Photo courtesy of Everything Jersey City.
We recap what’s been happening in Hudson County and New Jersey, including: how you can have your voice heard in the pending Medicaid cuts, call for a “Better PATH” and in the advancing Kean-NJCU school merger.
Here’s this week’s Hudson County news roundup.
Kean University, NJCU Continues Moving Towards Merger
Earlier this week, Kean University and New Jersey City University (NJCU) signed a letter of intent (LOI), which advances their proposal to merge with the Jersey City institution.
The planned merger still has specifics to iron out, including regulatory and accreditation approvals and a formal definitive agreement, but Kean would “assume NJCU” and operate an additional location called “Kean Jersey City.”
“This strategy honors the legacy of NJCU while elevating our shared commitment to access, equity and excellence,” said Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.
“By coming together, we are creating a stronger, more resilient public higher education system that meets the needs of New Jersey’s students and communities. Together, Kean and NJCU reaffirm our responsibility as anchor institutions to uplift and empower the people we serve.”
According to ROI-NJ, the Kean president would take executive oversight and a campus chancellor would be appointed by the Kean president to run Kean Jersey City. Once the merger is complete, NJCU students would become Kean students “without disrupting their education.”
Kean would assume NJCU’s assets and liabilities.
Are you a Kean or NJCU student? Tell us how you feel about the merger by emailing us at [email protected] or DM us on Instagram @sliceofculture.
Want The PATH To Go Directly To Newark Airport? Then This Is For You
Hudson County Complete Streets is inviting you to come out to Exchange Place Tuesday, May 20 at 5 p.m. for the Better PATH Rally.
Hudson County Streets—an advocacy group for safe, equitable and sustainable transportation—wants everyone to come together with local leaders, advocates and neighbors to call for a more frequent night and weekend PATH service and a direct connection to Newark Airport.
“Let’s turn up and let everyone hear that our community is ready for better, more reliable and more convenient PATH service,” wrote Hudson Complete Streets in an Instagram post.
Rent Shuts Down Another Staple Jersey City Business
Metropolis Music announced that it will be closing its doors after 25 years of business. The music store is located on 240 Newark Avenue in Downtown Jersey City.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce that we have finally lost our lease and will be closing this month. After 24 years on Newark Avenue,” announced the shop.
“We’re sad to go, but the rising rents have finally beat us. We will continue to do repairs and lessons in a new location, but the retail store will be closing.”
Metropolis Music did not say the exact date they are closing or where their next location would be.
Jersey City rent has skyrocketed to one of highest in the country.
Metropolis is not the only Newark Avenue business closing. Last month, the beloved arcade-bar Barcade also closed its doors.
But there’s still some time to stop by the music store. They said they’re “dropping prices on all remaining inventory throughout the rest of May until it’s all gone, so come on down and say hi and grab a deal!”
Trump Administration Announces Large Cuts To Medicaid, How You Can Help Stop It
President Donald Trump announced his “big, beautiful bill” that could have a big effect on roughly 1.5 million New Jerseyans who rely on Medicaid.
The legislation said that there are calls for at least $880 billion in cuts. This is mainly to Medicaid, and it’s being done to help cover the cost of $4.5 trillion in tax breaks.
This proposal is looking like the biggest political fight over health care since the Republican tried but did not succeed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act during Trump’s first term back in 2017.
Medicaid provides close to free health care to more than 70 million Americans, a country where residents typically have to have health insurance to seek medical assistance. The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which increases access to affordable and quality healthcare, will also likely get affected.
“Savings like these allow us to use this bill to renew the Trump tax cuts and keep Republicans’ promise to hardworking middle-class families,” said Rep. Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, the GOP chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which handles health care spending.
Democrats labeled the move as another attempt to repeal Obamacare, which is what New Jersey’s Get Covered NJ is built under.
“In no uncertain terms, millions of Americans will lose their health care coverage,” said Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the panel. “Hospitals will close, seniors will not be able to access the care they need, and premiums will rise for millions of people if this bill passes.”
According to data from KFF, Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), of Medicaid recipients nationwide:
- 82 percent are children living below the poverty level
- 62 percent are people living in nursing homes
- 41 percent are pregnant women giving birth
- 39 percent are children
- 31 percent are non-elderly adults with disabilities
- 19 percent are Medicare recipients
To help fight against the cuts to Medicaid, you can help tell Congress “NO” by taking action at: https://www.medicarerights.org/action-alerts/2025/05/05/alert-tell-congress-to-say-no-to-harmful-medicaid-cuts.
Without you, there is no Slice of Culture. Any type of gift helps continue our mission of supporting aspiring journalists and keeping local journalism alive. Give a gift today or become a member with extra perks.
Multiple People Die, Hospitalized After Two-Car Crash
The county’s investigation unit and the Kearny Police Department are still investigating a fatal car crash that left a man and woman dead and nine people in the hospital.
The fatal crash happened around 3:30 a.m. Friday morning in Kearny, in the area of 490 Newark-Jersey City Turnpike. When police got to the scene, they found a BMW sedan and a Ford Transit Van that had collided with each other, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.
In the BMW, was the male driver and a female passenger who were “fatally” injured in the collision; they were pronounced dead at the scene, according to prosecutors. Their identities have not been revealed due to pending positive identification.
In the transit van, who were reportedly from Canada and New York, seven people were taken to University Hospital in Newark and two to Jersey City Medical Center, all for treatment for their injuries. One is in critical, but stable, condition.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave a tip at https://hcpo.opsnetwork.org/tips. All information will be kept confidential.
Three NJCU Students Are Awarded By NASA
Three NJCU students, Xyanna Fuentes, Gabriel Mendoza and Vedi Patel have been awarded the prestigious NASA New Jersey Space Grant Consortium (NJSGC) Research Internship for the 2024-2025 academic year. Mendoza and Patel are set to graduate on May 28.
The NASA New Jersey Space Grant Consortium is NASA’s educational arm in New Jersey for higher education, charged with progressing the goals of the National Space Grant program. The program allows students the opportunities to engage in scientific research, foster them into the next generation of STEM professionals and connect them with real-world applications.
All three students represented NJCU at the NJSGC Annual Affiliate Meeting held at Rutgers–Camden last month. Fuentes, Mendoza and Patel, under the mentorship of Dr. Moitrayee Chatterjee, showcased their innovative research with other students from other New Jersey colleges and universities.
Here’s what each student focused on:
- Mendoza is a computer science major from Jersey City and graduated from James J. Ferris High School. His research focused on Crater Detection in Mars Environment.
- Patel is a senior biochemistry major from Union City who went to Jose Marti STEM Academy. She researched Microbes in Space: Extreme Survivors for Future Exploration.
- Fuentes is a junior computer science major also from Jersey City and attended County Prep High School. Her research investigated The Training of Lunar Lander with Reinforcement Learning Models.
“These students exemplify the talent, dedication, and scientific curiosity that we foster at NJCU,” said Dr. Chatterjee in a statement.
“Their selection for this competitive NASA program speaks volumes about their abilities and potential for future contributions to their fields.”
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
