>> major funding for "NJ Spotlight News" is provided in part by NJM insurance group, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and by the PSEG foundation.

>> tonight, expelling Menendez.

The U.S. Senate working a separate investigation into the embattled senior senator who refuses to step down.

>> I have been looking into Menendez since he was indicted in September.

It could be a political bit of cover for people who want to expel Menendez.

>> Plus, a welcome side in the state's fight to reduce the opioid crisis.

>> What I want people to know is we have tried to arrest our way out of the opioid, and it does not work.

This is what works.

>> also, access to school lunch for more kids.

>> we could imagine trying to provide for a family of four on $70,000 in gross annual income is a struggle, so this will be a huge help to those families.

>> And mayor's effort to spread affordable housing requirements from the burbs to the cities.

>> that are building, but they are not counted toward the overall state obligation.

>> "NJ Spotlight News" starts now.

♪ >> from NJ PBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News."

>> Hello and thanks for joining us.

All eyes continue to be on New Jersey senior senator -- New Jersey's senior senator and what his next move might be.

Menendez was found guilty on all six counts.

A chorus of calls for him to resign started immediately thereafter, not only from his friend and New Jersey colleague Cory Booker but from Senate leader Chuck Schumer.

There were reports last night he was poised to resign, but Menendez quickly shut them down.

Separately, the Senate is separately investigating his wrongdoing.

Here to break it all down is our Washington correspondent.

Thanks for joining me.

Reports last night Senator Menendez had told some allies he would resign, but then the senator quickly refuted that.

What did he say?

>> right, he said to CBS New York, and I'm roughly paraphrasing, that that is not true, he is not resigning, and he decried any so-called allies that said he is.

>> his Senate colleague says he will lead the charge to expel the senator, but first, the Senate Ethics Committee needs to finish their investigation.

What is your report on that?

>> They do not necessarily need to finish the investigation.

They can subpoena people, call witnesses, hire outside counsel.

Really, they are building a body of evidence.

They have been looking into Menendez ever since he was indicted in September.

It could be a political bit of cover for people who want to expel Menendez once the committee releases its report.

They can say, we have given him the benefit of the doubt.

He has been given lots of chances to explain his actions in connection with Egypt and Qatar, and we have this report, no we are going to expel him.

The obvious parallel is to George Santos, former Republican from Long Island who was in the house briefly last year, and a similar scenario played out.

Members of the house wanted to see the ethics report into Santos' behavior before they voted to boot him out of the house, which they eventually did .

>> That's actually a great example.

What is the timeline for that investigation?

Once that is completed, what do expulsion proceedings look like?

>> The timeline is really unclear.

That's not a great answer, but this committee is known for being somewhat toothless and taking its time.

In expulsion really is up to Chuck Schumer, the majority leader in the Senate, who had held his fire in criticizing Menendez up until the conviction this week.

Minutes after that happened, minutes after that guilty -- really, I should say guilty verdict, not conviction, Schumer said, I think it's time for you to step down.

Any movement on expulsion would require a 2/3 vote, and the Senate is out now and will be out all of August.

An expulsion will have to happen either now or likely some time in September.

>> we know that he was found guilty, but in the meantime, is it business as usual for Bob Menendez or is he back on the hill next week?

>> That is a great question.

I will, of course, along with every reported in this town be keeping my eyes on him.

To an extent, yes, it is business as usual.

There is no prohibition under the Constitution that you cannot be guilty of a crime and still serve in the Senate are in the house, for that matter.

Theoretically, he could still be a senator while behind bars, although that is certainly highly unlikely.

Senators would appeal, and that appeal cannot happen until October after he is sentenced in New York.

>> I guess we will have to wait and see.

Thank you.

Reporting is always.

Good news in the battle against the opioid crisis.

According to state data, New Jersey is seeing a decline in the number of suspected drug deaths, and in Camden County where the crisis had hit hardest, they are seeing a drop in suspected drug overdoses and the need for Naloxone.

Experts are attributing the drastic shift to harm reduction efforts.

>> it is encouraging to see a decline in opioid overdose deaths for the first time since I have been practicing medicine.

>> This doctor works ER shifts at University Hospital in Newark.

He says doctors and clinics can now see a new pattern across New Jersey, a decline in the epidemic of opioid deaths that spike during the pandemic.

>> A lot of the pharmacies around the state carry Naloxone and distribute it to patients.

I think that contributes to harm reduction and making it safer for people to use.

>> What I want people to know is that we have tried to arrest our way out of the overdose crisis, and it does not work.

This is what works.

>> Gemma Miller is with the harm reduction coalition which offers treatment without judgment to folks caught in the grip of opioid addiction.

Since January 2023, participating pharmacies have made Naloxone available for free.

Statewide, suspected drug test have dropped from almost 2900 in 2022 to some 2600 last year to 1100 in the middle of June this year.

What has increased is the number of harm reduction centers in New Jersey.

Now almost two dozen offer stigma-free treatment clinics.

>> Connecting more people with medication, harm-reduction services.

This is a dramatic shift from what New Jersey has been doing.

This shift is why we are seeing the decline in overdose deaths.

>> Even Camden County ranked first for overdose deaths in New Jersey has seen opioid deaths decline this year.

>> we can help you.

Come to us.

Let us know and we will find a way to help you.

>> Opioid settlement funds paid to equip EMT's in a mobile van with medicine that helps treat opioid addiction.

The New Jersey state police fields a unit called operation NJ rise.

Teachers and recovery coaches helping them access care.

>> we actually have troop leaders driving the patient decline directly to the treatment center accompanied by a recovery coach.

The troopers are going in plainclothes to make it a little more comfortable for the patient .

We are driving them directly so we know they are getting there.

>> He says it is still an uphill struggle with street drugs now often cut with Fentanyl.

And while opioid deaths are down for white New Jerseyans, they are still up for people of color.

>> Let's invest scholars in black and Latino-led organizations to stand up and support harm-reduction services.

>> The Murphy administration in January released $95 million in funds from the opioid lawsuit settlement aimed at harm reduction centers, mobile medication units, treatment clinics, and housing.

>> support for "the medical report" is provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

>> More help is on the way for families in need on food assistance.

Newly enacted legislation will make about 60,000 more New Jersey students eligible for school meals this September.

As the cost of food, rent, and other expenses continue to rise for families across the state, but when school is out, the need for free nutritious meals does not go away.

Experts say food insecurity tends to increase during the summer months.

>> is your lunch yummy?

>> yes.

>> What's your favorite part?

Quick pizza.

>> You are eating some healthy stuff, too.

What about those oranges?

>> I like them.

>> These kids are enjoying a summer meal funded by a federal program that gets food to kids at risk of hunger during summer months.

>> we operate programs including school lunches, school breakfast, after school snacks, along with emergency feeding, food bank distribution, and all of these come together now in the summertime.

>> New Jersey's Department of agriculture plays a role delivering those programs to families that need it most and in the last two years, the programs have suspended in two significant ways, changing from just being offered in traditional congregate sites where kids come in to get a meal at a school, library, park, or other location.

Since last summer, non-congregate meal programs are also available.

>> Children, parents can come and pick up meals to go.

The program provides nutritious meals to children.

They also can be delivered to their home.

>> school districts like Pemberton have been able to expand summer meal programs with these changes and other changes that have come down from a recent law passed in New Jersey to expand the number of families eligible.

Quickly state income guidelines guideline as of next school year will be for students in a household earning up to 224% of the federal poverty level.

That is about $70,000 for a family of four.

You can imagine trying to provide for family of four on $70,000 in gross annual income is a struggle, so this will be a huge help to those families.

>> That sounds like a lot, 224% of the poverty level -- it absolutely is not.

With rent so high, we live in an expensive state, and it can be life-changing for families to have that support.

>> With additional meal delivery options, Pemberton has been able to serve an additional 6000 meals that they have in the past while offering them to about 24,000 meals this summer.

>> In August, this kids who were in programs were no longer, so it is sites, grab and go.

Parents sign up.

If they go to our website, there is a link they can sign up, and it is grab and go, which is the non-congregate that they talk about.

So important where we have 68 square miles, that there is a lot of families that we cannot reach.

>> The second update is a new mode of getting meals to families they cannot reach, and that is through a benefit card called EVT -- called EBT or electronic benefits program.

>> That gives each child a card for $120 for the summer months for grocery benefits.

>> How does a parent access those benefits and those cards?

>> The cards are mailed directly to the homes of the children.

They have already been mailed out.

New Jersey was the first state in the mid-Atlantic region that got those benefits out to the children.

Once they receive the cards, they follow the simple activation steps, and they can use that in the same way they would use snap benefits.

>> Parents did not have to sign up for the cards.

They were issued automatically, making sure no child slipped the cracks the summer.

>> In Newark, the mayor and organizers held a ribbon-cutting yesterday to unveil the latest community refrigerator, all part of the mission to eliminate food insecurity across the city's five boards.

The refrigerant is -- refrigerator is available seven days a week to provide residents with access to goods like milk, cheese, fresh goods and vegetables as well as cereal and rice all for free.

It was made available to a partnership with the United community organization and the city center of hope.

>> Is an opportunity for people living in the community to get access to this food a couple times a week without pay.

This makes this incredibly important now.

>> A New Jersey mayor wants to make sure affordable housing is implement it in all towns and cities across the state, not just suburban towns.

Montville's mayor said he sent a letter to 100 times looking for support to challenge Jersey's current affordable housing law and plans to file a lawsuit while mayor's in municipalities like Patterson and Jersey City have criticized the approach, arguing they already contribute five fair share.

He says the requirements are not realistic for towns like his.

He joins me now.

Thank you for joining me.

>> Thank you for having me.

>> With soaring housing prices and even skyrocketing rent in some areas, affordable housing has been a game changer for those who are eligible for it.

In all types of sounds and cities, including in Montville, but you argue the law is unfair.

Why is that?

>> we build about 365 units in the last five years, so 10% is all affordable housing.

I'm not arguing the fact that we need affordable housing.

I'm arguing the fact that there are 62 towns that do not have any obligations to build affordable housing.

Yet, they are building, but it is not counted toward the overall state obligation.

All we are asking is for those numbers to be included so each of the towns in the state have a fair share of the obligation.

That's the argument.

>> Fair enough, but you do plan to file a lawsuit challenging current state guidelines.

What are you asking for?

>> we are challenging the urban aid towns that have been in that status since 1995.

Jersey City, for example, in 1995 was a lot different than in 2024.

The argument as they should have an affordable housing obligation because they are already building it.

That is what the argument is, not about round four, although the timing is very challenging, so we will be talking about that also, but as far as urban aid municipalities, we want them to be included in the camp.

>> what is the alternative in order to meet the need for portable housing in your municipality and elsewhere throughout the state?

>> we have to build, there's no question.

I have two boys who will not afford to live in the town they grew up in, so I get it, 100%.

And we are building, like I said.

10% of my town is affordable and we will build more, but the challenge we have is we don't have the infrastructure, so now we have to put a second water tower for the fire hydrant to have enough water pressure.

The streets we have to widen.

We just passed a $35 million referendum so schools can build more school room because we don't have enough room.

All that is accounted for.

>> I know you put a petition out for some 100 different towns.

Where do they stand?

>> They are all in the same boat.

I sent a letter to all 562 towns .

We are in agreement that we need to build affordable housing because we want everyone to have the opportunity.

My boys, when they finish college, they will be in the affordable housing market because they cannot afford to live in their market housing.

>> Thank you so much.

I appreciate your perspective in joining me.

>> My pleasure.

>> In our spotlight on business report, about 100 union members and labor advocates rallied outside the company that prefers in-flight meals and snacks to prepare safe heat standards.

The rally comes just as Jerzy is coming off another heat wave.

The heat is especially dangerous for those who work on site, which is why the groups are now calling on the legislature to pass a bill in a special session this August to protect these workers.

>> if you eat or drink on flights out of Newark airport, employees from gate gourmet are largely responsible for that, but driving those trucks to and from the airport can be exhausting, especially during heat waves.

>> I have felt dizzy and lightheaded.

>> workers rallied today in hopes of New Jersey passing a heat standards bill.

If that happens -- >> Employers will need to have plans in place to prevent heat-related illnesses.

They will have to provide breaks, shade, and cool water.

>> And assemblywoman cosponsored the bill which has left one committee and got stuck in another.

She has her criticisms from the business community, which have called these regulations burdensome.

>> The employer's that are good employers thinking shade when it is hot, give water, let them have a rest -- this bill really is not going to impact them.

>> I think it is wrong to try to legislate based on bad actors.

There is a system in place, and it is called OSHA, and OSHA regulates these problems, these heat issues.

>> the state director for the national Federation of Independent businesses says federal rules already protect employees from unsafe work conditions, and a tight labor market means it is in the best interest of companies to keep workers safe.

>> It is so difficult to get employees, so ask yourself.

It is hard to fill your team to run your business correctly to make a profit.

Why would you not treat your employees well?

>> the New Jersey Farm Bureau also disagrees with the bill and sent a letter to lawmakers earlier this year.

It said the bill would take a one-size-fits-all approach to all industries across the state when creating a heat-related illness and injury protection program.

It would be an impractical and virtually unemployment double program for agriculture, but workers here are not hearing any of that.

>> the New Jersey heat standard will protect workers like me.

>> New Jersey really believes in supporting workers, they should pass this legislation.

>> Rafael Escalante works as a waiter in Jersey City and says he is at risk because there are not any state standards for heat.

>> the rules are if you have a table, you cannot go inside.

No water breaks, no shadow, no way for us to rest.

>> for this build to take effect this summer, the assembly would need to call an emergency session.

>> I have not been told anything about our schedule in the assembly changing, but it only takes one house to start the bill.

There will be an ask in the Senate and we will all as one worker in the labor committee says, hope and pray.

>> workers have a simple message if state leaders do not pass a heat standards bill and if conditions do not get better from their employer.

>> will be back!

>> soon!

>> we reached out to gate gourmet for comment but did not hear back by our deadline.

>> On Wall Street, big drops for all three indexes as investors pulled away from big tech companies.

Here is how the day ended.

>> support for "the business report" is provided by Newark's arts in education district and by Halsey Street.

>> that does it for us tonight.

Before you go, a reminder to download the "NJ Spotlight News" podcast so you can listen to us any time.

For the entire team, thanks for being with us.

Have a great night and we will see you right back here tomorrow.

>> New Jersey education Association, making public schools great for every child.

And RWJ Barnabas health, let's be healthy together.