Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I want to try to unite our country. But I don’t know if that’s possible. People are very divided.” – Former President Trump on changing his GOP nomination acceptance speech following the Saturday assassination attempt
TOP STORY: Hennelly: An Apprehensive Flight into Milwaukee
Former President Trump was injured during an assassination attempt at his Saturday rally in Pennsylvania and rushed off stage; the suspected shooter was killed, one audience member was killed, and two others were injured. Trump returned to his Bedminster golf course following the shooting, according to MyCentralJersey.
NJ politicians condemned political violence after the Trump rally shooting, according to the Bergen Record.
Senator Menendez’s fate is now in the jury’s hands, according to Politico NJ.
Mercer County adopted its budget.
Former Assemblywoman Angelini was named President of the Monmouth County 200 Club.
Morris County approved $3.6M to preserve 20 historic sites, according to the NJ Herald.
Rep. Van Drew will speak at the Republican National Convention, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
ICYMI: 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
The state is looking to expand scrutiny in hiring, according to NJ101.5.
Senator O’Scanlon and Assemblymembers Scharfenberger and Flynn called on NJ Transit to hold a special hearing to address transit issues.
ICYMI: Murphy announced departure of Gutierrez-Scacetti; Murphy says he doesn’t think about his legacy; Murphy announced promotions
In Bernardsville, 2024 salaries were approved, according to NJ Hills.
In Jersey City, the city lost another case in the battle to slop police officers from using cannabis, according to NJ.com.
In Montclair, the schools superintendent unexpectedly passed away, according to NJ.com.
In Montgomery, the town added to preserved land along the Princeton Ridge, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Newton, a sex assault case was the final straw in the removal of a gazebo, according to NJ Herald.
In Oakland, the Ramapo Indian Hills BOE ended a second meeting without a superintendent, according to the Bergen Record.
In Princeton, a ICE raid angered local officials, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Rockaway, land and water safety concerns highlighted a meeting, according to NJ Hills.
ICYMI: In Parsippany, Musella kicked off mayoral campaign; in Dover, bumpy transition; in Newark, Onyema won West Ward Dem chairmanship
AROUND THE WEB:
Why this Republican can’t support Trump again | Opinion
David Sypher
- Donald Trump’s recent felony conviction has made me reflect deeply on the dismal direction of my party. I’m a lifelong Republican, ran for office as a Republican, and yes, I voted for Trump before. His conviction is not just a legal issue; it is a microcosm of a larger problem within the Republican Party and highlights how far we’ve fallen as a nation.
President Biden and the psychology of letting go | Opinion
Star-Ledger Guest Columnist
- President Biden’s gait was stiff, and he appeared frail and pale in the debate with former President Trump. As public health psychologists with expertise in aging and mental health, we recognize there are dozens of health-related explanations for his inability to eloquently defend his record of accomplishments or fact-check the torrent of lies spewing from his opponent.
Will Matthew McConaughey run for office after drinking tequila with Gov. Phil Murphy?
Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Maybe the final push Matthew McConaughey needs to enter politics is a night of drinking tequila with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
N.J. county park zoo plagued by flooding issues reaches an end of an era
Steven Rodas, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- It’s not a plane, or Superman. It is indeed a bird. Specifically, a peacock.
Live longer in the Garden State: Top NJ counties for longevity revealed
Tamara Walker, Asbury Park Press
- Even though the fountain of youth has yet to be discovered, Americans have still found longevity. According to the Center for Disease and Control, back in 1970 the average American life span was 70.8 and in 2022 it jumped up to 77.5. That’s almost a seven year increase over 50 years.
Living history museum at N.J. state park will close temporarily due to finances
Lauren Musni, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- The Historic Village at Allaire, a living history museum located in Allaire State Park in Monmouth County, posted on their Facebook page Sunday afternoon that they’re having financial troubles and will have to close temporarily. It says that over a year now, the nonprofit organization has been struggling due to “outside forces such as the economy, rising inflation costs, unprecedented weather and limited grant funding.”
Why this Republican can’t support Trump again | Opinion
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- Is Kamala Harris really the best Democrats can do? She’s a known quantity to voters, and most of them don’t like what they’ve seen. Like Biden, she’s behind Donald Trump in every poll. She flamed out of the 2020 presidential race early, quitting two months before the voting began. She flipped position on big issues, like health care, and was unable to manage her famously bickering staff.
After 235 years, America still isn’t ready for President Kamala Harris
Samantha Willis, NJ Monitor
- The question burning at the center of American public opinion since the first presidential debate: If President Joe Biden steps down, who will replace him as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States? The most obvious answer appears to be the nation’s second-in-command, Vice President Kamala Harris. But her candidacy would face nearly insurmountable odds of success, if American history and recent voter polls are any indication.
‘We are all Americans:’ Somerset Hills mayor decry Trump assassination attempt
PC Robinson, NJ Hills
- Somerset Hill mayors decried the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump as he spoke during a rally.
Chinese dissident Deng Yuwen and daughter target of harassment campaign
Jesse Bunch, Philadelphia Inquirer
- When dissident journalist Deng Yuwen became the target of an aggressive online harassment campaign over the winter, he had little doubt that the slew of social media accounts calling him a plagiarist and a traitor were tied to the Chinese Communist Party. After Deng was expelled from his home country in 2018 for criticizing its authoritarian government, he settled in the Philadelphia area.
Is Toms River a more livable small city than Lakewood? SmartAsset study has some answers
Juan Carlos Castillo, Asbury Park Press
- SmartAsset, a financial advice website, evaluated 281 small cities in the U.S. (populations between 65,000 and 100,000) and ranked them in terms of livability. Nine New Jersey cities were included in the ranking, but not in the best positions. Trenton, Union, Lakewood, Camden, Passaic and East Orange were placed in the bottom 20 spots and here’s why: The evaluation primarily considered the percentage of the population below poverty level, housing cost as a percent of income, commute time, and the amount of entertainment and recreation businesses.
(Visited 519,227 times, 77 visits today)
Insider NJ’s Daily News Update: July 15, 2024
As we dive into the latest news from Insider NJ on July 15, 2024, there are several key developments that are shaping the political landscape in the Garden State. From legislative updates to breaking news stories, here is a comprehensive overview of today’s top headlines:
1. Governor Murphy Signs Landmark Education Funding Bill
Governor Phil Murphy signed a landmark education funding bill today that will provide additional resources to schools in low-income communities. The bill, which has been hailed as a major victory for education advocates, aims to address the disparities in funding between wealthy and poor school districts. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the quality of education for students across the state.
2. State Legislature Approves New Gun Control Measures
In a bipartisan effort, the state legislature approved new gun control measures aimed at reducing gun violence in New Jersey. The measures include stricter background checks, a ban on high-capacity magazines, and increased penalties for gun trafficking. These measures come in response to the growing concern over gun violence in the state and are seen as a step towards creating a safer environment for residents.
3. New Jersey Launches Initiative to Combat Climate Change
In an effort to address the pressing issue of climate change, New Jersey has launched a new initiative to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy sources. The initiative includes incentives for businesses to adopt sustainable practices, as well as investments in clean energy infrastructure. Governor Murphy has emphasized the importance of taking action on climate change and has made it a priority for his administration.
4. Local Elections Heat Up Across the State
With local elections approaching, candidates are ramping up their campaigns in cities and towns across New Jersey. From mayoral races to city council seats, there is a flurry of activity as candidates vie for voter support. Issues such as affordable housing, public safety, and economic development are dominating the conversation as candidates make their case to voters.
Overall, July 15, 2024, has been a busy day in New Jersey politics, with significant developments in education, gun control, climate change, and local elections. As the state continues to navigate these challenges, it is clear that there is a strong commitment to addressing key issues and creating a better future for all residents. Stay tuned for more updates from Insider NJ as we continue to cover the latest news and developments in the Garden State.
