Planned Pop-Up Journalism Hub in Princeton, New Jersey Scheduled for July 30th
Residents of Mercer County, New Jersey, have the opportunity to discuss pressing stories and issues with the News website's reporting team at a pop-up newsroom, taking place at the Princeton Public Library on Wednesday, July 30, from 1 to 5 p.m.
This event is part of a series of pop-up newsrooms held across the region by the News website, which is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. The pop-up newsroom provides a chance for residents to pitch story ideas and for newsroom staff to speak directly with community members.
Key topics of interest for New Jerseyans include affordability challenges, education and school funding, mass transit and transportation issues, healthcare and Medicaid, as well as local government and community concerns. Affordability issues, such as rising costs of housing, energy, transportation tolls, and property taxes, have been central themes in recent political campaigns and continue to be a major concern as inflation impacts many families financially.
The state's ongoing contentious lawsuit over alleged racial and socioeconomic segregation in public schools, with potential significant legal decisions ahead, is another hot topic. Education funding and the future of programs like the Statewide Student Support Services for mental health in schools are also top concerns.
NJ Transit service disruptions, including recent strikes, and the ongoing need for funding and improvements in mass transit affect many residents, prompting calls for effective solutions. There is worry about potential Medicaid cuts and healthcare losses for families, reflecting a broader unease about maintaining safety net programs amid federal funding uncertainties.
Residents also raise issues about local governance, municipal budgeting, historic site funding, and community services in various towns within Mercer County and beyond.
New Jersey reporters David Matthau, P. Kenneth Burns, and Madhusmita "Madhu" Bora will be present at the pop-up newsroom. Prior to joining the News website, David Matthau was the lead investigative reporter for New Jersey 101.5 News, while Madhu has previously worked for The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Indianapolis Star, Tampa Bay Times, and The Press of Atlantic City. P. Kenneth Burns, an award-winning reporter, joined the News website team in 2018, having previously been at WYPR in Baltimore, covering city government and urban issues.
Sarah Glover, vice president of news & civic dialogue, will also be present during the informal discussion from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., where an informal discussion and sharing of insights into the News website's newsgathering process across the Garden State will take place.
The pop-up newsroom is a project of the News website, supported by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. The News website is a nonprofit organization that relies on financial support from readers.
Madhu Bora, the managing editor for suburban coverage at the News website, is an Assamese American journalist, teacher, writer, filmmaker, and award-winning dancer.
Don't miss this opportunity to engage with the News website's reporting team and share your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Visit the Princeton Public Library (65 Witherspoon St.) on July 30 and join the conversation.
- During the pop-up newsroom at the Princeton Public Library on July 30, residents of Mercer County can discuss issues related to their lifestyle, such as affordable housing, healthcare, and local governance.
- Home-and-garden concerns, though not directly mentioned, may potentially be discussed by residents during the pop-up newsroom event, as affording a home is a significant concern for many New Jerseyans, and the state's focus on reducing costs might extend to home improvements and maintenance.
