The Green

Advocates point to inclusive and comprehensive sex education as one way to counter skewed risks LGBTQ+ people face in the U.S.There isn't a national standardized sex ed curriculum. Requirements at the state level vary, with some having laws in place that stigmatize and/or exclude material involving LGBTQ+ people, relationships and safety.Delaware schools are required to teach sex ed, but state standards don't match nationally recognized standards and must stress abstinence.With that in mind, Planned Parenthood of Delaware is set to start offering IN·clued, an inclusive sex ed program, starting in April.And Delaware Public Media's Abigail Lee sat down with the organization's Patricia Hartman and J. Green to talk about the program.

Newark's Chapel Street Players' performances of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion open this weekend. This staging takes a new look at the theatrical classic, setting it in 1968.On this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny speaks with the show's director, Gwen Armstrong Barker, about the show, the choice of the swinging sixties as a setting, and the possibility that curmudgeonly character Henry Higgins is actually neurodivergent.

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States is fueling an interest in the history of that time period.And the Delaware Public Archives is trying to tap into that interest in some non-traditional ways. Earlier this month, the Archives held its first game night with games designed in-house by Archives staff and the Delaware Historical Society to help attendees to learn about the Revolutionary era and Delaware's role in it.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media's Isreal Hale chats with Delaware Public Archives Reference Archivist Maria Myer and Delaware Historical Society Experience and Education Manger Garrett Hastings about these games and how they can generate interest in First State history.

Gov. Matt Meyer issued an executive order in late January seeking to take steps to deliver ‘smart growth' in the First State – balancing affordability and economic gains with environmental protection - all while avoiding onerous restrictions on where developers can build.How does the Meyer administration plan to do that?Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle digs into the executive order this week to offer some answers.

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Gov. Matt Meyer's State of the State address and budget proposal called for huge investments in early childhood education– about $50 million in state and federal monies.Part of the federal money comes from a federal grant, meant to bolster childcare infrastructure in the First State.Gov.Meyer tapped Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay to take the lead managing this grant and the state's larger effort to improve access to early childhood education and the results it produces.This week, Delaware Public Media State Politics reporter Bente Bouthier sat down with Lt. Gov Gay to discuss the state's plans.

If the recent frigid temps are getting you down, maybe taking some time to plan your summer vacation will cheer you up.If that plan involves getting away to the Delaware beaches later this year, there's a few things you may want to know before you get started.Contributor Eileen Dallalbrida takes a closer look at the beach rental market in 2026.

Literacy rates are falling in the U.S. Reading scores for high school seniors nationwide saw their lowest levels since 1992 last year. And Delaware's unfortunately on par – students saw another stagnant year for reading proficiency in 2025.But this doesn't mean reading culture and book clubs are dead. U.S. publishing revenues totaled $32.5 billion in 2024.And Wuthering Heights is about to hit movie theaters, prompting long loan lines in Delaware libraries.On this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media's Abigail Lee looks into Delaware's many book clubs and the benefits their members reap.

First State Ballet Theatre returns to the stage at the Baby Grand next weekend for a performance featuring a pair of contemporary works. The show is called "Dreams in Motion."On this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny speaks to the ballet's Claire McGregor to learn more.

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Like many states, Delaware is grappling with what to do about data centers and their potential impact – especially on electric rates. In Delaware, much of the effort to address data centers is currently focused at the state level as lawmakers and Gov. Matt Meyer weigh a number of proposals to regulate data centers. And beyond those efforts, just this week, the controversial Project Washington proposal near Delaware City was dealt a blow when DNREC ruled it is prohibited from operating at its planned site under Delaware's Coastal Zone Act.Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle takes a closer look at the First State's work to regulate data centers and their impact.

Two branches of Delaware government are facing off over regulation of legal cannabis businesses as the state's sluggish roll-out of legal marijuana sales continues.The General Assembly passed Senate Bill 75 last year along party lines. It nullifies ordinances passed in the last two years by county government bodies like Sussex County Council that place heavy restrictions on where cannabis businesses can set up shop.Gov. Matt Meyer vetoed the bill in August and now lawmakers are working to override it.This week, DPM State Politics reporter Bente Bouthier sat down the bill's State Senate sponsor Trey Paradee to get his thoughts on why he feels a veto is necessary.

The stories of World War 2 can be epic - full of courage and compassion. One of the lesser-known stories is that of Gino Bartali, an Italian cyclist and Tour de France champion who used his position as one of Italy's most famous athletes to help refugees escape Mussolini's Fascist Italy.Now, that story is coming to the stage in Wilmington, when the Delaware Theatre Company presents the US premiere of Glory Ride, a new musical by Victoria Buchholz and Todd Buchholz.To learn more about the show, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny talked to Delaware Theatre Company's Producing Artistic Director, Mimi Warnick for this week's Arts Playlist.

Depending on your view of football and specifically the Super Bowl, the most important part of the broadcast this Sunday could very well be the commercials.Super Bowl commercials remain big business, and in some years talked about just as much as the game or the halftime show.With ad time going for $8 million and more in some cases for this year's game, Sunday will be no different.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media's Joe Irizarry chats with Colleen Masters, executive creative director at Aloysius, Butler & Clark, about this year's Super Bowl commercials.

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Delaware invested over $8 million dollars across more than 60 development projects through the state's Downtown Development District program in FY 2025 with an additional $5.5 million set aside for another 15 large projects.The Delaware State Housing Authority administers the program and earlier this week, Delaware Public Media's Isreal Hale sat down with DSHA director Matthew Heckles to learn more about how those dollars ar working and plans for the program's future.

So called “Granny crafts and hobbies” are seeing a surge in popularity, but not where you might expect.Young people, including high school- and college-aged students, are turning toward knitting, baking and painting and away from screens in their free time.Crafts can have immediate benefits for adults, including a decline in symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. They can also significantly increase life satisfaction.Delaware Public Media's Abigail Lee sat down with University of Delaware's Center for Counseling and Student Development associate clinician Brooke Kohler to talk about the growing interest in granny crafts among young people.

Art and beauty can be found all around. You don't necessarily need a sweeping landscape; sometimes a simple dumpster can spark joy.That's the thesis behind "For Granted," a new exhibition of works on display now at the Delaware Division of the Arts' Mezzanine Gallery in Wilmington.The photographer behind the exhibition is Delawarean Christopher Starr, and in this week's Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny talked to Starr about finding beauty in the scenes we often take "for granted."

This week, we head back to UD – but this time if for more in-depth piece produce by a student journalist as part of their semester-long independent study project.It comes from Katie Santoro, who set out to understand something many of us feel but rarely talk about, how social media is shaping the way we think, feel, and see ourselves.Katie spoke with a principal, a digital culture professor, a TikTok creator, and someone who stepped away from social media completely.What she found is a story about identity, pressure, and the search for something real in a world that's always watching.

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Delaware recently released its updated Climate Action Plan, building on the first version of the plan unveiled five years ago.Among the issues the plan revisits is sea level rise – its impact in Delaware and how the state can respond.One possible response added to this version of Climate Action Plan is a recommendation to start planning to retreat from areas most vulnerable to chronic flooding from sea-level rise and the bigger storms coming with climate change.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle takes a closer look at this part of the Climate Action Plan and what it could look like.

The best way to improve student learning is in the classroom. But the second best way is through school leadership, according to a report on decades-worth of research on principals.The University of Delaware's Principal Preparation Program keeps that in mind when training educators for school leadership.The 18-month program combines coursework and on-the-ground learning to best serve adult learners and their future students and colleagues.It includes at least two internships, a research project and mentors that remain accessible after the program's completion.Delaware Public Media's Abigail Lee sat down with program leader Alison Travers to talk about the powerful effects principals can have on their schools, like improving student outcomes, absenteeism and teacher retention.

The Delaware Symphony Orchestra returns to the stage at the Grand next week for a concert titled "Waltzing through Winter."On this week's edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny speaks to the orchestra's conductor Michelle Di Russo about the program and the wealth of musical diversity that can be found in a fairly simple dance.

The Delaware Public Archives has a new director.Maegan Peterman is now in charge of leading the Archives' mission to preserve, provide access to and promote the understanding of the state's public record and history.Peterman is familiar with the Public Archives. She's worked there since 2015 when she began her career as a processing archivist.In this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media's Joe Irizarry speaks with Peterman about her vision for the Delaware Public Archives as well as plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding.

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Last week, a buzz was generated when a sales listing appeared for Concord Mall. Was the end near for the retail mainstay on Concord Pike that opened in the late 1960s? Its owner says not so fast, claiming the listing was a mistake – but the mall seems a shell of its former self these days.This week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida takes a closer look at where things stand with Concord Mall and what could be next for it as many malls around the country face extinction.

The bulk of HIV prevention and support services in the nation are funded through the federal government. Delaware is no different.And the First State has seen a substantial reduction in federal funding for HIV prevention services since 2023. Experts say if the government doesn't fund the public health sector, the U.S. will see a rise in HIV.Delaware Public Media's Abigail Lee sat down with the Delaware HIV Consortium Executive Director Tyler Berl to talk about HIV in Delaware and the Consortium's next steps – with or without federal funding.

After a 44-year-long career at Wilmington's Hagley Museum and Library, Jill MacKenzie is stepping down as the museum's executive director.On this installment of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny sits down with MacKenzie to talk about her career, the museum, and the future of the humanities.

ChristianaCare researchers make a breakthrough in lung cancer care.The breakthrough reverses chemotherapy resistance, and the hope is this research will help develop the same results for other cancers in the future.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media's Joe Irizarry talks with Kelly Banas, the lead author of the study and associate director of research at the ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute about the importance of the findings and what might come next.

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The Tharros Tent Village, or Camp Tharros, near Lewes recently closed for the winter as Code Purple shelters open to serve those facing homelessness in that area.This week, Delaware Public Media's Isreal Hale sits down with Mike Agnew, executive director of the Tharros Tent Village and partner of St. Jude Code Purple, to discuss the village project and what they have planned for next year.

The homeownership rate in Delaware decreased by 3% in the last decade, from 74% to 71%, as of 2023. And that's still higher than the national rate, which sits at 64%.So, about a quarter of the state's housing units are occupied by renters. There are state and municipal laws to protect renters, but sometimes it's difficult to dissect those rules.Delaware Public Media's Abigail Lee recently sat down with the Community Legal Aid Society's Deputy Director Sarah Spangler Rhine to go over tenant rights in Delaware.

The work of Delaware-born artist Renita Coursey melds the traditional crafting of her native Nanticoke tribe with the style of vintage streetwear.Her art, including intricate beadwork, is on display this month at the Delaware Division of the Arts' Mezzanine Gallery in Wilmington.In this week's Arts Playlist, Coursey joins Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny to chat about her work, the importance of community and tradition, and her journey as an artist.

Holiday happiness might seem easy, but that's not always the reality.Many can struggle finding the joy expected during the holiday season. While receiving gifts can be great, true happiness during this time of the year is often found in giving to others.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media's Joe Irizarry sits down with University of Delaware Lerner College of Business and Economics asst. professor of marketing Amit Kumar to discuss strategies for finding happiness during the holidays.

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As 2025 comes to a close, efforts to address a plan to build one of the largest data centers in the country near Delaware City in New Castle County and its potential impact on electric rates in the First State remain a work in progress.This week, Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle takes a look at where things stand on the multiple fronts in this ongoing battle.

The 2025 college football season was one of transition in the First State.The University of Delaware made its debut in the major college Football Bowl Subdivision – going 6-6 overall and 4-4 in Conference USA. More importantly, it managed – with a little help - to earn bowl eligibility and will play in an upcoming bowl game.Meanwhile, Delaware State made a remarkable turnaround in its first season under its new head coach, former Philadelphia Eagle great DeSean Jackson. Jackson took the Hornets from 1-11 last year to 8-4 this year and DSU fell just one win shy of its first MEAC title since 2007 and its first ever bid to the Celebration Bowl.News Journal/Delaware Online sportswriter Kevin Tresolini stops by this week to discuss the how the Blue Hens and Hornets made waves this season and what the future might hold for each.

As 2025 comes to a close, efforts to address a plan to build one of the largest data centers in the country near Delaware City in New Castle County and its potential impact on electric rates in the First State remain a work in progress.This week, Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle takes a look at where things stand on the multiple fronts in this ongoing battle.

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One of southern Delaware's oldest musical organizations and one of its newest take the stage together next weekend when the Southern Delaware Chorale and Sodelo, the Southern Delaware Orchestra, team up for a performance of Handel's Messiah.On this edition of Arts Playlist, DPM's Martin Matheny joined by Sodelo's Board President, Steve Greifer to discuss this upcoming event.

When people discuss the growing population in Sussex County, the focus is often on retirees. But the county is also seeing younger workers flocking to the area, a trend documented by new survey by Site Selection Magazine, a national publication that annually ranks states, cities and counties for their attractiveness for business.This week, Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle dives into this trend and the reasons behind it.

With Thanksgiving next week, holiday shopping kicks into gear.Retailers hope people are ready to spend on gifts this year, while shoppers seek the trendiest gifts and best deals.What factors could play a role in what gifts and how many land under the tree? Each year, we look to contributor Eileen Dallabrida to answer that question in her preview of the holiday shopping.

The Delaware Symphony Orchestra and its new music director, Michelle Di Russo is getting ready for the holiday season, presenting a pair of concerts in the coming weeks.The first of those concerts is also a new offering for the symphony, a family-friendly matinee concert at the Grand in late November. They'll follow that with Holidays at the Hotel early next month.On this week's Arts Playlist, DPM's Martin Matheny speaks to Michelle Di Russo to learn more about the concerts.

Delaware Tech recently celebrated the opening of the John and Elsie Williams House Museum and Conference CenterThe facility encompasses several rooms in the Williamses' former home, which the family built in Millsboro in 1927.The Williamses' daughter, Blanche Baker, wanted the home to honor the accomplishments of her parents - former Delaware U.S. Senator John Williams, who was often lauded for a non-partisan approach to politics, and his wife Elsie, who contributed to that approach by building social connections in Washington that fostered “across-the-aisle” relationships.In this edition of History Matters, Isreal Hale is joined by Del Tech President Mark Brainard to hear more about the new dual role for the Williams house and it will serve the surrounding community in Millsboro.

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Delaware now has an Office of New Americans to serve and support the immigrant community.About 11% of Delaware residents are immigrants. That's more than 115,000 people who contribute to Delaware socially and economically, according to the Office of New Americans director Rony Baltazar-Lopez.Delaware Public Media's Abigail Lee sat down with Baltazar-Lopez to talk about the office's inaugural year, which includes a listening tour with stops in all three counties.

There's been a fair amount of reporting about so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water and the potential health impact the family of PFAS chemicals can have, including some cancers, immune system suppression and developmental issues in children.And the state of Delaware took legislative action this year to make people more aware when PFAS levels in their drinking water exceed strict health limits initially set by the EPA during the Biden administration.But how aware are people of these chemicals, the threat they pose and what can be done to address them?A recent DNREC survey indicates there's still work to be done – and earlier this week, we sat down with DNREC Chief Communications Officer Nikki Lavoie and DNREC Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances hydrologist Todd Keyser to discuss the survey results and the First State's ongoing efforts to address PFAS.

What happens when the world of opera collides with the world of boxing?We'll find out when Opera Delaware presents "Opera DEathmatch" next weekend at its studios in Wilmington.The event is the brainchild of OperaDelaware and former boxing champ Dave Tiberi.On this week's Arts Playlist, DPM's Martin Matheny sits down with Tiberi and Opera Delaware's KerriAnn Otano about the show and how boxing and opera are strangely similar.

Banana Ball will be coming to Wilmington next summer.What is Banana Ball, you ask?Well, it's a different brand of baseball that features the fundamentals of the game combined with trick plays and unusual rules to provide entertainment for the whole family.While the Savannah Bananas are the main draw in a now 6-team league – playing in huge venues across the country - the Texas Tailgaters will bring the game to Wilmington's Frawley Stadium next August 13 through the 15 for games against a new team, the Loco Beach Coconuts.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media's Joe Irizarry talks with the Texas Tailgaters' Jonathan "Sunshine" Luders to learn more about Banana Ball.

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Veterans Day is this Tuesday and this year, Delaware can point to an increased commitment to the 72,000 vets living in the First State.Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed and Gov. Matt Meyer signed legislation creating Delaware's first state-level Department of Veterans Affairs with a cabinet-level secretary.Meyer then selected Retired Brigadier General Karen Berry as the first Veterans Affairs Secretary. She stepped into the role October 1.This week, Retired Brigadier General Karen Berry to discuss the new Department of Veterans Affairs and how she plans to build it.