Follow local news and events in West Orange with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Jan. 28, 2026 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
Valentine’s Day-themed music and movement session for babies and caregivers planned at West Orange library on Feb. 4. It is from 11-11:40 a.m. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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West Orange Public Library
Stage production of “Hamlet” planned at Luna Stage from Feb. 12 to Mar. 8 in West Orange. Showtimes are Thursdays, Fridays, and weekends. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Luna Stage
Adults can attend a knife skills class at Kitchen a la Mode on Feb. 4 in South Orange. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at 59 South Orange Ave. Enrollment is $60. Registration is required online.
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South Orange Downtown
Eligible Essex County residents can apply for scholarships provided by NAACP-Oranges and Maplewood. Scholarship applications are available online until May 1. Applicants must be a resident of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Maplewood, Nutley, Orange, South Orange, or West Orange.
Oranges & Maplewood: NAACP
ShopRite is hosting a job fair on Jan. 31 at multiple Essex County locations, including Belleville, Nutley, Newark, and Orange. The job fair is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for positions such as general clerks, front-end associates, stocking staff and grocery department team members. Advance registration is not required. The job fair will be active at participating stores.
ShopRite
High school students can attend a free, virtual SAT preparation class through Glen Ridge library on Feb. 4. It will discuss writing from 6-7 p.m. A new topic is discussed each week through Mar. 11. Registration is required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library
Author talk with Amy Wallace planned virtually with Montclair library on Feb. 4. It begins at 7 p.m. Wallace will discuss “Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice” by Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Registration is required. Free admission
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Montclair Public Library
People can attend a conversation discussing politics and protest in Bad Bunny’s music planned with Latinos of Montclair on Feb. 4 at Montclair State University. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event starts at 6:30 p.m. Free admission for faculty and students. Admission is $15 for the public. Tickets are available online.
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Latinos of Montclair
Author talk with Gloria Browne-Marshall and Lawrence Hamm planned at Montclair library’s Main Branch on Feb. 4. It is from 6-7:15 p.m. Browne-Marshall will discuss “A Protest History of the United States” and Hamm will discuss “Lawrence Hamm: A Life in the Struggle.” Free admission. Registration is required. Books will be available for sale and signing.
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Montclair Public Library
Anime club meeting for ages 12-18 planned by Montclair library on Feb. 4 in the Main Branch. Attendees will discuss “Tokyo Revengers” at 4 p.m. Registration is required. Library card not required.
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Montclair Public Library
La Casa de Don Pedro offers a lead remediation and abatement service for qualifying Essex County residents who suspect they may be exposed to lead. Applications accepted online.
La Casa De Don Pedro
Essex and Hudson county youth in grades 8-12 can attend a Essex County 4-H field trip to the Paul Robeson Gallery on Feb. 16 in Newark. It is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free admission. Lunch provided. Registration is open until Jan. 31.
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Essex County 4-H
REGIONAL NEWS
Workers at companies with 15 employees will receive family leave benefits under a state law signed earlier this month by then-Gov. Phil Murphy. The law previously applied to companies with at least 30 employees. It allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid family leave and earn up to 85% of their weekly pay, with a limit of $1,119 in 2026. Eligible employees must have worked with their employer for at least three months and worked at least 250 hours within that period. The law also entitles workers to their previous position or one with equivalent pay, benefits, and seniority upon returning from family leave.
New Jersey Monitor
