TRENTON — The New Jersey Lottery has launched its annual “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” awareness campaign, aimed at reminding residents and retailers of the state’s prohibition on lottery sales to minors. In collaboration with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ), the campaign focuses on preventing underage gambling and promoting responsible gaming.

“Responsible gaming and discouraging underage gambling is at the forefront of every decision we make at the New Jersey Lottery,” said Executive Director James Carey in a statement on Monday. The initiative, which runs throughout September, emphasizes that individuals must be 18 years or older to purchase lottery tickets in the state.

This year’s campaign features new community-focused public service announcements, which will be shown at minor league baseball games across New Jersey, including events hosted by the Somerset Patriots, Jersey Shore BlueClaws, and Trenton Thunder. Additional digital reminders will also appear during the Lottery’s daily broadcasts.

As part of the campaign, the New Jersey Lottery has released an updated version of its “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” brochure, offering guidance on how to recognize signs of potential gambling problems in young people. The brochures are available at all Lottery retailer locations and on the NJLottery.com website.

Felicia Grondin, Executive Director of the CCGNJ, emphasized the importance of the partnership. “The Lottery continues to be a great partner in promoting the importance of responsible gambling and in publicizing the Council’s helpline number,” she said. Grondin encouraged parents to contact 1-800-GAMBLER if they suspect their child may have a gambling problem.

TRENTON, NJ — Senators George Helmy (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced legislation on Thursday aimed at providing critical healthcare to America’s firefighters. The Firefighter Investments to Recognize Exposure to Cancer Act (FIRE Cancer Act) would fund free multi-cancer early detection and preventative tests for firefighters, both professional and volunteer, across the country.

The bill seeks to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for these screenings, which are designed to detect cancer early and improve treatment outcomes. “The FIRE Cancer Act is about more than healthcare—it’s about honoring the sacrifice of firefighters who risk their lives for us every day,” Senator Helmy said in a statement.

Senator Booker emphasized the health risks that firefighters face due to exposure to carcinogens on the job. “Every day, our firefighters risk their lives to protect our communities, often at the expense of their own health,” Booker said. “Cancer can be prevented and combated with early detection and intervention, and this legislation is a critical step in ensuring that firefighters have access to life-saving medical care.”

Cancer has become the leading cause of death among firefighters, with 66% of those who died in the line of duty between 2002 and 2019 succumbing to the disease. Studies show that firefighters are 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to die from it compared to the general population.

The bill, first introduced in the House by Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Anthony D’Esposito (NY-4), has garnered support from several firefighter advocacy groups, including the International Association of Fire Fighters and the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association. Gottheimer praised the legislation, stating, “Early cancer detection saves lives, and the firefighters who always answer the call need resources to access cancer testing.”

The bipartisan FIRE Cancer Act is part of ongoing efforts to address the long-term health risks faced by firefighters across the nation.

NEW YORK — A 77-year-old woman was defrauded of $110,000 in two separate incidents involving an unidentified suspect on Thursday, September 5, according to police reports.

The first incident occurred at approximately 2:43 p.m. in the vicinity of Water Street and Dover Street, when the woman met with an unknown individual. The suspect had previously contacted her by phone, claiming that her bank account was at risk and instructing her to withdraw $50,000. After handing over the money, the suspect fled the scene on foot, traveling eastbound on Dover Street.

Later that day, the woman received a second phone call, instructing her to withdraw an additional $60,000. At approximately 7:34 p.m., the victim met with another unidentified individual in the same area. This time, the individual approached in a dark-colored SUV. After she handed over the money, the vehicle fled eastbound on Dover Street.

Police describe the suspect in the first incident as a male with a light complexion. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with the words “Just Do It.” The vehicle involved in the second incident is described as a dark-colored SUV.

No injuries were reported in either case. Authorities are investigating the incidents but have not yet made any arrests.