Taj Mahal saved, Cuban relations and holiday shopping: First News

Taj Mahal saved, Cuban relations and holiday shopping: First News

The surprise announcement that the U.S. is normalizing relations with Cuba is drawing sharp criticism but Congress has little chance to stop it.

New Jersey U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is the son of Cuban immigrants, a Democrat and strong supported of President Obama, but not on this issue. Fugitives from all over the world have been given sanctuary in Cuba for decades, but none more important to new jersey than Joanne Chesimard. Chesimard is a terrorist who murdered a state trooper on the turnpike in 1973.  Senator Menendez says Cuba should not be removed from the list of terrorist nations until such fugitives are handed over.

State police Superintendent Rick Fuentes reemphasized in a Facebook posting the need to bring Chesimard back to New Jersey, noting an offer of two-million dollars in reward money for her apprehension remains in place.

Federal investigators have now connected the Sony hack to North Korea. And even as hackers targeted Sony executives to trick them into revealing their online credentials, the studio experienced significant technology outages it blamed on software flaws and incompetent technical staffers who weren't paying attention. Sony also canceled the Christmas day release of "The Interview" following terror threats against theaters showing it. The comedy is about a CIA plot to assassinate North Korea's leader.

Have you finished your holiday shopping?  It looks like most have, according to the national retail federation, but stores are still pulling out all the stops to draw people in.

A south Jersey woman says she awoke Wednesday morning to find a man with a knife standing in her bedroom.  He had busted a window to get inside and fled when the woman screamed. Bridgeton police are still searching for him this morning.

Some Garden State lawmakers are accusing Jersey Central power and Light, the state's second largest utility, of systematically over-charging customers for year. Lawmakers are now calling on the BPU to take action to stop the abuse.

A decision on seeking the presidency is coming from Governor Christie after the holidays.  He told a group of middle school kids in Mendham he'll be talking with his family over Christmas, when his two oldest kids are home.  Many believe Christie is being pressured to make his decision sooner since Jeb Bush announced he was actively exploring his own bid.

The federal prosecutor looking into Bridgegate says he is aware the investigation could impact Christie's White House bid and his probe will conclude as expeditiously as possible.  But Paul Fishman declined to offer any other details.  There have been reports his office could issue indictments in the New Year.

There’s another case of a Jersey teacher having an inappropriate -- and illegal -- contact with a student.  44-year old science teacher Marc Marucci is accused of explicit sexual talk and groping the 17-year old at Clifton High on multiple occasions.  The student contacted police.  Marucci is free on bail.

Unprecedented warming of northeast ocean waters, including the jersey coast, is pushing several species of fish and crustaceans to cooler waters.

A vote is set for today on senate president Steve Sweeney's Atlantic City revitalization bills, but one lawmaker who represents the resort town says he's crafting a plan of his own. He says voting now is premature because there are still more summits scheduled to address Atlantic City's issues.

Police in Redondo Beach, California say a woman ran a red light before plowing into a group of pedestrians Wednesday night, killing one and injuring several others. The crash happened outside a church where a Christmas service had just ended. Police say they've arrested the driver on suspicion of driving under the influence.

A new study finds the U.S. Trade deficit with China has cost the Garden State tens of thousands jobs over the past 13 years but not everybody is buying it.

The Meadowlands changes from blue to green when the jets play there but Sunday it may be a sea of yellow.  A fan website has been handing out yellow penalty flags to those going to the game to further pressure the team to fire it's top management.  The site paid to fly a banner over practice this week with the same message.

Rutgers says they have saved 300-thousand dollars on food and dishwashing since they eliminated trays in the dining halls.  Students are throwing out less food and they don’t have to wash as many dishes.  But students complain its hard to balance all the food they want to take.

A new Rutgers-Eagleton poll on President Obama's executive order banning deportation of illegal aliens finds a majority support Obama.

The Garden State and its transportation agencies could soon be required to use only American-made products if a package of bills gets final legislative approval today. The highest ranking Republican in the Assembly will vote "no" on the "Made in America" measures.

WEATHER from chief meteorologist Dan Zarrow:

TODAY... Partly to mostly sunny. Breezy at times. Highs 40-44

TONIGHT... Partly cloudy. Lows 27-32

TOMORROW... Mostly sunny, breezy, and cool. Highs 40-44

To view Dan’s extended 5-day forecast, click HERE.

Lottery

Pick 3

3-2-2

(three, two, two)

Straight pays $258. Box pays $86. Pair pays $25.50.

Pick 4

1-1-9-5

(one, one, nine, five)

Straight pays $2,633. Box pays $219.

Cash 5

01-11-23-35-38

(one, eleven, twenty-three, thirty-five-thirty-eight)

5 of 5 pays $0. 4 of 5 pays $537. 3 of 5 pays $16.

Here are the winning numbers selected Wednesday In the midday New Jersey State Lottery drawing:

Pick 3

7-8-5

(seven, eight. five)

Straight pays $276. Box pays $46.00, Pair pays $27.50.

Pick 4

9-4-1-3

(nine, four, one, three)

Straight pays $3,146. Box pays $131.

New Jersey’s First News, hosted by Eric Scott, written and produced by Matthew White and Patrick Lavery. Digital support, with additional links, by Dan Alexander.
Filed Under: First News Plus, New Jersey's First News
Categories: New Jersey News

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