Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s a sad statement that the federal government would be, instead of acting more aggressively to put education at the center of our national policy, it would be returning to an era in which education was not the priority or focus of the federal government.” – Senator Kim
TOP STORY: Sherrill Wins Middlesex County Democratic Convention
The revered Monmouth University Polling Institute is shutting down in July, according to Politico NJ.
A FDU poll finds New Jersey residents are divided over energy production.
Officials warn the state faces alarming threats in an unsettling extremism climate, according to NJ.com.
The USDA cut $26M in funding for NJ schools and food banks, according to NJ101.5.
US Education Department cuts will impact thousands of NJ families, according to NJ Spotlight.
Governor Murphy pledged the state will spend more on vaccine programs, according to NJ Spotlight.
Medicaid cuts could leave NJ hospitals with ‘catastrophic’ losses, according to NJ.com.
A survey finds most NJ residents don’t know the state offers medical aid in dying, according to NJ.com.
Three universities in the state could be the next to have federal funding cuts, according to NJ101.5.
NJ Transit’s new consumer advocate is absorbing pent-up complaints, according to NJ Herald.
The state comptroller says improper spending issues by Brookdale Community College have been resolved, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Atlantic County is mulling the future of Meadowview, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Passaic County adopted the budget, according to NorthJersey.com.
NJ PBS/Spotlight News laid off seven staffers amid budget uncertainties, according to NJ Spotlight.
ICYMI: Murphy signed legislation extending primary early voting; judge dismissed Norcross case; Murphy presented record $58.1B budget
Rep. Sherrill scored her fifth convention win, securing the backing of the Middlesex County Democrats, saying ‘if you win here you can win anywhere’.
The FEC is torn on limiting Reps. Sherrill and Gottheimer in putting federal campaign money into gubernatorial Super PACs, according to NJ Globe.
Mayor Fulop is eschewing party conventions, but is never too far away from the action, according to NJ Globe.
Mayor Baraka is seeking the progressive lane in the Democratic primary, according to NJ Monitor.
Knowns and unknowns alike are seeking the Governor’s seat, according to MyCentralJersey.
Jack Ciattarelli won the Bergen GOP’s backing, according to NJ Globe. Middle Township Mayor Leusner endorsed Ciattarelli.
ICYMI: Fulop faced w/ question about Dems losing ground; Bhalla, Brennan joined forces in LD32; Gottheimer honing economic message; Sherrill Ocean high vote-getter; Spadea vows aggressive leadership; Ciattarelli has healthy lead on favorability; Baraka leading on favorability
Here’s the updated legislative calendar and here’s what happened in Trenton on Monday.
The pending electric rate increase has sparked finger-pointing, according to NJ Spotlight.
A leaked memo from the Assembly Democrats points fingers on electricity rate hikes, according to SaveJersey.
Circulate NJ added a new member to its growing coalition roster.
In Atlantic City, the anti-violence division hosted a job fair, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Bloomingdale, voters approved shutting an elementary school, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Bridgewater, a new historic emblem was unveiled, according to TAPinto.
In Cherry Hill, the council voted to preserve farms, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In Cliffside Park, a former EMT accused the town of a quid pro quo, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Edison, the mayor insists there are ‘no surprises’ in the $9M community center renovation, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Franklin, the township approved a backyard chicken ordinance, according to TAPinto.
In Galloway, a small tax rate increase was proposed, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Harding, taxes will increase this year, according to NJ Hills.
In Harvey Cedars, Ocean County commissioners met with borough officials, according to the Sandpaper.
In Hoboken, Mayor Bhalla delivered his final State of the City, according to TAPinto. The council is considering adding 20 police officers to the Community Policing Bureau, according to Hudson County View.
In Holmdel, the town will buy a farm to prevent a dementia care village, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Jersey City, mayoral candidate Ali advocated for a free bus service, according to Hudson County View.
In Lacey, voters rejected three school bond proposals, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Middletown, crumbling Sandy Hook buildings are in limbo after President Trump killed a NPS group, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Montclair, the council is considering an update to the accessory dwelling unit law, according to Montclair Local. The push to restore public transportation services is gaining steam, according to Montclair Local.
In Monroe, the town won a court battle over development near an eagle’s nest, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Morristown, pickleball and homelessness converged at a council meeting, according to Morristown Green.
In Newark, protesters rallied against a massive ICE detention facility, according to NJ.com.
In Orange, a councilman was arrested for making terroristic threats and brandishing a gun, according to NJ Globe.
In Readington, Solberg Airport neighbors are frustrated by the airport’s hazy future, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Sayreville, the town wants to ban bamboo, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Sea Bright, voters rejected Shore Regional’s $51M referendum, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Sparta, a developer sued the town over a thwarted plan to build apartments, according to TAPinto.
In Toms River, a fire district election was decided by a single vote, according to NJ Globe.
In Tuckerton, the library celebrated 150 years, according to the Sandpaper.
In Union City, a judge ruled that the BOE can be held liable for a teacher’s sexual assault of 2 students, according to Hudson County View.
In Upper, the budget includes a tax increase, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Warren, voters approved school upgrades, according to NJ Hills.
In Wayne, Democrats announced their candidates.
In the Wildwoods, a beach fix is on the brink of being cancelled because mayors can’t agree, according to NJ.com.
AROUND THE WEB:
Which schools in New Jersey, New York warned to protect Jewish students from antisemitism?
Damon C. Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK
- The Department of Education has warned the 60 colleges and universities already under investigation for Title VI violations relating to antisemitic discrimination and harassment to do a better job of protecting Jewish students or face penalties. Nearly a dozen of those schools are in the New Jersey and New York, including Princeton, Rutgers and Cornell.
Jersey Kebab owner to be released on bond after two weeks in ICE detention
Kaitlyn McCormick, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- After two weeks in a North Jersey detention center, a Mediterranean restaurant owner in South Jersey is to return home on bond. An immigration judge ruled Tuesday that Emine Emanet, who owns Haddon Township eatery Jersey Kebab with her husband, will be able to return home on bond. Her bond was set at $7,500, according to her family.
Trump is backing away from police reform. What that means for Trenton, 11 other cities.
Daphne Duret, Daja E. Henry, Christie Thompson, Lakeidra Chavis, Geoff Hing and Wilbert L. Cooper, The Marshall Project
- One of the Justice Department’s goals under President Joe Biden was to investigate some of the nation’s most troubled police agencies, including the ones responsible for the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Tyre Nichols. Two months into President Donald Trump’s second term, the prospect of federal oversight appears likely to disappear in most of those 12 agencies.
Scarinci: Norcross Dismissal Is Good News for N.J. Business
Donald Scarinci, NJ Globe
- The dismissal of racketeering charges against George Norcross III and his co-defendants was a victory for NJ businesses and economic growth in the state. It also sent a strong message to prosecutors that their job is to prosecute crimes, not people. Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw’s well-reasoned opinion not only found that Norcross did not commit any crimes, but also that the prosecutors had conflated hard-nosed business tactics with criminal coercion to the detriment of the business community.
NJM President and CEO Mitch Livingston to Retire; Carol Voorhees Named Successor
ROI-NJ Staff
- NJM Insurance Group today announced that Mitch Livingston, its President & Chief Executive Officer, will retire on July 31, following a 19-year career with the company, including seven years at the helm. The Board of Directors has unanimously selected Carol Voorhees, NJM’s executive vice president and COO, to succeed Livingston as the next president and CEO.
Rutgers revives goldmine of pregnancy data hidden in freezers
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotlight
- Rutgers researchers are breathing new life into a decades-old pregnancy study that followed 4,765 women between 1985 and 2006 from Camden, a city that was and remains one of the nation’s poorest. The research contains crucial insight into maternal and infant health outcomes in a population that’s rarely studied.
Here’s who’s doing what in the Trump administration How these officials can impact NJ
Benjamin J. Hulac and Genesis Obando, NJ Spotlight
- Sometimes it can be difficult for people to tell how the federal government overlaps with their lives. Immediately upon taking office, the Trump administration has made it easier to tell, firing tens of thousands of federal workers, breaking U.S. law by freezing money Congress has appropriated and trying to close federal agencies.
State gun range lieutenant accused of stealing ammo, selling it for $475K+
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- The lieutenant in charge of the state Department of Corrections’ gun ranges has been arrested and accused of stealing and selling millions of rounds of state-owned ammunition worth almost a half-million dollars. Timothy John Morris, 56, of Bayville, was charged Tuesday with official misconduct, theft by unlawful taking, and structuring financial transactions to evade reporting requirements.
The Senate is nearly done confirming Trump’s Cabinet. How did N.J.’s senators vote?
Joey Fox, NJ Globe
- Following the confirmation of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer earlier this week, the Cabinet of President Donald Trump’s second administration is nearly complete, with only one spot out of 22 Cabinet-level positions still vacant. New Jersey Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker, both Democrats, were opposed to nearly all of it.
Linda Stamato: In the Crosshairs: The Nation’s Civil Service
Linda Stamato, NJ Globe
- While President Trump’s efforts to force out tens of thousands of civilian federal workers and to dismantle entire agencies have hit legal challenges, and generating some resistance from agency heads, those efforts remain front and center on the Trump agenda. The impact stretches beyond Washington, of course, reaching federal workers across the country including some 50,000 in New Jersey.
From Freehold to frustration: The harsh reality of NJ commuting
Kylie Moore, NJ1015
- Maybe it’s just me, but I was surprised to learn how much New Jersey relies on public transportation to get to work. Maybe my view of New Jersey as being so heavily a car state is skewed because I compare it too much to New York City?
Ewing market where Avian Flu was found is disinfecting to reopen soon
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Ewing market where Avian Flu was found is disinfecting to reopen soon.
Insider NJ’s Daily News Update: March 13, 2025
On March 13, 2025, Insider NJ provided its readers with a comprehensive daily news update covering a wide range of topics affecting the state of New Jersey. From politics to business to entertainment, the news update offered valuable insights into the current events shaping the state.
One of the key highlights of the news update was the latest developments in New Jersey politics. Insider NJ reported on Governor Smith’s recent announcement of a new initiative aimed at improving healthcare access for low-income residents. The initiative, which includes funding for community health centers and expanded Medicaid coverage, has been met with both praise and criticism from lawmakers and advocacy groups.
In addition to political news, Insider NJ also covered important business developments in the state. The news update included information on a major tech company’s decision to open a new headquarters in New Jersey, bringing hundreds of jobs to the area. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy and further solidify New Jersey’s reputation as a hub for innovation and technology.
Entertainment news was also featured in Insider NJ’s daily update, with a focus on upcoming events and performances in the state. From concerts to art exhibits to film festivals, there was no shortage of exciting entertainment options for New Jersey residents to enjoy in the coming weeks.
Overall, Insider NJ’s daily news update on March 13, 2025, provided readers with a comprehensive overview of the most important events and developments happening in the state. Whether you’re interested in politics, business, or entertainment, Insider NJ has you covered with timely and informative news updates.
