October 19, 2017

Mostly sunny today with highs in the lower 70s. A LOOK BACK AT THE FINAL GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE Last night was the second and final debate between the two major candidates for governor before the state goes to the polls on Nov. 7. The debate was full of soundbites, attacks, terrible jokes, and other canned responses – including a strange question about each candidate's favorite fruit and vegetable. Click here to watch a video of the full debate. Most of the major outlets covered the debate, so we've put together a roundup at centerforcooperativemedia.org/podcast. POLL: A TRUMP EFFECT IN NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR'S RACE A new poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University shows that there's a Trump Effect in New Jersey's race for governor. WBGO says 25 percent of respondents say they believe the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president is a factor in deciding who will replace Gov. Chris Christie as New Jersey's next governor. STATE POLICE HEAD RETIRES AMID SPECULATION OF FEDERAL JOB OFFER Following reports that he could be headed to Washington, D.C. to become the new head of the DEA, long-time NJ State Police superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes stepped down and retired from his position yesterday after 14 years in office. NJTV says Col. Fuentes will be replaced by Lt. Col. Patrick Callahan, who joined the State Police back in 1995. PSE&G GETS GREEN LIGHT FROM PJM FOR 3 NEW TRANSMISSION PROJECTS Public Service Electric & Gas has received the green light for three transmission projects totaling more than $200 million in investments. NJ Spotlight says the projects are part of a $1 billion transmission-related infrastructure project approved by PJM Interconnection, which oversees the nation's largest power grid. The investments will be used to upgrade and modernize the electrical grid serving nearly 2 million customers.