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Briana: Tonight, immigration crackdown.

President Trump's first legislative victory.

A bipartisan bill to wrap up -- round up and detain immigrants are here illegally.

And speaking out, the brother of a fallen U.S. capitol police officer says the actions of the president have reopened wounds.

>> After everything happened initially, we were a mess, all of us.

We kind of got ourselves together again over the last four years and this has ripped everything wide open again.

Briana: Also, homeless man.

The city of Patterson gets homeless input over a controversial ordinance.

>> This proposed ordinance criminalizes being poor out right.

People should not be punished in any way for being outside especially if there's nowhere else to go.

Briana: And on this maternal health Day, Camden opens a baby café.

A space for moms together, talk and get educated about being a mom.

>> The stigma surrounding breast-feeding is so pervasive so I think it is important to have an informal setting where moms can learn it out -- learn about breast-feeding.

Briana: "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

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

Briana: Good evening and thank you for joining us.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

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

First, Congress has given President Trump and early legislative win, passing the GOP led lake and Riley act which requires undocumented migrants who are accused or charged with certain crimes to be detained.

President Trump has vowed to make an immigration crackdown a centerpiece of his agenda and the fact that so many Democrats including New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer broke with their parties to support signals shift.

The bill was named after a 22-year-old University of Georgia student who was murdered by a Venezuelan man while jogging.

Critics say the law expresses a tragedy and is unconstitutional because it is unconstitutional without due process.

Even with bipartisan support, the long faces major obstacles in being rolled out.

Federal officials have warned lawmakers they will need a ramp up.

period and major bump in funding to execute the law.

Also tonight, President Trump will nominate GOP State Senator Doug Steinhardt to serve as the next U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.

The 56-year-old former mayor from Warren County also served as chairman of the Republican state party during President Trump's 2020 reelection campaign and briefly sought the GOP nomination for governor in 2021 as a hard-line pro-Trump candidate.

As first reported by NJ globe, Steinhardt will serve in an acting capacity replacing Vega's Connor who became acting U.S. attorney earlier this month.

Did New Jersey Republican party congratulated the nomination, calling Steinhardt a steadfast leader and dedicated public servant who puts his community first.

The nomination to be the state's top law enforcement official at these -- at level needs Senate confirmation including the backing of Cory Booker and Andy Kim.

The Garden State just hit another solar milestone, reaching five gigawatts of installed solar energy, which is enough to power roughly 700,000 households.

According to New Jersey's Board of Public utilities, that is more than double the states solar energy output since Governor Murphy got into office, adding New Jersey on track to install 7500 gigawatts of solar capacity by next year.

The Board of Public utilities toted the goal at the Secaucus ice rink, home to a municipally owned solar project recently finished.

Since making the program permanent in 2023, the Murphy administration has set its sights on solar programs with partners in farmland with more than 200 thousand solar installations now complete and the Garden State.

President Trump's decision to pardon virtually every person charged in connection with the January 6 attack on the U.S. capitol has caught even some of his allies by surprise.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance have signaled the White House would take a more surgical approach when it came to the people who pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers and other violent offenses, including those who were charged in the death of Brian Sicknick, a Capitol police officer from New Jersey, who died as a result of injuries he sustained during the attack.

Now his brother Craig is speaking out, charging that the sleeping pardons suggest Brian Sicknick and other victims died in vain.

I spoke with Craig sick Nick about what the pardons have meant for him and his family.

Thank you so much for coming in to talk to me.

I want to know first what the personal impact has been on you and your family in light of the president's decision to issue these pardons.

Craig: After everything happened initially, we were of course a mess, all of us.

We kind of got ourselves back together again over the last four years.

This just ripped everything wide open again.

How can somebody who served their country admirably go on to serve the police force admirably, Capitol police, be cut down in the prime of his life, and there's been no repercussions for it?

Once Trump decided to free the insurrectionists, or should I say domestic terrorists, I will use that term -- it means we have no rule of law.

There is no repercussions if you do anything wrong.

And all these people are happy and cheering about it.

Briana: I wonder what it has been like for you to absorb just the national discourse over this, to folks who have supported it and of course who have spoken out against it.

Craig: Monday I tuned out the news almost entirely.

I answered the call for one reporter, who we have dealt with in the past, and that's how I found out about the pardons.

Briana: So you didn't know until the reporter told you?

Craig: No, I tuned it all out.

And of course they want to comment so I probably gave one, which was published somewhere.

It is horrible.

The reaction is all of us are depressed, we are angered, we can't figure out why in a supposedly decent country that a madman can be elected with millions of his fans saying everything he's doing is right.

Briana: Do you feel this decision has dishonored brands of service and his sacrifice?

Craig: I think his service and sacrifice stands on its own.

However, what Trump has done is basically made it in vain.

Everything he stood for, basically why?

Why did he give his life for the country?

Briana: Because the pursuit of justice in your mind?

Craig: There is no justice in this country anymore.

Briana: You feel that broadly even beyond what has happened with your family and your brother Brian?

Craig: If things at the top are so bad that you can't keep a 34 counts convicted felon out of office with all kinds of other charges including sexual abuse, you name it, he's done it, and has never been nailed to the wall because the courts favor him because it is his own hand-picked judges.

How can you have any respect for a system that does that?

Briana: How have you perceived the message that this sends to other law enforcement, the sacrifices that they make every day, President Trump, Republicans at large often tout back the blue motto.

In your mind, does it send a different message?

Craig: There are a lot of law-enforcement people who are pro-Trump.

I personally have not figured it out, but that is how it works.

That being said, I think a lot of them after realize you are supporting someone who claims they are pro-law, but how many officers died under his watch due to his actions?

Whether my brother's case being pepper sprayed and having a horrible reaction to it, and others who took their own lives not long after the event, because I'm sure they felt betrayed.

I can't speak for them obviously, but how do you devote your career to law enforcement and then have a giant slap in the face from your own country?

Briana: Have you heard from members of the community, from other law enforcement, both since Brian's passing, and also this week in light of the pardon decision?

Craig: I stay in regular contact with a few people from the United States capitol police.

The Capitol police is an interesting organization.

On the record, they cannot do anything remotely political.

Just the nature of the beast.

Off the record, all I can say, some that are no longer with the force, Harry Dunn and others I stay in touch with, they are disgusted at everything that has happened.

Both of them suffered greatly during the insurrection.

Briana: Emotionally and physically?

Craig: Yes.

Harry Dunn definitely emotionally.

Officer Grenell was beaten within an inch of his life and almost met the same fate as my brother.

Briana: How do you go on to heal now?

Craig: That's a good question.

I'm going to keep doing what I do for now.

I've definitely gotten more politically outfit -- active.

If things go well, I may consider retiring offshore.

Briana: What do you want the message to be to public officials, lawmakers, to those in the community about how this decision has both affected your life, your family personally, and also the nation and the conversations that are being had right now?

Craig: Unfortunately the country is so divided that roughly half the country doesn't care.

They honestly could care less that my brother died in defense of the capital Bank that day.

Other people have died for similar reasons and they simply don't care.

The other half has been wonderful.

They reach out and they are supportive.

Occasionally I get emails and have people contact me that I've never met before, that offer condolences and anything they can to help support me.

The other side, I've had people threaten me.

I've had verbal abuse.

Briana: What kind of threats?

Craig: Mostly online threats.

Briana: Is that for speaking out against the Trump Administration?

Craig: Yes.

Of course that is forwarded to the proper people and taking care of.

But it is sad that I'm exercising my right to free speech against a madman and I'm targeted.

Briana: Are you concerned then now?

Craig: Definitely with the pardons, that means people can do whatever they want.

Briana: Are you concerned for your safety and your family?

Craig: Yes I am.

Briana: That has to be extremely difficult in light of the grieving you are also going through.

Craig: Every time I stepped out of my house, I have to make sure there's no cars around that I'm not familiar with.

Some people may say it is paranoid.

No, it's not.

Sooner or later I have a feeling something bad may happen.

I hope something doesn't.

Briana: Of course, we hope that as well.

How would you like to see Brian's legacy honored now and moving forward?

Craig: Well, he is a role model for what people should do especially if they are in law enforcement.

Do the right thing no matter what.

It would be nice if people remember that and continue to do the right thing.

Briana: I know he's about 10 years younger?

Craig: He's my youngest brother.

Briana: But it sounds like you have really looked up to him.

Craig: He used to look up to me when we were much younger.

He followed me around and liked to hang out with my friends.

Even some of the stupid stuff we did.

[LAUGHTER] Thankfully no cell phones back then.

We didn't do anything horrible.

But he liked doing that and looking up to us, imitating what we did.

And over time, it's like OK, he's a national hero.

He joined the National Guard.

He served overseas.

He did amazing things.

So yes, I started looking up to him.

Briana: Craig, thank you so much for sharing your story.

Environmental groups in New Jersey are calling on the candidates for governor to support their clean energy agenda and to get behind those priorities now in light of President trumps energy agenda for the nation, which largely calls for favoring fossil fuels like oil, natural gas and coal.

But the move by those leaders also comes as Governor Murphy is urging lawmakers to codify his plans for 100% clean energy by 2035 into state law.

And effort that's been stalled.

Ted Goldberg reports.

Reporter: New Jersey's governor's race has no shortage of topics before the June primaries.

Environmental groups are doing what they can to make sure the environment remains at the forefront.

>> The upcoming election is an opportunity for us to ask questions like, a candidate for governor, what are you going to do to reduce asthma rates in York -- Newark and throughout the >> State?

New Jersey's next governor must ensure our state continues to pursue the equitable transition to electrification.

Electrifying our buildings will help to successfully reduce both carbon emissions and toxic air pollution.

Reporter: Where that electricity comes from has led to loud and long-standing arguments.

These advocates say offshore wind brings clean energy and local jobs.

But one of President trumps executive orders puts a pause on new permits for offshore and land windfarms.

>> Despite what the President of the United States says, offshore wind is a key factor in New Jersey's clean energy transition but it has been taking very untruthful hits.

Reporter: State Senator Bob Smith says if offshore wind takes a roadblock, the state should look elsewhere for clean energy.

>> We have millions of square feet of warehouse roofs in New Jersey.

Can you imagine if they had solar panels?

We would be the Saudi Arabia of solar energy.

Reporter: Smith has sponsored several bills aimed at reducing New Jersey's carbon footprint and has written an amendment to New Jersey's constitution that would stop new fossil fuel plants from replacing old plants at the end of their lifespan.

>> The life of these plans come to an end, that is the time that you need to get the renewable replacements in place.

This would provide for a manageable transition over the next 20 years, but we need to do it in such a way that the ratepayers are not crushed.

Reporter: The Trump Administration has repeatedly said it wants to expand the use of fossil fuels nationwide.

Ed Pitt has Nick who leads the New Jersey league of conservation voters is not alone in staying -- saying the state should do more on its own.

>> New Jersey needs to do what it's always done, and that is lead.

>> The Murphy administration has proposed a number of things and there's a job to be finished.

Reporter: One of those things is a change in land use which would use new flood maps to dictate what can and can't be built in flood prone areas like along the shore.

>> New Jersey is the first in the nation to be progressive and aggressive in addressing climate change from a land-use perspective.

We look to Governor Murphy to finalize those rules and get them across the finish line.

Reporter: Those rules have faced significant pushback from the business industry which has argued that the new rules will hurt tourism and cost the state money.

Senator Smith says these are legitimate concerns, but after that climate change has cost plenty of damage on its own.

>> 2023 was the warmest year in human history.

July 22, 2024 was the hottest day ever recorded on the planet.

Reporter: These advocates have released an environmental agenda called in via roof fixed 26, just in time for the governor's race.

Includes protecting water and expanding part of access and gives gubernatorial candidates another topic on the campaign trail.

I'm Ted Goldberg, "NJ Spotlight News."

Briana: Community outcry has put a controversial proposal in Patterson on hold the.

City Council withdrew an ordinance that would punish homeless people for sleeping outdoors, facing fines and potential jail time.

At least half a dozen towns across the state have already rolled out some version of that law, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling allowing the bands and record high frustration with rising homelessness.

After hearing strong opposition from residents, Patterson officials this week backed away from the plan that critics called a way to criminalize the homeless.

Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis reports.

Reporter: -- >> You pissed off enough people to remind them of community that they actually showed up for a Council meeting.

Reporter: There were droops of speakers lined up to share anger and disgust with a proposed ordinance that would jail and find homeless people found sleeping on the street.

>> It's a heinous act you wanted to do to the unhoused population in this city.

I'm appalled.

>> This proposed ordinance criminalizes being poor out right.

People should not be punished in any way for being outside, especially if there's nowhere else to go.

Reporter: At the last minute, the Council President pulled the ordinance from a vote, but these folks were still ready to share their thoughts about the city's response to the growing homeless population.

>> Did Patterson continue the model that the city did in 2021, initiative to purchase a building creating a safe and temporary space for the unhoused to regroup and reclaim their lives?

Or what Newark did with Hope Village, where refurbishing shipping containers, providing shelter with dignity, leading them to further phases of support?

These models work.

Why are we not learning from them?

>> If we want to build the city, we need to attack the real root of the issue which is a lack of affordable housing.

[APPLAUSE] Don't attack the people without homes.

Attack the people building these homes that people can't rent.

The number one reason of being on house not substance use to foot disorder.

It is because of the cost of living and evictions.

>> We need a homeless solution platform.

We need a municipal homeless shelter.

We need to empower local organizations that are uniquely qualified and culturally competent, with the knowledge and expertise to serve this population.

Reporter: Others share it would cost far more to hold the homeless in jail than to pay for shelter, and blasted claims made by city officials that the homeless want to be on the street disputing their claims that there are plenty of open beds in city shelters.

>> That is a lie.

I went out in the cold yesterday.

I found and spoke with these people and they are desperate.

We have checked the shelters in Patterson.

I was speaking to St. Paul's yesterday, the only men's shelter in Patterson that has emergency shelter beds.

They are all full.

>> I hope you will in particular listen to people who are unhoused and unsheltered in Patterson and do deliberate outreach before the next version of the ordinance.

Reporter: We spoke with Patterson residents receiving free lunch at Eva's Village, some who experienced homelessness themselves.

>> What is jail going to do?

They will let them back out and do it all over again.

Get them a program.

>> Why will you find someone that's homeless that has nowhere to stay?

They have enough money to eradicate homelessness.

Reporter: Several council members who planned to vote in favor of the ordinance shared how their hearts and minds were changed from the testimony.

>> I was in support of the ordinance.

So I listened to each and every one of you.

I am looking forward to come back to committee, have the discussions with all the entities that want to be involved in it with the administration.

Reporter: Abdulaziz left his council post headed for the state assembly, where he said he will take up this issue.

>> To bring back funding to the city to help these programs out.

Reporter: But the Council first needs to develop a plan for how the city will handle the homelessnes Joanna Gagiss,.

"NJ Spotlight News."

Briana: Today marks the ninth annual maternal health day, an initiative launched by New Jersey and 2017 to raise awareness about maternal health issues.

New Jersey still has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation, and black women here are nearly four times as likely to die from maternal health complications as white women.

The state is expanding free at home nurse visits for parents of newborns under New Jersey family connects to reach residents in a total of 11 counties up from initial five last year.

In Camden today, city officials gathered to launch the first ever baby café in the state, to support breast-feeding moms and break barriers into getting more lactation care.

Raven Santana has the story.

Reporter: Camden is now home to the states first baby café.

Members of Cooper medical school at Rowan University, city officials, and community members celebrated the launch of the new café at the library on ferry Avenue.

The Cooper Camden Baby Cafe is a space for new moms can come for assistance, education, and lactation support.

>> The café offers free, professional lactation services in a calm coffee shop like atmosphere.

The space will also include one support, crucial breast-feeding information, support for other family members, access to digital scale for weighing, proper nutritional snacks.

And refreshments a designated library and will be conducting story time segments during Cop -- café drop in hours to accompany younger children.

Reporter: Baby café USA is a nonprofit that coordinates a network of free breast-feeding drop in the centers and other types of support.

The Cooper Camden Baby Cafe is an initiative of Cooper medical school at Rowan University, where every Thursday between 12 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., moms can drop into receive free one-on-one feeding support.

International board certified lactation specialist is a cofounder of the café.

>> A good percentage of mothers start breast-feeding about 80% but that number tends to do it -- decreased once they are discharged from their birth center or hospital.

We do see a lower rate of infants that are from black mothers that are breast-fed and also from communities of color as well.

Our goal is to really improve breast-feeding disparities in underserved communities.

Reporter: In an effort to continue improving maternal and Child health and create a community for parents to connect, the café received a lump sum of just over $37,000 from New Jersey health communities network.

Cofounder Dr. Laurie Winters says the money will help pilot the program for the next two years.

>> Baby café's are designed, it is a national organization that was designed to create these safe spaces that would be completely free, no strings attached, no insurance necessary , and service, one of the requirements to be a baby café, is that the lead has to be a board certified lactation consultant.

So you know the help and advice being offered is that of somebody that is truly a knowledgeable skillful lactation support provider.

>> In this community especially, there can be so many cultural nuances, a lack of social support systems, the stigma surrounding breast-feeding is so pervasive, so I think it's important to have an informal setting where moms can learn about breast-feeding, maternal and infant health, and get more exposure to education in general.

Reporter: Ferreira says she hopes the café will provide research and data over the next two years to reduce barriers and continue to expand the program to other areas in the state.

I'm Raven Santana.

Briana: That will do it for us tonight.

Before you go, a quick reminder to tune into Reporters Roundtable tomorrow with David Cruz.

David talks to the state Republican party chairman Bob Hugin about the GOP resurgence in the state.

A panel of local journalists discuss all the big political headlines of the week.

.

That is streaming tomorrow at noon on the "NJ Spotlight News" YouTube channel.

For the entire team at "NJ Spotlight News", have a great night.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

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