Experts analyze economic impact on Delaware politics

Newark CPA advises on year-end tax strategies

Newark CPA Bill Kane of the firm Dingwall & Kane advises taxpayers to maximize elective 401(k) deferrals and utilize state and local tax caps, senior deductions, and overtime deductions before December 31. To avoid estimated tax penalties, business owners and individuals must pay 100 percent of their prior year tax liability, or 110 percent for high earners, or 90 percent of their current year liability.

Non-itemizers can claim an above-the-line cash charitable deduction of up to $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for joint returns. Itemizers face a 0.5 percent adjusted gross income floor before donations are deductible and are restricted to writing off 90 percent of gambling losses.

Small business and taxpayer demographics

Small enterprises employ 62.3 million people, representing 45.9 percent of the private-sector workforce, despite 82 percent of the 36 million small businesses in the United States having no employees. Small business survival rates reach 77.9 percent after one year and 51.4 percent after five years, with entrepreneurship activity peaking between the ages of 35 and 44.

2023 IRS data shows the top 1 percent of earners received 20.6 percent of total adjusted gross income and paid 38.4 percent of federal income taxes at an average effective rate of 26.3 percent. The top 10 percent of earners paid 70.5 percent of total taxes, while the bottom 50 percent earned 12.3 percent of income and paid 3.3 percent of total taxes.

Bridge commission monitors regional weather

Employees of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission record daily weather observations at the Easton-Phillipsburg, Riegelsville, and Riverton-Belvidere bridges for the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly. The commission has collected these observations for more than 20 years. Commission staff monitor weather conditions and potential flooding independently of the agency's formal partnership with the National Weather Service.

A formal cooperative agreement between the commission and the National Weather Service established a framework for these data collection activities on June 30, 2025. Employees submit daily readings to National Weather Service forecasters by telephone or through an online reporting form.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses these historical records for research, insurance claims, and emergency declarations.

The program uses radar technology to measure the river's height at five bridges every 15 minutes, with data transmitted via satellite to the National Weather Service every hour.

DMA Seahawks defeat Milford Buccaneers

Milford senior running back Andrew Sivels scored the game's first points with a 65-yard run in the first quarter.

DMA running back Josiah Guy scored four touchdowns and finished with over 100 rushing yards during the game.

DMA senior Christopher Keller scored a touchdown run and a punt return touchdown of over 60 yards. DMA senior kicker Jason Paris converted an extra point to give the Seahawks a 7-6 lead in the second quarter.

Milford has lost five consecutive games following a 4-0 start to the season. DMA holds a 3-1 district record and trails Red Lion in the Class 2A District Two standings.

DMA will play its regular season finale against Odessa on November 13 at 7:00 p.m.. Milford will conclude its regular season with a game against Polytech on November 13.

Smyrna defeated Dover 48-7, securing the Class 3A District Two title and a top-two seed in the postseason.

Local news updates in Delaware and Upper Darby

Marion Minick has announced a campaign for the position of mayor of Upper Darby.

A teenager was killed in a vehicle crash in Delaware County. Two individuals were killed in a murder-suicide in Delaware on Friday morning.