The Jersey Vindicator

Michigan ballot initiative aims to reveal ‘dark money’ donors behind political ads - Bridge Michigan Potential Michigan ballot proposal would require groups that run political ‘issue ads’ near an election to disclose their donors, a reform that transparency advocates have tried before — but failed.

Michigan residents pushing for campaign finance transparency reform. NJ rolled it back but we have no statewide citizen ballot initiative option here. bridgemi.com/michigan-gov...

Top New Jersey environmental official warns of ‘substantial and imminent threat’ at Trenton Water Works Shawn LaTourette, the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, compared the Trenton water crisis to Flint, Michigan and Jackson, Misissippi in an interview with The Jersey Vindicator. A Trenton Water Works construction and maintenance unit worker flushes a fire hydrant on Thursday, June 26. Photo by Andres Kudacki for The Jersey Vindicator. The state's top environmental official pulled a surprise inspection at Trenton's troubled water works last month. He came away "deeply troubled" and says he will increase scrutiny on the 225-year-old utility as it heads into an uncertain future.

Top New Jersey environmental official warns of ‘substantial and imminent threat’ at Trenton Water Works

Shawn LaTourette, the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, compared the Trenton water crisis to Flint, Michigan and Jackson, Misissippi in an interview with The…

A man who filed a citizen’s complaint against local news site Red Bank Green for refusing to remove a police blotter item dropped the case Thursday.

Local news site Red Bank Green wins free speech showdown over police blotter post A man who filed a citizen’s complaint against local news site Red Bank Green for refusing to remove a police blotter item dropped the case Thursday.

A man who filed a citizen’s complaint against local news site Red Bank Green for refusing to remove a police blotter item dropped the case Thursday.

New Jersey lifeguard pension system under fire: $34 million shortfall, double dipping, and unequal burdens Acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh says the state needs to get rid of a law that requires certain shore towns to provide.a pension to seasonal lifeguards.

Acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh says the state needs to get rid of a law that requires certain shore towns to provide.a pension to seasonal lifeguards.

As rents surge in Jersey City, mayoral candidates offer diverging plans on affordable housing More than 100 residents turned out for a housing forum earlier this month hosted by mayoral candidate Bill O'Dea.

As rents surge in Jersey City, mayoral candidates offer diverging plans on affordable housing

More than 100 residents turned out for a housing forum earlier this month hosted by mayoral candidate Bill O'Dea.

New Jersey attorney general to keep control of Paterson Police after top court ruling Matt Platkin is victorious in battle for oversight of the Paterson Police Department.

The NJ Supreme Court overturned an appellate court ruling regarding attnrney general oversight of the troubled Paterson Police Department.

The Alina Habba controversy: What we know so far about Trump’s embattled New Jersey prosecutor The Trump administration is locked in a dogfight with the judiciary over New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor. What we know as of Wednesday evening, July 23.

The Trump administration is locked in a dogfight with the judiciary over New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor. What we know as of Wednesday evening, July 23.

Police blotter case in Red Bank, New Jersey raises First Amendment concerns Local news publisher Red Bank Green would only face only a fine of about $200, but the case could have far-reaching effects on local media.

A judge will decide this week whether to hear the case of a local news outlet that has been accused of breaking the law for refusing to remove the details of a man’s now-expunged arrest from the police blotter on its website. The ruling could have far-reaching effects on local media.

Bill would strip New Jersey State Police from Attorney General oversight The bill would make the 3,300-officer division its own department for the first time since 1948.

A bill introduced in June would make the New Jersey State Police its own department for the first time since 1948.

The IRS announced that churches and other houses of worship are now allowed to endorse political candidates to their congregations, effectively carving out an exemption to the longstanding ban on political activity by tax-exempt nonprofits.

FEMA will no longer go door-to-door to assist disaster victims The move, says one agency worker, will “severely hamper our ability to reach vulnerable people.”

A reminder: FEMA is no longer going door-to-door to assist disaster victims

[From our Climate Desk partner @wired.com]

Irvington blew $632K in opioid funds on two concerts, New Jersey watchdog finds Contracts were also funneled to businesses owned or controlled by a township employee, according to the report.

Officials in Irvington spent more than $600,000 in opioid settlement funds on two concerts labeled as “opioid awareness” events.

Holtec talks about nuclear power plant plans in New Jersey A bill sponsored by Senators Bob Smith and Nicholas Scutari would give the state BPU sole authority to approve new mini-reactors, removing the power of host communities.

A bill sponsored by Senators Bob Smith and Nicholas Scutari would give the state BPU sole authority to approve new mini-reactors, removing the power of host communities.

A game changer for New Jersey racetracks: Meadowlands and Monmouth Park could get casinos Two lawmakers are floating the idea of slot machines, roulette, and blackjack tables at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.

A game changer for New Jersey racetracks: Meadowlands and Monmouth Park could get casinos

Two lawmakers are floating the idea of slot machines, roulette, and blackjack tables at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.

New Jersey court upholds state’s authority to suspend Medicaid providers On June 23, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey upheld the comptroller’s authority, exercised through its Medicaid Fraud Division, to temporarily suspend Medicaid providers for good cause.

On June 23, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey upheld the comptroller’s authority, exercised through its Medicaid Fraud Division, to temporarily suspend Medicaid providers for good cause.

Thank you to The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State for your support that enabled two of us from The Jersey Vindicator team to attend the annual Investigative Reporters and Editors conference in New Orleans. We learned so much this week!

Tapped out: No quick fix in sight for Trenton water crisis A regional utility jointly directed by the city and four surrounding communities wouldn't debut until at least July 2027 under a state plan.

Tapped out: No quick fix in sight for Trenton water crisis

A regional utility jointly directed by the city and four surrounding communities wouldn't debut until at least July 2027 under a state plan.

In Lambertville, New Jersey, No Kings Day Rally blends protest and creativity More than 1,200 people participated in the rally and "card stunt."

In Lambertville, New Jersey, No Kings Day Rally blends protest and creativity

More than 1,200 people participated in the rally and "card stunt."

More than a thousand people at the No Kings Day Rally in Princeton. More photos will be posted on the Planet Princeton and The Jersey Vinicator websites tonight. Photo by Michael Mancuso.

New Jersey Attorney General’s TRUST Commission to hold public listening sessions in June The meetings will be held June 24 and 26.

New Jersey Attorney General’s TRUST Commission to hold public listening sessions in June

The meetings will be held June 24 and 26.

He is an award-winning, professional with years of experience and training. He was outside in a public area just trying to do his job when an ICE officer pepper sprayed him in his face. The spray hit one of his eyes. He is okay now after washing many times.

Tonight our photojournalist for The Jersey Vindicator, Andres Kudacki, was pepper sprayed by ICE while documenting the riot and protests at the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark.

ICE releases New Jersey mom who is the key witness in her own attempted murder case • The Jersey Vindicator An undocumented New Jersey mom who was almost deported after a vicious alleged attack by her knife-wielding ex-boyfriend has been released from federal custody.

I don't know if ICE released this woman because of my @jerseyvindicator.bsky.social story. But I do know it feels good to be on the right side again — and making some kind of difference, even if it's just for one person.

jerseyvindicator.org/2025/06/09/i...

Sadly - so true.

The NJ governor and legislative leaders want to defund the org. that funds local journalism in the state, including our investigative nonprofit. Contact your legislator and ask them to restore this vital funding so that New Jerseyans have credible sources of info.

ICE releases New Jersey mom who is the key witness in her own attempted murder case An undocumented New Jersey mom who was almost deported after a vicious alleged attack by her knife-wielding ex-boyfriend has been released from federal custody.

An undocumented New Jersey mom who was almost deported after a vicious alleged attack by her knife-wielding ex-boyfriend has been released from federal custody.

Trenton water inspector indicted in alleged water sample fraud scheme A Trenton utility worker who allegedly faked water sampling results for 14 months while collecting overtime pay has been indicted by a state grand jury. Cesar J. Lugo, 37, of Trenton, was charged last month with six criminal counts, including official misconduct, theft by deception, falsifying public records and violating the state Safe Drinking Water Act. Lugo was fired from his position as a water quality inspector at Trenton Water Works late last year after the alleged fraud was discovered. The water utility serves 225,000 people in Trenton and four surrounding Mercer County communities.

Trenton water inspector indicted in alleged water sample fraud scheme

A Trenton utility worker who allegedly faked water sampling results for 14 months while collecting overtime pay has been indicted by a state grand jury. Cesar J. Lugo, 37, of Trenton, was charged last month with six criminal…

Why electric bills are rising in New Jersey, and the role of a little-known grid operator Electric bills in New Jersey are set to rise by an average of more than $20 a month beginning in June.

Electric bills in New Jersey are set to rise by an average of more than $20 a month beginning in June.

@jerseyvindicator.bsky.social Thank you for your continued coverage