Gut punch for NJ drivers

Here are the top New Jersey news stories for Wednesday:

⬛ Too woke for NJ? Murphy calls out school district for new policy

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)(Highwaystarz-Photography)

MAPLEWOOD — A North Jersey school district's decision to ban in-school Halloween activities has caught the ire of Gov. Phil Murphy.

The South Orange-Maplewood School District banned any Halloween events at all of its schools during school hours. Schools are allowed to work with parent organizations to host events after school hours.

⬛ Not Again! — NJ drivers brace for another toll hike

Getty Images/Townsquare Media illustration

For the fourth time in three years New Jersey drivers are facing a toll hike on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

Turnpike Authority commissioners unanimously approved a $2.62 billion budget on Tuesday that includes a 3% increase in all tolls.

Commissioners justified the toll hikes based on a budget increase of $100 billion, which adds dozens of new employees to the payroll.

⬛ Facebook and Instagram harming our country, NJ says in lawsuit

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) (Canva)

TRENTON — New Jersey has joined dozens of other states in suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, claiming the tech giant knowingly pushes features harmful to kids.

The federal lawsuit filed in California claims that Meta knew its platforms were harmful to young people, including their ability to get adequate sleep. But the company continued to design features that would be addictive to children, further fueling what the U.S. Surgeon General has deemed a "youth mental health crisis" throughout the country, authorities said.

⬛ What happened to the Pleasantville, NJ Fire Department bell?

Pleasantville Fire Department truck (Pleasantville Fire Fighters IAFF Local 2616)

PLEASANTVILLE — The case of the missing firehouse bell has been resolved with two arrests.

The 114-year-old bell was stolen from an alley between the Pleasantville fire and police department and reported stolen on Oct. 17. It was returned Monday by an "unidentified citizen" much worse for the wear.

John Jordan 2nd, 61, of Pleasantville, was arrested and charged with theft, receiving stolen property, and criminal mischief.

⬛ Lost a child before birth? How to get time off in NJ

Canva

A miscarriage or stillbirth can be devastating — and perhaps life-changing — for expectant parents.

But that doesn't mean that time off from work to grieve is an automatic.

While bereavement days are quite common across industries in the Garden State, not all employers specifically award paid time off to workers for pregnancy loss, according to a survey conducted by the Employers Association of New Jersey.

FREE RIDE! These U.S. states have absolutely no toll roads

According to data compiled by Uproad, there's no charge to drive on highways in these states.

Gallery Credit: Mike Brant

NJ 'perv' teachers, coaches busted in the past two years

There have been a number of educators, coaches and private teachers facing criminal charges for sexual offenses around New Jersey, between 2023 and 2022 alone.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt

Thanksgiving snow? When it happened, & the odds in NJ for 2023

A look at the chances of snowfall, as well as other extremes that have occurred on Thanksgiving day in New Jersey (statistics based from the New Brunswick weather station).

Gallery Credit: Mike Brant

Start your day with up-to-the-minute news, traffic and weather for the Garden State.

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.

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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