>> tonight on New Jersey Spotlight News, courtroom showdown.

A battle over the LGBTQ policy goes before a judge.

Will parent or student rights prevail?

>> the policy singles out sexual preference and orientation as something that educators must relate to parents.

>> plus how will the debt ceiling deal impact New Jersey?

>> they were targeting funds at the federal government level, not funds that had already been distributed at the state and the local level.

>> on the fire line, wildfire season starts earlier and lasts longer due to climate change but there are fewer volunteers available to fight the flames.

>> the state requirements are a lot more stringent than they were decades ago and I know that is one of the things that keeps people from joining.

>> in Memorial day, a World War II era airman's remains identified after battle.

>> New Jersey Spotlight News begins now.

>> funding is provided by the New Jersey Association, making public schools great for every child.

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And with stead, committed to a clean energy future for New Jersey.

♪ >> from NJ PBS, this is NJ Spotlight news.

>> good evening.

We begin with breaking news.

An arrest has been made in the murder of Councilwoman Eunice.

Nearly four months after her death the Middlesex County prosecutor today announced that Rasheed Bynum was arrested in Chesapeake city, Virginia, this morning.

The 28-year-old Virginia native knew Eunice through the church she was associated with prior to her death.

The 30-year-old Councilwoman was shot and killed in her car outside her home on February 1.

Family members have been frustrated by the lack of information about her murder.

Today, law enforcement called it a complex, extensive case, requiring painstaking police work and pledged that justice will be found for the family.

Meanwhile, the fight over gender and LGBTQ issues in schools is playing out in the courts.

A state Superior Court Judge today heard arguments over a controversial new policy approved by the Hanover Township school board.

Many see it as pitting LGBTQ rights versus what has been dubbed parental rights by requiring school staff to notify parents of the gender identity and sexual orientation of LGBTQ+ students.

It is one in a wave of actions public school leaders across the state have taken that advocates call an attack on transgender and gay youth.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanigan was in the courtroom and has the latest.

Brenda?

>> Hanover's new policy would force staff to out students to their families without their permission.

The Attorney General of New Jersey says that is illegal, it is discriminatory, and he has filed a complaint with New Jersey's division on civil rights.

While that case plays out, the Attorney General went to Superior Court to ask the judge to stop Hanover from him in the policy.

With a couple weeks left in the school year, LGBTQ kids in Hanover schools could face irreparable harm if the court lets teachers and staff tell parents about kids sexual orientation or gender identity.

That is one argument Deputy Attorney General James Michael made to judge Stewart, noting we are not asking your honor to determine whether the policy violates the law against discrimination.

We are only asking for the status quo to be maintained, for the current policy to stay in place, while the new policies merits get debated elsewhere.

And LGBTQ Advocat from Hanover explained.

>> there is not enough acceptance by parents sometimes.

And kids, trans and clear kids who are struggling, questioning, do not feel good about themselves, that is a dangerous thing for their mental health and well-being.

>> the Hanover Board of Education attorney Matthew argued to the policy supports parents constitutional rights.

That is the parent's rights, they have a right to understand what is going on in their child's life.

We are not talking about outing children to the public.

A small crowd that gathered in the courtroom to support Hanover's new policy agreed.

>> the real issue is parental rights.

Children are children, they are minors.

Minors cannot consent.

We are putting children in danger, making decisions that they cannot be able to make.

>> what the school board is doing is responding to parents concerns -- and I have set as a spectator at the school district.

This is across the state.

Parents want to know that their schools are not going to exclude them and that their rights matter.

>> conservatives nationwide have cited parental rights in efforts to ban school library books but Hanover is the only New Jersey district so far to require outing LGBTQ students.

Although cold snap could follow suit, setting up another legal battle.

>> if other districts consider similar policies, they should know that if they run afoul of the laws we will be stepping in.

>> the judge listed several concerns about Hanover's policy.

For example, it forces staff to report even secondhand information or face discipline.

He said it is subjective, asking if a kindergartner were a unicorn shirt, how would the teacher interpret that?

Rather than rule on an injunction, he let the temporary pause continue and asked both sides to explore ways to perhaps enact part of the policy.

>> they both agreed to talk about it.

I cannot speculate, so let them talk and let's see what happens.

Always good to have open dialogue especially when it comes to parents and parental rights.

>> attorneys from both sides will meet later this week to discuss the matter and if they cannot reach an agreement, the judge will issue a ruling.

In Morristown, Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight news.

Back to you.

>> thank you.

President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached a deal over the holiday weekend to raise the U.S. debt ceiling.

The agreement designed to avert a catastrophic default which is days away.

The bill faces a tough path to bipartisan approval facing its first crucial test today, going for a vote in the House rules committee.

Where some of the loudest conservative critics have said they will oppose advancing the legislation for a full house vote for all the details including what is in the bill and how it will impact New Jersey, I am joined by budget and finance writer John Wright Meyer.

This drama is far from over.

The first test is happening right now.

What do we know about what is in the proposal?

>> the big picture pieces of this right now is 4 trillion added to the debt limit which sounds like a big number, it's not a big number for Washington, D.C.. Bush's it to January of 2025 before -- pushes it to January 20 25 before we have the debate, that's a big win for the president.

>> conveniently postelection.

>> correct.

If the spending caps that Republicans were seeking, far more dramatic changes to spending and caps on spending.

So the spending caps are really only for the next two years.

You could argue that with inflation as high as it is, these are cuts in the sense that the spending cap will limit spending to less than the rates of inflation we have been seeing.

Really it is a true bipartisan compromise.

There are not as dramatic of changes to some of the social services programs but still work requirements for the food stamp program.

And you know, some environmental, regulatory changes.

Things Republicans were seeking made it into the deal but maybe not everything that they had put in the bill that had made it through the house last month.

>> we are hearing that progressives are not happy with it.

Many conservative Republicans are not happy with it, which is usually the hallmark of a good plan, if not everybody is happy, that means real compromise was achieved.

>> this is a bipartisan deal.

The president ran as someone who said he could bring both sides together in our climate of really extremely divided politics.

For those who would like to see things stay at the extremes, they are probably not happy with this deal.

For the big group that likes to see the two sides work together, this is exactly what has played out, through this hurdle.

We will see what happens as the votes play out now the rest of the week into next week.

>> what is our timeline now?

The Treasury Secretary said now the x date is June 5.

What does that mean?

>> that is when the federal government runs out of money and has to pick what bills to pay.

That brings us up to the precipice of a default, because of the government has enough money to pay a debt payment, then all of a sudden it would default on its debt.

Which would be the worst case scenario.

>> let's bring it back home, New Jersey is in the midst of hashing out our state budget.

What effect if any does this have?

>> marginal effects really.

The two things are dramatic spending cuts did not happen, so a lot of federal programs that the state hinges its programs to will not be changed as dramatically as was once proposed.

So that is probably a good thing.

This issue of clawing back federal pandemic aid, we are getting details on that but it looks like they were targeting funds at the federal government level.

Not funds that have already been distributed to the state or the local level.

So the Murphy administration sounds very confident that the money that the state has received will not because back.

>> it puts them in a better position for the programs where we really rely on the federal dollars.

>> absolutely and even justice idea of economic uncertainty is seemingly wiped away.

That had the big potential to influence revenue collections.

>> it should be a smooth sailing June.

That shutdown meter is -- >> fingers crossed.

>> John Wright Meyer.

The weather was nice enough for many of us to hit the weekend -- beaches or a pool.

One New Jersey lawmaker is urging the legislature to support a bill that will require schools to teach swim safety as part of the curriculum.

It comes as another tragedy hit the Jersey shore during the holiday.

A 15-year-old drowned while summing in the ocean.

Advocates say it simple water safety lessons can save lives.

Melissa Rose Cooper has the story.

>> last year we had 28 drownings which was low for New Jersey.

We want to make that zero.

We want to make that number zero.

>> assemblyman Shawn King says increasing water safety awareness is the first step to making that a reality.

He is sponsoring a bill that would require districts to make water safety a part of the curriculum for kids in K-12.

>> one of the catalysts for the bill are the deaths that we've had.

In Bradley Beach 2011 we had a young person pass away from drowning.

Every year it happens.

>> the drowning happened over the Memorial day weekend after a 15-year-old was swimming along Sandy Hook beach.

According to the CDC it is the number one cause of death for children with one to four-year-olds dying as a result of drowning more than any other cause of death.

>> drowning is an epidemic in our country.

They mention the numbers.

The statistics are there.

And we found the cure.

The cure is swim lessons.

If a child takes swimming lessons, it reduces the risk of drowning by almost 90%.

>> three-time gold-medal Olympian stress the importance of water safety.

He says parents are the first line of defense.

>> 80% of drownings happened in front of an adult.

We live in the age of the smartphone and a drowning can happen in as little as 30 seconds.

It can take longer but in 30 seconds, it is as easy and tragic as someone going to the door or checking the laundry or sending a text.

>> last week the assembly passed a joint resolution designating the third full week of May as drowning prevention week for children.

Advocates say it goes beyond learning how to swim.

>> is about the water watcher, the quality of the environment.

You have the right equipment if there is a problem?

Do you have access to first aid tools, do you know who to call if something happens?

These are things that new homeowners are taught by their builders.

They're handed off information on it.

It is very important that you respect this beautiful paradise has responsibilities that come with it.

It can be the best thing you do.

Come to the beach on the Jersey shore on a day like today, there is not much better.

It is amazing, beautiful, relaxing, fun, exciting.

Just like anything else you would do that can be fun and exciting, you've got to respect the environment.

>> always have a qualified supervisor for your children.

Someone that can make them safe should they need to and be aware it only happens in a second.

Drowning is not like you see on TV.

There is no one holding their hand up and counting down.

It is silent, surreal and it happens in a couple of seconds.

>> the assemblyman says the bill has bipartisan support but is facing criticism.

>> there is some pushback in Trenton because they believe it is a mandate.

We do not want to have any mandates.

We have this many mandates in Trenton.

Every school district is required to incorporate different aspects into their curriculum.

I think this is a no-brainer and we will keep at it until we get done.

>> a necessity advocates say will prevent tragedies allowing more people to enjoy New Jersey summers and waters.

For NJ spotlight news I am Melissa Rose Cooper.

>> crews are making progress on a wildfire that broke out Monday night in Gloucester County.

It's burning in White Oaks wildlife management area in Franklin and Monroe townships.

The latest update from the forest fire service says it has grown to more than 150 acres but is now 100% contained and no structures were threatened.

The South Jersey incident is the latest in a string of wildfires New Jersey is experiencing this spring as the season expands and officials struggle to find enough resources to respond.

Ted Goldberg reports.

>> we have some basil sprouting of the pine trees so after the fire comes through the pinecones open up and the seeds fall on the forest floor.

>> life is bouncing back in the woods outside Manchester.

Nearly seven weeks after the Jimmy's waterhole fire torched nearly 4000 acres of forest.

>> having the fire gone through, there is no competition so the seeds germinate and new life comes.

>> the fire started at joint base McGuire Lakehurst and spread quickly.

The states forest fire service hoped to stop it at Jimmy's waterhole, hence the name.

Springtime weather give the fire ideal conditions to spread.

Though the forest fire service had the flames contained in two days.

There were not serious injuries reported and the worst property damage was done to fences and boats.

>> the sun is out, it's warm but no leaves on the trees.

The sunshine is hitting the barren forest floor, preheating the fuels.

Fuels being pine needles and leaves.

And when the ignition starts or a fire or what have you, the fire spreads quickly because it is dry, windy, low humidity.

>> New Jersey speak wildfire season ran from mid-March to mid-May and the service expects fewer wildfires over the next few months.

>> summer humid and rainy, so we actually have less fires in the summer because of that.

>> higher humidity, all the trees have leaves on them and it just takes a little bit longer to dry out.

The last couple of years we have had drier summers, hence we have had big wildfires.

>> firefighters have seen the wildfire season start sooner and last longer because of climate change.

According to data from Princeton-based climate Central the Garden State experiences more fire risk whether each year compared to 50 years ago.

10 more days in North Jersey and four more days in South Jersey.

>> we are getting warmer days more often and so fire season is a little bit earlier.

>> then we get a couple weeks of dry weather and in New Jersey it only takes a good few days of dry weather for us to have wildfires.

>> one of the companies that respondent was the Lakehurst volunteer fire company.

Assistant Fire Chief Bob Morris says his station has responded to more house fires over the last few years.

>> rooms flash over quicker than they did.

The materials burning are different, construction is different.

>> Lakehurst population has hovered around 3000 people since the 70's but the number of volunteer firefighters has dwindled from 40 plus with a waiting list now down to eight or so.

Morris says it has become difficult to recruit and retain firefighters.

>> we used to have a big military population in town, so the numbers were up because we had a lot of military people involved.

We have two military today.

The state requirements are a lot more stringent and they were decades ago.

I know that is one of the things that keeps people from joining.

>> Morris says it is a tricky situation for smaller stations like his because cutting training might lead to problems down the line.

He says local leaders have been helpful, it is just a matter of bringing in bodies.

>> the governing body is supportive financially with this organization.

We have good equipment, we have what we needed to function.

>> we just need people.

Morris has floated borrowing an idea from Pennsylvania.

Creating separate qualifications for interior firefighters and exterior firefighters.

Which could cut down training time for someone to become an exterior firefighter.

In the meantime, Lakehurst firefighters are on the call for any local house fires and any large wildfire that could threaten those homes.

In Ocean County, Ted Goldberg, NJ spotlight news.

>> get our spotlight on business report.

The unofficial start to summer had residents ready to get out and about this weekend, crisscrossing the country and the state.

The transportation security administration says more travelers passed through airports this Memorial Day weekend than in the same holiday time up the pandemic.

In New Jersey, road trips were most favored with a 7% predicted increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Tracy Noble is the spokesperson for AAA mid-Atlantic, she joins me now for an update on the start of the summer travel season.

>> Tracy, good to CUP it I hope you had a good weekend.

We were expecting about one million residents to hit the roads.

What did we see this weekend?

>> well, we did see people traveling in abundance.

Travel is back to almost pre-pandemic levels and that was certainly the case if you looked at the traffic that we saw on New Jersey roadways.

And we are expecting an extremely busy time at airports as well with air travel in New Jersey expected to beat up over 10% compared to the previous Memorial day.

>> was this a real test for the air system?

We know what happened last Memorial Day weekend.

>> it was a test and you know, I am not seeing significant reports of any major delays or holdups.

So so far so good.

Of course, people are returning home today and will continue to do so possibly through the remainder of the week as they had extended their holiday weekend.

But things are looking good.

>> that used to be that the Friday before Memorial Day weekend was a big travel day.

It seems like people hit the roads early this year.

Is that true?

What did you find?

>> we found people were heading to holiday destinations earlier, taking those extra days, leaving Thursday.

Extending it to either today being Tuesday or through the end of this week.

And it is due to the pent up travel energy that we have had because we postponed trips over the last several years.

People are ready to get back at it.

>> cabin fever has not left us.

I have to ask because I live in the area of MetLife Stadium and a lot of us were expecting an absolute nightmare because of course there was a big Taylor Swift concert.

Where the roads as treacherous as a lot of us expected them to be?

>> they were very busy.

I do not have specific data as to what increased toll rates or any of that but they were busy.

And adding a major concert on a holiday weekend only exacerbates things.

>> it was not going to make it easier.

Real quick before I let you go, what does this say it for summer travel in the tourism season ahead?

>> it shows what we can expect coming into the summer travel season next holiday being the Independence Day holiday.

But people have been making plans, so despite the added cost that we are seeing this year, people are planning to travel.

We are expecting a robust travel season.

>> it helps that gas prices are down.

Tracy Noble with AAA, thank you so much.

The debt ceiling has at least so far had little change on the economy.

Here is how the stock market closed today.

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

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

--.com.

>> and finally honoring the nation's fallen as we close out the Memorial Day holiday.

Towns across the state held ceremonies and parades through the weekend but the events held significant meaning.

A hero from the past was finally welcomed home.

The borough dedicated its parade to Sergeant Michael whose remains were recently identified 79 years after his death in a World War II battle.

He was just 21 years old when he was declared missing October 1943.

He was serving as a radio operator in a B-17 flying Fortress bomber on a mission to Germany when his plane was shot down by enemy fighters.

Military researchers used DNA to identify remains recently found and confirmed the match.

Bringing closure to his surviving relatives who flew in to attend a proper burial ceremony where the airman was laid to rest beside his late parents with full military honors.

And that is going to do it for us tonight.

A reminder, you can listen to NJ spotlight news any time via podcast wherever you stream.

Make sure you download it and check us out.

For the entire NJ spotlight news team, thank you for being with us.

Have a great evening.

We will see you tomorrow.

>> M JM insurance group, serving the insurance needs of residences and businesses for more than 100 years.

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More information is online at NJ realtor.com and by the PSEG foundation.

>> have some water.

>> look at these kids.

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The opportunity to learn, to dream, to achieve, a chance to know and believe.

My name is Julia and I am proud to be an end JE a member.

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♪