The Morning Briefing - February 8, 2016
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL – For all the “Christie for President” haters, who have been closely following his struggling campaign, they are quick to note he only appears to have six percent of support in New Hampshire, with voters going to the polls tomorrow. For all the months he spent up north, withstanding criticism as he traveled from town hall forums to coffee joints to rubber chicken dinners, it all comes down to tomorrow. The big question: if Christie gets the lackluster support that is so widely anticipated, do we finally get our governor back?
ATLANTIC CITY – The countdown is on. Just 16 days before the city runs out of money if the Borgata stops paying taxes, reports the Press of AC. Atlantic City owes the Borgata $170 million after overcharging the casino for six years. The Borgata appears reasonable in its request, currently just trying to get $62.5 million from the city for funds owed for 2009 and 2010. The Borgata wants to stop paying, to begin to recoup the cash. City officials say that would be financially devastating. It’s amazing the casino has waited this long to draw the line. Now it’s time for Mo and his brass knuckles.
STATEWIDE – “Happiness and prosperity!” It's a traditional Chinese New Year greeting! The Year of the Monkey arrived today at 9:39 a.m. Rooted in religion and astrology, the Chinese calendar – like the Hebrew one – is a combined solar-lunar calendar. It's also steeped in superstition aimed at warding off bad luck. So, here are some traditional Chinese taboos to observe today. Don't wear all black, all white, or old threadbare clothes. Don't wash your hair or your laundry. Don't use knives, scissors, brooms or take out the trash. Don't lend or borrow money. Don't allow children to cry. Avoid any injury that bleeds. And keep your rice jars full. And drink water. And don’t. Got it?
STATEWIDE – Here's an unemployment figure we can live with. Almost 50 large-scale heroin suppliers have been put out of business by law enforcement since December. That includes four Mexican drug cartel members busted last week in Secaucus when State Police made one of New Jersey's biggest seizures of pure heroin ever: 68 pounds, worth $15 million on street corners. The DEA scooped up another 45 pounds of uncut heroin, worth $10 million, in Clifton on Friday, nabbing six more big-time suppliers. Media reports indicate large-scale heroin seizures also have been made in Teaneck, Toms River, Keyport, and Somerset and Burlington counties.
PATERSON – A debate is brewing in Silk City over a stained-glass tribute to a former mayor with a stained reputation. Plans are afoot to put a stained-glass window depicting the late Marty Barnes in City Hall. Barnes was, after all, the city's first African American mayor and a gregarious, likable guy who didn't raise taxes. But critics say Barnes tarnished the city's image, leaving office in 2002 for a 2½-year federal prison stint after admitting he took more than $200,000 in illegal gifts from a city contractor. Former Councilman Tom Rooney, who served with Barnes, told the Paterson Press: “Marty disgraced the office and was put in prison … why do we honor a person like that? Is this what our standards have become? We take pride in someone who was corrupt?” Tough to argue, but people have always been forgiving to larger-than-life mayors.
IN THE MEDIA
With CBS News reporting this morning that it was the best Super Bowl ever shown, with the best performance of the national anthem, the best storylines and the best halftime show, does all this gushing lose any credibility when one remembers which network broadcast the game?
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
MONTPELIER, Vt. – You can show your support for a political candidate with a button or bumper sticker. But, really, why stop there? Some Vermont residents are “feeling the Bern,” getting a free tattoo of Bernie Sanders on their rib cages, calves, necks and backs. It’s all courtesy of Aartistic Tattoo in Montpelier. The Burlington Free Press says the tattoo shop will keep it running as long as Sanders does.
AT THE STORE – M&Ms and Skittles may lose some of their eye-popping pizazz. Virginia-based Mars Inc. – distributors of more than 75 candies, chewing gums, food and drinks – is jumping on the bandwagon and phasing out artificial colors like Red 40, Blue 1 & 2 and Yellow 5 & 6 from its “human food products.” ABC News reports it may take five years for Mars to find the right natural color ingredients, but will try to keep those candy colors as vibrant as possible. Remember: gotta get those kiddies hooked early and often.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
It was on this day in 1802 that Simon Willard patented the banjo clock for the discerning pioneer family looking to class-up the log cabin.
WORD OF THE DAY
Hebetudinous (heb-i-TOOD-i-nes) – adjective
Definition: lethargic, dullness.
Example: After eating my 14th chicken wing by the second quarter of the game, I was downright hebetudinous before Coldplay hit the screen.