Photo by Adrienne J. Romero / SOC Images.
Money, protests and local pool deals.
Here’s what’s been happening in Hudson County.
Heads Up Commuters: NJ Transit Prices Just Increased
NJ Transit just increased their fare prices by 3% in order to fill a $106 million budget gap.
The new base fare for bus and light rail travel is $1.80, and rail travel starts at $1.70.
Ticket prices factor in the route and distance traveled. The cost to ride a bus will start at $1.80 for a one-zone ride, like commutes within the same city, but can get as high as $55 depending on how far or how many zones you go through. A light rail ticket will cost anywhere between $1.70 and more than $23.
Riders between the ages of 5 and 11 or above 62 will pay a discounted rate.
The record-breaking budget deal was signed last Monday by Gov. Phil Murphy.
“Working-class families who are dependent on New Jersey Transit can’t afford a 3% increase every single year,” said Talia Crawford.
“It’s a lot of money, especially with rising costs of living, including my child care, housing, health care — everything is increasing.”
NJ Transit has attempted to offer more deals for riders, like with their summer deals and promo codes exclusively available on the NJ Transit app.
To plan your trip and see how much it would cost, you can visit: https://www.njtransit.com/trip-planner-to.
For a full fare guide, you can see: https://www.njtransit.com/fares.
Dive Into This Summer With These Kearny Pool Wristband Deals
Kearny’s 2025 Pool Wristbands are now on sale!
Pricing:
- Ages 12 & under – $20
- Ages 13 to 61 – $30
- Seniors 62+ – $10
All children ages 9 and under must be accompanied in the pool by an adult. Proof of Kearny residency is also required, which could be in the form of a license, utility bill or lease.
You can pick up your wristband at the Kearny Recreation Office, located at 402 Kearny Avenue, from Monday to Friday between 9 am. to 3 p.m.
The wristbands are valid for Lincoln School Pool use through Dec. 18, 2025.
Help This Community Bookstore Open On Jersey City’s West Side
Stelton Distro, an upcoming brick-and mortar-bookstore and DIY arts space, has secured its 500 square-feet location on the West Side of Jersey City, but is asking for community support to open.
They will have a wide variety of magazines, books, live music, poetry, workshops, political education, book clubs, film screenings and a “capacious vision of creative experimentation towards collective liberation.”
To help, you can become a member of their space once they officially open—starting at $3 a month—or you can make a one-time donation to their GoFundMe page, which details their mission and vision.
Residents appeared to be excited and shared their thoughts about the new bookstore and DIY space coming to Jersey City.
“This is amazing,” commented one user under Shelton’s opening announcement on Instagram.
“Hell yeah dude! exactly what we have been needing,” commented another user.
They aim to open in September.
Read All About It! New Jersey Continues To Invest In Local News And Journalists
Diverse New Jersey newsrooms will be able to continue telling stories of overlooked communities.
That’s all thanks to Gov. Phil Murphy who approved a $2.5 million budget line for the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium (NJCIC); this was included in the 2026 state budget, which was signed on Monday night. The NJCIC is a nonprofit organization that aims to invest public funds into supporting and growing community-based news and information sources throughout New Jersey.
Since its launch back in 2021, NJCIC has invested more than $9 million in community newsrooms, student reporting programs, journalism training, multilingual media and civic tech projects across the state.
Community media and local journalism have recently both been under national threat.
“This funding reaffirms New Jersey’s commitment to a fundamental truth about democracy: informed communities are stronger communities,” said Chris Daggett, NJCIC Board Chair and Interim Executive Director.
“We’re very grateful to legislative sponsors Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald and Senator Vin Gopal, budget committee chairs Senator Paul Sarlo and Assemblywoman Pintor Marin, the Legislative Black Caucus, Senate President Nick Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Gov. Murphy for their continued support, and to the advocates across New Jersey who raised their voices to protect local news and civic storytelling.”
NJCIC’s funding was initially cut in the first fiscal 2026 year proposed budget, dropping from $3 million in the fiscal 2025 year to $0.
With the funding, the NJCIC will carry on with:
- Awarding grants to innovative local journalism and civic media projects.
- Supporting multilingual and underserved communities with targeted news coverage.
- Expanding internship programs and educational initiatives that build the next generation of local journalists.
- Strengthening democracy by making public information accessible, equitable and community-driven.
“New Jersey remains the only state in the country with a publicly funded civic information consortium,” said Daggett. “This model works, and we’re proud to continue proving that in every corner of the state.”
Newark Airport Workers Rally Amid United Airlines Cuts To Jobs, Healthcare and Immigration Legal Benefits
Amid national layoffs, United Airlines is now cutting benefits that are affecting 600 workers—including in New Jersey.
These workers include: contracted cabin cleaners, lift truck drivers and veteran workers, including some from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the cuts, this past Thursday more than 50 32BJ SEIU (property service workers union) airport workers rallied at Newark Liberty International Airport to protest United Airlines’ plans.
United Airlines’s plans are to replace union contractor Prospect Cleaning Services with United Ground Express. Their plan includes:
- Convert 80% of 600 full-time positions to part-time
- End workers’ employer-paid healthcare, including zero employee premium cost sharing for workers.
- Cut a critical union-provided immigration legal benefit, secured through the workers’ union contract with 32BJ SEIU, which has provided free immigration legal services, citizenship support and deportation defense, which has been a critical resource amid the Trump administration’s immigration rollbacks.
“This is chaos,” stated Ana Maria Hill, Executive Vice President and New Jersey State Director of 32BJ SEIU. “United Airlines is gutting standards we’ve spent over a decade building—standards that ensure stable, high-quality jobs and a healthy, functioning airport. Cutting healthcare, slashing hours, and removing vital immigration legal support will drive experienced workers out the door.”
“These jobs are the backbone of airport operations, and the State of New Jersey recognized their importance with the Healthy Terminal Act. United can still do the right thing: reverse course, protect these essential jobs, and recommit to the wages, benefits, and legal protections that keep workers—and the airport—strong.”
Trump Administration’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Passes, What It Means For New Jersey
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act—nicknamed the “Big Beautiful Bill”—was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this past Thursday and has since been signed into law.
This bill encompasses a myriad of things, but it especially affects the everyday person who relies on Medicaid health programs and also fuels the controversial crackdown on immigration.
In New Jersey, roughly 320,000 people will lose health insurance and Passing the bill means an increase of 3% of people who would be without health insurance across New Jersey. This also means another 320,000 people will be impacted; an estimated 270,000 people will lose coverage and 56,000 would lose it through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
It is estimated that 10 million people will lose health insurance across the country.
The Bill was met with criticism from several politicians.
“Trump’s Tax Hike Bill will jack up utility bills, kick seniors out of nursing homes, and take food away from hungry children. Jersey families will be whacked with a $3,300 per year tax to cover the damage. It’s not the Big Beautiful Bill. In Jersey, we call it a Big F’ed Up Bill,” said Josh Gottheimer (D- New Jersey).
“This GOP spending bill is a betrayal of the American people and especially the people of New Jersey. 17 million Americans stand to lose health care. Millions more of our children, veterans, and seniors will lose food assistance. And it will make household energy costs skyrocket. There is still time to stop the chaos. All we need is a handful of courageous votes in the House of Representatives,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a Facebook post.
“Under the cover of darkness and while most Americans slept, Donald Trump and Speaker Johnson cut a backroom deal to secure the votes for the Republican Price Hike Bill. They are slashing healthcare, taking food off the table, and jacking up utility bills while protecting billionaires and special interests. That’s not governing. That’s selling out New Jerseyans and the American people,” said Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Sherrill via Facebook.
In terms of immigration, more than $140 billion will fund border security including the border wall, detention centers, compensation for immigration officers and deportations.
For a comprehensive breakdown of the bill, read here: https://usafacts.org/articles/whats-in-the-one-big-beautiful-bill/.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
