Author Archives: atomtabloid

A watchdog group reports that New Jersey lobbyists are working for both the culprits and the victims in some of the Garden State’s most celebrated controversies, ranging from health care to climate change. The Princeton Public Affairs Group (PPAG) worked on behalf of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, a grassroots coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomenContinue reading “Double agents: NJ lobbyists playing both sides in political controversies”

Former Palisades Park Councilwoman Cynthia Pirrera is suing the borough and its mayor, alleging a violation of her privacy and the Wiretap Act because officials released a recording of a conversation that occurred in an area marked by signs indicating 24-hour audio and video surveillance. The lawsuit stems from recorded conversations, including discussions with anContinue reading “Former Councilwoman sues Palisades Park for releasing steamy audiotape”

Senior officers from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) have warned that the process of making Gaza safe again from unexploded bombs could extend over 14 years. Pehr Lodhammar, a seasoned UN demining expert, revealed on Friday that an estimated 37 million tonnes of debris now litter Gaza as a grim consequence of theContinue reading “UN warns that Gaza’s unexploded ordnance could take 14 years to clear”

by Brett Murphy | ProPublica A special State Department panel recommended months ago that Secretary of State Antony Blinken disqualify multiple Israeli military and police units from receiving U.S. aid after reviewing allegations that they committed serious human rights abuses. But Blinken has failed to act on the proposal in the face of growing internationalContinue reading “Blinken ignored staff reports about Israeli military killings & rapes”

By Donna Jeffries Two years ago, the 108th Wing ranked at the bottom out of 93 Air National Guard organizations in Individual Medical Readiness standings, but with the implementation of a refocus initiative, they are now in the top 20. “IMR, like many programs, is a leadership responsibility, and unit commanders, along with unit healthContinue reading “Medical refocus boosts NJ Air National Guard unit’s readiness standings”

Americans now owe a collective $1.13 trillion in credit card debt. This debt burden has exploded by a staggering 47% in only three years, draining the savings of millions of workers as the economy emerges from the pandemic. The stresses of sky-high inflation – caused by competition between the US and China, supply chains disrupted by climateContinue reading “The economy is not working for the Americans who work for a living”

by Sophie Nieto-Munoz, New Jersey Monitor Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said all legal avenues are on the table to prevent a private prison company from opening an immigrant detention facility in the city. “To see them coming back is shocking and frustrating, that they continue to look at us as an opportunity to open up these ICEContinue reading “Newark Mayor Ras Baraka wants to halt plans to open new ICE jail”

In celebration of the 34th anniversary of the launch of NASA’s legendary Hubble Space Telescope on April 24, astronomers took a snapshot of the Little Dumbbell Nebula (also known as Messier 76, M76, or NGC 650/651) located 3,400 light-years away in the northern circumpolar constellation Perseus. The photogenic nebula is a favorite target of amateur astronomers. M76 is classifiedContinue reading “Hubble celebrates 34th anniversary with a look at the Little Dumbbell Nebula”

A Burlington County, New Jersey, couple was convicted Wednesday of forced labor and other federal crimes stemming from a coercive scheme to compel two victims to perform domestic labor and childcare in their home, federal officials said. Bolaji Bolarinwa, 50, was found guilty of two counts of forced labor, one count of alien harboring forContinue reading “Burlington County couple convicted for keeping Nigerian women enslaved”

Even in a divided country, we can agree that homelessness is terrible, especially in a country as rich as ours. We should also agree on the solutions that have been proven time and again to solve homelessness. On April 22, the solutions to homelessness came into full view as the U.S. Supreme Court heard theContinue reading “In divided America, homelessness is terrible problem that needs a solution”

New Jersey, known for its bustling economy and diverse communities, faces mounting concerns about its long-term fiscal fate because massive federal pandemic aid empowered Governor Phil Murphy’s administration to adopt large spending increases that will quickly become unaffordable. Murphy’s ambitious spending increased total outlays from Governor Chris Christie’s last budget of $35 billion in FiscalContinue reading “Critic says Wall Street wizard Phil Murphy imperils New Jersey’s long-term fate”

by Kelcie Moseley-Morris, New Jersey Monitor U.S. Supreme Court justices spent two hours Wednesday morning debating whether a federal law about emergency treatment encompasses abortion care even in states with strict abortion bans, with no clear indication of how they may ultimately rule. A decision could come as soon as the end of June whetherContinue reading “Supreme Court justices appear split over whether to protect abortion care during emergencies”

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani was among those indicted in the Arizona election interference case announced by Attorney General Kris Mayes today, after the State Grand Jury has returned indictments in the ongoing investigation. Named defendants include Kelli Ward, Tyler Bowyer, Nancy Cottle, Jacob Hoffman, Anthony Kern, James Lamon, Robert Montgomery, Samuel Moorhead, LorraineContinue reading “Arizona Grand Jury indicts 18 Donald Trump associates for 2020 election scheme”

The Roselle Borough Council appointed Stafford Township Republican Christopher Laba as the new head of the Fire Department, following the resignation of retiring Fire Chief Eric Pearson. Laba, who has been serving as officer in charge for nearly a year, now assumes the role of the 17th chief of the Roselle Fire Department, despite residingContinue reading “Roselle appoints Ocean County Republican as the new Fire Chief”

by Ariana Figueroa, New Jersey Monitor The U.S. Department of Labor Tuesday announced a final rule that means millions of salaried workers who are employed in the executive, administrative or professional industries will become eligible for overtime pay. The rule will affect roughly 4 million workers in the first year of implementation and will beContinue reading “Millions of salaried workers to become eligible for overtime under new Biden rule”

In a call for progress and inclusivity, Lisa McCormick, a prominent advocate for women’s rights and progressive values, has urged President Joe Biden to take action and publish the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). McCormick’s message emphasizes the importance of recognizing women’s equality under the Constitution and highlights the potential for positive change in the pursuitContinue reading “Lisa McCormick urges President Joe Biden to publish Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)”

Rep. Donald Payne Jr., who followed his father into politics and represented Newark in Congress for more than a decade, died Wednesday — nearly three weeks after suffering a heart attack that had left him in a coma. The 65-year-old Democrat had served in Congress since 2012, representing New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, which coversContinue reading “Rep. Donald Payne Jr. died nearly three weeks after suffering “cardiac episode””

Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC (CNS) has agreed to pay the United States $18.4 million to settle allegations that, between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2020, the corporation knowingly submitted false claims to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for time not worked at NNSA’s Pantex Site near Amarillo, Texas. The NNSA’s Pantex Site isContinue reading “Nuclear weapons maker pays off government instead of facing criminal penalties”

Democratic Senate candidate Larry Hamm will appear at Zeppelin Hall in Jersey City on April 29 at 5:30 p.m., marking a significant moment in his campaign efforts to secure the party’s nomination for the upcoming primary elections in June. Hamm, known for his progressive activism and previous challenge to Senator Cory Booker in the 2020Continue reading “Democrat Larry Hamm will appear at Zeppelin Hall in Jersey City on April 29”