Delaware
Legislative Hall ‘moving forward’ with renovation, expansion plans, despite opposition
Gov.-elect Matt Meyer stresses education in school visit after election win
Matt Meyer visited Glasgow High School the day after winning the race to be Delaware’s next governor. 11/6/24
Delaware’s Legislative Hall may soon look a little different.
Plans to expand and revamp the Statehouse are “moving forward,” beginning with a new parking garage, said Richard Puffer, who chairs the legislative committee overseeing the project.
The $150 million project has raised renewed concerns over the expense and need for the renovations.
Here’s what Delaware needs to know.
When has Legislative Hall last changed?
Legislative Hall has been Delaware’s state capitol building since 1933.
In addition to House and Senate chambers, the building houses offices belonging to members of the state General Assembly and is home to several committee rooms and the formal office of the state governor. It also has many murals, portraits and exhibits.
Plans to renovate and expand Legislative Hall began in November 2021. The last time Legislative Hall was renovated and expanded was in the 1990s.
There is “a great need” for more meeting and office space, both for employees and the public, said Puffer, who also serves as the chief clerk of the state House of Representatives.
What is included in the project?
A costly part of the project will be the new parking garage.
The current design will include approximately 350 parking spaces, including 240 for public access and 97 for state legislators and employees.
Once the garage is finished, construction will then begin on an underground tunnel connecting the garage to the capitol, Puffer said.
Additional work will include building up to four new large meeting rooms and moving the entrance from the west to the east side of the building across the street from the new parking garage.
How long will this project take?
The budget for the project should be finalized in June 2025, Puffer said.
If all goes smoothly, construction for the garage will begin in July 2025 and conclude by the end of December 2026 – with additional work set to begin in the summer or fall of 2026 and be completed by late 2028.
How much will this project cost?
As of now, roughly $40 million has already been invested into the project, with an additional $10 million from the FY 2025 Bond Bill, which was passed in June.
Puffer also said an additional $110 million has been requested for renovations and expansions.
Cost of the project questioned
John Flaherty, Delaware Coalition for Open Government board member, recently told the Office of Management and Budget, the project is “self-serving” and does not serve the public.
“How busy is the General Assembly” to warrant such an expensive change, given that the state legislature will convene for nearly 42 days out of the year this upcoming session, Flaherty said.
Other individuals who oppose this project, including Delaware Black Commission founder Jakim Mohammed, also call this a “wasted, taxpayer-funded” expenditure.
Mohammed also feels that attention should instead be focused on pressing issues facing the state, including education, infrastructure and housing.
Former state senator Karen Peterson recalled how parking and meeting space at Legislative Hall had “never been an issue” before, and how these renovations will be “taking money away.”
“We should be funding the needs, not the wants,” Peterson said.
While Puffer said he understands these concerns, he also mentioned how these expansions will help allow people “to participate in the legislative process.”
The Legislative Hall Committee is scheduled to hold its next meeting on Dec. 10 at 12:30 p.m.
For more information on how to attend or tune in virtually, visit the state General Assembly website.
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach her at omontes@delawareonline.com.
WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — The state of Delaware is mourning the death of former Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki.
Purzycki was born in 1945 in Newark, New Jersey. He was a standout football player at the University of Delaware before going on to become a real estate developer, attorney and politician.
As a two-term mayor, Purzycki worked to reform downtown Wilmington and is credited with reshaping the riverfront from what had been an industrial wasteland into a vibrant destination.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer reflected on Purzycki’s impact, saying he left a lasting legacy in the state.
“He served with integrity, he put his head down, he got real things done in neighborhoods across this city,” Meyer said.
Purzycki was 80 years old.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Monday, May 18, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 18 drawing
04-13-34-61-65, Powerball: 12, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 3 numbers from May 18 drawing
Day: 1-5-5
Night: 4-1-6
Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 4 numbers from May 18 drawing
Day: 3-6-9-2
Night: 3-3-8-4
Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from May 18 drawing
04-06-17-19-26-29
Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from May 18 drawing
23-27-29-36-51, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play 5 numbers from May 18 drawing
Day: 9-4-6-6-2
Night: 3-5-6-8-7
Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky?Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
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Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
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Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
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Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
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Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
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For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.
Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?
Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.
How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?
Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.
When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?
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Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
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Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
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Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
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Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
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Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
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Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
Missed a draw?Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware Lottery Powerball, Play 3 Day winning numbers for May 18, 2026
Delaware
Woodbridge school counselor named 2026 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of Year – State of Delaware News
Taylor Richey, a school counselor from the Woodbridge School District, is the state’s 2026 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.
Secretary of Education Cindy Marten made the announcement at a statewide banquet honoring the district and charter network behavioral health professionals of the year.
The Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center counselor said creating a consistent, welcoming and loving environment is essential to building relationships with students. She reflected on her work with a student who eloped, received frequent disciplinary referrals for fighting, was socially withdrawn and was failing academically. After consistent school counseling support, the student began engaging positively with staff and peers and attained honor roll status.
“Not only was this student’s growth shown through increased academics, stronger peer connections, decreased behavior and improved emotional regulations, his story also shaped my practice and demonstrated the power of connection, relationships, and meeting students where they are,” Richey said. “The work I did with this student is a testament to the positive impact of counseling services, enabled me to see the importance of creating an inclusive, safe and loving environment for all students, and empowered me to use more preventative practices in the early childhood setting.”
Her principal, Dane Sears, said Richey approaches her role with a servant’s heart and unwavering commitment to students.
“What makes Taylor’s work especially meaningful is her deep personal connection to our school community,” Sears said. “A Blue Raider at heart, Taylor returned home to serve as a counselor in the same district and school she once attended as a student. She walks the same hallways, now as a trusted advocate and mentor, determined to give back to the place that helped shape her. This connection fuels her passion and strengthens her ability to relate to students and families with authenticity and empathy.”
The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:
- School counselors
- School social workers
- Licensed clinical social workers
- School psychologists
- School nurses
From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the winner’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State winners receive an additional $3,000 personal award from DDOE as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of his or her students.
Find photos and learn more about all the 2026 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year here.
Find video of tonight’s announcement here.
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