Follow local news and events in Newark with The Jersey Bee. Here is The Daily Buzz for Apr. 8, 2026 from The Jersey Bee.
LOCAL NEWS
Newark and Irvington voters must apply by Apr. 14 to receive a mail-in ballot for their respective school board elections, scheduled for Apr. 21. Mail-in ballot applications are available online and must be returned to the Essex County clerk.
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New Jersey Division of Elections
Newark South Ward residents can share feedback on Airport City, a development around Newark Airport, in an online survey. Airport City will include housing, retail and office space, and more. The survey closes Apr. 19.
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Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Greater Newark
Stage production of “9 to 5 The Musical” planned with Interact Theater Productions starting Apr. 17 in Maplewood. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Burgdorff Center For The Performing Arts. Performances run through May 2. Tickets are available online for purchase.
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Maplewood Division of Arts and Culture
“Spring Wild Edible Walk” for families planned with Essex County Environmental Center on Apr. 16 in Roseland. Attendees will identify plants, discuss ethical harvesting, and ways to prepare gardens for spring from 5:30-7 p.m. Registration required. Tickets available online for purchase.
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Essex County Environmental Center
Paddle boats are open for the 2026 spring season at Turtle Back Zoo’s in West Orange. Tickets for a 30-minute session is available in-person and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. It is open from Apr. 10-12 from 12-6:30 p.m. on the waterfront.
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Turtle Back Zoo
REGIONAL NEWS
Advocacy groups are urging state lawmakers to further develop three immigrant protection laws recently signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. The laws increase protections for the state’s 2.25 million immigrant population. Then-Gov. Phil Murphy decided to not sign, or pocket-vetoed, the bills before leaving office on Jan. 20. The Privacy Protection Act protects personal data shared with schools, hospitals and libraries; and the Strengthening Trust Act codifies a 2018 directive that limits state law enforcement cooperation with ICE. Sherrill also signed a law requiring ICE agents to remove their face masks prior to arresting or detaining someone. American Civil Liberties Union of NJ, NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, and Council on American-Islamic Relations-NJ are calling on lawmakers to expand protections amid due process violations, such as unlawful detention. ACLU-NJ released a statement demanding the state Legislature increases funding for access to counsel in immigration proceedings.
Advocates renewed their push for immigrant protections after President Donald Trump signed executive orders on Jan. 20, 2025 to ramp up deportations. The Jersey Bee has immigration resources at jerseybee.org/community/immigrants. Resources are available in English and Spanish.
ACLU of New Jersey.
