Live Stand-Up Comedy Comes To Drip Cafe

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. Somewhere between productive and winging it is exactly where most days live.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

Between streaming apps, bundled deals, and that one channel you keep for comfort watching, TV habits have changed a lot. Curious where you land right now.

Need a nudge to get out of the house this winter? Centered Clay Studio in Kennett Square might be just the thing. They offer wheel throwing and handbuilding pottery classes for adults at all levels, and their vibe is equal parts creative and welcoming. You can sign up solo or make it a “clay date” with a friend or partner. Nothing says bonding like spinning clay into something (intentionally) lopsided.

From one-time workshops to multi-week courses, Centered Clay Studio gives you a reason to step out and get your hands dirty in the best way.

Need a winter pick-me-up? Drip Cafe in Hockessin is serving up dinner, drinks, and big laughs at its next Fourth Fridays: Comedy Night on January 23. Headliner Todd Chapelle joins Doug Krech and Sarah McDowell for a night of storytelling, snark, and second helpings. Doors open at 5:30 PM and the show starts at 6, with food and drinks available throughout.

It’s the kind of cozy, close-to-home outing that makes you glad you didn’t stay in. Tickets are just $20, and the coffee’s roasted in-house.

Christiana Fire Company has reached a historic milestone, naming Kevin Cowperthwait as its first career fire chief. Long respected for his leadership as a volunteer chief, Cowperthwait now steps into a full-time role as the company continues to grow.

In 2025 alone, Christiana Fire Company responded to more than 4,000 fire calls and approximately 13,000 EMS calls. Those services are delivered by a large and diverse team that includes 35 full-time staff, 60 part-time employees, and more than 100 volunteers.

Cowperthwait began his fire service career in 1981 with Pennsville Fire Company in New Jersey and joined Christiana in 2000. In 2013, he received the Medal of Valor for a life-saving rescue. His appointment reflects both the company’s expanding operational demands and its continued commitment to strong, experienced leadership in serving the community.

November’s unemployment numbers aren’t pretty: Delaware hit 4.9%, the highest since 2021. That’s well above the national rate of 4.6% and a full point jump from last year. County-level jobless rates also rose, and the October report was skipped entirely due to the federal shutdown. The state did gain 700 jobs overall, thanks mostly to private education and healthcare, but that’s small comfort for anyone job hunting.

The state labor office says this disconnect comes down to how jobs vs. unemployment are measured. It’s a reminder that even when the job count ticks up, it doesn’t always mean people are working.

Trade unions are storming back into New Castle County politics, and the spark? proposed $8 billion data center near Delaware City. Spotlight Delaware reports the Delaware Building Trades Council has been loudly backing the project, and now two of its leaders are running for County Council seats. It's a showdown: unions and business groups on one side, environmentalists and longtime officials like Dave Carter on the other. Carter wants stricter data center regulations.

The story features finger-pointing (literally), inflatable protest rats, and a lot of campaign heat. This fight over jobs, power, and AI infrastructure could reshape local politics in a big way.

Delaware lawmakers want to draw a clear line as artificial intelligence shows up more in healthcare. A new bill would make it explicit that AI and other non-human entities cannot be licensed to practice medicine, nursing, or serve as physician assistants in the state.

House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown says AI can absolutely support innovation and improve care, but patients still need clear accountability. The idea is to put guardrails in place early, so Delaware can embrace new tools without blurring who is actually responsible for medical decisions.

The legislation, House Bill 191, is awaiting action in a House committee when lawmakers return to Dover on January 13. It is a small but timely step as AI continues to move faster than most rulebooks.

If you have ever wondered how closely Delaware keeps tabs on its unemployment funds, the latest annual audit offers an update. The state’s Unemployment Insurance Fund is still considered unauditable as officials continue working through a long-running modernization of its reporting system.

According to Delaware Public Media, state auditors were not surprised by the finding. The Department of Labor is in the middle of replacing an outdated mainframe system, with expectations that the new system will be fully online by late 2026 or early 2027. Until then, auditors say there simply is not enough reliable data to complete a standard audit.

The fund itself is separate from Delaware’s General Fund and is largely supported by employer contributions and federal dollars.

The ACLU is suing Christina, Cape Henlopen, and Woodbridge school districts for charging what it calls unreasonable fees to fulfill a public records request. While some districts handed over the info for free (or about $400), these three quoted costs between $1,983 and $3,438. Christina, for example, said it would take 32 hours at nearly $62 an hour.

The ACLU says that's excessive, especially since all districts gave similar data for free just last year. The suit is now in Delaware Superior Court, asking for lower fees and attorney costs. Transparency, it argues, shouldn’t be paywalled.

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.

Into the Woods Jr. at Griffin Theatre – St Stephen’s Lutheran Church. Step into a whimsical mashup of classic fairy tales as familiar characters chase their wishes and discover that every choice has consequences in this family-friendly musical packed with humor and heart. Thursday through Sunday at various times, with a brisk one-hour runtime that makes it perfect for kids and adults alike.

Classical Arts Entertainment Presents the Sleeping Beauty at The Playhouse brings the timeless tale of Sleeping Beauty to life with stunning choreography and enchanting music. Attendees will be swept away by the elegance and grace of this classic ballet. Friday at 07:00 PM.

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

Trent is the kind of dog who just needs a little time and a lot of love. Lucky for him, the Brandywine Valley SPCA has plenty of both. This 3-year-old tan stunner came in a little shy, but he’s been steadily blooming thanks to patient staff, playgroup pals, and a steady stream of treats.

These days, he’s curious, confident, and ready to explore life outside the shelter walls. Trent might start out a bit reserved, but give him a moment and he’ll be at your side, tail wagging, eyes shining, heart wide open.

If you’ve got room on your couch and in your heart, head to the New Castle campus at 290 Churchmans Road and ask for Trent. He’s neutered, medium-sized, and more than ready for his next chapter.

👉 bvspca.org/adopt/trent

44 🌡️ 27 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 2% | 💨 W 13 mph

49 🌡️ 39 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 4% | 💨 SW 11 mph

52 🌡️ 33 | ☁️ Cloudy | 19% | 💨 SW 7 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 40ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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