Gun rights advocates have a new target in their crusade to strike down New Jersey’s longstanding prohibitions on weapons, suing Monday to overturn state restrictions on the use of items like knives, stun guns, slingshots, brass knuckles, bear spray, and bats for self-defense.
The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Arizona-based Knife Rights, and four New Jersey gun owners are asking a federal judge to declare the restrictions illegal and unenforceable under the Second Amendment, saying they prevent people from using less-lethal tools than guns for self-defense.
“The Second Amendment protects all common arms not just guns,” attorney Daniel Schmutter wrote in the complaint filed Monday in federal court.
When some over a certain age hear “Newark,” there is often an unfortunate kneejerk instinct to think “riots.” The “long hot summer” of 1967 has cast a long shadow over New Jersey’s largest city in the popular zeitgeist despite possessing a far greater history and strides made since in escaping the socioeconomic impacts of postwar deindustrialization. Even within the context of that single year alone, it has overshadowed another important place Newark has in the history of American civil rights and race relations. And now the space where that history took place is under threat of disappearing forever.
Rowan survived the elements to come away with a 9-0 win over Lycoming for the team’s second-straight shutout on a rainy Saturday at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.
Michael Zarfati had 102 receiving yards and a score while Tyshawn Bookman added 99 yards on the ground as the Profs (2-1) recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 2012.
Trey Helmick led the defense with 10 tackles (three for losses), a sack, forced fumble and a pass breakup to spark Rowan in limiting the Warriors (1-3) to just five first downs and 118 total yards including a safety in the third quarter and a blocked field goal in the fourth. The Profs held Lycoming to just 1-of-13 on third downs as well. Xavier McBride added seven stops with four pass breakups with AJ Ryker kicking in a pair of fumble recoveries in the win.
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (September 27, 2026)— As industrial logistics hubs expand along the Delaware River waterfront, the critical trade operations of marine container terminals come at a severe cost to adjacent residential neighborhoods. For frontline communities living under the shadow of heavy port infrastructure in South Jersey, the environmental footprint is defined by a continuous influx of air, water, noise, and land pollution.
The Gloucester Marine Terminal (photo courtesy of Holt Logistics)
The intersection of private shipping infrastructure and state operations forms the backbone of this regional economic engine. Headquartered right here at the Gloucester Marine Terminal on King Street, the family-owned Holt Logisticshas been a dominant maritime force since 1926. Today, the company also acts as a primary private operator for major assets owned by the state-run South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC), including Pier 5 at the Broadway Marine Terminal in Camden and the newer Paulsboro Marine Terminal. While these public-private partnerships handle millions of tons of cargo annually and drive regional logistics growth, their round-the-clock operations concentrate localized environmental hazards directly in residential backyards.
The 1996 Waterfront Lease Controversy
Nowhere is the complex and highly transactional relationship between Gloucester City and its largest corporate tenant clearer than in the history of the 1996 ninety-nine-year lease agreement.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) hosted its sixth annual Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall, welcoming exhibitors and visitors from across the country, including Second Lady Usha Vance, Members of Congress, Cabinet Secretaries, housing industry leaders, media, and members of the public. This year’s Showcase, themed “Made in America,” commemorated America’s 250th birthday in partnership with Freedom250, spotlighted private sector ingenuity driving the American Dream of homeownership, and hosted the first-ever Showcase Trades Day to inspire the next generation of skilled trades workers.
Surrounded by and in the loving care of his family, Dick passed peacefully at home in Pine Hill on September 24, 2026, at the age of 81.
Born in Camden, NJ, to the late Richard A. Wright and Frances Heade Wright, Dick was raised in Gloucester City, where he was a proud graduate of Gloucester Catholic High School, Class of 1963.
Dick began his career in the fire service in 1970 as a volunteer with the Gloucester City Fire Department. Over the course of his 34 years of dedicated service in public safety, he rose to the rank of Battalion Chief before retiring in 2004. He went on to serve as Fire Chief of Pine Hill for 21 years. Dick also served as Fire Inspector for Pine Valley and Building Inspector for Pine Hill and Lindenwold, continuing his commitment to protecting and serving his community throughout his career.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced the ribbon cutting of the expanded and upgraded Liberty State Park Ferry Terminal in Jersey City, which serves millions of visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island each year.
The $51.1 million project transformed the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Ferry Terminal, which has largely been unused since Liberty State Park was established in 1976, into a modern facility for future services that can support a multi-functional landing scheme, while preserving elements of the terminal’s history. A key feature of the project was replacing a sunken barge with a new pier structure and barge to accommodate increased maritime traffic and strengthen regional emergency response capabilities. In addition, the sunken barge was repurposed to create an artificial reef to support a healthy marine ecosystem off the Jersey Shore.
Congressman Van Drew sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr urging the FCC to reject Verizon’s proposal to discontinue copper-based telephone service in parts of New Jersey, including Salem County. “Many people in South Jersey still depend on these copper lines, especially in rural areas where cell service can be unreliable,” said Congressman Van Drew. “These lines are used for medical-alert systems, alarm monitoring, elevator phones, and dependable 911 access. I have heard the concerns from people across South Jersey, and I agree with them. I am asking the FCC to turn this proposal down and make sure residents are not left without a reliable option.”
Put together your favorite fall looks and get ready for the fun, food and foliage that come with farm and harvest festival season in Greater Philadelphia.
Farms, fields, flower gardens, festivals and favorite attractions across the region serve up fresh air and autumn adventure this time of year, along with seasonal treats like apple cider donuts, pumpkin ales, fresh honey and homemade ice cream.
Congressman Van Drew provided an update on the ongoing response to the nor’easter impacting South Jersey and the work underway to prepare for recovery efforts.
“Teams are already in the district assessing conditions and damage, and that work will continue throughout the week,” said Congressman Van Drew. “In the coming days, I will be personally meeting with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army Corps of Engineers, including the FEMA Administrator and the Secretary of the Army, both in the district and on the ground. We are going to stay on top of this and make sure our communities get every federal resource and dollar they are eligible for. We have been through storms like this before. South Jersey is strong, and we will recover. My office will be there every step of the way.
