Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We have an attorney general searching for headlines instead of facts. It’s about the work. I think that New Jersey deserves better than this embarrassment.” – Senator Cryan on the AG’s office of public integrity and accountability
TOP STORY: How Kim Should Respond
The state will join the IRS’ Direct File service for residents to submit federal income tax returns.
The state’s tax holiday on back-to-school supplies sales tax is halted, according to NJ Spotlight.
NJ Transit riders’ irritability is growing over unreliable trains, according to the Bergen Record.
NJ Transit asked the federal government to intervene to avert a strike, according to NJ.com; President Biden ordered a review, according to NJ.com.
The state will pay the cost of menstrual products for low-income residents, according to NJ Spotlight.
Rep. Pascrell suffered a setback during his extended hospitalization.
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
AG Platkin announced Sara Ben-David as the Acting Director of the NJ Racing Commission.
The state is seeking state worker input on generative AI.
Efforts to release prisoners from long sentences is drawing new interest, according to NJ Monitor.
Senator Cryan renewed his call for an investigation into the AG’s public integrity and accountability office, according to NJ Monitor.
Senator Holzapfel blasted Governor Murphy’s school funding priorities as ‘misplaced’.
Assemblyman Kanitra plans to introduce legislation increasing transparency on toxic spills.
ICYMI: Way appointed Wolkenberg NJDOS COS; Murphy announced departure of Gutierrez-Scacetti; Murphy says he doesn’t think about his legacy; Murphy announced promotions
In Atlantic City, the merged AC-Pleasantville municipal court received a $229k implementation grant, according to Downbeach. A judge hit the Housing Authority with 75% rent abatements for ignoring court orders, according to the Press of Atlantic City. Lawyers told a judge that the ‘road diet’ agreement announced by the mayor isn’t yet firm, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In East Brunswick, the town is gearing up for a new ice rink, according to TAPinto.
In Edison, the town may cut down the size of new construction on Amboy Ave, according to MyCentralJersey.
In High Bridge, a bond ordinance was introduced, according to NJ Hills.
In Hoboken, a medical cannabis business is suing over a quashed licened, citing Pellegrini, according to Hudson County View.
In Lakewood, the town gave retroactive OKs to businesses that operated without permits for a decade, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Margate, a $3M bond was introduced for a parking lot over a commissioner’s objections, according to Downbeach.
In Mendham Township, a energy aggregation program regenerated, according to NJ Hills.
In Morristown, concerns about security, gas, and privatization dominated a Housing Authority meeting, according to Morristown Green.
In Mountainside, construction began on a new DPW building, according to TAPinto.
In Phillipsburg, a judge KOed a warehouse law, and residents want a second one struck, according to Lehigh Valley Live.
In Roselle, contracts were awarded for improvements, according to TAPinto.
In Silverton, the mayor banned EMS from Toms River first aid calls, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In South Orange, the town discussed the HPC ordinance amendment, according to TAPinto.
In Totowa, the town joined the lawsuit against the state’s affordable housing law, according to TAPinto.
In Wayne, the BOE quietly sold a 10 acre parcel for $1M, according to NorthJersey.com.
ICYMI: In Union City, residents reacted to Menendez conviction; in Newark, Speight announced candidacy for Central Ward; in Wayne, debate popped up; in Parsippany, Musella kicked off mayoral campaign; in Dover, bumpy transition
AROUND THE WEB:
Who is on Gov. Murphy’s list to replace NJ Sen. Bob Menendez?
Dan Alexander, NJ1015
- At least one name can be taken off the list of possible replacements for Sen. Robert Menendez who will leave the office on August 20. Menendez submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday. An announcement was also made on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Murphy in a brief statement said he would “exercise his duty to make a temporary appointment” to fill out the remainder of Menendez’s term until January.
Politically connected Hudson County attorney’s law license suspended by state review board
Ron Zeitlinger, The Jersey Journal
- The law license of a politically connected Hudson County attorney with a history of ethics complaints has been suspended for six months by the state Supreme Court Disciplinary Review Board for practicing law during a prior suspension in 2016 and “conduct involving dishonesty, fraud and deceit.”
Lack of Trenton department directors a fluctuation shame
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- With another Mayor Reed Gusciora appointee allegedly out, this city administration moves toward more confusion than the famous Abbott and Costello “Who’s on First” sketch. So, who’s the BA (business administrator), Maria Richardson? I don’t know. But I thought she was the acting health director and recreation director. Who? Maria Richardson. Then what’s the name of the housing and economic development director? She’s gone.
Man charged with animal cruelty after incident with seagull on Wildwood boardwalk
Kaitlyn McCormick, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
- A Cape May man is accused of beheading a seagull that was trying to steal French fries from his daughter. Franklin Zeigler, 29, was charged with animal cruelty after a recent incident in Wildwood, police said. Zeigler asked staff at Morey’s Pier for a trash bag while holding the decapitated bird, according to a probable cause statement for his arrest.
Fortune ranks Morristown 9th best family town in USA
Kevin Coughlin, Morristown Green
- Morristown is a nice place to visit, but… it’s also is a great place to live. Especially, if you have a family. That’s the word from Fortune magazine, which has ranked the Morris County seat No. 9 on its third annual list of 50 Best Places to Live for Families.
New NJCPA survey examines state, national economic conditions
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ
- The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) is out with a new economic survey that asked more than 500 members their feelings about the economy. The survey revealed a number of concerns about economic conditions and challenges from respondents — especially regarding their feelings about New Jersey’s outlook versus the national.
ROI-NJ women’s networking event gives leading professionals something to think about
Linda Lindner, ROI-NJ
- Our thoughts determine our feelings. Those feelings determine our actions, and those actions determine our outcomes. That was the takeaway from Mindset Matters, the most recent women’s wellness & networking event presented by ROI-NJ in partnership with Caryl Communications.
Gary Miles, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Helen A. Fenton, 87, of Haddon Heights, award-winning retired elementary schoolteacher in the Berlin Township School District, longtime Spanish-speaking community advocate in South Jersey, and tireless volunteer, died Wednesday, July 10, of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.
Is Sylvia Plath a beach read? One Ventnor author sure thinks so.
Amy S. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Inquirer
- The beach can be a place for deep thoughts, even while it beckons to you to escape them, and there may be no better person to revel in all its contradictions than Emily Van Duyne. Van Duyne, 44, grew up as part of one of the Jersey Shore’s most storied local families, the inventors of the iconic Van Duyne fiberglass surf boats, all while nurturing a deep love for and fascination with Sylvia Plath, the poet and author who died by suicide in 1963.
What’s the environmental impact of the new Middlesex County sports complex? Report due
Suzanne Russell, MyCentralJersey.com
- While waiting for the National Park Service’s environmental assessment of proposed changes at Thomas A. Edison Park, a local environmental group is scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss the project.
Who will Gov. Phil Murphy tap to fill Sen. Bob Menendez’s seat in U.S. Senate?
Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com
- Now that Sen. Bob Menendez has formally submitted his letter of resignation, New Jersey will have a vacant seat in the U.S. Senate and Gov. Phil Murphy will appoint someone to fill it. The newly appointed senator will serve the remainder of Menendez’s term, which ends in early January.
What are North Jersey’s priciest ZIP codes? Here are the top five
Maddie McGay, NorthJersey.com
- For $22.5 million, you could buy Nascar legend Tony Stewart’s 415-acre Hidden Hollow Ranch in Indiana, completed with a 8,700-gallon, two-story freshwater aquarium; a 1,500-gallon stream filled with a koi fish; a waterfall; and two separate buildings on the property for a guest house and a workshop.
Will Trump end the ‘inflation nightmare’? A Q&A
Julie O’Connor, Star-Ledger Editorial Board
- Inflation has been the second most damaging issue for Joe Biden after the border, and now, Kamala Harris will own the Biden record and have to answer for it. Trump is campaigning on a pledge to end the “inflation nightmare,” and so far, Americans appear to believe him: According to a recent poll by YouGov, only 29 percent of respondents thought Harris would do a better job than Trump on tackling inflation, as opposed to the 43 percent who had more confidence in Trump.
New Jersey braces for more bank closures
Eric Scott, NJ1015
- A Pennsylvania based bank has announced the closure of 13 branch offices including nine in New Jersey. It’s the latest in a wave of closures that has hit New Jersey hard in 2024. Financial analysts say with most transactions now able to be completed on-line or on a phone-based app, fewer branches are needed.
Democrats weigh Harris’s chances against Trump
Taylor Jung, NJ Spotlight
- With President Biden’s withdrawal from the race, the Democratic Party has coalesced support around Vice President Kamala Harris, who received big-name endorsements in less than 24 hours after the shocking announcement. Harris has said she plans to “earn” the party’s presidential nomination.
Artist from Teaneck draws acclaim for capturing trauma of Israel at war
Deena Yellin, NorthJersey.com
- In one of Leah Raab’s latest works of art, a pair of arms stretch out in desperation from a dark canvas. They reach towards the heavens like a prayer. Elsewhere, feet and hands clutch their way from an abyss, anxious for freedom. To some, the composition in wood and acrylic paint represents salvation − the title Raab gave the piece. For others, the distorted fragments create a sense of unease, recalling terror and war. The distorted limbs, assembled from scraps of wood, appear to flail amidst unspeakable horrors.
Want to stop Trump, Democrats? It’s a two point plan
Jeff Edelstein, The Trentonian
- Here’s the full list of items the Democrats have to do in order to come from behind and defeat Donald Trump in November. 1) Name Sen. Mark Kelly as the vice-presidential candidate. 2) Run on a single, yet proven effective message that basically consists of the following: “What are you crazy? You’re gonna vote for Trump?!” And that’s pretty much it.
Rutgers researchers uncover evidence of hurricanes more than four centuries ago
Ethan Mannello, MyCentralJersey.com
- A Rutgers team of researchers has produced a study that found evidence of hurricanes dating back more than 400 years, a result that could assist scientists in further hurricane studies. The study examined coastal sediment layers below Cheesequake State Park wetlands looking for “overwash deposits,” which occur when hurricane storm surges push sand from beaches and dunes to wetlands.
NJ Supreme Court reverses Edna Mahan’s guard suspension due to being too lenient
Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
- The state Supreme Court has reversed a six-month suspension of a Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women guard for being too lenient after he failed to report he had kissed an inmate and had passed a personal message from her to another inmate.
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