Spotlight Delaware is pleased to share two podcast series with you.
Beyond the Headlines will take you inside the story and into the minds of our reporters, sharing insights beyond what shows up on our website and in our newsletters. The podcast is hosted by David Stradley, Director of Community Engagement.
Delaware Newsmakers provides you with longform, conversational interviews with key figures in the First State. The podcast is hosted by Jacob Owens, Editor in Chief.
Catch up on episodes from 2025 on this page. Episodes from 2024 can be found HERE.
Beyond the Headlines: 2025 Reporter Reflections
(December 24, 2025)
In this last “Beyond the Headlines” episode for 2025, each member of Spotlight Delaware’s nine-person reporting team reflects on the stories that meant the most to them in the year. From government accountability to long-term investigations, community profiles to breaking news, learn what stuck out to our reporters in 2025. Moms, farmers, politicians, abuse victims and more are all featured in these reflections.
Articles connected to this episode:
Delaware abuse victim rescued from ICE deportation
Delaware soybean farmers remain optimistic amid dropping prices
Years of violations, but few consequences for MeadowWood
Wilmington mom struggles to secure therapy for son with autism
A decade after Bradley abuse case, survivors still seek help
Trans youth face care crisis in Delaware as health options shrink
Late-night compromise ends legislative standoff over offshore wind
DelDOT investigating land deal struck with a chief planner’s business partner
Democrats feud over Sussex chair’s sex offender past
Beyond the Headlines: Concerns Around Redding Consortium Redistricting Plans
(December 11, 2025)
Education reporter Julia Merola talks about the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity and specifically its process to make a recommendation for reworking school district boundaries in Wilmington. She recaps the background of the consortium and the details of the December 16th vote to move forward with a redistricting plan. Julia also discusses why the work of the consortium, which had been flying under the radar, has recently been receiving a lot more public focus – and with that, some public confusion and public pushback.
Plus, learn when being a 4’11” reporter has downsides.
Articles connected to this episode:
What is the Redding Consortium?
‘We were bulldozed’: The history of Wilmington’s school system
Beyond the Headlines: Our Delaware Cultural Festival
(December 5, 2025)
Editor-In-Chief Jacob Owens and Marketing and Events Manager Elsa Kegelman take listeners behind the scenes on the upcoming Our Delaware Cultural Festival in Wilmington, Delaware. They explain the origin of the Our Delaware story series, how it morphed into an in-person event and what attendees can expect.
Beyond the Headlines: Make Georgetown Great Again — Pushback on Homeless Services
(November 20, 2025)
Rural communities reporter Maggie Reynolds discusses a controversy that has broken out in recent weeks in Georgetown where a citizens’ group is making their disapproval quite vocal of the town’s homeless population and the town government’s handling of the issue.
Maggie gives insight into the origins of the Make Georgetown Great Again movement, highlights other quieter voices offering perspectives on homelessness, and reflects on how the dynamics of smaller town life are playing out in this debate. Plus, Maggie shares how reporters think about where they sit in town council meetings.
Articles connected to this episode:
Georgetown homelessness spurs resident ire, calls for change
Georgetown tiny homes project faces uncertainty amid resident ire
Delaware Newsmakers: Margaret Murphy, mother of Bradley victims
(November 13, 2025)
Spotlight Delaware began to investigate the impact of the unprecedented settlement agreement reached in the wake of the Earl Bradley scandal after being contacted by Margaret Murphy, of Lewes, Delaware.
Murphy, whose daughters have struggled in the years since the pedophile’s crimes were brought to light more than 15 years ago, has been raising awareness around the lack of support services for the survivors in the case. She has unsuccessfully sought assistance from the multi-million-dollar settlement trust fund created to compensate and support hundreds of Bradley’s young victims.
Editor-In-Chief Jacob Owens talked with Murphy about all of this and more.
Beyond the Headlines: Reporting on the Bradley Survivors
(November 13, 2025)
Editor-in-Chief Jacob Owens published a special report, A decade after Bradley abuse case, survivors still seek help, as well as a podcast with Margaret Murphy, the mother of two of Earl Bradley’s victims. Owens joins the “Beyond the Headlines” podcast to share his perspectives on the nearly two-year reporting journey behind the article. He details what led Murphy to trust Spotlight Delaware with this story, the special considerations and care surrounding interviewing survivors of sexual abuse, and his hopes for the conversation that will occur in Delaware as a result of this special report.
Beyond the Headlines: A Triple Play of Sussex Land Use Decisions
(November 6, 2025)
Olivia Marble discusses three current development proposals which, taken together, give a fascinating snapshot into how elected officials, advocates, and everyday residents are wrestling with questions about where and how to build in Delaware’s fastest growing county. She talks about her “reading of the tea leaves” to try to discern how Sussex County Council members will vote, the conflict between desires for both denser developments and preservation corridors, and traffic – always traffic. Plus, the irony of residents in new housing developments advocating against new housing developments.
Articles connected to this episode:
Sussex density goals put to the test by controversial Belle Mead development
Sussex County Council divided on Atlantic Fields ahead of vote
Sussex County Council split on Cool Spring Crossing amid outcry
Beyond the Headlines: A Delawarean Rescued from ICE
(October 23, 2025)
Reporter José Ignacio Castañeda Perez talks about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s recent arrest and detention of a Delaware victim of domestic violence, despite her living with temporary protected legal status in the U.S. If ICE had deported her back to her native country, her abuser would have been waiting. José Ignacio offers details about the process to gain permission to tell the victim’s story, how newsrooms deal with requests for anonymity and gives more insight into some of the key figures in the article.
Article connected to this episode:
‘Bring her back’: Delaware abuse victim rescued from ICE deportation
Beyond the Headlines: Hospital Charity Care
(October 9, 2025)
Health reporter Nick Stonesifer discusses his investigation into charity care provided by nonprofit hospitals in the state, particularly Delaware’s largest healthcare provider. Charity care (or financial assistance to individuals at certain income levels) is something that most Delawareans may not be aware of, particularly those who could use it the most. Nick gives insight into his four-month reporting research for the article, how the charity process works, and why the concept of “community benefits” provided by nonprofit hospitals has become so hard to quantify.
Article connected to this episode:
As ChristianaCare’s profits rise, free care to the poor stays stagnant
Beyond the Headlines: Wilmington Corner Stores
(September 24, 2025)
Reporter Brianna Hill returns to the podcast to take us with her as she hit the street, particularly street corners, for her September 7th article “Should Wilmington temporarily ban new corner stores?” Brianna talks about how she sourced the community voices for the story, some of the surprising points of view that made their way into her reporting and shares a few encounters on the street that didn’t make it into the article. Plus, find out which group of people sitting on a corner Brianna perhaps shouldn’t have approached for the story.
Article connected to this episode:
Should Wilmington temporarily ban new corner stores?
Bonus Beyond the Headlines: Family Fun Day
(September 16, 2025)
Marketing & Events Manager Elsa Kegelman makes a special guest appearance on “Beyond the Headlines” to let listeners in on all the adventures that await during Spotlight Delaware’s Family Fun Day, taking place on Saturday, September 27. With podcast host David Stradley, Elsa gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the statewide escapades as we’ve been planning this day and provides the inside scoop on biggest surprises, best gift shops and most Instagrammable locales among the Family Fun Day attractions. Plus, learn where Elsa and David think certain Shakespeare characters would have their family fun in Delaware.
Beyond the Headlines: Spotlight’s SoDel Expansion
(September 11, 2025)
Tim Carlin, Spotlight’s new deputy editor for Southern Delaware, visits the podcast to discuss what will guide the newsroom’s expanded coverage of Kent & Sussex counties. He highlights stories from recent months that typify what he hopes southern Delawareans can expect from Spotlight, explores why First State residents should care about localized stories beyond their town, and offers thoughts on the pros and cons of reporting on Delaware as a newcomer. Plus, Tim takes a Delaware Trivia quiz to assess how he’s doing at learning about his new home!
Articles connected to this episode:
Delaware Explained: Sussex County land use reforms
Delaware hunters, lawmakers clash over hunting supervision rules
Beyond the Headlines: Helping with Homelessness & Drug Rehab in Kent County
(August 28, 2025)
Rural Communities Reporter Maggie Reynolds joins the podcast for the first time to talk about her recent article detailing efforts in Kent County to add support services for those experiencing homelessness and drug addiction. She shares insights into why tactics are different in Kent and New Castle counties, how personal connections lead people to take action on this issue, and what sparked a bipartisan collaboration between two senators. Plus, learn how Maggie ended up doing an interview for the story inside a BMW at an abandoned auto shop.
Article connected to this episode:
Kent County debates ideas to address homelessness, drug use
Beyond the Headlines: Property Reassessment Saga
(August 18, 2025)
As New Castle County school boards are meeting to consider new property tax rates, Editor-in-Chief Jacob Owens offers perspectives on the reassessment saga. He discusses reactions in different counties to the property reassessments and tax rates, how the Delaware legislature attempted to provide relief in a one-day special session and what lessons we can take from this 40-year-delayed process. Plus, find out how Jake’s newly-constructed Middletown home was given a 1983 valuation.
Articles connected to this episode:
New Castle County school districts all prepare tax rate resets
State lawmakers ease residential property tax burden in testy special session
Delaware Explained: Post-reassessment tax bill
Beyond the Headlines: Delaware City Data Center
(July 30, 2025)
Olivia Marble, Spotlight Delaware’s new land use reporter reporter, makes her podcast debut discussing a potential project that has quickly gripped Delawareans — an 11-building data center in Delaware City. Olivia offers context on her discussion with energy experts, the atmosphere in the recent public town hall, and potential legislation that could influence the development. Plus, find out how the frustrations of 15-year-old Olivia led to her passion for land use.
Articles connected to this episode:
Proposed Delaware data center would have massive energy needs
Delaware House Speaker joins calls to deny proposed data center
New data center regulations proposed in New Castle County
Beyond the Headlines: School’s Out for the Summer
(July 16, 2025)
Education reporter Julia Merola comes onto the podcast to look back over the recent school year. She shares insights about some recent consequential school board activity, bills passed during this year’s legislative session that will have impact in the schools next year, and the current state of Federal education funding. Plus, find out whether Julia still thinks about education issues while she goes on her summer break.
Articles connected to this episode:
Moriak selected as new Christina school board president
Appoquinimink votes to raise taxes amid accounting snafu
Free breakfast leads Delaware education bills passed
Beyond the Headlines: Reflection on the 2025 Legislative Session
(July 3, 2025)
Deputy Editor Karl Baker joins the podcast hours after the legislative year ended in Dover to give his perspective on the accomplishments of Delaware elected officials in this session. Karl discusses the debate over state vs. county authority, the creation of the office of inspector general, and the internal divisions in the Democratic party. Plus, find out how the debate on single-use plastics got surprisingly spicy!
Article connected to this episode:
Late-night compromise ends legislative standoff over offshore wind
Beyond the Headlines: Rent Stabilization in Wilmington
(June 19, 2025)
Reporter Brianna Hill discusses the atmosphere, emotions and policy debates around the recent efforts in the Wilmington City Council to pass a rent stabilization measure. Brianna gives insight into the thought process of key council members, how the intensity of public expression around the issue impacted her reporting, and why she decided to leave out some of the drama. Plus, learn what a reporter does when they get locked out of council chambers without their press pass.
Articles connected to this episode:
Advocates eye referendum after Wilmington rent stabilization fails
Wilmington rent bill faces pushback from Carney, Meyer administrations
New proposal seeks to limit rents in Wilmington
Beyond the Headlines: Final Days of the 2025 Legislative Session
(June 5, 2025)
Editor-in-Chief Jacob Owens gets listeners ready to go for the stretch run of the 2025 legislative session in Dover. He talks about the legislative highlights so far in the year, the bills he has his eye on during the last weeks, and the learning curve of new executive and legislative branch leadership. Plus, learn more about what the heck “DEFAC” is and how it impacts the state budget.
Articles connected to this episode:
Delaware Explained: State Revenue
Delaware school funding reform approved with few details
Delaware Democrats advance offshore wind bill despite criticism
Delaware Newsmakers: County Executive Marcus Henry
(June 4, 2025)
New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry won the office last occupied by our now Governor Matt Meyer. And in doing so, became the first person of color to lead Delaware’s largest county.
He’s a longtime public servant, having served in several countywide positions over the last decade. He’s a successful business owner and the father of a child with autism. He’s overseeing departments dealing with housing, community services, and economic development. But the county executive seat is his first time in elected office.
Henry speaks about all this and more.
Beyond the Headlines: ICE Activity Expand in Delaware
(May 22, 2025)
Reporter José Ignacio Castañeda Perez checks in on the impact of immigration enforcement in Delaware by the Trump Administration. He shares how data trends of immigration arrests and criminal cases can provide useful context across administrations, the manner in which Spotlight broke the story of a partnership agreement between ICE and a Delaware town, and why he thinks the state is best served by a variety of media outlets providing coverage on complex topics. Plus, find out what reporters do if an important source calls while they are driving.
Articles connected to this episode:
ICE arrests quietly escalate in Delaware under Trump presidency
Police in Kent County town rescind ICE partnership following a backlash
Beyond the Headlines: Rising Home Improvement Fraud
(May 7, 2025)
Reporter Nick Stonesifer joins the podcast to offer more insight into rising instances of home improvement fraud in Delaware and solutions being proposed in the state legislature. Nick discusses the process for identifying an issue as worthy of coverage, details of the proposed legislation, and his reaction when his article on home improvement fraud was read as part of the presentation on House Bill 89. Plus, Nick lets listeners in on how reporters balance their own feelings on story subjects caught in horrible situations with the need to create fact-based reporting.
Articles connected to this episode:
As home improvement fraud arrests rise, convictions remain elusive
Home improvement fraud bill moves through committee
Beyond the Headlines: Federal Policy Shifts & Delaware Schools
(April 23, 2025)
Reporter Julia Merola offers context on recent Federal actions regarding education funding and policy, and how it might impact the realities of schools in the First State. Julia discusses Delaware’s response to a Federal request to certify state schools do not incorporate DEI programs, how the dismantling or weakening of the Federal Department of Education could affect school districts, and in what ways covering national policy has changed her reporting processes. Plus, Julia identifies how area Republicans and Democrats have had some similar responses to the early actions of the Trump Administration.
Articles connected to this episode:
Delaware Sec Marten responds to Trump DEI certification demand
Asked about Trump DEI ultimatum, Meyer responds with a joke
Trump dismantling of Education Department could impact Delaware
Delaware senator files complaint over transgender sports policy
Beyond the Headlines: Reflecting on “The Billionaire’s Bill”
(April 10, 2025)
Deputy Editor Karl Baker shares his reflections on the passing of Senate Bill 21 in the Delaware Legislature, the annual corporate law reform bill. Karl chimes in on whether this really is a “billionaire’s bill,” what this year’s debate tells us about the split between progressive and traditional Delaware Democrats, and how to parse the truth made by the dramatic lobbying efforts on both sides. Also, hear more about what exactly the term “unfriendly” means when it is thrown out during legislative debates.
Article connected to this episode:
Senate Bill 21 signed into law after bitter Delaware House debate
Beyond the Headlines: Recreational Marijuana Market Delays
(March 27, 2025)
Brianna Hill checks in on the status of Delaware’s recreational marijuana industry, which seems to be in a place of indetermined delay. Brianna shares more about hold-ups in connection to criminal background checks, buffer zones around business locations, and conflicts between state, county and town officials. Plus, Brianna discusses how the stereotype of the “pothead” may be adding to the challenges of launching the recreational marijuana market in the First State.
Articles connected to this episode:
Delaware bill would force counties to ease marijuana shop buffers
Marijuana delays precipitated by Delaware, FBI disagreement
Delaware marijuana licensees left waiting amid delays
Beyond the Headlines: Unsustainable Growth in Sussex?
(March 12, 2025)
Spotlight Delaware’s newest reporter, Mike Smith, talks about his recent article (now the 4th most viewed article in Spotlight history) analyzing growth issues in Sussex County and differing opinions between state and county land use planners. Mike discusses why the article resonated with so many, what source Editor-in-Chief Jacob Owens urged him to add to the story, and how a journalist can be both a birder and pro-growth. Plus, discover the surprising usefulness of Arena’s Deli & Bar to a reporter!
Article connected to this episode:
State planning chief: Sussex growth is ‘unsustainable’
Delaware Newsmakers: Attorney General Kathy Jennings
(February 27, 2025)
Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings talks about her work in opposing early mandates by the Trump administration.
The longtime prosecutor also discussed her outlook for changing state policy on addiction treatment and gun control under Gov. Matt Meyer, who was once her boss in New Castle County, as well as her own political future.
Beyond the Headlines: Big Delaware Corporate Law Changes
(February 26, 2025)
Editor-in-Chief Jacob Owens helps listeners understand the issues behind the potentially significant changes to Delaware corporate law proposed in Senate Bill 21. He breaks down why this has impact on everyday Delawareans and not just ultrarich shareholders and CEOs, makes clear who the factions are within the debate, and shares his guess as to whether any celebrities will show up in Dover during the bill hearings.
Articles connected to this episode:
Landmark Delaware corporate law changes aim to stem exits
Meyer considers Delaware corporate court reform, drawing concern
Beyond the Headlines: Immigration Enforcement in Delaware
(February 12, 2025)
Reporter José Ignacio Castañeda Perez discusses the principles that guide Spotlight’s coverage surrounding immigration enforcement in the First State. Starting with “Do No Harm” and “Seek Truth and Report It,” José Ignacio details his work to capture the impact of federal policy decisions by the Trump administration on the lives of Delawareans. Hear about how the Latino community has been mobilized and unified in recent weeks and the fact-checking process to make sure Spotlight is not amplifying rumors. José Ignacio also shares his efforts to build trust among all sides of the political spectrum — but how those efforts to maintain balance are cumulative and may appear different on every story.
Articles connected to this episode:
Delaware schools wrestle with protecting undocumented students
ICE conducts ‘fugitive enforcement’ in Georgetown
Local Delaware markets impacted amid deportation fears
Beyond the Headlines: Unveiling Secret Maryland Lobbying Efforts
(January 29, 2025)
Senior Reporter Karl Baker details the detective work he and Nick Stonesifer did on their article “How a Maryland county tried to sway Delaware vote on offshore wind.” From stumbling upon the StopOffshoreWind.com website to identifying the Florida lobbyist who suddenly incorporated an anti-wind energy organization in Delaware to getting Worcester County to go on the record with their funding of the efforts, Karl lays out the puzzle pieces the Spotlight team put together to bring to light governmental actions for readers in Delaware and Maryland.
Article connected to this episode:
How a Maryland county tried to sway Delaware offshore wind vote
Beyond the Headlines: “We’re all closer to homelessness than we think” — Unhoused in Delaware
(January 15, 2025)
Reporter Brianna Hill has written several articles over the last four months about homelessness in Delaware. In this podcast, Brianna reflects back on what she’s learned during her reporting and how she tries to connect readers to a subject that can seem far removed from their lives. She also shares what she’ll be watching to see if Mayor Carney will take a different approach to homelessness in Wilmington than his predecessor.
Articles connected to this episode:
‘The forgotten population’: Single women struggle in fight against homelessness
Did Wilmington retaliate after loitering statute ban?
Code Purple shelters provide refuge for Delaware’s homeless amid storm
Supreme Court ruling sparks public camping ban movement
Delaware Newsmakers: Gov. John Carney
(January 5, 2025)
Delaware Governor John Carney reflects on his eight-year tenure in the week before he takes on his new job – as Mayor of Wilmington.
A former lieutenant governor and congressman, Carney has served in elected office for nearly all of the past 25 years. His reflections offer observations on the nation, the state and his city.