NJ defies Trump order on trans athletes

Here's the stories you'll be talking about on the New Jersey 101.5 Morning Show with Eric Scott on Friday:

⬛ Gottheimer demands apology from NY governor

New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer, D-5th District, is taking aim at New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, demanding she apologize for her latest comments on the fight over congestion pricing.

In a Wednesday press conference, Hochul remarked "New Jersey residents, come, you are welcome. But you’re not forced to come here." Her words about New Jersey stemmed from the reasoning given by the Trump administration for revoking their federal approval of congestion pricing, which gave New Jersey's objections as one rationale.

Gottheimer, also a New Jersey gubernatorial candidate, responded in a statement by saying his fellow Democrat "owes an apology to hardworking Jersey commuters" for her words. He added that her comments "are a slap in the face to the cops, firefighters, nurses, teachers, and countless other professionals who commute to New York every day."

⬛ How does Trump trans athlete order impact NJ school sports?

(Canva, Townsquare Media Illustration)

For at least 16 years, New Jersey has not seen any reported high school sports controversies regarding transgender athletes.

The organization that oversees athletics at that level has opted to stay the course and keep its transgender policy unchanged for this year.

In a flurry of executives orders to start his second term, Pres. Donald Trump recently signed one that threatens to cut federal funding for sports programs that allow any athlete to participate as any gender other than what they were assigned at birth.

Trump signed the order on Feb.5 called “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”

Shortly after, the NCAA announced it had updated the association's participation policy, limiting competition in women's college sports only to student-athletes assigned female at birth.

No such policy has been announced for high school sports in New Jersey.

⬛ NJ teacher submits resignation as his Trump 'threat' investigated

Egg Harbor High School, staff directory showing Fred Wilson (Google Street View/EHT school district/Canva)

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — The teacher whose social media posts suggested assassinating President Donald Trump has submitted his resignation.

Egg Harbor Township School history and special needs teacher Fred Wilson said on his social media that "assassination is at least a talking point." He also shared a meme that says "f**k Trump and f**k you for voting for him."

The Press of Atlantic City and NJ.com reported that the resignation was announced by the district's attorney during a Board of Education meeting.

The resignation is effective at the end of the academic year on June 30, according to the news reports. Superintendent Dr. Kimberly A. Gruccio told New Jersey 101.5 that the teacher remains on suspension and will not be in a classroom.

⬛ 'Perv' exposed himself to teens on NJ streets, cops say

Massinissa Ladj (Ocean County Jail), Lakewood clock (Lakewood Township)

LAKEWOOD — A Jackson man was charged with touching his exposed genitals in public acts that were witnessed by teenage girls and a mother walking with her baby in recent weeks.

On Jan. 23 a 16-year-old girl reported she was called over by a man in a ski mask parked in a black vehicle on East 5th Avenue.

The man then "made motions consistent with masturbation and then drove off," according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.

⬛ NJ is losing a popular mall restaurant

(Credit: Rainforest Cafe)

I have fond memories of taking my kids to the Rainforest Cafe in Edison.

Sad news, millennials!

Another longtime staple at a New Jersey mall is gone, as the Rainforest Cafe at Menlo Park Mall in Edison has closed its doors.

The popular theme restaurant with animatronic wildlife first opened in 1998.

Its entrance was at the rear of the mall near the Macy’s anchor store.

These are the long-gone NJ mall stores we miss the most

With so many trends of the 1990's back in style, it's a great time to look back at a strong foundation of 80's and 90's culture — New Jersey mall shopping. Some stores were a highlight, every trip.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt

These are the best NJ high schools for sports

Stacker put together a list of the best high schools for sports across New Jersey — using data from Niche that included sports championships, family surveys, student enrollment, athletic participation rate and sports options. Here's the top 25.

Gallery Credit: Stacker