Social Justice
N.J. pension fund would stop investing in fossil fuels under bill advanced Thursday
The bill would require the state's pension fund to divest from all fossil fuel companies within two years.
Annual count finds N.J. homelessness inching up, with racial disparities persisting
In the annual Point in Time count of N.J.'s homeless population, advocates counted 8,754 unhoused people, with Black people overrepresented.
Anti-hate experts call on feds to step up against rising antisemitism
With antisemitism reaching record highs, Congress convened a hearing in Teaneck to raise awareness and brainstorm solutions.
Court allows false arrest lawsuit to proceed, despite cops’ immunity claim
Palisades Interstate Park police who mistook chocolates for drugs lost an appeal in the false arrest lawsuit a Massachusetts man filed against them.
Committee approves bill to permit police at polling places in public schools
Assembly panel clears measure allowing police at polling places in schools, a rollback of a recent law enacted to prevent voter intimidation.
Feds slam N.J. bank for discriminatory lending, reach $13M settlement
Lakeland Bank must pay $13 million to settle federal claims that it avoided giving loans to Black and Hispanic clients in greater Newark.
Inflation hits inmates’ wallets, even as their wages have flatlined
Inflation drove state prison commissary prices up 11% in the past year, but prison wages haven't risen in decades.
Governor Murphy boots bill on temp workers’ rights back to lawmakers for changes
Gov. Phil Murphy said a bill intended to strengthen worker protections should give the state more time to implement its provisions.
New Jersey mayors, housing advocates clash on affordable housing solutions
Mayors and activists clashed on how to move forward with addressing the shortage of affordable housing in New Jersey.
‘Gender specialist’ to be hired and other reforms made at troubled New Jersey women’s prison
N.J.'s only prison for women has made a series of reforms, one year into its independent oversight after brutality and sex abuse scandals.
Governor Murphy returns foreclosure bill to legislators for tweaks
Gov. Phil Murphy has conditionally vetoed a foreclosure bill that would have made it easier for families and nonprofits to buy homes at sheriff’s sales, a measure intended to preserve affordable housing and protect low-income neighborhoods from corporate buyers. Murphy’s veto says he objects to “the legality, practicality, and unintended consequences” of several provisions in the […]
Proposal to put open arrest warrants online sparks privacy, racism concerns
Watchdogs worry about the misuse of a plan proposed by a lawmaker that would create a public database of outstanding arrest warrants.