Category: NEW JERSEY

Introduction to Online Casinos

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 15, 2020)–Gambling is typically considered as a zero-gravity area from where the chances for a surge and a plummet are equal. Time and technology have redefined casinos as the space of unlimited entertainment, and it gradually materialized into the screens as well. For as long as the urge for thriving fortune exists within humans, casinos will stand high in the zone of factors that shoot up the economy. As online casinos are getting more players to the platform without the need for exhibiting live casino etiquettes, doors to the live casinos are gradually closing down. Although this trend has been spreading for a long time now, it is quite sporadic. Polarising views on the concept of casinos have been developed, and the groups that prefer the online platforms are increasing day by day.

Playing on online casinos would seem like a difficult task to take up, and many of the regular players are neophobic towards this idea. Familiarizing with every new technology has been imperative, so is the case of online casinos. Delving deeper into a subject wouldn’t be as hard as getting it started. Every aspiring player needs to learn the basics of the games and the platforms on which they are planning to begin their gambling career.

Fundamentals

Here are a few essential details that every player needs to know before stepping into the game.

The overall experience is what matters the most, and the bets that you place should never affect your financial stability. Luck is a result of the randomness of the entire game that takes place, and in the case of online casinos, this factor of randomness is produced artificially. Random number generators are computer programs that are used for this purpose.

The security and fairness at online casinos are of great concern for the players. Since the digital platforms hold a high number of frauds and scams, the apprehension towards signing into these would be as equally high. But the online casinos have been programmed in such a way that they do not conduct unfair games or stay biased to a certain group of players. Security has also been ensured by these platforms, which has ensued in the massive footfalls.

Most of the casinos prefer to use third-party software to run their games, and the three types of software that are used are the downloadable, instant, and mobile versions.

Incentives are always motivators, and no one refuses to accept it. In online casinos, various types of bonuses are provided to the players at the time of signing up. Additional funds to play the games and chips to enter it are usually offered as sign-up bonuses. Many sites necessitate an initial payment for the rewards, whereas a few other casinos provide it free of cost.

Choosing the Best Online Casino

Selecting a particular online casino is never as easy as reading through the list. The ones that are ranked on the top might not be the ones that please you the most. Your priorities matter the most when narrowing down to that one site, which makes that particular option the best. While some casinos prove to be ideal for poker, some others support blackjack. Ignition, Betonline, and Bovada are some of the best online poker sites

according to this website

. The player has to decide on which casino site to be selected for his/her game. Best is, therefore, a subjective term here, and it would be the site that meets your needs that turn out to be the best one. Make sure to check the geographical restrictions of the site, so that you don’t choose the one that isn’t available in your state/country. So, pick the right option rather than the best one.

Conclusion

Online casinos have been witnessing immense growth for the past few years, and this has generated an urge to jump into gambling without a second thought. Acquire the necessary information about such online platforms before leaping into the game, so that you play the game safely.

Voice Recognition Technology: Why Alexa Succeeds

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 15, 2020)–I

t would be understandable to think that voice recognition does not have too much of a place in the realm of modern technology. While it would be nice to have, it is understandable to think that it might be more of a nuisance than anything. When compared to something such as touch technology, voice recognition might be seen as more of a luxury than a necessity. However, Alexa has continued to prove that voice recognition has a place in today’s world and has so far exceeded expectations.

With the help of

Alexa skill development

and a bit of creativity, Alexa has become known as the premier voice assistant – and for a good reason! One of the technological standards that helps Alexa in its rise to stardom is the modern app, as the tech behind

Amazon Alexa skill development

allows it to fully integrate and be used in ways that continue to surprise.

A boon in marketing and more

One of the most successful uses of Alexa involves skill development in stain removal, with the help of Tide. Not only will Alexa help you in ridding yourself of hundreds of different varieties of stains, but it will also suggest the best types of products to help you achieve your goals. Since we have all had to deal with stains at one point or another, it is a convenient way of utilising Alexa, and it simultaneously markets Tide products to create the perfect storm of marketing.

As if that was not enough,

Alexa for business

is something that is still seen as relatively untapped. There are still plenty of potential ways to utilise Alexa for business, such as the use of business software between departments.

A joy to have at home

Aside from Alexa’s uses in business, its primary function is to be used in the household. It can integrate with other apps to aid you in providing as much convenience as possible. Are you looking to stream your favourite shows or videos? What about gaming? Alexa has your back!

What is surprising about Alexa in the household is it can be utilised in many creative ways. For example, it is entirely possible for an Alexa skill to be used in controlling the lighting or the temperature in your home. You can transform your humble abode into the house of tomorrow!

A world of untapped potential

The best part is that when it comes to what Alexa can do, it is still relatively untapped. The limits to Alexa’s uses in today’s world are only limited by the imagination of those who utilise its skills and features. While voice recognition might not necessarily be seen as necessary when compared to touch technology or apps, Alexa’s potential could very well hold the future.

Without a doubt, Alexa succeeds because she is making use of convenience instead of a gimmick. Instead of burdening us with more to do, she offers a more natural way to get the job done!

Image:

https://pixabay.com/photos/pokemon-pokemon-go-phone-game-1553989/

NJEA: There is no place for hate in NJ

The New Jersey Education Association’s (NJEA) Delegate Assembly stands in solidarity with Jewish Americans and all persons of diverse religious beliefs in light of recent anti-Semitic

violence and murder in Jersey City, New Jersey and Monsey, New York. Sadly, these are not isolated incidents. Reports of violence against individuals and groups based on their religion have been steadily increasing in recent years. As NJEA’s policy-making body consisting of representatives from throughout the state, the Delegate Assembly voted on Jan. 4 to make a formal statement denouncing such acts of violence and to explore ways to raise awareness of these crimes.

NJEA President Marie Blistan, NJEA Vice President Sean M. Spiller and NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beatty released the following statement:

There is no place in New Jersey for hatred and violence, and no one should fear for their safety because of who they are, what they believe, and where or whether they pray. Since before its founding, the United States has stood as a beacon of religious freedom. America has become a nation to which those persecuted for their beliefs around the world seek refuge.

Residents of New Jersey can be proud to live in one of the most religiously diverse states in the nation, but according to the FBI’s Hate Crimes Statistics Report in 2018, there were 561 violent attacks classified as hate crimes in New Jersey. Of those, 198 were people targeted because of their religion. There is much work to do to make every school and every community free from violence motivated by hatred based upon religion, race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and all manifestations of irrational hatred.

As educators, NJEA members take seriously the responsibility to instill in their students an appreciation for religious diversity and to empower them to stand up against anti-Semitism and other forms of religious bigotry. Below are several resources for educators and parents to assist them in the that mission.

New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education

Resources for the Classroom

https://www.nj.gov/education/holocaust/resources/

Teaching Tolerance

Southern Poverty Law Center – Includes resources to address all forms of religious discrimination.

https://www.splcenter.org/teaching-tolerance

National Education Association

Unite Against Hate!

http://www.nea.org/home/71339.htm

Classroom Close-up NJ

NJEA’s “Classroom Close-up NJ” video library contains dozens of segments on educators teaching about anti-Semitism and Holocaust and Genocide Education.

Home

NJEA Review

“American Muslim Students Need Understanding and Support”

https://www.njea.org/american-muslim-students-need-understanding-support/

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Teaching About Anti-Semitism

https://www.ushmm.org/antisemitism/teaching-about-antisemitism

BUSINESS: Alex Hogan Assigned as General Assignment Reporter for FoxNews

NEW YORK–(

BUSINESS WIRE

)–FOX News Channel (FNC) has signed WFMZ-TV, an independent television station, reporter Alex Hogan as a general assignment reporter. She begins her new role today.

Since 2017, Hogan has served as a morning news reporter and fill-in anchor for WFMZ-TV in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In this capacity, Hogan covered various breaking news stories, including the trial of Bill Cosby, the 2017 Cosmo Dinardo murders and the 2018 Allentown car bombing. Previously, Hogan worked as a general assignment reporter for CBS affiliate WTAJ-TV covering the Altoona, State College and Johnston, Pennsylvania areas.

Hogan got her start in the industry interning for Bloomberg TV where she field produced and contributed to the weekend version of Bloomberg Intelligence’s

Equity Market Minute

. She also interned at NBC O&O WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., where she assisted with coverage of local debates, hearings and the 2014 Navy Yard Shooting Remembrance.

A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Hogan holds a Bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and was awarded a regional Emmy award for her work at the school’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. Born and raised in Switzerland, Hogan is multilingual and has lived in Spain, Israel and seven states across the United States.

FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most watched television news channel for more than 17 consecutive years. According to a 2019 Suffolk University poll, FOX News is the most trusted source for television news or commentary in the country, while a 2019 Brand Keys Emotion Engagement Brand Analysis survey found that FOX News was the most trusted cable news brand. A 2017 Gallup/Knight Foundation survey also found that among Americans who could name an objective news source, FOX News is the top-cited outlet. Owned by FOX Corporation, FNC is available in nearly 90 million homes and dominates the cable news landscape, routinely notching the top ten programs in the genre.

MyMedicalShopper Provides Response to DHHS Request for Public Comments

Portsmouth, NH –

January

13, 20

20

–

MMS Analytics, Inc. dba MyMedicalShopper, the leading provider of healthcare price transparency solutions, submitted a detailed response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding proposed rule making to “give consumers personalized, real-time access to cost-sharing information,” shedding light on the secret world of healthcare pricing and empowering consumers to make more informed care decisions.

The “Transparency in Coverage CMS-9915-P” rule requires most group health plans and issuers to give participants personalized access to provider pricing, including an estimate of negotiated in- and out-of-network cost-sharing liability, via an online tool or paper, upon consumer request. The proposed rule would make consumers fully aware of their insurance issuer’s negotiated prices before receiving care to compare provider costs, include pricing in their decision-making, and promote more competition in the healthcare industry to lower cost.

“This rule would finally put an end to the secret pricing in healthcare and create a fair marketplace for consumers,” said Mark Galvin, President and CEO of MMS Analytics, Inc., the creator of MyMedicalShopper.

“For the past six years MyMedicalShopper has provided users with unparalleled access to negotiated pricing information via its responsive web design (RWD) and mobile application—exactly like those proposed in the new rules. We’re excited to share our expertise with these agencies to ensure consumers have access to the tools and information needed to make better-informed healthcare decisions.”

MyMedicalShopper’s public comments are available on its

website

. (update when published on the web and provide link). To review the full rule and public comments, please visit

Regulations.gov

.

MyMedicalShopper is a comprehensive platform for employers designed to drive down the cost of healthcare while improving employee benefits. The platform includes the nation’s leading medical price transparency tools for employees, dynamic rewards programs, and robust analytics packages for employers.

MyMedicalShopper is available through benefit brokers and consultants serving both the fully insured and self-funded employer markets. The platform integrates with over 120 health plan member portals providing real-time deductible tracking, in- and out-of-network facility information, and other personalized plan details to help employees manage out-of-pocket expenses and plan for future procedures.

MyMedicalShopper empowers employers and their employees to take control of their healthcare costs on over 10,000 medical tests and procedures tests by making it easy to shop for low-cost, high-quality medical care.

About MMS Analytics, Inc. (

www.MyMedicalShopper.com

)

MMS Analytics, Inc. dba MyMedicalShopper™ is a big data company on a mission to build technology, products, and services to drive meaningful savings from the cost of healthcare in the United States. The company was founded on the belief that fixing the broken healthcare marketplace required a focus on the alignment of financial incentives, medical price transparency, and the reduction of administrative overhead. The company empowers employers and their employees with the ability to choose care based on price, quality, and convenience with unprecedented access to the previously secretive prices negotiated between insurance carriers and providers. Experts document that as much as $1 trillion could be slashed annually from the cost of healthcare in the United States. MyMedicalShopper aims to help transform the healthcare industry into a fair market for consumers.

One Essex and One Union County Tickets Split $340,778 Jersey Cash 5 Jackpot

TRENTON (Jan. 13, 2020) – Two lucky tickets matched all five numbers drawn splitting the $340,778 Jersey Cash 5 jackpot from the Sunday, Jan. 12, drawing. Each ticket is worth $170,389. The winning numbers were: 05, 15, 19, 28 and 35 and the XTRA number was: 02. The retailers will receive a bonus check for $2,000 for each winning ticket sold. Those tickets were sold at the following locations:

  Essex County: Kings Super Market, 778 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills; and

  Union County: Parkway Exxon, 1601 Route 22 West, Union.

Acting Executive Director James Carey announced that there were 351,851 tickets purchased for the drawing. By adding XTRA, for an additional $1.00 per play, winners are able to multiply their non-jackpot prizes by the XTRA number drawn. For correctly matching four of the five numbers drawn, 68 ticketholders won $399 each and 19 others won $798 each with the addition of XTRA. Moreover, for correctly matching three of the five numbers drawn, 2,473 ticketholders won $12 each and 523 others won $24 each with the addition of XTRA. Lastly 5,528 ticketholders each won $2 for correctly matching two of the five numbers drawn with the addition of XTRA on their purchase.

###

View all New Jersey Lottery game winning numbers and drawings for the Pick-3, Pick-4, Jersey Cash 5, Pick-6, CASH4LIFE and 5 Card Cash games on the Lottery website (www.NJLottery.com) or on the official Lottery Facebook Page. Evening draws, with the exception of CASH4LIFE and 5 Card Cash, can be seen on WPIX-TV (PIX11) in New York and WPHL-TV (PHL17) in Philadelphia. Powerball and Mega Millions drawings can be seen on WABC-TV or WTXF stations.

ANE Adds Two New Hires in 2020 with Sights on New York Expansion

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. (January 14, 2020)

– ANE, Agency Network Exchange LLC, announced the addition of Kevin Grove (right) as Regional Director and Frank Vetrano (left) as Director of Membership.

“The quality of ANE is reflective of the caliber of talent we attract,” added Elizabeth Schenk, ANE’s Chief Executive Officer.  “Both Kevin and Frank bring a wealth of knowledge and a stellar reputation to our growing staff.  They will be instrumental in achieving our aggressive growth plans with our member agencies and carriers as well as expanding our footprint.”

Frank Vetrano brings 43 years of industry experience, previously with the Hanover Group as Regional Vice President for New Jersey and downstate New York.  His career path also included Fireman’s Fund, USF&G, and St Paul.  Vetrano has a keen understanding of the New York insurance environment and is well known and respected by agencies and carriers.  He will lead ANE’s expansion into New York.

Kevin Grove graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BS in business management and a minor in economics.  He spent the last 16 years with Travelers as an account executive and most recently, regional director in Pennsylvania.  Kevin will manage the relationships with our current members in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, in addition to expanding the company’s footprint in eastern and central Pennsylvania.

About ANE

Established in 2009, Agency Network Exchange LLC (ANE) is a network of independent insurance agencies.  It provides its member agencies increased opportunities to grow their revenues and profits.  Currently, ANE has over 70 individually owned member agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that place more than $750 million in written premium.  Visit

www.ane-agents.com

for more information.

Support veterans and families who need our assistance

Dear American Legion Family and Friends,

It was a year ago when American Legion members, posts and staff members worked together to collect, process and distribute more than $1 million in

Temporary Financial Assistance

(TFA) grants for Coast Guard families who were ensnarled in the

Bill Oxford, National Commander

federal government shutdown.

Fortunately at this time, we don’t have to step in for the federal government to ensure the brave men and women of the Coast Guard are compensated for keeping our nation safe. But there are other urgent needs that we will address now and throughout 2020 through The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF).

Grants from the foundation not only provide vital support for military and veteran parents in unexpected financial crises, they also support American Legion service officers in their tireless efforts to obtain care and due benefits and opportunities for disabled veterans and families.

These service officers provide free expert assistance to more than 700,000 veterans, widows and families as they navigate the complexities of VA benefits and services they have earned through their service.

Sadly, service officer support and TFA grants often go unnoticed in local communities.

But their importance cannot be overstated.

The Veterans & Children Foundation

improves lives for veterans, servicemembers and their families. It is essential that the foundation remain a resource for our comrades in need in communities throughout the nation.

Whether funds are used to assist Coast Guardsmen who are missing paychecks or a veteran and her spouse who lost their home to a fire or a military family struggling to make ends meet, the Veterans & Children Foundation needs your support.

For the remainder of my term as national commander, I will be focusing on my fundraising goal of $25 million for V&CF. That may sound like a lot of money. Just remember that in 1924-25, Legion members created the original American Legion Endowment Fund by raising $5 million — that’s about $72 million in today’s dollars, adjusted for inflation.

I am confident that with your kind contributions, we will indeed assist veterans, support military families and build a strong foundation for the future.

Tinton Falls Man Sentenced to Prison Term for Crimes Against 63-Year-Old Special Needs Victim

FREEHOLD

–

A Tinton Falls man was sentenced to an aggregate 19 years in a New Jersey State Prison following his October conviction for retaliating against a 63-year old male with special needs, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Luis Vializ, 49, of Tinton Falls, was sentenced by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano Friday morning, January 3, 2020.  Upon a motion by the State, Judge Falcetano found Vializ to be a statutory persistent offender and ordered Vializ to be sentenced to an extended first degree term of imprisonment.

Vializ was convicted by a Monmouth County Jury on October 25, 2019, after a three-day trial before Judge Falcetano. The jury found Vializ guilty of second degree Witness Retaliation, third degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, fourth degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and fourth degree Receiving Stolen Property. Vializ was sentenced to fifteen years in state prison for the second degree Witness Retaliation charge, and a consecutive four year term in state prison for the merged weapons offenses. Vializ was also sentenced to a concurrent eighteen months in state prison for the fourth degree Receiving Stolen Property charge.

Vializ was found in possession of a stolen bicycle in Neptune Township on Sept. 19, 2018, and following his arrest was informed the victim of the bike theft was a 63-year-old individual with special needs. Nearly a month later, on Oct. 11, 2018, Vializ observed that same victim inside of an establishment in the Jumping Brook Plaza in the township, where the bike was secured outside. Upon seeing both the bike and the victim, Vializ used a hammer to repeatedly strike the bike and threatened to strike the special needs victim, in an act of retaliation.

The charges in this case were the result of a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Neptune Township Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutors Caitlin Sidley and Amanda Dalton Clark.

Vializ is represented by John M. Murphy, III, Esq., of Farmingdale.

Election 2020: Trump Co-Chairs Condemn NJ-2 Candidate Richter for Anti-Trump Rhetoric

New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio & State Senator Michael Testa Jr., who co-chair President Trump’s New Jersey re-election campaign, issued the following statement condemning NJ-02 candidate David Richter for anti-Trump comments he made in today’s New York Times.

“Accusing President Trump of abandoning his principles is the type of rhetoric you would expect to hear from his Democratic Socialist opponents like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, not an allegedly “Republican” candidate for the US House of Representatives. If Republicans can’t trust Richter to defend the President to a New York Times reporter how could they ever trust him to stand up to Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats in Washington. Congressman Van Drew stood up to the Democrats’ impeachment hoax and defended President Trump when it mattered most – that’s why the President will be in South Jersey later this month to stand with Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew. President Trump has kept all of his campaign promises and to say otherwise is intellectually disingenuous.”