WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is gearing up for a busy end-of-year holiday travel season, one that may reach record passenger levels. TSA is fully staffed and ready to screen a projected 44.3 million travelers at the nation’s airport security checkpoints between Friday, Dec 19, 2025, through Sunday, Jan 4, 2026. The agency expects the heaviest traveler volume will be about 2.86 million on Sunday, Dec 28, followed by Dec 19, 20, 21, 27, and 29. The busiest day last year was Friday, Dec. 27, when TSA screened just under 2.85 million travelers.
Featuring more than 65 sponsors and exhibitors, and 75 presentations between speakers and posters, the 2026 conference put on by the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship will provide a breadth of learning and networking opportunities. This is DNREC’s largest professional conference and is funded solely by sponsorships and nonprofit exhibitor support, as well as ticket sales.
Nowadays, it is rare to see a teenager without a smart phone or tablet, taking selfies with friends and sharing moments online. However, these same devices have increasingly become barriers to education, distracting students from their learning.
Today, a bill that would help school boards develop policies for the use of internet-enabled devices in school received final legislative approval. Bill A4882 sponsors—Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie, Assemblyman Cody Miller and Assemblywoman Carmen Morales—are all educators who have firsthand experience with the negative impact these devices can have in the classroom.
“The goal of this bill is to ensure that students are fully engaged in learning while they are in the classroom,” said Assemblywoman Bagolie (D-Essex, Passaic). “While internet-enabled devices such as smart phones and tablets can be useful tools, the rise of social media has unfortunately caused significant harm to our learning environments. Our bill is a response to what parents, teachers, and principals have consistently told us—they need our support. This legislation is intended to ensure that we are doing our part to help educators and our students succeed.”
Under bill A4882, the Commissioner of Education would develop age appropriate and grade differentiated guidelines to help local boards of education develop their own policies governing public school students’ use of internet-enabled devices, including smart phones, during the school day. The policies would provide some flexibility in certain cases where administrators determine the use of the device supports instruction, health or well-being.
“This legislation is designed to create a more focused learning environment and reduce distractions,” said Assemblyman Miller (D-Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester). “These policies are not about punishment, but about helping students build healthier habits and giving them the best possible chance to succeed in the classroom.”
“Children and teenagers depend on us, the adults, to make the decisions on their behalf, even when those decisions may not be popular,” said Assemblywoman Morales (D-Essex). “Educators have recognized the risks of unlimited access to internet-enabled devices, which can allow students to disengage at times when their focus and effort are most needed. By providing school boards with guidance on how to address this issue, we can better support students who truly deserve every opportunity to succeed.”
TRENTON – Building on Governor Murphy’s commitment to fully update New Jersey’s State Plan for the first time since 2001, the State Planning Commission formally adopted a new State Development and Redevelopment Plan at its December 17, 2025 meeting.
The State Development and Redevelopment Plan, developed through collaboration across all levels of government, serves as a guide to inform the public and encourage State agencies, counties, and municipalities to align their land use policies with its vision. It aims to promote a balanced and inclusive strategy for managing and guiding growth across New Jersey, centered on ten key land-use priorities.
“The adoption of a new State Development and Redevelopment Plan provides New Jersey with a clear, modern blueprint that balances economic vitality with environmental stewardship,” said Governor Murphy. “With this historic step, we have set New Jersey on a path for creating healthy, resilient, and affordable communities connected to jobs, recreation, and high-quality transportation.”
Gary L. Wakefield of Collingswood, NJ – formerly of Barrington, NJ and Tuscon, AZ – died peacefully in the comfort of his home on December 14, 2025 in the presence of his loving family; he was 69.
The youngest son of the late Ernest Wakefield Sr. and Esther (nee Quinton), Gary was loved by many for his kind heart and great sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 28 years Maryann (nee DeShayes), his daughters Jill (Devrim) Bal, Amy (late Frederick) Lazzati, Shannan Doud, Jennifer Doud and Kelly Doud. He was loving Pop-Pop to Adam, Preston, Erik and Luna.
Gary is also survived by his siblings Ernest (Kathy), Lynne, Paul (Maria) and Ellen. He is predeceased by his brother James and his sister Florence.
Happy Holidays from the Camden County Board of Commissioners. However you celebrate this season, we hope you have the opportunity to take a well-deserved break, relax, and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. May your holidays be filled with peace, joy, and the warmth of family and friends.
Warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy 2026!
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) today announced that all facilities, including agencies, road test sites, and inspection stations, will be closed on the upcoming state holidays:
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Thursday, January 1, 2026
During the rest of the holiday season, NJMVC facilities will operate under their normal business hours.
The Commission’s website, NJMVC.gov, remains open 24/7, providing a convenient way for customers to complete most NJMVC business. Over 25 online services are available, including driver license renewals and replacements, vehicle registrationrenewals and replacements, address changes, fee and surcharge payments, driver record requests, personalized and specialty plate requests, and more.
New Jerseyans in need of motor vehicle services should always visit the website first to utilize online services, book required appointments for in-person services and driver testing, and find answers to common NJMVC customer questions.
Over the past few weeks, I have been very involved in efforts to temporarily extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. Let me be clear where I stand. I do not support the Affordable Care Act as it is. It is a broken system that has been plagued by fraud, waste, and abuse. As Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight, I have spoken openly about this, including at a recent hearing where we exposed just how widespread that fraud has become.
At the same time, I will not turn my back on hardworking families who rely on these credits to afford health insurance. These men and women did not create this problem. And we cannot allow people to suddenly lose coverage while we work to fix a system that clearly is not working the way it should.
The calls start coming the week after New Year’s. Treatment centers across the country report the same pattern: phones light up in January like no other month. It’s not a coincidence.
The holiday season creates a perfect pressure cooker. Family gatherings where old wounds resurface. Office parties with open bars. The expectation that everyone should feel joyful when many feel anything but. For people already struggling with substance use, November and December become a white-knuckle exercise in just getting through.
Then comes January 2nd. The decorations look tired. The credit card bills arrive. The hangovers blur together. And somewhere in that bleak first week, something shifts. The same denial that held through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve suddenly cracks.
