Northeast
NJ Dem slams New York as controversial NYC congestion pricing takes effect
Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., called out New York as it prepares to implement a controversial new congestion pricing tax for commuters on Saturday.
The congestion pricing program takes effect on Sunday, but Sherrill argues the tax is little more than an attempt to “fund the [Metro Transportation Authority] on the backs of New Jersey commuters.”
“This new tax will raise costs for New Jerseyans, while also worsening traffic and increasing pollution in New Jersey as commuters go out of their way to seek more affordable routes into New York,” Sherrill wrote.
“I refuse to sit back as New York uses New Jersey’s workforce as a meal ticket for the MTA,” she added. “And I will continue to fight to move businesses to the Garden State, to expand office sharing sites, and to make it easier for New Jerseyans to work remotely.”
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Sherrill is among a long list of Democratic candidates vying in the New Jersey gubernatorial race this year.
The congestion tax took effect Sunday despite efforts by New Jersey officials, who filed a lawsuit seeking to block the implementation on the grounds that New York had not sufficiently investigated environmental impacts.
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Gordon ruled on Friday that there was no basis to delay the toll.
Traffic moves through downtown Manhattan on April 21, 2023. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
MTA Chair Janno Lieber praised the ruling, noting the potential benefits of congestion pricing.
“We’ve been studying this issue for five years, but it only takes about five minutes if you’re in midtown Manhattan to see that New York has a real traffic problem,” Lieber said at a news conference. “I recognize there’s been a lot of controversy about this program and there are a lot of people who are concerned about the impact of congestion pricing. To them, I want to say the point is to make the city better for everybody.”
The Empire State Building and tourist district are seen along the route to New York City on Aug. 17, 2022, in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Eduardo MunozAlvarez/VIEWpress)
Congestion pricing is expected to generate billions in revenue to modernize New York’s transit infrastructure, but it has faced criticism from New Jersey officials and commuters who say it places an unfair burden on people driving in from outside of New York.
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Some commuters could face daily charges of up to $22, which would include existing tolls for Port Authority crossings.
President-elect Trump has repeatedly said he plans to block the plan after he takes office later this month.
Fox News’ Landon Mion contributed to this report.
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Pennsylvania
A rare albino bird was found in Pennsylvania. It was a
A bird that most people never see outside of pictures was found under a car in Pennsylvania, animal experts said.
The Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Lancaster County said in a Facebook post on Friday that an albino cardinal was found under a car.
The nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center in Washington Borough said it received a call from a woman who found a white bird under her car that appeared to be injured. The bird was also trying to drink water from beneath the vehicle. The post said that due to the dangerous heat wave, it has been admitting any distressed or unusually behaving animals for examinations.
When Raven Ridge Wildlife Center’s team arrived at the scene, they said they were “instantly taken aback.”
“Our eyes widened and our jaws dropped as we realized we were witnessing a rare occurrence that most people never see outside of pictures. This was a fledgling albino cardinal,” the Facebook post said.
The chances of seeing an albino cardinal are “extremely low,” the center said, adding that albino cardinals are considered one of the rarest bird sightings. Estimates suggest that seeing any cardinal displaying white feathers is about 1 in 30,000, the center said.
“True albino cardinals, which lack all pigmentation, are even rarer,” the center said.
What is the albino cardinal?
The albino cardinal’s rarity is due to a genetic mutation that causes a lack of melanin, resulting in its distinctive white plumage and reddish-pink eyes, officials said.
According to the center’s Facebook post, albino cardinals face “significant” survival challenges due to their “conspicuous coloration,” which makes it difficult to evade predators. The animal’s lack of melanin can also lead to poor vision.
Raven Ridge Wildlife Center rescued the bird, which will remain in captivity because its chances of surviving in the wild are “slim.”
“What an amazing opportunity for our team to see and care for this beautiful Cardinal,” the Facebook post concluded with.
Rhode Island
Water worries mount, outdoor water use banned in some parts of RI
The state is in a drought watch for the first time since 2002
Americans face dangerous heat wave ahead of July 4 weekend
A dangerous heat wave is sweeping over the East Coast, with the worst conditions coming as millions prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July outdoors.
Concerns about the supply of fresh water are growing as Governor Dan McKee declared a drought watch on Wednesday and outdoor water use has been banned in some communities.
Westerly announced a ban on Friday, July 3, a few days after bans were implemented for Veolia Rhode Island water customers in South Kingstown and Narragansett.
On Wednesday, July 1, McKee issued a statewide drought watch on the recommendation of the state’s Drought Steering Committee, his office announced. It is the first drought watch for the state since 2002.
The watch followed an advisory last month, his office said. According to McKee’s office, a watch is the second of the following four progressive drought declarations: advisory, watch, warning and emergency.
According to McKee’s office, the committee recommended the watch based on “prolonged precipitation deficits extending back to June 2025, record-breaking low and steadily worsening stream flows, and rapidly declining groundwater levels across the state, with increasing dry conditions heading into the months of highest water demand.”
Summer brings highest demand for water
McKee said, “While our water supply is designed to withstand some level of drought, Rhode Islanders should be aware of the current conditions. As we head into the summer, which is the highest-demand season for water use, we strongly encourage residents and businesses to implement conservation measures now.”
Meredith Brady, chair of the Drought Steering Committee, said, “Rhode Island has received 13 inches less precipitation over the past 12 months than expected in an average year, which is having a profound impact on our groundwater aquifers.”
She said groundwater reservoir and streamflow patterns are at levels typically seen in August, not June.
Rhode Island is in its first heat wave of the season and under an extreme heat warning until 8 p.m. July 4. The Providence area had just 2.38 inches of rain in June, well below the normal of 3.81 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Rain is possible late Sunday into Tuesday
The heat wave should end Sunday, and the region could see some “much needed rain” late Sunday through Tuesday, the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
Westerly enacted an emergency water ban on the use of all residential outdoor water use because of drought conditions and increased water use because of the heat, the town said.
“Prohibited activities include the watering of lawns, filling of pools, and washing of vehicles, homes or decks,” the town said in announcing the ban on Friday, July 3.
The ban is in effect until further notice, the town said.
Westerly is asking for cooperation but will watch for violators
The town said it’s “asking all residents and visitors for their cooperation in this effort to restore critical water levels within our system.”
But it added that town staff will monitor all parts of town for violations, and those who violate that ban will be subject to penalties and fines.
The Westerly restriction comes three days after a ban was implemented for Veolia Rhode Island water system customers in South Kingstown and Narragansett.
“A mandatory ban is currently in effect on all outdoor water use until further notice,” the water company said. “This watering ban is being enacted in response to current drought conditions in Rhode Island, and to protect our aquifer from depletion. The ban will help ensure sufficient water reserves remain available for fire protection and essential customer needs. We ask our customers to please use water wisely.”
On Thursday, July 2, the day before implementing the ban, Westerly said it had been “aware of some concerns over low water pressure in some areas of town.”
At that point, it said town officials were “evaluating the potential need to initiate an odd/even water ban.”
Vermont
4 Burlington beaches closed due to algae blooms
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Four Burlington beaches are temporarily closed to swimmers because of cyanobacteria.
North, Texaco, Blodgett and Blanchard beaches are affected.
The beaches themselves remain open, but swimming is prohibited until cyanobacteria levels drop.
Click here for the latest updates on Burlington’s Beach Closure Tracker.
You can also check the state’s Cyanobacteria Tracker for reported conditions along Lake Champlain and various inland lakes in Vermont. The map shows where cyanobacteria blooms have been reported recently, but it can’t tell you the current conditions at your favorite swimming area.
Blue-green algae has frequently foiled swimmers in our region in recent years, repeatedly forcing officials to temporarily close beaches.
The blooms are typically blue-green in color, and can make water look like pea soup or spilled paint. They feed off nutrients in the lake and can produce harmful toxins.
Exposure can pose serious health risks like skin rashes, sore throats and stomach problems. They can also be toxic to dogs and other animals.
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