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One former Hudson County, New Jersey parks director has pleaded guilty, and another is now charged in an alleged bribery scheme where federal prosecutors say they took more than $1.5 million in cash and kickbacks to steer county contracts to a Jersey City business owner.

Thomas DeLeo, 76, who led the Hudson County Parks Department from 2016 to 2021, pleaded guilty on March 5 to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, federal authorities said in an announcement Friday. William Murray, 56, the owner of Murray Paving and Concrete, pleaded guilty on March 17 to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.

Russell Fallacara, 58, of Bayonne, who succeeded DeLeo as parks director and reportedly resigned in 2024, was charged Thursday with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and money laundering. He was released on bond after an initial court appearance.

Prosecutors said the scheme ran from 2019 through early 2025. Murray paid the two directors cash, funneled money through a sham consulting company and provided free home renovations in exchange for contracts and inflated invoices, federal prosecutors say in court documents.

In one instance, Murray handed DeLeo a bag containing between $60,000 and $90,000 in cash, prosecutors said. After DeLeo retired, Murray sent two $30,000 checks to a consulting company set up in DeLeo's name that performed no legitimate work, according to the charging documents.

Murray also completed "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in free renovations on DeLeo's home, officials said.

Fallacara received more than $400,000 in cash bribes and kickbacks, prosecutors said.

The court filings cite text messages in which Murray allegedly told an employee, "You're right I'll get more envelopes [cash] from the county." In another exchange with DeLeo, Murray wrote, "You have helped me tremendously and I told you I am a man of my word," according to the filings.

Murray Paving was the sole awarded vendor for repair and maintenance contracting under a cooperative purchasing system used by Hudson County, meaning work was funneled directly to the company, court documents show. Over the course of the scheme, Murray Paving performed more than $5 million in work for the county, prosecutors said.

Both conspiracy charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Messages to Hudson County and lawyers for DeLeo, Murray and Fallacara late Friday afternoon were not returned.

March 21, 2026Updated March 23, 2026, 7:25 a.m. ET

Driving to a Mets game is often a long and costly proposition for New Jerseyans.

The trek to Queens requires a trip across two rivers, bridge and tunnel tolls, a congestion-pricing charge if crossing Manhattan and then $40 to $50 for parking.

But there are other alternatives, including a new direct service from Paramus and Jersey City this season.

With major construction underway at their home park, the team announced new Citi Field transit and parking options on March 16. The team is in the midst of a redevelopment project to turn the area around the stadium into an entertainment, shopping and gambling destination. The massive Metropolitan Park, which will also include a hotel, is under construction and isn't expected to open until 2030.

Here's a look at the new wrinkles, as well as some ways to get to Citi Field from North Jersey other than driving:

When is Opening Day for the Mets in 2026?

The Mets home opener at Citi Field is Thursday, March 26, against the Pirates at 1:15 p.m.

New Citi Field shuttle from Paramus, Jersey City

The Mets announced that a new Citi Field Direct Shuttle service will run from five local malls in New Jersey, Long Island and the Bronx this season, with two game-day shuttles apiece.

That includes a shuttle from Paramus Park mall to Citi Field as well as service from Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City.

Tickets costs $8, or $22 for a family of four. Seats are first come, first served. Shuttles depart about three hours before the first pitch.

The shuttle departure times are designed for fans to arrive when the Stadium gates open, the team said.

Where to park for Citi Field Direct shuttles

Parking will be free and in a designated section of the mall lots, according to the Mets. A Citi Field Direct pick-up and drop-off zone will be marked with signage and staff.

At the end of the game, fans can catch the shuttle back at the same drop-off location in the Citi Field Bus Lot. All shuttles depart the stadium 30 minutes after the final out.

Bus and subway options

The time-honored way of getting to Flushing is taking a bus to the Port Authority, walking through the underground passage to the Times Square subway station and taking the No. 7 train all the way out to the Mets-Willets Point station.

To save some time, try to get on an express 7 train. (It has a diamond surrounding the 7 instead of a circle, which indicates a local train.) "Super express" trains are available after the game, with fewer stops between Flushing and Manhattan.

Many NJ Transit lines in North Jersey go into the Port Authority bus station just across the George Washington Bridge in Washington Heights. That requires taking the A train down to Times Square and transferring to the 7.

NJ Transit and LIRR discount

New York's Penn Station is an easy transfer point for New Jerseyans heading out to the game, because it's a hub for both NJ Transit trains and the Long Island Rail Road.

The LIRR's Port Washington Branch offers direct service to Citi Field after a few stops in Queens.

The Mets are offering $5 off an LIRR adult day pass to see a game when you buy tickets on the team website. Kids ride for $1.

Expanded ferry service

The Mets also announced that more games would be accessible by the Seastreak ferry this season.

Seastreak is offering ferries to Flushing from its terminal in Highlands, on the banks of Raritan Bay in Monmouth County. It's a 75-minute trip, and there may be stops along Staten Island and Manhattan before it heads to the marina in Flushing Bay — with just a short walk to Citi Field. Round-trip tickets cost $80 or $85.

There is no direct service from NY Waterway's Hudson River piers to Citi Field.

Citi Field parking

The team is also adding a prepaid parking system that allows fans to purchase spots in advance, "including a faster and more seamless arrival at Citi Field." The cost of parking will remain $40 for those who prepay, while drive-up parking will be $50, when available.

"Due to the ongoing transformation of the surrounding area, parking will be more limited overall," the team said in its March 16 news release. "As a result, parking at the gate may not always be available, making prepaid parking the best way for fans to guarantee a spot at Citi Field."

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JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Jersey City Municipal Council is expected to consider a resolution authorizing the Planning Board to investigate whether the former Christ Hospital site could be designated as an area in need of redevelopment with the power of condemnation. The move, officials said, would represent a necessary first step in giving the city new tools, potentially including eminent domain, to ensure medical services return to the neighborhood.

A desperate attempt to keep the Christ Hospital emergency room failed after a judge refused to issue an injunction failed earlier this month, prompting Solomon to vow that the fight wasn't yet over.

“The people in the Heights deserve better, and my administration is committed to restoring comprehensive, high-quality healthcare to the neighborhood,” Solomon said at the time.

The resolution, expected to be considered at the March 25 meeting, does not make any final determination about the site's future, a statement from Mayor James Solomon, Councilmember Jake Ephros, and Councilmember Tom Zuppa clarified. Instead, the statement continued, it initiates a formal investigation and public hearing process through the Planning Board, which will assess whether the properties meet the legal criteria under New Jersey's Local Redevelopment and Housing Law for redevelopment designation.

"The Heights community deserves access to quality healthcare, and it's our responsibility to explore every legal tool available to make that happen," Solomon said. “This is the beginning of a process, not the end, but it's an important beginning.”

The Jersey City Municipal Council previously approved an ordinance amending zoning regulations in the city’s Medical District, limiting permitted uses in the zone and revising height standards to prioritize hospital and medical facilities over residential development.

In November, leaders from Hudson Regional Health (HRH), which purchased the facility in 2024, shared their view of the facility's long-term economic viability, and sought to squash rumors that the property would be redeveloped entirely for private use. HRH officials said at the time that some redevelopment will be necessary to help finance a new hospital building, but stressed that their goal is to maintain emergency and acute-care access in the Heights.

Ephros reiterated in the statement that the closure of Christ Hospital has left a real void for families. "This resolution is about making sure our community has a seat at the table as we figure out what comes next for that site,” he added with Zuppa adding that step indicates that local officials are serious about fighting for healthcare access in this neighborhood, and “using every tool the law gives us to do it."

As the process advances, a public hearing will be held as part of the Planning Board's investigation, giving residents the opportunity to weigh in, the statement noted.

The National Weather Service has issued a widespread tornado watch in New Jersey as a March "megastorm" expected to intensify into "bomb cyclone" delivers severe weather to the Northeast, according to latest NOAA forecast.

Tornado warnings in NJ are possible as the powerful storm system brings strong winds, severe storms and travel disruptions to Newark, JFK, LaGuardia, and Philadelphia airports today, as spring break and a government shutdown 2026 collide. Significant travel hazards are set to hit New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC, bringing tornado threats across the East Coast.

A "triple-threat March megastorm," is bringing snow to the Midwest, but destructive winds, torrential downpours, coastal flooding and tornadoes to the Mid-Atlantic states today, AccuWeather forecasters say. Winds gusts in NJ could reach 80 mph, quarter-size hail is possible and a "few tornadoes likely," according to the latest NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly forecast.

Here's the latest tornado threat in New Jersey and the New York City today as the storm is set to hit anytime from 2 p.m. on, the latest NOAA severe weather forecasts, tornado outlook per NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly and more as we face an East Coast storm that forecasters say could down tree limbs, cause power outages, road closures, hazardous travel and flight delays.

Is there a tornado watch in NJ? Tornado watch near me

Yes. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch in New Jersey, Philadelphia areas, the Jersey Shore, the Delmarva area in Delaware, and across Pennsylvania today, Monday, March 16, 2026. The tornado threat in NJ expires at 7 p.m. ET, with the highest tornado threat for Philadelphia south and westward — through downed trees and poles, power outages, and travel disruptions are expected statewide.

Where is there a tornado watch near me? Head to NOAA's NWS page for the latest severe weather forecast from NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly. The following counties are under a tornado watch:

Not under the NJ tornado watch so far, as of 1 p.m. ET: Passaic, Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Union. A tornado watch in NYC has not been issued, nor has any for Long Island.

Residents in Maryland were under a tornado warning today and urged to take cover after NOAA radar indicated a severe storm near Westminster was capable of rotation.

Is there a tornado warning NJ today? Tornado warning near me

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch in NJ, but no tornado warning in New Jersey, as of 1 p.m. ET on Monday, March 16. Check NOAA's tornado radar and the latest NWS forecast for updates.

There was a tornado warning in the DC area and Maryland, but it has since expired. A tornado watch in Maryland remains in effect, including a tornado threat in the Baltimore area.

What is tornado watch? What does tornado watch mean?

A tornado warning is worse than a tornado watch, although both should be taken very seriously. A tornado warning means a tornado is either going to happen or has been spotted by tornado radar, NWS said. A tornado watch means the weather is ripe for rotation, but a tornado has not been spotted.

NJ is under a tornado watch today, with storms expected to start as early as 2 p.m. ET and continue through 11 p.m. ET.

Difference between tornado watch and warning? Watch vs warning

There is a big difference between a tornado watch and warning, according to the National Weather Service.

When a tornado warning is issued, take shelter immediately, NOAA says. This means a tornado is imminent and has been spotted either on the ground or by radar, according to NWS. Warnings are issued in a smaller time frame, usually for about 15 minutes or until the threat is over.

A tornado watch means weather conditions are ideal for tornados to form, but none have been spotted. Stay alert, move to a basement or safe area (windowless interior room or hallway) and keep an eye on the National Weather Service forecast should a watch be upgraded to a warning.

Is there a tornado warning NYC? Tornado watch?

No, a tornado warning or tornado watch in NYC has not been issued by the National Weather Service. The NWS forecast office for New York, NY has issued a wind advisory of gusts over 50 mph in NYC, Long Island and at local airports, including JFK, Newark and LaGuardia. High winds could cause ground delays and flight cancellations. Check your carrier for the latest airport delays.

Tornado warnings, watches Northeast

To find tornado warnings or watches, or any severe weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service in New Jersey, New York City, or the Northeast, check out the map below, updated in real time.

Tornado tracker, radar; live weather radar NJ, NYC

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.

Jersey City, New Jersey — New Jersey City University plans to lay off 151 employees ahead of a planned merger with Kean University, a move expected to take effect June 30.

According to reports circulating online and information shared by layoff tracking outlet WhatLayoff, the workforce reduction is tied to restructuring efforts connected to the university’s upcoming merger with Kean University.

New Jersey City University, located in Jersey City, has been navigating financial challenges in recent years while exploring long-term stability through a partnership with Kean University. State officials previously approved the plan to merge the institutions as part of a broader effort to stabilize NJCU’s finances and maintain operations.

The reported layoffs affect 151 employees across the university. Details about which departments or positions will be impacted were not immediately available.

University mergers often involve administrative restructuring, program consolidation, and operational changes as leadership integrates systems between the institutions. The transition between NJCU and Kean is expected to reshape governance and operations as the schools move toward a combined structure.

According to previous announcements from state education leaders, the merger aims to preserve NJCU’s campus while bringing it under Kean University’s management structure.

The layoffs are scheduled to take effect on June 30, aligning with the timeline for structural changes tied to the merger process.

Students currently enrolled at the university are expected to continue their academic programs during the transition as institutional leadership works through the integration.

For many students and younger workers in Jersey City, NJCU serves as a major public university and employer in the region.

Officials have not yet released additional details about transition plans for affected employees.

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