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New Jersey Expands Environmental Testing Near Former Landfill Amid Cancer Concerns

New Jersey Expands Environmental Testing Near Former Landfill Amid Cancer Concerns

New Jersey officials are expanding environmental sampling near the inactive Keyport Sanitary Landfill at the Aeromarine Industrial Park in response to community reports of over 400 cancer diagnoses in Keyport and Union Beach. Residents have been advocating for broader testing, citing concerns that contamination from the landfill may have spread into nearby neighborhoods. Previous investigations at the site identified contaminants such as benzene and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). More recent independent testing also reportedly detected PCBs, dioxins, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). While these carcinogens are present, state officials have not yet established a direct link between the landfill's contaminants and the reported cancer cases, nor have they officially classified the area as a cancer cluster. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) initially stated that no pathway for contamination reaching residents had been identified, but has since expanded its investig...

Severe Storms Threaten Northeast with Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds

Severe Storms Threaten Northeast with Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds

The Northeast region of the U.S. is bracing for severe storms, with over 32 million people along the I-95 corridor from Connecticut to Virginia under a flash flood threat. NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued a widespread Level 2 out of 4 risk for flash flooding in this area. Specifically, 17 million individuals across parts of New Jersey and New York City face a higher Level 3 out of 4 risk. These storms are expected to bring drenching downpours, with rainfall rates potentially reaching up to 2 inches per hour. A Tornado Watch is also in effect for over 15 million people in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia until 10 p.m. ET. The cold front responsible for this severe weather is moving east from the Ohio Valley and is anticipated to stall over the Northeast coast and Mid-Atlantic through Thursday evening. Widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches are possible from North Carolina up to coastal New Jersey, with localized amounts of 3 to 5 inches.

Climate Change Drives Migration to Florida's Inland Areas

Climate Change Drives Migration to Florida's Inland Areas

Florida is experiencing a significant population shift as residents move from coastal cities to inland areas due to climate-related risks and economic pressures. Coastal cities like Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville are seeing population declines as residents face rising insurance premiums—projected to increase by 213% to 322% over the next three decades—alongside heightened risks of hurricanes and flooding. Inland counties such as Highlands, Polk, and Sumter are witnessing rapid growth, with some areas quadrupling their population gains compared to the previous decade. Experts attribute this migration to both the lower cost of living and the perceived safety of inland locations from climate hazards. This trend is expected to accelerate as climate change intensifies its impacts on Florida's coastal regions (Inside Climate News, 2026).

Miami-Dade County Grapples with Record Sargassum Accumulation on Beaches

Miami-Dade County Grapples with Record Sargassum Accumulation on Beaches

Miami-Dade County is experiencing unprecedented levels of sargassum, a type of floating brown algae, washing ashore on its 17 miles of beaches. Chris Bumpus, Chief of Conservation for Miami-Dade County's parks department, reports that 9,000 tons of seaweed were removed in July alone, marking a record for a single month. This surge is part of a larger phenomenon, with the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, stretching from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, reaching its second-highest biomass on record this summer at 33.5 million tons. Scientists attribute the proliferation to several factors, including increased nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from major rivers like the Amazon and Mississippi, warmer ocean temperatures, and altered ocean circulation patterns, all exacerbated by climate change.

Congressman Thomas Kean Jr. Secures $530,000 for Summit Sidewalk Improvements

Congressman Thomas Kean Jr. Secures $530,000 for Summit Sidewalk Improvements

Congressman Thomas Kean Jr. (NJ-07) recently presented $530,000 to the City of Summit for significant sidewalk improvements along Glenside Avenue. This high-traffic street, which provides access to I-78, will see the installation of new ADA-compliant sidewalks and improved drainage systems. According to Congressman Kean, these upgrades are crucial for ensuring that people of all abilities can safely use the sidewalks in the community. Local officials, including Mayor Elizabeth Fagan, MD, Police Chief Ryan Peters, Councilman Jamel Boyer, and Councilman Dan Crisafulli, expressed gratitude for the federal funding, highlighting its importance for pedestrian safety, accessibility, and stormwater management. Since taking office, Congressman Kean has secured over $3.4 million for accessible walkways across New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District through the Community Project Funding process. All 15 projects allotted to Congressman Kean for the FY2026 Community Project Funding process have successfully passed ...

Tornadoes Touch Down in Delaware and New York's Long Island, Prompting Cleanup Efforts

Tornadoes Touch Down in Delaware and New York's Long Island, Prompting Cleanup Efforts

Cleanup efforts and damage assessments are underway in Dover, Delaware, and on Long Island, New York, following tornadoes that touched down during storms. These storms brought heavy rains and flash flooding to the Northeast, leaving dozens of people stranded in their vehicles. The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in Dover, where photos and videos show significant damage, including a motel roof being blown off and other structural damage along Route 13. On Long Island, a large funnel cloud was observed over the Atlantic Ocean, which then became a tornado, causing damage to small buildings at a beach club in Atlantic Beach. Fortunately, officials have reported no serious injuries from these events. Weather service crews are currently assessing the damage to determine the strength and paths of the tornadoes.

U.S. Representatives Introduce Bipartisan Flood Impact Reduction and Resilience Act

U.S. Representatives Introduce Bipartisan Flood Impact Reduction and Resilience Act

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and David Valadao (R-CA) have introduced the bipartisan National Flood Impact Reduction and Resilience Act. This legislation aims to establish a coordinated federal program designed to enhance the understanding of flood risks, promote more effective mitigation and resilience strategies, and ultimately reduce the loss of life and property due to flooding. The proposed act is structured similarly to the successful National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program. It would create an interagency committee, led by the Army Corps of Engineers, and include key federal agencies such as FEMA, NOAA, USGS, NIST, OSTP, and OMB, to coordinate planning and implementation efforts. Additionally, the bill calls for an advisory committee comprising representatives from academia, industry standards groups, and state and local governments. This committee would be tasked with assessing advancements in flood resilience science and evaluating the program's overall effectiveness.

Amtrak Awards $93 Million Contract for Newark's Dock Bridge Rehabilitation

Amtrak Awards $93 Million Contract for Newark's Dock Bridge Rehabilitation

Amtrak has awarded a $93 million contract to Skanska for the rehabilitation of the Dock Bridge in Newark, New Jersey. This infrastructure upgrade is part of the broader Gateway Program, a series of initiatives aimed at improving the Northeast Corridor train line. The Dock Bridge, a six-track, triple-span movable lift bridge spanning the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison, was originally opened in 1935. It serves as a critical link for Amtrak, Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH), and New Jersey Transit passenger rail, handling approximately 720 train crossings daily. The rehabilitation work will involve decommissioning the movable spans and securing them in a fixed position, jacking existing bridge counterweights, and installing permanent counterweight supports. Additionally, the project includes rehabilitating concrete piers, removing the current fender system, replacing catwalk railings, supporting Amtrak force account work, and modifying traction power systems and miter rails. Construction on the D...

Goals for Every New Jersey Devils Forward in 2026-27

Goals for Every New Jersey Devils Forward in 2026-27

With new forwards on the roster, the Devils should hope that everyone’s performance gets a bit of lift in 2026-27.

Arkansas Department of Agriculture Reports Early Fall Colors in Stressed Trees Across Eastern Arkansas

Arkansas Department of Agriculture Reports Early Fall Colors in Stressed Trees Across Eastern Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has reported that trees across eastern Arkansas are exhibiting fall colors, such as yellow and brown, earlier than usual. Chandler Barton, from the department, stated that while an official cause has not been assessed, extended periods of high heat and prolonged drought are likely contributing factors. This early color change is a stress response where trees shed leaves that are no longer efficient for photosynthesis, a mechanism to conserve energy and prevent the tree from dying. Barton clarified that this does not necessarily mean the entire tree is dying, but rather it is protecting itself. However, he noted that if evergreen trees, particularly pine trees, begin to change color, it could indicate a more severe problem, as they are typically expected to remain green year-round. Yard trees might also be more significantly affected due to being outside their natural environment. Despite some recent rainfall in parts of northeast Arkansas, much of the region continues...

Europe's Drought Reveals Ancient Artifacts and WWII Relics in Drying Rivers

Europe's Drought Reveals Ancient Artifacts and WWII Relics in Drying Rivers

Europe is experiencing one of its hottest summers on record, leading to critically low water levels in major rivers like the Rhine, Danube, and Elbe. This severe drought, driven by heat domes blocking cooler Atlantic air and drawing in hot air from North Africa, is causing remnants of lost worlds to emerge from the exposed riverbeds. Among the discoveries are artifacts from World War II, such as scuttled Nazi warships in the Danube, and much older treasures, including Roman altars in the Hungarian portion of the Danube and Bronze Age timber foundations in Italy's Oglio River. Even woolly mammoth bone fragments have been identified near Ryahovo in Bulgaria. The re-emergence of 'hunger stones' in the Elbe, carved with dates marking past droughts, serves as an ominous historical warning.

New Jersey Expands Property Tax Relief Programs for Seniors and Disabled Residents

New Jersey Expands Property Tax Relief Programs for Seniors and Disabled Residents

New Jersey has made available the PAS-1 Forms, which serve as a single, combined application for property tax relief programs aimed at seniors and individuals receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Disability Benefits. This consolidated application covers the Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement), ANCHOR, and Stay NJ programs. These programs are designed for residents aged 65 and over, or those who are collecting Social Security Disability Benefits. Individuals already enrolled in the system will receive personalized books in the mail, while others can access the forms online. The state aims to streamline the application process for eligible residents seeking property tax relief. For those under 65 and not receiving Social Security/Railroad Retirement Disability Benefits, most eligible filers will have their ANCHOR applications (Form ANC-1) auto-filed and will receive a confirmation letter in August. If not auto-filed, individuals can file electronically or submit a downloaded application by...