Two NJ Cities Among Worst For Fourth Of July Celebrations, New Study Says: Here's Why Two NJ Cities Among Worst For Fourth Of July Celebrations, New Study Says: Here's Why
Two NJ Cities Among Worst For Fourth Of July Celebrations, New Study Says: Here's Why Northeast cities have some of the best and worst Fourth of July celebrations in the nation, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2026 list of Best & Worst Places for Fourth of July Celebrations on Wednesday, June 24. The study scored the 100 largest US cities on 18 factors, including food and hotel prices, fireworks shows, attractions, safety, walkability, and weather. Data came from public records, tourism offices, and national databases as of Wednesday, May 27. "The Fourth of July is one of the most beloved holidays in America, allowing many of us to not only celebrate ou…
'Mom' Heard Before Parents Executed, Daughter Charged: DA 'Mom' Heard Before Parents Executed, Daughter Charged: DA
'Mom' Heard Before Parents Executed, Daughter Charged: DA Chilling new details have emerged more than three years after a Pennsylvania couple and the killing of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont, allegedly by suspects with ties to a cult-like group, have been arrested. Michelle Jacqueline Zajko, 33, of Media, Pennsylvania, has been charged with murdering her parents, Richard and Rita Zajko, after a years-long Pennsylvania State Police investigation uncovered digital, ballistic, financial, and surveillance evidence tying her to the killings, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse announced on Wednesday, June 24. Richard Zajko, 72, and …
NJ Nurse, Pharmacy Owner Among 4 Charged In $6.5B Health Care Fraud Crackdown NJ Nurse, Pharmacy Owner Among 4 Charged In $6.5B Health Care Fraud Crackdown
NJ Nurse, Pharmacy Owner Among 4 Charged In $6.5B Health Care Fraud Crackdown Four people with New Jersey ties were charged as part of a nationwide health care fraud crackdown that federal authorities say involved more than $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, officials announced Tuesday, June 23. The takedown was part of the Justice Department's 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in charges against 455 defendants nationwide, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said. Among those charged was Ashlee Maixner, 39, of Lakehurst, an advanced practice nurse …
Dunkin' Launches Fourth Of July Menu With Patriotic Treats: See What's On It Dunkin' Launches Fourth Of July Menu With Patriotic Treats: See What's On It
Dunkin' Launches Fourth Of July Menu With Patriotic Treats: See What's On It Dunkin' is celebrating the nation's 250th birthday with several patriotic drinks, treats, and collectible merchandise. The chain's Fourth of July-themed menu launched nationwide on Wednesday, June 24. Dunkin's lineup features colorful beverages inspired by summertime flavors, along with festive donuts decorated in red, white, and blue. The rollout is also highlighted by the Eagle Cup, which will be available nationwide on Monday, June 29, while supplies last. The cup costs $10.99 and includes a free medium beverage, along with a promotional code that unlocks $3 medium Refreshers o…
Garfield's Wisła Club Cancels Controversial Music Event Amid Online Backlash Garfield's Wisła Club Cancels Controversial Music Event Amid Online Backlash
Garfield's Wisła Club Cancels Controversial Music Event Amid Online Backlash A controversial music event scheduled for June 26 and 27 at a Bergen County venue has been canceled, according to a statement released by the club. Grom and Nokturne, two bands set to perform at the Vengeance Fest VII, hosted by K.E.P Productions at the Wisla Club in Garfield, were classified as National Socialist Black Metal.  Nokturne's listed lyrical themes include "War, Death, Hatred, National Socialism, Occultism," while Grom's listed themes include "National Socialism, White nationalism, Antisemitism, Genocide, Paganism, War," according to the Metal Archives, Wisła Club said it …
Major Retailer Adding Bath & Body Works Products In Huge Partnership Major Retailer Adding Bath & Body Works Products In Huge Partnership
Major Retailer Adding Bath & Body Works Products In Huge Partnership Some of the country's most popular body care and home fragrance products will soon be available at a major beauty retailer. Bath & Body Works announced a new partnership with Ulta Beauty in a news release on Tuesday, June 23. A special selection of Bath & Body Works products will launch in participating Ulta stores nationwide and on the chain's website starting on Sunday, July 12. The collaboration marks a major expansion for Bath & Body Works as the company looks to reach customers beyond its own stores and digital platforms. "We're continuing to expand our…
Obama Slams Trump’s ‘Strange Obsession’ With Him: Watch Obama Slams Trump’s ‘Strange Obsession’ With Him: Watch
Obama Slams Trump’s ‘Strange Obsession’ With Him: Watch A long-running political rivalry is getting a fresh round of blunt words. Former President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump’s repeated focus on him during a new interview on the "All the Smoke" podcast, hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, which can be viewed here. The episode was recorded at the newly unveiled Obama Presidential Center on Chicago's South Side. Obama was asked about Trump’s frequent attacks and references to him. "The thing about it is, look, you’ve gotta ask him what it is. ... The obsession. I obviously have a room in his head. A suite in his head,” …
'Losing A Legend:' Popular Bergen County American BBQ Spot Closes After 23 Years 'Losing A Legend:' Popular Bergen County American BBQ Spot Closes After 23 Years
'Losing A Legend:' Popular Bergen County American BBQ Spot Closes After 23 Years One of Bergen County longtime restaurant staples is closing its doors, marking the end of a 23-year run. Jim Dandy's of Rutherford, "Home of the Killer Ribs," announced it will close at the end of the day on Sunday, June 28, subject to available inventory and supplies, according to a message shared by owner Brian Flynn on the restaurant's Facebook page. The American barbecue restaurant has served Rutherford and the surrounding communities since 2002. The Jim Dandy's website says it has been serving North Jersey since 1986. "After many wonderful years serving the Rutherford community, we wa…
Walmart Deal Days Are Back Walmart Deal Days Are Back
Walmart Deal Days Are Back This is not the week to casually open a shopping app unless you are prepared to meet a discounted vacuum, a patio upgrade, or a dorm-room essential that somehow jumps straight into your cart. Walmart Deals runs from Monday, June 22, through Sunday, June 28, with thousands of offers online, in the Walmart app, and in stores nationwide, according to the Bentonville, AR-based retailer. Shoppers can browse the latest Walmart Deals including savings on electronics, fashion, toys, collectibles, furniture, skincare and early back-to-school finds. This year, Walmart Deals overlaps with Amazon Prim…
Child Drowning Deaths Rising, New Federal Report Reveals: What To Know Child Drowning Deaths Rising, New Federal Report Reveals: What To Know
Child Drowning Deaths Rising, New Federal Report Reveals: What To Know Federal regulators are warning about a rise in young children drowning as families spend more time around the water during the summer. A total of 379 children younger than 15 died by drowning in pool- or spa-related incidents in 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a report released on Wednesday, June 24. That was up 6% from 359 deaths reported in 2022. The increase comes as drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1 through 4. "This year's report makes clear that these tragedies continue to take an unacceptable toll on American families," sai…
Hit-Run Driver Surrenders In Double-Fatal Newark Crosswalk Crash: Prosecutor Hit-Run Driver Surrenders In Double-Fatal Newark Crosswalk Crash: Prosecutor
Hit-Run Driver Surrenders In Double-Fatal Newark Crosswalk Crash: Prosecutor A Newark man has been charged in a hit-and-run crash that killed two women who were crossing a city street, authorities said. David J. Zapata-Vera, 26, of Newark, surrendered to police on Tuesday, June 23, in connection with the fatal crash that happened on Saturday, June 20, according to Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda. View this post on Instagram Zapata-Vera is charged with two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide, two counts of second-degree leaving the scene of a motor…
Hookup Turns Deadly: NY Woman Indicted For Killing Sleeping Man In Parents' Home (UPDATE) Hookup Turns Deadly: NY Woman Indicted For Killing Sleeping Man In Parents' Home (UPDATE)
Hookup Turns Deadly: NY Woman Indicted For Killing Sleeping Man In Parents' Home (Update) What police describe as a hookup gone wrong ended with a Long Island man dead in his father's arms and a woman now indicted on a murder charge. Kristin Sculley, 22, of Massapequa, was arraigned Wednesday, June 24, on a grand jury indictment charging her with Murder 2nd Degree in the death of Robert "Bobby" Michael Carragher III, 28, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced. Investigators said Carragher and Sculley met up at a bar before returning to the Beaumont Avenue home in Massapequa that he shared with his parents. At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Monday, June 1, Sculley b…
Hackensack Man Charged With Sodomizing Teen Released From Police Custody: Prosecutor Hackensack Man Charged With Sodomizing Teen Released From Police Custody: Prosecutor
Hackensack Man Charged With Sodomizing Teen Released From Police Custody: Prosecutor A 44-year-old Hackensack man was arrested on allegations he raped a child and was then released from police custody following an initial hearing, authorities said. ** WARNING: The following news article contains graphic information that many may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. ** A criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice says Jose E. Polanco sodomized the teen, who was between 13 and 16 years old. Polanco also allegedly performed fellatio on the child and made the child perform fellatio on him, the complaint says. The alleged assaults between the pair occurred be…
Unpredictable June Bootids Meteor Shower Set To Peak Unpredictable June Bootids Meteor Shower Set To Peak
Unpredictable June Bootids Meteor Shower Set To Peak The night sky is lining up one of its harder-to-predict shows. The June Bootids meteor shower is active through Thursday, July 2, and is expected to peak overnight Friday, June 26, into Saturday, June 27. The shower is usually quiet, producing only a few meteors per hour. But it has earned a reputation for surprises. Space.com reported that the June Bootids produced an outburst of up to 100 meteors per hour in 1998. Another burst in 2004 produced about 20 to 50 meteors per hour. A predicted outburst in 2010 did not happen, adding to the shower’s unpredictable reputation. ABC News report…
Here's How Much Fourth Of July Costs Are Rising In 2026: New Study Here's How Much Fourth Of July Costs Are Rising In 2026: New Study
Here's How Much Fourth Of July Costs Are Rising In 2026: New Study The nation's 250th birthday celebration is coming with higher costs due to rising inflation and the ongoing effects of the US-Israeli war with Iran. WalletHub released its annual 4th of July Facts & Figures report on Wednesday, June 24. The personal finance website estimates Americans will spend $9.4 billion on Fourth of July food, up from $8.9 billion in 2025. In 2026, the Fourth of July also marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Semiquincentennial will arrive with countless local, regional, and national events celebrating the …
NJ Man Used Confidential Docs From Girlfriend's Laptop to Make Millions In Stock Trades: Feds NJ Man Used Confidential Docs From Girlfriend's Laptop to Make Millions In Stock Trades: Feds
NJ Man Used Confidential Docs From Girlfriend's Laptop to Make Millions In Stock Trades: Feds A 27-year-old Rockaway Township man has been indicted on insider trading charges after he took confidential information from his girlfriend's job, authorities announced Tuesday, June 23. Justin Jennings is charged with one count of engaging in a securities fraud scheme, eight counts of securities fraud for insider trading, and two counts of transacting in criminal proceeds, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said. Jennings was a former professional soccer player in Europe and started dating his then-girlfriend in 2019. In 2021, he returned to the United States and their relationship became more se…
Headstone Scammer Duped Grieving NJ Families, Feds Say: Now He's Facing 152 Years In Prison Headstone Scammer Duped Grieving NJ Families, Feds Say: Now He's Facing 152 Years In Prison
Headstone Scammer Duped Grieving NJ Families, Feds Say: Now He's Facing 152 Years In Prison A Pennsylvania man admitted to defrauding hundreds of grieving families out of more than $1.7 million through his headstone businesses, including a South Jersey mother who ordered a memorial for her slain son and never received it, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday, June 23. Gregory J. Stefan Jr., 56, of Upper Merion, pleaded guilty in federal court in Philadelphia to seven counts of wire fraud and four counts of filing a false tax return, according to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf. Among Stefan's victims was Luz Vasquez, whose 31-year-old son, Chad Stuart, was fatally shot outside a Vine…
NJ Man Beat 2-Month-Old Daughter Dead: Prosecutor NJ Man Beat 2-Month-Old Daughter Dead: Prosecutor
NJ Man Beat 2-Month-Old Daughter Dead: Prosecutor A 39-year-old Phillipsburg man has been charged in the death of his infant daughter, authorities announced Tuesday, June 23. James Capo Jr. is charged with homicide and endangering the welfare of a child following the 2025 death of Sophia Capo, who was two months old, the Warren County Prosecutor's Office said. At 2:10 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, Lopatcong police responded to the 700 block of Youngs Road and found Sophia unresponsive, authorities said. Officers performed CPR and she was eventually airlifted to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where she was pronounced dead a week later, …
New Storm Threat Coming After Brief, Pleasant Break: Timing New Storm Threat Coming After Brief, Pleasant Break: Timing
New Storm Threat Coming After Brief, Pleasant Break: Timing The break from wet weather will be pleasant, but brief. High pressure building into the region on Wednesday, June 24, will bring sunshine, dry conditions, and mostly light winds across much of the Northeast, according to the National Weather Service. More of the same is expected during the day on Thursday, June 25, with another mainly dry stretch from the New York City metro area into southern New England and the mid-Atlantic. Then the pattern starts to turn again. Unsettled conditions are expected to return Thursday night as a cold front approaches, triggering widespread showers and scat…
$22.5M Gold Heist: Suspect In One Of Canada's Biggest Thefts Sentenced For US Guns In Socks $22.5M Gold Heist: Suspect In One Of Canada's Biggest Thefts Sentenced For US Guns In Socks
$22.5M Gold Heist: Suspect In One Of Canada's Biggest Thefts Sentenced For US Guns In Socks A man wanted in one of the biggest gold thefts in Canadian history is facing years behind bars in the United States after a Pennsylvania traffic stop uncovered a cache of guns hidden in a rental car, federal authorities announced. Durante King-Mclean, 27, of Cambridge, Ontario, was back before a Harrisburg federal judge on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, for a 2023 case that prosecutors say exposed a cross-border weapons pipeline stretching from Florida to Canada. He had 65 handguns crammed into the trunk of a rental car, each one hidden inside a sock, authorities said. Among them were stolen weap…
MorningStar Farms Pulls Pair Of Frozen Products Over Plastic Risk MorningStar Farms Pulls Pair Of Frozen Products Over Plastic Risk
MorningStar Farms Pulls Pair Of Frozen Products Over Plastic Risk A popular freezer staple is being pulled from shelves. MorningStar Farms voluntarily recalled two frozen products because they may contain pieces of plastic, according to a company announcement posted by the FDA on Monday, June 22. The recall covers MorningStar Farms Buffalo Chik'n Nuggets and MorningStar Farms Hot and Spicy Sausage Patties sold in the US, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica. The recalled Buffalo Chik'n Nuggets were sold in 10.5-ounce packages with UPC code 000 28989 10110 5. The affected packages have “better if used before” dates of July 7 and July 8, 2027. The recalled Hot and…
M&M's Makeover Coming: What Shoppers Will Notice M&M's Makeover Coming: What Shoppers Will Notice
M&M's Makeover Coming: What Shoppers Will Notice One of America’s most recognizable candies is getting a new look. Mars plans to debut an artificial dye-free version of M&M's in August, The Wall Street Journal first reported in a story published Thursday, June 18. The new version will not include the full classic color mix at first. The dye-free M&M's will launch in red, yellow, orange, and green, according to the WSJ report. Blue and brown will be omitted from the initial release. The problem is blue. Mars has been working to replace synthetic dyes with colors from natural sources, but creating a reliable blue at a huge scale …
Popular Comedian Charged In $8.7 Million Tax Evasion Case Popular Comedian Charged In $8.7 Million Tax Evasion Case
Popular Comedian Charged In $8.7 Million Tax Evasion Case A familiar comedy name is facing a serious legal spotlight far from the stage. Carlos Mencia, 58, has been charged with 12 felony counts of state tax evasion after prosecutors said he failed to report $8.7 million in personal and corporate income from 2019 through 2024, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced in releasing the complaint arrest warrant. Mencia pleaded not guilty on Monday, June 22. His bail, initially set at $250,000 after his arrest, was reduced to $50,000, and he is scheduled to return to the Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, Aug. 14. The complaint …
Costco Pilot Program Could Change How Members Pay Costco Pilot Program Could Change How Members Pay
Costco Pilot Program Could Change How Members Pay Costco’s checkout line may be getting a serious speed boost. The warehouse chain is testing a pre-scan system that could make the final payment step take about 8 seconds, according to multiple reports. Under the pilot, a Costco employee scans a shopper’s membership card and the items in the cart while the shopper is still waiting in line, Inc. reported. When the shopper reaches the front, the member card is scanned again at an automated pay station. The pre-scanned order then loads on the screen, and the shopper pays by tapping or swiping a card. The goal is simple: reduce the time shoppe…
Lucchese Mob Gambling Ring: 8 Plead Guilty As $4.8M Scheme Unravels, AG Says Lucchese Mob Gambling Ring: 8 Plead Guilty As $4.8M Scheme Unravels, AG Says
Lucchese Mob Gambling Ring: 8 Plead Guilty As $4.8M Scheme Unravels, AG Says Eight defendants admitted their roles in a Lucchese crime family-linked gambling and money laundering enterprise, state officials announced Tuesday, June 23. The defendants are among 42 people indicted following April 2025 arrests that capped a two-year investigation into alleged illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, and money laundering operations tied to the Lucchese crime family, according to New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. Those who pleaded guilty include: George Zappola, alleged Lucchese crime family member, second-degree racketeering Joseph R. Perna, allege…
Pickup Smashes Into 2 Utility Poles In Hawthorne, Driver Hospitalized Pickup Smashes Into 2 Utility Poles In Hawthorne, Driver Hospitalized
Pickup Smashes Into 2 Utility Poles In Hawthorne, Driver Hospitalized A driver was hospitalized when a pickup truck crashed head-on into two utility poles in Hawthorne on Tuesday afternoon, June 23, according to incident photographer Boyd A. Loving. The white Chevrolet pickup struck the poles near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Van Winkle Avenue, Loving said. One of the utility poles was destroyed in the collision. An ambulance from The Valley Hospital transported the driver to the hospital's emergency room for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Loving said. Firefighters from Hawthorne Engine Company No. 1 and Rescue Company No. 5 respo…
NJ District Mourns Loss Of HS Freshman Jounir Badawy NJ District Mourns Loss Of HS Freshman Jounir Badawy
NJ District Mourns Loss Of HS Freshman Jounir Badawy A North Jersey school community is mourning the loss of ninth-grade student. Jounir Badawy's death was announced by Bayonne Schools Superintendent John J. Niesz on Tuesday, June 23. "I have some very sad news to share - one of our 9th grade students, Miss Jounir Badawy passed away this weekend," Niesz wrote in a message to students, staff, faculty, and the Bayonne community. "The death of someone so young and vibrant is incomprehensible especially when it is so sudden." Niesz said the district's thoughts are with Badawy's loved ones as they navigate the loss. School counselors were m…
Victims Leaving Bergen Nightspot Robbed By Masked Gunmen, Prosecutor Says Victims Leaving Bergen Nightspot Robbed By Masked Gunmen, Prosecutor Says
Victims Leaving Bergen Nightspot Robbed By Masked Gunmen, Prosecutor Says Two Paterson men have been charged in connection with an armed robbery in Bergen County that investigators say targeted victims walking home after leaving a local establishment. Garfield police responded to Monroe Street and Palisade Avenue at approximately 12:33 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, on a report of an armed robbery, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Investigators determined two victims were walking with a group of acquaintances on Monroe Street when they were approached by two masked men armed with firearms, authorities said. One victim was robbed of car keys, a wallet…
NJ High School Senior Prank Under Investigation: Report NJ High School Senior Prank Under Investigation: Report
NJ High School Senior Prank Under Investigation: Report A senior prank at one New Jersey high school is no laughing matter. An investigation at Manchester Township High School is reportedly underway following a prank on Wednesday, June 17, the Asbury Park Press reports. A TikTok video shared by Tri-County Scanner News shows the school strewn with toilet paper both inside and outside the building and students sitting on top of the roof. Students put a "For Sale" sign over the school sign. Superintendent Diane Pedroza said in a statement that the senior prank "exceeded the expectations and guidelines that had been communicated to studen…
VIDEO: Rutgers Dancer-Turned Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Performs On 'TODAY' Show VIDEO: Rutgers Dancer-Turned Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Performs On 'TODAY' Show
Video: Rutgers Dancer-Turned Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Performs On 'Today' Show A New Jersey native who danced her way from Rutgers to one of the most famous cheerleading squads in the country took the stage in New York City on Tuesday morning, June 23. Kelly Villares, of Weehawken, performed on the "TODAY" show as a third-year member of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders join TODAY to preview Season Three of their hit series “America’s Sweethearts” on Netflix and Reece opens up about her decision to retire from cheer. Then, they perform their routine on the plaza!  TODAY Villares was among a select group of cheerleaders chose…
New Dairy Queen Blizzard Flavors, Slush Float Celebrate Summer's Return New Dairy Queen Blizzard Flavors, Slush Float Celebrate Summer's Return
New Dairy Queen Blizzard Flavors, Slush Float Celebrate Summer's Return Dairy Queen is adding several new flavors and treats to its menu just in time for summer. DQ is launching three new Blizzard Treats and a patriotic Stars & Stripes Misty Slush Float, the chain announced in a news release on Tuesday, June 23. The new items will be available at participating locations starting on Sunday, June 29. The new Blizzard Cup Lineup is inspired by the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The international flavors include Strawberry Mango-flavored Mochi, Biscoff Cookie, and Mexican-style Hot Chocolate. The Strawberry Mango-flavored Mochi Blizzard Treat features man…