New Jersey is currently stuck in that weird, slushy limbo that only residents of the Garden State truly understand. If you’re looking for news today New Jersey, you've probably noticed that the vibe outside is somewhere between "winter wonderland" and "insurance nightmare." We aren't just dealing with a bit of frost; we’re essentially living through a weather-induced "one-two punch" that has local crews scrambled and the Parkway looking like a skating rink.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of.
Between the transition of power in Trenton, a massive shift in how we handle vaccines, and a $1.4 billion water bill request that’s going to hit your mailbox soon, the state is moving fast.
The Snow Situation: It’s Not Just a Little Flurries
Basically, we’re in the middle of a second storm system that’s proving to be a real headache. After Saturday’s initial dusting—or burying, depending on how far north you live—a second system rolled in today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The National Weather Service didn't hold back. They expanded winter weather advisories to 17 counties. We’re talking about an additional 2 to 5 inches of fresh powder. The "vexing" part, as the meteorologists are calling it, is the path. This thing tracked further north and west than everyone thought it would. So, if you live in central or northeastern Jersey—the Trenton to New York City corridor—you’re getting the brunt of it this time.
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Traffic is, predictably, a mess. There was a tragic accident earlier today in Gloucester County where a car crashed into a home, resulting in two fatalities. It’s a sobering reminder that "inclement weather" isn't just a phrase on a screen.
Phil Murphy’s Final Act and the Vaccine Pivot
Something pretty historic happened today in Trenton. Governor Phil Murphy, who is literally days away from handing over the keys to Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, signed a massive piece of legislation.
It’s all about vaccines.
New Jersey is officially breaking away from total reliance on federal guidance. Specifically, the state is "downgrading" the influence of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Why? Because of the shifts at the federal level under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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Governor Murphy was pretty blunt about it. He mentioned the federal government "waffling" on evidence-based recommendations. So, now, the New Jersey Department of Health will have the final say on what vaccines insurance companies have to cover. It’s a bold "state’s rights" move that ensures immunization guidance stays rooted in New Jersey’s own medical consensus rather than whatever is happening in D.C.
The Real-World Impact for Families
- Insurance Coverage: Your health plan still has to cover vaccines recommended by the NJ Department of Health without cost-sharing.
- School Standards: Updated rules (N.J.A.C. 8:57) are coming Tuesday to align school vaccination standards with this new state-based guidance.
- Reporting: Modernized reporting for labs and doctors starts this week to track communicable diseases better.
Your Water Bill is Probably Going Up
If you get your water from New Jersey American Water, you might want to sit down. Today, they filed a request with the Board of Public Utilities for new rates.
They are looking to pour $1.4 billion into infrastructure through the end of 2026. They say it’s for replacing aging pipes (about 120 miles of them), getting lead out of the service lines, and dealing with those "forever chemicals" (PFAS) that everyone is worried about.
If the BPU says yes, the average residential customer will see their bill jump by about $10 a month. It’s a tough pill to swallow when everything else is getting more expensive, but the company argues that 2.9 million people need reliable, clean water, and the current system is just too old to keep up without this cash infusion.
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The 2025 Housing Wrap-Up: Prices Still Sting
While we're talking about money, New Jersey Realtors just dropped the year-end data for 2025. If you were hoping for a market crash to finally buy that house in Cherry Hill or Montclair, I’ve got bad news.
The median sales price for a single-family home in Jersey hit $585,000 last year. That’s a 6.4% jump from the year before. Even with higher interest rates, people are still fighting over houses. In fact, homes are still selling for about 102% of their list price on average.
Inventory is the killer. We only had about 8,900 single-family homes for sale statewide in December. That’s a 7.3% drop in options. It’s a classic supply and demand nightmare that doesn't seem to be letting up as we head into the spring of 2026.
What You Should Actually Do Today
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the headlines, but here is the practical stuff you need to handle right now:
- Check your pipes: With the "bitterly cold air" forecasted for Monday and Tuesday following this snow, frozen pipes are a legit threat. Keep a drip going in your furthest faucet.
- Verify your insurance: If you have kids or need a booster, check with your provider about the new NJ state-based vaccine coverage rules. Don't assume the federal changes won't affect your local pharmacy’s policy.
- Prepare for the BPU hearings: If you’re annoyed by the water rate hike, keep an eye on the NJ Board of Public Utilities website. There will be public comment periods where you can actually voice your opinion before they approve that $10/month increase.
- Watch the Parkway: If you don't have to be out tonight, don't be. The transition from "wet snow" to "icy Monday" is going to make the Monday morning commute one of the worst of the year.
The state is changing fast. Between Mikie Sherrill's transition team picking new commissioners and the legislature pushing through "state-first" policies, the New Jersey we’re living in today is looking a lot more independent from the federal government than it did even a year ago. Keep your shovel handy and your thermostat up—it’s going to be a long week.