The Long Last Hours of the 153rd Delaware General Assembly

The Long Last Hours of the 153rd Delaware General Assembly

In June, deputy editor Tim Carlin stopped by "Beyond the Headlines" to give a preview of what to look for in the final weeks of the 2026 legislative session in Dover. In this episode, Spotlight's other deputy editor, Karl Baker, discusses exactly what happened. He shares how the Spotlight team tried to cover the hectic final days, the process for prioritizing what is of consequence in the "mountain" of bills and overall themes for the end of session. [NOTE: The podcast was recorded before Gov. Meyer vetoed a controversial expansion of Dover's Legislative Hall from the state's capital spending bill [https://spotlightdelaware.org/2026/07/08/meyer-vetoes-35m-leg-hall-expansion-sparking-clash-with-lawmakers/].] Hosted by Director of Community Engagement David Stradley Spotlight Delaware articles connected to this episode: Delaware lawmakers work late to pass Bond Bill, other reforms [https://spotlightdelaware.org/2026/07/01/delaware-lawmakers-stay-up-late-to-pass-bond-bill-veto-override-others/] Lawmakers pass bills to limit energy price hikes, regulate data centers [https://spotlightdelaware.org/2026/07/01/lawmakers-pass-bills-to-limit-energy-price-hikes-regulate-data-centers/]

Covering Breaking News

Spotlight Delaware typically doesn't cover a lot of breaking news. But on June 16th, our team jumped into action when a shooting occurred at ChristianaCare's Wilmington Hospital around 3:30 in the afternoon. Editor-in-Chief Jacob Owens joins the "Beyond the Headlines" podcast to discuss how the team covered this major event in Delaware's biggest city and the unique considerations around reporting on breaking news. Jake also shares why Spotlight hasn't done as much breaking news coverage as other media outlets – and whether that might be changing. Hosted by Director of Community Engagement David Stradley Spotlight Delaware article connected to this episode: Suspect identified in ChristianaCare Wilmington Hospital shooting [https://spotlightdelaware.org/2026/06/16/shooting-at-christianacare-in-wilmington-locks-down-the-hospital/]

Delaware's Medical School: The Path Forward (Health Care Summit)

This podcast brings you one of the five discussions that took place at Spotlight Delaware's Health Care Summit on University of Delaware's STAR Campus on April 29th, 2026. DELAWARE'S MEDICAL SCHOOL: THE PATH FORWARD Delaware's success obtaining funds from the federal Rural Health Transformation Fund has opened the door to creating the state's first medical school. How would a medical school improve health care in Delaware, and what are the obstacles to getting a school off the ground? Panelists: Dr. Barbara L. Bass, Dean (Ret.), George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Dr. Neil Hockstein, Chair, Delaware Health Care Commission Kathleen (Kathy) S. Matt, PhD, Board Member, Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research Moderated by Tim Carlin

Delaware Hospital Leadership (Health Care Summit)

This podcast brings you one of the five discussions that took place at Spotlight Delaware's Health Care Summit on University of Delaware's STAR Campus on April 29th, 2026. HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP C-Suite representatives from Delaware's three largest health care systems – Bayhealth, Beebe Healthcare and ChristianaCare – discuss how their institutions are working to address the largest health challenges in the state. Panelists: Dr. William Chasanov, Senior Vice President and Chief Health Systems Design Officer, Beebe Healthcare Dr. Emmanuel Mensah, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Group, ChristianaCare Dr. Gary Siegelman, Designated Institutional Official for GME, Bayhealth Moderated by Jacob Owens

Update on the Opioid Commission (Health Care Summit)

This podcast brings you one of the five discussions that took place at Spotlight Delaware's Health Care Summit on University of Delaware's STAR Campus on April 29th, 2026. AN UPDATE ON THE OPIOID FUND In 2025, Delaware's Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission revised its funding procedures. Commission Executive Director Brad Owens shares how the changes have impacted current grant applications and how funds have been assisting substance abuse victims. Moderated by Nick Stonesifer