Category: News

State police began a “Goal Zero” traffic enforcement blitz across New Jersey, focusing on major highways including the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Route 80. The effort rolled out just before the heavy Thanksgiving travel rush. Troopers are increasing patrols at interchanges, toll plazas, and rest areas. They are targeting speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving after recent data showed a rise in holiday-period crashes. The campaign runs through Sunday night. The operation is large in scale. Extra units from multiple stations joined the detail, and aviation and traffic safety teams were placed on standby. Officials said the goal is simple: reduce the number of fatal crashes during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

Mamdani is now backing a proposal to restrict protests outside synagogues after a chaotic demonstration at the Park East Synagogue on East 67th Street in Manhattan. The bill would create a set distance—similar to existing rules around clinics and schools—where organized demonstrations cannot take place while services or events are underway. Supporters say the goal is to prevent disruptions like the one seen yesterday, when hundreds crowded the block and police had to form barriers to keep entrances clear. The impact is focused on houses of worship across the city. If passed, synagogues would receive defined buffer zones during prayer times, funerals, and community gatherings. The proposal does not ban protests outright but moves them farther from the building entrances.

New York hospitals are dealing with a sharp rise in RSV cases, leaving pediatric ICUs close to capacity. Facilities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens reported crowded emergency rooms and longer intake times. Hospitals say the current load is heavier than expected for this point in the season. Many ICUs are running at or above 90% capacity, and several hospitals added overflow beds in nearby wings. The cause is the fast spread of RSV among children under five. Doctors say the virus is moving earlier and faster than usual this year. Extra respiratory staff were called in, and some hospitals limited non-urgent pediatric procedures to free space. Ambulances were temporarily diverted from two locations late last night to ease pressure. Officials stressed that parents should watch for breathing trouble, fast breathing, or dehydration. They urged families to use urgent care for mild symptoms to keep ERs open for severe cases.

A new analysis released today finds that North Korea may now possess about 150 nuclear warheads, marking one of the highest public estimates to date. The assessment centers on activity around known weapons sites near Yongbyon and Punggye-ri, along with satellite images showing expanded storage areas and transport routes. This would place North Korea’s stockpile closer to mid-tier nuclear powers.

The White House is reviewing whether to extend part of the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that are set to phase out soon. The discussion centers on keeping certain boosts in place to prevent higher monthly costs for many marketplace customers. The talks involve senior officials in Washington, D.C., and began early Wednesday morning. They focus on how much of the 2021 subsidy expansion can be maintained without requiring a full, long-term renewal. The possible extension would apply to marketplace plans used by millions of Americans. If enacted, the move could soften expected premium increases in 2026. Many households currently receive larger credits that reduce monthly payments, and losing them would raise out-of-pocket costs. The scale of the impact depends on which parts of the enhancements are extended and for how long. Administration staff are preparing briefings for state marketplaces so they can plan for potential changes. For now, health agencies say consumers should keep using their current coverage as normal. Any policy shift would be announced before enrollment deadlines so households can pick plans with clear information about their expected monthly premiums.

Tesla shares climbed sharply this morning after Elon Musk promoted an aggressive robotaxi rollout set for 2026. The announcement was made from Tesla’s headquarters in Austin, Texas, during an internal update shared with investors earlier in the day. The surge began shortly after markets opened. Trading volume increased as investors reacted to Musk’s plan to push full-scale robotaxi production across multiple manufacturing sites. The move marks one of Tesla’s fastest strategic shifts in recent years.

National Guard troops were shot near the White House after they approached a suspiciously parked vehicle on 15th Street NW on Tuesday morning. The troops were part of a routine security patrol in the area when they moved in to inspect the car. The shooting took place shortly after 8:00 AM near the entrance to a restricted security perimeter. Several rounds struck the troops before they could reach the vehicle. At least two Guard members were hit. Both were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police officers and federal security teams responded within minutes. They closed 15th Street NW between Pennsylvania Avenue and E Street. Crews swept nearby sidewalks, checked nearby buildings, and searched the area for the shooter. The parked vehicle was secured and inspected. Officials have not released the cause of the shooting or identified the gunman. The investigation is still underway.

Israeli forces launched a large counter-terrorism operation in the city of Jenin early this morning. Troops entered several neighborhoods near the Jenin Refugee Camp and the main commercial strip on Haifa Street. The operation began before sunrise. Armored vehicles moved through the city center, and units searched buildings across multiple blocks. Security officials said the effort targets armed groups linked to recent attacks in the area. The military said the operation will continue through the day as units search for weapons and suspects. Roads around the camp remain blocked, and additional checkpoints were set up on the route leading to Qabatiya.

A fire broke out in downtown Lakewood earlier today and gutted several small businesses along a busy part of the commercial strip. Flames moved quickly through connected storefronts.

Earlier today, a ransomware attack disabled the nationwide emergency alert system used by local and federal agencies. The outage forced several states to switch to backup channels while teams worked to contain the breach. Staff in multiple control rooms first noticed that alerts were not sending. Soon after, technicians found locked files and frozen consoles. The attack spread quickly inside the system because several key servers shared the same network path. Federal security teams moved in to block the infected machines. They cut access to several regions to stop the attack from reaching other parts of the network. This helped slow the damage, but it also prevented agencies from sending routine warnings and weather notices. Local officials reported delays in posting fire updates, missing test alerts, and slower communication with first-responders. Some smaller towns relied on radio stations and local police dispatches until the system came back online. By late afternoon, parts of the alert network were restored, but several sections still ran in limited mode.