A massive wildfire, dubbed the Jones Wildfire, is tearing through Ocean County–scorching 8,500 acres since Tuesday in Barnegat’s Greenwood Forest. It’s spread to Lacey and Ocean Townships, forcing 3,000 evacuations, threatening over 1,300 buildings, and causing power outages. Parts of the Garden State Parkway are closed due to heavy smoke. Acting Governor Tahesha Way has declared a State of Emergency. Shelters are open at Southern Regional and Manchester High Schools.

A 20-year-old Lakewood man is facing aggravated assault charges after a high-speed crash left an off-duty police officer in critical condition. Police say Edwin Ramirez-Carranza was driving 106 mph when he ran a red light and hit the officer’s car.

New Jersey is suing Discord, claiming the app’s lack of age checks puts kids at risk by making it easy for predators to connect with minors.

Millions of red-eyed cicadas will soon emerge in 13 eastern states, including New Jersey after 17 years underground. As soil temperatures hit 64 degrees this spring, expect a noisy invasion as these cicadas search for mates.