FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS, MORE INFORMATION ONLINE, AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

IN AN EMOTIONAL BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT THAT SEEMED TO NEVER END, STUDENTS AND PARENTS LINED UP TO DETAIL THE HORRORS AND BULLYING THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THEIR CENTRAL REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN OCEAN COUNTY, THE SAME SCHOOL WHERE 14-YEAR-OLD, ADRIANA KUCH WAS ATTACKED AND BRUTALLY BEATEN BY CLASSMATES AND THE VIDEO WAS LATER POSTED ONLINE.

SHE TOOK HER LIFE FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN ATTENDED THE MEETING LAST NIGHT TO HEAR THE EMOTIONAL TESTIMONY FROM STUDENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS AND TO SEE WHETHER THE DISTRICT WOULD TAKE ANY ACCOUNTABILITY FOR WHAT SOME SAY HAS BEEN A CULTURE OF HARASSMENT AND BULLYING.

>> I HAVE TRIED SO HARD TO JUST STOP, IT IS SO HARD FOR YOU GUYS TO LISTEN TO ME, FOR EVERYBODY HERE, JUST LISTEN TO US.

>> A BULLYING CRISIS AT CENTRAL REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, AS MANY OF THE STUDENTS TOLD STORIES OF GETTING TORMENTED OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

SENIOR DANIELA ACCUSED THE SCHOOL BOARD OF IGNORING THEIR PAIN.

>> THESE STUDENTS DO NOT FEEL PROTECTED.

I FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE COMPLETELY ABANDONED ME.

>> SHE DESCRIBED HER TERROR AS SHE GOT THREATS FROM BULLIES IN CLASS.

>> THEY TOLD US THAT THEY KNEW WHERE WE LIVED IN THEY WERE GOING TO SEND PEOPLE TO OUR HOUSE, AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TOLD ME TO SWITCH CLASSES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR TO GET AWAY FROM THESE KIDS OR JUST SUCK IT UP.

>> WE ARE TERRIFIED WE ARE GOING TO GET PICKED ON AND BULLIED AND JUMPED BECAUSE THAT IS ALL THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THESE PAST FEW WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THE BOARD MEETING BEGAN WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR 14-YEAR-OLD, ADRIANA KUCH WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE AFTER CLASSMATES ASSAULTED HER AND POSTED A VIDEO OF THE ATTACK ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

HER DEATH PUT A NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT ON THE DISTRICT AND GALVANIZED THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TO DEMAND CHANGE.

>> IT SHOULDN'T TAKE A CHILD TAKING THEIR OWN LIFE FOR US TO CHANGE.

IT SHOULD NEVER GET TO THAT POINT.

A CHILD SHOULD NOT HAVE THOSE THOUGHTS.

A CHILD SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENTER SCHOOL AND FEEL SAFE.

>> Reporter: SPEAKER AFTER SPEAKER DESCRIBE THE ENTRENCHED CULTURE OF VIOLENCE IN THE DISTRICT WHERE VERBAL AND PHYSICAL ASSAULT AND SOCIAL MEDIA SHAMING USUALLY ENDED IN SUSPENSION THAT OFTEN UNFAIRLY INCLUDED VICTIMS THAT DID LITTLE TO STOP THE PATTERN OF ABUSE.

>> I HAD PICTURES TAKEN OF ME, I HAD THEM POSTED ON SNAPCHAT, EVERY SINGLE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM, AND I HAVE BEEN SUICIDAL IN THE PAST BECAUSE OF THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO ME AT SCHOOL.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO IGNORE IT, TO BE THE BIGGER PERSON AND WALK AWAY.

>> Reporter: THE CROWD VENTED THEIR FRUSTRATION FOR HOURS AT THE BOARD, PARENTS WHO HAVE TRIED TO GET HELP FOR BULLIED TEENAGERS TO NO AVAIL SAY THEY ARE DEEPLY ALARMED.

>> YOU MONSTERS ARE GOING TO BE WHO IS PROTECTING HER, AND I'M SCARED.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU.

AFTER BEING CALLED THE N-WORD MANY TIMES, I HAVE TO ADMIT TO YOU ALL, IT BOTHERS ME TO HEAR YOU ALL SAY, YOUR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN BULLIED FOR YEARS.

WHAT?

WHY IS THAT HAPPENING?

>> I TOTALLY AGREE, WE HAVE TO DO BETTER.

>> Reporter: THE BOARD PROMISED CHANGE BUT EARLIER AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT SAID HE HADN'T OBSERVED A CLIMATE OF VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOLS HERE.

>> WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF GOOD KIDS DOING A LOT OF GOOD THINGS.

THERE IS NOT A CULTURE OF VIOLENCE.

DO THESE THINGS OCCUR?

OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW THAT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND IN EVERY SCHOOL, WE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO PREVENT THAT.

>> Reporter: HE OUTLINED INITIATIVES TO DEFUSE TENSIONS, THEY INCLUDE CREATING A STEERING COMMITTEE WITH PARENTS TO UPDATE THE DISTRICT BULLYING POLICY, RETAINING AN OUTSIDE EXPERT TO ANALYZE POLICIES AND ACTIONS, SCHEDULING A STUDENT ASSEMBLY TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM AND ESTABLISHING A TOLL-FREE HOTLINE FOR STUDENTS WHO FEEL THREATENED.

BUT, SOME PARENTS TONIGHT WANT BIGGER CHANGES.

>> IT'S REALLY ON US, WE ARE THE ONES WHO ELECTED YOU GUYS, RIGHT?

WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE FOLD AGAIN, I GUARANTEE YOU THAT.

>> Reporter: THE BOARD LISTENED FOR HOURS, THEY OUTLINED A INACTION PLAN BUT THE SPEAKERS MADE A VERY CLEAR THEY ARE OUT OF PATIENCE WITH THE BOARD AND THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE LEFT EITHER.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN A RARE INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILWOMAN AMY, DAVID KRUSE GOT TO ASK A QUESTION THAT MANY HAVE BEEN DEMANDING IN THE WAKE OF HER HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT LAST SUMMER.

SHE SLAMMED INTO A PERSON AFTER RUNNING A RED LIGHT, SHE REFUSED TO RESIGN, AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT, SHE WAS FINED $5000 AND LOST HER LICENSE FOR A YEAR.

IN HER CONVERSATION WITH DAVID LAST NIGHT, SHE DEFENDED HER DECISION TO REMAIN IN OFFICE, CLAIMING SHE HAD NO IDEA SHE HIT ANYONE.

HERE'S A PORTION OF THAT CONVERSATION.

>> WHAT HAPPENED?

>> I HIT A BAD BUMP, OR AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT IT FELT LIKE, AT THAT TIME OF DAY, THE SUNSHINE IS GLARING INTO THE WINDSHIELD.

I FELT LIKE I HAD A CLEAR VISION BUT OBVIOUSLY WITH THE SUNSHINE AND WITH SUNGLASSES ON, I HIT WHAT FELT LIKE A BAD BUMP AND UNFORTUNATELY INSTEAD OF PULLING OVER AND ASSESSING THE SITUATION, MY MIND DEFAULTED TO WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST REASONABLE THING THAT JUST HAPPENED, YOU HIT A BATTLE OR A POTHOLE, AND I CONTINUED AND WENT TO WORK.

>> WITH THE AFTERMATH OF THIS, LET'S START WITH THE CCTV VIDEO, IT LOOKS TERRIBLE, WE SHOULD SAY JUST FOR THE RECORD THAT THE CYCLIST WAS GOING INTO THE INTERSECTION AGAINST THE LIGHT.

BUT, WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THAT AND YOU DIDN'T STOP OR PUMP THE BRAKES AT ALL, I HAVE TO SAY, IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT YOU DIDN'T SEE HIM BUT YOUR TESTIMONY IS THAT YOU ARE SAYING YOU DIDN'T HIT HIM BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, TELL ME WHAT YOU THOUGHT WHEN YOU FIRST SAW THAT VIDEO.

>> IT IS HARD TO WATCH, IT STILL IS VERY HARD TO WATCH, IT IS TWO OR THREE SECONDS AND IT REALLY MAKES YOU QUESTION, WHAT ELSE DO YOU NOT PROCESSED CORRECTLY OR JUST MISS?

WHAT ELSE DO YOU MISS?

I WAS, AND I'M STILL AFRAID DRIVING, I'M OBVIOUSLY NOT DRIVING AT THIS TIME, BUT DRIVING WAS VERY HELPFUL FOR ME FOR A LONG TIME.

>> WERE YOU WITH YOUR FIANCE AT THE TIME?

>> I WAS WITH MY FIANCE, YES, AND MY DAD AS WELL.

I WANTED TO THROW UP.

BECAUSE MY MIND, I'M THINKING, IS THAT ME?

BUT, I DIDN'T BREAK OR SWERVE LIKE A NATURAL THING, IT IS REALLY HARD TO RECONSTRUCT THOSE MOMENTS, LIKE YOU GO BACK AND YOU SAY, WHAT DID YOU DO THIS MORNING?

IT IS REALLY EASY TO WATCH SOMETHING AND PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER BUT WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO BACK INTO YOUR MEMORY OF THAT DAY, OR OF ANY DAY, SOMETIMES IT IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO PIECE IT TOGETHER, SO MY MIND WAS PIECING THINGS TOGETHER AND I SAID THE SAME THING, HOW DID I NOT SEE THAT?

AND AT THIS POINT, I REMEMBER THEY ASKED, DID I HAVE THE GREEN LIGHT?

AND I SAID, I THINK I DID.

EVEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T SIT DOWN AND RECORD EVERY MOMENT, YOU DON'T LOG EVERY MOMENT, SO SEEING THAT, AND THINKING OKAY, I HAVE THE GREEN LIGHT, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON A NORMAL ROUTE I WOULD TAKE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE CALLING FOR YOU TO RESIGN, DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.

YOU SAY YOU WON'T RESIGN.

WHY WON'T YOU JUST RESIGN AND SHUT EVERYBODY UP, FOR LACK OF A BETTER DESCRIPTION?

>> OBVIOUSLY, THE OUTCRY BROUGHT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO ME, PEOPLE WOULD BUMP INTO ME ON THE STREET OR REACH OUT WITH SENSIBLE CONVERSATION, I WOULD ENGAGE IN, AND I FELT LIKE AFTER HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEBODY WHO TOOK MAJOR ISSUE WITH WHAT HAPPENED AND NO LONGER WANTED TO TRUST ME OR SEE ME AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, AFTER ONE CONVERSATION, I FELT LIKE I WAS ABLE TO ESTABLISH MYSELF AS SOMEONE WHO MADE A MISTAKE, TO LEARN FROM IT.

WHO, IT'LL BE FOREVER INGRAINED IN ME, BUT MY MISSION TO MAKE MY HOME BETTER HAS NOT CHANGED, IT HAS INTENSIFIED, IT HAS GOTTEN STRONGER.

THOSE WHO CHOSE NOT TO SIT DOWN WITH ME DESPITE BEING INVITED, THOSE WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO MAINTAIN THEIR POSITION AND OUT OF ANGER, I FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES IT IS MOTIVATED BY NOT WANTING TO, YOU KNOW, IT IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE I'M A BAD PERSON AND DID A BAD THING, THEY DIDN'T LIKE ME TO BEGIN WITH AND THEY NEVER WILL.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON CHAT BOX THIS WEEKEND, SATURDAY AT 6:30 AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 ON NJ PBS.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK, YOU CAN TURN IN TO POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ, THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON NJ PBS.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY AND THE FIRST LADY MADE A STOP IN UKRAINE YESTERDAY, THE VISIT COMING BEFORE THE GOVERNOR'S SCHEDULED PARTICIPATION AT THE MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE IN GERMANY TODAY, WHILE IN UKRAINE, THEY MET WITH POLITICAL LEADERS, MEMBERS OF THE UKRAINE MILITARY AND REFUGEES INCLUDING KIDS WHO HAVE BEEN ORPHANED BY THE WAR.

MURPHY IS THE FIRST U.S.

GOVERNOR TO VISIT THE COUNTRY SINCE THE WAR BEGAN ALMOST A YEAR AGO.

HE LED A PANEL DISCUSSION AT THE MUNICH CONFERENCE TODAY WHERE KAMALA HARRIS WAS ALSO IN ATTENDANCE AND THE WAR IN UKRAINE WAS THE PRIMARY FOCUS.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY ADDRESSED NATO ALLIES URGING THEM TO SPEED UP THEIR SUPPORT, INCLUDING FASTER DELIVERY OF WEAPONS SAYING THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON THAT SPEED.

THIS MARKS THE FIRST YEAR RUSSIAN OFFICIALS WERE NOT INVITED TO THE MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE.

>>> SENATOR CORY BOOKER JOINED WITH OTHER OFFICIALS TODAY TO ATTEND A PRAYER SERVICE AT PATTERSON'S UNITED ISLAMIC CENTER, ONE OF THE LARGEST TURKISH MOSQUES IN NEW JERSEY.

THEY GATHERED IN SUPPORT OF THOSE IMPACTED BY THE EARTHQUAKES, WHERE THE DEATH TOLL IS NOW NEARING 44,000.

BOOKER JOINED WITH PATTERSON MAYOR AND THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S., THE AMBASSADOR THANKED THE CONGREGATION FOR THEIR DONATIONS.

MEANWHILE, CONGRESS IS NOW WORKING ON A PROPOSAL TO PUTTING A PACKAGE TOGETHER FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS AND BOOKER SAID THE U.S. IS SENDING SEARCH AND RESCUE SUPPORT AS WELL AS FOOD AND OTHER AID TO TURKEY WHICH IS A NATO ALLY AS WELL AS WORKING WITH TURKEY TO GET MORE AID INTO WAR-TORN SYRIA.

>> THERE IS A REAL CHALLENGE WE HAVE GIVEN WHAT IS GOING ON IN SYRIA AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING AID TO THE AREAS THAT IS NOT CONTROLLED, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ABLE TO HELP THE DESPERATE SITUATION THERE AS WELL.

SO WE ARE MOVING RIGHT NOW WITH LITERALLY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF RESOURCES.

>> THE TROUBLED VETERANS HOME IN EDISON IS FACING MORE THAN $320,000 IN FINES STEMMING FROM VIOLATIONS THAT FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS FOUND THE SUMMER.

THOSE VIOLATIONS FROM THE U.S. CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID INCLUDE CHARGES OF IMPROPER CARE AND ABUSE THAT PUT LIVES OF RESIDENTS IN IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY AND THREATENED TO SHUT DOWN THE FACILITY.

SEVERAL OF THOSE VIOLATIONS WERE ADDRESSED IN DECEMBER UNDER A MISSION-CRITICAL RESPONSE THAT INCLUDED A REVAMP OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND IMPROVEMENTS TO INFECTION CONTROL STRATEGIES AT THE HOME, BUT NEWS COMES JUST DAYS AFTER THE STATE ANNOUNCED ADMISSIONS TO THE NURSING HOME HAVE RESUMED IN THE FACILITY WAS DEEMED TO BE IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL STANDARDS.

THE MENLO PARK HOME ISN'T THE ONLY ONE FACING FINES, THE STATES TWO OTHER VETERANS HOMES ARE ALSO FACING THOUSANDS IN FINES SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

>>> BUS RIDERS IN NEW JERSEY SAY THE SERVICE IS UNPREDICTABLE AND OFTEN TIMES UNSAFE.

THEY ARE DEMANDING A BILL OF RIGHTS, A LAUNDRY LIST OF PROTECTIONS THAT PEOPLE SAY ARE LONG OVERDUE.

THE LIST OF IMPROVEMENTS WERE OUTLINED IN THE BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE FOR MORE FREQUENT AND RELIABLE BUS SERVICE, CLEAN AND SAFE BUSES, MORE EQUITABLE FAIRS AND BETTER TRAINED BUS DRIVERS.

THEY HEARD THE COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE DURING THE OPEN DISCUSSION ON THE BILL.

>> WE FREQUENTLY HEAR PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED WITH BUSES THAT NEVER SHOW UP, BUSES THAT ARE RELATED, OPERATORS WHO ARE UNABLE TO ACCOMMODATE ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS.

>> ADVOCATES OF NEW JERSEY TRANSIT RIDERS SHOW THEIR LONG LIST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BUS SERVICE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENCE AUTHORITY COMMITTEE.

>> A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE BEING PACKED IN BUSES, THERE WASN'T ENOUGH BUSES ON THE LINE.

PEOPLE TOOK VIDEOS, I EVEN SENT ONE TO NEW JERSEY TRANSIT, OF PEOPLE HAVING LONG LINES AND EVERYBODY BEING STUFFED INTO THE BUS.

>> THEIR TESTIMONY WAS IN PART TO HELP PUSH THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS WHICH WOULD ENSURE FREQUENT AND RELIABLE SERVICE, CLEAN AND SAFE BUSES WHILE TREATING RIDERS WITH AN EQUITABLE STRUCTURE.

THE >> THEY ARE LEFT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAITING FOR A BUS SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T COME, OR SOMETIMES COMES LATE AND IS FULL, AND THIS IS ABOUT GIVING THEM A VOICE AND GIVING BUS RIDERS A BILL OF RIGHTS AND TO ALSO MAKE THINGS BETTER AT NEW JERSEY TRANSIT, WE NEED RELIABLE FUNDING TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN HAVE MORE BUS SERVICE.

>> TRANSIT IS CRITICAL TO THE LIVELIHOODS INTO THE BASIC FUNCTIONING FOR ANY PERSON EXISTING IN SOCIETY AND WHEN IT DOESN'T EXIST, IT DOES NOT JUST IMPACT WORK, WE HAVE TO STOP THINKING JUST ABOUT WORK.

IF YOU CAN'T SEE YOUR GRANDMA OR YOUR KIDS, IF YOU CAN'T GET TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT IN A RATIONAL AMOUNT OF TIME, IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY HARD, YOU ARE PHYSICALLY STUCK.

>> A VETERAN SHARED HIS EXPERIENCE BEING ABANDONED AT NEW JERSEY TRANSIT BUS STOPS, ALSO A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION, HE SHARED HIS FRUSTRATION NOT JUST ABOUT THE LACK OF SERVICE BUT ALSO THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

>> WHEN I TRIED TO FIND SPECIFIC BUS ROUTES COMING BACK, DRIVERS JUST BLOW OFF, WHAT BUS IS THIS?

WELL, YOU CAN'T SEE IT?

I'M SITTING THERE WITH MY CANE, WELL, YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT BUS I AM?

AND THEY CLOSE THE DOOR ON ME.

>> HIS FRUSTRATIONS ECHOED BY A COMMITTEE MEMBER.

>> I USED TO GIVE UP WHEN THE SERVICES WERE NOT RELIABLE.

>> THEY ARE NOT UPDATED.

IF MY HUSBAND IS NOT WITH ME OR NOBODY CAN HELP ME LIFT MY STROLLER, IT IS NOT EASY FOR ME TO GET INSIDE.

>> THEY ARE CALLING FOR A BUS RIDERS BILL OF RIGHTS, THEY ARE CALLING FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY TO COME AND RIDE THE BUS WITH THEM TO SEE WHAT THEY EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND.

>> THE BUS SHELTERS ARE NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED, THEY ARE NOT PROPERLY CLEANED.

>> ASSEMBLY MAN, DAN BENSON SAID IT SUPPORT TO REALIZE THAT THE QUALITY OF SERVICE NEEDS TO BE FROM THE RIDERS POINT OF VIEW.

>> WE SEE THAT IT HELPS EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY THOSE TRANSIT DEPENDENT BUT IT HELPS BUSINESSES GET A LARGER POOL OF EMPLOYEES AND IT SPURS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

SO WHEN WE MAKE BUSES WIN, EVERYBODY WINS.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS INVESTED IN MAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE AND NOTED THAT FAIRS HAVE NOT GONE UP IN 4 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT DECLINED TO COMMENT.

ADVOCATES SAY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT BUS SERVICE IS VIEWED AS A NECESSITY, NOT A CONVENIENCE FOR COMMUNITIES.

THE BILL IS ENTIRELY DEPENDENT UPON GETTING MORE FUNDING FROM NJ TRANSIT TO GET BETTER SERVICE.

>>> COUNTLESS FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY CAN'T AFFORD THEIR WATER BILLS AND ARE FACING SHUTOFFS.

A NEW STATE PROGRAM COULD HELP.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS AND ALL OF TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> A NEW JERSEY LAWMAKER HAS AN IDEA ON HOW TO GET MORE HELP TO RESIDENTS WHO ARE BEHIND ON THEIR WATER BILLS.

AS WE REPORTED, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AVAILABLE TO HELP RESIDENTS PAY OVERDUE BILLS THROUGH THE LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

LEGISLATION CLEARED BY A SENATE COMMITTEE YESTERDAY WOULD PROHIBIT WATER COMPANIES THAT DON'T PARTICIPATE IN THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FROM SHUTTING OFF A CUSTOMER'S WATER SERVICE.

UTILITIES HAVE TO AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM SO THAT CUSTOMERS CAN RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID.

BUT LESS THAN 150 OF NEW JERSEY'S NEARLY 600 WATER AND SEWER COMPANIES ARE CURRENTLY SIGNED UP TO DO SO.

LAWMAKERS ALSO CLEARED A BILL THAT IS BEING CLOSELY WATCHED IN ATLANTIC CITY, THE CITY'S FORMER MAYOR, DON GUARDIAN HAS AUTHORED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXPAND EXISTING INTERNET GAMING LAW TO PERMIT BETTING ON E-SPORTS EVENTS.

ADVOCATES OF COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMING ARE TRYING TO CREATE SOME MOMENTUM IN ATLANTIC CITY, LAST FALL, AN E-SPORTS INNOVATION CENTER OPENED AT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY.

COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMING ATTRACTS A YOUNGER CROWD.

THE FACULTY DIRECTOR OF STOCKTON INSTITUTE OF GAMING HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM POINTS OUT THE DATA SHOWS THE AVERAGE AGE OF GAMBLERS IS GETTING YOUNGER.

A >> IT IS NOW AT 42, WHEREAS IN 2019, THE AVERAGE AGE WAS 50.

SO I THINK THE EXPLOSION OF SPORTS BETTING COULD BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO GETTING YOUNGER GAMBLERS TO VISIT CASINOS ACROSS THE U.S.

BUT HOPEFULLY ESPECIALLY IN ATLANTIC CITY.

>> PHARMA GIANT MERCK ACQUIRED A PAIR OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FIRMS, IT IS BEEN CALLED ONE OF THE LARGEST TRANSACTIONS IN THE STATES HISTORY.

THE COMPANIES WILL REDEVELOP THE PROPERTY AND MARKET IT OUT TO OTHER FIRMS, MERCK MOVED ITS HEADQUARTERS TO RAHWAY LAST YEAR.

HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING FROM TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> A REMINDER TO CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND PARENTS WITH YOUNG KIDS WILL WANT TO WATCH, A LOOK AT THE COST OF EDUCATION FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH COLLEGE, THEN WE DIVE INTO THE NEWLY PROPOSED RULES TO REIN IN SPENDING AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS PLUS THE IMPACT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN OUR STATE.

>>> WE WANT TO REMIND YOU ABOUT OUR LATEST DIGITAL PROJECT, WATER'S EDGE THAT SHOWS TRIALS AND TRIBUTARIES OF THE WATERSHED, IT IS EXAMINING THE TROUBLED HISTORY OF THE DELAWARE RIVER'S TRANSFORMATION FROM A POLLUTED BODY OF WATER FULL OF SEWAGE AND CHEMICAL WASTE TO A RECREATIONAL DESTINATION FOR THE REGION.

THE CLEANUP WORK IS FAR FROM OVER AND THE WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN THE DELAWARE RIVER'S MOST VOCAL DEFENDER IS ITS RIVER KEEPER, SHE SAT DOWN WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI EARLIER THIS WEEK.

>> WHEN WE THINK ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DELAWARE RIVER, AND SPECIFICALLY TO THE LOWER DELAWARE, WHERE HAVE WE SEEN THE BIGGEST STRIDES AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT REMAIN?

>> WELL, I THINK MOST PEOPLE HAVE HEARD THE STORY OF THE DELAWARE RIVER AND HOW IN THE 40s, 50s, AND 60s IT WAS SO POLLUTED WE HAD A 20 MILE OXYGEN DEAD ZONE IN THE PHILADELPHIA REGION OF THE RIVER, AND WHEN THE SHIPS CAME UP, THEIR ENGINES WOULD BE CLOGGED BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF CONTAMINATION OR POLLUTION IN THE RIVER.

AND A LOT OF THOSE PROBLEMS WERE DUE TO NUTRIENT POLLUTION, FROM SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS.

THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM AND LAWS AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND THROUGH THE REGIONAL AND DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION, WE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS AND CLEANED UP A LOT OF THAT POLLUTION.

SO THAT'S AN AREA WHERE WE HAD DRAMATIC PROGRESS, BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

I THINK WHEN WE LOOK OVERALL AT WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR THE DELAWARE RIVER, WE REALLY NEED OUR STATE, FEDERAL, AND REGIONAL COMMISSION TO BE MUCH MORE PROACTIVE.

AND NOT JUST TRYING TO CLEAN UP THE HARM FROM THE PAST, BUT SAYING NO TO NEW THREATS TO OUR DELAWARE RIVER.

A >> ARE THERE SPECIES THAT ARE NATIVE TO THIS PART OF THE RIVER IN PARTICULAR?

THAT ARE AT HEIGHTENED DANGER.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF SPECIES THAT REALLY ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF POLLUTION, CONTAMINATION, INAPPROPRIATE DREDGING AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC THAT I HAVE LITERALLY FOR MY ENTIRE 30 YEAR CAREER AS THE DELAWARE RIVER KEEPER BEEN WORKING TO SAVE IS THE DELAWARE RIVER'S GENETICALLY UNIQUE POPULATION OF ATLANTIC STURGEON.

THIS IS A POPULATION OF ATLANTIC STURGEON THAT ONLY EXISTS IN OUR BEAUTIFUL DELAWARE RIVER.

AND BECAUSE OF ALL OF THESE HARMS TO THE RIVER, AGAIN POLLUTION, DREDGING, DEVASTATION TO THEIR HABITAT, AND THE LACK OF OXYGEN NECESSARY AT THE LEVELS TO SUPPORT THE PROCREATION, THE PROPAGATION AND THE THRIVING OF THE SPECIES, AT THIS POINT WE HAVE LESS THAN 250 SPAWNING ADULTS LEFT.

THAT IS ALL.

>> I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS MAYBE TAKE FOR GRANTED WHERE IT'S AT NOW IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND TO SEE JUST WHAT IT WAS LIKE DECADES AGO AND ALL THAT HAD TO BE DONE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ISN'T TALKED ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE WATERSHED, AND HOW FAR IT HAS COME?

WHAT HAS NOT BEEN A PART OF THE CONVERSATION THAT YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE SO THAT FOLKS KEEP IN MIND JUST HOW VITAL THE RESOURCE IS?

>> WE ARE NOT RECOGNIZING THAT THE DELAWARE RIVER IS AN INTIMATE PART OF MANY PEOPLE'S LIVES.

AND FOR LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, IT IS A SOURCE OF RECREATION, IT IS A SOURCE OF FOOD FOR THEM, IT IS THE PLACE THAT THEY CAN GO AND ENJOY NATURE AND GET EXTRA FOOD THROUGH FISHING, FOR MULTIPLE SPECIES IN THE RIVER, AND YET ENGAGING IN SOME OF THOSE ACTIVITIES BECAUSE OF ONGOING POLLUTION CAN BE A REAL THREAT TO THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> THE DELAWARE RIVER KEEPER, THANK YOU SO MUCH AS ALWAYS, FOR YOUR INSIGHT ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU CAN CHECK OUT ALL OF THE INCREDIBLE REPORTING OUR DIGITAL TEAM HAS DONE ON THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN, EXPLORE IT ALL ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US, ENJOY THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND WE WILL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

>> 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.

>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS, OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS, THE PSEG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

INVESTING IN PARKS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN, SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.