Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If this is going to be allowed to continue, we’re going to have state officials coercing local officials because they disagree with what they feel and their opinions? This has to stop. This is ridiculous.” – Assemblyman McGuckin calling for an investigation into the DOE over an alleged threat to the Toms River Regional School District
TOP STORY: Putting the Brakes on Google Porn
A federal court ruled that the state’s ban on AR-15 rifles is unconstitutional, according to NJ.com.
The state Supreme Court ruled that expunged records can be used in child abuse proceedings, according to NJ Monitor.
Some NJ officials reap hefty benefits, despite tiny salaries, according to NJ.com.
Undocumented immigrants in the state pay $1.3B in state and local taxes according to a ITEP report, according to NJ Monitor.
NYC officials are suing to start congestion pricing, according to NJ.com.
Environmentalists are fighting to keep the bald eagle on the state’s endangered species list, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
While on trial, Senator Menendez stayed at a luxury hotel in NYC and charged it to his campaign, according to NJ Globe.
Centenary University is freezing tuitions after financial aid chaos left families hanging, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
Rep. Sherrill called for the passage of the ‘Kids Online Safety Act’ and ‘Teens Online Privacy Protection Act’.
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
Civic leader Ingrid Reed passed away, according to NJ Spotlight.
Joan Batory, an original NJ Pinelands Commission member, passed away, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Assemblyman Danielsen is mulling a ban on single-use water bottles, according to Politico NJ.
ABC-NJ welcomed Amanda Milewski as Executive Vice President.
The Quality Institute’s Mayors Wellness Campaign launched a second year of mental health funding.
The ATRA put the state on its ‘heat watch’ in a new legislative report.
ICYMI: Lawmakers heard calls to restrict pornography access
In Jersey City, mayoral candidate O’Dea led a rally demanding elevator repair at 630 Bergen Ave.
In Bayonne, Alonso is eying a BOE comeback, according to Hudson County View.
In Berkeley Township, a court ruled the town can’t restrict housing ownership by age, according to NJ Monitor.
In Caldwell, the borough approved salaries, according to TAPinto.
In Camden, the city’s ride-share service costs $2 per ride and has completed over 46,000 trips, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In Freehold, schools are investigating a cyberattack, according to NJ101.5.
In Galloway, a plan crashed, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Hoboken, the PBA President is retiring, according to Hudson County View.
In Lakewood, a money laundering case against Rabbi Eisemann was tossed, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Long Hill, an audit comes with two recommendations, according to NJ Hills.
In Morristown, a lawsuit alleges a bar removed a man for wearing a turban, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Paterson, two BOE incumbents won’t run, according to Paterson Press.
In Ridgewood, water testing results were released, according to TAPinto.
In Roxbury, a warehouse plan for the Hercules tract was scrapped, according to the Daily Record.
In South Brunswick, the town is looking to develop 160 acres on Route 1, according to MyCentralJersey.
In South Orange, the town will put a question on the ballot about selling the water utility, according to TAPinto.
In Stafford, voters will decide on a $75M improvement plan for schools, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Toms River, GOP lawmakers are seeking a probe over a school funding tiff, according to NJ Monitor.
In Trenton, the DOE found that the school district didn’t comply with disability regulations, according to the Trentonian.
In Union City, the Hudson County counsel questioned why Leroy Truth was part of a clerk’s meeting in North Bergen, according to Hudson County View.
In Wayne, a new master plan could shape the town’s future, according to TAPinto.
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:
Harris ballot shake-up energizes young voters
Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight
- The Kamala Harris campaign is targeting a demographic she needs to mobilize: younger voters and minority voters. Polls showed those groups have felt apathetic about this election. Harris, 59, rushed to reengage them, taking the torch Joe Biden passed her and sprinting straight to social media to connect with young voters. She’s all over TikTok, which hailed her as “brat” — a description coined by a British pop musician — meaning edgy.
Aftershocks continue as 2.2-magnitude earthquake shakes up NJ early Wednesday
Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com
- A 2.2-magnitude earthquake shook up part of New Jersey early Wednesday morning, the strongest tremor to hit the state in the last 30 days and one of numerous aftershocks that have taken place since the 4.8-magnitude quake which rattled residents all over the region earlier this year.
NJ’s economy runs on rails. Zero-emissions rules for locomotives may devastate that
Ray Cantor, Special to the USA TODAY Network
- Railroads play a vital role in New Jersey’s economy and regional industrial advancement. Our location, population density, and vast transportation assets — including seaports, airports and highways — make railroads indispensable for the movement of goods, and a key driver of regional economic growth.
N.J.’s prisons and state parole board are breaking the law | Opinion
Alexis Karteron and Claude Caroline Heffron
- This month marks 34 years since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which seeks to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Few systems fail to meet the ADA’s mandate as spectacularly as the criminal legal system, particularly in New Jersey.
Trump’s ‘Cat lady’ VP will punish your private choices | Editorial
Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- That scornful remark about “childless cat ladies” with “no direct stake” in America’s future has exploded in Donald Trump’s face with dramatic flair: Welcome to the ticket, JD Vance! What he said manages to insult an enormous range of people – the cool aunts, the loving stepmothers, the adoptive parents, the folks desperately trying to have kids who can’t. Now, suddenly, they’re all “miserable,” childless cat ladies.
This is why E-Zpass transponders could stop working in New Jersey
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- You go through the E-ZPass lane and out of the corner of your eye you see the message “Call E-ZPass” or “Toll Not Paid.” Day ruined. That almost certainly means a violation is coming in the mail. Even if you think your E-ZPass account is in good standing and your transponder is linked to the correct vehicle, there are sometimes glitches.
Rising heat leads to greater health risks. Who’s most vulnerable?
Lilo H. Stainton, NJ Spotilght
- When people take a ski trip, they wrap themselves in warm layers, secure special socks and gloves and plan breaks for hot chocolate. Dr. Nicole Henry-Dindial, a family physician in Union County, wishes more people planned this carefully for hot weather, which can be even more dangerous than cold.
Are we in the midst of the most extraordinary series of events in American politics?
David M. Zimmer, NorthJersey.com
- The summer of 2024 has brought an extraordinary series of events in American politics. The turmoil started around the June 27 presidential debate as people began loudly questioning the ability of the sitting president, Joe Biden, to effectively serve in a second term.
Cape May zoo reports death of Buju the cheetah
Press of Atlantic City
- The Cape May County Zoo on Monday announced the death of its 12-year-old cheetah, Buju, due to kidney disease. Buju’s favorite activity was lying in the shade in the middle of the yard with his brother, Beenie, the zoo said on Facebook. As the bolder brother, Buju would often be first to investigate new items in and around their habitat. In their younger days, they often let ducks live in their habitat for days before they would start stalking and hunting them.
Bruce Springsteen Archives Outpost is the new must-see spot for Boss fans in Asbury Park
Chris Jordan, Asbury Park Press
- Attention Bruce Springsteen fans, there’s a new must-see stop in Asbury Park. The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University Outpost in Asbury Park, inside Convention Hall, is open for business. “A lot of Bruce fans stop by because they’re visiting Asbury Park because of him and they’re stopping by the Stone Pony and they’re traveling through Bruce’s legacy on their own,” said Annalaan LeMay, administrative assistant at the Springsteen Archives.
Harris nails Trump: “Say it to my face!” | Moran
Tom Moran, Star-Ledger
- If you are among the millions of Americans who remain terrified that Donald Trump could win in November, take a look at the video of Kamala Harris’s joyful romp at a packed basketball arena in Atlanta on Tuesday. It’ll put some spring in your step.
Judge throws out corruption case against N.J. rabbi before jurors begin to deliberate
Ted Sherman, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- The case never even got to the jury. In a surprise move that called into question a nearly decade-long pursuit by the state Attorney General’s office of Osher Eisemann — charged with pocketing funds from his private school for children with developmental disabilities — a Superior Court judge on Wednesday tossed out all charges against the Lakewood rabbi before his lawyers began their defense.
This N.J. highway became a traffic nightmare when a road project stalled. Now, work resumes.
Larry Higg, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- Work on a $41 million project to widen a section of Route 206 is expected to resume after state Transportation Department officials said a contractor has been named to complete the work.
Past PSU frat president, VP plead guilty for hazing of NJ student
Jill Croce, NJ1015
- Two former Penn State Beta Theta Pi leaders are in trouble with the law because of their roles in hazing in 2017 that led to the death of a New Jersey student. Brendan Young, the fraternity president at the time, and Daniel Casey, the pledge master and vice president, pleaded guilty to a single count of reckless endangerment and 14 counts of hazing, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry. A total of 14 pledges were at the event that night.
Paramus Plaza sells for $36.8M
Tom Bergeron, roi-nj.com
- Paramus Plaza, a 153,494-square-foot retail center located on Route 17 South, has been sold for $36.8 million to DRA Advisors and First Mile, an affiliate of Crown Acquisitions, Cushman & Wakefield announced Wednesday. The Cushman & Wakefield Tri-State Capital Markets team of Frank DiTommaso, Gary Gabriel, David Bernhaut, Andy Merin and Max Helfman partnered with the firm’s head of Retail Capital Markets, Mark Gilbert, to represent the seller, a partnership of Acadia Realty Trust and Fortress Investment Group, in the transaction.
How Andy Kim could get a boost from getting into the Senate early
Benjamin J. Hulac, NJ Spotlight
- After he was appointed to the Senate in early 2006, Bob Menendez did what successful politicians do — win elections and gain legislative power. He won a full term that November, then again in 2012 and 2018. Over the years, Menendez inched his way up the table of Senate seniority, climbing to higher committee posts.
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Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for August 1, 2024 provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the latest news and developments in New Jersey and beyond. This daily briefing is designed to keep readers informed and up-to-date on the most important stories and events shaping the political, economic, and social landscape of the state.
One of the key highlights of today’s briefing is the announcement of a new initiative by Governor John Smith to boost job creation and economic growth in New Jersey. The governor unveiled a plan to invest in infrastructure projects, expand access to education and training programs, and support small businesses in order to stimulate job growth and improve the state’s economy.
In addition to this economic news, Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing also covers a range of other important topics, including updates on the state’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the latest developments in the upcoming gubernatorial election, and new legislation being considered by the state legislature.
Readers can also expect to find analysis and commentary from leading experts and commentators on a wide range of issues, providing valuable insights and perspectives on the most pressing challenges facing New Jersey today.
Overall, Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for August 1, 2024 offers readers a comprehensive and informative look at the latest news and developments in the state, helping them stay informed and engaged with the issues that matter most to them. Whether you’re a business owner, a policymaker, or simply a concerned citizen, this daily briefing is an invaluable resource for staying up-to-date on all things New Jersey.
