Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Who’s shaping Mayor-Elect James Solomon’s first moves at City Hall?
Be sure to catch Five Things You Must Know About Estate Planning After 65 (Online) on the Jersey City Patch calendar
Good morning Jersey City! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Who’s shaping Mayor-Elect James Solomon’s first moves at City Hall?
- How will the NJCU–Kean merger change degrees in Jersey City?
- How Heights University Hospital’s shutdown reshaped care options in Jersey City
Also on today's calendar: Five Things You Must Know About Estate Planning After 65 (Online).
Find out what's happening in Jersey Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Jersey Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Breezy with clouds breaking, with a high of 32 and low of 24 degrees.
- Saturday: Some sun, then clouds, temps: high: 34, low: 26.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 37 and low of 24 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Mayor-Elect James Solomon Announces Transition Leadership Team (riverviewobserver.net) — Jersey City’s mayor-elect James Solomon has unveiled a transition leadership team to guide his administration before he’s sworn in on January 15. With veteran local officials and advocates on board, he’s promising a more affordable, responsive City Hall focused on transparency and anticipating residents’ needs. 
2. Kean to Discontinue Nine NJCU Degrees, 14 Concentrations Amid Merger (jcitytimes.com) — New Jersey City University is set to be absorbed by Kean University, with nine degrees and 14 concentrations slated for discontinuation as NJCU becomes Kean Jersey City. Lawmakers have already fast-tracked state approval, but the merger still awaits the governor’s signature and federal and accreditation sign-offs that will shape future options for local students.
3. Fauci, hospital closures, mergers and Trump: Our 10 most well-read stories of 2025 (chiefhealthcareexecutive.com) — Jersey City residents are still feeling the impact of Heights University Hospital’s November closure after more than 150 years of service, with only an emergency department remaining on-site. The broader piece looks back at 2025’s biggest national hospital stories, including mergers, shutdowns, and shifting federal health policies that could further affect local care access.
4. The best thing I ate this year. Our food writers reveal their favorite N.J. dishes of 2025. (nj.com subscription) — New Jersey food writers picked their single favorite dishes of 2025, and Jersey City’s Korai Kitchen made the list with its richly spiced, fall-off-the-bone murgir roast from the special Amma’s Dawat feast. The Journal Square spot, already named the state’s top restaurant by NJ.com, stands out among statewide picks from Cape May to Hunterdon County.
5. Fencing: Boys and girls notebook for Jan. 1 (nj.com subscription) — A new boys’ fencing coach, Craig Sommers, is now leading Franklin in Jersey City as part of a broader wave of coaching changes across New Jersey high school programs. The piece also previews key county tournaments later in January, highlighting which boys’ and girls’ teams are emerging as contenders as the season resumes after the holiday break.
📸 Around Jersey City
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Jersey City
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★ Featured events ★
- Five Things You Must Know About Estate Planning After 65 (Online)
Online,
2:30 pm - The Winter Wait: School Revisits, Narrowing Choices, and Other Tidbits
Parents League Virtual Event,
1:00 pm
Friday January 2
Thursday January 8
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
📣 Jersey City Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Children's Vision Board Party (2nd grade & up)
Kearny Main Library , 318 Kearny Ave. , Kearny
2:00 pm - Adult Coloring Workshop
Kearny Main Library , 318 Kearny Ave. , Kearny
10:30 am - Drop-in Saturday Craft
Harrison, NJ Calendar Harrison, NJ 07029
12:00 pm - New Jersey Bridal & Wedding Expo
Meadowlands Exposition Center , 355 Plaza Dr , Secaucus
12:30 pm - Special Tickets to Hollywood in New Jersey David Newman & Sebastian Knauer
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) , 1 Center St , Newark
8:00 pm - Explorer's Playgroup with Miss Bee (ages 0-4 with adult participation)
Kearny Main Library , 318 Kearny Ave. , Kearny
10:30 am - Hip Hop Dance Class with Kennedy Dancers (2nd grade & up)
Kearny Main Library , 318 Kearny Ave. , Kearny
4:30 pm - BRANCH LIBRARY: Friends Book Club featuring Please Don't Lie by Christina Baker Kline
Branch Library , 759 Kearny Avenue , Kearny
6:30 pm - Cozy Classics Film Series: Neverending Story (PG / 102 min.)
Kearny Main Library , 318 Kearny Ave. , Kearny
4:00 pm - Preschool Story Time with Adult Participation (ages 0-4)
Kearny Main Library , 318 Kearny Ave. , Kearny
11:00 am - Cozy Classics Film Series: Paddington in Peru (PG / 106 min.)
Kearny Main Library , 318 Kearny Ave. , Kearny
4:00 pm - Adult Cooking Workshop with Ms. Q.
Kearny Main Library , 318 Kearny Ave. , Kearny
11:00 am
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Monday January 5
Wednesday January 7
Thursday January 8
Friday January 9
Saturday January 10
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Jersey City PatchAM possible:
- Bespoke Physical Therapy — (973) 707-3047
We work with Medicare and major insurance companies - MKT Ready Fitness Club
Voted 2025 Best Pilates & Best Personal Training in JC. - 1634 Funk LLC — (201) 862-8877
Daily Deals!!! - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - Jacquie Bird, Spiritual Wellness — (917) 887-9471
Upcoming wellness events this holiday season! Check website.
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Happy New Year!
May 2026 bring more kindness, love, and brighter days for everyone. (Nextdoor Hamilton Park) - Hello!
I live on first street between Erie and Jersey. can I put my Christmas tree out tonight for pickup? I’m confused because I saw trees out but the… (Nextdoor Hamilton Park)
- Clinical Dynamix posted a job opening for Associate Director-Quality Assurance (QA-CMC) in Jersey City. Apply here.
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Secaucus. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Jersey City here.
Ok Jersey City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just lost interest.
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