Christie’s approval down, NJ’s happiness: First News with Podcast
New Jersey's First News, hosted by Eric Scott, written and produced by Matthew White and Patrick Lavery. Full podcast available below. Digital support, with additional links, by Dan Alexander.
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Trending Down - A new Monmouth University-Asbury Park Press poll released today reveals that Governor Christie's approval ratings are slipping and the majority of New Jerseyans still think the governor isn't being completely honest about Bridgegate.
- Poll: Christie’s approval ratings continue to dip / NJ1015.com
- Christie 2016? Most in NJ think he'll run for president / Asbury Park Press
Contract Renegotiation - More drama in Atlantic City this morning officials are set to ask the state for permission to lay off city workers. While it's not clear how many jobs are at risk, Mayor Don Guardian (R) reportedly plans to reopen union contracts with the hopes of reducing salary and benefits. The police contract would not be reopened. The news comes a day after S&P downgraded AC's credit rating.
- Atlantic City plans layoffs to help with budget / NJ101.5 (Associated Press)
- Atlantic City to file layoff plan with the state Oct. 1, reopen union contracts / Press of Atlantic City
Revel's Future - New developments in the search for a new owner of Revel. While Florida developer Glenn Straub seemed like the frontrunner to purchase the shuttered casino, his lawyer says multiple offers have been received and an auction will be held today. Straub initially bid $90 million dollars and would receive a $3 million dollar breakup fee if his deal falls through but Revel's bankruptcy lawyers will hear the best offers today
- Lawyer: Offers made for closed Revel casino / NJ1015.com (AP)
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania company that oversees sprinklers, alarms and other safety equipment at Trump Taj Mahal wants to end its contract with the bankrupt casino. Tozour Energy says they are owed more than $250,000 and is asking to terminate its contract on October 18th.
Clapping Along - New Jersey isn't the happiest state in the country, but we could be doing much better. A new study ranks the Garden State right in the middle of the pack.
- New Jersey could be happier / NJ1015.com
Enterovirus In NJ - More suspected cases of the dangerous Enterovirus is reported at the shore. Officials at Jersey Shore University Medical Center say nearly 30 kids have been hospitalized in recent days. While some required intensive care, doctors expect the outbreak to wane a bit and say all of the children improved dramatically following the treatment
- Virus hospitalizes dozens of children in Monmouth / Asbury Park Press
Less Vaccinations - It kills more than 20,000 people a year and yet, less than half of all Americans are getting vaccinated against the flu...
- Fewer Americans getting flu vaccination / NJ1015.com
Transportation Fund Debate Continues - Advocates for transportation upgrades will get the chance to state their case before lawmakers .The Assembly's Transportation Committee is holding a hearing today in Montclair on how the state should replenish its Transportation Trust Fund. The issue has become one of New Jersey's main political conundrums.
- Hearings to address NJ’s transportation trust fund / NJ1015.com
High Tech Recruitment - A couple of months ago nobody ever heard of them, but today ISIS has become the most recognizable and dangerous terrorist group in the world and social media is a big reason why.
- ISIS using social media to recruit young members / NJ1015.com
President at the U.N. - President Barack Obama met with leaders from the five Arab nations that are helping the U.S. carry out airstrikes on Islamic State in Syria. After thanking them on the sidelines of the U.N. meeting in New York, Obama cautioned that the airstrikes late Monday are just "the beginning" of efforts to destroy militants.
- Obama to address UN amid new Mideast strikes / NJ1015.com (AP)
- Obama thanks Arab nations for joining Syria strikes / Yahoo News
Safety Review - The governor will hold a press conference this morning with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to discuss the findings of a bi-state review of safety and security procedures to thwart any potential terrorist attack. The duo called for the review 10 days ago.
Weight and the White House - Governor Christie is down about 85 pounds since his lap-band surgery last year but did he lose the weight to get ready to run for president? No one knows for sure, but the experts say if he does wind up seeking the GOP nomination, not being obese will definitely help him…
No Place to Call Home - The U.S. hits an unfortunate all-time high for the number of students who have no real place to call home at the end of the school day. The latest numbers cite an estimated 1.3 million homeless students.
- Student homelessness hits record high / NJ1015.com
Real Life Wedding Crashers - In Monmouth County a wedding crash gone wrong. Authorities are searching for three juveniles on strong-armed robbery charges. The trio allegedly ate, drank and mingled with guests at an Ocean Township Banquet hall until it was realized they were uninvited. As a manager attempted to detain them until cops arrived, she was thrown to the ground and all three ran out of the building.
- Ocean Township police seek "wedding crashers" / Newsworks
Roy Rogers Returns - North Jersey fast food fans rejoice! Reports say four Roy Rogers restaurants will return to Bergen and Essex counties by 2016. Just nine Roy Rogers remain in the state with most them at rest stops on the Turnpike, Parkway and AC Expressway.
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