Delaware
‘Keep the momentum going’: Gov.-elect Matt Meyer stops in Dover for inaugural events
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
With only 10 days left until his inauguration, Delaware Gov.-elect Matt Meyer kicked off a series of inaugural events, starting in the state’s capital.
On Saturday, Jan. 11, after making remarks in front of senior leader members of the Delaware National Guard at Delaware State University, Meyer took a walking tour of several local businesses in downtown Dover.
Throughout the day, Meyer spoke with a wide range of community leaders and members and about what he seeks to bring with his incoming administration.
Here’s what happened.
Matt Meyer meets with the Delaware National Guard
Before embarking on the first inaugural event of the day, Meyer’s first stop was on the Delaware State University campus, where he spoke with several high-ranking leaders on the importance of “teamwork and community.”
Along with speaking about his own experiences related to service, Meyer also talked about working to ensure that the state National Guard – which he called “[the] cornerstone of Delaware’s strength” – and their loved ones remain supported.
Matt Meyer walks through downtown Dover
Following his remarks, Meyer then traveled further down Dover, where he explored more of what he calls “the crown jewel” corridor of the city.
Starting at Janaid’s Salon for Men, Meyer went downtown, stopping at several small businesses along the tour.
This also included Key to Life Juice Bar, where Meyer tried a sample of ginger juice; Agapé Body Piercings; and the DSU Center for Urban Revitalization & Entrepreneurship.
During the tour, Meyer also talked about his experiences as a small business owner and his dedication to helping “keep the momentum going” for local businesses in Delaware’s capital with his incoming administration.
Meyer also met with several small business owners and employees and spoke more about his determination to help contribute to the growth of “the backbone of [the] state.”
“It’s the capital city, and there are a lot of people working very hard for a long time to make sure it thrives,” Meyer said. “There’s a certain momentum and energy now around the work of the Downtown Dover Partnership, and I’m excited now in my new job in 10 days to start being a part of that.”
What other inaugural events are taking place?
Throughout the next few days, Meyer is scheduled to make several more stops leading up to his inauguration.
These stops include an inaugural bike ride at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes and an interfaith breakfast at The Parlors at Delaware State University in Dover.
The incoming first lady of Delaware, Lauren Meyer, will also make an appearance, hosting a brunch alongside several statewide community leaders in Dewey Beach.
These events – with the exception of the community reception following the swearing-in ceremony of both Meyer and Lt. Gov.-elect Kyle Evans Gay – will be open to the public but require registration and/or the purchase of tickets.
Registration links and additional details can be found on the governor-elect’s transition website.
What else will Meyer be doing?
Meyer is also scheduled to participate in a series of public service-related events and initiatives before his inauguration.
This will include helping collect items for donation drives to help benefit the organizations Milford Advocacy for the Homeless and Love Inc. in several locations across Sussex County.
Meyer also plans to lend a hand in several service projects across the First State.
This will include a donation drive in Seaford, a revitalization of Towne Point Elementary School in Dover and a series of public service activities in Wilmington for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
“We wanted to do something that included Delawareans and represented the kind of service-oriented leadership we want to provide to the state,” Meyer said.
When is inauguration day for Matt Meyer?
Meyer will be officially sworn in as state governor on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Gay will also take her oath of office that same day.
Tickets for the general public to the swearing-in ceremony are now available on the governor-elect’s transition website. (Tickets are not required to attend the community reception following the ceremony.)
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach her at omontes@delawareonline.com.
Delaware
Delaware will save more than $300M after federal tax decoupling takes effect
The fiscal year 2027 forecast remained relatively flat from the October meeting. But some expenses declined, including salaries for teachers. Brian Maxwell, state director of Management and Budget, said teacher salary expenses were down because student enrollment has dropped. He said federal immigration policy could be impacting the state’s Multilingual Learners.
“Obviously, there have been a number of students that may not be showing up to class just because of the enforcement of [Immigration and Customs Enforcement],” he said. “So some of the families may be scared to actually send their kids to school.”
Maxwell said overall enrollment is down, but the number of students needing special education services is up. The next student count is in February.
DEFAC members also discussed the revised Healthcare Spending benchmark. In September, the subcommittee devised a methodology that only used healthcare inflation, resulting in a 7.13% for 2026.
“We all gathered in October and there was a fair amount of concern with that outcome,” said Christen Linke Young, director of Health and Social Services. “So the subcommittee reconvened earlier this month to consider a new approach.”
After adopting the methodology using expected national inflation data and a three-year measure of health care cost growth, the benchmark now sits at 4.9%. But Young said there would be no penalty for hospitals exceeding the guideline.
Gov. Meyer and the state’s largest nongovernmental employer, ChristianaCare Health System, reached an agreement earlier this year in a lawsuit the regional hospital system filed last year. The Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board was created by lawmakers in June 2024 to try to rein in hospital spending. But the agreement, which requires new legislation and the governor’s signature, would strip the board of its authority to approve and modify hospital budgets.
Delaware
Snow melting soon as Delaware warms after icy blast
How to safely shovel snow
The Mayo Clinic has some tips for safely shoveling snow.
Delaware may have seen its first snowfall of the season, but it won’t stick around for long.
Despite below freezing temperatures Dec. 15 and Dec. 16, it’s possible that by the weekend there won’t be a trace of snow.
Here’s what to know about this week’s weather and snow melt.
When will the snow melt away?
While Delaware will face freezing temperatures Dec. 15 and Dec. 16, the National Weather Service forecast is calling for a warmup starting on Dec. 17. Here’s the forecast:
New Castle County
Cold weather will continue this evening and into Dec. 16 with lows dropping into the teens. The county will hit 32 degrees on Dec. 16 before dropping to 22 that night. Temperatures start climbing into the low 40s with partly sunny skies on Dec. 17. Highs will hit 51 degrees on Dec. 18. If most of the snow hasn’t melted by that point, it should be gone after rain goes through the area during the overnight between Dec. 17 and Dec. 18. Highs will remain above freezing, hitting 44 on Dec. 18.
Kent County
Lows will drop into the teens overnight before climbing above freezing on Dec. 16. On Dec. 17, Kent County will see partly sunny skies with highs in the upper 40s. It will be mostly cloudy on Dec. 18 with highs hitting 55. There’s a 90% chance of rain during the overnight hours into Dec. 19. The 19th is looking mostly cloudy with highs reaching 47.
Sussex County
After lows hit 19 during the overnight tonight, the high for Dec. 16 will be 38 degrees with sunny skies. Any snow in the southern part of the state will vanish Dec. 17 and Dec 18. Both days will feature sunny skies with highs reaching the low 50s on Dec. 17 and almost hitting 60 on Dec. 18.
What is black ice?
Despite the warm up, overnight temperatures are expected to be below freezing. If you are driving at night, you’ll need to watch out for black ice.
According to The Weather Channel, black ice is a thin layer of ice that forms on roads and is difficult to see. It’s generally found on bridges, overpasses and spots on the road shaded by trees or other objects.
If roadways are wet from rain, snow or fog and temperatures drop below 32 degrees, black ice can form on roadways.
If you hit black ice, you should do the following:
- Keep your steering wheel straight.
- Do not brake
- Take your foot off the accelerator to reduce speed
Delaware
Delayed openings in Delaware: What schools are starting late?
Safety tips to help you drive in the snow and ice
Winter driving can be hazardous, here are a few tips to help you survive the winter driving season.
Potentially icy road conditions have led every public school in Delaware to announce delayed openings for Dec. 15.
Every public school is operating on some sort of delay, most of which are two hours. The Delaware Department of Transportation already sent out a warning about treacherous driving conditions. Whatever has not dried from the Dec. 14 snowstorm will freeze over as temperatures plunge into the 20s and winds kick up over night.
The following school districts have announced delays.
New Castle County
- Red Clay- 2 hours
- Christina- 2 hours
- Brandywine- 2 hours
- Colonial- 2 hours
- Appoquinimink- 2 hours
- New Castle County Vo-Tech- 2 hours
Kent County
- Smyrna- 2 hours
- Capital- 1 hour
- Lake Forest- 2 hours
- Polytech- 2 hours
Sussex County
- Milford- 2 hours
- Woodbridge- 2 hours
- Cape Henlopen- 2 hours
- Laurel- 2 hours
- Seaford- 2 hours
- Delmar- 90 minutes
- Indian River- 2 hours
- Sussex Tech- 2 hours
(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)
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