Gaza Invades Board of Education
Jersey City Board of Education Trustee Younass Barkouch finds himself under fire after shouting “from the river to the sea” as students were honoring National Arab American Heritage Month during the April 25 Board meeting. The Board will hold a special meeting on May 14 to file ethics charges against Barkouch. The slogan is seen by many as a call for the eradication of the state of Israel. Barkouch apologized, saying he was only advocating for the rights of Palestinians and did not appreciate “how it may have been be perceived by certain members of the Jewish community.”
Happy Mothers’ Day
On May 9, The Mercy House will distribute gift bags containing costume jewelry, beauty products, and other donated items during its largest-ever Mother’s Day Giveaway across its Jersey City location. Run by the Archdiocese of Newark and founded in 2018, The Mercy House provides nonperishable food, clothing, baby supplies, furniture, and help finding work and housing to anyone in need.
Household Finances
A 2024 report from doxo called “Household Bills as a Percentage of Income in the U.S,” has found that household expenses in Jersey City are almost 50% higher than the US average, making it only the #40 most expensive city in New Jersey according to this metric. The average annual household bills in Jersey City are $38,214, which is 38% of annual household income. It’s also $12,702 higher than the national average.
Preschool Education
Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Education have announced $33 million in grant funding for the expansion of preschool facilities in the state. “We’ve been committed to bringing universal preschool to as many communities as possible, and an important element of our initiative is providing funding for new and expanded preschool facilities,” says the governor. “High-quality preschool is an investment that will help students for years to come, both in their formative years and throughout their academic careers. Increased access to early education opportunities benefit children and their families, building upon our work to make New Jersey the best place to raise a family and educate a child.”
Higher Education
Hudson County Community College and Saint Peter’s University have signed a transfer agreement that will make it easier for HCCC graduates to transfer to the latter four-year institution. “We are proud to solidify this connection with Saint Peter’s University, which is fitting as we are neighboring institutions standing together in the shadow of the statue of Liberty,” says HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “We look forward to seeing the partnership generate opportunities for our students as they take the next step toward earning their bachelor’s and graduate degrees. Many HCCC graduates continue their journeys at nearby St. Peter’s each year, and this agreement will be transformational for them.”
The Mizuho DrivHER Summit
The first Mizuho DrivHER Summit will take place May 15th at the LPGA Mizuho Americas Open at Jersey City’s Liberty National Golf Club. The event was developed by Mizuho Americas and Girls Inc., and will be promoting the advancement of women and girls. It will have panels, leadership training, and the announcement of three 2024 Mizuho Americas Scholarship recipients.
The Open Public Records Act
NJ Spotlight News reports that even though efforts to restrict New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act were recently tabled, advocates at a forum hosted by the Society of Professional Journalists’s New Jersey chapter warned that it’s not officially dead and is still being worked on. The OPRA reform efforts are being led by Democratic Senator Paul Sarlo, who believes that issues with the law include public safety, and has said, “Some folks quite frankly, for lack of a better word, have made some really creepy, creepy requests of municipalities and cities around the state of New Jersey.”
Cannabis
The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission says that recreational cannabis sales in New Jersey topped $201 million in the first quarter of the year, marking a 38% increase over the first quarter of 2023. “The significant growth in sales year over year is an indication of the strong potential of New Jersey’s cannabis market,” said Jeff Brown, the commission’s executive director. “We anticipate that as even more dispensaries open across the state, new brands are introduced to the market, and cannabis becomes less stigmatized, sales numbers will continue to go up.”