Morning Headlines: NJ Proposes Cash Aid for Low Income Expectant Mothers, Astoria Smoke Plumes Linked to Soccer Fan Celebration, and Yankees Advance in MLB Playoffs

New Jersey lawmakers are considering a program that would provide direct cash payments to expectant mothers earning less than $44,000 a year in an effort to reduce child poverty. Meanwhile, large plumes of smoke over an Astoria baseball field earlier this week were traced to fireworks and flares set off by fans of a Moroccan soccer team during a North American meetup. And the Yankees are advancing in the MLB playoffs after shutting out the Boston Red Sox 4–0 in the decisive Wild Card game, with rookie pitcher Cam Schlittler delivering a dominant performance.