The Morning Briefing - October 13, 2016
KEYPORT – The issue that has swept up this tiny Bayshore community was put to bed last night. The school board voted 6-4 to keep the Native American mascot for the high school, after plenty of debate that spread across the state. Some argued the mascot was disrespectful and insulting, but others talked about tradition, pride and other apparently important stuff connected to the Red Raider. Some suggested a compromise, like maybe more lessons about Native Americans. That went nowhere. One board member concluded: “We are a small community similar to a tribe.” So, there you go.
NEWARK - It’s easy to dismiss Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy as just another Jon Corzine, the one-term governor and Goldman Sachs alum who critics say used his fortune to buy his way into New Jersey politics. But to do so, NewarkInc.com's Mark Bonamo writes, would underestimate Murphy’s considerable charm and work ethic that allowed him to win over key supporters early on, like former Newark Mayor Sharpe James. A bonus: No diners were mentioned in the making of this article.
PARAMUS – Hooters says a shuttered restaurant in Paramus is hurting the company’s stellar image. The former Hooters on Route 17 apparently closed in August due to a lack of interest in beer and wings. That crisis may have also included a plumbing backup and swarming flies, the Record reports, as well as failed a food safety test and pools of water in the basement. The franchise – attached to a La Quinta motel – then closed without bothering to inform the company, Hooters alleged. But, as a lawsuit ensures, Hooters fans should not worry. A sign on the door says another Hooters is just five-minutes away – in Hackensack. Bounce on over.
YOUR FRONT DOOR – Before you think of giving out pencils, bags of salt-free popcorn and dimes when the kiddies come knocking on your door on Halloween, let’s save you from getting your house pummeled with rotten eggs. The candy industry is out this morning with the three top-selling candy brands that the kids really like. So to avoid the ire of the little girl dressed as some ubiquitous Disney character, put these candies on your shopping list: KitKat, Brach’s Candy Corn and Milky Way. (In that order of preference, please.) Editor’s Note: We prefer you stock up on Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Thank you.
BACKWOODS – Oh, no! Not Pedals the Bear! NJ101.5 is hunting down some rumors that bow hunters have taken out New Jersey’s most popular bear during this week’s hunt. You may recall that Pedals is a YouTube sensation who walks on his hind legs. Messages on social media expressed concern that some hunter bragged about shooting the bipedal bruin. NJ101.5 is struggling to confirm the shocking news; the state DEP could not say if he was one of the bear corpses brought into a weigh station in Morris County on Tuesday. We eagerly await an update.
IN OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
LONDON – Sure, the British pound sterling may have been dropping in value in recent weeks. But the ever-positive Brits have found a new way to put their cash to work. Someone, somewhere, figured out the new plastic five-pound note also makes the ideal stylus to play vinyl records. (Anyone under the age of 30 has absolutely no idea what we just wrote.) But for those who have ever used a record player, check out all the YouTube videos being posted that show your money working for you. Just one more reason to love Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, featured on the note.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
The U.S. Space Shuttle “Endeavour” was able to able to travel into space 25 times, orbiting 123 million miles. But it could only crawl through the traffic-clogged streets of Los Angeles on this day in 2012, as it made its way to a museum.
WORD OF THE DAY
Scion [SYE-un] – noun
Definition: The child in a wealthy family
Example: My scion would never drive a Scion.
WEATHER IN A WORD
Clouds