Good morning, Dover.

Sen. Blunt Rochester visited the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club’s Adopt-a-Family event on Tuesday, Dec.

23, where the club gave 2,500 gifts to children in need. The club plans to improve the program next year & boost holiday support for local families.

The Carl M. Freeman Foundation donated $20,000 to the Food Bank of Delaware to support food distribution in Sussex County.

The donation helps families access nutritious food as the bank meets rising community needs.

The Delaware Department of Education was awarded $8.7M to combine literacy with civics education for students in grades 4 to 8.

The five-year project will expand current teaching practices with support from the Center for Civic Education & the University of Delaware.

Mark Nardone, director of advocacy for Delaware Nature Society, recalled how the Clean Water Act revived the Delaware River as the EPA & USACE now propose a new definition of protected waters.

The proposal, open for comment until Jan. 5, may risk local water quality and raise treatment costs.

Former state representative Joseph Miro urges residents to talk with their doctors about colon cancer screening as early detection can save lives.

He notes that new methods like the blood test Shield (the first FDA-approved primary screening tool) may simplify the process.

Flu season is off to a strong start in Dover as local health officials report an early outbreak of a dominant influenza A strain called ‘super flu’ and urge unvaccinated residents to get their shots soon + updated tests now detect both flu and COVID-like symptoms.

A record 356,000 Delawareans have traveled since Dec.

20 and more are planned through New Year's Day as lower gas prices and heavier I-95 traffic spurred holiday trips. DART has announced that fixed route and paratransit services will not run on Christmas Day & New Year's Day.

DeSean Jackson renewed his commitment to Delaware State University by signing a contract extension through 2028 after leading a turnaround that produced an 8-4 season and a MEAC championship game appearance.

The University is also moving forward with a $125 million athletic transformation program.