News
New Jersey lawmakers look to limit ‘high hazard’ freight trains
As freight trains grow longer, N.J. lawmakers want to limit their length and mandate other safety measures to avert accidents.
High fees, long waits cast shadow over new criminal expungement laws
Lawmakers across the political spectrum say clearing or sealing criminal records will help people find jobs and housing.
New law would let New Jersey teacher candidates skip basic skills exam
The state’s largest teachers union has long said the test is a barrier to entry for low-income New Jerseyans who want to be teachers.
Bill lifting New Jersey brewery restrictions gets conditional veto from Gov. Murphy
Gov. Phil Murphy said the bill as written "does not sufficiently enhance our antiquated liquor license laws," which he said need to be retooled for the modern era.
Bill would create fund to guarantee rent payments for some low-income renters
A proposed $10M fund would pay landlords to encourage them to rent to very low-income residents. The tenants would then pay the state back.
New life for old coal: Minelands and power plants are hot renewable development spots
Former mine lands and the plants that burned the coal they produced are increasingly attractive spots for new renewable development.
Environmentalists hope Democratic wins will advance their agenda in Trenton
Environmentalists say the state's 100% clean-energy goal and extending a business tax to support public transit are priorities in 2024.
Democrat wants N.J. Legislature to condemn Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
Assemblyman Herb Conaway Jr.'s resolution urges Congress to investigate possible ethics violations and implement more stringent ethics rules for justices.
Author explores gratitude’s dark side — and how being grateful might still rescue us
Gratitude is a spiritual practice, “and like any other practice it takes time. It’s hard,” author Diana Butler Bass says.
Israel and Hamas agree to temporary cease-fire, hostage release deal
President Joe Biden praised the agreement to release 50 of the approximately 240 hostages taken by Hamas during the militant group’s deadly attack on Israel.
New Jersey lawmakers take another shot at same-day voter registration bill
Multiple studies have shown that same-day voter registration leads to a bump in voter turnout, with the most significant impact on Black, Latino, and young voters.
Trump immigration policies set the tone for most of the GOP presidential field
What were once considered far-right policies are now common talking points among the GOP candidates, including support for building a wall along the southern border.