>> Major funding for "NJ Spotlight News" provided in part by NJM Insurance Group, serving the insurance needs of residents and businesses.

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Briana: Tonight on "NJ Spotlight News," remembering our very own colleague and the Dean of the State corps, Michael Aron.

We look back on his storied career and more than 40 years of unwavering pursuit of the truth.

Michael: -- >> He enjoyed a good laugh as much as anybody.

But when it was gametime, Michael brought his game.

You had to be ready as the person on the receiving end of those questions.

Briana: Plus, Governor Murphy joins us to discuss Michael's legacy.

>> This guy was a giant, smart, funny as heck, very fair.

Briana: The Fort Lee community speaks out over the fatal shooting of a 20 two-year-old woman during a mental health crisis.

>> She should be alive today.

Briana: Deadlines looming.

New Jersey will begin a new round of property tax relief for millions of residents.

"NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

♪ >> From NJ PBS Studios this is "NJ Spotlight News" with Briana Vannozzi.

Briana: Good evening and thank you for joining us.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

We begin with a look at the life and legacy of our beloved colleague and consummate newsman, Michael Aron who died on Tuesday at the age of 78 after a career that spanned four decades, covering every major political story of our state dating back to the days of governor burned.

Earning respect and admiration of everyone with whom he crossed paths, deemed the Dean of the press corps.

Also a soccer player, daughter of three daughters, David Bowie fan and had a heck of a sense of humor.

Rental Flanagan takes a look at the impact his journalism made on the state.

>> Welcome to reporters roundtable.

I'm Michael Aron.

Brenda: For 40 years Michael Aron took New Jersey's political post through meticulous journalism and one-on-one interviews with the state's most powerful officials.

Michael talked to everybody.

His friend summed it up nicely on his show pasta and politics.

>> The Dean of the Trenton press corps Michael Aron has interviewed every governor, senator, Chief Justice in his 35 years of covering New Jersey politics.

>> He is a consummate journalist and a throwback of a mouth -- of a most delightful kind.

An era where one person could command complete respect from all sides.

Brenda: He often sat in on Reporters Roundtable and said Michael was curious about everything.

He was not an original Jersey guy.

A graduate of Harvard and Princeton, he worked in New York City for Rolling Stone before accepting a job offer at New Jersey monthly magazine.

Michael: New Jersey is gritty, interesting, tough.

I thought, if it were Connecticut magazine, no.

But New Jersey, sure.

Brenda: Michael went on TV in 1984.

Year-by-year his stature grew.

Newsmakers in Trenton always took his phone calls.

He had a reserved seat for press conferences and the governor's outer office.

>> He was dubbed the Dean of the press corps.

It stuck because it is true.

I don't think there is any debate he was the leader of the pack.

He was relied on as the authoritative voice.

>> He was the goat, the guy who showed everyone the unglamorous Street work of being a field reporter who everyone knew, everyone respected, or in some cases, feared.

Including the young reporters who would follow his every move.

Brenda: She says few politicians ever turned down Michael's requests for interviews.

Every reporter can tell you why.

>> He would never take political sides or make snarky comments about someone we were covering, ever.

He was always fair, no matter what area I guess that is why the answer was always yes.

>> I get no satisfaction out of taking somebody down.

I see my job as being a vehicle through which they speak to the public.

Brenda: Michael did that job unflinchingly even when he got under President Bill Clinton's skin.

>> Even people who agree with you and like what you're doing think you change your positions too much and too easily.

>> He looked at me, and his eyes bugged and his face reddened.

He said, I disagree.

I disagree with that.

>> He got right in your face.

>> That is true press propaganda.

>> With all due respect, people say that.

>> If you tell them that enough, they might.

>> I had to gather myself.

I had just been screamed at by the leader of the free world.

Brenda: Michael often invited young journalist to join him on Reporters Roundtable including Politico's Matt Friedman.

>> He put me at the reporters Roundtable as a brand-new reporter who did not know anything about New Jersey politics, but learned in part by being on that show.

I think Michael Aron helped start hundreds, at least dozens of journalism careers, whether they stayed in New Jersey or not, from that show.

Brenda: Michael called their jitters about being on TV and asked reporters to save it for the show.

Friedman also said the veteran newsman had a sharp sense of humor.

When the Taj Mahal Casino auctioned its contents, he found a random guy showering there, and did an interview.

>> I don't want you to see.

Hi.

Brenda: Michael performed brilliantly.

Here is a duet with him impersonating former governor, Chris Christie.

>> ♪ Until the election's through ♪ Brenda: Christie transferred the license to WNET.

Over time he opted out of the anchor chair.

>> He is stepping down from his duties at NJ TV.

He will still be around, just not as much.

>> As a reporter New Jersey never lets you down.

Brenda: Nick asked him about his plans for the future.

>> A friend of mine says, ride the pony until it dies.

>> I was the friend who told him that.

He took it to heart.

In our minds, Michael was only ever semiretired.

His legacy will always be felt.

Briana: Tributes have been pouring in from lawmakers, activists and some of the most powerful people in state government, including Governor Phil Murphy who noted this week that Michael's reporting helped shape the history of New Jersey for the better.

I spoke with the governor earlier about the legacy Michael left.

Governor Murphy, thanks for coming to talk about our friend, Michael Aron.

I know in your statement about his passing, you said you have known him personally for 20 years, but I wonder about the first time you had an interview with him and what you remember about that time and his questioning?

Gov.

Murphy: First of all, good to be with you.

I know you worked close and you and your colleagues were close to him.

We are with you all in spirit as well.

Let me say first, this guy was a giant.

Smart, funny as heck, very fair, in a world where there is not a lot of fairness.

He was a paramount of fairness.

Just loved the guy, missed him over the last several years.

I think he went part time to retire four years ago.

He was very present in my early years as governor.

I missed him.

I spoke with his wife Linda yesterday and we were reminiscing.

Back to your question, it would have been 20 years ago.

I was charged by the then governor to do a soup to nuts review of the pension crisis in New Jersey.

That was the topic of our first interaction and interview.

I knew Michael the longest of anyone in the press corps.

It began 20 years ago.

I cannot say enough good things about him.

It is a huge loss.

Briana: You bring up fairness and a lot of folks have talked about that.

Something that meant a lot to Michael and that I watched him do, if there was something wrong, he had a lot of grace in making sure he got it right and went back to the story over and over again to double check the facts and information.

It is a care you don't always see.

In your time I wonder if you have ever experienced anyone else have that stature that he did?

Gov.

Murphy: You say that about people sometimes.

In this case he was literally unique.

Early on in my time as governor we would do immediately after the state of the state or budget address, a sit-down interview.

The first guy we did it with was Michael.

A funny story -- Michael came to me after an interview and said, governor, can I get your cell?

I promise you, I will never abuse the fact you have given it to me.

You have my word.

I trusted the guys so much.

Here is my cell.

He never used it!

He never called or texted me.

He was very much focused on preserving whatever privacy I may have had.

But yes, he was doggedly in pursuit of the facts, calling balls and strikes.

We need more on that lesson.

Briana: Do you recall your last conversation with him?

Is there something you wish you could have said?

Gov.

Murphy: I wish I could have said a lot.

I did not realize he was as sick as he was at the end.

Linda described yesterday how sometimes it sounds trite to say somebody is in a better place.

She said in this case she now understands the depth of that meaning.

I would reach out to Michael every year on his birthday.

Either a call or text.

I know I reached out to him when he hung his cleats up and we would exchange notes.

I miss him.

It is not just that he is gone, though that is the bigger more profound loss, but he has been on the scene.

We are a less strong state, administration, and will be sadly, permanently going forward.

Briana: Governor Murphy, thanks so much.

Michael was well respected and trusted throughout the halls of the statehouse.

Even from the toughest of critics.

He spent 15 years covering Governor Chris Christie and his team as both U.S. attorney and Governor.

Christie says he reported on his tenure without fear or favor.

Always on the hunt for the truth.

Former Governor Chris Christie joined me to share his memories of what it was like to be on the receiving end of tough questions.

Governor, when I think back to your tenure, you often called on Michael Aron first and would hold epic press events in the outer office.

Everyone was crammed in there.

Was it out of respect for the elder statesman, or were you genuinely curious what was on Michael Aron's mind to ask you that day?

Mr. Christie: Both.

First and foremost come out of respect for him.

I had known him a number of years already.

He had covered me through seven years as U.S. attorney and in the 2009 campaign for governor.

I had known Michael a long time.

Also, he always seemed to get not to the obvious point, but to the subtext.

I enjoyed the banter back and forth.

We had a lot of good banter back and forth.

I hoped it would set the tone for what the rest of the press conference would be like to read -- like.

Briana: He was always so serious.

He was unflappable in that way.

Mr. Christie: Absolutely.

He was a pro in every sense of that word.

When you were off the record, as you know, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed a good laugh as much as anybody.

But when it was gametime, Michael brought his game.

You had to be ready as the person on the receiving end of those questions.

Briana: That makes me think of one of the correspondents' club dinners.

Michael dressed up as you and saying "I got you, babe," dressed up as you.

I think he also dressed up as your press secretary once.

I never got to ask you what you thought of that and his rendition of you singing the song and taking on the role of Governor Christie.

Mr. Christie: I thought it was great, complement.

He had a great sense of humor.

In those moments where he got to display that sense of humor to a broader audience, I love that, I left.

We talked about it afterwards.

He wanted to make sure I was OK with it.

I was fine.

Briana: Was there ever a story he did that made you shift in your thinking, or even in how you approach to policy?

Did he ever move the needle for you in that way when reporting on you?

Mr. Christie: It was more the things he would change in me would be the way I would think about a topic or approach it.

Michael's questions were often analytical.

He would often go for the subtext, what he called the real story.

He would get me to look at things differently than I did before.

I would often take delight because he was great at reading the tea leaves.

He would take delight when I got a chance to him.

One time I had to appoint the replacement for a senator and he was speculating on different names, but did not speculate on the one I ultimately picked, the Attorney General.

When we walked out of my inner office to the other office, Michael was sitting in his typical front row seat and he looked at me and winked and said, "hiding in plain sight."

Briana: What a typical Michael one minor.

How did he come to have that designated seat in your outer office?

Mr. Christie: It was not us.

It was the respect the rest of the members of the press corps had for him.

I don't think any would dare take it.

They knew that is where he should be.

While there were a lot of other senior people who covered me over time, there was no overload -- there was no one like Michael and everyone knew it.

He stood up for members of the press corps, too.

There was a time a reporter wrote a story I thought was really unfair, so I did what I would do from time to time with reporters that did that, I called it putting them in the penalty box.

At the next press conference they would raise their hand and I would not call on them.

This one particular time after the press conference, my secretary came back and said, Michael Aron wants to see you a moment alone off the record.

He said look, I know you put this reporter in the penalty box today as you call it.

Governor, I want to urge you, don't do that.

It affects his ability to do his job and that is not right.

He was right.

Those are the ways Michael had influence on me.

I think that story shows not only how honest he was willing to be with me privately, but how he felt that every member of the statehouse press corps was someone he wanted to make sure got treated fairly, and if necessary, he would protect himself.

Briana: Thanks for coming on to share memories about our friend and colleague, Michael Aron.

Mr. Christie: Thanks so much for having me.

My condolences to Michael's friends and family.

He will be missed.

Briana: Swapping presidential nominees appeared to give the Democratic Party to jolt it needed.

A new Monmouth poll shows enthusiasm skyrocketed for support for Vice President Kamala Harris, slightly higher than it was for President Biden.

Now that the matchup is between Harris and former president Trump, enthusiasm jumped from 50% to 60%, but the biggest -- 68%.

But the biggest change among Democrats from 48% in June to 85% now.

Also an increase among independents, a key voting block.

The number of voters who support Trump remains steady.

Among Republicans, it is identical.

71% to what it was in June for the Trump-Biden rematch.

A poll director shows -- says the data shows it is a different ballgame.

>> We have a race where double haters, who disliked both Trump and Biden and could not pick between the two of them have slid mostly into Harris' column.

She is picking up the majority of the voters that did not like Trump or Biden as the only choices.

That means she is picking up younger voters, voters who want change, which Biden was not representing to them, but they don't want to go as far as the type of Trump -- change Trump is offering.

Briana: Neighbors of a 25-year-old Fort Lee woman fatally shot by police last month are demanding justice and calling for answers as to why Victoria Lee was shot by police on July 28.

After her brother called 911, as she was in the midst of a mental health crisis.

The deadly incident cast doubts on changes made to New Jersey's police use of force training.

As Joanna Gagis reports, the family is accusing officers involved of responding to aggressively.

>> Victoria Lee should be alive today.

Her family called 911 looking for help during a mental health crisis, and instead, they saw their beloved sister and daughter shot to death before their eyes.

Joanna: Leaders of the Asian-American community are outraged at the police shooting by Victoria -- shooting of Victoria Lee.

>> We are here to demand justice.

>> Victoria was a beloved individual with a bright future.

Joanna: The attorney for Lee's family disputed rumors in the media that Lee had been holding a knife when police shot her.

He said she had been managing bipolar disorder and suffering a mental health crisis when her brother called police requesting an ambulance escort to a mental health facility.

>> They mentioned the presence of a small knife she used for opening packages.

[INDISCERNIBLE] Clearly communicating her nonviolent nature.

The police responded aggressively and forcibly entered the apartment and fatally shot Victoria, who was holding a plastic water jug at the time.

She was harmless.

Joanna: He said Victoria pulled out the knife when she learned police were coming.

She did not pointed at anyone and eventually dropped it.

Seeing her distress, Cho said Victoria's mom asked for police not to come, but was told they had already been dispatched and were already in the apartment hallway.

>> The mother saw the knife was already away from Victoria at the time.

However, the police officer was kicking the door and tried to forcibly open the door.

The mother pleaded not to kick the door in and wait outside.

This just happened in a couple minutes.

As the officer finally kicked the door and opened the door, he saw Victoria in the apartment.

He saw Victoria holding the water jug and shot her right there.

Joanna: The Attorney General's office is still investigating and reportedly told the family they can see police body camera footage as early as Friday though community members are furious it has not already been released.

They are demanding accountability.

>> This tragedy underscores the urgent need to improve police training and response protocols for dealing with individuals facing mental health issues.

>> There are serious questions raised by this case.

Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis should be able to access help safely.

We need a comprehensive strategy involving community led responses across New Jersey.

We need assurance from the New Jersey's Attorney General office that the right protocols and practices are in place, and all Police Department are held accountable.

Joanna: Fort Lee is working with them to finalize the arrive together program that pairs an officer with a mental health responder during a crisis call, before the Asian-American community it comes too late, because these folks say they are terrified to call the police if their loved one is in crisis.

Briana: In our spotlight on business report tonight, big changes ahead for the next round of Anchor property-tax relief.

Starting next week an estimated 1.5 million taxpayers will automatically be enrolled for the state benefit program.

The Treasury Department says those eligible for auto enrollment will get a letter sometime around August 19.

Everyone else, another 2 million households, will get a packet with an application later in the month.

Benefits are to offset high local property taxes and now local over $1700 household.

The state is allowing more time for folks to file an application, moving the deadline to September 30 this year.

Anyone with assistance can call a dedicated hotline.

That information is on our website.

>> The state spends $2 billion annually on this anchor program.

August has become the key month for what we call the filing season, for those whose applications are done automatically by the state and those receiving information about applying.

A lot happening there, but worth your time and effort.

These benefits can be as much as $1750 if you are a senior who meets the income eligibilities.

Briana: On Wall Street stocks are steady after the inflation rate slowed to 2.9%, offering the Federal Reserve a green light to cut rates in September.

Here is how markets closed for today.

That does it for us tonight.

Before you go, a reminder to download the "NJ Spotlight News" podcast to listen to us anytime.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire team at "NJ Spotlight News," thank you for joining us, have a great night.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

>> New Jersey education Association, making school great for every child.

And RWJBarnabas Health, let's be healthy together.

♪