New Jersey

We must do more to isolate Iran. This is how New Jersey can help.

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2024

Press Room

We must do more to isolate Iran. This is how New Jersey can help.

3-minute read

Michael Inganamort
| Special to USA TODAY Network

In early July, the Director of National Intelligence warned that Iran is funding and providing material support to anti-American and anti-Israel protestors across the United States. On July 24, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited the DNI report in his address to a joint session of Congress, White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby affirmed it and protesters summarily burned American flags and vandalized statues outside Union Station in Washington, D.C., forcing the shutdown of the train station.

Worse yet, intelligence reports indicate that Iran has been planning to assassinate former President Donald Trump and other former and active senior government officials.

This is, of course, on top of the work Iran does to arm and fund Hamas in Israel, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and a cadre of other terrorists in Iraq and Syria.

How does New Jersey fit in?

What does any of this have to do with New Jersey?

To begin, we are not immune or isolated from Iran’s dangerous behavior. In September 2022, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey charged two Iranian nationals with hacking and attempting to extort a business in Morris County and a municipality in Union County. And there is no telling whether the anti-America protests that have taken place in New Jersey were among those funded by Iran.

Fortunately, there are tools at our disposal to isolate Iran. Under current law, companies competing for public contracts within the state are ineligible if they concurrently do more than $20 million of business with Iran’s energy or finance sectors. Put another way, these companies are eligible if they do a little less than $20 million of business with Iran’s energy or finance sectors. I believe New Jersey can do better than that. And given Iran’s aggressive and potentially deadly agenda inside the United States, I believe we have to do better than that.

In June, I introduced Assembly Bill 4632 to redefine “persons engaging in investment activities in Iran,” cutting the threshold in half, from $20 million to $10 million. This is an important first step in isolating Iran and dramatically reducing any indirect support gained from New Jersey public contracts. My ultimate goal and intention is for this threshold to be reduced to zero.

Under federal law, states have the flexibility to determine their financial posture towards Iran. The federal Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Investment Act, signed into law in July 2010, empowered state and local governments to prevent or discontinue contracts with companies doing business in Iran. Then-Governor Chris Christie did so in 2012, establishing the $20 million threshold. As of July, New Jersey has 31 companies on its prohibited list. My bill strengthens this law — and would grow the prohibited list — at a critical time.

At least 13 other states have similar bans to New Jersey’s 2012 law, including California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee. Some of these states go further, by not just setting a threshold for Iran investment, but also limiting the size of the public contracts themselves. California and Florida ban public contracts of $1 million or more, Tennessee’s threshold is $1,000, and New York bans all contracts.

Notably, the bill does not create any additional work local certified purchasing agents, as the responsibility for certifying compliance rests with the vendors and bidders. The Division of Purchase and Property within the Department of the Treasury maintains its role in monitoring and enforcing the list of prohibited companies, with stiff penalties at its disposal.

By lowering the financial threshold in New Jersey, we ensure more individuals and companies are scrutinized, putting our state at the front of national efforts to isolate Iran. We cannot leave room for ambiguity when it comes to our position on Iran. It is imperative that we send a clear and unequivocal message: New Jersey will not tolerate indirect support of Iran’s dangerous agenda. Our state’s integrity and security depend on such decisive actions.

Michael Inganamort represents New Jersey’s 24th Legislative District, which includes all of Sussex County and parts of Morris and Warren counties, in the State Assembly.

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New Jersey

Behavior of some drivers in New Jersey raises pedestrian safety issues

Published

10 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Press Room

Behavior of some drivers in New Jersey raises pedestrian safety issues

You would think or hope this wouldn’t be an issue in New Jersey. But apparently, it is.

Unfortunately, New Jersey drivers feel the need to put themselves first and ahead of everybody else. And yes, that includes pedestrians.

ALSO READ: What young drivers fear is a very New Jersey thing

OK, maybe that’s a little too harsh. Perhaps it’s better if we say some New Jersey drivers. To be fair, I truly do believe the vast majority of us do pay attention on the roads and follow the law.

It’s that small minority that give us the bad name. It’s equivalent to the small few who are loud. Even though there are less of them, we notice them more because they make themselves stand out.

It’s the same with our drivers. Those of us who do the right thing don’t get noticed. It’s those very few that don’t know what they’re doing that really give us that bad reputation.

And when it comes to pedestrian over driver, this couldn’t be any truer for some of us.

Mike Brant TSM

No regard for the law

This particular instance occurred in downtown Toms River, right by the public library.

There’s a crosswalk there with a sign stating that vehicles must stop for pedestrians within the crosswalk. Seems pretty straightforward, especially with a sign right in the middle of the road.

But yet, multiple cars wouldn’t stop for people trying to cross. Now no, the cars weren’t speeding, but they also never bothered to hit their brakes and let the pedestrians cross the road.

I was one of those pedestrians who, despite standing on the side ready to cross, the cars wouldn’t stop. Not one. I had to wait until no cars were coming up the road.

Mike Brant TSM

Not a one-off

Curious, I decided to watch from one of the benches on the other side after I crossed. And you know what? The same thing happened with others trying to cross too. The cars weren’t speeding, but they weren’t stopping to allow pedestrians to cross either.

It’s a shame some New Jersey drivers are oblivious to the fact that they have to stop. Fortunately, this isn’t a regular occurrence at this spot. Still, you sometimes will come across multiple vehicles in a row that have no regard for the law or the safety for others.

10 things New Jerseyans should keep in their car

Gallery Credit: Kyle Clark

Exclusive look at Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest 2025

A sneak peak at this years Fright Fest, along with an exclusive look inside some of the attractions. Please note that some photos appear blurry due to the lighting and 3D effects of the attraction.

The final day for Fright Fest is Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.

Gallery Credit: Mike Brant

The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host & content contributor Mike Brant. Any opinions expressed are his own.

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New Jersey

Coach congratulates the Devils after big win in TO | New Jersey Devils

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1 day ago

October 22, 2025

Press Room

Coach congratulates the Devils after big win in TO | New Jersey Devils

NewJerseyDevils.com is the official web site of the New Jersey Devils, a member team of the National Hockey League (“NHL”). NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Copyright © 1999-2025 New Jersey Devils and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.

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New Jersey Super 25 rankings as HS football regular season hits the homestretch

Published

2 days ago

October 21, 2025

Press Room

New Jersey Super 25 rankings as HS football regular season hits the homestretch

After another dramatic week of high school football across the Garden State, two teams rejoined the latest New Jersey Super 25 rankings.

Despite a 3-5 record, Paramus Catholic returned by knocking off then-No. 9 Red Bank Catholic, and Brick Memorial returned by taking down previously-undefeated Southern.

In the best game of the week, No. 8 Washington Township stayed undefeated with a wild comeback over No. 25 Kingsway.

The upcoming week is the final week for public schools and the penultimate week for non-publics. There are four games between ranked teams, all in the northern half of the state.

Every week, voters from across USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey rank the top teams in the state. The rankings are posted every Tuesday morning.

25. Kingsway (6-2)

Public ranking: 16

The Dragons squandered a 12-point lead with fewer than seven minutes to play in a 39-36 loss at Washington Township. Kingsway’s two losses to Camden and Washington Township are by a combined eight points and were games in which the team held fourth-quarter leads. Cole DeNick scored three touchdowns and has 19 total TDs for the season.

Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Williamstown (3-5)

24. Camden (6-2)

Public ranking: 15

The Panthers produced their second road win in the span of five days thanks to a 48-14 win at Lenape. The 48 points scored are a season-best for Camden The QB combo of senior Ahmad Jones and freshman Gregory Wyche Jr. combined to complete 24 of 29 pass attempts for 369 yards and five touchdowns.

Next game: TBD in Group 2 playoffs

23. Holmdel (5-2)

Public ranking: 14

Junior Michael Todisco ran for 132 yards and a touchdown on offense, and intercepted a pass and was in on six tackles on defense, as the Hornets defeated Raritan, 35-0. Junior Matt Scheinman ran for two touchdowns, and was in on 10 tackles. Senior quarterback Jack Cannon threw for 132 yards and two TDs.

Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Middletown North (3-3)

22. Brick Memorial (6-2)

Public ranking: 13

Senior quarterback Jason Lajara completed 19 of 24 passes for 330 yards, and ran for 71 yards and a TD, as the Mustangs beat then-No. 18 Southern, 19-14, to hand the Rams their first loss. Junior tight end Joe Livio caught eight passes for 155 yards, and Ricky Dillion caught a touchdown pass.

Next week: Oct. 24 vs. Jackson Township (2-6)

21. Red Bank Catholic (7-1)

Non-public ranking: 9

The Caseys sustained their first loss of the season, a 30-16 defeat to Paramus Catholic. Freshman Simon Picnich booted field goals of 22, 31 and 40 yards, freshman Rahmir Rivera threw a 19-yard TD pass to sophomore Jason Berecsky, and freshman Gabe Kemp ran for 132 yards on 26 carries.

Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Marlboro (2-6)

20. Paramus Catholic (3-5)

Non-public ranking: 8

The Paladins showed the might of North Jersey’s Big Six by knocking off then-No. 9 Red Bank Catholic, 30-16. Sophomore Rowan Martin threw TD passes of 40 yards to senior Aiden Acevedo and 15 yards to senior Julian Franco. Sophomore AJ Lopez scored the first TD in the first quarter on a 63-yard interception return.

Next game: Oct. 24 at Don Bosco (7-0)

19. Phillipsburg (6-1)

Public ranking: 12

Sam Dech ran for 156 yards and four touchdowns as the Stateliners rebounded from their first loss with a 42-0 win over Union. Phillipsburg complied 20 first downs and 401 total yards as Vincent Berger and Thomas LaBella ran for touchdowns.

Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Bridgewater-Raritan (6-2)

18. Northern Highlands (6-1)

Public ranking: 11

The Highlanders registered their first shutout of the season, 21-0 at Ridgewood. Junior Carter Blattner made nine tackles. Senior Chase Calarco rushed for 136 yards, with a 73-yard score, and threw a touchdown pass and made seven tackles. Senior Jack O’Callaghan threw for 113 yards and a touchdown.

Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Ramapo (6-1)

17. Atlantic City (7-1)

Public ranking: 10

Despite being held to a season low in points, the Vikings mustered enough offense to extend their winning streak to five with a 13-0 win at Hammonton. Kyree Barksdale and Ahmad Chambers rushed for touchdowns in the first and third quarters, respectively. AC’s defense posted its second shutout of the season.

Next game: TBD in Group 5 playoffs

16. Cedar Creek (7-1)

Public ranking: 9

The Pirates ran their winning streak to seven with a 49-14 win at Timber Creek on Friday. The 49 points were a season-high and marked the sixth time the team topped 40 points in a game. Aamir Dunbar rushed 10 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns to power the offense.

Next game: Oct. 24 at Ocean City (4-4)

15. Mount Olive (7-0)

Public ranking: 8

Brayden Longo rushed 18 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns in the Marauders’ 31-17 win over Wayne Valley. Longo also had an 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown to give Mount Olive a 21-14 halftime lead.

Next game: Oct. 24 at West Morris (8-0)

14. Burlington Township (8-0)

Public ranking: 7

The Falcons remained unbeaten with a 27-14 home win over Northern Burlington. Senior Aiden Binns rushed for a pair of touchdowns, raising his season total to 16. Burlington Township is 8-0 to start a season for the first time since 2018, when it won its first 10 games.

Next game: Oct. 23 at Cinnaminson (4-4)

13. West Morris (8-0)

Public ranking: 6

Mike Finlay rushed 10 times for 130 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-3 win over Roxbury. The Wolfpack scored the final 34 points of the game, rushing for 279 yards and five touchdowns as a team to eclipse 2,400 rushing yards as a team this season.

Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Mount Olive (7-0)

12. St. Joseph (Metuchen) (7-0)

Non-public ranking: 7

The Falcons continued their redemption tour by topping St. Thomas Aquinas, 41-19. It’s the second straight week St. Joseph avenged a loss from last season. Justin Scaramuzzo threw for 231 yards and five touchdowns, and Reggie Bropleh Jr. had 105 receiving yards and three scores.

Next game: Oct 25 vs. Woodbridge (7-1)

11. St. Augustine (6-1)

Non-public ranking: 6

After spotting Rancocas Valley a 14-point lead in the first quarter, the Hermits stormed back with 28 unanswered points, including 21 in the second half, en route to a 28-14 home win. Roman Comey was a workhorse, carrying 32 times for 135 yards and three touchdowns to pace the offense.

Next game: Oct. 24 at Millville (3-4)

10. Ramapo (6-1)

Public ranking: 5

The Green Raiders broke 40 points for the fourth consecutive week with a 42-7 home win over Hackensack. Senior Casey Grusser threw for 199 yards, with a 53-yard TD pass to senior Michael Ballan and 26-yard score to senior Joseph Yessis. Seniors Liam Hayward and Gino Gorga each ran for two scores.

Next game: Oct. 24 at Northern Highlands (6-1)

9. Glassboro (8-0)

Public ranking: 4

The Bulldogs extended their state-best winning streak to 21 with a 35-7 win over Schalick. Jack O’Connell threw for three touchdowns, raising his season total to 26, one shy of the school record set by Sakeen Wright in 1999 and equaled in 2000.

Next game: Oct. 24 at Woodstown (2-6)

8. Washington Township (8-0)

Public ranking: 3

The Minutemen overcame a 12-point deficit in the final seven minutes to capture a wild 39-36 win over Kingsway. Washington Township is off to a 8-0 start for the first time in 24 years. Senior quarterback Cole Aquino threw for 250 yards and two scores, including the decisive touchdown to Jyair Moore, who turned a screen pass into a go-ahead, 51-yard scoring play.

Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Timber Creek (2-6)

7. Old Tappan (7-0)

Public ranking: 2

The Golden Knights rolled up 587 total yards in a 47-28 home win over Wayne Hills. Junior Zach Miceli threw for 325 yards, including first-quarter TD passes of 41 yards to junior Leo Etter and 22 yards to junior Shane Small. Senior Devyn Radoian returned from injury and carried 30 times for 165 yards and four TDs.

Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Pascack Valley (4-3)

6. St. Peter’s Prep (6-1)

Non-public ranking: 5

The Marauders fell from the unbeaten ranks with a 31-21 home loss to DePaul. Senior Tyler Bell threw for 255 yards and three TDs, and senior Hunter Watson caught six passes for 112 yards and a score. Junior Chris Horn caught nine passes for 85 yards.

Next game: Oct. 25 at Pope John (1-6)

5. St. Joseph (Montvale) (5-2)

Non-public ranking: 4

The Green Knights earned a win via a forfeit by Pope John, and, remarkably, it’s their second forfeit win of the season. In five games of action, senior Mason Geis has thrown for 552 yards and two TDs. Senior Kyshawn Bryant has rushed for 222 yards and five scores. Sophomore Tahj Gray has a team-leading 51 tackles.

Next game: Oct. 25 at Bergen Catholic (6-1)

4. DePaul (5-2)

Non-public ranking: 3

The Spartans’ running game paved the way for a 31-21 victory at then-No. 3 St. Peter’s Prep. Senior Marquan Carter rushed for 158 yards and TD, and senior Derek Zammit ran for 47 yards and a score. Sophomore Ryan Sayles kicked a 27-yard field goal and four extra points. Senior Jaxon Bastante recovered a fumble and scored.

Next game: Oct. 25 at Delbarton (3-4)

3. Winslow (6-2)

Public ranking: 1

The Eagles soared to their fifth straight win with a 41-6 triumph over visiting Mainland. Junior quarterback Jalen Parker threw for five touchdowns, raising his career total to 87, the second highest total in South Jersey history behind Timber Creek’s Devin Leary (105, 2017) and fourth in state history.

Next game: Oct. 24 at Cherokee (3-5)

2. Bergen Catholic (6-1)

Non-public ranking: 2

The Crusaders broke 40 points for the third time this season with a 42-7 home win over Delbarton. Sophomore Trey Tagliaferri threw for 332 yards and four TDs, including two scores to junior Austin Busso. Senior Najee Calhoun rushed for 47 yards and two TDs, and senior Jordan Thomas had two of the team’s three interceptions.

Next game: Oct. 25 vs. St. Joseph (Montvale) (5-2)

1. Don Bosco (7-0)

Non-public ranking: 1

The Ironmen own the top spot for the fourth consecutive week thanks to a 40-7 victory at Seton Hall Prep. Senior Dante DeLuca rushed for 84 yards and a TD, and senior Colin Brennan ran for 70 yards and a score. Senior Dylan Wrona threw a TD pass and ran for a score. Senior Robert Ekins had a tackle for a safety.

Next game: Oct. 24 vs. Paramus Catholic (3-5)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES (listed alphabetically): Donovan Catholic (5-3), Southern (7-1), West Orange (6-2), Westwood (7-1)

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