Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “That case did appear to be a very personal matter. I would say, if we were talking off to the side, that a number of people feel equally aggrieved at the Norcross event, top to bottom.” – Senator Burzichelli to AG Platkin, saying the case was ‘painful to watch’
TOP STORY: In Booker, Democrats Finally Make a Stand
NJ high school graduation rates increased in 2024, and absenteeism dropped, according to NorthJersey.com.
The NJDOH says the state has dropped beneath the herd immunity threshold for measles, according to Politico NJ.
With Senator Booker’s 25-hour floor speech, Democrats made a stand as they seek to find their footing.
Nadine Arslanian Menendez’s trial is delayed by motions and filings, according to NJ Herald.
The push is underway to stop flash mobs and pop-up parties at the Shore, according to NJ Spotlight.
The offshore wind controversy continues at the Jersey Shore, according to TAPinto.
Union County is seeking proposals for the jail property, drawing criticism, according to UC Hawk.
ICYMI: Booker made history; Christie considers Habba, gives guv race perspective
Download and read Insider NJ’s Healthcare Power List publication.
AG Platkin was grilled by the Senate Budget Committee, according to NJ Monitor.
The state wants to tax some recreational activities, but some key leaders say no, according to NJ.com.
Legislators say foreign companies shouldn’t have access to state contracts and data, according to NJ.com.
Fiscal experts forecast a bump in near-term tax revenues, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Harvey Cedars, a beach project began, according to the Sandpaper.
In Hawthorne, the schools superintendent will retire, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Hoboken, the council approved a measure mandating 10%+ rent hike disclosures, according too Hudson County View.
In Jersey City, 32BJ released mayoral endorsements.
In Millburn, Republicans endorsed Senator Bramnick for Governor.
In Parsippany, the zoning board heard pushback for a mosque’s building plans, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Phillipsburg, five Republicans and four Democrats are running for council according to TAPinto.
In Pompton Lakes, a lawsuit alleges police had a illegal ticket quota, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Ridgewood, an ordinance would ban feeding wildlife on private property, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Randolph, BOE candidates squared off, according to NJ Hills.
In Rockaway, the GOP primary is mired at the moment.
In Ship Bottom, public works projects are springing forward, according to the Sandpaper.
In South Plainfield, a judge tossed a captain’s whistleblower lawsuit, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Summit, the council debated a homelessness ordinance, according to TAPinto.
In Toms River, Ocean County was criticized for bailing out the schools, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Trenton, the GOTrenton! service is expanding to the entire city, according to the Trentonian.
AROUND THE WEB:
Amid uncertain conditions, NJ lawmakers deliberate $58B budget
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- Budget season is in full swing in the Garden State, with hearings underway to consider Gov. Phil Murphy’s $58 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal – his final as governor. The Assembly and Senate Budget committees each held public hearings in March, gathering feedback from a wide variety of constituents and groups on a range of issues — from business to K-12 and higher education to health care and more.
April 5 protest takes aim at Trump, DOGE; where are the 24 New Jersey Hands Off protests?
Lori Comstock, USA TODAY NETWORK
- Two dozen groups have mobilized in New Jersey in advance of a planned nationwide protest against President Donald Trump’s agenda and Elon Musk’s DOGE on Saturday, April 5. The protests, which have been dubbed “Hands Off! National Day of Action,” are centered around taking a stand against Trump and Musk’s recent policy actions on topics including the shuttering of Social Security offices and firing of federal workers.
These are the NJ towns that actually lowered property taxes
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- New Jersey is infamous for high taxes. When it comes to property taxes, we are a solid number one in the United States. No one else is even close. For the first time, the average property tax bill in New Jersey has topped $10,000.
Overcoming past rivalries, Sayegh, Khairullah endorse Wimberly slate for LD35
Joey Fox, NJ Globe
- The Passaic County Democratic organization’s chosen slate for the 35th legislative district received endorsements today from Paterson Mayor André Sayegh, whose city is home to a majority of 35th district voters, and two other Passaic County mayors in a show of unity that masks old rivalries and electoral battles within the county.
Affordable Housing: Montclair Seeks Residents’ Opinions as N.J. Split
Matt Kadosh, Montclair Local
- A recent survey by the FDU Poll found New Jersey voters are split on the topic of government providing builders incentives to construct more housing amid a housing crisis in New Jersey and the nation.
Atlantic County Mayors Association opposes Atlantic City Electric’s proposed rate increases
Access Network
- The Atlantic County Mayors’ Association recently approved a resolution opposing proposed rate increases by Atlantic City Electric. The resolution calls on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to reject an additional 8% increase following a 17% hike set to take effect in June.
Assembly members meet with residents opposed to Solberg Airport expansion
NJ Hills
- State Assembly members from the 16th Legislative District Roy Freiman and Mitchell Drulis, both D-Hunterdon, met on Friday, March 28, with members of the Branchburg/Readington Airport Action Coalition (BRAAC) to discuss the Master Plan for the development of Solberg Airport in Readington Township.
New Jersey Attorney General needs bolder stance when dealing with police time theft
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- A New Jersey Attorney General release offered this plot line. Susaida Nazario, 44, was charged on March 25 with accepting unlawful benefits as a public servant, theft by deception, two counts of official misconduct, and pattern of official misconduct.
Remembering Judy Kicha, who became a cop in the 1960s, when very few women dared
Matt Fagan, NorthJersey.com
- Judith Kicha did something very few women did in the 1960s — she was a police officer. The career choice was so rare that at that time, she was only the second woman to be hired as an officer by the city’s police department. On March 27, Kicha died at age 82, leaving behind a legacy of being tough and smashing glass ceilings.
Trenton charter school building ‘Foundation’ for classroom success
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- A Trenton-based public charter school received high marks in School Performance Reports from the NJ Department of Education. Foundation Academy Charter School headed a list of public charter schoolsenjoying significant classroom achievement.
On anniversary of MLK Jr.’s death, NJ friends and fans recall meeting a civil rights icon
Ricardo Kaulessar, NorthJersey.com
- Theodora Lacey still displays the Christmas cards that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sent her family in her Teaneck home. “I keep them on my bookshelf to look at them often,” Lacey said.
Targeting biomedical research over ‘woke’ policies hurts all of New Jersey
Jen A. Miller, NJ Monitor
- In February, health experts at Rutgers University published an alarming report: A currently available blood test for Alzheimer’s disease was not accurate in Black patients. The test measures the level of p-Tau217, which is a protein that indicates someone might have Alzheimer’s.
Trenton Journal
- Mercer County will commemorate the 160th anniversary of key events marking the end of the Civil War with a special program on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Mercer Cemetery, located at 43 S. Clinton Avenue, Trenton, NJ.
Odds of NJ surviving an alien invasion
Jeff Deminski, NJ1015
- Ever see those ridiculous articles that come out when some study or another concludes which state would fare best if a zombie apocalypse happened? Silly, right? I mean we have real issues going on in this country. Are tariffs the way to go? Is Signalgate worthy of a closer look? So this isn’t another silly zombie apocalypse article. No. This is a silly alien invasion article.
Op-Ed: Trump’s tariffs prove he understands how to deal with China
Chris Smith
- Special thanks to President Trump for demanding fairness and reciprocity in international trade and his strategic vision and actions to reindustrialize our nation, create jobs and boost economic prosperity. Right now, there is one country, above all, which engages in egregiously unfair and predatory trade practices designed not simply to benefit themselves, but to harm our country. That country is the People’s Republic of China under Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party, which racks up ruinous trade deficits with the United States and seeks to undermine our industrial base.
Fact-checking Trump’s US Attorney pick for NJ
Ted Cruz, NJ Spotlight
- Alina Habba first came to prominence as personal attorney to President Trump during his civil trials for assault and corruption. And all that advocacy for the president has had its benefits, as Habba goes from a modest civil law practice to interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey in the space of a year.
Trump administration suppresses pregnancy risk data
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Spotlight
- Early in their effort to reduce racial disparities in maternal deaths, New Jersey officials dove deep into a decades-old dataset to find out why Black mothers were dying at far higher rates than white moms.
Electricity costs will go up in June. Will NJ residents see relief in bills this spring?
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey residents have seen sharp increases in their utility costs throughout the last year and monthly bills are not expected to go down any time soon. Instead, many residents across the state can expect a price hike in the coming months, the state Board of Public Utilities announced in February after the state’s annual electricity auction.
Report calls this South Jersey city worst in New Jersey; where is it and what’s wrong?
Lori Comstock, USA TODAY NETWORK
- A New Jersey city with just over 26,000 residents has been ranked the worst place to live in the Garden State. Financial news site 24/7 Wall St. compiled a list naming the “worst community” in each U.S. state, considering three main categories — economy, community and overall quality of life.
Insider NJ’s Daily News Update for April 5th, 2025
On April 5th, 2025, Insider NJ provided its readers with a comprehensive daily news update covering a wide range of topics that are relevant to residents of New Jersey. The news update included information on politics, business, entertainment, and more.
One of the key highlights of the news update was the announcement of a new initiative by the state government to improve infrastructure in New Jersey. Governor Smith unveiled a plan to invest $1 billion in upgrading roads, bridges, and public transportation systems across the state. This initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs and improve the quality of life for residents.
In addition to the infrastructure plan, Insider NJ also reported on developments in the state’s education system. A new bill was introduced in the state legislature that would increase funding for public schools and provide additional resources for teachers and students. This bill has received widespread support from educators and parents alike.
On the business front, Insider NJ covered the opening of a new tech startup in Newark that is poised to revolutionize the way we interact with technology. The company, called InnovateTech, has developed a cutting-edge virtual reality platform that is already generating buzz in the tech community.
In terms of entertainment news, Insider NJ reported on a star-studded charity event that took place in Atlantic City over the weekend. Celebrities from across the country came together to raise money for a local children’s hospital, and the event was a huge success.
Overall, Insider NJ’s daily news update for April 5th, 2025 provided readers with a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in New Jersey. From politics to business to entertainment, there was something for everyone in this informative and engaging news update.
