Good morning, Morristown.

NorthJersey.com featured adoptable pets Nickels and Raina from NorthStar Pet Rescue on Aug.

1. Nickels is a 5-year-old mix who bonds easily with people and dogs while Raina is a 1-year-old terrier mix with a big personality who needs a fenced yard—both are ready for a new home.

USA TODAY released its 2025 Bars of the Year list on July 30 naming Nutley’s Cowans Public for its exceptional drinks and vibe—while many other North Jersey bars, including Morristown’s The Laundromat, remain local favorites that did not receive the nod.

A new NJ state tax will go into effect Friday that raises cigarette prices by 30 cents to $3 per pack—this tax also increases costs for tobacco and vape products.

The state expects to collect an additional $51 million in revenue from the change—official figures show the impact will be significant.

A record-breaking 22.2 tons of boat shrink wrap were recycled this year through a regional program that unites the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, local municipal utilities, and other partners.

The effort—now in its third year—has recycled over 50 tons since its 2022 start and earned a Recycling Excellence Award from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

State representatives on the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee submitted proposals on July 31 to cut healthcare costs by $100 million in the first half of Plan Year through changes to co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles — Aon will review the proposals and additional changes will be made before the September 30 deadline if the savings target is not met.

Food writer Kara VanDooijeweert wrote in her Saturday column about three New Jersey-inspired dishes from local restaurants, praising the pad see ew from Nimman Thai, the Barnegat Scallops from The Morris Proper in Morristown, and a loaded fries dish from Loco's Burgers (she noted the pad see ew had a perfect mix of char and sauce) (the review shows how authentic Jersey flavors shine).