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New York governor puts congesting pricing on hold • New Jersey Monitor

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New York governor puts congesting pricing on hold • New Jersey Monitor


New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she has directed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to put an indefinite hold on implementing its controversial congestion pricing plan, saying she cannot “add another burden to working and middle-class New Yorkers or create another obstacle to our continued recovery.”

The congestion price plan was slated to begin June 30. Drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street would have been forced to pay a $15 toll, in addition to tolls for using bridges and tunnels to enter the city.

The news was met with cheers from a group of New Jersey Democrats who have voiced opposition to congestion pricing, including Gov. Phil Murphy. The Murphy administration filed a lawsuit last July arguing the feds failed to conduct a comprehensive environmental review before giving the plan their OK.

“I want to thank Governor Hochul for pausing the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan’s Central Business District. Although we have had a difference of opinion with our colleagues in New York in congestion pricing implementation, we have always had a shared vision for growing our regional economy, protecting our environment, and creating good-paying jobs on both sides of the Hudson River,” Murphy said in a statement Wednesday.

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Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-05) also celebrated Hochul’s decision to drop the state’s “outrageous congestion tax.” Gottheimer, who represents parts of Bergen County home to many commuters, has been one of the loudest voices opposing the plan, saying it would increase traffic and pollution on this side of the Hudson.

“We threw the kitchen sink at New York — and then some — and got it done. Even when some said the fight was over, we kept going. Well today, Jersey families, their wallets, and the environment won big,” he said. “As I always say, don’t mess with Jersey.”

New York would have been the first city in the nation to implement congestion pricing. Similar pricing schemes exist in London, Milan, and Singapore. Supporters of congestion pricing say it decreases the number of vehicles on the road, leads to more people using public transit, and reduces pollution.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said congestion pricing threatened New York City’s post-pandemic economic recovery. (Credit: Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

The plan was first signed into law in 2019 by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Revenue from the tolls was intended to fund public transit in New York (none would go to NJ Transit). Hochul on Wednesday said “circumstances have changed” since the plan was introduced, most notably the pandemic.

“While our recovery has been stronger and swifter than anyone imagined, it is by no means complete. And we cannot afford to undercut this momentum, and I won’t allow this delicate recovery to be jeopardized,” she said.

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She noted many workers are commuting into the city for just two or three days instead of five, with subways packed Tuesdays to Thursdays but much less so on Mondays and Fridays. And while the idea behind congestion pricing was to generate more revenue and shift commuters to public transit, she laid out another possibility — people avoiding the city altogether, for work and leisure.

Commuters might tell their bosses they need to work fully remote, or families visiting on the weekend might skip the trip to the city, she said. An additional cost to enter Manhattan would hurt its recovery even more, she added.

The Regional Plan Association, a tri-state environmental organization, called Hochul’s move a “betrayal to New Yorkers and our climate.” Delaying the plan will also delay critical transit projects like improving subway lines and electrifying buses, said Kate Slevin, executive vice president of the association.

Talya Schwartz, president of SafeStreetsJC, said the group had been looking forward to congestion pricing, hoping it would reduce the number of cars headed to Manhattan that clog Jersey City streets daily.

“The cost of delaying congestion pricing means more crashes and unsafe streets, more buses stuck in traffic, and all of us breathing dirty air,” she noted.

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Ducks 3, Devils 2 | HIGHLIGHTS | New Jersey Devils

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Ducks 3, Devils 2 | HIGHLIGHTS | 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 © 1999-2024 New Jersey Devils and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.



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How to get a free Mega Millions ticket in New Jersey

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How to get a free Mega Millions ticket in New Jersey


The Mega Millions $1.269 billion jackpot was won in Northern California on Friday and now the New Jersey Lottery is running “The Jackpot Was Hit!” promotion where Jersey players can get a free lottery ticket.

Every time the Mega Millions jackpot is won, the New Jersey Lottery offers players a free Mega Millions ticket when they buy three. The promotion runs for seven days.

How can you get a free Mega Millions?

The New Jersey Lottery rules state that a lottery player must buy “EXACTLY three Mega Millions plays on a single ticket” and then will receive a free $2 Mega Millions Quick Pick ticket.

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The promotion began on Saturday and will run until Friday, Jan. 3.

The Mega Millions jackpot is an estimated $20 million for Tuesday night’s drawing.

Players can still purchase the Megaplier on their three tickets, but “it does not count towards the qualifying purchase.” So, you still need to purchase three tickets total.

The free ticket does not include the Megaplier.

“The Jackpot Was Hit!” promotion also is run after the Powerball or NJ Lottery’s Pick-6 jackpots are hit.

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When is next Mega Millions drawing?

Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

How do I play Mega Millions?

The cost is $2 per ticket, but you can add the Megaplier for $1, which will increase the amount of your potential prize up to five times the original prize (except for the jackpot).

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Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 70 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 25 for the Mega Ball. However, you can also have the lottery machine generate a random Quick Pick for you. You don’t need to be a U.S. citizen or a resident of a particular state where you purchase your ticket.

How many balls do I need to match for Mega Millions prize?

You can win $2 for the matching just one – the Mega Ball. Short of the jackpot, you can win up to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California). You can check all the prize payouts on the Mega Millions site here.

Where is the Mega Millions available?

You can play the game in 45 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The states not offering Mega Millions are: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.

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Where can you buy lottery tickets?  

Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. 

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.  

What is deadline for buying Mega Millions tickets?

The deadline for purchasing a Mega Millions ticket varies by state so don’t wait until the last minute. It can be 15 minutes to an hour or more before the actual drawing. For some third-party lottery apps, the deadline can be closer to two hours before the drawing. For example, Jackpocket in New Jersey has a deadline of 9:15 p.m. for the 11 p.m. ET drawing.

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Click here to check the deadline for where you live.

What are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?

Here are the Top 10 Mega Millions jackpots ever:

  1. $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023: Won in Florida
  2. $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
  3. $1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023: Won in Maine
  4. $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
  5. $1.269 billion, Dec. 27, 2024: Won in California
  6. $1.128 billion, March 26, 2024: Won in New Jersey
  7. $1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
  8. $810 million, Sept. 10, 2024: Won in Texas
  9. $656 million, March 30, 2012: Three winners in Illinois, Kansas, Maryland 
  10. $648 million, Dec. 17, 2013: Two winners in California, Georgia

What was largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever?

Here’s a look at the top jackpots won in the United States, between the Powerball and the Mega Millions lotteries:

  1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022: Won in California
  2. $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023: Won in California
  3. $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023: Won in Florida
  4. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016: Three winners in California, Florida, Tennessee
  5. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018: Won in South Carolina
  6. $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2022: Won in Maine
  7. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022: Won in Illinois
  8. $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 6, 2024: Won in Oregon
  9. $1.269 billion, Mega Millions, Dec. 27, 2024: Won in California
  10. $1.128 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024: Won in New Jersey
  11. $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023: Won in California
  12. $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021: Won in Michigan
  13. $842.4 million, Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024: Won in Michigan
  14. $810 million, Mega Millions, Sept. 10, 2024: Won in Texas
  15. $768.4 million, Powerball, March 27, 2019: Won in Wisconsin
  16. $758.7 million, Powerball, Aug. 23, 2017: Won in Massachusetts
  17. $754.6 million, Powerball: Feb. 6, 2023: Won in Washington
  18. $731.1 million,, Powerball, Jan. 20, 2021: Won in Maryland
  19. $699.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 4, 2021: Won in California
  20. $687.8 million, Powerball, Oct. 27, 2018: Two winners in Iowa, New York

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.



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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’


This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.

From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.


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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