When Tariffs Hurt More Than Help

By Georges Kern

The U.S. government has collected roughly $340 billion in import duties since President Trump announced his Liberation Day tariffs over a year ago. And the economic impact has been more complex than either the supporters, or the critics, want to admit.

But as critics have noted, tariffs are essentially sales taxes on imports — which inevitably means higher costs for Americans who buy those products. Two-thirds of Americans feel that tariffs have increased their personal cost of living.

Washington could minimize this financial burden — while still incentivizing reshoring — by making the tariff regime more targeted and flexible. In particular, it doesn’t make sense to impose tariffs on imported goods that, by definition, cannot be made in America.

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Potential Witness Attempt to Identify

The Philadelphia Police Department’s Crash Investigation Division is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the female depicted in the above photo. Investigators believe she may possess vital information that could assist in the ongoing investigation of a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred at the intersection of Kelly Drive and Reservoir Drive on June 24, 2026, at approximately 11:05 p.m. Anyone with information regarding the identity of this individual, or who has any additional details concerning the incident, is urged to contact the Crash Investigation Division immediately at 215-685-3180.

Mary Ellen Devlin, 91, of Bellmawr

Mary Ellen Devlin (nee Flick) passed away on July 20, 2026. A resident of Bellmawr, NJ she was 91 years old.

Daughter of the late Charles and Mary Flick. Beloved wife of the late William J. Devlin, Sr. and the late Paul M. Governa. Loving mother of Devi Hibbard, William J. Devlin, Jr. (Carla), Charles Devlin (Susan Heidke), Joseph Devlin (Erika), James Devlin (Betty) and Christopher Governa (Jennifer). She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Family meant everything to Mary Ellen, and nothing was more special than time spent with her grandchildren. She was very proud of her Polish heritage, enjoyed trips to the casinos and was an avid story teller.

Funeral service and interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mary Ellen’s memory to United Cerebral Palsy (www.ucp.org).

Arrangements by the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, Collingswood and Audubon, NJ.

Grand Jury Finds NJ State Police Detective Acted in Self-Defense

TRENTON — A state grand jury has voted not to file any criminal charges against a New Jersey State Police (NJSP) detective at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding a death on July 29, 2025 that occurred during an encounter with NJSP detectives assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force. The decedent was previously identified as Shawn Phillips, 37, of West Berlin, New Jersey.

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Maryann Wardlow Center Named Recipient of Prestigious Aging Achievement Award

The Camden County Board of Commissioners are thrilled to announce that the Maryann Wardlow Center for Community Nutrition received a 2026 Aging Achievement Award from USAging, one of the highest honors presented by USAging to its members. The Maryann Wardlow Center for Community Nutrition, which was opened in January of 2025 to improve the efficiency and safety of the Home Delivered Meals Program, was among 33 local aging programs to receive Achievement honors during USAging’s 51st Annual Conference and Tradeshow, July 18–21 in San Diego, CA. An additional 16 agencies received Innovations Awards.

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Passyunk Passeggiata

July 23 – August 27, 2026 (Thursdays)

This South Philly stroll down The Avenue — inspired by the Roman tradition of slowly walking the streets before dinner — delivers la dolce vita every Thursday evening starting at 5 p.m. for the rest of the summer.

Passyunk Passeggiata offers food and drink specials (most under $10) at participating restaurants, including Le Virtu, Stogie Joe’s Tavern and Pistola’s Del Sur, along with extended hours for specialty shops like Red Gravy Goods, A Novel Idea and August Moon Boutique. Live jazz music sets the soundtrack for the stroll, with beer sponsor Peroni selling cold Italian pilsners.

Vibe: Roman Holiday gets rebooted on East Passyunk Avenue, with the Joey Giardello statue replacing the Mouth of Truth.

Where: Participating locations including Good Buy Supply®, 1737 Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

Hunterdon County’s Hamp Road Truss Bridge stands as one of New Jersey’s finest surviving examples of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century metal truss bridge engineering. Built in 1900 by the renowned Wrought Iron Bridge Company (WIBC) of Canton, Ohio, the bridge spans Alexauken Creek in West Amwell Township, connecting Hamp Road with Alexauken Creek Road. Distinguished by its unusual cast-iron connector nodes incorporated into an otherwise all-steel structure, the bridge is immediately recognizable as a product of WIBC craftsmanship.

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Family Leave Protections For New Jersey Workers

Legislation that extends job-protected family leave to nearly 400,000 additional workers will officially go into effect on July 17th. The bill, which passed during the final Voting Session of the 221st Legislature, was signed into law in January. Sponsored by Assemblywomen Annette Quijano and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, Bill A3451 expands access to the State’s Family Leave Act, so that additional workers can have the certainty of knowing their jobs are safe when they need to take time away from work to care for a family member.

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NJDOT Traffic Advisory

The I-676 southbound Exit 2 ramp to the Walt Whitman Bridge/I-76 westbound is scheduled to be closed and detoured each night Monday, July 27 through Thursday, July 30 as a bridge replacement and paving project advances in Camden and Gloucester City, Camden County.

Beginning at 11 p.m. Monday, July 27 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 28 and continuing each night through Thursday, July 30 at the same time, the I-676 southbound Exit 2 ramp to the Walt Whitman Bridge/I-76 westbound is scheduled to be closed. The closure is necessary to install drainage. The following detour will be in place:

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Camden Man Fatally Stabbed Girlfriend

Detectives have determined that a Camden man fatally stabbed his girlfriend in Lindenwold before committing suicide, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Lindenwold Police Chief Michael McCarthy.

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, at approximately 11:39 a.m., detectives with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the 500 block of Bilper Avenue in Lindenwold for a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, detectives located the victim – 53-year-old Marlene Carmichael of Lindenwold – suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim was transported to Cooper University Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased at approximately 2:22 p.m.