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Briana: Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, delayed again.

Nadine Menendez's day in court for the corruption scandal that found her husband guilty on all charges is pushed back once more.

Plus, calling for big changes to Trenton waterworks.

The DEP says the utility is at high risk.

>> The system is in deep need of restructuring in order to ensure that it consistently provides reliably clean, safe drinking water at affordable rates.

Briana: Demanding answers.

After last week's I.C.E.

rate -- rate, representative LaMonica McIver is challenging the crackdown.

>> When we talk about a mass crackdown, it does not affect the non-citizens.

This affects everyone.

Briana: Long-awaited critical repairs are finally coming to the path station in Hoboken.

Riders brace for more commuting pain.

>> We understand it will be painful for our customers.

Briana: NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

♪ Announcer: from NJPBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News," with Briana Vannozzi.

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

I am Briana Vannozzi.

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

First, and other delay in the bribery trial for Nadine Menendez.

A Manhattan federal judge pushed back the trial of former U.S.

Senator Bob Menendez's wife from February 5 to March 18.

Citing a letter from Nadine's attorneys, providing more information about her cancer treatment needs.

Prosecutors and defense attorney said earlier this month that her child could last up to 10 weeks, and physicians treating her breast cancer have previously said that would interfere with her care.

The postponement comes after the judge recently denied a separate request for delay, but said in court documents on Friday, there will not be any further adjournments of this trial date unless defense attorneys show a clear medical need.

Nadine and Bob Menendez were charged with accepting bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for his political influence.

Bob Menendez was convicted this summer on all 16 counts, and is scheduled to be sentenced this Wednesday.

Also tonight, a Superior Court judge has rejected the latest request to delay the state's new affordable housing law.

More than two dozen towns filed a lawsuit to push back the January 31 deadline, arguing that the law requiring each municipality to build a certain number of affordable housing units over the next 10 years puts too much of a burden on their communities.

The state calculated a need for 85,000 new affordable homes, and another 65,000 that need to be rehabilitated over the next decade to meet demand.

Much of that would be concentrated in North Jersey where they need is highest.

Housing advocates say it is critical as the cost of living has sorted New Jersey and the region.

Mayors of the towns in the lawsuit, primarily in the suburbs, save they will continue to fight.

They have already filed an appeal alleging the law is unconstitutional, putting a strain on their budget.

More than 200 towns have already opted in to move forward with the affordable housing plans.

The state is calling for a major restructuring of Trenton waterworks.

The city-owned utility serves drinking water to more than 200,000 people in the capital city, and four surrounding suburbs.

A pair a few reports from independent firms commissioned by the state DEP found Trenton waterworks faces deep systemic problems that are holding back the utility from upgrading its treatment system, replacing toxic lead service lines, and providing the best possible customer service.

The DEP has maintained a direct oversight of Trenton waterworks since late 2022.

Regulators say they are confident the water is safe to drink, but the utility has been plagued with issues, including heating city Council, funding fights over contracts multiple Legion outbreaks, a recent scandal over falsified testing records and been a ongoing use advisory as I.C.E.

and the Delaware comes up the treatment plant.

That is just to name a few.

DEP warns it can't keep its hands on approach forever but says the only way to ensure stability is by keeping it independent from Trenton, and either creating a regional utility or a public-private partnership which the mayor says he supports.

>> Trenton waterworks does not suffer from a financial problem.

It suffers from a governance problem, an operations and management problem.

Together, by making sure that every community has a seat at the table and the water system is led always by studied water sector professionals, free from political interference, that's the path forward.

Briana: Democratic officials from across the state say they are outraged about the immigration action taken at a Newark business last week, where I.C.E., or Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, raided a fish market and detained three undocumented workers.

I.C.E.

says the incident was not part of a ramped up activity under the Trump Administration, but a preplanned targeted operation.

New reporting from the Washington Post says the White House has directed I.C.E.

officials to bump up our rests to at least -- pump up arrests to at least 1500 a day.

David Cruz reports.

Reporter: if immigration enforcement has been an abstract concept for you, prepare for it to come into sharper focus now as raids and enforcement actions have begun.

Including here in Newark, where a raid last week sent an alarm through the immigrant community.

The Newark Mayor gathered advocates and elected officials at an emotionally charged press conference the next day.

Charging I.C.E.

with trashing due process by detaining citizens along with those undocumented.

>> They say, well, in a very cavalier way, these things happen.

There will be some citizens who we have to ask for their ID and their paperwork.

There are going to be some citizens who we stop and question.

My response to that is how do you determine who is undocumented and who is a criminal just by looking at them?

David: I.C.E.

maintains it was a preplanned target, and did not detain any citizens.

Immigrants rights advocates like Amy Torres of the New Jersey Alliance for immigrant justice say the ripple effect of just one week of I.C.E.

enforcement action is already being felt.

>> If they can't deport and physically detain you, they want to detain you into the isolation of your own home.

So that you are disenrolling your kid from school.

So that when you are sick or having a health emergency, you are too scared to go to the doctor.

David: she and others have been pushing for lawmakers to pass the immigrant trust act as a way to provide some measure of protection for those here without papers and those with all of their documents in order.

Senator Gordon Johnson is the primary sponsor.

>> It prevents the local government from sharing information with the federal government regarding people status.

It protects folks who go to hospitals, let's say, for care, that the hospital -- that they do not share that information with the federal government.

David: In another sign that Democrats are becoming more sensitive to how Republicans have framed the immigration debate, the bill has lost its legs.

Floundering in committee with seemingly no champion.

Conservative Brian Bergen says Democrats will not post a bill because they know that voters support stepped up I.C.E.

enforcement.

>> I think people would universally agree, if somebody is a criminal, they should be deported.

It's that simple.

Even on a shoplifting charge.

If you are a criminal, you should be deported.

You have already committed a crime by being here illegally.

I think people sometimes seem to forget that, but that is the truth.

David: The inaction on the bill and the muted response from leaders, especially given recent events, has been deafening, say advocates like wind of the spirit.

>> The cowardice we are seeing, I also want to give my legislators the benefit of the doubt.

If it is not cowardice commits ignorance.

If it is not cowardice or ignorance, it's fear.

It is delay.

But what it isn't is a correct analysis of our constituents, of the voters, of New Jersey.

>> If you need a special session to bring our legislators in, to get this bill through, anything we can do to get this passed the goal line, I'm willing to do.

David: That seems unlikely, given the entire assembly is on the ballot in the phone.

And when that is the case, the protection of a nonvoting constituency can sometimes be trumped by the protection of incumbency's.

I'm David Cruz, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: In response to the I.C.E.

raids, Democratic Congress members are promising action.

Representatives LaMonica McIver and Rob Menendez led a letter with other colleagues condemning last week's incident, demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security about the circumstances surrounding the raid at the Newark business and the well-being of the people involved.

Contending operations like that "unnecessarily inflict harm on our communities, and instill angst and fear and our families, neighbors and friends."

Representatives LaMonica McIver joins me now.

It's good to have you in person to talk about this.

What details specifically from this incident are you asking for from the Department of Homeland Security?

What are you hoping to learn?

Rep. McIver: Initially when we reached out, we were hoping for general information.

What was the basis of the raid?

Was there a warrant involved?

How many individuals were questioned?

How many individuals were taken?

Just general information.

Some of the responses we did get made it seem like we were asking for personal information about the individuals, confidential information.

And we weren't.

We just wanted to know general information to share that with the public, so that they knew what was going on.

That's exactly what we are looking for.

Briana: You cited harmful repercussions here.

What have you learned from the community about how it has impacted them?

What are your concerns?

Rep. McIver: Folks are extremely scared.

I've spent the last couple of days answering a ton of questions.

My office has seen an influx of questions regarding immigration, regarding I.C.E., trying to find out more information.

I have heard from school principals about how students are scared to death to even walk home.

Making sure they have their green card, their documentation, because they are scared they will get stopped by I.C.E.. Or how about when they get home, parents are not there.

There has been a large amount of concern.

I always say, my daughter who is in the third grade, literally came home talking about how one of her classmates right be deported, or their parents might be deported.

Briana: It's interesting, we spoke with an I.C.E.

spokesperson earlier today.

They said, listen this was not a raid, it was all preplanned.

This was part of a preplanned routine situation.

That the fact that it happened during the first week of the new administration was happenstance.

How do you respond to that?

Rep. McIver: It would have been nice if they told us that.

Or at least respond to inquiries from my office.

But they didn't.

We are just getting information via their Twitter or Instagram, social media that they are putting out.

I just think, tell us about it.

Tell us -- tell the folks who represent these communities so they can talk to their communities properly.

That's basic professionalism.

We heard reports that the Trump Administration have told these departments not to respond to us or answer questions.

That is unprofessional.

We have a responsibility.

Briana: How do you balance Congresswoman -- how do you balance the national security needs the administration says it is tackling, with the rights and safety of immigrants?

The spokesperson was able to convey to us that three people were detained.

The U.S. military veteran was not detained.

Two were served with notices to appear in court with bonds set.

One individual was a visa waiver overstaying and was placed in removal proceedings.

This individual, they say, should not be here.

Rep. McIver: I support the fact that we have to address problems with immigration.

I think we need to talk about border patrol and safety.

But you also have to do things humanely.

We have to do things properly.

When we talk about folks entering a business, which anyone can enter a business, but then going to the back of the business and checking restrooms and banging on doors, those things without proper documentation, which are the reports we have gotten, that is a problem.

We have to do things that are proper.

And I just think at this point, we are not there.

Because we are not getting proper information, because we are not getting the details we need, how am I to say that things are happening properly?

I'm getting information per the constituents I represent.

If they don't share that with us or share information with us, what are we to assume, when all we have is the word of the residence we represent?

I think we have to do things properly.

Immigrants have rights as well.

Not because it is written down but because that is what we should be doing as humans.

Treating folks with respect and dignity.

We see that coming out from all of the other countries as well.

Just overnight, with saw the situation with Columbia and the United States.

The Columbia President is saying, look, you are not treating people well when they arrive here.

They have not been fed, they haven't had access to the restroom.

Those are problems that we don't have real details about.

Because we are not getting information from the administration.

Definitely we have to have some balance and we have to handle things properly.

Briana: Congressman LaMonica McIver, thank you for coming in.

A heads up for North Jersey commuters.

In a few short days, the path Hoboken Station will shut down for a month to undergo track and station upgrades which could interrupt normal travel routines for thousands of riders who go in and out of the station daily.

The Port Authority laid out alternatives available during the construction, including extra shuttles and ferry discounts.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan has more on what you will need to know.

Brenda: Port Authority staff spread the word.

Hoboken's path station will close down for a month of construction work at 11:59 p.m. this Thursday.

Starting Friday morning, some 20,000 path riders will have to find a different ride.

>> Stand clear of the closing doors.

>> It's an inconvenience but I understand the improvements need to be made.

>> It's only a month so we will figure it out.

>> Think it is a big pain.

But it is what it is.

Progress always moves forward.

>> We understand it will be painful for our customers.

Hoboken is one of our main terminals.

Brenda: Cap Director Clara rel DeGraff explained they will construct -- they will replace tracks and switches, and a system built almost 117 years ago, and hit hard by Superstorm Sandy.

>> Those switches were damaged by Sandy.

Many of you remember the pictures of the storm water coming right through that elevator over there.

And being a Delucia into the system, running into the track area and onto our switches.

Of course, that latent salt damage is beginning to show its wear on the system.

It's critical we replace those switches and the tracks in this area.

Brenda: Plans also include waterproofing the walls, stabilizing the path cars, and repairing stairways.

It's part of a $430 million capital improvement program for the path complex.

The agency decided to shut the Hoboken station down for a month of intense work, instead of spreading the pain over a year's worth of weekends.

>> We have a robust plan to assist our customers with alternate travel across the Hudson.

Brenda: With service in and out of Hoboken path offline, Port Authority is offering several alternates.

New York waterway will cross honor path tickets with expanded service during peak hours.

New York waterways will add service at both terminals with boats leaving every 10 minutes during peak hours.

Other alternates include shuttle buses between Hoboken, Newport, and exchange place path stations, running every five to seven minutes during the rush.

More path trains leaving from Newport every five to seven minutes.

And exchange place every two to three minutes.

And the Hudson Bergen light Rail offering additional service as well.

Any commuters already have it figured out.

>> I am going to take shuttle buses once a week and work from home the rest of the time.

>> I may go to Newport instead.

It's not that far away.

>> My plan is to take the ferry.

I work in Brookfield Place, exactly where the ferry goes to.

Brenda: The Port Authority chose to do this work in February because it is one of the path system's lease travel months or they have 25 days.

>> We have started some of the work just to get a head start, because 5:00 a.m., February 25, the station will open.

I've been challenged.

Brenda: You can find more details at paandnyj.gov.

Briana: Some federal agencies and contractors say they are on uncertain ground as they processed the Trump Administration's sweeping new executive order, ending diversity equity and inclusion programs across the U.S. government.

With the argument that DEI threatens merit-based hiring.

While supporters say it is necessary to make sure workplaces meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population.

Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis takes a deeper look at how the new order will play out in New Jersey and how it will be enforced.

Pres.

Trump: I will also and the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.

We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based.

[APPLAUSE] Joanna: In his first week in office, President Trump a flurry of executive orders, including several that focused on removing DEI programs from the federal government and businesses that contract with the federal government.

DEI stands for diversity, equity and inclusion.

>> Some corporate entities have been rolling back there DEI programs, even though these executive orders don't force them to.

Joanna: The first executive order does require an end to "radical and wasteful government DEI programs in preference think."

The second quarter ends "illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity."

Mandating they not use any race or sex-based preferences in the process.

An attorney with the National legal and policy Center who supports the change.

>> The word equity itself is in opposite to what we want, and that is equality.

Equality is different from equity.

Because equity implies it has been carried out to mean that there should be more minorities admitted into school, admitted into employment, promotions.

Joanna: He argues DEI programs compromise the perception of minority groups who are hired on merit, because peers may assume they are DEI hires.

The ACLU sees it very differently, citing centuries of racism that have plagued our country from the start.

>> It would be shocking to me if all, because of this political administration, we come to a place where we stop acknowledging the history of racism, and trying to move past it by eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Joanna: Rutgers University canceled a DEI event scheduled for this week that would help women, people of color, and other marginalized groups access apprenticeships.

>> Students -- colleges and universities have been on nervous -- on notice that they can get rid of that, so they have been eliminating those programs.

I don't think there is anything remaining within their programs that might implicate a violation of existing civil rights law's.

Joanna: Even after the groundbreaking affirmative action case last year, Kelly Burda says the equal employment opportunity commission has not changed its guidance.

>> The EEOC chair said diversity programs were still lawful, ensuring equal opportunity.

The foundation of Title VII was still lawful.

I believe this order from last week does not change that.

Title VII is still law.

And equal opportunity is still the mandate.

Joanna: Bird is an attorney who helps companies craft and enforce policies that comply with the law.

She is advising them to ask these questions.

>> They already have in place robust EEO programs?

If they have a DEI program, did they establish and roll it out in a thoughtful and intentional way?

And do they have those kind of growth opportunities available in the workplace for everyone who can prove themselves?

Whether it is qualifications, experience is the employee.

Joanna: Are any of these companies at risk for needing to change their hiring practices altogether because they did have quotas included and now this executive order puts them at risk of being in violation of federal law?

>> If there are companies with quotas and they and their counsel believe that is what illegal discrimination is, I think they should talk to their attorneys and see if they have a real fear of their program not only is written.

as enforced.

Joanna: These orders will require much more detailed guidance for businesses and must be written in the next 90 to 120 days.

I am Joanna Gagis.

Briana: Finally tonight, today marks the 80th anniversary since the out switch Nazi concentration camp was liberated in 1945.

It is known as international Holocaust remembrance Day.

When the Soviet red Army troops arrived and helped uncover one of the greatest atrocities ever committed by and against humankind.

At a camp Nazi Germany set up in occupied Poland during World War II, where more than 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, died in gas chambers or from starvation, cold and disease.

More than 6 million lives total were lost during the Holocaust.

A number of events are happening throughout New Jersey today to commemorate.

In Bergen County, community members gathered at the Jewish center built by Holocaust survivors, two on its victims and the Jewish culture through music, prayer and personal stories.

Survivors and world leaders were in Poland at the site of the camp, lighting candles and sharing lessons learned at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise around the globe.

This is also likely to be one of the last such events attended by survivors of the camp.

That will do it for us.

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

I am Briana Vannozzi.

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

Have a great night.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

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