Bill Creating Doula & Midwife Services Public Awareness Campaign Signed into Law

Legislation would promote the benefits doulas and midwives can bring to the birthing process (TRENTON) — Legislation tasking the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority with establishing a public awareness campaign to promote the benefits of doula and midwife services was signed into law today. Assemblywomen Shanique Speight, Lisa Swain, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Carmen Morales sponsored A4222. “Doulas and midwives have a long history of providing care and tirelessly advocating for their patients as they experience one of life’s most challenging and most rewarding moments – childbirth,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex).
“Through this bill, we aim to increase public awareness about the benefits of doulas and midwives and the critical role they play in improving health outcomes by supporting individuals and contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate birthing process.” Under A4222, the campaign materials will showcase the health benefits and improved maternal and infant health outcomes that may result from doulas and midwives; and publicize any free or low-cost resources made available by the State for doula and midwife services. “Many think of midwives and doulas as someone who can help in the moment of labor, but the support they offer starts long before delivery and remains in place well after,” said Assemblywoman Swain (D-Bergen). “This bill will ensure expectant mothers are aware of the full range of medical, educational, and emotional services these professionals provide before, during, and after childbirth.”“With this legislation, we raise awareness and empower mothers with knowledge, support, and the resources they need for a healthier, happier pregnancy and birth experience,” said Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer, Hunterdon). “By providing constituents with knowledge of doula services we give them the tools to make informed decisions about their pregnancy and childbirth.” “Having a trained professional to guide you through one of life’s most transformational moments has advantages for mother and baby alike,” said Assemblywoman Morales (D-Essex). “It’s our job as legislators to make sure that parents-to-be have access to the most information possible to help them through this time. The signing into law of Bill A4222 today is an important step in enabling us to do that.” The establishment of the public awareness campaign would be contingent on the availability of funds.

Letters to the Editor

As has become our longstanding tradition, FACT closes each year with an annual “Top Violators” list from the prior 12 months. As we strongly head into 2026, here is our “Top Violators of 2025”.

FACT’s Top Ethics Violators of 2025:

1. U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick of Florida:
In early 2025, FACT filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Conduct alerting it to the fact that Rep. Cherfilus‑McCormick’s family‑owned company received a $5.8 million overpayment from the State of Florida for services that were never performed. Despite clear repayment obligations, the funds were retained. Concurrently, financial disclosure records and campaign‑finance filings raised red flags: income from related entities surged and a large loan was made to her prior congressional campaign, yet these changes did not align with reported personal assets. Based on these discrepancies, FACT referred her case to the U.S. Department of Justice. Later in the year, she was federally indicted, confirming the gravity of the alleged misconduct. This is among the most significant ethics breaches FACT has documented in 2025, involving misuse of public funds, opaque financial maneuvering, and campaign‑finance irregularities.
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You still have time to sign up! The GTPD 2026 CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY

You still have time to sign up! The Gloucester Township Police 2026 CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY begins NEXT THURSDAY EVENING!

Registration links can be found on our website here!: https://gtpolice.com/community-page/198

Classes are FREE, and begin on January 15, 2026. They are held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and run for 14 weeks!

Would you like to learn more about the Gloucester Township Police Department?

The Gloucester Township Police Department in a continuing effort to foster an even better police community partnership would like to invite any Gloucester Township, New Jersey resident 16 years of age or older to attend the Citizens Police Academy. The course will include an overview of the police department and the administration, police communications, special operations, criminal investigations, traffic safety, K9, Special Response Team, Crime Scene Unit and much more. Also, all attendees of the Citizen Police Academy will be trained in the use of CPR for the home.

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A special message to the community from Gloucester City Mayor and Council

Dear Gloucester City Residents & Friends,

As we kick off a new year, we hope everyone enjoyed a joyful holiday season spent with family, friends, and loved ones. Warm wishes go out to every resident of Gloucester City and our friends and visitors for a healthy, happy, and prosperous year ahead. As we begin this new chapter together, we reflect with pride on the progress and momentum our community built in 2025.

Over the past year, Gloucester City celebrated several major milestones. Our Police Department achieved state re-accreditation, a significant achievement that underscores a strong commitment to professionalism, community policing, and public safety. Our local economy continued to grow, with many new businesses opening their doors, including a wave of new eateries that add flavor and vitality to our city.

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Marie Rader Series Kicks Off 2026 With World-Class Performances

(GLASSBORO, NJ) – Rowan University’s Marie Rader Series ushers in the New Year with three distinct artist engagements, continuing to deliver on the 25|26 Season’s “A World From Home” theme, while remaining committed to providing accessible and affordable arts experiences in South Jersey.

The first three months of the year offer a diverse array of performances designed to bring audiences on an international cultural journey, with an invitation to explore further through pre-performance and post-show artist chats with: Ragamala Dance Company: Sacred Earth and Mnozil Brass: Strau$$, and finishing the season with a crowd-pleasing The Philly Pops: Blockbusters in the ‘Burbs.

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First Declaration of Independence Bobbleheads – Unveiling January 7th for National Bobblehead Day and America’s 250th Birthday

MILWAUKEE – This morning, to celebrate National Bobblehead Day and America’s 250th Birthday, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the first Declaration of Independence Bobblehead Set. The very unique puzzle bobblehead set is based off John Trumbull’s 1818 “Declaration of Independence” painting and features bobbleheads of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Hancock that fit together with the rest of the signers pictured in a replica of the painting behind the bobbleheads. The special edition bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum and are part of a series of bobbleheads being unveiled throughout 2026 to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

The bobblehead set, which will be individually numbered to 1,776, is now available for pre-order exclusively through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. Expected to ship in June, the bobblehead set is $176 plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. The bobbleheads join many other patriotic and political bobbleheads produced by the Museum that can be found here with additional bobbleheads being added throughout 2026.
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New Jersey Blood Services Declares Blood Emergency

10,000+ fewer blood donations, a 40% drop in recent weeks, leaves less than a two-day supply across the region

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) has declared a blood emergency and is issuing an urgent call for donors. Holiday disruptions, severe winter weather, canceled blood drives, and widespread seasonal illnesses have led to a significant decline in blood donations, resulting in critically low levels across the region.

In recent weeks, blood donations have dropped nearly 40% below what is needed to meet hospital demand, resulting in less than a two-day supply of blood for more than 200 hospitals across the tri-state area. The emergency declaration follows an exceptionally challenging end to the year, caused by a combination of events that sharply reduced blood donations:

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Assembly Democrats Advance Legislation to Protect Immigrant Communities

Bills would strengthen public safety in New Jersey and protect families in sensitive community spaces

(TRENTON) — The Assembly Judiciary Committee advanced two bills, sponsored by Assemblywoman Ellen Park, designed to protect immigrant communities in a way that reinforces trust in our local and state law enforcement and ensures New Jersey remains a place where all families can live, work, and access essential services without fear.

The committee advanced bill A6310, which would codify the Attorney General’s “Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities” directive, also known as the Immigrant Trust Directive, which has been upheld by state and federal courts.

The Directive reaffirms that there is a necessary distinction between State, county and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. It makes clear that it is not the role of State, county, or local police officers in New Jersey to carry out federal civil immigration enforcement. The federal government is responsible for enforcing federal civil immigration violations. New Jersey law enforcement officers are already tasked with the demands of protecting the public, investigating state criminal offenses, and enforcing state criminal law.

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Camden County Roadwork Projects

Lindenwold, NJ) – Several roadway projects will be underway across Camden County during the week of January 5 to January 9.

“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.”

Berlin Township

South Jersey Gas will be working on Cooper Road from Monday, Jan. 5 to Friday, Jan. 9 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a full road closure between Cushman Avenue & Hopewell Road.

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Letter from Birmingham Jail Reading on Jan. 8

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King faced unrelenting criticism from several quarters for his methods, strategies, and most of all, his tenacity.

He landed in Birmingham Jail in 1963 where he penned the most eloquent case for resistance to complaining clergymen.

Watch and listen online to this joint meeting of EMBRACING RACE – The Conversation and the Historical Society as historian Dolly Marshall provides context for his letter, then 42 readers present each paragraph.

Pre-register to attend by clicking the button.