Above: Nick Acocella, Hoboken’s Frank Rosner, and Lauren Acocella at Insider NJ’s 2017 launch event

NJTV’s Michael Aron pays tribute to the founder of Politifax, and Jersey political journalism legend, Nick Acocella:

“In 1997, a political tip sheet started appearing. It was called “PolitifaxNJ,” and it was witty, informative and trenchant. “Who’s writing this?” I wondered. The masthead said, “Editor and Publisher — Nick Acocella.” Didn’t know him. So I called and booked an interview with him for what was then called NJN News.”

Read the tribute here on NJ Spotlight.

Read Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/24/2020

Read Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/23/2020

Governor Murphy tweeted that indoor dining and casinos can reopen next Thursday, July 2nd.  Casinos may operate at 25% capacity, while dining is limited to 25% capacity at first.  Additional details will be announced in the coming days.

BREAKING: On Thursday, July 2nd:
🎰Casinos may reopen – operating at 25% capacity
🍽️Indoor dining may resume – limited at first to 25% capacity

Additional health and safety guidance will be released within the next several days. pic.twitter.com/b4jY2fR3sp

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) June 22, 2020

Read Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/22/2020

Governor Murphy released the following statement on the authorization of the Portal North Bridge funding:

“The Federal Transit Administration has committed to authorizing entry into the engineering phase and accelerating federal funding in the amount of $766.5 million for the Portal North Bridge, a huge win for New Jersey, the region, and the national economy. Since taking office, one of my top priorities has been securing funding for critical infrastructure projects like these that will restore NJ TRANSIT to prominence, and I am honored to have been able to make the case for Portal North directly to President Trump. I thank the President and his Administration for committing to this project and helping us usher in a new era of safe, modern, and reliable infrastructure for our region.”

Just days ago, Murphy and Trump dined together in Bedminster, after which the President tweeted that the funding would move forward.

This just in from Paterson:

The latest round of numbers are in and the Ward 2 collision between incumbent Councilman Shahin Khalique and Mohammed Aktharuzzaman has been ruled a tie.

Read Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 6/19/2020

Responding to a Senate Select Committee GOP request for information from the state, Governor Murphy fired back at Rep. Scalise (letter embedded below).  Murphy informs Scalise that he lacks the authority to conduct oversight, and that this is his ‘full and final response’.

The Select Committee GOP Twitter handle tweeted in response: ‘What is he hiding? Why won’t Democrats join us in trying to get this information? 40% of U.S. deaths were nursing home residents; grieving families deserve answers.’