Spotlight Delaware Podcasts

Delaware voters seek change in annual school board elections

Spotlight Delaware education reporter Julia Merola joins the "Beyond the Headlines" podcast to discuss the outcomes of this year's statewide school board elections, the issues that were in play with them and what they might mean for the future of districts around Delaware.

Spotlight On: Data Center - Part 2

Last month, Spotlight Delaware held its "Spotlight On: Data Centers" event at Wilmington University in Dover. It featured local and regional experts speaking about the impacts of those energy-hungry facilities on local economic development, energy infrastructure and environmental sustainability. One panel discussion, led by land-use reporter Olivia Marble, focused on the infrastructure needs of the massive facilities, and how that will impact the supply and demand of electricity. Listen to the conversation here.

Spotlight On: Data Centers - Part 1

Spotlight Delaware recently held its "Spotlight On: Data Centers" event at Wilmington University in Dover. It featured local and regional experts speaking about the impacts of those energy-hungry facilities on local economic development, energy infrastructure and environmental sustainability. One particular panel discussion, led by land-use reporter Olivia Marble, included four legislators who have been central to debates around data centers in their respective states. Get panelists' insights here in "Spotlight On: Data Centers - Part 1," and follow our show to easily tune in for Part 2. Subscribe to Spotlight Delaware's daily email newsletter for work like this and more, from across the First State at spotlightdelaware.org/newsletter [https://spotlightdelaware.org/newsletter]. Our reporting is made possible by readers like you. Your support helps keep our work free and accessible to all Delawareans. Give today to keep local reporting going strong: spotlightdelaware.org/support [http://spotlightdelaware.org/support].

Covering Protests at Christina Park

Wilmington reporter Brianna Hill visits "Beyond the Headlines" to talk about how she has been covering Christina Park, the location of the city-sanctioned encampment for unhoused individuals located on Wilmington's East Side. She discusses the unique challenges of reporting at the park, how she has built contacts with the residents, whether her coverage style differs if she knows other reporters are present, and more. Hosted by Director of Community Engagement David Stradley Spotlight Delaware articles connect to this episode: Tensions flare as Wilmington officials move the Christina Park homeless encampment [https://spotlightdelaware.org/2026/04/02/tensions-flare-as-wilmington-officials-move-the-christina-park-homeless-encampment/] Protests again stall the Christina Park tent overhaul [https://spotlightdelaware.org/2026/04/10/protests-again-stall-the-christina-park-tent-overhaul/]

Investigating the Rockford Center

Education reporter Julia Merola and health reporter Nick Stonesifer join "Beyond the Headlines" to talk about their recent investigation into the Rockford Center [https://spotlightdelaware.org/2026/03/31/families-ex-staff-allege-improper-sedation-at-rockford-psych-hospital/], a private behavioral health hospital in Newark which has been cited by state regulators in recent years for giving children medications without their or their parents' consent. Julia and Nick discuss their more than six month process to develop this report. They share how they connected with the families and employees featured in the article, why investigations like this take so much time, and detail their fact-checking process. Finally, they reflect on how reporting these kinds of stories impacts them personally as journalists. Hosted by David Stradley.