U.S. Marines guarding a temporary migrant holding facility.

LAKEHURST, N.J. — The Department of Defense has approved the temporary use of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey as a detention facility for criminal migrants, according to a letter sent to U.S. lawmakers by the Pentagon this week.

In a July 15 letter addressed to Rep. Herb Conway and others, the Pentagon confirmed that the joint base will be used by the Department of Homeland Security to house individuals in the country illegally, stating the move will not interfere with military training, readiness, or operations.

Seabeas construction migrant detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

“I certify that the provision of Department of Defense real property…for temporary use by the Department of Homeland Security to house illegal aliens will not negatively affect military training, operations, readiness, or other military requirements,” the letter read.

The site, which was previously used to house Afghan evacuees following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, is now being designated for migrant detention operations focused on individuals with criminal records.

Camp Atterbury in Indiana was also approved for similar use, according to the Defense Department.

The Department of Homeland Security has not released further details regarding the timeline for the facility’s activation or its capacity.

Joint Base MDL will now again serve as a federal housing site—this time for detained migrants with criminal histories under DHS custody.

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LACEY TWP., N.J. — A Manchester man is facing a long list of charges after allegedly driving drunk, striking multiple police vehicles, and fleeing through residential streets before being pulled from a lake by officers on Thursday.

Ronald Banilov, 33, was arrested after leading Lacey Township police on a dangerous pursuit that began around 3:46 p.m. when officers responded to reports of a driver drinking from a bottle and swerving on Route 9 near Lacey Road.

According to police, Banilov, behind the wheel of a silver Hyundai Tucson, veered into the wrong lane on Beach Boulevard, nearly causing several head-on collisions before striking another vehicle and fleeing the scene.

When officers attempted a motor vehicle stop at 1044 Lacey Road, Banilov allegedly drove into the officer’s vehicle and fled eastbound in the westbound lane, crashing into another patrol car before entering Barnegat Pines, prompting police to briefly halt pursuit due to safety concerns.

Banilov continued driving erratically before crashing through a curb at the Lacey Township Recreation Department and launching the vehicle over a culvert. He then drove through police headquarters and across Lacey Road before the car was disabled near Arlington Avenue and Lakeside Drive North after hitting a utility pole.

Banilov fled on foot and jumped into Deerhead Lake, where officers took him into custody.

He is charged with eluding police in a motor vehicle, two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement, resisting arrest, obstruction, criminal mischief, trespassing, and taking a vehicle without consent. Police also issued multiple motor vehicle summonses including DWI, refusal to submit to breath testing, reckless driving, leaving the scene of crashes, and speeding.

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Alina Habba, who has served as the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey since March 2025, could step down next week upon the expiration of her 120-day term, if she fails to secure sufficient support from the state’s 17 federal district court judges to extend her tenure, according to sources within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

She acknowledged her uncertain fate, but said she would want to stay on for a full term, if approved.

But the left is working overtime to block her full appointment, led by U.S. Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker.

Habba, a New Jersey-based attorney, was appointed to the interim role following the departure of John Giordano, who was nominated as U.S. Ambassador to Namibia.

Prior to her appointment, Habba was known for her work as a private attorney and White House counselor, representing clients in high-profile civil cases. Her lack of prosecutorial experience drew scrutiny upon her selection, with some praising her loyalty and determination, while others questioned her qualifications for overseeing one of the nation’s busiest U.S. Attorney’s Offices.

During her tenure, Habba pursued several high-profile investigations, focusing on state policies and local governance, particularly issues related to immigration and public safety.

Her office initiated inquiries into New Jersey’s Democratic leadership, including Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, and brought charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Representative LaMonica McIver related to an incident at an immigration detention facility.

The charges against Baraka were later dropped, prompting a federal magistrate judge to issue a rare admonition, criticizing the case as a “worrisome misstep.”

These actions fueled debate, with supporters commending her proactive stance and critics arguing that her initiatives appeared politically driven, raising concerns about the impartiality of the office.

Habba’s possible departure stems from forces preventing her to gain the necessary votes from New Jersey’s federal district court judges to continue beyond the statutory 120-day limit for interim U.S. Attorney appointments.

Federal law allows judges to appoint a U.S. Attorney if the interim term expires without a Senate-confirmed replacement, but Habba did not secure enough support to remain in the role.

This lack of judicial backing, combined with opposition from New Jersey’s Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, who criticized her as unqualified and overly partisan, effectively ended her tenure.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, which operates in Newark, Camden, and Trenton, oversees a wide range of federal cases, including those involving organized crime, public corruption, and national security.

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NEWARK, N.J. — Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is set to return to the stage at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark on Halloween night for two performances, officials announced Friday.

Presented by JS Touring, Seinfeld will perform on the Prudential Hall stage on Friday, October 31, at 7 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 25, and start at $77.

Seinfeld, who rose to national prominence after his 1981 debut on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, went on to co-create the landmark sitcom Seinfeld, which ran for nine seasons on NBC. The show, which has received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Awards, was ranked the greatest television show of all time by TV Guide in 2009.

More recently, Seinfeld has continued to tour while producing several projects including Jerry Before Seinfeld and 23 Hours to Kill for Netflix, and his popular web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. His feature-length directorial debut, Unfrosted, is currently Emmy-nominated.

Tickets for the NJPAC shows can be purchased online at njpac.org, by phone at 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722), or in person at the NJPAC Box Office.

Seinfeld last performed in New Jersey in 2023 and continues to draw sell-out crowds with his observational humor.

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BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Manhattan man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally shooting a 36-year-old woman and killing her dog during a 2022 shooting inside a Bedford-Stuyvesant smoke shop, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office announced.

Namel Colon, 39, of the Lower East Side, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter last month and was sentenced Tuesday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Phyllis Chu.

According to the investigation, the shooting occurred on January 2, 2022, at approximately 9:45 p.m. when Colon exited a car and opened fire into Salim Smoke Shop at 488 DeKalb Avenue. The gunfire struck Jennifer Ynoa, a mother of four who was inside shopping with her dog. Both were killed. Ynoa had no connection to the shooter.

District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “This defendant brazenly opened fire into a store open to the public, killing a completely innocent woman and endangering everyone inside.”

Colon fled the scene and was arrested by NYPD’s Violent Felony Squad on February 22, 2022.

A mother and her dog were killed in a Brooklyn smoke shop shooting that has now led to a 25-year prison sentence.

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Prison-Jail-Cell

BRIDGETON, N.J. — A Cumberland County jury on Thursday convicted a former senior corrections officer of assaulting an inmate at South Woods State Prison in 2017, following a two-week trial.

Cortlen S. Flax, 37, of Woodbury, was found guilty of simple assault, a disorderly persons offense, and second-degree official misconduct. The jury returned its verdict after approximately two hours of deliberation.

The charges stem from a February 15, 2017, incident involving Julio Valdez, a 61-year-old inmate. Prosecutors said Flax, then a corrections officer, entered a cell and struck Valdez on the left side of the head without provocation. The injury resulted in blood clots and a ruptured eardrum, according to medical staff at the prison.

The assault was reported the following day and referred to the New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division.

Flax faces a sentence of five years in state prison with a mandatory minimum of five years before parole eligibility. Sentencing is set for September 5.

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Michael McKenna, MMSC Photo

BRIGANTINE, N.J. — The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) released three rehabilitated seals back into the wild this week, including an entanglement survivor, bringing the total number of successful releases this season to 17.

Identified as former patients #25-034 (Elberon), #25-071 (Sea Girt), and #25-065 (Long Branch), the seals were returned to the ocean at a quiet beach within a protected wildlife refuge. The animals had been treated at the center’s hospital for various injuries and conditions before being deemed fit for release.

The MMSC, based in Brigantine, continues to care for two additional seals currently undergoing treatment during the summer months. Photos of the release were credited to Michael McKenna.

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TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A home security camera captured the moment a dog accidentally started a kitchen fire prompting the township’s Fire Prevention Bureau to highlight the risks pets can pose in the home and to mark National Pet Fire Safety Day with a warning to residents.

That incident happened a year ago in Colorado, but the FPB used the video to demonstrate that, yes, even man’s best friend can accidentally burn down a house. And, it can happen in Toms River too.

According to the bureau and local reports at the time, the fire began when the dog unintentionally activated the stove, igniting materials left nearby. No injuries were reported, but officials used the incident to raise awareness on how pets can be involved in household fires.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that pets or wild animals are responsible for starting approximately 750 accidental home fires in the U.S. each year. These incidents often involve cooking equipment, fireplaces, space heaters, and open flames.

In a public message shared Friday, the Toms River Fire Prevention Bureau offered several safety tips for pet owners, including keeping pets away from stoves and hot appliances, securing loose cords, and never leaving open flames unattended.

“Make sure you have a plan for your pets in case of a fire and always have working smoke alarms in your home,” the bureau advised.

National Pet Fire Safety Day, observed on July 15, aims to educate the public on how to protect pets from fire hazards and reduce the risk of fires caused by animals.

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Man texting - File Photo

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A Yonkers Middle High School physical education teacher was arrested this week for allegedly harassing a female student for months with repeated inappropriate messages and behavior, Westchester County prosecutors announced.

Matthew Hausman, 59, of Somers, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor, and two counts of second-degree harassment. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Wednesday in Yonkers City Court.

Judge Verris Shako released Hausman with non-monetary conditions, as the charges are not bail-eligible. A temporary order of protection was issued for the victim. The case was adjourned to Friday.

According to charging documents and a sworn deposition by the student, the harassment occurred between October 2024 and April 2025, both in person and through a series of messages.

In one February incident, Hausman allegedly called the student a “bitch” in his classroom while holding a dog collar and implying he wanted to put it on her. That same month, he is accused of kissing her for her birthday.

Text messages cited by the prosecution include one in January asking, “Hi are you angry with me? I felt blown off at the dance, didn’t hear from you all weekend. Am I being ‘ghosted’? Do you have a new bf and therefore avoiding me, what’s up?”

Prosecutors say other messages included suggestions that the student “looked cute” to improve her grades, comments about “sending” his wife and daughters to the victim’s father in exchange for “getting” the student, and statements such as “[n]ow I can be a stalker (if I had the time).”

In April, Hausman allegedly admitted romantic feelings to the student and acknowledged they were inappropriate. He also reportedly texted her about seeing a male classmate hug her and that the boy was no longer welcome in his classroom.

District Attorney Susan Cacace stated, “The exploitation and abuse of children, whether as alleged here or anywhere else, will never be tolerated by my administration.”

Authorities are asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Westchester DA’s Office tip line at (914) 995-TIPS (8477).

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BRONX, N.Y. — A 16-year-old girl was fatally stabbed Tuesday afternoon inside a Boston Road apartment building, and a 17-year-old girl has been arrested and charged in connection with the killing, police said.

Officers from the 47th Precinct responded to a 911 call at approximately 3:56 p.m. reporting a female stabbed at 3511 Boston Road. Upon arrival, they found the victim with multiple stab wounds to her head and body.

EMS transported the girl in critical condition to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, where she was later pronounced dead. She was identified as 16-year-old Aliyah Williams.

A 17-year-old female suspect was taken into custody and later charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon. Her name was not released due to her age.

The investigation into the motive and events leading up to the stabbing remains ongoing.

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PHILADELPHIA — A 26-year-old man was shot and killed in North Philadelphia on the afternoon of July 6, prompting a murder investigation that has led to one arrest and a citywide search for the suspected shooter.

Police responded to a call at approximately 2:23 p.m. on the 2400 block of Reese Street, where they found Donald Jeffers, of the 3000 block of Reese Street, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. Medics transported him to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:01 p.m.

Following the incident, Homicide detectives identified 43-year-old Arron J. Taylor, of East Sedgley Street, as the suspected getaway driver. Taylor was seen operating the vehicle that dropped off the shooter before the murder and picked him up afterward. He was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder and criminal conspiracy.

Authorities are now seeking the public’s help in identifying the man suspected of directly carrying out the shooting. He is described as a Black male, approximately 5’6″ to 5’8″ tall, with a thin build and believed to be between 20 and 30 years old.

At the time of the shooting, the suspect was wearing a purple Jubba — a type of Muslim robe with three to four buttons — along with a black ski mask and a distinctive black Pittsburgh Pirates baseball cap. The cap features an outline of Pennsylvania with a large yellow “P” and the word “Pirates” across the state symbol.

Police say the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity or location is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or submit an anonymous tip by calling 215-686-TIPS. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

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JACKSON, N.J. — The Edge, a prominent dining and gathering spot on North County Line Road, will be closing its doors after five years of operation, the restaurant announced this week.

Built by Phil and Louise Cornick of Colts Neck, the 200-seat restaurant began construction in 2016 and officially opened in 2019. Known for its upscale menu and spacious interior, The Edge quickly became a distinctive part of Jackson’s dining scene.

In a public message, the owners expressed gratitude to the community: “After many incredible years, the time has come for us to say goodbye… Thank you for making us part of your lives. The memories, the laughter, and your loyalty will forever stay with us.”

The farewell was accompanied by an image of the restaurant at sunset, with an empty parking lot symbolizing the closure.

“We lived in Jackson for over 20 years and raised our children here. We dined out often and felt the community needed an upscale restaurant that serves various needs🍽. A place to celebrate life’s special occasions ❤️ and also a neighborhood restaurant to enjoy Happy Hour after work with friends 🥂. Why not a date night on Friday or Saturday and dance the night away locally? The Edge was designed to meet the needs of Jackson and its neighboring communities. The Edge was created to provide all of that right here in our own community 🙌,” the coouple posted on Facebook.

While no official future plans for the property have been announced, it is rumored that a high-end kosher dairy-based restaurant will open at the location.

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MINEOLA, N.Y. — A Brooklyn man has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges after secretly recording patients — including a child — in bathrooms at a Nassau County sleep center where he worked, prosecutors announced Thursday.

Sanjai Syamaprasad, 47, admitted to installing a hidden camera disguised as a smoke detector inside bathrooms at the Northwell Health Sleep Disorders Center in Great Neck between July 2023 and April 2024. He pleaded guilty to five counts of unlawful surveillance in the second degree and two counts of tampering with physical evidence, all E felonies, before Judge Meryl Berkowitz.

Syamaprasad is expected to receive five years’ probation at his sentencing on September 15, 2025, though the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office had recommended a sentence of one to three years in prison on each count, served consecutively.

“Patients who enter medical facilities expect and deserve their privacy to be protected,” said District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly. “This defendant…violated the trust that patients hold in these institutions and the people who care for them with his sickening behavior.”

According to the DA’s office, Syamaprasad used Velcro to affix the camera to the walls of staff and patient bathrooms at the sleep center, as well as a public restroom at STARS Rehabilitation in the same building. He removed the device at the end of his shifts and transferred the footage to SD cards for viewing on his work computer.

Northwell Health discovered the misconduct and referred the matter to the district attorney’s office in April 2024. A subsequent search of Syamaprasad’s Brooklyn home led to the seizure of phones, laptops, and card readers.

Prosecutors said Syamaprasad attempted to destroy evidence by disposing of the camera and a broken SD card in a Brooklyn CVS trash bin. The camera was later recovered by Nassau County detectives.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Patrick Brand of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau.

Sanjai Syamaprasad recorded hundreds of individuals in private bathrooms before being caught by a coworker and arrested in April.

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JERSEY CITY — The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has rolled out a countywide Blue Envelope program aimed at improving communication between law enforcement and individuals with autism or other communication disorders during traffic stops and emergency encounters.

The initiative, created in partnership with the Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services, provides specially marked blue envelopes for individuals to store their identification, visual communication aids, and emergency contact information. The envelopes alert officers to possible sensory or communication challenges and promote a standardized approach to these interactions.

“One of our goals in law enforcement is to identify ways we can better support the needs of our residents,” said Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez. “Nationwide, the Blue Envelope program has proven to be a valuable tool when communicating with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.”

Hudson County Executive Craig Guy added, “The Blue Envelope program’s purpose is to increase safety measures that result in better interactions with law enforcement and improve overall outcomes during motor vehicle stops.”

Police departments across Hudson County received envelopes for distribution, and officers participated in specialized training led by North Jersey nonprofit Baker Street Cares. The training covered strategies for communicating with individuals who have autism, non-verbal disabilities, or age-related sensory issues.

The program was coordinated by Prosecutor’s Office Sgt. Megan Connell and Hudson County Mental Health Administrator Kayla Hanley. It is supported by the Hudson County Chiefs of Police Association, which is distributing recorded training to departments for continued officer education.

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SALAMANCA, N.Y. — New York State Police issued more than 35 tickets during an “Operation Hard Hat” detail on State Route 219, with over half related to Move Over Law violations, the agency announced Wednesday.

Troopers posed as construction workers in a New York State Department of Transportation work zone to identify drivers violating traffic laws meant to protect highway workers and first responders.

State troopers were disguised as construction workers during the operation.

“These enforcement efforts are critical to protecting highway workers and first responders,” State Police said in a statement.

The operation is part of a statewide initiative aimed at increasing safety in active work zones.

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TRENTON — A Sussex County resident has been indicted for filing a fraudulent tax return in which he falsely claimed a veteran’s exemption, state officials announced Friday.

William Hayden, 58, of Branchville, is charged with one count of filing a fraudulent tax return, a third-degree offense, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice.

The indictment alleges that Hayden falsely identified himself as a veteran on his 2019 New Jersey Gross Income Tax Return, which he assisted in preparing and submitting on July 14, 2020. The form marked the “Spouse/CU Partner Veteran” box, resulting in a $6,000 exemption and approximately $382 in unpaid taxes.

“Our tax system relies on everyone filing a true and accurate tax return,” said Platkin. “Fraudulently claiming an exemption reserved for military veterans is something we will not tolerate.”

“Attempting to avoid payment of taxes by fraudulently claiming veterans’ status is a violation of our tax laws that cannot go unpunished,” said Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton.

If convicted, Hayden faces a potential sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

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CLARKSTOWN, N.Y. — The Clarkstown Police Department announced Friday the passing of retired K9 Remy, who served alongside Officer Reekie with distinction and loyalty.

Remy was named in memory of Welles Remy Crowther, known as “The Man in the Red Bandana,” who died while rescuing others during the September 11 attacks.

“K9 Remy exemplified courage, loyalty, and dedication protecting our officers and the Clarkstown community with unwavering commitment,” the department said.

After retiring, Remy remained with the Reekie family as a beloved companion. The department expressed gratitude for his service and extended condolences to Officer Reekie and his loved ones.

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Stephen Colbert At The Montclair Film Festival. Stephen Colbert in conversation with actress Rachel Weisz on her new movie, Disobedience The event took place in Buzz Aldrin middle school, during The Montclair Film Festival in Montclair, NJ.

NEW YORKThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert will come to an end in May 2026, CBS confirmed, marking the conclusion of one of late night television’s longest-running franchises.

Colbert, who has hosted the program since 2015, announced the news in comments first reported by Deadline. “I’m not being replaced, this is all just going away,” he said.

CBS described the cancellation as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” as the network grapples with rising production costs and shifting viewer habits.

Colbert took over The Late Show following the retirement of David Letterman, leading the program through a period of political turbulence and streaming disruption. The show has consistently ranked as one of the top-rated late night programs.

No replacement format or host has been announced. CBS said it would evaluate its late-night strategy closer to the end of the 2025-2026 broadcast season.

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BOSTON — Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was caught on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert in Boston alongside the company’s head of HR, drawing scrutiny after the pair appeared startled and quickly tried to hide their faces from the camera.

The moment, captured during the band’s performance, prompted a remark from frontman Chris Martin: “Oh what… either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy,” he said from the stage.

The incident went viral after circulating online, sparking chatter among former Astronomer employees — some of whom say the reaction wasn’t just about the concert moment.

“The text groups and chains of former employees are like … everybody’s laughing their a$$ off and enjoying the hell out of what happened and him getting exposed,” a former staffer told the New York Post.

Byron, who is married, was accused in the report of fostering a “toxic” and “aggressive” workplace culture. The HR executive, who appeared alongside him in the viral video, lists on her LinkedIn that she has “trust with employees of all levels, from CEOs to managers to assistants.”

Neither Byron nor Astronomer has issued a public comment on the incident or the workplace allegations.

The surprise camera moment has triggered renewed scrutiny of the CEO’s leadership andx workplace culture at the Cincinnati-based data platform company.

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A gavel and a block i

WALLKILL, N.Y. — A former auditor with the New York State Comptroller’s Office has been arraigned on charges of grand larceny for allegedly stealing more than $405,000 from the Town of Wallkill while assigned to audit the town’s finances, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced Monday.

Tobias Otieno, 41, of Hyde Park, is accused of using his role as an Auditor 1 between June 2022 and September 2024 to transfer town funds into personal business accounts, including Toncye Consulting and Tozaq Accounting Services. He was charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree as a Public Corruption Crime, a class B felony.

Investigators allege Otieno took advantage of his access to financial records and bank accounts during the audit to commit the theft. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 8 1/3 to 25 years in state prison.

The case was investigated jointly by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office as part of the county’s White-collar Crimes Taskforce, with assistance from the State Comptroller’s Office. Forensic auditors traced the stolen funds and confirmed the theft.

Otieno was suspended and later terminated from his position once the alleged misconduct was discovered. A search warrant was executed at his residence in Hyde Park on July 10.

The investigation found no wrongdoing by Town of Wallkill officials. The town reported the fraud to its bank, which reimbursed the funds.

Due to state bail laws, a judge could not set bail in the case. Otieno is due back in Wallkill Town Court on July 30.

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Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

ANNAPOLIS — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Thursday signed a sweeping executive order aimed at addressing racial and economic disparities in environmental policy and land access across the state.

The order instructs state agencies to improve data collection on environmental hazards, health outcomes, and resource distribution, with a focus on communities historically affected by pollution and limited economic opportunity. It also seeks to expand access to financing and land for underserved populations.

“Today, I signed an executive order that confronts issues like land access and access to financing so we can drive economic growth and empower agencies to track disparities,” Moore wrote on X.

The directive calls for cross-agency collaboration to ensure more equitable investments and benefits tied to state environmental and development initiatives.

“This executive order isn’t like anything you’d see come out of D.C.,” Moore added. “Instead of walking away from communities of color… we’re ensuring that our state government is more accountable to its people.”

The order follows a series of initiatives by Moore’s administration focused on economic mobility and environmental justice.

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WASHINGTON — A controversial report describing a bizarre, typewritten note allegedly styled as a fictional conversation between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein has triggered heated political fallout and denials from Republican lawmakers.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that the note, allegedly bearing Trump’s signature and included in a letter involving the outline of a naked woman, contained an imagined exchange between Trump and Epstein. The dialogue references secrecy, shared traits, and cryptic remarks, ending with the line: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”

It remains unclear how the letter was produced, who authored the fictional conversation, or whether Trump had any role in its creation. No physical copy of the letter has been released publicly.

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) condemned the story Thursday, posting on X, “Forgive my language but this story is complete and utter bullshit. The WSJ should be ashamed for publishing it.” Vance added, “Where is this letter? Would you be shocked to learn they never showed it to us before publishing it?”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) responded Friday, pressing for transparency in the Epstein investigation. “Why are you fighting back against releasing what your administration and DOJ knows about Epstein? Release the unedited video and the files. Bring it to light,” she posted.

The Department of Justice has not commented publicly on the letter or the report. The Wall Street Journal has stood by its publication.

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NEWARK, NJ— Sen. Cory Booker drew sharp criticism Thursday after a tense exchange during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing over the nomination of Emil Bove to a federal judgeship.

The incident drew attention online after footage circulated showing Booker raising his voice and forcefully challenging Republican senators during the session. Critics pointed to the episode as evidence of political grandstanding, while Booker defended his actions as part of the confirmation process.

The flare-up came during questioning about Bove’s previous legal work and perceived political affiliations. While Booker expressed concern over impartiality, GOP members moved to advance the nomination.

Mike Testa, a Republican state senator from New Jersey, weighed in Friday morning, writing on X, “Cory Booker’s latest temper tantrum in the Senate Judiciary Committee shows he’s more interested in clicks and his 2028 presidential bid than delivering on behalf of the 9 million residents he represents.”

Earlier, conservative influencer Gunther Eagleman had posted, “Cory Booker is MELTING DOWN in a Senate meeting over Emil Bove’s federal judge nomination LOL.”

Booker has not issued a public statement on the incident. The Judiciary Committee vote on Bove’s nomination is expected to move forward.

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NEWARK, N.J. — Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Akeim J. Richard, a 53-year-old Newark man who has been missing since January and was officially reported missing on June 27.

Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr. said Richard was last seen on January 24 near Mountain View Place and Sanford Avenue. He is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 220 pounds, and is known to use a blue rollator walker.

At the time of his disappearance, Richard was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and gray sweatpants.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS. Tips can be submitted anonymously and may be eligible for a reward.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican National Committee has filed a lawsuit against New Jersey’s Division of Elections, alleging that state officials have failed to produce records related to voter roll maintenance and election procedures.

The legal action, announced in a statement this week, targets what the RNC calls slow-walking of access to public records about voting machines and maintenance of voter lists. The lawsuit seeks to compel New Jersey to release the documents under transparency and election integrity provisions.

“The people of New Jersey deserve to have transparency and accountability in their elections,” said Chairman Michael Whatley. “State officials are slow walking access to records about voting machines and voter roll maintenance. The RNC is taking legal action because the people of New Jersey have a right to know that their elections are being run fairly, securely, and in full compliance with the law.”

The lawsuit follows ongoing Republican efforts to monitor election administration across states ahead of the upcoming general election. The RNC claims the requested information is necessary to evaluate the state’s election readiness and to ensure compliance with federal and state election laws.

New Jersey officials have not publicly responded to the filing as of Thursday.

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