Delaware

Delaware Live reorganization continues as Osborne replaces Price in editor role

Published

1 year ago

October 1, 2024

Delaware Live reorganization continues as Osborne replaces Price in editor role

Veteran local journalist Peter Osborne has joined the Delaware LIVE News Group as interim senior editor.

He replaces founding senior editor Betsy Price, who is happily ceding the job but will continue to freelance for Town Square LIVE.

Price expects to enjoy a life free of the multiple daily deadlines required in her 45-year career in journalism in Delaware and Alabama.

“I look forward to seeing how Delaware LIVE evolves with Peter leading the reporting team and the more active involvement of the advisory board,” she said. “And I’m delighted to be able to keep my hand in a little by focusing on the Town Square site.”

Osborne’s appointment comes amid a broader Delaware Live reorganization. The company started publishing in June 2020.

“We were very fortunate to have Betsy shepherd the initial growth of Delaware Live and grateful for her award-winning effort,” said Delaware LIVE owner Chris Kenny. “Given Peter’s extensive background, I am confident we have made the right decision to lead the newsroom forward through the next phase of growth.“

Meet the new editor

Osborne is no stranger to the media group, which owns Delaware LIVE, Town Square LIVE, Milford LIVE, and Chadds Ford LIVE.

In 2023, he wrote a story for Delaware LIVE on the conversion of downtown Wilmington office space to residential use, which won first place in the Delaware Press Association and second place in the National Federation of Press Women contests.

“I’m looking forward to building on the great work that Betsy and her team have done building Delaware LIVE into the First State’s preeminent micro-news platform,” Osborne said. “I think you’ll see a greater emphasis on business news and on coverage of how state and local governments are impacting (and not always in a positive way) the everyday lives of local citizens. I also look forward to re-engaging with the businesses, nonprofits and educators that I’ve worked with over the years.”

Osborne’s experience includes 15-plus years as an award-winning business journalist at publications nationwide and 20-plus years in strategic corporate communications and business development for MBNA America and Bank of America.

He revitalized or launched more than a dozen business journals, earning national “Most Improved Publication” awards at the Delaware Business Times in 2020 and at the Dallas (TX) Business Journal 30 years earlier. He’s also won individual writing and reporting awards.

He also helped launch the News Journal’s now-defunct Business Monday section.

A graduate of Syracuse University and native of Buffalo, New York, Peter is married with four grown children. He’s also a proud member of the Bills Mafia.

More detail on Delaware Live reorganization

In the Delaware Live reorganization, Kenny will become CEO and president and take over as editor-in-chief. He will handle the business’s administrative, finance and HR functions, and plans to expand the number of local sites and the size of the staff.

George D. Rotsch, a veteran marketing and communications strategist, has been promoted to vice president of client communications and interim publisher of the four websites.

The group also has added an advisory board of seasoned professionals: John Sweeney, former Wilmington News Journal editorial page editor; Peggy Mika, former marketing director and newspaper reporter and editor; Mike Mika, a digital marketing consultant who helped lead the migration of news from paper to digital at The News Journal; and Vernon Proctor, a retired corporate lawyer and president of the Bethel Town Council. It will be looking to add additional members in the coming months who reflect the readership of the publications.

Delaware LIVE’s network of local news publications is approaching 100,000 regular readers across multiple communication channels.

Have a story idea or comment?

Contact Osborne at [email protected].

Contact Price at [email protected].

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Delaware

DMV in Minquadale, Delaware reopening months after trooper’s death

Published

4 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

DMV in Minquadale, Delaware reopening months after trooper’s death

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 9:34AM

MINQUADALE, Del. (WPVI) — The DMV in Wilmington, Delaware is reopening at 8a.m. Tuesday.

This comes after the deadly shooting of State Trooper Matthew “Ty” Snook, 34, in December 2025.

A man walked into the facility and shot and killed Snook.

The DMV said service at the Wilmington location will be by appointment only for now. The Delaware City, Dover, and Georgetown DMV locations will continue to offer walk-in service to customers.

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Delaware

Pistol Whipped, Robberies, Carjacking At Delaware Park Casino

Published

16 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Pistol Whipped, Robberies, Carjacking At Delaware Park Casino

About First State Update News Room

First State Update’s Delaware editorial team delivers dynamic, around-the-clock coverage of breaking news, politics, and major developments across Delaware and the surrounding region. We’re are on the ground bringing readers fast, accurate updates on the stories shaping Delaware. Have news to share or a tip to pass along? Email us at [email protected] or send us a message on Facebook.

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Delaware

Spike in utility bills after cold snap forces Delaware customers to make tough choices

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Spike in utility bills after cold snap forces Delaware customers to make tough choices

Delaware elected officials push back on rising prices

Gov. Matt Meyer called out Delmarva for “overcharging Delaware families” in his January State of the State speech. He has also urged the Public Service Commission to reject the utility’s rate requests.

“Rate increases far beyond inflation are unacceptable,” he said. “Delmarva’s out-of-state shareholders should not take advantage of Delaware’s families working to make ends meet. We must hold monopolies accountable.”

Democratic members of the Delaware General Assembly also sent a letter in February to the commission, calling for Delmarva to resubmit its December rate increase request so it falls under a law that took effect in January that gives the commission greater scrutiny over rate increase requests.

The state lawmakers also noted that Delmarva has sought three electric base rate adjustments over the past five years and asked the commission to reject the current rate case so the company would have to resubmit the request.

“We cannot reward Delmarva investors with such high returns on the backs of our constituents,” the letter stated.

Beal said they appreciate the governors in the states that use the PJM grid focusing on the supply costs and the need for more generation, which he said was the true driver of these significant increases for customers. He argued that they work on the delivery side to keep costs down.

“Our company’s been around since 1909,” he said. “Not all of our equipment is that old, but we certainly have some aging equipment. Over 50-year-old transformers that are really at the end of their life, and you want to make sure that you’re replacing this equipment in a planned manner, versus a catastrophic failure of equipment.”

Assistance programs to help low- and moderate-income households

Wilmington resident Alan Shores said he has tried to apply for help as his average monthly bill has gone from around $200 a month to about $500. Shores depends on monthly disability payments and said he’s struggling to afford his prescription medication because of the rising cost.

“I’m tap dancing as fast as I can, trying to pay this stuff, and I just can’t,” he said. “It’s because of this electric bill. Once that electric bill went through the roof, I’m like, ‘What do I do?’”

Beal said they are adding $500,000 to the $6.5 million customer relief fund created last year. Past-due gas and electric customers who have a household income between 60% of the state median income and 350% of the federal poverty level could be eligible for a $500 credit.

The utility also offers payment arrangements and budget billing, and it directs customers to financial assistance offered by charitable organizations.

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