As the human cost of Washington’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” begins to come into focus for the most vulnerable New Jerseyans, Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin is making sure families in the Garden State don’t fall through the cracks. Bill A3883, which advanced through the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee today, would help families and individuals comply with new federal requirements that threaten their access to two critical safety-net programs—NJ FamilyCare and SNAP.
Combined, these programs provide healthcare benefits and food assistance to more than two million New Jersey residents.
“For a parent working two jobs, a senior on a fixed income, or someone dealing with a health issue, navigating new and expanded mandates can be the difference between keeping benefits and losing them,” said Speaker Coughlin in his testimony. “Here in New Jersey, we already lead the nation in fighting food insecurity—we fought hard to provide the highest monthly SNAP minimum in the country, and we should be proud of that. But setting the bar high means nothing if we let bureaucracy knock people off the ladder on their way up.”
When Donald “Doc” Meltzer, MD, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) on his 12th birthday in January 1951, managing the disease looked very different than it does today.
There were no insulin pumps, no continuous glucose monitors, and no way to check blood sugar levels at home. Instead, patients relied on urine testing, reusable glass syringes, and a daily routine filled with uncertainty.
Today, 75 years later, the Voorhees resident is still thriving.
Meltzer’s remarkable journey reflects both the challenges of living with T1D and the extraordinary advances in treatment, technology, and research that have transformed diabetes care over the past seven decades.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection invites the public to get outside and connect with nature during National Trails Day this Saturday, June 6, by participating in one of 22 guided hikes throughout state parks, forests and historic sites.
Photo Caption: New Jersey American Water welcomes its new Montague Operations Team. Left to right: Manoj Patel, senior manager of Operations; Jeanne Schaefer, Human Resources Business Partner Principal; Doug Cafaro and Bob Nowatnick, Senior Operators of Water & Wastewater Treatment, Mike Malloy, senior manager of Operations; and Francis Hadley, senior superintendent of Operations. Mr. Cafaro and Mr. Nowatnick are joining the company from the former Montague Sewer and Water Company as part of the acquisition.
New Jersey American Water a subsidiary of American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., announced today the completion of its acquisition of Montague Sewer & Water Company’s water and wastewater systems in New Jersey from Nexus Regulated Utilities, LLC, a subsidiary of Nexus Water Group, Inc. (“Nexus Water Group”). The acquisition adds approximately 810 water and 270 wastewater customer connections to New Jersey American Water’s footprint. Additionally, New Jersey American Water is welcoming to its operations two employees from Montague Sewer & Water who proudly provide water and wastewater service to these customers. “On behalf of our entire team, we are delighted to welcome our new customers and new employees to the New Jersey American Water family,” said Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water. “We look forward to serving our new customers and helping to ensure a smooth transition by relying on the expertise of local employees who know these operations best. Our team is committed to providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater services to the communities we serve.”
On May 19, 2025, American Water announced its agreement to acquire Nexus Water Group systems in eight states across the U.S., highlighting benefits for customers and demonstrating the company’s successful implementation of its core growth strategy as it creates value for customers, employees, and shareholders.
Approvals by applicable state regulatory commissions and governmental entities were obtained as of May 21, 2026, and American Water completed the purchase on June 1, 2026.
New Jersey American Water is committed to ensuring a seamless transition for its new customers, who will receive additional information in the mail in the coming weeks. The information is also available now on a new, dedicated webpage on the company’s website under Customer Service and Billing.
New customers will be able to take advantage of New Jersey American Water’s robust customer service benefits, including its online account management portal, MyWater, as well as flexible payment options and customer assistance programs for qualifying customers needing help paying their bills.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Saturday for Ocean County and southeastern Burlington County New Jersey. A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children…people suffering from asthma… heart disease or other lung diseases…and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles…visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/
Cooper University Health Care, the leading academic health system in southern New Jersey, today announced plans for a new multispecialty outpatient campus in Gloucester Township, a transformative $300 million investment that will expand access to advanced specialty care services for residents across the region.
The nearly 184,000-square-foot, five-story Gloucester Township Campus will be built on 39 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to Route 42 near the Gloucester Premium Outlets. The state-of-the-art outpatient facility will be larger than Cooper’s Moorestown facility, making it the health system’s largest ambulatory campus. It is designed to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care in a modern and convenient setting while bringing more than 400 new health care jobs to the region.
“This new campus represents Cooper’s continued commitment to investing in the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said George E. Norcross, III, chairman of the Cooper University Health Care Board of Trustees. “As South Jersey continues to grow, so does the need for greater access to high-quality specialty care close to home. This project will transform health care access in the region while creating hundreds of jobs and generating long-term economic growth for Gloucester Township and surrounding communities.”
Maryland offers free fishing days on June 6, June 13, and July 4, the perfect time to introduce a friend to freshwater or tidal fishing, with no fishing license or trout stamp needed. In this wonderful time of the year for fishing, it is great to have a mentor who can guide you, and this is the perfect opportunity.
Children under 16 don’t need a license, so anytime is right for someone in their life to introduce them to the joys of fishing.
On June 13, there will be a free Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) fishing derby and outreach event, Snakes on the Dundee V, at Gunpowder Falls State Park and Dundee Creek Marina. Information about the derby can be found on the DNR website.
Overnight lane and ramp closures are scheduled on Route 42 northbound, I-295 northbound and I-76 eastbound tonight and tomorrow night for structural steel installation as the Direct Connection project advances in Bellmawr, Camden County. The lane and ramp closures, as well as traffic slowdowns, are necessary to install structural steel. Motorists are advised to use caution and expect delays when traveling through the work zones.
In addition, the I-295 southbound ramp to Route 42 southbound and I-295 southbound, also known as Al-Jo’s Curve, is scheduled to be closed and detoured tomorrow night.
Camden County, NJ – A Gloucester Township man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of arsons in Gloucester Township and Winslow Township, including fires at his apartment and workplace, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay, Gloucester Township Police Chief Anthony Minosse, and Winslow Township Police Chief Donald Lemons. Taquan N. Ayers, 25, a licensed practical nurse at Oaks Integrated Care, was charged with one count each of 2nd -degree Aggravated Arson and 2nd -degree Causing or Risking Widespread Injury or Damage in Gloucester Township. He was also charged with two counts of 3rd -degree Arson and one count each of 1st -degree Attempted Murder, 1st -degree Kidnapping, 2nd -degree Attempted Aggravated Arson, and 3rd -degree Terroristic Threats in Winslow Township.
On Thursday, June 4, 2026, at approximately 11:52 a.m., officers from the Gloucester Township Police Department and fire personnel responded to the Cherrywood Apartments located at 1200 Little Gloucester Road in reference to a fire at Ayers’ apartment. The fire was extinguished before it could spread to other apartments. No injuries were reported. During the investigation, detectives obtained surveillance video of a suspect – identified as Ayers – in possession of a gasoline can at the apartment complex shortly before the fire. At approximately 12:03 p.m., officers from the Winslow Township Police Department and fire personnel responded to Oaks Integrated Care located at 128 Berlin-Cross Keys Road in reference to an arson at the facility. Upon arrival, officers encountered a parked vehicle belonging to Ayers that had been set on fire outside of the business. The suspect – identified as Ayers – was taken into custody at the scene.
