>>> FUNDING FOR NJTV SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> THE BATTLE OF DAVID AND GOLIATH.

TWO GROUPS ARE SUING THE STATE TO STOP HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD THE LARGEST INSURER IN NEW JERSEY FROM A MASSIVE REORGANIZATION PLAN THE STATE APPROVED LAST MONTH.

CRITIQUES SUGGEST A SPIKE IN PREMIUMS FOR POLICYHOLDERS.

THEY ARE NOT TAKING IT A STEP FURTHER REQUESTING NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND INSURANCE BUT THE WHOLE PLAN ON HOLD WHILE THIS LITIGATION PLAYS OUT.

SINA CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN, REPORTS.

>> THOSE POLICYHOLDERS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACT THEY'RE HERE, AND THE STAKES ARE INCREDIBLY HIGH.

>> MORE CALLINGS GROWS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POLICYHOLDERS WHO DEPEND ON HEALTHCARE IN NEW JERSEY FROM HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD AFTER THE ADMINISTRATION GREEN LIT A MAJOR CORPORATION AT THE INSURANCE GIANTS THAT GIVES UP ALMOST 1/3 OF ITS RESERVE CAPITOL, WITH THAT PUSH-UP COST FOR POLICYHOLDERS -- >> WHAT DOES THAT DO TO PREMIUMS?

AND THAT QUESTION IS ANSWERED, RIGHT?

THERE IS NO ASSURANCES THERE.

AND THERE IS, OTHER THAN HORIZON'S CONTENTION, WELL, WE DON'T INTEND TO RAISE PREMIUMS.

THE INTENTION IS NOT REALLY A PROTECTION FOR THE POLICYHOLDERS OF THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> THAT'S WHY HER ORGANIZATION, NEW JERSEY CITIZEN ACTION, APPEALED THE DECISION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND INSURANCE TO IMPROVE HORIZON'S REORGANIZATION.

JOINING IN THE SUIT, A MAJOR NEW JERSEY HEALTHCARE WORKERS UNION [ INAUDIBLE ] DUE DILIGENCE TO ENSURE THIS MOVE BY BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, OUR BIGGEST INSURER, IS IN THEIR BIGGEST INTERESTS.

PLAINTIFFS SAY THAT'S REQUIRED BY LAW.

>> WE KNOW THERE IS BENEFIT TO THE COMPANY.

WE DON'T HAVE THOSE SAME ASSURANCES THAT THERE IS BENEFIT TO THE POLICYHOLDERS, AND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE PRIORITY , BENEFIT THE POLICYHOLDERS.

>> WE HAVE DONE INNUMERABLE NUMBERS OF TRANSACTIONS LIKE THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST WE'VE EVER SEEN.

>> JASON ATKINS CLAIMS DOBY'S ORDER PROVIDES HORIZON WITH LONG COVETED LOOPHOLE TO SPIN OFF FOR PROFIT SUBSIDIARIES AND MEDICAL DEVICES FOR EXAMPLE , INVESTING $300 MILLION OF ITS RESERVES WHILE STILL OPERATING AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANY.

IN RETURN, HORIZON WOULD PAY NEW JERSEY $1.25 BILLION IN LIEU OF TAXES, 600 MILLION OF IT UPFRONT.

>> THAT IS STRIPPING INSURERS OF 30% OF THEIR CAPITAL, WHICH WILL HAVE AN UPWARD IMPACT ON PREMIUMS.

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT?

BECAUSE, HORIZON TESTIFIED THAT HIGHER TAXES MEAN HIGHER PREMIUMS REPEATEDLY, IN THESE PROCEEDINGS.

>> ATKINS SAYS DOBY IGNORED THAT WEIRD THE APPEAL NOTES IT DOES NOT OFFER SPECIFICALLY WHEN OR HOW IT WOULD BE USED.

DOBY IS PLACING POLICYHOLDERS AND CHARITABLE ASSETS AT POSSIBLE RISK, SAYS RENE STEIN HAGAN .

EXPECT THAT THE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS, WHERE IS IT GOING?

WHERE IS IT RISK?

WHAT COMPANIES IS IT BEING INVESTED IN?

HOW WILL THIS IMPACT THE HEALTH AND SECURITY OF THE INSURER?

THEY TRUNCATED THE RECORD THEN SAID IT WAS NOT RELEVANT IS A MAJOR ASPECT OF OUR CLAIM THAT HER DECISION IS ARBITRARY.

>> DOBY RUSHED PUBLIC HEARINGS AND DID NOT REACH OUT TO POLICYHOLDERS.

ATKINS CLAIMS HORIZON SUBMITTED POSITIVE LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM ITS OWN EMPLOYEES.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A FIELD NOTICE PROCESS THAT INEQUITABLY REACHES SOME POLICYHOLDERS, NOT OTHERS, THEN HORIZON GIVING THESE PHONY LETTERS OF APPROVAL, WHICH THE COMMISSIONER SITES SEEING LOOK, THERE IS ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT.

EXPECT THEIR STRUCTURE AND LICENSING THEY HAVE GOTTEN FROM THE STATE NOW AND HOW IT WILL OPERATE GOING FORWARD DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR POLICYHOLDERS WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

IT PUTS AT RISK THAT THE INSURER WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP PREMIUMS AFFORDABLE.

>> THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE FIRST TIME TO OPERATE OUTSIDE ITS STATUS MAKING IT A DEJA VU FOR OPPONENTS.

UNDERWRITER OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS NOT NAMED IN THE APPEAL WHICH FOCUSES ON DOBY, IT STATED THE DEPARTMENT IT DOESN'T COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

THE APPEAL REQUESTS DOBY'S ORDER BE SET ASIDE.

>> WE DESERVE MORE, WE NEED MORE, AND THAT IS WHY WE BROUGHT THIS CASE.

>> I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AS PEOPLE PREPARE TO GET TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS THE WHITE HOUSE IS WARNING OF A POSSIBLE COVID-19 WINTER SURGE AS INFECTION NUMBERS WORSEN HERE IN THE STATE NATIONWIDE, 2500 CASES CONFIRMED NEW TODAY NEW JERSEY, PUTTING AN EVEN GREATER STRAIN ON HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS THAT ARE IN ONE OF THE WORST FLU SEASONS IN THE DECADE AND A WAVE OF RSV.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT WILL BEGIN OFFERING FREE AT HOME COVID-19 TESTS AGAIN.

RESTARTING THE PROGRAM THAT HAS ALREADY DELIVERED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF FREE TEST IS TO AMERICANS FOR THE POSTAL SERVICE.

HOUSEHOLDS CAN ORDER FOUR TESTS AT THE SAME WEBSITE, COVIDTEST.GOV, PART OF A SO-CALLED WINTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN THE WHITE HOUSE IS ROLLING OUT ALONG WITH URGING RESIDENTS TO GET UP TO DATE ON VACCINE PROTECTION WITH THE NEWEST BIVALENT BOOSTER SHOT.

NEW JERSEY MOVED TO BAN HAIR-BASED DISCRIMINATION FAILED IN THE SENATE.

COLEMAN INITIALLY INTRODUCED THE LEGISLATION AFTER A SOUTH JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WAS FORCED TO CUT OFF HIS DREADLOCKS OR FORFEIT A WRESTLING MATCH.

THE CROWN ACT WOULD MAKE IT A FEDERAL CRIME TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST HAIRSTYLES ASSOCIATED WITH RACE OR A NATIONAL ORIGIN.

THE HOUSE PASSED THE BILL IN MARCH, BUT ON WEDNESDAY THE KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN SENATOR RAND PAUL BLOCKED THE LEGISLATION, CITING CONCERNS IT WOULD STOP BUSINESSES FROM REGULATING HAIRSTYLES FOR SAFETY REASONS.

I AM JOINED NOW BY NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLYWOMAN ANGELA McKNIGHT, WHO HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN McKNIGHT, YOU HAVE REALLY HELPED TO GET THE CROWN ACT OFF THE GROUND FROM HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

I IMAGINE THIS IS DISAPPOINTING FOR YOU TO SEE THE VOTE IN THE SENATE GO DOWN THIS WAY.

>> YES, IT IS VERY DISHEARTENING.

WE HAVE FOUGHT.

I TOOK THIS FIGHT UP BACK IN 2019 WHEN THE WRESTLER WAS INFORMED THAT HE NEEDED TO EITHER CUT HIS DREADS OR FORFEIT HIS MATCH.

AND THAT'S WHEN I TOOK THIS FIGHT UP.

AND I COMMEND SENATOR BOOKER FOR LIGHTING THE TORCH IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND WHEN I HEARD THAT IT WAS DENIED, IT REALLY BROUGHT ME BACK TO , WHAT ARE WE DOING?

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

>> SENATOR BOOKER IN FACT USED THAT EXAMPLE FROM THAT HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLER IN HIS SPEECH ON THE SENATE FLOOR OR IT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR FOLKS, WHO FACE THIS TYPE OF RACE-BASED DISCRIMINATION ON A DAILY BASIS, BE IT IN SCHOOLS, IN ATHLETICS , OR THEIR JOBS?

>> FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY THIS IS A SETBACK TO CIVIL RIGHTS.

PEOPLE ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST FROM WHAT IS NATURALLY GROWING OUT, THEIR HAIR.

WHEN PEOPLE GO INTERVIEW, THEY GO TO SCHOOL AND WORK, THEY DO THAT FROM THEIR STILLS AND THEIR TALENTS, NOT BECAUSE OF THEIR HAIR.

AND PEOPLE WHO DO NOT LOOK LIKE US, WHO DON'T HAVE NATURAL HAIR SUCH AS WE DO , THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND , THIS IS A NUISANCE .

AND FOR SENATOR RAND TO USE THE EXAMPLE , SAFETY ISSUES ?

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE FOR EMPLOYERS, WHO HAVE TO HAVE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO CUT THEIR HAIR OR WEAR THEIR HAIR IN A CERTAIN MANNER, BECAUSE OF THE JOB THAT THEY ARE DOING, THEN THEY CAN DO THAT.

>> WE SAW A SHIFT, ASSEMBLYWOMAN, FROM FOLKS WHO WORK IN THE MEDIA FOR EXAMPLE , FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE PUBLIC EYE , PARTICULARLY WOMEN, OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, SHIFTING AND WEARING THEIR HAIR NATURALLY.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT IS PLAYED INTO THIS CONVERSATION THAT I HAVE HEARD YOU TALK ABOUT SO MANY TIMES IN GETTING PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THIS , HOW THAT HAS BEEN STIFLED PARTICULARLY FOR WOMEN OF COLOR?

>> FOR WOMEN OF COLOR WE EXPRESS OURSELVES IN APRIL AFTER A OF WAYS FROM THE CLOTHES WE WEAR TO THE HAIRSTYLE WE PUT IN OUR HAIR.

FOR US TO PULL BACK AND WEAR OUR HAIR IN A CONFORMED WAY, THAT'S NOT FREEDOM .

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPRESS OURSELVES HOW WE WANT TO.

WE ARE OUT HERE HOW WE WANT TO.

AND FOR MANY YEARS WE HAVE BEEN SUPPRESSED, AND TO SEE IN THE MEDIA WHERE WOMEN ARE WEARING THEIR AFRO IN THEIR DREADS AND WEARING THEIR HAIR HOW THEY WANT TO, THAT IS SELF-EXPRESSION.

AND WE ARE TELLING PEOPLE AND SHOWING PEOPLE THIS IS WHO WE ARE.

>> ANGELA McKNIGHT, ASSEMBLYWOMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INSIGHT TODAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, I APPRECIATE YOU.

>>> THINK OF IT LIKE FARM TO TABLE, BUT INSTEAD OF JERSEY CORN AND TOMATOES, THIS PROCESS IS THE CULTIVATION AND PRODUCTION OF CANNABIS PRODUCTS FOR THE NEW LEGAL MARKET, WHICH HAS ALREADY RANKED IN NEARLY $200 MILLION IN RECREATIONAL SALES REVENUE SINCE LAUNCHING.

ROSE COOPER GOT A BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR AT ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S NEWEST AND LARGEST CANNABIS FACILITIES.

>> WE START FROM A CLONE, WHICH CAN TAKE TWO WEEKS.

THEN WE REGULATE SPRINGLIKE CONDITIONS FOR TWO TO THREE WEEKS .

EXPECT JUST A FEW OF THE MANY STEPS BEHIND THE PROCESS OF TURNING CANNABIS INTO PRODUCT.

THIS 120,000 SQUARE FOOT CULTIVATION AND PRODUCTION FACILITY IN BRANCHBURG WAS ONCE THE SITE OF A SUPER WALMART STORE.

NOW IT'S WHERE VERANO WHICH OPERATES UNDER THE NAME ZEN LEAF PRODUCES A NUMBER OF PRODUCTS.

>> IT IS INCREDIBLE.

I'VE BEEN DOING THIS NOW FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, TWO DECADES.

SO IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE THE INDUSTRY COME UP FROM THE DARK AND ACTUALLY BE ACCEPTED AS A REAL INDUSTRY, TO SEE HOW MUCH WE HAVE MATURED TO ACTUALLY SEE THE BENEFITS TRICKLING DOWN TO SEE IT EVOLVING AND DEVELOPING FROM THE BEGINNING TO WHAT IT'S BECOME NOW.

>> AND ITS MARKET WITH NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN.

>> NEW DISPENSARIES HAVE OPEN, NEW BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO EXPAND FROM THE DATA MEDICINAL MARKET, AND IT HAS BEEN FOCUSED FROM THE BEGINNING ON LICENSING NEW BUSINESSES.

WE ACTUALLY ISSUED THE COMMISSION HAS AWARDED ANNUAL LICENSES TO OVER 30 APPLICATIONS AS OF TODAY.

EXPECT JEFF , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION, IS PLEASED WITH HOW THE MARKET IS PROGRESSING.

WHILE THERE CONTINUES TO BE SOME CHALLENGES LIKE HIGH PRICES FOR PRODUCT, HE SAYS THE CRC IS COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THIS EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITY ACROSS OF THE INDUSTRY.

>> WE ARE SEEING A THIRD SUBMITTED BY PEOPLE WITH PAST CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS IN MARIJUANA, A THIRD OF WHICH ARE DIVERSELY OWNED BUSINESSES.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE MORE BUSINESSES THAT ARE LICENSED AND GETTING INTO THIS MARKET THE MORE COMPETITION THERE IS, THE MORE VALUE THERE IS FOR CONSUMERS, THE MORE INNOVATION THERE IS, AND THE BETTER THE MARKET IS GOING TO DO.

AND THAT WILL TRANSITION INTO BETTER SALES NUMBERS AND MORE REVENUE GOING FORWARD.

>> FOR BUSINESSES, THE PROCESS OF ENTERING THE MARKET IS TAKING LONGER THAN EXPECTED, BUT PRESIDENT OF THE CANABUSINESS OPERATION .

>> OKLAHOMA HAD THIS IMMENSE RUSH OF , LIKE A GREEN RUSH IN OKLAHOMA.

HAD THOUSANDS OF LICENSES GO OUT, AND THEN THE MARKET IMMEDIATELY CONTRACTED.

SO YOU HAD THIS EXPANSION, THIS RAPID EXPANSION IN OKLAHOMA, AND THEN YOU HAD IMMEDIATE CONTRACTION.

AND THAT LEFT A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUSINESSES, PROPERTIES , UNREAD ALERT.

WE ARE ACTUALLY IN A VERY DELIBERATE WAY MAKING SURE THAT THE MARKET DOES NOT HAVE THIS RAPID EXPANSION WHICH COULD RESULT IN IMMEDIATE CONTRACTION.

>> AS THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO GROW, CRC SAYS IT'S TAKING ALL THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE IT REACHES ITS FULL POTENTIAL.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE-COOPER.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, THE INCREASE IN SEVERE WILDFIRES FUELED BY CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOW A BURDEN ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND STATE BUDGETS.

DESPITE LAWMAKERS SETTING ASIDE MORE MONEY TO COMBAT THE ISSUE THE FUNDING ISN'T KEEPING PACE WITH THE INCREASED COST OF MORE SEVERE FIRES.

NOW A NEW REPORT IS DEALING WITH HOW SIGNIFICANT A PROBLEM THIS IS AND WILL BE.

BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER, JOHN WRITEMEYER JOINS ME WITH MORE NOW.

WE THINK OF FIRES AS A CLIMATE ISSUE, BUT AS YOU WRITE IT'S ALSO A BUDGET ISSUE.

>> YEAH, THAT IS WRIGHT, BREE ANNA, WHAT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE, A LITTLE BIT IN NEW JERSEY , IN AN ERA OF CLIMATE CHANGE WERE TYPICAL WILDFIRES ARE STARTING TO EXPAND, STATES ARE HAVING TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON FIRES IN NEW JERSEY , IT IS BECOMING MORE OF A BUDGET ISSUE , BUT CERTAINLY IN MANY OTHER STATES THEY ARE HAVING MORE SPENDING ON PUTTING OUT WILDFIRES.

IN SOME STATES OUT WEST YOU ARE SEEING BUDGETS FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION DOUBLE.

AND SO AGAIN, CLIMATE CHANGE , THIS IS BECOMING TO BE A CONCERN TO THOSE WHO PUT TOGETHER NEW JERSEY'S VERSION, THEY SHOULD TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THAT BUDGET.

>> FOR POLICYMAKERS , WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?

>> KEEP A CLOSER TABS ON FIRE SUPPRESSION AND FIRE MITIGATION SO THAT CAN BE AWARENESS, PRESCRIBING BURNS, WHEN THEY GO OUT IN A CONTROLLED FIRE TO TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE FUEL THAT REALLY, SOME OF THESE FIRES TO PICK UP, WE HAD A REALLY BIG ONE EARLIER THIS YEAR .

LAST YEAR THERE WAS A SMALLER FIRE IN THE LAKEWOOD AREA, BUT IT THREATENED HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

AND SO EVEN SOME OF THOSE SMALLER FIRES CAN BECOME COSTLY, BECAUSE THE STATE HAS TO GO OUT, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE THE OPTION OF LETTING THEM BURN.

ONE OF THE IDEAS IS TO ARE YOU SPENDING MORE BUDGET ON PUTTING OUT THE FIRE, IS THAT TAKING SOURCES FROM PREVENTATIVE MEASURES LIKE PRESCRIBED BURNS?

DO YOU HAVE TO BUDGET MORE FOR WILDFIRES AGAIN IN THIS PERIOD OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION IS BETTER DATA COLLECTION.

MAY FIRES YOU ARE DEALING WITH AND WHETHER IT'S ENOUGH TO MEET DEMAND FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION AGAIN WITHOUT PINCHING THE BUDGET FOR PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.

>> IS THERE A SYSTEM IN PLACE TO COLLECT THAT DATA AS WE SEEM TO BE EXPERIENCING THESE MORE AND MORE AND TO WEIGH PREVENTION AGAINST ACTUALLY FIGHTING THOSE FIRES?

>> CERTAINLY HOW MANY FIRES ARE BEING RESPONDED TO , THE FUNDING IS FLAT , AND THAT MAYBE SOMETHING POLICYMAKERS NEED TO TAKE A NEW LOOK AT.

IF WE HAVE MORE FIRES, LONGER FIRE SEASONS, WE ARE SPENDING MORE ON THAT BUDGET ON PREVENTION AND NOT THOSE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES THAT CAN STOP THE FIRE FROM GETTING BIG IN THE FIRST PLACE.

FIRES ARE A NATURAL OCCURRING THING , BUT MAY BE DUE MORE ON THE PREVENTION SIDE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND AS MUCH ON THE PREVENTION SIDE.

>> THAT'S A LOT FOR FOLKS TO THINK ABOUT FOR SURE.

A DIFFERENT LENS TO LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM.

JOHN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> ANOTHER TUMULTUOUS DAY ON WALL STREET.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING BOARDS .

AND, MAKE SURE YOU CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER AS THE YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE.

RHONDA PUTS THE 2023 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN FOCUS, BREAKING DOWN FINANCIAL GOALS FOR NEW JERSEY BUSINESS OWNERS , AND WHY MANY ARE WORRIED ABOUT A LOOMING RECESSION.

WATCH SATURDAY AT 10:00 A.M. STREAMING ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> RAIN IN SNOW IS IN STORE.

A CROSS-COUNTRY STORM IS UNLEASHING THIS WINTRY MIX, WHICH COULD DROP UP TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW IN SOME PARTS OF NEW JERSEY, BUT MOST OF THE STATE WILL GET A SOAKING, UP TO 2 INCHES TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY MORNING, WHICH CAN CAUSE ICING IN SLIPPERY ROADS DURING COMMUTES, SO BE CAREFUL IF YOU ARE DRIVING.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY IN SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON COUNTY WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MILES PER HOUR.

MINOR COASTAL FLOODING IS ALSO A CONCERN FOR MANY OF THOSE SAME AREAS.

STUDENTS IN PARTS OF MORRIS AND SUSSEX COUNTIES GOT AN EARLY DISMISSAL TODAY AHEAD OF THE BAD WEATHER.

>>> AND FINALLY TONIGHT, FOR SOME CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE OVERWHELMING AND OVERSTIMULATING.

NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME, A FARM IN WALL TOWNSHIP HAS A CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN MIND.

SPREADING HOLIDAY JOY AND KEEPING THE REAL SPIRIT OF THE SEASON.

>> THERE IS SOMETHING RELAXING ABOUT BEING ON A 25-ACRE FARM AND HEARING THE TRACTOR HUMMING ALONG.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALIEN COMMUNITY FARM, LOCATED IN WALL TOWNSHIP, IT USES ANIMAL THERAPY AND GARDENING TO HELP SPECIAL NEEDS ADULT AND CHILDREN'S, TEENS FACING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND VETERANS WITH PTSD.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE FARM IS PARTNERING WITH PROTECTING OUR AUTISTIC CHILDREN TO HOLD A FREE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SHOW FOR FAMILIES WHOSE LOVED ONES ARE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM.

>> THE LIGHTS ARE IN A DISTANCE, AND THE ONES THAT ARE CLOSE BY ARE NOT GOING TO OVERLOAD THEIR SENSES.

ANYONE WITH A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD, BRING YOUR SIBLINGS, MOM, DAD, IT'S A WHOLE FAMILY AFFAIR.

>> CHRIS WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE?

>> SANTA.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF POAC SERVICES , SAYS IT'S A GAME CHANGER.

>> SPEAKING FOR MYSELF WHEN MY SON WAS YOUNGER AND HAD A LOT OF BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, WE WOULD GO SOMEWHERE, NOT TO AN AUTISM FRIENDLY EVENT OR SOMETHING PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING .

GOING TO WALMART, GOING TO THE DENTIST, GOING TO THE PARK.

THERE WAS ALWAYS A SENSE OF DREAD, LIKE IS THE GOING TO BE MUSIC HE DOESN'T LIKE?

IS SOMETHING GOING TO BE TOO LOUD?

IS HE GOING TO BE SCARED?

>> SO DOING STUFF LIKE THIS WHERE IT IS DARK, THE MUSIC IS LOW, EVEN SENSORY FRIENDLY MOVIES.

IT'S GREAT .

THIS IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF AN EVENT FOR OUR FAMILIES.

>> I AM LOOKING FORWARD FOR CHRISTMAS AND SEEING CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT THE FARM.

>> WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE?

>> DECORATIONS.

>> AND MORE THAN 1 MILLION LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED IN THIS DAZZLING CHRISTMAS SHOW IN A SENSORY SENSITIVE CARRIAGE RIDE.

>> ALL THE FAMILIES WHO ANTICIPATE UNDERSTAND OUR KIDS.

IF HE ACTS A LITTLE DIFFERENT, THEN ANOTHER CHILD WOULD THEN NOBODY HERE BATS AN EYE.

IT'S WONDERFUL.

>> YOU MAKE THE TURN, THE TREES ARE LIT UP, AND THERE IS A LIT NATIVITY AND A DREIDEL.

I HONESTLY THINK THE LIGHTS LOOK REALLY COOL.

>> THEY ARE ABLE TO INTERACT AND ENJOY TO THIS COMPANY.

>> SO NICE TO GET TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS THAT ARE HONEST AND SIMILAR IN OUR JOURNEY.

>> BERNIE SAYS THE SPECIAL SHOW WILL BECOME AN ANNUAL TRADITION FOR THE FARM .

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE EVENT WILL GO TOWARDS HELPING THE ANIMALS THEY RESCUE AND THE PROGRAMS THEY OFFER.

THE EVENT IS STILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH DECEMBER 23rd WHERE TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE, ONLINE, OR BY CASH AT THE DOOR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JULIE SANTANA.

>> THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE WITH DAVID CRUZ.

MORE ON WASHINGTON POLITICS THIS YEAR.

IT THEN A PANEL OF LOCAL JOURNALISTS BREAK DOWN ALL THE POLITICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK, TOMORROW ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

.

>> I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> SERVING THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS FOR YEARS, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION AND NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

>> JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE .

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM , SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY, ONLINE AT US.ORSTEAD.COM.

>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR , BARNABAS HAS TWO EASY WAYS TO DO IT FROM ANYWHERE.

IT'S AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER, 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR TELEMEDICINE APP, OR USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH AN RWJ BARNABAS PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST, EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION, SO DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH .

LET'S BE HEALTHY, TOGETHER.