AGP Executive Report

Public Service: Former Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore Patti Blevins has died. Gov. Matt Meyer ordered state flags lowered to half-staff, honoring her decades in public service and advocacy for domestic violence survivors and animal welfare. Election Deadline: Delaware residents must register by 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, to vote in the Nov. 3 general election. Housing and Development: Meyer is ceremonially marking two new laws intended to streamline permitting and encourage affordable housing. The changes have drawn pushback from local governments, and Sussex County residential applications are on hold. Crime: A Milford man was sentenced to life plus 21 years for beating and stabbing a woman in a 2024 attack that left her critically injured.

Qualcomm vs. Arm Trial: In Delaware federal court, Qualcomm says it can use its 2013 Arm chip-architecture license for next-gen royalties, while Arm argues Qualcomm is trying to squeeze a massive 1,800% jump by applying old caps to modern, many-core data-center chips; the trial is set to wrap Friday. Coastal Recovery: U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and Rep. Sarah McBride toured storm damage along Delaware’s coast after a nor’easter, pressing for more federal help for beach replenishment and repairs. Road Work in Lewes: Nassau Road is closed between New Road and Queen Anne Way for a new roundabout as part of the Minos Conaway project, with detours in place through mid-January. Local Business Test: Wawa is testing sushi at select Delaware Valley stores, and early customers are split between “gas station sushi” skepticism and praise for the rolls. Delaware Watchdog: The Delaware Office of the Inspector General announced a new website and hotline. Sports: With three weeks left, 19 area football teams are in playoff spots, and OHSAA computer ratings update the postseason picture.

Restaurant Closures: Newark’s Greene Turtle shut down after more than a decade, adding to a broader wave of restaurant churn across New Castle County as higher labor, food, insurance and occupancy costs squeeze thin margins. Delaware Courts: The Delaware Justice of the Peace Court marked its 60th anniversary, highlighting its 24/7 operation and its role as the state’s entry-level court with hundreds of thousands of filings and dispositions. Public Safety: Delaware State Police identified Douglas Vitale, 46, of Dover, as the man who died in a Sunday single-vehicle crash in Hartly; investigators are still seeking witnesses. Health & Policy: Delaware’s senators asked federal court officials to review a judge’s conduct after a report said she ran a Washington public affairs firm while serving on the bench. Transportation: DelDOT is building a long-range plan for every road in Delaware, aiming to connect future upgrades for roads, bikes, pedestrians and transit into one statewide system. Community & Culture: The Order of the First State honored 10 Delawareans with the state’s highest civilian award, recognizing service across education, public service, health care and community advocacy.

Qualcomm vs. Arm: A second, five-day jury trial opened in Delaware federal court as Qualcomm accuses Arm of withholding required chip-testing tools and leaking a 2024 threat to terminate a license—while Arm says Qualcomm can’t claim damages because Qualcomm itself leaked details about antitrust probes. Domestic violence protections: Gov. Matt Meyer signed five new Delaware laws and issued a Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation, expanding confidentiality protections, protective-order safeguards, and survivor rights to speak publicly. Coastal resilience: U.S. Sen. Chris Coons pushed for an additional $30 million for Delaware beach replenishment after a nor’easter, building on earlier federal funding. Transportation and local safety: A Delaware transportation funding task force will hold a Sussex-area briefing; Lewes-Rehoboth Canal dredging is underway with nearby homeowners raising concerns about where sediment will be placed; Millsboro is considering a Radish Road speed-limit drop to 25 mph. Business and community: Pathmark may return to Wilmington as owners discuss a modified store for the Adams Four shopping center. Environment cleanup: DNREC reported 1,200+ volunteers removed more than 3,800 pounds of trash from Delaware shorelines and waterways ahead of the storm season.

Food Safety: Delaware shoppers are being told to check freezers after a frozen berry recall tied to possible E. coli O145 expanded again, now including additional Walmart and Trader Joe’s lots in dozens of states, with 17 reported illnesses and six hospitalizations. Education Funding: Delaware awarded more than $7.1 million in Bridge to Practice grants to 28 districts and charter schools in Kent and Sussex and beyond to strengthen early literacy through science-of-reading training, coaching, and materials. Public Safety: Delaware State Police arrested 65-year-old Bruce Butler of Georgetown for 5th-offense DUI after a Route 1 stop in Bear; he refused field tests and faces felony charges. Courts/Business: The U.S. Department of Justice sued the University of Delaware over its in-state tuition policy for illegal aliens, arguing it unlawfully gives preferential treatment. Local Economy/Community: Delaware Public Archives unveiled a new digital exhibit, “Grown & Gathered: Harvest in the First State,” spotlighting the state’s agriculture history. Tech/Delaware Courts: Two former Groq engineers sued the company’s board in Delaware Chancery, alleging the $20B Nvidia deal shortchanged stockholders.

Delaware River First Responders Honored: A 225-mile kayak voyage, Operation Deep Blue, marked the sacrifices of police, firefighters and military members, including a D.C. officer killed after being struck by a suspected drunk driver. Public Safety & Health: Delaware’s fire marshal is urging families of deaf and hard-of-hearing residents to consider accessible smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with visual, spoken and vibration alerts. Weather Watch: A strong cold front is pushing colder air across the Mid-Atlantic, with the first widespread frost risk expected to hit Pennsylvania Monday night into Tuesday morning. Local Delaware Community Notes: Community Bank Delaware donated $1,500 to Cancer Support Community Delaware for its Pink Affair fundraiser. Sports (Delaware ties): Delaware State volleyball and women’s hockey both posted results involving Delaware teams, while Delaware-area college sports continued conference play. Traffic/Travel Disruption: DelDOT storm drain inspections are scheduled at the Dover Toll Plaza Oct. 6–Oct. 8.

Food Safety: A Chilean supplier expanded an E. coli recall to include additional lots of Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend sold in 26 states (including Delaware) and Walmart’s Great Value frozen organic triple berry products, warning the berries may be contaminated with E. coli O145:H28. Local Politics: The 14th Representative District Democrats will host U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester at their Oct. 12 meeting in Rehoboth, with a dinner and get-out-the-vote push through Election Day. Sports (Delaware): Liberty opened Conference USA play with a 30-14 win over Delaware at Delaware Stadium, led by Kam Davis’ 147 yards and two TDs. Community & Schools: Surf Bagel’s “Books to Bagels” reading program is expanding to more Delaware schools, rewarding students who hit reading goals with coupons for bagels and cream cheese. Public Works: DelDOT will inspect storm drains at the Dover Toll Plaza Oct. 6-8, with brief rolling lane closures and possible delays. Health & Safety: A Chester-area rescue group says the city’s stray-dog crisis is worsening, citing dozens of dead dogs found since earlier this year.

Sixers Blue x White Scrimmage: LeBron James made his first public appearance in a revamped 76ers uniform at Xfinity Mobile Arena, drawing about 10,000 fans and a big cheer when he touched the ball, with Philadelphia’s Blue-White game moved from Wilmington to South Philly to meet demand. Delaware Reading Program: Surf Bagel says it’s expanding its reading-reward program to more local schools, with students earning certificates redeemable for free bagels at locations across Sussex and beyond. Human Trafficking Focus: Delaware leaders held a two-day Human Trafficking Awareness, Prevention and Action Summit in Dewey Beach, pushing to turn awareness into coordinated response and challenging common myths about how trafficking shows up. Election 2026 Prep: Delaware’s voter registration deadline is Saturday, Oct. 10, with reminders for mail-in ballot timing across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Food Safety Recall: The FDA expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to possible E. coli contamination, including Great Value and Trader Joe’s organic berry products sold in multiple states. Local Politics: District 20 candidates Alonna Berry and Gene Dvornick squared off on priorities including housing policy ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

Daylight Saving Time Fight: President Donald Trump posted Sen. Tom Cotton’s cellphone number on Truth Social, urging supporters to pressure him on making daylight saving time permanent. Public Health: Walmart and Trader Joe’s expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak that sickened 17 people, with CDC and FDA updates adding more lots. Local Transportation: Wilmington Airport (ILG) is starting work on a new food, beverage and retail concession area after DRBA approved a contract and lease for Sky+Go. Community Service: The Zwaanendael Women’s Club joined a statewide International Day of Service effort, packing comfort bags for children in foster care and youth affected by domestic violence. Leadership Change: Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek announced new board co-chairs and a new executive director as departing leaders stepped away. Local Philanthropy: The Harry K Foundation received a $10,000 Captrust grant to support child food-insecurity programs across Delaware. Emergency Preparedness: Delaware launched a Fire & Carbon Monoxide Alert Device Program for residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or otherwise unable to rely on audible alarms.

Federal Court Challenge: The U.S. government sued the University of Delaware over its in-state tuition policy, arguing it lets some noncitizens qualify while U.S. citizens who aren’t Delaware residents can’t. Local Sports: Liberty beat Delaware 30-14 in a Conference USA opener as Kam Davis ran for 147 yards and two TDs; Delaware’s EJ Archield Jr. made his first start after an injury. Public Safety: Delaware County’s former emergency services director, Timothy A. Boyce, was convicted of indecent assault and harassment of two employees and will be sentenced Dec. 18. Community & Health: A new explainer says many patients may be billed for medical debt they didn’t owe, and urges people to ask hospitals about charity care screening. Energy & Growth: Eastern Shore Natural Gas is seeking federal approval for a roughly $75M pipeline expansion that would add capacity across Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Arts & Culture: The Delaware Watercolor Society’s fall exhibition opens Oct. 8 in Lewes with a reception and works by featured artist Deborah Conn.

Fuel Economy Fight: Delaware and other states are backing lawsuits against federal moves to weaken vehicle fuel-efficiency standards, arguing the rollback violates federal law and will raise costs and pollution. Statehouse Watch: Gov. Matt Meyer vetoed multiple Delaware bills, including a bipartisan effort to add legislative checks on extended emergency powers and a utility consumer-protection measure. Local Labor: The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 22 filed an unfair labor practice charge against the City of Lewes over alleged failure to follow a 2025 agreement on police promotional policies. Kids’ Health Funding: Delaware leaders announced a $950 million, 11-year commitment to improve children’s health and well-being through a new grantmaking fund. Housing & Traffic Questions: Lawmakers advanced a housing-density push aimed at affordability, but concerns remain about how it could affect transportation, especially in Sussex County. Community & Culture: Lewes hosted major fall events, while Longwood Gardens’ autumn programming continues to draw visitors.

Harm Reduction in Delaware: Gov. Matt Meyer signed a bill expanding overdose-prevention efforts, clarifying oversight for partners, requiring added rollout monitoring, and decriminalizing possession of paraphernalia for people who use drugs. Public Safety: Delaware State Police say a 16-year-old in Dover fell off an e-bike while fleeing after shots were reported; he faces firearm charges after a handgun with no serial number was found. Education & Libraries: A new pilot lets Delaware students use school-issued IDs as juvenile library cards, starting with Eisenberg Elementary in 2026-27. Local Government: Lewes will hold its Community Service Day Friday, with volunteer cleanups and beach-area work. Courts & Business: A Delaware Chancery case seeks fair value in the $342M SewerAI deal, while a separate report says a Newark-area officer who shot a suspect in 2023 was cleared by DOJ. Crime: Wilmington police report one person dead and two injured in a Thursday shooting near 24th and Washington.

Consumer Protection/Health Policy: Delaware’s Attorney General Dan Rayfield and other states are suing to block the Trump administration’s rollback of federal greenhouse gas limits for major power plants, arguing it will worsen extreme heat, storms, flooding, and wildfire smoke. Public Safety/Harm Reduction: Gov. Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 249 and Executive Order 28 to create Delaware’s harm-reduction framework, expanding overdose prevention and disease screening, with DHSS rolling it out in phases and tracking results publicly. Insurance Relief: Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro says State Farm is cutting rates and issuing a record $5B national dividend to qualifying policyholders, with Delaware payments averaging about $142 per vehicle. Courts/Drugs: Delaware is tied to a multistate push for court approval of a $400M settlement over alleged generic-drug price-fixing by Sandoz and Fougera. Community/Local Culture: Rehoboth’s Historical Society hosts “Stitching a State” on Oct. 8, and Rocking the Docks’ Bluegrass by the Bay fundraiser supports the Sussex County Land Trust on Oct. 18. Local News: Delaware State Police arrested a 16-year-old from Dover after a shots-fired incident; a polymer 9mm handgun with no serial number was recovered.

Delaware Politics & Policy: Delaware is rolling out a pilot that lets some students use school-issued IDs as library cards, cutting extra steps to get books and learning resources. Education & Workforce: Cape Henlopen School District won a Bridge to Practice grant to strengthen early literacy, including Lexia LETRS training and summer support. State Government & Infrastructure: DelDOT’s Transportation Authority earned top AAA credit ratings from both S&P and Moody’s ahead of an Oct. 6 bond sale. Coastal Resilience: DNREC says crews removed about 20 tons of storm debris from Delaware beaches, with more cleanup and dune work underway. Business & Economy: Delaware launched a new $10 million entertainment production tax credit program, offering a 30% transferable credit for qualifying spending. Courts & Business: A Delaware federal judge wiped out a roughly $22.7M patent damages award against Gogo in an IP dispute. National Impact (Delaware ties): The Pentagon has reportedly spent nearly all of a $400M Ukraine aid allocation, as Sen. Chris Coons criticized the timing. Health & Families: The Trump administration began mailing $500 Obamacare refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Delaware.

Nor’easter impacts Delaware coasts: A new explainer breaks down why the late-September storm surge ran so high, pointing to wind-driven surge, storm size, coastline shape and ocean depth—context for what residents may face as El Niño develops. Housing & state services: Delaware State Housing Authority is rebranding as “Housing Delaware,” rolling out a new name, logo and website to reflect its broader affordable housing and homelessness work. Local government & infrastructure: Beach Haven introduced a $2.24M capital improvements bond ordinance for 2027 projects, including road work, beach equipment and municipal HVAC upgrades. Public safety & courts: Two Dover Air Force Base members were sentenced to nearly 16 years combined for roles in an international cyber fraud scheme using phishing and spoofed emails to redirect payments. Sports policy: The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, setting national rules on athlete pay, transfers and eligibility, with the bill now headed to the House. Education & AI: Delaware State University is integrating ChatGPT into assessment and teaching, using qualitative survey data to guide how AI tools are used in learning. Health care expansion: Atracare expanded women’s health services in Sussex County with a new gynecology program in Rehoboth Beach. Environment & recreation: DNREC updated hunting guidance for 16-to-20-year-olds after a state Supreme Court ruling reinstated direct supervision requirements for some hunters. Tech & law: A federal appeals court upheld Thomson Reuters’ win in an AI training copyright case, rejecting a fair-use defense.

Beach & Environment: Delaware Bay beach nourishment for Pickering, Kitts Hummock, Bowers and Slaughter beaches has been delayed until fall 2027 after not all required property easements were secured, with Bowers Beach seeing the biggest shortfall and some owners objecting to easement lines moving public access closer to homes. Public Safety & Access: Delaware launched a life-saving alert device program for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents, featuring flash receivers, vibrating bed shakers and alarm clocks to improve fire and carbon monoxide warning access. Hunting Rules: DNREC updated Delaware hunting guidance after a state Supreme Court ruling on supervision for hunters ages 16–20, tightening direct supervision requirements for certain firearms while noting parts remain under legal challenge. Governance & Courts: Delaware Chancery Court rejected a $68M earnout bid from Saama founder Suresh Katta, ordering repayment tied to alleged bad-faith contract moves. Energy & Policy: A Delaware op-ed argues the state’s electricity market rules make it hard to finance new dependable power plants, raising questions as demand grows. Local Politics: Delaware’s election season continues with debates over canvassing vs. solicitation.