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Briana: Will he sign it?

The latest on the reforms to the open records act as critics are sure the governor to veto the changes.

New Jersey state police accused of failing to prevent discrimination against minorities.

What a new watchdog report has to say about racial profiling by law enforcement.

>> More likely to be stop and face arrest or face force after traffic stops.

Briana: Memorial day weekend traffic expected to break records, as Jersey drivers hit the roads and take to the skies, kicking off the unofficial start to summer.

>> AAA is expecting more than one million New Jersey residents to travel for the Memorial Day holiday.

Briana: And a beach battle in Ocean Grove.

The state has ordered the beaches open on Sunday morning for the first time in a century.

>> I'm happy it is going to be open in the mornings, but I will say to respect the Methodist community and their views.

It is a tradition.

Briana: "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

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

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

I am Briana Vannozzi.

Pressure is mounting on Governor Murphy to use the power of his pen on a controversial bill that will change how the public accesses government records.

The latest from the mayors of New Jersey's two largest cities, Jersey City and Newark, who are both running in the 2025 Democratic primary for governor, they are slamming the bill and calling on Murphy to veto it outright, calling it a step backward for transparency and accountability.

The legislation was fast tracked, landing on the governor's desk more than a week ago.

Critics say they are fostered by, among other things -- frustrated by, among other things, a change double-shift fees and allow the government to charge more for records.

While some say that the law is in dire need of updating because municipal clerks are being buried in requests.

After a closed-door meeting with a large group of opponents, it appears Governor Murphy is no closer to making a decision on whether he will sign it.

Senior political correspondent David Cruz reports.

David: While they weren't sworn to secrecy, very few of the dozen or so advocates who were there would speak on the record about the statehouse session.

But Jesse Burns of the League of Women Voters, who was there, said it was a useful meeting for advocates to remind the governor about what is at stake.

>> The government was there he was there to -- the governor was there he was there to listen so we didn't receive much feedback.

The things that Governor Murphy has been able to achieve in a pro-democracy agenda for the state and how this decision that is now in front of him could really stain that legacy of pro-democracy work, this could take our state backwards.

David: Other advocates at the hour-long session said the governor seemed to mull the issue well and noted the advocates' objections to items like fee shifting, the exclusion of metadata, and moves that discourage open requests.

Pressure for the governor to veto the bill has been mounting.

Mayors of the state's two largest cities have taken to social media to urge the governor to kill it.

Mayor Baraka: it is a test mentor our transparency, the desire to have democracy, and our unity around what's right and what's just.

David: "Legacy" is a word you start to hear more often as the governor heads into the home stretch of his tenure.

Former Senate Majority Leader Malone a Weinberg has been a frequent critic of the bill and the process undertaken to pass it.

Like many progressives, she says democracy itself is on the ballot in the fall, and the governor's signature would send a terrible message.

>> this is not only a legacy issue for Governor Murphy, and I hope his legacy remains intact because he did many good things, and I hope continues to do many good things over the next two years.

But it's not only his legacy, it is about our democracy.

I can't overstate enough how important transparency and accountability is to that democracy is on the ballot.

David: Saladin Ambar of the Eagleton center on the American government at Rutgers said there is a lot riding on the governor's reaction to a bill that is run such a negative response from the public and transparency advocates.

Saladin: this is not a bill that is going to do anything but leave a bit of a bad taste in the mouth of people thinking back on your legacy.

If I were advising the governor, and I don't advise the governor, but if I did, I'd suggest he veto this bill.

David: The governor today said he had -- Gov.

Murphy: no news to make.

We had a constructive meeting with advocates the other day and night give them credit for making their case.

I've heard from a lot of Mayors.

No news to make today.

David: It's unclear what Murphy will do here, although when unofficial poll of those at the meeting reflects the fact that given the transactional nature of Trenton, Murphy is likely poised to hold his nose and sign it.

David Cruz, "NJ Spotlight News."

Briana: The New Jersey State police is being accused of seemingly turning a blind eye to racial profiling and other discriminatory policing against people of color on the roads.

A report from the state comptroller's office of this week finds law enforcement leaders were aware of data showing the unjust treatment, but did nothing to meaningfully tackle it, echoing the findings of previous studies.

After reviewing the report, Attorney General Matt Plotkin called the findings deeply troubling.

But as our social justice writer reports, it remains to be seen what if any action will be taken.

I spoke to her about what comes next.

Good to see you.

You looked into this report.

In what ways does it say that state police failed to stop this commission?

stop discrimination-?

Taylor: when the state police was shown this data that showed the friends, they failed to consider implicit bias is one of the reasons for racial disparities.

State police receive implicit bias training, but the state comptroller said this wasn't enough, and he called measures that did exist to be performative.

A lot of this extends from a third-party report that the Attorney General commissionwd last year -- commission ed last year which showed that black and Latino riders were more likely to face arrest or traffic stops.

The AG's office said they told them to consider him for his advice as a reason for some of these trends, but the comptroller said they didn't see this mentioned in any of the notes mentioned over five years regarding the data.

The comptroller also said he didn't receive all the documents you requested from the state or the AG's office and was told the information was privileged.

Briana: I'm guess I'm wondering how this could be the case when we get reports every year, pretty lengthy reports at that, from the state police and the Attorney General's office showing steps they have taken to make these reforms.

Taylor: It's a question that a lot of people are wondering, especially since racial profiling is the reason we are here today and why some of these agencies exist.

The state police were put under a federal consent decree from 1989 to 2009 following a DOJ lawsuit over racial profiling after a trooper shot at a vehicle with young Black and Latino men on their way to a basketball tryout.

Following the consent decree, the office was passed -- the law was passed that created an office under the Attorney General and allow the comptroller to review their work.

Data has shown these disparities in traffic stops, and a lot of people say it has to do with the culture and their needs to be more initiatives that dig under the root cause of a lot of these racial disparities that go beyond what implicit bias training can provide.

Briana: We saw that the Attorney General had a strong reaction to this report.

What steps are they talking about taking, if any?

Taylor: For now, the comptroller directed the state police and the AG's office to create a corrective plan in the next 90 days, but advocates are saying they want more oversight, civilian oversight of police, and more police accountability.

That goes beyond the AG's office.

They are calling in the legislature and governor to split accountability bills that have installed in state government the last several years.

Briana: And at a time when accountability has been fraught for quite a while now.

Taylor's full report is on the website.

Thank you very much.

Taylor: thank you.

Briana: The summer fun kicks of today with the start of Memorial Day weekend.

State and federal transportation agencies say they are anticipating record levels of travel and traffic this year.

AAA predicts we will see the highest number of travelers on the roads in a nearly 20 years.

That is despite sticker shock from the cost of an airline ticket, gas, or hotel room.

As Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan reports from Newark airport, it appears people's worries about the economy are no match for wanderlust.

Them a we need to get away, we need to get away from work, family, we need to get away from family.

[LAUGHTER] Brenda: Kris got away via Spirit Airlines, and the check and shows she is not alone.

It is another record-breaking Memorial Day travel weekend.

They expected 2.2 million passengers.

>> We were shocked when we got here this morning.

>> If you have pre-check.

If not, boarding takes a long time.

It was around 6:00 in the morning when we traveled here, and even then it was packed.

>> we were able to get affordable tickets and fly, but we were looking at driving, but with three small kids it seemed like the better choice to fly.

Brenda: Many passengers feeling the economic squeeze tweaked their itineraries, planning shortest days or cheaper hotels.

The Vincent family lives in New York City but chose to fly out of Newark.

>> Yeah, well, Spirit, the price was right.

>> There is definitely a lot more than there used to be.

It makes a little harder to travel.

That is why I am like, I'm going to take advantage.

I'm flying out for a wedding, so I will make a trip out of it, because flights ain't cheap no more.

Brenda: The Port Authority recommended travelers arrive early, prebook parking, and pack a lot of patients at the nation goes on vacation.

The TSA expects 3 million passengers to file through checkpoints just today.

But actually, more folks are driving.

>> AAA six pecking more than one million New Jersey residents to travel this weekend for the Memorial Day holiday.

That is an increase of 4% compared to last year, and it is the highest number of travelers since 2005.

Brenda: AAA's Tracy Nobles has gas costs may be a dime a gallon more than last year, so folks might plan shorter drives down the Jersey shore.

She says traffic is lighter for early birds and night owls.

>> If you are heading out tomorrow for a day trip, the worst times to travel are going to be between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. Head out in the morning or wait till the evening.

On the return, Monday afternoon is going to be the brunt of the gridlock.

Brenda: The Port Authority tried to smooth the ride through bridges and tunnels.

>> We have stopped all nonemergency construction along the Hudson River crossings.

We will be providing enhanced staff at all of our facilities, from the crossings to the airports.

Brenda: Back at the airport, flight boys showed few delays.

So far, so good.

>> I want to go to the beach, have fun.

Brenda: The official summer season kickoffs now underway.

At Newark Liberty International Airport, I am Brenda Flanagan, "NJ Spotlight News."

Briana: A trip to the shore is typically a popular option for those booking to stay closer to home this weekend, and for the first time in 155 years, the beaches in Ocean Grove will be open on Sunday mornings.

The Jersey shore town that is locally known as God's square-mile has been ordered by the State Department of environmental protection to allow axis between 9:00 a.m. and noon, when he danced historically been close to keep with the town -- when it has historically been closed to keep with the town's religious traditions.

The court battle on whether that will stick is far from over.

Reporter: the peace and quiet of Ocean Grove has brought people to its beaches for a long time.

>> the historic nature of Ocean Grove, the activities.

Reporter: For folks like Michael Harrigan, the Methodist roots do not scare him away from God's square-mile.

>> I'm not a religious person, but it's a spiritual connection, it is.

I you see every person that walks by,, every perso -- every class, every race.

Reporter: On Sundays you couldn't drive a car until a court order in the late 1970's.

>> I remember my father and night moving the car to the outer Hamlets, either Asbury Park or Bradley, and the entire streets, all of the streets of Ocean Grove were empty of cars.

>> I think it was more like of a myth, mystery.

Reporter: Marge moved here a year ago and has enjoyed these beaches from entire life, except for Sunday mornings.

The Ocean Grove Camp meeting Association, which owns the beach and effectively runs Ocean Grove, says, "for 155 years we have closed our beach on Sunday mornings to honor God.

Now the New Jersey Department of environmental protection is ordering us to open our privately owned beach on Sunday mornings.

We are challenging this order to preserve our property rights and religious freedom."

It's become a contentious issue in Ocean Grove, where some say religious freedom stops short of preventing people from enjoying a public beach.

>> They can have their services, as they always do, in the pavilion here.

But you can't use religion to take away rights from other people.

Reporter: The camp meeting was facing dealing fines of $25,000 had they kept beaches closed on Sunday mornings.

There is no dispute that the beach and boardwalk are public, though they are owned by a private group.

A ruling from non-myth County Court in 1908 so the boardwalk is a public highway, and FEMA said we believe the association does function as a local government entity and is instrumental to providing municipal services to the residents of Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

We are confident that the boardwalk is an essential public resource."

>> It goes back to 1870 when they got their charter.

They got their charter under the jurisdiction of the public trust doctrine.

Reporter: Public trust doctrine means the general public has access to oceans, bays, and rivers.

It was written into state law five years ago but cited in cases well before that.

Beachgoers are split on how they feel about Ocean Grove's beach staying open for Sunday morning.

>> I am happy it is going to be open in the mornings, but I also respect the Methodist community.

>> It is somewhat sad to see many things go, but how can you not enjoy historic structures that are a timepiece or capture of a time, when people sought refuge?

Reporter: Ocean Grove is still a dry town.

While they might have to keep their beaches open Sunday morning, they will remain a quiet beach destination down the shore f in Ocean Grove, I am Ted Goldberg, "NJ Spotlight News ."

Briana: in our "Spotlight on Business" report tonight, Governor Murphy was on the boardwalk in Asbury Park today highlighting the $100 million the state has dedicated to fixing up a boardwalks along the Jersey shore.

The money was awarded back in February.

32 towns applied, 18 received grants meant to restore, repair, and make more resilient the short's wooden main streets Asbury Park and Atlantic city got the largest grants, $20 million each.

Asbury Park plans to spend money on new restrooms, excess ability upgrades, and mustering historic convention hall.

Gov.

Murphy: boardwalk like this one are the lifeblood of communities up and down the shore.

They connect shoppers to the small businesses that make our beach communities so unique, and they bring families and friends together to enjoy the sunshine.

And that is exactly why we need to keep this vital local infrastructure in good repair, so these boardwalks can continue serving as the backdrop for summers down the shore in the years, and importantly decades ahead.

Briana: Turning to Wall Street, stocks edged higher as the markets look to bounce back from the Dow's big wipeout.

Here are the closing trading numbers.

>> Support for the business report is provided by Riverview Jazz, presenting the Jersey city Festival May 29 to June 2.

For details, JerseycityjazzFestival.com.

Briana: Hurricane season officially begins on June 1, and the 2024 cycle is expected to be abnormally busy, according to NOAA, the National oceanographic and atmospheric administration.

The outlook is predicting up to 13 hurricanes and as many as 25 named storms, the most aggressive may outlook ever issued by a government agency.

But experts tell you a busy year shouldn't come as a surprise.

An expected La Niña will set the stage for storm formation, while climate change has caused temperatures to support, meaning more fuel for storms to grow.

Many of these systems may never make landfall, but that shouldn't change how we think about preparedness.

Matt Rosenkranz is the lead hurricane seasonal forecaster for NOAA and joins me to explain why pit thanks for coming on the show.

When we get a report like this, outlook from NOAA, and we see there's going to be a busy year, how should we consume that information?

It feels like a big number, but we know that not all of these storms will necessarily happen.

Matt: We should take this outlook is a chance to prepare now for the season, as if the strands are going to come to your area and impact you -- as if the storms are going to come to your area and impact you.

Briana: When we talk about the factors contributing to this, is it largely La Niña, is it largely what is happening in the South or the Gulf?

What is NOAA wanting to permit -- pointing to for making this more aggressive outlook then we have seen in the past?

Matt: We look to the sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic, where these storms form.

We also look at the state predictions for the West African monsoon, and other small factors such as wind patterns that come out of the northwest and Canada area that can also have a small impact.

We run the number on all of those.

Briana: When it comes to an area like New Jersey, like the Northeast, where we are not typically known for the hurricane seasons we see elsewhere, what should be considered and what is considered?

Matt: So flooding is a huge concern, given sea-level rise.

Much of New Jersey and New York metro area is low-lying areas, so flooding is a huge concern.

Take the time to prepare now in case you have to evacuate.

Briana: Thinking about the remnants of Ida for our area, which we didn't get a full tropical storm, and yet we had deaths, widespread destruction, not just here, but across the river in Manhattan, do we look too much at how these Eric --these hurricanes are categorized, as opposed to the rain events, the water that causes a lot of this damage?

Matt: You have to look at the full spectrum of threats from these storms.

If you are in a low-lying area, flooding is a main concern.

If you are further west, higher terrain, those winds can really become a concern, taking down trees and power lines.

National Weather Service will put out warnings as appropriate, so please respond.

Briana: Don't just look at, hey, we are pretty in Category 1, Category 3.

Look at what the rainfall totals may potentially be and what would that mean for your area, and if you are in a low-lying area -- I don't want to put words in your mouth, but it sounds like that is something to take into consideration largely.

Matt: Absolutely, even a tropical storm doesn't have a category number, it can drop tremendous amount of rainfall, lead to flooding and disruption and disrupt lives.

Be prepared and take heed of those watches and warnings.

Briana: None of this should come as a surprise.

Yeah, given where we are headed with sea-level rise, with changes in climate.

Should we take it as a grain of salt that we expect to see higher numbers when these outlooks are just too bearded and published -- are distributed and others?

Matt:, the storms that is not link to much to climate change.

It is low-lying in there, especially around the Newark airport.

There's a lot of stuff, a lot of low-lying area.

Those are the more intense factors, not necessarily the numbers.

Briana: Matt Rosenkranz is the seasonal forecaster for NOAA.

Thank you so much.

That does it for us tonight, but join us for a special memorial date edition of "NJ Spotlight News" on Monday, where we look at New Jersey's Shrinking shorelines.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire "NJ Spotlight News" team, thanks for being with us, enjoy the holiday weekend.

We will see you next week.

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