New Jersey’s income gap is getting wider – and it’s one of the widest in the country. Recently released data show that the average income, exclusive of capital gains, was more than $400,000 for the top 5 percent of New Jersey households. The poorest 20 percent had an average income of $25,600. NJSpotlight has an interactive map and a detailed story here – so you can see poverty rates by county.
The Egg Harbor Township-based group Stop the Heroin have opened their first sober living home in Pleasantville. Lynda Cohen of BreakingAC has the details on the house and profiles the founders of the group, two parents whose son died of an overdose.
There’s a lot of talk about what Gov. Christie’s newspaper bill will mean for the local news industry (which, believe us, is already in a bad way). Basically it doesn’t mean much for sites like Route 40, which are entirely online, and perhaps it is time to push local governments further into the 21st century by changing antiquated public announcement procedures, but it sure will be a blow to local newspapers including The Press of Atlantic City. Just look at their site right now to see how big a deal they think it is.
If you’d like to know more, Kevin Riordan from the Inquirer has a piece here.
Here are the rest of today’s headlines:
Old Channel 40 Building Sold to HVAC Business–The old headquarters of Channel 40, the local NBC affiliate that closed at the end of 2014, was recently sold to Clay’s Climate Control. The family-owned Clay’s is a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning business whose owners plan to combine two current locations into one in their new building. Press of Atlantic City
LoBiondo Leads NJ Congressional Delegation in Letter to Air Force–U.S. Representative Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) has led the full New Jersey Congressional delegation in a letter to Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James urging consideration of the Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing for future basing decisions of the F-35 fighter jets. Cape May County Herald
Manufacturing Optimism Up In South Jersey Region–According to the monthly report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia based on a Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey, industry activity picked up in December in the region that includes South Jersey. The survey indicated that the indexes for general activity, shipments and employment were all positive this month and increased from their readings last month. NJBIZ
Two Atlantic City Men Surprise Child Care Center Founder with Buckets of Toys–Staff and students at an Atlantic County child care center were on the nice list this year and were recognized for it on Thursday by two local brothers.Elijah and Isaiah Langford started “DEMCATS” with a few friends, where they find different ways to help the community. www.snjtoday.com
CRDA seeks to redefine mission after losing redevelopment money–In two weeks CRDA will no longer receive casino investment alternative taxes, all but eliminating its role in funding future development. The change has left the state agency reassessing its mission. Press of Atlantic City
What’s Behind N.J.’s Surprisingly High Rate Of C-sections?–By most measures, New Jersey’s mothers-to-be are the same as those around the country. So why are a higher percentage of babies here than in almost any other state born by cesarean section, a surgical procedure that often is medically unnecessary? North Jersey
Cory Booker To Join Key Panel On International Affairs, Expanding Resume–Sen. Cory A. Booker, widely seen as a rising Democratic star and potential future presidential candidate, will gain a foothold on the international stage in January when he joins the Foreign Relations Committee. The New Jersey senator will take a seat on the panel when Congress reconvenes, his office said Thursday. Philly.com
Atlantic City’s State Overseer Will Bill Taxpayers At $400 Per Hour–After a month of secrecy, the salary of the New Jersey overseer of Atlantic City, Jeffrey Chiesa, was revealed Thursday. He will bill taxpayers at a rate of $400 per hour, according to a retention agreement with the state Attorney General. Philly.com
Margate Firefighter Who Shoplifted $7.98 From Wawa Loses Two Jobs–Ashton Funk was once the king of the beach, a perennial rowing champ for Margate in the summer Lifeguard races, and a firefighter with the Margate City Fire Department. But a $7.98 shoplifting conviction that Funk, 34, claimed was nothing more than a misunderstanding stemming from a long line at the Margate Wawa will force him to give up both jobs, a judge ruled Wednesday. Philly.com