Author | Lightnews

Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 15h

Public meetings this week: Sussex County weighs a Route 9 development, New Castle debates data center rules, Newark reviews its budget, and the Public Service Commission hears from Delmarva Power.

Get Involved: Town-sized development, data center regulation, more

Here is a look at some of the most important or interesting public meetings happening around the state this week.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 15h

The Wilmington Senior Center has laid off a third of its staff and will now close on Fridays amid deep budget shortfalls. Executive Director Sam Nussbaum says he’s fighting to “save this agency” as funding dries up.

Funding gaps force Wilmington Senior Center to lay off workers, close Fridays

The Wilmington Senior Center will close on Fridays after laying off a third of its staff amid ongoing budget shortfalls.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 16h

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 3d

New Castle County property owners will soon get their revised tax bills after a judge rejected a lawsuit from landlords challenging Delaware’s new split school tax rates for businesses and homeowners.

New Castle County tax bills coming after judge denies landlord lawsuit

New Castle County property owners can expect to receive their long-awaited redone annual tax bills after a lawsuit by landlords was denied.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 3d

Dover leaders are recommending the city use part of Delaware’s $250M opioid settlement to expand treatment options — including a new detox facility, more treatment beds and mobile intervention units. spotlightdelaware.org/2025/10/31/dover-leaders-mull-opioid-recommendations/

Dover leaders mull opioid recommendations

A group of Dover leaders discussed ways for the city to use some of the state’s $250 million in opioid manufacturer legal settlements.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 4d

Delaware lawmakers and stakeholders — many new to nuclear energy — are studying whether small modular reactors could help meet the state’s growing power needs.

“I don’t have any particular expertise ... but I am a problem-solver,” said state Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, an optometrist by training.

New task force explores nuclear power potential for Delaware

In the coming months, a task force of Delaware lawmakers and stakeholders — many of whom have no experience with nuclear power — will explore whether small modular reactors might help meet the state’s escalating energy demands.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 4d

As Delaware weighs new limits on data centers, the developer of a massive 6-million-square-foot Delaware City project has won labor’s backing. Starwood Digital Ventures signed a deal to use twenty local unions for “Project Washington.”

Delaware City data center commits to union labor ahead of hearings

The developer behind a controversial Delaware City data center project lined up a significant ally: the region’s labor unions.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 4d

Wilmington is launching a new program offering up to $15,000 in forgivable home loans for teachers and school staff to buy their first homes. The effort aims to help educators live in the communities they serve and reduce turnover to higher-paying suburban districts.

Wilmington targets school staff for forgivable home loans

Wilmington is launching an initiative to provide forgivable first-time home loans of up to $15,000 to teachers and other school staffers.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 4d

Gov. Matt Meyer has declared a state of emergency to use state funds to keep food assistance flowing during the federal shutdown. Without action, $20M in aid for 60,000 households would be lost.

Meyer declares state of emergency to fund SNAP amid federal shutdown

Gov. Matt Meyer will use millions of state dollars to fund federal SNAP benefits amid the continued government shutdown.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 5d

Georgetown residents are calling for Mayor Bill West and town council members to resign, saying they’ve failed to address rising homelessness. Online, a 2,700-member Facebook group has become a hub for criticism of town leaders and homelessness services.

Georgetown homeless population spurs resident ire, calls for leadership change

Georgetown residents are calling for the mayor and most town council members to resign, blaming them for a failed response to the area’s growing homeless population.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 6d

Delaware’s state board approved a $1M taxpayer-funded grant to keep about 200 high-paying Corteva AgriScience jobs in Wilmington. Corteva will relocate to the Brandywine Building downtown.

Corteva gets $1M grant to stay in Wilmington, move downtown

A state board approved a $1 million grant in taxpayer funds on Monday to retain about 200 high-paying administrative positions for Corteva.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 6d

Dover officials may revise their council meeting format after criticism of how public comments are handled.

Dover City Council to explore public comment changes

Dover City Council will consider changing its meeting structure after drawing criticism over how it hear comments from the public.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 7d

Wilmington’s Land Bank plans to transfer the historic Gibraltar estate, restored with millions in public funds, to a newly formed private entity. https://spotlightdelaware.org/2025/10/27/after-millions-from-taxpayers-gibraltar-mansion-may-transfer-to-new-company/

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 7d

Sussex County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Balk, who faced criticism for remaining in leadership despite past sex crimes against minors, resigned Sunday night.

Sussex Democratic Chair resigns after pressure mounts

The Sussex County Democratic Party Chair, who was the subject of recent controversy over his past sex crimes, resigned Sunday night.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 7d

State officials will consider over $2M in business grants. Wilmington school leaders are nearing a redistricting plan. A task force will review nuclear power’s role in Delaware’s energy future. A subcommittee is shaping qualifications for the new Inspector General.

Get Involved: Grants for big business, Wilmington redistricting, more

Meetings on grants for big business, redistricting of Wilmington students, the future of nuclear energy and more on Delaware's docket.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 10d

University of Delaware students marched to the president’s office, demanding the university protect international students and declare itself a “sanctuary campus.” They cited inaction after federal officials revoked — and later restored — the visas of eight UD students.

UD students call for ‘sanctuary campus,’ protections for international students

Dozens of students marched at the University of Delaware, demanding actions to shield the school from federal immigration enforcement.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 10d

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will drop at least one Medicare Advantage plan for seniors next year, citing “long-term sustainability.” The move follows federal Medicare cuts under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — projected to total $490B over a decade.

Highmark drops at least one Medicare Advantage plan

Delaware’s largest commercial insurer is dropping at least one of its Medicare Advantage plans for seniors beginning next year.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 10d

Sussex County Democrats and state party leadership are in a standoff over whether the chair of the county party, Jeff Balk, should resign because of his criminal past of sex crimes against minors. Read the full story: https://ow.ly/IE1z50XhJCo

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 11d

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 11d

4/4 Oh, and did we mention? Your first beer is on the house, courtesy of Spotlight Delaware!

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Support quality journalism by joining us today!

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 11d

3/4 Once you join, email Angela Reives, Director of Audience and Membership, at [email protected] for the RSVP link.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 11d

2/4 As a member, you’ll also enjoy a stylish car magnet, our members-only newsletter, discounts to select Spotlight Delaware events, and access to exclusive virtual conversations with our newsroom.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 11d

1/4 If you’ve been thinking about becoming a member of Spotlight Delaware, this is the perfect moment.

Your gift of any amount unlocks a special invitation to our Member Mixer, a casual evening to connect with fellow members, reporters, and editors over craft beer and bar games.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 11d

Ferris Fields once saved three people from a burning car, earning Delaware’s highest honors for bravery. Decades later, the former firefighter found new purpose as the owner of Royalty Balloons and Party Supplies, located inside Laurel’s Route 13 Outlet Market.

In Laurel, life happens in a flea market

The Route 13 Outlet Market in Laurel has established itself as a mainstay tradition and community hub in Southern Delaware.

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Spotlight Delaware @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social · 12d

Wilmington Mayor John Carney vetoed a bill that would have created a city-run escrow account for renters to deposit withheld rent. Councilmembers Christian Willauer, Shané Darby, and Coby Owens say they’ll push to override the veto.

Carney's first veto halts Wilmington rent protection program

Wilmington Mayor John Carney vetoed a bill to establish a city-run escrow account for renters to deposit payments withheld from landlords.

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