Paul Sarlo

Outdoor dining was initially expanded in 2020 to help the hospitality industry survive when indoor dining rooms were ordered closed.

Among the $1.7 billion in spending added to Gov. Phil Murphy's original budget plan, with little public notice, are new line items totaling $593 million.

The Murphy administration says revenues in the current and upcoming years will be $7.8 billion higher than it expected in March.

The administrative director of the New Jersey judiciary says a bill pending in the Legislature should scale back the changes planned for gun defendants.

When indoor dining at restaurants closed at the start of the pandemic, outdoor dining became an option and lifeline. The law enabling it expires in November.

Amid military aggression in Ukraine, residents and businesses are boycotting Russian-sourced items, in solidarity with those under siege. There's also a proposed ban on NJ business with Russia.

The proposal extends to pension investments and covers any entities with substantial business interests in Russia or financing from there.

The state budget is supposed to be introduced next Tuesday, but lawmakers agreed to Gov. Phil Murphy's request to push that back to March 8.

A Senate committee advances nominations of Kip Bateman to the Horizon board and Dawn Marie Addiego as Burlington County's superintendent of elections.

A pair of polls from July and September found more opponents than supporters of a plan to expand sports betting to include New Jersey-based college sports.