New Jersey: Finding Our Way Forward

The coronavirus shutdown brought civic life and commerce to a standstill for months. These stories of revival show how communities, businesses, schools and essential institutions in New Jersey are finding ways to reopen, recover and move forward.

Newark, NJ|News|

Newark Will Require Vaccine Proof To Enter Many Businesses, Bars

The city’s latest COVID mandate will start on New Year’s Eve. It will affect restaurants, bars and other businesses – see the list here.

Newark Will Require Vaccine Proof To Enter Many Businesses, Bars
Gloucester Township, NJ|News|

Black Horse Pike Schools Not Going Virtual Heading Into 2022

The Black Horse Pike Regional School District is prepared for the possibility of going full-remote, but has no plans to at this point.

Black Horse Pike Schools Not Going Virtual Heading Into 2022
Montclair, NJ|News|

Montclair Council OKs Indoor Mask Mandate, Cites Omicron Spread

Montclair is rolling out a 30-day indoor mask mandate, partly due to the rapidly spreading omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Montclair Council OKs Indoor Mask Mandate, Cites Omicron Spread
Cinnaminson, NJ|News|

Quarantining NJ Students Can Stay In School Under Pilot Program

New Jersey may launch a "Test to Stay" pilot program in schools after the new year, health officials said on Monday.

Quarantining NJ Students Can Stay In School Under Pilot Program
Newark, NJ|News|

Masks Are Back: Newark Indoor Mandate Returns As COVID Spikes

Masks must be worn at all times while indoors at any public facility. The latest decree comes amid the rise of omicron, officials said.

Masks Are Back: Newark Indoor Mandate Returns As COVID Spikes
Montclair, NJ|News|

Winter Outdoor Lunch Tents Arrive At Montclair Schools

The Montclair Public School District has put up “heavy-duty” outdoor tents in an attempt to keep students warm as they eat lunch outside.

Winter Outdoor Lunch Tents Arrive At Montclair Schools
Newark, NJ|News|

Sen. Cory Booker Of NJ Says He Has Breakthrough COVID Case

“I’m beyond grateful to have received two doses of vaccine and, more recently, a booster,” the senator said.

Sen. Cory Booker Of NJ Says He Has Breakthrough COVID Case
Gloucester Township, NJ|News|

Live Theater Returns To Mainstage In Gloucester Township Saturday

Live theater returns to Gloucester Township this weekend when the Mainstage Center for the Arts presents its “Home for the Holidays” show.

Live Theater Returns To Mainstage In Gloucester Township Saturday
Montclair, NJ|News|

COVID In Essex County: Latest Case Totals, How To Get Vaccine

See the latest case and death totals for each town in Essex County. Learn how to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot.

COVID In Essex County: Latest Case Totals, How To Get Vaccine
Newark, NJ|News|

New Jersey Marks Anniversary Of First COVID Vaccine: Video

Gov. Phil Murphy: “Over the last year, we have learned that vaccines are the best tool we have in preventing hospitalizations and death.”

New Jersey Marks Anniversary Of First COVID Vaccine: Video
Gloucester Township, NJ|News|

Gloucester Twp. Woman Giving It 1 More Shot With Dream Business

Shana Mastranduono says few things are worth fighting for. Shana's Wild Fig, an NJ eatery getting a second chance, is one of them for her.

Gloucester Twp. Woman Giving It 1 More Shot With Dream Business
Montclair, NJ|News|

Montclair Council Extends COVID Rent Freeze, But Concerns Linger

Montclair Councilman: “There’s no other alternative other than to keep helping until we get rent control.”

Montclair Council Extends COVID Rent Freeze, But Concerns Linger
Newark, NJ|News|

Earth, Wind & Fire Postpones NJ Shows, Cites ‘COVID Safety’

The band was scheduled to play two shows in Newark. Their announcement came days after the first omicron case was confirmed in New Jersey.

Earth, Wind & Fire Postpones NJ Shows, Cites ‘COVID Safety’
Moorestown, NJ|News|

Moorestown Natives Help Students, Schools Amid Pandemic

Lisa Reid Matos and Dana Knowlton Filippoli put together Stand Up For Students, a charity that helps struggling schools and students.

Moorestown Natives Help Students, Schools Amid Pandemic
Newark, NJ|News|

NJ Health Expert Says Travel Bans ‘Ineffective’ Against Omicron

“For all the talk of ‘following the science,’ what this amounts to is the opposite,” a New Jersey health expert says. Do you agree? [Poll]

NJ Health Expert Says Travel Bans ‘Ineffective’ Against Omicron
Newark, NJ|News|

Newark Airport, Others Will Test For Omicron COVID Variant

New Jersey is a “hub for international travel and commerce,” Gov. Phil Murphy said after the latest federal travel ban was announced.

Newark Airport, Others Will Test For Omicron COVID Variant
Moorestown, NJ|News|

Outdoor Dining Becomes Permanent In Moorestown

Council has passed legislation making outdoor dining a permanent part of life in Moorestown.

Outdoor Dining Becomes Permanent In Moorestown
Gloucester Township, NJ|News|

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Spike As NJ Braces For Omicron Variant

New Jersey has hit a seven-week high in COVID-19-related hospitalizations as the state braces for the arrival of a new coronavirus variant.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Spike As NJ Braces For Omicron Variant
Cinnaminson, NJ|News|

COVID Omicron Variant Prompts NJ Travel, Masking Changes

Gov. Phil Murphy called NJ a "hub for international travel," adding that the state is gearing up for the arrival of the new variant.

COVID Omicron Variant Prompts NJ Travel, Masking Changes
Newark, NJ|News|

Port Authority: $7.9B Budget Shows Signs Of COVID Recovery

Revenues are inching up, Port Authority of NY/NJ officials say. But spending remains “significantly below pre-pandemic projections.”

Port Authority: $7.9B Budget Shows Signs Of COVID Recovery
Newark, NJ|News|

Happy Reunions At Newark Airport, Others As U.S. Travel Ban Ends

Fully vaccinated residents of foreign countries are allowed to enter the U.S. with proof of a negative COVID test - with some exceptions.

Happy Reunions At Newark Airport, Others As U.S. Travel Ban Ends
Montclair, NJ|News|

DeCamp Bus Lines Expands Service In North Jersey (Here’s Where)

The Montclair-based company is expanding several routes in NJ. It temporarily shut down service amid the coronavirus pandemic last year.

DeCamp Bus Lines Expands Service In North Jersey (Here’s Where)
Newark, NJ|News|

University Hospital In Newark Rolls Out J&J ‘Booster Mandate’

A hospital in Newark is requiring a booster shot for any employee who received the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine.

University Hospital In Newark Rolls Out J&J ‘Booster Mandate’
Gloucester Township, NJ|News|

Decision To Be Made By Gloucester Twp. About COVID Relief Funds

Gloucester Township inserted a line item for $3.4 million it received in COVID-19 relief funding into its budget Monday night.

Decision To Be Made By Gloucester Twp. About COVID Relief Funds
Moorestown, NJ|News|

Moorestown Takes Step Toward Permanent Outdoor Dining

Outdoor dining was a temporary part of Moorestown life during the coronavirus pandemic. Council is looking to make it permanent.

Moorestown Takes Step Toward Permanent Outdoor Dining
Newark, NJ|News|

New Fund For NJ Immigrants ‘Left Behind’ From COVID Aid

Are you a New Jersey resident who was excluded from the federal stimulus checks or unemployment? You may be eligible for a $1,000 payment.

New Fund For NJ Immigrants ‘Left Behind’ From COVID Aid
Bloomfield, NJ|News|

Essex County Gets $2M From Feds For COVID ‘Reimbursements’

The FEMA funding will help the county pay for previous pandemic-related expenses, including vaccine and testing sites.

Essex County Gets $2M From Feds For COVID ‘Reimbursements’
Newark, NJ|News|

A Tale Of Two Lunches: Newark Schools See Praise, Complaints

POLL: What do YOU think about the quality of lunches in Newark’s public schools?

A Tale Of Two Lunches: Newark Schools See Praise, Complaints
Moorestown, NJ|News|

Moorestown School Board To Present Potential Remote Learning Plan

The plan is being presented even though there are no imminent plans to move to a remote-learning format.

Moorestown School Board To Present Potential Remote Learning Plan
Newark, NJ|News|

Film Industry Is Rebounding In New Jersey, Including Newark

Movie producers and filmmakers are expected to spend $500 million in New Jersey this year – including in Newark, officials said.

Film Industry Is Rebounding In New Jersey, Including Newark
Newark, NJ|News|

United Airlines Gives Every Employee $1,000 Pandemic Bonus

United Airlines is giving $1,000 to 67,000 employees – just in time for the holidays.

United Airlines Gives Every Employee $1,000 Pandemic Bonus
Montclair, NJ|News|

Montclair Schools Hit Pause Button On Pooled COVID Testing

The pause is happening “out of an abundance of caution,” Montclair’s school superintendent said.

Montclair Schools Hit Pause Button On Pooled COVID Testing
Montclair, NJ|News|

Kamala Harris Visits New Jersey To Push For Child Care, Vaccines

The vice president said the federal government needs to invest in child care. She also visited a COVID-19 vaccine site in Essex County.

Kamala Harris Visits New Jersey To Push For Child Care, Vaccines
Cherry Hill, NJ|News|

$675K In Rental, Housing Assistance Available In Cherry Hill

Cherry Hill has replenished its Rental and Mortgage Housing Assistance Program after a popular response to its launch earlier this year.

$675K In Rental, Housing Assistance Available In Cherry Hill
Newark, NJ|News|

Systemic Racism In NJ Added To Pandemic Deaths, Advocates Say

A “return to normal” isn’t good enough when it comes to coronavirus recovery in New Jersey, a Newark nonprofit says.

Systemic Racism In NJ Added To Pandemic Deaths, Advocates Say
Gloucester Township, NJ|News|

More Than 750 COVID-19 Cases In Camden County Schools This Fall

There have been 10 COVID-19 outbreaks at Camden County schools involving 750 cases and 700 contacts since the school year began.

More Than 750 COVID-19 Cases In Camden County Schools This Fall
Newark, NJ|News|

2,500 NJ Security Guards Fight For Pandemic Raises – And Get Them

Thousands of security officers across New Jersey were pondering a strike, their union says. Here’s what got them to back down.

2,500 NJ Security Guards Fight For Pandemic Raises – And Get Them
Newark, NJ|News|

Newark Airport Reopens Crucial Runway Ahead Of Schedule

Port Authority: Work was sped up to take advantage of reduced flight schedules resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newark Airport Reopens Crucial Runway Ahead Of Schedule
Livingston, NJ|News|

Livingston BOE: Public Needs Masks, Vaccines To Attend Meetings

Want to attend an in-person meeting of the Livingston Board of Education? Some new COVID-19 policies are about to roll out.

Livingston BOE: Public Needs Masks, Vaccines To Attend Meetings
Caldwells, NJ|News|

Kids ‘Not Susceptible’ To COVID? Wrong, NJ-26 Candidate Says

Christine Clarke is questioning Sen. Joe Pennacchio on COVID-19, including his statement that "children aren’t susceptible to the virus."

Kids ‘Not Susceptible’ To COVID? Wrong, NJ-26 Candidate Says