WASHINGTON DC (Cleary’s Notebook News)(February 27, 2026)–Last month, Cabinet members of the Trump Administration posted an inspirational tribute to their friend on YouTube. Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025. According to a Wikipedia article, Kirk was an American right-wing political activist. He was assassinated at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was scheduled to speak at an outdoor campus debate organized by Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization he co-founded and led. Kirk, age 31, was a close supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump and a highly influential figure in the MAGA movement.
Community Project Funding allows Members of Congress to work directly with local leaders to ensure the needs of our congressional district are being met. This year, I was honored to secure nearly $12M in Community Project Funding for South Jersey, including $850,000 for Camden County College.
There’s been a lot of tough news lately, but this funding is a reminder of what can happen when government listens and delivers. From improving flood prevention infrastructure and expanding access to clean water, to supporting new education programs at Rowan University and Camden County College, these investments will make our communities safer, stronger, and more resilient. Learn more about the projects being funded here.
Rowan’s Taz Cantey, Khalil Baker and Brycen Williams were named to the 2026 NJAC All-Conference Men’s Basketball Team, with Cantey earning selection to the Second Team and Baker and Williams both receiving Honorable Mention. This marks the first All-Conference honor for each of the Profs.
Cantey (Lindenwold, NJ/Eastern Regional) topped Rowan in scoring in conference games with an 18.2 average. The senior guard scored double figures in every NJAC game but one and posted 20-plus points on eight occasions. Cantey also averaged 3.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 48.5 percent from the field. In all games, he leads the Profs in scoring with a career-best 17.6 points per game.
Baker (Hackensack, NJ/Hackensack) made an impact in his first year at Rowan, averaging 12.0 points and a team-best 8.1 rebounds in league play. The junior recorded six double-doubles in NJAC games, while hitting 49.2 percent of his field-goal attempts. Baker, who had a career-high 15 rebounds in a win at Kean, is averaging 12.0 rebounds and 7.5 points overall.
Williams (Magnolia, DE) led the Profs with 28 three-point field goals and free throw percentage of 82.8 in conference games to go along with his 15.5 scoring average. The senior guard scored double figures in 15 NJAC games with seven of them being 20 or more points. Overall, Williams is scoring a career-best 17.0 points per game and has hit a team-high 59 three-pointers.
The trio helped Rowan (10-16) finish fifth in the NJAC with a 9-9 record. The Profs defeated NJCU on Saturday and have advanced to the semifinals of the NJAC Championship, where they will visit sixth-ranked Montclair State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Rowan is seeking its first championship game appearance since 2022-23, when it won the NJAC title.
I came to Congress to uplift America’s workers and make our South Jersey neighborhoods safer, healthier, and stronger. That means fighting back against the harmful actions of Trump’s ICE, delivering federal investments back home, and supporting those who serve our communities and country.
We all have a role to play in strengthening South Jersey. Some march with our immigrant communities. Some answer our emergency calls. Others step up to serve in uniform. In every case, it is about commitment, responsibility, and putting others first.
It has been a busy few weeks in Washington, and I want to share an update on the work we are all doing to make South Jersey stronger.
Last week, an ICE raid in Lindenwold caused chaos in our community, resulting in dozens of children running away in fear from ICE agents. I joined community members who came together for an ICE Out protest in response to this horrific raid.
In Congress, I’m fighting back by calling for ICE to be abolished, signing onto a resolution to impeach Kristi Noem, hosting a Legal Observer Information Session with my congressional colleagues, and introducing legislation that would require all ICE agents to wear body cameras.
In South Jersey and across the country a few things are true: we stand with our neighbors against bullies and no one is above the law.
Congressman Van Drew called for immediate action to pass legislation ensuring federal workers and service members are paid during any government shutdown, while calling for members of Congress to forgo their own pay.
“Using members of the Coast Guard at Training Center Cape May, TSA agents, FEMA personnel, and law enforcement officers as leverage in funding disputes is completely unacceptable,” said Congressman Van Drew. “These are the people who keep our country safe every day. They should not lose a paycheck because of disagreements over spending. Members of Congress should be the ones who are not receiving pay during a shutdown. We need to pass legislation now so federal workers are never again caught in the middle of funding fights.”
The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management under the Division of the New Jersey State Police have issued a mandatory travel restriction beginning 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, and ending 7:00 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026, in response to a major winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and strong winds across the state.Governor Sherrill declared a State of Emergency on Saturday, February 21, 2026, effective Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., to protect public safety and ensure timely snow removal and emergency response.Travel Restriction Details:
All non-exempt vehicles are prohibited from operating on state, county, municipal, and interstate roadways during this period.The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from this restriction.Violators may face penalties under state law.
Exemptions:The travel restriction does not apply to:
Emergency and public safety vehicles and personnelPublic works and snow removal crewsPublic transportation vehicles and personnelGovernment officials conducting official businessUtility company vehicles and personnelHealthcare workers and urgent medical travelPersonnel supporting emergency shelter operations and human services facilitiesDelivery of critical medical supplies and services to healthcare facilitiesNews mediaPrivate snow removal contractorsPatients seeking urgent critical care and their escortsTravel necessary to maintain critical infrastructure and essential services, including energy, fuel, food, pharmacies, and hardware storesPersonnel supporting airline and airport operations
This measure is intended to safeguard lives and allow emergency and utility crews to clear roads and restore essential services as quickly as possible.For official updates and preparedness information, visit www.ready.nj.gov.Follow the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management online atFacebook @ReadyNewJerseyInstagram @ReadyNJX @ReadyNJ
The I-295 southbound ramp to Route 42 southbound and I-295 southbound, also known as Al-Jo’s Curve, is scheduled to be closed and detoured overnight next week as the Direct Connection project advances in Bellmawr, Camden County. This is a continuation of work that began in January.
Beginning at 10 p.m. Monday, February 23 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, and continuing each night through Thursday, February 26 at the same time, the I-295 southbound ramp to Route 42 southbound and I-295 southbound, also known as Al-Jo’s Curve, is scheduled to be closed and detoured. The right lane on I-295 southbound also will be closed just after Exit 28/Route 168. All motorists traveling on I-295 southbound will be directed to stay left onto Exit 26. The closures are necessary for the removal of the temporary Browning Road Bridge west abutment. The following detour will be in place:
I-295 southbound to Route 42 southbound/I-295 southbound Detour:
Motorists traveling on I-295 southbound wishing to continue onto Route 42 southbound will be directed to exit left at Exit 26/I-76 westbound
Take I-76 westbound to Exit 2/I-676 northbound
Take I-676 northbound to Exit 1/Collings Avenue
Turn right onto Collings Avenue
Turn left onto I-676 southbound, which becomes I-76 eastbound
Take I-76 eastbound to Exit 1A/I-295 southbound
The work is part of the Direct Connection project that will provide a seamless route for I-295 motorists traveling through the interchange of I-295, I-76, and Route 42. To sign up for I-295 Direct Connect project updates go to 295DirectConnect.com or text CONNECT to 1-844-844-3681.
Portable variable message signs are being used to provide advance notification of traffic pattern changes associated with the work. The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Acting Commissioner Priya Jain has issued an Emergency Traffic Regulation Order that temporarily lowers all posted speed limits to 35 miles per hour on Interstate and State highways in New Jersey starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 22. The speed limit reduction applies to:
All Interstate highways in New Jersey
All U.S. and State highways in New Jersey
The New Jersey Turnpike
The Garden State Parkway
The Atlantic City Expressway
Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declared a State of Emergency based on the forecast for heavy snow, strong winds, and blizzard conditions statewide Sunday, February 22 and Monday, February 23, which could make driving conditions treacherous. The speed limit reduction is being made out of an abundance of caution.
Starting at 3 p.m., today, Sunday, February 22, 2026 and in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-98.9, this Emergency Order temporarily lowers all posted speed limits above 35 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour on state and interstate highways and will be in place until further notice. State and interstate highways with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less will not be affected by this Traffic Regulations Emergency Order.
All motorists are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel on Sunday and Monday.
Commercial Vehicle Travel Restriction
The Emergency Traffic Regulation Order to reduce the speed limit to 35 mph is in addition to the Commercial Vehicle Travel Restriction announced yesterday, February 21. The commercial vehicle travel restriction also will begin at 3 p.m. today, Sunday, February 22 and will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions:
I-76 (entire length)
I-78 (entire length)
I-80 (entire length)
I-195 (entire length)
I-280 (entire length)
I-287 (entire length)
I-295 (entire length)
I-676 (entire length)
NJ Route 440 (both directions from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287)
The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:
Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food. For a complete list of operations or personnel that are exempt from the travel ban, see the Administrative Order.
Trucks that are already in New Jersey when the travel restrictions go into place are encouraged to pull off in truck stops to wait out the storm – DO NOT PARK ON SHOULDERS.
NJDOT is coordinating with all state and regional transportation agencies to ensure the most effective response to the storm. In order for NJDOT and our regional and local transportation partners to safely and efficiently clear roadways of snow, motorists should avoid driving unless you are an essential employee needed for emergency response. If you must drive, motorists are advised to:
SLOW DOWN
If road conditions deteriorate, GET OFF THE ROADsomewhere safe and wait it out
Always STAY CLEAR of plowing and spreading trucks. If they are behind you, let them pass
DO NOT pass between trucks that are in a plow formation
Leave early and allow extra time
Leave a safe following distance between vehicles
Use caution on bridges and ramps
If you are driving and road conditions deteriorate, PULL OFFsomewhere safe and wait it out
Be patient and use caution
Keep an emergency kit in your car with a cell phone charger, water, snacks, blanket, and other items. See the NJ Office of Emergency Managements web site for more information: http://ready.nj.gov/plan-prepare/winter.shtml
(Trenton) – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Acting Commissioner Priya Jain has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jerseystarting at 3 p.m. Sunday, February 22 based on the forecast for a severe winter storm expected to cause hazardous weather conditions across the state, including blizzard conditions with wind gusts up to 55 miles per hour, heavy and widespread snow, and potential coastal flooding.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declared a State of Emergency with winter weather is expected to begin Sunday, February 22 and continue into Monday, February 23, which could make driving conditions treacherous throughout the state. The travel restrictions are being coordinated with neighboring states. In addition to the commercial restrictions, all motorists are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel on Sunday and Monday.
