Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s going to be a nailbiter. We all know that. I think there’s a tendency to see some underpolling along the way.” – NJDSC Chairman Jones
TOP STORY: Bramnick Presents a Winning Argument to Republicans
The state’s minimum wage is set to increase to $15.49/hour on January 1st.
AG Platkin announced a lawsuit against TikTok alleging illegal practices that harm NJ youth.
New Jerseyans working remotely in other states may be eligible for a gross income tax credit.
Thousands are fleeing Florida for New Jersey as Hurricane Milton approaches, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
George Washington Bridge toll plazas are disappearing, according to the Bergen Record.
Extremism from the left and right is putting local public service in peril, according to NJ.com.
There are high stakes for the state amid the Penn Station controversy, according to NJ Spotlight.
The state has a new richest resident, according to ROI-NJ.
The Jersey Shore’s first transgender environmental leader is spotlighted in a new film, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Jersey Shore beach construction will soon begin with $92M worth of sand, according to NJ.com.
Tempers flared at a Cape May County commission meeting over the library vote and airport, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
A Superior Court judge was suspended after off-color TikToks, according to NJ Globe.
Hudson County marked a decade of being debt free, according to TAPinto.
Somerset County’s planning board chairman passed away, according to TAPinto.
Rep. Van Drew called for a federal audit into Atlantic City Electric, according to Downbeach.
Rowan University is trying to increase male teachers of color in the classroom, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Kean University kicked off its lecture series, with former Senator Franken as the first lecturer.
Garden State Equality is gearing up for ‘Equality In Motion’.
ICYMI: Insider NJ’s Who’s And Who’s Down; labor hit Philly streets as PA Dems build Harris coalition; Philly Dems in gear for Harris; Murphy discussed lowering voting age
The Hughes Center launched a new podcast focused on Jersey policy issues.
Assemblyman Schaer highlighted his legislation to establish a statewide definition of anti-Semitism.
ICYMI: ‘Freedom To Read Act’ advanced;; insiders consider Scutari future
12 more towns are suing the state over affordable housing, according to NJ.com.
In Garwood, Councilman Foley highlighted his ‘Walking Garwood’ campaign initiative.
In Bedminster, a marijuana vending machine was ousted, according to NJ Hills. The town wants to purchase a Pluckemin Village site, according to NJ Hills.
In Caldwell, a high school field house proposal drew ire, according to NJ Hills.
In Clinton Township, a cop accused the department of discrimination, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Far Hills, a harassment charge against a councilman was dismissed, according to NJ Hills.
In Flemington, the borough must complete a sewer project by next June to get a loan refunded, according to TAPinto.
In Hackensack, council drama is attributed to soccer game racist comments, according to the Bergen Record.
In Hoboken, a judge ruled that the city owes a resident $173k over a zoning dispute, according to Hudson County View.
In Jersey City, the city joined the state’s ARRIVE Together initiative, according to the Jersey Journal.
In Madison, a BOE write-in candidate joined the race, according to NJ Hills.
In Morristown, a judge backed the town’s refusal to renew a cannabis license, according to Morristown Green.
In Teaneck, the former fire chief was tapped to fill the deputy manager position, according to the Bergen Record.
In Trenton, a company indicted for fraudulent lead pipe replacement in Newark also had a contract with the city, according to the Trentonian.
In Union City, the Hispanic State Parade president claimed a YouTuber hijacked the event to harass Mayor Stack, according to Hudson County View.
In Upper, the town wants an update from the DEP on mercury in wells, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Vineland, residents will get a first look at the new fire HQ, according to Burlington County Times.
In Warren, schools will hold two strategic planning sessions, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: In Marlboro, BOE race polarized; in Jersey City, Gilmore fundraising presence causes havoc; Solomon slapped at McGreevey as he kicked off his mayoral candidacy, which could shake up the 2025 race; in Paterson, oral arguments set to begin over takeover; in AC, Small, wife indicted
AROUND THE WEB:
Daysi Calavia-Robertson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Just last year, Ashley Cox did not think of herself as someone who could truly “make a difference.” She also “never in a million years” imagined she could make fast friends with strangers living on the other side of the world, let alone, mobilize to help them raise money to better their lives.
James Bond operation in the Middle East raises questions | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- Did you feel you were watching a James Bond movie, instead of the news, when you saw reports of pagers exploding in Lebanon? About 3,000 people were injured and at least a dozen killed, and Israel didn’t deny responsibility. But everyone who may have been involved in design, manufacture, assembly or shipment of the pagers denied knowing anything about them.
I got a mail-in NJ ballot. Do I have to use it? Yes, officials say
Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com
- With Election Day just a few weeks away and the polls opening for early in-person voting later this month, New Jersey voters are making plans to cast their ballots. There are several options for doing so, but majority of the states more than 6 million registered voters still use the ballot machines at their local polling place on Election Day.
Political connections of local news owners spur suspicion, distrust
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- As a longtime government gadfly, Jacqueline Hone has become a devout consumer of her elected officials’ social media pages, tired of feeling unheard or getting cut off whenever she’d pipe up at her local municipal meetings in Ridgewood. “Facebook is really the only platform we have to speak without being censored,” she said.
Margate man, Somers Point woman vie for commissioner at-large seat
Nanette LoBiondo Galloway, Downbeach
- A Margate man and a Somers Point woman are running in the Nov. 5 election to fill a seat on the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner and former Atlantic County Sheriff Frank Balles is stepping down after serving several years on the board, which is prompting two newcomers in a campaign to fill his seat.
Kim and Bashaw clash over affordability, economy
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotlight
- U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, the Democratic nominee, faced off Sunday night against Republican candidate Curtis Bashaw in the first of three debates as they challenge for New Jersey’s open U.S. Senate seat. Kim declared his candidacy in September 2023, one day after former Sen. Bob Menendez was indicted on corruption charges and beat out Tammy Murphy, the wife of Gov. Phil Murphy, for the Democratic nomination.
This South Jersey man is accused of dragging an officer toward Capitol rioters
Jim Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- A South Jersey man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Predrag “Peter” Jovanovic, 64, of Pilesgrove, at one point grabbed an officer’s baton and pulled the officer toward a mob of rioters, the U.S. Department of Justice said in announcing his arrest Friday. Jovanovic attended a rally for supporters of then-President Donald Trump before climbing scaffolding to an inauguration platform outside the Capitol.
Gotta Know Jersey: A practical guide to the general election
NJ Spotlight
- The last chance to vote in this year’s general election is just four weeks away and with the race for president topping the ticket, turnout is expected to be high. The latest episode in the NJ Spotlight News’ multimedia series “Gotta Know Jersey” provides everything New Jerseyans need to know about casting their votes this year, from how to register to what happens if a person encounters a problem at the polls.
At Newark-based Unionwear, orders for Harris hats are coming in at ‘astronomical’ rate
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- When Kamala Harris replaced Joe Biden as the nominee for president of the Democratic Party, Unionwear CEO Mitch Cahn was excited. Not about politics – but product. Cahn’s Newark-based company is one of the few manufacturers in the country that produces hats with the ‘Made in the USA’ logo that’s a must for a presidential candidate.
Would Warren County weed farm harm wetlands? Frelinghuysen board holds hearing
Bruce A Scruton, Newton New Jersey Herald
- The civil engineer overseeing plans for a cannabis-growing farm just off Route 94 was the only witness Monday as the town’s Land Use Board continued its hearing on the proposal before another packed audience. Much of the discussion focused on a wetlands area on property across the road from the 30-acre parcel where One Faith Wellness LLC, wants to build two greenhouses on vacant property. The project would also include a smaller building for processing cannabis.
Save LBI files notice of intent to sue Atlantic Shores to halt offshore wind project
Dan Grote, Press of Atlantic City
- Citizens group Save Long Beach Island has notified federal agencies of its intent to sue offshore wind developer Atlantic Shores under the Endangered Species Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Act. The notices give the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 60 days to resolve issues raised in the filings before the group pursues litigation, according to a news release from Save LBI.
American Water has paused billing for customers amid a cyberattack investigation
Erin McCarthy, Philadelphia Inquirer
- American Water customers are getting a temporary reprieve from water bills as the Camden-based utility investigates a “cybersecurity incident.” The issue was discovered on Thursday, according to a statement from the company, and the nature and scope of the incident — including what, if any, data may have been compromised — are still being investigated by third-party cybersecurity experts and law enforcement.
Toilet paper, paper towel panic-buying came back in parts of the Philly area
Erin McCarthy, Philadelphia Inquirer
- When Ashley South walked into the Costco in Lawrence Township, N.J., on Wednesday, she wasn’t expecting to get flashbacks to the height of the coronavirus pandemic. But then she heard employees alerting customers that various paper products, including toilet paper and paper towels, were sold out.
New Jersey residents report sightings of the Northern Lights all over the state
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- Over the last couple of days, New Jersey’s stargazers and night owls had the opportunity to see the spectacular atmospheric display known as the northern lights. A common manifestation of geomagnetic activity or geomagnetic storms, the northern lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are commonly visible in Canada and the far northern parts of the United States, but they can occasionally be seen in New Jersey.
(Visited 537,262 times, 151 visits today)
Insider NJ’s Daily Briefing: October 9, 2024
As we kick off another day in the Garden State, Insider NJ’s Daily Briefing is here to keep you informed on all the latest news and developments happening in New Jersey. From politics to business to entertainment, we’ve got you covered with the most up-to-date information.
In politics, Governor Smith is set to announce a new initiative aimed at improving education in the state. The plan, which is expected to be unveiled later today, will focus on increasing funding for schools, expanding access to early childhood education, and providing more support for teachers. This comes as welcome news for many residents who have long been concerned about the quality of education in New Jersey.
On the business front, several major companies are making headlines today. Johnson & Johnson has announced a new partnership with a local biotech firm to develop a groundbreaking new cancer treatment. Meanwhile, Amazon is set to open a new distribution center in Newark, bringing hundreds of jobs to the area. These developments are sure to have a positive impact on the state’s economy.
In entertainment news, New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen is set to perform a special concert in Asbury Park tonight. The show, which is part of his ongoing tour, is expected to draw a large crowd of fans from across the state. Additionally, several new films are set to premiere at the New Jersey Film Festival this weekend, showcasing the talent of local filmmakers.
Overall, it’s shaping up to be an exciting day in New Jersey, with plenty of news and events to keep residents informed and entertained. Stay tuned to Insider NJ for all the latest updates and be sure to check back tomorrow for another edition of our Daily Briefing.
