Three candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate spoke at a forum on Friday night and touched on a range of topics including United States involvement in the war in Gaza, the economy, and the advancement of Black Americans. Hosted by the historically African American fraternity Phi Beta Sigma, the event took place at Saint John’s Baptist Church in Bergen-Lafayette. The three are hoping to replace embattled U.S. Senator Robert Menendez who is facing federal bribery charges. Lawrence “Larry” Hamm, a longtime activist and chairman of the People’s Organization for Progress, re ..read more

Last week the scene was 1961 Greenwich Village as Jersey Avenue was converted to New York City’s MacDougal Street for the filming of the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” The charming set was replete with a faux Caffe Borgia, Minetta Tavern, and Cafe Wha? Yesterday, the Hollywood vibe was decidedly less inviting along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway in Liberty State Park, as three apes from a dystopian future gazed menacingly at the New York City skyline from atop their large horses. Photo: Aaron Morrill Photo: Aaron Morrill Photo: Aaron Morrill Photo: Aaron Morrill Photo: Aaron Mo ..read more

The state Economic Development Authority is threatening to pull funding for the satellite location of a Paris art museum planned for Jersey City, citing concerns in a letter to city officials Friday about a $19 million budget gap in the city’s plan. But Mayor Steve Fulop implied the state’s letter is retaliation for him rescinding his endorsement for first lady Tammy Murphy’s now-aborted run for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.  “We heard zero from the state for months other than all is good except for the exact week I said I was endorsing Andy Kim,” Fu ..read more

Environmental Protection The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is suing the owners of Gas Mart gas station at 1568 John F. Kennedy Blvd. to enforce their legal obligation to remediate gasoline contamination in the soil and groundwater around their underground storage tanks, which was discovered in 2007. A previous lawsuit was resolved in 2019 with an agreement that the Gas Mart owners would pay a penalty and remediate the site using a Licensed Site Remediation Professional, but they have fulfilled the agreement. The new lawsuit looks to enforce the agreement and payment of cou ..read more

Renovations, a new branch, stagnant ticket sales, and inflation are straining the finances of Paris’s Centre Pompidou, according to a report from France’s Court of Auditors. News of the audit, released on Tuesday, was first reported by Le Monde and picked up by ARTnews. In 2021, Mayor Fulop announced a controversial plan to open a branch of the museum called “Pompidou x” in an unused building in Journal Square. Financing of the project has been an issue. Today it was reported that a state agency may withhold funding until the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency can close a $19 million operating ..read more

For a second year running, Jersey City taxpayers won’t be shelling out more of their money for school taxes. This was the takeaway from Acting School Business Administrator Dennis Frohnapfel’s half hour, 25-page, 2024/2025 budget presentation at last night’s Board of Education Meeting. The budget, which passed unanimously, totaled $1,035,721,424, a modest increase over the prior year of $482,481. For 2024/2025, school taxes on the average Jersey City home — assessed at $475,711 — will come to $4,661. Frohnapfel was clearly elated, thanking the administration and the Board of Education “two fu ..read more

A state agency is threatening to pull funding for Pompidou x, the planned Jersey City outpost of the Centre Pompidou art museum based in Paris. According to an article today in NJBiz, Tim Sullivan, the chief executive officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, wrote the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency questioning the agency’s budget shortfall for the project. In the letter to JCRA Executive Director Diana Jeffrey, Sullivan wrote, “Based on the information you provided us, JCRA has identified annual revenue of slightly less than $4 million annually, and recurring ..read more

This weekend, Jersey City has an ’80s Dance Party, the HunterFest 5k, and a Spring Plant Walk. Plus, there’s more Earth Day events, music in the park, and more. Friday Chilltown Street Club – Weekly Cooldown: 45min Yoga | Fri., Apr. 26 | 8:15-9:15 a.m. | Betty’s Ceramics Club, 224 Ninth St., Jersey City | Free | Join us for a 45min yoga session from Betty’s Ceramics Club! The weekly cooldown is structured to get you ready for the weekend. For more info, go here. Friday Night Lights Youth Safe Haven Program | Fri., Apr. 26 | 5 p.m. | Jersey City Police Athletic League, 163 Old Bergen Rd ..read more

Jersey City lawmakers heard familiar refrains Wednesday from advocates for an end to hostilities in Gaza and Portside Towers tenants continuing to seek relief from what one city agency has labeled illegal rent hikes. This past December, an effort by Ward D Councilmember Yousef Saleh to adopt a cease-fire resolution was derailed by five abstentions from the 9-member governing body. Now, with Ramadan newly concluded and Passover being celebrated, multiple public speakers – mostly from the pro-Palestinian camp – took city lawmakers to task for failing to go on record in support of a permanent ce ..read more

Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr. has died, nearly three weeks after he had a heart attack that left him hospitalized in a coma at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. He was 65. The six-term Democrat and Newark native has represented the 10th Congressional District, which covers parts of Essex, Hudson, and Union counties, since 2012, succeeding his late father, Donald Payne Sr. Mourners are remembering him as a fighter and a friend to working families, and someone who, as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said, had a love for his hometown that was part of his DNA. “Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr ..read more