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- The county freeholders have voided a five-year contract with Correctional Health Services (CHS) for medical services at the county jail and juvenile detention center, but the county is keeping CHS on the job for now. The move comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed by another health provider that alleged the contract went out without bidding. Superior Court Assignment Judge Maurice Gallipoli agreed, and ruled last month that it had; the county is appealing that decision.

- The Reporter wonders: Were 28 people killed in Jersey City last year, or was the number really 29?

- The Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, a Gloucester County sports shop and a Morris County gun owner have filed a lawsuit contesting the state’s new one-handgun-a-month law, which is largely based on an overturned Jersey City ordinance and was pushed in Trenton by Mayor Healy. The groups contend the law is preempted by federal gun statutes.

- Thomas Cowan, who spent 16 years representing the 32nd District in the state Legislature, died Sunday. He was 82.

- Hoboken University Medical Center is concerned that patients who normally would be brought to there are being unfairly diverted by ambulance to Jersey City Medical Center.

- The Black Liturgical Churches Union of Jersey City held its fifth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration; the Journal has a dispatch from the scene.

Today’s Best Bets:

- An opening reception for the new “Vessels & Vibrations” exhibit, featuring prints by Margaret Weber and paintings by Tom Wilson, is at Sawadee Thai Cuisine from 6-9 pm. And Melissa Surach’s BabyHole returns after a holiday hiatus; tonight she’ll be collecting money for Doctors Without Borders’ Haiti relief efforts — that gets going at 9 pm at the Lamp Post.

In statewide news:

- New Jersey’s newest governor, Chris Christie, will be inaugurated in a Newark ceremony today. The proceedings are expected to be scaled back a bit to reflect the tough economic times. Meanwhile, on the policy front, Christie will reportedly work to continue diminishing the power of the state’s teachers union.

- Outgoing Gov. Corzine took action on a number of bills on his final day, signing legislation that legalizes medical marijuana, that helps ex-offenders adjust to life outside of prison, and that requires major restaurant chains to fully disclose calorie information for menu items. Corzine also partially commuted the sentence of 43-year-old Quincy Spruell, who has spent two decades in prison for a murder many experts say he did not commit.

- An Asbury Park-based group — the Committee to Unseat Sean Kean — has quickly formed after the state Senate defeated a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage; Kean gave an odd speech that applauded his many gay friends and constituents, then he voted no on the bill.

- Investors defrauded in a 1990s stock swindle involving convicted businessman Robert E. Brennan can get up to $5.15 million in relief.

- A new poll finds that New Jersey residents are feeling slightly better about the economy, with 58 percent of New Jerseyans believing business conditions will improve over the next 12 months. Only 42 percent said that a year ago.