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- Comptroller Calls for Changes to Abatements: A new report released yesterday by state comptroller Matthew Boxer calls for “broad-based changes” to the state’s law governing tax abatements, to “ensure more open and fair investment of taxpayer dollars and better decisions and outcomes in the future.” We’ll have a full report on the details of the report, and reaction to it, soon.

- Bus Driver’s Suit Against NJ Transit Pushed Back: The trial in the discrimination suit against NJ Transit filed by a 43-year-old Jersey City resident was set to begin August 9, but it has been postponed to January 11 of next year. The man, a NJ Transit bus driver since 1989, alleges he’s endured racial comments and slurs from other employees at NJ Transit since 2002.

- Few Local Officials Comment on NYC Mosque: The Journal set out to get Hudson County officials’ take on the “controversial” mosque being built in Lower Manhattan, and found that it was “like pulling teeth” to get any comments.

- Acting & Fencing Camp: A fencing instructor and an actor are combining their talents for two one-week camps that aim to teach youngsters the skills and nuances of both acting and fencing.

- Up in the Sky: The Air Force will be making multiple flyovers over the Hudson River next week for Air Force Week in Manhattan.

- Alleged Bank Robber Arrested: Police have arrested a 38-year-old Jersey City man charged in four recent robberies, including two at gunpoint.

Today’s Best Bets:

- Lots of good stuff going on in Jersey City today; here’s the rundown. At noon, Los Seis Del Son play a free outdoor “Jazz for Lunch” concert at Grundy Pier. At 6 pm, the Jersey City Museum opens its doors for a Artists’ Studio Tour Mixer held in conjunction with Pro Arts; check it out if you are interested in showing any work at this year’s tour, or if you just want to soak up the art scene. Also at 6 pm, the Puerto Rican Heritage Festival is putting together a free Cultural Concert at Ferris High School. The Riverview Neighborhood Association hosts its 3rd annual Movie Night Under the Stars with a free screening of O Brother, Where Art Thou? in Riverview-Fisk Park (7:30 pm). Elsewhere on screen, the Warehouse hosts a free showing of 1982′s Cain and Abel (8 pm). And last, but certainly not least, Kanibal Home hosts the last in a summer series of free concerts by classical troupe Con Vivo at 8 pm; tonight’s performance features mezzo-soprano Rebecca Comerford and Guitarist Daniel Lippel playing canciones populares.

In Statewide News:

- State Settles Fraud Case with SEC: New Jersey has settled a case in which the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleged the state fraudulently misled investors in $26 billion of municipal bonds by masking underfunding of its two biggest pension plans. It was the first such SEC case to target a state.

- Offshore Wind Power: Gov. Christie is expected to sign the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act at a press conference today, jump-starting proposed plans to develop electric-generating turbines off the New Jersey coast.

- PAC Spending: A new analysis from the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission shows that “special interest” political action committees (PACs) reported spending a record $35.3 million last year, up from $25.5 in 2008. Labor unions accounted for 66 percent of those PAC donations.