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Commuter Alert: Port Authority Approves 2026 Toll, PATH Fare, and Airport Fee Hikes

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Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners officially approved a record-breaking $45 billion, 10-year capital plan alongside a $10 billion budget for 2026

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Traveling between New Jersey and New York is about to get more expensive. On December 18, 2025, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Board of Commissioners officially approved a record-breaking $45 billion, 10-year capital plan alongside a $10 billion budget for 2026.

To fund massive infrastructure projects—including a brand-new Midtown Bus Terminal and an overhaul of Newark Liberty Airport—the agency is rolling out a series of toll, fare, and fee increases starting as early as January 4, 2026.

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Truth in Accounting Report : New Jersey in the Worst Fiscal Shape in the Nation

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Is Your State a Financial Sinkhole? New Jersey and California Top 2025 “Debt” List

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Trenton NJ, A sobering new report from Truth in Accounting (TIA) reveals a deepening divide in the fiscal health of America. While some states are basking in “sunshine” surpluses, 25 U.S. states are currently “sinkholes,” lacking the necessary funds to pay their bills.

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Ridgewood Storm Alert: Flooding and Downed Trees Shut Down Key Roads

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The “one-two punch” of heavy rain and powerful wind gusts has left its mark on Ridgewood this Saturday morning. Following the severe storm that battered the region on Friday, December 19, 2025, Village crews are working overtime to clear debris and reopen local thoroughfares.

photo courtesy of the Village Manager Keith Kazmark

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Village Manager Keith Kazmark confirmed that the storm’s intensity felled numerous trees and triggered significant flooding, particularly in low-lying areas along the Saddle River.

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Palisades Park Taxpayer Alert: The $1 Million “Police Trailer” and a $775,000 Budget Crisis

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Palisades Park Never Used $1 Million “Police Trailer”

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

PALISADES PARK, NJ — A growing wave of residents in Palisades Park is demanding accountability as new allegations of “financial malfeasance” surface involving unused police trailers and massive budget overruns.

For months, concerned citizens have raised alarms over what they call a blatant “abuse and misuse” of taxpayer funds. At the center of the storm is a $1 million expenditure on trailers intended for police use that reportedly have never been occupied—not even for a single day.

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“Like a Car Crash”: 17 Injured as NJ Transit Trains Collide and Derail in Montclair

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NJ Transit officials, two trains “made contact” just west of the Bay Street station in Montclair.

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Montclair-Boonton Line faced a terrifying evening on Friday, December 19, 2025, when two NJ Transit trains collided near the Bay Street Station, leading to a derailment and a massive emergency response.

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Leadership Excellence: Ridgewood Police Chief and Lieutenant Earn Prestigious FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award

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photos courtesy of the Ridgewood Police Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The Ridgewood Police Department is reaching new heights in law enforcement leadership. Department officials proudly announced today that Chief Forest Lyons and Lt. Jay Chuck have officially been honored with the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award. This distinguished recognition is reserved for law enforcement leaders who successfully complete the most rigorous executive training series in the country.

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Protecting Ridgewood: Three New Officers Join the Force After Bergen County Police Academy Graduation

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Ridgewood Gets Three New Officers

photos courtesy of Ridgewood Police Department

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The thin blue line in Ridgewood just got a little stronger. On Friday, December 19, 2025, the Bergen County Police Academy held its milestone graduation ceremony for Police Class #135. Among the sea of new recruits were three familiar faces who will now call the Ridgewood Police Department home: Officers John Riker, Brian Skettini, and David DeNicola.

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Route 208 Traffic Alert: Fallen Tree and Live Wires Shut Down Southbound Lanes in Hawthorne and Glen Rock

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High Winds Wreak Havoc on Friday Night Commute

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

HAWTHORNE/GLEN ROCK, NJ — A chaotic scene unfolded during the Friday evening commute as a massive tree crashed across Route 208 Southbound, bringing down high-tension power lines and forcing an emergency closure that lasted for several hours.

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Streaming Wars Shake-up: Jared Kushner Exits Paramount’s Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

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Affinity PartnersDrops Out of Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wall Street NY, the battle for Hollywood’s most storied assets has taken another dramatic turn. Affinity Partners, the private equity firm founded by Jared Kushner , has officially withdrawn its financial backing from Paramount’s massive $108.4 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).

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Warrior Dividend: How to Claim Your $1,776 Military Bonus Before Christmas

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In a surprise announcement during his national address on Wednesday night, President Trump revealed that nearly 1.5 million military service members will receive a one-time “Warrior Dividend” check

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, The payment, set at exactly $1,776 to honor the nation’s founding year, is designed as a holiday “thank you” to the men and women in uniform.2 With the “One Big Beautiful Bill” funding these payouts, here is everything you need to know about who qualifies and when the money will hit your account.

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TikTok Rescue Deal: ByteDance Sells U.S. Business to Oracle and Silver Lake to Avert Ban

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The years-long battle over the future of TikTok in America has finally reached a definitive resolution

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, in a landmark announcement on December 18, 2025, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew confirmed that parent company ByteDance has signed a binding agreement to restructure its U.S. operations. The deal creates a new American-based entity—TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC—effectively ending the threat of a nationwide ban that was set to take effect in early 2026.

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From Outdated to Offer-Ready: Kitchen Upgrades Memphis Buyers Notice Immediately

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Introduction

In Memphis’s shifting housing market, first impressions matter more than ever. With more homes available and buyers taking their time, an outdated kitchen can quickly become a deal-breaker. The good news is that sellers don’t need a full-scale renovation to make their kitchen feel fresh, functional, and move-in ready. Strategic, cost-conscious upgrades can create instant appeal and help homes stand out in a more competitive environment.

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Interstellar Intruder: Rare Comet 3I/ATLAS Makes Its Closest Approach to Earth Today

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Earth is having a close encounter with a visitor from another star system.

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, today, December 19, 2025, an extraordinary traveler known as 3I/ATLAS is making its closest approach to our planet. This isn’t just any comet; it is only the third confirmed interstellar object ever detected in our solar system—following the famous ‘Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019).

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Wall Street Legend Ray Dalio Pledges $75M to 300,000 “Trump Accounts” for Children

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In a major move for the nation’s newest financial initiative, billionaire hedge fund founder Ray Dalio and his wife, Barbara, have officially joined the push to build generational wealth for American youth.

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, , Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Wednesday that the Dalios are pledging to fund 300,000 “Trump Accounts” for children in their home state of Connecticut.2 The commitment follows a similar multibillion-dollar pledge by Michael and Susan Dell, signaling a massive wave of private-sector support for the program.

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Don’t Let Porch Pirates Steal Your Holiday Cheer: 8 Pro Tips to Protect Your Packages

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With the holiday shopping season in full swing, residents in the Township of Washington and beyond are hitting “Order Now” at record rates. But as delivery trucks fill our streets, they are being followed by a Grinch-like threat: Porch Pirates

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Twp of Washington NJ, According to the Township of Washington Police Department, package theft is a crime of opportunity that spikes during the holidays. With gift shortages driving people to shop earlier than ever, your front porch could be a goldmine for thieves if left unprotected.

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