Newark Daily Local Headlines: ICE Order, East Ward School Plan, and Airport Shuttle Tests
Newark, NJ – March 3, 2026 – Baraka tightens rules on ICE activity, schools plan an East Ward elementary, and EWR tests driverless shuttles.
Top Newark headlines (last 72 hours)
City limits how ICE can use Newark property
Mayor Ras Baraka signed an executive order aimed at limiting civil immigration enforcement activity on city-owned property. The order requires agents to present a warrant or judicial order before entering city buildings, and it directs city employees to report suspected unconstitutional actions.
For residents, the immediate impact is mostly about what can happen in municipal spaces, and what city staff are expected to do if federal agents show up.
New East Ward elementary school proposal moves into public-input stage
Newark Public Schools says it is planning a new Riverfront Elementary School in the East Ward to ease chronic overcrowding. Early plans place the school in the St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church building on Fleming Avenue, with details on capacity, timeline, and costs still to come.
A special public hearing is scheduled for March 25 at 5 p.m. at Lafayette Street School, where the district expects to outline the proposal and take community feedback.
Newark Liberty prepares to test driverless electric shuttles
At Newark Liberty International Airport, the Port Authority is set to test self-driving, zero-emissions shuttles in restricted areas this spring. The pilots are designed to evaluate whether autonomous vehicles could eventually help move passengers between airport facilities and future rail connections.
It is a reminder that the region’s transportation upgrades are not just about big construction projects, but also about experimenting with how people will actually get around once the dust settles.
Neighborhood notes
- A citywide Iftar is scheduled for March 5 at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center.
- Several local groups are promoting free health screenings and financial workshops later this week.
Sources
- https://www.wbgo.org/news/2026-02-28/baraka-curbs-ice-activity-in-newark
- https://www.chalkbeat.org/newark/2026/03/02/new-elementary-school-opening-in-east-ward-to-relieve-overcrowding/
- https://jerseybee.org/2026/03/02/newark-daily-buzz-mar-2-2026/
- https://nypost.com/2026/03/02/us-news/nyc-area-airport-set-to-test-self-driving-shuttles/
