Hyattsville Housekeeper Wins $50K on Scratch-Off Ticket (2025)

TRENTON, NJ — U.S. Senator Bob Menendez announced he will resign from his Senate seat effective August 20, following his recent conviction on federal bribery charges. In a letter to Governor Phil Murphy, Menendez expressed his intention to appeal the verdict but chose to resign to avoid burdening the Senate with a protracted process.

Menendez highlighted the period until his resignation as a crucial time for his staff to secure new employment and handle pending constituent files. He also mentioned the need for an orderly transition to choose an interim replacement and for him to conclude his Senate affairs. This interval might also allow Menendez an opportunity to deliver a farewell speech from the Senate floor.

Governor Murphy has confirmed receiving Menendez’s resignation letter and will begin the process of selecting a temporary replacement. The appointed successor will serve until the end of Menendez's current term on January 3, 2025. The seat will subsequently be filled by the winner of the upcoming November general election, with candidates including Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw.

Amidst speculation about potential appointees, New Jersey’s First Lady Tammy Murphy clarified via social media that she would not accept an appointment to the U.S. Senate, remaining committed to her advocacy for infant and maternal health.

Governor Murphy reiterated his commitment to ensuring New Jersey continues to have the representation it deserves, though he has not yet disclosed any candidates under consideration for the temporary Senate seat.

Toms River, NJ — A 16-year-old girl who was undergoing a gender transition from Palm Bay, Florida has been arrested and charged with the first-degree pre-meditated murder of her mother and her mother's boyfriend, following a distressing series of events that ended fatally.

Shortly after midnight on July 7, the teen dialed 911, claiming an intruder had broken into her home through a back sliding door. However, when police arrived at the scene, they found 42-year-old Kelley McCollum and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Matthew Szejnrok, deceased. Szejnrok also exhibited multiple stab wounds, according to the police affidavit.

Szejnrok was born in Toms River and raised in East Brunswick.

Initially, the teen provided detectives with a scenario where she was an innocent bystander, claiming she hid in her bedroom as the crimes occurred. This account soon unraveled as investigators discovered incriminating evidence, including a gun and a bloody knife positioned near the teen’s bedroom, and bloody footprints matching the teen’s shoes.

Upon further questioning, the teenager confessed to waiting for the couple to return home, at which point she shot them multiple times. She followed Szejnrok to the bathroom where she continued her assault with a knife, and ultimately, shot him again in the head.

The motivation behind these harrowing actions stemmed from personal grievances. The teen expressed frustrations over her mother’s lack of acceptance regarding her gender transition and was also upset about her mother’s relationship with a significantly younger man.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The 2024 Visit Atlantic City Airshow, titled "A Salute to Those Who Serve," will take place on August 13 and 14. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the event will be held at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, located at 2301 Boardwalk, Missouri Avenue, and the Beach.

Sponsored by Visit Atlantic City, the airshow will feature spectacular aerial performances by the Polaris Ghost Squadron, U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys, U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, and the 177th Fighter Wing of the N.J. Air National Guard, alongside an array of civilian performers.

The event is free to attend, with the airshow starting at 11 a.m. each day. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs and umbrellas to enjoy the performances from the soft sand and boardwalk, taking in the sights and sounds while enjoying the ocean breeze.

For those viewing from the water, there will be a “no boat zone” to ensure safety, restricting access to the Atlantic City beach for all vessels except those operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, police, and other marine units. Boaters are reminded to practice safe boating and wear life jackets.

Land-based viewing options include Atlantic City’s free beaches and Boardwalk, as well as ocean-facing hotel rooms and outdoor venues. Parking is available throughout the city, and visitors can use the Atlantic City Jitney or NJ Transit bus or train services for transportation.

For more information, visit the event website.