>> Tonight, a controversial southern border policy comes to an end.

>> This is not border crisis, it's not an immigration crisis, it's a policy crisis.

>> Sparking an influx of migrants coming into the U.S.. Plus, more mandates in school.

>> Goal is they say to update the list of existing vaccines.

>> State health leaders plan to update the infectious disease plan and it could lead to more vaccine requirements.

Also, reeling and size limits.

>> You take away the one fish per day.

It's one to hurt the business.

>> Fishermen push back against regulation for catching striped bass.

And details on this media right that came crashing through a central jersey home.

>> Funding for NJ spotlight news is provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association New Jersey realtors.

More information available online.

♪ From NJPBS come out this is NJ Spotlight News.

>> Thank you for joining us on this Friday.

Starting today, the Biden administration has ended a border policy called Title 42 that forbid make rents -- migrants from entering the country.

It was put into place by Donald Trump at the start of the pandemic as a way to mitigate the spread of the Covid virus into the country but it also negated the flow of asylum-seekers in the U.S.. Now the administration prepares for an influx of migrants.

The Biden rules are even tougher than those from Title 42 in many ways.

>> As Title 42 expired and 60,000 migrants sought a way to cross the border, thousands watched from their sanctuary in New Jersey.

He recalled his trip from Venezuela through the infamous past.

>> When I crossed the Journal -- the jungle in Panama, I see a lot of sick kids, families almost not being able to make it.

Dead bodies.

I have concluded it has been worthwhile.

>> We have had hundreds of people show up since September of last year from Columbia, Peru, Venezuela.

>> he offers refuge and says this latest search will strain already scarce resources but he adds is nothing new.

The border crisis reached New York months ago via buses coming from Texas.

>> the mayor whether he knew it or not, tons of people were coming to New Jersey and to New Brunswick New Jersey.

>> 300 Central American migrants currently get meals and housing through capperdale's church more are incoming but how many Donald Trump's title 42 kept migrants out over covet concerns but the Biden administrations erected even higher hurdles like a Transit ban.

>> 42 did end but the Biden Administration imposed its own set of rules and regulations that are in many ways even more strict and punishing than title 42 was it requires filing for asylum in every country prior to arriving in the United States and then if Asylum is denied it places people on a five-year ban before they can legally apply for asylum again.

>> The transit ban requiring migrants to request asylum in other countries on Route worries family advocates it forces families into a very precarious situation where if their children enter unaccompanied or alone they may be eligible to apply being unaccompanied children but if they enter together as a family unit they may be barred.

ICE has already posted videos of migrants being deported today and if they do get in finding a lawyer will be difficult even in New Jersey .

>> there's a very big problem with capacity all over the state of New Jersey one of the big areas for example are many unaccompanied minors have been arriving here in New Jersey they need legal assistance and I know all the many many attorneys who are working on this not only our organization but around the state and they are pretty much across the board at capacity right now.

>> it has been very hard for us in the midst of this struggle and what I see is a blessing is to be able to be with my family with my husband and my kids I do feel hopeful.

>> Elizabeth's family fled drug cartels in Peru she also found Sanctuary at copperdale's church but like many migrants she can't find a job without working papers.

Advocates want more government resources migrant Maria describes Job searches they go door by door do you need help with your grass do you need help with your trash I can fix your fence.

>> Carla came to the U.S to escape gang violence in Ecuador.

>> I'm not here to be a burdensome to anybody I want to go back to college to learn English and also give back to the community that took me in the struggle for resources is ongoing.

>> Advocates expect the Christ the Border won't subside as long as U.S immigration policy remains mired in political controversy in Highland Park I'm Brenda Flanagan.

>> The federal government will likely have to arrange prisoner swap to bring the New Jersey native home and it is offering to offer up Russian spies.

Wall Street Journal is reporting the House of Representatives is also considering a resolution that would call on Russia to release him.

More than 70 members of Congress including 10 New Jersey representative's of Congress sent a letter expressing their support.

A congressman of Massachusetts wrote the letter.

He says the goal is to send a message of solidarity to Evan and a warning to the Russian government.

>> He has no consular access.

No access to the U.S. government as he is being detained right now.

This is a means that we can get the message to him, but also obviously to the Russian Federation as well.

They will read the letter.

We want to make it known that Congress is interested in this, we are concerned about this, it is a priority.

This illegal detention he is going through.

We want to make sure this goes through now.

>> Some progress was made on the standoff between students and protesters and staff.

They met to make an agreement over the Africana studies program that had been gutted.

Then met for hours on Monday and continued into today.

The organizer says they have reached an agreement that protesters will no longer sleep in presidents Hall and will only occupy the building from 8:00 a.m. to any :00 p.m.. An agreement still has not been reached and Brown says they are prepared to protest next weekend will keep going through the summer if demands are met.

It is no surprised the public doesn't trust the politicians but in New Jersey, public trust is hitting new lows.

According to a new poll, 61% of those surveyed said Jersey politicians are very or somewhat corrupt.

Pollsters say this includes representatives the surveyors have the power to vote out.

Just 6% say politicians are not corrupt at all.

The poll also look at the governor's latest approval ratings which dropped to 44% down from 48% in January.

Early 9% disapprove of the job he has done so far.

From HPV to covid the debate over vaccine requirements for students in New Jersey is nothing new but the state is reviewing its current policies and will update its guidelines by next year so what will be recommended what will be required and what will parents have to say in the matter.

joining me now is NJ Spotlight news Health writer Lilo Stanton to help break it down.

Lilo thanks so much for being with us right now we know what can happen when you put the words vaccine and mandate together in a sentence we've seen it before what can you tell us about what the state's considering when it comes to a covid vaccine mandate for students.

>> well the state will be very clear I mean sort of clear they're not considering that.

They essentially this whole confusion if you will stems from what the state said as an what the state said as an attempt to update regulations that have to be updated every seven years they're getting ahead of it they're by about 10 months because it's not till next year that they need to have this done but you know the goal is to update they say the list of existing vaccines so there may be changes in the protocols what ages do kids should have them what the spacing is but they're saying no we're not adding covid or HPV to the list of course Doctors like Dr. Kraft the one who has been on our programs many times a pediatricians will tell you you know these are federal guidelines for a reason right the covid vaccines have been shown to reduce spread yes they don't want to stop the spread but you know reduce the spread and improve outcomes that's important for teachers and kids and staff in school.

HPV vaccine you know can help reduce the risk of cancer and you know cancer just can kill that can kill people so you know to pediatricians the calculation is pretty simple but obviously politics is and policy are more complicated.

>> federally there's still not a mandate either there's a recommendation do you anticipate the state follow suit makes a recommendation for the covet vaccine or for any of these others.

>> That's the kind of level of discussion that the state unfortunately isn't having with us or with the public I would like to think if they were going to do this that they would be more proactive in in you know talking to people and getting the millions of parents that do vaccinate their children regularly on board as advocates you know I mean there are ways to run successful vaccine campaigns.

Some have suggested Skeptics uh in The Newsroom suggest that you know perhaps this was just a trial balloon you know we've certainly seen government do that before if it was I would say you know they're going to be sliding toward the recommendation side not the Mandate side and those kinds of things usually come through pediatricians not so much the state although COVID is always different.

>> as you said the deadline for the update the every seven year update is February 2024 but the state the Department of Health is soliciting feedback right now through May 31st how can parents voice their concerns what can they offer?

>> Right well I my understanding is that you can contact the the secretary the the Department of Health and give you know share your feedback I'm sure if you reached out to them on social media they'd be interested in hearing um they did say that if they were going to change the vaccine schedule that they would you know there would be a a public process you know where stakeholder input would and you know hopefully parents as well as other stakeholders not just parents who work in various institutions or advocacy groups would be part of that conversation.

>> Thank you 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 and Shield Association.

>> One organization is turning the spotlight on moms of kids with special needs and the support that these women need.

She started a not-for-profit hotline to help moms of kids with special needs.

I want to first start with what is mom to mom and why did you start this organization?

>> It's a peer support helpline.

It is at Rutgers University Behavioral HealthCare and part of our national Center for support.

We found there are people who support others and in supporting others, they need help themselves.

And Sherry lived experience to get through the stress and challenge of caring for special-needs child or adult.

>> You had an event this week to bring together moms, other experts in a wellness event.

Tell us about what the event was and what you are looking to get out of it.

>> Every Mother's Day, we reflect on how blessed we are as mothers of special-needs children, but really the ability to help others and use the gift of shared insight and resilience to help somebody else.

When we pay it forward, we find it is reciprocal.

We brought together mothers from across New Jersey who are mothers of special-needs children and adults but also providers of care to the population.

Our mom to mom or counselors on the line, the family service organization, women who are supporting other women during this time to be strong and resilient.

>> The world has changed a lot in the last 10 years.

There has been a lot more focus on the needs of kids with special needs.

Has that also translated to more support for moms and parents of kids with special needs?

>> Absolutely.

We understand that the pandemic and the mental health crisis really leaves us with the situation where someone with special challenges or develop mental disability or special need is comp located or gets more difficult when in addition, there is a mental health crisis that we are seeing in our country for youth with Elkins challenges.

-- with all kinds of challenges.

We see resources expanding, we understand we need to come forward and combat stigma and work together because we are stronger together.

To have our children thrive not just survive during these times.

>> I find it interesting that you did not start an organization that paired a mom with a care professional.

It's mom to mom.

>> We have found in our research after doing this for 20 years at the national Center that sometimes, people need professionals.

The mental health professionals who are Ison's and treatment and therapy is very important to our health care needs.

But sometimes we need in addition to or just to be able to speak to someone who shares that lived experience, understands our cultural competence.

Understands what we go through day-to-day and can listen to us and provide peer counseling.

The way our programs work and many of these programs work is it's not just one phone call.

After the initial call where you may need help or a referral, we assign someone who calls you every week and says how are you doing?

Who is caring for you?

What we found is that it helps people feel lifted and stronger and able to be the best moms they can be and keep their families whole.

>> You are doing great work.

Thank you so much.

Recreational fishing is big business in New Jersey and few fish are as popular as striped bass, but that species is in danger.

Many blame overfishing.

They are trying to restore the stock by 2029 and one way is through emergency action that the size of striped bass that recreational fishermen can keep.

Some say recreational fishing isn't a problem and as Ted tells us, one captain tells us it will ruin his livelihood without restoring the striped bass stock.

one way they're trying to get there is with a new emergency action that limits the size of striped bass that recreational fishermen can keep but some say recreational fishing isn't the problem and as Ted Goldberg tells us one charter boat captain is worried the new regulations will ruin his livelihood without restoring the striped bass stock if a new regulation takes effect this catch could become Contraband I'm going to say 80 percent of the catch is probably going to be greater than 31 inches if you saw what you call today you can see none of them make that criteria Frank massaria has taken people for fishing trips for almost 30 years and he's frustrated about new size restrictions that recreational Fisheries might have to contend with for catching striped bass nice the Atlantic states marine fisheries commission has issued an emergency action that would limit Fishers to keep stripers only if they're between 28 and 31 inches down from a range of 28 to 38 inches states have until July 2nd to implement this rule.

>> I'm someone who's coming and spending a pretty good dollar to go fishing on a private charter boat expecting the captain to be professional and put them on fish and give them a great day on the water they have great memories but the one thing that they like and everybody likes is to take the doc shot that you saw us take with the prize the fish and then take home a nice clean piece of filet for dinner fresh fish.

>> the Atlantic states marine fisheries commission is made up of the 15 states on the Atlantic coast and New Jersey was the only state to vote against this emergency action Tony Kearns works for the commission and says recreational fishermen tallied a record high harvest in 2022 which forced their hand.

>> The striped bass stock is currently overfreshed and the board is working on rebuilding the stock and the TC looked at this 2022 Harvest to see how it would impact rebuilding and found that we would have a significantly lower chance of rebuilding the stock if Harvest continued at that high level of 2022.

>> The Restriction will not apply to commercial Fishers since their fishing levels didn't go up drastically.

>> We know that uncertainty with regulations is not ideal for businesses in the short term if we don't rebuild this stock it'll have a much more significant negative impact on those businesses in the long >> It doesn't make sense well why not a reduction in commercial fishing which I personally understand is not going to take place commercial fishermen work hard I respect what they do they're entitled to fish but if we're trying to protect fish then we all have to protect fish .

>> Massaria doesn't think this size restriction will save many stripers since many of them that get measured caught and released during the summer don't survive their stressful release into the ocean we fish in deep water the water's cold the fish are being brought up from 60 feet maybe from 55 degree water up to 70 degree water then released into that water the fish are in shock and there's I think that the dead loss is greater than than during the Spring and fall when the water is cooler more oxygenated.

>> This is a 180 day emergency action it's supposed to be an emergency it's not an emergency.

>> Tom fodey serves on the commission and he says the stripers declining numbers aren't because of overfishing it's not the spawning stock but there's a problem it's what we're doing to the ocean and the bays and estuaries I mean global warming has affected many stocks.

>> If New Jersey doesn't implement this rule by July 2nd they could be found in non-compliance which jeopardizes striper season for all of New Jersey and could force the Biden Administration to step in and make a rule in for or against the state .

>> Strike seems to be the word of the day with unions of all types demanding more for their members.

The national writer strike came to Maplewood now on it second day outside of Columbia high school where the director is filming a TV show thriller.

A native showed up at the picket line yesterday in support of the thousands of writers striking nationally for higher wages, greater job stability and better benefits.

A Starbucks joined the ranks of hundreds around the country that have filed for a union election.

This coming Tuesday, Paris status will hold -- baristas will hold an event in support.

Here's a look at how the markets closed today.

>> Support for the business report provided by the Chamber of Commerce southern New Jersey working for economic prosperity by uniting business and community leaders for 150 years.

Membership and event information online at chamber SN J.com.

>> Check out business be this weekend.

A 14-year-old fashion designer and the New York organization that teaches students business through hands-on art.

That's Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.. ♪ >> One Monday, meteorite crashed through a home landing on the floor.

The object was turned over to a physics professor at the College of New Jersey to examine.

His conclusion, the object was a meteorite made by intense heat before entering the earth's surface.

That's why it was still warm when the homeowner picked it up.

This type of meteorite is extremely rare.

It weighs about two pounds and is estimated to be 4.5 billion years old.

Be sure to turn into Reporters Roundtable.

We break down what changes mean for future elections in New Jersey.

That's Saturday night at 6:00 and Sunday morning at 10 a.m.. And he looks at the issue of women in New Jersey politics with news of several female lawmakers who are not seeking reelection this year.

A reminder you can now listen to NJ Spotlight News anytime via podcast.

For all of our team at NJ Spotlight News, thank you for being with us this week.

Have a great weekend and we will see you on Monday.

♪ >> The members of the New Jersey education Association, making public schools great for every child.

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Our future relies on more than clean energy.

Our future relies on empowered communities, the health and safety of our families and neighbors.

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The foundation is committed to sustainability, equity, and economic empowerment.

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Supporting civic centers, scholarships, and workforce development that strengthen our community.

>> 2023 president of New Jersey realtors.

Whether it's finding a new home or securing space for business owners, New Jersey realtors have been helping clients achieve their dreams for decades.

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