With America’s 250th birthday celebration approaching in 2026, Delaware has wrapped up its commemorative grant program by distributing one last round of funding worth $20,000 for Semiquincentennial activities throughout the First State.
The Delaware 250 initiative has now concluded its grant distribution process, having provided financial support totaling $334,000 to organizations across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. A total of 47 groups received assistance through this statewide funding program.
This final allocation marks the end of the grant cycle designed to help Delaware communities prepare meaningful projects and events to honor the nation’s upcoming quarter-millennium milestone. The funding has been spread across all three counties to ensure statewide participation in the historic anniversary observance.
The Semiquincentennial represents a significant milestone for the United States, and Delaware’s comprehensive grant program aimed to enable local organizations to contribute to this once-in-a-lifetime celebration through various community-based initiatives and projects.
President Donald Trump harshly criticized a newly signed clean energy partnership between California and the United Kingdom just hours after the agreement was finalized Monday, according to a Politico report.
Speaking with the publication, Trump characterized the arrangement as “inappropriate” for Britain to negotiate with Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. The Republican president also launched personal attacks against Newsom, calling him “a loser” and stating “his state has gone to hell, and his environmental work is a disaster.”
Newsom, who frequently criticizes Trump publicly, has reportedly considered pursuing the Democratic presidential nomination for the 2028 election.
The clean energy partnership that Newsom signed with British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband on Monday commits both parties to collaborate on renewable energy technologies including offshore wind projects. The deal also seeks to provide British companies with greater access to California’s energy market.
A spokesperson for Newsom fired back at Trump’s comments via email, stating: “Donald Trump is on his knees for coal and Big Oil, selling out America’s future to China. Governor Newsom will continue to lead in his absence. Foreign leaders are rejecting Trump and choosing California’s vision for the future.”
The clash comes as Trump has recently encouraged oil and gas companies to identify potential drilling sites off the coasts of Southern and Central California for possible lease sales that could begin next year. Both Newsom and environmental organizations have strongly opposed this initiative, warning it poses serious risks to the state’s marine ecosystems.
Adding to the tensions, Newsom was prevented from speaking at the official U.S. location during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last month, which he attributed to interference from the White House.
California residents are making final preparations as a dangerous multi-phase winter storm approaches, threatening to deliver severe thunderstorms, powerful winds, and massive snowfall accumulations in mountainous regions.
Sacramento-based National Weather Service meteorologist Jacob Spender is encouraging residents to take the threat seriously over the next several days, recommending that anyone planning to travel should prepare emergency winter supply kits.
Pacific Gas & Electric announced it is deploying advanced artificial intelligence and enhanced machine-learning weather prediction systems to strategically position repair crews and critical infrastructure equipment including electrical poles and transformers throughout the affected areas. The power company emphasized that this weather event differs from typical winter storms because it will “progress in several phases,” featuring successive storm systems that are expected to amplify dangers from wind, precipitation, and snow accumulation.
California’s Office of Emergency Services has strategically positioned firefighting and rescue teams along with emergency resources in regions facing the highest risk for flooding and dangerous mud and debris flows.
Precipitation started falling Sunday across the San Francisco Bay Area, prompting local authorities to issue flood risk alerts for residents.
Weather experts predict the Sierra Nevada’s western slopes, northern Shasta County including sections of Interstate 5, and portions of the state’s Coast Range may accumulate as much as 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow by the time the storm system passes late Wednesday.
Meteorologists warn that the combination of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and severely reduced visibility will create extremely hazardous or potentially impossible travel conditions.
“It has seemed ‘spring-like’ for a large part of 2026, but winter is set to show it’s not quite done yet,” the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post urging residents to stay aware of the storm.
In southern California, Los Angeles area communities still recovering from last year’s catastrophic wildfire damage have been placed under evacuation warnings through Tuesday due to the threat of dangerous mud and debris flows. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced she has directed emergency response teams and city agencies to prepare for immediate deployment should problems arise.
Airport security screeners across the nation are showing up to work without receiving paychecks after a Department of Homeland Security shutdown began early Saturday morning. The situation has travelers concerned about potential delays, particularly those who experienced the chaos from last year’s 43-day government closure that resulted in massive flight cancellations and extensive airport delays.
Security checkpoint personnel from the Transportation Security Administration must continue their duties unpaid as Congress fails to reach consensus on the department’s yearly budget. These same workers also remained on the job during the previous record-breaking shutdown that concluded on November 12, though aviation industry specialists believe this situation could unfold quite differently.
Organizations representing the nation’s travel sector and major airline companies have issued warnings that extended delays in DHS funding could result in increasingly lengthy security checkpoint waits at commercial airports throughout the country.
Key Differences in This Shutdown
The Homeland Security Department lost its funding when the clock struck midnight, though the remainder of federal operations have financing secured until September 30. This arrangement ensures that Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers will continue receiving their regular salaries, which should minimize the likelihood of extensive flight cancellations.
The department’s emergency operations plan designates approximately 95% of TSA personnel as critical workers who must remain at their posts. Congressional Democrats have stated that DHS will not receive new funding unless additional limitations are imposed on federal immigration enforcement activities.
Historical patterns show that air travel disruptions from government shutdowns typically escalate gradually rather than immediately. During last year’s extended closure, TSA was forced to temporarily shut down two security checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport after about four weeks. On that same day, federal officials took the unusual step of directing all commercial carriers to cut back their domestic flight operations.
John Clark, who was returning to Detroit Metropolitan Airport from a Mississippi business trip, experienced problems during the earlier shutdown and expressed concern about the current situation.
“You might not be able to get home if you’re already out, or it might delay if you worked all week and you’re trying to get home,” said Clark, whose work involves traveling frequently to balance machines. “It’s really bad.”
John Rose, who serves as chief risk officer for international travel management firm Altour, believes airport problems could emerge more rapidly this time since TSA employees still remember the previous shutdown’s impact.
“It’s still fresh in their minds and potentially their pocketbooks,” Rose said.
Effects on Air Travelers
Predicting exactly where, when, or whether security screening problems will arise remains challenging. Even a small number of unexpected TSA employee absences could rapidly create extended wait times at smaller airports, particularly those operating just one security checkpoint.
Travel experts recommend passengers plan to reach airports earlier than usual and budget additional time for security processing.
“I tell people to do this even in good times,” Rose said.
Industry professionals warn that flight delays remain possible despite air traffic controllers being unaffected by the DHS shutdown.
Airlines may choose to postpone departures in certain situations to accommodate passengers still clearing security checkpoints, explained Rich Davis, who works as a senior security consultant for risk management firm International SOS. Insufficient TSA staffing could also create delays in processing checked baggage behind the scenes.
Burnest R. Green, who traveled from Phoenix to Detroit for his sister’s 70th birthday celebration, hopes the shutdown resolves before his return flight in more than a week.
“I just hope that things start to get better before they get any worse,” he said.
Preparation Tips for Travelers
While most airports post current security line waiting times on their websites, Rose suggests checking well before travel day rather than waiting until departure time.
“You may look online and it says two-and-a-half hours,” he said. “Now it’s two-and-a-half hours before your flight and you haven’t left for the airport yet.”
Passengers should exercise extra care when packing since forbidden items will likely extend the screening process. Carry-on luggage should not contain full-sized shampoo or other liquids, large gel containers, aerosols, or items such as pocket knives.
The TSA maintains a comprehensive list on its website detailing permitted and prohibited items for both carry-on and checked baggage.
Rose emphasized the importance of maintaining composure at airports, advising travelers to “practice patience and empathy.”
“Not only are they not getting paid,” he said regarding TSA agents, “they’re probably working with reduced staff and dealing with angry travelers.”
Shutdown Duration Remains Uncertain
White House officials have been in discussions with Democratic legislators, but negotiations failed to produce an agreement by week’s end before senators and House members prepared to begin a 10-day recess.
However, lawmakers from both chambers have been instructed to return to Washington if a shutdown resolution is reached.
Democratic representatives have maintained they will not support additional DHS funding without new constraints on federal immigration enforcement following the tragic deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis last month.
A combined statement from U.S. Travel, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association cautioned that the shutdown poses risks to air travel as the busy spring break season approaches.
“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, which increases the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights,” the statement said.
While most workers dream of a two-week vacation or long weekend escape, a growing number of Americans are thinking much bigger – taking extended time away from their careers to refresh and reset.
These lengthy career pauses come in various forms and go by different names: mini-sabbaticals, adult gap years, micro-retirement, or simply extended career breaks. People use transition periods between jobs for exploration, negotiate employer-approved leaves of absence, embrace digital nomad lifestyles, or save money for multi-month adventures. The unifying goal is creating space for renewal – whether mental, physical, or spiritual.
However, financial constraints, personal obligations, and concerns about judgment from colleagues, friends, and family often stop people from pressing pause on their professional lives to seek fresh perspectives, according to sabbatical researchers and those who’ve taken the plunge.
Kira Schrabram, an assistant professor of management at the University of Washington’s business school who studies meaningful and sustainable work, notes that American perspectives on time off differ significantly from European attitudes, where leisure and rest receive higher priority. European Union law guarantees workers a minimum of 20 paid vacation days annually.
Nevertheless, increasing numbers of companies now offer weeks or months of paid or unpaid leave as an employee retention strategy, Schrabram explains. Seven years ago, she contributed her burnout research expertise to the Sabbatical Project, an initiative launched by Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer DJ DiDonna that champions sabbaticals as “a sacred human ritual” that should be accessible to more people.
Schrabram, DiDonna, and University of Notre Dame Professor Emeritus Matt Bloom conducted interviews with 50 U.S. professionals who took extended breaks from non-academic careers. Their research revealed three sabbatical categories: working holidays focused on passion projects; “free dives” combining adventure with rest periods; and quests by burned-out individuals who pursued life-changing exploration after sufficient recovery.
More than half of those interviewed funded their own time away. Writing for Harvard Business Review, the research team argued that sabbaticals could serve as recruitment, retention, and development tools for employers. However, since extended paid leaves remain uncommon, “we’re really pushing back on the idea that a sabbatical needs to be sponsored by an employer,” Schrabram said, referring to the Sabbatical Project’s network of coaches and mentors supporting those curious about taking breaks.
Roshida Dowe was working as a corporate attorney in California at age 39 when she lost her job in 2018. Rather than immediately job hunting, she chose to spend a year traveling. The frequent questions about how she managed this lifestyle shift inspired Dowe to become an online career-break coach.
Together with Stephanie Perry, a former pharmacy technician who also took a travel gap year and discovered coaching, Dowe co-founded ExodUS Summit, a virtual conference where Black women discuss sabbaticals and international moves. Conference speakers address practical matters like finances, safety, and healthcare, alongside philosophical topics including rest’s value and breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma.
Highlighting women who venture out to explore the world carries special impact because “a lot of us aren’t open to possibilities we haven’t been shown before,” said Dowe, who relocated to Mexico City during her own transformation.
“When I coach women who are looking to take a sabbatical, the main thing they’re looking for is permission,” she explained.
Perry’s turning point came during a 2014 Brazil vacation when she encountered hostel guests traveling for months rather than days. She investigated budget travel and discovered people managing on $40 daily.
Before that experience, “I thought for sure people who traveled long term were all trust fund babies,” she recalled.
Financial concerns commonly deter people from considering breaks. Creative solutions exist, said Perry, who holds legal residency in Mexico and maintains an apartment in Bogota, Colombia.
“Housesitting is the reason I can work very little and travel a lot,” she noted.
Perry operates a YouTube channel featuring videos about travel and expatriate life as a Black American, and raises subscriber funds to sponsor Black women’s sabbaticals.
Ashley Graham strategically planned her break from nonprofit work in Washington, D.C., by mapping a road trip that included staying with friends at no cost.
“It was a great way to connect with my past life,” said Graham, who eventually moved to New Orleans after falling in love with the city during her sabbatical journey.
Taylor Anderson, a certified financial planner based in Vancouver, Washington, specializes in helping clients prepare financially for sabbaticals. She explains that similar principles apply to saving for extended breaks and retirement planning. Both require financial discipline and recognizing when spending is appropriate.
“We talk about money breathing. Sometimes it’s inhaling, sometimes it’s exhaling,” said Anderson, who has personally experienced sabbatical benefits. “Often we find that people do have money saved, but they’re afraid to spend it.”
“The question of ‘What is enough?’ is really difficult,” she added.
While not everyone can afford weeks or months without income, those who have accumulated savings will find “the cost is actually less than you might assume,” she said.
Artists Eric Rewitzer and Annie Galvin entrusted two employees with running their San Francisco gallery in 2018 while they spent summer months in France and Ireland.
“It was terrifying,” said Rewitzer, describing himself as formerly being a workaholic and control freak. “It was a huge exercise in trust.”
Upon returning to San Francisco, Rewitzer viewed the city through new eyes. He realized his life lacked balance – too much work, insufficient time in nature.
This perspective shift prompted the couple to purchase what they initially planned as a Sierra Nevada weekend retreat. It became their permanent residence when they closed their gallery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It all comes back to that same place of being willing to take chances,” Rewitzer reflected.
Gregory Du Bois’s college break to work as a ski bum in Vail, Colorado, established a pattern of incorporating mini-sabbaticals throughout his corporate IT career. With each new position, he negotiated extended time off, explaining to managers that peak performance required recharging breaks.
“It’s such a way of life that I almost don’t think of it as sabbaticals,” said Du Bois, who left technology to become a life coach in Sedona, Arizona. “For me, it’s a spiritual regeneration.”
Delaware taxpayers now have the opportunity to file their 2025 tax returns, with the April 15 deadline giving residents just over three months to complete the process. Financial experts are encouraging early preparation to minimize last-minute stress.
Tom O’Saben, who serves as director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals, advises a balanced approach to filing. “Don’t wait until the last minute but also don’t rush,” O’Saben said.
This filing season brings significant changes due to recent tax legislation that President Donald Trump signed during the summer months. The Republican-backed tax and spending measure introduces several new deductions that could benefit Delaware families and workers.
Miguel Burgos, a certified public accountant and TurboTax expert, highlights the key new benefits: exemptions on tip income, overtime pay exclusions, car loan interest write-offs, and special deductions for individuals who reached age 65 by December 31st.
Financial analysts predict Delaware taxpayers could see substantially larger refunds this year. While 2024’s average refund reached $3,167, projections suggest this year’s average could climb by $1,000 due to the tax law modifications. The IRS handled more than 165 million individual returns last year, with electronic filing accounting for 94% of submissions.
For Delaware residents feeling overwhelmed by the filing process, numerous free assistance programs are available throughout the state.
Essential documents vary by individual circumstances, but most Delaware taxpayers will need their Social Security number, W-2 forms from employers, 1099-G forms for unemployment benefits, 1099 forms for self-employment income, savings and investment records, qualifying deductions including educational costs and medical expenses, and applicable tax credits such as child tax credits.
The IRS website provides comprehensive document checklists for specific situations. O’Saben suggests organizing all paperwork in one location before beginning the filing process and keeping previous year’s returns accessible. Delaware taxpayers can also establish an identity protection PIN through the IRS to prevent fraudulent filings.
Several major changes affect this year’s filings. The standard deduction has increased to $15,750 for single filers, $31,500 for married couples filing jointly, and $23,625 for heads of household.
A significant change involves the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, which has risen from $10,000 to $40,000 under the Working Families Tax Cut enacted in July 2025. Keith Hall, president and CEO of the National Association for the Self-Employed and certified CPA, notes this particularly benefits residents of high-tax states.
“This is a big benefit, especially for states like California, New York, and New Jersey, that have a higher state income tax,” Hall said.
The SALT deduction allows federal tax deductions for certain state and local taxes paid during the year. Since 2018, this deduction had been limited to $10,000 annually.
Delaware residents who previously didn’t itemize their SALT deductions might want to reconsider this year. O’Saben recommends evaluating whether you paid state taxes, property taxes, mortgage interest, or made charitable contributions to determine if itemizing makes sense.
The new tip deduction has specific limitations despite being called “no tax on tips.” This benefit applies only to qualified tips and includes income restrictions.
“It can be cash, it can be electronic as well. But the main thing is, hey, it has to be voluntary (tips),” Burgos said.
The annual deduction caps at $2,500 and phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income exceeding $150,000 individually or $300,000 for joint filers. Only certain tipping industries qualify, including bartenders, food servers, musicians, and housekeeping cleaners. Claiming this deduction requires completing the new Schedule 1-A form.
Schedule 1-A serves as the IRS form for calculating four deductions from the recent tax legislation: modified state and local tax deductions, qualified tip deductions, car loan deductions, and senior deductions.
Delaware taxpayers have multiple filing options this year. While IRS Direct File won’t be available, those earning $89,000 or less can access IRS Free File, which offers guided preparation through eight partner companies including TaxAct and FreeTaxUSA.
Beyond commercial services like TurboTax and H&R Block, Delaware residents can hire licensed professionals such as certified public accountants. The IRS maintains a national directory of qualified tax preparers.
Two IRS-funded programs provide free assistance to eligible Delaware residents. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program serves people earning $69,000 or less annually, those with disabilities, or limited English speakers. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) assists individuals aged 60 and older. The IRS website helps locate VITA and TCE locations throughout Delaware.
Common filing mistakes can be avoided with careful attention to detail. O’Saben emphasizes verifying your Social Security card information, particularly your legal name, which may change after marriage.
“If you got married last year and you now want to use your married name, that married name doesn’t exist if you haven’t filed it with Social Security,” O’Saben said.
Many Delaware taxpayers who choose paperless communications may miss important tax documents that are only available online. O’Saben warns that opting out of physical mail can include tax paperwork.
“These documents may actually be available online because you may have chosen to have paperless contact. And because of that, you may need to go get those documents yourself,” O’Saben said.
Reporting all income sources is crucial. Delaware residents with multiple jobs need W-2 or 1099 forms from each employer. Missing information or errors typically trigger IRS audits, which require additional documentation.
The current child tax credit provides $2,200 per qualifying child, with $1,700 being refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit. Parents must have at least $2,500 in annual income to claim the Additional Child Tax Credit.
Full credit eligibility requires meeting all criteria and having annual income below $200,000 for individual filers or $400,000 for joint filers. Higher-income Delaware families may qualify for partial credits.
Since September, the IRS has been eliminating paper refund checks. Delaware taxpayers expecting refunds should sign up for direct deposit to receive their money faster and more securely.
Tax season brings increased scam activity, O’Saben warns. Fraudulent communications arrive through phone calls, texts, emails, and social media. The IRS never initiates contact through these methods.
Even tax preparers can operate scams, making it important to ask detailed questions. If a preparer promises unusually large refunds compared to previous years, this may indicate fraudulent activity, O’Saben said.
Always request copies of completed tax returns and ask about each entry if you can’t observe the preparation process.
Delaware taxpayers should maintain tax return copies for five to seven years, as the IRS can audit items from previous filing years, O’Saben recommends.
Military officials announced Sunday that American forces successfully intercepted a ship that had attempted to violate quarantine restrictions ordered by President Donald Trump.
The Defense Department reported that personnel boarded the vessel known as Veronica III during an overnight operation in the Indo-Pacific Command region.
“Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the Veronica III without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility,” military officials stated in a social media announcement.
According to the Defense Department, the operation involved an extensive pursuit across international waters before the vessel was successfully stopped.
“We tracked it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, closed the distance, and shut it down,” officials explained in their statement.
The military emphasized that the boarding operation was completed safely with no reported incidents during the enforcement action.
ATLANTA — Political newcomers often brand themselves as outsiders, but Derek Dooley takes that concept to an extreme. The former college football coach admits he stayed away from voting booths for nearly twenty years while now seeking the Republican Senate nomination in Georgia.
Dooley sat out both the 2016 election that brought Donald Trump to the White House and the 2020 contest where Trump was defeated by Joe Biden. Despite this voting absence, he remains confident as he pursues the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff.
The candidate argues that Washington requires fresh perspective from someone not driven by personal political ambitions or career advancement. He believes his non-voting history connects him to many Americans who also skip elections.
“If you’re not vigilant in exercising that right, things can go pretty sideways in our country,” Dooley explained to The Associated Press, emphasizing his goal to motivate more citizens to participate in elections.
Two incumbent House members, Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, stand as Dooley’s main competition in the May 19 primary. While Dooley backs Trump, both Collins and Carter maintain stronger connections to the former president’s MAGA movement. With endorsement from Governor Brian Kemp, Dooley faces the challenge of proving his outsider message resonates in Trump’s antiestablishment political landscape.
The primary victor will play a crucial role in November’s midterm elections, potentially helping Republicans maintain their narrow Senate control by defeating Ossoff.
As the son of revered Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, Derek followed his father into coaching after working as an attorney. His tenure leading Tennessee’s program ended in dismissal due to poor performance, followed by assistant coaching roles at various colleges and professional organizations.
After leaving coaching following the 2023 season, Dooley credits his experience mentoring athletes from various backgrounds as preparation for representing Georgia’s diverse electorate.
“In my 30-plus years professional career, it’s never been about me in anything I was doing,” he stated. “It’s about people.”
Political engagement came during Biden’s administration, sparked by concerns over border security, economic decisions, and transgender athlete policies. Dooley cast his first vote for Trump in 2024 and has attacked Ossoff on similar issues.
GOP strategist Brian Robinson observed that “you can tell this wasn’t a guy who spent his life in politics or around politics or consumed by politics.”
Kemp’s longstanding friendship with the Dooley family led to his Senate endorsement, lending establishment credibility to the political novice.
“I was looking for a political outsider, and it just happened to be a guy that I’ve known for, you know, 50-plus years,” Kemp declared during a Thursday Atlanta Young Republicans gathering alongside Dooley.
The event drew positive responses from attendees, with several undecided primary voters expressing appreciation for Dooley’s outsider approach.
However, the Kemp connection draws criticism from some quarters.
“Completely siloing yourself with the old, establishment governor is not a way to say you’re an outsider,” stated Courtlyn Cook, who chairs Glynn County Republicans in southeast Georgia. She noted voter concerns about past tensions between Kemp and Trump, significant given the former president’s strong base support.
Political rivals target Dooley’s gubernatorial ties as weakness. Democratic Party of Georgia senior communications adviser Devon Cruz characterized Dooley as having “access to the Governor’s political machine,” while Carter campaign spokesperson Harley Adsit labeled him the “ultimate insider.”
Canton resident Venessa Artigas, 53, supports both Kemp and Dooley’s candidacy, understanding voter apathy from personal experience.
“I think we need to get career politicians out and get the voice of the people in,” Artigas said at a Turning Point Action event.
University of West Georgia student Timothy Jackson, 19, plans supporting Collins due to Trump connections but remains open to Carter.
“Both of them have been in Congress and so they know what it takes,” Jackson explained. “Dooley is going to be hard because he’s never been in that position before.”
A Kemp-affiliated organization ran fall advertisements supporting Dooley while criticizing Collins and Carter over government shutdown votes, grouping them with Ossoff.
Carter brings nearly three decades of coastal Georgia political experience as a pharmacist-turned-politician. Collins co-owns a trucking business and follows his father’s congressional footsteps.
Veteran Republican consultant Jason Shepherd sees advantages in Dooley’s clean slate.
“Republicans are going to face an uphill battle, but Dooley doesn’t bring the baggage that other candidates could possibly bring and can speak not only to voters on the right and Republicans, but the voters in the center who will make the decision,” Shepherd analyzed. “Jon Ossoff has a voting record that Dooley can run on and pick apart. Dooley does not.”
Dooley’s platform includes expanding workforce development programs and lowering housing costs through reduced government regulations. He applauded the Trump administration’s removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January and blamed immigration for limiting housing availability for American citizens. He promises legislation preventing lawmakers from using taxpayer funds for campaign-related mailings, accusing Collins of improper practices.
Collins’ spokesperson defended the congressman’s actions as approved by House Communications Standards Commission while dismissing Dooley as “a washed-up lawyer and failed coach.”
Strategist Robinson emphasized that Dooley must convince Georgians that outsider status justifies their support.
“It’s a well-worn path. The saliency of that message probably depends on the mood of the country and the cycle that we’re in,” Robinson assessed. “I don’t think we know just yet if that outsider message is what people are looking for.”
The Pentagon announced Sunday that American military personnel have intercepted a second sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, following the vessel’s journey from Caribbean waters as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt illegal Venezuelan oil operations.
For years, Venezuela has operated under U.S. oil sanctions, using deceptively flagged ships to secretly transport crude oil into international markets. In December, President Trump implemented a quarantine targeting these sanctioned vessels to apply pressure on former President Nicolás Maduro, who was later captured in January during a U.S. military mission.
According to a Defense Department statement posted on social media, American forces conducted an overnight operation to board the Veronica III, performing what officials described as “a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding.”
“The vessel tried to defy President Trump’s quarantine — hoping to slip away,” the Pentagon stated. “We tracked it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, closed the distance, and shut it down.”
Treasury Department records show the Veronica III operates under a Panamanian flag and faces U.S. sanctions due to its connections with Iran.
The Pentagon released footage showing American service members conducting the boarding operation on the tanker.
This action represents part of the Trump administration’s expanded campaign to gain control over Venezuelan oil resources through vessel seizures. Pentagon officials did not specify whether the Veronica III has been officially confiscated and placed under American authority, and declined to provide additional details when contacted by reporters.
This marks the second such operation in recent days, following last week’s boarding of another tanker, the Aquila II, also in the Indian Ocean. Military officials indicated that vessel remains in custody while American authorities determine its final disposition.
TUCSON, Ariz. — The search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC’s ‘Today’ show co-host Savannah Guthrie, enters its third week as federal and local investigators continue collecting evidence in the 84-year-old woman’s disappearance.
Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson residence on January 31st, with family members filing a missing person report the next day. Blood evidence was discovered on her front porch, and alleged ransom demands have been sent to media organizations, though two payment deadlines have already elapsed without resolution.
Medical concerns add urgency to the case, as Nancy Guthrie requires essential daily medications for serious health conditions including heart problems, high blood pressure, and a pacemaker, according to sheriff’s dispatcher recordings obtained through broadcastify.com.
Federal investigators have made public surveillance footage showing a masked individual wearing a gun holster near Guthrie’s front entrance on the evening she disappeared. The porch security camera captured images of someone in a ski mask, jacket, long pants, and gloves while carrying a backpack.
The FBI identified this person as a male suspect on Thursday, describing him as approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium frame. Officials noted he was carrying a specific 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ style backpack.
Initially, investigators believed no surveillance footage existed because Guthrie’s doorbell camera service had lapsed. However, digital forensics specialists continued examining backend systems and successfully recovered previously inaccessible or damaged video files.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department reports that DNA evidence collected from Guthrie’s property does not match her or known associates. Laboratory specialists are working to determine the identity of this genetic material.
All forensic evidence continues being processed at the same specialized out-of-state facility that has handled testing throughout the investigation, according to department officials.
Multiple gloves discovered by search teams, with the closest found approximately 2 miles from Guthrie’s residence, have been submitted for laboratory examination. Authorities have not specified the type of gloves recovered.
Sheriff’s officials emphasize their close collaboration with federal agents throughout the investigation.
Both the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and FBI have established dedicated tip lines and online reporting systems. Hundreds of detectives and federal agents have been assigned to work the case.
Since February 1st, when the missing person report was filed, the FBI has received over 13,000 public tips. The sheriff’s department separately reports handling at least 18,000 phone calls related to the case.
Officials have not disclosed whether any submitted tips have provided significant investigative breakthroughs.
Late Friday evening, law enforcement established a security perimeter on a roadway roughly 2 miles from Guthrie’s home as part of their ongoing investigation. Multiple sheriff’s vehicles and FBI units, including forensic specialists, moved through the restricted area.
During the same timeframe, investigators tagged and removed a Range Rover SUV from a nearby Culver’s restaurant parking area.
Saturday’s statement from the sheriff’s department confirmed the Friday night activities were connected to the Guthrie investigation, though no arrests occurred.
Earlier this week, deputies stopped and questioned an individual during a traffic stop south of Tucson. While authorities have not explained what prompted the stop, they confirmed the person was subsequently released.
That same Tuesday, deputies and federal agents executed a court-approved search operation in Rio Rico, located about one hour south of Tucson.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have posted numerous video appeals on social media directed toward their mother’s suspected abductor.
The family’s Instagram messages have evolved from emotional appeals to the potential captor, expressing willingness to negotiate and pay ransom, to increasingly desperate public pleas for assistance.
Their most recent Thursday video featured home footage of Nancy Guthrie along with a commitment to ‘never give up on her.’
Nancy Guthrie resided alone in Tucson’s affluent Catalina Foothills area, characterized by widely spaced homes with extended driveways, security gates, and thick desert landscaping providing natural privacy.
Savannah Guthrie spent her childhood in Tucson, earned her degree from the University of Arizona, and began her broadcasting career at a local television station before her family relocated to the area in the 1970s. She became a ‘Today’ show co-host in 2011.
In one family video message, Savannah Guthrie characterized her mother as a ‘loving woman of goodness and light.’
White House border chief Tom Homan rejected Democratic calls to overhaul Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Sunday television appearances, as lawmakers remain at an impasse over Department of Homeland Security funding.
The standoff has intensified as Democratic representatives continue pushing for significant changes to ICE operations, while Republicans claim their opponents are playing politics by blocking homeland security funding legislation.
During an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Homan characterized Democratic lawmakers’ ICE proposals as “unreasonable” and noted he was not participating in negotiations over a potential homeland security funding deal tied to ICE reforms.
Earlier this month, Democrats presented congressional Republican leaders with a 10-point list of requirements, including ending racial profiling practices by ICE, banning the use of face coverings by agents, and requiring judicial warrants before officers can enter private residences.
Homan pushed back against allegations of racial profiling, stating that ICE agents conduct stops based on “reasonable suspicion.” A recent Supreme Court decision permitted officers to consider factors like brown skin color or Spanish-speaking as justification for stops.
Regarding mask usage, Homan argued that ICE agents require face coverings to protect their identities, though critics point out that most American law enforcement personnel operate without masks.
The Department of Homeland Security began a partial shutdown Saturday, though operations largely continue since most agency functions are classified as essential services.
Delaware Senator Chris Coons appeared on “Fox News Sunday,” attributing the White House’s willingness to discuss ICE changes to “outcry from Americans,” despite DHS having remaining funding for the near term.
Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin countered on CNN’s “State of the Union” that Democrats are conducting “political theater” and failing to negotiate honestly.
Progress on resolving the dispute may stall further as both congressional chambers enter recess this week.
A dangerous weather system moved through southeastern states over the weekend, prompting tornado alerts in Mississippi and Louisiana before advancing toward Georgia and Florida, while residents across the Northeast finally experienced relief from an extended period of harsh winter cold.
Louisiana’s Lake Charles region experienced some of the most severe weather impacts, where powerful thunderstorm winds flipped over a horse trailer and a Mardi Gras parade float, caused damage to an airport jet bridge, and sent a metal house awning crashing into electrical lines. National Weather Service personnel confirmed these damages during their field assessment of the affected areas.
The weather service documented additional destruction across Louisiana, including snapped and fallen power poles in the communities of Jena, Cheneyville, and Donaldsonville.
Fortunately, authorities reported no fatalities or major injuries from the severe weather, though the storm system pressed onward into southern Georgia and Florida’s Panhandle region, where tornado watches remained active on Sunday.
In contrast, northeastern states began experiencing milder conditions following an unusually prolonged cold snap.
By the middle of last week, Boston’s temperatures were running approximately 7 degrees below February’s typical averages, putting the city on track for its harshest winter in over ten years. While Sunday remained chilly in Boston, meteorologists predicted temperatures would rise into the upper 30s and lower 40s throughout the week, bringing readings closer to seasonal norms.
California residents were preparing for their own weather challenges, with rain, thunderstorms, and mountain snow expected. Jacob Spender, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Sacramento, explained that a storm system would impact California throughout Sunday and continue into the following week.
Mountain and elevated regions should expect significant snowfall accumulations, according to Spender’s forecast.
“As we get up into the mountains and the foothills, we’re going to be looking at some snowfall,” Spender said. “So there will be snowfall all the way down into the foothills as well.”
Spender urged travelers to pay attention to weather advisories in the upcoming days.
“So if they are traveling, packing winter safety kits. Anything to be prepared. This is a bigger system, and a major system,” Spender said.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his recently established Board of Peace has secured $5 billion in commitments for reconstructing Gaza following years of devastating warfare, along with promises of thousands of international personnel for peacekeeping operations in the region.
Trump revealed that these financial commitments will be officially disclosed during the board’s inaugural gathering scheduled for Thursday in Washington.
“The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History, and it is my honor to serve as its Chairman,” Trump declared through a social media post while revealing the pledges.
The president did not specify which countries were providing the reconstruction funding or contributing personnel to peacekeeping efforts. However, Indonesia’s military announced Sunday that as many as 8,000 of their forces could be prepared by late June for possible Gaza deployment as part of humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. This represents the first concrete commitment Trump’s administration has secured.
Reconstructing the Palestinian region presents enormous challenges. International organizations including the United Nations, World Bank, and European Union project that fully rebuilding Gaza will require $70 billion. The territory suffered extensive damage during more than two years of Israeli military operations, with virtually no area remaining untouched.
The current ceasefire agreement requires establishing an international armed peacekeeping presence to maintain security and ensure Hamas militants are disarmed, which Israel considers essential. However, limited numbers of nations have shown willingness to participate in such a force.
The October 10 ceasefire agreement, facilitated by the United States, sought to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas that lasted over two years. Although major combat operations have decreased, Israeli military forces continue conducting air attacks and regularly engage Palestinians approaching military-controlled areas.
Attendance numbers for Thursday’s initial meeting remain uncertain, with the Board of Peace comprising more than 20 member nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump at the White House recently, is not anticipated to attend.
Originally conceived as a mechanism to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, Trump’s board has expanded with broader goals of addressing international crises worldwide. The initiative appears to represent another attempt by the Trump administration to bypass United Nations processes while reshaping global diplomatic structures established after World War II.
Several key American allies in Europe and other regions have chosen not to participate, viewing the board as a potential challenge to the UN Security Council’s authority.
Trump also verified that Thursday’s session will occur at the U.S. Institute of Peace, which the State Department renamed the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace in December.
The facility remains embroiled in legal disputes filed by former staff members and leadership of the nonprofit organization after the Republican administration took control of the building last year and terminated nearly all institute employees.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his recently established Board of Peace has secured $5 billion in commitments for reconstructing Gaza following years of devastating warfare, along with promises of thousands of international personnel for peacekeeping operations in the region.
Trump revealed that these financial commitments will be officially disclosed during the board’s inaugural gathering scheduled for Thursday in Washington.
“The Board of Peace will prove to be the most consequential International Body in History, and it is my honor to serve as its Chairman,” Trump declared through a social media post while revealing the pledges.
The president did not specify which countries were providing the reconstruction funding or contributing personnel to peacekeeping efforts. However, Indonesia’s military announced Sunday that as many as 8,000 of their forces could be prepared by late June for possible Gaza deployment as part of humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. This represents the first concrete commitment Trump’s administration has secured.
Reconstructing the Palestinian region presents enormous challenges. International organizations including the United Nations, World Bank, and European Union project that fully rebuilding Gaza will require $70 billion. The territory suffered extensive damage during more than two years of Israeli military operations, with virtually no area remaining untouched.
The current ceasefire agreement requires establishing an international armed peacekeeping presence to maintain security and ensure Hamas militants are disarmed, which Israel considers essential. However, limited numbers of nations have shown willingness to participate in such a force.
The October 10 ceasefire agreement, facilitated by the United States, sought to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas that lasted over two years. Although major combat operations have decreased, Israeli military forces continue conducting air attacks and regularly engage Palestinians approaching military-controlled areas.
Attendance numbers for Thursday’s initial meeting remain uncertain, with the Board of Peace comprising more than 20 member nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump at the White House recently, is not anticipated to attend.
Originally conceived as a mechanism to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, Trump’s board has expanded with broader goals of addressing international crises worldwide. The initiative appears to represent another attempt by the Trump administration to bypass United Nations processes while reshaping global diplomatic structures established after World War II.
Several key American allies in Europe and other regions have chosen not to participate, viewing the board as a potential challenge to the UN Security Council’s authority.
Trump also verified that Thursday’s session will occur at the U.S. Institute of Peace, which the State Department renamed the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace in December.
The facility remains embroiled in legal disputes filed by former staff members and leadership of the nonprofit organization after the Republican administration took control of the building last year and terminated nearly all institute employees.
The White House’s top immigration official announced Sunday that more than 1,000 federal enforcement agents have already withdrawn from Minnesota’s Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, with several hundred additional departures planned in the coming days as the Trump administration scales back its massive immigration crackdown.
Border czar Tom Homan revealed during an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation that a limited security team will remain temporarily to safeguard continuing immigration personnel and will intervene “when our agents are out and they get surrounded by agitators and things got out of control.” Homan did not specify the exact size of this remaining force, describing it only as “small.”
According to Homan, agents will continue pursuing investigations into alleged fraud cases and examining the anti-enforcement demonstration that interrupted a religious service at a local church.
“We already removed well over 1,000 people, and as of Monday, Tuesday, we’ll remove several hundred more,” Homan stated. “We’ll get back to the original footprint.”
The Minneapolis-St. Paul region became the focus of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Operation Metro Surge,” which involved deploying thousands of federal officers. The Department of Homeland Security characterized this as the most extensive immigration enforcement action in the agency’s history, claiming it achieved its objectives.
However, the intensive operation faced mounting opposition as tensions escalated and resulted in the deaths of two American citizens. Community resistance became widespread, with local residents organizing networks to assist immigrants, alert communities about approaching federal agents, and document officers’ activities. The fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal personnel sparked public outcry and scrutiny of officer behavior, ultimately leading to operational modifications.
Last week, Homan initially announced the immediate departure of 700 federal officers from Minnesota, though this still left over 2,000 personnel in the state. By Thursday, he indicated that a “significant drawdown” was already in progress and would extend through the current week.
Homan emphasized that enforcement activities would persist in the Twin Cities area and that nationwide mass deportation efforts would continue uninterrupted. The agents departing Minnesota will either return to their original duty stations or receive new assignments elsewhere.
Regarding the possibility of future operations matching the Twin Cities deployment’s magnitude, Homan responded that “it depends on the situation.”
The White House’s top immigration official announced Sunday that more than 1,000 federal enforcement agents have already withdrawn from Minnesota’s Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, with several hundred additional departures planned in the coming days as the Trump administration scales back its massive immigration crackdown.
Border czar Tom Homan revealed during an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation that a limited security team will remain temporarily to safeguard continuing immigration personnel and will intervene “when our agents are out and they get surrounded by agitators and things got out of control.” Homan did not specify the exact size of this remaining force, describing it only as “small.”
According to Homan, agents will continue pursuing investigations into alleged fraud cases and examining the anti-enforcement demonstration that interrupted a religious service at a local church.
“We already removed well over 1,000 people, and as of Monday, Tuesday, we’ll remove several hundred more,” Homan stated. “We’ll get back to the original footprint.”
The Minneapolis-St. Paul region became the focus of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Operation Metro Surge,” which involved deploying thousands of federal officers. The Department of Homeland Security characterized this as the most extensive immigration enforcement action in the agency’s history, claiming it achieved its objectives.
However, the intensive operation faced mounting opposition as tensions escalated and resulted in the deaths of two American citizens. Community resistance became widespread, with local residents organizing networks to assist immigrants, alert communities about approaching federal agents, and document officers’ activities. The fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal personnel sparked public outcry and scrutiny of officer behavior, ultimately leading to operational modifications.
Last week, Homan initially announced the immediate departure of 700 federal officers from Minnesota, though this still left over 2,000 personnel in the state. By Thursday, he indicated that a “significant drawdown” was already in progress and would extend through the current week.
Homan emphasized that enforcement activities would persist in the Twin Cities area and that nationwide mass deportation efforts would continue uninterrupted. The agents departing Minnesota will either return to their original duty stations or receive new assignments elsewhere.
Regarding the possibility of future operations matching the Twin Cities deployment’s magnitude, Homan responded that “it depends on the situation.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister departed from Tehran on Sunday, heading to Geneva for a second phase of nuclear discussions with the United States, according to reports from Iranian state media.
Abbas Araghchi and his diplomatic team made the journey to Switzerland following initial indirect negotiations that occurred in Oman the previous week. The state-run IRNA news agency confirmed through its Telegram channel that Oman would continue serving as mediator for the Geneva discussions.
Previous diplomatic efforts collapsed last year when Israel initiated a 12-day military campaign against Iran, during which the United States conducted bombing operations targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
President Donald Trump has consistently issued warnings about potential military action to force Iran into limiting its nuclear activities. Iranian officials have indicated they would retaliate with their own attacks in response to such threats. Trump has also issued warnings to Iran regarding its violent suppression of recent nationwide demonstrations.
Regional Gulf Arab nations have expressed concerns that any military confrontation could escalate into a broader Middle Eastern conflict.
The current Trump administration maintains its position that Iran must completely halt all uranium enrichment activities, a demand that Tehran has stated it will not accept.
While Iran maintains its nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes, government officials have made increasing threats about developing nuclear weapons capabilities. Prior to the June conflict, Iran had been processing uranium to 60% purity levels, bringing it close to weapons-grade enrichment.
During his Geneva visit, Araghchi plans to hold meetings with Swiss and Omani foreign ministers, along with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear monitoring organization.
On Sunday morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed Washington’s continued commitment to finding a diplomatic resolution to the dispute with Tehran, noting that Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were en route to participate in the upcoming negotiations.
Trump announced Friday that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, would be relocated from the Caribbean to the Middle East to supplement existing U.S. military presence in the region. He also stated that a leadership change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen.”
Rubio characterized recent military deployments in the Middle East as defensive measures designed to strengthen protection for U.S. facilities and interests. Iran has issued threats to target American military installations in the region should Washington launch strikes. In June, Tehran attacked Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, though the assault resulted in no casualties among American or Qatari personnel.
“No one’s been able to do a successful deal with Iran, but we’re gonna try,” Rubio stated during a press conference following his meeting with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava. “We are focused on negotiations.” Trump has recently indicated his main objective involves reducing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while Iranian officials want discussions limited exclusively to nuclear matters. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump in Washington this week, has been advocating for an agreement that would eliminate Iran’s missile program and halt its financial support for allied groups including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran’s Foreign Minister departed from Tehran on Sunday, heading to Geneva for a second phase of nuclear discussions with the United States, according to reports from Iranian state media.
Abbas Araghchi and his diplomatic team made the journey to Switzerland following initial indirect negotiations that occurred in Oman the previous week. The state-run IRNA news agency confirmed through its Telegram channel that Oman would continue serving as mediator for the Geneva discussions.
Previous diplomatic efforts collapsed last year when Israel initiated a 12-day military campaign against Iran, during which the United States conducted bombing operations targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
President Donald Trump has consistently issued warnings about potential military action to force Iran into limiting its nuclear activities. Iranian officials have indicated they would retaliate with their own attacks in response to such threats. Trump has also issued warnings to Iran regarding its violent suppression of recent nationwide demonstrations.
Regional Gulf Arab nations have expressed concerns that any military confrontation could escalate into a broader Middle Eastern conflict.
The current Trump administration maintains its position that Iran must completely halt all uranium enrichment activities, a demand that Tehran has stated it will not accept.
While Iran maintains its nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes, government officials have made increasing threats about developing nuclear weapons capabilities. Prior to the June conflict, Iran had been processing uranium to 60% purity levels, bringing it close to weapons-grade enrichment.
During his Geneva visit, Araghchi plans to hold meetings with Swiss and Omani foreign ministers, along with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear monitoring organization.
On Sunday morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed Washington’s continued commitment to finding a diplomatic resolution to the dispute with Tehran, noting that Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were en route to participate in the upcoming negotiations.
Trump announced Friday that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, would be relocated from the Caribbean to the Middle East to supplement existing U.S. military presence in the region. He also stated that a leadership change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen.”
Rubio characterized recent military deployments in the Middle East as defensive measures designed to strengthen protection for U.S. facilities and interests. Iran has issued threats to target American military installations in the region should Washington launch strikes. In June, Tehran attacked Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, though the assault resulted in no casualties among American or Qatari personnel.
“No one’s been able to do a successful deal with Iran, but we’re gonna try,” Rubio stated during a press conference following his meeting with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava. “We are focused on negotiations.” Trump has recently indicated his main objective involves reducing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while Iranian officials want discussions limited exclusively to nuclear matters. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Trump in Washington this week, has been advocating for an agreement that would eliminate Iran’s missile program and halt its financial support for allied groups including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
A high-ranking Treasury Department official responsible for overseeing the nation’s sanctions programs is expected to resign following reported conflicts with his supervisor, according to a Bloomberg News report released Sunday.
John Hurley, who serves as Treasury under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, plans to step down from his role amid tensions with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the report indicates.
In his current position, Hurley leads the department’s efforts to combat financial crimes and manages the implementation of economic sanctions against foreign entities and individuals.
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the Bloomberg report at this time.
A high-ranking Treasury Department official responsible for overseeing the nation’s sanctions programs is expected to resign following reported conflicts with his supervisor, according to a Bloomberg News report released Sunday.
John Hurley, who serves as Treasury under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, plans to step down from his role amid tensions with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the report indicates.
In his current position, Hurley leads the department’s efforts to combat financial crimes and manages the implementation of economic sanctions against foreign entities and individuals.
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the Bloomberg report at this time.
While death and taxes remain life’s certainties, leaving your family with expensive legal bills doesn’t have to be inevitable.
Wealthy Americans have perfected methods for transferring assets to future generations while minimizing government interference, but financial advisors say these same techniques can benefit families with more moderate savings accounts.
“It’s a strategic game of chess played over decades,” explains Mark Bosler, an estate planning attorney in Troy, Michigan, and legal adviser to Real Estate Bees. “While the average person relies on a simple will, the well-to-do utilize a different playbook.”
The reality is that most American families won’t face federal estate taxes, which typically apply only to estates exceeding $15 million. However, 16 states plus Washington D.C. do impose their own estate or inheritance taxes, according to the Tax Foundation, though these usually target millionaire-level wealth.
Even families who won’t owe taxes can face lengthy legal processes that tie up assets for years while generating substantial attorney fees and court costs.
Estate planning professionals frequently recommend trusts as a cornerstone solution.
While trusts might seem like complicated instruments reserved for the extremely wealthy, they’re actually straightforward mechanisms that make sense for many households. Setting up a trust typically costs several thousand dollars in legal fees, but for retirees who own their homes outright and have retirement accounts plus investment portfolios, trusts can streamline asset transfers to beneficiaries.
One key advantage: estates can become entangled in probate court proceedings, which typically charge fees based on the total estate value, even when no taxes are owed.
“You are leaving what might have gone to your children or other loved ones to attorneys and the courts,” notes Renee Fry, CEO of Gentreo, an online estate planner based in Quincy, Massachusetts. “Anywhere from 3 to 8% of an estate might be lost.”
Trusts enable estates to bypass court systems entirely while maintaining privacy by keeping financial details out of public records. Some individuals also establish trusts to safeguard their savings if they eventually require nursing home care and want to qualify for Medicaid coverage rather than paying privately.
Consider owning stock in a company like Nvidia that has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. Now imagine collecting profits from selling those shares without paying any taxes.
This scenario is achievable with one condition: the original owner must pass away first.
This arrangement, called “step-up” in estate planning terminology, enables affluent families to build wealth while ensuring their descendants won’t face the tax consequences.
Here’s how it functions: Suppose a relative purchased 100 Nvidia shares when the company went public in 1999 at $12 per share. After stock splits and dramatic price increases, that original $1,200 investment would now be valued at over $9 million. If you inherited those shares, you could sell them with minimal or no tax liability because capital gains are calculated from the death date, not the original purchase date.
Benjamin Trujillo, a partner with the wealth advisory firm Moneta, based in St. Louis, Missouri, describes the process as seeming “like a magic trick.” The strategy is entirely legal.
“Wealth transfer looks like smoke and mirrors,” Trujillo states. “Assets like stocks can quietly grow for decades and, when they’re inherited, the tax bill often disappears.”
Congress has occasionally considered restricting the “step-up” provision, but it currently remains in place, serving as one of the most powerful tools available for creating multi-generational wealth. The rule applies beyond stocks to other investments including artwork, real estate, and collectibles.
Financial institutions frequently prompt account holders to designate beneficiaries, and estate planners emphasize this represents one of the most straightforward methods for transferring assets to family members after death.
Rules differ by location, but most banks and investment firms permit customers to name beneficiaries who will receive funds automatically upon the account holder’s death.
“One of the easiest ways to transfer assets hassle-free,” observes Allison Harrison, an attorney in Columbus, Ohio, who focuses on estate planning.
Beneficiary designations typically take precedence over wills, making it crucial to keep these records current to prevent situations where former spouses might inherit assets unintentionally.
These strategies require advance planning, but experts emphasize that dedicating time to estate organization distinguishes financially successful families from others.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re dealing with a steady soaking rain across the peninsula today, so definitely keep those umbrellas handy if you’re heading out.
Today’s story is all about the rain. We’re looking at cloudy skies with temperatures reaching around 50 degrees, which isn’t too bad for mid-January. However, this northeast wind at 5 to 10 mph is bringing in a persistent rain system with 100% chance of precipitation. We could see between 1 and 2 inches of new rainfall, so watch for some ponding on roadways and give yourself extra time if you’re traveling.
Tonight, the rain continues with temperatures dropping to around 40 degrees. Sunday brings a slight improvement with just a chance of light rain and cooler highs near 45. The good news? Sunday night looks much better as we clear out with temps dipping to 29 degrees.
Stay dry out there, Delmarva, and remember – this rain will help our lawns come springtime! I’m tracking your forecast and will have updates throughout the weekend.
A Bridgeville property owner found himself in hot water with Sussex County officials after constructing a large storage building without proper permits, based on incorrect advice from his contractor.
Recordo Nock appeared before the Sussex County Board of Adjustment earlier this month requesting two zoning variances for a 30-by-60-foot pole barn already built on his Chaplains Chapel Road property. The structure violates the required 20-foot rear yard setback regulations.
During the January 5th hearing, Nock explained his predicament to board members.
“If I knew this in the beginning, I would have gotten the permit, and we wouldn’t even be here. But I was told I don’t need a permit,” Nock stated. “I never built a pole barn before.”
According to Nock, a representative from Weller’s Utility Trailers, Sheds and Carports in Bridgeville informed him that no permit was necessary since the building would rest on a concrete foundation rather than having poles driven into the earth.
The property owner uses the structure to house tools and construction equipment for personal purposes. When asked about neighbor complaints, Nock indicated he had received none directly.
However, the county received written opposition from residents living south of Nock’s property. Two neighbors attended the hearing to voice their concerns.
Elmer Perry, who authored the opposition letter, expressed worries about water drainage issues caused by the building’s proximity to property lines.
“We do know we do have water standing, from time to time, on the front side of this property when it does rain,” Perry told the board. “I believe the whole water table in that area is up high.”
Perry indicated he would withdraw his opposition if the building were relocated or repositioned to comply with county regulations.
Jason Perry, another neighboring resident, questioned what would prevent future homeowners from constructing similar large structures in rear yard corners once the surrounding farmland undergoes development.
Assistant County Attorney James Sharp noted that the county has occasionally granted variances in cases involving “severe contractor error,” citing an example where a home’s foundation accidentally extended onto an adjacent property.
Nock acknowledged the difficulty of his situation, telling board members, “If I could move the building 8 feet, I would. I can’t move it.”
The Board of Adjustment postponed their decision and will revisit Nock’s variance application during their January 26th meeting, allowing additional time to review the case details.
Delaware State Police are actively searching for an armed suspect who held up a Wilmington 7-Eleven during the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 13, 2026.
Law enforcement officers were called to the convenience store on Foulk Road at 2100 around 2:40 a.m. following reports of an armed holdup. According to initial police findings, a male perpetrator walked into the establishment and confronted a worker while brandishing a firearm, ordering the employee to hand over cash. When the worker refused to cooperate, the gunman helped himself to money from the cash drawer along with tobacco products before fleeing on foot. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the crime. Officers conducted a search of the surrounding area but came up empty-handed in their pursuit of the robber.
Authorities have released a description of the perpetrator as a male individual dressed in dark clothing including a black hoodie and black trousers, along with gloves and a light-colored backpack. He was also wearing a face covering during the incident. Officials note that security footage and photographs from the scene are not currently ready for public release.
The case remains under active investigation by the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit. Investigators are urging anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or possesses relevant details to reach out to Detective B. Timmons at (302) 365-8434. Tips can also be submitted through private messages to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
For individuals who have been affected by crime or experienced sudden loss and require support services, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center provide round-the-clock assistance through their toll-free helpline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). Support can also be accessed by emailing [email protected].
Dover law enforcement officials are actively investigating a violent incident that unfolded in the early hours of Monday morning, leaving one person wounded by gunfire.
The incident began at approximately 3:55 a.m. on Monday, January 12th, 2026, when Dover Police received reports of gunshots in the unit block of South Governors Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered clear evidence that a shooting had taken place.
During the investigation, a 24-year-old Dover resident arrived at Bayhealth Kent Campus seeking treatment for a gunshot wound to his lower body. Medical personnel are treating his injuries.
Police also made contact with two additional victims at the scene who reported being targeted by gunfire from two unidentified suspects. Fortunately, these individuals were not struck by bullets and avoided physical harm.
Authorities have not yet developed any suspect leads to share with the public as the investigation continues.
Dover Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to come forward. The department can be reached at (302) 736-7130, and callers have the option to remain anonymous. Community members can also provide tips through Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 800-TIP-3333 or visiting www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com online. Crime Stoppers offers potential cash rewards for information that leads to arrests.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to identify the suspects and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Newark law enforcement officials have taken two individuals into custody following a robbery investigation that began earlier this month.
The incident unfolded on January 4, 2026, when a victim contacted Newark Police at around 10:03 p.m. to report being robbed that same evening. According to police reports, the robbery took place in the 200 block of East Delaware Avenue at approximately 7:11 p.m.
Police investigators worked to identify and locate the suspects involved in the street crime. The department has not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the robbery or the identities of those arrested.
This case represents another example of Newark Police’s ongoing efforts to address street crimes and respond to victims in the community. The investigation led to the successful apprehension of both suspects.
The Newark Police Department continues to encourage residents to report crimes promptly to assist with investigations and community safety efforts.
New Castle County police are actively searching for a missing teenager after issuing a Gold Alert Monday evening.
Sixteen-year-old Jacob “Jay” Nieves vanished from his home at the Paladin Club Apartments on Park Court in Wilmington around 9:15 p.m. on January 12, 2026. The apartment complex is located in the 8000 block of Park Court in the 19702 area.
According to the New Castle County Division of Police, the teen departed from his residence and failed to return home. Law enforcement officials say they have conducted thorough search operations but have been unable to locate Nieves.
Anyone with information about Jacob Nieves’ whereabouts is urged to contact local authorities immediately. The Gold Alert system is designed to help locate missing individuals who may be in danger.
Law enforcement officials are actively investigating a shooting incident that occurred at the Paladin Club Apartments located in the 8000 block of Park Court in Wilmington.
New Castle County Division of Police officers have secured the scene and are conducting their investigation into the shooting. The apartment complex is located in the 19802 zip code area.
Authorities are warning area residents to anticipate significant disruptions in the vicinity, including blocked roadways and a heavy law enforcement presence. Additional emergency response vehicles may also be dispatched to the location as the investigation progresses.
Police are strongly urging community members to steer clear of the Park Court area while investigators work to gather evidence and piece together the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident.
A Georgetown woman is behind bars facing serious charges after authorities discovered an active explosive device and illegal drugs during a probation compliance check at her residence.
Amanda Seward, 34, was taken into custody following the Tuesday afternoon incident on the 17000 block of McColley’s Chapel Road. The arrest occurred around 2:20 p.m. on January 7, 2025, when probation officers conducting a routine administrative search of Seward’s home uncovered suspicious materials that prompted them to call for backup.
The Sussex County Governor’s Task Force responded to assist probation and parole officials after the discovery of narcotics, drug-related equipment, and what appeared to be an explosive device. Authorities detained Seward along with two other men at the scene without any resistance.
Given the potentially dangerous nature of the device, Delaware State Police called in their specialized Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. The bomb squad confirmed the device was indeed active and successfully neutralized the threat.
Investigators recovered multiple illegal items from the property, including:
• An active explosive device • Roughly .07 grams of methamphetamine • Approximately .06 grams of heroin • 12 mg of buprenorphine sublingual film • 3 mg of naloxone sublingual film • A digital scale
Following her arrest, Seward was transported to Troop 4 headquarters where she faced multiple charges. Justice of the Peace Court 3 arraigned her on several serious offenses, including possession of a destructive weapon (bomb), which carries felony penalties. She also faces three counts of possessing controlled substances without a prescription and two counts of drug paraphernalia possession.
While the court set Seward’s bond at $1,500 unsecured, she remains incarcerated at Sussex Correctional Institution due to violations of her existing probation terms. The two men found at the residence received misdemeanor charges and were subsequently released.
Delaware State Police are conducting an investigation into a deadly vehicle accident that took place Sunday evening in Milford after a driver attempted to escape from law enforcement during a traffic stop.
The incident began around 9:00 p.m. on January 11, 2026, when a state trooper noticed a Nissan Altima violating traffic laws on Johnson Road close to North Old State Road in Lincoln. A vehicle registration check revealed additional violations with the car’s documentation. When the officer attempted to stop the Altima on North Old State Road, the driver suddenly accelerated and fled the scene without explanation before the trooper could approach the vehicle. The Altima traveled dangerously through multiple local streets at excessive speeds during the chase, prompting authorities to call off the pursuit to protect public safety. Moments after officers ended the chase, the vehicle crashed on Lakeview Avenue inside Milford city boundaries.
According to initial findings from crash investigators, the Altima was moving at dangerous speeds when it veered off the southern edge of Lakeview Avenue onto the sidewalk area. The car then traveled across West Clarke Avenue, hitting a smaller tree and landscaping in a residential property before rotating and finally striking a larger tree.
Emergency responders transported the Altima’s operator, a 37-year-old Georgetown resident, to a local medical facility where he was pronounced dead. Authorities are withholding his identity pending notification of relatives.
Traffic on Lakeview Avenue was temporarily blocked for roughly two hours as investigators examined and cleared the accident site.
The case continues under active investigation. Police are requesting that anyone who saw the accident or possesses relevant details contact Master Corporal K. Argo at (302) 703-3264. Tips can also be submitted through private messages to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Crime victims, witnesses, or families affected by sudden loss can access support through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, available around the clock via their toll-free helpline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). Email assistance is also available at [email protected].
A Newark resident is facing multiple charges, including his third driving under the influence offense, after police responded to a trespassing call in the early morning hours last week.
Newark Police Department officers were dispatched to the first block of Waterworks Lane around 12:31 a.m. on January 8, 2026, following reports of suspicious activity. A concerned resident contacted authorities about an unknown male individual who was wandering around the property and attempting to look through the windows of their home.
The incident escalated when officers arrived on scene and attempted to make contact with the suspect. According to police reports, the individual failed to comply with officers’ commands and subsequently resisted arrest.
During the course of the investigation, officers determined that the suspect had been operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This marks the third time the Newark man has been charged with DUI, which carries enhanced penalties under Delaware law.
The suspect now faces charges of driving under the influence (third offense), failure to comply with lawful police orders, resisting arrest, and trespassing. Third-offense DUI charges in Delaware are classified as felonies and can result in significant jail time and substantial fines.
The Newark Police Department continues to investigate the incident. The suspect’s name has not been released pending formal arraignment proceedings.
TV Delmarva’s technical team is currently conducting routine verification procedures to confirm that social media images are displaying accurately across our digital platforms.
The testing process involves checking various aspects of our automated image generation system to ensure Delaware residents continue receiving properly formatted visual content alongside our news stories on social media channels.
This technical maintenance represents part of our ongoing commitment to delivering reliable news content to the Delmarva community through all available digital channels.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re looking at a mild but cloudy Wednesday across the peninsula, with temperatures climbing to a pleasant 54 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Light southwest winds around 5 mph will keep things comfortable for any outdoor activities you have planned.
However, get ready for a dramatic temperature swing! Tonight brings our first notable weather change as we’ll see the chance for some light rain moving through, with temperatures dropping significantly to around 29 degrees. This sets up an interesting Thursday as that moisture could transition to a slight chance of light snow early in the day before skies begin to clear and we see partly sunny conditions. Thursday’s high will only reach about 34 degrees.
Thursday night turns quite chilly with partly cloudy skies and temperatures plummeting to around 20 degrees – so you’ll definitely want to bundle up and protect any sensitive plants or pipes.
Stay warm out there, Delmarva, and keep those winter coats handy! I’m your meteorologist reminding you to stay weather-aware as we navigate this temperature roller coaster.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is now accepting applications from local organizations seeking financial assistance for water-related planning initiatives.
Local county governments, municipalities, conservation districts, and estuary programs throughout Delaware are eligible to apply for these matching grant funds, which are specifically designated for surface water project planning efforts.
Organizations interested in applying for these planning grants must submit their complete proposals no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The grant program represents an opportunity for Delaware communities to advance their water management and conservation planning with state support through the matching funds structure.
A significant winter storm is barreling toward southern Delmarva, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning effective from 7 PM tonight through 7 AM Monday morning.
The warning covers inland Sussex County, Delaware beaches, and portions of southern New Jersey including Cape May and Atlantic counties. Forecasters predict 4 to 8 inches of snow and sleet accumulation, with up to one-tenth of an inch of ice coating surfaces. Wind gusts could reach 35 mph, creating dangerous whiteout conditions.
Travel is expected to become very difficult, with the hazardous conditions likely impacting Monday morning’s commute. Officials strongly advise against unnecessary travel during the storm.
If you must venture out, the National Weather Service recommends keeping emergency supplies in your vehicle including extra flashlights, food, and water. For the latest road conditions, dial 5-1-1 before traveling.
The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until Monday at 7 AM. TV Delmarva will continue monitoring this developing storm and provide updates throughout the weekend. Stay with us for the latest forecast information and travel advisories as conditions change.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 1:00 PM Monday for much of northern Delmarva, with dangerous icy conditions expected to create hazardous travel during the Monday morning commute.
The National Weather Service warns that portions of New Castle and Kent counties in Delaware, along with Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Caroline counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, will see additional snow and sleet accumulations up to one inch. Perhaps most concerning is the potential for ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch, which could make roads extremely slippery.
The mixed precipitation is expected to continue through Monday afternoon, making morning travel particularly treacherous for commuters heading to work or school.
Officials strongly advise avoiding unnecessary travel. If you must drive, the National Weather Service recommends keeping emergency supplies in your vehicle, including an extra flashlight, food, and water. For the latest road conditions, drivers can dial 5-1-1 before heading out.
The Winter Storm Warning, issued Saturday afternoon by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, will remain in effect until 1:00 PM Monday. Residents should monitor conditions closely and plan for potential delays or cancellations Monday morning.
Delaware residents will see widespread closures this Monday as the state observes Presidents Day, with government buildings, educational institutions, and financial markets shutting down while major retail chains continue normal operations.
For those planning errands or activities, it’s recommended to verify hours by calling businesses directly or checking their websites for location-specific schedules.
Here’s your complete guide to Monday’s closures and openings for Presidents Day 2026:
All federal and state government facilities will be shuttered Monday. Additionally, court systems and the majority of educational institutions will remain closed.
The federal holiday officially honors Washington’s Birthday, named for America’s first president George Washington, though it’s commonly referred to as Presidents Day. Many also use this time to remember President Abraham Lincoln, whose February 12th birthday falls close to the observance.
Financial institutions and U.S. stock exchanges will suspend operations Monday, resuming normal business hours Tuesday.
Major retail chains and most commercial businesses will maintain regular operating hours.
Delaware residents can enjoy free admission to national parks on Presidents Day. The National Park Service recently modified its free admission schedule, removing Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth from the list while adding Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s birthday on June 14. The complimentary access continues for Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day weekend.
After igniting a social media firestorm with comments about extraterrestrial life, former President Barack Obama has moved to set the record straight about what he actually meant.
The controversy began during a rapid-fire question session with podcast host Brian Tylor Cohen, when Obama was directly asked about the existence of aliens.
“They’re real,” Obama responded. “But I haven’t seen them. And, they’re not being kept in Area 51.”
The brief exchange quickly went viral across social platforms, prompting Obama to post an explanation on Instagram Sunday evening to address the widespread speculation his words had generated.
“I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there. But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!” Obama wrote in his clarification.
The mention of Area 51 has long been a focal point for UFO conspiracy theorists, who have speculated about the secretive Nevada desert facility for decades.
The CIA finally confirmed Area 51’s existence in 2013, though officials made clear this acknowledgment had nothing to do with UFO crashes, alien beings, or faked moon missions.
Previously classified government records officially named the 8,000-square-mile facility after years of federal authorities declining to confirm its existence.
The installation has served as a proving ground for classified military aircraft projects, including the U-2 spy plane during the 1950s and the B-2 stealth bomber in later years.
BOSTON — Long before George Washington took the oath as America’s inaugural president, he was orchestrating a pivotal military operation that would shape the course of the Revolutionary War. Two and a half centuries ago, Washington was concluding the Siege of Boston, his inaugural campaign leading the Continental Army.
After colonial militias trapped British forces in Boston following the clashes at Lexington and Concord in April 1775, the Continental Congress appointed Washington to command their newly established army. The goal was clear: drive the occupying British troops from the strategic port city.
By this date 250 years ago, Washington was wrapping up nearly a full year of military pressure that had confined roughly 11,000 British soldiers and numerous loyalist supporters within Boston’s boundaries. His masterstroke came through dispatching Henry Knox, a young bookseller turned artillery expert, on a grueling winter journey to Fort Ticonderoga in New York to haul back dozens of cannons.
These artillery pieces, dragged across hundreds of miles through harsh winter conditions, proved decisive when aimed at British strongholds. Facing severe supply shortages and constant bombardment, British commanders chose to evacuate the city by sea on March 17, 1776.
According to historians, this British withdrawal — still commemorated in Boston as Evacuation Day — eliminated loyalist influence at a crucial moment, cut off British access to a vital harbor, and delivered a tremendous psychological victory to colonial forces.
“The success of the Siege of Boston gave new life and momentum to the Revolution,” explained Chris Beagan, site manager at Cambridge’s Longfellow House, a National Historic Site that functioned as Washington’s command center during the war. “Had it failed, royal control of New England would have continued, and the Continental Army likely would have dissolved.”
This campaign represented a crucial proving ground for Washington himself. Having left military service nearly two decades earlier after fighting for Britain in the French and Indian War, the Virginia surveyor and planter faced serious questions about his leadership abilities. His Boston triumph secured his position as commander-in-chief throughout the remaining war years.
Doug Bradburn, president of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, noted that Washington began building America’s first truly national military force, drawing militia members from Massachusetts down to Virginia. By war’s end, the Continental Army included substantial numbers of Black and Native American soldiers, creating the most racially integrated fighting force until President Harry Truman desegregated the military in 1948.
Initially, Washington — himself a lifelong enslaver who relied on hundreds of enslaved people at Mount Vernon — resisted allowing formerly enslaved and free Black men to serve. However, facing manpower shortages, Washington recognized that “there are free Blacks who want to enlist and he needs them to keep the British from breaking out” during the siege, Bradburn noted.
Expelling British forces from Boston also transformed Washington into one of America’s most beloved public figures.
“He comes to embody the cause in a time before you have a nation, before you have a Declaration of Independence, before you’re really sure what is the goal of this struggle,” Bradburn observed. “He becomes the face of the revolutionary movement.”
Pulitzer Prize-winning military historian Rick Atkinson emphasized that Washington’s eight-plus years commanding troops prepared him for executive leadership. “Perhaps most important, it gave him a sense that Americans could and should be a single people, rather than denizens of thirteen different entities.”
Washington’s legendary status also spawned numerous false stories that endure today. The famous cherry tree tale — where young George supposedly confessed to chopping down his father’s tree, declaring “I cannot tell a lie … I did cut it with my hatchet” — was completely fabricated by an early biographer after Washington’s death, according to Mount Vernon historians.
Similarly, the persistent belief that Washington wore wooden dentures is entirely false. While he did use artificial teeth made from ivory, gold, and even human teeth, he never had wooden dental work, despite this myth being repeated by scholars well into the 1900s.
Beyond military and political achievements, Washington pursued diverse interests throughout his life. Mount Vernon records show he pioneered innovative farming techniques and championed westward expansion, purchasing up to 50,000 acres across several Mid-Atlantic states. After returning home, he constructed a whiskey distillery that became among the nation’s largest.
Washington’s relationship with slavery remained complex. While advocating for slavery’s eventual end and directing in his will that all enslaved people he owned be freed after Martha Washington’s death, he couldn’t legally emancipate all Mount Vernon’s enslaved population since he didn’t own them all.
For Washington enthusiasts, Presidents Day represents their biggest celebration. Originally created to honor Washington’s February 22 birthday, the holiday has evolved into a shopping event for many Americans. However, numerous locations still commemorate Washington’s legacy with special events.
This year’s tributes include a wreath ceremony at Washington’s Mount Vernon tomb, Continental Army demonstrations, a parade in Alexandria, Virginia, and even a month-long festival in Laredo, Texas, featuring carnival rides, pageants, air shows, and a jalapeño celebration.
WINDER, Ga. — A groundbreaking criminal trial begins Monday as prosecutors prepare to argue that a father should face murder charges for his role in his teenage son’s deadly school shooting rampage.
Colin Gray stands accused of 29 criminal counts, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges, stemming from the September 2024 attack at Apalachee High School that claimed four lives. His 14-year-old son Colt allegedly gunned down two students and two teachers in what investigators describe as a meticulously planned assault.
This prosecution represents part of a nationwide movement where legal authorities are pursuing criminal charges against parents following their children’s involvement in fatal school violence. According to the criminal indictment, Gray provided his son with both a firearm and bullets despite having adequate warning that the teenager posed a danger to others.
Under Georgia’s legal framework, prosecutors contend this constitutes child cruelty, and the state’s second-degree murder statute applies when a child dies as a result of such cruelty.
The proceedings will take place in Winder, located in Barrow County where the tragedy occurred. While defense attorneys requested moving the trial due to extensive media coverage, and prosecutors supported the request, the presiding judge opted to keep the case local while importing jurors from neighboring Hall County. Jury selection concluded last week.
Law enforcement officials say the younger Gray methodically orchestrated the September 4, 2024 attack at the school serving 1,900 students in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
According to investigators’ accounts, the teenager concealed a semi-automatic rifle in his backpack, with the weapon’s barrel protruding and camouflaged with poster board, before boarding his regular school transportation. During the school day, he departed his second-period classroom, retrieved the weapon from a restroom, and began firing at victims in both classrooms and corridors.
Court testimony from a pretrial proceeding revealed that Colin Gray had presented the firearm to his son as a Christmas present months before the shooting occurred. Additionally, the father purchased an enhanced magazine to increase the weapon’s ammunition capacity.
Prosecutors have disclosed that the elder Gray was aware of his son’s disturbing fixation on perpetrators of school violence, including maintaining what authorities described as a shrine dedicated to Nikolas Cruz, who carried out the 2018 Parkland, Florida massacre. A Georgia Bureau of Investigation officer testified that both parents had discussed their child’s preoccupation with school shooters but dismissed it as harmless joking rather than a serious concern.
Evidence also shows Colin Gray recognized his son’s declining mental health condition and had contacted counseling services in the weeks leading up to the violence. In written communications about his son, Gray stated: “We have had a very difficult past couple of years and he needs help. Anger, anxiety, quick to be volatile. I don’t know what to do.”
A federal healthcare agency serving Native Americans and Alaska Natives will eliminate mercury-based dental fillings within the next few years, officials announced from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
For many years, the Indian Health Service has utilized dental amalgams containing elemental mercury to repair cavities and damaged teeth. Advocacy groups representing Native American communities and environmental organizations have long pushed for this change, contending that these materials expose vulnerable populations to dangerous neurotoxins, particularly those without access to private dental care.
These mercury-based amalgams, commonly called “silver fillings” because of their metallic appearance, have seen dramatic reductions in usage since the FDA upgraded their risk classification from low to moderate in 2009. Most dental practices have transitioned to plastic resin compounds, which offer both safety benefits and better cosmetic results.
By 2027, the Indian Health Service plans to completely transition to mercury-free dental materials. Statistics from the agency reveal a significant decrease in mercury filling usage among their approximately 2.8 million patients – dropping from 12% in 2005 to just 2% in 2023.
The Department of Health and Human Services, which supervises the Indian Health Service, cited increasing environmental and health worries about mercury exposure, along with international initiatives to eliminate hazardous heavy metals, as driving factors behind this month’s announcement.
“This is a commonsense step that protects patients and prevents harm before it starts,” Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated.
Kennedy emphasized that transitioning away from mercury-containing materials also fulfills the federal government’s legal obligations to the 575 officially recognized tribal nations.
The FDA notes that amalgam fillings may emit trace amounts of mercury vapor when installed, removed, or during activities like teeth grinding and chewing gum. The agency advises high-risk individuals – including expectant mothers, children younger than six, and people with neurological disorders – to avoid these fillings. However, both the FDA and American Dental Association maintain that current research doesn’t establish connections between mercury fillings and lasting health problems.
The World Health Organization has developed an initiative encouraging nations worldwide to discontinue dental amalgam use due to mercury exposure risks. In 2013, the United States joined other countries in signing the Minamata Convention, an international treaty addressing mercury’s harmful effects on health and the environment. Last November, treaty participants committed to eliminating mercury dental amalgams by 2034.
Although Kennedy’s 2027 timeline for the Indian Health Service exceeds the global target date, the United States still trails numerous developed countries that have already prohibited these materials.
“The rest of the world is light years ahead of us,” stated Rochelle Diver, who serves as the U.N. environmental treaties coordinator for the International Indian Treaty Council. She argued that Indian Health Service patients shouldn’t receive dental care that many practitioners now consider outdated.
The American Dental Association released a statement recognizing the decreased use of mercury fillings while maintaining they represent a “safe, durable and affordable material.”
Mercury usage in other medical equipment, including thermometers and blood pressure monitors, has also substantially declined over recent decades. While private dental practices have largely moved away from mercury amalgams, patients dependent on government healthcare programs often lack alternatives, according to Charles G. Brown, who leads the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry.
Brown noted that numerous state Medicaid programs still provide coverage for mercury-containing fillings as decay treatment.
“If you’re on Medicaid, if you are stuck in the Indian Health Service, if you were stuck in a prison or other institution, you just don’t have any choice,” Brown explained.
Nearly 4,000 Yemeni nationals living in the United States will lose their protected immigration status following a federal decision announced Friday by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Department of Homeland Security has canceled Yemen’s Temporary Protected Status designation, which had shielded Yemenis from deportation since 2015. Secretary Noem stated that her department conducted an assessment of Yemen’s current situation before making the determination.
“After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, I determined that Yemen no longer meets the statutory requirements for its TPS designation,” Noem explained in her announcement.
The Temporary Protected Status program provides safety for foreign nationals whose home countries face dangerous conditions such as armed conflict, natural disasters, or other exceptional situations that make return hazardous. Yemen qualified for this protection in 2015 as civil war escalated, involving Houthi rebels, the recognized government, and international military involvement. The ongoing conflict has created massive population displacement and a humanitarian emergency, with United Nations officials consistently highlighting critical needs throughout Yemen.
Secretary Noem defended the termination decision, arguing that maintaining protection for Yemeni nationals no longer serves American interests. She emphasized the temporary nature of the program in her statement.
“Allowing TPS beneficiaries from Yemen to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interest,” Noem declared, noting that the program was designed with built-in time limitations.
Yemeni nationals who benefited from the protection and lack alternative legal immigration status now face a 60-day deadline to depart the country voluntarily. Following the program’s expiration, federal authorities warned they may arrest and deport Yemeni individuals who remain without proper documentation.
Yemen’s government anticipated this policy change, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Ahmad Noman, who connected the decision to broader immigration enforcement efforts.
“The decision was not surprising in light of the U.S. administration’s policy of deporting immigrants living in the United States, whether legal or illegal,” Noman commented. He encouraged affected Yemenis to explore legal challenges, noting that “they can pursue legal avenues, as other Arab and non-Arab communities have done and succeeded in delaying it.” Noman added that Yemen’s Washington embassy is coordinating with officials to provide assistance.
This immigration policy change represents another contentious issue in ongoing national discussions about border security and humanitarian protections as the Trump administration implements stricter enforcement measures and reduces protective programs.
A 16-year-old girl from Chicago has passed away after courageously advocating for her father while fighting a devastating cancer diagnosis. Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo lost her battle with stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma on Friday, according to a family statement.
The teenager received her diagnosis of the aggressive soft tissue cancer in December 2024 and had been receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Just three days prior to Ofelia’s passing, a Chicago immigration judge made a significant ruling regarding her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado. The court determined he was conditionally eligible for “cancellation of removal” based on the severe hardships his deportation would inflict on his U.S.-born children who hold American citizenship, according to a statement from Torres Maldonado’s legal representative.
This court decision opens a pathway for Torres Maldonado to obtain lawful permanent residency status and potentially pursue U.S. citizenship in the future. Ofelia participated in the recent court proceeding through a Zoom video connection.
“Ofelia was heroic and brave in the face of ICE’s detention and threatened deportation of her father,” stated Kalman Resnick, the attorney representing Torres Maldonado. “We mourn Ofelia’s passing, and we hope that she will serve as a model for us all for how to be courageous and to fight for what’s right to our last breaths.”
Torres Maldonado, who works as a painter and home renovation contractor, was taken into custody on October 18 at a Home Depot location in suburban Chicago. His arrest occurred during a significant immigration enforcement operation called “Operation Midway Blitz,” which launched in early September.
While receiving medical treatment, Ofelia recorded a message that appeared in October on a GoFundMe fundraising page created for her family’s expenses.
“My dad, like many other fathers, is a hard-working person who wakes up early in the morning and goes to work without complaining, thinking about his family,” she said in the video. “I find it so unfair that hardworking immigrant families are being targeted just because they were not born here.”
Despite her condition, Ofelia attended her father’s October court hearing in a wheelchair. Her family’s legal team informed the judge that she had been discharged from the hospital just one day before her father’s arrest so she could spend time with loved ones. The attorneys also explained that Ofelia had been forced to pause her cancer treatment “because of the stress and disruption.”
Torres Maldonado’s legal team filed petitions seeking his release while his deportation proceedings continued. An October ruling by a judge determined his detention was unlawful and violated his constitutional due process rights, leading to a bond hearing being scheduled.
A judge subsequently approved Torres Maldonado’s release on $2,000 bond, noting his clean criminal record as a factor in the decision.
According to his attorneys, Torres Maldonado arrived in the United States in 2003. He and his partner, Sandibell Hidalgo, are also parents to a younger son.
The Department of Homeland Security had contended that he had been residing in the country without legal status for many years and possessed a record of traffic violations, including operating a vehicle without proper licensing, lacking insurance coverage, and speeding infractions. The family has requested privacy regarding funeral arrangements.
Federal investigators have discovered what could be a crucial piece of evidence in the search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie who disappeared from her Arizona residence three weeks ago.
The FBI announced Sunday that DNA testing on a glove discovered in a field roughly two miles away from Nancy Guthrie’s Tucson residence appears to connect it to a masked individual captured on surveillance footage outside her home on the evening she vanished.
Nancy Guthrie was last observed at her residence on January 31st and reported missing one day later. Law enforcement officials discovered her blood on the front porch of her home. While alleged ransom demands were delivered to media organizations, two payment deadlines have already expired without resolution.
Medical concerns add urgency to the search, as authorities report Nancy Guthrie requires essential daily medications. According to sheriff’s dispatcher recordings, she has a pacemaker and has been managing high blood pressure and cardiac conditions.
Security cameras recorded footage of the suspected individual on Tuesday, showing someone wearing a firearm holster positioned near Guthrie’s entrance on the night she disappeared. The masked person carried a backpack and wore winter clothing including gloves, long pants, and a jacket.
By Thursday, federal agents had classified this individual as a suspect, describing him as a male approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium frame. Investigators noted he was carrying a 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack.
The FBI stated Sunday that the glove found alongside a roadway had been submitted for DNA analysis. The agency received initial test results on Saturday and is now waiting for official verification of the findings.
Law enforcement activity intensified Friday evening when agents blocked off a road approximately two miles from the victim’s residence. Multiple sheriff’s department and FBI vehicles, including forensic units, moved through the secured area as part of their investigation.
Officers also impounded a Range Rover SUV from a nearby restaurant parking area. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed this action was connected to the Guthrie case.
Forensic teams have recovered DNA samples from the property that do not belong to Nancy Guthrie or individuals known to have regular contact with her. Investigators are working to determine the identity of this genetic material.
All evidence requiring laboratory analysis is being processed at the same out-of-state facility that has handled testing since the investigation began, according to the sheriff’s department.
Federal agents reported finding approximately 16 gloves in various locations around the residence, though most belonged to search team members who had discarded them during operations.
Both the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and FBI have established tip lines and websites for public assistance. Several hundred detectives and agents have been deployed to work this case.
Since February 1st, the FBI has processed more than 13,000 tips from the public. The sheriff’s department reports handling at least 18,000 phone calls related to the investigation.
Officials have not disclosed whether any submitted tips have provided significant leads in advancing the case.
On Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies stopped and questioned an individual during a traffic stop south of Tucson. While authorities have not explained what prompted the stop, they confirmed the person was subsequently released.
That same day, deputies and federal agents executed a court-approved search in Rio Rico, located approximately one hour south of the city.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have utilized social media platforms to share multiple video appeals directed at their mother’s suspected abductor.
The family’s Instagram messages have evolved from emotional appeals to the potential captor, expressing willingness to negotiate and even pay ransom demands, to more desperate public pleas for assistance.
Thursday’s most recent video featured simple home footage of their mother along with a commitment to “never give up on her.”
Nancy Guthrie resided alone in the affluent Catalina Foothills area, characterized by widely spaced homes set back from streets behind lengthy driveways, security gates, and thick desert landscaping.
Savannah Guthrie spent her childhood in Tucson, earned her degree from the University of Arizona, and previously worked at a local television station in the city where her parents established themselves during the 1970s. She became part of the Today show team in 2011.
In one video message, she characterized her mother as a “loving woman of goodness and light.”
Savannah has spoken about how her mother kept their family united following her father’s fatal heart attack in 1988 when he was 49 years old, at a time when Savannah was only 16 and the youngest of three children.
NEW ORLEANS — Carnival season has arrived in New Orleans, bringing with it countless strands of traditional green, gold and purple Mardi Gras necklaces.
While parade-goers once treasured glass beads that were difficult to obtain, today’s celebrations feature mass-produced plastic necklaces from foreign manufacturers that float riders distribute freely. Though spectators often collect multiple strands during parades, many end up discarded on streets or thrown away. Following severe flooding several years ago, city workers discovered over 46 tons of these plastic trinkets blocking municipal storm drainage systems.
These necklaces have become an environmental concern, yet imagining Mardi Gras celebrations without them seems impossible. This challenge led the Krewe of Freret to take a bold stance last year by prohibiting plastic beads entirely from their parade route.
“Our riders loved it because the spectators don’t value this anymore,” said Greg Rhoades, who co-founded Freret. “It’s become so prolific that they dodge out of the way when they see cheap plastic beads coming at them.”
For this year’s festivities, the krewe has returned to distributing beads, but not the traditional plastic variety. Freret joins two other parade organizations in testing environmentally-friendly alternatives created by Louisiana State University researchers.
Graduate student Alexis Strain explained that these “PlantMe Beads” are manufactured using 3D printing technology with polylactic acid, a starch-derived material known as PLA. Each individual bead consists of a large hollow sphere filled with okra seeds, allowing the entire necklace to be planted in soil where the okra helps attract decomposition-promoting bacteria.
According to Kristi Trail, who serves as executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy, plastic beads create dual environmental hazards. Initially, they obstruct storm drainage systems and contribute to urban flooding. Subsequently, those that escape the drains flow directly into Lake Pontchartrain, potentially endangering aquatic ecosystems. Her organization currently plans to research microplastic contamination in the lake.
Environmental consciousness during Mardi Gras has expanded over recent years, with parade organizers increasingly choosing meaningful alternatives like food items, soap products, and sunglasses instead of disposable trinkets. Trail noted that while comprehensive data on these efforts’ effectiveness remains unavailable, recent grant funding should enable future impact assessments.
“Beads are obviously a problem, but we generate about 2.5 million pounds of trash from Mardi Gras,” Trail stated.
Strain conducts her research under Professor Naohiro Kato, an associate biology professor at LSU who conceived biodegradable bead development in 2013 following conversations with environmentally-concerned community members. Drawing on his plant biology expertise, Kato recognized that vegetation could serve as bioplastic source material and began exploring potential applications.
The laboratory’s initial biodegradable prototypes emerged in 2018 using bioplastic derived from microalgae. However, manufacturing expenses for algae-based beads proved too costly to compete with petroleum-based alternatives. Strain’s subsequent experimentation with 3D printing technology led to the PlantMe Bead innovation.
For the 2026 Carnival season, LSU students have manufactured 3,000 PlantMe Bead necklaces that they’re distributing to three parade organizations in exchange for design feedback and spectator response data.
Kato mentioned an amusing development: people have expressed appreciation for the PlantMe Beads’ uniqueness and desire to preserve them as keepsakes.
“So wait a minute, if you want to keep it, the petroleum-plastic Mardi Gras bead is the best, because this won’t last,” he observed.
The research team continues developing additional sustainable Mardi Gras solutions. Strain experiments with different 3D printing materials that decompose rapidly without requiring soil planting. Kato discusses partnerships with local educational institutions to transform bead production into community engagement projects, envisioning students creating necklaces while learning about bioplastics and plant science. He also continues investigating methods to make algae-based bioplastic economically feasible.
Nevertheless, Kato emphasized that replacing one plastic type with a less harmful alternative shouldn’t be the ultimate objective. He advocates for Mardi Gras celebrations to embrace waste reduction principles.
Rhoades confirmed that Freret shares this philosophy.
“In 2025, we were the first krewe — major parading organization — to say, ‘No more. No more cheap beads. Let’s throw things that people value, that people appreciate, that can be used year-round,’” Rhoades explained.
Among their most popular distribution items are baseball caps featuring the Freret logo. Rhoades regularly notices people wearing these hats throughout the city and reports that other parade organizations have taken notice.
“I really believe that we, and other krewes, are able to inspire your larger krewes,” he said. “They want people to like their stuff. They want people take their stuff home, and use it, and talk about it, and post it on social media, and say, ‘Look what I just caught!’”
A decades-long underwater mystery has finally been solved after researchers located the remains of a passenger steamship that disappeared beneath Lake Michigan’s waters more than 150 years ago.
The international organization Shipwreck World revealed Friday that explorers discovered the Lac La Belle approximately 20 miles from shore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin. The find was made in October 2022 by a team under the direction of Illinois underwater explorer Paul Ehorn.
During a Sunday telephone conversation with The Associated Press, Ehorn explained the delayed announcement occurred because his crew wanted to create a detailed three-dimensional video recording of the vessel. However, harsh weather conditions and scheduling conflicts prevented diving teams from returning to the site until this past summer.
The 80-year-old Ehorn, who has pursued shipwreck discoveries since age 15, revealed he had been hunting for the Lac La Belle’s resting place since 1965. A tip from fellow wreck researcher and writer Ross Richardson helped focus his 2022 search area, leading to the vessel’s detection through side-scan sonar technology within just two hours of searching.
“It’s kind of a game, like solve the puzzle. Sometimes you don’t have many pieces to put the puzzle together but this one worked out and we found it right away,” Ehorn explained. The discovery left him “super elated.”
While Ehorn chose not to reveal specifics about the breakthrough clue, Richardson shared in a brief Sunday phone call that a commercial fishing operator at an undisclosed location had caught something distinctive to 1800s steam vessels. Richardson withheld additional details, citing the competitive nature of shipwreck exploration and concerns about revealing research methods to other searchers.
Historical records from Shipwreck World indicate the Lac La Belle was constructed in 1864 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 217-foot vessel operated routes connecting Cleveland to Lake Superior until suffering damage in an 1866 St. Clair River collision. After being salvaged in 1869 and restored to service, the ship resumed passenger operations.
The steamer departed Milwaukee bound for Grand Haven, Michigan during stormy conditions on the evening of October 13, 1872, carrying 53 passengers and crew members along with cargo including barley, pork, flour and whiskey. Approximately two hours after departure, the vessel began flooding uncontrollably. The captain attempted to return to Milwaukee, but massive waves overwhelmed the ship, dousing the boilers. Storm currents pushed the disabled vessel southward until around 5 a.m., when the captain ordered evacuation and the ship sank stern-first.
During the rescue attempt, one lifeboat overturned while heading to shore, resulting in eight fatalities. The remaining lifeboats successfully reached the Wisconsin coastline in the Racine-Kenosha area.
According to Ehorn’s observations, invasive quagga mussels now coat the wreck’s exterior surfaces and the upper passenger cabins have deteriorated. However, the main hull structure appears sound and the oak interior components remain well-preserved.
The Great Lakes contain an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 shipwrecks according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Wisconsin Water Library, with most still awaiting discovery. Recent years have seen increased urgency among wreck hunters due to concerns that invasive quagga mussels are gradually damaging these underwater archaeological sites.
This marks Ehorn’s 15th successful shipwreck location. “It was one more to put a check mark by,” he noted. “Now it’s on to the next one. It’s getting harder and harder. The easier ones have been found.”
Civil rights organizations led by the NAACP have petitioned a federal court to establish safeguards for sensitive voter information that FBI agents confiscated from a Fulton County elections facility near Atlanta last month.
In a legal filing submitted Sunday evening, the groups argued that Georgia citizens provided their private details to the state in good faith when registering to vote. The January 28th raid on the county’s election operations center “violated that trust, trampled on constitutional privacy rights, and created barriers to voting,” according to their court motion.
The civil rights advocates are requesting judicial intervention to “establish appropriate restrictions on how the government handles the confiscated information” and prevent its use for anything beyond the specific criminal probe outlined in the search warrant documentation. Their demands include blocking any attempts to utilize the data for updating voter registration lists, managing elections, or enforcing immigration laws.
Additionally, the organizations want court orders requiring federal authorities to provide a complete list of all seized materials, identify everyone who has reviewed the records outside the investigation team, document any copying activities, and detail security measures protecting the information.
Justice Department officials had not responded to requests for comment about the motion by Monday evening.
Federal agents executed their search warrant at the elections warehouse located south of Atlanta, collecting materials from the 2020 election cycle including: complete ballot sets, scanner tape records from vote-counting machines, digital ballot copies generated during the initial count and subsequent recount, plus comprehensive voter registration databases. County officials have separately filed their own motion demanding return of the seized items.
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly targeted Fulton County, which serves as a Democratic stronghold and Georgia’s largest population center, claiming without supporting evidence that massive voting irregularities there denied him victory in the 2020 Georgia race.
According to the FBI agent’s sworn statement used to secure the search authorization, the criminal inquiry originated from information provided by Kurt Olsen, who previously counseled Trump during his efforts to reverse the 2020 election outcome and currently holds the position of Trump’s “director of election security and integrity” tasked with investigating the former president’s defeat.
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law submitted the motion representing the NAACP, its Georgia and Atlanta chapters, and the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda. The filing highlights that this seizure occurred while the Justice Department has been pursuing complete, unredacted voter registration databases from states nationwide.
Federal prosecutors have initiated legal action against no fewer than 23 states plus Washington D.C. attempting to obtain comprehensive voter information. Department officials claim they need this data to strengthen election security measures, though Democratic leaders and advocacy groups fear the sensitive information could serve other governmental purposes. Multiple federal courts across various states have denied the Justice Department’s requests for these records.
“This pattern of pursuing 2020 election materials, particularly by the same agency now controlling them, raises serious questions about voter data privacy and security while further discouraging voting participation,” the motion states.
Entertainment industry leaders are speaking out against ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, over its latest artificial intelligence technology that they claim illegally uses copyrighted material and celebrity images without consent.
The controversial tool, called Seedance 2.0, enables users to create professional-quality videos simply by typing text descriptions. While currently restricted to users in China, the technology has already sparked fierce criticism from major Hollywood organizations.
The Motion Picture Association has accused the platform of engaging in “unauthorized use of U.S. copyrighted works on a massive scale.”
Charles Rivkin, who serves as chairman and CEO of the MPA, issued a strong statement Tuesday demanding action. “By launching a service that operates without meaningful safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is disregarding well-established copyright law that protects the rights of creators and underpins millions of American jobs. ByteDance should immediately cease its infringing activity,” Rivkin declared.
The controversy intensified when Irish filmmaker Ruairí Robinson shared a video created with the AI tool showing digitally generated versions of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in a fictional battle scene. The post prompted “Deadpool” screenwriter Rhett Rheese to express his concerns on social media platform X, writing “I hate to say it. It’s likely over for us.”
The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA joined the criticism on Friday, releasing a statement condemning what they called obvious copyright violations. “The infringement includes the unauthorized use of our members’ voices and likenesses. This is unacceptable and undercuts the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood,” the union stated. “Seedance 2.0 disregards law, ethics, industry standards and basic principles of consent. Responsible AI development demands responsibility, and that is nonexistent here.”
In response to the mounting pressure, ByteDance issued its own statement Sunday acknowledging the concerns while defending its commitment to protecting creative rights. “(We) have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0. We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users,” the company responded.
Federal investigators have uncovered genetic evidence on a discarded glove that may link to the masked individual suspected in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie.
According to the FBI, the glove containing DNA material was discovered approximately two miles away from Guthrie’s residence in a roadside field. Laboratory analysis was conducted on the evidence, with the bureau receiving initial test results on Saturday while waiting for final verification, officials announced Sunday.
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona home on January 31st and was reported as a missing person the next day. Investigators discovered blood evidence on her front porch. While alleged ransom demands were delivered to media organizations, two payment deadlines have already expired without resolution.
During the search operation, law enforcement recovered roughly 16 gloves from the surrounding area, though most belonged to search team members who had dropped them during the investigation, according to federal authorities.
This evidence emerged following the release of security camera footage showing a masked individual at Guthrie’s front entrance. The surveillance video captured someone wearing a ski mask, jacket, long pants, and gloves while carrying a backpack on the front porch.
Federal agents identified this person as a suspect on Thursday, describing him as a male approximately 5 feet, 9 inches in height with an average build. The individual was seen carrying an “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack with a 25-liter capacity.
Law enforcement officials have expressed urgent concerns regarding Nancy Guthrie’s medical needs, as she requires essential daily medications. According to sheriff’s department communications obtained through broadcastify.com, she has a pacemaker implanted and suffers from elevated blood pressure and cardiac complications.
During the early stages of the investigation, authorities had previously collected genetic material from Nancy Guthrie’s property that did not match her DNA or that of people known to have regular contact with her. Investigators continue working to determine the identity of this unknown genetic evidence.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced Sunday that his party stands ready to invest massive resources in Virginia’s redistricting battle, potentially spending tens of millions of dollars to secure four additional congressional seats.
Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Jeffries declared Democrats will commit “whatever it takes” to ensure victory in Virginia’s April ballot measure on redistricting.
This aggressive strategy represents part of a broader national battle over congressional district boundaries as both political parties pursue increasingly combative redistricting tactics leading up to November’s midterm elections.
The GOP, which maintains a slim House majority, has already implemented new district maps in states including Texas, Missouri, Ohio, and North Carolina. Meanwhile, California voters have approved a Democratic redistricting initiative.
Maryland presents another potential battleground, where some Democrats seek to redraw maps to eliminate the state’s only Republican-held congressional seat. However, state Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat, indicated insufficient support exists in his chamber and confirmed no vote is planned on the legislation.
When asked about Ferguson’s position, Jeffries said he hadn’t spoken with the Maryland leader recently but would engage in discussions “at some point” if opposition continues.
The Virginia Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Democratic redistricting initiative can proceed to an April voter referendum, setting the stage for the high-stakes campaign.
“We’re striking back,” Jeffries explained to CNN. “We’re going to make sure that there’s a fair national map.”
The current redistricting wars stem from a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court decision that removed federal courts from overseeing partisan gerrymandering cases, leaving redistricting battles to individual states. Former President Donald Trump’s calls for aggressive Republican redistricting prompted Democrats to adopt similarly confrontational tactics.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina expressed concerns on CBS’s “Face the Nation” about his party’s ability to retain House control, citing redistricting challenges among his worries.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Political leaders showed no indication of finding middle ground Sunday in the ongoing dispute over federal immigration enforcement oversight that has resulted in a Department of Homeland Security funding freeze.
The partial shutdown started Saturday when Congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s administration couldn’t agree on funding legislation for the department through September. The disagreement stems from Democratic calls for reformed immigration enforcement practices following last month’s deadly shootings of American citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis.
With Congress in recess until February 23rd, neither party appears ready to budge from their stance. The funding gap impacts multiple agencies including the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Coast Guard, Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Customs and Border Protection.
Despite the shutdown, ICE and CBP operations continue without interruption thanks to additional funding secured through Trump’s 2025 tax and spending legislation, which allocated extra billions for deportation activities. Approximately 90% of DHS staff will keep working throughout the shutdown, though without receiving paychecks — creating potential financial strain for thousands of workers. The nation experienced a record 43-day government closure last year.
Border czar Tom Homan stated the administration refuses to accept Democratic requirements that federal agents identify themselves clearly, remove face coverings during operations, and wear unique identification numbers.
“I don’t like the masks, either,” Homan said, But, he said, “These men and women have to protect themselves.”
Democratic lawmakers are also pushing for mandatory body cameras on immigration agents and requiring judicial warrants before making arrests on private property.
New York Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, argued Democrats are simply requesting that federal agents follow standard procedures used by local law enforcement nationwide.
“And the question that Americans are asking is, ‘Why aren’t Republicans going along with these commonsense proposals?’” Schumer said. “They’re not crazy. They’re not way out. They’re what every police department in America does.”
Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin expressed willingness to support body camera requirements and enhanced training programs. However, he opposed demands for agents to remove masks and provide clear identification, citing concerns about harassment and doxxing of officers involved in immigration operations.
“What are you going to do, expose their faces so you can intimidate their families?” Mullins said. “What we want is ICE to be able to do their job. And we would love for local law enforcement and for states to cooperate with us.”
Alabama Republican Senator Katie Britt, a Trump supporter who advocated for a two-week DHS funding extension during negotiations, criticized Democrats for abandoning discussions, calling their decision “shortsighted.”
Immigration enforcement served as a cornerstone of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, with promises of aggressive detention and deportation of individuals residing in the United States without legal authorization.
According to DHS statistics, more than 675,000 migrants have been deported since Trump resumed office last year, with the department claiming an additional 2.2 million have voluntarily left the country as the Republican president prioritized immigration enforcement.
“President Trump is not going to back away from the mission, the mission that American people said they wanted him to complete, and that is securing our border and making sure that we actually do interior enforcement,” Britt said.
The comments came during Sunday morning political programs, with Homan appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Schumer and Mullin on CNN’s “State of the Union,” and Britt interviewed on “Fox News Sunday.”
Delaware State Police are actively searching for two armed suspects following a Tuesday evening robbery at a Dover tobacco store.
Authorities responded to the New York Smoke Shop at 3150 North Dupont Highway around 10:00 p.m. on January 27, 2026, after receiving reports of an armed robbery. According to investigators, two men wielding hatchets burst into the store and forced the employee to open the cash register. The pair grabbed money and several tobacco items before fleeing on foot.
Police describe both suspects as males dressed in dark clothing who concealed their identities with face masks and wore gloves during the crime.
The case remains under active investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit. Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to reach out to Detective D. Adams at (302) 698-8442. Tips can also be submitted through private messages to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Crime victims and witnesses seeking support can access assistance around the clock through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center. Help is available by calling the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or by emailing [email protected].
A dangerous winter storm is barreling toward the Delmarva Peninsula, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning from 7 PM tonight through 1 PM Monday.
The storm is expected to bring 7 to 13 inches of heavy snow and sleet, along with up to three-tenths of an inch of ice accumulation across central and northern Delaware, northeast Maryland, and portions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“Travel could be nearly impossible,” warns the National Weather Service. Ice buildup on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread power outages and tree damage throughout the region.
Locally, New Castle and Kent counties in Delaware, along with Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Caroline counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, are all under the warning. The hazardous conditions are expected to severely impact Monday morning’s commute.
Officials strongly advise residents to avoid unnecessary travel. If you must drive, keep emergency supplies including a flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle. For the latest road conditions, dial 511.
The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 1 PM Monday. TV Delmarva will continue monitoring conditions and providing updates throughout the storm.
Dover authorities have arrested a school bus driver after surveillance video captured him engaging in sexual activity with a woman on his bus while parked in a residential area.
Alvin Rohm, 62, of Dover, faces charges of patronizing a prostitute within 1,000 feet of a school, residence, church or other place, as well as lewdness, according to Dover Police.
The investigation began when a local school district employee was examining bus video footage as part of an unrelated matter on January 6th, 2026. During that review, the employee discovered recordings that showed Rohm collecting a woman near the intersection of Governors Avenue and Loockerman Street before driving to Jerusalem Way.
According to Lt. Mark Hoffman, Dover Police Public Information Officer, the video evidence showed Rohm participating in sexual acts with the woman and exchanging money for those services while the bus was parked on Jerusalem Way.
Police clarify that Rohm was not directly employed by the school district but rather worked for a private company that provides transportation services under contract.
School officials immediately turned over the video evidence to Dover Police, who launched their own investigation into the matter.
Authorities took Rohm into custody on January 12th without any complications. He was subsequently released on his own recognizance bond pending further court proceedings.
The case highlights the importance of surveillance systems on school buses and the ongoing oversight of contracted transportation services in the Dover area.
WILMINGTON, Del. – Authorities in New Castle County are actively searching for a Maryland man accused of running home improvement scams targeting local residents.
Police have issued a warrant for 58-year-old Richard Kirchner, who lives in Elkton, Maryland. Kirchner faces charges related to several alleged fraudulent home improvement schemes.
The investigation began on January 14, 2026, when law enforcement officers were called to several homes along South Tupelo Turn in Wilmington’s Pepper Ridge Townhouse development.
According to the New Castle County Division of Police, their investigation revealed that Kirchner was connected to multiple fraudulent home improvement operations targeting residents in the area.
Anyone with information about Kirchner’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the New Castle County Police immediately.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re starting Thursday with a few lingering snow flurries through 7am, but don’t worry – any accumulation will be minimal. Once that clears out, we’re looking at a much brighter day with mostly sunny skies and a high of 36 degrees. Now, bundle up if you’re heading out today! We’ve got some gusty west winds at 15 to 20 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 35 mph. That’ll make it feel quite a bit chillier than our actual temperature, so grab that winter coat and maybe secure any loose outdoor items. Tonight turns partly cloudy and quite cold, with lows dropping to a brisk 21 degrees – definitely a night to keep the heat on and maybe enjoy some hot cocoa indoors. Looking ahead to Friday, we’re in for a treat with full sunshine and a slightly warmer high of 38 degrees. Friday night brings increasing clouds with lows around 29.
Millions of Verizon wireless customers, including Delmarva subscribers, found themselves without cellular service Wednesday afternoon as the telecommunications giant battled a nationwide network disruption affecting both voice calls and data connections.
The service interruption began impacting users around noon Eastern Time, with frustrated customers taking to social media platforms to report their devices displaying no signal bars or emergency-only “SOS” indicators.
Verizon, which serves over 146 million subscribers nationwide, acknowledged the technical difficulties and stated that their engineering teams were actively investigating the problem and working toward a swift resolution.
By mid-afternoon, the wireless carrier provided an updated statement acknowledging the significant impact on customers’ daily activities while reaffirming their dedication to restoring normal service as rapidly as possible. However, company officials did not specify what caused the widespread disruption or provide an estimated timeline for full restoration.
The outage prompted emergency management agencies in major cities to issue public advisories. Washington D.C.’s emergency alert system notified residents about the nationwide service disruption, recommending that people experiencing emergencies seek help through alternative wireless carriers, traditional landline phones, or by visiting local police stations and fire departments directly.
Similarly, New York City’s emergency management office confirmed awareness of the telecommunications disruption and announced they were coordinating with various partners to evaluate potential impacts on municipal services and critical infrastructure.
While some users reported difficulties with T-Mobile service, a company representative clarified that their network was functioning properly. The spokesperson explained that T-Mobile customers might experience problems reaching people using Verizon devices due to the ongoing outage affecting the competing carrier.
AT&T also confirmed their network operations remained unaffected by the technical issues plaguing their competitor, with normal service continuing across Delmarva, and their other coverage areas.
New Castle County police are investigating after a teenage girl was wounded in a shooting at an apartment complex Monday evening.
Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the Paladin Club Apartments located in the 8000 block of Park Court around 9:16 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2024, following reports of gunfire.
According to initial findings from investigators, a dispute took place outside the residential complex that led to a 15-year-old female being shot.
The New Castle County Division of Police is continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident.
A Wilmington man is now behind bars facing numerous charges after Delaware State Police connected him to an armed robbery that took place at a local grocery store last fall.
Authorities have charged 36-year-old Charles Carter with robbery and multiple related offenses stemming from the November incident at La Oaxaquena Grocery Store on North Maryland Avenue in Wilmington.
The robbery unfolded on November 14, 2025, around 3:30 in the afternoon when two men walked into the grocery store and ordered an employee to hand over cash. During the holdup, one of the robbers aimed a gun at both workers and shoppers inside the store. While attempting to reach across the counter, the armed individual stumbled and accidentally discharged the weapon once. Fortunately, nobody suffered injuries in the incident. The pair escaped with store money and personal items belonging to an employee before speeding away in a dark-colored car.
Law enforcement officers quickly determined the escape vehicle was a black Hyundai Elantra bearing Virginia license plates. The following evening, November 15, 2025, around 9:00 p.m., Wilmington Police spotted and pulled over the sedan. The driver was identified as Ignacio Reyes-Hernandez, who was subsequently arrested by State Police detectives as one of the robbery participants. Further investigation led authorities to identify Carter as the second suspect, prompting them to secure an arrest warrant.
Carter’s arrest came on January 12, 2026, when members of the New Castle County Governor’s Task Force stopped a Toyota Camry in which he was riding as a passenger. Officers took him into custody without any complications. A search of Carter revealed 9mm bullets and six oxycodone tablets on his person. Additional searching of the vehicle turned up roughly 0.68 grams of crack cocaine along with a digital scale. Investigators also linked Carter to multiple theft cases at both Concord Mall and Christiana Mall. The remaining individuals in the car were also arrested on lesser charges.
Following his arrest, Carter was transported to Troop 6 for processing. He appeared before Justice of the Peace Court 11 for arraignment and is currently being held at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution. His bail has been set at $78,280 in cash and secured bonds.
The extensive list of charges against Carter includes first-degree robbery, using a firearm while committing a felony, illegal firearm possession by a previously convicted felon, first-degree reckless endangering, two counts of aggravated menacing, wearing a disguise during a felony, three counts of second-degree conspiracy, felony shoplifting over $1,500, attempted felony shoplifting over $1,500, two counts of shoplifting under $1,500, two counts of third-degree conspiracy, two counts of controlled substance possession without prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Delaware environmental and public health officials are launching a new initiative to identify water infrastructure projects eligible for federal funding support.
Starting this Friday, January 16th, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will work alongside the Division of Public Health to collect proposals for water system enhancements. This collaboration marks the beginning of their effort to establish the 2026 priority rankings for both the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs.
Officials emphasize that any project seeking financial assistance through these programs must first secure a position on the respective priority lists. The state agencies will use these rankings to determine which water quality initiatives receive funding support through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act resources.
The solicitation process represents Delaware’s systematic approach to improving water infrastructure statewide, ensuring that the most critical projects receive priority consideration for available federal dollars.
The South Wilmington Wetlands Park (shown above in 2020) was designed to create a stormwater management facility and remediate and restore 22 acres of wetlands along the Christina River in the South Wilmington area. /Delaware DNREC photo
Delaware residents will be able to submit their 2025 individual tax returns beginning January 26, 2026, according to the state’s Division of Revenue.
While the filing window opens late this month, taxpayers will need to wait an additional three weeks before receiving any refunds. The state won’t start distributing refunds until February 16, 2026, as part of enhanced security protocols designed to protect residents from fraudulent activity.
State officials are urging Delaware taxpayers to submit their returns digitally rather than through traditional mail. Electronic filing significantly reduces processing times compared to paper submissions, which can experience delays.
The three-week gap between the start of filing season and refund distribution represents the state’s commitment to implementing stronger safeguards against tax-related fraud schemes that have targeted taxpayers in recent years.
A Delaware chef is heading to the world stage after being handpicked to serve Italy’s Olympic team at the 2026 Winter Games, according to The Cafe on 26’s Facebook page.
Maria Fraser, who owns and operates The Cafe on 26 in Oceanview as executive chef, received the exclusive invitation to prepare cuisine for Team Italy during the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The selection represents a remarkable achievement for Fraser and brings significant attention to Delaware’s restaurant industry on an international level. Being chosen to feed an entire Olympic team is considered one of the highest honors in the culinary world.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, will mark the first time Italy has hosted the Winter Games since 1956. The competition will take place across multiple venues in the Italian Alps, with events scheduled from February 6-22, 2026.
Fraser’s appointment puts the Delmarva Peninsula on the map in an unexpected way, showcasing the region’s culinary talent to a global audience.
This opportunity will likely provide tremendous exposure for both Fraser and The Cafe on 26, potentially attracting food enthusiasts and tourists to the Oceanview establishment. The recognition also highlights the quality of culinary professionals working in Delaware’s restaurant scene.
Sussex County Council has unanimously rejected a massive retail development that would have brought major stores like Costco and Target to John J Williams Hwy (Rt 24) near Rehoboth Beach, citing traffic concerns that have plagued area residents for years.
The January 13th decision blocks the Atlantic Fields project, which sought to transform 73.5 acres of agricultural land at the northeast corner of John J Williams Hwy and Mulberry Knoll Road into a sprawling 665,000-square-foot shopping complex.
Council members denied the request to rezone the property from agricultural-residential use to planned commercial district, effectively killing the $175 million development that also promised to include Whole Foods, Nordstrom Rack, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Hobby Lobby, and Ross Stores.
Ben Hoskins, president of Southside Investment Partners, had told the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission during September hearings that the project would create approximately 1,750 permanent positions.
However, traffic impact studies revealed the development would generate more than 26,000 additional daily vehicle trips on a stretch of Route 24 that already handles nearly 19,000 vehicles year-round and over 23,700 during busy summer months.
The traffic concerns have been a persistent source of frustration for local residents, particularly since John J Williams Hwy narrows to just two lanes west of the proposed site, creating bottlenecks near two area schools. Making matters worse, the Delaware Department of Transportation has no set timeline for planned road improvements, including expanding the Love Creek Bridge.
While DelDOT had required traffic studies that led to proposed road improvements costing between $3 million and $4 million, including upgrades to Mulberry Knoll Road and John J Williams Hwy near the development site, these measures weren’t enough to address community concerns about safety and congestion around nearby schools.
The rejection represents a significant victory for residents who have long complained about deteriorating traffic conditions on this crucial corridor connecting inland communities to Delaware’s popular coastal destinations.
Nine years after a deadly shooting claimed two lives at a Newark apartment complex, investigators are still working to solve the double homicide that shocked the local community.
La’Hmeer Carter, age 20, and Brian Eller, age 32, were both fatally shot on January 12, 2015, at the Vinings at Christiana Apartments located on Vinings Way in Newark.
New Castle County Police officers arrived at the apartment complex at around 7:18 that evening after receiving reports of the shooting. The incident occurred in the 19702 zip code area of Newark.
Despite nearly a decade passing since the tragic event, the case remains open as detectives continue their investigation into what led to the deaths of both men that winter evening.
The double homicide represents one of the ongoing cold cases that local law enforcement continues to pursue, hoping that new information or evidence might eventually lead to answers for the families of both victims.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the New Castle County Police Department as investigators remain committed to finding justice for Carter and Eller.
Milford police have arrested a Dover man in connection with an attempted bank burglary that occurred earlier this month.
Authorities have charged John A Carey Jr., age 26, from Dover, Delaware, as the primary suspect in the case. The incident took place on January 8th at a local banking facility in Milford.
Law enforcement officials were able to successfully identify Carey through their ongoing investigation into the attempted break-in. The suspect now faces charges related to the unsuccessful burglary attempt.
This marks the second update police have provided regarding their investigation into the incident at the Milford-area bank. Officers continue to work on gathering additional details about the case.
The Milford Police Department has not released further specifics about the circumstances surrounding the attempted burglary or whether additional suspects may be involved.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re starting Tuesday with some beautiful sunshine across the peninsula, and it’s shaping up to be a pleasant day despite the chilly January temperatures.
Today will be sunny with highs reaching around 50 degrees – not bad for mid-January! You’ll feel a gentle southwest breeze at 5 to 10 mph, so it might feel just a touch cooler when you’re out and about. Perfect weather for any outdoor errands or a brisk walk.
Tonight, we’ll see clouds moving in as temperatures drop to around 38 degrees. Wednesday brings mostly cloudy skies with highs near 52 degrees, so we’ll actually warm up a degree or two.
However, here’s what you need to know for planning ahead: Wednesday night is when things get interesting. Temperatures will plummet to around 27 degrees, and we’re likely to see a mix of rain and snow developing. This could impact Thursday morning’s commute, so keep that in mind.
Enjoy today’s sunshine, Delmarva – stay warm and have a great Tuesday!
Delaware State Police have taken a 64-year-old Felton resident into custody on felony charges after what authorities say was his fifth drunk driving offense. Whitey Moore was apprehended Saturday afternoon during a traffic stop in the Camden-Wyoming area.
The incident unfolded around 2:00 p.m. on January 10, 2026, when a state trooper noticed a GMC Sierra swerving between lanes while traveling west on Henry Cowgill Road near Dundee Road. Upon running the vehicle’s registration, officers discovered the license plate was not properly registered, prompting the traffic stop.
When the trooper approached Moore’s vehicle, the driver displayed clear indicators of being under the influence of alcohol. A subsequent vehicle search uncovered several empty alcoholic beverage containers. Officers transported Moore to Troop 3 headquarters, where his condition remained consistent with alcohol impairment, leading authorities to secure a warrant for blood testing.
Records checks revealed Moore’s extensive history with impaired driving violations, showing four previous DUI convictions on his record. Additionally, his driving privileges had been suspended at the time of Saturday’s arrest.
Following his arraignment at Justice of the Peace Court 7, Moore now faces multiple charges including fifth-offense DUI as a felony, operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license, and several additional traffic violations. He remains incarcerated at Sussex Correctional Institution with bail set at $5,700 cash.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re starting this Friday with partly sunny skies and pleasant conditions, but don’t let that fool you – changes are coming our way.
This afternoon will see partly sunny skies give way to increasing clouds, with temperatures climbing to a comfortable 58 degrees. Keep that umbrella handy though, as we have a 40% chance of light rain developing after 1 PM. Southerly winds will be gentle at 5 to 10 mph, and any rainfall amounts should stay under a tenth of an inch.
Tonight, that chance of light rain continues as temperatures drop to around 46 degrees – perfect sleeping weather if you enjoy the sound of raindrops.
Looking ahead to your Saturday, rain becomes more likely with highs only reaching 53 degrees. The wet weather looks to stick around through Saturday night as temperatures dip to 41 degrees.
So enjoy this morning’s partly sunny skies, grab that rain gear for later, and have a wonderful Friday! Stay dry out there Delmarva.
A Dover contractor is facing serious criminal charges after authorities say he took thousands of dollars from an elderly victim for home improvement work that was never finished.
Delaware State Police have taken 59-year-old Stephen Kurtz into custody on charges of home improvement fraud and felony theft. The investigation into Kurtz’s alleged criminal activity started in November 2025.
According to investigators, Kurtz entered into an agreement with a 64-year-old Rehoboth Beach resident in February 2025 to perform construction services. The victim paid Kurtz more than $38,000 for the promised work, but authorities say the project was never completed and the homeowner never received their money back.
Law enforcement officials secured an arrest warrant for Kurtz following their investigation. He was taken into custody on January 7, 2026, and appeared before Justice of the Peace Court 2 for arraignment. Kurtz was subsequently released after posting a $10,000 unsecured bond.
The charges against Kurtz include:
• Home Improvement Fraud by False Pretense involving $1,500 or more with a victim aged 62 or older (Felony) • Theft of $1,500 or more with a victim aged 62 or older (Felony)
Delaware State Police believe there may be additional victims who were similarly deceived by Kurtz. Investigators are encouraging anyone who believes they may have been defrauded by the suspect to reach out to Troop 4 Financial Crimes at 302-856-5850.
Tips can also be submitted through a private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Milford law enforcement authorities have made progress in their investigation of an attempted bank break-in by successfully identifying the male individual they had been seeking.
Police officials confirmed that the previously unidentified suspect in the attempted burglary case has now been determined through their ongoing investigation.
The identification represents a significant development in the case involving the local financial institution, though additional details about the suspect or potential charges have not yet been released by the Milford Police Department.
This story is developing and TV Delmarva will continue to follow the investigation as more information becomes available from local authorities.
A New Castle woman who had been the subject of a missing person search has been found safe, according to local authorities.
Sharon Figueroa, who prompted officials to issue a Gold Alert when she disappeared, has been successfully located. Law enforcement has confirmed that the alert system activation has been discontinued following her safe recovery.
Gold Alerts are typically issued for missing adults who may be in danger due to age, health conditions, or other circumstances that could put them at risk.
No additional details about the circumstances of Figueroa’s disappearance or the conditions under which she was found have been released at this time.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re waking up to a chilly but pleasant start this Thursday. Calm winds and plenty of sunshine are on tap!
Today will be a beautiful winter day across the peninsula with sunny skies and temperatures climbing to a comfortable 51 degrees. It’s perfect weather for getting outside and enjoying some fresh air – just grab a light jacket for the morning hours.
Tonight will stay pleasant with partly cloudy skies and lows dipping to around 35 degrees. Looking ahead to Friday, we’ll see partly sunny conditions with highs near 58 degrees, but keep an eye on the sky later in the day as we have a slight chance of some light rain moving in Friday night.
Overall, it’s shaping up to be a nice stretch of January weather for our area.
Good evening, Delmarva! We’re wrapping up Wednesday with a crisp but pleasant night ahead. Temperatures will dip to around 33 degrees under mostly clear skies, with light northwest winds keeping things calm across the peninsula.
Looking ahead to Thursday, you’ll want to shed those heavy winter coats! We’re in for a beautiful sunny day with temperatures climbing to a very comfortable 50 degrees – that’s well above normal for early January. It’s perfect weather for getting outside and soaking up some sunshine.
Thursday night will see increasing clouds as temperatures drop back to 35 degrees. Friday brings partly sunny skies with highs reaching 58 degrees, though we may see our first chance of precipitation with some light rain possible later in the day.
This mild pattern is quite a treat for January! Take advantage of Thursday’s sunshine – it’s going to be a gorgeous day across the Delmarva Peninsula. Stay warm tonight, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow with your updated forecast!
Delaware State Police have taken a 49-year-old Newark man into custody on felony assault charges after he allegedly attacked a woman with pepper spray during a Tuesday afternoon road rage encounter.
Police say James Atkins became involved in a traffic dispute with a female driver on Ruthar Drive near Red Mill Road around 3:15 p.m. on January 6, 2026. According to investigators, the confrontation escalated when Atkins pursued the woman into the parking area of Aspira Delaware on Ruthar Drive. Once there, authorities say Atkins positioned his truck to prevent the woman from leaving the lot.
The victim sought assistance from school personnel in the area before returning to her car. At that point, police report that Atkins deployed pepper spray against the woman before retreating to his vehicle. A second altercation ensued when the woman approached Atkins’ truck, resulting in damage to his vehicle.
Law enforcement officers apprehended Atkins at the scene without resistance.
Medical personnel transported the female victim to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Following his arrest, Atkins was processed at Troop 6 headquarters and formally charged with second-degree assault, a felony offense. Justice of the Peace Court 11 conducted his arraignment, and he was subsequently housed at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution under a $10,000 cash bond.
Dover Police Department detectives are working to solve a gunfire incident that took place Tuesday evening in the unit block of South New Street.
Officers responded to reports of gunshots at 7:01 p.m. on January 6th, 2026, according to Master Corporal Ryan Schmid, the department’s Public Information Officer. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered that bullets had hit both a car and a residential property.
According to the investigation, two individuals were sitting inside a vehicle when unidentified attackers opened fire on them. Following the gunfire, one of the individuals fled the car on foot and left the area. Fortunately, neither person sustained injuries from the shooting, though the vehicle and a house in the vicinity were damaged by bullets.
The individual who fled the scene has declined to assist police with their investigation, officials said.
At this time, authorities have not released any suspect information or leads in the case.
The investigation remains active, and Dover Police are asking community members with any relevant information to call (302) 736-7130. Those who wish to provide tips can do so anonymously.
Additionally, residents can submit information through Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 800-TIP-3333 or visiting www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com online. Crime Stoppers may offer a monetary reward for tips that result in an arrest.
This is case number 50-26-578. Anyone with information about the South New Street shooting is encouraged to contact Dover Police or Crime Stoppers.
Authorities have successfully located Grant Lenox, the Newark resident who had been reported missing, prompting officials to call off the search alert that had been issued.
The Gold Alert that was previously activated to help locate Lenox has now been officially canceled following his safe recovery.
No additional details about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance or the location where he was found have been released at this time.
A Magnolia resident is facing multiple charges after law enforcement officers spent over two hours negotiating his surrender during a tense standoff in Dover on Tuesday afternoon.
Traymere Stevens, age 29, was taken into custody at approximately 4:49 p.m. following the incident that began around 2:27 p.m. in the Unit block of Fairway Lakes Drive.
According to Dover Police, a joint law enforcement team including the Dover Police Department’s Drugs, Vice and Organized Crime Unit, the US Marshals First State Fugitive Task Force, and ATF agents had arrived to apprehend Stevens in connection with a shooting incident from June 2025.
When officers moved to make the arrest, Stevens fled into a nearby apartment and barricaded himself inside, refusing to come out. This prompted police to call in their Special Operations Response Team along with Crisis Negotiations specialists to handle the situation.
The standoff lasted approximately two and a half hours before Stevens voluntarily surrendered without any additional complications.
During their subsequent search of the apartment, investigators discovered significant quantities of illegal substances including 33.5 grams of cocaine and 51.5 grams of crack cocaine. Officers also recovered a silver revolver.
Stevens has been processed at SCI with bail set at $188,000 cash. He faces an extensive list of charges including Assault First Degree, multiple counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, four counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, two counts of Possession of a Firearm By a Person Prohibited, Tampering With Physical Evidence, Criminal Mischief Over $5000, Conspiracy Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, Criminal Mischief Under $1000, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The case stems from a shooting investigation that Dover Police have been pursuing since June of last year. Stevens is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid serves as the Dover Police Department’s Public Information Officer for this case.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re starting Wednesday with some thick fog blanketing the peninsula, but don’t worry – it’ll clear out by 9 AM as west winds pick up.
Once that fog lifts, we’re in for a pleasant winter day with mostly sunny skies and temperatures climbing to a comfortable 54 degrees. Those west winds will be noticeable though, running 5 to 15 mph with gusts potentially reaching 30 mph, so secure any loose outdoor items.
Tonight brings mostly clear skies as we cool down to a chilly 33 degrees – typical for early January. It’s a great night to cozy up indoors!
Looking ahead to Thursday, we’ll see another nice day with mostly sunny conditions and highs around 50 degrees. Clouds will start building Thursday night as temperatures dip to 36.
Overall, it’s shaping up to be a beautiful couple of days across the peninsula after we get past this morning’s foggy start. Perfect weather for getting outside and enjoying some fresh winter air!
Stay warm and have a wonderful Wednesday, Delmarva!
Delaware State Police detectives are working to identify a suspect who held up a Claymont area convenience store during the overnight hours Tuesday.
Authorities were called to the Dash In store on Philadelphia Pike at 3700 around 2:40 a.m. on January 6, 2026, following reports of an armed robbery. According to investigators, a male suspect entered the establishment and threatened an employee while pretending to be carrying a weapon. The individual forced the worker to access the cash drawer before fleeing with money from the register. The perpetrator escaped on foot, though police have not determined which direction he traveled. Store personnel were not harmed during the crime.
Police have released a description of the individual they’re seeking: a male dressed entirely in black attire, including a facial covering and gloves.
The case remains under active investigation by Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit detectives. Authorities are asking members of the public who may have seen the robbery or possess information related to the case to reach out to Detective R. Strecker by calling (302) 365-8413. Tips can also be submitted through private messaging on the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Crime victims, witnesses, or families affected by sudden loss can access support services around the clock through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center. The toll-free assistance hotline is available at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461), and services can also be reached via email at [email protected].
MIDDLETOWN, Del. – New Castle County police have taken two people into custody after a chase that started when an officer noticed suspicious behavior at a local construction site.
The incident unfolded late Friday evening, January 2nd, around 11:08 p.m. when a patrol officer spotted an older Ford F-150 pickup truck with blue and white coloring departing from a construction area within the Whitehall development in Middletown.
According to police reports, the officer became suspicious when he witnessed the vehicle leaving the under-construction portion of the neighborhood. When the truck exited the development, the officer attempted to make contact with the occupants.
The situation escalated when the suspects fled the scene, leading to a pursuit through the Crystal Run Farms area. Details about the length of the chase and specific charges have not yet been released by authorities.
Both individuals were successfully apprehended and are now in police custody. The New Castle County Division of Police has not disclosed the identities of the suspects or provided information about potential charges they may face.
The investigation into what the suspects were doing at the construction site remains ongoing. Police encourage anyone with information about this incident to contact the New Castle County Division of Police.
Authorities are working to identify the person responsible for firing multiple rounds into a Frankford home Sunday evening, leaving five residents shaken but uninjured.
The incident unfolded around 8:30 p.m. on January 5, 2026, when law enforcement officers were dispatched to the area of Honolulu Road and Kauffman Lane following reports of gunfire. According to initial findings from investigators, an unidentified individual discharged several rounds that hit a home where five people were present at the time.
The case remains under active investigation by Delaware State Police Troop 4’s Criminal Investigations Unit. Authorities are seeking assistance from the public and encourage anyone with pertinent details to reach out to Detective P. LaPlaca at (302) 752-3798. Tips can also be submitted through private messages to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Those affected by crime or sudden loss have access to support services around the clock through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center. The toll-free assistance line is available at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461), and support can also be requested via email at [email protected].
Dover police are actively investigating an armed theft that occurred Sunday evening in a residential area of the city.
Officers responded to the unit block of Rockford Crossing at approximately 10:03 p.m. on January 4th following reports of a robbery, according to Master Corporal Ryan Schmid, the Dover Police Department’s Public Information Officer.
During their investigation, police learned that a victim had been confronted by a Black male suspect carrying a silver firearm. The armed individual ordered the victim to hand over their electric scooter.
When the victim fled the scene on foot, the suspect made off with the scooter and disappeared from the area.
Police have not released any additional suspect information or investigative leads at this time.
The case remains under active investigation. Dover Police are encouraging anyone with relevant information to contact them at (302) 736-7130, with the option to remain anonymous.
Residents can also provide tips through Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 800-TIP-3333 or visiting www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com online. Crime Stoppers may offer a cash reward for information that results in an arrest.
The incident has been assigned case number 50-26-367.
Dover police are seeking information about an armed robbery that targeted a food delivery driver Friday evening in the 800 block of Carvel Drive.
According to authorities, the incident unfolded around 5:43 p.m. on January 2nd when officers responded to reports of a robbery in the area. Police say the victim had been making a food delivery and discovered an unknown person sitting in his driver’s seat when he returned to his car.
The situation escalated when three additional suspects approached the scene on foot, with one claiming to be armed with a gun, according to the Dover Police Department. The group then demanded the victim hand over his belongings.
Police report the victim managed to escape by running from the scene, but the four suspects made off with items from his vehicle before fleeing the area. Authorities describe all four suspects as Black males but have not released additional descriptive details.
The investigation remains active, and Dover Police currently have no further leads to share with the public.
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid with the Dover Police Department is serving as the public information officer for this case. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant information is encouraged to contact Dover Police at (302) 736-7130.
Those wishing to provide tips anonymously can reach Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or submit information online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com. A monetary reward may be available for information that leads to an arrest in this case.
Law enforcement officials are looking into a drive-by shooting that happened in the early hours of Friday morning in a Magnolia residential area.
Authorities were called to Whitetail Lane’s 100 block around 9:30 a.m. on January 2, 2026, following a delayed report of gunfire in the neighborhood. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered bullet casings scattered across the street in front of a home. Fortunately, no individuals were harmed and no houses sustained damage from the gunfire.
Initial findings from the investigation indicate that around 2:00 a.m. that same morning, an unidentified dark-colored SUV passed by the residence and fired several shots in the direction of the house before speeding away from the scene.
The case remains under active investigation by Delaware State Police Troop 3’s Criminal Investigations Unit. Investigators are requesting that anyone who may have witnessed the incident or possesses relevant information reach out to Detective I. Hitchens at 302-698-8503. Tips can also be submitted through a private message on the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Those affected by crime or sudden loss can access support through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, which provides assistance around the clock via their hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). Support can also be requested by emailing [email protected].
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re starting this Tuesday with gray skies and mild January temperatures as clouds blanket the peninsula. Expect a high near 49 degrees today with very light south winds keeping things calm.
The big weather story today is our slight chance of very light rain developing after 5 PM. Don’t worry though – we’re only looking at a 20% chance, so most of you will stay dry during the evening commute. If you do see any sprinkles, they’ll be brief and light.
Tonight, those rain chances will fade away as we drop to a pleasant 42 degrees under mostly cloudy skies.
Here’s the great news for Wednesday – sunshine returns! We’ll see beautiful clear skies with temperatures climbing to a nice 54 degrees. Wednesday night will be our coolest point of the forecast, dipping down to 33 degrees under mostly clear conditions.
Overall, it’s a pretty typical January pattern for our area. Keep that umbrella handy this evening just in case, but get ready to enjoy some sunshine tomorrow!
New Castle County police are actively searching for a missing 48-year-old woman after she vanished Monday evening from a local neighborhood.
Authorities have activated a Gold Alert for Sharon Figueroa, who was last spotted in the area of the unit block of Lea Road at approximately 5:15 p.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Police officials report that Figueroa’s intended destination remains a mystery, making the search efforts more challenging for investigators.
Despite conducting thorough search operations, law enforcement officers have not been successful in tracking down Figueroa or establishing contact with her.
The New Castle County Division of Police continues to investigate this disappearance and is asking anyone with information about Figueroa’s whereabouts to come forward.
WASHINGTON – Police have arrested one individual in connection with a security incident that occurred at Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio residence on Monday, according to reports from CNN.
The Vice President and his family were away from the property when the incident took place, CNN reported. An unnamed federal law enforcement official told the network that investigators do not believe the suspect successfully gained access to the home’s interior.
Local media outlets in Ohio have reported visible damage to at least one window at the residence, though authorities have not released additional details about the nature of the incident or the identity of the person taken into custody.
The investigation into the security breach remains ongoing as law enforcement officials work to determine the full scope of what occurred at the Vice President’s home.
Good evening, Delmarva! Bundle up tonight as we’re looking at a chilly but quiet Saturday evening across the peninsula. Cloudy skies will blanket our region with temperatures dropping to a crisp 25 degrees. Light northwest winds will keep things calm, so at least we won’t have to deal with any biting wind chill.
The good news? Sunday brings a beautiful turnaround! Those gray clouds will clear out, giving way to gorgeous sunshine and much more comfortable temperatures reaching 38 degrees. It’s going to be a perfect day to get outside and shake off those winter blues.
Sunday night will see partly cloudy skies return as temperatures dip back down to 21 degrees – our coldest reading of this stretch. Looking ahead to Monday, we’ll see mostly cloudy conditions developing, but temperatures will rebound nicely to around 41 degrees.
Overall, it’s a typical January pattern for Delmarva – cold nights with pleasant afternoon recoveries. Make sure to layer up for those morning and evening hours, but enjoy that beautiful sunshine tomorrow! Stay warm out there, everyone!
Delaware law enforcement authorities are issuing warnings about a deceptive scheme targeting local residents as 2026 begins, with criminals posing as court officials to steal money and personal information.
Officials report receiving multiple complaints about fraudsters contacting people through various communication methods, falsely informing them they failed to appear for required jury service. The criminals claim victims now face serious legal consequences, including failure-to-appear violations or contempt-of-court penalties.
According to authorities, some of these fraudulent communications specifically impersonate the New Castle County Sheriff’s Office. The scammers often include fake official documents in their messages, with some containing QR codes designed to add legitimacy to their deceptive claims and create urgency among potential victims.
Law enforcement emphasizes that legitimate court systems do not contact citizens about missed jury duty through unsolicited phone calls, text messages, or emails demanding immediate payment or personal information. Residents who receive such communications should contact their local authorities rather than responding to the scammers.
Dover Police have successfully located a 74-year-old Wyoming man who disappeared from a local hospital area over the weekend, prompting authorities to issue a Gold Alert.
Peter Reidy has been found safe, according to an update from the Dover Police Department, which has now called off the search alert that was activated earlier.
The incident began on Sunday, December 14th, 2025, around 10:16 a.m. when Reidy vanished from the vicinity of Bayhealth Kent Campus located at 640 South State Street in Dover. Police had been unable to reach him, raising concerns about his wellbeing.
Master Corporal Ryan Schmid, who serves as the department’s Public Information Officer, had earlier described Reidy as a white male standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds. Authorities noted that what clothing he was wearing when he disappeared remained unknown.
The case was assigned incident number 50-25-44661 by the Dover Police Department. Gold Alerts are typically issued for missing adults who may be in danger due to age, health conditions, or other circumstances that make them vulnerable.
No additional details about where or how Reidy was located have been released by police at this time.
New Castle County authorities have successfully located Joseph Schretzman, leading to the cancellation of the Gold Alert that had been issued for the missing person.
Officials confirmed that Schretzman has been found safe, bringing the search effort to a positive conclusion. The Gold Alert system, which is used to help locate missing adults who may be vulnerable due to age or other circumstances, is no longer active for this case.
No additional details about the circumstances of Schretzman’s disappearance or recovery have been released at this time.
New Castle County Police are still searching for answers in the unsolved murder of a Newark man that occurred on the final night of 2019.
Twenty-six-year-old Jahlil Patton was discovered fatally wounded next to his wrecked vehicle on Taylor Drive in the Beech Hill area of Newark on December 31st, 2019. Police officers arrived at the scene at 11:12 p.m. after receiving reports of someone lying near a car.
When authorities reached the location in the 19702 zip code area, they found Patton beside his crashed automobile. The circumstances surrounding both the vehicle accident and the shooting death have left investigators with numerous unanswered questions.
The case has since been classified as a cold case homicide, with detectives continuing to seek information from the public that might help solve Patton’s murder. The timing of the incident, occurring just minutes before the start of 2020, marked a tragic end to the year for the victim’s family and the Newark community.
Anyone with information about this unsolved homicide is encouraged to contact New Castle County Police as investigators work to bring closure to this case that has remained open for more than five years.
Delaware State Police have taken a 45-year-old Wilmington resident into custody following an incident at a Newark shopping plaza that began as a report of suspicious activity.
Victor Shipley was apprehended Monday afternoon after authorities responded to Center Pointe Plaza on Churchmans Road on December 29, 2025. Officers initially received calls about a suspicious individual in the area.
When troopers arrived at the shopping center located at 1291 Churchmans Road, witnesses pointed them toward Shipley, who was seen moving through the parking area and storing personal belongings beneath a parked vehicle.
According to the police investigation, Shipley confronted a female shopper who was putting items in her car and asked her for money. The woman complied, giving him an undetermined sum before getting into her vehicle to drive away. However, Shipley then climbed into the passenger side of her car and made inappropriate demands while taking her keys and preventing her departure.
The situation caught the attention of another person in the area, who approached the pair and became concerned enough to contact emergency services. Shipley eventually exited the woman’s vehicle and was taken into custody by arriving officers without resistance. The victim suffered minor injuries during the encounter.
Following his arrest, Shipley was transported to Troop 2 headquarters where he was processed on several criminal charges. He appeared before Justice of the Peace Court 2 for arraignment and was subsequently held at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution with bail set at $56,000 cash.
The charges filed against Shipley include:
• Attempted to Commit Robbery First Degree (Felony) • Attempted to Commit Sexual Extortion (Felony) • Unlawful Imprisonment Second Degree
Delaware State Police have released the name of the pedestrian who was killed in a deadly hit-and-run incident that occurred Sunday in Wilmington. The victim has been identified as Serina White, a 40-year-old woman from Dallas, Texas.
Authorities have also made progress in identifying the vehicle involved in the fatal collision. Police say they have determined the suspect vehicle is a maroon 2011 Nissan Altima.
The investigation into this deadly crash remains active under the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Officials are reaching out to the community for assistance in solving this case. Corporal K. Oakes is asking anyone who may have seen the crash occur, possesses surveillance footage or dash-camera video, or has any pertinent details about the vehicle in question to call (302) 365-8483.
Those with information can also reach out through a private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
For individuals or families affected by crime or sudden loss who need support services, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center provide around-the-clock assistance. Help is available through their 24-hour toll-free line at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461), or by emailing [email protected].
Delaware residents are being advised to prepare for substantial traffic disruptions on Monday, January 5th, as the state pays its final respects to fallen Delaware State Trooper Cpl/1 Matthew T. “Ty” Snook.
The memorial service will be held at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center, located at 631 S. College Avenue in Newark. Authorities are warning drivers to expect considerable delays in the surrounding area between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The extended timeframe for potential traffic impacts reflects the anticipated large attendance as law enforcement officers, community members, and officials gather to honor the fallen trooper’s service and sacrifice.
Motorists planning to travel through or near the South College Avenue corridor are strongly encouraged to seek alternative routes or allow extra time for their commutes throughout Monday.
New Castle County Police are actively searching for a 72-year-old Newark resident who vanished from his home earlier this week.
Authorities have activated a Gold Alert for Grant Lenox, who departed from his home on Sentry Lane around 11:30 Monday night on December 29, 2025, and hasn’t been seen since.
Police report that Lenox’s destination remains unknown, and investigators have no information about where he may have been heading when he left his residence in the unit block of the street.
Search teams have been working around the clock to locate the missing man, but their efforts have not yet yielded results, according to the New Castle County Division of Police.
Anyone with information about Grant Lenox’s whereabouts is urged to contact local authorities immediately.
Delaware State Police have announced that property owners can now begin the process of retrieving vehicles and personal belongings left behind at the Wilmington DMV following an incident on December 23, 2025.
Anyone who abandoned cars, personal items, or other belongings at the DMV facility on 2230 Hessler Boulevard in Wilmington should reach out to state police to arrange pickup, according to authorities.
For safe and organized property recovery, owners must email Detective D. Grassi at [email protected] to coordinate the process. Police say further instructions will be given once contact is made.
Authorities warn that some areas of the property remain off-limits as investigators continue examining the line-of-duty death case. State police are asking for continued patience and understanding from the community while the investigation proceeds.
Anyone affected by crime, serving as a witness, or grieving the sudden loss of a family member can access support through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center. Help is available around the clock by calling the toll-free number 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or sending an email to [email protected].
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Barbers, cosmetologists and other licensed beauty professionals in Maryland will be required to complete domestic violence awareness training beginning Jan. 1, 2026, under legislation approved by the General Assembly and signed into law this year.
The requirement, established under House Bill 1547, mandates at least one hour of training as part of licensure and renewal through the Maryland Department of Labor. State officials say the course must be taken from an approved provider and is intended to help licensees recognize signs of domestic abuse, understand appropriate responses and know how to refer clients to professional resources.
Supporters of the measure say salons and barbershops often serve as trusted spaces where victims may disclose abuse long before contacting law enforcement or social services.
“People talk to their barber or stylist,” said Christian Tillery, a Maryland barber interviewed by WBAL-TV. “We’re like street psychiatrists. Having tools to handle those conversations properly matters.”
Maryland joins a growing list of states that have adopted similar requirements for the beauty industry.
Illinois implemented a one-hour domestic violence training requirement for many cosmetology licensees after legislation passed in 2016, with continuing education rules following. Tennessee now requires domestic violence training for beauty professionals as part of licensure compliance, with the state warning that failure to complete the course can invalidate a license. Arkansas mandates domestic violence and sexual assault awareness training for cosmetology students and includes legal protections for licensees who act — or choose not to act — in good faith. Washington state has approved a one-hour domestic violence and sexual assault awareness course tied to certain beauty licenses.
Advocacy groups backing the measures argue the training is about awareness, not intervention. Programs such as the Professional Beauty Association’s “Cut It Out” initiative emphasize that stylists are not expected to investigate abuse, confront suspected abusers or give legal advice — only to recognize warning signs and share support resources when appropriate.
Not everyone in the industry supports the mandate.
“I’m here to provide a professional service to hair, beauty and skin,” said Annette Moneski, a longtime Maryland stylist and salon owner, in a WBAL-TV interview. Moneski questioned whether the state should require training that could blur professional boundaries or create legal and safety concerns for licensees.
Some salon owners have also raised concerns about additional costs, time burdens and the fear of mishandling sensitive situations — particularly for independent operators without corporate legal support.
State officials counter that the training is brief, standardized and designed to reduce risk by clearly defining what beauty professionals should and should not do.
Domestic violence advocates say the policies reflect a broader national effort to expand early-intervention awareness beyond traditional healthcare and education settings.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner violence during their lifetime — a statistic often cited by lawmakers backing the training.
The Maryland Department of Labor is expected to release final guidance on approved training providers and compliance procedures ahead of the 2026 start date.
Delaware State Police are searching for a driver who fatally struck a pedestrian and fled the scene Sunday evening in Wilmington.
Authorities responded to East Lea Boulevard near Colony Boulevard around 9:15 p.m. on December 28, 2025, following reports of a vehicle striking a pedestrian. According to preliminary findings from investigators, an unidentified vehicle hit the pedestrian before leaving the area. The direction the vehicle was traveling and other details about the incident remain under investigation.
The victim, a 40-year-old woman visiting from Dallas, Texas, was transported to a nearby hospital where medical staff pronounced her deceased. Police are withholding her identity while they work to inform her relatives.
Traffic along the roadway was halted for roughly two hours as investigators examined the crash site and cleared the area.
Authorities are urging anyone who saw the collision, captured surveillance or dash-camera video, or possesses information about the vehicle to reach out to Corporal K. Oakes at (302) 365-8483. Tips can also be submitted through private messages to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Those affected by crime or sudden loss can access support through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, which provides round-the-clock assistance via their hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). Support is also available by emailing [email protected].
