Why the great gas decline of the past year is nearing an end

The decline in gas prices has slowed as prices dropped just two cents in the past week, and some gas stations with the cheapest prices could actually see prices start to increase. If there… Read the rest of this entry »

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Mystery solved: Where do puffins spend the winter? Off the coast of N.J.

Researchers say they’ve found an answer to the long-standing question of where Maine’s Atlantic puffins spend the winter: far off New Jersey and New York. Puffins are the colorful seabirds of the auk family that are graceful in the water and awkward on land and air. The birds spend the spring breeding season and summer in… Read the rest of this entry »

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Christie’s Budget Address: Mixed Message to State’s Democratic Lawmakers

More money for education and the public-employee pension system. A continuation of an increased tax credit for the state’s lowest wage earners. And a call for a “reasonable agreement” on renewing New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund. Though the tone of Gov. Chris Christie’s budget message yesterday may have been combative at times, the… Read the rest of this entry »

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Christie’s Homecoming Address

Governor Chris Christie will deliver his 2017 Budget Address from the Assembly Chambers in the State House.  The event is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. and can be viewed via NJTV here:

I expect that the Governor will be warmly received by the legislators and guests with a standing ovation upon his arrival into the chambers. Everyone in the room has fantasied about being President of the United States. Christie got into to the arena.

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Why the feds are interested in the bugs in your Valentine’s flowers

NEWARK — Before Valentine’s Day shoppers pick up that floral bouquet for their sweethearts, a small army of federal agents behind the scenes made sure that the gift was a beautiful gift of cut flowers, and nothing else. Particularly, no Tetranychus sp., Aphididae or Agromyzidae. In the vernacular, that’s mites, black so-called “leaf miner” flies and… Read the rest of this entry »

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Property tax relief bill passes N.J. Assembly committee

Assemblyman Jay Webber sponsored property tax relief legislation

TRENTON — A bill to restore hundreds of millions of dollars paid by utilities to local governments for property tax relief advanced through a state committee on Monday. The legislation, ( A302), would restore $331 million in cuts to energy tax receipts and Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid over five years. But there’s a catch:… Read the rest of this entry »

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Obama signs International Megan’s Law

Congressman Chris Smith was the sponsor of the International Megan’s Law

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday signed legislation named for a Hamilton girl that’s designed to alert foreign governments when registered sex offenders travel abroad. The International Megan’s Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and cleared by… Read the rest of this entry »

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Thousands march across Europe in anti-Islam rallies

DRESDEN, Germany (AFP) – A march by Germany’s anti-Islamic organization Pegida drew thousands to the eastern city of Dresden on Saturday with rallies in support of the movement also held in a string of other European cities. In Prague, around 5,000 people turned out for a Pegida-inspired march organized by two far-right groups, while in Amsterdam… Read the rest of this entry »

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Portable heaters sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond recalled for fire risk

There’s hot, and then there’s too hot. Small portable heaters that sold for about $20 at Bed Bath & Beyond have been recalled because at least four of them have caught fire. About 28,000 of the items, made in China, were sold at the stores between August and October of 2015. They were also sold through… Read the rest of this entry »

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IRS phone scams on the rise as tax season begins

With tax season under way, the IRS and police departments across the state are again warning people to hang up on anyone claiming they’re from the agency and demanding immediate payment. In recent days, police have been reporting an increase in the number of residents who have found themselves on the end of a scam call.… Read the rest of this entry »

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