Author: Taylor Allen

Good morning, South Jersey.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill visited Camden on Tuesday to thank first responders the day after thunderstorms caused intense flooding — and to promote her fight against data centers.

And experts are saying poverty is impacting three times as many state residents than what’s recorded in official federal measurements.

Plus, a man allegedly tried to buy a Pokémon card worth $24,000 with fake cryptocurrency in Marlton, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Gov. Sherrill’s post-storm visit

Gov. Sherrill visited Camden a day after what local officials call the worst flooding they have ever seen in the city.

American Red Cross workers have been providing cleaning supplies, snacks, and water as residents navigate the aftermath. No injuries had been reported, but there were more than 1,000 calls to emergency services, and 14 people were rescued from the flooded streets.

Sherrill urged residents to report damage through the Office of Emergency Management so the state knows how much federal assistance to request.

She also thanked the first responders and touted her recently signed legislation aimed at data centers, which she said would help prevent strain on the power grid during future storms.

The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider has more details about her visit and legislation.

Experts say state poverty is higher than official federal figures

According to the federal government, 859,000 New Jersey residents are living in poverty, based on the latest statistics available.

But a new report from Poverty Research Institute of Legal Services of New Jersey (PRI), a legal aid nonprofit, says the figure is closer to three million.

People who live at or below the federal poverty line qualify for assistance such as SNAP, Medicaid, and school meals. The issue, according to experts, is that even people with incomes twice the poverty rate still need help when considering the actual costs of housing, childcare, food, and healthcare. It doesn’t help that New Jersey has the third-highest cost of living among states.

“Life’s a struggle,” said one Camden resident whose family makes just enough to be above the federal level. “I would say this feels below the poverty line.”

The number of meals that the Food Bank of South Jersey has distributed to Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem Counties has increased by more than a third over the last four years to compensate for rising food costs.

According to PRI, the following are the true poverty rates:

• Burlington County: 27.2%
• Camden County: 38%
• Gloucester County: 29%

Reporter Alfred Lubrano has the story.

What to know today

• A 13-year-old boy died in Franklin Township after getting trapped under an overturned tractor, according to local officials.
• Because of the damage caused by Monday’s storms and subsequent flooding, the Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Downtown Camden library branch will remain closed for the rest of the week.
• A Philadelphia man has been charged with allegedly stealing a Pokémon card worth $24,000 by using fake cryptocurrency in Marlton.
• The owner of Bunker Fitness Center in Blackwood converted a former Rite Aid into his current gym about a year ago. He is about to open a second location at another “zombie” Rite Aid in Cherry Hill.
• The Cherry Hill Mall will welcome five new stores including Aritzia, Timberland, and True Religion.
• A new Sprouts Farmers Market is set to come to Washington Township in August.
• Moorestown native Marie McCool was named MVP of the Lexus Women’s Lacrosse League All-Star Game earlier this week.

🧠 Trivia time

What is the Rutgers-Camden mascot?

A) The Scarlet Raptor

B) Sir Henry, the Scarlet Knight

C) The Scarlet Raider

D) The Prof, Whoo RU

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🎤 Remembering: When Taylor Swift was sighted and then swarmed by fans on Long Beach Island. (Congrats to her and Travis Kelce for getting married over Fourth of July weekend.)

🎧 Listening: To Beyoncé’s first new song in two years, “Morning Dew (Donk).”

🏠 Viewing: A spacious and simple home overlooking Rancocas Creek in Delanco. (Is your house a Haven? Nominate your home by email — and send some digital photographs — via properties@inquirer.com.)

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: 🌊 Runs through four states

ARRIVAL WEEDER

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Joe Galliera, who solved last Wednesday’s anagram: Walt Whitman. This bridge connects South Philadelphia with Gloucester City.

🏡 On the market

This four-bedroom in Chesterfield allows for an abundance of natural light

The spacious main level of the four-bedroom and 2.5-bath home includes a formal living room, a dining room, a powder room, a family room, and an office. The house was built in 2008 but the kitchen was upgraded in 2025 with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and breakfast bar seating.

All four bedrooms are upstairs. The primary suite has large closet space and a renovated en suite bath with a Jacuzzi tub.

See more photos of the property here.

Price: $750,000 | Size: 3,018 SF | Acreage: 0.13

I’ll have more news for you tomorrow. See you then! 👋🏽

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey.

Local farmers are getting creative to recoup costs from lost crops after a devastating April freeze.

And scrapyard operators are saying the rise of lithium-ion batteries in appliances is the cause of recent fires.

Plus, Camden County experienced intense flooding and about 1,000 emergency calls because of Monday morning’s thunderstorms, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

How farmers are making it work

The freeze in April destroyed crops across the Northeast, with New Jersey’s estimated losses hitting at least $300 million. It’s why the state secured a disaster declaration that allows farmers in every county to be eligible for emergency federal loans.

Even with the help, farmers are finding creative ways to survive until next year. Their tactics include:

🫐 The promotion of frozen fruit

🍒 Higher prices

🌺 More reliance on U-pick cut flowers

“Everybody is kind of in the same boat,” said a Sewell farm owner who planted pumpkins early to make up for wiped-out peaches. “Just support your local farm. We’ll recover.”

Reporters Lacey Latch and Sarah Nicell have the story on how farmers are rushing to adapt.

Exploding lithium-ion batteries

Since Camden city officials halted operations at EMR recycling facility in June after its latest fire, scrap metal has been piling up in the area scrapyards.

To reopen, EMR CEO Joseph W. Balzano agreed to pay the city $4.5 million upfront and an additional $2.2 million over the next five years in a proposed settlement. City Council is set to review the proposal this evening.

Scrap dealers are pointing the finger at lithium-ion batteries, which are often found in lawn movers, construction tools, and household appliances as the cause of the fires.

“It’s the biggest issue all recyclers face,” Balzano said. “Regulations need to be put in place that keep these batteries out of commerce.”

Meanwhile, New Jersey lawmakers are pushing bills to track such batteries and regulate scrapyards.

The Inquirer’s Joe DiStefano explains the impact on yards around the region.

What to know today

• The City of Camden received 90 service calls and the County had about 1,000 calls because of Monday morning’s intense rainfall. Much of the region also experienced extensive flooding. Despite the downpours, the region is still in a drought and all of New Jersey remains under a state-declared drought “warning.”
• Heavy rainfall on Monday also caused the partial roof collapse of a BJ’s in South Jersey. There were 27 people inside the store and two people were temporarily trapped, according to NBC News.
• Jersey officials say there have been at least 29 heat deaths in the state since last Tuesday, according to WHYY.
• Two women, Ayzia J. Toledo and Henrietta F. Carter, died in a late Sunday night crash on Route 55 in Deptford.
• The Fellowship Alliance Chapel in Medford is planning repairs after a Friday night fire. Although leaders believe a lightning strike sparked the fire, the local fire marshal had not determined an official cause by Monday afternoon.
• Camden, Cherry Hill, and Runnemede are set to have the most roadway projects this week in Camden County. Be mindful of road closures.

🗣️ Quote of the week

Sally Hopkinson learned she was a descendant of Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey, when she was in the fifth grade.

🧠 Trivia time

Which New Jersey-based retailer opened its first store on Route 130 in 1972?

A) Spencer’s

B) Burlington

C) ShopRite

D) The Vitamin Shoppe

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

💭 Wondering: If you can name the players who played for both the Sixers and the Celtics.

🍰 Remembering: When renowned South Jersey cake decorator Al DiBartolo and pastry chef Manny Agigian won second place on TLC’s Next Great Baker.

🍴 Touring: Craig LaBan’s latest recommendations at the Shore this year.

That’s all I have for you this morning. Thanks for spending it with The Inquirer. ☀️

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey. Welcome back from the holiday weekend. Be mindful of the regional flood watch in effect until this evening, which includes Camden and Gloucester Counties as well as Northwestern Burlington County.

To ease into the workweek, let’s start with something fun: eight local places that let you indulge in nostalgia and play a round of mini golf.

And a record number of New Jersey students earned an associate’s degree while finishing high school.

Plus, a former employee of Connolly Dermatology filed a lawsuit against the practice over unpaid wages, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

⛳Tee up

Bring on some wholesome summer fun and break out the colorful golfballs on a putt-putt course.

⛳If you’re into zany obstacles — like a fiberglass Liberty Bell or an oversized sombrero — then Pleasant Valley Miniature Golf in Voorhees could be for you.

⛳How about a more classic experience with a waterfall? The Big Swing Golf Center in Sewell might be the right fit.

⛳Want to avoid the heat? There are indoor options, including Monster Mini Golf in Cherry Hill and Turnersville.

See the full guide of the region’s mini golf courses here.

Meet the recent high school grads with associate’s degrees

This year, there were 376 high school students enrolled in New Jersey’s 21-county vocational-technical schools who graduated with associate’s degrees, a new record.

Vo-tech schools have become more competitive in recent years as they attract students who want an alternative path to careers or college. If students want the latter, these schools provide an affordable option to earn credit for college-level work, saving time and money.

🎓 The Camden County Technical Schools, which have campuses in Gloucester Township and Pennsauken, have 31 graduates.

🎓 The Gloucester County Institute in Deptford has 17 graduates.

🎓 Meanwhile, Burlington County Institute of Technology has students who have earned credits, but none that have earned their full associate’s degrees yet.

The Inquirer’s Melanie Burney introduces three of the accomplished grads.

What to know today

• A man from Browns Mills was caught in a child trafficking sting and has been charged in Bucks County, Pa., with criminal attempt to engage or perform a commercial sex act with a minor and other related crimes, prosecutors said Thursday.
• More than 200 patients were evacuated from Echelon Care and Rehabilitation Care in Voorhees on Saturday morning because of an air-conditioning failure during a heat wave. They were temporarily moved to Eastern Regional High School where they continued to receive care, according to 6abc.
• Bill Wine, the Emmy-award winning film and TV critic and longtime La Salle University professor, died at 81 last week. He grew up in West Oak Lane and Cherry Hill. Wine graduated from the old Cherry Hill High School.
• A former Marine from Sewell pled guilty to sending fake military orders and United States District Court orders to various banks in order to get financial benefits under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The scheme included forging court documents and impersonating a federal protective services inspector, announced U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer on Thursday.
• PSE&G is expected to begin the installation of a new gas main today on Haddon Avenue in Haddonfield. The crews will be expected to work through the end of August.
• Connolly Dermatology, the skin-care practice that had 30 locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania at its peak, is facing a lawsuit filed by a former employee over unpaid wages. Back in May, the New Jersey Department of Labor said it was investigating complaints about three weeks of missed payrolls.
• DiBartolo’s Cakery will open inside the new Del Buono’s Pastry shop, which is under development in Westmont. The move will bring the notable cake artist Al DiBartolo back to town, according to 42 Freeway.
• Adele Altadonna, a Camden native, shared her 100th birthday with America’s Semiquincentennial on Saturday, CBS News Philadelphia reports.

🧠 Trivia time

How much did Jason and Kylie Kelce’s events this year in South Jersey fundraise for the Eagles Autism Foundation?

A) $500,000

B) $615,726

C) $1.26 million

D) $1.75 million

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🛶 Taking: A canoe tour with Mick’s Canoe & Kayak in Chatsworth.

👀 Watching: For some rescheduled dates for the various South Jersey July Fourth plans that were postponed because of last week’s heat wave.

🍴Craving: The corned beef and pastrami at the Kibitz Room in Cherry Hill.

📬 Your South Jersey view

The below “South Jersey view” came from reader David Epler, who shared fond memories of the Ben Franklin Bridge on its 100th birthday:

I have been over the bridge many times over the years. I lived in downtown Camden during my first year in law school in 1975 and walked it out of boredom. My criminal law professor would run it and then have office hours with his knees wrapped in ice!

Many years later, my bride and I started a Fourth of July tradition. We would park at Rutgers, walk over the bridge, hang out on the mall, have a beer and lunch at the Independence Beer Garden, and then hop on the speed line back to Camden. Mobility issues and age put the kibosh on that.

The views and perspective were always great and you never knew who you might meet!

What does your community look like? What South Jersey memory would you like to share? Submit a photo and/or a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

🗞️ What other South Jersey residents are reading

• Trump administration gets final legal OK to install own panels at President’s House, city appeals
• ‘The game is where it needs to be’: Bryce Harper wants compromise (and no salary cap) to keep baseball thriving
• What we missed on our roundup of Philadelphia’s 76 most iconic dishes

And that should get you started for the day. I’ll catch you tomorrow. 👋🏽

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday signed the highest budget in state history at $60.7 billion. Some South Jersey entities will benefit, while others — including high-income seniors — are losing out.

And three new spots are entering the local restaurant scene this month.

Plus, 31 people accused of running a drug ring in Camden County were arrested, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

💰 You win some, you lose some

The city of Camden and the county will benefit from a $9 million influx for a county-run program to demolish dangerous or unstable properties in the city.

Rowan University ended up with $135 million — less than last year but more than the $125 million Gov. Sherrill originally proposed. In the end, it received enough money to reverse possible cuts.

And high-income seniors will lose their claim to the Stay NJ property tax program. Those who earn between $200,000 and $500,000 will no longer qualify.

The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider details more winners and losers of the state budget.

New month, new food options

Three new restaurants are coming to South Jersey this month:

🍽️ Banjara Indian Bistro is expected to open soon in Sicklerville after it passes final inspections. Vaneet Chopra, whose family owns Cross Culture in Haddonfield, is behind the eatery.

🍽️ Home Team Tavern in Mount Ephraim aims to be a neighborhood sports pub with a menu of pizzas, burgers, and other game-day essentials.

🍽️ Thirsty Turtle Tavern in Barrington opened this week at the former Chuck Lager, as noted in Monday’s newsletter. The new spot has an updated dining room, an open kitchen, a sushi station, and more.

For more openings in the greater Philly area, reporter Michael Klein has the rundown.

What to know today

• Thirty-one people were arrested for running a drug ring of fentanyl and other illegal substances inside the Camden County Jail, authorities said Wednesday.
• The former township manager of Medford, Daniel Hornickel, is suing to nullify his firing and get his job back. The lawsuit alleges that the township denied the former employee of due process.
• The Washington Township school board once again rejected Superintendent Eric Hibbs’ request for $27,000 in merit pay.
• Due to the extreme heat, Burlington County is hosting an emergency fan distribution for eligible residents.
• Goodwill opened a new medical equipment store this week in Woodbury Heights.
• A new FringeArts musical, The Sound of America, features a version of Benjamin Franklin as the country’s first rock star. The musical soundtrack is in part influenced by Jersey son Bruce Springsteen.

🗓️ The best things to do this week

Mount Laurel’s Fourth of July Fireworks: Mount Laurel’s Independence Day is also its First Responders Night. Free features include bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, glitter tattoos, and sand art. There also will be a variety of food trucks. ⏰ Thursday, July 2 💵 Pay-as-you-go 📍 Laurel Acres Park, 1045 S. Church St., Mount Laurel

Medford’s Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Display: Enjoy various food and merchandise vendors, children’s games, live music, and a professional fireworks show. ⏰ Thursday, July 2, gates open at 6 p.m. 💵 Pay-as-you-go 📍 Freedom Park, 86 Union St., Medford

Downtown Haddonfield’s Borough Block Party & Drone Show: Peruse food trucks, inflatables, games, and community exhibits while listening to live entertainment. Get your face painted before finishing the evening with a drone show. ⏰ Friday, July 3, 5-9 p.m. 💵 Pay-as-you-go 📍 Kings Highway from Haddon Avenue to the PATCO bridge

Check out The Inquirer’s full list of the Philly area’s Fourth of July fireworks.

See more general event listings in South Jersey here.

🧠 Trivia time

Battleship New Jersey is 877 feet long and weighs how many tons?

A) 36,000

B) 38,600

C) 45,000

D) 4

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🏁 Watching: NASCAR as South Jersey native Lavar Scott breaks barriers.

🥯 Craving: A bagel with cream cheese from Westmont Bagels.

❌ Avoiding: The heat (as much as possible) this week.

Enjoy your holiday weekend. There won’t be a newsletter tomorrow in observance of the Fourth of July, but I’ll be back in your inbox Monday. See you then! ☀️

Correction: Yesterday’s newsletter noted the incorrect date for when the construction of the Ben Franklin Bridge began. The correct date is Jan. 6, 1922.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey. Stay hydrated out there. The heat wave is expected to continue through the Fourth of July.

To celebrate 100 years of the Ben Franklin Bridge, we have an interactive story detailing why and how it was built, and its impact across the region.

And BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, the Hindu temple in Cherry Hill, won a major step toward its massive expansion plans.

Plus, International Paper is closing its facility in Barrington, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

The Ben Franklin Bridge turns 100

Construction of the Ben Franklin Bridge began on Jan. 6, 1922, with the intention of it being completed by the Sesquicentennial on July 4, 1926.

It was built after an intense push from political leaders when it became clear that relying on a ferry service was inadequate after Philly’s expansion, Camden’s population growth, and the rise of car use.

It officially opened on July 1, 1926, to pedestrians with lots of fanfare, and it allowed cars the following day.

100 years later, the bridge moves:

🌉 100,000 vehicles daily.

🌉 New Jersey’s PATCO train carrying 20,000 passengers every day.

The Inquirer’s Jasen Lo breaks down how the major bridge came to be and how it impacted the region.

In related news: Reporter Stephanie Farr walked across the bridge for the first time to celebrate its big day and documented her experience and learned its history along the way.

📧 Have you done the trek? Email us to let us know how many times and how you liked it. I’ve done it only once (but would do it again) and it was a bit steeper than I thought it would be.

P.S. Keep the party going at the bridge’s official celebration — think of it as a belated birthday party — on July 11. The festivities will be on the Jersey side near the toll plaza and, yes, the bridge will be closed to car traffic to accommodate.

Cherry Hill’s Hindu temple is approved for a new look

The Cherry Hill Township Zoning Board greenlit plans last week to transform the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple, through an 18,330-square-foot expansion.

The renovations would add a new gym, lobby, prayer hall, and more.

Its current form looks like a warehouse because that’s what it was before becoming a temple in 2002.

The plans — which include adding three shikharas, tall spires on the roof — would alter the appearance of the temple to be more in line with traditional Hindu styles, according to the project’s architect.

Although the zoning board’s approval is a big step forward, there’s more that needs to happen before construction can begin.

Reporter Sarah Nicell has more insight on the project.

Plus: New Jersey’s role in the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling

🎤 Allow me to pass the mic to South Jersey politics reporter Aliya Schneider.

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and attorneys general from across the country celebrated the Supreme Court of the United States’ ruling that President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship is unconstitutional.

The 6-3 vote comes more than a year after former New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced he was leading a multistate battle against Trump’s order back in January 2025, calling it a “flagrant violation of our Constitution.” Davenport, who has carried on the fight, said at a news conference Tuesday that attorneys general began preparing for the challenge when Trump was still on the campaign trail in 2024.

“Today the Supreme Court affirmed what courts, legislators, and the 14th Amendment has guaranteed for more than a century: birthright citizens are Americans,” Davenport said. “This is the foundation of who we are as a country.”

Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a statement Tuesday that Trump’s “malicious attempt to tear down this guarantee was so plainly unlawful and reckless that his own hand-picked Supreme Court said no.”

Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, who were both appointed by Trump, agreed Trump’s executive order was illegal though Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, also a Trump nominee, disagreed with the court’s decision. But Kavanaugh argued that the order was against federal law, not the Constitution, and suggested Congress could take action instead.

For more details on the Supreme Court ruling, reporter Jeff Gammage has the story.

What to know today

• International Paper is closing its plant in Barrington and laying off 126 employees.
• Camden County’s Office of Emergency Management issued a “Code Red” heat advisory from today through Sunday because of dangerously high temperatures.
• U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. shared that he was being treated for depression during his monthslong absence from Congress.
• Olympic champion Dominique Dawes is expanding her chain of gymnastics academies with a new location coming to Mount Laurel in September.
• Harmony Diner has opened in Voorhees in the same location of the former Voorhees Diner. It’s a new eatery from the Pandora family and is operating 24 hours a day, according to 42Freeway.

🧠 Trivia time

Debra Hill, the original Halloween franchise cowriter and producer, is from which borough in Camden County?

A) Barrington

B) Bellmawr

C) Haddonfield

D) Gibbsboro

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

💭 Wondering: Who stole the walrus bone from Donkey’s Place in Camden last winter? Months later, it’s still missing.

🇺🇸 Visiting: Red Bank Battlefield Park in National Park ahead of the Fourth of July.

🌊 Exploring: Seven Mile Island.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Not the Ben Franklin bridge

HIM LAWN WATT

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Tom Pawlowski, who solved last Wednesday’s anagram: Water Ice Factory. This business in Magnolia is known for its water ice cakes.

🏡 On the market

A private two-bedroom cottage with plenty of land in Williamstown

This two-bedroom cottage that was originally a garden nursery offers a spacious kitchen, custom wooden trim details, and raised ceilings.

Beyond the main house, there are multiple structures. There’s a detached building — currently being used as a daycare and schoolhouse — with its own bathroom and kitchenette. There’s also another barn-style suite that can be used a guesthouse and a large detached garage.

See more photos of the property here.

Price: $389,000 | Size: 1,100 SF | Acreage: 6

And that’s been your news of the day. I’ll see you again in your inbox tomorrow. ☀️

Correction: Today’s newsletter noted the incorrect date for when the construction began on the Ben Franklin Bridge. The date is actually Jan. 6, 1922.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey.

An 18th-century property in Camden that once had multiple uses — including as a British Army outpost — is now the American Revolution Museum of Southern New Jersey.

And ahead of today’s vote on the state budget, we’re watching where the allocations for various South Jersey programs stand.

Plus, beware of road closures in Camden County, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Camden’s historic tavern-turned-museum

The stone building dating back to the 18th-century in Camden has played several roles — tavern, private home, a British outpost, and a dump for toxic materials, among other functions. The land where it sits also was once the location of mass auctions of enslaved people.

More than two centuries later — and as the country celebrates its Semiquincentennial — the Benjamin Cooper Inn is now South Jersey’s American Revolution Museum.

The new, $4.6 million museum is funded through a mix of federal, state, and local sources, but mostly from the New Jersey Historic Trust.

Although it is not fully ready, the museum held a soft opening on Saturday. It’s been six years in the making, and there’s still a lot of work to do.

Reporter Sarah Nicell details the history of the project and the property, as well as what to expect for its future.

What we’re watching in the state budget

The New Jersey legislature will vote today on the state budget and decide the fate of several South Jersey programs.

Here’s what we’re watching:

💰 According to one lawmaker, Rowan University’s Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine will get enough funds, $6.2 million, to “keep the lights on.”

💰 A South Jersey program that provides healthcare to children who’ve experienced abuse is set to receive $1.85 million after the legislature restored the funding that Gov. Mikie Sherrill originally slashed.

💰 Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers, established in the 1990s to address wage gaps for Hispanic women, has $1.8 million allocated — almost 30% less than what they received this year.

Reporter Aliya Schneider has the story.

What to know today

• Immigration arrests have risen under President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, according to WHYY. However, the percentage of arrests of those with criminal backgrounds has dropped significantly.
• A federal judge last week tossed out a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department alleging that four New Jersey cities have “sanctuary” policies and accusing them of obstructing federal immigration enforcement, the New York Times reports.
• Police say a 19-year-old man from Turnersville has been charged with two counts of arson in connection with two car fires in Washington Township, 6abc reports.
• There are multiple construction projects on roads throughout Camden County this week, with a concentration of them in Camden and Cherry Hill.
• MAX Surgical Specialty Management, a New Jersey firm that consolidates oral and maxillofacial surgery groups, has acquired two more practices in the Philly area.
• According to 42 Freeway, a new Cold Stone Creamery location could be coming to Somerdale.

🗣️ Quote of the week

The Winslow Township High School sophomore Jasmine Jackson recently won a state title, but her goals reach further than regional or national championships.

🧠 Trivia time

How many acres does the Pinelands National Preserve cover?

A) 3 million acres

B) 500,000 acres

C) 1.1 million acres

D) 4.2 million acres

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🚗 Driving: By Mr. Bill, the 25-foot-fall mascot outside of Mr. Bill’s Richman’s Ice Cream & Burger Co. in Winslow.

⚽ Wondering: If you have what it takes to compete in the Inquirer Cup.

🍿 Watching: Big Night, the Shore movie that recently turned 30.

And that should get you started for the day. I’m off to get my first cup of coffee. See you next time. 👋🏽

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey.

A small but mighty group of Collingswood residents are fighting to legalize backyard chickens.

And hospitals in New Jersey could lose an estimated $3.6 billion through 2032 because of Medicaid changes.

Plus, home insurance rates in New Jersey are on the rise, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

‘Let the chicken people have their thing‘

The push to lift Collingswood’s ban of chickens has been an ongoing effort for years.

But after new leadership joined and reshuffled the board of commissioners, a small group of residents thinks this could be their year to finally get the green light to have backyard chickens.

Advocates have been showing up at board meetings lately. And most recently, they provided proposed language for the board to use in a future ordinance to support it during its last working meeting earlier this month.

In the past, commissioner and former Mayor Jim Maley has said he would not support a backyard chicken pilot program. Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor Amy Henderson Riley said she suspects this effort has better chances than the ones before.

Reporter Sarah Nicell details the specifics of what advocates want in the proposal.

P.S. Read the article for the local government news, but stay for the chicken pictures.

N.J. hospitals could lose $3.6 billion

During a panel discussion in Cherry Hill last week, Inspira Health Network CEO Amy Mansue said New Jersey hospitals could lose about $3.6 billion from Medicaid changes through 2032.

According to Mansue, these changes will force hospitals to alter the way they operate to bring expenses in line.

That high-figure estimate does not include the costs that hospitals absorb from the growing number of uninsured people who show up to emergency departments because they don’t have the money for a doctor’s visit.

Almost 69,000 people’s individual coverage from New Jersey’s Affordable Care Act marketplace have already lapsed, and thousands more are expected to lose their Medicaid coverage when new requirements go into effect next year.

The Inquirer’s Harold Brubaker explains the hospitals’ regulatory hurdles and workforce development efforts.

Plus: Gov. Sherrill’s visit at SoccerFest26

🎤 Allow me to pass the mic to South Jersey politics reporter Aliya Schneider.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill visited the SoccerFest26 fan fest at the Wiggins Waterfront in Camden on Friday afternoon.

“These are kind of heavy times, they’re kind of dark times; there’s a lot of conflict going on,” Sherrill said in brief remarks on stage in front of a scarce crowd during her Friday afternoon visit. “But what I love about soccer is, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, doesn’t matter who you voted for, it doesn’t matter who you pray to. We all come together as a world.”

Officials credited Sherrill for including South Jersey in World Cup festivities. Former Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration planned to hold a large fan fest in North Jersey but Sherrill’s administration canceled that plan and instead organized regional celebrations.

Her Camden visit came just days before the state budget deadline on Tuesday. The governor agreed on a budget framework with legislative leaders a week before the deadline, but the details remained unclear.

“I’m getting a little more concerned,” she told reporters on Friday. “And so I know they [legislators] are hard at work and I’m going to keep reminding them of the constitutional deadline.”

Sherrill proposed massive funding cuts to various South Jersey programs in her March budget proposal. But because of cuts she’s found in the budget with legislative leaders, there’s money for lawmakers to “really push into their local projects,” she said. Rowan University’s veterinary school, a medical center for abused children, and Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers are among the many causes asking for a piece of the pie.

What to know today

• A 50-year-old man was shot and killed Thursday night in Camden. It’s the city’s third fatal shooting victim this month after a homicide-free summer last year.
• Members of Rock-Life Jeepers organized a nearly two-mile Jeep parade Friday night to support Xavier Taylor, the 12-year-old boy from Maple Shade who remains in critical condition after being struck by a baseball. The parade began in Pyne Poynt Park in Camden and ended at Cooper University Hospital where Xavier is receiving care, 6abc reports.
• Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday on Friday announced a lawsuit against a wedding photographer who allegedly scammed customers for at least $75,000. The photographer was the subject of so many complaints that couples in Pennsylvania and New Jersey made their own Facebook group.
• Hundreds of Flyers fans came together on Friday evening to watch the NFL Draft Party in Atlantic City.
• Although still below national averages, New Jersey and Pennsylvania home insurance rates are creeping up.
• Thirsty Turtle Tavern will open its doors today in Barrington at the former location of Chuck Lager America’s Tavern, according to South Jersey Food Scene.
• This story from Friday was missing an active link, so here it is again: The latest edition of The Inquirer’s Price Point shows what kind of house you can buy for $405,000 in Magnolia.

🧠 Trivia time

What year was Burlington City established?

A) 1596

B) 1677

C) 1776

D) 2000

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

💧Borrowing: A kayak to explore the The Cooper River Water Trail.

🛍️ Shopping: For a new sundress at the Cherry Hill Mall.

🏡 Ogling: This two-bedroom bungalow built in 1930. (Did you recently buy a home in South Jersey? Share the story of how you did it. Email Inquirer real estate reporters at properties@inquirer.com)

📬 Your South Jersey view

My fiancé and I strolled through the festival, ate tacos, and watched the games as the sun was setting.

What does your community look like? Submit a photo and a brief description for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

🗞️ What other South Jersey residents are reading

• Craig LaBan: For this summer’s biggest Jersey Shore restaurant openings, head to the mainland
• Flyers draft towering defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii after trading back in Round 1
• One-stop shopping for the Phillies at the trade deadline again? Here’s three teams that could be a fit

Thanks for starting your week with The Inquirer. I’ll catch you tomorrow. 👋🏽

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey.

It’s the end of another week, and our second for this newsletter. Our main priority is to ensure you’re informed. So if you have a question about the region, please ask it through Curious South Jersey. One of our reporters might hunt down the answer for you — like, “Why is the Philly area’s National Weather Service office in Mount Holly?”

Hint: The answer is simpler than you think. Now, onto your news.

Collingswood could lift its ban on alcohol sales, a decision that may come down to the voters.

And a New Jersey property tax relief program for seniors could see substantial changes under the state budget deal.

Plus, we share what you can buy in Camden County’s housing market for $405,000, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

P.S. Thank you for your continuing support. We want your thoughts! Tell us your opinions of the newsletter by taking our survey or replying to this email.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Reconsidering Collingswood’s dry status

The Collingswood Board of Commissioners is weighing the possibility of relinquishing its dry town status.

The borough has Quaker roots and has maintained its ban on alcohol sales since the 19th century.

Now, the board is looking at a pivot from the borough’s tradition as a way to boost revenue and to support the local restaurants.

Discussions are in the beginning stages, and a policy change would require voters to weigh in.

Reporter Lacey Latch explains what the potential next steps would be to make it happen.

The tax program at the center of budget negotiations

As the budget deadline approaches, Stay NJ — a property tax relief program for seniors — is top of mind.

The program was created in 2023 to entice residents to stay in the state by providing senior homeowners refunds.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who is pushing for cuts, and House Speaker Craig Coughlin (D., Middlesex), a champion of the program, seem to have made a compromise.

The eligibility of the benefit, which is currently available for seniors making less than $500,000, would be sliced to $200,000. Those who make less money could receive a larger refund under the arrangement.

The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider has the latest on the budget deal and the future of the program.

What to know today

• Pride flags are back up on Kings Highway in Haddonfield after police say a man from Maple Shade tore most of them down, according to CBS Philadelphia.
• U.S. Rep. Tom Kean, the congressman who has been missing from Washington for months with little information shared to the public, is back at his home in New Jersey, the New York Times reports.
• A new Collingswood agreement will allow for $10.5 million worth of renovations for the school district’s athletic complex.
• Gov. Sherrill is set to arrive in Camden today for the SoccerFest26 festival at Wiggins Waterfront Park, the county said Thursday.
• The latest edition of The Inquirer’s Price Point shows what kind of house you can buy for $405,000 in Magnolia.
• Kylie Wright, the new Miss New Jersey crowned earlier this month, visited the Battleship New Jersey in Camden on Thursday.

🧠 Trivia time

Hillary Bor closed Pumpkin BYOB across the bridge in Philly and now lives in South Jersey selling what?

A) Burgers

B) Cheesesteaks

C) Hot dogs

D) Bagels

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

⚽ Practicing: Dribbling skills for day 2 of the SoccerFest26 at the Waterfront.

🛹 Remembering: The old skate park that was at the Moorestown Mall.

🦟 Avoiding: More mosquito spraying this morning in Camden, Lawnside, Waterford, and Winslow.

🏖️ Down the Shore

This “Ask Down the Shore” feature appears as part of our weekly summertime series from Shore reporter Amy S. Rosenberg. Subscribe to her free Down the Shore newsletter here.

This week, we asked readers through the Shore Line group chat: What is the best time to drive to the Shore to avoid traffic? Below are two of the responses:

• Best time is at 5:30-6 a.m. or after 7 [p.m.] on Friday — still light out at both times. Don’t like to drive when dark.
• Here’s my solution to avoiding heavy traffic to and from the shore. Go down on Wednesday before MDW and come back on Wednesday after LDW (it helps to be retired!).

What’s your strategy? Or do you have another concern related to the Shore? Email Rosenberg at downtheshore@inquirer.com.

📸 Photo of the week

🏖️ One sand art to go: Visitors were met with this sand sculpture, a new three-minute video highlighting Cape May County, and a giant image of George Washington lounging at the beach with a cold drink at New Jersey’s Pavilion at the Great American State Fair in D.C. County administrator Kevin Lare said it took at least $150,000 from the county’s tourism budget to make it happen.

That should be everything you need to begin your day. Thanks for starting it with The Inquirer. See you on Monday!

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey. The bulk of the rain seems to be over this week, but there’s a chance of some more showers.

Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers face steep cuts under Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s proposed budget.

And Medford passed an ordinance to prohibit data centers within its limits.

Plus, Pennsauken’s Yaxel Lendeborg was chosen in the first round of the NBA draft, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Pleading for state funding

Hispanic Women’s Resource Centers were established in 1991 to address the wage gap for Latinas in New Jersey, one of the states with the biggest gap for Latina workers.

Under Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s proposed budget, the statewide initiative could see its funding decrease by 80%.

These centers help women like Consensa Francisca Silva Silva who was able to obtain a work permit, make a down payment for an apartment, and start working thanks to the assistance she was able to receive for one of these centers in Camden.

“It was very hard to come here without knowing anyone, and it was really hard because at first I couldn’t find any work,” Silva said about her experience when she first arrived from Costa Rica.

Silva and other supporters worry immigrant women like her won’t get the support they need if the cuts go through.

The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider has the latest information on the budget process.

Medford bans data centers

Medford sent a clear message this week: No data centers here. Its council adopted the ordinance to prohibit them, despite not receiving any formal applications for a center.

“These are extra precautions to ensure that we don’t move forward in a direction that we can’t come back from until we know full well what the impacts of data centers will be,” Medford Mayor Michael Czyzyk said.

Council reserves the right to amend the ordinance to permit data centers in the future.

Medford is the latest South Jersey community to resist data centers, including Cherry Hill.

Reporter Lacey Latch has the story.

What to know today

• The New Jersey Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered prosecutors to fully disclose how police used facial recognition technology in a murder case, New Jersey Monitor reports.
• A body of a swimmer who went missing last month in Ocean County has been recovered, according to the police.
• The federal government ordered Chemours Co. to pay $450 million over illegal discharges of synthetic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. According to the Associate Press, the company will pay penalties and provide mitigation efforts to prevent these types of discharges in North Carolina, West Virginia, and New Jersey.
• Camden might get a new rooftop nightclub along the waterfront. The Club 9 SkyLounge is proposed for the rooftop deck of the Hinson Parking Garage on Delaware Avenue.
• Yaxel Lendeborg, a 23-year-old forward who played for Pennsauken High School, was chosen by the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the NBA draft.
• Moorestown Township established new rules for e-bikes, electric scooters, dirt bikes, and other motor-assisted devices. One of those rules is that they’re generally banned from sidewalks. The new ordinances takes effect on July 19.

🗓️ The best things to do this week

⚽ SoccerFest26 at the Waterfront: Residents and tourists will be able to celebrate the World Cup with match screenings, international food, soccer-based youth programming, live music, and various craft vendors. ⏰ Thursday, June 25-Saturday, June 27, various times 💵 Pay-as-you-go/RSVP required 📍 Wiggins Park, 2 Riverside Dr., Camden

🏳️‍🌈 Gloucester Township’s LGBTQ+ Pride Festival: The three-day Pride celebration will feature local vendors, film screenings, art, wellness sessions, and drag shows. ⏰ Friday, June 26-Sunday, June 28, various times throughout the weekend 💵 Pay-as-you-go 📍 Harmony Hall, 3 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood

🇺🇸 Freedom Fest: A Star Spangled Spectacular: The festival will include live performances, fireworks, food trucks, and more. ⏰ Saturday, June 27, 3 p.m. 💵 Pay-as-you-go 📍 Delran Community Park, 12 Hardford Rd., Delran

See more event listings here.

🧠 Trivia time

The Phillies drafted Logan Dawson last year. He grew up locally in Voorhees and is a lifelong fan of the team. Who was his favorite player growing up?

A) Ryan Howard

B) Chase Utley

C) Jimmy Rollins

D) Cole Hamels

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🚲 Double-checking: The rules and restrictions about e-bikes in New Jersey.

⚽ Exploring: The different games at the PATCO Soccer Stop for the World Cup.

🌻 Wishing: It were sunflower picking season at Dalton Farms in Swedesboro.

🏡 On the market

A Mount Laurel Colonial with modern updates and an expansive backyard

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home has Colonial charm with the original deed dating back to 1842. It has a classic farmhouse exterior with modern amenities inside such as an updated kitchen. The home showcases exposed wood beams and hardwood flooring. There’s also an abundance of space including two large great rooms, and an expansive backyard with mature trees and patio areas.

See more photos of the property here.

Price: 589,999 | Size: 2,703 SF | Acreage: 1.10

And that is all I have for you today. I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning. 👋🏽

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Good morning, South Jersey.

The son of the owners of the popular Collingswood business Jersey Kebab now has his own immigration battle to stay in the country.

And a new research initiative out of Rutgers University wants to study how the effects of hormonal changes such as pregnancy impact the brain.

Plus, a man from Maple Shade was taken into custody for allegedly stealing and damaging LGBTQ flags, and more news of the day.

— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

A new fight to stay in the U.S.

More than a year after the small restaurant Jersey Kebab made national headlines and inspired widespread criticism of ICE when agents arrested the owners, their son is now fighting a similar battle.

The federal government informed Muhammed Emanet, who left Turkey when he was 12, of its intention to deny his request for a green card, with a 30-day window to present new or additional information to try to persuade the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services to allow him to stay.

No one knows for sure what happens when the deadline comes up next week.

If he is deported, he’ll be separated from his wife and two young sons. Hundreds of letters have been signed and gathered on his behalf, attesting to his good character.

Reporter Jeff Gammage has the latest on his case.

💡 Filling gaps in knowledge

The recently launched Women’s Brain Health Initiative at the Rutgers Brain Health Institute seeks to better understand what researchers say has been historically under-studied — how hormonal changes affect the brain.

The focus is on hormonal shifts that occur throughout life such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.

The research and the public education will center information on women’s mental health, disease vulnerability, and brain function and development.

Read on for Sarah Gantz’s full interview with the lead researcher.

What to know today

• Officials from the Haddonfield Police Department charged a man from Maple Shade on Tuesday for allegedly damaging and stealing LGBTQ flags along Kings Highway in the business district, according to authorities.
• New Jersey’s Office of Corrections Ombudsperson released a report on Tuesday detailing conditions at Bayside State Prison in South Jersey including overcrowding and unclean conditions, according to New Jersey Monitor.
• Another South Jersey town canceled part of its Fourth of July celebrations, according to 6abc. This comes a week after Mount Holly canceled its own Independence Day festivities, also citing safety concerns.
• New Jersey’s rent for office space is slightly more than the national average. Between January and May, $387 million in office sales were recorded in the state and 630,000 square feet of offices were under construction.
• Camden County will conduct mosquito spraying this morning in Bellmawr, Camden, Clementon, Haddon Heights, Gloucester Township, Lawnside, Lindenwold, and Stratford, according to the county.
• Center Court Sports in West Berlin reopened with extensive renovations and expanded youth programs, 42 Freeway reports.
• It’s not too early to think about October, apparently. According to 42 Freeway, Spirit Halloween seems to be coming to Deptford, Cherry Hill, and Mount Laurel.
• Meet Yaxel Lendeborg, a Pennsauken High graduate who has had one of the most unconventional yet fastest basketball career trajectories from community college to becoming a national champion.

🧠 Trivia time

Which former Eagle does a celebrity bartending fundraiser every year in South Jersey?

A) Zach Ertz

B) Lane Johnson

C) Jason Kelce

D) Nick Foles

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re…

🍿 Rewatching: Chase Street, the old political crime drama set in Camden.

🍕 Wondering: What pickles on a pizza would taste like from Knot Like the Rest in Pine Hill.

🥤 Drinking: A Boost slushy.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: 🧊 Chilly cakes

ACE FEROCITY WART

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Rebecca Welch Pugh, who solved last Wednesday’s anagram: Burlington. The major retailer made this year’s Fortune 500 list.

Congrats on making it through halfway through the week. I’ll catch you tomorrow. 👋🏽

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.