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United States

20 Years In Prison For German Man Who Traveled To NJ For Sex With Kids: Feds 20 Years In Prison For German Man Who Traveled To NJ For Sex With Kids: Feds
20 Years In Prison For German Man Who Traveled To NJ For Sex With Kids: Feds A 40-year-old German man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Wednesday, Dec. 18 after admitting he traveled to New Jersey to have sex with a minor, authorities said. In January 2023, undercover officers began chatting with Christian Stefan Walther abut his desire to have sex with young children, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said.  Walther sent an undercover officer two videos, each of which depicted an adult male engaging in sexual conduct with a prepubescent aged female child, Sellinger said. Walther also expressed his desire to engage in sexual conduct with children aged…
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…
Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System
Cyberattack Hits Krispy Kreme As Hackers Find Hole In Online Ordering System Hackers have found a hole in Krispy Kreme's online ordering system, leaving some customers temporarily unable to place digital orders for their favorite donuts.  The company has confirmed the incident and stated that its technical team is actively working to resolve the issue. Krispy Kreme reported that the breach influenced its web-based platforms but did not affect in-store operations or the safety of customers' personal data.  The attack was first discovered at the end of November, the company said in a filing with Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). Krispy Kreme said it "i…
Trump Nominates NJ's Charles Kushner For Ambassador To France Trump Nominates NJ's Charles Kushner For Ambassador To France
Trump Nominates NJ's Charles Kushner For Ambassador To France President-elect Donald Trump has named New Jersey's Charles Kushner to serve as the United States Ambassador to France, he announced Saturday, Nov. 30. Kushner, 70, an Elizabeth native, is the father of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and was pardoned by Trump in 2020, having been convicted years earlier of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering. Trump announced the nomination on social media, calling Kushner "a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, and dealmaker" who will "strongly advocate for our country and its interests." Kushner, the fou…
Hamas Releases Harrowing Video Of NJ Hostage Edan Alexander Seen Pleading For Freedom Hamas Releases Harrowing Video Of NJ Hostage Edan Alexander Seen Pleading For Freedom
Hamas Releases Harrowing Video Of NJ Hostage Edan Alexander Seen Pleading For Freedom For the first time since his abduction by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, New Jersey's Edan Alexander has appeared in a video released by the terrorist group. The harrowing footage, shared on Saturday, Nov. 30, shows the 20-year-old Israeli-American, who hails from Tenafly, crying and pleading for his life in a message directed to Israeli and American leaders. Speaking in both Hebrew and English, Alexander states he has been held hostage for more than 420 days. “It’s time to put an end to this nightmare,” he says in an emotional appeal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Click here to wat…
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amid the busiest shopping weekend of the holiday season, workers for Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, have gone on strike. Protesting under the banner of “Make Amazon Pay.” employees have walked off the job across six continents in 20 countries, including the United States. The strike is scheduled to last from Black Friday on Nov. 29 through Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, the UNI Global Union announced, saying protests will be held in majors cities in the US, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, India, Brazil and elsewhere. The strike could cause customers' holiday deliveries …
Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says
Bomb Threats, Swatting Incidents Target Trump Cabinet Picks, Appointees, Spokesperson Says Several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet selections and administrative appointees were the targets threats the last two days, a spokesperson said, calling the acts "violent" and "un-American." According to a statement by the Trump-Vance Transition Team on Wednesday, Nov. 27, several individuals associated with the incoming administration were subjected to threats ranging from bomb scares to "swatting" incidents, in which false reports are made to dispatch emergency responders to someone's location. Law enforcement responded swiftly to ensure the safety of those targeted, the team s…
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy
Red Lobster Launches Revamped Menu With 7 New Items After Exiting Bankruptcy Two months after exiting bankruptcy, restaurant chain Red Lobster is unveiling a revamped menu. It features these seven new items: Lobster Pappardelle Pasta Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops Lobster Bisque Lemon Basil Mahi Simply Prepared Mahi Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Roasted Asparagus In addition, a pair of old fan-favorites that had been discontinued are back:  Popcorn Shrimp, Hush Puppies  Red Lobster is now giving guests the ability to customize their seafood favorites with the launch of "Create your Own Ultimate Feast." Customers can mix and match two premium picks such as …
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores
Advance Auto Parts To Close Over 700 Stores A nationwide auto parts retailers says it will close over 700 stores as part of “a strategic plan to improve business performance.” Advance Auto Parts, which has about 4,800 total stores, and locations in almost every state, made the announcement on Thursday, Nov. 14. The affected outlets will close by May 2025 and are made up of 523 corporate stores, and 204 independently owned locations. In addition, four distribution centers will also close. Specific locations to be closed have not yet been announced. In announcing the move, President and Chief Executive Officer Shane O’Kelly said…
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Tapped To Head Trump's New Dept. Of Government Efficiency President-Elect Donald Trump continues to fill his cabinet with loyalists and his biggest supporters following his sweeping victory in last week's election.  He announced Tuesday, Nov. 12, that two billionaire former rivals turned allies, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, would head up his new Department of Government Efficiency.  Related: Trump Nominates NY Rep. Elise Stefanik As UN Ambassador The tech entrepreneur, age 53, and the 39-year-old Harvard and Yale Law grad will be tasked with major cuts in government spending. Trump called it "The Manhattan Project" for a new…
Trump Taps Congressional Ally Elise Stefanik For UN Ambassador Post, Picks Border Czar Trump Taps Congressional Ally Elise Stefanik For UN Ambassador Post, Picks Border Czar
Trump Taps Congressional Ally Elise Stefanik For UN Ambassador Post, Picks Border Czar President-elect Donald Trump has picked one of his strongest allies in Congress to serve as United States ambassador to the United Nations and a former member of his first administration as border czar. Rep. Elise Stefanik, age 40, was first elected to New York's 21st District in 2014 and is the House Republican Conference Chair, the youngest woman to hold that post. "Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter," Trump said in a statement to CBS News. CNN first reported the news late Sunday, Nov. 10. Trump also decided on another native New Yorker for a…
Trump Names NJ's 'Ice Maiden' Susie Wiles Chief Of Staff Trump Names NJ's 'Ice Maiden' Susie Wiles Chief Of Staff
Trump Names NJ's 'Ice Maiden' Susie Wiles Chief Of Staff President-elect Donald J. Trump has appointed New Jersey native Susan "Susie" Summerall Wiles, the campaign manager of his successful 2024 presidential campaign, as his White House Chief of Staff, according to an announcement made Thursday, Nov. 7. It marks a historic milestone as she will become the first woman to hold the position in US history.  “Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history, and was an integral part of both my 2016 and 2020 successful campaigns,” Trump said in the press release. “Susie is tough, smart, innovative, an…
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning
Rise In Walking Pneumonia Cases Prompts CDC Warning Cases of walking pneumonia have spiked significantly, especially among children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning in a brand-new advisory. The agency said increases in M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia infections began late this past spring, peaked in August, and have remained high.  The CDC said it's using various surveillance tools "to better understand any differences in demographics, severity of illness, and outcomes as compared to M. pneumoniae infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic." The agency said it's also contacting heal…
Most Americans Say 2024 Election Is Damaging Their Mental Health: Study Most Americans Say 2024 Election Is Damaging Their Mental Health: Study
Most Americans Say 2024 Election Is Damaging Their Mental Health: Study Feeling a bit anxious these days? You're not alone. A total of 61 percent of Americans say that the upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 5 election has slightly, moderately, or significantly impacted their mental health, according to a brand-new poll published by Forbes Health. “I believe some people’s anxiety comes from past post-election results,” Dr. Rufus Tony Spann, a certified school psychologist and licensed professional counselor, told Forbes. “Based on the results of previous elections, some communities felt they needed to prepare for the backlash due to the results of an election.” About 2,00…
WATCH: Thousands Gather In Sussex County For Funeral Of Turkish Dissident Fethullah Gulen WATCH: Thousands Gather In Sussex County For Funeral Of Turkish Dissident Fethullah Gulen
Watch: Thousands Gather In Sussex County For Funeral Of Turkish Dissident Fethullah Gulen Hundreds of people gathered at Skylands Ballpark for the funeral of Fethullah Gulen, a prominent Turkish Muslim cleric, who inspired a movement in his native country, on Thursday, Oct. 24. The funeral in Frankford Township caused delays in the area, with Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada asking drivers to avoid the intersections of Route 15, 206, 565 and the surrounding area during the funeral. Gulen's official X account said that an estimated 20,000 people were inside and outside of the ballpark for this funeral. The stadium has 4,200 seats, the website says. 🔶Muhterem Fethullah Gül…
New Jersey GF Of Liam Payne Breaks Her Silence New Jersey GF Of Liam Payne Breaks Her Silence
New Jersey GF Of Liam Payne Breaks Her Silence Kate Cassidy has broken her silence. Cassidy, 25, who was raised in Harrington Park, shared the following message to Instagram on Friday, Oct. 18: Kate Cassidy is speaking out following the death of her boyfriend Liam Payne. katecassidy Instagram Cassidy left Argentina just two days before the former One Direction member fell to his death from a hotel, as previously reported by Daily Voice. The day before Payne's death, his girlfriend of almost years, Kate Cassidy, who graduated high school in Bergen County, shared a TikTok video about her journey back to the United States fro…
Most Snowfall Expected In These Areas This Winter: AccuWeather Releases Long-Range Outlook Most Snowfall Expected In These Areas This Winter: AccuWeather Releases Long-Range Outlook
Most Snowfall Expected In These Areas This Winter: AccuWeather Releases Long-Range Outlook AccuWeather meteorologists have just unveiled their forecast for the winter of 2024-25 and have released a map of where in the US the most snowfall is expected. In the image above, higher-than-average snowfall is predicted for those areas shown in light blue, with most areas in the Northeast are expected to receive more snow this season than last winter. Areas in the darker shade are expected to see below average snowfall in 2024-25, including in much of the Mid-Atlantic states. Click here for a new, related story: Winter 2024-25 Forecast Released By NOAA National Weather Service …
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores 7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores
7-Eleven To Close Hundreds Of Stores Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is closing hundreds of stores in North America. Parent company Seven & I Holdings said that the 444 locations were “underperforming.” They make up about 3 percent of 7-Eleven's total of around 13,000 outlets in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Specific sites of the stores have not yet been released. In announcing the closures, the company said that 7-Eleven stores saw a 7.3 percent decline in traffic in August, saying a "pullback in consumer spending has persisted beyond prior expectations" that has affected store traffic and sales growth "as consu…
Gabriela Ayala-Cortes, Essex County Mom, Dies At 45 Gabriela Ayala-Cortes, Essex County Mom, Dies At 45
Gabriela Ayala-Cortes, Essex County Mom, Dies At 45 Gabriela Ayala-Cortes, a mom and Verona resident, died on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the age of 45 of cancer, according to her obituary on the Shooks Cedar Grove Funeral Home. Born in Ecuador, Ayala-Cortes emigrated to the United States in 2003, her obituary reads. She worked as the director of regulatory affairs operations for Organon and Company in Jersey City, according to her obituary. She is survived her husband, Carlos, her children, Camila and Isabella, her parents Rodrigo and Marcia, and numerous other family members and friends, her obituary reads. A fundraiser has been created to suppo…
NJ Man Transported Irish Citizens Who Entered US Illegally: Feds NJ Man Transported Irish Citizens Who Entered US Illegally: Feds
NJ Man Transported Irish Citizens Who Entered US Illegally: Feds A 43-year-old Union man was charged last month with unlawfully transporting Irish citizens who entered the United States illegally, authorities said. On Sunday, Sept. 8, nine citizens of Ireland crossed into the United States illegally near Drew Road in Richford, Vermont, federal prosecutors said. Murray picked up the nine citizens near the US-Canada border and transported them in his SUV, with two young children unrestrained in the rear cargo compartment, authorities said. Murray faces up to five years of imprisonment if convicted of unlawfully transporting citizens of another country, aut…
Dueling Winter Weather Predictions Released By Old, New Farmer's Almanacs Dueling Winter Weather Predictions Released By Old, New Farmer's Almanacs
Dueling Winter Weather Predictions Released By Old, New Farmer's Almanacs The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its winter weather predictions for the 2024-25 season. This year's title speaks for itself: "The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac Forecasts a 'Calmer, Gentler' Winter." The Old Farmer's Almanac touts 80 percent accuracy in its forecasts dating back to 1792. Last year, it predicted a winter wonderland. Parts of the forecast seem to contradict the predictions of the Farmer's Almanac, which predicts this winter will be a wet one with "above-normal amounts of winter precipitation and near-to above-normal temperatures" in the Northeast. Snow will be mos…
Whooping Cough Cases Just Tripled In NJ, Health Department Says Whooping Cough Cases Just Tripled In NJ, Health Department Says
Whooping Cough Cases Just Tripled In NJ, Health Department Says The New Jersey Health Department has issued an advisory due to an increase in whooping cough cases across both the United States and New Jersey. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by bacteria that live in the mouth, nose, and throat of an infected person, the NJDOH said.  Preliminary data show case numbers have tripled as of early August in the U.S., compared to the same time in 2023, which is higher than what was seen at the same time in 2019, prior to the pandemic. New Jersey is experiencing a similar increase in pertussis cases, the …
Trump Holding Press Conference At NJ Golf Club Trump Holding Press Conference At NJ Golf Club
Trump Holding Press Conference At NJ Golf Club Former President Donald Trump is holding another press conference, this time in Somerset County. Trump, the Republican nominee for United States president, announced he will be holding a press conference at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 4:30 p.m.  Trump spends much of the summer at Bedminster, which served as his "Summer White House" when he was president. This is Trump's second press conference in as many weeks as he continues to highlight Vice President Kamala Harris', the Democrat nominee for president, refusal to meet with the media. Earlier this wee…
Harris Taps Gov. Tim Walz As Running Mate As Swing State Tour Starts Ahead Of Convention Harris Taps Gov. Tim Walz As Running Mate As Swing State Tour Starts Ahead Of Convention
Harris Taps Gov. Tim Walz As Running Mate As Swing State Tour Starts Ahead Of Convention Vice President Kamala Harris has ended weeks of speculation after naming Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday, Aug. 6.  The 60-year-old Walz was a seemingly late entrant to the "veepstakes" but gained popularity after several media appearances went viral.  The chair of the Democratic Governor's Association, Walz was a US Congressman from 2007 to 2019. A former high school social studies teacher, he's served 24 years in the Army National Guard. Harris said she chose Walz because of his dedication to working-class families.  One of the things that stood out …
Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee
Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee President Joe Biden has just announced he is pulling out of the 2024 race against Republican nominee Donald Trump. In a letter to "My Fellow Americans" released just before 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21, Biden said: “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. “And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.” The news comes amid concerns over the 81-year-old Biden's health, which were loudly …
Former Trump Hater J.D. Vance Selected As Donald Trump's VP Candidate Former Trump Hater J.D. Vance Selected As Donald Trump's VP Candidate
Former Trump Hater J.D. Vance Selected As Donald Trump's VP Candidate Former President Donald Trump unveiled his vice presidential running mate late Monday afternoon, July 15.  US Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, age 39, was announced as the pick by Trump on Truth Social just ahead of his appearance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The post reads as follows: "After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio. J.D. honorably served our Country in the Ma…
Costco Raising Membership Fees In US, Canada Costco Raising Membership Fees In US, Canada
Costco Raising Membership Fees In US, Canada The Costco Wholesale Corporation has announced membership hikes in the US and Canada for the first time in seven years, according to a news release by the company issued on Wednesday, July 10.  Costco opened the release sharing a June sales growth in the US of 5.6%, which is higher than the past 44 weeks of just 4.4%, the company experienced a decrease in revenue internationally.  On the heels of sharing that news, the company made the announcement about raising the membership fees in both the US and Canada beginning Sept. 1.  Annual memberships are rising $5 making them $65…
Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where
Red Lobster Suddenly Closes Dozens Of Locations Nationwide: Here's Where Red Lobster has abruptly closed dozens of locations across the United States. According to a Bloomberg, the fast-casual seafood restaurant has considered filing for bankruptcy. The following locations are listed as being temporarily closed on the Red Lobster website, with some set to be auctioned off. MD: Columbia, Laurel, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg NJ: Ledgewood, Lawrenceville, East Brunswick, Bridgewater PA: Erie VA: Newport News, Williamsburg, Colonial Heights TAGeX Brand, which bills itself as the world's largest after-marketplac…
Pig Kidney Gives Terminally-Ill New Jersey Woman New Lease On Life Pig Kidney Gives Terminally-Ill New Jersey Woman New Lease On Life
Pig Kidney Gives Terminally-Ill New Jersey Woman New Lease On Life Renewed hope comes in the form of a pig's kidney and mechanical heart for a New Jersey woman. Lisa Pisano, 54, who had been suffering from both heart and end-stage kidney disease, became the first-ever patient to undergo the combination transplant surgery, according to NYU Langone Health, whose doctors performed the procedures. Pisano was getting sicker and sicker, and her life expectancy was getting shorter and shorter, according to Dr. Robert Montgomery, who chairs the LYU Langone Health surgery department. Life's simplest tasks like walking around the house, cooking, or cleaning, l…
JUSTICE DELAYED: Accused Killer Of Bayonne Mom Finally Extradited To US To Face Murder Charges JUSTICE DELAYED: Accused Killer Of Bayonne Mom Finally Extradited To US To Face Murder Charges
Justice Delayed: Accused Killer Of Bayonne Mom Finally Extradited To US To Face Murder Charges A fugitive wanted for the brutal slaying of a Bayonne mom studying to be a nurse 3½ years ago has finally been extradited to the United States to face murder charges. Erick Acosta, 35, fled to Colombia after beating 40-year-old Crystal Ojeda to death with an object that local authorities have yet to identify in a public housing project on Lord Avenue near the Kill Van Kull. It was shortly before 1 p.m. Oct. 9, 2020 that city police responding to a request for a welfare check found the brutally beaten Ojeda. The mother of two, formerly of Jersey City, had been struck in the head and on her …
Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says
Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says One of the nation's major oil companies says it will close 1,000 gas stations. Shell made the announcement in its 2024 Energy Transition Strategy report, saying the measure is “in response to customer needs” and aimed at reallocating those resources towards EV charging stations. Shell said it will close 500 stations in 2024 and the other 500 in 2025. "We believe growth in oil demand is set to slow in the second half of this decade and could start falling in the 2030s because of increasing vehicle efficiency and growth in electric vehicles," the company stated in the report. "Toda…