death

Death penalty bills would codify Supreme Court’s 2016 ban

Katie KazimirGovernment, Headlines

Two bills moving through the General Assembly officially will ban the death penalty in Delaware. Both are sponsored by Sen. Sean Lynn, D-Dover. The state Supreme Court in 2016 ruled that Delaware’s death penalty was unconstitutional and effectively banned it but state laws are still on the books. House Bill 70 would eliminate the death penalty. Instead, it would establish …

restaurants

Restaurants’ focus: Protecting experience, brand as costs rise

Peter OsborneBusiness, Headlines

Lee Mikles has a dizzying list of what he thinks about every day. The co-founder of OMG Hospitality restaurant group is focusing on the April launch of a new Grain menu that leans into comfort food that reminds guests of their childhood memories. He’s also trying to pay more attention to the costs of food and labor while preserving the …

emergency

Bill raising fines for ignoring emergency vehicles moves on

Katie KazimirGovernment, Headlines

Drivers who don’t move over for emergency vehicles would face stricter penalties under House Bill 329. The bill passed through the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Tuesday and now moves to the House ready list for a floor vote.  HB 329 addresses the growing concern over the safety of emergency responders by increasing the penalties for drivers that …

primary

Delaware won’t have a presidential primary this year.

Katie KazimirHeadlines, Government

A bill to eliminate the 2024 Delaware presidential primary on Tuesday passed both the House and Senate with little opposition and was signed into law by Gov. John Carney, all in a matter of hours. Since Donald Trump and Joe Biden are the sole candidates for their parties, there was no need for a primary, said Senate Bill 241 sponsor …

veterans housing

Veterans housing project imperiled as developers spar in court

Karl BakerCulture, Headlines

In the fall of 2022, David Mosley, the affable but embattled CEO of the Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans, told the New Castle County Council that his plan to build 60 apartments for struggling military Veterans and their families was just a first step in a coming wave of housing construction for vulnerable people. Mosley’s comments followed the council’s unanimous …

cable

DNREC details how wind farm cable will come ashore in park

Katie KazimirGovernment, Headlines

State officials this week laid out the way they expect transmission lines from an offshore wind farm to be installed under the 3 Rs Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park. During an information open house at Bethany Town Hall Tuesday, DNREC representatives displayed posters around the room loaded with information. One said four cables will be bored 60 feet under …

gender

Neal introduces new bill to protect gender-affirming care

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

A day after killing her first bill dealing with protections for medical professionals dealing with gender-affirming care, Rep. DeShanna Neal introduced a new version Wednesday. The Elsmere/Newport representative’s House Bill 346 would expand protections for individuals seeking, receiving and providing gender-affirming health care. “As a mother to two beautiful transgender daughters, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of gender-affirming care. …

Ulysses

Ulysses American Gastropub closed, killed by work from home

Pam GeorgeCulture, Headlines

After 13 years, Ulysses American Gastropub in Brandywine Hundred has closed. The beer-friendly restaurant is in the Shoppes at Graylyn on Marsh Road. A notice posted today on the door reads:  “It is with great sadness that we write this letter. After much consideration we made the difficult decision to close Ulysses American Gastropub. We want to thank all of …

alcohol

Avalanche of comment delays alcohol shipments bill

Jarek RutzGovernment, Headlines

A lengthy discussion in the state legislature Tuesday led to a delay in a bill allowing direct-to-consumer alcohol shipments. House Bill 259, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, R-Townsend-Clayton, would allow farm breweries, microbreweries and craft distilleries to conduct direct-to-consumer sales of wine, beer, spirits, mead and hard cider. Spiegelman’s bill also would allow state liquor stores to conduct home deliveries, …

inspector

Bipartisan bill would see Inspector General at work by 2025

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

A much-debated Office of Inspector General would be up and running by early 2025, if a new bill passes the Delaware Assembly by the end of June. Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Hockessin, would create the  Office of Inspector General, an independent watchdog agency empowered to investigate waste, fraud,and abuse in the executive and legislative branches of state government with Senate Bill …