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

BRIANA: Thanks for joining us.

Another win for the labor movement.

Leaders of three Rutgers University unions representing 9000 employees have approved tentative contracts with the University, after nearly a year of negotiations and the first faculty strike in the school's 257 year history.

The contracts still need to be approved by members but include many of their demands, like salary increases and job security.

Governor Murphy, who intervened during the strike, thanked union leaders, faculty, and Rikers President for their work reaching an agreement.

He said the deal will result in a better educational experience.

As senior correspondent Brenda Flanigan reports, it is still unclear how much the settlement will cost.

>> We are excited, we feel it is a strong contract.

I am excited for our members to look through it, to understand how this will impact everybody.

BRENDA: Rutgers faculty strike leaders felt exhausted but exhilarated over the tentative agreement they are presenting to 9000 members.

It took a weeklong strike and weeks of negotiations to get a proposal that says historic salary increases for adjunct and nontenured professors, offering many job security for the first time.

For adjunct Heather peers, it means -- >> Finally getting paid above property wages.

But also the job security means a whole lot.

BRENDA: Instead of reapplying for her job every semester, peers and colleagues with seniority can expect one and two year appointments under the new contract.

>> We can plan our lives, buy cars and houses.

Maybe not houses, but we can plan more than six months in advance.

>> We are finalizing the language today.

These are complicated contracts and we want to make sure everything is done to the letter and there are no typos.

BRENDA: Adjunct faculty union president says members will get days to review their contracts.

The retroactive agreement runs through June 2026 and includes salary increases totaling 14% for full-time professors, 32.6% for teaching and graduate assistants, and 43.7% for adjuncts.

The agreement bars administrators from replacing Rutgers conditions with cheaper medical staff from Barnabas, pushes Rutgers to stop paying faculty in Newark and Camden less than New Brunswick, and makes parental leave available to biomedical faculty for the first time.

>> There is so much that is significant and will improve people's lives.

BRENDA: The full-time faculty president believes the strike broke a months long gridlock, that one week spent marching through New Brunswick and holding rallies forced progress.

>> If we don't get it -- >> Shut it down!

>> I think our members' willingness to strike created a strong understanding.

I think Governor Murphy's intervention was critical.

He showed this was serious.

He was not OK with the Rutgers administration seeking an injunction.

BRENDA: The question, how much with this contract settlement cost and who is going to pay?

There is little appetite for tuition increases.

>> We already pay a certain amount to go here.

Taking time away from classes I should be going to -- BRENDA: Freshman Emma McCarthy and fellow students supported the strike.

>> I don't want anybody living paycheck-to-paycheck, but it would be nice if my tuition didn't get cut in two.

>> wasn't the point of the strike a reallocation of funds instead of increasing funds?

BRENDA: Governor Murphy indicated he would put state funds on the table to help fund a settlement.

The agreement at several points bars the university from declaring a fiscal emergency during the first three years.

Rutgers president commented, reaching this point is a recognition we can work through our differences for the good of the University, and I look forward to resolving all outstanding nonfaculty contracts as quickly as possible.

Nine other unions continue to negotiate.

>> I hope this has effects across the state.

We are hearing from people at other universities to speak to them and what we can do to improve their conditions.

BRENDA: The three faculty unions are expected to complete voting on their contract by next week.

Brenda Flanigan, NJ Spotlight News.

BRIANA: Today marks three months since Sayreville councilwoman Eunice was shot and killed outside her home.

A gunman ambushed the car of the 30-year-old mother at first-term Republican but the case remains unsolved.

Investigators have shared little information and the family remains in the dark.

They have asked the state attorney general's office to take over the investigation, but her loved ones are fearful they will never have answers.

Former state assemblyman John is representing the family and joins us now.

I know this case has been frustrating for the family.

Are we any closer to some answers?

>> we are not any closer to knowing about answers.

Whether Middlesex County prosecutors or the state attorney general or law enforcement agency is close to having answers, we don't know because they are not providing that information to the family.

BRIANA: Why is that?

Is there a suspicion perhaps there is a lead?

We know the prosecutors said there is no immediate threat to the community.

Typically we don't hear a bold statement like that unless there is at least a suspect.

>> You are right.

The prediction or the pronouncement by the prosecutor that there is no danger to the public at large means they have some conclusions.

They have drawn some basis of thought that they have an idea who or what circumstances may have precipitated this homicide.

That said, they have not shared that information with the family.

BRIANA: You facilitated two meanings -- meetings between the family and in OS X County prosecutors's office.

What is your level of confidence with how this case is getting investigated?

>> I am troubled there seem to be some investigatory lapses.

Eunice had a cell phone that the prosecutor's office did not get around to looking for until almost two months after the homicide.

That seems like a basic piece of information you would ask for on day one, that you would go through the Victim's personal space to see if there are any clues and it doesn't appear that happened either.

Maybe there is a reason.

Maybe that reason is not something they can share with the family right now.

Understand from their perspective, their daughter Eunice was a rising political figure in Middlesex County in Sayreville and she, in a relatively otherwise safe suburban community, was gunned down outside her home after grocery shopping.

It's alarming, it's unprecedented, and it seems to be dragging.

BRIANA: Has there been any response from the Attorney General's office?

And is this length of time that the investigation is taking somewhat typical, given what they have to work with?

>> What's typical, right?

In the instance of Eunice's Homicide and the three months that have transpired, I here a lot of references to the Utah homicide on a college campus and how the prosecutor's office kept quiet for a long time because they had somebody in mind.

Could that be an analogy to what's happening here?

Could be.

Could it also be they have no idea and are at a dead end?

That's also a possibility.

Without specific facts, it's hard to draw one conclusion over the other.

That said, that doesn't provide any comfort, any solace to the families who have lost somebody so important to their lives.

They are just looking for answers.

BRIANA: John Wisniewski, former state legislator and attorney for the Dwumfour Family.

Thank you, it was good speaking with you.

Today is also an important milestone in Camden.

10 years ago, it's Police Department was disbanded and rebuilt from the ground up.

Since then the Camden County Police Department has been hailed as a model of police reform, leading to sharp cuts in crime and improved community relations.

The anniversary is especially significant this year after the state attorney general's office recent takeover of the Patterson Police Department.

Joanna gag is reports.

>> In 2022, there were 3000 less victims of crime in Camden city than there were in 2012.

>> Crime is down to the lowest level in 50 years.

This is not by accident.

We are seeing a reduction in crime because our police force represents our community.

Joanna: City and county leaders gathered to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the transformation of the Camden Police Department, now called the Camden County Metro Police Department.

>> We dissolved an existing force, created a new one that began May 1 10 years ago.

JOANNA: That included firing the police chief and rebuilding the force to better represent the majority minority community.

Leaders are lauding the difference in the city today from a decade ago.

>> We had a crime rate, a murder rate that was higher than some Third World nations.

>> We are proud to say not only has it worked, but crime is down significantly since 2012 and Camden continues to rise and witness record lows in violent and nonviolent crime.

That indeed deserves a celebration today.

JOANNA: Residents gave testimony about the differences they have seen in their neighborhoods.

>> We can look around and see and feel the change.

Kids are able to play outside.

We didn't have to fear the site of drug dealers or drug users or any of those negative activities we were used to.

JOANNA: We spoke to some residents to see if they have experienced the same changes we heard testimony of inside.

>> I do think the crime rate has died down.

Me in particular, I live on the street, like 5th Street, and that was a lot of crime going on.

It's kind of getting safer.

JOANNA: to celebrate 10 years later, you can look there is still much work to be done in a city that has areas of extreme poverty.

The mayor says policing has to go hand-in-hand with other community initiatives to continue turning it around.

>> The graduation rate as high as it is.

Unemployment rate is down to an all-time low at six point whatever percent.

Streets, roads, public safety.

Continue that momentum.

Over the last 10 years, what the Camden County Police Department has done in the charge of community policing and building trust and confidence has been incredible, outstanding, and lauded across the country.

JOANNA: Not only lauded, but copied in cities across New Jersey and the nation, a crowning achievement for this still struggling city climbing toward a better future.

I'm Joanna Gagis.

BRIANA: Federal lawmakers are preparing for a physical battle as Senate Democrats hold hearings this week to dissect the House GOP debt ceiling proposal.

Legislation that will raise the federal debt limit and cut government spending.

In New Jersey, Bob Menendez is pushing back against what he says will result in devastating consequences for New Jersey families.

Senior political correspondent David Cruz has the story.

>> House Republicans just past the only bill in Washington that lifts the debt limit, ends wasteful Washington spending, and puts America back on the right economic path.

DAVID: A close call, but House majority Republicans were able to pass a bill that increases the debt limit but ties it to deep spending cuts Democrats like Senator Bob Menendez are calling Draconian at best.

The president and Menendez say the debt ceiling should not be tied to budget cuts.

>> To the extent that Republicans have ideas -- I hope better ones than this -- to think about how we deal with the budget, that's when we get to the budget.

There will be a budget debate.

That's when we can go back and forth and say, this is what we think should be done in terms of the national debt.

Democrats will say what they think should be done.

At some point there will be a compromise to get a budget done.

But not on the debt of the nation.

DAVID: Menendez says a default would impact unemployment, interest rates, the U.S. standing as the world currency of reserve.

That was almost secondary at the helping hands learning Academy today, where 103 families get high-quality preschool services.

No easy task, explained Anisha Galli, executive director of helping hands, which, she points out at the beginning of Small Business week, is a small business, after all.

>> Student to staff ratios, equipment, material, and training necessary to operate a successful program forces us to operate on razor thin profit margins, if any.

As a happy quality Center, the cost associated with operating far outpaces funding.

>> I am a single mother of three daughters and I have custody of my one and a half-year-old grandson.

You can imagine when I went to put him in school, I was paying $1200 a month.

It affected me majorly.

I could not afford to pay my rent sometimes.

I was behind my bills.

I am being perfectly honest.

DAVID: Operators struggling to keep doors open and working-class parents desperate for help from public subsidies to help pay for high-quality care, especially for infants and toddlers.

>> We have about 150,000 infants and toddlers in our state, yet the capacity only serves 68,000.

Even that big difference, they are serving less.

The main reason is they can't find teachers.

DAVID: Senate Democrats have scheduled hearings on the GOP debt ceiling bill.

They call it cruel and counterproductive.

Republicans will call Democratic spending priorities to expensive.

Working families will be left to worry about the prospect of meeting all the requirements of parenting kids during a critical period of development without any help.

I'm David Cruz, NJ Spotlight News.

BRIANA: On this first day of mental health awareness month, a new bill moving through Trenton aims to reach some of our youngest children showing signs of mental distress.

The legislation proposes lowering the age teens in New Jersey can get mental health services without parental consent to 13 years old.

Only five other states allow adolescents as young as 13 to seek help without parents' approval.

The existing law caps the age at 16.

The bill sponsor says more students need access to care, given the current crisis.

According to a national study from the University of Virginia, kids experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempts rose more than 30% from 2019 to 2021.

The issue compelled one Rutgers University professor to develop a free app, designed to help people of all ages with mental stresses.

Our mental health writer joins us to share the details.

Bobby, if I were to go onto my phone, there is thousands of apps that claim to be able to help with mental health issues.

What's different about this one from this Rutgers professor?

BOBBY: This app specifically is based on Dr. Edward Selby's own psychological research studying emotions and emotional regulation and his own findings coming from that.

What he looked into is the way emotional regulation, once people find they already -- they are looking at their emotions in a particular way, how those could impact them down the road.

This looks at those findings and will be able to spot some of that problematic behavior folks may see earlier on.

BRIANA: Who is someone who might benefit from this, and is it any age group?

DAVID: This -- BOBBY: This would be geared toward any age group, and anybody could benefit if they notice their emotions are getting ahead of them.

Or maybe, as Dr. Edward Selby noted, may be out of control in certain instances.

Specifically emotions such as problematic eating or eating disorders, lashing out at others or family members.

If they have noticed a pattern bag that, using an app like this could help regulate those emotions.

BRIANA: I am thinking having the app maker be someone who works in this space probably makes a big difference as to how much it will access these different techniques and strategies for folks.

BOBBY: Absolutely.

It will maybe prevent them from having to go through a therapist , or work in tandem with therapy, as Dr. Selby mentioned.

This could go hand in hand that would benefit them not just now but down the road as they work on their mental health in light of the struggles from the pandemic.

BRIANA: What is it called and what did you talk about as far as what compelled him to make this?

DAVID: He named the app storm breaker.

That is after folks managing their own emotional storms day today.

He really came to this conclusion to look into this after his own research found people were struggling managing their own emotional behavior, and he thought an app like this, not focused on making money but based on his own research could lead to something transformational for people.

BRIANA: Does this app actually refer people to other mental help -- mental health providers?

I'm not doubting there is good information, but there is only so much an app can do.

BOBBY: Right now it does not refer to mental health providers, but it does provide clinical resources, including emergency crisis lines, and potential resources such as different associations and mental health care organizations that can provide more information.

Right now there is no direct referrals but it can work in tandem if someone is seeking their own therapy.

BRIANA: Really interesting conversation you had on our website.

Thanks so much.

Join me and Bobby tomorrow, May 2, at 4:00 p.m. for a virtual roundtable exploring the mental health crisis in New Jersey.

It's the first of a free three part series on the topic.

A panel of experts will join us to talk about the rising rates of adolescent depression.

We look at child psychology, suicidal depression, and bullying.

Sign up to attend at njspotlightnews.org.

It's the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history.

First Republic Bank has been seized by federal regulators and will be sold to JPMorgan Chase.

This is the third major bank to go under in less than two months.

The lender reported losing about 40% of deposits during the first quarter of this year.

It is all amid rising interest rates and the failures of both Silicon Valley and signature banks.

The FDIC will cover 80% of any losses among First Republic's residential mortgage loans and commercial loans over the next five to seven years.

The Treasury Department held the agreement as a way to ease customers' lack of confidence in the U.S. banking system, which could cause more damage to the economy.

Markets reacted strongly to the takeover of First Republic.

Here is how stocks 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 ChamberSNJ.com.

♪ BRIANA: Hudson County kids are about to get a first of its kind high school.

Leaders in Jersey City this morning held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new liberty science Center high school, sent open fall 2025.

The magnet school will be located next to the existing science center near the waterfront and focus on stem education for 400 students in grades nine through 12 throughout Hudson County.

The high school is part of a city campus being launched in Jersey City to grow technology and science companies.

Students will get access to mentorships and other work experience with those tech companies.

It is only way to reimagine what a public high school education looks like.

>> This high school will train you and be up to the individual student.

You want to be in sustainable engineering.

We hope that students from this high school will win Nobel prizes.

They will discover the first twin Earth, life elsewhere.

They may make the key breakthrough in battery technology that allows electric cars to be ubiquitous.

They may come up with other solutions for reversing global warming and sea level rise.

We hope you hear about these students because they make the discoveries of tomorrow.

BRIANA: That's going to do it for tonight.

You can listen to NJ Spotlight News anytime via podcast wherever you stream.

Download it and check us out.

I am Briand of Vannozzi.

For the entire Spotlight news team, thanks for being with us.

Have a great evening.

I will see you back here tomorrow.

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NJM, we have got New Jersey covered.

>> If you need to see a doctor, RWJBarnabas Health has two easy ways to do it from anywhere.

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WJ Barnabas health medical provider or specialist, even as a new patient.

You have taken every percussion, -- every precaution and so have we, so don't delay your care any longer.

RWJBarnabas health, let's be healthy together.

♪