TRENTON — A bill that would criminalize dogfighting in New Jersey and allow prosecutors to treat those who participate in dogfights like mobsters cleared a legislative hurdle Thursday. Technically, dogfighting isn’t a crime in New Jersey, though prosecutors can charge those who participate in the act under animal cruelty laws. The measure ( S736) approved by… Read the rest of this entry »

It was just four years ago that Gov. Chris Christie and Democrats in the Legislature struck a deal on a bipartisan plan to address years of underfunding the public-employee pension system. The legislation mandated increased contributions into the system from both from the state and its workers.… Read the rest of this entry »

TRENTON — Bill Stepien, Gov. Chris Christie’s former campaign manager and deputy chief of staff who was tarnished in the George Washington Bridge scandal, is once again working on campaigns in New Jersey. Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Union), who is attempting to take control of the lower house in this year’s election, said Wednesday that… Read the rest of this entry »

FORT LEE — The Port Authority has confirmed plans to install a suicide-prevention fence on the George Washington Bridge by 2024, following interim steps that officials say are saving lives in the meantime. But there was one question the agency could not answer with certainty following fatal leaps from the bridge on Tuesday and Wednesday: Why,… Read the rest of this entry »

The pace of spending on Hurricane Sandy disaster programs in New Jersey waned in the first three months of this year compared to the previous quarter, a new report shows. Roughly $180 million in federal recovery funds were handed out in New Jersey in the last quarter, according to the state’s latest report to the federal… Read the rest of this entry »

Look, up in the sky, it’s … nothing to be concerned about. JCP&L says residents in its 13-county service area shouldn’t be worried if they see a low-flying helicopter over the next few weeks. The company using the helicopter patrols starting today to inspect transmission lines, towers and related equipment. Local law enforcement agencies will be… Read the rest of this entry »

HOLMDEL – The all clear has been given after an apparent hoax caused two township schools to go in lock down for several hours on Tuesday, police said. William R. Satz School and Holmdel High School were placed in lockdown after officers responded a possible swatting incident at the middle school, police said on social media.… Read the rest of this entry »

WASHINGTON — Half of likely Republican primary voters said they didn’t support Gov. Chris Christie for president, a higher negative score than any other potential 2016 candidate, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. The April 26-30 survey said 50 percent of likely GOP primary voters said they couldn’t see themselves backing Christie, who has… Read the rest of this entry »

HOLMDEL – A middle school and high school were placed in lock down Tuesday morning after a possible hoax report, police said. In a post on Twitter, Holmdel police said the possible swatting incident happened at The William R. Satz School and both that middle school and Holmdel High School were placed in lockdown. Swatting typically… Read the rest of this entry »