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

>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY APPEARS TO SET OFF A VIRUS SEARCH WITH THREE RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES.

COVID-19, THE FLU, AND RSV SPREADING WIDELY IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE NATION.

U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY HOSPITALS WERE ALREADY STRETCHED THIN.

NOW THIS SO-CALLED TRIPLE >> IS THREATENING TO SLAM HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

IN YOUR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> IT HAPPENS IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE.

WENT TO BED WITH A RUNNY NOSE AND LOOK UP STRUGGLING TO BREATHE.

>> Reporter: KNOW I GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE SURGE OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES SWEEPING NEW JERSEY INFORMATION.

WHAT STARTED AS RIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING RAMPED UP OVERNIGHT INTO A FRIGHTENING MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

FOR 22-MONTH-OLD NOAH.

>> WENT TO BED WITHOUT A FEVER.

WOKE UP WITH A FEVER.

WOKE UP IN THE MORNING WITH HIS CHEST RETRACTING.

LIKE TRYING TO PULL IN AIR, BASICALLY.

LIKE THEY ARE REALLY STRUGGLING.

AND JUST SOUNDED AWFUL.

IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: THE CARE CLINIC SENT THEM STRAIGHT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE NOAH STOCKED HER DIAGNOSED RSV.

NEBULIZER TREATMENTS STABILIZED THE TODDLER'S CONDITION AND SHE WENT HOME BUT THEN CUT ANOTHER VIRUS.

A BAD COLD.

HIS MOM SAYS HIS DAYCARE CENTER IS OVERRUN.

BUT -- >> PEOPLE WHO DON'T USE DAYCARE, THE KIDS ARE GETTING JUST AS SICK.

SO MANY VIRUSES GOING AROUND THIS TIME OF YEAR AND THE KIDS GET HIT ONE AFTER ANOTHER.

IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING FOR SURE.

>> MASKING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AND BACK IN SCHOOL, THEY'RE GETTING EXPOSED ALL AT ONCE.

THAT LEADS TO THIS UNUSUAL TIMING OF INCREASING VOLUMES OF KIDS WITH RESPIRATORY ILLNESS AND >> HOSPITALS REPORT THERE IS WANT WITH A SO-CALLED TRIPLE >> OF RESPIRATORY VIRUS CASES.

THE AMANDA HALL ASSOCIATION CHAIRWOMAN CALLS AT THE PERFECT TIME FOR A HOLIDAY SEASON.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THAT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM SO FAR IS MANAGING THE PRESSURE, BUT IT IS CONCERNING.

GETTING HIT WITH A BIT OF A TRIPLE WHAMMY OUT THERE.

WE ARE SEEING INCREASES IN RS THE AND EARLY FLU SEASON.

CONTINUING TO SEE IF COVID-19 IS OUT THERE INCREASING IN CASES, AS WELL.

>> THE CDC REPORTS INFLUENCER IS RAMPING NATIONWIDE.

7.8 MILLION CASES OF 78,000 HOSPITALIZATIONS LOOKING AT THEIR HIGHEST LEVELS IN A DECADE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

NEW JERSEY REPORTS HIGH FLU CASE LOADS IN ALL COUNTIES AND MORE THAN 30,000 CASES SO FAR.

MEANWHILE, COVID IS SPREADING IN NEW JERSEY WITH A RATE OF TRANSMISSION OF 1.6.

RSV HAS KICKED INTO GEAR, PEAKING EARLIER THAN USUAL THIS FALL WITH MAYBE 9000 CASES.

ONE WEEK IN MID-NOVEMBER COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE SPIKE THAT OCCURS IN LATE DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

>> CURRENTLY, RIGHT NOW, THERE IS 250, 260 PEDIATRIC CASES IN THE STATE THAT ARE HOSPITALIZED.

BUT IT CAN ALSO AFFECT THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS, AS WELL.

WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE GETTING ONE OR TWO AND VERY RARELY ALL THREE VIRUSES TOGETHER.

>> THERE IS A CHANCE WE COULD BE AN UPTICK IN SOME OF THESE VIRUSES.

WITH THE FLU INCREASING AND ALSO WITH THE VARIANCE OF COVID, THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ADD ON, AS WELL.

>> HYGIENE CAN HELP FOLKS AVOID RSV.

BUT THE EARLY RESPIRATORY VIRAL ONSLAUGHT HAS CREATED ANOTHER PROBLEM.

SPOT SHORTAGES IN CERTAIN IDIOTIC MEDICATIONS INCLUDING IBUPROFEN TO REDUCE FEVERS.

AMOXICILLIN FOR SECONDARY INFECTIONS.

ALBUTEROL FOR NEBULIZERS AND >> THERE ARE SHORTAGES AND MANY DIFFERENT REASONS FOR THAT.

WE HAVE SEEN SUPPLY LINE SHORTAGES FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW WITH COVID.

>> IF YOU CANNOT FIND YOUR PRESCRIPTION AND ONE PHARMACY, CHECK AROUND.

THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE ANOTHER PHARMACY WILL HAVE IT AND >> DOCTORS SAID VACCINATION RATES AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE FALLEN OFF, PERHAPS DUE TO FATIGUE.

THEY URGE FOLKS TO GET THE BOOSTER AND FLU SHOT FOR ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBERS WITH HOLIDAY VISIT SCHEDULED AND AS FOR NOAH, HE IS FEELING MUCH BETTER NOW.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> RUTGERS UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN MAKING HEADLINES IN RECENT MONTHS FOR ESTIMABLE SPENDING PRACTICES BY THE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT.

AMONG THEM, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SPENT ON SERVICES LIKE DOOR DASH AND LAVISH DINNERS.

IT IS A BONE OF CONTENTION FOR HUNDREDS OF THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES FACULTY AND HALF, WHO SAY THEY ARE WORKING UNDER EXPIRED CONTRACTS AND WITHOUT COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES TO THEIR PAY.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> RUTGERS IS FOR EDUCATION.

WE ARE NOT A CORPORATION.

>> Reporter: FRUSTRATION AS DOZENS OF FACULTY, GRADUATE WORKERS, AND ADVOCATES GATHER AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND >> WE ARE FIGHTING FOR BASIC THINGS LIKE A LIVING WAGE FOR GRAD WORKERS.

EQUAL PAY FOR WORK.

FAIR PAY RAISE.

IMPROVEMENT OF WORKING CONDITIONS.

>> REPRESENTS THOUSANDS OF WORKERS AT THE UNIVERSITY.

SHE SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING WITHOUT A CONTRACT SINCE THEIR LAST ONE EXPIRED AT THE END OF JUNE.

>> MANY OF OUR WORKERS DON'T MAKE A LIVING WAGE.

OUR ADJUNCT FACULTY ARE PAID FOR LAST FOR DOING THE SAME WORK.

WE HAVE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM OF CONTINGENCY WERE FACULTY OUR OWN INSECURE CONTRACT AND OUR WORKING CONDITIONS ARE DETERIORATING.

FACULTY WHO HAVE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME FEEL DEMORALIZED AND FED UP.

>> BRAVING THE RAIN TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD, THEY ARE HELPING UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS WILL HEAR THE CALLS AND ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS.

BERNIE SANDERS ALSO TREATING HIS SUPPORT, SAYING IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT WHILE THEY HAVE AN ENDOWMENT OF NEARLY $2 BILLION, THEIR WORKERS ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BY.

>> ESPECIALLY GIVEN ALL THE WORK THAT GRAD STUDENTS AND WORKERS DO HERE AT RUTGERS.

WE TEACH LASSES.

WE ARE DOING CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH IN THE HUMANITIES, SCIENCES, SOCIAL SCIENCES ACROSS THE BOARD.

WE ADVISE STUDENTS AND MENTOR STUDENTS.

WE DO ALL THE THINGS THAT MAKES RUTGERS THE INSTITUTION THAT IT IS.

WE ARE NOT COMPENSATED IN A WAY THAT IS OUT OF IT AND REFLECT ALL OF THE VARIOUS THINGS THAT WE DO.

AND JUST SORT OF THAT BOTTOM LINE.

WE ARE NOT COMPENSATED IN A WAY THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR MANY OF US WHO LIVE IN THE AREA AND NOT HAVE TO TAKE ON MULTIPLE JOBS TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES.

>> HALEY HAS BEEN AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR IN THE WRITING DEPARTMENT FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS.

HE SAYS HE STILL ASKED TO REAPPLY FOR HIS JOB EVERY SEMESTER AND FEELS DISRESPECTED.

>> DECADES AGO, WE WERE CONSIDERED GUEST LECTURERS.

PEOPLE WHO HAD OTHER MEANS OF SUSTENANCE.

OTHER JOBS.

THIS WAS KIND OF A HOBBY.

TODAY, UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS SITUATION AND RELYING ON US TO DO THE LION'S SHARE OF THE TEACHING FOR A FRACTION OF THE PAY PERIOD >> A SPOKESPERSON FROM RUTGERS RESPONDED BY SAYING, WE CONTINUE TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH AND ON A REGULAR BASIS WITH RIGHT AS UNIONS.

ALL MANDATORILY NEGOTIABLE ISSUES RELATING TO EMPLOYEE CONTRACT WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE WITH THE APPROPRIATE BARGAINING TEAM REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE UNIONS.

>> THERE HAS BEEN NO CONTRACT AND NO SERIOUS BARGAINING SINCE MARCH.

SCATTERED DATES.

THEIR FRUSTRATION IS GOING TO REALLY AFFECT PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY.

RUTGERS IS THE PREMIER UNIVERSITY IN NEW JERSEY.

IT IS THE LAND-GRANT UNIVERSITY IN NEW JERSEY.

PEOPLE COME TO NEW JERSEY BECAUSE OF EDUCATION.

WHEN YOU HAVE THIS KIND OF FRICTION WITH A NEW PRESIDENT WHO PROMISED TO BE BETTER.

THE PROBLEM IS ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.

>> WORKERS MAINTAIN THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT THAT IS FAIR FOR EVERYONE.

BUT IF NO PROGRESS IS BEING SOON, THEY COULD BEGIN TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLE STRIKE.

HER AND JUST NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE BLASTING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ACCUSING MEMBERS OF, QUOTE, HIDING BEHIND PANDEMIC ERA RESTRICTIONS TO THE CONTINUED USE OF VIRTUAL MEETINGS.

REPUBLICANS SAY IT DENIES THE PUBLIC DIRECT FAX TO STEAL THE BOARD ACCOUNTABLE.

NOW THEY ARE TAKING ACTION TO CHANGE THAT.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING.

ZOOM, TEAMS, WHATEVER YOUR APP, THEY'RE PROBABLY HERE TO STAY, EVEN AS IN PERSON PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE BACK IN SESSION, AS IT WERE.

YOU CAN NOW ATTEND THE PUBLIC MEETING, IF THAT IS YOUR THING, AND ALMOST ALL OF THE STATES, TOWNS, AND CITIES.

ONE OF THE LAST HOLDOUTS, THOUGH, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THAT HAS REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WONDERING WHAT'S UP.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR LOGIC IS.

THE LAST IN-PERSON MEETING WAS MARCH OF 2020.

APRIL 2020 WAS THEIR FIRST VIRTUAL.

THEY HAVE BEEN VIRTUAL OF HER SONS.

>> THE BOARDS SEEN HERE BACK AT THE IN PERSON DAYS, CAN BE A LIGHTNING ROD FOR IMPORTANT ISSUES LIKE CURRICULUM AND TESTING AND LEARNING LAWS.

WHILE YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN TO THESE MEETINGS, THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

AND, SAYS THE REPUBLICAN LEADER, THAT IS WHERE THE BOARD NEEDS TO PUT THE PUBLIC BACK IN PUBLIC MEETING.

>> WE ALL KNOW SITTING IN THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND ALL THESE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES, YOU KNOW.

IN PERSON TESTIMONY WHERE YOU CAN HAVE SOME INTERACTION BACK AND FORTH.

YOU SEE SOME OF THE MOTIONS, AS WELL.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART.

>> EVERYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN AN IN-PERSON PRESENCE.

I THINK I JOKED TO YOU ONCE THAT NORMAN ROCKWELL NEVER PAINTED A PICTURE OF SOMEONE SITTING IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER.

SOMETHING MORE MOTIVATING AND PRODUCTIVE ABOUT BEING IN PERSON.

>> THE BOARD MEETS AGAIN THIS WEEK AT WHICH TIME INFORMATION ON STATEWIDE TEST SCORES IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED.

A SUBJECT OF CONCERN TO MANY.

BUT DO NOT EXPECT ROBUST PUBLIC COMMENTS.

IF YOU DID NOT REGISTER WELL IN ADVANCE, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE HEARD BECAUSE THEY DON'T DO DAY OF TESTIMONY HERE.

DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH THE STATE OF EMERGENCY, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL NOT BE HOLDING PUBLIC TESTIMONY SESSION, SAYS THE POST ON THE BOARD WEBSITE.

WE REACHED OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND DID NOT GET A RESPONSE.

BUT THE STATE OF EMERGENCY HAS BEEN OVER FOR SOME TIME.

TOWNS LIKE PRINCETON HAVE NOT ONLY BEEN BACK IN PERSON, BUT HAVE MAINTAINED A TRULY INTERACT A VIRTUAL OPTION.

RESIDENTS CAN SOUND OFF LIVE, IN PERSON, AND VIRTUALLY.

>> A MESSAGE FROM PRINCETON IS IF YOU ARE COMMITTED TO FULL TRANSPARENCY AND MAXIMUM ACCOUNTABILITY AND YOU ARE REALLY INTEREST DID AND ELICITING AND HEARING IMPAIRED AND RECEIVING MAXIMUM INPUT FROM ALL DEMOGRAPHICS IN YOUR POPULATION.

FROM ALL SECTORS, THIS IS REALLY THE WAY TO GO.

>> IN OTHER WORDS, GET WITH THE TIMES.

IN PERSON IS COOL AGAIN.

BUT HYBRID IS GOING TO BE ALL THE RAGE, LEAVING YOU WITH A WAYS TO GO.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S CONTROVERSIAL BLACK BEAR HUNT IS BACK ON STARTING TODAY FOLLOWING AN APPLE AT COURT RULING AGAINST ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND THE ARGUMENT THAT ALLOWING THE HUNT WILL CAUSE IRREPARABLE HARM.

THE JUDGES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BOTH SIDES PRESENTED SIGNIFICANT CASES.

BUT SIDED WITH STATE OFFICIALS WHO SAY AND REGULATED SEASON WILL BETTER PROTECT THE BIKE SAFETY AND SUPPORT HEALTHIER WILDLIFE.

OPEN SEASON IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

RUNNING THROUGH SATURDAY UNTIL 30 MINUTES AFTER SUNDOWN, DEPENDING ON HOW MANY BEARS ARE HARVESTED.

A SECOND BEAR SEASON MAY OPEN BETWEEN DECEMBER 14th AND 17th.

ANOTHER FIRST IN THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION AND IN NEW JERSEY HISTORY.

GIVEN THE MURPHY ON MONDAY APPOINTED THE STATE'S FIRST TRANSGENDER CABINET MEMBER.

ALLISON CHRIS MYERS IS BEING TAPPED AS THE ACTING CHAIR AND CEO OF NEW JERSEY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.

THE AGENCY OVERSEEING GOVERNMENT WORKERS.

MYERS IS AN ATTORNEY, NAVY VETERAN AND RUTGERS UNIVERSITY GRADUATE WHO HAS WORKED AT THE FIRM FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES.

SHE WILL REPLACE OUTGOING CHAIR WHO IS RETIRING JANUARY 1st.

IN APPOINTING MYERS, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID IT IS IMPORTANT THAT LEADERS IN THE STATE REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.

NO WORD ON WHETHER THE GOVERNOR PLANS TO FORMALLY NOMINATE, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE SENATE CONVERSATION --CONFIRMATION.

>> A DRAMATIC RISE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALLS REACHING RECORD LEVELS AND GREATER INTENSITY OF ABUSE REPORTED, PLACING MORE SIGNIFICANCE ON THE NEED FOR SAFEHOUSES AND OTHER SPACES WERE SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN GO TO GET HELP WHILE STAYING SAFE.

STATE OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING AN UPTICK IN THE USE OF A FAIRLY NEW PROGRAM, PLACING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS IN LOCAL HOTELS INSTEAD OF SHELTERS.

FURTHERMORE, I AM JOINED BY NICOLE MORELLO.

DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND EDUCATION AT THE NEW JERSEY COALITION TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

I WANT TO ASK YOU FIRST TO JUST ABOUT THE RISE IN THE NUMBER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS REPORTING.

WHAT TYPE OF INCREASE ARE WE TALKING?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS RESPONDING TO NEARLY 4 TO 5 TIMES THE NUMBER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS IN THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS COMING FORWARD SEEKING SERVICES.

WE PROVIDED SHELTER TO 53% MORE VICTIMS.

OUR HOTLINE NUMBERS.

LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES AND COUNSELING SERVICES ARE ALL EXPERIENCING A DRAMATIC INCREASE AND THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS COMING FORWARD MEETING THOSE SERVICES.

UNFORTUNATELY, AS WE ROUND OUT 2022, THE NUMBER CONTINUES TO INCREASE OVER THE LAST YEAR.

>> WE KNOW THAT THE NUMBERS WENT UP DURING THE PANDEMIC AND POST >>.

ARE THERE FACTORS THAT FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF WHO WORK IN THE BASE CAN POINT TO AS TO WHY WE ARE SEEING SUCH A DRAMATIC RISE?

>> EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC, WHEN WE HAD SUCH STRONG STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS AND THE NEED FOR SOCIAL DISTANCE AND.

A LOT OF OUR SYSTEMS MAY HAVE BEEN CLOSED OR OPERATING DIFFERENTLY THAN THEY HAD BEFORE.

I THINK IT FORCED A LOT OF VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS TO STAY HOME IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP AND TO HAVE LIMITED OPTIONS.

>> THAT BRINGS ME TO THIS PROGRAM WHERE THESE FOLKS ARE BEING PLACED IN AREA HOTELS.

WHAT DOES THAT ENTAIL AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

>> THIS HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL AS A RESOURCE FOR US DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, MOST OF OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS OPERATED IN WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER A TRADITIONAL SHELTER MODEL WHERE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN WOULD BE WELCOMED INTO A FACILITY OR A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT FACILITIES WHERE WE WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THESE WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO THEM ON SITE.

BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO SOCIAL DISTANCE AND PROVIDE DISTANCE BETWEEN FAMILIES, WE WERE ABLE TO UTILIZE THIS HOTEL ENGINE PROGRAM, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A NETWORK OF HOTELS THAT OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS ARE ABLE TO CONNECT AND WORK WITH SO THAT WHEN THEY DO HAVE A VICTIM THAT IS IN NEED OF SAFE HOUSING, WE CAN ALSO RELY ON THIS NETWORK OF HOTELS IN ADDITION TO THE SAFEHOUSES THAT ARE STILL AVAILABLE.

>> OTHER BENEFITS TO USING A PLACE LIKE A HOTEL?

I AM THINKING ABOUT SECURITY AND, OF COURSE, THE NETWORK OF SUPPORT THAT SURVIVORS NEED.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

THAT WAS ONE OF OUR INITIAL FEARS.

THE SECURITY RELATED TO IT.

WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK WITH THE HOTELS THEMSELVES.

THE HOTEL ENGINE PROGRAM AND OUR SUPPORTERS AT THE DIVISION ON WOMEN TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE ARE SAFE OPTIONS AND OUR ADVOCATES ABSOLUTELY WILL DO A THOROUGH SAFETY PLAN AND ASSESSMENT WITH VICTIMS TO ENSURE THAT IT IS A SAFE OPTION FOR THEM AND THEIR CHILDREN.

IT'S ALSO A RECOGNITION THAT WE ARE WORKING AGAINST A HOUSING CRISIS.

ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE SEE MANY THAT COMES STAYING AT HOTELS WITH CHILDREN FOR SOMETIMES MONTHS AT A TIME IS BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING AVAILABLE IN OUR STATE AND VICTIMS ARE STAYING IN HOTELS LONGER WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY, PROGRAMS CONTINUE TAKING ON NEW SURVIVORS THAT ARE IN NEED OF SERVICES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> IN QUEUE.

>> WHILE ANYONE IS SCRAMBLING TO SECURE A REAL I.D.

DRIVER'S LICENSE BY THE MAY DEADLINE CAN BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF, THE DEADLINE IS GETTING EXTENDED YET AGAIN.

IT'S ALREADY BEEN DELAYED TWICE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ANNOUNCING MONDAY AMERICANS WILL GET TWO MORE YEARS.

THAT IS UNTIL MAY 2025 TO BE COMPLIANT, GIVING BOTH TRAVELERS AND MOTOR VEHICLE AGENCIES MORE TIME TO PREPARE.

AND ADDRESS THE LINGERING EFFECT OF THE PANDEMIC, WHICH SHUT DOWN MOTOR VEHICLE AGENCIES FOR MONTHS, CAUSING MASSIVE BACKLOGS OF CUSTOMER TRANSACTIONS.

REAL I.D.

CAME ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE 9/11 COMMISSION AND USES ANTI-COUNTERFEIT TECHNOLOGY ALONG WITH EXTRA STEPS TO PROVE APPLICANTS ARE WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE.

ALL TRAVELERS 18 AND OLDER WILL NEED THE REAL I.D.

OR AN ENHANCED LICENSE TO BOARD DOMESTIC FLIGHTS ONCE THE DEADLINE HITS.

AND IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, NEWARK AIRPORT'S TERMINAL A IS LOOKING AT ANOTHER SETBACK.

THE NEWLY REVAMPED $2.7 BILLION TERMINAL WAS SLATED FOR A GRAND OPENING TO THE PUBLIC ON THURSDAY AND IS NOW SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN EARLY JANUARY.

ACCORDING TO THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, WHICH OPERATES THE AIRPORT, THE FIRE ALARM AND SECURITY SYSTEMS HAVE NOT PASSED FINAL TESTS.

IT IS THE FOURTH TIME THE OPENING OF THE NEW TERMINAL IS BEING PUSHED BACK, AND COMES JUST WEEKS AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY AND OTHER OFFICIALS HELD A FORMAL RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO CELEBRATE ITS COMPLETION.

CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW TERMINAL STARTED IN 2018 BUT HIT DELAYS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES.

STRESS AND PANIC HAS NOT EASED FOR PARENTS OF FORMULA FED BABIES.

THE NEARLY YEAR-LONG INFANT FORMULA SHORTAGE CONTINUES.

SHELVES ARE STILL THERE AND A LOT OF RETAILERS.

STORES ARE STILL RATIONING SALES.

THE FRANTIC HUNT COULD GO ON UNTIL THE SPRING.

ACCORDING TO THE MAKERS OF THE LARGEST BABY FORMULA BRAND ON THE MARKET NOW, THE SHORTAGE IS LIKELY TO PERSIST FOR SEVERAL MORE MONTHS DESPITE INTERVENTIONS BY THE WHITE HOUSE TO ADDRESS THE SUPPLY ISSUES, WHICH CAME AFTER A RECALL OF BABY FORMULA PRODUCTS MADE IT A PLANT BY MICHIGAN CONTAMINATED BY BACTERIA.

CONSUMER ADVOCATES SAY SUPPLY LEVELS HAVE IMPROVED BUT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BRING STOCK IS BACK TO NORMAL LEVELS.

MEANWHILE, RECESSION FEARS HAVE BEEN RATTLING WALL STREET.

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

>>> MEANT TO COMBAT AUTO THEFT CRIMES IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, GETTING THE GREEN LIGHT FROM LAWMAKERS WHO GOT AN EAR FULL MONDAY ABOUT THE SPIKE OF THE STOLEN CARS ACROSS THE STATE.

ON PACE TO SURPASS LAST YEAR'S RECORD OF MORE THAN 14,000 READ TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> THIS IS NOT A BILL THAT WAS ADDRESSED OR DRAFTED OUT OF HERE.

IT WAS DRAFTED BASED ON INFORMED INFORMATION I GOT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> THE STATE ASSEMBLY HELPS FOR NEW BILLS WILL CUT DOWN ON CAR THEFTS IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE THAN 14,000 VEHICLES HAVE BEEN STOLEN STATEWIDE THIS YEAR.

9% INCREASE FROM 2021.

DURING A HEARING FOR THESE BILLS YESTERDAY, LAW ENFORCEMENT X LAND THAT HIGH-END CARS MAKE UP MOST OF THAT INCREASE.

THEY DESCRIBE THE DIFFICULTIES IN STOPPING THE THIEVES.

>> 1% OF CARGO LEAVING THE COUNTRY IS EXPECTED.

A LOT OF THAT IS AT OUR BEST.

1% OF EVERYTHING GOING ON.

>> THE GUY GETS ARRESTED IN ESSEX.

MIGHT NOT HAVE, IN THE SHORT TIMEFRAME, THE ABILITY TO GET THOSE REPORTS FROM MONMOUTH COUNTY.

>> Reporter: DEPUTY AG JOE JORDANA APPLAUDED THESE BILLS THAT WOULD PROVIDE LONGER SENTENCES FOR PEOPLE FOUND GUILTY OF AUTO THEFT, CARJACKING OR ILLEGAL USING OF MOTOR VEHICLE MASTER KEYS.

IT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE SCRAP METAL BUSINESSES TO RECORD INFORMATION FOR NON-DEALERS WHO SELL CATALYTIC CONVERTERS DETACHED FROM CARS.

THE BILLS ALSO CREATE A SEPARATE CRIMINAL OFFENSE FOR THEFT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.

UNDER CURRENT STATE LAW, HE SAYS PROSECUTORS CANNOT EASILY TELL IF SOMEONE PREVIOUSLY STOLE A CAR WERE STILL SOMETHING MORE INSIGNIFICANT.

>> NOW WE SEE THE PRIOR HISTORY OF STOLEN CARS.

I CAN GO, JUDGE, THIS IS THEIR FOURTH STOLEN CAR IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

>> Reporter: IT ALSO TURNED INTO A BAIT ON BILL REFORM.

HELPS JUDGES DETERMINE IF AN ACCUSED PERSON IN NEW JERSEY IS LIKELY TO FLEE OR REOFFEND.

ERIC PETERSON SAYS AND HAS LED TO CAR THIEVES AVOIDING JAIL TIME.

>> THE JUDGES WERE MAYBE NOT FORMALLY INSTRUCTED, BUT MAY BE ENCOURAGED TO OVERRIDE THE ALGORITHM.

THEN WE WOULD GET DISPARITY.

IMPACT DISPARITIES.

WHICH COULD BE PERCEIVED AS PREJUDICIAL IN SOME WAY.

>> YOU ARE GOING A LITTLE FAR AFIELD.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW THIS ALL COMES TOGETHER.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SMALL GROUP COMMITTING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME.

CAR THEFTS IN 2022.

WE HEARD THAT THEY WERE AT AN ALL-TIME LOW.

WENT INTO EFFECT IN 2017.

>> THERE'S GOT TO BE A BALANCE THAT KEEPS THE CRIMINALS, THE REAL CRIMINALS WHO COMMIT GUN CRIMES AND REPEAT CRIMINALS IN JAIL WHILE NOT PUTTING PEOPLE IN JAIL WHO HAVE A CHANCE TO TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND.

>> Reporter: WILLIAM SPEARMAN SAID BILL REFORM WOULD BE DISCUSSED IN THE FUTURE.

ALL FOUR OF THESE BILLS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW FACE A VOTE FROM THE FULL ASSEMBLY.

IN TRENTON, TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> AND THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE TO GO OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJREALTOR.COM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT 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.

>> 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 BE AN AMERICAN.

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

>>> THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM AND FOR ME.

IN BODY AND IN MIND.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE AND NEED FOR BOTH THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO.

BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.