Playing video games and so-called ‘exergaming’ is an effective way of engaging children with autism.That’s according to a new University of Delaware study, which found video games with built-in physical activity components can improve motor skills, movement, and overall quality of life for those on the spectrum.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry caught up with UD physical therapy professor Anjana Bhat to discuss ‘exergaming’ and engaging kids with autism.

Hundreds of dancers from all over the country competed this past weekend in the sixth annual National Ballet Competition in downtown Wilmington.Student dancers ranging from 9 to 19-years-old performed for an international panel of dance professionals at The Grand Opera House.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel is joined by the competition’s Managing Director Taylor Ciampi, and dancers Keira Green – Gold Medalist in the Junior Category – and Kaelynne Moore – Silver Medalist in the Senior Category and winner of Best Contemporary and Most Inspirational Performer – to learn more about the weekend’s performances.

University of Delaware junior Trinity Hunt is a finalist in the NPR College Podcast Challenge.Hunt’s podcast Dear Little Sister revolves around her younger sister’s decision to join the military, and how it brought her family closer and changed Hunt's understanding of being American.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sat down with Hunt to talk about her podcast and being named one of 10 finalists in the NPR College Podcast Challenge.

Listen to the full show or individual segments.

Last week, clean-up of one of Delaware’s worst-polluted EPA Superfund sites got a major boost, receiving new funds from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to hasten work on the site.Contributor Jon Hurdle examines the Standard Chlorine or Metachem site that received this funding, how it will help the clean up, and the current state of Superfund sites in the First State.

Wilmington native Tariah Hyland is only 20 years old, but she’s already left an indelible mark on the First State.To highlight her accomplishments, Hyland was recently named the winner of the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award for Delaware; an honor recognizing young people who are actively working to create positive change in their communities.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon sits down with Hyland this week to learn more about her work and the significance of the award.

This week, The Green brings you the first episode of the new Delaware Humanities’ podcast A More Just Delaware. The podcast examines pivotal moments and legislation related to hate, prejudice, and the fight for equal rights in Delaware.In this first episode, State Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker discusses the evolution and implementation of House Bill 198, which requires Delaware schools to teach a Black History curriculum.

Listen to the full show or individual segments.

Delaware’s work to create a legal recreational marijuana industry is well underway.Leading those efforts is recently-appointed Marijuana Commissioner Rob Coupe, who is working to finalize recreational market regulations. Another key voice is Democratic State Rep. Ed Osienski, the primary sponsor of last year’s recreational marijuana legalization bill. He’s pursuing further legislation to expand access to medical marijuana and help kickstart the recreational market.This week, Delaware Public Media's Sarah Petrowich sits down with Commissioner Coupe and Rep. Osienski to discuss the timeline for recreational marijuana, upcoming cannabis bills, and other issues.

Earlier this year, Delaware saw its first significant snowfalls in some time, enough to affect kids getting to school.In the past, that would mean a snow day – an unscheduled day off for students. But this time, that wasn’t the case for all students in the First State. Some still “went to school” online.Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick explores how districts statewide are navigating the choice between giving kids a day off or implementing virtual learning when wintry weather hits.