New Jersey Weekly: May 29, 2026

TOP NEWS

About 300 detainees at Delaney Hall in Newark have been on a hunger and labor strike since May 22 to protest dangerous conditions inside the facility, including medical neglect, lack of air conditioning, and lack of food. Detainees called for an investigation of Delaney Hall, its operations, and for Gov. Mikie Sherrill to visit to discuss protections for immigrants. Tensions escalated on May 24 when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers removed Martin Soto, a protest organizer, from Delaney Hall and attempted to transport him to the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility. Immigrant advocacy groups, such as Eyes on ICE and Pax Christi N.J., and community members responded to Soto’s transfer by protesting outside of Delaney Hall. Local officials joined protesters, including congresspeople and Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who was denied access to the building. ICE agents have pepper-sprayed protestors, pushed demonstrators with batons, and used an armed vehicle to deter the crowd, according to local officials and a video. The protests outside of Delaney Hall are ongoing as of May 26.
Gothamist

Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency after at least $300 million in agricultural damages were lost from freezing temperatures between Apr. 19 and Apr. 22. The estimates were made by the N.J. Department of Agriculture and the Farm Service Agency County Committees. The state of emergency authorizes local agencies across all counties to preserve farm operations and protect the state’s agricultural capacity. It also is meant to open funding from the federal government. The executive order is available online for viewing.
Governor Mikie Sherrill

RWJBarnabas Health established N.J.’s first street medicine program on May 19 at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth. It will bring health care and services to homeless people in Elizabeth. Patients will be connected to physical, mental, and behavioral health services as well as transportation to local clinics for long-term support. RWJBarnabas said it will expand to other areas in the state to improve care among N.J.’s unhoused population.
ROI NJ

West Orange planning board rejected the West Essex Highlands project after almost two years of opposition from residents, environmental advocates, and elected officials. The proposal comes from Garden Homes, a Short Hills–based company owned by billionaire real estate developer Zygmunt Wilf and his family, which had a similar development plan more than 20 years ago that was rejected by West Orange’s planning board because of flood risk, steep slopes, and limited access for emergency vehicles. The proposal resurfaced after the township settled with Wilfs’ company in 2020 in order to avoid a lawsuit that could lead to larger development. In July 2024, the West Orange Environmental Commission asked the planning board to postpone reviewing the application because it could damage state-protected wetlands, worsen erosion, and disturb the Canoe Brook.
Montclair Local