Don’t Worry — Our Substack Is Still Free
A good number of readers subscribe to our Substack so content is delivered directly to their email. The next time you log in, you may see a prompt for a paid subscription. Choosing the free option still gives you the same full access as everyone else. We simply wanted to set up a way for those who can to support...
NJ21st is now officially operating as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit and we’re accepting Contributions.
This step allows us to grow and make our civic journalism model more sustainable. We aim to support local writers, mentor student contributors, and expand coverage across more towns in our district. Contributions are not tax-deductible, but they directly support accountability reporting, public records work, and the people doing the work — including students learning how to cover civic life...
Videos and Images of 07/14/2025 Storm Throughout Union County
Residents of various communities in Union County have been sharing pictures and videos of flooding in their communities. You can view them through this link. This post will be updated with additional images and video as we receive them. Consider staying off the Roads as water levels will continue to rise and rain is expected to continue throughout the night.
Four Years of Shining a Light
This past year reminded us why we started NJ21st in the first place. We wanted to create a space where the community could get the full story — not just the one pushed out by press releases and polished PR. A place where people could freely challenge those in power, ask hard questions, and speak to authority confident in the belief that...
Independent but Not Alone: NJ21st Joins LION Publishers
We’re so happy to share that NJ21st has been accepted as a member of LION Publishers. LION is dedicated to bringing local journalism back and reversing the rise of news deserts by helping independent publishers build sustainable news organizations. Their board includes respected leaders from across the journalism and media landscape, and their vetting process is rigorous—making this a particularly...
Candidate Statements, Endorsements, and Your Role in the 2025 Elections
With the election fast approaching, we want to clarify NJ21st’s approach to the 2025 campaign season. We’ve reached out to all declared candidates running for office (contested races) in the 21st Legislative District and invited them to use our platform in sharing substantive candidate statements. Dunellen and Middlesex Borough Candidates email addresses weren’t available so we submitted OPRA requests to...
New OPRA Tool Available from NJ21st
In light of recent changes to New Jersey’s OPRA law, we’ve made it easier for residents of the 21st District to request public records from their Municipalities, School Districts, County Government, and State Departments. These user-friendly online forms are fully compliant with the updated law. Every municipality—including Westfield, Scotch Plains, Summit, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, and Warren—is included. A copy...
NJ21st Is Now a Registered Nonprofit
Founded in 2021, NJ21st (formerly Berkeley Heights Community Watch) emerged in direct response to the secretive and poorly executed reconfiguration of Berkeley Heights Public Schools — a decision our community is still paying for today. We began with a clear promise: to hold every Board of Education member and the Superintendent accountable for the consequences of that process. We kept...
What’s New at NJ21st: Wiki, Archive & Submission Tools Now Live
We’re excited to announce a significant update to NJ21st.com — with new tools, improved design, and expanded ways for the public to explore and engage. Here’s what’s new: Wiki: A Curated Hub for Local Issues and Public Insight Our new NJ21st Wiki is a comprehensive, research-driven platform where readers can explore timelines, topic-specific archives, and source-backed summaries of major issues—from...
New Jersey Education Report Republishes “Tale of Two School Systems”
Our report, “A Tale of Two School Systems,” was republished by @njedreport. It examines the deep disparities in special education placements between suburban and urban districts, revealing patterns that demand more attention and accountability. We’re grateful to New Jersey Education Report for helping bring this issue to a wider audience. See the Article on NJ Education Report
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