Posted on 4 Comments

A Century of Tradition Broken: Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Cold War with the Catholic Church

Zohran Mamdani 05.25.25 b cropped scaled

Mayor Mandani Snubs New Yorks 2.5 million Catholics

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York NY, For nearly a century, the relationship between New York City’s City Hall and the Archdiocese of New York was a pillar of civic stability. Through wars, financial crises, and political shifts, every mayor since 1939 has made a point to show up for the installation of a new archbishop.

Continue reading A Century of Tradition Broken: Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s Cold War with the Catholic Church

Posted on Leave a comment

The “Portal” to Better Commuting: Why Your NJ Transit Ride is Changing for the Next Month

IMG 20240328 180757202 scaled

Portal North Bridge Cutover: A Critical Milestone for the Gateway Program

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridge3wood NJ, New Jersey commuters, take note: the long-awaited “Portal North Bridge” is entering its final stretch. Amtrak has begun a complex “cutover” process to transfer rail operations from the century-old, notoriously unreliable Portal Bridge to the brand-new, high-level span over the Hackensack River.

Continue reading The “Portal” to Better Commuting: Why Your NJ Transit Ride is Changing for the Next Month

Posted on Leave a comment

Commuter Alert: Major NJ TRANSIT Diversions and PATH Crowding Starting Feb 17 – What You Need to Know

Screenshot 2026 02 15 051315

Expect significant crowding at Hoboken PATH

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Planning your commute between New Jersey and New York City just got a bit more complicated. Due to essential Amtrak work on the new Portal North Bridge, significant service changes are coming to NJ TRANSIT and PATH starting Tuesday, February 17, through Friday, March 13, 2026.

Continue reading Commuter Alert: Major NJ TRANSIT Diversions and PATH Crowding Starting Feb 17 – What You Need to Know

Posted on 1 Comment

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Has A New Executive Director

Screenshot 2026 02 06 064831

Kathryn Garcia Officially Appointed to Lead Port Authority

the staff of the Riidgewood blog

New York NY, In a landmark move for regional transportation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners has officially approved Kathryn Garcia as the agency’s next Executive Director.

The appointment, confirmed on February 5, 2026, signals a new chapter for the bi-state agency as it embarks on a massive 10-year, multi-billion-dollar capital plan. Garcia, a veteran public servant known for her “get-it-done” reputation, will officially take the helm on Monday, February 9, 2026.

Continue reading Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Has A New Executive Director

Posted on 6 Comments

NYC Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes Skyrocket 182% During Mayor Mamdani’s First Month

Mamdani e1760855971955 1320x880 1

You Got What You Voted For 

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York NY, New York City is grappling with a disturbing paradox. While the NYPD celebrates its “safest January on record” for gun violence, the city’s Jewish community is facing a historic surge in targeted violence.

According to new data released by the NYPD, antisemitic hate crimes surged 182% in January 2026—the very first month of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration.

Continue reading NYC Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes Skyrocket 182% During Mayor Mamdani’s First Month

Posted on 2 Comments

U.S. Coast Guard has Officially Launches Intensive Icebreaking Operations

Screenshot 2026 01 31 051627

Frozen Arteries: How the Coast Guard is Saving the Hudson River from a Deep Freeze

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Jersey City NJ, The Hudson River has transformed into a jagged landscape of white and grey. While it looks like a winter wonderland from the shore, the reality beneath the surface is a logistical nightmare.

Continue reading U.S. Coast Guard has Officially Launches Intensive Icebreaking Operations

Posted on 7 Comments

NYC’s New Mayor Wants to Tax the Rich: Is a Billionaire Exodus Next?

Zohran Mamdani 05.25.25 b cropped scaled

Taxation or Vacation? Mayor Mamdani’s $12B Plan to “Save” NYC by Taxing It to Death

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York NY, stop us if you’ve heard this one before: A new politician takes office, finds a massive budget hole, and decides the “innovative” solution is to squeeze the city’s top earners until they move to Florida.

Continue reading NYC’s New Mayor Wants to Tax the Rich: Is a Billionaire Exodus Next?

Posted on 1 Comment

Gateway Gridlock: Will the Hudson Tunnel Project Go Dark on Feb. 6?

Screenshot 2026 01 27 172148

 Shutdown Looming: Why the Hudson Tunnel Project Could Stop Next Week

photo courtesy of the Gateway Development Commission (GDC)

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Jersey City NJ, the “most urgent infrastructure project in America” is officially on life support. The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) has issued a staggering ultimatum: unless the federal government unfreezes funding, all construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project will grind to a halt on February 6, 2026.

Continue reading Gateway Gridlock: Will the Hudson Tunnel Project Go Dark on Feb. 6?

Posted on 5 Comments

Arctic Blast 2026: NY and NJ Ferry Services Crippled by Massive Ice Floes

IMG 20260127 121859285 HDR scaled

Hudson River “Deep Freeze”: NYC Ferry Suspends All Routes Amid Dangerous Ice

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hoboken NJ, Commuters in New York and New Jersey are facing a logistical nightmare as “Arctic-level” ice buildup has effectively shut down water travel across the harbor. Following the record-breaking “Winter Storm Fern,” the Hudson and East Rivers have transformed into fields of floating ice, forcing NYC Ferry to suspend all services as of January 27, 2026.

Continue reading Arctic Blast 2026: NY and NJ Ferry Services Crippled by Massive Ice Floes

Posted on 2 Comments

NJ Commuter Alert: Massive Portal North Bridge Work to Disrupt Rail Service for 4 Weeks

external content.duckduckgo 27

The Gateway Switch: Portal North Bridge “Cutover” to Spark Month-Long Rail Disruptions

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the wait for a more reliable Northeast Corridor is almost over, but New Jersey commuters will have to endure one final “patience test” first.

Starting February 13, 2026, Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT will begin the critical “cutover” process to transfer rail service from the 114-year-old, failure-prone Portal Bridge to the brand-new Portal North Bridge. While this marks a historic milestone for the $1.5 billion Gateway Program, it comes with a catch: four weeks of significant service changes affecting nearly every rail line in the state.

Continue reading NJ Commuter Alert: Massive Portal North Bridge Work to Disrupt Rail Service for 4 Weeks

Posted on Leave a comment

Commuters : Can One Man Fix New Jersey’s Trains AND Highways?

ZGJ2PEDXSBFOHKMECLT7R5CVYE 2432441457

One Leader, Two Agencies: Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill Unveils Bold “Unified” NJ Transit Strategy

New Jersey is entering a new era of transportation.

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, In a move that signals a shift in how the Garden State moves, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has announced that Kris Kolluri will lead both NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA).

This rare “dual-hat” appointment aims to break down the silos between the nation’s largest statewide mass transit system and its most iconic toll road entity. Here is what this means for your daily commute, the 2026 World Cup, and the future of New Jersey infrastructure.

Continue reading Commuters : Can One Man Fix New Jersey’s Trains AND Highways?

Posted on Leave a comment

Is Your Pup at Risk? NYC Vet Warns Dog Owners as Human Flu Cases Spike

504294091 683694527801399 7740465215601391429 n

Can my dog catch the flu, too?

photo courtesy of www.artchickphotography.com

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York New York, with flu hospitalizations hitting record highs across New York City and New Jersey this winter, health officials are sounding the alarm for residents to mask up and get vaccinated. But as you reach for the tissues, you might be wondering: Can my dog catch the flu, too?

Continue reading Is Your Pup at Risk? NYC Vet Warns Dog Owners as Human Flu Cases Spike

Posted on 3 Comments

The NJ Commuter Tax: Why Your Drive Just Got More Expensive and Slower

traffic boyd

The Jersey Squeeze: Gas Tax and Toll Hikes Hit Drivers Just as Traffic Hits a Record High

file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Commuting in the Garden State just got a lot more expensive. As of January 1, 2026, New Jersey drivers are facing a “double whammy” at the pump and the toll booth. Combined with a staggering new study on local traffic congestion, the cost of “just getting to work” is reaching a breaking point for many residents.

Continue reading The NJ Commuter Tax: Why Your Drive Just Got More Expensive and Slower

Posted on 1 Comment

Goodbye, Yellow Swipe: New York City Officially Retires the MetroCard in 2026

IMG 20250527 062128498 HDR scaled

“MTA MetroCard” Retires

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York New York, The iconic yellow “MTA MetroCard” is about to become a museum piece. After three decades of swiping, New York City is pulling the plug. Starting January 1, 2026, the MTA is officially ending the sale and distribution of MetroCards, completing a total transition to the OMNY (One Metro New York) tap-to-pay system.

Continue reading Goodbye, Yellow Swipe: New York City Officially Retires the MetroCard in 2026

Posted on 2 Comments

The Great NJ Toll Deception: Why the Turnpike Was Supposed to Be Free in 2026

IMG 20240122 080824033 BURST000 COVER scaled

“Temporary” tolls that became permanent

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

East Rutherford NJ, If you’re driving the New Jersey Turnpike or Garden State Parkway on New Year’s Day 2026, your wallet is about to feel a familiar sting. On January 1, 2026, tolls are officially increasing by another 3%—the fifth consecutive hike under the state’s current “indexing” policy.

Continue reading The Great NJ Toll Deception: Why the Turnpike Was Supposed to Be Free in 2026