TRENTON, NJ—The multi-state PARCC (Partnership for Asessment of Readiness for College and Careers) consortium that oversees that administration of its online standardized testing across the United States announced that it would be rolling back the number of tests administered during the academic year from two to one. 

The decision comes amid the second roll-out of the controversial test in New Jersey's public schools, as well as a slew of bills and resolutions in the NJ Legislature meant to curb the reach of PARCC testing in the state. 

TRENTON, NJ—State regulators approved measures on May 19 that allow Verizon to go forward with plans to raise its rates for traditional landline telephone service by over 36% over the next 5 years.

The agency, known as the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), also voted to phase out government oversight on landline telephone services across New Jersey in 2020.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Students at Redshaw Elementary School collected over 2,000 pounds for Middlesex County's annual Spring School Food Drive. 

Out of the 131 area schools that participated in the food drive, Redshaw Elementary came in third place with 2,050 pounds of food and supplies. 

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—In the first year of the Rutgers University's "honors college" program, as many as 90 incoming freshmen might not be able to live in the actual Rutgers Honors College building, according to several sources.

The new five-story building, which is slated for completion this summer and will house some 540 students, will not be large enough to accomodate the number of students who confirmed their attendance. 

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—The City of New Brunswick announced that a store called "Key Food Marketplace" would replace the vacant site of the former Fresh Grocer at the lower level of the Wellness Plaza in downtown New Brunswick.

The property's landlord, the New Brunswick Parking Authority (NBPA), voted on April 24 to grant a 2o-year lease to a store operator working with the Staten-Island-based Key Food Stores Co-operative, Inc.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ— NJ Transit (NJT) has announced its proposal for a 9% fare hike that would affect all of the agency's train and bus lines beginning in October.

Currently a one-way ticket from the New Brunswick station to New York Penn Station costs $13, and with the proposed increase, that price would go or $14.17.