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Chris Spiker

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cspiker@dailyvoice.com

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NJ Taxpayers Face One Of Nation's Steepest Burdens, New Study Says NJ Taxpayers Face One Of Nation's Steepest Burdens, New Study Says
NJ Taxpayers Face One Of Nation's Steepest Burdens, New Study Says Taxpayers in the Northeast are carrying some of the heaviest financial burdens in the country, according to a new study unveiled ahead of the 2025 filing deadline. WalletHub released its 2025 list of tax burdens by state on Tuesday, April 1. The study compared all 50 states by analyzing how much of each state's total personal income went to property taxes, individual income taxes, and sales and excise taxes. New York has the second-highest overall tax burden in the US, only lower than Hawaii. The Empire State also ranked first for individual income tax burden, with residents hand…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Overheating Cords Burn Fingers, Sparking Large Recall Of Night Lights Sold At Five Below Overheating Cords Burn Fingers, Sparking Large Recall Of Night Lights Sold At Five Below
Overheating Cords Burn Fingers, Sparking Large Recall Of Night Lights Sold At Five Below A popular bear-shaped night light sold at Five Below has been recalled after reports of cords melting, causing burned fingers and scorching furniture. Five Below issued the recall for about 29,000 Room2Room LED Iridescent Bear Lights, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, April 3. The night light has a USB power switch that can overheat and melt, creating fire and burn hazards. The CPSC said the company received 28 reports of overheating. Six people burned their fingers, and in two cases, the lights caused property damage, including burns to a wall and a headboa…

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by Chris Spiker
Lifestyle
NJ Lags Behind Northeast Neighbors For Arts Support, New Study Says: Here's Why NJ Lags Behind Northeast Neighbors For Arts Support, New Study Says: Here's Why
NJ Lags Behind Northeast Neighbors For Arts Support, New Study Says: Here's Why From world-class museums to thriving nonprofits, the Northeast remains a national hub for the arts — but not every state in the region is keeping pace. SmileHub released its 2025 list of best states for the arts on Monday, April 1. The report compared all 50 states using 16 key measures — including access to arts nonprofits, artist pay, education programs, and public funding. Arts-based industries employ nearly 5.2 million people nationwide, according to SmileHub. "Engagement with the arts is shown to benefit mental health, improve the likelihood of young people being recognized for a…

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by Chris Spiker
News
TikTok Ban In US Delayed, Trump Claims Tariffs Help Negotiations Despite Crashing Markets TikTok Ban In US Delayed, Trump Claims Tariffs Help Negotiations Despite Crashing Markets
TikTok Ban In US Delayed, Trump Claims Tariffs Help Negotiations Despite Crashing Markets TikTok will stay online in the US until at least the middle of June after a federal ban on the popular video app was delayed again. President Donald Trump said he'll sign an executive order to extend a 75-day delay on enforcing the ban. The order comes just one day before the app could have been shut down in the US under the divest-or-ban law. Trump, who once supported a TikTok ban, made the announcement on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday, April 4. "My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress," the Presid…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Trump's Tariffs Hit Nintendo: Switch 2 Preorders Delayed, Video Game Giant's Stock Tumbles Trump's Tariffs Hit Nintendo: Switch 2 Preorders Delayed, Video Game Giant's Stock Tumbles
Trump's Tariffs Hit Nintendo: Switch 2 Preorders Delayed, Video Game Giant's Stock Tumbles The Nintendo Switch 2 was hit with a Mario Kart "red shell" as preorders for the highly anticipated video game console have been delayed due to President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs. Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 won't start on their scheduled date of Wednesday, April 9. A Nintendo spokesperson confirmed the delay to the Daily Voice on Friday, April 4. Nintendo said the pause won't affect when the portable console will be released. "Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and e…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Big Lots Unveils Reopening Plan For Hundreds Of Stores After Bankruptcy Filing Big Lots Unveils Reopening Plan For Hundreds Of Stores After Bankruptcy Filing
Big Lots Unveils Reopening Plan For Hundreds Of Stores After Bankruptcy Filing Big Lots stores will reopen under new ownership more than seven months after the chain filed for bankruptcy. Discount retailer Variety Wholesalers, the new owner of Big Lots, announced the reopening plan in a news release on Friday, April 4. Big Lots applied for bankruptcy in September 2024 and Variety Wholesalers purchased hundreds of locations about three months later. Variety is planning a four-phase rollout following the company’s acquisition of 219 Big Lots locations out of bankruptcy. "We're thrilled to bring the Big Lots! brand back to life by offering more deals…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Market Freefall Deepens After Trump's Sweeping Tariffs Despite Moderate Job Gains In March Market Freefall Deepens After Trump's Sweeping Tariffs Despite Moderate Job Gains In March
Market Freefall Deepens After Trump's Sweeping Tariffs Despite Moderate Job Gains In March Unemployment inched up in March – slightly higher than economists expected – as stock markets crashed and Big Tech companies saw their worst single-day loss on record in response to President Donald Trump's aggressive new tariffs. March's unemployment rate was 4.2%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Friday, April 4. That was slightly higher than the 4.1% forecast as the labor force participation rate also rose, CNBC reported. The US added 228,000 nonfarm payrolls in March, significantly higher than the Dow Jones estimate of around 140,000. The BLS also reduced …

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by Chris Spiker
News
Faulty Hinges Could Cause Windows To Crash Shut, Prompting Huge Recall Faulty Hinges Could Cause Windows To Crash Shut, Prompting Huge Recall
Faulty Hinges Could Cause Windows To Crash Shut, Prompting Huge Recall A hidden hazard in hundreds of thousands of windows could cause glass panes to suddenly drop without warning, sparking a nationwide recall. AmesburyTruth recalled about 200,000 Ashland-brand casement window hinge tracks, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, April 3. The recall was issued because of a faulty hinge track on the windows installed in homes and commercial buildings. The CPSC has received two reports of window sashes falling when a metal sliding arm detached from the hinge track. No injuries have been reported, but the CPSC warned that the issue…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Spinning Blade Dangers Spark Massive Recall Of NJ Importer's Blender Bottles Sold At Target Spinning Blade Dangers Spark Massive Recall Of NJ Importer's Blender Bottles Sold At Target
Spinning Blade Dangers Spark Massive Recall Of NJ Importer's Blender Bottles Sold At Target Nearly 200,000 blender bottles sold only at Target have been recalled because the blades can spin even when the bottle isn't attached to the base, creating a risk for serious cuts. Sakar International has issued the recall for about 199,000 Vivitar Blender Bottles, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, April 3. The defect allows the blades to keep spinning even when the bottle is detached from the motor. No injuries have been reported, according to the CPSC. One customer was able to remove the bottle while the blades were still moving. The bottle…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Zelle Shuts Down App For Payments: Here's How To Keep Receiving, Sending Money Zelle Shuts Down App For Payments: Here's How To Keep Receiving, Sending Money
Zelle Shuts Down App For Payments: Here's How To Keep Receiving, Sending Money Zelle has officially ended payments through its standalone app. A notice appeared in the Zelle app on Wednesday, April 2, telling users that they could no longer use the app to send or receive money. Those who still have the app can still log in to view their transaction history, but transfers are no longer supported. Zelle said it had about 151 million users in 2024, with people and businesses sending more than $1 trillion. "This app is no longer available for sending and receiving money," the notice said. "You will be able to log in until August 11, 2025, but not send…

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by Chris Spiker
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