Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The challenges facing our nation are many. But that means, so too, are the opportunities. And I am going to lean into these opportunities so that, while my time here may be short, my impact may be lasting. So I intend to be focused. And I intend to be busy. And I intend to make every single day count for the people of New Jersey.” – Senator Helmy in his maiden Senate floor speech
TOP STORY: Altman Picks up Tempo in CD-7 Against Reliably Invisible Kean
There’s been a rash of online threats against NJ schools, according to NJ Spotlight.
The Fed’s interest rate cuts will have ‘immediate benefit‘ in the state, according to NJ Spotlight.
Prosecutors urged a judge to reject former Senator Menendez’s attempts to get jury verdicts tossed, according to Politico NJ.
Garden State Equality opened a new headquarters, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Pricing and smaller crowds fuel the off-season at the Jersey Shore, according to the Daily Journal.
Monmouth County will add a new phase to the landfill, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Warren County police will construct a K-9 training facility, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
Senator Helmy delivered his maiden floor speech.
Senator Booker introduced the ‘Tribal Heritage and American Bison, Grizzly Bear, and Wolf Restoration and Coexistence Act’.
Rep. Kim will hold his 79th town hall.
Workers are trying to unionize and clashing with employers at American Dream, according to the Bergen Record.
ICYMI: Legislation pending to honor Pascrell; funeral held for the late Rep. Pascrell; smoking still allowed in casinos; Kelly may have helped torpedo Mastro
Steve Adubato discusses bridge safety and infrastructure with Professor Bandelt (video).
Assemblyman Danielsen introduced a plastic water bottle procurement ban bill.
Public health advocates urged a study between problem gambling in casinos and indoor smoking in casinos.
NJ Wind Works hailed Atlantic City’s approval of the Atlantic Shores project.
ICYMI: Scutari announced bid for another term as Senate President
In Paterson, oral arguments are set to begin next week in the city’s lawsuit to prevent the AG’s takeover of the police department.
In Jersey City, Councilman Solomon kicked off his mayoral candidacy, which could shake up the 2025 race.
In Hamilton (Mercer), a contract was awarded for the new municipal building.
In Garfield, Bergen County presented $197k in open space funding to the city.
In Atlantic City, the council approved the ‘road diet’ lawsuit settlement, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Carteret, the fire department is diversifying its ranks, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Glen Rock, a public forum discussed the fate of basketball courts, according to TAPinto.
In Passaic, apartment tenants united against rent hikes, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Madison, the town and Drew are at odds over a $65M plan to preserve the forest, according to the Daily Record.
In Mount Laurel, the council revisited the stormwater control ordinance, according to TAPinto.
In Randolph, two educators hope to win BOE seats, according to NJ Hills.
In Ridgewood, the town garage must be torn down immediately, according to the Bergen Record.
In Somers Point, a new councilmember was sworn-in, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Summit, a task force is tackling homelessness, according to TAPinto.
In Toms River, schools will sue the state for more money, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In West Milford, a lawsuit seeks to reverse the switch to a full-time mayor, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Willingboro, residents and officials weighed in on the library’s future, according to Burlington County Times.
ICYMI: In AC, Small, wife indicted
AROUND THE WEB:
Marker to honor 60th anniversary of Teaneck’s school integration unveiled at ceremony
Marsha A. Stoltz, NorthJersey.com
- Sixty years after the township’s school district became the first in the country to voluntarily integrate its schools, a blue and white historic marker honoring the event was unveiled at William Cullen Bryant School.
You can now check the status of your ANCHOR benefit. Here’s how.
Karin Price Mueller, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
- At the start of the season for this year’s ANCHOR property benefit, some residents learned their applications would be filed automatically. Others had to file their own applications and go through an identity verification process with ID.me.
DEP Permit Hearing Set on Newark Gas Plant Plans as Opposition Mounts
Matt Kadosh, TAPinto Newark
- Residents who attended a meeting of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission on Thursday to oppose the agency’s plans to build a natural gas power plant in the Ironbound learned a public hearing on state permits for the plant is scheduled for Oct. 1.
Assembly panel approves bill allowing mental health referrals by school counselors
Nikita Biryukov, NJ Monitor
- Assembly lawmakers advanced legislation Thursday that would allow school counselors to refer students to outside mental health practitioners. Lawmakers pitched the bill, which cleared the chamber’s education committee in a 7-2 vote, as a means of connecting students who need behavioral health services beyond what school districts can provide on their own.
Lawmakers move to limit police use of DNA from babies and crime victims
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- New Jersey lawmakers advanced a bill Thursday that would limit law enforcement’s use of DNA samples taken from newborns and crime victims. The bill comes two years after the state Office of the Public Defender discovered that state police had used a baby’s blood sample taken as part of New Jersey’s mandatory newborn disease-screening program to charge the child’s father with a crime.
CarePoint warns 2,600 potential layoffs could hit Hudson County hospitals
Kimberly Redmond, NJBIZ
- CarePoint Health, the largest hospital system in Hudson County, could lay off more than 2,600 employees as it works to shore up its finances.
Food Donations at All-Time Low, Martha’s Pantry Appeals for Help
John Van Vliet, TAPinto Hawthorne
- Martha’s Pantry at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church has helped thousands of people over the five years it has been serving the community. But, owing to a severe drop in nonperishable food donations and money, the volunteers who run the operation are worried about how they will be able to carry on their mission.
Hoboken City Council OKs building $250k statue of LGBTQ+ icon Marsha P. Johnson
Daniel Ulloa, Hudson County View
- The Hoboken City Council approved building a $250,000 statue of LGBTQ+ icon Marsha P. Johnson, which will be displayed at Stevens Park, at last night’s meeting.
Atlantic City mayor, school superintendent to be arraigned Oct. 10 in child abuse case
John O’Connor, Press of Atlantic City
- The city’s mayor and schools superintendent accused of abusing their teenage daughter are set to be arraigned next month, court officials said Thursday. Marty Small Sr., 50, and his wife, La’Quetta Small, 47, are scheduled to appear in front of Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury at 9 a.m. Oct. 10.
Landmark Freehold Raceway to cease operations at end of year; no word on future plans for site
Stephen Edelson, Asbury Park Press
- Officials at Freehold Raceway, where harness racing has been conducted since the mid-1800s, say they plan to cease all live racing and simulcast operations by the end of the year, citing unprofitable operations that “cannot continue under existing conditions.”
Rutgers president joins wave of college presidents calling it quits after year of tumult
Dana DiFilippo, NJ Monitor
- When Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway steps down next summer at the end of his five-year contract, he’ll join a national wave of college presidents who have surrendered their posts amid controversy over campus protests. Campus unrest and activism, particularly over the war in Gaza, have driven several college presidents to resign in recent years, including Columbia University’s Minouche Shafik, University of Pennsylvania’s Liz Magill, and Harvard’s Claudine Gay.
NJ seniors may get a tax break if this congresman gets his way
Dennis Malloy, NJ1015
- You work all of your life and pay into Social Security, thinking you’ll at least be able to get some of your tax money back when you retire. Then you find out, you get taxes on that money, too. Not too many seniors are happy about that and could use a break right about now. Well, don’t hold your breath, but someone in Congress from our state is working on letting you keep your whole S.S. check.
$336M NJPAC redevelopment breaks ground in Newark
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- Wednesday was a day many years in the making for the City of Newark – as leaders, officials and stakeholders gathered to break ground on a $336 million project to redevelop the New Jersey Performing Arts Center‘s (NJPAC) downtown campus.
Developers of Atlantic City shipping container park seeking tenants
Buzz Keough, Press of Atlantic City
- Prospective tenants of a proposed beach-block shipping container park received an onsite tour of the $2.5 million project site Tuesday. Organizers said interest is high for the 22 available spaces that would become part of the entertainment, shopping and dining complex envisioned there.
Lawsuits buffet US offshore wind projects, seeking to end or delay them
Wayne Parry, Associated Press
- Opponents of offshore wind around the U.S. are pelting projects with lawsuits seeking to cancel them or tie them up for years in costly litigation. The court cases represent another hurdle the nascent industry must overcome, particularly along the East Coast where opposition to offshore wind farms is vocal and well-organized.
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Good morning, New Jersey! It’s time to start your day off right with Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing for September 20, 2024. Here’s a rundown of the top news and events happening in the Garden State today:
1. Governor Murphy to Make Major Announcement on Education Funding:
Governor Phil Murphy is set to make a major announcement today regarding education funding in New Jersey. The governor has been a strong advocate for increasing funding for schools in the state, and this announcement is expected to be a significant step forward in his efforts to improve education for all students.
2. New Jersey Senate to Vote on Climate Change Legislation:
The New Jersey Senate is scheduled to vote today on a package of climate change legislation that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy sources. The bills have been met with both support and opposition, so it will be interesting to see how the vote plays out.
3. NJ Transit Announces New Bus Routes:
NJ Transit has announced the addition of several new bus routes to its service, aimed at improving transportation options for residents in underserved areas. The new routes will provide increased access to jobs, schools, and other essential services for communities across the state.
4. Local Events:
Looking for something to do today? Check out the local events happening in your area, from farmers markets to art exhibits to live music performances. There’s always something fun and exciting going on in New Jersey, so be sure to get out and enjoy all that the state has to offer.
That’s all for today’s Morning Intelligence Briefing. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day, and have a great day, New Jersey!
