New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced that Priya Jain was sworn-in today as New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner, making her the 21st Chief Executive of the Department. The full New Jersey State Senate unanimously confirmed her nomination on March 23.
Governor Sherrill nominated Commissioner Jain on January 19, 2026, and she has served in an acting capacity since then. She will continue her work overseeing the Department that manages the state’s multi-faceted transportation network. The Commissioner of NJDOT also serves as Chair of New Jersey Transit, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority.
* First Drop: Charcuterie Ice Cream Board Flight and Caramelized Garlic Toffee Pint
Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia’s award-winning 1900s-inspired ice cream parlor and soda shop has exciting news heading into spring and summer season. The Franklin Fountain, located on Confectionery Row at 116 Market Street in Old City, announces a blitz of super-limited-edition, experimental new ice cream flavors. Starting in April, and each month moving forward, ice cream lovers are invited to try six new flavors monthly: four will be sold as an ice cream flight, and two additional flavors will debut in pints. These six new monthly flavors will not be available by the scoop. They will be sold on a first come first serve basis. For the first month, look for 15 Charcuterie Board Flights and 32 Caramelized Garlic Toffee Pints to debut Friday, April 3rd at 11:00am, with 32 Elderberry Goat Cheese Pints to debut on Friday, April 17th at 11am. Other monthly drops will include Tea Flights and Pints, Baked Goods, Herbs and more. With this weekend’s debut, The Franklin Fountain announces their summer hours, opening at 11:00am daily. Pints and flights will also be available at Franklin Ice Cream Bar (at 112 Market Street) once it fully opens for the season. Follow @franklinfountain on social media for the exact dates, times and quantities for the new flavors and for season opening information for Franklin Ice Cream Bar. For general information, also visit franklinfountain.com.
A familiar pattern is taking shape in neighborhood nightlife. A regular walks into a bar to catch a match, notices a few screens showing odds movement and live sports coverage, then ends up in a conversation with people who came for the same reason but from very different circles. That moment matters. It shows how local bars and lounges are becoming social filters for digital play. They are turning individual mobile habits into group rituals, and they are doing it through atmosphere, timing, and shared attention.
For operators, venue owners, and platform watchers, the shift is worth studying closely. Local iGaming nights are not simply themed events built around betting culture. They are a modern update of the old bar invitation – meet here, watch together, talk through the action, stay for the social energy.
Burress petitions filled with ‘pervasive fraud’ and ‘procedural illegality’
CLIFTON, NJ — On Monday, March 30th, the Office of Administrative Law heard Gonzalez v. Burress to adjudicate a formal challenge to Tiffany Burress’s nominating petitions. The filing alleges the Burress campaign committed rampant and pervasive fraud to secure a spot on the June primary ballot.
“The Burress campaign has betrayed every Republican who cares about election integrity,” said Kenny Gonzalez, campaign manager for Rosie Pino. “As outlined in the filing, these petitions demonstrate a coordinated pattern of ghost circulation, signature harvesting, and willful perjury.”
Faith-based content has never been confined to sacred spaces; it flows through literature, media, education, and even everyday conversations. From ancient scriptures to modern digital platforms, it continues to shape values, behaviors, and collective identities. In a world driven by rapid change, these narratives offer something timeless: guidance, purpose, and connection. Let’s explore how this powerful form of content continues to influence our societies in meaningful and evolving ways.
Put the Phone Away or Pay- April 1st – April 30th, 2026
Lower Township, New Jersey — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign is reminding drivers of the deadly dangers and legal consequences — including fines — of texting and other forms of messaging behind the wheel. During the month of April, law enforcement nationwide will work together to enforce laws prohibiting distracted driving behind the wheel. These efforts come during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Cell phone use, texting and other activities that do not contribute to safe driving are all forms of distracted driving. According to NHTSA the 2023 statistics are as follows. However, data collection limitations show that these figures are likely lower than the real figures.
On National Doctors Day, Make-A-Wish New Jersey and Hackensack Meridian Health celebrate 13-year old Alexander Alvarez from Carteret, New Jersey, who took on the title of doctor for the day as Make-A-Wish New Jersey and Hackensack Meridian Health partnered to grant his wish to become a trauma surgeon.
For a child who has bravely battled leukemia, the last place you might expect them to want to be is back in a hospital. Yet, for Alex, his one true wish was to trade his patient gown for surgeon’s scrubs. Alex got hands-on experience and was immediately immersed as ‘Dr. Alex’ for the day.
Gloucester City is one of 40 communities to be named by Philadelphia Magazine as A Community to Watch. The March magazine article, written by Michael Callahan, looked at hundreds of towns both in the Philadelphia region and in the South Jersey area before picking the next hot neighborhoods.
Some of the guidelines Callahan used to choose the elite 40 towns, included such things as the proximity to center City Philadelphia, big shifts in population and wealth revitalized downtown.
Gloucester City is one of 40 communities to be named by Philadelphia Magazine as A Community to Watch. The March magazine article, written by Michael Callahan, looked at hundreds of towns both in the Philadelphia region and in the South Jersey area before picking the next hot neighborhoods.
Some of the guidelines Callahan used to choose the elite 40 towns, included such things as the proximity to center City Philadelphia, big shifts in population and wealth revitalized downtown.
The public portion of the Bellmawr Mayor and Council meeting on Thursday, March 22, was lively and lengthy.
Several residents came forward to ask questions and state concerns about two sections of Bellmawr, one the turnpike and the other the Creek Road development project.
Patricia Byrne of Vaughn Avenue asked help with the removal of trees left behind from the dredging near the turnpike.
The campaign of Michael McGuire proudly announces that Monmouth County Sheriff and Republican Committee Chairman Shaun Golden has officially endorsed his campaign.
Sheriff Golden stated: “I am proud to endorse Michael McGuire for Congress. As a retired NYPD officer, Marine Corps veteran, and current Naval Reservist, he brings the proven leadership and deep commitment to public safety that Monmouth County and all of New Jersey need to protect our communities and support our first responders.”
