>> Major funding for NJ Spotlight News was provided in part by NJM Insurance group, serving the insurance needs of residents and businesses for 100 years and by the PSEG foundation.

>> Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, struck down.

A federal judge holds a Biden administration plan that protected undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens.

Wildfire warnings.

Multiple wildfires rage across the state amid severe drought conditions with red flag warnings in effect for several regions.

>> even a small spark could potentially start a much larger brush fire and eventually a wildfire.

>> NJ decides 2024 following Donald Trump's victory.

New data reveals young voters played a sniffing in securing his win.

>> I think the American people most notably gave him a mandate and young people have had enough of the last four years.

>> election Fallout.

Bringing the focus onto the emotional aftermath of a divisive election season.

>> a lot of folks are feeling humility of impact of stress and anxiety not only from the election results but the lead up to it.

>> NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

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

>> Thanks for joining us.

Rhianna Vannozzi is off tonight.

We begin with a few top headlines.

A major blow to one of President Biden's key immigration policies.

A federal judge in Texas struck down a program that eased the path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens.

It allowed those spouses as well as stepchildren to apply for a green card without having to leave the country.

The program known as keeping families together would have helped half a million immigrants.

It was one of the few major immigration actions taken by the bite in as Republicans blocked most actions in Congress.

The rule that the Biden administration overstepped its authority.

It was put on hold in August after TEC is in 15 other states sued saying the president was bypassing Chris Benge -- bypassing congressional approval.

It is unclear if anyone had received approval to stay in the country under the program while seeking permanent residency.

Any federal report gives preliminary details about a deadly NJ transit light rail crash we told you about three weeks ago that killed a light rail operator.

Her name was Jessica Haley and she was a 41-year-old mom of three kids.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, she was headed south on the River line in Burlington County rounding a bend when she saw a downed tree on the tag -- the tracks ahead.

She activated the brakes and the emergency brakes that was not enough to stop the train.

The light rail vehicle decelerated for 430 feet before striking the tree.

A branch of the tree penetrated the front windshield and fatally struck her.

The train continued for another 880 feet before coming to a complete stop.

The report shows she was traveling 64 miles per hour less than the 65 mile per hour limit.

23 passengers were injured, treated at a nearby hospital and released to the incident looking next at things like inspection practices, dispatcher reporting procedures and the light rail crashworthiness design.

In the meantime her family is suing NJ transit for failing to remove injuries trees from the area they say remarks with Annex but never dealt with.

In other day, another fire in New Jersey.

This time one burning on the Palisades Park Way in Englewood cliffs according to the New Jersey Forest fire service.

They made the announcement this morning saying the fire had burned through 19 acres and is only 30% contained.

The fire service is using ground crews and helicopters to control the blaze but it is one of several fires burning around the state and adds to the startling number of forest fires that have erupted across New Jersey in the last few weeks.

Yesterday a massive fire Roco in Gloucester County in the Glassboro wildlife management area.

Both fires are under investigation but today the forest fire service has issued a smoking visor he is expected to last over the next several days because of the ongoing fires.

The advisory touches regions from north to south, east to west including towns in Essex, Morris, Ocean, Camden and Burlington counties.

Ted Goldberg is in one of the affected towns, Jackson, where the shot gun is still raging.

Details on that and the weather conditions fueling these fires.

>> the Forest file service as battling wildfires across New Jersey.

A historic drought has produced perfect conditions for wildfires and the National Weather Service has put the entire state on what is known as a red flag warning.

>> conditions for the spread of wildfires is going to be very high.

We take into account a couple different factors should one being is the vegetation very dry?

>> Mount Holly meteorologist Mike Lee says the other factors are low humidity and high wind.

New Jerseyans have seen Lindy of both over the last two months and so have people throughout the Northeast should >> Very interesting to see red flag one is being issued all the way from D.C. through Boston.

That entire area is a large swath location and that one is a little less common where you see it in the entire megalopolis region.

>> According to the forest fire service, the but run wildfire has grown to 360 acres in South Jersey but 75% is contained.

.

Meanwhile the slightly smaller shotgun wildfire in Jackson is 80% contained.

>> The most recent one in Jackson was only 10 miles away from me so I have some concerns that it could have right here in my backyard.

Douglas like all farmers is a busy guy.

>> We grow tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, all kinds of summer squash.

>> Part of his preparations include dealing with the increased risk of fires that could threaten his livelihood.

>> For the fall we have mitigated that by planting full cover crops and having green foliage in the field but this year, cover crops were planted in the Sahara desert.

>> Kaufman says the drought has not hit him too badly.

The goats get a little orange Gatorade and a drip irrigation system helped his veggie survived until harvest.

Water lines run underneath this plastic and feed plants if there is not enough rain.

This system was set up 15 years ago with some help from a federal program.

>> We would never have had enough water to make a crop out here as long as we did if it was not for drip irrigation.

Our pond is not that big.

>> His pond is four feet shallower than normal.

>> If we don't start getting some consistent rain fall next spring is going to be a big question.

>> There might be good news.

Soon the drought could end as soon this weekend according to state climatologist Dave Robinson.

>> It has increased the amount of habitation from a quarter to a half an inch in parts of the state.

That would be a daily compared to what we have had.

Our last measurable rain of note was the 28th into the 29th of September.

>> Lee says the red flag warning does not mean you should not live your life.

It just means you should follow state restrictions on lighting outdoor fires if they are not elevated and following some basic precautions should >> Discarding a cigarette butt.

Discarding it into dry lessor -- dry grass or leaves could start a wildfire.

Parking your car on top of dry grass or leaves potentially could start unintentional brush fire.

>> The drought has produced incredible sites including historic low water levels at the Manasquan reservoir.

Farmers are hoping these sites go away soon and when falcon returned to the Garden State.

>> this week's election had a new and highly engaged electorate that made a big impact in a turning New Jersey from solidly blue to purple.

That was the votes of young people.

In particular young man -- young men.

Raven Santana spoke with several college students from Republican youth organizations shared with her how President-elect Trump was able to secure their votes this time around.

>> Tuesday's presidential election results have brought next emotions among youth voters in New Jersey as Donald Trump heads back to the White House to serve as the 47th president of the United States.

>> I voted on Tuesday.

I woke up the next day and I honestly felt sick.

I felt sick to my stomach.

I was surprised to see it called so fast but I was happy to see the Former President was reelected.

>> It was very heartbreaking.

My parents are immigrants at a lot of my family is immigrants so it kind of hit home for me.

Boko Trump -- >> Trump won 12 of New Jersey's counties.

Young men particularly white and Latino men leaned further to the right than their female counterparts both nationwide and in New Jersey.

>> I'm not going to lie.

I was actually shocked especially like I think a couple weeks before hand someone said something about Puerto Rico.

>> after experiencing four years of the Trump Administration and experiencing four years of the Biden Harris administration, they had a direct comparison to make a decision.

Was my life better off today than it was four years ago and it looks like a resounding no based on Trump's landslide victory.

>> brains Fitzherbert is chairman of the Republicans and Executive Director for young Republican Federation of New Jersey.

He says it is clear there has been a shift especially among young men like himself according to the Associated Press.

Men aged 18 to between nine in particular were vital to the Republicans comeback victory.

His sentiments are echoed by Sean Denning who is president of the Ocean County young Republicans.

>> I think this cycle has encouraged young people to be a part of the process and to know that those under 40 have played a significant role in electing a president further encourages young people that your vote matters.

Your input matters.

Get involved.

Work on campaigns.

Recruit your friends.

This is not -- you are not left out.

>> Oscar is a Rutgers student, Republican County committee man and treasurer for the records Republicans.

His parents immigrated here from Pakistan.

He says young voters are not deterred Trump's controversial comments.

>> I think along with other people I was disappointed with the comments made at MSG rally but at the end of the day I think the American people know a rather have a guy who is not the nicest but I can afford to buy a home in a couple years.

I can afford to buy groceries.

Put gas in my car.

I think a lot of people in New Jersey but across the country have the same concerns.

>> Whether they lean left or right, all the young voters ice with say social media played a key factor when it came to getting information on candidates in both parties.

>> I would say I definitely get most of my information from social media because I am on its all the time.

It is going to pop up on my feet and stuff like that.

>> a lot of people my age are looking at social media more than new sites.

Partially because of attention span.

It is easier to watch an Instagram real that it is to watch a segment on TV.

I know people who made the decision after Joe Rogan.

It is less about the information you get.

It is more the affirmation especially young men as we saw in the cycle he wants to be one of us.

>> as we have gone to traditional TV, you only see what producers want you to see.

On a live podcast, that is two or three hours.

It makes it much more authentic.

I think harder to control a narrative or to make it fake.

>> a narrative that is resonating with the younger demographic and has seemed to work for Republicans who are hoping to keep the momentum going as they prepare for New Jersey's gubernatorial race in November 2025.

>> In the wake of a Republican wave that swept of the state this week, senior political correspondent David Cruise spoke on Chat Box with Bob Cuban -- Bob you can about what has party did to get the votes and how to go forward with some of the campaign promises made by President-elect Trump on the trail.

>> Talking about the President-elect, I mean he is the definition of hyperbolic but some of what he has promised, mass people rotation comes -- mass deportation, resting his enemies, tariffs on everything.

He cannot just do that, right?

Surely there are guardrails.

Where are the guardrails?

>> the narrative of the whole campaign was hyperbolic on both sides.

I do think when you think about -- >> I'm sorry, chairman.

You say it is hyperbolic on both parts.

The other side, the Democrats were not saying he is going to arrest -- >> David, David, David.

The man was shot at.

Everyone on the left talking about the threat to democracy.

The world is going to end if you elect this man.

Think about Oprah Winfrey said should >> The journalist did not shoot him number one.

>> It was hyperbolic on both sides.

I'm sorry.

>>>> I don't want to get bogged down but we are going to have to disagree on the.

What were you going to say?

>> When somebody puts out all these statements on either side, look at one of the most important ones are.

He said he wants to cut inflation.

He said he wants to grow the economy, make it good for people.

.

Higher wages, lower inflation.

There's other things he want to do interferes with that, he is going to have to manage that different.

He is not going to do crazy things that are going to take the economy or hurt people's jobs or hurt their pay increases etc.

I think you have to put that in context and say what is most important?

You can watch the full interview with Bob and hear David go one on one with Governor Phil Murphy in the wake of Donald Trump's win and the Republican surge in New Jersey.

On Reporters Roundtable, David talks to Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University polling Institute about how New Jerseyans voted and why.

Plus a panel of local journalists talking all the weeks political headlines.

Watch Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 10:00 on NJPBS.

Democrats are focusing on what comes next under a second Trump presidency.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan spoke with several progressive groups about their concerns over issues like abortion access and the promises of musty occasions of immigrants.

>> Donald Trump has got to go.

>> Expect a return to furious rallies like these in response to Trump 2.0.

Women marched on Washington and across New Jersey after Donald Trump first Inauguration over fears he would also abortion rights.

He did via the Supreme Court which overturned roe.

The phones ringing off the hook at the Cherry Hill women's center where one in four patients comes from out-of-state.

>> So many of those calls were can I keep my opponent -- my appointment?

Can I still come in?

That is what we saw last time.

An urgency.

People deserve to have the time they need to make these complex decisions.

Now this political urgency is putting more pressure on folks.

>> Progressive advocates fear for New Jersey's status as a sanctuary state for patients seeking reproductive health care.

Clinics could face cuts in federal funding and quite possibly a national abortion ban.

They will look to state lawmakers for funding and legal protection.

>> There are people who are going to be fighting back to make sure we can stay here, they can get with they need regardless of the legal landscape.

>> Unfortunately, if there is a federal piece of legislation, a federal abortion ban that would impact New Jersey, that would supersede our state level and the constitutional protections from our case law we have here.

We are continuing to fight at planned parenthood action for New Jersey for the reproductive freedom and health equity bill package to try to firm up more protections and do that as soon as possible.

>> Social media reacted to the President-elect's promise to deport millions of immigrants using military resources in his threat against sanctuary states like New Jersey.

Advocates remember protesting Trump's Muslim travel ban in 2017 which President-elect has said he will expand to include Palestinian's.

>> We have had folks who are flooding our hotlines, flooding our community centers asking what this means for the immigration case.

Asking if they should expect massive deportations as soon as this week.

We have read a route -- we have a responsibility to build a multiracial working-class majority that says we are not going to take it.

>> A road she says they will fight to defend immigrants including dreamers brought to the U.S. as kids and living here under the DACA program.

Thousands joined an online rally Wednesday night.

>> If Donald Trump and his loyalists want us to come into this -- this next phase of the struggle disoriented and without a plan, the sheer numbers of people here in the mobilizing power it represents says something different.

>> We know immediately we are going to have to make sure we defend our immigrants here in New Jersey.

I think we need to use all the lovers -- the lovers at our disposal right now to safeguard amenities that are going to be in the most at risk against political attacks.

>> New Jersey working families will cohost a rally tomorrow at noon in Jersey City.

Attorney General Matt Plotkin tweeted if President Trump uses his position to unlawfully attacked the rights of New Jersey residents, I will see him in court.

For the LGBTQIA community, acted by New Jersey's law against discrimination, the election signaled a dangerous shift.

>> when you look at that map and see so much read, it speaks to us to say where do we feel safe?

Where will we be safe?

>> Saying advocates are fielding calls particularly from trans folks who feel more vulnerable than ever.

>> It is not about whether they are coming for us.

It is about how soon will some of the things Donald Trump has already said he wants to do take place?

And where do we go, how do we continue to fight and galvanize to make sure that does not happen?

>> Advocates say they will stay politically active and working here to elect a new governor who will keep New Jersey a safe sanctuary.

Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.

Joanna: With a divided electorate like we sell this week, many of those disaffected voters whose candidate did not win are feeling strong emotions right now.

That is what our mental health writer Bobby Brier is covered as he looked into data from sources that field crisis calls.

It is not just the results of the election that have had an impact on people's mental health.

It is the chemo to the effect of a divisive and at times nasty election season where attack ads ran against political opponents on both sides.

So what now?

How are folks responding and what are health-care organizations recommending for those in crisis?

Bobby joins me now to discuss.

What can you tell us about what the state is seeing in terms of folks feeling distressed after these election results?

>> Right now a lot of folks are really feeling humorless to of impact of stress and anxiety not only from of the election results but the lead up to it we have seen.

The constant negative ads as you have mentioned.

Constant social media presence of attack ads and divisive election news so folks are in some cases responding in crisis ways calling different lifeline and chatline calls like 988 in New Jersey as well as other national organizations like the Trevor Project have seen increasing calls and long wait times at the crisis and text lines.

>>>> The advent of social media and folks getting the news on their phone in some cases makes it hard to shut off all the notices and the election conversation that happens on a day-to-day basis should he did speak to health care professionals.

Did they address how folks manage the social media use?

>> A lot of them had spoken to the same couple points.

One of them was to take a break from social media, take a break from the constant news coverage and try to connect those -- connect with those you love and trust and try to get out and exercise more.

Try to stick to those daily routines and habits such as eating well, sleeping well.

If you get back on that rhythm, a lot had said that can keep your quality of life at a high level or continue to improve it despite this negative news.

For other folks, a lot just need time around friends and time around people maybe they had not spoken to in while.

Those are the main recommendations and tips from mental health professionals I have spoken to.

>>>> They never said stayaway from NJPBS.

Just to make sure ship >> That is correct.

>> But in all seriousness, there are folks in particular I know you have checked in on because a lot of the crisis calls are coming from folks in the LGBTQ community were feeling uneasy about what the future holds for them should >> A lot of folks I had spoken to particular ads organizations like the Garden State equality had filled more crisis calls in recent days after this election.

It was because of a lot of the campaign rhetoric in the lead up to and after the election had pointed to anti-trans messaging and many folks were feeling that stress and that strain.

Mental health professionals had also cautioned against looking at social media or news in many social situations and trying to get back in community with people they love and they support folks no matter what that is not just in New Jersey but nationally as well with those national LGBTQ organizations like the Trevor Project.

>> One of the conversations we keep coming back to here as we look at those who have run more civil campaigns is folks are not all that different.

What about having conversations the folks who disagree with you or voted for the other candidate?

How do you bring folks back together?

Did you have any conversations around that space?

>>>> A lot of folks had spoken to the importance of if you're spending time with loved ones, they may have a differing political view.

If you can bring the conversation toward something we both agree on common ground, that is a way to bridge the conversation or start the conversation again.

To set boundaries with yourself if you do feel like you are overexposed to the news media or to social media coverage.

Talking to somebody face-to-face would help you.

>> Come to NJPBS from our fair and balanced news.

Great to talk to as always.

Before you go, a reminder.

Download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so you can listen to us any time.

For the entire team at NJ Spotlight News, thanks for being with us.

Have a great weekend.

We will see you back here on Monday.

>> New Jersey education Association.

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More information is online at NJrealtor.com.

>> Our future relies on more than a clean energy.

Our future relies on empowered to amenities, the health and safety of our families and neighbors, our schools and streets.

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♪