In an effort to address the alarming increase in drug overdoses across New York City, officials have introduced a unique solution: vending machines catering to drug users. These machines, strategically placed in some of the city’s most drug-infested neighborhoods, offer a range of free paraphernalia such as crack pipes and lip balm, along with life-saving Narcan for overdose emergencies. The vending machines, which deviate from the usual assortment of snacks and drinks, aim to combat the surge in drug-related fatalities in the five boroughs, according to city Health Department officials.

A terrorist opened fire at an Israeli civilian driving near Huwara on the way to his home in the Shomron on Tuesday evening. In a neis, the 28-year-old driver was only lightly wounded despite the fact that that the car was hit by 12 bullets, shattering the windows, including the one next to his baby’s car seat [who was Baruch Hashem not in the car at the time.] He continued driving and after arriving in the Shomron, was treated by paramedics for a minor scratch on his shoulder from a glass shard. IDF forces launched a manhunt for the terrorist, who fled the scene following the attack. The attack follows numerous terror attacks in Huwara in recent months, with the most recent one wounding two Israeli soldiers.

The past few weeks have been tumultuous for myself and my fellow Toms River residents. Since I moved in six years ago, my family and neighbors have been hoping to one day have a place to daven and learn with our children. Four years ago, we were told by our local askanim to vote for Mo Hill instead of Joe Coronato, despite more seasoned askonim from Lakewood and beyond advising otherwise. Trusting our local leaders, I listened. Hill emerged victorious; We celebrated, and so did the askonim, who trumpeted their deep ties and friendship with the newly minted Mayor Hill and his allies on the Toms River Council. Four years later, we still don’t have shuls. Code enforcement is still issuing violations. The askanim made excuses, and I naively trusted them.

Intense Canadian wildfires are blanketing the northeastern U.S. in a dystopian haze, turning the air acrid, the sky yellowish gray and prompting warnings for vulnerable populations to stay inside. The effects of hundreds of wildfires burning across the western provinces to Quebec could be felt as far away as New York City and New England, blotting out skylines and irritating throats. U.S. authorities issued air quality alerts. Hazy conditions and smoke from the wildfires were reported across the Great Lakes region from Cleveland to Buffalo. A smoky haze that hung over New York City much of the day Tuesday thickened in the late afternoon, obscuring views of New Jersey across the Hudson River and making the setting sun look like a reddish orb.

Chadashot HaSkopim reported on an Israeli social media post that went viral about the experience of an Israeli traveler that changed his mind about Chareidim. “Yesterday, I returned from Hungary,” the Israeli wrote on Sunday. “And during the flight, I saw a group of religious bochurim beginning to distribute cakes and snacks to all the passengers.” “I first thought they were crazy but they said that they were doing it for the zechus of a Rebbe whose kever they had just visited who would regularly distribute food.” “Less than five minutes later, they approached the flight attendants and requested to buy all the drinks and began giving out cups and drinks.

Tens of thousands of Belzer chassidim from Israel and abroad joined the Belzer Rebbe in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening in the largest chasunah ever held by the chassidus. The chasan is the eighth grandchild of the Belzer Rebbe, the son of his only son, HaRav Aharon Mordechai Rokeach, and the kallah is the daughter of HaRav Aharon Brif, Rosh Kollel Gerrer in Ashdod. She is also the granddaughter of HaRav Chaim Dovid Shubacks, a dayan and moreh tzedek and member of the Machzikei HaDas Badatz. The chuppah was held at 7:30 p.m. outside the large Beis Medrash in Kiryat Belz. Afterward, the family members and guests were transported to the Arena stadium in the Malcha neighborhood of southern Jerusalem, where the seudah and dancing are being held.

The National Weather Service issued an Air Quality Alert on Tuesday for New York City and parts of the Tri-State due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires drifting across the region. The smoke is making skies hazy and making for potentially dangerous conditions, especially for people with respiratory issues. Monsey Scoop reports that the smoke is seen all over the Hudson valley and Rockland County. In addition, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for parts of New Jersey. Meanwhile, Lakewood Alerts is reporting that there is a serious wildfire that started a short while ago in Jackson, NJ. The air quality alert means air pollution concentration in the region will be unhealthy for people with heart or lung disease, children and adults over 65.

Veteran military commentator Yossi Melman, who from time to time, publishes articles in Haaretz on military and intelligence issues, summarized his conclusions about the mysterious meeting of Israeli and Italian intelligence officials aboard a boat that capsized in stormy weather last week, leading to the death of four people, including a retired Mossad agent. Was the fact that the captain’s wife was of Russian origin related to the theory that the intelligence agents were reportedly monitoring Russian oligarchs in the area? Is her death in the disaster an indicator of foul play?

Tens of thousands of Gerrer Chassidim attended a massive Chasunah on Tuesday evening of the Gerrer Rebbe’s granddaughter. The Chausunah is taking place in the large Gerrer Beis Medrash on Rechov Yirmiyahu. The kallah is the daughter of the Rebbe’s daughter and son-in-law HaRav Chaim Yehoshua Schorr, Rosh Yeshivas Chiddushei HaRim in Bnei Brak and the chasan is Yisrael Bergman, the son of Rav Menashe Bergman of Tel Aviv. The chuppah took place at 4:15 on Rechov Yirmiyahu and the seudah and dancing are taking place in the Gerrer Beis Medrash. There is also another massive Chasunah tonight, as a grandson of the Belzer Rebbe is getting married. VIDEOS & PHOTOS FOR YWN VIA SHUKI LERER

Thousands gathered at multiple events in Boro Park on Monday, to greet Hagaon HaRav Dov Landau. The elderly Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva is currently on his second visit to the United States. Crowds gathered at Beth El to hear a Shiur from the Rosh Yeshiva, as well as a massive crowd at Yeshivas Novaminsk, where the Rosh Yeshiva delivered a Shiur. The Rosh Yeshiva also visited Hagaon HaRav Meir Stern in Passaic, and was visited in Boro Park by Hagaon HaRav Elya Brudy The Rosh Yeshiva is staying at the home of philanthropist Reb Shimon Glick in Monsey, and will be visiting Yeshivas in Brooklyn, Lakewood and around the Tri-State area this week. KABOLAS PONIM: VISIT FROM HARAV ELYA BRUDNY VISIT TO NOVAMINSKER YESHIVA