Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “There are practically no undecided presidential voters at this point. It’s all about motivation. However, a good chunk of these voters have yet to make up their minds about who to back in the House election. They are going to turn out, which means any late breaking down-ballot decisions could determine who wins this seat.” – Monmouth University Polling Director Patrick Murray on the CD7 race
TOP STORY: Kim Scolds Bashaw in NJ Spotlight News Debate
FBI data spells out crime trends in the state, according to the Bergen Record.
The state’s biggest cities mirror some of the state’s crime trends, according to the Daily Record.
Extremism is surging in the state, according to NJ.com.
NJ boards of elections are busy answering questions ahead of the election, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
NJ Transit awarded a contract for the 2026 FIFA World Cup shuttle route, according to the Daily Record.
Central Jersey voters will see ballot questions, according to MyCentralJersey.
A Cumberland County detective was killed in an apparent home invasion, according to Burlington County Times.
Hudson County is creating a LGBTQ+ Task Force, according to Hudson County View.
Military explosives may be buried under a planned Middlesex Count sports complex, according to MyCentralJersey.
Morris County may soon gain more recreational trails, according to NJ Herald.
Rep. Sherrill proposed tax incentives to drive down food costs, according to NJ Spotlight.
University leaders urged state oversight and financial assistance to keep colleges afloat, according to NJ Monitor.
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
Rep. Kim and Curtis Bashaw clashed in a NJ Spotlight News debate.
Rep. Kim fired back at America First GOP Chair Crispi’s accusation that the candidate wore a tie with the North Korean flag on it, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Rep. Kim, who would be the first South Jersey Senator since 1995 if elected, defied the political bosses – but will they get over it, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In CD1, two candidates are taking on Rep. Norcross, according to WHYY.
Former Governor Kean endorsed GOP Senate candidate Curtis Bashaw.
In CD5, Rep. Gottheimer launched a six-figure ad buy.
In CD7, a Monmouth University poll shows a 2-point race between Rep. Kean and challenger Altman. The competitive race has been focused on ethics, according to Politico NJ. The candidates are tussling over town halls, according to NJ Monitor. Rep. Kean has maintained a cash lead, according to NJ Monitor.
In LD32, Hoboken Mayor Bhalla has his eye on Assembly seat, according to the Jersey Journal.
Riley and Lods are facing off again in the Cumberland County clerk’s race, according to the Daily Journal.
Lazarchick is challenging Bertino for an Atlantic County commission seat, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: Essex Assembly races intensifying; Jones made the case for Harris; Kean, Altman debated, Altman touted poll; Morris’ Ali has had enough of Crispi; Golden touted Monmouth GOP numbers; Bramnick has new argument; NJGOP working to increase VBM returns; Altman poll shows 2-point race; Bashaw’s ‘debate freeze‘ drew attention; Emhoff campaigned in the state; Altman held her fourth campaign town hall; NOW-NJ released endorsements; frustration over stolen lawn signs; Delgado will serve as the Harris-Walz state director; Ali to preside over GOP county chairs; Kim campaigned in Bergen; Bashaw positioned as centrist
Development is set to begin on the state’s strategic plan to curb hunger and food insecurity, according to NJ Spotlight.
Lawmakers are looking to raise the $50 monthly allotment from Medicaid for nursing home residents, according to NJ Spotlight.
PPAG’s David Smith was honored with NJCPA’s Ovation Award for Impact.
ICYMI: Coughlin, DiMaio announced ballot committee; ‘Freedom To Read Act’ advanced; insiders consider Scutari future
In Atlantic City, the Ducktown project is ‘for the neighborhood, by the neighborhood’, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Asbury Park, residents say they’re skipping car rides for e-scooters, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Jersey City, there’s wide gap in local money support for mayoral candidates, according to the Jersey Journal.
In Lakewood, schools are getting two state monitors, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Long Branch, a deal was reached to fill a church parking lot with townhouses, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Long Hill, the Morris prosecutor’s office addressed police chief rumours, according to NJ Hills.
In Mendham Township, committee candidates debated, according to NJ Hills.
In Newark, a forgotten John Basilone monument is set to be unveiled, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Northfield, the mayor is on medical leave and the council was told not to discuss charges against him, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Plainfield, the council passed a Woodland housing study, according to TAPinto.
In South Plainfield, the emergency operations center received upgrades, according to TAPinto.
In Spring Lake, the Verizon 5G deadline looms, according to TAPinto.
In Trenton, a tort claim alleges the Economic Development Director compared a TPD Lt. and animal shelter employees to Nazis, according to the Trentonian.
In Upper, the mercury issue has temperatures rising, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Verona, a community workshop was announced, according to TAPinto.
In Warren, Croson and Blick proposed ‘Warren 101’ to increase understanding of local government, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: In Randolph, council race has huge significance; 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:
Greedy union leaders undercut the labor movement | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger Columnist
- Labor unions have been a blessing for America over the years, starting in the 1800s when they worked to ban child labor, and later established the eight-hour day, the weekend, and the right to bargain for better wages and benefits. In today’s America, with inequality rising to levels not seen since the Gilded Age, they are indispensable.
These six NJ towns were named among nation’s 100 most expensive ZIP codes for homebuying
Maddie McGay, NorthJersey.com
- Some know New Jersey for its vast amount of greenery, scenic seasonal destinations and thriving arts scene. But others, especially those who call it home, know New Jersey for its high property taxes and rising cost of living, making it one of the country’s most expensive states to live.
Flood disaster seems bound to wreck homes near N.J. river if action isn’t taken
Steven Rodas, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- After living for 15 years in the US, Claudia Lopez of Colombia was looking to start anew in Little Falls.
Electric vehicle incentives are dwindling in New Jersey
Dino Flammia, NJ 1015
- Sales of electric vehicles have skyrocketed over the past few years in the Garden State. The question is, will that momentum slow down in the face of recent changes that would have consumers paying more at the dealership?
American Water Reactivating Systems After Cyber Event
Down Beach
- American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., announced today that it is in the process of methodically and securely reconnecting and reactivating the systems that were taken offline due to its cybersecurity incident communicated on Oct. 7. The Company continues to have no indication that its water and wastewater facilities were impacted by this incident. The incident did not affect water quality.
$50M project to double Hackensack Meridian Palisades ED underway (photos)
Jessica Perry, NJBIZ
- Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center is doubling the size of its emergency department. The hospital broke ground last week on a $50 million endeavor expand to the ED at the North Bergen hospital to 22,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space. The new facility will increase its treatment bays to 50.
NJ’s US Senate race: Democratic candidate Andy Kim
Elise Young, NJ Spotlight
- Andy Kim, the New Jersey Democratic congressman running for U.S. Senate, has a habit of going his own way, no matter whom he crosses. He prevailed in a legal challenge to New Jersey party bosses’ control of a ballot design that favored their hand-picked candidates. He outlasted Tammy Murphy, whose husband is the New Jersey governor and the state’s highest-ranking Democrat, in a primary contest. He called for construction of millions of affordable homes nationwide, including in New Jersey, where 21 suburban mayors are suing the state to block such building in their towns.
NJ’s US Senate race: Republican candidate Curtis Bashaw
Elise Young, NJ Spotlight
- Staring down the potential collapse of his Cape May-based luxury hospitality company, Curtis Bashaw joined thousands of other American business owners reaching for a pandemic bailout. The infusion helped to rescue the national economy and saved Bashaw’s inns, restaurants and other properties, with more than 1,000 employees. “The government shut us down and told us we couldn’t run our enterprises — it made us into serfs,” said Bashaw, whose Cape Resorts company received at least $4.9 million, records show. “Everybody had to take the funds.”
Boonton online radio station with a storefront presence celebrates 20 years
Jim Beckerman, NorthJersey.com
- In one shop window, in downtown Boonton, you will see an unusual product. Not hats. Not food. Not formalwear. Through this particular plate glass window on Cornelia Street, you’re liable to see — at any odd hour — a deejay, with headphones and a mic.
Riding NJ Transit from NYC back to Trenton is often an adventure
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- A NJ Transit train ride from New York City to Trenton Sunday produced several interesting storylines, including the need for police presence. NJ Transit police officers were called to remove an unruly passenger who had caused trouble almost immediately after our train left Penn Station.
US Senate candidates keep it civil in sit-down forum
Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- U.S. Senate candidates Andy Kim and Curtis Bashaw broke from the traditional debate format and kept to a civil discussion Tuesday night in a forum hosted by NJ Spotlight News and NJ PBS. The event was structured to be more an in-depth conversation than a formal debate, and the candidates obliged. Bashaw, running as a moderate conservative, found common ground with Congressman Kim on issues such as support for Israel and abortion rights.
Conversation highlights: Andy Kim and Curtis Bashaw
NJ Spotlight
- NJ Spotlight News on Tuesday hosted a live conversation between the two major candidates for U.S. Senate, Democratic candidate Andy Kim and Republican Curtis Bashaw, and heard the two lay out different visions and positions on some of New Jersey’s top issues.
On the new poll showing Kean could lose | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- Democrat Sue Altman is closing in on Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in their race for Congress, trailing him now by just two points with three weeks to go, according to a fresh poll from Monmouth University. Kean might want to consider ending his isolation and talking to voters, and the press. His rose garden strategy doesn’t seem to be working.
Singleton to Host Public Meeting with NJ Transit Execs on River LINE’s Safety, Reliability
Kristin Antonello, TAPinto.net
- State Senator Troy Singleton will be hosting a public meeting next week with NJ Transit executives regarding the River LINE — and the public is invited to attend and participate. The meeting will focus on service reliability and public and pedestrian safety.
Morristown Green editor honored with NJ journalism luminaries at Byrne Kean Dinner
Michael Lovito
- Morristown Green Founding Editor Kevin Coughlin accepted the Local Impact in New Jersey Journalism Award at the fourth annual Byrne Kean Dinner at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park on Tuesday.
Do you really want to save/support local journalism? Here is your test
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- It’s easy to list the metrics that detail the demise of the journalism profession, easy to make profound statements on the importance of journalism to a democracy — and easy to suggest new business models for the industry. All of this was sprinkled throughout the speeches Tuesday night in Florham Park during the fourth annual the Byrne-Kean Dinner to support local journalism. Here’s what is hard: Actually doing local journalism.
Intoxicating hemp products still on sale in NJ amid lawsuit
Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight
- Intoxicating hemp products can still be bought in New Jersey stores for now. Most provisions in a new law that would restrict which stores can sell the products have been put on hold amid a lawsuit from multiple companies; the only part of the law that remains in effect is an age limit; customers must be 21 years old to buy these products.
Lack of rain in NJ raises risk for wildfire spread, National Weather service warns
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- There has been little to no rainfall in New Jersey in October, according to the National Weather Service. With none in the forecast, the National Weather Service and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service issued multiple statements in recent days for the elevated risk for the spread of wildfires.
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Insider NJ’s Daily Morning Briefing for October 17, 2024
Insider NJ is a leading source of news and information for New Jersey residents, providing daily updates on politics, business, and current events in the state. Their daily morning briefing is a must-read for anyone looking to stay informed about the latest developments in New Jersey.
On October 17, 2024, Insider NJ’s morning briefing covered a range of important topics that are shaping the political landscape in the state. One of the key stories highlighted in the briefing was the upcoming gubernatorial election, which is set to take place in just a few weeks. The briefing provided an overview of the candidates running for office and their platforms, giving readers a comprehensive look at the race.
In addition to the gubernatorial election, Insider NJ’s morning briefing also covered other important news stories, such as updates on legislation being considered by the state legislature and recent developments in local government. The briefing also included information on upcoming events and opportunities for residents to get involved in their communities.
Overall, Insider NJ’s daily morning briefing for October 17, 2024 provided readers with a well-rounded overview of the most important news and events happening in New Jersey. By staying informed through sources like Insider NJ, residents can make educated decisions about their government and stay engaged in the political process.
