NEW JERSEY — We know that New Jersey pizza is hard to beat, though another Northeastern state seems to think otherwise — and that heated up social media conversation between state leaders.

On Wednesday, Connecticut Gov. Ned LaMont shared photos of new road signs along several highways, including one declaring the Constitution State to be “the pizza capital of the United States.”

That particular claim to fame, which now greets travelers on I-95 and I-84 headed out of New York, didn’t sit well with Garden State Gov. Phil Murphy.

“These updated signs reflect our state pride, showcasing some of the best of what we do in Connecticut,” LaMont said in a post on X.com. “They’re a fun way to greet visitors entering our state.”

And while some studies say Connecticut has the most pizza stores per capita — and though it’s home to the world-famous Mystic Pizza — Murphy was not impressed.

His response? “You’re not even the pizza capital of the tri-state area.”

New Jersey’s governor doubled down with a video message on Thursday — which was National Cheese Pizza Day — holding a piece of cheese pizza on a plate, and even poking fun at how some Connecticut residents eat their pizza pies with a knife and fork.

“These guys in Connecticut claim something which is…I don’t get at all,” he said. “We all know it’s in Jersey.”

And before taking a big bite to prove his point, Murphy paraphrased his now-viral moment from the Democratic National Convention. “We’re from Jersey, baby.” he said. “And they’re not.”

We’re from the pizza capital of the world, and you’re not.

Especially you, Connecticut.

Happy National Cheese Pizza Day, New Jersey! pic.twitter.com/kLj4YL8Hle
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) September 5, 2024

DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (WPVI) — It was the first day of classes for students in Deptford Township, New Jersey.

This was supposed to be the day the district had its busing issues sorted out, but frustrated parents say they still need answers.

“It was horrible, devastating,” said Melissa Alloway whose son goes to school in the Deptford Township School District.

She said it took more than an hour and a half for their 3-year-old son to be dropped off home from Central Early Childhood Center.

Deptford Twp. parents frustrated over missing, changing bus info ahead of first day of school

“Stressful – waiting for him,” said Daniel Alloway who is his father. “Not knowing where he’s at and no one is answering the phone.”

“You’re supposed to protect our children. They’re our children and we give them to you,” said Melissa.

The Alloways also said the bus did not pick up their son as scheduled on Thursday morning for the first day of school.

Jessica Maciolek had the same problem for her son in high school. In fact, she said this is the fourth year in a row the bus did not come on the first day.

“Disgruntled. Upset,” said Maciolek. “I worry for my child’s safety every single day when he goes to school. I don’t know if he’s going to get there safely. I don’t know if he’s even going to get picked up.”

This all comes after the district said in August it would eliminate free busing for students who live within a certain distance from their school. But the district rescinded the plan due to backlash from parents and local leaders.

RELATED | South Jersey school district to continue addressing financial strain after failed bus plan

Now parents urge school leaders to make changes.

“They need better communication. That’s my problem,” said Daniel.

“Maybe give us a tracking app, so we can tell if our bus is going to be on time,” said Maciolek. “Something that is going to provide us safe knowledge that our kids are getting to and from school okay.”

The school district’s communications coordinator said in a statement: “The staff at each of our schools did a fantastic job at both arrival and dismissal gathering as much information as they can about what specific problems need to be addressed. The details they collected have been shared with our transportation department. All the feedback received today from parents and staff will be a huge help in improving transportation accuracy and timing moving forward.”

The district said it’s working to rectify issues from previous department supervision.

“He got home safe,” said Daniel. “That’s all that really matters, but they need to work on things.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Maciolek. “They need to do better for our kids. That’s it.”

The school district also advises parents to check the portal every day after 5:30 a.m. to get the latest bus updates and to email them with any issues: schoolbus@deptfordschools.org.

The Deptford mayor said Thursday’s busing problems were unacceptable, and his team met during the afternoon to figure out the next best steps to make sure students are getting to and from school safely.

NEW YORK – A social media brouhaha has broken out between the Governors of New Jersey and Connecticut after the Nutmeg State unveiled new highway signs on I-95 and I-84 naming itself the “Home of the Pizza Capital of the United States.”

The sign is one of several new ones that hail the state’s achievements, including ones calling Connecticut “Home of the Basketball Capital of the World,” “Home of the Submarine Capital of the World,” and telling people to “Stop for a bite in the Foodie Capital of New England.”

“These updated signs reflect our state pride, showcasing some of the best of what we do in Connecticut. They’re a fun way to greet visitors entering our state,” Lamont said in a post on X.

The pizza signs, which will greet drivers entering Connecticut from New York drew a reaction from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who posted on X “You’re not even the pizza capital of the tri-state area.”

Murphy doubled down on Thursday, posting a video for National Cheese Pizza Day.

“Now you might have noticed that there’s some confusion about where the country’s and the world’s best pizza is,” Murphy said. “These guys in Connecticut claim something which is… I don’t get at all. We all know it’s in Jersey.”

Murphy went on to poke fun at people from Connecticut for eating their pizza with a knife and fork, rather than eating it with their hands.

In February, Lamont declared New Haven, Connecticut the Pizza Capital of the United States, drawing ire from some of his tri-state neighbors. 

So far, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has not weighed in on where she feels New York ranks in the ongoing battle over who has the nation’s best pizza.