As a neutral convener, the Public Safety Collaborative hosts regular meetings, which include Newark city officials and police, but mostly nonprofit organizations, business and neighborhood groups. For a point of comparison, whereas the widely popularized police “CompStat” meetings rely heavily on only police resources and crime hot spots, NPSC meetings solicit and value input from multiple community stakeholders to make data-informed decisions following a transparent process of problem definition and information gathering. They all get access to the same data and analytics, add context to these, then form strategies to disrupt the opportunities and contexts for crime at priority places based on their own unique missions and expertise. Their independent initiatives combine to produce a deliberate and impactful response to crime problems throughout the city as a whole.
There were indications at the latest COVID briefing that Murphy is already in talks with Democrats in the legislature to extend those powers, and possibly enhance them. 14 of his previous executive orders remain in effect, including the oversight of the vaccinations and testing as well as data collection from healthcare providers.
Murphy did say he doesn’t see “any shift of any significance” in current restrictions. That includes imposing new restrictions as well as change in current rules, like the mask requirement in schools.
Under legislation passed by lawmakers earlier this year, Murphy can ask for a 90-day extension of his current powers beyond Jan. 11. He could also ask for more.
When reporters asked him on Monday if he planned to ask for an extension or enhancement of his powers, Murphy was vague in his response. He said he met with legislative leaders last week for a “general discussion about what we think we’re gonna need to do in terms of public health.” He said that also included a conversation about his current executive orders.
Neither Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin or Senate President Steve Sweeney are revealing what was discussed in those meetings.
Murphy did add, “We need resolutions from the Legislature to take certain steps,” but refused to elaborate.
Where NJ’s ‘red wave’ of the 2021 election was reddest
In 2017, Gov. Phil Murphy won the election by 14.1 percentage points, a margin exceeding 303,000. His re-election was much closer, an 84,000-vote, 3.2-point victory. He and others talked about a ‘red wave’ of Republican voters in the electorate, and certified results show which counties turned red most.
Answers to 25 common COVID-19 vaccine questions
Vaccinations for COVID-19 began being administered in the U.S. on Dec. 14, 2020. The quick rollout came a little more than a year after the virus was first identified in November 2019. The impressive speed with which vaccines were developed has also left a lot of people with a lot of questions. The questions range from the practical—how will I get vaccinated?—to the scientific—how do these vaccines even work?
Keep reading to discover answers to 25 common COVID-19 vaccine questions.
Red flags for someone who claims to be from New Jersey
NEW JERSEY — Below you will find the most up-to-date information on coronavirus news impacting New Jersey. You can find additional resources and coverage on our coronavirus page.
Additionally, the TSA will extend the requirement to wear a mask on planes, trains, subways and other public transportation hubs including airports and bus terminals through the winter.
Scientists call omicron variant ‘most mutated’ version of virus
There’s one thing we keep hearing from the scientists who’ve gotten a close look at the omicron version of the virus: It’s really mutated. More mutations don’t necessarily make a virus more dangerous, but viruses evolve over time to increase their chance of survival, which can be bad for humans.
First omicron variant case confirmed in NJ, Murphy says
Gov. Phil Murphy and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said New Jersey’s first omicron case was confirmed on Friday, Dec. 3, in a fully vaccinated woman who visited New Jersey from Georgia.
Omicron COVID variant identified in California; 1st known US case
The first known case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 was identified in California, the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday, Dec. 1. Dr. Anthony Fauci said the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Nov. 29.
US panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 pill from Merck
The Food and Drug Administration panel voted 13-10 that the antiviral drug’s benefits outweigh its risks, including potential birth defects if used during pregnancy.
How to pronounce the new COVID-19 variant
Omicron, the latest COVID-19 variant of concern designated by the World Health Organization, gets its name from a letter in the Greek alphabet. But unlike the alpha or delta variants before it, omicron might not roll off the tongue so naturally to English speakers.
Rising concerns over omicron variant
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said he expects COVID cases to rise until at least the new year, and he’s asking people to remain vigilant over the holiday season as both New Jersey and New York closely monitor for the first cases of the omicron variant.
Omicron variant prompts new US travel ban on South Africa, other nations
5 things to know about omicron, the new COVID ‘variant of concern’
The announcement of a COVID-19 variant called omicron by scientists in South Africa, where it was first detected, has sent governments and financial markets around the world reeling. Click here to learn more about what experts know about the new “variant of concern.”
What is this new omicron COVID variant in South Africa?
South African scientists have identified a new version of the coronavirus that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province. It’s unclear where the new variant actually arose, but it was first detected by scientists in South Africa and has also been seen in travelers to Belgium, Botswana, Hong Kong and Israel.
CDC approves expanding COVID-19 vaccine boosters to all adults
The U.S. on Friday, Nov. 19, opened COVID-19 booster shots to all adults and took the extra step of urging people 50 and older to seek one, aiming to ward off a winter surge as coronavirus cases rise even before millions of Americans travel for the holidays.
Pfizer agrees to let other companies make its COVID-19 pill
Pfizer said it would grant a license for the antiviral pill to the Geneva-based Medicines Patent Pool, which would let generic drug companies produce the pill for use in 95 countries, making up about 53% of the world’s population.
Getting a COVID vaccine before the holidays? Here are some key dates to know
Time is running out if you plan to be fully vaccinated against COVID by the holidays. Click here for the deadlines to be fully vaccinated before each holiday.
US lifts nearly 20-month international travel ban
More than a year and a half after COVID-19 concerns prompted the U.S. to close its borders to international travelers from countries including Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom and much of Europe, restrictions are shifting to focus on vaccine status.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 8, bans on travel from specific countries ended. The U.S. will allow in international travelers, but they must be vaccinated — with a few exceptions.
The U.S. also reopened the land borders with Canada and Mexico for vaccinated people. Most trips from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. are by land rather than air.
US gives final clearance to COVID vaccine for kids 5 to 11
U.S. health officials on Tuesday, Nov. 2 gave the final signoff to Pfizer’s kid-size COVID-19 shot, a milestone that opens a major expansion of the nation’s vaccination campaign to children as young as 5.
The Food and Drug Administration already authorized the shots for children ages 5 to 11 — doses just a third of the amount given to teens and adults. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention formally recommends who should receive FDA-cleared vaccines.
Vaccinated just as likely to spread delta variant within household as unvaccinated: study
People who have received COVID-19 vaccinations are able to spread the delta variant within their household just as easily as unvaccinated individuals, a new study published on Friday, Oct. 29, shows.
Child tax credit 2022: What we know so far
As inner-party conflict continues to shave off elements of President Joe Biden’s sweeping domestic policy package, there may be good news for parents. While it’s unclear what the ultimate bill will include, Democrats arrived at a framework Thursday, Oct. 28, that included a one-year extension of the expanded child tax credit.
Moderna says its low-dose COVID shot safe, effective for kids 6 to 11
FDA says Pfizer COVID vaccine looks effective for young kids
Federal health regulators said late Friday, Oct. 22, that kid-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appear highly effective at preventing symptomatic infections in elementary school children and caused no unexpected safety issues, as the U.S. weighs beginning vaccinations in youngsters.
NJ among top vaccinated states in U.S.
New Jersey is among the top 10 states in the country with the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates at 74%. Helping to lead the charge is Paterson, which has a 90% vaccination rate.
COVID vaccine mandate for state workers, teachers begins
Many state employees returned to in-person work on Monday, Oct. 18, the same day Gov. Phil Murphy’s requirement for them to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular virus testing went into effect. The vaccine or test mandate also applies to teachers in New Jersey.
IRS sending October installment of child tax credit after delay in September
Families across the country are starting to receive their October child tax credit. The IRS says the program’s fourth monthly payment is already hitting Americans’ bank accounts after a technical issue last month caused delays for some recipients.
New COVID safety guidance for the holidays released by the CDC
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released updated COVID-19 safety guidance for the holiday season on Friday, Oct. 15, including getting vaccinated, wearing a mask indoors if you’re not vaccinated and avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated spaces.
Rutgers team tries to understand ‘brain fog’ COVID connection
Dr. William Hu, the Chief of the Division of Cognitive Neurology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, is leading a team trying to figure out what brain fog is and how it’s connected to COVID-19.
FDA endorsement essentially calls for Johnson & Johnson to be 2-shot vaccine
An FDA panel unanimously recommended a Johnson and Johnson booster vaccine on Friday, Oct. 15. The terms of the endorsement essentially call for the J&J COVID-19 vaccine to be a two-dose shot, rather than the one-dose shot for which it’s been known since it first got emergency use authorization last spring.
The panel called for a second shot to be available to people 18 and older, at least two months after the first shot.
FDA panel recommends Moderna booster shot, but the process isn’t over
A panel of medical experts affiliated with the Food and Drug Administration endorsed a COVID vaccine booster from Moderna on Thursday, Oct. 14. The panel recommended a half dose as a booster.
Need to be vaccinated by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas? Here are the deadlines
People who want to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas are running out of time. Two of the three vaccines available in the U.S. require two doses spread weeks apart and a waiting period once the shots have been administered.
Vice President Kamala Harris visits NJ day care, vaccination site
Vice President Kamala Harris made a stop in New Jersey on Friday, Oct. 8, to discuss the state’s latest vaccination efforts. She visited a day care center to highlight child care provisions in the president’s spending proposal as well as a vaccination site at Essex Community College.
Children will feel impact of pandemic on mental health for years: UNICEF report
UNICEF released a critical report on Friday, Oct. 8, which found that children and young people could feel the impact of the pandemic on their mental health for many years to come.
COVID vaccine for kids: Doctor answers your questions
The Pfizer vaccine for kids could be on the market in about a month after the drug maker filed for FDA authorization Thursday, Oct. 7, for their shot for kids ages 5 to 11.
However, many parents still have questions about the children’s COVID vaccine. Dr. Sallie Permar, the head of pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, joined the PIX11 Morning News on Friday, Oct. 8, to share more information and answer some of the biggest questions.
Pfizer’s request to OK shots for kids a relief for parents
Parents tired of worrying about classroom outbreaks and sick of telling their elementary school-age children no to sleepovers and family gatherings felt a wave of relief Thursday, Oct. 7, when Pfizer asked the U.S. government to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for youngsters ages 5 to 11.
U.S. hits 700,000 COVID deaths just as cases begin to fall
The United States reached its latest heartbreaking pandemic milestone Friday, Oct. 1, eclipsing 700,000 deaths from COVID-19 just as the surge from the delta variant is starting to slow down and give overwhelmed hospitals some relief.
NJ leaders take on ‘Mayors Vaccine Challenge’
Two New Jersey mayors are going head-to-head in an effort to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s all part of the ongoing vaccination campaign in the Garden State that has already propelled it as one of the nation’s leaders in the fight against COVID-19. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh is squaring off with Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora in what the state is calling the “Mayors Vaccine Challenge.”
New Jersey surpasses 1 million COVID-19 cases
As of Tuesday, Sept. 28, more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in New Jersey since the pandemic reached the state in 2020.
Pfizer submits vaccine data on kids to FDA
Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE announced they have submitted initial data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from the Phase 2/3 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11.
In the trial, which included 2,268 participants 5 to 11 years of age, the vaccine demonstrated a favorable safety profile and elicited robust neutralizing antibody responses using a two-dose regimen of 10 μg doses.
NJ offers $500 ‘return to work bonus’ to unemployed residents
Unemployed New Jersey residents could earn a $500 bonus to return to the workforce as part of a new program announced by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday, Sept. 27. The “Return and Earn” initiative will offer the one-time bonus to folks who secure a job through the program, including positions that require on-the-job training.
Is it safe to trick-or-treat this Halloween? CDC weighs in
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said on Face the Nation that kids can trick-or-treat safely this year, adding, “If you’re able to be outdoors, absolutely.”
CDC director overrules panel, backs booster for all adults in high-risk jobs
The panel had voted against saying that people ages 18 to 64 can get a booster if they are health-care workers or have another job that puts them at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.
FDA OKs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters for 65 and older, high-risk Americans
The FDA authorized booster doses for Americans who are 65 and older, younger people with underlying health conditions and those in jobs that put them at high-risk for COVID-19. The ruling represents a drastically scaled back version of the Biden administration’s sweeping plan to give third doses to nearly all American adults to shore up their protection amid the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.
J&J booster shot 94% effective 2 months after 1st dose
Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday, Sept. 21, said new data shows a second dose — or a booster shot — of their one-shot COVID vaccine was found to be 94% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 when given two months after the initial dose.
Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine works in kids ages 5 to 11
Pfizer said Monday, Sept. 20, its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11 and that it will seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon — a key step toward beginning vaccinations for youngsters.
Vaccine mandate for child care facilities
Gov. Phil Murphy said all child care workers and facility employees need to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1 or face regular weekly testing. As of Sept. 24, all employees, students and children in a facility’s care ages two and up will need to wear masks indoors, with limited exceptions.
Moderna vaccine is most effective against hospitalization from COVID-19: study
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compared how effective each of the three COVID-19 vaccines are in preventing hospitalization from the virus. The CDC reported that effectiveness was higher for the Moderna vaccine (93%) than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (88%) and the J&J vaccine (71%).
New Jersey surpassed as state with highest rate of COVID deaths
Mississippi has surpassed New Jersey as the state with the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., with roughly 1 of every 320 Mississippians having succumbed to the coronavirus.
COVID-19 is ‘getting better’ at becoming airborne virus
Recent COVID-19 variants are much more adept at airborne transmission than the original version of the coronavirus, according to a new study. University of Maryland researchers analyzed the Alpha variant first identified in the United Kingdom and discovered that carriers breathe out 43 to 100 times more infectious viral aerosols than those infected with the original strain.
U.S. panel backs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters only for 65 and over, high-risk
An influential federal advisory panel overwhelmingly rejected a plan to give Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots to most Americans, but it endorsed the extra shots for those who are 65 or older or run a high risk of severe disease.
COVID outbreaks in NJ schools
As of Wednesday, Sept. 15, there were six outbreaks in New Jersey schools, according to Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli. An outbreak is defined as at least three cases that are epidemiologically connected and not from the same household.
The cases are a mix of students and staff, Persichilli said. More information will be released on the state Health Department website in the coming days.
COVID-19 variants significantly reduce protection of vaccines, prior infection: study
A new study confirms that vaccinations and even prior COVID-19 infection provide significantly less protection against newer variants. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University say in order to protect against the Alpha, Beta, and now Delta variants, these findings stress the importance of doubling down on both vaccinations and public health measures during the pandemic.
Mask debate moves from school boards to courtrooms
The rancorous debate over whether returning students should wear masks in the classroom has moved from school boards to courtrooms. In at least 14 states, lawsuits have been filed either for or against masks in schools. In some cases, normally rule-enforcing school administrators are finding themselves fighting state leaders in the name of keeping kids safe.
Supreme Court allows evictions to resume during pandemic
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority is allowing evictions to resume across the United States, blocking the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. New Jersey’s statewide rent moratorium expires at the end of the year.
These foods are extra hard to find right now because of shortages, supply chain issues
Notice your grocery store shelves looking a little bare lately? You’re definitely not the only one. Supply chain issues have created shortages of highly specific ingredients.
‘It’s up to us’: Fauci says pandemic could possibly end by spring 2022
The nation’s top infectious disease expert believes the pandemic’s end is near as long as the U.S. follows the right protocols to contain COVID-19. Dr. Anthony Fauci said he sees the light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s only open if the country’s 80 million to 90 million unvaccinated people are convinced to get the shot.
Comirnaty: What’s the story behind the new Pfizer vaccine name?
Comirnaty, who? It’s the same exact mRNA vaccine Pfizer has been producing through the emergency use authorization, but now it’s being marketed under a new name.
Is an earache a new COVID-19 symptom?
Doctors say they’re seeing a new COVID-19 symptom in some patients. According to experts, an earache has been reported more frequently by those testing positive for COVID. Earaches can cause pain, a feeling of blockage and sometimes muffled hearing.
NJ COVID hospitalizations top 1,000 for the first time since May: Gov. Murphy
For the first time since May, more than 1,000 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in New Jersey on Wednesday, Aug. 25, Gov. Phil Murphy said. There were 1,012 people hospitalized with COVID, 92 of whom were on ventilators, according to state Health Department data. The last time the state had more than 1,000 COVID hospitalizations was over three months ago on May 11, Murphy said.
Johnson & Johnson: Vaccine booster provides ‘rapid, robust’ response
Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday, Aug. 25, announced new data the company said supports the use of its COVID vaccine as a booster shot for people previously vaccinated with their single-shot vaccine.
J&J said the new data showed that a booster shot of their vaccine generated a “rapid and robust increase in spike-binding antibodies, nine-fold higher than 28 days after the primary single-dose vaccination.”
NJ to require teachers, state workers be fully vaccinated
All school personnel and state workers in New Jersey will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday, Aug. 23.
Will COVID booster shot have the same side effects as the first two shots?
The Biden administration said Wednesday, Aug. 18, that COVID booster shots will soon be available, but how will the Sept. 20 rollout work, and what side effects should Americans expect?
Lambda and B.1.621: New COVID variants could be the worst yet, doctor warns
At least two new COVID-19 variants have hit the United States and they could be worse than the delta variant in their infectiousness and ability to stand up to vaccines, according to a top medical authority.
U.S. health officials call for booster shots for all to battle COVID-19
U.S. health officials recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling. The announcement was made on Aug. 18.
August child tax credit payments issued: Here’s why yours might be delayed
The second installment of expanded child tax credits was issued on Aug. 13 to millions of eligible families, but some payments will likely be delayed due to a technical glitch, the U.S. Department of Treasury said.
Schumer calls for federal crackdown on fake vaccine cards
COVID claims more young victims as deaths climb yet again
The COVID-19 death toll has started soaring again as the delta variant tears through the nation’s unvaccinated population and fills up hospitals with patients, many of whom are younger than during earlier phases of the pandemic.
NJ county opens COVID booster shot appointments
Health care officials in a northern New Jersey county began offering COVID-19 booster shots to qualified residents on Aug. 14. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. said appointments for a third shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine were open at vaccination centers at Kmart in West Orange and Essex County College in Newark.
Concerts, outdoor events still risky as delta variant surges, experts say
Concerts and outdoor events are returning, and many are requiring proof of vaccination as part of new safety protocols designed to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. But while experts say being outdoors is less risky in general, they continue to recommend additional precautions for those visiting crowded outdoor venues.
Biden weighs stiffer vaccine rules as delta variant spreads rapidly across U.S.
When the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. first began to slow, President Joe Biden backed incentives like million-dollar cash lotteries if that’s what it took to get shots in arms. But as new COVID infections soar, he’s testing a tougher approach.
Who doesn’t need the COVID-19 vaccine?
It has been eight months since the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to health care workers nationwide. Since then, the vaccine has become available to anyone over the age of 12. Experts explain the few instances in which a person would not qualify for, or should delay getting vaccinated.
Extra COVID shot OK’d for immunocompromised individuals
With more than 600 colleges and universities now requiring proof of COVID-19 inoculations, an online industry has sprung up offering fake vaccine cards.
What to do if you lose your COVID-19 vaccine card
Don’t worry if you’ve lost your COVID-19 vaccine card, there are several ways you can get it replaced. No matter where you got your shots, getting a replacement card is possible.
Will NJ reinstate a travel advisory?
Gov. Murphy said on Aug. 9, a new travel advisory is not off the table, but for now he encouraged mask wearing, which is mandatory in all airports and on flights, and other COVID safety protocols. “You gotta use your head,” he added.
Will NJ mandate masks indoors?
Despite CDC data showing New Jersey falls under its guidance to wear masks indoors, Gov. Murphy said he will not yet mandate face coverings but added, “we leave all options on the table.”
COVID transmission levels call for indoor masking under CDC guidelines
Indoor masking is advised in areas with COVID transmission rates considered “substantial” or “high” under recently updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Aug. 8, all of New Jersey falls under those categories.
How do you know if you have the delta variant of COVID-19?
So you’ve tested positive for COVID – but which COVID exactly? Is there a way to tell if you have the highly transmissible delta variant? There is a way to tell, but there’s not really a way for you to tell.
COVID breakthrough cases: Is one vaccine better than others?
Are kids more vulnerable to the delta variant of COVID-19?
Hospitals around the United States, especially in the South, are starting to fill back up again as the delta variant tears though the country. With previous waves of infection, we’ve been most worried about the elderly being vulnerable. Now, it’s younger people – even children – starting to show up in hospital beds.
U.S. averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day as delta surges
The United States is now averaging 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day, returning to a milestone last seen during the winter surge in yet another bleak reminder of how quickly the delta variant has spread through the country. The U.S. was averaging about 11,000 cases a day in late June. Now the number is 107,143.
NJ schools mask mandate: Teachers’ union backs, Republicans slam Murphy decision
New Jersey Republicans have largely trashed Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement on Aug 6 that masks will be required in all schools in the upcoming academic year.
NJ health care workers must be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19
Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Aug. 6 mandating that all workers in state and private health care facilities either be vaccinated for COVID-19 or tested for it twice a week.
50% of U.S. population is fully vaccinated, White House says
The United States reached a vaccination milestone on Aug. 6: 50% of the population, all ages, were fully vaccinated, the White House COVID-19 data director confirmed.
CDC says people who’ve had COVID should get shot or risk reinfection
Even people who have recovered from COVID-19 are urged to get vaccinated, especially as the extra-contagious delta variant surges — and a new study shows survivors who ignored that advice were more than twice as likely to get reinfected.
‘You have lost your minds’: Murphy lashes out at anti-vax protesters
Warning of more delta mutations, Fauci urges vaccinations
The White House COVID-19 response team said the delta variant continues to surge across the country. During a briefing on Aug. 5, Dr. Anthony Fauci called on Americans to take precautions to stop the virus from mutating. “The ultimate end game of all this is vaccination,” he said.
The latest surge in COVID-19 infections is fueled by the highly contagious delta variant first identified in India late last year. Now, a variation of that variant is beginning to generate headlines. Here’s what we know about the COVID sub-strain being called delta plus.
Vaccine mandate for state colleges?
Currently, some state colleges in New Jersey are mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students and staff and some have made it optional. Murphy said a universal mandate “is certainly an option,” but for now individual universities can make their own call.
More ‘pain and suffering’ ahead as COVID cases rise, Fauci says
Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Aug. 1 that more “pain and suffering” is on the horizon as COVID-19 cases climb again and officials plead with unvaccinated Americans to get their shots.
Walmart requiring COVID vaccination, masks for many employees
In a memo, Walmart announced that associates who work in multiple facilities, and associates of its campus office, will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. Walmart also required associates, including those fully vaccinated, to wear masks in its stores.
Iconic NJ restaurant The Fireplace closes after 65 years
The Fireplace, like many other restaurants across the country, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and temporarily shuttered its doors before reopening in May, when they implemented drive-thru, takeout and curbside pickup followed by indoor dining in October.
New delta variant research makes strong case for vaccination
A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized the delta variant is more dangerous and fast-spreading than first thought. The findings also made clear why efforts to get more people vaccinated are vital.
CDC data shows delta variant spreads as easily as chickenpox
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new information on July 30, saying the coronavirus delta variant can spread as easily as chickenpox.
Pfizer: COVID vaccine protective for at least 6 months
The effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine wanes slightly over time but it remains strongly protective for at least six months after the second dose, according to company data released on July 28.
Disney World requires masks indoors regardless of vaccination status
Beginning July 30, Disney World required all visitors ages 2 and older to wear a face covering while indoors as well as in Disney buses, the monorail and the Disney Skyliner, regardless of vaccination status.
CDC mask guidance: Vaccinated people should wear face coverings in public indoor settings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging.
U.S. headed in ‘wrong direction’ on COVID-19, Fauci says
Doctors warn about slightly different symptoms with delta variant of COVID
As concern grows regarding the COVID-19 delta variant, health leaders are warning about somewhat different symptoms that come with it.
Most unvaccinated Americans unlikely to get COVID-19 shots, new AP poll finds
A new poll shows that most Americans who haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19 say they are unlikely to get the shots. About 16% say they probably will get the vaccine.
Is asking about someone’s COVID vaccine status a HIPAA violation?
HIPAA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996 during a time when medical records were being computerized. It was created to simplify the administration of health insurance and to prevent unauthorized access to peoples’ medical histories.
In fact, HIPAA doesn’t block anyone from asking another person about their health status, according to Alan Meisel, law professor and bioethics expert at the University of Pittsburgh.
Gov. Murphy holds off on reinstating mask mandate
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says he’s not ready to reinstitute mask requirements, now or when schools are back in session in September. Murphy says he “is comfortable where we are” on mask mandates but is also closely monitoring developments.
Child tax credit checks: Will they become permanent?
The parents of an estimated 60 million American children began receiving child tax credit payments from the IRS in a move expected to lift millions of families above the poverty baseline for the remainder of 2021. Should they become permanent?
Biden grapples with ‘pandemic of the unvaccinated’
President Joe Biden is confronting the worrying reality of rising cases and deaths — and the limitations of his ability to combat the persistent vaccine hesitance responsible for the summer backslide.
Child tax credit: When to expect payments, how it may impact tax returns
Common cholesterol drugs may significantly reduce risk of death from COVID-19: study
Statins, a common medication for lowering cholesterol, may be saving lives among patients with COVID-19. A new study reveals hospitalized coronavirus patients who take statins are much less likely to die from the illness.
WHO chief says it was ‘premature’ to rule out COVID lab leak
The head of the World Health Organization acknowledged it was premature to rule out a potential link between the COVID-19 pandemic and a laboratory leak, and he said he is asking China to be more transparent as scientists search for the origins of the coronavirus.
Wildfire smoke linked to increased COVID-19 risk, study says
A new study suggests that exposure to wildfire smoke is linked to an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.
What can I do if I didn’t get my child tax credit payment?
The official disbursement date for the first child tax credit payments from the Internal Revenue Service was July 15, but parents may not see the cash right away.
Delta now dominant COVID variant in New Jersey
The highly transmissible delta variant is now the dominant strain in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said on July 12. The governor urged New Jersey residents to get vaccinated against COVID if they haven’t already done so.
Global COVID-19 deaths hit 4 million amid rush to vaccinate
There’s more to the worker shortage than pandemic unemployment, experts say
The workforce shortage is a combination of several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a shift in the economy, and changes in the workforce demographics, experts say.
Free health insurance included in stimulus benefits for unemployment recipients
Along with $1,400 stimulus checks and monthly child tax credit payments, the American Rescue Plan has another important benefit available to people who qualified for unemployment assistance this year: free health care.
Will one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine protect me?
Yes, but not nearly as much as if you had both doses. Experts recommend getting fully vaccinated, especially with the emergence of worrisome coronavirus mutations such as the delta variant first identified in India.
Workers enjoy the upper hand as companies scramble to hire
With the economy growing rapidly as it reopens from the pandemic, many employers are increasingly desperate to hire. Yet evidence suggests that as a group, the unemployed aren’t feeling the same urgency to take jobs.
As of Monday, there have been 1,131,424 total positive PCR tests in the state since March 2020, and there have been 25,754 lab-confirmed coronavirus deaths, according to the state Health Department.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. If you’re ready to feel merry and bright this holiday season, you’re not alone. All throughout the tri-state area, there are gorgeous holiday light displays that are now open to those in the holiday spirit. Attending a light display can illuminate even the heart of a holiday grinch to get into the spirit of the season – and we’re here for it.Read on for a roundup of the best places to see holiday lights in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Visitors can still enjoy the season from the comfort of the car in Newark. Tickets for this drive-thru range from $30 to $35 per car depending on the date and time. Participants can drive through the route which takes about 20-25 minutes and listen to the car radio to hear the synced music.
Another drive-thru festival can be found about 25 miles north of Newark in Hillsdale, NJ. Take a guided tour across 32 acres filled with holiday light displays and make sure to turn the car radio to 107.9 to hear the matching music. Visitors can’t purchase tickets on-site, so reserve your ticketonlineat $35 per car. Attendees can also take pictures with Santa, make s’mores, visit the farm’s market, and more.
This drive-thru lights show is 1-mile-long and features more than 2 million lights accompanied by music. Bonus: admission is free in the accompanying Christmas Village – where guests can ride a Ferris wheel, carousel, enjoy holiday food, take pictures with Santa, skate on an ice rink and stop by the Winter Beer Garden. Tickets for the Drive-Thru Lights Show must be purchased in advance, and are $29 per car.
Demarest Farms welcomes families to their 32-acre Orchard of Lights celebration. Visitors can take a guided tour from their own cars through the orchard, decked out with bright, colorful lights and pictures of a winter wonderland. After making your way through the drive-thru lights display, you can enjoy time around the fire pit roasting s’mores, sipping hot chocolate, and having your picture taken with Santa. You can also get some holiday shopping done at the country farm store on site. Reservations ($35 per car) are required in advance.
A winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo is exactly what the holidays ordered. Brightly-lit characters including winter and animal characters can be found at this winter attraction. In addition to the holiday features, the zoo also has an open-air train, a carousel, a reptile house, an aquarium, and pony rides for kids of all ages. Plus on weekends, expect a visit from Santa himself. Admission to the holiday lights spectacular is free, but bringing donations is recommended (can be non-perishable food items, new toys, or gently used coats).
With over 120 Christmas trees made from over 50,000 Christmas lights – guests will experience how they magically float on Lake Meone in the center of Historic Smithville. The lights are coordinated to the music being broadcast aloud for viewers, creating a magical experience. An easy-access lights show this display can be seen from both sides of the village and the bridge over the water. In addition to the floating display, children can chat with the talking tree that lives in Smithville and take part in other winter activities (such as a Smithville train ride).
The whole family can enjoy the magic of all the Christmas lights while warm in your vehicle at creamy Acres Farm. Tune into the farm’s private radio station to listen to all your favorite Christmas songs while you drive through. It’s $30 per vehicle, and every vehicle must have its own ticket reservation. Parking is available for families to shop in the retail store, enjoy some festive food and sweet treats around the fire pits.
Now – December 31 (Open skate runs through February 27)
The giant spruce tree with 32,000 lights stands in the middle of Palmer Square in Princeton – and it is definitely a sight to see. The synthetic ice skating rink is a recent addition that will be back this year, and perfect for little ones who might be newer to skating. Guests can also sing carols and check out the gingerbread display for added excitement to the holiday season.
The lights at Storybook Land are lit each night by none other than Santa himself. As he waves his magic wand, he turns on more than 1 million Christmas lights from the chimney of his house. Children can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus until the couple returns to the North Pole on December 23rd. Plus, if you bring an unwrapped, new toy (for Toys for Tots) – you’ll receive a coupon for a small popcorn at the event. In case you need more convincing to make the trip to South Jersey – it’s worth noting this Christmas tradition was featured on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight.”
Take a train ride through millions of Christmas lights at DiDonato’s Fun Center. Admission includes a meet-and-greet with Santa and his workshop elves, stories, a photo/chat with Mrs. Claus, a movie tent where you can have your picture taken with Frosty the Snowman, a walk-through holiday village, a present from Santa himself, and more. Purchasing a ticket online in advance is encouraged, as the event typically sells out.
On three nights in December travel to homes, inns, B&Bs, churches, and hotels, stepping across the thresholds to take in interiors beautifully decorated for the holidays. Enjoy your evening in Cape May by taking the provided trolley shuttle that has a planned route with limited stops (maps are provided at the beginning of the tour). For the full experience, walking is encouraged. Masks are required in private properties, and while on the trolley shuttles.
This family-owned popular Old Bridge residential display has grown into an unforgettable experience at the Middlesex County FairGrounds. Winter WonderLights Drive Thru now has over 1.5 million lights animated to everyone’s favorite holiday tunes. The journey celebrates all of the season’s wonderful holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa). For $28 per vehicle, this light display is one of a kind.
Six Flags Great Adventure is hosting its annual Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience again. From the comfort of your own car, experience different immersive scenes from one of the biggest attractions in New Jersey. And now for 2021, there will be a Merry Market Place Walk-Thru Experience that will include everything from Santa visits to Holiday Festivals. Reservations are required, so purchase your tickets in advance.
Experience this – your radio is set to the Magic of Lights New Jersey radio station, and you’re driving through a merry arrangement of Christmas lights, trees, and decorations off the Garden State Parkway. The PNC Bank Arts Center is a go-to spot this season for some festive fun. It’s $25 per car if purchased online, and $30 per car if you purchase at the gate.
Santa takes the Jersey Shore. Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is not to be missed during the holiday season – The Holiday Lights Spectacular will take place on December 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 26th, 27th & 28th from 4-8PM each night (entertainment 5-8PM)! The winter wonderland includes treats, crafts, pictures with Santa, games, Diving Santa, and more holiday entertainment. Fun for the whole family.
Head to the Bergen County Zoo to see 30 lit scenes filled with hand-made artistic light displays of various animals. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children and include a train ride to show you even more light-up animals. Head to thewebsiteto get tickets, which everyone, including members, will need to purchase.
The Liberty Science Center has created some holiday-specific exhibits to check out including a snowflake maze, synthetic ice rink, snowman riddle scavenger hunt, holiday lights and music show, and more. Make sure to bring proof of vaccination for anyone 12 and older, with adult tickets costing $27.99 and children tickets costing $22.99.
Morristown can be fun to visit any time of year, but during the holidays the Morristown Green is transformed into a winter wonderland. Visitors can check out the holiday nights at night, take photos with Santa, see the ice sculptures, and on certain days hear live music in the heated tent. There are also various arts and crafts during select times, including creating holiday cards for children who will be spending their holidays at Goryeb’s Children’s Hospital. Check out thewebsitefor a complete list of activities.
The beautifully decorated plaza at Hudson Yards has let innovation take charge in this magical display. At one of NYC’s hottest destinations, you’ll find more than 2 million white lights illuminating The Shops, Public Square & Gardens, Edge and Vessel during the holiday season.
Every December the dining room at Rolf’s transforms into a must-see Christmas attraction. It goes beyond “decorated” and qualifies for “over the top” —in the best way. Twinkle lights, ornaments, dolls, and garland are stuffed into every nook and cranny so if you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy holiday spot, this is it.
Introducing, PINKMAS – The ever-popular Museum of Ice Cream has added a Christmas twist with their holiday exhibit. Visitors can walk through a pink winterscape with holiday-themed spaces and installations. At the attraction, you will experience multi-sensory installations with trained guides – where you may sing, dance, craft, swim, slide, climb, laugh, and most definitely EAT with treats included in your ticket. These tickets do sell out fast, so it is recommended to purchase in advance.
Overlooking iconic Central Park, this illuminated color mixing exhibit is one-of-a-kind. Featuring twelve 14-foot stars hanging from the ceiling in the main lobby of The Shops at Columbus Circle, this installation is a fan favorite each year. The stars continuously morph through a wide range of color combinations and every half hour the stars coordinate their colors with holiday music played through the shopping center.
The holiday season at The Bronx Zoo is full of five brightly-lit animal safaris, beautiful ice-carving demonstrations, and delicious holiday treats. Guests can have their picture taken with costumed characters or stilt walkers, catch a show at the wildlife theater, see the decorated holiday tree, and more. The outdoor celebration is complete with festive entertainment, seasonal treats, and classic holiday music.
Light Up Luminaries signals the start of the holiday season with an evening full of fun and holiday cheer as Brookfield Place celebrates the spectacular light installation and holiday tradition. The mesmerizing display of colorful lanterns returns (conceived and created by the LAB at Rockwell Group). Luminaries is a holiday ritual inspired by the season’s traditions of sharing, giving, community, and light. For each wish made and interaction with Maestro, Brookfield Place will donate $1 up to $25,000 to City Harvest – New York’s first and largest food rescue organization. After viewing the light display, make sure to stop by the winter garden and ice rink on the waterfront.
This holiday season, let it GLOW at The New York Botanical Garden in an outdoor experience like no other. The lively, festive nights return for their second year at NYBG with even more displays to wander through and explore. Colorfully lit paths and trees, countless dazzling LEDs, illuminated plant stories, and picture-perfect installations reflect the gardens and collections. Round out your experience with an after-dark visit to the train show under the glow of the Haupt Conservatory (this can be done with a combination ticket). Enjoy a drink, hot cocoa, and a bite to eat at one of our outdoor bars or the Bronx Night Market Holiday Pop-Up.
One of the area’s best and brightest socially-distant activities is the Peace, Love & Lights event. Held at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, guests can drive through 1.7 miles of illuminated light displays. Plus, after your drive head up to the Market Sheds for the Holiday Hub to warm up, unwind with seasonal refreshments, and be dazzled by the Musical Mega Trees light display,
The time-honored tradition of decking the store windows along Fifth Avenue is alive and well in 2021 and The Saks Fifth Avenue lights are already in place. For those visiting, don’t miss the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and ice skating right across the street for more holiday fun.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights | Dyker Heights Boulevard, 83rd Street to 86th Street
Now – January 1
Some 300,000 people usually flock to the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn to see the extravagant Christmas displays. The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights display has become one of the best New York attractions during the holiday season. The neighborhood is home to some of the greatest Christmas light decorations in the area – with life-size Santas, snowmen, and some houses even playing Christmas carols from speakers. It is a must-see if you haven’t been. Many houses turn off their lights before 9PM, so make sure to get there on the earlier side.
Koziar’s Christmas Village is decorated with more than 1 million lights, covering trees, buildings, and barns. A reflective lake adds to the natural beauty of the lights. This beautiful holiday experience has grown into an attraction that draws visitors from great distances. Guests can enjoy the experience of walking along a footpath and wrap up the night with a visit to see Santa.
Hersey Park Christmas Candylane has decked the halls with 5 million Christmas lights. Enjoy your favorite rides and coasters, a visit with Santa, festiveHersheyCharacter experiences, and more. Rides include Sidewinder, Wild Mouse, Cocoa Cruiser, and more.
For children interested in meeting winter wonderland characters, this is the go-to place. Featured inUSA Todayand featuring breathtaking holiday displays, the Winter Light Spectacular is back for the 2021 season. Geakers Tacos on the glowing picnic patio is a new addition to the experience this year. Plus you can stop by the Spirit Station for delicious hot chocolate and cider with spirits (parents, we understand you might need a little extra boost to get you through the holiday season). The Spirit Station is open Friday and Saturday nights, plus December 15-23.
About an hour outside of Philadelphia sits the magical winter wonderland of Longwood Gardens. This dazzling display features candy canes, pine cones, and snowflakes. You can stroll along the path and enjoy the orbs, shimmering trees, and glowing light tunnels. You won’t want to miss the display at the Main Fountain Garden and the large lake where the music is synchronized with the lights show.
The entire family will enjoy the lights at Rocky Ridge County Park. The half-mile trail has about 600,000 lights with candy canes, gingerbread men, and lanterns added throughout for a little holiday whimsy. The event will also feature Friends of the Parks’ cookie and hot chocolate stand as well as Susquehanna Valley Garden Railway Society’s gorgeous train display.
For over 30 years, the team at Shady Brook Farm has hosted a holiday lights show. With over 3 million lights, the experience at this farm is a show indeed. A great option for kids of all ages, guests can save themselves from tired feet by driving the 2 mile-long trails which take about 20 minutes from start to finish. Guests can have hot chocolate by the bonfire to warm up on a cold night and find the perfect Christmas treat to take home.
The most festive season of the year arrives with Peddler’s Village’s “Holidays in the Village,” a month-long celebration featuring 1 million twinkling lights, holiday shopping, a gingerbread house decorating competition, social distance visits from Santa, and much more. The surrounding area also has many local businesses and restaurants to check out if you’re looking to make a day out of it – all with festive decor.
Winter in Franklin Square is back – for its longest season ever. From spectacular lights to warming winter treats and plenty of holiday cheer – historic Franklin Square is electric all winter long. Two other attractions available in the Square are mini-golf on the Chilly Philly Mini Golf course and a Kwanzaa celebration later in December by The African American Museum.
Taylor is an {overly} proud Jersey girl, who has been lucky enough to call Hoboken home for the last three years, and Jersey City for two prior. Originally from a small town in Hunterdon County, Taylor received her degree in multimedia journalism from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She also spent some time in Miami, but always knew she’d find her way to Hoboken. Taylor has a career in sports, digital, and social media strategy in the NYC area. A lover of all things local, she has a long list of favorite restaurants and coffee shops where she spends a good chunk of her time. You can also catch her running on the waterfront, walking her new pup, watching reruns of Real Housewives, or making a trip to HomeGoods
The move from yellow, indicating “moderate” virus levels, to orange over the last few weeks has triggered many school districts around the state to move to stricter rules to keep students out of the classroom if they have been exposed to the virus.
School districts should tell unvaccinated students who are “close contacts” — meaning they sat for at least 15 minutes within three feet of a classmate or teacher who tested positive — to quarantine for 14 days if they are in areas with “high” virus activity levels, according to state school health guidelines.
There is no option for students quarantining 14 days to go back to school earlier, even if the student tests negative, under the state guidelines for areas that are orange on the map.
“Close contacts” were previously told to quarantine only for seven days if they tested negative, or 10 days if they didn’t get a test, when their counties were yellow on the map, according to the state guidelines.
Though some areas on the map have been orange for weeks, this is the first time since early April that the entire state has turned orange due to high virus activity levels.
It is unclear what will happen if any counties move to red on the map, indicating “very high” virus levels. Last school year, a move to red meant schools in that county would close and move to remote learning. This year, the guidelines say only “further recommendations” will be issued for schools if areas turn red.
Gov. Phil Murphy has said there are no plans to return to remote learning for schools statewide.
“We know the price we paid with learning loss. The overwhelming hope is obviously to keep students and staff and educators safe, but to also keep them in person,” Murphy said at his press briefing Monday.
During the 14-day quarantines, which include weekends, exposed students either do their schoolwork on their own or participate in Zoom or other online classes. Some districts are also offering quarantined students online tutoring after school.
The stricter rules mean is students told to quarantine this week will likely not return to school in person until after the holiday break in January.
However, not every school district is following the state’s COVID safety guidelines. Some school boards have adopted stricter or looser quarantine rules than the guidelines issued by the state Department of Education. That has caused confusion among some parents who say the rules seem to vary from town to town.
The recommended changes in school quarantine rules comes as positive COVID cases in New Jersey schools have surged over the last month.
However, the numbers are incomplete because only 65% of the state’s 3,500 schools reported data to the state.
There were also 31 new in-school outbreaks for the week ending Dec. 5, bringing the total to 248 for the new school year, according to the data. Outbreaks are defined as cases where three or more unrelated students or school staff members are believed to have caught COVID in the classroom or at school.
It is unclear exactly how many students are currently home quarantining due to positive tests or exposure to classmates who have the virus.
Murphy said though outbreaks have been increasing in schools, the numbers are not unexpected.
“Those numbers have been increasing over the past several weeks. This is in line with the increase we’ve been seeing generally, yet these numbers are still in the range of where we believe the layered approach to protection we’ve taken in our schools has kept in school transmission in check,” Murphy said Monday.
New Jersey school officials have been keeping a close eye on the state Department of Health’s COVID-19 Activity Level Report map released every week.
The map uses data about each region’s weekly coronavirus case rate, percent of people who tested positive and the number of people reported with fever, cough and other symptoms that may be COVID-19.
The map breaks New Jersey into six regions and assigns them each a color: green (low), yellow (moderate), orange (high) or red (very high). The color is based on the on the COVID-19 Activity Level Index, or CALI, a score health officials give each region weekly using a formula that includes the virus data from each county.
At the beginning of August, the map was entirely yellow, indicating “moderate” levels of COVID-19 spread statewide and less strict quarantining guidelines for schools. But, then counties gradually began to turn orange again until every region had “high” levels of virus activity on the latest map, which used data for the week ending Dec. 4.
The last time the entire state was entirely orange on the map was the week ending April 3, just after vaccines became widely available for adults. The last time the majority of the state was red on the map, indicating “very high” virus activity, was in April 2020 at the start of the pandemic and statewide shutdowns.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today toNJ.com.
The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 1,131,424 cases and 25,746 confirmed fatalities (and 175,298 probable cases and 2,835 probable fatalities) as of Monday (an increase of 2,968 confirmed cases, 513 probable cases, and 11 lab-confirmed fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.41. There are 6,332,849 people fully vaccinated.
The NJDOH identified an additional omicron COVID-19 case on Friday, bringing the state total of two cases of the variant.
Governor Murphy says 70% of the state’s workforce has been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Politico NJ.
A Monmouth University poll finds inflation and supply chain issues are impacting holiday shopping.
Recreation for inmates is being debated as Cumberland County Jail drama continues, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Hunterdon County received welcome news that the PennEast pipeline saga is over, according to TAPinto.
Senators Menendez and Booker urged the Biden Administration to ensure all eligible NJ same-sex couples receive pension survivor benefits.
Senator Booker and Rep. Norcross celebrated the expansion of the Enterprise Center into the state.
The state is moving closer to declaring racism a public-health crisis, according to NJ Spotlight.
Governor Murphy huddled with Democratic operative James Carville at a dinner recently, stoking speculation about potential presidential aspirations; when asked, Murphy didn’t directly respond, saying he was just ‘getting a sense of how he sees things’ following the 2021 election.
A Bergen County judge ruled that the June BCRO election was illegal, and must hold a new election, according to the Bergen Record.
In CD6, Monmouth County GOP Commissioner Sue Kiley is considering challenging Rep. Pallone next year.
TC McCourt announced support among municipal chairs for his state committee candidacy.
The Carpenter Contractor Trust appointed Cyndie Williams as its new executive director.
Morris County Commissioner Mastrangelo blasted an ethics probe launched by his fellow GOP commissioners as a ‘witch hunt’, according to NJ Hills.
Governor Murphy will serve as DGA Vice Chair in 2022, according to Politico NJ.
Senator Booker is headlining a party fundraiser in New Hampshire, according to the AP.
The lessons from New Jersey’s last two years in the COVID-19 pandemic are many, from the economic impact and learning loss to the isolation and emotional disruption to, of course, the devastation in public health. What the state does next with those lessons was the focus of a conference on Friday hosted by the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and attended by health care, education, nonprofit and other professionals.
As a new indoor vaccine-or-mask mandate takes effect in New York state to battle upticks in COVID-19, Gov. Phil Murphy suggested Monday that neighboring New Jersey does not plan to order a similar policy, though he also didn’t rule it out.
The Great Cream Cheese Shortage will not get in the hold up the delivery of New Jersey bakers Junior’s Cheesecakes or Maddalena’s in time for the holidays. Junior’s, the Brooklyn born cheesecake baker that makes its treats in Burlington Township, had to shut down production for two days after their supply of Philadelphia brand cream cheese ran low, according to Alan Rosen, third-generation owner of Junior’s.
New Jersey’s schools, in the past weeks, are contributing more to the state’s latest surge in COVID-19 cases. State officials Monday reported rising caseloads at schools, particularly among students. From Nov. 8-Dec. 5, students have contributed 1,159 cases to the state’s recent increasing totals.
Voters in five Camden County towns will determine the future of $80 million in proposed school district projects in Tuesday’s special school district elections. Eastern Camden County Regional, Pennsauken and Audubon school districts are asking for approvals on HVAC upgrades, building additions and athletic field work.
Like many Democrats, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney was alarmed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent debate over the fate of abortion rights in the United States. So much so, in fact, that he wants to fast-track legislation that would ensure that legal guarantees are protected — for same sex marriages.
The so-called red wave that rolled through New Jersey in last month’s election suddenly churned up a top policy priority among Democrats: Making New Jersey more affordable. Gov. Phil Murphy, having narrowly avoiding defeat, spent the days after the election repeatedly saying the results showed “there’s a lot of hurt out there” and “we need to get at more kitchen tables.”
With his poll numbers circling the toilet bowl and his mental prowess (which wasn’t too impressive to begin with) in serious doubt, Save Jerseyans, Democrats are actively debating their “Plan B” in the event that 2024 turns into another open primary. Kamala increasingly looks like a losing option. What about… Phil Murphy?
The fear of being “canceled,” called out or ridiculed has led to a chilling effect on speech. Many either tip-toe around “taboo” or controversial issues, or avoid them altogether. “Political correctness,” which gained popularity in the 1990s, has seen a resurgence in the last few years, and perhaps, experts say, reaching unprecedented levels that have led to changes to existing laws.
At Essex County Jail earlier this month, a 27-year-old pretrial detainee was stabbed by a fellow inmate with a sharpened metal rod, sent back to his cell – not to a hospital – and died the next day.
NJ business leader and former candidate for governor, Phil Rizzo, made an important announcement on our morning show Thursday. He’s decided to take the momentum he gained from coming in second after only a brief campaign for governor and jump into one of the races that promises to be close in New Jersey.
The past 12 months were a strange mix of positive developments and significant setbacks for the state’s manufacturing industry. The COVID-19 pandemic began to ebb and operations started to return to normal. Demand picked up as businesses reopened and projects moved forward again. The economy as a whole demonstrated strength and resilience, leading business owners and executives to express confidence about the future.
Lawmakers in the New Jersey Assembly’s Judiciary Committee will discuss a package of gun-safety bills Monday, including measures that would set penalties for unsafe firearm storage and require dealers to keep detailed electronic records of ammunition sales. The most sweeping bill — the New Jersey Safe Storage of Firearms Act — would establish requirements and penalties for gun storage. There are none in place now, outside of a law setting penalties when a child accesses improperly stored loaded guns.
A Bellmawr gym that defied pandemic restrictions has lost another court fight. A state judge on Dec. 9 dismissed a lawsuit brought by the operators of Atilis Gym Bellmawr, who were challenging the borough’s revocation of their mercantile license.
Phillip Sungyong Han, Clyde Hughes and Aleksandra Słabisz
Ethnic and community media are critical lifelines of information for tens of thousands of people in New Jersey. Immigrants and people of color have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and are often the first to suffer the brunt of economic and natural disasters — and ethnic media outlets are their most trusted and first-hand sources of news and information.
Caren Bateman, daughter of the late State Sen. Ray Bateman, has been named chair of the Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Board of Trustees. Bateman, elected to the post at the board’s reorganization meeting on Dec. 7, succeeds Robert P. Wise, who served as chair since November 2015.
TRENTON — The New Jersey Department of Health and Vault Medical Services are announcing a new phase of their COVID-19 testing partnership: an at-home saliva test that state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli on Monday called a “critical” measure to contain the virus as the winter approaches.
“This free PCR test provides increased accessibility to COVID testing and is a simple, 10- or 15-minute process that can be done in the privacy of your home,” Persichilli said. “This federally funded, in-home alternative helps expand testing options for anyone who needs it.”
COVID hospitalizations in New Jersey had ballooned to 1,650 as of Monday’s update, with Thanksgiving now in the rearview mirror but Christmas and New Year’s, and cold weather forcing people indoors, still to come.
“With cases rising, and holiday gatherings and travel, you want to protect yourself, especially if you are not feeling well or believe you may have been exposed, even if you don’t have any symptoms,” Persichilli said.
The Vault test is currently available at “many sites,” according to Persichilli, but free test kits can be requested online.
Other at-home tests offered for purchase at pharmacies and other retail locations can cost $40 each or more.
When someone orders this kit, it will be shipped via UPS with next-day delivery, according to the commissioner.
“Once received, individuals will connect via Zoom with a Vault healthcare professional, who will guide them through the test and answer any questions,” Persichilli said.
After a person administers their test, they can send it back through UPS next-day shipping in a prepaid package.
Results will be given 24 to 48 hours after a sample arrives at the lab.
Persichilli said those results will then be automatically shared with local public health officials, who will initiate contact tracing if a test comes back positive.
Where NJ’s ‘red wave’ of the 2021 election was reddest
In 2017, Gov. Phil Murphy won the election by 14.1 percentage points, a margin exceeding 303,000. His re-election was much closer, an 84,000-vote, 3.2-point victory. He and others talked about a ‘red wave’ of Republican voters in the electorate, and certified results show which counties turned red most.
LOOK: The top holiday toys from the year you were born
With the holiday spirit in the air, it’s the perfect time to dive into the history of iconic holiday gifts. Using national toy archives and data curated by The Strong from 1920 to today, Stacker searched for products that caught hold of the public zeitgeist through novelty, innovation, kitsch, quirk, or simply great timing, and then rocketed to success.
Light Up New Jersey 2021: Your best holiday lights
Photo Courtesy of Superintendent April Vauss Students line up with medical professionals to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at Grove Street Elementary School.
IRVINGTON, NJ – Grove Street Elementary School recently began administering COVID-19 vaccinations to younger children.
“Vaccinations began to be administered on Nov. 30 from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.,” said Irvington Superintendent April Vauss on Saturday, Dec. 4. “This was a collaboration with the county executive, Joseph DiVincenzo, and Mayor Tony Vauss to ensure that the students of Irvington had an opportunity to be vaccinated. This pediatric vaccination spans children from ages 5 to 11. At this time, younger children can only receive two shots.”
Vaccinating younger children at Grove Street Elementary School and other Irvington schools has already proved quite successful in the first week of vaccinations, said the superintendent.
“The first vaccination shots will be administered from Nov. 20 to Jan. 5 throughout various schools in the township. There are a total (number) of schools where parents may take their child to be vaccinated. This week at Grove Street, there were 60 children vaccinated,” Superintendent Vauss said.
According to Vauss, children are to be observed for a longer period of time than adults after being vaccinated.
“While adults must wait around 15 minutes after being vaccinated, children must wait around 30 minutes. So far, we have had no adverse reactions documented. If the adverse reaction occurs immediately following the vaccination, there is a staff of around 20 medical professions, as well as four officers, who will be able to assist. I believe this is why they mandate strict adherence to the wait time,” she said.
While some parents have expressed support regarding their children receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, other parents are resistant. Vauss said she has been trying to find ways to reassure them that vaccinations are the best thing for their children at this stage, particularly with the advent of the omicron variant.
“There has been some cautiousness, due to the unknown regarding the vaccination; however, the interest of having their children vaccinated is increasing amongst parents. I would not say children have been resistant; however, much like a doctor’s office when children receive shots, there is some crying,” the superintendent said. “I believe confidence will grow in taking the vaccination, while the fear of catching any number of new variants and preventing life continuing as normal. Thus, I believe we will see more parents having their children vaccinated, much like the flu shot.”
In accordance with the pediatric vaccine schedule put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New Jersey Department of Health, vaccinations for Irvington students ages 5 to 11 are broken into two rounds of set dates at elementary schools in Irvington. The first and second round of vaccinations for each school are three weeks apart.
For the first round of vaccinations, Grove Street School’s second dose is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 21; Mount Vernon Avenue School’s first dose was scheduled for Monday, Dec. 6, and its second dose is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 27; Berkeley Terrace School’s first dose is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 13, and its second dose is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 3; Madison Avenue School’s first dose is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 14, and its second dose is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 4; and Florence Avenue School’s first dose is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 5, and its second dose is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 26.
For the second round of vaccinations, Grove Street School’s first dose is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 21, and its second dose is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 11; Berkeley Terrace School’s first dose is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 3, and its second dose is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 24; Madison Avenue School’s first dose is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 4, and its second dose is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 25; Florence Avenue School’s first dose is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 26, and its second dose is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 16; and Mount Vernon Avenue School’s first dose is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 27, and its second dose is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 17.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but there’s a new lame duck bill that aims to improve state lawmakers’ retirement benefits.
No, it’s not the one I wrote about on Thursday. That bill would allow a select group of politicians back into the pension system. This one lets every state lawmaker elected after 2010 take part in the State Health Benefits Program.
New Jersey in 2010 enacted a law that removed new part-time employees — which lawmakers are — from that benefit. The new bill, sponsored so far only by Assemblymember Joe Danielsen (D-Middlesex and unrelated to Daniel-San from The Karate Kid), simply would allow them all to enroll.
On Sunday I talked to Danielsen who told me that he does not need the bill but some of his colleagues “have had to resort to very creative yet undignified ways to get health insurance.”
‘“Health insurance is one of the basic needs of humans, and that was taken away from us. And I don’t think that was appropriate. It’s not like we’re asking for some glorious luxury or compensation,” said Danielsen, who said being a legislator is a full-time job, even if it’s officially designated part-time work. “This is just having the ability to protect your children and your family.”
Do with this information what you will. There’s a legitimate debate to be had about what kind of benefits state lawmakers can have. But by bringing you this information as soon as the bill was introduced, at least I’m doing what I can to ensure there is debate and it’s not one of those bills that sneaks through with as little notice as possible.
WHERE’S MURPHY? In Trenton for a 1 p.m. coronavirus press conference.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We need to help independent journalism survive, first by giving greater protection to journalists and standing up against states which target journalists.” — Toms River native and Nobel Peace Prize winnerMaria Ressa, who practiced courageous journalism in The Philippines against authoritarian forces. As quoted in Gannett, which in recent years has gutted Ressa’s hometown paper and hundreds like it across the country, citing market forces.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY — U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, Electrical contractor Lenore Jenkins-Beauliere, NJASCU’s Gene Lepore, Dem fundraiser Stephanie Wohlrab
STATEHOUSE STANDOFF — A judge has denied Republicans’ request to stay the Statehouse vaccine-or-test mandate and assigned a court date all the way until April, ensuring that there will continue to be at least some kind of fight for the next four months. When I talked to the ringleader of the recent Assembly Republican protests, Brian Bergen (R-Morris), he told me that he and others planned to participate remotely in today’s committee meetings while they await the result of the lawsuit. At the time, they expected Dec. 13 arguments. But that’s not going to happen now. And Assemblymember Erik Peterson threatened to file criminal charges against anyone who physically blocks him from entering the Statehouse. But he’s not in any committees that meet today. So stay tuned, I guess.
ACROSS THE RIVER — New York to impose statewide mask mandate, by POLITICO’s Shannon Young: All New Yorkers must wear masks inside any business that does not implement a vaccine requirement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday, announcing one of the most stringent mandates in the nation. The new requirement, which takes effect Monday and will be reassessed on Jan. 15, comes amid a surge in Covid-19 cases throughout much of upstate New York, and as more cases of the Omicron variant are confirmed throughout the state. Hochul framed the policy not only as a move meant to protect the public health, but also the state’s economy.
EDNA HAMAN — “Who is Jane Parnell? The powerful new monitor for N.J.’s troubled women’s prison,” by NJ Advance Media’s Blake Nelson: “Jane Parnell officially became the federal monitor for the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility on Aug. 24, when a federal judge signed off on a consent decree between New Jersey and the U.S. Department of Justice. For at least the next three years, Parnell will oversee reforms to reverse years of well-documented violence and sexual abuse at the Hunterdon County prison. She can make unannounced visits and has broad access to internal records. She’ll write regular public reports, and neither New Jersey prison leaders nor the justice department will have oversight over those reports …[P]eople who worked with Parnell during a decades-long career in the Washington corrections system generally praised her as deliberative, a good listener and open to input from a variety of sources. Her selection also illustrates how a network of well-connected consultants are influencing prison policy both locally and nationally … Parnell retired in 2015. She became a consultant for The Moss Group the year after … Last year, New Jersey also hired The Moss Group to help negotiate reforms with the justice department. The consent decree bars Parnell from accepting consulting work that would create a ‘conflict of interest’ with her monitoring job, and she has not been part of Moss’ work with Edna Mahan, according to Donna Deutsch, the firm’s business development director.”
BRIAN BERGEN’S DISTRICT DOES NOT INCLUDE BERGEN COUNTY, MAKING HIM THE HUDSON-BERGEN LIGHT RAIL OF LEGISLATORS — “GOP state house protest is a stand for freedom,” by Brian Bergen for The Record: “During the height of COVID-19, people peacefully and, in some instances violently, protested the awful murder of George Floyd. They protested for the right of a person to be considered innocent until proven guilty because lives are on the line. That is not much different from what Republicans are protesting. Livelihoods and liberty are at stake, and protests remain peaceful without another COVID-19 outbreak in both instances. Americans have been protesting government power over individual rights. Since Republicans protested — somewhat misrepresented in the media, though I am writing to express the media’s right and duty to report how they see fit must not be made conditional — barricades and state police have been erected in front of every entrance to the state house. Instead of fighting gang violence or responding to emergencies, the State Police are checking the identification and vaccination of every legislator, staffer or member of the public who enters. Every time somebody steps out for a moment, they have to be checked again despite prior knowledge. That isn’t about safety, it is about government exercising power over people.”
CONNER WEAK ANALYSIS — “N.J. audit slams Norcross-headed insurance broker for school contract,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “The insurance brokerage helmed by Democratic power broker George Norcross erred in its analysis of health insurance plans for Pennsauken Public Schools employees, costing the district $1.6 million in potential savings, according to an audit released Friday by the New Jersey State Comptroller’s Office. The 4,700-student school district in Camden County relied on an analysis done by Conner Strong & Buckelew — where Norcross is executive chair — in choosing an insurance company for its employees in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, according to the report. But the firm underestimated the cost of a private plan and compared two plans with disparate insurance coverage in its analysis, investigators said. The firm also didn’t report its commission to the district as required by law, nor factor its commission into the cost analysis, the audit states. Enrolling in the state’s health care plan would have been $1.6 million cheaper for the district, investigators determined … A Conner Strong spokesman called the report ‘reckless and factually inaccurate.’”
DON’T FORGET THAT CAREPOINT’S CEO TRIED TO HIDE A MILLION DOLLAR POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION — Chiaravalloti proposes new oversight rules as CarePoint transitions to nonprofit, by POLITICO’s Sam Sutton: Assemblymember Nicholas Chiaravalloti is introducing legislation that would require New Jersey’s for-profit hospitals to get approval from state health regulators if they transition into a nonprofit, a move many will interpret as a counter to CarePoint Health’s transition plans. Under the bill, NJ A6221 … licensed acute care hospitals operating in New Jersey would need to apply for a certificate of need if they want to change their profit model. Its introduction comes two months after CarePoint Health, a for-profit health system that operates Bayonne Medical Center in Chiaravalloti’s hometown, announced plans to transition into a nonprofit health system.
MURPHY SEEKS QUICK WAY TO BRING APPROVAL RATING INTO THE TEENS —“Democrats are solidly behind Biden. There’s no consensus about a Plan B,” by The New York Times’ Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns: “None of the prospects would dare openly indicate interest … Still, a nexus of anxious currents in the Democratic Party has stoked speculation about a possible contested primary in two years … Should Mr. Biden change his mind and bow out of 2024, there is no consensus among Democrats about who the best alternative might be … Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey, having survived a harder-than-expected re-election last month in a dismal political environment, could also run. A onetime Goldman Sachs executive and Democratic donor, he was named ambassador to Germany by former President Barack Obama. Since his victory, Mr. Murphy has had a series of conversations with prominent Democrats, including a dinner at a well-known New Orleans restaurant with the strategist James Carville that caught the eye of a number of other governors and conference attendees.”
A $400 FINE AND SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO COUNTER THE GOP CAMPAIGN ADS — “Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey failed to properly disclose husband’s stock sales,” by Business Insider’s Kimberly Leonard: “Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat of New Jersey, failed to properly disclose up to $350,000 in stock sales, in violation of a federal conflict-of-interest law … Sherrill’s husband, Jason Hedberg, sold between $100,001 to $250,000 worth of stock in financial services company UBS in April. He then sold between $50,001 to $100,000 worth of USB stocks in June. Sherrill reported the transactions on December 3, months beyond the 45 day-deadline for such trades … Sherrill is the 48th member of Congress Insider and other news organizations have this year identified as failing to properly disclose their stock transactions … Sherrill’s office attributed the late filing to an oversight and said she proactively paid a late fee. Hedberg, her husband, is a managing director at UBS Investment Bank, where he is head of equity derivative sales. ‘These two transactions were the sale of vested stock earned by Rep. Sherrill’s husband as part of his employment compensation,’ Bryan Doherty, Sherrill’s communications director, told Insider … Sherrill is one of only three members of Congress who has provided evidence to Insider that she paid a fine for violating the STOCK Act. The document provided as evidence showed Sherrill paid $400 … Doherty said that the House Ethics Committee did not contact Sherrill about the missing report nor ask her to pay the fee. Instead, he said, Sherrill ‘proactively paid the late fee.’”
MERCURIAL MOVE —“DuHaime leaving Mercury,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “After thirteen years running Mercury’s New Jersey office, Michael DuHaime will leave the global public affairs firm at the end of the year amid a partnership shakeup triggered by issues with the company’s California, New York and London offices. Michael Soliman, a Mercury partner, will replace DuHaime as head of the firm’s substantial New Jersey operation. DuHaime made his announcement at a staff meeting on Friday, days after giving the firm his notice, the New Jersey Globe has learned.”
THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS GAME — “An inside game: Was politics in play when public bidding laws were cast aside for a $123.8M project?” by NJ Advance Media’s Ted Sherman: “Even as Union County officials began the planning for a massive new government complex in Elizabeth, the project seemed like a done deal. There was no public bidding for the contracts, which went to a hand-picked group of companies at a cost to taxpayers of $123.8 million. The project manager for the Union County Improvement Authority — who also serves as the county’s finance director — recommended the selection of one of the architects as well as the construction manager responsible for protecting the authority’s best interests during the project, according to court depositions. Those associated with the two companies later contributed thousands of dollars to her failed election campaign for state Assembly. And a law partner of New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, serves as redevelopment counsel to the authority. To date, the firm — whose members last year contributed $50,700 to the Union County Democratic Committee as well as several county election campaigns — has so far billed $312,116 for its work on the proposed new complex, records show. The project is now being challenged by one of the companies that was denied the deal. It went to court, claiming that the authority skirted state public bidding statutes intended as a bulwark against corruption, favoritism or excessive costs when it awarded the contracts for the project — a charge that county officials deny.”
JAILS — “N.J.’s public defender: Breakdowns in our jails have led to tragedies,” by New Jersey Public Defender Joseph E. Krakora: “County governments have a moral and legal obligation to ensure the safety of inmates in their jails and provide them access to their attorneys. As more and more counties seek to close their jails under the guise of saving money, they are failing to meet that obligation. The starkest example of that is occurring as we speak in the Essex County Jail. Union County closed its jail recently and entered a so-called shared services agreement with Essex County to house its inmates. The impact on those inmates has been catastrophic … It is not just Essex and Union that are failing to meet these basic obligations. Our office has been in litigation against Mercer and Cumberland as they seek to shut down their jails and move our clients as far away from their attorneys and families as the Hudson County Jail — all under the guise of saving money. In the meantime, they have allowed conditions in their current jails to deteriorate to a deplorable state; they then argue that we as public defenders do not care about our clients because we oppose moving them out of such inhumane conditions. It is a disingenuous argument at best and a disgraceful one at worst.”
WELL, THEY SMOKED UP AND ORDERED FROM THE CHICKEN MAN IN AC LAST NIGHT — “Can Atlantic City become Jersey’s weed destination?” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “Even before New Jersey residents voted to legalize marijuana in 2020, supporters described the possibility as the birth of an entirely new billion-dollar industry. ‘This doesn’t happen too often,’ said John Fanberg, an attorney with the firm Brach Eichler in Essex County. ‘The last one was casinos.’ … Interviewed after the event, he said Atlantic City is well-placed to be a major player in that new industry. The city has the entertainment, the dining and the existing accommodations for a huge influx of visitors. It also has the beach. City officials are already thinking big. ‘Big is not even the word to describe it. We are in the position to become the No. 1 cannabis destination on the East Coast,’ said Kash McKinley, aide to Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. McKinley envisions a city where visitors can access the highest quality marijuana, and later infused edibles if New Jersey eventually allows those sales as well. McKinley cited Small as a driving force in this vision of the city as a leader in the new industry.”
‘PLEASE GO CHASING OUR WATERFALL’ — “Paterson mayor calls for nationwide search for new city schools superintendent,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Mayor Andre Sayegh has called for ‘a thorough and extensive search’ for a new city schools superintendent. ‘Cast a nationwide net,’ he said … Sayegh said finding a replacement for Eileen Shafer represents ‘the first real test’ since the Paterson Board of Education regained control over the city schools after the state ran the district for three decades … Passaic County Commissioner T.J .Best, a former member of the Paterson school board, said the city needs someone with high-level experience in urban education in New Jersey. Best said there are not many people qualified to take on the task of running New Jersey’s third-largest school district, adding that Paterson would have been in a better position to find Shafer’s replacement if it were not at this stage of the school year.”
MAHWAHUANA — “Will a marijuana retail shop open on Route 17 in Mahwah? A vote is set for next week,” by The Record’s Marsha A. Stoltz: “An ordinance that would allow a retail cannabis store to operate on Route 17 north failed to secure Township Council approval at a hearing Monday. A vote was postponed until Thursday … It would rezone the former gas station property … to allow retail sales of marijuana products to adults age 21 and older. If approved, the ordinance would rezone only one property for cannabis retail sales. The owner — listed as ADPP Enterprises — would still have to apply to the township’s Planning Board for approval. However, Township attorney Sue Sharpe cautioned that once approved, the property would be ‘grandfathered,’ or protected against future bans on marijuana retail sales.”
VOTING NOW OPEN TO ANY MILITIA MEMBER — “Judge invalidates June race ror Bergen GOP chairman, calls for new election,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “A Superior Court Judge [Friday] overturned a June election for Bergen County Republican chairman, forcing incumbent Jack Zisa to face a new election in early next year. Zisa had called an election for the week before the June primary. County committee elections initially scheduled for June 2020 were postponed for two years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In that race, Zisa defeated Oradell GOP municipal chairman Michael Gardner by a vote of 350 to 164. In a lawsuit filed by a Republican county committeeman, Robert Taschler, on July 19, Judge Estela De La Cruz ruled that the statute required the election to be run one week after the primary, not before. De La Cruz also ruled that Taschler, an appointed district leader from New Milford, had standing to challenge the election.”
THEY BLEW IT ALL AT THE BOOK FAIR AND IN THE VENDING MACHINE — “K-12 schools in NJ got $2.4 billion in COVID aid from the feds. How are they spending it?,” by The Record’s Mary Ann Kornbluth: “Bequeathed an unprecedented windfall of federal COVID relief aid this year — and few restrictions on how to spend it — many North Jersey school districts have been using the bulk of their money to address long-overdue facility maintenance such as window replacements and electrical upgrades, pay for new ventilation systems and even hire more staff, a review of district plans by NorthJersey.com has found. New Jersey’s 686 school districts received $2.4 billion in this round of federal COVID-relief — the third and largest aid package since the pandemic hit in March 2020 … While there’s no indication that schools are not using the money responsibly, there’s no single system to track or monitor the spending, though district administrators say the state Department of Education has done a good job with guidance.”
MAN WHO CLEARLY HAS THE PUBLIC INTEREST AT HEART DESERVES PUBLIC PARK LAND FOR AN UBER-EXCLUSIVE GOLF COURSE — “When you’re a billionaire, your hobbies can slash your tax bill,” by ProPublica’s Paul Kiel, Jesse Eisinger and Jeff Ernsthausen: “Even if their horses finished far out of the money, some owners had a salve for the sting of defeat: tax write-offs. Six of the 20 thoroughbreds selected to run in this year’s Derby were owned by ultrawealthy Americans whose horse-racing operations have produced a combined $600 million in losses that they could use to offset their federal taxable income, according to ProPublica’s analysis of IRS data. Among them was Paul Fireman …. Fireman hasn’t spent all his time on horse racing and cattle ranching. He also used his fortune to launch upscale real estate projects, including golf courses, as well as a country club and a residential development on Cape Cod. These have allowed him to tap into the tax benefits enjoyed by real estate professionals. From 2008 through 2017, because of the deductions from his various businesses, Fireman was able to entirely offset $360 million in income. He paid nothing in federal income taxes in eight of those years.”
Atlantic and Camden Counties are both operating with Acting Prosecutors.
In Atlantic County, it’s Cary Shill, who numerous sources have told us is doing an outstanding job, since taking over following the resignation of former Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner.
In Camden County, Grace C. MacAulay succeeds Jill S. Mayer, who had served as Acting Camden County Prosecutor since October 1, 2019 before retiring.
MacAulay officially became Acting Camden County Prosecutor on December 1, 2021.
Before returning to the CCPO, MacAulay had worked with the CCPO for more than 25 years.
Talking with her CCPO staff MacAulay said, “This is seriously one of the greatest days of my life,” MacAulay told the CCPO staff before the ceremony. “I believe the crux of the criminal justice system is a prosecutor’s discretion and working here we have an awesome responsibility. We have vast authority, often daunting, but it’s an authority which must be exercised with the appropriate balance of prudent discernment and intestinal fortitude. I look around the room today and I couldn’t ask for better, more competent people, whom I respect and trust, to share these weighty responsibilities with,” said MacAulay.
Here is MacAulay signing the official documents after taking her Oath of Office.
Acting Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay (left) and The Honorable Kathleen M. Delaney, J.S.C. – CCPO photo.
Governor Murphy will ultimately name permanent selections for these key positions.
There was obviously no rush during Governor Murphy’s first term, as Mayer had served in an “Acting” capacity for more than 2 years.
There have been rumors about a potential Atlantic County (Prosecutor) nomination coming soon, however, in most circumstances, Atlantic County State Senator Vince Polistina possesses the power to stop a nomination through the unofficial, yet, powerful, recognized tool known as “Senatorial Courtesy.”
For now, both Atlantic and Camden Counties are in very good and capable hands with Shill and McAulay in charge. Both are competent and respected.
SOURCE: Camden County Prosecutors Office.
South Jersey Police Who Tragically Died in the Line of Duty
This is a tribute to South Jersey police officers who tragically have died in the line of duty.
The Jersey Shore’s 12 Pains Of Driving
New Jersey Towns with the Most Unusual Names Part 2
