AGP Executive Report

Clean Slate Automation: Delaware says its automated system has cleared more than 64,000 cases eligible for automatic expungement, speeding up a program that was previously handled too slowly by hand. Education & Health: The House approved a bill requiring school staff to complete mandatory epilepsy response training, while Delaware’s Department of Education expanded its Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids school garden program to 68 schools and about 28,500 students. Delaware in the Courts: Delaware Chancery Court declined to exclude disputed evidence ahead of next week’s WWE-related Chancery trial, and a Delaware-linked stockholder suit targets a $1.7B IAS sale. Higher Ed Access: A new Maryland law now lets Delmar High School graduates qualify for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship, and Delaware’s medical school plan moves forward with Jefferson selected to run the state’s first medical school. Local Governance: A county planning commission recommended new countywide data center zoning rules (with a public hearing set for June 18). Social Security Warning: A national analysis warns Delaware retirees could face some of the biggest Social Security cuts if lawmakers don’t act before 2032.

Delaware Immigration & Labor Records Fight: Delaware lost its bid to block a federal subpoena for wage records from 15 businesses tied to an ICE-linked investigation, with Gov. Matt Meyer and AG Kathleen Jennings saying the state must comply after the Third Circuit refused to hear the appeal. Local Government & Courts: A judge rejected ACLU Delaware’s challenge to nonhuman voting in a Fenwick Island beach town, ruling Delaware law allows certain municipalities to let entity property owners vote. Workplace Discrimination Case: Fired Dover city manager Dave Hugg filed an age-based discrimination complaint with the state Department of Labor and the EEOC, setting up a potential lawsuit after agency review. Public Safety: Delaware County Sheriff’s Office warned residents about a phone scam using the “Deputy Hart” name and threatening federal arrest to extract personal and financial info. Education Leadership: A new report argues principals are the key lever for improving school outcomes and retaining teachers, linking leadership quality to better grades and stronger parent engagement. Delaware Courts & Business Law: Delaware corporate law’s “entities as persons” concept surfaced in the Fenwick voting ruling, underscoring how state governance rules can shape local elections.

Delaware Budget Watch: Delaware lawmakers wrapped up Joint Finance Committee markups for the FY 2027 operating budget and a one-time supplemental package, with added funding tied to May revenue forecasts, including 3% merit raises for state employees (teachers included) and $100 million for future education formula adjustments. Delaware Health Care: Delaware’s first medical school is set to be run by Thomas Jefferson University, with a consortium model that would train students in Delaware while clinical education focuses on Kent and Sussex systems. Food Access Grants: The Delaware Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Program awarded $712,500 to 28 groups to expand healthy food access, including cold storage, fresh produce distribution, and food rescue. Clean Slate Automation: Delaware cleared more than 64,000 low-level cases from public criminal background checks under its automated Clean Slate process, aiming to reduce barriers to jobs, housing, and education. Corporate Voting Rights Fight: The ACLU of Delaware says it will appeal a Fenwick Island ruling that allowed certain non-human entities to vote in municipal elections, arguing it undermines “one person, one vote.” Chancery Court & Business: Former Market Basket CEO Arthur T. Demoulas says he won’t appeal his Delaware Chancery removal, even as he continues to call it a “coup.”

Clean Slate Expansion: Delaware cleared more than 64,000 low-level offenses from public criminal background checks through automated “Clean Slate” processing, a major jump from 2025 and aimed at reducing barriers to jobs, housing, and education. AG vs. Climate Science Censorship: Attorney General Matt Tong led a coalition of 23 states in a letter to the Federal Judicial Center opposing removal of a climate science reference chapter from the federal judicial evidence manual. Delaware Courts & Patents: A U.S. District Court decision in Delaware found asserted CINVANTI® (aprepitant) patent claims invalid, though Heron says it will appeal. Homelessness Data Dispute: Delaware’s annual Point-In-Time count may understate the homeless population because this year’s survey reportedly counted only sheltered people, complicating comparisons for policymakers. Education Update: A national scorecard says Delaware made strong math and reading gains since 2022–2025, with Cape Henlopen standing out, but statewide performance still lags U.S. averages in key grades. Local Governance & Services: Delaware County (PA) announced a partnership to modernize domestic relations filings with electronic processing via GreenCourt’s GovLink.

Delaware Politics: Ayanna Khan-Flowers, president of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, filed to run for Delaware House District 9, aiming to steer fast-growing Middletown/Odessa/Townsend growth toward schools, roads, health care, and small-business opportunity. Local Governance: Rehoboth Beach’s mayoral race is heating up as four candidates filed for the seat, including two commissioners tied to a March dispute that raised allegations of misconduct and demeaning communications. Courts & Policy: A Delaware federal judge narrowed a dental patent fight involving Align Technology and Medit, refusing to toss the case outright. Public Safety: Pennsylvania SPCA and local/state police broke up a Chester cockfight, arresting 25 people and rescuing 52 birds. Elections Watch: New Jersey’s closed primary Tuesday will decide party nominees for key U.S. House races, including the contest that could set up a matchup with Jeff Van Drew. Business & IP: Nextpower sued GameChange Solar in Delaware over alleged infringement tied to solar tracker technology and energy management systems.

Retirement Rules Fight: Delaware’s AG Jay Jones joined a 24-state coalition opposing a Trump-era proposal that would loosen retirement plan guardrails, pushing more workers into riskier alternatives like crypto and private credit. Transit & Homelessness: DART is gathering input on an early plan for a Newport commuter rail station, while Wilmington weighs a pallet village proposal as the city prepares to close its sanctioned homeless encampment—neighborhoods are already pushing back. Local Governance: Trenton’s new city administrator laid out priorities on leadership development, internal support, and resident communication. Public Safety: Police arrested 25 people and rescued 52 chickens in a cockfight bust in Chester, Pennsylvania. Foreign Policy: The U.S. and Iran traded renewed strikes as ceasefire talks strain, with CENTCOM citing drone shootdowns and targeting Iranian radar and drone command sites. Infrastructure Watch: A delayed Delaware Aqueduct fix is tied to renewed concerns about lead in drinking water systems beyond Delaware.

Delaware Politics & Courts: A Delaware judge’s ruling keeps corporate voting alive in local elections, raising fresh questions about how much influence “more corporations than people” now have over town and county governance. Immigration Detention & Public Safety: Newark imposed a curfew around Delaney Hall after clashes with protesters; family visitation is set to resume following DHS agreement, while officials cite safety concerns around demonstrations. Gun Policy: Delaware Senate Bill 300 advanced a proposal to curb straw purchases by requiring firearm-dealer inspections and basic security standards, with State Police enforcement and no firearm registry. Elections & Voting Rules: Delaware’s party-change deadline is nearing ahead of the September primary, a reminder that ballot access decisions can still shape who shows up. State Government Records: Delaware leaders are responding to court orders requiring the state to release wage records tied to an ICE case, keeping immigration enforcement and transparency in the spotlight. Public Health & Preparedness: Sussex County urged residents to prepare for hurricane season now—make a plan and build a kit—rather than focus only on forecasts. Local Economy & Travel: Avelo hit its one-millionth passenger milestone at Wilmington Airport, underscoring continued growth in nonstop options from ILG.

Delaware Immigration Court Fight: Delaware must turn over employment records to ICE after the Third Circuit refused to pause enforcement, escalating a dispute over subpoenas tied to 15 businesses and prompting Gov. Matt Meyer and AG Kathy Jennings to call it an overreach. Sussex Flood Resilience Push: Delaware’s congressional delegation is urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reinstate the canceled “Back Bay” flood mitigation study, warning the termination leaves coastal communities without key storm-risk data. Public Safety—DUI: Delaware State Police arrested Dover’s Carolyn Reed on felony 5th-offense DUI after a crash left her car in a ditch; she refused field sobriety tests and had a suspended license. Gun Policy in Delaware: Senate Bill 300 passed to require inspections and basic security standards for higher-volume firearm dealers, with Delaware State Police tasked with enforcement. Local Economy/Travel: Avelo hit its one-millionth passenger milestone at Wilmington Airport, underscoring rapid route growth and the airline’s expanding role in ILG traffic. State Politics—Elections & Governance: A Delaware judge’s ruling on corporate voting in local elections is drawing fresh attention to how corporate personhood reshapes local ballots.

Aviation Milestone: Avelo hit one million passengers at Wilmington Airport since launching in Feb. 2023, with officials celebrating Newark residents John and Cindy Sparco as the millionth travelers. Delaware Courts & Business: A Delaware Chancery judge sanctioned Vince McMahon and WWE executives for “spoliation of evidence” in the 2023 merger fight, citing Signal auto-delete and shifting assumptions in the case. Elections & Voting Rules: A Delaware Supreme Court ruling keeps corporate voting alive in certain local elections, renewing debate over whether the state has gone too far. Public Safety & Local Enforcement: Newark’s speed camera program expands June 1 to Capitol Trail, with warnings first and fines starting after 30 days. State Government Watch: Delaware’s Council on Development Finance is set to consider $20 million in bonds for a charter school and additional grant funding for a private student lender. Community & Accountability: Delaware dismissed charges against four Delaware State University students tied to a Rehoboth Beach “takeover,” citing “no factual basis.” Policy Debate: Advocates push HB 188 to open Delaware primaries to unaffiliated voters. Environment & Climate Claims: DNREC’s climate messaging faces pushback from critics pointing to Delaware data on tornadoes and extreme storms.

Immigration & Courts: The Third Circuit ordered Delaware to comply with an ICE subpoena for Delaware Department of Labor employment wage records, rejecting the state’s bid to delay and with AG Kathy Jennings calling it “naked racial profiling.” Local Housing: Wilmington is moving toward 60 new affordable housing units, while Todmorden Foundation secured a $300K donation to help redevelop 60 low-income apartments in The Flats. Public Safety & Police: Delaware State Police arrested Wilmington man Shahir McCoy after a months-long heroin distribution probe, seizing heroin, a handgun, and drugs. Delaware Politics & Elections: Delaware’s party change deadline for the Sept. 15 primary is Friday, May 29 at 11:59 p.m.; Millsboro also has a June 13 council election with one contested seat. Local Government Budgets: Sussex County unveiled a proposed $300M 2027 budget, including new roles like a building permit surcharge for school districts. Community & Culture: Nanticokes will host a free history presentation and dance performance Saturday in Millsboro Town Hall.

Public Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating an in-custody suicide at Troop 3 in Camden after a Hartly man was arrested following a domestic assault and high-speed pursuit that ended back in Delaware. Public Safety: State Police also arrested a Wilmington man, 33-year-old Shahir McCoy, after a multi-month heroin distribution investigation; police say they found about 420 bags of suspected heroin, a loaded handgun, marijuana, and scales during a North Franklin Street search. Courts & Voting Rights: A Delaware judge ruled that “trusts” and LLCs can be treated as “people” and allowed to vote in Fenwick Island elections, rejecting an ACLU challenge. Education Policy: A Delaware-focused debate over school exclusion and DEI-style restrictions continues to draw national attention, with critics warning vague bans can chill classroom hiring and programming. Consumer Protection: Wawa Beverage issued a recall tied to undeclared milk in select iced tea and lemonade products, prompting the FDA’s highest risk warning. Environment & Health: A new report highlights pollution concerns from diesel generator use at data centers, raising questions for Delaware-area residents watching the tech buildout.

In-Custody Death in Camden: Delaware State Police and the DOJ are investigating the suicide of 49-year-old Shane Mullen at Troop 3 after a domestic assault call in Hartly and a pursuit that ended with a canine apprehension. Party-Change Deadline: Delaware voters have until midnight Friday to switch party affiliation for the Sept. 15 primaries, with closed primaries shaping who appears on ballots. Voting Rights Fight: A Delaware judge upheld rules letting corporations vote in some local elections, keeping pressure on “one person, one vote” in towns like Fenwick Island. Rehoboth “Takeover” Review: Rehoboth Beach hired outside counsel to review issues tied to an advertised May 19 “takeover” event that drew a large crowd and led to arrests. Public Safety & Courts: Delaware’s AG Jay Jones joined opposition to the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state authority over kids’ online protections. Education Funding Setback: Delaware transportation leaders rejected nearly $900,000 for a Georgetown bilingual charter school, citing program rules that treat charter schools as public schools. Local Governance: Lewes’ city manager admitted she ordered removal of a Zoom recording from a historic review meeting to protect an employee’s confidentiality. Housing Policy: A Milford resident argues the “Housing for Every Delawarean” push highlights how little zoning and density have changed despite housing shortages. Data Center Backdrop: Separate reporting highlights growing legal and community scrutiny of data centers and generator pollution.

Delaware Courts: A Delaware Court of Chancery judge sanctioned Vince McMahon and Nick Khan in the WWE-Endeavor merger fight, citing Signal message spoliation and raising their burden of proof as the case heads toward trial. Higher Education Leadership: UD named Ellen Herbst its new executive vice president for finance and administration, starting July 1, overseeing budget, HR, IT, facilities, and campus safety. State Policy & Community Support: Delaware awarded over $700,000 in Delaware Grocery Initiative grants to groups across Kent and Sussex to fight food insecurity and expand access to healthy food. Access to Justice & AI: Delaware housing developer Christopher Pitt launched a public conversation on using AI to help underrepresented, self-represented people navigate the legal system. Public Safety Update: Police linked a 2018 Delco road rage murder to a suspect charged in Montgomery County, using ballistics ties to a later Delaware County shooting. Politics & Identity: A documentary trailer highlights Sarah McBride’s first days in Congress and the immediate GOP backlash, including reported restroom restrictions.

Sports Betting Jurisdiction: Ohio AG Dave Yost and 41 AGs urged the CFTC to recognize state control over sports-related prediction markets, arguing platforms like Polymarket/Kalshi function like unregulated sportsbooks. Delaware Courts & Voting: A Delaware Superior Court upheld that corporations and other entities can legally vote in Fenwick Island municipal elections, rejecting an ACLU challenge over “vote dilution.” Delaware Corporate Climate: Delaware’s top corporate regulator told lawmakers incorporation worries have “mellowed out,” citing 2.28M entities and $2.1B in industry revenue. Chancery Watch: Delaware Chancery allowed claims to proceed over alleged director fiduciary breaches tied to a preferred stock financing. Public Safety: Chester saw two fatal shootings, and Delaware County prosecutors charged a man in a 2018 Cheltenham road-rage murder using NIBIN ballistic matches. Internet Safety: Delaware’s AG joined a coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act, saying it would weaken state protections for children online. State Government: Delaware officials revealed a plan to close an $185M Edgemoor port shortfall, while New Castle County approved a 17.2% property tax increase.

Port of Wilmington Funding Fix: Delaware officials say they’re closing an $185 million shortfall for the Edgemoor container port, adding $110 million to cover overruns as the project remains politically fraught. County Budget Pressure: New Castle County Council approved a $387.6 million budget with a 17.2% property tax increase, while residents and council members flagged staffing cuts and service impacts. Local Leadership: Georgetown’s new mayor, Angela Townsend, was sworn in and laid out priorities including homelessness coordination and a plan to overhaul how the town communicates. Education Expansion Hurdle: Delaware transportation officials rejected a nearly $900,000 grant tied to expanding ASPIRA’s bilingual charter school into Sussex County, delaying the Georgetown-area plan’s timeline. Delaware Courts & Corporate Governance: A Delaware Court of Chancery case is set to put Vince McMahon on the stand in a shareholder fight over the WWE-UFC merger’s structure. Federal Privacy Fight: President Joe Biden sued DOJ to block release of about 70 hours of “sensitive” ghostwriter interview audio, escalating a FOIA dispute. Online Safety Policy: California AG Rob Bonta joined a coalition of attorneys general opposing the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state protections for children online. Tech & Connectivity: Mediacom announced 5-Gig Internet rollout in Delaware and nearby areas, expanding multi-gig service availability.

New Castle County Budget Shock: New Castle County Council approved a $387.6M budget and a first direct property tax hike in eight years—about $102 per year for a median $378,000 home—while residents may see cuts in services like reduced library hours and fewer parks staff. Delaware Courts, Offshore Wind: The Delaware Supreme Court upheld state action that effectively overrides Sussex County’s denial of an offshore wind substation permit, backing 2025 laws that let qualifying projects move forward. Delaware Justice System: The Delaware Supreme Court denied a bid to correct a murder sentence in the Steven Kellam case, keeping life sentences in place. Tech and Privacy Pressure: A new Delaware-focused discussion highlights how AI prompts and data can become discoverable in disputes, while a separate Delaware Supreme Court ruling dismissed an ACLU-DE voting suit against Fenwick Island. Kids Online Fight: AG Nick Brown joined a coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state protections for children online.