>> Major funding for NJ Spotlight News is -- serving residents and businesses.

Horizon Blue Cross and blue shield New Jersey.

And by the PSEG foundation.

JOANNA: Congresswoman LaMonica McIver gets her day in court for assault charges after a clash with ice officials while Republicans lambaste her actions on the house door.

>> Let's be honest.

Who are the Democrats fighting for you?

This is the part I don't get.

It is in the American people.

JOANNA: After extensive sinkhole repairs and months of commuter disruptions, two lanes on Route 80 will reopen tonight.

They are calling it the big beautiful bill but folks on Medicaid in New Jersey aren't smiling because it includes billions in cuts to health services.

>> The thing to remember is even if the cost goes down in Medicaid, the problems don't go away.

People need health care.

That is the issue.

JOANNA: Environmental advocates count the total big rigs have on local residents health.

They are calling for cleaner trucks on the roads.

>> Why are there multiple warehouses near a playground where children are supposed to have fun?

Next where people live?

JOANNA: NJ Spotlight News begins now.

♪ >> From NJPBS Studios, this is NJ Spotlight News.

JOANNA: I'm Joanna Gagis in for Briana Vannozzi.

Top headlines, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver had her first appearance in federal court after being charged by the Department of Justice with assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers.

The incident happened two weeks ago when she joined Congressman Rob Menendez, Congressman Bonnie Watson Coleman and Newark's mayor to seek entry into a ice detention center.

The congresswomen wrapped their arms around the mayor to prevent officials from cuffing him and it erupted into a chaotic scrum.

Democrats call it a political move by the Trump Administration but Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew fired the criticism back at Democrats.

>> On May 9, there was a shameful display by the mayor of New York -- New York and members of Congress who stormed into the facility without clearance and following protocol and physically disrupted law enforcement operations.

They cursed at staff, shoved past security and assaulted federal law enforcement officers.

For what?

JOANNA: He says the people held in Delaney Hall are violent criminals.

The McIver hearing was today, held virtually if she were used a plea deal and no plea was entered today.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled June the 11th.

The Department of Justice could present the case before a grand jury.

Another court hearing was today for mayor Baraka,, whose charge of trespassing was dropped by the G -- the DOJ but the charges needed to be dropped by the judge, who admonished the interim U.S. attorney saying your role is not to consent -- secure conviction or advance political agendas.

Your allegiance is to the impartial application of the law, pursuit of truth and upholding of due process for all.

After four communications failures between air traffic controllers and pilots in less than a month, the FAA has announced changes to the number of flights coming in and out of Newark Airport every day.

Now through June 14, no more than 28 flights will take off and 28 flights will land in a day.

The schedule will remain through December on weekends.

Starting June 15, flights in and out will increase to 34.

The slow down as a result of construction on the runway at Newark Airport and staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.

The U.S. Transportation Secretary laid out a plan that includes hiring more controllers, but the positions require 2-3 years of training.

The delays are a result of failing technology in Philadelphia at a facility the controls operations for the airport.

The secretary laid out a plan to upgrade the technology.

After two months of lane closures, traffic will start to move on I-80 in Morris County tonight.

All lanes of the interstate had been closed for sinkhole repairs since March 19, but the state department will reopen two eastbound lanes in Wharton.

Construction work is ongoing on westbound lanes and the median.

State authorities expect to reopen two westbound lanes later this month than to have all lanes open by June 25.

The closures have created several delays and detours, causing many local businesses to suffer.

The state offered the businesses a grant assistance program with the -- which the -- which was expanded to add $500,000 for applicants and to allow more businesses to qualify.

Last night the three major Republican candidates for governor had their last debate of the primary season.

Jack Ciattarelli has the endorsement of President Trump.

Bill Stadia and state Senator John Bramnick took jabs at each other, making the case for why they should be the nominee.

>> I'm hoping tonight's debate doesn't turn into The Jerry Springer Show.

>> Senator John Bramnick mostly got his wish.

The debate was the last for candidates and the first since President Trump endorsed Jack Ciattarelli.

>> President Trump me because he knows I'm the only person who can unify the party.

He endorsed me because of the energy I bring to the campaign and because of the money we raised to deliver a win.

>> Let me be clear.

The president endorsed a pol conductedl and paid for by Jack's campaign.

The president didn't endorse a plan.

The president didn't endorse a set of principles.

>> I didn't get the endorsement from Donald Trump.

I waited up late at night, no phone call.

>> The more moderate John Bramnick was being sarcastic.

Bill Stadia was combative with Chad Riley -- with Jack Ciattarelli.

>> We put a moratorium on the burning of natural gas.

They haven't expanded the nuclear footprint in South Jersey.

That changes day one of the administration.

>> I'm sure Jack knows it takes 10 years to get a new nuclear reactor built and online.

>> He is wrong on the timeline.

The micro modular new your reactors can come online within six years.

>> From a man who spent millions trying to tear me down.

I'm Still Here.

>> We are not on radio.

You can't talk over people.

>> When you are a radio host you hang up on the person you disagree with.

When you represent people, you listen to all your constituents.

>> The candidates found common ground on wanting to bring back the death penalty and encouraging school choice.

They supported with varying degrees of enthusiasm, the assault charges against Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, accused of interfering with the arrest of new arcs mayor -- Newark's mayor.

>> You can't get in the way of an arrest.

>> I don't like that you are arresting congresspeople.

I also saw they dropped the charges against Ras Baraka.

That is pretty quick so it sounds like maybe those allegations weren't so strong.

>> The video shows this person you mentioned laid her hands on another person.

So that to me says the charges are legitimate.

>> I would hope a member of Congress would have more sense than to hit the police officer.

I hope she is charged to the full extent of the law and serves whatever punishment is appropriate.

We needed protect law enforcement.

>> An analysis by state officials says cuts to Medicaid could cost New Jersey a little more than $3.5 billion in federal funding.

The candidates had sharper disagreements about how they felt.

>> I look at cuts as a drive towards efficiency but not one person who is in need will go without help.

>> If there is a sit down and we can go over the Medicaid money in New Jersey, that makes sense but to cut it, to be honest, I hope the Republicans in Washington support New Jersey and dominate the cuts.

>> The best way to solve Medicaid is to prevent waste, fraud in Medicaid.

It is a multibillion-dollar program so I think the president's right and trying to hit the reset button and eliminate waste and fraud.

>> The candidates gave their final sales pitch for voters ahead of primary day June 10.

>> The goal is to win in November and I wouldn't be asking Republicans for the nomination unless I believed I was the best candidate to deliver a win and President Trump agrees.

>> My opponents have an -- a combined 80 years as political insiders.

If you want more of the same you have two choices right here.

>> If we follow some new script of hateful rhetoric, us versus them, we are going to lose.

>> It is less than three weeks to go into a primary day.

Based on last nights performance, will voters follow the presidents lead or not?

I'm Ted Goldberg.

JOANNA: As members of Congress debate what has been called the big beautiful bill, state leaders in New Jersey watch with trepidation to see whether its proposed changes to Medicaid will pass.

The Congressional Budget Office said the bill could mean a total of 500 billion dollars in cuts to Medicaid nationwide and in New Jersey, we stand to lose approximately $3.6 billion.

Here to break it down is our health care writer.

Great to have you once had.

Help us understand what the $3.6 billion means in reimbursement and does it correlate to $3.6 billion in folks not getting covered?

>> The numbers of people that are likely to drop out range.

The state has given an estimate of about 10% of the plan.

There are 1.8 million people who New Jersey's Medicaid plan, family care, covers so that is 360,000.

I have seen higher numbers.

I think, we don't know the final numbers but we do know there are only a few ways the state can adjust.

They will not be able to make up the difference.

Budget officials have said that.

So they can pay doctors less, which they already pay among the lowest rates in the nation.

They can cover fewer people, or they can take away some of the services they have on the books now.

All three are bad options.

JOANNA: Let's talk about, we know Republicans under Governor Kristi Noem, who expanded -- Governor Chris Christie, who expanded Medicaid, they said they would not support anything that cut Medicaid.

We seek three of New Jersey's Republican representatives in support of the big beautiful bill although they have said publicly they don't support cuts to Medicaid.

Are they right that the changes being proposed will not impact the folks that need Medicare the most?

>> I think that is a dangerous argument for them to be making.

Because I think let's look at the facts.

Most of the money, that is cut, comes through work requirements so there is an assumption that people aren't working and are collecting government benefits.

Studies show two thirds of the people on Medicaid are working, either part or full-time.

10% are disabled, 12% are caring for children or elders.

So some are in school.

It leads to 8% that are unemployed and that is nowhere near enough to move the numbers to where Republicans think you can get that amount of savings.

There is also changes to provider taxes.

This sounds strange but this is $300 million annually that New Jersey uses for hospital aid.

That is in danger.

There are changes to enrollment, little things that President Biden did to make it easier to get and stay in the plan.

JOANNA: Like work requirements, filling out applications.

>> Exactly.

Fewer people will be eligible and the cost goes down so I think the thing to remember, even if the cost goes down in Medicaid, the problems don't go away.

People need health care.

That is the issue.

JOANNA: Let's assume we do see hundreds of thousands perhaps in New Jersey who fall off of Medicaid coverage.

What is the impact on New Jersey's health care system in a state where we have charity care for the uninsured?

>> We have a law that says you have to treat patients when they show up at a hospital so the problem is hospitals have to do it and they will, that is what doctors and nurses pledged to do.

They will get reimbursed much less from the state.

It eats away at things.

It eats away at what they pay people, contracts, janitorial services, food services, this other stuff gets worse.

And I think the other thing is you will not see people having, getting preventative care.

You will see people waiting until they have to get care, which means fewer cancer screenings.

We have seen dips in cancer screenings through, that happened during the pandemic that led to increases in cases.

That is not a great answer either.

JOANNA: The least expensive health care is present -- preventative care.

The uninsured tend to see urgent care, Dr. care which is more expensive.

Thank you for breaking it down.

You can see more of her reporting on our website.

She is following the beach and has the information.

In our spotlight on business report, environmental advocates are pushing to protect New Jersey's advanced clean trucks rule, known as ACT, that requires the trucking industry to move from diesel to electric.

Raven Santana was in Elizabeth, where advocates highlighted the impact of diesel pollution, as federal and state lawmakers debate whether or not to keep the rule.

RAVEN: Within five minutes of setting up a long Newark Avenue I saw a steady stream of back to back class a tractor-trailers And diesel trucks.

and I wasn't the only one keeping count.

Around a dozen public health advocates, environmental leaders and community members gathered to monitor pollution levels from diesel trucks along major transit routes, like Newark Avenue.

>> The sheets going around, it was an info graphic of trucks.

The air monitors you will see around people's necks that they are wearing, that is calculating the amount of particulate matter.

Which is the chemical that is often emitted from the trucks that you see.

RAVEN: this organizer for clean water action led the event, which coincided with world asthma day.

She is urging officials to move forward without delay on implementing New Jersey's advanced clean trucks program, emphasizing the importance for communities burdened by heavy truck traffic.

>> Why is there multiple warehouses here on a playground where children are supposed to play and have fun?

Next to where people live?

>> It gets diluted in the air.

We are breathing it.

We are breeding these small particles.

You have more the closer you are to the source.

RAVEN: an associate professor at the Department of occupational health at Rutgers University says daily exposures of these toxins can have serious and harmful consequences.

>> They have been linked to risk of heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes like low birth weight babies and premature birth.

And neurodegenerative diseases have been linked to these pollutants, so Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

RAVEN: For this retired longshore women, she has witnessed and endured long term exposure.

>> Working in the ports, I have been impacted.

I developed high blood pressure.

We are front-line workers with ships and truck drivers and the equipment we operate, the containers and things like that.

So I'm fueled by that RAVEN: The ACT standard mandates manufacturers increase the sale of zero omission trucks.

It took effect in January but the trucking industry's lobbying for a bill in Trenton that would pause implementation for two years.

The president of the New Jersey coalition of automotive retailers explains why she believes the goal is not realistic for New Jersey.

>> Three times more expensive for the electric truck and you can't perform your job duties.

On top of that, if you are running the air conditioning or the heat or going over hills or mountains, the battery charge will go down weekly -- quickly.

It is a range issue, cost issue, and on top of that we have a charging issue.

We have zero publicly available commercial electric charges for trucks in the state of New Jersey.

The mandate started in January 2025.

RAVEN: The bill to delay the rule past an assembly committee in December but hasn't seen any action since.

Lawmakers may be waiting to see what happens in Washington, where Republicans in Congress are working to revoke a federal waiver that allows California to set stricter pollution standards.

If that happens, New Jersey's ACT rules may be undone.

I'm Raven Santana.

>> Support for the business report is provided by Riverview, the Jazz Festival is May 27-31.

Event details including performance schedules and location are online at Jersey City Jazz Festival.com.

JOANNA: New guidance from the FDA could change who has access to Covid vaccines.

Federal officials indicate they could require additional clinical trials before administering the shots to specific populations.

This epidemiologist at Montclair State University will explain the possible changes.

Great to talk to you.

Help us understand what is happening with the FDA's guidance and what it means for individuals looking to get a Covid vaccine.

>> I think we are trying to make sense of what the new guidance is.

Typically the CDC issues guidance, not the FDA.

Right now the recommendation seems to be that individuals who are 65 and older, and those who are under 65 but have a list of these pre-existing conditions, would still be able to get the vaccine.

For everybody else, they may now be ineligible whether they want the vaccine or not.

JOANNA: We know it has been about four years since the vaccine was approved.

The FDA approved it in 2021.

Are we seeing negative side effects in healthy individuals getting the vaccine, enough to warrant this type of pause?

>> In my opinion, no we are not.

There was a large analysis of about a quarter million people looking at randomized clinical trials that were done and the most common side effects were injection site discomfort and some fatigue.

Of course, there will be some individuals who have more severe side effects, but in the overall vast majority of cases, from those clinical trials as well as postproduction data that is constantly being collected, we are not seeing a lot of negative side effects.

JOANNA: What does a clinical trial usually look like?

How long does it typically go when we are not in the emergency case we were in when this was first proved -- approved?

>> It depends on the type of study.

Could be six months or a year and what I think most people need to realize is clinical trials don't end once the drug or the vaccine goes to market.

There are phase four trials were any and all negative interactions or negative effects of those drugs or vaccines can be recorded and there is consistent observational data being collected.

Just because the Phase 3 formal part of the clinical trials and it doesn't mean we are not still collecting data on those vaccines.

JOANNA: Is it typical for clinical trials to continue want to vaccine even if they are able to still be accessed, which in this case we know there will be a pause likely?

>> I think there are a lot of times when those clinical trials are continued and I don't think there is any reason to not continue studying these vaccines, especially if we can give a more effective vaccine with fewer side effects.

That is part of the iterative nature of science.

What I'm concerned about is making it unavailable to people who otherwise would want to have it in the meantime, when there aren't a lot of data indicating significant negative side effects.

JOANNA: What can you tell us about the number of young people, healthy people right now who are not going out and getting Covid boosters?

>> We know the Covid booster rates are incredibly low right now.

Lots of young people aren't getting it.

The FDA, one of the rationales they put out was that other countries are not, are changing the guidelines.

They don't offer it to young people.

The reality is, Canada recommends it for the same people over 65, pre-existing conditions but it is still available to people 18 and up.

That would be a better model.

Continuing to recommend it, not require it because it is not required anywhere in New Jersey but to recommend it to keep the population safe as the virus can and likely will continue to mutate, is the best way forward.

JOANNA: We do know when individual tested positive who was at the Shakira concert In New Jersey.

What does that mean for a possible outbreak?

What should people do?

>> I think for individuals who were at the concert, we don't know where that individual sat or the entrance or exit they used.

But if you have a fever, runny nose, watery eyes, it could be allergies, could be the flu, could be a cold but if you notice three or five days after onset that you develop a rash, that might be measles and you might need to follow up with a medical professional.

I would encourage people who we know, vaccine rates for measles have dropped so if you aren't vaccinated I recommend you do so.

It is a highly transmissible and very serious illness.

JOANNA: Stephanie at Montclair State University.

Thank you as always.

>> support for the medical report is provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

JOANNA: That will do it for us tonight.

Member, you can download our podcast wherever you listen and watch us any time by scribing to NJ Spotlight News on blue sky.

And YouTube.

Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date.

I'm Joanna Gagis.

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

I've a great night and we will see you tomorrow.

>> New Jersey education Association.

Making public schools great for every child.

RWJBarnabas health.

Let's be healthy together.

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More information is online at NJrealtor.com.

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Whether your home or business, we work on the issues that matter in Trenton and your neighborhood, as the voice for real estate in New Jersey we support initiatives that safeguard homeownership , strengthen communities, and reinforce our economy.

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♪