Check your tickets! 2 big lottery winners in New Jersey—NJ Top News
Here's the stories you'll be talking about on the New Jersey 101.5 Morning Show on Monday:
🔗 NJ wants cut of FIFA's World Cup turf sales
⚽Gov. Mikie Sherrill says NJ should share in profits from FIFA's World Cup turf sales
⚽FIFA is selling preserved pieces of the MetLife Stadium championship pitch
⚽The state covered most of the pitch's cost and is expected to lose money
EAST RUTHERFORD — If Gov. Mikie Sherrill gets her way, the state of New Jersey will also profit from the sale of sections of the turf used for the World Cup championship at MetLife Stadium.
FIFA is selling pieces of the grass turf in several versions for as much as $3,000. The most common is the Foundation Collection, which includes pieces of the pitch encased in 2.5-inch acrylic cubes at $450 each.
Fast Company estimates that the entire FIFA collection could make $11.2 million. Gov. Mikie Sherrill wants a share for the state.
"New Jersey paid for the vast majority of the total expense for the pitch at MetLife Stadium, so New Jersey taxpayers should share in any proceeds from this latest money grab," spokesman Sean Higgins told New Jersey 101.5.
🔗 Anti-corruption candidate now faces corruption charges
⚠️ A former Hudson County official has been charged with stealing more than $250,000 in public funds.
➡️ Prosecutors say the money was diverted from county agencies between 2024 and 2026.
🔴 The arrest comes just over a year after Frank Alonso ran for the New Jersey General Assembly.
A man who ran for office on a platform of fighting corruption in Trenton is now accused of stealing more than $250,000 from taxpayers.
Frank Alonso, 58, of Union City, was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus on Tuesday. The former public official is charged with three counts of official misconduct, one count of pattern of official misconduct, and two counts of theft, all second-degree offenses. He's also charged with another third-degree count of theft.
Alonso was released pending a hearing in Superior Court.
Alonso served as the Hudson County Superintendent of Weights and Measures until earlier this year. According to Hudson County prosecutors, Alonso used his position to divert more than $250,000 meant for the Hudson Regional Health Commission and the Office of Weights and Measures.
Alonso's arrest comes just over a year since he campaigned for the state Assembly. His campaign focused heavily on his experience as a "corruption fighter" and watchdog who would bring change to Trenton. He lost the June 2025 Democratic primary to Gabriel Rodriguez and Larry Wainstein, who both went on to win the general election.
🔗 US expands strikes into northern Iran
The United States has intensified its strikes targeting Iran, hitting targets further north.
American forces also fired into a ship it accused of trying to break its naval blockade on the Islamic Republic. Tehran retaliated early Thursday with missile and drone fire targeting Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait before dawn. Days of back-and-forth strikes by the U.S. and Iran across the Middle East and renewed threats to the Strait of Hormuz have shredded the interim deal to end the Iran war and the region could tip back into all-out war.
Already, Iranian officials say U.S. strikes have killed at more than than 35 people and wounded over 300 others.
🔗 Somebody Bought a NJ Lottery Ticket in Their PJs and Won $7.7 Million
Somebody just hit a very big New Jersey Lottery jackpot and they didn't even have to leave their house to buy their ticket.
New Jersey Lottery officials say a big lottery prize was just hit, and the winner bought their ticket online
Officials say someone using the Jackpocket App hit a recent Pick 6 jackpot for $7.7 million. The ticket matched all six numbers from last Saturday night's drawing. The winner numbers were 14, 17, 27, 31, 41, and 46.
The winner has yet to come forward to claim their prize. Since the winner used the app, we don't know anything about them, including where they're from.
A $3 million dollar ticket was sold in New Jersey for the July 14 Mega Millions drawing.
The New Jersey Lottery says the ticket was sold at the Acme on Delaware Avenue in North Wildwood.
🔗 FDU Poll: NJ voters back pet tax credit, oppose theater alcohol
🐶 A new FDU Poll finds New Jersey voters narrowly support a proposed tax credit for pet owners, including additional help for veterinary expenses.
🍿 Most Garden State voters say "no thanks" to making it easier for movie theaters to sell alcohol, despite arguments it could help struggling cinemas.
📊 The survey offers a fun snapshot of what New Jersey residents are willing to spend tax dollars on — and what they're not.
New Jersey voters warm to pet tax credit, but reject booze at the movies
If there's one thing New Jersey residents seem to agree on, it's that their pets deserve a little love from Trenton. Their popcorn? Maybe not a cocktail.
A new Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll finds Garden State voters narrowly support a proposal that would give pet owners a state tax credit, while a separate proposal to make it easier for movie theaters to sell alcohol is getting a much colder reception.
The survey found 45% of New Jersey voters support Assembly Bill 4995, while 41% oppose it. The legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Alex Sauickie, R-Ocean, would provide pet owners with a $300 state tax credit, along with up to an additional $600 to help offset veterinary expenses.
While pet owners may be getting some sympathy, movie theaters aren't finding the same support.
The poll found just 38% of voters favor legislation that would make it easier for movie theaters to obtain liquor licenses, while 55% oppose the idea.
21 top spots to take a first-time visitor to New Jersey
Gallery Credit: Jen Ursillo
Damage from Severe Thunderstorms of Friday, July 3
Gallery Credit: Dan Alexander
Start your day with up-to-the-minute news, traffic and weather for the Garden State.
The New Jersey 101.5 Morning Show airs from 6 - 10 a.m. on New Jersey 101.5.
Join the conversation by calling 1-800-283-1015 or download the NJ101.5 app.
You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com
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