“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.”

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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.

The Southern Delaware Orchestra, also known as Sodelo, is back again this season – bringing its ‘Sounds of Spring’ concerts to Sussex County. The performances, set for April 26 and 27, offer a mix of classical favorites and contemporary pieces celebrating nature and the arrival of spring.For this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny is joined by Sodelo’s co-founder and music director James Allen Anderson for more on the upcoming concerts and what audiences can expect.

A forthcoming memoir traces one Delaware woman’s difficult path through abusive relationships and, ultimately, a fruitful career in law enforcement.In “Standing Up: Making the Best Out of Surviving the Worst,” Middletown-based author Mary Devine offers a unique perspective that’s part civilian, part law enforcement. Devine recounts her two early marriages and how those experiences shaped her career in law enforcement in Delaware, where she spent years responding to the kinds of domestic violence calls she once lived through.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Kyle McKinnon talks with Devine about “Standing Up” and finding agency beyond the things that happen to us.

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As the annual horseshoe crab spawning season approaches, the debate over the harvesting of those crabs continues, with conservationists and the commercial fishing industry searching for ways to protect horseshoe crabs and the species that depend on them while allowing fishermen to make a living without further restrictions from state quotas.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle reports on this debate over horseshoe crab protections and where it’s headed.

Recycling feels like second nature for many at this point – toss your plastic cup in the blue bin, and the rest takes care of itself.But how much of what you put in that bin actually gets recycled? And do Delawareans really know the dos and don’ts when it comes to recycling the right way?University of Delaware senior and Delaware Public Media intern Jack Silverberg examines the First State’s recycling and sustainability efforts, and outreach aimed at educating young people and the broader community.