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Anchor: Nadine Menendez gets of January court date for the next chapter of her disgraced husband's sweeping corruption scandal.

And the fall of Assad felt in New Jersey as a local Syrian community rejoices in the top leading -- toppling of their homelands dictator.

>> I love this, for 14 or 15 years, too many problems.

Anchor: Also, the drone mystery continues in North Jersey.

Residents demanding answers about unidentified objects in their skies.

>> I sit in my hot tub, I watched the planes fly so I know what they look like.

This is not a plane.

Anchor: And a sharp drop in drug overdose deaths across the Garden State giving hope that efforts to fight the opioid crisis are in fact working.

>> New Jersey has been the first in a lot of different ways when it comes to preventing, addressing and dealing with the recovery and impact on communities.

Anchor: "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

♪ >> From NJPBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News" with Rihanna Vannozzi.

Anchor: Thanks for joining us on this Tuesday night.

We begin with a few of today's top headlines.

First, a trial date set for Nadine Menendez, a Manhattan federal judge on Monday denied requests for another postponement to her corruption and bribery trial.

Minnen Dez was originally slated to stand trial alongside her husband, convicted former U.S.

Senator Bob Menendez, and two other codefendants earlier this year, but her attorneys argued for a delay while she gets treatment for breast cancer.

They recently asked for another due to a scheduling conflict.

The judge told prosecutors and attorneys for Menendez to keep January and February of the new year open, slotting the trial to begin January 21, just eight days before her husband and two of her former close friends are expected to be sentenced for their roles in a sweeping international bribery scheme.

According to the indictment and evidence presented during her husband's trial, Nadine Menendez was often the go-between for the men, sharing messages and accepting bribes meant for the senator.

Also tonight, less than 24 hours after the head of New Jersey transit announced his resignation, the Murphy administration has tapped someone new for the job.

A former New Jersey transit Board Chairman and transportation Commissioner will serve as interim president and CEO, succeeding Kevin Corbett, who announced Monday he will step down in January after seven years at the helm of the beleaguered transit agency, to take a job in higher education.

The news was first reported by the New Jersey globe.

Kolluri has agreed to run the agency until the end of Murphy's term in January 2026.

He recently headed the it way developing Corporation overseeing construction of the new tunnels under the Hudson River.

He is widely respected in the transportation sector and has held jobs in state government under both Republican and Democratic governors.

An update tonight on the latest in the Middle East.

Syria has appointed a new caretaker prime minister, a rubble linked government leader who will hold the post three months while there is a transition of power.

It comes after the collapse of President Assad, a brutal dictator who ruled for dictators -- for decades.

Turkey on Tuesday made advances toward U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in northern Syria Israel has also stepped up aggression in Syria.

Israel's defense minister confirmed the Israeli Ministry -- Israeli military has destroyed nearly 70% of the Syrian army's capabilities.

Secretary Blinken said they will support Syrian leaders who respect the rights of minorities.

Joanna Gagis has reaction from refugees in New Jersey who fled their homeland when the Civil War broke out over a decade ago.

>> A lot of people are crying because they are happy and because they remember their people.

Reporter: Celebration on Sunday as a large population of Syrian board residents, many from Patterson, reacted to the news that President Assad had fled Syria after rebels overthrew the government.

>> It's nice.

I love this.

14, 15 years, too much problem.

Now I feel perfect good I've been waiting for this feeling 15 years.

Reporter: Many of them like Mohammed who owns this eatery, were forced to flee Syria when Asada took power following nearly 30 years of his father's rule.

In 2011, the country devolved into a brutal civil war that has claimed the lives of nearly half a million people, many women and children.

>> The controlled Syria 50 years.

Syria started to be very dangerous.

The checkpoint anywhere, the take people to the jail without reason.

Wherever.

Maybe the police don't like a man, he goes to jail the recent that's why I didn't feel safe for my family.

That's why we went to Jordan and we stayed there like six years and then immigration called me if I would like to come to America.

Reporter: This man followed a similar path, fleeing to Jordan before coming to America to open his own restaurant.

>> There was too much at home.

[INDISCERNIBLE] You can't do anything.

Reporter: Both say they lost family members after they were detained in prisons without cause and their communication with loved ones in Syria has been limited because Assad's government shut off Internet access.

They are hopeful it will be restored soon.

>> Everything coming back, I will be able to talk to my sister and uncles.

Reporter: There's no certainty as to what kind of government will replace the Assad regime but folks in the Syrian community and Patterson say anything is better than that and they are hopeful for a Syria that is finally free.

>> At least that killer is done, his regime is done.

A new Syria.

I think the new government, you have to do a good job in Syria, a Syria for everybody.

For all religions.

>> Does that mean a democracy?

>> It has to be.

>> Everything has changed.

Needs to be more and better.

>> Are you afraid someone could come in like Assad?

>> No.

I don't know who is coming in but I think it will be OK, no problem.

No jail.

>> I want an honest government, respect the people, respect equal rights, respect human rights.

I hope to see Syria be great and wonderful and again and people live together.

That will happen.

Reporter: In this moment of hope they are each planning their first trip back to their homeland in at least 14 years to see those they left behind and mourned the loved ones killed by Assad's regime.

Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight News.

Anchor: Reports of mysterious drone sightings continued throughout New Jersey, especially in several North Jersey communities were some neighbors say they've have nightly visits from unmanned vehicles since mid-November.

The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed drone flight rejections while the FBI investigates but so far no one is offering an explanation for who or what is behind them.

As Ted Goldberg reports, that's not enough for some rattled residents and lawmakers who are demanding answers.

>> I ran outside, looked up and there it is, it is huge it is loud.

You can't miss it.

Reporter: The mysterious Jersey drones have been the talk of this area for weeks now.

Curious residents are wondering what is flying around the night skies?

>> I sit in my hot tub and I watch the planes fly so I know what the planes look like but this is not a plane.

>> It's not following a regular flight pattern and it has a tendency to stop and hover at times and you can hear them.

You can hear something other than a loud engine, it is more of a buzz.

Reporter: The mayor wants answers and she is far from alone.

>> We understand this is possibly our federal government, could be state government, and we know certain things they can't share.

At this point we want to know, is that them?

Reporter: I spoke with people in Mendham who wondered whether the drones are controlled by the government or military.

>> The state, the local and federal government, I'm guessing it's the Department of Defense.

>> I have no concern whatsoever.

The residents want to know but sometimes some things are kept better secret if they are doing stuff to protect us or possibly have a plan in case something happens like in other countries.

>> I hear a lot of conspiracy theories.

It's in our politics today too.

You can make conspiracy theories up about drones too.

Reporter: So this isn't ET coming from his home planet to say hello?

>> I don't think so, I think we are fine.

>> I'm not worried about it but I wish Governor Murphy would be more forthcoming.

I'm sure he knows what's going on and he's been told not to talk about it.

Reporter: Governor Murphy spoke with reporters Monday saying he spoken with the Department of Homeland security, the FBI and state police and he says there's no active threat.

>> We don't see any concern for public safety, that's number one.

Having said that, it's really frustrating that we don't have more answers as to where they are coming from and why they are doing what they are doing.

Reporter: The outrage over a lack of information has been bipartisan.

>> We want answers, we need to know why it is there and no for certain what if any risk it poses and if the answer is none we need to tell people with a straight face why that is.

>> Not enough information disclosed to the public from federal law officials and agencies chiefly responsible for monitoring Joan activity.

I've written to the FBI, the department of Homeland Security and the FAA asking them to immediately brief the public on the recent drone activity.

Reporter: This congressman isn't the only gubernatorial candidate demanding action.

This State Senator has proposed banning drones a statewide until the public it's an explanation.

The mayor is one of 15 mayors and Morris County to sign a letter sent to state police and the FAA asking for an explanation.

>> Why are they not doing more of an investigation and what information is being collected exactly on this town?

In particular I've got residents concerned that feel like these drones have been appearing in their windows.

Reporter: The Army says 11 drones were spotted over the Arsenal in Morris County the last few weeks.

They say the Army isn't flying them, only adding to the mystery developing in our skies.

In Mendham, Ted Goldberg.

Anchor: New Jersey is on track to record shop draw in -- drop in drug-related deaths, marking the third straight year in which drug fatalities decreased, giving advocates and families with loved ones struggling with substance abuse a beacon of hope.

Preliminary data analyzed by NJ Spotlight News finds fatalities were 28% low 2023 levels and down significantly in three counties that have long led the state in overdose deaths, Essex, Camden and Atlantic.

Experts say the decline is in from any one thing alone but a combination of efforts taken at the local, state and federal levels.

For more I'm joined by our health care writer.

Great reporting, a lot of numbers to dive into.

What are some of the factors experts pointed to or some of the public health initiatives that have contributed to this incline?

Lilo: Whatever the numbers there is clearly a trend in what we would say is the right direction.

A lot of this has to do with experts say harm reduction programs getting out in the streets, literally meeting people where they are to provide primarily Narcan, or Naloxone, which can reverse an opioid overdose and also works on Fentanyl, you just have to sometimes use more.

That's a really important step.

Needle exchange, clean needles mean less infection and less death from that.

We have addiction treatment, apparently there is less stigma around this and more people are getting in.

And more understanding of the disease.

And prevention.

Prevention things.

New Jersey has been the first in a lot of different ways when it comes to preventing, addressing and dealing with the recovery and impact on communities.

Anchor: You said whatever the numbers.

Is there another set of data you are referring to or how reliable are these luminary figures from the state -- preliminary figures from the state?

Lilo: Not to suggest they are not reliable.

The Department of Health has a different way of accounting that draws from more sources.

They draw from hospital desks -- deaths and other deaths that might not involve an autopsy.

Numbers in my story are based on data from the medical examiner's office, which is just deaths that have come through them.

Which is by far the large majority.

I went back, the last year we have DOH data is 2022.

That year, there were 3054 deaths according to DOH and 2800 92 according to the medical examiner.

Very close.

The other thing we don't have numbers on, which is really important to keep in mind, is how the data breakdowns racially.

It's going down overall but that's largely because white people are the largest percentage of this population dying and their deaths are trending down.

Last time we knew in 2022, deaths among black and Hispanic communities were increasing.

We don't really know where we are at this point in time but we know overall the trend is headed in the right direction.

Anchor: What's being done to address that?

Is it an issue of these resources, public education, Narcan programs not taking place in the communities where it is maybe needed more?

Lilo: Looking at Naloxone alone is a good way of seeing how the state has moved through this progression.

Initially it was available to addiction treatment providers, Tupolev -- to police.

Now pretty much anyone can get at.

It's available if you ask and nowhere to go.

It's available at nearly 700 pharmacies free of charge, theoretically no questions asked.

There's a list on the state DHS website.

It's available, a lot of harm reduction programs are giving out.

People were telling me in the streets of Camden people will put archon -- Narcan on the edge of a trashcan if they have extra or in the bushes in the space where they know people will be using drugs and that's not a bad thing.

It's a good thing because if there is enough to leave it for others, that means we are starting to flood the streets with a product that can save lives.

People see this as a trend in the right direction.

Anchor: Obviously there are obstacles ahead in maintaining these programs.

Does any of the opioid settlement money the state has received, does any of that help?

Where is that being put to use?

Lilo: The state through the Department of Health has committed I think it's when he for a $3 million of opioid settlement money, millions of dollars coming from settlements, half of it goes to communities and counties and local jurisdictions part of these lawsuits.

This 24 million comes from the state share.

It's probably the largest chunk.

It's still, programs are allowing the state to double the number of heart reduction sites in.

.

Every county but that takes time, to get the resources outcome, to hire staff.

It's a process and it is in the works.

Anchor: You can read the full article on our website.

Thank you so much.

After this November elections lackluster voter turnout, a group of progressive organizations in the state are launching a massive voter engagement project, bringing together faith, labor and community leaders in an effort to reach about one million working-class voters in New Jersey with a focus on black, Hispanic, Asian and youth groaning -- voting groups which they see as underrepresented but with immense voting power >> The voter turnout in 2024 was less than 2020 and 2016.

Reporter: The 2024 election was billed as a fight for democracy, but 7% fewer New Jersey voters cast a vote compared to 2020.

>> There's a national dialogue around why did folks stay home?

Reporter: A drop in participation that they do not want to become an election norm, which is why she and more than 15 organizations across the state are throwing support behind the million voters project, which launched last week.

>> The groups in the state of New Jersey, we are incredibly excited.

This is a nonpartisan effort to increase -- to strengthen our democracy and improve and increase voter turnout, especially among high opportunity voters, including voters of color, young people, marginalized groups.

Reporter: She says the majority of canvassing is done through door knocks and phone calls, the goal is to reach one million voters by November 2025 and she says the movement is critical especially among demographic roots too often left out of the process and don't feel her -- or their voices are heard in Trenton.

>> Really excited and filled deeply that the million voter progress -- project, knocking on doors all year round, talking to voters and having them come to events and actions through the year, is going to help push against the narrative that the political process and civic process is not for people of color or marginalized people.

Reporter: The Senior community organizer for New Jersey Institute of social justice, one of the groups participating in the project says increasing participation at the ballot box will make our democracy stronger and more inclusive.

>> We want to fight some of the disengagement and cynicism around how politics is done and how power works in the state.

A lot of people feel their vote and their voice doesn't matter.

That's been something that's been a problem for a long time.

I think for us, we want to make sure communities of color realize they have power.

Reporter: The launch comes as the county line in the state has been abolished and with less than a year until a gubernatorial election.

>> We have kind of hovered around the 40% line or so when it comes to voting in gubernatorial elections.

This is something I'm sure that many groups want to see increase.

Reporter: The director of the records Eagleton Center for Public interest polling says an unspoken challenge we could see amongst voters in New Jersey is voter fatigue.

>> We will be dealing with a national news cycle that will be 20 47 on the Trump Administration and Uno's what that may bring an terms of -- who knows what that may bring in the news and a couple of months and policies and initiatives.

Voters will be tired, to try to get through that and understand voters probably won't tune in to the gubernatorial until September of next year, that's a lot to deal with.

Even when we had an open seat and primaries in June, it's a lot to try to get through the apathy and negative use voters have on the outlook of the state in general and the quality of life right now and personal well-being.

Reporter: Morrissey says during the canvassing process information will be released publicly and it will be discussed in town halls and forms in different communities.

She says the first town hall could be in February.

I am Raven Santana.

Anchor: In our spotlight on business report, New Jerseyans appear to be embracing electric cars.

According to the Murphy administration today, the state reached a significant milestone, surpassing 200,000 electric vehicle registrations, which includes battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

That's more than double the number of electric vehicles registered in New Jersey two years ago but still short of the governor's goal of 330,000 EV's on the road by next year, part of a larger plan to reach 100% clean energy by 2035 to combat greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

According to federal data, New Jersey has been close to the top in terms of states adopting cleaner car options but lacks other places in the country with building charging and for structure.

That will do it for us tonight but before we go, a reminder to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so you can listen to us anytime.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire team, thank you for being with us, have a great night and we will see you here tomorrow.

>> NJM insurance group.

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More information online at njrealtor.com.

And by the PSEG foundation.

>> have some water.

Look at these kids.

What do you see?

I see myself.

I became an ESL teacher to give my students what I wanted when I came to this country.

The opportunity to learn, to dream, to achieve, a chance to be known and to be an American.

My name is Julia and I am proud to be an NJEA member.

>> Public service is what we do.

At the PSEG Foundation in volunteer hours and other contributions we are committed to empowering communities.

We work hand-in-hand with you, our neighbors, to educate young people, support research, environmental sustainability and equitable opportunities, provide training and other services all over New Jersey and Long Island.

Uplifting communities, that is what drives us.

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♪