Mike Catalini, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill waves during her inauguration ceremony in Newark, N.J., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

New Jersey Democrats pick from crowded field in special election for Sherrill’s US House seat

February 4, 2026

New Jersey Democratic voters are picking their party’s candidate to fill a U.S. House seat opened up by Mikie Sherrill’s gubernatorial victory. A crowded field of candidates are seeking the nomination in Thursday’s special election. They include former U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski; Brendan Gill, an elected commissioner in Essex County; Analilia Mejia, a onetime head of the Working Families Alliance in the state; and Tahesha Way, who served as lieutenant governor and secretary of state for two terms until last month. Sherrill vacated the seat after she won the governorship last year, opening up the competitive Democratic primary. In the Republican race, Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway is unopposed.

FILE - New Jersey Gov.-elect Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., left, prepares for a television interview at the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)

Democrat Mikie Sherrill to be sworn in as New Jersey’s 57th governor

January 19, 2026

Democrat Mikie Sherrill is set to be inaugurated as the state’s 57th governor. The four-term congresswoman and former Navy helicopter pilot is just the second woman to lead the state of nearly 9.5 million people and is the first person from a major political party to be elected to a third straight term in more than six decades, succeeding two-term Democrat Phil Murphy. She swept to victory over her Donald Trump-endorsed GOP rival in part by pinning blame for high costs on the president’s tariffs.

Merchandise is seen for sale at the Trump Store in Bensalem, Pa., Jan. 5, 2026, after owner Mike Domanico announced the storefront will close at the end of the month after six years. (AP Photo/Mike Catalini)

Trump store in suburban Philadelphia ‘kind of run its course’ and is set to close

January 6, 2026

A suburban Phlladelphia shop selling President Donald Trump-themed merchandise that became a magnet for die-hard supporters announced it’s closing its doors, six years after opening. The Trump Store, which sells hats, flags, T-shirts and other items, in hotly politically contested Bucks County, posted on social media that its storefront will be closing at the end of the month. Owner Mike Domanico said in a phone interview Tuesday that he’s closing the store because he’s focusing on another business selling targets and other items at gun shows, and he’s semi-retired, he said. But the closure is also an acknowledgement that business has slowed down.

FILE - Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., demands the release of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka after his arrest while protesting outside of Delaney Hall ICE detention facility, May 9, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)

Judge overseeing US Rep. McIver’s case tells prosecutors to turn over authorities’ texts

November 17, 2025

A federal judge overseeing the criminal case of U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver has told Trump administration attorneys to turn over authorities’ text messages from her chaotic visit to an immigration detention center in New Jersey that led to charges accusing her of assaulting officers. U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper’s direction came nearly a month after he told authorities they needed to remove social media posts that could prejudice a jury. He also gave the government until next week to turn over additional video from McIver’s May 9 visit to the Delaney Hall facility in Newark.

FILE - Congresswoman Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., speaks to the press after Newark mayor Ras Baraka was arrested while protesting at Delaney Hall ICE detention prison, May 9, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)

Judge denies New Jersey Rep. McIver’s request to dismiss Trump administration charges

November 13, 2025

A federal judge has denied Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver’s motions to toss out a federal prosecution against her stemming from a visit to an immigration detention center this year. U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper also said Thursday he would reserve judgment on one of the New Jersey congresswoman’s motions to toss the case brought by acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, who was President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney. McIver sought to dismiss the case against her on the grounds that her visit to Newark’s Delaney Hall immigration detention center in May was protected on the grounds of constitutional legislative immunity as well as selective and vindictive prosecution.

New Jersey governor-elect Mikie Sherrill attends a photo opportunity in the governor's office in Trenton, N.J., Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Sherrill says she has a mandate as New Jersey’s next governor and will focus on affordability

November 5, 2025

Mikie Sherrill says she believes she has a mandate as New Jersey’s governor-elect to fulfill campaign promises of making the state more affordable. And for now, the Democrat is dialing back on her criticism of Republican President Donald Trump. The congresswoman is getting to work setting up her new administration and she met with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday as they discussed the transition. Sherrill says she’s focused on affordability “because my communities are focused on affordability.” She’s promised to use an executive order to freeze monthly electricity bills and wants to expand a program for first-time homebuyers.

Judge says DHS social media posts in Rep. McIver prosecution are ‘prejudicial’ and should be removed

October 21, 2025

A federal judge overseeing the Trump administration’s prosecution of U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver on charges she assaulted and impeded immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center told the government to remove social media posts he called “prejudicial” to the congresswoman. U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper on Tuesday heard pretrial arguments in the case brought by Republican President Donald Trump’s Justice Department against the Democratic congresswoman representing Newark, the state’s biggest city. Semper didn’t issue a ruling from the bench but told the government’s attorneys nine social media posts should be removed.

FILE - Alina Habba speaks after being sworn in as interim US Attorney General for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 28, 2025. (Pool File via AP, file)

Trump administration to defend Alina Habba’s tenure as top New Jersey prosecutor

October 19, 2025

A federal appeals court is set to hear arguments over whether President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Alina Habba, has been unlawfully serving as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey since earlier this year. The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has scheduled a hearing in Philadelphia over Habba’s appointment, which a lower court judge said in August was done with a “novel series of legal and personnel moves” and that she was not lawfully serving in the as U.S attorney for New Jersey. The judge’s order said that her actions could be declared void but put his order on hold pending appeal.

FILE - Democrat Mikie Sherrill responds to questions during the first general election gubernatorial debate with Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli, Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)

Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey pushes back after GOP questions her service record

September 26, 2025

The Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey in this year’s high-stakes race is defending her Navy service amid questions surrounding a cheating scandal during her time at the Naval Academy, and pushing back against the Trump administration’s release of her mostly unredacted military records. Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill says she wasn’t involved in the scandal but refused to turn in some of her classmates. She and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are competing to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in New Jersey, one of just two states electing a governor this year. The other is Virginia.

This combination photo shows Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., on Capitol Hill, Feb. 13, 2024, in Washington, left, and Republican candidate for Governor Jack Ciattarelli, Sept. 4, 2025, in Garfield, N.J. (AP Photo)

What to watch for in the opening debate in the race for New Jersey governor

September 21, 2025

It’s the opening debate in the race for governor in New Jersey. Democrat Mikie Sherrill is a four-term congresswoman and Republican Jack Ciattarelli is a former state Assembly member who ran for governor in 2017 and 2021. The debate Sunday night at Rider University should give New Jersey voters a chance to take stock of the candidates in what’s expected to be a close contest.. New Jersey and Virginia are the only states with statewide contests this year. Those elections are seen as a gauge of how voters feel about President Donald Trump’s second term.

FILE — Alina Habba, President Donald Trump's pick to be the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, arrives to speak with reporters outside the White House, March 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Trump administration clears way to keep Alina Habba as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor

July 25, 2025

President Donald Trump has taken steps to keep Alina Habba as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey. The Republican president withdrew Habba’s nomination for the permanent position Thursday, allowing her to transition from interim U.S. attorney to acting U.S. attorney for 210 days. Habba announced her new role on social media, emphasizing her commitment to justice. Earlier in the week, judges had declined to extend Habba’s tenure, appointing Desiree Leigh Grace instead. However, Grace was later removed by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Habba’s office has been involved in several high-profile cases, including against Democratic Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver.

Trump administration fights to keep ex-Trump lawyer Alina Habba as New Jersey federal prosecutor

July 22, 2025

The Justice Department is fighting to keep President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Alina Habba, in place as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey after a panel of judges refused to extend her tenure and appointed someone else to the job. Habba initially appeared to lose the position Tuesday when district judges declined to keep Habba in the post while she awaits confirmation by the U.S. Senate. They appointed one of Habba’s subordinates, Desiree Leigh Grace, as her successor. But just hours later, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she had in turn removed Grace, blaming Habba’s removal on “politically minded judges.” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields says Trump has full confidence in Habba and the administration would work to get her confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

FILE - This photo provided by the Bucks County, Pa., District Attorney's Office shows Justin Mohn, the man accused of beheading his father in their suburban Philadelphia home in January 2024. (Bucks County District Attorney's Office via AP, File)

Woman at son’s Pennsylvania murder trial recounts finding husband’s decapitated corpse

July 7, 2025

Trial is underway in Pennsylvania of a man accused of killing his father and posting a video of his severed head online. Prosecutors say 33-year-old Justin Mohn shot his father, Michael Mohn, at their home in Levittown in January 2024 before decapitating him. Authorities say Justin Mohn posted the 14-minute YouTube video, which included anti-government rants. His mother testified Monday about finding her husband’s body in a first-floor bathroom. Justin Mohn was arrested later the same day after authorities say he climbed a 20-foot fence at the state’s National Guard headquarters. Officials say he had photos of federal buildings and apparent instructions for making explosives on a USB drive.

US Rep. LaMonica McIver pleads not guilty to assault charges stemming from immigration center visit

June 25, 2025

U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver has pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing her of assaulting and interfering with immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center. McIver was arraigned in federal court in Newark on Wednesday. The charges stem from a congressional oversight visit at the Delaney Hall facility in Newark on May 9. McIver is a Democrat. She was charged last month in a complaint by interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a Republican appointed by President Donald Trump. McIver said outside court after Wednesday’s hearing that she will not be intimidated. Newark’s mayor also was arrested at the detention center the same day, but that charge was dropped.

Meet Rep. LaMonica McIver, the Democrat being prosecuted over encounter outside NJ immigration jail

June 25, 2025

U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver captured the spotlight this month when she was indicted on charges she assaulted officials during an oversight visit to an immigration detention center in May. It’s a rare federal prosecution against a current member of Congress on charges other than corruption or fraud. Now she’s in court to be arraigned on three charges she assaulted and impeded federal officials — allegations she has said she’d fight. The 39-year-old Newark, New Jersey, native is in her first full term in Congress, and she’s garnered more attention than many members.

FILE - The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden, N.J., Wednesday, April 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

New Jersey can have a grand jury investigate clergy sex abuse allegations, state high court rules

June 16, 2025

New Jersey’s Supreme Court says the state can have a grand jury investigate allegations of clergy sexually abusing children and report findings. The court ruled Monday. The Diocese of Camden in May had ended its longstanding opposition to such proceedings. It had previously argued that the attorney general can’t empanel a grand jury to issue findings because a court rule limits such investigations to public officials. The high court disagreed. The issue dates to 2018, when a Pennsylvania grand jury found that more than 1,000 children had been abused in that state since the 1940s, prompting New Jersey to announce a similar investigation.

FILE - In this photo combo Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., left, speaking during a news conference, Feb. 13, 2024, in Washington and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli speaking, Feb. 4, 2025, at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, Mike Catalini, file)

Trump, pizza and helicopters: A guide to the New Jersey governor’s race

June 11, 2025

Getting to know the candidates in New Jersey’s race for governor may offer insights about the national mood on President Donald Trump’s agenda, as well as how voters are reacting to Democrats’ messaging. After emerging from competitive primaries, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli began the general election campaign Wednesday. Both will look to fire up their core supporters and find new voters. And both have found subtle ways to tout their backgrounds to voters during the campaign. In New Jersey, Democrats outnumber Republicans among registered voters, but independents are a significant chunk of the electorate.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli to face off in race for New Jersey governor

June 10, 2025

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has won the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s race for governor. She emerged from a crowded field on the strength of her biography as a Navy pilot and former prosecutor. The vocal critic of President Donald Trump won against five experienced rivals. She becomes the Democrats’ standard-bearer at a time when the state party is looking to win the governorship for a third straight term and the national party is looking for new leadership. She will face the Republican nominee, Jack Ciattarelli, in the November general election. He cruised to victory with the support of Trump.

FILE - Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli speaks during a news conference, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Raritan, N.J. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Trump, pushing for Ciattarelli, says New Jersey ‘ready to pop out of blue horror show’

June 2, 2025

President Donald Trump implored voters in New Jersey’s primary for governor to vote for Republican Jack Ciattarelli when early in-person voting begins Tuesday and said the state was ready for a change from years of Democratic control. The president announced his endorsement for Ciattarelli last month and held a telephone rally for the candidate Monday. The phone call lasted about 10 minutes, with the president saying that voters will decide whether the state remains a “high-tax, high-crime sanctuary state.” Currently, the state attorney general has directed local law enforcement not to assist federal agents in civil immigration matters.

Mike Catalini.