Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Nobody has yet cobbled together a coalition that could see off all the other challengers. And there’s a question if those other challenges would even back off since there’s no county line on the ballot. I think that’s what’s keeping a lot more people in the race right now.” – Monmouth Polling Director Patrick Murray on the 2025 gubernatorial Democratic primary
TOP STORY: New Jersey’s War with an ‘Iranian Drone Mothership’
Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Power publication.
Elected officials across the state and across the political spectrum are weighing in and demanding answers about mystery drones overhead.
Five things to know about the drone sightings in the state, according to the Hill.
The state will investigate a slowdown in traffic enforcement by the State Police, according to NJ.com.
NJ Transit’s new CEO Kris Kolluri was formally approved by the board, according to NJ.com.
A Monmouth University poll finds a majority of Americans disapprove of President Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter Biden.
Bergen County secured a ARRIVE Together grant to enhance mental health crisis response.
Monmouth County Commissioners support Sheriff Golden’s call for Governor Murphy to declare a state of emergency on drone sightings.
Morris County honored the outgoing president of the Chiefs Association. The county broke ground on a new health and emergency multi-purpose facility.
Ocean County Clerk Colabella will retire, according to NJ Globe.
Former Senator Helmy is returning to RWJUH, according to ROI-NJ.
Senator Kim attended his first committee hearing.
Senator Booker and RFK agree somewhat on food, according to NorthJersey.com.
Rep. Van Drew claims there is ‘circumstantial evidence‘ that mystery drones could be the work of foreign adversaries, specifically Iran, noting a missing ‘Iranian drone mothership’. The Pentagon pushed back on Van Drew’s claim, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
The NJCU board unanimously voted for a 18-month extension for interim President Acebo, according to Hudson County View.
ICYMI: Murphy signed ‘Freedom To Read Act’, Hickson lead-off speaker; Corbett will depart NJT; Assad’s fall sparked celebration; no landing in sight in Monmouth Airport battle; Pfeiffer will serve as Kim COS
One of six Democratic rock stars could be Governor next year if they prevail in the primary, according to Politico NJ.
A labor union’s poll shows Rep. Sherrill with a double-digit lead in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, according to NJ Globe.
Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Suleiman urged the Legislature to change the 2025 primary date.
Ocean County Commissioner Crea endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for Governor.
Middletown Mayor Perry and the Middletown GOP endorsed Jack Ciattarelli for Governor, according to NJ Globe.
In LD37, Assemblywomen Haider and Park will run for re-election, according to NJ Globe.
ICYMI: Guv candidates urge primary rescheduling; Crispi exploring a guv run; guv candidates converged; Hudson eyes turn to guv; Bramnick puts punches together; Sumter confident of resolution to Senate collision
A draft of ballot design legislation codifies office block ballots and the right to associate, according to NJ Globe. The Assembly is likely to propose a watered-down bill, according to NJ Globe.
Senate President Scutari urged the federal government to get to the bottom of drone sightings.
Senate Republicans demanded immediate federal action on drone sightings in the state.
Speaker Coughlin says legislators want answers as soon as possible on mystery drones.
Senator Bramnick called on the Department of Defense to investigate mystery drones.
Senator McKeon called for the rescheduling of the June 2025 primary date.
Senator Zwicker will moderate a panel on strengthening NJ’s rights, according to NJ Hills.
Senator Amato and Assemblymen Myhre and Rumpf urged more responsiveness on drone sightings.
Assemblymen McGuckin and Kanitra said mystery drones should be shot down.
Assemblymembers Freiman and Drulis said they will continue to monitor the drones issue with state officials.
Assemblyman Sauickie expressed deep frustration after the State Police briefing on drones.
The NJBIA offered their partnership to incoming NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri.
Former Senator Lesniak urged the Governor and DEP Commissioner to take control of the Fish and Games Council’s deer management program.
NJ CAR says there’s still a long way to go to meet the state’s EV goals.
ICYMI: Ballot questions dogged committee; state preparing to defend against deportation; guv candidates converged at conference; Haytaian passed away; Bramnick bucked party
Towns that are suing the state over affordable housing highlight flaws in state mapping, according to NJ Hills.
In Atlantic City, a LGBTQ+ restaurant will open in January, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bridgewater, the fate of a Chik-fil-A hangs in the balance, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Chatham Borough, residents objected to bringing national politics into local government, according to TAPinto.
In Edison, the council is eying a resolution after the American flag dust-up, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Hillsborough, a controversial apartment plan was revived with a new developer, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Morristown, former Mayor Bloch passed away, according to Morristown Green.
In Morris Plains, sparks flew at a McDonald’s planning board hearing, according to Morristown Green.
In Newton, police promotions were announced, according to NJ Herald.
In Palisades Park, unit dwellings were approved for affordable housing use, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Paterson, the city is hoping to certify other staff amid a teacher shortage, according to Paterson Press.
In Wyckoff, the tax assessor was fired without explanation, according to NorthJersey.com.
ICYMI: In Edison, apologies and retractions; in Newark, Crump passed away; in Morristown, familiar name resurfacing; in Marlboro, sign-stealing an issue; in Howell, GOP won election; in Marlboro, voters elected split BOE ticket; in Hoboken, Councilwoman Giattino passed away
AROUND THE WEB:
NJ ‘swarming drones’ expert says U.S. military likely behind mystery
Ken Serrano, Asbury Park Press
- A foreign adversary or a U.S. military dark program? The origin of the mystery drones over New Jersey is drawing more intense scrutiny by the hour and has become a lingering, unanswered question. The mystery may have piqued the interest of Pramod Abichandani more than anyone.
Local officials frustrated by drone mystery
Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight
- The unidentified drones flying in Jersey’s night skies have sparked curiosity — and outrage over a lack of information from federal authorities. “We understand that this is quite possibly our federal government, it could be state government. And we know that there’s certain things that maybe they can’t share. But at this point, we want to know, is that them?” said Christine Serrano Glassner, mayor of Mendham Borough.
Train to the plane: Extend PATH to Newark Airport | Opinion
John Taranu and Jimmy Lee
- This week, the Port Authority votes on a budget to fund a costly replacement of the Newark Airport AirTrain. But for riders, this still does not provide a direct, one-seat connection from Lower Manhattan, Jersey City or Newark to Newark Airport.
More than 3K mystery drone sightings reported to FBI
AJ McDougall, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Federal investigators have received more than 3,000 reports of drone sightings since beginning an investigation this month into unexplained objects hovering over New Jersey, a top FBI official said at a Congressional hearing Tuesday.
‘Nothing new:’ Mayors air frustration following meeting with fed, state security experts
PC Robinson, NJ Hills
- Frustrated. Disgusted. Worried. Those were the general feelings area mayors and legislators walked away with following a Wednesday, Dec. 11 meeting in Ewing Township.
No drone sightings reported over Absecon Island
Nanette LoBiondo Galloway, Downbeach
- Although social media has been inundated with videos and comments about unidentified drone sightings – some as large as small vehicles – especially in the Ocean County area, local police Downbeach communities have not received any reports of unidentified drones operating in the skies above Absecon Island. “We have not received any calls about drone sightings in Ventnor,” Police Chief Joseph Fussner said Wednesday afternoon.
Drones spotted over N.J.’s largest reservoir, 18 miles from Pa., worrying local officials
Tina Kelley, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- There have been confirmed mystery drone sightings near Round Valley Reservoir and the Hunterdon County 911 Center in Flemington, county officials told residents this week. It is unclear why the drones were flying near the large reservoir in Clinton and other county buildings, or if they are related to the other mysterious drone sightings that have been reported around the state this month. But, county officials said the sightings are concerning.
Amid Newark building boom, Passaic River flooding poses threat
Mark J. Bonamo, NJ Spotlight
- Tanisha Garner, a resident of Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood, is raising her three daughters in an apartment building steps from the Passaic River, the environmentally damaged river that looks like the neck and right shoulder of New Jersey’s largest city on a map. She knows Newark keeps trying to come back from decades of environmental degradation. But when Garner stares at the river yards from her front door, she wonders whether people should live by the Passaic at all, especially when it floods.
Sale of Walpack Inn now listed on realty website, but will stay open until deal is reached
Kyle Morel, NorthJersey.com
- The Walpack Inn is officially on the market five months after the family ownership announced its intent to sell, though the 75-year-old restaurant remains open while the search for a buyer continues.
Reading and education are foundations for success
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Governor Phil Murphy Monday signed into law A3446/S2421, known as the Freedom to Read Act, which prevents arbitrary book banning and protects the rights of students, parents, and communities to have free access to age-appropriate books and learning materials at schools and public libraries. The Governor signed the bill at the Princeton Public Library, joined by advocates for intellectual freedom and the bill’s legislative sponsors.
Trust me, you don’t need to worry about the drones in the sky
Jeff Edelstein, The Trentonian
- I feel like we’re living through a future Netflix documentary, what with all the drones flying around everywhere. You’ve obviously heard about this — it started all over northern New Jersey, and then most of the state, and now there’s been sightings above the skies in Philly and Staten Island. Drones, some of them looking pretty huge, flying around, either alone or in swarms. People are freaked, and the FBI is involved.
NJ workers who lose job offer after testing positive for pot are out of luck, court says
Daniel Munoz, NorthJersey.com
- New Jersey job applicants who are denied a position because they tested positive for marijuana have no legal recourse to sue the employer, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday. The move comes from a split 2-1 decision from the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Two of the three judges agreed that employment discrimination for marijuana-use is prohibited under New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act, a 2021 state law also known as CREAMMA, which legalized recreational marijuana.
Mystery drones over South Jersey? Evesham police seek tips amid ‘recent surge’ in activity
Kaitlyn McCormick, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- Large, mysterious drones that have been spotted over multiple North Jersey counties in the past month have apparently made their way south. The sightings have been reported in Evesham, Westampton, Hainesport and Moorestown over the weekend. People in the area took to social media to express their concerns.
Drones over New Jersey: Aliens? Spies? Secret military tech? Let’s speculate | Opinion
Charles Daye, Asbury Park Press
- I remember once seeing something unexplainable flying over the Atlantic making bizarre maneuvers over the water during a storm. If that was today it would fit what’s trending, but I saw this over a decade ago and now it seems less sensational. I was at a friend’s apartment on Third Avenue in Belmar. This place was one block from the beach and my friend was standing on the breezeway enjoying a cigarette during a thunderstorm. Then he called the handful of us hanging out inside to “come check this out.”
New Jersey’s police chiefs want to stop organized retail crime. Here’s how | Opinion
John Russo
- More than ever, organized retail crime is a problem that is consuming the resources of law enforcement. Police departments across New Jersey continue to expend precious resources responding to organized theft, as retail crime rings regularly steal baby formula, over-the-counter medication and other high-demand items from store shelves and then sell them on the gray market.
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Insider NJ’s Daily Briefing for December 12, 2024
As we head into the final stretch of 2024, Insider NJ’s Daily Briefing for December 12th provides a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments shaping the political landscape in New Jersey.
One of the key highlights from today’s briefing is the announcement of a new initiative by Governor Murphy to address the ongoing opioid crisis in the state. The Governor unveiled a comprehensive plan that includes increased funding for addiction treatment programs, expanded access to naloxone, and enhanced support for law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking. This initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to tackling this pressing public health issue and marks a significant step forward in the fight against opioid addiction.
In other news, the state legislature is set to vote on a series of bills aimed at improving education outcomes for New Jersey students. These measures include proposals to increase funding for public schools, expand access to early childhood education programs, and enhance support for students with special needs. The passage of these bills would represent a major victory for advocates of education reform and signal a renewed focus on ensuring that all children in the state have access to high-quality educational opportunities.
On the political front, tensions continue to simmer within the state Democratic Party as rival factions jockey for power ahead of the upcoming primary elections. Insiders report that Governor Murphy is facing mounting pressure from progressive activists who are pushing for more aggressive action on issues such as climate change and income inequality. Meanwhile, moderate Democrats are urging the Governor to prioritize pragmatic solutions that appeal to a broader cross-section of voters. The outcome of this internal power struggle could have far-reaching implications for the future direction of the party and the state as a whole.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Daily Briefing for December 12th offers a snapshot of the complex and dynamic political landscape in New Jersey. From efforts to combat the opioid crisis to debates over education policy and internal party dynamics, there is no shortage of important issues shaping the state’s future. Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to track these developments in the days and weeks ahead.
