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2025 NJSLA Results Show Charter Schools Outpacing District Peers

By
Moses Lookman
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The New Jersey Department of Education released the spring 2025 New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) results last week, providing updated insight into student performance in reading and math across all public school districts. The data shows that charter schools continue to post strong outcomes, particularly in urban communities with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students.

Statewide, charter schools serve about 64,000 students. More than three-quarters of these students, or 76%, come from economically disadvantaged households, and a large majority are students of color. Across all charter schools, 51.9% of students demonstrated reading proficiency, compared with a statewide average of 53.1%.

Key Takeaways
  • Charter school students in New Jersey’s largest cities are far more likely to meet grade-level reading and math standards than students in district schools.
  • Jersey City and Newark charter schools exceed the statewide reading proficiency rate, while Plainfield and Paterson outperform their own pre-pandemic benchmarks.
  • Charter schools primarily serve economically disadvantaged and diverse student populations while continuing to demonstrate measurable academic progress.

Jersey City and Newark Charter Schools Post Reading Rates Above the State

Jersey City charter schools recorded the highest reading proficiency results in the state. The city has 11 charter schools enrolling nearly 7,000 students. Student demographics show that 34% are Black, 32% are Latino, 22% are Asian, and 14% are White. Roughly two-thirds of students, or about 66%, are economically disadvantaged. The 2025 NJSLA data shows that 58.6% of Jersey City charter students are reading at grade level, which is 5.5 percentage points higher than the statewide rate.

In Newark, charter schools also exceeded the state average in reading for the third consecutive year. The city enrolls about 20,000 charter school students, with 85% coming from low-income backgrounds. Results from the 2025 assessment show that 53.6% of Newark charter students achieved proficiency levels 4 or 5 in English language arts, slightly higher than the statewide proficiency rate of 53.1%. Both district-run and charter schools in Newark have recorded steady academic improvement over recent years.

Robert Treat Academy Charter School in Newark surpassed the statewide reading proficiency rate by 17 percentage points, even though the school serves nearly twice the share of economically disadvantaged students compared with the state as a whole.

Charter Students Consistently Outperform District Peers in Major Cities

A closer review of assessment results across six cities with the largest charter school enrollments—Newark, Camden, Paterson, Trenton, Jersey City, and Plainfield—shows similar trends. Charter school students in these cities are, on average, 71% more likely to read at grade level and 65% more likely to meet grade-level expectations in math than students attending district schools.

When viewed statewide, charter students are about half again as likely to reach grade-level reading standards, or 50% more likely, and nearly half again as likely, or 47% more likely, to meet math standards compared with district peers. These figures reflect the share of students scoring at proficiency levels 4 or 5 on the NJSLA in English language arts and mathematics.

The New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association points to instructional focus, extended school days, additional professional development, and consistent school culture as factors connected to these outcomes.

Plainfield and Paterson Charter Schools Exceed Pre-Pandemic Reading Benchmarks

Plainfield operates five charter schools serving approximately 3,300 students. Among this group, 84% are from economically disadvantaged households, and 14% are multilingual learners. Reading proficiency among Plainfield charter students rose from 39.9% in 2019 to 51.2% in 2025, marking a double-digit increase beyond pre-pandemic levels.

In Paterson, charter schools serve around 7,400 students, with 86% identified as economically disadvantaged. Alongside easing overcrowding in district schools, Paterson charters posted reading proficiency rates of 48.7% in 2025, surpassing the city’s 2019 pre-pandemic rate of 47.1%.

Queen City Academy Charter School in Plainfield, a K–12 school enrolling 506 students, also exceeded its pre-pandemic reading proficiency level. At Queen City, 87% of students are economically disadvantaged. The school’s 2025 results show reading proficiency that is 12 percentage points higher than the statewide average, supported by data-driven instruction, personalized learning strategies, and added academic supports such as weekday and Saturday academies.

Trenton Charter Schools Represent a Majority of Grade-Level Readers

Trenton charter schools serve about 4,200 students. Of these students, 85% are economically disadvantaged, 10% receive special education services, and 9% are multilingual learners. Analysis of 2025 results shows that charter students in Trenton are four and a half times more likely to read at grade level than their district peers.

Although charter schools enroll about one-fifth, or 20%, of Trenton’s public school students, they account for nearly three-fifths, or close to 60%, of all students reading at grade level in the city. Foundation Academy Charter School in Trenton reported a 22 percentage point increase in reading proficiency since 2022 and is now performing above pre-pandemic levels while approaching the statewide average.

Camden Schools Record Faster Growth Than the State Average

Camden district, charter, and renaissance schools have shown accelerated improvement compared with statewide trends. The share of Camden students reading at grade level increased from 17% in 2022 to 27% in 2025, reflecting a 10 percentage point gain that more than doubled the statewide improvement rate over the same period.

From 2024 to 2025, Camden charter and renaissance schools also posted year-over-year gains, with reading proficiency rising by 4.2 percentage points and math proficiency increasing by 3.3 percentage points across all grade levels.

Hidden Live-Music Venues in Hudson County You’ve Never Heard Of

By
Moses Lookman
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It started on a Wednesday night that felt like every other — too quiet, too long, and too digital. I’d spent the week staring at screens, half-listening to playlists while answering emails, and I realized I couldn’t remember the last time music had actually demanded my attention. Not background noise. Not something to fill silence. I missed the physical feeling of sound — the low vibration of bass in your chest, the collective hush before a song begins.

So I decided to spend a few weekends wandering Hudson County with no press invites and no checklist, looking for places where live music still feels intimate. No big stages, no velvet ropes — just rooms where people come to listen. What I found wasn’t a nightlife guide. It was a loose network of venues quietly keeping live music alive across Jersey City and Hoboken.

The First Note: Fox & Crow, Jersey City Heights

Fox & Crow sits on Palisade Avenue in Jersey City Heights, the kind of place you could walk past a dozen times without realizing what happens inside after dark. From the outside, it looks like a neighborhood bar — warm lights, simple signage, nothing flashy. That’s part of the appeal.

The first night I went, the front room was calm: a few couples talking softly, bartenders polishing glasses. But from behind a curtain in the back, I could hear music building — upright bass, brushed drums, a guitar line threading through the room. When I stepped inside, the energy shifted immediately.

The backroom holds maybe thirty people, and everyone was listening. Not watching phones, not shouting over the band — listening. I was in awe; for someone like me, pretty gadgets-addicted, seeing people not staring at their screens was almost surreal. 

A blues trio played without amplification tricks, letting the room do the work. Between songs, you could hear glasses clink and someone inhale sharply before applause.

I ordered a drink and stayed longer than planned. Covers are usually modest or free early in the night, and the crowd skews local — musicians, regulars, people who know when to stop talking. This is what live music in Jersey City can feel like when the room is built for sound, not spectacle.

The Search Expands: River Street Garage Bar, Hoboken

A week later, I crossed into Hoboken chasing a tip from a friend who texted, “There’s a place behind the garage — trust me.” River Street Garage Bar doesn’t advertise itself well. Getting there feels like following bad directions on purpose.

You pass brighter bars and busy lounges, then slip down a narrow side entrance that feels almost accidental. Inside, the space opens into a low-ceilinged room strung with lights, the kind of place where musicians and audience exist on the same level — literally and figuratively.

Thursday nights are usually jazz-focused. The night I visited, a trio of local musicians played stripped-down standards, leaving space between notes. People hushed each other when a solo started. The bartender poured drinks quietly, like part of the performance.

What struck me most was how unpretentious it felt. No one was there to be seen. They were there because this room offers something increasingly rare in Hoboken: a place where live music takes priority over atmosphere.

Drinks are reasonably priced, covers are low, and the programming changes often. If you’re looking for live music in Hoboken that doesn’t feel performative, this is the kind of place that rewards curiosity.

The Soul of the County: Moore’s Lounge, Jersey City

By the time I made it to Moore’s Lounge on Monticello Avenue, I already understood that Hudson County’s live-music scene survives on continuity. Moore’s has been hosting live jazz and R&B for decades, and the room carries that history.

The space is tight. The stage barely fits a quartet. The walls are lined with old photographs — musicians mid-performance, faces half-lit by stage lights. When I went on a Saturday night, the door person told me, “Come back after ten if you want the real show.” He was right.

When the band started, the room went still. A saxophonist took a solo that lasted several minutes, and no one rushed it. People nodded along, holding plastic cups like they were fragile. It wasn’t nostalgic. It was alive.

Moore’s doesn’t chase trends, and it doesn’t need to. It exists because it’s consistent. If you’re searching for a jazz club in Jersey City that prioritizes musicianship over branding, this is it.

The Unexpected: Pet Shop Basement

Not all discoveries came from recommendations. One weekend, I was wandering downtown Jersey City when I followed a sound down a flight of stairs into Pet Shop’s basement on Newark Avenue.

Upstairs, it’s a familiar bar — casual, friendly, busy. Downstairs, it turns into one of the most spontaneous live-music spaces in Hudson County. Bands play close to the crowd, sometimes inches away. The sound isn’t always perfect. That’s part of the charm.

The night I went, a surf-rock band played to about twenty-five people. The bassist was barefoot. The singer forgot a verse and laughed it off. The crowd responded like they were watching friends, not strangers.

Pet Shop’s basement feels temporary in the best way — shows pop up, lineups change, and nothing feels overproduced. It’s a reminder that live music doesn’t need polish to matter.

Why These Places Still Exist

Across these venues, a pattern emerged. None of them are designed for scale. They survive because they create conditions for attention — rooms small enough to hold sound, audiences willing to listen, and owners who prioritize music over margins.

In a county changing rapidly, with rents rising and bars turning into concepts, these spaces persist because they’ve built trust. People return because they remember how it felt to be there.

They don’t rely on algorithms. They rely on word of mouth.

Practical Notes for Finding Them

If you’re planning to explore Hudson County’s live-music scene, a few things help. Arrive early. Sit near the back if you want to listen without distraction. Talk to bartenders — they usually know where the next set is happening.

Covers are typically low, often under $15, and many shows are free earlier in the evening. These are not places that require planning weeks ahead. They reward spontaneity.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t set out to map Hudson County’s music scene. I just wanted to feel music again. What I found were rooms where sound still matters, where people show up to listen, and where live performance feels shared rather than staged.

These venues don’t announce themselves loudly. You find them by paying attention — and once you do, you start hearing the county differently.

5th Annual Robert Burns Supper Celebrates Scottish Poet and Tradition

By
Moses Lookman
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The 5th Annual Robert Burns Supper is scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026, and will honor the life and work of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. The event follows the long-established Burns Night tradition, observed each January near Burns’ birthday, and centers on poetry, music, and traditional Scottish food.

The event is open to the public for guests age 21 and over and will be held at Hoboken Elks Lodge 74, located at 1005 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner at approximately 7:30 PM, and concludes at 10:00 PM.

Key Takeaways
  • Hoboken will host its 5th Annual Robert Burns Supper on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
  • Guests will enjoy a full traditional Scottish dinner, open bar, live music, poetry, and bagpipes for $80 per person.
  • All proceeds are split evenly between the Hoboken Elks Lodge maintenance fund and the American Legion Post 107 Veterans Center of Hoboken.

Venue, Schedule, and Program Overview

The supper will be hosted in the first-floor hall of the Hoboken Elks Lodge, where all activities will take place. The program includes drinks, live music, poetry readings, and bagpipe performances. Musical entertainment will feature The Shire Rats, along with traditional Scottish music.

Poems by Robert Burns will be read throughout the evening, reflecting the purpose of a Burns Supper as a cultural and literary gathering. The program follows traditional Burns Night customs that combine spoken word, music, and a shared meal.

Menu, Beverages, Tickets, Dress Code, and Beneficiaries

Guests will be offered light snacks during the cocktail hour, followed by a starter of Potato and Leek Soup. The main course includes Smoked Salmon, Neeps & Tatties (roasted rutabaga and potatoes), Roast Leg of Lamb, Roast Beef, and Haggis. Shortbread Cookies will be served for dessert.

The ticket includes an open bar offering Scotch whiskies, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.

Tickets are $80 per person and must be purchased in advance. Admission covers dinner, open bar, and live entertainment. Payment is accepted by cash, check made payable to Hoboken Elks 74, PayPal (@michaeljramus), or Venmo (@MichaelRamus or @Mandee-Bellarosa). Payments may be made through Past Exalted Ruler Mandee Bellarosa or Exalted Ruler Michael Ramus.

Guests are encouraged to wear tartans or kilts, though business casual attire is also appropriate. The event is not formal.

Half of the proceeds will go toward the Hoboken Elks Lodge maintenance fund, supporting upkeep and improvements to the lodge. The remaining half will benefit American Legion Post 107 and its charitable arm, the Veterans Center of Hoboken, which is expanding facilities to provide secure and affordable housing, physical and mental health care, and employment opportunities for veterans.

The event is held under NJABC Special Affairs Permit 150260. For questions or additional information, contact Michael Ramus at [email protected], reach out to Mandee Bellarosa at [email protected], or speak with a lodge officer.

Beyond Broadway: Exploring Jersey City’s Independent Theater Scene

By
Moses Lookman
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I didn’t plan to write about theater this month. I was supposed to cover another restaurant opening — more cocktails, more recycled phrases about “vibrant local culture.” But one Saturday night in Jersey City changed that plan entirely. A friend invited me to a small performance at Art House Productions on Marin Boulevard, and what I saw there reminded me why live performance still matters in an age dominated by screens.

What struck me wasn’t polish or scale. It was proximity. I could hear the actor breathe between lines. I could feel the room reacting as one organism. That night sent me down a rabbit hole, exploring Jersey City and nearby New Jersey theaters that are quietly doing something powerful — building community through live storytelling.

Why Jersey City’s Theater Scene Feels Different

Jersey City has always existed between worlds. Close enough to Manhattan to feel its cultural gravity, yet independent enough to cultivate its own creative identity. The local theater scene reflects that balance. Instead of chasing Broadway aesthetics, these venues focus on intimacy, experimentation, and stories that resonate locally.

This isn’t about comparison. It’s about intention. Jersey City theaters are designed for audiences who want to be present — not dazzled, but engaged.

Art House Productions: The Heartbeat

Walking into Art House Productions feels less like entering a theater and more like stepping into a creative commons. The lobby buzzes quietly, gallery walls rotate local artwork, and the performance space itself encourages closeness.

I attended an original production in their black-box theater, where minimal staging put the entire focus on the actors. The performance wasn’t flawless — and that was the point. The emotional honesty carried the room. After the show, audience members stayed for a Q&A, discussing themes, choices, and process. It felt participatory rather than transactional.

Art House Productions has grown from grassroots beginnings into a cornerstone of Jersey City’s cultural life, and its success shows how much appetite there is for locally driven theater.

Jersey City Theater Center: Where Risk Is Welcome

A few blocks away, Jersey City Theater Center operates with a different but complementary mission. This is a space where boundaries blur — between theater, dance, spoken word, and film.

The night I visited, the performance focused on migration and identity. There were no elaborate sets, just bodies and voices occupying space. The intimacy forced attentiveness. You couldn’t hide behind distraction.

What makes JCTC compelling is its willingness to take risks. Programming isn’t built around ticket sales alone but around conversation. It’s the kind of place that attracts curious audiences and artists willing to challenge them.

The Stanley Theater: History Still Breathing

Not all Jersey City theater is small-scale. The Stanley Theater near Journal Square offers a glimpse into the city’s theatrical past. Built in the 1920s, it’s a grand space — chandeliers, murals, and acoustics that fill your chest.

Attending a performance there feels ceremonial. Yet it remains deeply connected to the community, hosting concerts, cultural events, and programming that keeps the space alive rather than preserved behind glass.

The Stanley reminds you that New Jersey’s theater history didn’t begin yesterday — it evolved, adapted, and continues.

Beyond Hudson County: New Jersey Repertory Company

To understand the wider ecosystem, I drove south to Long Branch to visit the New Jersey Repertory Company. Their focus is new work — original plays developed and premiered in an intimate setting.

The production I saw balanced professionalism with vulnerability. The actors were polished, but the story felt immediate. It was proof that regional theaters can deliver work that resonates nationally while staying grounded locally.

Why These Spaces Matter

Across these venues, a pattern emerged. None were trying to “compete.” Instead, they were cultivating trust — between artist and audience. In a time when entertainment is endlessly scrollable, these theaters demand presence.

Jersey City’s theater scene works because it values connection over spectacle. And that’s exactly why it deserves attention.

I started this journey expecting a few good nights out. I ended it convinced that Jersey City theater represents something essential: a reminder that storytelling works best when it happens up close, in shared space, without distraction.

Transference – Torridon & Wester Ross at Novado Gallery

By
Moses Lookman
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Novado Gallery in Jersey City is presenting Transference – Torridon & Wester Ross, a solo photography exhibition by Scottish-born, Jersey City–based artist Susan MacDonald. The exhibition is on view from December 18, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and is free and open to the public. This exhibition is MacDonald’s second solo show at Novado Gallery.

The exhibition is curated by Anne Novado and Eleazar Sanchez and centers on MacDonald’s recent body of work created in Scotland’s northwest Highlands, specifically in the regions of Torridon and Wester Ross.

Key Takeaways
  • “Transference – Torridon & Wester Ross” is a solo photography exhibition by Susan MacDonald, presented at Novado Gallery from December 18, 2025, to January 31, 2026.
  • The exhibition uses intentional camera movement photography to translate the atmosphere, memory, and geological history of Torridon and Wester Ross in Scotland’s northwest Highlands.
  • The opening reception on Thursday, December 18, featured a live bagpipe procession and performance by Jerry Dixon, “The NYC Piper,” and was free and open to the public.

Susan MacDonald’s Approach to Landscape Photography

In Transference, Susan MacDonald presents photographs that focus on land and light through the use of intentional camera movement. Her work explores transitional spaces where loch meets hill, weather meets memory, and motion meets stillness. The images focus on duration and sensation, capturing elements such as wind moving across water, the fading afterglow of dusk, and gradual changes in weather.

The photographs are abstract in nature and encourage close viewing. The pacing of the images aligns with memory, inviting viewers to slow down and experience subtle shifts in color, tone, and movement across each composition.

Torridon and Wester Ross as Source Landscapes

Torridon and Wester Ross carry long geological and cultural histories. The regions contain some of the oldest rock formations in Europe and were shaped by ancient glaciation. They are also connected to centuries of Gaelic heritage and crofting traditions, which contribute layers of history, myth, and human presence to the land.

MacDonald’s work engages with these landscapes by focusing on what the land holds over time, translating geological age, cultural continuity, and environmental change into visual form.

Artist Statement and Concept of Transference

In her artist statement, Susan MacDonald explains that her work explores the boundaries between perception and memory through intentional camera movement photography. Each image is created in-camera and functions as a translation of fleeting emotion and atmosphere, described as an act of transference from the external world to an internal, felt experience.

MacDonald uses deliberate, painterly camera movements to allow landscapes to dissolve into abstraction. The images invite viewers to step closer and become immersed in the interplay of color, light, and motion. Her work focuses on releasing a moment and allowing familiar forms to blur, shift, and change.

Within the context of Transference, MacDonald poses questions about what people carry with them from the places they pass through and how memory transforms perception. Each piece invites viewers to pause and engage with transformation through quiet observation.

Curatorial Context

Curators Anne Novado and Eleazar Sanchez describe the work as a contemplative reimagining of place. “Susan’s work offers a contemplative reimagining of place,” they said. “Her images allow us to experience the Highlands through movement, atmosphere, and emotional depth rather than through mere representation.”

Their curatorial approach supports the exhibition’s focus on movement, atmosphere, and emotional experience as central elements of MacDonald’s photographic process.

Exhibition Catalog and Featured Works

The exhibition includes limited-edition intentional camera movement photographs printed on aluminum. One featured work is Light Sleeps on the Loch, measuring 40″ x 30″ and produced in an edition of five. The image was created at Loch Maree, a freshwater loch shaped by glaciers that stretches about 12 miles and sits beneath peaks such as Slioch. Loch Maree contains more than sixty islands, some of which preserve rare remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewoods with trees that have stood for centuries. The loch provides habitat for wildlife, including the black-throated diver, a rare breeding bird in the United Kingdom. Nearby Isle Maree includes a chapel, a holy well linked to Saint Mael Ruba, and a wishing tree decorated with coins. The image captures a moment when softened light and weather simplified the scene into gentle tones, reflections, and haze.

Another featured work is Where Light Meets Water, also measuring 40″ x 30″ and produced in an edition of five. This photograph was captured at Loch Coulin on the Coulin Estate in Wester Ross. The area is formed from ancient rock and shaped by changing Highland weather. The image conveys a sense of peace, isolation, and constant change within the landscape.

Opening Reception and Public Events

The exhibition opened on Thursday, December 18, with a reception held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The event began with a bagpipe procession led by Jerry Dixon, known as “The NYC Piper,” who led guests from the corner of Warren and Morgan Streets to the gallery. The performance introduced Scottish cultural tradition into the evening and set the tone for the exhibition experience. The reception also included brief remarks from Susan MacDonald and a Scottish-themed warm drink.

Novado Gallery Location and Background

Novado Gallery LLC opened in December 2016 and is located at 110 Morgan Street in Jersey City, New Jersey, within the Modera Lofts between Washington and Warren Streets. The gallery is two blocks from the downtown waterfront and minutes by train from the World Trade Center to Grove Street. Ferry service is available from Manhattan to Harborside or Exchange Place.

The gallery maintains an inventory of artworks on paper and canvas and provides services including art installation, art commissions for specific projects, and museum-quality custom framing for corporate and private clients throughout the East Coast. Novado Gallery’s programming includes exhibitions and events such as artist talks, panel discussions, and gallery tours designed to encourage dialogue and meaningful interaction between art and its audience.

Jets GM Darren Mougey Confident Jets Can Rebound After 3–14 Season

By
Paulius Kundzelevicius
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Darren Mougey met with reporters last Tuesday at the Jets’ facility, two days after New York closed a 3–14 season that extended the franchise’s playoff drought to 15 straight years. Mougey appeared alongside head coach Aaron Glenn during the season wrap-up news conference, closing out their first year working together in their current roles.

“I believe we can be competitive and respectable right away, next year,” Mougey said.

The comments followed a season that ended sharply. The Jets lost their final five games and were outscored 188–54 during that stretch, leaving little doubt about the scale of the team’s struggles.

Key Takeaways
  • Jets general manager Darren Mougey believes the team can be “competitive and respectable” as soon as next season, despite finishing 3–14.
  • The Jets will “exhaust every option” at quarterback using major draft assets and more than $74 million in cap space.
  • Major roster and coaching decisions, including the defensive coordinator role and the future of Justin Fields and Breece Hall, will shape a critical offseason.

On-Field Results and How the Jets Are Viewed

Multiple decisions contributed to the late-season collapse, including the move to start Justin Fields at quarterback and the hiring of Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator, who was later dismissed.

Fields started nine games before being benched and finished the season on injured reserve with a knee injury. The offense struggled throughout the year, finishing 29th in points scored. The defense ranked 31st in points allowed and did not record a single interception. And the team’s leading receiver finished the season with 395 receiving yards.

The results have influenced how the team is viewed outside the building. As of early January 2026, sportsbooks list the Jets as long shots to win Super Bowl LX. Covers lists New York at +13,000. BetMGM, via VegasInsider with odds dated January 7, 2026, lists the Jets at +15,000. DraftKings, as reported by Legal Sports Report, lists the Jets at +25,000. Caesars drew attention after a $3,000 wager was placed on the Jets at 200–1, or +20,000.

Pricing earlier in the cycle shows movement. In March 2025, Covers listed the Jets at +18,000, indicating that odds have shifted at some books despite the 3–14 finish.

Aaron Glenn accepted responsibility for the season and spoke about what he and the staff learned during his first year as a head coach after four seasons as the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator.

Quarterback Questions and Available Resources

Quarterback remains the central issue facing the Jets. The position has lacked stability for more than a decade, and the Fields experiment did not provide a long-term answer.

Fields has one year remaining on his contract. Glenn addressed the situation briefly, saying, “Justin is under contract,” and added that rookie Brady Cook, who started the final four games, is signed for next season.

Mougey said the organization plans to explore every option at quarterback through free agency, the trade market, and the draft.

The Jets have the flexibility to act. According to Over The Cap, New York has more than $74 million in salary cap space, the sixth-most in the NFL. The team holds two first-round picks in the upcoming draft: the No. 2 overall pick earned after the 3–14 season and the No. 16 pick acquired from the Indianapolis Colts in the midseason trade of Sauce Gardner.

The Jets also own two second-round selections, No. 33 and No. 44. The No. 44 pick was acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in the Quinnen Williams trade.

Pending Roster Decisions and Coaching Changes

Several roster questions remain unresolved. Running back Breece Hall is scheduled to become a free agent after recording the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his four-year career. Hall was involved in trade rumors during the season and represents the Jets’ most prominent potential free-agent loss.

Mougey met with Hall as part of meetings with roughly 50 players and described him as a good player the team would like to keep, while declining to discuss the possibility of using the franchise or transition tag.

On the coaching side, the Jets will search for a new defensive coordinator after Wilks’ dismissal. Chris Harris served as interim coordinator, and Glenn said the team will evaluate multiple candidates while seeking a strong working relationship with the next hire.

Glenn also addressed expectations from ownership, saying there is always urgency to win and that owner Woody Johnson shares that mindset.

New Jersey Signs New Law to Address Chronic Absenteeism in Public Schools

By
Moses Lookman
-

A new New Jersey law aimed at addressing chronic absenteeism in public schools has taken effect following its signing by Acting Governor Tahesha Way. The legislation, Bill S-3776, was sponsored by State Senators Shirley K. Turner (D-15) and Angela V. McKnight (D-31) and is designed to closely examine why students miss school and how attendance can be improved across the state.

Key Takeaways
  • New Jersey has enacted Bill S-3776 to form an 18-member volunteer task force focused on chronic absenteeism in public schools.
  • Statewide chronic absenteeism peaked at 18.1 percent in the 2021–2022 school year and continues to approach 40 percent in districts including Trenton, Camden, and Paterson.
  • The task force is required to deliver a report with findings and legislative recommendations within one year of being organized.

Formation and Membership of the Chronic Absenteeism Task Force

The legislation establishes an 18-member Chronic Absenteeism Task Force composed of education professionals, school leaders, and parent advocates. Appointments will be made by the Governor, legislative leadership, and the New Jersey Commissioner of Education. Among the public members selected by the Governor will be representatives recommended by Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey and the Princeton Area Community Foundation.

Task force members will serve in a volunteer capacity without compensation. The law allows the task force to request support and assistance from the New Jersey Department of Education during the course of its work.

Purpose of the Task Force and Areas of Study

The task force is charged with examining patterns of chronic absenteeism across New Jersey, with a particular focus on the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on student engagement. One of its responsibilities is to compare current absenteeism data with attendance figures from before the pandemic in order to identify changes and trends.

Under the law, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10 percent or more of the school year. The task force will conduct a root cause analysis to assess factors contributing to absences, including barriers to attendance, student disengagement or aversion to school, and the role of physical and mental health challenges. The review will also cover school climate, discipline policies, family circumstances, financial difficulties, and how exposure to COVID-19 has influenced attendance behavior.

Review of Best Practices and Family Engagement Strategies

Beyond identifying causes, the task force is required to examine national best practices that have been effective in improving attendance elsewhere and evaluate how those approaches could be applied across New Jersey. The law also directs the task force to develop strategies aimed at strengthening family engagement as a way to support consistent school attendance.

Legislative Statements on Attendance and Student Support

Senator Shirley K. Turner has identified chronic absenteeism as a major challenge for schools, particularly in urban areas where students often face challenges beyond academic instruction. She said that inconsistent attendance results in missed learning opportunities and contributes to students falling further behind, and that the legislation is focused on understanding underlying causes and implementing practical solutions to support student participation and engagement.

Senator Angela V. McKnight states that attendance is an indicator of whether students feel connected to their schools and supported in their learning environments. She described the task force as a mechanism for translating research into actionable policies that address attendance challenges and produce measurable outcomes.

Attendance Data Driving the Legislation

Chronic absenteeism has risen across the country since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In New Jersey, the statewide rate reached its highest point at 18.1 percent during the 2021–2022 school year. Although the rate declined to 14.9 percent in the 2023–2024 school year, absenteeism remains significantly elevated in several urban districts. In Trenton, Camden, and Paterson, rates continue to hover near or around 40 percent.

Reporting Requirements and Timeline

The law requires the Chronic Absenteeism Task Force to submit a final report to the Governor and the New Jersey Legislature within one year of its organization. The report must present the task force’s findings along with legislative recommendations informed by its research and analysis.

Michael Porter Jr. Scores 27 as Nets Beat Nuggets 127-115 in Reunion Game

By
Paulius Kundzelevicius
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Michael Porter Jr. returned from illness and led the Brooklyn Nets to a 127-115 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The win, witnessed by a sellout crowd of 17,548, snapped Brooklyn’s three-game losing streak and moved the Nets to 11-22.

Porter finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in his first game against Denver since being traded last offseason.

“I was excited for that first matchup against them, really since I’ve been traded and just how that whole thing went down,” Porter said. “I probably felt more nervous for this one than a lot of other games.”

Key Takeaways
  • Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in his first game against Denver since being traded, helping the Nets snap a three-game losing streak.
  • Brooklyn dominated the glass and shot efficiently in a decisive third-quarter run, turning a close game into a comfortable win.
  • Porter’s expanded role and confidence with the Nets continue to show, as Brooklyn remains winless without him but strong when he plays.

Porter’s Post-Trade Role Expansion Drives Brooklyn’s Offense

Porter spent six seasons with the Nuggets after being selected No. 14 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft and was a starter on Denver’s 2023 NBA championship team. He was traded to Brooklyn in the offseason for Cam Johnson and Denver’s 2032 first-round pick after Denver moved him in a salary-related deal.

In Denver, Porter often played behind the Nikola Jokic–Jamal Murray offense. With the Nets, his role has expanded significantly. He entered the game averaging a career-high 25.8 points, making him the only player in the Eastern Conference averaging at least 25 points and seven rebounds.

“I feel the difference when a coach really believes in me, and when they second guess the shots you take,” Porter said. “Jordi and this whole Nets organization’s done a great job of that with me.”

Nuggets coach David Adelman, who previously worked alongside Nets coach Jordi Fernández, acknowledged Porter’s talent and his adjusted role.

“He’s got a lot of freedom here,” Adelman said. “This trade was good for everybody. He won a championship with us. We know how talented he is.”

The increased responsibility also showed up in betting markets. Entering the matchup, sportsbooks listed Porter’s points prop at 26.5. He finished with 27. Brooklyn also entered the night as a slight underdog at several books, with spreads around Nets +2 and a total near 224.5. The Nets covered comfortably, aided by Denver playing without Nikola Jokic, who was sidelined for perhaps a month with a hyperextended left knee.

Nets’ Rebounding Advantage and Third-Quarter Run Break Game Open

Brooklyn controlled the glass throughout the night, outrebounding Denver 44-33. That advantage supported a balanced offense, as the Nets had a season-high six players score at least 13 points.

The Nuggets remained close early. Jamal Murray hit a jumper with 0.2 seconds left in the second quarter to cut the Nets’ lead to 59-52 at halftime. Murray finished with 27 points, a career-high 16 assists, and six rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 26 points, Aaron Gordon scored 20 off the bench in his return from a 19-game absence due to a strained right hamstring, and Christian Braun started and scored four points after missing 23 games with a sprained left ankle.

Early in the third quarter, Murray fed Peyton Watson to make it 63-56. Brooklyn responded with a decisive 21-10 run over the next five minutes. The Nets hit eight of nine shots during the stretch, including all four three-point attempts. Egor Dëmin contributed five points and two assists, capped by a three-pointer off a Porter pass that pushed the lead to 84-66 with 5:10 remaining in the third.

Brooklyn scored 41 points in the quarter, shooting 7-for-9 from three-point range, and carried a 100-84 lead into the fourth.

Nets’ Depth Secures Win as Futures Odds Stay Long

Denver briefly cut the margin early in the fourth quarter when Hardaway opened the period with two three-pointers. Brooklyn answered with a 12-0 run, with Cam Thomas scoring the final seven points to extend the lead to 112-90.

Noah Clowney finished with 22 points for the Nets. Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe each scored 17, with Sharpe starting at center in place of Nic Claxton, who was out for personal reasons. Sharpe also recorded six rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

“Coming in, I told everybody we’re locked in,” Sharpe said. “We just wanted to rally as a team to help get the Dub for [Porter].”

Despite the win, Brooklyn remains a long shot in futures markets. Championship odds across sportsbooks range widely, from around +25000 at some outlets to +100000 or longer at others, while the Nets’ odds to make the playoffs sit near +3500. The numbers reflect Brooklyn’s record and Porter’s availability, as the Nets are winless without him this season but have won eight of their past 11 games when he plays.

For Denver, the loss dropped the Nuggets to 1-4 on their seven-game Eastern road trip and to 1-2 since Jokic’s injury. Cam Johnson, acquired in the trade for Porter, missed the game with a knee injury.

Before tipoff, Murray acknowledged the unusual nature of the matchup, telling Porter, “It’s so weird actually going against you instead of being with you.”

“Those are my brothers,” Porter said. “We won the championship together. To compete against each other instead of with each other is definitely a different experience.”

Mayor-Elect Emily Jabbour Names Christian Duffy as Chief of Staff

By
Moses Lookman
-

Mayor-elect Emily Jabbour announced Christian Duffy will serve as her Chief of Staff as the city prepares for her January 15 swearing-in. The selection places Duffy in a senior position at Hoboken City Hall during the transition to the new mayoral term.

Jabbour said Duffy has been a trusted ally and brings extensive government and political experience to the position. She added confidence that his presence in City Hall will help move Hoboken forward.

Key Takeaways
  • Mayor-elect Emily Jabbour announced Christian Duffy as her Chief of Staff before her January 15 swearing-in in Hoboken, New Jersey.
  • Duffy brings more than a decade of experience from political campaigns and senior government roles at the state level.
  • His background includes advising Jabbour’s mayoral campaign and managing successful congressional and legislative races, including a historic district flip.

Foundations of a Political Career in Hoboken

Christian Duffy’s political career began in Hoboken after he earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University. In 2013, he worked as an organizer on then-Mayor Dawn Zimmer’s re-election campaign, beginning his involvement in local and state political work.

This early campaign experience established his connection to Hoboken and served as the starting point for a career that would later expand to state and national political work.

Campaign Work Across Multiple States and Government Service in New Jersey

Following his initial work in Hoboken, Duffy spent more than ten years working on political campaigns and serving in government positions. His campaign experience extended beyond New Jersey and included work in Alaska, Nevada, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

In New Jersey, Duffy served as the Hudson County Political Coordinator for Governor Phil Murphy’s re-election campaign in 2021. He later worked as Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and to State Senator Joseph Cryan, both representing the 20th Legislative District.

Management of Congressional Races and a Historic Legislative Victory

Duffy managed the 2024 congressional campaigns of U.S. Representative Rob Menendez in New Jersey’s 8th District and U.S. Representative Herb Conaway in New Jersey’s 3rd District. Both campaigns resulted in successful elections.

He most recently managed Assemblyman Vinnie Kearney’s campaign, which flipped New Jersey’s 21st Legislative District for Democrats for the first time in more than 30 years. During the same election cycle, Duffy also served as a Senior Advisor on Emily Jabbour’s mayoral campaign.

Role and Responsibilities as Chief of Staff

Upon accepting the position, Duffy said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve and said Hoboken is where his political career began. He shared his interest in working alongside Mayor-elect Jabbour to help create a City Hall that is more transparent, collaborative, and responsive to residents.

As Chief of Staff, Duffy will assist with coordinating City Hall operations and supporting the mayor’s priorities as the new administration prepares to take office in Hoboken.

Yankees Sign Veteran Infielder Paul DeJong to Minor League Deal

By
Paulius Kundzelevicius
-

The New York Yankees made their first acquisition of the new year by signing veteran infielder Paul DeJong to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training. DeJong would earn $1 million if he made the Major League roster. The Yankees have not officially announced the signing.

The agreement was first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand confirmed the deal through a source, and ESPN also confirmed the agreement on Sunday. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the financial details of the contract. DeJong is 32 years old and has nine years of Major League experience.

Key Takeaways
  • The Yankees signed veteran infielder Paul DeJong to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training.
  • DeJong provides infield depth and experience as the Yankees prepare to open the season without shortstop Anthony Volpe.
  • The deal includes a $1 million salary if DeJong makes the Major League roster.

Quiet Offseason Moves and the Context Behind the Signing

The Yankees’ offseason has been limited in terms of outside additions, with most of the organization’s activity focused on retaining players from its 2025 roster. The most significant move came in November, when outfielder Trent Grisham accepted a qualifying offer valued at $22.025 million.

Despite the slow pace, the Yankees have indicated they intend to do more. The team has been vocal about its desire to re-sign infielder and outfielder Cody Bellinger, who is believed to have received a formal offer from the Yankees in late December. Published reports have also connected the Yankees to a more limited free-agent pursuit of infielder Bo Bichette if Bellinger signs elsewhere.

On the pitching side, the Yankees are known to be among the teams that have expressed trade interest in Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera and Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta, as the club expects its starting rotation to be impacted by injuries early in the season.

Betting Markets Reflect Stability Amid Roster Uncertainty

While the Yankees have not made major external additions, sportsbooks have shown little movement in their futures markets. Current World Series odds list the Yankees at +700 at FanDuel, +750 at DraftKings and BetMGM, and +850 at Caesars and PointsBet. DraftKings’ odds have remained at +750 since early November, with no reported changes through December and into the new year. Caesars has also listed the Yankees at +850 without recording movement.

In the American League futures market, the Yankees are listed at +310 to win the AL, according to DraftKings odds tracked by Action Network. The consistency in pricing reflects steady market positioning despite injuries and ongoing roster questions.

DeJong’s Career Background and Recent Performance

DeJong was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2015 MLB Draft and advanced quickly through the minor leagues. He made his Major League debut in 2017 and became the Cardinals’ everyday shortstop, hitting 25 home runs in 108 games and finishing second in National League Rookie of the Year voting.

In 2019, he was named an All-Star after hitting 30 home runs and producing 5.2 bWAR. Following that season, St. Louis signed him to a six-year contract extension that ran through the 2023 season and included club options for 2024 and 2025.

DeJong’s offensive production declined beginning in the shortened 2020 season. From 2020 through 2022, he hit .196/.280/.351. He returned to roughly league-average production in 2023 across 81 games, which led the Cardinals to trade him shortly before the deadline to the Toronto Blue Jays as injury protection for shortstop Bo Bichette.

His performance fell sharply over the final two months of that season while playing in Toronto and San Francisco. DeJong finished that stretch 12-for-93 with a .129/.128/.183 slash line in nearly 100 plate appearances. He later signed with the Chicago White Sox on a $1.75 million guarantee and delivered a stronger season in 2024, hitting 24 home runs with a 96 wRC+ across 139 games while splitting time between third base and shortstop for Chicago and Kansas City.

Last season with the Washington Nationals, DeJong’s year was disrupted in April when he was hit in the face by a Mitch Keller fastball, fracturing his nose and sidelining him for ten weeks. He returned in July and finished the season batting .228 with six home runs and a .642 OPS in 57 games. Over 208 plate appearances, he recorded a 76 wRC+.

Infield Versatility and Competition for Roster Spots

DeJong brings experience at all four infield positions. With the Nationals, he started 32 games at third base, 11 at second base, seven at shortstop, and one at first base. His versatility is particularly relevant as the Yankees prepare to begin the season without shortstop Anthony Volpe, who underwent left shoulder surgery in October and is not expected to play in big league games until April or May.

DeJong joins an infield mix that includes Amed Rosario, who finalized a one-year, $2.5 million Major League deal with the Yankees on Dec. 30 and is expected to platoon with left-handed-hitting Ryan McMahon at third base. Other infield options include José Caballero, Oswaldo Cabrera, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last May, and Zack Short, who signed a minor league contract with the Yankees in December.

He will also compete with Jorbit Vivas and Braden Shewmake for available bench roles, while backup catcher J.C. Escarra is expected to occupy one of the team’s four bench spots. The infield picture could continue to shift depending on additional signings, trades, or the eventual return of injured players.

Magic Johnson’s 42-Point Rookie Night at Center Wins the 1980 NBA Title

By
Paulius Kundzelevicius
-

On May 16, 1980, in Philadelphia, rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson delivered one of the most memorable performances in NBA history. With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sidelined by a severely damaged ankle, Johnson started at center in Game 6 of the NBA Finals and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123–107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The win secured the championship for Los Angeles, closing the series four games to two and ending an eight-year title drought.

Johnson, a 6-foot-9 point guard, finished the night with 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists and was named Finals Most Valuable Player, the first of three such awards in his career.

Key Takeaways
  • On May 16, 1980, rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson played center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and led the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA championship.
  • Johnson recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in a 123–107 Game 6 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
  • The Lakers won the Finals four games to two, earning their first NBA title since 1972.

From NCAA Champion to No. 1 Pick and a 60-Win Rookie Season

Johnson arrived in the NBA after leading Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA championship, defeating Indiana State and Larry Bird in the most-watched college basketball final ever. Later that year, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Johnson with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft.

Johnson’s rookie season immediately changed the direction of the Lakers. The team finished the regular season with a 60–22 record, improving by 13 wins from their 47–35 mark the year before. At the center of the team was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 24.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the regular season.

Playoff Push and a Turning Point in the Western Conference Finals

During the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns four games to one and advanced to the Western Conference finals against the defending champion Seattle SuperSonics. After losing a close Game 1, Los Angeles took a 3–1 series lead.

At halftime of the deciding fifth game, Abdul-Jabbar gave an emotional, angry pep talk, urging the team to raise its level of play and finish the series. He followed with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and seven blocked shots. Johnson, playing with a 101-degree fever, recorded a triple-double. The Lakers won 111–105, earning a place in the NBA Finals.

NBA Finals Matchup and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Injury

In the Finals, the Lakers faced the Philadelphia 76ers, led by Julius “Dr. J” Erving and Darryl Dawkins, along with Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks, Doug Collins, Steve Mix, Caldwell Jones, and Lionel Hollins. Through the first five games, Abdul-Jabbar dominated, averaging 31 points and 12 rebounds as Los Angeles took a 3–2 series lead.

During Game 5, Abdul-Jabbar twisted his ankle and was ruled out for Game 6. The injury was significant enough that the Lakers traveled to Philadelphia without their star center and left their championship champagne in Los Angeles, expecting the series to return for a seventh game.

Game 6 in Philadelphia: Magic Johnson Plays Center

With Abdul-Jabbar at home resting his ankle, Johnson took over the center role in Game 6. He scored 13 points in the first period, nine points in each of the second and third quarters, and 11 in the fourth, totaling 42 points. He also collected 15 rebounds and seven assists while playing every position on the floor.

Johnson and Jamaal Wilkes combined for 79 points, with Wilkes scoring 37. The game shifted early in the third quarter when the Lakers went on a 14–0 run, turning a 60–60 tie into a 74–60 lead. Los Angeles scored 33 points in the third quarter and led 93–83 entering the final period.

Philadelphia rallied in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to two points three times. With 6 minutes and 40 seconds remaining, Caldwell Jones scored to make it 99–97. Steve Mix tied the game at 99–99 with 5:51 left, and Bobby Jones narrowed the score to 103–101 at 5:11. Johnson and Wilkes then scored five consecutive points to push the lead to 108–101, after which the Lakers were not seriously threatened.

Julius Erving led the 76ers with 27 points, but the Lakers’ double-teaming limited his effectiveness late. The sellout crowd of 18,276 watched as Los Angeles closed out the game and the championship.

Quotes, Coaching Decisions, and Rare Rookie Achievement

After the game, Johnson credited his injured teammate.
“We did it for Kareem,” Johnson said. “He carried us this far and I’m sorry he couldn’t be here. I want to send him my thanks and my love.”

Johnson also reflected on the moment, saying, “This is unreal. This is it. You can’t go any higher than this. This has to be my greatest thrill in basketball.”

By winning the NBA championship in his rookie season after capturing an NCAA title the previous year, Johnson became one of the rare players — alongside Bill Russell and Henry Bibby — to achieve that milestone.

Rookie head coach Paul Westhead guided the Lakers using speed and fast breaks after taking over early in the season when Jack McKinney suffered a head injury in a bicycle accident. Philadelphia was unable to capitalize on Abdul-Jabbar’s absence, as the Lakers’ quickness disrupted Darryl Dawkins and Caldwell Jones inside.

Before the game, Johnson showed his confidence by taking Abdul-Jabbar’s usual first-row seat on the team flight to Philadelphia, winking at Westhead, and telling his teammates, “Never fear, E.J. is here.”

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