Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 12/16/2024

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY: I think we can say that holding a box over your head and shaking it is not the most efficient way to do this. It’s quaint. I’ve seen it. I get it. But also, when we’re talking about trying to ensure fairness and uniformity across a lot of different races, let’s get to the 21st century, or even the 20th century.” – NJ Policy Perspective’s Peter Chen on using a computerized drawing for ballot positions

 

TOP STORY: Kim Pulls Drone Recon

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Insider 100: Power publication.

 

Tolls and fares will cost NJ travelers more next year, according to NJ101.5.

 

The Governor says ‘more resources are needed’ to solve the drone mystery, according to Burlington County Times.

 

A judge rejected former Senator Menendez’s bid for a new trial, according to NJ Monitor.

 

The Port Authority approved a $9.4B budget for 2025, according to NJ Biz.

 

A federal court rejected a NJ anti-abortion center’s effort to block a subpoena seeking records, according to NJ.com.

 

President-elect Trump named Bedminster resident Edward Walsh as Ambassador to Ireland, according to NJ Globe.

 

A Port Authority official says Newark Airport could be shut down if a drone is spotted, according to NJ Globe.

 

Former Governor Christie says he saw drones above his home, according to NJ Herald.

 

Burlington County approved a contract to repave 32 miles of roads.

 

Hunterdon County Commissioner Kuhl demanded a ‘drone no-fly zone’, according to TAPinto.

 

Morris County will reorganize on January 3rd. The county commission called on the federal government to use all resources to end unauthorized drone flights.

 

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office set up a mobile command post to search for unidentified drones, according to the Asbury Park Press.

 

Senator Kim joined a nighttime police patrol in Hunterdon County to observe drones.

 

Senator Booker introduced the ‘Increasing Transparency and Accountability to Federal Spending Act’.

 

Rep. Van Drew addressed ongoing drone incursions.

 

Rep. Menendez introduced the ‘Community Parks Revitalization Act’, according to Hudson County View.

 

The Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey elected board leadership.

 

ICYMI: Officials demand answers on drones; Murphy signed ‘Freedom To Read Act’, Hickson lead-off speaker; Corbett will depart NJT; Assad’s fall sparked celebration; no landing in sight in Monmouth Airport battle; Pfeiffer will serve as Kim COS

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

Reps. Sherrill and Gottheimer faced criticism from Garden State Equality over their vote in favor of the 2025 NDAA, according to NJ Globe.

 

In LD35, Senator Pou won’t take sides in the race to succeed her, according to NJ Globe.

 

In LD37, Assemblywoman Park is ready for a primary against a challenger with the same last name, according to NJ Globe.

 

ICYMI: Guv candidates urge primary rescheduling; Crispi exploring a guv run; guv candidates converged; Hudson eyes turn to guv; Bramnick puts punches together; Sumter confident of resolution to Senate collision

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

The Senate Higher Education Committee will hold a hearing today on the Charter School Program Act of 1995.

 

Senator Bramnick criticized the White House’s response to mysterious drones, saying ‘this isn’t Bigfoot’ and called on the Department of Defense to investigate.

 

Senator Testa and Assemblymen Simonsen and McLellan decried the lack of answers on the drone activity.

 

Assembly Minority Leader DiMaio and Assemblyman DePhillips demanded a urgent legislative conference on drone activity.

 

Assemblymen McGuckin and Kanitra called for the exemption of Social Security from federal income taxes.

 

Assemblymen Danielsen said the lack of details is concerning regarding drone activity.

 

Assemblywoman Quijano expressed frustration at the lack of information on drone activity.

 

ICYMI: Assembly cmte heard ballot bill testimony; ballot questions dogged committee; state preparing to defend against deportation; guv candidates converged at conference; Haytaian passed away; Bramnick bucked party

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

Download and read Insider NJ’s 2024 Out 100: Power List by Jay Lassiter.

 

Download and read Insider NJ’s New Jersey History and Heritage Spotlight 2024 publication.

 

Insider NJ's Morning Intelligence Briefing

 

Local authorities are seeking the authority to deal with drones themselves, according to the Asbury Park Press.

 

In Jersey City, Mussab Ali was selected to be a Youth250 member. Mayor candidate O’Dea says drones pose a ‘serious threat’ to safety and security, according to Hudson County View.

 

In Deal, officials are fighting a report that they used a ‘shadow government’ for a purchase, according to the Asbury Park Press.

 

In Cherry Hill, the police chief retired, according to NJ101.5. A veterinarian’s slaying has left a community shaken, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

 

In Hillsborough, a ‘drone crash’ prompted a massive police and fire search, according to NJ101.5.

 

In Kinnelon, Reps. Sherrill and Boebart back legislation to give the town its own zip code, according to the Daily Record.

 

In Plainfield, Mayor Mapp revealed plans for Ward 2 recreation space, according to TAPinto.

 

In Trenton, the death of Steven Dolceamore in police hands still resonates with many, according to the Trentonian.

 

ICYMI: In Edison, apologies and retractions; in Newark, Crump passed away; in Morristown, familiar name resurfacing; in Marlboro, sign-stealing an issue; in Howell, GOP won election; in Marlboro, voters elected split BOE ticket; in Hoboken, Councilwoman Giattino passed away

 

 

AROUND THE WEB:

 

N.J. nursing home ‘scam’ highlights host of problems | Editorial

South Jersey Times Editorial Board

 

  • Relatives of residents of South Jersey Extended Care, a Bridgeton nursing home, may have been surprised — but not shocked — to see a photograph of the home on newspaper front pages, accompanying stories with headline phrases such as “… New Jersey’s worst nursing home…” and “… residents suffered in filth, abominable care …”

 

Booker’s flirtation with RFK Jr | Editorial

Star-Ledger Editorial Board

 

  • Sen. Cory Booker has been talking about his common ground with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lately, which seems to signal he might vote to confirm the guy as Donald Trump’s health and human services secretary. That would be a serious mistake: The man is a complete kook who could put the country in grave danger. This is not about lowering the bar and finding the one thing RFK says that is mildly sensible, like their mutual disgust for high fructose corn syrup. The man is not even remotely qualified for the job, he is a menace to the country’s health, and Booker shouldn’t flirt with the idea of approving him just because he doesn’t like federally subsidized junk food.

 

Bipartisan anger as drone confusion continues

Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight

 

  • Democrats and Republicans in New Jersey have found common ground over the unknown drones in the night skies. While officials with the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and Federal Aviation Administration have said the drones, which have also now been spotted in Delaware, do not pose a threat to the public, they also have said they don’t know the origin of the drones.

 

Who removed county clerks from the ballot bill?

David Wildstein, NJ Globe

 

  • There’s a new mystery to the latest version of the Assembly’s ballot design bill: who authorized the removal of the county clerk’s signature from the ballot.

 

‘Insulting:’ Area officials blast feds suggesting drone sightings are unfounded

PC Robinson, NJ Hills

 

  • Area mayors are decrying federal security officials for saying residents are mistaking airplanes for drones and that, for now, there is no imminent security threat.

 

Can you shoot a drone out of the sky?

Dan Alexander, NJ1015

 

  • Many have suggested shooting the mysterious drones in the skies over New Jersey. But the advice from law enforcement is to leave them alone. Many who have become frustrated with a lack of knowledge about the origin of the drones and their intent, including U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. 4th District, and Connecticut U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, have advocated for government agencies to shoot them down as a way of getting answers.

 

Drones in New Jersey: Urgent Bulletin for Fire Departments Released

Eric Scott, NJ1015

 

  • As hundreds of drones continue to swarm over New Jersey, there have been reports some have crashed. So far, all those reports have turned out not to be true and none of these drones have been found on the ground. If one does crash or land, New Jersey firefighters are likely to be among the first on the scene. State officials have instructed New Jersey fire departments to handle these calls with caution.

 

HCST board appoints Sirangelo acting supt., Cossolini acting board secretary

John Heinis, Hudson County View

 

  • The Hudson County Schools of Technology Board of Education appointed Director of Planning, Research, and Evaluations Dr. Joseph Sirangelo the acting superintendent of schools, with Trustee Joe Cossolini named acting board secretary during a tumultuous time.

 

These New Jersey candidates for governor agree on one thing: The primary date should change to accommodate Shavuot

Aliya Schneider, Philadelphia Inquirer

 

  • A bipartisan group of candidates for the New Jersey governor’s seat resoundingly agree on one thing: The date for next year’s primary election should be changed.

 

NJ drought and wildfires intensify with a changing climate. We must act | Opinion

Alison Mitchell

 

  • Despite recent precipitation, New Jersey remains under a drought warning. Rain and snowfall statewide have generally helped water supply conditions but the accumulations are not enough. While fire restrictions have been lifted statewide, we still need more precipitation.

 

Atlantic City Monopoly-inspired hotel designed to play off city’s history with board game

Juan Carlos Castillo, Asbury Park Press

 

  • Monopoly is one of the most popular and iconic board games in the world, published in over 40 languages and sold in over 100 countries, where players move their pieces over a trail of properties, all named after the roads of New Jersey’s very own Atlantic City.

 

Drones buzz U.S. military installations overseas, according to reports

David P. Willis, Asbury Park Press

 

  • It’s not just New Jersey. Unidentified drones have buzzed U.S. military installations around the world., according to multiple reports. Drones were spotted over sensitive military installations and industrial sites in Germany, including Ramstein Air Base, and facilities belonging to German arms maker Rheinmetall and chemical giant BASF, according to reports on Friday by Reuters and the German magazine Der Spiegel, citing security sources.
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46 responses to “Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 12/16/2024”

  1. Murphy celebrates “a full week of declining numbers” then says “status quo of lockdown will remain until new cases and fatalities decrease.” So, which of Murphy’s statements is accurate? He said 2 opposite things in a single paragraph of speaking.

    • He;s “vacationing” at his villa in Italy, while Covid surges and the state is paralyzed by “remote work”…………translation: NO WORK

  2. That is what happens in practicality when they are “suspending their disbelief” (HR Clinton) in real numbers and going on predictive models to make decisions. And then after doing that, they vote with “feelings.”

    • lmao imagine supporting lockdowns after the largest mass death event in american history and calling that a feeling driven conclusion? maga chuds never fail to disappoint

  3. What I — and most of the women I know who are passionate about cosmetics —like about make up isn’t that the right gloss can make your lips poutier or that false lashes can make your eyes more doe-like. Rather, it’s how women can communicate messages and express ourselves through makeup. Certainly it’s not our single factor of communication, but it’s one of many forms of expression that allow us to showcase our individual styles.

  4. Neurosurgery is a complex and demanding medical specialty that requires an exceptional level of skill and experience. Dr. Shiau is undoubtedly one of the best neurosurgeons in New Jersey, and patients in Jersey City, Maplewood, Holmdel, Paramus, and Bergen County can rest assured that they are receiving the best possible care under his expertise. Neurosurgeon nj

  5. Meet Dr. John Shiau, the leading neurosurgeon in NJ, at Complete Medical Wellness. Discover his expertise and how he can help you with your neurological conditions. Check out this article for more information. neurosurgeon NJ

  6. lETS NOT FORGET that during the pandemic Donald Trump sent the MERCY, a fully equipped, COVID prepared Hospital ship to save lives of victims and healthcare workers . But Murphy in his wisdom would rather send Patients back to nursing homes that were ill-equipped to treat these patients so they could die , rather than utilize a life-saving gift and be like NY governor Cuomo, another anti-Trump
    tool.

  7. Gun owners don’t have to talk about guns because they know that they have to come out and vote to protect their constitutional right to bear arms. The Supreme court decision has affirmed that right and somehow our “leaders” haven’t learned how to read.

  8. NJ is one of the most corrupt and racist places to live. There’s “0” accountability for the criminal acts, corruption, and unfair treatment of the people of this state. It starts with our governor who cares less for truth and honesty. Continue to ruin the lives of the citizens of this state.

  9. How about those unintended consequences.
    New Jersey mandating that all cars being sold by 2035 be electric is telling us what we can or cannot buy with our own money. There will always be gasoline powered vehicles because of the power produced by internal combustion compared to the power produced by batteries; which is to say the more power the bigger the battery to the point of rediculousness. My thought is that if the state wants fewer gas powered vehicles on the road it should create a mass transit electric powered system that would emphasize convenience for commuters and everyday shoppers. Of course that would mean vehicles weighing tons more because of the size of batteries and that creates a whole other question of where to dispose of them (also for elelectric car batteries), since they are composed of highly toxic materials that can’t be burnt or buried. These are unintended consequences no- one is willing to grapple with until its too late. I think by 2035 th he electric car fantasy will go the same way the offshore wind farm has gone.

    Stephen Brickman
    206 Stonehenge Dr
    Phillipsburg,NJ 08865
    Stephen.Brickman@gmail.com

    Sent from my iPhone

  10. The military serving in the Middle East represents every state in the Union. Those are our sons and daughters, Moms and Dads and yet we are very little to protect them, or REALLY retaliate when they’re attacked. Governor Murphy is the Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, and past chair of the National Governors Association and yet you never hear him mention about any requests either organization makes to Biden to be more aggressive about protecting our kids in harms way. It’s as though it doesn’t seem to matter to them. No wonder we look so weak to the rest of the world.

  11. Teaneck property taxes pays for the school budget. Teaneck High School students walk out. Is a Hamas military shuffle march property tax bill included?

  12. I’m a conservative and I do believe life begins at conception but the problem is that each mother is responsible for that life and it is in the realm of her mental and physical health that she will either bring it to term or abort it. This should not be a political decision and should not be be dictated by thousand of strangers. The Supreme Court turned it over to the states but it still remains personal for the mother and her family.
    I don’t think it should be an “agenda item” for any political party. A state medical society may want to impose a time frame within which an abortion can occur but even that may be subject to the mother’s doctor’s discretion.
    I say just quit discussing it and leave it up to the mother a father.

  13. Voting should be based on understanding what’s actually happening and knowing who would make life safer and more livable. The only way to do that is to get both sides of the information remembering there are always two sides to a story. Mainstream media in my area includes the Star Ledger and the Easton Express. If you look at the bylines of the opinions you will find writers from the Washington Post and Bloomberg, both notoriously on the left. Even the political cartoons are a dead giveaway. CNN and CNBC are also left leaning. So what are the options for getting opinions and news from the right? Fortunately cable news has Fox, which is near center, and Newsmax, and NewsNation which are full right. Watching these even just occasionally will show a much broader picture and give the reader more information with which to make an informed voting decision. And remember you DONT have to vote party if you feel there’s a wiser choice.

  14. The governor signed off on having Narcan available in all schools grades 9 through 12. But what about the idea
    of having Narcan available in ALL SCHOOLS in New Jersey?

  15. How’s his for an idea? Uncover the identities of the un-elected advisors to Pres. Biden, and publish their names. That way there is actually someone to blame when we lose valuable lives from unanswered attacks by terrorist organizations. We know Biden isn’t making these decisions on his own. My guess is that these advisors will quit the team rather than take the heat for poor decisions, revealing a big weakness in this administration. It might lead to improvements to the decision-making process.

  16. Note to Concealed Carry permit holders: make sure you subscribe to one of the insurance companies that specialize in CCP, ie: US LAW SHIELD. If you ever have to fire your weapon , that has to be the first phone call you make. The second is 911, the third is your family. With so many new permit holders there will probably be an increase in discharges until word gets out that it’s actually unsafe for criminals to be in New Jersey and crime will take a nosedive.
    Now unless you have a conviction in your background you can get that CCP and really defend yourself and your family. And more women are applying which is great for family defense. The stats that record gun violence will have to be re-organized into guns used for crime and guns used to prevent crime. A lot of get-always here because sometimes just brandishing a firearm is enough to stop a crime. But it should be reported anyway..

  17. The liability limits for taxi cabs are extreme starting July 1. It was a plan in place through the insurance banking committee and it was abruptly changed with an amendment. The guys are barely making a living today and you’ve increased their insurance. What’s fair is fair and this is not it was an incremental increase, which was fair, and was removed by the governor please refer back to the original plan

  18. Iowa gets it right. What better school security is there than trained, armed teachers with concealed carry permits. You wonder what parents and local government officials when they oppose this idea. Apparently they would rather wait for some demented individual, either a student or maybe an ex student pulls out a handgun of his backpack , or a long gun out of a duffel and starts firing do they can call it in and wait for help to show up. This move would save many lives and I would heartily endorse this idea nationwide. Of course I’m just an average gun owner who believes that our kids are our most valuable asset and need real protection.

  19. The problem with the Line is that there is no vetting process. Whoever pays the most and/or is specifically unqualified and therefore relegated to the status of puppet is who the county bosses support and threaten the committee members to support. My opponent said on-air that he will do whatever they tell him. What kind of leadership is that. I have 8-10 organizations endorsing me to his zero. I have served many statewide for almost 4 years while he has never helped anyone but himself. No-brainer who is qualified, and they know it. That’s why they are getting nasty and vile while I continue to take the high road.

  20. With the mainstream media touting the current president and suddenly discovers he’s been lying to us all about how supportive he is of Israel when it is reported he is receiving BIG donations from Soros and Rockefellers , both proven anti-American donors, to become pro Palestinian and Pro Hamas and Anti Israel by holding up ammunition shipments to Israel. And solidly answering the question of why he never goes directly against Iran. Is the MSM party to this also. How can the general public now know who and what to trust. They warn us how terrible a trump administration will be as if they have totally forgotten how good we had it under Trump. All I can say is put on your big boy pants and tell us how it really is.

  21. Studies show that recreational cannabis is responsible a 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths. These studies show that cannabis impairs driving ability and driving while high is common among regular users. Since cannabis is still an illegal drug, insurance companies are within their rights to deny coverage in for an accident ruled a DUI due to cannabis. However a state that approved its recreational use should be held accountable for any and all the consequences of that DUI. States are more interested in the money they make but they should accept the responsibility for having approved the use of recreational cannabis.

  22. Could you please fix your “bay blood spots “ typo. It sounds like a horror movie. Although “baby blood spots” isn’t much better. Maybe there’s a clearer and less distressing turn of phrase for all of our sensitive readers, lol. Please and thank you.

  23. Reclassifying marihuana from CI to any other category will involve Pharmacy because by law only a Pharmacist with a DEA license can purchase or sell any drug with a CII to CV
    Classification. (CI is exempt because it’s heroine or any other drug with no medical purpose). This is a National problem because it is all under the DEA. And since marihuana is a hallucinogen among other things it requires control. The whole weed issue has put the cart before the horse and really requires reining in to have it conform
    to the legal requirements. (Sorry Mr. Weedman). And recreational use will get the biggest hit because it will require a prescription
    for medicinal use, but that cuts out the recreational aspect. Maybe in the future Pharmacists may be able to prescribe it but not yet. And how many physicians and Nurse Practitioners will want to be involved in the weed industry, I wonder? Lots of questions and few answers so far.

  24. Changing the regulations to allow Optometrists to perform surgery is foolhardy and dangerous. Their training is doing vision tests and prescribing the correct glasses to improve vision. Only an MD in ophthalmology should be the one to do eye surgery.
    That’s like asking the fellow filling your gas tank to fix a ball joint suspension.
    This is not the answer to a shortage of ophthalmologists

  25. Can’t seem to access the Steinberg column on Sam Alito, Sr. on your website. Suggestions?

  26. Stop complaining about taxes ,our schools , our crime, ,after all folks we keep voting in the same Democrat party politicians each time .

    For instance who would think that every Democrat who represents us in congress would vote for men playing in woman sports ,but they did , ask yourself are you the kind of a person who would kill ( sorry to use that word kill but hard not to since the law is that is a human being and if the mother is murdered it’s a double homicide ) a baby up to the moment of birth sorry to tell you that is the law in New Jersey.

    So stop complaining your part of the problem.

  27. NOTE TO SENIORS
    I was 85 when I got my Carry permit. If you want to protect yourself and your family you are never too old to carry. As log as you can pass the test at the range, which is pretty simple, and you have a handgun you can handle (which is why I purchased a Walther CCP M2 PLUS which is easy to rack) and you have no police record or mental health problems, you can qualify. Of course you need to get a Federal weapons ID card, if you don’t already have one. We are targets because we are older and look easy. Well surprise , surprise. The more folks that are carrying the less crime because the bad guys wont know if you are armed and might not try something. By the way
    it doesn’t matter- male or female!!

  28. Assemblyman Schaer’s Bill to define antisemitism for New Jersey residents and to be able to react to it is great. But what about our kids going off to college, especially the Jewish kids. They should have a means to know what schools have active anti-Jewish protests, and/or pro-Palestinian demonstration allowed on and off campus. They should be able to feel safe wherever they go, and not have their studies interrupted by what I consider this unlawful activity. Are there websites with this kind of information posted?

  29. Concerns about Jan 6 violence
    The simple solution to allay the concerns of the Jan.6 violence happening again is to make sure the election is run in an honest and above board manner, which must include voter I.D. via a totally transparent system. Otherwise I’m betting all bets are off.

  30. (The state’s voting system is secure, according to NJ Spotlight.)

    This was without doubt one of the most farcical articles perhaps ever written. To give you an idea just how corrupt and lawless the voting system is, in 2021 Governor Murphy deviously ousted the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections with over 30+ years of experience (coerced and strongarmed into early retirement) in order to then deliberately and deviously insert Loretta Weinberg’s Chief of Staff who, had absolutely NO previous election experience whatsoever.

    This was all masterfully formulated and then executed just several weeks prior to the Gubernatorial primary. But of course there was nothing nefarious regarding such an abrupt change.

    Although Bergen County is not the largest County in New Jersey it is however home to the most registered voters of which the vast majority are also Democrats.

    Keep in mind The Superintendent of Elections Office is also in charge of voter “registrations” – polls books, voting machines and of course – investigating any and all reports of voter fraud.

    Murphy’s intentions had been to leave the position vacant until “after” the Gubernatorial Election in November but the media exposed his chicanery and he was forced to fill and announce his personal “appointment” immediately and how all of this came to light.

    The former Superintendent of Elections was also a Republican and certainly would’ve never voluntarily retired “prematurely” but just prior to a major election. Her integrity was legendary throughout the entire County.

    But of course there was nothing to Murphy’s sudden lead change “in the middle of the night” in Bergen County after the polls had already closed.

    Murphy was and still remains loathed and despised by all because of his despotic actions and stance on the Covid lockdowns. He knew there was no other way he could ever beat Ciattarelli and never did. But certainly not legally nor ever legitimately. But keep believing “the voting system in NJ” is actually secure.

  31. Once Trump pardons the Jan 6 participants they should immediately begin Class Action suit against Nancy Pelosi who was instrumental in conducting a huge Political Kangaroo Court unfairly sending hundreds of of participants to jail. They should seek 200 million dollars for redress as well as compensation for Ashley Babbit’s shooting for being unarmed and unthreatening and totally not deserving of a death sentence. And it should cover the medical needs of those jailed who were denied adequate medical care. This was a total abuse of politely power and a Class Action suit is needed to clear the air.

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