Some NJ malls will be open on Thanksgiving: First News Wednesday

Some NJ malls will be open on Thanksgiving: First News Wednesday

The lure of the money is just too great.  At least two dozen malls across New Jersey say they will open on Thanksgiving.  The move is a controversial one with public sentiment leaning toward keeping Thanksgiving a family day for store employees as well as our families.  In most cases, malls are opening at 6pm on Thanksgiving but the stores are not required to open until midnight for Black Friday but many major retailers have already said they will be open.

When was the last time you had a car accident?  Have you ever had one?  Some interesting new government statistics are available this morning.  On average, we have an accident once every ten years.  A quarter of them result in an injury.  Teenage boys are the most dangerous drivers.  Distracted driving is now the number one cause of accidents.  Oh, and Newark and Philly make the list of the most dangerous cities to drive in. 

When we hear "MRSA" we typically connect it to infections contracted in hospitals and other healthcare settings. But the experts say community-acquired infections are on the rise, which means even the healthiest person is susceptible.

The arctic chill that has gripped the upper Midwest and Rockies is spreading. Already, as much as 25 inches of snow blanket parts of Michigan's upper peninsula, but more is expected before the storm ends Wednesday. Up to 18 inches fell in northern Wisconsin and parts of central Minnesota have more than 16 inches.

The days are shorter and the nights are longer and for some, the change can be depressing.  But, how can you tell if it's just a case of the "winter blues" or if it's the more serious seasonal affective disorder?

A lot of you have expressed anger on our Facebook and twitter pages over word that the seven kids charged in the Sayreville sexual hazing scandal will not be tried as adult.  But legal experts say it was the right thing to do.  One former prosecutor says it's not an easy decision but the main question is: are these kids a future threat and is jail time or some kind of re-education program best.

There was another scandal Sayreville high that got pushed out of the news because of the hazing case.  It involved defensive coordinator Charlie Garcia.  He resigned after he was arrested with a car full of steroids.  Now, we are being told his case may be dropped as part of a pre-trial intervention deal.

If you have kids or you get stuck behind school buses on your way to work you probably noticed schools were closed for two days last week for the New Jersey education association's annual teachers' convention. One lawmaker thinks kids should be in school those days.

A 14 and 15-year-old boy have been charged with attacking a rolling chair operator on the Atlantic City boardwalk.  Police arrested the kids when they tried to use the victim's stolen ATM card.

Governor Christie will be in Atlantic City today to begin a second summit on the future of Atlantic City.  Since his last meeting, another casino has closed. One more is close behind.  United Airlines has pulled out of the market and the gaming industry continues to contract.  Add to it that property taxes are up 29-percent this year because of lost casino revenue and it's not an easy fix.

Living with a roommate used to be something you only did in college, maybe even a few years after. More people are sharing apartments and they're doing it for longer.

A scary bus accident in Princeton sends four to the hospital.  It happened Tuesday afternoon on route 206 when a BMW hit the bus, causing it to flip over.  The 26-year old driver of the BMW, a 16-year old student on the bus, the bus driver and an aide all suffered minor injuries.  No charges have been filed yet.

We told you someone stole an African Grey parrot from the Cape May county zoo this week.  Brutus has been found.  He was seen walking along a road in Middle Township but it's not clear how he got there.  He seems to be fine but he did bite two police officers when they tried to pick him up.

Veterans were showered with praise and thanks this week for serving their country but it turns out thousands of these men and woman, who live in New Jersey, have no place to call home.

Scientists at the European Space Agency are about to begin a historic attempt to land a spacecraft on a comet. If all goes according to plan, the lander will drift down to the comet, and latch on using harpoons and screws. Confirmation of a landing, if successful, should reach earth by about 11:00 this morning. Scientists hope the mission will help them learn more about the origins of comets and other celestial bodies.

Those rear-view cams in late model vehicles are doing their job, according to a new study.

A startling percentage of New Jersey's children under the age of eight live in families where no parent has a full-time job. A new report released this morning by the Annie E. Casey foundation calls for action to get kids and their families out of poverty.

A team of doctors has rushed to central India where at least 12 women have died and dozens of others have fallen ill after having sterilization surgery. The surgeries were part of a government-run program to control population growth. A total of 83 women had the surgeries Saturday, and were sent home the same day. Dozens were rushed to the hospital after falling ill. Health officials say the women died of either blood poisoning or after losing too much blood.

Investigators have yet to find the cause of a barn fire at the Six Flag's Safari in Jackson.  No animals were hurt. There were also a series of brush fires a short ways away but it does not appear they were related.

Under Jersey law, children who are blind or have other disabilities like Autism are allowed to bring their service dogs to school but they may banned from getting on the school bus with the animal. One Jersey lawmaker believes this is ridiculous.

WEATHER from chief meteorologist Dan Zarrow:

TODAY... Morning fog, then breezy with a few sprinkles.  Highs 61-68
 
TONIGHT... Windy and colder.  Lows 31-38
 
TOMORROW... Partly sunny.  Highs 46-51

To view Dan’s extended 5-day forecast, click HERE.

LOTTERY:

Pick 3: 1-1-2

Straight pays $223.50. Box pays $74.50. Pair pays $22.

Pick 4: 1-3-7-9

Straight pays $1,900. Box pays $79.

Cash 5: 14-17-19-32-41

5 of 5 pays $0. 4 of 5 pays $517. 3 of 5 pays $16.

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

Pick 3: 6-9-9

Straight pays $296. Box pays $98.50, Pair pays $29.50.

Pick 4: 6-5-2-1

Straight pays $2,377.50. Box pays $99.

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

Filed Under: First News Plus, New Jersey's First News
Categories: New Jersey News

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM