Gov. Matt Meyer issued an executive order in late January seeking to take steps to deliver ‘smart growth’ in the First State – balancing affordability and economic gains with environmental protection - all while avoiding onerous restrictions on where developers can build.How does the Meyer administration plan to do that?Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle digs into the executive order this week to offer some answers.

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Gov. Matt Meyer’s State of the State address and budget proposal called for huge investments in early childhood education– about $50 million in state and federal monies.Part of the federal money comes from a federal grant, meant to bolster childcare infrastructure in the First State.Gov.Meyer tapped Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay to take the lead managing this grant and the state’s larger effort to improve access to early childhood education and the results it produces.This week, Delaware Public Media State Politics reporter Bente Bouthier sat down with Lt. Gov Gay to discuss the state’s plans.

If the recent frigid temps are getting you down, maybe taking some time to plan your summer vacation will cheer you up.If that plan involves getting away to the Delaware beaches later this year, there’s a few things you may want to know before you get started.Contributor Eileen Dallalbrida takes a closer look at the beach rental market in 2026.

Literacy rates are falling in the U.S. Reading scores for high school seniors nationwide saw their lowest levels since 1992 last year. And Delaware’s unfortunately on par – students saw another stagnant year for reading proficiency in 2025.But this doesn’t mean reading culture and book clubs are dead. U.S. publishing revenues totaled $32.5 billion in 2024.And Wuthering Heights is about to hit movie theaters, prompting long loan lines in Delaware libraries.On this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Abigail Lee looks into Delaware’s many book clubs and the benefits their members reap.

First State Ballet Theatre returns to the stage at the Baby Grand next weekend for a performance featuring a pair of contemporary works. The show is called "Dreams in Motion."On this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny speaks to the ballet's Claire McGregor to learn more.

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Like many states, Delaware is grappling with what to do about data centers and their potential impact – especially on electric rates. In Delaware, much of the effort to address data centers is currently focused at the state level as lawmakers and Gov. Matt Meyer weigh a number of proposals to regulate data centers. And beyond those efforts, just this week, the controversial Project Washington proposal near Delaware City was dealt a blow when DNREC ruled it is prohibited from operating at its planned site under Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act.Delaware Public Media contributor Jon Hurdle takes a closer look at the First State's work to regulate data centers and their impact.

Two branches of Delaware government are facing off over regulation of legal cannabis businesses as the state’s sluggish roll-out of legal marijuana sales continues.The General Assembly passed Senate Bill 75 last year along party lines. It nullifies ordinances passed in the last two years by county government bodies like Sussex County Council that place heavy restrictions on where cannabis businesses can set up shop.Gov. Matt Meyer vetoed the bill in August and now lawmakers are working to override it.This week, DPM State Politics reporter Bente Bouthier sat down the bill’s State Senate sponsor Trey Paradee to get his thoughts on why he feels a veto is necessary.

The stories of World War 2 can be epic - full of courage and compassion. One of the lesser-known stories is that of Gino Bartali, an Italian cyclist and Tour de France champion who used his position as one of Italy's most famous athletes to help refugees escape Mussolini's Fascist Italy.Now, that story is coming to the stage in Wilmington, when the Delaware Theatre Company presents the US premiere of Glory Ride, a new musical by Victoria Buchholz and Todd Buchholz.To learn more about the show, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny talked to Delaware Theatre Company's Producing Artistic Director, Mimi Warnick for this week's Arts Playlist.