Here are the top New Jersey news stories for Wednesday:

⬛ Gun dealers breaking NJ laws let criminals get weapons, AG says

(AP Photo/Mike Catalini)
(AP Photo/Mike Catalini)
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TRENTON — Gun dealers selling to New Jersey residents, recklessly or intentionally, disregarded state regulations and allowed firearms to fall into the hands of criminals, according to a pair of lawsuits filed by the Attorney General's Office.

The lawsuits filed against FFS Armory in Morris County and JSD Supply and Eagle Shows in Pennsylvania seek monetary damages and injunctive relief.

⬛ Will NJ get rid of digital-only coupons? Businesses hope not

Canva
Canva
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Some lawmakers in New Jersey want to make sure that coupons made available online are also available in-store. But could that rule actually result in fewer savings for shoppers?

Business groups joined at the Statehouse to fight back against a proposal that eventually received the green light on Monday by an Assembly panel.

⬛ Auto union boss urges New Jersey lawmakers to pass casino smoking

Atlantic City Casino Smoking
A gambler smokes while playing a slot machine at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City N.J. on Nov. 29, 2023. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, casino workers pushing for a smoking ban at the city's nine casinos publicized a letter from Shawn Fain, international president of the United Auto Workers union, calling on New Jersey lawmakers to ban smoking in the casinos. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
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ATLANTIC CITY — Shawn Fain, the international president of the United Auto Workers union who recently won large raises for his workers, is taking aim at a new target: New Jersey lawmakers who are delaying votes on a bill to ban smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos.

The head of the powerful union, which represents workers at three casinos here, is urging legislators to move the bill forward in a scheduled hearing Thursday, warning that the union will “monitor and track” their votes.

⬛ Stolen French Bulldog puppy returned to South Jersey owner

A French Bulldog puppy was stolen from inside a resident's home in Linwood on Dec. 10 (Linwood Police Facebook)
A French Bulldog puppy was stolen from inside a resident's home in Linwood on Dec. 10 (Linwood Police Facebook)
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LINWOOD — A French Bulldog puppy that was allegedly stolen from a home has been found and returned to its owner, according to the Linwood Police Department's Facebook page.

In a previous post to the department's Facebook page, police said the dog was stolen on Dec. 10 during a series of motor vehicle thefts and car burglaries in Linwood and several other neighboring communities. Police said two vehicles were stolen in Linwood.

⬛ NJ is buzzing about Giants QB, Jersey guy Tommy DeVito

Giants QB Tommy DeVito, after 10-7 win against Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 26, 2023 (Al Bello/Getty Images))
Giants QB Tommy DeVito, after 10-7 win against Patriots at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 26, 2023 (Al Bello/Getty Images))
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After a pretty dismal start to the football season, Giants fans have been given a new star to rally around — quarterback Tommy DeVito.

Yes, he shares a name with one of the founding members of the Four Seasons, as well as Joe Pesci’s character in GoodFellas.

No, he is not related to actor and fellow New Jersey native, Danny DeVito.

Top 30 schools most violent schools in New Jersey

These are the schools in New Jersey with the highest rates of violence. The rankings are based on the annual School Performance Reports for the 2021-22 school year. New Jersey 101.5 ranked the schools based on the rate of reported violent incidents per 100 students. Schools with enrolment less than 100 are excluded.

Gallery Credit: New Jersey 101.5

Places in NJ where gun owners have sued to carry a legal gun

New Jersey passed its own law in December, trying to ban legal guns from “sensitive places.” 

A federal judge found many of those spots to be legally protected on grounds of armed self-defense, noting in her opinion, “Crowded locations are not sensitive places."

As of June, a federal appeals court granted the state attorney general's request to keep part of the law that bars people from carrying handguns in “sensitive places” in effect.

The decision means handguns cannot be carried in places such as zoos, public parks, public libraries and museums, bars, and health care facilities.

The law bars handguns from being carried in those places as well as schools and child care facilities. The lower court's May injunction did not specify those locations, and the appeals court also didn't remove the prohibition in those places.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt & The Associated Press

15 US Cities You Can't Afford In 5 Years + The most expensive in NJ as of now

According to Financebuzz.com, you're not going to be able to afford these 15 cities in 5 years across the US. Plus a look at 5 of New Jersey's least affordable places today.

Gallery Credit: Kyle Matthews, Mike Brant

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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.

It airs live on New Jersey 101.5 each weekday morning from 5:30 - 6 a.m.

New Jersey's First News with Eric Scott is the winner of the prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast.

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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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