Page 9 - Why Delaware News Today

Delaware News Journal Lawmakers have pledged to further restrict plastic shopping bags in Delaware stores, but some environmental advocates dont think their plans go far enough. Delaware put a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags at larger stores starting Jan. 1. It was meant to encourage stores and shoppers to switch to reusable bags in order to curb environmental waste, but many stores have found what critics call a "loophole" in the law by simply replacing the thin plastic bags with ...

Plastic bag ban: Delaware stores find loophole. Officials seek crackdown. Sarah Gamard, Delaware News Journal Headlines April 23, 2021 Replay Video UP NEXT Editors note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the allowed thickness of plastic bags in Delaware. Bags can be thicker than 2.25 mils, and Democrats want to introduce a bill to ban bags less than 10 mils. After banning plastic shopping bags at the start of this year, Delaware lawmakers have pledged to creat...

Delaware News Journal After banning plastic shopping bags at the start of this year, Delaware lawmakers have pledged to create more restrictions after stores have started to use thicker plastic bags instead of paper or cloth bags as intended. In 2019, lawmakers put a ban on plastic shopping bags found at checkouts. The measure went into Jan. 1 of this year. It was meant to encourage larger stores and shoppers to switch to reusable bags in order to curb environmental waste. While stores appe...

Other notes to keep in mind • Delaware is continuing to vaccinate essential workers through state partnerships at workplaces and state-run vaccination events. The state says employees should check with their employers for more information. Employers can contact the Division of Public Health at vaccineplanning@delaware.gov to discuss vaccination plans. • Delaware does not have a mechanism to filter for a certain vaccine, such as the single-dose Johnson & Johnson. When asked how to track do...

Officials estimate that 446,105 Delaware households will get $1,400 direct payments. Congress also extended the $300 weekly unemployment benefit.

Delaware News Journal Delaware lawmakers introduced a bill late Tuesday to gradually raise the states minimum wage to $15 an hour, heeding the growing call for the pay increase that neighboring states have already implemented. But the COVID-19 pandemic has only bolstered opposition from Delawares business-friendly community, which has prevailed in stopping such an increase in the past. Democrats have tried and failed for several years to move the state toward a $15 minimum wage. And like last ...

Delaware News Journal Vaccine skepticism during the COVID-19 pandemic has revived a debate over a nearly 20-year-old law allowing Delaware to quarantine and isolate people if they refuse an inoculation. The law was originally written to help the state respond to bioterrorism in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Gov. John Carneys office said he does not plan to use the authority during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to make sure that he ...

Special report: Many veterans already felt isolated. How has COVID-19 impacted them? Mike Feeley, Delaware News Journal © Jerry Habraken, The News Journal United States Marine Corps veteran and Wilmington resident Cameron Newberry stands for a portrait Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Newberry works with a nonprofit organization called Stop Soldier Suicide that helps military veterans transition from active service to civilian life. Delaware Online this week examined how the isolation...

Delaware News Journal Some Delaware lawmakers want to drop a state law that demands public school students pledge allegiance to the American flag and punishes teachers with prison time if they dont enforce it. Under law, teachers and principals who dont direct their students to pledge allegiance to the flag can be fined up to $50 or sent to prison for up to 10 days. House Bill 107 by Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, would still require that students pledge allegiance to the American flag eve...

Delaware News Journal Its one of the surest signs of spring in Delaware: Entrance fees will resume at state parks Monday, March 1. For Delaware-registered vehicles, its $4 to enter inland parks and $5 to enter ocean parks. Out of state vehicles will pay $8 and $10, respectively.  Most parks now have machines that allow patrons to pay via credit card, but not all.  For out-of-staters, annual passes are $70. For non-Delawareans 62 and older, theyre $35.  There are also discounts for active mi...