Sean Baker, NJ Native, Wins Best Director At Academy Awards Sean Baker, NJ Native, Wins Best Director At Academy Awards
Sean Baker, NJ Native, Wins Best Director At Academy Awards Sean Baker, a North Jersey native, keeps winning Academy Awards.  Baker, who was born in Summit and grew up in Short Hills won Best Director for his movie "Anora" at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2. "Anora" is about a Russian stripper who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, only for his family to try and get the marriage annulled. The movie stars Mikey Madison.  For "Anora" Baker also received a nomination for Best Picture. He previously won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing. Baker attended Gill St. Bernard's School in…
Pitt Football Freshman Mason Alexander Killed In Fiery Crash While Home In Indiana Pitt Football Freshman Mason Alexander Killed In Fiery Crash While Home In Indiana
Pitt Football Freshman Mason Alexander Killed In Fiery Crash While Home In Indiana Mason Alexander, a freshman on the University of Pittsburgh football team, was killed in a fiery car crash in Fishers, Indiana, on Saturday night, March 2, authorities confirmed. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a vehicle fire with entrapment at 10900 block of Florida Road around 9:03 p.m., dispatch records show. Alexander, 18, was a passenger in a 2016 BMW 340 traveling south on Florida Road from 113th Street when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle, investigators said. As the BMW crested a hill near Geist Park, it entered the northbound lane and swer…
NJ Sports Chiropractor, 68, Sexually Assaults Female Patient: Prosecutor NJ Sports Chiropractor, 68, Sexually Assaults Female Patient: Prosecutor
NJ Sports Chiropractor, 68, Sexually Assaults Female Patient: Prosecutor A 68-year-old chiropractor has been charged with sexually assaulting a female patient last month, authorities said.  James Royle, of New Egypt, was charged with criminal sexual contact in connection with the incident Friday, Feb. 14 in Jackson Township, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. On Feb. 26, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Jackson Township Police Department were contacted by a female victim who claimed that she was touched inappropriately during a chiropractic adjustment by Royle, a chiropractor and owner of Royle Sports Chirop…
Billy Joel's Onstage Fall Stuns Crowd At Concert Billy Joel's Onstage Fall Stuns Crowd At Concert
Billy Joel's Onstage Fall Stuns Crowd At Concert Billy Joel stunned those on hand when he fell onstage at a concert in the Northeast. The incident happened Saturday, Feb. 22 in Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville. The 75-year-old "Piano Man" fell while performing his classic hit, “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.”
 As Joel engaged with the audience, he momentarily stepped away from his piano and began interacting with the microphone stand. In a dramatic flourish towards the conclusion of the song, he threw the stand into the air. However, this exuberance resulted in a loss of balance, causing him to t…
130+ Toxic Chemicals Found In Drinking Water Across NJ, New Study Says 130+ Toxic Chemicals Found In Drinking Water Across NJ, New Study Says
130+ Toxic Chemicals Found In Drinking Water Across NJ, New Study Says Drinking water in some Northeast states contains some of the highest levels of contaminants in the country, according to new data. The latest update to the Environmental Working Group's tap water database analyzed nearly 50,000 water systems nationwide between 2021 and 2023. The nonprofit identified 324 contaminants in drinking water, many at levels exceeding health-based guidelines. New York had the highest number in the region with 197 contaminants detected since 2013. New Jersey followed with 131, Pennsylvania with 123, and Connecticut with 120. Massachusetts recorde…
Some Americans Must File Tax Returns In March: Here's Who, Why Some Americans Must File Tax Returns In March: Here's Who, Why
Some Americans Must File Tax Returns In March: Here's Who, Why The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has alerted some American workers that they face an early tax deadline.  Those in the group who did not make estimated tax payments by Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, must file their 2024 federal income tax returns and pay any taxes owed by Monday, March 3, 2025.  Due to the deadline falling on a Saturday, it has been extended from the usual Saturday, March 1, to Monday, March 3. Details of the Early Deadline Farmers and fishers who qualify for this special deadline are those who derived at least two-thirds of their gross income from their respective…
Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says
Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says The US population is rapidly diversifying, with cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic at the forefront, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 ranking of the nation's Most Diverse Cities on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Three Maryland communities topped the list of 501 locations, which were evaluated based on socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household, and religious diversity. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 10.2 percent of Americans identified as multiracial in 2020, a sharp increase from just 2.9 percent in 2010. "The most diverse cities demonstrate diversity in many …
Lunar Eclipse To Drench Moon In Red: When To Watch Lunar Eclipse To Drench Moon In Red: When To Watch
Lunar Eclipse To Drench Moon In Red: When To Watch Skywatchers are in for a celestial treat as an upcoming total lunar eclipse, the first since 2022. It's set to take place overnight from Wednesday, March 13, into Thursday, March 14. Those in North America will have a prime viewing opportunity to witness the moon undergo a dramatic transformation. During the peak of the eclipse, expected between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. Eastern time, the moon will take on a reddish hue, a phenomenon commonly referred to as a "Blood Moon."  Even with some cloud cover, brief breaks in the sky could allow glimpses of this rare event. Following the eclips…
$700K Gold, Bitcoin Theft: ‘PayPal’ Poser From NJ Scams Elderly PA Man, DA Says $700K Gold, Bitcoin Theft: ‘PayPal’ Poser From NJ Scams Elderly PA Man, DA Says
$700K Gold, Bitcoin Theft: ‘PayPal’ Poser From NJ Scams Elderly PA Man, DA Says A slick con artist posing as a PayPal agent scammed a 74-year-old Pennsylvania man out of nearly $700,000 in gold and cryptocurrency, authorities revealed on Friday, Feb. 28. Hirtik Hemchand Khatri, 24, of Lawrence Township, New Jersey, allegedly orchestrated a high-stakes fraud that convinced the victim to empty his savings, fearing he’d be arrested if he didn’t comply, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Whitehall Township Police Chief Michael Marks said. Khatri, who twice showed up at the victim’s home in a Mercedes-Benz to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in gol…
Pope Francis' Health 'Suddenly Worsens' At Hospital, Vatican Says Pope Francis' Health 'Suddenly Worsens' At Hospital, Vatican Says
Pope Francis' Health 'Suddenly Worsens' At Hospital, Vatican Says Pope Francis' condition has taken an alarming turn for the worse as he continues to receive treatment for pneumonia at a hospital in Rome. According to a statement issued Friday, Feb. 28 by the Vatican, the 88-year-old pontiff experienced an “isolated” breathing crisis that has raised concerns about his condition. After a morning spent alternating between respiratory physiotherapy and prayer in the chapel, the Holy Father suffered a sudden deterioration following an episode of bronchospasm in the afternoon, the statement said, noting that the incident led to vomiting, which resulted in furt…
ICU Nurse Held Hostage, Forced To Restrain Colleague During Hospital Shooting ICU Nurse Held Hostage, Forced To Restrain Colleague During Hospital Shooting
ICU Nurse Held Hostage, Forced To Restrain Colleague During Hospital Shooting A heroic ICU nurse who was held at gunpoint, forced to restrain a colleague, and used as a shield during the UPMC York hospital shooting is now struggling to heal from the trauma. A GoFundMe has been launched to support Tosha Trostle, who says the psychological scars run deeper than any physical wound. “I Was Used As A Human Shield” Tosha Trostle was drawing blood when she heard a commotion in the hallway of UPMC York’s ICU. Thinking it was a routine emergency, she stepped out—only to come face-to-face with the gunman holding her coworker, Jess, at gunpoint. “He made Jess zip-tie my …
ICU Nurse Shot, Forced To Restrain Colleague During Hospital Shooting ICU Nurse Shot, Forced To Restrain Colleague During Hospital Shooting
ICU Nurse Shot, Forced To Restrain Colleague During Hospital Shooting A 19-year-old nurse was shot in both legs, brutally beaten, and forced to restrain a coworker during the UPMC York shooting—and now, she’s facing a grueling recovery with no clear financial support. A GoFundMe has been launched to help Jackxtyn Yank, whose injuries left her unable to walk. “Please Don’t Kill Me” Jackxtyn Yank had just returned to work after celebrating her 19th birthday when the gunman stormed her ICU floor. Peeking out to see the commotion, she was spotted, dragged into the hall, and beaten with a gun before being forced to zip-tie a coworker’s hands together. “I begged hi…