Sports!
The Supreme Court has OK’d sports betting, which is good news for us because as of yesterday, New Jersey was “already gearing up to cash in,” per The Wall Street Journal (paywall).
In related news, “Don’t do us any good,” John Rice, a lifelong Atlantic City resident, said when asked about the impending casino openings in the Inlet.
“It was better before the casinos got here. Everything’s gone now because of the casinos.”
If you drink every time someone says “game-changer” it will be easier to put up with my cheap cynicism.
Bike Madness!
Ventnor’s getting bike lanes! Nanette LoBiondo has the story. Atlantic City got a grant too. I think we should put the bike lane RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF PACIFIC AVENUE but I’m new here.
We’re Number One!
In property taxes…
Drugged-Driving
Here are two stories (one and two) that deal, indirectly, with drugged-driving. There are tests for alcohol but not things like marijuana or other drugs. Rates of opioid-related accidents are through the ceiling naturally. It’s likely to be an important issue in our shared future.
Swingin’ Parties
The valuable NJ Spotlights delves extra-deeply into “party-line politics” in New Jersey and whether it makes sense for county political organizations to endorse candidates in primary elections. At least one person wants to change the system. “What point are the primaries if you already know you are going to support the line?”
For more feats of journalism from across your region, see below:
Casino key licenses may soon be available to drug court grads–Recovery court graduates may soon be eligible for casino key employee licenses under a recently introduced bipartisan state bill. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Ventnor Green Team gets $10,000 for single-use bag education–VENTNOR – The city was one of 32 New Jersey municipalities to be awarded funds from the Sustainable Jersey organization to implement green initiatives. The Ventnor Green Team was awarded $10,000 to implement a robust campaign to educate the public about the city’s recently enacted single-use bag fee ordinance. Awards funded by the PSEG Foundation were announced on May 8. downbeachpilot.com
Atlantic City South Inlet locals prepare for more casinos–ATLANTIC CITY — For the residents and businesses at the north end of the Boardwalk, the idea that the June 28 openings of Ocean Resort Casino and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will usher in a new era is one they have heard before. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
South Jersey farm rescues helping animals, community–It started with one goat. Then a few rabbits. Add a few homeless ducks and a pregnant pig, and Doug Ruhl’s backyard has turned into a menagerie of farm animals. www.pressofatlanticcity.com
Court kills $6.7B prescription drug contract for N.J. public workers–An appeals court on Friday threw out the state's $6.7 billion contract for prescription drug benefit management and ordered that the enormous contract be rebid. www.nj.com
Renewed pressure on Murphy to give undocumented immigrants access to NJ driver’s licenses–Gov. Phil Murphy fulfilled a campaign promise last week when he made undocumented college and university students eligible for financial aid. Now, advocates are applying renewed pressure on Murphy to make good on another pledge: to let people who are living in New Jersey without legal status apply for a state driver's license. www.northjersey.com
The smallest town in N.J. (just 3 houses!) is the epitome of home rule–Meet Tavistock, the tiniest municipality in New Jersey. This small borough of less than a dozen residents is the epitome of "home rule" in the Garden State. www.nj.com
No Jersey sales tax hike, top Democrats tell Phil Murphy. Is a state shutdown looming?–Don't be shocked if your plans for Fourth of July weekend are derailed by another state government shutdown. www.nj.com
CAUGHT IN TRUMP IMMIGRATION SQUEEZE, NJ FAMILY HAS MOTHER’S DAY WITHOUT MOM–For the past two decades, Jose has worked in the United States doing a variety of jobs — at Burger King, on construction sites, in a vitamin factory — and spent long stints back home in El Salvador with his wife, Mirna, and two children, Karen and Bryan. www.njspotlight.com
TOP MOM SERIES: HOLY SPIRIT’S ROMMI ANTONUCCI FULL OF ENERGY, POSITIVE VIBES–When you wear the Navy blue and gold of Holy Spirit, there’s a lot of tradition that comes along with being a Spartan, so you don’t expect to hear your mom on the sideline congratulating somebody from the other team after a good play was made against you. glorydaysonline.com
Ready to ditch your straw? They keep ending up on N.J. beaches–Would you sip from the lid of your cup, or switch from plastic to paper straws if it meant saving wildlife? That's exactly what beach cleaners and environmental activists are asking New Jerseyans -- and major fast food and coffee shop chains -- to do. www.nj.com