In October 2023, the Biden Administration announced the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) was among a series of “hydrogen hubs” selected to receive substantial federal grants to jumpstart the hydrogen fuel industry.But it wasn’t until the final days of the Biden Administration in January that MACH2 received the first 18.8 million of a promised $750 million.So where does this ambitious and at times controversial project stand after receiving that initial federal funding – and as the new Trump Administration takes office with its own energy strategy?This week, contributor Jon Hurdle takes a closer look at the status of MACH2 and its future prospects in his latest piece available at delaware-public-dot-org. And we chatted earlier this week about what he learned.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is urging Congress to mandate health warning labels that clearly outline the connection between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol consumption is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., and Murthy’s new advisory details how drinking alcohol can raise the possibility of developing at least seven types of cancer.Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with Dr. Ramya Varadarajan – ChristianaCare’s Breast Medical Oncologist and Medical Director of the Chemo Infusion Suite at the Helen Graham Cancer Center – about the surgeon general’s announcement and the link between alcohol and cancer risk.

Every year, Monarch Butterflies migrate to warmer forested areas in Central Mexico and Coastal California to overwinter, so they can survive the colder inclement conditions.But over the past few decades, the number of monarchs overwintering in Mexico has declined by as much as 80%, and monarchs overwintering in California has dropped by nearly 100%. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently recommended listing monarchs as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act in response, although advocates say that could make the situation worse.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry caught up this week with Michael Crossley – an Assistant Professor and Agricultural Entomologist at the University of Delaware who wrote about the issue – for more on why fewer Monarch Butterflies are overwintering and if federal protections could help or harm this iconic species.

In today’s information-driven world, math is everywhere; shaping the people we meet, the news we consume, and the jobs we get. Whether we recognize it or not, our ability to speak the language of math plays a crucial role in determining who holds social and economic power and who doesn’t.The new documentary ‘Counted Out’ delves into the math that underpins our democracy and how to become fluent in the numbers that shape our world. Starting this Sunday, the Delaware Council of Mathematics Leaders (DCML) is hosting a screening of ‘Counted Out’ in each county.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined by Crystal Lancour – past President of DCML and current Supervisor of Mathematics in the Colonial School District – and Jamila Riser – Executive Director of the Delaware Mathematics Coalition – for a preview of ‘Counted Out.’

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It’s been more than three years since the remnants of Hurricane Ida dumped up to eight inches of rain in just a few hours on parts of the Brandywine Creek watershed in Delaware and Pennsylvania, causing heavy damage to private property and public infrastructure throughout the region, including in Northeast Wilmington.Last week, a group of stakeholders who spent the past 18 months examining flooding in the Brandywine watershed and what can be done to address it released a draft report of their findings.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle examines the report, its recommendations, and the reaction to it.

Delaware is facing a critical shortage of medical providers; everything from primary care doctors to psychiatrists and dentists.To help bridge the gap and incentivize providers to both work and live in Delaware, the state Department of Health and Social Services launched the Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program, offering clinicians up to $50,000 a year in loan repayment. Since 2022, more than $1 million has been doled out.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry is joined by Dr. Nancy Fan – Chair of the Delaware Healthcare Commission and OB/GYN with Trinity Health – and Certified Nurse-Midwife Angela Madariaga to learn more about the program and how it’s addressing the need for medical providers in the First State.

This year marks a major milestone for the Music School of Delaware, as it celebrates 100 years of providing music education in the First State.The nation’s only accredited, statewide community music school is commemorating its centennial with a series of special events throughout the year, starting with a violin and piano recital at the Newark Free Library on Sunday.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny spoke with Music School of Delaware faculty members Gus Mercante and Mary Jane Vanvestraut about the school’s centennial festivities and what it means to celebrate a century of fostering musical talent.

The NPR Student Podcast Challenge is back for 2025, offering students in grades 4-12 a national stage to tell their stories.Now in its seventh year, the Student Podcast Challenge has introduced more than 90,000 students from all 50 states to public radio and the art of audio storytelling, inviting young creators to produce stories on the topics that matter most to them.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with Steve Drummond and Janet Lee from NPR's Education desk for more on the Student Podcast Challenge.

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