Regional Briefs – Nov. 7, 2016

Christie’s Favorability Dips To New Low of 19 Percent

TRENTON – A Rutgers poll Monday shows Gov. Chris Christie’s approval in New Jersey at a record low of 19 percent, The Associated Press reported. The weeklong survey ended a day before a jury convicted two in the bridge jam trial.

Dad Who Fabricated Sons’ Hospital Stays Gets Prison

TRENTON – A dad who falsely claimed his young twin sons had lengthy hospital stays so he could collect $140,000 from his insurer received a three-year prison sentence Monday, The Associated Press reported. Steven Herder, 41, forged three doctors’ signatures on fake hospital records.

Longtime Prison Worker Charged in Smuggling Ring

ALBANY – A longtime prison employee, six inmates and six civilians were arrested Sunday for smuggling contraband into the Colonie, NY, correctional facility, The Associated Press reported. Sgt. Merlin Thomas, 48, would meet relatives of inmates in the jail’s parking lot and take in tobacco, cellphones and knives in exchange for cash.

Manhattan Jail Brawl Leaves Eight Officers Hurt

NEW YORK – Eight officers were hurt Sunday in a brawl that broke out at the Manhattan Detention Complex, the Daily News reported. It began when inmate Joseph Cannon hit warden Arthur Ruggiero in the head in an unprovoked attack. The officers’ union called Cannon “one of the thousands of mentally ill inmates” in the city’s jail system.

NY Lawmaker: Repeal Ban on Ballot Selfies

ALBANY – A Utica assemblyman is introducing a bill to repeal the state’s ban on ballot selfies, The Associated Press reported. Anthony Brindisi, a Democrat, says any negatives are outweighed by the positives, including getting more young people to vote.

This article appeared in print on page 5 of the November 8th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.