>> After the fire, tensions between the city of Newark intensify, concerns of staffing after last month's court fire while the city in Ducks new fire fighters -- inducts new fire fighters.

The governor touts New Jersey's financial progress.

Republicans say the state of the economy may not be so strong.

>> As soon as we have an economic downturn, we will see the real test of how healthy New Jersey is.

>> Reinforcing 911, a new EMT training program launches in Camden, head of a nationwide shortage.

>> People are still calling 911 and they still will weather we have the staff to meet their need or not.

We have to find a way to meet the need of the people.

>> Temperatures are rising as we enter a dangerous heat wave.

NJ Spotlight News starts right now.

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

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♪ >> From NJPBS this is NJ Spotlight News.

>> Good evening.

Thanks for joining us this Wednesday night.

Newark Mayor is a speaking out for the first time addressing criticisms over the recent deaths of two city firefighters.

The veteran members lost their lives while battling a blaze earlier this month aboard a cargo ship in Port Newark.

The mayor has never been one to shy away from defending his administration vowed to wait until the funerals were held before talking publicly.

The firefighters union has raised questions around understaffing and proper training, creating tensions with the city.

The mayor's remarks came on a day of mixed emotions with the division welcoming nine new recruits at a graduation ceremony, helping to fill some of the 48 current vacancies, and add a boost to morale.

Ted Goldberg reports.

>> A gives me great pleasure to introduce to you our newest fire fighters.

[Applause] >> As the city of Newark welcomes nine new fire fighters, a Paul hung over today's graduation ceremony, two weeks after the funerals for the firefighters, two firemen who died after responding to a fire at a cargo ship at Port Newark.

>> Still fresh in our minds, the deaths of the captains.

We still -- the city is still morning.

The family is still morning.

>> The mayor has heard people criticize training protocol for brick city firefighters in responding to ship fires.

After today's graduation ceremony, he pushed back against the criticism, some of which has come from the city's firefighter unions.

>> It's a training on lithium batteries and other things that happen at the port.

We responded to the ports in the past, responded to issues even at the airport.

Our relationship with the port and airport is not new.

>> There is not a blame that will be laid around.

I am disheartened by them saying we were extensively trained.

The training went on for an hour and a half.

It was a tabletop exercise that gave a wariness.

>> With had training, a few weeks ago, at the port and ships.

The reality is that every single vessels you may board -- every single vessel you may board is different.

We go on board the ship, we have the plans and we react, and adjust to the fire.

You are never going to be having an idea of what you go into until you see the floor plans in real time.

These are real-time decisions.

>> The fire unions have brought up understaffing as being an issue for the department.

According to the latest census, Newark grew by more than 30,000 people from 2010 to 2020.

>> On the night of the event, I don't think, while I am sure they were not understaffed at that incident, they had the proper equipment that we provided at the incident as well.

Those men did not die because we do not have enough trucks.

That is not true.

Those men did not die because there was not enough personnel there, that is not true.

Those men did not die because people were cowardly, everybody did what they were supposed to do based on their training.

>> Where city leaders and union leaders agrees that Newark needs more people to attend Academy and become fire fighters.

The mayor says there have been discussions for months to bring a station to downtown Newark and expand the department.

50 more firefighters will be hired this year.

>> Because of vacation, personal days, sick leave, it falls short sometimes.

When it falls short, I feel the void, with overtime.

>> FDA standards for smaller towns may be a lesser requirement for the size of the city of Newark, each engine and ladder company should be staffed with one officer and five fire fighters.

We have not had that staffing letter -- level in over 10 years.

>> The latest Academy started with 20 fire fighters fighting for spot in Newark.

Only nine made the cut and heard their names called today.

>> Knowing that there is a stigma becoming a police or firemen, instead of asking 20 guys to join the department, they should ask 200.

>> As for port Newark, the mayor says firefighters will continue responding to fires on ships.

>> Governor Murphy is solidifying his economic legacy within the state.

Announcing his administration will make an overseas trip to Asia this fall, the latest stop in history tour around the world, with similar previous trips to Israel, Germany, India and Ireland.

The governor's office says the mission strengthen economic ties with those countries, encouraging leaders to invest and create jobs here.

A Senior correspondent risk -- reports, the announcement was made as the administration rides high on a new business ranking.

[Applause] >> Governor Murphy offered to do this Q&A with folks from New Jersey's Chamber of Commerce, a group with concerns over the states economic clouds and business image.

That got a boost from CNBC's latest report, naming New Jersey this year's most improved state for business.

Jersey jumped 23 places from a dismal 42nd, the 19th.

The chamber president admitted.

>> I was surprised by that.

A lot of people were surprised.

The reality is, although we are 19th, we should be top 10.

>> The bad news is I don't wake up in the morning and say, yes we are 19th.

>> The governor announced New Jersey will forge new international business connections in Asia, with trade missions to Japan and Korea this October.

>> It makes a lot of sense.

These are the fastest growing economies in the world in Asia, and Latin America.

It makes a lot of sense to go there.

>> Business leaders acknowledge jerseys furnished its fiscal image with seven credit ratings upgrades, a surplus for the year 2024, and a third full year state pension payment.

New Jersey ranks 44th is the most expensive state to do business, and 48th for least business friendly.

It's a lousy image.

>> We have an opportunity to make quantum leaps layer image, in our economy -- in our image, in our economy, if we can attack those aggressively, we have a huge upside.

>> the mayor who was also a member of the board suggested making more working capital available.

State grants for businesses struggling to survive in a post-pandemic inflationary, economy creating a new commission to cutting new government red tape and establishing an economic Council that will meet regularly to give the governor feedback.

He requested more help for diverse minority businesses.

>> They need more help with getting into state contracts, they need more help getting into the supplier chain.

>> Murphy promised help is on the way after the state completes a required disparity study.

He repeated his promise not to extend the 2.5% surcharge on New Jersey's highest in the nation corporate business tax.

>> I can't look a business in the eye, in this case big businesses, and say honestly that we are in crisis, that we need the revenue of the surcharge.

I like the billions of dollars it brings us, what a deal it -- is a deal.

>> Lawmakers have extended the surcharge before, it is a billion-dollar chunk of revenue.

There will be political costs to letting it lapse.

Progressive groups have argued the surcharge could sustainably fund NJ transit.

Even if the lame-duck legislature agrees, the governor has vowed to let the surcharge expire.

Republicans predict, the surcharge could return if the economy tanks.

>> The threat that the CBT, as soon as there is economic downturn, they may reimpose that surcharge.

Or a whole host of other taxes.

We see no inclination on the part of this administration, Democratic legislative leadership, that they have any appetite for rightsizing government.

>> Murphy says he will advance New Jersey's economy, promising to grow the pie, but make sure everyone gets a piece.

>> I say that I am a proud progressive and a cold-blooded capitalist.

>> The states election watchdog is back at it this week following months of turmoil.

The New Jersey election law enforcement commission held its first meeting since legislators passed a controversial new law, revamping the campaign-finance agency and its former commissioners resigned in protest, warning the new rules will weaken protections.

While the four new members got to work on Tuesday, formally voting to dismiss half of the states active alleged campaign-finance violations.

The senior writer is with me now for the latest.

Hello, good to see you.

First question is, how many cases were dismissed and why were they thrown out?

>> There were 17 cases -- 107 cases dismissed because they are more than two years old.

The law that passed earlier this year, that Governor Murphy signed, put a two-year cap on the length of time you can go back and actually investigate one of these allegations.

These dated back about 10 years.

>> They knew this was going to have to happen.

Who did they involve?

What type of allegations were involved in the cases that are gone?

>> We don't know most of the details.

We are supposed to get those in the next couple of weeks.

We know that they definitely involved, there were some Republican leadership committees and the Democratic committees.

These are groups trying to get more Democrats or Republicans in the legislature to control power.

>> I am curious about reaction to the fact that these cases were dismissed.

That is what we heard during the process of this legislation getting past, especially from Republicans who said Democrats are among those who have a lot of these alleged violations waiting on this -- in this Q.

-- cue.

What was the reaction like?

>> Unfortunately, what -- we knew this would have to happen, the law made it happen.

The Republicans did not support the law, but the law is the law.

These things have to happen.

Good government advocates also are not happy about this, a number of other changes in the law.

>> Am curious if Jeff Rendall, who has been the longtime Executive Director, was present for the meeting.

Get us up to speed on whether or not he is out, in where do we stand?

>> He has filed two lawsuits, one was alleging that the Murphy administration and government were trying to force him out.

The other was trying to stop the law from being implement it.

Those are in court right now.

It's interesting to be in this lawsuit, but still be in your position.

>> what was the mood?

Are commissioners taking him seriously?

>> He did give his typical report, which was talking about the latest report that they put out about committee spending.

He did make a comment at the beginning of his remarks saying he was grateful to have a full slate of commissioners for the first time in many years.

But at the same time, Thomas, the new chairman of the commission said, he made veiled references in his comments about, we are going to be open and treat everyone respectfully.

A reference to the email that kind of got Jeff in trouble.

>> Emails where he made remarks about the LGBTQ committee -- community.

He moved to remove him from his position.

How is this going to play?

We have an election coming up in November, where all 120 legislators are on the ballot.

We have a campaign-finance agency that has been defanged.

How will that work heading into November?

>> We just have to take a look and see.

The commissioners all said yesterday that they are committed to enforcing the law and doing it fairly.

They did also issue, I think it was 16 notices, to committees that filed reports late.

So, that would seem to be a good sign that they are going to be trying to enforce the law.

They are going to have to do it much more quickly than in the past.

>> If you have cases lingering for 10 years and now they put a cap on that, in some instances that will be a good thing.

Colleen, thanks so much.

A massive project to replace thousands of led service lines is showing signs of progress.

According to New Jersey American water, more than 4000 lead and galvanized steel water service lines have been replaced.

The utility company has 24,000 lines left to go, and potentially thousands more that have yet to be identified, American water is two years into a tenure plan enacted by a state law signed in 2021 requiring water providers to replace both utility and customer owned service lines within the decade.

The company is calling on customers to help speed up the process, by checking out an interactive online map.

The New Jersey American water created to allow customers to view the service lines at their property and report it.

Labor struggles within the health care industry are hitting critical entry-level and volunteer positions.

Cities in particular are finding it hard to recruit and retain EMTs.

It's a battle this frontline medical force has been dealing with for years before the pandemic brought it toa -- to a head.

The city of Camden is partnering with a major hospital and groups to create a pipeline for students interested in pursuing the field.

Our Senior correspondent reports some may be able to get the training for free.

>> There is a need for EMS providers across the nation.

Camden is not the only place.

>> Camden is trying to do something about it.

A new partnership between Cooper University high school, Camden County College, a nonprofit called hope works, and the workforce development is bringing an EMT training program to the city to attract students into the EMS field.

>> We work with those folks to work on a recruitment initiative to bring more health care providers from Camden into the health care world.

It gives these folks, from the region of an opportunity to be exposed to programs they may not have realized existed.

>> Like this woman, who goes by Rue.

>> I wanted to do something in the medical field.

>> She said college was never for her.

>> It was not at all.

I hated school.

But this is so cool.

I love it.

>> The EMT program started July 17.

There are six students in the class, five selected by hope works, as students with great potential to succeed, and who are eligible for free or reduced tuition.

They are here eight hours a day learning hands-on skills, right from the start.

>> They are to become EMTs, basic life support providers.

It is a wide range of skills.

They learn everything from CPR to trauma assessment, to medical assessment, to treating cardiac, respiratory, stroke victims, car accidents, falls, injuries, basically every single emergency call that goes out, an ambulance with two EMTs will come out.

>> A lot of it is a lot of medical stuff.

Also a lot of moment to moment interactions and decisions you have to make, it seems.

So, it is interesting too.

>> My mother is a police officer.

I wanted to help people.

I prefer the EMT route.

If I was -- it is more rewarding.

>> The students will complete 500 hours of new training.

New technology is allowing them to get hands-on on experience in the classroom before working on live patients.

>> One of the exciting things for us is the ability to use Cooper sim labs.

It gives us a realistic scenario for students without anyone being in danger.

>> Students who drive in training have the option -- thrive in training, have the option to participate in a clinical rotation in variety of specialties.

>> Working in an emergency department for additional 40 hours.

There is an opportunity to go to the labor and delivery department.

One of the things these folks may be called upon us to deliver a baby.

We put them in the department to get hands on experience.

>> Through pediatrics to respond to -- they will rotate the pediatrics to respond to childcare patients.

EMTs come from the city, they will be serving.

>> Having people in the field represent the population they are serving is important.

For a long time that is often the way that EMS or other public services have represented their communities.

Being able to have represent the demographic they are serving is important.

>> I'm extremely confident.

I have been doing really well with the practical part of it.

It is the coursework.

I'm hoping I can push through.

>> Once the program ends on September 7, the students will have to pass the national certification.

As soon as they do, they can get on the road to help people and help fill the EMT shortage that has been plaguing New Jersey.

In Camden, NJ Spotlight News.

>> In our spotlight on business, the summer rate hike recess is over.

The Federal Reserve today unanimously approving another interest rate, by a quarter percentage point, pushing the benchmark to the highest level in 22 years.

Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell also hinting at another increase, still to come this year.

Today's decision marks the 11th rate hike since the Fed began its inflation fight in March 2022, bringing the lending rate to 5.25% to 5.5%, a month after the central bank hit because -- pause to assess the state of the economy.

Inflation has been slowing in recent months.

That is an encouraging sign for consumers and businesses.

But the Fed has not been this aggressive with rate hikes, since the early 1980's.

That is when it was also up against skyhigh interest and a faltering economy.

>> The state says it is not coming for your gas stoves, despite staunch criticism, the board of utilities adopted a controversial plan to D carbonized the building sector, the second largest source of global warming pollution in the state.

The program involves electrifying buildings, by switching space and water heating systems from using fossil fuels to electricity only.

Beginning next July 2024, it has the backing of clean energy advocates and the Murphy administration.

But Republicans, ratepayer watchdogs, and the business industry are calling out the move, arguing it will put more stress on the electric grid with no plans to bolster the states power capacity, and that cost will get passed down to ratepayers, because the state will need to make expensive upgrades to its power supplies.

Opponents are accusing the B.P.

you of overstepping its -- BPU of overstepping its gas house -- greenhouse gas regulations.

There's is a lot of misinformation about the program.

>> We are not coming for your gas stove.

Or your local pizza shop of it.

-- oven.

We're not forcing you, anyone, to do anything in any way.

Those who tell you otherwise are wrong.

>> on Wall Street stocks paused the recent rally as traders awaited the Fed's decision.

Here is how stocks closed today.

♪ >> Support for the business report provided by Junior achievement of New Jersey, providing students with skills and knowledge to explore, choose and advance their career paths for a brighter future.

Online at janj.org.

♪ >> And finally tonight, brace yourselves as we step into our first heat wave of the summer, with temperatures climbing to the upper 90's starting today.

According to forecasters with the National Weather Service, oppressively hot and humid conditions will bid -- billed for the week.

Record-breaking highs are expected on Friday, possibly in the triple digits, that is when the heat index could surpass 100, making it the hottest day the summer.

Forecasters say those are dangerous conditions.

Heat advisors have been issued for most parts of the region.

Also, it will stay warm and muggy overnight.

We will not see much relief there.

It will be worse in cities like Newark.

That is where data trackers say it will feel nine degrees hotter for 98,000 people in the city, due to what is called an urban heat island, it causes the temperature boost in cities because there more pavement and buildings absorbing heat, instead of water and forests.

Newark was one of the top 44 cities lay the country, listed as having the most intense heat affects.

Cooling centers are open there and across the state.

That will do it for us tonight.

A reminder, download the NJ Spotlight News's podcast so you can listen anytime.

Thanks for being with us.

Have a great evening.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

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