>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNING THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT.

CODIFYING SAME-SEX AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE IN FEDERAL LAW.

A BIG DAY FOR ADVOCATES.

THE PROTECTIONS ARE STILL LIMITED.

IT DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE RIGHT TO MARRY BUT DOES INDIVIDUAL MANDATE STATES RECOGNIZE SAME-SEX MARRIAGES ACROSS STATE LINES.

COUPLES ARE ENTITLED TO THE SAME BENEFITS AS OTHER MARRIED COUPLES.

THE BILL BECAME A PRIORITY FOR DEMOCRATS AFTER THE JUNE DECISION OVERTURNING ROE V WADE, THE RIGHT TO ABORTION ACCESS.

THE HIGH COURT HINTED AT RECONSIDERING RIGHTS IN ITS WAKE.

IF IT DOES, THE LAW SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT TODAY STOPPED SHORT OF PREVENTING SAME-SEX MARRIAGES FROM BECOMING ILLEGAL AGAIN AND STATES THAT MIGHT OPPOSE THEM.

STILL, THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT MARKS THE SHIFTING VIEWS OF BOTH THE PUBLIC AND POLITICIANS.

IN 2004, A GALLUP POLL FOUND JUST 19% OF REPUBLICANS SUPPORTED SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

TODAY, THE NUMBER STANDS AT 43%.

THE NPR PBS NEWS HOUR PULLED THIS WEEK FINDS THE MAJORITY OF U.S.

ADULTS SUPPORT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

ON THE WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN TODAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS JOINED BY LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES FROM NEW JERSEY HAILING THE SIGN IN AS A STEP TOWARDS A, QUOTE, MORE PERFECT UNION.

>> TODAY IS A GOOD DAY.

TODAY AMERICA TAKES A VITAL STEP TOWARDS EQUALITY.

LIBERTY, JUSTICE.

NOT JUST FOR SOME, BUT FOR EVERYONE.

EVERYONE.

TOWARDS CREATING A NATION WHERE DECENCY, DIGNITY, AND LOVE ARE RECOGNIZED, HONORED, AND PROTECTED.

TODAY, I SIGNED THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT INTO LAW.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN IS ALSO PUSHING TO RADICALLY ALTER THE NOMINATING CALENDAR BY PLACING SOUTH CAROLINA, A STATE THAT WAS GOOD TO THE PRESIDENT DURING HIS 2020 ELECTION AS THE FIRST PRIMARY STATE, ELIMINATING IOWA, WHICH HAS HELD THE FIRST OF THE NATIONS CAUCUSES FOR ROUGHLY HALF A CENTURY.

THE PROPOSAL ADDS KEY BATTLEGROUND STATES LIKE NEVADA, GEORGIA, AND MICHIGAN, ELEVATING BLACK VOTERS' VOICES WELL SOLIDIFIED AND BIDEN'S INTENTIONS TO RUN FOR A SECOND TERM.

IT'S ALSO A LIKELY SETBACK FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY'S POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS BY LEAVING NEW JERSEY OFF THAT LIST.

THE BROKEN RECORD COLUMNIST CHARLIE STYLE JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT HOW THIS COULD UPEND MURPHY'S PLANS.

GOOD TO TALK TO YOU AS ALWAYS.

YOU WROTE THIS WEEK ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN TURNING ON ITS HEAD THE PRIMARY SCHEDULE.

THE MAIN QUESTION IS, WHAT DID GOVERNOR MURPHY STAND TO GAIN BY HAVING NEW JERSEY IN AS ONE OF THOSE EARLY STATES?

>> HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF PUBLICITY.

THE NATION, THE TIME, IT WOULD BE PRIMED FOR THE BIG SHOW.

THE CIRCUS BEGINS EVERY FOUR YEARS.

IT WOULD BEGIN RIGHT HERE IN NEW JERSEY AND HE WOULD BE IF HE THROWING HIS HAT IN THE RING.

NOT ONLY THE CANDIDATE BUT THE GO TO AMBASSADOR FOR THE STATE.

YOU WOULD HAVE EVERY TV CREW LINING UP TO TALK TO HIM.

>> YOU HAVE POINTED OUT, AS WE ALL KNOW, THE ODDS WERE STACKED AGAINST HIM ANYWAY.

NEW JERSEY IS A RELIABLE DEMOCRATIC STATE.

WHY WOULD THEY HAVE CHOSEN A BLUE STATE LIKE JERSEY TO BEGIN WITH?

THAT WAS A TALL ORDER TO START.

>> EXACTLY.

THE REAL CONCERN PARTICULARLY IN THIS POLARIZED GENERATION WE ARE IN IS TO WIN BATTLEGROUND STATES.

THE ONES THAT ARE TRENDING, THAT WERE READ AND ARE TRENDING INTO PURPLE, LIKE GEORGIA.

TO A DEGREE, MICHIGAN.

NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH WAS NOT ON THE LIST.

BUT THAT IS WHERE THE REAL STATE OF PLAY IS.

NEW JERSEY IS AN AUTOMATIC DEMOCRATIC LEVER.

WHY WASTE RESOURCES HERE?

THINK OF THE PRIMARY AS SPRING TRAINING FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.

IN THAT CONTEXT, THEY WANT TO SPEND TIME, MONEY, BUILDING VISIBILITY IN BATTLEGROUND STATES.

THOSE ARE THE ONES YOU ARE GOING TO NEED IN NOVEMBER.

>> AS YOU HAVE WRITTEN, NEW JERSEY HAS A GOOD CASE.

WE'VE GOT THIS MELTING POT OF RESIDENTS.

CANDIDATES WOULD HAVE TO STOMP HARD HERE AS OPPOSED TO A PLACE LIKE IOWA OR NEW HAMPSHIRE.

DOES THIS REALLY, THOUGH, PUT THE NAIL IN THE COFFIN FOR MURPHY?

HE HAS BEEN SAYING, YOU KNOW, FOR MONTHS, THAT HE WOULD SUPPORT BIDEN IF HE CHOSE TO RUN AGAIN.

>> THE TALK OF MURFEE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IS ALWAYS PREDICATED ON THE POSSIBILITY THAT BIDEN WOULD NOT SEEK ANOTHER TERM AND THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME CHAOS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

IF THE PARTY SCRAMBLES TO FIND A CONSENSUS CANDIDATE.

SO, IN THAT, MAYBE IT DOES NOT HARM HIM TO PREPARE A RESUME AND GROW OUT HIS HAIR AND PUT TOGETHER A NETWORK OF CONTACTS THROUGH THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION'S OR THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION WHY NOT PUT YOURSELF ON THE PERIMETER AS A POSSIBILITY?

BUT I THINK AFTER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS NEW PRIMARY CALENDAR ADVANCED BY BIDEN, IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT HE HAS EVERY INTENTION OF RUNNING AGAIN.

HE WILL PROBABLY ENTER THE RACE A STRONG, FORMIDABLE CANDIDATE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME.

>>> IN TRENTON, IT IS ELECTION DAY IT AGAIN.

VOTERS ARE CHOOSING CANDIDATES IN A HOTLY CONTESTED RUNOFF FOR CITY COUNCIL, WITH TWO SEATS.

ONE IN THE NORTH WARD AND ANOTHER IN THE SOUTH UP FOR GRABS AFTER A JUDGE INTERVENED OVER DISPUTES WHETHER THE CANDIDATES RECEIVED THE 50% OF VOTES NEEDED TO CLEAR THE ELECTION.

IN THE NORTH WARD, A REPUBLICAN MUNICIPAL CHAIR JENNIFER WILLIAMS FACES A SCIENTIST FROM THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHO HAS ALREADY MADE A BID FOR THE COUNCIL TWICE BEFORE.

IF SHE WINS, WILLIAMS WOULD BE NEW JERSEY'S FIRST EVER OPENLY TRANSGENDER COUNCILMEMBER.

IN THE SOUTH WARD, MERCER COUNTY PARKS EMPLOYEE DAMIEN MILLET SCROLLS OFF AGAINST JOANNA FENTON BERG WHO WORKS AS AN INVESTIGATOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

IT DOES NOT END HERE.

THE CITY STILL HAS ONE MORE RUNOFF IN JANUARY FOR THE COUNCIL THREE COVETED AT-LARGE SEATS.

ONE SILVER LINING FROM THE PANDEMIC, MORE EMPHASIS PUT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL MEALS AND THE NEED TO INCLUDE NUTRITIOUS WIDE-RANGING OPTIONS FOR KIDS.

THIS WEEK, HUNDREDS OF FOOD SERVICE DIRECTORS ARE GATHERING MENU ITEMS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR, TRYING TO REIGNITE THE CONVERSATION OVER THE TENS OF THOUSANDS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES.

BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THE STORY.

>> FEED OUR KIDS.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO DO.

WE ARE HERE TO FEED OUR KIDS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY SHE HAS MORE THAN 40 VENDORS LOADED WITH CHICKEN, TACOS, PEPPERONI PIZZA.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING HEALTHY BEYOND BASIC.

>> DON'T GET ME WRONG, I LOVE A SLICE OF PIZZA BUT I WANTED TO HAVE SOME BROCCOLI ON THERE.

TOMATOES AND ONIONS.

MAYBE SOME PEPPERS.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE WANT TO INTRODUCE TO OUR STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: 350 A SERVE SERVICE OFFICIALS SHOPPED AND SAMPLED MEAL ITEMS PREVIEWING THE SCHOOL LUNCH AND BREAKFAST MENUS FOR NEXT YEAR.

42% OF NEW JERSEY'S 1.2 MILLION STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS AS PART OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM FOR PARTICIPATING DISTRICTS.

>> THE FRENCH FRIES ARE PROBABLY NOT A HARD SELL.

>> THEY'RE NOT.

CHILDREN LOVE FRENCH FRIES.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THE SERVICES IS TO FEED AND NOURISH BODIES AND MINDS SO THEY CAN LEARN.

IF THEY GO TO SCHOOL AND THEY DON'T EAT, THEY ARE NOT BEING NOURISHED.

>> Reporter: $6 MILLION OF FEDERAL FUNDING TO SPEND AT BRIDGETON, WHERE EVERYONE IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM.

LOOKING FOR ASIAN DISHES AND MEXICAN ENTREES TO SPICE UP THE MENU.

MEALS MUST MEET STRICT GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES.

EACH SERVING OF FRUIT, VEGETABLE, GRAIN PROTEIN, AND MILK, WITHOUT TOO MUCH SALT OR FAT AND CULTURAL TASTES IN BACK CHOICES.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF LATINOS IN OUR POPULATION AND A LOT OF BLACKS.

WE ARE USED TO HAVING SALT AND SODIUM IN OUR DIETS AND WE UNDERSTAND IT NEEDS TO BE CUT OUT BECAUSE WE NEED TO EAT HEALTHIER BUT YOU'VE STILL GOT TO HAVE SOME OF THAT FLAVOR.

>> IF IT'S NOT GOOD, THE KIDS ARE NOT GOING TO EAT IT.

THAT'S THE HARDEST PART.

>> KIDS TASTES CHANGE.

NOW, HE OFFERS 350 DIFFERENT ITEMS.

>> Reporter: WE HAVE A GARLIC ONE.

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PARTICIPATES IN THE LAUNCHING OF THIS NEW $5 MILLION PROGRAM TO BRING MORE FRESH PARTISAN TO SCHOOLS.

VENDORS ALSO CONSIDER SCHOOL STAFFING CAPACITY WHERE THEY SPIN OUT HUNDREDS OF DICED PEACH SERVINGS OR HANDOUT PEACH CUPS.

>> THEY ARE READY TO USE AND PUT RIGHT ON THE LINE.

NO LABOR REQUIRED.

>> IN 2020, CONGRESS ISSUED WAIVERS THAT WOULD LET THEM OFFER FREE MEALS TO EVERY STUDENT REGARDLESS OF INCOME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ESSENTIALLY, IT WAS FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES FOR ALL.

BUT THE WAIVERS EXPIRE THIS COMING JUNE.

TO QUALIFY FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS, FAMILIES MUST EARN NO MORE THAN 130% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

ABOUT 51,000 FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.

NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS RECENTLY RAISE THE INCOME CAP TO QUALIFY MORE KIDS AND OFFERED UP $4.5 MILLION TO HELP THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR REDUCED PRICE MEALS.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU STILL HAVE TO FILL OUT PAPERWORK TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE IN MOST DISTRICTS AND THAT MEANS SOME KIDS WILL FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

>> Reporter: THAT WOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH UNIVERSAL FREE MEALS.

NEW JERSEY'S CENTER TERESA RUIZ SPONSORED AN ACTION TO ENCOURAGE FREE MEALS FOR ALL.

>> NEW JERSEY IS LEADING THE WAY EFFECTIVELY WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE CAN POTENTIALLY CONTINUE TO GROUP IN MORE AND MORE FAMILIES.

>> CHOOSES UNIVERSAL FREE MEALS IS A TOPIC THAT IS RIPE FOR BUDGET DISCUSSION.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A DEEPER LOOK AT COMMUNITY POLICE RELATIONS AND ONE OF THE STATES LARGEST CITIES, WHERE REPORTS ENTAIL A STRING OF MISCONDUCT THAT HAS BROKEN TRUST WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

SOME: THE RELATIONSHIP TOXIC.

LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS TELL SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS THEY SUBMIT FORMS TO HOLD OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE.

>> HIM IN THE BACKYARD BY HIMSELF AND STARTED SHOOTING.

>> JANET RODRIGUEZ 'S YOUNGER BROTHER WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE A YEAR AGO.

SHE CALLS IT A MURDER.

>> POLICE SAY HE HAD A GUN THAT HE FIRED.

HAS THERE EVER BEEN CLARITY PROVIDED TO THE SITUATION?

>> NOT AT ALL.

DECEMBER 29th MARKS A YEAR SINCE MY BROTHER HAS BEEN GONE.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE.

THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE.

NO UPDATES AREA WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A COPY OF THE AUTOPSY REPORT >> THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING BUT THE WRONGFUL DEATH ALLEGATION IS ONE OF SEVERAL AGAINST PATTERSON POLICE IN RECENT YEARS.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAY THE CULTURE IS TOXIC.

>> THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IF THERE IS, IT IS ONE THAT IS HISTORICALLY ONE OF ABUSE AND MISCONDUCT.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS THERE WAS POLICE MISCONDUCT WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE IN 2018 THAT HE HAS BEEN WORKING TO ADDRESS.

>> THEY DID NOT WEAR BODY CAMERAS PRIOR TO THE ADMINISTRATION.

NOW THEY WERE BODY CAMERAS.

A THOROUGH AUDIT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SEE THIS PRACTICE TAKING PLACE.

WE COMPLETED THE AUDIT.

ONE OF THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATION WAS THE INCREASED FOCUS ON DE-ESCALATION, AND THEY HAVE UNDERGONE THE EXTRA DE-ESCALATION TRAINING.

>> UNIFORMED OFFICERS MAYBE EQUIPPED WITH BODY CAMERAS.

NOT PLAINCLOTHES OFFICERS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE KNOWN NOT JUST IN THE CITY BUT NATIONWIDE IS THAT THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF ABUSE AND MISCONDUCT THAT OCCUR WITH OFFICERS THAT ARE PLAINCLOTHES OFFICERS.

>> AS WAS THE CASE WITH McKNIGHT, WHOSE DEATH WAS CAPTURED ON CELL PHONE VIDEO TAKEN BY HIS BROTHER.

THE CALLS FOR REFORM AND PATTERSON ECHO THOSE HEARD IN THE WORK NEARLY A DECADE AGO.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO ABOUT A DECADE AGO, THE CITY OF NEWARK WAS PUT UNDER A FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE AND THE BARACK ADMINISTRATION IN NEWARK AS WELL BE CALLED FOR A CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD WITH SUBPOENA POWER.

>> IT WENT INTO COURT TO STOP THE REVIEW BOARD.

THEY WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

THEY SAID YOU CAN HAVE POLICE REVIEW BOARD BUT ONLY THE STATE LEGISLATURE COULD CONFER SUBPOENA POWER.

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE STATE LEGISLATORS TO VOTE THIS BILL OUT OF COMMITTEE AND BRING IT TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.

>> EVEN WITHOUT SUBPOENA POWER, PETER HARVEY SAYS IT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE.

>> THE REVIEW BOARD CAN EXAMINE POLICE PRACTICES, INCLUDING INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

CLOSE INVESTIGATIONS THAT HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED.

THEY CAN MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE POLICE DIVISION ABOUT WHAT THE COMMUNITY THINGS CAN BE DONE BETTER, HOW INVESTIGATIONS CAN BE CONDUCTED MORE EFFICIENTLY AND MORE THOROUGHLY.

>> JUST ONE OF THE FORMS THAT HAS LED TO OFFICERS REPORTING EACH OTHER FOR EXCESSIVE FORCE.

>> WE INSTITUTED POLICIES AROUND BIASED POLICING, COMMUNITY POLICING.

STOP SEARCH AND ARREST PRACTICES.

USE OF FORCE.

FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO RECORD POLICE ACTIVITY.

>> THERE IS NO FEDERAL MONITOR AND PATTERSON.

CRITICS SAY NO ONE IS DRIVING THE DRASTIC CHANGES NEEDED TO MAKE IT REAL REFORM, LIKE CREATING A CIVILIAN COMPLAINT REVIEW BOARD.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO COME FROM THE TOP AND NEEDS TO BE DRIVEN BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE?

>> IT DID COME FROM US.

THEY WERE COUNSEL PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT WILLING TO SUPPORT THE INITIATIVE.

THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO CULTIVATE COUNSEL PEOPLE AND ENLIGHTEN THEM AS TO WHAT THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS ARE TO RESTORING TRUST BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS COMMUNITY POLICING IS ANOTHER WAY TO DO THAT.

>> NEXT WEEK, WE ARE LAUNCHING FOR THE FIRST TIME, SHOP WITH A COP.

JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

OVER 100 CHILDREN AND PATTERSON ALL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH A POLICE OFFICER.

>> Reporter: OFFICER JORDAN HENRY SAYS COMMUNITY POLICING LED BY HIS BOSS SHARON EASTON CHANGED HIS LIFE AS A PATTERSON KID.

>> ENDED UP BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER UNDER HER, FOLLOWING HER POLICE LEAD.

DOING GREAT WORK IN THE CITY, HELPING ME AND OTHER YOUTH IN THE CITY.

>> IT IS A TALE OF TWO PERSPECTIVES BECAUSE MANY SEE IT DIFFERENTLY.

>> HAVING COFFEE WITH ONE COP IS NOT GOING TO PREVENT ANOTHER COP FROM HARASSING ME OR POTENTIALLY ABUSING ME.

OR EVEN WORSE, SHOOTING AND KILLING ME, RIGHT?

JUST HAVING THIS ONE OFF INCIDENT MAY BUILD A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ONE PERSON AND ANOTHER, BUT IT IS IT GOING TO SOLVE THE SYSTEMIC ISSUE WE ARE FACING?

>> IT DOESN'T COME EASY.

REAL REFORM REQUIRES BUY-IN AT EVERY LEVEL.

AND PATTERSON, I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> HOPES TONIGHT THAT CONSUMER PRICES COULD START RETURNING TO NORMAL.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST INFLATION REPORT PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> AT LONG LAST, IT LOOKS LIKE INFLATION IS FINALLY PEAKING.

INFLATION IS NOW FALLING TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN A YEAR.

TODAY'S RELEASE OF THE MONTHLY CONSUMER PRICE INDEX LED TO A COLLECTIVE SIGH OF RELIEF FROM MAIN STREET TO WALL STREET AND AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> WE RECEIVED SOME WELCOME NEWS IN MY REVIEW.

SOME OPTIMISM FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.

WE LEARNED LAST MONTH THE INFLATION RATE CAME DOWN MORE THAN EXPERTS EXPECTED.

>> YOU SEE SIDES OF THIS AT THE GAS PUMP.

PRICES ARE AVERAGING ABOUT $3.41 PER GALLON IN NEW JERSEY KIRK LESS THAN WHAT WE WERE PAYING A YEAR AGO, BUT EVEN AS INFLATION CALLS, PRICES FOR FOOD AND RENT ARE STILL HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR.

CONSUMER PRICES ARE STILL UP MORE THAN 7% OVERALL OVER THE PAST YEAR.

THIS REPORT COULD CHANGE THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S PACE OF INTEREST RATE INCREASES.

THE FED WILL GIVE AN UPDATE ON THAT TOMORROW.

THE PATH TO REDUCING GREENHOUSE GASES IS NOT WITHOUT BUMPS ALONG THE WAY.

ONE CASE IN POINT, A PROPOSED RULE MANDATING BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS REPLACE GAS BOILERS WITH ELECTRIC ONES.

BUSINESS GROUPS AND OTHERS OPPOSE THE RULE BECAUSE REPLACEMENT COSTS WOULD BE EXPENSIVE.

FOR NOW, THE STATE HAS DROPPED THE PROPOSAL AND THAT HAS CLEAN ENERGY ADVOCATES UPSET.

THERE IS A LOT MORE TO THE STORY.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE BY READING MY COLLEAGUE TOM JOHNSON'S REPORT ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

FINALLY, AN EXPERIMENTAL SKIN CANCER VACCINE DEVELOPED MY MATERNAL SHOWED PROMISE IN A CLINICAL TRIAL REDUCING THE POSSIBILITY OF RECURRENCE OR DEATH IN PATIENTS WHEN COMBINED WITH AN IMMUNOTHERAPY DRUG MADE BY NEW JERSEY-BASED MERCK.

THE VACCINE IS BASED ON THE SAME TECHNOLOGY USED IN THE COVID-19 VACCINES.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> ESTATES BLACK BEAR HUNT IS GETTING A FOUR DAY EXTENSION, STARTING TOMORROW.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS LAUNCHING A SECOND HUNT, FROM DECEMBER 14th TO THE 17th BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH BEARS WERE KILLED DURING THE SHORTENED SEASON.

THE STATE SAYS 93 BEARS WERE HARVESTED FROM THE DESIGNATED HUNTING ZONES.

THAT TRANSLATES TO WHAT IS CALLED A HARVEST RATE AND IT WAS 6%.

FAR BELOW THE 20% GOAL NEEDED TO AVOID A SECOND HUNT.

THE DECISION TO HOLD A BEAR HUNT MARKED A MAJOR REVERSAL FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY, WHO VOWED THE 2020 SEASON WOULD BE THE LAST DURING HIS ADMINISTRATION, BUT SAID HE WAS PERSUADED BY DATA SHOWING A SHARP RISE IN COMPLAINTS BY THE PUBLIC.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE PUSHING BACK AGAINST A STATE PLAN THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY CUT MILLIONS OF TREES TO SAVE MILLIONS MORE.

A SECTION OF THE BASS RIVER STATE PARK IN THE PINELANDS IS BEING TARGETED FOR A NEW WILDFIRE PREVENTION STRATEGY, REMOVING SMALL SAPLINGS THAT OFTEN ACT AS FUEL FOR RAPIDLY SPREADING FIRES.

A SIMILAR APPROACH HELP TO LIMIT DAMAGE DURING THE MASSIVE RIVER FIRE IN JUNE.

NOT ALL ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES ARE BUYING IT.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: TO PREVENT FIRES LIKE THIS ONE IN MORTON FOREST LAST JUNE, THE NEW JERSEY PINELANDS COMMISSION APPROVED A PLAN IN OCTOBER TO CUT 2.4 MILLION SMALL TREES LIKE THIS.

THE GOAL OF THE PLAN CALLED THE RED MITIGATION HABITAT AND RESTORATION PROJECT IS TO PREVENT MAJOR WILDFIRES IN THE FOREST LOCATED IN THE PINE BARONS.

>> I RECOGNIZE FOLKS ARE TALKING ABOUT CUTTING 2.4 MILLION TREES.

WE CERTAINLY DO NOT SEE IT THAT WAY.

THOSE TREES ARE ALL VERY SMALL.

TWO INCHES OR LESS IN DIAMETER.

WE RISK TO LOSE BETWEEN FOUR AND 12 MILLION TREES SHOULD A SIGNIFICANT WILDFIRE OCCUR.

>> Reporter: JOHN CECIL IS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES AND SAYS THE DENSE UNDERGROWTH OF THESE TREES CAN ACT AS FUEL, CARRYING FIRE FROM THE FLOOR UP TO TREETOPS WHERE WIND CAN INTENSIFY AND RAPIDLY SPREAD FLAMES.

>> WE HAVE REALIZED OVER QUITE A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, SIGNIFICANT FIRES IN THIS PORTION OF THE PINELANDS.

WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT FIRE AND 1946 THAT RESULTED IN THE TOTALITY OF FIVE FIREFIGHTERS.

ANOTHER AND 1947 THAT RESULTED IN THE TOTALITY OF FOUR FIREFIGHTERS.

ANOTHER 1999 AFFECTED 11,000 ACRES AND RESULTED IN THE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH AND DENSITY OF TREES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE PINELANDS LIKE WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER PARTS.

>> SINNING FROM THE GROUND UP.

MOST OF IT HAPPENS WITH A MOWER.

IT IS NOT A MOWER.

IT'S A FORESTRY MOWER BUT THEY'RE NOT REALLY REMOVING BIG TREES.

THAT IS THE REASON YOU ARE SEEING THIS NUMBER OF 2 MILLION TREES OR WHATEVER IT IS AND MOST OF THEM ARE ONLY A FEW INCHES IN DIAMETER.

THEY ARE ALL SHORT AND BENT OVER.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING REMOVED FOR THE MOST PART.

BUT THEY WILL RESPROUT ANYWAY.

>> THE DECISION IS RECEIVED SPLIT REACTION.

NEW JERSEY PINELANDS COMMISSIONER MICHAEL BAUER IS ONE OF TWO COMMISSIONERS WHO VOTED AGAINST CUTTING DOWN THE TREES.

>> AND ALL OF MY STUDY OF THAT QUESTION, DOES THE THINNING OF FORESTS HELP TO REDUCE HER SLOWDOWN WILDFIRE, THE ANSWER IS NO.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF ANALYSIS REGARDING WILDFIRES OUT WEST.

CALIFORNIA, OREGON, WASHINGTON STATE.

THEY HAVE FOUND THAT THE THINNING OF A FOREST IS NOT A HELPFUL TECHNIQUE.

IT MAKES A WILDFIRE BURN HOTTER AND FASTER.

>> THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE PLAN ARGUE IT WON'T JUST KEEP FIREFIGHTERS AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY SAFE.

IT WILL ALSO PRESERVE THE ECOSYSTEM.

>> AM CONFIDENT THAT THE WORK WE'VE PROPOSED TO DO WILL HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON OUR ABILITY TO CONTROL WILDFIRE.

IN THIS AREA, AND THIS AREA BEING ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS, MOST VOLATILE FUEL TYPES.

>> EVEN PUTTING ASIDE SAFETY ISSUES, LOOKING PURELY AT ECOLOGY, YOU ARE TAKING A FOREST THAT HAS DEVELOPED IN THIS INCREDIBLY CROWDED WAY.

YOU OPEN UP MORE OF THE GROUND TO SUNLIGHT, CREATING GREATER DIVERSITY ON THE FOREST FLOOR.

YOU END UP WITH A NATIVE BINDER AND FOREST COMING OUT OF THIS.

WE THINK IT WAS WELL THOUGHT OUT AND CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT.

THEREFORE, WE WERE WILLING TO SUPPORT IT.

>> Reporter: IT'S EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE BETWEEN APRIL 15th AND NOVEMBER 15, 2023.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

CHECK OUT OUR LIVE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE ON THURSDAY, TITLED, IS TEACHING IN TROUBLE?

THE PANEL DISCUSSION WILL BE MODERATED BY JOHN MOONEY AND JOANNA GAGIS.

IT WILL LOOK AT THE WORRISOME SIGNS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE TEACHING PROFESSION HERE IN THE STATE.

THAT IS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15th AT 4:00 P.M. TO REGISTER, GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJREALTOR.COM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THAT NEEDS OF INSURANCE FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES OVER 100 YEARS.

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THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN NJEA MEMBER.