An insidious effect of repeated propaganda, known as the “firehose of falsehood” technique (ironic considering my topic), is both drowning out facts along with interest in finding truth, as people become overloaded by endless back-and-forth controversy. For months, we’ve experienced a deluge of fals...

A patient in my psychotherapy practice started many sessions in tears: “My son will not talk to me. I text and call him to discuss what’s wrong, but he ignores me. I can’t stand it!” This person is not alone in being iced out by key family members or friends.One friend with three far-flung adult kid...

In early January, I traveled to Israel on a Birthright trip with seventeen other Americans between the ages of eighteen to twenty-six. We were the first Birthright trip to Israel since Hamas’ attack on October 7th and unsure what our experience would be. But going in January, when so many chose to s...

A collaboration with the Westfield High School Journalism ProgramWhy Every Student ShouldTake a Journalism CourseOnce students reach the high school level, there is a plethora of elective options available. There are history electives, such as psychology and AP government, there are art electives, s...

We have long-since applauded the residents of the Town of Westfield for their civic engagement. Most of us here at The Westfield Leader and Union County HAWK have been in this business for a long time and have collectively covered hundreds, if not thousands, of municipal meetings across multiple tow...

CRANFORD – The Cranford Republican Municipal Committee is pleased to announce that Gina Black will be running for re-election to the Cranford Township Committee in 2024. Cranford needs experienced, open leadership that will put the needs of the Township first. Gina has been providing this type of le...

On Saturday, April 13, Israel, a key U.S. ally, faced a significant attack from Iran. More than 300 missiles and drones targeted Israel, originating from launch points in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon. This aggressive action solidifies Iran and other Middle Eastern nations' position on the wrong si...

“The only thing that you absolutely have to know,” said Albert Einstein, “is the location of the library.”Ours is on East Broad Street, and we know it well. It is a bastion of books, a sanctum of study, a place where questions are asked and answered. That’s a lot, but it is even more than that, than...

As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers. I loveApril; it marks the start of spring, the start of my softball season and the impending end of the school year. However, the constant rain is not always the most convenient as a spring season athlete.The rain feels like an impending doom when...

Guest ColumnistsIt is clear to us in the short-sighted comments reducing the Garwood adoption of the ‘Skip the Stuff’ law into harangues about ketchup packets that those opposed to this action may simply not be aware of the BIG environmental picture.Plastics are made from toxic chemicals and fossil ...