Middletown, NJ
News
Taylor Swift Election Conspiracy Believed By Fraction Of Americans: Monmouth University Poll Taylor Swift Election Conspiracy Believed By Fraction Of Americans: Monmouth University Poll
Taylor Swift Election Conspiracy Believed By Fraction Of Americans: Monmouth University Poll Nearly one out of every five Americans believes pop star Taylor Swift is part of a conspiracy to help President Joe Biden win reelection, according to a poll from a New Jersey college. Monmouth University released a poll on Wednesday, Feb. 14 asking about the recent conspiracy theories that gained national attention before Super Bowl LVIII. Swift's boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce played in the game, which the Chiefs won 25-22 in overtime over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Feb. 11. The pollsters asked if people think there's "a covert government effort" to have S…

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by Chris Spiker
Towson, MD
Politics
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Announces Unexpected US Senate Run Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Announces Unexpected US Senate Run
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Announces Unexpected US Senate Run Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is vowing to put partisanship aside and "to fix our broken politics" as he throws his hat into the ring with a run for a US Senate seat. The Republican announced a bid to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin on Friday in a video released on social media, where he said that he is "exhausted like the majority of Marylanders (and) fed up with politics as usual."  "For eight years we proved the toxic politics that divide our nation need not divide our state," he said. "We've overcome unprecedented challenges ... And we did it by finding common ground…

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by Zak Failla
Middletown, NJ
Politics
Monmouth U Releases NH Projections In Shrinking GOP Race Monmouth U Releases NH Projections In Shrinking GOP Race
Monmouth U Releases NH Projections In Shrinking GOP Race Monmouth University has released poll results just ahead of the second Republican primary of the 2024 presidential campaign. The poll shows former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley gaining independent support, but still trailing former President Donald Trump in New Hampshire. It says 52 percent of New Hampshire GOP voters supported Trump, while 34 percent backed Haley. The poll was run in partnership with The Washington Post. The poll was conducted between Tuesday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 20. That was right before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he was suspending his campaign o…

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by Chris Spiker
Lakewood, NJ
Obituaries
'RIP To The Queen:' Condolences Pour In For Toms River Icon Sondra Fortunato, 'Miss Liberty' 'RIP To The Queen:' Condolences Pour In For Toms River Icon Sondra Fortunato, 'Miss Liberty'
'RIP To The Queen:' Condolences Pour In For Toms River Icon Sondra Fortunato, 'Miss Liberty' Sondra Fortunato, an iconic New Jersey entertainer and model known to many as "Miss Liberty USA," has died. Condolences were widely posted online on Thursday, Jan. 11 for the well-known local celebrity from Toms River, including the town's Republican party organization. "Dear sweet Sondra, I first met you when I was about 12 years old. I'm now 66. We girls would see you in Seaside buying the latest fashion's," one mourner wrote. "We were all fascinated by your stunning appearance. You truly were the first Barbie doll!  "As the years went by it was a delight to see you in Toms River wh…

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by Chris Spiker
Fort Lee, NJ
Politics
'Get Smoked:' Christie Caught On Hot Mic Before Announcing Prez Race Drop, Reports Say 'Get Smoked:' Christie Caught On Hot Mic Before Announcing Prez Race Drop, Reports Say
'Get Smoked:' Christie Caught On Hot Mic Before Announcing Prez Race Drop, Reports Say Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has dropped out of the 2024 presidential campaign, but not before allegedly talking a little bit of smack on a hot mic. The Republican nominee made the announcement on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at a town hall in Windham, NH (click here to watch). Just before the town hall, Christie was apparently caught on a hot mic saying "she is going to get smoked," apparently referring to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, as reported by ABC and the New York Times. The quip was aired on his campaign's livestream, which has since been removed, The Times reports. "I'v…

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by Cecilia Levine
Fort Lee, NJ
Politics
Megyn Kelly Reveals What Chris Christie Said In Viral Off-Air Moment During GOP Confrontation Megyn Kelly Reveals What Chris Christie Said In Viral Off-Air Moment During GOP Confrontation
Megyn Kelly Reveals What Chris Christie Said In Viral Off-Air Moment During GOP Confrontation "He was pissed off." That's what Megyn Kelly said of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, regarding an off-air incident during the GOP debate in Alabama on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The clip has since gone viral, leaving America wondering what exactly it was that the 2024 presidential hopeful told the panelist and former Fox News anchor. On Thursday, Dec. 7, Kelly, on "The Megyn Kelly Show," revealed what Christie said: “He was mad that he wasn’t getting enough questions. And he said, ‘I made it up at this stage, and I haven’t been able to speak in awhile. And I should have been brought i…

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by Cecilia Levine
Albany, NY
Politics
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Millions of New Yorkers will soon have their criminal convictions sealed under new legislation meant to better help them find jobs and housing. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the “Clean Slate Act” into law during a ceremony in Brooklyn on Thursday, Nov. 16. Under the new law, those with misdemeanor convictions will have their records sealed three years after their release from incarceration, while felony convictions will be sealed after eight years. Earlier Report: Suffolk County DA Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Protecting Criminals' With Proposed 'Clean Slate' Bill Class A felonies, which include m…

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by Michael Mashburn
Massapequa, NY
Politics
Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled NY Rep, Report Says Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled NY Rep, Report Says
Santos Saga: Ethics Committee Won’t Recommend Punishment For Embattled NY Rep, Report Says After months of investigating embattled New York Rep. George Santos, the House Ethics Committee won’t recommend any punishment for the freshman lawmaker, ABC News reports. Instead, the ten-member committee, made up of five Republicans and five Democrats, will leave any disciplinary actions up to the House as a whole, Chair Michael Guest told the outlet. Santos, a Long Island Republican whose 3rd District includes parts of Nassau County and Queens, found himself in the committee’s sights in March 2023 after admitting that he lied about much of his background on the campaign trail. Earlier…

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by Michael Mashburn
Brentwood, NY
Lifestyle
Oh What A World: ‘Winnie The Witch’ Melting No More After Fundraiser Saves LI Attraction Oh What A World: ‘Winnie The Witch’ Melting No More After Fundraiser Saves LI Attraction
Oh What A World: ‘Winnie The Witch’ Melting No More After Fundraiser Saves LI Attraction Long Island’s resident witch has conjured up a new lease on life. After years of slowly melting away under inclement weather - including Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 - St. James’ “Winnie the Witch” roadside attraction has been restored to her former glory. The revamped sculpture, towering above the former Wicks Farms and Garden on North Country Road, was unveiled during a Halloween ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 31. It marked the culmination of a community fundraising project led by Kenny Maher, whose family has run the St. James Funeral Home for 38 years. Winnie the Witch's head is haul…

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by Michael Mashburn
Harrison, NY
Politics
Election Day Results: Races In Harrison, North Castle Separated By Handful Of Votes Election Day Results: Races In Harrison, North Castle Separated By Handful Of Votes
Election Day Results: Races In Harrison, North Castle Separated By Handful Of Votes Two races for top positions in two Westchester municipalities are now only separated by a handful of votes, including one matchup that was decided by a single vote.  According to unofficial election results released by Westchester County, the supervisor races in both Harrison and North Castle have finished in a near dead heat.  In Harrison, the Republican candidate for Supervisor, Richard Dionisio, received 1,698 votes, only 19 more than his opponent, Democratic candidate Mark Jaffe, who received 1,679.  In North Castle, the race was even tighter, with the Democratic candida…

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by Ben Crnic
White Plains, NY
Politics
Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester
Election Day Results: These Mayoral Candidates Win Big In Westchester Election Day 2023 in Westchester proved to be a mixed bag for mayoral candidates, as some incumbents managed to keep their positions while some found themselves passing on the torch to newcomers.  Hours after polls closed on Tuesday, Nov. 7, several mayoral candidates in Westchester municipalities discovered whether their campaigns had succeeded. Some of these results included:  Yonkers: Incumbent Mayor Mike Spano, a Democrat, managed to beat Republican candidate Anthony Merante in order to secure a fourth term in office. Spano earned 61 percent of the votes, while Merante earned 36 perce…

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by Ben Crnic
Arlington, VA
Politics
Virginia GOP Candidate Dave LaRock Promises Gun Bash, AR-15 Raffle At Victory Celebration Virginia GOP Candidate Dave LaRock Promises Gun Bash, AR-15 Raffle At Victory Celebration
Virginia GOP Candidate Dave LaRock Promises Gun Bash, AR-15 Raffle At Victory Celebration Dave LaRock is hoping to go in with a bang. The write-in, Virginia GOP candidate announced his run for US Senate with the promise of raffling off 10 AR-15s at his "gun bash" victory party. In a letter published to his website, LaRock makes a two-part promise: 1. Take back Virginia 2. Take back America (and support Donald J. Trump) "When you think of Dave LaRock, remember I'm the guy that's so pro-gun that I give them away- for free!" he writes. Republican Timmy French and Democrat Emily Scott are also on the ballot.

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by Cecilia Levine