Like its neighbors, Delaware faces significant transport and transportation challenges with a big increase in freight moving across state roads.

“Just over the last few years, especially during the pandemic, our reliance on e-commerce has just exploded and that results in the need for more trucking, for more freight movement, and we see that,” Majeski said. “It’s really important for us … [to] provide the infrastructure they need so they can embrace this clean energy that’s out there.”

Adam Ortiz, the administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic states, agrees that trucking should be a priority too.

“We’re all familiar with electric cars, we’re seeing them more and more and that’s been making a difference in reducing greenhouse gasses. But heavy trucks are something where we have historically not made a lot of progress,” Ortiz noted. “[Today], we’re putting a stake in the ground, a number of states across the I-95 corridor stepping up to help heavy electric vehicle charge.”

Across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Connecticut, the goal is to establish over 400 charging ports for trucks, ranging from overnight charging stations to fast and even ultra-fast charging options.

“The Clean Corridor Coalition project plans to support the construction of 20 freight truck electric charging sites, including 150 charging ports, overnight use, and more than 300 fast or ultra-fast charging ports to advance electrification of a national priority freight corridor,” he said.

Next year, state transportation leaders will collaborate with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to gather public feedback and identify gaps in clean energy initiatives while continuing to prioritize sections of I-95 that run through the state. The focus will also extend to I-495 and other areas throughout the state.

Columbus Day is a federal holiday in 2024, but it not a state holiday in Delaware.

The state’s largest three cities, Wilmington, Dover and Newark, all do not have the holidays on their calendars.

The state dropped the holiday in 2009, according to the Pew Research Center, and replaced it with a floating holiday.

Last year, it was a recognized holiday in New Castle County, but this year the holiday is not on the schedule.

Some towns around the state recognize Columbus Day, however. Camden will have its offices closed on that day. Rehoboth Beach’s town offices will also be closed.

All three of Delaware’s neighbors celebrate the holiday, with Pennsylvania celebrating both Columbus and Indigenous Peoples Day and New Jersey and Maryland celebrating Columbus Day.

FRANKFORD, Delaware (WPVI) — An 80-year-old school bus aide in Sussex County, Delaware is facing charges after she allegedly assaulted a child.

On Wednesday, Priscilla Schoolfield was arrested by state police and charged with third-degree child abuse.

Police were contacted on September 23 by the Indian River School District about the alleged assault that occurred on the bus.

According to investigators, a bus contracted for the district picked up a 4-year-old student at a bus stop on September 16.

As the student got off the bus, Schoolfield allegedly pushed the student to the back of the bus, forcefully shoved the student into a seat, and then struck the child, police said.

Police did not say if the student suffered any serious injuries.

Further details on the incident were not immediately released.