March 27, 2018

Murphy trashes Christie, and these public workers cheer him

It was a hero's welcome.

Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday told a more than 100 public workers in Atlantic City after eight years of near-constant battle with former Gov. Chris Christie, they now have a governor who will show them respect.

Then Murphy attacked Christie, without calling him out by name.

Murphy, a Democrat, accused his Republican predecessor of being a union-busting bully, declared an end to the "era of disrespect" and instead asked to be their partner.

"Thank you" for your work, Murphy told a local chapter of New Jersey's largest state employee union, the Communications Workers of America, at the group's annual conference here.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/03/murphy_rallies_union_workers_by_trashing_chris_chr.html

March 27, 2018

Push to mandate paid sick days gains steam again in N.J. now that Murphy is governor

Employers would be required to offer paid sick days to all of their workers under a bill the state Assembly approved Monday that would benefit more than one-third of the New Jersey's private-sector workforce.

The bill (A1827) would allow workers to accrue one hour of earned sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Time off may be used because of employee's or a family member's illness, to attend a school conference or meeting, or to recover from domestic violence.

"Workers should not have to choose between caring for their health and keeping their paychecks or jobs," said Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt D-Camden, one of the sponsors. "Guaranteeing workers the ability to earn paid sick days would help ensure workers do not have to choose between their health and their economic security."

There are 1.2 million workers in the state who do not get paid sick days. Thirteen municipalities have enacted their own ordinances, including Jersey City in 2013.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/03/law_mandating_sick_days_gains_steam_in_nj.html

March 27, 2018

Former judge who fixed 4,000 tickets won't have to do any jail time

A former municipal judge who admitted he changed 4,000 traffic tickets to give municipalities that employed him $500,000 won't be heading to jail.

Instead, at the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office request, Richard Thompson of Middletown will be allowed to enter the state's Pre-Trial Intervention Program, which allows first-time offenders to have their charges removed from their record if they meet the program's requirements.

Thompson's attorney, Charles Uliano of West Long Branch, confirmed that his client was admitted into the program Thursday before Judge David Bauman.

An investigation by the Prosecutor's Office found that between January 2010 and October 2015, Thompson, while working as a municipal court judge in nine towns, converted fines for those 4,000 motor vehicle citations into contempt of court fines.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2018/03/judge_in_ticket-fixing_scheme_wont_go_to_jail_afte.html

March 27, 2018

With Christie Gone, Democrats Advance Their Agenda

With former Republican Gov. Chris Christie out of office, state Democrats under Gov. Phil Murphy are busy moving on legislation stymied for the past eight years.

In a legislative session on Monday lawmakers moved forward bills on gun control, equal pay for women and tuition assistance for immigrants in the country illegally. While Christie blocked many of the measures during his tenure, Murphy has signaled that he will sign them.

That’s bad news for gun enthusiasts, who rallied in Trenton on Monday to oppose state efforts to tighten gun laws.

In coming weeks, the legislature is expected to take up measures to expand voting privileges and make it easier to for residents to register to vote. Among the proposals being considered is a plan to allow people serving time in prison or on parole or probation to vote.

Read more: http://observer.com/2018/03/nj-politics-digest-democrats-advance-agenda/

March 27, 2018

New Jersey Assembly Approves Sweeping Gun Control Legislation

Two days after hundreds of thousands of people rallied across the world for more gun control, the New Jersey Assembly passed six bills to further toughen the state’s strict gun laws.

The bills require background checks for private gun sales, ban the sale of armor piercing ammunition, reduce the capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, and codify regulations regarding handgun permits. The Assembly also passed a pair of bills that allow police to take firearms from people deemed to pose a threat to themselves or others.

Gov. Phil Murphy has pledged to sign the measures into law if they reach his desk. The bills must still clear the Senate before going to the Democratic governor.

“Gun violence is not about statistics or abstract arguments,” said Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), a sponsor of some of the bills. “It is about countless lives that have needlessly been cut short because far too many public policy makers have failed to find the courage to eventually act. Today in New Jersey, that comes to an end.”

Read more: http://observer.com/2018/03/new-jersey-assembly-approves-sweeping-gun-control-legislation/

March 27, 2018

In-N-Out Burger seeks restraining order against prankster

LOS ANGELES (AP) — In-N-Out Burger is seeking a restraining order against an online prankster who posed as the company's CEO at two Los Angeles restaurants, argued with employees and in one instance took a hamburger from a customer, threw it to the ground and stepped on it, claiming it was "garbage."

The California-based chain filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles last week requesting the order against Cody Roeder, who posts YouTube videos under the name Trollmunchies, the Orange County Register reported Monday. An email seeking comment from Roeder was not immediately returned.

"We have recently seen an increase of visitors to our stores, who are not customers but instead are intentionally disruptive and who then try to promote themselves through social media," In-N-Out Executive Vice President Arnie Wensinger said in a statement. "These visitors have unfortunately used deceit, fraud, and trespass to their own advantage, and in each instance, they have attempted to humiliate, offend, or otherwise make our customers or associates uncomfortable."

The suit claims Roeder caused "significant and irreparable" harm to the chain with the incidents this month. It seeks damages of more than $25,000.

Read more: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/texas/article/In-N-Out-Burger-seeks-restraining-order-against-12783243.php

March 27, 2018

Blue Bell announces a new flavor: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

BRENHAM -- Texas creamery Blue Bell announced a new flavor Monday morning: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough.

According to the description of the new product, the flavor is made up of milk chocolate ice cream combined with peanut butter cookie dough pieces and milk chocolate chunks.

The flavor will be in stores this week and will be available in half -gallon and pint sizes for a limited time.

"We have made flavors with chocolate and peanut butter before, but this time we definitely kicked it up a notch with the cookie dough," said Jimmy Lawhorn, Blue Bell general sales manager, in a press release. "The peanut butter cookie dough is as smooth as our Milk Chocolate Ice Cream. This is a great-tasting combination of flavors that our fans are going to love."

Read more: https://www.chron.com/life/food/article/Blue-Bell-announces-a-new-flavor-Chocolate-Peanut-12781305.php

My routine kick for Blue Bell since I used to live in Brenham. I'll be looking for the ice cream at my grocery store.

March 27, 2018

Former oil exec, major donor named next president of University of Oklahoma

James Gallogly has been named the University of Oklahoma's 14th president, the school announced Monday after a vote by the board of regents.

A former energy executive and major donor to the university, Gallogly, 65, will succeed David Boren on July 1.

In his official introduction at OU, Gallogly was praised for his business expertise and his love of the university, where he earned a law degree in 1977.

He was a clear choice because of his "unmatched track record of success," regents Chairman Clayton Bennett said.

Read more: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2018/03/26/james-gallogly-named-next-president-university-oklahoma

March 27, 2018

Dallas County DA candidate says voter fraud cost her Democratic primary, sues winner and election

Dallas County DA candidate says voter fraud cost her Democratic primary, sues winner and election officials

Dallas County district attorney hopeful Elizabeth Frizell has filed a lawsuit alleging that voter fraud cost her the win and that the Democratic primary be declared void, which would trigger a special election.

Frizell filed the civil suit Monday in Dallas County against her winning opponent in the Democratic primary, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson, the elections administrator and the Dallas County Democratic Party chair.

The suit says that "ineligible, illegal and fraudulent mail-in ballots were included in the vote total" in the March 6 primary election.

Frizell lost by 589 votes to former state district judge John Creuzot.

Read more: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2018-elections/2018/03/26/losing-da-candidate-says-voter-fraud-cost-democratic-primary-win-sues-winner-elections-officials

March 27, 2018

SMU's Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity suspended after hazing investigation

A Southern Methodist University fraternity was suspended Monday after a hazing investigation looked into how new members were treated.

The suspension of the Beta Zeta chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity will last four and a half years and was made in agreement with the national organization, university spokesman Kent Best said in a written statement.

"The suspension comes in response to operational and new member incidents that violated the SMU Student Code of Conduct and the fraternity's oaths and rules," Best said.

According to an email obtained by SMU's Daily Campus, new members were forced to consume onions, hot sauce, eggs and milk and were required or encouraged to drink alcohol.

Read more: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/higher-education/2018/03/26/smus-pi-kappa-alpha-fraternity-suspended-after-hazing-investigation