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Father of New Jersey girl, 6, who died following badminton accident shares daughter's child-like faith

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Father of New Jersey girl, 6, who died following badminton accident shares daughter's child-like faith

The father of a 6-year-old New Jersey girl who died from head trauma after a freak accident involving a badminton racket on the final day of a family vacation shared his daughter’s faith and the hope they held onto in the midst of tragedy.

Jesse Morgan, whose 6-year-old daughter, Lucy, unexpectedly died following a badminton accident while playing with her siblings, shared with Fox News Digital his daughter’s faith that continues to sustain the family of six.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that she in her imperfect understanding of life loved Christ and loved God,” Morgan said. “And that God welcomed her into heaven.

“It was incredibly huge,” he added of Lucy’s faith.

NEW JERSEY GIRL, 6, DIES IN TRAGIC BADMINTON ACCIDENT 4 WEEKS AFTER ASKING ‘HOW TO BE WITH GOD AND BE SAVED’

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Lucy Morgan, 6, during the family’s vacation in Maine, days before her fatal accident. (Jesse Morgan via New Creation Living Blog)

Lucy Morgan wrote in her prayer journal that “God is so amazing and He is the true God and He created everything and He died on the cross for our sins.” (Jesse Morgan via New Creation Living Blog)

“She in her imperfect understanding of life loved Christ and loved God…”

Jesse said after the family returned to their New Jersey home after Lucy’s death in a Portland, Maine, hospital, a friend dropped off Lucy’s backpack, which contained the 6-year-old’s well-loved journal.

Lucy’s prayer journal became a bright reminder during the family’s darkest days.

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“She got it a month before she passed,” Jesse said. “It was my wife’s idea. My wife is a journaler, and she said, ‘Hey, you can use this to write stuff, write to God if you want.’ She also wrote some spelling words in there.”

Pictures from Lucy’s journal showed the 6-year-old’s thoughts. She wrote, “God is amazing” and “He created everything, and He died on the cross for our sins.”

Lucy wrote in her prayer journal “I love Jesus” with hearts. (Jesse Morgan via New Creation Living Blog)

“She’s a kid, and part of our concern is that we want our kids to know God,” Jesse said. “It wasn’t a fear-based thing or a demand or forcing them. We want to compellingly show the love of Christ to our children so that they imperfectly see God’s love mirrored in us and want more of that and want to pursue him.”

AMERICAN MISSIONARIES KILLED BY HAITIAN GANG ‘GAVE EVERYTHING’ FOR PEOPLE THERE: FAMILY

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Morgan said witnessing Lucy’s child-like faith was “one of the most beautiful gifts.”

“I believe that she had the faith of a mustard seed.”

— Jesse Morgan, Lucy Morgan’s father

“I believe that she had the faith of a mustard seed,” he said. “And Jesus calls the children to come to him. While her understanding was limited as a child, one of the most beautiful gifts (was) to open up and see the things she wrote, the things she drew.”

Lucy was taken via medical helicopter to a nearby pediatric hospital and was later transferred to a hospital in Portland, Maine. (Jesse Morgan via New Creation Living Blog)

Jesse, a pastor at Green Pond Bible Chapel in Rockaway, New Jersey, prioritizes sharing the gospel of salvation with his four children.

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“We’ve explained the gospel to our kids every day,” Jesse said. “It wasn’t a one-time event.

“We view it as a continual conversation with our children, all the time, but doubt circled in,” he said. “Did I say it right? Did I do it right?”

Jesse shared that he and his wife struggled over whether they properly articulated the gospel to their 6-year-old prior to her death.

“Was I good enough as a father, as a mother, to articulate that Jesus died for you, loved you, that we need his love, we need his death and resurrection,” Morgan said he asked himself.

Four days later, Lucy died due to her injuries, the family said. (Jesse Morgan via New Creation Living Blog)

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Lucy’s father said he turned to his blog, New Creation Living, as a “simple cry for help.”

“The first post was simply a cry for help to people who I knew would pray for us, and it was a way for me to unpack the trauma that I was holding in my body,” he said. “I continually found that to be a helpful process, for my process of grief and confusion and anger.

“I think God’s just been pleased to use it, and it’s been overwhelming. Yet I continue to seek to just be myself and to be authentic.”

Jesse said people keep telling him they are amazed by his family’s faith during the heartbreaking death of his young daughter, but he explained it was not as simple.

“We didn’t want to hang on. There was a big part of us that wanted to be done with God,” he said. “And we simply couldn’t do it. It simply wouldn’t happen.”

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Lucy and her mother, Bethany, and sister. Jesse Morgan said he and his wife were reading and relaxing when the badminton accident happened. (Jesse Morgan via New Creation Living Blog)

Jesse shared that he believes God placed circumstances in his family’s life to prepare them for Lucy’s death.

“God put all these things into our lives to, I feel like, to prepare us for this,” he said. “I don’t even know what that means in God’s plan, and I don’t want to try to do divine math and figure it out and explain it away.” .

Jesse said two days before Lucy’s unexpected death, the family sang, “He Will Hold Me Fast,” by Christian singers Keith and Kristyn Getty and Selah.

“It can be summed up in one of the first lines: “When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast,” Jesse recalled. “I never really felt that, and I felt the prayers of millions of people, thousands of people. I don’t know how many people are praying and helping us. And that was it.”

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Lucy’s prayer journal also contained drawings of the family and the Bible, her father said. (Jesse Morgan via New Creation Living Blog)

Jesse said he wants people to see the “miraculous” in the midst of his family’s suffering. 

GEORGIA WOMAN, 85, GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL WITH HONORARY DIPLOMA: ‘I’M REALLY THANKFUL TO GOD’

“It is Christ alone sustaining us.”

— Jesse Morgan, Lucy Morgan’s father

“It is Christ alone sustaining us,” he said. “I don’t want people to be gawking at the tragedy. I want people to see the miraculous. God didn’t do a miracle and bring her back, but God did do a miracle,” he said. “And that’s what I want people to see, that in our hearts that we’re still trusting Him.”

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Lucy’s brothers stand beside her in the pediatric intensive care unit. (Jesse Morgan via New Creation Living Blog)

Lucy succumbed to her head trauma injuries after a freak accident involving a badminton racket on the final day of her family’s vacation in Maine.

Lucy was unexpectedly struck when the shaft of the racket, which was being used by her 10-year-old brother, broke apart and flew into her skull.

“Due to a freak accident with a racket that broke on a downward swing, a sharp piece had entered Lucy’s skull while she was sitting on the sideline and caused catastrophic injury,” Jesse explained in a series of posts on his blog, New Creation Living. “She was still breathing but unresponsive as I held her with Bethany crying out to God.”

Lucy was taken to a local hospital before being transported to a hospital in Portland, Maine.

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Lucy with her three siblings while on vacation in Maine.  (Jesse Morgan via New Creation Living Blog)

Four days after the accident, Lucy succumbed to her injury.

“After significant thorough testing and even more repeated tests to be certain, brain death was declared at 1:32 a.m. on June 5, and her heart stopped beating around 4 a.m.,” Jesse wrote. 

“Lucy was with Jesus.”

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Massachusetts

Mass. opioid deaths fall below 1,000 for first year since 2013

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Mass. opioid deaths fall below 1,000 for first year since 2013


The number of annual opioid-related overdose fatalities fell below 1,000 for the first time in more than a decade in 2025, state health officials said Friday, marking a significant improvement since Massachusetts broke a devastating record a few years ago.

There were 978 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths among Massachusetts residents last year, the Department of Public Health said. That represents a nearly 27% decrease over the 1,336 deaths in 2024, which also saw a sharp drop in fatal overdoses.

DPH says the declining trend mirrors data unfolding nationally.

“This progress, experienced by families across the Commonwealth as years of extra joy and life, is the result of a comprehensive and collaborative public health response that has prioritized evidence-based care, community partnership, and compassion,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said. “Data show us that providing access to housing, harm reduction, treatment options, and supportive peer communities works to prevent overdose—and the Commonwealth will continue its commitment to supporting and expanding access to these tools and services.”

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Narcan is an easy-to-use nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose. Here’s what you need to know about this life-saving drug.

A 2024 law expanded access to overdose-reversal drugs like naloxone, installed liability protections for providers and organizations offering drug checking services, and established licensure for recovery coaches. The law did not include a Senate-backed provision to legalize supervised injection sites, and proposals to do so this session are before the House and Senate Ways and Means committees.

Overdose deaths, which claimed more 2,000 lives annually between 2016 and 2023, reached a record high of 2,364 in 2022. The last time Massachusetts recorded less than 1,000 overdose fatalities was in 2013, when the opioid epidemic claimed the lives of 992 Bay Staters.

“While a 27 percent decrease in opioid overdose deaths is encouraging and reflects the impact of sustained investments in prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support, we must never lose sight of the fact that behind every data point is a person — a loved one, a family member, a friend, a neighbor,” Deirdre Calvert, director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, said.

DPH said it is still analyzing the latest data and will release more insights later this summer about how the decrease is reflected across Massachusetts communities.

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In its recent report on overdoses in 2024, DPH offered three hypotheses for that year’s decrease, including a potentially safer street drug supply, fewer people at risk of overdoses, and expanded overdose prevention resources and services. DPH says overdose deaths rose from 2013 to 2022 due to the “increasing and erratic fentanyl concentrations in the drug supply.”

But xylazine, a sedative approved for veterinary use, has become increasingly common in the state’s drug supply between 2020 and 2024.

“One hypothesis is that using drugs containing xylazine may protect from fatal overdose by increasing the length of time that people are sedated after using, therefore decreasing the total number of use events,” the report says. “Another hypothesis is that due to the sedative effects of xylazine, suppliers may reduce the amount of fentanyl in their product.”



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New Hampshire

Cops Searching For Missing Man | Rollover Crash | House Speaker To Step Down | More: PM Patch NH

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Cops Searching For Missing Man | Rollover Crash | House Speaker To Step Down | More: PM Patch NH


Community Corner

Also: Homeless burglar accused of burglarizing store for cigarettes; 2026 political signup updates; Statehouse votes; sports notes; more.

CONCORD, NH — Here are some share-worthy stories from the New Hampshire Patch network to discuss this afternoon and evening.

This post features stories and information published during the past 24 hours.

Missing Nashua Man Frequents Lawrence And Lowell, Police Say: Christopher Serrano was last seen on April 20, and family and friends are concerned for his well-being.

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Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Rollover Crash In Concord Closes South Main Street; 1 Sent To The Hospital: Video: South Main Street between Perley and Water streets was closed to traffic for about 90 minutes after a collision on Friday morning.

Homeless Felon, Previously Convicted Of Burglary, Accused Of Burglarizing Concord Market Basket For Ciggies: Kevin Gobeil, who has been arrested dozens of times in the capital city, faces another felony charge after a September 2025 incident.

Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Blood Drives | Farmers Markets | Historical Society Events | More: The Salem Patch Weekender: NH PBS Spring Auction; books and brews; wildflowers, waterfalls, and garden trains; addiction recovery program; stories; arts and crafts.

Technical Trouble Delays Sentencing For Trans Ex-State Rep. In Child Sex Abuse Images Case: Once hailed as one of the “LGBTQIA+ Democrats who are the backbone of the Granite State,” Stacie Laughton is facing decades in prison.

Woman Injured In Rollover | Dating App Hookup Investigation Leads To Rape Charges | More: PM Patch NH: Also: “Substance abuse reduction initiative” nets 6; 2026 candidate filings, other political notes; argument leads to woman being run over.

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2026 Political Posts

Here is some of the latest news from Patch partners.

🌱 Patch AM: GoFundMe Efforts Set Up To Help Victims Of Nashua Apartment Building Fire: Follow-Up

Thank you for reading Patch.com in New Hampshire and have a great weekend!

Do you have a news tip? Email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube or Rumble channels. Patch in New Hampshire is now in 217 communities — and expanding every day. Also, follow Patch on Google Discover.

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New Jersey

Can Saharan dust reach New Jersey?

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Can Saharan dust reach New Jersey?


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The first round of Saharan dust for summer 2026 is set to sweep over parts of the U.S. Southeast this weekend. AccuWeather expects it to hit Gulf Coast soon, and new waves are expected come all summer.

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Also known as the Saharan Air Layer, the annual weather phenomenon can help dampen hurricanes. It makes sunsets and sunrises look dramatic and can negatively affect air quality.

Now, does the Saharan dust reaches the Northeast? Can it reach New Jersey? Here’s what to know about the Saharan dust.

What is Saharan dust?

Just like the name suggests, dust and dirt from the Sahara Desert in Africa are swept across the globe.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the dry, dusty air forms over the arid region from spring through autumn. Trade winds can catch the dust, pushing a miles-thick layer in the atmosphere thousands of feet above the ground.

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Which states are affected? Does Sahara dust reaches New Jersey?

The Sahara Dust typically affects the Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida and areas nearby. According to NOAA, it can reach as far west at Texas.

The massive plumes pushed across the ocean can be as large as the lower 48 states, and the dust can reach New Jersey, though with minimal impact.

Previous reporting suggests that when the dust reaches New Jersey, its effect is not perceptible inland, but those living by the ocean can suffer mild effects from it. Sahara dust tends to produce hazy skies and dry air.

This time around, the forecast doesn’t expect the dust from the coming wave reaching the Northeast.

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➤ What is ‘dirty rain’? How Saharan dust can impact the weather

When does Saharan dust reach the U.S.? When does Sahara dust season peak?

 Saharan dust season typically starts mid-June and peaks from late June to mid-August, according to NOAA. In the U.S., bands can hit about every three to five days.

How does Saharan dust affect air quality? Can it cause coughing or sinus issues?

Saharan dust can affect air quality and trigger coughing and sinus issues for some people, especially if the coverage is thick.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines the weather phenomenon as a form of particulate pollution. It’s made of sand and minerals, but it’s not the same kind of dust as the household variety with dust mites.

People with asthma or other health issues affected by air quality might want to stay inside as much as possible when the dust is heavy in their area.

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If you’re concerned about breathing in the particles, use a mask outside and an air purifier with a filter indoors.

According to information from Baptist Health System, the respiratory issues caused by the dust can mimic a COVID-19 infection. Coughing and chest tightness with no fever might be an allergic reaction or your body responding to an irritant.

The Instituto Espaillat Cabral, an ophthalmology center in the Dominican Republic, recommends wearing protective eyewear and keeping your eyes hydrated to keep the dust from irritating your eyes. If you get debris in your eye, avoid rubbing it.

Does Saharan dust ‘stop’ hurricanes?

Saharan dust can suppress the energy needed for hurricanes to form and intensify. It’s more like starving a storm than making one stop in its tracks.

Large amounts of dust can keep the surface of the ocean slightly cooler, which can help prevent storms from growing or forming.

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According to the National Weather Service, the lower humidity and warm, dry air can also weaken an existing storm with downdrafts or throw off the heat signature of a cyclone.

Juan Carlos Castillo is a New Jersey-based trending reporter for the USA Today network. He covers weather, and national events focusing on how they affect New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.



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