One of the bills would restrict cooperation between New Jersey police and federal immigration agents. (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor)
This week in Hudson County, two opportunities for local artists have emerged, a popular franchise chain closed in Jersey City and more went down.
Find out about it here in this week’s Hudson County news roundup.
Liberty State Park Needs Your Help
Liberty State Park (LSP) needs your help to advocate again for them at the Virtual Public Hearing by the “State House Commission” this Thursday at 10 a.m. by opposing the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) new 60-year marina lease that allows the big boat storage warehouse for 500 boats.
According to the Friends of Liberty State Park, if passed, the lease would “harm LSP’s character, history, openness, purpose and legacy.”
The public hearing sign-in info can be found here.
Are You Interested In Running For Hudson County Commissioner?
Hudson County is looking for a new commissioner.
The opening followed some minor changes within the board, as Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker is expected to be sworn in as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 31st Legislative District following his victory in November, according to JC In the News.
Other changes include:
- Commissioner Fanny Cedeño named as the vice chair of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners
- Commissioner Bill O’Dea to serve as chairman pro tempore
To find out how to run, you can reach out to the Hudson County Clerk for more information. You can find petition links here.
Hey New Jersey Employers, You Can Help College Students’ Careers
The NJ Career Accelerator Internship Grant Program (CAIGP) is officially open.
The program aims to promote higher education and align with labor market needs.
It will provide funding to all New Jersey employers who:
- Are interested in hosting New Jersey college students
- Those who currently attend or graduated from an in-state college or university in the last 12 months
- New Jersey residents attending a college out of state for Summer 2026 (June through August)
The grant program is intended to create beneficial relationships between New Jersey’s college students and New Jersey-based employers.
The deadline to apply for the Career Accelerator Internship Grant Program for Summer 2026 is Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. You can apply here.
New Jersey Passes Three Bills That Push Back On ICE
New Jersey lawmakers are pushing forward legislation to protect immigrants and minimize the abilities of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state.
The policies, labeled as part of the Immigrant Protection Bill Package, come after a Minneapolis woman was shot by ICE agents during a raid last Wednesday, which has prompted nationwide protests, including in Hudson County.
“Now they’re killing Americans on the street,” stated Sen. Raj Mukherji, an advocate for the immigration policies.
“Imagine if local police were involved in an incident like that in New Jersey. ICE is violating folks’ civil rights every single day. Should our constituents and local taxpayers be on the hook for the damages that will inevitably result from those lawsuits?”
Bill A6309 would restrict local law enforcement from revealing the immigration status of residents to ICE agents within their jurisdiction.
Another bill titled Bill A6310 would consider areas such as schools, hospitals, shelters, courthouses and places of worship as locations where federal civil law enforcement is not allowed.
A third bill titled Bill A6309 prohibits state, county and municipal law enforcement officials from asking about a person’s immigration status based “solely on actual or suspected citizenship or immigration status or actual or suspected violations of federal civil immigration law.”
The proposed policies have not yet gone through the Senate or Assembly. If the bills continue to proceed, they will require the Governor’s signature.
Are You A Kearny Artist? Then This Is For You!
The Kearny Museum has announced the first Kearnian Art Show and they want you to be a part of it.
You can submit work now until Feb. 1. Submissions are limited to Kearny residents from high school age and up only.
All art mediums are welcomed, including painting, sketching, sculpting, photography or digital media.
You can submit your work here. The museum will reward their favorite art pieces with a first, second and third place prize.
Attention Artists! Expand Your Work With This Residency In Guttenberg
The Space & Time Artist Residency is now on through Feb. 6!
You can apply for the Summer/Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 cycles now. The deadline to apply is Feb. 6 at midnight.
Artists who are accepted will:
- Receive a key to the art studio for 3 months
- Teach a free to the public workshop
- Receive promotion through digital and print media
- Participate in a guest artist lead open studio and an end of residency group exhibition
The summer residency runs from May 5 to Aug. 8, 2026. The fall residency will run from Sept. 8 to Dec. 5, 2026. The winter residency will run from Jan 5. to April 3, 2027.
You can register here.
Eat Fresh With Ujamaa Cafe’s Farm Stands
Fresh by Ujamaa Café by Coalition Equity is officially back with their farm stands, and they are expanding this year.
On Wednesdays the farm stand will be at the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and biweekly at the Kearny Department of Public Health from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
On Thursdays, the farm stand will be at the North Bergen Recreation & Library Center from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
If you are interested in volunteering you can sign up here. You must receive confirmation from CFHE before serving at a farm stand. You must be a Hudson County resident.
Boot Barn Is Now Open in Jersey City
Over the weekend Boot Barn, one of the largest western and work wear retailer in the nation, held a grand opening celebration with prizes, live music and more.
The store located on Rt. 440 sells western pieces for men, women and children and offers a big selection of cowboy work boots, jeans and jackets. They also offer hat shaping and cleaning for new and pre-owned cowboy hats and in-person boot fitting to make sure you find the perfect pair.
“I’m so excited we are expanding to Jersey City. Our main goal is to turn you all into cowboys… and cowgirls,” Jessica, the store manager, told Slice of Culture.
The store is located at 749 NJ-440, Jersey City, NJ and you can see their store hours here.
Jersey City Crumbl Cookies Closes After Being Opened For Less Than A Year
Crumbl Cookies in downtown Jersey City has permanently closed its doors.
Located at 318 Grove Street the chain location shut down on Jan 3.
The cookie shop opened less than a year ago in February 2025. Details on why the location closed are not available yet, but there have been several Crumbl locations shut down nationwide. Locations in 11 states have also shut down recently.
There is currently no information on what the next steps are for the empty space at 318 Grove Street.
