New Jersey

New Jersey removes bald eagles from endangered species list as populations soar

Published

11 months ago

January 8, 2025

New Jersey removes bald eagles from endangered species list as populations soar

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In the early 1980s, New Jersey was on the brink of losing its last remaining bald eagles. Only one nesting pair existed in the state, and their eggs weren’t hatching because of the lingering effects of the insecticide DDT, which was banned in 1972.

Following decades of restoration work, bald eagles now nest in every New Jersey county. This week, the state removed the bald eagle off its endangered species list — more than 17 years after the majestic bird was federally delisted.

“I’ve been around a long time and have not seen very many species delisted. So, it really is a very special thing,” said Kathy Clark, chief of the endangered and nongame species program at New Jersey Fish and Wildlife.

In 2024, New Jersey surveyed a record 293 nesting pairs of bald eagles, of which 264 laid eggs. Their highest numbers are found along the Delaware Bay, where protected marshlands and coastal creeks provide ideal habitats. The state was able to delist the species because their reproductive rate over multiple years reached sustainable levels.

The success story follows years of artificially incubating eggs, introducing eagle chicks from Canada, monitoring nests and educating the public.

“What this really shows is that big picture conservation is possible. It starts with an inspirational spark that causes a wide swath of people to care deeply, and then the work requires learning, effort and perseverance over the long term,” said Alex Ireland, president and CEO of the environmental group New Jersey Audubon. “It’s very important that we think about this proactively as we go forward. It is much better to conserve species before listing is ever required.”

Following the nationwide recovery of the bald eagle, starting in the Chesapeake Bay, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the predatory bird in 2007.

The national ban on DDT, as well as policies aiming to protect birds of prey, played a role in the eagles’ recovery, said Jason Weckstein, an ornithologist at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

“Eagles are an amazing success story. They went from being pretty rare — it was not something that you saw in the suburbs — and now, here in my neighborhood in Wynnewood, I see bald eagles all the time,” he said. “Look up, because there’s a good chance you’ll be able to see an eagle.”

However, several states did not immediately remove bald eagles from their own endangered species lists. For example, Pennsylvania made the move in 2014.

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New Jersey

Mom of NJ teen killed outside NYC ax-throwing bar claims booze, lax security led to her son’s death

Published

1 hour ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

Mom of NJ teen killed outside NYC ax-throwing bar claims booze, lax security led to her son’s death

Abundant booze and lax security set the stage for the fatal 2023 stabbing of a New Jersey high school football player outside an NYC ax-throwing bar, his mother contended in new court papers.

Rocco Rodden, 17, was knifed in the heart on Nov. 23, 2023 outside Live Axe in TriBeCa by Long Islander Gianluca Bordone, who admitted to the killing in court but was acquitted of manslaughter and assault charges in the case.

Rodden’s mother Angelina claimed Live Axe, security company Burns Consulting and others, including bartenders, promoters and a limousine company, set up a perfect storm the night her son was slain.

The companies “failed to provide wristbands to people old enough to drink” and “were required to check the identification documents of all individuals entering the venue, but failed to do so,” she said in her Nov. 21 Manhattan Supreme Court papers, which also name Bordone as a defendant.

The poor security also allowed Bordone, who was 19 at the time of the attack, to bring a pocket knife to the Lafayette Street bar, she alleged.

Bordone, of Oyster Bay, claimed he feared for his life as a group that included the victim chased him down the street and began beating him.

“I was afraid that they would get me to the floor, stomp me, kill me, hit me with the bottle that I had seen before,” he said on the witness stand, according to Newsday.

Bordone also allegedly stabbed Rodden’s older brother, Anthony, outside the bar — where all three were attending a private party, authorities had said.

“It is quite possible that Bordone could have killed Anthony Rodden due to his tortious conduct,” the mother said in the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.

The promotors, security and others hired to work the event also failed to call authorities after the stabbing, she claimed.

Neither Bordone, nor Live Axe owner Zac Segal and promoter Ian Magid, who are each named in the lawsuit, could be reached for comment. A lawyer for security company Burns Consulting denied any wrongdoing.

“Many horrible tragedies do not result in legal liability and this is one of them,” said Burns Consulting attorney Kenneth Belkin. “My heart goes out to the family of Mr. Rodden for their loss, but this is a frivolous lawsuit against my client.

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New Jersey

LIVE UPDATES: Devils 2, Sabres 0 | New Jersey Devils

Published

20 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

LIVE UPDATES: Devils 2, Sabres 0 | New Jersey Devils

NewJerseyDevils.com is the official web site of the New Jersey Devils, a member team of the National Hockey League (“NHL”). NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Copyright © 1999-2025 New Jersey Devils and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.

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New Jersey

2 killed after fast-moving fire tears through New Jersey home on Thanksgiving

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

2 killed after fast-moving fire tears through New Jersey home on Thanksgiving

ORANGE, New Jersey (WABC) — Two people were killed after a fast-moving fire tore through a home in New Jersey on Thanksgiving.

Flames broke out around 5 p.m. at the home on Mosswood Avenue in Orange.

The fire department came within minutes, but not before two people inside the home were killed, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Claire Stevens lives a few doors down.

“My grandson was good friends with one of the young people that lived there. And she’s out of the country right now. And I’m just really concerned that maybe, you know, she doesn’t know about her relatives that live in the house that might have been affected by the fire,” Stevens said.

People could be seen keeping warm inside a NJ Transit bus. The American Red Cross says its volunteers provided a family of eight with emergency financial assistance for temporary lodging, food and other needs.

Neighbors are remembering the victims and are praying for the family.

“I just know that they kept their yard really nice and whenever I would go for a walk or run, they were super friendly,” said Matthew Mehr.

Authorities have not released the identity of the victims.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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