The Green

Delaware has made progress in improving maternal and infant health over the past two decades.But recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the state is far from finished on working to keep mothers and babies healthy. Delaware’s infant mortality rate actually rose in 2022 – the latest year with available data – and babies born to Black mothers continue to face greater health risks compared to their white counterparts.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon caught up with ChristianaCare Pediatrician Dr. Priscilla Mpasi – Chair of the Delaware Healthy Mother and Infant Consortium – to discuss what more can be done to address maternal and child health in the First State.

OperaDelaware premieres a brand new musical drama at The Grand in Wilmington this month created by acclaimed American composer-librettist Derrick Wang.“Fearless” tells the true story of Hazel Ying Lee – a trailblazing World War II aviator and member of the famed ‘Women Airforce Service Pilots’ – and the largely overlooked sacrifices women like Lee made.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny sits down with Wang and OperaDelaware’s Vice President of Engagement Kerriann Otaño for a preview of the world premiere of “Fearless.”

This week, The Green brings you the second episode of the new Delaware Humanities’ podcast People and Planet. The podcast explores how Delawareans connect to the environments and cultures around them, and the cultural practices and creative works that bring us closer to the planet we call home.In this episode, entomologist, author, and professor at the University of Delaware’s Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, Doug Tallamy, examines the pressures facing the delicate relationship between the native plants and insects that help build healthy ecosystems.

Listen to the full show or individual segments.

Sarah McBride, Delaware's first openly transgender congresswoman, shares insights from her first 100 days in office. She discusses her commitment to combating significant federal funding cuts, particularly affecting Delaware's manufacturers. McBride reflects on the challenges of legislative collaboration and the personal stories that fuel her advocacy for consumer protection and vital support like Medicaid. Despite facing hostility regarding her identity, she remains focused on making a meaningful impact.

“Some people just want to watch the world burn” is an iconic line from the 2008 Batman film “The Dark Knight,” but for some Americans, it’s more than just a line, it’s a reflection of how they actually feel about the country’s political system.That’s according to new data from the Center for Political Communication at the University of Delaware, which finds that a number of people in the U.S. have what researchers call a “need for chaos,” and it’s those with these views that are placing more trust in figures like Elon Musk, President Trump, and the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon spoke with UD Professor of Communication and Political Science Dannagal Young about how this “need for chaos” is fueling support for Musk and Trump, and what it reveals about the state of U.S. democracy.

The Mastersingers of Wilmington have been a staple of Delaware’s music scene for years. Made up of both professional and amateur singers, the ensemble has become known for its rich sound and moving performances.Their upcoming concert “New Era Romantics” promises more of the same, offering music from around the turn of the 20th century and one of the major choral pieces from that period, “the Requiem” by Maurice Duruflé.In this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined by local musician Jordan Barrett – Board President of Market Street Music, which the Mastersingers are a part of – and conductor David Schelat for an early look at “New Era Romantics.”

Listen to the full show or individual segments.

A week after Gov. Matt Meyer delivered his first State of the State address, lawmakers embark on their two-week spring recess – an opportunity to regroup before this year’s legislative session heads into its stretch run.So where do things stand following Gov. Meyer’s State of the State and his budget presentation? And what issues are likely to dominate lawmakers' attention in May and June?This week, Delaware Public Media’s Tom Byrne sat down with DPM political reporter Sarah Petrowich to delve into the current state of play in Dover.

Cigarette smoking has fallen to its lowest level in the U.S. in more than 60 years, but even as fewer adults light up, e-cigarette use continues to climb.New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the number of adults exclusively using e-cigarettes more than tripled from 2017 to 2023, with the sharpest increases among younger adults.Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irrizary caught up this week with Beebe Healthcare Pulmonary Medicine specialist Dr. Victor Banzon to discuss what’s fueling the rise in vaping among younger people and efforts to address it.