New York and New Jersey are among the hardest hit states when it comes to the Coronavirus. Yesterday, we shared the latest stats of Coronavirus cases around the world as well as within the United States, with cases surpassing 2 million globally, and over half a million cases in New York alone.

The overflow of COVID-19 cases is being felt in New Jersey too, with news arriving this afternoon about an anonymous tip leading to 17 corpses. The New York Times reports how police responded to the call of one dead body being stored in a shed, outside one of NJ’s largest nursing homes, Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center I and II. When the police arrived on the scene to investigate, the body in the shed was no longer there, but they found a situation that was more much more dire in the process. 

Medical workers put on protective equipment and prepare to transport bodies found at Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center.

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17 bodies had been stored in a makeshift morgue attached to the nursing home, that was designed to hold just four bodies. The police chief in Andover, Eric C. Danielson said, “They were just overwhelmed by the amount of people who were expiring.” 

Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center I and II has reportedly been linked to 68 deaths, two of which were nurses. 26 of the deaths were positive for COVID-19, while the cause is unknown for the remainder. Apparently, the facility even put out a plea for help on their Facebook page on Monday, before they deleted it. The post read: “To all the people calling into the governor’s office, the congressman’s office to help us tell them WE NEED HELP.”

COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the long-term care facility, with 76 patients testing positive in the facility, while 41 staff members have also tested positive.

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Tons of famous folks from New Jersey including SZA, Halsey, Bruce Springsteen, Charlie Puth, and more are partaking in a live-streamed benefit event to raise money for the state that's been deeply impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Apart from its neighbouring state of New York, New Jersey has been hit hardest by COVID-19, with over 64,000 cases reported by the CDC. As a result, a benefit live stream event will be held on April 22nd at 7:00 pm EST/4:00pm PST in an effort to raise money for the newly formed New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. “Jersey 4 Jersey" boasts an impressive lineup of celebrities hailing from the Garden State that will be in attendance. The event will see performances from SZA, Halsey, Charlie Puth, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Tony Bennett, as well as appearances from non-musical talent like Jon Stewart, Chelsea Handler, Danny DeVito, Whoopi Goldberg, Kelly Ripa, and Saquon Barkley.

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Springsteen announced the event during his appearance on Good Morning America  video chat on Tuesday. “New Jersey has been hit especially hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and the people of New Jersey have always stepped up during difficult times," The Boss explained. "That’s why I’m pleased to announce that on April 22nd, I hope you’ll join me, Jon Bon Jovi, Tony Bennett, Jon Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Charlie Puth, SZA, Saquon Barkley, Danny DeVito, Chelsea Handler, and many more for this special event."

Donald Trump is considering a quarantine of New York, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut in order to limit further spread of the Coronavirus.

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Trump explained the idea to reporters outside the White House, Saturday: “We’d like to see New York quarantined because it’s a hotspot — New York, New Jersey, maybe one or two other places, certain parts of Connecticut.

“We might not have to do it but there’s a possibility that sometime today we’ll do a quarantine — short-term, two weeks for New York, probably New Jersey and parts of Connecticut,” he added.

Saturday afternoon he tweeted, "I am giving consideration to a QUARANTINE of developing “hot spots”, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. A decision will be made, one way or another, shortly."

White Supremacy in New Jersey is officially more of a threat within the state’s borders than ISIS and al-Queada according to state security officials. New Jersey’s announcement comes just over a week after the Anti-Defamation League found an increase in white supremacist propaganda efforts across the entire country. This past Friday (Feb. 21), New Jersey released its annual Terrorism Threat Assessment report raising the threat level of white supremacists to ‘high,’ the topmost category for threat levels for any extremist group there. 

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According to CNN, the only other threat listed as high in the state of New Jersey are homegrown violent extremists, who also topped the list in the state’s 2019 report. White supremacists were previously listed as a moderate threat alongside ISIS, al-Queada, and other foreign extremist groups. White hate groups also currently outrank the West African-based Boko Haram and black separatist groups. 

In an official statement, Jared Maples, director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness said:

“The ever-changing threat landscape in New Jersey and around the country requires us to adjust our strategies to anticipate new threats while remaining ready to combat those already existing.” 

The FBI recently raised the threat level of white supremacists groups to ‘high’ after officially recognizing the hate group as a terrorist organization in 2019. While the events that took place in Charlottesville just three ago have emboldened white supremacists across the country, hopefully, the United States government will do their part and rightfully displace these terrorist organizations swiftly. 

Check out CNN‘s report on the rapid spread of white supremacists propaganda across the country and how they radicalize new recruits in the video provided below. 

An investigation has officially been opened after an eighth-grade student, revealed that a New Jersey teacher allegedly kicked students and made whip-cracking noises during a history lesson about United States slavery. Toms River social studies teacher, Lawrence Cuneo, who also holds a local political office seat as the mayor of Pine Beach, also allegedly had students reenact the process of picking cotton, while they lay on the floor and he kicked at their feet pretending to be a plantation overseer.   

 Chris Hondros/Newsmakers

According to the Asbury Park Press, the student took to social media to express his concerns about his teacher’s actions writing:

“It’s good to be informed about slavery but making us clean and pick cotton and pretending to (whip) us? Are you nuts it’s 2020 not 1800 get it right.” 

In the wake of the investigation, Toms River School District spokesperson, Michael Kenny, released a statement that the situation could have been handled better stating:

“As we comb through and further investigate the details of the alleged incident, we are keeping in mind that our curriculum has evolved to include more hands-on, authentic activities.” Kenny continued, “It seems initially clear that there was no ill intent but that better judgment should have been used with regard to the alleged instructional methods, particularly as it pertains to recognizing the sensitivities of all students.”

Amidst the controversy, some students and parents have come to the defense of teacher/mayor Cuneo stating that participation in the lesson was ‘voluntary.’ In an email written by Lawrence Cuneo obtained by WKXW, he intended for his lesson to show how “degrading and despicable the institution of slavery was in our history.” 

Cuneo wrote:

“Slavery existed within our country and the lessons learned, even if uncomfortable, need to be told. At no time was my intention to harm the sensitivities of any student. If this lesson did that, I apologize to those affected.” 

When questioned on whether or not Mr. Cuneo remained on the job following the accusation, Toms River School District spokesperson, Michael Kenny did not disclose that information saying the issue is ‘confidential’ and he could not discuss that publicly. 

According to enrollment data verified by the New York Daily News, Toms River Intermediate East is a majority white establishment. With educational institutions systematically targeting children of other races, religions, ethnicities, cultures, and more, it’s quite possible that this teacher could have overstepped his boundaries as an educator during a topic that is sensitive to some students. Hopefully, Mr. Cuneo’s curriculum will be adjusted to adhere to a more beneficial teaching method for his students. 

Coaches are seen as people who can uplift players and make them accomplish great things. When it comes to high school basketball, there have been plenty of movies that showcase the close bond between players and their coaches who ultimately take a mentorship role. Coach Carter is one of the films that come to mind. Sometimes though, coaches and players can be at odds with each other. Despite this, the alleged incident that occurred at Malcolm X Shabazz H.S. in New Jersey comes as a shock to many.

According to TMZ, the incident involved four players on the school’s basketball team beating up their coach after a road game. As police describe, there is video footage of the four teenagers throwing punches at their coach who is on the ground. The alleged attackers have beeen identified but due to their status as minors, the names will not be released.

“Our detectives are investigating this incident to identify and to appropriately charge those individuals involved,” Anthony F. Ambrose Newark Public Safety Director said. “Those found to have participated in this senseless act of violence will face criminal charges.”

The mayor of Newark, New Jersey has chimed in and is saying the parties involved will face punishment.

Last year was a big one for Wendy Williams as she ended her 21-year marriage with Kevin Hunter after he cheated on her for a second time and got his mistress pregnant. “I never thought that I would be in this position. I’m a very forgiving person, but there’s one thing that I could never be a part of, and that one thing happened,” Wendy said of her divorce. When the talk show host served her husband with divorce papers, he had 48 hours to vacate their shared New Jersey mansion. 

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Once Kevin was all moved out, Wendy also made the move to New York City full time but despite her efforts to sell her former home, it’s still on the market. The Blast now reports that Wendy has relisted the Livingston, New Jersey home at a lower price since she’s looking to put her past to rest. The stunning 5,700 sq ft home with five bedrooms and 4.2 bathrooms was originally on the market for $1,895,000 and now it’s been lowered to $1,699,000. We can only hope Wendy grabs a sale soon so she can fully move on with her new life. 

“I talk filthy about [Kevin], but that is when I get in my apartment and the door is closed and I am talking to myself in the mirror,” she previously stated, detailing how Kevin was her “first true love” and she wouldn’t disrespect him in public.