Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Every New Jersey taxpayer is financing Stack’s political machine. This isn’t just political patronage, it reeks of outright corruption.” – North Bergen Mayor Sacco slamming Union City Mayor/Senator Stack
“Instead of Nick Sacco being the lazy state senator that he was, he should have been advocating for his constituents while I was advocating for my entire district.” – Stack firing back at Sacco
TOP STORY: Hudson County Conflagration: Sacco Versus Stack
COVID is spreading faster this summer in the state, according to the Bergen Record.
Acting Governor Way directed flags to half-staff in honor of the late former Justice Coleman.
The DCA awarded grants for school district regionalization.
The NJDOH recognized National Breastfeeding Month.
NJ Transit will take over 20 bus routes after Coach USA declared bankruptcy, according to NJ.com.
Historic Allaire Village reopened after a money crunch, according to the Asbury Park Press.
NJ Transit police are being investigated for allegedly padding overtime, according to the Bergen Record.
New Jersey kids are the least underprivileged, according to the Asbury Park Press.
J-1 visa holders are back working at the Shore at pre-pandemic levels, according to NJ Spotlight.
Rep. Gottheimer introduced the ‘Public and Private Sector Ransomware Response Coordination Act’.
ICYMI: Harris/Walz kicked off their debut; Gottheimer wants action on gun bills; Menendez plans to resign, Governor will appoint placeholder; Biden withdrawing, and endorsed Harris, Dems scrambling to advance potential VP picks; Menendez saga still unfolding, Senator says there ‘seems to be an effort to force me into a statement‘, Murphy in position to appoint, Booker would lead expulsion effort; Menendez found guilty and faces a reckoning; Trump injured in assassination attempt; Norcross pleaded not guilty; Sherrill doesn’t want President Biden to run; Menendez verdict will come soon; Murphy signed budget; courts shaping political developments; Critchley, Marino statement on Norcross
Acting Governor Way signed legislation strengthening protections for immigrant workers.
The embattled public integrity unit in the AG’s Office has sparked concerns about its effectiveness in getting convictions, according to NJ Globe.
Changes to the school aid were supposed to ease property taxes, according to NJ Spotlight.
Focus NJ expanded their workforce development and training resource.
ICYMI: Lawmakers heard calls to restrict pornography access
In Burlington Township, new residential communities are on their way, according to Burlington County Times.
In Clifton, councilmembers’ ongoing seating feud delayed a meeting, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Flemington, the town is debating sign fees, according to TAPinto.
In Freehold, a developer drew plans for 400 apartments, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Hackensack, a former teacher’s lawsuit alleges she was fired for being pregnant, according to the Bergen Record.
In Longport, rat issues are being addressed, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Margate, the town will sell a tract of land next to a beachfront bulkhead, according to Downbeach.
In Morristown, the council potentially eased the path for cannabis dispensaries, according to Morristown Green.
In Newark, the council condemned Project 2025, according to TAPinto.
In Oakland, Ramapo Indian Hills hired a superintendent, according to the Bergen Record.
In Plainfield, a marijuana dispensary may replace a church, according to MyCentralJersey. The Union Clerk decided that the BOE VP is eligible for re-election, according to TAPinto.
In Phillipsburg, West Nile virus is on the rise, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Princeton, the state wants to confiscate a domesticated deer from a farm where it has been living for five years since the death of its mother, according to Planet Princeton.
In South River, a GOP candidate filled a council vacancy, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Toms River, the mayor wiped out an apartment plan, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Wayne, the YMCA delivered layoff notices to 155 employees, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Weymouth, residents of Oaks of Weymouth say manufactured homes were not properly installed or inspected, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Woodlynne, the Camden Police are expanding services to the town, according to Burlington County Times.
ICYMI: In Union City, an ongoing battle; in Union City, residents reacted to Menendez conviction; in Newark, Speight announced candidacy for Central Ward; in Wayne, debate popped up
AROUND THE WEB:
There is more to state Department of Community Affairs than just Atlantic City takeover
Michelle Brunetti Post, Press of Atlantic City
- The state Department of Community Affairs is well known here, as its Division of Local Government Services oversees the state takeover of the city. But Commissioner Jacqueline Suarez and some of her staff made it clear Thursday that the department does more than just keep an eye on the resort — a lot more.
NJ watchdog says residents with disabilities face ongoing abuse and neglect
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotlight
- New Jersey’s Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families is making an urgent plea on behalf of the state’s most vulnerable residents. In a new report from the office paints a stark picture of systemic faults and policies that have failed far too many people. A lack of oversight enabled continued abuse at state-run homes, the report says. Along with too few supports, residents and their families are blocked in getting help by walls of bureaucracy.
Hearings soon in two lawsuits over unreleased report on racial issues at Newark school
Jessie Gómez, Chalkbeat Newark
- Nearly two years after allegations of racial harassment at the Newark School of Global Studies first surfaced, two lawsuits demanding the release of a report analyzing the cultural dynamics at the school are scheduled to be heard in court.
Catch us if you can, DRPA lawyers taunt | Editorial
South Jersey Times Editorial Board
- The headline said it plainly: “Tolls on 4 bridges over Delaware River set to increase to $6.” Although hitting commuters in the wallet is fair game for criticism, editorially speaking, we ignored it. Why? 1) The Delaware River Port Authority had kept cash tolls at $5 for 13 years, so a $1 increase starting Sept. 1 is an inflation-defying feat.
Walz is anti-elite gamble Harris needed to make. Democrats make play for center – Kelly
Mike Kelly, NorthJersey.com
- Tim Walz seemed like he had walked into a surprise party for someone else as he appeared on stage the other night in Philadelphia as the vice presidential running mate to Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. He smiled broadly. He doubled over in laughter. He clapped. He led cheers. He yelled “wow” again and again and again. But Walz should hardly be viewed as a surprise — or a party crasher. In fact, members of the Democratic Party ought to pay close attention to what is happening right before their eyes. Walz is the kind of Democrat who has long been missing from their party’s leadership.
Where did the Legislature dispatch pork spending in New Jersey’s 2025 state budget?
Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com
- Six weeks after New Jersey’s 2025 fiscal plan was signed into law, the last piece of the puzzle was made public. Details on the special line-item requests, commonly called pork spending, were made public by the Legislature this week.
Springsteen’s just the beginning: ‘Jersey Sound’ documentary unpacks our music history
Jim Beckerman, NorthJersey.com
- Think Bruce is where the Jersey Sound begins and ends? You don’t know the half of it. In fact, you don’t know the half of the half. Springsteen is just one small part of the Asbury scene. Asbury is just a small part of the Jersey rock scene. And rock is just a small part of the Jersey music scene — past, present, and future.
Bad review on Google, Yelp? Here’s what to do about it
Hannan Adely, NorthJersey.com
- As tensions flare over war in Gaza, local businesses have felt the sting of bad reviews motivated by politics rather than purchases. Online, people who have never visited an establishment or bought its product may have heard that the owner or employee made an anti-Palestinian or anti-Israeli remark, or that they supported or raised funds for one side or another. They turn their anger to online reviews on sites like Yelp, Google and TripAdvisor. Reviews can contain insults or slurs and be untrue or exaggerated.
Youth Activists Descend on Bridgewater to Make a Difference as Elections Approach
Audrey Blumberg, TAPinto.net
- A bus of youth activists made its latest stop in Bridgewater Aug. 5 to make a difference as this year’s elections approach. The national Tour to Save Democracy bus tour stopped at the Green Knoll Grill to speak to guests as it makes its way around the country to the most vulnerable Republican districts to try and flip them blue. The tour began in San Antonio July 12, and is continuing through Aug. 8, with about 20 stops in total.
NJ is the 5th safest in the U.S. for student drivers
Judi Franco, NJ1015
- As much as we always feel that New Jersey roadways can be filled with peril, the news is not all that bad. Especially when it comes to new drivers. A new ranking has identified the safest and riskiest states for student drivers and highlights the most affected counties in each. The number of fatal crashes was scaled against local populations to get a rate per 100,000 residents.
New Jersey accent in the top 3 of the most difficult in the U.S.
Dennis Malloy, NJ1015
- Right off the bat, I’m calling BS. In a recent survey of the most difficult accents for AI to understand, the New Jersey accent ranks third. First of all, there is no ONE Jersey accent. There is a tiny sliver of New Jersey that sounds like a mild New York City accent. That can be heard in Hudson County and that’s about it. The biggest chunk of the state would be Central Jersey and there is not much of an accent there at all.
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Hackensack Meridian Health is announcing Thursday morning that it is growing its relationship with PLEZi Nutrition, the company co-founded by former First Lady Michelle Obama that is on a mission to create higher standards for how the U.S. makes and markets food and beverages for kids. HMH, always a trend-setter, is becoming the first health system in the country to do so.
Bridgewater quarry owner sells construction materials for $1.2 billion
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- Stavola, owner of the Chimney Rock quarry off Route 22 and asphalt plants throughout Central Jersey, has agreed to sell its construction materials business to a national corporation for $1.2 billion.
How does New Jersey rank in personal spending? See which states are ahead of us.
Charles Daye, Asbury Park Press
- Which states have the highest personal spending? New Jersey outranks even mighty neighboring New York. Maybe that proves our pizza is superior. Personal consumption expenditures are a measure of consumer spending, whether that spending is on cars, food, housing or health care. PCE includes how much is spent on goods and services, and the value of those goods and services, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. PCE figures can affect decisions about business offerings, hiring and investments.
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Insider NJ’s Daily News Update: August 9, 2024
As we head into the second week of August, Insider NJ brings you the latest news and updates from around the state. Here are some of the top stories making headlines today:
1. COVID-19 Update: The state reported a slight increase in COVID-19 cases today, with 532 new cases and 7 additional deaths. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and urging residents to continue following safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
2. Governor’s Press Conference: Governor Murphy held a press conference this morning to discuss the state’s ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19 and support small businesses. He announced new funding initiatives to help struggling businesses stay afloat during these challenging times.
3. Education News: School districts across the state are finalizing their plans for the upcoming school year, with many opting for a combination of in-person and remote learning. Parents are encouraged to stay informed and communicate with their child’s school for updates on reopening plans.
4. Political Update: In political news, several candidates have announced their intentions to run for office in the upcoming election. Stay tuned for more information on debates and campaign events in the coming weeks.
5. Weather Forecast: The weather forecast for today calls for sunny skies with temperatures reaching into the mid-80s. It’s a great day to get outside and enjoy the last days of summer before fall arrives.
Stay tuned to Insider NJ for more updates on these and other important stories happening in our state. Remember to stay informed, stay safe, and take care of each other.
