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Missing Swimmer's Body Found In Inlet  Authorities say a body found Saturday in a central New Jersey inlet is that of a swimmer who went missing in rough surf spawned by Hurricane Earl. Report: SIDS Rate Down In NJ  The number of babies dying from sudden infant death syndrome has dropped significantly in New Jersey, far outpacing the decline nationwide, according to a new report from the SIDS Center of New Jersey. Burger King Breaks Ties with Controversial Company Burger King is getting thumbs up from environmentalists after the giant hamburger chain decided to stop buying palm oil from an Indonesian company accused of destroying rain forests.    Burger King cited an independent audit that found the company's plantations had violated several regulations, including planting in some peat land swamps and secondary forests.    Burger King says such practices "are inconsistent with our corporate responsibility... Work Continues on Blown-Out Gulf Well A new blowout preventer has been placed on BP's troubled well in the Gulf of Mexico.    The old blowout prevent is being slowly raised to the surface and will be handed over to federal investigators studying the cause of the massive  blowout. It's expected to reach the surface Saturday. Undersea video showed the device suspended in the water.    The government wanted to replace the failed blowout preventer first to deal with any pressure that is caused... Obama Planning New Package of Economic Aid Tax cuts and targeted spending to spark job growth are likely to be part of the next effort by President Barack Obama to jumpstart the economy ahead of crucial midterm elections.    Obama spoke in the Rose Garden Friday after the August jobs report came out better than expected. It showed the private sector adding 67,000 new jobs last month and revising upward the numbers from June and July. But unemployment ticked upward to 9.6 percent.    Powerful Earthquake Hits New Zealand's South Island New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has flown to Christchurch to inspect the damage from a 7.1 magnitude earthquake and says it's am "absolute miracle" no one was killed.    He says it could be months before the full extent of the damage is known, but initial Treasury assessments suggest it could cost at least $1.4 billion to repair.    As evening approached and a damaged historic building near the city center burst into flames, officials... Indicted NJ Mortgage Broker Makes Court Appearance A New Jersey mortgage broker and former head of the Bergen County Improvement Authority accused of preparing fraudulent mortgage applications has made his initial appearance in federal court.    Ronald O'Malley maintains his innocence and remains free after posting a $250,000 personal recognizance bond Friday.    The 47-year-old Upper Saddle River resident is charged with wire fraud, bank and loan application fraud. Prosecutors say he used his BCIA post... Family Settles Bias Suit Against NJ Town An African-American family has reached a second settlement with a New Jersey shore town for more than $100,000 in a racial discrimination lawsuit.    Doretha Waters-Rice, her son and granddaughter sued Sea Isle City, its police department and school board in 2004. They alleged both children were subjected to racial slurs by teachers and that the girl was excluded from a Christmas play because of her race. Waters-Rice was the legal guardian of her granddaughter. Fired NJ Education Commissioner Wants Apology A week after he was fired, New Jersey's former education commissioner says he isn't considering taking legal action over his termination.    However, in an e-mail to The Associated Press, Bret Schundler says he would like an apology.    Schundler was fired Aug. 27 after it was revealed that an embarrassing error in a grant application may have cost the state $400 million in federal aid.    Gov. Chris Christie says he ousted... Four Firefighters Hurt in NJ Apartment Blaze Authorities say four firefighters were injured and 30 residents displaced when a fast-moving fire heavily damaged a building at a northern New Jersey apartment complex.    The Star-Ledger of Newark reports that the fire at the Short  Hills Village complex in Springfield began around noon Friday when workers using torches accidentally set fire to the roof. They tried to extinguish it, but the fire quickly spread.    It took firefighters about two hours to... Earl's Presence Disrupts Holiday Travel Hurricane Earl caused problems for Labor Day weekend travelers in New England.    Amtrak suspended train service between New York and Boston from Friday until Saturday morning. The rail carrier had planned to stop service by 4:30 p.m. Friday, but trains were stopped earlier when a tree fell across electrical lines in New London, Conn.    Continental Airlines had canceled about 60 flights by Friday afternoon, and some other regional carriers had done the... Search Suspended For Second NJ Victim of Rough Surf Authorities suspended a search Friday for New Jersey's second victim of rough surf caused by Hurricane Earl and its predecessor.    High winds and looming rains forced the Coast Guard to suspend a search for 20-year-old Pardip Singh  of Carteret around midday. State police hoped to resume searching for Singh by boat.    Singh entered the ocean Thursday night with a group of people in Belmar but did not emerge. His disappearance came on the same day that... Hurricane Earl Brings Few Problems to NJ Hurricane Earl is gone from the area after bringing about a half-inch of rain to most of the New Jersey shoreline and winds of 30 to 35 mph, with higher gusts.    Some low-lying neighborhoods in Atlantic City experienced knee-deep flooding, but no serious problems were reported statewide.    The storm's huge waves still delighted New Jersey surfers, but officials continued to caution swimmers and surfers about strong rip currents and rough surf.... Powerful 7.1 Quake Hits New Zealand's South Island  A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck much of New Zealand's South Island early Saturday and caused widespread damage, but there were just two reports of serious injuries. Looters broke into some damaged shops in Christchurch, police said. Search Called Off for 2nd NJ Victim of Rough Surf As a weakened Hurricane Earl churned its way out into the Atlantic south of the New Jersey coast on Friday, authorities called off a search for the state's second victim of rough surf caused by the hurricane and its predecessor. Fired NJ Education Commissioner Wants Apology A week after he was fired, New Jersey's former education commissioner says he isn't considering taking legal action over his termination. Black Family Settles Bias Suit Against NJ Town An African-American family has reached a second settlement with a New Jersey shore town for more than $100,000 in a racial discrimination lawsuit. Hurricane Earl Weakens to Category 1 Hurricane Earl has weakened to a Category 1 storm as it heads for the Northeast and some watches and warnings have been reduced or dropped from Long Island to Maine. Companies Add Workers, But Jobless Rate Hikes Private employers hired more workers over the past three months than first thought, lifting hopes for the weak economy ahead of the Labor Day weekend. But the unemployment rate rose in August for the first time in four months as more people entered the market looking for work. Flooding on Outerbanks, Earl Heads for Northeast A weakened Hurricane Earl delivered only a glancing blow to North Carolina's Outer Banks early Friday on its way up the East Coast, flooding roads on the narrow vacation islands and knocking out power but staying farther offshore than feared. There were no immediate reports of any injuries. NJ Man Gets 12 Years in Child Luring Case A Toms River man convicted of trying to lure three young children into a specially rigged, candy-filled van has been sentenced to a dozen years in prison. Brian Warner, 51, will also be on lifetime supervision under Megan's law. Earl Blows Past Outer Banks on Path to Northeast A weakened Hurricane Earl howled past North Carolina's Outer Banks before daybreak Friday on its way up the East Coast, flooding parts of the narrow vacation islands and knocking out power but staying farther offshore than feared. There were no immediate reports of any injuries. Hurricane Earl to Pass Wide of NJ Coastline It's been nearly 200 years since a hurricane scored a direct hit on New Jersey, and that streak will continue. Police: NJ Man Left Grandson in PA Casino Lot A New Jersey man is facing charges for allegedly leaving his 12-year-old grandson in a car while he gambled at a Pennsylvania casino. Toddler Drowns at Anniversary Party A 50th wedding anniversary party turned tragic Thursday night when a 2-year-old boy from England drowned in a swimming pool at a home in West Windsor. Earl Weakens but Still Powerful as it Scoots by NC Hurricane Earl churned past the North Carolina Outer Banks and its powerful gusts and driving rains were starting to be felt in southeastern Virginia early Friday, the beginning of at least 24 hours of stormy, windy weather along the East Coast. Earl Weakens but Still Powerful as it Scoots by NC Hurricane Earl churned past the North Carolina Outer Banks and its powerful gusts and driving rains were starting to be felt in southeastern Virginia early Friday, the beginning of at least 24 hours of stormy, windy weather along the East Coast. Outsed Newark Superintendent to Stay On for Now Gov. Christie says ousted Newark superintendent Clifford Janey will remain in his post through the start of the school year. Mud Race Takes Place at Joint Base Next Weekend Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst opens its gates to the public for the third annual "Beast of the East Mud Run." The course has 17 obstacles along its 10-kilometer length to ensure a good and challenging time plus a great fitness workout. Christie-Schundler War of Words Continues An easily corrected mistake on New Jersey's application for the highly competitive Race to the Top education grants might have cost the state $400 million. Last Tuesday, the federal government announced that nine states and the District of Columbia had won the coveted grants. New Jersey was the top runner-up. More Federal Education Aid Still Available  The he said/he said battle between Governor Chris Christie and fired Education Commissioner Bret Schundler rages on over the application error that cost the state a shot at $400 million in federal "Race to the Top" education grants. NJ State Owned Roads Improving The he said/he said battle between Governor Chris Christie and fired Education Commissioner Bret Schundler rages on over the application error that cost the state a shot at $400 million in federal "Race to the Top" education grants. September is Hunger Action Month Food banks state- wide are asking New Jerseyans to get involved with ending hunger. Monetary and nonperishable food donations are encouraged. They say the need has gone up but the supply has gone down. Jersey Shore Residents and Visitors Brace for Hurricane Earl Hurricane Earl is expected to cause rough surf, dangerous rip currents and flooding along the Jersey Shore today. Beachgoers are being urged to stay out of the water and avoid potentially dangerous rip currents. Shore residents are encourage to have  extra bottled water and flashlights and batteries on hand in case there are power outages. Public Frowns On Christie-Schundler Spat To New Jersey residents weary of political hijinks, the accusations of lying of defamation exchanged between Governor Christopher Christie and fired Commissioner of Education Bret Schundler were another embarrassing chapter in a state not known for pretty politics. NJ Officials Kickoff Campaign to Increase Train Ridership to Newark Airport A new promotion starting today through the end of the year is designed to get travelers to leave their cars at home and take the train to the plane. The effort by the New Jersey Transit and the Port Authority will provide cheaper fares to Newark Liberty International Airport. Up to two kids under 12 will be able to ride free. Governor Christie Tells DRPA Boss to Speed Up Reform Efforts Governor Christie paid a surprise visit to the Delaware River Port Authority headquarters in Camden yesterday - to veto a set of recently enacted conflict-of- interest rules - because they were too weak - and deliver a stern warning to the head of the embattled bi-state Agency to change the culture of the DRPA - and adopt several reform measures - or else. With School Set to Begin Next Week, Some Teachers Still Without Contracts The new school year is about to begin in Jersey - but many school districts all over the state don't have a finalized teacher contract yet. Former Egg Farm Workers Say Complaints Ignored U.S. Agriculture Department employees worked full-time at two Iowa egg farms at the center of a salmonella outbreak and massive recall, but two former workers said they ignored complaints about conditions at one site. More Devices Linked to Discovery Channel Gunman A fire chief says crews detonated four explosives linked to a gunman who took three hostages at Discovery Communications headquarters in Maryland.    Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers said Thursday that officials took the devices from a home.    They were in addition to four devices that hostage-taker James J. Lee had brought with him during the hostage ordeal on Wednesday in Silver Spring, just outside the nation's capital.   ... Agencies Find No Link Between Rash, Newest Pampers The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada say they haven't yet found a link between Pampers Dry Max diapers and some babies' unusually severe diaper rash.    The CPSC said Thursday that both agencies will keep evaluating consumer complaints and provide updated information. The CPSC received nearly 4,700 diaper rash reports from April through August and says both agencies evaluated the diapers' materials, construction and other characteristics. Israel, Palestinians Agree to More Talks Today's face-to-face meeting of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Washington has resulted in an agreement to meet again later this month.    And Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas also agreed to put together a framework for a  permanent peace deal.    The next meeting will take place in mid-September in the Middle East -- probably at an Egyptian resort. The two leaders are supposed to meet about every two weeks after that.    Officials Mark 65th Anniversary of World War II Ending World War II veterans, their families and officials marked the 65th anniversary of the end of that war on board the same ship where Japan formally surrendered in 1945.    The battleship Missouri now houses a museum and is permanently moored at Pearl Harbor just behind the USS Arizona, which sank in the Japanese attack that pushed the U.S. into the war in 1941.    Sen. Daniel Inouye told the crowd Thursday that the two ships are the bookends of World War... Temporary Cap on Gulf Oil Well Removed Engineers have removed a temporary cap that stopped oil from gushing into the Gulf of Mexico from BP's blown-out well in mid-July.    More oil is not expected to leak into the sea, but crews are on standby with collection vessels just in case.    The cap was removed Thursday as a prelude to raising the massive piece of equipment underneath that failed to prevent the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history.    The government wants... NJ Police Officers Struck By Fleeing Suspects' Car Two New Jersey women are being held on attempted murder charges for allegedly trying to run over police officers attempting to arrest them.    Police were called to a Walgreens pharmacy in Fair Lawn Wednesday night after a woman allegedly tried to pass a fraudulent prescription for Oxycodone.    When officers arrived, the woman ran to a waiting car. Police say two officers were knocked down as they tried to stop the vehicle in the parking lot. One... NJ Sued Over Legal Immigrant Benefits New Jersey is being sued over a new state policy that denies Medicaid benefits to certain groups of legal immigrants.    Lawyers for Seton Hall University Law School and the firm Gibbons P.C. filed an amendment Thursday to a class-action suit first filed in June on behalf of an estimated 12,000 legal permanent residents.    The lawyers say those residents are no longer eligible for FamilyCare, a public health program for the poor, due to state budget... New Jersey City University Staffer, Husband Facing Theft Charge A northern New Jersey couple face federal charges that they stole more than $420,000 from a college student government organization.    Forty-eight-year-old Shaunette Ruffin-Moody, who was office manager for the student government organization at New Jersey City University, and her 51-year-old husband, Alexander Moody, were indicted Thursday.    The Jersey City residents are charged with conspiring to steal the funds.    Prosecutors... Some Cape May-Lewes Ferry Departures Canceled Officials have canceled some departures of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry because of Hurricane Earl.    Because of anticipated high winds and rough conditions in the Delaware Bay, some departures on Friday have been canceled.    Conditions may change, and there may be more alterations to the schedule Friday and Saturday.    Travelers can call the information center at 800-64-FERRY (800-643-3779) or go to www.cmlf.com for the latest... Earl Forces Transportation Changes in NJ Hurricane Earl has forced some changes to transportation services in New Jersey.    Continental Airlines, which has a hub at Newark Liberty International Airport, says it has canceled 50 departures from Newark on its Continental Connection and Continental Express routes along the East Coast. The airline also says it will allow passengers to change reservations on flights through Sunday without penalty if the rescheduled flight is taken by Sept. 19.    Police Officer Cleared in Fatal Shooting Somerset County authorities have cleared a Franklin Township police officer in the fatal shooting of a domestic violence suspect. NJ Police Officers Struck by Fleeing Suspects' Car Two northern New Jersey police officers are recovering after being struck by shoplifting suspects in a fleeing vehicle. NASA Studies Conditions that Make Storms Intensify NASA scientists flew Thursday into Hurricane Earl to gather data about what makes some tropical storms strengthen into destructive hurricanes while most fizzle. Campaign Promotes Rail Service to Newark Airport Two transportation agencies have launched a campaign to encourage travelers to take the train to Newark's airport. Worker Injured in NJ College Dorm Fire One worker was injured in a fire that forced the evacuation of a dormitory at New Jersey's Centenary College campus. Woman Finds Alligator Outside NJ School A woman on a nature walk in northern New Jersey ended up taking a walk on the wild side. Court Upholds NJ Psychologist's Suspension A New Jersey appeals court panel has ruled that state regulators acted properly when they suspended a Clifton psychologist's license over her "inappropriately close" relationship with a patient. Body of Missing NJ Swimmer Recovered Officials say the body of a New Jersey swimmer who went missing was recovered Thursday morning. NJ Police Officer Struck by Fleeing Suspect Officials say a northern New Jersey police officer is recovering after he was struck by shoplifting suspects in a fleeing vehicle. 4 NJ Men Accused of Selling Fake Ferry Tickets Four men are accused of selling bogus tickets for ferries that shuttle passengers to and from New York City. Earl Causes Swimming, Surfing Ban at NJ State Park Officials have banned swimming and surfing at a popular New Jersey state park because of Hurricane Earl. DeCamp Bus Drivers on Strike Trouble for commuters in northern New Jersey who ride DeCamp Bus Lines. Hurricane Earl Underscores Need for NJ Shore Evacuation Plan Dangerous weekend surf activity from Hurricane Danielle is already and there are forecasts that Hurricane Earl could bring potentially damaging winds to New Jersey shores by week's end. Jackson Forest Fire Burns 11 Acres So Far State Forest Fire Service officials are hoping Hurricane Earle will send much needed moisture to douse the hot spots on a fire smoldering in Jackson's Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area. Scrambling to Make Ends Meet, Many Jersey Schools Are Cutting Sports Programs Jersey kids are getting set to return to school next week, but when they arrive, some of them will be told they can't participate in organized sports the way they had planned, because of cuts in state aid to schools. More Fees and Bigger Crowds This Fall Travel Season Expect bigger crowds, higher fares and yes, more fees when taking to the skies this fall. Rick Seaney, Chief Executive of Farecompare.com says fares for domestic flights are 16 percent to 20 percent higher than they were a year ago. New Jersey Transit Seeking High-Speed Connection for Wireless Users Whether you are on your way in or on your way home, there is always work to do on your wireless gadgets, right? Rutgers Study: Workers Hold Little Hope for an Economic Rebound Anytime Soon A new Rutgers University study finds most American workers are deeply pessimistic about the prospects for an economic recovery any time soon. Lawmakers Announce Federal Funds to Help Protect NJ's Coastline Senator Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Frank Pallone have secured $250,000 for Monmouth University's Urban Coast Institute to study and develop strategies to monitor water quality in estuaries and inlets in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Schundler: Christie Is Lying Despite Slow Down, Some Analysts Say Economy Will Avoid Double-Dip Despite sagging home sales, high unemployment and a trickle of economic growth, some market analysts say the U.S economy may not be destined for a double-dip recession as September, historically the worst month for stocks, begins. Walk the Shore for a Cure This Weekend Beautiful Seaside Park will serve as a battle ground in the fight against cancer this holiday weekend. Study: Higher Mortality Rates for Women in Hospitals After Heart Attacks A recent study out of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, finds that women between the ages of 35 and 54 were more likely to die in hospitals following heart attacks than men of a similar age. NYC Man Survives After Plunging 40 Stories A New York City man who plunged 40 stories from the rooftop of an apartment building has survived after crashing onto a parked car.    Witnesses and police say 22-year-old Thomas Magill jumped from the high-rise at West 63rd Street on Tuesday. He landed in the backseat area of a Dodge Charger after crashing through the windshield.    He suffered broken legs. Police say he's in critical condition.    The car's owner, Guy McCormack,... Number of Illegal Immigrants in U.S. Declining The number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. has dropped for the first time in 20 years.    That's according to the Pew Hispanic Center, an independent research group. The analysis suggests that the decline might be due to the nation's economic downturn and increased border enforcement.    The study estimates that 11.1 million illegal immigrants lived in the United States in 2009. That represents a decrease of roughly 1 million, or 8 percent, from a... Standoff at Discovery Channel Headquarters Ends with Suspect's Death Police in Silver Spring, Md. say the gunman who took three people hostage at the Discovery Channel network's programming has died after they shot him. All three hostages escaped safely.    Police spent several hours negotiating with  him after he burst into the suburban Washington building about 1 p.m. waving a handgun and with canisters strapped to his body.    Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger says an explosive device may have detonated, and... Ellis Island Immigrants' Oral Histories Go Online History buffs interested in Ellis Island's immigration story are getting a chance to hear all about it -- from the people who lived through it.    A collection of oral histories from about 1,700 people who passed through Ellis Island starting in the late 1890s is going online.    The histories had been available to visitors at the immigration museum on Ellis Island, but this is first time they'll be available to a wider audience. They can be found in... Heat Cancels Classes at NJ Community College Lack of air conditioning in some buildings has prompted a community college in northern New Jersey to temporarily cancel classes.    The decision made Wednesday by officials at the County College of Morris came as another heat wave hit the region, sending temperatures spiking into the mid-90s.    Officials say classes are tentatively scheduled to resume on Saturday.    Two of the five main classroom buildings on the campus in... FBI: Serial Bank Robber Strikes Again in NJ The FBI says a man suspected in several bank robberies in New Jersey may have struck again.    The latest robbery occurred Wednesday morning when a lone suspect threatened a teller with a gun and made off with cash from a Capital One bank branch on Route 17 in Paramus.    It was not known how much cash was stolen.    The FBI says a description of the robber matches descriptions given of a man responsible for four other heists since... NJ Man Pleads Guilty to Trade Secret Theft A New Jersey man who was a chemist for a suburban Chicago paint company has pleaded guilty to stealing trade secrets.    Federal prosecutors say 54-year-old David Yen Lee of Jersey City, N.J., pleaded guilty Wednesday. They say he admits to stealing formulas and information that was valued at up to $20 million. He formerly was a technical director at Valspar Corp.    Prosecutors say Lee stole the information from Valspar as he was preparing to work for... Social Security Sends Early Payments Ahead of Earl The Social Security Administration is delivering checks a day early to hundreds of thousands of East Coast residents to make sure the money beats Hurricane Earl's arrival.    Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue said Wednesday that benefit checks will be delivered Thursday to about 737,000 beneficiaries in 10 states from the Carolinas to Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.    The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Earl could make landfall on... Two Admit Embezzling From NJ Trucking Firm Two former employees of a northern New Jersey trucking company have admitted participating in a scheme to steal more than $630,000 from the firm.    Fifty-one-year-old Debra Schinnagel of Bayonne and 35-year-old Marvin Crespo of North Bergen pleaded guilty Wednesday in state Superior Court in Newark to theft by deception.    Both worked for Sal Son Trucking Co. in Newark.    Essex County prosecutors say the pair and a third... NJ Squad Members Allegedly Had Marijuana in Ambulance Two members of a New Jersey rescue squad are facing marijuana possession charges after being arrested in a squad ambulance.    Plainfield police say 23-year-old Yanis Laureano and 19-year-old Dennis Lopes, who share an address in the central New Jersey community, were arrested at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday after police received a tip from a resident.    The pair -- both officers in the North Plainfield Rescue Squad -- were not on duty at the time but... NJ Expecting Some Impact From Hurricane Earl North Carolina's governor has declared a state of emergency as evacuation of the coast ahead of Hurricane Earl continues. Con Woman Ordered to Repay NJ Man She Victimized A woman who admitted stealing nearly $165,000 from an elderly New Jersey man has been ordered to make restitution and sentenced to five years' probation. Serial Bank Robber Strikes Again in NJ The FBI says a man suspected in several bank robberies in New Jersey may have struck again. No Classes at MCC Due to Lack of Air Conditioning Lack of air conditioning in some buildings has prompted a community college in northern New Jersey to temporarily cancel classes. Schundler: Christie Is Lying Fired Education Commissioner Bret Schundler is firing back at Governor Chris Christie.  In a scathing e-mail sent to reporters, Schundler says he never lied to the Governor about correcting an application error that may have cost the state  a shot at $400 million dollars in federal education grants.  Big Drop for Auto Sales in August Auto sales, once a bright spot in the economic recovery, grew fainter last month. NJ College Finalizes Purchase of Nearby Resort Richard Stockton College of New Jersey has finalized its purchase of the nearby Seaview Resort for $20 million. Schundler Fires Back at Christie Fired Education Commissioner Bret Schundler is firing back at Governor Chris Christie.  In a scathing e-mail sent to reporters, Schundler says he never lied to the Governor about correcting an application error that may have cost the state  a shot at $400 million dollars in federal education grants.  NJ Man Charged in 2007 Slaying Police in Pennsylvania say a suspect in a three-year-old triple murder has been arrested in New Jersey. Man Disappears While Swimming Off NJ Beach Officials suspended the search for a man who disappeared while swimming off a New Jersey beach four hours after it began Wednesday. Strip Club Applies to Open in Atlantic City Casino Scores strip club has applied to do business in an Atlantic City casino. 3 West Nile Cases Confirmed in NJ State health officials have confirmed three cases of West Nile virus in New Jersey this summer. Jersey Emergency Management Officials Get Ready for Hurricane Earl As hurricane Earl continues to move in our direction, we still don't know what the exact track of the storm will be, and how close it will brush by Jersey. Christie's Message: Don't Lie to the Governor An easily corrected mistake on New Jersey's application for the highly competitive Race to the Top education grants might have cost the state $400 million. Last Tuesday, the federal government announced that nine states and the District of Columbia had won the coveted grants. New Jersey was the top runner-up. Governor Christie Signs Legislation Designed to Protect NJ Drinking Water Legislation has been signed into law by Governor Christie - that's designed to promote vital, clean water and environmental protection projects - using a combination of state and federal funds. President Obama Declares End of US Combat Mission in Iraq More than seven years after his predecessor announced the start of the U.S-led invasion of Saddam Hussein's Iraq, President Barack Obama declared the end to the American combat mission in his second Oval Office address to a national television audience. First Court Appearance for Man Charged in Body in Burning Car Case Thomas Dorsett made his first court appearance Tuesday before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Thomas Scully. The 64 year old faces several charges in connection with the death of 42 year old Manchester resident Stephen Moore, whose body was found in a burning car in Long Branch August 18th. The judge kept Dorsett's bail at $3,000,000 saying he is a danger to the community and a flight Lawmakers Unveil 7-Bill Package to Spur Small Biz In August of last year, Assembly members Linda Greenstein and Wayne DeAngelo created a Small Business Roundtable consisting of business owners and leaders throughout their district. The lawmakers heard directly from the local small businesses owners about the problems they are facing in the current economic climate and how their representatives in Trenton may be able to help them. The end Shore Lawmaker Wants to Change State Tanning Law Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini is sponsoring legislation that would prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from using tanning facilities in New Jersey. Military Suicides: NJ Lawmakers Call for Expansion of Mental Health Services Interview with Gregory Bean. His son committed suicide after a second tour of duty in Iraq Interview with Major General Glenn Reith NJ Man Gets 40 Year Sentence in Waitress' Murder A New Jersey man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of his live-in girlfriend, who was missing for nearly a year before her body was found by the side of a Long Island highway. NJ to Offer Low-Cost Loans for Water Projects New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has signed legislation to offer $821 million in no-cost and low-cost loans for water and sewer infrastructure projects across the state. Merit Found in Bullying Case Against NJ School New Jersey's Division on Civil Rights has found that the Old Bridge School District may have violated the Law Against Discrimination by failing to stop the bullying of a middle-schooler. US Braces for Hurricane Earl Federal officials urged U.S. residents to prepare for possible evacuations and islanders in the Turks and Caicos hunkered down in their homes Tuesday as powerful Hurricane Earl howled over open seas toward the East Coast of the U.S. Bail Set at $2 Million in NJ Strangling Case Bail has been set at $2 million for a New Jersey man who allegedly strangled his former girlfriend before slashing his wrists and intentionally crashing his car into a police cruiser. Defense Files Long Appeal Brief in Fort Dix Plot Attorneys for five men imprisoned for conspiring to kill military personnel at New Jersey's Fort Dix have filed an appeal brief in federal court in Philadelphia. NJ Dems: Chrisite Should Apologize New Jersey's Democratic Senate leaders say Gov. Chris Christie owes the Obama administration an apology. Senate President Steve Sweeney and Majority Leader Barbara Buono sent a letter to Christie on Tuesday urging the Republican to take back his words regarding the state's failed Race to the Top education grant application. FEMA: US Evacuations May be Required for Earl Federal officials say evacuations may be required in the U.S. if Hurricane Earl tracks too close to the East Coast. NJ Man Accused of Gunning Down Wife on Street Authorities say a New Jersey man gunned down his wife and fled to Philadelphia. Jets Selling Nearly 2,000 Upper-Bowl Seats Online The New York Jets are selling individual tickets online for less than 2,000 remaining upper-bowl seats in their new $1.6 billion New Meadowlands Stadium. US Investigates Potential Terrorist Test Run U.S. law enforcement officials say investigators are looking into whether two men... Marijuana Plants Part of Jersey Fresh Crop New Jersey is proud of its produce, which the Garden State labels as Jersey Fresh. 10 Reject Plea Deals in AC Ballot Fraud Case Ten people in New Jersey have rejected plea deals and will stand trial on ballot fraud charges. Power Restored to 75,000 in Monmouth County Crews have restored electricity to 75,000 customers in Monmouth County. Rutgers Enrolls Record Number of Freshmen Rutgers University is teeming with a record number of freshmen, up 3 percent from last year. "Race to the Top" Funding Gaffe Fallout Continues An easily corrected mistake on New Jersey's application for the highly competitive Race to the Top education grants might have cost the state $400 million. Tuesday, the federal government announced that nine states and the District of Columbia had won the coveted grants. New Jersey was the top runner-up. New Jerseyans Expected to Travel More This Labor Day Weekend If you plan on getting away this Labor Day weekend, you can expect a lot of company. A new study reveals a significant increase in travel from last year. Report: New Jersey Makes Right Tax Move In a report on which states are best handling the Great Recession that has squeezed municipal and state budgets to the breaking point, New Jersey is acknowledged for allowing the so-called millionaire's tax expire. Jersey College Kids Brace for a Cut in the Tuition Aid Grant Program Garden state college students who get financial assistance from the Jersey Tuition Aid Grant program will be receiving less money than they thought this semester. Universities Adopting Textbook Rental Programs It may be the worst part of returning to campus: spending hundreds of bucks on textbooks you do not want to read and have no plan on keeping. With text books so expensive, some schools are now offering students the opportunity to rent books for the semester. Experts Warn of Heavy Backpacks This School Year It's time for New Jersey children to go back to school, but this year, homework isn't the only thing that's a pain in the neck. According to doctors, parents may be placing their kids in harm's way by overloading their backpacks with excess weight. Jersey Parents of Younger Children Warned About Concussion Dangers New data shows emergency room visits for school-age athletes with concussions has skyrocketed over the last few years- nevertheless, Doctors believe many younger kids who get concussions are still not being properly diagnosed or treated. A Recycling Initiative Hits the Jersey Shore A small community on Long Beach Island is the latest addition to a national going green initative that targets both commercial and recreational fishermen. Vacationers Hoping to Enjoy the Shore This Weekend, Despite Earl Forecasters expect Hurricane Earl to pass off the coast of North Carolina on Thursday. As its heads this way it's expected to bring strong rip currents and huge waves. National Hurricane Center maps show a chance that it could hit land anywhere from North Carolina through New England. Plenty of Flu Vaccine Available This year's version of the flu vaccine is an all-in-one inoculation that's supposed to protect against swine flu and two other types of influenza -- and it's already available.    Last year's swine flu pandemic peaked well before enough vaccine could be produced, leading to long lines. This time around, shipments began so early that drugstores have been offering vaccinations amid back-to-school sales.    Authorities are urging just about everyone to get... U.S. Grapples with Bedbugs, Misuse of Pesticides With bedbugs on the rise, the U.S. finds itself with another problem -- people who resort to dangerous outdoor pesticides and fly-by-night exterminators.    The problem is so bad that the Environmental Protection Agency is warning against using chemicals indoors that were meant for use outside.    Bedbugs, which had been a common household pest for centuries, all but vanished 60 years ago with the widespread use of DDT. But DDT was banned in 1972 as too... Former Pitcher Roger Clemens Pleads Not Guilty to Lying Before Congress A judge in Washington has set a trial date for next April for seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens.    The former pitching star entered a plea of not guilty today to charges of lying to Congress about whether he used steroids or  human growth hormone.    Clemens made his court appearance just a few blocks from where he swore under oath to a House panel in 2008 that he had not used performance-enhancing drugs.    He got into a van... U.S. Officials Won't Comment on Report of Terror Charges U.S. officials aren't commenting on an ABC News report that two men are charged in the Netherlands with "preparation of a terrorist attack," saying it's an ongoing investigation.    A law enforcement official says the two on a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Amsterdam were questioned by Dutch authorities after some suspicious items were found in their checked luggage. Among those items were a cell phone taped to a Pepto Bismol bottle, and a knife and... Table Games Arriving at Long-Delayed Philadelphia Casino Tables for games like blackjack and craps are arriving at a long-delayed Philadelphia casino project.    Workers began moving table games into the Sugarhouse Casino on the Delaware River waterfront on Monday morning.     Sugarhouse is one of two planned casino projects planned for Philadelphia. General manager Wendy Hamilton says the casino should be up and running for the public on Sept. 23.    A test-run for selected guests is set... Rip Currents Affect East Coast Beachgoers So much for a perfect finale to the summer vacation season.    On beaches from Maryland to New Jersey, rip currents and strong swells in the Atlantic Ocean associated with Hurricane Danielle meant another day of swimming restrictions Monday.    And it could get worse later in the week. A second hurricane, Earl, battered Puerto Rico on Monday and is expected to zip up the coast, bringing at least more rough seas, and possibly tropical storm conditions,... NJ Man Allegedly Strangles Woman, Attempts Suicide Authorities in northern New Jersey say they believe a man who rammed his vehicle into a police cruiser strangled a woman whose body was found in his car.    Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said a citizen called 911 shortly after 1 p.m. Monday to report a man bleeding and seemingly disoriented in the parking lot at Ridgefield Park High School.    When an officer arrived, the man fled in his car. The chase ended when he intentionally crashed into... Former NJ Education Boss Calls Grant Mistake "My Error" New Jersey's fired education commissioner says he's learned he made a mistake that might have cost the state a $400 million federal education grant.    Bret Schundler says he found out Monday the Department of Education discovered a  draft of the state's application with notes in his handwriting removing key information.    Schundler says, "This was my error." He says he doesn't recall making the error specifically but thinks he must've assumed... Power Outage Affects Thousands in Monmouth County A spokesman for First Energy Corp. says an equipment failure in its power transmission system left more than 70,000 customers of its Jersey Central Power & Light subsidiary in Monmouth County without electricity.    Spokesman Scott Surgeoner said the outage occurred at about 4:40 p.m. Monday and affected several substations in Monmouth County.    At 6:30 p.m., Surgeoner said the utility had isolated the problem and was beginning to restore power to... Summer Dollars Rise, Attendance Falls for Movies Hollywood is finishing its summer with record revenue but the lowest actual movie attendance in five years. Domestic receipts from the first weekend in May through the upcoming Labor Day weekend should come in at about $4.35 billion -- $100 million more than the record set last year, according to Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com. Rodents, Other Contamination Found at Egg Farms Food and Drug Administration investigators have found rodents, seeping manure and even maggots at the Iowa egg farms believed to be responsible for as many as 1,500 cases of salmonella poisoning. Americans Spend a Bit More as Economy Limps Along Americans are spending a little more this summer, but hardly enough to rejuvenate the weakening economy. What is needed is a bigger boost in salaries and more jobs. Former NJ DYFS Worker Sentenced for Tax Fraud A former employee of New Jersey's family services agency has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for filing false tax returns and cashing forged refund checks in the names of clients served by the agency. Bergen Gun Buyback Program Collects Over 700 Firearms Bergen County authorities say the county's first gun buyback program yielded more than 700 firearms. NJ Businessman Sentenced for Tax Evasion The owner of two New Jersey interior contracting companies has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for income tax evasion. Rip Currents Keep Swimmers Close to Shore Powerful swells and rip currents whipped up by Hurricane Danielle are keeping bathers close to shore at New Jersey beaches. Court Voids Statement in NJ Schoolyard Slayings A court has thrown out the statement of one of the suspects charged in the execution-style slayings of three friends in a Newark schoolyard. Hurricane Earl Lashes Caribbean, Threatens US Hurricane Earl lashed the northeastern Caribbean on Monday as a still-growing Category 3 storm on a course that could threaten the eastern United States later this week. 2 NJ Police Officers Paid Not to Sue Town Documents show two police officers in southern New Jersey received payments not to sue after they were passed over for the chief's job last year. 2 Hikers Rescued in North Jersey Police used GPS technology to help find two hikers who lost their way in the woods in northern New Jersey. Legislators Tout NJ Campus Safety Measure New Jersey lawmakers are touting legislation aimed at ensuring that the state's colleges and universities have plans in place to address major on-campus emergencies. Newborn Hurricane Earl Threatens North Caribbean Islanders set up emergency shelters and airlines canceled flights as newly born Hurricane Earl churned toward the northern Caribbean on Sunday. Cruise lines diverted ships to avoid the storm's path. 30 Displaced in AC Rooming House Fire An Atlantic City firefighter was seriously injured while battling a fast-moving rooming house fire that displaced 30 residents. NJ Man Gets Life Term in Deadly Home Invasion A high-ranking member of a southern New Jersey street gang has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting a man during a home invasion. Bill Seeks to Rollback 2001 Pension Boost and Save the State Millions For the better part of a decade and occasionally before that time too, the state has not met its pension payment obligations. That's a serious problem. In 2001 the legislature and then-Governor Don DiFrancesco granted a 9% pension increase for public employees even those who were already retired at the time. Most experts point to these as key contributors to the current problem. Jersey Shore Businesses Scramble to Replace College Kids Many college kids have already headed back to school leaving some Jersey Shore merchants in a bind as Labor Day weekend approaches. Lawmakers Duel Over Dual Office-Holding Under current New Jersey law, a person elected to public office in this State is prohibited from holding simultaneously any other elective public office. NJ Lawmaker Wants to Create Debt Collection Rules for Health Care Providers In these tough economic times, when having good credit is more important than ever, a Jersey lawmaker is introducing legislation that would require health care providers to follow specific procedures when first attempting to collect payment for medical services, prior to reporting an outstanding debt to a private collection or consumer reporting agency. Anti-Drug Abuse Groups Team With DEA to Fight Prescription Drug Abuse Calling prescription drug abuse the number one substance abuse issue among teenagers, local advocacy groups will join forces with the Drug Enforcement Agency next month to help prevent pill popping inside your home. Make a Healthy Back-to-School Checklist When getting your kids prepared for the start of the new school year, don't forget about their health. NJ Organization Makes Dreams Come True In January of 1992, 18-year-old Jason Creager lost a battle with Burkitt's Lymphoma. Before passing, he asked his uncle to never forget him. Growing Number of NJ Women Are Obese...Before They Get Pregnant It's a growing problem in Jersey and across the country - an increasing number of women getting pregnant-about one in five - are so heavy, that they are actually clinically obese - and as a result, they're facing a wide array of medical problems and risks. . NJ Confirms West Nile Virus Cases A 68-year-old Toms River woman became the state's first victim of West Nile virus this year, followed by two more cases confirmed Friday, according to county and state officials. The cases already equal the number of infected people for all of last year.State officials notified the Ocean County Health Department on Thursday that the woman, who is not being identified, tested positive for the virus but is now recovering. The two later victims were a 78-year-old woman from Essex... 9/11 Memorial Receiving Tangible Signs of Life After nearly nine years, life is returning to ground zero in a tangible way.    Sixteen swamp white oaks arriving Saturday are the first of nearly 400 trees planned for the former World Trade Center site where more than 2,700 people  were killed in on Sept. 11, 2001.    Cultivated for four years on a New Jersey nursery, the 16 trees were to be loaded onto eight tractor-trailers at midnight Friday for the 35-mile trip. For about two days, crews will work... Medicare Expands Coverage for Counseling to Quit Smoking Medicare is catching up to most private insurers by providing counseling for any beneficiary who's trying to quit smoking. More than 4 million seniors are hooked on cigarettes.    Dr. Barry Straube, Medicare's chief medical officer,  says it's never too late to quit, even for lifelong smokers.    Seniors can benefit from smoking cessation counseling even if they've been smoking for 30 years or more, he says. Quitting can add years to their lives. Iraq on Highest Alert for Terror Attacks Iraq's prime minister has put the nation on top alert for terror attacks days before U.S. forces formally end their combat mission in the country.    Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says Iraq's security forces have information that al-Qaida in Iraq and members of Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party are planing attacks. He gave no details.    Al-Maliki said Iraqi troops and police are on the highest alert and asked citizens to be on guard. Obama's Economic Advisory Board Approves Tax Report President Barack Obama's economic advisory board says any attempts to simplify the complicated federal tax code will produce lower taxes for some people and higher payments for others.    The board, led by former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, says some of those impacted could be middle-class families Obama has promised to shield from tax increases.    Obama tasked the panel to review the pros and cons of three tax issues: simplifying the tax... Hurricane Danielle Weakens Hurricane Danielle is unraveling out in the Atlantic Ocean as it prepares to pass east of Bermuda sometime today.    It's now a Category 2 storm and is expected to keep losing strength. It is still expected to bring dangerous rip currents to the U.S. East Coast.    Danielle's maximum sustained winds are near 110 mph and it's forecast to pass well east of Bermuda.    The National Hurricane Center in Miami says large waves and... Johnson & Johnson Looks to Rebuild Reputation With Johnson & Johnson's once-golden reputation tarnished by 11 recalls of medicines, contact lenses and hip implants in as many months, its chief executive says he knows the company let consumers down.    J&J plans a public  campaign to help rebuild their trust, but not until after about 40 recalled nonprescription medicines are back on store shelves sometime early next year. In the meantime, the company is also doing everything possible to make sure the incidents... NJ Utility Lifts Water Use Restrictions A New Jersey utility has lifted water use restrictions in two North Jersey counties.    The action Friday by United Water New Jersey affects 800,000 customers in Bergen and Hudson counties.    Earlier this month, they'd been ordered to limit lawn watering to every other day.    Officials said the unusually hot, dry summer had greatly increased demand, raising concerns about reservoir levels.    United Water Vice... DOJ Closes Investigation of UAL-Continental Merger The Justice Department says it has closed its investigation into the proposed merger of UAL Corp. and Continental Airlines Inc.    Friday's announcement follows an agreement by United and Continental to transfer takeoff and landing slots and other assets at Newark, N.J., Liberty Airport to Southwest Airlines Co.    The department says the proposed merger would combine largely complementary networks of the two airlines, resulting in overlap on a limited... Five Charged in Beating Death at NJ Youth Prison Five prisoners have been charged with first-degree murder in last weekend's beating death of another inmate at the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility.    The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office announced the charges Friday, five days after 20-year-old Carl Epps of Egg Harbor was attacked at the Clinton Township facility.    Bail for each of the five was set at $1 million. All have been transferred to New Jersey State Prison in Trenton. New Jersey City University Staffer Faces Theft Charge New Jersey prosecutors have charged the office manager for a college student government organization with stealing more than $167,000 in student funds.    Forty-eight-year-old Shaunette Ruffin-Moody of Jersey City was being held Friday in the Hudson County Jail on $150,000 bail.    Ruffin-Moody had been suspended without pay from her job at New Jersey City University in Jersey City.    State Criminal Justice Director Stephen Taylor... Former NJ Judge Sentenced For Ticket Fixing A former New Jersey municipal court judge has been sentenced to probation for fixing parking tickets.    Wanda Molina, the former chief judge of the Jersey City Municipal Court, also received a 364-day prison term in the sentence imposed Friday. But if she successfully completes the terms of her probation, she can ask that the prison term be dismissed.    Molina also must complete 500 hours of community service and pay restitution for the fixed tickets,... Judge Rules Two NJ Corruption Cases Should Stay Joined A judge has blocked an attempt by Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez to be tried separately from a defendant indicted with him on corruption charges.    Suarez is scheduled to go on trial in federal court in October along with Guttenberg tax preparer Vincent Tabbachino, whom prosecutors allege acted as the go-between between Suarez and a government informant.    The men were arrested along with 42 others in July 2009 in New Jersey's largest corruption... Schundler Says He Didn't Mangle Facts to Governor Ousted New Jersey Education Commissioner Bret Schundler says it was Gov. Chris Christie who got his facts wrong.    Christie fired Schundler on Friday in the aftermath of an error on a grant application that may have cost the state $400 million in federal money.    The governor initially defended Schundler, saying the commissioner tried to correct the mistake during a meeting earlier in the month with a U.S. Education Department panel.   ... Risk of Rip Currents Along Jersey Shore Hurricane Danielle is expected to churn up the surf along the Jersey shore even though it's far out in the Atlantic.    The waves could increase the risk of rip currents.    The National Weather Service says swells kicked up by the storm should begin to arrive along the coast early Saturday.    Forecasters say the surf could perhaps remain rough into the middle of next week.    Beachgoers are advised to swim... Cops from Other Town Checked Steak Mogul's Home Police from another New Jersey town patrolled the home of a Philadelphia cheesesteak mogul who once told customers to order in English. NJ Horse Contracted West Nile Virus State health officials say a 2-year-old horse from Atlantic County that contracted West Nile virus was euthanized. "Tool Kit" Testimony Starts, Mayors Demand Action Shortly after signing the budget, Governor Chris Christie also signed a 2% statutory cap on property taxes. He said at the time that the cap would "absolutely" not work if his bills in "tool kit" were not also passed by the legislature. The "tool kit" consists of almost three dozen measures designed to ultimately reduce property taxes. Wanted: A Group to Grow Pot for NJ's New Medical Marijuana Program Rutgers University was going to head up a program to grow pot for Jersey's new medical marijuana law - that's supposed to kick in at the beginning of October - but a few weeks ago, the school abruptly announced it had changed its mind, and would not  be participating in the program. Christie Shrugs Off Effort to Override His Family Planning Bill Veto State democratic leaders have announced plans for a vote next month to try and override Governor Christie's veto of a measure that calls for 7-point-5 million dollars to go to state family planning centers across Jersey. Drunk Driving: It's Everyone Else's Problem A new government report finds one in 12 drivers admit to driving drunk at least once over the course of a year. One in five also say they had driven in the past year within two hours of having a drink. Legacy of Katrina: Higher Homeowners' Insurance Rates in NJ Hurricane Katrina was a faraway story New Jerseyans watched on television, but the impact of the storm is still being felt in the Garden State five years after its winds and rains ceased. According to a report in USA Today, homeowners' insurance rates have skyrocketed in some coastal communities while many homeowners have seen their policies not renewed. Sierra Club Says Toxic Coal Ash Affects Waterways As the Environmental Protection Agency considers rules on regulating contaminated waste from coal plants, a new Sierra Club report reveals that toxic coal ash contamination is threatening public health. Study: Growing Number of College Students Face Serious Depression A study that examined counseling records at a single northeastern university for 12 years found that cases of moderate to severe depression among undergraduates increased significantly, from 34 percent to 41 percent. Asbury Park Officials Hope Music Will Help Improve Image and Tourism The Smithsonian Institute has selected Asbury Park as a site for its traveling musical heritage exhibit and the city has decided to expand on that and make 2011 a year for celebrating its musical history with concerts, lectures, films and trade shows. Hurricane Danielle Stronger, Heads Toward Bermuda Forecasters say Hurricane Danielle is expected to become a major hurricane as it churns across the open Atlantic, headed for Bermuda.    Danielle has developed a well-defined eye and had maximum sustained winds Thursday near 110 mph  (175 kph).    Danielle is several hundred miles away from Bermuda, but still headed that way.    Farther east in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Earl has maximum sustained winds near 45 mph (75 kph).... NJ Man Charged in Fraud Scheme Held on $10-Million Bond A New Jersey man accused of operating a multimillion dollar real estate fraud scheme is to be released on a $10 million bond secured by property.    U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk ordered strict limits on Eliyahu Weinstein's release. They allow include forfeiture of his passport and allow him to leave his Lakewood home only for meetings with his attorney, medical visits or religious observances.    Weinstein is charged with bank and wire fraud. NJ Man Sentenced For Running Massive Drug Ring A New Jersey man who admitted running a $1 million-a-week cocaine ring has been sentenced to 25 years in state prison.    Thirty-seven-year-old Vicente Esteves of Manalapan must serve 12 1/2 years of the term imposed Thursday before  becoming eligible for parole. He also must pay a $1.5 million fine.    Esteves pleaded guilty in March to five counts, including drug trafficking and money laundering.    His wife Chantal and five others... Feds: NJ Didn't Fix Grant Error as Governor Claimed The brouhaha over a mistake in a grant application that may have cost New Jersey $400 million in federal money isn't over.    On Tuesday, the federal Education Department announced that nine states and the District of Columbia had won coveted Race to the Top grants. New Jersey was the next runnerup.    On Wednesday, Gov. Chris Christie acknowledged the error and said he was aggravated the state was penalized even after giving the missing data to a... NJ Fire Crew Finds Boy Treading Water in Basement New Jersey firefighters say they found a youngster in a house's basement treading water they used to put out a blaze.    Officials say another child was found dead on the second floor of the house in Trenton early Wednesday. One woman jumped from a window and broke her leg, and firefighters got two children out.    Battalion Chief David Turner says firefighters looked in the basement and saw another boy in the water. Turner wasn't sure how deep the... Obama Administration: NJ Didn't Fix Grant Error as Governor Claims The brouhaha over a mistake in a grant application that may have cost New Jersey $400 million in federal money isn't over.    On Tuesday, the federal Education Department announced that nine states and the District of Columbia had won coveted Race to the Top grants. New Jersey was the next runnerup.    On Wednesday, Gov. Chris Christie acknowledged the error and said he was aggravated the state was penalized even after giving the missing data to a... Toyota Recalls 1.1-Million Corollas, Matrixes Toyota is recalling more than a million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks with engines that may stall.    Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday that the recalls affect vehicles sold in North America from the 2005-2008 model year. Three accidents and one injury have been reported due to the problem.    Federal regulators have been investigating the possibility of stalling engines in the Corolla and Matrix models since December and intensified their probe... BP Official Won't Commit to Relief Wells in Gulf A senior BP executive is again avoiding committing the oil giant to using relief wells to seal to the Gulf of Mexico well that blew out in April.    Senior Vice President Kent Wells on Thursday skirted questions by federal investigators on whether the oil giant will proceed with the relief wells. He told the investigators probing the April 20 explosion that killed 11 people that there are "multiple options" to stop the oil. He says the relief wells are "the... Obama Iraq Speech will Signal Focus Shift to Afghanistan With his Oval Office speech Tuesday night, President Barack Obama will signal a shift in America's focus from the Iraq War to the war in Afghanistan.    Administration officials have portrayed the 8 p.m. EDT speech as an important pivot point from a war that candidate Obama said should never have been fought to a conflict that President Obama sees as vital to the nation's security.    Obama spokesman Bill Burton says Obama also wants to thank U.S.... Tiger Woods Looks Like Old Self at NJ Golf Tournament Tiger Woods is finally looking like the No. 1 player in the world.    In his first tournament since his divorce, Woods played by far his best round of the year today at The Barclays in New Jersey, missing only one fairway and two greens in a round of 6-under 65. It was his lowest round of the year.    The timing could not have been better. Woods needs a good week to advance out of the first round of the FedEx Cup playoffs. American Airlines Hit with $24.2-Million Penalty American Airlines is vowing to challenge a proposed penalty.    Federal officials have hit the carrier with a record penalty of $24.2 million over maintenance lapses that caused thousands of flights to be canceled in 2008.    The FAA says American failed to take steps to prevent chafing of electrical wires in the wheel wells of its McDonnell Douglas MD-80-series jets. The chafed wiring, says the FAA, could have led to fires and fuel-tank explosions. Salmonella Found Linking Two Farms to Egg Recall Food and Drug Administration officials say they have found positive samples of salmonella that link two Iowa farms to a massive egg recall.    The officials said investigators found salmonella in chicken feed that was sold to both Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms. They also found salmonella samples at Wright County Egg. More than 550 million eggs from the two farms were recalled this month after they were linked to as many as 1,300 cases of salmonella poisoning. NJ Man Charged in 1990 Stabbing Death of Teen Authorities in central New Jersey believe they have solved a 20-year-old homicide case.    Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan on Thursday announced the arrest of 40-year-old Steven Parkey Jr. of New Brunswick.    Parkey is charged in the October 1990 death of 15-year-old Nikki Adams. A cleaning person found the New Brunswick girl's body in an Edison motel room. She had been stabbed multiple times.    Parkey was arrested... Bail Set For NJ Man Held in Fraud Scheme Bail has been set at $10 million for a New Jersey man accused of operating a multimillion dollar real estate fraud scheme that federal prosecutors say preyed on the Orthodox Jewish community.    Federal prosecutors say Eliyahu Weinstein leveraged his community connections to defraud would-be investors of at least $200 million.    Weinstein's lawyer, Ephraim Savitt, argued Thursday before a federal judge in Newark for lower bail.    Masonry Firm Pleads Guilty in Perth Amboy Scandal State prosecutors say a masonry firm that performed about $25,000 worth of free work at the home of former Perth Amboy Mayor Joe Vas has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit official misconduct.    Jenicar Builders Contractors Co., based in Newark and Kearny, was a vendor for the Middlesex County community when the paving and masonry work was done between May and November 2002.    In return for the plea entered Thursday, the firm will be fined $45,000... Overturned Truck in NJ Scatters Livestock State police say about 80 animals died after a truck carrying sheep, goats and calves overturned on Interstate 80 in New Jersey.    The animals were among roughly 200 on their way to a slaughterhouse when they were tossed out of the  tractor-trailer early Thursday near the New Jersey-Pennsylvania line.    Truck driver Marvin Raber told authorities he was driving from Ohio to New York when he tried to change lanes and his truck hit a guardrail. NJ Title Firm Owner Admits $3.8 Million Theft The owner of a New Jersey real estate title company has admitted stealing $3.8 million in closing funds, which he used to play the stock market. NJ Man Charged in 1990 Stabbing Death of Teen Authorities in central New Jersey believe they have solved a 20-year-old homicide case. Third Guilty Plea Entered in Camden Police Probe Another former Camden police officer has admitted that he and other officers conducted illegal searches, stole money they found and falsified police reports to cover their actions. Cake Boss Relative Arrested in NJ The brother-in-law of "Cake Boss" television star Buddy Valastro has been arrested in New Jersey and charged with sexually assaulting a minor. BP's Hayward Won't Testify Next Month Outgoing BP CEO Tony Hayward has refused a request by U.S. senators to testify next month about BP's role in the release of the man convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Sheep Get Loose on I-80 All drivers could do was bleat on Interstate 80 near the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border Thursday morning. Christie Made Over $500K Last Year Newly released financial disclosure statements show New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his wife earned more than $500,000 in the past year. Fired NJ Psychologist Surrenders License Records show a psychologist has surrendered her license after she was fired from her job at New Jersey's prison for sex offenders. Jersey Drought Concerns Are Easing, But We've Still Got Water Woes! The Jersey Department of Environmental Protection held a drought hearing in Millburn - where it was disclosed that significant rainfall over the past several days - especially in North Jersey - has raised reservoir levels markedly. Christie Takes Blame for Grant Mistake, But Blames Others Too An easily corrected mistake on New Jersey's application for the highly competitive Race to the Top education grants might have cost the state $400 million. Tuesday, the federal government announced that nine states and the District of Columbia had won the coveted grants. New Jersey was the top runner-up. Tough Times Force Tough Decisions on Police Departments Police departments across the country are being forced to make decisions that at one time would have been unthinkable: focus finite resources on only the most vital functions while stopping responding to non-violent crimes. According to news reports, some departments are no longer responding to burglary or fraud calls. Delaware River Port Authority Tries to Shape Up its Image The Board of Commissioners at the Delaware River Port Authority - facing charges of political patronage and excessive spending - has enacted a series of reform measures. Americans Are Paying Down More Credit Card Debt The economy seems to have had at least one positive effect on consumers.  The amount of money owed on credit cards in this year's second quarter has dropped to the lowest level in more than eight years.In this shaky uncertain economy, it looks like no one wants to be left holding the bag with a huge amount of bad debt should the bottom fall out.  Balanced are being paid off in earnest.  The average combined debt for bank-issued credit cards is 13 percent less in this second... Alleged Arsonist Arrested in Burning Car Death 31 year old Anthony Morris was arrested Wednesday and charged with arson for hire, tampering with physical evidence, desecrating human remains, hindering apprehension and conspiracy. He's at the Monmouth County jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. If convicted he faces up to 36 years in prison. Survey Shows McMansion Popularity is Gone A new survey shows Americans want smaller homes, not McMansions. The End of Summer Parents' Task: Getting Kids Back to Bed There are only two words your kids dread more than "summer's over." Those words are "bed time." Governor Accepts Responsibility For Education Grant Application Error Governor Chris Christie says he accepts responsibility for the mistake on an application that may be to blame for the state losing out on a $400 million federal education reform grants.    At a news conference today, he said it was a "clerical error" by a midlevel staffer charged with reviewing a 1,000-page document, and he criticized the Obama administration for downgrading the application because of it.    Christie says Education... Egg Prices Up Since Recall Wholesale egg prices are climbing in the wake of a massive egg recall. That could lead to higher prices for consumers.    The U.S. Department of Agriculture said prices have increased markedly since Aug. 13, when the recall was first announced.    The USDA did not have a national average price available. But wholesale prices for a dozen eggs jumped around 40 percent in the New York market, to $1.27 to $1.31 this week, up from 89 to 93 cents before the... 9/11 Families, Others Rally in Support of NYC Mosque The planned mosque and Islamic center blocks from ground zero in New York is getting a new boost from a coalition of supporters that includes 9/11 families.    New York Neighbors for American Values rallied for the first time Wednesday at a municipal building near ground zero.    Talat Hamdani says her paramedic son, a Muslim, gave his life on Sept. 11 to save Americans and their values, including freedom of religion.    The group... Oil Spill Panel Probes Obama's Decision to Drill More The chairmen of the presidential panel investigating the Gulf oil spill are expressing disappointment that the Obama administration didn't consult with senior U.S. environmental officials before announcing plans to expand offshore drilling before the accident.    The exchange during a hearing Wednesday suggests that a focus of the federal investigation will be the degree to which federal scientists were consulted in oil and gas decisions.    Both the... Obama to Address Nation Next Week Regarding Iraq President Barack Obama will address the nation from the Oval Office and also visit troops at Fort Bliss in Texas on Tuesday to mark the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq.    White House press secretary Robert Gibbs made the announcement Wednesday.    Obama promised in 2009 to end the formal combat mission by Aug. 31, and earlier this week the White House said the number of U.S. troops staged in Iraq had fallen below 50,000.    Tiger Woods Calls Divorce a "Sad Time" in His Life Two days after his divorce, Tiger Woods says he feels more sadness than relief.    Woods and his wife officially divorced Monday, nine months after he was exposed for having numerous extramarital affairs. Woods returned to golf Wednesday at The Barclays in New Jersey, the same day People magazine released an interview with his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren.    The world's No. 1 player says his golf is secondary, and that he's trying to get their two children... NJ State Police Boss Friendly During Traffic Stop Audio and dashboard video recordings of a trooper stopping New Jersey's state police chief shows the two having friendly conversation before Col. Rick Fuentes drives away without a ticket for speeding.    According to The Star-Ledger of Newark, which obtained the recordings, the veteran trooper can be seen pulling over Fuentes along the Garden State Parkway near Paramus midday on Aug. 13. He shakes Fuentes' hand once he realized who was driving.    Gov. Christie Signs Bill to Boost Bone Marrow Donations New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has signed legislation that seeks to increase bone marrow donations in New Jersey -- particularly among minority residents.    It's known as "Jaden's Law" in honor of a 3-year-old boy who died of leukemia after a bone marrow match couldn't be found.    The measure signed Wednesday directs the Health and Senior Services Department to prepare an online brochure with data from the National Marrow Donor Program to be... Third Person Charged in NJ Burning Car Death Monmouth County authorities say a third person has been arrested in the death of a man whose body was found in the trunk of a burning car last week.    Prosecutor Luis Valentin says 31-year-old Anthony Morris of Long Branch was charged Wednesday with arson for hire, tampering with physical evidence, desecrating human remains, hindering apprehension and conspiracy to commit arson.    Morris is being held on $500,000 cash bail at the Monmouth County Jail.... NJ Swimmer Crosses California Bay A New Jersey man has completed a 25-mile swim across Monterey Bay despite repeated jellyfish stings.    Bruckner Chase staggered onshore at San Carlos Beach around 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, about 14 hours after he set out from Main Beach in Santa Cruz.    The 44-year-old Ocean City, N.J. resident stopped 30 minutes into the swim to put on a wetsuit after being stung repeatedly by jellyfish. Chase says he still suffered stings to his face -- the only exposed... DRPA Ends Charitable Donations, Approves Other Reforms The board of the Delaware River Port Authority says its contractors must now disclose political donations and that it won't donate cash to charity any more.    The reforms came Wednesday as the bistate authority tackled a second wave of changes.    The agency, which operates four Philadelphia-area bridges connecting New Jersey and Pennsylvania, is trying to change its reputation for patronage and excessive spending.    The DRPA... NJ Woman Among Dead in Nepal Plane Crash A New Jersey woman celebrating her 30th birthday with an adventure trip to Mount Everest was among 14 people killed in a plane crash in Nepal on Tuesday.    Irina Shekhets of Fair Lawn is described by friends as a brilliant student who loved writing poetry and had been a valedictorian at her high school.    Shekhets worked for JP Morgan Chase, had graduated from law school two months ago and had just taken the New York bar exam.    Tongue Twist: NJ Race Call a Merry, Martial Mess A pair of dueling horses left an announcer at a New Jersey racetrack sounding more like a confused husband in marriage counseling. Interview: Woods' Ex-Wife Went "Through Hell" Tiger Woods' ex-wife Elin Nordegren said she has "been through hell" since her husband's infidelity surfaced but she never hit him, according to an interview released Wednesday. Water Main Breaks Plague North Jersey Officials are trying to determine if a water main break in northern New Jersey has spawned a half dozen others. Hurricane Danielle Gaining Strength in Atlantic Hurricane Danielle has strengthened a little as it swirls far out over the Atlantic. DRPA Takes Another Run at Reform Measures A government agency with a reputation for political patronage and excessive spending has found that some reforms aren't always simple. Touring the WTC Site Some have complained that re-construction at the site of the fallen World Trade Center towers is not moving swiftly enough. Others are concerned that the planned memorial at Ground Zero will not completed in time for next year's 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Yesterday, Millennium Radio News was given a private, exclusive tour of the project and it appears the criticisms may not be valid and the worries may not be necessary. Family of Elizabeth Native Killed in Afghanistan Speaks Out Army Specialist Pedro Millet, 20, was killed by an improvised explosive device during a combat operation in southern Afghanistan, according to a statement released by the Department of Defense. The Elizabeth resident had been in Afghanistan for only  three days, devastated family members said. Millet's remains arrived in a flag-draped casket at Dover Air Force Base where his parents were waiting on Tuesday. Existing Home Sales Make Big Drop Commuters Grumpy Over NJ Transit Delays The commuting nightmare that befell thousands of New Jersey Transit rail riders Tuesday could not be blamed on the transit agency. The Northeast Corridor tracks that were thrown off line by a low voltage problem are owned and operated by Amtrak. Still, some commuters waiting for delays to end at Newark-Penn Station said dealing with delays is a regular occurrence across the system and made all the more frustrating by New Jersey Transit's recent fare increases. Some NJ School Districts Considering a 4-Day Week to Save Money With the economy still struggling - and schools across the Garden state looking for creative ways to save money - some districts are considering the idea of switching to a 4-day school week. NJEA Says Loss of Grant is the Governor's Fault "This will teach the governor a lesson!" That is the message from the New Jersey Education Association after learning that the state has been shut out of a federal education grant of as much as $400 million dollars to transform parts of the state's public school system. NJEA Spokesperson Dawn Hiltner says Governor Christie should have left the grant application as originally agreed to instead of making last minute changes on his own. Two Charged in Slaying of NJ Teacher's Ex-Husband An Ocean Township man and his daughter have both been arrested and charged with the murder of her ex-husband. Big Changes in Jersey School District Busing There will be big changes this fall in many Jersey School Districts. Faced with tight budgets, they have been rethinking where the school bus stops. NJ Town Advised to Boil Water A New Jersey township has issued an advisory for all residents to boil their water because of a broken main pipe and low pressure.    Nutley Department of Public Works Commissioner Dr. Joseph P. Scarpelli says the Passaic Valley Water Commission experienced the main break around noon Tuesday. He says the main break resulted in decreased water pressure throughout Nutley, a town of about 27,000 residents just west of New York City.    Water should be... NJ Woman, Father Held in Slaying of Her Ex-Husband A New Jersey teacher and her father have been charged with murdering the woman's ex-husband, whose body was found in the trunk of a burning car.    Kathleen Dorsett of Ocean Township was arrested Monday. A judge on Tuesday continued  her bail at $1.5 million. Dorsett's attorney, Barry Slott, told the judge he had advised his client of her rights.    Dorsett's father, Thomas Dorsett, was arrested Tuesday afternoon. He's being held under guard at a... Picatinny Arsenal to Name Facility for Fallen NJ Marine Picatinny Arsenal will honor a New Jersey Marine killed in Iraq by dedicating a new research facility in his name.    The arsenal's $18 million pyrotechnic research and technology center will be named for U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. John Thomas Wroblewski at a ceremony on Sept. 8.    Wroblewski, who grew up near the arsenal in Oak Ridge, was killed in a gun battle in Ramadi on April 6, 2004.    His parents are expected to attend the... Federal Stimulus to Cost $27-Billion More Than Original Pricetag President Barack Obama's massive stimulus measure has created or saved as many as 3.3 million jobs and continues to boost economic growth in the second half of 2010. But it's coming at a higher pricetag than originally billed.    Congressional analysts released new figures Tuesday estimating that the law enacted in January of 2009 -- then projected to cost $787 billion over a decade -- would cost $814 billion. That's still lower than the Congressional Budget Office... Obama Administration to Appeal Ruling in Stem Cell Case The Obama administration will appeal a court ruling that undercut its efforts to expand stem cell research, the Justice Department said Tuesday.    The appeal is expected this week, said spokesman Matthew Miller.    On Monday, a federal judge ruled that the stem cell research violated the will of Congress in prohibiting the destruction of human embryos.    National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins said dozens of studies... NJ Family's Vacation Photo Helps Nab Alleged Bag Thief Four members of a vacationing New Jersey family stopped to pose for a picture in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Their camera captured more than their smiles -- it also caught a thief in the act.    John Myers, of Bloomfield, N.J., set the self-timer on his camera and hustled into the frame with his wife and their two children Saturday. While their backs were turned, someone grabbed their bag, which held Myers' wallet, cash, credit cards and other items. NJ Teacher Charged in Slaying of Ex-Husband Authorities have charged a teacher in New Jersey with murder in the death of her ex-husband whose body was found in the trunk of a burning car.    Superior Court Judge Anthony Mellaci Jr. on Tuesday continued bail for Kathleen Dorsett at $1.5 million. She remains in the Monmouth County Jail. Dorsett's attorney, Barry Slott, told the judge he had advised his client of her rights.    The 36-year-old Dorsett and Stephen Moore were married in 2007. They... NJ Man Charged with Cheating Blackjack Game in Delaware Delaware State police have charged a New Jersey man with misdemeanor cheating after they say he cheated at a blackjack game at Delaware Park in Newark.    Thirty-one-year-old Clifton Shaw of Penns Grove, N.J. was arrested Monday at Delaware Park. He is charged with 17 counts of misdemeanor cheating, seven counts of felony forgery and two counts of misdemeanor criminal impersonation.    Troopers say Shaw had seven counterfeit $20 bills and two fake New... NJ Men Charged with Marijuana, Counterfeit Cash Possession Two New Jersey men are facing charges after police in Delaware say a traffic stop turned up $10,000 in counterfeit cash.    After an officer pulled over a car without a registration tag on Interstate 95 on Sunday, New Castle County police say he immediately smelled marijuana. He then discovered 19-year-old Alvin Horace of Irvington, N.J., was driving with a suspended license from South Carolina.    When officers searched the car, they found $10,210 in... Marines Likely to Stay in Afghanistan For Years Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway says it will probably be a "few years" before Afghanistan will be secure enough for the Marines to leave.    The Marines have been at the forefront of America's toughest fights in the Taliban strongholds of Marjah and Kandahar.    Conway told reporters Tuesday that while "some American unit somewhere in Afghanistan" will likely turn over combat duties to Afghan forces in 2011, they probably... Report: Military Needs New Office to Stem Suicides A new report says the Pentagon needs to establish a new office of suicide prevention to help the military services stem the high rate of self-inflicted deaths among troops.    An independent task force report ordered by Congress says more than 1,100 members of the armed forces killed themselves from 2005 to 2009. It noted sharp increases in such deaths in the Army and Marine Corps, the services most stretched by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.    The... White House: No Further Comment From Obama on NYC Mosque The White House says President Barack Obama will have no further comment on the mosque near Ground Zero in New York and the administration will not get involved in talks about relocating the controversial facility.    Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton was asked about the issue Tuesday at a White House press briefing.    He replied, "No, and no" to the questions of whether Obama would weigh in further, or whether the White House would have a... Home Sales Plunge Nationally One economist is warning that the struggling housing market could have an even bigger impact on the overall economy in the months ahead.    Today's news of a big drop in sales of existing homes last month has contributed to another selloff on Wall Street.    The 27-percent decline in home sales reported today by the National Association of Realtors is the biggest monthly drop on records dating back more than 40 years.    Home sales... Devils' Minor League Teams to Play Hockey in Atlantic City Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall will be the site of five professional hockey games this season.    The New Jersey Devils announced Tuesday that two of its minor league affiliates will host the games at the Jersey shore.    The Devils' top development squad, the Albany Devils of the American Hockey League, will play in Atlantic City on Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Feb. 4 and Feb. 27.    The Trenton Devils of the Eastern Hockey League will play at... Al-Qaida Suspect From NJ Faces Trial in Yemen A security official in Yemen says an American al-Qaida suspect will go on trial in Yemen next month over the killing of a Yemeni soldier and the wounding of another during a failed escape attempt.    If convicted, Sharif Mobley, who  grew up in Buena, N.J., could face the death penalty.    The 26-year-old American of Somali descent was arrested on suspicion of having links to al-Qaida. He attempted his escape in March while receiving treatment at a... Amtrak Back to Normal for Evening Commute Amtrak says service between Washington and New York and Philadelphia and Harrisburg is back to normal for the evening rush hour following an early morning service disruption.    Amtrak said in a news release Tuesday afternoon that about 30 Amtrak trains were delayed from 11 minutes to almost two hours because of a low voltage problem earlier in the day. The disruption began shortly before 8 a.m. and power was restored about an hour later. The cause of the outage is under... NJ Man Arraigned in 2007 Triple Murder A New Jersey man charged in a triple murder in eastern Pennsylvania almost three years ago has been ordered held without bail.    Twenty-six-year-old Olayiwola Hollist of Newark, N.J., was arraigned Tuesday on homicide and conspiracy charges and then taken to Northampton County Prison. He was arrested two weeks ago in the November 2007 execution-style shootings 19-year-old Aleah Hamlin, 23-year-old Chanel Armour and 21-year-old Alphe Rene.    Two other... Report: Military Needs New Office to Stem Suicides A new report says the Pentagon needs to establish a new office of suicide prevention to help the military services stem the high rate of self-inflicted deaths among troops. Soldier from NJ Dies in Afghanistan Relatives say a soldier from New Jersey was killed on his third day in Afghanistan. NJ: Education Reform Won't Die Without Grant New Jersey was shut out of a major federal grant that could have provided up to $400 million to jump-start changes to the education system, officials learned Tuesday, but the Education Commissioner said the reforms proposed can still move ahead. NJ Doesn't Get Big Federal Education Grant New Jersey has been shut out of a federal education grant that could have been worth as much as $400 million to transform parts of the state's public school system. Defendant in NJ Corruption Sentenced A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a defendant in New Jersey's largest corruption sting to 18 months in prison. New Jerrsey Not Among Those Named School Grant Winners The U.S. Education Department says nine states and the District of Columbia will receive money in the second round of the $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" school reform grant competition. NJ Educators Await Word on Big Federal Grant New Jersey education officials are awaiting word Tuesday on whether they've won a federal grant that could be worth up to $400 million. Northeast Trains Halted for Hour by Power Problem Amtrak says power is being restored along the Northeast Corridor after low voltage problems suspended trains between New York City and Washington. The problems also halted service from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, Pa. Lawmakers Order Review of Kyleigh's Law Kyleigh's Law was passed with the best of intentions: to make it easier for police to enforce the provisions of the New Jersey probationary driver's license to prevent teen drivers from endangering their lives. However, since the law hit the books critics have charged that the best of intentions, fueled by an emotional response to several fatal crashes, have led to unintended consequences. "Jersey Shore" Scores Low Points With NJ Voters The majority of New Jerseyans polled in a new Quinnipiac University survey, say the MTV reality show "Jersey Shore"is no good for the garden state. Senate Passes Pension System Oversight Bills The State Senate has a approved a pair of bills designed to crack down on pension system abuse and misuse. One measure, sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg would make various changes to New Jersey State pension certification in order to cut down on pension fraud and make sure that only people who are truly eligible may receive credit in the pension system. The other bill sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney would require the Pension and Health Benefits Review... State Officials Discourage Bringing Firewood In from Out-of-state The State Agriculture Department says there are fears firewood from other states may arrive here with unwanted hitchikers...new species of invading insects. Parents Face the "Empty Nest" Syndrome It's a feeling of both pride and sadness for most parents having to deal with the mixed emotions of sending their child off to college, and having them live away from home for the first time. Governor Signs Four Veterans-Related Bills Into Law At a bill signing ceremony at the Haddon Heights war memorial on Monday, Governor Christopher Christie signed into law four bills designed to assist or recognize military veterans. Business World Frowns Upon E-Mail Cursing Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs has officially banned cursing in e-mails written by employees following some embarrassing communications recently made public in Congressional hearings. "Tax Lady" Roni Deutch Faces California Fraud Lawsuit California's attorney general is suing "tax lady" Roni Deutch for $34 million, alleging that her promises to help people solve disputes with the Internal Revenue Service often don't pan out.    Attorney General Jerry Brown filed the  lawsuit Monday in Sacramento County Superior Court. He alleges that Deutch overstates her TV claims of winning tax battles with the IRS.    Deutch, who calls herself the "tax lady," says she runs the... Gas Prices Decline Nationally There's a bright spot for drivers who are watching their wallets in these uncertain economic times.    Gasoline pump prices are continuing to fall. The average retail price for a gallon of unleaded regular was $2.708 a gallon, according to AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. It has dropped about 4.2 cents in the past week but is around 8.1 cents more than a year ago.    With the summer driving season about to end, experts predict pump... Mouse Virus Link to Chronic Fatigue is Studied A new study has uncovered a family of mouse viruses in some people with chronic fatigue syndrome, raising still more questions about whether an infection may play a role in the complicated illness.    The co-author of the study, Dr.  Harvey Alter of the National Institutes of Health, stresses that the study does not prove that having any of these viruses causes harm.    But it strengthens suspicions, and the government has additional research under way... Discussion Continues Over Mosque Near World Trade Center Site New York Gov. David Paterson says he'll meet with Archbishop Timothy Dolan to discuss a mosque and Islamic community center planned two blocks from ground zero.    The private meeting will be Tuesday at the Democratic governor's Manhattan office.    Opponents and protesters say the mosque should be moved farther away from where Islamic extremists destroyed the World Trade Center in 2001. Supporters say religious freedom should be protected. FDA: Only Two Egg Farms Showing Salmonella Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg says there is no evidence that there are additional farms involved in a massive recall of more than half a billion eggs.    Officials also said Monday they do not expect the  number of eggs recalled to grow based on what they know now. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has not identified additional clusters of illness that would indicate the outbreak has spread beyond two Iowa farms. Hurricane Danielle Forms in Atlantic Hurricane Danielle has formed far from land in the Atlantic with winds of 75 mph (120 kph), and it's expected to strengthen in the next couple of days.    Danielle is the second Atlantic hurricane of the year. On Monday afternoon, it was about 1,320 miles (2,120 kilometers) east of the Lesser Antilles islands.    Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami expect the storm to become a major hurricane by Wednesday. Inmate Dead After Disturbance at NJ Youth Facility New Jersey authorities say an inmate at a state youth correctional facility has died after he was apparently beaten by other inmates.    Corrections officers responding to a disturbance found 20-year-old Carl Epps of Egg Harbor lying unconscious on the floor of a residential area at the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Clinton Township on Sunday night.    Epps was taken to Hunterdon Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Bill Signing Focuses on NJ Veterans New Jersey veterans who went to war in Korea or Vietnam before they finished high school can now get their diplomas.    The program has been available to World War I and II veterans since 2002. Gov. Chris Christie on Monday signed a  law to expand it to include those who served in the two later wars.    Christie signed two other veteran-related laws.    One creates a ribbon to honor members of the honor guard and civilian buglers who... NJ Golf Course Worker Survives Mower Accident Police say a New Jersey golf course groundskeeper escaped serious injury after being trapped for more than 20 minutes beneath a 2,200-pound lawn mower that slid down an embankment into a pond.    Seventy-four-year-old Donald Kelber of North Brunswick managed to keep his head above the water until rescuers arrived and pulled the machine off him using a backhoe and chains.    Police say Kelber was mowing grass at the Meadows at Middlesex Golf Course in... Gov. Christie Picks Two for County Prosecutor Posts New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has nominated a municipal prosecutor and a former deputy state attorney general to be prosecutors for Somerset and Hunterdon counties.    Christie on Monday tapped Geoffrey Soriano for the Somerset County position. Soriano is municipal prosecutor in Branchburg and has a law practice in Somerville.    He would replace interim Prosecutor A. Peter DeMarco. Wayne Forrest, who held the position for more than 12 years, retired... Gov. Christie Vetoes Part of NJ Unemployment Bill New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has conditionally vetoed a bill that would limit the state's ability to recover overpayments of unemployment benefits from individuals who received them.    The bill, passed by the Legislature in June,  is intended to prevent improper delays or denials of benefits to laid-off workers.    Christie said Monday he wants to delete provisions that would permit individuals who received overpayment of benefits for any reason other... Tiger Woods, Wife Officially Divorced Tiger Woods and his wife officially divorced Monday, nine months after his middle-of-the-night car crash outside his home set off shocking revelations that golf's biggest star had been cheating on his wife. Bill Orders Review of NJ's Young Driver Decal Law New Jersey's new law requiring young drivers to display decals on their license plates will probably be getting a second look after complaints that it could lead to more trouble than good. Bill Orders Review of NJ's Young Driver Decal Law A bill ordering a closer look at a law that requires young motorists in New Jersey to display decals on their license plates is headed to the governor's desk. Plea Hearing Set for Defendant in $880M Fraud Case A Florida man accused of running a $880 million Ponzi scheme may have reached a deal with federal prosecutors. Charges Dropped Against NJ Sheriff, Others Official misconduct charges have been dropped against a New Jersey sheriff and others because state prosecutors say it's a weak case. Former Executive to Buy Resorts Atlantic City Casino A former Atlantic City casino executive has a deal to buy Resorts Atlantic City, the first casino to open in the struggling gambling hot spot. More NJ Vets in Line for High School Diplomas New Jersey veterans who went to war in Korea or Vietnam before they finished high school can now get their diplomas. Toms River Loses To Hawaii, 3-1 Historic Philly Candy Company Moves to NJ A candy distributor based in Philadelphia since the Civil War has moved to New Jersey. NJ Continues Effort to Rein In Mandates A New Jersey legislative panel will take a closer look at state-imposed mandates this week. As College Students Return to Campus, Easy Credit Not Waiting There is one less thing for parents to worry about as they send their kids back to college this month: credit card companies may no longer issue the plastic that leads to thousands in debt before they graduate. Unneeded State Boards, Commissions, Etc. Could Soon Be History Today, the State Senate is scheduled to vote a bill designed to help streamline state government by getting rid of inactive boards, commissions, committees and task forces. The measure has already been approved by the Assembly. If it is passed in the Upper House today it will go to Governor Chris Christie's desk for his signature. Desperate Times Call for Desperate Retirement Measures A growing number of people are feeling financially pressed against the wall. Little or no money coming in due to unemployment, and the bills continue to pile up. According to a recent report, retirement funds have been taking a hit as a result. Bill Seeks to Stop Improper Denial of Jobless Benefits Legislation sponsored Assembly members Linda Greenstein and Wayne DeAngelo seeks to address abuses that lead to improper delay and denial or unemployment benefits for laid-off workers. The bill has passed both houses of the legislature. Governor Chris Christie has one week to take action on the measure. His spokesman says the measure is still under review. Report: Women Who Have Kids and Stay Home Hurt Their Earning Power The wage gap between the genders has shrunk over the years, but a societal factor continues to separate the earnings of men and women. A New York Times report said full-time female workers make 23 percent less on average than full-time male workers.  The reason cited is that women who take off work to raise kids lose out over time on pay increases and promotions. NJ Lawmaker Wants to Let Our Troops Use the Internet to Vote A Jersey lawmaker is pushing a plan to create a pilot program - that would let active duty members of the military serving overseas vote in local elections - using the internet. Gloucester County Charity Helps the Self-Sufficient Turned Needy Just as the Great Depression ravaged millions of American working poor, straining immediate family members' ability to provide help and therefore increasing the burden on charities, the so-called Great Recession from which millions of present day Americans are still recovering spread like wildfire through the middle-class, leaving normally self-sufficient families facing financial crises. Parents Need to Be On the Lookout for Risky Teen Behavior Yet another challenging school year is upon us and parents of teenagers seem to have more and more to worry about each year. Consumer Reports on Health is out with its list of the 10 most troubling teen trends, and it's not pretty. Thrift Shops Soar in Troubled Economy It's another sign of these tough economic times. Those who sell used clothing and merchandise are doing very well, while other retalers struggle. Democrats Hold Financial Advantage Over Republicans Nationally Federal campaign reports show that Democratic Party committees maintained a solid cash on hand advantage over their Republican counterparts as they entered the final three months before the election.    The Republican National Committee raised only $5.5 million in July, compared to $11.6 million by the Democrats. The Democrat Party reported $10.8 million in the bank and $3.5 million in debts; Republicans showed $5.3 million in the banks and $2.2 million in debts. Woman Becomes Trapped in Waist-Deep Mud at NJ Golf Course Talk about being caught in the rough.    A woman was trapped in waist-deep mud for nearly 20 minutes after she tried to retrieve her ball at a central New Jersey golf course this week.    But officials say she was not injured in the incident    The golfer -- identified only as a Monroe woman -- was playing at the Knob Hill Golf Course in Manalapan on Thursday morning. She had just teed off from the seventh hole, and her ball landed... NJ Returns Incorrectly Billed Medicaid Payments New Jersey has returned $2.9 million in Medicaid payments that were erroneously billed as family planning services.    The money actually covered prescription drug and medical payments.    A U.S. Inspector General's  investigation found the state health department improperly billed Medicaid in 2007 and 2008. Saying the expenses were for preventing pregnancies allowed the state to receive $9 in reimbursement for every $1 it had spent.   ... NJ Man Indicted in Sex Assault, Death of Toddler A New Jersey man has been indicted for allegedly sexually assaulting and fatally beating a toddler he was caring for at a friend's home.    Twenty-two-year-old Akel Ackie of Passaic was arrested in March. He faces counts of murder, felony murder, aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.    The murder count carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. The sexual assault count carries a maximum 20-year sentence. NJ Senate President Leaving Freeholder Board State Senate President Stephen Sweeney says he will resign his position as a Gloucester County freeholder sometime this year. Feds: TSA Worker Stole Laptops Left at Airport A federal security worker at Newark Liberty International Airport has been charged with stealing laptops from a lost-and-found office. Codey Brother Guilty of Crimes at Track The older brother of former New Jersey Gov. Dick Codey faces up to a year in jail for theft. AC Man Admits Prostituing Women, Underage Girls An Atlantic City man has admitted his role in a prostitution enterprise that involved both juvenile and adult females. Former Star Jayson Williams Pleads Guilty in DWI Case Former NBA star Jayson Williams admitted Friday he was driving drunk when he crashed his SUV into a tree in New York City and was sentenced to a year in jail. Charter Schools Face Fights with NJ Suburbs Charter schools have had a rough summer trying to open in New Jersey's suburbs. Deli Owner Gets Life in Business Partner's Slaying A New Jersey deli owner convicted of paying a friend to kill his business partner has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Relatives of Lockerbie Victims Set to Marry Two New Jersey natives united in tragedy are getting married. Already? The Summer is Almost Over! Does the calendar really say August 20? Yes, another summer weekend is here but there are not too many left. Soon parents will be getting up early again to see their kids off to school. The realization is starting to creep in that another Jersey summer is blowing by; where did it go? Exterminators' Buzz: Bed Bugs Hundreds of exterminators and representatives of pest control companies descended on Rutgers University on Thursday for the New Jersey Pest Management Association's annual conference. They were seeking the latest information to deal with what experts call an epidemic infesting our mattresses and wall cracks: bed bugs. Large Employers Expect Health Care Costs to Increase Next Year The National Business Group on health recently surveyed 72 companies each with more than 5,000 employees. Christie Signs Bill Creating Offshore Wind Farms A former BP oil refinery in Gloucester County will soon be the birthplace of New Jersey's offshore wind industry. Jobless Claims Up, Investors See Weakening Economy The number of people applying for unemployment benefits reached the half-million mark last week for the first time since november. It was the third straight week that first-time jobless claims rose, and wall street responded. Lawmakers Seek to Fix Emergency Medical Service Problems An Assembly panel Thursday discussed what can be done to improve emergency medical services in the State, both on the ground and in the air. Poll: Bring Back AC, But Don't Take it Over A new Qunnipiac poll suggests that New Jerseyans would like to bring back Atlantic City as a beach resort, but don't try to run the place from Trenton. Former Toms River Little Leaguer Has Advice for the Current Team The Toms River National Little League plays their first game of the World Series tomorrow in Williamsport. The players who took the title 12 years ago will be watching and cheering them on. NJ Freeholder Boards Gain More Oversight Some county freeholder boards in New Jersey will now have the opportunity to veto specific actions taken by various county authorities.    Proponents of the legislation signed this week by Gov. Chris Christie say it will help combat  irresponsible spending and other questionable actions. It would only apply in counties that do not have a county executive with veto authority.    The measure allows the directors of these freeholder boards to veto minutes... Teen Girl Sentenced in NJ Couple's Killings A 14-year-old girl has received a 20-year prison term for her role in the brutal deaths of a couple found buried in the backyard of a Camden row home.    Shatara Shakira Carter was the youngest of 10 people charged in the Feb. 22 slayings of 18-year-old Muriah Ashley Huff of Cinnaminson and her boyfriend, 23-year-old Michael Hawkins of Mount Holly.    Carter originally was charged with murder in Huff's death, but pleaded guilty in May to aggravated... Missing Dog Found Safe, Days After Deadly NJ Crash Officials say a dog that went missing after a weekend crash on a New Jersey highway that killed a Maryland man has been found unharmed.    Bodhi -- a 2-year-old, 40-pound basset hound mix -- was riding in a sport utility vehicle driven by his owner, 20-year-old John Everhart of Bethesda, when it overturned Sunday on Interstate 80 in Paterson.    Everhart's stepmother called Paterson Chief Animal Control Officer John De Cando on Tuesday to say a... Budget Analysts See 2010 Federal Deficit at $1.3-Trillion Congress' budget analysts are estimating that this year's federal deficit will exceed $1.3 trillion, slightly below last year's total but still a huge ocean of red ink.    The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the enormous shortfall is a result of the still staggering economy, which has meant lower federal revenues plus extra government spending aimed at prodding growth.    But the budget office sees this year as a turnaround. It expects... Average Mortgage Rates Hit New Low Again Mortgage rates fell to the lowest level in decades for the eighth time in nine weeks, a sign that investors are concerned about the weak economy.    Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for 30-year fixed loans this week was 4.42 percent, down from 4.44 percent last week. That's the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971.    The average rate on 15-year fixed loans dropped to 3.9 percent, down from 3.92 percent last week and the... Workplace Deaths At Lowest Level Since 1992 The Labor Department says the number of workers who died on the job fell by 17 percent last year to the lowest level in nearly two decades.    The 4,340 workplace fatalities recorded in 2009 was the smallest total since the Bureau of Labor Statistics first began tracking the data in 1992.    The agency says high unemployment and layoffs in more dangerous industries like construction played a major role in the decrease.    Workers on... Leading Economic Indicators Rise 0.1% in July A private research group says its gauge of future economic activity edged up in July, suggesting growth will be sluggish for the rest of the year.    The Conference Board says its index of leading economic indicators rose 0.1 percent last month after dropping 0.3 percent in June. Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had expected a gain of 0.2 percent.    The leading indicators gauge had risen sharply from spring 2009 through March of this year. It has... Scientists Map Invisible Oil Plume Deep in Gulf Scientists are reporting the first conclusive evidence of a deep underwater oil plume from the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But don't go looking for it. It's invisible.    A team from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts mapped a 22-mile-long mist of oil with special instruments that look for the chemical signature of oil. Scientists say the most troubling thing is that it's not degrading very fast. That means it could be a long-lasting threat for marine... Feds: Final Kill of BP's Gulf Well Coming After Labor Day The plans are falling into place for the final plugging of the blown-out oil well in the Gulf of Mexico.    The government says the next step will be to replace a failed piece of equipment called a blowout preventer. Then, BP will finish drilling a relief well it can use to pump mud and cement from beneath the well to plug it for good.    The work will start sometime after Labor Day.    A spokesman says the decision on the path... Illnesses Linked to Eggs Likely to Grow Federal health officials say an outbreak of salmonella poisoning that led to a recall of hundreds of millions of eggs sold by one Iowa firm will likely grow.    Dr. Christopher Braden, an epidemiologist with the federal Centers for Disease Control, said that illnesses occurring after mid-July may not be reported yet. He said that almost 2,000 cases of the strain of salmonella linked with the eggs were reported between May and July, and that's about 1,300 more than usual. Former MLB Pitcher Roger Clemens Indicted A federal grand jury has indicted seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens for allegedly lying to Congress about using steroids.    Clemens faces charges of obstruction of Congress, making false statements and perjury.    The former Major League baseball pitcher and his former trainer, Brian McNamee, testified under oath at a 2008 hearing before a House committee and contradicted each other about whether Clemens had used the banned substances. New York-Bound Plane Grounded After Phone Threat Federal officials say a jetliner is being held on the tarmac at San Francisco's airport because of an alleged phone threat.    Officials stopped American Airlines Flight 24, bound for New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, before takeoff Thursday morning.    The Transportation Security Administration said passengers were being taken off the plane on at least five buses to be interviewed and re-screened.    American Airlines spokesman... Bikers Gather to Honor 9/11 First Responders Bikers are gathering in a rural western Pennsylvania town for a 455-mile trek to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.    Participants in the annual ride sponsored by America's 911 Foundation say they want the focus of the ride to be on never forgetting the attacks, not on the controversy over a proposed mosque near ground zero.    The foundation says it has no position on the proposal and feelings among bikers Thursday were mixed.... Atlantic City's Tropicana Casino, Dealers Get Union Pact Dealers at Atlantic City's Tropicana Casino and Resort have approved the first union-bargained contract ever for casino dealers in the gambling mecca.    The deal bargained by United Auto Workers representatives will give dealers 18  percent raises spread over five years.    More than 90 percent of the casino's 700 dealers who voted Wednesday and Thursday approved the deal.    It was announced Thursday by the casino and the union. Woman Identified in NJ Arson-Homicide The body of an woman found inside a burning northern New Jersey home this week has been identified as a well-known community activist.    Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said Thursday that dental records confirmed that Joan Davis was the person found by firefighters Tuesday night in her Teaneck home.    But Molinelli did not disclose further details on the investigation into her death, which has been ruled a homicide. And a cause of death has... TSA: Knife Gets Past Security at Newark Airport A passenger carrying a knife in a carry-on bag was able to pass through security at Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday. 4 Stabbed in New Brunswick Brawl Four people who were kicked out of a party at a New Brunswick apartment were stabbed after they returned and brawled with another person. Christie Signs Wind Energy Measure Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday signed a bill into law that seeks to spur New Jersey's economy through green technology. Judge Tells Blind NJ Man How to Keep Guns A blind New Jersey man has the right to bear arms if he complies with a judge's order. New Brunswick Street to be Closed for Wedding A major street in New Brunswick will be closed Thursday night to accommodate hundreds attending an Orthodox Jewish rabbi's wedding. NJ Judge to Monitor County Meetins for Openness A retired judge has been assigned to ensure the Gloucester County freeholder board complies with open meeting laws. NJ Gov to Sign Offshore Wind Energy Bill New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday plans to sign a bill into law that would offer tax credits to encourage the development of renewable energy resources. Tropicana AC and Dealers Reach Tentative Deal A tentative deal has been reached for the first union contract ever for Atlantic City casino dealers. New Poll: Christie Viewed as "Leader" More Than "Bully" During his first seven months in office Governor Christopher Christie has relished the spotlight that has come with taking on the state's largest teacher's union, wielding his reform axe and bluntly laying down his positions. Some people have called  him confrontational; others prefer to use bully in their description. A new poll released today found that a growing number of New Jersey voters approve of Mr. Christie's style while also turning thumbs up to his overall job performance. Unemployment on the Rise in NJ New Jersey's unemployment rate inched up in the month of July one-tenth of a percentage point to 9.7 percent. The State Labor Department says the increase was mainly fueled by a decline in public sector payrolls at the federal and local levels. NJ Comptroller: Tax Exemption Program Wastes Millions A new report finds that New Jersey's tax exemption program is flawed, costing taxpayers millions of dollars. DRPA Moves to Reform as Lawmaker Unveils His Own Fix Package The Delaware River Port Authority moves to reform itself, even as one Trenton lawmaker moves to force reforms, with legislation he says will do a better job of fixing the bistate agency. Unemployed New Jerseyans Could Get Bitten By "COBRA" The decision by Congress not to renew federal subsidies for COBRA, the program requiring employers to continue health insurance to former workers, will leave many unemployed New Jerseyans with a huge monthly bill. Construction on Route 206 Bypass in Hillsborough Begins Construction has begun on the new route 206 bypass being built east of the existing route 206, in Hillsborough Township. This project is designed to improve safety and relieve congestion along the heavily traveled section of route 206 which has become a major headache for many motorists. Swastikas Deface Expensive Cars on Edison Dealership Lot Someone carved swastikas into the bodies of cars at an Edison Lexus dealership last week. Local Jewish leaders say it is just the latest in a long-running series of ethnic bias crimes. Transportation Officials Urge Safety As Kids Prepare for School In a matter of weeks, the bells will ring once again as thousands of New Jersey kids head back to school. Officials have an important safety message. Unrestrained Dogs Could Pose Danger to Drivers Have you ever taken your dog along for a car ride? A new survey shows that if you fail to take the proper precautions, it could prove dangerous -- or even deadly. Quarterback Brett Favre Returns to NFL Brett Favre says the strong chance of playing in another Super Bowl brought him back to the NFL -- again.    Favre was back on the field with the Vikings on Wednesday. The three-time MVP started his second season in Minnesota wearing a helmet, shoulder pads and red quarterback's jersey as he worked out with his teammates on their practice field.    He said afterward "this is a very good football team." Favre said the chances of making the... Obama: "No Regrets" Over Comments on NYC Mosque He's faced a lot of criticism for his remarks in support of the right of Muslims to build an Islamic center near the World Trade Center site.    But President Barack Obama says he has "no regrets" over the comments.    He was responding to a reporter's question today as he left a town-hall style meeting on the economy in Ohio.    The president inserted himself into the debate over the mosque last week when he said Muslims... Prosecutors: "Jersey Shore" Cast Member's Behavior 'Criminally Annoying' Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi will face a new charge over her behavior at a beach last month, one that might not surprise viewers of "Jersey Shore" or followers of pop culture: annoying people.    Prosecutors said at a hearing Wednesday that they will add the charge. An attorney for the MTV reality show cast member entered a plea of not guilty on her behalf to the charge and two others, disorderly conduct and creating a public nuisance.    NJ Authorities Investigate Arson-Homicide Northern New Jersey authorities are investigating the murder of a woman whose body was found inside a house that had been set on fire.    Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said Wednesday that the victim -- who has not yet been  identified -- was found Tuesday night in Teaneck by firefighters.    Neighbors say Joan Davis, a well-known community activist, was the only person who lived in the home. And property records list a woman by that name living... NJ State Police Chief Self-Imposes Speeding Ticket Given the chance to avoid a speeding ticket, New Jersey's state police chief instead turned himself in.    Col. Rick Fuentes was traveling northbound in an unmarked state police-issued black Chevy Tahoe on the Garden State Parkway when a trooper stopped him in Paramus around 11:30 a.m. Friday.    Capt. Gerald Lewis, a state police spokesman, said Fuentes was going 75 mph in a 65 mph zone. But the trooper -- identified only as a veteran with more than 20... Man's Body Found in Burning Car in Monmouth County Monmouth County authorities say a man's body was found inside the trunk of a burning car early Wednesday.    But they won't disclose further details on the grisly discovery.    County Prosecutor Luis Valentin said Long Branch police and firefighters found the body around 4 a.m., shortly after they responded to reports of a car engulfed in flames.    Valentin said the remains have been identified, but he would not release the... Report: NJ Tax Exemption Program Flawed A new state comptroller's report finds New Jersey's municipal tax exemption program is barely monitored and costs taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.    The report by Comptroller Matt Boxer shows how towns often benefit financially by exempting developers from having to pay property taxes on properties worth billions of dollars. The towns then accept payments in lieu of taxes, which enrich their coffers but provide almost no funds to schools or counties. Atlantic City Casinos See Gross Profits Dip Again New Jersey casino regulators say Atlantic City's casinos saw their gross operating profits decline by 22.6 percent in the first quarter of 2010. DRPA Bans Nepotism, No-Bid Deals The Delaware River Port Authority, facing sharp criticism as a vestige of political patronage, has made several reforms. Bail Lowered for Defendant in NJ Cold Case An attorney for a man charged in the murder of five New Jersey teens who disappeared in 1978 says his client has made bail and could soon leave jail. Some Muslims Question Mosque Near Ground Zero American Muslims who support the proposed mosque and Islamic center near ground zero are facing skeptics within their own faith -- those who argue that the project is insensitive to Sept. 11 victims and needlessly provocative at a time when Muslims are pressing for wider acceptance in the U.S. Snooki Gets Her Day in Court An attorney for "Jersey Shore" cast member Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi has entered innocent pleas on her behalf to three charges. Togolese Man Gets Prison in NJ Forced Labor Case A Togolese citizen living in New Jersey will head to federal prison term for his role in the smuggling of girls and young women who were forced to work at hair braiding salons. NJ Settles SEC Fraud Charges The government says the state of New Jersey has settled civil fraud charges for failing to inform municipal bond investors that it was underfunding its largest pension plans. "Jersey Shore" Cast Member's Lawyer Expected in Court "Jersey Shore" cast member Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi's lawyer is expected in court on her behalf Wednesday. NJ's Jobless Rate Increases in July Unemployment in New Jersey in July rose one-tenth to 9.7 percent. More Special-Interest Money in NJ Elections An analysis by New Jersey election monitors finds record spending among political action committees set up by unions, professional and trade associations, and other special interests. Homeless Man Found Living in Library Police say a homeless man lived unnoticed in the basement of a New Jersey library for nearly two weeks. Ridgefield Mayor, Indicted for Alleged Corruption, Survives Recall Election The final verdict on his political career to be determined when he faces a jury of his peers, Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez (D) won a victory in the court of public opinion on Tuesday when a recall election failed to remove him from office. Toms River Little League Receives Accolades Along the Jersey Shore Reaction continues to pour in from around the state regaring the Toms River National Little League team, who head to the World Series this weekend. Residents and officials of their hometown couldn't be happier. Police in NJ Set for End of Summer DWI Crackdown The unofficial end of summer will soon be here, and while some may be trying to make that last minute summer memory, police want to make sure it doesn't include seeing the inside of a jail cell. Officers throughout New Jersey will be cracking down on drunk drivers as part of the annual summer "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" campaign. Stronger Currents, Less Lifeguards at the Shore Lifeguards along the shore are doing more water rescues right now as the surf turns rougher in the last months of the Atlantic hurricane season. Poll Shows Power of Incumbency Withstanding Rough Year Less than three months before the midterm elections, a Rutgers-Eagleton poll indicates that despite public anger directed at the political establishment New Jersey's thirteen incumbent members of Congress do not appear to be in danger of losing their seats. The poll director did caution against projecting the poll results when there is so much time for game-changing developments to take hold. Drunken Boating Arrests Down in New Jersey The New Jersey State Police says arrests for drunken boating are down on Garden State waterways this year. Christie Creates Redevelopment Agency for Ft. Monmouth In his second bill signing in two days since vacation, Governor Christie has signed a law creating a new authority to oversee the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth. Electric Cars On Their Way to the Garden State Many New Jersey auto dealers are getting ready for the next wave...the electric car. Confusion Over Proposed Ground Zero Mosque Meeting Developers of a proposed mosque near ground zero say they are unaware of a planned meeting with New York Gov. David Paterson to discuss the project, even though Paterson's office says one is in the works.    A Paterson spokesman said Tuesday that the governor's staff and representatives of the proposed Islamic center have been working to set up a meeting. Paterson said last week he would consider offering state land as an alternative site for the project, which is two... Famed Home Run Hitter Thomson Dead at 86 Famed home run hitter Bobby Thomson has died at age 86.    Thomson's death was confirmed Tuesday by the funeral home in Savannah, Ga., that is handling the arrangements. He had been in failing health for several years and died at home Monday night.    Thomson hit one of the most storied home runs in baseball history. His "Shot Heard 'Round the World" won the 1951 National League pennant for the New York Giants and beat the Brooklyn Dodgers. Millions of Eggs Recalled Following Salmonella Outbreak An Iowa egg producer is recalling 228 million eggs after being linked to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning.    The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said eggs from Wright County Egg in Galt, Iowa, were linked to several illnesses in Colorado, California and Minnesota. The CDC said about 200 cases of the strain of salmonella linked to the eggs were reported weekly during June and July, four times the normal number of such occurrences.    Arizona Shelves Idea of Changing Immigration Law Arizona legislators are at least temporarily setting aside Gov. Jan Brewer's suggestion that lawmakers consider changing parts of the state's controversial immigration law.    Brewer floated the idea of making "tweaks" shortly after  a federal judge blocked implementation of numerous provisions.    Key legislative aides say the idea has been shelved for now, mainly because of the state's pending appeal of the judge's ruling.   ... Obama: Republicans Hindering Efforts to Help Business President Barack Obama is accusing Republicans of thwarting efforts to help small business owners by blocking legislation containing tax breaks and other incentives.    He made the charges, a familiar theme for him, in the midst of a three-day fundraising outing on behalf of besieged Democratic candidates. He was in Seattle to help Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, whose re-election bid is closely watched by Democrats across the nation.    Obama spoke on... Former Illinois Gov. Blagojevich Convicted on One Count, Jury Deadlocked on Othe A juror in the corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich says the panel was deadlocked 11-1 in favor of convicting the former Illinois governor of trying to sell or trade President Barack Obama's former Senate seat.    Juror Erik Sarnello  of Itasca, Ill said a female holdout "just didn't see what we all saw." The 21-year-old Sarnello said the counts around the Senate seat were "the most obvious."    The jury convicted Blagojevich Tuesday... U.S. Cranberry Production Up; NJ Seeing Decrease The nation's cranberry crop is on track this year to become the second largest on record, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday.    The USDA's annual cranberry forecast calls for 7.35 million 100-pound barrels, up 6 percent from about 6.9 million barrels a year ago. The crop hit a record 7.87 million barrels in 2008.    Strong increases were forecast in Wisconsin and Massachusetts, by far the largest cranberry producing states. But declines... Pharmacist at NJ Prison Admits Stealing Drugs A pharmacist in a federal prison in New Jersey has admitted stealing a powerful pain drug and hypodermic needles so he could get high.    Brian Walters, of Dorchester, N.J., could face up to 10 years as an inmate in federal prison when he's sentenced on Dec. 1.    The 47-year-old pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft of government property.    Authorities say between July 2008 and July 2009, Walters repeatedly stole Nalbuphine... Former NJ School Custodian Sentenced for Child Porn A former school custodian was sentenced on Tuesday to nearly five years in jail for possession of child pornography.    Charles M. Morgan pleaded guilty in March. The 41-year-old from Willingboro admitted downloading over 600 images  of child pornography, including approximately 127 videos, from Internet websites.    Morgan's arrest stemmed from an investigation of child pornography sites. According to federal prosecutors, Morgan used his credit card to... North Jersey Town Votes to Keep Indicted Mayor Voters in northern New Jersey have chosen to retain a mayor who is facing federal corruption charges.    Ridgefield voters chose not to recall Mayor Anthony Suarez. According to unofficial results provided by city clerk Linda Prina,  1,023 voters rejected the recall and 985 voted for it.    Ridgefield has between 5,000 and 6,000 registered voters.    The mayor said the recall effort was a "vendetta" by his political enemies... Bail Hearing Postponed for NJ Man Accused of Fraud A bail hearing was delayed Tuesday for a New Jersey man accused of running what prosecutors say was a scheme that preyed on the Orthodox Jewish community and defrauded real estate investors of at least $200 million. Study: 1 in 5 US Teenagers Has Slight Hearing Loss A stunning number of teens have lost a little bit of their hearing -- nearly one in five -- and the problem has increased substantially in recent years, a new national study has found. Cranberry Production Forecast Spikes The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects cranberry production to grow by 6 percent this year, which would make the 2010 crop the second largest on record. Christie Creates Redevelopment Agency for Army Base After fighting in vain to keep the Pentagon from shutting the Fort Monmouth Army base, New Jersey officials have turned their attention to post-base operations. Seton Hall Settles Firing Suit With Former Coach Seton Hall University has reached a settlement in a wrongful termination lawsuit brought by former men's basketball coach Bobby Gonzalez. Pharmacist at NJ Prison Admits Stealing Drugs A pharmacist in a federal prison in New Jersey has admitted stealing a powerful pain drug and hypodermic needles so he could get high. NJ Man Shot Twice Within 2 Days Authorities say a New Jersey man was shot in two separate incidents in two different cities in as many days. NJ Fire Department Settles Discrimination Case A New Jersey fire department has paid a former volunteer $15,000 to settle her gender discrimination case. Missing Swimmer's Body Recovered Authorities have recovered the body of a New York man who disappeared while swimming at a New Jersey beach ashore. Manhole Covers Explode in Atlantic City Officials are trying to determine what's causing manhole covers to explode in Atlantic City. Lawmaker Wants Answers from NJ Transit on Delays New Jersey rail riders deserve better! That from Assemblyman John Wisniewski after learning about NJ Transit's recent report that 12 incidents in July alone led to major service disruptions this summer...and he wants answers. Christie Back from Vacation, Defends Hanson Report Governor Chris Christie (R), fresh off a two-week vacation, defends his position on the Hanson Commission Report concerning the future of gaming in New Jersey. Retailers Hoping for Improved Back to School Sales There is better news on the retailing front for this year's back to school shopping season. NJ Senate Budget Committee Discusses Civil Service Reforms The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee met Monday to discuss several bills in Governor Chris Christie's (R) toolkit and began discussing civil service reforms. State Senate Panel Discusses Charter Schools Legislation Under current law only the state Commissioner of Education may authorize a new charter school or revoke the license of an established one. Legislation under consideration by lawmakers in both houses of the Legislature would expand the authority to include the Rutgers Center for Effective School Practices, a proposal supporters hope will expand the number of authorizing entities and schools in the state. "Wii-habilitation" Takes Physical Therapy to Fun New Heights No one thinks physical rehabilitation from an injury or surgery is fun, but therapists across the nation, including some in New Jersey, have incorporated the use of the Wii video game system. You can call it Wii-habilitation. State DOT Launches Highway Cleanup and Maintenance Program The State Transportation Department has embarked on an ambitious plan to concentrate highway maintenance and cleanup forces in one area at a time to improve the appearance and efficiency of Jersey's transportation corridors. Toms River Nationals Advance to Little League World Series By scoring seven unanswered runs, starting with a four-run second inning, the Toms River National All-Stars defeated top seed Council Rock-Newtown, Pennsylvania 8-5 Monday night to advance to the Little League World Series, the first New Jersey team  to qualify since 1999. Actor Michael Douglas Has Tumor, Expects Full Recovery Michael Douglas has a tumor in his throat and will undergo radiation and chemotherapy.    The Academy Award-winning actor's treatment is scheduled to last eight weeks.    The 65-year-old Douglas says he expects to make a full recovery. He told People magazine in a statement Monday he's "very optimistic." His publicist's assistant Eli Barach confirmed his condition to The Associated Press.    Douglas won an Oscar for... Scientists Dispute Claims of Disappearing Oil in Gulf Georgia scientists say their analysis shows that most of that BP oil the government said was gone from the Gulf of Mexico is still there.    The scientists say as much as 80 percent of the oil still lurks under the surface. The Georgia team said it is a misinterpretation of data to claim that oil that is dissolved is actually gone. The report from University of Georgia and other scientists came from an analysis of federal estimates.    Earlier this... Feds Halt Deepwater Environmental Exemptions Oil companies won't be able to get any more of the exemptions that allowed BP to drill its blown-out well in the Gulf without much scrutiny.    The Obama administration says it will require environmental reviews for all new deepwater oil drilling.    Shallow-water drilling will also be subjected to stricter environmental scrutiny under the new policy. The biggest impact will be after the current moratorium on new deepwater drilling in the Gulf is... Court Halts California Gay Marriages, Pending Appeal Same-sex weddings in California are on hold indefinitely after a federal appeals court blocked the unions Monday while it considers the constitutionality of the state's gay marriage ban.    The decision, issued by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, trumps a lower court judge's order that would have allowed county clerks to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Wednesday.    Chief U.S. District Court Judge... Jets and Giants Open New Home Prince Dankwa walked through the parking lot at the New Meadowlands Stadium holding hands with his 8-year-old son, David about two hours before kickoff.    The 40-year-old Washingtonville, N.Y. man was clad in a green Jets' hat and shirt. His son wore an Eli Manning jersey in all its blueness.    In many ways the image was appropriate on a night the Jets and Giants played the first NFL football game at the $1.6 billion stadium that is co-owned by the... NJ Bicycle Cops Make DWI Stop Most drunk-driving stops aren't made by officers on two wheels.    But on Saturday, that's just what two Gloucester Township bicycle patrol officers did when they stopped a man who looked intoxicated leaving the parking lot of Bruno's Bar & Grill in his car.    The officers were able to get the driver to stop his vehicle and then conducted a field sobriety test.    The driver, 33-year-old Steven Domino of Gloucester Township,... Mets' Closer Rodriguez Has Torn Thumb Ligament Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has a torn thumb ligament in his pitching hand and will need surgery to repair the injury, which presumably was sustained when punching his girlfriend's father at Citi Field.    The Mets announced the  injury before Monday night's game at the Houston Astros. They said the reliever didn't travel to Texas with the team.    Rodriguez was suspended for two days without pay following the fight outside a family room at the... Federal DOT Proposes Installing Seatbelts in Motorcoaches Federal transportation officials are proposing that motorcoach operators be required to install seatbelts in their buses for the first time.    Under a regulation proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday, operators would have three years to install lap-shoulder belts.    Seatbelts can reduce deaths in motorcoach rollover accidents by an estimated 77 percent. The lack of seatbelts has been cited by investigators as a factor in several... Final Kill on Blown-Out Gulf Well Still At Least a Week Away Before the final seal is placed on the blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico, engineers from BP and the government are looking at ways to relieve pressure inside the well.    And retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen says that will lengthen the time it will take to do the final kill on the well. He says it will be about seven days after he gives the order before the well is dead.    Allen says there are two likely options right now. One would replace the... NJ Worker to Sue Companies Over Connecticut Plant Blast The lawyer for a worker injured in a Connecticut power plant explosion in February says his client will sue for $6 million.    Attorney William Bloss says he'll file a federal lawsuit Tuesday on behalf of 52-year-old Nicholas Novik,  of River Vale, N.J.    He says Middletown-based plant owner Kleen Energy Systems; Torrington-based general contractor O&G Industries Inc.; Rowley, Mass.-based Keystone Construction & Maintenance Services Inc.; and... Voters to Decide Fate of NJ Mayor Nabbed in Sting Voters in one northern New Jersey town are poised to decide whether to let a mayor arrested in last year's massive corruption sting keep his job.    Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez faces a recall vote Tuesday. He was among 44 people  arrested in a federal undercover operation last summer.    Suarez faces bribery and extortion charges for allegedly accepting $10,000 from an informant posing as a crooked developer.    Two other mayors... Christie Won't Weigh in on Mosque Debate New Jersey's governor says he won't weigh into the debate over plans to build a mosque near the World Trade Center site. NJ Dad Indicted in Death of Newborn A New Jersey father was indicted Monday on kidnapping and murder charges for allegedly throwing his infant daughter off a bridge and into the Raritan River in February. Gas Prices Fall As Crude Oil Declines There were some smiles at the gas pump on Monday as the average price of a gallon of unleaded regular dropped by a couple of cents across the country. NJ Kayaker Completes 740 Mile Journey A New Jersey paddler who completed a 740-mile solo kayaking trip from upstate New York to Maine says she'll never forget the moments of "incredible beauty, solitude and serenity." Law Updates How NJ Refers to "Disabled" New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has signed a law removing offensive references to disabled people from state statutes and regulations. DOT to Spruce Up NJ Roads Transportation Department maintenance teams will concentrate on ridding New Jersey's highways of litter, graffiti and overgrown vegetation. Ex-Skate Champ Bobek Sentenced to Probation Former U.S. figure skating champion Nicole Bobek has been sentenced to five years probation for her admitted role in a northern New Jersey drug distribution ring. Bobek choked up as she spoke of how sorry she was during sentencing in Jersey City on Monday. Jersey Organization Fighting to Help Children A Jersey organization that works for children has changed its name - but not its mission. Ex-Skate Champ Bobek Faces Sentencing Former U.S. figure skating champion Nicole Bobek faces sentencing Monday for her admitted role in a northern New Jersey drug distribution ring. NJ Fisherman Found in NY Lake Divers have recovered the body of a New Jersey man believed to have drowned after a boating accident on Oneida Lake, northeast of Syracuse. 2011 Budget Crunch Already Looming Over Cities and Towns Many local governments are predicting large budget shortfalls for 2011, a warning that next year's budget crunching may be even tougher than painful 2010. Many Teachers Will Start the School Year Without New Contracts Just three weeks before the start of the new school year and of 198 school districts in which teachers' contracts expired on June 30, 2010, about 80 percent are still in negotiations or at impasse. Jersey County Colleges - A Victim of Their Own Success For New Jersey's County Colleges, you might say it is the best and worst of times. While enrollment soars, they are seeing less and less Government funding. Residents Break New Ground in Attempt to Merge With Cherry Hill Residents belonging to a grassroots group in Merchantville are believed to be the first to use a state law that allows people to petition for a merger with a neighboring municipality without the approval of their own elected officials. For all the talk of consolidating services in tough budget times, consolidation rarely happens in New Jersey. The Merchantville group may show merger-hungry residents in other municipalities that at least getting the process started can be done without... State Effort to Preserve Quality of Life in Towns Advances A program to assist local towns in New Jersey to preserve the positive and smart aspects of local life for the future continues to advance. How Did NJ's Pension System Become Such a Disaster? New Jersey's public employee pension fund pays pensions to nearly 800,000 current and retired government workers, teachers and police and firefighters. The $66.9 billion fund is underfunded by about $46 billion as of last June 30. Some experts say the actual figure could be north of $100 billion. The unfunded liability is the gap between assets and anticipated payouts over time. Earthquake, Aftershocks Strike Guam A series of earthquakes ranging as powerful as magnitude 6.3 have struck in the Pacific Ocean off Guam less than a day after a large temblor hit the region.    Saturday's aftershocks were centered 230 miles south of Guam, the same area as the powerful 7.2-magnitude quake that hit earlier in the day, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.    In addition to the 6.3 temblor, aftershocks hit with magnitudes of 4.6, 4.7, 5.0, and 5.2. None posed a tsunami... Gay Couples Ask Appeals Court to Allow California Weddings California Attorney General Jerry Brown and lawyers for two couples who successfully sued to strike down the state's same-sex marriage ban are urging a federal appeals court to waste no time in allowing gay marriages to resume.    Sponsors of the ban have asked that they be blocked while they appeal a judge's ruling that struck down Proposition 8 as unconstitutional.    The plaintiffs lawyers filed their response to that request late Friday. They argue... Obama Claims GOP Trying to Destroy Social Security President Barack Obama is using the anniversary of Social Security to trumpet Democrats' support for the popular program and accuse Republicans of trying to destroy it.    Seventy-five years after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Social Security into law, Obama referred to it as a "promise" in his weekly radio and Internet address. He says the government has an obligation to safeguard Social Security for seniors, people with disabilities and all Americans... WikiLeaks "Will Not Be Threatened" By Pentagon WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says his organization will publish 15,000 documents from the Afghan war as planned despite warnings from the U.S.    The Pentagon says the information would be more damaging to security and risk more  lives than WikiLeaks' initial release of some 76,000 war documents.    Before the start of a seminar Saturday in Stockholm, Assange told reporters that "This organization will not be threatened by the Pentagon or any... President Obama Shows Clear Support For Ground Zero Mosque After skirting the issue for weeks, President Barack Obama is making it clear he supports the construction of a mosque near ground zero in New York City.    Obama says religious freedom was one of the nation's founding principles.    The president held a White House dinner Friday in celebration of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. He said Muslims have the same right as anyone else to practice their religion in this country.    He... Catch Down, Revenues Up For Northeast Fishermen The early returns for Northeast fishermen working under a major rules change shows their catch down 10 percent, but revenues up 17 percent. The numbers for the first three months of the fishing year, May to July, were posted on the Web by  federal regulators at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Regional fisheries chief Patricia Kurkul says the relatively stable numbers are cause for cautious optimism. Under the new system, fishermen work in groups to manage an... NJ Man Gets Jail Term For Hit & Run Caught on Video A New Jersey man will serve a 364-day jail term for a hit-and-run accident that critically injured a pedestrian and was caught on surveillance video.  Twenty-year-old Anthony Pane of Bayonne also must serve two years' probation and perform 100 hours of community service under the sentence imposed Friday.  He pleaded guilty in June to leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated assault by auto and endangering an injured victim.  The June 2009 crash... Bergen County Imposes Water Use Restrictions A northern New Jersey county has imposed mandatory restrictions on lawn watering at the request of the area's major water supplier.  Under an executive order issued Friday by Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney, county residents served by United Water New Jersey may water their lawns only every other day and only during certain hours. Last week, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch for five northern New Jersey... TSA Fines Student Who Breached Airport Security A graduate student from China who prompted a six-hour shutdown of a Newark Liberty International Airport terminal when he breached security to kiss his girlfriend goodbye has been fined an undisclosed amount by the Transportation Security Administration.  Haisong Jiang pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in March. He performed 100 hours of community service and paid a $658 fine.  The additional civil penalty ends the case against the Rutgers University doctoral... NJ Blogger Convicted of Threatening Judges A New Jersey blogger has been convicted of making threats against federal appeals court judges in Illinois. NJ Tresurer: July Revenues on Target New Jersey's treasurer says the $1.6 billion in July revenue collections is on track with projections. NJ Transit Seeks $885 Million in Federal Funds New Jersey Transit says it is seeking $885 million in new federal funding for infrastructure improvements on the busy Northeast Corridor rail line. Aid Helps States Escape Layoffs Cash-strapped states from Maine to Hawaii are tearing up the pink slips -- for now -- relieved that the $26 billion state aid bill passed by Congress this week has saved hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide. But it might be the last time the federal government comes to the rescue. NJ Bank Robber Faces 15-Year Sentence A man who robbed five New Jersey banks in 11 days faces a lengthy prison sentence and deportation. Judge Refuses to Block Transfer of Tree Funds A New Jersey judge has refused to stop a state agency from using money intended for tree replanting to maintain state parks instead. Vaccine Sales Up 16% in 2009, Still Growing Global sales of vaccines grew by a healthy 16 percent last year, when sales shot up to $22.1 billion, healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information reported Friday. NJ Corrections Officer Arrested A New Jersey corrections officer is charged with sexually assaulting a woman at the prison where he works. Trump Casinos Lose Tax Overpayment Appeal Donald Trump's three casinos in Atlantic City have lost an appeal to recover nearly $3 million in overpaid utility taxes. Power Usage Continues to Surge The operator of the thirteen-state, high-voltage electricity grid of which New Jersey is part, PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission company, said power usage set a record in June and July due to consistently high temperatures. PJM distributes power to 51 million people who cranked their air conditioners to stay cool. Series of Shootings in Lakewood Township Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford (photo by Jason Allentoff) Lawmakers Looking to Curb Government Waste and Abuse State Senator Don Norcross and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty are calling for a statewide offensive against spending and ethics abuses by enacting sweeping reforms that would apply to all public bodies - from the Governor's Office and the Legislature on down to county and local governments, state and county colleges and universities, school and fire districts, and including all independent state, county, and local authorities in New Jersey. Poll: NJ Residents Have Mixed Feelings About Governor Christie A new Rutgers-Eagleton poll finds most Jersey residents think Governor Christie is bright…but also very opinionated. NJ Teachers' Salary Increases the Lowest on Record New Jersey teachers' salary raises have been on the steady decline. In fact The New Jersey School Boards Association says average raises are dropping to the lowest point on record. Bill Package to Improve Barnegat Bay Advances Enviro Committees A joint panel of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee and the Senate Environment and Energy Committee chaired by Assemblyman John McKeon and Senator Bob Smith approved a multi-package of bills aimed at improving the health of Barnegat Bay. Keeping Rebate Check Senders in Check In these tough economic times many people are doing everything possible to save as much money as possible. Families still need to buy things though and many are choosing to purchase items that come with a manufacturer's rebate. A bill working its way through Trenton aims to prevent mailed rebate checks from being lost, stolen or thrown out. Credit Card Debt On the Rise A lesson of the Great Recession, from which millions of idle American workers are still extricating themselves, is supposed to be frugality: spend only what you have. However, new figures show that Americans are reaching for their credit cards more often. Forerclosures Climb in July, Down in New Jersey The news on the mortgage foreclosure front is a mixed bag of good and bad news. While July saw the national foreclosure rate rise 4 percent, New Jersey is doing better. NRC Report Turns Up Four Low Level Safety Violations at Oyster Creek Federal Nuclear Regulators discover 4 low level safety violations during its quarterly inspection of the nation's oldest operating nuclear generating facility. State Officials Solve the South Jersey Dead Fish Mystery State officials believe they've figured out why tens of thousands of bait fish turned up dead - and washed ashore in the Delaware Bay this week. Mets Pitcher Suspended Following Assault Charge New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has been suspended for two days by the team after he was charged with assaulting his father-in-law at a Citi Field family lounge following a game.    The suspension is without pay and was announced by the Mets before Thursday's game against Colorado.    Police say Rodriguez was arrested and held at the ballpark and charged with third-degree assault after Wednesday night's game. His father-in-law was in a hospital... WikiLeaks Preparing to Release More Afghan Files WikiLeaks spokesman Julian Assange says his organization is preparing to release the remaining secret Afghan war documents it has.    Assange says his organization is about halfway through those 15,000 secret files obtained by WikiLeaks. He gave no specific time frame, but assured an audience at London's Frontline Club that the files would be posted on the Internet.    The whistle-blower group has said the remaining documents were being held back from... Officials Testing Seal at BP's Busted Gulf Well Tests are under way to determine whether BP's broken well in the Gulf of Mexico has already been plugged for good.    Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the Obama administration's point man on the spill, says the tests should be finished and analyzed by early Friday.    The tests are checking pressure inside the well. Last month, a temporary cap on the gusher stopped the flow of oil into the Gulf. Mud and cement that was pumped in from above after the... NJ Lawmakers Advance Bills to Restore Barnegat Bay New Jersey lawmakers on a joint environmental panel have approved four bills designed to breathe new life into Barnegat Bay.    One bill regulates fertilizer content and restricts application near waterways.    Another bill creates soil restoration standards. Two others regulate stormwater runoff, including one that would allow Ocean County to charge developers a fee to repair old storm basins.    All four bills now head to the full... Poll: Voters Find Gov. Christie Stubborn, But Smart In a new poll, New Jerseyans say Gov. Chris Christie is stubborn but smart and independent.    The Rutgers-Eagleton Poll out Thursday finds Christie's favorability rating among registered voters is back up to February's level of 46 percent. But his unfavorable rating has risen also, to 39 percent.    At the same time, a majority of voters -- 58 percent -- think the first-year Republican governor's job performance has been only fair or poor. Polish Officials Object to Detention of Girl at NJ Airport A 12-year-old girl from Poland was detained at Newark Liberty Airport for nine hours last month by customs officials who threatened her after they discovered her brother is in the U.S. illegally, Polish officials allege in a complaint.    Ewelina Krzywda was en route to a camp in Pennsylvania on July 28, Deputy Consul General Marek Skulimowski said Thursday.    A woman sent by the camp to pick up Krzywda was told that only Krzywda's brother could pick... NTSB: Banner Plane Ran Out of Fuel Before 2008 Crash Investigators say a banner plane crashed in a residential area in Cape May County two summers ago because the pilot failed to calculate how much fuel he had remaining.    The report on the July 2008 crash was released Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board.    The plane went down in Middle Township behind the Catalina Motel, causing major traffic delays in the area.    Witnesses said the aircraft seemed to lose power... Another Man Pleads Guilty in NJ Warehouse Heist A Brooklyn man has admitted to plotting with others, including three New York City police officers, to rob a New Jersey perfume warehouse.    Thirty-five-year-old Danny Bannout pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Newark to robbery conspiracy and transportation of stolen goods.    He is the seventh defendant to plead guilty in the case.    The robbers entered the In-Style warehouse in Carlstadt on Feb. 9, held 11... NJ Lawmakers Advance Bills to Restore Barnegat Bay New Jersey lawmakers on a joint environmental panel have approved four bills designed to breathe new life into Barnegat Bay. One bill regulates fertilizer content and restricts application near waterways.  Another bill creates soil restoration  standards. Two others regulate stormwater runoff, including one that would allow Ocean County to charge developers a fee to repair old storm basins. All four bills now head to the full Senate and Assembly.  The Senate... DEP: Low Oxygen Levels Likely Cause of NJ Fish Die-off State environmental officials say low oxygen levels likely caused a massive fish die-off along the Delaware Bay in southern New Jersey.  The wash-up of small menhaden, most about 4 inches long, was discovered Wednesday morning.  It  occurred on about eight miles of shoreline from Kimbles Beach in Middle Township south to the Villas in Lower Township, just north of Cape May. Officials say water sampling conducted Thursday suggest that xygen levels in the bay were... Judge Delays Gay Marriages in California. A federal judge has ruled that gay marriages in California should remain on hold until at least Aug. 18.  Judge Vaughn Walker set the deadline Thursday to give gay marriage opponents time to appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. If the appeals court fails to act by 5 p.m. local time next Wednesday, then gay marriages can go forward. Walker struck down the state's voter-approved gay marriage ban last week in a case many believe is destined for the Supreme... NJ Man Charged in $200M Investment Fraud Federal prosecutors say a New Jersey man operated a real estate investment scheme that defrauded investors of at least $200 million. Burglary Charges Dismissed in NJ Double Slay Case A judge has dismissed some charges against a man accused of fatally shooting an Atlantic City casino cocktail waitress and her daughter. Cause of NJ Fish Die-off Under Investigation State environmental officials are trying to determine the cause of a massive fish die-off along the Delaware Bay in southern New Jersey. 61 Special Ed School Heads Make More than NJ Gov It's not clear whether salary caps that Gov. Chris Christie wants for New Jersey's school superintendents would apply to private schools funded with tax dollars.    Atlantic City Council Ignores Aide Ban Atlantic City's City Council wants to add another aide despite a state order to eliminate the positions. Barnegat Bay Health and Bills Discussed in Ocean County Today A joint legislative environment committee hearing is set to begin this morning at 10 a.m. in Toms River Town Hall. The focus will be on the health of the Barnegat Bay and other watersheds around the state. Measures crafted by Middlesex Assemblyman John McKeon and State Senator Bob Smith will get a look see including the ones related to fertilizer. Stafford Councilman John Spodofora says some of the ideas came from their local ordinance. New Data Reflects an Encouraging Trend for Jersey Home Sales Jersey's housing market is still struggling - home prices remain at lower levels, and many deals are taking longer to complete than they did 3 and 4 years ago - but new data shows home sales are doing better here than in many other parts of the country. 9/11 Workers Comp Deadline Approaching Lost in the publicity surrounding a congressional vote to defeat the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act and the growing dissatisfaction with a proposed lawsuit settlement for World Trade Center responders is an approaching deadline with potentially far-reaching consequences. New HBO Series Based in NJ is All About Murder, Corrpution and Mayhem First there was The Sopranos, then Jersey Shore.  Have you noticed? Whenever a TV series is set in Jersey, the plot always seems to revolve around gangsters, bimbos or bozos. Student Athletes to Learn About Brain Injuries The high school football season is right around the corner and many teams in New Jersey have already begun practicing. Same goes for soccer, field hockey and other inter-scholastic sports. Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Pat Diegnan, Craig  Coughlin, Thomas Giblin and Mila Jasey creating an awareness program on the prevention, risk and treatment of sports-related brain injuries has passed the full Assembly, but the State Senate has not taken action on the bill yet.... Study: Parents Realize Role in Preventing Teen Drug Use A new survey conducted by The Partnership For A Drug-Free New Jersey, finds that parents are more savvy and informed about drug and alcohol abuse than ever. The study also finds that parents see prescription drug abuse in particular is a serious threat in New Jersey. Ramadan Goes High-Tech With Cell Phone Apps High-tech modernism does not always have to collide with tradition. Sometimes the new and innovative can enhance age old experiences. As the Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins, Muslims are using cell phone applications to remind them to pray or locate mosques, among other uses. August is National Immunization Awareness Month The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is reminding New Jerseyans of all ages to protect themselves and their communities by catching up on their vaccinations. Obama Administration to Provide Housing Aid; NJ Getting $112-Million The Obama administration is providing $3 billion to unemployed homeowners facing foreclosure in the nation's toughest job markets.    The Treasury Department said Wednesday it will send $2 billion to 17 states that have unemployment  rates higher than the national average for a year. They will use the money for programs to aid unemployed homeowners. Some of those states have already designed such programs.    Another $1 billion will go to a new program... JetBlue Plays Coy About Flight Attendant Fiasco JetBlue is finally talking about its now-famous angry flight attendant ... sort of.    In a company blog posting, the airline poked fun at the attention directed at the case of Steven Slater, who Monday cursed out a passenger over a  plane's loud speaker and then jumped down the emergency slide.    But JetBlue didn't disclose any more information.    In a posting titled "Sometimes the weird news is about us," JetBlue noted... Tropical Depression Weakens Approaching Gulf Oil Spill Site A tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico is losing steam as it moves toward the site of the oil spill off Louisiana's coast.    The depression's maximum sustained winds were near 30 mph (45 kph) Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says it could dissipate instead of becoming Tropical Storm Danielle as it nears land around the mouth of the Mississippi River later Wednesday or Thursday morning.    A tropical storm warning remained in... Stocks Fall Sharply as Investors' Gloom Grows Stocks and interest rates are down sharply as investors take a bleaker view of the U.S. economy.    The Dow Jones industrial average has had its biggest loss in six weeks and all the major indexes are down than 2 percent. And the yield on the Treasury's 10-year note has fallen to its lowest level since March 2009 as investors seek the safety of government securities.    Investors' gloom has deepened a day after the Federal Reserve said it would begin... Two NJ Lawmakers Look to Save Water Gap Buildings Two federal lawmakers from New Jersey are asking the National Park Service to set aside a plan to demolish dozens of old buildings in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.    Republican Rep. Scott Garrett and Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg said Wednesday they want the park service to explore ways to save neglected structures and to work with groups interested in preserving them.    The park service says it doesn't have enough money to... Downed Tree in NJ Causes Northeast Amtrak Delays Train passengers along Amtrak's busy Northeast Corridor confronted delays of up to two hours after a fallen tree knocked out power and rail signals Wednesday morning, but the delays had mostly ended by the evening commute.    The tree took down overhead power wires near Hamilton, N.J., around 5:30 a.m., causing delays between New York City and Philadelphia, Amtrak spokesman Cliff Cole said. Amtrak trains were able to move again by 8 a.m. but at greatly reduced speeds. Newark Firefighters Control Seven-Building Blaze Fire officials in New Jersey's largest city say they have controlled a blaze that damaged seven buildings on a residential block in New Jersey's largest city.    Authorities say the fire broke out shortly before 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in an abandoned building at South 20th and Ferdinand streets, about two miles west of the downtown area.    Hot weather and low water pressure hampered the firefighting effort.    Two buildings burned to... Former NJ Cop Charged Hit-and-Run Makes Court Appearance A retired police detective charged in the hit-and-run death of a South Jersey teenager has made a first appearance in municipal court.    Sixty-three-year-old Anthony Scaltrito of Hammonton is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident and tampering with evidence.    He turned himself in to Hamilton Township police Saturday night, about 24 hours after 15-year-old Justin Montgomery of Hammonton was killed while crossing Route 50. Dead Fish Washing Up on NJ's Delaware Bay Beaches Tens of thousands of dead fish have washed ashore along the Delaware Bay in southern New Jersey.    State environmental and wildlife officials say it's not yet clear what killed the fish, which appear to exclusively small menhaden, also known as peanut bunker.    The wash-up, discovered Wednesday morning, encompassed a large stretch of the shoreline just north of Cape May. The heaviest amounts were in an area of Middle Township known as Pierce's... Another NJ College to Go Smoke-Free Salem Community College is the latest New Jersey campus to go tobacco-free.    Starting Sunday, smoking or use of any tobacco product on college property will be prohibited.    The new policy will apply to the college's Carneys Point campus and all of its satellite facilities.    Salem will be the sixth New Jersey community college to go smoke-free. Gloucester County College is scheduled to become the seventh on Sept. 1. Police Kill NJ Domestic Violence Suspect Prosecutors say a New Jersey man about to be arrested on domestic violence charges was fatally shot by police after he pointed a handgun at officers.    Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Peter DeMarco Jr. said Franklin Township police went to 60-year-old Arthur McDougald's home at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday after his daughter called 911 and said McDougald was assaulting her mother.    McDougald was outside at the rear of the home when officers arrived. J&J Discloses More Subpoenas Over Consumer Recalls Johnson & Johnson says it's now received multiple subpoenas from the federal government related to repeated recalls of Tylenol and other consumer health products.    The grand jury subpoenas request "documents broadly relating to" both the recent recalls of products made by McNeil Consumer Healthcare and inspections of two of the unit's factories.    One of the plants, in the Philadelphia suburb of Fort Washington, has been shut down since... Head of NJ Mailing Company Admits $4.5-Million Fraud The head of a New Jersey bulk mailing company has admitted bilking customers of more than $4.5 million by charging them for services the company never performed.    Sixty-one-year-old Arthur Marino of Englewood pleaded guilty Monday  in U.S. District Court in Newark to wire fraud conspiracy.    Prosecutors say his company, Carlstadt-based New Tech, contracted with clients to handle large mailings. They say New Tech dumped mail and created bogus postal... Christie Gets Failing Grade for Highlands An environmental group says state government is failing to adequately protect the picturesque Highlands Region of northwest New Jersey that is the source of drinking water for 5 million residents. Newark Firefighters Battle Big Blaze Newark officials say firefighters have controlled a blaze that damaged seven buildings on a residential block in New Jersey's largest city. Jobs Uncertain for Laid-Off NJ Teachers With the news that New Jersey will receive nearly $270 million in federal money to spend on saving teaching jobs, many of the state's unemployed educators are waiting to hear whether they'll be rehired. Downed Tree Causes Massive Train Delays Train passengers along Amtrak's busy Northeast Corridor faced delays of up to two hours after a fallen tree knocked out power and rail signals Wednesday. Man Who Killed Casino Boss Sentenced A Pennsylvania man who admitted gunning down an Atlantic City casino supervisor last year has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison without parole. NJ Sheriff to Take Port Authority Post A long-serving New Jersey sheriff has abruptly resigned to take a post with the Port Authority Police Department. AP: NJ GOP Fails to Donate Scandal-Tainted Money New Jersey's Republican State Committee has most of the money donated by a crooked real estate developer a year after pledging to give the tainted contributions to charity. Man Who Killed Casino Boss to be Sentenced A judge on Wednesday is set to sentence the Pennsylvania man who admitted gunning down an Atlantic City casino supervisor. Governor Christie Will Seek Extra Federal Education Money After All A few days ago - right before Congress voted on a 26 billion dollar jobs bill - Governor Christie - through a spokesman - said he wasn't sure whether he was going to apply for an extra 268 million dollars in education funding the state would be eligible to receive if the measure was passed - money that could pay the salaries of thousands of teachers and school support staff - because he did not yet know the potential unintended consequences of accepting it. Environmental Groups Rally for Water Quality Protections The Senate and Assembly Environmental Committees hold a joint hearing this week on state water quality protections and ecosystem health. In advance of that, environmentalists from the NJ Environmental Federation, Jersey Coast Anglers, American Littoral Society, Pinelands Conservation Alliance and others held a rally along the bay in Lavallette. Sen Prez Questions Governor's Credibility Senate President Steve Sweeney is questioning Governor Chris Christie's judgment in "cavalierly declaring he might defy a law that passed with bipartisan support and that he himself championed and signed." Christie recently said he was considering not making a minimum payment next year to the state pension system, contrary to law passed in March to put the state on a seven-year path to meeting its full obligation. Seaside's Casino Pier Skyride Injury - A Fall or Jump? The State Department of Community Affairs confirmed that they're investigating but will not comment on the fall and injury of a teenager from a Casino Pier Amusement Park ride Sunday night. Lawmaker Still Pushing Homebuyer Tax Credit In the spring, the full legislature in bi-partisan fashion passes a bill to create a homebuyers tax credit in New Jersey. Nearly three weeks ago, Governor Chris Christie vetoed the legislation. The measure's sponsor is hoping that a full explanation  of how the credit would really work could lead to the possibility of a veto override. Search Continues for Camden Woman Who Triggered Del. River Search Where is Shelly Perez? Authorities would like to find her. The Camden woman's story triggered an eight-hour search in the Delaware River that started at about 4 o'clock Tuesday morning, but police still can't say whether she told the truth. For the sake of her kids, authorities hope she did not. Graffiti in Jackson a Bias Incident Police in Jackson are searching for answers in an act of criminal mischief they're handling as a bias incident. Fed Moves to Stimulate Economy While Keeping Rates Low The Federal Reserve leaves interest rates at record lows, but the real news from their latest meeting is a small but signifigant policy reversal they hope will stimulate the economy. 3rd District Congressional Race Already Hot According to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll, in New Jersey's heated 3rd congressional district, incumbent democrat John Adler holds a narrow lead over republican challenger Jon Runyan among all registered voters. Experts: More People Vacationing, But Spending Less A recent American Express survey found that 80% of travelers are trying to trim vacation costs... Former Alaska Senator Stevens Dies in Plane Crash Federal investigators say the plane carrying former Sen. Ted Stevens crashed into a mountain with such force that it left a 300-foot gash on the slope.    NTSB chairwoman Deborah Hersman provided new details about the Monday crash in a rugged section of Alaska.    She said the group had left a lodge for a salmon fishing camp and crashed about 15 minutes later. A doctor and two EMTs were flown to the scene three hours later and tended to the injured... Tropical Depression Forms in Gulf, Heads For Spill The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is headed toward the oil spill site off the coast of Louisiana.    BP and Coast Guard officials had already decided to stop drilling on a relief well on Tuesday, before forecasters declared the storm off the southwestern part of Florida a depression.    A tropical storm warning was issued for much of the Gulf Coast affected by the oil spill, from Destin, Fla.,... JetBlue Flight Attendant Who Exited Plane on Slide Makes Bail A JetBlue flight attendant who argued with a passenger on a plane before making a grand exit down its emergency slide has been released on bail in New York.    A spokesman for the city's jails confirms Steven Slater was released Tuesday night. Slater was picked up by a minivan and driven away.    Department of Correction spokesman Stephen Morello doesn't have details on who posted the $2,500 bail.    Slater has been charged with... Obama to Sign Manufacturing Bill on Wednesday The White House says President Barack Obama will sign a bill on Wednesday that will help U.S. manufacturers by reducing and suspending some tariffs on certain materials they must import to make their products.    Obama is scheduled to sign the bill at the White House.    The National Association of Manufacturers says it will help create jobs, cut costs for businesses and consumers and boost U.S. exports. The industry trade group says studies show that... Obama Signs Bill to Help Teachers, Police Officers President Barack Obama has signed a bill that he says will save hundreds of thousands of teachers and other public workers from unemployment.    Obama signed the measure into law just hours after the House passed it in a special one-day session during what would normally be the lawmakers' summer break.    The $26 billion bill would protect 300,000 teachers, police and others from election-year layoffs. Obama and Democrats said quick action was necessary... Brazil Tops U.S. in Soccer Match at New Meadowlands Stadium Neymar scored in his national team debut, Alexandre Pato added a goal late in the first half and new-look Brazil rolled over the United States 2-0 Tuesday night in the first match for both nations since a disappointing World Cup.    Neymar, the 18-year-old Santos sensation, had just switched with Robinho and moved from the left flank to the center. Andre Santos came down the left side and crossed, and Neymar beat Jonathan Bornstein and sent a header inside Tim Howard's left... NJ Murder Suspect Indicted in Colorado on Fraud Charges A former Colorado Springs man accused of murdering his father in New Jersey in a plot to obtain insurance money has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver for an alleged mortgage fraud scheme.    The U.S. attorney's office in Denver says 43-year-old William Silvi was indicted Tuesday for wire and mail fraud and money laundering in a scheme to defraud financial institutions and commercial lenders to obtain money and property. Authorities say the transactions... NJ to Apply For $268-Million in Federal Education Money A spokesman for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says the administration will apply for $268 million in federal education aid approved by Congress.    Democrats say the funding will save 300,000 teachers, police and others from election-year layoffs. They estimate 3,900 teaching jobs in New Jersey will be saved.    The state would still be eligible for the money even if the governor chose not to apply for it, but the U.S. Department of Education would... NJ Endures Another Hot and Humid Day If you can't take the heat, get out of New Jersey.    Temperatures topped out in the mid-90s in parts of the Garden State Tuesday. The heat, combined with the humidity, made it feel like 100 degrees.    The National  Weather Service says a weak cold front should move through the region on Wednesday. That should be followed by slightly cooler and less humid air. Devils Working on New Kovalchuk Deal The New Jersey Devils are working on another deal to sign Ilya Kovalchuk.    Less than 24 hours after an arbitrator ruled that the NHL acted correctly in voiding Kovalchuk's landmark $102 million contract with New Jersey, team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said the Devils will continue working to re-sign the high scoring Russian.    Lamoriello refused on Tuesday to comment on the ruling by Richard Bloch. The arbiter ruled Monday that... U.S. Report Shows Drop in Dangerous Staph Illnesses Government research shows hard-to-treat staph infections caught in hospitals or through medical treatment are becoming scarcer.    The decline is in a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report on methicillin-resistant staph, or MRSA. CDC researchers examined incidence of MRSA infections that can become deadly -- including those that invade the bloodstream and flesh.    Cases declined about 16 percent between 2005 and 2008 in nine... Fed Takes Small Step to Bolster Recovery Worried about the economy, the Federal Reserve is taking a small step to bolster the sputtering recovery.    At the end of its meeting Tuesday, the Fed said it will use money from its investments in mortgage securities to buy government debt on a small scale. That could help nudge down long term rates on mortgages and corporate debt but wouldn't have a dramatic impact.    The Fed says economic growth will be "more modest" than it had thought... Storm in Gulf Delays Relief Well Drilling The government's point man for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico says crews drilling a relief well to permanently stop the oil will suspend their work until storms pass.    Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen says the suspension could delay completion of the relief well by two or three days.    Crews will pop in a temporary plug to keep what they've drilled so far safe, but they won't have to remove the drill or send workers back to land. They have... Government Probe Finds No New Safety Defects in Runaway Toyotas Government investigators have found no new safety defects beyond problems with accelerator pedals that explain reports of sudden acceleration in Toyotas, according to preliminary findings by the Transportation Department.    Safety experts have said vehicle electronic systems could be to blame for the massive recalls but the initial review by the government has found no evidence of those problems.    Toyota has recalled about 9.5 million cars and trucks... House Passes Bill to Help Teachers, Public Workers The House has passed a $26 billion jobs bill to protect 300,000 teachers and other nonfederal government workers from election-year layoffs.    House Democratic leaders summoned lawmakers back to Washington during their summer break  to act on the measure, saying that Congress could not sit idle when thousands of kids were preparing to go back to schools with depleted teaching staffs.    The majority of Republicans voted against the bill, which now goes... NJ to Delay Mental Health Outpatient Care Law Citing lack of money, the Christie administration is delaying implementation of a law allowing families to seek involuntary commitment of mentally ill loved ones to outpatient treatment programs.    Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez said Tuesday that the law would not take effect as scheduled this month.    She said the state would have needed to divert money from other mental health services programs to support this one.    Police Find Missing NJ Man After Issuing Silver Alert Princeton Township police say an 87-year-old man whose disappearance prompted New Jersey authorities to issue a Silver Alert has been found unhurt.    Mount Laurel police found Karl Hernquist of Princeton Township in his vehicle at about 11:15 a.m. Tuesday.    Police say Hernquist left home Monday morning to go to a Wegman's supermarket in West Windsor.    At 6:15 p.m., he called a family member to say he was trying to find his way... Atlantic City Casinos See 5 Percent July Revenue Drop Atlantic City casino revenues dropped again in July as competition heated up from the introduction of table games in Pennsylvania and a weekend air conditioning failure hurt results at two properties. Guard Suspends Search for Kids in River Off Philly The Coast Guard is suspending its search of the Delaware River after finding no evidence to support a woman's claim that she had thrown her baby and two young children off a bridge. Troubled Xanadu Project Now in Hands of Creditors Creditors have taken over the troubled Xanadu retail and entertainment complex, and a spokesman for the lenders says the group is negotiating with companies to revive the stalled $2 billion project. 35,000 New Jerseyans to Get "Donut Holes" Checks The U.S. Health Department says it has mailed out the third round of one-time, tax-free $250 rebate checks to help cover the so-called Medicare "donut hole." Families of Philly Duck Boat Victims File Suit The families of two Hungarian tourists killed in a duck boat accident on the Delaware River last month have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Philadelphia. WHO Says Swine Flu Pandemic is Over The World Health Organization declared the swine flu pandemic officially over Tuesday, months after many national authorities started canceling vaccine orders and shutting down hot lines as the disease ebbed from the headlines. Multi-Billion Dollar Jobs Bill Could Save Thousands of NJ Teacher Jobs Representatives of Jersey's Congressional delegation are back in Washington today- with other members of the House - to vote on a 26 billion dollar jobs bill. NJ Thirsts for Rain as Officials Weigh Extending Drought Watch If your lawn was once lush and green but now crunches dry under your boots, you can blame a dry spell that followed one of the wettest one-year periods in state history. As state officials weigh extending a drought watch now in effect in five northern New Jersey counties to other regions of the state, experts say it is difficult in the mid-Atlantic region to forecast whether there will be extended rainfall. Same-Sex Marriage Debate Refueled in NJ Assembly Deputy Speaker John McKeon is hailing last week's ruling by a federal judge in San Francisco to overturn California's same-sex marriage ban as a landmark decision that will move the country toward granting equal rights to same-sex couples. McKeon is a prime sponsor of New Jersey's Civil Unions Act and the failed Same-Sex Marriage Act. Struggling Economy Pinches Jersey Boating Industry As the economy continues to slowly come back ,a number of industries in Jersey are struggling to keep their heads above water - including the boating industry. Gas Prices to Remain Pretty Stable Through Summer's End Other than a small spike last week of about 4 cents, New Jersey drivers have seen prices at the pump remain pretty steady. The good news is this is where things should stay for the rest of the summer, unless there is a major hurricane. Lawmakers Urge Probe Into School Food Service Provider Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein and Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo have fired off a letter to State Attorney General Paula Dow urging her to launch an investigation into the financial dealings of multi-national food service provider Sodexo. The company that reportedly earns $4 billion annually recently settled a $20 million lawsuit after an investigation showed they violated state and federal law by hiding vendor rebates in connection with services proved to 21 school districts and the... Oyster Research Project in the Keyport Harbor is Shut Down The New York/New Jersey Baykeeper removed most of the 50,000 oysters from its research project in the Keyport Harbor Monday and disposed of them as solid waste in order to comply with order by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Frugality the Key to Happiness? The recession, housing bust and millions of job losses have made millions of Americans consider the question: how much is enough? JetBlue Flight Attendant Arrested After NYC Ruckus Police say a JetBlue flight attendant who got into an altercation with a passenger on a plane arriving in New York City and deployed an emergency exit slide so he could flee has been arrested.    They say Steven Slater was arrested on charges including criminal mischief and reckless endangerment following Monday's incident at John F. Kennedy International Airport.    Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police say Slater was working on a JetBlue... Former Vice President Cheney Released From Hospital Former Vice President Dick Cheney has been released from a suburban Washington hospital following heart surgery last month.    A Cheney spokesman said in a statement that the former vice president was released Monday morning from Inova Fairfax Heart and Vascular Institute in Northern Virginia.    The statement says Cheney will continue his recovery at his home.    The 69-year-old former vice president has been suffering from... Despite Colin, NJ Surf Conditions Improve Lifeguards say the ocean was not as rough at New Jersey beaches Monday, with fewer rescues than were needed over the weekend.    Conditions remained rougher than normal, however, due to remnants of former tropical storm Colin moving  northward well off the coast.    Fog over portions of the shore kept people out of the water Monday morning.    Lifeguards at Barnegat Light reported dangerous rip currents. Capt. Don Abrams says they... Two Dead in Camden Shootings Camden police say two men have been killed in a shooting in the city.    Police say 25-year-old Usama Eason and a 33-year-old male, both from Camden, were shot at about 4 p.m. Monday at 32nd Street and Fremont Avenue.    Eason was pronounced dead at Cooper University Hospital.    The name of the second victim was not immediately released pending notification of relatives.    The Camden County Prosecutor's Office... Northwest NJ Forest Fire Contained The New Jersey Forest Fire Service says it has contained a wildfire that burned 250 acres in the Worthington State Forest near the northwestern corner of the state.    The fire has closed a segment of the Appalachian Trail near the Delaware Water Gap.    Division Forest Fire Warden Mike Hennessey said Monday that the fire was ignited Friday by a campfire lit in an area where campfires are not allowed.    The area that burned is... Jets Owner Not Optimistic About Revis Deal Jets owner Woody Johnson is not optimistic that a deal for All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis will be done by the beginning of the regular season.    The Jets rejected an offer proposed by Revis' agents on Friday during a meeting at a diner in Roscoe. Johnson offered a stern, "The answer's no," when asked Monday if he felt a deal could be done by Week 1.    Agents Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod met with general manager Mike Tannenbaum and... Arbiter Sides with NHL in Voiding Kovalchuk Deal with Devils Ilya Kovalchuk is back on the free-agent market.    An arbiter has decided that the NHL acted correctly in voiding Kovalchuk's landmark $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.    The league had rejected the 17-year contract, saying the longest deal in league history violated its salary cap.    The NHL Players Associaton filed a grievance against the league. A hearing was held last week and arbiter Richard Bloch sided with... NJ Oyster Bed Restoration Project Removed The NY/NJ Baykeeper has removed an oyster research project from coastal waters classified as polluted.    Baykeeper volunteers removed the oysters Monday to comply with an order from New Jersey environmental regulators.    The Department of Environmental Protection said it ordered the removal of the Keyport Harbor shellfish research project over concerns that poachers could raid the oyster reef.    DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said... Honda Recalls 2003 Accords, Civics Honda Motor Co. is recalling the popular Accord and Civic passenger cars from the 2003 model year to address problems with an ignition switch that could allow the key to be removed without the transmission being shifted into park.    The recall involves 384,220 vehicles and also includes 2003-2004 model years of the Honda Element.    Honda says in a posting with the government that the problem with the automatic transmissions could lead to a vehicle... BP Resumes Drilling Relief Well The government's point man on the Gulf oil spill says BP has resumed drilling a relief well meant to intersect the blown-out well and seal it for good.    Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said Monday that cement forced down from the top of the crippled well last week has hardened enough that workers could begin drilling the final 100 feet of the relief well.    Engineers were drilling 20 or 30 feet at a time, then pausing to make sure they were still... FDA Clot Device Advisory Tells of Patients' Risks The government is advising doctors and patients about problems with implanted medical filters designed to trap deadly blood clots.    The Food and Drug Administration's advisory Monday says these filters can move or break, especially when they're left in too long. The FDA has received more than 900 reports about problems with the filters since 2005.    The advisory coincides with the release of a study about life-threatening problems in patients at a... Study: Belly Bulge Can Be Deadly for Older Adults Do your pants feel a bit tight around the waistline?    A new study says belly bulge can be deadly for older adults, even those who aren't overweight or obese by other measures. It's one of the largest studies to examine the dangers  of abdominal fat.    The findings suggest men and women with the biggest waistlines have twice the risk of dying over a decade compared to those with the smallest tummies. That's also the case for people whose weight is... NJ Assembly Speaker to Receive Black Caucus Award The first black woman to head New Jersey's Assembly will be honored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington.    Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver will receive the organization's Phoenix Award this fall. The award is given to people who make significant contributions to society.    Other honorees this year are entertainer Harry Belafonte, journalist Simeon Booker and choreographer Judith Jamison.    Past recipients... All-Pro Cornerback Revis' Agents Meet with Jets The agents for holdout cornerback Darrelle Revis say they have met with Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and given the team a written contract proposal.    Agent Neil Schwartz told the Associated Press on Monday that he and partner Jonathan Feinsod are now awaiting a response from the team.    Schwartz and Feinsod sat down with Tannenbaum and Jets director of football administration Ari Nissim last Friday at a diner in Roscoe, N.Y. Tannenbaum was... Former NJ Union Official Admits Taking Kickbacks A former New Jersey union official has admitted accepting kickbacks from a company he hired to install electronic equipment at the union's offices.    Dennis J. Giblin of Jersey City pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Newark to receiving kickbacks and embezzlement.    Giblin was administrator of the Local 68 Education Fund, sponsored by Local 68 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.    Prosecutors say the... Appeals Court Hands NJ a Defeat in Music Law Case The state of New Jersey has been handed a setback in a case involving the Truth In Music Act.    A federal appeals court ruled last week that the state Attorney General's Office must pay attorneys' fees to the promoter of groups that billed themselves as the Platters and Coasters, two legendary doo-wop groups.    Former New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram sought a restraining order in 2007 to force the groups to call themselves "tribute"... Two NJ Landfills Agree to Reduce Gas Emissions The U.S. Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency say they have reached agreements to resolve problems with gas emissions at two landfills in central New Jersey.    The agreements announced Monday involve the Middlesex County and Edgeboro landfills in East Brunswick.    Under the agreements, both facilities will upgrade their gas collection systems, conduct regular monitoring and make other improvements to meet federal clean air... Camden Mayor Looks to Keep Libraries Open Officials in one of the nation's poorest cities are working to keep the libraries open. NJ's India Day Parade Biggest Ever Thousands of spectators lined the one-mile route for central New Jersey's largest India Day parade ever. Police Investigate 2 Shootings in Somerset County Authorities are investigating two shootings that took place separately early Sunday morning in Franklin Township despite uncooperative victims. House Members Scurry Back to Pass Jobs Bill House members are returning to Washington from their summer recess to quickly pass a jobs bill that Democrats say is crucial to the nation's well-being. BP Plans to Continue Relief Well Work This Week The oil that poured into the Gulf for more than 12 weeks has been forced back underground and BP engineers expect to spend this week drilling the final leg of a relief well to complete the "bottom kill" designed to permanently seal the leaking well. Catholics Make Trek to Suburban Philly Shrine Scores of pilgrims have been spending the weekend trekking from New Jersey to suburban Philadelphia in an annual pilgrimage to the shrine of a Catholic saint. NJ Sheriff Told to Fire 8 Patronage Investigators The state Civil Service Commission says Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale must fire eight investigators because he has too many patronage appointments. Cash-Hungry States Add Casinos; Lure Some Gamblers Cash-starved states are increasingly being drawn to the lure of easy money in casinos -- a bet that could ultimately hurt taxpayers if the supply of slot machines, poker tables and racetracks outpaces customers' demand. Statue of Liberty to Get New Staircase for Safety A set of 354 narrow steps spirals all the way up to the Statue of Liberty's crown, and it's the only escape route for tourists in an emergency. Rip Currents Possible Along Jersey Coast Lifeguards might have to restrict swimmers from going in the ocean at New Jersey beaches Monday. Doctors Say Women Need to Loose the Heavy Handbag Ladies how big is your handbag? Traditionally, the bigger the bag, the more stuff you put in it. But physicians warn that consistently carrying heavy handbags can cause long term physical problems. Sports Betting Won't Save NJ Horse Racing Industry Governor Chris Christie is calling for the state to get out of the horse racing business, all part of a push to overhaul the state's gaming, sports and entertainment industries. Christie is also backing a recommendation to close or sell the state-owned and financially struggling Meadowlands Racetrack. No Plan Yet for Medical Marijuana Implementation Rutgers University has taken a pass on Governor Chris Christie's plan to be included as a grower and research facility under the state's medicinal marijuana law. Before going on vacation Christie was asked how things are going as far as implementing  the new law. Survey to Find Out More About NJ Beaches A survey of shore users is being conducted now through Labor Day to find out what you like and dislike about beaches and waterfront areas. NJ Military Sees Opportunity in Stagnant Job Market After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, military recruitment soared on patriotic fervor. Nearly a decade later, officials say career opportunity may have surpassed patriotism in helping the New Jersey National Guard and other branches exceed recruitment and retention goals. With unemployment hovering around double-digits, more civilians are seeking the free college tuition and highly technical job training available in the military. Study: Americans Taking on Extra Work Thanks to Layoffs Working more for the same or less pay? Join the Recession of '07 club. A study by MetLife found that 56 percent of American workers have taken on extra tasks over the past two years thanks to staff cuts, according to a report by MSNBC. Retailers Work Hard to Entice Teen Buyers The battle for back-to-school dollars is giving parents more affordable choices for back-to-school clothing for teens, especially when teens these days dont have the cash to shop for themselves. New Video Explains Juror Duties When you get a jury duty notice in the mail, do you happily report to the County courthouse, or do you try to figure out some way to get out of it? NJ Lawmaker Pushes Measure to Post Warnings About Lead Paint Lead paint was banned more than 30 years ago, but one Jersey lawmaker is concerned about the threat that it still could pose. NJ Education May Benefit From Federal Stimulus Bill A lifeline may be extended to some New Jersey teachers next week if the House approves a $26 billion federal stimulus bill. But the narrow timeframe in which the infusion of school funds can be used before the new school year begins has left some administrators with little more than guarded optimism."I want to see the criteria of this funding and I’d like to see the parameters," said Johanna Ruberto, superintendent of the Manville school district. "We’ll be prudent... Tropical Storm Colin Heads For Bermuda Tropical Storm Colin is heading toward Bermuda, while Tropical Storm Estelle has formed in the Pacific.    Colin's center is expected to pass near or over Bermuda on Saturday. A tropical storm warning was issued for the British territory, and authorities closed beaches, warning of high winds and dangerous surf.    Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say the center of the storm is moving north around 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45... CDC: Multi-Product Tobacco Users Increase Health Risks Federal health experts say use of multiple forms of tobacco is increasing the risk of health problems associated with smoking.    A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health links the use of cigarettes in combination with other forms of tobacco to higher nicotine addition. An analysis of the findings shows that makes it harder to quit and increases the risk of health problems such as stroke, heart disease, and... Space Station Astronauts Tackle Urgent Repair Job Astronauts are gearing up for some of the most challenging and urgent repairs ever attempted at the International Space Station.    At sunrise Saturday, two NASA astronauts will go out on a spacewalk to replace a broken ammonia pump. The pump shut down last weekend and knocked out half of the space station's cooling system. The pump is supposed to drive ammonia through the lines and prevent equipment from overheating.    Engineers worked... BP Seeks Final Kill of Blown Out Gulf Well BP is preparing for a final push next week to plug its blown out well from the bottom as the oil company closes the books on a defining period in the fight against the spill.    More than three months after the Deepwater Horizon rig  exploded and triggered one of the world's worst oil spills, authorities weighed how to gather evidence from the mile-deep waters. It could help investigators determine what happened -- and who could be at fault.    Crews... Kagan Set to Become Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan won't be a general much longer as she prepares to take up the mantle as Supreme Court Justice.    Kagan is to be sworn in Saturday as the fourth woman ever to serve on the high court and the successor to retired Justice John Paul Stevens. There will now be three women on the court at the same time.    Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in Kagan twice on Saturday. She will recite one oath as prescribed by the Constitution during a private... "Jersey Shore" Introduces New Cast Member Snooki has a new roommate.    Deena Nicole Cortese, a 23-year-old New Jersey native, has joined the cast of "Jersey Shore."    Her addition to the show's gang of hard-partying twentysomethings was announced Friday at a meeting of the Television Critics Association. She had widely been rumored to have joined the MTV reality TV series since production on new episodes began last month in Seaside Heights, N.J.    Cortese joins... "Jersey Shore" Introduces New Cast Member Snooki has a new roommate.    Deena Nicole Cortese, a 23-year-old New Jersey native, has joined the cast of "Jersey Shore."    Her addition to the show's gang of hard-partying twentysomethings was announced yesterday at a meeting of the Television Critics Association. She had widely been rumored to have joined the MTV reality TV series since production on new episodes began last month in Seaside Heights, N.J.    Cortese... NJ Turnpike Crash Injures Four People, Kills Horse Authorities say a chain-reaction collision near New Brunswick caused major delays on the southbound New Jersey Turnpike and killed a horse being transported by one of the vehicles involved.    New Jersey State Police say the crash involving a passenger bus, a pickup truck towing a horse trailer and a tractor-trailer happened shortly before 1:30 p.m. Friday in Milltown, about a mile south of Exit 9.    State Police spokesman Sgt. Julian Castellanos said... NJ Serial Rapist Sentenced A serial rapist who sexually assaulted women in three northern New Jersey cities has been sentenced to 35 years in state prison.    Two of his victims watched Friday as 35-year-old Nealson Connell of Bayonne was given the maximum sentence under his plea deal. He pleaded guilty in April to four counts of aggravated sexual assault.    Statements from three victims were read, and the fourth spoke in court of the terror she felt while being attacked. Democrats Consider Future of NJ Casinos, Tracks New Jersey Democrats say a Republican proposal to revive Atlantic City's struggling casinos by exerting more state control over the gaming capital lacks specifics and undercuts the horse racing industry.    A 10-member panel of Democratic lawmakers convened Friday at Atlantic City's Convention Center to dissect Gov. Chris Christie's recent recommendations for the future of gaming, horse racing and entertainment.    The hearing was the first of three... Democrats Consider Future of NJ Casinos, Tracks New Jersey Democrats say a Republican proposal to revive Atlantic City's struggling casinos by exerting more state control over the gaming capital lacks specifics and undercuts the horse racing industry.    A 10-member panel of Democratic lawmakers convened yesterday at Atlantic City's Convention Center to dissect Gov. Chris Christie's recent recommendations for the future of gaming, horse racing and entertainment.    The hearing was the first of three... 20 Year Term for NJ Man Who Shot at Police Officer A man who admitted shooting at an Atlantic City police officer has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. NJ Rail Conductor Admits Illegally Selling Tickets A former New Jersey Transit rail conductor has admitted stealing from his employer by selling bundles of train tickets and keeping the cash. Accused Killer of NJ Priest Claims They Had Affair A janitor charged in the stabbing death of a New Jersey priest has claimed that he attacked the clergyman because he refused to end a four-year sexual affair. NY Area Airports to Get Full-Body Scanners Soon Full-body scanners are coming to the New York-area airports in September. 4 Injured, Traffic Delayed By NJ Turnpike Crash A three-vehicle accident is causing major delays on the southbound New Jersey Turnpike near New Brunswick. Dems Consider Future of NJ Casinos, Tracks About 300 people are attending a Democratic hearing in Atlantic City Friday on the future of New Jersey's casino and horse racing industries. Industry leaders and policy experts are discussing recommendations Gov. Chris Christie unveiled last month. Reputed Mob Underboss Gets Probation A judge in New Jersey on Friday sentenced a reputed Philadelphia mob underboss to a year's probation for spitting in a police officer's eye. Early Budget Hearing Sparks Questions and Politics Assembly Democratic Budget Committee chairman Lou Greenwald, "Governor (Chris) Christie may be content with his victory laps and confabs with the Queen of England, but this budget deficit clearly shows the impact of his failure to meet obligations such as funding pensions, property tax relief and school aid." First Gaming Summit Set for Atlantic City The all-Democratic Legislative summit will examine the future of gambling, entertainment, sports and horse racing in New Jersey. Some NJ Counties Under Drought Watch as Hot, Dry Weather Continues Following the second warmest July on record, the merry month of August has started out hot and dry…with no real rain in the forecast…and as a result, the Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a drought watch for Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Passaic Counties. Most Teens Engage in Distracted Driving Nine in 10 teenage drivers admit to engaging in distracted-driving behaviors like texting, even though they know it will increase their risk of crashing. 84% were aware that distracted-driving behaviors increase their crash risk, yet 86% do it anyway. Activity Still Brewing in Atlantic The weather outside looks frightful for this year's hurricane season. Despite a downgrade in their original predictions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says they expect the 11th above average season in the past 16 years. NOAA calls for 14 to 20 storm formations, with the possibility of four to six emerging as major hurricanes. Is Your Car Being Targeted By Thieves? Every year in Jersey more than 20 thousand vehicles are reported stolen. Fashion Design Competition Brings Toms River High Schoolers to CA Seventeen students who participated in the Hurley Challenge are in California to have their fashion show judged by Bob Hurley in front of a crowd of 10,000 spectators tonight. Tropical Storm Colin Reforms, Heads For Bermuda Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say a strengthening Tropical Storm Colin is approaching Bermuda but its projected path probably won't threaten the U.S. East Coast.    Forecasters confirmed Thursday that Colin was again at tropical storm status.    The center of the storm is located about 430 miles (690 kilometers) south-southwest of Bermuda and moving north northwest around 20 mph (32 kph). Its sustained winds are 60 mph (95 kph). GM to Have Fewer Dealers After Arbitration General Motors says its dealership network will be 25 percent smaller than a year ago after completing talks with dealers who fought to stay in its network.    GM says it is reinstating about 725 dealers that resisted the automaker's attempt to kick them out. That leaves GM with 4,500 dealerships, down from 6,049 in June 2009.    GM originally sought to shed even more dealerships from its ranks, but Congress passed a law last year requiring arbitration... Report: Al-Qaida in Pakistan Gravest Threat to U.S. The Obama administration says al-Qaida's core membership in Pakistan along with affiliates in Africa and Yemen pose the most dangerous terrorist threat to the United States and its interests abroad.    In its annual report on global  terrorism, the State Department says that although al-Qaida suffered some setbacks in Pakistan last year, it is "adaptable and resilient" and has expanded its reach through proxy groups.    The report released... New Medicare Status Report Leaves Fuzzy Outlook Prospects for the Medicare program's financial health are bright, or not so bright, depending on whom you ask.    Conflicting statements accompanied the government's release today of its once-a-year analysis of the financial condition of both Medicare and Social Security.    The system's trustees said that because of changes brought about in the new health care law, the Medicare hospital trust fund should stay afloat for 12 years longer than... Obama Confident in No "Double-Dip" Recession President Barack Obama says he is confident the nation will not suffer the "double dip" of back-to-back recessions.    The rebound of the U.S. economy appears to be slowing, prompting fears that the nation will slide into recession again after a brief period of growth.    Obama told a CNBC interviewer he was confident that won't happen.    He acknowledged that much work remains on problems such as long-term unemployment.... Senate Confirms Kagan as Supreme Court Justice The Senate has confirmed Elena Kagan as the 112th justice and fourth woman to serve on the Supreme Court.    The vote was 63-37 for President Barack Obama's nominee to succeed retired Justice John Paul Stevens.    Five Republicans joined all but one Democrat and the Senate's two independents to support Kagan. In a rarely practiced ritual reserved for the most historic votes, senators sat at their desks and stood to cast their votes with "ayes"... BP Finishes Pumping Cement into Blown-Out Well BP says engineers have finished plugging the blown-out Gulf of Mexico well with cement in their effort to permanently seal it.    The company said Thursday that its engineers finished pumping cement into the deep-sea well at 2:15 Central time.    On Wednesday they pumped enough mud into the well to push the oil back to its underground reservoir. Crews must now wait at least a day for the cement to dry.    BP bottled up the leak in... NJ Man Sentenced in Interstate Child Sex Case A northern New Jersey man who admitted traveling twice to Illinois to have sex with a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison.    Thirty-seven-year-old Eric Duprey of West New York received the 250-month sentence Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Trenton.    He pleaded guilty in February to interstate travel with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.    Investigators who searched... Atlantic City Jitney Bus Crash Injures 30 People Atlantic City police say about 30 people were injured, but none seriously, when a jitney bus and a Harrah's casino shuttle collided.    The vehicles collided at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Ohio and Pacific avenues in the city's casino district.    Police spokeswoman Sgt. Monica McMenamin said several passengers were taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's City and Mainland facilities for treatment of cuts and bruises.    The... NJ Senior Held in Husband's Killing A 75-year-old New Jersey woman has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of her 80-year-old husband.    Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan said Ruth Zucker was arrested early Thursday, hours after the body of her husband, Harvey, was discovered in the living room of their home in a gated retirement community in Monroe.    The body was found by the couple's son, who had arrived at the residence to visit his parents shortly after 6 p.m.... NJ Man Gets 250-Month Term on Child Sex Charge A northern New Jersey man who admitted traveling twice to Illinois to have sex with a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison. Senate Confirms Kagan As 112th Justice The Senate has confirmed Elena Kagan as the 112th justice and fourth woman to serve on the Supreme Court. DEP Issues Drought Watch for Northeast NJ New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection has issued a drought watch for five counties in the northeast section of the state. Panel Examines Next NJ Budget Deficit New Jersey's legislative budget officer told an Assembly committee Thursday the state faces a $10.5 billion deficit in the next fiscal year. NJ Court: Nazi-Naming Parents Shouldn't Get Kids A state appeals court has determined that a New Jersey couple who gave their children Nazi-inspired names should not regain custody of them. Former Hoboken Mayor Gets 24 Months in Corruption Case Hoboken's former mayor has been sentenced to two years in prison for accepting bribes from a federal informant posing as a corrupt developer. Forecasters Say Peak of Storm Season Will Be Busy Government forecasters say record high temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean will keep this hurricane season on track to be the busiest since 2005. Former Hoboken Mayor Gets 24 Months in Corruption Case (VIDEO) Hoboken's former mayor has been sentenced to two years in prison for accepting bribes from a federal informant posing as a corrupt developer. Court: Waiver Protects NJ Gym with Faulty Bike The New Jersey Supreme Court says a liability waiver protects a gym from a lawsuit filed by a customer who was injured by a faulty bike. Celebrity Chef's Wallet Stolen in Atlantic City Police say the host of the Food Network's "Ten Dollar Dinners" had her wallet stolen while she gave a cooking demonstration in Atlantic City. CWA Union Members Not Up to Public Battle With Governor The leadership of a union representing state employees may have been unable to convince its members to pay up to publicly battle Governor Christopher Christie over his budget-cutting policies. Job Growth Seen in Private Sector Newly released employment reports are giving a mixed picture, showing promising job growth in the private sector but continued weakness in government payrolls. Assembly Budget Panel to Explore FY 12 Deficit The research arm of the New Jersey Legislature predicts the state will face a $10.5 billion deficit for next year's budget. That's roughly the same size gap that Governor Chris Christie closed in the just-completed budget, which slashed aid to schools and municipalities, suspended property tax rebates and skipped a $3 billion payment to employee pension funds. Poll: Mixed Reaction to Gov's Proposals for AC, Sports & Entertainment Governor Christie's proposals for a state takeover of Atlantic City, closing the Meadowlands Racetrack and selling the Izod Center have certainly been a hot topic of conversation among Jersey residents. West Nile Cases in NJ On the Rise This Year More than 30 dead birds have tested positive for the West Nile virus so far this year in New Jersey but no human cases have been reported yet. Can NJ's Horse Racing Industry Be Saved? One Expert Says Absolutely! The plan endorsed by Governor Christie to revitalize Atlantic City would funnel state money away from the Meadowlands racetrack - and many believe it would deliver a fatal blow to Jersey's already-crippled horse racing industry - but the head of the  Hambletonian Society sees things a different way. Immigration in New Jersey: Migrant Farm Workers, An Invisible Workforce As the sun edged lower toward the horizon, bringing another energy sapping, late July day to a close, the men sat in the shade and sipped cold beer while others prepared dinner. They had spent another 10 or 11 hours out in the fields, picking the fruits and vegetables New Jersey residents buy at grocery stores for low prices thanks to their low wages. Immigration In New Jersey: Dealing With A Broken System, Part 1

Scott Taylor

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