Weather:  86° Cloudy skies early then heavy thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Chance of rain 100%. 

Tonight 70° Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, may contain strong gusty winds Chance of rain 70%

The National Weather Service has expanded the flood watch that had been issued earlier today, to cover 12 New Jersey counties that could get lashed with strong thunderstorms and heavy downpours Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening., Monmouth, and Ocean counties included

- Thousands of Vizhnitzer Chasidim gathered tonight at the Kosel for an Atzeres Tefillah on behalf of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Rav Yisroel ben Leah Esther shlit"a. The crowd sang emotional niggunei hisorerus associated with the Yomim Noraim and recited chapters of Tehillim, davening for the Rebbe's complete refuah shleimah.

- Flooded roads, cars stuck in water in N.J. today as thunderstorms drop heavy rain or the second time this week, slow-moving thunderstorms have been dumping massive amounts of rain over parts of central and southern New Jersey Thursday afternoon, triggering flash flood warnings and emergency mobile alerts because of rapidly rising water on roads. The National Weather Service has received reports of several roads and highways that have been closed because of rapid flooding, and several reports of cars stuck in high water. Route 1 south in Edison, New Jersey completely flooded from heavy thunderstorms this afternoon.

- Garden state Parkway local lanes flooded by exit 120

- Governor Mikie Sherrill: This week, I signed legislation that makes permanent certain telehealth prescription flexibilities by eliminating the need for in-person visits every three months. From college students who need prescriptions while they are away at school to patients with mobility issues or those who live far from a specialist, we are ensuring New Jerseyans can continue to receive safe, high-quality care and reducing barriers to entry to treatment.

- Hecht Trailers, a longtime family-owned business off Rt 9  in Toms River, has closed after more than a century in operation. The property has been sold  for potential residential homes and its remaining inventory will be auctioned off via Auction.

- JCPL total Customers Out in New Jersey 1,527

- Boys elementary schools finish yeshiva camp today

- The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is increasing the price of First-Class Mail Forever stamps from 78 cents to 82 cents, effective July 12.

- Lakewood Township's Independence Day Fireworks & Light Show will take place on Thursday, July 16, over Lake Carasaljo! The show can be viewed from both North Lake Drive and South Lake Drive. The 9 days begin on Wednesday 

- Giyus: Israel's Torah Study Basic Law has been revised after pressure from legal officials and public opposition. The updated bill no longer explicitly equates Torah study with IDF military service, removing a clause that critics said could have guaranteed yeshiva students benefits comparable to soldiers. However, the bill still declares Torah study a "foundational value" of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and opponents argue it could still be used to justify draft exemptions and continued government funding for yeshiva students.

- At a special meeting Wednesday, the Lakewood Township Committee approved the renewal of the liquor license for Lake Terrace Hall despite ongoing litigation involving the banquet hall and a neighboring property owner.

- Palm Beach International Airport switched to President Donald J. Trump International Airport at midnight, following a Florida law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March that renamed the facility near Mar-a-Lago. The airport's code shifts from PBI to DJT

- Pepsi reveals GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (Ozempic) are squeezing consumer appetites, pushing the company to adapt with smaller portions.

- Jackson Township has tightened security at Town Hall by ordering all rear entrances to remain locked during the day and requiring a police officer to be present at every council meeting, even if overtime is needed. Township officials say the changes are intended to improve safety, security, and access control for employees and residentS. App reports 

- The Lakewood Industrial Commission approved a property swap aimed at creating more downtown parking. The owner of 18 South Clifton Avenue, purchased for $52,000 in 2011, will receive part of the former Wachovia bank property at 317 Main Street, which the township purchased for $2.5 million, for office space. In return, the LIC will acquire the Clifton Avenue parcel, demolish the building, and convert it into public parking. The existing municipal parking lot at the former bank property will remain public, and the agreement includes a $15,000 payment to the LIC to equalize the appraised values.

- Hafganos continue on Bar Ilan Street in Yerushalayim at the construction site of the light rail.

- NYP editorial Rahm Emanuel’s anti-Israel speech won’t win over the Jew-hating Dems he’s trying to appease Rahm Emanuel wants to run for president as a Democrat in 2028, but bowing to the antisemitic wing of his party is a beyond-despicable way to do it. The editorial argues the strategy is morally wrong and politically unlikely to succeed.

- A federal judge has ordered Nadine Menendez, the wife of former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, to report to prison by 2 p.m. Friday, denying her request to delay her 54-month sentence for additional cancer treatment. Prosecutors argued the Bureau of Prisons can provide the necessary medical care despite her pending surgery.

- Brick Township police are investigating the apparent vandalism of a  license plate reader after someone cut down the 15-foot metal pole supporting the camera near the Exxon station at Drum Point Road and Hooper Avenue. The camera, which helps police identify stolen vehicles and wanted suspects, remained intact despite the damage.

- Princeton, New Jersey  police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man accused of placing anti-Semitic propaganda stickers at multiple locations throughout the community

- Mikie Sherrill signed three energy bills aimed at addressing long-term electricity costs in New Jersey, including new rules for data centers, utility profits, and transmission projects.

However, the measures are not expected to provide immediate relief on residents’ electric bills, with some changes taking up to a year to implement. NJ Republicans 

- Italian-Americans are blasting Mayor Zohran Mamdani after a NYC immigrant enclaves map highlighted neighborhoods like Little Palestine, Little Yemen and Little Pakistan, but left out historic Little Italy. Critics say Italian-Americans helped build New York City and deserve to be recognized, not erased.

- BDE: Reb Yidel Toib z"l, 77, veteran baal koreh of the Gerrer chassidus, was niftar this evening after collapsing during a shiur at the Beis Medrash HaGadol of Gur on Yirmiyahu Street in Yerushalayim.(Belaaz)

- Six flags flash sale today 3 Parks, 2 Days, 1 Great Adventure multi-park ticket! Visit Six Flags Great Adventure, Hurricane Harbor New Jersey, Wild Safari or all three! This ticket is valid for admission for a total of two public operating days through July 31, 2026. for $45 inquire about possibility to upgrade to seasons pass

Rare video of Rav Amrom Blau leading a rally in Meah Shearim, Yerushalayim over 50 years ago