New Jersey
Veterans’ homelessness is at the center of a new initiative in N.J. Here’s more on “Bringing Veterans Home.”
HOLMDEL, N.J. — New Jersey leaders on Monday launched a new initiative that aims to eliminate homelessness for veterans.
It’s an attempt to curb a major problem in the Garden State.
Acting Gov. Way touts “Bringing Veterans Home” initiative
At a Veterans Day ceremony at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Museum in Holmdel, Acting Gov. Tahesha Way announced the new initiative called “Bringing Veterans Home.”
“It will place more than 1,000 homeless New Jersey veterans in stable housing over the next two years. So, yes and amen,” Way said.
The program will team veteran service groups up with the state to begin outreach in early 2025.
“It is important that those who sacrifice so much for their fellow Americans never go without secure and stable shelter,” Way said.
“It’s a first step. That’s all it is”
Officials have allocated nearly $31 million in state and federal funding to pay for this initiative and estimate there are 1,164 homeless veterans in New Jersey.
“I’m really, really scandalized that the government hasn’t done more to take care of these people from the time they came home,” Vietnam veteran Allen Rothman said.
Rothman, who is a volunteer tour guide at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Museum, said the new initiative is a long-overdue step forward to protect those who protected us.
“It’s a first step. That’s all it is. There’s still got to be a lot more done,” Rothman said.
New Jersey
Newark man arrested in fatal New Jersey Chick-Fil-A shooting
A Newark man has been arrested and charged with murder after police said he opened fire in a New Jersey Chick-fil-A, killing a man and leaving six other people hurt.
Jaheed Fields was busted nearly three weeks after the shooting in the Union Township fast food shop, county prosecutor William Daniel announced Friday.
Fields, 20, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and six counts of attempted murder, as well as unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
“The brazen nature of this incident, occurring in a crowded restaurant where people should feel safe, was an affront to our citizens and the security they deserve,” Daniel said.
“This arrest is a testament to the meticulous work and seamless coordination between all of the law enforcement agencies involved, and a reminder that Union County will never tolerate acts of lawlessness that threaten our residents.”
Officials did not reveal a motive for the shooting.
Fields allegedly fired several rounds inside the Chick-fil-A around 9 p.m. on April 11, with witnesses describing the scene as a “warzone.”
Malek Shepherd, 23, of New York City, was killed at the scene, police said.
Six other victims were taken to area hospitals and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses at the time said a group of masked men charged into the shop and fired multiple shots after forcing their way behind the counter.
It’s unclear if additional arrests were expected.
New Jersey
20-year-old charged with deadly shooting at Union, New Jersey Chick-fil-A
UNION, New Jersey (WABC) — A 20-year-old man is charged with the deadly mass shooting that caused chaos at a Chick-fil-A in New Jersey.
Jaheed Fields of Newark is facing several charges including murder and attempted murder.
On April 11, Fields opened fire inside the Chick-fil-A on Route 22 in Union. A 23-year-old man was killed and six others were hurt. Customers inside the restaurant went scrambling for the exits.
So far, no motive for the shooting has been revealed.
Witnesses say they heard at least seven shots piercing into the crowd.
Longtime customers said they were shaken by the violence.
“That’s what’s terrifying, being a father or a parent, you have to always be vigilant and keep your head on a swivel and make sure that you’re paying attention to your surroundings and try to avoid getting yourself into a situation and unfortunately coming to a Chick-fil-A at dinner time is apparently a situation you may have to avoid now a days,” customer Christopher Devido said.
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New Jersey
May Day protests in Newark, Jersey City bring out support for causes
NJ workers’ rights activists march and rally in Newark on May Day
Workers’ rights activists march and rally in Newark for May Day on May 1, 2026.
Protests marched through two of the largest cities in New Jersey on May Day.
On a cool, sunny Friday morning, activists gathered at the Abraham Lincoln statue on Springfield Avenue in Newark for a rally, followed by a march to Broad Street.
Later that afternoon, protesters met in front of City Hall in Jersey City and continued their protest by walking down to the Hudson River waterfront before making their way back to City Hall.
The protests are among many on May 1 taking place across New Jersey and nationwide as part of an effort known as May Day Strong to call attention to such issues as the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, taxing the wealthy, affordability, and corporate power, while also calling on the public to do “no work, no school, no shopping” if not protesting.
Montclair resident Karen Szczepanski was one of the participants and part of a small group of protesters taking part in a 50-mile, several-day march starting from the Lincoln Statue in Newark and ending in Trenton on May 7. That march is to call on state legislators to pass a bill to make fossil fuel companies pay billions for pollution.
“Part of the May Day celebrations today is to highlight the destruction that the Trump Administration is doing to the environment,” Szczepanski said. “This affects all of our communities. Not just Newark, not Jersey City, it affects all of our communities.”
Longtime Newark activist Larry Hamm led attendees in a chant of “Happy May Day” as he addressed them about how the federal minimum wage in the country have been stagnant for years before embarking on a march in Downtown Newark.
”CEO pay has increased, bosses pay has increased, management pay has increased. It’s time for the workers pay to increase,” Hamm said.
Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration, and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
Twitter/X: @ricardokaul
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