NEWARK, NJ—The Newark Department of Public Safety continues its urgent search for 17-year-old Aaliyah Bryant, reported missing since Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Aaliyah, known to have run away in the past, was last seen on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, in the 100 block of Chancellor Avenue. At the time, she was dressed in a long white T-shirt and black leggings, and was carrying a cross-body bag.
Aaliyah is described as being 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 300 pounds, with a light-brown complexion and blonde hair. She has a silver nose piercing.
Aaliyah is also diagnosed with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé is calling on anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477). All tips are confidential and could lead to a reward.
- Mikie Sherrill Needs New Jersey Voters to Believe Her Lie that Republicans Caused High Energy Prices, Not Democrats
As the November election looms, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) is intensifying her campaign to convince New Jersey voters that skyrocketing energy prices are the fault of Republican policies, not the Democratic agenda championed by her and Gov. Phil Murphy.
With utility bills soaring and the state’s ambitious clean energy goals faltering, Sherrill’s messaging faces significant challenges, as critics point to Murphy’s policies as the root cause of the energy affordability crisis.
Energy Prices Surge Under Murphy’s Watch
Since Gov. Phil Murphy took office in 2018, New Jersey residents have faced steep increases in energy costs, with some households seeing electric bills rise by as much as 20% in recent years.
A June 2025 announcement from Murphy offered a $430 million short-term credit to offset these costs, providing at least $100 to every household and up to $250 for low- and middle-income families.
Murphy argues this is a temporary bandage on a deeper wound caused by the state’s aggressive push toward 100% clean energy by 2035.
The Murphy administration’s Energy Master Plan, initially unveiled in 2020 and accelerated in 2023, aims to transition New Jersey to carbon-neutral electricity by 2035, relying heavily on offshore wind and solar power.
Yet, the plan’s implementation has coincided with higher electricity distribution costs and supply constraints, leading to predictable price spikes for consumers.
Offshore Wind Woes Undermine Clean Energy Goals
A cornerstone of Murphy’s clean energy vision was to make New Jersey a hub for offshore wind, with a goal of generating 11 gigawatts (GW) by 2040. However, the offshore wind industry has faced significant setbacks.
Major projects, including those led by Danish energy giant Ørsted and Atlantic Shores, have been plagued by economic challenges, supply chain disruptions, and federal policy shifts. Ørsted canceled two projects in 2023, citing inflation and supply chain issues, while Atlantic Shores lost support from Shell in 2025 and faces cancellation after the state halted new project funding.
These failures have left New Jersey without the promised clean energy infrastructure, forcing the state to rely on more expensive and less reliable energy sources. Critics, including Ray Cantor of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), argue that the administration’s ideological commitment to renewables, at the expense of natural gas and nuclear power, has exacerbated the crisis. “We warned that discouraging new generation from natural gas and nuclear would result in much higher energy prices,” Cantor said.
From Energy Exporter to Importer
Historically, New Jersey was a net exporter of electricity, thanks to its robust natural gas and nuclear infrastructure.
In 2018, natural gas and nuclear power accounted for 94% of the state’s electricity generation. However, the closure of the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in 2018 and restrictions on natural gas development have shifted the state to a net importer of electricity.
This transition has strained the regional grid, managed by PJM Interconnection, which serves New Jersey and 12 other states.
The 2024 PJM capacity auction resulted in a nearly tenfold increase in costs, from $2.2 billion to $14.7 billion, leading to projected bill increases of $20-$25 per month for the average customer. Murphy has called for a federal investigation into potential market manipulation by PJM, a narrative Sherrill has echoed to deflect blame from state policies.
No Clear Plan for the Future
Murphy’s accelerated goal of 100% clean energy by 2035, moved up from 2050, has been criticized for lacking a realistic roadmap.
The Energy Master Plan defines “clean energy” as carbon-neutral, including nuclear power, but does not call for new nuclear plants or address the closure of existing ones. The state’s three remaining nuclear plants, which provide 42% of New Jersey’s electricity, rely on a controversial $300 million annual subsidy to stay operational, with no long-term plan to replace their capacity if they close.
Meanwhile, the push for electrification—banning gas-powered vehicles and appliances by 2035—has increased electricity demand without sufficient in-state generation to meet it. NJBIA’s Cantor has warned that “there are no realistic plans in place to increase our in-state generation, while demand will continue to increase.”
Sherrill’s Strategy: Blaming Republicans
Sherrill has sought to shift the narrative by focusing on PJM’s mismanagement and Republican opposition to renewable energy investments.
In a July post on X, she vowed to “crack down on PJM, get new energy hooked into the grid, and sue to prevent excessive rate hikes.” She has also criticized her opponent, Republican Jack Ciattarelli, for aligning with fossil fuel interests and opposing clean energy initiatives.
However, Republicans counter that Murphy’s policies, supported by Sherrill, are the primary drivers of the crisis.
Ciattarelli has pointed to the closure of six power plants, including Oyster Creek, and the state’s reliance on imported electricity as evidence of Democratic mismanagement. “Murphy and Mikie bet big on wind, and now your wallet’s getting blown away,” he posted on X in July 2025.
With energy affordability a top concern for New Jersey voters, Sherrill’s ability to convince them that Republicans are to blame will be critical to her re-election.
Environmental advocates like Sarah Mitchell of the New Jersey Sierra Club defend the clean energy push, arguing that “fossil fuels are a dead end.” Yet, public sentiment on X reflects growing frustration with rising bills and unfulfilled promises.
As the campaign heats up, Sherrill must navigate the fallout from Murphy’s ambitious but troubled energy agenda while countering Republican narratives that pin the blame on Democratic policies. With no offshore wind turbines yet operational and the state increasingly dependent on imported power, her challenge is to persuade voters that the path to affordability lies in continuing the clean energy transition—despite its rocky start.
- Prosecutor Investigating Fire at North Jersey Synagogue, Firebombed Once in 2012
Rutherford, NJ – A multi-alarm fire early Friday morning caused significant damage to Temple Beth El on Montross Avenue, prompting a joint arson investigation by county and local authorities.
Rutherford police and firefighters responded around 2:45 a.m. to find the synagogue engulfed. After fire suppression efforts, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad and the county’s Arson Task Force were called to assist. Detectives and investigators worked alongside Rutherford police and local fire officials to begin examining the scene.
No injuries have been reported, but the building sustained heavy damage. Officials said the investigation will take time and the area remains an active scene, with detours in place.
The case is being investigated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Rutherford Police Department, and local fire agencies.
Key Points
- Multi-alarm fire broke out at Temple Beth El in Rutherford around 2:45 a.m.
- No injuries reported, but the structure suffered significant damage
- Bergen County Arson Task Force leading investigation with Rutherford police
A predawn blaze tore through a Rutherford synagogue, leaving the building badly damaged and sparking an arson probe.
- Eight Illegal Alien Sexual Predators Captured by ICE in New Jersey Sanctuary City
Newark, NJ – Federal immigration agents have arrested eight illegally present sex offenders in New Jersey over the past several weeks as part of an ongoing operation targeting individuals with histories of crimes against children.
The latest arrests since July 21 include:
- Daniel Garcia Cruz, 35, of Mexico – Arrested August 3 in Hoboken. Convicted in March 2023 of criminal sexual contact in Hudson County; sentenced to three years of probation.
- Manuel Gregorio Loja Loja, 36, of Ecuador – Arrested July 24. Convicted in June 2024 in Essex County of false imprisonment and cruelty and neglect of children; sentenced to three years of probation.
- Leonidas Rivera Gonzalez, 40, of El Salvador – Arrested July 24. Convicted in July 2023 in Hudson County of endangering-sexual conduct with a child by a non-caretaker; sentenced to parole supervision for life.
- Jeferson Isaac Flores Pineda, 19, of Honduras – Arrested July 31 in West New York. Convicted in December 2023 of false imprisonment in Hudson County after being charged in 2022 with aggravated sexual assault.
ICE previously announced the arrests of four others before July 21: Gerson Jose Saenz Umana, Javier Garcia Nicolasa, Juan Villatoro Valle, and Reyes Peralta-Salazar, all convicted of sexual offenses involving minors.
All eight men are registered sex offenders in New Jersey and remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
Key Points
- ICE Newark arrested eight illegally present registered sex offenders in recent weeks
- Convictions include sexual assault, false imprisonment, and child endangerment
- All are in federal custody awaiting removal
ICE says the arrests are part of an ongoing effort to target illegal aliens convicted of crimes against children in New Jersey.
- New Jersey group slams NYC after Harlem Legionnaires’ outbreak sparks urgent calls for broader prevention measures
New York, NY – A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Central Harlem has left 67 people sick and three dead since late July, prompting renewed demands for New York City to overhaul its prevention strategy and address the bacteria from water source to tap.
The Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease says the city’s current approach, guided by Local Law 77 since 2015, focuses too narrowly on inspecting and disinfecting building cooling towers after bacteria is already present, instead of preventing its entry into water systems in the first place.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe pneumonia caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with legionella bacteria. The group points to research linking heavy rainfall to outbreaks, noting that Harlem experienced some of the city’s most intense rainfall on July 14. The first cases appeared 11 days later, within the bacteria’s typical incubation period, suggesting the storm may have disrupted the water system and dispersed bacteria.
Family members of past victims are also calling for change.
Gwen Hanlon, whose husband died from Legionnaires’ in 2017, said she is “devastated” to see more families losing loved ones and urged New York to adopt a “source-to-tap” prevention law similar to one passed in New Jersey last year.
Advocates say such an approach would include proactive monitoring, treatment, and public alerts after water disruptions, aiming to reduce the city’s consistently high infection rates. The CDC estimates that one in ten people infected die from the disease, with higher mortality among vulnerable populations.
Key Points
- 67 people sickened and three dead in Central Harlem Legionnaires’ outbreak since late July
- Experts link outbreak timing to intense July 14 rainfall that may have disrupted water systems
- Advocates urge New York to adopt a “source-to-tap” prevention strategy used in New Jersey
- New Jersey is part of the pickleball craze as PickleRage expands to Garden State
Glen Burnie, MD – One of America’s fastest-growing indoor pickleball brands is serving up a wave of expansion as PickleRage adds new franchise locations, enters fresh markets, and deepens its community footprint heading into the final months of 2025.
The company kicked off the year with its Glen Burnie, Maryland grand opening, followed by new clubs in Mobile, Alabama, and a one-year milestone for its West Bloomfield, Michigan location. By the end of the year, at least five more clubs are set to open in Centerville, Ohio; Portage, Michigan; New Rochelle, New York; Union County, New Jersey; and a corporate-owned facility in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Seventeen new franchise agreements signed in the past six months will extend PickleRage into states including North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Indiana, New Hampshire, Nevada, and additional regions of Michigan, Maryland, and New Jersey. By year’s end, the brand expects to operate in 13 states.
Alongside expansion, PickleRage has focused on building local partnerships. The Mobile, Alabama club hosted the LOV Pickleball Tournament to raise funds for free summer camps for underserved youth. Glen Burnie’s Battle of the Badges brought police and firefighters together for competition and fundraising. In Michigan, West Bloomfield partnered with local schools, summer programs, and Boys & Girls Clubs to promote youth pickleball. And in Jacksonville, Florida, the Avenues Walk club began hosting Special Olympics North Florida practices in July.
“Our growth is about more than just opening new doors,” said COO David Smith. “It’s about connecting people, building communities, and bringing the PickleRage experience to players everywhere.”
Key Points
- PickleRage to open at least five more clubs before year-end, expanding to 13 states
- Seventeen new franchise agreements signed in six months
- Community events raise funds, promote youth programs, and support local organizations