Delaware
Delaware Day of Action with REFORM Alliance Highlights Reentry Supports, System Change – State of Delaware News
WILMINGTON, Del. — Community and state leaders highlighted the need for robust reentry supports to help returning citizens thrive during the first Delaware Day of Action, a special convening for criminal justice advocates and policymakers.
Hosted by Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Senator Darius Brown and Representative Melissa Minor-Brown in partnership with REFORM Alliance, the Delaware Day of Action brought together organizations, community leaders, and advocates to discuss systemic change efforts in the First State and how to turn hope into action. Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples, REFORM’s Chief Marketing Officer, was a featured guest, sharing his personal story of redemption and how he is making a difference one connection at a time. Wallo grew up in Philadelphia where he cycled in and out of the juvenile justice system before being sentenced to serve 20 years in prison. Upon his release, he built a social media platform that reaches tens of millions of people with inspiration, humor, and hard-earned lessons that inspire people across the world to step into their greatness and discover their purpose.
“For our justice-impacted Delawareans, the cards are often stacked against them. I can say anecdotally that 80% of the people who come before me at the Board of Pardons have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences. Without the proper wraparound services, community support, and government policies in place, coming home can be a one-way trip back to court or worse,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long, chair of the Board of Pardons. In that role, she has worked to streamline the commutation and pardons process and advocate for trauma-informed approaches in the justice system.
“That’s why we need convenings like the Delaware Day of Action. Today, we heard from Delawareans with lived experience, community leaders, experts in our legal system and corrections and public safety sector. These experiences matter and make our state stronger. I want to thank Senator Brown, House Majority Leader Minor-Brown, Rep. Cooke, the Behavioral Health Consortium, and Wallo267 and the REFORM Alliance for working toward a justice system that is fair and just for all regardless of Zip code, background, and experience.”
The call-to-action for the day was Get Engaged. Panel discussions highlighted Delaware’s expungement process and legislative progress, comprehensive reentry supports, efforts to address recidivism, and culturally proficient interventions like H.E.A.T (Habilitation Empowerment Accountability Therapy).
“When you get brilliant minds from all walks of life in the same room—formerly incarcerated individuals, law enforcement professionals, lawmakers, and advocates—that’s when the most amazing solutions can happen. You can’t teach what you don’t know; you can’t lead where you don’t go. At REFORM, we’ve seen firsthand that ensuring people with lived experience have not just a seat at the table but lead the charge alongside those in power to make change is how transformation takes shape. When you really listen to communities and build partnerships across diverse perspectives, that’s the true power of today’s Day of Action,” said Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples, Chief Marketing Officer, REFORM Alliance.
Added Erin Haney, Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer, REFORM Alliance:
“There is incredible momentum for the inspiring justice reform already building here in Delaware. Not only do we have the opportunity to learn about and highlight hard-won victories that are touching thousands of lives – but we are charting a course for further change. A true ‘reimagining’ of the justice system that safely reduces incarceration and supervision, invests in communities over prisons, and replaces cycles of crime and recidivism with hope and opportunity. We’re grateful to the many leaders standing up for meaningful justice reform in Delaware, and especially Lt. Governor Hall-Long and her team, Senator Darius Brown, and Representative Melissa Minor-Brown for their partnership and collaboration.”
Through the leadership of Senator Brown and Rep. Minor-Brown, during the past few years Delaware has led on restorative justice legislation that has reformed the expungement process, banned deceptive interrogation techniques, and addressed barriers to employment, among other initiatives.
“Our criminal justice system needs work. No one can deny that. Over the past few years, we have passed numerous bills to try to create a more just system here in Delaware, but we can’t do it alone,” said House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown. “The Delaware Day of Action offered myself and my colleagues in the General Assembly the opportunity to hear from so many different voices on the topic of restorative justice. I am certain this will prove to be invaluable in our work to make sure our criminal justice system doesn’t do more harm than good.”
Senator Brown, a co-host of the Day of Action event, has been described by the Wilmington News Journal as a champion of criminal justice reform and racial equity. The founding chair of the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Brown passed legislation that is now helping to remove barriers to education, employment and housing for more than 290,000 Delawareans. He also served as a prime sponsor of bills that enacted the first major reforms to Delaware’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights in a generation, established new training standards for Delaware law enforcement officers, mandated the use of body-worn cameras, outlawed choke holds, provided legal protections for hair styles historically associated with race, and added an equal rights amendment to the Delaware Constitution, among many other initiatives.
“The REFORM Alliance has been a strong partner in my work to deliver restorative justice and economic opportunities to Delawareans who have earned a second chance,” Senator Darius Brown said.
“That support continued with today’s Day of Action event, which brought together community members, advocacy organizations and elected officials to discuss how we can work together to break down barriers to second chances and get people leaving prison the support they need to turn their lives around,” he said. “I am grateful to REFORM Alliance, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall Long and House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown for joining me for this latest step forward in our work to improve public systems and help eliminate disparate impacts felt by Black and Brown Delawareans who are served by those systems.”
ABOUT REFORM Alliance
REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America’s criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable, and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work, and equip them with the tools to succeed, all while making families and communities safer and stronger.
The nonprofit organization was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement. REFORM Board Members include award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner and philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai. Veteran criminal justice advocate Robert Rooks leads the organization as CEO.
To date, REFORM has worked to pass 18 bipartisan bills in 11 states, which have created new pathways for more than 800,000 people to exit the system.
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
WILMINGTON, Del. — Community and state leaders highlighted the need for robust reentry supports to help returning citizens thrive during the first Delaware Day of Action, a special convening for criminal justice advocates and policymakers.
Hosted by Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Senator Darius Brown and Representative Melissa Minor-Brown in partnership with REFORM Alliance, the Delaware Day of Action brought together organizations, community leaders, and advocates to discuss systemic change efforts in the First State and how to turn hope into action. Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples, REFORM’s Chief Marketing Officer, was a featured guest, sharing his personal story of redemption and how he is making a difference one connection at a time. Wallo grew up in Philadelphia where he cycled in and out of the juvenile justice system before being sentenced to serve 20 years in prison. Upon his release, he built a social media platform that reaches tens of millions of people with inspiration, humor, and hard-earned lessons that inspire people across the world to step into their greatness and discover their purpose.
“For our justice-impacted Delawareans, the cards are often stacked against them. I can say anecdotally that 80% of the people who come before me at the Board of Pardons have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences. Without the proper wraparound services, community support, and government policies in place, coming home can be a one-way trip back to court or worse,” said Lt. Governor Hall-Long, chair of the Board of Pardons. In that role, she has worked to streamline the commutation and pardons process and advocate for trauma-informed approaches in the justice system.
“That’s why we need convenings like the Delaware Day of Action. Today, we heard from Delawareans with lived experience, community leaders, experts in our legal system and corrections and public safety sector. These experiences matter and make our state stronger. I want to thank Senator Brown, House Majority Leader Minor-Brown, Rep. Cooke, the Behavioral Health Consortium, and Wallo267 and the REFORM Alliance for working toward a justice system that is fair and just for all regardless of Zip code, background, and experience.”
The call-to-action for the day was Get Engaged. Panel discussions highlighted Delaware’s expungement process and legislative progress, comprehensive reentry supports, efforts to address recidivism, and culturally proficient interventions like H.E.A.T (Habilitation Empowerment Accountability Therapy).
“When you get brilliant minds from all walks of life in the same room—formerly incarcerated individuals, law enforcement professionals, lawmakers, and advocates—that’s when the most amazing solutions can happen. You can’t teach what you don’t know; you can’t lead where you don’t go. At REFORM, we’ve seen firsthand that ensuring people with lived experience have not just a seat at the table but lead the charge alongside those in power to make change is how transformation takes shape. When you really listen to communities and build partnerships across diverse perspectives, that’s the true power of today’s Day of Action,” said Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples, Chief Marketing Officer, REFORM Alliance.
Added Erin Haney, Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer, REFORM Alliance:
“There is incredible momentum for the inspiring justice reform already building here in Delaware. Not only do we have the opportunity to learn about and highlight hard-won victories that are touching thousands of lives – but we are charting a course for further change. A true ‘reimagining’ of the justice system that safely reduces incarceration and supervision, invests in communities over prisons, and replaces cycles of crime and recidivism with hope and opportunity. We’re grateful to the many leaders standing up for meaningful justice reform in Delaware, and especially Lt. Governor Hall-Long and her team, Senator Darius Brown, and Representative Melissa Minor-Brown for their partnership and collaboration.”
Through the leadership of Senator Brown and Rep. Minor-Brown, during the past few years Delaware has led on restorative justice legislation that has reformed the expungement process, banned deceptive interrogation techniques, and addressed barriers to employment, among other initiatives.
“Our criminal justice system needs work. No one can deny that. Over the past few years, we have passed numerous bills to try to create a more just system here in Delaware, but we can’t do it alone,” said House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown. “The Delaware Day of Action offered myself and my colleagues in the General Assembly the opportunity to hear from so many different voices on the topic of restorative justice. I am certain this will prove to be invaluable in our work to make sure our criminal justice system doesn’t do more harm than good.”
Senator Brown, a co-host of the Day of Action event, has been described by the Wilmington News Journal as a champion of criminal justice reform and racial equity. The founding chair of the Delaware Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Brown passed legislation that is now helping to remove barriers to education, employment and housing for more than 290,000 Delawareans. He also served as a prime sponsor of bills that enacted the first major reforms to Delaware’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights in a generation, established new training standards for Delaware law enforcement officers, mandated the use of body-worn cameras, outlawed choke holds, provided legal protections for hair styles historically associated with race, and added an equal rights amendment to the Delaware Constitution, among many other initiatives.
“The REFORM Alliance has been a strong partner in my work to deliver restorative justice and economic opportunities to Delawareans who have earned a second chance,” Senator Darius Brown said.
“That support continued with today’s Day of Action event, which brought together community members, advocacy organizations and elected officials to discuss how we can work together to break down barriers to second chances and get people leaving prison the support they need to turn their lives around,” he said. “I am grateful to REFORM Alliance, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall Long and House Majority Leader Melissa Minor-Brown for joining me for this latest step forward in our work to improve public systems and help eliminate disparate impacts felt by Black and Brown Delawareans who are served by those systems.”
ABOUT REFORM Alliance
REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America’s criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable, and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work, and equip them with the tools to succeed, all while making families and communities safer and stronger.
The nonprofit organization was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement. REFORM Board Members include award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner and philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai. Veteran criminal justice advocate Robert Rooks leads the organization as CEO.
To date, REFORM has worked to pass 18 bipartisan bills in 11 states, which have created new pathways for more than 800,000 people to exit the system.
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Foreclosure filings climbed in April, with Delaware, South Carolina, and Florida emerging as the nation’s primary hot spots for distressed property activity.
Across the U.S., foreclosure rates are up 18% from a year ago, according to the latest data from ATTOM. And in the last month, there were a total of 42,430 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings. The total includes default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions. While that might seem high, it’s down 8% from March.
Meanwhile, foreclosure starts were up 12% from a year ago, while completed foreclosures increased 42%.
“Foreclosure activity continued its gradual trend higher in April, with both foreclosure starts and completed foreclosures posting annual gains,” said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM.
“While overall filings declined from the previous month, the year-over-year increases suggest lenders may be working through distressed inventory as higher borrowing costs and affordability challenges impact some homeowners.”
Nationwide, 1 in every 3,388 housing units had a foreclosure filing in April, according to the firm’s latest report.
“Even so, foreclosure activity remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels,” said Barber.
ATTOM’s report incorporates documents filed in all three phases of foreclosure: default and notice of default; notice of foreclosure; and real estate-owned or REO properties, defined as properties that have been foreclosed on and repurchased by a bank.
Worst foreclosure states
The state with the worst foreclosure rate in April 2026 was Delaware, with 1 in every 1,739 housing units there showing a foreclosure filing.
In Delaware, the median listing price is $500,000 and homes stay on the market a median of 48 days, according to Realtor.com® data.
“Delaware’s high foreclosure rate is partly a math problem,” said Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com. “With a relatively small number of total housing units, it doesn’t take many filings to produce an alarming per-unit figure, so the rate overstates how dire conditions are for the average Delaware homeowner compared to a larger state with far more absolute filings.”
Even so, Jones says there is real underlying stress.
“Delaware recently completed its first comprehensive property tax reassessment in roughly 40 years, and many homeowners saw their tax bills jump, which pushed some over the financial edge,” she says.
Delaware real estate agent Jennifer Allan tells Realtor.com that overall housing costs and the rising cost of living also contribute to escalating foreclosure rates.
“In addition to taxes, Delaware has seen a sharp increase in overall housing costs over the last several years—not just mortgage payments, but also insurance, HOA costs, and general cost-of-living pressures,” she says. “Those rising ownership costs are becoming difficult for some households to absorb.”
Behind Delaware on the list of states with the highest foreclosure rates is South Carolina (1 in every 1,745). It has a median listing price of $365,000, with homes staying on the market a median of 54 days.
“South Carolina’s foreclosure pressure is largely a consequence of its own growth,” says Jones. “Rapid in-migration drove home prices well beyond what local income levels could support, and many buyers who purchased near the peak of that appreciation, with elevated mortgage rates on top, are now left with high monthly payments and little equity cushion. When financial stress hits, those homeowners have limited ability to refinance or sell their way out.”
In third place is Florida, with 1 in every 2,092 housing units there showing a foreclosure filing. Florida has a median listing price of $426,000, with homes staying on the market a median of 74 days.
“Florida homeowners are being squeezed from multiple directions simultaneously,” says Jones. “Homeowners insurance premiums have surged dramatically in recent years due to climate and storm risk, and property taxes have climbed alongside rapidly appreciated home values.”
Jones adds that Florida also has an unusually high concentration of condo owners, who face not only mortgage payments but rising HOA fees—expenses that get passed directly to unit owners.
“Together, these stacking costs have made monthly homeownership burdens unsustainable for a growing number of residents,” she says.
Rounding out the top five states for foreclosure rates are Indiana (1 in every 2,129) and Illinois (1 in every 2,262).
The median listing price in Indiana is $299,900, with a median time on the market of 44 days. In Illinois, the median listing price is $312,423, with 38 days on the market.
Indiana real estate agent Fred Krawczyk of Fred Krawczyk & Associates—who specializes in short sales—tells Realtor.com, “After COVID, we had artificial appreciation here in Indiana, and people were pulling out money and refinancing. As a result, I’m getting one to two foreclosures a week right now.”
Metros with the most foreclosures
Among metro areas with populations above 500,000, Lakeland, FL, recorded the highest foreclosure rate in April, with one filing for every 1,221 housing units.
In Lakeland, the median listing price is $335,000 and homes stay on the market a median of 75 days.
Following Lakeland is Columbia, SC (1 in every 1,287) and Charleston, SC (1 in every 1,483).
Columbia has a median listing price of $300,000 and a median time on the market of 43 days. In Charleston, the median listing price is $499,945, with 44 days on the market.
Rounding out the top five are Bakersfield, CA (1 in every 1,566), and Cape Coral, FL (1 in every 1,628).
The median listing price is $403,995 in Bakersfield and $399,600 in Cape Coral.
The median time on the market is 48 days in Bakersfield and 82 days in Cape Coral.
“There is definitely an element of people in certain parts of Florida who bought too high during the pandemic real estate boom and now need to sell and find themselves essentially upside down,” says Florida real estate agent Cara Ameer with Coldwell Banker.
Salesianum’s James Dempsey breaks down win in NCCo boys 1,600
Dempsey won in 4:11.24, which moved him to third on the state all-time performance list.
The Padua and Tatnall girls and the Middletown and Saint Mark’s boys will defend their state titles at the 2026 DIAA Track and Field Championships on May 15 and 16 at Dover High.
Here is a look at the history of the meet with the most recent champions.
Which school has won the most Delaware outdoor track and field state championships?
With 21 Division I titles, Salesianum has won the most boys outdoor track and field state championships. Padua has won 25 state championships, including 23 Division I titles.
Who are the winningest Delaware high school outdoor track and field coaches?
Tatnall’s Patrick Castagno has led the most state championship teams with 12 girls titles and four boys titles. Padua’s Marnie Giunta has won 13 girls state titles.
Brandon Holveck reports on high school sports for The News Journal. Contact him at bholveck@delawareonline.com.
Delaware
Buffalo woman pleads guilty to charges in connection with vandalism at The Terrace at Delaware Park
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Buffalo woman has pleaded guilty to charges in connection with vandalism at The Terrace at Delaware Park in October 2025.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced that 40-year-old Stacy M. Matthews pleaded guilty before Buffalo City Court Judge Rebecca Town to one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
Erie County District Attorney’s Office
According to the DA, on October 16, 2025, Matthews drove six juveniles under her care to a business on Lincoln Parkway, and the juveniles, between the ages of 10 and 16, intentionally vandalized outdoor furniture and windows, causing approximately $2,000 in damage to the property.
The DA said that as a condition of the plea, Matthews signed a Confession of Judgment to pay $2,000 in restitution to the victim. Matthews faces a maximum of 364 days in jail when she is sentenced on June 9, 2026 and a temporary order of protection, issued on behalf of the property owner, remains in effect.
7 News spoke with Mike Shatzel, co-owner of The Terrace at Delaware Park, where the vandalism occurred, last October.
“It’s just disturbing that people have nothing better to do than come and just destroy things,” Shatzel said in October.
You can watch our previous story below.
WATCH: The Terrace at Delaware Park vandalized multiple times over the last two weeks
The Terrace at Delaware Park vandalized multiple times over the last two weeks
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