Announcer: Funding for NJ Spotlight news is divided by NJM Insurance group.

And by the PSEG foundation.

Brianna: tonight on NJ Spotlight News, the Supreme Court upholds a ban on TikTok set to start Sunday with the incoming Trump Administration offering the lifeline.

Freshman year.

Andy Kim tackles immigration, confirmations, the war in Gaza and more during his first few weeks in the Senate.

>> I represent all 9 million people in New Jersey, not just the ones that voted for me.

Everyone is my boss.

That is the kind of politics people and to see more of.

Brianna: Local activist advocate for the release of Israeli hostages, including Edon Alexander as Israel -- >> we will keep walking until they are back.

Brianna:: New Jersey home.

The state welcomes the New York sirens as the professional women's hockey league team kicks off its second season.

>> Not every sports gets requisitioned -- representation.

It's also my can go see it and I can go see all these players and have opportunities to meet them locally.

Brianna: NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

♪ >> This is NJ Spotlight News with Brianna Vannozzi.

Brianna: Thanks for joining us on this Friday night.

I am Brianna Vannozzi.

A few of today's top headlines.

A blow to TikTok.

The Supreme Court today ruled to uphold a ban on the popular social media apps unless it's Chinese.

Company ByteDance sells its ownership by Sunday, January 19.

In a unanimous decision, the court sided with the Biden administration over national security concerns about how TikTok gathers data on its 170 million American users and its relationship with the Chinese government, a foreign adversary.

The video app's fate rests with incoming President Donald Trump who was set to be sworn in on Monday, just 24 hours after a ban would take effect.

Trump originally favored banning TikTok and his first administration but has since changed his mind, indicating he's considering an executive order to push pause on the ban for 60 to 90 days will he tries to work out an agreement with the app.

The Biden administration says it is not planning to take action that forces the app to immediate they go dark.

Tonight, more changes in the state legislature.

Assembly meant Benji Wimberley won a convention Thursday night to take the Senate seat left vacant by Nelly Poe.

He defeated his opponent by one quote.

Wimberley becomes the first Black State Senator and Passaic County history and he will serve until the November election where he will have to run again, potentially against Sumter.

During the same convention, Democrats voted to put Patterson Councilman and Wimberley's pleasantly seat and will become the first Palestinian-American to serve in the New Jersey legislature, and told committee members last night he plans to focus on affordability and affordable housing while he holds the office.

An update on the investigation into the Rutgers Gymnastics program.

According to advanced media, an independent report commissioned by the University reveals a stunning level of dysfunction within the Gymnastics organization and confirms an inappropriate relationship between the teams Head Coach -- team's Head Coach and the former athletic director who designed abruptly this summer just days after learning of the investigation.

The outside probe took four months and cost Rutgers more than $700,000.

It found Hobbs tried to meddle with an internal review of the program last spring after athletes made formal allegations against Celine Beasley, accusing the head who remains in the job of bullying, favoritism, revenge and creating a toxic environment that harmed gymnasts' physical and mental health.

Celine Beasley denied the allegations, including having a relationship with Hobbs.

U.S.

Senator Andy Kim has had an eventful first few weeks in office with consequential votes on a key immigration bill, confirmation hearings for interval members of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming cabinet, and preparing for the upcoming Inauguration, which will now be held indoors due to the extreme cold and wind expected on Monday.

Kim is hoping to forge a path not assess the first Korean American in the Senate, but with an air of compassion and collaboration.

Not easy in this clinical climate.

Senator Kim joins me now from Washington.

Andy Kim, it is good to see you.

Let me ask about the Supreme Court decision on the TikTok ban, which will lie with the Trump administration.

You had expressed concerns about this ban.

You felt it didn't necessarily address privacy concerns.

What is your take away here?

Sen. Kim: I think we are seeing the problems play out right now, which is that we can't be getting into a situation of wacko mole.

I don't discount there are concerns with regards to TikTok.

I will be honest with you.

I don't have those concerns about TikTok and about the Chinese Communist Party.

I have concerns about multinational corporations having that much information about Americans.

What we are seeing is as there are threats of a ban, we are seeing people joining up with other apps that are Chinese-owned that are doing similar types of actions like TikTok.

We are just going to continue to see that effort.

That is that approach that I was calling for -- I was calling for a cost for hints of approach that would address our ability to dictate our own information and data online.

Something that can try to help secure that for all Americans.

I think that is the approach we should be taking rather than these one-off efforts to target certain companies and then we see the problem move to someone else.

Brianna: Let me ask about another vote that just came up for you in the Senate on the Lincoln Riley act.

An important immigration bill.

10 Democrats joined Republicans in voting for it.

You and Senator Booker did not.

Why?

Sen. Kim: We start by saying we should absolutely have bipartisan action when it comes to securing our nation.

I'm prepared for that.

We have seen the Senate take actions like the bipartisan compromise last year.

Those are good foundations.

This one, yes, we want to keep our country safe.

When it comes to those that are convicted of crimes we can all get around that.

The challenge is the legislation would allow for the mandatory -- require detention for those that are accused of crimes.

These are not violent crimes associated with the bill.

It is predominantly about shoplifting, theft.

The accusation would require mandatory detention, which would sometimes take facilities away from those that have committed violent crimes.

I think that prioritization is wrong.

It infringes upon constitutional rights of people in this nation.

I want to take the actions but this is not the right way to do it.

Brianna: You and I have spoken several times over the last 15 months about the war in Gaza and potentials for a cease-fire.

Do you believe that this deal right now is a step towards more lasting peace or a temporary solution?

Sen. Kim: There is no guarantee.

In these early moments as this is being agreed upon and codified we need to see that level of commitment.

I think we will see that commitment hopefully in a more tangible way where we see the hostages being released.

In particular, in New Jersey we are pushing to have Adon Alexander released and try to engage and make sure he is back with his family as soon as humanly possible.

I cannot imagine how traumatic and difficult that has been.

Once we see those types of steps in action, I hope it gives people a sense that, yes, this is important and something that needs to happen.

Brianna: You have had hit the ground running.

I imagine you are settling in.

What has surprised you the most about the transition from the house to the Senate?

Anything?

Sen. Kim: It does feel very different.

Even more so that I think I expected.

I think having only 100 senators, there's an equitation to build relationships with every single one.

I have to say that the atmosphere of collegiality, while there may be policy differences, the level of respect for one another and engagement is strikingly different than the atmosphere in the House of Representatives, which is often much more combative, much more personally combated.

-- combative.

I appreciate the environment and that is what the American people want.

They want people that understand I represent all 9 million people in New Jersey, not just the ones that voted for me.

Every single one is my boss.

That is the kind of politics people want to see more of.

Brianna: Senator Andy Kim, thank you for making yourself available.

Israel's cabinet of ministers met into the night weighing the Gaza cease-fire agreement and hostage release deal after first getting approval from the Israeli security cabinet.

Hitting some last-minute snags on Thursday when prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners opposed it.

That was over disputes about whether the Israeli military would remain in the Philadelphia corridor along the border with Egypt in which Palestinian prisoners Hamas wanted release from Israeli custody in exchange for hostages captured on October 7.

Among those taken captive is Adan Alexander whose community has tried to keep awareness on him and the hostages throughout the crisis, holding walks every Friday morning in their honor.

Today, Brenda Flanagan was there.

>> News of the deal being done, the biggest hope for next week we have fewer post is -- posters in the wall.

Brenda: He rallied the walkers draped with flags with a cease-fire apparently imminent, emotions ran high today as they carried images of hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack 15 months ago.

>> We have been walking for your and a half and they are still there.

We will keep walking until they are back.

>> We feel frustrated but also hopeful.

It looks like a deal is about to happen.

People are about to be released.

That is something to be happy and hopeful for.

Brenda: It is home to a large and vibrant Jewish population with strong ties to Israel.

>> I am the grandkid of Holocaust survivors.

They were in death camp for six years.

If you can survive that, you have to be hopeful.

Brenda: Tenafly is where he graduated from high school and then left to join the Israeli Defense forces.

She has known him since he attended grade school with her sons.

>> Anything is possible.

Not even one single day that I don't think he is alive or he's not coming out.

He is alive.

I wish that would be the first phase.

Brenda: Edon Alexander would not be among the first group released.

That would include women, children and older men.

He would join hostages released during phase two of the cease-fire.

Two Americans are among the first group returned.

Keith Siegel and 36-year-old -- reportedly included because he was wounded.

His father remains deeply anxious about his condition.

>> I will feel joy when he can embrace his little girls, one of whom he has not met.

She was born two's after the massacre -- two months after the massacre.

I don't know if he even knows his family survived.

Brenda: Fractures have spread in Israel.

Cease-fire supporters gathered in Tel Aviv's hostage Square while angry protesters blocked roads.

Far-right factions fear adopting a cease-fire could compromise Israel's hard-won military damage and put hostages at risk.

5700 miles away in Tenafly, some marchers said they also don't like the phase really.

>> I don't think it's wonderful they will give us back our people like sprinklings at a time.

A few here and then we have to wait another week and another week.

It will take six weeks.

Just let them go.

Brenda: The marchers belong to a global organization of more than 200 groups called run for their lives.

Today they held balloons, orange, to match redheaded Israeli hostage who turns two in captivity tomorrow.

>> We want to make sure the world knows this poor baby has not had a birthday yet.

He was in Gaza for his first birthday.

Now he's in Gaza for the second birthday.

>> ♪ happy birthday ♪ Brenda: They sang him happy birthday, hoped he would be among those released soon and set the balloons free.

In Tenafly, I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.

Brianna: One of Jersey's chapter of the American Red Cross is hard at work in California helping families whose lives have been upended by the devastating fires.

Volunteers are delivering food, helping people find shelter, offering emotional support and helping with recovery planning.

The disaster relief is critical for the tens of thousands of families still under evacuation orders.

In New Jersey, we know all too well how difficult it can be to recover from disasters like fires or storms.

Lawmakers have been fighting for years to get relief for hurricane Sandy survivors, especially to protect them from clawbacks when the government recoups loan money that's already been doled out.

Tonight it appears at least part of that fight may be over.

Joanna Gagis has the details.

>> I did not get the letter that they wanted this $26,000 back until four years after I had rebuilt my house.

Joana: Superstorm Sandy survivors like Larry who fought for years to get government support to rebuild their homes found themselves stuck with the bill in the tens of thousands for with the federal government said was duplicate funds given to them by federal agencies.

>> What you mean duplication of benefits?

Where have you been?

You are sitting this letter for years after I finished the house.

Joana: It's an issue Congressman Frank Pallone has been fighting for years.

Homeowners were given an indefinite about of time to pay back their duplicate benefits but they still faced liens on their home.

To date, Pallone announced steps to help survivors.

>> We have been try to get HUD to take action to waive these clawbacks.

Joana: They are waving for about 900 homes but only applies to low or moderate income residents.

>> In my district, we think that for a family of four, if you're making about $100,000 and have duplicates benefits, they would criminally waive up to $27,000.

>> A huge weight has been lifted off the shoulders of many.

We have been fighting for a clawback relief and forgiveness for eight years or so.

Joana: If you're asking how we got here in the first place and why did these people owe money after they lost everything, here's help Pallone explains it, recalling a conversation he heard between a government official assisting a small business owner after the storm.

>> You my went to go to the FEMA table, or go to the HUD table.

There's all kinds of programs.

The person said, I thought I could only apply for the SVA.

The official said no, you can apply for everything.

When the federal government came back and said wait a minute, you can't duplicate these efforts, and therefore you owe money because you have money coming from these various federal sources, my initial reaction was you were the ones -- you are the people that told him to do it full to Joana: Robin Dia -- Rob and Diane found them selves in that boat.

>> We were denied a loan so we did not even have it.

We took the grant to help us, which still didn't cover the total amount of losses.

Eventually SVA came back and insisted --we accepted that.

Joana: He told them about the SBA loan.

>> They were through all of our expenses, they said everything was accounted for and we were told we were gold.

Everything was done.

Years later get a letter.

That is not fair.

Joana: They now have a lien on their home for -- >> $88,000.

Joana: What is it mean for your life?

>> I'm working full-time.

I think that's an easy way to explain.

Joana: Otherwise you would be retired?

>> Correct.

Joana: So many questions remain about who is eligible for the program.

It is based on income requirements that differ from county to county.

Residents are not even sure what that income threshold is based on to determine their eligibility.

>> What line of your income tax is that $100,000?

Is a total gross?

The adjustable gross?

Is it your tax -- taxable income?

What line is it?

Joana: The New Jersey organizing project has work to secure these reforms.

>> Now I can go to Fran who is 84 years old and say, we got some forgiveness for you.

You might be able to sell your house now and get into a nursing home.

This is the difference to so many people.

We are not stopping the fight until everybody is forgiven.

Joana: The state has to relet the eligibility application to determine who's loan will be forgiven.

In Union Beach, I'm Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight News.

Brianna: Finally, we welcoming new talented neighbors into our state.

The New York Sirens, one of just six teams in the professional women's hockey league now call the Prudential Center here in Newark home.

It is their second season and they are hoping to follow in the footsteps of our state's hockey history and bring home some trophies.

Ted Goldberg learned about the Jersey roots of some star players and a link between the champion devils and this new SWAT -- new squad.

>> [chanting] Ted: The siren song is growing louder.

After every goal scored at the rock.

>> I love coming to the games.

I can see them, like, live.

>> I'm originally from Brazil.

Sao Paulo, Brazil.

I moved here a while ago.

I fell in love with hockey.

My first game, totally fell in love.

I am a soccer person turned completely.

Ted: People from Brazil, Bergen County, and every other part of New Jersey are learning about the New York Sirens, one of six teams playing their second season in the professional women's hockey league.

Don't let the name full you.

There are plenty of Arden State roots here.

Ford Alex Carpenter is the daughter of Bobby Carpenter, an 18-your NHL veteran who won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 1995.

>> I definitely see the pictures, feeding Kyrgios out of it.

My parents put me in it.

Have a sip of champagne out of it.

My dad gave me a little taste.

It's a rite of passage.

Ted: Alex says her father never pushed her into hockey even after he won two more cups as an assistant coach.

>> I love it on my own.

Being at the ranks all the time -- rinks all the time it was a national thing.

When he saw I wanted to take it seriously and play in the professional ranks, that is when he stepped in and helped me with a little finer nuances of the game that not many other coaches know.

Ted: Today she's a professional and a two-time Olympian.

When she was growing up in Morris County, she was just like the kids we see at sirens games.

>> I was in their shoes at one point.

Down at the glass for warm-ups and trying to get pucks and sticks.

This either -- to see the other side is really amazing.

>> It is so exciting to see them light up about that.

Ted: this is the second season for the Sirens.

Their first since drafting a gold medalist from team Canada and a superstar with Princeton.

>> I had a lot of fans come up saying I was hopefully going to get drafted by New York and they could make the trip down to the Prudential Center to watch us.

It is not to see some familiar faces in the stands.

-- nice to see some familiar faces in the stands without Ted: The greater market that enjoys watching women's gate, score and serve as role models.

>> Our daughter plays for the Junior Rangers.

We have been lucky to see Sirens practice nearby in West Orange.

Is a great influence on her as well.

>> She talks about wanting to play at the pro Level 1 date.

Seeing that it is possible, not only possible but normal.

It is something she sees all the time now.

>> Not every sport gets representation.

It is awesome in my home I can go see it and I can go see all these players, have opportunities to meet them locally.

Ted: Last year the Sirens had three home rinks in three states.

Now they are roommates with the Devils.

>> I'm also a devils fan.

To see them play in such a big arena an important one is awesome.

>> We have a place.

We feel it is home.

We don't go around like, maybe this will be home or that one.

It is powerful to have a home.

>> The support for the team locally has been outstanding.

You see it on the glass side every home game.

The signs that are made.

The exchanging of bracelets.

I think the fan engagement with the players makes it exciting for people to build a relationship and come back and support the team.

Ted: The season runs or early May, giving fans plenty of time to check out the newest pro hockey team in New Jersey.

In West Orange, on Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

Brianna: That will do it for us tonight.

Make sure to catch Chat Box with David Cruz this weekend as he talks to next to Terry -- next to Terry.

That a Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. right here on NJPBS.

David digs deeper into the speech with the senior counsel in the economic justice program at the New Jersey Institute for social justice.

A panel of local reporters discussed the big political headlines of the week.

Data Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.

I am Brianna Vannozzi.

For the entire team at NJ Spotlight News, thanks for being with us and have a great weekend.

We will see you back here on Monday.

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We are committed to empowering communities.

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