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Sweeney, Norcross attack on Lautenberg over Rutgers-Rowan merger was calculated

BY CARL GOLDEN

COMMENTARY

When Senate President Steve Sweeney chose the nuclear option in response to U. S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s criticism of the proposed merger of Rowan University and Rutgers Camden, the immediate and not surprising interpretation was that it was the first step toward his potential primary challenge to the incumbent Senator.

Rather than use the opening Lautenberg gave him to pro...

IRS goes high-tech: Video-conferencing for virtual tax audits

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The IRS will tell you that they are your friend, and now they are trying to make audits easier on taxpayers.

If you need one, your taxpayer advocate may be paying you a visit soon, but in the comfort of the computer room in your own home.

GoBankingRates.com  reports that the Internal Revenue Service has been running a pilot program since the end of last year that a...

The N.Y. Yankees the N.J. Yankees? What could have been

BY EVAN WEINER

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

THE BUSINESS AND POLITICS OF SPORT

On Friday, the New York Yankees home portion of the 2012 season begins in the Bronx as it has every year since 1923, except for two years in Queens in 1974 and 1975. All of pomp and circumstances, the Yankees traditions will be played out in a three year old stadium in the south Bronx. But all of those Yankees home openers could ...

REVIEW: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth is an Italian gem

BY ROGER WITHERSPOON

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

CAR REVIEW

The old guy with the shaggy white beard and wide grin started it all.

“Hey,” he shouted from two parking rows away. “A Fix It Again Tony! I had one back in the ‘70s and it was always in the shop. This one looks a lot better! How is it?”

The initial shout breaking the calm on a Sunday afternoon drew attention in the parking lot. But the word “Fiat” h...

Hard-boiled eggs for Easter decorating: Do it the right way!

BY SAMANTHA NEGRAVAL

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Easter is upon us. If it was any closer than right now, the Easter Bunny would be rummaging through our produce draw for carrots. Don’t forget to leave a carrot out tonight for him. Wait a minute, that’s Christmas and the reindeer… Nevermind.

Forgot about Easter eggs but have the kit? Cool. Want to hard boil the eggs correctly? Don’t sweat it.

See below:

1. F...

American Express pulls gift cards off N.J. shelves in law protest

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Going out for an Easter dinner with your American Express gift card? It might be the last time you are able to do so, at least in New Jersey.

A New Jersey law enacted about two years ago allows the state to take any balance of gift cards not redeemed two years after their initial purchase, but retailers say complying would be too much expense and trouble.

As a result,...

Famous American painter Thomas Kinkade has 'gone to the light': Found dead at 54

BY ANDREW LAGOMARSINO

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

“I share something in common with Norman Rockwell and, for that matter, with Walt Disney, in that I really like to make people happy,” said popular artist Thomas Kinkade, who died Friday at 54, in a biography on his website.

His family said in a statement that his death appeared to be from natural causes. The artist died at his home in Los Gatos, Calif.

CBS Ne...

‘ATM’ movie review, trailer: Money’s not the object

BY NANCY R. MANDELL

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

MOVIE REVIEW

“ATM” may not be the best movie around (and since it’s currently playing in only one Manhattan theatre, it’s not yet really “around”), but if you’re craving a taut, claustrophobic thriller set on a freezing near-Christmas eve this Easter weekend, it’s a good choice.

The debut feature of former film student and director David Brooks puts three fami...

Yankees and Rays will battle all season

BY FRANK VERDE

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

FRANKIE SAYS

Friday's Yankees-Rays opener could have provided us with a peek of how the 2012 American League East race will go this year: a lot of fireworks early, a lull as the season shakes out, and a big bang to end it all.

Figure these two clubs to be in the mid-90s in victories while they press to win their division and avoid a one-game wildcard playoff. Most ...

In Rutgers first scrimmage, Chas Dodd edges Gary Nova

BY MATT SUGAM

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

PISCATAWAY – Kyle Flood made it clear this week that he’d like one quarterback. He said that’s what’s best for a football team, so he’d like to commit to one guy.

While he also said that guy may not emerge until seven to 10 days before the season opener, the first major test for Gary Nova and Chas Dodd was today at Rutgers first intrasquad scrimmage.

The sixth spring ...