Everything fell perfectly into place for the Steelers on Night One of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Northeast
New Jersey to receive $125M payout in dispute over cancelled offshore wind farms
Danish wind farm developer Orsted will pay New Jersey $125 million to settle claims over the company’s cancellation of two offshore wind farms last year — a little over a third of what the company once was required to pay.
The state’s Board of Public Utilities said Tuesday that New Jersey and Orsted have settled claims against each other stemming from the company’s decision last October to scrap two wind farms off the state’s southern coast.
The state said the $125 million it will receive will be used to support investments in wind energy facilities, component manufacturing facilities, and other clean energy programs.
OCEAN GROVE, NEW JERSEY, BEACH ORDERED TO OPEN ON SUNDAY MORNINGS FOR FIRST TIME IN 155 YEARS
Before the projects were abandoned, Orsted put up a $100 million guarantee that it would have one of them, Ocean Wind I, built by the end of 2025. It also had been obligated to pay an additional $200 million toward the development of the offshore wind industry in New Jersey.
A week after scrapping the projects last fall, Orsted said it was trying to get out of the $300 million worth of guarantees because it was no longer pursuing the projects.
Orsted, in a statement to The Associated Press, said it is “pleased” with the settlement, which it said represents the company’s total financial obligation to the state.
The agreement, along with other moves announced Tuesday by New Jersey, “underscore New Jersey’s commitment to offshore wind and the industry’s bright future in the Garden State,” it said.
“While we advance clean energy projects throughout the region, we look forward to continuing valuable partnerships with New Jersey stakeholders,” the statement read.
Land-based wind turbines spin in Atlantic City. N.J., on Nov. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
The company would not say if it plans to propose future projects in New Jersey.
But Jeff Tittel, a longtime environmentalist and retired president of the New Jersey Sierra Club, called the settlement with Orsted “a sellout.”
“The governor said they would be held responsible for the entire $300 million they owe the state for their failed project,” he said. “They are being let off the hook, paying less than half, with New Jersey losing $175 million. This is a bad deal for New Jersey.”
The settlement announcement was one of several that the administration of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy made Tuesday regarding offshore wind.
The state said it is moving up the next solicitation for additional offshore wind projects from the third quarter of 2026 to the second quarter of 2025. New Jersey’s current round of solicitations closes on July 10.
The state also said it is pausing plans to coordinate power transmission planning for offshore wind projects with the regional grid operator, PJM Interconnection due to a new rule by federal energy regulators that could affect planning and costs.
“Offshore wind development remains a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will result in significant economic and environmental benefits throughout the Garden State,” Murphy said in a statement. “At this pivotal inflection point for the industry both in New Jersey and across the nation, it’s critical that we remain committed to delivering on the promise of thousands of family-sustaining, union jobs and cleaner air for generations to come.”
Orsted wrote off $4 billion last fall, due largely to costs associated with the cancellation of its two New Jersey projects. The company cited supply chain issues, inflation and a failure to gain enough government tax credits.
There are currently three preliminarily approved offshore wind projects in New Jersey.
The state is home to vociferous opposition to offshore wind by numerous groups who say the projects are too costly and are potentially harmful to the marine environment.
Protect Our Coast NJ said the move to accelerate offshore wind contracts “reflects the shifting political landscape in Washington and in New Jersey,” calling Murphy’s clean energy goals “arbitrary and unrealistic.”
Supporters say they are an important way to move away from the burning of fossil fuel that contributes to climate change.
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Five shops where the experience is the real purchase.
M. Flynn’s South End boutique. / Photo by Brad Bahner, Kerrie Burke
M. Flynn, South End
The perk: Custom fused bracelets
At M. Flynn’s South End shop, buying a bracelet is a little more hands-on than usual—in the best possible way. In just a few minutes, a delicate chain is custom-fit and fused directly onto the wrist, no clasp required. It’s the kind of experience that’s especially fun with a friend (matching bracelets encouraged!) and results in an easy, everyday piece you don’t have to think twice about.
M. Flynn Jewelry, 40 Waltham St, Boston
Boston Ski + Tennis, Newton
The Perk: A ski and snowboard simulator
Missing the slopes already? Head to Boston Ski + Tennis, where the recently launched in-store simulator allows snowboarders and skiers to train and fine-tune their technique without ever leaving the shop. The coaching staff provides guidance to powder hounds of all levels throughout the experience, proving that even in this digital age, nothing beats the expertise of a real person.
Boston Ski + Tennis, 153 Needham St, Newton
Some of Olfactory NYC’s custom fragrances. / Courtesy photo
Olfactory NYC, Back Bay
The Perk: Custom perfume making
At Olfactory NYC, creating a signature scent is part science experiment, part indulgence. Inside the Newbury Street shop, you’ll sample, tweak, and fine-tune notes with help from scent specialists until the fragrance feels unmistakably yours, and head home with a bespoke fragrance.
A Golden Goose artist adds custom sparkle to a pair of kicks. / Courtesy photo
Golden Goose, Back Bay
The Perk: In-store sneaker customization
Golden Goose’s Co-Creation experience turns sneaker shopping into something far more personal. At the Copley Place boutique, customers can work with an in-house artisan to customize a new pair—adding sketches, crystals, studs, or even personal messages. The result is a one-of-a-kind take on a cult-favorite style.
Earrings by Three Stories Jewelry, which will be on hand for a piercing event at Gretta Luxe this spring. / Courtesy photo
Gretta Luxe, Wellesley
The Perk: In-store events with coveted brands
Here, it’s less about popping in and out, and more about showing up for whatever’s happening next. The designer boutique regularly hosts interactive events that let shoppers hang with reps of their favorite brands. Mark your calendar for May, when Three Stories Jewelry will headline a piercing event.
Only two receivers were selected in the top 15 picks, and a slew of offensive linemen followed with a very random Ty Simpson to the Rams pick sprinkled in for good luck.
With a league-leading 12 selections ahead of the first round, the Steelers had every tool in the belt to pull off exactly what they wanted to do – draft Makai Lemon. Yet instead of doing so, they remained stagnant, much like they’ve done as a franchise for the better part of a decade.
The Steelers sat on their hands and stayed put with the No. 21 overall pick instead of moving up to ensure his selection in front of the record-breaking 320,000 fans in front of Acrisure Stadium. As the Dallas Cowboys were set to be on the clock at No. 20, the Steelers gave Lemon a call. Only they weren’t the only Pennsylvania area code to ring the USC star.
As the Steelers were getting ready to tell Lemon he would be calling Pittsburgh home, Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles made a trade with the Cowboys to jump in front of the Steelers to steal the star pass-catcher from their grasp. Clearly caught off guard, the Steelers had to pivot and selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheachanor, much to the chagrin of the large number of Steelers fans on hand who audibly groaned at Pittsburgh selecting its third first-round tackle in four years.
It’s almost poetic that it was the Eagles who jumped the Steelers, considering Pittsburgh so obviously wants to be Philadelphia from a team standpoint. Assistant general manager Andy Weidl came from the Eagles, and the way the Steelers have gone about roster building in the trenches is similar to what Philadelphia has done over the last 5-10 years.n Unfortunately, the Steelers lack the killer instinct that Roseman and the Eagles have.
When the Eagles see the potential to add a game-changer, they do it. Whether it’s trading for A.J. Brown, signing Saquon Barkley, or getting rid of players and coaches when they begin to fail, no matter how successful they’ve been before, the Eagles have always stayed ahead of the curve while the Steelers have perennially been behind it.
While the Eagles built a near-flawless roster that resulted in their second Super Bowl appearance under Nick Sirriani and Jalen Hurts and their first win (second in the last decade), the Steelers were bringing in re-run veteran quarterbacks hoping they would be just good enough for a good defense to carry, a project that has failed twice. And instead of moving in a new direction, the Steelers are letting a 42 year-old quarterback dictate their offseason for a second straight year.
Fumbling Lemon wasn’t just a massive mishandling of the first round by the Steelers, it was an embarrassment. To be metaphorically noogied like that in your home city when, again, you had every possible opportunity to trade up for the player you wanted is completely indefensible.
It’s also an unfortunate reminder that the Steelers are still a ways away from being among the elite teams in the NFL. Despite the addition of Michael Pittman, the receiver position continues to be largely neglected, as they have just two other receivers behind Pittman and DK Metcalf – those receivers combined for 16 catches in 2025. Sure, they can select a receiver on Day Two, but it’s hard to get excited for Day Two pass-catchers in a thin class for the position when they could have easily landed arguably the most talented player at said position if they had just gotten the least bit aggressive.
And while organizations like the Eagles are moving up and trying to build a roster that can get them to a third Super Bowl in five years, the Steelers kept their feet in the sand as they wait for a text back from the oldest active player in the NFL, hoping he can help them win their first playoff game in nine years.
It’d be funny if it weren’t so pathetic. But what the heck, I’ll laugh anyway.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — State and local leaders are urging lawmakers to expand a bill protecting renters.
The proposed legislation would expand the “Just Cause” bill, which protects residents over 62 years old and living with a disability, or in public housing, from eviction without cause.
The expansion would cover new tenants in five-unit buildings after the first year of moving in. They said the goal is to help stabilize housing for thousands of people.
“Your apartment is your home, your apartment is dignity, your apartment is respect, your apartment is access to a local school for your child, knowing where that’s going to be and knowing it’s not going to change on short notice,” Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said. “Knowing you have a little continuity and a little bit of respect. And this bill is about a little bit of respect for the folks who are playing by the rules.”
The Connecticut Apartment Association said in response:
“Connecticut needs more housing in more places, and legislators need to focus on bills that will grow more housing for all incomes. Our members will stay at the table with them to craft sustainable responses that ensure accountability and solve Connecticut’s housing crisis.”
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