AGP Executive Report

Delaware Medical School: Delaware has selected Thomas Jefferson University to run the state’s first four-year medical school, with an initial plan to place the first cohort at UD in Newark and a free-education option for students who commit to practicing in rural Delaware. Social Security Warning: A new analysis says Social Security could trigger an automatic 24% benefit cut in 2032, averaging about $500 less per month nationwide—Delaware retirees could lose around $549 monthly. Drought Watch: Gov. Matt Meyer declared a statewide drought watch as precipitation drops, urging voluntary water conservation, especially in Kent and Sussex counties. Public Safety Leadership: Temple University says Vice President of Public Safety Jennifer Griffin is stepping down after nearly four years, with a national search set for a permanent replacement. Local Crime Case: Police say Jonathan Gerlach, facing hundreds of charges tied to cemetery break-ins near Philadelphia, also broke into Greenwood Cemetery’s mausoleum in Lancaster Township. Community & Culture: DLNHC launched a traveling exhibition, “Dynamo! Innovators, Inventors and Architects of Revolutionary Change,” highlighting the corridor’s role in shaping American industry and science.

Delaware Medical Education: Delaware is set to get its first medical school through a partnership with Thomas Jefferson University, with Jefferson’s Sidney Kimmel College Delaware Regional Campus planned at the University of Delaware in Newark and a first class of 40 students expected in fall 2028. Local Health Care Access: ChristianaCare’s Aston micro-hospital officially opened Tuesday, adding a 24/7, 10-bed emergency department and aiming to serve about 15,000 patients a year, with more services planned for later this year. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data highlights staffing and quality across Delaware-area facilities, including Pike Creek Nursing & Rehabilitation Center ranking largest in New Castle County in Q1 2026 and receiving a 2-star overall rating. Community & Youth: Days of Summer Camp is seeking volunteers for free, counselor-heavy summer programming for children with Down syndrome across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. Local Government Finance: Millsboro passed a 3% lodging tax ordinance, stacking on top of Delaware’s existing lodging tax to raise the total hotel-room tax to 11% if approved.

Medical Education: Delaware will establish its first medical school in partnership with Philadelphia-based Jefferson University, with students starting classroom work at UD and clinical training in Kent and Sussex counties—while ChristianaCare says it’s not part of the consortium and questions whether the school’s goals can be met without its clinical role. Public Health Access: ChristianaCare opened Delaware County’s first micro-hospital in Aston, adding 10 inpatient beds and a full emergency department to help fill the gap left by Crozer Health’s 2025 collapse. Courts & Voting Rights: The ACLU of Delaware plans to appeal a Fenwick Island ruling that dismissed its challenge to corporate voting in municipal elections, arguing “one person, one vote” is being undermined. Justice & Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating a Walgreens robbery on Philadelphia Pike in Wilmington; the suspect is described as a Black man in a blue hooded sweatshirt and black pants. Sports & Compliance: Delaware State University is asking a federal judge for more time to meet Title IX women’s sports requirements in a long-running case tied to the elimination of its women’s equestrian team. Community & Nature: The Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek hosts a June 11 bird lecture with Delaware Nature Society ornithologist Ian Steward.

Revolution Rivalry: Philadelphia and Boston are trading claims to American Revolution bragging rights as the 250th anniversary ramps up, with local leaders arguing which city turned revolutionary thinking into action. Delaware Tax Fight: Delaware’s HB 234 is drawing backlash from critics who say it would weaken taxpayer control over state employee healthcare and pensions by expanding collective bargaining into the constitution. Local Scholarships: VMDAEC’s Education Scholarship Foundation awarded seven scholarships to Delaware-area students, totaling $165,000 across Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Meteor Update: NASA says the weekend meteor that rattled New England was about 5 feet wide, “as heavy as an elephant,” and broke up over the region before fragments fell into Cape Cod Bay. Delaware County Senior Meals: Delaware County is continuing the senior meals transition after Delaware Opportunities stopped May 7, with congregate sites and home delivery now run by the county. Public Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating commercial burglaries along Coastal Highway in Lewes, including forced-entry attempts at multiple businesses. Housing Watch: Millsboro is considering a 3% lodging tax to add to Delaware’s existing 8% hotel tax, pushing the total to 11% if approved.

Local Courts & Business: A Delaware federal judge helped JPMorgan dodge a patent-infringement suit tied to financial transaction processing, ruling the patent didn’t clear the U.S. Supreme Court’s Alice test. Consumer & Investor Watch: Delaware is also in the spotlight for securities litigation, as law firms announced class actions targeting Phreesia investors, with a Delaware filing and a July 13 lead-plaintiff deadline. Energy & Environment: Nextpower filed a patent lawsuit in Delaware against GameChange Solar over solar tracker and energy-management technology, while a separate Delaware-related report flags widespread PFAS contamination in the Delaware River Basin. Public Safety: Delaware State Police investigated commercial burglaries and attempted break-ins along Coastal Highway in Lewes. Community & Local Life: Delaware’s Division of Small Business awarded more than $700,000 to help food access in areas considered food deserts. Weather/Space: NASA said a meteor sonic boom across New England was bigger than first thought and may have produced a meteorite landing in Cape Cod Bay.

Delaware Agriculture: The Farmers for Soil Health cover-crop incentive program is back open through the end of summer, offering $35 per acre per year on up to 2,000 acres, with a new one-year contract structure aimed at better matching on-farm costs. High School Sports (Delaware): Delaware Online is running Week 10 polls for Team of the Week and Athlete of the Week, with nominees including Archmere girls soccer, Cape Henlopen girls lacrosse, Caravel softball, and Wilmington Friends girls soccer. State Sports History: A look at the history of Delaware girls soccer state championships, including which schools and coaches have won the most titles. Lottery: Delaware Lottery Play 3 results for May 31, 2026: Day 7-6-8; Night 4-6-9. Food Security: The Food Bank of Delaware is taking signups for its 2026 Community Supported Agriculture program, with weekly produce shares starting June 25. Environment: A lawsuit challenges federal inaction on protecting horseshoe crabs, with Delaware Bay highlighted as a key spawning ground.

Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Fight: A lawsuit filed in federal court by the Center for Biological Diversity asks NOAA to list horseshoe crabs as threatened or endangered, arguing the agency mishandled petitions after Delaware Bay spawning and heavy regional harvesting. Public Safety & Health: ChristianaCare says it will open a 24/7 neighborhood hospital in Aston, Pa., with inpatient and emergency services starting soon, aiming to cut down on long waits for Delaware County residents. State Police DUI Crackdown: Delaware State Police arrested Dover’s Carolyn Reed on felony DUI charges after a crash left her car in a ditch; it was her fifth DUI, and she refused field sobriety tests. Regional Newsroom Recognition: WDEL was named the region’s Outstanding News Operation of the Year, winning multiple awards including top honors for its morning newscast and anchor. Meteor Boom Follow-Up: NASA says the loud New England sonic boom was caused by a meteor that likely fragmented over Cape Cod Bay, with reports heard as far as Delaware and Montreal. Local Events: Coastal Delaware Restaurant Week runs June 7-12, with proceeds supporting first responders in Rehoboth and Dewey.

Roots Picnic in Fairmount Park: The two-day music festival returns to Belmont Plateau with bigger crowds and major road closures, as Jaÿ-Z headlines with the Roots backing him. Local Business & Community: Shoreline Sitters marked its Delaware beach expansion with a ribbon cutting in Rehoboth and Lewes, launching a summer nanny program for families. Arts & Culture: The East Branch Delaware River Plein Air Painters’ 15-year tradition is celebrated with a new outdoor painting exhibit in Delaware County. Sports: Caravel Academy won its sixth straight DIAA state softball title with a 5-0 shutout over Sussex Central. Public Safety: Delaware leaders are responding after a federal court ordered the state to release Delaware Department of Labor wage records tied to an ICE subpoena dispute. Immigration & Courts: The state must comply with the immigration-related records order after the Third Circuit denied a delay. Philanthropy: 100 Women Who Care Southern Delaware presented $15,570 to the Sussex Help Fund for immigrant families facing crisis. Transportation & Growth: Wilmington Airport hit a milestone with Avelo carrying its one millionth passenger since launching in 2023.

Court Sanctions: A Delaware Chancery judge sanctioned WWE and Vince McMahon in a shareholder lawsuit, ruling the company destroyed evidence in the 2023 UFC-WWE merger fight by using Signal’s auto-delete setting. Health Care Expansion: ChristianaCare says its new Aston micro-hospital in Delaware County is on track for early June, adding a 24/7 emergency department and inpatient services for about 15,000 patients a year. Local Politics & Voting: Delaware lawmakers are weighing House Bill 188, which would let unaffiliated voters participate in party primaries—an effort aimed at expanding access for the state’s growing independent electorate. Environment & Climate Debate: Opinion pieces clash over DNREC’s climate messaging after a Frederica tornado, with one side arguing the data doesn’t show a clear Delaware trend. Community & Schools: Charter School of Wilmington and Salesianum School held Class of 2026 graduations, marking major end-of-year milestones for local families. Public Safety: Delaware State Police continue investigating the death of a 10-year-old girl in Smyrna. Sports & Community Events: The Delaware County Hero Bowl charity game was cut short after a brawl involving juveniles, and police said the event’s host will no longer stage it.

Affordable Housing: Leaders broke ground in Milford on Lafayette Place, aiming for up to 95 affordable homes for working families near existing ICHDE communities. Housing/Local Budgeting: Sussex County unveiled a proposed $300M 2027 budget, including new roles like a building permit surcharge for independent school districts. Public Safety (Child Death): Delaware State Police are investigating the death of a 10-year-old girl found in her Smyrna bedroom; the case is active and turned over to forensic science. Courts/Immigration Records: The Third Circuit ordered Delaware to comply with a federal Homeland Security subpoena for Delaware Department of Labor wage records tied to an immigration enforcement probe. Port/State Costs: Delaware and Enstructure agreed to close a major funding gap for the Port of Wilmington’s Edgemoor container terminal, with the state set to pay an additional $110M. Community & Culture: The Nanticoke Indian Tribe hosts a free history presentation and dance in Millsboro; plus Selbyville’s Old Timers’ Day classic car festival returns June 20. Health Care: ChristianaCare is preparing to open a $51M microhospital in Aston with 24/7 emergency care.

Public Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating a shooting on Lawson Road near Georgetown after a home was hit by gunfire May 26; no injuries were reported, and detectives are asking the public to call Det. J. O’Neil or Delaware Crime Stoppers. In-Custody Death: DSP and the Delaware Department of Justice are investigating an in-custody suicide at Troop 3 in Camden; authorities say a 49-year-old man died by hanging in a temporary holding cell after a domestic assault call and a pursuit. Local Government: Rehoboth Beach has hired outside counsel to review issues tied to a widely publicized “takeover” event on May 19 that drew a large crowd and led to arrests. Education & Policy: Delaware’s party change deadline for September primaries is midnight Friday, with closed primaries requiring voters to switch parties before then. Health & Community: Delaware advanced alternative crisis response planning for 911/988 coordination, aiming to route behavioral health emergencies to the right response. Courts & Voting: A Delaware judge upheld a ruling allowing corporations to vote in certain local elections, a decision tied to the state’s voting rules.

Immigration Oversight: Sen. Andy Kim says he was pepper-sprayed while trying to separate protesters from federal immigration agents outside the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, as demonstrations continued over alleged inhumane conditions. Local History & Development: Kent County Levy Court backed the proposed Greater Dover Museum to preserve and expand Dover-area collections, citing space limits at the current museum site. Voting Rights Fight: A Delaware judge rejected an ACLU challenge to a law allowing corporate representatives to vote in local elections, a ruling that could affect bond referendums and town council races statewide. Housing & City Growth: Dover broke ground on the Old Post redevelopment, aiming for about 42 apartments and commercial space in a downtown adaptive-reuse project. Public Safety & Accountability: Lewes City Manager Ellen Lorraine McCabe admitted she ordered removal of a Zoom recording of a historic preservation meeting to protect a city employee’s pending complaint. Consumer Watch: A Raaw Energy raw dog food recall expanded to more than 180 lots over contamination concerns, with FDA warning about ongoing exposure risks. Delaware Sports: Cape boys’ lacrosse is headed to the DIAA final after an 18-5 semifinal win, setting up a rematch with top-seeded Salesianium.

Local Health Care: ChristianaCare marked the completion of its $50 million Aston micro-hospital, a 10-bed, 24/7 facility with an emergency department and expanded outpatient services aimed at restoring local access in Delaware County. Delaware Courts & Democracy: A Delaware judge upheld voting by corporations in local elections, a ruling tied to the “logical conclusion” of Citizens United. State Policy: Delaware extended an East Central Avenue closure through June 8, affecting local travel plans. Sports—Delaware High School: Delaware’s I-Read “Early Read” results drew praise from Yorktown School leadership, while the state’s DIAA golf tournament wrapped with Salesianum’s Joe Kelly edging for the title and Archmere winning the girls team spot. Business & Governance: Aegon said it plans to move its legal seat to Delaware and adjust governance for a U.S.-aligned framework as it heads toward a planned relocation. National Spotlight (Delaware connection): Delaware’s top speller, Siara Husain of Wilmington, reached the National Spelling Bee stage again but was eliminated on a tough written test.

Delaware Child Care: Dover lawmakers are weighing House Bill 387, which would expand eligibility for the state’s Purchase of Care child care subsidies, gradually raising income thresholds to 275% of the federal poverty level by 2031 to help more working families afford care. Local Health Access: A University of Delaware report highlights major prenatal care gaps tied to stillbirth and infant death in Kent and Sussex counties, pointing to provider shortages and the lack of NICU capability in Sussex hospitals for babies under 36 weeks. Court Watch (Delaware ties): A Delaware Chancery Court ruling in Guilbeau v. Footprint found it was reasonable to infer directors breached fiduciary duties in a preferred stock financing as the company neared insolvency, with possible “aided and abetted” claims against certain fund designees. Public Safety: Delaware State Police arrested a 15-year-old from Sudlersville, Md., after a Kent County pursuit involving a stolen truck and multiple traffic offenses, charging him with felony theft and resisting arrest. Community Events: The Delaware Watercolor Society’s “It’s A Shore Thing” exhibit opens June 1 at the Lewes Public Library, running through June 28 with a June 5 reception and awards.

New Castle County Budget: New Castle County Council approved a $387.6 million budget Tuesday night, the first direct county property tax increase in eight years—about $102 a year (roughly $8.50 a month) on a median $378,000 assessed home. The operating budget is up 4.39% from last year, with cuts to programs including Carousel Park’s “Sleep Under the Stars,” plus staffing reductions tied to libraries and parks. Delaware Courts: The Delaware Supreme Court denied a bid to overturn life sentences in a long-running murder case involving Steven Kellam, keeping convictions reinstated after earlier Superior Court vacating. Offshore Wind: The state’s top court also upheld a decision clearing the way for an offshore wind electrical substation after Sussex County’s denial was challenged. Public Safety: Chester saw multiple shootings within hours, leaving at least one man critically hurt, while police also reported an officer attacked during a domestic disturbance. Tech & Legal: Byju’s founder Byju Raveendran was sentenced in Singapore to six months for contempt over asset-disclosure orders, adding to the company’s wider legal troubles.

USMNT World Cup Buzz: Team USA just set its 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Delaware is in the spotlight with Bear native Mark McKenzie becoming the first player from “The First State” to make a World Cup roster. Port Watch: In Wilmington, the Port of Wilmington Edgemoor expansion proposal took another step forward as the Diamond State Port Corporation and Enstructure signed an amended joint development agreement after key Army Corps permits. Courtroom Turning Point: The Delaware Supreme Court upheld state action in the Sussex County US Wind dispute, effectively reversing the county’s denial tied to the offshore wind substation plan. Local Crime: Delaware State Police identified Leondre Boone of Lincoln as the driver who died in a single-vehicle crash on Sandbox Road in Harrington. Community Kudos: The Historic Lewes Farmers Market earned a Governor’s Volunteer Service Group Award for more than 6,700 volunteer hours logged in 2025.