The Morning Briefing - May 10, 2016
SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Perhaps one reason why a girl dumped her boyfriend is because he’s not one for details. Case in point: Local cops arrested the ex-lover, after he sought revenge on the girl’s new boyfriend by damaging the cars in his driveway, a $10,000 mess. Only one problem: the spurned lover went to the wrong house, NJ.com reports. The ex-boyfriend tells cops he really thought he had the right house when he slashed tires and scratched obscenities on a door and fender. But, like in love, some things are not meant to be.
AT THE DELI – Should we call New Jersey's official state sandwich the Pork roll or Taylor ham? That age-old question seems to be vexing lawmakers since Assemblyman Tim Eustace first suggested giving “official status” to Jersey's own breakfast sandwich of smoked pork smothered in egg and cheese. The Wall Street Journal says Eustace introduced competing bills, one honoring our pork roll sandwich; the other elevating Taylor ham sandwiches. He also launched an online survey to gauge public opinion and is seeking consensus among lawmakers. Eustace says: “It caused quite a pickle.”
COLLINGSWOOD – More online petition news. Kids merrily bicycling to school is as American as apple pie, but a decade-old ban in this tiny, historic borough prevents youngsters from pedaling there. Now, more than 270 residents have signed an online petition to lift this restriction after a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist drew attention. The petition says nearby Haddonfield and Cherry Hill allows kiddies to use their bicycles, so why not Collingswood with fewer than 2,000 students in K-12? Parents say it's great exercise and gets them out of a car pool with that weird neighbor.
ATLANTIC CITY – Olympic fever hits this morning, as the New Jersey Association of Health Underwriters holds its annual conference by hosting Dan Jansen, the Olympic gold medal speed skater and a confirmed winner, who will talk about what it takes to be one. The event also includes Michael Aron of NJTV News, who will bring his “Reporter’s Roundtable” to give everyone an idea of what the heck is up with Atlantic City. His panel includes Michael Symons of NJ 101.5, John Mooney of NJ Spotlight, Ryan Hutchins of Politico and Nick Acocella of Politifax.
NEWARK – Sick of waiting in line for airport security? You aren’t alone. CBS reports the Port Authority is threatening to hire its own security team if the TSA doesn’t speed things up. The Port Authority tells the feds “the patience of the flying public has reached a breaking point.” What the Port Authority is suggesting is not new; Atlanta, Seattle and 20 other airports have private contractors for screening. The TSA pledges to hire more officers, but this is like toothpaste. Only so much can get through, no matter how hard you squeeze.
CLIFTON – No doubt, she’s a trooper. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno is still at it, cutting ribbons – big and small – across New Jersey. At 11 a.m., she swings by “Jimmy’s Cookies” for likely her one millionth grand opening and a courtesy batch of oatmeal raisin.
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRIAL – Proving he really is the “presumptuous” GOP nominee, Donald Trump already picked his pal Gov. Chris Christie to chair his White House transition team. That's huge. Calling Christie “an extremely knowledgeable and loyal” toady, Trump says he would put together “an unparalleled transition team … prepared to take over the White House when we win in November.”
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
NASHVILLE, TN – Shampooing seems simple enough, right? Except in Tennessee, where the state Board of Cosmetology requires “shampoo technicians” at hair salons to have 300 hours of classroom training before they can legally get soap in your eyes, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Beacon Center, a left-leaning think-tank, worked itself into a lather over the onerous rules and filed a lawsuit. Right now, Tennessee makes licensees pass two exams after intensive training in brushing, combing, shampooing, conditioning and rinsing, hair and scalp care and massage, and product knowledge. The penalty for shampooing without a license? Six months in jail, a $500 criminal fine or a $1,000 civil penalty. Imagine that conversation in the jail cell.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Fans of choo-choo trains still celebrate this day from 1869, when the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads met in Promontory, Utah, creating a true railroad line from coast-to-coast. A golden spike was driven in; celebration ensued.
WORD OF THE DAY
Caustic – adjective
Definition: Able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical, but is commonly defined as mean or harsh.
Example: He was a caustic man who refused to buy Girl Scout cookies.
WEATHER IN A WORD
Clouds.