Forgotten On The Bus: 4-Year-Old Girl Never Made It To School, NJ Mom Demands Answers Forgotten On The Bus: 4-Year-Old Girl Never Made It To School, NJ Mom Demands Answers
Forgotten On The Bus: 4-Year-Old Girl Never Made It To School, NJ Mom Demands Answers A 4-year-old New Jersey girl was left on a school bus for nearly six hours in what her mother is calling a traumatic and preventable incident. Darielle Lugo said her daughter, Makani, was supposed to arrive at the Bargaintown Preschool in Egg Harbor Township around 9:25 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, after being put on the bus by her father.  But Makani never made it to class. The ordeal came to light when Darielle’s husband arrived at the school around 2:05 p.m. for a class party. After signing in with security, he discovered Makani had been marked absent. “I thought it was a joke…
$2M Powerball Ticket Sold In New Jersey $2M Powerball Ticket Sold In New Jersey
$2M Powerball Ticket Sold In New Jersey A $2 million winning Powerball ticket from the Saturday, Dec. 21 drawing sold in New Jersey. The lucky ticket matched the five numbers drawn and the Power Play, but not the Powerball. A second ticket matching the same was sold in Idaho. The numbers were: 1, 12, 17, 21, 58, and the Powerball was 1. The Power Play was 3X. Lottery officials are expected to announce where the ticket was sold in the coming days.
IRS Sending Special Payments To 1 Million Americans: Here's What To Know IRS Sending Special Payments To 1 Million Americans: Here's What To Know
IRS Sending Special Payments To 1 Million Americans: Here's What To Know The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced it will issue automatic payments this month to nearly one million taxpayers who didn’t claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns.  These payments aim to assist eligible individuals who missed claiming the credit, which provides up to $1,400 per person for those who didn’t receive the full amount of their Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). Who Will Receive Payments? Eligible taxpayers include those who filed a 2021 tax return but either left the Recovery Rebate Credit field blank or entered $0 despite qualifying. Payments wil…
Norovirus Outbreak Prompts Recall Of Oysters Sold In NJ Norovirus Outbreak Prompts Recall Of Oysters Sold In NJ
Norovirus Outbreak Prompts Recall Of Oysters Sold In NJ New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington DC residents are being urged to avoid consuming certain oysters after a recall linked to a norovirus outbreak, federal officials announced.  The contaminated oysters were sold under the brands Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi and harvested between Dec. 1 and Dec. 9, 2024, from British Columbia (BC), Canada, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The oysters, distributed by S&M Shellfish Co. of San Francisco, were shipped to retailers and restaurants across several states, including New Jersey, New York, Pe…
'She Was Sent To Me:' Nutley Woman Adopts Dog Struck On Route 4 After Losing Her Own 'She Was Sent To Me:' Nutley Woman Adopts Dog Struck On Route 4 After Losing Her Own
'She Was Sent To Me:' Nutley Woman Adopts Dog Struck On Route 4 After Losing Her Own Natalie D’Angelo believes her beloved dog Zoey, who passed away in March, played a role in bringing Stella into her life.  On Friday, Dec. 20, the 41-year-old Nutley resident adopted Stella, the dog who had survived being struck by a car on Route 4 in Hackensack, from the Bergen County Animal Shelter in Teterboro. “I just lost my dog in March—she was a half dachshund—and because of that, I felt like maybe Stella was being sent to me from her,” D’Angelo said with Stella in her lap on the floor of the shelter. “I feel like I have the love of my other dog back.” View …
Ex-Paterson Mayor Avoids Jailtime In Admitting To Violating Public Office Ban Ex-Paterson Mayor Avoids Jailtime In Admitting To Violating Public Office Ban
Ex-Paterson Mayor Avoids Jailtime In Admitting To Violating Public Office Ban Former Paterson Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres pleaded guilty to criminal contempt for defying a 2017 court order permanently barring him from running for or holding public office, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced. Torres, 66, admitted during a hearing on Thursday, Dec. 19, in Passaic County Superior Court that his 2022 bid to reclaim the mayor’s seat violated the judicial order. The plea, to a fourth-degree criminal contempt charge, followed an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA)’s Corruption Bureau. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the St…
FAA Bans Drones From Flying Over Parts Of New Jersey: See The List FAA Bans Drones From Flying Over Parts Of New Jersey: See The List
FAA Bans Drones From Flying Over Parts Of New Jersey: See The List New Jersey’s skies are getting a no-drone zone makeover.  In response to a string of drone sightings that have raised eyebrows and security concerns across the state, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued 22 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) banning drones from buzzing around "critical New Jersey infrastructure." Prompted by a request from federal security partners, the restrictions are set to take effect Wednesday, Dec. 17, and will run through Friday, Jan. 17. The no-fly zones below aim to curb potential risks posed by drones near sensitive sites and ensure airspace…
NJ Magazine Distributor Ordered To Pay $300K In Back Wages, Penalties: Attorney General NJ Magazine Distributor Ordered To Pay $300K In Back Wages, Penalties: Attorney General
NJ Magazine Distributor Ordered To Pay $300K In Back Wages, Penalties: Attorney General A New Jersey magazine and newspaper distributor will be paying nearly $300,000 in back wages and penalties after misclassifying employees as independent contractors, authorities said. The New Jersey Department of Labor began investigating NJ Penn, which has offices in Jersey City, and determined that between 2018 and 2022, NJ Penn misclassified at least 105 newspaper delivery, warehouse, and other workers as independent contractors instead of employees, in violation of New Jersey law, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said. NJ Penn violated numerous labor laws, including failing to p…
Backyard Fossil Jackpot: Jaw Of Mastodon From Ice Age Unearthed At NY Home Backyard Fossil Jackpot: Jaw Of Mastodon From Ice Age Unearthed At NY Home
Backyard Fossil Jackpot: Jaw Of Mastodon From Ice Age Unearthed At NY Home A backyard in New York became the site of a remarkable prehistoric discovery when a homeowner unearthed a complete and well-preserved jaw of a mastodon, an ancient relative of modern elephants. Alongside the jaw, researchers also uncovered a toe bone fragment and a piece of a rib. The discovery began in the Hudson Valley when the Orange County resident noticed two large teeth protruding from the soil beneath a plant near the home in Scotchtown, according to the New York State Museum in a social media post on Tuesday, Dec. 17. After further digging revealed additional teeth, experts from th…
Debunked! Drones Not Searching For Radioactive Material, NJDEP Confirms Debunked! Drones Not Searching For Radioactive Material, NJDEP Confirms
Debunked! Drones Not Searching For Radioactive Material, Njdep Confirms The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is pushing back on a theory that the mysterious drones in the New Jersey sky were being used to search for missing radioactive waste. Belleville Mayor Michael Melham floated the theory on "Good Day New York," citing a Nuclear Regulatory Commission alert confirming radioactive material was lost in transit in Newfield in Gloucester County on Monday, Dec. 2. In a release, the NJEP said the Ge-68 source was reported lost by the licensee during shipment of the material back to the manufacturer. The radioactive source – about 6 inches in …
First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US
First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US Health officials have confirmed the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 18 saying the infection was diagnosed on Friday, Dec. 13, following contact the patient made with sick and dead birds from a backyard flock. The case was reported in Louisiana and marks the first H5N1 case in the US linked to exposure to backyard poultry.  Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States. H5 is generally less severe than…
NJ Aviation Enthusiast Killed, Three Seriously Injured In Fiery I-80 Crash NJ Aviation Enthusiast Killed, Three Seriously Injured In Fiery I-80 Crash
NJ Aviation Enthusiast Killed, Three Seriously Injured In Fiery I-80 Crash A New Jersey man was killed, and three passengers — his wife, son, and his son's girlfriend — were critically injured when a car lost control and was struck by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 80 in Tobyhanna Township, PA, Pennsylvania State Police announced in a press release on Monday, Dec. 16. The crash happened at mile marker 286.6 westbound around 8:39 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, during hazardous road conditions, troopers said. Vladimir Kevereski, 58, of Elmwood Park, NJ, was driving a 2018 Honda Civic westbound when he lost control on the slippery roadway. The car s…
CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days
CEO Murder: Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts Luigi Mangione, Could Be Extradited To NY In Days Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Mangione is charged with one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and two counts of second-degree murder. Mangione, a 26-year-old Maryland native, had fled New York City after the high-profile targeted assassination outside the New York Hilton in Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 4.  UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. UnitedHealthcare After a days-long manhunt, Mangione was apprehended at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsy…
Drones Could Be Looking For Missing Radioactive Material, NJ Mayor Says Drones Could Be Looking For Missing Radioactive Material, NJ Mayor Says
Drones Could Be Looking For Missing Radioactive Material, NJ Mayor Says Belleville Mayor Michael Melham has his own theory about the drones over New Jersey. He says they may be looking for radioactive material that went missing earlier this month. "We know we have drones flying in a grid-like pattern. In my opinion, they're looking for something. What might they be looking for? Maybe that's radioactive material," Melham said on Good Day New York. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Daily Voice NJ (@dailyvoicenewjersey) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued an alert on Friday, Dec. 13, confirming radi…
Wildwood Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say Wildwood Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say
Wildwood Escort IDd As 7th Victim Of Giglio Beach Serial Killer, Police Say Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was formally charged with murdering a seventh victim. Heuermann, 60, of Massapequa Park, was indicted for second-degree murder in the killing of Valerie Mack in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday morning, Dec. 17. Mack, a 24-year-old Wildwood, NJ woman was working as an escort when she disappeared in 2000. A group of hunters discovered her skeletal remains wrapped in a plastic bag in a wooded area of Manorville in November 2000. She had been decapitated, and both of her hands had been severed from her body, prosecutors said. Her right leg had a…
CEO Murder: Stunning Poll Shows Shift In Views Among Young Americans CEO Murder: Stunning Poll Shows Shift In Views Among Young Americans
CEO Murder: Stunning Poll Shows Shift In Views Among Young Americans A new national poll from Emerson College reveals a startling trend among young American voters: More respondents aged 18 to 29 believe the targeted assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was acceptable than those who do not. The poll highlights a sharp generational divergence on the issue. A total of 41 percent of voters aged 18-29 find the killer’s actions acceptable, 24 percent somewhat acceptable and 17 percent completely acceptable), while 40 percent find them unacceptable. Noting that 68 percent of voters overall reject the killer’s action, Spencer Kimball, executiv…
Drones Force Trump To Cancel Trip To Bedminster Golf Club Drones Force Trump To Cancel Trip To Bedminster Golf Club
Drones Force Trump To Cancel Trip To Bedminster Golf Club President-elect Donald Trump said he is canceling a trip to his golf club in Somerset County because of the numerous drone sightings in New Jersey. Trump made the comments at a press conference on Monday, Dec. 16, where he was repeatedly asked about the drones and the federal government's response. "The government knows what is happening," Trump said. "Something strange is going on." Trump said the White House and the military should be as transparent as possible about what the drones are. "For some reason they want to keep people in suspense," Trump said. "They don't want to tell the peo…
Iconic Waldorf Astoria To Reopen After Years-Long Makeover: Here’s When Iconic Waldorf Astoria To Reopen After Years-Long Makeover: Here’s When
Iconic Waldorf Astoria To Reopen After Years-Long Makeover: Here’s When An iconic New York hotel will soon be reopening after a years-long renovation. The Waldorf Astoria is on track to be up and running in the spring. It has been closed for renovation since February 2017. The hotel's online reservation system went live last week. An announcement on its website states, "We are opening Spring 2025 and are now accepting reservations for stays and groups beginning September 2025." Known for its Art Deco design and rich history, the Waldorf Astoria has been a symbol of luxury since its original opening in 1931. Over the decades, it has hosted countless celebriti…
Inmate Serving 43-Year Sentence Dies In NJ State Prison After Encounter With Officer, AG Says Inmate Serving 43-Year Sentence Dies In NJ State Prison After Encounter With Officer, AG Says
Inmate Serving 43-Year Sentence Dies In NJ State Prison After Encounter With Officer, AG Says The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office is investigating the death of a Northern State Prison inmate who died following an encounter with correctional police officers earlier this month, authorities said. David Silva, 46, was involved in an encounter with officers on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, at the Newark prison, the AG's office said Monday, Dec. 16. Silva was later pronounced dead at a hospital on Thursday, Dec. 12, officials confirmed. The names of the involved officers are not being released, and no further details have been provided as the investigation remains ongoing. Records show Sil…
Gilgo Beach Murders: 'Significant Development' To Be Announced By Investigative Task Force Gilgo Beach Murders: 'Significant Development' To Be Announced By Investigative Task Force
Gilgo Beach Murders: 'Significant Development' To Be Announced By Investigative Task Force Investigators in the Gilgo Beach serial murders are gearing up to announce a major break in the case. The Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force – which includes the Suffolk County DA’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Police – will reveal a “new significant development in the investigation” during a press conference planned for Tuesday morning, Dec. 17. It will follow a scheduled appearance by accused serial murderer Rex Heuermann inside a Suffolk County courtroom in Riverhead, the DA’s Office said. Suffolk County DA Raymond Tierney, Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr, Acting Suf…
CEO Murder Case: Luigi Mangione's New Lawyer Signals Defensive Strategy CEO Murder Case: Luigi Mangione's New Lawyer Signals Defensive Strategy
CEO Murder Case: Luigi Mangione's New Lawyer Signals Defensive Strategy Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has retained high-profile attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who could mount a defense centered on Mangione's mental state. Friedman Agnifilo, a former Manhattan Chief Assistant District Attorney turned criminal defense lawyer, suggested a possible strategy even before formally joining Mangione’s legal team.  “It looks to me like there might be a not guilty by reason of insanity defense that they’re going to be thinking about because the evidence is going to be so overwhelming that he did wh…
'No Question People Seeing Drones': DHS Secretary Confirms Sightings 'No Question People Seeing Drones': DHS Secretary Confirms Sightings
'No Question People Seeing Drones': DHS Secretary Confirms Sightings Yes, New Jersey residents, you have been seeing drones in the sky this past month. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed what many Garden Staters have known for a while: there are drones flying overhead at night. “There's no question that people are seeing drones,” Mayorkas said on “This Week.” “And I want to assure the American public that we, in the federal government, have deployed additional resources, personnel, technology, to assist the New Jersey State Police in addressing the drone sightings.” Mayorkas said while some of the drone sightings are dron…
Meet The First Responder Family Behind This Dazzling North Jersey Christmas Display Meet The First Responder Family Behind This Dazzling North Jersey Christmas Display
Meet The First Responder Family Behind This Dazzling North Jersey Christmas Display When duty calls, the Tamburro family answers—whether it’s a house fire, a medical emergency, or creating pure holiday magic on Lafayette Avenue. For over six years, the Tamburros—known in Hawthorne for their service as firefighters and EMTs—have turned their home at 1084 Lafayette Avenue Extension into a spectacular winter wonderland.  Featuring more than 400 glowing decorations and whimsical scenes, the family’s “Lights on Lafayette” display has become a holiday beacon, drawing crowds and smiles from far and wide. The family behind the magic is no stranger to teamwork. Victor Tamburr…
Drone Disruption Shuts Down Runways At NY Airport Drone Disruption Shuts Down Runways At NY Airport
Drone Disruption Shuts Down Runways At NY Airport Runways at a Hudson Valley airport were brought to a halt after drone activity disrupted operations for approximately an hour, prompting New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to escalate calls for immediate federal intervention. Click here for a new, updated story: New Drone Detection System Coming To NY After Incident Forces Airport To Shut Down Hochul said the incident happened in Orange County on Friday, Dec. 13, at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor. “This has gone too far,” Hochul stated, addressing growing concerns over unauthorized drones in sensitive airspace. The incident ma…
CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Hires Powerhouse Lawyer To Take On High-Stakes Defense CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Hires Powerhouse Lawyer To Take On High-Stakes Defense
CEO Murder: Luigi Mangione Hires Powerhouse Lawyer To Take On High-Stakes Defense The man accused of gunning down a health insurance titan on a bustling New York City street is now at the center of another storm— this one inside a courtroom.  Facing a murder charge that could lead to life in prison, Luigi Mangione has turned to one of the most seasoned legal minds in the country to fight for his freedom. Enter Karen Friedman Agnifilo, the former Manhattan prosecutor who’s now tasked with defending the 26-year-old Mangione against allegations of ambushing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the New York Hilton Midtown on Wednesday morning, Dec. 4.  With…
Private Drone Show Taking Place In Franklin Township: Police Private Drone Show Taking Place In Franklin Township: Police
Private Drone Show Taking Place In Franklin Township: Police A private drone light show will be taking place on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Franklin Township, authorities said. The show will take place above The Palace at Somerset at 333 Davidson Ave., Franklin Township police said. The company responsible for the drone light show has the necessary approvals from The Federal Aviation Administration, police said. The show involves approximately 200 drones, which will be limited to the area above The Palace at Somerset, police said. The show is expected to last 15 minutes, police said. Police stressed there is no cause for alarm and no need to contact 91…
CEO Murder: UnitedHealthcare Parent Company Chief Calls For Change CEO Murder: UnitedHealthcare Parent Company Chief Calls For Change
CEO Murder: UnitedHealthcare Parent Company Chief Calls For Change The head of UnitedHealth Group is calling for change in the healthcare industry after the targeted killing of the CEO of one of its two subsidiaries. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down outside the Midtown Hilton Hotel in Manhattan at around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4. On Monday, Dec. 9, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the case. At the time of his arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Mangione was found to be in possession of a three-page manifesto critical of healthcare companies. He condemned UnitedHealthcare's increasing ma…
'Here's The Real Issue:' 42K Unsettled NJ Residents Join Online Hunt For Answers Behind Drones 'Here's The Real Issue:' 42K Unsettled NJ Residents Join Online Hunt For Answers Behind Drones
'Here's The Real Issue:' 42K Unsettled NJ Residents Join Online Hunt For Answers Behind Drones A Facebook group focused on unraveling the mystery of drones flying over New Jersey has exploded in popularity, growing to more than 42,000 members in just one week. Titled "New Jersey Mystery Drones - Let’s Solve It," the group allows members to share everything from their personal theories, videos, and news articles to their frustrations and discoveries. Despite pressure from politicians and no explanation from government officials, some residents are threatening to shoot the drones down (note, the FAA says shooting down any aircraft is illegal), while others have resigned themselves to t…
Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA
Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA The senators representing New York and New Jersey are demanding answers about the drones that have been spotted flying in the skies of New York and New Jersey this past month. New York Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, all Democrats, wrote a letter on Thursday, Dec. 12 to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FAA Director Michael Whitaker demanding an immediate briefing on what they are doing to address the issue. "We are...especially concerned about how these drones may …
Robber With Twisted Nickname Learns Fate In Paterson, Jersey City Jewelry Store Heists Robber With Twisted Nickname Learns Fate In Paterson, Jersey City Jewelry Store Heists
Robber With Twisted Nickname Learns Fate In Paterson, Jersey City Jewelry Store Heists A Washington DC will spend nearly 20 years behind bars for his role in a violent string of armed robberies with very specific targets in multiple states, federal authorities announced. William Hunter, 28, also known as “Ill Will,” was sentenced this week to 228 months (19 years) in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release following a crime spree that saw him and others targeting South Asian jewelry stores in multiple states up and down the East Cost. The scheme - reportedly led by DC rapper Trevor Wright AKA "Taliban Glizzy -  landed the 15-member crew millions of do…
'AI Godmother' Talks Attack At NJ High School That Shaped Career On Popular Podcast 'AI Godmother' Talks Attack At NJ High School That Shaped Career On Popular Podcast
'AI Godmother' Talks Attack At NJ High School That Shaped Career On Popular Podcast Fei Fei Li, a groundbreaking Chinese-American scientist known for her revolutionary AI work, took listeners on a deeply personal journey in an Armchair Expert: Experts on Expert podcast episode that aired Thursday, Dec. 12.  Joining hosts Dax Shepard and Monica Padman, 48-year-old Li revisited her teenage years, reflecting on the challenges she faced as an immigrant student in New Jersey, and the experiences that shaped her path to becoming a leader in artificial intelligence. Li, who developed ImageNet, a revolutionary dataset that has been instrumental in the progress of computer vis…