Free speech under heavy attack in Georgia via both legal and governmental actions. But not only Georgia – in hundreds of actions all around the country.
Free speech under attack in Georgia and around the country
NJEDA grant can get real estate projects to the finish line
The NJEDA's Construction Inflation Fund can close funding gaps and help get real estate projects finished.
Governor Murphy appoints Tahesha Way as New Jersey Lt. Governor
Governor Phil Murphy today announced Secretary of State Tahesha L. Way as the next Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey. In a ceremony in the New Jersey Executive State House, Lieutenant Governor Way was sworn into her new role, which she assumes after the unexpected passing of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver on August 1, 2023.
“Sheila Oliver was the greatest partner in government I could have ever hoped for, and she leaves incredibly big shoes to fill,” said Governor Murphy. “While no one can truly replace her, I am deeply proud to appoint Secretary of State Tahesha Way to succeed her as Lieutenant Governor. Tahesha has been with our administration from the very beginning, and her work over the past five and a half years leading the Department of State has grown New Jersey’s tourism economy, uplifted small businesses, and strengthened our election system. Tahesha is the perfect candidate to join me in finishing the job that Sheila and I started.”
“I considered Lieutenant Governor Oliver a close friend and mentor – someone I looked to for guidance to better serve the people of New Jersey,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way. “To have been selected as her successor as New Jersey’s next Lieutenant Governor is one of the greatest honors of my career. I come to this position as the child of two public servants who molded me into the person I am today. Having experience at different levels of government has showed me the important role that those of us in public office can play in improving the lives of families across our state. I look forward to finishing the work of this Administration with Governor Murphy and continuing to build on the legacy Lieutenant Governor Oliver fostered.”
“We are very pleased with Governor Murphy’s selection of Tahesha Way as Sheila’s successor to be the next Lieutenant Governor,” said the Oliver Family. “Our beloved Sheila dedicated her heart and soul to serving the people of New Jersey –displaying an unwavering commitment to public service that we know Tahesha shares. We know Sheila would have been proud that Tahesha has been selected to carry out her legacy.”
Lieutenant Governor Way comes to the position with over two decades in public service. In addition to fulfilling her duties as Lieutenant Governor, she will also continue to serve as Secretary of State.
During her tenure as Secretary of State, Way became the first Black person and first Secretary of State from New Jersey to lead the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) as President, helping to defend democracy at both the state and national level. Prior to becoming Secretary of State, Secretary Way was an Administrative Law Judge for the State of New Jersey. She was elected to the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2006, where she later served as the Freeholder Director in 2009. She also served as a Council Member for the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council.
Lieutenant Governor Way is a graduate of Brown University. She also holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law at Charlottesville. She and her husband Charles have four children and reside in Wayne.
The Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver served as New Jersey’s second Lieutenant Governor and the only woman of color to be elected to statewide office in New Jersey history.
Peggy Shephard Tells About Her Harlem EJ Group’s Astonishing Accomplishments
The WE ACT grassroots organization Peggy Shephard founded in Harlem, New York City has brought extraordinary benefits to the community: they have transformed the once filthy and decrepit Harlem piers into a gem of a neighborhood park, forced the city to upgrade its entire bus fleet to a cleaner diesel system, spearheaded robust community engagement activities and have led initiatives to bring fresh food and cleaner air to residents of upper New York City. In her TedX talk, Shephard tells about these and other of WE ACT’s fantastic accomplishments.
New Jersey schools will provide free menstrual products for students
Menstrual products free of charge in every public school with students in grades six through twelve.
The Naked Man Orchid is a real flower
@Natgeo photo of the naked man orchid (Orchis Italica) looks exactly like its name. It even has little eyes. So startling that nature would mimic a human body so precisely. Photo by Javier Aznar Photography @javier_aznar_photography.
SanDisk SSDs are failing and becoming big paperweights
Photographers and videographers enjoy the speed and storage capacity of SanDisk’s solid state drives (SSDs). Unfortunately, these disks have a growing history of total failure, where the data on them gets wiped out. And by the way, some of those failed disks are replacements issued by SanDisk’s current owner Western Digital – for other disks that also failed. Yeeps!
The Verge advises: “If you’re thinking of buying a SanDisk Extreme Pro, Extreme Portable, Extreme Pro Portable, or WD MyPassport SSD, maybe just don’t.” The news portal is following up to find out why WD is still selling the faulty disks.
Free community lead awareness sessions given by the EPA
Free community lead awareness sessions given by the EPA. The EPA is offering two types of free lead training sessions.
Flying taxis could be here in 2026
Completely electric flying taxis called eVTOLs (for electric vertical take-off and landing) could be in use in the United States by 2026. United Airlines has already advance purchased 200 of them to air-taxi folks above LA traffic to the airport and has also investigated a significant amount of money for developing the technology that flies them.
Depending on your perspective, the air taxis look like large drones, or small helicopters. They will be piloted on rollout but pilot-free flying is under consideration for future operations. eVTOL technology is being developed by Brazilian company Eve Air Mobility.
Narcan free at participating New Jersey pharmacies
The State of New Jersey has created a database of all pharmacies offering free Narcan (a brand name for Naloxone) to individuals over the age of 14. Naloxone is used to counteract opioid drug overdose and is now available as an over-the-counter nasal spray. Narcan®, Evzio® and Zimhi® are registered brand names for Naloxone in the US.
See the listing of pharmacies enrolled in the NJ Free Naloxone at Pharmacies Program.
Read instructions for how to administer Narcan.
Recursos del NJEDA para las pequeñas empresas – webinario
13-21 year olds apply by Jan 19 for free Freedom to Read Advocacy program
PEN America & the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) are co-hosting the first-ever Freedom to Read Advocacy Institute in February 2023! This free, online, 4-week program is open to all high school students nationwide. Apply by Thursday, January 19 – applications close at 11:59 p.m E.T. Learn more & apply.
More information about what the BPL offers students who want to be able to read all types of books – even ones that are banned in some places.
New Jersey tiene $450 para regalar a los inquilinos
Inquilinos que arrendaron apartamentos en New Jersey en 2019 puedan ser eligibles para recibir un pago de $450 del Estado de New Jersey y la solicitud es sumamente fácil para llenar.
A special hand motion might be a distress signal
This is a hand signal victims of sexual and domestic violence may use to signal that they are in trouble Bystanders that witness this gesture are encouraged NOT to approach the situation but to call law enforcement right away.
For more information visit https://www.verywellhealth.com/tiktok-distress-hand-signal-5210298
The ADL has a Hate Symbols Database
If you’ve ever seen a symbol out there and wondered what it represents, wonder no more. Just turn to the ADL’s Hate on Display™ Hate Symbols Database. It provides “an overview of many of the symbols most frequently used by a variety of white supremacist groups and movements, as well as some other types of hate groups.”
Visit and check if the symbol you’ve seen matches any one used by a hate group.