Amazon, Blue Cross Among Biggest NJ Layoffs In Early 2026
Thousands of workers across New Jersey are being impacted by layoffs reported in early 2026, according to state WARN filings.
Major employers across retail, healthcare, finance, and logistics industries reported job cuts affecting communities from Bergen County to South Jersey, state records show.
Among the largest layoffs reported:
Amazon: Passaic (240), Bergen (417), Monmouth (141), Hudson (44), Statewide (29), effective 4/28/26
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ: Newark, 242 layoffs, effective 4/26/26
Bristol Myers Squibb: Lawrence Twp, 247 layoffs, effective multiple dates through 12/31/26
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Dozens Suffer Burns, Prompting Huge Heated Blanket Recall
A New Jersey company is recalling tens of thousands of infrared sauna blankets after dozens of users reported burn injuries, federal officials said.
Lifepro Fitness issued the recall for about 78,000 Bioremedy Infrared Sauna Blankets, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, Oct. 23. The heated blankets were made in China and imported by Lifepro, which is based in Howell Township, NJ.
The sauna blankets can overheat during use, posing a serious burn hazard, the CPSC said. Lifepro has received 65 reports of the blankets overheating, including 32 people who suffered burns…
Popular Torch Lighter Sold At Walmart, Home Depot Recalled
A popular torch lighter is being recalled due to deadly fire and burn hazards.
Calico Brands is recalling about 175,000 Scripto Premium Torches, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, Oct. 9. The torches violate mandatory safety standards for multipurpose lighters, creating a risk of serious injury or death.
No incidents or injuries have been reported, according to the CPSC. The recall covers the torches with a four-position adjustable metal nozzle, adjustable flame, hands-free operation lock, black non-slip rubber grip, and a metal base with a velvet bottom.
The torches …
30+ Fire, Burn Reports Spark Massive Portable Charger Recall
Nearly half a million portable chargers are being recalled after dozens of fire reports, federal regulators said.
Anker Innovations is recalling about 481,000 power banks, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, Sept. 18. The lithium-ion batteries inside the devices can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.
According to the CPSC, Anker has received 33 reports of fire and explosion incidents. Four people suffered minor burns, and one incident caused "significant property damage."
The recall applies to Anker power banks with model numbers A1647, A1652, A1257…
Multiple $50K Powerball Tickets Sold In Bergen County: Here's Where
Bergen County is home to a string of big lottery wins this month, with lucky tickets totaling $270,000 sold at convenience stores, gas stations, and a Walmart.
According to the New Jersey Lottery, three $50,000 Powerball tickets were purchased in the county on Monday, Sept. 1:
7-Eleven #39387, 67 East Ridgewood Ave., Paramus
7-Eleven #18609, 1605 Lemoine Ave., Fort Lee
Another $50,000 Powerball ticket was sold on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at Quick Chek #101, 40 Route 17 North, Ramsey.
On Saturday, Sept. 6, Bergen County players scored three more big wins:
$10,000 Bingo Times 10 ticket at Fos…
Stripping Shoplifter Busted At Manassas Walmart After Exposing Herself, Scratching Cop: Police
A Virginia woman’s alleged Walmart shoplifting stunt ended with her stripping off stolen clothes, exposing herself to employees, and scratching a police officer in the face before being hauled off in handcuffs, authorities said.
Monica Patricia Andrade, 44, of Manassas, was arrested over the weekend, after officers were called to the Walmart on Liberia Avenue around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, according to Prince William County Police.
Investigators said Andrade tried to leave the store wearing unpaid clothing. When employees confronted her, she “removed the clothing, exposing herself,”…
Foreign Nationals Charged In Virginia Walmart Abduction, Armed Robbery: Police
Talk about a terrifying shopping trip.
Three foreign nationals are behind bars after allegedly abducting a woman outside a Walmart in Virginia, forcing her at gunpoint to drive to an ATM, and then to her home before fleeing with stolen cash and property, police announced.
The Culpeper Police Department said it happened Wednesday morning, Aug. 27, around 10:30 a.m., when the woman was leaving the Walmart on James Madison Highway.
Investigators said the suspects — Luis Felipe Garcia Baez, a resident of Mexico, Claudia Teresa Aldana Restrepo, and Elisa Andrea Espitia Campos, both of Colombia …
Walmart Manager, Worker Arrested After Assault On Disabled Shopper In Naugatuck: Police
A shopping trip at a Connecticut Walmart turned violent when a fight broke out between two employees and customers, landing the workers in handcuffs, authorities said.
Shelly Alam, 45, and her manager, Robert Mclaughlin, 39, both of Waterbury, face multiple charges in connection with the Wednesday, Aug. 27, incident, according to Naugatuck police.
Officers were called to the Walmart on New Haven Road in Naugatuck around 7 p.m. after receiving reports of a fight inside the store. Police said two customers — one of whom was disabled and using a motorized scooter — were shopping for clot…
Exploding Bottles Sold Nationwide Recalled Over Safety Fears
More than 110,000 carbonation bottles are being recalled after some have exploded, causing several injuries.
Drinkmate is recalling about 106,200 of its one-liter carbonation bottles, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, Aug. 14. About 5,000 bottles were sold in Canada.
According to the CPSC, Drinkmate has received eight reports of bottles exploding while in use. Four cases resulted in injuries such as cuts, impact trauma, and hearing damage.
The recall affects certain clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles with red, blue, white, or black plastic caps and b…
DWI South Toms River Truck Driver Charged After Killing Pedestrian, Leaving Scene: Prosecutor
A 41-year-old South Toms River man is facing charges of vehicular homicide after he fatally struck a pedestrian while driving high on marijuana and fled the scene, authorities announced Monday, Aug. 11.
On Saturday, June 7, at 3:50 a.m., South Toms River police responded to Colgate Drive and found Marie Bellavista, a 53-year-old South Toms River resident, deceased in the roadway, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
An investigation determined Tremel Haskins was operating the cab of a Volvo semi-truck when he hit Bellavista, Billhimer said. Haskins fled the scene but was later lo…
Maryland’s Tax‑Free Week Returns — One Week To Shop Without Sales Tax
Are you ready, Maryland shoppers? The state’s annual Shop Maryland Tax‑Free Week is back, running Sunday, Aug. 10 through Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025.
For seven days only, Maryland’s 6% sales tax on qualifying clothing and footwear items priced at $100 or less, plus the first $40 of a backpack or bookbag, is waived—real savings at the register.
It’s the perfect moment to refresh your closet and your cart. Shop styles for back‑to‑school and everyday at Shein, Macy’s, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Amazon and other favorites.
For school supplies, think binders, glue sticks, backpacks and rulers — Staples, …
Massachusetts’ Sales Tax Holiday — 2 Days To Shop Without Tax
Are you ready, Massachusetts shoppers? The state’s annual Sales Tax Holiday returns for two days only: Saturday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
For a short weekend, Massachusetts drops its 6.25% sales tax on most retail items costing $2,500 or less, including clothing, shoes, electronics, accessories, backpacks, and more. Clothing items priced up to $175 are fully exempt; if over $175, only the amount above is taxed.
It’s a golden opportunity to update your wardrobe and haul in everything you need. Think back‑to‑school fashion and beyond with pieces from Shein, Macy’s, TJ Maxx, Mars…
Wanted Upper Marlboro Man Busted With Cocaine, Suboxone, Stolen Rental Car At Walmart: Sheriff
A wanted man was busted with a stolen car and drugs in the Walmart parking lot in Dunkirk, according to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office.
Brendan Anthony Morris, 25, of Upper Marlboro, was caught with cocaine, Suboxone, and a stolen vehicle during an investigation in Maryland, officials said.
A deputy was dispatched late last month to a southbound stretch of Southern Maryland Boulevard at Route 260 in Dunkirk for a report of a stolen car, according to a sheriff’s office report released Monday, Aug. 4.
Deputies tracked the vehicle to the Walmart parking lot in Dunkirk and made contact wi…
