TRENTON - Could the third time be the charm? The feds have announced a third round of "Race to the Top" grants for previous finalists, including New Jersey. Nine states can apply for a share of the $200 million pot, focusing on science and math education. New Jersey, which is eligible for up to $28 million, narrowly missed winning $400 million in the last round a year ago. Remember when Christie fired his education commissioner, Bret Schundler, after a stupid mistake in the grant application? State education officials confirm they will try, yet again, for the cash.

NEWARK - Mayor Booker and other city officials mark the opening today of a new city high school that provides 60 free college credits to students by the time they graduate - at zero cost to the kids. Bard High School Early College is one of four new district school models that have opened this month. Another great new school is the Newark Leadership Academy, which provides a second chance to city kids who had dropped out of other public schools. Booker and State School District Superintendent Cami Anderson will be on WBGO-FM's "Newark Today" program at 8 p.m. tonight to talk more about education reform in Newark.

STATEWIDE - With three days remaining until the 10-year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, commemoration events continue. Employees of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity, Newark construction site today in Irvington in memory of those killed. Meanwhile, the "Remember 9.11: Reflections and Memories from New Jersey" exhibition opens today at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton. In other news, Muslims for Life will hold the first of two blood drives at Rutgers-Newark. At 7 p.m., Passaic County will hold its own memorial ceremony in Wayne.

MONTVALE - And there are, of course, some corporations looking for some free buzz with the 10-year anniversary upon us. The PR folks at Mercedes-Benz USA and the accounting firm KPMG are letting the media know their employees will be planting flowers and trees today in preparation of Montvale's memorial wreath-laying service on Sunday.

WILLINGBORO - Carl Lewis's run for State Senate has officially ended, as a district court judge has ruled he hasn't lived here long enough to be a candidate. The big winner here is Republican incumbent Dawn Addiego, who was sure to lose against the Olympic great on name recognition alone.

TRENTON - There's some officially-sanctioned celebrating today, as New Jersey's newest Supreme Court Associate, Anne Patterson, is publicly sworn in at the War Memorial Building. Gov. Chris Christie will deliver remarks. The former corporate lawyer from Christie's hometown was privately sworn in on Sept. 1, more than a year after the Governor nominated her to replace Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto.

NEW YORK - Former New York Gov. David Paterson has joined the chorus of politicians calling for Christie to run for President. But, really, who cares what another former disgraced New York governor thinks?

NATIONWIDE - Meanwhile, all the talk about Christie for President will likely subside, as he has been elected vice chair of the Republican Governors Association. Christie is succeeding Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia, who became chairman when Texas Gov. Rick Perry left the post to run for President as "George W. Bush, The Sequel."

STATEWIDE - While New Jersey isn't getting the additional commuter rail tunnel into New York we desperately need, about $1.25 billion budgeted for the project is being redirected to pay for critical road and bridge repair. We're going to need this aging infrastructure to be in tip-top shape to try and handle the massive bottlenecks created by not having the tunnel. More than 5,000 bridges are functionally obsolete or deficient in New Jersey; half the state's roadways are deemed "poor." State officials want 80 percent of the state's asphalt in good repair in a decade. Christie abandoned the $9.8 billion tunnel project last October, calling it too expensive for New Jersey.

SOUTH JERSEY - What recession? It sure is a good time to be in the road repair racket in New Jersey. Besides all this infrastructure repair, state officials just awarded $157 million for construction of an additional lane in each direction of the Garden State Parkway, with bridge and overpass widening, to provide a total of three lanes in each direction between mileposts 63 and 48.

HOBOKEN - It will likely be raining on the tortellini when organizers of the 85th-annual Hoboken Italian Fair open the doors at 5 p.m. at Frank Sinatra Park. Today through Sunday, there will be plenty of music performances, food competitions and drink specials in the slew of local bars. C'mon down - and bring a designated driver.

STATEWIDE - Remember all the political backstabbing in the spring when the state's legislative districts were reconfigured? Expect the same, but on a grander scale, as talks begin to shrink New Jersey's 13 congressional districts into 12. Population shifts recorded in the 2010 Census will cause the state to lose a congressman before next year's election. New Jersey has seven Democrats and six Republicans in Congress. One has to go - and it won't be without plenty of kicking, screaming and perhaps biting.

STATEWIDE - With all this rain, New Jerseyans are now just waiting for the ark. A week after Hurricane Irene ripped through, the National Weather Service is now issuing a flood watch through tomorrow morning. Flooding is expected all over the state. Four inches of rain is expected, on top of the soggy mess from Irene. What a great time to be in the basement waterproofing business.

STATEWIDE - Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency - who have been facing a slew of natural disasters lately - have already been hit with 15,000 claims from New Jersey residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. All 21 counties have been declared major disaster areas; Bergen is topping the list with over 2,600 claims.

WASHINGTON - Irene is almost certain to be the costliest category one hurricane in history and one of the 10 costliest ever. The price tag could top $10 billion, but FEMA has less than $800 million in its coffers. It'll be up to Congress to appropriate more money - the same guys who brought you this summer's debt ceiling crisis and had sworn off any new spending. Senate Democrats are unveiling legislation that provides $6 billion to help victims of disasters dating to Hurricane Katrina. Expect a battle with tea party-backed House Republicans, who want federal spending slashed elsewhere to pay for disaster aid.

STATEWIDE - Speaking of congressional (in)action, labor unions are scared to death that more than 1,900 highway and transit projects in New Jersey could be put on ice, and nearly 23,000 people put out of work, if Congress does not extend the Surface Transportation Act - and the 18.4-cent-a-gallon gasoline tax that finances it - before Sept. 30. Workers are justifiably worried, as politicians have shown they are willing to shut down projects to "send a message" to colleagues across the aisle. Remember last month, when the FAA was caught in a two-week standoff that forced thousands out of work and $400 million in uncollected airline fees?

JERSEY CITY - As New Jersey prepares to mark the 10-year anniversary of 9-11, New Jersey 9/11 Memorial Foundation Chairman Rick Cahill and state Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Charles McKenna today tour Liberty State Park's Empty Sky Memorial, which will be dedicated Saturday.

PHILADELPHIA - New Jersey environmentalists are boarding buses this morning at an A&P in North Brunswick to join a rally in Philadelphia to blast the hydraulic fracturing process, or "fracking," used in natural gas drilling. Fracking has been proposed in New Jersey, causing a classic battle between business interests demanding new fuel sources and environmentalists who are certain the drilling will contaminate water supplies and cause a host of other problems. Gov. Chris Christie has recommended a one-year ban on fracking here, angering anti-frackers who thought our Governor would make New Jersey the first state to ban the process.

STATEWIDE - One state law is already teaching our youth that some laws are, well, "optional." For the past 15 months, the state has been requiring young drivers to put red decals on their license plates, thus putting a huge bull's eye on these cars for patrolling cops. Many teens - and their parents - are opting to keep the decals off. This is a civics lesson we don't want to teach.

STATEWIDE - Nerds, dweebs and freaks may finally have the advantage in the school yard, as public schools open today with a new statewide anti-bullying law. There's now tougher penalties for bullies, while school administrators are now more accountable when they ignore kids torturing other kids. Guest speakers are also being lined up to talk with students about how bullying is mean, although it remains questionable if actual bullies will stay awake though such school assemblies.

WASHINGTON - While most eyes are on the state legislative races that will dominate media this fall, some are already thinking about Sen. Bob Menendez's re-election bid in 2012. Even though Menendez has lousy approval ratings, there doesn't seem to be any Republicans able to challenge him and his hefty war chest. Only attorney Ian Linker has declared his intent to run, while state Sen. Michael Doherty and state Sen. Joe Kyrillos are thinking about it. Unless a rich Republican can step in (and we know you are out there), it looks like six more years with our senior senator.

TRENTON - It seems the road to the GOP Presidential nomination must stop at Gov. Christie's dinner table. The latest legitimate candidate to swing by Drumthwacket will be Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Christie has already chowed with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, but oddly has not yet been contacted by Rep. Michelle Bachmann. Perhaps she's already conceding that New Jersey Republicans will not support her. Meanwhile, Ron Paul has opened his local campaign headquarters in Hightstown. But we doubt he will be receiving a dinner invite.

HIGHLANDS - With the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks just five days away, workers in Highlands are using cranes today to organize five boulders engraved with the names of the 2,983 victims, The work is being done for a public ceremony at sunset Sunday. Meanwhile, in other 9-11 news, a Monroe man who built scale replicas of the Twin Towers on his front lawn in December 2001 will be taking down the 13 1/2-foot wooden structures in the next few weeks.

TRENTON - The state's woefully obsolete computer system has gotten so bad that even our penny-pinching Governor wants to spend $5.5 million to begin fixing it. But he needs the Democrats on board, which, of course, is never easy. Christie's initiative - a five-year, $60 million plan - has been bounced around Trenton all summer, but is still up in the air. Meanwhile, the state's antique computers will attempt to start up this morning, yet again. 

TRENTON - For those who enjoyed tuning into NJN to catch the live drawing of the lottery numbers, NJTV is offering its own way of "capturing the drama." Starting today, the network will air slides with the results of the daily drawings - an hour after each drawing is held. Yawn. 

ATLANTIC CITY - There's more bad news for the Pier Shops at Caesers - pending foreclosure - with the Game On! sports bar and Trinity Irish Pub abruptly shutting its doors yesterday - with no plans to reopen. The two were among about 75 stores and restaurants at the Pier Shops at Caesars, which opened about five years ago and is now awaiting a foreclosure auction. 

SOMERSET COUNTY - There's a great op-ed circulating about President Obama from the vice chair of the Somerset County Democratic Committee titled "Wrong Guy, Right Time." Dr. Zenon Christodoulou writes: "Our President is a master wordsmith and understands the impact that a single word or phrase can have. But he's beginning to sounds more impersonal, detached and unconcerned than he should... Caesar didn't say, 'friends, folks and countrymen.' Porky Pig did. It's too easy not to care if a folk is out of work. It's too convenient to forget that when folks lose their houses they not only become homeless, they become hopeless. I don't want to be a folk. I want a leader who thinks of me as the American I'm proud to be. At the right time, that's who I'll vote for. I don't think I'll be alone."

**The Morning Briefing is going on vacation. We will not publish from Aug. 22 to Sept. 5.

GALLOWAY - Twenty years from now, when Galloway residents can't land a decent job and wonder why people from other countries are so successful in America, they can blame today's school board. School officials have voted to ban teachers from giving homework over the weekend for kids up to sixth grade so they can have time for other activities, like TV and video games. Also, teachers can assign no more than 10 minutes of homework, multiplied by the child's grade level, per weeknight. Meanwhile, in China, local school boards are adding on an eighth day of school each week.

TRENTON - Perhaps today will be considered the day New Jersey reached its tipping point, when private citizens took it upon themselves to lower property taxes and create a more streamlined government. For the first time in the history of New Jersey, the state Department of Community Affairs' Local Finance Board has approved an application by a grassroots group (in this case, Merchantville) to form a Municipal Consolidation Study Commission with an adjoining town (Cherry Hill.) Could this open the flood doors for residents in other tiny towns who are drowning in taxes?

STATEWIDE - Homeless dogs and cats have August 25 circled on their small, tattered calendars as the day in which life could get a whole lot harder. Gov. Chris Christie has until that date to sign a law that allows shelters to immediately euthanize any animals that come in without tags, or are old, injured or appear aggressive. If the new law was on the books earlier this year, a Newark shelter would have likely given the needle to "Patrick the Pit Bull,"
who became national news after he was found starved in a Dumpster.

ON THE HUDSON - Gov. Chris Christie and N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo are aiming for the middle ground in today's vote to raise tolls on bridges and highways into New York. They suggest a scaled back toll increase in which tolls would be raised to $14.50 for some motorists by 2015. Fares on the PATH trains would increase 25 cents a year for four years, instead of $1 next month. The governors also want answers as to why the Port Authority shelled out $86 million in overtime last year. We're glad to see some sense made of this proposed toll increase, but still, nearly $300 a month to drive through a tunnel? 

CAPE MAY - For folks from northern New Jersey, seeing traffic lights on the Parkway is about as crazy as a $14.50 toll at the Lincoln Tunnel. So, when they finally venture 173 miles south into the deepest reaches of the Parkway, they are often slamming on the brakes at these unexpected lights. State officials agree it is time to eliminate the only three traffic lights on the Parkway by 2015, and are now trying to get wetlands approval before beginning the $100 million project to build overpasses.

WILLINGBORO - Carl Lewis goes for the gold today, as he heads back to federal court to ask a judge to keep him in the race for State Senate. Lawyers for Lewis, 50, say it should be up to voters to decide whether to elect the nine-time Olympic gold medalist or his opponent, incumbent GOP Sen. Dawn Marie Addiego, to represent the 8th legislative district. This should be the last chapter in this ongoing saga.

EDISON - Maybe, after all, it was poor taste to superimpose the Indian flag over the American flag that was hoisted in the famous photo of U.S. Marines at Iwo Jima.War veterans and their families were furious the photo was being used to promote Sunday's rescheduled India Day parade in Edison. A website, AmazingIndia.com, has apologized for the image's insensitivity. Indians and veterans have since met to discuss strategic marketing tips for parades and report all is good.

**The Morning Briefing is going on vacation. We will not publish from Aug. 22 to Sept. 5.

TRENTON - Maybe we shouldn't have said anything. One day after the Morning Briefing mentions the state had appeared to dodge a bullet and the credit rating seems to be intact, Fitch Ratings downgrades the state's general obligation bonds to AA- from AA. The agency also downgraded the rating on the state's open space preservation bonds and its appropriations-backed debt. The problem, Fitch folks say, is the unfunded pension and health benefits liabilities during a stubborn recession. There's also the state's high debt burden and annual ordeal to balance the budget.

NEW BRUNSWICK - Boy, Rutgers is really desperate for some rental income. How else can you explain why the state's largest university is giving up Hickman Hall today for the 64^th-annual New Jersey Pest Management Association's trade show and clam bake? The stately Douglass campus will be filled with exterminators, who will be discussing the latest technologies to gas a mosquito and other top industry issues. It all begins at noon, when trained dogs compete to find bed bugs during the "Doggone Bed Bug Contest." The event thankfully culminates at 5 p.m. with the annual bug-free clam bake.

LAKEWOOD - It's a tough day to be Ryan Ragan. He's the chief operating officer of the Central Jersey Blood Center, who has been living on the roof of FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood since Monday to encourage blood donors at Lakewood BlueClaws games. There's plenty of rain today, which will keep the blood donors away. We hope Ryan has a sturdy parka.

MENDHAM - One day the Verizon strike will thankfully be over. But it is doubtful that Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam will soon forget the union employees who plan to hold a candlelight vigil in front of his house in Mendham at 7 p.m. (Note to union: Candlelight vigils should be done when it is actually nighttime; twilight is 8:21 p.m. tonight.) In any case, this stunt is a bit overboard and drives a deeper wedge between the two sides.  Now it's personal.

TRENTON - We find this hard to believe, but apparently Gov. Chris Christie is still up in the air on whether he supports the draconian toll increases planned for the bridges and tunnels into New York. It has been the lead story all week; the Port Authority is set to vote on it tomorrow. Could he be waiting to see where New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo stands on this no-win issue? Christie says "it's not an easy call" to choose between the construction jobs the toll hikes would fund and the increased burden on commuters. He's right, but ultimately his job is to side with commuters - the people who pay all the state income taxes to Trenton. But it looks like he's trying to forge a middle road - leaving no one happy.

NEWARK & JERSEY CITY - Looks like the red carpet is being rolled out today for Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William C. Dudley, who will be speaking about the regional economy today in front of elected officials and top business leaders. He begins his day in Newark, before touring the Jersey City waterfront. This is being billed as a community outreach effort - a newer, friendlier Federal Reserve Bank.

TRENTON - Teachers may have shorter fuses when school resumes next month.They are getting smaller raises, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association, with average raises of 3.2 percent for the 2011-12 school year. Moving forward, raises will drop to about 2.1 percent, for contracts that happened to be negotiated since last year, when the state imposed a 2 percent levy on property tax increases and slashed state funding for local school districts. Teachers in more than one-third of the state's 590 districts are still negotiating contracts for the coming school year.

SEASIDE HEIGHTS - We all know clothing companies will pay a fortune for the right celebrity to wear its apparel. In a great twist, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is asking Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and his fellow "Jersey Shore" idiots to stop wearing the brand on the show and will even provide "a substantial payment." Abercrombie says a connection to The Situation goes against the "aspirational nature" of its brand and may be "distressing" to customers. This is a brilliant PR stunt by Abercrombie. This story will have legs. Great move.

SOUTH JERSEY - Taxpayers in South Jersey will be getting soaked, after three heavy days of rain this week. Local officials figure it will cost millions of dollars to fix a dam and rebuild roads that were washed away at the height of the storm, which dropped 11 inches of rain in some places last Sunday. In Salem County, repairing 14 roads, nine bridges and culverts and a rail line will hit at least $3.7 million. These are significant numbers for an area of New Jersey with small populations and less people to tax. County officials will be begging the feds for emergency aid.

WILLINGBORO - Carl Lewis continues to get the run-around from Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who refuses to certify the Olympic great as a candidate for State Senate this November. The Republican Lt. Governor says the Democratic candidate - and odds-on favorite to win the seat - doesn't meet New Jersey's four-year residency requirement to run. Lewis wants his case heard in federal court, where there are no New Jersey politicians pulling the strings.

BRIDGES & TUNNELS - With the Port Authority set to vote this Friday on controversial toll hikes to raise $33 billion, angry commuters are trading barbs with the labor unions. Commuters are questioning why they arepaying for the $11 billion World Trade Center and post-9/11 security projects, as the Port Authority wants to ultimately double the cost of entering the city from $8 to $17 per car. Meanwhile, self-interested labor unions want the hikes to fund ground zero and other construction projects. "The Port Authority is making gobs of money," says Jason Ertel, a commuter from Clifton. "What I don't understand is how every morning as I drive down to pay my $8, my fillings are getting rattled out and the shocks of my car are being beat to death." Even if the Port Authority approves the toll hikes - which it looks like it will - Gov. Chris Christie or New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo could veto the decision within 10 days.

PRINCETON - To underscore he is our feared but benevolent leader, Chris Christie will be just down the road from Drumthwacket today to sign some farmland preservation legislation. He'll be a Terhune Orchard, a well-established farm in Princeton Township, as part of his happy summer tour of farms and the Jersey Shore. Christie has also signed bills appropriating $157 million for land preservation at a working, 220-acre farm in Hillsborough. (His first trip to that site was derailed when he had that much publicized asthma attack) Earlier this week, Christie signed legislation appropriating $10 million to preserve the state's historical assets, including President Grover Cleveland's birthplace. That bill was signed at the historic Mount Laurel home of women's rights activist Alice Paul. We like the happy Christie.

TRENTON - The State Legislature has to be relieved it's in recess.There's been 20 shootings in Trenton in the last 30 days - which has to be some sort of record.Cops have made 41 arrests between Friday and Sunday in what is becoming the state's version of the O.K. Corral. Police are responding with the development of a creative name: "Operation Send a Message," which also includessearch warrants, more DWI patrols, and stopping more people and vehicles. To date, police have responded to 503 shots fired calls this year. Forty-two people were shot in Trenton between January and mid-August 2010 compared to 82 victims during the same period this year. Oh, and by the way, the city is laying off 108 officers next month.

HIGHLANDS - Fair housing advocates are breathing fire today over a controversial appellate court decision that supports the Highland Council's master plan, which restricts development in the 860,000-acre region in northern part of the state. Opponents are also calling the Highlands a huge land grab by the state and question why New Jersey even bothers to spend money on Green Acres programs when officials can just take land when they feel like it.

TRENTON - Republican presidential candidates continue to hound Gov. Chris Christie for his endorsement - recognizing the big man has some big coattails in this primary. But Christie is keeping mum on who he supports, thus allowing the candidates to continue fawning all over him. Our Governor is no dummy; he is going to ride this for as long as he can, hedging his bets along the way. "You know me. I'm not a halfway kind of guy," Christie says. "If there's somebody I really like, I'll say it, and I'll go out and work hard for that person. But I'm not at that point yet."

JERSEY CITY - Plans to jack tolls on all bridges and tunnels into New York are the subject of a public hearing today in Jersey City, as commuters and construction workers take to the microphone to blast the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for even considering this plan. We struggle to find the purpose of these hearings, other than to give the public "a say." Really - who would come to the mike to voice passionate support for major toll hikes?

WOODBRIDGE - If you ever thought your garage is a mess, it can't compare to a house in Avenel that has finally burned to the ground. The house was so jammed with surplus military equipment, dressers, refrigerators and other material that one fire official called it "one of the most extreme examples of hoarding." Firefighters couldn't even get into the house through the doors or windows because they were blocked by dressers stacked two- and three-high. It seems anything - anything at all - could have started this fire, which was destined to happen.

TRENTON - It's been weeks consumed by such sexy topics as "bond ratings" and "debt ceilings" - which New Jerseyans have quickly learned are a really big deal. State officials are confident that New Jersey's credit rating will not be downgraded any further, after our bean counters met with the bond rating firms in Manhattan earlier this month to highlight our spending discipline. No word back from the bond raters, which appears to be good news.

LAKEWOOD - Finally, a great way to avoid paying property taxes in New Jersey: live in the woods. The homeless have struck a deal in Lakewood to take down about 15 make-shift huts off Cedar Bridge Avenue and replace them with tents. As part of the deal, homeless individuals have agreed to not expand their community. These folks have some leverage here, as there appears to be no shelters in Ocean County. Perhaps someone should build one.

JERSEY CITY - With a $21 million windfall in state aid to the city schools, many antsy parents and teachers want 290 teaching jobs restored by the time schools re-open. Plenty relies on Schools Superintendent Charles Epps, who, some believe, has taken the entire summer off. Epps started his vacation in June and was expected to be back in the beginning of August. But now it seems he's not coming back until Aug. 22, forcing many to question how he expects to restore all these jobs for the school year under a very tight timeframe. And, more importantly, why does this all rely on one man?

LAKEWOOD - Here's to taking your job to the next level. Ryan Ragan, chief operating officer of the Central Jersey Blood Center, plans to live on the roof of FirstEnergy Park from today until Saturday to promote a blood donation event at the stadium on Aug. 20. Ragan will post online updates on Twitter and will leave the roof only when Lakewood BlueClaws home games are being played. Let's hope for minimal rain and high winds this week.

BRIDGES & TUNNELS - Perhaps the real reason is finally surfacing about the major toll hikes planned for the bridges and tunnels into New York: The Port Authority is worried its credit rating will be downgraded, causing major interest rate increases on the millions it borrows to pay for its many construction projects. Port Authority officials figure a quick influx of cash from toll hikes can keep the credit rating companies looking the other way. But Governors Chris Christie and Andrew Cuomo still need to sign off on this, with their political necks on the line.

STATEWIDE - Owners of small New Jersey wineries are still hoping the state Legislature will come to its senses and allow them to ship bottles to New Jersey residents. Thirty-eight other states allow their local wineries to ship directly in-state. A bi-partisan law was introduced in New Jersey this spring, but for some ridiculous reason, it hasn't gone anywhere. It's obvious no one in the state Legislature owns a winery.

TRENTON - New Jersey may soon ban doctors from directly billing rape victims for collecting forensic evidence. The feds say doctors should be reimbursed for their services, but the bill should go to law enforcement agencies. Still, though, victims in New Jersey seem to be getting consistently billed, upsetting many people. State lawmakers have overwhelmingly passed what would appear to be an obvious measure that clarifies victims don't get invoiced. It now sits on the Governor's desk for his signature.

ATLANTIC CITY - It's a great day not to waste money in the casinos. Today is the "Atlantic City Salutes America's Armed Forces" boardwalk parade, in which 850 people are expected to step off on the boardwalk near New Jersey and Pacific avenues at 6 p.m. Earlier in the day, the Air Force Thunderbirds will perform a flyover of Atlantic City's beach and boardwalk to promote the ninth-annual "Atlantic City Airshow," scheduled to take place Wednesday.

There's a great opinion-editorial in NJ Biz this morning by Bruno Tedeschi, in which he discusses how dual-language charter schools are preparing New Jersey students for a global economy. Read it here.

STATEWIDE - Shenanigans from picketers involved in the Verizon strike this week have caught the interest of the FBI, who is now investigating 90 separate acts of sabotage in nine states since the strike began over the weekend. Wires have been slashed, knocking out phone and Internet service to many customers, including an undisclosed hospital and small town police department.  Customers will have some patience for now, while the union tries to get its message out, but the vandalism better not continue into football season.

In some late-breaking strike news, Verizon New Jersey secured an injunction against the unions, limiting the number of protesters at work sites. This move also compels local cops to help keep entrances, driveways and doorways clear. It's a big victory for Verizon, which has been dealing with picketers locking their arms to block workers from going in or out of Verizon buildings. No clue if this will encourage a settlement, but at least it helps minimize the impact on people like us, who have high expectations of FiOS.

STATEWIDE - Seems like fewer people are on unemployment in New Jersey these days. It could be positive news, indicating the state is rebounding from the recession. Or it could show that people have exhausted their unemployment benefits and are on the brink of crisis. There are now about 150,000 people in the state receiving benefits, showing the downward trend. In July, the state had the fewest amount of people on unemployment in any July month since 2008.  People will extrapolate what they want from this data, but the critical note is New Jersey had more jobs in 2000 than it has today. And white-collar jobs continue to be replaced with blue-collar ones.

LOS ANGELES - It looks like the New York Jets will be the home football team in Los Angeles this season. The City of Angels is taking plenty of interest in the Jets, with the franchise quarterback, Mark Sanchez, a former USC star. ESPN LA will broadcast all 16 games of the Jets season on its radio station. Los Angeles hasn't had an NFL team since the Rams and Raiders fled, but hopes to get one back in the near future. But, sorry, it won't be our Jets.

BELMAR - One of the many problems with having the reality show "Jersey Shore" plaguing our beaches this summer is that the cast finds ways to make what some would consider "News."  Case in point is an ongoing investigation in Belmar, prompted by a police encounter with Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino. A video shows three Belmar police officers talking to Sorrentino, who is driving a two-seat Ferrari, with two women squeezed in the passenger seat. "The Sitch" got off without a ticket for an obvious violation, prompting the police chief to question what the heck his cops were thinking. This incident, of course, is now national news.

ON THE SAND - It looks like Gov. Chris Christie's tour of New Jersey beaches was a good move. As he wandered the sand in khakis and a polo, engaging scantily-clad women in a casual meet and greet, a new poll shows his overall job performance is on the rise. Christie has garnered a 50 percent approval rating from registered voters for the first time in polling by Monmouth University/NJ Press Media. It's also the first time he's hit that benchmark in any nonpartisan poll since early April.  Maybe he should spend the rest of the summer on the beach with a good book.

NEWARK - The Newark Public Schools Advisory Board hasn't been able to agree on much lately. But they were able to rally around one issue: regaining local control from the state, which has been operating the district since 1995. The board voted unanimously to take whatever legal means necessary to ensure Newark's voters are no longer "disenfranchised." All this love among board members couldn't have been too comfortable for Cami Anderson, the newly appointed state superintendent who was sitting with board members as they cast their votes.

STATEWIDE - Pre-teens around New Jersey are texting "OMG!!!" after hearing that their hero for life, Miranda Cosgrove, has broken her ankle in a tour bus accident in southern Illinois. The star of Nickelodeon's "iCarly," was injured about 70 miles northeast of St. Louis, postponing the "Dancing Crazy Summer Tour" until further notice.  Maybe it will be renamed the "Dancing Crazy Fall Tour."

SOUTH JERSEY - Sen. Robert Menendez is taking full advantage of a South Jersey swing today, with four dizzying PR opportunities jam packed into a six-hour schedule. It will be interesting to see how the senator navigates from Philadelphia at 11:15 a.m., through Cherry Hill, Egg Harbor Township and then to Somers Point by 5 p.m. - attempting to make meaningful connections along the way. It's a shame Menendez does not have a better relationship with the Governor - he could borrow the chopper.

SEASIDE HEIGHTS - Will Gov. Chris Christie end up a guest star on the reality show "Jersey Shore"?  Not if he can help it. But the Governor will be in Seaside Heights today for his beach tour as the show's cameras are rolling.  It would certainly be one ugly segment of reality TV, but still watched by millions.

TRENTON - The Governor says it was news to him that the Port Authority was planning major toll hikes on the bridges and tunnels. He claims he first heard the disturbing news last Wednesday. Democrats claim it is outright impossible that Christie could have been kept in the dark - especially because of his tight connection with Bill Baroni, Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority. Christie says he will hold public hearings before weighing in on the plan. C'mon, who is going to stand up and say they support toll increases?

JERSEY CITY - If you've been wanting to blow off work to bring your kid to the Statue of Liberty, do it by October 28. After that, the statue will be closed for a year to undergo a $27.25 million renovation that officials say will make the interior safer and more accessible.

HACKETTSTOWN - Federal officials are investing $816,000 to open a health care center in Warren County to provide primary medical care, dental, mental health and substance abuse services for people who can't afford it. Dover-based Zufall Health Center is expected to offer free or low-cost health care services to more than 3,400 patients in its first year of operation. While this is great news, we need to hear how this center can sustain itself for the long-term - especially when people begin to rely on it.

FLANDERS - Looks like the world's biggest toy store has the world's biggest toy store solar system, as Toys"R"Us officials today show off a 5.38-megawatt rooftop system at its largest distribution center, in Flanders. No word if Geoffrey is hammering in the solar panels.

NEWARK - Medical students at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey today get their white coats as part of a time-honored ceremony. In our world of managed care, we wouldn't be surprised if the coats come with a co-pay.

CAMDEN - It was a short-lived job for former Camden Police Director Lanuel J. Ferguson, who has resigned after only a month on the job. Many were furious why the cash-strapped city was spending an additional $100,000 on a civilian police director. No official reason as to why Ferguson gave up so early, but we surmise it was the ongoing political criticism. Meanwhile, as fingers are pointed all around, Camden remains the state's Dodge City. 

STATEWIDE - One New Jersey girl has an interesting story to tell her class about her summer vacation: Being used as a human barricade on a Verizon picket line, as her father shouts expletives at two workers attempting to drive through on a service truck. You can bet this girl will grow up with some strong opinions about organized labor. The YouTube video of this incident was the talk of the town last night, before union leaders came to their senses and took it down. But the damage was already done.

ATLANTIC CITY - New Jersey casinos are on a streak - and not a good one. Revenue has been down the last 34 months in a row. June was especially brutal, with one gambler walking away with a cool $8 million. Today we will hear from the Casino Control Commission if the streak reaches a 35th month. In other concerning news, New York may soon open non-Indian casinos in direct competition to Atlantic City. Donald Trump is salivating at the opportunity to construct some more ugly buildings, pouring campaign contributions to Gov. Andrew Cuomo in recent years. "It's a topic we are looking at actively," Cuomo says.

BELMAR - Summer storms kept the Governor from wandering the Ocean City beach yesterday to get up close and personal with sunbathing constituents. But, not to be deterred, Chris Christie is back at it today - this time in Belmar. He will likely be touting the $650 million he approved in no-cost and low-cost loans for water quality and protection projects. He's also expected to stroll the boardwalk, at 6th and Ocean avenues, where he will try to steer clear of the fried Oreos.

TRENTON - It's interesting to see what "artifacts" become important pieces of Trenton history. Folks are now paying attention to the so-called "McGreevey podium," which he used on Aug. 12, 2004 to declare to the nation that he is, in fact, a "gay American." The acrylic podium - still adorned with the state seal - was found in a corner of the Statehouse last week, covered in dust, scratched and cracked. The state should put it on eBay; we bet it would sell for more than Brendan Byrne's official portrait.

CAPE MAY - The shores off Cape May will soon be home to a former U.S. Navy destroyer, which will be sunk today.  The 563-foot Arthur W. Radford will be the longest vessel ever sunk as an artificial reef in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was retired in 2003 after 26 years of use. It will join many other manmade items around Cape May, including retired New York City subway cars and likely the steel coffins of sunken New Jersey mobsters.

TRENTON - No clue how this snuck by Christie's red pen, but taxpayers are still funding the pensions of some lobbyists and other non-state employees - even after the system was supposedly overhauled in late June. While the 123-page bill cut everything from health plans for state workers to cost-of-living adjustments for retired state workers, there's still an old law on the books that allows some lobbyists and other non-state employees to be enrolled in the public pension system. A series of articles in The Record beginning in late 2009 revealed that 63 retirees from three outside organizations - the New Jersey League of Municipalities, New Jersey School Boards Association and New Jersey Association of Counties - were receiving a combined $1.3 million in public retirement benefits annually.

ON THE RAILS - Another miserable morning for New York-bound commuters, as Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line trains were operating up to 60 minutes behind schedule in and out of New York City. Midtown Direct trains are being diverted to Hoboken. Workers are repairing damage caused after two cars of a Trenton-bound train derailed in the Hudson River tunnel on Tuesday - impacting tens of thousands of people this morning who will be late for meetings, appointments, calls, etc.

WILDWOOD - Yet another reason why you can't beat the Jersey Shore:  Members of the Harlem Globetrotters will be performing tricks today during a four-mile round trip aboard Wildwood's Boardwalk Sightseer Tram Car, substituting the vehicle's 40-year-old "watch the tram car, please" warning with a "watch the Globetrotters, please" message recorded by the retired narrator of the original message, Floss Stingel.  (By the way - Best. Name. Ever.)

BEDMINSTER - Muffy, Chaz and the rest of the country club elite are shaken over a shooting at one of the most lavish golf courses in the Northeast - Fiddler's Elbow Country Club. One of the "servants" was shot twice in his upper body shortly after 5 a.m. Monday and is now in critical condition. Meanwhile, the shooter - a fellow servant - drove home to Orange and killed himself there. County club brass was quick to respond, maintaining the well-manicured greens are in no way affected and the bar is open this morning for mimosas.
 
LOWER TOWNSHIP - It takes a tough woman to care for tender chickens in New Jersey. An elderly woman with a penchant for organic eggs is finding herself in the middle of the state's debate over individual property rights, as she fights Lower Township officials to keep six chickens at her home. The woman, who brought the chicks home in April and is awaiting her first egg, is under a deadline to get rid of the Rhode Island Reds by Aug. 29 because her property is smaller than an acre and a neighbor complained. The Great Chicken Debate takes center stage at the town's Planning Board on Thursday, when the woman will beg for a reprieve.
 
JERSEY SHORE - You may find Gov. Chris Christie blocking your sun today, as he heads to the beach to visit vacationing New Jerseyans - some of whom are desperately attempting to escape the shenanigans in Trenton. The Governor starts the first of three beach and boardwalk visits today in Ocean City. He will be chatting up sunbathers about his commitment to protecting the state's beaches and waterways.
 
NORTHERN JERSEY - If it was up to Congressman Steven Rothman, northern New Jersey would be teeming with ecstatic Democrats in 2016. He is pushing for the Democratic National Convention to be held here, with the Prudential Center in Newark, the Izod Center in East Rutherford and the New Meadowlands Stadium as suitable venues. The last time New Jersey hosted a national convention was in 1964, when President Lyndon Johnson was nominated in Atlantic City.
 
NEWARK - It looks like the city's new police chief is ready for prime time. She will be dragged in front of the media spotlight today to discuss the summer crime wave, as well as the unsolved murder of a popular school teacher from Virginia and a female corrections officer. Sheilah Coley was appointed by Mayor Cory Booker and approved by the Newark City Council after it re-established the police chief position last week. Working for a high-profile mayor with lofty expectations, in a landscape pockmarked with poverty and anger, Coley probably has the most stressful job in New Jersey.
 
HAMILTON - New Jersey made it half-way through summer before someone got hit with the West Nile virus. Not bad. It happened in Hamilton, where a 50-year-old man got the virus from a mosquito that feeds on infected birds. West Nile virus has been identified among birds and mosquitoes in every county except Atlantic, Cumberland and Salem counties. There were 30 cases of West Nile virus in New Jersey last year, including two deaths.
 
TRENTON - As expected, the state's teacher's union is officially pulling any last trickles of support from Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver for their re-election bids. This is the second time the legislative leaders have been rejected by public employee unions in the past few days. The NJEA, the Communications Workers of America and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal workers are all out for bloody revenge against 22 Democratic senators and Assembly members who joined with the Governor in overhauling pension and health benefits, which, they won't mention, is saving taxpayer money.
 
Meanwhile, there is a newly-formed liberal group of progressive Democrats who are working in lockstep with the unions to oust Sweeny and Oliver. (Could this new group be a shill for the unions?  Naaah.)  The alleged citizens group, NJ-CAN, has a new name for the 22 Democrats - "Christie-crats." Expect to hear that term aplenty during the campaign season - beginning less than a month away.

STATEWIDE - About 8,000 Verizon Communications Inc. workers are acting as their own bundle, walking off the job in New Jersey, as the company calls for sweeping concessions in health care, pensions and work rules. Many expect a long and difficult strike, as protesters are lining up at about 30 Verizon locations throughout the state, screaming and taunting other Verizon employees who show up for work this morning. There's already some vandalism reported, as alleged union members in Brick are believed to have used a hydraulic cutter to tear into a major service cable, knocking out service for some customers. There hasn't been a strike at Verizon for 11 years; most of the picketers have never been involved in a job action. Let's see how the Communications Workers of America handles this mess, as the days turn into weeks for people staying off the job, while the union battles for the heart and soul of a worker's compensation: health insurance and pension benefits. Meanwhile, the only Verizon customers who will feel the pinch from this strike are those who need a repair or install. So, the union can't rely on any concentrated sympathy from subscribers.
 
TRENTON - The Communication Workers of America isn't just focused on Verizon these days; the state is also demanding some attention.Gov. Chris Christie says the administration is waiting for the union to respond to a proposal on wages and non-economic issues. But he doesn't expect an agreement within the next two weeks. The contract for 40,000 state CWA employees expired June 30.
 
SEASIDE HEIGHTS - Firefighters are trying to figure out what sparked a fire that damaged a second-story apartment above La Casa Del Sol restaurant, while "Jersey Shore" is being filmed in town. Maybe someone set fire to himself after seeing Snooki walking by in a thong.
 
TRENTON -For today, and likely for today only, Gov. Chris Christie will serve as the state's robust example of health, as he kicks off New Jersey's participation in National Health Center Week. Christie will travel to a health center in Burlington City today to sign a proclamation. We assume he will not show up in a jogging suit.
 
PLAINFIELD - Not to be outdone as the healthiest politician in New Jersey, Sen. Robert Menendez will be in the Queen City at lunchtime to accept the "Distinguished Community Health Champion Award," held by state Federally Qualified Health Centers and the New Jersey Primary Care Association.
 
NEWARK - With the never-ending sights and sounds of the Brick City, it must be a filmmakers dream. The city figures it's time to capitalize on its rough edges, establishing its own "office of film and television." City officials say they will help film companies find locations and, of course, direct them to any local businesses and eateries that may be able to serve the set. Newark most recently has been highlighted by the TV series "Brick City" and the film "War of the Worlds."
 
NEW YORK - It's amazing that 10 years after the 9/11 attacks, we're all still paying the price. This time, it's about major toll hikes on the GW Bridge and the Holland and Lincoln tunnels. The overextended Port Authority says it needs motorists to help cough up $11 billion to rebuild the World Trade Center and $6 billion in post-9/11 security spending. Here's where it will hurt you: The plan would raise bridge and tunnel tolls, which were just increased from $6 to $8 three years ago, to $12 next month and to $14 in 2014, and would hike PATH fares next month from $1.75 to $2.75. Yet more reasons to stay home.

GLOBALLY - It's painful to watch this morning as other nations smack the U.S. around like a piñata over our outrageous stock market plunge. One Chinese credit ratings company downgraded U.S. debt, ranking us with such countries as Russia, South Africa and Estonia. Meanwhile, China's central bank chief, Zhou Xiaochuan, says our inability to solve our debt problems is dragging down the entire world economy. And Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is even weighing in - calling the U.S. a "parasite."  In retaliation, perhaps the U.S. should cancel Justin Bieber's world tour.

STATEWIDE - If there are any millionaires left in New Jersey - following yesterday's stock market debacle - one think tank says the state can keep on taxing them with reckless abandon. New Jersey Policy Perspective says that raising taxes on the wealthiest New Jerseyans doesn't force them to leave the state. Americans move from state to state for a variety of reasons, but tax rates rarely factor into such decisions, the report declares. The think tank should think, however, how high taxes stymie job growth and investment in New Jersey.

TRENTON - The political playbook in New Jersey has been thrown out the window today. The most powerful Democrat in the Legislature - who also happens to be a union ironworker - has been denied the endorsement of the labor unions for his re-election bid.  Senate President Stephen Sweeney fell short of the 67 percent vote needed - an obvious reaction to his support of health and pension reform for state workers. We recognize the union is trying to send a message here, but they have a very short bench of supporters in Trenton. And Sweeney at least kept his door open for rational discussion. Not anymore.

NEW YORK - It's full steam ahead at the World Trade Center site,following a three-day sit-out this week by union members who had an expired contract. The Cement and Concrete Workers District Council and the Cement League, which represents management, have agreed to extend a contract until August 16. If a deal is not reached by then, the union vows to walk off the job again.

NEW YORK BOUND - It's bad enough having to commute into the city at the height of summer, but riders this morning are dealing with system-wide delays on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex, Bergen and Montclair-Boonton line trains. It's because of "switching problems" at the Frank R. Lautenberg Secaucus Junction. Gov. Chris Christie, we're sure, is blaming the senator directly.

STATEWIDE - State officials may soon strip New Jerseyans of the joy of standing in long lines to renew their drivers' licenses at the local DMV. Looks like it can be done through the mail beginning next year. Teen-agers are rejoicing, as this opens up a whole new avenue to score fake IDs.

ON THE LINKS - For some wacky reason, the state Department of Environmental Protection is in the business of operating two public golf courses. But the agency will soon be passing on the job, as it looks for private businesses to manage and operate the Cream Ridge Golf Course in Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County, and White Oaks Golf Course in Franklin Township, Gloucester County.

WESTFIELD - One prominent and particularly affable housing developer is weighing in this morning on ways to salvage the domestic economy. His suggestion? You guessed it. Buy a house. He notes the construction of one new house employs more than 200 local people. These are jobs that can't be outsourced overseas.  Each new home also sparks the purchase of appliances, furniture, landscaping, decorating, lighting fixtures and many other products, while generating more property taxes for the town. Makes sense -for those with the cash.

SCOTCH PLAINS - And speaking of money - or lack thereof - preliminary tax bills are out. The bill in this fair community has reached new levels of creativity - now featuring a "municipal library tax" of $215.61.  So, the free public library - wherever that may be - is no longer "free." And there's now twoseparate assessments for open space, on top of separate fees for the use of the sewers and garbage pick-up.  Seems the next logical step is a "commuter tax" for anyone who dares leave the house.

STATEWIDE -Expect some robust debate today when the bruised and battered AFL-CIO meets to figure which state legislators to support in the November elections. Traditionally, these meetings have been a Democrat love-fest. But some union reps are now out for blood, eager topunish Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Sen. Donald Norcross and other Democrats who voted for a landmark pension and health insurance overhaul that makes benefits more expensive for public workers. Some union leaders are urging the AFL-CIO to get back to supporting Democrats, the state's alleged champions of "working families." If the unions don't support Democrats, who else is there?

OVER THE HILLS & THROUGH THE WOODS - Here's some news sure to affect 0.0001 percent of New Jersey's population. State officials may lift a 40-year-old ban on using farm equipment on Sundays. The rule has roots in the days when working on Sundays was frowned upon. People were concerned that tractors could pull down power lines on the day of the week when utility crews were busy with church and family. Many of the state's farmers are unaware there was even a law, working the combine harvesters day and night with reckless abandon.

STATEWIDE - Nursing home workers will be highlighting the tremendous 24-hour care they provide New Jersey's frailest seniors today, as they abandon them to protest in front of four nursing homes. They'll likely be no time to serve up today's round of green Jello at the four facilities in Barnegat, Neptune, Newark and Perth Amboy, while workers with Service Employees International Union Local 1199 are outside, shuffling around in their white squeaky shoes.

NEWARK - The four-foot-tall grandmas who wait the tables at Hobby's Delicatessen on Branford Place will be bringing out some extra pickles today. Four professional basketball players with the New York Liberty - playing this year's season in Newark - will be dropping by to serve up the team's "signature sandwich," to be on the menu through the end of the year. The big question: what kind of deli meat can best illustrate the New York Liberty? ...Not going to attempt to answer that one, folks.

WASHINGTON - Gov. Chris Christie has officially acknowledged that Frank Lautenberg is a U.S. Senator from New Jersey. While Christie rarely mentions the senator, he took some shots at our favorite octogenarian, singling him out for not supporting the national debt deal. Christie called Lautenberg's tone "just awful," adding that the senator always seems angry and questioned why a man in his 80s can have so much rage. Interestingly, Christie didn't blast his arch nemesis Sen. Robert Menendez, who also voted against the deal. Hmmm.

ATLANTIC CITY - Our intrepid correspondent from South Jersey reports the Steel Pier has been sold for $4.25 million to, in his words, "a couple of good guys."For the cash, these good guys get a 1,000-foot pier, all the buildings on it and the rights to the Steel Pier brand. No word yet if they will be bringing the diving horses back to the pier. To avoid the animal rights groups, perhaps they will consider a beauty pageant with diving contestants.

PRINCETON - The Princeton Review is out with the Best 376 Colleges in the U.S.; nine Jersey schools made the list. They are: Rutgers University, Stevens Institute of Technology, The College of New Jersey, Rider University, Drew University, Monmouth University, Princeton University, Seton Hall University and The New Jersey Institute of Technology.