Debates at city hall have been called lots of things by lots of people — obfuscatory, corrupt, insulting, biased, protective of special interests, among countless others. But the discourse has rarely been called or considered “art.” In New Brunswick, coLAB Arts is implementing a new program, “Documenters,” part of a nationwide effort, to provide community residents with reports on the discussions and decisions that occur at public meetings. But coLAB Arts isn’t stopping there — it also plans to leverage the reporting to inspire and support the creation of art. Ultimately, this art inspires, catalyzes and drives community engagement — a key aspect of the organization’s mission.

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, news leaders across the country made a flurry of promises: They made commitments to diversify stories, sourcing and staff; to question statements by authorities; and to lead the charge on equity — both in the newsroom and in communities served by the outlet.  Now, just four years after Floyd’s death, journalists across the nation are being squeezed out, laid off or shifted to other beats as newsrooms move on, contending with an evergreen funding problem. Many of them are young, BIPOC journalists who will either be burned out or laid off.  Unfortunately, there is a pattern to this.

Flooding in areas of Morristown has caused significant damage to property — and forced many Black residents to leave over the years. Residents use the annual Whippany River cleanup to raise awareness of the flooding problem — and push government officials to address it. In this news video, they speak of the history and their hope for resolution.

Numerous studies have confirmed that flooding is a problem in Morristown. But nothing has been done about it for years. Will a new study finally lead to action? Emma Uk looked into it.

In 2020, New Jersey legislators enacted a ban on single-use plastic bags. It's working, says Siva Jonnada in a new column for Public Square Amplified. Critics cite a flawed study to suggest otherwise, though. "Like any new law, there are going to be problems which need to be overcome, but the early flaws that critics are finding are no reason to claim the plastic bag ban is a 'spectacular failure,'" he writes. "On the contrary, I am sure we will find more successes than failures and will continue to see concrete results."

In our final installment, three women journalists discuss the importance of owning one’s narrative and identity within a media landscape grappling with the construct of modern journalism — ideas that shape many of the concepts confronting white and non-White journalists including inclusivity, bias and objectivity.

As increasing attention at the national and state level is focused on the racial disparities in maternal health care, New Jersey continues to be plagued with staggering maternal and infant mortality rates. Currently ranked 29th in the country for maternal deaths, New Jersey has one of the widest racial disparities for maternal and infant mortality, with Black mothers in New Jersey nearly seven times more likely than White mothers to die from maternity-related complications. Black babies in New Jersey are nearly three times more likely than White babies to die before their first birthday. 

As a young Jewish woman, I try to hold on to hope for a future in which my people aren’t marked forever by Israel’s actions, for the blood on the hands of the once-oppressed-now-oppressors. But in a world where the Holocaust’s existence is questioned, I hope that the plight of the Palestinians is remembered, and remembered well.

In this exclusive column for Public Square Amplified, senatorial candidate Lawrence Hamm, founder of the People’s Organization for Progress, explains his decision to vote “uncommitted” in the upcoming New Jersey presidential primary, taking place June 4. Hamm is the only candidate in the primary who has said he will vote “uncommitted” to protest the war in Gaza.