The Delaware Judiciary releases an update report to its 2022 Strategic Plan to improve diversity in the Delaware bench and bar.

Nearly two-thirds of the 50 recommendations in the plan have been implemented or will be in the coming months.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the Delaware court system Kaelae Shaner says the biggest strides made are in engagement with college and pre-college students, including re-imagining and re-energizing the Delaware Law-Related Education Center.

Shaner emphasizes removing barriers to the bar exam are also significant.

“Like trimming the testing subjects and essays that are part of the bar examination,” Shaner says. “And a huge, huge barrier was the administration of the bar exam being only once per year, now offered twice a year. Also changed some of the fees associated with the bar examination.”

Shaner notes the bar is not just an exam, but an extensive process that also evaluates candidates’ moral and ethical character. She says they are taking a closer look at the way “fitness” to practice law is standardized.

Shaner says for current judges and court staff, they have started providing enhanced training to reduce implicit bias in the court environment.

Overall Shaner says the courts are understaffed but doesn’t think there is a shortage of qualified candidates. She says the courts are also working to unify job descriptions so applicants are more aware of the type of work they’ll be doing.

“Which will hopefully increase our reach and increase interest in qualified candidates for these positions,: Shaner says. “Because it’s great work, it’s rewarding work, and we have a workforce here in Delaware. I don’t think it is a shortage of qualified candidates so much as just increasing our awareness.”

Initiatives still left on the to-do list include some more long-term goals – such as alternate pathways to licensure like formalized mentorships as opposed to the bar exam.

“The biggest issue with bar exams across the country, the conversation is like, does this rogue memorization really help with on the job performance?” Shaner says.

Shaner notes other states like Connecticut and Oregon have successfully implemented a pathway through formalized mentorships.

The report also highlights the recent formation of the Delaware Leadership Council on Legal Diversity by representatives from several large Delaware firms. They are working on recruitment and retention initiatives – and reconvening the Delaware Judiciary’s Access to Justice Commission.

A string of worsening Canadian wildfires over the weekend has resulted in smoke drifting into the United States. 

Here’s what you need to know about the situation and if wildfire smoke will impact Delaware.  

Canadian wildfires 

Canada’s wildfire season is underway, with several fires increasing in intensity and causing evacuations since last week.  

ABC News reports over 100 active wildfires burning in Canada, with 91 of them located in British Columbia and Alberta provinces and officials labeling 40 of the 140 active fires as “out of control.” As the wildfires progress, areas most at risk continue to be evacuated.

Canadian wildfire smoke officially rolled into the U.S. over the weekend, with states from Montana to Wisconsin getting a whiff. Heavy smoke in Minnesota resulted in the state’s first air quality alert of 2024 being issued on May 12, remaining in place through May 13. Minnesota’s air quality index has fluctuated between “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” since the wildfire smoke breached its borders. 

Officials expect Minnesota’s smoke to be “much weaker” on Monday, but Nebraska is expected to see hazy skies during the evening.  

By sunrise on Monday, the wildfire smoke in the U.S. will likely be much weaker, with medium levels reaching from Wisconsin to southern Minnesota. 

Air quality report: ‘Delaware still has work to do’: 2024 air quality report highlights air pollution concerns

Is Delaware at risk? 

USA Today’s wildfire smoke map tracks wildfire incidents, warnings and smoke impacts across the U.S.

As of 9 a.m. on May 13, thick density smoke from Canada extending south into the northern U.S. could still be seen in Montana, the Dakotas and Minnesota. The smoke also moved south into the central U.S., where it mixed with smoke from fire activity and seasonal burning in the country. The overall large smoke engulfing central and eastern U.S. could be seen moving eastward into the Atlantic Ocean.  

As for Delaware, the map shows light density smoke enveloping the region, with medium density smoke in some of the southernmost parts of Delaware.  

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Air Quality Forecast reports “good” air quality in Delaware on Monday, a value from 0 to 50, adding that the air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no risk. Monday’s ozone levels are at a value of 44 and a PM2.5 of 39. PM 2.5 is defined as fine, inhalable particles or droplets in the air with diameters of 2.5 micrometers and smaller.   

According to DNREC, light to moderate southerly winds will gradually transport pollutants into Delaware on Monday. Partly to mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s will aid ozone production, but regional pollutant carryover will be low, resulting in Air Quality Index levels that are high for ozone and good for PM2.5. The AQI determines how clean or polluted air is and what associated health effects might be a concern.  

By Tuesday, moderate and gusty southerly winds will enhance dispersion and increasing clouds will hinder ozone production, resulting in high AQI levels for ozone and good AQI levels for PM2.5. DNREC expects Tuesday’s ozone value to be at 40 and PM2.5 value to be at 50, both in the “good” zone.  

Wednesday is also expected to have good AQI levels for both ozone and PM2.5, with cloudy skies and periods of rain limiting ozone development and moderate easterly winds transporting clean air into Delaware.  

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.