Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing:
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “ICE didn’t always wear masks. What they’re doing now is terrorizing.” – Assemblyman Danielsen
TOP STORY: Pro-ICE Post Touches off Debate in Montville
Gateway funds are flowing again, for now, according to Politico NJ.
ICE called the state’s new immigration order ‘illegally illiterate’, but Governor Sherrill isn’t backing down, according to NJ.com.
The state released preliminary Super Bowl wagering totals.
NJ Transit says it will follow Governor Sherrill’s ICE order after riders pleaded for protection, according to NJ.com.
Federal judges again heard a challenge to the state’s law banning guns in sensitive places, according to NJ Monitor.
Three Jersey Shore counties will appeal the state’s flood rules, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Former Middlesex County Sheriff Spicuzzo passed away, according to NJ Globe.
Rep. Van Drew explained his SAVE Act vote, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
Rep. Kean defended ICE after a shooting incident in his district.
Rep. Gottheimer called for immediate action from the MVC in the Real ID push, according to NJ.com.
Connell Foley welcomed Abbey True Harris as a partner.
ICYMI: Malinowski conceded in CD11 dogfight; Sherrill visited Gateway site
Read Insider NJ’s 2025 Powerful Women of NJ list, compiled by former Assemblywoman Sumter.
Senator Testa won’t challenge Senator Booker, according to NJ Globe.
In CD7, Andrew Yang endorsed Varela.
In CD11, the AP called the race for Mejia. AIPAC’s efforts backfired, according to NJ.com. Almost every congressional Democrat has endorsed Mejia in the April special general and June primary elections, according to NJ.com. Here are 14 takeaways from Mejia’s stunning win, according to NJ Globe. Teaneck Mayor Pagan endorsed Mejia. Patricia Campos Medina say Mejia’s campaign was a master class in Latino victory, according to NJ Spotlight.
In CD12, Rep. Watson Coleman says she won’t take sides in the primary to succeed her, but she doesn’tt want Mayor Cohen to win, according to NJ Globe.
Sussex County Commissioner DeGroot announced his re-election bid.
ICYMI: Dems size up 2028; Mejia says candidates should reject AIPAC; Gee says Mejia win signals ‘new era’; Morsy cited ICE fear; Jones wants Dems ‘rallying around the winner’; AIPAC big loser; CD11 primary progressive proxy battle between Kim, Baraka; CD11 most fascinating race; insiders sweat impact; Murphy wants to challenge Booker; in CD11, Hathway ready to battle
Lawmakers advanced legislation targeting ICE by banning face coverings. Sponsor Assemblywoman Quijano said the bill ‘is not anti-law enforcement in any way’ and is ‘straightforward’. Assemblyman McClellan argued that some of bill’s components are ‘already taken care of’, while Assemblyman Kanitra slammed the bill, saying ‘this state has been taken over by you guys pandering to illegal aliens’, and noted that attacks on law enforcement have increased in recent years. The FOP testified against the bill as written, noting that some of amendments are ‘ambiguous’ and that there are ‘common sense language issues’.
The Assembly is on track for a record number of proposed laws, according to SaveJersey.
Assemblyman Macurdy introduced legislation to increase child care support.
The NJLCV unveiled their 2026 Common Agenda.
ICYMI: SJU interviewed Davenport; Senators engaged; Davenport addressed ICE questions; Bucco, Gopal butted heads; Dehmerl appointed CTO; Sherrill tapped Jarvis for DOL; SJU preparing to interview Davenport, Binder; Singleton ready to dive into affordable housing; Bramnick warns GOP ‘only going to get worse’ w/ Trump; Sherrill signed six orders; Murphy took action on bills
In Audubon, plans for Family Park upgrades were presented, according to NJ Pen.
In Clifton, layoffs are still on the table, according to NorthJersey.com.
In East Orange, the council addressed development, according to TAPinto.
In Edison, the council proposed a smaller pay increase after public backlash, according to NJ.com.
In Hamilton, at least a dozen residents have died from Legionairre’s disease since 2018, according to Jersey Vindicator.
In Hoboken, the council approved an engineering contract, according to Hudson County View. The council backed the Immigrant Trust Act, according to Hudson County View.
In Jackson, the mayor ignored an attorney’s warning, and it cost the town $2M, according to NJ.com. A resident cites environmental impact in a lawsuit against a yeshiva project, according to the Asbury Park Press. The new police chief is no stranger to breaking glass ceilings, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Jersey City, the council ditched NW Financial as financial advisor amid fiscal crisis fallout, according to JC Times.
In Kearney, the town banned ICE from town property, according to Hudson County View.
In Lindenwold, schools will monitor dismissal after a ICE bus stop scare, according to Burlington County Times.
In Little Egg Harbor, a 415-unit development was challenged, according to Jersey Shore Online.
In Newark, the schools touted growth despited losing students, according to TAPinto.
In New Providence, the snow and cold took a bite out of town coffers, according to TAPinto.
In Ocean City, the boardwalk panel reported on its work, according to Cape May Herald.
In Old Bridge, a digital billboard was proposed, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Paterson, the council killed a bid to stop tax exemptions, according to Paterson Press.
In Piscataway, a hotel ordinance was passed to curb crime, but critics fear the impact, according to MyCentralJersey.
In Raritan, the borough changed rules about turns on Tillman Street, according to TAPinto.
In Seaside Park, the town may get bigger, according to the Asbury Park Press.
In Tabernacle, the town rejected architect bids for town hall, according to Pine Barrens Tribune.
In Teaneck, the town responded to reports of ICE in town, according to NorthJersey.com.
In Upper, consensus was reached on mailbox payouts after snow plow damage, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
In Warren, the regional high school budget is expected, according to NJ Hills.
In Westfield, a stormwater management plan was submitted, according to TAPinto. The BOE is divided on potential tax increases, according to UC Hawk.
In Woodland, the town is considering raising construction and inspection fees, according to Pine Barrens Tribune.
AROUND THE WEB:
The outrage isn’t ‘fake.’ Trump’s vile Obama meme was wrong | Opinion
Mike Kelly, NorthJersey.com
- When I ask supporters of President Donald Trump what they like about him, many often rattle off a litany of policy positions. They might cite Trump’s get-tough policies on immigration. Or Trump’s support for gun rights. Or his desire to curb gender identity and diversity efforts in government and corporations. Or his promise to crack down even more on crime.
What’s considered upper middle class in New Jersey? Report explains
Kyle Morel, NorthJersey.com
- A new report found that New Jersey has the second-highest income range for its upper middle class. Residents in the Garden State need a household income of at least $162,235 to be considered near the top of the class, according to a study published Feb. 10 by financial technology company MoneyLion. New Jersey trails only Massachusetts, which has a minimum income of $163,066 for upper-middle-class members.
Stomping Grounds: Analilia Mejia, April 16 Special Election, Age Limits, and Mikie Sherrill
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- New Jerseyans aren’t always civil, but it’s still possible for a liberal Democrat and a conservative Republican to have a rational and pleasant conversation about politics in the state. Dan Bryan is a former senior advisor to Gov. Phil Murphy and is now the owner of his own public affairs firm, and Alex Wilkes is an attorney and former executive director of America Rising PAC who advises Republican candidates in New Jersey and across the nation, including the New Jersey GOP. Dan and Alex are both experienced strategists who are currently in the room where high-level decisions are made. They will get together weekly with New Jersey Globe editor David Wildstein to discuss politics and issues.
No raise, no review, no thanks? New Jersey workers speak out
Eric “EJ” Johnson, NJ1015
- New Jersey workers are not asking for parades. Most are simply looking for a sense that their work matters and that someone notices. Lately, that feeling seems harder to come by. There are real economic reasons behind it. The cost of living in New Jersey remains among the highest in the country. Housing, property taxes, tolls, groceries, utilities, it adds up quickly. At the same time, recent reporting shows wages are not keeping pace with affordability in the Garden State.
Lori Herndon will chair Stockton University Foundation Board
Fideri News Network
- Lori Herndon, the former president and CEO of AtlantiCare, will serve as chair of the Stockton University Foundation Board of Directors, following approval of her nomination at the Board’s Feb. 5 meeting.
‘This Can’t Be TK’: Montclair Teen Charged in ISIS Plot Seeks $500K Bail
Tina Kelley, Montclair Local
- Lawyers for a Montclair teen accused of conspiring with ISIS have asked that he be released on bail, noting that he had no history of criminality or violence, has strong family relationships, and is deteriorating physically and mentally in solitary confinement for the past three months.
MWW names Gunaratna EVP of public affairs
BINJE Staff
- MikeWorldWide has named Mahen Gunaratna, the former chief strategy officer and communications director to Gov. Phil Murphy, as EVP of public affairs, the firm announced Thursday.
VIDEO: Rooney debates future of the GOP with Zdan, Perry and Steinberg
Save Jersey
- America is at a crossroads in its 250th year, and so is the current majority party. Where does the Republican Party go from here? Where should it go? In New Jersey and nationally?
Thousands are missing, but few get attention like Nancy Guthrie
LA Parker, The Trentonian
- It’s time to end the media crush involving Nancy Guthrie. While the apparent abduction of the mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie lists as troubling, coverage of this event registers as extraordinary, including a pledge by President Donald Trump to “deploy all resources to get her mother home safely.”
NJ affordable housing fight reaches Supreme Court, and Alito responds
Marsha A. Stoltz, NorthJersey.com
- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has ordered the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to respond by Feb. 17 to an emergency application by the group Local Leaders for Responsible Planning, which is seeking a stay for some of its members on the March deadline for New Jersey municipalities to adopt zoning and ordinances implementing their fourth-round affordable housing plans.
How much are groceries? Why you pay more in NJ, what it really means
Damon C. Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK
- Think you’re paying too much for groceries in New Jersey? The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Center confirms grocery prices have generally gone up year-over-year, but a new study from personal finance resource WalletHub found shoppers in the Garden State pay less of their income on groceries.
Over $300K donated for NJ shelter after fire that killed six dogs
Kyle Morel, Newton New Jersey Herald
- Donations are pouring in for a Sussex County animal rescue organization reeling from a shelter fire that claimed the lives of six dogs. A GoFundMe created by One Step Closer Animal Rescue (O.S.C.A.R.) had raised more than $300,000 within 24 hours of the fire, reported around 3:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the shelter on Stanhope-Sparta Road in Hopatcong.
Hunterdon woman trails in N.J. fundraising for Michigan U.S. Senate race
David Wildstein, NJ Globe
- Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow is trailing her two Democratic primary opponents in fundraising from her home state of New Jersey. McMorrow, a state senator with a national reputation after a speech she delivered on abortion rights that went viral, graduated from Hunterdon Central Regional High School, where she played lacrosse. She grew up in Readington.
NJ gets electric bill break, with charges to change little
Michael Sol Warren, Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight
- Electric bills will remain largely unchanged for New Jersey residents this year, offering a reprieve from steep rate increases last year. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on Thursday announced the results of the state’s annual Basic Generation Service auction, which is a major factor in determining electric rates.
Guest Oped: Trenton City Council speaks up about ICE facilities in the Capital City
Jennifer Williams
- At last week’s Trenton City Council meeting, our council passed a “Resolution opposing the siting of any Federal Immigration Detention Facilities within the City of Trenton” (26-046) and did so with a “yes” vote from all Councilmembers present.
