Four researchers at the University of Delaware are set to be a part of a new research center seeking to address accessibility and diversity in transportation, transit deserts, and growing congestion along interstate corridors.More than $15 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation will support the Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Regional Transportation Equity Research Center, better known as the SMARTER Center.Research at UD will be primarily led by Engineering Professor Ardeshir Faghri, Assistant Engineering Professor Jennie Saxe, and Assistant Professor Philip Barnes from the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with this trio to learn more about the SMARTER Center.

There’s no such thing as life without stress, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, frequent chronic stress, also known as ‘toxic stress,’ has severe and potentially lasting effects on physical and mental health.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry recently caught up with Kiera McGillivray and Shannon Fisch – Co-Directors of the Brain Science Training Institute at Children and Families First – for more on their recent workshop on toxic stress and how it impacts children and adults.

‘Juneteenth’ is this month, a day that refers to June 19, 1865, when the U.S. Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced to people there that the Civil War was over and enslaved African Americans had been freed by President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.To honor that historic day, Wilmington-based playwright, director, and actor Omar Rashada is putting on a play at the Schwartz Center for the Arts in Dover titled “Three Men: Three Women: The Stories of Six Strangers.”In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel talks with Rashada and actor K.O. Simms about the play and how it honors Juneteenth.

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Two years ago – The historic Brown House in Wilmington was on the cusp of demolition that would pave the way for a townhouse complex. But the 200-year-old building got a reprieve from the wrecking ball. In the two years since, its fate has remained in limbo – until, now. Contributor Larry Nagengast explains what’s next in the effort to preserve the Brown House.

Social media can pose mental health risks to children and teenagers according to an advisory released this week by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who called on tech companies and policymakers to take “immediate action” to protect children’s mental health.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Dr. Leah Orchinik – Pediatric Psychologist at Nemours Children's Health – about the advisory and the impact of social media on youth mental health.

The Brandywine Museum of Art is set to present the first major museum exhibition dedicated to the nature-based works of pioneering American modernist painter Joseph Stella.“Joseph Stella: Visionary Nature” will feature more than 80 paintings and works on paper, showcasing Stella’s unique artistic traits and how he captured the spiritual qualities he felt in nature.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Karl Lengel sat down with Brandywine Museum of Art curator Audrey Lewis to learn more about the exhibit and Joseph Stella’s indelible work.

With the Memorial Day holiday upon us, expect a busy summer at Delaware’s parks, lakes, rivers, and beaches. One popular option to enjoy the summer outdoors in the First State is camping.Delaware is home to many campsites offering something for everyone -from beach views and picturesque sunrises over the water to traditional forest camping and bonfires, hiking, and stargazing among tall trees.In this week’s Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Quinn Kirkpatrick caught up with Greg Abbott – Administrative Services Section Manager for Delaware State Parks – for more on camping season in Delaware and the dos and don’ts of camping.

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Paid Family and Medical Leave – it’s for new parents, for helping aging parents, or being there for a loved one who faces a serious health issue.In Delaware, the Healthy Delaware Families Act expects to provide most workers statewide with up to 12 weeks of paid leave.But creating such a plan from scratch takes time. Right now, the state is collecting feedback about the program’s proposed regulatory framework.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne caught up with Chris Counihan – Director of the new Division of Paid Leave – to get an update on the public’s feedback and how the program is coming along.