Briana: Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, fueled by lies.

The Former President indicted again, but this time on felony charges for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, culminating in the January 6 attack on the Capitol and democracy.

Plus, Sheila Oliver remembered.

Political leaders and New Jerseyans remembered the legacy of lieutenant governor Sheila Oliver after her unexpected death.

>> she was just a very sensitive and warm human being and that is why she had such great respect across the aisle.

Briana: Also, mental health services reinstated.

The Ramapo Indian board of hills education initially voted to end services for students, but reversed course after parent protests.

>> Why would you knowingly eliminate these programs that you know people need and rely on?

Briana: And building a skilled workforce.

>> New Jerseyans can reach for that slice of the American dream.

Briana: U.S.

Senator Menendez announces apprenticeship legislation as a path to good paying jobs for all New Jerseyans.

NJ Spotlight News starts right now.

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♪ From NJ PBS, this is NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi.

Briana: Good evening and thank you for joining us this Wednesday night.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

Former President Donald Trump has been hit with a sweeping indictment, facing felony charges for his widespread efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

The 45 page, four count indictment accuses Trump of conspiring to defraud the U.S., describing his actions as a brazen attempt to cling to power after losing the presidency.

The indictment alleges Trump and six unnamed co-conspirators engaged in a months long campaign of deceit that culminated in the January 6 21 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

And insurrection Special Counsel Jack Smith called fueled by lies.

He's being charged with conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct a proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.

The Trump campaign is calling the charges fake and questioning the timing of the indictment, just a year out from the 2024 election.

The indictment is the largest investigation in the history of the Department of Justice, and an unprecedented third for the Former President and current GOP front-runner.

Joining me now to break down the historic nature of these charges is John firmer Junior, former New Jersey Attorney General and director of the Eagleton Institute of politics.

It is really good to talk to you.

I feel like we have been here before and that is because Mr. Trump has faced other indictments.

What is different about these charges?

John: What separates this indictment is the gravity of the charges.

The other indictments you could argue, they are all serious obviously, but they do not go to the heart of our democracy the way this one does.

The business records case, those counts could have easily been misdemeanors.

Even the classified documents case, the government will have a tough time ultimately distinguishing Trump's conduct from others who all got misdemeanors for, in some instances, destroying classified documents.

When you come to this case, this indictment, it's very prescriptive, it is very descriptive.

It is a compelling read, all 45 pages, and it goes to the heart of what happened January 6.

Briana: There is a cadence about it.

Again, it is an easy-to-read document, likely done intentionally so that the public can really digest this.

What does it specifically say, or how does it lay out Trump's involvement in the January 6 insurrection?

John: It really goes point by point and incident by incident of all the times that the president was informed by his trusted advisors and others and the people in the Justice Department, that the things he was hearing about election fraud were false.

And then it lays out how despite this knowledge he proceeded to repeat these claims over and over again in the run-up to January 6.

And those claims basically energized that crowd what it did on January 6.

So the indictment is very specific about the different instances in which Trump was informed that what he was saying was not true, and his persistence in saying anyway.

Briana: There were five basic components of how he looked to persuade those elected leaders and election officials, find those fake electorates, and so on, leading up to that day.

You mentioned the co-conspirators.

They are unnamed, unindicted.

Does that surprise you based on what you have read that no one else has been charged?

John: No, it does not surprise me.

I think what is happening here -- most of them are attorneys, by the way, and there is a crime fraud exception to attorney-client privilege.

Which means if a communication was made in furtherance of an illegal act -- I think that was done deliberately and what will happen the next few weeks is they are going to be talking to those conspirators and attempting to get some of them to cooperate with the government and admit on the allegations of the indictment and be a cooperating witness.

Briana: Where does the case go from here, and doesn't have the potential to last, or -- and does have the potential to last until the 2024 election?

John: It could potentially go on that long.

I think a lot will turn on the judge.

The judge in this case, and the judges are assigned randomly, but the judge who was assigned this case has been the most severe in sentencing January 6 defendants and has made some cutting remarks about the president in prior litigation.

Briana: But despite all of this, Trump is still the GOP front-runner.

If he's reelected, does that give him the ability to wipe clean any criminal convictions?

John: That would be an interesting case, and certainly would be litigated, whether he would essentially have the power to either pardon himself, or dismiss -- or have the Justice Department dismiss the cases against him.

That will be hotly contested, obviously.

The unfortunate part of this indictment is the timing of it.

The Washington Post did a pretty intensive investigative piece about the inactivity of the Justice Department in the first 1.5 years.

They really did nothing with January 6 other than prosecute the individual January 6 defendants.

That was not an attempt to go up the chain at all because the chain did not connect.

The important -- they did not charge him with insurrection, which was smart because it would be very hard to prove.

That is a charge that if he was convicted would bar him from holding office.

These charges do not bar him.

But the obstruction of Congress count carries a potential 20 year sentence, so it is serious.

But the timing is unfortunate.

And it will play into the counter narrative which is that this is an attempt to subvert democracy by preventing trump supporters from voting for him next year and hurting his chances.

Other than that I think it is a compelling piece of prosecutorial discretion and well worth the read by the public.

Briana: We have already heard that argument from Trump's lawyers.

John Farmer, Jr., thank you so much.

John: Thanks.

Briana: Meanwhile, a Princeton University student pleaded guilty this week for his role in the January 6 insurrection.

The 22-year-old admitted to being on the front lines of the violent mob attack on Capitol police officers that day.

According to court filings, the Manahawkin resident joined with others to physically push against officers guarding an entrance to the building and cheered on rioters using weapons and pepper spray against police in the tunnel.

FBI records show he remained in the area for roughly one hour.

He graduated from the Ivy League school in the spring, receiving a bachelor's degree in politics.

He pleaded guilty Monday to a felony charge of interfering with police during a civil disorder and remains free until his sentencing on November 1.

Tonight, state officials and residents alike continue to mourn the loss of a trailblazing political leader.

Lieutenant governor Sheila Oliver died Tuesday at the age of 71 after battling an undisclosed medical condition.

Oliver made history as the first Black woman to lead the state assembly after serving in the legislature for more than a decade and dedicating her life to public service.

As senior political respondent David Cruz reports, despite rising to such prominent roles, Oliver never forgot her roots.

David: Few can understand the challenges of being a woman, let alone a woman of color, in New Jersey politics.

Lieutenant governor Sheila Oliver knew it well, because she lived it, traversing the treacherous waters of new work, East Orange, and Essex County politics, fighting the party line, winning with the party line, making friends and foes by standing on principle, and projecting dignity and passion even in battle.

>> Tenacity and grit.

She knew how to play her politics.

She was definitely a lady amongst all Lady A.

But she knew her politics.

She knew how to navigate shark infested waters with grace and gravitas and was able to successfully steer to terms -- two terms as speaker.

David: Just one of the many remembering Sheila Oliver today.

The self-described Newark girl whose personal traits of generosity, empathy, and fears determination inspired Sumter and many others to hold true to those ideals, and still succeed.

Republican Senator John Brennan served in the assembly while Oliver was speaker during the Chris Christie years.

>> Let me tell you, I don't think he was afraid of Steve Sweeney.

They could go toe to toe.

But I think he would be afraid of Sheila the speaker.

Because with her, yelling, screaming, demanding or threatening, was not a path to get through Sheila Oliver.

David: But if you messed with her, as her party once did when they tried to oust her as speaker, you would meet the girl from Newark.

>> I will never, ever engage in the kind of subversive, clandestine on, backdoor manipulation that is going on right now.

David: She had a supreme confidence, born of hard knocks and a focus on service.

Those who felt she was done after she left the assembly watched as she made history again as the first Black woman to serve in statewide office when she was elected lieutenant governor.

>> Ironically, David, it just has seemed as if it is a natural progression from everything I have ever done.

People ask me if I am excited, people ask me if I am overwhelmed.

It is just an extension of what I have always done.

>> She was the conscience of the state of New Jersey, the spirit of Essex County, the beloved daughter of East Orange.

And a true friend to me and so many others.

>> Oftentimes she was the only one in the room.

As overcome as I am with grief, I have a debt of gratitude for everything that she did.

When she was alone inhis or when they underestimated her value or when they asked her and required her to prove her worth over and over again and she did so with grace, with integrity, with dignity, and then which of them all out and drop the mic at every opportunity she had.

David: Former Senator Alan faced off against Oliver in a Lieutenant Governor's debate in 2021, a face-off wich ended like this.

>> That moment at the end, I don't know, just because of all the years we have known each other and the fact he made it through the debate without tearing each other apart, and I don't think either of us wanted to or were looking for that, that hug just kind of happened.

And I think it says a lot when strong women from two different backgrounds, two different parties, two different races, that we could get together nonetheless even after that kind of debate.

David: We are measured, especially those in public life, by things we accomplish.

By that metric, the former freeholder, assembly Speaker, and lieutenant governor, is a giant.

Sheila Oliver was 71 years old.

I'm David Cruz, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: Frustrated parents turned out in droves Tuesday night for a special meeting of the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education where tensions were high over canceled contracts for two mental health providers in the district.

Board members voted narrowly last week to cut the services for students at the district's two high schools.

But as Brenda Flanagan reports come outrage over the decision caused the board to do an about-face.

>> I am going to call a race S. Brenda: You might give the board an A for acrimony after a volatile meeting Mark I scathing personal attacks and political accusations exchanged among members amidst raucous jeers and cheers from an emotional crowd.

One man got ejected for shouting, parents and students turned out in force at the special meeting, hastily scheduled up to the board failed to approve student mental health services in a controversial 4-4 ote last week.

Nothing is in place for estimated 56 kids who need the support.

The board scrambled.

>> I want to thank my fellow board members who worked tirelessly to make this meeting happen, even though we have encountered countless attempts by some board members to cancel tonight.

Brenda: In the end, the board voted almost unanimously to renew $440,000 in contracts for two companies, but not before getting skewered by students and families who depend on Thrive services.

They told emotional stories.

>> Imagine wondering if you should be hiding your knives in your kitchen because you are worried your daughter may harm herself.

>> Why would you eliminate what you know these people rely on?

I have severe depression.

I cannot just take a pill and have all my problems go away.

Thrive saved my life and will continue to save lives and you continue to threaten the program.

So please consider your asinine decision.

Brenda: Board members did explain their previous n ovotes, blaming the superintendent.

One asked forgiveness.

>> I sincerely apologize for any distress my vote may have caused you or your families.

>> Now armed with more comprehensive information, I am prepared to vote in favor of these measures that benefit our students.

>> I did not understand that my no vote would impact the overall program in place already.

I believed I was voting against what I understood to be additional services.

Brenda: But a board member who still voted no also doubled down on prior criticisms that drew outraged responses.

>> I feel there is overreach in the schools and I feel we are becoming a psychiatric institution due to the continuous addition of new services.

Brenda: Boards of Ed recently issue politics but the recent grassroots movement has yielded deeply divided boards, some enacting policies decided to out queer and trans students to their parents.

One board member filed a complete -- a police complaint after another after a parking lot incident.

The hostility festers.

>> There's Intimidation.

There's name calling.

>> My point of order is that she is making personal attacks on me and my mental health, which should not be happening right now.

Brenda: In the midst of all this, the board president has not filed for reelection, and some audience members expressed exasperation.

>> I believe in the people up there.

I just wish there is not so much anger, because we feel it out here, and it is really bad.

>> We are asking you to start putting the students first and leaving the politics out of it.

Brenda: While the revolt -- The personal and political conflict here remains bitterly toxic.

And at the next meeting they will discuss another controversial issue, curriculum.

In Franklin Lakes, Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: In our spotlight on business report, U.S.

Senator Bob Menendez continues his legislative tour throughout the state with a stop in Edison today.

Visiting the Edison job corps to tout new legislation that will boost apprenticeship opportunities by making more students aware of the programs available, and the good paying jobs that go with it.

Raven Santana reports.

>> New Jerseyans can reach for that slice of the American dream.

I am talking about good paying union jobs.

Raven: Senator Bob Menendez emphasized to a crowd of students and staff at Edison job corps today that college is no longer the only pathway to success.

The senator, who has championed career technical programs in the state, announced new apprenticeship legislation that he says will provide greater opportunities for those in the building trades.

The legislation would expand access to apprenticeship programs by raising awareness about those programs among students.

The bill would direct the Department of Education to guide school counselors on offering students those alternative career opportunities.

>> If we want to give young people an alternative from the street and the gangs and violence, we have to give them something positive.

And we not only give them personally something positive, but they make an enormous contribution to our society.

They are going to be gainfully employed, they are going to pay taxes, and they are going to build the schools of the future, the homes of the future, the hospitals of the future, all things that make a difference in people's lives.

What more positive thinking we do?

>> Job corps is the way out.

It worked for me.

I came from a very poor family, a single-parent mom.

My mom cannot afford college.

She leaned on me to be the head of the household.

She sent me to job corps.

I was able to get my high school diploma and a trade and job corps paid for my college degree.

Look at me now.

Raven: Staff I spoke with say they are most proud the program is not a one-size-fits-all.

In fact, this is an example of one of 14 career technical trade programs this campus has to offer.

All free of charge.

>> The students come here, they stay here for free.

They get wellness health care for free.

They get three free meals every day.

They get a stipend.

We provide them with shelter, we provide them with education.

They can get a job while working here.

But they have to be up at 6:00 in the morning, and training day is from 8:00 until about 3:30 on a day-to-day basis and on weekends they can go home.

Raven: Of the 120 different sites in the country, this one has about 260 students, each one achieving and reaching different goals.

>> You can also get CPR certified.

Some of the minor certifications are medical proofreading and medical terminology that helps you more with the billing and coding sides of things.

My long-term goal would be to go to college.

I have actually been looking at Ramapo for their biochemistry as prerequisites for Seton Hall for my Masters in pediatrics.

>> It paid to my interest because I am a very -- it piqued my interest because I am a very creative person so I like to build things, I like to draw and stuff.

It would be interesting to me to drive past one day and tell my son or daughter, I built that.

It is inspiring.

>> What I want to do is when I finish this programming here I want to go to Kentucky and work for Toyota for two years, then get more experience and open my own shop.

Raven: Working and partnerships have been key in the program's success, especially when it comes to equity.

>> Women in the trades is critical.

There has been a statement where we feel like women are not to be using their hands and their body and being in the elements but that is not the case.

We have found the women we have hired on the roof do incredibly well.

They are hard-working, talented, and able to work just as well as any man.

Raven: Each week they continue to enroll more students.

On average students are able to achieve their training and start a career within a year of starting the program.

The senator says he is confident his bill will pass given the demand for labor in the state.

I'm Raven Santana.

Briana: On Wall Street, global markets are sinking after Fitch ratings downgraded the nation's rating from a pristine AAA to double A+.

But the U.S. is calling it arbitrary.

Here's how stocks reacted today.

And that's going to do it for us tonight.

But a reminder to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast, so you can listen anytime.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire NJ Spotlight News team, thanks for being with us.

Have a great evening.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

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