The Morning Briefing - December 23, 2015
*** This is the final 2015 issue of the Morning Briefing. We'll be returning - fresh and rested - on Jan. 4, 2016. Happy Holidays to all! ***
NEWARK - Ideas? Anyone? Anyone? City officials are all ears in their efforts to make more money from one of the country's busiest seaports, Port Newark. Perhaps the city could sell some land, or maybe bring in some experts to manage it. In any case, Newark wants to hear from YOU. Tell the city how you would turn those 957 acres into a free-flowing ATM for the city, with dollars raining down on Broad Street for generations to come. A discounted Newark subway token for anyone with a winning idea. Anyone? Anyone?
TRENTON - We teach our kids to color within the lines; the lines are their friend. But some kids grow up to be state lawmakers and realize redrawing those lines can get them even more friends. That's why Democratic lawmakers are hustling to overhaul how legislative district lines get drawn, NJ Advance Media reports. If Democrats manage to do it before this legislative session ends Jan. 11, a redistricting question would go on next November's high-turnout presidential ballot. No shock they're ignoring Republicans, who say redrawing these lines isn't friendly at all. Apparently, the GOP is playing from a different coloring book.
STATEWIDE - Smile! Cops gotcha on their candid cameras. The state is divvying up $2.5 million for 176 police departments to buy as many as 5,000 body cameras for officers. This puts New Jersey at the forefront of law enforcement going high-tech, NorthJersey.com reports. Police departments in Elizabeth and Jersey City are getting more than $100,000 apiece; Edison Township and Rutgers University will get $62,500 apiece; and other chunks will go to Hamilton, Gloucester, East Orange, Newark, Linden and Plainfield. Best part: This money comes from criminal forfeiture funds, not us taxpayers. Thank you, drug dealers.
TITUSVILLE - With a 70-degree Christmas Day forecast, maybe George Washington will be doing the backstroke across the Delaware River at this year's 67th annual re-enactment of his 1776 crossing. Starting at 1 p.m., more than 100 re-enactors will brave the perfect weather to row across the river from Washington Crossing State Park in replicas of the flat-bottom boats Washington's troops used. Unlike the real crossing, it won't happen under cover of darkness and the Delaware won't be treacherously icy. Organizers still plan to offer hot cider to spectators, although dropping in a few ice cubes may be apropos this year.
THE YULETIDE SKY - Rudolph won't be guiding Santa's sleigh alone this Christmas Eve. For the first time since 1977, Kris Kringle has a full Christmas moon to light his global trek, the Old Farmer's Almanac says. It's known as a "Full Cold Moon" or a "Moon Before Yule." So, when the kiddies spy to see if reindeer really know how to fly, make sure they notice this celestial rarity. It won't be seen again until Christmas 2034, when Santa will be old, fat and with a long white beard. (Oh, wait.)
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL - Blame it on Tony Soprano or maybe Snooki. Gov. Chris Christie told CNN's Jake Tapper on Tuesday that it's TV shows like The Sopranos and Jersey Shore that make him look "shady" and keep him from winning the hearts of more New Hampshire primary voters. No, says Christie, it couldn't be scandals like Bridgegate, which, he claims, isn't even very scandalous (and he is extremely innocent, according to his independent report). Christie's bada-bing excuse came when Tapper asked the governor about a New Hampshire voter's suggestion that the candidate needs to convince Granite State voters he's not just another greaseball from Joisey.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
MONTANA - In our ongoing series of crazy people taking Star Wars way too seriously, we take you to somewhere in Montana where an actual adult is facing charges of threatening a kid online. Apparently, the kid divulged a plotline on Facebook, prompting the suspect to post a photo of himself with a gun. This same alleged adult told the kid he was "coming to find" him, prompting the boy's school to go on full lockdown, Reuters reports. This suspect was arrested Friday. If convicted, he will be watching Star Wars in three to five years, depending on when the prison can acquire a used DVD.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Any true Pittsburgh Steelers fan is still celebrating this day from 1972, when Franco Harris caught a deflected pass and ran for the winning touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the playoffs. The last-second play will forever be known as the "Immaculate Reception."
WORD OF THE DAY
Clatterfart (KLAT-er-fart) - noun
Definition: a chatterer; babbler.
Example: Our sincerest wish that you did not invite a clatterfart to the holiday table. Happy Holidays and thank you for reading the Morning Briefing in 2015. It's been our pleasure.