Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who authored the court's majority opinion in the case that overturned Roe v. Wade last year, has said he has a "pretty good idea" of who leaked the draft ruling. The leak of the court's draft decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization last May – more than a month before the official announcement – created an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust.

This week's top stories in Essex County, New Jersey included a mix of community concerns, heartfelt personal experiences, and uplifting events. From tax protests to the mourning of a mother who lost her sons to real estate developments and an array of positive news including Special Olympics, Glee Club performances, Ramadan celebrations – there was no shortage of noteworthy events.

The North Carolina Supreme Court has overturned its previous ruling that banned partisan gerrymandering, allowing the Republican party to redraw the state's congressional lines in a manner heavily favoring the GOP. This decision could enable national Republicans to expand their majority in the House of Representatives by as many as four seats.

The Federal Reserve has released a report on the March 10 collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, attributing the bank's dramatic failure to weak risk management, supervisory foot-dragging by the Fed, and mismanagement. Michael S. Barr, the Fed's vice chair for supervision appointed by President Joe Biden, stated in the report that a combination of factors led to the downfall of what was once the nation's 17th-largest bank.

In a week of high-end real estate sales, several counties saw record-breaking transactions between April 17 and April 24. Houses in Short Hills, Essex County; Moorestown, Burlington County; Plainsboro, Middlesex County; and Meridian Twp, Ingham County have all been sold for impressive amounts.

In a series of high-profile real estate transactions, multiple homes in various counties across New Jersey have sold for impressive prices between April 17 and April 24. These deals highlight the continued demand for luxury properties in the state.

The South Carolina state Senate rejected a near-total abortion ban on Thursday, after the chamber's five female lawmakers led a multi-day filibuster against the bill. The bill ultimately failed in a 22-21 vote, which is the third time that a near-total abortion ban has failed to pass the Republican-majority chamber since the overturning of Roe v. Wade last June.

Two reports set to be released this Friday, one from the Federal Reserve and the other from the FDIC, will provide a comprehensive account of last month's banking crisis. These reports are expected to reveal what initially triggered the crisis as well as actions that could have been taken by regulators to prevent such collapses.

On Wednesday, shares of First Republic Bank reached an all-time low, pushing the bank's market capitalization below $1 billion. The stock rebounded slightly on Thursday but suffered a 64% decline over two preceding sessions after the troubled lender's earnings report revealed plummeting deposits and raised concerns about its survival prospects.

Chevron Corp. reported a 0.58% increase in quarterly profit to $6.6 billion in the first quarter, boosted by higher refining margins and higher energy prices. Despite this, the company's net income edged up 5% compared with the same period last year and was more than double its quarterly average over the past decade.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had a surprising impact on the oil industry, as companies like Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and Chevron Corp. have reported impressive earnings for the first quarter of 2023. The two giants collectively posted $18 billion in profits during this period, showcasing resilience even as oil and natural-gas prices experienced declines.

Singapore has recently seen a significant rise in rent for prime residential properties, with prices soaring between 60% to 75%, outpacing annual increases in major cities like New York and London. The European Chamber of Commerce in Singapore reported "visible anxiety and psychological distress" among staff due to rising costs.

The euro zone economy experienced a growth of 0.1% in the first quarter of the year, according to preliminary figures released on Friday. This comes as Germany's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) flatlined during the same period, falling short of economists' forecast for quarterly growth of 0.2%.

BBC Chairman Richard Sharp has announced his resignation following a report that found he breached rules when failing to declare his involvement in an £800,000 loan to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The investigation, conducted by barrister Adam Heppinstall KC, discovered that Mr. Sharp broke the code on public appointments by not informing the committee that interviewed him about this potential perceived conflict of interest.

A strike by traffic wardens in Westminster is set to go ahead after a new pay offer from the council's contractor NSL was rejected by the GMB union. The union, employed by the council’s contractor, will walk out on May 2, 4 and 6 and take other forms of industrial action for a week starting from May 1.

BBC chairman Richard Sharp has resigned following the publication of a report by barrister Adam Heppinstall KC, which found that Mr. Sharp breached the governance code for public appointments. The resignation comes in the wake of a cronyism row earlier this year involving then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson and an £800,000 loan facility.

BBC chairman Richard Sharp is bracing for a potentially damning report into his appointment after facilitating an £800,000 loan guarantee for Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The investigation, conducted by prominent barrister Adam Heppinstall KC, is set to be published on Friday morning and expected to conclude that Mr. Sharp breached the rules by creating a perception of conflict of interest.

A house located in Grosse Ile Twp, Wayne County, has topped the list of the most expensive real estate sales between April 17 and April 24. The property had an average price of $180,355 and an average price per square foot of $127.

French asset manager Amundi SA has reported a 4.3% decline in assets under management at the end of the March quarter from a year ago, with total assets amounting to 1.93 trillion euros, primarily due to outflows in China and volatile financial markets.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has called for a long-term review of its policies and scrapped guidance on future interest levels. At the end of a two-day gathering on Friday, the central bank maintained its rock-bottom interest rate and asset purchase settings as expected by nearly 90% of surveyed economists.

In a significant development, former Vice President Mike Pence has testified before the grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election. His testimony is considered a major milestone in the two-year investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith.

Congressional Democrats are growing increasingly concerned that President Joe Biden's "no negotiations" strategy to raise the nation's debt ceiling, now at $31 trillion, will lead to a protracted standoff. The Treasury Department has notified Congress that it is time again to raise the debt ceiling in order to allow more borrowing for paying off the country’s accumulated bills.

Vice Media Group (VMG) is facing a major restructuring effort, which includes the cancellation of its popular TV program "Vice News Tonight" and the layoff of several employees. The company's shift towards ultra-left-wing ideologies has caused it to reevaluate its operational costs, streamline VICE News, and reduce roles across its global news team.

M&T Bank announced on Monday that it will be moving 400 of its Western New York employees as part of an office space consolidation. The bank has assured that no layoffs are planned in connection with the relocation.

Angelita Parham, a passionate entrepreneur and beauty enthusiast, recently opened the doors of SteeleDivine Cosmetics at the Southbrook Mall in Whitehaven. The new store aims to provide high-quality cosmetics and beauty products for customers in the local community.

Former President Donald Trump made his first campaign appearance since President Joe Biden launched his own reelection bid in New Hampshire. In a show of confidence, he boasted about his poll numbers and suggested that he has no need to debate Republican rivals.

A recent Gallup poll has revealed a significant decline in President Joe Biden's approval rating as he begins his reelection campaign. The April 2023 survey found that only 37% of US adults approve of the president's job performance - a record low for his time in office.

The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) has announced its intentions to carry out a $14 million renovation project, aimed at expanding its building and design department. This plan is set to enhance the institution's offerings for construction and design industry programs.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders reached a tentative budget deal on Thursday, almost a month after the official deadline. The agreement includes significant changes to New York's bail laws, the establishment of new charter schools in the city, increased crackdowns on illegal cannabis shops, and an increase to the state’s minimum wage.

Former President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is revamping his nicknames for both Hillary Clinton and President Joe Biden. Trump often called Biden “Sleepy Joe” during the 2020 presidential campaign and said he would retire the name ‘Crooked’ so that they can use the name for Biden.

At the heart of educational advancement in Memphis, Tennessee are two inspiring women who have dedicated their lives to improving the K-12 education system through charter schools. Kristi Baird and April Bobo have been instrumental in driving positive change for students across various communities.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed building of a prison near the Disney World theme park in Orlando. In a recent statement, McCarthy urged Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to "sit down and negotiate" with Disney instead of engaging in a political feud that could potentially harm both parties.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an extension to the deadline for farmers and ranchers nationwide to participate in the mandatory 2022 Census of Agriculture. Conducted every five years, this crucial census collects comprehensive data on food production, which is then used to generate statewide reports.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the ruling that Florida's voting restrictions approved by GOP lawmakers were valid. The appeals court also overturned the requirement that Florida needs prior clearance to change parts of voting law.

The bills that were proposed in South Carolina and Nebraska failed to pass, which would have been a significant change for state residents. Currently, both states allow abortion up to around 22 weeks, and 14 states have active bans on nearly all abortions.

Former Vice President Mike Pence testified on Thursday before a federal grand jury investigating efforts by ex-President Donald Trump and his Republican allies to overturn the 2020 election. The testimony took place behind closed doors, with Pence entering and leaving the courthouse without attracting media attention.

Former Vice President Mike Pence testified before a federal grand jury on Thursday, as part of the ongoing investigation into efforts by then-President Donald Trump and his Republican allies to overturn the 2020 election. The grand jury is specifically examining the events surrounding the Jan. 6 attack and former President Trump's role in those events.

Over the past two decades, economic development expert Todd Battle has become well-acquainted with what he calls the "intangible awards" of attracting companies and jobs to southeast Wisconsin. Through his tireless efforts, Battle has played a significant role in bolstering the region's economy and improving the lives of its residents.