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Delaware hospitals are under threat —political oversight will lose millions and upend care

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Delaware hospitals are under threat —political oversight will lose millions and upend care



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Legislation moving its way through the Delaware General Assembly — HB 350 — to put paid political appointees in control of our state’s nonprofit hospitals is not what the doctor ordered.

This proposal will immediately slash $360 million from our adult acute care hospitals and the politician-controlled oversight board it creates can make even more cuts. The reduction is due to an arbitrary 250% Medicare cap on commercial reimbursement provision contained in the bill.

What does that actually mean? 

An immediate $360 million cut that will slash hospital services, up to 4,000 hospital jobs, specialty care, quality and community programs. It will halt expansion of services which also impacts construction jobs and other trades that are critical to enhancing our healthcare infrastructure and access.

Limiting hospital resources to recruit and retain top doctors and nurses will risk healthcare quality and access in the First State. This also will exacerbate the healthcare provider shortage in Delaware at a time when our aging population demands more, not fewer, healthcare providers. As the state with the fifth-oldest population in the country, Delaware will be plunged into a healthcare crisis.

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Those cost caps in the bill also put at risk the recent historic collaboration between Delaware hospitals and policymakers for Delaware’s Medicaid program to receive more than $100 million in federal dollars by establishing a new state provider assessment.

The funding is meant to bolster efforts at improving access, workforce recruitment and retention, behavioral health services, and health equity. The 250% of Medicare cap proposed in HB 350 would lower the average commercial rate paid to hospitals far too much to make the contemplated model work.

Clearly, the provider assessment negotiations show hospitals know how to work collaboratively with policymakers for the good health of Delawareans. 

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Any serious plan to maintain patient quality and access to healthcare while containing inflationary costs requires insurers, government, practitioners, labor, medical device and pharmaceutical companies to work together on collaborative solutions.

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Being on the front line of delivering public health, the member hospitals and health systems that DHA represents respect our obligation to be central to healthcare solutions for the public. With that in mind, we came to the table with meaningful alternatives that address healthcare affordability, enhance transparency and establish a collaborative effort to identify real solutions to our shared concerns.

Unfortunately, we simply did not have adequate time to engage in a meaningful stakeholder process on a massive healthcare policy. 

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Every resident of Delaware should be as shocked as we are that legislative leaders are instead continuing to risk public health by pushing the badly flawed healthcare control provisions in HB 350. If Delaware is willing to put paid political appointees in charge of the oversight of the state’s largest private-sector employer, what industry is next?

This is not what the doctor ordered. There is a better way, and we stand ready to work together to address our shared concerns and put Delawareans first. 

Brian Frazee is president and CEO of the Delaware Healthcare Association, which represents the First State’s hospitals, health systems, and healthcare-related organizations. 



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Delaware

Delaware Lottery Mega Millions, Play 3 Day winning numbers for Oct. 21, 2025

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Delaware Lottery Mega Millions, Play 3 Day winning numbers for Oct. 21, 2025


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The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Oct. 21 drawing

02-18-27-34-59, Mega Ball: 18

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Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 3 numbers from Oct. 21 drawing

Day: 1-4-4

Night: 7-2-1

Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 4 numbers from Oct. 21 drawing

Day: 0-4-8-7

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Night: 0-1-1-4

Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from Oct. 21 drawing

02-04-07-24-25-33

Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Oct. 21 drawing

08-09-15-31-32, Lucky Ball: 12

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 5 numbers from Oct. 21 drawing

Day: 5-2-8-2-5

Night: 9-2-8-4-7

Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

  • Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
  • Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
  • Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
  • Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
  • For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.

Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?

Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.

How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?

Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.

When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
  • Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
  • Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.



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Delaware

DeSean Jackson, Hornets relish chance to be better as MEAC football begins

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DeSean Jackson, Hornets relish chance to be better as MEAC football begins


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Delaware State has already shown considerable improvement on the football field under new coach DeSean Jackson, the former NFL standout.

Starting this week, the true measure of the Hornets’ progress can be charted.

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DSU (4-3) plays the first of its five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games that will close the season.

And it’s a tough one, as Oct. 25 foe North Carolina Central won 27 games the last three years. The Eagles are 4-2 this season and have won five straight over DSU, including 52-10 last year.

But this is not the same DSU team, as Jackson’s hiring and his hustle have allowed the Hornets to build a deeper, better roster of players who’ve benefitted from the coaching staff’s direction.

“When we do things good, we gotta do them better,” Jackson said. “When we do things great, we gotta do them greater.”

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Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, where the Eagles will be celebrating homecoming.

“Delaware State has improved,” said NCCU coach Trey Oliver. “That makes the whole conference better . . . And I think that they’re a very well-coached football team. He’s done a great job putting a staff together and I’ve been impressed with them.”  

These are six ways the Hornets can compete for their first MEAC title since 2007 when they begin league play.

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Keep pounding the football

Delaware State is by far the leading rushing team nationally in FCS, averaging 327 yards per game, more than 60 yards ahead of anyone.

Two of the Hornets’ four wins have come against Division II schools, including the record-smashing romp over Southern Connecticut State Oct. 11. But they’ve run the football well against everybody, including getting 200 yards against FBS Delaware, which has only allowed more than that once in six games.

“This is probably the most efficient running team I’ve seen in my coaching career,” Oliver said. “They’re averaging over seven yards a carry. That’s almost a first down every time they run the ball.”  

 Milford High grad Marquis Gillis is 11th nationally with 105.9 yards per game and James Jones is 18th with 91.3. Jayden Jenkins (8.4 yards per carry) and Kobe Boykin (9.1) give the Hornets other potential breakaway threats, and Kaiden Bennett is the leading rusher among MEAC quarterbacks.

This is a hard offense to stop, and has benefitted from stellar play up front that should actually improve as players return from injuries.

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But Jackson feels the run game can be better.

“We feel like we’re leaving stuff on the table,” said Jackson, adding that missed reads are among areas where DSU could improve.

Improve the passing game

DSU has the fewest pass completions in the league and just a 56.5 completion percentage.

Certainly, the run game’s effectiveness means less need for the passing game.

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 But because opposing defenses have to bear down so much to thwart that vaunted running attack, it should create opportunities that the Hornets and proven quarterback Bennett need to take better advantage of.

Defend the pass better

DSU has allowed a MEAC high 277.6 passing yards per game. While the Hornets also have by far the most passes against, the 66.3 completion percentage of opposing quarterbacks is way too high.

That’s not just a back-end issue. The Hornets have just 12 sacks on the year, so better pressure on the quarterback would translate to better coverage deep.

MEAC STANDINGS: Conference play set to start

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Keep doing this

DSU has been better defensively in the red zone than any MEAC team, limiting foes to 16 touchdowns and three field goals on 28 trips inside the 20. That has included the Hornets getting four takeaways.

Playing that well all over the field would be beneficial.

Cut down on penalties

Jackson recognized and mentioned early that his team sometimes lacks discipline and it carries over onto the field.

Sure enough, DelState has committed more penalties (72) than any FCS school except Merrimack but its 678 yards penalized are the most nationally.

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“We’ve stressed that all year,” he said. “I think in the beginning of the year we dealt with it a little more. We’ve cleaned it up a lot.”

Embrace the opportunity

Delaware State has never played in the Celebration Bowl, which has matched the champions of the MEAC and SWAC – the two Division I leagues made up of Historically Black Colleges and Universities – since 2015.

The game has become a cultural phenomenon and cherished competitive target, with crowds of roughly 40,000 packing Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The Hornets have been greatly motivated by the lack of preseason appreciation they received, though being picked last in the MEAC wasn’t a surprise after back-to-back winless league seasons.

DSU is better than it’s been and the league appears potentially balanced enough for the Hornets to dream big.  

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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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Latest On Tax Reassessment, Trial Starts Today

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Latest On Tax Reassessment, Trial Starts Today


Delaware’s ongoing battle over property taxes reaches a critical stage today as the state’s Court of Chancery prepares to hear arguments on the legality of New Castle County’s new split-rate tax system.

The case, scheduled to begin at 9:15 a.m. before Vice Chancellor Lori Will, will determine whether county and school officials may proceed with issuing revised tax bills following Delaware’s first property reassessment in more than forty years.

The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of landlords, hotel operators, and mobile home associations. They are suing the State of Delaware, Governor Matt Meyer, County Executive Marcus Henry, and several New Castle County school districts. The plaintiffs argue that the law allowing separate residential and nonresidential tax rates violates the state’s constitutional requirement for uniform taxation. They contend that the system places an unfair financial burden on businesses and landlords, costs that will ultimately be passed on to renters.

The dispute centers on House Bill 242, which lawmakers approved during a special session of the General Assembly in August of this year. The special session was called after property owners across the county were shocked by dramatic increases in their new tax bills. Many homeowners saw increases of hundreds or even thousands of dollars, while some commercial property owners experienced decreases, sparking widespread public anger and demands for relief.

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House Bill 242 allowed school districts in New Castle County to reset their tax rates for the 2025–2026 fiscal year and reissue tax warrants using separate rates for residential and nonresidential properties. Payment deadlines for revised bills were also extended to November 30, 2025.

At a pretrial hearing Friday, Vice Chancellor Will confirmed that today’s proceeding would serve as the trial on the merits. The case is expected to proceed as a paper trial based on written submissions, but attorneys were permitted to call witnesses, which could extend the hearing beyond one day according. The court denied a motion from the defense to strike expert reports submitted by the plaintiffs, including one related to rental market effects.

The reassessment process has also drawn political controversy. During a legislative committee hearing, New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry stated that the administration of former County Executive Matt Meyer, now Governor of Delaware, instructed reassessment officials to delay the release of tentative property values until after the November 2024 election. Henry testified that officials had recommended issuing the notices earlier but were directed to wait until mid-November. Meyer has denied the allegation, saying the schedule followed the timeline outlined in the county’s contract with Tyler Technologies, the firm responsible for conducting the reassessment.

If the plaintiffs win, the split-rate system will be struck down and residential property taxes are likely to revert to their July amounts. If the defendants prevail, the dual-rate structure will remain in place, keeping residential taxes lower while maintaining higher rates for nonresidential properties. Vice Chancellor Will is expected to issue a ruling by the end of October, a decision that could shape Delaware’s property tax structure and future reassessment policy for years to come.



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