>> Major Funding for "NJ Spotlight News" is provided in part by NJM insurance group, serving the insurance needs of residents and businesses for more than 100 years.

And by the PSEG foundation.

Raven: tonight on "NJ Spotlight News," do you have sick kids at home and not know why?

State officials are warning that cases of walking pneumonia are on the rise in New Jersey.

Plus, Governor Murphy is touting progress made by NJ transit and Amtrak after the summer of hell on the rails.

But many big solutions will still need funding from the incoming Trump Administration.

>> You can't make promises.

What you could do is you could increase your odds that you will have fewer challenges.

Raven: Also, as the candidates hoping to replace Murphy campaign at the league of municipalities conference, a group of former governors offers some advice.

>> I would challenge the Democratic candidates to say what would they have done differently in the past eight years.

Raven: And caring for our veterans.

A new V.A.

health care clinic opens up in Toms River.

>> We are offering primary care, mental health, a number of specialties including fusion therapy, by the way.

If you need chemotherapy, God forbid, you can get it right here in Toms River.

Raven: "NJ Spotlight News" begins right now.

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

Raven: Good evening, and then switch running us on this Wednesday night.

I'm Raven Santana, in four Briana Vannozzi.

We begin with a few of today's top headlines.

There is a large number of people, mostly children, walking around sick and they have no idea it's not COVID, but walking pneumonia, and it is living up to its name, especially in New Jersey, where the state has seen a growing amount of cases among children.

The respiratory disease that can often be confused with a cold or the flu is treatable with antibiotics, but if left untreated can become dangerous entering into a more serious form of pneumonia.

The bacteria is most commonly spread through coughing, sneezing, and close contact, making children who are in close contact with each other at school more susceptible.

Health officials are urging schools, daycares, nursing homes, and other facilities where groups are in close contact for long periods of time to report any clusters to the county health departments.

Also tonight, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill pulled in a mess of a fundraising call 24 hours after announcing her run for governor for she raised more than $600,000, allowing her to qualify for matching funds under the public financing program.

Candidates need to raise 580 thousand dollars to qualify for matching funds, giving the Democratic gubernatorial candidate roughly $1.25 million to spend on her primary campaign so far.

Sherill's fundraising comes as the New Jersey fundraising foundation increased limits by more than 5%.

The adjustments approved were the first ones made under the election's transparency act, the 2023 legislation that gives the green light to dramatic campaign financing increases as well as requires donation caps adjusted for inflation every two years.

These are only for legislative elections.

New Jersey is seeing green with record levels of marijuana sales.

According to the cannabis regulatory commission, the Garden State saw more than $238 million in sales during the second quarter of 2024.

The latest figures represent nearly 50% growth compared to the same period a year ago.

The growth is reflected in the number of licensed dispensaries selling recreational marijuana in the state, which has grown from about 30 stores to more than 170.

Between April and June, the New Jersey regulatory commission reported a nearly 10% increase from the revised total of $217.5 million adult uses sales generated from January through March.

According to the state, when factoring in medicinal cannabis, sales topic 206 $1 million for the latest period.

As the holiday season approaches, passengers may be concerned about experiencing a repeat of this summer's NJ transit and Amtrak.

Governor Murphy met with transit and Amtrak officials today come and there may be hope with recently announced funding aimed at modernizing the aging transportation system.

As Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan reports, the hope hangs on funding approval by the incoming Trump Administration.

Gov.

Murphy: you can't make promises.

What you can do is increase your odds you have fewer challenges.

Brenda: Governor Murphy had a special summit of transit executives refused to guarantee that transit riders will avoid another horrible summer of hell, but fingers crossed can interim inspections and repairs completed among 240 miles of track between Clinton and New York have stabilized and antiquated system prone to break downs for now.

>> We have learned more that I think is going to allow us to approach the coming year with a higher degree of certainty that we can perform as expected.

Brenda: Officials said separate investigations continued into how the commuter rail system could have failed so utterly, leaving travelers stranded, some trains installed for hours inside Hudson River tunnels.

Commuters furious over paying higher fares for bad service complained of Congress, who called on Amtrak -- complained to members of Congress, who called on Amtrak and NJ transit to find the smoking gun but >> I think some people were expecting a single root cause and we have not identified any proverbial smoking gun as what cause those incidents.

>> This fight is nowhere near over.

We have a lot more work to do, we have got to keep cooperating.

It is not inappropriate at all for people to put pressure on Amtrak and New Jersey transit.

Brenda: Amtrak scored $112 million in federal grants to begin critical infrastructure improvements on signals, catenary wires, and bridges along the Northeast corridor in New Jersey.

But pressure to keep those federal dollars flowing will get intensely political when the Trump Administration takes over in January with what's widely regarded as a mandate to slash government spending, including transportation.

>> We have to do environmental work and design work.

We think there is a strong interest from what we can understand so far from the new administration to make things more efficient, to get better outcomes.

And we will be working to try to build partnerships there to get these dollars.

Brenda: The first Trump Administration coiffed funding for the Gateway rail tunnel project.

President Biden subsequently guaranteed funding for Gateway.

That at least is solid, Murphy said.

The governor met last week with the President-elect, who he maintained understands infrastructure.

Gov.

Murphy: And he understands the Northeast corridor really well.

I think those are all good facts.

That is not to say we think we can sit on our hands and let the grass grow.

We want to obligate those funds as fast as possible.

>> We are going to be making a strong case about these projects and of course delivering the projects on time in terms of the design and pushing aggressively for the construction funding.

>> Is so I basically clear that one of the reasons why -- it is so obviously clear that one of the reasons why getting large projects completed in the United States is the function of people trying to manage them within election cycles, which is not possible.

There are things that are too big and take too long.

Brenda: The group plans to meet again in April.

By then they will have a better idea of what kind of financial support they can expect from the new Trump Administration.

In Newark, I am Brenda Flanagan, "NJ Spotlight News."

Raven: Hundreds of policymakers and political influencers from across the state are flocking to Atlantic City this week, and it's not to gamble.

Today marks the second day of the 109th annual league of municipalities conference in Atlantic City, where lawmakers, lobbyists, and experts from all across the state gather to share ideas and policies on how to improve their towns and communities.

Some serious political heavy heaters from the state's past and current leadership will be present during the conference senior correspondent Joanna Gagis reports a major focus of this year's conference will be the 2025 governor's race.

>> How will the 2024 election results shape the 2025 election?

Joanna: That question posed to this panel of pastor New Jersey governors at this year's league of Newman disabilities -- league of municipalities conference in Atlantic city.

In case anyone wasn't clear, he clarified.

>> The real election is not for president.

The real election is for governor.

That is what everybody cares about.

>> With the new administration, a new trifecta administration basically in Washington, that will have an impact on New Jersey.

Joanna: former Senate President and governor of New Jersey for a whole of four days John Bennett says national politics will play out in New Jersey, but how exactly is unclear.

Former one-term governor Jon Corzine says the trends don't look great for Democrats, although he sees the crowded field as filled with hopefuls.

>> The crop of Democrats is pretty damn good.

I think there are three or four people who would do a fantastic job if they were governor.

Joanna: in the spirit of learning from candidate Kamala Harris's mistakes, Bennett offered -- >> I would challenge the Democratic candidates to say what they would have done differently in the past eight years.

But they are more of the same, in my opinion.

Republicans have some really solid candidates.

Joanna: they discussed some of the national policies that could sway voters in New Jersey, from the salt tax cap that was put in place during President Trump's first term and hasn't been removed during the Biden administration, despite New Jersey leaders calling for it.

>> If that doesn't come off, I think Democrats are going to have a hell of an issue to be able to go to the people.

>> I would hope that perhaps the amount would perhaps be changed.

I don't think they are going to change it back to the way it used to be.

But I'm hopeful that the amount be raised.

I personally don't think it will have that much of an effect on the gubernatorial election.

Joanna: to Gateway tunnel funding that led to some debate.

>> That's done.

I know what you mean.

>> It ain't done until it's done.

We thought it was done in 2012.

>> I got the impression that it cannot be changed at this point.

Joanna: To broader transportation issues.

>> We all know New Jersey is so critical in terms of, as Jon said, the ports, roads, bridges.

And the reality is that some of our bridges are crumbling.

And so vigilance on the infrastructure investment act, those federal dollars are essential for New Jersey.

Joanna: the issue of immigration came up.

Bennett saying deportations should start immediately for anyone was committed a crime.

And of course, the economy and the impact of Trump tariffs.

>> Tariffs are a tactful sum it is bad policy for the state of New Jersey.

>> The tariffs he imposed the first round have not been removed by President Biden.

Those tariffs are still in place I just can't believe that he would in any way impose tariffs in such a way that it would affect our American economy and a dilatory is way.

Joanna: the governors waited on the legacy that Governor Phil Murphy leaves and how his last budget will impact the candidates running to replace him.

He actually received praise from governors on both sides were his funding of the anchor property tax relief program and for fully funding the state pension and education systems.

But with plenty of room for criticism for the $53.1 billion price tag that comes along with it.

At the league of municipalities conference in Atlantic City, I'm Joanna Gagis, "NJ Spotlight News ."

Raven: Make sure you tune into "Chat Box" with David Cruz tomorrow night, a special one-hour addition from the league of municipalities conference in Atlantic City pick he talked to several of the major candidates running for governor in 2025.

It was like affordability, immigration -- they will talk affordability, immigration, NJ transit, and market that is at 6:00 p.m. on the "NJ Spotlight News" YouTube channel.

A New Jersey home is suspending admissions after the state found multiple health violations.

Some of the violations in Burlington at a long-term care facility, included no hot water trash buildups, staffing shortages, and the lack of ability to meet basic standards of care and needs.

According to investigative reporters who Livio, patients weren't invented enough food because of unpaid groceries.

If that isn't hard enough to hear, she discovered in her reporting that the person in charge hadn't been seen for months.

To discuss more, she joins me now.

Sue, great reporting, thanks for joining me.

>> thanks for having me.

Raven: Take me through your reporting.

What were the violations, and how long has this neglect been going on?/ >> As far as I can tell, reading the state health department violation reports, they've been in there, the health inspectors have been in there since the summertime, but they just went back to do a reinspection and to follow up on some complaints last week.

Lo and behold, they find that people haven't been showering because the water isn't the right temperature.

It is too cool.

There is issues with not enough food in the place.

They are making substitutions for many items.

A lot of the menus are made up in advance that reflected dietary needs of the residents who lived there.

There's also issues with everybody gets an allowance afforded to them by Medicaid, and the owner is supposed to have a bond to ensure that money, and that bond has expired.

Those are just some of the issues, and medially -- well, the health department declared immediate jeopardy, meaning that conditions are so severe that the health and safety are at risk for the 93 people who live at the Medford care center.

Raven: Yeah, you know, hearing all these violations, it's heartbreaking and unbelievable.

I want to clarify especially for viewers watching how many residents were affected by these dangerous conditions, and do we know the ages of these residents?

Susan: So, according to the state documents, there are 93 people there, and they have been suspended, meaning they cannot accept anybody new since last week.

And we don't have particulars, but the conditions were so dire that the health department took the rare step of declaring an immediate jeopardy, meaning that everyone is affected by the -- could be affected by the violations that are going on.

And immediately ordered the owners to hire consultants to handle dietary menus, the food distribution, hire a consultant to be an administrator, because according to the health department, the administrator/ owner hadn't been on site for months.

Of course I did speak with the gentle man who owns the facility, family business -- his family for four decades.

He caught a lot of this an exaggeration that he called a lot of this an exaggeration, and he was getting the boiler fixed to address the water issue, temperature issue.

He claimed that that was a problem, but not every day, and that it was just a matter of washing clothes at the right time.

I don't know, he basically said that we have enough food, the requirement is you have to have three days of food in place.

The health department said they didn't have that.

He says they did.

Raven: So he basically denied all the allegations and is not taking accountability.

Susan: He says it's not perfect, but he said that some of these allegations were exaggerated.

But he did sound like -- that he was working on the requirements in order to get admissions restored.

The health department confirmed that there were plans in place, but that they would not lifted the admissions suspension until the consultants were in place on the water was fine and the food was fine.

Raven: Sue, I'm wondering, how long will it take to clean up this mess?

Susan: Well, certain things have to happen immediately.

When there is immediate jeopardy violation, they want to see progress right away.

Raven: Right.

Susan: So by next week, according to the owner, he thinks that he will be able to get everything squared away.

But I know from how the health department does its job, they will go back and reinspect, and they have been on-site since the end of last week, but throughout the weekend making sure that people have enough to eat, that they are healthy, they have not moved anybody yet.

So things are sort of in a holding pattern.

But yeah, this is an accumulation over months where there have been unpaid bills, unpaid energy bills, the boiler, the plumber wasn't paid, there are some lawsuits outstanding.

So it really came to a head last Thursday.

Raven: Again, amazing reporting.

Thank you so much for joining me.

Susan: Thanks for your interest.

Raven: In tonight's "Spotlight on Business" report, Jersey Mike's is selling out to the tune of $8 billion.

The popular sandwich chain, which has grown from a single storefront in Point Pleasant to become a beloved brand nationwide, is being acquired by the private equity firm Blackstone in a deal announced Tuesday.

Jersey Mike's founder and current CEO Peter Cancro will maintain a minority stake in the company and will continue to lead the business.

There are currently more than 3000 Jersey Mike's locations nationwide.

Both the chain and Blackstone said the deal will accelerate more expansion around the United States and beyond.

For years, many New Jersey veterans in need of care faced hours-long road trips to the clinic in East Orange or lengthy wait times in Brick.

This week the state expanded their access to care, opening a brand-new V.A.

clinic in Toms River, twice the size of the location in Brick, which shut down in October, and it can handle expanded offerings like women's care, mental health counseling, physical health therapy, and more.

Ted Goldberg was at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and spoke to veterans and lawmakers about how the new location will enhance the care for men and women who put their lives on the line.

[cheers] Ted: The new V.A.

clinic in Toms River has been open for less than a month, but it has already cut down on serious commute times for many veterans seeking health care.

>> I can't tell you how much I heard about people having to drive hours and hours just to get basic care.

It's ridiculous.

>> Before, veterans would have to travel up to East Orange, so they would have to get in a shuttle.

It was an all-day adventure.

Ted: John O'Connell and Bill Graves are part of the blind veterans Association, and they are excited to see the possibilities of the brand-new V.A.

building with twice the capacity of the old V.A.

in Township.

>> Most veterans who are blind, or a lot of them, sit home all day long because they don't think they can maneuver.

John and I go everywhere we want to go because we are learning how to operate the equipment the V.A.

has.

But they haven't had a facility here so they can learn.

Ted: O'Connell and Graves give the V.A.

a lot of credit for their high-tech canes and the training to know how to use them in places like midtown Manhattan.

They hope the new V.A.

can empower veterans like them.

>> This cane, it was crowded, so crowded you couldn't move.

As we were walking down the street like this, people opened up just like the river.

>> I thought I was an expert on the cane.

I went on additional training on train platforms.

I found out I was an idiot and I was going to fall off the train platform because I was approaching it at an angle and it wouldn't really work, and that's not a good thing.

Ted: the new V.A.

facility is 68,000 square feet and has enough parking spots for nearly 500 vehicles.

Lack of parking was a fairly common complaint at the old Brick location.

This place has a wider variety of services for our nation's veterans.

>> We are offering primary care, mental health, a number of specialties including fusion therapy.

If you need chemotherapy, God forbid, you can get it at Toms River.

Ted: the V.A.

's undersecretary of health for two more months also grew up in Atlantic County.

>> love New Jersey, served as health Commissioner, went to high school here.

60,000 veterans, most importantly, in Monmouth and Ocean County can benefit for generations to come.

Ted: this V.A.

will have more offerings than its predecessor including primary health care, physical therapy, and more services for women veterans.

>> The military is filled with very, very capable and strong women who need care, and of course we do now have a very important part of that right here at the Toms River clinic.

Ted: As Congressman Chris Smith reminded the crowd, getting a new facility has been a long time coming.

>> I got a bill passed in 1986, again in 1987, again in 1988, passed the house, went over to the Senate, and went nowhere.

[LAUGHTER] Ted: After the laughter died down, New Jersey's congressman continued to praise the new clinic, including Senator-elect Andy Kim.

>> My family owes a debt of gratitude to our service members and veterans we can never repay, to be able to have the chance where I now can raise a seven-year-old and a nine-year-old, that I live in a country with me as the son of Korean immigrants can step up and be the first Korean American ever in the U.S. Senate in the history of America.

>> There are American young men and women standing on the front lines putting their lives in danger.

They and their families should never have to worry about what happens when they finish their service and come home.

Ted: On Monday, the V.A.

hosted a clinic for veterans affected by burn pits and toxins.

Only recently were they covered by V.A.

benefits after the pact act was signed into law two years ago.

As resources continue to grow for veterans near the Jersey shore.

In Toms River, I'm Ted Goldberg, "NJ Spotlight News."

Raven: That does it for us tonight.

Before you go, a reminder to download the "NJ Spotlight News" podcast so you can listen to us anytime.

I'm Raven Santana.

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

>> New Jersey Education Association, making public schools great for every child.

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Let's be healthy together.

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More information is online at NJrealtor.com.

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>> Look at these kids.

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I see myself.

I became an ESL teacher to give my students what I wanted when I came to this country.

The opportunity to learn, to dream, to achieve, a chance to belong and to be an American.

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