Miscellaneous
February 12, 2018 Scattered showers, clearing later, with high temperatures in the mid-40s. BLACK INFANTS IN NJ DYING AT ALARMING RATE, HEALTH EXPERTS SAY The state’s infant mortality rate for black babies was third-highest in the country in 2015, NJ.com reports. This contrasts sharply with New Jersey’s overall infant mortality rate, which is one of the lowest in the country. Black babies are three times more likely to die before they reach age 1 than white babies. The stats were discussed last week in Trenton in a hearing of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. Afterward, Sen. Joseph Vitale, a Democrat from Middlesex County, said he will introduce legislation to require the state to collect more data on infant and maternity mortality from hospitals. LOTTERY SALES DROP BUT COMPANY THAT RUNS IT STILL CASHES IN NorthStar New Jersey, the private company that runs the New Jersey Lottery, will earn more money even though the amount of revenue the state receives is dropping, The Record writes. The company, whose contract runs through 2029, is on track to earn $1.4 billion while it has successfully lobbied to reduce the revenue targets for the state by $1 billion. PATERSON MAN SUES TO CHALLENGE NO-FLY LIST Adis Kovac, a 28-year-old Paterson resident, is one of five U.S. citizens suing in federal court in Dallas contending that their rights were violated when they were placed on the no-fly list, The Record reports. The plaintiffs say they were placed on the list without notice, even though they have never been arrested or charged with a crime. They say they are stigmatized by being placed on a list of known terrorists and have no meaningful way to challenge the designation. DEMOCRATS URGE REOPENING OF PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL State Sens. Richard Codey and Joseph Vitale introduced a resolution last week advocating the reopening of the Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital in Hunterdon County, which was closed in 2012 by Gov. Chris Christie, NJ Spotlight writes. The Democrats say they are seeking a place to provide proper treatment for elderly people with severe mental illness. MURPHY REVIVING PANEL ON SENTENCING DISPARITIES Gov. Phil Murphy announced Sunday that he is convening a commission to examine racial and ethnic disparities in the state’s criminal justice system, Planet Princeton reports. The Legislature established the commission in 2009, but Gov. Chris Christie never appointed any members. DOG FROM SPARTA WINS WESTMINSTER AGILITY COMPETITION A black and white border collie from Sparta took first place in the masters agility competition Saturday at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, NPR reports. The 7-year-old dog named Fame(US) – pronounced famous – ran an obstacle course in 29.53 seconds to defeat more than 300 competitors.