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- Big news out of Trenton yesterday as the state Senate defeated a marriage equality bill by a 20 to 14 vote. Advocates say they will now take their fight back to the courts. The Journal has some reaction from locals, and the Record has more. Meanwhile, John Bohrer gives us a quick sketch from Trenton.

- The suspect in last week’s Ringside Lounge murder was arrested in Brooklyn early yesterday morning.

- David Cruz addresses the “conspiracy theorists” who’ve been speculating about what really happened to longtime political consultant Jack Shaw, who died just days after being arrested in July’s corruption sweep. The autopsy report released this week showed Shaw died of a valium overdose.

- The Journal has more on Rev. Miguel Rivera’s efforts to have undocumented immigrants boycott this year’s Census unless comprehensive immigration reform is passed, a move criticized by many in the Latino community.

- The Garfield Avenue ACME supermarket on the border of Jersey City and Bayonne is closing on Feb. 6, but it will reportedly be replaced with another grocery store.

- But one store that’s not closed is Downtown floral shop Antheia, which reminded its customers of that fact yesterday. Seems the shop’s phone has been accidentally disconnected, but it is still open for business.

- The William E. Simon Foundation has provided a $100,000 grant to Saint Peter’s College to provide financial support to students of senior standing who are in economic situations that may jeopardize their ability to complete their academic program and graduate with a degree.

In statewide news:

- State senators postponed a planned vote yesterday on a proposal allowing undocumented immigrant children to pay in-state tuition rates at New Jersey public colleges. The bill is being rescheduled for a vote Monday, when the Assembly is also set to consider the legislation.

- Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts says he will on Monday post for a vote the medical marijuana bill that has been slowly moving through the legislature in recent months.

- The U.S. Department of Justice is suing New Jersey over the state’s use of a written exam to promote police sergeants, saying it discriminates against blacks and Hispanics.

- Gov.-elect Christie has named Gary Lanigan, a former New York City prison official and current fiscal officer for the MTA, as his top prison official.

- A new federal report on New Jersey’s child welfare system says that children become safer, and oftentimes are kept with their brothers and sisters, when they enter foster care, but it says that too many kids remain in the system for too long without a plan for their futures.

- Rutgers University is requesting proposals from promoters to stage concerts and other events in its nearly 53,000-seat football stadium as a way to pay for it and balance the athletic budget.

- The New Jersey podiatrists’ association has sued Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to block a new policy that says patients must go to a certified radiologist for ankle X-rays and diagnostic ultrasounds — and can’t get them in their podiatrist’s office — if they want to be reimbursed.