| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | | Presented by |  | | | I’m open to the idea that there are unexplained drones flying around New Jersey, even if most of the footage I’ve seen has clearly been of airplanes and helicopters. But many New Jersey politicians and some regional media outlets, to varying degrees, are being irresponsible — sometimes incredibly so. This was funny at first, but I think Belleville Mayor Mike Melham and Fox 5 New York jumped the shark Tuesday morning on "Good Day New York" — possibly a shark with a freakin’ laser beam attached to its head. At first, Melham complained about a “lack of transparency” that’s accomplishing “nothing but fueling conspiracy theories online.” OK, so far so good. Then it took a turn. Host Rosanna Scotto quoted Bethenny Frankel of Real Housewives and “Skinny Girl” fame saying, “She has some kind of contact at the Pentagon and it has something to do with radioactive material in New Jersey.” Melham said that drones are “flying in a grid-like pattern” and “in my opinion, are looking for something.” “What might they be looking for? Well, potentially, we’re aware of a threat that came into Port Newark. Maybe that’s radioactive material. There was, and there is, an alert that’s out right now that radioactive material in New Jersey has gone missing, on Dec. 2.” That’s technically true — just missing extremely important context. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the missing radioactive material is cancer screening equipment used to calibrate PET scanners. Read the alert here. This is categorized as “very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury.” In its write-up of the interview hours later, Fox 5 included this information under an alarmist headline. But it wasn’t mentioned in the interview itself, in which Scotto in a dramatic tone tone said: “Stop right there mayor, because that’s very important information. And that came from a credible source. … And so it’s missing? And they think it’s in New Jersey or it could be anywhere?” Worse, this feeds into an already existing baseless conspiracy theory. Meanwhile, during this whole discussion, Fox 5 played videos of “drones” in the background that just look to me like regular air traffic. “The one thing that would quell any conspiracy theories and rumors would be the government being forthcoming about what’s happening,” Melham told me in a phone interview. “You can’t tell me that every single mayor in New Jersey who logged into a call with the White House yesterday heard them say … you guys are seeing nothing” This is one of the more dramatic examples, but frankly much of the media coverage of this has been nothing but recycling easily-disproved photos and eyewitness accounts from social media. Politicians — Democrats and Republicans — are complaining about a lack of information from the federal government, but when the feds tell them what they don’t want to hear — the the vast majority of these sightings are just airplanes or normal drones — they complain they’re not being straight with them. I see a crisis here, but it’s not drones. It’s in how we share and process information. TIPS? FEEDBACK Email me at mfriedman@politico.com QUOTE OF THE DAY #1: “I saw 60 specific drones around my township. … There’s basically two different ones that I’m seeing. One is roughly the size of a suitcase. … Another is the size of an SUV. This thing is huge. And it sounds like a small jet. It is massive. And it looks like a plane.” — Pequannock Mayor Ryan Herd QUOTE OF THE DAY #2: “Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones. We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast.” — DHS, FBI, FAA & DoD joint statement HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Maria Del Cid, Christopher Gagliardi, Cullen McAuliffe, Dorian Stanley WHERE’S MURPHY? No public schedule
| | A message from Alibaba: U.S. businesses are growing global sales on Alibaba’s online marketplace. In just one year American businesses sold billions of dollars worth of goods internationally on Alibaba. These U.S. global sales also supported hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and billions in U.S. wages. Learn how U.S. global sales on Alibaba support the U.S. economy. | | | |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | | SCHNURE THING — “Being denied health coverage can be devastating. Will N.J. ban pre-approval requirements?” by NJ Advance Media’s Susan K. Livio: “With the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO sparking a debate on insurance companies denying treatment, a state lawmaker says it is time for New Jersey to give doctors the final say over which tests and treatment ought to be covered. State Sen. Jon Bramnick, R-Union, joined at a press conference Monday by Brad Schnure, a 48-year-old former senior state employee who is battling stage IV lung cancer, said he has a solution to frustrating denials: Pass legislation that has languished since 2019 to ban the pre-approval or precertification of medical tests, procedures and prescription drugs already covered under health benefits plans. Bramnick acknowledged the tremendous hurdles his bill (S2257), co-sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari, D-Union, would face. … Schnure said had the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program under Horizon Health’s third-party administrator Evicore denied a CT scan his specialist prescribed to search for the cause of a persistent cough in 2022, his lung cancer could have been detected a year earlier and given him a better chance to recover.” TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADERS — “NJ's drone-gate has pols grandstanding — and promoting their own brands,” by The Record’s Charles Stile: “No one is really sure if the great drone mystery will ever be solved. But one thing is certain: The extended freak-out over the not-so-friendly-skies episode has been a great opportunity for political grandstanding and branding. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has dusted off her old ‘Top Gun’-style flight jacket from her days as a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot as she pursues the Democratic nomination for governor. She never misses an opportunity to mention how her chopper experience, as she did in her campaign launch video, prepared her the governor's office. ‘The worst thing you can do in a crisis is freeze,’ she said. On drone hysteria, Sherrill didn't freeze but leaned in. … She wants to call in the high tech cavalry, a fleet of CBP MQ-9 ‘Reaper drones.’ … On the other side of the political spectrum, we have President-elect Donald Trump, who used the drone crisis to stoke more suspicions about the power of the ‘deep state’ cabal running the country in secrecy.” HEALTH — “NJ looks to blunt social media impact on eating disorders,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Bobby Brier: “Studies in recent years have shown that social media can perpetuate body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, social comparison and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls. Now, a bill that cleared an Assembly committee on Monday seeks to address this issue by prohibiting social media platforms from using a design, algorithm or feature that the platform knows could cause child users to develop eating disorders. This can also include promoting diet products. ‘I have two teenage daughters and I have a teenage son, and I was also a teenage girl at one point in my life,’ said Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (D-Atlantic), a primary sponsor of the bill.” STATE GROOMS KIDS TO VOTE —“New plan to boost voter turnout: Send mail voting applications as 18th birthday gift,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Nikita Biryukov: “A Senate panel approved legislation that would require the state to send a vote-by-mail application to New Jersey residents upon their 18th birthday in what the bill’s sponsor said is a bid to boost turnout. The legislation, which passed the Senate’s state government committee in a 3-0 vote Monday, would require county clerks send mail ballots to registered voters when they reach the age of majority. ‘Only 65% of eligible New Jerseyans cast a ballot in this year’s election, marking the lowest turnout for a presidential race in state history,’ said Sen. Jim Beach (D-Camden), the bill’s sponsor and the committee’s chairman. ‘One way to improve voter participation is to increase accessibility for young voters, many of whom are away at school during general elections.’” —Snowflack: “Mukherji, other lawmakers, grapple with the end of an era” —“NJ unemployment weekly benefits to rise in January” —“ELEC Looks to adjust gubernatorial spending cap if primary date is moved”
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—“Blaming Iran to requesting radar for cops, how lawmakers want to deal with drones”
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RETURN OF THE MACK — “Trenton Water crisis: Study highlights financial chaos, billing delays, outdated equipment, worker shortages,” by Jeff Pillets for The Jersey Vindicator: “Trenton Water Works, the beleaguered public utility that provides drinking water to more than 217,000 customers in Mercer County, remains hobbled due to years of management turmoil, financial disarray, old equipment and personnel vacancies. Those are among the major findings of a study by water quality expert Steven Picco, who was hired by the city last year to review the troubled agency that has been under state oversight since October 2022 following multiple water treatment failures and missed deadlines to improve operations. Former Trenton Water Works engineer Steve Holmes, who worked for the utility from 2021 to 2024, co-authored the study. In the 52-page report obtained by The Jersey Vindicator, Picco recounted 'catastrophic failures' at the water works going back to 1975. But according to Picco, the problems spiked again almost 15 years ago under former Mayor Tony Mack, who was convicted of federal bribery, fraud and extortion charges. ‘The water department was saddled with political appointees and … in some cases outright criminal behavior by some of its employees as well as the governing administration,’ Picco wrote. … 'Senior staff … positions were not filled in a timely manner, causing significant disruption.” More than a decade after Mack’s conviction, nearly two dozen key jobs remain vacant, according to Picco.”
CANT U SEE IT’S TIME? — “Peter Cantu, overseer of Plainsboro's massive transformation since the 1970s, to step down as mayor,” by TAPIntoPrinceton’s Pam Hersh: “Peter Cantu’s nationally renowned and lauded tenure as mayor - the longest currently serving mayor in New Jersey - is about to end. He told his Plainsboro Township Committee colleagues at the committee meeting that he ‘no longer would be seeking their support for the position of mayor.’ In a township committee form of government, the committee members appoint the mayor from among themselves at the annual reorganization meeting, which this year in Plainsboro will take place on January 2, 2025. Cantu emphasizes, however, that he will continue his work as a township committee member, whose term expires at the end of 2026, and a position he has held for 50 years. The reason for the decision to end his decades of service to the town as mayor is ‘nothing dramatic, no particular health or personal crisis. At the age of 84, I feel it is time for me to back away from the considerable day-to-day mayoral responsibilities and demands.’” THE SHIRT WAS MADE OF STOLEN VELOUR — “Veteran ejected from N.J. meeting over shirt criticizing politician’s military service files lawsuit,” by NJ Advance Media’s Anthony G. Attrino: “A military veteran has filed a lawsuit against Sussex County and several officials, claiming his constitutional right to free speech was violated when he was ejected from a public meeting for wearing a shirt containing a profane message that criticized a commissioner. Kenneth J. Collins, of Newton, alleges he was wrongfully removed from a March 13, 2024, meeting of the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners for wearing the shirt, which criticized a county commissioner’s military service. Collins, a vocal critic of Commissioner William Hayden, attended the meeting wearing a shirt that read, ‘F*** Bill Hayden,’ expressing his view that the commissioner had falsely claimed he was a Navy SEAL. Hayden, a Republican, is the former president of the Skylands Tea Party and was elected to the Sussex County Board of Commissioners in 2022.”
| | A message from Alibaba: New Jersey-based businesses are growing globally on Alibaba’s online marketplace. Dr. Eddie Omar, CEO of New Jersey-based Phyto-C, said that his company “experienced a 600% increase in revenue since selling globally on Alibaba.” According to NDP Analytics research company, those sales contributed millions to New Jersey’s GDP, and supported thousands of local jobs in just one year.
Learn how global sales by New Jersey-based businesses are supporting the local economy in our state. | | | TILTING AT WINDMILLS — “Maria Lacca sworn in as 5th Ward Atlantic City councilwoman, will move to stop offshore wind,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post : “There are now two Republicans on City Council, after Maria Lacca was sworn in Monday at a special ceremony at City Hall by Assemblywoman Claire Swift, R-Atlantic. ‘It's been one tough road, but we made it. We're here,’ Lacca said. … Her first meeting will be Wednesday, when she will move to rescind a September vote to allow the Atlantic Shores offshore wind company to move its electricity across the city in underground cables, she said. The route runs through the 5th Ward … Lacca opposes the Atlantic Shores route, saying it will damage property and pose health risks to residents. Lacca won a special election held in November to fill the unexpired term of former Councilman Muhammad "Anjum" Zia, who was forced to resign in August after Lacca proved in Superior Court he no longer lived in the city.” PROBABLY DRONES DROPPING MERCURY INTO WATER TESTS — “Investigation into mercury test tampering in Upper Township continues,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “Months after reports of mercury contamination in residential wells were determined to be the result of deliberate tampering, there is no update on the investigation into who was responsible or possible motives. ‘The whole thing has been turned over to the Attorney General’s Office, and they’re probably not going to tell us anything until the investigation is concluded,’ Mayor Jay Newman said at the Monday Township Committee meeting, in response to a question from resident Natalie Neice … By the end of October, officials with the state Department of Environmental Protection had made a startling announcement: Someone had tampered with the samples.” —“Juvenile Justice Commission countersues Atlantic County over placement of youth offenders” —“Petition reveals why Wyckoff suspended township tax assessor” —“[Howell] sued after rejecting mega-warehouse proposal” —“Jurors indict [Atlantic County] jail official accused of lying about drugs found on inmate” —“Hoboken Planning Board OKs site plan review for Whole Foods on Washington Street” —“Former Hoboken Health Director Pellegrini signed plea agreement on August 13” —“Housing Authority calls Newark Board of Education lawsuit a 'frivolous endeavor'” —“2 Jersey Shore towns approve Netflix’s plans for massive film studio” —“Vineland Little League president accused of stealing $47K from organization”
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HIGHER ED — Gov. Phil Murphy has nominated former Assemblymember Adam Taliaferro to Rowan University’s governing board. Taliaferro served in the state Assembly representing the 3rd legislative district — which former Senate President Steve Sweeney also represented — until he unexpectedly lost reelection in 2021. Taliaferro is taking the spot on the board from Kris Kolluri, who has been tapped to be New Jersey Transit’s president and CEO. — Daniel Han SCARLET PHIL KNIGHTS — “Rutgers signs with new apparel partner,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brian Fonseca: “The Rutgers University Board of Governors approved … [a] resolution to make Nike the official apparel partner for all of its athletic programs for at least five seasons beginning in the fall of 2025, according to an agenda posted on the board’s website Friday. The contract would be with BSN Sports, the largest distributor of Nike apparel in the United States, matching arrangements currently held by other schools like Cincinnati, Wichita State and Hofstra. The proposal is for a five-year deal with an option of a five-year extension worth a combined $30 million “inclusive of the extension term. … Once approved, Rutgers will return to Nike after its seven-year connection with Adidas officially came to a close in September” —“Gilgo Beach killings suspect charged in death of woman last seen in Port Republic” —“'We're like rock stars': Point Pleasant Battle of the Bulge veteran meets Belgian king” —“Costco Guys bring Jersey Shore flavor to viral videos, AEW wrestling”
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