Rowan’s Corson, Rothwein & Hester Earn NJAC Honors

Rowan women’s lacrosse players Elaina Corson and Madison Rothwein, and men’s track athlete Damitrius Hester have earned weekly honors as given by the NJAC.

Corson (Hainesport, NJ/Rancocast Valley Regional) was named the NJAC Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this year as she totaled 14 goals, three assists, four ground balls, four draw controls and five caused turnovers in the #19 Profs’ two wins on their Spring Break trip to Tennessee. The senior attacker scored a season-high nine goals and added two assists in the 18-5 win at Sewanee. She followed that with five goals and one assist in the 17-12 win at Rhodes

Corson currently tops Rowan in scoring with 40 goals and 11 assists.

Continue reading →

Tenant Protection Bill Passes Assembly

Renters would have increased safeguards against certain rent hikes under legislation advanced by the New Jersey General Assembly on Monday. Bill A3507, sponsored by Assembly members Yvonne Lopez, Cody Miller and Shanique Speight, would clarify and expand a list of factors used to determine unconscionable rent increases.

Continue reading →

Beyond Hospital Walls: A More Accessible New Jersey

For many, a simple walk down the street is something taken for granted. But for people with mobility, vision and other functional challenges, a cracked sidewalk, a missing curb ramp, a tree root, or a misplaced sign or utility pole like in this photo, can be a major barrier, turning a short trip or stroll with friends into an impossible journey. A dedicated team from Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) and community partners believes that true healthcare doesn’t stop at the hospital exit, it extends to the very streets where patients live their lives.

In a unique and growing collaboration, members of Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute’s MS Center and Department of Neurology, have joined forces with students from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, local schools, girl scouts, and the Northeastern County Community Council of the National MS Society to tackle this everyday obstacle. Their mission is to help people live better lives not just by treating the body, but by helping to reshape the world outside.

Continue reading →

Van Drew Urges Sherrill to Act on Soaring Utility Bills

Congressman Van Drew renewed his call for immediate action from Governor Sherrill as utility bills across South Jersey continue to skyrocket, with many families now paying delivery fees that are double or even triple their actual energy usage.

“People in South Jersey are opening their bills and seeing something that just does not make sense,” said Congressman Van Drew. “In many cases, the delivery fees are higher than the cost of electricity itself. That is not normal, and it is not acceptable. For years, the state made bad decisions. They shut down reliable energy sources like nuclear, gas, and coal plants, including Beesley’s Point coal plant, which was supposed to be converted to natural gas but was instead shut down. They took dependable power off the grid and never replaced it. Instead, they poured billions into offshore wind projects that were never going to deliver affordable, reliable energy. Now we are forced to import energy from other states at a much higher cost, and that failure is being dumped directly onto the backs of our residents through these outrageous delivery fees.

Continue reading →

Paulsboro Walking Tour Explores NJ History

For a small town, Paulsboro boasts an impressive collection of historic buildings ranging from an Art Deco theater to a historic lighthouse. A simple stroll down Broad Street covers a vast timeline of New Jersey’s history.
Last year, three of the town’s leading preservationists completed a walking tour for those who want to know the story behind these landmarks.
“One of the reasons we did the tour is to celebrate the history of a unique town that represents the history of New Jersey,” said Walter Quint, one of the authors along with Jeff Duvilla and Margie Loomis. “We kept uncovering fascinating information.”
Quint has never lived in Paulsboro, but because he served as the borough’s superintendent for more than a decade, he became the town’s adopted son. During his career, he has served as president of the local lighthouse society and vice chair of the Historic Preservation Commission. When the time came to draft the walking tour, there was no one better to take on the project.Read Full Story

Message From Gloucester Township Police Chief

As spring arrives, it brings with it a renewed sense of energy throughout Gloucester Township. Warmer weather encourages us to spend more time outdoors, reconnect with neighbors and enjoy everything that makes Gloucester Township such a special place to live. Just as we see growth in nature during this time of year, we also have the opportunity to strengthen the connections that help keep our community safe and strong.

Continue reading →

Statement by Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson released a statement about A1715, known as the “John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey” after its advancement in today’s Assembly Appropriations Committee.

“The most fundamental right in a democracy is the right to vote. It is the cornerstone of our civic process, and since the founding of our nation, we have worked to uphold and expand that right for every eligible citizen.

Continue reading →

Preserving New Jersey’s History

This March, during National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week with Preservation Action, Preservation New Jersey took our message to Washington, D.C., meeting with representatives from across the state to ensure New Jersey’s historic places are protected, celebrated, and supported as we approach America’s 250th anniversary.Historic preservation is more than safeguarding buildings, it is about protecting the stories, culture, and character that define our communities. It fuels local economies, revitalizes downtowns, strengthens civic pride, and connects residents and visitors to the rich heritage that surrounds them. During Advocacy Week, our team highlighted why preservation matters not only for the past but for the present and future of New Jersey communities. Read Full Story

New Leadership at the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller

Shirley U. Emehelu was sworn in on January 22 as New Jersey’s Acting State Comptroller by the Hon. Zahid N. Quraishi, U.S.D.J., with her family by her side.

Two months into her tenure, Acting Comptroller Emehelu is advancing new oversight initiatives and deepening OSC’s commitment to transparency and accountability across New Jersey.

Acting State Comptroller Emehelu brings extensive experience in financial oversight and public integrity. She previously served as New Jersey’s Executive Assistant Attorney General and spent nine years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted complex financial fraud cases. She is a graduate of Yale Law School.

Meet the Acting State Comptroller

Bill Package to Keep Artificial Intelligence Use in Check Clears Committee

The Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee advanced a comprehensive bill package on Monday that encourages responsible growth of technology – while protecting the rights of consumers, professionals and companies.
From commerce to advertising and from elections to companionship, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the way that people consume information, go about their daily business, and form relationships. The legislation passed in committee today would ensure that New Jersey has measures in place to protect New Jersey residents across a broad spectrum of industries and applications.
“As generative AI becomes more commonplace, it’s more important than ever to have safeguards in place to protect New Jerseyans from being duped or deceived,” said Assemblyman Chris Tully, Chair of the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee. “The bills we advanced focus on deceptive advertising, disclosure that a user is not interacting with a human and creating common sense policies. All with the goal of protecting everyday New Jerseyans as we move further into a digital future.”
The committee advanced the following bills:
Bill A4732 would require artificial intelligence companion chatbots to provide clear and conspicuous notifications that users are not communicating with a human. The use of these chatbots has become increasingly prevalent and there is growing use amongst vulnerable populations, including teens and seniors. There is a growing concern about the effects of companion chatbots on users, including impacts on mental health and real-world relationships. Assembly members Marisa Sweeney, Dave Bailey, Jr. and Linda Carter sponsored the legislation.
Bill A4728 would regulate deceptive use of artificial intelligence in photo advertising of certain dwellings. Specifically, the bill would prohibit the use of generative AI or photo editing software to deceptively alter listing images, with the exception of photos with staged furniture. It would also require photos used in advertising dwelling units or dwelling sites to reflect the actual, current state of the dwelling unit or dwelling site. Assemblywomen Carmen Morales and Mitchelle Drulis and Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz sponsored Bill A4728.
As more people rely on generative AI for information, experts warn that elections are uniquely vulnerable to AI-driven disinformation. Bill A4729 would require disclosure to be made when generative artificial intelligence is used to operate chatbots that provide election-related information. The legislation aims to safeguard transparency for voters and individuals seeking accurate election information. Assembly members Robert Karabinchak, Ellen Park and Avi Schnall sponsored the legislation.
Bill A4731 would direct professional and occupational boards to promulgate rules for licensee use of generative AI. Specifically, the bill would direct the Division of Consumer Affairs to create a model policy governing the use of generative AI by licensed professionals across New Jersey’s regulatory boards. The boards would then be able to use that model policy to create and adopt policies for their professions, putting guardrails in place to ensure that professionals use generative AI in ethical and fair ways to best benefit their clients, patients or customers. Assembly members Tennille R. McCoy, Balvir Singh and Luanne Peterpaul sponsored the bill.
While a lot of people believe they are good at identifying when they are interacting with AI content or systems, studies show that the actual number who can correctly identify this is much lower. Bill A4730 would require a person or entity to notify certain consumers when communicating with generative AI to engage in trade or commerce that they are not interacting with humans. The legislation would increase transparency and help reduce the instances of deceptive business practices. Assemblymen Tully, William Sampson and William F. Moen, Jr. sponsored the legislation.