When former U.S. Senator and former Delaware Gov. Tom Carper retired from the U.S. Senate in Jan. 2025, he promised to remain active working on projects focused on “creating jobs that promote clean energy.” This week, Carper and the Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN) at the University of Delaware formally launched the Carper Collaborative on Climate and Jobs.And Carper sat down with Delaware Public Media's Tom Byrne to discuss this new initiative and what he hopes to accomplish with it.

With the weather growing warmer, nature is awake again and new life is emerging. So are mosquitos. While they can be a nuisance, showering you with itchy bites, the most concerning aspect is the diseases they carry.To get ahead of this, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control applies various methods of controlling mosquito populations, one of which involves chemicals.And while this method may curb the spread of those mosquito-bourne diseases, being exposed to those chemicals are a separate concern of its own to public health - and can affect environmental health.To understand this better, Delaware Public Media’s Jay Shah spoke with Dr. Anneclaire De Roos - a professor of environmental and occupational health at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University – and the Delaware Nature Society’s Director of Advocacy Mark Nardone.

OperaDelaware closes its season next month with a performance of Andrea Chenier, a gripping, passionate tale of love, art, and resistance set against the backdrop of the French Revolution.And, they'll be performing the opera in front of singers, directors, and other opera professionals from across the US, as they host the Opera America conference. On this week's Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny speaks with the opera's two leads, soprano Toni Marie Palmertree and tenor Dane Suarez.

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The state of Delaware is taking its next step to regulate and mitigate so-called ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water. Late last month, the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Public Health, and Department of Agriculture delivered an implementation plan – outlining how they plan to cut the presence of PFAS chemicals in drinking water, soil and air.This week, contributor Jon Hurdle digs into that plan and offers a look at where Delaware is heading in its battle against PFAS.

Black Maternal Health Week is held each April, raising awareness of inequities in health care and campaigning for collective action supporting Black families.In 2005, Delaware had the sixth highest infant mortality rate in the nation, with a disproportionate number affecting Black and brown children. Those rates declined in 2009 after several statewide and grassroots efforts to care for marginalized families.That decline continues, but Black Delawareans are still more at risk during pregnancy and postpartum than white Delawareans.Delaware Public Media’s Abigail Lee sat down with Family Health Systems Section Chief Leah Jones and Black Mothers in Power Founder Shané Darby to talk about Black maternal health in Delaware and grassroots efforts to protect First State families.

The Delaware Symphony Orchestra wrap up its season this month with a pair of concerts in Wilmington and Lewes.On this edition of Arts Playlist, Delaware Public Media's Martin Matheny gets a preview of the show from the orchestra's music director, Michelle Di Russo, along with her reflections on her first season leading the symphony.

April is AARP Fraud Prevention Month.As part of the organization’s efforts to address the issue, AARP conducted a survey to understand the public’s concerns regarding fraud, and will host free events in Delaware this month to help residents protect themselves from fraud.In this edition of Enlighten Me, Delaware Public Media’s Joe Irizarry is joined AARP Delaware’s Communications Manager Kimberly Wharton to discuss what AARP’s research found, what types of fraud and scams people should be aware of and best practices to avoid becoming a fraud victim.

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It's the start of a new season for farmers in the First State and as they look at what to plant and how to budget to have a successful season, they are navigating several issues. And some of those issues are out of their control, including the impact of the war with Iran and tariffs.This week, Delaware Public Media’s Isreal Hale delves into those issues with University of Delaware Cooperative Extension Farm Business Management Specialist Nathaniel Bruce to better understand how Delaware farmers are coping with this period of volatility in the Ag industry