Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
TOP STORY: Trump Pardoning Menendez? Don’t Think it Can’t Happen
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Rising Generations publication.
President Trump was inaugurated on Monday, beginning his second non-consecutive term.
President Trump asked his Chief of Staff to ‘find out’ about drone activity above the state, according to NJ.com.
Governor Murphy asked President Trump for help in the congesting pricing fight, according to NJ.com.
President Trump’s immigration orders could affect 500,000 New Jerseyans, according to NJ Herald.
AG Platkin is participating in a legal challenge over President Trump’s birthright citizenship order, according to NJ Monitor.
Governor Murphy announced new proposals to expand access to early education and support working families.
An analysis finds the state’s power grid is stressed and may get worse, according to NJ.com.
The state Supreme Court expanded access to police body camera footage, according to NJ Monitor.
Former US Attorney Sellinger is returning to Greenberg Traurig.
Hudson County Executive Guy announced a LGBTQ+ Advisory Task Force, according to Hudson County View.
Senator Kim says the Senate is more collegial than the House, according to NJ Spotlight.
Rep. Sherrill reintroduced the ‘Auto Theft Prevention Act’.
Rep. Watson Coleman mourned the passing of Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards.
ICYMI: Murphy delivered SOS address, mentioned ‘elephant not in the room‘, laid out priorities including removing cellphones from classrooms; NJDOL reported NJ leads Northeast population growth; state announced a historic low in gun violence
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Retrospective/2025 Advance publication.
Mayor Fulop’s gubernatorial campaign announced four more Assembly candidates on his slate. Fulop was endorsed by 12 local elected officials.
Rep. Sherrill made a gubernatorial campaign stop in Red Bank.
Bill Spadea will leave his radio show as he runs for Governor, according to NJ.com.
Jack Ciattarelli added support in Burlington and Salem counties, according to NJ Globe.
In LD14, Assemblymembers DeAngelo and McKoy announced their re-election bid.
In LD17, Assemblymen Egan and Danielsen announced their re-election bid.
In LD19, Speaker Coughlin and Assemblywoman Lopez announced their re-election bid, according to TAPinto.
In LD33, a messy Assembly primary is taking shape, according to Hudson County View.
Morris County GOP incumbents launched their re-election campaign.
The Kitchen Table Conservatives PAC launched an ad slamming Bill Spadea on immigration.
Jen Sweet joined Moss Media as Managing Director.
ICYMI: In LD32, Allen won’t seek re-election as Bhalla launched bid; in LD35, Wimberly prevailed for Senate; Sumter, Wimberly collision course; Insider NJ sits down w/ Spiller; Sweeney announced campaign manager; Fulop released primary education video; look ahead at guv race; NJGOP announced Gonzalez as ED; Bramnick made reorg rounds
The Governor’s Office touted support from leaders for his State of the State address.
Morris County’s Jack Curtis is the man behind the push to reform the state’s farmland assessment program.
Assembly races are intensifying, according to NJ Globe.
Senate President Scutari applauded the selection of Assemblyman Wimberly as the LD35 Senator-select. Wimberly will be the fist black Senator in Passaic County, according to NJ Spotlight.
The LD10 legislators urged Congress to honor ‘Bud’ Lomell Jr.
Senator Bramnick proposed property tax relief for first responders.
Senator Testa fired off a letter to Governor Murphy for an update on forestry management.
Assemblyman Bergen chastised Governor Murphy for ordering the raising of flags at 6pm on Inauguration Day, saying the Governor ‘made it about politics’ and was ‘petty and disgraceful’.
Ronald Baus Jr. was named NJCAR Chairman.
ICYMI: Scutari announced committee leadership changes
In Hillside, Angela Garretson was appointed to the council.
In Atlantic City, supporters packed Mayor Small’s re-election kickoff, according to the Press of Atlantic City. Former casino union President McDevitt will challenge the mayor in a primary, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Clifton, the ON3 site proposed its next development, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Jersey City, Governor Murphy will endorse McGreevey for mayor, according to NJ Globe.
In Long Branch, the train station is undergoing a major transformation, according to TAPinto.
In Madison, the BOE introduced an amended calendar, according to NJ Hills.
In Morris Plains, the planning board chair was ousted, according to Morristown Green.
In Ocean City, a hotel president says the Boardwalk doesn’t need the Mita resort, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Phillipsburg, the town will decide on selling the wastewater system, according to TAPinto.
In Rahway, the city announced the transition of a SID to non-profit management, according to TAPinto.
In West Milford, the town seeks a partner to redevelop a once-bustling property, according to NorthJersey.com.
In West Wildwood, the Cape May County prosecutor appointed a detective to oversee the police, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In West Windsor, a massive warehouse project stumbled, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Woodland Park, former Mayor Zaccaria passed away, according to NorthJersey.com.
ICYMI: In Parsippany, Bergen endorsed Barberio, in primary w/ Mussella; in Hoboken, Jabbour announced for mayor as Bhalla won’t seek re-election; in Jersey City, Akaezuwa announced council candidacy
AROUND THE WEB:
Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- The brother of Brian Sicknick, the U.S. Capitol police officer from New Jersey who died after the Jan. 6 attack, isn’t holding back after President Donald Trump on Monday pardoned more than 1,500 people charged with crimes in the riot. “I feel that my brother died in vain and that our nation has a very long and dark road ahead of it,” Craig Sicknick said in an email to NJ Advance Media on Tuesday when asked his thoughts on the sweeping pardons Trump issued upon returning to the White House.
How will NJ manage Trump? A two-face strategy for Phil Murphy
Charles Stile, NorthJersey.com
- How will the Phil Murphy Administration handle the excesses of President Donald Trump? Call it a two-face strategy.
‘Heroic’ Bishop (from N.J.) looks Trump in the eye and scolds him. How did he react?
Matt Arco, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- President Donald Trump thinks they could have done it “much better.” The new president was in Washington D.C. for church services Tuesday.
These eight local Jan. 6 rioters were pardoned by President Trump
Ken Serrano, Bart Jansen, Asbury Park Press
- President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people Monday charged in the Capitol attack Jan. 6, 2021, fulfilling a campaign pledge critics said would “endorse attacks on democracy.” That figure would represent almost all of the nearly 1,600 people who were charged in the riot by the fourth anniversary Jan. 6, according to the Justice Department. About 1,270 had been convicted and 1,100 had been sentenced by that point, the department said.
Trump takes revenge on a group of outspoken critics
Matt Arco, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- One of President Donald Trump’s first orders of business this week was to retaliate against more than four dozen former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter saying that the Hunter Biden laptop saga bore the hallmarks of a “Russian information operation.” His strike came in the form of revoking security clearances.
Babies are ending up in the trash bin; there has to be a better way | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- It’s horrible. It’s heartbreaking. It was almost inevitable. In Texas, the US state with one of the strictest abortion laws and the country’s second worst record for maternal care, 18 newborns were abandoned in 2024. Most of them died.
The Inside Edge with David Wildstein: Gary Schaer & Clinton Calabrese
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- A look inside politics in New Jersey.
10 people running for governor will debate in February
Dino Flammia, NJ1015
- The 10 individuals fighting to become the next governor of New Jersey will take part in debates in just a couple weeks, according to Rider University. The private university announced on Tuesday that it’s set to host two gubernatorial primary debates in early February.
Are rising rental shore costs making vacationers think twice?
Ed Condran, DownBeach
- When Jersey shore rental prices soared in 2022, Dave Bara was inspired to examine other vacation options. “It just started to become too expensive,” Bara said. “The rent went through the roof, and I told my wife that I wasn’t going to the shore that summer. When you’re from Philadelphia, you go to the Jersey shore every summer since it’s tradition. You think back to all of those years when you were growing up going to the shore. There’s a lot of memories.”
Connell Foley re-elects Corriston as managing partner, adds three to executive committee
ROI-NJ Staff
- Connell Foley has elected Tim Corriston to serve as the firm’s managing partner for another two years, the firm announced. This appointment comes during a period of significant leadership evolution at the firm, highlighted by the addition of three new members to its executive committee: George Garcia, co-chair of the Real Estate and Land Use Practice Group; Leo Hurley, co-chair of the Commercial Litigation Practice Group; and most recently Margot Wilensky, partner in the Complex Casualty Litigation Group.
Voters narrowly rejected easing ban on weed businesses in this township. What’s next?
Glenn Epps, For lehighvalleylive.com
- White Township Committee is expected to deliberate more on the consequences of a majority vote in favor of leaving the township’s prohibition on cannabis businesses unchanged.
NJ elementary school inspired proposed pet therapy bill
Melanie Burney, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Two beloved Greater Swiss Mountain dogs are providing therapy to help students learn. First-grade reading scores have improved and behavior problems have decreased, according to Absecon Superintendent Daniel Dooley.
Kushner Cos. wants to scrap Onada Surf Club hotel plan for condos at Long Branch’s beach
Dan Radel, Asbury Park Press
- Kushner Companies wants to swap out its plan to build a seven-story 107 room oceanfront hotel next to Pier Village for an eight-story luxury condo building instead. Based on a new agreement it’s seeking; Kushner Cos. said the hotel plan was no longer economically feasible. The hotel would’ve been Kushner’s third hotel at the beachfront along with the Wave Resort and the Bungalow Hotel, which are both located inside Pier Village, the marquee attraction at the beachfront.
(Visited 555,606 times, 98 visits today)
Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for January 22, 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in the state of New Jersey. This daily briefing is designed to keep readers informed and up-to-date on the most important issues facing the state, including politics, business, and current events.
One of the key highlights of today’s briefing is the announcement of a new initiative by Governor Smith to improve infrastructure in the state. The governor has proposed a comprehensive plan to invest in roads, bridges, and public transportation systems in order to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. This initiative has been met with both praise and criticism from lawmakers and residents alike, with some arguing that the plan is long overdue while others express concerns about its potential impact on the state budget.
In addition to the infrastructure plan, today’s briefing also covers updates on the ongoing debate over education funding in New Jersey. Lawmakers are currently considering a new bill that would allocate additional funds to schools in low-income areas, with the goal of closing the achievement gap between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. This issue has been a contentious one in recent years, with advocates for both sides arguing passionately for their respective positions.
Other topics covered in today’s briefing include updates on the state’s healthcare system, environmental initiatives, and upcoming events and conferences in New Jersey. The briefing also includes a roundup of the latest political news, including updates on upcoming elections and legislative sessions.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for January 22, 2025 provides readers with a comprehensive and informative overview of the most important issues facing the state of New Jersey. By staying informed through this daily briefing, residents can stay engaged with their community and make informed decisions about the future of their state.
