N.J. fines firms mega fishing$40K for sports betting violations

deskgameThe tobacco interests were so successful in spreading that fear and misinformation that the restaurant and bar industry sued New Jersey when the Smoke-Free Air Act passed. That lawsuit failed, and because of it, many thousands of New Jersey workers and customers in our restaurants and bars have been saved from poisonous secondhand smoke. And guess what? Those businesses are thriving. The restaurant and bar industry employs 9% of the total N.J. workforce and contributes double the taxes of the casino industry. deskgameArizona State’s defense may not match up well with Texas, but the unit is known for forcing takeaways. The Sun Devils have 22 turnovers, including a team-high three interceptions from CB Keith Abney II. ASU will need some luck to advance in the CFP, and timely takeaways would be a massive boost. deskgameI don’t expect much of a battle Tuesday between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines. deskgameDocuments revealed during a lawsuit which states (including New Jersey) filed against the seven major tobacco companies are available online at the University of California, San Francisco. They show a coordinated campaign by Philip Morris and other tobacco interests to deceptively “cultivate” unions and workers to fight their battles for them, specifically -- and successfully - targeting the hotel and restaurant workers union (known as UNITE HERE), which opposes a smoking ban in New Jersey casinos now.