New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act Signed Into Law

Governor Murphy today signed Bill A5278, the “New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act,” into law. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Heather Simmons, Assemblyman Roy Freiman, and Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, this legislation would require health insurers to cover diagnosis and treatment of menopause symptoms.

Under the bill, health insurance carriers will be required to cover medically necessary treatment for perimenopause, menopause, and symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause. This includes hormonal therapies, non-hormonal treatments, behavioral health care, pelvic floor physical therapy, bone health treatments, preventative services, and counseling and education regarding treatment.

“For too long, menopause has been treated as a private burden rather than a public health issue,” said Assemblywoman Simmons (D-Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland). “This legislation sends a clear message. Your symptoms are real. Your health matters. New Jersey is stepping up.”

According to data cited by the National Institute for Health, approximately 1.3 million people become menopausal each year. The Mayo Clinic estimates that menopause related symptoms result in $1.8 billion in lost productivity annually across the United States.

“This bill is about applying common sense to an overlooked part of healthcare,” said Assemblyman Freiman (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset). “Menopause affects a significant portion of our population each year, and it’s time our insurance policies reflect that reality. Providing coverage is not just good health policy. It’s smart, equitable, and long overdue.”

Currently, insurance coverage for menopause in New Jersey depends on the specific plan and treatment. Coverage is ultimately determined by the insurance provider.

“Menopause care has been overlooked for decades,” said Assemblywoman Swain (D-Bergen). “Women deserve access that supports their health, careers, and quality of life. This bill is about fairness, dignity, and updating our healthcare system to match reality.”

Asm. Clinton Calabrese’s Statement on Selection of Kris Kolluri to Lead NJ Transit & NJ Turnpike Authority

“I commend Governor-elect Sherrill for selecting Kris Kolluri to continue leading New Jersey Transit and for her decision to expand his responsibilities to include the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. This is a forward-thinking and strategic choice that reflects the need for unified leadership as New Jersey works to modernize its infrastructure and meet the needs of a growing and mobile population.

“Mr. Kolluri brings unmatched experience and a proven record of results across the public transportation sector. From his tenure as New Jersey’s Transportation Commissioner to his leadership of the Gateway Development Commission and now NJ Transit, he has demonstrated a deep understanding of our state’s complex transit systems and a strong commitment to improving them for commuters, businesses, and future generations.

“As Chairman of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee, I look forward to working with Mr. Kolluri in his expanded role to enhance coordination between our state’s largest transportation agencies. This collaboration will be especially critical as we prepare to host global events such as the FIFA World Cup, which will test the capacity, safety, and efficiency of our transit system on an international stage.

“Mr. Kolluri’s dual appointment presents a unique opportunity to break down silos, streamline operations, and rethink how we move people and goods across New Jersey. I am confident that under his leadership, we will see a transportation strategy that is innovative, accountable, and focused on delivering real-world results for the residents of our state.”

Quota Transfer: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Fishery

NOAA Fisheries adjusts the Atlantic bluefin tuna General category January through March 2026 subquota by transferring quota from the General category December 2026 time period to the General category January through March 2026 time period. This action provides further opportunities for General category fishermen to participate in the January through March General category fishery, which began on January 1, 2026.

The resulting adjusted quotas are:

January through March time period subquota = 63.7 mt
December time period subquota = 11.0 mt

Note that NOAA Fisheries intends to take separate rulemaking action as soon as possible in 2026 to consider modifying the baseline Atlantic bluefin tuna quota consistent with the quota adopted at the 2025 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas annual meeting.

Who is affected?

This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna.

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PHONE SCAMMERS ARE WAITING TO PREY ON YOU! WHEN IN DOUBT HANG UP

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (Cleary’s Notebook News)January 9,2026)–Today I had the unpleasant experience of being scammed — or at least, almost being scammed.

A man who called himself Bryant, phoned my cell to warn me that my TD Bank credit card had supposedly been used. He asked whether I had been in Chicago recently and if I had charged $630 at a Best Buy there.

That should have been the first warning sign.

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Bally’s Atlantic City Turns Up the Heat With Winter Warm Up Cocktail Menu

Phil’s Carousel Bar at Bally’s Atlantic City has debuted its Winter Warm Up cocktail menu, featuring a lineup of handcrafted cocktails inspired by bold flavors and wintertime indulgence available now.

The Winter Warm Up menu features a mix of classic favorites and playful seasonal sips, including:

Snowbird Margarita, made with Patrón Reposado, blood orange, vanilla and lime, garnished with a spiced rim.
Cupid’s Bow, crafted with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Baileys Strawberries & Cream, Caffè Borghetti and espresso.
Fireside Old Fashioned, made with Elijah Craig bourbon, orange-clove syrup, orange and Angostura bitters.
Frosted Cosmo, shaken with Grey Goose vodka, Cointreau, lime and white cranberry, with a cranberry garnish.
Midnight on Pacific, made with Bulleit Rye whiskey, Averna Amaro, chocolate bitters and orange bitters, garnished with a Luxardo cherry.
Painchiller, blended with Bacardi spiced rum, blood orange, pineapple, cream of coconut, spiced syrup and nutmeg.

Each Winter Warmup cocktail is priced at $16, joining the bar’s extensive lineup of beer, wine and signature sips. Guests can also enjoy live entertainment by local acts from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. every Friday and Saturday.

Phil’s Carousel Bar brings the nostalgic charm of a carousel into a sleek, modern setting. The 24-seat rotating bar is the first of its kind in New Jersey and offers 360-degree views of Bally’s Atlantic City casino and hotel lobby. More information about Phil’s Carousel Bar is available at casinos.ballys.com/atlantic-city.

DEP AWARDS NEARLY $32 MILLION IN GRANTS

The Department of Environmental Protection today announced the award of nearly $32 million in grants that will advance the state’s transition to zero-emission school buses to better protect the health of schoolchildren and improve public access to charging stations in New Jersey communities.

Specifically, the DEP awarded more than $18 million through the second round of its Electric School Bus Grant Program for local purchases of 53 electric school buses and 41 associated fast chargers. In addition, the DEP awarded $13.6 million through its EV Charging Grant Program for 26 public and private projects to install publicly accessible charging stations at or near town and retail centers, multi-unit housing, and transit hubs across the state.“The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette.

“These grant programs are advancing New Jersey’s long-term electric-vehicle emission reduction goals by replacing diesel school buses that emit harmful pollutants with clean electric buses and by expanding public and private charging infrastructure in our communities.”The DEP’s Electric School Bus Grant Program and EV Charging Grant Program are highlighted in the recently released New Jersey Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Roadmap report, which outlines the progress, challenges and strategies to accelerating the use of zero-emission vehicles in the Garden State. Electric School Bus Grant Program. The $18 million in grants is the second funding round of the Electric School Bus Grant Program, which was authorized by legislation Governor Phil Murphy signed in 2022. The legislation provided up to $45 million in funding over three years to replace diesel school buses with battery-electric school buses and install associated charging infrastructure. It is funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ (NJBPU) Clean Energy Fund. Grant recipients will receive technical assistance through New Jersey Fleet Advisor to help them navigate key decisions around transitioning to zero emission vehicles.

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Florida Man Charged with Manslaughter Following Fatal Assault in Stratford

A Florida man has been arrested and charged in reference to an assault in Stratford that led
to the death of his brother-in-law, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Stratford
Police Chief Ronald Morello.
On December 27, 2025, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Stratford Police Department were
notified of an assault that occurred two days earlier at a residence on the 100 block of Wright Avenue in
Stratford that resulted in the death of Frank Vitrano, 72, of Buena, New Jersey.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Vitrano had been struck in the head by John E.
Meyers, 69, of Port St. Lucie, Florida during an argument on December 25, 2025.
The victim sought medical treatment on December 26, 2025, and was later pronounced deceased at
Cooper University Hospital on December 27, 2025. The Camden-Gloucester-Salem County Medical
Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be blunt head trauma and the manner of death to be
homicide.
Meyers was charged with 2nd-degree Manslaughter on December 28, 2025. He was taken into custody in
Philadelphia by the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force –
Camden Division on December 29, 2025. He was remanded to a correctional facility in Pennsylvania,
pending extradition to New Jersey.
Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Luis Sibaja Jr. of the Camden County Prosecutor’s
Office Homicide Unit at (856) 225-8682 and Detective Tom Farrell of the Stratford Police Department at
(856) 783-8616. Tips can also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS.
All individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt

Riverton Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Riverton Police Chief Andrew Beuschel announced that a 26-year-old Riverton man has been charged with possession and distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

Christian Lutz, of Linden Avenue, was taken into custody at his residence this morning and lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a first appearance in Superior Court. The charges against Lutz include Distribution of CSAM (Second Degree) and Possession of CSAM (Third Degree).

Multiple cell phones were seized during the execution of a search warrant at his residence and will be analyzed by the BCPO High-Tech Crimes Unit. The case will then be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.

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Letters to the Editor

Radical Democrat Kathy Hochul and socialist Zohran Mamdani held a press conference to celebrate… higher taxes!

Yep, the pair actually bragged about the expensive and unpopular congestion pricing scheme and confirmed that tolls are “on schedule to go up,” eventually rising from $9 to $15.

This painful, cost-hiking agenda is the same one that every single New Jersey Democrat, including Nellie Pou, champions.

“Instead of fighting to make life more affordable, crazy Kathy Hochul, dangerous socialist Zohran Mamdani, and out of touch Democrat Nellie Pou are making New Jerseyans’ commutes more expensive. It is totally backwards and wrong.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole

Maureen O’Toole
Eastern Regional Press Secretary

New Hope and Lambertville Team Up for 2nd Annual Restaurant Week

New Hope, PA and Lambertville, NJ – Two of the most celebrated dining scenes in the greater Philadelphia and South Jersey region are firing up one of the most delicious collaborations of the winter months. The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce kick-off 2026 with the year’s first official restaurant week. The 2nd Annual New Hope and Lambertville Restaurant Week returns from January 12 through January 25, 2026. More than two dozen acclaimed restaurants from both sides of the Delaware River will offer specially priced prix fixe three-course lunch and/or dinner menus ranging from $25 to $55 each, providing diners with an exceptional culinary experience in these charming river towns.

Dishes will range from local favorites to exclusive off-menu dishes. Pennsylvania restaurants include Birds Nest Bar & Grille, Black Bass Hotel, GreenHouse New Hope, Ferry + Main Restaurant at the Logan Inn, Golden Pheasant Inn, Italian Cucina, Martine’s Riverhouse, Nektar Wine Bar, OldeStone Steakhouse, River House at Odette’s, The Ferry Market and V-Spot Vegan Food Restaurant, plus others to be announced. Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn will also offer specials for restaurant week diners visiting New Hope. New Jersey restaurants include Broadmoor Osteria Italiana, El Tule, Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn, Metá Café, Nomad Pizza Lambertville, Pru Thai, The Salt House, The Starving Artists Cafe and Under The Moon, plus others to be announced. Make your reservations now, come hungry and head to Bucks County and South Jersey for some of the best eats, wine lists, views and vibes in the tri-state region. Menus, hours and price points are posted at www.visitnewhope.com/restaurant-week and www.lambertvillechamber.com. New menus are being posted daily leading up to the event.