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BRIANA: tonight, a grand jury investigation blocked by a secret court ruling.

Know the fight is headed straight to the Supreme Court.

Plus, Congressman Frank Pallone is going to give us of Trump's executive orders.

>> Basically what comp is doing is stealing from the American people.

Joanna: Also, the analyst chamber train is back on the rails pact with New Jersey political elites, rubbing elbows and headed to the U.S. Capitol.

>> My objective as governor is making Josie a better place to do business.

We need to restructure our taxes and make it less regulatory intensive.

Briana: And a group of Toms River students chat with us on the International Space Station.

NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

♪ ANNOUNCER: From NJPBS Studios, this is NJ Spotlight News with Brianna Venosi.

Briana: Good evening and thanks for joining us this Thursday night.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

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

First, there are new details about the state investigation into alleged sexual abuse by Catholic clergy and why it's taking so long.

According to court documents first obtained by North Darlie.com, they offer at least one explanation for the delay.

The Catholic diocese of Camden was successfully able to shut down part of the investigation at a secret court hearing roughly two years ago.

The diocese challenged the state's authority to use a special grand jury for the investigation, which was supposed to end with an extensive report detailing individual abusers, their actions, and about broader cover-up by the church.

A judge sided with the diocese and agreed to seal the ruling at the request of the church, writing that special grand juries investigate public officials or government agencies, not private institutions like a church.

That ruling only made public now, is being appealed to the state's Supreme Court, brought by advocates and lawyers for the roughly 300 survivors of the alleged abuse.

And, Palestinian Americans in New Jersey are reacting to President Trump's unexpected proposal for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip and redevelop the war torn enclave in the Middle East while relocating Palestinians to neighboring countries.

But the idea has largely landed with a thud for Arab populations, both in the U.S. and around the world.

At a joint press conference this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the president said he envisioned transforming Gaza into a review of the Middle East setting off a , -- into "the Riviera of the Middle East," setting off a firestorm from critics who say implementing the plan would break international law and amount to ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

Some officials from his administration have since walked back the comments without backing down entirely.

And some of the president's staunchest allies in Congress said the announcement took them by surprise, and doesn't follow the America-first agenda.

But the president has taken to social media to double down on the proposal.

Sammy Shaban, of Franklin Township, has lost dozens of family members during Israeli attacks in Gaza.

He says he and many other Palestinian Americans forcefully oppose the plan.

>> especially on the heels of a genocide where tens of thousands of people have been killed, including 37 members of my own family.

He is talking about building resorts on the bones of my cousins.

That will never result in a long-term peace.

To have peace, there needs to be justice and equity and fairness for the people of Palestine.

They have a right to self-determination.

Their land is not for anyone else to give.

Briana: The President Assad it an executive order called the no men in women's sports executive order, is the fourth in a series of actions to roll back transgender right in the U.S., making good on campaign promises to do so.

Among them, executive orders banning towns in the service members from the military, and restricting gender-affirming care for minors that's an order be intelligent in the courts.

The White House says the latest executive order is intended to protect women's access to safe and fair athletic opportunities.

But extremist experts and those within the Trans community said the move points to what they call it a dangerous political strategy that sows and expands authoritarian control.

To help explain, I am joined by the Trans residency project manager for Garden State equality.

Thank you so much for coming on the show.

I want to ask you first, I looked at some census numbers that transgender Americans make up less than 1% of adults in the U.S.. Why do you believe the administration is so focused on rolling back transgender rights?

Guest: I believe that the admin is so fiercely a tracking transgender rights because it's a simple way for them to divide and conquer the populace.

If the strategy from different administrations, first they attack minorities, sexual orientation or gender minority minorities in the news that as a wedge to further take away people's human rights.

Briana: There has been a number of characterizations thrown out there in the last couple of weeks while executive orders are being signed and beyond, essentially referring to Trans people as dangerous to society, as being mentally unwell.

How do you in your role counter that?

Guest: it really comes down to re facing basics, to re and facing basics, demonstrable and applicable truths.

It's a very common narrative for this administration and other parties to spread the story like that when the statistics speak for themselves.

Trans-identifying people are much more likely to be assaulted, to face discrimination is they are too because those things to other people.

You can find this data across the world.

The World Health Organization, American Journal of psychiatry, in the human rights campaign, the statistics speak for themselves.

Briana: What type of work are you and Garden State equality shifting towards?

I imagine you are getting a lot of emails and calls even from folks concerned?

Guest: I can't speak for the entirety of my organization.

For me as a member of the Department of trans-residency, we are pivoting to meet the moment.

Most of the questions we get are centered around anxiety and uncertainty towards the future and we are doing our best to make sure that the people we are answerable to and the people we advocate for understand the situation in, because it is constantly evolving the, especially on the basis of the executive orders are, particularly the sex assigned at birth one.

Briana: From what you are here and, do folks feel safer in a state like New Jersey, where they are rights that have been protected and yet others that have not?

Or do they feel just as vulnerable?

Guest: The responses we have gotten and the things we are hearing from community members are split 50-50.

A lot of folks are very anxious with everything going on, and I think one of the messages we keep coming back to is that the lived experience of LGBTQ-plus people will vary greatly depending on the state we live in.

We are very fortunate to live in New Jersey with all of our protections.

Briana: Talk to me about the reactions that have come out with each executive order.

Does it feel like there is enough counter-Ground Game, so to speak, or that it is a firehose of orders coming outalmost too much to keep up with?

Guest: that's a good question.

I think it's important that when we discuss executive orders, that we remember that most of them will not be implemented for 60 to 90 days, even though some agencies are attempting to implement them early.

There is a bit of time while we understand the impact and how they will roll out.

There is much less panic than you would expect.

BRIANA: Ashley McDonald is the Trans Resiliency project manager and trainer with Garden State equality.

You so much for your time.

Guest: Thank you very much.

BRIANA: New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone didn't hold back this week during an Energy subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill, the ranking member blasted Republicans for not standing up to President Trump's executive orders, specifically measures that tried to freeze federal funding for programs across the government.

Pallone called it a power grab , and dangerous and corrupt.

The comments came as Democratic lawmakers acute Elon Musk's Department Of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, of gaining access to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration building and its computer systems.

And as the task force has improperly entered government buildings across Washington, D.C. in recent days.

Now the congressman is joining other ranking Democrats in efforts to to investigate the executive orders and any further attempts to freeze funding.

He joins me now.

Congressman, thanks for your time.

Tell me a little bit more about how you and other leading Democrats are looking to hold the Trump Administration accountable.

What steps have you taken so far?

Guest: First of all, we just sent letters from my committee to all the federal agencies that could potentially be impacted by this funding freeze.

is doing is stealing from the American people In other words, all this federal funding that has already been allocated under the law, whether it is for cancer treatment or Home energy assistance, or removal of toxic lead pipes, the list goes on, these are appropriated under the law and when he steals this money and says we are not giving it to the community, he is doing it illegally.

The memo he put out to these federal agencies has now been withdrawn, but every indication is a lot of money is still not going out.

BRIANA: the White House and, no, says those direct assistance programs, regardless where things stand now, would not have been affected.

In fact, they are looking to trim what they call billions of dollars in waste in federal spending and that they are reviewing these federal payments.

What do you say to that argument?

Guest: If they want to review these things, they can.

But that's not what they did.

In other words, they froze the funding.

I don't care whether it is HUD for housing or S.N.A.P.

for food stamps, or Medicaid health care programs.

We have been getting calls from all these different agencies and local governments saying that, in fact, the money isn't available.

Briana: It feels like to me, the move on the federal funding freeze was kind of the straw that broke the camel's back.

Now, we've seen a more unified message, a much less muted response.

Would you agree with that?

Was that what kind of charged everybody up?

Guest: I think so.

Look, I mean, the bottom line is that everybody wants to give a new administration a chance.

But the kind of chaos that we're seeing now funding freeze and , with the trying to disassemble various agencies-you know, this is getting to the point where the level of chaos and incompetence is just not acceptable.

So that's why I think you are going to see more and more objections, not only by Democrats, but by a lot of organizations.

Briana: Let me shift gears, because I know you spoke on this, DOGE which is a task force Elon Musk has been charged with leading, was accused of entering NOAA this week.

The office building there, accessing sensitive information.

You've spoken pretty strongly about this.

What are the risks to, obviously, climate research and policy, but also folks in New Jersey, our economy our shore , economy?

Guest: remember NOAA does the , Weather Service, and I'm very concerned that what Elon Musk wants to do is privatize the weather service.

Privatize a things that come under NOAA's jurisdiction.

If you deny climate change, the easiest way to deny it is to control the weather reports.

I know it sounds absurd, but that's exactly what they seem to be doing.

So they can say, "Oh, there's not a climate crisis because the weather is not that bad."

You know, it is basic scientific information on that data that NOAA puts out that is used by the Weather Service, by all kinds of things, fisheries management, bathing in the summer -- you know, when they do the beach testing and the water to see if it is dirty, all these things are in jeopardy.

Briana: House Republicans yesterday blocked Democrats' ability to subpoena Elon Musk and members of DOGE for more information.

Are there other safeguards in place?

I mean, how else can you go about getting the information that you and many of your colleagues are looking for?

Guest: We are going to do a number of things.

First of all, we will ask for the information.

If they do not giving it to us then, we will have to go to be honest, and the French Trump Administration, a lot of times they wouldn't respond to our inquiries.

We had to go to court.

Whatever it is, we are not going to let the stand.

They can't be stealing this money and basically taking apart these agencies that are so important to our health and safety Briana: Congressman Frank Pallone, all is good to talk to you.

Thank you for your time.

Guest: Thanks.

Briana: After being on hold for the last five years, the 84th annual walk to wasn't on his.

The political tradition hosted by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce invites hundreds of business, government and nonprofit leaders, giving them the chance to sit shoulder to shoulder on their way to the nation's capital via train.

It's a quirky Only in Jersey networking event that comes amid turmoil in D.C., a an upcoming election to pick a new governor for New Jersey.

Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis went along for the ride.

Reporter: it's been five years since the walk, picking up a who's who list of passengers, at a time when 10 candidates are running to be New Jersey's next governor -- 4 Republicans, six Democrats.

Many of them took the opportunity to rub shoulders, quite literally, with the New Jersey business and our intention is to.

>> Tell the community that we celebrate them.

My intention is governor is to tell the business community that New Jersey is a better place to do business.

Reporter: Jack Ciattarelli was the only Republican candidate on the train, but we caught up with several Democrats.

>> we need to stop raising taxes.

Grow the economy and generate revenue that way.

Reporter: Reporter: You are taking moderate positions on immigration.

Do you want to bring New Jersey back to the middle?

>> It's always been a moderate state.

People have tried to say it's progressive and oh, by the way, I am the person who did paid family leave, the right man for woman to choose and pay equity for females.

We have always been a moderate state.

That's not progressive views.

That's moderate views wanting to help people.

>> If we don't get spending under control, and by spending, I don't mean the same thing Republicans mean.

I mean that we have to reduce health-care costs, insurance costs.

We have to reduce what we pay lots of folks that I think are gouging us.

We have to get the wealthy to pay their fair share.

Reporter: we have seen a shift towards the middle from a lot of Democratic candidates.

I don't see that from you?

>> They are wrong.

I think they are reading the tea leaves wrong.

Around the country, democratic values still won.

>> I'm the only candidate who has put out a plan to actually figure out how to make life more affordable for families, get property taxes down by by 15% to the middle class income tax cut, cut health insurance for seniors as well.

And then we have to get the Chamber of Commerce, we need more jobs.

We keep losing people and jobs in New Jersey.

For the seventh year running, we are the number-one out-migration stayed in the country.

We have to make life of more affordable to get more jobs here and get tax cuts cut for working-class people and hard-working folks.

Reporter: Does that make a millionaire's tax cut wrong?

>> we have to get a tax cut for everybody.

What I am focused on is how do we grow the state?

Reporter: Your thoughts on the millionaire tax?

>> I am going to look at every piece of what we do and how we affect families.

Reporter: What are your thoughts as you see Congress debate whether or not to shut down the Department of Education?

And what would that mean for New Jersey?

>> there is a lot of troubling things at the federal level.

For us it's important to have a , governor who obviously understands education and other spaces.

We will have to adapt.

Exactly what that means?

Not sure.

What does that mean for the funding that we get?

What does that mean for the programs supporting our students with special needs and others?

We have to be ready for that should we lose the dollars.

>> if it's going to go away and will have a bigger crisis than we ever imagined.

Reporter: Many Republican leaders were on the train saying they are hopeful for a Republican governor who will take New Jersey in a different direction.

>> The energy policies we have right now, the energy master plan is killing us.

Our electric bills are going up.

We need to make sure our are founded.

>> North Carolina For example,, their business tax is 2.5% and we are 11 point something percent.

It's too high.

We need to get the job creators here.

>> I think Republicans have a better message to the unaffiliated voters.

Reporter: There is still much more politicking to be done.

Tonight Governor Phil Murphy will speak, along with several of New Jersey's congressional delegation.

We'll have more coverage from that event tomorrow.

On the train headed down to Washington, D.C., I'm Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: Students in Toms River gotten out of this well experience recently, chatting with astronauts aboard the two International Space Station.

They took time out of their busy schedules to answer science, technology, engineering and math world, even if it is not in our world.

Ted Goldberg has a story.

>> It was interesting.

I didn't know someone my age could have the kind of opportunity.

Reporter: That opportunity for Toms River students -- asking questions to astronauts in space and getting answers in real-time.

>> how does it feel going to space?

Well, a quick demonstration.

Black Superman when we were -- like Superman.

>> When we were watching, I felt joy because everybody was clapping while listening to my video.

It was a good experience.

>> It was something that I had seen other people do and I wanted to do for myself.

Reporter: Lucas and several other students in the Toms River regional school District spoke with astronauts aboard the ISS.

>> What are the primary scientific project you are currently working on?

>> Human physiology and human science.

Reporter: The students are part of Toms River as COVID S.T.E.A.M.

Academy, science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

If you can't tell from his hoodie, Lowery wants to be an astronaut when he gets older.

>> I want to be an aerospace engineer at NASA, working on rocket engines and entry-dissent, and landing, to, like, land from Mars.

Reporter: Would you want to be the one that walks on Mars.

>> Not the first.

Maybe the 50th.

Reporter: Enough time to work out the kinks.

Good things happen to your body in space, as they learn.

>> There are many changes.

They say, and you can kind of feel it a little bit, that your internal organs kind of shift up into your body a little bit, which is good because it makes you feel thinner.

>> I didn't know that your organs can shift around, which it does make a lot of sense because there's quite a bit of space in your body.

Reporter: The estimates were more than happy to share their experiences.

Some might say, over share, but the students were turned away during their 20 minute conversation.

>> I don't like sharing this, for some reason, and I'm not the only one, you get a little rash when he first get to space.

We are not sure why.

>> We have research studies dealing with how effective are standard pharmaceuticals that you might use on earth and when you get in a weightless environment, they don't seem to affect human physiology in the same way.

Reporter: The students had different takeaways for what they thought was the most interesting thing they learned.

>> One thing I was knowledgeable for me was, when they need a certain amount of exercise so their muscles don't cramp up.

>> We spend a minimum of two hours a day -- VC help bath Don is getting?

We have a resistive exercise device, a bicycle, and a treadmill and we also strap it down so we can actually run.

>> What was interesting for me is that they don't take turns sleeping.

They have a very strict schedule and they both sleep at the same time.

Reporter: As for breathing in space?

The astronauts explained to machine that makes it possible.

At least aboard the ISS.

>> It takes electricity and water and mix hydrogen and oxygen.

We breathe the oxygen, and we take the hydrogen and we can combine that with Carbon dioxide and we end up making methane and recovering some more water from that.

Reporter: This Zoom call was set up as part of the series that NASA does with schools nationwide.

Getting kids interested in space, and giving a great experience to kids already interested.

For NJ Spotlight News, I'm ted Goldberg.

Briana: Finale tonight, a Super Bowl sendoff in South Jersey Camden hosted a pep rally for , the Philadelphia Eagles this afternoon, bringing together Eagles fans for a pregame party with a little food and music.

Former Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner wrapped up the crowd as they rooted on the birds.

Sunday marks a rematch of Super Bowl LVII or the Chiefs beat the Eagles by just 3 points.

But this Eagles team has proven they belong.

-- back on the big stage led by , their star running back Saquon Barkley and a tough physical defense.

France at the ready today, pointed out the Eagles pulled out a big win as Super Bowl underdogs once before, and history has a way of repeating itself.

That's going to do it for us tonight, but before you a reminder to tune into "reporters roundtable" tomorrow with David Cruz.

David talked to the director of the Institute for New Jersey politics, about whether a gubernatorial front runner has emerged after the debates earlier this week, and whether voters are paying attention yet.

Plus, a panel of local journalists talk about all the week's political headlines.

That's Friday at noon, streaming on the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire team Thanks for , being with us.

Thanks for being with us, have a great night and we'll see you back here tomorrow.

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