Several fixtures in Delaware state politics have announced they won’t seek reelection this year, some after decades in their seat. Their decisions to step aside leave room for new faces and the possibility a seat could flip to the other party.Incumbents opting to leave has become a bit of a trend in the First State. In both 2022 and 2024, multiple incumbents didn’t pursue their seats in the General Assembly again.This week, Delaware Public Media political reporter Bente Bouthier dove into this trend and implications of this round of retirements with University of Delaware professor Paul Brewer - who specializes in political communication and public opinion.

Concerns about electric grid capacity remain in the headlines as surging demand, fueled in part by A.I and data centers, stress the system and contribute to rising electricity costs.But what if your car could be part of the solution. It may be, if you have an electric car.Vehicle to grid technology - developed by Univ. of Delaware Professor Willett Kempton - has been around for 30 years but, the timing may finally be right for it to make its mark.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle took a closer look at where V2G tech stands and why it may be ready to take off. And he joined Tom Byrne this week to discuss what he learned.

The Wilmington Concert Opera returned to the stage this weekend with the Delaware premiere of the first opera written in a US tribal language.On this week's Arts Playlist, DPM's Martin Matheny spoke to the Wilmington Concert Opera's Artistic Director Kirstin Kunkle, herself a member of the Muskogee nation, about the performance.

A recent documentary looked at how stress can affect our lives, and how you don't have to heal alone. Friends & Neighbors is a film by Wilmington resident Benjamin Wagner who shared how dealing with chronic stress and trauma can shape our lives.In the film he shared his story along with conversations with experts and neighbors as they showed how you can heal and still connect with those around you. In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media's Joe Irizarry spoke with Wagner about his film and life experiences.

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Delaware took a significant step toward revamping the way it funds its public schools.The Public Education Funding Commission formally voted on its recommendations for a new hybrid model which will increase per-pupil funding for multilingual learners and students from low-income homes.The General Assembly will now comsider bills reflecting these changes and how to implement them.They’'re sponsored by the commission’s chair State Sen. Laura Sturgeon, who joined Delaware Public Media’s state politics reporter Bente Bouthier this week to discuss this new education funding plan.

Christina Park became a city-sanctioned unhoused community site in October 2025, and residents had experienced several issues since its inception.Two snowstorms, organizational issues and faulty tents saw residents displaced and disturbed several times over.Friendship House, a community nonprofit, was brought by the city to oversee the site that is now home to 60 residents. It acknowledged it is still working out the kinks, but reported smoother waters there now -with eight residents moving on to supportive programs or sustainable housing options.Delaware Public Media’s Abigail Lee met up with Friendship House CEO Kim Eppehimer at its offices to learn more about Christina Park, its residents and next steps for its partnership with the city.

A group of 21 states and local governments filed a lawsuit against the United States Environmental Protection Agency, challenging its rollback of a Clean Air Act provision that regulates Mercury and other hazardous emissions from coal and oil-fueled power plants. Delaware joined that lawsuit, which was filed on March 31.To help explain why this case matters and how it impacts the First State, Delaware Public Media’s Jay Shah spoke to Sarah Everhart - Assistant Professor and Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic at Widener University Delaware Law School.

Piffaro, an ensemble specializing in the music of the Renaissance and early Baroque Eras, returns to Wilmington this month. Its latest concert, "Eagle and Empire," brings in guest artists and takes audiences to colonial Mexico, at a time when the classical traditions of Europe made landfall in the New World.On this week's Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny chatted with Piffaro's Artistic Director, Priscilla Herreid about the concert.

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