Hackensack, NJ
News
This 'Over-The-Counter Medication' Will Soon Be Allowed In NJ Schools Without Doctor's Note This 'Over-The-Counter Medication' Will Soon Be Allowed In NJ Schools Without Doctor's Note
This 'Over-The-Counter Medication' Will Soon Be Allowed In NJ Schools Without Doctor's Note New Jersey students are finally allowed to use sunscreen, wear hats, and bring sunglasses to school—without needing a doctor’s note. On March 31, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law that requires school districts to permit students to use FDA-approved sunscreen and sun-protective clothing at school and during school-sponsored activities, as long as parents provide written permission, according to a press release from the governor’s office. Previously, sunscreen was classified as an over-the-counter medication, and many districts restricted its use without a medical note. The new law, sp…

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by Cecilia Levine
Albany, NY
Politics
Fly For ICE, Lose Millions? NY Bill Would Sever State Deals For Airlines In Deportation Flights Fly For ICE, Lose Millions? NY Bill Would Sever State Deals For Airlines In Deportation Flights
Fly For ICE, Lose Millions? NY Bill Would Sever State Deals For Airlines In Deportation Flights Airlines aiding deportations without a judge’s say-so could soon hit turbulence in New York. New legislation proposed by Democratic State Sen. Patricia Fahy would block commercial airlines from receiving certain state contracts or tax benefits if they help carry out immigration deportations without a judicial warrant or legal representation for the person being deported. Fahy introduced the legislation–dubbed the SAFE AIR Act–on Monday, April 28. It is being co-sponsored by fellow Democratic Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, of Valley Stream. If approved, the bill would ensure that New Yor…

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by Michael Mashburn
Paramus, NJ
News
New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime
New NJ Law Makes Deceptive Deepfakes A Crime Gov. Phil Murphy signed into legislation this week a new law that establishes criminal and civil penalties for producing and distributing deceptive audio or visual media, a.k.a. deepfakes. A3540/S2544, which had bipartisan support, makes it a crime in the third degree for anyone who produces deepfake audio or video media for an unlawful purpose or shares deepfakes created for an unlawful purpose. The creator or distributor could face up to five years in prison and a fine of $30,000 if convicted. Francesca Mori, a student at Westfield High School, has become a staunch advocate for legislati…

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by Sam Barron
Albany, NY
News
Outrage Over Squirrel Sensation's Euthanasia Prompts State Changes: 'We Can Do Better' Outrage Over Squirrel Sensation's Euthanasia Prompts State Changes: 'We Can Do Better'
Outrage Over Squirrel Sensation's Euthanasia Prompts State Changes: 'We Can Do Better' New York State environmental officials are revamping their wildlife enforcement procedures in the wake of public outcry over the state-ordered euthanasia of a popular social media squirrel. Following an internal investigation, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is implementing new protocols to avoid similar incidents in the future, the agency announced Friday, March 28. The changes follow national backlash surrounding “Peanut,” a Chemung County squirrel with nearly one million followers on Instagram who was seized and later euthanized by the agency last fall, as Daily Voice …

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by Michael Mashburn
Harrisburg, PA
Politics
PA Lawmaker Pushes Suicide Bill, While Backing Death Penalty Repeal PA Lawmaker Pushes Suicide Bill, While Backing Death Penalty Repeal
PA Lawmaker Pushes Suicide Bill, While Backing Death Penalty Repeal A Pennsylvania bill to legalize medically assisted suicide was introduced on Friday, March 21, the third Jumu’ah of Ramadan, with Rep. Tarik Khan, listed as a co-sponsor — despite the practice being explicitly forbidden in his faith. The “Compassionate Aid in Dying” legislation was introduced by Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (D-York) and co-sponsored by Khan (D-Philadelphia) and several other progressive Democrats. It would allow terminally ill Pennsylvanians with less than six months to live to request life-ending prescriptions under a model similar to Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. Advocates ca…

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by Jillian Pikora
Hartford, CT
Schools
Trump Signs Order to Dismantle Dept of Education Sparking Backlash From CT Democrats, Teachers Trump Signs Order to Dismantle Dept of Education Sparking Backlash From CT Democrats, Teachers
Trump Signs Order to Dismantle Dept of Education Sparking Backlash From CT Democrats, Teachers President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise this week by signing an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education. The move has thrilled many Republicans, but Connecticut Democrats fear long-lasting repercussions for the state's most vulnerable students. Trump signed the order Thursday, May 20, in the East Room of the White House, flanked by children. The goal, the president said, is to return school decisions to the states. But such a major overhaul will require congressional approval, meaning it needs some Democratic support. "Everybody knows it’s right, and the…

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by Josh Lanier
Hackensack, NJ
News
Bill To Keep Old Criminal Records Off Background Checks Vetoed By Murphy, Offers Another Plan Bill To Keep Old Criminal Records Off Background Checks Vetoed By Murphy, Offers Another Plan
Bill To Keep Old Criminal Records Off Background Checks Vetoed By Murphy, Offers Another Plan A New Jersey bill aimed at preventing outdated criminal records from appearing on background checks, if charges were being expunged, has been vetoed by Gov. Phil Murphy. The governor instead proposed an online tracking system and annual reporting requirements to address the state’s expungement backlog. The legislation, Assembly Bill 3881, was introduced on Feb. 27, 2024, by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union) to prohibit the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) from releasing outdated criminal history records while pending expungement orders were still being processed. Under current la…

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by Cecilia Levine
Annapolis, MD
Politics
Senate Joins House In Voting To Avert Government Shutdown Senate Joins House In Voting To Avert Government Shutdown
Senate Joins House In Voting To Avert Government Shutdown With just hours to spare before a midnight deadline, Congress passed a stopgap bill to fund the government through the fall, avoiding a shutdown. The Senate approved the measure early Friday evening, March 14, sending it to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it. The bill will keep the government funded through Tuesday, Sept. 30. The vote followed a tense week of negotiations, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and nine other Democrats crossing party lines in a key procedural vote to advance the legislation. The move came despite mounting pressure from within his own…

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by Joe Lombardi
Avon, CT
News
Steak Your Claim: Texas Wants To Rebrand New York Strip, NY Isn't Biting Steak Your Claim: Texas Wants To Rebrand New York Strip, NY Isn't Biting
Steak Your Claim: Texas Wants To Rebrand New York Strip, NY Isn't Biting A beef between Texas and New York is sizzling. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is pushing to rename the New York strip steak as the "Texas strip" steak. The Republican said the Texas senate will file a resolution to make the name change official for restaurants and supermarkets in the Lone Star State. Lt. Gov. Patrick argues that the large cattle industry in Texas deserves the credit. "Just because a New York restaurant named Texas beef a New York Strip in the 19th century doesn't mean we need to keep doing that," he said in a social media post on Friday, Feb. 28. New York City resta…

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by Chris Spiker
Hackensack, NJ
News
Melania Trump Leads Fight Against Revenge Porn: ‘Take It Down Act’ Explained Melania Trump Leads Fight Against Revenge Porn: ‘Take It Down Act’ Explained
Melania Trump Leads Fight Against Revenge Porn: ‘Take It Down Act’ Explained Melania Trump has a message for Congress: It’s time to act. The First Lady is taking a high-profile stand against deepfake pornography and online sexual exploitation, calling on lawmakers to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bipartisan bill that would criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate images (NCII), including AI-generated content, according to Congressional records. Trump, alongside Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), hosted a bipartisan roundtable discussion Monday, March 3, where victims and advocates shared gut-wrenching stories about how AI-ge…

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by Cecilia Levine
White Plains, NY
News
AI-Generated 'Deepfake' Deception Banned In Westchester AI-Generated 'Deepfake' Deception Banned In Westchester
Ai-generated 'Deepfake' Deception Banned In Westchester Westchester County has taken a major step in fighting AI-driven digital deception, as a new law banning the unlawful use of AI-generated deepfake content has been signed into law, officials announced.  The legislation, passed unanimously by the Westchester County Board of Legislators, criminalizes the creation and distribution of deceptive digital media, including altered images, videos, voices, and other AI-generated likenesses used to spread false information or impersonate individuals, county officials announced on Wednesday, Feb. 27.  The bill, spearheaded by Legislator Judah …

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by Ben Crnic
Arlington, VA
News
Musicians Push Congress To Stop Corporate Radio From Dodging Royalties Musicians Push Congress To Stop Corporate Radio From Dodging Royalties
Musicians Push Congress To Stop Corporate Radio From Dodging Royalties Hundreds of music legends and rising stars are calling on Congress to make major radio companies equitably pay artists when their songs are played on air. Popular 90s R&B group Boyz II Men met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for the American Music Fairness Act, a bill aiming to require corporate radio stations to compensate performers while protecting small, local broadcasters. The meeting happened on Thursday, Feb. 13 to coincide with World Radio Day. The Philadelphia-based singers of the hit song "End of the Road" spoke with three leaders in the House of Represent…

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by Chris Spiker