Domestic Affairs

NJ declares statewide drought warning as wildfires rage, water supplies dwindle

NJ declares statewide drought warning as wildfires rage, water supplies dwindle

EDISON, N.J., Nov. 15 (ZFJ) — The New Jersey government elevated the drought watch status to a drought warning on Wednesday, Nov. 13, as wildfires rage and water supplies dwindle. Over half of the United States is currently facing drought conditions. A record-breaking dry spell is impacting the whole Northeast, with all of N.J. and Delaware, eastern Pennsylvania, New York City, and southern New York under at least moderate drought conditions, according to the U.
Andy Kim elected US senator for New Jersey

Andy Kim elected US senator for New Jersey

EDISON, N.J., Nov. 9 (ZFJ) — Congressman Andy Kim, a Democrat, was elected U.S. senator for New Jersey, making him the first Korean-American senator. Kim led Curtis Bashaw, the Republican candidate, by more than 300,000 votes. Kim thanked his team and supporters in a victory speech at his campaign headquarters in the DoubleTree Hotel in Cherry Hill on election night. He observed that his family had lived in this hotel for several weeks when they first moved to N.
Patel, Errico, Shi decisively win Edison Board of Education election

Patel, Errico, Shi decisively win Edison Board of Education election

EDISON, N.J., Nov. 8 (ZFJ) — Column 1—Ronak Patel, Ralph Errico, and Jingwei “Jerry” Shi—won the three available seats on the Edison Board of Education by a landslide. Column 1, the Students First team, outpaced Column 3, the Champions for Students team, by about 6,000-7,000 votes. Shi reprises his role after coming in fourth place for three seats in last year’s board election. He previously served on the board from 2014 with a term as president.
Donald Trump defeats Kamala Harris to become 47th U.S. president

Donald Trump defeats Kamala Harris to become 47th U.S. president

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 (ZFJ) — Former President Donald Trump has defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to become the 47th U.S. president. The Associated Press called the race for Trump at 5:34 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, after he won Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes, putting him at 277 electoral votes to Harris’ 224. He is also leading the popular vote by around 4.8 million votes. The electoral vote count at 5:55 p.
In reversal, Edison Board of Education votes against abolishing transgender students policy

In reversal, Edison Board of Education votes against abolishing transgender students policy

EDISON, N.J., Nov. 3 (ZFJ) — The Edison Board of Education voted 6-3 against abolishing Policy 5756, which concerns transgender students, in a second reading during a marathon action meeting lasting five hours on Tuesday, Oct. 29, in which many members of the public spoke in support of the policy. The board previously voted 5-3 in favor of abolishment after Vishal Patel made a motion on the floor to do so.
Edison Board of Education votes to abolish transgender students policy

Edison Board of Education votes to abolish transgender students policy

EDISON, N.J., Oct. 19 (ZFJ) — The Edison Board of Education voted 5-3 to abolish Policy 5756, which concerns transgender students, at their action meeting on Monday, Sept. 30. Since they didn’t properly follow the procedure to abolish a policy, it is still in effect. The abolishment was not on the publicly posted agenda for the night and arose from a motion made from the floor. This move follows the abolishment of Policy 5756 by many other school districts in N.
2024 New Jersey voter registration and mail-in ballot information guide

2024 New Jersey voter registration and mail-in ballot information guide

Oct. 14 (ZFJ) — The deadline to register to vote for the general election in New Jersey is Tuesday, Oct. 15 (21 days before election day on Tuesday, Nov. 5). As of press time, that’s tomorrow, so don’t delay any longer if you haven’t registered yet! Anyone who is a U.S. citizen, at least 17 years old, a resident of their county for 30 days before the election, and not convicted of a crime is eligible to register to vote.
UMD pro-Palestinian protest proceeds peacefully on October 7

UMD pro-Palestinian protest proceeds peacefully on October 7

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Oct. 13 (ZFJ) — A vigil held by UMD Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) on McKeldin Mall on Monday, Oct. 7, took place without incident. On Sept. 1, the University of Maryland, College Park, attempted to limit all demonstrations on campus on Oct. 7 after thousands of people wrote objecting to SJP’s permit to protest on that day. The significance of Oct. 7, 2023, is that it was the day when Hamas militants stormed into nearby Israeli towns from the blockaded Gaza Strip to kill and take hostage hundreds of civilians.
Federal judge orders UMD to allow October 7 demonstrations

Federal judge orders UMD to allow October 7 demonstrations

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Oct. 5 (ZFJ) — A federal judge ordered the University of Maryland, College Park, to allow UMD Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) to proceed with their demonstration on Monday, Oct. 7. On Sept. 1, after significant outcry over UMD granting a permit to SJP to use McKeldin Mall for an “interfaith vigil,” the university announced that demonstrations would be prohibited on campus on Oct. 7, and that a “university-sponsored Day of Dialogue” would be held instead.
Pedestrian fatally struck by car in Gaithersburg

Pedestrian fatally struck by car in Gaithersburg

COLLEGE PARK, Md., Oct. 5 (ZFJ) — Dr. Dominique Mwepu, 53, was fatally struck by a car on Monday, Sept. 30, according to the Montgomery County Police Department. At about 7:55 p.m., county police officers from the 5th district and fire rescue personnel responded to reports of a collision involving a blue Honda Prelude and a pedestrian at the intersection of Frederick Road and High Point Drive. Mwepu sustained life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.