>> from NJPBS Studios, this is NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi.

Briana: Thanks for joining us.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

Tonight, a few stories we will get into later in the broadcast.

With the governor's race tightening, black male voters have emerged as a key block to win the election.

What are Democrats and Republicans doing to get their support?

Then we get the latest on why certain hospitals have stopped gender affirming care for patients under 19.

Later, we visit a newly opened high school in Newark, billing itself a launch for future architects and engineers.

First, a few of today's top headlines.

Fresh off a rebrand and take over, Heights University Hospital in Jersey City says the system is on the brink of suspending nonessential services unless it receives what the CEO calls substantial financial support from the state within the next 30 days.

Hudson regional health, which took over the bankrupt care point earlier this year, says despite a $300 million investment across its network, much of it at Heights, the hospital is facing unsustainable losses of over $60 million annually.

As first reported by the Hudson County view, the CEO says without public funding the board has authorized a systemwide restructuring that includes winding down services.

At Heights University Hospital union leaders say the move contradicts promises HRH made ring the takeover, calling a lack of transparency.

They warned layoffs and reduced services could hit the community hard with no clear plan.

The state Department of Health has not announced next steps.

A street in Tenafly was officially renamed edon Alexander way, honoring the borough native who survived nearly six hundred days in captivity after being taken hostage by Hamas in the October 7 terror attack on Israel.

The Dedication earlier today featured the Alexander family, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, and community leaders, where they unveiled the new street sign, calling it a lasting symbol of edon's strength and the fight to bring him home.

The 2022 graduate of Tenafly high school was just 19 when he was captured while serving in the Israeli army.

Is release this may sparked an outpouring of support within the town and around the world.

Edon thank the community for uniting behind them, while Congressman Gottheimer, who was heckled during his remarks, called for the remaining hostages to not be forgotten and to be returned home.

Shakur.

Committee convicted killer of a New Jersey state trooper and longtime fugitive, has died in Cuba at the age of 78, according to a statement from the Cuban government.

He was convicted in 1977 for the murder of a trooper in 1973.

She escaped prison and had been living in exile in Cuba ever since.

She was a member of the black liberation Army and was praised by some.

The teachers union posted a tribute on social media, calling her a revolutionary fighter.

That drew criticism from Governor Murphy and other law enforcement leaders, who say honoring someone convicted doesn't bring justice.

Will black voters show up for Democrats in the ever tightening race for governor?

More on what's at stake, next.

>> funding for NJ Spotlight News provided by members of the New Jersey education Association, making public schools great for every child.

RWJBarnabas health.

And Ørsted, committed to the clean, reliable energy.

>> zeroing in on a key voting block that could determine the election, black voters, specifically men, and whether they will show up at the polls like they used to.

Turnout was down last election and support for the Democratic Party slept.

At a recent town hall, more seats were empty than full, a sign, some say, of growing apathy and frustration.

As Democrats scramble to rebuild trust, many Democrats sensed an opening.

Colleen O'Dea has been following what's at stake and she joins us now.

Great to see you.

Why has turnout among this group become such a focal point of the governor's race?

>> There are fewer people that vote in the governor's race than presidential races.

Usually turnout is about 40%.

We had about 65 million people voting four years ago, so there's not a lot of leeway.

Last Thursday we got a new poll from Emerson College that showed the races tied 43-43.

In those circumstances, you really can't lose about -- lose a vote.

Briana: Up to that point, most polls had shown Democrat Mikie Sherrill with an eight or nine point lead.

You went to this town hall meant to galvanize folks but also talk about what they need to see from the parties.

What did you hear from speakers and from attendees?

>> What people are saying is it can be a hard group to reach.

They were saying a lot of black people, black men in particular, feel like they have been left behind.

They have been made many promises in the past and things have not been working out.

Promises have not been fulfilled.

They are still struggling to make ends meet, to feed their children, to have a good life.

So they feel there is a lot that needs to be done and there is no easy answer in how to get people to come out.

I did also speak after the event with Reverend Charles Boyer, the founder of the group salvation and social justice, a prominent black clergy man.

He had some thoughts about why it might be even harder this year to get people out.

>> I think black clergy are in a lot of angst, I think more than any other time, about this governor's race.

One, the looming shadow of what's happening in Washington, D.C.

I think is most prevalent in most of our minds.

The Trump cuts, the white nationalism coming out of D.C., those things are looming and are very much a factor in this New Jersey governor's race.

On top of that, we have one candidate that's a maga candidate, and then we have the other candidate who disappointed us severely with her yes vote on the Charlie Kirk resolution.

So we are really conflicted.

Briana: What we heard is really interesting, about the angst.

But we know that both parties are making targeted outreach efforts.

How are those being received?

Did the referent comment on that at all?

>> We do know that -- usually again this is a place where Democrats are very strong.

They will be in places like Newark, Elizabeth, Patterson, places with high black and Hispanic populations.

Jack Ciattarelli has spoken to at least a couple of black clergy churches.

He was in Elizabeth, Newark.

He had a float in a parade in Patterson.

He is making a huge outreach to these folks.

We don't know exactly what's going to come of that, but there is no question he is at least making the effort.

We have heard from -- we know Mikie Sherrill has been in a lot of these places too, but we have heard from people saying they have not seen her enough.

Will she be out more?

We are coming down to the wire.

Briana: Interesting note.

There are places like Patterson I have found very interesting where we saw even during the primary where the GOP note were much higher than people predicted.

Did you get a sense from talking to people at the town hall or voters in general, why people in those communities are starting to lean more Republican?

Or why they are voting GOP?

>> In at least some cases, folks are telling me they are liking the more conservative message on especially some social issues, school related issues.

A couple people told me this is where my heart is, so why not give somebody else a try?

We have had Democrats controlling New Jersey for eight years and that didn't work out so well for me.

Maybe I will do something different.

Briana: Lastly, if turnout remains low among black voters, Latino voters, how could that change the outcome for each of these candidates, Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli?

>> A low turnout among people of color would hurt Mikie Sherrill more than Jack Ciattarelli.

It has been an important part of the Democrats' base.

If her campaign can't get these folks out to vote, I think she's going to have a hard time winning.

Certainly if Jack Ciattarelli is able to mobilize many people of color, that definitely helps him in November.

Briana: We know there only a few weeks left, which is both an eternity and no time at all in a campaign.

Colleen's.

Rayon this is excellent on our website, njspotlightnews.org, along with all of her reporting up to this point and voter guides.

Families of trans and non-binary youth in New Jersey say they are stunned as major hospitals in the state have stopped offering gender affirming character new patients under the age of 19.

Those treatments are still legal here but only protected by executive order, not state law.

They are under pressure from a federal order signed by President Trump, threatening to cut funding to hospitals that continue providing this care.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan is with us for the latest on what advocates are saying about access.

Brenda: The political war has intensified over gender affirming care for trans and non-binary kids under 19 in New Jersey.

Treatments like hormone therapy or medicine to block puberty and, very rarely, surgery.

Families with children who depend on that care say they were shocked after some health care providers announced gender affirming treatments on hold for now due to threats from the Trump administration to cut off federal money.

The president told a joint session of Congress in March, we don't want to wokeness.

>> I also signed an order to cut off taxpayer funding to any institution that engages in sexual mutilation of our youth.

[APPLAUSE] And now I want Congress to pass a bill permanently banding and criminalizing sex changes on children and forever ending the lie that any child is trapped in the wrong body.

Brenda: NJ Spotlight News confirmed RWJBarnabas health, our corporate underwriter, has stopped accepting new pediatric patients for gender affirming care.

Virtua medical group no longer offers it to patients under 19, noting, we recognize this change is disruptive for many youth and families.

To this end, we continue to offer a full range of supportive services, such as mental health care.

For many parents of trans and non-binary, that's not enough.

>> I think at the heart of this, we are just parents who want what every parent wants, which is that their children are able to be themselves, to be confident, to be happy.

Brenda: Jane Buchanan is a Maplewood mom whose teenage son started gender affirming care four years ago.

She said they felt secure in New Jersey, where her child received excellent support from health care providers.

>> It's unimaginable that suddenly they wouldn't be available and that duty of care that those providers have towards us, that they would step away from it and not stand up for us and our kids.

And they are right -- and their right to the help they deserve.

Brenda: Buchanan is one of the parents of trans kids who reached out to provider Atlantic health system in a July letter, asking whether it planned to change gender affirming care policies.

The letter noted equal rights for trans youth are protected by New Jersey's Constitution, the law against discrimination, and by Governor Murphy's executive order.

Advocates will lobby legislators to codify that executive order into state law.

>> It's important to highlight the times we are in our unprecedented and coping is going to look different for every family and trans person and youth involved.

While Garden State equality has heard reports of families leaving the state for care, it's important to note we are not done fighting and there is an important election coming up.

Gender affirming care is still legal in New Jersey.

Our Attorney General has joined a lawsuit pushing for human rights.

He has been a profound ally.

Brenda: Seven families have sent a letter to Attorney General Matt Platkin, asking him to intervene with Atlantic health system, stating, the number of providers of gender affirming care for youth in New Jersey is rapidly shrinking.

There are few viable options should Atlantic health system cease to treat these vulnerable patients.

We spoke to Sam Halifax, who transitioned at age 20.

He explained why puberty lockers are so important for younger teens.

>> This is something that's incredibly helpful and can prevent a lot of major surgeries from having to happen.

A lot of the major internal changes from happening until someone figures themselves out a little more.

Then they can get offer -- get off puberty lockers and it can be reversal or they start hormone therapy.

Having these things banned takes away an incredible amount of autonomy that people deserve to have.

Brenda: As a trans adult, he can access the hormone therapy he needs.

The American Medical Association supports a careful approach and says medical interventions reserved for older adolescents and adults with treatment plans does I'd to maximize the time teens and families have to make decisions about transition.

It recommends waiting for surgery until at least age 18.

Some parents who oppose gender affirming therapy believe it can have lifelong, possibly irreversible, effects on children who, at such a young age, are not equipped to make such a significant decision.

Jerzy is home to a vigorous parental rights protest movement that has fought to bar transgender students from bathrooms, end privacy protections for trans kids in schools, and keep LGBTQ literature off library shelves and curriculums.

Partisan politics have drawn a sharp divide on the issue.

It's causing deep anxiety in the trans community.

The Trevor Project reported 46% of trans and nine been there youth have considered suicide in the past year.

Jane Buchanan says her son is resilient.

She asked him, are you afraid?

>> He said no, I don't, because I have you and our family.

And because I live in Maplewood, New Jersey.

So for him, this state, this place, it means safety to him.

Brenda: We never did hear back from Atlantic health system.

We did ask for comment.

Four from Hackensack Meridian health.

The Attorney General referred us to his February statement promising to protect access to gender affirming health care.

Briana: Brenda, thanks so much.

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

Briana: In Newark, students are stepping into the newest high school and potentially their futures.

The school of architecture and interior design is officially open, there they will learn trades, get certifications, and get college prep.

As Raven Santana reports, it's part of an effort to reimagine high school and connect young people to careers that could change their lives.

Raven: Teachers, students, and community leaders cut the ribbon on the city's newest high school.

The Newark school of architecture and interior design.

This state-of-the-art campus is designed with the future in mind.

Students can choose between two pathways, one leading to careers in the building trades like plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC.

The other a college-bound track in architecture and interior design.

>> Earning a real estate license.

Completing their licensure of the work they are doing right now.

The conversation that trade staff had with me four or five years ago, saying to the superintendent, we are aging.

Who will take these jobs?

Ladies and gentlemen, the students of Newark school of architecture and interior design will become the apprentices of our staff members.

>> I will be ecstatic to see you guys in a community in Newark in the buildings that are going up.

You with your hard hats on, building those buildings and saying you graduated from Newark school of architecture and design.

Raven: Students gave me a tour, showing off design labs, hands-on learning spaces, and collaborative working areas.

It's the latest high school in the city to open with higher education partner Pratt Institute, one of the world's top design colleges helped develop the curriculum.

>> we have built pathways for young people to imagine and to achieve new futures.

So this new school here extends that legacy.

And now, Newark students have a powerful entry point into architecture, design, and the building industries.

Of course, one of my jobs is to recruit you all to Pratt Institute when you become an architect and interior designer.

Raven: The women-owned real estate firm is also partnering with the school, helping students gain real-world experience through internships.

>> My work is not solely about a livelihood.

It's a statement that in fact, all those who are underserved belong at the table.

We belong on construction sites.

We belong in boardrooms.

We belong in negotiations.

And in every conversation about the future of our cities and communities.

>> This school is unique because students learn a lot of skills in different trades and architecture.

Plumbing, HVAC, electricity, architecture, interior design.

They get their real estate license.

Just that is unique.

But it's a lot of hands-on.

This first year, they are taking survey of trades, a course that exposes them to all the trades so they get a feel to select their major.

Not only that, they are exposed to architecture, safety OSHA.

They get certified in that as well.

It's unique.

Raven: Students say they are already exposed to the fundamentals of architecture and interior design long before they walk across the graduation stage.

>> Architecture and interior design, the opportunities are amazing.

There is a lot of programs and they have the architecture and interior design program, which I'm taking, and it's incredible.

I'm loving the opportunities that will helpfully -- help me with my future and get more invested in what I want to do in the future.

>> This school is wonderful.

At first I was skeptical about coming to a new school since I would be the first ever class here.

Turns out it's amazing.

This is really what I want to do , because I want to be a real estate and be a doctor.

First I'm going to be a real estate, since we are going to get our license, so I'm going to be able to sell houses and things.

Raven: With community banking and industry partners, officials say this school is a blueprint for new works high school redesign plan that expands specialized programs to prepare students for jobs they are passionate about.

Officials say they expect enrollment to grow to more than 900 students within four years.

For NJ Spotlight News, I'm Raven Santana.

Briana: The deadline is looming to cash in on the federal tax credit for electric vehicles.

The $7,500 incentive expires September 30, and car dealerships across the state and nationally say shoppers have been rushing to buy an EV ahead of the deadline.

The changes part of the tax bill signed into law in July, which pushed up the expiration date of the federal clean vehicle tax credit from 2030 due to the end of this month.

Some experts warned without the financial incentive, sales could come to a halt, since most EV buyers surveyed said it factored heavily into their decision.

New Jersey recently registered more than 250,000 electric vehicles, moving closer to Governor Murphy's goal of 100% clean cars in the next 15 years.

>> Support for the business report is provided by the Newark alliance presents the 2025 Hallsey fast, featuring the vibrance of the education district and halsey Street, a neighborhood built on hard.

The schedule is available at halseynwk.com.

Briana: You can download our podcast wherever you listen and watch any time by subscribing to the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel.

Plus, follow us on Instagram and blue sky stay up-to-date on the big headlines.

With election Day just around the corner, check out our voter guide to get up to speed on the candidates and races on the ballot.

Head to the NJdecides2025 tab on our homepage.

For the entire team, thanks for being with us.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

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