Funding for NJ Spotlight News provided by the members of the New Jersey Education Association, making public schools great for every child.

RWJBarnabas health, let's be healthy together.

And Orsted, committed to the creation of a new long-term sustainable clean energy future for New Jersey.

>> Tonight, he was called America's Sheriff.

Morning the shocking death of the Passaic County Sheriff.

>> our community is devastated and shocked.

This is something that no one in our area would've expected.

>> Public calls for a cease-fire in Gaza are few and far between despite statewide support.

>> one member of Congress is one of 435.

Stay need to get real numbers together in order to make a difference.

That is the political reality.

>> fare hikes are coming for transit commuters.

Counting the homeless.

Today is the states annual Candace for those in need of a roof -- canvas for those in need of a roof over their head.

>> The sad fact is there are people out there in the woods right now.

It is a sad thing.

>> "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

♪ >> From our studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News."

>> Good evening and thank you for joining us.

We began with a stunning tragedy out of Passaic County, where the long term Sheriff fatally shot himself Tuesday afternoon inside the bathroom of a Clifton restaurant.

He had just come from a ceremony in Patterson honoring the restaurant owner with a key to the city.

Friends, family, and colleagues say they are heartbroken and searching answers for his death, which is under investigation.

Prior to becoming Sheriff in 2011, he led a distinguished career.

The lifelong Clifton residence was a 20 eight year veteran of the police department, a graduate of the FBI National Academy, a husband, and a father of four.

His death is sending shockwaves throughout the state.

>> Obviously our county is devastated and in shock.

This is something that no one in our area would have expected.

>> He kill -- still cannot believe he will have a chance to again speak with his long-term friend and colleague.

Burdnick died by suicide yesterday after lawmakers say he shot himself inside a restaurant bathroom.

His death leaves since -- those who know him with more questions than answers.

>> He apparently took a picture right before going in with the owner of the establishment.

This is very much like the sheriff.

If you came up and asked him for a picture, he would take one with you.

He was an amazing and loving father.

A proud grandfather.

A person of deep faith and conviction.

Someone who by all accounts and appearances was in love with his position, his family, his life, his faith.

He let his faith drive him to serve others.

>> Friends and colleagues are remembering his commitment to serving the community.

Prior to becoming Sheriff, he served in the Clifton police force for 28 years.

The mayor of Patterson said he was a cherished friend.

The Attorney General said burdnick gave his life for serving.

After retiring from the Clifton Police Department comedy continued his service as Passaic County Sheriff.

Cory Booker said he leaves behind a legacy of sacrifice and service.

His passing is a terrible loss to the county and the state he served for 70 years.

My thoughts are with his loved ones in this time of grief.

>> He began his career in Passaic as an auxiliary police officer volunteer.

He was also a volunteer Park police officer.

He went on to be a Clifton police officer.

For about 28 years.

He graduated from the FBI Academy.

After that, he became a Passaic County Sheriff and a coordinator for the office of emergency management.

He had a meeting scheduled today with our coordinator.

Every indication shows that this was an individual who was still committed to his position.

His commitment to serve the community.

I feel for his family and his children.

And those in uniform as well.

His friends.

All of those who knew him as a real gentleman.

>> Neighbors who live near the restaurant still cannot believe something like this happened so close to home.

>> [INDISCERNIBLE] Regardless of how you feel about that person or what his job was.

>> This came days after the announcement to lay off 30 corrections officers after the county jail shut down and the U.S. Department of Justice charged three officers with beating an inmate.

He served as Passaic County Sheriff since 2011.

His friends and colleagues say he will be truly missed.

>> Senator Bob Menendez is asking a federal judge to disregard one of the most salacious pieces of evidence against him and his corruption trial.

Filing a motion this week to suppress evidence of gold bars and stacks of cash found inside of his home because he said the search warrants violated his fourth amendment rights.

Our senior political correspondent has the latest.

>> They said they were searching for apples and they were actually searching for oranges.

>> A former prosecutor and now defense attorney says that is pretty much what this latest motion by the Menendez defense team says.

They want the judge to throw out evidence of gold bars and cash.

The prosecution says they found it in the senator's home.

>> What the government is likely to come back and say as we were searching for apples but we happened to find oranges.

That is OK.

The first is not OK.

But the defense is saying is true is not OK. You cannot use a warrant to search for a gun when you are looking for child pornography or drugs or gold bars.

But when you go into looking for evidence of bribes, as the government did, and you happen to find a stack of gold bars, that is fair game.

>> The defense team says the government is out to get Menendez because he has beaten them in court before.

They say prosecutors were overzealous and withheld exculpatory information about what was actually a senator just doing his job.

The senator hinted at the strategy in an interview soon after the indictments last year.

>> While I cannot get into every specific of the charges that the government has alleged because I need to be able to preserve that for my defense, this is an example of how in fact we did government information and how they used data -- chose not to use it.

I look forward to the process in motion and the trial that will ultimately show people in New Jersey what the truth really is.

>> Maybe some of that is concluded and the redacted portions of the motions.

There is a lot of black ink in these followings.

The lawyer says motions like this and the reason defense motion to dismiss the case outright generally do not succeed.

But if it did?

>> It is a game changer, no doubt.

It either means the end of the government's case are severe weakening of the case because Senator Menendez is saying he does what all senators do.

Being an advocate, gathering information, speaking out, speaking privately.

Without the quo in the quid pro quo, there is no case.

>> It is a bit of Hail Mary pass with lots of upside legally.

>> Politically, this is the stuff that is out there now.

This is the stuff that you cannot putback in.

This is the stuff we all know about.

The stuff that has sunk him politically.

Put him in the single-digit approvals.

I don't think there is any coming back from that.

>> Do not tell that from Bob Menendez, who is showing again that he is yet to be out of the corner in which he is ready to fight.

>> Be sure to tune in tomorrow for a look at how the charges against Menendez are affecting a key race in the state.

We talk with a congressman and the mayor of Hoboken about the heated primary in the eighth district and the battle for the seat once held by the senior senator.

That is Thursday at 60 5 p.m. After taking a tough blow, it looks like states plans for an offshore wind industry are swinging back.

The Board of Public utilities approved two new offshore wind farms that are expected the power nearly 2 million homes.

They satisfy one of the biggest complaints from opponents.

They are farther off the coastline and out of view of beachfront homes.

Our Senior correspondent reports.

>> Yes.

>> By unanimous votes, the Board of Public utilities to the governor's ambitious but beleaguered clean energy agenda back on track, selecting two out of four bids for new offshore wind farms.

Both companies plan to build sites generating more than 3700 megawatts of electricity with turbines at least 40 miles off the Jersey shore line.

The awards came with a stern warning.

>> On behalf of New Jersey, we will hold you accountable.

The bold future we are charting today will acquire -- require even more bold oversight of your progress.

>> They estimate these projects will power 1.8 million homes.

The ratepayer impacts expected to range from about six dollars for residential customers up to more than $500 a month for industrial consumers.

They promised to help low income ratepayers.

>> I am a bit speechless right now.

We are so excited to get to work Andy Barr can this partnership with the state of New Jersey.

We feel very confident.

We could not go any lower.

This is a price we could absolutely develop the project on.

>> This is a statewide opportunity.

We are bringing jobs and improving the local supply chain and creating pathways for communities and industries that have -- not have these possibilities.

>> This comes three months after a Danish developer unexpectedly canceled its windfarm projects of Cape May, citing supply chain problems and rising costs.

These new, pricier bids require companies to invest in a facility that instructs turbine creation.

>> We will enforce those with relentless oversight and unwavering defense.

There will be no hat in hand requests.

No unforeseen expenses.

>> That implosion gummed up the goal of 100% clean energy by 2035.

They have moved up the next round of offshore wind project bids.

>> We feel like the states have gone through a lot of learning over the years.

Using those lessons learned, things can be accelerated, things need to be accelerated if we are going to meet all the climate and economic targets that offshore wind can help support.

I think this is an urgent and expedient pace.

>> To meet our climate goals, we need to move on offshore wind.

Last year was the warmest year on record and will only get warmer.

>> Offshore wind farms have sparked emotional protests with worries on fish, birds, and tourism.

One projects was sued to be blocked because it is near to the beach.

These new proposals might be more acceptable.

>> It makes more sense to sight much further offshore and not cause all the pain with the sure degradation.

-- shore dictation.

You would also leave a path for whales to migrate.

>> If either project needs to be tweaked, there are plenty of time.

>> Taking the train could soon cost you more.

New Jersey transit today proposed a 15% systemwide fair hike.

-- fare hike that could go into effect as early as this summer.

Officials call this an option of last resort as they tried to plug up a big budget hole.

Ridership still is not reached pre-pandemic levels.

Trenton leaders say they want to avoid budget cuts.

They're using federal funding to make up the gaps but that money is set to run out soon.

Even these increases will not cover future budget gaps.

The agency cited about 44 million of internal costs already cut.

Strong reactions sporting after the announcement.

The Senate President said it puts an unfair burden on commuters.

The head of the regional planning Association blamed the state for failing to address the agency's long-term financial problems.

You can let your Corp. -- voice be heard.

Before the agency takes a boat in April.

If approved, this will be the first hike in nearly a decade.

Turning to the widening crisis in the Middle East, fighting has intensified in southern Gaza around the crowded city.

The U.N. says thousands of Palestinian civilians taking shelter at a hospital were trapped and struggling to flee even as Israel ordered evacuations.

Aid workers estimate 500,000 people are packed into the area that is now under heavy attack.

Reported mass casualties after a structure was struck in the city.

The Gaza health ministry says 25,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 63,000 have been injured since the war started.

Israel estimates 1200 people were killed in the October 7 surprise attack by Hamas.

According to reports in the New York Times and Washington Post today, no proposed deal for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas has reached the negotiating table even as international pressure strikes -- mounts against Benjamin Netanyahu and his recent comments opposing a two state solution.

Only about half of the New Jersey congressional delegation reacted to those remarks.

Our Washington correspondent took a closer look at where the members stand on the issue and he joins me now.

It is good to see.

I am interested to know, what are congressional delegation had to say when you took a poll of their stance on both a cease-fire and a two state peace solution.

>> The consensus remains.

The consensus for decades stemming back to the Oslo Accords in the early 1990's was that both Palestinians and Israelis have a right to exist and the way to achieve pieces through some sort of two state solution.

That is what members came back to me saying.

There were some details within those responses.

Sunset we can pursue a two state solution once Hamas is defeated.

He added that the captives need to be released before these talks begin.

Those were the broad strokes.

>> That makes sense.

The hostages have been a priority for him as they have been for many folks, including members and the delegation.

Was it a bipartisan sentiment?

What did you hear from our three Republican federal lawmakers?

>> I did not hear anything from any of the three of them.

Interestingly, I did not put this in the story, but they signed onto a letter to the Secretary of State yesterday condemning the international criminal case against Israel for perpetrating what prosecutors have called a genocide.

This is the case that South Africa has brought to international officials saying that what Israel's military and Israeli officials have done in Gaza since the war began in October is tantamount to genocide.

>> I know in my conversations with many of these Congress members, I imagine you have found the same, that there is a lot of hesitation around responses to this topic in general politically speaking.

Why is that?

>> They cannot do a lot on their own.

This is the reality of Congress.

It moves as a bloc.

You have to have the votes.

Individual members in the house do not have a lot of clout.

That is the political reality.

Democrats also do not want to get ahead of the Biden administration.

They want to show there is no daylight between them and the Biden administration for the most part.

There have been some Democrats who have been critical often of the administration and its support of Israel during the war.

In general, they are in lockstep.

A lot of Republicans are as well.

The next thing that I would keep my eyes on is the potential snagged in some of the funding that would go to Gaza.

Senate Democrats are pushing for more aid to flow into Gaza.

That would be part of a broader package to release money for Israel, Ukraine, Gaza, and potentially a deal on the U.S.-Mexico border.

>> As you mentioned, the negotiations over that have been tangled at best.

Reporting from Washington, thank you so much.

>> My pleasure.

>> This time of year when the temperatures drop, social service agencies head out to the streets to get a clearer picture and count of those experiencing homelessness in New Jersey.

Completing an annual survey for residents without shelter.

That number increased during last year's count.

Advocates say there is a lot of work ahead to get the on housed connected with the -- unhoused connected with opening.

>> And I just let them know what resources are back here?

And through that conversation I say if you are experiencing homelessness, we are doing a survey today.

We would like to get you counted.

>> It is a survey that happens once a year called the point in time survey that happens throughout the state and nation tried to determine how many people are homeless or housing Insecure.

>> We ask everything from where they have been staying, how many times a day the -- they've been homeless in the last year?

One other needs they have.

Anything.

The surveys asked all of those questions and all of that information is collected by the state.

That is where we get our point in time count.

>> Here in Ocean County, they capture those numbers in a variety of ways.

Summer captive here at this center.

It includes the Jon Bon Jovi soul kitchen and a statewide food pantry.

When people come in today, she will ask if they are struggling with homelessness and ask them to complete the survey.

>> It is completely confidential.

It is anonymous.

But we need that information in order to get the resources to the area.

>> Those funds will come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as from the state and county.

It is needed now more than ever because the weight of homelessness grows in Ocean County by 4% to more than 400 people.

Statewide, rates increased 70% for a total of more than 10,000 homeless.

>> Rental prices have gone through the roof since COVID wound down.

That has led people who used to have housing to no longer be able to afford it.

As an example, say three years ago, an average one bedroom was $1100 a month.

Now we are seeing them for more.

That increase, fixed income has not kept up.

Cost-of-living allowances do not help that much.

>> An organization that works with homeless veterans dedicates all their staff to the count, sending them out throughout nine counties to where the homeless are likely to gather.

>> We know there are encampments in the woods.

Groups go out to speak with the people staying in those encampments, to offer them resources and assistance.

Also just to let them know there are people who want to help if you're interested in getting that help.

>> We can help identify if they are homeless.

And also try to get them connected to the code blue site.

>> Identifying the homeless is the hardest part.

He works at just believe, a code blue shelter in Toms River.

That means they can house the homeless when temperatures fall to 35 degrees.

All shelters opened before the night of the count to open up to as many people as possible.

But this is only a portion of the homeless.

>> Their people out of the woods were almost freezing to death.

People out in the summer who are dying of heatstroke.

>> They're asking for more support.

>> We need a full-time shelter.

>> If we could the shelter here in Ocean County, we could get a shelter that have wraparound services.

We could begin working with them to get them into permanent housing.

>> Account will continue throughout the week where the homeless tended to gather.

It will take a couple of months to sort through all of the data so that the federal, state, and county dollars can be allocated to help this growing population of housing Insecure.

♪ >> In our spotlight on business report, a strike averted at the New Jersey Institute of technology.

Union faculty and staff reached tentative agreements finalized by the bargaining team over the weekend.

Members voted overwhelmingly back in December to go back on strike if the negotiations stalled with the University.

The new deal includes pay equity with the salaries recently won by records faculty -- rutgers faculty.

Minimum pay for adjunct faculty will increase by 32% in the first year of the contract.

Then by more than 44% over four years.

The contracts cover adjunct equity, researchers, and graduate workers through the end of June, 2026.

The union also won more job protection and health care for adjunct workers.

On Wall Street, a Ptech earnings held stocks close up today.

♪ That does it for us tonight.

Do not forget to download the podcast so you can listen anytime.

For the entire "NJ Spotlight News" news team, thank you for being with us.

We will see you back here tomorrow night.

NJM insurance group, serving the insurance needs of residents and businesses for more than 100 years.

and by the PSEG foundation.

♪