Van Drew Raises Concerns Non-Citizens Summoned for Jury Duty

Congressman Van Drew issued the following statement after reports revealed that approximately 75,000 non-citizens are summoned for jury duty in New Jersey each year through government databases used to assemble jury pools.

“Thousands of non-citizens were improperly registered to vote, and hundreds cast ballots before the problem was caught,” said Congressman Van Drew. “Now we are learning that roughly 75,000 non-citizens are summoned for jury duty every year. Even if they are ultimately screened out, this should not be happening in the first place. This is what happens when New Jersey embraces sanctuary policies, issues driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status, and then feeds those records into government systems that were built around citizenship. Information gets mixed, and we are told to trust the safeguards to clean it up afterward. When the same problem keeps appearing across different government systems, it raises serious concerns about how New Jersey maintains and verifies its records.”

Preservation NJ Opposes Section 106 Changes

Preservation New Jersey stands with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Action, the National Preservation Partners Network (NPPN), the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO), the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO), and preservation organizations across the United States in expressing strong opposition to proposed changes to the regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

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Maryland Dedicates Wetipquin Creek State Park

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offered local officials and special guests a preview of Wetipquin Creek State Park on Tuesday, as the state celebrated the acquisition of the 445-acre property that will become Wicomico County’s first state park.

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2nd Street Fest Takes Over Northern Liberties

Philadelphia’s largest neighborhood summer festival is back and bigger than ever! The Northern Liberties Arts & Commerce Alliance announces the 16th Annual 2nd Street Festival on Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 12:00pm Noon to 10:00pm. Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with 250+ restaurants, food trucks, beer gardens, family fun, live music, artists, pop-up shops and entertainment. Street food and summertime sips will be available from a giant list of 50+ restaurants, bars, breweries and food trucks, including 10 outdoor beer and cocktail gardens. Get ready to dance (and rock) in the street with live music and DJs on two main stages. Enjoy 14 blocks of non-stop activities along N. 2nd and connecting side streets, from Spring Garden all the way to Girard. Look for food, drink and retail specials at merchants along the famed commercial corridor. The event is no charge and open to the public. 2nd Street Festival is family friendly, and four-legged friends that are well-behaved and on leashes are also welcome. For more information, visit 2ndstfestival.org and follow @2ndstfestival. Thank you to City of Philadelphia (Philadelphia Neighborhood Celebration Grant), Beam Suntory, Red Bull, La Colombe, Xfinity and NRG for supporting this year’s event.

“2nd Street Festival is back and bigger than ever in Northern Liberties,” said Standard Tap owner and festival co-founder William Reed. “It is the true grand finale for a historic summer in our city with a non-stop, ten-hour celebration of local food, beer, art and music. We have been working for months and months to bring back this beloved event and we can’t wait to see everyone back on N. 2nd Street this summer! Look for a special 250th nod this year – and lots of fun surprises.”

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Norcross to Donate $100 Million to Cooper University Health Care/MD Anderson Cancer Center

Cooper University Health Care Board of Trustees Executive Chairman, Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, and the Board of Trustees today announced a transformational $100 million gift from George E. Norcross III.
The gift from Mr. Norcross is being made in honor of the family’s patriarch and matriarch, George E. Norcross Jr. and Anne Carol Conner Norcross, and in recognition of his brothers, John, Donald, and Philip; his children, Alessandra (“Lexie”) and Alexander; and Sandra T. Norcross.

The donation is the largest single philanthropic gift in the institution’s history and one of the largest ever made to a health system in New Jersey. The gift will be directed toward investments in the City of Camden and Cooper’s larger service area in South Jersey, prioritizing education and community programs that create jobs, training, and opportunity.

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Sherman Place Historic District Moves Forward

It’s not uncommon for Laura Foord to overhear compliments from passersby on the grand Queen Anne and gingerbread Victorian homes in her neighborhood in Jersey City Heights.

“They say, ‘Oh my God, I never knew this place existed in Jersey City,’” Foord said. “And you can see that it makes people happy.”

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Camden Country Roadwork

Several roadway projects will be underway across Camden County during the week of July 27 to August 1.

“Motorists should plan ahead to take alternate routes and give themselves plenty of time to get to their destinations,” said Commissioner Al Dyer, liaison to the Department of Public Works. “Also, remember that when you’re traveling through a construction area, please slow down and stay alert for crew members and debris.”

Audubon

Crews will be working on East Atlantic Avenue on Monday, July 27, to Friday, July 31, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be a partial eastbound road closure between West Merchant Street in Audubon and Station Avenue in Haddon Heights.

Camden

· PSE&G will be working on 2735 Federal Street on Monday, July 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be a partial westbound road closure between North 27^th Street and Leonard Avenue.

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Van Drew Backs Congressional Stock Trading Ban

Today, Congressman Van Drew issued the following statement in support of banning Members of Congress from trading stocks.

“Members of Congress should not be buying and selling stocks while we are making decisions that can directly impact the market,” said Congressman Van Drew. “There is simply too much potential for abuse. I fully support banning stock trading by Members of Congress. Our focus should be on making decisions in the best interests of the people we represent, and a clear ban would help assure the public that personal investments have absolutely no role in the work we do. The Stop Insider Trading Act, which recently passed the House, would prohibit Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing individual stocks and require public notice before they sell any stocks they already own. That is a good step forward, but there is more work to be done. We should continue moving toward a strong and straightforward ban that closes any remaining loophole and gives the American people confidence that their representatives are working for them.”

Substance Use Disorder Resources Available

Anyone seeking help with addiction, whether struggling personally or helping a loved one, can call 1-844-ReachNJ (1-844-732-2465) to receive immediate support and assistance from live, trained addiction counselors based here in New Jersey. The help line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Naloxone, sometimes referred to by the brand name “Narcan,” can revive people who have lost consciousness due to opioid overdose. New Jerseyans aged 14 and over can obtain naloxone freely and anonymously at participating pharmacies. One two-dose naloxone nasal spray kit will be provided per visit. People who obtain naloxone do not need to provide a name or a reason.

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Annual Master Watershed Steward Fundraiser

Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward program will hold its seventh annual native tree and shrub sale this fall with 25 pickup locations across the state. Funds from the sale will support regional Master Watershed Steward volunteer activities, including stream repair projects, tree plantings and youth education programs.

This year’s fundraiser features one native woody vine species and 23 native tree and shrub varieties, including the highly requested pawpaw and persimmon. Master Watershed Stewards will accept orders through Aug. 25 or until supplies run out, with curbside pickup available in September or October. Pickup dates and times vary by location.

Native plants offer a variety of benefits to communities, including environmental, social and even economic benefits, program leaders noted. Native trees, shrubs and other plants improve air and water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and pollution, and enrich and enhance property and enjoyment. Master Watershed Stewards plant trees to intercept and infiltrate stormwater, stabilize soils, and filter pollutants. Whether residents seek trees for privacy, foliage, shade, pollinator attraction or a beautiful landscape, the sale organizers noted that the program offers a variety of trees and shrubs to meet a wide range of needs.