State News
Monday, May 4, 2026 · Lewes
Delaware Park Casino Doubles Down with Hotel Tower, 300 New Jobs
Delaware Park Casino in Stanton is breaking ground on a transformative $5 million expansion that includes a 200-room hotel tower, marking the next phase of aggressive growth at the regional gaming destination. The addition is expected to create 300 jobs and solidify the casino's position as a major tourism draw in Delaware.
Delaware Beaches Book Record Summer Amid Tourism Boom
Delaware's beaches and boardwalks are set for a record-breaking summer as advance bookings surge to unprecedented levels. Driven by blockbuster events and the nation's 250th birthday celebrations, the First State expects to shatter visitor records after welcoming 29.3 million travelers last year. Tourism officials predict packed hotels from Rehoboth to Dover this season.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Lewes' Fourth Street Preserve Saves 30 Acres Amid Sussex Boom
In the heart of historic Lewes, a 30-acre forest once eyed for development has been secured as Delaware's first urban community forest. The city's $8 million triumph preserves the state's oldest deeded land, blending history, habitat, and trails. As Sussex County grapples with explosive growth, this preserve signals a bolder open-space strategy.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Wilmington's $4.2M Affordable Housing Bet Hinges on Unknowns
Wilmington officials are moving forward with plans to demolish the shuttered Elbert-Palmer elementary school in Southbridge and build 30 affordable townhomes, but a critical question remains unanswered: what will buyers actually pay? With construction costs exceeding $300,000 per unit and final pricing dependent on subsidies and income levels, city leaders cannot yet commit to a price range.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Wilmington Blue Rocks Stumble in Home Opener, Lose 0-2 to Renegades
The Wilmington Blue Rocks' 2026 home opener at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium ended in heartbreak with a 0-2 shutout loss to the Hudson Valley Renegades on April 9. Despite high hopes from a promising road week, the Diamond State's High-A squad couldn't muster a hit against starter Liam Sullivan. Fans left Frawley Field optimistic for a quick turnaround in the South Atlantic League series.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Dover Tops Seeding in Delaware Boys Basketball State Tournament
Top-seeded Dover High School leads the 2026 DIAA Boys Basketball State Tournament bracket as playoffs ignite rivalries across Delaware. With 24 teams vying for the title, first-round matchups pit local powerhouses against underdogs starting February 23. Fans brace for intense battles featuring familiar foes like Dover and Smyrna.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Delaware Blue Hens Gear Up for Spring Game After Bowl Glory
Fresh off their 68 Ventures Bowl championship, the University of Delaware football team is buzzing with momentum as they prepare for the annual spring game in Newark. With a revamped 2026 Conference USA schedule and high recruiting hopes, fans are eyeing another strong FBS campaign. The Fightin' Blue Hens' 15 spring practices signal big expectations at Delaware Stadium.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Delaware Bill Empowers Co-op to Block Data Center Power Surge
A proposed bill would let Delaware Electric Cooperative reject power-hungry data centers, shielding rural ratepayers from skyrocketing bills. As tech giants eye Sussex County farmlands, lawmakers push back against the energy drain. The measure highlights growing tensions over Delaware's rural grid.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Georgetown Mayoral Race Heats Up Ahead of May 9 Vote
With longtime Mayor Bill West retiring, Georgetown voters face a pivotal choice in a three-way mayoral race dividing the Sussex County seat. Candidates clash over housing, homelessness and growth as the May 9 election looms. The contest tests residents' visions for their changing town.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Feds, State Probe New Ethylene Oxide Leak at Croda's New Castle Plant
A fresh chemical leak at Croda Inc.'s facility near the Delaware Memorial Bridge has sparked investigations by Delaware regulators and federal agencies. The April 14 release of cancer-linked ethylene oxide from a faulty valve gasket heightens long-standing safety fears in New Castle County. No injuries were reported, but residents remain on edge after years of similar incidents.
Monday, May 4, 2026
ChristianaCare Pushes into Camden with $58M Health Campus
Delaware's largest health system is targeting care shortages in Kent County with a new 38,000-square-foot campus in Camden. The $58.1 million project promises emergency beds, inpatient care and 83 jobs, opening by late 2028. Residents weary of long drives north may soon find relief just off Route 13.
Monday, May 4, 2026