The Jersey City Board of Education at 346 Claremont Ave. (Reena Rose Sibayan / The Jersey Journal)
Local news, travel updates and a teaching opportunity are some of the things you’ve missed in Hudson County and New Jersey this week.
Jersey City Board Of Education Bans Mussab Ali
Mussab Ali has been banned until further notice from Jersey City school property by the Jersey City Board of Education (JCBOE).
On Thursday, The JCBOE held their meeting, where one of the topics discussed was Ali—a current congressional candidate for New Jersey’s 8th District and former JCBOE president—who joined in a student-led protest against ICE (U.S. Customs and Enforcement).
“While we respect our student’s First Amendment rights to free speech and peaceful expression, our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety, security, and academic progress of every child in our care. When students leave buildings or grounds without authorization, it creates a significant safety risk,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Norma Fernandez, according to Hudson County View.
Board Vice President Dejon Morris described Ali as a “threat” and added, “We do realize our scholars have the right to exercise their right to free speech and demonstrate. However, we have a responsibility with the board of Education to … instill discipline and respect … Former President Ali was in direct violation of the code of conduct and rules of regulation for the board of education.”
Ali responded to the decision in an Instagram post that shows screenshots and videos that a student reached out and asked Ali to be “a trusted adult” to stand in solidarity and provide safety.
“They organized, mobilized their peers and I showed up outside of school grounds. They organized so well in fact that the [JCBOE] doesn’t even believe they were capable of putting this together,” Ali said in the video.
The JCBOE’s decision is “until further notice.”
Plan Your Trip Ahead Of Service Interruptions And Changes, Says NJ Transit
Most NJ Transit rail lines are getting modified schedules, and here’s what you should do to plan your commute—if you can’t work from home.
Now until March 15, all rail lines except the Atlantic City Rail Line will have new schedules due to Amtrak’s transfer rail operations from the old Portal Bridge to the new Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River.
Trains will be operating on a single track between Newark and Secaucus with limited capacity.
NJ Transit travelers should expect:
- Modified train schedules, many with earlier departures
- Reduce service frequencies
- Longer travel times
- Train consolidations or cancellations
Hoboken has been preparing to be a transfer option. PATH also has some scheduled “service outages” to plan ahead of.
NJ Transit urges travelers to check their updates schedules and use the trip planner feature before traveling. Riders should also allow extra travel time and consider commuting outside peak hours, which would be before 7 a.m. or after 9 a.m. and before 4 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
Plan your trip here.
Baonanas Says Goodbye To The Community
Baonanas’ closed its doors after 11 and a half years.
Baonanas started as “the world’s first banana pudding scoop shop” that was opened by two college kids trying to raise money for a car repair, and it quickly turned into a journey that shaped the Jersey City community.
“Growing up in the West Side and Greenville neighborhoods of Jersey City, Monticello Avenue quickly became our second home. Opening Baonanas there felt like coming full circle. Day after day, we had the privilege of serving familiar faces, reconnecting with childhood classmates and teachers, turning neighbors into friends, and welcoming guests who eventually became family,” Baonanas owners Patricia and Lloyd wrote on their website.
“Baonanas HQ was never just a dessert shop. It became a place of connection, joy, growth and learning—not only for our team, but for us as founders as well.”
Baonanas had locations on Monticello Avenue, Harborside JC and New York City. They catered weddings, baby showers and other life moments. They also built long-term partnerships with organizations such as Meta, AMEX and the Federal Reserve. Celebrities like Bella Hadid, Tyler the Creator and Waka Flocka shared their love for Baonanas online.
Baonanas always showcased their Jersey City roots and Filipino heritage whenever they had the chance. Slice of Culture covered some of their events including Groove, Connect and Grow as well as their annual Ube Fest.
The owners stated that the reason for the closure is not due to lack of support and sales, but instead the increasing cost of ingredients, inflation and tariffs.
“The Baonanas chapter is closing — but our story isn’t. As thrilling as the Baonanas journey has been, we’re just as excited for where life takes us next,” they wrote in the announcement.
New York/New Jersey World Cup FanFest Canceled
The New York and New Jersey World Cup host committee has abruptly canceled its fan festival that would have been at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
The FanFest was first announced in February 2025 by Tammy Murphy, the wife of then-New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and chair of the New York/New Jersey host committee’s directors. It would have been open for all 104 matches of the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11.
Earlier this month, the FIFA Fan Festival™ NYNJ announced that they were looking for food vendors.
With the fan festival now scrapped, the newly elected Gov. Mikie Sherrill recently announced a $5 million initiative to fund community World Cup initiatives.
Tickets for the FanFest had been put on sale back in December. It’s unclear what the process will be for people who bought tickets.
David Guirgis Is Running For Hudson County Commissioner District 4
David Sabry Guirgis announced that he will be running for Hudson County Commissioner.
Guirgis is a social worker, organizer, democratic socialist and former senior advisor to Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, according to an emailed press release. He is a lifelong resident of District 4, which covers portions of Ward C, Ward D and Ward E in Jersey City. Ward D CouncilpersonJake Ephros and Ward E Councilperson Eleana Little have already announced their endorsement.
Guirgis is challenging for a seat to represent District 4, which is currently held by Yraida Aponte Lipski.
In the announcement, he said:
“I’m honored to announce that I’m preparing a run for Hudson County Commissioner in District Four, the community that raised me. As your Commissioner, I’ll deliver free community college and green social housing for the working people who make Jersey City whole.”
Ron Bautista also recently announced his campaign to become one of the Hudson County Commissioners.
The commissioners are currently without a District 3 representative, which was previously held by Jerry Walker, who now serves as state assemblyperson.
The primary election is set to take place on June 2, 2026.
This Jersey City High School Is Having A 50-Year Reunion!
James J. Ferris High School, located at 35 Colgate Street in Jersey City, is celebrating the Class of 1976 with a 50 year reunion.
The reunion will be held on Oct. 31, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Chandelier Restaurant & Catering, located at 1081 Broadway in Bayonne.
To receive up-to-date details on the class reunion, please join the 50th Reunion Class of 76 Facebook group here.
You Can Become A Teacher In The NJPAC Arts Education Program!
The Jersey City Arts Council is inviting all performing artists and novice teachers to apply to the new NJPAC Teaching Artist Certificate program!
This program will help develop the skills to facilitate creative lessons with diverse learners in classroom, community and healthcare settings.
The Teaching Artist Certificate is a four-week, hybrid summer program that offers training in justice-oriented arts education pedagogy and business practices.
The program is open to all artists, college students and change-of-career individuals with a creative practice in music, dance, theater and playwriting. You must be over the age of 18.
Applications are open now until March 27. You can apply here.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
