Category: Local News

Federal Judge Says Parts of New Jersey Gun Law Violate 2nd Amendment

A federal judge in New Jersey has blocked portions of a newly implemented gun control law, saying it might cause “considerable Constitutional problems.” On Monday, U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb issued a temporary restraining order (pdf) on behalf of three individuals and four gun rights organizations regarding a law recently enacted by the New Jersey Legislature. The law—sponsored…


Parts of New Jersey Gun Law Violate 2nd Amendment: Federal Judge

A federal judge in New Jersey has blocked portions of a newly implemented gun control law, saying it might cause “considerable Constitutional problems.” On Monday, U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb issued a temporary restraining order (pdf) on behalf of three individuals and four gun rights organizations regarding a law recently enacted by the New Jersey Legislature. The law—sponsored…


Election, Voting Bills Top the Agenda for Texas’ 88th Legislative Session

Many Texas state lawmakers have spent the last couple of months pre-filing and refiling bills ahead of the state’s 88th regular legislative session, which convened on Tuesday. More than 70 pre-filed bills are related to voting and election laws. Republicans aim to pass legislation to create county-level forensic audit processes, appoint election marshals, record ballot…


Want to Improve California Schools? Show Me the Numbers

Commentary After another general election when over a thousand school board seats were on the ballot, we have seen a slight shift in favor of parent advocates representing our districts in California. And while many media outlets want to frame the election about social and cultural issues, the problems facing most districts are often more…


Port Jervis Tourism Board Kicks Off 2023 With Chinese New Year Celebration

The first event marked on Port Jervis Tourism Board’s 2023 roster is a celebration to usher in the Chinese Year of Rabbit. The celebration will start with a dragon dance on Jersey Avenue, followed by an authentic Chinese buffet, traditional crafts, and live performances at Erie Trackside Manor on Jan. 22, between 12 p.m. and…


New York Republicans Call on Rep. George Santos to Resign

Republicans in New York on Jan. 11 called for Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) to step down. “George Santos’s campaign last year was a campaign of deceit, lies, and fabrication,” Joseph Cairo, the chairman of the Nassau County GOP, told a press conference. “He deceived the voters of the 3rd Congressional District, he deceived the members of…


Record $33 Billion Budget Surplus Fuels Talk of ‘Largest Property Tax Cut in Texas History’

Texas registered a record budget surplus during 2022–23 that topped earlier estimates by $5 billion and has triggered discussions on how best to utilize the excess funds, including using it for potential tax cuts and boosting the state’s infrastructure. The $32.7 billion budget surplus is higher than the $27 billion estimate which state Comptroller Glenn…


Supreme Court Declines to Block New York Gun Law Restricting Possession in ‘Sensitive Locations’

The U.S. Supreme Court is letting a New York gun law that restricts possession in so-called sensitive locations stand for now, denying an emergency request to block the rule. A pro-Second Amendment group filed the request in December 2022, asking the court to lift a stay on an injunction against the law, the Concealed Carry Improvement…


Illinois Governor Signs Ban on ‘Assault Weapons,’ High-Capacity Magazines

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday announced he signed a ban on “assault weapons” and magazines that hold more than 12 rounds, becoming the latest governor to do so in recent years. It came after the Democrat-controlled legislature passed a ban on a range of semiautomatic firearms along with those magazines and devices that allow a…


DeSantis Commits Billions More To Boost Water Quality and Everglades Restoration

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has doubled down on the work his administration had carried out in his first term to improve the Sunshine State’s water quality. At a Jan. 10 press conference in Bonita Springs, in a restaurant set to reopen after repairing Hurricane Ian’s damage, DeSantis announced an executive order committing another $3.5 billion…