>> Major funding for NJ Spotlight News is provided by NJM Insurance group, serving the insurance needs of residents and businesses for more than 100 years.

>> Tonight, Andy Kim trumps, cementing a lead despite Murphy holding most of the party line.

>> Don't count her out.

On the other hand, they are saying we can win grassroots.

>> Plus, and illegal nightclub crackdown.

>> Newly one in five shootings >>.

Businesses in the state are under scrutiny.

>> You play out scenarios.

>> NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

>>This is NJ spotlight news.

>> Good evening.

Andy Kim delivered a decisive blow this weekend, winning the backing of the Democratic party.

Especially because it was in the home county.

Saturday's convention saw hundreds of local party leaders along with rank-and-file members for the June 6 primary.

Passaic County the water or the line.

While these are mostly symbolic events, it shows the momentum they are garnering which could prove critical.

The senior political respondent reports.

>> If you look at Saturday's convention, you know that winning here does not guarantee a victory.

So, the trouncing is big but certainly not determinative.

>> I think this really shows that the races is up for grabs.

There was a lot of thinking because of the power of their family.

There's nothing unstoppable here.

>> Indeed, Monmouth produces around 6% of the Democratic voters.

Tammy Murphy has already won the line and benefits thereof.

>> Don't count her out just yet.

On the other hand, Andy Kim is saying we can win even in the machine counties.

We can win votes and committee people in Essex County, in Hudson County.

We can compete and get grassroots.

A machine vote is not necessarily the indication.

>> We could not get anyone from the Murphy campaign to talk with us but the former state chairman says there is of time for Murphy to recalibrate.

>> The first endorsements of the state were Leroy Jones in a top-down effect.

That rattles folks at the top-down level, I think it's a little unfair because I know Tammy Murphy.

The first thing they got to read was Bob Menendez as gold bars and we are going to speak for you.

That is what rattled the rank-and-file.

>> She got around 4% of the vote this weekend and said this is a year where party bosses are facing their own challenge.

>> This was a test of her operation.

Now, Andy Kim is being added.

It is a big blow to their belief that they did not have to work that hard to earn trust.

>> In the end, only three presidents since 1970 21 the Iowa caucus and three Iowa losers went on to win the presidency.

A win is a win and in a closely watched primary, the momentum is officially with this weekend's winter.

>> For years, Patterson residents have complained about illegal nightclubs.

With a state appointed officer in charge, leaders are planning to tackle the problem, deploying a task force to take down the illicit operations.

>> Everyone agrees that this is a cancer on the city.

>> The top cop says illegal nightclubs have operated for years but it is now the target of a new police task force that will try and block a criminal pipeline he says it stretches across the river into New York.

>> We are importing problems from New York, from other counties and cities around New Jersey.

Bringing them into Patterson because this has gone on for too long.

>> The officer in charge said the clubs often flourish in neighborhoods where they impact quality of life and set the stage for serious criminal activity.

>> These are not just places for people to drink.

These are places where you see human trafficking, narcotics, assaults.

Victimization.

Nearly one in five shootings stem from or have some nexus to illegal nightlife activity.

>> Part of the problem is the lack of regulation.

They fear they can operate under any consequences.

>> Supports the plan that will partner Cops with state divisions of criminal justice an alcoholic beverage control, plus resources and will prosecute both criminal and civil offenses.

>> The owner of the property, the patrons themselves, the person in control, the DJ, everyone is going to be subject to the strictest enforcement possible and it is going to be costly.

>> It's going on a year since the crackdown.

It's part of the mission to improve quality of life and transparency of police operations.

Protesters called for reforms in the wake of high-profile police shootings including a case last March.

A recent report of internal affairs investigations shows 18 Patterson officers spent the last year compared to one the year prior and 34 sustained complaints compared to just a couple in 2022.

The crime rate also declined last year.

>> Does he feel like it's any better or safer?

>> I have not seen crime committed like in the last six months.

>> Meanwhile, the police department is challenging the takeover and or.

>> We are saying he does not have the authority.

>> You are seeing the crime rate go down.

Police officers.

>> The crime rate was going down before.

>> The nightclub task force will hit the ground running starting this spring.

He warned operators to consider it a heads up.

In Patterson, NJ Spotlight News.

>> A major overhaul is in the works for the affordable housing system, with lawmakers in the state assembly proving -- approving a significant measure that will revamp how each obligations are determined and officially abolishing the Council that was tasked with overseeing the program.

Joanna is in Trenton with the latest.

>> And package was voted on in the assembly today.

Experts say the state needs to develop 200,000 or hundred -- affordable housing units, but how to do that has been a point of contention for years.

The bills failed in the last session but seems to be picking up's -- up steam.

The most contentious bill would abolish the Council on affordable housing and develop a new oversight body.

>> Builders could leverage the courts.

Fundamentally the character of small towns, several in my district are seeing flooding because they have high-rises, pavement being put in.

>> The party prides itself, they view it on an unfunded mandate.

>> Is patently unfair for the strict timeline, and if they can't agree to comply with it they will be fine.

I think the legislature should be looking again.

Going back to taking the community I'm going into communities that are devastated and redeveloping them.

>> The support of several groups , the New Jersey working families party and the housing center whose Executive Director pushed back on the GOP perspective.

>> It's framed as an unfunded mandate and when people try to build warehouses or office parks, you don't hear the same interns.

We have been affordable -- building affordable housing.

>> The bill heard hours of testimony.

[INDISCERNIBLE] >> We are finding ways to build housing.

It could take five or $7,000 a month.

For families of children with disabilities.

>> It passed along party lines.

In Trenton, I am Joanna Gagis.

>> Thank you, Joanna.

In our spotlight on business, we may all be from one state and there is no denying the distances and rivalry between North and South Jersey.

The Chamber of Commerce is shedding light, issuing a report to help policymakers understand what is unique about the southern counties, a region that says they are misunderstood by lawmakers.

The chambers president and CEO says there is a host of possibilities that could lead to more economic growth if the state takes this opportunity to initiate them.

She joins me, next.

Great to talk to you.

This is a really clear picture of what South Jersey is up against.

Why did you need to see the need to break it out as a different area?

>> That is the exact reason why.

There seems in many ways to be.

The truth of the matter is is extremely diverse.

They hope to enlighten lawmakers.

Despite those different dynamics , there are key issues that you all layout among the seven counties.

What are they?

>> For bank issues.

That would be mass transit, lack of transportation options and infrastructure.

Broadband access or ability to access devices needed to access the Internet.

The need for incentives that take into consideration the dynamics, and affordable housing options in general.

As we went County by County, they are the four bank themes that seem to be impediments.

>> Why have there not been the type of investment that we have seen elsewhere in the state?

>> Population has a lot to do with it.

Naturally they would be lower.

At the end of the day, in order to grow economically, bringing businesses, we need to have opportunities you can get to.

>> What are the policy suggestions?

I'm thinking about Atlantic City and Cape May but we don't always see that happen year-round.

>> They are really interesting examples.

All have dominant industries that I think when outside lawmakers from outside the region think of those counties, they think casino gaming.

That ends up being a real impediments to greater economic growth because a lot of state dollars goes to that industry.

What we are shining a light on are those other areas that are poised for development.

>> I found it interesting that when it comes to warehouses and development, it was listed as both helping the economy but is also a challenge.

>> It's a little bit of a mixed bag.

You're seeing lawmakers struggle.

South Jersey is not separate from that conversation.

There are pockets of the region that those warehousing and distribution centers bring.

>> It's a complicated issue.

How to create holistic policy that helps where the industry can grow, and the concerns of others definitely had some counties and it's more important than others.

>> Thank you so much.

>> Stocks edged higher after the S&P 500 reached a historic close last week.

The question is, can the market sustain tomorrow's inflation update?

Here is how stocks closed.

>> We review with an alarming trend making life more difficult for New Jersey's blind references.

Everything from hotels and restaurants, to write shares.

Venues have started cracking down.

>> It is independence.

It's a new freedom.

>> People like Kyle and Melissa depend on God logs -- guide dogs.

>> If it was not safe and I thought it was, she knows to intelligently disobey me.

She says Luna is more helpful.

>> I need to move swiftly around people, around obstacles on the sidewalk.

>> If you are using a white cane and having to find obstacles, it takes the guesswork out.

>> Even though the service animals have been helping for years, they are seeing a troubling trend.

Businesses discriminate.

>> I've had it happen multiple times.

>> It can be tricky.

He and Bailey have been denied a ride even though it violates the Americans with disability act.

>> I said it's again for he said he did not care.

>> Hotels are also breaking the law if they force her to stay on a pet friendly floor.

>> If something happens to her, that could end our partnership forever.

Unless is the only room left and it's a whole different story.

>> Restaurants can be hit-or-miss.

It adds up for aggravation.

>> They told me I could only sit outside.

It is exhausting.

It's upsetting.

My wife and I are being blind and we try really hard to make sure he understands blindness is just a minor inconvenience.

>> Play out scenarios and it can be emotionally taxing.

>> Considering it's illegal to deny service, the solution is education and rideshare companies particular need to do a better job of teaching employees.

>> No one can know all the laws but it's about being educated and not setting them up to fail.

>> Last month, they focused on raising support.

In Morristown, I am Ted Goldberg.

>> That does it for us tonight.

Don't forget to download the podcast so you can listen anytime.

For the entire NJ Spotlight News team, thanks for being with us.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

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And RWJBarnabas health, let's be , healthy together.

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Supporting arts, culture related nonprofit organizations, rebuild communities and help to create a new generation of safe drivers.

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