>> Calls for a cease-fire.

Signing a letter with other representatives condemning the Hamas attack as President Biden shows solidarity on the ground in Israel.

>> The death that we are seeing on our screens every day all day long, we need to do something immediately.

We need to cease firing on one another immediately.

>> New Jersey mothers plea to end the violence as she mourns the loss of her son killed in the conflict.

>> I am begging the world to stop all the wars, stop killing people, stop killing babies.

>> Safer streets in Jersey City.

Advocates are crying foul after a failed collision now demanding safety upgrades.

>> three people should not have to die for these minor improvements.

>> And NJ decides 2023.

The campaign attacks are heating up in district three.

Will it sway voters?

>> The only numbers we have our vote by mail and in the third District, Democrats are off to a head start.

>> NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

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

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♪ This is NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi >> Thank you for joining us.

President Biden today making a rare wartime visit to Israel and said early evidence shows Israel was not responsible for Tuesday's deadly explosion at a hospital in Gaza.

A horrific blast, the health ministry says killed many and wounded many more.

Among them, sheltering women babies and children.

It asserts the bombing was called by -- the explosion was caused by a failed rocket.

Now leaders warned the war is spiraling out of control with the death toll among Palestinians surpassing 3500 people.

Here at home, Bonnie Watson Coleman is joining colleagues: For immediate de-escalation in an effort to save lives.

She joins me now from Capitol Hill.

Let me ask you first about the letters you have signed your name onto.

One condemning Hamas, the other urging a cease-fire.

The latter being a little bit more controversial.

What is it that you and your colleagues are urging?

>> Peace.

Lasting peace.

Dignity and SPECT.

Equality of life.

That's what we are seeking.

this ceasefire is always a temporary measure um but we just can't leave it there but because of all the devastation and the death that we are seeing on our screens every day all day long we need to do something immediately we need to cease firing on one another immediately and so while for me that is a temporary measure and that is not something that I want to hang my hat on I want to hang my hat on permanent Solutions I want to hang my hat on more diplomacy I want to hang my head on a commitment to rebuild Gaza and and I want to hang my hat on uh Israel having the right to live where it lives and live in Safety and Security I expect the same thing for the Palestinian.

>> I know you've obviously been tied up in the votes uh for the speaker of the house but the president today made remarks from Israel and said that he will be sending excuse me an unprecedented Aid package to you and your colleagues uh will you support that especially if as it looks now it'll be tied to aid for Ukraine somewhere in the ballpark of a $ hundred million.

>> Well I am certainly interested in ensuring that we send the resources to Ukraine and to Israel that we need to send but I'm also concerned that we are sending uh humanitarian Aid and support to to Gaza and the West Bank.

>> Let me change subjects here uh to quickly what's happening there on the house floor um how much of this if anything can get done if you all can't come to a resolution on the leader of your chamber.

>> I'm like the wrong person to ask about that you should ask one of the Republicans because they represent the majority they've caused this chaos from the day one when they took over the mantle it's always been about disrupting tearing down denying and lying this guy Jim Jordan has done nothing but tear things apart he's done nothing but lied and denied he's not even been a person who could who was trustworthy in protecting students when he was on a college campus this man is an insult to this institution and he cannot not be the speaker I won't support him and I don't even think his own people will support him.

>> Congresswoman over in the other side in the Senate your colleague Senator Bob Menendez of course under a Federal indictment was told that he would not be pred to some of the classified briefings on Israel those statements were made by Senator Chuck Schumer what are your thoughts on that and his ability to hold his position if he's not able to get some of this very important information at a critical time in the Middle East.

>> I think this is all very sad that we have to deal with this but that is their business over there Schumer has spoken he he does what he thinks is best for this country what he thinks is best for the Senate I'll let them work it out >> Thank you.

As we mentioned, Senator Bob Menendez will not be involved in high-level talks regarding Israel.

Chuck Schumer told reporters late yesterday that Menendez will not attend an all senators classified briefing today about the situation in Gaza.

>> Should Senator Menendez be allowed to attend the meeting tomorrow?

>> He's not going to attend the briefing tomorrow.

I don't get involved.

I don't get involved and what happened on this kind of thing.

He is not attending.

Next.

>> This after several of his colleagues raised concerns that his presence could cause a national security risk.

Menendez is under indictment on federal charges accused of accepting money, gold bars, and a luxury vehicle in exchange for using his influence in office for helping three New Jersey businessmen with ties to Egypt and accepting bribes acting as a foreign agent on behalf of of the Egyptian government.

He has pleaded guilty, but he stepped down from his high-ranking position as chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee.

The development could have consequences as to whether he remains an office or resigns as war than of his Democratic Senate colleagues have called on him to do.

News of the Gaza hospital blast sent horror and more division among people in New Jersey with close ties to the conflict.

Many have already lost family members and loved ones in the war.

Our Senior correspondent has the story.

>> Dueling rallies last night as protesters separated by barricades waived flags, shouted slogans and sang patriotic songs outside a town council meeting escalating tensions at home.

Inside the Council voted unanimously to adopt a controversial resolution supporting the state of Israel and denouncing Hamas in the wake of its deadly terror attack that slaughtered 1300 Israelis.

Since then, Israel has retaliated with air strikes targeting Northern Gaza bombarding neighborhoods and decimating Palestinian families residents on both sides spoke passionately last night.

>> it's highly problematic in that it ignores the brutal oppression Meed out by Israel against the Palestinians that gave birth to Hamas the resolution is myopic it's inaccurate the intentional targeted televised killing of innocent men women and children is not complicated at all to view our condemnation of that as somehow islamophobic as somehow anti- Palestinian is shocking to me.

>> The human tolls Rising hundreds died in a deadly rocket strike that hit a Gaza City hospital yesterday the tragedy's fueling outraged debate over who's responsible back in New Jersey grieving families vo their anger and despair over the Carnage.

>> she was crying she's telling me that they are in one area right now they feel there's no safe place after the hospital had been hit and people are children patients doctors have been killed by the hundreds she's like there's no safe place.

>> Their home in gaza's in Ruins several family members killed one niece n is Sheltering with the Red Cross as for gader people have lost hope and I don't blame them the world is being extremely biased.

>> Israel warned a million Palestinians to evacuate to Southern Gaza as it apparently prepares for a ground Invasion to eradicate Hamas air strikes have already killed five members of North Halen resident suzan Al far's family.

>> So when you're saying that you're going into Gazza with the goal of an of destroying the Hamas networks does that mean all the rest of Gazza is collateral damage.

>> Hamas are just murderers just bloody murderers igar Kim Feld spoke via Zoom from near ashalon in Israel you could hear Rockets exploding in the background his dad Danel went fishing October 7th and is missing and presumed dead in the Hamas attack kimman Feld who's from Gibbsboro feels no mercy >> they have no value of human life and whoever supports them is is as good as them in my eyes my family is devastated my dad was the leader of this family >> war is not the answer a grief wracked M Halo posted photos of her 20-year-old son laor abramov a New Jersey native who was murdered when Hamas opened fire at the rave music event October 7th.

> I am begging the world stop all the wars stop killing people stop killing babies.

>> she wept her message that everyone in this war is wounded and that it needs to stop and I want to say that in my name I want no Vengeance.

>> I'm Brenda Flanigan NJ Spotlight >> It wasn't a single incident, but a culmination of complaints about the Trenton police department that is prompting a federal investigation.

The U.S. Attorney's office launched a probe into the capital city and its police officers focusing on alleged use of force.

Federal authorities say they have received serious and credible reports of officers making illegal stops, searches, and arrest.

The investigation is intended to root out possible civil-rights violations.

Joanna reports.

>> Their people being pulled over again.

Just stop and there is no justification.

There are incidents where officers are putting their hands on citizens.

response to the Community Advocate Darren Freedom green says these instances of police misconduct even abuse happen weekly in Trenton they just punched him in all look at it in response to the community's outcry the Department of Justice yesterday announced it's opening an investigation into the Trenton police department and the City of Trenton there may be ongoing constitutional violations with how members of the Trenton Police Department operate this is why we are starting a civil rights investigation of the police department in the city of Trenton to determine whether there is a pattern or practice that deprives individuals of their rights us attorney Philip singer made the announcement after holding a town hall call recently where he heard these concerns directly from Trenton residents this investigation will focus on two core areas first whether the Trenton Police Department is engaged in a pattern or practice of using excessive force and second whether the Trenton Police Department is engaged in a pattern or practice of unlawfully stopping searching and arresting individuals traveling on foot or by car.

>> Singer's office reviewed countless public records and Trenton police body camera footage.

>> We can see you know numbers alone with the racial disparities already show there's a problem we have a city that's 49% black and yet 75% of all arrested are black individuals the force um used by law enforcement we know because the depart New Jersey Office of the Attorney General in their use of force database we see that about 76% of all database we see that about 76% of all use of force report were against individuals black individuals >> Trenton mayor Reed Gora met with the US attorney's office this morning to discuss the investigation which is one of more than 10 the doj has conducted.

>> We welcome any kind of scrutiny we have the priority is that constitutional stops are conducted that there aren't any improper police behaviors so we welcome the scrutiny.

But he thinks the focus should be on crime and Trenton.

>> The public demands that we address the crime problem.

I would rather have our U.S. attorney focus on the number of guns coming into the state, then we won't even need police.

>> This could all result in a federal monitor being put in place.

Green wants that kind of oversight.

>> When you look at history and all of the issues that have taken place, it has not until it reached the federal level that change and transformation from a policy place oftentimes impact the state and local level.

>> The U.S. attorney will continue holding public feedback sessions as in basic actions carried out over the next year.

>> Outrage is growing after a fatal car crash this week on a deadly stretch of roadway in Jersey City that claimed the lives of three young people and left another in critical condition.

Advocates are decrying Hudson County leaders for long planned but stalled safety improvements to Paterson plank Road.

That's despite millions of dollars dedicated for safety upgrades and eight other fatal car crashes in recent years.

>> When I heard about the crash, there was a feeling of dread.

I have to say not total surprise.

>> Monday's deadly car crash was a familiar story to anyone who has driven through this treacherous stretch of Jersey City.

>> It looks like a racetrack.

You have winding corners, nice wide lane widths and fresh paving that makes people think they can drive much faster.

>> Between the three year time of 2016 to 2018, there were 114 crashes on this road.

That was just car crashes it doesn't even include pedestrian and bicycle crashes.

That doesn't include a audit done three years ago.

The speed limit is 25 miles per hour but many drivers ignore the signage and paint on the street.

>> New Jersey law says I can bite on this road and people have to give me four feet of space or slowdown and pass at less than 25 miles per hour.

Truthfully, that doesn't often happen.

If you try to bike on this road, you will get closed.

You will get honked at, it will be incredibly scary.

>> This has been dangerous for many years.

An area where a lot of the incidents have occurred seemingly be a most sane point so we wonder if there is an acceleration on both ends that causes that.

Urban head-on collision's that is one of the reasons things like a barrier is an interim solution.

>> the lane with is pretty wide and that encourages car drivers to drive fast.

We recommend 10.5 feet for lane with.

That forces drivers to slow down.

You can put in science, you can put in rumble strips, you can put in paint.

It's pretty clear that those mechanisms don't slow drivers down.

>> Advocates are happy about the short-term fix but they are hoping for broader long-term solutions.

>> Three people should not have to die for these improvements.

We should be proactive and be improving streets so that no one else has to be lost at the hands of traffic violence.

>> $12 million is been advocated -- allocated.

A task force will likely take a hard look at what can be done.

-- the community gets input.

>> One of the things I would like to see done with this roadway is a multimodal proactive design that encourages bikes, pedestrians, drivers, all modes can use it safely and comfortably.

>> Eight people have died on this road over the past seven years giving leaders a lot to look over as they try to make Paterson plank Road a safer place to drive, walk, and bike.

>> Offshore wind development is hitting another snag.

Cape May County is joining the fishing industry in filing a federal lawsuit challenging the approval of Orsted's project claiming the project turbines and construction will harm wildlife and endanger marine mammals and take a hit on tourism.

It's one of two plant projects proposing to build as many as 98 offshore turbines 15 miles off the coast.

The lawsuit alleges the government broke federal law when it approved construction projects earlier this year and once the permits invalidated.

Federal regulators have already put the project through a lengthy environmental review.

Proponents of offshore wind say the farms are key to achieving the governors and presidents clean energy goals and point to guidelines laid out to make sure Orsted an underwriter of NJ Spotlight News protects marine life during construction.

Middle East tensions are weighing on markets.

Here's how stocks closed today.

As election day gets closer, we take a look at one legislative race in South Jersey that is heating up.

The battle for estate senate seat in District three where Republican incumbent Ed dirt, the truck driver who became a representative three years ago is defending his seat against the Democrat who represented the district and the assembly for two decades.

A senior political correspondent reports the smear campaigns are ramping up.

>> Here's an adult concept, keep him away from our kids.

>> I don't call it silly season for nothing.

He is as much a poor producer as the senator is an uber driver.

That has not stopped the campaign from posting this video.

A nod UC to the conservative leanings of some voters in the third District which he hopes to tap into to blunt misogyny charges against the senator.

>> I think what really got us started were some of these outrageous things that he had said on his social media about abortion, within keeping their legs shut, things that are beyond the pale and Democrats feel that they have a real albatross that they can hang around the necks of Republicans and it's not defensible.

Other Republicans have run away from those statements.

>> this statement from Republican candidates in the fourth and eighth districts in South Jersey is pretty strong the social media post by Senator Ed dur were offensive and unacceptable it says they don't represent us or what we believe in any way.

Durr who shocked the South Jersey political establishment when he knocked out then Senate President President Steve Sweeney in 2021 has become unavailable for interviews now we're told but he's still raising money on the same site that hosted the ad attacking.

>> Special interest groups are going to come for my seat they're going to spend Millions to help the Democrats but you can stop that by contributing today well my my observation is that uh after spending after he having spent two years in Steve Sweeny Sean having delivered zero for this District in the way of economic economic programs money things that nature that uh those seats might as well have been empty so I guess there's not much for him to talk about other than what he's chosen to talk about.

>> fdu poster Dan casino found when dur and other Republicans talk about parental control in schools it resonates with independent voters but when parental control is defined Independents tend to stick with Dems.

>> Parental control uh is very much we call a dog missile that is if I talk about parental control people on my side if I'm a republican know exactly what I'm talking about they're talking about taking content about sexuality out of schools they're talking about what they refer to as woke history classes so they know what you're talking about however past research on these sort of messages has shown that once voters figure out what the dog whistle is about then they stop supporting it so there's plenty of Voters say yeah I like parental control but you say well we're going to take books about gay people out of the classroom schools they go oh I don't want that.

>> I guess it could matter to the same people that are really concerned with parental notification in schools right this could personalize that issue it could make that issue matter and resonate in that District the bottom line in this election is turnout Casino says voters especially Independents tend to stay home when a major seat isn't up at the top of the ticket so it's unclear whether or not sex in this race will arouse voters enough to actually get them to come out to the polls.

I'm David Cruz NJ Spotlight news >> That will do it for us tonight.

For the entire NJ Spotlight News team, thank you for being with us have a great evening we will see you back here tomorrow.

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