The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, brick-and-mortar stores have been grappling with significant challenges over the past decade. The COVID-19 pandemic and the meteoric rise of e-commerce have severely impacted traditional retail, leading to widespread closures. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “retail apocalypse,” has dramatically reshaped the commercial landscape since it began around 2010.
Continue reading The Retail Apocalypse: Ridgewood’s Battle with Store Closures
all photos courtesy of the “Ice Cream Lady” of Paramus
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, the beloved “Ice Cream Lady” of Paramus, Monica Pidhorecki, is back on the road after a devastating fire destroyed one of her trucks and left her home temporarily uninhabitable. Thanks to the generosity of local families, a fundraising effort has enabled Pidhorecki to continue delighting the sweet tooths of countless Bergen County kids.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are becoming an “expanding public health concern,” according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study, published Wednesday, reveals significant increases in the number of children diagnosed with ADHD.
Continue reading ADHD Diagnoses on the Rise: A Growing Public Health Concern
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, microschools have witnessed a surge in popularity.
Continue reading Microschools: The Return of the One Room School House
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Ridgewood NJ, more than three years after “15 days to slow the spread” of COVID-19, most voters have less trust in “government health experts” – and in the news media, too.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. voters say the way the government handled the COVID-19 pandemic caused them to have less trust in public health officials. Thirty percent (30%) say the government’s pandemic response caused them to have more trust in public health officials, while 18% say it did not have much impact. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association is opposing a bill that would permanently eliminate a requirement for students to pass a standardized test to get their high school diploma.
Continue reading Don’t Eliminate Standardized Test Requirement for High School Diploma
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TrentoN NJ, on the floor of the New Jersey State Senate, Senator Joe Pennacchio today once again implored his Democrat colleagues to act on legislation that would convene a special committee with subpoena power to investigate the Executive Branch’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue reading Bipartisan Legislative Investigation of Pandemic Response Blocked by Democrats
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, (12/02/22 8:33am) total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 263,000 in November, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Notable job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, health care, and government. Employment declined in retail trade and in transportation and warehousing.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, although a majority of Americans agree with President Joe Biden that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, most Democrats still want to make vaccines against the virus mandatory.
Continue reading 60% Agree With President Biden: COVID-19 ‘Pandemic Is Over’
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Paramus NJ, An out-of-court settlement of almost $16 million with the families of more than 70 seniors who died in state-run veterans facilities was confirmed by the Governor’s Administration today, and Senator Joe Pennacchio warned that more similar announcements may be forthcoming.
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East Rutherford NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed a bill (S-2364 [t.e2ma.net]) to extend expanded permissions for restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries to use fixtures and equipment enabling them to serve patrons outdoors in private areas, on sidewalks, and in other municipally-designated outdoor areas. The permissions were set to expire November 30, 2022 but will now be extended by two additional years to support the food and beverage industry, patrons, and local communities by facilitating opportunities to serve customers outdoors.
Continue reading New Jersey Extends Permissions for Outdoor Dining to Support Restaurant Industry
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 372,000 in June, and the unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Notable job gains occurred in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and health care.
Continue reading Payrolls Increased a More than Expected 372,000 in June
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Walter Perog presents on the new workforce norm sweeping the country: the gig economy. But what is this ‘gig economy’ all about? Well, it’s a newly popularized social work-order contract between an employer and you. Over 43 million workers left full-time employment alone in 2021 and what did these unemployed people do? Baby-boomers retired, many became freelancers/gig workers, demanding job flexibility like working from home, and lastly, others quit due to debilitating emotional trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, with the economy still struggling, most Americans believe this year’s class of college graduates face a tough job market.
Continue reading Concerns Over Job Prospects for the Class of ’22
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, as life returns to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, slightly more Americans expect they’ll celebrate Easter Sunday in church.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 42% of American Adults say they will attend a church service to celebrate Easter this year. That’s up from 40% last year. Forty-two percent (42%) say they won’t be in church for Easter, down from 47% a year ago, while another 16% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
