>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>> AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG.

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

>>> FROM NJ PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> SHOWDOWN AT THE STATE HOUSE.

GOOD EVENING I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

SEVERAL ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS DEFIED A NEW COVID MANDATE REFUSING TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION OR A NEGATIVE TEST THE STATE TROOPERS STATIONED AT THE DOOR TO THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER.

>> AMERICA SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

>> SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN AMERICA.

THEY ARE NOT LETTING THE MINORITY PARTY VOTE.

BUT THEY WERE EVENTUALLY LET IN AND STATE TROOPERS DID NOT PHYSICALLY RESTRAIN ANY OF THE LAWMAKERS AS THEY ENTERED.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHY LAW ENFORCEMENT DID NOT BLOCK ACCESS.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR SEMI SPEAKER GREG KAUFMAN SAID LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP ANTICIPATED ANYONE WHO DID NOT FOLLOW PROTOCOLS COULD NOT BE PERMITTED IN THE CHAMBER.

TODAY THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY HELD THE FIRST VOTING SESSION SINCE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

AND THE FIRST OF THE NEW MANDATE WENT INTO EFFECT.

BUT EVEN THOUGH WITH DOZENS OF BILLS WERE UP FOR A VOTE ALL ICE WERE ON WHO WOULD BE LET IN TO VOTE ON THEM.

SOME REPUBLICANS FILED A LAWSUIT TO BLOCK THE NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS.

BUT A JUDGE DID NOT ISSUE AN INJUNCTION BY THE TIME THE SESSION STARTED.

GOP LAWMAKERS SAY THEY ARE NOT BACKING DOWN.

>> THE JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMISSION DOESN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY.

THAT WAS PART OF THE UNCONSTITUTIONALITY.

ALSO THE FACT OF ACCESS FOR LEGISLATORS TO STAY HOUSE.

WE ALL REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE ALL CALL OFFICES WITH THEIR CONCERNS.

THIS IS WHERE WE GET THE VOICE OF CONCERN.

THE PUMP THIS WEEK GOVERNOR MURPHY CALLED WHO WERE PLANNING TO DEFY THE MANDATE COMPLETELY RECKLESS.

>>> OUTSIDE THE STEAKHOUSE ADVOCATE RALLIED AROUND BILLS THEY WANTED LAWMAKERS TO PASS DURING THE LAME DUCK PERIOD WHICH ENDS JANUARY 11th WHEN THE NEW LEGISLATURE IS SWORN IN.

A GROUP OF ACTIVISTS CALLED FOR A BILL THAT WAS SET UP A TASK FORCE TO STUDY REPARATIONS AND SEEK TO REPAIR THE HARMS OF SLAVERY IN NEW JERSEY.

AND FOLLOWING ORAL ARGUMENTS AT THE SUPREME COURT YESTERDAY IN AN ABORTION CASE THAT WOULD TOPPLE ROE VERSUS WADE ADVOCATES AGAIN CALLED ON LAWMAKERS TO PASS A BILL THAT WOULD ENSURE THE RIGHT TO ABORTION AND STATE LAW.

>>> IS SECOND CASE OF THE OMICRON VARIANT HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE U.S. A MINNESOTA RESIDENT TRAVEL FROM NEW YORK CITY FOR A CONVENTION ATTENDED BY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

THIS IS THE PRESIDENT UNVEILED A COVID BATTLE PLAN TODAY TO COMBAT A WINTER SURGE.

LOOKING TO UNITE THE NATION IN A COMMON PURPOSE.

AND STRESSING GETTING VACCINATED IS A PATRIOTIC RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL TO HELP FIGHT THE COVID FIGHT.

>>> ANNOUNCING AN EXPANSION AND BOOSTER AVAILABILITY CALLING ON PHARMACIES TO EXPAND THEIR HOURS PROVIDING PAID TIME OFF FOR EMPLOYEES TO GET A BOOSTER.

AND CREATING FAMILY COVID CLINICS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AS WELL AS INCREASING VACCINE SHIPMENTS AROUND THE WORLD.

AS OFFICIALS HERE IN NEW JERSEY REPORT A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN POSITIVE COVID CASES JUST OVER 3500.

JUST OVER 6.2 MILLION FULLY VACCINATED.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

RETURNS OUR RESIDENT MY CLEAR STATE UNIVERSITY EPIDEMIOLOGISTS DOCTORS BETHANY SILVEIRA.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO TELL US DO WE KNOW YET HOW SEVERE THE ILLNESS FROM THIS VARIANT IS AND WHAT ARE WE SEEING IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE IT IS MORE PREVALENT?

>> WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW IS THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE AN INCREASED RATE OF TRANSMISSION.

BUT NOT NECESSARILY MORE SEVERE ILLNESS.

EVEN IF THE VARIANT ITSELF ISN'T MORE SEVERE MORE PEOPLE SICK MEANS MORE PEOPLE WILL END UP IN THE HOSPITAL JUST BECAUSE AS CASE NUMBERS GO UP HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE POTENTIALLY GOING UP AS WELL.

>> OUR TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS DOING ANYTHING?

>> UNFORTUNATELY PROBABLY NOT.

BY THE TIME WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THESE VARIANCE WE KNOW THEY HAVE ALREADY SPREAD.

SO FOR EXAMPLE IT WAS FIRST IDENTIFIED IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THERE IS NOW DATA SHOWING IT HAD ALREADY BEEN IN THE NETHERLANDS PRIOR TO BEING IDENTIFIED.

GIVEN PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING MORE AND MORE AGAIN AND THAT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF GLOBAL TRAVEL THE TIME WE IDENTIFIED THE VARIANCE THEY ARE LIKELY SPREAD GLOBALLY ALREADY.

>> ANOTHER QUESTION I'M ALWAYS GETTING IS THE EFFICACY OF VACCINES AND BOOSTERS AGAINST THE VARIANT.

WHAT DO WE KNOW?

>> WE ARE STILL LEARNING ABOUT THAT.

THERE WAS AN EARLY DATA VERY PRELIMINARY OUT OF JERUSALEM.

SAYING THAT PFIZER FOR EXAMPLE SING TO BE HOLDING UP FAIRLY WELL.

THE GOOD NEWS IS HAVING ANY LEVEL OF IMMUNITY HAVING ANTIBODIES, HELPS TO PROTECT YOU AGAINST MORE SEVERE ILLNESS.

EVEN IF IT IS A VARIANT.

BECAUSE WE ARE NOT STARTING FROM SCRATCH.

WE ARE NOT A BLANK SLATE ANYMORE.

OUR BODY DOES HAVE SOME RECORD MISSION OF SOME OF THE PROTEINS ON THOSE SPIKES.

BEING VACCINATED IS BETTER THAN BEING UNVACCINATED AT THIS POINT.

AND EVEN FOR THOSE BREAKTHROUGH CASES PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE MILDER SYMPTOMS THAN PEOPLE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> IS ANOTHER LOCKDOWN INEVITABLE?

>> I HOPE IT ISN'T.

I THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH TOOLS IN OUR TOOLBOX NOW TO TRY TO AVOID THAT.

INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED SHOULD GO AHEAD AND GET THEIR FIRST DOSE.

ANYBODY OVER 18 AND IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN SIX MONTHS SHOULD GET A BOOSTER.

IN THE MEANTIME WE KNOW THE THINGS THAT WORK REGARDLESS OF THE VARIANT.

WEARING A MASK NOT GATHERING IN CROWDED INDOOR SPACES, KEEPING WINDOWS OPEN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR GOOD VENTILATION AND PROPER HANDWASHING CAN REALLY REDUCE THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS AND ANY OTHER VARIANT THAT MAY COME ALONG.

>> THE HOLIDAYS ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED IS IT SAFE TO ATTEND AND/OR HOLIDAY PARTIES WHILE UNMASKED?

>> I WOULD RECOMMEND REALLY KNOWING WHO YOU'RE GOING TO BE GATHERING WITH.

IS EVERYBODY FULLY VACCINATED?

LEAVE VACCINATED MEANS FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.

LOOKING ALSO AT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT.

WHAT DOES THE SPACE LOOK LIKE.

ARE YOU ABLE TO CREATE PHYSICAL DISTANCE?

IS THERE GOOD VENTILATION?

GATHERING IN LARGE CROWDED INDOOR SPACES WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED IS REALLY A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.

>>> A LOT OF GREAT QUESTIONS ANSWERED BUT STILL SO MANY MORE THAT WE WANT TO KNOW.

DOCTOR THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>>>>>> GUN SAFETY IS EXPECTED TO DOMINATE THE FINAL WEEKS OF WORK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS AS THEY RETURN TO TRENTON.

GOVERNOR MURPHY WAS JOINED BY LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN METUCHEN TODAY AS HE OUTLINED HIS PRIORITIES FOR NEW GUN REGULATIONS IN THE GARDEN STATE.

IS EIGHT POINT WISHLIST INCLUDED A BAN ON THE SALE OF 50 CALIBER WEAPONS.

AND A REQUIREMENT THAT ALL GUNS BE KEPT LOCKED UP WHEN NOT IN USE.

AND A NEW LAW THAT MURPHY SAID WOULD ALLOW THE STATE TO HOLD GUN MAKERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

MURPHY'S ANNOUNCEMENT COMES JUST DAYS AFTER A SCHOOL SHOOTER IN OXFORD MICHIGAN KILLED 4 STUDENTS AND ALMOST 2 YEARS TO SAY SHOOTOUT AT A JERSEY CITY KOSHER GROCERY LEFT 4 PEOPLE DEAD.

SINCE APRIL 15th MURPHY SET 180 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE STATE.

ANOTHER 824 INJURED.

782 SHOOTINGS.

>>> WE HAVE TO ASK.

WE HAVE TO ACT NOW.

WE MUST MAKE AN ACTING THE NEXT WAVE OF COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY LAWS ONE OF OUR TOP PRIORITIES IN THE REMAINING DAYS OF THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THIS SESSION EXPIRES AT NOON ON JANUARY 11.

TODAY IS DECEMBER 2nd.

WE HAVE 40 DAYS WITH WHICH TO WORK AND WOULD WHICH TO ACT FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR PEOPLE.

I KNOW THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE CANNOT DO.

>> 911 IS OFTEN THE FIRST NUMBER PEOPLE CALL WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

BUT WHEN POLICE OFFICERS ANSWERED THE CALL THE SITUATION CAN ESCALATE.

SOMETIMES LEADING TO POLICE VIOLENCE OR EVEN USE OF DEADLY FORCE.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY TWO OUT OF EVERY THREE USES OF FORCE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT INVOLVED A CIVILIAN IDENTIFIED AS EITHER SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS OR WHO IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PILOT PROGRAM SIX TO REVERSE THAT TREND BY PEERING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH STATE TROOPERS.

TO RESPOND TO 911 CALLS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISES.

THE PILOT CALLED ARRIVE TOGETHER IS LAUNCHING TODAY IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

PARTNERSHIP THE STATE POLICE AND THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

IT COULD BECOME A STATEWIDE MODEL IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY PROSECUTOR JENNIFER WEBB McCRAY JOINS ME NOW TO EXPLAIN HOW IT WILL WORK.

>> JENNIFER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT IS THIS PILOT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO DO -- >> WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE PILOT PROGRAM AND THANKFUL TO BE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

AS WELL AS CALLAHAN FOR CHOOSING CUMBERLAND COUNTY FOR THE PILOT PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED UNDER CONSIDERING THE CORE RESPONDER MODEL.

THEY ARE GOING TO PAIR A CRISIS WORKER SOMEONE TRAINED TO ADDRESS CRISES WITH A TROOPER DURING TIMES THAT WE HAVE SEEN HIGH LEVELS OF --TO RESPOND TO EVENTS THAT ACTUALLY MAY BE CRISIS EVENTS.

>> HOW DID THIS CALL RESPONSE MODEL COME ABOUT?

IS IT BASED ON MODELS USED ELSEWHERE?

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL MODELS THAT HAVE SHOWN PROMISE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

I THINK WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT THIS MODEL IS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PAIR THE CRISIS WORKER WITH THE PLAINCLOTHES TROOPER.

THE TROOPER ALSO WILL HAVE SOME TRAINING.

BUT THE TROOPER WILL ALSO BE THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SITUATION IS NOT DANGEROUS.

WHICH GIVES A LEVEL OF COMFORT TO THE CRISIS WORKER.

AND IN ADDITION TO THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT IN TIMES WHERE BASICALLY WE DO INTELLIGENCE LED POLICING AT THIS POINT.

SO THEY ARE ABLE TO TELL THE TIMES WHEN THE MOST CALLS COME IN.

EVEN IN DOWN TIMES I KNOW THERE IS A PLAN TO TOUCH BASE AND GO BACK AND SPEAK WITH PEOPLE JUST TO SHEPHERD THEM TO GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED.

>> IT IS INTERESTING JENNIFER BECAUSE YOU TOUCHED ON THIS.

THE PILOT PROGRAM ALSO CALLS FOR TROOPERS TO RESPOND TO THE SCENE IN PLAINCLOTHES.

WHY IS THAT?

>> FOR FAR TOO LONG MANY OF SITUATIONS THAT WE KNOW ARE ACTUALLY MEDICAL SITUATIONS A PERSON AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, WE KNOW MENTAL HEALTH IS AN ACTUAL MEDICAL SITUATION.

AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

THAT IS A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS.

OFTEN TIMES SOCIETY PUSHES THOSE ISSUES TOO LONG --LAW ENFORCEMENT SOLUTIONS WHICH SOMETIMES ARE NOT APPROPRIATE.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY WHEN A SITUATION IS DANGEROUS.

IT IS NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE TO HAVE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THERE.

HOWEVER, IF WE CAN START ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES AS MEDICAL ISSUES, WE HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES.

A PLAINCLOTHES OFFICER WILL JUST I WOULD PRESUME MAKE A PERSON FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE RATHER THAN HAVING THEM FEEL LIKE THEIR MEDICAL SITUATION IS BEING ADDRESSED WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SOLUTION.

>>> HOPING WE WILL SEE SOME IMPORTANT CHANGE OUT OF THIS PILOT PROGRAM.

JENNIFER THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR JOINING US.

>>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> WIDESPREAD DISRUPTIONS IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY ARE BEING FELT HERE IN JERSEY.

SO MUCH THAT SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ PROPOSED A BILL TO ADDRESS THE SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS.

THE BILL WOULD ESTABLISH A NATIONAL DATABASE OF MANUFACTURERS TO LET LOCAL COMPANIES KNOW WHO MAKES WHAT PRODUCT AND HOPEFULLY AVOID FUTURE BOTTLENECKING.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVE KRUSE SPOKE WITH INDUSTRY EFFORTS AND LAWMAKERS AT A SYMPOSIUM HELD HERE IN NEW JERSEY SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS TO HELP IDENTIFY THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

>> THEY NEEDED A PART FOR CHINA THAT WAS ON BACK ORDER SIX MONTHS.

THEY COULD NOT FIX IT.

AND BY THE WAY THAT PART JUMPED UP IN PRICE TO LIKE $20,000.

>> WELCOME TO TODAY'S SUPPLY CHAIN.

THAT GOLDBERG SYSTEM OF SHIPS AND PORTS AND TRUCKS AND WAREHOUSES THAT GET THE STUFF YOU JUST ORDERED ONLINE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOORSTEP.

UNDER THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS A MIRACLE IT WORKS AT ALL.

AND YOU WOULD BE TEMPTED TO BLAME COVID FOR THE CLOGGED ARTERIES BUT IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE SAID SPEAKERS AT THIS SYMPOSIUM PRESENTED BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY.

>> COVID DID NOT CREATE SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS.

BUT IT KIND OF BROUGHT UP THE WEAK LINK.

THE WEAK LINK IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN TO BE MORE VISIBLE.

>> COVID WAS THE MATCH THAT LIT THE DYNAMITE.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN ANY NUMBER OF THINGS.

IT COULD'VE BEEN CONTINUED TRADE WAR.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN ISSUES BETWEEN CHINA AND INDIA.

IT COULD'VE BEEN DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS.

>> WE'VE BEEN GETTING MORE AND MORE OF OUR STUFF FROM FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FOR SOME TIME NOW.

THE FIRST CYBER MONDAY TOOK PLACE OVER 15 YEARS AGO.

SO THE PIPELINE HAS BEEN PUMPING AND YES ADD IN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT LOCKS CONSUMERS IN THEIR HOMES, AND SUDDENLY THE SEAMS ARE STRETCHED.

>> I LIKE TO DESCRIBE THIS IS A SERIES OF PIPES.

THE SHIPS COULD BE A 12 INCH PIPELINE.

THE PORT AND TERMINAL CAPACITY COULD BE A 10 INCH PIPELINE.

THE TRUCKS COULD BE AN EIGHT INCH PIPELINE.

THE WAREHOUSES COULD BE A 6 INCH PIPELINE.

SO THE CAPACITY OF THE OVERALL NETWORK GOES TO THE SMALLEST COMMON DENOMINATOR.

>> THAT IS HOW THINGS GET BACKED UP ALL THE WAY TO THE PORT TERMINALS WHERE IN CALIFORNIA CONTAINER SHIPS LIKE THESE ARE LINED UP OUT AT SEA BY THE DOZENS SOMETIMES FOR WEEKS.

THAT IS WHERE THAT AIR FRYER YOU ORDERED IS PROBABLY SITTING RIGHT NOW.

SWIMMING OUR PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING AND ALL THE PORTS RELEASED THEM FROM INLAND DISTRIBUTION NETWORK NOT BEING ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE FLOW OF GOODS INTO THE COUNTRY.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TRUCK DRIVERS.

NOT ENOUGH CHASSIS WHICH ARE THE MEANS OF CONVEYANCE HE PUT THE CONTAINERS ON.

AND BECAUSE OF IT BECAUSE THERE IS SUCH A BACKLOG THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF CONTAINERS.

>> FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS ADMITTEDLY HERE ON A FACT- FINDING MISSION THERE IS LITTLE THEY CAN DO OR SAY ABOUT EXPEDITING THE MOVEMENT OF A CONTAINER THAT HAS BEEN SITTING ON A DOCK FOR 2 WEEKS.

EXPANDING WAREHOUSE CAPACITY WHICH ALMOST EVERYBODY HERE SAYS IS AT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS A TRICKY ISSUE IN NEW JERSEY.

WITH SOME MUNICIPALITIES CALLING FOR AN END TO WHAT THEY ARE CALLING WAREHOUSE SPRAWL.

>> IT IS AN ISSUE WE REALLY HAVE TO GET A HANDLE ON.

MUNICIPALITIES ARE OBVIOUSLY THAT HAVE THEIR PROTECTED.

WE ALSO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE WAREHOUSE NEED.

THAT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE THAT NEEDS INPUT.

>> BETWEEN COVID AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND LACK OF SUPPLIES AND THE CONFLICT WE HAVE FOR CHINA -- WE NEED TO LOOK AT THESE THINGS SEPARATELY.

AND TRY TO RESOLVE THEM.

>> I THINK THE ANSWER FOR NOW IS DIG YOUR HEELS AND.

WHERE THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT.

RIGHT NOW TO THIS HIGH VOLUME OF CARGO THAT WE ARE HANDLING.

AND I BELIEVE THAT'S DUE IN NATURE TO THE FACT THAT THE VIRUS IS STILL NOT CONTAINED AROUND THE WORLD.

WHEN THE VIRUS IS MORE UNDER CONTROL I BELIEVE THAT THE SUPPLY CHAIN WILL BEGIN TO NORMALIZE AGAIN.

THEN IT WILL MOVE BACK INTO MANAGEABLE LEVELS.

>> THAT COULD TAKE YEARS.

AND WHEN EVER IT DOES HAPPEN EVERY LINK IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE REINFORCED.

FROM EQUIPMENT TO PERSONNEL TO WAREHOUSE SPACE.

BECAUSE THIS COVID JOLT TO THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE THE LAST.

>>> TOURISTS FLOCKING TO THE GARDEN STATE OR IS THE ONGOING PANDEMIC KEEPING THEM AT BAY.

RHONDA SHAFFER HAS THE DETAILS IN ALL THE DAYS AT TOP OF BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> WHAT IS AHEAD FOR NEW JERSEY'S TOURISM INDUSTRY IS THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AT AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE UNDERWAY IN ATLANTIC CITY.

DESPITE A NEW COVID 19 VARIAN EMERGING IN THE U.S., ONE EXPERT BELIEVES VISITORS WILL STILL DRIVE TO NEW JERSEY KNOWING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY HAS PUT SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.

ADAM CURL IS THE BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION.

>> I BELIEVE THAT FOLKS ARE READY EAGER AND WILLING TO TRAVEL.

AND WE ARE READY AND WILLING AND EAGER TO ACCEPT THEM SAFELY TO DO THE THINGS VISITORS EXPECT.

WHETHER THAT BE CLEANING.

WHETHER THAT IS MASKING SOCIAL DISTANCING.

ONLINE ORDERING.

MOBILE ORDERING WHEN YOU'RE AT ATTRACTIONS.

ALL OF THAT ARE THE INNOVATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED.

>> FIGHTING THE LATEST VARIANT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS ASKING BUSINESSES TO VOLUNTARILY MOVE FORWARD.

WITH COVID 19 VACCINE AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS EVEN THOUGH THE ADMINISTRATIONS RULES ARE FACING A LEGAL CHALLENGE.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ORDERED BUSINESSES WITH 100 OR MORE EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE THAT THEIR WORKERS ARE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID BY JANUARY 4th OR REQUIRE THAT THEY SUBMIT A WEEKLY TEST.

BUT THAT WAS PUT ON HOLD AFTER LAWSUITS WERE FILED.

MEANTIME THE ADMINISTRATION SEPARATE VACCINE MANDATE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS HAS ALSO BEEN BLOCKED DUE TO A LEGAL CHALLENGE.

>>> CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS REACHED AN AGREEMENT EARLIER TODAY ON A NEW STOPGAP SPENDING BILL THAT WILL KEEP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATING THROUGH MID-FEBRUARY.

THERE IS A MIDNIGHT FRIDAY DEADLINE TO GET THE BILL PASSED.

WHILE SENATE LEADERS ARE ON BOARD SOME RANK-AND-FILE MEMBERS SAY THEY ARE NOT.

>>> TOYS ARREST IS OPENING A FLAGSHIP STORE IN THE AMERICAN DREAM MALL THIS MONTH.

TOYS "R" US IS TRYING ONCE AGAIN TO MAKE A COMEBACK.

AFTER IS BANKRUPTCY FILING A FEW YEARS BACK.

IT OPENED 2 STORES IN THE U.S. BACK IN 2019 BUT CLOSE THEM DUE TO COVID.

IT IS ALSO NOW SELLING TOYS IN MACY'S.

>>> WERE BIG MOVES ON WALL STREET.

HOW THE STOCK MARKET ENDED UP.

>>> THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY.

AND SMART NJ.

AND BY JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS HALL OF FAME.

A VIRTUAL EVENT ON DECEMBER 9th AT SIX P.M. MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT JA NJ.ORG.

>>> MAKE SURE YOU TUNE INTO NJ BUSINESS BEAT WITH RHONDA SHAFFER THIS WEEKEND SHE PUTS RETAIL IN FOCUS AS WE ENTER THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON.

RHONDA EXPLORES THE GROWING SUPPLY CHAIN AND STAFFING CHALLENGES AND TAKES A LOOK AT HOW CHANGING SHOPPER HABITS IS IMPACTING HOW STORES OPERATE.

CHECK IT OUT ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAYS AT 10 A.M. >>> HOME TO ROUGHLY 11,000 AFGHANS AS THEY FLED THEIR HOMELAND IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.

LIBERTY VILLAGE AT THE BASE HAS SERVED AS ONE 8 SO-CALLED SAFE HAVENS FOR THESE EVACUEES.

A TEMPORARY STOP AS THEY AWAIT PERMANENT RESETTLEMENT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

TODAY SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN GOT OUR FIRST LOOK INSIDE THEIR HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

BRENDA.

>> RAVEN WE ARE HERE AT JOINT BASE McGUIRE DIX LAKEHURST.

WE SPENT THE DAY GOT A TOUR OF LIBERTY VILLAGE.

WHERE 11,000 AFGHAN EVACUEES ARE LIVING.

THEY ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE SAFETY AND FOR THE SECURITY.

BUT WHILE THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW LIVES IN RESETTLEMENT MANY OF THEM ARE ALSO LOOKING BACKWARDS.

>> CAN YOU FEEL SAFE?

>> YES >> I'M SAFE BUT I DON'T FEEL GOOD BECAUSE -- MY FAMILY IS THERE.

PHYSICALLY I AM HERE.

BUT MY THOUGHTS ARE THERE WITH MY FAMILY.

WITH MY FRIENDS.

>> IT IS CROWDED HERE.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE AND WE HAVE TO GET INTO LINES FOR EVERYTHING.

BECAUSE WE ARE SAFE IT IS FINE.

>> LIBERTY BIOLAGE IS 37 CAMPS EACH ONE WITH ITS OWN MILITARY --WHO HOLDS A TOWN HALL MEETING ONCE A WEEK.

THE LOGISTICS OF HOUSING READING CLOTHING AND CARING FOR ALL OF THESE PEOPLE PUT PERCENT OF THEM ARE KIDS IS UTTERLY INTENSE.

SMART AS WITH ANY COMMUNITY.

>> THERE ARE OCCASIONAL DISPUTES AMONG OUR AFGHAN GUESS.

HOWEVER OUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT THAT IS THE EXCEPTION AND NOT THE RULE.

LIBERTY VILLAGE HAS BECOME MORE THAN A TEMPORARY STOP ON OUR GUEST WAY ON THEIR SETTLEMENT JOURNEY.

IT IS A PLACE WHERE THEY LIVE.

OUR UNWAVERING GOAL HAS BEEN TO MAKE THEIR LIFE IN THIS TEMPORARY LOCATION BETTER EVERY DAY.

>> VILLAGES ONE AND TWO OFFER HOUSING AND RED BRICK BARRACKS.

VILLAGE THREE FAMILY APARTMENTS AND PODS.

ENORMOUS TENSED THAT CAN HOLD MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE.

FOLKS CAN PLAY SOCCER OUTSIDE OR LEARN ENGLISH IN CLASS OR WATCH MOVIES.

THREE CAFETERIAS SERVE MEALS 24/7.

MEDICAL TENSED SEAT 3 TO 400 PATIENTS EVERY DAY.

EVERYONE HAS BEEN VACCINATED AGAINST COVID.

IN ABOUT 100 BABIES HAVE BEEN BORN ALL AT NEARBY HOSPITALS OF COURSE.

SINCE LIBERTY VILLAGE OPENED.

COUNSELOR STANDBY TO HELP.

SOME ARE ORIGINALLY FROM AFGHANISTAN.

THE UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE SHOCK MANY EVACUEES ARE FEELING.

>> STANDING IN THEIR SHOES SEVEN YEARS AGO.

I WAS A REFUGEE FROM AFGHANISTAN.

THAT CAME HERE.

NOW I'M IN THE AIR FORCE.

AND SEEKING AMERICAN DREAM.

SMITH YOU SAY LOOK WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO?

>> YES.>> WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE SUCCESS OF ALL OUR GUESTS AS THEY ADJUST TO THEIR NEW LIVES AND PREPARED TO BE RESETTLED.

>> DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU MIGHT BE RESETTLED?

>> I'M GOING TO GO BE IN OHIO.

>> IN OHIO?

YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT OHIO?

>> YES.

I'VE WATCHED MANY VIDEOS ABOUT IT.

IT IS GOOD.

>> SO FAR 3500 EVACUEES HAVE BEEN RESHUFFLED FROM LIBERTY VILLAGE AND THEY CAN END UP ANYWHERE IN THE U.S.

EVEN OHIO.

PLANES ARE STILL ARRIVING.

THE NEXT ONE IS DUE ON SUNDAY.

THIS MISSION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH AT LEAST FEBRUARY OR UNTIL EVERYONE FINDS A HOME.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT A CHRISTMAS TREE CONTROVERSY THAT IS CREATING SOME -- OFFICIALS IN CHARGE OF THE ASBURY PARK BOARDWALK DECIDED TO CHANGE THINGS UP BY DITCHING A REAL PINE TREE IN FAVOR OF A CARDBOARD HOLIDAY TREE THAT STANDS ABOUT 17 FEET HIGH.

THE REVIEWS HAVE BEEN MIXED.

WITH SOME PEOPLE CALLING IT BEAUTIFUL.

AWESOME AND BRILLIANT.

OTHERS HOWEVER ARE NOT SO NICE CALLING IT RIDICULOUS AND HIDEOUS.

COMPARING IT TO A PILE OF AMAZON SHIPPING BOXES.

AND A GIANT CAT SCRATCHING POST.

>> A REMINDER THAT BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK TO INTO REPORTER ROUNDTABLE WERE SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVE CRUZ TALKS --STEPHEN ABOUT THE VACCINE REQUIREMENT AT THE STATEHOUSE DIVIDING LAWMAKERS IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT IS TOMORROW MORNING AT 10 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A WONDERFUL NIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION AND BY THE FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART --NJ.

>>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

BY ORSTED AND PSEG.

WHO PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

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

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