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Joanna: tonight on "NJ Spotlight News," Cease Fire declared.

Trump calls for Israel and Iran to stand down, but the strikes continue, so now what?

>> Wen have a cease -- when you have a cease-fire that is provocative and that is why President Trump is so angry this morning.

Joanna: Deportation enforcement.

A Supreme Court ruling opens the door for the Trump Administration's deportation crackdown to continue.

As temperatures hit 100 degrees, paramedics and Patterson are disputing water and providing additional medical care.

>> Yesterday 1600 bottles.

Just today with you folks be put out another 300.

Still more in the truck.

On average we will keep going until the heat breaks.

Joanna: And hunger in New Jersey.

With summer in full swing, cuts to federal programs increase the risk of food insecurity among kids in the state.

>> New Jersey depends on money from the federal government to make sure kids have access to meals over the summer.

Joanna: "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

>> From NJPBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News" with Briana Vannozzi.

Joanna: Hello, and thanks for being with us.

I'm Joanna Gagis, in four Briana Vannozzi.

We begin with this way we are all watching, the conflict in the Middle East.

President Trump announced a cease-fire between Israel and Iran last night, but shortly after both countries accused each other for violating the terms of the agreement.

The terms are still very unclear.

But the rockets flying through the anger of President Trump this morning, who called out both countries, telling them to hold their fire.

It demonstrates how fragile the cease-fire actually is.

A NATO summit is being held in the Netherlands today and tomorrow, where our allies together with President Trump will discuss the defense spending and how they will prepare for the impact of the U.S. strikes on Iran.

At home, the Trump administration has postponed two separate intelligence briefings scheduled for today with all members of the House and Senate.

Top aides to the president was scheduled to host the briefings including National Intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard, C.I.A.

Director John Mack with, and the joint Chiefs chair dan Caine.

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has called the postponement evasive and derelict.

To say that there are many questions hanging in the balance is an understatement.

An associate professor of political science at Cruz University -- Rutgers University sat down with us to discuss everything that has happened so far.

So great to have you back with us today.

We know a lot more and a lot has changed since we spoke to you yesterday.

We see the president come out last night with this announcement that there was a Cease Fire.

What if anything do we know about the terms of that deal?

>> We know very little other than that it was negotiated in part with Qatar and with a back channel to the Iranians to get them to agree.

The substantive terms of what it means when we have a cease-fire is unclear.

The White House announcement came up before either party acknowledged there was a cease-fire.

Now they have subsequently done so.

One thing I would worry about with the cease-fire is President Trump once an end to the war, but the devil in the details.

What happens if there are terrorist attacks elsewhere that potentially are attributed to Iran?

Is that C as resumption of the war?

There are specific sticky questions we don't have an answer to because the president announced with no detail.

Joanna: As you said, this feels pretty fragile.

We saw both sides accuse the other of violating the terms.

We know there were missiles fired from both sides after there was this announcement from the president.

How tricky is it to ensure that this continues in the days and weeks to calm?

-- to come?

Michael: It would be advantageous to think about if there is an external party like the U.N. who could mediate in the cease-fire agreement and ensure a degree of compliance because the U.S. would not be trusted to do so.

What we saw immediately was that there were missiles launched from Iran into Israel but Israel continued heavy bombardment of Tehran overnight.

They knew there was a 12-hour window between the announcement of the cease-fire taking effect they wanted to destroy as many selectors as they could and we can Iranian capacity before the cease-fire takes into effect.

The problem with it is when you have a tenuous cease-fire, that action looks provocative, and that is why President Trump is so angry this morning, saying that both of them need to knock it off.

But this is built into a cease-fire -- if you give me 12 more hours to fight, both sides will take their shots until the very end.

Joanna: Do you believe there is a real path to diplomacy with the U.S. involved given that Iran has said they don't trust the U.S. now because we fired on them in the midst of negotiations?

Is there a clear path to diplomacy here?

Michael: There is a path, but it is not an easy path.

Iran has signaled they are willing to go talk to the United States behind closed doors.

It is worth pointing out that the U.S. and Iran are without formal diplomatic recognition and don't directly speak, they speak through intermediaries.

It is not clear that they would be willing to give concessions to the United States and Israel in the position they are in.

They are basically defeated in the war, military infrastructure is weak, and it is politically costly for them to give into Israel after Israel beat them in the war.

It is not obvious to me that there was obvious diplomacy.

The White House is hoping that this is close to a sucker punch.

Israel hits Iran so hard that Iran throws up his hands and says no more nuclear weapons, we would like a new path forward.

That is what the White House wants.

It is not clear to me that a weakened regime that has been as damaged as badly as they have been damaged and is at that from their own people from an uprising is going to give into fairly generous terms to Israel or the United States.

I imagine they will keep talking in Geneva, but I would not bet the farm there is a lot coming from it.

Joanna: We know the White House was scheduled to have an intelligence briefing with both members, all members of the Senate as well as the house.

Those have been postponed and it has gotten pushback from Democratic lawmakers.

What typically comes out of this intelligence briefings?

What do we learn especially of what came of the attack?

Michael: There has been educating the degree to which presidents of both parties are willing to brief Congress on a national security issues.

This is not unusual, although in this case the Trump administration is taking it one step further than previous administrations have done.

There is a real problem in this country about designation of work hours.

To what extent should-- war powers.

To what extent should Congress be read into a decision like this?

Normally the executive branch has to read out to members of Congress at least some military and technical details.

When you get to what is left of Iran's nuclear program, that is high military and that goes to The Gang of Eight in Congress fun on your average rank-and-file member.

There will be a briefing where a degree of information is provided for everything you should assume will be leaked.

The most sensitive stuff will be preserved for a much smaller briefing.

To me the question is whether the Trump administration decides to follow that in any meaningful way could and secondly, what the Democrats choose to do with it.

The Democrats are mobilizing around concerns around the war Powers act, to prevent what President Trump jested, bombing without an authorization to war.

Joanna: There is a lot we will continue to follow including where we go from here and whether or not Iran has the capability to rebuild their nuclear capabilities that were attacked.

Michael Doyle, thank you--Michael Boyle, thank you as always for such great insight.

As the world watches the conflict overseas, consumers here are watching their gas prices tick up.

Price per gallon rose by $.10 in New Jersey in the days following the airstrikes in Iran, as Iran threatens to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane that delivers 20% of the global crude oil supply.

Oil prices are dropping in response to the American strike, down by 5% today after Israel and Iran first agreed to a cease-fire.

There is still some fluctuation in the oil market after both countries accused each other of violating the cease-fire.

The president posted on his truth social account, "to the Department of Energy, drill, baby, drill, and I mean now."

He told reporters that drilling is the reason for the drop in oil prices.

Analysts expect prices to continue falling regardless of what happens with the conflict because oil production is ramping up around the world.

Petroleum expert said that domestic events would likely have more impact on American wallets.

>> Big picture is probably that the Persian Gulf isn't going to have much to do with what oil prices do in the next 60 days.

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico might have a lot to do with it if we get a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico in late July or August.

And the other thing that you do have to worry about with this intense heat is sometimes when you get to 100 degrees and greater, the U.S. refining system sort of coughs and wheezes.

That could happen, but generally lots and lots of molecules, lots of gasoline, the cheapest gasoline prices in about four years.

Joanna: Also tonight, the Supreme Court has given the Trump administration a big win with a decision on Monday to allow the deportation of individuals to third countries -- in other words, a country the individual is not from or possibly has never even been to.

The ruling lifted a previous order from a federal judge in Boston who had to the Trump administration from deporting to a third country without meaningful advance notice for the person being deported and the opportunity for that person to challenge the move.

While the Supreme Court has now reversed that restriction in a decision that was split along ideological lines, with the three liberal justices dissenting in the opinion, in a post on X, DHS spokesperson applauded the decision, calling it "a victory for the safety and security of the American people," and that they can now "remove illegal aliens to a country willing to accept them."

They have argued that immigrants here illegally who have been convicted of a serious crime are often not able to be deported to their home countries and that these third country options allow the U.S. to remove them faster.

But attorneys for those individuals say they could face torture or even death in third countries.

Thousands in New Jersey are still without power as a result of a heat wave raging through our state.

As of yesterday 30,000 people were without power, and at temperatures that were in the high 90's.

Today has temperatures climbed upwards of 100 degrees, there were still more than 4000 people without power.

That is according to online information shared by the power companies.

Across the state, 17 of our 21 counties now have cooling centers open to offer some reprieve from the heat for those struggling to keep cool.

But the danger is real, especially for those who cannot get to cooling centers or properly cool their own homes.

They face the risk of heat exhaustion and other health problems.

That is where operation icewater steps in.

Run by paramedics at St. Joseph's University Hospital in Patterson who bring lifesaving icewater to folks in danger of extreme heat exposure.

Raven went along for the ride to see their work in action.

>> customers already.

Raven: Less than two minutes into his rounds, and he has already flagged down by bystanders in need of water.

>> Those folks work harder than anybody I ever saw.

Raven: A health manager at St. Joseph's health, U-verse's determination and compassion on his sleeve as he helps those struggling in the sweltering dangerous heat.

That is why through operation icewater, he seeks out and delivers cold water to Patterson's most vulnerable residents.

>> We started midday Thursday, Thursday evening, knowing that he would hit in fulltilt on Friday.

As of close of business yesterday, 1600 bottles.

Yesterday.

Just here with you folks today, we put out another 300, and still more in the truck.

On average we will keep going until the heat breaks.

Last year we did 10,000.

Raven: It is a challenging but crucial mission over the next few days as temperatures in New Jersey tick up to 100 degrees.

And in a city that's all 100 people received medical care due to extreme heat exposure at a high-school graduat ion, the goal is to ease the burden on the emergency response system.

>> Is hot.

Raven: So having this cold water here -- >> It would help me a lot.

>>>> In regards to not just the regular medical and trauma emergencies, we have seen an increase of heat-related emergencies where paramedics are responding to those scenes.

>> The Heat spikes, try to get out the day before to make sure it is here ahead of time, and then the day of, and we make sure that the supply levels we see are sustainable.

They have had problems getting to a bathroom.

They don't drink because they don't want to lose their bladder on the way, so they figure that is a safer way to do things.

But at the same time, it makes the situation worse.

They need to stay in cool area in the they need to hydrate a lot.

And they lose track of that sometimes.

Raven: Another location, another man sits waiting for virtual low, seen-- Bertolo, seen by many as a hero.

>> Giving water out, stuff like that.

Raven: On a day like today, are you happy?

>>>> it's good.

Raven: He makes seven or eight stops today where he is handing out water and in some cases he leaves a case of water to help people throughout the day.

>> Always, yeah.

I can come up and give them a bottle, but like you and I spoke about earlier, I will give you a big bottle of icewater and you will drink it in the next few minutes and they have the rest of today and tomorrow to go through.

It helps them sustain long enough that we can get everybody, cycle back the next day or the day after, and make sure they have a supply.

Raven: He says he plans to do this as long as this level of heat continues.

He helps word about operation icewater spreads so he can reach more people and help them avoid a trip to the hospital or something even worse.

For "NJ Spotlight News," I am Raven Santana.

Joanna: School is out for the summer in Bridgewater, but the year didn't end without a heated battle between community and school board members over controversial policy called 5756.

That policy requires a school district to not inform parents when a child indicates a desire to change their gender identity at school.

In the debate in Bridgewater came after a child was hospitalized for suicidal ideation.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan has more on the debate that happened during the last board meeting of the school year.

>> this estrogen to a political shop.

Brenda: Board members of the Bridgewater District clashed over policy 5756, Jersey's controversial guidance that prohibits disclosing a student's transgender status to family without obtaining the child's consent.

Two of the nine board members have pushed repeatedly to repeal the policy despite being outnumbered, complained one member.

>> You know you don't have the votes.

You know from the first discussion you never had the votes.

And yet you are putting it forth again because you want to make a display of it.

It needs to stop.

Brenda: The policy is deeply polarizing.

Opponents believe families should be part of gender transition discussions involving their own kids, an argument made by parents rights groups and broadly supported by the Trump administration.

It is like a board member wants to rescind policy 5756.

>> I believe this policy does more harm than good.

For that reason of compassion and love for our children in our district, that is the reason I moved to repeal the policy.

Brenda: The policy is not mandatory.

Proximally 26 out of some 600 districts and state legally repealed that but ongoing port of this agreement like the one Bridgewater, plus court battles in New Jersey over 5756, have reportedly created an emotional crucible for transgender kids, especially when combined with national debates over transgender curriculum, treatment for minors, and trans students in sports.

>> We have students in our district right now who are experiencing mental health issues because of this discussion specifically.

We have a student who was hospitalized two weeks ago for suicidal ideations.

Specifically because of the actions of this board and of the people that are coming to speak.

>> It's just that you have to take into context what our political climate is like right now.

Brenda: A trans activist who graduated from a school in Warren County, not Bridgewater, tried to describe the emotional panic currently confronting so many trans students wasn't >> To be in a hostile environment like that, it's really easy to succumb to the pressure of the community.

And it's terrifying.

>> The anti-LGBTQ and especially anti-trans policies being introduced around the country is literally leading to them having an impact on the mental health, whether that is depression, anxiety.

Brenda: studies show trans kids face a higher risk of self-harm then cisgender peers.

But the Trump administration recently ended a suicide crisis hotline for LGBT+ youth, calling it "a chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology like counselors without consent or knowledge of their parents," explained a spokesperson from White House Office of Management and Budget.

It is an argument that carries a heavy cultural and legal payload, advocates say.

>> It is the privilege and the journey of that student to feel comfortable coming out to their parents.

Brenda: In New Jersey, courts concern for students' safety have blocked a handful of districts from emblematic their own policies that do require -- implementing their own policies that do require parental need a vacation, even as a legal challenge to 5756 continues.

For now the policy mostly shields a student -- a trans student's identity.

>> If you immediately notify the parents, you can have hard and fast and difficult results, like kids being thrown out of the house, physical abuse.

Brenda: Ultimately the board voted 6-2 with one abstention against repealing 5756.

The matter is settled for now.

I am Brenda Flanagan, "NJ Spotlight News."

Joanna: While school letting out might be no homework for kids, it also means no more school meals, and that can be a dangerous and scary reality for the hundreds of thousands of kids who face hunger and food insecurity without them.

It is an issue that education and child welfare writer Hannah Gross has been covering, and I spoke to her earlier today to better understand how proposed federal cuts could make food insecurity in New Jersey even worse.

So great to see you.

You recently wrote about the impact of school letting out on kids who often face insecurity in the summertime.

First, just what are the numbers?

How many kids in New Jersey are dependent on school meals?

Hannah: One in seven children in New Jersey face food insecurity and that is higher in some parts of the county like in Essex, where it is one in five.

About 700,000 kids in New Jersey are receiving summer EBT benefits, $120.

Their families can spend on groceries over the summer.

Joanna: We know that right now the Senate is considering a bill that passed through the house.

We are looking at clawbacks of a lot of funding for some of these programs.

Explain what we face in New Jersey when it comes to federal cuts on the summer meal programs.

Hannah: New Jersey depends on money from the federal government to make sure kids have access to meals over the summer.

That is operating summer meal sites where kids can go in their community and get breakfast and lunch each day.

It is also the summer EBT cards.

And we get money indirectly food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for food banks.

Congress is considering cuts to SNAP, which of that goes through the state would have to carry a higher burden of the cost.

Joanna: SNAP is the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

So does the state have the ability to take on that burden to cover those costs if we see federal cuts?

Hannah: It would be difficult for the state to make of all of that.

Joanna: So what now are the options for families who could potentially lose these benefits?

Where do they go?

Hannah: They can go to their community food banks and pantries.

That is an option.

But they are also struggling right now.

They have seen a drop in food by 20 25% from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But they say making sure they have food is a priority.

When there are budget cuts, the food is going to come first.

That is going to remain an option.

They do have power to increase their food.

Joanna: We saw a lot of this during Covid when families were just left without those support nets.

We saw lines extremely long and families uncertain of whether they would get that support.

Do you anticipate that this summer could look like that time?

Hannah: It's actually worse than that time.

Food insecurity has been climbing since the pandemic.

So we are in a much worse spot than we were back then.

Joanna: As for those programs, when we look at federal funding cuts, how many of those programs are depending heavily on federal funding?

How many are depending on private or individual giving?

Hannah: Summer EBT is funded by the federal government.

Families in New Jersey get about $90 million from the federal government for that.

The school food service program is also funded by the federal government.

Those are meal sites that are primarily in low income communities, where anyone can ship up.

That is an open site.

There are closed sites that have limited enrollment.

And then the food banks and food pantries receive food from the federal government.

It is a big federal-state partnership, and then also donations.

Joanna: A lot remains uncertain.

I know we are going to be following this will Hannah Gross, excellent reporting as always.

Education and child welfare reporter.

To see more of her reporting, check out our website, njspotlightnews.org.

Hannah, great to talk to you.

Hannah: thank you so much, Joanna.

Joanna: That is going to do it for us tonight, but you can download our podcast and listen anytime by subscribing to the "NJ Spotlight News" YouTube channel.

You can follow us on Instagram and Bluesky.

I'm Joanna Gagis.

But the entire team at "NJ Spotlight News," thanks for being with us, have a great night, and we will see you back here tomorrow.

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I see myself.

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My name is Julia, and I'm proud to be an NJEA member.

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