eve of Veterans Day, the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is excited to announce Veterans of the United States Armed Forces, or the National Guard can now add a new Veteran indicator to their driver license or identification card.

Click the below link to view the latest newsletter from the Senate GOP.

OPEC+ agreed its deepest cuts to oil production since the 2020 COVID pandemic at a Vienna meeting on Wednesday, curbing supply in an already tight market despite pressure from the United States and others to pump more.

The leader of Delaware's largest firearm advocacy group says a letter penned by the state's attorney general Monday is just another example of her desire to go after Delawareans' guns.

More than 50 state retirees, legislators and other Delawareans against the state's move to a Medicare Advantage Plan rallied against the change in the Louis L. Redding City-County Council Chambers Tuesday.

Lawmakers, state employees and law enforcement officers gathered at Legislative Hall Tuesday to learn how Delaware can better address the scourge of human trafficking.

With the opening of gray squirrel hunting season on Sept. 15, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds Delaware hunters to be vigilant and not to harvest state-endangered Delmarva fox squirrels. Delmarva fox squirrel populations are found in Sussex County at and near the Nanticoke Wildlife Area, Assawoman Wildlife Area, Trap Pond State Park, Redden State Forest and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

New Castle County's Public Safety Department will hold a celebration and recruiting event Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Christiana Mall.

Department of Transportation officials said during a community workshop Thursday night that the bulk of the I-95 "Restore the Corridor" project should be complete by early 2023.

Delaware's mail-in voting law was the subject of a four-hour-long hearing before the state's Court of Chancery Wednesday.

DOVER, DE - At the Council of State Governments - East's (CSG) annual conference this week, Senator Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown) was elected co-chair of the organization's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.

Delaware will remain the state with the highest realty transfer tax in the nation after a bill to decrease the tax died in the General Assembly.

Comprised of 50 attorneys general from across the United States, the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force will investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies responsible for bringing foreign robocalls into the country, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday.

For the first time in state history, the Delaware Senate voted on Monday to take the initial step to remove an elected official from office.

Members of the Delaware State Senate Republican Caucus issued the below statement immediately following the announcement of Monday's special session to consider Senate Concurrent Resolution 128.

The Delaware Senate will reconvene in a special session Monday to consider a resolution to initiate the removal of State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness, its Democratic leadership announced Thursday.

Five years after the first confirmed spotted lanternfly was found in New Castle County in 2017, the spotted lanternfly has made its way to Sussex County, creating a statewide quarantine for this invasive pest.

Hunters reported harvesting 567 wild turkeys during Delaware's month-long spring turkey season, which is 7.4% lower than the 2021 hunting season, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. While the 2022 harvest was slightly lower, it was generally consistent with and in the range of annual turkey harvests over the past decade - during which time the wild turkey came into focus as one of the state's greatest conservation management stories after a restoration effort in the mid-1980s returned this iconic native gamebird to Delaware for the first time since the late 1800s.

Dozens of new mental health counselor and social worker positions will open in Delaware's elementary and middle schools over the next three years - positions educators say may have a workforce ready to fill them.

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of gun violence perpetrated on July 4, 2022, in Highland Park, Illinois, President Biden has ordered flags at all U.S. government buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff until sunset on July 9, 2022.

Delaware has banned 37 invasive plants, and the number will grow.

Guilty on three misdemeanor counts, not guilty on two felonies. Such was the fate of State Auditor Kathy McGuiness Friday in the first conviction of a statewide elected official while in office.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control continued to broaden the recreational appeal of Delaware's renowned artificial reef system by sinking the Texas Star, originally outfitted as a floating casino, at a reef site 16.5 miles offshore of the Delaware coast, with readings of 38.40.494/74.43.868 at a depth of 86 feet. Built in 1977 on a multi-purpose supply ship hull, the Texas Star was last at sea as a commercial scallop catcher/processor vessel, finding its third life at approximately 4:20 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 29 as ocean floor fish habitat planned by DNREC's artificial reef program.

When a wave of mass shootings prompted Democrats in Delaware's state legislature to introduce a package of sweeping gun restrictions, Republicans responded with a proposal of their own: invest more in school safety.

Delaware state Republicans on Saturday introduced a plan to "Rescue Delaware" during a state convention that featured a slate of uncontested statewide GOP candidates and rallying cries to stand against "woke-ism," election-tampering and the "radical left."

A bill seeking to provide legal representations to tenants facing eviction in Delaware stalls in a House Committee.

Governor Carney, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Nikko Brady, and state legislators honored four Delaware farm families for their commitment to keeping farmland within the family for 100 years.

A bill released from the House Administration Committee Wednesday would create a committee to review grants for nonprofit organizations and make recommendations to the Joint Finance Committee.

With the year-long campaign to pass paid family and medical leave in the rearview mirror, the General Assembly returns to work Tuesday with two months left to focus on the rest of its progressive agenda.

Gov. John Carney extended Delaware's public health emergency order by another 30 days Thursday.

Delaware lawmakers approved a rebate program last week that will provide every state resident a one-time direct payment of $300 to help cover the rising costs of gas, groceries and other essentials.

As Delaware's COVID-19 statistics have dipped in a post-omicron surge world, so has the public's interest in the virus.

Delaware lawmakers are fast-tracking a bill that spends some of the state's record-setting surplus by mailing a $300 check to every Delawarean, as the proposal cleared the House on Thursday.

A bill introduced into the state House of Representatives would cut by 25% the taxes paid because of the sale of a home.

The Social Security Administration will resume live services at its offices this week.

The crew aboard the USS Delaware Friday showed off a dress rehearsal of Saturday's commissioning ceremony at the Port of Wilmington.

As more and more stories like Dawson's have surfaced during the last week, lawmakers say they are working out a way to ensure that Delawareans who don't file taxes, such as those on disability insurance, are able to get the $300.

When Dr. Jonathan Kaufmann's son needed an ophthalmology appointment, the family did not drive more than an hour to Nemours Eye Clinic in Wilmington.

Wild turkey hunting in Delaware begins Saturday, April 2 with a one-day turkey hunt for youth ages 10 through 15 and for non-ambulatory hunters, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today - with the regular turkey hunting season opening Saturday, April 9 and running through Saturday, May 7. Hunting hours are a half-hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with no Sunday hunting allowed. Only bearded turkeys may be harvested, and the bag limit is one bearded turkey per hunter each year, regardless of where and when harvested.

As the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to decline in Delaware, the state is shifting its weekly stats update to monthly.

As Delaware emerges from a two-year pandemic with families facing historically high inflation, Democratic and Republican lawmakers and Gov. John Carney announced a plan Thursday to provide direct economic relief to taxpayers.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Thursday announced a plan to give every Delaware taxpayer $300 in direct economic relief.

Delawareans could soon have wine shipped directly to their homes under a bill released from the House Economic Development Committee Tuesday.

Buoyed by personal and corporate income taxes, as well as real estate transfer taxes, predicts of Delaware's 2022 revenues, and therefore its state budget, remain stable.

Four bills aimed at increasing penalties for destructive and dangerous conduct during times of civil disorder will be heard by a Senate committee Wednesday.

Federal laboratory testing has confirmed a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI) case in a commercial broiler farm in Kent County, Delaware. Following an investigation by the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed poultry from this farm tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI).

Governor John Carney and State Chief Information Officer Jason Clarke of the Department of Technology and Information (DTI) on Thursday announced $56 million in Broadband Infrastructure Grants to begin making high-speed wired broadband connections available to every Delaware home. The award recipients, Comcast, Verizon and Mediacom, are current State of Delaware service providers with existing broadband infrastructure that responded to a grant application released in October 2021. The three companies will extend their existing coverage areas to serve more than 11,600 Delaware homes and businesses which do not have access to high-speed, wired broadband service. Construction is expected to begin in the next few weeks.

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers are working on a bill that would fast-track the permit process in all three counties, spurred on by the same vision of the "Ready In Six" initiatives to make the First State stronger in economic development.

Lawmakers on Friday announced increased public access to Legislative Hall, starting with Tuesday's return to session.

Delaware recently sold $255 million in general obligation bonds while retaining its top AAA bond rating. The Feb. 17 sale saw $32.5 million in bonds sold to refinancing 2014 debt at lower interest rates, saving taxpayers more than $7.8 million in total debt service over the next 12 years, according to Finance Secretary Rick Geisenberger. Over the last two years, Delaware has sold $875 million in bonds at a low, average interest cost of 1.76%.

Governor John Carney on Monday announced that he will sign an order terminating the COVID-19 State of Emergency and the masking requirement in public and private K-12 schools and child care facilities effective at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds visitors to Delaware State Parks that 2022 entrance fees will be in effect starting Tuesday, March 1 through Nov. 30.

Governor John Carney and the Office of Women's Advancement & Advocacy (OWAA) announced today that the nomination process is open for induction into the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame and the She's On Her Way Award for 2022. Nomination forms are available online at de.gov/women. The deadline for nominations is midnight on March 15, 2022.

We're well into the new year, spring is just around the corner, and excitement grows among the surf-fishing community. With warmer weather comes more opportunities to visit a state park or drive onto one of Delaware's top-rated beaches. Well, in previous years, anyway.

Thanks to American Rescue Plan Act bucks, the Selbyville Public Library will be able to build a new library and move out of the stately home in which it's now housed.

A Republican State Representative plans to file a bill in the General Assembly to give parents a better idea of what their children are being taught, and how, in Delaware schools.

A Republican-backed bill to nearly double the tax break for senior citizen homeowners is pending action in the Delaware House of Representatives.

Governor John Carney on Monday signed a revisionOpen this document with ReadSpeaker docReader to the State of Emergency order, lifting Delaware's universal indoor mask mandate effective at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 11. Also in Monday's modification, Governor Carney temporarily extended the mask requirement in public and private K-12 schools and child care facilities. That requirement, which applies to children kindergarten-age and older, will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 31.

The state of the state is strong, said Gov. John Carney during his annual address before a joint session of the General Assembly Thursday. Much of Carney's speech focused on the fallout of COVID-19, including its impact on the state's economy and the work that still needs to be done to confront new variants and surges.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that the sale of 2022 Delaware State Parks surf fishing permits will begin Tuesday, Feb. 1 and the sale of annual passes will begin Tuesday, Feb. 15. Sales will begin at 10 a.m. both days. The sale of 2022 surf fishing permits and annual passes was delayed due to nationwide supply chain disruptions.

Governor John Carney on Friday signed a revisionOpen this document with ReadSpeaker docReader to the COVID-19 emergency order, allowing the Division of Public Health (DPH) to approve alternative mitigation measures in place of the mask mandate for professional and NCAA athletes.

On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, The Delaware State Senate Republican Caucus issued the following statement regarding Governor Carney's face-covering mandate and his announced intentions to extend the face-covering requirement for K-12 institutions and child care facilities.

Governor John Carney on Monday signed a revision to the State of Emergency declaration, requiring Delawareans to wear masks in indoor public settings, including convenience stores, grocery stores, gyms, restaurants, bars, hair salons, malls, and casinos.

Delaware House and Senate leaders announced Friday that all legislative committees will meet virtually throughout the month of January when the General Assembly returns to session Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Governor John Carney on Thursday announced a new State of Emergency declaration - effective Monday, January 3, 2022 - to combat the winter surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The new SOE declaration, which will be formally issued on Monday, will: • Allow the State additional flexibility to respond to the winter surge of COVID-19. • Enable members of the Delaware National Guard to work as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in skilled nursing facilities to care for patients currently in Delaware hospitals.

The Senate Republican Caucus recognizes the challenges facing our hospitals' staff and first responders throughout the state. To address these issues, Governor Carney today announced he will be issuing a state of emergency effective this coming Monday, January 3, 2022. We have no doubt that the Delaware National Guard will provide much needed assistance to combat COVID-19 within our hospitals. We thank those in service for continuing to step up to the plate and providing aid where needed. We do, however, urge Governor Carney to immediately rescind the order once the situation in our hospitals improve. We oppose any possible implementation of mandates like what we saw nearly two years ago, such as a statewide face-covering order and capacity limits in businesses and restaurants. Today's announcement reinforces the need for legislation to allow eligible National Guard members to quickly be credentialed as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and, thus, alleviating the requirement for a state of emergency like what will go in place on Monday. This, and other measures such as House Bill 49, which would require the General Assembly to approve the renewal of a state of emergency beyond the initial 30 days, will be of high priority when the Legislature reconvenes on January 11, 2022.

The Delaware Department of Transportation has announced that it has completed its improvements to Route 141 between Newport and New Castle.

Delaware has set aside more than $3 million to audit agencies and nonprofit organizations that receive funding from federal infrastructure and COVID relief bills. The state will perform quarterly reviews of agencies and organizations receiving funds to monitor the efficacy of investments and ensure compliance.

Gov. John Carney has no immediate plans to reinstitute mask or social distancing mandates. Instead, the state will continue to rely on voluntary compliance, he said during a COVID-19 briefing Tuesday.

The Delaware Division of Small Business recognized 15 small businesses Thursday as winners of the fourth round of Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) Grants. Awardees in the latest round of the competition include a company working to alleviate phantom limb pain for amputees, a maker of easy-to-use diagnostic tests for aquaculture, an artisanal popsicle store and a supplier of home brewing materials.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control encourages Delawareans to regift their real Christmas trees to the environment by recycling them at one of the many yard waste recycling facilities located throughout the state. Tree mulch is great for helping conserve and enhance First State soil.

It is official. Phase 8 of the Georgetown to Lewes Trail is complete. The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) marked the completion of this low-stress bicycle connection from downtown Georgetown to Sussex Academy and all points in between with a ribbon cutting on Friday, November 19, 2021 with special guests Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski, State Senator Brian Pettyjohn, State Representative Ruth Briggs King, Mayor of Georgetown Bill West and local officials.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will auction low-digit surf fishing plates starting Monday, Nov. 22, at 9 a.m., at www.usgovbid.com. Between Nov. 22 and Dec. 9, bidders will have the option to bid on 15 tags including tags 26, 54, 132, 211, 301, 454 and on nine "choice" categories, ranging from tags 51 to 9999. The highest bidder in each choice category can choose a number, if not already sold, within that category. The minimum bid for a low-digit surf fishing plate is $250. By state law, surf-fishing tags numbered 1 through 200 are limited to vehicles registered in Delaware.

Delaware will spend $2 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to establish a seed fund aimed at stabilizing and strengthening small and mid-sized farmers and local food supply chain operations. The First State Integrated Food System Program, announced Thursday by Gov. John Carney, will be paid for using funds the state received from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The Delaware Public Archives was proud to join with Nanticoke Indian Tribe Chief Natosha Norwood Carmine, members of the Delaware General Assembly, and more than 125 guests and friends as they unveiled a new Delaware historical marker on Monday, November 15, 2021. The new Indian Mission School historical marker details the school that was founded by the Nanticoke Indian Tribe that established the school in the 1920s, and is located on the Nanticoke Indian Center grounds in Millsboro, Delaware.

Over the past week, I have received numerous questions and concerns regarding the Department of Education's proposed Regulation 815. Specifically, my constituents and I were confused about the language which is being added into a new section titled COVID-19 Mitigation and Prevention. The section as currently written appears to permanently implement face coverings without any qualifying factors such as an emergency order. This has been confirmed by others who are familiar with the regulatory process, both in private conversations and in various forms of media. My staff and I have been told by DOE that this regulation would not be permanent, and that clarifying language would be added to make this clear. As of this writing, no such language has been inserted.

A regulation that many interpreted to mean Delaware schools would indefinitely require mask-wearing is on hold - for now. A proposed amendment to Delaware Administrative Code 815 - the rule schools follow for health examinations and screenings - would have added a section titled "COVID-19 Mitigation and Prevention."

When Delawareans vote for their state representatives and senators a year from now, they could find out that they live in a new legislative district. That's because during a special session of the General Assembly on Monday, both chambers approved Senate Bill 199, which redraws those district boundaries.

If Senate Democrats have their way, the town of Slaughter Beach could become part of the 16th Senate District - and the mayor is not happy about it. Democratic leaders in the State Senate published draft maps of Delaware's 21 Senate districts Monday and announced a date for the legislature to consider a final redistricting bill.

The Delaware Senate has been called on by the governor to return to Dover Wednesday for a special session. Gov. John Carney called the one-day session to have the Senate vote on the confirmation of nine gubernatorial nominees.

It was a hot and humid mid-July day, one of the warmest in the summer up to that point. The tractor I was using on my family's farm had cut out, so I headed back to the farmhouse to get a couple of tools. Oddly, such hurdles don't get under my skin. There was a job to be done, so there was no need - or time - to be annoyed. To say that many here in Sussex have a deep appreciation for Delaware's agricultural community would be a gross understatement. I come from a family of farmers. In fact, our family is direct descendants of the owners of the land where the Town of Georgetown is now located. While not debating legislation in the Senate, I can often be found working on our family farm. Sometimes, it's even necessary to have to repair broken-down equipment in the middle of the day.

For race fans, Delaware is known for being home of the "Monster Mile." Hosting horse races, NASCAR and even the IndyCar at one point, Dover International Speedway has been a fixture in our state since 1969. By contrast, Delawareans living in rural areas know the state as home of the "last mile." Slow, unreliable internet is prevalent in Kent and Sussex counties once you leave the more urban settings. In many instances, internet access isn't even available.

Finally, after nearly 78 years, there is closure. Full military honors, a patriotic flyover and immense outpouring of respect from a caring community punctuated funeral services Saturday for U.S. Army Air Force 2nd Lt. George M. Johnson - one of the long lost souls from World War II.

Delaware will require teachers to be vaccinated or undergo regular testing for COVID-19, Gov. John Carney announced Tuesday. The requirement, which will be formally issued by emergency regulation, takes effect Nov. 1 and applies to teachers, staff members, contractors and volunteers who work in Delaware's public and private K-12 schools.

With a pledge of openness and transparency, two leaders of the state's Democratic Party - Sen. Dave Sokola of Newark and House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf of Rehoboth Beach - hosted the year's first public hearing on redistricting Tuesday. The redistricting process is the constitutionally mandated redrawing of legislative areas stemming from the 2020 U.S. census.

Governor John Carney, Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, U.S. Senator Tom Carper, U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, members of the General Assembly, and the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) on Thursday announced a $110 million investment to cover every "last mile" of Delaware with high-speed, wireline broadband internet service. "Many of the local officials have long said that additional investment must be made in broadband connectivity," said State Senator Brian Pettyjohn. "As the events...

The State's MONEY MATCH program automatically returns lost money to Delaware taxpayers without the usual need to file a claim or gather paperwork, Delaware State Escheator, Brenda Mayrack announced today. This is the second time Delaware has completed the Money Match program. In February 2021, Delaware mailed checks to more than 19,000 people, returning over $3 million back to its rightful owners. In September 2021, Delaware will be mailing checks to over 6,500 additional people, and returning over $900,000 back to its rightful owners.

Beebe Healthcare and Tidal Health will temporarily pause elective surgeries due to the spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations, officials said Monday. Beebe's announcement, which goes into effect Sept. 14, is "out of an abundance of caution," officials said. In the early weeks of the pandemic, nearly all of the Delaware hospitals paused elective procedures, but resumed them months later.

Three years ago, as their daughter was about to enter kindergarten, Megan and Buddy Willey learned young Caroline would no longer qualify for speech therapy through the school district. The Bridgeville family homeschools their children, two of whom require the services of a speech pathologist.

A bipartisan bill aimed at addressing wastewater and drinking water issues in Delaware's underserved communities was signed into law by Gov. John Carney Thursday after six years in the making.

Delaware has become the eighth state in the country to mandate the statewide use of body cameras by police officers.

Delaware announced its 25th consecutive round of easement selections by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation. With the preservation of 3,695 acres, Delaware has permanently preserved more than 143,000 acres of farmland for future generations.

The Division of Public Health has announced a new partnership to provide comprehensive COVID-19 testing, processing, and reporting in the state's schools. The partnership is with the Department of Education and Quidel Corporation to provide on-the-spot results in as little as 10 minutes. Quidel will use its rapid antigen tests for testing.

The Sussex Conservation District (SCD) recently held an open house and dedication ceremony for the Vanderwende-Evans Conservation Center. Over 100 guests, state and local representatives attended the dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting then toured the facility.

Gov. John Carney and the state's top public health officer on Thursday hailed Delaware hitting the federal goal of 70% of those eligible getting at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine before the Fourth of July.

Delaware residents will soon see the effects of a $1.35 billion spending package authorized by both houses of the General Assembly on Tuesday.

These days, it seems like Democrats and Republicans aren't able to agree on much. But on Wednesday, a Republican state senator and Democratic state representative combined forces to support each other's bills and help Delaware grow by supporting the tradespeople it desperately needs.

The Joint Finance Committee finished work on the last of the budget bills for next year. And this is the largest Grant-in-Aid bill in state history. Lawmakers are appropriating about $63.2 million towards the state's various non-profits, arts organizations and fire companies. That's a little over $9 million more than the FY 2021 allocation.

In these last days of Wesley College, let's take a moment for some context: In July 1873, Jesse James pulled off his first successful train robbery. That August, George Armstrong Custer had his first clash with the Sioux Indians. In Dover, on Sept. 1, the Wilmington Conference Academy - which later became Wesley College - was officially chartered, three weeks before a stock market crash led to a major national depression. I continue to doubt that Wesley's charter had anything to do with the Panic of 1873.

Delaware's vaccination program continues to progress nicely, with one key vaccination rate now at 69.4%, just shy of the initial goal of 70%.

Sussex County's highly acclaimed Emergency Medical Services paramedic program has a new home in the bustling heart of western Sussex County.

Growth in population drives economic growth. A growing population increases demand for goods and services, and a growing working-age population means increased production.

Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced that he intends to lift the COVID-19 State of Emergency Order on July 13. Governor Carney first signed the emergency order on March 12, 2020 to confront the spread of COVID-19 in Delaware communities.

A task force has laid out a 10-point plan to address the membership crisis among volunteer fire departments threatening fire protection throughout Delaware. "The decline in new volunteers is alarming, as Delaware's firefighters provide an invaluable service to our communities," Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, a member of that task force and the Senate minority whip.

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Delaware's state Senate approved a bill Thursday requiring more people charged with crimes to pay cash bail in order to be released from custody pending trial.

On Tuesday, Delaware's COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped below 200 for the first time since November.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Health and Human Services (HHS), Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and Dover International Speedway (DIS) have partnered to open a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site for six days beginning Saturday, February 20, 2021.

Nine years after the passage of 2011's SB124, Bloom energy continues to cost Delmarva ratepayers more on their energy bill while failing to live up to the company's promises - and their agreement with the state.