Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s always been clear that Brian is driven by paranoia and recent actions like sending out this letter make it appear that he may be suffering from a more significant mental illness. We hope he gets the help that he needs, both for his sake and for his constituents.” – JC Mayor Fulop referring to Union City Mayor/Senator Stack as the Leroy Truth feud escalates
TOP STORY: Kamala Harris’ Choice for VP: Two Guys with New Jersey Ties
The Superior Court rejected an effort to remove RFK from the state’s ballot, according to NJ Monitor.
Police departments are getting creative to fill ranks amid an officer shortage, according to the Bergen Record.
The state is seeing a surge in the mini-wave of new COVID variants, according to NJ Spotlight.
Camden County and Camden City are joining forces to arrest illegal dumpers.
Over 200 boaters paraded through Cape May County waters to support Donald Trump, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Middlesex County opened a new public health center.
The Monmouth Mall demolition began, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Rep. Pascrell’s staff say he is ‘breathing on his own’ and is readying for discharge after a two-week hospitalization, according to the Bergen Record.
NJCU was hacked by a ransomware group, according to NJ.com.
ICYMI: 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
AG Platkin announced a working group to examine uses for secure youth facilities upon closure.
Assemblyman Inganamort introduced a resolution to tighten Iran sanctions.
Assemblyman DePhillips called for hearings on NJ Transit service disruptions.
Assemblymen McGuckin and Kanitra called on the AG to investigate the DOE for possible criminal coercion.
ICYMI: Way appointed Wolkenberg NJDOS COS; Murphy announced departure of Gutierrez-Scacetti; Murphy says he doesn’t think about his legacy; Murphy announced promotions
In Jersey City, Councilman Rivera joined O’Dea’s slate. Mayor Fulop and Union City Mayor/Senator Stack traded barbs, according to the Jersey Journal.
In Atlantic City, parties in the road diet lawsuit are in settlement talks, according to the Press of Atlantic City. The city is seeking restrictions of reptiles and dogs on the boardwalk, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bernards, schools face bus and crossing guard needs, according to NJ Hills. The planning board pushed a vote for downtown redevelopment, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Bridgewater, the budget was introduced, according to TAPinto.
In Caldwell, the borough kicked a senior rent increase limit proposal back to the planning board, according to TAPinto.
In Chatham Township, Committeewoman Lois and a challenger clashed over a supposed refusal to debate, according to NJ Hills.
In Edison, the Amboy Avenue zoning change was kicked down the road, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Flemington, the town is seeking ways to pay for removing chemicals from drinking water, according to TAPinto.
In Keyport, the state promised a clean-up of lead-tainted debris on the beach, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Middle Township, a move is underway to separate Whitesboro from the town, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Millburn, the CFO provided an audit overview, according to TAPinto.
In Neptune, neighbors want an empty motel gone, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Newark, Governor Murphy defended the approval of a fourth Ironbound power plant, according to NJ Spotlight.
In Old Bridge, a Superfund site may not be the cause of beach slag, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Phillipsburg, former Mayor Decker passed away, according to TAPinto.
In Readington, the town will sell surplus properties, according to TAPinto.
In Sayreville, the town will vote on whether to save the 1909 old firehouse, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Union City, Mayor Stack claims ‘intensified harassment’ and death threats as the Leroy Truth feud escalates, according to Hudson County View.
In Watchung, the town is exploring hiring grant writing consultants, according to NJ Hills. School referendum projects are seeing progress, according to NJ Hills.
In Willingboro, no basements in homes is a hallmark of 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:
NJ looks for ideas on how to use two prisons set to close
Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- The Murphy administration has made systematic changes over the last seven years to reform how young people interact with law enforcement in New Jersey. As one part of that effort, the state announced in 2017 that two youth detention facilities would close — the New Jersey Training School for male juveniles and the Female Secure Care and Intake Facility. To help brainstorm the most effective use of those spaces, New Jersey’s Attorney General Matt Platkin said his office is creating a new working group to come up with those ideas.
After women were hit by thrown bottles, police shut down Paterson Peruvian festival early
Joe Malinconico, Paterson Press
- A bottle-throwing incident at the Peruvian festival on Sunday resulted in minor injuries to three women, including one who is pregnant, and prompted police to shut down the event an hour early.
Cape May Republican Curtis Bashaw on running for Senate | The Point
Press of Atlantic City
- New Jersey hasn’t elected a Republican senator in over 50 years. Developer Curtis Bashaw hopes to change that.
Watchung Hills discusses nationwide trend of ‘chronic absenteeism’
Nicole Zanchelli, NJ Hills
- New Jersey students are missing more school than before the Covid pandemic, according to a statewide data released in April. The rate of chronic absenteeism, which is defined as a student missing 10 percent or more of the 180-day school year, spiked to 16.6 percent in the 2022-23 school year. That’s up from 10.6 percent pre-pandemic.
4th most efficient NJ school district is hammered by budget cuts
Rick Rickman, NJ1015
- The state is forcing a school district that already has one of the tightest belts in New Jersey to suffer through massive budget cuts. When it comes to spending per pupil, Toms River is the second most efficient district of its size and the fourth most efficient district in New Jersey out of around 600.
The Atlantic City most people don’t get to see
Dennis Malloy, NJ1015
- Most people think of Atlantic City as a gaming mecca or a place to see great shows in one of the many casino hotels. Sure, there’s that right in the middle of town and mostly on the boardwalk. For those of us who go there because it’s a great beach town, we see something completely different. On a recent Saturday morning bike ride from the south end to the north end of town I got a chance to capture some images you probably wouldn’t associate with Atlantic City.
The poisoning of Newark continues, and Murphy must stop it | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- For the first time, New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection has applied our landmark Environmental Justice Law, which is supposed to protect neighborhoods that are choking from dirty industrial facilities from further harm.
This N.J. agency had her money. Why was the payment held up?
Karin Price Mueller, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Jacqueline Padalino, who worked as a Catholic elementary school teacher for 30 years, died in 2006 when she was 76 years old. Her daughters also became teachers.
Wanted: Poll workers. Must love democracy.
Matt Vasilogambros, NJ Monitor
- This week, a coalition of election officials, businesses, and civic engagement, religious and veterans groups will make a national push to encourage hundreds of thousands of Americans to serve as poll workers in November’s presidential election. Poll worker demand is high. With concerns over the harassment and threats election officials face, and with the traditional bench of poll workers growing older, hundreds of counties around the country are in desperate need of people who are willing to serve their communities.
Why NJ Shore residents better stop complaining about crowds
Mike Brant, NJ1015
- It’s the thick of the summer season at the Jersey Shore, and the crowds are everywhere. Weekdays? Weekends? It doesn’t matter. They’re here from Memorial Day through Labor Day and have no plans of going anywhere. For those who live at the Shore year-round, the summer season can be frustrating. The good part is that most of the year they have the entire region to themselves. When you go from Labor Day to Memorial Day, the beaches, boardwalks, and shore towns are much, much quieter.
Commentary: Stoking participation in Morristown government
Linda Stamato
- Municipal meetings, Jessica Stolzberg observed in the New York Times magazine, are “part theater, part dirge, (and) occasionally part circus,” a scene “as fascinating as it is frustrating, as enlightening as it is disappointing, a startling mix of civic failure and success—often in a single night” that keeps her coming back for more.
Former McElroy Deutsch CFO gets 5 years for embezzlement
Kimberly Redmond, NJBIZ
- The former chief financial officer of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter LLP received a five-year state prison sentence after embezzling more than $1.5 million from the Morristown-based national law firm, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. During a July 26 appearance before Superior Court Judge Steven Taylor at Morris County Courthouse, John Dunlea was also ordered to restore the stolen funds. He must also pay $20,000 in restitution to the state.
Inside unique (and impactful) program that brings business and education together in South Jersey
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- The South Jersey Summer Institute for Educators — a unique and influential program that connects leaders in business and education — wrapped up last week. Its impact will resonate in the region for years to come.
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Insider NJ’s Daily News Update: July 30, 2024
As we dive into the latest news and updates from Insider NJ on July 30, 2024, there are several key stories making headlines across the state.
One of the top stories of the day is the announcement of a new initiative aimed at improving public transportation in New Jersey. Governor Smith unveiled a plan to invest $1 billion in upgrading and expanding the state’s public transportation infrastructure. This includes improvements to bus and train services, as well as the construction of new transit hubs in key urban areas. The goal of this initiative is to make public transportation more efficient and accessible for all residents of New Jersey.
In other news, a major development project in Newark has been approved by the city council. The project, which will include a mix of residential, commercial, and retail space, is expected to bring hundreds of new jobs to the area and revitalize the downtown district. Local residents are hopeful that this project will help boost the local economy and attract more visitors to the city.
On the political front, there has been a heated debate in Trenton over a proposed bill that would increase funding for public schools in low-income areas. Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to provide equal educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. However, opponents have raised concerns about the cost of the bill and its potential impact on taxpayers. The bill is currently being reviewed by the state legislature, with a final decision expected in the coming weeks.
Overall, July 30, 2024, has been a busy day in New Jersey, with important developments in transportation, urban development, and education. Stay tuned to Insider NJ for more updates on these and other key issues affecting the state.
