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- The Star-Ledger is reporting that Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) acting commissioner Mark Mauriello could announce as early as today whether or not the department will accept the more stringent standards for the cleanup of hexavalent chromium recently recommended by DEP scientists. Currently, the standard is to remove chromium to 20 parts per million (ppm) down to 20 feet. DEP scientists, using a federal toxicology study, have said the standard should be 1 ppm. The DEP’s decision could potentially have a massive impact on chromium cleanups in Jersey City, but critics seem convinced the department will not adopt the tougher standards.

- Ward E councilman Steven Fulop says he will have a resolution on the upcoming City Council agenda requesting that the Parking Authority reimburse all city residents that were illegally booted during the last four years.

- The owner of pharmacies in Jersey City and East Orange has pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme in which two pharmacies billed Medicaid for HIV/AIDS drugs that were never dispensed.

- With closings expected to start on the 77 Hudson luxury condo building within the next month, it’s likely some contracted buyers won’t make it to the closing table due to the economic downturn. That could mean cancellations and fights over deposits.

- A state bill introduced Thursday would lower the amount a developer has to spend to get a tax break under the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Program. Now, projects costing more than $75 million are eligible; the tax credit legislation would drop the minimum eligibility to $50 million. The program allows developers to recoup their entire investment if they relocate or create 250 jobs in a project within a half-mile of one of nine transit hubs around the state, three of which are in Jersey City. The change could have a big impact on development in Jersey City.

- Cops say they have caught a homeless thief who slept at St. Peter’s Preparatory School during the night and sold items he allegedly stole from the Downtown Jersey City school during the day.

- Rapper Fat Joe stopped by School 5 yesterday as part of a “School is Cool” assembly.

- Is it 2005 all over again? The Daily News has a story today on the “potential” of Journal Square, and says that “Brooklynites notice” the neighborhood’s transformation.

In statewide news:

- Lawmakers are on schedule to pass a new state budget next week that will eliminate property tax rebates for many residents while raising taxes, all to deal with huge shortfalls in revenues.

- Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie has named the conservative Morris County assemblyman Jay Webber as the state party chairman.

- The Attorney General’s Office has filed a civil lawsuit against several travel companies accused of bilking customers who paid for exotic vacations but received nothing.