The Hoboken Girl Team 
After going through a bit of a heat wave, Hudson County can expect some April showers coming up. We’re following several stories in Hoboken + Jersey City this week, but the one that has us rolling our eyes the most is World Cup fans planning to walk from New York City to MetLife Stadium for the World Cup matches. Plus, Jersey City police made arrests in connection with separate shooting incidents earlier this month. We learned that Hoboken City Hall introduced its 2026 municipal budget, as well as establishing a hiring freeze to try to reduce the current budget deficit. In foodie news, a Jersey City chef will be competing to be the best chef on an episode of Chopped this week. We already knew this, but Hoboken was crowned New Jersey’s “Destination of the Year,” for 2026.
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.
– The Jersey City Jazz Festival is returning this May (The Hoboken Girl).
– A dog-friendly “yappy hour” event is coming to Hoboken on May 1st, in support of the Hoboken Rainbow Bridge Project (The Hoboken Girl).
– Jersey City Public Library is hosting a rave this May, turning a local branch into a dance party experience (The Hoboken Girl).
– Hoboken and Jersey City are launching a new overflow parking pilot for Citi Bike riders to help manage docking demand (City of Hoboken).
– Hoboken has been named New Jersey’s “Destination of the Year” for 2026 (Jersey’s Best).
– A biopic about New Jersey native Martha Stewart is in the works, with Cate Blanchett portraying the media mogul (The New Jersey Girl).
– New Jersey’s oldest general store, Schooley’s Mountain Store, is reopening in Long Valley this spring (The New Jersey Girl).
– Jersey City Chef Bryan Girón is set to compete on Food Network, stepping into the Chopped kitchen on April 28th at 9PM (@perquinjc via Instagram).
– Hoboken police announced the arrest of a local resident for multiple charges related to illegal narcotics distribution, which came after a months-long investigation prompted by neighbor complaints (Press Release).
– New renderings reveal plans for Canal Crossing, a major mixed-use development project coming to Jersey City (Jersey Digs).
– A fatal fire in Union City left a 74-year-old woman dead and displaced more than 20 residents (NJ.com).
– Hoboken City Hall has announced a hiring freeze to address the budget deficit (City of Hoboken).
– The NJDEP is partnering with Union City to transform a vacant building into a new soccer field for the community (Hudson County View).
– The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce is urging lawmakers to oppose a proposed FIFA World Cup surcharge bill (HudPost).
– The Jersey City Marathon and Half Marathon set a new participation record for its fourth annual race (Hudson County View).
– Residents are invited to Hoboken’s annual Joyce Kilmer Arbor Day Tree Tour to learn about local greenery (City of Hoboken).
– A fundraiser has been started for a local dog, Norman, who is undergoing emergency surgery after a serious health issue was discovered (GoFundMe).
– Plans to convert 480 Washington Boulevard into a new residential building have been approved in Jersey City (Jersey Digs).
– Jersey City officials are raising concerns over the cost of $85,000 police radios tied to World Cup preparations (Hudson County View).
– Jersey City housing nonprofit The York Street Project has received a $250,000 grant to support its work (Jersey City Times).
– A Weehawken man accused of defrauding local small businesses out of more than $100,000 has been indicted by a grand jury (Jersey City Times).
– Bayonne’s City Council passed resolutions opposing proposed data centers (Hudson County View).
– New Jersey police pursued a Lamborghini in a high‑speed chase that ended with the driver being arrested after speeding through traffic and prompting a multi‑agency response (NBC New York).
– Bayonne’s City Council has approved a 25-year PILOT program for two six-story buildings on the Caschem site (Hudson County View).
– New Jersey has reported its first measles case of 2026, involving a man from Hudson County (New Jersey Monitor).
– The New Jersey Red Bulls are opening a new training center in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (North Jersey News).
– The body of missing Weehawken college student Emilio Acosta was found, and officials are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death (Patch).
– The Hoboken City Council approved several changes to local parking regulations, including extending the metered hours on Fridays + Saturdays (The Hoboken Girl).
– Hoboken has introduced its 2026 municipal budget, which includes key budgetary increases and potential changes for local services (City of Hoboken).
– DuoDonuts will present its case to the Hoboken Zoning Board on April 28th for approval to sell doughnuts and matcha at 205 12th Street (Patch).
– Jersey City’s Wurstbar is expanding its hot dog and drinks spot to the space next door at 518 Jersey Avenue (@hssid_jc via Instagram).
– 29 members and associates of a Jersey City–based drug trafficking organization were arrested on federal charges (US Attorney’s Office)
– Kikilu Gelato is opening its second location in Hoboken (The Hoboken Girl).
– The PATH Performs music series returns for 2026, encouraging local talent to apply to audition for the music series at Hoboken + Jersey City PATH stations this summer (The Hoboken Girl).
– Trinket boxes, little boxes that allow neighbors to trade knick-knacks, are popping up around New Jersey (The New Jersey Girl).
– Some FIFA World Cup fans shared plans online about walking to MetLife Stadium for the soccer matches (The New Jersey Girl).
– The 2026 market season is kicking off on May 3 at Riverview Park (@RiverviewFarmersMarket via Instagram).
– A local mother is seeking support for her 13-year-old son, who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and is beginning chemotherapy (GoFundMe).
– The City of Hoboken announced a 12-day series of block parties in town to celebrate the World Cup (The Hoboken Girl).
– Jersey City Police made two arrests in separate shooting incidents over the past week (JCPD Press Release).
Have a news tip or story? Email us at [email protected].
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