Highlands Bunker

We begin by discussing the recent reassessment decision in the Court of Chancery, as well as some meta-discussion about how people have been discussing reassessment. Then, reviewing the historic election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City. Show Notes: New Castle County tax bills coming after judge denies landlord lawsuit Zohran Victory Speech Obama’s Lost Army

Representative Emeritus John Kowalko passed away this past weekend at the age of 80. In this episode, we remember his legacy. Past Kowalko Episodes: E14 - A Cabal of Corruption (w/John Kowalko) E167 - Representative Emeritus (w/John Kowalko) E268 - Medicare Disadvantage (w/ John Kowalko) The Fun Part - The People Gagged E296 - They Propose, We Dispose (w/ John Kowalko) Karl's piece: https://delawa...

New reassessment expert Jess Scarane joins Rob in the bunker for what is now the third part of a series about the property reassessment meltdown. They discuss the Court of Chancery trial about the legality of split tax rates, Wilmington's undefined internal reassessment, and the reemergence of the evil triangle at the Oct 7th reassessment hearings. Show Notes: Past two episodes

Madinah takes Austin. Then, Spotlight Delaware Deputy Editor Karl Baker joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the state of the media nationally and the pressures facing reporters locally. Show Notes: State Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton shows off comedy chops on 'Kill Tony'

A brief update on ICE, local political candidates, and FOIA requests. You'll have to pay to get more.

Governor Matt Meyer, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions. You have the right to have a lawyer with you during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. If you decide to answer ques...

Migrant rights activists Maria Beauchamp and Andrew Ramsaran join Rob in the bunker to talk about the state of ICE and immigration in Delaware and how people are taking action to stop the worst atrocities. Show Notes: Delaware Coalition for Immigrant Justice Delaware Call Fall Classic No Borders Delaware La Esperanza More on Avelo

Fellow podcaster Rachel Krantz joins Rob in the bunker to talk about some of the various topics she's covered from property taxes to the data center to the general weirdness of legislative hall. Then, the bunker announces its first official endorsement of 2026. Show Notes: This Is The Delaware Way Podcast New lawsuit against property taxes Delaware Call Fall Classic

Historian Harvey J Kaye joined Rob and Karl in the virtual bunker to talk about the current moment in American politics (recorded before this Wednesday) with an eye towards a surge in leftist candidates across the country. Then, they discuss Karl's recent essay on the labor history of Delaware's chicken plants. Show Notes: The Chicken War

A late-night spiritual exploration of the Delaware Way. Show Notes: Delaware Grapevine: A Tale of Delaware Politics

Friends and family of Josh Chattin and Fenel Baines of the Dream Initiative join Rob in the bunker to talk about the continued fallout of the attempt to get air conditioning in Delaware's prisons, and how the Dream Initiative is building and growing despite those obstacles. If you have stories about treatment by the DOC and want to get involved, you can reach out to Jennifer and Heather at Jennife...

Karl and Bill join Rob in the bunker to talk about Phillies legend Dick Allen (not as a metaphor), the history of the Delaware Way, and even a little bit about the property tax special session. Also, introducing the inaugural "Bill's Picks." 57:15 is the timestamp you're looking for. Show Notes: Black August Life After Biden Coverage of NOCAP Town Hall

New Castle County Councilman Brandon Toole joins Rob in the bunker to do a deeper dive into the latest set of property reassessments and the drama around it. They discuss what actually happened and what might actually be needed to fix it. Show Notes: Middletown Police Background Delaware Call Fall Classic Tyler Technologies Report

Young lady Jess Scarane joins Rob in the bunker to talk about two of the biggest topics of the day: the planned Delaware City data center and the town hall about it, and the increased property and school taxes from the latest reassessments. Show Notes: NOCAP Dover Town Hall New Castle County residents fight back against proposed data center Delaware lawmakers to reconvene for special session on ta...

Chance from Chancery Daily and Delaware Call reporter Jordan Howell join Rob in the bunker to revisit Senate Bill 21: both the lawsuits it has caused and the fiscal crisis that never happened. Then, they discuss some of the various tech boondoggles the state is pursuing: from data centers to AI sandboxes. Show Notes: Their Water Taps Ran Dry When Meta Built Next Door Update on the situation in Vau...

Jennifer Chattin, mother of previous guest Josh Chattin, joins Rob and State Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton in the bunker to give an update on her son's attempts to organize inmates in Vaughn (and now Howard Young) prison and the backlash they have faced. (To all legislative staff and spouses: the timestamp you're looking for is 26:26, try paying attention to something that actually matters)...

State Senator Laura Sturgeon and activist Shyanne Miller join Rob in the bunker to recap the first leg of Delaware's legislative session. We discuss the few things that did get done, and the larger forces and incentives that kept anything particularly substantial from getting through. Show Notes: DE-WFP Legislative Debrief Capital Fight or Flight and Delaware's Bunker Mindset Democrats told to "ge...

Inmates Joshua Chattin, Michael Fields, and Fenel Baines join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the atrocious conditions at Vaughn Prison in Smyrna which finally came to light during the latest heat wave, how inmates have been fighting back, and the blowback that they face when advocating for themselves. Then, a brief session recap ahead of our full episode next week. Show Notes: Our origina...

Karl and Bill join Rob in the bunker to talk about the latest debacle around Rep. Stell Parker Selby's resignation, as well as Karl's op-ed about the anti-democratic nature of Delaware's Democratic leadership. Show Notes: Support and pushback over bill to prevent local agreements with ICE Coast TV Interviews One and Two Delaware’s Bunker Mindset

Police reform activists Vonda Smack and Tom Donovan join Rob in the bunker to talk about the efforts of NOCAP Delaware to bring more police accountability to Dover through a public police accountability form, and what the general state of policing is in Dover right now. Show Notes: NOCAP Announcement , Facebook , and Instagram Dover Mayor, Law Enforcement, and State Officials Address Gun Violence,...

State representative Frank Burns joins Rob in the bunker to get an update on what has happened with Senate Bill 21, how he was best friends with Pope Leo growing up, and how he navigates the strange culture of legislative hall and Delaware politics. Show Notes: Gov. Meyer to defend landmark corporate law against constitutional challenge Senate passes offshore wind bill that overrides Sussex County...

Karl joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the first meeting of the Wilmington Homelessness Taskforce, and whether or not we can fix all of our problems with abundance. Then, they talk about whether or not the Democratic Party actually matters and what the Democratic Party even is. Show Notes: Wilmington Homelessness Taskforce What We Talk About When We Talk About “The Party” Ted Cruz, John Kasich...

Councilwoman Shané Darby joins Rob in the bunker to talk about her campaign for state representative and her run-in with the Wilmington police, and then Mr. Cee joins to talk about marijuana legalization and the different types of smokers. Show Notes: The rushed tax brackets bill Shané Darby's website Hygh Tymes WJVS Radio

Activist Michaelena DeJesus joins Rob in the bunker to talk about her experience of political repression over the last year now that the final charges have finally been dismissed. Show Notes: Jordan Howell's original piece

Bill joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the various ways that Delaware Democrats are melting down in public, the attempts of ZIP Code Wilmington to transform the city and its education system, and an update on your Wilmington Blue Rocks. Show Notes: Madinah Comedy Special We helped Wilmington baristas become coders. We transformed the city