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>> Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, she emerges as a likely front runner following an early Wasim Muhammad -- an early win with Democrats.

and protests versus amid continued ice rates with the mayor of Passaic speaking out.

>> responsibility to share what is going on Carter Constantly -- what is going on and constantly educate the public.

>> And the highly competitive district seat aiming to unseat Tom Keene Junior.

>> I have not heard much from Tom Kane Jr so it's hard to know what his position is on the things that are happening.

>> And traffic safety, Governor Murphy unveils a new campaign aimed at reducing road risk and lowering fatalities.

>> We will focus on data driven strategies that prioritize design, speed management, and safety for all roadway users.

>> NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

Announcer: From NJ PBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight news" with Briana Vannozzi.

>> Good evening and thanks for joining us on this Monday night.

I am Raven Santana, in for Briana Vannozzi.

First, and early win for one of the Darlie Democratic -- one of the Democratic candidates for governor.

Cheryl won the race with the Newark Mayor with the final tally of 89-68.

Despite the small turnout, the early victory makes the congresswoman a front runner in what is quickly becoming a crowded field.

Joining them on the Democratic side are the Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Congressman's Gottheimer, the New Jersey education Association president and the former state Senate President, Mr. Sweeney.

The congresswoman posted on X saying she is honored to receive the endorsement and is grateful to the delegates that took part in the vote.

The primaries for the gubernatorial election is scheduled for June 10.

Also tonight, the New Jersey Attorney General is taking on President Trump once again.

This time filing a new lawsuit over the cutting of funds for medical and public health research.

In the court filing, Platkin sued the Trump administration, the was Department of Health and the National Institutes of Health.

The group is suing over the Trump Administration's attempts to cut funding for biomedical research that funds lab, faculty and infrastructure costs at universities and research institutes serves -- institutions, that includes Rutgers University, the new policy will have a destabilizing financial impact on their medical research.

That cap is effectively a $22 million cut in the University's annual budget.

Platkin and the other attorneys general argue the funding is part of the executive agreement the Trump administration is now trying to legally toss out.

In their arguments, the group turns to a law passed by the President Trump first administration that prevented an earlier attempt to her research project.

Platkin called the funding cuts "a direct attack on our state which has long led the nation in medical and health innovations."

The group is asking a judge for an immediate order, barring the administration from implementing the cuts.

Concerns over avian flu in New Jersey are continuing to spread even as officials maintain the risk to humans is still low.

So far, there are no reported cases of the human infection in the state but the virus has been detected in wild birds in the state and officials in one township suspect avian flu could be responsible for the deaths of about 30 waterfowl found on the banks of shark River this month.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has been tracking an outbreak of wild birds at student -- of wild bird deaths since December.

They say it is too early to verify if it was the cause of death.

Officials are also taking precautions after New York City Carter Surrounding counties -- and surrounding counties closed markets after avian flu was detected.

They have been asked to do voluntary cleanings and disinfection to prevent the virus from spreading.

There are no cases in New Jersey .

Advocates and immigrant workers and Passaic took to the streets as we can to process the surge in ICE raids and arrests made under the Trump Administration.

Immigrants were carrying flag of their home countries as they show solidarity with those who had been targeted in the first few weeks of President Trump's second term, condemning the race that they say targeted innocent people who were not charged with crimes.

Nationally, ICE is reporting under 1000 arrests a day.

The Passaic Mayor, a son of Jamaican immigrants, -- Dominican immigrants, has been working alongside ICE to help detain violent criminals.

The mayor joins me to discuss ICE activity in his city and his message to immigrants in his community.

Thank you for joining me.

>> Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here.

>> Over the weekend, immigrants and advocates held a march in your city expressing concern over ramped up ICE activity in the state under the new Trump Administration.

What is your response to that?

>> Of course considering the demographics of my city and Communities around our area, there is a lot of concern.

.

There is a lot of awareness of the activities that are going on directed by the president's administration and those tasked with enforcing immigration laws.

Right now as mayor, I've been trying very hard to combat misinformation and disinformation to quell the concerns and calm the community, to ensure there is no panic or a lot of anxiety or fear.

I reiterate, there's a lot of awareness and concern but unfortunately some of the misinformation that is shared on social media -- sometimes what residents are hearing even from other people, creating circumstances and conditions where children are scared and families are scared, I think as elected officials we have a responsibility to share what is truly going on and constantly educating the public.

>> I could not agree more.

I find to my own reporting that a lot of the Latino community goes to social media further information and news.

Are you aware of any increase in ICE operations in your city in the last few weeks?

>> There has been an increase, especially a visibility and community awareness regarding activity.

Let me be clear -- There has been ICE activity within our city and throughout the state over the last 10 years.

Often times when there is an individual that perhaps has committed a violent crime or heinous act, we have reached out to local police departments explaining there is going to be in operation within the city.

And this is for practical purposes.

There are phone calls to the local police stating that there are ages going into a building or armed individuals wearing bulletproof vests or any equipment -- the police have to be aware.

Often times, different levels of enforcement communicate with each other to ensure there is no confusion or any issues.

>> According to census data, Passaic's population is nearly three quarters Hispanic or Latino.

More than 40% foreign-born.

It's worth pointing out you are a son of Dominican immigrants, how are you speaking to the immigrant community in your city?

>> Have been very candid and direct with our community.

I explained that we have not had any raids within our city.

If you are defining rates as immigration enforcement coming in randomly grabbing groups of individuals and asking for papers and rounding them up and bringing them in, that is not what has occurred.

What has occurred is a number of strategic and coordinated operations targeting violent criminals within the city.

We have not had any raids in our schools, in our houses of worship.

I've encouraged our communities to continue to go to work and continue to shop.

I have reminded them that There have been operations under every administration.

Let's be direct here.

Ice agents are going into third grade classes and asking for papers.

What are they going to receive?

A paper with a crayon drawing on them?

That's not going to occur.

Children don't go to school with paperwork.

That's not what's occurring.

As I shared, Unfortunately, some information is being shared on social media.

And it is creating concern.

I relate to the community and I explained I understand the concern and I empathize and I am here to support and ensure that I give information.

It is important that we share.

The city of Passaic cooperates.

We will not resist or oppose or fail to complete with any lawful immigration order when it comes to any criminal.

If you commit a violent crime, if you abuse children, if you are transporting weapons illegally, we are here to cooperate with law enforcement, whether that is County, state or federal, because my number one writer he is a public safety of our residents -- and I will tell you that Latinos and those that are documented and documented would agree that we do not want to create a situation where individuals believe that we are harboring criminals or it is a safe haven for those who harm others.

>> Thank you for joining us.

Democrats in New Jersey are IN District seven as a target to flip in the next election cycle.

They've got a new challenger who they believe can take on incumbent representative Tom can Junior -- Tom Keene Junior.

She Democrats believe there is an opening.

Senior political correspondent David Cruz explains what we know about Bennett, the candidate and how she will match up in the race.

>> I joined the military because service is a big part of my life and I wanted to give back in some way.

Reporter: Rebecca Bennett is the latest Democrat to announce her candidacy donning a bomber jacket.

The pilot smiles and a reporter noticing that and makes no excuses for it.

>> Have to work quite hard to earn the jacket so yes it's definitely a pride to have the.

Reporter: The mother of two and medical administrator is a first-time candidate.

She is drawn a great deal of attention for recent close to $200,000 in the first week of her campaign.

It's a race that is still over a year away but Bennett sounds a familiar theme when it comes to incumbent Tom Keene Junior.

>> I think there is a lot of trepidation, uncertainty.

There's been a lot of change with the new administration coming in and folks are feeling a little uncertainty on not knowing what is going to happen with all the change that's happening.

Quite frankly I have not heard much from Tom Keene Junior the last several weeks so it is hard to know what his position is on the things that are happening.

Reporter: Democrats have been here before in district seven where redistricting in 2020 made this once solidly blue district more verbal, costing Tom the seat, then Sewald been repackaged as a moderate lost the bid to Kane after Democrats failed to show financial enthusiasm until it was too late.

Dems are still reeling from Novembers results.

>> I don't think the Democrats' soul searching is over in any way.

Many were surprised by the MAGA movement and the huge popularity that was unexpected of Trump's return to office.

I don't think that is going to be understood or resolved by the Democrats about what to do about that.

Reporter: Lightning rod appears to be the drawing impact of the X CEO Elon Musk, who was head of DOGE, the department of Government efficiency, has become the focus of Democratic attacks after some internal polling found him to be even more popular among Democrats than the president.

The former Summit Councilman, announcing his candidacy here today, says Elon Musk is an easy foil but it will take more than that to unseat Kane.

>> I don't think it's about focusing in on just Elon Musk, it is basically with the administration is doing is for a very small class of people that are basically billionaires.

And I think that for everyday people who want to work hard and want to make sure they are going to be able to have a life for themselves in New Jersey, these policies are not going to work for them and people are going to see that.

Reporter: Democrats say his silence in the face of that discussion, he did not return our calls on this social reader, will hurt him with voters.

It's worth noting that Kean's no comment strategy has served him well in this district the last two election cycles.

>> New Jersey is hoping a new plan will help eliminate traffic deaths and make our roads safer.

Today the governor joined Traffic safety advocates to discuss the safe system approach, a new campaign by the state to plan, design and manage our transportation infrastructure with a goal of mitigating risk on the roads.

Ted Goldberg was at the event where he learned how this system will be implemented in New Jersey and how it will help the state get to zero traffic deaths.

>> One of the last thing a person saw crossing the street was you texting?

Reporter: New Jersey's goal of zero traffic deaths by 2040 is to put it mildly ambitious.

Governor Murphy does not disagree.

>> Reaching it will require all of us to work together, from governmental law enforcement, to organizers to everyday New Jerseyians appreciating the decisions they made behind the wheel.

>> This is a bold commitment.

Bold is exactly what we need to be.

Reporter: At today's conference, activists and leaders spoke about the need to make New Jersey's road safer for drivers and pedestrians alike.

Among the speakers was a mother who son was killed by a driver who went through a stop sign -- whose son was killed by a driver who went through a stop sign.

>> He laid there on the hospital bed and I made two promises to him, one, you will not be gone, your name will remain forever, and he continues to touch many lives through our foundation.

>> and in his memory and that of so many children, moms, dads, and other loved ones lost too soon, we need to a neck new policies that protect pedestrians and passengers.

Reporter: Governor Murphy last month signed a letter creating the target zero commission, a group of state officials aiming to help the gardens they get to that goal.

Murphy says their first meeting will be in March.

>> We are going to focus on data-driven strategies that prioritize roadway design, speed management, and safety for all roadway users.

>> Most of the service right of way in the state is primarily dedicated to motor vehicles first and that makes walking and biking an afterthought.

Reporter: Approaches include easy stuff like advertising campaigns reminding people to not text and drive.

There are also more involved solutions like tweaking certain intersections.

These two will be under the microscope in Franklin Township, joining others as they why that could be redesigned to reduce the risk of serious injury or death.

>> Mystics should not cost us our lives.

We need to make it so that pressures will not be the serious consequences.

>> Believe humans will make mistakes.

We must design systems to protect human life.

There's only so much force a human body can withstand.

>> Humans are vulnerable.

The human body does not take Russian pets were also designs have to minimize crash energy and account for human factors.

Reporter: Hoboken speed limits have been reduced to 20 miles per hour citywide.

They have not had a traffic death in nearly eight years.

>> Speed limits should strike a balance between mobility and safety.

Reflecting the conditions of the road and its surroundings.

Research shows lowering speed limits in urban areas, particularly near schools and history and heavy zones, could significantly reduce injuries and and fatalities.

Reporter: According to data from police, 600 anyone people died from car crashes last year.

New Jersey's highest mark in 30 years.

Getting that down to zero seems like a tall task.

But these leaders say they are up for the challenge.

Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

>> Makers try to get to ship the response ability for handling plastic voice to the -- plastic waste to the companies that produce it.

They think to put the onus on classic manufacturers for collection, recycling and disposal of any waste but the bill has seen major pushback and was even taken out of consideration last month so lawmakers could gather and implement feedback.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan listened into the Senate environment and energy committee where the bill was considered today to hear from those who would be impacted most.

>> This is the ninth time this bill has been posted for hearing.

Reporter: And a standing room only club jams that hearing to hear the nice debate over a controversial bill that would make company selling products in New Jersey/plastic packaging by half in the next decade.

They claim it will drive up costs for consumers.

Support his point of plastics damaging the environment with models containers and food packaging and micro-plastics invading human bodies.

>> It's been found in blood, kidneys and lungs, placenta, breastmilk, testicles, heart arteries, micro plastics attached to black -- to plaque.

It increases the chance of stroke, heart attack and premature death.

Reporter: A study shows that we have seven grams of micro plastics in our brains, about the size of a plastic spoon, and micro plastic pollution is increasing rapidly.

>> We cannot recycle our way out of the plastics crisis.

The percentage of elastics recycling -- plastics recycling is not just in the below minority.

It is 6%.

We are clearly failing on plastic recycling and there is a good reason for that and that is most plastics cannot be recycled and what that means is our environment and parties are literally swimming in plastic.

Reporter: The packaging product stewardship act mandates companies cut plastic packaging by 50% over the next 10 years, prohibits toxic chemicals and packaging including lead, Mercury and PFA's, the so-called Forever Chemicals, provides new revenue for local governments to promote recycling, and prohibits chemical recycling by manufacturers as a substitute.

>> Speaking on behalf of many of the other industries here today impacted unfortunately by this bill -- friend find this bill to be extremely unworkable.

It's not attainable in a lot of provisions.

Reporter: Lobbyists for food and packaging industries question the 50% goal and worry that reducing plastics could possibly impair food safety by compromising the packaging.

They warned the committee -- >> The legislation will increase the cost of packaging consumer goods.

The manufacturers and fortunately of products and packaging are not able to absorb all of the additional costs.

So it leaves -- so at least some of those costs will have to be passed on to the consumers.

Reporter: But public polls show overwhelming support for reducing plastics pollution and when it came time to vote, the ninth try was the charm.

Democrats outvoted Republicans 3-2 to release the bill.

>> This is not about a theoretical green gold.

This is about your life and safety and your health.

It's about cancers of various kinds.

We've got to get plastics out of the environment.

Reporter: Senator Bob Smith sponsored the bill.

He gathered with supporters wielding plastic spoons as props after the vote.

Democrat John McKeon who voted yes talked about his new granddaughter.

>> I don't want to see this in her brain.

Neither do any of you.

The mission we are all on together could not be more important than the health and safety of those that we love the most.

>>>> Measure -- -- the measure will head over to the assembly to face even more hearings.

Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.

>> Finally tonight, was better than sleeping in after a big win ?

Some kids in South Jersey got a little break today thanks to the Super Bowl winning Philadelphia Eagles.

Fans in Gloucester City and others all had delayed openings so they could sleep off the all-night celebration.

This is video from Friday where fans held a pep rally that may be give the Eagles a little boost.

Based on how they played, the Eagles were destined for victory.

A resounding 42-22 win over the Chiefs.

That is going to do it for us tonight.

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

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

Have a great night.

We will see you right back here tomorrow.

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