New Jersey

Dozens of new lawmakers sworn in as a new legislative session starts – New Jersey Monitor

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

Dozens of new lawmakers sworn in as a new legislative session starts – New Jersey Monitor

A fresh-faced state Legislature was sworn in Tuesday, marking the start of a new two-year session that will continue to be shaped by the Democratic majority in both chambers.

More than a quarter of the lawmakers are new to the Statehouse, and six members moved from the Assembly to the state Senate. Democrats retain a 25-15 majority in the Senate and now hold a 52-28 majority in the Assembly, up from 46-34 in the last session.

Senate President Nicholas Scutari swore in all 40 senators Tuesday in Trenton.

“It’s sad to see some legendary figures leave, but I think we’re going to do an outstanding job,” he said. “It’ll probably be easier to manage because we’ll have more people here that I can reliably know are going to be in the chamber.”

The Senate’s 10 new members bring an exciting “new energy in the chamber,” Scutari said.

Down the block at the War Memorial, Assembly leaders swore in 79 members, welcoming 27 first-term members.

Assemblyman James Kennedy (D-Union) missed the ceremony because he collapsed shortly before it started, prompting a bipartisan medical response. Democratic Assemblyman Herb Conaway Jr., a physician, and Republican Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz, a nurse, hurried to his aid. Officials halted the event, dropped the stage’s red curtain, and then resumed 10 minutes later with Kennedy missing from the proceedings.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) later told the audience Kennedy had a minor medical emergency but would recover and asked for prayers. Kennedy never returned to the stage; Rhonda Schaffler, a spokeswoman for Assembly Democrats, said only that “a member required medical attention, and we are respecting the member’s privacy at this time.”

New boss, same as the old boss

The Legislature’s top leadership remained as-is, with Scutari (D-Union) leading the upper chamber and Sen. Tony Bucco (R-Morris) leading the Republican caucus. In the Assembly, Coughlin will serve a fourth term at the helm of that chamber, becoming the longest-serving Assembly speaker in state history. Assemblyman John DiMaio (R-Warren) will continue as the leader of the Republican minority, as he has since 2022.

Gov. Murphy urges action on affordable housing, medical debt relief in annual address

Republicans remain the minority in both houses after Democrats made gains in the November election. Bucco said he doesn’t see the shrinking minority as an obstacle, stressing the importance of bipartisanship to pass worthwhile policy.

Coughlin applauded the diversity of the newcomers, who will enter a Legislature whose demographics skew white, male, and older. There is one fewer Black lawmaker and two fewer women than in the previous session.

Affordability, education, and other priorities

Scutari touted the work the Senate achieved under his leadership — lowering prescription drug costs, establishing the child tax credit, rebate checks for homeowners and renters, and investing in school construction. He also suggested he’d be open to extending the corporate business tax surcharge to fund NJ Transit, prompting applause from some in the audience. The surcharge expired in December.

But issues relating to affordability is “our number one, our number two, and our number three priorities,” Scutari added. It was a sentiment echoed in speeches from both parties and both chambers throughout the day.

“We have a workforce shortage in our state, and we have the best public education system in the country. But the brain drain continues because young talent — both homegrown and out of state — simply cannot afford to live here,” Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) told the crowd packed into the War Memorial.

Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), elected again as the chamber’s majority leader, shouted out the children who attended Tuesday’s ceremony with their parents.

“Today in this chamber, I heard the most beautiful noises ever — children crying, making noises, clapping. And that’s what it’s all about. We’re here to serve,” she said.

Sen. Britnee Timberlake, an Essex County Democrat moving up from the Assembly, was sworn in with two of her kids in her arms.

“I’m a mommy first,” she quipped as members of the Legislature clapped.

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New Jersey

Husband dies after killing wife, shooting self at NJ nursing home, police say

Published

12 minutes ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Husband dies after killing wife, shooting self at NJ nursing home, police say

A man has died of self-inflicted injures, officials said, a day after he shot and killed his estranged wife at a New Jersey nursing home on Monday.

According to police, on Tuesday morning, Brandon Alexander, 35, of Minotola, New Jersey, succumbed to self-inflicted injuries at a New Jersey hospital after he shot and killed his wife, Victoria, 38, also of Minotola, NJ, at Excelcare Rehabilitation Facility in Egg Harbor Township.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.

That shooting, officials said, happened at about 6 a.m. at the nursing home, located along the 6800 block of Delilah Road in Egg Harbor Township.

Follow up investigation determined that the shooting happened after Alexander waited in the parking lot of the nursing home for his estranged wife to show up at work, where she was employed as a nurse, on Monday morning, officials said.

Once she arrived, officials said, Alexander maneuvered his vehicle to block in her car and he then entered her vehicle, before leaving a pair of suicide notes on the dashboard.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

However, as this happened, a food truck driver pulled up and asked Alexander to move his vehicle, police said.

At that time, police said, Alexander exited his wife’s car and followed her into the nursing home building where he shot her several times before turning the gun on himself.

Victoria Alexander was pronounced at the scene and, officials said, her estranged husband was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to self-inflicted injuries on Tuesday morning.

An investigation into this incident, officials said, remains ongoing.

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New Jersey

Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for April 13, 2026

Published

12 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

APP.com Digital Desk
| Asbury Park Press

Powerball winning numbers are in for the Monday, April 13 drawing with a jackpot that reached an estimated $45 million ($20.5 million cash option).

The winning numbers in Monday’s drawing are 38, 43, 59, 63, and 64, with Powerball number 15. The Power Play number is 3.

Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot?

No one won the Powerball jackpot.

When is the next drawing of the Powerball?

The next Powerball drawing is Wednesday. Drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

How late can you buy a Powerball ticket?

In New Jersey, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 9:59 p.m. on the night of the draw.

What does it cost to play Powerball?

Powerball costs $2 to play. For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play feature can multiply nonjackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or 10 times.

Are you a Powerball winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All New Jersey Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.99. For prizes over $599.99, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at New Jersey Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to New Jersey Lottery, Attn: Validations, PO Box 041, Trenton, NJ 08625-0041.

Winners can drop off their claim form and winning ticket in person at the New Jersey Lottery office where a secure drop box is available. Claim forms are also available at the office. Hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Lawrence Park Complex, 1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle, Trenton, NJ 08648.

To find a lottery retalier, you can search the NJ lotto website.

What is the Powerball payout?

The complete guide to winnings is:

Match 5 White Balls + Powerball: Jackpot
Match 5 White Balls: $1 million
Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $50,000
Match 4 White Balls: $100
Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $100
Match 3 White Balls: $7
Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $7
Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $4
Match Powerball: $4
Match 5 White Balls with Power Play: $2 million
Match 4 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $200,000
Match 4 White Balls with Power Play: $400
Match 3 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $400
Match 3 White Balls with Power Play: $28
Match 2 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $28
Match 1 White Ball + Powerball with Power Play: $16
Match Powerball with Power Play: $16

What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

The overall odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 292.2 million.

How do I find the Powerball winning numbers?

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Drawings are also lived streamed on Powerball.com. The winning numbers are posted to the Powerball and New Jersey Lottery websites.

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New Jersey

Calendar says April, weather forecast says taste of summer for NJ

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

Calendar says April, weather forecast says taste of summer for NJ

The calendar may say April, but Mother Nature is giving New Jersey another taste of summerlike vibes this week. Monday will be just as breezy as Sunday, but it will be a warming wind this time around. Temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees warmer, with highs around 75 to 80 degrees. Clouds will win the sky, and a few quick hit-or-miss rain showers are possible during the day. Tuesday trends even warmer, with highs reaching into the 80s for most of the state. (Although do not plan on making it a beach day, as coastal communities will be held to the 60s thanks to the chilly ocean and bay water.) Widespread 80s are expected for Wednesday and Thursday too, with minimal rain chances. Warm weather will carry into the start of the weekend, with our next cold front set to arrive on Sunday.

Monday NJ weather: 10 to 20 degrees warmer, spotty showers

The past week has been quiet, but relatively cool. You can not deny that New Jersey’s weather has been pleasant. And definitely dry — drought concerns continue to spiral, and wildfire danger remains high. (Although the latter issue will get slightly better later this week as humidity goes up and wind speeds go down.)

Monday will be just as windy as Sunday. But this time around, it will be a warming wind. So temperatures will trend 10 to 20 degrees warmer, as we flip back to summerlike weather for a majority of the state this week.

While you may need a light jacket or sweater early Monday, you can ditch it soon enough. High temperatures Monday afternoon will reach about 75 to 80 degrees around the state. It will be quite breezy, with southwesterly gusts peaking around 30+ mph. Expect more clouds than sun throughout the day.

In addition, a few spot showers may develop as temperatures warm, in the midday and afternoon hours. Just a few brief spurts of light raindrops, not amounting to much.

As skies clear Monday night, it will remain mild and comfortable. Low temperatures will only dip to around 60 degrees overnight.

Tuesday NJ weather: Even warmer, but not for everyone

Tuesday will be even warmer, with high temperatures soaring into the lower 80s for most of the state. It will be mostly to partly sunny, with breezy conditions continuing.

It will feel almost summerlike. I have to say almost because the Jersey Shore will end up considerably cooler. Oceans and bays are still quite cold at this point of the season, with water temperatures around 50 to 55 degrees. That will have a big cooling effect on air temperatures in coastal communities. So just keep in mind if you are thinking about a beach day this week — while inland areas will surge toward hot 90 degree temps, the Shore will be closer to 60.

Wednesday NJ weather: Feeling summerlike

Another very way, summer-ish day. Expect a mix of sun and clouds, with high temperatures in the mid 80s. This will be our first shot of seeing 90+ degrees somewhere in New Jersey this year.

There is a chance for a popup thunderstorm late-day Wednesday, especially to the north.

Thursday NJ weather: More 80s

The warm, dry conditions continue on Thursday, with widespread 80s on thermometers across the Garden State once again.

Temperatures will slide back slightly, with 70s and 80s will carrying through the start of the weekend. There will be some clouds and maybe a stray shower around on Friday, but again temperatures will be unseasonably warm.

Our next big weathermaker will be a cold front arriving on Sunday. That will deliver our next chance of widespread rain — although a wholesale soaking would be great, keep your expectations low for a nice, healthy drought-buster.

Behind that front will come cooler air. By Monday morning, we could be back in frost territory, with morning lows in the 20s and 30s. Afternoon highs will turn more seasonable for early next week, in the lower to mid 60s or so.

5 DAY FORECAST: New Jersey Weather Center

Significant or historical events in New Jersey for April (in chronological order)

Here are some of the historical or significant events that impacted New Jersey or happened in the Garden State during April. Is there an event missing? Let us know with an email to dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

Dan Zarrow is Chief Meteorologist for Townsquare Media New Jersey. Follow him on Facebook for the latest forecast and realtime weather updates.