Hospital shooting, concern for Aaron Sofer and more: First News with Podcast
New Jersey's First News, hosted by Eric Scott, written and produced by Matthew White and Patrick Lavery. Full podcast available below. Digital support, with additional links, by Dan Alexander.
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Hospital Shooting - A bizarre story involving a south Jersey man who was visiting his wife in the hospital when he suddenly pulled out a gun and killed her before shooting himself. Authorities believe he may have also killed the couple's son.
- Safety a ‘leading priority’ at NJ hospitals / NJ1015.com
- Cops: Man kills wife, shoots self at hospital; son found dead in home / Courier-Post
Shooting Sparks Debate - The accidental shooting death of an Arizona gun range instructor by a 9-year old New Jersey girl has many asking questions this morning such as why such a young girl would be allowed to handle a high powered Uzi submachine gun. 39-year-old Charles Vacca is dead after the recoil sent the bullets flying at him. Prosecutors say no charges will be filed. The girl was on vacation with her family, who were nearby videoing the incident; their identities have not been released.
- Shooting by 9-year-old NJ girl stirs debate over guns and kids / NJ1015.com (Associated Press)
- Site of Uzi tragedy had drawn concerns / AZ Central
Concern for Missing Lakewood Student Grows - Fears are growing about the possible abduction of 23-year-old Aaron Sofer, the Lakewood man who is studying abroad in Israel, that went missing during a hike in the woods late last week. His family and friends continue to plea for anybody with information to come forward and are pressing the Israeli government to do more, but so far there is no trace. Police released a video of Sofer boarding a train on the way to his hike in Jerusalem. Hamas has not claimed responsibility for a kidnapping. So far, their truce with Israel is holding up.
- Aaron Sofer’s father joins search for son / NJ1015.com
Cristobal Churns Up the Ocean - Ahead of the holiday weekend, Hurricane Cristobal is wreaking havoc on beaches at the Shore. While the hurricane is no threat to make landfall, high surf and dangerous rip currents are likely through today. Most beaches have the red flags up for no swimming. Adding to the issue is many lifeguards have already gone back to college. A South Plainfield teen died this week after drowning at an unguarded beach in Sandy Hook
- Teen swimmer dies after rescue at Sandy Hook / NJ1015.com
Bombing Threat - Remember this week, we told you that the sister of the Boston Marathon bombers was living In North Bergen. On Wednesday, Aliana Tsarnaev was arrested in New York for allegedly threatening a woman who had a prior romance with her boyfriend. The sister told a Harlem woman that she had people who can go over there and put a bomb on her. Zharnyeva turned herself in on aggravated harassment charges. She was released and has a September 30th court date.
Worrying and not happy - We are an unhappy and pessimistic bunch, according to a new national survey from Rutgers on the aftermath of the great recession.
- Americans still negative about economy / NJ1015.com
Enjoying the Empty Nest - Once the tears fade and their college-aged students are settled at school, more and more empty nesters are picking themselves up, dusting themselves off and enjoying their free time.
- While kids are away, parents play / NJ1015.com
Price of Text Books - If you've got a kid who just headed off to college you probably already know how expensive textbooks are. The Vice Chair of the state Senate Education Committee is pushing a bill that would parents and college students save money.
- NJ senator pitches free online textbooks / NJ1015.com
Pay Increase - Going into the school year, New Jersey teachers in the first three years of their contracts will see an average pay bump of around two and a half percent.
- NJ teachers get modest pay bump this year / NJ1015.com
Newark Boycott - Several Newark parents plan a boycott of the city school district when classes start next week. Parents are ticked off about issues they have persisted since the state took it over nearly 20 years ago...recent anger was set off by the new 'One Newark' enrollment system. Retired teachers are being recruited to run 'freedom school' during the boycott.
- Frustrated Parents Say They Will Boycott Newark Schools / CBS New York
On Track to Close - Despite interest from potential buyers, Showboat says the property will definitely shut down Sunday at 4 p.m. Caesars remains tight-lipped about sale talks. Meanwhile Revel is on track to fully shut down by Tuesday, but they will begin winding things down well before that. Several restaurants, bars, and cabanas will remove alcohol, food and equipment from those locations on Sunday after they close. The main AC casino workers' union has announced the creation of a fund to seek donations for employees who are about to be laid off.
- Owner says Showboat will definitely close Sunday / NJ1015.com (AP)
Bridgegate Lives - A new update on the sputtering Bridgegate investigation by the Legislative committee. Co-chair John Wisniewski (D) has subpoenaed AT&T to learn more about possible texts between Governor Christie and his aid Regina Egea, who mentioned a few texts between her and the governor during testimony. but says they were deleted. After being rebuffed, Wisniewski says he went right to the carrier. Those records would be due September 8th
Out of Bounds? - Now's the time for fantasy football, which has exploded in popularity over the past few years. Millions of us are guilty of checking stats and injury reports when we should be working.
- Fantasy football: out of bounds at work? / NJ1015.com
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