Empty UD Dorms Go Viral Online

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. My 7-year-old hit me with the fact that snow is white because it's many layers of clear. I nodded like I knew. I did not know.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

Some people come alive the second the leaves change. Others need one beach day and suddenly become a completely different person. What is your best season in Delaware?

Source: UD Review

An anonymous Instagram account is drawing attention to the University of Delaware campus by posting comedic videos about the vacant Christiana Towers. The clips routinely gather tens of thousands of views online, sparking conversations among students about the empty buildings.

The towers opened in 1972 and operated as student dormitories for decades before closing in 2019 due to rising maintenance costs. The creators behind the viral account favor the brutalist architecture of the structures and want to see them renovated rather than torn down.

University officials originally scheduled the demolition of the towers for last summer, but those plans were delayed. The future status of the site remains undecided.

Source: DNREC

Delaware is dropping its fishing license requirements for the first weekend in June. Anyone can fish, crab, and clam in state waters for free on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7.

The state is waiving the fees to mark National Fishing and Boating Week. While a paid license is not required for those two days, anglers who are 16 and older still need to register for a free Fisherman Identification Network number before casting a line.

Anglers can get their required identification numbers online or through authorized agents across the state. Regular license rules will go back into effect on Monday.

Source: Delaware Public Media

The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art is planning a $100 million project to expand its campus. The plan includes a brand new museum building alongside new community spaces.

The upcoming facility will more than double the current gallery space to showcase both temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection. The project also brings ten miles of trails, a public preserve, and a native plant garden to the grounds. Meanwhile, the original building will transition into a community hub with a studio or classroom.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2027, with the new building expected to open in the fall of 2029.

Source: Delaware Online 🔒 PAYWALLED

Delaware is getting yet another option for fast-casual dining. Nanu's Hot Chicken is preparing to bring its menu to the Newark Shopping Center on East Main Street.

The Philadelphia-based franchise is expanding its local footprint with this upcoming spot, which marks its second location in the state. The new restaurant joins a steadily growing list of hot chicken joints opening up across the region.

The company shared plans for the new storefront online recently, but an official opening date has not been set. Diners will have to wait for further updates from the company on when the doors will open for business.

Source: Delaware Business Now

Iron Hill Brewery reopened its Wilmington Riverfront location Sunday. The Mother's Day launch marks the second revival for the restaurant chain under a new ownership group.

The company abruptly shut down all of its locations last fall during bankruptcy proceedings. Now, original founder Mark Edelson is advising the new owners as they prepare to reopen five of the strongest performing spots. The Wilmington site brings back its former general manager and employ over one hundred people.

The restaurant will continue to operate an on-site brewery, debuting a new IPA for the reopening. Online reservations will be available starting Monday.

Source: Town Square Delaware

A familiar name is returning to the Wilmington dining scene as Moro Bistro opens its doors at 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue. Chef Michael DiBianca is reviving the concept that previously operated for 14 years in Trolley Square, taking over the former Brandywine Brasserie space.

The new iteration features a 40 seat dining room and a 12 seat bar, focusing on New American cuisine and regional ingredients. Diners can expect seasonal dishes like duck confit salad and tuna tartare, along with a two seat chef counter offering a 10-course tasting menu paired with wines and cocktails.

The restaurant operates Tuesday through Saturday for dinner service. Guests can use the parking garage located off Grant Avenue or find nearby street parking.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

Delaware passed a law in 2021 to automatically expunge low-level criminal records, but the rollout has hit a bottleneck. State agencies are currently disagreeing over exactly which cases qualify for the automated clearing process.

The original system identified nearly 600,000 eligible cases across the state. However, the State Bureau of Identification found ineligible records on that list and decided to manually evaluate each file. This manual review has slowed the process considerably, with just over 25,000 cases cleared so far.

State officials have not provided a timeline for when the automated system will be fully operational. Residents can still use the traditional application process to clear their records if they pay the required fees.

Source: DNREC

The Delaware City Refining Company is shifting to a backup emissions control process while crews repair equipment at the facility. The four weeks of maintenance will release significantly higher levels of sulfur dioxide into the air.

These emissions are released high in the atmosphere, and ground level air quality is expected to remain in the normal range. A similar repair project last summer led to a maximum state penalty of $300,000 for permit violations, a fine the refinery is currently appealing.

State officials will monitor local air quality stations throughout the repair window. Once the work is complete, regulators will review the total emissions to determine if new penalties are required.

Source: State of Delaware News

State health officials released new data showing health care spending increased across all major Delaware markets last year. Medicare accounted for the largest share, making up roughly forty-two percent of total expenditures.

The higher costs were driven by inflation, rising pharmaceutical prices, and increased hospital spending. Hospital services alone accounted for nearly thirty-six percent of total medical expenditures. The state also adopted a new method for calculating per capita spending to account for shifts in coverage following the end of pandemic-era Medicaid rules.

Alongside the financial data, the state tracked several quality benchmarks. Opioid overdose deaths fell by nearly forty percent, while certain cancer screenings exceeded state targets.

Source: Newark Post

A proposal to build four new three-story townhouses at the corner of Center and New streets hit a roadblock Tuesday night. The planning commission voted against recommending site plan approval for the project, which would replace an existing house and garage.

The developer requested relief from several city code requirements, including minimum lot area and building height. Commissioners criticized the design, noting a lack of green space and stating the project did not show the distinctiveness required to justify the requested waivers.

The developer can now revise the design or take the proposal directly to the city council. The council has the final authority and has previously approved projects that received negative recommendations.

Source: State of Delaware News

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings is pushing back against a new federal proposal that would allow certain weapons to be shipped across state lines through the mail. Jennings co-led a letter with 23 other states opposing the recent United States Postal Service rule change.

The coalition argues that the postal service plan bypasses licensed sellers and makes it harder for local law enforcement to track firearms used in crimes. Unlike private shipping companies, the postal service does not currently have a system to ensure packages comply with individual state firearm laws.

State officials say the proposed federal rule conflicts with a longstanding ban on mailing concealable firearms. The letter was submitted during the public comment period.

Stages of Discovery Presents the Pout Pout Fish at The Playhouse. This family-friendly musical adaptation of the best-selling children's book features live performers and whimsical puppets designed by Broadway veterans. Young audiences in pre-kindergarten through second grade will follow Mr. Fish on an oceanic adventure to find a missing pearl while exploring themes of friendship and teamwork. Tuesday at 9:30 AM and 12 PM.

Griffin Theatre Presents: Spread the Love Cabaret at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. Local performers deliver a feel-good musical escape featuring a high-energy mix of familiar Broadway hits and popular radio anthems. The intimate, family-friendly production celebrates friendship, joy, and hope through song, offering a heartwarming evening of community connection for a $15 ticket. Runs Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM.

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.

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

She's grey, she's sweet, and she's only 2-years-old. Blue is a medium-sized mixed breed who landed at the shelter through no fault of her own, and she is absolutely ready to put that chapter behind her. She's friendly, she's dog-friendly, and honestly, a girl this easygoing deserves a soft place to land.

Sometimes the best matches are the ones that sneak up on you. Blue isn't asking for much, just a stable home where she knows what's coming next and someone who's glad to see her at the end of the day.

Head to Brandywine Valley SPCA at 290 Churchmans Road, New Castle to meet Blue and see if she's the one you didn't know you were looking for.

Alpha Wolf: Let It Rip USA Tour at The Queen Wilmington. This all-ages show opens the Main Hall doors at 6 PM, giving fans plenty of time to settle in before the set kicks off. Tuesday at 7 PM.

Sunny Sweeney w/ Mindy Miller at Elkton Music Hall. Texas-bred country artist Sunny Sweeney brings her sharp, straight-talking songwriting style to the stage, with opener Mindy Miller warming up the crowd. Tuesday at 8 PM.

Free Summer Concert Series: Inner-Jettic at Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange. This free outdoor concert brings Inner-Jettic to the stage for a live performance that kicks off the summer season right. Wednesday at 5:30 PM.

Southern Culture on the Skids at Elkton Music Hall. This North Carolina-bred band has been serving up a swampy mix of rockabilly, blues, and country-fried rock since the late 1980s, and their live show is as loose and rowdy as their reputation suggests. Grab a spot early for a high-energy night of roots-driven music that doesn't take itself too seriously. Wednesday at 8 PM.

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

Monday

66 🌡️ 46 | ⛅ Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny | 28% | 💨 N 5 mph

Tuesday

69 🌡️ 50 | ☀️ Sunny | 0% | 💨 NW 5 mph

Wednesday

71 🌡️ 54 | ⛈️ Showers And Thunderstorms Likely | 62% | 💨 S 5 to 10 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 56ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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