>>> THE NEW JERSEY PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION.

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

THE VICE PRESIDENT IS ISSUING A CALL TO ACTION , A RENEWED PUSH TO SECURE ABORTION RIGHTS.

AS THE NATION ON SUNDAY COMMEMORATED THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V WADE.

THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IS OVERTURNED IN JUNE, OVERTURNING THE RIGHT TO ABORTION BACK TO INDIVIDUAL STATES.

IN A MEMO, THE HARMONY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TO EXPLORE WAYS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS TO ACCESS ABORTION MEDICATION AND TO ENSURE THAT IT IS PROVIDED FREE FROM THREATS OR VIOLENCE.

IN NEW JERSEY TODAY, ABORTION RIGHTS ADVOCATES RALLIED OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE SUPPORTING THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

BRENDA FLANAGAN WAS THERE.

BRENDA.

>> Reporter: SO MUCH ENERGY AND PASSION HERE TODAY.

FOLKS RALLIED ON THE DAY AFTER THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V WADE.

SINCE THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN ABORTION RIGHTS BACK IN JUNE, THE MISSION IS CHANGED FOR PROTESTERS HERE.

NOW THEY ARE VOWING TO PRESERVE ABORTION HEALTHCARE THAT IS PROTECTED BY NEW JERSEY LAW.

AND TO OFFER AID AND SANCTUARY TO THOSE THAT CANNOT GET AN ABORTION IN OTHER STATES.

>> BY TAKING AWAY THE BASIC PROTECTIONS GUARANTEED UNDER ROE.

THERE IS A HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> IT IS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST POOR WOMEN WHO DO NOT HAVE THE OPTIONS THAT OTHERS DO.

IT IS DISCRIMINATION TO BLACK WOMEN AND BROWN WOMEN WHO DO NOT HAVE OPTIONS LIKE OTHERS DO.

>> Reporter: PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NEW JERSEY SPONSORED THIS EVENT.

IT FEATURED MORE THAN 200 RALLIES OVER THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE ACROSS THE NATION.

THE RIGHT TO GET IN ABORTION AND THE STATUE BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

ABORTION RIGHTS HAVE BECOME A STATE-BY-STATE PATCHWORK.

>> IN 18 STATES AND COUNTING, THERE ARE BANDS AND INCREDIBLE RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION ACCESS.

WE ARE HERE TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE WITHOUT THE SAME RIGHT THAT WE HAVE HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

FRANKLY, HOW UNFAIR IS THAT?

>> Reporter: IT SHIELDS ABORTION HEALTHCARE FOR PROVIDERS AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN JUNE CREATED A REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS STRIKE FORCE TO ENFORCE THOSE LAWS.

THE RESTORED FUNDING TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

AND CREATED $15 MORE IN THE EXPANSION.

FRIDAY ANTIABORTION ACTIVISTS HAD A RALLY IN WASHINGTON.

THE MARCH FOR LIFE TO CELEBRATE THE SUPREME COURT RULING.

SPEAKERS VOWED TO KEEP PUSHING FOR MORE RESTRICTIONS.

ESPECIALLY SINCE REPUBLICANS HOLD THE SLIM MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.

CONSERVATIVE NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH CHEERED.

>> COUNTLESS TIMES WE HAVE CHANTED THE SLOGAN, ROE VERSUS WADE HAS GOT TO GO.

TODAY WE CELEBRATE ROE IS GONE.

SMITH SAID THAT IT GAVE THE ACTIVIST AND INVITATION TO PROTECT LIFE WELL THE DEMOCRATS TO CONTROL THE SENATE ARE GOING TO BLOCK THE MEASURES.

>> CLEARLY, A NEW DEBATE ON ABORTION HAS BEGUN AS LAWMAKERS AT THE STATE LEVEL ACT VERY QUICKLY TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN THE WOMB WHEN THE HEARTBEAT CAN BE DETECTED AROUND SIX WEEKS AND THEN A 15 WEEKS WHEN THE CHILD SUFFERS PAINS.

IN THE COMING WEEKS, THE HOUSE WILL VOTE ON THE NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION ACT.

>> WE MUST FIGHT BACK.

THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION IS NOT ENOUGH.

THE RIGHT TO THE BALLOT IS NOT ENOUGH.

RIGHTS WITHOUT ACCESS ARE NOT ENOUGH.

>> WE MUST CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARD A SOCIETY WHERE ALL WOMEN HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR BODIES AND THEIR HEALTH.

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE SAYING THAT IN THE YEAR 2023.

>> NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST HOUSE BILL TO RESTRICT ABORTION.

IT PROMISES TO BE A VERY LONG AND POLITICAL BATTLE.

AT THE WAR MEMORIAL, I AM BARBARA FLANAGAN, BACK TO YOU, BREANNA.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE REPORT, BRENDA.

GOVERNOR MURPHY WAS NOT AT THE RALLY.

HE IS IN CALIFORNIA FOR A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH THE TV AND FILM INDUSTRY.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE RULING REELING FROM A SHOOTING SATURDAY NIGHT IN MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA.

11 PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND AT LEAST NINE OTHERS INJURED DURING THE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS.

THE COUNTY SHERIFF SAID THAT THAT GUNMAN WAS A REGULAR AT THE DANCE CLUB.

AFTER THE FIRST ATTACK, HE SHOWED UP AT A SECOND DANCE STUDIO WHERE PATRONS CONFRONTED AND DISARMED HIM.

POLICE SAY THAT THE 72-YEAR-OLD SUSPECTED GUNMEN SHOT HIMSELF SUNDAY MORNING FOLLOWING THE HOURS LONG MANHUNT.

AUTHORITIES ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR THE MOTIVE.

IT HAPPENED IN AN AREA WITH A PREDOMINATELY ASIAN AMERICAN POPULATION.

SENDING A WAVE OF FEAR THROUGH THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT MAKES ME SO SAD TO STAND BEFORE YOU AND PRESENT SUCH DEVASTATING NEWS.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY HEARTBREAKING IN OUR THOUGHTS, CONDOLENCES, AND PRAYERS GO OUT.

NOT ONLY TO THE VICTIMS, THEIR FAMILY, BUT TO THE MONTEREY PARK COMMUNITY AND REALLY THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

WE ALL ARE REALLY GOING TO BE HURTING BASED ON THIS TRAGEDY.

>> THE RENEWAL OF ROBERT LYON'S DRAFT CONTRACT IS CAUSING A RIFT IN THE CITY.

THEY ARE CRITICIZING THE PROCESS FOR A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

THEY SAY THAT THE AUTOMATIC RENEWAL TOOK PLACE OUT OF PUBLIC SITE WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING RECORDS SHOW THAT THE AUTOMATIC RENEWAL CLAUSE WAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT YEARS AGO DURING A MEETING WITH YOU IN ATTENDANCE AND NO PUBLISHED AGENDA.

JOANNA HAS THE STORY.

>> SUPERINTENDENT ROBERT LYON, I DO NOT RECALL ANY PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WITH YOUR CONTRACT.

>> IN NEW YORK PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THIS WEEKEND.

ROBERT LYON'S CONTRACT RENEWED LAST MAY WITHOUT ANY PUBLIC INPUT.

>> WHAT I AM CONCERNED WITH NOW, MADAM PRESIDENT, YOU NEED TO BRING THE LIST, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND -- >> THE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S COUNSEL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A CLAUSE THAT WAS WRITTEN INTO THE CONTRACT CREATING THE AUTOMATIC RENEWAL.

>> SHE KNEW THAT THAT CLAUSE WAS IN THERE AND SHE SHOULD HAVE REMINDED YOU GUYS THAT THERE WAS THAT CLAUSE AND THAT WAS IN THERE.

SHE WROTE THE CONTRACT FOR THE BOARD.

>> THE AUTOMATIC RENEWAL HAPPENED IN MAY BECAUSE OF THE LANGUAGE WRITTEN INTO HIS CONTRACT IN 2019.

AND THAT ADDED TWO YEARS TO THE ORIGINAL FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE DISTRICT FOR COMMENT AND HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.

MOST IN THE COMMUNITY HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THAT CLAUSE.

THEY WERE BAFFLED.

>> COMING FROM STATE CONTROL, DUE TO A PLETHORA OF ISSUES, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULD EVER HAVE ANY KIND OF AUTOMATIC RENEWALS OF ANY CONTRACT.

ESPECIALLY ONE OF THIS LEVEL OF INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE.

>> IT IS NOT THAT MOST DO NOT SUPPORT HIM AS SUPERINTENDENT.

MANY DO, FOR NOW, THEY JUST WANT THEIR DAY IN COURT, SO TO SPEAK.

ONLY 27% ARE PASSING ENGLISH AND LANGUAGE ARTS.

ONLY 13% ARE PASSING MASS.

>> I WANT TO COMMENT AND I WANT TO TELL HIM SOMETHING TO WORK ON DOES NOT MEAN THAT I WOULD NOT AGREE WITH THE RENEWAL.

IT MEANS THAT I AM GOING TO HELP YOU SHAPE THE LEADERSHIP AND THE TERMS OF HIM BEING RENEWED WITH BENCHMARKS FOR WHAT WE NEED TO SEE DONE.

>> EVERYTHING HAS TO BE EVALUATED UNTIL WE SHOW SOME KIND OF SUSTAINABILITY AND PERFORMANCE.

>> ABSENTEEISM IS ANOTHER THING TO INCLUDE IN THE BENCHMARKS BECAUSE 30 OR 50% OF STUDENTS ARE ABSENT ON A REGULAR BASIS.

THIS PROCESS IS EXACTLY WHAT LEON PROMISED NOT TO DO.

>> WE LOBBY FOR THE POSITION AND WE PROMISE FOR THE RETURN TO PUBLIC COLLECTIONS ON SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS BUT ALSO TRANSPARENCY.

THAT THINGS WILL BE ON THE UP AND UP AND NO LONGER IN THE BACK ROOM.

WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY HAVE DEVIATED FROM THIS PROCESS.

>> HAS A CONTRACT RENEWAL LIKE THAT HAPPENED BEFORE?

>> NOT EVEN DURING THE PERIOD OF STATE TAKEOVER.

THE CONTRACTS FOR TAMMY ANDERSON AND FOR CHRISTOPHER CERF WERE FAIRLY PUBLIC.

AND THEY WERE REPORTED OUT ON THROUGH THE MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH THE BOARD MEETINGS.

>> THEY ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU GOT A COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR FIVE YEARS.

>> THE COST OF LIVING NICELY RAISED.

WHICH, BY THE WAY, WE DO NOT RECEIVE THEM.

STATE EMPLOYEES, MOST WORKERS IN THE STATE, WEATHER IN THE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTOR DO NOT RECEIVE THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT.

IT SADDENS US BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF NEGOTIATIONS THEY CRY POVERTY.

>> YOU STILL HAVE TO PRESENT THAT CONTRACT BEFORE US.

>> THEY WILL BE BACK AT THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING WITH A SAFER HOW THE NEXT FEW YEARS OF NEW YORK'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE SHAPED.

>>> JUST BEFORE THE START OF THE NEW YEAR SUPER STORM STAND THE VICTIMS GOT GOOD NEWS.

THEY WILL SUSPEND EFFORTS TO RECOUP MONEY CLAIMS THAT WERE PAID TO HOMEOWNERS DURING THE RECOVERY PROCESS.

THEY CALL THIS DISASTER AFTER THE STORM DISASTER.

AFTER THE HURDLES THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO JUMP THROUGH.

JONI STEWART IS A SUPER STORM SANDY SURVIVOR.

AND HELPED TO LEAD THE PUSH FOR THE REFORMS.

SHE JOINS ME NOW.

JODY, HERE WE ARE IN A NEW YEAR.

WE RECEIVED SOME GOOD NEWS FROM FOLKS THAT ARE FEARING DRAWBACKS AFTER THE END OF LAST YEAR.

THERE ARE ISSUES IN THE SYSTEM .

TELL ME WHERE WE ARE OUT RIGHT NOW FOR SANDY SURVIVOR'S?

>> IRONICALLY WE JUST GOT PASSED IN THE SENATE, WONDERFUL IN THE FEDERAL.

WE GOT AN EXTENSION ON SANDY CLAWBACKS.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN A LOT.

WE LEFT THE PROGRAM OPEN SO THAT WE CAN LEAVE THE MEMBERS HOME.

AND GIVES US TIME FIGHTING FOR THE CLAWBACK FOR SUPER STORM SANDY SURVIVOR'S.

WE FEEL THAT IF WE DO NOT SOLVE THIS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN TO EVERY DISASTER SURVIVOR.

IF THEY DO NOT GET THIS FIXED, HURRICANE IDO SURVIVORS HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS.

IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, WE HAVE MADE OUR OWN WAY TO CLAWBACK THE FORGIVENESS.

WE ARE COMING OUT WITH A NEW DISASTER BILL THAT WILL HELP THE HURRICANE SURVIVORS AND WILL HELP TO FINALLY GET SOME CLOSURE FOR THE SANDY SURVIVOR'S THAT ARE STILL STRUGGLING.

FOR THOSE THAT CANNOT SEEM TO SAY, I WILL MOVE ON.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THAT THESE FOLKS , YOURSELF INCLUDED, WERE OVERPAID FOR THE WORK NEEDED TO REPAIR , LIFT, AND GET YOURSELF BACK INTO YOUR HOME.

WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE ACTUALLY LIKE AS SOMEONE WHO HAS GONE THROUGH A?

>> GRANT MONEY TAKES FOREVER TO GET TO.

WE CANNOT COUNT ON FEMA OR FLOOD INSURANCE.

YOU STRUGGLE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN TO CLOSE OUT OF THE GRANT PROGRAM AND BE TOLD, WE ARE SO SORRY, THERE WAS A DUPLICATION, WE OVER DISPERSED, AND THAT WE HAD TO FIGHT TO MAKE THAT DISAPPEAR AND THAT HAPPENED TO ME.

I WAS ABLE TO GET THAT REMOVED BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO PROVE THAT THERE WAS AN ERROR.

WE HAVE MEMBERS RIGHT NOW FORGETTING WHAT WE CALL RECOUPMENT, AS THE GOVERNMENT CALLS IT, BECAUSE THEY ARE SENDING IN THEIR RECEIPTS ALL OVER AGAIN.

MEMBERS HAVE GOTTEN FORGIVEN ON.

THE MAIN STEP WE ARE TELLING PEOPLE, CONTACT DIRECT, PLEASE CONTACT AND TRY TO GET A REDUCED, THAT IS LESS MONEY THAT WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IN THE END.

>> THE PROGRAM THAT MOST FOLKS WERE HINDERING SANDY TO GET THEIR HOMES REHABILITATED.

THAT MONEY IS SPENT, YES?

THERE IS A PART OF $70 MILLION THAT THEY SAY THAT WAS GIVEN THAT WAS OVERPAID.

THESE HOMEOWNERS, THAT MONEY HAS BEEN LONG GONE, YES?

>> TALKING ABOUT CONTRACTORS AND ALL THE FRAUD THAT HAPPENED IN THOSE SITUATIONS.

WHAT DO HOMEOWNERS HAVE IF THEY ARE ASKED FOR THAT MONEY BACK?

>> EXACTLY.

SEND IN YOUR RECEIPTS, CONTACT THE ORGANIZATION THAT IS STANDING UP FOR YOU.

WE ARE FIGHTING THE LEGISLATION TO GET THINGS CHANGED.

WE HAVE ASKED THE STATE FOR FORGIVENESS.

SLOWLY, IF WE CAN CONTINUE PUSHING, LITTLE PIECES TAKEN OFF, SBA LOANS WHICH IS WHY IT IS A LOAN.

WE CANNOT GET THAT REMOVED.

THAT HELPS PEOPLE.

I DO NOT THINK THAT ANYTHING WILL HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

IT WILL BE A STRUGGLE FOR US TO PIECE THINGS OUT.

>> JODY STEWART WITH THE NEW JERSEY ORGANIZING PROJECT, THE SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> RECREATIONAL CANNABIS IS LEGALLY NEW JERSEY, NOW, USING IT IN CONSUMPTION LOUNGES WILL BE TOO.

YOU CAN THINK OF IT LIKE A BAR, BUT INSTEAD OF ALCOHOL, PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO SOCIALIZE WHILE USING LEGAL WEED.

THE STATE PUBLISHED A LIST OF DRAFT RULES BEFORE THE LOUNGES CAN OPEN.

THEY ARE STRICT AND SOME SAY, CONTROVERSIAL.

>> ARE YOU REALLY THINKING ABOUT CONSIDERING PURCHASING THIS CHURCH?

I SAID YES, IT WOULD BE FOR A CANNABIS DISPENSARY, WOULD YOU MIND THAT?

HE SAID ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> ON PAPER, IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN.

FAITH WOMAN SAYS THAT AFTER GETTING THE BLESSING FROM THE PASTOR, SHE COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED TO REPLACE THE CHURCH WITH WHAT SHE CALLS THE AREAS FIRST CANNABIS CONSUMPTION LOUNGE NEAR THE ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK.

COFOUNDER AND CEO OF THE WOMAN IN MINORITY OWNED CANNABIS BUSINESS, PURE GENESIS.

THE CHURCH THAT IS NO LONGER STRUCTURALLY SAFE WILL BE DEMOLISHED AND REPLACED WITH A 4000 SQUARE FOOT CANNABIS CONSUMPTION LOUNGE.

>> IT IS BEING IN ATLANTIC CITY AS A COMMUNITY PARTNER.

OUR FOCUS IS TO BRING 50+ JOBS TO THIS LOCATION.

WE WILL BE DOING RE-ENTRY PROGRAM HIRES.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US.

OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS WHICH WE WORK WITH AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME.

THE PREMISE IS TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE PATIENTS AND CONSUMERS CAN CONSUME IN A SAFE LOCATION.

>> 21 DISPENSARIES IN NEW JERSEY ARE ABLE TO SELL RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.

THEY CANNOT USE IT IN PUBLIC.

THAT WOULD CHANGE IT.

THE STATE IS MOVING CLOSER TO MAKING THEM A REALITY.

THE RULES FOR CANNABIS CONSUMPTION LOUNGES WERE PUBLISHED IN THE NEW JERSEY REGISTER ON TUESDAY.

THEY INCLUDE ALLOWING INDOOR OR OUTDOOR AREAS.

NO FOOD SALES, NO ALCOHOL, AND LICENSING FEES.

THERE IS A 60 DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD BEFORE THE RULES WILL BE ADOPTED.

>> THEY HAVE NOT SAID THE NUMBER OF CANNABIS CONSUMPTION AREAS THAT CAN BE OPEN IN THE STATE.

THE ABILITY TO OPERATE THE CANNABIS CONSUMPTION AREA IS CONTINGENT ON GETTING THE APPROVAL FROM THE CRC AND MUNICIPALITY WHICH THE BUSINESS IS LOCATED.

>> THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION HAS PROPOSED RULES THAT CAN BE PROPOSED ON THEIR WEBSITE TO COMMENT ON AND YOU CAN PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND SUGGESTIONS.

NEW JERSEY DOES NOT HAVE CANNABIS CONSUMPTION AREAS THAT ARE OPERATIONAL.

>> HOW MANY OF THESE LOUNGES WILL GET UP AND RUNNING.

AGAIN, YOU CAN HAVE A RETAIL LICENSE BUT NOT THE CONSUMPTION LOUNGE ENDORSEMENT.

>> SHE POINTS OUT THE NEW LANGUAGE IN THE RULE ESTABLISHES COSTLY REQUIREMENTS.

>> THERE ARE COSTLY RESTRICTIONS.

THEY RELATE TO AIR QUALITY.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE AN INDOOR CONSUMPTION AREA, THE RULES IN THE PROPOSAL RIGHT NOW ARE WIRING THAT ANY AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM BE IN LINE WITH THOSE THAT ARE REQUIRED BY LAW FOR CIGARS LOUNGES.

>> IT IS NOT COSTLY, IT COMES WITH LIABILITY.

>> THE CONSUMER CAN PURCHASE PRODUCTS IN THE FACILITY AND THAT PRODUCT CAN BE SERVED TO THEM IN THE CONSUMPTION AREA.

FOR MY CLIENTS, THAT BRINGS UP QUITE A FEW ISSUES OPERATIONALLY.

HOW YOU ENSURE THAT YOU ARE MINIMIZING A LIABILITY BY NOT OVER SERVING PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE THE REGULATORY OVERSIGHT OVER THOSE PRODUCTS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF YOUR DISPENSARY.

YOU DO NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER WHAT PEOPLE ARE BRINGING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE.

>> IS OPEN UNTIL MARCH 18th.

YOU WANT TO HAVE THE CANNABIS CONSUMPTION LOUNGE UP AND RUNNING BY THIS SUMMER.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS HITTING ANOTHER BUMP ON THE ROAD.

RHONDA HAS DETAILS, +2 NIGHTS TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

HEY, RHONDA.

>> PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE MASTER PLAN SET FOR THIS WEEK ARE NOW BEING DELAYED.

THE ENERGY MASTER PLAN IS THE ROAD MAP THAT NEW JERSEY WILL FOLLOW AS IT SEEKS TO ACHIEVE THE GOVERNOR'S GOAL OF 100% CLEAN ENERGY BY 2050.

THIS WILL GIVE THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO HAVE MORE TIME TO CONSIDER HOW TO FACTOR IN NEW STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIES AS WELL AS THE BILLIONS IN FEDERAL AID DEDICATED TO FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE.

DON JOHNSON SAYS THAT THE COST OF TRANSITIONING TO CLEAN ENERGY HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION.

>> IT IS AN ISSUE THAT CRITICS OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAY THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED TO ANSWER.

THE ADMINISTRATION ON THE OTHER HAND, -- >> TO SHOW HOW CLIMATE CHANGE HAS IMPACTED NEW JERSEY.

READ TOM'S ARTICLE ON NJ FOLLOWING NEWS.ORG.

>>> THE DEATH OF AN AMAZON EMPLOYEE HAS CONCLUDED AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION HAS CLEARED AMAZON.

NO HEALTH OR SAFETY VIOLATIONS WERE FOUND.

AMAZON PREVIOUSLY STATED THAT THE WORKER WHO DIED HAD A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT HE DID NOT DISCLOSE TO SUPERVISORS.

MEANTIME, FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING INTO TWO OTHER WORKER DEATHS THAT OCCURRED LAST SUMMER.

ONE IN ROBBINSVILLE AND ONE IN ROE.

>>> THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE BABY FORMULA PLANT IN MICHIGAN THAT WAS SHUT DOWN FOR MONTHS LAST YEAR LEADING TO A NATIONWIDE BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE.

IT IS FOCUSED ON CONDUCT ON THE PLANT AFTER FORMULA WAS FOUND TO BE CONTAMINATED.

ONE OF FOUR COMPANIES PRODUCING 90% OF BABY FORMULA IN THE U.S. >>> HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, THERE IS A REASON THE NEW JERSEY DRIVERS HAVE A BAD REPUTATION FOR ROAD RAGE, IT IS ALL THE TRAFFIC THAT WE SIT IN.

TWO RECENT TRAFFIC SCORECARDS REACH THE REGION FOR HAVING THE WORST COMMUTES IN THE U.S. A STUDY BY COPILOT RESEARCH PLACED TO NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY REGION IN THE NUMBER ONE SPOT FOR THE NATION'S WORST TRAFFIC AND TIME WASTED IN 2021.

DATA IN THE REPORT SHOWED THAT JERSEY DRIVERS WASTED 132 EXTRA HOURS SITTING IN TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THAT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF THREE WEEKS TIME.

ADDING MORE THAN 30 MINUTES TO DAILY COMMUTES.

MEANWHILE, THE ANNUAL TRAFFIC STUDY RANKS THE YOU NEW YORK TRAFFIC AREA FOR THE WORST.

LONDON GOT THE TOP SPOT ON THE LIST.

GPS DATA COLLECTED FOR THE STUDY FOUND THAT DRIVERS IN OUR AREA LOST 117 HOURS IN TRAFFIC DURING 2022.

IT IS A 15% JUMP FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

JUST ONE MORE REASON THAT EMPLOYEES ARE PUSHING TO WORK FROM HOME.

THAT IS GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO OUR WEBSITE TO FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US, HAVE A GREAT EVENING, WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE BOYS FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJ REALTOR.COM AND BY THE -- FOUNDATION.

AND THE JM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY FOR OVER A CENTURY AS PART OF THE GARDEN STATE, WE HELP DRIVERS KEEP THEIR VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, DRIVERS ON THE JOB AND PROTECTING THOSE FROM ILLNESS AND INJURY AND KEEPING GOODS AND SERVICES MOVING ACROSS THE STATE.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY.

AND JM.

WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH HAS NEW WAYS TO DO IT FROM ANYWHERE.

YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE.

OR YOU CAN USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A MEDICAL HEALTH PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION.

SO HAVE WE.

DO NOT DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.