THE PATRIOT WEEKLY

Issue No. 2 • Sunday, June 28, 2026

Editor’s Brief

Every week brings another flood of headlines. National politics, state government, local elections, breaking news, and community events compete for our attention—often leaving little time to understand how the stories fit together.

That is why THE PATRIOT WEEKLY exists.

Our goal is not simply to repeat the week’s headlines. Our mission is to connect the conversations that unfolded across DELMARVA, in Dover, Annapolis, Washington, and throughout our communities, while highlighting the reporting, interviews, and discussions that informed those conversations.

This week demonstrates exactly why local journalism still matters.

Our team spent Election Day broadcasting live from the Ocean Pines Community Center as Maryland voters headed to the polls in one of the year’s most consequential primary elections. Throughout the morning, candidates, election officials, and community leaders joined our live coverage to discuss the races and issues shaping the future of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Meanwhile, Delaware lawmakers concluded another General Assembly session, sending a state budget and numerous bills to Governor Matt Meyer. Throughout the week, listeners heard legislators, public officials, and community leaders explain how those decisions may affect families, businesses, taxpayers, and local governments across our state.

What makes THE PATRIOT WEEKLY different is that it reflects more than the news itself. It captures the conversations that unfolded throughout the week on THE TALK OF DELMARVA MORNING TEAM, YOUR NEWS TALK AMERICA with Jake Smith, YOUR TURN DELMARVA with MJ Powell, and our nationally syndicated programming, while also incorporating questions from DIAL participants, phone callers, interviews with newsmakers, and original reporting from across DELMARVA.

Thank you for spending part of your Sunday with us. We invite you to continue the conversation throughout the week on WGMD, THE TALK OF DELMARVA 92.7 & 98.5, YOUR NEWS TALK AMERICA, RealNewsTalk.com, and through DIAL.

— The Patriot Weekly Editorial Board

DELMARVA Report

Cape Henlopen Student Appointed to State Board of Education

A Cape Henlopen High School student has been appointed as the 2026–27 Student Member of the Delaware State Board of Education, giving Delaware students a voice in statewide education policy during the coming school year.

Ocean View Post Office Rebuild Faces Additional Delays

Residents awaiting the reopening of the Ocean View Post Office learned this week that repairs have become a full rebuilding project, extending the timeline before postal operations return to the community.

Sussex County Land Trust Marks 25 Years

The Sussex County Land Trust celebrated 25 years of conservation work, highlighting efforts to protect open space, farmland, and environmentally sensitive lands across Sussex County.

Delaware Politics

General Assembly Closes Session After Approving Budget, Key Legislation

DOVER, Del. — The Delaware General Assembly concluded its 2026 legislative session this week, ending months of debate over the state budget, public safety, energy policy, housing, education, and government oversight.

The closing days produced action on the Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget, the annual Bond Bill, Grants-in-Aid, and supplemental appropriations while lawmakers continued debating measures affecting utility regulation, economic development, firearms oversight, education, healthcare, and housing.

Energy Costs Remain a Major Concern

Electricity costs remained one of the most frequently discussed issues during the session and on THE TALK OF DELMARVA MORNING TEAM. Lawmakers continued examining utility regulation and transparency as Delaware residents faced rising energy costs.

Firearm Safety Bill Clears Senate

A firearm safety bill passed the Delaware Senate during the closing stretch of the session, sending another closely watched public safety measure forward. Supporters framed the bill as a safety initiative, while opponents raised concerns about additional burdens on lawful gun owners and Second Amendment protections.

Why It Matters

For Delaware residents, the session’s impact will be felt through state spending, utility oversight, education funding, transportation projects, public safety policy, and the implementation of new laws by state agencies.

Maryland Politics & Eastern Shore Government

Election Day on the Eastern Shore: THE TALK OF DELMARVA Brings Maryland’s Primary to Voters

OCEAN PINES, Md. — Before the first polls opened and long before election results began to appear Tuesday evening, THE TALK OF DELMARVA MORNING TEAM was already on the air, broadcasting live from the Ocean Pines Community Center as Maryland voters headed to the polls.

Mike Bradley interviews Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli during THE TALK OF DELMARVA MORNING TEAM’s live Election Day broadcast from the Ocean Pines Community Center.

For four hours, host Mike Bradley interviewed candidates, discussed the issues shaping Worcester County and the Eastern Shore, and provided listeners with live election coverage from the center of the day’s activity.

Candidate Conversations

Among the guests was Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli, the Republican incumbent seeking another term. The discussion focused on public safety, law enforcement, and issues affecting residents throughout Worcester County.

Steve Green, Republican candidate for the Western District seat on the Worcester County Board of Commissioners, joined the program to discuss independent leadership, government transparency, responsible growth, infrastructure planning, environmental stewardship, and fiscal accountability.

Green emphasized responsible growth, improved government transparency, infrastructure planning, environmental stewardship, and fiscal accountability as key priorities for Worcester County’s future.

National Affairs

Iran, Hormuz and the Test of American Resolve

Middle East tensions dominated national coverage this week as U.S. officials, military analysts, and broadcasters followed developments involving Iran, regional security, and the Strait of Hormuz.

Fox News Radio updates throughout the week focused on U.S. military action, Iranian threats, shipping lanes, and the fragile state of ceasefire efforts. The story also became a major topic across YOUR NEWS TALK AMERICA and nationally syndicated programming heard on WGMD.

New York Primary Results Stir National Debate

Primary results in New York became a national political story as conservative hosts and guests discussed the growing influence of democratic socialist candidates and what that movement could mean for the Democratic Party, urban governance, public safety, taxation, and the 2026 midterm elections.

Election Integrity, Immigration and the Courts

Election integrity, immigration enforcement, and the federal courts remained recurring national issues across the week’s broadcasts. Guests and hosts connected those debates to constitutional authority, state responsibilities, and the public’s confidence in government institutions.

TALK OF DELMARVA

The Week’s Biggest Conversations

Throughout the week, listeners across DELMARVA tuned in to THE TALK OF DELMARVA MORNING TEAM, YOUR NEWS TALK AMERICA, YOUR TURN DELMARVA, and nationally syndicated programming to hear elected officials, community leaders, policy experts, and fellow residents discuss the issues affecting daily life.

Maryland’s Primary Election generated the week’s most sustained local discussion, while Delaware’s legislative session and national developments involving Iran, immigration, election integrity, energy costs, and socialism shaped the broader conversation.

YOUR TURN DELMARVA with MJ Powell extended many of those conversations into the afternoon, giving callers an opportunity to react, question, challenge, and add local context to the day’s news.

Interactive Radio: This Week on DIAL

DIAL is currently part of YOUR NEWS TALK AMERICA. Elsewhere across THE TALK OF DELMARVA, listeners continue the conversation through phone calls, social media, live remotes, and community engagement.

Question: Could Iran close the Strait of Hormuz?

Listeners on YOUR NEWS TALK AMERICA asked how a confrontation with Iran could affect global energy markets and American consumers. The discussion focused on shipping lanes, deterrence, military readiness, and how instability overseas can quickly affect fuel and transportation costs at home.

Question: Why are voters concerned about socialism?

DIAL participation and on-air discussion reflected national concern over the rise of democratic socialist candidates in major races. Guests and hosts examined how local elections can become national signals when they reveal deeper ideological shifts.

Phone Calls Across DELMARVA

Phone callers on local programs raised separate concerns about growth, transparency, cost of living, legislation, public safety, and the future of local government.

Around DELMARVA

Two Killed, One Injured in Crash Near Milford

A serious crash near Milford claimed two lives and left another person injured, prompting an emergency response and ongoing investigation.

Early Morning Fire West of Fenwick Island

Firefighters responded to an early morning fire on Lighthouse Road west of Fenwick Island. The incident drew emergency response and remains part of the week’s public safety coverage.

Ridgely Traffic Stop Leads to Drug and Weapons Arrest

A traffic stop near Ridgely, Maryland led to an arrest involving drugs and weapons, according to local law enforcement reporting.

Laurel Woman Arrested After False Sexual Assault Allegation

Laurel Police arrested a woman after investigators determined a sexual assault allegation was false.

Dewey Beach Town Hall and Public Safety Building Advances

Progress continues on the new Dewey Beach Town Hall and Public Safety Building, a project aimed at improving municipal and emergency services.

Easton Airport Modernization Continues

Easton Airport’s runway and airfield modernization project continues moving forward, with upgrades intended to support safety, operations, and economic activity.

Ocean City Pedicabs Begin Boardwalk Service

Pedicabs began operating on the Ocean City Boardwalk, giving visitors another transportation option during the busy summer season.

Maryland Transportation Authority Warns of Text Scam

The Maryland Transportation Authority warned motorists about fraudulent text messages involving toll claims and urged residents to use only official state channels.

Pictures of the Week

Each week, listeners and readers share photographs that capture the landscapes, waterways, wildlife, and communities that make DELMARVA unique.

Spring color brightens downtown Bethany Beach. Photo: Charles.	A brilliant sunset over Herring Point near Cape Henlopen State Park. Photo: Chick Bradford.	The sun rises over the bay near Tower Road. Photo: Greg Schmuck.
	A peaceful scene at Adkins Mill Park near Powellville. Photo: Sammy Barnes.	Sunrise over Indian River Bay at Holts Landing State Park. Photo: Theresa Olsen.

Week Ahead

Celebrate Independence Day Across DELMARVA

Communities throughout DELMARVA are preparing for one of the region’s busiest holiday weekends, with parades, concerts, fireworks, family activities, and patriotic celebrations scheduled across Delaware and Maryland.

Because event schedules, parking information, weather conditions, and road closures can change throughout the week, WGMD will maintain the most current list of Independence Day events online.

Whitehaven Ferry Temporary Closure

Commuters and residents who rely on the Whitehaven Ferry across the Wicomico River will need to adjust their travel plans after the Maryland Department of Transportation announced a temporary closure Wednesday morning for scheduled maintenance. The ferry, one of the oldest continuously operating cable ferries in the nation, is an important transportation link for residents, emergency services, and local businesses. Officials said normal operations will resume after maintenance is completed.

Holiday Travel and Public Safety

With the Independence Day holiday approaching, travelers should allow extra time on Routes 1, 113, 404, and 50, monitor weather conditions, and follow local public safety guidance.

Advertising Disclosure

This edition is presented by WGMD, THE TALK OF DELMARVA, WUSX, DTD MEDIA, and RealNewsTalk.com. Future editions may include sponsorships, advertising placements, and promotional listings clearly identified as such.

Publisher’s Note

THE PATRIOT WEEKLY is an independent publication of DTD MEDIA, THE TALK OF DELMARVA, WGMD, WUSX, and RealNewsTalk.com. Content may include original reporting, public-source research, WGMD.com local news coverage, RealNewsTalk.com reporting and resources, broadcast material, listener interaction, and selected national news resources.

All editorial selection, article preparation, summaries, commentary, graphics, layout, and presentation remain the responsibility of DTD MEDIA.