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Explore more than 30 trails during New Jersey’s ‘First Day Hikes’

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Explore more than 30 trails during New Jersey’s ‘First Day Hikes’


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From the Appalachian Trail at High Point State Park to the ocean waters of Island Beach, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during New Jersey’s annual “First Day Hikes.”

The state is encouraging people to kick off 2025 while clearing their minds and getting active in nature. Hikers of all skill levels can participate in more than 30 New Year’s Day hikes across New Jersey’s parks, forests and historic sites.

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Hikers can trek through rolling woodland and bumpy forested trails, catch sight of native wildlife, or simply enjoy white sand beaches and eat s’mores over a bonfire. History buffs may also enjoy hiking through the battle sites of the Revolutionary War.

“What I think is so special is the variety that we have throughout the state — the mountainous areas in the northwestern part and the northern part of the state, the beauty along the coast, all of the unique ecosystems in the Pine Barrens, and the rich history that we have, especially in the central part of the state,” said Rebecca Fitzgerald, administrator for the New Jersey State Park Service. “You really can get a little bit of everything, and you can do it in one day.”

First Day Hikes began more than 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Milton, Mass., to promote healthy lifestyles and outdoor recreation.

Nearly 2,000 hikers participated in First Day Hikes in 2024, collectively traveling 5,000 miles. (Courtesy of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection)



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Projected Lineup: January 17 at New Jersey | Carolina Hurricanes

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Projected Lineup: January 17 at New Jersey | Carolina Hurricanes


NEWARK, N.J. – The Carolina Hurricanes will turn to Frederik Andersen between the pipes as they battle the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center.

After a tough run to wrap up 2025, Andersen has helped the Canes pick up three of four possible points across his last two starts. The veteran netminder has seen New Jersey once this season, turning aside 19 of 22 shots as Carolina took a 6-3 victory on opening night.

No other changes are expected to the group that tied a team record with nine goals in last night’s win over Florida. Unfortunately, that means another game missed for both Shayne Gostisbehere and William Carrier, who are both sidelined with lower-body injuries.

On a positive note, though, Jaccob Slavin is set to take part in both halves of a back-to-back for the first time this season. As part of his rehab from a lower-body issue that cost him 29 games earlier this season, the star rearguard had previously been held out when the Canes played their second game in as many nights, but Rod Brind’Amour indicated pregame that Slavin would remain in tonight’s lineup.

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Tonight’s Projected Lineup…

Forwards

Svechnikov – Aho – Jarvis

Hall – Stankoven – Blake

Ehlers – Staal – Martinook

Robinson – Jankowski – Kotkaniemi

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Defense

Slavin – Chatfield

Miller – Walker

Reilly – Nikishin

Starting Goaltender

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Andersen

Injuries

William Carrier (Lower-Body Injury | Resumed Skating On Jan. 15)

Shayne Gostisbehere (Lower-Body Injury | Day-To-Day)

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Pyotr Kochetkov (Hip Surgery | “Likely Out For The Year” as of Dec. 29)

Charles Alexis Legault (Hand Injury | Out 3-4 Months From Nov. 11)

Noah Philp (Concussion Protocol | No Timetable For Return)

Scratches

Joel Nystrom

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PP1: Aho, Ehlers (Staal), Jarvis, and Svechnikov with Nikishin

PP2: Blake, Hall, Jankowski and Stankoven with Miller

Jordan Staal has been taking the faceoffs with the first power play unit. If he wins it, he’ll stay on the ice. When the puck comes out of the zone, he jumps off, and Nikolaj Ehlers jumps on.

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Preview: January 17 at New Jersey | Carolina Hurricanes

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Preview: January 17 at New Jersey | Carolina Hurricanes


NEWARK, N.J. – The Carolina Hurricanes will look to keep their momentum rolling in a divisional clash against the New Jersey Devils.

When: Saturday, January 17

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

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Canes Record: 29-15-4 (62 Points, 1st – Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 9-1 Win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, Jan. 12

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Devils Record: 24-21-2 (50 Points, 6th – Metropolitan Division)

Devils Last Game: 3-2 OT Win over the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, Jan. 14



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Who is Mikie Sherrill’s pick to head NJ education? What to know

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Who is Mikie Sherrill’s pick to head NJ education? What to know



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Gov-elect Mikie Sherrill announced Lily Laux, a former administrator supervising public school programs for Texas, as her pick to lead the State Department of Education.

Laux, a former deputy commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, is currently a principal at ILO group, a consultancy that provides partnership and expertise to K-12 leaders. She will replace the state’s current education commissioner, Kevin Dehmer.

Laux will focus on improving literacy outcomes, expand access to pre-K, increase mental health resources, modernize and stabilize the school funding formula, and invest in high-impact tutoring so every child has the opportunity to succeed, Sherrill’s office said in a statement.

Laux’a LinkedIn profile says she led programs and academics for the Texas public education system, overseeing a multi-billion-dollar annual budget serving 5.5 million students.

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Various divisions reported to her, including Early Childhood Education; Curriculum and Instruction; College, Career, and Military Preparation; Analytics; Innovative Instructional Models; Assessment; and Accountability.

In her current position at ILO Group, she partners with state agencies and districts to implement solutions “from strategy to execution on major priorities,” her profile said.

“New Jersey is proud to have some of the best schools in the country, yet too often student experience varies by ZIP code and resources are misspent or not directed appropriately,” Sherrill said. “Ensuring every student has access to a world-class education is a top priority for my administration.

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“That’s why I am proud to nominate Lily Laux to be the next Commissioner of Education,” Sherrill said. “Lily is a lifelong public servant and educator with decades of experience helping children learn and thrive. I look forward to working with her to invest in mental health services, high-impact tutoring, and other critical programs that will expand opportunity and help our children get ahead.”

Laux worked for the state of Texas for seven years, and is known for leading school finance reform and the agency’s COVID-19 response, Sherrill’s office said. Laux is a graduate of Columbia University, and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.



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