DNREC has released several tips to stay safe while boating, and has launched new life rings at Woodland Beach. (From left: Citizens’ Hose Company members Keith Mapps, Fire Chief Chip Thompson, John Morgan, retired State Senator and board member Bruce C. Ennis, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Pat Emory and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. Photo from DNREC)

8 tips to stay safe while boating this summer

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Culture

A Delaware agency wants to make sure those hitting the open seas are safe this summer. Wednesday, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control  announced eight tips for water enthusiasts to follow. The department’s Division of Fish and Wildlife joined Smyrna’s Citizens’ Hose Company to highlight recently installed buoyant life rings at DNREC’s Woodland Beach fishing pier and …

Another year, another slew of education bills were discussed and passed the Delaware legislature in 2024. (Photo by Maksym Yemelyanov/Adobe Stock)

Education experts offer takeaways from 2024 school bills

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

With an 8.6% increase in state education funding for fiscal year 2025, which began July 1, the Delaware General Assembly continued its trend of passing legislation specific to the state’s schools.  There were dozens of educational bills passed this legislative year, which concluded June 30.  From college scholarships to improving school climate to establishing a commission to evaluate how schools …

A new survey shows that school climate has had an effect on teachers, perhaps pushing them away from the field in Delaware. (Photo by Media_Photos/Shutterstock)

Survey shows majority of teachers dissatisfied, likely to retire early

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

A lot of the state’s teachers are concerned about the working conditions in schools, and new survey results shared at a state committee meeting Monday night put hard data behind those claims.  The survey was presented at the Student Behavior and School Climate Task Force meeting. That group, created in March, is made of government and educational officials as well …

Milford's school board has now tabled the policy revisions vote twice.

Milford board again tables vote on controversial topic policy 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

After about an hour-and-a-half of public comment on a district policy, which included mainly opposition from staff, students and even the ACLU, the Milford School District Board of Education voted for the same outcome it did last month.  The board voted to table revisions on Board Policy 6103, which was originally adopted in 1974 and  has not been updated since …

First State Educate's latest webinar focused on school board agendas. (Photo by redkphotohobby/Adobe Stock)

Education group details school board agendas, legal rules

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Delaware school boards operate under many rules, including having public meetings that have been advertised in advance to comply with state Freedom of Information requirements. That was one of the details that came up during a  First State Educate webinar Monday night  focused on how school board agendas work, the legal requirements of boards, the importance of communication and more. …

Todd and the French family have been healing, growing and thriving since the heart transplant operation a few years ago.

Milford family looks back on 10-year heart transplant odyssey

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Culture

A Milford man diagnosed with a rare disease in 2014 said despair never took him over when he was waiting for a heart transplant.  “There were ups and downs that the first year where everybody’s told there’s going to be bumps in the road,” said Todd French, “but we take it day at a time, and I work out with …

A handful of dog bills and other animal-related bills passed through the General Assembly this year. (Photo by TheDogPhotographer/iStock Getty Images)

Legislative Wrap-up: animal-related bills passed in 2024

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

This year’s legislative session had a slew of bills related to animals and domestic pets that passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate. RELATED: Legislative Wrap-up: gun bills passed in 2024 From laws pertaining to financial and legal penalties for owners to laws aiming to prevent dog fighting, here are the animal bills that passed in 2024: House …

Delaware's investment into the arts has yielded thousands of jobs and more livable environments, study shows. (Photo from the Delaware Division of Arts)

Study shows Delaware’s art stirs $210 million in economic activity

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Culture

Walking through town and seeing murals, statues and other art isn’t just fun to look at — it also generates a substantial amount of economic and social growth. According to a release by the Delaware Division of the Arts, the First State’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $209.5 million in economic activity in 2022. The data comes from the Arts …

The Delaware General Assembly passed a few firearm bills this year, and a few more are hung up and can be brought back next year. (Photo by Mariusz Blach/Adobe Stock)

Legislative Wrap-up: gun bills passed in 2024

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Delaware’s state legislature is not immune to the national discussions on key societal issues, such as firearms.  With this year’s legislative session ending Sunday, here’s a look at the bills relating to guns that passed in 2024: House Bill 357 – definition of “firearm” Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, R-Clayton, the bill derives from a task force charged with updating …

From fireworks to parades, the First State has plenty of events to celebrate July Fourth. (Photo from Unsplash)

Delaware’s guide to July Fourth holiday 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Culture

The Fourth of July – a day of fireworks, beach trips, backyard BBQs and games – is right around the corner.  With 70.9 million travelers predicted to travel 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday week, here’s some tips to remember and plenty of events in Delaware to celebrate. Best and worst times to travel  AAA …