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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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…
Target Picks New CEO In Bid To Win Back Shoppers Amid Plunging Sales, Boycotts
Target has picked a longtime executive to take over as CEO amid plummeting sales and a slumping stock throughout 2025.
Chief operating officer Michael Fiddelke will become Target's next CEO, the retail giant announced on Wednesday, Aug 20. Fiddelke, who has spent two decades at Target, will succeed current chief executive Brian Cornell on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.
Cornell, 66, will become the executive chair of Target's board and help Fiddelke, 49, in the transition.
"There is no one better suited to move Target forward than Michael Fiddelke," Cornell said in a statement. "He brings …
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…
2 Guns, High Capacity Mags: 3 Arrested In One Week, Fairfield PD Say
Three people were recently arrested and charged in Fairfield on weapons related charges, authorities announced Friday, Aug. 15.
On Friday, Aug. 8 at 9:29 a.m., officers spotted a dark colored Dodge Charger exit the Ramada at 28 Two Bridges Rd. so fast, it spun its tires and left marks on the roadway, Fairfield police said.
The driver, Jahari Pearson, a 28-year-old-Georgia resident, admitted to having a Taurus 9mm handgun in the center console of the vehicle. A 12-round magazine was found in Pearson's front pocket, loaded with both hollow-point and ball ammunition, police said. Althoug…
29 People Injured, Forcing Recall Of 'Burst-Proof' Garden Hoses
More than 3.5 million garden hoses are being recalled after they suddenly burst, injuring nearly 30 people.
Winston Products issued the recall for about 3.6 million HydroTech expandable garden hoses, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, July 24. The hoses were marketed as "burst-proof," but they can rupture, causing an impact hazard and, in some cases, temporarily impairing hearing.
The company reported at least 222 complaints of hoses bursting. At least 29 people suffered injuries, including a bone bruise, two sprains, and five people who reported hearing…
Swallowing Hazard For Kids Prompts Huge Recall Of Popular Scent Diffusers
More than 850,000 fragrance diffusers are being recalled after reports that loose magnets in the detachable cover could be swallowed by children.
Pura Scents is recalling about 851,400 of its Pura 4 Smart Home Fragrance Diffusers, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, July 24. Around 1,100 were also sold in Canada.
The issue centers on five magnets inside the detachable front cover, which can come loose and be ingested. If swallowed, the magnets can attract inside the body, leading to intestinal blockages, infections, or death.
So far, three incidents of magnets det…
Head Injury Risks Force Large Recall Of Bicycle Helmets
More than 30,000 bicycle helmets are being recalled because of added risks of head injury, officials said.
Bell Sports is recalling about 31,200 bike helmets sold in the US and 480 in Canada, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Thursday, June 26. The recall affects children's Axle, Cadence, Rev, and Frenzy helmets, along with adult Cadence and Passage models.
The bike helmets don't meet federal impact protection standards and "can fail to protect the user in the event of a crash." No injuries have been reported, according to the CPSC.
The helmets we…
Inflation Ticks Up, Spending Slips As Trump's Tariffs Tighten Grip On Economy
Consumer spending cooled in May as inflation crept higher, signaling new pressure on Americans' wallets amid President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.
The Federal Reserve's primary inflation reading, the personal consumption expenditures price index, rose 0.1% in May to an annual rate of 2.3%, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data released on Friday, June 27. Those increases matched ones forecasted by Dow Jones economists, CNBC reported.
Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose by 0.2% in May to 2.7%, slightly ahead of the 0.1% and 2.6% forecasts. Th…
CT Rep Busted For Shoplifting At Bethel Target; Blames Sick Grandmother, Self-Check-Out Error
State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan (D-Bethel) finds himself in the spotlight following accusations of shoplifting at a local Target store, a matter he attributes to a self-checkout "error" amidst a family emergency.
The incident, first reported by the Daily Ructions blog, occurred recently at a Target in Bethel. Allie-Brennan, who serves as Chief Majority Whip in the state legislature, was reportedly arrested on Monday, June 23.
According to NBC Connecticut, the items in question amounted to $26.69. However, loss prevention at the store said they recognized him from previous larcenies, accordi…
45 Sickened, 16 Hospitalized As Salmonella Outbreak In Cucumbers Expands To 18 States
A Salmonella outbreak linked to a cucumber producer has now expanded to 18 states with 45 illnesses and 16 hospitalizations now reported.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new recall for Bedner Growers cucumbers on Friday, May 30.
The recalled cucumbers, grown in Boynton Beach, Florida, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, were shipped to retailers, distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service dealers from Tuesday, April 29, to Monday, May 19.
The products were labeled as either being “supers,” “selects,” or “plains."
Target had issued…
