N.J. bail system just went through massive change on who stays locked up. Is it working?

TRENTON — Since the start of the new year, thousands of New Jerseyans charged with crimes have passed through courthouse metal detectors and into the new reality prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys had been bracing for since 2014, when the Garden State started to move away from a cash bail system. The stakes set by the… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Keeping Presidents in President’s Day

Did you know that of the 44 men who have been President of the United States, 9 of them did not graduate from college?  One of the nine went to graduate school and five of the nine were lawyers. 29 of the 44 men who have been President served in the military.

“But we’ve had 45 presidents”, you might be thinking to yourself.  That’s true, but President Grover Cleveland served as the 22nd and 24th presidents after he lost his reelection bid to President Benjamin Harrison but won a rematch in 1892.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

$1 million Powerball ticket sold in N.J. as jackpot climbs to $403M

No one won the Powerball jackpot on Saturday night, but one ticket sold in New Jersey is worth $1 million. The $1 million ticket matched five numbers but not the Powerball, according to Powerball officials. The location of the sale in New Jersey was not made public Sunday morning. With no big winner, the jackpot for… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

O’Scanlon: We must decide if addiction is like a bad habit or like cancer

By Declan O’Scanlon

(Editor’s note: This is the original unedited edition of an OpEd published in The Asbury Park Press. “They edited out some good stuff,” O’Scanlon said)

Last month, my brother passed away…..almost exactly 33 years from the day our mother died. He was the same age as my mother when she died, and he died of exactly the same cause – addiction.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Feds investigating Red Bank charter school over discrimination complaint

RED BANK — A New Jersey charter school that has divided a community over the issues of school funding and segregation is now under federal investigation as a result of a civil rights complaint, one of several filed against local charter schools. The U.S. Department of Education last month began a probe of the Red Bank… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

N.J. bail reform opponents lose first challenge to overhaul enacted by Christie

TRENTON — Opponents of the sweeping changes to New Jersey’s bail system that took effect this year suffered a defeat Wednesday when an oversight body threw out their case. The state Council on Local Mandates, an obscure panel with the power to strike down laws if it determines they don’t meet the New Jersey constitution’s “state… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Bill to expand seasonal liquor licenses heads to Christie’s desk

TRENTON — A bill that has sparked ire among local bar owners at the Jersey Shore cleared its last legislative hurdle Monday and is now headed to Gov. Chris Christie’s desk. The bill (S2606), which will allow the holders of the nine coveted seasonal liquor licenses to open in time for the St. Patrick’s Day parade,… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

For O’Scanlon, Opioid Addiction Bill is Personal

• Tweet

Christie Signs Opioid Treatment Mandate, Prescription Limit

Bill highlights differences between O’Scanlon and Handlin in LD-13 Senate Race

Handlin says new law punishes patients for the sins and transgressions of addicts

Governor Chris Christie signed legislation today that compels New Jersey health insurance companies to cover inpatient care to opioid addicts, implements a 5 day limit on the first prescription for opioid painkillers, and requires doctors to discuss the dangers of opioid addiction with patients.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Will Christie’s bail reform be killed by small but powerful N.J. council?

TRENTON — A small but powerful state oversight body is slated to hear arguments Wednesday in a fight over whether New Jersey’s massive bail system overhaul is unconstitutional. The Council on Local Mandates, which has the power to strike down laws if it determines they don’t meet the New Jersey constitution’s “state mandate, state pay” requirement,… Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet