Our Latest Articles
Can Kamala Harris overcome her challenges?
After months of fear-mongering that democracy is at risk, the Democrats invoked the very layered and opaque delegate process to appoint a nominee not listed as a choice on any primary ballot, given she filed to run for president on July 21, 2024, the day Biden dropped out of the race.
Earliest ever Category 5 hurricane paints a dire picture of the new normal climate changed world
Hurricane Beryl, the strongest hurricane recorded in the Caribbean since 2005 and the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever observed in the Atlantic Ocean, devastated the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in its path across the Caribbean. The prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a small island developing state, spoke with Public Square Amplified’s executive director about the widespread devastation, the nation’s appeal for aid and the broader meaning of the increasingly powerful storms afflicting the planet.
Reimagining our co-existence
The historical and ongoing struggle for Black equality in America is a narrative woven from resilience, sacrifice, and a persistent yearning for true equity within our nation. What does it say about America today that this remains a yearning?
As war rages on, Rutgers University raids encampment and evicts its residents
On Sunday, June 9, at about 7 a.m., dozens of Rutgers police raided and then evicted a peaceable assembly – an encampment – of Newark residents and Rutgers University students at the institution’s Newark campus. The raid occurred without warning.
Newsrooms are stuck in an ongoing cycle of hiring, then firing BIPOC reporters
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.
A river cleanup effort is raising awareness and pushing for action on flooding
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.
A history of flooding — and broken promises — in Morristown’s Black community
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.
Teens push for the right to vote, but civic education remains ambiguous
In January, Newark became the first city in New Jersey to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in local school board elections. It was a major victory for student advocates, who are now building on the momentum to win the franchise in other cities.
Where have all the midwives gone? The campaign against Black midwives and its impact on Black maternal outcomes
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.
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