Good morning, Morristown.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office held anti-bias and anti-bullying sessions at three local schools from Sept.

18 to Oct. 16, teaching students that social media posts may last and that school rules on violence are strictly enforced. Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri and Sgt. Patrick LaGuerre led the sessions.

The Raptor Trust admitted 190 injured birds at its rehabilitation center over four days, with 114 arriving on Sunday, Oct.

18 — likely because window collisions increased during fall migration across New Jersey. Volunteers rescued many birds and 55 have already been released.

On Thursday, Oct. 22, a 1.6 magnitude earthquake struck near Randolph in Morris County around 4:38 a.m.—the USGS confirmed the quake as one of several small shocks in the Garden State this year and noted that earthquakes of this size are generally not felt.

New Jersey completed its statewide rollout of chip-enabled tap-to-pay EBT cards for SNAP and WFNJ participants on Oct.

22 to help curb benefit theft. The new update features card-lock options after pilot tests in Cumberland, Essex, and Mercer counties showed improved security.

New Jersey's first acting veteran advocate Michael Embrich visited Morris County on Oct.

21 to commend its veteran services at a Veterans Resource Connection event at the Veterans Services Office (540 West Hanover Ave in Morris Township). He noted how support helps veterans access care, mental health and government resources.

Advocates including the Latino Action Network argued in an appellate court in Trenton on Thursday, Oct.

22 that segregation exists in many New Jersey school districts; they asked for state changes to the home rule law to expand choices such as magnet schools. A ruling on remedies is expected soon.

New Jersey residents buying individual health insurance will face nearly a 20% premium hike for 2027 due to rising medical and drug costs and a declining risk pool after enhanced tax credits expire (open enrollment runs from Nov.

1 through Jan. 31).

Local gardeners can learn that Red Abyssinian offers bright ornamental foliage (not grown for fruit) and must be kept indoors during cold spells.

Dwarf Cavendish suits indoor fruit growing while Musa basjoo, planted in spring with mulch, thrives outdoors near homes.

Local high school football experts predict five key Morris/Sussex matchups as teams seek playoff momentum.

Experts favor Old Tappan, High Point, West Morris, Boonton and Delbarton in contests on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24, with predictions emphasizing strong ground attacks & rivalry intensity.