Overcast 27°
News
COVID-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms COVID-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms
Covid-19: XEC Now Leading Variant in US - Here Are Symptoms The XEC COVID-19 variant, first identified in Europe, now accounts for 45 percent of cases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Click here for a new, updated story - COVID-19: Virus Levels Now Surging In These States As infections tick upward, public health experts are urging vigilance. The strain, a mix of earlier Omicron subvariants, exhibits symptoms similar to Omicron and its predecessors. These include: Congestion,  Runny nose,  Cough,  Shortness of breath,  Fever or chills,  Fatigue.  Not…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Man Sets Off Smoke Bomb In NJ McDonald's, Flees In White Audi: Cops Man Sets Off Smoke Bomb In NJ McDonald's, Flees In White Audi: Cops
Man Sets Off Smoke Bomb In NJ McDonald's, Flees In White Audi: Cops Police are searching for a man who set off a smoke bomb inside a McDonald’s on Route 22 East, forcing customers to flee and causing damage to the restaurant’s floor. The incident occurred on Thursday, Dec. 26, around 5 p.m., according to Union Police. The suspect allegedly emerged from the restaurant’s bathroom and detonated a red-colored incendiary smoke bomb. Witnesses reported that he appeared to be filming the act for social media purposes. Customers eating at the time were alarmed and evacuated the building. The suspect then fled to a waiting white Audi parked outside and left the scen…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33 'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33
'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33 The world lost an extraordinary spirit on Friday, Dec. 27, with the passing of Maggie Kudirka, lovingly known as the "Bald Ballerina. "Maggie, 33, succumbed to metastatic breast cancer at her home, surrounded by family, loved ones shared on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maggie Kudirka (@baldballerina) The Joffrey Ballet School, where Maggie trained, mourned her loss, calling her a “beautiful warrior.” “Maggie’s passion and grace will forever inspire us,” they wrote, reflecting on her profound impact on the dance and c…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Troopers Risk Lives, Earn Top Honor After Armed Standoff At Sussex County Motel: NJSP Troopers Risk Lives, Earn Top Honor After Armed Standoff At Sussex County Motel: NJSP
Troopers Risk Lives, Earn Top Honor After Armed Standoff At Sussex County Motel: Njsp Two New Jersey State Police sergeants were named 2024 Trooper of the Year for their bravery in an incident in Sussex County that involved an armed man having a mental health crisis.  On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Sergeant Marc Nietubyc and Sergeant Roy Rohel Jr. conducted a wellbeing check at a motel in Branchville where a man, armed with an air rifle was making threats to harm himself and other , New Jersey State Police said.  Police secured the area by establishing a perimeter, evacuating nearby rooms, and deploying the Crisis Negotiations Team to contact the man by phone, auth…

SHARE

by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Brooklyn’s Wild XMas Eve Ice Adventure: Parsippany Dog Rescued After Hours On Frozen Lake Brooklyn’s Wild XMas Eve Ice Adventure: Parsippany Dog Rescued After Hours On Frozen Lake
Brooklyn’s Wild XMas Eve Ice Adventure: Parsippany Dog Rescued After Hours On Frozen Lake It was a Christmas miracle in Parsippany.  Police, firefighters and the community worked together to help rescue a dog that ended up on a frozen lake on Tuesday, Dec. 24, authorities said. At 10:03 a.m., officers responded to a report of a dog that ran from its dog sitter and ended up on Lake Parsippany, which had frozen, Parsippany police said. Offices and firefighter attempted to retrieve Brooklyn, but were unsuccessful in retrieving her from the ice despite multiple attempts, police said. The Morris County Office of Emergency Management provided a drone to use in an attempt to guid…

SHARE

by Sam Barron
News
$4.3B Now Recovered For Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims, DOJ Says $4.3B Now Recovered For Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims, DOJ Says
$4.3B Now Recovered For Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims, DOJ Says More than $4.3 billion has now been recovered for victims of Bernie Madoff’s massive and infamous Ponzi scheme, the Justice Department announced, as part of a decade-long effort that has compensated over 40,000 people worldwide for nearly 94 percent of their losses. The DOJ says  its 10th and final distribution from the Madoff Victim Fund (MVF), provided more than $131 million to over 23,000 victims. The latest distribution marks the culmination of a decade-long effort to recover and return forfeited funds tied to Madoff's fraudulent investment empire. Most victims, primarily small inv…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds
Majority Of Americans Limit Political News Amid Fatigue, Overload, Poll Finds In an era of 24/7 news cycles and social media saturation, most Americans are stepping back from political news to combat fatigue and information overload.
 According to a brand-new nationwide poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 65 percent of adults feel the need to limit their consumption of government and political news.
 This sentiment crosses party lines, but Democrats are slightly more likely than Republicans to feel overwhelmed (72 percent vs. 59 percent). Additionally, 50 percent of respondents cited the need to cut back on news about overseas conflicts.
 Around…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 30 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $163M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 30 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $163M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Monday, Dec. 30 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $163M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Monday, Dec. 30 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $163 million with a $73.9 million cash option after a recent winner reset the prize pool. If no winner claims the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1 with a possible $178 million prize. The winning numbers for Monday's drawing were 09-19-33-38-39 with a Powerball of 01 and the Power Play was 3X. Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matching all five ball…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
Man Airlifted In Tree Branch Incident In Sussex County: NJSP Man Airlifted In Tree Branch Incident In Sussex County: NJSP
Man Airlifted In Tree Branch Incident In Sussex County: Njsp A 47-year-old man was airlifted to a local hospital Monday morning, Dec. 30 after being struck by a tree branch in Sussex County, police said. Troopers responded to the scene on Puder Road in Fredon at approximately 8:02 a.m. to assist with the medical emergency, according to New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron. The man sustained moderate injuries from the incident, authorities said. Emergency responders transported the victim by helicopter for medical treatment. The cause of the incident remains under investigation, and no further details have been released.

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
Survivor Casting Opens For 2025 Season 49: Apply Now Survivor Casting Opens For 2025 Season 49: Apply Now
Survivor Casting Opens For 2025 Season 49: Apply Now Think you have what it takes to outwit, outplay, and outlast? CBS's iconic reality series "Survivor" is looking for contestants for its 49th season, scheduled to film in spring 2025. Casting for the next season of "Survivor" is officially open, offering fans and first-timers the chance to compete in one of television's toughest challenges. Season 49 will take contestants to a remote location for grueling physical, mental, and social tests as they vie for the coveted title of Sole Survivor and the $1 million prize. Filming is slated to take place from mid-April to mid-May 2025, and applicati…

SHARE

by Jillian Pikora
News
Landmark NYC Eatery Katz's Deli Violated ADA Regulations, Feds Say: Inside The New Overhaul Landmark NYC Eatery Katz's Deli Violated ADA Regulations, Feds Say: Inside The New Overhaul
Landmark NYC Eatery Katz's Deli Violated ADA Regulations, Feds Say: Inside The New Overhaul The iconic Katz's Deli in Manhattan has agreed to make significant accessibility improvements and pay a $20,000 penalty following a federal lawsuit. The settlement, announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim, resolves allegations that the historic deli violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A consent decree outlining the required changes was entered on Sunday, Dec. 29, by U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla. “The corrections and modifications agreed to by Katz’s Deli will give individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy one of New York City’s most pop…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
DUI Driver Wanted In Deadly Garden State Parkway Crash Arrested At JFK Airport, Prosecutors Say DUI Driver Wanted In Deadly Garden State Parkway Crash Arrested At JFK Airport, Prosecutors Say
DUI Driver Wanted In Deadly Garden State Parkway Crash Arrested At JFK Airport, Prosecutors Say A Long Island man accused of driving drunk in a deadly Garden State Parkway crash has been captured nearly 15 years after he jumped bail and became a fugitive, authorities said. U.S. Marshals arrested 52-year-old Chaudhry Yousaf at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday, Dec. 24, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Monday, Dec. 30. Yousaf's last known address was in Valley Stream, New York. Yousaf was originally charged in the crash that happened on the southbound side of the parkway on Saturday, March 28, 2009. Troopers responded to …

SHARE

by Chris Spiker