New Jersey
We mourn Bill Pascrell Jr., Paterson’s champion who devoted life to American democracy
3-minute read
Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. dies at 87: Video
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Paterson’s former mayor who represented the city in Congress for nearly three decades, died Wed., Aug 21, 2024. He was 87.
Paterson has lost a giant. And so has New Jersey.
A relentless promoter of his native Silk City, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. simply loved Paterson. He was certain of its eventual renaissance and he was devoted to it like no other.
At 87, he died Wednesday.
Pascrell, who had been ill for more than a month, was mourned deeply and personally by hundreds across the city as news of his death spread.
“He loved this city and its people with all his heart,” said Bob Guarasci of the New Jersey Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization focused on building quality of life in Paterson. “He fought for the people of Paterson, and for all our nation’s middle class, right to the end. It’s going to be hard to imagine the landscape without him, and we should all be motivated to honor him and his life through service to others.”
Hours after the congressman’s death, flags across the city, including at the Robert A. Roe Federal Building, were lowered to half-staff.
The shock of Pascrell’s passing will surely continue for days — and so it should as a scrappy New Jersey city grieves a former mayor, a longtime congressman and its most loyal son.
Paterson shaped its champion
A lifetime spent in Paterson — a city that has been the cradle of the American Dream for so many in northern New Jersey and well beyond — informed Pascrell’s devotion to fairness for middle-class New Jersey residents.
Paterson and its many troubles — and its many strengths — transcended his approach to politics. Pascrell was, after all, a veteran of the city’s tough-guy politics whose own journey led him through Passaic County Democratic circles, stints in the Legislature in Trenton and, finally, the mayor’s office. First elected to Congress in 1996, he served 14 terms and was seeking a 15th this November.
Silk City mourns: Paterson laments Rep. Bill Pascrell’s death
He never strayed from what he believed was his duty to represent his Paterson neighbors in Washington — the police, the firefighters, the small business owners and the newly-arrived immigrants starting their American journeys in northern New Jersey. They were his priority — as was, in recent years in particular, the preservation of our great American democratic traditions.
Pascrell championed economic policies he believed would benefit his neighbors across his district. He worked to protect Social Security and Medicare, to expand access to health care, to better protect first responders on the job and to better serve veterans. He supported broader investment and stimulation of American manufacturing and, recently, was a vocal advocate for investment in American community colleges.
He was also among the New Jersey congressional delegation’s loudest advocates for the restoration of the state and local tax exemption, which was capped during the administration of former President Donald Trump. Pascrell supported investment in infrastructure and successfully steered federal dollars to support NJ Transit and infrastructure investment.
He took good care of Paterson’s greatest asset, too, ensuring that the Great Falls will enjoy a long future under the stewardship of the National Park Service as a tourism driver and an indelible focal point in the city he loved.
“Forget about changing the world,” Pascrell told our editorial board as he sought a new term in Congress in 2022. “Change your community.”
A champion of fairness: These were the causes dear to the late Rep. Bill Pascrell’s heart
A champion of our democracy
Pascrell, as we were, was disgusted and dismayed by the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He was deeply concerned about the prospects of a second Trump presidency and blasted Republican attacks on what he saw as fundamental rights in a near-constant barrage of press releases that filled New Jersey press corps inboxes over the last few years.
He was unequivocal about his commitment to the American experiment in representative democracy. He always reminded us of his years as a history teacher in the Paterson public schools at the start of his career.
When we interviewed him in advance of his re-election in 2022, he was straightforward as ever about his priorities.
“First thing on my list is democracy,” he said. “That’s why I took the stand that I did after Jan. 6. … I’m gonna be a protector of speech and accountability and voting rights.”
And he was.
We will always admire — and will greatly miss — Pascrell’s devotion to Paterson, a city whose fortunes are essential to northern New Jersey.
We will always admire — and remember — his unshakeable belief that American government can be a force for good.
Godspeed, Congressman.
.
New Jersey
Parsippany Positioned for the Spotlight Through New Jersey’s Film Ready Program | Parsippany Focus
PARSIPPANY — As New Jersey continues to experience a surge in film and television production, Parsippany-Troy Hills is emerging as a prime candidate to benefit from the state’s expanding entertainment industry through participation in the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission’s Film Ready Program.
The Film Ready initiative is designed to prepare municipalities to effectively attract and support film and television productions. By becoming Film Ready certified, communities like Parsippany signal to producers that they are organized, welcoming, and capable of accommodating the unique needs of the industry.
The economic potential is substantial.
According to the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, Steven Spielberg’s latest film, Disclosure Day, generated an estimated $34 million in qualified production spending during just 23 days of filming in New Jersey while employing more than 1,800 crew members. The production filmed in 10 municipalities across six counties, including several locations in Morris County. Statewide, New Jersey recorded an estimated $834 million in film production spending in 2024, with 556 productions hiring more than 31,000 crew members.
Film productions bring direct economic activity into a community. Crews require hotel accommodations, dining, transportation, equipment rentals, and a variety of local services. With Parsippany’s strong hospitality sector, major hotel corridors, corporate campuses, and convenient access to interstate highways, the township is ideally positioned to capture this spending. Local businesses—from restaurants and caterers to dry cleaners and transportation providers—stand to benefit when productions are in town.
Participation in the Film Ready Program also opens the door for local residents to access employment opportunities, both directly on productions and through supporting industries. From set construction and security to catering and logistics, film projects create a wide range of temporary and repeat job opportunities.
“Parsippany is uniquely positioned to take full advantage of New Jersey’s growing film industry,” said Mayor Pulkit Desai. “Our central location, diverse landscapes, and business-friendly environment make us an ideal destination for film and television production. By embracing the Film Ready Program, we are opening the door to new economic opportunities, increased visibility, and meaningful partnerships that will benefit our residents and local businesses.”
Parsippany offers a diverse landscape of corporate campuses, suburban neighborhoods, historic sites, parks, lakes, and roadways that can double for a variety of filming locations. When featured in film or television, these locations can elevate the township’s profile, attracting visitors and future investment. Municipalities across the state have seen increased tourism and recognition after appearing in major productions.
“Becoming Film Ready is about more than just attracting film crews. It’s about positioning Parsippany as a forward-thinking community that welcomes innovation and opportunity,” said Frank Cahill, Chairman of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Committee. “The ripple effect on our local economy—from hotels and restaurants to small businesses—can be significant. We are currently in the application process to bring this program to Parsippany. This initiative will create growth, visibility, and new opportunities right here in our community.”
New Jersey has made significant investments in becoming a national hub for film production, including major studio developments such as Netflix’s planned facility at Fort Monmouth and Lionsgate’s studio in Newark. As production activity continues to increase statewide, Film Ready communities are positioned to capture growing demand for filming locations and support services.
Film projects often generate excitement among residents, offering opportunities to see productions firsthand and even participate as extras. This fosters community pride while connecting residents to one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing industries.
Parsippany’s leadership, including its Economic Development Committee, has consistently focused on initiatives that drive business growth and visibility. Becoming Film Ready aligns with that mission, reinforcing the township’s reputation as a business-friendly, forward-thinking community.
As New Jersey’s film industry continues to expand, Parsippany is well-positioned to leverage its strategic location, infrastructure, and community support to become a destination for production companies seeking their next set.
With the right preparation and partnerships, the cameras may soon be rolling right here in Parsippany.
For additional information contact Frank Cahill, Chairman of Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development, at (973) 559-6000.
Related
The 2026 New Jersey high school softball season has come to an end. Now is the time to answer the question: Who should be the New Jersey Softball Player of the Year?
Here are High School on SI’s New Jersey Softball Players of the Year for 2026. Scroll down to read about the list and cast your vote below.
Voting ends Sunday, July 5th, at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Madison McDougall, St. John Vianney
McDougall was named Gatorade New Jersey Softball Player of the Year after leading St. John Vianney to a perfect season and the Non-Public A state championship. The senior and Monmouth commit went 29-0 with a 0.30 ERA and 312 strikeouts in the circle, along with a .626 batting average and 17 home runs at the plate.
Gabby Gonzalez, St. John Vianney
Gonzalez also helped the Lancers go undefeated in softball. The senior and FIU commit batted .500 with 51 hits, 43 RBIs, 12 home runs, 13 doubles, and 35 runs.
Brooke Douglas, Ocean City
Douglas led Douglas to the South Jersey Group 3 championship. The senior and Rhode Island commit batted .543 with 51 hits, 42 RBIs, 12 home runs, seven doubles, two triples, and 25 runs.
Mackenna Savage, Red Bank Catholic
Savage put up impressive numbers for Red Bank Catholic in 2026. The sophomore notched 15 wins in the circle with a 1.43 ERA and 286 strikeouts in 176.2 innings pitched.
Jordyn Ambrosius, West Deptford
Ambrosius stepped up for West Deptford this past season. The junior went 15-7 with a 1.75 ERA and 247 strikeouts in 143.2 innings pitched.
Audrey Amoruso, Indian Hills
Amoruso led Indian Hills to its second straight state sectional title. In the circle, the senior and Fordham commit went 20-5 with a 1.01 ERA, 248 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 159.2 innings pitched. At the plate, she batted .476 with 26 RBIs and four home runs.
Gemma DeJoseph, Delran
DeJoseph was very impressive for Delran in 2026. The sophomore led the state with 62 hits, while batting .620 with 48 RBIs, three home runs, 14 doubles, and 37 runs.
Jillian Cianfrocca, Mount St. Dominic
Cianfrocca led Mount St. Dominic to the Non-Public A state finals. The senior and Villanova commit hit .534 with 47 hits, 54 RBIs, 16 home runs, 15 doubles, and 54 runs.
Ava Kelshaw, Mount St. Dominic
Kelshaw also played a major role for a strong Lions team. The junior and Michigan commit notched an impressive 26 wins in the circle with a 0.63 ERA and 257 strikeouts. Additionally, she batted .388 with 33 RBIs.
Chloe Jacobson, Summit
Jacobson played a pivotal role on a strong Summit team in 2026. The sophomore hit .553 with 52 hits, 54 RBIs, 15 home runs, 10 doubles, and 39 runs.
Gylian Hixenbaugh, Donovan Catholic
Hixenbaugh was very solid for Donovan Catholic this past season. The junior and Dartmouth commit went 17-3 with a 1.86 ERA, 161 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 128 innings pitched.
Ella Redheffer, Clearview
Redheffer led Clearview to the South Jersey Group 3 finals. The sophomore stepped up by batting .583 with 56 hits, 40 RBIs, six home runs, 17 doubles, 48 runs, and 26 stolen bases.
About Our Athlete of the Week Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.
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Yellowcard played the Stone Pony Summer Stage on Friday June 12th. It was an astounding set. The band performed nineteen tracks from every era and iteration of the band. It was a special night for anyone who is a fan.
Openers Plain White T’s and New Found Glory also deserve special credit for fitting the bill flawlessly. It was the perfect way to set the stage for the show to come. Both bands have a strong stage presence and were able to captures the crowd’s full attention.
Yellowcard opened with a video of the Paramount stars. They continued their set by playing interlude snippets of other major movies such as “Back To The Future,” “Top Gun,” “The Goonies,” and the “Ghostbusters.” It really felt like we were watching a cinematic experience as well as a concert. The production was second to none. There was even pyro during certain moments of the show.
The band played six tracks off their new album Better Days. This was a huge highlight of the show. Better Days is not only the best Yellowcard album since Ocean Avenue, it’s one of the best pop-punk releases of the decade. The band worked tightly with Travis Barker, Avril Lavigne, and Alkaline Trio to enhance all aspects of the genre. The new tracks warranted even more of a reception than older tracks. We were truly watching a band in their prime.
Overall, Yellowcard are showing us the new heights bands can reach within the pop-punk genre. Their breakup and triumphant return displays to us that anything is possible. Please enjoy our gallery below from photographer Anthony Vito Cosentino.
Plain White T’s
New Found Glory
Yellowcard
All Photos by Anthony Vito Cosentino
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