The Morning Briefing - June 5, 2015
ONLINE – With the news that China may have stolen the personal information of four million current and former federal employees – considered the biggest breach of the U.S. government’s network – we are now assuming the Morning Briefing has been infiltrated. And so, for our Chinese friends who read this newsletter as it was being written this morning, we are now posting Chinese headlines. So, uh, here’s one: Twenty Chinese brokerage firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges are reporting net revenue of 15.8 billion yuan. Hope the hackers find us to be informative and will allow us to continue publishing. (Xièxièzhǔxíxiānshēng)
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Wish we knew the names of the two State Police troopers who were at the Atlantic City International Airport on Sunday when a Spirit Airlines flight was canceled, stranding 100 passengers with only cookies and no transportation. The troopers ordered 15 pizzas for the passengers, which they paid for themselves and asked not to be recognized, NBC reports.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – Gov. Chris Christie may ultimately have the distinction as the longest-serving non-Presidential candidate in the race for the Republican primary, as he is back up in New Hampshire today for non-campaign stops in Concord and Franklin, talking about drug rehabilitation apparently in his role as New Jersey governor.
NEW PROVIDENCE – It is one of the biggest 5K events in New Jersey, with 300 teams and 8,000 expected participants for the organization’s signature event of the year. And it’s taking place this Sunday morning in New Providence, as NJ Sharing Network holds its fifth-annual Celebration of Life to support its mission of saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation. Weather is expected to be perfect, as always for this race and family fun event. So, see you there.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
BRONX, NY – Boy, it’s a long way from his playing days with the Livingston Lancers, but Gov. Chris Christie didn’t mind getting suited up for charity on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. This memorable photo is courtesy of CBS News. See it here.
IN THE MEDIA
TRENTON – POLITICO is coming to New Jersey to join the Statehouse press corps, with former Star-Ledger reporter Ryan Hutchins arriving on the banks of the Delaware River next month. It is all part of POLITICO’s expansion into what it considers “key states” across the country. It’s all good for New Jersey, which is desperate for more competitive media coverage. Just unclear why POLITICO needs to be in ALL CAPS.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
NEW YORK – The Brooklyn Museum has honored a renowned screen and TV star for her contributions to society. Last night, Miss Piggy was at the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, featuring a conversation with veteran women's rights campaigner Gloria Steinem and a 20-minute video retrospective of Miss Piggy's renowned career. "Moi is thrilled, but frankly, not surprised to be receiving this Sackler Center First Award," Miss Piggy said in a statement, secured by Reuters. And, yes, Kermit was there, too. The annual Sackler Center First Awards honored Miss Piggy for embodying exceptional spirit, determination and grit and teaching important lessons about overcoming obstacles. No mention of her karate chop.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was this day in 1984 that Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" hits Number 1 on the charts and is then consistently played on every radio station in America until listeners are forced to bury their heads in the dirt to drown out that voice.
WORD OF THE DAY
Mugwump – noun
Definition: An independent politician who refuses to be aligned with any political party.
Example: “Why the heck would I donate any money to that mugwump? Everyone knows he has no shot of winning.”