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

>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

FREE HEALTHCARE IS COMING FOR THOUSANDS OF UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN IN NEW JERSEY.

THE STATE TODAY ROLLING OUT THE SECOND PHASE OF A HEALTHCARE CAMPAIGN FOR KIDS.

EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY OF THE EXISTING COVER ALL KIDS PROGRAM.

TO THE 16,000 CHILDREN WHO WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.

SINCE IT LAUNCHED IN 2021, THEY HAVE ENROLLED 47,000 OF NEW JERSEY'S KIDS.

THIS ADDS TO THAT WHEN THE REGION IS SEEING A RECORD NUMBER OF MIGRANTS BEING SENT NORTH AFTER CROSSING THE BORDER.

DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> THIS IS NOT CALLED COVER SOME KIDS, THIS IS CALLED COVER ALL KIDS.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY ON THE ROAD AGAIN.

THE COVER ALL KIDS INITIATIVE WHICH MAKES HEALTHCARE AVAILABLE TO KIDS AND FAMILIES THAT ARE MEDICAID ELIGIBLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS.

>> IN A STATE AS WEALTHY AS OURS, THAT CLAIMS UNRIVALED LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE, WE CANNOT LEAVE ANY CHILD WITHOUT VITAL LIFE IMPROVING AND LIFESAVING HEALTHCARE.

I WANT TO PRESENT MY BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO THE LEGISLATURE.

STAY TUNED.

YOU CAN BET THIS COMMITMENT TO THE HEALTH OF EVERY CHILD IN NEW JERSEY WILL BE WRITTEN IN BLACK AND WHITE.

BY ANY MEASURE, IT HAS BEEN A SUCCESS.

>> SUPPORTERS OF THE NEW JERSEY ALLIANCE FOR IMMIGRATE JUSTICE SAY THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH ECONOMIC BARRIERS, HEALTHCARE SHOULD NOT BE ONE OF THEM.

>> IT IS MORE COSTLY TO BE AN ANAGRAM.

FOLKS IN THIS ROOM MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE REFRAIN, MY FAMILY CAME YEAR THE RIGHT WAY.

I RIGHT AWAY DOES NOT EXIST ANYMORE.

RENEWAL FEES, $500.

NATURALIZATION APPLICATION FEES, $700.

MANY RENEWAL PROGRAMS ARE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AND FAMILY SPONSORSHIP PETITION FEES CAN BE IN THE THOUSANDS.

IT IS COSTLY TO BE AN IMMIGRANT WHO WANTS TO BE A NEW JERSEY IN PERMANENTLY.

>> EVERY TIME WE HAVE A POLICY DECISION THAT IS ENGAGED BY CHILDREN, FOR CHILDREN, IT IS AN INVESTMENT.

IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE ASSET IN EVERY COUNTRY, THIS IS THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS.

MAKING SURE THAT NEW JERSEYANS ARE HEALTHY HAS THE GREATEST RETURNS THAT YOU CAN EVER POSSIBLY IMAGINE.

>> IS IT COSTING THE STATE MORE MONEY?

>> YES, IT IS COSTING THE STATE MORE MONEY.

WE WILL WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND GET IT APPROPRIATED.

>> Reporter: LIKE OTHERS THAT TARGET IMMIGRANTS, GETTING THE WORD OUT INTO THE SHADOWS WHERE IMMIGRANTS OFTEN LIVE IS PROVING CHALLENGING.

THE GOVERNOR WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT TODAY.

>> WE HAVE SHOWN THAT WE CAN DO IT THE FIRST PHASE, WITH 47,000 ENROLLEES.

I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE WE WILL DO WITH THIS PHASE.

>> IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE WILL BE THE HEADLINE OF HIS BUDGET ADDRESS NEXT MONTH.

GIVEN THE ALTERNATIVE, REPUBLICANS WILL TAKE ANY MONEY FOR NONCITIZENS, ADVOCATES SAY THAT THEY WILL TAKE WHAT THEY CAN GET FROM THE GOVERNOR WHO SAYS THAT HE IS TRYING TO BE PRAGMATIC FOR THE SAKE OF GOOD GOVERNING AND WHATEVER OTHER POSSIBLE PURPOSES THAT IT CAN SERVE DOWN THE LINE.

DAVID CRUISE, AND J SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN THE SIX MONTHS SINCE LAUNCHING, STATE LEADERS ARE REPORTING A JUMP IN THE CALLS AND TEXTS TO THE 988 LINE.

IF THERE IS ENOUGH RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO THOSE CALLS.

>> NOVEMBER, 2022, CALLS WERE ADDED TO THE NEW JERSEY --INCREASED BY 27% OVER THE POSITIVE NOVEMBER.

>> IT DEMONSTRATES THE NEED AND THE AWARENESS TO THE STATES NEW CRISIS SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN ENACTED FOR SIX MONTHS.

SUICIDE REMAINS A MAJOR ISSUE IN NEW JERSEY.

THE STATE IS ROLLING OUT THE NEXT PHASE OF THE RESPONSE PLAN.

>> WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING PROPOSALS THAT WE WILL ISSUE OUT SO THAT THE COURT ORGANIZATIONS CAN APPLY TO BE A VENDOR.

>> REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HELD A LISTENING SESSION TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COMMUNITY CAN SEE FROM THE MOBILE RESPONSE UNIT THAT WILL BE SENT OUT TO A HOME OR LOCATION WHERE THE 988 CRISIS CALL WAS MADE.

>> KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS THAT WILL MAKE THE PRICES INEFFECTIVE FOR THE FOLLOWING STATES.

IT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN ALL 21 COUNTIES 24 SEVEN FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN CRISIS WHERE THEY ARE.

SECOND, MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS ARE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN THE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING CRISIS IS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> ONLY UTILIZING POLICE AND 1% OF THE CALLS.

>> THE INTENTION IS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD NOT BE DEPLOYED ALONG WITH THE MOBILE OUTREACH TEAM.

>> OTHERS FOCUSED ON FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING AND PUBLIC AWARENESS.

OTHERS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE STATE'S ABILITY TO HANDLE THE VOLUME OF CALLS WHERE THE EMOTIONAL TOLL OF COVID AND LIVING IN POVERTY HAS LEFT RESIDENTS IN DESPERATE NEED OF HELP.

>> I AM SKEPTICAL, I KNOW IN THIS COUNTY, AS WE HAVE IT IN ALL COUNTIES, WE GET THOSE CALLS AND THEY GO UNANSWERED BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH SERVICE PROVIDERS TO HANDLE IT.

>> HE WANTS TO SPONSOR LEGISLATION THAT WILL REQUIRE THEM TO HANDLE THE CALL VOLUME.

TO REFER CALLERS TO THE CRISIS STABILIZATION SERVICES I NEED TO BE DEVELOPED.

>> CONTINUED TO DEVELOP THE FULL CONTINUUM OF CRISIS CARE.

EARLY INTERVENTION SUPPORT SERVICES, AND PURE RESPITES.

>> THIS ESSEX COUNTY SPEAKER COULD NOT OVERSTATE THE NEED FOR OVERSIGHT.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE THE TASK FORCE THAT IS MONITORING WHAT IS BEING DONE.

>> ALL OF THE FEEDBACK THAT WE RECEIVED TODAY IN THE HEARINGS AND SESSIONS, WE WILL LOOK AT ALL OF THAT INFORMATION AND IT WILL HELP DEFEAT THE CONTENT SO THAT WHEN VENDORS AND APPLICANTS ARE APPLYING FOR THE FUNDING, THEY WILL BE RESPONDING TO CERTAIN QUESTIONS THAT ARE SHAPED BASED ON THE FEEDBACK THAT WE ARE SENDING.

>> THERE WILL BE A VIRTUAL LISTENING SESSION.

FOLKS CAN REGISTER BY EMAILING HUMAN SERVICES AT DHS.NJ.GOV.

>>> THE STATE IS ON THE VERGE OF AN EVEN MORE SEVERE SHORTAGE OF NURSES THAN FIRST PROJECTED AREA AT A STATEWIDE THAT HE UNCOVERS SERIOUS ISSUES FACING THE NURSING WORKFORCE.

A 15% DROP IN THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED NURSES OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

ONE THIRD OF ALL OF THE RNS WORKING IN NEW JERSEY ARE CONSIDERED TO BE AT RISK OF RETIRING.

FOR MORE ON THIS STUDY, AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE PUBLIC, I AM JOINED BY EDNA, THE DIRECTOR FOR THE NEW JERSEY COLLABORATIVE CENTER FOR NURSING, THE GROUP BEHIND THE REPORT.

>> WE HAVE KNOWN THAT THE WORKFORCE HAS BEEN SHRINKING SINCE PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT TYPE OF PICTURE DOES THIS STUDY NOW PAINT FOR US GOING FORWARD?

>> IT TELLS US THAT WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR NEW NURSES COMING INTO THE WORKFORCE.

PART OF THAT PIPELINE ISSUE IS NOT HAVING ENOUGH FACULTY TO INCREASE WITH THE DEMAND FOR NURSES.

WE DID A STUDY IN 2022 LOOKING AT WEATHER OR NOT RULES OF NURSING COULD TAKE ON ADDITIONAL STUDENTS AND FOUND THAT THE MAJORITY OF THEM DID NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THAT.

THAT WAS DUE TO FACULTY SHORTAGE.

>> ONE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE WORKFORCE BEING EXPECTED TO DECREASE BY 5% FOR RNS ALONE, AND NOT HAVING THE GRADUATE THERE TO REPLACE THEM, WHERE DOES THIS INDUSTRY GO FROM HERE?

HOW DO WE GROW IT?

WHAT DOES THE REPORT FIND?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON WITH OUR COLLEAGUES IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT NURSING PROFESSIONS IS TO REALLY LOOK AT FINDING A WAY TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FACULTY.

RIGHT NOW WE ACTUALLY HAVE INTRODUCED A BILL FOR $25 MILLION TO BE ALLOCATED AND WE ARE HOPING THAT BILL WILL HELP US IN TERMS OF SCHOOLS INCREASING THEIR NUMBERS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

IT IS NOT AUTOMATIC.

IT TAKES YEARS FOR SOMEBODY TO BECOME A NURSE.

>> TALK TO ME ABOUT THE TURNOVER RATES.

THOSE WERE SIGNIFICANT.

I AM CURIOUS ABOUT THE FACTORS LEADING INTO THOSE, RUN THROUGH THOSE FOR ME.

>> THOSE TURNOVER RATES ARE PRETTY HIGH.

IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE NATIONAL TURNOVER.

THE TURNOVER IS FOR LPNS AND IT IS 50%.

FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS, 29%.

THAT TRANSLATES INTO PEOPLE MOVING TO OTHER JOBS.

THEY ARE LEAVING THE NURSING WORKFORCE.

HIGH TURNOVER.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE SEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> ARE THERE SOCIETAL IMPACTS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THAT?

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOVERING AROUND THE 50% MARK FOR THOSE NURSES.

>> WHEN WE THINK BACK TO THE PANDEMIC, THINK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT WE FACED IN TERMS OF NURSING HOMES FOR EXAMPLE.

A LOT OF PLACES FOR PRACTICAL NURSES WORK IN THAT SETTING IN ASSISTED LIVING.

WE ARE TRYING TO RECOVER FROM SOME OF THOSE ISSUES AND CONCERNS.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.

THEN THERE IS THE AGING POPULATION WHICH WE WOULD EXPECT.

>> EDNA, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE CENTER OF NURSING.

A SPOTLIGHT NEEDED TO BE PUT ON THIS ISSUE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THEY VOWED TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE, HIS OPPONENTS ARE MAKING GOOD ON THEIR WORD.

RESTARTING WEEKLY RALLIES NOW IN PERSON OUTSIDE OF HIS DISTRICT OFFICE, TAKING THEM TO TASK FOR NOT SCHEDULING ANY PUBLIC TOWN HALL MEETINGS.

IT IS A CONTINUATION FROM THE CONTESTED MIDTERM RACE IN THIS NEWLY REDRAWN DISTRICT.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS THAT IT IS PROVING TO BE A LONG TWO YEARS AHEAD.

>> A HANDFUL OF VOTERS SHOWED UP FOR THE TUESDAYS WITH TOM KANE RALLIED TO CHAT WITH THEIR NEWLY ELECTED REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN IN HIS NEW OFFICE IN BRIDGEWATER.

THEY FIRMED DURING THE LAST ELECTION.

>> WE WOULD LIKE HIM TO HOLD HOLD TOWN HALL.

>> HE SPENT A WEEK IN WASHINGTON WAITING TO BE SWORN IN WHILE THE NEW REPUBLICAN MAJORITY TRIED TO ELECT HIS BEAKER.

HE HAS VOTED WITH HIS COLLEAGUES ON CONSERVATIVE MEASURES RAISING CONCERNS AMONG PROGRESSIVES BACK HOME.

>> WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE ELECTION ON KEVIN McCARTHY AND THE CONCERN THAT IT WILL BE HELD TO RANSOM BY A GROUP OF RIGHT WING REPUBLICANS.

>> IS NOT REPRESENTING US AND LISTENING TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

>> THE PROTESTERS WERE ESCORTED INTO THE OFFICE AND THEY MET WITH STAFF THERE, NOT WITH THE MAN HIMSELF.

HE WON THE ELECTION WITHOUT THEM AND THE CONSTITUENTS WILL BE WITH HIS OWN TERMS.

CHRIS RUSSELL NOTE THAT IN THIS ALL RISE THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT, WITH WEAPON I SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> IS NOT PRODUCTIVE DIALOGUE.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE THE GOTCHA MOMENT IS AROUND THE CORNER, OR ANY CONVERSATION I HAVE IN THE OFFICE IS GOING TO END UP ON YOUTUBE OR INSTAGRAM.

>> REPEATED REQUESTS LIKE WITH TUESDAY WITH TOM, HE OWES THE CONSTITUENTS REPRESENTATION.

>> A LOT OF THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS LOOK AT THIS ON BOTH SIDES, THESE MEETINGS ARE NOT COMING FROM CONSENSUS, THEY ARE COMING TO YELL AT THEM.

>> THE NONSTOP ELECTION CYCLE KEEPS THE POLITICAL POT AT A CONSTANT BOIL.

HE ATTENDED YESTERDAY'S EVENT OUTSIDE OF THE CONGRESSMAN'S OFFICE IS CONSIDERING A POSSIBLE RUN FOR CONGRESS IN DISTRICT 7.

>> WORKING FAMILIES, ME, EVERYONE I TALKED TO, 100% COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT THE DISTRICT IS BLUE IN 2024.

NUBIA NEVER STOPS.

IT IS EXHAUSTING FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN THE SEATS.

IT IS EXHAUSTING FOR THOSE WHO ARE RUNNING AGAINST THEM.

THAT IS WHAT THE FOUNDERS GAVE US WITH THOSE TWO TERMS.

>> HOWEVER, HE SAYS THAT THE CONSTITUENTS DO HAVE A RIGHT TO QUESTION HIM ON VOTES.

>> CONGRESSMAN KING IS ALREADY CAST IN THE CONSEQUENTIAL VOTES FOR THINGS THAT WERE DISCUSSED DURING THE CAMPAIGN.

LIKE ABORTION.

THE REPUBLICAN RULES IN THE HOUSE ARE VERY ORIENTATED ON THIS POSITION.

HE IS PUTTING DOWN MARKERS.

>> THE OVERALL STATE OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS ACCORDING TO A NEW POLL SHOWS THAT 79% OF JERSEY RESIDENTS CONSIDER THE QUALITY OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FAIR OR POOR.

90% THINK IT IS EXCELLENT OR GOOD.

STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

MEANWHILE, 44% REGARD POLITICS AS A DIRTY BUSINESS.

THE SAME PERCENT SAY DISHONORABLE, 9% COULD NOT DECIDE.

>> IF THEY ARE 100% RIGHT OR WRONG, DOES NOT MATTER.

>> RUSSELL SAYS IN THE HYPERPOLARIZED ATMOSPHERE, NO ONE IS HAPPY WITH ANYTHING.

THEY NEED TO AVOID TWO YEARS OF POLITICAL GRIDLOCK.

SO BE ON THE SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, IT IS THE END OF THE LINE FOR JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S COVID-19 VACCINATION.

THE DRUG COMPANY ANNOUNCING IT IS SLASHING PRODUCTION OF THE SINGLE SHOT DOSE BECAUSE OF LOW DEMAND.

J&J'S VACCINE WAS SEEN AS A PROMISING ALTERNATIVE TO THE SHOTS FROM MODERNA AND PFIZER AND WERE EASIER TO TRANSPORT BECAUSE IT DID NOT REQUIRE THE ULTRACOLD STORAGE.

THE VACCINE STUMBLED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ROLLOUT.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS PAUSED PRODUCTION TO INVESTIGATE THE RISK OF BLOOD CLOTS AND THEN A SERIES OF OTHER PROBLEMS FOLLOWED.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR J&J SAID THAT THE COMPANY HAS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOSES AVAILABLE TO VACCINATE PEOPLE WORLDWIDE.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DATA, HALF 1 MILLION J&J DOSES WERE ADMINISTERED IN NEW JERSEY AS PART OF THE PRIMARY SERIES.

THAT IS COMPARED TO ALMOST 13 MILLION OF BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA.

>>> FEDERAL MONEY IS FLOWING TO THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE IDA.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVED NEW JERSEY'S PLAN TO SPEND $220 MILLION IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY FUND.

THE BULK OF THE MONEY, WILL GO TO HOMEOWNERS TO HELP THEM RESTORE DAMAGED HOMES.

ANOTHER PART OF THE FUNDS WILL PROVIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO TENANTS AND ALSO HELP THE STATE BUY UP HOMES AND COMMUNITIES THAT ARE PRONE TO REPEAT FLOODING AS WELL AS RESILIENCY PROJECTS.

THE REMNANTS OF ITEM BATTERED NEW JERSEY IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021, LEAVING 30 PEOPLE DEAD IN ITS WAKE.

>>> ON WALL STREET TODAY, THE JANUARY RALLY IS LOSING STEAM.

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

>>> HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WITH LIFE-THREATENING RISKS ARE COEXISTING A STONES THROW AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, SCHOOLS, AND PUBLIC HOUSING COMPLEXES.

A YEAR-LONG INVESTIGATION BY NORTH JERSEY.COM FINDS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS LIVE, WORK, AND PLAYED NEAR PLACES THAT STORE HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS WITH NO IDEA OF WHAT IS INSIDE.

A REPORTER WHO LED THE INVESTIGATION, HAZARDS NEXT DOOR, HE JOINS ME NOW.

JIM O'NEIL, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW, WHAT STRUCK ME WHEN READING YOUR REPORTING WAS NOT JUST THE AMOUNT OF SITES THAT YOU UNCOVERED AND HOW COMMON IT WAS FOR THE STORAGE FACILITIES TO HAVE THESE HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS.

JUST HOW CLOSE THEY ARE TO RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, SCHOOLS, WHAT DID YOU FIND IN YOUR INVESTIGATION?

>> THIS WAS PROMPTED BY A MAJOR FIRE THAT HAPPENED JUST A YEAR AGO.

IT WAS SO CLOSE TO A NUMBER OF PUBLIC HOUSING BUILDINGS THAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT HOW MANY OF THESE SITES REALLY ARE.

WE FOUND THAT HUNDRED AND 59 SITES THAT CONTAINED OR STORE HAZARDOUS MATERIAL GOALS IN 21 URBAN TOWNS AND OF THOSE, MANY ARE LOCATED WITHIN SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS, SCHOOLS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NURSING HOMES, SO FORTH.

>> WHAT TYPE OF CHEMICALS ARE WE TALKING.

WHAT RANGE OF POTENTIAL DISASTER CALAMITY ARE WE TALKING?

SHOULD ANOTHER SITUATION LIKE THE ONE A YEAR AGO HAPPEN?

>> SOME OF THEM ARE SOLID, THERE IS LESS OF AN ISSUE FOR THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS THAT MIGHT CAUSE HEALTH RISK TO THE WORKERS THERE, IF THEY ARE CLOSE TO THEM FOR EXTENDED PERIODS.

TO OTHERS ARE SOLVENTS.

IF THEY ARE EXPOSED TO FIRE, THEY CAN CREATE OTHER TOXIC GAS THAT CAN BE DISPERSED INTO THE COMMUNITY.

OTHERS OF THESE ARE VERY FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE AND CAN CAUSE GREAT EXPLOSIONS.

THEN THERE ARE GASES AS WELL.

SOME OF THESE CAN INTERACT IF EXPOSED TO EACH OTHER AND CREATE OTHER TOXIC CHEMICALS.

THERE IS A POTENTIAL THREAT THERE AS WELL.

>> YOU UNCOVERED THE GAP IN TRAINING THAT FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS RECEIVED.

WHAT DID YOU LOOK AT THERE?

WHAT IS MISSING, IF A SITUATION SHOULD ARISE.

>> BECAUSE THE TRAINING IS SO COSTLY AND EXTENSIVE FOR FIGHTING A HAZMAT FIRE, MOST FIREFIGHTERS, VOLUNTEER AND PAID IN NEW JERSEY RECEIVED BASIC TRAINING ON HOW TO IDENTIFY THE POTENTIAL THREAT OF A PARTICULAR FIRE.

YOU WOULD NEED SEVERAL WEEKS OF MORE TRAINING TO REALLY ACTUALLY GO ATTACK A FIRE AND DEAL WITH IT.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE SERIOUS TAKE AWAY HERE WHEN FOLKS READ THROUGH THESE ARTICLES?

>> ONE THING THAT ADVOCATES TALK ABOUT, FOR THE STATES, THIS LAW CALLED THE TOXIC PREVENTION ACT, IT REQUIRES CHEMICALS IN THE STATE TO REPORT THEIR MATERIALS AND EMERGENCY PLANS.

I THINK THAT SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO MANY MORE FACILITIES SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS NEARBY THEM.

MANY OF THESE FACILITIES ARE INNOCUOUS, THEY LOOK LIKE WAREHOUSES, PEOPLE MIGHT NOT EVEN KNOW IT IS THERE.

>> JIM O'NEIL, HIS SERIES, THE HAZARDS NEXT DOOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THINK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> A NEW UPDATE FOR THOSE WHO STAY OUT IN NEW YORK CITY, THE HOLLAND TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED STARTING FEBRUARY 5th SIX NIGHTS A NEED WEEK FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THE ONLY REPRIEVE WILL BE ON SATURDAY NIGHT, THE TUNNEL WILL STAY OPEN THEN, DRIVERS HEADING INTO NEW JERSEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE ALTERNATE ROUTES, THE LINCOLN TUNNEL, GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE, OR MASS TRANSIT.

IT ALLOWS THE PORT AUTHORITY TO START DECADE-OLD REPAIRS FROM SANDY, 30 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER RUSHED THROUGH THE TUNNELS CAUSING WIDESPREAD DAMAGE.

THE WORK INCLUDES REPAIRS TO THE ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.

INCLUDING FLOOD BARRIERS TO PROTECT FROM FUTURE STORMS.

THE GOOD NEWS, IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT, THE NEW YORK TRAFFIC CLOSURES THAT BEGAN IN 2020 WILL END ON FEBRUARY 4th.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

DO NOT MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISODE WITH CHAD FOX, DID WITH DAVID CRUZ, HE DOES A CHECK ON GOVERNMENT MERCIES GOVERNMENTAL RECORD AND SPEAKS WITH THE CURRENT OFFSHORE WIND CONTROVERSY ALONG WITH THE CLIMATE CHANGE PROMISES KEPT BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

THAT IS TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT, NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU SO MUCH, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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