NJ NEWS COMMONS: CHRISTIE ANNOUNCES TRENTON REVITALIZATION PLAN
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Around 500 vacant homes are set to be demolished in Trenton under a new Urban Blight Reduction Program there, announced by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday. Christie also said 150 surveillance cameras will be added in high-crime areas, WBGO reports.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT NOW THAT BERNARDS TWP HAS SETTLED MOSQUE LAWSUIT?
A $3.25 million settlement agreement announced this week ends two federal lawsuits related to the denial of a mosque to be built in Bernards Township. NJ.com reports the settlement lays out a timeline for revised plans to be considered by the township, as well as details about how the township can keep itself from violating federal law regarding religious discrimination. NJ.com's article has the full back story.
TRUMP'S JUSTICE DEPT. PROBES POSSIBLE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MUSLIMS
And speaking of mosques, WNYC reporter Matt Katz reports that the U.S. Department of Justice is looking into a similar situation in Bayonne, after the town rejected a proposal to turn a warehouse into a mosque.
HACKENSACK PURSUES INVOLUNTARY RETIREMENT FOR SEVEN POLICE OFFICES
The city council in Hackensack is trying to force early retirement upon seven police officers, The Record reports. All of the offices have been involved in shootings and fatal accidents. Such a move by the city is fairly uncommon.
JERSEY SHORE TOWN INSTALLS NEW WARNINGS SIGNS WHERE 3 HAVE DROWNED
A dozen new warning signs have been installed along the beach in North Wildwood, NJ.com reports, where three people have drowned since 2009. A lawsuit filed by the families of the drowning victims seeks to close the beach.
GREAT WHITE SHARK MARY LEE SURFACES 7 MILES OFF JERSEY SHORE
Twitter star Mary Lee -- who happens to be a 16-foot, 3,500-pound great white shark -- surfaced about 7 miles from shore near Atlantic City on Wednesday, NJ.com reports. The beast has been swimming her way up the East Coast. She's been tracked since being tagged in 2012 by a nonprofit research organization.
GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES TALK UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, LEGALIZED POT
In its latest article in a series exploring where candidates for New Jersey governor stand on various issues, NJ Spotlight today looks at topics including undocumented immigrants and legalizing marijuana. Remember, the primary is next week; check out NJ Spotlight's election guide for more info.