The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey’s streets have become some of the most dangerous in the nation for pedestrians, with walker fatalities hitting a 36-year high in 2024. According to New Jersey State Police, 221 pedestrians were killed in crashes last year—a staggering 29% increase from 2023.
Continue reading New Jersey’s Pedestrian Deaths Surge to Record High: What’s Driving the Crisis?
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Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey commuters pay more than just tolls and transit fares—they also pay a mental toll. Whether stuck in traffic or navigating packed train stations, commuting can be one of the most stressful parts of the day.
Continue reading The True Cost of Commuting in New Jersey: Time, Stress & Solutions
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Wharton NJ, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has officially declared a State of Emergency as work continues on Interstate 80 East in Wharton. The move aims to secure federal funding for crucial road repairs, which have sparked growing concerns among local business owners over potential revenue loss.
Continue reading Governor Murphy Declares State of Emergency, Seeks Federal Funding for I-80 Repairs
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Wharton NJ, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is exploring a potential crossover lane to restore two-way traffic on Route 80 after a massive sinkhole forced the closure of all eastbound lanes in Wharton on February 10, 2025.
Continue reading NJDOT Considers Crossover Lane to Ease Route 80 Traffic Amid Sinkhole Repairs
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New York NY, A wave of grassroots activism is sweeping through New York City as demonstrators demand an end to the installation of artificial turf fields in public parks. Protesters argue that synthetic grass—laden with toxic “forever chemicals”—poses serious health and environmental risks, particularly to children.
Continue reading NYC Protesters Demand Ban on Artificial Grass in Public Parks Over Health Concerns
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Secaucus NJ, The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) has awarded a $1.73 billion E-ZPass contract to TransCore, a company owned by Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Engineering)—raising serious national security concerns over its ties to China. The decision comes despite Conduent, Inc., the U.S.-based company that has managed the system for 22 years, offering a $250 million lower bid.
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Wharton NJ, a massive sinkhole on Route 80 East in Morris County has forced a complete closure, causing significant traffic disruptions. As repairs continue, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has identified 90 locations that require further assessment to mitigate potential instability or underground voids.
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New York NY, the Justice Department has launched a preliminary investigation into Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) regarding controversial remarks he made toward Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch in 2020.
Continue reading DOJ Investigates Sen. Chuck Schumer Over 2020 Supreme Court Comments
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New York NY, with congestion pricing now in full swing in Manhattan, a new risk has emerged for drivers: phishing scams posing as legitimate tolling agencies. Scammers are leveraging the increased toll activity to trick unsuspecting drivers into divulging sensitive information or making fraudulent payments.
Continue reading Beware of Phishing Scams as Congestion Pricing Takes Effect in Manhattan
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Newark NJ, five NJ Transit police officers have been awarded a collective $535,000 in settlements after filing lawsuits accusing a now-retired sergeant, Melvin Webb, of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The lawsuits, originally filed in Camden County state court in 2021, brought to light troubling allegations against Webb during his time as a supervisor.
Continue reading NJ Transit Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit with $535,000 Payout to Five Officers
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New York NY , JPMorgan Chase, one of Wall Street’s most influential institutions, is poised to end its hybrid work model, marking a significant step in the return-to-office movement. The anticipated announcement, expected in the coming weeks, will enforce in-office attendance for all employees, expanding on rules introduced in 2023 that required managing directors to work full-time on-site.
Continue reading JPMorgan to End Hybrid Work, Signaling a Post-Pandemic Shift
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Little Falls NJ, More than a week after the tragic death of Debrina Kawam, new details about her life have come to light. The 57-year-old woman, who perished in a horrific incident on a New York City subway, was a New Jersey native with deep ties to her community.
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New York NY, the controversial New York City congestion pricing toll, set to begin January 5, has sparked fierce debate and concern among New Jersey officials and businesses. With charges of $9 for cars and nearly $22 for trucks, critics argue the toll could significantly impact commuters and firms conducting business in Manhattan.
Continue reading Congestion Pricing in NYC: A Boon for New Jersey Businesses?
Once-in-a-generation overhaul of the region’s infrastructure
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Fort Lee NJ, following a month-long public comment period, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners today approved the agency’s $9.4 billion 2025 budget, which includes $4.1 billion in operating expenses, $3.6 billion in capital expenses, and $1.7 billion for debt service and deferred expenses.
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Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is prohibiting all beverages on its trains, light rail vehicles and buses on Saturday, December 14 to coincide with the SantaCon event in New York City and on Saturday, December 21 to coincide with the SantaCon event in Hoboken.
Continue reading NJ TRANSIT SYSTEMWIDE BEVERAGE BAN IN EFFECT DURING NYC AND HOBOKEN SANTACON
