Latest news with #ImmigrantTrustDirective
Politico
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Delaney Hell
Good Monday morning! Call Ras Baraka's frequent visits to Delaney Hall a political stunt if you want, but he's looking pretty prescient. Even if you choose not to believe inmates' complaints of poor treatment and scarce meals that led to unrest late last week, what can you say about four inmates escaping by going through a hole in the wall that was 'essentially just drywall with some mesh inside,' according to Sen. Andy Kim. That gave Baraka a told-ya-so opportunity. 'Had it applied for a Certificate of Occupancy and/or construction permits, the city would have inspected the integrity of that wall,' he said in a statement. I'm not sure whether the feds requested state and local law enforcement assistance in recapturing the inmates, at least two of whom had reportedly been taken back into custody as of Sunday. But I wondered if the Immigrant Trust Directive — the policy that makes some refer to New Jersey as a 'sanctuary state' — would be an issue. It does not stop law enforcement from 'complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.' All four inmates had initially been arrested for crimes ranging from burglary to aggravated assault, according to DHS. A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office confirmed that 'the Immigrant Trust Directive would allow for cooperation when there's criminal charges involved.' FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — In Princeton at noon for an AI discussion QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'It shows just how shoddy the construction was here, what happens when we are paying billions of dollars for for-profit prisons that are skirting the responsibilities they have and try to pocket as much of that money as possible.' — Sen. Andy Kim, on Delaney Hill HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Rick Mroz, Al Coutinho, James McGregor. Missed Saturday: Sam Weinstein WHAT TRENTON MADE LOW ENERGY — 'NJ scrambles to curb energy costs,' by NJ Spotlight News' John Reitmeyer: 'From studying how to harness power from ocean waves to changing how the state regulates large data centers, New Jersey lawmakers are advancing a raft of measures aimed at addressing concerns about the rising cost of energy. On Thursday, legislative committees in the Assembly and Senate approved measures related to state energy policies and the overall affordability of energy in New Jersey. These included a bipartisan measure that cleared the Senate Environment and Energy Committee to establish a nuclear power advisory commission in New Jersey … In a different Senate committee, lawmakers approved a resolution urging federal regulators to formally reject the results of a regional electricity pricing auction that has resulted in skyrocketing utility bills for consumers in New Jersey taking effect this month.' — 'Eighteen takeaways on the 2025 primary and where New Jersey goes from here' — 'School funding, expand charters: Where New Jersey governor hopefuls stand on education' — 'Minnesota lawmaker shootings prompt N.J. to increase police patrols' — 'New Jersey has a water affordability problem. We have to fix it' R.I.P. — 'MikeWorldWide public affairs leader Bill Murray dies at 67' TRUMP ERA SOME OF US LIKE KINGS FOR ITS LOCALLY-GROWN PRODUCE AND PRIME CUT MEATS — 'Sherrill, Whitman join thousands at 'No Kings' protest in Morristown,' by The Daily Record's William Westhoven: 'Standing on the steps of Town Hall in a history-rich suburb where Gen. George Washington once sheltered his troops during the 'hard winter' of 1779-80, Mayor Tim Dougherty looked over a crowd of thousands that braved a rainy Saturday morning to attend one of about 2,000 'No Kings' protests scheduled across the United States … Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who represents Morristown in Washington and is now the Democratic nominee for governor, picked up on the Revolutionary vibe of the soggy crowd as it waved protest signs and loudly chanted her name. 'Right here in Morristown, we know in 1776 this nation decided we were not going to be ruled by a king,' she said … Turning to the gubernatorial campaign trail, Sherrill took a few jabs at Republican nominee Jack Cittarelli and then introduced a surprise guest — former two-term Republican Gov. Christine Todd Whitman. 'There has only been one female governor in the entire state of New Jersey. And she's standing right here,' Sherrill said, getting an embrace from Whitman. 'I'd like to join that club.'' TRUMP TO APPEAL, WILL USE CRAIG CALLAWAY TO COLLECT JUDGES' VOTES — Second judge blocks most of Trump's executive order on elections, by POLITICO's Hassan Ali Kanu: A federal judge on Friday blocked key provisions of President Donald Trump's executive order that sought to make it harder to register to vote in federal elections, including a requirement for voters to prove their citizenship. Massachusetts U.S. District Judge Denise Casper wrote in the ruling that the Constitution gives the power to regulate elections to Congress, adding that lawmakers have not passed any laws that authorize Trump's actions or otherwise delegate their authority to the president. Casper, an Obama appointee, blocked parts of Trump's March order that directed federal and local officials to require documentary proof of citizenship when people register to vote and to assess citizenship before distributing voter registration forms at designated public assistance agencies, such as Medicaid offices. Those parts of Trump's executive order have also been blocked by a federal judge in Washington, D.C., in a separate lawsuit filed by voting rights groups and Democratic party officials. — ''No Kings Day' protests held across N.J. to speak out against Trump' — 'Why N.J.'s Republicans in Congress are OK with 16M Americans losing insurance' LOCAL THE VOTE WILL BE 'ROUTINE AND NON-CONTROVERSIAL' — 'N.J. public workers, who say work site is contaminated, receive layoff notices,' by NJ Advance Media's Jackie Roman: 'Employees of a small public works department in Union County, who have spoken out about problems at their work site, were notified Friday that they may lose their jobs. All six employees of Roselle Park Department of Public Works would be affected by Rice Notices they received Friday, according to a copy shared with NJ Advance Media … The employees' termination is up for a vote on Thursday at the next regular town council meeting, according to meeting minutes. The workforce reduction is marked by an asterisk, meaning the matter is 'considered to be routine and non-controversial by the council and will be approved by one motion,' according to the Roselle Park website. In addition to the notice, on Thursday, Roselle Park is expected to authorize a shared service agreement with Kenilworth for public works services, according to meeting minutes. 'This has been in the works for months, if not years,' said Mayor Joseph Signorello Jr., who refuted any accusations that the layoff action was retaliation for health and safety concerns being aired publicly. The 'hard reality,' Signorello said, is that the building needs to be replaced and Roselle Park can't afford what it costs to replace it right now.' A FAIRVIEW AND OPEN PROCESS — 'Politically well-connected firm gets Paterson insurance broker contract,' by the Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: 'A politically-connected insurance company received a lucrative broker's contract on June 11 from the city Board of Education, which rejected the superintendent's recommendation that the district continue using its current firm. The school board's resolution picking Fairview Insurance of Verona as the district's broker for employee health benefits does not say how much the company will make from the contract. That's because Fairview's fees will be paid by the health care network working for the school board, and not by the district itself. Officials speaking off the record estimated that Fairview will make more than $700,000 from the contract. The school board's selection of Fairview comes two years after the city's education commissioners dropped the firm from a different insurance contract. That set in motion what political insiders say was a concerted effort by Fairview's powerful allies to run candidates for the school board aligned with them.' BLORRIS — 'Draeger will replace Duarte as Morris Democratic chair,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'Morris County Democratic Chair Amalia Duarte will not seek re-election and is expected to be replaced by Darcy Draeger, a highly-regarded sheep farmer from Chester who ran two hugely competitive campaigns for a State Assembly seat in a Republican legislative district. Vice Chairman Mike DeLamater, a top political advisor to Gov. Phil Murphy and Sherrill, will seek re-election on the Draeger ticket. The change in leadership comes days after Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), who represents 28 of 39 municipalities in Morris County in Congress, captured the Democratic nomination for governor. Democrats believe Sherrill can make a play for votes in Morris County, where Republican Jack Ciattarelli won by eleven points in 2021 against Gov. Phil Murphy. Sherrill scored a massive 62% victory in Morris, outpacing the second-place finisher, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, by fifty percentage points. Last year, Sherrill carried the Morris portion of her congressional district by four points.' DANGEROUS MINDS — 'N.J. high school wants seniors to pay $150 each for a prank that went too far,' by NJ Advance Media's Rob Jennings: 'A Middlesex County high school plans to punish students who took part in an elaborate senior prank that left a big mess in the building and forced the cancellation of classes on Thursday. South River High School is asking students to pay a $150 fine and perform five hours of community service, among other penalties, according to a 'graduation participation contract' sent to parents Friday. The families must agree to the contract for students to participate in their graduation ceremony next week … A video provided to WABC7 showed rolls of toilet paper thrown throughout the high school gym. It also showed desks, chairs and other furniture piled in the school hallways.' THESE ARE THE TURFS THAT TRY KIDS' CLEATS — 'N.J. soccer coach says she was fired after opposing artificial turf at historic site,' by NJ Advance Media's Richard Cowen: 'A youth soccer coach in Ridgewood says she was fired after speaking out against installing artificial turf at the historic Schedler property, the Revolutionary War era farm the village wants to develop into a multi-purpose athletic field. Amy McCambridge, a trainer with the Ridgewood Maroons Soccer Club for 20 years, said she was terminated June 7 after the Maroons board of directors sent her a contract that contained a language that forbid her from commenting online or in public on social issues that 'create division' within Ridgewood.' — '[Englishtown] just became the first to eliminate its gun permit fees' — 'Dover administrator leaves after less than a year for Asbury Park. Why the quick exit?' — 'Atlantic City mayor, schools superintendent to be tried separately in alleged child abuse case' EVERYTHING ELSE REGENERATING CONTROVERSY — 'My son flunked his road test because he was driving a Tesla, dad says,' by NJ Advance Media's Karin Price Mueller: 'It was Lochlan Keefer's big day … He hopped into the driver's seat of the family's white 2022 Tesla Model Y and the examiner got into the passenger side. Keefer put on his seatbelt, checked his mirrors and put his hands at 10 and 2. Exactly what happened next is up for debate, but Keefer flunked the test. The examiner wrote on the testing slip: 'Had the parking and stopping assistance on never stepped on the brake to stop his self let the vehicle stop it self.' … They waited to speak to a supervisor, who supported the examiner's decision … Then it got ugly. The supervisor 'became belligerent, and unprofessionally and abusively told me to 'go f*** myself,'' Keefer alleged in a Title VI discrimination complaint filed with the agency. 'Further exacerbating this misconduct, I clearly heard an MVC employee identify me pejoratively as a 'Republican' and perceived that I was being discriminated against due to driving a Tesla — a brand publicly associated with Elon Musk, who has been subject to politically motivated controversy,' Keefer wrote.' — 'What are hundreds of Teslas doing in a New Jersey mall parking lot?' A PIRATE FROM THE BLACK PEARL? — 'How bones that washed up on New Jersey beaches were identified as a 19th-century ship captain,' by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Nick Vadala: 'The bones of a long-dead man began washing up on New Jersey beaches three decades ago, but it was only in late May that the world finally learned their owner's identity. Henry Goodsell was the captain of a schooner known as the Oriental when it wrecked off the coast of Brigantine in December 1844. The ship was on a journey from Connecticut to Philadelphia with 60 tons of marble slated to be used in the construction of Girard College, but it began to leak about a mile off the shore of Brigantine Shoal. That leak sealed the fate of all five crew members on board — Goodsell included. Now, more than 180 years later, we know of the doomed captain's fate thanks in large part to the work of students and instructors at a New Jersey college.' — 'What's next for Freehold Raceway? New owner lays out details' — 'Donna DeCaprio elected president of Local 54 casino workers union in uncontested vote'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NJ election results: Mikie Sherrill, Jack Ciattarelli win primary for governor
As the 2025 primary election day nears its end, New Jersey residents are close to finding out the candidates who will fight to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy as the state's 57th governor. LIVE ELECTION RESULTS | JUMP TO: DEM PRIMARY FOR GOV | GOP PRIMARY FOR GOV | NJ ASSEMBLY Jack Ciattarelli, the Trump-endorsed former state assemblymember, will win the Republican primary race for New Jersey governor, AP projects. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, NJ-11, will win the Democratic primary race for New Jersey governor, AP projects, claiming victory over a crowded and competitive field of prominent current and former officeholders. New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states holding gubernatorial races after the presidential election, meaning the outcome in November may serve as both a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term and a preview into who could take power in the 2026 midterm elections. Jack Ciattarelli, a moderate establishment figure in the Republican field, is making his third bid for New Jersey governor. Ciattarelli, a former member of the state's Assembly, initially ran for the New Jersey Governor's office in 2017 – he came in second place in the Republican Party gubernatorial primary, with 31% of the vote. His second attempt in 2021 proved more successful; Ciattarelli won the Republican Party gubernatorial primary, but lost the general election to incumbent Murphy. He received 48% of the vote to Murphy's 51%. In his third run, he received an endorsement from President Trump, even though he's received accusations of being a "never-Trumper" from the party's far right. His campaign focused on New Jersey's affordability crisis – his plan includes capping property taxes at 1% of a home's assessed value and reducing state spending by 30%. Ciattarelli has pledged to end New Jersey's Immigrant Trust Directive on his first day in office, allowing local police to cooperate with federal officials on civil immigration matters. He also plans to direct the attorney general to cease lawsuits against the Trump administration. In an NJ Now interview, Ciattarelli expressed willingness to work with President Trump while maintaining the ability to oppose policies detrimental to the state. Sherrill, a former federal prosecutor and U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, was the establishment, left-of-center candidate in a crowded field of Democratic contenders. Most of her campaign messaging had leaned on her military experience and being able to handle conflict. "I learned early on: In a crisis, the worst thing you can do is freeze," she said. "You have to choose to lead," Sherrill has represented the 11th District, which includes parts of Essex, Morris and Passaic counties, since her 2018 election during President Donald Trump's first administration's midterm. Sherrill flipped the district from Republican control with former Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen's retirement and has been reelected three times since. Sherrill raised $2.8 million during the primary election, placing her among the top House fundraisers in the country. Before getting elected to Congress, she was a prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. She served in the Navy from 1994 to 2003. Born in Alexandria, Virginia, the 53-year-old now lives in Montclair, New Jersey with her husband. She is also a mother of four. During an interview with NJ Now, she said she would address the state's affordability issues by building more housing, investing in community solar to lower utility costs, and holding the grid operator PJM accountable. MORE: Who's running for NJ governor? Also at stake are all 80 state General Assembly seats, although only 25 districts face contested races. Track real-time election results below once polls close at 8 p.m. Use the dropdown below to view different districts.
Politico
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
The Justice Department's Memorial Day weekend news dump
Good Tuesday morning! The Trump administration is not trying to hide its fight against sanctuary cities. So I don't know why it chose the Friday afternoon before Memorial Day to break news about it, first with an exclusive report by the friendly New York Post. There's few bigger news dump days than that one. The lawsuit targets Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken and Paterson, alleging their policies that restrict using local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law violate the Constitution's Supremacy Clause. But even though The State of New Jersey has had a similar policy in place since the first Trump administration in the 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive, it's not a defendant. The complaint was written by Yaakov Roth, who before joining Trump's Justice Department represented Sen. Bob Menendez and George Norcross. These fights belong in court. Threatening criminal charges against New Jersey's governor and attorney general over those policies is another thing altogether. So far, sanctuary cities have made out well in federal court. I don't think anyone claims that the states are allowed to decide immigration law. A key defense is the 'anti-commandeering' doctrine that bars the federal government from, as late Justice Antonin Scalia put it, 'conscripting the States' officers directly.' FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — At the 9/11 Memorial and Museum for an announcement at 2:30 p.m. QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'Kids were out of control … It's like the Jersey Shore show.'' — Seaside Heights bartender Sarah Frailey, on Memorial Day 'mayhem' HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Joe Pennacchio, Richard McGrath, Regina Appolon, Wayne Blanchard WHAT TRENTON MADE JOHN CURRIENG FAVOR — She says she wants to shake up New Jersey as governor — but running a traditional machine campaign, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Rep. Mikie Sherrill often promises to change the status quo in Trenton as she seeks to be the next New Jersey governor. Yet the front-runner for the Democratic nomination is running the most traditional machine campaign possible, all while presenting a continuation of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy's agenda. Sherrill vaulted to prominence in 2018 on her resume as a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor who opposed Donald Trump's agenda in Washington. Now she's running the same playbook: highlight her background, curry favor with party bosses and hope backlash to the president will elevate her to one of the country's most powerful governorships. New Jersey's election is both a litmus test for Trump after his big gains last year and an opportunity to chart a new course after two terms of Murphy. But Sherrill is running just the type of campaign that made Murphy governor while embracing the Democratic establishment, opponents and close observers of Garden State politics say. BLET'S GO — 'This NJ Transit union went on strike. Here's when it will vote on its new contract,' by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: 'June will see two critical elections on the same day, to pick Democratic and Republican candidates for governor, and for locomotive engineers to ratify a tentative contract that ended a strike. Ballots were emailed this week to the 450 members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen that are due back by June 10, the same day as the state's primary election. Unlike the primary, results of the BLE&T ratification vote will be announced after 3 p.m., said Jamie Horwitz, a union spokesperson.' HOOKED ON PHONES? TRY HOOKED ON PHONICS — 'NJ pushes phonics, other tweaks to boost K-3 reading skills,' by The Record's Mary Ann Koruth: 'New Jersey's youngest readers and their teachers should expect new tools and new rules in their classrooms this fall, as schools implement two laws designed to reboot reading instruction from kindergarten through the third grade. The state will establish a free professional development program for elementary teachers, library specialists and other faculty members on 'evidence-based foundational literacy instruction' — meaning a reliance on teaching methods that have been proven by scientific studies, rather than trends and personal preferences.' — 'How lawmakers are targeting energy rate increases' — 'NJ lawmakers pursue raft of affordability measures' — 'Jack Ciattarelli: We must fix New Jersey. Here's my plan' — 'Lawmakers mull measure to ban octopus farming in New Jersey' TRUMP ERA LAHABACA — 'New to Congress, she's in the cross hairs of Trump's Justice Department,' by The New York Times' Tracey Tully: "[Rep. LaMonica] McIver's unflinching stance in the face of charges that carry a potential penalty of 16 years in prison surprised no one who knows her well in Newark, New Jersey's largest city, where she was raised in a public housing high-rise and rose to become president of the city council. The oldest of four children, with a mother who struggled with addiction, Ms. McIver, 38, said she had no choice but to grow up fast and strong. 'I have had to be a leader for a very long time,' she said in an interview. Her mother, now sober for 15 years, has worked for her at City Hall and is among her closest aides. It was Ras Baraka — now the city's mayor and a Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor — who helped to steer Ms. McIver away from trouble and toward politics, the congresswoman said. Mr. Baraka began his career as a teacher and principal, and Ms. McIver was a student in his fifth-grade class … Congressional historians, when asked to identify any similar charges against a House member, had to reach back centuries, to 1799, when Representative Matthew Lyon of Vermont was imprisoned for violating the recently passed Sedition Act. Mr. Lyon had criticized President John Adams in print and in front of crowds and accused him of having 'an unbounded thirst for ridiculous pomp.'' LACK OF ACCCTION — Blue states form united front after EV mandate reversal, despite some cold feet, by POLITICO's Camille Von Kaenel: A group of blue states that signed on to California's self-imposed electric vehicle mandate are banding together in the wake of Congress' vote to strip California of the ability to set its own vehicle emissions standards. The governors of Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington announced they were joining California to form an 'Affordable Clean Cars Coalition' on Friday. In the announcement, the governors blamed the federal government for 'creating needless chaos,' but notably avoided any policy commitments, belying the cold feet several of the states developed this spring over the mandate. MEDICUTS — 'How the GOP bill would hit Medicaid users in New Jersey,' by NJ Spotlight News' Lilo H. Stainton: 'As now written, state officials said the bill would reduce federal funding for New Jersey's Medicaid program by $3.6 billion — nearly one-quarter of the $14.9 billion the state expected to get from Washington, D.C. — for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Gov. Phil Murphy's $58.3 billion proposed budget, which state lawmakers must pass before the end of June, allocates a total of $24.3 billion to Medicaid programs, which includes that $14.9 billion.' — 'Kean: I led the fight to restore N.J.'s property tax deduction' — 'The feds want to demolish this Jersey Shore landmark. Locals are trying to save it' — 'Rep. Menendez, Solomon, & O'Dea tee off on Trump over sanctuary cities lawsuit' LOCAL ONE MUST APPRECIATE THE TASTEFUL MIXTURE OF HANDWRITING AND TYPING — 'Washington Township councilman accused of sending harassing letters to school board members,' by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Melanie Burney: 'A Washington Township councilman has been accused of sending unsigned harassing letters to two school board members using the board president's return address, authorities said Friday. Board members Patricia Blome and Connie Baker and board president Julie Kozempel filed civilian criminal complaints against council member Richard Bennett alleging harassment, impersonation, falsification, and hindering apprehension … The allegations come amid turmoil for the Washington Township School District, with the school board divided over controversy surrounding the budget for next school year and the suspension of Superintendent Eric Hibbs … Both letters, obtained by The Inquirer, use similar insults, calling the recipients evil, stupid, and dishonest, and accusing them of 'playing games with superintendent job.' The letters also call for Blome and Baker to step down from the board. 'You are a disgrace!' was handwritten at the bottom, followed by a typed message that 'God is watching your action!!!' The letters were unsigned.' MINOR THREAT — Jersey Shore towns report fewer issues with rowdy teens this Memorial Day weekend, by The Press of Atlantic City's Bill Barlow: 'Year after year, there have been disruptive crowds over Memorial Day weekend, but officials in Jersey Shore communities report calm and quiet this year, at least relatively. '(Wildwood Police Chief Joe Murphy) and I are cautiously optimistic about the current state of affairs,' said Wildwood Commissioner Steve Mikulski, whose responsibilities include public safety, on Sunday morning … Wildwood police have emphasized a 10 p.m. curfew for juveniles, and reported heading off more than one attempt to organize underage events through social media. At 10, Mikulski said police sweep the Boardwalk and beach to clear out any minors.' — More NJ teen TikTok chaos ruins Woodbridge carnival and mall' JUST SAYING NO — 'Clifton says no to cannabis businesses, in spite of budget woes,' by The Record's Matt Fagan: 'For the third time, the city has opposed allowing any type of cannabis business within its borders. Faced with a budget gap, three of the city's seven council members have pressed for a partial lift of the ban on the regulated cannabis businesses, such as allowing growing or manufacturing cannabis products or warehousing them. The three council members argued that the city has a revenue problem, and rather than relying only on property tax increases or cutting back expenses, the city should permit portions of the cannabis industry that do not involve retail sales … [Councilmember Bill] Gibson said he doesn't like the whole industry. He said he does not want that kind of business, whether it's manufacturing or cultivating. 'Somewhere along the line, it is going to filter down to where I don't think it should be,' Gibson said.' FASTER? THEY JUST CONNAUGHT DO IT — 'Groundwater polluted, Lambertville residents at risk, but help from State of New Jersey may be years away,' by The Jersey Vindicator's Jeff Pillets: 'Residents here will have to wait until next year — or longer — before the state can trace the source of groundwater contamination that's fouled scores of wells in the city and neighboring West Amwell Township. State environmental officials say it could take up to two years to investigate a pair of sites that are suspected sources of so-called forever chemicals, or PFAS, that have turned up in wells at levels more than 10 times the limit set under federal and state law. Both of the sites, an abandoned landfill and a former factory that used Teflon to make machine parts, are located in the Connaught Hill neighborhood … 'If the responsible party does not implement the remediation, the DEP may conduct the remediation using public funds,' according to a nine-page 'update' the agency released earlier this week to The Jersey Vindicator. The DEP release confirms what residents have long suspected, that the old municipal landfill on Connaught Hill was never properly closed, capped, or remediated in any way. There are no state records documenting what kind of waste was dumped at the property or how long it was in use. A public records request by The Jersey Vindicator for such records yielded nothing.' A TREE GROWS IN LAKEWOOD — 'Lakewood school closing could mean the end of 200-year landmark,' by the Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: 'Ella G. Clarke became a Lakewood hero 80 years ago when she helped students escape a fire that destroyed a school but spared their lives due to her pioneering fire drills and evacuation practices. Now that a school bearing her name is to be closed and sold a movement is on to save one of its most treasured assets. A 200-year-old tree. The tall red oak that sits squarely in front of the elementary school on quiet Manetta Avenue, bounded by a wooden fence and decorative bushes, first gained attention in 2018 when students and staff launched a campaign to give it historic status.' — 'Newark middle schoolers face overcrowded classrooms and space shortages, state report says' — '[Fairview] firefighter stole thousands from his own department, authorities say' — '[Sussex County Community College] boss told 68-year-old custodian he was 'too old' before firing him, lawsuit says' — 'Rude [Harrison Township] cop violently arrested me after I tried to record him, N.J. woman says in lawsuit' EVERYTHING ELSE JUDGED JUDY — Nurse union at center of 2023 strike quietly commandeered by parent union, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: In late 2023, the union representing nurses at RWJBarnabas Health's flagship hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, engaged in a high-profile strike which drew attention from Trenton to Washington. The union's president, Judy Danella, was at the center of it all. She spoke at a hearing hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and the strike sparked discussions at the Statehouse around long-stagnated legislation to create nurse-to-patient ratios. But now Danella is inexplicably out of her union leadership post after the parent union quietly took control of United Steelworkers Local 4-200 last August, according to federal records. Danella and then-Vice President Renee Bacany have since been replaced, despite winning three-year terms in April 2024. SUMMER OF 'EH'LL — 'The Canadians no longer visit down the shore — but why'd they come here in the first place?' by New Jersey Monitor's Jen A. Miller: 'If this winter's dip in Canadian snowbirds flying to Florida (and selling their Florida properties) is any indication, the Jersey Shore, particularly Cape May County, could see a similar drop. But in all the 'will they or won't they' coverage I've seen about the issue this year, I noticed one thing left out: why Canadians — in particular French Canadians — came here in the first place. Like the drive from Quebec to Wildwood, it's a long and sometimes winding journey … In the 1950s and 1960s, South Jersey Shore towns were in trouble. Where they were once the only place people could go to escape stifling summer heat, the advent of air conditioning and swimming pools meant that relief could be found close to home instead — no long train or car ride required. Atlantic City turned to gambling. Cape May County? French Canadians.' BEAR MARKET — 'Bear spotted near N.J. mall, police say,' by NJ Advance Media's Daysi Calavia-Robertson: 'A black bear was spotted wandering near Mercer Mall in Lawrence on Monday morning, township police said. Lawrence police received a call early Monday about a bear sighting in the area of Quakerbridge Road in the Mercer County town, according to a police dispatcher.' — 'Go Birds: 24 hours inside the World Series of Birding'
Los Angeles Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Trump administration sues 4 New Jersey cities over ‘sanctuary' policies
TRENTON, N.J. — The Trump administration sued four New Jersey cities over their so-called sanctuary city policies aimed at prohibiting police from cooperating with immigration officials, saying the local governments are standing in the way of federal enforcement. The Justice Department filed the suit Thursday against Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and Hoboken in New Jersey federal court. The lawsuit seeks a judgment against the cities and an injunction to halt them from enacting the so-called sanctuary city policies. 'While states and local governments are free to stand aside as the United States performs this important work, they cannot stand in the way,' the suit says. It's the latest case from President Trump's administration against sanctuary policies. The administration also sued Chicago, Denver, the state of Colorado, and Rochester, N.Y. There is no official definition for sanctuary policies or sanctuary cities. The terms generally describe limited local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE enforces U.S. immigration laws nationwide but sometimes seeks state and local help. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with the affected cities. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said his city would fight the suit, calling it an 'egregious attempt to score political points at Paterson's expense.' 'We will not be intimidated,' he said in a text message. Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement the city prides itself on its inclusivity. 'The City of Hoboken will vigorously work to defend our rights, have our day in court, and defeat the Trump Administration's lawlessness. To be clear: we will not back down,' he said. The mayors of all four cities are Democrats. New Jersey's attorney general adopted a statewide Immigrant Trust Directive in 2018, which bars local police from cooperation with federal officials conducting immigration enforcement. The policies adopted by the four cities are similar. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court that New Jersey's statewide policy could stand, but it's unclear how that court's order might affect the government's case against the four cities. Catalini writes for the Associated Press.
San Francisco Chronicle
23-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Trump administration sues 4 New Jersey cities over 'sanctuary' policies
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The Trump administration sued four New Jersey cities over their so-called sanctuary city policies aimed at prohibiting police from cooperating with immigration officials, saying the local governments are standing in the way of federal enforcement. The Justice Department filed the suit Thursday against Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and Hoboken in New Jersey federal court. The lawsuit seeks a judgment against the cities and an injunction to halt them from enacting the so-called sanctuary city policies. 'While states and local governments are free to stand aside as the United States performs this important work, they cannot stand in the way,' the suit says. It's the latest case from Republican President Donald Trump's administration against sanctuary policies. The administration also sued Chicago, Denver, the state of Colorado, and Rochester, New York. There is no official definition for sanctuary policies or sanctuary cities. The terms generally describe limited local cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE enforces U.S. immigration laws nationwide but sometimes seeks state and local help. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with the affected cities. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said his city would fight the suit, calling it an 'egregious attempt to score political points at Paterson's expense.' 'We will not be intimidated,' he said in a text message. Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement the city prides itself on its inclusivity. 'The City of Hoboken will vigorously work to defend our rights, have our day in court, and defeat the Trump Administration's lawlessness. To be clear: we will not back down,' he said. The mayors of all four cities are Democrats. New Jersey's attorney general adopted a statewide Immigrant Trust Directive in 2018, which bars local police from cooperation with federal officials conducting immigration enforcement. The policies adopted by the four cities are similar.
