All New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) facilities, including agencies, road test sites, and inspection stations, will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of the state holiday.
Regular operations will be in effect at NJMVC facilities the remainder of the week, including Saturday, May 23.
Continue reading “All NJMVC Facilities to Close for the State Holiday on Monday, May 25th”Chickie’s & Pete’s, home of world famous Crabfries®, teams up once again with the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) and the Atlantic City Expressway to kick-off the summer by paying travelers tolls Memorial Day Weekend. Chickie’s and Pete’s will be paying tolls for all drivers at the Eastbound Egg Harbor, New Jersey Toll Plaza Exit on F ree Toll Friday, May 22, 2026 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. Earlier that afternoon, Chickie’s and Pete’s countdown with family fun from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Farley Service Plaza on the Atlantic City Expressway (Milepost 21.3) – including complimentary orders of their world famous Crabfries®. There will also be an outdoor car show and 100 Days of Summer celebration with 70+ organizations, vendors, artists and exhibitors, including The Funny Farm rescue sanctuary, New Jersey State Police K9 dog team, Atlantic City International Airport Fire and Rescue Equipment, and more.
“F ree Toll Friday is one of my favorite summertime traditions,” said Chickie’s & Pete’s Chairman and CEO Pete Ciarrocchi. “We’re excited to be back at Farley Plaza hosting one of our favorite annual events this year. We love to send everyone off to the shore in good spirits before a big holiday weekend!”
“F ree Toll Friday will see more than complimentary tolls, food and entertainment. It also marks the kick-off of Chickie’s & Pete’s Annual ‘Summer of Shellfish.’ The Summer of Shellfish is a special menu all summer long at participating Chickie’s & Pete’s locations.”
“We’re excited to kick off our annual 100 Days of Summer celebration and welcome travelers passing through Hammonton on their way to their favorite Jersey Shore destination,” said SJTA Executive Director Stephen F. Dougherty. “This year’s festivities offer something for everyone, whether you’re enjoying our diverse food truck lineup, checking out classic cars, browsing unique handmade goods, or letting the kids enjoy the petting zoo. It’s a great way to enhance your summer travel experience.”
Continue reading “Chickie’s and Pete’s Pays Memorial Day Friday Tolls on the AC Expressway”New Jersey’s beaches and ocean water quality are in excellent shape as the state kicks off what’s expected to be a banner summer tourism season with large numbers of visitors eager to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday and FIFA World Cup activities, Department of Environmental Protection officials said during today’s annual State of the Shore event in Asbury Park.
New Jersey Chief Resilience Officer Nick Angarone was the keynote speaker at the event, held each year just before the Memorial Day weekend start to the peak summer tourism season. He was joined by DEP scientists and staff to discuss the work the state does to monitor water quality and protect coastal resources.
State of the Shore is sponsored by the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, made up of academic institutions and organizations from across the state dedicated to coastal and marine research, advancement of science-based policy, education and outreach.
“There’s nothing better than a summer at the Jersey Shore – and we’re ready,” DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak said. “The DEP, along with our partners in local and county governments, will be hard at work throughout the season monitoring water quality as visitors create cherished memories while enjoying our beautiful coastline and lakes. We look forward to welcoming the world in this milestone year.”
Continue reading “New Jersey Kicks Off Summer Season”
WASHINGTON – The official summer travel season is about to kick off, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is staffed and ready to screen an expected 18.3 million passengers and crew at our nation’s airports between Thursday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 27.
“Thanks to swift action of President Trump and Secretary Mullin to pay frontline TSA officers and put an end to the 76-day Democrat shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, TSA can now anticipate a smooth screening experience for America’s air travelers this Memorial Day and summer travel season,” said TSA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator Ha McNeill. “Our TSA teams are completely staffed, so passengers should experience minimal wait times and have an enjoyable trip through our airports and on to their travel destinations.”
Continue reading “TSA Readies For Summer Travel Season Kickoff”
| ArtPride New Jersey proudly announces the return of the Thrive Arts Conference, the state’s premier professional development event for the arts sector. Taking place on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lewis Arts Complex at Princeton University, Thrive convenes hundreds of executive, marketing, and development professionals from across New Jersey for a day of learning, collaboration, and forward-thinking dialogue. Held biennially and produced in partnership with the Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University, with support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Thrive has grown into the largest convening dedicated to addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities within New Jersey’s cultural community. As the leading voice and advocate for the arts in the state, ArtPride New Jersey continues to position Thrive as a critical platform for shaping the future of the sector—bringing together thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators to exchange ideas and drive impact. “This conference reflects ArtPride New Jersey’s role as a convener and catalyst for the arts sector,” said Adam Perle, President & CEO of ArtPride New Jersey. “Thrive is where we come together to address challenges and collectively reimagine what’s possible for the arts in New Jersey.” |
| Dynamic Keynote to Inspire Bold Leadership Headlining the 2026 conference is Kishshana Palmer, an author, international speaker, trainer, and coach with more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, and talent management who helps leaders build high-performing teams. Kishshana is CEO of ManageMint, Inc., an organizational development firm dedicated to helping everyday leaders live well and lead well. The firm’s work centers on equity, social justice, and practical solutions for today’s organizations. She is also founder of The Rooted Collaborative, a global community focused on the growth and development of women leaders of color in the social sector. A trusted voice on collaborative leadership and talent development, Palmer brings both strategy and soul to her work. Known for her bold, no-nonsense approach, she challenges individuals and organizations to move beyond expectations and create meaningful impact on their own terms. Through her speaking, coaching, and podcast, ManageMint Made Easy, she equips everyday leaders with tools to align how they lead with why they lead, resulting in stronger teams, clearer purpose, and measurable outcomes. |
With children’s mental and physical health top of mind, the New Jersey General Assembly advanced legislation designed to improve access to crisis support services and address harmful social media practices that can contribute to eating disorders among young users. Bills A2733 and A2739 respond to growing concerns about the mental health challenges facing children and the impact digital platforms can have on young people’s self-image and emotional health. Assemblywoman Andrea Katz and Assemblyman Michael Venezia sponsored both bills.
Continue reading “Katz, Venezia, Sweeney Bills to Protecting New Jersey Children Clears Assembly”
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the Homicide Fugitive Squad successfully apprehended 21-year-old Zaire Manning on the 6300 block of Greene Street. The arrest was executed with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. Manning faces charges for the murder of 20-year-old Imani Ringgold and the wounding of two other victims who survived the gunfire.
The Philadelphia Police Department is maintaining its active public appeal to locate the remaining individuals connected to the deadly Tuesday evening shooting. Investigators are still searching for 26-year-old Mustafa King, who remains at large and is wanted for homicide.
Continue reading “Suspect Arrested in April 7th Homicide of Imani Ringgold”
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced that the DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section has begun channel marker installation and maintenance activities on five major boating waters in Delaware’s Inland Bays. DNREC’s intent, while weather dependent, is to complete channel marking and related maintenance ahead of the Memorial Day weekend so boaters can get underway on the traditional start of their season.
While some smaller portions of the project could extend into early June, the Shoreline and Waterway Management Section within the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship aims to bring five channel marking jobs to fruition ahead of the holiday weekend. All these efforts will address navigation safety concerns, replace missing aids to navigation, and restore channel marking functionality in several state waterways impacted by storms and shifting conditions over the last year.
Continue reading “DNREC Expects to Complete Channel Marking Projects for Major Boating Waters Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend”New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) is urgently calling on New Jersey residents to donate blood ahead of Memorial Day weekend as the region faces dangerously low blood collections at the start of the summer “trauma season,” one of the most difficult and critical times of year for maintaining the blood supply.
Blood donations are down nearly 15%, representing approximately 4,500 fewer donations than needed to meet hospital demand across the region. The shortfall comes just before Memorial Day weekend, when donations traditionally decline due to travel, vacations, school breaks, and holiday activities. Following a difficult winter season, spring donations have also failed to rebound as expected, and without an immediate increase in donations, the region risks entering blood emergency territory in the weeks ahead.
Continue reading “New Jersey Blood Services Calls for Immediate Blood Donations as Summer “Trauma Season” Begins”