Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 10/5/2026

Below is Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing (by [email protected]):

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I think Gov. Sherrill should pick whoever she wants to pick. She got elected in the primary; her name was on the ballot, she won the general election, her name was on the ballot; it’s her ship; she’s got to pick who complements her administration the best.” – Senator Gopal

TOP STORY: Zwicker’s AI Worker Protection Bill Passes out of Committee

In Atlantic City, the police chief graduated from the FBI Academy, according to Downbeach. Dolphin Field will reopen, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

In Barnegat, a bay dredging is reshaping navigation in the waters around LBI, according to the Sandpaper.

In Bayonne, the mayor endorsed the ‘Together, We Can’ BOE slate, according to Hudson County View.

In Belmar, mayoral and council candidates will debate, according to TAPinto.

In Bridgewater, a regional BOE conflict escalated, according to MyCentralJersey.

In East Brunswick, the school funding debate reached the council, according to TAPinto.

In Haddonfield, the BOE approved contracts for projects, according to the Retrospect.

In Frenchtown, the council advanced a innovative aging-in-place ordinance, according to TAPinto.

In Jersey City, Canal Crossing is bolstered by tax exemptions, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Lakewood, budget cuts were approved and layoffs are likely next year, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Madison, the Drew Forest deal is nearing the finish line, according to NJ Hills.

In Montclair, parking cameras are expanding into the town, according to Montclair Local. The council is considering zoning as PSEG presents on a substation need, according to Montclair Local.

In Morris Plains, mayoral candidates will debate, according to NJ Hills.

In Mount Laurel, a hearing will be held on a Bancroft proposal, according to 70and73.com.

In Mount Olive, a school referendum is on the ballot, according to NJ Hills.

In Newark, a schools audit report referred ‘certain matters’ to the AG’s Office, according to NJ Globe.

In Ocean City, demolition of a condo began, according to Cape May Herald.

In Paterson, sewer rates were hiked, according to Paterson Press. A Parking Authority executive director selection has become embroiled in controversy, according to Paterson Press.

In Plainfield, Bright was appointed to the council, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Ridgewood, residents were asked to help solve chronic school field flooding, according to NorthJersey.com.

In Roselle, a mispelled banner is coming down after former Mayor Holly mocked it, according to NJ.com.

In Roselle Park, the deputy BA retired, according to TAPinto.

In South Amboy, a new ferry terminal opened, according to MyCentralJersey.

In Springfield, road improvements are planned, according to TAPinto.

In Trenton, the St. Francis Medical Center demolition has stalled but is nearly complete, according to the Trentonian.

In Vineland, a data center polluted the air for nearly a year before regulators intervened, according to NJ Monitor. The EPA approved a new Superfund clean-up plan, according to the Press of Atlantic City. Residents have a vantage point of what it’s like to live near a data center, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

In Warren, the town applied for infrastructure funding, according to NJ Hills. The BOE unanimously approved a intermediate school model, according to NJ Hills.

AROUND THE WEB:

How Jersey Shore weddings survived the nor’easter | Exclusive

Celeste E. Whittaker, Cherry Hill Courier-Post

• The nor’easter that wreaked havoc on a large swath of the region over the weekend caused some couples to have to postpone or adjust their wedding or anniversary celebration plans in some cases.

I Defended Dale Caldwell. His Resignation Changed That (Opinion)

Bill Spadea, NJ1015

• Defending Dale Caldwell was not a popular position to take, for sure. I believe in due process and the presumption of innocence, so for me, it was an obvious choice, and I don’t regret doing it.

Oct. 1 brings changes in SNAP benefits. What NJ residents should know

Amanda Wallace, NorthJersey.com

• The start of October brings major changes for the millions of Americans who receive food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Ocean Casino Resort plans $14M expansion of The Cove for high-limit slots

Nicholas Huba, Press of Atlantic City

• Ocean Casino Resort is spending $14 million to enhance its high-limit slot experience. When the renovations and expansion are completed, The Cove, which will be located adjacent to the Asian table games area, will have a 60% larger gaming floor, elevated hospitality and a new design inspired by the Atlantic Ocean. The area also will feature cocktail service, seating areas, restrooms and cashier booths.

A change in policy leads to a change in routine

LA Parker, The Trentonian

• In what can only be described as shocking and life-changing — a popular fast food restaurant ended a promo that offered seniors discounted coffee. The basically half-priced offer saved $1.06 cents per small coffee order at McDonald’s. Instead, seniors will receive a 10-percent break on all food and beverage purchases.

Inside the OCVTS arts HS where teachers pursued students | Exclusive

Mike Davis, Asbury Park Press

• It was supposed to be their big break. They could close their eyes and envision themselves standing on a Broadway stage, running lines on film sets or listening to their new hit singles through big, thick headphones.

Does New Jersey have the death penalty? Pike execution raises scrutiny

Manahil Ahmad, NorthJersey.com

• The issue of death penalty is back in the national spotlight after Tennessee officials failed Sept. 30 to execute Christa Gail Pike, a 50-year-old woman convicted of killing a fellow student in 1995.

Dale Caldwell Claims “False Accusations” Were Based on His Race

Jeff Deminski, NJ1015

• It’s over now, but something has to be said. It’s over. The strange saga of Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell that was kept from the public until NJ Globe’s David Wildstein broke the story. For months Caldwell was under investigation for sexual harassment and misconduct. He had even been put under retraining, then, according to the investigation would go on to offend again afterwards.

We miss Pathmark and the grocery wars that once ruled New Jersey

David M. Zimmer, NorthJersey.com

• In November 1968, North Jersey shoppers opened their newspapers to find an announcement from a familiar supermarket executive. “I used to be president of Shop-Rite,” Herb Brody told customers in a two-page advertisement introducing a new name: Pathmark.

How New Jersey rideshare users compare on passenger ships

Kylie Moore, NJ1015

• I’m old enough to remember being told to never get in a car with a stranger, but with the rise of rideshare services that’s now a thing of the past. Uber and Lyft have become commonplace in today’s society, so getting in a car with a random person doesn’t sound as crazy as it used to be.

Rippers, pork roll and Newark soul food: Devils unveil the most Jersey of menus tonight

Chris Lowicki, BINJE

• Last week the New Jersey Devils unveiled their new concession items for the season, and there was a noticeable theme — Jersey. From Rutt’s Hut Rippers to pork roll, egg and cheeseburgers, the new menu reads like a love letter to the state.

Why Clinton Road, New Jersey, is Most Haunted Road in America

Jeff Deminski, NJ11015

• New Jersey has officially done it again. Clinton Road in West Milford has been named the most haunted road in America for the third consecutive year, according to a new study from SIXT. Apparently, even in a state where driving the Turnpike can feel like a paranormal experience, our creepy little stretch of Passaic County still manages to freak us out.