Delaware’s Chef Dana Returns To Food Network

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. The season of “I’ll start after the holidays” has officially begun.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Newark’s Chef Dana is back on national TV

• Unwined on the Water closes after total loss fire

• Robotics maker space brings tech to Hagley’s old power plant

Let’s get to it

QUICK POLL

The entryway standoff

A house rule that splits couples and confuses guests. What’s your stance?

NEWS YOU CAN USE

🤖 Hagley Museum Opens New Robotics Maker Space for Kids

A 19th-century power plant just got a 21st-century upgrade. Hagley Museum’s new FIRST Spark Lab is now open inside its historic Power Plant, inviting students from grades 1–12 to design and test robots where dynamos once roared.

Led by the Marian Mechanics robotics team, the lab offers hands-on challenges that mix coding, building, and competition. Visitors can see it all in action during Hagley’s “Robotics Roundup” Science Saturday, featuring live demos and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m.

It’s a fitting blend of Delaware’s industrial roots and its inventive future—proof that the next big idea might start with a robot built by a fifth grader.

💔 Fire Destroys Unwined on the Water at Triton Marina

A local favorite for waterfront dining and live music is gone after a devastating fire destroyed Unwined on the Water early Thursday morning at Triton Marina near Elkton.

Firefighters battled high winds for nearly two hours before bringing the blaze under control, but the restaurant was ruled a total loss. Damage is estimated at $1 million, and investigators say there’s no sign of foul play.

Known for its sunset views and steady lineup of live music, Unwined was a summer staple for many Above the Canal readers. No word yet on rebuilding plans, but for now, one of the area’s best-loved weekend spots will be deeply missed.

🍰 Newark’s Chef Dana Returns to Food Network Competition

Delaware’s own baking legend is back on TV. Chef Dana Herbert of Desserts by Dana in Newark is competing in Sweet Empire: Winter Wars, premiering Sunday night at 9 p.m. on the Food Network, according to WDEL.

Herbert, who first rose to fame after winning TLC’s Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker in 2011, says this new holiday showdown is all about skill and strategy. “Do you show your best work right away or surprise them later?” he joked.

With a mix of seasoned pastry pros and rising stars, Herbert’s ready to prove the OG still has plenty of sugar-fueled creativity left in the tank.

🌱 UD Program Helps Young Learners and Teachers Grow Outside

At a Newark child care center, a patch of grass has turned into a living classroom. UD’s “Let’s Grow Outside!” initiative helps early childhood educators across Delaware build gardens that teach kids about nature, teamwork, and healthy living.

Through hands-on workshops and curriculum support from UD’s Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood, teachers like Pirulo’s Child Care administrator Diana Mercado are giving toddlers a chance to plant, water, and harvest while learning about life cycles and the environment.

Funded by a state Farm to School grant, the program is also nurturing educators themselves, promoting mindfulness, well-being, and connection to the outdoors. New cohorts will begin planting later this month.

🎃 Pumpkins for Pigs Turns Porch Leftovers into Farm Feasts

When the jack-o’-lanterns start to sag, Delaware farms are ready to give them new life. Pumpkins for Pigs connects local residents with nearby farms and sanctuaries where animals enjoy leftover pumpkins as seasonal treats.

The nonprofit spans 44 states, including Delaware, where participating farms from Middletown to Georgetown accept unpainted, undecorated pumpkins—carved or not. It’s a simple way to cut food waste, feed happy pigs, and support sustainable agriculture.

Instead of tossing your pumpkins in the trash, send them to a local farm. The pigs will thank you, and your compost bin can take the week off.

IN BUSINESS

✈️ Avelo Keeps Wilmington Flights Despite Federal Cutbacks

Avelo Airlines says it’s keeping its full winter flight schedule out of Wilmington Airport even as the federal government orders airlines to reduce service at 40 major airports by 10%. According to Delaware Business Now, Avelo credits its focus on smaller airports like ILG for helping it avoid the cuts affecting big hubs.

The airline plans to keep three Boeing 737s based in Delaware this winter, increasing flights to San Juan from two to three per week. Meanwhile, its Wilmington-to-Raleigh route will end in December after low demand.

For now, Wilmington remains one of Avelo’s strongest markets, giving Delaware travelers a rare win in a turbulent travel season.

💊 Evernorth Opens High-Tech Pharma Hub Near Newark

A massive new facility just opened its doors in Newark’s First State Logistics Park. Evernorth Health Services, a Cigna-owned specialty pharmacy, can now process up to 1.5 million prescriptions for complex conditions like cancer, HIV, and hepatitis C, all from a single high-tech site.

The warehouse uses robotics and ultra-cold storage (as low as -150°C) to prepare and ship treatments across the Northeast in under 30 minutes from order to truck. It is one of four national hubs serving 12,000 doctors and hospitals.

Evernorth has nearly hit its hiring goal of 132 new employees, with 120 already on site and more jobs expected. For Newark, it represents a major boost in both innovation and opportunity.

⚡ Wilmington Power Plants Up for Sale After Major Energy Merger

Two of Delaware’s biggest power plants are on the market. Constellation Energy will sell its Hay Road and Edgemoor generation sites near Wilmington to satisfy federal regulators approving its $16 billion merger with Calpine.

The facilities, both natural gas-powered, are Delaware’s largest in-state energy producers. Federal officials required the sale to maintain competition in the regional power market. No buyers have been named yet, but a bidding process is planned.

With local energy demand climbing and new data centers on the horizon, whoever takes over these plants will hold a key role in powering northern Delaware’s future.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

🏛 Delaware Offers Relief for Furloughed Federal Workers

If you’re one of the federal employees sidelined by the shutdown, there’s a bit of breathing room. The Delaware Federal Employees Civil Relief Act lets affected workers and federal contractors delay payments like rent, mortgages, taxes, and insurance until after the shutdown ends.

Insurance companies also can’t cancel policies for missed payments, and workers can ask courts to pause civil cases, including evictions. Gov. Matt Meyer and Attorney General Kathy Jennings highlighted the law this week to remind Delawareans of their protections.

For those caught between paychecks, it’s a small safety net while the government hits pause.

🍎 Teacher Satisfaction Up, But Classrooms Still Strained

Delaware’s teachers are feeling a little better about their jobs this year, but not by much. A new survey from the Delaware State Education Association shows overall satisfaction rose from 74% to 80%, thanks largely to recent pay bumps.

Still, only 27% say they’re happy with working conditions, citing heavy workloads, classroom behavior, and the need for smaller class sizes. Nearly all respondents want more staff support and fewer distractions, with many backing a "phones away" rule during class time.

So yes, pay helps, but for many Delaware educators, a quieter classroom and an extra pair of hands would go even further.

⚖️ Delaware Supreme Court Weighs Fate of Major Corporate Law

Delaware’s highest court is deciding whether a new corporate law, Senate Bill 21, violates the state constitution. The law limits how the Chancery Court can judge fairness in corporate disputes, a shift critics call a blow to the court’s traditional authority.

Supporters say SB 21 keeps Delaware competitive as the corporate home for major companies like Tesla and ensures business laws remain predictable. Opponents argue it strips judges of their constitutional power to apply equity in shareholder cases.

The debate has drawn national attention because Delaware’s corporate courts influence much of American business law. A ruling is expected in the coming weeks, and the outcome could reshape how fairness is defined in boardrooms and courtrooms alike.

Read the full story on Spotlight Delaware.

⚡ Delaware Lawmakers Join Regional Energy Policy Group

Four Delaware legislators are stepping into the regional energy debate. Sen. Stephanie Hansen, Sen. Russ Huxtable, Rep. Frank Burns, and Rep. Debra Heffernan have joined the PJM State Legislator Collaborative, a bipartisan group shaping energy policy across the 13-state PJM Interconnection grid.

The group is tackling rising power costs linked to large energy users like data centers, which some experts say could add $163 billion to customer bills by 2033. Delaware’s delegation recently urged Delmarva Power to back policies that prevent those costs from falling on residents.

As PJM prepares to vote on new rules this month, Delaware’s lawmakers are making it clear they want growth without sticking ratepayers with the bill.

OPENING ACTS & EXHIBITS

On Mondays, opening acts and exhibits are listed here when they debut. After that, you'll find individual dates in the regular Theatre/Arts listings.

Fearless Improv Adults-Only Show – Wilmington Brew Works. Get ready for off-the-cuff comedy and audience-fueled chaos as Wilmington’s funniest improv troupe takes over the Alamo Room for a 21+ night of laughter. Thursday at 8 PM; $20 admission, with a cash bar available.

Up Front on Market – First State Ballet Theatre. Experience ballet up close in this intimate performance featuring excerpts from Paquita and new contemporary works by Andrea Yorita and Zachary Kapeluck. Friday at 7 PM and Sunday at 2 PM at Studio One in The Baby Grand; tickets $57.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

DOG OF THE WEEK

Say hello to Reds 🐾

Meet Reds, a two-year-old ball of sunshine with a tan coat and an even brighter personality. This handsome guy is the kind of dog who makes every day feel like the weekend. He loves people, playtime, and turning a quick walk into a mini adventure. Reds is happiest when he’s the star of the show, so he’s looking for a home where he can be your one-and-only pup and soak up all the attention he deserves.

If you’re looking for a buddy who’ll greet you at the door with a tail wag and a goofy grin, Reds is your guy. Stop by the Brandywine Valley SPCA’s New Castle campus (290 Churchmans Road) to meet him and see how quickly he steals your heart.

👉 Meet Reds

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Monday

50 🌡️ 29 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 7% | 💨 WNW 19 mph

Tuesday

45 🌡️ 34 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 5% | 💨 W 21 mph

Wednesday

56 🌡️ 40 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 2% | 💨 WSW 15 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 58ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

THE NOT SO SHORTLISTS

• 🥳 Casual Plans

• 🧒 For the Kids

• 🧘 Health & Wellness

• 🎶 Live Music

• 🎭 Theatre/Arts

• 🎨 Workshops & Classes

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