The Jersey City Independent "

- Incumbent council members won both runoff elections last night. In Ward A, Michael Sottolano edged out challenger Rolando Lavarro; while in Ward F, Viola Richardson scored a resounding victory over Ron-Calvin Clark. Turnout, especially in F, seems to be quite low.

- The Port Authority and the Transportation Security Administration will begin a monthlong pilot program of random millimeter wave screening of passengers at PATH stations today. If you want to refuse the search, it’s well within your rights, but you will have to leave the station.

- In other PATH news, use of the SmartLink card is on the rise.

- The Journal editorial wonders why Hudson County officials were so eager to attend groundbreaking ceremonies for the ARC tunnel to NYC when there are many transportation infrastructure projects that would be of greater benefit to the area.

- The Insider revisits a column from last week on the potential appointment of Hudson County executive Tom DeGise to the Port Authority’s board of commissioners. DeGise’s appointment is apparently being indirectly blocked by state Sen. Sandra Cunningham. Not much new in this column.

Today’s Best Bets:

The weather is looking iffy for this evening, and with two free outdoor events lined up, here’s hoping the rain holds off.

- Groove on Grove is back with The Demands and The Subway Surfers. Show starts at 6 pm at the Grove Street PATH plaza.

- The Films in Van Vorst Park series is slated to kick off tonight at 8:20 pm with a screening of Iron Man, at — you guessed it — Van Vorst Park.

- Comedian David Alan Grier brings his standup routine to the Gateway Restaurant & Bar (543 Martin Luther King Dr.) tonight at 10 pm.

In statewide news:

- Advocacy groups are calling on state policymakers to restore $1 million for outreach and enrollment funding for its NJ FamilyCare program in its budget for the fiscal year 2010.

- UMDNJ has agreed to pay $2 million to resolve long-standing civil charges in connection with an ongoing federal investigation over Medicaid fraud.

- The recent labor turmoil at some New Jersey hospitals can be chalked up to cost concerns, as the health care industry grapples with more uninsured patients, the prospect of reduced insurance payments with health care reform, and fewer elective surgeries that bring in money.

- Legislation to create the state’s first vote by mail law has gained final legislative approval by the Assembly on a vote for concurrence with amendments made in the Senate. The bill, which is cosponsored by Jersey City Assemblywoman Joan Quigley, will now head to the governor’s desk.

- The Assembly Judiciary Committee has passed legislation designed to make county political parties more transparent.

- New Jersey restaurant owners say they’ll have no choice but to pass on to customers a proposed 25 percent tax increase on wine and liquor.

- A decade after the Transit Village grant program was introduced in New Jersey, the Star-Ledger reports that results have varied.

- More New Jerseyans are bypassing top-shelf brands and reaching for the cheaper stuff as the recession drags on.

- A poll released today shows Republican challenger Chris Christie with a 50-40 percent lead over Gov. Jon Corzine in the gubernatorial race.

Like what you've read here? Please consider making a donation or becoming a sustaining member. As a grassroots news organization, we rely on community support -- as well as paid advertising -- to survive.