New Jersey is currently hitting a massive reset button. If you’ve stepped outside today, January 17, 2026, or even just glanced at your E-ZPass statement, you know things feel different.
Honestly, the "vibe shift" in the Garden State right now isn't just about the freezing January air. We are sitting in that weird, frantic window between one era ending and another starting. Governor Phil Murphy is literally packing his boxes, while Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill is prepping to take the oath in just three days.
But it’s not just political theater. From the tolls hitting your wallet to the sudden free-for-all at local museums today, there is a lot of current news in nj that actually impacts your Saturday.
The "Lame Duck" Legacy and the State of Emergency Purge
Yesterday afternoon, at exactly 5:00 p.m., a huge chunk of New Jersey history officially "ended."
Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 415, and it’s a weird one. He basically cleared the books of "states of emergency" that have been active for years. We’re talking about emergencies declared for Hurricane Irene back in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
Why now? It’s a housekeeping move. You can’t really hand over the keys to a new governor when the state is technically still in a "baby formula shortage emergency" from 2022.
The big one to watch, though, is COVID-19. That emergency declaration officially has an expiration date of February 16, 2026. The administration is giving Advanced Practice Nurses a 30-day "grace period" to wrap up some of those emergency-era exceptions. It’s the final curtain on a very long, very exhausting chapter.
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What's Really Happening With Your Wallet
If you feel like you’re being nickel-and-dimed every time you leave the driveway, you aren't imagining it.
The 2026 "New Year's Gift" from the state was a triple threat of price hikes. As of January 1, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority pushed through a 3% toll increase for both the Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway.
But wait, there's more.
The gas tax also jumped by 4.2 cents per gallon this month. If you're heading over to Philly or New York, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission and the Port Authority are also tightening the screws. We’re looking at bridge tolls hitting $2 for E-ZPass users and a whopping $5 for cash/toll-by-plate.
On the flip side, there’s a tiny bit of relief for the lowest earners. The statewide minimum wage just ticked up to $15.92 an hour. It’s a 43-cent raise that most people say isn't nearly enough to cover the rising cost of, well, everything else.
The Sherrill Transition: A Utility Freeze?
Mikie Sherrill hasn’t even been sworn in yet, but she’s already making power moves. Literally.
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Yesterday, she reiterated a campaign promise that has a lot of people skeptical: a Day One utility rate freeze. Last June, electric bills in NJ spiked by about 20%. Sherrill says she’ll declare a state of emergency on Tuesday to stop further hikes.
Is it legally doable? It’s complicated. She’s essentially planning to lean on the PJM grid operator to force more power into the system. It’s a bold swing for a first week in office, especially since Murphy is leaving behind some "major budget issues," according to recent fiscal reports.
The ICE "Safe Space" Showdown
While the state prepares for a new governor, the streets are seeing a lot of tension.
The New Jersey Legislature just cleared a trio of "anti-ICE" bills. These are designed to codify the Immigrant Trust Directive, which basically tells local cops they can't help federal agents with deportations.
The timing is incredibly tense. There have been unannounced raids in places like Morristown and Roxbury. Just last Sunday, a high school senior named Juan Daniel Mendoza was detained at a laundromat in Morristown, which sparked immediate protests.
Critics—mostly Republican lawmakers from Ocean County—say these bills are "ignoring reality" because the federal government’s ICE budget has exploded. They argue that New Jersey can’t actually stall the feds. Murphy hasn't signed them yet. He told "Ask the Governor" listeners on Wednesday that he’s still weighing the legal implications. He's got about 72 hours left to decide.
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Saturday Special: Free Museums and Winter Fests
If you want to ignore the politics and just get out of the house today, you actually picked a great Saturday.
Because of the upcoming inauguration, 12 major New Jersey museums have free or discounted admission today, January 17.
- Liberty Science Center in Jersey City (Always a madhouse, go early).
- Battleship New Jersey in Camden.
- NJ State Museum in Trenton.
- Edelman Fossil Park in Sewell (Great if you have kids who dig dinosaurs).
Beyond the museums, it’s "Winterfest" season.
- Long Branch: There’s an ice carving competition at Pier Village until 3 p.m. today.
- Rahway: They are doing a "Soup Stroll" where you can get free 4oz samples of soup from local spots.
- Holmdel: Bell Works is hosting a massive Pokémon Market with over 300 vendors.
The NJ Transit "Cutover" Headache
One last thing you need to know if you use the rails: the "Portal North Bridge" is finally entering its final boss phase.
Next month, starting February 13, service is going to be cut by 50% on the Northeast Corridor. They have to "cutover" the tracks from the 115-year-old bridge to the new one. It’s going to be a nightmare for a few weeks, but it’s the only way to stop those "bridge failed to close" delays that have ruined a thousand commutes.
Actionable Insights for Your Week
Don't just read the news; use it to avoid a headache.
- Check your E-ZPass: Ensure your auto-replenishment is set correctly. With the 3% hike and the new bridge tolls, you'll hit your threshold much faster this month.
- Plan for February 13: If you commute to NY Penn, start talking to your boss now about remote work or shifting your hours. A 50% service reduction is no joke.
- Museum Hop Today: If you're reading this before 4:00 p.m., grab the kids and head to a participating museum. It’s a rare chance to see the Liberty Science Center or the Battleship for free.
- Watch the Gas Pump: The 4.2-cent increase is already live. If you usually fill up at a specific "cheap" spot, check their updated price on GasBuddy before you go out of your way.
The transition from Murphy to Sherrill is going to be messy, and the "sanctuary state" battle with the feds is just warming up. Keep an eye on the statehouse this Tuesday; the rhetoric is about to get a lot louder.