Here is The Jersey Bee’s top news for New Jersey for the week ending Mar. 20, 2026.
TOP NEWS
NJ Transit resumed its regular weekday schedules after a month of construction on the Portal North Bridge. The completed first phase of the project will allow boats and barges to pass without having to open, and travel up to 90 mph on the new bridge, compared to 60 mph on the old one, according to NJ Transit. A second phase of construction is expected to take place in the fall, and once completed will fully phase out the old bridge.
Gothamist
Gov. Mikie Sherrill presented a $60.7 billion budget proposal for 2027 with investments towards education, transportation, and property tax relief. The majority of the state budget comes from state taxes, such as income tax or sales tax, and funds from the federal government. The state budget provides funding to local and county governments, public schools, and social services. The proposed annual budget is 4.5% higher than last year’s while the annual rate of inflation is at 2.4%, meaning that spending increases are adjusted to keep up with rising costs. People can attend public budget hearings to share feedback. Hearings dates have not been announced yet. The final state budget draft is due on Jun. 30.
NJ Spotlight News
New Labor’s “ICE Out of NJ Justice Bus Tour” will travel across the state on Mar. 27. It begins at 7 a.m. at Atlantic City and will make stops at Princeton, Freehold, New Brunswick, North Bergen, and end in Roxbury at 7:30 p.m., where a warehouse was recently purchased by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The bus route is available online for viewing.Add to 📅.
New Labor
Public health career fair planned with N.J. Department of Health on Mar. 27 in Lawrenceville. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at National Guard Armory, 151 Eggert Crossing Rd. Registration is not required.Add to 📅.
New Jersey Department of Health
There will be no on-site general parking or tailgating at MetLife Stadium during the FIFA World Cup tournaments in July. Attendees must take transit by bus or train at Secaucus Junction. A new bus terminal at the stadium is expected to be complete in May, and the N.J. Turnpike will build a temporary ramp for buses coming from New York City, according to the Department of Transportation. A limited number of $225 parking passes are available at the American Dream mall for FIFA ticketholders.
News12 New Jersey
Submissions are open for 2026 Garden State Art Weekend, scheduled for held Apr. 17-19. Art galleries, art museums, artists’ studio complexes, visual pop-up art displays, and public art installations are eligible to participate. Application forms are available online.
Garden State Art Weekend
