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Whale watchers get rare look at blue whale off New Jersey coast

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Whale watchers get rare look at blue whale off New Jersey coast


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It was something they never expected to see: the largest mammal in the world swimming off the coast of New Jersey.

Last weekend, about 50 passengers and crew aboard the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center vessel American Star got a view of a blue whale.

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Such a sighting off the coast of New Jersey is rare, according to marine experts.

“The blue whale was a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife opportunity for everyone on board. We have a team of marine mammal and pelagic bird experts with many years of experience logging hundreds of pelagic trips that have never seen a blue whale in the Atlantic before this trip,” said Melissa Laurino, research director for the center.

Andrea Gomez, a spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said also confirmed the sighting was a blue whale.

According to NOAA, the blue whale was most likely from the Western Northern Atlantic Stock, which ranges from the Artic to at least the mid-latitude waters. Little is known about the population size of this stock but 402 of them were documented by photographs between 1980 and 2008.

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This stock of blue whales though are most frequently sighted in the waters off eastern Canada, with the majority of records from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In 2008, NOAA confirmed three sightings of blue whales south of Montauk Point, New York.

More: What is this bug-eyed fish showing up in Jersey Shore waters? Biologists have an answer

This stock of blue whales can grow to 90 feet and weigh over 100,000 pounds. The stock of blue whales found near the Antarctic grow bigger, up to 110 feet and over 330,000 pounds. Their hearts are the size of a small car.

There she blows

Laurino said they saw the blue whale on a 24-hour trip about 50 to 60 miles offshore of Cape May. They were in an area of 200 feet of water when they saw a tall white blow spout shoot upwards from a mile away. When they got within range they saw that is was a blue whale.

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She said they were 100% certain they were observing a blue whale because of its massive size, small dorsal fin three-quarters of the way down its body, mottled skin and aquamarine coloration under the water.

She said the whale was by itself, which she said is not unusual for baleen whales here. The whale surfaced before it eventually dove deep and did not return.

More: NJ divers find shipwreck 168 years after hit-and-run plunged passengers to murky seafloor

“We observed the animal for one surfacing sequence, about 10-15 minutes, we waited 25 minutes for it to resurface and when it did not, we safely left the area,” Laurino said.

Laurino said that was their first documentation of a blue whale on the American Star. They are on the water about 200 days out of the year and collect data on all of their whale and dolphin watches.

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“Blue whales exist in the Atlantic, and have been documented via aerial surveys and acoustic buoys, but this is an extremely rare observation. These pelagic trips are an invaluable opportunity for our research to learn more about the dynamic ecosystem off New Jersey,” Laurino said.

The blue whale was not the only marine life passengers saw on the trip. Laurino said they observed about 20 fin whales, pilot whales, several dolphin species, a manta ray that breached the surface and a variety of sea-going birds.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.



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New Jersey

The Maple House Is Planning To Open In Two Locations In New Jersey This Year

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The Maple House Is Planning To Open In Two Locations In New Jersey This Year


Is there anything better than going out for breakfast? I mean, sure, you can make bacon, eggs, and toast at home, but there’s just something relaxing about going out to a Jersey Diner and getting your coffee in a plain white mug, looking over a massive menu, and feeling the back of your legs stick to the pleather booth.

Jersey loves a good breakfast spot.

A New Breakfast Chain Is Coming To NJ, With 2 Locations Planned

And there’s a new breakfast chain getting ready to open two locations in New Jersey that promise an elevated breakfast experience, which could be perfect for your next brunch.

And this new elevated breakfast concept is being run by a mother-son duo, who don’t love seeing that?

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The Maple House Is Coming Soon To New Jersey

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According to NJ.com, Monmouth County natives Anthony DeGrande and his mother, Lisa Dalton, are the brains behind Monmouth County’s newest breakfast place, The Maple House.

The Maple House will specialize in an elevated breakfast experience, whipping up menu items such as cookie butter pancakes, a braised short rib melt, and addictive salads. The Maple House will be a great new addition to the New Jersey breakfast scene.

The Maple House Is Planning 2 NJ Locations

The Maple House already has big expansion plans, too. The first location is getting ready to open sometime in May off Oceanport Avenue in Fort Monmouth, but there are already plans in place for a second location.

The Maple House also plans on debuting in Neptune, off of South Main Street, in the near future as well.

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18 Best Places In New Jersey To Get A Pork Roll Egg And Cheese Sandwich

It’s called Pork Roll, first off, and these are the 18 best restaurants and delis. and diners to get a PEC in the Garden State

Gallery Credit: Buehler





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Nearby shooting interrupts 13-year-old’s birthday party in Paterson; 1 killed, 3 injured

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Nearby shooting interrupts 13-year-old’s birthday party in Paterson; 1 killed, 3 injured


PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.

The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.

Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.

“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.

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She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.

“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.

Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.

Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.

“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”

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The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.

“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.

Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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New Jersey Restaurants Shine on 2026 “Best in America” List!

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New Jersey Restaurants Shine on 2026 “Best in America” List!


Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.

It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.

We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best

USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.

From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.

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Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition

This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:

  • The Pasta Shop – Denville
  • Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
  • Anjelica’s – Sea Bright

And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.

These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.

A Jersey Shore Standout Shines

There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.

Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.

No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved

At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.

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Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing

So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.

PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize

From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy

From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.

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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz





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