The Hoboken Girl Team 
It’s finally starting to feel like spring around here, and as the trees begin to bloom, so too does the Hoboken + Jersey City news cycle (though it never really stops). This week brought a slew of…interesting… stories, like edible Hudson River fish and Hoboken’s plans for Bordie Collie goose chasers. The World Cup continues to be a production, to say the least: NY Penn Station might even shut down for four hours during matches. On the Hoboken front, the City is planning to repave over 50 blocks through June – and in Jersey City, 41% of public assets are in flood zones (uh oh). We’ve got it all right here in this roundup, so keep reading for all the Hoboken + Jersey City news stories you might’ve missed this week.
Every week, we round up the top news stories of the week from both our site and aggregate across the web from various sources because there’s SO much happening. You can read more at the links below, and always feel free to submit any news tips to [email protected] or via DM @thehobokengirl on IG. Our email newsletter also shares more of our top stories on a twice-weekly basis, which you can sign up for here.
Some fish in the Hudson River are safe to eat for the first time in 50 years, as new state guidelines show improving water conditions (Hoboken Girl).
The Life of Reilly, a speakeasy tucked inside San Patricio’s, opened this week in Jersey City, bringing hidden cocktail bar vibes to the downtown scene (Hoboken Girl).
Join Hoboken Girl founder Jen Tripucka in conversation with Baked by Melissa founder Melissa Ben-Ishay as they celebrate her new cookbook, Come Eat at Mile Square Theatre in Hoboken (Little City Books).
Hoboken’s Mac + Cheese Festival returned this weekend with cheesy bites from local favorites and plenty of comfort food fun (Hoboken Girl).
Hoboken may soon crack down on Airbnb rentals ahead of the 2026 World Cup as officials consider new regulations (Hoboken Girl).
Foodie Fest is back in Hoboken for 2026, combining great eats with a mission to support autism awareness (Hoboken Girl).
Turns out that Olivia Rodrigo Easter egg in Hoboken was legit, as the singer shared a video on Instagram confirming the Pier C location (Hoboken Girl).
New York Penn Station could possibly shut down for four hours during World Cup matches, meaning NJ Transit riders should plan ahead (Asbury Park Press).
Jersey City Mayor James Solomon is calling for the immediate release of a woman detained by five ICE agents downtown, saying she committed no crime and raising concerns after a video showed her being taken into an unmarked vehicle without local authorities’ involvement (Hudson County View).
A 500-unit rental development is on the way near Liberty Science Center, adding more housing to Jersey City’s waterfront area (Real Estate NJ).
Hudson County Schools of Technology approved an $84M budget while facing ongoing financial challenges (Hudson County View).
A major merger between New Jersey City University and Kean University is gaining momentum as a Wall Street credit upgrade signals improving finances ahead of the planned July 2026 consolidation (NJ.com).
A Jersey City cannabis business is suing the city after its dispensary application was denied by the council (Hudson County View).
Nearly 1,000 New Jersey hospital workers received layoff notices, though the company says jobs may still be saved (NJ.com).
Federal authorities detained a 29-year-old man accused of seriously injuring a passenger with a hammer on an NJ Transit light rail train in Jersey City, ending a month-long search after the suspect fled the scene (NJ.com).
The Mayor of Jersey City shared a first look inside Jersey City’s historic Loew’s Theatre renovation, showing major progress on the iconic venue (@jerseycitynj via Instagram).
A new Whole Foods is one step closer to opening in Jersey City’s Journal Square after receiving key approval, with plans to anchor the ground floor of a major 54-story mixed-use development (NJ.com).
A recent New Yorker feature shouted out “sponge cities,” like Hoboken, which could be the future of flood prevention, using design to absorb and manage excess water in urban areas (The New Yorker).
Nearly 41% of Jersey City public assets are located in flood zones, highlighting ongoing climate risks (Hudson County View).
A bright fireball streaked across the sky in New Jersey and other East Coast states, surprising onlookers (via The New Jersey Girl on Instagram).
Hoboken may replace its Nixle alert system with a new $32K platform to improve emergency communications (Hudson County View).
American Dream is planning a massive World Cup Fan Fest with games, viewing parties, and events for soccer fans (NJB Magazine).
Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison will serve as a major fan hub during the 2026 World Cup (NJBIZ).
New retail tenants, including a rare coin dealer and a vegan hair salon, are coming to a Jersey City waterfront complex (NJ.com).
Hoboken craft club, Ivy Mane, was featured on NBC New York, showing off their hands-on workshops like leather journal-making for creative locals (NBC New York).
Hoboken is kicking off a major repaving project across 50 blocks through June, so expect street closures and detours over the next few months (Hoboken Girl).
Hoboken might soon bring in trained Border Collies to chase geese out of parks to tackle the city’s ongoing goose poop problem (Hoboken Girl).
A Jersey City zoning dispute impacting The Hive has been pushed to May 7th, with supporters continuing to rally behind the owners (@hellofromthehive via Instagram).
Have a news tip or story? Email us at [email protected].
Follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Hoboken and Jersey City updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.
