Highlands Bunker

Police reform activists Vonda Smack and Tom Donovan join Rob in the bunker to talk about the efforts of NOCAP Delaware to bring more police accountability to Dover through a public police accountability form, and what the general state of policing is in Dover right now.Show Notes:NOCAP Announcement, Facebook, and InstagramDover Mayor, Law Enforcement, and State Officials Address Gun Violence, Victims Speak Out

State representative Frank Burns joins Rob in the bunker to get an update on what has happened with Senate Bill 21, how he was best friends with Pope Leo growing up, and how he navigates the strange culture of legislative hall and Delaware politics.Show Notes:Gov. Meyer to defend landmark corporate law against constitutional challenge Senate passes offshore wind bill that overrides Sussex County decision to deny permitMore about Frank Burns

Karl joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the first meeting of the Wilmington Homelessness Taskforce, and whether or not we can fix all of our problems with abundance. Then, they talk about whether or not the Democratic Party actually matters and what the Democratic Party even is.Show Notes:Wilmington Homelessness TaskforceWhat We Talk About When We Talk About “The Party”Ted Cruz, John Kasich join forces to stop Donald Trump

Councilwoman Shané Darby joins Rob in the bunker to talk about her campaign for state representative and her run-in with the Wilmington police, and then Mr. Cee joins to talk about marijuana legalization and the different types of smokers.Show Notes:The rushed tax brackets billShané Darby's websiteHygh TymesWJVS Radio

Activist Michaelena DeJesus joins Rob in the bunker to talk about her experience of political repression over the last year now that the final charges have finally been dismissed.Show Notes:Jordan Howell's original piece

Bill joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the various ways that Delaware Democrats are melting down in public, the attempts of ZIP Code Wilmington to transform the city and its education system, and an update on your Wilmington Blue Rocks.Show Notes:Madinah Comedy SpecialWe helped Wilmington baristas become coders. We transformed the city

Rob and Karl head down to Legislative Hall in Dover to interview community members and activists who are lobbying in favor of Senate Bill 10, which would allow for compassionate release for prisoners who have served a certain amount of time.Show Notes:Senate Bill 10

State Representative Sophie Phillips joins Rob in the bunker to talk about SB 21 and the potential Delaware fiscal crisis, her legislation dealing with homelessness in Delaware, and the reason why we need body size discrimination legislation.Show Notes:Storm the Fort episode about May DayBody size discrimination legislation

Jordan Howell and Bill Martin join Rob in the bunker to talk about some of the more insidious crackdowns happening at the local level, most notably the trial of a pro-Palestine activist for "assaulting" the police. Then, they talk more about BPG and MBNA and some of their effects on Wilmington.Show Notes:He Was a CrookClearing the good name of Gavin Coco

State Representative Rae Moore joins Rob in the bunker to talk about some of the latest updates in the state legislature, most especially her legislation to expand free school meals for all students and the roadblocks it has faced (since the recording of this episode, it passed out of committee).Show Notes:House Bill 125That big BPG news

Lead-Free Delaware activists Amy Roe and Sarah Bucic join Rob in the bunker to talk about where Delaware is far behind (and actually ahead in one case) in handling lead poisoning, and how our state's culture of profit and institutional inertia prevents us from protecting against even the most obvious threats.Show Notes:Stand Up For Madinah ScreeningComedy Special TicketsLead-Free DelawareHouse Bill 70

Christina School Board members Doug Manley and Monica Moriak join Rob in the bunker to talk about our two favorite things: political dysfunction and the Court of Chancery. We get updates on Naveed Baqir and new attempts to resolve his residency, the upcoming elections and potential leadership election, and what an actual functional school board would look like.Show Notes:Previous Doug episodeMore on the Christina School Board Election

Karl the Producer joins Rob in the bunker to talk about a series of pieces he wrote in the context of the passage of Senate Bill 21, laying out how the modern Delaware Way developed economically and politically in the 70s and 80s against the backdrop of militant teacher action.Show Notes:Wilmington Federations of Teachers Part One, Two, and ThreeCapital Fight or FlightStorm the Fort

Shyanne Miller joins Rob in the bunker for a wide-ranging discussion about how much we need to change our tactics given the stagnation of leftist priorities and the acceleration of corporate priorities.Show Notes:Most recent reporting on SB 21

Historian Dael Norwood joins Rob in the bunker to finally talk about Senate Bill 21, this year's attempt to completely undermine Delaware's judiciary in favor of billionaires like Elon Musk. Not that it has anything to do with Elon Musk, why would you even say that? I don't even know who that is.Show Notes:Unrelated tweet less than two weeks before this bill was releasedSenate hearing on Wednesday, March 12thOriginal Hal Weitzman episodeLast year's corporate law update

Congresswoman Sarah McBride joins Rob and Andrew Galvin in the bunker to talk about how the Democratic Party is responding to the current moment on issues from the economy to Gaza, and how she's navigating a very difficult situation in DC.After the interview, Rob, Andrew, and Karl have a follow-up conversation diving deeper on the current state of affairs.Show Notes:Rep McBride's first speechFour Freedoms Speech

New Castle County Councilman Kevin Caneco joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his path into Delaware politics as a transplant, how he got so interested in land use and why it really matters, and the challenges and benefits of being an insurgent candidate.Show Notes:Battling the PrinceMore on Kevin Caneco

Local historian Syl Woolford joins Rob in the bunker to talk about some of the latest news around Donald Trump and Elon Musk before telling the story of Delaware's 1922 US House Election and the role played by the African American community and an anti-lynching bill.Show Notes:DelDems roll over for MuskFirst part of Wilmington Federation of Teachers pieceStorm the Fort trailer

Recorded on the same day as our first episode in the renovated bunker, Bill and Karl join Rob to talk about the first days of the Trump administration, more about the port and our former governor, and an upcoming podcast on the Knights of Labor.Show Notes:Bethany at the Trump inaugurationFollow Storm the Fort on Blueskyphiladelphiaeagles.com

State senate candidate Riley Figliola and regular guest Madinah Wilson-Anton join Rob in the bunker to talk about the Delaware Way (and its new official bell), and how it affects the upcoming special election and the Port of Wilmington.Show Notes:Riley's website

Where does Dan Cruce live?

To break in a newly-renovated bunker, we are joined by multiple different guests this week: Councilwoman Shané Darby talks about the latest police shooting in Wilmington and how we can demand accountability, Rev. Patrick Burke speaks about the chaos of the early Trump administration, community activist Lakeisha Nix talks about NOCAP Delaware, and State Senate Candidate Riley Figliola talks about how she got involved in politics and why she's running for SD1.Show Notes:More on the police shootingNOCAP DelawareInformation about the special elections

Joe Connor joins Rob in the back room of Gallucios to talk about the first few days of the Meyer and Trump administrations, the importance or lack thereof of attacking Bud Freel, and what we're in store for over the next four years. Plus, a message from the new campaign: Neighbors Organized for Credibility and Accountability in Policing.Show Notes:NOCAP Social Media

With the studio under construction, the bunker is on the road. This week, Rob joins Senator Laura Sturgeon and Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton in legislative hall to talk about the first week of the legislature and what they're looking forward to in the upcoming session.Show Notes:Delaware legislative site

Bill and Karl join Rob in the bunker to talk about our new governor, our new mayor, and a variety of other local and national news stories that have been ringing in the new year in 2025.Show Notes:Bethany Hall-Long swearing inGovernor/Mayor Carney reflects

SD1 and NCC Pres candidate George Frankel joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his experience running for both a real election and the Democrat's special selection process, and where they may agree and disagree.Show Notes:Spotlight Delaware coverage

Various registered Democrats in the 1st Senate District join Rob in the bunker to talk about the latest Democratic Party selection process for the open state senate seats, and what the alternative is.Show Notes:Rae's previous essaySpotlight Delaware coverage

Friendship House Executive Director Kim Eppehimer joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the work they're doing among people experiencing homelessness and how that work is running up against the ongoing transformation of the city of Wilmington, as well as the work of the New Castle County Police Accountability Board.Show Notes:Donate to Friendship HousePolice Accountability Board

Rev. Patrick Burke, Rector of the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his path from the corporate world to the church, the role of faith in grassroots organizing, and the challenges that SsAM has been facing from the city of Wilmington around the issue of homelessness.Show Notes:Why a Wilmington church, 250 others, accuse city police of 'harassment and intimidation'

The crew joins Rob in the bunker to talk briefly talk about some of the results of the 2024 election now that. month has passed. Bonus episode coming later this week at https://www.patreon.com/TheHighlandsBunker

Unlocked for this week: Historian Dael Norwood joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about a Thomas Nast's 1869 "Uncle Sam's Thanksgiving Dinner" comic and what it means about for what America could have been and then what it actually became.Show Notes:Rob's thread on the homeless sweepRichard White EpisodeThe racist Thanksgiving cartoonFreedom and Slavery at Delaware College: A Student Research Symposium

Historian Dael Norwood joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about a Thomas Nast's 1869 "Uncle Sam's Thanksgiving Dinner" comic and what it means about for what America could have been and then what it actually became.See the full episode at https://www.patreon.com/TheHighlandsBunker

Spotlight Delaware Report Nick Stonesifer joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his reporting on the Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission and how it was mismanaged.Show Notes:Delaware's opioid fund differs from any other stateOpioid grants mostly funded prevention, but also raised questions

After being one of the comprehensive public high schools in the country, AI DuPont High School has seen a massive enrollment decline and is under threat from a variety of sources. Our panel of AI alums join Rob in the bunker to talk about their former school and what needs to be done to save it.Show Notes:Wilmington PD pressed city to cancel police accountability rallyNovember 20th Red Clay School Board MeetingFriends of AI Interest FormAI Taskforce Summary and RecommendationsRedding Consortium

We recorded on election night, but you're going to have to pay to hear more. Full episode coming later this morning. https://www.patreon.com/TheHighlandsBunker

ATTENTION loyal podcast listeners! Dr. Tanya Whittle has joined Rob IN THE BUNKER and we need your help to make sure that EVERYONE hears about her work on the New Castle County Police Accountability Board!!! All listens are 8X MATCHED (1 listen = 8 listens), so can we count on YOU today??HBP Stop2QuitShow Notes:New Castle County Police Accountability FormNovember 1st Project Return event

Regular guest Madinah Wilson-Anton and her uncle long-time comedian Rocky Wilson join Rob in the bunker to talk about stand-up comedy: how they got into it, how it's changed, and the best ways to do bits.Show Notes:For Lack of a Better WordStand Up For MadinahMadinah Comedy Info

Whether you're in Wilmington, Tuscon, or St Louis, we still love our boys in blue. Rob joins the bunker virtually to talk about upcoming efforts for police reform, the exploits of police in Delaware and across the country, and some stories about campaign finance and independents.Show Notes:Meyer on police transparencyFormer Delaware State Police officer sentenced to prison for assault on teensRobert Tracy still at itBloomberg donated $250K to support Meyer PAC ahead of primary

Several activists from DE Actions 4 Palestine join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the latest protest at the Dover Air Force Base where munitions are being shipped to Israel. We had some technical issues so apologies for the imperfect audio.Show Notes:DE Actions 4 PalestineIsrael's credit rating downgradedMore on the Dover protest

Spotlight Delaware Editor-in-Chief Jacob Owens joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the model of Spotlight Delaware, how it fits into the current media landscape, and then how all this falls into the post-primary environment.Show Notes:Spotlight Delaware

Bill and Karl join Rob in the bunker to talk more about what the next few years might look like in the wake of the September 10th primary.Show Notes:Crime rates dropping

Jordyn Pusey and Jason Scott join Rob in the bunker to break down the latest primary election results and what they mean for the future of the movement.Show Notes:Primary Election ResultsA Landmark ElectionThe Auditor reportDelaware Call Fundraiser

Christina School Board member Doug Danger Manley joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the roiling series of scandals that have engulfed the school board from executive sessions to shell LLCs to privatization.Show Notes:Latest Bethany Hall-Long articleThe Naveed Baqir FilesDelaware Call Fall Classic

Bunker regulars Jess Scarane and Jordan Howell join Rob in the bunker to preview the upcoming primaries from governor to state house to mayor and also begin the #DraftMisterCelery movement.Show Notes:Check your voting infoDelaware Call Baseball Fall Fundraiser

ACLU Legal Director and former Wilmington Democrats parliamentarian Dwayne Bensing joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the Delaware Call/ACLU lawsuit against Delaware's police, some of the other lawsuits the ACLU is involved in, and then some of his experiences with the Democratic Party in Chicago and a little bit closer to home.Show Notes:Arms shipments to Israel and @MenchOsintACLU's vanity plate lawsuitACLU voting rightsObama's Lost Army

Former Delaware Public Media reporter Rachel Sawicki joins Rob in the bunker to talk about their experience in the Delaware media landscape, the parallels between the Kathy McGuiness and Bethany Hall-Long situations, and then a case study on how police violence gets covered.Show Notes:Rachel's most recent Kathy McGuiness storyEsteban's police violence story

Wilmington activist Haneef Salaam joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the upcoming Justice For All edition of the monthly Positive Vibes in the Park event, the state of the 2024 elections, and the theory of an Old School vs New School Delaware Way.Show Notes:New Book from MayaJustice For All Event on 8/23

Activists James and Henry join Rob in the bunker to talk about their journey into leftist politics and advocacy for Palestine, and some of their takeaways after recent protests in Delaware and Washington DC.

Former Delaware Democratic Party Executive Director Erik Raser-Schramm joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his unique path into politics, his time in the political establishment, and why he wrote an op-ed calling out Bethany Hall-Long and endorsing Matt Meyer for governor.Show Notes:Lt. Gov. Hall-Long's campaign team is getting shaken up — againErik's op-ed

Oh, you thought it was just New Castle County that had horrible police unaccountability? Tye Grier joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about another instance of Dover police violence, and then more about the failed efforts to make change in that arena.Show Notes:Esteban Parra uses passive voice

State Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton joins Rob in the bunker to talk about this week's New Castle County Police Accountability Board meeting, and what it represents in the broader efforts to reform policing in Delaware.Show Notes:Another Day Another Case of Extreme Police Violence