A call to provide more assistance to New Jersey families who are faced with rising costs due to inflation was made Tuesday by New Jersey Policy Perspective. It released a report arguing for expanding the state’s child tax credit program, which was approved last summer. Under the program, eligible families will receive up to $500 for every child under the age of six. New Jersey Policy Perspective proposes expanding the tax credit to $1,000 for kids under six years old and opening eligibility to children ages six to 11. According to New Jersey Policy Perspective, the expanded credit would help more than 440,000 families across the state.

Twelve mayors from New Jersey Shore towns are calling for an immediate halt of offshore wind development after another whale washed ashore, this time on Long Island. The mayors wrote to officials in Washington saying while they aren’t opposed to clean energy, they are concerned about the environmental impact of offshore wind projects. The mayors represent communities from Monmouth County down to Atlantic County. Federal officials have previously said there’s no evidence of a connection between offshore wind and the deaths of whales.

One school district’s plan to recruit more teachers is working. In the past four months, Paterson has hired 149 teachers, after offering signing bonuses of $7,500. The district still has another 152 positions to fill and continues to offer the signing bonus. Paterson isn’t the only New Jersey district to offer signing bonuses. Newark’s school district announced bonuses last year for teachers in critical areas, including math and science.