There is now a battle in Trenton for which democrat will be the next speaker of the New Jersey Assembly. Vincent Prieto is now being challenged by fellow Assemblyman Craig Coughlin from Middlesex County who announced this week he wants the job. Coughlin says he has the support he needs to unseat Prieto ##
New Jersey DEP Commissioner Bob Martin says the beaches are in great shape and the water quality is excellent heading into the summer tourism season. Martin made that announcement Wednesday morning during the 15th annual State of the Shore event in Long Branch. ##
New Jersey DEP Commissioner Bob Martin will discuss the various beach projects and water quality along the Jersey Shore on Wednesday. Martin will attend a press conference in advance of Memorial Day weekend to discuss many of the active projects in the State, and to reaffirm the State’s high water quality levels. ##
No criminal charges will be filed in connection with a fatal boat race accident near Point Pleasant Sunday afternoon. Police say they want to speak with a survivor of the accident that killed veteran power boat racer David Raabe of Forked River. ##
A horrific boat accident during a speed boat competition in Point Pleasant Sunday afternoon. One man was killed, another injured when a speed boat went airborne and landed on top of another boat during a race. The accident occurred in the ocean in Bay Head. ##
A weekend forest fire in the Pinelands has been contained. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service says about 300 acres of woods in Wharton State Forest was reported on Saturday morning and it took about a day to contain the fire. No word yet on what sparked the fire. ##
Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto says he will seek a third term as speaker of the lower branch of state government. Prieto says he has a “progressive” record and expects to earn the support of democrats who control the Assembly. ##
A major drug empire has been busted up by authorities in Trenton. 25 people were arrested as part of the destruction of a massive heroin distribution ring operating out of the city. Guns, drugs and cash were all seized. ##
The two GOP gubernatorial candidates squared off one last time Thursday night in a debate. Republican frontrunner Kim Guadagno continued to push for her tax reform plan while Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli called the plan irresponsible. ##
New Jersey’s jobless rate is at its lowest level since 2001. New figures show New Jersey’s unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent as nearly 2,000 jobs were added last month. Leisure and hospital industries experienced the highest job growth. ##