The first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden was not good. The debate will be noted for President Trump’s inability to denounce white supremacy and his constant talking out of turn. Biden’s uneven performance featured him saying to the President “shut up, man” and charatizing him as a “clown” and “the worst President ever.” The New York Times
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said President Donald Trump was “too hot” in the debate with former Vice President Joe Biden. Christie, who helped prep the President, commented after the debate that “You come in and decide you want to be aggressive, and I think it was the right thing to be aggressive. I think that the advice was for the president to be aggressive, but it was hotter than it was planned to be.” NJ.com
Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez believe President Donald Trump’s nomination of a conservative federal judge to the Supreme Court puts the rights of Americans in danger. Booker emphasized the impact he believes Amy Coney Barrett could have on several issues, including reproductive rights, voting rights, civil rights and clear air and water. “There is so much at stake in this moment,” Booker said. “Hanging in the balance is the future of the Affordable Care Act and health coverage for millions of Americans in the middle of a pandemic.” North-JerseyNews.com
Fifth congressional GOP candidate Frank Pallotta charged the state was inflating its number of COVID-19 deaths so Gov. Phil Murphy would have an excuse to mandate a mostly-mail general election to boost Democrats at the polls. Pallotta charged Murphy maintained restrictions on businesses to give Democrats an advantage at the polls, stating “the data indicates we should be opened up almost fully at this point. The governor is keeping this state closed, in my mind, for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, vote-by-mail.” New Jersey Globe
In what he described as a budget that is a reflection of New Jersey values, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law the state’s 2021 nine-month budget a day before it was due. “I’m proud of the budget we are enacting today,” said Murphy at a signing ceremony in Trenton Sept. 29. “We crafted this budget as we fought this pandemic together. This is the ultimate walk-and-chew-gum moment, and we rose to meet it.” North-JerseyNews.com
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority officials approved an interim policy to allow American flag displays on overpasses until permanent rules are established. Displays are limited to one American flag per structure in any one direction, meaning one flag facing southbound, one flag facing northbound. Flags can’t be displayed using a pole or supporting structure “that could create a hazard” and is attached to an overpass or bridge that doesn’t have a sidewalk or pathway “for safe installation.” NJ.com
New Jersey’s travel advisory list added Colorado while removing Arizona and Virginia in its weekly update. There are 34 states and territories on the list that require anyone traveling into New Jersey to self-quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. News12 New Jersey
Three Bergen County Democratic State Senators endorsed Steve Sweeney for re-election as Senate President for a term that would begin in 2022. Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-37), Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-36) and Joseph Lagana (D-38) announced their intentions to support Sweeney, who has been Senate President since 2010, when he wrestled the job away from incumbent Richard Codey (D-27). New Jersey Globe
Two Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle sponsored bills to address issues arising from the COVID-19 crisis at long-term care facilities await action by Gov. Phil Murphy. The first bill requires the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) to implement and oversee an “Isolation Prevention Project,” while the second provides a one-time lump-sum payment to staff members at long-term care facilities. North-JerseyNews.com
Montclair State University plans to provide more options for in-person learning during its Spring semester. The school’s goal for the spring semester is to increase the amount of courses with an in-person component from 40% (made up of 32% hybrid and 8% fully in-person) to 50%. The Record
The Town of Weehawken has removed the face of a Native American from its stadium scoreboard perched above the Lincoln Tunnel. The high school’s logo was changed years ago from a Native American in a headdress to a “W” with a feather and the school district is considering changing its Indians nickname. The Jersey Journal
And finally…The New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians in the first games of their playoff series. The Daily Record
