Making Words Work For You

10/05/2024

Delaware's school funding system is about my age. I've been writing about it from time to time for more than 50 years. Is it time for a change?

Education funding remains a front-burner issue in the First State, but how it will be addressed and how quickly remains up in the air.Last year, the state received an independent report recommending it spend $600 million to $1 billion more annually on education and revamp its education funding syste...

09/20/2024

It's good to see that one of the historic houses I've been writing about will be preserved and have a new life.

A 200-year-old hilltop mansion in Wilmington that once faced demolition now has a new lease on life.The Brown House is expected to offer apartments and community space under an agreement between The Wilmington Housing Partnership and a local developer.This week, Delaware Public Media contributor Lar...

09/06/2024

New name, slight changes in format and programming, but the Creative Vision Factory has a new home and new life in Wilmington.

The Creative Vision Factory closed its former Wilmington location in June, ending more than a decade of work using art to help those facing homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction.Contributor Larry Nagengast reports on The Creative Vision Factory’s rebirth in a new site, with a new name,...

09/02/2024

Several Delaware media outlets have published my piece on how my career began and is easing to a conclusion during two significant years in our nation's history. I like the packaging by Out & About magazine, especially since this week marks the 49th anniversary of the first Sunday News Journal.

Capturing the energy and passion of Greater Wilmington, one story at a time!

08/17/2024

Some prominent Delaware leaders were launching their careers in the summer of 1968, right around the time of the tumultuous Democratic National Convention. Me too. And now, as this year's DNC looms, we're all winding down. https://www.delawarepublic.org/politics-government/2024-08-17/reflections-chicago-1968-chicago-2024

1968. 2024.Sometimes years can be like bookends, or quotation marks – similar, but not quite identical, at either end, with an abundance of importance packed in between.

07/23/2024

Friends and folks I've written about abound in this NYT article. Happy to see that Joe will be coming home, and staying home, in 6 months.

Support is strong for President Biden in his home city. But, as one local put it, “You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.”

07/12/2024

Worth watching. Ignore at your peril.

07/09/2024

What has USA Today become? What will it be this time next year?

USA Today drew scorn as “McPaper” when it debuted in 1982 but ended up anticipating the future of news. Does it still have a place in national media?

06/28/2024

New Castle County and the Delaware Africa Coalition have reached an agreement that could prevent an historic farmhouse from falling victim to demolition by neglect.

New Castle County appears poised to halt the demolition by neglect of another historic building in one of its parks.Recently, the Jester Farmhouse in Brandywine Hundred saw its transformation into a home for a community art program completed. Now, it appears the historic Ivyside Farmhouse could get....

05/31/2024

Here's the fourth and final piece in our Delaware Journalism Collaborative series -- a look at how to develop a comprehensive strategy to meet the overlapping needs of the homeless, the mentally ill and those in recovery from substance abuse. https://www.delawarepublic.org/show/the-green/2024-05-31/experts-see-need-to-build-on-essential-support-services-with-housing We're hoping this series has impact and builds momentum for change throughout the state.

Earlier this month, contributor Larry Nagengast opened a series produced by the Delaware Journalism Collaborative on the The Creative Vision Factory; specifically the circumstances prompting a program that helps those facing homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction to leave its Wilmington h...

05/31/2024

Here's the third article by a Delaware Journalism Collaborative team focusing on the state's services (and shortcomings) in meeting the needs of the homeless and individuals with substance abuse and mental health issues. The package will conclude later today with my story examining possible solutions.

The Creative Vision Factory has used art to help those facing mental health issues and addiction for over a decade, and after facing a move out of Wilmington, now appears to have found a reprieve with a new partner.Spotlight Delaware's Jacob Owens examines how funding is allocated to Creative Vision...

05/25/2024

Here's the second piece in the Delaware Journalism Collaborative's series focusing on the Creative Vision Factory's departure from its downtown Wilmington site and examining the availability of essential services for the homeless and individuals with substance abuse and/or mental health issues. Look for the next two articles in the next week or so.

The artists at the Creative Vision Factory in Wilmington, Delaware, have found a communal network amid difficult circumstances.