Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s just hard to take Jack seriously. He’s more of a Democrat than a Republican. I just don’t take him seriously when he says he’s going to consolidate departments, because he’s the guy who vowed to expand government, saying the reason the state’s lagging is because we don’t have a Department of Commerce. It’s stupid.” – Bill Spadea on Jack Ciattarelli
TOP STORY: Republican Guv Candidate Spadea Sees a ‘Pathway to Victory’
Governor Murphy and AG Platkin disputed the US Attorney’s take on the state’s work with ICE, according to NJ Spotlight.
NJ lawmakers reacted to the arson at the PA Governor’s mansion, according to Burlington County Times.
Tariffs could affect NJ ports, truckers, and warehouses, according to NorthJersey.com.
NJ Transit cancelled a $91M bus contract with Academy, according to NorthJersey.com.
Burlington County released an analysis of 2024 voting problems, according to Burlington County Times.
Mercer County’ budget was introduced.
Rep. Gottheimer introduced legislation to strengthen maritime security with Greece, Cyprus, and Israel.
CarePoint Health exited bankruptcy, according to ROI-NJ.
ICYMI: Booker held a town hall; Sherrill galvanized supporters; Booker made history; Christie considers Habba, gives guv race perspective
Bill Spadea sees a pathway to victory in the GOP gubernatorial primary.
Mayor Fulop rolled out his affordability agenda, going further than many other candidates in pushing for government consolidation.
Mayor Baraka rallied with progressive allies in New Brunswick.
Rep. Sherrill’s campaign touted an internal poll showing her maintaining a healthy lead in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, according to NJ Globe.
Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign touted an internal poll showing hm far ahead of Bill Spadea in the GOP gubernatorial primary, according to NJ Globe.
GOP gubernatorial primary candidates sparred on anti-abortion bona fides, according to NJ Monitor.
ICYMI: Bramnick refuses to demagogue; Dem primary heating up; Ciattarelli appears to be frontrunner; Malinowski endorsed Sherrill; Ciattarelli envisions coattails; in LD33, Wainstein waging Assembly bid; Booker won’t take sides in guv primary; Fulop announced Collum as LG pick to strengthen candidacy
In Clinton Township, a new deer management ordinance was adopted, according to NJ Hills.
In Dover, a councilman is seeking dismissal of assault charges, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Edison, a judge allowed Patel to remain in the Democratic mayoral primary, according to NJ Globe.
In Englishtown, the clerk says she was fired for being a whistleblower, according to the Asbury Park Press. Four councilmembers have quit after the mayor appointed an ex-mobster to the council, according to the Asbury Park Press. Alite was once a hitman for the mob; now he’s a councilman, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Fair Lawn, the town expanded the downtown improvement district, but some balk at the costs, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Flemington, the budget was introduced, according to TAPinto.
In Hackensack, a new apartment building was approved near the bus terminal, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Hamilton (Atlantic), additional police are at schools following social media threats, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Hanover, residents oppose a proposed group home, according to NJ Hills.
In Jersey City, Councilman Solomon’s campaign slammed former Governor McGreevey.
In Marlboro, there are questions as to what a mosque in a residential neighborhood will do with crowds, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Millburn, the committee discussed registering landscapers, according to TAPinto.
In Morristown, climate legislation was discussed, according to NJ Hills.
In Neptune City, Councilwoman Oliver resigned, according to TAPinto.
In Newark, former Councilwoman Chaneyfield Jenkins filed petitions to run for the Central Ward seat. A lawsuit alleges Rep. McIver’s resignation from the seat isn’t legally valid. All eyes are on youth voting in the BOE election, according to NJ Globe.
In Ocean City, falcons will return to fend off gulls, according to the Press of Atlantic City. DOGE rescinded a $500k grant for Lucy the Elephant, according to the Press of Atlantic City. Pickleball fans are campaigning to cut a fee hike, according to the Press of Atlantic City. Public comment rules were changed, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Prospect Park, Governor Murphy called on Councilman Shah to resign after gambling and racketeering charges, according to NJ.com. The mayor asked for Shah’s resignation, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Readington, a new police chief was appointed, according to NJ Hills.
In Ridgewood, the town is cracking down on bird feeders, according to NJ101.5.
In Springfield, a bond ordinance for public improvements was approved, according to TAPinto.
In Warren, Watchung Hills parents and students spoke out against the BOE’s move to repeal the transgender policy, according to NJ Hills.
AROUND THE WEB:
Riley Yates, Brent Johnson, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- N.J. teachers are funding Sean Spiller’s quest to be governor — whether they want to or not
Trump’s transportation funding threats creates chaos for N.J. | Opinion
David Rible
- Few words are scarier to the transportation industry than “uncertainty.” Projects can be delayed, die out or never get off the ground because uncertainty has crept into some level of the process.
Willingboro needs a new way to manage flooding: We need a stormwater utility | Opinion
Patricia Harvey
- Climate change is an emergency in New Jersey. The state is warming faster than the global average and faster than the rest of the Northeast, and we will continue to see an increase in the frequency and intensity of storms. A report found that hurricane-related winds and floods have caused up to $1.3 billion more in destruction in the state today than they would have if the climate of the 1980s had remained constant.
Prosecutors slam Murphy: Freed NJ convicted killer is no victim
Rick Rickman, NJ1015
- Early on the morning of Sept. 4, 2010, Paige Pfefferle stabbed her 21-year-old boyfriend to death in the kitchen of her family’s Audubon Park home. Pfefferle was convicted of first-degree murder and other crimes. She rejected two plea deal offers from prosecutors before heading to trial. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison with no eligibility for parole. State prison records showed she wasn’t supposed to get out until Sept. 21, 2043.
Is Sean Spiller running for NJ governor? Or NJEA pension rollbacks? | Analysis
Charles Stile, NorthJersey.com
- Sean Spiller, the former Montclair mayor and current Democratic candidate for governor, routinely launches his stump speeches with this phrase: “This is our chance.” It’s a clarion call for bold, progressive action.
Jim Allen rose from dog-walking kid to global gambling titan atop the Hard Rock empire
Wayne Parry, Press of Atlantic City
- It involved pro football players in a shampoo commercial, but the catchphrase could also apply to Jim Allen: “Never not working.” A childhood playing basketball and football with friends in Northfield took an unexpected turn at age 12 when his parents started experiencing “significant financial challenges,” prompting him to create a business walking the neighborhood’s dogs.
“A Beach Umbrella Nearly Killed Me”: One Man’s Mission to Make Shorelines Safer
Jim Lonergan, TAPinto.net
- As beach-goers begin flocking to the shore with the summer season fast approaching, the Manasquan Council meeting took on a powerful—and deeply personal—tone this week. Former resident Ed Quigley returned to town not with nostalgia, but with a mission rooted in tragedy and driven by purpose: to prevent deadly accidents caused by airborne beach umbrellas.
What’s next for Mahmoud Khalil’s NJ court case?
Briana Vannozzi, NJ Spotlight
- In a victory for the Trump administration, an immigration judge in Louisiana on Friday ruled that Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil can be deported from the country as a national security risk. The judge ruled that the 30-year-old Palestinian activist’s presence here posed, “potentially serious foreign policy consequences.”
Local NJ leaders push to ban helicopter tour flights
Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight
- As a barge crane on Monday retrieved more wreckage from the tourist helicopter crash just off the Jersey City shoreline last week, local voices from New Jersey are stepping up their calls for such tourist flights to be banned. Said state Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez (D-Hudson), who lives in a nearby high-rise: “The boom was so scary. I had no idea what happened. I ran out and I saw chaos. It was tragic. But thank God it happened in the water, and not over a building, not over a daycare, not over a hospital. And especially in densely populated areas, it’s a huge risk.”
Camden deserves clean air. We have to address fires at EMR scrapyard | Opinion
Asiyah Kurtz
- On Jan. 25, 2021, I started my position as Executive Director of Camden FireWorks, an arts organization located in Camden’s Waterfront South — the same neighborhood as EMR Metal Recycling. Four days later I hurriedly evacuated our historic firehouse, my clothes reeking of burnt metal and plastic.
Good morning, New Jersey! Here is your Insider NJ Morning Briefing for April 15, 2025, bringing you the top news and updates happening in the Garden State.
1. COVID-19 Update: As the state continues to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Murphy announced yesterday that New Jersey has reached a milestone in vaccination efforts, with over 70% of eligible residents now fully vaccinated. The state is also seeing a decline in cases and hospitalizations, signaling progress in the fight against the virus.
2. Education Funding: In a major development for education in New Jersey, Governor Murphy signed a bill yesterday that will increase funding for public schools across the state. The new legislation aims to address disparities in funding between wealthy and low-income districts, ensuring that all students have access to quality education.
3. Infrastructure Investment: The Biden administration’s infrastructure plan is set to bring significant investment to New Jersey, with funding allocated for projects such as road and bridge repairs, public transportation improvements, and clean energy initiatives. State officials are optimistic about the economic benefits and job opportunities that will come from these infrastructure investments.
4. Environmental Protection: In an effort to combat climate change and protect New Jersey’s natural resources, Governor Murphy announced a new initiative to promote renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. The state is committed to meeting its clean energy goals and becoming a leader in sustainability efforts.
5. Economic Recovery: As the state works towards economic recovery following the challenges of the pandemic, businesses in New Jersey are seeing signs of growth and stability. Job creation and consumer spending are on the rise, indicating a positive outlook for the state’s economy in the coming months.
Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day as Insider NJ continues to bring you the latest news and information from around the state. Have a great day, New Jersey!
