Police departments across New Jersey are on high alert after two New York City officers were executed as they sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn.

Police union officials noted a "fever pitch of anti police sentiment," and urged officers to wear their bullet proof vests, even for routine patrols and traffic stops. In Newark, and other areas, there will be no single patrols, officers will always be matched with a partner.

In New York, police are still trying to determine if the gunman in Saturday's shootings had marched in any of the Ferguson or Staten Island protests.  But Ismaayil Brinsley did have a long criminal history.

 

Brinsley killed himself after ambushing the two officers.  He had posted on Facebook that he planned to “put wings on pigs,” before the shooting.

State police are looking at better training troopers to deal with the mentally ill.  Instructors at the training academy in Sea Girt are looking at scenario based training to help troopers avoid violent confrontations.

Stun guns can be used by law enforcement officers as an alternative to deadly force but in Jersey, most police departments don't have the, because they're expensive, and can only be used in certain situations.

Someone left a severed bear paw on a woman's front lawn in Vernon over the weekend.  Cathy McCarthy says she thinks it was a sick retaliation for her vocal opposition to this month's bear hunt.  She says it's sick...but it won’t stop her from working with a bear education group.

Governor Christie says President Obama was wrong to normalize relations with Cuba and wants Obama to demand the release of a cop killer before normalizing relations with the Castro government.  There has been no mention of Joanne Chesimard from the white house.  She killed a state trooper in 1973 and fled to Cuba, where she’s been protected by the Cuban government.

Cops on the beat in Jersey could be wearing body cameras in the not too distant future. The full senate has unanimously approved a bill to create a six-month task force to study privacy matters and other issues and make recommendations about implementing the use of police body cams.

Two men who had just robbed a radio shack in north Jersey rammed a police car as they escaped.  An officer fired at the vehicle as it sped off in Belleville.  It's not known if he hit anything.  The suspects had pistol whipped and tied up the store employees during the robbery.

It's a disturbing, but growing trend.  More teens between the ages of 13 and 19 are taking part in self-abusive behavior, or cutting.

We have posted a new Ray Rice video this morning at NJ1015.com. It shows Rice and his then fiance, Janay Palmer, being led to jail the night rice knocked her unconscious in a revel casino elevator.  Palmer is crying and being comforted by officers.  At one point, she and rice lean in close to talk and it appears she kisses him.  After video of the knockout punch surfaced, rice was suspended indefinitely by the league, but has since been cleared to play again.

A new reality TV show in Iraq forces convicted terrorists to come face-to-face with their victims. The popular show called "in the grip of the law," is produced by state-run TV. It's among dozens of programs aimed at shoring up support for the troops. One reluctant cast member is a 21-year-old man convicted of terrorism charges about a month ago for helping to carry out a string of Baghdad car bombings for the Islamic state extremist group.

This month is a time of celebration, but it is also a hazardous one when it comes to the risk of home fires.

A fire on the Rutgers' Busch campus in Middlesex County may have been deliberately set.

Governor Christie was in Dallas as the cowboys both clinched the NFC East and knocked the eagles out of the playoffs.  A week after he was seen with Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones rooting for the 'boys in Philly, Christie flew to Dallas Sunday and was again next to Jones for the game.

 

As efforts continue to rebuild the Columbus farmers market, some merchants are at a standstill because Fore investigators wont release a cause.  The delay is affecting the insurance claims for some.  The fire destroyed part of the main building but the outside market continues to operate.

The real life strip club that was a fixture in the Sopranos was targeted by robbers over the weekend and they made off with more than thirty-thousand dollars.  Two men busted in to Satin Dolls in Lodi with shotguns early Sunday morning.  That's the Bada Bing club on the show.

In America you're innocent until proven guilty, but what if you were innocent all along? A new bill aims to help those found innocent rebuild their reputations and their lives.

The push continues to build a casino in north Jersey and a bold prediction from Jersey City's mayor.  Steve Fullop says a casino in his city would be the highest grossing in America, bigger than any Vegas casino.  Fullop is battling with several other north jersey locations if the state allows gaming outside A.C.

One of Atlantic City's many problems is neighborhood blight - abandoned homes and buildings that do nothing but draw the attention of squatters and vandals. Getting rid of these buildings has been a top priority for mayor don guardian's administration.

What's so great about the garden state?  Each Monday, we are profiling some of the individuals and groups that make the garden state such a great place to live.  A Monmouth charity, once again, gives out gifts to the needy this holiday season.

WEATHER from chief meteorologist Dan Zarrow:

TODAY... Mostly cloudy to overcast skies.  Rain showers move in by late afternoon.  Highs 40-43

TONIGHT... Rain showers continue.  Some wintry mix and freezing rain in North Jersey.  Lows 33-39

TOMORROW... Scattered showers.  Warmer.  Highs 45-54
To view Dan’s extended 5-day forecast, click HERE.

Lottery

Pick 3: 1-6-6

Straight pays $237. Box pays $79. Pair pays $23.50.

Pick 4: 6-5-2-7

Straight pays $2,889.50. Box pays $120.

Cash 5: 16-20-27-29-40

5 of 5 pays $0. 4 of 5 pays $644. 3 of 5 pays $16.

Here are the winning numbers selected Sunday In the midday New Jersey State Lottery drawing:

Pick 3: 3-5-3

Straight pays $245.50. Box pays $81.50, Pair pays $24.50.

Pick 4: 7-1-2-6

Straight pays $3,675.50. Box pays $153.

New Jersey’s First News, hosted by Eric Scott, written and produced by Matthew White and Patrick Lavery. Digital support, with additional links, by Dan Alexander.

 

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