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Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., longtime New Jersey Democrat, dies at 87, his family says
PATERSON, N.J. – Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. has died.
His family announced his death on social media.
“As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city her grew up in and served. He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation America,” they wrote.
Pascrell was 87. A cause of death has not yet been released, although he had recently been hospitalized.
Pascrell was a graduate of Fordham University and served in the Army for six years. He was first elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1988, and then was elected mayor of Paterson in 1990. He went on to serve in Congress in 1996.
“Bill Pascrell embodied the spirit of New Jersey”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy hailed Pascrell as a “giant of New Jersey and a lifelong champion for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
“He was a unifier in every sense of the word— and always sought to bring the people of New Jersey together around our shared principles,” Murphy said. “But for many New Jerseyans, Bill will be remembered most fondly for leading the fight for our families in Congress over the past 27 years. At every stage of his Congressional career, he stood up for our neighbors by defending access to reproductive health care, keeping our communities safe from gun violence, supporting our law enforcement officers and first responders, protecting our natural wonders — like Paterson’s Great Falls — and so much more.”
“Bill Pascrell embodied the spirit of New Jersey. He was relentless fighting for his community. As a first son of Paterson, he never forgot where he came from, leaving an indelible mark on North Jersey as a mayor, a public-school teacher, an assemblyman, and a congressman who never, ever backed down from doing what was right. Bill was a fierce champion for the working class, always standing up for the little guy, fighting to ensure that New Jersey families got a fair shake—whether on the factory floor, in the classroom, or at the doctor’s office. Beyond his dedication, Bill was one of the funniest, most entertaining people you could ever meet. He was my friend and I was his,” Rep. Frank Pallone said.
“My heart is breaking right now. What profound sadness falls upon New Jersey for the loss of Bill Pascrell. I miss him and give all the love and strength I can muster to his family and community,” Rep. Andy Kim wrote on social media.
“Today, my heart is heavy with the loss of my dear friend, colleague, and mentor, Bill Pascrell. For his entire life – in the Army, as a high school history teacher, Mayor, State Legislator, and Member of Congress – Bill served others,” Rep. Mikie Sherrill said. “I’ll never forget meeting Bill when I first ran for Congress. He took me under his wing and I immediately saw his fierce love for New Jersey and pride for his beloved Paterson. From his legendary dance moves and poetry readings, to his infectious love of life and sharp sense of humor that could leave you in stitches, every New Jerseyan has their favorite Bill Pascrell memory.”
“Bill Pascrell was more than a colleague, he was a friend, mentor and someone who I greatly admired and loved. Bill was Paterson to his core – tough but compassionate, a relentless fighter who always championed his constituents and never encountered a fight he wasn’t ready to take on. He loved his job and he did it with purpose every single day. His voice, his work, and his dedication will never be forgotten. But today is a sad day. I’m going to miss Bill so very much,” Rep. Rob Menendez wrote on social media. “It’s hard to think about going back to DC and not seeing him there on the House floor in the back corner holding court or after votes getting together to connect over a meal. He was a true friend and I will forever cherish our time together and I will always carry his memory with me. May he rest in peace.”
“I am saddened by the passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell. Bill represented New Jersey with determination, energy and enthusiasm and never backed down from a fight when it meant protecting the rights of our residents. For many years we were fortunate to have Bill represent Essex when part of our county was included in his District. We will all miss his leadership and friendship. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. said.
Pascrell is the second member of Congress from New Jersey to die while still in office this year. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. died in April.
CBS News
Yellowstone hiker burned when she falls into scalding water near Old Faithful, park officials say
Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. — A New Hampshire woman suffered severe burns on her leg after hiking off-trail in Yellowstone National Park and falling into scalding water in a thermal area near the Old Faithful geyser, park officials said.
The 60-year-old woman from Windsor, New Hampshire, along with her husband and their leashed dog were walking off a designated trail near the Mallard Lake Trailhead on Monday afternoon when she broke through a thin crust over the water and suffered second- and third-degree burns to her lower leg, park officials said. Her husband and the dog weren’t injured.
The woman was flown to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho for treatment.
National Park Service / Jacob W. Frank
Park visitors are reminded to stay on boardwalks and trails in hydrothermal areas and exercise extreme caution. The ground in those areas is fragile and thin and there’s scalding water just below the surface, park officials said.
Pets are allowed in limited, developed areas of Yellowstone park but are prohibited on boardwalks, hiking trails, in the backcountry and in thermal areas.
The incident is under investigation. The woman’s name wasn’t made public.
This is the first known thermal injury in Yellowstone in 2024, park officials said in a statement. The park had recorded 3.5 million visitors through August this year.
Hot springs have injured and killed more people in Yellowstone National Park than any other natural feature, the National Park Service said. At least 22 people have died from hot spring-related injuries in and around the 3,471-square-mile national park since 1890, park officials have said.
TRENTON, N.J. — Democratic Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver has defeated Republican small businessman Carmen Bucco in a contest in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District that opened up because of the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. in April.
McIver will serve out the remainder of Payne’s term, which ends in January. She and Bucco will face a rematch on the November ballot for the full term.
McIver said in a statement Wednesday that she stands on the “shoulders of giants,” naming Payne as chief among them.
She cast ahead to the November election, saying the right to make reproductive health choices was on the ballot as well as whether the economy should benefit the wealthy or “hard working Americans.”
“I will fight because the purpose of politics and the purpose of our vote is to give the people of our communities and our nation a bold voice,” she said.
Bucco congratulated McIver on the victory in a statement but said he’s looking forward to the rematch in November.
“I am not going anywhere,” he said in an email. “We still have a second chance to make district 10 great again!”
Who are LaMonica McIver and Carmen Bucco?
McIver emerged as the Democratic candidate in a crowded field in the July special election. A member of the city council of New Jersey’s biggest city since 2018, she also worked for Montclair Public Schools as a personnel director and plans to focus on affordability, infrastructure, abortion rights and “protecting our democracy,” she told The Associated Press earlier this summer.
Bucco describes himself on his campaign website as a small-business owner influenced by his upbringing in the foster system. He lists support for law enforcement and ending corruption as top issues.
The 10th District lies in a heavily Democratic and majority-Black region of northern New Jersey. Republicans are outnumbered by more than 6 to 1.
It’s been a volatile year for Democrats in New Jersey, where the party dominates state government and the congressional delegation.
Among the developments were the conviction on federal bribery charges of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, who has denied the charges, and the demise of the so-called county party line — a system in which local political leaders give their preferred candidates favorable position on the primary ballot.
Democratic Rep. Andy Kim, who’s running for Menendez’s seat, and other Democrats brought a federal lawsuit challenging the practice as part of his campaign to oust Menendez, who has resigned since his conviction.
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Yellowstone hiker burned when she falls into scalding water near Old Faithful, park officials say
Wagon rolls over at Wisconsin apple orchard injuring about 25 children and adults