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AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>> IT EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A MAJOR STEP IN COMBATING THE NATIONWIDE OPIOID CRISIS.

A PANEL OF EXPERTS AT THE FDA IS RECOMMENDING THAT NARCAN, AND NASAL SPRAY USED TO REVERSE OPIOID OVERDOSES BE SOLD OVER-THE-COUNTER WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION.

PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS HAVE LONG SAID A MOVE LIKE THIS COULD BE CRITICAL TO ENDING THE OPIOID OVERDOSES THAT HAVE KILLED MORE THAN 100,000 AMERICANS IN THE LAST YEAR AND JUST SHY OF 3000 IN NEW JERSEY ALONE.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A STATEWIDE PROGRAM THAT WILL MAKE NARCAN AVAILABLE FOR FREE AND ANONYMOUSLY AT PARTICIPATING PHARMACIES.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS IF APPROVED, A FEDERAL PROGRAM WOULD ADD TO THE INITIATIVE HERE WHERE NEARLY 150 PHARMACIES HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO PARTICIPATE.

IF THE FDA GIVES THE GREEN LIGHT, NARCAN COULD POTENTIALLY BE AVAILABLE AND VENDING MACHINES, SUPERMARKETS, BIG-BOX STORES BY THE SUMMER.

FOR MORE, I'M JOINED BY DR. LEWIS NELSON.

AN EXPERT IN OVERDOSE ADDICTION AND MANAGEMENT.

CHAIR OF MEDICINE AND RUTGERS NEW JERSEY MEDICAL SCHOOL.

DR. NELSON, THIS IS PERHAPS ONE OF THE STRONGEST MOVES WE HAVE SEEN FROM THE GOVERNMENT TO COMBAT THIS RISE IN OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THIS RECOMMENDATION?

>> IT IS VERY GOOD NEWS.

MAKING THE DRUG THE LOCKS ON ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE AT THE SCENE OF AN OVERDOSE OF EVENT IS GOING TO CHANGE THE ENTIRE WAY THAT THE EVENTS ARE HANDLED.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY AND EASILY.

WE WON'T HAVE TO GO LOOK FOR IT.

PEOPLE CAN HAVE IT ON THEIR PERSON WHEN THEY NEED IT.

>> HOW DOES THIS DIFFER FROM WHAT NEW JERSEY RECENTLY ANNOUNCED, THOUGH NOT YET IN EFFECT, WHERE FOLKS CAN ANONYMOUSLY, WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION, OBTAIN THIS DRUG?

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS METHOD?

>> IT'S NOT TOTALLY CLEAR HOW IT'S GOING TO WORK.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS BECAUSE IT WILL BE FEDERALLY AVAILABLE ON A NONPRESCRIPTION BASIS, IT'S NOT JUST NEW JERSEY THAT IS AFFECTED BUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I AM NOT CLEAR ABOUT THAT NOBODY KNOWS YET IS WHETHER THIS WILL BE OVER-THE-COUNTER, MEANING STOCKED ON THE SHELVES, OR BEHIND THE COUNTER, MEANING YOU HAVE TO ASK THE PHARMACIST FOR IT, OR LOCKED IN A PLEXIGLASS CASE LIKE RAZOR BLADES ARE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IF IT SHOWS UP ON THE SHELF LIKE ACETAMINOPHEN OR IBUPROFEN DOES, YOU CAN WALK IN AND PICK IT UP WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

IF YOU HAVE TO ASK YOUR PHARMACIST LIKE YOU CURRENTLY DO, THERE IS AN EXTRA STEP BUT IT'S UNCLEAR HOW THAT'S GOING TO WORK OUT.

THE OTHER ADVANTAGE OF HAVING SOMETHING OVER-THE-COUNTER AND BECAUSE THERE ARE NO GENERICS AVAILABLE, IT MEANS THE PRICE SHOULD COME DOWN.

NOT FREE IN MANY PLACES.

GOING TO BE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT BUT THE COST ASSOCIATED IS TYPICALLY LOWER.

>> THINGS LIKE THIS, IT CAN TAKE A FEW DOSES TO REVERSE AN OVERDOSE.

THE COST WILL BE CRUCIAL.

I'M WONDERING IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT IF IT DOES END UP BEHIND THE COUNTER.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS STIGMA INVOLVED WITH ALL OF THIS.

PARTICULARLY WITH FOLKS WHO WANT TO ASK TO HAVE THIS MEDICATION ON HAND.

>> THAT'S WHAT IT'S LIKE NOW.

JUST ONE STEP BETTER THAN HAVING TO HAVE A PRESCRIPTION AND GO USE YOUR INSURANCE OR PAY OUT CASH OR CREDIT CARD A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE.

THIS IS A DRUG MOST OFTEN NEEDED BY PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO AFFORD IT.

THE LOWER THE PRICE AND THE MORE ACCESSIBLE, THE BETTER OFF WE WILL BE.

WILL IT REMOVE STIGMA COMPLETELY?

OF COURSE NOT.

IT WILL DEFINITELY TAKE THE EDGE OFF THE CURRENT PROCESS IN ORDER TO GET THE DRUG.

>> GIVEN WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WITH THE SPIKE AND THE PREVALENCE OF FENTANYL, IS IT SOMETHING YOU WOULD RECOMMEND FAMILIES HAVE ON HAND ONCE IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, LIKE ACETAMINOPHEN OR IBUPROFEN?

>> YOU NEVER KNOW WHO USES OPIOIDS.

THE MORE ACCESSIBLE, THE BETTER OFF WE ARE.

YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO GO TO A PHARMACY AND GET IT IN TIME IN MOST CASES.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT ON YOU OR SOMEONE NEARBY.

>> DR. LEWIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

ANYTIME.

>> EXPANDED ACCESS TO THE DRUG IS ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT LED TO THE FIRST YEAR-OVER-YEAR DECREASE IN FATAL DRUG OVERDOSES IN THE LAST DECADE.

THOSE IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOT THE SAME ACROSS THE BOARD.

AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, THERE ARE STILL SPIKES HAPPENING IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.

>> DRUG ADDICTION CONTINUES TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM IN NEW JERSEY.

THERE ARE SIGNS IT COULD BE IMPROVING AS THEY RECORDED THE FIRST YEAR-TO-YEAR DECLINE IN DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS FOR THE FIRST YEAR IN A DECADE.

>> WE REALLY WANT TO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY RESPONSE.

>> A RECENT REPORT FROM THE CHIEF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER SHOWS JUST UNDER 2900 PEOPLE DIED IN 2022 FROM SUSPECTED DRUG USE.

THAT'S DOWN FROM ROUGHLY 31 FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.

THE NEW JERSEY HARM REDUCTION COALITION CREDITS IT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE LOCKS ON, WHICH CAN OVERDOSE THE EFFECTS OF OPIOIDS.

>> SAFELY BEING ABLE TO CARRY THE DRUG.

PART OF THAT IS DUE TO THE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THIS DATE WHO DISTRIBUTE NALOXONE AND TRAIN ON NALOXONE.

THE BILL THAT WAS PASSED LAST YEAR MAKING THE NALOXONE ACCESS STUDY AND LEGAL FOR EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: WHILE OVERALL DRUG-RELATED DEATHS ARE DOWN IN THE GARDEN STATE, THERE IS STILL AN INCREASE IN BLACK COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS AMONG SENIOR RESIDENTS.

ACCORDING TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE, FATAL OVERDOSES AMONG BLACK NEW JERSEYANS WERE UP 28% BETWEEN 2021 AND 2022.

FOR RESIDENTS 55 AND OLDER, IT INCREASED BY 31%.

>> WE HAVE A VERY STRONG HISTORICAL LEGACY.

A COUNTRY OF DISPARITIES AND ACCESS TO DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT.

IT HAS EXISTED IN NEW JERSEY.

PRETTY MUCH THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

AND THAT IS DEFINITELY A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

>> THE THING THAT MOSTLY IMPACTS SITUATIONS LIKE THIS IS STIGMA AND THE ACCESSIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO NALOXONE OR ACCESSIBILITY FOR EDUCATION IN THOSE TWO COMMUNITIES.

SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THE CASE OF A DRUG OVERDOSE OR EVEN EDUCATION ON THE USAGE OF OPIOIDS.

>> WHICH LESLIE HARRIS SAYS CAN BE EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR SENIORS TO GET SINCE MANY OF THEM ARE ALSO DEALING WITH CHANGES TO THEIR BODY AS THEY GET OLDER.

>> EYESIGHT.

MEDICATION REGIMENT.

THEY SOMETIMES HAVE SO MANY MEDICATIONS TO TAKE THAT THE ADDITION OF ONE MORE MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THEM.

EATING HABITS AND EXERCISE.

THESE BOTH PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART ON HOW THE OPIOID IS USED AND DISTRIBUTED IN THEIR BODIES.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER DRUGS AVAILABLE THAT CAN BE USED.

HAVING ACCESS TO RESOURCES WILL GIVE RESIDENTS THE ABILITY TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR CARE AND ULTIMATELY SAVE LIVES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THE DEATH TOLL THAT ROCKED TURKEY AND SYRIA NOW TOPS MORE THAN 40,000.

VOLUNTEERS AND RELIEF AID HAVE BEEN FLOWING IN SINCE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DISASTER STRUCK.

IN SYRIA, THE EARTHQUAKE OR SEND AN ALREADY DIRE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

RESOURCES ARE SCARCE DUE TO THE DECADE-LONG CIVIL WAR THERE.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS THE ZONE OF GREATEST CONCERN IS NORTHWESTERN SYRIA AS ANGER GROWS OVER THE SLOW DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN HEALTH -- HELP.

THOSE WHO NEED IT SAVE --FACE NEW THREATS TO THEIR SURVIVAL.

WE ARE JOINED NOW BY THE MAYOR OF PROSPECT PARK.

I JUST WANT TO GET A SENSE FROM YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE HEARING ON THE GROUND AND WHAT IS MOST NEEDED RIGHT NOW.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BRIANA.

THE REALITY IS ON THE GROUND, THERE ARE HUNDRED 72,000 SYRIANS WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF SYRIA OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE REGIME.

35,000 OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PLACED IN ABOUT 172 TEMPORARY SHELTER CENTERS.

SO FAR ONLY 100 14 PARKS TRUCK SEVEN TO THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF SYRIA.

MORE AID IS ACTUALLY GOING TO THE REGIME -CONTROLLED AREAS WHICH HAS ABOUT 12% OF THE DAMAGE IN SYRIA.

THE NEED IS VERY DIRE.

I URGE MY FELLOW NEW JERSEYANS TO DONATE ITS THROUGH ITEMS THAT ARE BEING COLLECTED AT CERTAIN CENTERS, AND WE HAVE A DONATION COMING UP IN MOUNTAIN VEIL THIS SATURDAY AND IN PATTERSON ON SUNDAY OR DONATE TO ORGANIZATIONS.

REPUTABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE SYRIAN AFFILIATIONS AND HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO GIVE DONATIONS.

WHATEVER IS THERE LOCALLY CAN BE BOUGHT TO HELP THE PEOPLE.

>> THERE IS MISINFORMATION ABOUT HUMANITARIAN AID THAT IS NOT PART OF THE SANCTIONS.

IS THERE A SENSE, THOUGH, MAYOR, THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS FAILED SYRIA?

ONLY ABOUT 5% OF THE AREA DEVASTATED HAS ACTUALLY BEEN SEARCHED.

THE SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS IS OVER.

IS THERE A SENSE THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN FILED?

>> 100%.

IF YOU LOOK INSIDE SYRIA, THE AREA NOT SERVICED BY THE REGIME, 75% OF THE AID THAT IS ARRIVING THERE RIGHT NOW IS EITHER THROUGH LOCAL EFFORTS OR FROM THE COUNTRY OF TURKEY.

THE UNITED NATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS DELIVERED 25% OF THE AID.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, IT HAS COME IN SMALL DROPS.

MANY OF THE BORDER CROSSINGS ARE NOT BEING UTILIZED, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT BEING SERVICED.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES SHOULD BE ACTING QUICKLY BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY ARE NOT IN RESCUE MODE ANYMORE AND THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE HOMES OR MEDICAL CARE AND ARE SUFFERING IN THIS COLD WEATHER.

>> MAYOR MOHAMED KHAIRULLAH OF PROSPECT PARK, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES SAY THEY'RE BEING FORCED TO MAKE A CHOICE.

GET MARRIED OR KEEP THEIR BENEFITS.

SOME MARKED THE HOLIDAY BY HOLDING A COMMITMENT CEREMONY, HIGHLIGHTING WHAT IS AT RISK IF THEY CHOOSE TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: COUPLES IN MONTCLAIR GOT DRESSED UP, EXCHANGED VOWS, AND STOPPED JUST SHORT OF GETTING LEGALLY MARRIED.

>> BY THE POWERS INVESTED IN ME, BY ME, PATRICE JENNER, I PRONOUNCE YOU ALL TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: FOR LONGTIME PARTNERS LIKE MATTHEW ARNOLD AND DIANA STAUFFER, MARRIAGE IS NOT HAPPENING ANYTIME SOON.

>> WE ARE NOT MARRIED.

>> LAST YEAR WAS OUR 25th.

>> HOW WAS IT?

>> BEAUTIFUL, ELEGANT.

>> Reporter: COUPLES WITH DISABILITIES RISK A LOT IF THEY DECIDE TO GET MARRIED.

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME, MEDICAID, HOUSING.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF POTENTIAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTS THAT FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES NEED THAT COULD BE JEOPARDIZED IF YOU GET MARRIED.

>> Reporter: PAUL ARONSON WORKS FOR THE STATE, ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> THE ASSET LIMIT FOR SOMEBODY'S $2000 PER INDIVIDUAL.

A MARRIED COUPLE IS $3000.

THEY GET PENALIZED.

THEY CANNOT DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES THEY HAVE IN THE BANK ACCOUNT.

I DON'T THINK THAT WAS INTENTIONAL, BUT IT'S LONG PAST TIME THAT WE FIX IT.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT HAPPENING.

I DO CARE.

I'M PAYING FOR IT.

IT FEELS LIKE THAT'S TAKEN AWAY FROM US.

IT SHOULD BE FOR US.

>> MATT AND DIANA WERE JUST ONE OF THE COUPLES AT MONTCLAIR STATE JOINING IN A COMMITMENT CEREMONY.

AN ADVOCATE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> I WOULD SEE PEOPLE COMING OUT OF CHURCH, WEDDINGS.

THEIR FAMILY THERE.

EVERYBODY'S ALL HAPPY AND LOOKING BEAUTIFUL.

I DID NOT UNDERSTAND HOW, COULD NOT BE ME.

>> Reporter: JENNER, LIKE OTHER ADVOCATES, CALLS THIS THE MARRIAGE PENALTY.

SHE IS OPTIMISTIC THAT LAWMAKERS WILL FIX IT IF MORE PEOPLE START TO BACK THE CAUSE.

>> IS ACTUALLY MORE OF US NOW.

IN ORDER FOR THINGS TO CHANGE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE THE CHANGE TO DO THAT.

>> THERE IS A BILL IN WASHINGTON THAT WOULD GET RID OF THE PENALTY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

JENNER THINGS IT CAN PASS.

IF IT DOES, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO CREDIT HER PERSISTENCE.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

I KNOW I'M NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

THEY'RE GOING TO EVENTUALLY DO SOMETHING BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO GET SICK OF SEEING ME.

AND THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T GIVE UP.

EVEN THOUGH SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE IT.

YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP GOING.

>> WE TALK ABOUT MARRIAGE EQUALITY ALL THE TIME.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT, AGAIN, I THINK WAS AN IMPORTANT BUT HAS PREVENTED THESE COUPLES FROM GETTING MARRIED.

IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT.

I THINK WE CAN COME TOGETHER.

PEOPLE OF GOODWILL CAN COME TOGETHER AND FIX THIS.

>> AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO GET MARRIED AND RIP THE FULL BENEFITS OF ALL THAT COMES WITH SAYING, "I DO."

IN MONTCLAIR, I'M TED GOLDBERG.

BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> LAWMAKERS TOOK --A PERSON'S RIGHT TO CODIFY OR ENTER CIVIL UNION WITH ANY RACE.

COMES AFTER THE SUPREME COURT COULD OVERTURN THE INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE RIGHT ESTABLISHED AM 56 YEARS AGO AFTER THE COURT'S DECISION LAST SUMMER OVERTURNING ABORTION RIGHTS LEFT THE DOOR OPEN TO SIMILAR CHALLENGES.

THE BILL SPONSOR ARGUES THAT THE STATE NEEDS TO TAKE A SIMILAR STANCE ON RACIAL MARRIAGE AS IT DID TO ENSHRINE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION.

CRITICS IN THE MEANWHILE, THE LEGISLATION IS RAISING AN ISSUE WHERE ONE DOES NOT YET EXIST AND THAT THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED IT TODAY TO GO ON FOR A FULL VOTE IN THE ASSEMBLY.

>>> THE LEGISLATURE ALSO FINALLY TOOK UP ONE OF THE MOST DEBATED QUESTIONS IN OUR STATE HISTORY.

WEATHER CENTRAL JERSEY EXISTS.

IT DOES AND SOME LAWMAKERS WANT TO GIVE A BOOST TO TOURISM THEIR ALONG WITH TWO OTHER PRIZED INDUSTRIES, HISTORICAL SITES, AND AGRICULTURE BUSINESS.

JOANNA GAGIS IS AT THE STATEHOUSE WITH THE LATEST.

>> A PACKAGE OF FOUR BILLS AIMED AT IMPROVING NEW JERSEY'S TOURISM INDUSTRY MOVED EASILY THROUGH TWO ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES TODAY.

THE TOURISM GAMING AND ARTS COMMITTEE AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY COMMITTEE.

THE BILLS WOULD INVEST MORE MONEY INTO THE STATE TOURISM AND ADVERTISING EFFORTS, CREATING MORE REGIONAL ORDINATION SO THAT SOME OF THE TOURISM WEALTH WOULD GO TO LOCATIONS OTHER THAN THE SHORE.

>> THIS IS GOING TO ALLOCATE $2.5 MILLION.

WHAT IS NUTTY IS THAT WE HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE AND WE ARE THE GARDEN STATE.

LET'S CELEBRATE AND PROMOTE OUR AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE.

WHEN WE DO THAT, WE LIFT UP LOCAL ECONOMIES.

>> THE IDEA BEHIND ONE BILL PROMOTING THE AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM INDUSTRY.

APPLE PICKING OR VISITING WINERIES AND BREWERIES.

THE BILL WOULD HELP INDIVIDUAL LOCATIONS ADVERTISE TO GET FOLKS AT MORE ESTABLISHMENTS DURING THOSE OUTINGS.

>> THEY COME TO A COMMUNITY TO GO APPLE PICKING.

RICK AND I HAVE DINNER?

WHERE CAN I HAVE LUNCH?

WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES CAN I TAKE MY KIDS TO?

DOING THOSE TRAILS AND GOING FROM ONE FORM TO ANOTHER FARM.

THEN OKAY, WHERE CAN WE STAY THE NIGHT?

>> Reporter: ONE BILL, BRAVELY, PERHAPS FOR THE FIRST TIME, TAKES ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THERE IS A CENTRAL JERSEY.

>> THE ANSWER IS YES.

>> Reporter: IT WOULD SHIFT FROM SIX TOURISM ZONES TO SIMPLY NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH.

>> WITHIN THOSE, LET'S HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY FOR THOSE REGIONS TO FURTHER DIVIDE.

WE KNOW NORTH JERSEY IS CLOSER TO THE CITY, METROPOLITAN.

OUT WEST, THERE IS A SKIING.

THE SAME THING IS TRUE AND ALL THE OTHER REGIONS.

DIFFERENT FLAVORS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

>> Reporter: THIS INCLUDES A ROADSIDE SIGNAGE PROGRAM SO DRIVERS CAN MORE EASILY SEE NEARBY HISTORIC SITES.

AN IMPORTANT EFFORT IS THE NATION PREPARES TO CELEBRATE ITS 250th ANNIVERSARY.

>> GETTING ATTENTION TO NEW JERSEY'S HISTORICAL SITES WHICH MAY BE OVERLOOKED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE EVEN IN NEW JERSEY.

THE IDEA IS THAT TOURISTS SPEND DOLLARS WHEN THEY VISIT OR STAY IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT COULD BE STAYING AT OUR HOTELS AND MOTELS, VISITING OUR RESTAURANTS.

OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO STATE TAXATION.

>> THIS IS ABOUT NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY.

THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE AMAZING STATE THAT WE LIVE IN.

>> THE BILL PACKAGE RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM SEVERAL OF THE COMMERCE AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS.

>> ARCHER ROOMS --OUR TOURISM ECONOMY HAS NOT FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE PANDEMIC.

THE JOBS THERE, THE WAGE BENEFITS THAT WE ALL WANT.

THESE BILLS WILL HELP BETTER PLAN FOR THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY AND TOURISM.

THE BILLS BETTER SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY.

>> THE BILL IS A LONG WAY TO GO.

THE GOAL FOLKS IN THE ROOM TODAY WAS THAT THE ADVERTISING SYSTEMS IN PLACE NOW BEFORE BIGGER EVENTS, LIKE THE WORLD CUP, COME INTO NEW JERSEY IN 2026.

IN TRENTON, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> ONE INDUSTRY THAT SEEMS TO BE DOING JUST FINE IN NEW JERSEY IS GAMBLING.

PRELIMINARY NUMBERS FROM THE DIVISION OF GAMING ENFORCEMENT SHOW THAT LEGAL BATS ON THIS PAST SUNDAY'S SUPER BOWL TOPPED $109 MILLION.

THOSE WERE PLACED AT SPORTS BOOK RUN BY CASINOS, RACETRACKS, AND MOBILE APPS.

DOWN A BIT LAST YEAR FROM 117 MILLION ON THE GAME.

BUT THEY ARE REPORTING THE BEST YEAR IN HISTORY IN THE U.S., BRINGING IN $60 BILLION.

THE MAJORITY COMING FROM IN PERSON GAMBLING.

THE SECOND HIGHEST IN PERSON BETTING NUMBERS AFTER VEGAS, RAKING AND NEARLY $3 BILLION IN 2022.

UP ABOUT 8.5% FROM A YEAR AGO ALL FROM TABLE GAMES, SLOTS, AND SPORTS BETS PLACED IN PERSON.

IT COMES AS PROBLEM GAMBLING IS ON THE RISE.

THE STATE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED IT WILL REQUIRE CASINOS TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AND OFFER HELP TO GAMBLERS WHO MAY BE AT RISK FOR ADDICTION.

>>> TURNING TO WALL STREET, HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED TODAY.

>>> A REMINDER TO CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

PARENTS OF YOUNG KIDS WILL WANT TO WATCH FOR A LOOK AT THE COST OF EDUCATION FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH COLLEGE.

THEN SHE DIVES INTO NEWLY PROPOSED ROLES TO REIN IN SPENDING AT HIGHER-END INSTITUTIONS.

PLUS THE IMPACT OF CHARTER SCHOOL EXPANSION ON OUR STATE.

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

>>> IT'S LOOKING MORE LIKE A VESSEL STRIKE IS TO BLAME FOR THE WHALE THAT WASHED UP ON SHORE THIS WEEK.

A REPRESENTATIVE FROM NOAA SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT TESTS INDICATE THE 35 FOOT HUMPBACK WHALE WAS STRUCK BY A BOAT OR SHIP, WHICH SUPPORTS WHAT THE FEDERAL AGENCY SUSPECTED AS THE REASON BEHIND A SERIES OF DEAD WHALES WASHING UP IN THE REGION.

SINCE DECEMBER 1st, SIX DEAD HUMPBACK WHALES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN NEW JERSEY.

THREE OTHERS IN NEW YORK.

A TENT WAS REPORTED FLOATING OFF THE SHORES IN JANUARY BUT HAS NOT BEEN SEEN SINCE THEN.

LAWMAKERS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT TO STOP UNTIL IT IS DETERMINED WHETHER THE ROLE PLAYS A PART IN WELL DEATHS DESPITE OFFICIAL SAYING NO EVIDENCE LINKS THE TWO.

THE LATEST CAUSE OF WHALE DEATH, IF ONE CAN BE FOUND, COULD TAKE WEEKS OR EVEN MONTHS.

>>> WE WANT TO REMIND YOU ABOUT OUR LATEST DIGITAL PROJECT.

WATER' EDGE.

TRIALS AND TRIBUTARY OF THE DELAWARE RIVER WATERSHED.

THE TROUBLED HISTORY OF THE TRANSFORMATION FROM A POLLUTED BODY OF WATER FULL OF SEWAGE AND CHEMICAL WASTE TO A RECREATIONAL DESTINATION.

CLEANUP IS FAR FROM OVER AND NEW THREATS LOOM.

ALBUMS CAUSED BY DEVELOPMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND RAPID URBANIZATION ARE ALL THREATENING THE WATERSHED, WHICH SUPPORTS THE RIVER AND PROVIDES A WATER SYSTEM TO MORE THAN 10 MILLION PEOPLE.

OUR DIGITAL REPORTERS EXPLORED THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN TO BRING YOU FOUR REGIONS.

THE PINELANDS, THE BAYSHORE, THE URBAN BANKS OF CAMDEN COUNTY.

IF YOU GO TO SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG, JEFF PHILLIPS TAKES US TO THE PINELANDS.

ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSES ARE INCREASINGLY AFFECT THE WATER QUALITY OF THE DELAWARE RIVER AND BAY REGION.

>> THE WATER IN THE PINELANDS IS, STILL TO THIS DAY, SOME OF THE CLEANEST IN THE WORLD.

IT'S ALMOST AS CLEAN AS MELTED GLACIER WATER.

BACTERIALLY STERILE, SOME PEOPLE CALL IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF IT.

THAT'S THE MAIN THING ABOUT THE PINELANDS.

THERE'S LIKE 18 TRILLION GALLONS OF WATER UNDERNEATH THE GROUND IN THIS AREA.

INCREASINGLY, IT IS BEING DRAWN OUT FOR RESIDENTIAL USE, FOR COMMERCIAL USE.

SOMETHING LIKE 35 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER COMING OUT OF THE PINELANDS AQUIFER EVERY YEAR.

AND IT'S GROWING RAPIDLY.

THE WATER LEVELS OF THE AQUIFER HAVE DIPPED IN THE LAST DECADE OR SO PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY.

SO THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT IT IS UNDER THREAT.

NOT JUST FROM DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE PINES, BUT FROM THE ENCROACHMENT OF WATER FROM THE BAY, FROM UP THE BAY, AND FROM ALL SIDES, REALLY.

YOU SEE SALINITY CREEPING INTO IT AND SULFUR CREEPING INTO IT.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

SEE YOU 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.

>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE, OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

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

ORSTED.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.