New Jersey

N.J. assemblywoman pushes to create an office to combat eating disorders

Published

1 year ago

September 7, 2024

N.J. assemblywoman pushes to create an office to combat eating disorders

Katz, whose two daughters are 13 and 15, said, “Many people are in the shadows and are ashamed to talk about it. It’s a big issue that’s becoming worse, and we need to do something about it. I want them to have their self-confidence and know that their worth is not based on what they ate for dinner that night.”

Wentz pointed out that eating disorders affect different populations disproportionately.

“A 2019 study found that Hispanic and Latina and Latino, and Black, African American and Asian Americans, are more likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors than their white counterparts,” she said.

A separate study found people of color with eating disorders are half as likely to be diagnosed or to receive treatment.

Mendel said educating kids, as well as their parents, about eating disorders is necessary.

“You know, the conversation starts at home first. It’s really, really important to have open and honest conversations, because when a child feels they can have an open and honest conversation, that’s when the help really starts,” she said.

Wood said if someone suspects a friend or loved one has an eating disorder, they need to be able to listen to that person.

“Have that initial conversation with someone, but never approach it from a ‘You, you, you’ perspective. Express your concerns that you have, and then give them the opportunity to open up and to talk to you,” he said.

People who believe they suffer from an eating disorder should reach out to their primary care physician and a mental health professional, Wentz said.

A list of provider organizations is on the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies’ website.

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New Jersey

NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

Published

7 hours ago

December 16, 2025

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NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) — New Jersey casino workers, who are pushing to permanently ban smoking in their workplaces, held a rally in Trenton on Monday.

A hearing was held to discuss a lawsuit that aims to close the smoking loophole in the Garden State.

For years, casino workers have been pursuing protections against secondhand smoke in their workplaces.

RELATED | Judge allows smoking to continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to workers

New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act largely bans indoor smoking, but casinos have a long-standing exemption.

The lawsuit filed last April by the United Auto Workers, which represents dealers at the Bally’s, Caesars and Tropicana casinos.

In August 2024, a judge ruled in favor of the casinos to allow smoking to continue.

“Casino workers are expected to clock in to work every day despite inevitably facing a toxic environment that could cause countless health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and asthma,” said Nancy Erika Smith, the lawyer representing Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and the UAW on Monday.

“We’re asking the court to find the exemption in New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act unconstitutional and void it immediately. We hope this case will serve as a precedent for casinos across the country to close their smoking loopholes and stop poisoning their workers,” added Smith.

The casinos have warned that thousands of jobs and millions in gambling revenue and taxes could be lost if smoking was banned.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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New Jersey

11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

Published

19 hours ago

December 15, 2025

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11-Vehicle Crash Closes Turnpike, College Student Abducted: NJ Weekend

A teenager was shot to death in Jersey City, a woman was killed in a fiery crash with a dump truck in Ocean County, and a man is in critical condition after an SUV hit him in a Princeton crosswalk.

Here are the headlines from the weekend in New Jersey you may have missed.

Teen Shot Dead In Jersey City Apartment, Prosecutor Says

A 16-year-old boy was found shot to death in Jersey City on Friday night, prosecutors said.

Woman Killed In Fiery Head-On Dump Truck Crash In Ocean County

A woman was killed Friday when her van hit a dump truck head-on in Jackson and burst into flames, Jackson police said.

Evelin Villanueva-Detejeda, 43, of Perth Amboy, was killed in the crash that happened about 2 p.m. on Toms River Road (Route 571) near Osprey Place, Sgt. Edward Travisano said.

Six people sustained minor injuries in the collision late Friday afternoon, according to State Police Tpr. Christopher Postorino.

Read more: 11-Vehicle Crash, Overturned Truck Shut Down Turnpike In South Jersey: Police

NJ College Student Abducted From Campus, Sexually Assaulted By Armed Man, Police Say

A Union County man is facing a slew of charges after kidnapping a woman, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Akram Elsayed, 28, of Roselle, has been arrested after an investigation found that he’d kidnapped a woman and handcuffed her to the door of a car, police said.

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