In 1975, the state of New Jersey passed the Mount Laurel Doctrine, a constitutional obligation requiring all NJ municipalities to provide their fair share of affordable housing. As NJ prepares to enter yet another cycle of affordable housing policy nearly three decades later (with the implementation of its Fourth Round), the sociocultural sentiments immersed within the roots of the original doctrine only continue to grow more relevant. The same NIMBY attitudes that spurred the Mount Laurel Doctrine’s conception continue to permeate residents, policymakers, and communities today. Although economic, political, and geographic obstacles all inhibit the creation and integration of affordable housing, it is primarily a cultural issue that resides at the heart of the problem. If its residents do not make efforts to overturn this key cultural barrier, NJ will continue to experience the same legislative difficulty it has over the past few decades on its journey to eradicate exclusionary zoning, regardless of where and how those battles are fought.

Wall Street Journal reporter and Princeton native Evan Gershkovich has been sentenced to 16 years in a Russian penal colony, following his conviction on espionage charges July 19, according to The Wall Street Journal. Gershkovich has been imprisoned in Lefortovo Prison since March 2023. The prison has been used to...

Governor Phil Murphy signed the new $56.6 billion state budget for New Jersey, which includes a significant tax increase on large corporations and substantial funding for property tax relief, public schools, pensions, and community projects. Key Takeaways:. The budget introduces a 2.5% tax on large companies to fund NJ Transit,...

A fire early Friday morning destroyed two homes and displaced seven people in Middlesex Borough. About 70 firefighters from 15 departments helped control the fire. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is still being investigated. Key Takeaways:. A three-alarm fire in Middlesex Borough displaced seven residents...

A fire early Friday morning destroyed two homes and displaced seven people in Middlesex Borough. About 70 firefighters from 15 departments helped control the fire. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is still being investigated. Key Takeaways:. A three-alarm fire in Middlesex Borough displaced seven residents...

For husband and wife, Dan and Peichi Waite, the word dignity played a big role when putting together their work of art on the topic of food insecurity for the sixth annual Social Justice New Jersey Public Art Initiative. “No one should feel embarrassed about needing to go get food,”...

New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service, be able to perform tasks as needed and must provide proof of COVID Vaccination prior to volunteering. Must have transportation. All training is provided including additional precautions for the safety of our team and blood donors. For additional information call or text Sharon Zetts, manager of NJBS Volunteer Services at 732-850-8906 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

NORTH BRUNSWICK – Seven years after graduating from North Brunswick Township High School, Jake Codella comes home to serve his community. Codella was officially sworn in as a North Brunswick police officer at Township Council meeting on Jan. 17. After graduating from North Brunswick Township High School in 2016,...

With the upcoming release of Bezos:The Beginning, Professional composer, Colin Bell, shared his creative process on scoring his first major film and his love of music. It would be an understatement to say that Bell’s life was influenced by rhythm. As a child, his musical talent first emerged behind the drums. Surrounded by Scottish and Celtic musicians, Bell not only developed an interest in his heritage, but in creating new sounds.

New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service, be able to perform tasks as needed and must provide proof of COVID Vaccination prior to volunteering. Must have transportation. All training is provided including additional precautions for the safety of our team and blood donors. For additional information call or text Sharon Zetts, manager of NJBS Volunteer Services at 732-850-8906 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

The Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners are moving full steam ahead into the new year as investments in infrastructure, education and quality of life are on the horizon. After being selected – once again – by his fellow commissioners to lead their dais as commissioner director, Ronald G. Rios...

NORTH BRUNSWICK – The New Year for North Brunswick’s Board of Education is underway as the board has officially reorganized. On Jan. 4, public officials and township residents gathered to inaugurate new board members and fill the positions of president and vice president. To begin, the winners of...

During his State of the State Address on Jan. 10, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that in concert with Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, the state is extending the application deadline for the new ANCHOR property tax relief program to ensure every eligible New Jerseyan takes advantage of the relief.

New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service, be able to perform tasks as needed and must provide proof of COVID Vaccination prior to volunteering. Must have transportation. All training is provided including additional precautions for the safety of our team and blood donors. For additional information call or text Sharon Zetts, manager of NJBS Volunteer Services at 732-850-8906 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

Jan. 16 is a significant day. It is the celebration of one of our greatest leaders of the civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We celebrate his legacy on this day and encourage others to work to improve their communities and spread his message. Dr. King was a...

MIDDLESEX COUNTY – The Office of Passport Services was officially recognized by the United States Department of State for fully meeting annual inspection requirements for managing passport applications and renewals for three consecutive years. The Office of Passport Services received a 100% rating with zero penalties or deductions on...

NORTH BRUNSWICK – The North Brunswick Township Council reconvened to set the agenda for 2023. At the reorganization meeting on Jan. 3, three council members were sworn into office, a new Council president was nominated, and several firefighters were appointed to serve in new roles. It was a full...

New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service, be able to perform tasks as needed and must provide proof of COVID Vaccination prior to volunteering. Must have transportation. All training is provided including additional precautions for the safety of our team and blood donors. For additional information call or text Sharon Zetts, manager of NJBS Volunteer Services at 732-850-8906 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

From 2005 to 2020, adult cigarette smoking rates fell from around 20% to 12%, and youth cigarette smoking rates similarly declined. There was an indication that tobacco awareness campaigns and educational efforts were proving effective across the country. And in New Jersey, due to advances in smoke-free legislation – like the 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act – residents were better protected from smoke in public.

The AgriScience program on the Middlesex County Magnet Schools campus in East Brunswick has expanded, launching a new curriculum in line with the Curriculum for Agricultural Education. The career major now includes an emphasis on food science and safety, animal science, and landscape design, in addition to the major’s previous...