No good deed comes unpunished, right? The ACLU today filed a lawsuit [PDF] against pretty much everyone in Newark (not to mention Governor Chris Christie) to get to the bottom of Mark Zuckerberg's not-at-all-suspicious $100 million donation to the city's school system last year. They don't want to stop the donation, they just want to find out how it came to be, and the Newark is not making that easy. Essentially the suit seems to come down to the question "whose leg do you have to hump to get some transparency here?" more ›

Poor Newark. As if the city didn't have enough problems to deal with, now the New York Times has to go and point out that while everyone in the region is suffering in this heat, Newark has it worse. By multiple degrees. As in yesterday when it was 97 degrees in Central Park? It was 102 degrees in Newark. more ›

Two weeks ago the Newark City Council voted to require all restaurants that served fewer than 20 guests to have an armed guard on premises if they were open past 9 p.m. However, yesterday Newark's mayor, Cory Booker, vetoed the plan. At a press conference today, Booker explained his thinking: "There are many businesses that would be caught up in these extreme costs associated with armed security that never even had these problems in their neighborhoods." more ›

Is Newark's Cory Booker eyeing a seat in the Senate? Though the telegenic and Twitter-friendly mayor denied any interest in going to Washington not so long ago, his recent creation of a political action committee, called CoryPAC, has insiders wondering if he's changed his mind. But if Booker runs, how ever will he find the time to shovel out all of New Jersey? more ›

In April of last year, Newark Mayor Cory Booker bragged about how March was Newark's first murder-free month since 1966. This year, things are not so good. The Star-Ledger reports, "Three fatal shootings in the last two days pushed Newark’s homicide total to 29 this year, a 71 percent jump in killings compared with the same period in 2010, as violent crime surges following police layoffs." more ›

It's finally here: the 2011 Tiger Beat Time 100 list of most influential movers and shakers around the world will be published on Friday. But knowing that there was no way anyone will wait to read it in the actual magazine, they were kind enough to put the list online for us to gawk at today. And it includes several notable NYers, including Patti Smith, Jonathan Franzen, Jennifer Egan, Ground Zero Mosque Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and Harlem Children's Zone founder Geoffrey Canada. There are also two prominent NJ politicians—Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Gov. Chris Christie—but no NY ones. Should we be demanding a recount? more ›

This afternoon, demonstrators and interfaith leaders are planning to gather in Times Square as part of "Today, I Am A Muslim Too." The rally is taking place to protest an upcoming congressional hearing on Muslims and homegrown terrorism led by LI Representative Peter King. The rally is set to begin at 2 p.m., and you can check for updates on the event at the groups twitter. more ›

Cory Booker has kept himself on the move this winter, keeping in touch with his constituents through Twitter and taking to the streets to shovel people out of the storms. But the dark temptress supplying him with that energy? Artificial sugar. Booker is now trying to break himself of the habit, and wrote on Twitter, "Day 5 without diet cola. Deep love/respect 4 those struggling w/ other addictions. If soda is this hard I can only imagine other substances." Especially when they come in such cute cans! more ›

At this point, every New Yorker is probably wishing they had the shovel-wielding Cory Booker as a mayor instead of Bloomberg and his investigation. But Booker is reminding New Yorkers to judge not lest ye be judged. He wrote on Twitter, "People far 2 rough on @mikebloomberg - still fighting 2 clear snow in NWK & we are 1/29th size of NYC." Besides, Bloomberg swears most of the streets will be fine by 7 p.m., so everything will be fine. And you'll finally get your mail. more ›

While one day of shoveling the driveways of the people could have been seen as a PR stunt, two days of such kindness suggests actual kindness! After signing off for about five hours overnight, Newark Mayor Cory Booker reemerged on Twitter. He is currently on his way to Tremont Avenue and dispatching a crew to Brunswick Street. And so far his Twitter enemy has kept quiet, probably still reeling from Booker's scathing retort to his endless taunting. Or just plotting his revenge. more ›

Due to a multimillion budget gap, Newark laid off 167 police officers (13% of its force) earlier this month. Since then, crime has increased there have been numerous carjackings—victims include a staffer in the NJ Attorney General's office and a Newark school principal—and shootings (since Thursday, four people have been shot dead and six have been wounded). Now, Newark Mayor Cory Booker says that police will be at "full force" this weekend, claiming "dozens" more cops will be patrolling. more ›

After all that talk and excitement over believing in Newark and taking ideas from the people and Mayor Cory Booker's Twitter status, the plan to reform Newark's school system with $100 million donated from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg may have an issue. Namely, that whole "improper and illegal" thing the Education Law Center previously mentioned. Apparently the state's Quality Single Accountability Continuum doesn't allow mayoral or gubernatorial participation in reform efforts for a district under state control. more ›

Newark Mayor Cory Booker is already 40% done with raising the funds needed to match Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's $100 million grant to the city's public school system. He announced today at the "Education Nation" summit in Manhattan, “We have $60 million to go. When we get to $200 million, we will have a powerful tool in our toolbox to get things done." more ›

Newark Mayor Cory Booker's Twitter status reads, "'No man stands so straight as when he stoops to help a child.' Knights of Pythagorus." And whether this is how education funding donor and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg intended and wanted to be viewed, or whether he really did want to make an anonymous donation, it can't be denied that the money is the first step to a huge boost in the city's education system. At a press conference today in Newark (video below), Zuckerberg, Booker and Governor Chris Christie tried to explain how they'd take the next step. more ›

Yesterday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that he would be donating $100 million to the Newark on the most important political stage, The Oprah Winfrey Show. Excuse us if we're skeptical, but we wondered why Zuckerberg chose Newark when he was born in White Plains, went to Harvard, and really has nothing to do with New Jersey whatsoever. He cleared it up on the show, saying, "Newark is really just 'cause I believe in these guys," speaking of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker. It also turns out that Zuckerberg originally wanted the donation to be anonymous. Right! more ›

While the website for the Oprah Winfrey show is coy, simply saying that today's show will feature "two no-nonsense powerhouses" and "a young trailblazer," everyone knows that the big guests are Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, NJ Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker. Zuckerberg is committing up to $100 million of Facebook stock (but what's that really worth?) to a foundation to help Newark's failing public schools, while Christie will cede some control of the school system to Booker. And to those who call this an obvious ploy to divert attention from The Social Network, the movie that paints Zuckerberg as ambitious and coldly calculating, "insiders" claim that's not the case! more ›

Tomorrow, the day that a film about the founding of Facebook opens the New York Film Festival, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will appear on the Oprah Winfrey show to announce a donation of up to $100 million to the Newark, NJ school system. The Wall Street Journal noted, "Newark spends about $22,000 a year on each of its 40,000 pupils, but only about half of its students graduate. Of those who do, only one-fifth go on to four-year colleges. More than 85% of the Newark students at community colleges need remedial help in math and English." more ›

Just moments after Jersey Shore star Snooki left the courthouse in New Jersey yesterday (she was found guilty of "annoying people"), she nearly got in trouble again! In her car, she Twittered from the driver's seat: "Ugh stuck in newark traffic is no fun." It didn't take long before Mayor Cory Booker Tweeted at the reality star, saying: "Snooki! I'm the mayor where R U so I can give u a ticket 4 texting & driving we needs revenue!" more ›

President Obama has arrived at NJ's Newark Liberty International Airport—greeted by NJ Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker—and he's taking a helicopter to discuss the economy at Tastee Sub Shop in Edison. And ahead of his arrival, there are fans and protesters. The Star-Ledger reports that Tea Party folks held signs like “Obama, Got Jobs?” and “Obama: Liar N Thief," while others have signs like, "Gaga For Gay Rights." Also: "Debates on health care and taxes have also broken out among the protestors and Obama supporters. Some are even yelling at each other from opposite sides of Plainfield Avenue." more ›

Because the Newark City Council deferred on making a decision on creating a municipal utilities authority, the Star-Ledger reports, "Newark Mayor Cory Booker, facing a mounting budget deficit, announced a series of 'savage' cuts today, including a four-day work week for 1,450 non-uniformed city workers, shuttering the city’s pools and even banning the purchase of toilet paper." He said, "I’m going to shut down as much of city government as I can. We’re going to stop buying everything from toilet paper to printer paper. Call me Mr. Scrooge, if you want, but they’ll be no Christmas decorations around the city." Booker also Tweeted, "#Newark - we r in a budget crisis," and linked to video of his emergency budget conference. more ›

Newark Mayor Cory Booked was re-elected to a second term last night, winning 59% of the vote. Booker told his supporters, "We know we have difficult days ahead, but if I want to be in the trenches with any group of people in the United States of America, I want to be in the trenches fighting with my fellow residents of the city of Newark." more ›

Five-time Newark mayor Sharpe James is leaving Petersburg Correctional Complex in Virginia this morning and hopping a bus back to New Jersey. He'll finish out his 27 month sentence—for arranging the sale of state property to his girlfriend, who flipped it for a huge profit—from a halfway house in the city he helped run for 20 years. The unrepentant former official recently spoke with the Star Ledger, claiming wrongful conviction and bad-mouthing current Mayor Cory Booker. more ›

Newark, NJ officials are thrilled with news that the city had no murders in March. Mayor Cory Booker Tweeted, "We did it! 1st calendar free month without a murder since 1966! http://bit.ly/b8RrDn - Welcome to April!!!!" According to the Star-Ledger, "Police Director Garry McCarthy said he hopes to best a 43-day period from March to April of 2008, the longest span of time without a slaying in the city since 1961. Ten homicides have occurred in Newark since Jan. 1, and none have taken place in the South Ward, long believed to be Newark's most dangerous section.... There were only eight reported shootings in Newark in March, and aggravated assaults, robberies, carjackings and other major crime rates are all down for the first-quarter of 2010 compared to their 2009 totals. more ›

No, it didn't happen in New York, but look how the mayor of Newark treats his constituents. A woman named Ravie Rave tweeted at Mayor Cory Booker that her 65-year-old father needed help shoveling his driveway on New Year's Eve. Booker tweeted back, "I will do it myself where does he live?" After conferring with Mr. Rave, Booker tweeted, "Just talked 2 him & I'll get 2 his Driveway by noon. I've got salt, shovels & great volunteers." Within twenty minutes, Booker was on the scene with his crew. R u listening @mikebloomberg? Because we think pot should be legal and would like you to bring a big fat bag of weed over to our... middle age, housebound father. more ›

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is being remembered for her diplomatic skills by brokering peace between Conan O'Brien and Newark mayor Cory Booker, who have had some sort of feud about Newark—O'Brien had joked, "The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey wants to set up a citywide program to improve residents' health. The health-care program would consist of a bus ticket out of Newark" and then it started a volley of threats (Booker put O'Brien on Newark Airport's no-fly list) and more jokes. more ›

He also lost 50 pounds this year and twitters constantly. more ›

Ashton and Demi joined Mike and Cory—Mayor Bloomberg and Newark Mayor Booker, that is—in Times Square yesterday to kick off a volunteerism and service effort called I Participate, which helps citizens find volunteer opportunities near them, as well as Bloomberg's Cities of Service, which will "identify local sectors where volunteers are most needed, match community organizations with volunteers" and share best practices. Besides New York and Newark, other cities and mayor participating are Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, Nashville, Phoenix, DC, and many more. more ›

Mayor Bloomberg picked up a big endorsement from across the aisle yesterday from Democratic rising star, Newark Mayor Cory Booker. Booker said, "Mayor Bloomberg is simply the model in America...A lot of us younger, next-generation, thirty-something forty-something mayors have been relying on him for a long time as giving us examples and instruction in how to dramatic change in our cities.” Booker became more visible throughout the 2008 presidential campaign as a fervent supporter of President Obama. Bloomberg rival Bill Thompson tried to take the sting out of an endorsement from such a prominent black politician saying, "I respect Mayor Booker, but hard-working people who actually live in New York know that we need change." State Senator Bill Perkins went further, calling it, "Just racial...that (Bloomberg) would go outside of the city to get some support." Neither Bloomberg nor Mayor Booker mentioned any potential rift between the two due to the Garden State's role in the Maple Syrup Phenomenon. more ›