Less than 24 hours after it landed on his desk, Gov. Phil Murphy approved legislation to reduce payments in lieu of taxes that the state's nine gambling halls make to Atlantic City, the local school district and the county.

Proponents argue that the legislation is necessary to prevent several gaming halls from closing.

The Michaels Organization and the Atlantic City Housing Authority broke ground on a $15.4 million endeavor to bring living and resiliency updates to Buzby Homes.

Under Senate Bill 4007, the state would cut the amount of payments in lieu of property taxes that the gaming palaces pay to the resort town in 2022 to $110 million, and remove online gambling and sports betting from the tax calculations.

Data released by state regulators showed the gaming halls brought in net revenue of $968 million in the months of July, August and September this year, compared to nearly $629 million last year, a 53.9% increase.

The new ShopRite is backed by tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks and public financing.

Proponents argue the move is vital to help the gaming palaces recover from the pandemic. Opponents, though, warn that the bill would hurt residents of what is already one of the state’s poorest communities.

A new leader from one of Atlantic City's nine gaming establishments is taking the helm at the head of the trade organization, following Terry Glebocki's exit in October.

Dana Ward's purview in the role includes meeting and conventions at the resort's more than 150,000 square feet of dedicated space.

The holding company that owns MotorCity Casino, the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings, and Little Caesars pizza chain will share control with New York hedge fund Luxury Capital Group.

It is not immediately clear why she is leaving, but Terry Glebocki, who will also step down from her role at the Casino Association of New Jersey, helped to keep the gaming palace afloat during the worst of the COVID-19 closures and restrictions, making it one of Atlantic City’s top performers for the 19 months of the pandemic.

According to a study commissioned by the university, the Coastal Resiliency Institute and Marine Science Center could serve as a hub due to its access to the ocean, deep-water marina facilities, surrounding waterways, dunes, beaches, wetlands and urbanized coast necessary for teaching and research.