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TRENTON — A new bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature aims to expand access to free, full-day kindergarten by establishing a one-time grant program for school districts currently lacking such programs.

Sponsored by Assemblyman Robert D. Clifton of District 12, the proposed legislation would direct the Commissioner of Education to create and manage the grant program, allocating $5 million from the state’s General Fund to support the effort.

To qualify, school districts must submit an application that includes a detailed plan for implementing a full-day kindergarten program, along with a cost estimate. If approved, the district would receive a portion of the appropriated funds. The bill mandates that the funding be distributed evenly among the ten eligible districts.

The districts identified as not currently offering free, full-day kindergarten during the 2024–2025 school year are: Moorestown Township, Haddonfield, Metuchen, Monroe Township, Millstone Township, the School District of the Chathams, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional, Hillsborough Township, Cranford, and Westfield.

Each of these districts stands to receive $500,000 in state funding, pending application approval and availability of funds.

“The Commissioner of Education shall establish a one-time grant program to support the implementation of free, full-day kindergarten programs in school districts that… do not offer free, full-day kindergarten,” the bill states.

The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.

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FAIR LAWN, NJ — A late-night police stop in Fair Lawn led to the seizure of a handgun, drugs, and other weapons after two people jumped out of a suspicious vehicle, authorities said.

Around 1:45 a.m. on July 18, Officer Hearon approached a car in the Advance Auto parking lot on River Road. Police said both occupants were seen moving around and reaching under a seat before suddenly exiting the vehicle.

A search turned up a 9mm handgun, a high-capacity magazine, hollow-point ammunition, nunchucks, crack cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. One suspect was jailed, and the other was found to have an active warrant.

Police said the firearm will be tested to determine if it was used in other crimes.

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued a warning to federal contracting officers, reinforcing their legal duty to report fraud and misconduct in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program after a sweeping federal investigation exposed a years-long bribery scheme involving over $1.3 billion in improperly awarded contracts.

The directive, released this week, follows a U.S. Department of Justice probe that revealed a former USAID contracting officer colluded with two 8(a) contractors to steer more than $550 million in federal awards through fraudulent means. One contractor, flagged for lacking “honesty or integrity,” reportedly secured an additional $800 million in contracts to evaluate migration issues in Central America despite internal warnings.

“Our 8(a) contracting officers have a legal responsibility to uphold the law and protect taxpayer dollars,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said in a statement Tuesday. “We will no longer tolerate the self-dealing and fraud that was allowed to proliferate under the Biden Administration.”

Loeffler, who took the helm at the SBA earlier this year, has ordered a full-scale audit of the 8(a) program and is now mandating all federal officers involved in 8(a) contracting to report misconduct, including falsified eligibility documents or concealed disqualifying information.

The 8(a) program is designed to help small and disadvantaged businesses compete for federal contracts. It has faced scrutiny in recent years amid reports of manipulation and abuse.

This week’s letter marks a shift in the SBA’s oversight stance, emphasizing a “renewed commitment to rigorous oversight” across the program.

The SBA vows stricter enforcement after a DOJ probe exposed widespread fraud in the federal 8(a) contracting program.

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STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A 36-year-old Front Royal man remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being thrown from his motorcycle during a high-speed crash Saturday night.

Deputies responded to Garrisonville Road near Furnace Road around 8:19 p.m. on July 26 and found the rider seriously injured. Witnesses said the motorcycle was traveling westbound when it struck a curb, ejecting the driver.

Bystanders and deputies performed life-saving measures until the man was airlifted to a hospital. Investigators with the Traffic Safety Unit determined that speed was a contributing factor in the crash.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

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LAUREL, MD — The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting Friday night that left a 33-year-old man dead in the unincorporated section of Laurel.

Officers responded around 10:20 p.m. on July 25 to the 13200 block of Laurel Bowie Road, where they found William Denard Askew of Greenbelt in the roadway suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives are working to determine a motive and identify those responsible. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS, online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or through the P3 Tips mobile app. Please refer to case number 25-0040942.

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COLUMBIA, MD — A lucky Maryland Lottery player scored a $32,694 progressive jackpot on the FAST PLAY game Slingo after buying a ticket at Wegmans in Columbia.

The winning ticket was purchased at the Wegmans grocery store located at 8855 McGaw Road. The retailer will receive a $326.94 bonus for selling the ticket.

This marks the sixth progressive jackpot win for Slingo, which launched in February 2023 with a starting jackpot of $14,000. The jackpot grows with each ticket sale until a progressive-winning ticket is sold. The game also offers other prizes ranging from $3 to $1,000.

The winner has 182 days from the date of purchase to claim the prize and is urged to sign the back of the ticket and keep it in a secure location.

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TUCSON, Ariz. — A 39-year-old Arizona man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the death of his 9-year-old son, whose decomposing body was discovered on a couch inside a home littered with garbage, soiled diapers, and bottles of urine, according to court documents.

Joseph Antonsen received the maximum sentence from Pima County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Ortiz on Friday after pleading guilty to two counts of child abuse. In addition to the prison term, he was also sentenced to 20 years of probation.

Authorities discovered the child’s remains inside Antonsen’s Tucson home, which was described in court as being filled with hazardous conditions, including black widow and brown recluse spiders. The boy had reportedly been dead for days before police were called.

During the sentencing, Antonsen’s defense attorney cited untreated mental illness and substance abuse as contributing factors. However, Judge Ortiz said the child’s death was “entirely preventable.”

“You knew you needed help and, for whatever reason — even with the resources around you from your parents, both emotional and financial — you were not able to correct your behavior and the devastation that you were surrounding your child with,” Ortiz said, according to KVOA.

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STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A 36-year-old Front Royal man remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a motorcycle crash Saturday night in Stafford County, authorities said.

Deputies responded around 8:19 p.m. on July 26 to the area of Garrisonville Road and Furnace Road after reports of a crash. Investigators said the motorcycle struck a curb, throwing the driver from the vehicle.

Witnesses provided crucial information at the scene as deputies and bystanders performed life-saving measures before the rider was airlifted to a hospital.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit determined that speed was a factor in the crash.

Anyone with additional information about the collision is asked to contact the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

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BALTIMORE, MD — Quick action by Baltimore police aviation officers saved a man’s life after a water rescue at Walter P. Carter Elementary School, authorities said.

Around 8:41 p.m. on July 26, officers received a call for a water rescue at the school pool. The BPD Aviation Unit, known as Foxtrot, was patrolling nearby and responded.

When they arrived, the crew saw citizens pulling an unidentified 25-year-old man from the pool and attempting to render aid. Recognizing the urgency, Flight Officer Hoover landed the helicopter behind the school, allowing Tactical Flight Officer Smith to exit and immediately perform CPR.

Medics soon arrived, took over treatment, and transported the man to a local hospital. Police said he was successfully revived and is receiving further care.

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BALTIMORE, MD — Maryland State Police are investigating the death of a woman discovered inside a parked vehicle Sunday morning on the outer loop of I-695 in Baltimore County.

Around 9:45 a.m. on July 27, a state trooper from the Golden Ring Barrack stopped to check on a black Jeep Wrangler with Maryland registration that was parked on the right shoulder west of Perring Parkway. Upon approaching the vehicle, the trooper found a woman lying unresponsive in the rear area of the Jeep.

Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene and pronounced the woman dead. Her identity has not yet been confirmed.

The body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

Maryland State Police were assisted by Baltimore County Police, along with crash investigators, criminal enforcement personnel, and forensic technicians.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Maryland State Police Golden Ring Barrack at 410-780-2700. Callers may remain anonymous.

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SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A man wanted in Mexico for child rape was arrested by a U.S. Border Patrol Strike Team while living in San Bernardino, officials announced Sunday.

According to Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino of the El Centro Sector, the suspect had previously been arrested three times for illegally attempting to enter the United States through California. Despite the active international warrant from Mexican authorities, he had been living undetected in San Bernardino, a self-designated sanctuary jurisdiction.

“A Border Patrol Strike Team tracked down a child rapist wanted in Mexico on an active international warrant,” Bovino said in a public statement. “Let’s be clear: sanctuary jurisdictions attract those who don’t want to be on the radar of federal law enforcement.”

Authorities did not release the suspect’s name or further details on his prior apprehensions. The man is expected to be transferred to the appropriate federal agencies for extradition proceedings.

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ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA — A Pennsylvania Lottery player in Allegheny County won $172,739.81 playing the online game X the Cash, lottery officials announced Monday.

X the Cash is a connect-style game that contributes to the Unlocked Jackpot, which begins at $50,000 and offers chances to multiply winnings up to 50 times or trigger bonus games.

PA Lottery online games can be played on computers, tablets, and mobile devices, with additional ticket purchases available for Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash4Life, Match 6 Lotto, and other games through palottery.com or the official app.

Players must be at least 18 years old and provide proof of age and identity to create an account and play online.

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CUMBERLAND, MD — A 35-year-old woman was arrested Sunday in Cumberland on a fugitive warrant linked to an assault charge in West Virginia, police said.

On July 27, officers with the Cumberland Police Department took Kaisha Delicia Urgent into custody after learning she had an extraditable warrant out of Mineral County, West Virginia, for malicious assault.

Urgent was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance and remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center, where she is being held without bond. She is awaiting extradition to West Virginia.

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HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrest of 214 illegal aliens charged with or convicted of sex offenses involving minors in the Houston area over the past six months — surpassing the total number arrested by the Houston field office during the entire 2024 fiscal year.

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston attributed the increase to a coordinated, multiagency enforcement effort targeting criminal aliens. In 2024, the office had arrested 211 individuals for similar offenses.

“Bringing together the resources and expertise of the entire federal law enforcement community… has resulted in the arrest and removal of historic numbers of violent criminal aliens,” said ERO Houston Acting Field Office Director Paul McBride.

Among those arrested were:

  • Jesus Gutierrez Mireles, 67, a three-time deported Mexican national convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Arrested March 28, removed April 4.
  • Jorge Zebra, 48, of Mexico, convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a minor. Arrested March 21, removed March 24.
  • Manuel Antonio Castro-Juarez, 37, a twice-deported El Salvadoran national convicted of sexual assault of a minor. Arrested July 18, remains in custody pending third removal.
  • Jose Guadalupe Meza, 40, a four-time deported Mexican national convicted of theft and child sexual assault. Arrested June 24, removed June 25.
  • Sergio Rolando Galvan Guerrero, 45, a three-time deported Mexican national convicted of aggravated child sexual assault. Arrested July 12, removed July 14.

The effort involved collaboration with federal agencies including the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals, CBP, and Diplomatic Security Service, as well as state and local law enforcement.

ICE’s Houston field office oversees 57 counties across Southeast Texas. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activity to 866-347-2423 or via ICE’s online tip form.

ICE reports the largest six-month total of child sex offender arrests in Houston’s history, surpassing all of last year’s figures.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Police arrested a man shortly after a fatal double shooting late Saturday in Southeast D.C. that left one person dead and another injured.

The shooting happened around 11:23 p.m. on July 26 in the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Southeast. Officers found 55-year-old Clay Hargrave of White Plains, Maryland, unconscious and not breathing with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts.

A second victim, an adult male, was located inside a nearby establishment suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police canvassed the area and quickly located the suspect. Detectives charged 46-year-old Charles Mitchell Jr., of Woodbridge, Virginia, with Second Degree Murder while Armed.

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WARMISTER, PA — A Pennsylvania Lottery player in Bucks County is holding a jackpot-winning Cash 5 with Quick Cash ticket worth $450,000 from Thursday’s drawing.

The ticket matched all five numbers drawn — 1, 13, 21, 25, 31 — in the July 24 Cash 5 with Quick Cash drawing. It was sold at One Hope Mart, located at 287 York Road in Warminster. The retailer will receive a $500 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Winners have one year from the drawing date to claim a Cash 5 jackpot and one year from purchase to claim any Quick Cash prize. Players are urged to sign the back of their tickets and call the Pennsylvania Lottery at 1-800-692-7481 for claim instructions.

More than 13,000 additional tickets also won prizes in the drawing.

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SUITLAND, MD — The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a fatal single-vehicle collision that left a man dead Saturday night in Suitland.

The crash happened around 9:20 p.m. on July 26 in the 5900 block of Allentown Road. Investigators said the driver, an adult male, was traveling southbound when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a fence. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man’s identity will be released once family members have been notified.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit at 301-731-4422. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Prince George’s County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or through the P3 Tips mobile app.

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QUEENS, N.Y. — A man who was pulled from the water near the North Channel Bridge on Sunday evening has been identified by police as 62-year-old Mark Graham of Queens.

Officers responded to a 911 call around 5:48 p.m. at the intersection of North Channel Bridge and Cross Bay Boulevard, within the jurisdiction of the NYPD’s 100th Precinct. Upon arrival, authorities were told that an unconscious and unresponsive adult male had been pulled to shore by a bystander.

EMS arrived shortly afterward and transported the man to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police identified the deceased as Graham, a resident of 142-14 116th Avenue in Queens.

The cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The investigation remains ongoing.

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PHILADELPHIA — A 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged in the shooting death of a woman found lying on a North Philadelphia roadway earlier this month.

At approximately 12:47 a.m. on Friday, July 18, officers from the 39th District responded to a Shot Spotter alert near 20th Street and Lehigh Avenue. When officers arrived, they discovered a female victim on the highway in front of 20XX West Lehigh Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso.

She was transported to Temple University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:59 a.m. Police later identified her as Nkechia Sprowal, 29, of the 2500 block of Seltzer Street.

On Monday, July 28, Shaheed Kilber, of the same block on West Seltzer Street, was taken into custody without incident on the 2600 block of Oakland Street. Authorities said he will be processed and charged with murder and related offenses.

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JACKSON, N.J. — Six Flags Great Adventure has officially canceled its popular Holiday in the Park winter festival for the 2025 season, cutting short the theme park’s annual operating calendar and prompting frustration from guests and local officials.

The decision, shared with season passholders via email on Saturday, cited a shift in focus toward the spring-through-fall operating window but gave no specific reason for dropping the event. Holiday in the Park had transformed the park into a seasonal attraction with lights, entertainment, and winter-themed experiences since its launch in 2015.

“I want to know why Six Flags is canceling this holiday tradition with no reason behind their cancellation,” Jackson Township Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri said. “My family, like many families, buy season passes, and now they’re ending our season short with no response as to why.”

The move affects thousands of guests who had come to expect the winter programming, typically running from mid-November through early January. In the absence of the event, the park will now close for the season by the end of November.

Six Flags Great Adventure has responded by offering 2025 passholders one complimentary “bring-a-friend” ticket, valid through November 30. Still, many passholders on social media say the offer fails to make up for the cancellation, especially given the reduced season length.

The announcement follows a series of operational changes at the park. Several longtime rides, including Kingda Ka, Green Lantern, Skyway, and Parachute Tower, were shut down in 2024. A highly anticipated roller coaster slated for 2026 has also been delayed indefinitely.

These changes come amid the ongoing integration of Six Flags and Cedar Fair, which merged in 2024. The company has since announced the closure of other parks, including Six Flags America in Maryland and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in California.

A similar decision to cancel Holiday in the Park was made at Six Flags Over Georgia, with the company citing unpredictable winter weather and a reallocation of resources toward the core season.

Six Flags has not confirmed whether Holiday in the Park might return in future years, leaving its fate unknown for 2026 and beyond.

The cancellation marks the end of a nearly decade-long tradition that had become a seasonal staple for New Jersey families.

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SIMSPON, PA — A $1 million-winning All Cash Scratch-Off ticket has been sold in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania Lottery officials announced Monday.

The winning ticket was purchased at Beer Express, located at 931 Main Street in Simpson. The retailer will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the top-prize ticket.

All Cash is a $20 game offering top prizes of $1 million. Scratch-Off prizes expire one year from the game’s end-sale date, and winners are urged to sign the back of their ticket and contact the Pennsylvania Lottery at 1-800-692-7481.

The Lottery said it only learns where winning tickets are sold after prizes are claimed. All prizes over $5,000 are subject to applicable withholding.

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TRENTON, N.J. — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli and his running mate, James Gannon, have formally requested that the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) expand the state’s debate schedule ahead of the November general election.

In a letter addressed to ELEC Chairman Thomas H. Prol and Commissioners Ryan Peters, Norma R. Evans, and Jon-Henry Barr, the GOP ticket called for a significant increase in the number of debates beyond what state law mandates.

“At a minimum, we are willing to double that number in both cases and begin as soon as possible to accommodate the more robust schedule,” the letter reads.

Current New Jersey election law requires two gubernatorial debates and one lieutenant governor debate. Ciattarelli and Gannon are requesting at least four for the top of the ticket and two for the second-in-command race.

“The people of New Jersey are rightfully frustrated with the direction of our state after eight years of Governor Murphy and twenty-five years of one-party Democrat control of our State Legislature,” the letter states.

The request also includes criticism of what the candidates described as a lack of transparency from opponents, calling for more frequent public forums to allow voters to assess candidates directly.

“We are hopeful that Congresswoman Sherrill and Mr. Caldwell will agree,” Ciattarelli and Gannon wrote, referring to the presumed Democratic ticket.

The commission has yet to respond publicly to the request or announce any modifications to the existing debate schedule.

Jack Ciattarelli and James Gannon are pushing for an expanded debate slate in the New Jersey governor’s race, citing voter frustration and a need for transparency.

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ODENTON, MD — A man armed with a knife robbed a convenience store in Odenton Sunday morning and fled with cash, police said.

The robbery happened around 7:45 a.m. on July 27 at the High’s store in the 1600 block of Annapolis Road. Investigators said the suspect threatened employees with a knife before taking money and fleeing in a silver sedan.

The suspect is described as a Black male in his 30s with a heavy build, standing about 5’7” to 5’8”, with short hair. He was last seen wearing a dark blue T-shirt, dark blue Adidas sweatpants, and black sneakers with orange soles.

Anyone with information is asked to call Anne Arundel County Police at 410-222-4700. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous can call the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line at 410-222-4700.

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PHOENIX — A tense third-quarter moment in Sunday’s WNBA matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and the Washington Mystics took an unexpected turn when Phoenix star Kahleah Copper abruptly ran off the court after her wig was accidentally removed during play.

With the Mercury leading 55-53, a screen was being set for Copper when the whistle blew and play was stopped. Copper was seen clutching her head as she quickly exited to the locker room.

Broadcast footage showed Copper running with urgency after the incident, which replay confirmed was caused by Mystics guard Jade Melbourne. As Melbourne came off the screen, her arm appeared to dislodge Copper’s wig, pulling it off mid-play.

The moment briefly stunned players and fans, though Copper later returned to the game.

The Phoenix Mercury went on to win the contest, but the incident became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.

Kahleah Copper’s sudden mid-game exit after her wig was pulled off sparked surprise during the Mercury’s win over the Mystics.

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Fire truck enroute to call.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Firefighters responded Monday to a blaze in the auditorium of Lowell Middle School on the 1600 block of Kalmia Rd. NW, according to D.C. Fire and EMS.

Emergency crews arrived to find flames reported in the auditorium area. “Initial reports of a curtin of fire,” D.C. Fire and EMS posted on X. The fire was contained and knocked down shortly after arrival.

Firefighters remained on the scene to check for any extension of the flames into other parts of the building.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or evacuations, and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

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