Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “No wonder other studios — including U.S. Attorney’s Offices in New Jersey and Philadelphia — chose to pass on this story years ago, even when it was fresher. Simply put, this is a crime thriller with no crime.” – Norcross attorneys Critchley and Roth seeking a dismissal of charges
TOP STORY: Bramnick Fundraises with Big Circle of Friends, Including Dan Geltrude
The AG says the State Police needs swift reform, according to the Bergen Record.
George Norcross is seeking a indictment dismissal, according to NJ.com.
Racist attacks in Ohio are mobilizing NJ immigrants, according to the Bergen Record.
Camden County’s Kings Highway is getting a $10M upgrade in three towns, according to Burlington County Times.
Cape May County rejected a library study, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Morris County Sheriff Gannon waxed on sheriff’s office initiatives, according to NJ Hills.
Details of the long-awaited Passaic River cleanup plan raises concerns, according to NJ Spotlight.
NJ congressional Republicans are in lockstep against tougher pollution standards, according to NJ Spotlight.
Senator Helmy is co-sponsoring reproductive rights legislation.
Rep. McIver brings historic firsts to Congress, according to NJ Spotlight.
Princeton University was again ranked first on US News’ Best Colleges list, according to NJ Biz.
ICYMI: Legislation pending to honor Pascrell; funeral held for the late Rep. Pascrell; smoking still allowed in casinos
The LD38 legislators announced new district office staff.
Speaker Coughlin and Assemblywoman Swain applauded the JBOC’s action to restructure the Transportation Trust Fund.
Senator Pennacchio introduced legislation requiring random computerized ballot drawings.
Assemblywoman Collazos-Gill introduced water safety bills.
The Assembly State and Local Government Committee advanced legislation to establish a legislative internship program.
ICYMI: Scutari announced bid for another term as Senate President
In Bernards, AI is becoming a school issue, according to NJ Hills.
In Bridgewater, the Ethicon site developer defended the plan but offered no details, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Chester Township, the council discussed police and parks, according to NJ Hills.
In Florham Park, the mayor showed concern that affordable housing will overtax the water supply, according to NJ Hills.
In Lakewood, the Student Transportation agency borrowed $700k to fill a gap, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Jefferson, a school will close due to funding cuts, according to NJ Herald.
In Jersey City, O’Dea endorsed the ‘Education Matters’ BOE slate, according to Hudson County View.
In Marlboro, a townhouse neighborhood plan was denied, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Monroe, residents mounted a campaign against a massive warehouse proposal, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Morristown, the Housing Authority approved the budget, according to Morristown Green.
In Neptune Township, Committeeman Cafferty resigned, according to TAPinto.
In Newark, the council will consider a revised budget amid library funding concerns, according to TAPinto.
In Ocean City, the new superintendent emphasized stability, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Paterson, the state will oversee the troubled code agency, according to Paterson Press.
In Saddle Brook, the town is making progress with its rat problem, according to the Bergen Record.
In Warren, the Zoom trial period ended, according to NJ Hills.
In Wayne, the mayor will unveil results of the final negotiations with the Toys R Us property developers, according to TAPinto.
ICYMI: In Jersey City, Solomon slapped at McGreevey as he kicked off his mayoral candidacy, which could shake up the 2025 race; in Paterson, oral arguments set to begin over takeover; in AC, Small, wife indicted
AROUND THE WEB:
NJ was once famous for its hard apple cider. A handful of cider makers are restoring it
Matt Cortina, NorthJersey.com
- On the 108-acre Ironbound Farm and Ciderhouse in Warren County, founder Charles Rosen pours a glass of hard apple cider. It’s amber and lightly effervescent, and though it’s bone dry on the tongue, it tastes of ripe apple and pear, with hints of peach acidity and a subtle, earthy farmhouse funk.
Should phones be allowed in the classroom? There’s no easy answer | Quigley
Joan Quigley, For The Jersey Journal
- Which do you suppose is harder to do – tell your parents with worsening vision they can’t drive the car anymore and taking away their keys or telling your youngsters with worsening grades they can’t bring their phones to school anymore?
Trenton needs just a bit of what other major New Jersey cities are having
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- David Lippman has served 19 years as public information officer for Newark, N.J. His work ranks as professionally informative, accurate and timely. Newark, which I visited during the Great N.J. Transit Fare Holiday of 2024 when travelers rode trains, buses and light rails for free, lists on a personal email communication.
Here are all the North Jersey county-level races for November elections
David M. Zimmer, NorthJersey.com
- County-level contests will be everywhere in North Jersey on Election Day, as voters will elect commissioners, sheriffs, surrogates and a register. Turnout is expected to be high with a presidential race at the top of a ballot that includes a U.S. Senate race and House of Representatives elections in all 12 districts. In 2020, New Jersey’s voter turnout rate hit 78.3% on the back of 4.4 million mail-in ballots. That rate was the highest in the nation.
North Jersey hospital chain warns it may lay off 2,600 workers despite health care boom
Scott Fallon, NorthJersey.com
- In an era when many New Jersey hospitals are booming and health care workers can command better wages and working conditions due to increased staffing demands, it’s unusual to see one faltering so much that it’s threatening to lay off a huge portion of its workforce.
Open Dialogue: Communities and Officials Navigate Offshore Wind Challenges
Jim Lonergan, TAPinto.net
- During recent council meetings in both Sea Girt and Manasquan, a group of local residents who had earlier formed the “Stop The High Risk Power Cables” initiative to oppose the construction of offshore wind energy infrastructure. Specifically, they aim to prevent the potential development of a core transmission line that would collect offshore wind energy across New Jersey and transfer it onshore through Sea Girt, Manasquan, Wall Township, and Howell to connect to the electrical grid.
Can you really cheat the tolls in New Jersey?
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- No one likes paying tolls. As long as there have been toll booths, there have been those who scheme ways to avoid paying them. New Jersey has been transitioning to toll collection methods that are automatic rather than relying on toll collectors.
Who will succeed Andy Kim in Congress?
Bill Spadea, NJ1015
- Although it’s far from certain that Andy Kim will be headed to the United States Senate, he’s got to get past New Jersey business leader Curtis Bashaw in November to do that, and several polls show that it’s a single-digit race.
Ban most partnerships between NJ universities, sports betting groups?
Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight
- As sports betting become more common, state lawmakers are seeking to tightly regulate partnerships between sportsbooks and New Jersey’s colleges and universities. The Assembly Higher Education Committee advanced a bill Monday that would ban most partnerships between sports betting groups and state colleges and universities, with an amendment that would permit associations that provide “experiential learning opportunities” for students.
Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer the foregone conclusion
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- Douglas H. Palmer never lost an election as a Mercer County freeholder nor five mayoral contests. So, an ordinance, supposedly hanging in the balance last Thursday, to affix his name to the Annex of City Hall, seemed more foregone conclusion and done-deal than quick-setting cement.
NJ Transit to finally replace opaque windows
NJ Hills
- During the past five years, passengers traveling on NJ Transit bi-level cars, many of which are used on the Morris and Essex line, have complained that looking out of the opaque windows is akin to a bad case of cataracts. Scenery is blurred and station signage is almost impossible to see.
Port of Newark longshoremen appear likely to join strike
Associated Press
- The chief executive over Georgia’s two booming seaports said Tuesday that a strike next week by dockworkers across the U.S. East and Gulf coasts appears likely, though he’s hopeful the resulting shutdown would last only a few days. “We should probably expect there to be a work stoppage and we shouldn’t get surprised if there is one,” Griff Lynch, CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, told The Associated Press in an interview. “The question is: How long?”
Smart, common-sense policies can boost recycling in N.J.
Michael Egenton
- If you care about New Jersey’s environment, there’s no reason to be down in the dumps. Though it doesn’t capture enough headlines, an underrated effort is underway in state capitols across the country to boost recycling and implement innovative policies that responsibly address the everyday items that end up in landfills or incinerators. New Jerseyans should be paying attention.
NJIT names Matthew Bonasia chief of state government affairs
ROI-NJ Staff
- Matthew Bonasia has been appointed as New Jersey Institute of Technology‘s chief of state government affairs. The role aligns with the Newark-based higher educational intuition’s restructuring of its government and community relations operations as well as its 2030 strategic plan.
NJ Decides Election Exchange 2024: Carmen Bucco
Colleen O’Dea, NJ Spotlight
- NJ Spotlight hosts an audio discussion with Republican congressional candidate, Carmen Bucco.
So many amazing homes in Trenton deserve a new life
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- This column requires a reader blessed with imagination. Look at the accompanying photo and consider how beautiful this house in the 400 block of Greenwood Ave. Trenton must have been three or four decades back. In your mind’s eye, give this house a paint job. Wow, that’s an attractive color. And, the columns? Amazing. Look closely at the decorative addition called a capital above the column. Beautiful craftsmanship.
Pink bird rarely seen in New Jersey spotted in Monmouth County
Amanda Oglesby, Asbury Park Press
- Magaly Milton was out enjoying her Union Beach backyard when something pink flew across her vision. “I said ‘Is that a flamingo?’” she recalled. “I never saw the face, I just saw the rose-colored wings.” Milton dismissed the sighting as maybe a wounded bird or some other more plausible explanation. But in the months since, others saw a pink-winged bird as well.
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Insider NJ’s Daily News Update: September 25, 2024
As we head into the final days of September, Insider NJ brings you the latest news and updates from around the state. Here are some of the top stories making headlines today:
1. Governor Smith announces new initiative to combat climate change: Governor Jane Smith unveiled a new plan to address climate change in New Jersey, including investments in renewable energy and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The initiative has received praise from environmental groups and is seen as a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the state.
2. State legislature passes bill to increase minimum wage: The New Jersey state legislature has passed a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, a move that is expected to benefit thousands of workers across the state. The bill now awaits Governor Smith’s signature, which is expected in the coming days.
3. New report highlights growing opioid crisis in New Jersey: A new report released by the state’s Department of Health has highlighted the growing opioid crisis in New Jersey, with overdose deaths reaching record levels in recent years. The report calls for increased funding for addiction treatment and prevention programs to address the issue.
4. Major transportation project approved for Newark: The state transportation department has approved a major infrastructure project for Newark, including improvements to highways and public transportation systems. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and improve transportation options for residents in the area.
5. Local school district announces plans for hybrid learning model: A local school district has announced plans to implement a hybrid learning model, combining in-person and remote instruction for students. The move comes as schools continue to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and strive to provide a safe and effective learning environment for all students.
Stay tuned to Insider NJ for more updates on these and other important stories happening in New Jersey. Remember to stay informed and engaged with your community to make a positive impact on the future of our state.
