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National Interest
‘Today’ Show Co-Host Dylan Dreyer Shares Deeply Personal News
A familiar face on morning television has offered a candid glimpse into a major change behind the scenes at home. NBC “Today” co-host and meteorologist Dylan Dreyer, 45, confirmed during the Thursday, Oct. 15, episode of her podcast, “The Parent Chat,” that her divorce from Brian Fichera is final. “Why does my mom live with me?” Dreyer asked during the podcast episode. “What is happening in my house that I have now taken up residence and have my mom as a roommate? As you know, I’m recently divorced,” Dreyer said. “So, my mom has been staying with me for months at a time.” Dreyer said her m…
Franklin Township, NJ
Your Community
Somerset Shopping Plaza Sells For $14.5M After Bidding War
A fully occupied shopping plaza in Central Jersey has sold for $14.5 million following a competitive bidding process that drew more than 22 approved bidders, a commercial real estate firm announced. Veronica Plaza, a 33,608-square-foot retail center at Route 27 and Veronica Avenue in Somerset, fetched the second-highest price per square foot for a retail center sale in Somerset County, according to Cushman & Wakefield, which arranged the deal. The shopping center sits on approximately five acres and is home to 18 tenants, including restaurants, medical offices, financial services and ot…
Montclair, NJ
Obituaries
Rutgers Grad, Snowboard Racer Alex Borgo Of Montclair Dies Suddenly At 31
A North Jersey contractor, former competitive snowboard racer and Rutgers University graduate died unexpectedly on Friday, Oct. 2. Alessandro “Alex” Borgo, of Montclair, was 31, according to his obituary on the Caggiano Memorial-Home website. Born in Brazil, Borgo moved to the United States at 5 years old and graduated from Rutgers in 2018, his obituary reads. He worked with his father, Valdeci, at Borgo Construction and raced snowboards while at Rutgers. Off the slopes, Borgo enjoyed fishing, paddleboarding, tanning by the water and listening to country music. Borgo is survived by his pare…
Montclair, NJ
Your Community
Netflix Movie Transforms Montclair State Campus Into UCLA
A North Jersey university got a Hollywood makeover, transforming into UCLA for a new Netflix movie. Montclair State University's 252-acre campus was used to film scenes for “Best of the Best,” which debuted on Netflix Friday, Sept. 18. Images shared by the university show familiar campus locations standing in for UCLA, including the Center for Environmental & Life Sciences, Feliciano School of Business, and amphitheater. Montclair State's Spanish Mission Revival architecture bears similarities to UCLA's Northern Italian Romanesque Revival style, with both campuses featuring red-tiled…
Yorktown, NY
Obituaries
Nypd
Detective From Yorktown Dies At 44
A longtime Westchester County resident who served as a detective with the New York City Police Department has died at age 44. Samuel M. Gonzalez, Esq., of Yorktown Heights, died on Saturday, Sept. 26, according to his obituary. No details about the circumstances of his death were provided. Born in New York City in 1982 to Samuel and Yolanda Gonzalez, Gonzalez graduated from Yorktown High School in 2000. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree from SUNY Albany in 2004 before attending Rutgers University, where he earned his law degree. His obituary said Gonzalez follo…
Piscataway, NJ
Breaking News
Man Assaulted Rutgers Student Inside Dorm: Police
A 20-year-old Irvington man was arrested and charged with assaulting a Rutgers student inside her dorm, authorities announced Thursday, Jan. 29. Lenin Vallejo is charged with strangulation, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, two counts of invasion of privacy, criminal restraint and simple assault following the assault in a Rutgers dormitory in Piscataway on Saturday, Jan. 24, Rutgers police said. The woman said she was assaulted by an intimate partner while in her residence hall, Rutgers police said. The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was …
National Interest
Don Bosco's Kyle Monangai Scores First Touchdown For Chicago Bears Against Giants
North Jersey sure showed up big in Chicago. Kyle Monangai, a Roselle native and former Rutgers football star, scored a touchdown for the Chicago Bears during the first quarter of Sunday’s, Nov. 9, matchup against Big Blue. Kyle Monangai stays hot and finds the end zone 🔥NYGvsCHI on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/6fcrC8s1BV — NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025 Then, the Giants pulled ahead after scoring 10 unanswered points in the second quarter and another touchdown in the third. The Bears, who opened the game with a first-quarter touchdown, have been held scoreless since …
Scotch Plains-Fanwood, NJ
Obituaries
Scotch Plains Dad Dies In Crash, $150K Raised For Widow, Children
Brian Benson, of Scotch Plains, died in a car crash on Wednesday, Sept. 17, according to his obituary from Memorial Funeral Home. He was 46 years old. Born in New York and raised in Mountain Lakes, Brian was a Rutgers graduate who built a two-decade career in medical device sales with Bausch and Lomb, Johnson & Johnson, and most recently RxSight, his obituary says. “Brian was a valued member of the RxSight team, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in medical device sales and a deep commitment to his work,” a GoFundMe created by colleague Heather Spiri reads. Brian was de…
Paterson, NJ
Obituaries
Paterson Teen Abena Owusu Dies After Cancer Battle
Abena Owusu, 18, of Paterson, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, after a cancer battle, according to those who knew her and her obituary on the Festa Memorial Funeral Home. Born in Livingston, Abena grew up in East Orange and Paterson. She graduated from Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, the Christian Health Association, and the Health Occupation Student Association. She also belonged to Calvary International Church in Wayne, her obituary says. In June, at Abena's graduation ceremony, Mayor Andre Sayegh honored her resilience after she w…
National Interest
Virginia Named Best State For Teachers In New Study: Here's Why
Many states in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic are among the best in the country for teachers, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of Best & Worst States for Teachers on Monday, Sept. 15. The rankings compared all 50 states and Washington, DC, across 24 key measures, including salaries, tenure policies, school spending, and turnover rates. The best states for teachers have strong pay, quality school systems, and job protections. "Despite having one of the most crucial jobs in America – educating the next generation – teachers are often underpaid and…
Montclair, NJ
Breaking News
Palestinian Author: Zionists Bullied Watchung Booksellers Into Canceling My Signing
A Palestinian-American author says her book signing in Montclair was canceled due to pressure from the Jewish community. Jenan Matari, author of "Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden," said in an Instagram reel posted Sunday, Sept. 14, that Watchung Booksellers called off her scheduled signing the same day of the event. Matari said the cancellation came after “Zionist pressure, bullying and harassment,” which she claimed “made staff feel so unsafe that they canceled my event.” “I didn’t appreciate being framed as the danger in the community when it’s actually the zionists who put the communi…
Fort Lee, NJ
Breaking News
Fort Lee Native Dies In Washington Climbing Accident, Family Confirms
A New Jersey man died in a climbing accident in Washington last week, his family said. Alex Cheon was identified by his older brother, Mark, in a GoFundMe campaign that had raised nearly $25,000 as of press time. Mark did not share details of the incident. The only fatal climbing accident reported by multiple Washington-based outlets — including NBC affiliate King5 — during the same timeframe involved a man in his 20s who died after a 200-foot fall in Index, WA, on Thursday, Aug. 28. Citing Sky Valley Fire, King5 said the climber was transitioning from one anchor to another when he was una…
Newark, NJ
On Your Side
NJ Spends Least On Hair Care In Nation, New Study Finds
The rising cost of a haircut is hitting wallets harder in some Northeast states than others, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Hair Care on Wednesday, Aug. 20. The personal finance website compared the average price of men's barbershop visits and women's salon services in all 50 states to median household incomes. The study found Pennsylvanians spend about 1.42% of their income on hair care, ranking 11th nationwide. New York followed close behind at 17th (1.34%), while Massachusetts placed 20th (1.31%). …
National Interest
Ridgewood Army Cadet, 21, Dies During Fort Knox Training: 'Dedicated, Promising Leader'
A 21-year-old Army cadet from New Jersey died during a land navigation exercise at Fort Knox, officials from the US Army confirmed. Cadet Neil Edara, of Ridgewood (Bergen County), became unresponsive on Thursday, July 24, while attending Cadet Summer Training with the 9th Regiment, Advanced Camp. He was airlifted to the University of Louisville, where he was later pronounced dead. Edara was a student at Rutgers University and had joined ROTC in September 2021, officials said. “Cadet Edara was one of the most dedicated and promising young leaders I’ve had the privilege to know,” Lt. …
National Interest
DUI Tesla Driver Charged In Parkway Crash That Killed Airlines Employee In Sayreville: Records
A DUI Tesla driver has been charged in a deadly crash that killed a United Airlines employee from New York on the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey State Police and court records confirm. Troopers responded at 12:46 a.m. on Sunday, July 6, to a crash near milepost 126.4 northbound in Sayreville, NJSP Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said. A Chrysler minivan was stopped on the right shoulder when a Tesla, operated by 21-year-old Anish Shriram of Livingston, slammed into the back of a Nissan, setting off a chain reaction, Lebron said. After the Tesla hit the Nissan, both vehicles veered into the righ…
Somerville, NJ
Breaking News
TV Knowledge Helps Somerville Engineer Win 'Jeopardy!'
It was a back-and-forth nailbiter affair, the kind of episode "Jeopardy!" fans love. But in the end, Scott Riccardi, a Somerville engineer, showed off the value of a Rutgers education. Riccardi was the winner on "Jeopardy!" on Thursday, July 3, outlasting two other competitors to win $17,000. He won on this "Final Jeopardy" clue “Lord of the Flies” inspired this series as did the 1994 film "Heavenly Creatures," which starred one of the show’s actresses. The "question" is at the bottom of this article. Riccardi got off to a hot start in Jeopardy, getting 15 clues correctly, with only one mi…
Somerville, NJ
Breaking News
Somerville Engineer Appearing On 'Jeopardy!'
This Somerville resident will be appearing on "Jeopardy!" on Thursday, July 3. Who is Scott Riccardi? Riccardi, an engineer, is competing on the venerable game show against a contestant from New Orleans and the returning champion. Riccardi will be hopeful he has the right questions to all the answers. According to his Linkedin, Riccardi works at a mechanical engineer in Edison, having graduated from Rutgers University in 2021. "Jeopardy" airs at 7 p.m. on ABC.
Hamilton Township, NJ
On Your Side
Best Pizza In America Is Made By Two Jersey Guys, New Rankings Say: Here's Where To Try It
Two Jersey-born pizza obsessives just took a bite out of the global rankings — and the world is eating it up. Dan Richer, of Razza Pizza Artigianale in Jersey City, and Anthony Mangieri of Una Pizza Napoletana in Manhattan, have both landed spots on the Best Pizza Selection 2025, an international ranking of the world’s top pizzerias by TheBestChefPizza.com. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Una Pizza Napoletana (@unapizzanapoletana) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Un…
Piscataway, NJ
Breaking News
Rutgers Football Stadium Burglarized: Police
Thieves broke into Rutgers University’s football stadium on Monday, June 16, authorities said. The burglary at SHI Stadium and the Hale Center at 1 Scarlet Knight Way in Piscataway occurred between 8:35 p.m. and 9:42 p.m., Rutgers University police said. The suspects entered the building through a secured gate, and while inside used a tool to break into a secured area and removed items of value, police said. Police did not say what items were stolen and said they had only a “limited” description of the suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact 848-932-8025.
National Interest
Netflix’s ‘America’s Sweethearts’ Returns: Meet The New Rookie Cheerleaders
Netflix's hit docuseries "America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" is back for Season 2 on Wednesday, June 18, and the drama is already kicking into high gear. This season picks up right before final auditions for the 2024-2025 squad, and follows a mix of veterans and hopefuls as they push through training camp, painful cuts, and high-pressure performances on the road to joining one of the most iconic teams in sports. Only 23 of last year’s 36 veterans are returning, leaving room for a larger rookie class than in the past five years — and every candidate is bringing her own story…
National Interest
Biotech Leader, Mom, Toddler Found Dead In Car Outside Quakertown Home: Bucks County Coroner
A mother and her 3-year-old son were found dead in a car outside their Quakertown home, the Bucks County Coroner’s Office announced on Tuesday, June 10. Agnes Dawidowicz, 42, and her son Charlie Dawidowicz, 3, were discovered unresponsive in a vehicle parked at their residence on the 2100 block of Barley Drive on Sunday, June 8, authorities said. They were pronounced dead at the scene around 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 8. The causes and manners of death remain under investigation, according to the coroner’s office. Agnes Dawidowicz was a clinical research professional and biotechnology expert w…
National Interest
Morris Knolls Teacher, 35, Charged With Sexually Assaulting Student She Tutored: Prosecutor
A 35-year-old Morris County high school teacher has been arrested on accusations she sexually assaulted a 17-year-old child she'd been tutoring, officials said. Alyssa Perry, of Rockaway Township, a teacher at Morris Knolls High School, became the center of an investigation when school administrators reported her inappropriate behavior to Denville police in March, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said. Perry, who is suspended from the school, was charged on Friday, June 6, with two counts of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, authorities said. At Morri…
South Brunswick, NJ
Breaking News
South Brunswick Man Committed Lewd Acts At College: Prosecutor
A 21-year-old South Brunswick man was arrested and charged on Monday, May 19 with committing multiple acts of public lewdness at Middlesex College earlier this month, authorities said. On Friday, May 9, Middlesex College police responded to a report of a man, later identified as Jihad Goines, Jr., performing lewd acts in the lobby of a building on the campus, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Middlesex College Police Chief Christopher Wertz said. An investigation determined Goines committed two additional acts of lewdness on the campus, authorities said. He was iden…
Hillsborough, NJ
Breaking News
Former Rutgers Professor Had 1K Vids Of Child Porn: Feds
A 51-year-old Somerset man, who previously taught at Rutgers University, was arrested and charged with possessing child pornography earlier this month, authorities said. Between September 2021 and November 2021, Elliott Souder, on his home computer, connected to an Internet-based peer-to-peer network and requested three videos depicting child sexual abuse, US Attorney Alina Habba said. A search of Souder’s Somerset residence in March 2022 turned up over 1,000 images and videos of child pornography on his hard drive, including images and videos of prepubescent children, toddlers and infants,…
New Brunswick, NJ
Breaking News
Money Snatched From Donation Box At Rutgers Museum: Police
Thieves pilfered money from a donation box at a museum in Rutgers University on Tuesday, May 13, authorities said. The theft occurred between 8:24 p.m. and 8:42 p.m. at the Zimmerli Art Museum at 71 Hamilton St. in New Brunswick, Rutgers University Police said. The perpetrators entered the building through an unsecured door and removed cash from a donation box, police said. Police have a limited description of the thieves, officers said. The Zimmerli is known for its collection of Russian and Soviet Nonconformist art, along with American art from the 18th century to the present, and a coll…
New Brunswick, NJ
Breaking News
3 Rutgers Students, Man Charged In Protest At Hillel Event Featuring Rep. Gottheimer
Three Rutgers University students and one man from Cranford have been arrested following a protest that turned disorderly outside a Hillel event in New Brunswick, authorities said. The protest happened around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at Rutgers Hillel on the College Avenue Campus, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Rutgers Police Chief Kenneth Cop. The demonstration was in opposition to a roundtable event featuring Congressman Josh Gottheimer, officials said. Rutgers Police had set up a designated protest area to allow for peaceful demonstration while keepin…
North Brunswick, NJ
Breaking News
Rutgers Student Killed In North Brunswick Crash: Prosecutor
A 20-year-old South Brunswick resident was killed in a two-car crash in North Brunswick on Tuesday, April 22, authorities said. At 11:43 a.m., North Brunswick police responded to Georges Road and Route 1 southbound for a crash between a Nissan Sedan and a Mitsubishi SUV, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Joesph Battaglia of the North Brunswick Police Department said. Henna Aslam, the driver of the Nissan Altima, was pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, authorities said. Aslam was an honors student at Rutgers University and a leader in the…
National Interest
Rutgers Gymnastics Coach Fired After Allegations Of Bullying, Relationship With AD: Report
Umme Salim-Beasley, the embattled Rutgers gymnastics coach, has been fired, according to NJ.com. In January, Salim-Beasley, the Rutgers gymnastics coach, was placed on paid administrative leave after an investigation into her conduct, including an improper relationship with then-Athletic Director Patrick Hobbs. Gymnasts at Rutgers alleged Salim-Beasley bullied them while the athletics department often turned a blind eye, due to the relationship between Hobbs and Salim-Beasley, according to the release of a 52-page report by the law firm Lowenstein and Sandler, commissioned by the scho…
West Long Branch-Oceanport, NJ
Your Community
Monmouth U. Closing Renowned Polling Institute Due To 'Changing Political And Media Landscapes'
Monmouth University is shutting down its polling institute, a nationally recognized research center treated as a "gold standard" in New Jersey's political world. University president Dr. Patrick Leahy announced the closing of the Monmouth University Polling Institute in a community-wide letter on Wednesday, Mar. 12. The institute will officially close on Tuesday, July 1. The decision follows a year-long review of all university centers and institutes, with school leadership ultimately determining the polling firm "is no longer aligned with our current strategic goals." "The chang…
National Interest
Blackwood Woman Who Caused Fatal Wrong-Way Crash Cited For Careless Driving Days Prior: Records
A 25-year-old woman who authorities say caused a wrong-way crash that left her and another motorist dead had been ticketed for similar offenses just days earlier, records show. Sydnie M. Haines, of Blackwood, NJ, was heading east in the westbound lanes of Route 17 in Chester, NY, when she crashed head-on into a 2014 Honda Odyssey around 1:50 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, New York State Police said. Both Haines and the Odyssey’s driver, 54-year-old Mordichy Zafir of Kiamesha Lake, were killed in the collision, authorities said. Records show that just three days earlier, on March 2, Haines was cit…
Mansfield-Storrs, CT
Your Community
UConn's Dan Hurley Releasing Book On Leadership, Overcoming Adversity, Lakers Decision
From the Catholic school circuit in New Jersey to the top of the college basketball world, Dan Hurley is sharing his story and lessons learned through fiery passion. The UConn men's basketball head coach announced he'll release a new book called "Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes to Be Great". New York Times bestselling sports author Ian O'Connor is co-authoring the book with Hurley. The book, which will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 16, dives into Hurley's journey from battling mental health struggles to becoming one of his sport's most dominant coaches. …
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