Two towns rally against plea deal in Fofana case

Two towns rally against plea deal in Fofana case

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Members of the Maplewood and South Orange community came together on Thursday, Sept. 15, to protest the purported plea deal between the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Yohan Hernandez, 21, of Newark, the defendant in the Moussa Fofana murder case. The rally and march, which began at Columbia High School and concluded […]

Insider NJ releases its ‘LGBTQ-plus Power List,’ honors local changemakers

Insider NJ releases its ‘LGBTQ-plus Power List,’ honors local changemakers

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Insider NJ has released its 2022 “LGBTQ-plus Power List,” which features 100 spots for the most politically influential members of the LGBTQ community in New Jersey.  “There’s a pronounced and conspicuous glass ceiling for LGBTQs in New Jersey politics,” the introduction to the list reads. “Sure, the gatekeepers are happy to […]

YMCA’s duck race brings community together to support local families

YMCA’s duck race brings community together to support local families

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The beloved South Mountain YMCA Duck Race returned to Maplewood on Memorial Day, May 30, raising $18,632 for local children and families through duck sponsorships, ticket and T-shirt sales, prizes, and individual donations. This year’s sold-out event began with race participants, decked out in duck-themed clothing and accessories, marching with the community […]

NJ leaders speak out against reversal of Roe v. Wade

NJ leaders speak out against reversal of Roe v. Wade

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that upheld the constitutional right to abortion. In general, this decision was met with support from Republicans and outcry from Democrats. Those who support the decision say that this new ruling will save unborn […]

Officials, leaders in Essex County call for stricter gun laws following massacre

Officials, leaders in Essex County call for stricter gun laws following massacre

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The nation was again plunged into despair on May 24 when a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, injuring many others. This was the third-deadliest school shooting in a U.S. school, after the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 and the Sandy Hook Elementary […]

Essex County creates Offices of LGBTQ Affairs, names its first director

Essex County creates Offices of LGBTQ Affairs, names its first director

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. announced the creation of the Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs and introduced Newark resident Reginald Bledsoe as its first director on Friday, May 13. The Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs will support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community and provide […]

Coalition on Race announces ChooseSOMA website to welcome black families

SOUTH ORANGE/MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race has launched ChooseSOMA.com, a website that showcases the towns’ drive for diversity, inclusion and belonging. While South Orange and Maplewood are among the most diverse municipalities in New Jersey, demographic data has confirmed a decline in black families moving in. According to U.S. census […]