Top Stories In Essex County For 2024: Must Read Articles

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It was a busy year for news in Essex County. Catch up with some of our most-read stories of 2024 (click the headline to read the article).

GOVERNMENT/POLITICS

Murphy Greenlights $56B New Jersey Budget: See The Breakdown

The state budget will make a big impact on taxes, schools and transportation. Here's the short version – plus a deeper dive into the action.

Essex County Lawmakers Cheer, Boo For NJ Budget

Several lawmakers from Essex County helped to craft the state's latest spending plan. Here's why one of their peers "proudly voted no."

CEO Slaying Ignites Healthcare Debate; Suspect Had Fake New Jersey ID

The tragic shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has ignited a fresh wave of criticism about the U.S. health care industry.

Half Of NJ House Members Vote Against Huge Military Spending Bill

The $895 billion blueprint got a thumbs down from several New Jersey Congress members – but a "culture war" clause may have played a role.

Essex County Has Some Of Worst Racial Wealth Gaps In New Jersey: Study

There are more white homeowners in Essex County than Black and Latino/Latina homeowners combined – despite a lower population, advocates say

Frustration Over NJ Drone Mystery Builds In Essex County

Some authorities have said there is no threat to public safety. But a lack of transparency is "fueling distrust" in New Jersey, others say.

NJ Drones And ‘Radioactive Material’ Rumor Debunked; Mayor Skeptical

Belleville's mayor questioned if there's a link between the drone mystery and an alert about the "missing" materials. Nope, authorities say.

Essex County COVID Program Plagued With Financial Waste, Report Says

One worker was paid $130,000 over 11 months – yet the county didn't know who that person was or what they did, state officials claim.

New Jersey’s Battle Over Abortion Isn’t Finished; 9 Laws Proposed

A sweeping new package of bills was introduced in New Jersey on the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision on abortion.

‘They’re Eating Pets’: NJ Haitians Protest False Rumors In East Orange

Are immigrants eating pets in Ohio? Don't believe the lies you hear from Donald Trump and JD Vance, these New Jersey residents say.

Murphy Signs OPRA Bill; Public Record Access Will Suffer, Critics Say

A controversial overhaul of New Jersey's open public records law crossed the finish line with a stroke of Gov. Phil Murphy's pen.

Bizarre COVID Conspiracies Linked To High Stress Levels: Rutgers Study

Why do some people fall for conspiracy theories – and others don't? And is there a cure for the "infodemic?"

Jack Is Back: Can Ciattarelli Overcome The Odds In Essex County?

When he ran against Gov. Murphy in 2021, Jack Ciattarelli was beat nearly 3-1 in Essex County. Statewide, the race was much closer.

Irvington’s ‘Sloppy’ Finances Need To Change, State Officials Allege

"It's clear that they need the day-to-day oversight of a monitor to get their house in order," New Jersey's acting state comptroller said.

Police Union Declares ‘No Confidence’ At Essex County Prison

Supervisors at the largest county prison in New Jersey say they're fed up with the way the jail is being run – here's why.

NJ Undocumented Immigrants Pay $1B In Taxes, Study Says (Here’s How)

Do undocumented immigrants pay taxes? They sure do, a new study says. But others argue that there's a flip side to the coin.

One Of Nation’s Longest Pro-Palestine Protests Ends At Rutgers

"Raided" or "peacefully dismantled?" Protesters and authorities are giving clashing accounts of what happened at the Gaza solidarity camp.

Dismissal Of Rec Director Causes Uproar At Town Meeting

"It crushes the kids' hearts – it's just wrong what you've done," a youth dressed in a baseball jersey said.

Hundreds Of Complaints Spur Inspections At Northern State Prison In NJ

A state agency made three visits to the Essex County-based prison. Here's what inspectors found.

New Jersey Now Has 3 Congresswomen – For The First Time Ever

New Jersey made history for itself when its newest member of the U.S. House of Representatives was sworn in for duty: LaMonica McIver.

Company Ripped Off NJ’s Largest City, Left Lead Pipes In Ground: Feds

Newark hired a company to replace lead pipes. Instead, it left them in the ground – and collected the payment anyway, prosecutors alleged.

NJ Governor Pardons Dozens Of Ex-Inmates: ‘Redemption Is Achievable’

Gov. Phil Murphy is flexing some serious "pardon power" in New Jersey. Here's who got clemency this week in the Garden State.

Millions In Funding Is Coming To Expand Child Care In New Jersey

Families that pay for child care are spending nearly a fifth of their incomes for it – and many more can't afford it to begin with.

West Orange OKs Ron Jolyn Settlement; Landslide Left Dozens Homeless

"Our lives were ruined," a former tenant of the apartments told the council, accompanied by her two daughters.

From NJ To Ukraine: Nonprofit Says War-Torn Nation Is Still Hurting

A nonprofit based in Essex County continues its efforts to ease the suffering of Ukrainian civilians as war with Russia drags on in Europe.

Mikie Sherrill Declares Run For NJ Governor In 2025

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has officially thrown her hat into the ring for the governor election in New Jersey.

Baraka Says He Will Lift 'Working People' If Elected As NJ Governor

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is running for governor. Here's a peek into his "progressive" agenda for New Jersey if elected.

Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller Launches NJ Governor Campaign (VIDEO)

Montclair's outgoing mayor is running to replace Gov. Phil Murphy in the 2025 election.

Governor Who? NJ Voters Murky On Candidates For 2025, Poll Says

Who will replace Phil Murphy? So far, many New Jersey voters are saying "meh" to their choices, a recent poll says.

ELECTION 2024

Trump Defeats Harris: See Election Results In New Jersey

Kamala Harris won in New Jersey, but lost to Donald Trump on the national stage.

Astronauts From Essex County Split On Harris-Trump: 2024 Election

Mark Kelly was nearly Kamala Harris' VP pick. Buzz Aldrin says space exploration flourished under Donald Trump. Who do you support?

Demise Of ‘The Line’: Essex County Politicos React To Landmark Ruling

"We as a party have always known it was wrong – and yet we lived with it for decades," an elected official in Essex County said.

Essex County Sees Thousands Of Write-In Votes For 2024 Election

Did you vote for Nikki Haley, Cornel West, Hillary Clinton, Shiva Ayyadurai or Kanye West in Essex County? You're not alone.

Mundell Ready To Blaze Trail As First Female Mayor Of Bloomfield

Jenny Mundell is the first woman to serve as mayor of Bloomfield.

New Jersey Towns Are Taking Water, Sewer Privatization To The Polls

Towns across New Jersey are selling their water and sewer systems to private companies – and often seeing overwhelming support from voters.

EDUCATION

Math Whiz Named As Essex County ‘Teacher Of The Year’

El Houcin Houssam has been named as Essex County's "teacher of the year." He is an inspiration to students – in and out of the classroom.

NJ Mother, Daughter Will Graduate Side-By-Side From College

They live together. They attend school together. And this May, they'll graduate together.

NJ Appoints State Monitor In Nutley Schools Amid Financial Woes

New Jersey is taking over the financial reins from Nutley as the school district continues to grapple with severe budget issues.

SOMA Schools Will Give Ax To 28 Staff Positions, Raise Taxes

Homeowners in Maplewood and South Orange will see their taxes increase, despite the elimination of dozens of staff jobs.

East Orange Schools Will Cut Nearly 100 Jobs, Angry Protest Ensues

The layoffs were announced Wednesday. The next day, the district was put on a half-day schedule due to "unforeseen circumstances."

West Orange School Budget: Tax Hike, Teacher Cuts Approved

Taxes will rise for West Orange homeowners despite several cost-reduction measures – including staff cuts.

School Tax Hike In Belleville; Monitor Makes Decision After Tie Vote

A state monitor has approved a tax increase in the Belleville Public School District. Here's how much more you'll pay.

Several Newark Schools Included On Nationwide Meat Recall List

Millions of pounds of chicken and meat products are being recalled across the U.S. Some may have reached schools in Newark, the USDA says.

NJ Company Ran Unsafe School Buses, Hired Unqualified Drivers: AG

The company provided busing services to public school districts in Essex, Passaic, Morris and Union counties, authorities said.

Charge Dropped For NJ Principal Accused Of Assaulting Student

Maplewood principal Frank Sanchez was accused of grabbing and pushing a student. His supporters claim he was trying to break up a fight.

Essex County Teen Earns Full Ride To Ivy League College – Here’s How

A high school student at KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy offers some sage advice for teens looking to score a big scholarship.

NJ Quintuplets Make History As They Graduate From Montclair State University

Being a quintuplet is exceptionally rare. Rarer still is all five attending the same college and graduating on the same day.

BUSINESS/WORKPLACE

New Jersey Can Raise $4B By Taxing The Rich, Hiking Sales Tax: Study

A study claims that New Jersey can raise an extra $4 billion a year with tax reforms. Spoiler: It's bad news if you're rich.

Unfair Pricing At NJ Walmart Stores Leads To Landmark Settlement: AG

Have you found it "extremely difficult" to compare prices at a Walmart in New Jersey? You're not alone, state prosecutors say.

Dockworker Strike Suspended; Ports In NJ, NY Revving Up Again

They're going back to work – for now. Meanwhile, items like toilet paper have been flying off the shelves in New Jersey and New York.

Is NJ Ready For A 32 Hour Workweek? It Could Happen – Here’s How

Worker productivity is soaring in New Jersey, but wages are way down. Is it time to roll out a four-day week – with no loss of pay.

United Airlines Sees Blowback Over $1.5 Billion Stock Buyback Plan

"That money United just promised Wall Street belongs to flight attendants who worked throughout the pandemic," union spokespeople said.

‘No Sh*t’: Cory Booker Takes Aim At Factory Farms With New Bill

Stop feeding poop to animals that are destined for dinner tables, a senator from New Jersey says.

NJ Needs More Employee-Owned Companies, Lags Behind Other States

Owners of beloved businesses who decide to retire may be able to keep them open – by letting their employees take over, officials say.

West Orange Restaurant Owner Lowers Prices With Bold Business Move

There's a lot of food math behind Jarrett Seltzer's recent decision. But are his customers eating it up so far?

More Arrests After Protesters Return To Formosa HQ In Livingston

NJ environmental activists continued a long-running protest against the international chemical manufacturer. Here's why they're up in arms.

Father And Son Open Restaurant On Bloomfield, East Orange Border

A new Caribbean restaurant and bar opened its doors on the border of Bloomfield and East Orange: Bacchanal Junction.

Prison Company Wants To Bring ICE Detainees To Essex County – Despite NJ Ban

The GEO Group has filed a suit against New Jersey's law, which bans prisons from making deals to hold federal immigration detainees.

NJ Restaurant Sells Famous Booth From ‘The Sopranos’ For Big Bucks

Legendary TV mobster Tony Soprano allegedly met his end in this iconic restaurant booth. Its sale stirred up some mixed feelings among fans.

NJ Lawmakers Back Nurses In Labor Battle At Clara Maass Hospital

New Jersey's largest health care provider continues to duke it out with hundreds of unionized nurses in Belleville.

More Nurses Per Patient: Deal Reached At University Hospital In Newark

A major milestone has been reached when it comes to "safe staffing" at the state's only public hospital, a nurses union says.

Attempt To Unionize Apple Store At Short Hills Mall Fails: Reports

Union leaders in New Jersey accused Apple of illegal anti-union efforts – a claim the computer giant has denied, reports say.

Tierney’s Tavern In Montclair Is Among ‘Bars Of The Year’: USA Today

A popular tavern in Montclair has been named as one of America's "Bars of the Year" by USA Today.

Flight Attendants Picket At Newark Airport: ‘Ready To Strike’

The flight attendants have picked up support from 25 United States senators, including Cory Booker and Andy Kim.

NJ Family Leave Law Is Leaving 1.7M Workers Unprotected, Study Says

An unfair loophole is leaving lots of New Jersey workers behind, advocates say – especially women with low-incomes.

West Orange Wedding Venue Is Home To A Secret Tree Sanctuary (PHOTOS)

The grounds of Pleasantdale Château offer a glimpse of what the area looked like before it was developed – and even before it was farmland.

NJ Workers Should Know These 4 Rights On The Job (VIDEOS)

Equal pay, discrimination, harassment and retaliation. They are concepts you should know – and be ready to fight for, advocates say.

NJ Sees Huge Spike In Number Of Workers Postponing Retirement: Study

More New Jersey residents over the age of 65 are still grinding out a living at their jobs than anywhere else in the nation, a study says.

TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL

Speeders, Drinkers Escape Tickets By Name Dropping NJ Cops: Officials

Nearly 1 in 4 drivers wriggle their way out of a ticket – or worse – by flashing a courtesy card or claiming to know a cop, a report says.

NJ Law Will Force Bus Companies To Warn Customers About Route Cutbacks

"For many people, public transportation is their only way to travel to work, access medical care and take care of their families."

Port Authority OKs Budget; Auto Tolls Will Increase Between NJ, NY

The toll and fare hikes will help to pay for several important projects in New Jersey and New York, the agency said.

WATCH: Work Continues On New Train Tunnel Between NJ, NY

A light at the end of the tunnel is brightening for one of the nation's "most urgent" infrastructure projects: Gateway.

Minimum Wage Hike Will Boost Airport Workers In NJ, NY

Stores and restaurants at Newark, LaGuardia and JFK airports will be allowed to tweak their prices to help pay for the higher wages.

NJ Turnpike Expansion Update: Contracts Awarded, Activists Peeved

The wheels are apparently in motion on a controversial proposal to expand the New Jersey Turnpike's footprint in North Jersey.

Surprise – Newark Airport Is Among Nation’s Best, New Ranking Says

Many travelers may know it by its history of soul-crushing delays. But lately, Newark Airport is carving out a more flattering legacy.

Major Construction On Kingsland Bridge Will Impact Belleville, Nutley

Construction at the bridge – which spans Lyndhurst and Nutley – is also expected to impact Belleville. Here's when it is expected to begin.

Hospitalized Kids Fly To ‘North Pole’ From NJ Airport (VIDEO)

Some of the children are battling serious illnesses and have never ridden on a plane.

Massive Amtrak, NJ Transit Repairs Are Paying Off: Gov. Murphy

Train riders headed from New Jersey to New York City had a bumpy ride last spring, but things are looking up, officials say – here's why.

OBITUARIES

East Orange Holds Tribute For Beloved Late Actor John Amos (WATCH)

John Amos never forgot about his roots in East Orange. And the city hasn't forgotten about him, either.

Famed Essex County Mentalist ‘Amazing Kreskin’ Dead At 89

Kreskin rose to fame in the 1970s for his mind-reading prowess. He was born in Montclair and lived in the Caldwells.

Peter Shapiro Dies; Essex County Legislative ‘Wunderkind’ Mourned

An Essex County native who once made history as the youngest New Jerseyan ever elected to the General Assembly has passed away.

NJ Will Lower Flags For Ex-Newark Councilwoman Mildred Crump

Flags will fly at half-staff in New Jersey this weekend to honor the trailblazing former councilwoman, who died earlier this month.

Belleville Councilwoman Dies Before Term Ends; Town Needs Replacement

Who will replace recently departed Marie Strumolo-Burke on the town council? That remains to be seen – but Belleville will find out soon.

NJ Congressman Mourns For Newark’s ‘Pastor In The Hood’

Bryant Ali has passed away, but his memory will live on, U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. says.

Montclair School Superintendent Dies; Jonathan Ponds Mourned

The Montclair school board had just renewed Ponds' contract this spring. Hearts are "sad and heavy" in the district.

Brendan Byrne Tribute In West Orange; Former Gov. Remembered Fondly

Brendan Byrne earned respect from Democrats and Republicans alike during his political career in New Jersey.

Donald Payne: Mourning Continues For NJ Congressman With ‘Big Heart’

Donald Payne Jr. took up the mantle of his father, a trailblazing congressman, and carved out a legacy that was "uniquely his own."

OTHER NEWS

NJ Student Dies In Quarantine – But COVID Didn’t Kill Her: Lawsuit

A Seton Hall University student with epilepsy was put alone in an isolation room to finish her COVID-19 quarantine. She never left.

Race To Replace Lead Pipes Is On Pace, NJ's Largest Water Company Says

NJ American Water and other providers must replace all of their lead pipes under state law. It contributed to a rate hike, the company says.

Essex County Deer Cull Results: 169 Killed At South Mountain, Hilltop

County officials say the hunt helps to "revitalize the forest ecology." But the annual cull has also seen criticism in recent years.

NJ Yanks Doc’s License After Unsafe Penis, Breast Injections: AG

Officials launched an investigation into a doctor who worked in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Here's what they found.

Accused Essex County Doctor Banned From Practicing In NJ: Prosecutors

A surgeon in Essex County "indiscriminately" prescribed his patients benzodiazepines, stimulants and narcotics for years, prosecutors said.

Doctors Are Giving Unneeded C-Sections To Black Moms In NJ: Study

"Unacceptable. Deeply disturbing. Dangerous." These are some of the reactions from New Jersey advocates after reading this recent study.

Mom’s Death Is Latest Tragedy In Grim NJ Trend, Advocates Say

Dreeah Austin died two weeks after giving birth. Advocates want to know: Did a racial gap in health care contribute to her death?

There's plenty more news that took place in Essex County last year. Check out some of our other recent yearly roundups below:

• Wild Weather In Essex County: Top Stories Of 2024
• Top Police, Fire Stories In Essex County: 2024 Yearly Roundup
• Real Estate And Development In Essex County: 2024 News Roundup
• Good News, Inspiring People: Essex County 2024 Year In Review
• Business & Restaurants In Essex County: 2024 Year In Review

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