Delaware
Del. Gov. John Carney signs new climate change laws
This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.
From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.
Delaware is one step closer to building offshore wind as several climate bills became law earlier this month.
The Delaware Energy Solutions Act of 2024 creates a framework for Delaware to request and approve offshore wind projects. The federal government, under the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, designates offshore wind sites and oversees auctions. While projects moved forward in neighboring New Jersey and Maryland, Delaware had been the only coastal state along the Eastern seaboard without a process to approve offshore wind projects.
This month, the federal government approved US Wind’s Maryland Offshore Wind Project off the Delmarva coast, which it said will generate enough electricity to power 718,000 homes.
The project would run power export cables under Delaware-regulated wetlands, state waters and the Indian River Bay. The application has drawn considerable opposition, with some saying it could hurt tourism and harm native wildlife.
Bill sponsor state Sen. Stephanie Hansen said she understands those fears but believes the turbines will actually draw people to the area.
“I think they’re afraid of it because they’re worried about what it’s going to look like,” she said. “What we could do is take a look at how it’s been received in other areas that actually do have offshore wind turbines. It actually increases tourism.”
Hansen said embracing wind energy is important for the First State because it’s the lowest-lying state in the United States, so other renewable sources like hydroelectric and nuclear aren’t good alternatives.
“Climate change is no joke,” she said. “It’s big, it’s overwhelming at times, but we have now as a state picked up our laboring oar and we are rowing in the right direction.”
Delaware
There can only be one: Delaware River among three Pennsylvania waterways up for state award
Three rivers. One award.
Voting is now open for Pennsylvania River of the Year.
The Delaware River, which flows through the Poconos in Northeast Pennsylvania, is up against Perkiomen Creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill River, located northwest of Philadelphia; and the Youghiogheny River in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
“We’re thrilled to be nominated for 2025 designation, and we encourage the public to go vote … for the Delaware River so we can really help bring more attention to the outstanding resource that we have in our backyard,” said Mark Zakutansky, a member of the Delaware River Sojourn’s Steering committee.
The committee put the river in the running for the award. It’s made up of organizations, nonprofits, government, individual volunteers and businesses all along the Delaware River.
The sojourn celebrates its 30th year in 2025. The committee hoped for the nomination to help promote the annual paddling and camping trip down the 330-mile river.
“This is not just a celebration of the river, but, also, of all the people that have really dedicated their work lives and personal lives to make it better,” Delaware River Basin Commission spokesperson Kate Schmidt said.
The seven-day sojourn will be held the third week of June, and the event will proceed with or without the designation.
“We ultimately feel that the best way to kind of discover something is to do it,” said Schmidt. “So the best way to discover the Delaware River is to get on it and paddle.”
A quick history
Last year the Allegheny River won the award. In 2023, it was the North Branch of the Susquehanna. The Delaware has won before, in 2011 and 2002; just the Upper Delaware won in 1995.
Its east and west branches meet in Hancock, New York. The river forms an interstate boundary its entire length but the largest part of the watershed is in Pennsylvania. The river ends where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Schmidt says 14.2 million people — almost 4% of the entire population of the United States — rely on the river’s basin.
“For drinking, industry, agriculture, you know pretty much for their daily needs,” she said.
The indigenous Lenape people named the river Lenapewihittuck. They lived in the Delaware Valley, along tributaries of the river. Dutch settlers discovered the waterway in the 1600s and called it the South River.
The English then named the river after Sir Thomas West, the third Lord de la Warr. The Lenape became known as the Delawares.
Winner will receive $10K grant
Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) facilitates the River of the Year program with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
The winning river’s nominating organization will receive a $10,000 DCNR grant to fund year-long celebrations, including paddling events and community activities
Voting ends Jan. 24. To cast a vote, visit https://pawatersheds.org/about-river-of-the-year/vote-roy/
NEWS FEED
Governor Carney Issues Statement on Senate Confirmations
Date Posted: December 16, 2024
Holiday Safety
Date Posted: December 16, 2024
Statement from Governor Carney
Date Posted: December 14, 2024
2024 Electoral College
Date Posted: December 13, 2024
Presidential Daughter Ashley Biden, Gov. Carney, DNREC Secretary Garvin Rededicate Renovated Biden Environmental Center
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Delaware Natural Resources Police, DNREC Again Stock Santa’s Sleigh Via USMC Reserve Toys for Tots Partnership
Date Posted: December 13, 2024
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Date Posted: December 12, 2024
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Date Posted: December 9, 2024
Delaware Paramedics Administer 250th Unit of Whole Blood for Prehospital Care
Date Posted: December 9, 2024
Laurel Fire
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Delaware Day Adventure Begins December 7
Date Posted: December 6, 2024
E-ZPass Delaware Announces Annual Free Transponder Event
Date Posted: December 5, 2024
DSHA Celebrates Home Sweet Home For The Holidays Program And $75 Million In Additional Assistance
Date Posted: December 5, 2024
Cheswold Fire
Date Posted: December 4, 2024
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AG Jennings reaches agreement with recidivist Wilmington landlord to shut down operations in Delaware
Date Posted: December 4, 2024
Delaware Office of Highway Safety Encourages Safe Driving Decisions for Seniors and Their Loved Ones
Date Posted: December 3, 2024
Nominations Open for 2025 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards
Date Posted: December 3, 2024
Smyrna administrative assistant named 2025 Delaware Educational Support Professional of the Year
Date Posted: December 2, 2024
Delaware 250 Announces Fall 2024 Grant Recipients
Date Posted: December 2, 2024
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit Lori Crawford’s “EnvironMental Just(ice) Mercy”
Date Posted: December 2, 2024
Winter Weather Awareness Week: December 2 to 6
Date Posted: November 27, 2024
2025 Delaware State Parks Annual Passes, Surf Fishing Permits to Go on Sale Dec. 3
Date Posted: November 27, 2024
DHSS Adds New Data and Reports to the CostAware Website
Date Posted: November 26, 2024
Delaware Celebrates National Adoption Month
Date Posted: November 26, 2024
Thanksgiving Safety 2024
Date Posted: November 26, 2024
DNREC Begins Emergency Dredging Project Restoring Beach North of Indian River Inlet
Date Posted: November 25, 2024
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Date Posted: November 25, 2024
Registration Open for 2025 Junior Solar Sprint
Date Posted: November 25, 2024
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Date Posted: November 22, 2024
Governor Carney Proclaims November 17-23 as Delaware Apprenticeship Week
Date Posted: November 22, 2024
Governor Carney Announces Judicial Nominations
Date Posted: November 22, 2024
Delaware Office of Highway Safety Launches Sober Rides Initiative and Kicks Off Winter Holiday Road Safety Campaign
Date Posted: November 21, 2024
Governor Carney, DSB Announce Fall 2024 EDGE Grant Competition Awards
Date Posted: November 20, 2024
City Of Wilmington Celebrates Ten Years Of Downtown Development Districts
Date Posted: November 20, 2024
Division of Revenue Releases Guidance on New Short-term Rental Lodging Tax
Date Posted: November 20, 2024
DOJ secures life plus decades more in prison for domestic violence repeat offender
Date Posted: November 19, 2024
Federal Court Orders Harris Jewelry to Restore its Website and Portal for Servicemembers to Request Refunds
Date Posted: November 19, 2024
Agriculture, Food and Natural Science Students Take Home Awards from 97th National FFA Convention & Expo
Date Posted: November 19, 2024
Delaware Forest Service To Host Upcoming Wildfire Training
Date Posted: November 18, 2024
Delaware’s Sports Tourism Industry Contributed Significant Economic Impact in 2023, According to Recent Study
Date Posted: November 15, 2024
Delaware Celebrates Improvements To The Housing Assistance Application Process
Date Posted: November 15, 2024
Delaware Natural Resources Police Collecting Toys for Tots Donations for Kids
Date Posted: November 15, 2024
Delaware State Housing Authority Recognizes Mortgage Lending Community And Veterans At 2024 Annual Lender Meeting
Date Posted: November 14, 2024
Delaware Officials Unveil Harm Reduction Vending Machines
Date Posted: November 14, 2024
2025 District/Charter Educational Support Professionals of the Year Honored
Date Posted: November 14, 2024
Historical Marker Dedicated – Mount Olive Holiness Pentecostal Church in Smyrna
Date Posted: November 13, 2024
DelDOT Receives Top Bond Rating and Announces Bond Sale
Date Posted: November 12, 2024
Delaware’s Education Savings Plan Earns Silver Rating
Date Posted: November 7, 2024
Delaware Schools Receive National, State Honors
Date Posted: November 6, 2024
DNREC to Host Nov. 14 Webinar about Storm Water Management and Living Shorelines
Date Posted: November 6, 2024
Governor Carney Releases Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) Board Report
Date Posted: November 4, 2024
DOJ secures conviction in the killing of Cynthia Amalfitano
Date Posted: November 4, 2024
AG Jennings and bipartisan coalition of 30 states announce finalization of settlement with Kroger over opioid crisis
Date Posted: November 4, 2024
Carney Administration Outlines Investments in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Date Posted: November 1, 2024
Open Enrollment on Delaware’s Health Insurance Marketplace Starts Nov. 1
Date Posted: November 1, 2024
AG Jennings Announces Cooperation Agreements and Settlements with Heritage and Apotex totaling $49.1 Million
Date Posted: November 1, 2024
DNREC Reopens Castle Trail Along C&D Canal Following Repairs to Storm-Damaged Section
Date Posted: October 31, 2024
Delaware Partners with American Cancer Society for 2nd Annual Lung Cancer Screening Campaign
Date Posted: October 31, 2024
OMC Provides Update on License Lottery and Selected Applicants for Delaware’s Marijuana Industry
Date Posted: October 31, 2024
Funding Awarded for Tree-Planting Projects
Date Posted: October 31, 2024
With Annual Fall Trout Stocking in White Clay Creek, DNREC Delivers Angling Opportunities
Date Posted: October 30, 2024
Carney, Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester Announce Over $127 Million in Federal Funding to Decarbonize Port Wilmington
Date Posted: October 30, 2024
Governor Carney Launches Statewide Student Mentoring Program
Date Posted: October 29, 2024
DPH Oral Health Screening Programs Support Students’ Healthy Smiles and Expand Access to Dental Care
Date Posted: October 29, 2024
Opioid Fund Co-Chairs Release Roadmap to Recalibrate Use of Settlement Funds
Date Posted: October 28, 2024
New HSCA Rate Goes into Effect in January
Date Posted: October 28, 2024
AG Jennings resuspends financial advisor for illegally accessing former clients’ account information
Date Posted: October 28, 2024
DOJ secures more than two decades of prison time in cold case murder
Date Posted: October 28, 2024
Housing Assistance Applicants Should Update Information On Public Housing Waitlists By Nov. 22
Date Posted: October 28, 2024
Delaware Forest Service Opens Grants for Local Communities
Date Posted: October 28, 2024
Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) Conducts Lottery for Delaware’s Regulated Marijuana Industry
Date Posted: October 25, 2024
Governor Carney, with Guidance from Water Supply Coordinating Council, Declares Statewide Drought Watch
Date Posted: October 25, 2024
Tag-A-Palooza 2024
Date Posted: October 24, 2024
Office of the Marijuana Commissioner: Licensing Lottery
Date Posted: October 23, 2024
AG Jennings issues open letter to Delaware landlords urging Delaware Landlord/Tenant Code Compliance
Date Posted: October 22, 2024
New Housing Vouchers for Delaware Families
Date Posted: October 21, 2024
Piping Plover Population in Delaware Experiences Slight Decline, Offset by Higher Nesting Success
Date Posted: October 21, 2024
National Slow Down Move Over Day Observed as Delaware Sees Near Record Crashes
Date Posted: October 18, 2024
Delaware Officials Unveil New Sign to Celebrate Delaware’s Agricultural Lands Preservation Program
Date Posted: October 17, 2024
DOJ secures prison time for former trooper
Date Posted: October 16, 2024
Colonial Teacher Named Delaware 2025 Teacher of the Year
Date Posted: October 15, 2024
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags
Date Posted: October 15, 2024
Delaware Faces Dry Conditions: Open Burning Ban Issued, Water Conservation Urged
Date Posted: October 15, 2024
Burning Ban
Date Posted: October 15, 2024
DelDOT Announces 4th Annual Name That Plow Contest
Date Posted: October 15, 2024
Potassium Iodide Distribution on October 24 in Townsend
Date Posted: October 15, 2024
DPH Releases Latest Cancer Incidence and Mortality Trends in Delaware
Date Posted: October 14, 2024
Navarro Announces Eighth Consecutive Workers’ Comp Rate Decrease
Date Posted: October 14, 2024
Governor Carney Statement on Honorable James T. Vaughn, Jr.’s Passing
Date Posted: October 11, 2024
Delaware Celebrates $14.3 Million Climate Grant for I-95 Charging Infrastructure
Date Posted: October 10, 2024
AG Jennings Announces $52 Million Multistate Settlement with Marriott for Data Breach
Date Posted: October 10, 2024
First Spouse Tracey Quillen Carney, Delaware DOE, Delaware Readiness Teams Kick off Kindergarten Registration
Date Posted: October 9, 2024
From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!
Cerron Cade has been a trusted member of Gov. John Carney’s cabinet, serving as both labor secretary and currently budget director.
Carney, who will become Wilmington mayor next month, has so much faith in Cade that he appointed him as city chief of staff.
Cade’s political career is now in jeopardy. He’s been suspended with pay from his state post for what the governor, in a cryptic Saturday evening news release, called a “personal legal matter.”
But WHYY News has learned that Cade, who oversees the state’s $7.2 billion operating and capital budgets, was arrested last week by state police for what court records describe as serial petty shoplifting from Wilmington’s Home Depot store.
Cade, 41, faces six counts of misdemeanor shoplifting for thefts that allegedly occurred between June 16 and Oct. 30.
Cade, whose taxpayer-funded salary is $164,000, allegedly stole eight items valued at $394.32, court records obtained by WHYY News show. Attempts to reach Cade were unsuccessful.
The four-page arrest affidavit, provided by Delaware Justice of the Peace Court under a public records request, says Cade utilized a practice known as “skip scanning.”
That means Cade allegedly purchased items at the store’s self-checkout registers but didn’t scan one or more items on each of the six separate incidents that were outlined in the arrest warrant.
The items Cade is accused of stealing were for gardening, patio and other home uses. The items include the following:
- Area rug, $199
- Animal cage trap, $74.97
- Patio lantern, $39.98
- Contractor bags, $29.97
- Paint, $16.48
- Laundry detergent, $15.97
- Battery-operated candle, $10.98
- Bag of soil, $6.97
Cade, who stands 6 feet, 6 inches tall, usually drove his gray 2019 Chevrolet Traverse SUV to the store on Miller Road, the warrant said. His arrival, departure and movements inside the cavernous Home Depot were captured on store surveillance cameras, the warrant said.
On one occasion, Cade was observed putting an item he allegedly stole — the animal cage trap — inside one he bought — a planter, the warrant said.
On another occasion, he put the candle inside the patio lantern, and stole them both, the warrant said.
State police, who didn’t announce the arrest in a news release but provided basic information after a request by WHYY News, said they began investigating on Dec. 6 after Home Depot reported multiple thefts by the same suspect.
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