New Jersey
Surprising reason why this Democrat is attending Trump’s inauguration
At least one big-name New Jersey Democrat will travel to D.C. for Donald Trump’s inauguration Monday.
Gov. Phil Murphy said he will be on hand to watch Trump take the oath of office a second time. That‘s even as several other top members of his party from across the country are skipping the event.
Murphy this week was asked to explain his decision compared to Democrats who feel their attendance would validate the Republican former and future president over Jan. 6 and other polarizing views and policies.
The governor said what convinced him to go was Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2020. Murphy said he and First Lady Tammy Murphy went and were surprised to see who was among the crowd.
“It was socially distanced, so it was not like your normal tableau,” Murphy told reporters at the Statehouse in Trenton on Monday. “We were struck by the amount of Republican governors who showed up. And not just by how many but who they were. Kristi Noem (of South Dakota), Doug Burgum (of North Dakota), Doug Ducey (of Arizona), Asa Hutchison (of Arkansas).
“It’s the right thing to do no matter all of the challenges and issues with Trump … and frankly, the big one to me is I just can’t believe the American people have given him a pass on denying that he lost four years ago. Still, I believe with all my heart it is still the right thing to do for the country and for the office.”
Democrats have cited numerous reasons for ditching Trump’s swearing-in Monday, whether it being the lingering uneasiness of Jan. 6, because the event is being held on Martin Luther King Day, or out of fear for their safety. Others have not said why they won’t be there.
The inauguration, usually held outside the U.S. Capitol, will instead be inside Monday because of freezing temperatures.
Murphy and Trump have long had a kind of love-hate relationship. The governor has repeatedly criticized Trump and fought his policies on immigration, guns, and taxes in court.
Still, the two collaborated on COVID-19 response and the Gateway Tunnel project during Trump’s first term. Murphy also visited Trump at his Bedminster golf club last summer after the assassination attempt on the ex-president. Then, after Trump won back the White House in November — and performed better than expected in blue New Jersey — Murphy said he got a phone call from Trump.
Murphy notes by the time he leaves office next January, he is the Democratic governor who will have served the longest under a Trump presidency, coming into office a year into Trump’s first term and exiting a year into his second.
That, Murphy argues, gives him a good perspective on how to handle Trump, even as Democrat sound alarms over what may happen to undocumented immigrants and reproductive rights under his new tenure. The governor has said he will “fight like hell” against Trump on some issues and try to find “common ground” on others.
That’s similar to stances that other Democratic governors have taken on Trump, who is famous for enjoying praise as much as he enjoys dishing out insults.
“I will never back away from partnering with the Trump administration where our priorities align,” Murphy said Tuesday during his latest State of the State address. “But just as importantly, I will never back down from defending our New Jersey values — if and when they are tested.”
To that end, Murphy said during the speech New Jersey will join other blue states in stockpiling a supply of medication used in abortions.
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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X at @johnsb01.
New Jersey
New Jersey Titans pull ahead in the third to defeat Maryland Black Bears – The Rink Live
The New Jersey Titans were victorious against the Maryland Black Bears on Friday, Jan. 16, 2025 at Middletown Ice World Arena.
After two periods, the teams were tied at 0, but New Jersey pulled away in the third, winning the game 2-0.
The Titans first took the lead early in the third period, with a goal from Owen Leahy, assisted by
James Schneid
and
Blake Jones
.
The Titans increased the lead to 2-0 with 52 seconds remaining of the third after a goal from James Schneid, assisted by
Nikita Meshcheryakov
and
Ryan Friedman
.
Next up:
The teams play again on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 at 6 p.m. CST at Middletown Ice World Arena.
Read more NAHL coverage
Automated articles produced by United Robots on behalf of The Rink Live.
New Jersey
Fmr. South Jersey camp director accused of sex assault released pending trial
Friday, January 17, 2025 10:53PM
A former South Jersey camp director accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is out of jail.
DEPTFORD TWP., N.J. (WPVI) — A former South Jersey camp director accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is out of jail.
Forty-six-year-old Tara Carr, of Woodstown, is accused of assaulting the 14-year-old four times last year and sending him inappropriate videos and photos.
She faces charges including sexual assault of a juvenile, and second-degree luring.
Carr is a former owner of Rastelli Kids Complex in Deptford Township.
A judge ruled Carr could be released pending trial.
She is scheduled to next appear in court on February 18.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
New Jersey
Devils GM ‘Open-Minded’ on NHL Trade Market
Over the last little while, the New Jersey Devils weaknesses have exposed themselves. It’s not unlike anything we’ve already mentioned before. The Devils need depth scoring, and they need it as soon as possible. The Devils general manager explained in a recent interview that he’s “open-minded” when it comes to the NHL trade market.
MORE: Devils GM Could Be Forced Into Tough Decision
In a recent interview with The Athletic’s Pierre Lebrun, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald disclosed he’s in the market for a center.
We know one thing is for sure. Said center will not bump Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier down the lineup. Therefore, whoever comes in is playing in the bottom-six, which fits the need for depth scoring.
“Somebody that can come in and maybe give us that extra oomph — and maybe properly slot people to make us a strong, four-line team come playoff time,” Fitzgerald told The Athletic. “And build depth because of injuries. And build competition, too. We love what we have. I just really want to add on top of that.”
As far as Fitzgerald’s open-mindedness, he explained he’s willing to pay for a rental or someone with term.
GMs cannot disclose specific names for tampering purposes, but LeBrun mentioned the likes of Ryan O’Reilly, Yani Gourde, and Scott Laughton, as possibilities. Those are all players who will certainly cost a pretty penny.
The problem? Well, right now, there’s no one team you can really point to in the Eastern Conference as a bona fide seller. With such a tight race, the NHL trade market is being held up as teams assess whether they’re going for it or not which will determine their buyer or seller status.
We’re about three-plus weeks away from the 4 Nations Face-Off. The expectation is that there will be some NHL trade activity just before the international tournament, which will act as somewhat of a trade deadline.
However, the real deadline is March 7th, and the expectation is that the Devils will certainly be adding to boost the roster.
From the sound of it, a center is the priority. Right now, the Devils deploy Justin Dowling and Curtis Lazar on the third and fourth line. Erik Haula is out with an ankle injury, and typically man’s third-line duties.
However, Haula’s struggled to fill the scoresheet and the Devils could use an upgrade.
Part of Fitzgerald’s open-mindedness is the willingness to add on the wing if his center focus doesn’t present a formidable option.
Names such as Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri, and Trent Fredric come to mind.
The Devils have dropped three of their last four games in overtime. They haven’t necessarily been bad losses, hanging in tight with some well-established teams.
Yet, one could certainly argue that the Devils might have swept the extra points they left on the table if they had a little more punch in their bottom-six.
Certainly, Fitzgerald is willing to deal now. However, with the hold up on the market, it could be a few weeks before anything comes to fruition—with the potential for a longer wait closer to the March 7th deadline.
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