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Carney says he wasn’t ‘comfortable’ approving end-of-life options bill; vetoes legislation

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Carney says he wasn’t ‘comfortable’ approving end-of-life options bill; vetoes legislation


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  • Decades in the making, House Bill 140 was set to give end-of-life options to terminally ill Delawareans with a prognosis of six months or less to live.
  • While the General Assembly approved the bill earlier this year by tight margins, Gov. John Carney on Sept. 20 vetoed the legislation.
  • Carney said he is “fundamentally and morally opposed” to the law, which he said has little concensus and support among medical professionals.

Ron Silverio. Heather Block. Chuck Knothe.

These terminally ill Delawareans, all of whom suffered from cancer, wanted the option to die on their own terms. They wanted the choice to self-administer life-ending medication so they and their loved ones wouldn’t be put through the often ugly and frequently painful last few days and weeks of death.

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Silverio died on Jan. 7, 2018. Block died two months later, on March 3, 2018. Knothe died this week, on Sept. 16, 2024.

None of them lived long enough to have those options in Delaware. And Gov. John Carney’s veto of House Bill 140 on Friday ensures no other terminally ill First State residents will, either.

CHUCK KNOTHE’S DYING WISH: Facing imminent death, he wanted to go on his terms. Why governor’s inaction prevented that

Carney vetoed the bill commonly known as the Ron Silverio/Heather Block End of Life Options Law, blocking terminally ill Delaware residents with six months or less to live from being able to choose when and how they die. Delaware would have been the 12th state in the country to allow medical aid in dying.

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In his veto letter to state lawmakers, Carney said he does not believe there is “firm consensus” on the issue within the medical community.

“Although I understand not everyone shares my views, I am fundamentally and morally opposed to state law enabling someone, even under tragic and painful circumstances, to take their own life,” he wrote. “As I have shared consistently, I am simply not comfortable letting this piece of legislation become law.”

How this legislation made its way to Gov. Carney’s desk

The legislation, which was nearly a decade in the making, was passed in the final days of this year’s session. This iteration of the bill was introduced last year by Rep. Paul Baumbach, with Reps. Eric Morrison, Melissa Minor-Brown and Sen. Bryan Townsend co-sponsoring the bill.

While the Delaware House of Representatives voted in favor in April, the Senate didn’t pass the legislation until June 25. It only narrowly survived an 11-10 vote along party lines.

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Much of the debate over the bill echoed that of abortion rights, with some legislators invoking God in their arguments.

“Whether you believe in God or not, whether you’re an atheist or not, He still brought you in, He takes you home,” said Sen. Dave Lawson, a Republican representing Marydel, in late June.

(Democratic Sen. Laura Sturgeon briefly interjected as Lawson spoke, noting that government is supposed to “separate Church and State.”)

BACKGROUND: How a Delaware bill would give terminally ill patients end-of-life options

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Others made the “slippery slope” argument that abortion opponents also frequently invoke.

“Once society begins to accept the premise that some lives are not worth living, where does it end?” asked Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, a Republican representing Georgetown.

“We risk normalizing the idea that suicide is an acceptable solution to suffering,” he continued, “which could lead to broader and more dangerous interpretations potentially encompassing those with non-terminal illnesses or mental health concerns.”

But proponents of the bill were quick to point out that the Delaware law is narrowly tailored. It’s also very specific about who is eligible and what safeguards must be in place.

What safeguards were in place?

Had Carney allowed for the passage of the legislation, only Delaware residents would have been permitted to request life-ending medication, unlike some states that do not have a residency requirement.

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Residents would have had to make the request for themselves – it could not be done on a person’s behalf. To be eligible, a patient was required to have a terminal illness with a prognosis of less than six months to live. 

“An individual cannot qualify for medication to end life under this chapter solely because of the individual’s age or disability,” the bill says, adding that a mental illness is not a qualifying illness.

After eligibility is determined and a person has made an oral request for the medication – which typically induces death in about three hours – patients would have been required to perform numerous additional steps, including:

  • Submitting a second, written request that is witnessed by at least two adults (with limitations on who can be a witness)
  • Being provided the opportunity to rescind their request
  • Undergoing two waiting periods before a physician can prescribe the medication.

According to lobbyist organization Compassion and Choices, even once prescribed the medication, less than two-thirds of patients actually use it.

Additionally, healthcare facilities were allowed to prohibit physicians or Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) from prescribing medication as long as they notified all providers and the public of the policy.

Prescribers could have also refused a request for any reason.

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Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_



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Arson displaces 4 in Delaware Street home in Indianapolis

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Arson displaces 4 in Delaware Street home in Indianapolis


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A fire intentionally set inside a home on Monday afternoon displaced four adults, according to a social media post from the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Crews were sent just before 2 p.m. Monday to the home at 2940 N. Delaware St. That’s in the Nickols North Park housing addition about two blocks north of East Fall Creek Parkway North Drive.

No injuries were reported.

Investigators did not publicly share a possible motive behind the arson.

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Firefighters found heavy fire and thick black smoke coming from the second floor of the two-story home on the city’s near-north side. The fire in a second-floor room had extended into the attic.

The fire was marked under control within 15 minutes.

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.



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State Police Investigating a Shots Fired Incident in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

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State Police Investigating a Shots Fired Incident in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware


Date Posted: Sunday, November 2nd, 2025

Delaware State Police are investigating a shots fired complaint stemming from a road rage incident that occurred Saturday afternoon in Dover.

On November 1, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., troopers responded to the area of North Dupont Highway, near Fork Branch Road, for a report of shots fired. The preliminary investigation revealed that as the victim was traveling southbound on North Dupont Highway, approaching Fork Branch Road, she drove around a slower moving pickup truck. While the victim was waiting at the red light on North Dupont Highway, at Fork Branch Road, the pickup truck stopped on the shoulder next to her. For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the pickup truck fired a single shot, striking the victim’s vehicle, then fled. The victim, a 56-year-old woman from Dover, Delaware, was not injured.

The fleeing vehicle was described as a dark colored pickup truck, pulling a trailer, which possibly displayed a Delaware registration plate on the trailer. The driver was described as a white male, with a slim build and facial hair, wearing a baseball hat.

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The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information to contact Detective S. Heitzman at (302) 698-8555. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

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Delaware not quite up to FBS, Conference USA standards in 59-30 loss at Liberty

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Delaware not quite up to FBS, Conference USA standards in 59-30 loss at Liberty


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LYNCHBURG, Va. – For the first time this year, Delaware looked out of its league.

That was bound to happen at some point for the Blue Hens, first-year members of Conference USA and the Football Bowl Subdivision that they are.

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And it shouldn’t come as a great surprise that their exposure came on the campus of Liberty University, inside Williams Stadium, against a scenic Appalachian Mountains backdrop to the west.

It was truly a perfect college football setting in which Delaware’s imperfections were revealed.

That Liberty, who took an unbeaten record to the Fiesta Bowl just two years ago, was the opponent who uncovered the Blue Hens’ flaws was only a bit surprising. The Flames had not been their usual ferocious selves this year.

Based on its recent performances, it actually appeared Delaware had a prayer against the Flames.

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Those answered, however, were the exclusive domain of evangelically rooted Liberty on this day, which showed no mercy for each Delaware indiscretion in its 59-30 romp.

There were a multitude of those, including Delaware having to settle for three points instead of earning six or seven three times in the first half, with failed execution and penalties among the culprits there. It sent Delaware into halftime down 28-9.

And Liberty surely took advantage of each shortcoming while also running roughshod over the Blue Hens. Evan Dickens ran for a career-high 217 yards and four touchdowns, including his 72-scoring sprint on the second play of the second half.

It put Liberty ahead 35-9, which had to feel eerily familiar to the Blue Hens. They’d fallen behind 35-6 in their 38-25 loss at Jacksonville State Oct. 15.

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Delaware did appear more overmatched in this one, however, and again went about inflating its passing stats while playing catchup.

“It’s just an all-around butt whoopin’ is what it was,” coach Ryan Carty said afterward.

Particularly pivotal moments occurred in the second quarter. Down 14-6 with fourth-and-6 at its own 28, Delaware attempted a fake punt on which Gavin Moul took the snap and then pitched to K.T. Seay.

Liberty wasn’t fooled, dropping Seay for a 7-yard loss. The Flames scored two plays later to go up 14-6.

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“It was a terrible call in hindsight,” Carty said. “So that is what it is. Sometimes you make those  . . . It was just a well-defended play. But the look that we saw was conducive to it and the kid made a nice play, kind of ran right into it.”

Delaware did punt on its next series and almost had quarterback Ethan Vasko sacked on a third-and-8 at his 47 before he completed a 17-yard pass. Then, on a 19-yard catch that put Liberty at the 1, Seay appeared to have forced a fumble on which the ball hit the pylon – which would have been a touchback giving Delaware possession – but referees and replay officials ruled otherwise.

That was extremely pivotal. A touchdown there and another following an interception quickly put the Flames in command 28-6. It seemed like Delaware’s likelihood of winning had nearly vanished in an instant.

That’s where it’s important to remember that, as well as Delaware played to beat UConn and Florida International and nearly stun Western Kentucky, the Hens are first-year CUSA members. They’ve had one recruiting class and some transfer portal additions to build on what was already a very good FCS-level roster.

But this business of big-time college football is pitiless. Opportunity must be seized. Muscle and speed and smarts must be met with more of each.

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 And mistakes get magnified, especially against a foe as formidable as Liberty.

 On Nov. 1, they amplified the fact that, for Delaware, the 2025 seasons is an initiation and the Hens still have a lot to learn.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.



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