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Why the book ban promotes censorship in New Jersey – The Rider News

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Why the book ban promotes censorship in New Jersey – The Rider News


By Grace Bertrand

Censorship has crept  into spaces from classrooms to libraries, belittling marginalized voices and under-represented identities. The privilege to pick up a book on any topic is a liberty that has been stripped from students all over the United States. Banning books in the U.S. can be traced back as early as 1637, but in just this past year, New Jersey specifically has seen 13 attempts at restricting access to 28 books ranging from topics on race, gender, sexuality and religion from school curricula and public libraries. 

PEN America, a nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness for the protection of free expression in the U.S., released an “Index of School Book Bans” for just the first half of the 2022-2023 school year, where they found that 30% of the unique titles banned are books about race or racism, or “feature characters of color,” while 26% of the 1,500 unique titles banned cover LGBTQIA+ characters or themes. 

The undermining of the stories waiting to be told by disempowered parties has not only been an issue in classrooms, but in libraries as well. As promoters of knowledge, librarians have a duty to protect the freedom to read for all. The American Library Association released a “Freedom to Read Statement” that affirms “libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.” 

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What can we do in this clash of censorship? While Rider itself has no issues, our librarians are involved in several state organizations that combat book banning in New Jersey public and school libraries, including the New Jersey Chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries. 

On the legislative side, a bill was introduced last month to create a law against book banning in New Jersey called The Freedom to Read, sponsored by Senator Andrew Zwicker, Senator Teresa Ruiz and Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis. Librarians across the state are calling for valuable voices from New Jersey students to submit written testimonies on the matter, simply by emailing pastpresident@njasl.org. A state hearing in front of members of the Education Committee will be held on Feb. 15. 

Rider education professor Heather Casey said, “Universities are places where free and open access to information and ideas is key to learning. When access is removed to different perspectives and points of view, it limits learning.”

The banning of books is an issue unfolding in real time that not only has immediate impact, but also future consequences on how children are taught and what information is disclosed to them in their most impressionable years. 

In attempts to shelter the younger generations from being easily shaped by the information out in the world, state-level policies end up denying them the ability to think for themselves and draw conclusions based on the whole truth.  

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Husband dies after killing wife, shooting self at NJ nursing home, police say

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Husband dies after killing wife, shooting self at NJ nursing home, police say


A man has died of self-inflicted injures, officials said, a day after he shot and killed his estranged wife at a New Jersey nursing home on Monday.

According to police, on Tuesday morning, Brandon Alexander, 35, of Minotola, New Jersey, succumbed to self-inflicted injuries at a New Jersey hospital after he shot and killed his wife, Victoria, 38, also of Minotola, NJ, at Excelcare Rehabilitation Facility in Egg Harbor Township.

That shooting, officials said, happened at about 6 a.m. at the nursing home, located along the 6800 block of Delilah Road in Egg Harbor Township.

Follow up investigation determined that the shooting happened after Alexander waited in the parking lot of the nursing home for his estranged wife to show up at work, where she was employed as a nurse, on Monday morning, officials said.

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Once she arrived, officials said, Alexander maneuvered his vehicle to block in her car and he then entered her vehicle, before leaving a pair of suicide notes on the dashboard.

However, as this happened, a food truck driver pulled up and asked Alexander to move his vehicle, police said.

At that time, police said, Alexander exited his wife’s car and followed her into the nursing home building where he shot her several times before turning the gun on himself.

Victoria Alexander was pronounced at the scene and, officials said, her estranged husband was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to self-inflicted injuries on Tuesday morning.

An investigation into this incident, officials said, remains ongoing.

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Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for April 13, 2026

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Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for April 13, 2026


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Powerball winning numbers are in for the Monday, April 13 drawing with a jackpot that reached an estimated $45 million ($20.5 million cash option).

The winning numbers in Monday’s drawing are 38, 43, 59, 63, and 64, with Powerball number 15.  The Power Play number is 3.

Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot?

No one won the Powerball jackpot.

When is the next drawing of the Powerball?

The next Powerball drawing is Wednesday. Drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

How late can you buy a Powerball ticket?

In New Jersey, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 9:59 p.m. on the night of the draw.

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What does it cost to play Powerball?

Powerball costs $2 to play. For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play feature can multiply nonjackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or 10 times.

Are you a Powerball winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All New Jersey Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.99. For prizes over $599.99, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at New Jersey Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to New Jersey Lottery, Attn: Validations, PO Box 041, Trenton, NJ 08625-0041.

Winners can drop off their claim form and winning ticket in person at the New Jersey Lottery office where a secure drop box is available. Claim forms are also available at the office. Hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Lawrence Park Complex, 1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle, Trenton, NJ 08648.

To find a lottery retalier, you can search the NJ lotto website.

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What is the Powerball payout?

The complete guide to winnings is:

  • Match 5 White Balls + Powerball: Jackpot
  • Match 5 White Balls: $1 million
  • Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $50,000
  • Match 4 White Balls: $100
  • Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $100
  • Match 3 White Balls: $7
  • Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $7
  • Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $4
  • Match Powerball: $4
  • Match 5 White Balls with Power Play: $2 million
  • Match 4 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $200,000
  • Match 4 White Balls with Power Play: $400
  • Match 3 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $400
  • Match 3 White Balls with Power Play: $28
  • Match 2 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $28
  • Match 1 White Ball + Powerball with Power Play: $16
  • Match Powerball with Power Play: $16

What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

The overall odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 292.2 million.

How do I find the Powerball winning numbers?

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Drawings are also lived streamed on Powerball.com. The winning numbers are posted to the Powerball and New Jersey Lottery websites.



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Calendar says April, weather forecast says taste of summer for NJ

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Calendar says April, weather forecast says taste of summer for NJ


The calendar may say April, but Mother Nature is giving New Jersey another taste of summerlike vibes this week. Monday will be just as breezy as Sunday, but it will be a warming wind this time around. Temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees warmer, with highs around 75 to 80 degrees. Clouds will win the sky, and a few quick hit-or-miss rain showers are possible during the day. Tuesday trends even warmer, with highs reaching into the 80s for most of the state. (Although do not plan on making it a beach day, as coastal communities will be held to the 60s thanks to the chilly ocean and bay water.) Widespread 80s are expected for Wednesday and Thursday too, with minimal rain chances. Warm weather will carry into the start of the weekend, with our next cold front set to arrive on Sunday.

Monday NJ weather: 10 to 20 degrees warmer, spotty showers

The past week has been quiet, but relatively cool. You can not deny that New Jersey’s weather has been pleasant. And definitely dry — drought concerns continue to spiral, and wildfire danger remains high. (Although the latter issue will get slightly better later this week as humidity goes up and wind speeds go down.)

Monday will be just as windy as Sunday. But this time around, it will be a warming wind. So temperatures will trend 10 to 20 degrees warmer, as we flip back to summerlike weather for a majority of the state this week.

While you may need a light jacket or sweater early Monday, you can ditch it soon enough. High temperatures Monday afternoon will reach about 75 to 80 degrees around the state. It will be quite breezy, with southwesterly gusts peaking around 30+ mph. Expect more clouds than sun throughout the day.

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In addition, a few spot showers may develop as temperatures warm, in the midday and afternoon hours. Just a few brief spurts of light raindrops, not amounting to much.

As skies clear Monday night, it will remain mild and comfortable. Low temperatures will only dip to around 60 degrees overnight.

Tuesday NJ weather: Even warmer, but not for everyone

Tuesday will be even warmer, with high temperatures soaring into the lower 80s for most of the state. It will be mostly to partly sunny, with breezy conditions continuing.

It will feel almost summerlike. I have to say almost because the Jersey Shore will end up considerably cooler. Oceans and bays are still quite cold at this point of the season, with water temperatures around 50 to 55 degrees. That will have a big cooling effect on air temperatures in coastal communities. So just keep in mind if you are thinking about a beach day this week — while inland areas will surge toward hot 90 degree temps, the Shore will be closer to 60.

Wednesday NJ weather: Feeling summerlike

Another very way, summer-ish day. Expect a mix of sun and clouds, with high temperatures in the mid 80s. This will be our first shot of seeing 90+ degrees somewhere in New Jersey this year.

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There is a chance for a popup thunderstorm late-day Wednesday, especially to the north.

Thursday NJ weather: More 80s

The warm, dry conditions continue on Thursday, with widespread 80s on thermometers across the Garden State once again.

Temperatures will slide back slightly, with 70s and 80s will carrying through the start of the weekend. There will be some clouds and maybe a stray shower around on Friday, but again temperatures will be unseasonably warm.

Our next big weathermaker will be a cold front arriving on Sunday. That will deliver our next chance of widespread rain — although a wholesale soaking would be great, keep your expectations low for a nice, healthy drought-buster.

Behind that front will come cooler air. By Monday morning, we could be back in frost territory, with morning lows in the 20s and 30s. Afternoon highs will turn more seasonable for early next week, in the lower to mid 60s or so.

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5 DAY FORECAST: New Jersey Weather Center

Significant or historical events in New Jersey for April (in chronological order)

Here are some of the historical or significant events that impacted New Jersey or happened in the Garden State during April. Is there an event missing? Let us know with an email to dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

Dan Zarrow is Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey. Follow him on Facebook for the latest forecast and realtime weather updates.

2026 PNC Bank Arts Center Concert Lineup

Gallery Credit: Matt Ryan





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