New Jersey
Why digital beach tags should never be allowed in NJ
Recently, one of my colleagues at one of our South Jersey stations, Josh Henning, wrote about the possibility of all New Jersey shore towns allowing us an option to have digital beach badges.
After seeing what he argued (and I urge you to take a look), I 100% understand his point. We’ve had physical beach badges for so long that perhaps now is the right time to move to a more digital method.
Parking, for example, has already shifted. Although physical meters do still exist, apps for our phones, or even QR codes, seem to be the direction we’re going.
So I do get it, and the point Josh makes is valid. However, I don’t think I agree that more towns should have this option. In fact, not a single town should consider digital payment to enter our beaches.
Before I share my reason why, let me first share my thoughts on beach badges in general. And I can promise, I’m not the only one who feels this way.
Why Beach Tags Should Never Be Allowed In New Jersey
Plus why you might be part of the reason badges may never go away.
Gallery Credit: Mike Brant
No digital beach tags
As mentioned above, I 100% agree with my colleague who argues that every shore town should have digital beach badges. But, I only agree with that if we must have them.
The reason I’m against a digital option is because I’m against the logic that we have to pay to use our public beaches in the first place. We should be doing the opposite and figuring out ways to remove the need for these ridiculous tags.
Now yes, part of the problem is on us. If we generate garbage while using the beach, we should make sure we carry it back out with us.
But outside of that, New Jersey is so out of touch charging to set foot on public sand. So no, we shouldn’t have beach badges in the first place, digital or not.
Why you shouldn’t visit the Jersey Shore this summer
10 reasons why you might want to rethink that visit…
Gallery Credit: Mike Brant – Townsquare Media
It’s here! The complete 2024 NJ county fair summer schedule
A list of county fairs happening across the Garden State for 2024. From rides, food, animals, and hot air balloons, each county fair has something unique to offer.
(Fairs are listed in geographical order from South NJ to North NJ)
Gallery Credit: Mike Brant
The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 Sunday morning host Mike Brant. Any opinions expressed are his own.
New Jersey
10 hospitalized, including some students, after crash involving school bus in New Jersey
MOORESTOWN, N.J. (WPVI) — Ten people, including several students, were hospitalized Tuesday after a school bus crash in Burlington County, New Jersey.
The collision happened around 3 p.m. at Borton Landing and Hartford roads in Moorestown.
Township officials said in a Facebook post that a car and school bus collided at the intersection, injuring six students, the bus driver and three occupants of the passenger vehicle. All injuries appear to be minor, officials said.
“We have been made aware of a bus accident on one of our routes. There are no significant injuries for our students,” Moorestown Township Public Schools said in a statement.
The remaining students on the bus were taken to a nearby school, where they were picked up by family members.
School counselors will be available this week to provide additional support to students.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
New Jersey
Wrong-way driver charged in I-80 crash that injured N.J. State Police trooper
An alleged drunk, wrong-way driver was arrested following a crash on Interstate 80 in Warren County, officials said.
Robert Felegi was driving a pickup truck west in the eastbound lanes in Knowlton when he crashed head-on into a New Jersey State Trooper’s vehicle near milepost 1.4 around midnight Tuesday, State Police said.
The trooper had emergency lights and sirens activated while trying to alert motorists of a hazard ahead, authorities said.
The trooper suffered minor injuries, while Felegi was not hurt.
Felegi, 67, of Middleport, Pennsylvania, was charged with assault by auto and driving under the influence.
He was brought to the Warren County jail ahead of a detention hearing. An attorney for Felegi is not listed in court records.
investigation, and no additional information is available.
New Jersey
NJ casino workers continue push to end smoking loophole
TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) — New Jersey casino workers, who are pushing to permanently ban smoking in their workplaces, held a rally in Trenton on Monday.
A hearing was held to discuss a lawsuit that aims to close the smoking loophole in the Garden State.
For years, casino workers have been pursuing protections against secondhand smoke in their workplaces.
RELATED | Judge allows smoking to continue in Atlantic City casinos, dealing blow to workers
New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act largely bans indoor smoking, but casinos have a long-standing exemption.
The lawsuit filed last April by the United Auto Workers, which represents dealers at the Bally’s, Caesars and Tropicana casinos.
In August 2024, a judge ruled in favor of the casinos to allow smoking to continue.
“Casino workers are expected to clock in to work every day despite inevitably facing a toxic environment that could cause countless health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and asthma,” said Nancy Erika Smith, the lawyer representing Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and the UAW on Monday.
“We’re asking the court to find the exemption in New Jersey’s Smoke-Free Air Act unconstitutional and void it immediately. We hope this case will serve as a precedent for casinos across the country to close their smoking loopholes and stop poisoning their workers,” added Smith.
The casinos have warned that thousands of jobs and millions in gambling revenue and taxes could be lost if smoking was banned.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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