Highlands Bunker

Soon-to-be-former News Journal Visual Journalist Jerry Habraken joins Rob in the bunker in an episode from the archives where they talk about his background, some fun stories from his past, the rules of cricket, and what Wilmington looks like to an outsider. Show Notes: Jerry's work on Delaware Online

Southbridge Civic Association Vice President Haneef Salaam joins Rob in the bunker to talk about how a community-supported development process was blocked by the city of Wilmington, and what that might mean for their broader goals to remake the city in BPG's image. See you Monday at noon. Show Notes: Amanda Fries's article on the process Trouble at the Christina Landing townhomes Four Keys to Succ...

State Treasurer Colleen Davis joins Rob in the bunker to talk about how a path through health care brought her into politics, what the role of the Treasurer entails, and what someone in that position can and can't do. Show Notes: Colleen Davis's campaign website Treasurer's website Patriotic Millionaires

The Kathy fight moves across the green to Legislative Hall as the State Senate considers a resolution to remove Kathy McGuiness from office. We walk through the play by play before talking about what might be next in the legislative process. Show Notes: Pete's statement The DOJ responds

Councilwoman Shané Darby joins Rob in the bunker to talk about why she's primarying Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha and what she wants to accomplish once she's in the State House. Show Notes: Shané's site Donate to Shané Shané's story in the News Journal Nnamdi Town Hall

State House candidate James Taylor joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about how his background in Wilmington led him to Berklee and back again, why he's running for office, and what needs to be done to fix Delaware government. Show Notes: James's site Donate to James Pascal Robert article Gulftainer update

The trial of the century has (mostly) wrapped up. Rob and Bill walk through the charges, the reactions, and what happens next. Then, we recap the last two days leading up to the verdict, and the various goofs and gags that ensued. Show Notes: John Carney's statement General Assembly statement Donate to WFP Candidates Volunteer for WFP Candidates

State Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton joins Rob in the bunker to talk about how the last few weeks of the legislative session has gone, giving a deeper look into how several progressive priorities (and some corporate priorities) have failed. We then talk about how it might be possible to make real progressive change. Show Notes: Coverage of the Admin Committee Donate to Madinah Nnamdi Town Hal...

In a miraculous turn of events, the trial of the century is now running ahead of schedule. The defense rests, but not before bashing MLB Hall of Famer Frank Robinson a few more times and trying to determine what Kathy knew and when she knew it. Ahead of closing arguments and a potential verdict, Rob and Bill discuss the their thoughts on the case so far.

The state finally rested its case today after calling a few more witnesses. After trying to get the whole case thrown out again, the defense begins with its slate of hardcore Kathy-heads and their favorite person: former Pennsylvania auditor Eugene DePasquale. Also, more phone calls from MLB Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.

Week 3 of the Kathy trial has begun. After we learn a little bit about court procedure, the state's witnesses continue with more insight on the Lovecraftian nightmare that makes up the Office of the Auditor of Accounts. Then, Hall of Famer and DOJ Investigator Frank Robinson comes to the stand to discuss his many phone calls with Kathy whistleblowers.

As the Kathy McGuiness trial ended its second week, Kathy's hyper-paranoid office shenanigans are explored by even more witnesses. Also, is Judge Carpenter finally tamping down on the razzle dazzle?

More witnesses on Day 6 of the Kathy McGuiness trial: more haters, more p-cards, and more hostile workplace environments. We also learn more about the man, the myth, the legend: Thomas Van Horn.

RD18 Candidate Sophie Phillips joins Rob in the bunker to talk about how her background led her to get involved in environmental justice advocacy, her tenure as Miss Delaware, and what her priorities will be as a state legislator. Show Notes: Sophie's website Donate to Sophie's campaign Volunteer for Sophie

On Day 5 of the Kathy trial, we hear from the infamous but largely innocent My Campaign Group, as well as Kathy's infamous but largely innocent daughter. Also, why it's hard to prosecute for a crime when everyone's doing it.

This is the time of fake friends. As the Kathy McGuiness trial enters its second week, we begin to hear from former (and current) employees about how Kathy treats people who speak out against her. Also, how a oppo-driven trek across the state indirectly led to witness intimidation charges.

As the first week of the trial came to a close, we got to take a closer look into what it was like working inside the Office of the Auditor of Accounts, especially if you're her daughter or a friend of her daughter. We then talk about the end of a depressing week in another part of Dover.

Housing activist Shyanne Miller joins Rob in the bunker to talk about some of the latest bills to make housing worse, how the city handled the evictions on Adams St, and what is still left to be done in this legislative session. Show Notes: SB 311 - Property Bundling Water shutoff vote Contact your legislature about the eminent domain bill

As the Kathy McGuiness trial continues on, we expand our scope to all of Dover. We discuss if it's normal to request the inboxes of dozens of former employees and walk through how house leadership holds up some bills while letting others sail through. Show Notes: Tell your legislators to vote no on HB458

After a false start in Wilmington, the Kathy McGuiness Trial has resumed in Dover. Join us through a Thompson-esque journey through employee categorization, document management, and the ol Steve Wood razzle dazzle.

Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence Executive Director Traci Murphy joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the recent slate of mass shootings, the different solutions needed for different types of gun violence, and what is being worked on in Delaware right now. Show Notes: Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence Brandywine Buzz Leadership's announcement on gun bills More on Camden's example

Author Hal Weitzman and Professor Dael Norwood join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about Hal's new book: What's the Matter with Delaware. We cover how Delaware's history, law, and politics enforce a system of secrecy and corruption that affects the entire world. Show Notes: Wilmington Is Becoming the It City Next Door What’s the Matter with Delaware? Division of Corporations FAQs Delaware Corpo...

Day 1 of the Kathy McGuiness Trial ended in a stalemate as the defense made a motion to try the case in a different county. Hear Rob and legal correspondent Bill Martin talk about the sights, sounds, and arguments of the first day of the trial of the century. Show Notes: News Journal coverage of Day 1

Karl the Producer joins Rob in the bunker in his capacity as Working Families Party Organizer to talk about the latest updates at legislative hall, why it's important to elect more progressives, and what it takes to make lasting change in Delaware. Show Notes: Delaware WFP site Become a WFP Member Become a WFP Volunteer Carney's weed veto Spiegelman's blow-up

Delaware DSA Co-Chair Jonathan Tate joins Rob to talk about what DE DSA has been working on this year and the place for DSA in Delaware politics. Peppered in are some live PA primary updates. Show Notes: Delaware DSA Site DE DSA's Facebook Become a DSA Member