New Jersey Weekly: May 15, 2026

TOP NEWS

International health officials are monitoring cases of hantavirus, a disease typically spread by contact with rodent feces, after three people on a 147-person Antarctic cruise have died and eight sickened as of May 11. Independent experts have said that human-to-human transmission is rare and requires close proximity to those recently infected for prolonged periods of time. There have been no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission outside the cruise ship. Eighteen U.S. residents who were on the cruise returned to the country Monday. They are being evaluated in Nebraska and Georgia and will be asked to self-isolate upon release for up to 42 days if they are asymptomatic. Two New Jerseyans who shared a flight with a now-deceased cruise ship passenger are also being monitored. It is not clear where in N.J. they are being monitored. In a press release, the state Department of Health said it is coordinating with local and federal health offices and will provide updates as the situation develops. People who experience symptoms of fatigue, fever, muscle aches, chills, dizziness, and abdominal problems should stay home and contact their health care provider.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

A free homebuyer workshop hosted by Urban League of Essex County will be on May 19-20 online. It is from 5:30-8:30 p.m both days. Participants will receive a certificate after completion of both sessions. Register online.Add to 📅.
Urban League of Essex County

Third-party services cannot list or sell reservations at N.J. restaurants without consent from the business, according to a law signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. Violations of the law result in up to a $500 fine that accrues each day. The law is an attempt to stop third-party services from purchasing and reselling reservations at steep prices, leaving restaurants with lost revenue if the reservation does not get repurchased. It does not apply to reservation platforms that have contractual relationships with restaurants, such as OpenTable and Resy. The law went into effect immediately.
New Jersey Monitor

New Jersey residents ages 13-25 can submit a short video about reparations to NJ Institute for Social Justice’s contest by Jun. 1. Submissions should explore the history and future of reparations. Selected videos will be featured across the NJISJ platforms and shown at its Youth Power Summit. Submission guidelines are available online. Cash prizes available.Add to 📅.
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

Elder fraud prevention webinar planned with Rutgers Family and Community Health Sciences on May 20. It is from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about warning signs of elder fraud, ways to protect personal information, and actions to support people affected by fraud. Registration is required. Free admission.Add to 📅.
Family & Community Health Sciences

Gateway Development Commission recently awarded a $1.29 billion contract to build new rails under the Hudson River, also known as the Gateway Tunnel Project. It was awarded to Traylor/Walsh/Skanska Joint Venture. Construction will include tunneling a mile underground and below the riverbed, installing tunnel liner and floor, and creating two parallel tubes that stretch 7,250 feet from Weehawken to Manhattan’s West Side.
NJ BIZ

Youth online safety webinar planned with Sen. Andy Kim’s office on May 20. It is from 4-5 p.m. It will discuss best practices for internet use, cybersecurity, and cyberbullying. Panelists include NJ Attorney General’s Office, the NJ Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell. and the NJ Governor’s Office. Free admission. Registration is required.Add to 📅.
Senator Andy Kim