New Jersey
New Jersey is creating a new online database to allow sexual assault survivors to track cases
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said they are building the new SAFE kit online database “while simultaneously working with law enforcement throughout the state to ensure that we have information to populate this platform once it’s ready — this is going to be, I think, really transformational.”
The construction of the database is being funded by a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.
Platkin said instead of different law enforcement agencies storing different SAFE kits, “we will be standardizing that data collection, and it will make it much easier for survivors to access that information.”
Teffenhart said that once the new data platform is completed, hopefully sometime later this year, survivors will be able to find out information about the status of their kit, whether it’s been tested and the results of the analysis.
“Survivors having access to that information in real-time is a powerful tool for their healing, and also for them building confidence in the criminal justice system’s ability to support their case,” she said. “When their kit is collected, they’ll receive log-in information for the portal, and information is power.”
After a reported sexual assault, survivors must have an exam within three to five days for the evidence to be preserved.
The directive prohibits law enforcement officers and prosecutors from refusing to submit evidence for testing solely based on their belief that the sexual act was consensual.
Teffenhart said this is important because sexual assault can and does take place in some marriages and long-term relationships, and “we’re trying to update New Jersey’s practices to be survivor-centered, trauma-informed and based on current realities and data.”
She noted in most cases, “acts of sexual violence are not about sex at all, but rather about power and control. It’s an opportunity for someone to exert dominance over someone else.”
She said it’s impossible to get a clear picture of how many sexual assaults take place in New Jersey every year, because the data only includes cases that get reported. The FBI confirms sexual assault is the most under-reported crime in the nation.
“Any data point that we’re looking at as it relates to law enforcement reports of sexual violence are grossly under representative of the number of survivors who come forward,” Teffenhart added.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of sexual violence in New Jersey, you can contact the statewide sexual violence hotline at 1-800-601-7200.
New Jersey’s top spots for classic and inventive burgers
From classic burgers to trendy, cheesy smashburgers, these burger spots have something for everyone.
A burger is delicious any time of year, but especially now, as the weather warms and spring eases into summer.
You can grill one up yourself, of course: A backyard burger always hits the spot. But so many of New Jersey’s restaurants make a great burger, why bother?
Whether you prefer a thick, hearty patty, where the flavor of the meat is the star; a lacy-edged burger smashed to perfection; a burger piled with toppings or one with nothing at all, these spots deliver when it comes to this classic favorite.
22 West Tap & Grill, Bridgewater
Forget slapping a slice of American cheese that has spent its life in plastic on a patty at creative gastropub 22 West Tap & Grill in Bridgewater. Here, customers can customize their own burgers, choosing from a dozen types of cheese, including fried mozzarella and pimento.
Too overwhelmed with the list of build-your-own burger options? Choose from one of the restaurant’s signature burgers, like the 22 West Burger, which gives cheese a carb-y edge. This piled-high burger has two patties, two pieces of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, pork belly, lettuce, tomato, onions and an onion ring.
Plus, you can enjoy it with a view of athletes running off their calories, since every seat has a view of the restaurant’s 19 TVs, including a 110-inch model that fills an entire wall.
Go: 1601 Route 22, Bridgewater; 732-627-5012, 22westtapandgrill.com
Bun Buddies, Wood-Ridge
Smash burgers with crispy edges and well-seasoned patties await at Bun Buddies, Bergen County’s best-kept fast food secret. Run by a chef who once whipped up high-end fare in Manhattan’s finest kitchens (including the three Michelin-starred Jungsik), the tiny Wood-Ridge gem is home to irresistible comfort dishes prepared at an elite level.
Order the “Special Buddy,” for example, and be wowed by the way 100% chuck melts in your mouth like a pasture-raised steak. Note how its caramelized onions are rich with sweetness, and how the mixture of sauces have a subtle hint of mustard, providing the perfect balance to every bite.
From flawlessly grilled beef to the optional addition of housemade coleslaw, the burger is reflective of all others on the menu: intentionally designed, meticulously executed and served with pride by a dude who knows what he’s doing.
Go: 271 Valley Blvd., Wood-Ridge; 201-604-4813, bun-buddies.com
Burger 25, multiple locations
Ask anyone in Ocean County where to get a great burger, and chances are they’ll say Burger 25.
The trio of restaurants, run by Denise and Steve Vetter and their children, Alexis Wasilick and Aidan Vetter, has a burger for everyone. The menu includes everything from a classic cheeseburger, made with six ounces of Angus beef and served on a Martin’s Famous Potato Roll, to a French onion burger that’s seared in French onion soup and topped with Swiss and provolone cheeses, sautéed onions, crouton crisps and garlic aioli on an onion bun.
The 25th burger on the menu is a special that rotates monthly. Recent offerings include a burger seared in consommé and topped with Oaxaca cheese, beef birria, salsa and guacamole, and one with housemade chili, cheddar cheese, Fritos, sour cream and chipotle mayo.
Go: 2045 Route 88, Brick, 732-451-4747; 199 Route 37, Toms River, 732-270-0025; 1915 Long Beach Blvd., Ship Bottom, 609-879-2525; burger25.com
The Committed Pig, multiple locations
You’ve likely heard of the supreme burgers at The Committed Pig, which has locations in Morristown, Summit and Manasquan. They’re fixtures on lists of the state’s best burgers from a variety of media, and word-of-mouth darlings for hungry New Jerseyans.
The burger is built from a blend of Pat LaFrieda steak cuts, and you can enjoy that in a plain, scrumptious cheeseburger or take advantage of the Pig’s culinary creativity. We’re talking a baked Brie burger with creamy Brie, bacon and fig preserves; a chipotle bacon burger with Muenster, chipotle mayo, bacon and an onion ring; and the triple-decker “Pig Mac” with American cheese, pickles and special sauce. There also are turkey and veggie burger options.
Go: 28 W. Park Place, Morristown; 862-260-9292; 165 Main St., Manasquan, 732-837-9800; 339 Springfield Ave., Summit, 908-219-4543; thecommittedpig.com
Harpoon Willy’s, Manasquan
Asbury Park Press readers recently named the burgers at Harpoon Willy’s the best at the Shore, and with good reason.
The restaurant serves nearly half a dozen varieties made from 10-ounce patties of 80/20 Angus ground chuck blended especially for them. The most popular of the burgers, which are cooked to order and served on kaiser rolls with pickles and salted steak fries, is the “River Road,” a traditional burger topped with a diner’s choice of cheese, plus lettuce and tomato if they like.
Or try the “Dockside,” topped with bacon, mushrooms, sautéed onions and Swiss, cheddar and American cheeses, or the “So Cal,” with avocado, frizzled onions, spicy mayo and roasted tomatoes.
A bonus: If you order a burger at the bar, you can watch it sizzle on a grill behind the bartop.
Go: 2655 River Road, Manasquan; 732-223-8880, harpoonwillys.com
Hey Burger, Hazlet
This is a burger you won’t be able to stop thinking about, from a place you might not expect.
Inside Nic’s Hometown Tavern, a classic neighborhood bar with trivia nights, packaged goods and sports on TV, is Hey Burger, a restaurant concept serving smash burgers, wings, cheesesteaks and more. The menu includes nine versions of the thin, crispy-edged burger, including the “No. 1” with burger sauce, cheese, lettuce, pickles and onions; the “Black & Blue” with blue cheese crumbles, crispy onions and Cajun seasoning; and the “Cherry Bomb” with cherry peppers, American cheese, bacon and chipotle sauce.
Order your favorite with “Tornado Potatoes,” which are thinly sliced potatoes on a stick that come in flavors like sour cream and onion, cheddar and Old Bay; onion petals or salt and vinegar french fries.
Go: 180 Roue 36, Hazlet; 732-769-2200, instagram.com/heyburgernj
Krug’s Tavern, Newark
Simply put, this may be the most famous burger in North Jersey, if not the whole state. That’s for good reason: It’s simple, massive and delicious.
A three-quarter pound beef patty is charred on the outside on Krug’s flat-top griddle, giving it a delightful, roasty bark. The meat is unseasoned, but you won’t care — a plain burger or cheeseburger has more than enough flavor, and each bite oozes with fatty goodness. You can always order the bacon bleu or pizza burger if you need further adornment.
There’s also few better environs to chow down on a burger than the scene at Krug’s. This nearly century-old pub is a good time with cold beer, good cheer and a terrific pub menu (get the bar pie and shrimp parm).
Go: 118 Wilson Ave., Newark; 973-465-9795, krugstavernnj.com
Outlaw’s Burger Barn & Creamery, Vineland
A top location for gourmet smash burgers, the family-owned Outlaw’s Burger Barn & Creamery also offers cheesesteaks, fried chicken sandwiches, housemade ice cream and milkshakes.
Some of the burger options, of which there are nearly a dozen, are “Shroomin,” with caramelized mushrooms, charred balsamic red onion, fontina cheese and steakhouse mayo; “The Works,” with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, pickled jalapeño and special sauce; and the “Smokehouse,” with bacon, pickled jalapeño, white cheddar cheese, onion rings and housemade barbecue sauce.
The restaurant was opened in 2016 by owner Ryan Briggs, who wanted to create a place for families to gather “over fresh, local food and leave feeling part of the Outlaw’s family.” It started as a small mom-and-pop shop, the website says, but grew into a hometown favorite.
Go: 1370 S. Main Road, Vineland; 856-691-5438, outlawsburgerbarn.com
The Raging Bull, Pennsauken
This smash burger and cheesesteak spot, also known for its hand-spun milkshakes, cooks up burgers that are made from ground chuck and served on Martins & Sons Potato Buns.
There’s “The Oklahoma,” with thin-sliced Vidalia onions, Bully burger sauce and yellow Cooper Sharp American cheese; “The Classic,” which has yellow Cooper Sharp, mustard, diced onions and dill pickles; and “The Deluxe,” with Bibb lettuce, tomato, bacon, Bully burger sauce, dill pickles and Cooper Sharp.
Not a burger fan? Try a Buffalo cheesesteak with brined and shaved chicken, or “The Raging Bull” cheesesteak with Cooper Sharp Whiz, chipotle mayo and roasted long hots.
“Our goal is simple: Use the highest quality ingredients, prepare everything fresh, and never cut corners,” owner Eric Adili said.
Go: 6007 Mansion Blvd., Pennsauken; 856-324-0725, theragingbullnj.com
Rocky Hill Inn, Rocky Hill
The only reason many New Jerseyans have ever heard of sleepy Somerset County enclave Rocky Hill is because they’ve made the drive to Rocky Hill Inn for the gastropub’s famous burgers and pub fare.
“Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” host Guy Fieri helped put the tavern’s inventive burgers on the map when he visited in 2017, taking more than a few bites of the fried green tomato burger with goat cheese, bacon jam and mixed greens.
You’ll find yourself coming to the Rocky Hill Inn over and over again to check off all of the colossal burgers on the menu, which feature patties made with pancetta, short rib and strip steak. Favorites include “The Royale,” a nod to “Pulp Fiction,” with two smashed four-ounce patties, American cheese, melted onions, shredded iceberg, tomato and Thousand Island dressing, and the “Fat Daddy” burger with braised short rib, provolone, red onion jam, arugula and horseradish crème fraiche.
Go: 137 Washington St, Rocky Hill; 609-683-8930, rockyhilltavern.com
The Shore Spot, Manasquan
One doesn’t usually equate food eaten at the beach with top-notch cuisine. But at The Shore Spot at Manasquan’s oceanfront Sea Watch Pavilion, owner and chef Frank Valgenti finds ways to elevate everything — including burgers.
He grills a top-notch smashburger, which is made with two perfectly salted, American cheese-topped beef patties, sautéed onions, lettuce and a thick slice of tomato, all cradled by a sturdy-yet-tender roll.
The seasonal restaurant, which has a second-floor dining room overlooking the beach, also serves rotating burger specials, like one with Gruyére cheese and jam made from figs owner Frank Valgenti grows himself, and another topped with macaroni and cheese.
Go: 95 Beachfront, Manasquan; 732-400-1985, theshorespot.com
Steve’s Burgers, Garfield
It’s been a year since Steve’s Burgers made history in North Jersey, becoming the first fast-casual restaurant in the area to make USA TODAY’S Restaurants of the Year list. A seemingly out-of-place addition, the humble roadside joint was sandwiched between fine-dining destinations, contemporary gastropubs and upscale special occasion spots with wine lists.
Nonetheless, it held its own.
Critics praise Steve’s Burgers for its blend of nostalgia with innovation, from the combination of retro digs with uniquely topped burgers to the hometown hangout atmosphere with Instagram-able eats. Most recommended for devouring was the signature “Steve’s Burger,” which comes topped with American cheese, tangy Steve’s Sauce, crisp bacon and a battered onion ring.
Go: 506 Route 46, Garfield; 973-772-1770, stevesburgersgarfield.com
Tierney’s Tavern, Montclair
Tierney’s in Montclair is one of the best bars in America, but it also slings some of the best burgers in the area, too (if you know how to order them).
You can go here and get a killer cheeseburger, or you can order slightly off the menu and get the not-so-secret-anymore “Buddy burger,” a cheeseburger topped with Worcestershire-laden grilled onions. It’s pure comfort and enough to sate any size of appetite.
Tierney’s is also an ideal spot for casual eats. Order a burger and a pint, maybe throw in some wings, laugh it up with friends and you’ll leave without having broken the bank.
Go: 138 Valley Road, Montclair; tierneystavern.com
White Rose Hamburgers, Highland Park
It doesn’t get much simpler — or more soul-satisfying — than White Rose Hamburgers.
Other places may be artificially retro, but White Rose is the real thing. Like “Happy Days,” the restaurant has a classic counter with barstool seats. The burgers are served on paper plates, just like at a picnic or when Mom doesn’t feel like doing the dishes.
Go for the time-honored fundamentals that offer simple pleasure in a complex world: a cheeseburger, bacon burger or hamburger. And if you really need to smother your sorrows, make it a double.
True to its 1950s roots in the previous golden age of hamburgers, the hefty slider patties wait for you on soft Kaiser rolls with onions, regardless of what add-ons you choose for your burger.
Go: 154 Woodbridge Avenue, Highland Park; 732-777-1881, whiteroseburgersnj.com
Woosmash, Verona
Cheeseburgers may be the (unofficial) national dish of America, but that’s not stopping Korean-born culinary wizard Woosung Cho from redesigning them with delicious Asian twists. In downtown Verona, he’s “woo”-ing locals with everything from standard smash burgers to Korean barbecue-flavored ribeye burgers drowning in garlic mayo and topped with kimchi relish.
As for the onions? Caramelized with miso.
When Woosmash first opened, we delighted in the fact that we were the only ones who knew about it. Infatuated with Cho’s gochujang-glazed chicken sandwiches (when not in the burger mood) and spicy “Woo-Ha Smash” with Firestorm sauce, we gave it a few weeks before blowing the spot up on Instagram.
Today, though, everyone knows about the place, as word spread about Cho’s “thoughtful flavors” and “unbeatable prices” faster than the cars rip down Bloomfield Avenue outside its windows.
Go: 648 Bloomfield Ave., Verona; 973-433-7256, woosmash.com
New Jersey
New Jersey swim team left without pool after Wayne Community Center abruptly ends agreement
WAYNE, New Jersey (WABC) — A swim team in New Jersey says it’s getting kicked out of its pool.
The Rebels Aquatic Team says the Wayne Community Center told them the team can no longer use the facility, leaving more than 100 youth swimmers without a pool in the middle of the season.
The team has been using the pool for practices and meets.
The organizers thought they had a five-year commitment based on the contract but found out this week it was not enough to save them a space to use the pool.
The swim club was told this week that they have to shut down on June 24, but their swim season does not conclude until August 5.
The organizers began this effort to get kids into swimming at the height of the COVID lockdowns, and it has grown ever since.
Parents went online after getting word about being booted from the community pool and expressed a lot of frustration.
They have a practice Thursday afternoon and feel their kids are not getting a fair shake from the town.
Eyewitness News reached out to the mayor’s office and the Wayne Department of Recreation, who said they had no comment about this pool controversy.
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Trump signs TrumpIRA order to broaden access to retirement savings
Trump signs executive order creating TrumpIRA.gov, which workers whose employers don’t offer 401(k) plans can use to enroll in a retirement plan.
New survey data released May 13 suggests affordability pressures are increasingly shaping whether older New Jersey residents stay or leave the state.
More than one-third of residents age 45 and older – 35% – said they have considered leaving New Jersey in the past year, according to a new AARP New Jersey “Vital Voices” survey. Among those weighing a move, 67% said the high cost of living is a primary reason.
The findings come as state lawmakers continue discussions centered on property taxes, utility costs and policies aimed at helping residents age in place.
“New Jersey should be a place where people can afford to grow older, not a place they feel forced to leave,” Chris Widelo, state director of AARP New Jersey, said in a statement. “Right now, rising costs are pushing people out.”
NJ property taxes, utilities driving concern
Affordability pressures extend across multiple key household costs.
Property taxes remain a central concern, with 53% of respondents citing them as a factor in considering leaving the state. The survey also found strong support for the Stay NJ program, which provides eligible homeowners with up to $6,500 in annual property tax relief.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) said they support keeping the program intact, including maintaining the full benefit.
Rising utility costs are also a growing concern. About 89% of respondents said they are worried about increasing electricity bills, including a majority who said they are “very concerned.”
Support for caregiving relief, transparency
The survey highlights financial and logistical pressures facing caregivers, as more residents provide unpaid care for aging relatives.
More than half – 54% – of adults age 45 and older said they have served as unpaid caregivers. A majority said caregiving costs are a financial concern, and 86% expressed support for a caregiver tax credit.
Respondents also backed greater oversight of long-term care facilities. Strong majorities said they support requirements for nursing homes to disclose ownership, staffing levels and financial arrangements, along with greater transparency in how Medicaid funding is spent.
What it means for NJ budget talks
The findings underscore a broader policy debate in Trenton over how to address affordability challenges while maintaining services.
AARP New Jersey is urging state leaders to prioritize policies that reduce financial strain on older adults, including property tax relief, utility affordability and support for caregivers.
“This survey sends a clear message,” Widelo said. “If New Jersey wants to remain a place where people can age with dignity, we must focus on making it more affordable to stay.”
This story was created by reporter Joe Martino, jmartino@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
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