Dover Air Force Base’s biennial open house and air show drew an estimated 120,000 visitors over two days, setting a new attendance record.

The Thunder Over Dover Air Show featured the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the Army Golden Knights parachute team, a rare C-5M Super Galaxy static display, helicopter rescue demonstrations, vintage WWII aircraft flyovers, and STEM career exhibits.

Base commander Colonel Sarah Johnson credited the turnout to ‘the Delaware community’s incredible support for our airmen.’ Over 2,000 visitors expressed interest in Air Force careers. Local hotels sold out and restaurants saw 40-60% revenue increases.

Amtrak has announced a $45 million renovation of Wilmington’s Joseph R. Biden Jr. Railroad Station, bringing modern amenities to one of the busiest Northeast Corridor stations.

Upgrades include expanded seating with charging stations, new retail concessions including a Brew HaHa! coffee bar, ADA-compliant platforms with new elevators, upgraded HVAC and lighting, and enhanced security infrastructure.

Construction begins early 2027 with phased approach keeping the station operational. The station handles approximately 1,600 passengers daily. Funded through federal infrastructure funds and Amtrak capital investment.

Mayor Purzycki praised the project as ‘transformational for downtown Wilmington and our status as a connected, modern city on the Northeast Corridor.’

Delaware Restaurant Week returns for its 12th year with a record 85 restaurants participating across all three counties, running August 11-17.

Pricing tiers: $20/person for casual dining, $40/person for fine dining, and $55/person for prix fixe tasting menus. New this year: a ‘Dine & Discover’ passport — eat at 3+ restaurants to win a $500 dining package.

Notable first-time participants include Bardea Steak, The Hobbit Restaurant, and Fork & Flask. Perennial favorites Le Cavalier, La Fia, and Back Porch Cafe are also returning.

Reservations strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday. Visit delawarerestaurantweek.com for the full list. Presented by the Delaware Restaurant Association and sponsored by Dogfish Head.

ChristianaCare has officially opened its new Middletown Medical Center, a $200 million, 180,000-square-foot facility serving the rapidly growing communities of southern New Castle County.

The center includes a 24/7 emergency department with 20 treatment bays, a birth center with 12 private suites, an outpatient surgery center, advanced imaging services, and a full-service lab, pharmacy, and specialty clinics.

CEO Dr. Janice Nevin noted Middletown’s population has more than doubled in 15 years, creating urgent need for closer-to-home healthcare. The facility creates over 500 jobs and will serve approximately 75,000 patients annually. It achieved LEED Gold certification.

Delaware Technical Community College has launched a new tuition-free Cybersecurity Bootcamp aimed at addressing the growing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals in the state. The 16-week program begins enrollment this month with classes starting in September.

The program, funded by a $2.1 million federal workforce development grant, covers network security fundamentals, threat detection and incident response, ethical hacking and penetration testing, cloud security (AWS and Azure), and preparation for CompTIA Security+ and CySA+ certifications.

Graduates will be prepared for entry-level cybersecurity analyst positions, which command average salaries of $65,000–$85,000 in the Delaware/Philadelphia metro area. The program includes a guaranteed internship placement with one of 15 partner companies, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and several Delaware-based firms.

“We designed this program to take someone with basic computer skills and make them job-ready in four months,” said Dr. Karen Pickell, Dean of Workforce Development. “There are thousands of unfilled cybersecurity positions in our region.”

The program is open to Delaware residents 18 and older. No prior IT experience is required. Applications are being accepted at dtcc.edu/cyber. Limited to 40 students per cohort.

Governor Matt Meyer joined Wilmington city officials on Monday to break ground on the long-awaited Riverwalk Extension Project, a $28 million initiative that will add 1.5 miles of waterfront trails connecting the Riverfront district to Fox Point State Park.

The project, funded through a combination of state, federal, and city resources, includes a paved multi-use path for walking and cycling, enhanced lighting and safety features, native plantings and ecological restoration along the shoreline, two new public access points with kayak launches, and interpretive signage highlighting the Christina River’s history.

Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2027. The project is part of a broader state initiative to improve public access to Delaware’s waterways and promote outdoor recreation.

“This investment connects our neighborhoods to the water and to each other,” said Mayor Purzycki. “The Riverwalk is already one of our most popular assets. This extension will make it even better.”

The existing Riverwalk attracts an estimated 500,000 visitors annually. City planners expect the extension to boost foot traffic to nearby businesses and increase property values in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Communities across Delaware are marking the nation’s 250th anniversary with a rich calendar of commemorative events throughout the summer of 2026.From the beaches to the Brandywine Valley, the First State – famously the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution – is going all out with celebrations that honor its unique role in American history.Key events include:All-American Night of Jazz at Stango Park, LewesCAMP Rehoboth Chorus: I Hear America Singing in Rehoboth BeachWinterthur’s Artisan Market in the Brandywine ValleyFourth of July celebrations across Wilmington, Dover, and the beachesFor a full calendar of America250 events, visit delawarebeaches.guide or delawaretoday.com.