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>> Tonight, after nearly a week of pro Palestinian protests, Rutgers students pick up their tents having struck a tentative deal with the university and princeton students begin day two of the hunger strike.

>> Because of lack attention from the administration, I think extreme measures are needed in order to sort of have our demands met.

>> Plus, divestment debate.

New reporting shows the Murphy administration is considering withdrawing up investments from a Japanese company that severed its ties with Israel.

>> Don't think it will have a major impact on the company but will be, for sure, symbolic.

>> A surge in fatal crashes across the state.

South Brunswick launches a plan to combat dangerous driving.

And the miracle cat, a Ukrainian teenager shares her quest to reunite with her beloved cat after fleeing the Russia-Ukraine war.

>> When everything else was shattering and bombs were raining down, she felt in her heart, I can and will be reunited with this anal mall.

>> "Nj spotlight news" begins right now.

♪ >> From nj pbs studios this is spot least news.

Briana: thanks for joining us, I'm Briana vannozzi.

Rutgers is one of a handful of U.S. colleges and universities that reached an agreement with pro Palestinian students to peacefully dismantle their encampments.

Students say the university will meet aid out of their 10 demands but didn't agree to divesting from Israel right now, that's their top demand, or cutting ties with Tel Aviv university.

The resolution is a Stark contrast to campus protests elsewhere in the country where police were brought in to clear out demonstrators and have arrested more than 2,000 people total since the movement began.

At princeton university today, students began a hunger strike to pressure the administration to meet their demands.

As Ted Goldberg reports, it's the latest stage in a protest that shows no signs of ending.

Ted: it's day nine of the princeton encampment and after more than a dozen arrests and no movement in negotiations with university administration over demands, about a dozen students here are reassorting a hunger strike.

>> We wanted to make clear to them how serious we are about them coming to the the tables and discussing our demands which are divestment and also amnesty for both on the criminal, legal, and also disciplinary charges.

Ted: these students are swearing off all food and drinks except for water until the administration meets with them.

And charges are dropped for the 15 protesters that have been arrested here.

>> Because of the lack of attention from the administration, I think, you know, extreme measures are needed in order to sort of have our demands met.

Ted: the students tell me this hunger strike wasn't exactly plan a or plan b but a last resort to try and get the attention of the princeton administration.

The students say they've been ignored for far too long despite the encampment going for more than a week.

>> Everything we've been doing up to this day has been because we are being ignored.

This encampment has started because we were ignored.

The sit-in at Cleo hall happened because our demands weren't being heard and now we have 13 students hunger striking because we're still being ignored.

Ted: the hunger strike is in solidarity with Palestinians starving in Gaza.

>> We wanted to take an action that would be a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people especially in regards to their immense suffering they've been going through since October 7 with Israeli policies.

>> One, we wanted to do it with solidarity with all the people suffering from catastrophic food insecurity in Gaza that have been suffering as a result of the block aid imposed October 9 and because the university is continually refusing to meet with us about our demands.

Ted: after Rutgers met most of the student's demands, the encampment cleared out yet without any -- out yesterday without any arrests.

They defend their arrests for those trespassing and building tents which goes against school policy and occupying an office in the hall.

>> It's clear whether they have this level of influence whether criminal proceedings go forward and are choosing to not use it.

We think it's shameful and should care about the free speech of their students and expression of their students.

>> We've tried many, many official channels to try to get material support from the university and we got a webpage.

Ted: Rutgers chancellor Francine conway touted their success saying this resolution was achieved through constructive dialogue between the protesting students and our leadership teams.

This agreement opens the door for ongoing dialogue and better addresses the Meads of our Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian bodies which numbers over 7,000.

Students got 8-10 demands including a new Arab cultural center and 10 scholarships for displaced Palestinian students.

Rutgers was not willing to divest from Israel completely but set up a meeting between student representatives and the chairman of the joint committee on investments which decides on this.

Those at princeton had a mixed reaction to hearing about the deal though they were generally positive about it.

>> I just wish the university admin would see what happened at Rutgers and kind of use that as an invitation to say hey, maybe we can do the same thing with our students and actually talk to them.

>> It's certainly hopeful and you know, we were hopeful before that happened and we continue to remain hopeful but it's important to keep in mind Rutgers is Rutgers.

Ted: after allowed week or so, protesters and counterprotesters used silence today.

People marched on campus and stood silent for 15 minutes in support of the 15 arrested protesters, while counterprotesters set up a sadre table.

I'm Ted Goldberg, "ny spot light news."

Briana: documents obtained by politico shows the governor may pull tens of millions from a Japanese conglomerate because the company cut ties with and Is really defense contractor over the war in Gaza.

According to the report, the divestment would make New Jersey one of the first known states to penalize a business that severed a relationship with Israel since the war began.

Budget and finance writer John is with me to explain how a Christy era law triggered this decision.

John, good to see you.

This is interesting because this is quite the opposite of what all of these demonstrations have been calling for, and in fact what other countries are doing, which is divesting.

So how is this -- how did this come about from the 2016 law?

John: that's right.

It's good to be with you today.

The 2016 law came at a time when many states were being pressured to respond to the formation of what's known as the B.D.S.

movement or boycott, divest, and sanctions movement that really started almost two decades ago in response to concerns about the treatment of Palestinians by the Israelis, including in settlements which are considered illegal under international law so there was a movement to begin boycotting or pressuring companies to separate ties from Israel over concerns, human rights concerns about the settlements which are again considered to be illegal under international law.

The pushback to that was this effort to pass laws in states like New Jersey and dozens of other states where companies then would be punished for pressuring or boycotting Israel and so New Jersey's law was put on the books in 2016 and since then we've had a couple of instances where investments involving state pension funds have been questioned if a company is perceived to be participating in a boycott of Israel.

Most recently it involved the ice cream company Ben&jerry's and its parent company ended up losing its pension fund investment as a result of its pullout activities in settlements.

Briana: what are the financial implications for the state?

We should note they are a preliminary determination made by the state but if it were to go through with it, does it just affect the pension or things like annuity funds and other pots of money?

John: it does.

I mean, I think we should put this in context for both the state and for this company.

It's a very small amount of money relatively so the pension fund is worth almost $100 billion in New Jersey and the company itself is a major conglomerate with pretty hefty stock price so the amount of money that we're talking about will not make or break by any means New Jersey's pension fund nor will it probably have major impact on the finances of this company.

I'm not very familiar with it, but just looking at its current stock price, I don't think the pulling out, if it ends up this provisional determination ends up becoming final, I don't think it will have a major impact on the company either although it will be for sure symbolic.

Briana: you cited the Ben and Jerry's example but there are other examples in recent times where this law was triggered and put into use?

John: not this particular law, the state has been pursuing -- there was a divestment law passed in the wake of the Russian war against Ukraine and there have been some pursuit of contracting involving that divestment or economic separation law more recently.

There really have only been a handful of times since the 2016 law was passed that investments have been flagged.

I should note that the law requires an annual report to be prepared as well.

And this company didn't do any hiding of its position, it was publicly reported back in February that it was breaking ties with Israel in the wake of an international court of justice ruling that warned Israel to take steps to avoid genocide of Palestinians livering in Gaza.

This has been out in the open and the state by law feels like it has to take this response based on what the action that was taken in 2016 during the Christy administration.

Briana: thanks for shedding light on that, John reitmerer.

If you love driving on route 1 in central New Jersey, you have good reason.

New data from the state police show that road is a major contributor to fatal crashes in New Jersey which are up 21% statewide over last year with the majority happening in Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

As Melissa rose Cooper reports, the problem has gotten so severe, law enforcement in that area is trying a new tactic to reduce crashes and hopefully save lives.

>> We don't need their words but actions.

Get behind the wheel, buckle up, and be safe.

Melissa: a message he wants all drivers to put into action every time they hit the road.

Olson says they've seen a disturbing increase in violations in recent years along roads like here on route 1, some of them even fatal.

>> Currently here in south Brunswick, we've had four fatal crashes resulting in eight deaths.

Two of those crashes were triple fatals.

Melissa: the department is taking steps to make the road safer implementing a new initiative known as crash.

>> They are a coordinated response for accident suppression on state highways.

We're working with other agencies along the route 1 corridor in Middlesex county.

I believe we have participation from all agencies.

With the Middlesex prosecutor's office coordinating and we'll be rolling out stepped up enforcement, not just every day within our town but coordinating with those north and south of us so that we're together in our enforcement efforts on certain days of certain weeks for the next multiple months.

Melissa: south Brunswick isn't the only area in New Jersey seeing an increase in fatal crashes.

Data shows deadly crashes are up 28% statewide with 197 happening this year alone.

That's an increase from 154 reported this time last year, most of them happening in central jersey.

>> The average perception reaction time for someone to see something that comes in their vision and react through steering or breaking is 1.6 seconds.

So the second mile per hour sign will dictate that total 1.6 seconds the distance traveled.

As can you see from the higher the speeds, obviously it's the greater distance and that's if you're sober and alert and oriented.

If you're distracted, it's only going to increase and like you said, if you're looking at your phone or impaired and don't realize what's going on, that number can be astronomical.

Melissa: this patrolman is raising awareness of impaired driving in Monmouth county through a program he calls goal zero and he says it's already getting people to think twice before driving recklessly.

In march, officers stopped 360 vehicles and issued 239 summons as a result of just four hours of enforcement on one highway.

>> There's a direct correlation between the enforcement and when we stop cars we want to educate the public why we're enforcing distracted driving or seat belt laws because of these statistics going up.

Because right now, over the year-to-year comparative, over this time frame this year, we're hovering between 25% to 30% compared on the day last year.

Last year we saw a drop of almost 18% at this time from 2022-2023.

So again, I don't know what caused that drop and now the spike again but I think if we're slow and steady and keep the course, these numbers will tend to come down.

Melissa: safety is the number one goal and hoping more drivers will abide by the rules is so everyone can make it back home.

For "nj spot light news" I'm Melissa rose Cooper.

Briana: the Republican Senate candidate bashaw released the first tv ad of his campaign painting the reals developer in south jersey as a job creator who can fight back against the Biden administration and what he calls New Jersey's one party Democrat monopoly.

But bashaw and other Republicans have tough waters to navigate in belong with former president Donald Trump the top of the ticket.

He spoke with our correspondent David Cruz about that on this week's chat box and we should note his G.O.P.

opponent, Christine glasner was asked to join the conversation but declined.

Take a look.

>> You weren't before but now are a Trump supporter?

>> I voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020.

Donald Trump is the leader of the Republican party chosen by the voters in this primary process this year nationally.

I'm supporting the entire ticket.

You know, our country is going in the wrong direction and quite frankly needs outsiders, business people like me to go to Washington to help fix things.

There are commonsense issues that are upsetting all New Jerseyans.

We talk to them and have been talking to them and we want to go there and unshackle small business from overregulation and restore opportunity.

Inflation is a massive issue for our voters in New Jersey, including the 2.5 million unaffiliated voters.

Whatever we say about the economy being good, the Biden administration says it's not around the kitchen tables.

Everyone knows how much more groceries cost.

People want law enforcement supported, they want the border closed and want to feel safe and secure in their homes again.

And finally, they want their freedom.

They don't want schools keeping secrets from parents about their kids, so people are motivated in this election cycle.

Donald Trump is at the head of the Republican party and is the banner leader for this year's cycle.

We are all in to support a unified Republican party top to bottom in New Jersey.

We are running to take back this United States Senate seat that hasn't been available or open in years and New Jerseyans haven't had a Republican Senator for 52.

We think we can win in this cycle.

>> How do you reconcile support for some of the things that New Jersey voters find really objectionable about Donald Trump and the MAGA crowd?

In other words, isn't Trump a loser issue for a Republican in New Jersey?

>> I think we're going to see massive turnout this year.

There's a lot of support for Donald Trump.

And I'm running for the United States Senate seat to represent all New Jerseyans.

I'm running as a Republican.

I wouldn't run as a Republican if I didn't support Donald Trump.

And we have a real opportunity this year to win in New Jersey this Senate seat and we are very focused on that race.

>> So you're out this week with your first political ad.

Some people might watch it.

We're looking at some of it now.

And noticed that there's not a single person of color in the ad.

That's been a frequent criticism of your party that they don't do enough outreach to minority communities.

Is that a fair criticism?

And how are you reaching out to voters of color?

>> We are reaching out to voters of every community in the state, and it's our mission to help expand the Republican tent.

We were in an event just Wednesday in Gloucester with an African-American congressional candidate.

We love to see the diversity permeating our party, including people of all kinds of orientations, colors, ethnic backgrounds, religious backgrounds P. we're very excited to see the registration that's happening in the Republican party of different communities joining with us because of three things.

Many are immigrants but they came here legally and they don't want to see an open border.

Most are small business people running stores and businesses and they want government off their back.

Finally, they are people of faith who don't want schools keeping secrets from their parents and don't want government intrusion into their home.

Briana: catch the full interview with Curtis bashaw Sunday morning at 10:30 and on "reporters roundtable" this week David talks to Matt about his new podcast called "inconceivable truth" which looks at his search for his biological father and the surprises he discovered along the way.

Then a panel of local reporters break down this week's political headlines.

Watch it Saturday at 6:00 P.M. and Sunday morning at 10:00 right here on nj pbs.

Turning to wall street stocks jumped sharply after it showed the labor market cooled significantly last month with unemployment rising to 3.9% and softer job growth than expected.

Here's where the trading numbers closed for the week.

Briana: finally tonight, a reminder that miracles do come true.

A bergen team was so inspired by a true story of a young Ukrainian refugee, he wrote a book about it, "finding messi, the miracle cat from Kyiv" describe as young girl's quest to find her beloved pet who went missing when Ukraine was invaded, while gently explaining the impact of war on families and the magic that can happen when a community rallies together, our senior correspondent Brenda Flanigan has the story.

Brenda: this story is how two teens connected to create a children's book about a war in Ukraine and a much loved cat named messi.

The plush kitten belongs to irena cherniak living in Kyiv when Russia launched the first missile strikes and was 11 years old.

They fled for their lives and left pets behind.

In the book she tells her beloved messi, I'll be home soon, my kishka.

On the road with refugees she remembers explosions.

Iryna: bump and sirens.

So scary.

Brenda: she speaks in halting English and her mom thought they'd be home in a couple weeks.

Alexandra: all she thinks is about messi and how she stay alone at home.

Brenda: family and friends tried to rescue messi but the terrified cat escaped her carrier in another town and urged her mother to post Internet photos from their desperate search in their hotel room in Warsaw.

Alexandra: she forced me to post on the Internet that we lost messi.

I don't believe in that.

I believe I said it can't help because it's a war.

Who will find some cat.

But she said, mom, you need to do both.

You need to do both.

Trevor: being nervous where messi was, if she was ever going to see messi again made the whole situation a whole lot worse.

Brenda: Trevor is a high school Jr. who met her during a trip to bring humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees.

Her synagogue temple Emanuel delivered 9,000 pounds of supplies for families stranded by war as she told her group about how she needed to find messi and it reminded Trevor about his own bet rocket.

Trevor: like losing a best friend.

Rocket, I spend a ton of time with rocket.

Brenda: Trevor's family has deep routes in Ukraine.

His great, great grandfather was executed there and his own family fled persecution.

Trevor: it's not easy fleeing as a little child with your family and going to a new place you don't speak the language.

Brenda: meanwhile the search for messi continued and people sent photos and finally, miraculously one of them was messi.

Her stepdad carried the little cat to Warsaw and her arms.

Her mom translates.

Alexandra: it was one of the happiest days in my life.

Trevor: I started to realize the story is number one, inspiring, showing how many people came together in a time of war to help a girl get her cat back.

Brenda: as Trevor worked on writing the book he spent care helping children to understand what it means to be displaced by war who finding messi who was named for the soccer star resonates with kids.

It's a story of community, iryna's determination and hope, says the crisis counselor Jen velten.

Jen: not giving up on the goal meant a world of healing and possibility for her when everything else was shattering and bombs were raining down, she felt in her heart, I can and I will be reunited with this animal.

Trevor: even if you don't understand completely the politics of the war, the effects of the war in terms of data, almost everybody understands what it's like to lose a pet.

Brenda: the book is selling briskly and all the proceeds go to benefit refugees to the war in Ukraine.

As for messi and iryna, they're doing ok. She's 13 now and in seventh grade.

Messi is back in Warsaw.

Iryna: she's so happy I think.

Brenda: how are you?

Iryna: good.

Brenda: they're hoping for another miracle, to go back home in Kyiv.

It's contributed to the children of Ukraine.

Brenda Flanigan.

Briana: we received word governor Murphy will call a special primary election on July 16 to fill the seat of the late congressman Donald Payne Jr. followed by a special general election on September 18 with the new member likely taking office shortly after, meaning residents in the 10th district won't have to wait until November to have a representative back in Washington.

We'll have more on that on Monday.

And that does it for us tonight.

I'm Briana vennozi.

For the entire "spotlight" news team, enjoy your weekend and we'll see you on Monday.

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