Free meals for all students would come at a cost of about $40 million a year for the state of Delaware.

Despite financial concerns, bill giving free meals to all students moves on

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A proposed law in Delaware would provide free breakfast and lunch to all students – with a price tag of $120 million over the next three years – moves on after debate. House Bill 125, sponsored by Rep. Sherae’a Moore, D-Middletown, sparked a healthy discussion in the House Education Committee meeting Wednesday. The bill points out that during the pandemic, …

Both bills were released by the committee and will next be debated in the House.

Committee releases bills to combat trafficking, ammo theft

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Prostitution and gun ammo were the odd couple of topics to be handled in Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing. House Bill 264, sponsored by Rep. Kim Williams, D-Marshallton, makes the crime of “patronizing a prostitute” a class E felony rather than a misdemeanor when the person from whom prostitution is sought is a minor. Williams’ second bill, House Bill 270, …

School safety, and competing resolutions that would create task forces to improve it, sparked debate in the Senate Tuesday.

2 senators battle over dueling school safety resolutions

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

On the day Gov. John Carney preached the impact of working together in his State of the State address, the Senate watched a tense interaction divided by party lines that one legislator called “childish behavior.” The interaction between Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Dover, and Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark/Glasgow, and their similar education task force resolutions were enough to cause comment from …

teacher sick leave

Bill giving teachers 1-for-1 sick day donation heads to House

Jarek RutzGovernment, Headlines

A buy-one-get-two deal is a bargain at a grocery store, but not so ideal for teachers looking to exchange days off.  A new law could even the scales. Senate Bill 20, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, removes the requirement that a public school district employee who donates leave to another employee must donate two days of leave …

WilmU and Code Differently announced their partnership Tuesday.

WilmU, Code Differently team up for 18 credit opportunity in tech

Jarek RutzHeadlines

A new partnership between Wilmington University and a national coding group will provide Delaware residents the opportunity to earn a big chunk of college credits in concentrations like computer science, cybersecurity and data analysis.  The university has partnered with Code Differently, which provides hands-on training and education through coding classes that gives participants the technical and cognitive skills they need …

A proposed law would cap processing fees by car dealers at $475. (Photo by Antoni Shkraba/Pexels)

Bill capping car dealership processing fees head to House

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Whether it be buying tickets to a favorite artist or sports team, paying a parking ticket, or even gifting a car to a family member, the public is hit with pesky processing fees that inflate their purchase costs. Delaware has no cap on motor vehicle dealer processing fees, which permits dealers to arbitrarily charge whatever amounts they wish leading to …

The Delaware definition of "firearm" could soon change.

Task force redefining ‘firearm’ moves closer to decision

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A task force charged with updating the state’s definition of “firearm” plans to take one more look next week at the new proposed language. If approved, a bill would be introduced this year proposing the change.  One reason for a new definition is because Delaware has a uniquely general and large definition of a “firearm,” in which any device that …

SB 219 would penalize those who misrepresent an animal as a service animal $500 on the first offense. (Photo by 24K-Production/iStock Getty Images)

New bill could penalize those lying about service animal

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A proposed law in Delaware would punish residents who lie about their animal being a service or assistance animal. Sponsored by Sen. Dave Lawson, R- Marydel, and Rep. Danny Short, R-Seaford, Senate Bill 219 would create penalties for misrepresentation of a service animal under the Delaware Equal Accommodations Law and misrepresentation of an assistance animal under the Delaware Fair Housing …

Middletown will perform "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" this November. (Photo by RDNE Stock project/Pexels)

Middletown HS to stage Harry Potter ‘Cursed Child’ this fall

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Culture

The magic of Hogwarts is headed to 27 high schools in America – including one in the First State. Middletown High School in Appoquinimink School District will be full of wizards and wands Nov. 8-10 as its theater crew of more than 60 students in four performances of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” “We’re expecting more to …

The bill would give an American or state flag to next of kin.

New bill would give flag to service member’s next of kin

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A new bill headed to the General Assembly would immediately provide next of kin of Delaware National Guard, fire or police department members with an American or state flag. Senate Bill 221 would give the flag to the first immediate living family member or partner of a service individual who dies after serving in the Delaware National Guard, a police …