January 23, 2026 by Deanna Smith Killen Last year, I wrote an opinion piece about biological boys competing on girls' sports teams. I knew the op-ed would invite strong opinions, but what I didn't expect was how many people would reach out asking how they could help. This Wednesday, the "Fairness in Girls' Sports" bill (SB 215) will be heard in the Senate Education Committee at 1:00 p.m. If you believe, like I do, that fairness is not discrimination and that girls have fough

January 23, 2026 Governor Matthew Meyer has signed a State of Emergency at 5:00 p.m. Friday, in anticipation of Winter Storm Fern. The State of Emergency will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2026, and will allow for the mobilization of statewide resources needed to prepare for and respond to this storm, including the activation of the Delaware National Guard. "Delawareans should always feel secure in their communities, especially during severe winter weather,

January 23, 2026 A bipartisan bill that cleared the House of Representatives earlier this week holds the promise of expanding access to eye care specialists in underserved areas of Delaware.   Sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky (R-Long Neck, Oak Orchard) , House Bill 260  seeks to make optometrists eligible for the Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program.  The initiative offers up to $200,000 in loan forgiveness to primary care providers (e.g., Doctors of Medicine, Nu

January 22, 2026 DOVER, DE  — Following Governor Matt Meyer’s State of the State address, Senate Republican Leader Gerald Hocker and Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn offered the following statements, highlighting areas of agreement while raising concerns about partisan rhetoric and policy characterizations. Statement from Senator Gerald Hocker (R-Ocean View): “I appreciate Governor Meyer’s acknowledgment that Delaware must move faster on modern nuclear energy, including

January 22, 2026 View this livestream from our Delaware House Republican Leaders in response to Governor Meyer's State of the State Address. Hear comments from Rep. Timothy Dukes , House Minority Leader, and Rep. Jeffery Spiegelman , House Minority Whip. To view the livestream, click the photo below.

January 21, 2026 Sen. Gerald Hocker Yesterday evening, Senate Democrats introduced SB 228 and SB 230 and, by around 10 p.m., rushed both bills onto today’s Senate Executive Committee agenda. Republican members of the Special Property Reassessment Committee were never consulted or given advance notice beyond being told the bills would be introduced. The business community, who is impacted by this legislation, found out roughly 45 minutes prior to the committee hearing that the

January 21, 2026 Delaware State House of Representatives, Republican Caucus State Rep. Lyndon Yearick (R–Camden, Wyoming, Woodside) is advancing a package of four bills designed to ease the financial burden on low- and moderate-income Delawareans struggling with rising costs and a slowing economy.   “Working families and those seeking employment need relief,” Rep. Yearick said. “Food and energy prices continue to rise, hiring has slowed, Delaware currently has the seventh-hi

Why now? Laurel hasn’t passed a current expense referendum in 40 years—that’s two full generations. During that time, costs, expectations, and student needs have grown, but local operating funding hasn’t kept pace. Vote February 9th — for the first time in 40 years. The Laurel School District invites community members to join them for a Referendum Information Night focused on sharing clear, factual information about the upcoming referendum. District leaders will provide an ov

January 20 by Melissa Steele, Cape Gazette A bill requiring school districts to adopt cellphone policies unanimously passed the House on the Legislature’s return to session Jan. 13. Senate Bill 106 returns to the Senate with a House amendment that would require districts and charter schools to include a plan to monitor discipline data related to student cellphone-use policy violations, and require the department to help districts and charter schools develop policies if neede

January 21, 2026 Sen. Bryant Richardson On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the first day of session for 2026, my Convention of States (COS) Resolution (SCR 114) was brought before the Senate.   Minority Leader Tim Dukes was the prime sponsor of SCR 114 in the House. Others on board as co-sponsors were Senator David Wilson and Representative Jeff Hilovsky.   Sadly, the resolution did not make it over to the House. It was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 7 yes, 7 no and 7 not voting.   Th

January 20, 2026 Gene Truono, Chair, Delaware Republican Party Dear Fellow Delaware Republicans, President Trump's resolute determination to secure Greenland stands as a defining moment of bold, America-first leadership—one that refuses to let adversaries dictate the future of the West. In a rapidly changing Arctic, where ice melt is accelerating at nearly four times the global average, Russia fortifies its military presence with nuclear-capable bases and advanced icebreakers

A bill seeking to increase public trust in Delaware elections is being held in committee.

January 18, 2026 Delaware Public Archives DELAWARE SNAPSHOT On January 17, 1893, Millsboro recorded Delaware’s lowest-ever temperature at a brain-numbing –17 degrees Fahrenheit. And our Sussex County town also is the record-holder of our state’s highest temperature. A sweltering 110 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded on July 21, 1930. And according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, those records give Millsboro a national record. Millsboro is the only place

January 16, 2026 Gene Truono, Chair, Delaware Republican Party The attacks on our dedicated ICE agents have escalated to dangerous new levels—and they're hitting right here in our small, tight-knit state. Brave federal officers, sworn to protect American families from violent criminals, are now smeared as a "personal paramilitary force" breaking laws and endangering communities. This inflammatory rhetoric doesn't just divide us; it puts real lives at risk, emboldens lawbreake

January 17, 2026 Jen Pawloski Judge fails to recuse herself. Senate Bill 159 is currently being challenged by the County and Fenwick Island in Delaware Chancery Court. The supposed random case assignment by the Court, has the Chancellor Judge Kathaleen McCormick hearing that case. After Sussex County Council held their hearing, in December of 2024 and voted to block the conditional use permit for the US Wind project to land power cables at a property in Dagsboro, Senate Bill

Human Trafficking Webinar and information

January 15, 2026 Join the House Small Business Caucus on Thursday, January 22nd at Legislative Hall for its first meeting of 2026 The first House Small Business Caucus meeting of 2026 will be held on Thursday, January 22nd between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the House Majority Hearing Room, located on the second floor of Legislative Hall (411 Legislative Avenue, Dover, DE 19901). SPECIAL GUESTS: New Board Chairman of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership Robert Hererra; and the

January 15, 2026 WBOC DELAWARE-  Delaware is among the states that could face federal funding cuts after President Trump on Tuesday announced that sanctuary jurisdictions may lose payments starting February 1. The U.S. Department of Justice defines a sanctuary jurisdiction as one that limits or blocks local law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Delaware is among 13 states the DOJ classifies this way, even though it does not have any offici

Republicans file for reelection

January 14, 2026 Daniel Willis, Chairman, Sussex County Republican Party Team Sussex,   This week, Governor Matt Meyer stated, “In Delaware, we protect our people. Any agency that comes into our state and harms Delaware residents will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” The statement was made amid national concern surrounding recent ICE activity and was clearly meant to project strength, resolve, and moral authority.   Those words carry weight. But leadership is