New round of flooding feared

Here are the top New Jersey news stories for Thursday:

⬛ NJ storm aftermath: See flooding in Manville, Lodi, Seaside Park

Manville flooding Jan 10 (NJ.com via Youtube)

Continued flooding since the overnight winter storm that blew through New Jersey remains a top concern for many communities — especially those next to overflowing rivers.

Today's weather will be quiet, but more rain is expected to arrive Friday night, potentially triggering a new round of flooding.

⬛ More auto thefts in NJ but officials blame car brands for spike

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More than 16,600 vehicles were stolen throughout New Jersey in 2023, according to preliminary data.

That's an increase of 4% from 2022.

The statistics suggest that it's not only owners of luxury vehicles that need to make sure they're locking up. And New Jersey officials are calling out certain vehicle manufacturers for the year-over-year climb.

⬛ More guns detected at NYC area airport checkpoints in 2023

This loaded handgun was detected by a TSA officer at a Philadelphia International Airport security checkpoint on Oct. 28. It was the first of two guns caught on that day. (TSA photo)

More guns were discovered at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at New York City metro airports last year.

According to the TSA, officials intercepted a total of 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints around the country, preventing them from getting onboard aircrafts.

Even more alarming is that approximately 93% of these firearms were loaded.

⬛ Worker tells of fleeing burning vehicle in cargo ship fire

FILE - Emergency personnel battle against a fire aboard the Italian-flagged Grande Costa d'Avorio cargo ship at the Port of Newark, Friday, July 7, 2023, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

UNION — Gaven Puchinsky had been pushing vehicles onto a huge cargo ship in one of the nation's busiest seaports when he heard a loud “clunking” noise that he believed came from the yellow Jeep Wrangler he was using to nudge the cars up a steep ramp in Newark, New Jersey.

Within minutes, the ship would be ablaze in a July fire that claimed the lives of two Newark fire captains

⬛ Chris Christie makes major announcement: He's out!

Former Gov. Chris Christie speaks during the Republican Jewish Coalition's Annual Leadership Summit in Las Vegas on Oct. 28, 2023. ( Ethan MillerGetty Images)

Chris Christie is out!

The former New Jersey governor is ending his bid for president.

Christie made the announcement during a town hall event Wednesday evening in New Hampshire.

Dennis Malloy's classic NJ pizza tour

Below are the pizzerias in New Jersey that our listeners said should be stops on a classic New Jersey pizza tour. Which ones are we missing?

Gallery Credit: Dennis Malloy

Restaurants that closed in New Jersey During 2023

Here are some of the restaurants that closed their doors around New Jersey in 2023 listed alphabetically. Did your favorite restaurant close in 2023? Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

Gallery Credit: Dan Alexander

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New Jersey's First News with Eric Scott is the longest running news program in New Jersey. Eric Scott began hosting the program in 1991.

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Eric Scott is the senior political director and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com

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