Beginning on a sad note, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who made history as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the state Assembly, died Tuesday. She was 71. Oliver has overseen the state takeover of the city since January 2018. It was part of her job as commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs.Oliver served as Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s top deputy, stepping in for him while the governor was out of state. He was expected to return Aug. 13. No cause of death was given, according to Murphy’s office in a statement.