Military families will have a three-day opportunity to explore Veterans benefits and new eligibility requirements at a one-stop-virtual-shop. From Dec. 12 to Dec. 14, between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Delaware vets can take advantage of 1-on-1 assistance and can connect with Veterans Affairs, state and community partners to obtain claim status updates, file claims, enroll in …
Music School of Delaware has new leader after 24 years
After a quarter century, the Music School of Delaware has a new leader. Stephen Beaudoin, who’s had decades of work in music, education, business and social impact, has been picked as the school’s new president and chief executive officer. “This opportunity feels very alive to me, and very aligned with my values and the kind of impact I hope to …
Ohio chemicals settlement gives $25 million to Delaware
The First State is getting $25 million from a newly settled lawsuit in Ohio that triggered a contingency payment to Delaware. Chemours, DuPont and Corteva reached a $110 million settlement in Ohio over “forever chemicals,” which refer to the release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from the facilities of those companies. The substances, known as PFAS, have negative environmental impacts. …
Indian River schools closed for special election; 4 poll sites
Indian River School District, in the heart of Delaware’s 37th House District, will be closed for a special election in a few weeks. The district announced the closures Tuesday, citing that Delaware law requires public schools to be closed if they are being utilized as polling places for state elections. Last week, Rep. Ruth Briggs King, a Republican representing the …
Delawareans included in $30M Prehired student loan settlement
The First State is one of 12 involved in a national $30 million order against a student lender for malpractice. Attorney General Kathy Jennings’ office worked with the federal Consumer Protection Financial Bureau and 11 other states to crack down on the bankrupt student lender Prehired. A Delaware bankruptcy court approved a stipulated judgment that requires Prehired to pay more …
Colonial, Red Clay biggest winners in state funding requests
The state Department of Education has made some school districts very happy by deeming their requests for state funding necessary to fulfill building projects. For fiscal year 2025, the Department of Education approved 50 certificate of necessity requests, 44 of which involved state funding. They were concentrated in six districts. Districts submit certificates of necessity each year to the department, …
DSU sets record enrollment…again
For back-to-back years, Delaware State University has a new record for student enrollment. DSU this week reported an overall enrollment increase of 3.5% from this time last year, The 132-year-old institution now has 6,451 students, a 23% increase since 2020, making the Dover school the fastest-growing Historically Black College and University in the country. “We have overcome some notable trends …
Smyrna’s Lake Como to have Pearl Harbor ceremony Dec. 7
Lake Como in Smyrna will be hosting a Pearl Harbor day of remembrance on Dec. 7. Veterans from Townsend’s Firebase Lloyd, the town of Smyrna, and Vietnam Veterans of America will commemorate the attack on Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor that triggered America’s involvement in World War II. The free ceremony will have refreshments. It starts at 11 a.m. The memorial features …
Thanksgiving dinner costs in Delaware higher than other states
First Staters celebrating Thanksgiving might have to pony up more cash to enjoy the holiday. According to the American Farm Bureau, the average cost of this year’s holiday feast for 10 is $61.17 nationally, or less than $6.20 per person. In Delaware, that cost is $64.05, or less than $6.45 per person. Delaware’s average Thanksgiving dinner costs are similar to …
Sussex student happy principal fired, wants criminal charges
The family of a student whose breast was exposed during a fight at Sussex Center High School cheered the firing of its principal and expressed hopes criminal charges will be filed in the case, according to their lawyer. The student, Aniya Harmon, had sued former principal Bradley Layfield, the assistant principal and the district in the case for invasion of …