Troubling new report, movie leaked and ‘cash for gold’ crackdown: First News

Troubling new report, movie leaked and ‘cash for gold’ crackdown: First News

With all of the hype and scare over Ebola, there was never a real threat in New Jersey.  It's far more likely we will see an outbreak of a deadly flu, meningitis, or hepatitis. But a troubling new report this morning says New Jersey is among the state's least prepared to handle an infectious disease outbreak.  Only West Virginia did worse.  New Jersey gets particularly poor marks for vaccinations and the ability to prevent the spread of infections at out hospitals.

And there is a report the U.S. Is not prepared to handle a nuclear attack by terrorists or a large- scale natural disaster.  The government report says we lack effective coordination and in some cases is years away from ensuring adequate emergency shelter and medical treatment. It says the federal emergency management agency didn't always keep track of disaster efforts by agencies, even after Superstorm Sandy.

The Jersey division of consumer affairs has issued almost 10 thousand civil citations to dozens of jewelry stores, pawn shops and other locations for allegedly violating the state's cash-for-gold laws.

We're surprised it took this long.  The death scene from "The Interview" has been leaked, showing North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un getting blown up by a rocket, as Katy Perry sings ‘Firework.’  The scene was leaked on-line after Sony cancelled the release of the Seth Rogan comedy amid terror threats.

The lower gas prices New Jersey drivers are seeing this holiday season is the gift that's predicted to keep on giving.

New Jersey's unemployment rate has hit a six year low.  But at six-point-four percent, it is still much higher than the national rate.  The labor department says the state added some 6,700 jobs last month, mostly in the private sector.

The on again/off again closing of Atlantic City's Taj Mahal casino is off again, for now.

Police have found the owner of two donkeys that were killed and dumped in a grassy area of Jackson Township. The owner will face charges.  They wont say who the owner is, only that they are a Jackson resident who also kept horses on their property.  There were signs of neglect among those animals as well.

If you're planning to hit the road for the upcoming holiday, pack your patience and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.  A record number of New Jerseyans are expected to be traveling with you.

Governor Christie says he'll be in the owners box rooting for the Cowboys again this Sunday.  He called a Philly sports station to boast that he'll be sitting next to owner Jerry Jones in Dallas as the Cowboys host the Colts.  He drew sharp criticism for doing that as the Cowboys beat the eagles last week.

Republicans and Democrats are not exactly wishing each other "Happy Holidays" at the state house. Assembly republicans are blasting democrats for wasting 2014 trying to damage governor Christie while ignoring the business community, but as always there are two sides to the story.

Some Jersey kids will get a second chance to have their science experiment launched into space.  Their first try was aboard the unmanned rocket that blew up in Virginia earlier this year.  The ocean city students have been told their experiment is booked on a rocket scheduled for launch next month.

Despite all of the problems we have here in Jersey and there are plenty, most of us don't have to worry about getting enough to eat. Sadly, for a huge number of fellow garden state residents, this remains a major concern.

Shopping for your kid's first car? In a new report, parents are urged to buy their teens newer, safer vehicles. Doctor Anne McCartt with the insurance institute for highway safety says among teens who were killed behind the wheel, nearly half were driving cars that were at least 11 years old.

A separate report finds new car sales in December are expected to reach their highest level since 2006.

There's a deep racial divide when it comes to a grand jury's recent decision not to indict a police officer who applied a chokehold that killed Eric Garner who was black. A new Monmouth university poll asks Americans if things would have turned out differently had garner been white.

WEATHER from chief meteorologist Dan Zarrow:

TODAY... Morning clouds, with some afternoon sun. Breezy. Highs 39-43

TONIGHT... Clear and cold. Lows 24-29

TOMORROW... Partly sunny. Chance of a late sprinkle or light snow shower. Highs 37-42

SUNDAY... Partly sunny.  Chance of a light rain or snow shower.  Highs 39-45

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

Lottery

Pick 3
1-4-1
(one, four, one)
Straight pays $224.50. Box pays $74.50. Pair pays $22.
Pick 4
7-5-3-4
(seven, five, three, four)
Straight pays $2,989. Box pays $124.50.
Cash 5
10-12-20-35-39
(ten, twelve, twenty, thirty-five, thirty-nine)
5 of 5 pays $0. 4 of 5 pays $662. 3 of 5 pays $15.
Pick 6
05-06-09-23-33-44
(five, six, nine, twenty-three, thirty-three, forty-four)
There were no top prize winners in Thursday night’s Pick 6 Lotto drawing, New Jersey Lottery officials said.
Five out of six paid $2,219 to 14 winners; four out of six paid $47 to 715 winners; three out of six paid $3 to 13,153 winners.
Monday’s top prize estimate is $8,600,000 annuity.
Here are the winning numbers selected Thursday in the midday New Jersey State Lottery drawing:

Pick 3
2-3-5
(two, three. five)
Straight pays $203. Box pays $33.50, Pair pays $20.
Pick 4
8-9-6-5
(eight, nine, six, five)
Straight pays $3,349. Box pays $139.50.

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

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