Category Archives: New Jersey News

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake pornographic images of female students at Westfield High School has ignited a call for action, leaving parents and students outraged and concerned. The incident has spurred investigations, legal action, and renewed discussions about the impact of technology on student safety. At least 30 female students fellContinue reading “AI-generated pornographic images rock Westfield High School”

New Jersey Army National Guard Pvt. Anthony Del Tufo was recognized by the Nutley School Board of Education last month for assisting residents of a home threatened by fire. Del Tufo credited the principles of civil service he embodied early in his military career. “I didn’t think it was a big deal,” Del Tufo said.Continue reading “New Jersey Army National Guardsman rescued family from a burning house”

Tonight, amidst the crisp December air, a celestial spectacle unfolds. Bathing the world in its ethereal glow, the Full Cold Moon ascends, claiming its rightful place in the velvet tapestry of the winter sky. But beyond its breathtaking beauty, this lunar marvel whispers tales of ancient wisdom and a profound connection between humanity and theContinue reading “Full Cold Moon paints the winter sky: Journey through lunar lore & luminescence”

The Garden State is adorned with holiday cheer as the New Year approaches, but New Jersey offers much more than just festive Christmas lights and Santa sightings. From dazzling displays and charming markets to winter adventures and cultural delights, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant state. Prepare to be dazzled by the festive illuminationsContinue reading “It will be a cold day when you cannot find winter fun in New Jersey”

Throughout history, there have been military actions that had an element of surprise because they coincided with religious holidays. The Tet Offensive in Vietnam, the Yom Kippur War and the Battle of Trenton often come to mind as examples of these blasphemous acts of violence. The Tet Offensive of 1968 was a major turning pointContinue reading “Striking on Sacred Grounds: Military actions collided with religious holidays”

Two men, Julio Cesar Paniagua, 27, and Joel Ramon Garcia, 33, have been charged in connection with their roles in an armed kidnapping for ransom of a Paterson, New Jersey, resident. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agents Matthew Barile and John Havens provided detailed statements outlining the harrowing events surrounding the armed kidnapping andContinue reading “Two men charged with armed kidnapping of a Paterson resident”

by Sophie Nieto-Munoz, New Jersey Monitor A bill to allow some 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections is headed to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk after both chambers of the Legislature advanced the bill Thursday.  The measure, sponsored by Democrats, would allow 17-year-old voters to cast ballots in June primaries if they are 18 by thatContinue reading “Lawmakers OK bill allowing some 17-year-olds to vote in primaries”

by Nikita Biryukov, New Jersey Monitor New Jersey’s campaign finance watchdog will petition to join, as a friend of the court, a Republican lawsuit alleging an outside group violated state election law while seeking to boost third-party spoilers in November’s legislative races. The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission unanimously voted to join the suit,Continue reading “Elections watchdog joins lawsuit targeting outside spending group”

James Devine has been selected as a 2024 Distinguished Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, a prestigious recognition that would underscore his exceptional legal ability and high ethical standards if he were a lawyer… but he’s not. The news was delivered from American Registry, stating, “Congratulations James Devine on your 2024 Distinguished Attorney award. Your awards set youContinue reading “Martindale-Hubbell says James Devine is a ‘2024 Distinguished Attorney’… but he’s not”

by Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor A proposal to set a minimum age for juvenile delinquency at 14 in New Jersey hit a snag Monday when lawmakers worried that it would enable younger youth who commit serious crimes to dodge accountability. Lawmakers in two legislative committees agreed to advance the bill, with amendments. But in both theContinue reading “Proposal to set 14 as minimum age for juvenile delinquency sparks debate”

by Nikita Biryukov, New Jersey Monitor A class action lawsuit filed in state Superior Court this week challenges the constitutionality of a longstanding New Jersey law on tax sales that allows governments and private lienholders to foreclose on properties worth many times more than the debt. The suit — which names Gov. Phil Murphy andContinue reading “Lawsuit challenges New Jersey tax sales after U.S. Supreme Court ruling”

Dreams of floating above the New Jersey meadows in a rainbow-colored hot air balloon might have to wait another year. The New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, a summertime staple for 40 years, has announced a one-year hiatus in 2024 to “reimagine and relaunch” the event for an even grander return in 2025. Organizers at TheContinue reading “Post-pandemic economic conditions ‘burst the balloon’ as festival on hiatus”

The New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) has concluded that Union County violated state law by awarding its top officials over $417,000 in extra compensation without proper public approval, prompting calls for increased oversight and transparency. The investigation focused on stipends and tuition reimbursements granted to Finance Director Bibi Taylor and County ManagerContinue reading “State watchdog says Union County illegally paid officials $417,000 extra”

A state grand jury voted not to file any criminal charges in connection with the fatal police-involved shooting of Thelonious McKnight, 25, of Paterson, New Jersey, on December 29, 2021. The grand jury’s decision followed a comprehensive investigation conducted by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), adhering to the Independent Prosecutor Directive ofContinue reading “No criminal charges in the fatal police shooting of Thelonious McKnight”

by Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor State lawmakers advanced a measure Monday that supporters call a key piece of criminal justice reform, one that would expand accountability for bad cops by giving some civilian review boards subpoena power. Some New Jersey communities, including Newark, already have such independent, citizen-led boards, which investigate complaints against policeContinue reading “N.J. lawmakers move to give some civilian review boards subpoena power”

Ebony Gomez, a 31-year-old resident of Jacksonville, Florida, has been apprehended by the U.S. Marshals in connection with a string of package thefts and a hit-and-run incident that left a Gloucester Township Police officer injured. Gomez faces a litany of charges, including multiple counts of eluding, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault againstContinue reading “U.S. Marshals nab suspected porch pirate accused of hitting officer with car”

The Mercer County Homicide Task Force, in collaboration with the Trenton Police Department, has issued a public appeal for assistance in identifying a homicide victim discovered in September 2023. On the afternoon of Thursday, September 28, 2023, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Trenton police responded to a call in the 500 block of Chestnut Avenue onContinue reading “Authorities ask the public to help identify Trenton homicide victim”

In a shocking incident that unfolded on Friday, December 8, Jeffrey Surgent, a 46-year-old resident of Ocean City, allegedly killed his 74-year-old mother at Speitel Commons, their residence on the 300 block of E. 6th Street. The Ocean City Police Department received a call Friday night, at 3:59 p.m. from Surgent himself, who claimed toContinue reading “Ocean City man suffering from mental illness allegedly killed his 74-year-old mother”

The Garden State can expect explosive growth in its older population over the next several years. New Jersey’s population is rapidly aging, and with this shift comes an increasing need for access to health resources, including support for substance use disorders and serious mental illness. However, these resources are often inaccessible and underutilized as theContinue reading “New Jersey’s 60+ population expected to increase by 32 percent by 2030”

by Nikita Biryukov, New Jersey Monitor Democratic legislative leaders repeatedly declined to provide details on their lame-duck agenda priorities during a Statehouse press conference Thursday, though they suggested changes to public records, liquor license, and campaign finance law could get some consideration. The lame-duck session, a roughly two-month-long period following legislative elections, is typically aContinue reading “Elections over, New Jersey Democrats plan lame-duck agenda”