♪ >> From NJPBS Studios.

This is NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi.

BRIANA: Thanks for joining us on this Tuesday night.

A few stories we will get into later in the broadcast.

A powerful nor'easter pounds the New Jersey coastline.

The hardest hit areas, and cleanup efforts.

Day 14 of the government shutdown.

What if anything are New Jersey lawmakers doing to break the stalemate?

As the gubernatorial race enters the final stretch, we look at the candidates stances on policing in response to mental health crises.

Today's top headlines, public safety advocates are celebrating a key legal win in the landmark case against firearms manufacturers Glock.

A Superior Court judge ruled in favor of allowing a lawsuit against Glock filed by Matt Platkin to move forward.

His office accused the manufacturer of designing and selling handguns that can easily be converted into illegal machine guns using a small plastic device that can be purchased online or made with the 3D printer.

The lawsuit is part of a broader push by the state to address gun related crimes, which officials say have reached historic lows over the past three years.

The court rejected each of Glock's motions to dismiss and the company has not commented on the ruling but the case raises questions about firearm design and public safety.

Legal experts say it could set president as -- precedent as states challenge gun makers in court.

A major court action hit pause on a controversial gas power plant project.

A Superior Court judge in Essex County ordered the Passaic Valley sewerage commission to halt instruction while a lawsuit continues through the courts, a twist in a saga over the proposed $180 million facility designed to provide emergency power to the sewage treatment plant.

Part of a resiliency plan after hurricane Sandy won the lamp was knocked off-line and dumped hundreds of millions of gallons of sewage into Newark Bay.

Leaders criticized the location, which is already home to the gas power plants, and the state's largest incinerator.

They say it is one of the most overburdened communities in New Jersey.

The order came after New York and the ironbound community Corporation suit, arguing the process -- the project will affect the neighborhood and say it was a violation of the environmental justice law.

They declined to comment.

The case returns to court October 27.

The U.S.

Naval Academy is investigating the death of a 20-year-old midshipman from Morris County.

Authorities say Kyle Filbert James, a junior and a native of Whippany and Hanover Township, was reported missing after failing to show up for classes.

James' mother received a call that evening stating he couldn't be located and later confirmed his death.

The Naval Academy has not released details about where or how James was found and says the circumstances are under investigation.

Officials said, it is painful to lose a member of our Naval Academy family, and as we attempt to better understand this tremendous loss, we offer our deepest condolences to Filbert James' family, friends, classmates and company mates.

James was a member of the Gospel choir and was majoring in history.

Mikie Sherrill extended condolences to his family, saying she was proud to nominate Kyle to the Academy.

Record flooding.

The impact of this week's nor'easter on the shoreline, next.

>> Funding for NJ Spotlight News is provided by members of the New Jersey Education Association.

Making public schools great for every child.

RWJBarnabas health.

Let's be healthy together.

Andor stand, committed to clean, reliable energy.

BRIANA: Between wind and record-breaking tides, the powerful nor'easter left a major mark along the Jersey shore.

Coastal communities from Cape May to Monmouth County were hit hard by flooding and erosion, with the heart of storm season still ahead.

Experts say this could be just the beginning.

Joanna Gagis reports.

>> This was a significant nor'easter for most of the Jersey shore.

This was a top 10 flood event for Southern Monmouth County all the way down to Cape May.

>> The nor'easter that struck the state, blasting the shore with gale force winds through today, caused flooding along the coast.

>> There were some areas that saw up to five consecutive high tides in flood stage.

The most significant were in the central part of Ocean County, where Towns saw the record highest tied.

>> It is the highest tied since hurricane Sandy.

>> The floods were a result of the wind, says a meteorologist.

>> We had about 36-48 hours of sustained Northeast gale force winds, sustained winds with stronger gusts up to storm force which is around 60 miles per hour.

>> Island Beach State Park and Avalon were two towns that saw storm force winds pushing water inland, says the founder of a Jersey-based meteorology service .

About a dozen people had to be rescued from cars in Sea Girt.

The fire department gave this young man a ride home when his school bus was stranded.

>> Residents posted sea levels taking over streets and properties.

Some good news, no deaths were reported in New Jersey.

A total of three people died in other states from incidents related to the storms.

They are concerned about the storms impact on beach erosion.

>> This is not a good situation because of what we saw in late August with Erin, which brought beach erosion.

Beaches are in bad shape in particular the northern end of Avalon which has Cliffs from where you would try to walk down to the beach.

North Wildwood, another hot for erosion.

>> Significant flooding throughout this borough and the mayor is worried about erosion.

>> That is the biggest headline, how much sand we lost.

I did a tour of the beach this morning and monitored it throughout the storm.

The amount of sand lost was massive.

We will be looking to federal and state partners to try to help replenish that.

>> Every time I see floodwaters rising it feels like it happens all the time.

I wonder how resilient are these homes and businesses, especially post-Sandy?

Are these floods having major impacts that are costly for residents and business owners?

>> The reality is people are more prepared than ever.

Homes are lifted, the warning systems are better than ever.

What we need his help from federal and state governments in terms of public infrastructure.

We have our northern border of town that is a lake connected to the ocean.

We saw flooding there.

The water comes over the street and makes it impassable and it is one of the main routes in and out of town.

A 4 foot retaining wall along the road would make the road passable for the entirety of an event like this.

>> He says it is critical for people to get in and out of town.

Throughout the day today, the flood advisory was in effect along the shore.

>> We are expecting an additional round of widespread vinyl -- minor coastal flooding this evening.

That will be especially the case for the Back Bay bays of Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May County's.

>> Given that timing, meteorologists worry about the frequency and severity of the storms.

>> This is not where you want to be in mid October considering we have another six months of potential nor'easter's to come.

We are not done with hurricane season yet.

That is until November 30.

>> The worst is likely over, but deep concerns remain of the resilience of the coast.

I'm Joanna Gagis.

BRIANA: The federal government shutdown is in its 14th day with no clear path to reopening.

Congress remains deadlocked with health care funding and subsidies at the center of the standoff.

Mass layoffs hit federal workers and pressure mounts in Washington and across the country.

Let's get the latest from Capitol Hill with our Washington correspondent.

Good to see you.

An empty Rotunda behind there.

What is the latest?

What is keeping lawmakers essentially from reaching a deal?

>> They are at an impasse over how to reopen the government.

That is obvious, but not a lot has shifted since we last talked last week or the week prior or three weeks -- and three weeks into this, there is no bipartisan deal on the table.

There is no bill text that has been released which is the nitty-gritty step you need to make this happen, to get the lights back on.

The latest twist, I would point out that yes, the building is empty, it is a ghost town feeling here.

The latest maneuver came from the White House Friday when the budget chief, Russell vought, announced reductions in force.

He made the announcement Friday afternoon before a federal holiday tree day weekend and this is a maneuver the White House has been dangling for weeks to fire federal workers in a carte blanche, mass maneuver without any sort of clear reason.

But as a bargaining chip for Democrats to back Republican bills.

BRIANA: What type of impact is that happen?

How is that playing for folks who have constituents who might be part of those layoffs?

>> It doesn't seem to be moving a whole lot with the New Jersey delegation.

New Jersey doesn't have the massive amount of federal workers.

But I think it is about 22,000 but that was from September of last year for -- before the new Trump Administration and before the DOGE spec in the spring with Elon Musk.

And with that of deferred resignations that federal workers taken.

The number is lower.

It has played a big role in the surrounding community these around D.C.

like Maryland and Virginia, were many federal workers live.

There are Democrats holding rallies in these areas with fired or at risk federal workers.

But it will not move the needle a lot.

The people who will ultimately make the call about reopening the government, this decision is happening at the leadership level.

This is members of both parties within both chambers and the White House making the choice and the rank and file don't have a lot of input at this point.

The input will come from them when and if we get a bill on the floor.

You need 218 votes in the house and 60 in the Senate.

Republicans in both chambers need Democrats to make this happen.

BRIANA: We talked quite a bit about the impact on services at airports.

Congressman Gottheimer had an event today to point that out as well.

I wonder if there is a realistic path forward, given the pressure on federal workers who are essentially propping up the airline industry, among many.

And whether or not this could turn out to be one of the longest shutdowns as we saw back in 2018 and 2019.

>> We don't know.

It is hard to see the future.

But we do know that shutdowns have come to an end in large part due to the sick-outs by airport personnel, who in past shutdowns have gotten sick of going to work and not getting paid for their time and have called in sick and mass.

That is a trigger to get out of this.

People will soon start missing paychecks.

October 15 is tomorrow, and it is a paycheck date that was scheduled for the military.

Many are likely to miss that, although Trump has said he will, he directed over the weekend that Pete Hegseth should find a workaround, to find the money elsewhere and raid other Defense Department funds to pay the troops.

It is unclear if he can do that.

There are technical guidelines about how people are paid during shutdowns.

But it is politically edgy or dangerous perhaps to cut pay for the troops.

That is something no party wants to touch.

The other issue that I'm sure we would like to get into his health care.

Health care is out there.

BRIANA: November 1 is the ACA enrollment date.

Is there an indication Democrats are holding out for that?

Is that the urgent date they are looking at?

>> The answer is yes.

Their argument has been since the start of the shutdown back in late September, that people need to plan for health care costs and health care needs and the planning starts effectively now.

The official deadline of open enrollment is November 1.

People need to make decisions for them, for their kids and families, really quickly.

That is what Democrats have pushed for, for weeks now.

BRIANA: Thanks.

We will check back in with you as the week goes on.

As voters prepare to elect the next governor, a key issue on the ballot isn't just taxes or affordable housing.

But the way New Jersey law and was meant response to individuals in the mental health crisis.

A string of deadly encounters with people in distress put the focus on emergency response rooms like Arrive Together, which pairs mental health professionals with officers.

The leading candidates, Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli, have different visions for the programs and police accountability.

Our mental health writer joins us to take a deeper look at those plans.

Good to see you.

A lot to get into.

Mikie Sherrill is embracing the Arrive Together program, put in place under the current Attorney General map lack in.

What is her vision for its future?

>> She has said she would support fully funding the program.

She sees this as an extension of a way to pair police officers and mental health professionals to respond to some of these serious mental health emergencies.

She has shown that she continues to support funding for what you called other mental health programs it would look like hospital-based violence intervention prevention services.

That was her vision for the future, her campaign didn't elaborate into what exactly she would go into in terms of fully supporting it.

Right now this is a pilot program that received $20 million in the current budget.

It still has to be codified into law.

.

There is a bill pending to codify it but she has shown she would support it.

Slightly different from Jack Ciattarelli's vision of what police officers and mental health professionals may do in emergency situations.

He supports the program in calling it a thoughtful attempt, but he said police officers should use their best judgment in these situations, noting they are trained to de-escalate tense situations and react accordingly.

He said that may include a licensed clinical social worker.

It sounds like Ciattarelli's approach may give more discretion to officers in these situations, but he did note he would continue to fund community and hospital-based violence intervention programs.

The key differences between the candidates as we head into election day.

BRIANA: He supports the idea in principle.

There is a lot of attention on Arrive Together especially because of the reach it has now in the state.

A lot of advocates have touted community-based solutions.

Are the candidates talking about those?

Are they not as visible?

Are they talking about putting more resources in state funding behind those and what are they?

>> They have only raised those issues when they have been asked .

When I spoke to the candidates through email they said in brief statements that they would support community-based and hospital-based violence intervention programs.

They did not elaborate.

That has drawn the concern of advocates who remain skeptical of both candidates approaches to mental health emergency response.

One advocate told me while they are not enthused with either candidate's approach to these issues and police accountability, they need to be clear about what is on the line, noting wherever the next governor may become of the policies will impact black, brown and immigrant communities.

Those are the issues they are looking at.

It remains to be seen whether either candidate will come to the table for social justice advocates in these days ahead.

It is something we continue to watch and monitor.

BRIANA: What do the social justice advocates say?

They are not convinced by where either candidate is at this point.

Are there specific tenants they are looking for a specific candidate to latch onto?

>> They see Mikie Sherrill as someone who, they are not convinced by her platforms but they see her as a candidate that might be more willing to come to the table for some of these issues.

There is legislation still on the table related to civilian complaints and the Attorney General's office revising the use of worse policy, pending in the legislature that advocates would like to see passed and signed into law.

This comes at a time when we have seen the Seabrook's Washington bill signed into law in 2024.

While touting the benefits of that, advocates have been frustrated with the implementation of some of the funding.

They think Sherrill may come to the table for them in the days ahead.

They have not seen that as much from Ciattarelli's campaign.

Ciattarelli told me in a statement he would support community and violence, hospital-based violence prevention programs but it comes at odds with what the federal government is doing, the Trump Administration is doing with cuts to community-based violence intervention programs.

In April, the street teams and some of these programs in the state were impacted by some of the federal funding cuts, having to and services or lay off employees.

It remains to be seen where Ciattarelli stands directly.

This is something we may not see if he is elected.

>> Would either of these candidates keep Matt Platkin on as Attorney General?

>> They would not.

They both stated in debates and during podcast interviews they would not keep him on.

That is important because Platkin has championed Arrive Together, and built it up since it was introduced in 2021.

BRIANA: You can read Bobby's reporting on our website.

Thanks, Bobby.

A big Emmy win for a story we first brought you last year, at the height of the war in Ukraine.

It was about a children's book, discussing the war from a child's perspective by telling the true story of a much loved cat.

Named Massey.

In honor of the win, we take a look back at the piece put together by Brenda Flanagan, senior producer Julie Diorio, and our videographer.

>> This story is about how two teenagers connected to create a children's book about the war in Ukraine and a much loved cat.

Named Messi.

The kitten belongs to an 11-year-old living in kyiv when Russia launched missile strikes.

Like many families, they fled for their lives.

They left pets behind.

In the book Irina tells her beloved cat, I will be home soon.

On the road with refugees she remembers explosions.

>> Sirens.

>> Yes.

>> So scary.

>> She speaks in halting English.

Her mom hoped they would be back home in a couple weeks.

>> She thinks, what about Messi?

How does she stay alone at home?

>> Family and friends try to rescue the cat but she escaped her carrier.

Irina urged her mother to post Internet photos in a desperate search from their hotel room in Warsaw.

>> She forced me to post on the Internet.

That We lost Messi.

I don't believe in that, I said.

It is not going to help, I said, because it is a war.

Who will find a cat?

She said, "mom, you need to do the post."

>> Being nervous about where Messi was, if she was ever going to see Messi again, made the situation worse.

>> Trevor is a high school junior who met irina during a trip to bring humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees.

His synagogue delivered 9000 pounds of supplies for family stranded by war.

As Irina told the group about how she needed to find Messi, it reminded Trevor of his own pet, rocket.

>> Losing another thing, a friend.

Rocket, I spend a ton of time with rocket.

>> Trevor's family has deep roots in Ukraine.

His great-great-grandfather was executed during pogroms and his family fled persecution.

>> It is not easy fleeing as a little child with your family, going to a new place.

Where you don't speak the language.

>> The search for Messi continued and people sent photos.

Miraculously, one of them was Messi.

Irina's stepdad carried the cat to Warsaw.

Her mom translates.

>> I think it was one of the happiest days of my life.

>> I realized the story was number one, inspiring, by showing how many people came together in a time of war to help a girl get her cat back.

>> As Trevor wrote the book, he took care to present a story that helps children understand what it means to be displaced by war.

Finding Messi, who was named for the soccer star, resonates with kids.

It is a story of determination and hope, says this crisis counselor.

>> Having a specific goal, not giving up on that goal, and the world of healing and possibility for her when everything else was shattering, when bombs were raining down.

She felt in her heart, I can and will be reunited with this animal.

>> Even if you don't understand completely the politics of war, the effects of the war in terms of data, almost everyone understands what it is like to lose a pet.

>> The book is selling briskly and the proceeds go to benefit refugees from Ukraine.

Messi and Irina are doing OK.

Irina is in seventh grade and Messi is back in Warsaw.

>> Good.

She is so happy, I think.

>> How are you?

>> Good.

>> They are hoping for another miracle, to go back home to Kyiv.

The book is dedicated to the children of Ukraine.

I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.

BRIANA: That will do it for us tonight.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire team, thanks for being with us.

We will see you right back here tomorrow.

>> NJM Insurance group, serving the insurance needs of residents and businesses for over 100 years.

Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

And by the PSEG foundation.

♪ ♪ >> From NJPBS Studios.

This is NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi.

BRIANA: Thanks for joining us on this Tuesday night.

A few stories we will get into later in the broadcast.

A powerful nor'easter pounds the New Jersey coastline.

The hardest hit areas, and cleanup efforts.

Day 14 of the government shutdown.

What if anything are New Jersey lawmakers doing to break the stalemate?

As the gubernatorial race enters the final stretch, we look at the candidates stances on policing in response to mental health crises.

Today's top headlines, public safety advocates are celebrating a key legal win in the landmark case against firearms manufacturers Glock.

A Superior Court judge ruled in favor of allowing a lawsuit against Glock filed by Matt Platkin to move forward.

His office accused the manufacturer of designing and selling handguns that can easily be converted into illegal machine guns using a small plastic device that can be purchased online or made with the 3D printer.

The lawsuit is part of a broader push by the state to address gun related crimes, which officials say have reached historic lows over the past three years.

The court rejected each of Glock's motions to dismiss and the company has not commented on the ruling but the case raises questions about firearm design and public safety.

Legal experts say it could set precedent as states challenge gun makers in court.

A major court action hit pause on a controversial gas power plant project.

A Superior Court judge in Essex County ordered the Passaic Valley sewerage commission to halt instruction while a lawsuit continues through the courts, a twist in a saga over the proposed $180 million facility designed to provide emergency power to the sewage treatment plant.

Part of a resiliency plan after hurricane Sandy won the lamp was knocked off-line and dumped hundreds of millions of gallons of sewage into Newark Bay.

Leaders criticized the location, which is already home to the gas power plants, and the state's largest incinerator.

They say it is one of the most overburdened communities in New Jersey.

The order came after New York and the ironbound community Corporation suit, arguing the project will affect the neighborhood and say it was a violation of the environmental justice law.

They declined to comment.

The case returns to court October 27.

The U.S.

Naval Academy is investigating the death of a 20-year-old midshipman from Morris County.

Authorities say Kyle Filbert James, a junior and a native of Whippany and Hanover Township, was reported missing after failing to show up for classes.

James' mother received a call that evening stating he couldn't be located and later confirmed his death.

The Naval Academy has not released details about where or how James was found and says the circumstances are under investigation.

Officials said, it is painful to lose a member of our Naval Academy family, and as we attempt to better understand this tremendous loss, we offer our deepest condolences to Filbert James' family, friends, classmates and company mates.

James was a member of the Gospel choir and was majoring in history.

Mikie Sherrill extended condolences to his family, saying she was proud to nominate Kyle to the Academy.

Record flooding.

The impact of this week's nor'easter on the shoreline, next.

>> Funding for NJ Spotlight News is provided by members of the New Jersey Education Association.

Making public schools great for every child.

RWJBarnabas health.

Let's be healthy together.

Andor stand, committed to clean, reliable energy.

BRIANA: Between wind and record-breaking tides, the powerful nor'easter left a major mark along the Jersey shore.

Coastal communities from Cape May to Monmouth County were hit hard by flooding and erosion, with the heart of storm season still ahead.

Experts say this could be just the beginning.

Joanna Gagis reports.

>> This was a significant nor'easter for most of the Jersey shore.

This was a top 10 flood event for Southern Monmouth County all the way down to Cape May.

>> The nor'easter that struck the state, blasting the shore with gale force winds through today, caused flooding along the coast.

>> There were some areas that saw up to five consecutive high tides in flood stage.

The most significant were in the central part of Ocean County, where Towns saw the record highest tied.

>> It is the highest tied since hurricane Sandy.

>> The floods were a result of the wind, says a meteorologist.

>> We had about 36-48 hours of sustained Northeast gale force winds, sustained winds with stronger gusts up to storm force which is around 60 miles per hour.

>> Island Beach State Park and Avalon were two towns that saw storm force winds pushing water inland, says the founder of a Jersey-based meteorology service .

About a dozen people had to be rescued from cars in Sea Girt.

The fire department gave this young man a ride home when his school bus was stranded.

>> Residents posted sea levels taking over streets and properties.

Some good news, no deaths were reported in New Jersey.

A total of three people died in other states from incidents related to the storms.

They are concerned about the storms impact on beach erosion.

>> This is not a good situation because of what we saw in late August with Erin, which brought beach erosion.

Beaches are in bad shape in particular the northern end of Avalon which has Cliffs from where you would try to walk down to the beach.

North Wildwood, another hot for erosion.

>> Significant flooding throughout this borough and the mayor is worried about erosion.

>> That is the biggest headline, how much sand we lost.

I did a tour of the beach this morning and monitored it throughout the storm.

The amount of sand lost was massive.

We will be looking to federal and state partners to try to help replenish that.

>> Every time I see floodwaters rising it feels like it happens all the time.

I wonder how resilient are these homes and businesses, especially post-Sandy?

Are these floods having major impacts that are costly for residents and business owners?

>> The reality is people are more prepared than ever.

Homes are lifted, the warning systems are better than ever.

What we need his help from federal and state governments in terms of public infrastructure.

We have our northern border of town that is a lake connected to the ocean.

We saw flooding there.

The water comes over the street and makes it impassable and it is one of the main routes in and out of town.

A 4 foot retaining wall along the road would make the road passable for the entirety of an event like this.

>> He says it is critical for people to get in and out of town.

Throughout the day today, the flood advisory was in effect along the shore.

>> We are expecting an additional round of widespread minor coastal flooding this evening.

That will be especially the case for the Back Bay bays of Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May County's.

>> Given that timing, meteorologists worry about the frequency and severity of the storms.

>> This is not where you want to be in mid October considering we have another six months of potential nor'easter's to come.

We are not done with hurricane season yet.

That is until November 30.

>> The worst is likely over, but deep concerns remain of the resilience of the coast.

I'm Joanna Gagis.

BRIANA: The federal government shutdown is in its 14th day with no clear path to reopening.

Congress remains deadlocked with health care funding and subsidies at the center of the standoff.

Mass layoffs hit federal workers and pressure mounts in Washington and across the country.

Let's get the latest from Capitol Hill with our Washington correspondent.

Good to see you.

An empty Rotunda behind there.

What is the latest?

What is keeping lawmakers essentially from reaching a deal?

>> They are at an impasse over how to reopen the government.

That is obvious, but not a lot has shifted since we last talked last week or the week prior, and three weeks into this, there is no bipartisan deal on the table.

There is no bill text that has been released which is the nitty-gritty step you need to make this happen, to get the lights back on.

The latest twist, I would point out that yes, the building is empty, it is a ghost town feeling here.

The latest maneuver came from the White House Friday when the budget chief, Russell vought, announced reductions in force.

He made the announcement Friday afternoon before a federal holiday tree day weekend and this is a maneuver the White House has been dangling for weeks to fire federal workers in a carte blanche, mass maneuver without any sort of clear reason.

But as a bargaining chip for Democrats to back Republican bills.

BRIANA: What type of impact is that happen?

How is that playing for folks who have constituents who might be part of those layoffs?

>> It doesn't seem to be moving a whole lot with the New Jersey delegation.

New Jersey doesn't have the massive amount of federal workers.

But I think it is about 22,000 but that was from September of last year before the new Trump Administration and before the DOGE spec in the spring with Elon Musk.

And with that of deferred resignations that federal workers taken.

The number is lower.

It has played a big role in the surrounding community these around D.C.

like Maryland and Virginia, were many federal workers live.

There are Democrats holding rallies in these areas with fired or at risk federal workers.

But it will not move the needle a lot.

The people who will ultimately make the call about reopening the government, this decision is happening at the leadership level.

This is members of both parties within both chambers and the White House making the choice and the rank and file don't have a lot of input at this point.

The input will come from them when and if we get a bill on the floor.

You need 218 votes in the house and 60 in the Senate.

Republicans in both chambers need Democrats to make this happen.

BRIANA: We talked quite a bit about the impact on services at airports.

Congressman Gottheimer had an event today to point that out as well.

I wonder if there is a realistic path forward, given the pressure on federal workers who are essentially propping up the airline industry, among many.

And whether or not this could turn out to be one of the longest shutdowns as we saw back in 2018 and 2019.

>> We don't know.

It is hard to see the future.

But we do know that shutdowns have come to an end in large part due to the sick-outs by airport personnel, who in past shutdowns have gotten sick of going to work and not getting paid for their time and have called in sick and mass.

That is a trigger to get out of this.

People will soon start missing paychecks.

October 15 is tomorrow, and it is a paycheck date that was scheduled for the military.

Many are likely to miss that, although Trump has said he will, he directed over the weekend that Pete Hegseth should find a workaround, to find the money elsewhere and raid other Defense Department funds to pay the troops.

It is unclear if he can do that.

There are technical guidelines about how people are paid during shutdowns.

But it is politically edgy or dangerous perhaps to cut pay for the troops.

That is something no party wants to touch.

The other issue that I'm sure we would like to get into his health care.

Health care is out there.

BRIANA: November 1 is the ACA enrollment date.

Is there an indication Democrats are holding out for that?

Is that the urgent date they are looking at?

>> The answer is yes.

Their argument has been since the start of the shutdown back in late September, that people need to plan for health care costs and health care needs and the planning starts effectively now.

The official deadline of open enrollment is November 1.

People need to make decisions for them, for their kids and families, really quickly.

That is what Democrats have pushed for, for weeks now.

BRIANA: Thanks.

We will check back in with you as the week goes on.

As voters prepare to elect the next governor, a key issue on the ballot isn't just taxes or affordable housing.

But the way New Jersey law and was meant response to individuals in the mental health crisis.

A string of deadly encounters with people in distress put the focus on emergency response rooms like Arrive Together, which pairs mental health professionals with officers.

The leading candidates, Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli, have different visions for the programs and police accountability.

Our mental health writer joins us to take a deeper look at those plans.

Good to see you.

A lot to get into.

Mikie Sherrill is embracing the Arrive Together program, put in place under the current Attorney General map lack in.

What is her vision for its future?

>> She has said she would support fully funding the program.

She sees this as an extension of a way to pair police officers and mental health professionals to respond to some of these serious mental health emergencies.

She has shown that she continues to support funding for what you called other mental health programs it would look like hospital-based violence intervention prevention services.

That was her vision for the future, her campaign didn't elaborate into what exactly she would go into in terms of fully supporting it.

Right now this is a pilot program that received $20 million in the current budget.

It still has to be codified into law.

.

There is a bill pending to codify it but she has shown she would support it.

Slightly different from Jack Ciattarelli's vision of what police officers and mental health professionals may do in emergency situations.

He supports the program in calling it a thoughtful attempt, but he said police officers should use their best judgment in these situations, noting they are trained to de-escalate tense situations and react accordingly.

He said that may include a licensed clinical social worker.

It sounds like Ciattarelli's approach may give more discretion to officers in these situations, but he did note he would continue to fund community and hospital-based violence intervention programs.

The key differences between the candidates as we head into election day.

BRIANA: He supports the idea in principle.

There is a lot of attention on Arrive Together especially because of the reach it has now in the state.

A lot of advocates have touted community-based solutions.

Are the candidates talking about those?

Are they not as visible?

Are they talking about putting more resources in state funding behind those and what are they?

>> They have only raised those issues when they have been asked .

When I spoke to the candidates through email they said in brief statements that they would support community-based and hospital-based violence intervention programs.

They did not elaborate.

That has drawn the concern of advocates who remain skeptical of both candidates approaches to mental health emergency response.

One advocate told me while they are not enthused with either candidate's approach to these issues and police accountability, they need to be clear about what is on the line, noting wherever the next governor may become of the policies will impact black, brown and immigrant communities.

Those are the issues they are looking at.

It remains to be seen whether either candidate will come to the table for social justice advocates in these days ahead.

It is something we continue to watch and monitor.

BRIANA: What do the social justice advocates say?

They are not convinced by where either candidate is at this point.

Are there specific tenants they are looking for a specific candidate to latch onto?

>> They see Mikie Sherrill as someone who, they are not convinced by her platforms but they see her as a candidate that might be more willing to come to the table for some of these issues.

There is legislation still on the table related to civilian complaints and the Attorney General's office revising the use of worse policy, pending in the legislature that advocates would like to see passed and signed into law.

This comes at a time when we have seen the Seabrook's Washington bill signed into law in 2024.

While touting the benefits of that, advocates have been frustrated with the implementation of some of the funding.

They think Sherrill may come to the table for them in the days ahead.

They have not seen that as much from Ciattarelli's campaign.

Ciattarelli told me in a statement he would support community and violence, hospital-based violence prevention programs but it comes at odds with what the federal government is doing, the Trump Administration is doing with cuts to community-based violence intervention programs.

In April, the street teams and some of these programs in the state were impacted by some of the federal funding cuts, having to and services or lay off employees.

It remains to be seen where Ciattarelli stands directly.

This is something we may not see if he is elected.

>> Would either of these candidates keep Matt Platkin on as Attorney General?

>> They would not.

They both stated in debates and during podcast interviews they would not keep him on.

That is important because Platkin has championed Arrive Together, and built it up since it was introduced in 2021.

BRIANA: You can read Bobby's reporting on our website.

Thanks, Bobby.

A big Emmy win for a story we first brought you last year, at the height of the war in Ukraine.

It was about a children's book, discussing the war from a child's perspective by telling the true story of a much loved cat.

Named Massey.

In honor of the win, we take a look back at the piece put together by Brenda Flanagan, senior producer Julie Diorio, and our videographer.

>> This story is about how two teenagers connected to create a children's book about the war in Ukraine and a much loved cat.

Named Messi.

The kitten belongs to an 11-year-old living in kyiv when Russia launched missile strikes.

Like many families, they fled for their lives.

They left pets behind.

In the book Irina tells her beloved cat, I will be home soon.

On the road with refugees she remembers explosions.

>> Sirens.

>> Yes.

>> So scary.

>> She speaks in halting English.

Her mom hoped they would be back home in a couple weeks.

>> She thinks, what about Messi?

How does she stay alone at home?

>> Family and friends try to rescue the cat but she escaped her carrier.

Irina urged her mother to post Internet photos in a desperate search from their hotel room in Warsaw.

>> She forced me to post on the Internet.

That We lost Messi.

I don't believe in that, I said.

It is not going to help, I said, because it is a war.

Who will find a cat?

She said, "mom, you need to do the post."

>> Being nervous about where Messi was, if she was ever going to see Messi again, made the situation worse.

>> Trevor is a high school junior who met irina during a trip to bring humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees.

His synagogue delivered 9000 pounds of supplies for family stranded by war.

As Irina told the group about how she needed to find Messi, it reminded Trevor of his own pet, rocket.

>> Losing another thing, a friend.

Rocket, I spend a ton of time with rocket.

>> Trevor's family has deep roots in Ukraine.

His great-great-grandfather was executed during pogroms and his family fled persecution.

>> It is not easy fleeing as a little child with your family, going to a new place.

Where you don't speak the language.

>> The search for Messi continued and people sent photos.

Miraculously, one of them was Messi.

Irina's stepdad carried the cat to Warsaw.

Her mom translates.

>> I think it was one of the happiest days of my life.

>> I realized the story was number one, inspiring, by showing how many people came together in a time of war to help a girl get her cat back.

>> As Trevor wrote the book, he took care to present a story that helps children understand what it means to be displaced by war.

Finding Messi, who was named for the soccer star, resonates with kids.

It is a story of determination and hope, says this crisis counselor.

>> Having a specific goal, not giving up on that goal, and the world of healing and possibility for her when everything else was shattering, when bombs were raining down.

She felt in her heart, I can and will be reunited with this animal.

>> Even if you don't understand completely the politics of war, the effects of the war in terms of data, almost everyone understands what it is like to lose a pet.

>> The book is selling briskly and the proceeds go to benefit refugees from Ukraine.

Messi and Irina are doing OK.

Irina is in seventh grade and Messi is back in Warsaw.

>> Good.

She is so happy, I think.

>> How are you?

>> Good.

>> They are hoping for another miracle, to go back home to Kyiv.

The book is dedicated to the children of Ukraine.

I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.

BRIANA: That will do it for us tonight.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire team, thanks for being with us.

We will see you right back here tomorrow.

>> NJM Insurance group, serving the insurance needs of residents and businesses for over 100 years.

Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

And by the PSEG foundation.

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