Nasty viruses sweeping through NJ

Here are the top New Jersey news stories for Friday:

⬛ Raise your hand if you're NOT sick— NJ takes on 3 ugly viruses

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'Tis the season to be coughing.

Outside of New York City, the Garden State is the only spot in the Northeast where respiratory illness activity is considered "high" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Beyond routine colds, communities across New Jersey are being hit by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the flu, and COVID-19.

⬛ Deer collisions: The one thing you should never do in NJ

Canva/Townsquare Media illustration

More than 15,000 deer are hit by vehicles in New Jersey every year.

As Fall turns to Winter and rutting season ends, the risk of collision may dip a bit, but the danger is always there.

The internet is full of deer avoidance systems and suggestions about what you should and should not do if you hit a deer.

There is, however, one thing you should absolutely never do if you hit a deer in the Garden State.

⬛ Workers light up in NJ Statehouse to protest casino smoking delay

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Casino workers who are sick of dealing with secondhand smoke thought they'd finally see lawmakers approve a bill to end casino smoking on Thursday.

Instead, they learned on Wednesday that the proposal is dead, at least for now, and some lit cigarettes inside the Statehouse in protest.

⬛ NJ teacher accused of groping two students in Middlesex County

Perth Amboy Magnet High School (MCPO, Google Maps)

A teacher for the Middlesex County Magnet School district has been accused of inappropriately touching at least two students.

Edward White was charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact and two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced on Thursday.

⬛ Steer clear — Bull wanders onto tracks at Newark Penn Station

Bull at Newark Penn Station (NJ Transit)

NEWARK — A bull at Newark Penn Station caused delays on NJ Transit Thursday morning.

Newark police received a report that a bull was loose behind a building on Frelinghuysen Avenue near Victoria Street around 10:45 a.m. near the Northeast Corridor railroad tracks and the edge of Newark Liberty International Airport, Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said.

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

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