TOP NEWS
A total of 654 police officers in N.J. were fired, demoted, or suspended for more than five days in 2025 over misconduct, ranging from poor attendance to excessive force, according to data from the state Attorney General’s office. That number is the highest since N.J. started reporting disciplinary action in 2020. In 2025, the offenses included domestic violence, harassment, violating pursuit policy, testing positive for drugs while on duty, mishandling evidence, abuse of power, excessive force, misplacing firearms, and accepting bribes to smuggle weapons and contraband to people in jail. Officers who received major discipline represent 169 law enforcement agencies across N.J. The state Department of Corrections showed the most misconduct, with disciplinary reports running for 150 pages. The state Attorney General’s office also released data showing that internal affairs detectives opened more than 16,000 investigations involving 10,000 unique officers in 2025 with about 40% of incidents ending in written or oral reprimands.
New Jersey Monitor
New Jersey landlords cannot use algorithmic software to set rent prices, according to a law recently signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. The Forbidding the Algorithmic Inflation of Rent, or FAIR, Act was passed after the state and U.S. Department of Justice sued AI-powered property management software RealPage for violating antitrust laws, which resulted in a $360 million settlement. FAIR Act is meant to regulate housing costs and prevent additional increased costs.
WHYY Public Media
Workers at companies with 15 employees will receive family leave benefits under a state law signed in January 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. It went into effect on Jul. 17.
New Jersey Patch
Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a $60.7 billion annual spending bill for the 2027 fiscal year. It includes full pension and school formula funding, expanded Child Tax Credit, and increased funding for residents at risk of deportation or detention.
State of New Jersey
Outdoors On Purpose and NJ Audubon, a nonprofit that manages nature preserves and sanctuaries across the state, seek community feedback on experiences with local parks and outdoor spaces. Responses will inform future recommendations for equitable outdoor experiences. People can submit feedback in an online survey.
Outdoors On Purpose
Grocery items in N.J. will not be hiked based on someone’s spending habits, according to a law signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. The Fair Price Protection Act prohibits retailers from practicing surveillance pricing, which adjusts prices based on someone’s past purchases and personal digital data. Companies that violate the law will pay up to o $20,000 in fines and additional civil enforcement penalties from the Attorney General’s Office.
New Jersey Monitor
“The State of Safe Drinking Water in NJ Conference” planned with NAACP-Oranges and Maplewood on Aug. 15 in South Orange. It will include conversations with advocates, policymakers, and community leaders discussing safe drinking water across N.J. Free admission. Breakfast and lunch included. Registration is required. Add to 📅.
Oranges & Maplewood: NAACP
