Columbus Blue Jackets star winger Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his 29-year-old brother Matthew died in an &#8220;unimaginable tragedy&#8221; on Thursday night when they were struck by a vehicle while cycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.
Johnny, an 11-year NHL veteran, and Matthew, a former minor league hockey player, were hit from behind by the driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, who police suspect was under the influence of alcohol, ESPN <a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/41053342/blue-jackets-winger-johnny-gaudreau-brother-matthew-die" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. According to <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nhl/article-13796559/nhl-johnny-gaudreau-brother-matthew-killed-columbus-blue-jackets.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Mail</a>, the fatal accident occurred on the eve of the Gaudreaus&#8217; sister Katie&#8217;s wedding.
Police said the driver of the Jeep was attempting to pass a vehicle on the right that had moved over to make room for the Gaudreau brothers. The driver, Sean M. Higgins, has been charged with two counts of death by auto.
The Blue Jackets released a <a href="https://x.com/BlueJacketsNHL/status/1829481858968535120" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> after the deaths of Johnny and Matthew, calling the accident an &#8220;unimaginable tragedy.&#8221;
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&#8220;Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice,&#8221; the team said. &#8220;He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.&#8221;
Johnny leaves behind his wife, Meredith, and two young children — an almost 2-year-old and a 6-month-old baby. The couple married in 2021.
&#8220;While Johnny&#8217;s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname &#8216;Johnny Hockey,&#8217; he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path,&#8221; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said.
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Both brothers played collegiate hockey for Boston College. Johnny led the Eagles to a national championship in 2012, and in 2014, he won the award for the top college hockey player in the country. Johnny was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 draft. He played nine seasons in Calgary before signing with Columbus before the 2022-2023 season. Johnny was an All-Star in 2023. Matthew most recently played for the Worcester Railers in the ECHL in the 2021-2022 season.

Johnny Gaudreau

Star NHL Player And His Brother Die In Bicycle Accident Day Before Sister’s Wedding

Star NHL Player And His Brother Die In Bicycle Accident Day Before Sister's Wedding

Death

General

Hockey

New Jersey

U.S.

New Jersey Democratic Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/phil-murphy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Phil Murphy</a> is expected to select his former chief of staff to replace outgoing Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bob-menendez" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bob Menendez,</a> who announced he would be stepping down after his conviction on corruption charges. 
Murphy will pick George Helmy, who worked as the governor’s chief of staff for four years, to replace Menendez, <a href="https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2024/08/15/george-helmy-senate-bob-menendez-replacement/74805873007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to multiple reports. Helmy left Murphy’s team in October 2023 and became the chief external affairs and policy officer for RWJBarnabas Health.  
Helmy received high praise from Murphy, who <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/new-jersey-governor-set-to-tap-former-aide-for-bob-menendezs-senate-seat-5fdc70b2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> picked him over Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), who won the Democratic primary for Menendez’s seat and is running to replace him in November&#8217;s election. Helmy would finish up Menendez’s term which ends in January. 
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&#8220;Simply put, you cannot write the history of our administration without recognizing George&#8217;s singular role in leading our team for over four and a half years,&#8221; Murphy <a href="https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2024/08/15/george-helmy-senate-bob-menendez-replacement/74805873007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> after Helmy left his office.
The Republican nominee for Senate, Curtis Bashaw, <a href="https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/statement-of-curtis-bashaw-on-helmy-appointment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">praised</a> the selection of Helmy.
“Governor Murphy did the right thing in appointing a temporary caretaker to this seat and letting New Jersey voters make the ultimate decision on who will best represent them in the United States Senate come November,” he said. “On Election Day, I’m confident New Jerseyans will vote to make a change from the Democratic monopoly that has brought them decades of corruption, higher taxes, and chaos at the border.”
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Menendez <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/convicted-senator-bob-menendez-will-resign-effective-august-20-reports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that he would leave the Senate by August 20 after he was convicted on 16 counts, including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent. He will be sentenced on October 29 and faces up to 222 years in prison. 
Prosecutors said that Menendez used his clout to help a friend secure a multi-million dollar investment deal from the Qatari government, in part by taking actions as a senator that benefited Qatar. They also said that Menendez was bribed with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz. 
The New Jersey Democrat was the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when federal investigators say the bribery scheme took place. 
Menendez believes that he will be able to reverse his convictions on appeal. 
“Obviously, I’m deeply, deeply disappointed by the jury’s decision. I have every faith that the law and the facts did not sustain that decision and that we will be successful upon appeal,” he said after the conviction.

Governor Phil Murphy Delivers 2023 State Of The State Address

New Jersey Dem Governor Expected To Pick Former Chief Of Staff To Replace Disgraced Menendez

2024 Election

Bob Menendez

Phil Murphy

Politics

Scandals

A federal judge struck down a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/new-jersey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Jersey</a> ban on AR-15 rifles on Tuesday, ruling that the prohibition violates the U.S. Constitution.
U.S. District Judge Peter Sheridan wrote in a 69-page <a href="https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/new-jersey-ar-15-ban-unconstitutional.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decision</a> that a provision in New Jersey’s “Assault Firearms Law” banning the possession and sale of AR-15s violated the Second Amendment. The Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs and the Firearms Policy Coalition sued the state over the restriction and another provision banning higher-capacity magazines. 
In his decision, Sheridan pointed to Supreme Court decisions on gun regulations, including the recent Bruen decision, in which the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-scotus-strikes-down-new-york-concealed-carry-restrictions-restrictions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">court </a>struck down New York&#8217;s restrictions on concealed carry, ruling that judges must consider gun control laws in the “historical tradition of firearm regulation” in the United States. 
“That is, where the Supreme Court has set forth the law of our Nation, as a lower court, I am bound to follow it,” Sheridan wrote. “This principle — combined with the reckless inaction of our governmental leaders to address the mass shooting tragedy afflicting our Nation — necessitates the Court&#8217;s decision. For these reasons and those below, the AR-15 Provision of Assault Firearms Law is unconstitutional.”
Sheridan wrote that the possession of AR-15s for self-defense purposes was protected under the Second Amendment and was “inconsistent with our Nation&#8217;s historical tradition of firearm regulation.”
His decision did not strike down a ban on similar guns, like the Beretta AR-70 or the Springfield Armory BM59, that were included in the same law, saying he only heard arguments on the AR-15. 
Association of New Jersey Rifle &amp; Pistol Clubs Executive Director Scott Bach <a href="https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-greenlights-ar-15-sales-in-new-jersey-finding-ban-unconstitutional/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">indicated</a> his group would appeal the ruling. 
&#8220;While the decision is mixed and certain to be appealed by both sides, it is groundbreaking in that it invalidates part of New Jersey&#8217;s &#8216;assault firearms&#8217; ban — a misguided hardware ban destined to be overturned in its entirety,” he said.
The judge also ruled that a prohibition on higher capacity magazines was constitutional, rejecting the plaintiffs&#8217; challenge on that front. He pointed to mass shootings as one reason for his decision. 
“Second, that large capacity ammunition magazines have been used in most of these mass shooting events in recent years. This relationship is impossible to ignore,” he wrote. 
Democrat New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin accused the court of weaponizing the Second Amendment to “undermine public safety” and promised to appeal the decision to strike down the AR-15 ban.

2nd Amendment Advocates Gather At The Rod Of Iron Freedom Festival

Federal Judge Rules New Jersey’s AR-15 Ban Unconstitutional

Courts

Gun Control

Second Amendment

Supreme Court

U.S. Politics

Senator <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bob-menendez" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bob Menendez</a> (D-N.J.) will resign his seat effective August 20, several <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/23/politics/bob-menendez-announces-resignation/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outlets</a> have reported, and an official resignation letter could come as early as Tuesday afternoon.
&#8220;Breaking news: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) plans to resign effective Aug. 20, according to two people briefed on the decision, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations,&#8221; The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Breaking news: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) plans to resign effective Aug. 20, according to two people briefed on the decision, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. <a href="https://t.co/EZZyLDWFJw">https://t.co/EZZyLDWFJw</a>
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) <a href="https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1815804563980451888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
Menendez has faced a number of calls to step down since he was convicted on 16 counts including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent — a verdict he still says was reached erroneously.
&#8220;Obviously, I’m deeply, deeply disappointed by the jury’s decision. I have every faith that the law and the facts did not sustain that decision and that we will be successful upon appeal,&#8221; the New Jersey senator said immediately after he was convicted.
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Menendez faces sentencing on October 29, and the most serious of the charges — extortion and wire fraud — carry sentences of up to 20 years. All sentences are likely to run concurrently, but if a judge were to order that they ran consecutively, Menendez could face up to 222 years behind bars.
Following Menendez&#8217; conviction, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) joined with those who had already called for him to resign: &#8220;In light of this guilty verdict, Senator Menendez must now do what is right for his constituents, the Senate, and our country, and resign.&#8221;
Menendez&#8217; wife Nadine was also charged and has pleaded &#8220;not guilty,&#8221; but her trial has been delayed indefinitely due to health issues.

Sen. Bob Menendez Found Guilty in Corruption Trial

Convicted Senator Bob Menendez Will Resign, Effective August 20: Reports

Crime

Felony

U.S. Senate

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was found guilty in federal court on Tuesday on all 16 counts following a two-month criminal trial where he faced charges of corruption, bribery, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent, and conspiracy.
Menendez and his wife Nadine, whose trial is delayed as she battles breast cancer, were <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senator-bob-menendez-to-not-run-for-re-election-as-a-democrat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">indicted</a> in September for allegedly accepting bribes from three businessmen in exchange for actions that he took as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. According to the Department of Justice, the alleged bribes were intended to protect the businessmen and to benefit Egypt.
Prosecutors later said in a revised indictment that Menendez also allegedly used his clout to help a friend secure a multi-million dollar investment deal from the Qatari government, in part by taking actions that benefited Qatar.
One of the co-conspirators in the case, New Jersey businessman Jose Uribe, testified in the case that he bribed Menendez in exchange for Menendez pressuring prosecutors to not pursue criminal cases against Uribe and his business associates.
“I (agreed) with Nadine Menendez and other people to provide a car for Nadine in order to get the power and influence of Mr. Menendez,” Uribe testified.
He said that the bribe was intended “to help me get a better resolution for one of my associates who was being charged in a criminal matter and to stop and kill investigations that could lead to my daughter and family members.”
Menendez, 70, could end up spending the rest of his life behind bars as eight of the counts that he was convicted of each carries a potential 20-year prison sentence.
Prosecutor Paul M. Monteleoni said during closing arguments: “It wasn’t enough for him to be one of the most powerful people in Washington.”
“No, Robert Menendez wanted all that power, but he also wanted to use it to pile up riches for himself and his wife,” he said. “So, Menendez sold the power of his office.”
This is a breaking news story; refresh the page for updates.

Jury Deliberations Begin In Corruption Trial Of NJ Sen. Menendez

Democrat Senator Bob Menendez Found Guilty On All Counts In Federal Corruption Trial

Congress

A female middle school teacher in New Jersey has been charged with sexual assault after the school’s vice principal alerted authorities about an inappropriate relationship.
Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 43, has been charged with one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to <a href="https://mcponj.org/2024/06/29/intermediate-school-teacher-charged-with-engaging-in-sexual-relationship-with-student/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a press release</a> from the Monmouth County prosecutor’s office.
Havemann-Niedrach was a special education teacher at Freehold Intermediate School, where she allegedly began courting a 15-year-old boy who was in the eighth grade. In early June, the school’s vice principal alerted authorities about Havemann-Niedrach and the student, with reports saying that she would bring the student food, eat lunch with him every day, and touch him inappropriately.
“The victim told a friend that he was dating a teacher,” Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki said in court, <a href="https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/monmouth-county/teacher-on-home-detention-after-sex-charges/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Jersey Shore Online</a>. “Another teacher reported that she witnessed the defendant rubbing the victim’s neck and back area in a circular motion and that she appeared to be flirting with him and noticed her touching his leg.”
The alleged victim’s mother was informed about the allegations, and she revealed that her daughter had seen her son sitting in the teacher’s car and had been on the phone late at night. The male student at first denied that he had any inappropriate relationship with Havemann-Niedrach, saying instead that he was dating her daughter. He agreed to let police search his phone, where they discovered more than 25,000 text messages between him and the teacher, including deleted messages that police were able to recover.
Days later, the student’s mother contacted police again, saying her son was afraid after turning over his phone. The student eventually admitted to his mother that he had a sexual relationship with Havemann-Niedrach, which he told police began in January of this year.
Zanzuccki said in court that the sexual activity took place at the teacher’s house.
“This was so much for this kid that he ended up having a mental health crisis in the middle of the investigation,” Zanzuccki told the court. “I would submit that she’s obsessed with this child.”
The student asked the police to keep his cell phone, believing it was the only way to stop communication with Havemann-Niedrach.
In addition to the text messages, sexually explicit photos and videos were exchanged between the two.
“There are photographs of a sexual nature passed between the two,” Zanzuccki said. “As well as a video of them engaging in sexual conduct.”
Havemann-Niedrach’s attorney, William Wackowski of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, argued against pretrial detention, citing his client’s lack of a criminal record and said she wasn’t a flight risk. She was released to home detention at her parents’ house.
“She was a special education teacher,” Judge Vincent Falcetano said, according to JSO. “And should have known that that line is even closer than it is for a regular teacher.”
Havemann-Niedrach is married, has two children, and was previously <a href="https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/girlsc1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">named</a> one of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s 2017 Phenomenal Women Under 40.

Allison Havemann-Niedrach Mugshot

43-Year-Old Female Teacher Charged With Sexually Assaulting 15-Year-Old Boy, Was ‘Obsessed’ With Him, Authorities Say

43-Year-Old Female Teacher Charged With Sexually Assaulting 15-Year-Old Boy, Was 'Obsessed’ With Him, Authorities Say

Child Sex Abuse

Sexual Abuse

A Catholic charity group in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/new-jersey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Jersey</a> sponsored a reading of a book for young children teaching kids to move “beyond the gender binary.”
The Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Trenton <a href="https://hamiltonnjpl.org/event/community-storytime/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sponsored a reading</a> on Monday at the Hamilton Township Public Library in Hamilton, New Jersey, of a book used to promote gender ideology. The book, “My Shadow is Purple,” follows the story of a young child who identifies as neither male nor female.
The reading prompted concerns from locals, who wondered how a Catholic charity could be promoting a book encouraging gender confusion. The book&#8217;s <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-Shadow-Purple-Scott-Stuart/dp/1922503819" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon page</a> says that it is an “inspiring book about being true to yourself and moving beyond the gender binary.”
“My dad has a shadow that&#8217;s blue as a berry and my mom&#8217;s is as pink as a blossoming cherry. There&#8217;s only those choices, a two or a one. But mine is quite different. It&#8217;s both and it&#8217;s none. If theirs are straight then mine is a circle,” the child says in the book.
The picture book features photos of the child wearing both masculine and feminine clothing, including a skirt/suit hybrid made for the school dance.
<div id="attachment_753059" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-753059" class="wp-image-753059 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/06/Screen-Shot-2024-06-19-at-12.31.45-PM-1024x505.png" alt="" width="1024" height="505" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/06/Screen-Shot-2024-06-19-at-12.31.45-PM-1024x505.png 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/06/Screen-Shot-2024-06-19-at-12.31.45-PM-300x148.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/06/Screen-Shot-2024-06-19-at-12.31.45-PM-768x379.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/06/Screen-Shot-2024-06-19-at-12.31.45-PM-1536x758.png 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/06/Screen-Shot-2024-06-19-at-12.31.45-PM-2048x1011.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Screen shot of book from Reading Rocket YouTube reading.</div>
At the dance, one student says, “There’s more than two colors our shadows can be,” after the child does not want to go to the male or female part of the dance floor.
Tom, a local parent and Catholic, said that he was shocked by the sponsorship of the reading.
&#8220;As devout Catholics and parents to children 4 and 1 1/2, this book event really hit home for my wife and me,&#8221; he told The Daily Wire. &#8220;We are in a state of complete disbelief that our Diocese would align itself with something so clearly in opposition to the teachings of our faith.&#8221;
&#8220;We seriously question how this sponsorship is anything other than a sad example of secularized virtue signaling,&#8221; he added. &#8220;I would also like the Diocese of Trenton to explain how moving children &#8216;beyond the gender binary&#8217; will move them closer to God?&#8221;
In a statement to The Daily Wire, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Trenton said that the reading was part of the charity&#8217;s educational mission and indicated it was done as part of its contract with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families under the NJ Statewide Student Support Services Network (NJ4S).
“To that end, our NJ4S Mercer Hub team offers a wide variety of educational and prevention programs for students, families and educators to ensure the children in the county have access to behavioral health care as well as information about numerous issues that can impact a student’s mental health,” Hollis Painting, head of communications for the charity, told The Daily Wire.
Painting added that the reading was one of the free events put on by the team.
“The event you reference included a reading of Scott Stuart’s &#8216;My Shadow is Purple&#8217; and a discussion and activity about ways children can express their individuality,” Painting told The Daily Wire. “Through this variety of programs, it is our aim to address the diverse scope of issues facing students in Mercer County.”
Hamilton Township Public Library Director Scott Chianese told The Daily Wire that the charity reached out to the library to host the event and that it was the first event the charity had done at the library.
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Bishop of Trenton David O&#8217;Connell, who is the president of the charity board, did not respond to request for comment on whether the book was in line with Catholic beliefs.
The charity says that it “offers mental health, poverty-reduction, and social and crisis services to individuals and families, particularly those impacted by trauma and adversity.”
The charity also offers immigration-related services and advises them to “not open the door to U.S. immigration agents or police unless they have a legal document with your name on it.”

MixCollage-19-Jun-2024-01-27-PM-6782

Catholic Charity Sponsors Book Reading Encouraging Children To Move ‘Beyond The Gender Binary’

Catholic Church

gender ideology

Social Issues

East Brunswick High School in New Jersey is coming under fire after its yearbook replaced a photo of a Jewish student group with a photo showing Muslim students, and the section of the yearbook where the list of Jewish names was supposed to be had no names.
A member of the Jewish Student Union at the school told <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/06/05/us-news/new-jersey-jewish-community-shocked-after-blatant-antisemitic-error-in-high-school-yearbook/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Post</a>, “We were shocked and disturbed when we got up to our page and saw what happened. It was disappointing, and it feels like they were trying to take our identity away from us.”
Christine Mahler and Jack Goldberg, of the East Brunswick Jewish Center, said they were “shocked and appalled.” Goldberg said, “We have a very prominent Jewish community in East Brunswick, and everyone is very upset by what happened at the high school. We’ve never had anything like this happen before.” Mahler echoed, “We stand with the mayor’s office and our fellow synagogues in demanding a response from the district. We don’t want to pre-emptively pass judgment, but we need answers.”
East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen issued a press release in which he fired off some questions, asking how it happened, who was responsible, who were the yearbook advisors and who signed off on the page, whether the mistake happened by the publisher, and how the perpetrators would be held accountable, as HotAir <a href="https://hotair.com/tree-hugging-sister/2024/06/06/nj-high-school-yearbook-poofs-jewish-student-names-replaces-their-club-picture-with-muslim-students-n3789760#google_vignetteNJ%20High%20School%20Yearbook%20Poofs!%20Jewish%20Student%20Names,%20Replaces%20Their%20Club%20Picture%20With%20Muslim%20Students" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. Cohen <a href="https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/jewish-student-group-omitted-nj-school-yearbook-east-brunswick/5480827/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a>, “I think the community — both the Jewish community and community at-large — deserve an answer to this quickly. It’s downright upsetting and outrageous for you not to call it out for what it is: It is an antisemitic act. It doesn’t imply who did it, not making any accusation of who did it — that’s up to the investigation.&#8221;
Brittany VanDyke, the faculty advisor for the yearbook, said it was a “mistake not caught in editing and printed unintentionally,” adding, “We know what happened, we know our truth and we are working hard to rectify this situation immediately.”
“I sent a message out to the community today saying that we’re investigating — and I wished people would give us time to investigate, not rush to judgment,” said Superintendent Victor Valeski. “I’m gonna wait to find out what the investigation finds, because it could be a legitimate mistake. So I don’t want to call it antisemitism yet.”
Valeski also <a href="https://newjersey.news12.com/east-brunswick-school-under-fire-for-yearbook-photo-mix-up-some-say-was-antisemitic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offered</a> an apology to the Muslim community, saying, “I want to offer sincere apologies to our Muslim students and families, as well. I am aware that the picture placed in the yearbook has caused pain for our Muslim students and for that I am deeply sorry. We work every day to foster an inclusive school environment for all EB students but I realize that new work needs to be done every day to make that a reality.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
East Brunswick High School, NJ &#8211; the entire Jewish Student Union has their names erased and photo replaced with Muslim students in the school’s yearbook. 
Dr. Victor Valeski, Superintendent of Schools 732.613.6705 and demand an explanation! <a href="https://t.co/iHdbGqBE11">pic.twitter.com/iHdbGqBE11</a>
&mdash; StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) <a href="https://twitter.com/StopAntisemites/status/1798188107860148376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Other 2024 yearbooks around the country have included anti-Israel material; California’s Palos Verdes High School yearbook <a href="https://ktla.com/news/local-news/yearbook-controversy-sparks-safety-concerns-for-jewish-students-in-southern-california/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">included</a> an anti-Israel article written by a student titled, “Whose Land Is It Anyway?” The Glenbrook South High School yearbook in suburban Chicago included a student <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/suburban-chicago-high-school-yearbook-oct-7-attacks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a> she was “happy” about the October 7 Hamas terror attack, and Texas’ Bellaire High School yearbook <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/05/03/us-news/texas-hs-yearbooks-palestine-page-causes-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">included</a> a “Times of Palestine” page that simply mentioned a Hamas “attack” on October 7 and said, “what happened, happened.”

US-EDUCATION-SCHOOL

NJ High School Yearbook Erases Photo Of Jewish Student Group, Replaces With Photo Of Muslim Students

Anti-Semitism

High School

Jews

yearbook

Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-democrat-remains-hospitalized-more-than-a-week-after-cardiac-episode" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Payne Jr.</a> (D-NJ) won the Democratic Party&#8217;s primary in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/new-jersey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Jersey</a> on Tuesday, a little more than a month after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-jersey-house-democrat-donald-payne-jr-dies-at-65" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he died</a> at the age of 65 following a <a href="https://gothamist.com/news/new-jersey-rep-donald-payne-dies-at-65-weeks-after-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heart attack</a>.
The late congressman <a href="https://x.com/mtracey/status/1798040013697167850" target="_blank" rel="noopener">appeared</a> as the sole House candidate for the 10th Congressional District on the primary ballot, although voters can submit a &#8220;Write-In&#8221; alternative. Carmen Bucco <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/06/04/us/elections/results-new-jersey-us-house-10-primary.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> the Republican primary, though he is considered a long shot in the blue district.
County officials from the Democratic Party are expected to call a convention before August and pick someone else to be their nominee for the November election after the primary results are certified on June 17, <a href="https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/payne-wins-nj-10-primary-posthumously-setting-up-special-convention-this-summer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the</a> New Jersey Globe.
The report noted that a special election to determine who will serve the remainder of Payne&#8217;s term is also underway. A primary in that contest is set for July 16, followed by a September 18 general election. At least a dozen people, including 11 Democrats and Bucco, are running in that race.
Payne, a six-term congressman, suffered a heart attack on April 6, resulting in hospitalization. A couple of weeks later, on April 24, officials <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-jersey-house-democrat-donald-payne-jr-dies-at-65" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> Payne had died. He had been running for another two-year term in the House, and his name was already printed on ballots for the primary before his passing.
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&#8220;We are saddened to be informed of the passing today of Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., who had been serving New Jersey&#8217;s 10th Congressional District since 2012, and who succeeded his father in the same position,&#8221; House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1783181627578863723" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post to X. &#8220;Our prayers are offered today for his family and friends, and especially his wife, Bea, and their three children.&#8221;
The congressional <a href="https://clerk.house.gov/members/NJ10/vacancy">website</a> for Payne&#8217;s office says, &#8220;the employees of the former Representative continue to staff the offices of the congressional district under the supervision of the Clerk of the House of Representatives&#8221; in the interim, and &#8220;constituents of the district are invited to contact this interim office for information and assistance.&#8221;
In the House, there are now 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats. Besides Payne&#8217;s old seat, <a href="https://pressgallery.house.gov/member-data/party-breakdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">three other vacancies remain</a> after Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH), Ken Buck (R-CO), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) resigned in recent months. This week, Vince Fong was <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/california-republican-takes-oath-office-complete-term-former-110796540" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sworn in</a> as a GOP lawmaker to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

U.S. Representative Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) seen speaking.

Dead Congressman Wins Democratic Primary

Democrats

Elections

U.S. House of Representatives

Former President Donald Trump received thunderous applause at UFC 302 in New Jersey on Saturday night, one of his first public appearances since a New York jury convicted him of 34 felony counts.
Trump walked into the venue with Dana White, the president of UFC, to a standing ovation. He shook hands with attendees and greeted the judges before taking his seat.
Videos posted to social media showed the crowd chanting, &#8220;<a href="https://x.com/ShawnMcCreesh/status/1797093160331432037">F*** Joe Biden</a>&#8221; and &#8220;<a href="https://x.com/Travis_4_Trump/status/1797095632206741615">We want Trump</a>.&#8221;
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President Donald Trump is in the building! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC302?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC302</a> | LIVE on TNT Sports &amp; discovery+ <a href="https://t.co/5GxqLnWbzI">pic.twitter.com/5GxqLnWbzI</a>
&mdash; UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufcontnt/status/1797086014663528489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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🇺🇸 Donald Trump 🤝 Aaron Rodgers 🤝 Theo Von 🇺🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC302?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC302</a> | LIVE on TNT Sports &amp; discovery+ <a href="https://t.co/gaU20Djtv2">pic.twitter.com/gaU20Djtv2</a>
&mdash; UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufcontnt/status/1797090848762454067?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The former president also received recognition from multiple fighters during the event.
“President Trump, you’re the man, bro. It is a damn travesty what they are doing to you. I’ll be donating to you, my man. Let’s get it done,” Sean Strickland, the former UFC middleweight champion, said in his victory speech from the octagon.
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BREAKING: Former UFC champion Sean Strickland shouts out Trump in his post-fight victory speech. 
“President Trump, you’re the man… It is a d*mn travesty what they are doing to you. I’ll be donating to you, my man.” <a href="https://t.co/aXeGE97kQe">pic.twitter.com/aXeGE97kQe</a>
&mdash; Leading Report (@LeadingReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeadingReport/status/1797122576264921337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WATCH: After UFC fighter Kevin Holland wins the match, he goes and shakes President Trumps hand.
 <a href="https://t.co/dTliZGTPpY">pic.twitter.com/dTliZGTPpY</a>
&mdash; Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/1797111711540859000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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UFC middleweight Kevin Holland, who snapped his opponent&#8217;s arm during his match, climbed out of the octagon after his win to talk to Trump.
“I just apologized because the first time I hopped out of the cage when he was there I didn’t speak to him,&#8221; Holland <a href="https://heavy.com/sports/ufc/kevin-holland-celebrates-with-donald-trump-302/">reportedly</a> said.
On Thursday, Trump was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/verdict-trump-found-guilty-on-all-charges-in-hush-money-case">convicted</a> on 34 counts in the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. After the verdict was read, Trump slammed the trial as a politically motivated setup. The former president said the “real verdict” will be delivered on Election Day.
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America has never seen a movement like this. 
“We want Trump” chants breaking out everywhere <a href="https://t.co/74oWIDUODD">pic.twitter.com/74oWIDUODD</a>
&mdash; 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸 (@Travis_4_Trump) <a href="https://twitter.com/Travis_4_Trump/status/1797095632206741615?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
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“This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt,” Trump said. “It’s a rigged trial, a disgrace. They wouldn’t give us a venue change. We were at 5% or 6% in this district, in this area. This was a rigged, disgraceful trial. The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people. And they know what happened here. And everybody knows what happened here.”
President Joe Biden&#8217;s campaign, which polling shows is behind Trump in several battleground states, used the verdict in Trump’s trial as a fundraising pitch. 
“The stakes have never been higher — democracy, personal rights and freedoms, and the future of our economy are all on the line,” one email <a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-response-trump-convictions-hush-money-case-52d14817f4e715f9bc4c188a766d5738">said</a>.
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On Friday, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-he-is-the-political-prisoner-of-a-failing-nation">referred</a> to himself as a “POLITICAL PRISONER OF A FAILING NATION” in a post on his social media site, Truth Social. He said he would “SOON BE FREE” after the November election.
“After sitting for five weeks through that Rigged Trial in Lower Manhattan, which was surrounded by vast but unnecessary numbers of New York’s Finest in order to keep law abiding MAGA patriots away, and as I watched insignificant numbers of fully funded Radical Left troublemakers, with brand new and gleaming professionally made signs, screaming and cursing from areas said to be closed to us, and all others, I realized that Reason, Truth, and Love of our Country is no longer a force of Good and Change. These are Dark Days in America!” Trump wrote.
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-shrugs-off-possible-jail-sentence-after-scam-trial-wont-beg-for-leniency">Trump Shrugs Off Possible Jail Sentence After &#8216;Scam&#8217; Trial, Won&#8217;t &#8216;Beg&#8217; For Leniency</a>

Donald Trump

WATCH: Donald Trump Receives Standing Ovation At UFC 302 After Conviction

Jury selection began on Monday in the trial of Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bob-menendez" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bob Menendez</a> (D-NJ), who is accused of taking bribes to wield his influence to benefit foreign nations. 
Federal prosecutors have charged Menendez with 16 criminal counts, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/13/bob-menendez-trial-new-jersey-corruption" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including</a> conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, a charge accusing him of conspiring to act as a foreign agent for Egypt, obstruction of justice, and other related corruption charges. The allegations include claims that Menendez was bribed with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz. 
Menendez was the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when federal investigators say the bribery scheme took place. After he was first charged in September 2023, he stepped down as chair, though he is still on the committee. 
The trial, taking place in Manhattan, and expected to last weeks. Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, two New Jersey businessmen accused of being involved in the bribery scheme, are being tried with Menendez. A third alleged associate of Menendez, Jose Uribe, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/businessman-pleads-guilty-to-corruption-charges-will-testify-against-new-jersey-democrat-senator" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pled guilty</a> in March to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and tax evasion.
Mendendez’s wife, Nadine, will be tried in July over accusations that she was part of the bribery scheme. During his plea deal, Uribe said that Nandine was given a Mercedes-Benz with the expectation Menendez <a href="https://apnews.com/article/menendez-uribe-federal-bribery-indictment-a7f1d893f1ee387f079161011e9dd37e?taid=65e2224817ae090001089d55&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter">would</a> use “his power and influence as a United States senator to get a favorable outcome and to stop all investigations related to one of my associates.”
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According to federal prosecutors, the alleged bribes were intended to benefit Egypt and protect Hana, Daibes, and Uribe. 
“Those bribes included cash, gold, payments toward a home mortgage, compensation for a low-or-no-show job, a luxury vehicle, and other things of value,” the indictment said. Federal authorities reportedly found gold bars and cash stuffed throughout the senator’s home that they traced back to the businessmen Menendez allegedly worked with. 
Menendez is also accused of ghostwriting a letter to other senators to urge them to support ending a hold on $300 million in military aid to Egypt, a letter reportedly written in coordination with his wife and the businessmen in question. Other charges say he attempted to use his influence to benefit Qatar. 
The New Jersey Democrat has pleaded not guilty to the charges and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrat-senator-menendez-poised-to-blame-his-wife-for-alleged-crimes-reports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> plans to blame Nadine. Menendez previously faced federal corruption charges in 2017, but the case ended in a mistrial.

Criminal Trial For US Senator Bob Menendez

Jury Selection For New Jersey Democrat Senator Bob Menendez Corruption Trial Begins

Bribery

Corruption

Egypt

At a campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Saturday, former President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trum</a>p received an endorsement from Hall of Fame NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who announced the Democratic Party had fumbled his support.
&#8220;I just wanted to say I grew up a Democrat and I’ve always been a Democrat until I met this man right here,&#8221; Taylor <a href="https://twitter.com/c3pmeme/status/1789440911090257971?s=46&amp;t=o-U3qwC25WnWaylJ0oeG7Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> the crowd, referring to Trump. And I tell you what, he will not have to worry nobody in my family ever voting for a Democrat again.&#8221;
As cheers erupted, Taylor stepped aside and embraced Trump, who wore one of his red &#8220;Make America Great Again&#8221; hats. Taylor&#8217;s former New York Giants teammate, Ottis Anderson, walked up to the microphone and spoke.
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BREAKING: Trump Brings NFL Legends Lawrence Taylor and Ottis Anderson Up on Stage in New Jersey: “I grew up a Democrat and I’ve always been a Democrat until I met this man right here.” WATCH <a href="https://t.co/nRKzxIrU0J">pic.twitter.com/nRKzxIrU0J</a>
&mdash; Simon Ateba (@simonateba) <a href="https://twitter.com/simonateba/status/1789447775509238156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Don’t you just love that guy? I tell you it has been a very exciting day. You guys, not one person left here. You’re still here yelling and screaming,&#8221; he said. &#8220;So my word is: Wildwood, are you in the house? I can’t hear you. Wildwood, are you in the house? Thank you guys for all your support.&#8221;
Chants of &#8220;U.S.A.&#8221; rang out among the attendees as the NFL legends, both two-time Super Bowl champions, walked off the stage. Trump then complimented the &#8220;two great guys.&#8221;
The event took place in South New Jersey, on the Jersey Shore, and featured Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), who in 2019 <a href="https://apnews.com/article/9c058c6123efdc75bc3919936309e6b5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that he was leaving the Democratic Party and declared his support of Trump during the first impeachment effort against the former president.
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North Dakota Republican Governor Doug Burgum, a former 2024 rival to Trump who is now <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-surrounds-himself-with-potential-vps-at-mar-a-lago" target="_blank" rel="noopener">under consideration</a> to be his running mate, also made an appearance at the rally.
Up to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-draws-up-to-100k-supporters-at-rally-in-deep-blue-state?topStoryPosition=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">100,000 people</a> attended, a Wildwood spokeswoman told the Associated Press.
During his remarks, Trump claimed that New Jersey — which he lost in the 2016 and 2020 elections — was a state in which he could emerge victorious in the 2024 contest.
&#8220;As you can see today, we&#8217;re expanding the electoral map because we are going to officially play in the state of New Jersey,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/MAGAIncWarRoom/status/1789422161502875973" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &#8220;We&#8217;re going to win the state of New Jersey.&#8221;
RELATED: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-draws-up-to-100k-supporters-at-rally-in-deep-blue-state">Trump Draws Up To 100K Supporters At Rally In Deep Blue State</a>

Former NFL football player Lawrence Taylor

NFL Hall Of Famer Says Trump Converted Him From Dem Party

Endorsement

Sports

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