Free Republic

The National Republican Congressional Committee pulled its support for a New Jersey attorney, radio host and pundit who posted an article calling African-Americans "a threat to all who cross their paths." Seth Grossman won the GOP nomination in the June 5 primary for the 2nd Congressional District seat vacated by retiring Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.). The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting the seat for a red-to-blue switch, and the party nominated state Sen. Jeff Van Drew to face Grossman in November. But now, the NRCC wants Grossman to drop out. "Bigotry has no place in society -- let alone...

The two victims were identified by neighbors as John Paladino, 73, and Carole Paladino, 72 A husband and wife died in an early morning explosion that obliterated a house, blasting debris as far as six houses away and rattling an entire South Jersey town, officials said. The two victims were identified by neighbors as John Paladino, 73, and Carole Paladino, 72. No foul play is suspected, the prosecutor's office said in a statement. The blast that destroyed the home on the 300 block Oakwood Drive in Newfield, New Jersey was initially reported about 6:45 a.m. Saturday and could be felt...

A fatal early morning explosion that obliterated a two-story house and killed a couple jolted people from their beds as much as a mile and a half away, and sent waves of shock and sadness through the small community of Newfield. "It breaks your heart," said Wayne Ingling, a friend of the couple who lives in nearby North Vineland. "These are people that went to bed last night like everybody else and they don't get to wake up today." John, 73, and Carole Paladino, 72, were the only people inside the Oakwood Drive home when it exploded around 6:15 a.m.,...

A doctor who has lived in Verona for 20 years intends to open an Islamic Center at the site of the former Congregation Beth Ahm synagogue at 56 Grove Avenue. Dr. Montaser Awad built a career as a specialist in internal medicine and is now a professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. But he believes it is also his duty to create a compelling place of worship for his fellow Muslims and to build bridges between Islam and the community he has come to love. “I am 63 years old,” Dr. Awad says. “I have a position and I...

New Jersey governor Phil Murphy is expected to sign a bill that would dedicate $5 million in government funding to local media projects. The so-called “Civic Info Bill” was passed by the state legislature in June and will create the Civic Information Consortium, a nonprofit organization that gives grants to promote media in “underserved communities, low-income communities and communities of color.” Applicants apply for grants by proposing a “collaboration” between one of five public universities and a community organization, a media outlet, or a member of the state’s technology sector. The proposal must also “offer a clear benefit to communities.”...

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy approved legislation Tuesday that will permit transgender individuals to legally alter the sex that is recorded on birth and death certificates. The law Murphy signed demands that New Jersey’s Registrar of Vital Statistics provide an amended birth certificate to transgender individuals and no longer requires them to provide documentation of sex reassignment surgery. "Today is an important day for New Jersey as we continue to strive toward equality for all of our residents, regardless of sex or gender expression," Murphy, a Democrat, said in statement. "Allowing vital records to match gender identity is an important...

American Idol Finalist Says It'll Be An Honor to Perform at White House – It's About Patriotism By Rusty | Featured Contributor | July 2, 2018 3:34PM "American Idol" finalist Jax, isn't towing the Hollywood/music/sports industry line, saying she finds the chance to perform at the White House to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."I think it's kinda a really unfortunate thing people can't separate politics and patriotism," she told TMZ, explaining that her family has a strong military background.It's not about her or the President."I think it's about honoring our troops and celebrating the birthday of our country," she said.President Trump and...

Call it the consummate New Jersey compromise. Governor Phil Murphy and State Senate leader Steve Sweeney have been fighting over whether to raise tax rates on individuals or businesses, and over the weekend they decided to raise taxes on both. Messrs. Murphy and Sweeney agreed to raise the state’s income tax on residents making more than $5 million to 10.75% from 8.97% and the corporate rate on companies with more than $1 million in income to 11.5% from 9%. This will give New Jersey the fourth highest marginal income tax rate on individuals and the second highest corporate rate after...

Gerald Papa and Jenna Buchholtz’s wedding at Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster Township, New Jersey received a surprise guest on Friday in the form of none other than the president of the United States. President Trump, who has made a habit out of popping in on occasional summer weddings taking place on his properties, “crashed” Papa and Buchholtz’s wedding and reportedly shook a few hands, posed for some pictures, and even stole a kiss from the bride before he left. “Take good care of them, folks,” Trump told the crowd before giving Jenna Buchholtz a quick peck on the...

Getting the Supreme Court Back on Track Federal Judge Slams Justice Department for Stonewalling on ‘Russiagate’ Judicial Watch Files Complaint Against Rep. Waters for Inciting Violence and Assaults Happy Independence Day! Getting the Supreme Court Back on Track We are pleased that Justice Kennedy’s retirement from the Supreme Court will provide President Trump another opportunity to nominate a constitutional conservative who will honor the Constitution and the rule of law, rather than legislate from the bench. And the U.S. Senate should move quickly to work with President Trump to consider and approve a new justice who will apply the...

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker (D.) suggested blocking President Donald Trump's upcoming Supreme Court nomination on Thursday, saying it should be halted because the president is under "criminal investigation." In the wake of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's announced retirement, MSNBC's Ari Melber asked Booker how he can take a position on Trump's future nominee without knowing who it is. "This president is the subject of a criminal investigation," Booker said. "Here you have a president that's making a whole lot of loyalty tests and other things from people." Booker also said the future justice could end up presiding over...

"This president is the subject of a criminal investigation," Booker said. "Here you have a president that's making a whole lot of loyalty tests and other things from people." While Special Counsel Robert Mueller told Trump's lawyers in March he is under investigation, Trump is not considered a "criminal target," . . . Booker testified as a character witness on behalf of his colleague Sen. Bob Menendez (D., N.J.), when he was on trial for public corruption for accepting bribes from his long-time friend Dr. Salomon Melgen, in exchange for political favors.

The parent of a child killed in the Parkland shooting massacre ripped New Jersey state Senate President Stephen Sweeney on social media for not publicly supporting Gov. Phil Murphy's push to increase fees for buying and selling firearms in the state. The move, which Murphy has pressed for months, was part of the budget proposal the Democratic governor sent to legislative leaders from his own party in June. But it was not included in the budget passed by the state Senate and Assembly last week, leading to outcry from gun control advocates. Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed in...

SECAUCUS – The high school principal suspended in April over his handling of a student who was allegedly caught with marijuana and a knife has suffered emotional distress, embarrassment, and damage to his chiropractic office as a result, according to a notice sent to the school district. Dr. Robert Berckes has signaled his intent to file a lawsuit of up to $5 million against Secaucus Superintendent Jennifer Montesano and all nine members of the school board. As many as 10 additional defendants could be added to the potential lawsuit.

The latest resistance plan against President Donald Trump's 2020 election campaign includes attempts in at least 25 states to pass a law that requires presidential candidates to release their tax returns to appear on the ballot. President Trump is the only modern-day president to refuse to release his personal tax returns, so conceivably a law passed to require that could block him from the ballot. The issue with that trolling plan is no state has been able to officially pass a law requiring it. Even deep blue California and New Jersey have vetoed the laws after it had passed both...

The bitter war of words between Democrats that could lead to another state government shutdown in New Jersey raged into the night during the year's longest day. The state's Democrat-controlled Legislature defied Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy by passing their own state budget Thursday night, despite the new governor's vow to veto it. And the body's top lawmaker accused Murphy of being dishonest and dictatorial. That came hours after closed-door negotiations broke down, with Murphy standing by his tax hike proposals and alleging his fellow Democrats are foolishly following in the footsteps of the state's previous -- unpopular -- governor, Republican...

Guns have been made by individuals as long as there have been guns. In the United States, it has always been legal to own the means of production to make your own guns. It has always been legal to make your own. Hobbyists have been making firearms as long as the United States has existed. The national war on the Second Amendment started in the 1930's. Passed in 1934, the National Firearms Act required a license to make some guns for commercial sale. A federal tax stamp was required to own short barreled rifles and shotguns, and guns that can...

In the battle against litter in the Garden State, plastic bags have been public enemy number one. Several municipalities, mostly along the Shore, have acted on their own to limit plastic bag use either through fees or bans. But for years, efforts for statewide regulation of the bags has failed to gain traction. Now, state lawmakers have decided that it is time to move forward. A new fee on plastic and paper shopping bags is being pushed through the state legislature: The bill cleared budget committees in both the Assembly and Senate on Tuesday and could be passed as early...

A federal judge on Wednesday refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Chatham mother who says the school district forced her son to watch Islamic conversion videos and ignored the study of Christianity and Judaism. Libby Hilsenrath filed the lawsuit, on behalf of her child (identified as C.H. in the suit), against the Chatham School District and Board of Education, as well as the superintendent, assistant superintendent, middle school principal, Social Studies supervisor, and two Social Studies teachers. Judge Kevin McNulty said in the decision, on a motion filed by the school district's attorney to dismiss the lawsuit, that...

A top Republican state lawmaker says there's a reason Gov. Phil Murphy is battling with his fellow Democrats over the state budget: He's planning to run for president. State Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick said Murphy has to be talking to a "national audience" as he continues to push of this tax hikes despite opposition from top state lawmakers who hail from his own party. "He must be talking to somebody," Bramnick, R-Union, said during a news conference with top New Jersey Republicans in Trenton on Thursday morning to highlight the budget fight.