♪ ANNOUNCER: major Funding for NJ Spotlight News is provided in part by -- NJM Insurance Group.

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

And by the PSEG foundation.

BRIANA: tonight, federal funding freeze.

Several states pledged to fight back after the federal government holds money for assistance programs.

>> The president is not a king.

He doesn't get to wake up in the morning but after an afternoon nap and direct his entire government to stop sending critical services.

Briana: Plus, a 3 billion-dollar groundbreaking in Camden.

4 former governors, one comment, a talk show host and the power broker charged with racketeering, headlining the event.

>> Who would have thought since Devon Achane Devon Achane as, to give, that Camden would come so far, so quickly?

Briana: Also, fear threads through immigrant communities as a trumpet administration ramps up the partition efforts.

>> People are terrified.

They are staying indoors, wondering if they can bring their children to school, wondering if they can go to work.

Briana: And violating Bergen County's blue laws, American treatment may be slapped with a lawsuit for allowing retailers to open their doors on Sundays.

>> The time is long overdue to repeal the blue laws.

They are archaic.

They are absurd.

We are in the 21st century and it is time that Bergen County enters that century along with the rest of us.

BRIANA: "NJ Spotlight News" starts right now.

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

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

I am Briana Vannozzi.

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

First, New Jersey is joining Democratic attorneys general from multiple other states, taking the Trump administration to court over a federal funding freeze, which went into effect at 5:00 p.m. today.

The White House overnight ordered a freeze on nearly all federal spending to ensure its in line with the president's agenda.

But, it's caused widespread confusion and panic among organizations that rely on money from Washington to operate.

The Trump administration today defended the move, saying the freeze won't affect individual assistance like Social Security, Medicare or S.N.A.P.

But it's unclear how long the pause will last and whether it will indirectly take a hit on programs like Meals on Wheels, gives food to low-income seniors .

For Medicaid.

The order could impact billions of dollars in grants to state and local governments, along with nonprofits and universities.

Doing a virtual press conference today, Attorney General Matt Platkin called the move illegal for circumventing congresses ' power of the purse strings.

Since the money has already been approved and allocated.

Also tonight, New Jersey is currently going through a surge of not one, not two, but four different viruses that are driving up hospital admissions here in the state and across the country.

Public health officials have nicknamed it a threat of a quademic.

The contagious combination of flu, RSV, COVID, and not a virus that has been circulating through ghouls and workplaces through since November -- circulating through schools and workplaces since November, putting more pressure on hospitals.

Health experts say it is not surprising to see all four viruses increasing in colder seasons, but data from the CDC show the levels of the three respiratory viruses started increasing a little later than normal, which may have compressed all of the surges into January.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health, as of the week ending January 18, the flu, COVID and others are responsible for close to 400 hospital admissions statewide.

It's important to note, though, that emergency room visits and hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses are still lower than the same time last year, and putting the drone rumors to rest , the White House today clarified the origins of the drone activity that was being reported throughout the state at the end of last year.

Turns out it was the FAA and hobbyists at work, not the enemy.

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt President Trump was directly , briefed on the issue.

The drones were authorized to be flown by the Federal Aviation Administration for research and other reasons.

Many of the others were being flown by hobbyists and recreational users, sparking curiosity and concern, but there was no threat to the public.

The statement comes after reports of large numbers of drones being flown over New Jersey, including above sensitive places, prompting people to question why they were there and what they were doing, fueling rumors about potential foreign activity and surveillance, the White House today said the update was to dispel fears about the situation.

The hospital groundbreaking in Camden this morning drew a politically powerful guest list.

5 New Jersey Governors from two different parties stood shoulder to shoulder with indicted South Jersey power broker George Norcross, and TV host Kelly Ripa, to reveal a massive 3 billion-dollar project that will expand Cooper University health care's main campus in Camden.

Both a sign of the continued changes within the city and the deep support Norcross maintains.

Despite the charges.

Senior political correspondent David Cruz.

Many it is a testament to the enduring power of Cooper Hospital Chairman George Norcross that when he summons 4 former governors and the current governor to a ground breaking on random Tuesday afternoon, they'll show.

>> I think my fellow governors could agree with me, there is only one guy in the state that could pull this group together, so God bless you and thank you for everything you do for Cooper and for Camden.

[APPLAUSE] Reporter: the timing, two years after the project imagined was announced comes as Norcross , faces state corruption charges and questions about whether one of the state's most powerful political influence is still has his mojo.

From the numbers of political big shots in the packed room today, the answer appears to be yes.

>> With regard to the end chairman of the board of this great organization, George Norcross, between he, his two brothers and the family in general, they have done remarkable things for this community.

Reporter: But the event was also about Camden -- well, Camden and George Norcross, who sat on stage basking in the accolades.

A royal son of Camden from the so-called bad days, to today's better days.

>> The city was abysmal.

It was dirty.

It was broken.

I remember talking to children and children saying between here and the school, I get stopped by drug dealers.

>> there were two federal marshals standing outside the office who were not there when I walked in.

I introduced myself and said hello, and said what are you guys doing here?

They said, we are going to walk you to your car.

I said well, my car is parked right out front.

They said Yeah, we are walking you to your car.

It was the first moment that I truly understood on a personal level let the state of the city of Camden was in February of 2002.

>> I don't think I could have said no to drugs Norcross.

[LAUGHTER] And I wouldn't.

All of these governors worked together.

If there is one human being in the center of the revival of Camden, Camden County, and this school year -- whole area, it is George Norcross.

Reporter: there are plenty who say that corporations like Cooper, the 76ers and others have benefited more from Camden's resurgence than the people who live here.

But those people want on the invite list today.

>> Who would have thought that since Governor Kane was governor, Governor Murphy, that Camden would come so far, so quickly, from once America's most dangerous and poorest city?

Reporter: there was a disco party after the event featuring TV personality Kelly Ripa, which most of the governors passed on -- their jobs already having been done.

David Cruz, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: Daily immigration arrests topped 1000 people on Monday for the first time since President Trump took office.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said they have arrested more than 3500 immigrants total as President Trump the premise is the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.

According to reports from the Washington Post, the ramped up activity is due to new quotas reportedly put in place over the weekend by the White House, ordering all 20 five I.C.E.

field house across the country to make 75 enforcement terrorists daily.

Immigrant advocacy groups say they have been fielding calls from people fearful they could be next.

For, I am joined by the Legal services director of the American Friends Service committee's immigrant writes program.

A couple of things I want to get to.

But first, let me ask you what constitutional rights, if any, do undocumented immigrants have been the U.S.?

Guest: Under the fourth and fifth amendment of the Constitution, undocumented individuals as well as U.S. citizens have the right against unlawful searches and seizures as well as the right to remain , silent.

That means for example that that a police officer or an I.C.E.

officer cannot enter certain spaces without a judicially signed warrant that is legally valid.

Briana: So if we are thinking about the incident in the work last week -- in Newark school late last week, it is still unclear whether or not there was a warrant to enter that that business.

And we have spoken with representatives from I.C.E.

and they say this was a targeted, preplanned permission.

It was happenstance, this spokesperson said, that it was within the first week of the Trump administration.

How targeted, though, can an operation be if we are seeing these numbers of upwards of a few thousand people who have been arrested in the week?

Guest: Correct, and as you likely heard yesterday following the Washington Post, it has been reported that there are no I.C.E.

quotas, right, that has been an internal memo shared requiring arrests of up to 75 per day.

It therefore raises the question as to how many people, how well-prepared they can be to actually execute 75 arrests and apprehensions in each district office per day.

This raises an incredible number of concerns.

Because although they might have some people identified for apprehension and removal from the United States, there are many more individuals that unfortunately, they are going to catch up in their dragnet that are not their targets.

Briana: What kind of phone calls are you fielding, and how are you advising the people who do call?

Guest: People are panicked.

We are trying to do our best to remind people to stay calm.

I know it is easier said than done but truly, stay calm and get educated on your right, because I have been saying this loudly to anyone that will hear me, truly, education is our shield against these attacks.

So if you know of an immigrant rates organization that is providing know your rights trainings, go to the training.

Make sure you are providing training for you and your staff.

That is really the only way we will be able to push back against these, quite frankly, inhumane tactics.

Briana: Let me go back to a point you made that people are saying they are seeing, vehicles are I.C.E.

agents on their streets -- how are you helping folks to determine if in fact that is what they are saying, or if their anxiety is leading them to perhaps believe that they are seeing I.C.E.

agents on their street when they are not in fact?

Guest: Right, we don't want people to panic and see some of the suspect is a I.C.E.

officer and to share that information wildly.

We need confirmation.

Usually DACA there are things that can clue us as to whether an individual is an I.C.E.

officer.

For example, do they have the letters "I.C.E."

on their jackets.

Do they have a badge that identifies them as Department of Homeland Security.

Important, as well is to know that sometimes they can also show up with the words "police" and may be in another location on their jackets, "Department of Homeland Security."

Sometimes it's a little tricky.

They could just wear "police" and not identify themselves as enforcement agents of the federal government, but generally, if you see an officer with ICE, Department of Home security, DHS, even homeland investigations, you can properly identify the individual as federal enforcement agents.

Briana: Alex is that legal services director of the committee, thank you so much for your time.

Guest: Thank you so much.

Briana: This week President Trump signed numeral for more orders to reshape the U.S. military, including banning transgender members from serving openly in the armed forces.

The order titled "prioritizing military excellence and readiness," reinstates a policy from the president as Koufos term and repeal the policy by from a President Joe Biden that allowed people to enlist and procure insurance coverage for a transition-related medical care.

The Defense Department now has 60 days to operate its medical military standards, but it is unclear how quickly transgendered servicemembers could be ejected.

For a deeper look I am joined by Jennifer long, it transgender Army veteran from New Jersey who left the Army in 2012 in order to transition.

Jennifer, thanks for joining me.

Let me ask you first, what was your reaction to this new Executive Order?

Guest: You know, this is the second go around with this, putting back in place a ban.

It's a little bit of horror.

And grave disappointment of the impact that this has on servicemembers across the United States military.

Briana: What stood out to you, specifically either about the language, what was included, what was included, but was not included -- in the first go around, as you mentioned, there was a Waverle program although the data I double checked shows it was not really used.

What stood out to you?

Guest: what he put in the order, one of the most interesting pieces was ordering soldiers to go back to their previous birth gender.

Living conditions -- that in itself is problematic and even cruel to some extent, to say if I am male to female, to go back to live in the mail barracks and shower and live under those confines.

It could be traumatic on both sides.

Briana:.

Briana: You served, as I understand, multiple tours overseas and in the Middle East, but you retired because you wanted to transition and you were ready for that.

Otherwise as far as I understand, you would have stayed in the military.

Flip to Do you think -- what do you think will happen now?

Guest: There is a small correction, I was actually asked to leave.

It came out I was living more or less a double life at the time.

I had reached the rank of sergeant major -- this was in 2012.

I was unceremoniously asked to leave the service and retire.

Briana: What do you think that, based off of your experience, is going to happen to servicemembers?

Will they be pushed out?

Do you think they will leave on their own accord even though they want to serve their country?

Guest: If you are a soldier, you are under a contract, so you can't leave.

You have to be discharged.

The question is what is the condition of discharge?

Is a general discharge, less than honorable, dishonorable discharge?

All those categories have specific implications to how the individual will access veteran or V.A.

benefits.

And you have to remember, they have done nothing wrong.

Briana: What is your message then sick to servicemembers, to Trans service members, or those potentially allying if you chart in the military?

Guest: if you are Trans there is no chance you will get into the military in the current administrative environment.

They ban you.

If you are in the service, you will be looking for an exit because they will make the service life -- if they don't discharge you, extremely uncomfortable.

Briana: I went to get your take on some of the other changes For example, the new Secretary of Defense who was sworn in, Pete Hegseth, and their ability to lead this massive department?

Guest: I served with Pete Hegseth during my tour in Guantánamo Bay in 2004 and 2005.

We were shift opposites.

I was assigned to the position of Lieutenant and we work to the same tour of duty, just different shifts.

He was a young lieutenant.

So, he was a bad officer.

But in retrospect to where he is today a I mean, he was a junior officer even in his military career.

So he never had a lot of experience leading large forces or, you know, anything on an international stage.

So when you bring that into Secretary of Defense, you know he is light over global experience.

Military wide experience.

Which could be a problem.

But, more importantly, the overarching peace is his convictions that he has, open biases towards women in the military and trans folks that I think is going to work against him.

BRIANA: Jennifer long, thanks so much for your time today.

Guest: We are very welcome.

Briana: In Ella Spotlight on Business Report tonight, American dream mall is facing possible legal consequences after flouting Bergen County's blue laws.

Leaders in Paramus say they are planning to sue the owners of the mega mall after Confirming its retail stores have been open to shoppers on Sundays for nearly a year, defying the centuries old law that all other malls and retail shops within the county have strictly followed.

Ted Goldberg has the latest.

Reporter: Bergen County's blue laws are older than the United States of America, but for more than a year, the American dream mall has defied those laws by allowing retail shopping on Sundays.

>> I didn't realize we were in Bergen County.

Now I understand why there is a lot of signs that say open seven days a week.

>> It's kind of like, hey, we don't care.

That is not the right way to go about things.

If you want to change, we go through it through governing bodies, through lobbying.

Reporter: The Paramus mayor is threatening to sue them all, saying other Bergen County businesses are losing business by following the law.

>> You are putting the business is that for decades -- four decades have all been in it together, at a unfair disadvantage.

Reporter: The mayor has praised the blue laws for giving locals a break from traffic.

>> Having that Sunday where there is just that extra peace and quiet, the roads are a little more empty, it gives our emergency services less volume of calls, it gives them that day to regroup, gives everybody a day to regroup, it is part of our way of life.

Reporter: American dream does not operate these retail stores when MetLife Stadium hosts NFL games.

And they have argued that they are exempt from county laws because the land is stayed owned.

The lawsuit has sparked a larger discussion about blue laws in general.

>>.

>> The time is long overdue to repeal the blue laws.

They are archaic and absurd.

Reporter: He leads the New Jersey retail merchants Association, and he believes American dream would win a lawsuit against other municipalities in Bergen County.

>> More power to American dream.

I think it's the right interpretation of the law.

I think they are doing the right thing and let, honestly I don't think Bergen County has a leg to stand on.

Reporter: The other malls want no part of this beast.

Garden State Plaza told us in a statement, that they have created unique ways for "our guests to enjoy our property and Sundays than a complying with both the county and borough regulations."

Jim Tedesco told us American dream's disregard of the state statute is deeply concerning, and its violation gives the American dream tenants an unfair advantage over other Bergen County businesses lawfully complying with state law.

Reporter: Protecting the business community is also protecting our residents, not just their way of life, but also their pockets.

Once the businesses and parameters are disadvantaged when other businesses are going against the current law, then that is not fair.

Reporter: Some folks like the North Arlington mayor say a law should be passed along to vote on blue laws.

Technically, blue laws are existing state law that each county has opted out of them except, Of course, for Bergen County.

The landlord for the model, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, declined our request for interview, but as argued in court that they are not an enforcement body responsible for policing states statutes.

>> if the county has a rule saying you have to close, they make the rules.

Vote for other people.

Reporter:.

Reporter: Shoppers I spoke with were of two minds about this.

>> I like having peace and quiet, that's good.

However, if somebody needs something, you need to have it open.

>> Everybody is working and trying to make ends meet.

It's unrealistic to have stores closed on Sundays when that is one of two days they may have to shop.

>> I think there is pros and cons day.

But if that is something you have a problem with, definitely don't most of Bergen County.

Reporter: If the state doesn't pass a law allowing municipalities to decide, the state could overturn blue laws entirely.

They could also be thrown out from a ballot referendum.

But previous referendum efforts have gone down in flames.

All of those scenarios are unlikely.

So a legal showdown could be inevitable in Bergen County.

Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

That's going to do it for us tonight, but before we go, a reminder that you can download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so you can listen to us anytime.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

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

Have a great night.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

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