Breves

More Americans struggling

The number of Americans who are financially struggling has increased by double digits in the past year, as inflation and gas prices top the list of problems faced by families.

The Monmouth University poll finds a majority say the federal government’s actions are hurting them and that President Joe Biden’s policies are not benefitting the middle class.

Preference for party control of Congress remains divided, with no real movement since the spring.More than four in 10 Americans, about 42%, say they are struggling to remain where they are financially.

The number of people who say they are struggling has increased by 18 points since last year from 24% to 42%.

Murphy signs 7 new laws to tighten N.J. gun regulations

Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday signed seven bills into law that further tighten New Jersey’s already stringent gun regulations and vowed to seek even more measures while the state navigates a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision loosening restrictions on carrying a concealed firearm.

Murphy said requiring people to pass a safety course to get a gun ID is “no different” than needing a license to drive a car.

Newark mayor removes Public Safety Director

Following an uptick in crime, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has removed the city’s public safety director, placing him in a newly-created deputy mayor position while the city hunts for a new head of the public safety department.

Brian O’Hara, whom Baraka named acting public safety director early last year, will now serve as “deputy mayor for strategic initiatives for police services/public safety,” the mayor announced on Thursday.

Officials said Raul Malave, O’Hara’s assistant public safety director, will take over as interim director until a permanent replacement for O’Hara is named.