Afternoon Tea With K Britt Chats On: Brick City's Own Sen Cory Booker Debate Updates, April 5th, Amber Ruffin Uninvited To White House Dinner For Being Funny?, Impact Of Black Journalists & More
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- Apr 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 10
April 1, 2025
Local News & Commentary
Go! Senator Cory Booker Go!
Cory Booker Tell's It Like It Is On the Senate Floor!
Newark NJ --- Senator Cory Booker, from "Brick City New Jersey," has delivered an extensive speech on the Senate floor, lasting over 20 hours, where he primarily critiques the policies and budget cuts of the Trump administration. He began his address around 7 P.M. ET on Monday and only took brief pauses for questions and to catch his breath alongside fellow Democrats.
Throughout his speech, Booker has focused on significant spending reductions, singling out efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and changes in immigration policy. Per a report in News Week, titled Cory Booker 'Filibuster' Live: Senate Floor Speech Passes 20 Hours written by Sophie Clark, Marr Cannon, Shane Croucher and Hannah Parry shares Booker has cautioned that these Trump administration policies could have direct consequences for American citizens. And at 55 years young, Booker has committed to continuing his speech "as long as I am physically able." It's important to note that his speech isn't classified as a filibuster since it does not aim to obstruct any legislation or nominations.
Booker's efforts align with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's strategy to highlight critical issues related to everyday Americans, particularly concerning federal budget cuts, as the midterm elections approach. As he approaches a milestone, he is less than an hour away from surpassing Republican Ted Cruz's previous record of a 21-hour and 19-minute filibuster in 2013. https://www.newsweek.com/cory-booker-speaking-live-senate-floor-speech-today-2053478
New Jersey School Districts at Risk of Losing $85 Million in COVID-Era Funding Due to Deadline Change
According to state officials, twenty public school districts in New Jersey face losing COVID-era funding for infrastructure projects as the Trump administration has altered a spending deadline. Governor Phil Murphy criticized the U.S. Department of Education's decision to "claw back" $85 million from districts previously granted extensions. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon informed districts of the new deadline, which moved to March 28, the same day the notice was sent. The funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations was initially extended by the Biden Administration until March 2026. Deputy Assistant Secretary Madi Biedermann stated that the extension set an irresponsible precedent, as COVID relief funds were misused. Murphy warned that losing this funding would impact student health and safety projects, calling the cuts "reckless and irresponsible."
Affected districts include:
According to the governor's office, the districts that could see funding revoked are:
Bergenfield School District
Fairview Public Schools
Westwood Regional School District
Delran Township School District
Gloucester City School District
Bridgeton School District
East Orange Public Schools
Newark Public Schools
North Bergen School District
Guttenberg School District
Hamilton Township School District
Keansburg Public Schools
Brick Township School District
Clifton Township Public Schools
Passaic City Public Schools
Paterson City Public Schools
Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District
Elizabeth Public Schools
Linden Public Schools
Robert Treat Academy Charter School
To learn more, please check out Michelle Johnson's article in the Middletown Patch by clicking the link here:
Missing Pennsylvania Woman Identified Eight Years After Disappearance Through DNA Analysis
Sadly the human remains discovered in North Jersey eight years ago have been identified as Maria Quinones Garcia, a woman from Pennsylvania who went missing. Garcia vanished in 2014 after leaving her home near the Lehigh River. In 2017, a foot was found in Pohatcong Township, N.J., but no additional remains were located, providing investigators with limited clues. By 2023, the New Jersey State Police worked with Ramapo College's Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center. Per a report shared by Carren Lissner of the Middletown Patch on March 25, 2025, titled Human Remains Found In NJ Are Identified As Missing Mom By Bergen County Students, "Bone remains were sent to Astrea Forensics to develop a genotype profile, which was then uploaded to DNA databases. Ramapo College students proposed Garcia as a potential match, and her identity was confirmed through DNA testing of her children." Garcia was last seen walking from her home in Allentown, Pa., near the Lehigh River, which flows into the Delaware River, close to where the remains were discovered. Click the link here to learn more: https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/s/j803u/human-remains-id-d-as-missing-woman-by-ramapo-college-students?utm_term=article-slot-1&utm_source=newsletter-daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&user_email=8b63617579edf54cbadf7183154015d85784f08e1cf6f4064784661f1b651b81&user_email_md5=e90707a6228d470c252bb1bc33689a6b&lctg=6571e20423b29a937d012200
The Enduring Impact of Black Journalism:
A Legacy of Truth and Activism
Must Read
Nicole Carr's article, published on March 16, 2025, titled The Historic Black Press and the Attempt to Criminalize Journalists delves into the historical context of Black journalism and its crucial role in combating systemic discrimination in America. She highlights the early critique from journalist Westbrook Pegler, who targeted the Black press in the 1940s, accusing it of fomenting violence and anarchy due to its truthful reporting on racial injustices during Jim Crow America. Pegler's comments were fueled by the significant circulation and influence of Black publications, such as the New Pittsburgh Courier, which reached a broad audience and provided a voice for Black journalists uncovering discrimination, particularly against Black troops during World War II. Please Click the link to view article. https://nicolefcarr.substack.com/p/the-historic-black-press-and-the?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Carr points out how the Black press was not merely a news source but an essential platform for fostering racial awareness and activism. Investigative reporters like Charles Loeb contributed significant stories that debunked government propaganda about the impacts of the atomic bomb and accurately portrayed the discrimination faced by Black soldiers. Despite facing criticism and being scapegoated for civil unrest, the Black press remained a vital force for truth-telling, highlighting injustices that were often overlooked or manipulated by mainstream media. The importance of Black journalists lies in their commitment to truth-telling, which serves as a counter-narrative to prevailing stereotypes and misinformation. By shedding light on the realities of racial discrimination, they not only informed the public but also mobilized action for civil rights. The historical struggles against attempts to silence the Black press underscore its enduring impact on society and the ongoing fight for equity and justice.
WHCA Shifts Focus:
No Comedy at Annual Dinner
Gif Source: Amber Ruffin: Wix Gif
The White House Correspondents' Association announced that comedian Amber Ruffin will not perform at its annual dinner, despite being selected nearly two months ago. This year's event will exclude comedic performances. WHCA President Eugene Daniels stated that the board decided unanimously to remove the comedic segment to focus on recognizing journalists' exceptional work and supporting future journalists, rather than divisive politics. Without naming Ruffin, Daniels mentioned plans to "re-envision our dinner" and promised more details later. Ruffin, known for her satirical takes on Washington politics, has not responded to the cancellation announced in February.
New Jersey Residents Who Are Listed In
The Forbes' Annual Billionaires List
Gif Source: "Winner winner": Wix Gif
Three New Jersey residents are featured in Forbes' 39th annual World’s Billionaires list, which highlights a record 902 billionaires from the U.S. Rocco Commisso, founder of Mediacom and owner of two soccer teams, has a net worth of $6.4 billion. John Overdeck, co-founder of hedge fund Two Sigma, is worth $7.4 billion, and Peter Kellogg, who sold his brokerage firm to Goldman Sachs, has $4.7 billion. The total wealth of billionaires globally reached $16.1 trillion, with notable newcomers like Marilyn Simons and Lyndal Stephens Greth. The list also features celebrity billionaires, including Bruce Springsteen and Arnold Schwarzenegger. To learn more click the link: https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/s/j8if3/these-nj-billionaires-are-among-richest-in-the-world-new-forbes-list?utm_source=local-update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert&user_email=8b63617579edf54cbadf7183154015d85784f08e1cf6f4064784661f1b651b81&user_email_md5=e90707a6228d470c252bb1bc33689a6b&lctg=6571e20423b29a937d012200
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