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Highlands Bunker

Author: Karl Stomberg

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Part-time activist hoping to build and deepen solidarity in the local leftist community. Discussion will be focused on local politics, culture and more.
406 Episodes
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To quote the great Tom Gordon: "My office blew up."As we wait for new equipment in the wake of a mild electrical explosion incident, the crew discusses one of our oldest topics of interest: Buccini Pollin's attempts to reshape Wilmington's downtown into this video, and how it has played out in their new boutique grocery store.Show Notes:Donate to the Delaware CallCrepes, craft brews & more headed to Wilmington's Market StreetSneak peek of downtown Wilmington's only grocery store opening on Market StreetJordan Howell's east side pieces
Kirsten, Bill, Karl, and Rob discuss One Battle After Another, the novel it was based on Vineland, and the real historical background and context for the types of events covered in the movie.Show Notes:Mother Country Radicals
Journalist Lisa Power joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about how she got connected with the Delaware Call and then going over her first piece exposing a loophole that could allow ICE to access DMV data in Delaware.Show Notes:Obscure loophole in state police database allows ICE access to Delaware DMV information
State Senator Eric Buckson joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his background in Delaware and Delaware politics, his takes on some of the things going through the legislature, and how he became one of Delaware's top Facebook influencers.Show Notes:Wilmington passes new oversight rule for the embattled Land Bank
We begin by discussing the recent reassessment decision in the Court of Chancery, as well as some meta-discussion about how people have been discussing reassessment. Then, reviewing the historic election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City.Show Notes:New Castle County tax bills coming after judge denies landlord lawsuitZohran Victory SpeechObama’s Lost Army
Representative Emeritus John Kowalko passed away this past weekend at the age of 80. In this episode, we remember his legacy.Past Kowalko Episodes:E14 - A Cabal of Corruption (w/John Kowalko)E167 - Representative Emeritus (w/John Kowalko)E268 - Medicare Disadvantage (w/ John Kowalko)The Fun Part - The People GaggedE296 - They Propose, We Dispose (w/ John Kowalko)Karl's piece: https://delawarecall.com/2025/10/26/keeper-of-the-flame/
New reassessment expert Jess Scarane joins Rob in the bunker for what is now the third part of a series about the property reassessment meltdown. They discuss the Court of Chancery trial about the legality of split tax rates, Wilmington's undefined internal reassessment, and the reemergence of the evil triangle at the Oct 7th reassessment hearings.Show Notes:Past two episodes
Madinah takes Austin. Then, Spotlight Delaware Deputy Editor Karl Baker joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the state of the media nationally and the pressures facing reporters locally.Show Notes:State Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton shows off comedy chops on 'Kill Tony'
A brief update on ICE, local political candidates, and FOIA requests. You'll have to pay to get more.
Governor Matt Meyer, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions. You have the right to have a lawyer with you during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. If you decide to answer questions now without a lawyer present, you have the right to stop answering at any time.Show Notes:The December 2023 update on reassessmentGovernor Matt Meyer CALLED OUTMass Appraisal of Real Property 2025 ReassessmentAustralian firm buys Boxwood Amazon plant for $392M
Migrant rights activists Maria Beauchamp and Andrew Ramsaran join Rob in the bunker to talk about the state of ICE and immigration in Delaware and how people are taking action to stop the worst atrocities.Show Notes:Delaware Coalition for Immigrant JusticeDelaware Call Fall ClassicNo Borders DelawareLa EsperanzaMore on Avelo
Fellow podcaster Rachel Krantz joins Rob in the bunker to talk about some of the various topics she's covered from property taxes to the data center to the general weirdness of legislative hall. Then, the bunker announces its first official endorsement of 2026.Show Notes:This Is The Delaware Way PodcastNew lawsuit against property taxesDelaware Call Fall Classic
Historian Harvey J Kaye joined Rob and Karl in the virtual bunker to talk about the current moment in American politics (recorded before this Wednesday) with an eye towards a surge in leftist candidates across the country. Then, they discuss Karl's recent essay on the labor history of Delaware's chicken plants.Show Notes:The Chicken War
A late-night spiritual exploration of the Delaware Way.Show Notes:Delaware Grapevine: A Tale of Delaware Politics
Friends and family of Josh Chattin and Fenel Baines of the Dream Initiative join Rob in the bunker to talk about the continued fallout of the attempt to get air conditioning in Delaware's prisons, and how the Dream Initiative is building and growing despite those obstacles.If you have stories about treatment by the DOC and want to get involved, you can reach out to Jennifer and Heather at Jenniferde7@gmail.com or Thedreaminitiative21@gmail.com or send a message to Heather on Facebook.
Karl and Bill join Rob in the bunker to talk about Phillies legend Dick Allen (not as a metaphor), the history of the Delaware Way, and even a little bit about the property tax special session. Also, introducing the inaugural "Bill's Picks."57:15 is the timestamp you're looking for.Show Notes:Black AugustLife After BidenCoverage of NOCAP Town Hall
New Castle County Councilman Brandon Toole joins Rob in the bunker to do a deeper dive into the latest set of property reassessments and the drama around it. They discuss what actually happened and what might actually be needed to fix it.Show Notes:Middletown Police BackgroundDelaware Call Fall ClassicTyler Technologies Report
Young lady Jess Scarane joins Rob in the bunker to talk about two of the biggest topics of the day: the planned Delaware City data center and the town hall about it, and the increased property and school taxes from the latest reassessments. Show Notes:NOCAP Dover Town HallNew Castle County residents fight back against proposed data centerDelaware lawmakers to reconvene for special session on taxes amid reassessment fallout
Chance from Chancery Daily and Delaware Call reporter Jordan Howell join Rob in the bunker to revisit Senate Bill 21: both the lawsuits it has caused and the fiscal crisis that never happened. Then, they discuss some of the various tech boondoggles the state is pursuing: from data centers to AI sandboxes.Show Notes:Their Water Taps Ran Dry When Meta Built Next DoorUpdate on the situation in Vaughn prisonDelaware hires Meta executives’ attorneys for Supreme Court defense of SB 21Delaware's new AI Sandbox
Jennifer Chattin, mother of previous guest Josh Chattin, joins Rob and State Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton in the bunker to give an update on her son's attempts to organize inmates in Vaughn (and now Howard Young) prison and the backlash they have faced. (To all legislative staff and spouses: the timestamp you're looking for is 26:26, try paying attention to something that actually matters)Show Notes:Previous episode about VaughnAlonna Berry's issues page
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