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
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.
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.
On March 16, 2026, at approximately 9:14 AM, officers from the Gloucester Township Police Department were conducting proactive traffic enforcement in the area of the Black Horse Pike when an officer observed a vehicle being operated by Tyrie E. Person, who had active warrants for his arrest.
Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Oak Avenue in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township. During the stop, Person was informed that he had active warrants for his arrest. Person became agitated, refused to exit the vehicle, and made threats of violence toward the officers.
Person then abruptly exited the vehicle, assumed a fighting stance, and aggressively attacked the officers. Officers were able to bring Person to the ground; however, Person continued to actively resist for several minutes before being taken into custody.
Two officers sustained minor injuries during the incident and declined medical treatment. Person also sustained minor injuries during the incident and was provided medical treatment.
While in custody, Person continued making numerous threats of violence toward the officers involved.
Person was charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement officers, resisting arrest with violence, terroristic threats, and obstruction. Person was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility.
Arrested: Tyrie E. Person, 46, of the 200 block of Dearborne Avenue, Blackwood, NJ.
All individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Gloucester Township Police Department at (856) 228-4500. Information may also be provided anonymously through the GTPD online tip portal at https://gtpolice.com/tips, by calling the GTPD Anonymous Tip Line at (856) 842-5560, or by texting “TIPGLOTWPPD” followed by your tip message to 888777.
JEER — To the landlord who treated East Thompson Avenue like a dumping ground
A landlord on East Thompson Avenue left an unsightly pile of trash at the curb six days before the scheduled pickup — a heap that sat there blowing around the neighborhood like a slow‑motion insult. Just a few steps away on South Burdsall Avenue, another pile of recyclables was dumped directly in the street instead of being placed in a proper recycling bin.
Gloucester City’s trash ordinances couldn’t be clearer: household waste and recyclables must be placed at the curb no earlier than 7 PM the night before pickup, and only in secure, watertight containers. The rules also spell out weight limits, container‑cover requirements, and fines that can reach $2,000 for repeat offenders. These aren’t suggestions — they’re laws meant to keep neighborhoods clean, safe, and livable.
WHY IT MATTERS
Community pride begins at home. When someone leaves trash out for nearly a week, it doesn’t just create an eyesore — it chips away at the dignity of the block. It tells your neighbors their street isn’t worth respecting. It invites rodents, scatters debris, and sends the message that Gloucester City is a place where standards don’t matter.
And here’s the real frustration: the City already has ordinances on the books to prevent exactly this kind of behavior. If those laws aren’t going to be enforced, then what’s the point of having them? Residents who follow the rules shouldn’t have to live with the consequences of those who don’t.
Cleary’s Notebook News photos
CHEER-To the Gloucester City Lions Club and the Gloucester Little League organization for replacing the torn American Flag and the POW Flag at the LL field and at the Johnson Blvd Jogging Park. Kudos also to Bruce Parry for his help.
Congressman Van Drew announced progress toward fixing the long-standing traffic design issue at Exit 20 on the Garden State Parkway.”This has been a priority for me since my time in the State Legislature, and I have been working with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to finally get this moving,” said Congressman Van Drew. “Right now, Exit 20 is designed so you can only enter the Parkway heading south and only exit when traveling north. That simply does not make sense for the people who live and work here. The Turnpike Authority has now completed the preliminary design for improvements. The next step is for the project to move through the Authority’s budget prioritization process to be considered for funding. I will keep pushing to make sure this project moves forward so this interchange finally works the way it should for South Jersey.”
The Rowan Men’s Track & Field Team took home the NCAA Division III Indoor Championship with a total of 76 points and featured a pair of individual winners on Saturday to help the Profs secure its first-ever national indoor title. The two-day meet was held at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
As we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, now is the time to ensure the places that tell our nation’s story are protected for future generations. The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) plays a critical role in preserving our nation’s historic sites, and Congress needs to hear from you! The bipartisan FY27 HPF Dear Colleague letter is circulating in the House, requesting $250 million for the HPF. The deadline for signatures is Wednesday, March 18th at 4:00pm. A huge thank you to Rep. Mike Turner and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández for their leadership and dedication to historic preservation. Your voice matters — please contact your Representative and urge them to support the Historic Preservation Fund today!Thank you for standing up for our shared heritage, Preservation New Jersey Sign on and Send Your Message
Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak (D-Middlesex)issued the following statement after the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee advanced Bill A3967. The legislation would require the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to work with neighboring states to research and recommend certain action concerning electric capacity and transmission.
“PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., the regional transmission organization responsible for managing the electric grid across 13 states and the District of Columbia, has, for far too long, worked in ways that do not benefit our state. From failing to connect new energy generation to presiding over massive spikes in capacity costs, their actions are detrimental to New Jersey residents. New Jerseyans deserve better. They deserve to know if better systems are possible, systems that work in their best interest and are not harmful to families and businesses across the state and throughout the region.
“I’m pleased that the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee advanced my bill today. My colleagues and I continue to work to bring relief to New Jersey ratepayers. Tasking BPU to work with neighboring states to explore the idea of leaving PJM is an important way that we can do that.”
The New Jersey Senate Economic Growth Committee has advanced the “Saving Our Diners and Preserving Our Past Act” (S-3669), sponsored by Senator Paul Moriarty, to support the state’s struggling iconic diner industry. The legislation aims to provide financial assistance, such as tax credits, to help diners rehabilitate, modernize, and maintain operations.
Key Details of the Legislation:
Purpose: To preserve New Jersey’s historic diner culture, which has faced closures due to economic pressures.
Support: The bill provides targeted aid to offset the high costs of renovating and operating these24-hour establishments, as reported by New Jersey Senate Democrats.
Context: The initiative recognizes diners as vital cultural and economic landmarks in New Jersey communities, as noted by Preservation NJ.
The bill will now move to the full Senate for further consideration.
