Entire State Feels What Is Believed To Be 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Tewksbury and Lebanon in Hunterdon County shook New Jersey at 10:23 a.m. this morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. It is too early to determine if there was major damage or injuries. NJ Transit announced rail service is subject to up to 20-minute delays due to bridge inspections. The Holland Tunnel, on social media, announced there will be delays for inspection. Newark Liberty International Airport ordered a ground stop following the quake. (ROI-NJ)
US Job Growth Zoomed in March As Payrolls Jumped by 303,000 and Unemployment Dropped to 3.8%
Job creation in March easily topped expectations in a sign of continued acceleration for what has been a bustling and resilient labor market. Nonfarm payrolls increased 303,000 for the month, well above the Dow Jones estimate for a rise of 200,000 and higher than the downwardly revised 270,000 gain in February, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The unemployment rate edged lower to 3.8%. (CNBC)
Here’s Where the Jobs Are for March 2024 — in One Chart
Health care and social assistance were the top sector for job gains – a common theme in recent years – adding 81,300 jobs. Government and leisure and hospitality were the next two strongest sectors, and together these top groups accounted for more than 60% of March’s gains. Notably, the leisure and hospitality sector is now back to its pre-pandemic employment level, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. See the chart. (CNBC)
NJ Takes Next Step To Connect Off-Shore Wind Energy To Power Grid
With the aim of bringing offshore wind power to customers, a state agency will soon begin considering proposals to build a connection to the existing electric grid. The NJ Board of Public Utilities Thursday closed its solicitation for proposals to begin the second phase of an initiative to bring power from offshore wind turbines to the grid. The work will involve bringing approximately 6 gigawatts of power from a single onshore connection point at the Sea Girt National Guard Training Center to a Jersey Central Power & Light substation in Howell Township. The work is viewed as foundational to help NJ reach its goal of 11 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2040. (NJ Spotlight News)
NJ’s Challenge to NY’s Congestion Pricing Plan Now Awaits Ruling
New Jersey’s challenge of New York’s congestion pricing plan is now in the hands of a judge, who heard arguments Wednesday and Thursday. N.J. officials say New York’s first-in-the-nation plan to assess fees – beyond tolls – on vehicles entering Manhattan's central business district, would enrich the city at the expense of New Jersey commuters. Further, it would clog Bergen County and surrounding parts of North Jersey with both the pollution and traffic of motorists looking to dodge the higher tolls. The judge said he’ll issue a ruling by June, when congesting pricing is supposed to start. (New Jersey Monitor)
High School Graduation Rate Rose in New Jersey Last Year
New Jersey’s overall high school graduation rate ticked up last year, but the achievements of some groups of students continued to lag. More than 91% of the class of 2023 graduated within four years, the highest rate since the state implemented the current method of measuring graduation rates in 2011, and a slight increase over 2022. The data comes from the state Department of Education’s latest School Performance Reports, released Wednesday. (NJ Spotlight News)
|
