After a 10-year hiatus, Macy’s fireworks show returned to the Hudson River on July 4th. The barges will be positioned between West 14th Street and West 34th Street, providing a prime viewing spot for residents of New Jersey. Over the years, organizers have opted to hold the nation’s largest fireworks display on the East River. This year, a change was finally made to showcase the fireworks on the Hudson River due to limited viewing areas on the East River. Efforts were made to synchronize the performance with other barges and expand the scale of the fireworks show. Since the United States bicentennial in 1976, Macy’s fireworks display on July 4th has been a tradition. The fireworks are produced by Macy’s fireworks studio in collaboration with Souza’s Pyro Spectaculars. Macy’s has promised that this year’s fireworks show will be even more spectacular, featuring thousands of fireworks and a wider array of colors and patterns lighting up the night sky.
New Jersey has seen a more than fivefold increase in the number of pharmacies legally selling recreational marijuana compared to a year ago. State government officials overseeing the regulated market claim this surge indicates robust sales of recreational marijuana. As of the first quarter of 2024, total recreational marijuana sales exceeded $201 million, a 38% increase from the same period last year. One key factor is the expansion of the legal market, with over 130 adult-use dispensaries operating in the state by the spring of 2024.
New Jersey is set to hold a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the late U.S. Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. Governor Murphy issued an election proclamation to fill the remaining few months of Payne’s sixth term. The special primary will take place on July 16th, with the election scheduled for September 18th. The deadline for applications for the special primary is 4:00 p.m. on May 10th. Payne passed away on April 24th due to a heart attack at the age of 65 and has since been laid to rest.
State and federal authorities are warning New Jersey drivers to be wary of a new type of text message scam targeting E-ZPass users. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) stated in a release that scammers are sending texts to drivers, aiming to deceive them into entering their bank or credit card information on a fake website. New Jersey drivers receive texts purportedly from “New Jersey E-ZPass Toll Service” instructing them to click a link to pay an outstanding toll balance to avoid late fees. The company affirmed that the message is fraudulent, advising drivers to delete it immediately and refrain from clicking on any embedded links in the text message.
After a year-long federal investigation, nine suspected drug traffickers have been charged, originating from a branch of the gang known as the Bloods which has been terrorizing New Jersey. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on May 2nd that the latest drug enforcement operation focused on battling the “sex, money, murder” faction of the Bloods located in Plainfield. Authorities allege that these affiliated drug dealers were selling fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine near West 3rd Street in the city. According to a criminal complaint, law enforcement first discovered a glassine envelope filled with fentanyl labeled “cotton candy” on West 3rd Street last April. Over the following year, authorities conducted 24 controlled purchases from these traffickers using undercover officers and confidential informants. The nine individuals are charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. ◇