It was a busy week in Central Jersey ahead of Memorial Day Weekend. Residents packed into Edison’s municipal complex on Wednesday over rumors about budget cuts to public safety and youth sports. And in Rahway, voters got to hear from candidates ahead of the primary day elections on June 2.

Looking at the holiday weekend, a soggy forecast forced some beloved local traditions to cancel, but the community spirit is still very much alive. Here’s what you need to know before you head out on Monday.

First, what’s changed? Edison’s Memorial Day Parade has been officially canceled by the township. Plans are reportedly underway to reschedule for a later date. Rahway’s Memorial Day Parade was also canceled due to the weather, though the city moved its celebration indoors at the Rahway Recreation Center today, Sunday, from 1–4 p.m. All are welcome.

What’s still planned for Monday (fingers crossed) includes Union Township’s Memorial Day Parade. Sunday’s America 250 encampment was canceled due to rain, but Monday’s parade is proceeding as planned for now. Westfield also still has a full day planned. There will be a ceremony at Memorial Plaza at 10:00 a.m., a parade down East Broad Street at 10:45, and a barbecue with live music at the American Legion Hall from 2–5 p.m. However, Westfield says it won’t make a final decision until Monday morning, so check their social media and website before you go. In Woodbridge, Memorial Day events are reportedly scheduled, though nothing appears on the township’s official calendar.

As always, you can check out our full events page for everything happening around Central Jersey, and if you have a community event you’d like listed, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Politics and taxes were big topics this week. Here’s a look at what The Central Jerseyan covered.

Edison introduced its long-delayed 2026 municipal budget to a packed council chamber Wednesday night. Rumors of cuts to public safety and youth sports had brought union members, firefighters, police officers, and kids in uniform out to a meeting that typically draws a handful of residents. What they heard was a promise: no cuts. Council President Joe Coyle said he does not believe a single member of the council will vote to cut youth sports funding. The budget allows for a 4.4% overall increase — the state maximum — and a public hearing is set for July 22. Read the full story →

Rahway Democrats clashed over water, spending, and each other at an NAACP candidates forum Monday night — the only forum before the June 2 primary. The central issue was the future of Rahway’s public water utility, with the three incumbents split on whether to pursue privatization and challenger Andrew Garcia Phillips the only candidate to take a clear stance against a sale. Sharp exchanges also broke out over a proposed amphitheater to be named after Assemblyman James Kennedy, with no candidate able to provide a cost estimate on the spot. Read the full story →

Two stories from the Edison school board are worth reading together this week. The board voted 5-4 on Tuesday to reject the state pre-K expansion grant, effectively ending the district’s free, full-day preschool program when the new school year begins in September. The vote comes after weeks of back-and-forth that left hundreds of families in uncertainty. Separately, board member Anjana Patel reported receiving anonymous threatening messages tied to her vote on the district’s Talmadge Road land deal. The board unanimously passed a resolution condemning the threats and calling on the FBI and other agencies to investigate. Read the full stories →

The Mom Exchange — Saturday, May 30 | 12–4 PM | Free. New Jersey State of Mind and The Mom Exchange are teaming up for a free community swap event at 89 E. Cherry Street in Rahway. Trade, swap, and make connections with local moms — and shop baby and kids’ clothing, toys, books, and more. It’s a great way to refresh your kid’s wardrobe, clear out what you no longer need, and support a local Rahway small business at the same time. Free to attend.

I got called a hack this week by an elected official. I won’t say who. They know. But it happened at the Rahway candidates forum hosted by the NAACP on Monday.

The Central Jerseyan’s reporting came up often that night. Candidates were pressed on transparency — who knew what about the water utility sale, and when? What will those new downtown projects actually cost taxpayers? When people unaccustomed to scrutiny find themselves in the spotlight, it can be revealing. The same politician who sweetly asks the local reporter to cover their ribbon-cutting is the one calling that reporter a hack when the questions get hard.

I’ll take it.

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This week's trivia: New Jersey’s governor has an official residence in Princeton — but do you know its name?

Last week’s trivia:  New Jersey Assemblyman William Gilber Alexander was the first Black person elected to public office in New Jersey in 1920.

Here’s the weather for the upcoming week:

🌦️ Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day): Mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of rain showers, but warming up — temperatures range from 60°F to 74°F.

⛅ Tuesday, May 26: Mostly cloudy in the morning, turning into partly sunny skies later in the day — temperatures range from 62°F to 79°F.

🌤️ Wednesday, May 27: Partly sunny and quite warm, pushing into summer-like conditions — temperatures range from 65°F to 86°F.

☀️ Thursday, May 28: Mostly sunny with warm and pleasant conditions — temperatures range from 58°F to 84°F.

☀️ Friday, May 29: A gorgeous, mostly sunny day to transition into the weekend — temperatures range from 55°F to 74°F.

☀️ Saturday, May 30: Mostly sunny and beautiful, perfect for the community swap event — temperatures range from 56°F to 71°F.

☀️ Sunday, May 31: Clear, bright, and completely sunny skies to close out the month — temperatures range from 60°F to 75°F.

As always, you can see even more events on The Central Jerseyan website. See the full events calendar ➝ 

Have an event you’d like included in this newsletter or a tip for a local news story? You can reply to this newsletter or contact me here ➝ 

Have a great week!