New Jersey
A hollow victory in fight to bring transparency to cops’ use of facial recognition technology
Police used facial recognition software to go ‘window-shopping for a suspect,’ says a New Jersey man arrested after facial recognition software found his image matched the suspect in video footage of a robbery.
How one state has risen as ‘a leader’ in medical debt protections
Many states are cracking down on medical debt collection and payment practices, but New York’s efforts stand out, one expert says.
States recognize 'something's got to give' in providing services to older adults
Helping older adults participate in society and stay engaged with the community as they age is a growing priority for state governments.
How states are cracking down on rising prescription drug costs
From creating drug price review boards to bulk purchasing medications, state officials are keen on keeping health care costs down amid skyrocketing prescription costs.
Inside the Department of Labor’s collaboration with New Jersey to overhaul unemployment programs
A new application for unemployment claims in the Garden State marks the result of a years-long federal effort to help states modernize their jobless aid efforts.
How New Jersey’s new affordable housing law aims to ease the housing crisis
The new law lets municipalities know exactly how much affordable housing they have to build. It’s an approach that states are increasingly trying in an effort to pressure local governments to increase affordable options.
Sunshine Week brings attention to state efforts to overhaul open records laws
As technology renders decades-old open records policies obsolete, states look to overhaul them. It is pitting government officials against good-government groups and reporters.
How one state has mapped out its opioid recovery plans
The Garden State is pouring more than $95 million of its opioid settlement money into harm reduction, treatment and housing as it starts to mitigate substance use disorders.
Why some schools are halting Halloween celebrations
Concerns that some students may feel excluded from Halloween celebrations has prompted some districts to move celebrations outside of school hours.
Predictive policing software terrible at predicting crimes
A software company sold a New Jersey police department an algorithm that was right less than 1% of the time.
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New Jersey Lawmakers Take Bipartisan Swing at Deepfake Regulation
The bill would expand identity theft statutes to criminalize deceit aided by artificial intelligence.
In a City Scarred by Violence, a New Approach to Public Safety
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and others have committed to reforming policing and healing the trauma that has haunted New Jersey's largest city since a deadly uprising in 1967.
Casinos Pled Poverty to Get a Huge Tax Break. Atlantic City Is Paying the Price
Despite growing profits, casino operators used predictions of “grave danger” to convince the state to slash their tax burden, denying millions to the city, its school district and the county.
How One State Measures Post-pandemic Recovery
Economic leaders in New Jersey can see indicators and contextualize metrics with a solution that combines government, geographic and third-party economic data into an interactive dashboard.
States Expand Efforts to Squash Spread of Dangerous Insect
The invasive spotted lanternfly kills many crops and trees and can cause a state hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Several states are sounding the alarm and quarantining more counties.
The Democratic States Moving to End Mask Mandates
Governors and other officials in at least five blue states took steps this week to dial back the requirements.
Storm Drains Keep Swallowing People During Floods
An alarming number of people (especially children) have drowned after disappearing into storm drains during floods. The deadly problem should be easy for federal, state and local government agencies to fix, but tragedy strikes again and again.
Where Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back the Most and Least
Nebraska tops the list of states where the unemployment rates are bouncing back the most. New Jersey comes in last.
Supply Chain Issues, Poll Worker Shortages Worry States Ahead of Elections
Election officials in some states are recruiting more poll workers but say getting power supplies and extension cords are also problems.
Full FDA Approval of Pfizer Vaccine Prompts Swift Mandates for State, Local Government Workers
Following approval for the vaccine, some leaders across the country immediately tell public employees and college students to get vaccinated now.
