Good morning, South Jersey.
Hanwha, the South Korean-based shipbuilder that wants to expand in the United States and wanted to move into Paulsboro, is now browsing options across the country.
And Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a new law placing new restrictions on social media platforms over children’s social media use.
Plus, a former Lumberton Township mayor allegedly submitted a nominating petition with fake signatures, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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Philly area leaders who hope for an influx of jobs for the revival of Delaware River shipbuilding got a wake-up call.
The shipbuilder Hanwha has recently offered $1 billion for shipyards in Alabama and California.
Hanwha, based in South Korea, wants to be a leading global defense contractor and that includes its intention to expand in the United States. At one point, that vision included buying portside facilities in Paulsboro, but that option fell apart last year when they couldn’t reach a deal with the port operator, Holt Logistics.
Though they are still interested in possible expansion sites in the region, they are not limiting themselves.
The Inquirer’s Joseph N. DiStefano has the story.
Several new restrictions are in store for social media platforms in New Jersey.
Starting in September 2027, the law will limit use of children’s data and restrict algorithmic content recommendations.
It also blocks social media platforms from sending notifications to minors during typical school hours — 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. between Labor Day and Memorial Day — and bans notifications all year between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
“Big tech isn’t just the big tobacco of our era. They are worse. They designed platforms that hijacked our kids’ attention spans,” Gov. Sherrill said at the bill signing on Tuesday.
New Jersey Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov breaks down the details of the law.
What to know today
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Gina LaPlaca, the former mayor of Lumberton Township, and her husband have been charged with faking signatures on a nominating petition for LaPlaca to run for township committee, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office said.
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The nearly $600 million in tax-free bond issue meant to fund the sale of South Jersey’s Advantage Behavioral Health didn’t attract enough investors last week. The transaction is now on hold.
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Gloucester County Superior Court Judge Renard Scott granted former Eagles player Wendell Smallwood Jr. an early release from prison to see his daughter who is dying from cancer. He could have been released as early as Monday.
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Washington Township elected officials invited the public to watch the demolition of a Taco Bell Tuesday morning. A Take 5 Oil Change is set to replace it.
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For the third consecutive year, Sewell is considered one of the country’s hottest housing markets, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports.
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Freedom Fuel Gas Network, the chain promoted by President Donald Trump and the White House, is now up to 29 stations. There are locations in Marlton, Clementon, West Berlin, and Pitman. One location in Philadelphia that could soon close after a failed inspection and an expired dispensing license is linked to Cherry Hill developer Shamikh Kazmi and his brother Syed Kazmi.
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🧠 Trivia time
Keanu Reeves’ alt-rock band Dogstar is playing three shows in the region this week.
What is his role in the band?
A) Bass player
B) Lead vocalist
C) Drummer
D) Pianist
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
💫 Catching: The Perseid’s meteor shower that will peak late tonight into tomorrow morning.
🍷 Hunting for: My next favorite wine at Moore Brothers Wine Company in Pennsauken.
🏠 Ogling: These tiny Shore homes.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: 🌲 A popular place for nature lovers in Evesham Township
BACK LEVERS PRUNER
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Janice Houck, who solved last Wednesday’s anagram: Johnson’s Corner Farm. It provides classic fun activities like hayrides and apple picking in Medford.
🏡 On the market
Quaint one-floor home in Williamstown with a lake view
The one-story home has had extensive renovations throughout, including an updated kitchen. The house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a laundry room, and a living room. It has unobstructed wide-open views of Sunset Lake across the street.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $375,000 | Size: 1,376 SF Acreage: O.17
And that is all I have for you this morning. I’ll be out for the rest of this week and will return on Monday. My colleague Ellen Dunkel has you covered tomorrow and Friday. ☀️
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