AGP Executive Report

Boat Explosion Update: Two Newark residents were among 10 people hurt after a boat exploded right after refueling at Schaefer’s Canal House and Marina in Chesapeake City, Md.; four were flown to Johns Hopkins Bayview for serious burns, and investigators are working with the Maryland State Fire Marshal to determine what caused the blast. Severe Weather: A flood watch remains in effect through Monday evening for parts of northern Delaware and the region, with flash flooding possible from heavy rounds of storms. Local Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal single-car crash on Peterkins Road near Georgetown that killed a 32-year-old Millsboro man and seriously injured a 31-year-old passenger; the road was closed about three hours while investigators worked. Crime: Delaware State Police arrested Paul Waller, 39, of Wilmington, for a July 4 shooting outside a pizza shop in Arden that left a woman with a gunshot wound to the face; he’ll be extradited to face attempted murder and weapons charges. Community & Education: Sussex Family YMCA is partnering with Vision To Learn to offer free eye exams and glasses for children, and Sussex students earned top honors at the National Technology Student Association conference.

Violence in Dover: A 33-year-old man was hospitalized after a shooting at J.Stylz Unisex Salon on North DuPont Highway. Police found him shot in the stomach and legs; he’s in serious but stable condition and investigators are still looking for a suspect. Independence Day in Delaware: Newark’s fireworks were cut short by severe storms and lightning, though thousands still showed up for Liberty Day festivities. Heat-and-storm safety: A flood watch is in effect for parts of northern Delaware and nearby areas, with heavy rain and flash flooding possible through Monday evening. Local business: Moro Bistro has reopened in Wilmington at 2000 Pennsylvania Ave., bringing back favorites from chef Michael DiBianca’s earlier Moro run. Community giving: Lunch With a Purpose announced its next season’s nonprofit beneficiaries and monthly fundraising luncheons across Sussex County. Health mystery: A teen’s unexplained pain, rash, bruises, and sudden inability to walk is being examined in a medical mystery case. Sports: Phillies stars Brandon Marsh, Cristopher Sánchez, Jhoan Duran, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber were named to the MLB All-Star Game in Philly.

Extreme Heat Disrupts 250th Celebrations: A record-breaking heatwave forced major Independence Day changes, including the cancellation of Washington, D.C.’s National Independence Day Parade and the temporary closure of Philadelphia’s Great American State Fair, while hundreds of thousands of households across the U.S. lost power. Delaware Health & Safety: Delaware State Housing Authority and the American Heart Association are setting up free blood pressure monitoring stations at public housing communities in Kent and Sussex. Weather Watch for Delmarva: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Delaware’s coast and Sussex County, with damaging wind gusts and hail possible as storms roll in after extreme heat. Local Community & Culture: Wilmington’s new 108-foot mural features birds on a wire and subtle tributes to Bob Marley as part of America 250. Workforce Training: Delaware is partnering with Google to offer free digital skills training, including Google Career Certificates and AI courses, through Tech Hubs and libraries. Public Works & Outdoors: A new, more accessible trail section opened at McCabe Nature Preserve near Milton, improving access to the Broadkill River. Crime & Public Safety: A Dover man was arrested after a domestic-related stabbing in Dewey Beach left a man with multiple stab wounds; the victim was stable. Business & Consumer: Xfinity reported broadband outages affecting Delaware customers on July 4, with restoration times varying by area. Environment: DNREC denied retroactive approval for a 110-foot concrete dune crossing at Prime Hook Beach and ordered removal.

Labor & Utilities: IBEW Local 614 PECO workers began a strike at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, saying six months of bargaining failed and members have been without a contract since April 1; the union says picket lines will run 24/7 at multiple sites, seeking better wages plus retirement and medical benefits. Heat & Power: Delaware Electric Cooperative restored power to about 3,100 members in Ocean View after an outage tied to a substation equipment problem; a cooling center opened at 6 p.m. and later closed once power largely returned. Local Environment Funding: Delaware County approved nearly $5 million in federal EPA grant money to expand composting and recycling, including a countywide composting facility in Chester Township and a household hazardous waste site in Broomall. Workforce Training: Delaware is partnering with Grow with Google to expand free digital skills training, including AI and cybersecurity certificates, aimed at helping residents qualify for in-demand jobs. America 250 / Delaware Facts: A roundup of key Declaration of Independence details notes Congress voted for independence July 2, the document was dated July 4, and the last signer is believed to be Thomas McKean of Delaware.

Bond bill fairness debate: Delaware Senate Republicans are questioning the openness and funding balance in a $1.25 billion bond bill, with critics saying Sussex would get the least for capital projects while New Castle gets the most. Film tax credit push: A Delaware official argues the new film tax credit could bring real jobs and spending to local businesses, not just “Hollywood.” Health care access: Delaware lawmakers are moving to improve coverage for biomarker testing, aiming to help patients get precision treatment sooner. Cannabis zoning shake-up: After a veto override, localities will have to loosen zoning rules for cannabis stores. DNREC state parks overhaul: DNREC is proposing major updates to state park rules, including surf-fishing reservation requirements during peak times and a magnet fishing ban. Heat and outages: Extreme heat continues across the region, including a Delaware Electric Cooperative outage affecting about 3,100 members, with cooling help opening in Ocean View. Holiday safety and events: Bethany Beach postponed its official July 4 parade due to dangerous heat, while residents organized an unofficial one; firefighters also urged caution with fireworks and sparklers.

Wilmington Police Shooting: The family of Kadir Skinner is demanding body-camera footage after a Delaware Department of Justice probe into the June 24 officer-involved shooting; police showed the family video, but attorneys say it conflicts with the city’s account. Fire Safety in the Heat: A four-alarm fire on Clayton Road near Maryland Avenue displaced about 20 people in six row homes; investigators say the blaze started under a rear deck and at least one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. Sussex Conservation Push: Sussex County planning officials backed a forest preservation ordinance, urging clearer rules and rejecting developer requests to pay in lieu or count buffers toward required forest protection. Cape May-Lewes Ferry: A behind-the-scenes look at the Delaware River and Bay Authority’s ferry highlights the 17-mile, roughly 1 hour 25 minute crossing and its role in regional tourism. America 250 Spotlight: Delaware’s role in the founding is getting renewed attention, including Caesar Rodney’s tie-breaking vote and how the First State is marking the 250th anniversary. Community Fun: Delaware Cutest Dogs Contest voting is back open for Round 4 with 25 pups competing for the final 15.

Delaware Courts & Business: A Delaware judge ordered JPMorgan to keep advancing Charlie Javice’s legal fees as her appeal plays out, rejecting the bank’s claim the costs were “clear abuse.” Public Safety: Wilmington firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze that damaged at least four rowhomes on Clayton Road during triple-digit heat; officials said everyone got out safely and the cause is under investigation. Heat & Health: An extreme heat warning remains in effect across Delaware, with doctors urging parents to watch for early heat illness signs and to check kids and cars for dehydration risk. Environment: Federal and state agencies announced a major PFAS settlement with Chemours, alleging “forever chemicals” were discharged into the Delaware River and other waterways. Local Life: Ocean View’s post office rebuild is set to start in June 2027, after the facility closed in 2025 and residents were directed to use Bethany Beach for services. National Politics: A Wisconsin DOJ-led coalition urged the Postal Service to withdraw a proposed rule tied to restricting mail voting. Community & Culture: Independence Hall hosted a bipartisan march and symposium as mayors gathered for America’s 250th anniversary.

Heat Wave Watch: Delaware is bracing for extreme heat Thursday through Saturday, with highs in the 90s and even 100s and heat indexes pushing past 110 in spots, plus a possible pop-up storm Friday evening. Public Safety: The U.S. energy grid is under an emergency alert as the heat peaks, with PJM told to conserve power and potentially curtail demand from some data centers. Local Government: New Castle County Councilman Tim Sheldon says a data center pause deal near Newark is in motion, but it hinges on an approval that could grandfather zoning rules. Police Accountability: Wilmington city leaders and family members are calling for body camera footage after the fatal police shooting of 19-year-old Kadir Skinner. Holiday Logistics: USPS will close post offices July 4, with normal delivery resuming Monday, July 6. Gaming News: Delaware North is rebranding its casinos and online gaming under Ember Entertainment. Community & Culture: Lewes held a rain-friendly Juneteenth celebration, and the Ben Franklin Bridge marks its 100th anniversary with a July 11 pedestrian-focused festival.

Extreme Heat Alert: The National Weather Service upgraded Delaware to an Extreme Heat Warning through July 4, with the worst conditions expected Thursday and Friday. State agencies are urging residents to hydrate, limit outdoor work, check on older adults, and watch for heat exhaustion and heat stroke; Coastal Holiday Changes: coastal Delaware towns adjusted Independence Day plans as temperatures near 100 degrees and heat indexes hit around 115—Milton canceled its festival, Bethany Beach postponed its parade, Dewey Beach scrapped a bonfire, while Rehoboth said fireworks are still on; Pet Safety: Humane Animal Partners urged Delaware pet owners to provide shade and water, avoid hot pavement and sand, and never leave animals in parked cars; Local Courts/Business: Delaware Chancery refused to stop a New York arbitration tied to a SpaceX-linked dispute, sending the fight to arbitration; Health Policy Lawsuit: a coalition of 25 states sued the Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements aimed at preventing fraud; Delaware Politics & Spending: Delaware lawmakers wrapped the 153rd General Assembly with major late-session action, including a nearly $7B operating budget and a $1.26B capital budget; Wilmington Public Safety: Wilmington police investigated a Tuesday night shooting that left a 43-year-old man stable, and continued work in an officer-involved shooting case involving Kadir Skinner.

Delaware Alcohol Rules: Delaware lawmakers advanced a plan to let Delaware Park, Bally’s Dover and Harrington Raceway keep serving alcohol until 2 a.m., a change that would end the state’s “last-call at 1 a.m.” distinction in just those three spots. State Budget & Funding: The Senate approved the $99.4 million FY27 Grants-in-Aid bill, including major support for paramedic operations, fire and ambulance companies, senior centers and veterans’ groups. Energy & Data Centers: A late-session push passed bills aimed at slowing electricity-price spikes tied to data centers, including limits on what Delmarva Power can pass through and requirements for data centers to bring their own power. Public Safety & Weather: Heat is building across Delmarva with dangerous conditions expected Wednesday, plus an Extreme Heat Watch later this week. Local Governance: Delaware advanced an amendment to ban LLCs from voting in elections, and lawmakers also moved on final-session measures as the 153rd legislative session wrapped. Courts & Business: Adeia filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Delaware federal court against Fubo, alleging unauthorized use of media technology. Community Watch: Delaware State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Magnolia.

Delaware Politics: Gov. Matt Meyer signed Delaware’s FY2027 operating budget, pitching new spending on education, affordable housing, healthcare, and the state workforce. Public Health: DHSS opened cooling centers statewide as extreme heat hits, with locations across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties running through July 2 (some until 6 p.m.). State Policy: Delaware’s early literacy push earned national recognition for aligning teacher prep with evidence-based reading instruction. Constitutional Rights: The Delaware House passed the first step of a constitutional amendment protecting the right to marry, moving SB 100 forward after an earlier setback. Legal/Justice: Delaware Chancery Court dismissed a former biotech executive’s $700M suit tied to a failed IPO. Safety/Community: Delaware County residents reported courthouse delays and phone/internet outages after a network disruption began Friday. Gun Violence Vigil: Community members gathered to honor victims of the Wilmington hospital shooting and call attention to gun violence. Heat & Holidays: Bethany Beach canceled its July 3 parade due to extreme heat, shifting festivities to Labor Day.

Medicaid Fight: Twenty-five Democratic-led states, including Delaware, sued the Trump administration over new Medicaid work requirements, arguing the “medically frail” exemption is too narrow for people with serious illnesses and disabilities. Energy Policy: Delaware lawmakers moved to cede electric grid authority by requiring suppliers to adopt Interstate Renewable Energy Council interconnection procedures, shifting standard-setting away from the Delaware Public Service Commission. Public Safety—Heat: The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Delaware through July 2, urging residents to hydrate, limit outdoor exertion, and watch for heat illness. Local Crime: A man accused of assaulting and harassing a woman in Newark was extradited to Delaware and ordered not to contact the victim. Wilmington Hospital Case: A judge ordered the suspect in the ChristianaCare hospital shooting to be extradited back to Delaware for charges. Community & 250th: Newark’s Liberty Day returns for America’s 250th with food vendors, music, and fireworks at the University of Delaware on July 4. Business/Jobs: AirJoule Technologies unveiled its full-scale AirJoule Prime system at its Newark facility, highlighting industrial-scale atmospheric water generation.

Public Safety & Fire Services: Delaware County is moving ahead with a comprehensive countywide fire services assessment after local fire chiefs backed a plan to tackle volunteer shortages. Hunting & Wildlife: DNREC released the 2026-27 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide, including expanded Sunday hunting for all game species, changes for youth hunts, new deer firearm options, a year-round coyote season, and updated guidance tied to chronic wasting disease. Energy Costs: Gov. Matt Meyer asked the Delaware Public Service Commission to suspend Delmarva Power’s July 9 rate increase, arguing temporary rates could exceed what regulators ultimately approve. Crime & Violence: Dover police are investigating a shooting that left an 18-year-old in critical condition, and Delaware State Police are probing a Newark-area shooting that injured two people. Heat & Local Events: Delaware Park adjusted its holiday racing schedule due to extreme heat, cutting Thursday-Friday live racing and starting earlier on Wednesday and Saturday. Legal/Business: In Delaware Chancery Court, Black Diamond-affiliated funds sued Harvey Gulf’s CEO and major stockholders over an alleged control grab via a stock transfer. Community & Outdoors: Delaware Park and other local groups are also responding to summer conditions, from heat impacts to ongoing public service efforts.

America 250, Delaware-area mood check: A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds many Americans won’t celebrate July 4 this year, and Delaware-area residents reflect that split as the 250th anniversary arrives with politics still tangled in the pageantry. Elections fight in court: Michigan AG Dana Nessel and a coalition of states won a federal court ruling blocking Trump administration efforts to interfere with how states run elections, including limits tied to federal lists and mail voting. U.S. Senator Chris Coons crash update: Coons was briefly hospitalized after a multi-vehicle crash in Lewes; his office says he had minor injuries and is expected to recover fully. Local business + water tech: Newark-based AirJoule unveiled a system that uses waste heat from data centers to pull drinkable water from the air, aiming to ease water stress as AI-driven builds expand. Delaware outdoors: DNREC released the 2026/27 Hunting and Trapping Guide, including expanded Sunday hunting and updates on chronic wasting disease. Education support: Delaware Community Foundation topped $1 million in scholarships for the first time for 2026-27, backing hundreds of students. Road safety: A new study flags the most dangerous driving hour nationally, with Delaware law on texting at stoplights still “fuzzy.”

Local Politics & Safety: U.S. Sen. Chris Coons was briefly hospitalized after a multi-car crash in Lewes on Sunday. His office says a driver suffered a medical incident and hit several vehicles, including the one Coons was riding in; Coons was treated for minor injuries at Beebe Hospital and is now home, expected to fully recover. Traffic & Public Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating a separate two-vehicle crash near Milford that left two people dead and a 36-year-old driver seriously hurt; the roadway was closed for hours while investigators worked. Education Workforce: Delaware is expanding its “grow your own” teacher pipeline, adding 67 new educator apprentices from 12 districts and charter schools, bringing total supported apprentices to 105. Community & Lifestyle: The Summer Living Expo returned to Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes with more than 60 exhibitors, and the event is set to bring back its Fall Home Expo in September.

Budget Update: Delaware’s nearly $7 billion operating budget and $146 million in one-time funding cleared the House June 24, locking in Fiscal Year 2027 after Senate approval, with some Republicans warning the spending growth could fuel higher taxes and fees. Energy & Permitting: Gov. Matt Meyer’s JobsFirst Permitting Accelerator is speeding up community solar approvals, with four projects touted for faster reviews and grid connections that could cut wait times by months. Public Safety: A 15-year-old was hospitalized after a Wilmington shooting Saturday night; police are asking for tips. Health & Sports Science: A new look at iron deficiency in runners highlights how common the problem is—especially for women—and discusses why it can happen. Community & Delaware Parks: Delaware State Parks launched a virtual 5K fundraiser for its 75th anniversary, letting people run at any state park between June 22 and Dec. 1. Local History & Photos: Delaware’s bicentennial and other vintage images are drawing attention again, with photo galleries revisiting decades of state life.