1+ week, 3+ day ago (617+ words) Yes, the Giants and Jets have been embarrassing all season. But the New Jersey Devils are off to one of the hottest starts of anyone in the NHL this year, and we're talking about it! The latest episode of Jersey's Best Podcast is out now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts. Check it out (plus all the previous episodes, as well). If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave us a review. In case you missed the announcement, this weekly podcast is hosted by me, NJ.com food and culture reporter Jeremy Schneider. Joining me will be a cast of very Jersey guests as we break down all the things that make the Garden State spectacular, bizarre, sometimes annoying, but always the best. More on our latest episode: Devils Hockey is As Jersey As…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (159+ words) Hey there New Jersey! Here's your audio update highlighting the arrest of a former state Assembly candidate and several New Jersey towns that are opposing a state bill that would ease restrictions on ... Today's audio update: N.J. Assembly candidate accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile, several towns oppose new affordable housing bill Hey there New Jersey! Here's your audio update highlighting the arrest of a former state Assembly candidate and several New Jersey towns that are opposing a state bill that would ease restrictions on affordable housing projects by religious and nonprofit groups. We'll also tell you about the state activating its Winter Termination Program and tax fraud charges for a Cherry Hill business owner. Listen by clicking the play button above. This audio presentation is an editorially-curated selection of stories, selected by an editor, and then summarized and read aloud…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (814+ words) EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the latest edition of a weekly newsletter on the crazy world of New Jersey politics. You can subscribe here. If Mikie Sherrill was the biggest winner of Jersey's elections this year, Craig Coughlin wasn't too far behind. Sherrill's larger-than-expected 14-point victory in the governor's race wasn't the only stunner for Democrats. They also gained five seats to tighten their grip on the state Assembly " a few more than many insiders predicted. That gives Sherrill a bluer-than-before state Legislature to work with as she starts her time in Trenton. All of which is very good news for Coughlin, the veteran Middlesex County Democrat who will enter his record-extending fifth term as Assembly speaker with a 24-seat advantage for his caucus " 57 to 23. That includes eye-catching pickups in the 2nd, 8th, 21st, and 25th districts. Congrats on the big election wins. CC: "Thank you....

1+ week, 3+ day ago (252+ words) New Jersey residents should first access to vehicle beach passes at Island Beach State Park before opening sales to out-of-state applicants, according to the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. The commissioners sent a resolution to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Parks and Forestry calling for a brief priority registration period exclusively for state residents. Vehicle access permits at the park usually sell out within in minutes each year, leaving many New Jersey residents unable to obtain passes while out-of-state individuals secure them, officials. "Ocean County is proud to host several of New Jersey's most beautiful state parks, and we welcome the tourism that supports our local economy - but our Ocean County and New Jersey residents must come first," said Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione in a statement. Island Beach State Park offers miles of…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago (217+ words) Woodbridge is set to welcome three new businesses this week with ice cream, coffee and stir-fry eateries all opening. Here's the busy slate of openings: Fast-casual chain honeygrow will open its Woodbridge location at 10 a.m. Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Honeygrow, which specializes in customizable stir-fry, salads and honeybars made to order, will be located in the Cloverleaf Center, 1016 St. Georges Ave. The shopping center, built on the site of the former Cloverleaf traffic circle, is anchored by Sprouts Farmers Market. Other new locations honeygrow under development in New Jersey are in North Brunswick, Cedar Knolls, Watchung and Montvale. Opening dates have not been set. The ribbon cutting at Tim Hortons Colonia Caf" & Bakery is also scheduled for Friday. That event will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the business located at 526 Inman Ave. Founded in 1964 by hockey legend Tim Horton, the…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (341+ words) As the weather gets colder, the New Jersey football playoffs heat up. Week 12 is semifinals week, and our crew got together to break down all 14 games that will decide who plays for state ... Jersey Blitz, S2, Ep14: Breaking down all 14 state semifinals, as playoffs heat up As the weather gets colder, the New Jersey football playoffs heat up. Week 12 is semifinals week, and our crew got together to break down all 14 games that will decide who plays for state championships over the next few weeks. - 1 - (0:00) Non-Public A semis - Bergen Catholic vs. Don Bosco Prep and St. Joseph (Mont.) vs. St. Peter's Prep - 2 - (9:00) Non-Public B semis - Holy Spirit vs. DePaul and Red Bank Catholic vs. Paramus Catholic - 3 - (19:20) Group 1 semis - Burlington City vs. Glassboro and Cedar Grove vs. Butler - 4 - (26:48) Group 2 semis - Camden vs. Haddonfield and Shabazz vs. Westwood - 5 - (35:05) Group 3 semis - Cedar Creek vs. Holmdel…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago (209+ words) Will a new Trader Joe's store be opening in downtown Jersey City? The city's Historic Downtown Special Improvement District hinted in a social media post last week that a deal was in the works. "Rumor has it that Trader Joe's is in the final stages of signing a lease right here in Downtown Jersey City, with plans to open in 2026," according to the post. The market would be the 21st store in New Jersey for Trader Joe's. Asked about the Trader Joe's social media post, special improvement district Executive Director Rachael Sieg replied in an email on Thursday, "Our source has asked us not to say more." A Trader Joe's spokesperson also said Thursday the market chain is always looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country in hopes of opening more new neighborhood stores each year. "At this time, we…...

3+ day, 13+ hour ago (730+ words) Riders in New Jersey who want to call an autonomous cab will have to wait as long as five years under the legislation proposed in the state senate and assembly. The proposal, approved by the Senate Transportation Committee on Nov. 10 and now before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, would create a five-year pilot program requiring three years of on-road testing with a human driver in the vehicle. The delay was criticized by advocates for blind individuals and by a company that operates autonomous ride services in other U.S. cities. Critics say the mandate would block access to technology already in use elsewhere, including in New York, where Waymo began testing in August. Residents of some New Jersey cities have already seen Waymo vehicles mapping their streets in preparation for testing autonomous ride share vehicles, but those are tests for New…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago (541+ words) A condo in Jersey City that sold for $1.1 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Jersey City area in the past week. The area saw a total of 10 residential real estate sales during the past week, averaging $740,500. The average price per square foot was $568. The prices in the list below include real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Oct. 20 even if the property may have been sold earlier. The sale of the condominium at 111 Shearwater Court E APT21 in Jersey City has been finalized. The price was $335,000. It was built in 1988 and has a living area of 1,035 square feet. The price per square foot was $324. The condominium features 2 bedrooms. The deal was finalized on Aug. 4. A 1,230-square-foot condominium at 4 Constellation Place #4012X in Jersey City, has been sold. The price was…...

5+ day, 6+ hour ago (267+ words) Ace Pickleball Club is bringing a new indoor facility to the Turnersville section of Washington Township, adding nine professional-grade courts to its growing South Jersey presence. The facility in Gloucester County will be the third to open for the franchise " with two more future openings planned in Middlesex and Monmouth counties. No dates have been set for the openings. The 25,000-square-foot facility in Turnersville will occupy space in the Washington Plaza Shopping Center on the Black Horse Pike, next to the recently opened Floor & Decor. The location will take over the remaining segment of what was formerly a Burlington Coat Factory store in the retail center, which also houses LA Fitness and TGI Fridays. Ace Pickleball was created by Jay Diederich and Joe Sexton in January 2023. The club opened its first New Jersey location in Voorhees in May 2024. On Oct....