Civil Rights + Immigration
Lawmakers’ push to protect workers from excessive heat criticized by business groups
At least 436 people died from heat exposure between 2011 and 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Governor Murphy backs jury service for those with felony convictions
New Jersey's prohibition on jury service for those with felony convictions is among the strictest in the nation.
U.S. House speaker leading congressional push to curb campus protests over Gaza
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said college protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza have crossed the line and threaten Jewish students.
Trump says he’d use police, National Guard and possibly the military to expel immigrants
Trump vowed to use police, the National Guard and maybe the military for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants if he wins another term.
Court rejects constitutional challenge of law shielding public officials’ addresses
Journalist Charlie Kratovil lost his appeal in his constitutional challenge of Daniel's Law. He plans to ask the state Supreme Court to act.
IVF and tech-assisted fertility treatments would be protected in New Jersey under new bill
Assisted reproductive technology, which includes treatments like in vitro fertilization, would be a civil right in N.J. under a new bill.
Botched Essex County bust shows need for better police misconduct disclosure, advocates say
The state Public Defender and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey say prosecutors who fail to reveal officers' misconduct in criminal cases should face penalties.
Appeals court rejects forced medication of mentally ill criminal defendant
Judges must prioritize defendants' rights to a fair trial and bodily autonomy when mulling forced medication to restore competency, an appeals panel ruled.
GOP, Trump build on immigration fears to push voting restrictions in states
Concern over illegal immigration and border security was Donald Trump’s central campaign issue when he won the presidency in 2016, and polls show it as the GOP’s most potent political weapon again in 2024.
A ‘deeply divided’ Congress took no major action on civil rights in 2023, report finds
The last time Congress passed civil rights legislation that was signed into law was in 2022 — for example, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act of 2022 that makes lynching a federal crime.
N.J. in talks to settle lawsuit that aims to halt storage of baby blood spots
Attorney General Matt Platkin has asked the court for indefinite pause so talks can continue over state's handling of newborn blood spots.
Nex Benedict’s death ruled a suicide in medical examiner’s report
Benedict’s cause of death was from consuming medication, according to the medical examiner.