Delaware
Delaware’s most powerful take questions at town hall in Wilmington
Gov. Meyer presents budget for fiscal year
Gov. Matt Meyer presented his budget for the fiscal year Thursday in Dover with an emphasis on education, housing and healthcare. 3/27/25
Hundreds of people joined Delaware’s most influential political figures at Cab Calloway School for the Arts in Wilmington for a town hall, where resistance to the Trump administration and the war in Gaza took the spotlight.
Around 900 tickets were moved for this event, which took place in the school’s theater. The All-Democratic lineup of U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester, U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride, Gov. Matt Meyer and Attorney General Kathy Jennings spoke a lot about being united in strong opposition against the Trump administration.
Not everyone got their question in, but the over two-hour event addressed how each figure would oppose President Trump and his administration most controversial policies, like cuts to federal funding and mass deportations. The war in Gaza and the related stances of the First State’s federal delegation was another hot topic, with multiple people interrupting the town hall to press them about their stances.
“I’ve never been through 100 days like the ones we are going through right now,” Coons said in his opening remarks.
McBride and others describes their resistance strategy
McBride, in her first term as the state’s lone representative in the House of Representatives, gave a rundown on how she will resist Trump administration policies she disagrees with.
When asked whether she would support Articles of Impeachment against Trump, she said she believes he has violated the law but did not commit to it. She said turning the public against the current administration is more important than impeaching him within his first 100 days. She called persuading the public is an art form that takes time and requires her to “fight smart.”
“I’ve got to be honest with you,” she said in response to a question on impeachment, “the worst thing we can do is slow down public opposition to this President.”
A little while after, one man questioned the federal delegation on their protesting techniques, asking if they would even get arrested at a protest. Blunt Rochester said it’s all about finding a way to protest in a way that works for you. She said she supported Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, in his 24-hour Senate floor marathon by praying with him beforehand and monitoring his health throughout.
Coons said he does his best to serve in Delaware and be able to fulfill his duties in Washington D.C., but has no plans of getting put in handcuffs.
“I don’t think it is a great idea for me to get arrested on your behalf, because I don’t trust this president to let me out,” he said.
AG Jennings has joined other Democratic state attorneys general in countless lawsuits against Trump administration policies.
“There are attorneys general in our country who believe in the rule of law, and they have been so courageous,” she said.
Pro-Palestine protesters disrupt town hall, rattle crowd and politicians
In a scene that has become familiar to political figures who have spoken in favor of Israel and their current operation in Gaza, protesters have interrupted regular proceedings to press them on their stance on the ongoing conflict.
Overall, three protesters were removed by police officers, after some warning, for their disruption. They were not arrested or taken away in handcuffs, rather they were simply thrown out of the building. The congressional delegation answered their concerns but supported Israel’s “right to exist and defend itself” while calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in devastated Gaza. They also supported “self-determination” in Palestine.
“There are deep and strong feelings about Israel, Hamas and Gaza in our community, but frankly, screaming at me doesn’t move me in a positive way,” Coons said.
McBride spoke about her opposition to people getting arrested or deported for supporting Palestine in the conflict.
“They should not face deportation when they peacefully express that opinion,” she said. “And I will not let anyone disingenuously use a conflict in Middle East to abridge the rights of anyone in this country.”
Meyer makes commitments on state level on aid in dying, voting rights and reproductive freedom
Not everything asked at the town hall was for national or international problems. Some were for controversial topics on the state level.
Meyer committed to signing House Bill 140, which would allow medical aid in dying. That bill is past both chambers of the state legislature.
He supported two other bills that would amend the state’s constitution, which he has no vote in. One expands access to absentee voting ballots, and the other would enshrine reproductive freedom into the state constitution.
He was also asked about high energy prices in Delaware. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Delaware consumes 100% more energy than it produces. He said he is working on a plan to get Delaware running on renewable energy.
“We have a plan that we’re finalizing now so that not tomorrow, not next year, but within a decade, it will go to 100% renewable Delaware produce energy,” he said at the town hall.
He has made affordable housing a large part of his platform, but disagreed with enacting rent control caps on lease renewals at the town halls.
“I’m open to creative solutions,” he said. “I think putting a straight up cap will limit the amount of affordable housing that developers want to build, and will create more problems than it actually solves.”
Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.
Delaware
When will Delaware warm up? After snow, ice Tuesday, temps will rise
Ever seen a spring peeper peep?
A spring peeper singing in the Millsboro area.
Meteorological winter has ended and we’ve entered spring.
However, there’s still a last winter blast hitting Delaware early this week before a spring warm up hits at the end of the week.
Here’s a look at the Delaware forecast.
Will Delaware see more snow?
After a brisk Monday, March 2 with sunny skies and highs only reaching 35 degrees, there’s a chance of snow after 1 a.m. Tuesday, March 3 with freezing rain after 4 a.m. in New Castle County. Snow and freezing rain are expected before noon Tuesday, March 3. The county may receive less than a half inch of accumulation.
In Kent County and Sussex County, there’s a chance of snow and freezing rain after 1 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.
When will it warm up in Delaware?
It will start feeling like spring as warmer air moves into the First State on Tuesday evening, March 3, but wet weather is coming as well.
Rain is predicted from Tuesday, March 3 through Friday, March 5, but spring-like temperatures will make it bearable. In New Castle County temperatures will range from the mid-50s on Wednesday, March 3 to the 60s on Thursday, March 4 and Friday, March 5. Kent County should see temperatures in the 60s and Sussex County will see 70s during the mid- to later part of the week
What’s the weekend forecast?
Remember when you were daydreaming about warm weather during the polar vortex or blizzard? Well, it is coming next weekend.
The forecast is calling for sunny to partly sunny skies throughout Delaware on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Highs will reach the upper 60s in the north to the low 70s in the south.
Delaware
Law enforcement increases security across Delaware Valley after U.S. strikes on Iran
PHILADELPHIA – Law enforcement agencies across the Delaware Valley are boosting security at religious and cultural sites following U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, even as officials say there is no credible threat to the area.
The Department of Homeland Security also issued an alert after Operation Epic Fury, warning agencies to remain vigilant for suspicious activity despite assessing that a large-scale attack on U.S. soil is unlikely.
Hours after the strikes, protesters gathered in cities nationwide. In Phoenixville, dozens rallied Saturday afternoon, calling the military action “senseless.”
“Stop the war. People are suffering in this country with food prices, rent, healthcare, money for the people’s needs here,” said Curry Malott, a West Chester University associate professor of educational foundations and policy studies.
President Donald Trump has said the joint operation would eliminate Iran’s nuclear and military programs and change the regime. Some demonstrators criticized the president’s decision.
“Trump has broken his campaign promises with no new wars, and here he is going into another,” said Kyle Horstmann of Phoenixville.
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said in a statement that Iran poses a grave threat, adding, “Iran and its proxies are responsible for countless deaths of Americans and our partners. That record is long, deliberate, and undeniable-and it cannot be ignored.” He adds sustained military engagement should be done with consent of Congress.
Democratic leaders, including Senator Andy Kim, argued the president failed to seek congressional approval for the strikes.
“I have zero confidence in this president who has so flagrantly violated our constitution,” Kim said. He called for Congress to immediately reconvene to vote on a war powers resolution.
“I hope there can be unanimity that when it comes to strikes of this magnitude, when American service members lives are at risk, what greater responsibility do we have in Congress than to look out for our service members and the national security of our country?” he said.
The Homeland Security alert also warned of potential low-level cyberattacks targeting U.S. networks, adding another layer of concern for authorities monitoring threats at home.
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Delaware
Delaware County looks to boost maternal services in face of need
As the Delaware County Health Department recognized success over a year period, county officials also voiced work needed to be done particularly in light of infant and maternal outcomes.
“Unfortunately, in Delaware County, we do still have some issues with maternal and child health,” county Executive Director Barbara O’Malley said. “Between 2019 and 2023, 1.3% of our births were classified as ‘very low birthweight.’
“That’s actually higher than our neighboring suburban counties, which are all under 1%,” she explained. “And Philadelphia is at 1.6. So, we know we have work to do and that’s what our health department is here to do.”
O’Malley added that 15.6% of Delaware County residents received inadequate prenatal care, which is determined by when someone begins their prenatal care.
In addition, County Deputy Health Director Stephanie Reese said the disparity among communities of color has grown.
“While Pennsylvania’s Black and white infant mortality gap has narrowed in recent years, Delaware County’s gap has widened. Black infant mortality in Delco increased from 2.9 to 3.9 times that of whites,” she said.
That’s a factor driven by low birthweights linked to premature birth and preventable social and environmental factors.
Last week, Delaware County Council approved to advertise a request for proposals for an awareness and education campaign for the county health department’s Centralized Intake System and the Delco Doula Collaborative. This is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor grant.
This action will allow the DelcoDoula.org to go live once completed. This site for the Delco Doula Collaborative is a web-based registry of perinatal doulas offering doula information and matching services in Delaware County.
“We have so many resources available to people but they may just not be aware of how much we can do for people that are around maternal and child health issues,” O’Malley said.
She said the intake system would be a single point of entry for maternal and child health resources, including eligibility-based matching.
“Once we maybe learn about you, we can give you customized services and resources that you would qualify for,” O’Malley added.
The executive director explained why it’s critical to focus on these outcomes.
“We do know that maternal and child health is very important for so many reasons,” O’Malley said. “A healthy infant, a healthy pregnancy obviously gives people a healthy life, a great start in life, has better health outcomes, educational outcomes and better outcomes for the families.”
Doula programs can help, she explained.
“Research shows that doula programs such as the one that is supported by grant funding through the health department (and) through The Foundation for Delaware County … that there are lower rates of pre-term births, lower rates of low birthweight, lower rates of Caesarian section and higher rates of breastfeeding,” O’Malley said.
One way to support this is through increased awareness of these programs and initiatives, something O’Malley said is hoped to improve birth outcomes and advance health equity in Delaware County.
While the awareness campaign is coming, many of these programs already exist.
“People can avail themselves of them right away,” O’Malley said, directing the community to the health department website.
There, moms and moms-to-be can get support through virtual pre- and postnatal partum doula groups, where moms can learn how to care for their baby, free supplies including diapers and baby essentials, immunizations for infants as well as mental health support for new moms.
“It is critical that we get our Delaware County infants and youth off to the right start and taking care of their moms and families is the way to do it and we do have a lot of resources and we want to make sure that people take advantage of them,” O’Malley said.
Other health programs
Among some of the efforts the Delaware County Health Department have done include meeting with residents during February to offer free blood pressure screenings across the county, including Yeadon, Lansdowne, Chester and Springfield.
Through its Delco Revive! program, it also continues to offer free CPR classes with another one being held at the Yeadon Wellness Center at 125 S. Chester Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.
“According to the American Heart Association, about 70% of cardiac arrests that happen outside the hospital occur in homes,” county Council Chair Richard Womack said. “Please take the opportunity to learn how to save a life by participating in one of these classes.”
The health department also released its 2025 Annual Report that focused on strengthening public health infrastructure, expanding equitable access to services, and deepening community partnerships across the county.
Some of the accomplishments included expanded doula services, maternal wellness programming, and youth health initiatives to support healthy families and improve early-life outcomes; comprehensive Back-to-School events and community-based education efforts, including the Lead Free in 1-2-3 campaign connecting residents to screenings, supplies and preventive services.
Over the last year, the department has also offered continued implementation of Delco Revive! by increasing community training, lifesaving supply distribution, and overdose response capacity while also strengthening data-driven monitoring and outbreak response to guide prevention strategies and protect residents from communicable diseases; and also expanded the public health kiosks.
The department is also responsible for conducting inspections, investigations and regulatory enforcement to safeguard food safety, monitor environmental hazards, respond to complaints, and prevent vector-borne disease.
The annual report stated that 83% of the department’s $11.4 million budget came from federal and state funding and that the remainder for that time period was funded through American Rescue Plan Act revenues.
“As we reflect on 2025, this report represents the dedication of our staff and partners who work every day to protect and promote the health of Delaware County residents,” county Health Director Lora Siegmann Werner said. “We remain committed to building a resilient, equitable public health system for the future.”
The full Delaware County Health Department annual report can be viewed at https://delcopa.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/DCHD-2025-Annual-Report-Revised.pdf.
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