HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ – A house fire at 13 Woodstown Drive prompted a rapid response from the Howell Township Police Department at approximately 3:35 PM today.
Upon arrival, officers reported the residence was fully engulfed in flames. Thankfully, all occupants evacuated safely without injuries.
Firefighting units from Adelphia Fire, Squankum Fire, Southard Fire, Jackson Station 55, and Freehold Township Independent Fire worked together to extinguish the fire. Support was also provided by Howell Township Police EMS and Howell Township First Aid.
Currently, the Howell Township Fire Bureau and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported among the responding emergency personnel.
- AI Isn’t Killing Journalism—It’s Saving It. The News Industry Is Making the Same Mistake Again.
For more than 30 years, I’ve watched the news industry repeat the same mistake over and over again.
Every time a new technology comes along, traditional media declares it the enemy. They ridicule it. They dismiss it. They tell everyone it’s a fad that will never replace “real journalism.” Then, a few years later, they quietly adopt the very thing they once condemned—only after they’ve surrendered market share, readers and relevance to those who embraced change first.
The news industry was scared to death of the internet. They felt it would allow any Joe off the street to start a blog and trump them. That’s exactly what it did, and it not only empowered the people, but put companies like Gannett on notice to up their game and deliver what people wanted. They were no longer the only players in town.
I’ve seen it happen with the internet. I watched it happen with free online news. I watched it happen with social media.
Now it’s happening all over again with artificial intelligence.
When I began working in digital media during the earliest days of the commercial internet, I was part of a team at InJersey—owned by the Asbury Park Press—and later at ePresence, one of the pioneering companies that helped bring newspapers, television stations and Fortune 500 companies online during the dot-com boom.
At the time, many newsroom veterans looked at the internet as little more than a novelty. When Gannett took over the Asbury Park Press, they told all of us internet gurus to hit the road and start looking for new jobs.
“The internet is a fad,” Publisher Robert Collins Declares, then told he is pulling the plug on IN Jersey and all that we built as a team. It was the future. It was Patch 20 years before Patch.
- Shore News Network says AI is the next evolution of digital journalism.
- Editor Phil Stilton says traditional media has repeatedly resisted technological change before ultimately adopting it.
- AI is used to assist with story components including FAQs, summaries, SEO, source attribution and visual content.
- The publication argues AI will become a standard newsroom tool within the next decade.
“We transformed the entire industry,” I often tell people. “We helped kick off the online news industry.”
That isn’t arrogance. It’s simply history. It wasn’t just me, people like Ken Kruse, Stanton Fisque, Diane Burley, John Lott, Neptune Interactive Design, Paul Lamhutt and of course, Jules Plangere, III. Without Plangere’s vision, none of it would have happened.
Back then, many newspaper executives insisted readers would never abandon printed newspapers. Editors argued that journalism couldn’t exist online. Publishers believed giving away news on the internet would destroy the business.
“You can’t read a computer on the toilet,” they told us. Guess what? That’s exactly how it’s done today.
The internet proved them wrong.
Social media changed everything—and newspapers fought that too
When Shore News Network launched in 2013, we encountered the same resistance all over again.
The prevailing wisdom inside traditional newsrooms was that publishing news directly to Facebook was reckless. It was blasphemy and amateurish.
Giving away stories for free on social media, many argued, would destroy newspapers forever.
We ignored the critics.
Instead of treating social media as a marketing tool, we treated it as a publishing platform. We went directly to readers rather than waiting for them to come to us.
Today, virtually every major newspaper, television station and digital publication distributes its content across Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and other platforms.
They eventually copied the model.
The problem is they never truly adapted their business.
Most traditional news organizations remain structured around operational models developed during the 19th century, when newspapers controlled printing presses, delivery routes and advertising monopolies.
Those advantages no longer exist. Nobody controls the printing press in 2026, and they can’t get over it. If they want to survive, they have to.
“We have always been on the cutting edge of what’s next in the media industry,” I said recently. “They hate us because they know we can pivot quickly, but they’re too bloated and set in their ways. The newspaper industry is still modeled after 1800s business models. They can’t adapt, and that’s why they’re failing.”
They will hate on AI tools that can modernize their newsroom because they don’t know how to do anything else but fear technology in the newsroom.
AI is another tool—not a replacement for journalists
Today’s debate centers on artificial intelligence.
Once again, many legacy media organizations portray emerging technology as an existential threat to journalism itself.
That misunderstands how responsible newsrooms are actually using AI.
At Shore News Network, AI doesn’t decide what is newsworthy. It doesn’t conduct interviews. It doesn’t verify facts. It doesn’t replace editorial judgment.
Journalists still determine what to report, verify information, interview sources, review documents and make final publishing decisions.
AI assists with repetitive production tasks that once consumed valuable newsroom time.
Why should you read a 200 page legal brief when AI can parse it into humanly-manageable chunks? Why sift through thousands of pages of data when an AI report can pull the data you want in seconds? Why spend time with formatting layout when it can do that for you?
It gives us more time to focus on actual stories.
We use it to help generate reader-friendly FAQs, summarize complex information into key points, improve search optimization, organize source attribution and assist with visual concepts and image generation where appropriate.
Those tools allow reporters and editors to spend more time doing journalism and less time formatting articles.
That’s evolution—not replacement.
Journalism has always evolved with technology
Every generation of journalists has seen new technology reshape the profession. Imagine early colonial newspapers being horrified at printing presses that can print, collate, and package newspapers instead of having a manual operator place the page, print the page, and move the page after each pass of the press.
Those who didn’t move to automated presses, claiming traditionalism over technology, were the first stubborn publishers to vanish.
The telegraph accelerated reporting.
Photography transformed newspapers.
Radio challenged print.
Television changed news consumption.
Cable news created a 24-hour cycle.
The internet democratized publishing.
Social media decentralized distribution.
Artificial intelligence is simply the next step.
Refusing to acknowledge that reality won’t stop the technology from advancing.
It will simply leave those who refuse to adapt even further behind.
The industry will eventually catch up
If history is any guide, today’s AI skeptics will eventually embrace many of the same tools they criticize today.
Within five to ten years, AI-assisted workflows will likely become standard across much of the media industry, just as websites and social media eventually did.
By then, however, another disruptive technology will almost certainly be emerging.
That’s the cycle.
Traditional media resists.
Independent innovators experiment.
Readers embrace change.
Legacy organizations reluctantly follow.
Then the cycle begins again.
The future of journalism won’t be determined by whether AI exists.
It will be determined by which news organizations learn how to use it responsibly while continuing to uphold the principles that matter most: accuracy, verification, accountability and public trust.
Technology changes.
Good journalism doesn’t.
FAQ
- How does Shore News Network use AI?
AI assists with production tasks such as FAQs, key points, source organization, search optimization and certain visual elements, while editorial decisions remain with journalists. This FAQ box you’re looking at right now is AI-generated, but proofread and checked by an editor before publishing. - Does AI replace reporters?
No. Reporting, interviewing, verification and editorial judgment continue to be performed by journalists. It only replaces lazy reporters. - Why does Shore News Network support AI?
The publication views AI as the next stage in newsroom evolution, similar to the internet and social media before it.
Source: Opinion by Shore News Network Editor Phil Stilton.
- Illegal Dumping at Tinton Falls Animal Shelter Leads to Police Investigation
TINTON FALLS, N.J. — Officials at Associated Humane Tinton Falls are asking for the public’s help after someone illegally dumped a large quantity of construction debris into the animal shelter’s dumpster earlier this month, leaving the nonprofit with additional disposal costs.
According to the shelter, the incident occurred on Monday, August 3, at approximately 7:44 a.m., just five minutes after the dumpster had been emptied.
- Someone dumped construction debris into the shelter’s dumpster just minutes after it was emptied.
- The nonprofit says each dumpster pickup costs more than $600, reducing funds available for animal care.
- Security cameras captured a blurry image of the driver, and a police report has been filed.
Shelter officials said the person discarded bags of concrete, drywall, metal, wood posts, tiles, a door, and other renovation materials into the dumpster, quickly filling space needed for the shelter’s daily operations.
Shelter says illegal dumping hurts animal care
“As a nonprofit animal shelter, each dumpster pickup costs us more than $600,” the shelter said in a public appeal. “Every dollar we spend dealing with illegal dumping is money that can’t go toward caring for the animals who need us most.”
Officials said the amount of debris suggested the person had recently completed a home renovation involving items such as a new door, flooring, countertops, or similar construction materials.
The shelter emphasized that the debris was far more than a few bags of trash and consumed valuable dumpster capacity relied upon for daily operations.
Surveillance video reviewed, police report filed
Shelter staff reviewed security camera footage and filed a police report after discovering the illegal dumping.
According to Associated Humane Tinton Falls, the vehicle entered and exited from the same direction, preventing cameras from capturing a readable license plate. However, the shelter said it obtained a blurry image of the driver, who appeared to be alone.
“If you recognize this situation or have any information that could help identify the person responsible, please send us a private message or contact the shelter,” officials said. “Even the smallest detail could make a difference.”
The shelter is encouraging residents to share its appeal in hopes someone recognizes the vehicle, driver, or renovation materials.
FAQ
- When did the dumping occur?
Monday, August 3, at approximately 7:44 a.m. - What was dumped?
Construction debris including concrete, drywall, metal, wood posts, tiles, a door, and other renovation materials. - Was a suspect identified?
Not yet. The shelter has a blurry image of the driver but no readable license plate. - Has police been notified?
Yes. Associated Humane Tinton Falls said it has filed a police report. - How can the public help?
Anyone with information is asked to contact the shelter directly or send a private message with any information that may identify the person responsible.
Sources: Associated Humane Tinton Falls Facebook post; shelter security camera review; police report filed by Associated Humane Tinton Falls.
- Howell Schools Bans Stanley Cups as Dangerous Potential Weapons
HOWELL, N.J. — Students returning to Howell Township Public Schools for the 2026-27 school year will face a new restriction: glass and metal water bottles will no longer be permitted on school grounds.
District officials say the change is intended to improve student safety and reduce the potential for the containers to be used as weapons.
Correction: Readers had pointed out that our AI satirical image showed “Howell Rams” and not “Howell Rebels”. We did this intentionally to make it clear that the photo was NOT a real photo of Howell High School or students, but many were upset with the mislabling of the mascot, so we have updated the photo to avoid causing more pain and suffering. We regularly use digitally created media for political satire and humor.
The district announced the policy in a back-to-school letter to parents and guardians, explaining that the move is intended to help maintain a safe learning environment.
While many people, including Teacher_in_NJ on X initially thought the ban was because of what the students could be hiding inside the bottles. Instead, it’s because of a fear of the bottles being used as weapons.
According to the district, “As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, we want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to cultivating a positive and nurturing environment in all of our schools. Our goal is to ensure that all students can learn in a safe and supportive school environment, free from unnecessary interruptions and distractions.”
The updated guidance also reminds families that Howell will continue strictly enforcing existing policies governing student cell phones and electronic communication devices.
District says safety is the primary concern
School officials confirmed the new prohibition applies specifically to glass and metal water bottles, citing concerns that the heavier containers could potentially be used to injure others during student altercations.
Plastic and other approved water bottles will continue to be permitted.
- Howell Township Public Schools will prohibit glass and metal water bottles during the 2026-27 school year.
- District officials say the change is intended to improve student safety and reduce the potential for the containers to be used as weapons.
- Existing policies restricting student cell phone and recording device use will continue to be enforced.
The district also reiterated that students are prohibited from using electronic communication and recording devices during the school day except in emergencies or with staff permission, in accordance with Board of Education Policy 5516.
“Additionally, an ECRD used in violation of Policy 5516 will be confiscated by a school staff member or Principal or designee and the pupil will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action,” the district said.
Cell phone rules remain in effect
The letter reminds parents that while student devices may contain location tracking applications, they may not be used for audio or video recording while students are at school.
“As outlined in Policy 5516.01, the Board of Education permits the use of a tracking unit or an application on an electronic device that can track the location of the student while in school, at a school-sponsored event, or on a school bus,” the district wrote.
However, the district added that “the use of a tracking device or an application on an electronic device that enables any type of one-way or two-way audio and/or video communications or taping is not permitted.”
District officials also encouraged families to promote healthy technology habits outside the classroom and referenced digital wellness resources developed by the New Jersey Department of Education.
FAQ
- What items are banned?
Glass and metal water bottles will not be allowed in Howell Township Public Schools. - Why is the district banning them?
The district says the restriction is intended to improve school safety because the containers could potentially be used as weapons. - Can students still bring water bottles?
Yes. Plastic and other approved containers remain permitted. - Are cell phone rules changing?
No. The district is reminding families that existing restrictions on electronic communication and recording devices remain in effect. - When does the policy take effect?
The restriction applies for the 2026-27 school year.
Sources: Howell Township Public Schools back-to-school letter to parents and guardians; Howell Township Board of Education Policies 5516 and 5516.01.,Teacher_In_NJ/X
- Wall Township School District Ordered to Pay Nearly $285K in IDEA Attorneys’ Fees After Appeals Court Ruling
CAMDEN, N.J. — The Wall Township Board of Education has been ordered to pay $284,654.75 in attorneys’ fees and litigation costs after a federal judge reconsidered a previous fee award that had been vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
In an opinion issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams granted in part a renewed fee application filed by former student Micayla Augustyn, concluding she was entitled to recover substantially more than previously awarded after prevailing under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The decision follows a 2025 Third Circuit ruling that affirmed Augustyn qualified as a prevailing party under the IDEA but found the district court had improperly reduced her attorneys’ fee award. The appellate court returned the case to the district court with instructions to recalculate the award using the proper legal standards.
Augustyn sought a total of $309,007.58 in attorneys’ fees and costs related to administrative proceedings, federal litigation, appeals, and post-remand proceedings.
Long-running special education dispute
The lawsuit arose from allegations that the Wall Township Board of Education denied Augustyn a free appropriate public education (FAPE) by failing to properly implement her Individualized Education Program (IEP) during high school.
According to the opinion, shortly before graduating in 2018, Augustyn’s mother sought mediation through the New Jersey Department of Education, requesting corrections to Augustyn’s grades and compensatory education services.
After mediation failed, the dispute proceeded to a due process hearing before an administrative law judge and eventually into federal court.
Judge Williams noted that the Third Circuit had already determined Augustyn was entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees under the IDEA’s fee-shifting provisions.
Court reduces request but awards majority
Although Augustyn requested more than $309,000, the court found certain portions of the request should be reduced while concluding that most of the work performed by her attorneys was reasonable and compensable.
The judge ultimately awarded $284,654.75 in attorneys’ fees and litigation costs.
The opinion represents the latest chapter in years of litigation over the school district’s obligations under federal special education law and the legal fees generated by the dispute.
- Third Circuit previously ruled Augustyn qualified as the prevailing party.
- Federal judge reconsidered the fee award following remand.
- Plaintiff requested more than $309,000 in fees and costs.
- Court awarded $284,654.75.
- Award covers administrative proceedings, federal litigation and appeals.
Fee-shifting provisions under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act are intended to allow parents and students who successfully enforce their rights under federal special education law to recover reasonable legal expenses. Courts evaluate requested fees using factors that include prevailing market rates, the reasonableness of the hours worked, and the overall success achieved during the litigation.
FAQ
Who is Micayla Augustyn?
She is the former Wall Township student who filed an IDEA lawsuit alleging the school district failed to properly provide services required under her Individualized Education Program.What did the federal judge decide?
The court awarded Augustyn $284,654.75 in attorneys’ fees and costs after reconsidering the issue following a Third Circuit remand.Why was the case sent back to the district court?
The Third Circuit ruled that while Augustyn was entitled to attorneys’ fees as the prevailing party, the original reduction in fees relied on improper legal considerations.What law governs the case?
The dispute arises under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which allows prevailing parties to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees in certain cases.Will the litigation continue?
The opinion resolves the renewed attorneys’ fee motion. Any further proceedings would depend on whether either party seeks additional appellate review.Sources: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Augustyn v. Wall Township Board of Education, Civil Action No. 20-5218; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Augustyn v. Wall Township Board of Education, 139 F.4th 252 (2025).
- New Jersey Fights Trump Investigation into Migrants with Commercial Driver’s Licenses
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in suing the Trump administration over its demand for access to a national database containing the personal information of approximately 17 million commercial driver’s license holders.
The lawsuits challenge actions taken by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which have sought five years of records maintained through the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS).
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the federal government threatened to terminate more than $10 million in grants and contracts to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) unless the nonprofit organization turned over the data.
New Jersey and the coalition argue the records belong to the states and contain sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, dates of birth and other identifying information.
The lawsuits allege the federal agencies violated federal privacy laws and the Administrative Procedure Act by attempting to obtain the information without consulting the states or establishing safeguards governing how the information would be stored, shared or used.
“New Jersey has one of the strongest data privacy laws in the country, and we will not allow the Trump Administration to illegally misuse the private information of our residents,” Davenport said. “We will not allow New Jerseyans’ safety or the employment of our CDL drivers to be jeopardized by yet another unlawful request for private data.”
Federal officials have defended the request, saying the records are needed as part of a broader crackdown on commercial driver’s license fraud and to ensure only qualified drivers are operating commercial vehicles on U.S. highways.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security officials have announced a joint enforcement initiative targeting commercial driving schools suspected of falsifying training records, improperly certifying students, and issuing credentials to individuals who may not meet federal licensing requirements.
The Trump administration has also said investigators are examining whether some commercial driver’s licenses were improperly issued to non-domiciled or otherwise ineligible applicants, including some involving immigration-related violations.
According to USDOT and DHS, ongoing enforcement efforts have resulted in more than 24,000 commercial drivers being removed from service for failing English-language proficiency requirements, the cancellation of more than 28,000 improperly issued foreign commercial licenses, and the removal of approximately 9,500 non-compliant driver training schools from the federal registry.
Federal officials contend access to the CDLIS database is necessary to verify commercial driver credentials, identify fraudulent licenses, investigate suspected criminal activity, and improve highway safety.
The Commercial Driver’s License Information System was established by Congress in 1986 to allow states to share licensing information and verify whether commercial drivers already hold licenses in another jurisdiction. While the database is operated by AAMVA under contract with the federal government, participating states own the licensing information submitted to the system.
The coalition argues the administration’s demand represents an unprecedented expansion of federal access to state-owned records and raises concerns the information could be used beyond commercial licensing enforcement, including immigration investigations.
The lawsuits seek emergency court orders preventing AAMVA from turning over the requested records while the legal challenge proceeds.
- New Jersey joined 21 states and Pennsylvania in suing the Trump administration.
- The dispute centers on access to approximately 17 million commercial driver records.
- State officials argue the request violates privacy laws and exceeds federal authority.
- The Trump administration says the data is needed to investigate CDL fraud and improve highway safety.
- The administration’s broader enforcement effort targets fraudulent CDL schools and improperly issued commercial licenses.
The legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between state privacy protections and federal immigration and transportation enforcement. The outcome could determine how much access federal agencies have to state-held driver information and shape future cooperation between states and Washington on commercial licensing and immigration-related investigations.
FAQ
Why is New Jersey suing the Trump administration?
The state argues the federal government unlawfully demanded access to millions of commercial driver’s license records containing sensitive personal information without sufficient legal authority or privacy protections.What information is being requested?
The records include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers and other information maintained in the Commercial Driver’s License Information System.Why does the Trump administration want the records?
Federal officials say the information is needed to investigate commercial driver’s license fraud, verify driver eligibility, identify improperly issued licenses, support immigration enforcement where legally authorized, and improve highway safety.What is CDLIS?
The Commercial Driver’s License Information System is a national database that allows states to verify commercial driver’s licenses and prevent individuals from holding multiple CDLs.Has the information already been released?
No. The states are seeking emergency court orders to block the transfer while the lawsuits are litigated.Sources: New Jersey Attorney General’s Office; U.S. Department of Transportation; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Department of Homeland Security; American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
