Local Beat: Want to stop fake news? Check your own assumptions first

July 21, 2017 Joe Amditis

Local Beat is the NJ News Commons’ weekly roundup of the best reporting by community news sources.

WANT TO STOP FAKE NEWS? CHECK YOUR OWN ASSUMPTIONS FIRST
Matt Skoufalos of NJ Pen sat down with University of Pennsylvania reference librarian Samantha Kirk, who offered tips to help readers weed out the junk from the volume of information they encounter. Kirk says the problem of misinformation is not a new one, and the solution starts with people reflecting on their own biases and media consumption habits.

ASSEMBLYMAN BRAMNICK URGES STATE LEGISLATURE TO SOLVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES
Republican Assembly Leader Jon Bramnick is calling on state legislators to hold a special session to address the issues that stem from the state’s affordable housing laws. Leah Scalzadonna of TAP into Westfield says the state Supreme Court ruled that municipalities are required to meet affordable housing quotas or face legal actions, and Westfield is one town that has learned that lesson the hard way.

RAHWAY RELEASES BODY, DASHBOARD CAMERA VIDEO
The City of Rahway will not challenge a Union County Superior Court judge’s ruling that body camera footage of the mayor’s car crashes must be made public. Mark Hrywna of Rahway Rising has obtained the videos and made them available to his readers.

FIFTY YEARS AFTER THE NEWARK RIOTS, RESIDENTS (MOSTLY) OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE
Mark Bonamo of TAP into Newark has released the four and final installment of a four-part series to mark the 50th anniversary of the Newark rebellion of 1967. Bonamo says Newarkers have been trying to plant the seeds for the city’s revival for decades, and many believe those seeds are finally starting to bloom.

ROSELLE COUNCIL VOTE STOPS MAYOR FROM CONTINUING TO SPEAK AT MEETING
The sound of a buzzer interrupted the mayor of Roselle at a town council meeting earlier this week after she went over the six-minute allotted time for public comments. Rebecca Panico of TAP into Roselle/Roselle Park says Mayor Christine Dansereau tried to protest and argue for more time, but the council voted her down.

GRINGO’S JERSEY CITY IS OPEN (IT’S A TACO JOINT TO REMEMBER)
Jennifer Tripucka of Hoboken Girl visited Gringo’s Jersey City, one of the latest additions to the local restaurant scene, to see what all the buzz was about. Tripucka spoke with Gringo’s owner and founder Darren Conway about the taco joint’s controversial name, as well as the range of menu items and accommodations available to Gringo’s patrons.

Want more? Check us out on FacebookTwitter, and YouTube.

,

Joe Amditis

Joe Amditis is the associate director of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University. He can be reached via email at [email protected] and on Twitter at @jsamditis.