Good morning, Morristown.

Grammy-nominated blues guitarist Samantha Fish will headline the free Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival on Aug.

16 at 8 p.m. on the Morristown Green—live acts will begin at noon and offer free music to thousands throughout the day.

The state Labor Department will publish new rules on May 5 that could reclassify rideshare drivers and other freelancers as employees—using the ABC test to determine if workers are truly independent contractors.

These changes will increase labor costs for companies and provide drivers with benefits they currently lack.

Electric rates in New Jersey will increase by about 17% to 20% on June 1 due to rising demand, and experts say switching to LED bulbs and adjusting home thermostat settings can help lower bills.

Homeowners are also advised to schedule regular HVAC maintenance and limit pool pump use to save energy costs.

A U.S. Census report released on May 1 shows that New Jersey spent about $26,280 per student in 2023—$10,000 above the national average.

Local revenue covered most costs while salaries reached $7,976 and benefits cost $5,539 per student, reflecting high spending in state public schools.

NJ Transit said the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers voted down a tentative agreement so a strike may start on May 16 at 12:01 a.m.—this would suspend rail service for 350,000 riders and force the agency to add park and ride bus service and extra capacity on New York commuter routes. The plan will cover only about 20% of current rail customers and aims to ease travel disruptions as negotiations continue.

Morris County officials will host the official ribbon cutting for the Pompton Valley Rail Trail on May 29 at 3 p.m. behind the Pequannock Township First Aid and Rescue Squad building in Pompton Plains; the 5.1-mile paved path—built along a former railroad line—is part of a $32 million project funded by a federal grant.

Morris County officials hosted the first National Prescription Drug Take Back Day of 2025 — collecting 519 pounds of unused medications from residents at ShopRite of Greater Morristown, Stop and Shop of Morris Plains, and ACME of Randolph.

At Randolph High School on May 1, Morris Knolls captured their first girls team championship since 2006 as Alicia Ramos led key relay wins and Morris Hills won the boys title—marking the track and field program's 100th championship.