Spotlight Delaware Podcasts

Editor-in-Chief Jacob Owens recently 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. Now, 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 Spotlig...

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 th...

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. Olivia talks about her "reading of the tea leaves" to try to discern how Sussex County Council members will vote, the conflict betw...

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 v...

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 rep...

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 di...

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...

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 t...

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 bipa...

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. Plu...

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 t...

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 g...

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 go...

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 report...

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. Hosted by...

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...

Reporter José Ignacio Castañeda Perez joins the podcast to check-in about 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...

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 Bi...

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 wha...

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. Al...

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 challen...

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 bo...

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. Hosted by Spotlight Delaware's Editor-in-Chief Jacob Owens.

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...

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 Trump administration on the lives of Delawareans. Hear about how the Latino community has been mobilized an...