Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 7/23/2021 – InsiderNJ

The statewide cumulative COVID-19 count stands at 900,128 cases and 23,846 confirmed fatalities (and 131,218 probable cases and 2,718 probable fatalities) as of Thursday (an increase of 750 confirmed cases, 312 probable cases, and 4 lab-confirmed fatalities from the previous day). The viral transmission rate is 1.4. There have been 10,647,116 COVID-19 vaccinations administered (with 5,195,284 people fully vaccinated).

The NJ Transit budget is being held up due to the federal transportation aid funding dispute with NY, according to the Bergen Record.

Cape May County fears that 2021 will be another lost season for Canadian tourists, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

Rep. Norcross announced $512k in funding for Battleship New Jersey.

Rep. Payne was named Legislator of the Year by the Jersey Access Group.

Rep. Gottheimer announced that key transportation projects in North Jersey are moving forward.

Rep. Pascrell reacted harshly to a report hammering Post Office leadership.

ICYMI: Murphy struck at Ciattarelli: ‘enough already‘; Bruck announced leadership team; Menendez, Booker hailed the Child Tax Credit; judiciary moved towards weed cases expungement; Gottheimer expresses confidence on infrastructure bill; Menendez urged support for Cuban protestors; Murphy hit back at critics who accused him of being ‘soft on crime’; Trump plans to sue tech companies; Sherrill’s SALT summer; Pascrell chaired higher education expansion hearing; Murphy announced Bruck as Acting AG following impending departure of Grewal

In Atlantic City, former council candidate Aaron Carrington was arrested for allegedly threatening a woman with a knife. The AC Police Department provided an update on the assault on Councilman Morshed. The council restricted cannabis sales from the boardwalk, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Paterson, the AG’s Office announced the arrests of gang members and the seizure of guns and illegal large-capacity magazines.

In Hoboken, Mayor Bhalla applauded the passage of the municipal budget by the council. The city adopted a Zero Vision Action Plan for safer streets.

In Trenton, the city unveiled a banner celebrating Athing Mu, a city native who’s competing in the Olympics.

In Bloomingdale, a street mural of a man’s face has triggered racially tinged pushback, according to NJ Spotlight.

In Chatham Township, the mayor and deputy mayor were selected, according to NJ Hills.

In Edison, residents are opposing the building of new townhomes, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Essex Fells, the council plans to ban cannabis businesses, according to NJ Hills.

In Franklin (Sussex), the CFO and administrator resigned in a surprise announcement, according to NJ Herald.

In Garfield, the city is facing a $2M fix for ‘forever chemicals’ in the water supply, according to the Bergen Record.

In Jersey City, BOE President Ali won’t seek re-election in order to focus on his battle with cancer, according to TAPinto.

In Lambertville, an ethics lawsuit against Mayor Fahl was settled, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Linwood, the town is moving to ban cannabis sales, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Montclair, the council revised locations for cannabis dispensaries, according to TAPinto.

In New Providence, the council introduced a revised speeding limit ordinance, according to TAPinto.

In Parsippany, the revised budget is under review, according to the Daily Record.

In Perth Amboy, police officers are suing the city over whistleblower retaliation claims, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Phillipsburg, the warehouse proposal was scaled back and gained council approval, according to Lehigh Valley Live.

In Red Bank, the budget was introduced, according to TAPinto.

In South River, Jason Oliveira was selected to fill a council vacancy, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Toms River, the former Jackson schools leader is the new superintendent, according to the Asbury Park Press.

In Wayne, the council passed an ordinance prohibiting marijuana retail sales, according to TAPinto. Teachers rejected a contract agreement, according to NorthJersey.com.

ICYMI: In Atlantic City, council voted to end \needle exchange program; in Trenton, Gusciora gearing up to run for re-election; in Newark, city welcomed home Army Lt. Colonel Erica Clark-Muhammad; in Belleville, Melham endorsed Ciattarelli, expressed disappointment with Murphy; in Edison, Bhagia re-elected Dem chairman; in Jersey City, Spears launched mayoral campaign; in Newark, Kelly kicked off candidacy in West Ward amid crowded field, w/ Onyema and former Councilman James running; in Bayonne, political entanglements volatile mayoral race