Delaware

As Wildfires in Canada rage on, smoke breaches US border. Will Delaware see wildfire smoke?

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2024

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As Wildfires in Canada rage on, smoke breaches US border. Will Delaware see wildfire smoke?

A string of worsening Canadian wildfires over the weekend has resulted in smoke drifting into the United States.

Here’s what you need to know about the situation and if wildfire smoke will impact Delaware.

Canadian wildfires

Canada’s wildfire season is underway, with several fires increasing in intensity and causing evacuations since last week.

ABC News reports over 100 active wildfires burning in Canada, with 91 of them located in British Columbia and Alberta provinces and officials labeling 40 of the 140 active fires as “out of control.” As the wildfires progress, areas most at risk continue to be evacuated.

Canadian wildfire smoke officially rolled into the U.S. over the weekend, with states from Montana to Wisconsin getting a whiff. Heavy smoke in Minnesota resulted in the state’s first air quality alert of 2024 being issued on May 12, remaining in place through May 13. Minnesota’s air quality index has fluctuated between “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” since the wildfire smoke breached its borders.

Officials expect Minnesota’s smoke to be “much weaker” on Monday, but Nebraska is expected to see hazy skies during the evening.

By sunrise on Monday, the wildfire smoke in the U.S. will likely be much weaker, with medium levels reaching from Wisconsin to southern Minnesota.

Air quality report: ‘Delaware still has work to do’: 2024 air quality report highlights air pollution concerns

Is Delaware at risk?

USA Today’s wildfire smoke map tracks wildfire incidents, warnings and smoke impacts across the U.S.

As of 9 a.m. on May 13, thick density smoke from Canada extending south into the northern U.S. could still be seen in Montana, the Dakotas and Minnesota. The smoke also moved south into the central U.S., where it mixed with smoke from fire activity and seasonal burning in the country. The overall large smoke engulfing central and eastern U.S. could be seen moving eastward into the Atlantic Ocean.

As for Delaware, the map shows light density smoke enveloping the region, with medium density smoke in some of the southernmost parts of Delaware.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Air Quality Forecast reports “good” air quality in Delaware on Monday, a value from 0 to 50, adding that the air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no risk. Monday’s ozone levels are at a value of 44 and a PM2.5 of 39. PM 2.5 is defined as fine, inhalable particles or droplets in the air with diameters of 2.5 micrometers and smaller.

According to DNREC, light to moderate southerly winds will gradually transport pollutants into Delaware on Monday. Partly to mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s will aid ozone production, but regional pollutant carryover will be low, resulting in Air Quality Index levels that are high for ozone and good for PM2.5. The AQI determines how clean or polluted air is and what associated health effects might be a concern.

By Tuesday, moderate and gusty southerly winds will enhance dispersion and increasing clouds will hinder ozone production, resulting in high AQI levels for ozone and good AQI levels for PM2.5. DNREC expects Tuesday’s ozone value to be at 40 and PM2.5 value to be at 50, both in the “good” zone.

Wednesday is also expected to have good AQI levels for both ozone and PM2.5, with cloudy skies and periods of rain limiting ozone development and moderate easterly winds transporting clean air into Delaware.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Sen. Coons calls appointment of Delaware’s acting U.S. attorney ‘probably illegal’

Published

18 hours ago

November 26, 2025

Press Room

Sen. Coons calls appointment of Delaware’s acting U.S. attorney ‘probably illegal’

What are journalists missing from the state of Delaware? What would you most like WHYY News to cover? Let us know.

Is Delaware’s “acting” U.S. attorney, a loyalist of President Donald Trump who chaired the state Republican Party immediately before her appointment, serving in the post illegally?

That’s a question now being asked about Julianne Murray as federal courts around the country have ruled that five other U.S. attorneys were unlawfully put in their posts on an “interim” or “acting” basis by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Bondi installed Murray as Delaware’s “interim” U.S. attorney in July. The 120-day limit for interim appointments ended this month, when Bondi changed Murray’s status as Delaware’s chief federal law enforcement officer to “acting.”

But U.S. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that vets candidates for U.S. attorney posts, told WHYY News he thinks the steps Bondi took to keep Murray in the post are “probably illegal.”

The nation’s 93 U.S. attorneys are critical law enforcement administrators who guide prosecutions in their jurisdictions for a wide range of federal cases, including gang violence, narcotics trafficking, firearms crimes, kidnapping, bank fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.

Under the U.S. Constitution, federal law and longstanding practice, U.S. attorneys are nominated by the president and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Bondi, however, has chosen a nontraditional route with some appointments, only to have her end-around maneuvers declared unlawful in New Jersey, Virginia, Nevada, New Mexico and California.

The latest reversal came Monday. In a dramatic decision, a judge ruled that former Trump personal lawyer Lindsey Halligan — an insurance lawyer with no prosecutorial experience before Bondi made her interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in September — was illegally installed. Bondi immediately pledged to appeal.

Perhaps more importantly, the judge’s order that Halligan’s appointment was unlawful also dismissed two high-profile cases — the criminal indictments against former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Trump had publicly called for their prosecutions and Halligan, within days of taking the job, obtained grand jury indictments against them.

Meanwhile, the status of Alina Habba, another of Trump’s former personal attorneys who Bondi put in the New Jersey post this year, only to have her actions declared unlawful in August, is also in limbo. The case is now before the 3rd U.S. Circuit of Appeals, whose decisions govern New Jersey and Delaware.

From left, the appointments of Alina Habba of New Jersey and Lindsey Halligan of the Eastern District of Virginia have been ruled illegal. (Associated Press/The White House)

While no formal legal challenge has been brought against Murray’s appointment, the details surrounding her installation have similarities to the others that have been contested and ruled invalid.

Murray and the others have not been nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate.

And like Habba in New Jersey, the judges in the U.S. District Court for Delaware decided not to reappoint Murray to the post after her initial 120-day “interim” status ended Nov. 11.

Federal law says that after 120 days, a district’s judges may put someone in the post until the vacancy is formally filled.

In New Jersey, the judges named Habba’s top assistant to the post, but Bondi promptly fired her. Then, Bondi took several legal steps to make Habba the “acting” U.S. Attorney, using another federal law that lets someone fill a post for 210 days.

Even though a judge ruled Habba’s appointment unlawful in August, she remains in the post while the Trump administration appeals.

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Delaware

Housing advocates urge Wilmington officials to do more to address homelessness

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Housing advocates urge Wilmington officials to do more to address homelessness

Mayor John Carney vowed to address homelessness in his first year in office. He is proposing allowing unhoused people to camp in one of the city’s parks. But all other encampments would be banned.

“As we attempt to provide support for the unhoused here in Wilmington, we have a responsibility on how, on behalf of the residents of neighborhoods, to ensure that Wilmington operates in an orderly and lawful way,” he said in October.

Raquel Cruz said she doesn’t think the mayor’s plan goes far enough.

“The mayor needs to do much, much more than just shuffle the unhoused around rather than try to pursue better outcomes for them,” she said.

Raquel Cruz and Noel Camacho joined the rally at Wilmington City Hall to advocate for more services for the homeless. (Sarah Mueller/WHYY)

Housing advocates argue a ban on sleeping outside criminalizes homelessness. They said Wilmington needs more shelter beds and affordable housing.

Carney said city officials would provide restroom facilities and clean water for Christina Park residents and will explore adding a shower facility there. On-site security is also part of the plan.

The city is also working with the Wilmington Housing Authority and the Ministry of Caring to open a dining hall for the homeless at the WHA site a block away from Christina Park.

People marching on the sidewalk and holding up signs — Marchers walk to the Wilmington city hall as part of a progressive movement meant to rally support for homeless services. (Sarah Mueller/WHYY)

The mayor has also argued that Philadelphia’s efforts to clean up Kensington, an area known for an open-air drug market and homeless encampments, is adding to Wilmington’s homeless population looking for shelter and services.

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Delaware

Here’s which stores are open for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping in Delaware

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Here’s which stores are open for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping in Delaware

Whether you need to grab some last-minute Thanksgiving ingredients or are planning to indulge in the doorbuster deals on Black Friday, you’ll need to know the store hours of your local grocery stores, malls and retailers.

This year, Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 27, and the annual Black Friday shopping rush falls on Nov. 28.

Order from Instacart:

Here’s which Delaware stores and malls are open during Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

What are Christiana Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?

Christiana Mall near Christiana will be closed for Thanksgiving, but will have special expanded hours on Black Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What are Concord Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?

Concord Mall in Brandywine Hundred is also closing its doors Thanksgiving, but will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Black Friday.

What major retailers are open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Before racing off to find Black Friday deals, check when these major retailers are open.

Target: Target stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
Walmart: All Walmart stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open the following day at 6 a.m. for Black Friday deals.
Boscov’s: Boscov’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Macy’s: Macy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Best Buy: Best Buy stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Kohl’s: Kohl’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
TJ Maxx: TJ Maxx stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 7 a.m. on Black Friday.
JCPenney: JCPenney locations will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen Black Friday at 5 a.m.
Nordstrom: Nordstrom stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.

What grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving?

If you’re looking to get supplies for your Thanksgiving dish or you forgot a key ingredient before the big meal, here are Delaware grocery stores’ hours on Thanksgiving.