Today's top stories —

• Renters are urged to take action that would prevent eviction (NJ Spotlight)
• Largest ferry of its type in U.S. ready to take to the water between N.J. and NYC (NJ.com)
• N.J. Assembly to consider gun violence prevention bills (NJ Monitor)

COVID-19 IN NEW JERSEY:

• New PCR-confirmed cases: 3,500
• New confirmed deaths: 8
• Rate of transmission: 1.41 (+0.05)

🏛️ Politics —

• Here’s what election officials say needs to go better in N.J. next year (NJ.com) 💲
• N.J. audit slams Norcross-headed insurance broker for school contract (NJ Monitor)
• In 24-vote race, judge will entertain move to challenge Palisades Park election (NJ Globe)
• James Dugan, former senator and Dem state chairman, dies at 92 (NJ Globe)
• Bill would bar reductions to civil damages based on race, gender in some cases (NJ Monitor)
• Murphy will lead Democratic Governors Association in 2023 (NJ Globe)
• Assembly Appropriations Committee to hold hearing Monday on casino PILOT bill (Press of Atlantic City)

🌲 Environment —

• Disability advocates fear NJ may ignore pleas to include them in disaster planning (NorthJersey.com)

✍️ Education —

• Abrupt closure of cosmetology school leaves students wondering - what's next? (NorthJersey.com)
• 'The governor is ignoring us': Cresskill parents rally in Trenton against remote learning (NorthJersey.com)

🦠 Coronavirus —

• New Jersey's second COVID omicron case traced to NYC Anime convention (NorthJersey.com)
• COVID-19 vaccine mandates omit dentists, other private practitioners (NJ Spotlight)
• N.J reports 8 COVID deaths, 3,500 cases. Hospitalizations above 1,000 for nearly two weeks. (NJ.com)

☝️ Lastly —