Medicaid Payment Portal Access Down Nationwide Amid Federal Aid Freeze Medicaid Payment Portal Access Down Nationwide Amid Federal Aid Freeze
Medicaid Payment Portal Access Down Nationwide Amid Federal Aid Freeze Health organizations nationwide have been thrown into chaos after Federal financial assistance programs became disrupted following President Donald Trump’s directive to freeze funding across multiple agencies, including Medicaid. This freeze, intended to reassess program priorities, has caused confusion and raised concerns about essential services.  Medicaid payment systems have reportedly gone offline in all 50 states, preventing healthcare providers from accessing funds. "The White House is aware of the Medicaid website portal outage," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavi…
West New York Man Convicted Of Beating Mother To Death: Prosecutor West New York Man Convicted Of Beating Mother To Death: Prosecutor
West New York Man Convicted Of Beating Mother To Death: Prosecutor  A 37-year-old West New York man was found guilty of murder in the first degree on Monday, Jan. 27 after beating his mother to death in 2021, authorities said. On Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 at 1:30 p.m., West New York police responded to 439 66th St. and were met by Emmanuel Gonzalez. His mother, Irma Gonzalez, 62, was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma and manner to be homicide, Suarez said. Gonzalez will be sentenced in April, Suare…
Caroline Kennedy Calls RFK Jr. ‘Predator,’ Urges Senate To Reject Trump Nominee Caroline Kennedy Calls RFK Jr. ‘Predator,’ Urges Senate To Reject Trump Nominee
Caroline Kennedy Calls RFK Jr. ‘Predator,’ Urges Senate To Reject Trump Nominee Caroline Kennedy, the sole surviving child of President John F. Kennedy, has delivered a scathing critique of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., just as he is about to testify before the Senate in a confirmation hearing following his appointment by President Trump as health secretary. “I have known Bobby my whole life,” Caroline Kennedy, age 67, wrote in a letter to senators. “It’s no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator.” She criticized his promotion of vaccine misinformation, attributing the 2019 measles outbreak in American Samoa to his anti-vacci…
Mystery Drones 'Not The Enemy:' Trump Clears The Air Mystery Drones 'Not The Enemy:' Trump Clears The Air
Mystery Drones 'Not The Enemy:' Trump Clears The Air After months of speculation and sky-high conspiracy theories, the mystery around those mysterious drones has finally been grounded. Sort of. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt relayed a message “directly” from President Donald Trump during her first press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 28, addressing the drones that have been seen over the tri-state since late last year. “After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorized by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) for research and various other reasons,” Leavitt quoted Trump as sayi…
PETA Proposes Groundhog Day ‘Weather Reveal’ Cake To Retire Punxsutawney Phil, Club Responds PETA Proposes Groundhog Day ‘Weather Reveal’ Cake To Retire Punxsutawney Phil, Club Responds
PETA Proposes Groundhog Day ‘Weather Reveal’ Cake To Retire Punxsutawney Phil, Club Responds Punxsutawney Phil may soon be out of a job—if PETA has its way. The animal rights organization sent a letter on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, urging the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to retire its famed groundhog to a sanctuary and replace him with a vegan “Weather Reveal” cake. According to PETA, the cake would reveal either blue or pink filling, signifying six more weeks of winter or an early spring, respectively. PETA President Ingrid Newkirk stated, “Groundhogs are shy prey animals who avoid humans, yet Phil is annually subjected to flashing lights, loud crowds, and captivity that goes against a…
Man Tied Up, Held At Gunpoint During Home Invasion: West Caldwell PD Man Tied Up, Held At Gunpoint During Home Invasion: West Caldwell PD
Man Tied Up, Held At Gunpoint During Home Invasion: West Caldwell PD Three suspects are at large following a home invasion in West Caldwell that left a man tied up and held at gunpoint on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 28, authorities said. At 4:36 a.m., officers responded to Lougheed Avenue on a report of a home invasion, West Caldwell police said. The resident of the home was awakened by the sound of forced entry through a rear sliding glass door, police said. Upon investigating the noise, the homeowner was confronted by three individuals armed with firearms on the first floor, police said. The suspects bound the homeowner’s wrists and ankles with tape and h…
Teddy Swims Meets Fans, Signs Album At Hoboken Record Store Teddy Swims Meets Fans, Signs Album At Hoboken Record Store
Teddy Swims Meets Fans, Signs Album At Hoboken Record Store Teddy Swims almost made Hoboken lose control The popular singer-songwriter hosted an album signing at Tunes Hoboken on Sunday, Jan. 26 to promote his new LP "I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 2)."  "Huge thanks to @teddyswims , his team, and everybody who came out for the event yesterday," the record store wrote on Instagram. "What a blast." #Hoboken — The line (right now) to see Teddy Swims @ Tunes Hoboken, located at 225 Washington Street, for a signing event. The Grammy-nominated performer will sign copies of his newest album until 5pm today Posted by Paul Presinzano Hob…
Newark Burglar Smashed Car Windows Over Three-Day Crime Spree: Police Newark Burglar Smashed Car Windows Over Three-Day Crime Spree: Police
Newark Burglar Smashed Car Windows Over Three-Day Crime Spree: Police A 55-year-old Newark resident was arrested and charged with burglary on Friday, Jan. 24 following a multi-day crime spree earlier this month, authorities said. On Wednesday, Jan. 15, Ferando Pinero entered a 2018 Dodge Grand by shattering the vehicle's rear window, Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr. said. The victim reported that four hand grinder machines were missing from inside the vehicle, Miranda said. Sometime between Thursday, Jan. 16 and Friday, Jan. 17, Pinero smashed the driver's side window of a  2017 Chevy Express Van, parked in the 100 block …
Taylor Swift's Financial 'Strategic Genius' Examined In New Harvard Business Review Book Taylor Swift's Financial 'Strategic Genius' Examined In New Harvard Business Review Book
Taylor Swift's Financial 'Strategic Genius' Examined In New Harvard Business Review Book Taylor Swift created a huge economic impact with her record-breaking Eras Tour and a new book from Harvard Business Review will look at the pop star's financially savvy vision. "There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift" will be released on Tuesday, Apr. 8, the Harvard Business Review announced on Tuesday, Jan. 28. It was written by senior editor Kevin Evers, the author of several bestsellers, including books on digital disruption and marketing. The Eras Tour grossed more than $2 billion and generated a $10 billion economic impact on local economies, acc…
Man Kidnaps, Sexually Assaults Teen Girl In Secluded Area Of NJ Mall: Prosecutor Man Kidnaps, Sexually Assaults Teen Girl In Secluded Area Of NJ Mall: Prosecutor
Man Kidnaps, Sexually Assaults Teen Girl In Secluded Area Of NJ Mall: Prosecutor A 23-year-old Bergen County man has been charged with kidnapping and sex offenses after authorities say he sexually assaulted a girl in a secluded area of the Willowbrook Mall. Denys Ludisaca, of Little Ferry, carried out the attack on the girl between 13 and 15 years old, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wayne Police Deputy Chief Joseph Rooney said. ALSO SEE: Girl's Accused Mall Abductor Has Lengthy Criminal History Across Bergen County, Records Show Police were notified of the incident on Jan. 11, and on Jan. 16, Ludisaca was identified as the attacker …
Infant Assault Found In 2K+ Images On NJ Music Teacher Sentenced In PA: DA Infant Assault Found In 2K+ Images On NJ Music Teacher Sentenced In PA: DA
Infant Assault Found In 2K+ Images On NJ Music Teacher Sentenced In PA: DA A former Pennsbury School District music instructor who admitted to having thousands of child pornography images and videos has been sentenced to three years of probation, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Christopher Bygott, 47, of Hamilton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to felony charges of possession of child pornography and criminal use of a communication facility. Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey L. Finley also ordered Bygott to undergo sex offender treatment, barred him from having unsupervised contact with minors, and mandated hi…
Dallas BBQ Bringing Signature Ribs, Frozen Drinks To First NJ Restaurant Dallas BBQ Bringing Signature Ribs, Frozen Drinks To First NJ Restaurant
Dallas BBQ Bringing Signature Ribs, Frozen Drinks To First NJ Restaurant A popular barbecue joint chain in New York City is venturing out of the boroughs with its first restaurant in New Jersey. Dallas BBQ is planning to open a restaurant in Secaucus, the company said on social media. The new location will be at 475 Harmon Meadow Boulevard near the Meadowlands Exposition Center. The restaurant posted an Instagram teaser video promoting the newest location on Monday, Jan. 6. An official opening date has yet to be announced. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DallasBBQ (@dallasbbq) This will be the 1…
Man Stabbed Dead In ShopRite Parking Lot: Essex County Prosecutor Man Stabbed Dead In ShopRite Parking Lot: Essex County Prosecutor
Man Stabbed Dead In ShopRite Parking Lot: Essex County Prosecutor A 56-year-old East Orange man was fatally stabbed at a ShopRite parking lot in Newark on the evening of Monday, Jan. 27, authorities said. At 7:17 p.m, police responded to 206 Springfield Ave. and found Rodney Mayes stabbed after a verbal dispute with another man, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said. The suspect fled the scene, authorities said. Mayes was taken to University Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, authorities said.. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, authorities said.
Fan Placed On Life Support After Falling From Light Post During Eagles Celebrations: Report Fan Placed On Life Support After Falling From Light Post During Eagles Celebrations: Report
Fan Placed On Life Support After Falling From Light Post During Eagles Celebrations: Report An 18-year-old man who fell from a Philadelphia light post during Eagles NFC Championship celebrations has been placed on life support, 6abc reports. The man was rushed to Jefferson Hospital with a brain injury on Sunday night, Jan. 26 after the fall at 15th and Market streets, the outlet said. Video shared to X shows the fall (warning: viewer discretion heavily advised). The man's identity was not released. Click here for more from 6abc.
Armed NY Pair Terrorized Gas Attendants Across North Jersey: Prosecutor Armed NY Pair Terrorized Gas Attendants Across North Jersey: Prosecutor
Armed NY Pair Terrorized Gas Attendants Across North Jersey: Prosecutor A year-long investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has led to the arrests and indictments of two Westchester, NY men, in a series of armed robberies across three North Jersey counties, authorities said. Veron S. Brown, 26, and Ryan D. Servis, 25, of Mount Vernon, were identified as the masked men terrorizing gas station attendants across the region since January 2024, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The first incident occurred on Jan. 7, 2024, at 4:50 a.m., when Clifton Police responded to an armed robbery at a Route 3 gas station. Two masked men in a black …
This Spicy, Yet Tropical Seasoning Is 2025's Biggest Flavor, McCormick Says This Spicy, Yet Tropical Seasoning Is 2025's Biggest Flavor, McCormick Says
This Spicy, Yet Tropical Seasoning Is 2025's Biggest Flavor, McCormick Says A South American pepper known for fruity and tropical notes with moderate heat is one spice company's top flavor for 2025. McCormick named aji amarillo as its 2025 Flavor of the Year, the company said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The announcement marks the 25th anniversary of the Hunt Valley, Maryland, company's annual Flavor Forecast, a global culinary report that has shaped food trends for decades. Aji amarillo, which translates to "yellow chile pepper," is popular in many dishes from Peru and grows primarily in South America. The vibrant pepper matures into …
Megadeth's Marty Friedman Signing Books In North Jersey Megadeth's Marty Friedman Signing Books In North Jersey
Megadeth's Marty Friedman Signing Books In North Jersey Marty Friedman, the former lead guitarist of Megadeth is set to rock Bergen County...in book form. Friedman is signing copies of his new book "Dreaming Japanese" at Bookends in Ridgewood on Monday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. In the memoir Friedman discusses his upbringing in a Jewish household in Maryland, before joining Megadeth, according to a synopsis. Spending 10 years with the band, Friedman discusses life as the only sober member of the group and all the drama that accompanied their success, according to a synopsis, including his complicated relationship with frontman Dave Mustaine. The book …
Essex County School Bus Company Hired Unqualified Drivers With Drug Problems: AG Essex County School Bus Company Hired Unqualified Drivers With Drug Problems: AG
Essex County School Bus Company Hired Unqualified Drivers With Drug Problems: AG A 66-year-old East Hanover man was sentence to five years in prison on Friday, Jan. 24 after previously pleading guilty to running a school bus company that failed to perform drug tests and background checks on drivers, authorities said. Ahmed Mahgoub was the owner of F&A Transportation, based in Essex County, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. From 2016 through 2020, they secured contracts with school districts in Essex, Passaic, Morris and Union counties, Platkin said, totaling $3.5 million. An investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability revealed …
Rare Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered As Egg Prices Soar, Hundreds Of Thousands Of Fowls Killed Rare Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered As Egg Prices Soar, Hundreds Of Thousands Of Fowls Killed
Rare Strain Of Bird Flu Discovered As Egg Prices Soar, Hundreds Of Thousands Of Fowls Killed The detection of a different more rare strain of avian influenza is raising alarm as record egg prices soar to new highs. A farm in California where the new H5N9 strain was detected had to kill 119,000 birds after the more common H5N1 strain had been detected earlier. In New York, a farm on Long Island culled 100,000 ducks after a bird flu outbreak. “Whether this novel H5N9 virus will cause human infections from its avian host and become a pandemic subtype is not known yet,” the US National Library of Medicine said. “It is therefore imperative to assess the risk of emergence of t…
Public Health Alert: Wegmans Chicken Nuggets Sold In NJ May Contain Bone Fragments Public Health Alert: Wegmans Chicken Nuggets Sold In NJ May Contain Bone Fragments
Public Health Alert: Wegmans Chicken Nuggets Sold In NJ May Contain Bone Fragments A public health alert has been issued by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for frozen, fully cooked Wegmans chicken nuggets that may be contaminated with bone fragments.  Consumers are urged not to eat this product. While no recall has been requested since the product is no longer available for purchase, FSIS is concerned that packages may still be in consumers’ freezers. Details of the Product: Brand: Wegmans FAMILY PACK FULLY COOKED Breaded Chicken Breast with Rib Meat Click here to view product lebel Size: 46-ounce plastic packages Best …
Arabica Coffee Prices Spike Amid Colombia-US Tariff Dustup Arabica Coffee Prices Spike Amid Colombia-US Tariff Dustup
Arabica Coffee Prices Spike Amid Colombia-US Tariff Dustup Prices of Arabica coffee hit record highs in the aftermath of threats of tariffs by both the United States and Colombia after a dispute involving migrant deportation flights. Arabica futures hit a record of $3.56 in the Intercontinental Exchange on Monday, Jan. 27, a day after the back-and-forth dustup a day earlier, according to The Wall Street Journal. The previous record of $3.48 was recorded in early December. The US imports about 30 percent of its coffee from Colombia. Colombia agreed to accept the flights after earlier turning back two planes. This prompted President Donald Trump to…
Flu Cases, Related ER Visits On Rise Nationwide Flu Cases, Related ER Visits On Rise Nationwide
Flu Cases, Related ER Visits On Rise Nationwide Flu activity remains high and is increasing across many parts of the country.  For the week ending Saturday, Jan. 18, 25 percent of tests returned positive for flu, up from 19 percent the previous week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than five percent of emergency-room visits were flu-related, with notable increases among infants, older children, and teens, nearing pre-holiday surge levels.
 "The country is still experiencing elevated influenza activity and that is expected to continue for several more weeks," the CDC said. Elev…
Winning Numbers For Monday, Jan. 27 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $56M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Monday, Jan. 27 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $56M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Monday, Jan. 27 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $56M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Monday, Jan. 27 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $56 million with a $24.9 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. 29.with $69 million on the line. The winning numbers for Monday's drawing were 02-40-47-53-55 with a Powerball of 20 and the Power Play was 2X. Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matching all five balls plus…
Trump Justice Department To Investigate January 6 Prosecutors, Report Says Trump Justice Department To Investigate January 6 Prosecutors, Report Says
Trump Justice Department To Investigate January 6 Prosecutors, Report Says The Trump administration will investigate prosecutors who oversaw the criminal cases against Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack defendants, according to a brand-new report. Earlier report - Trump Ends All Jan. 6 Cases With Pardons, Dismissals, Commutations, Signs Flurry Of Orders Calling the probe a "special project," Ed Martin, the acting US Attorney for Washington, DC, asked prosecutors to turn over notes, documents, files emails and other information related to the cases in an email on Monday, Jan. 27, the Wall Street Journal reports. Hours after being sworn in to a second non-consecuti…
Newark Man Gets 25 Years For Sexually Assaulting Stepdaughter: Police Newark Man Gets 25 Years For Sexually Assaulting Stepdaughter: Police
Newark Man Gets 25 Years For Sexually Assaulting Stepdaughter: Police A 37-year-old Newark man was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Friday, Jan. 24 after being convicted of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter, authorities said. The man's stepdaughter, 16, said the abuse began when she was 11 and continued until she was 14, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II. The man's name is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim, Stephens said. The sexual assaults occurred in the family home while the victim’s mother was at work, Stephens said. Upon learning of the abuse in November 2022, the family contacted the Newark Police Department and…
Newark Warehouse Manager Set Fire In Boonton To Conceal Theft: Prosecutor Newark Warehouse Manager Set Fire In Boonton To Conceal Theft: Prosecutor
Newark Warehouse Manager Set Fire In Boonton To Conceal Theft: Prosecutor A 45-year-old Newark man was arrested and charged on Monday, Jan. 13 with setting fire to a warehouse he managed in Boonton last November, authorities said. At 8:13 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, first responders were at 95 Fulton St. for a commercial warehouse fire, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Boonton Police Officer-In-Charge Captain Chris Petonak said. The two-alarm fire was observed in the warehouse area, as well as a separately secured area leased by a pharmaceutical supply company, authorities said. An investigation det…
Canadian Airline Expands To LGA, Offering Daily Flights To Toronto Without Middle Seats Canadian Airline Expands To LGA, Offering Daily Flights To Toronto Without Middle Seats
Canadian Airline Expands To LGA, Offering Daily Flights To Toronto Without Middle Seats A Canadian airline will soon fly from LaGuardia Airport for the first time. Porter Airlines is expanding its presence in New York City with the launch of year-round service between LGA and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), the company said in a news release on Monday, Jan. 27. Porter will fly roundtrip up to three times daily starting on Thursday, May 1. The flights will be on 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 planes, featuring no middle seats, free high-speed WiFi, and complimentary beer and wine. "We have built a strong passenger base over more than 15 years for those travelling b…
3.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes New Jersey, Multiple Other States 3.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes New Jersey, Multiple Other States
3.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes New Jersey, Multiple Other States The US Geological Survey said a 3.8 magnitude earthquake shook much of the Northeast on Monday, Jan. 27. The quake occurred at 10:45 a.m. and was initially reported as a 4.1 on the Richter scale. Its epicenter was located near York Harbor, approximately seven miles off the coast of Maine and about 13 miles underground. The tremors were felt across Massachusetts and reached as far as Upstate New York, parts of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey.  In all, residents in nine states felt the tremors.  According to the Maine Earthquake Database, this was the third-strongest eart…
Lottery Player Scores $4M On Scratch-Off Sold In Bergen County: 'My Hands Are Still Shaking' Lottery Player Scores $4M On Scratch-Off Sold In Bergen County: 'My Hands Are Still Shaking'
Lottery Player Scores $4M On Scratch-Off Sold In Bergen County: 'My Hands Are Still Shaking' A New Jersey Lottery player is celebrating a life-changing win after claiming the $4 million top prize in the 200X Cash Blitz game.  The ticket, which costs $30, was purchased at Krauzer’s on 49 W. Main Street in Ramsey. The winner opted for the cash payout of $2,409,200 instead of the full annuity value. “My hands are still shaking,” the winner shared while collecting the prize recently. Despite the windfall, they plan to keep their lifestyle steady, using the money for added security. “My lifestyle won’t change,” they said. This marks one of three top prizes available for the 200X C…
Potential Airbag, Seat Belt Failures Prompt Recall Of 80K+ Kia SUVs Potential Airbag, Seat Belt Failures Prompt Recall Of 80K+ Kia SUVs
Potential Airbag, Seat Belt Failures Prompt Recall Of 80K+ Kia SUVs Kia is recalling more than 80,000 hybrid and electric SUVs due to wiring issues that could prevent airbags and seat belts from properly deploying, officials said. Kia issued the recall for about 80,255 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The recalled Niros are from the model years 2023 to 2025. The NHTSA said the recall is due to a defect in the floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat. The issue could increase injury risks in a crash because airbags or seal belts may not work correctly. …
Two Jersey Teens Arrested For Stealing Car, Burglaries: Secaucus PD Two Jersey Teens Arrested For Stealing Car, Burglaries: Secaucus PD
Two Jersey Teens Arrested For Stealing Car, Burglaries: Secaucus PD Two teenagers from Jersey City were arrested and charged over the weekend with committing multiple thefts in Secaucus, authorities said. On Saturday, Jan. 11 at 5:30 a.m., officers responded to Mallard Place on a report of several individuals wearing ski masks in the process of burglarizing vehicles, Secaucus police said. When officers arrived, a Honda Pilot was driving at a high rate of speed and narrowly missed striking a marked police vehicle, police said. Officers observed the occupants wearing ski masks and the vehicle’s license plate, but lost sight of it almost immediately, due t…