Christmas hating columnist fired in Jackson

Here are the top New Jersey news stories for Friday:

⬛ Jewish NJ writer fired for bashing Christmas, magazine apologizes

Christmas lights in Berkeley (Submitted photo/Canva)

https://nj1015.com/nj-magazine-fires-jewish-writer-over-hit-piece-on-christmas/

Bayla Brooks was disappointed about the "gaudy" and "grotesque" Christmas lights lining the streets in her new neighborhood after she moved to Jackson around six years ago, she wrote in the Dec. 7, 2023 edition of the Jackson Pulse.

⬛ Is NJ safe? How residents feel in different neighborhoods

Canva

https://nj1015.com/plenty-of-nj-residents-dont-feel-safe-in-their-own-neighborhoods/

But the same poll finds those views vary drastically between groups.

⬛ Vineland, NJ, latest to reject Murphy's trans policies

Vineland School District
Townsquare Media illustration

School boards in New Jersey continue to debate, and reject, Gov. Phil Murphy administration's controversial policies on transgender students.

The latest debate was in Vineland, where the school board rejected what is known as Policy 5756 in a 7-2 vote.

⬛ Ex-priest who impregnated teen girl barred from teaching in NJ

Joseph DeShan, a teacher in Cinnaminson, was accused of having a sexual affair with an underage girl in the 1980s. (Cinnaminson Public Schools)

CINNAMINSON — A New Jersey board is revoking the teaching certificate of a school teacher and former Catholic priest who fathered a child with an underage girl, a move that many feel is long overdue.

John DeShan can no longer teach in New Jersey, the State Board of Commissioners ruled. He must turn over all copies of his credentials and certifications to the state by Feb. 19.

⬛ Solar eclipse road trip? Where NJ sky-watchers can go this April

(NASA / Canva)

On April 8, 2024, most of North America will be treated to a spectacular show in the sky, a total eclipse of the sun. The cosmic ballet goes on.

Here in New Jersey, we are expected to experience about 90% of the sun obscured. Between about 2:07 p.m. and 4:36 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, the sun will be partially obscured by the moon. It will get noticeably darker and even a bit cooler. (Fingers crossed for a favorable, sunny weather forecast!)

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