The financial responsibilities of the state as a result of legalizing marijuana was brought up in Wednesday's Joint Finance Committee hearing. (Photo by Aleksandr_Kravtsov/iStock)

Marijuana laws come with price tag for 2 state departments

Jarek RutzGovernment, Headlines

This story has been updated to correct tax and licensing information. Marijuana – and the implications of its legalization in Delaware on certain state agencies – was part of the discussion in Wednesday’s Joint Finance Committee hearings. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security is set to receive a little over $5 million of the total request is specifically in …

Members of the drug ring could face up to 20 years in prison.

Rosegate drug group could face 20 years in prison

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Police & Fire

Seventeen Delawareans have been charged in federal and state courts for drug conspiracy  after a multi-year and multi-agency investigation. The defendants openly and brazenly trafficked large quantities of drugs and stored drugs in elderly community members’ homes and vehicles and paid them to store, package and sell drugs,  said David Weiss, U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware in a …

Glen Carrie, data privacy

Data privacy bill passes House committee

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A data privacy bill that will give consumers more rights went unanimously through the House Technology & Telecommunications Committee Tuesday, two in favor and four on its merits. House Bill 154, sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Greenville, would give consumers the right to delete their personal data, change their personal data, know who is collecting their personal data and opt …

Walmart

Walmart agrees to $3.1B opioid settlement, $11.8M goes to DE

Charles MegginsonHeadlines, Business

Walmart announced Tuesday that the company has agreed to a $3.1 billion settlement to resolve a nationwide lawsuit brought by states, tribes and municipalities over its role in the opioid crisis. Delaware stands to receive up to $11.8 million under the terms of the settlement framework. The lawsuit alleged that Walmart exacerbated the opioid addiction crisis by failing to appropriately …

Google

Google to pay Delaware $4.3M in location tracking settlement

Staff WriterBusiness, Headlines

Google agreed to a $391.5 million settlement with 40 states Monday over charges that the company tracked users’ location data even when asked not to.  Delaware will receive more than $4.3 million from the settlement. The money will go toward the Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Fund, allowing it to do future work without drawing on taxpayer dollars. Attorney …

Kathy McGuiness appeal

No jail time for ‘deeply remorseful’ McGuiness

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware state Auditor Kathy McGuiness will not see the inside of a jail cell after being sentenced on two misdemeanor public corruption charges Wednesday. Prosecutors asked the judge to impose a 30-day prison sentence. Instead, she’ll face one year of probation, a $10,000 fine, and 500 hours of community service. McGuiness plans to appeal her convictions to the Delaware Supreme …

Charges 1

Kent County couple indicted for serial child abuse, torture

Staff WriterPolice & Fire, Headlines

A Kent County couple has been indicted on 646 charges, including more than 80 felonies, for allegedly abusing their two children. The Department of Justice announced the charges Wednesday afternoon. Over a period of 20 months, Mary Vinson, 45, and Charles Vinson, 36, are alleged to have abused their children, including making them stand for long periods of time; withholding …

Scam Caller

Delaware joins nationwide task force to cut down on scam calls

Staff WriterGovernment, Headlines

Even in a time of stark political division, there is thing almost everybody can agree on: scam calls suck. In that vein, Delaware has joined a nationwide task force to cut down on illegal robocalls. 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 …

Jennings

DOJ: Buffett-owned mortgage firm guilty of redlining in NCCo

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A Pennsylvania mortgage company owned by billionaire Warren Buffett will pay $20 million to resolve allegations of discrimination against Black and Latino homebuyers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, the Department of Justice announced this week. Attorneys general in the three states accused Trident Mortgage Company of redlining in the greater Philadelphia region, including New Castle County. Redlining, in the …

ZoomBackgrounds Wawa Store

Wawa to pay Delaware 450K over 2019 data breach

Charles MegginsonHeadlines, Business

Delaware will receive $450,000 out of an $8 million multi-state settlement with a Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain after a data breach compromised some 34 million payment cards. Attorney General Kathy Jennings said Wawa Inc. failed to take reasonable security measures to prevent such a data breach and therefore violated state consumer protection and personal information protection laws.  Under the settlement, …