Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The Garden State, it’s a great place. I think it’s highly underrated. It’s a great place to be and to live, and we all love it.” – President Trump
TOP STORY: InsiderNJ Poll: Who is Steve Fulop’s LG Choice?
Governor Murphy made a direct appeal to NJ Republicans to protect Medicaid funds, according to NorthJersey.com. Rep. Kean accused the Governor of a ‘political stunt’, according to NJ.com.
Frustrations are mounting for NJ Social Security recipients, according to NJ Spotlight.
Alina Habba was sworn-in as interim US Attorney, according to NJ Globe.
Rents are spiking in NJ trailer parks, according to NJ.com.
NJ electric bills are going up 20% this summer, according to NJ.com.
In I-80 reopening was pushed to May, according to NJ.com.
Pay-to-play practices are booming in the state, according to NJ Spotlight.
Camden County police are partnering with a social services group, according to Burlington County Times.
Hunterdon County will distribute $1M to towns for parks and rec, according to MyCentralJersey.
Rep. Kean held a long-awaited tele-town hall, according to NJ Hills.
Rose Girgenti, the wife of former Senator John A. Girgenti, passed away last week.
School districts are panicking over funding, according to NJ.com.
Sexual assault hotlines and legal aid are at risk after being slashed by half in the proposed budget, according to NJ.com.
Senator Burzichelli slammed PJM’s planned utility rate increases.
In Bayonne, officials are reconsidering a new impound lot, according to TAPinto. A ex-employee alleged wrongful arrest and racketeering, according to Hudson County View.
In Belmar, Republicans endorsed two candidates for council, according to TAPinto.
In Bernards, a deal was struck on low-cost housing, according to NJ Hills. Capital spending is driving the budget, according to NJ Hills.
In Clinton, a inclusive playground funded without taxpayer money was opened, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hanover, a slight school tax increase is projected, according to NJ Hills.
In Jackson, a school was sold for $13M, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Morristown, Republicans are looking to make a contest of the local races.
In Mount Laurel, the mayor asked the police to call the chief during a DWI arrest, according to NJ.com.
In Mount Olive, the mayor is boning up on making movies locally, according to NJ Hills.
In Newark, the schools budget was approved, according to TAPinto.
In Ocean City, a councilman tied downtown criticism to the Wonderland plan, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paramus, protesters and supporters descended on a Tesla dealership, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Passaic, schools will cut 51 positions, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Piscataway, a lawsuit alleges the fire chief vandalized a $500k racecar, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Phillipsburg, a budget compromise yields a smaller tax increase, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Sayreville, a PILOT could lower youth sports costs, according to TAPinto.
AROUND THE WEB:
N.J. Tesla dealership becomes a battleground. Dueling Musk rallies spill onto highway.
Richard Cowen, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Hundreds of people swarmed the Tesla auto dealership in Paramus on Saturday to show their love — and hate — for Elon Musk, President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, the controversial initiative that’s gutting the federal government in search of waste and abuse.
What Makes Jersey Run: We rate the candidates in the crazy, crowded N.J. governor’s race
Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Didn’t we just go through a hellish election year? Well, buckle up again. Every year in Jersey is an election year, and this is a big one. One of the biggest (and likely most expensive) in decades. We’re talking Taylor Swift big. Shohei Ohtani big. “Severance” big.
N.J. high school axes ‘biased’ assignment about pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil
Nyah Marshall, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- New Jersey school officials have removed a controversial assignment from a high school class after it sparked outrage for allegedly giving students a biased portrayal of a pro-Palestinian activist detained by federal immigration agents.
U.S. Supreme Court boosts N.J. Democrats’ fight against ghost guns
Jelani Gibson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- A new U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding restrictions against guns that can be made through assembly kits or 3D printers was cheered by New Jersey Democratic lawmakers who usually find themselves at odds with the majority conservative court.
The dark secret behind this once-celebrated N.J. rehab center for vulnerable teens
Ted Sherman, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- For years, it was held up as a shining example in the fight against the scourge of drug addiction among youthful offenders.
D.C. Dispatch: What N.J.’s members of Congress did in Washington this week
Joey Fox , NJ Globe
- New Jersey got a new interim U.S. Attorney this week: Alina Habba, a former defense lawyer for President Donald Trump and a prominent spokesperson for the president. Habba’s politicized style will undoubtedly be a big change for the normally staid office, to the approval of some conservatives and the deep concern of most Democrats.
Wayne Hasenbalg, aide to two governors, dies at 70
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- Wayne Hasenbalg, a state government veteran who served in the administrations of two Republican governors, has died. He was 70. He served as president and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority from 2011 until Gov. Phil Murphy replaced him with ex-Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto in 2018.
Commentary: Millicent Fenwick, a woman for all seasons, for Women’s History Month
Linda Stamato, Morristown Green
- What better time than during Women’s History Month to celebrate a local heroine? We certainly have one in the Hon. Millicent Fenwick, who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1975 through 1983, representing the Fifth District.
N.J. health officials issue stop work notices after loss of federal funds
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- Public health programs funded by the federal government were ordered to shut down on Monday after the Trump Administration pulled back their subsidies. The New Jersey Department of Health issued a stop work notice late yesterday. On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a stop work order cancelling about $11 billion in grant agreements across the U.S. All 21 counties receive funding under these grants, which go to county, municipal and regional health departments across New Jersey.
A Closer Look: Atlantic City Aquarium Reopens After Five Years
Atlantic City Focus
- The Atlantic City Aquarium at Historic Gardner’s Basin has reopened its doors for the first time in five years. Mayor Marty Small Sr. led the ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 24, 2025, celebrating the return of one of the city’s beloved attractions.
NCAA men’s basketball tournament returns to Newark
Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight
- For the first time since 2011, the Prudential Center in Newark is hosting NCAA men’s basketball tournament games, drumming up excitement for postseason sport and increased tourism. Marc and Michael Brummer, co-owners of Hobby’s Delicatessen, remember the out-of-towners and tourists who descended on Newark 14 years ago.
NJSEA will send another $4M in taxpayer dollars to 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com
- Another $4 million in New Jersey taxpayer dollars will help fund the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup tournament at MetLife Stadium. According to the resolution approved by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority on Thursday morning, the $4 million is part of that appropriation and will be used to “assist MetLife Stadium with securing and hosting upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025 matches.”
Trump order on late-arriving mail-in ballots ‘egregious and illegal,’ N.J. attorney general says
Nikita Biryukov, NJ Monitor
- New Jersey’s six-day grace period for vote-by-mail ballots that reach election officials after polls close on Election Day could soon come under scrutiny amid Republican-led efforts to block such ballots from being counted. President Donald Trump issued an executive order Tuesday directing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to take “all necessary action” against states that allow mail ballots received after Election Day to be tallied, regardless of whether those ballots were postmarked on or before Election Day.
Insider NJ is a popular news source that provides daily updates on various topics ranging from politics to entertainment. On March 31, 2025, Insider NJ released their daily news update which covered a wide range of important events and developments.
One of the key highlights from the update was the latest on the political front. Insider NJ reported on the latest developments in the upcoming gubernatorial race in New Jersey. The update included information on the candidates running for office, their platforms, and any recent campaign events or debates. This information is crucial for voters who are looking to stay informed and make educated decisions at the polls.
In addition to political news, the update also covered important local news stories. This included updates on community events, business developments, and any other relevant information that may impact residents of New Jersey. Insider NJ prides itself on providing comprehensive coverage of local news to keep readers informed and engaged with their communities.
Furthermore, the update also featured stories on national and international news. This included updates on major world events, political developments, and any other news stories that may have a global impact. Insider NJ aims to provide readers with a well-rounded view of current events so they can stay informed on a wide range of topics.
Overall, the Insider NJ daily news update on March 31, 2025, provided readers with a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in New Jersey and beyond. Whether you are interested in politics, local news, or international affairs, Insider NJ has you covered with their informative and engaging daily updates.
