>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND --, COMMITTED TO A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> HI.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

AMY DID JUST GOT HIT BY THE COURT SYSTEM TODAY AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT.

HER HIT-AND-RUN COLLISION WAS CALLED --CAUGHT ON CAMERA.

SHE IS NOT RESIGNING BUT SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE WAS IN THE COURTROOM TO HEAR THE COUNCILWOMAN FINALLY ACCEPT BLAME PUBLICLY FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> AT THIS TIME, THE STATE WOULD RECOMMEND A FINE OF $5000 AND ALSO A SUSPENSION OF HER NEW JERSEY DRIVERS LICENSE FOR ONE YEAR.

>> IT TOOK ABOUT A HALF HOUR ALL TOLD.

SHE PLEADED GUILTY TO LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT.

SHE WILL BE FINED $5000, AND HER LICENSE WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR YOUR.

SHE COULD FACE SIX MONTHS IN PRISON.

>> IS THERE A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT THAT LOCATION?

>> YES THERE IS.

>> IN AT THE TIME YOU'RE APPROACHING THAT LOCATION, DID YOU HAVE A GREEN OR RED LIGHT?

>> A GREEN LIGHT.

>> DID YOU LEARN THAT YOU IN FACT STRUCK A BICYCLE?

>> YES.

>> AND AT THE TIME THAT YOU STRUCK THE BICYCLE, DID YOU STOP AT THAT LOCATION AT FOREST OR MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE OR CLOSE, TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT OR TO RENDER ASSISTANCE TO SEE IF THERE WAS AN INJURED PARTY?

>> NO.

>> AND THE FACT THAT YOU LEFT AT THE SCENE AT 470 AND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE.

>> YES.

>> DID THERE COME A TIME THAT USUALLY DID COME BACK TO THE JERSEY CITY -- ONE OF THE JERSEY CITY PIERCINGS BUT THAT WAS SEVERAL HOURS LATER.

>> YES.

>> YOU AGREE THAT YOU FAILED TO STOP AT THE SCENE AND SEE WHETHER OR NOT YOU RENDERED ASSISTANCE.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> DEGISE'S FATHER WAS IN THE COURTROOM BUT HAD NO COMMENT.

THE COUNCILWOMAN, LIKEWISE, DID NOT SPEAK TO THE PRESS.

HER ATTORNEY SPOKE TO REPORTERS AFTERWARDS.

>> WHY DID IT TAKE SIX HOURS FOR YOUR CLIENT TO REPORT WHAT SHE KNEW?

>> MS. DEGISE SHOWED UP TO THE NEW JERSEY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

TODAY, IN COURT, SHE ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT SHE DID.

IT WAS A TRAFFIC VIOLATION, NEVER A CRIMINAL VIOLATION.

>> CAN THEY EXPLAIN SIX HOURS, THOUGH?

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE NO EXPEDITION FOR THIS BECAUSE SHE ADMITTED TO THE FACT THAT SHE LEFT THE SCENE OF THAT PARTICULAR ACCIDENT.

>> IN THAT FINER POINT HAS CONTINUED TO IRK CRITICS WHO SAY THAT DEGISE SHOULD BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

A HANDFUL OF DEMONSTRATORS WERE HERE TODAY.

KEVIN BING SERVES AS AN UNOFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR A GROUP CALLING ON DEGISE TO RESENT.

>> SHE PLEADED GUILTY, SO THERE IS SOME SENSE OF JUSTICE.

BUT WE STILL DON'T HAVE AN APOLOGY.

YOU KNOW, WE STILL DON'T HAVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY.

YOU KNOW, TODAY WAS A CRIMINAL PROCESS THAT ANYBODY WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH IF THEY COMMITTED A CRIME LIKE THIS.

BUT SHE IS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL.

SHE WAS ELECTED TO CITY COUNCIL.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE DIFFERENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITY'S THAT COME WITH THAT.

I THINK IT'S TIME FOR HER TO RESIGN BECAUSE SHE HAS CLEARLY LOST THE PUBLIC TRUST.

IT IS TIME FOR STEVE FULL UP TO STEP UP AND CALL FOR AMY DEGISE TO RESIGN.

>> THAT WAS STEVE PHILIP, THE MAYOR, WHO HAD NO COMMON TODAY.

DEGISE RELEASED A STATEMENT REITERATING THAT SHE WILL NOT RESIGN.

SHE SAID, I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY, REGAIN THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE, AND LIVE OUT MY VALUES EACH AND EVERY DAY.

DEGISE FACED JUSTICE TODAY FINALLY AND IT WAS METED OUT.

FOR SOME, INCLUDING THOUSANDS WHO SIGNED A PETITION FOR HER TO REZONE, IT IS NOT CLEAR THAT JUSTICE WAS PROBABLY SERVED.

I AM DAVID CRUISE.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MATT BAKHTIN LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE HOW SEVERAL BALLOT MACHINES IN MONMOUTH COUNTY COST VOTES TO BE COUNTED TWICE IN NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.

THE COMPANY TYPICALLY INSTALLS SOFTWARE THAT PREVENTS THUMB DRIVES WITH VOTE TALLIES ON THEM FROM BEING DOUBLE COUNTED.

WHILE THAT FAILSAFE FIELD.

IT IS CALLING INTO QUESTION THE RESULTS OF A SCHOOL BOARD SEAT IN OCEAN TOWNSHIP IN MONMOUTH COUNTY.

TO AVOID THE APPEARANCE OF POLITICAL INFLUENCE, THEY'RE HANDING IT OVER TO FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL PETER HERVEY.

THE FIRST HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 1st.

>>> IT HAS BEEN NEARLY 3 YEARS SINCE WE FIRST HEARD THE WORDS COVID-19 AND PANDEMIC SWIRLING AROUND OUR COUNTRY.

TODAY, THE COVID VIRUS CONTINUES TO CHURN THROUGH OUR COMMUNITIES.

BUT HOW HAVE OUR FEELINGS EARNED IT CHANGED?

57% OF RESIDENTS ARE VERY OR SOMEWHAT CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

THAT'S AN INCREASE FROM ABOUT HALF THE POPULATION LAST YEAR.

BUT THE MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS REJECT THE IDEA OF RETURNING TO ANY COVID RESTRICTIONS, THINK MASKS OR SOCIAL DISTANCING.

ALSO RISING IS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID.

66% THIS YEAR, UP FROM 38% LAST YEAR.

HERE IS ONE THAT HEALTHCARE EXPERTS CAN'T FIGURE OUT.

FEWER THAN ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THE BIVALENT BOOSTER.

THE POLL COMES AS THE FDA ANNOUNCED A NEW PLAN TO SIMPLIFY THE TIMING OF THE COVID SHOTS.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT ADMINISTERED LIKE THE FLU SHOT.

A SINGLE DOSE, GIVEN ONCE A YEAR.

>> CALIFORNIA IS REELING TODAY FROM MULTIPLE MASS SHOOTINGS OVER THREE DAYS THAT HAVE THOUGH STATED THE STATE, THE NATION, AND THE INVASION AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

THE FIRST SHOOTING TOOK PLACE IN MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA, ON SATURDAY, WHERE I TOOK THE LIVES OF 11 PEOPLE AT A DANCE STUDIO WHILE THEY CELEBRATED THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

ON MONDAY, A SHOOTER OPENED FIRE ON WORKERS AT TWO SEPARATE FORMS, KILLING SEVEN AND INJURING ONE.

MANY OF THE VICTIMS IN THESE SHOOTINGS WERE FROM THE ASIAN COMMUNITY.

SO TOO WERE THE SHOOTERS.

>> TAYLOR, THANK YOU FOR TALKING WITH ME TODAY.

I WANT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW YOU AND FOLKS IN THE ASIAN COMMUNITY TODAY ARE REACTING AFTER SEEING THE ISLANDS PLAY OUT IN CALIFORNIA.

>> THANKS AGAIN FOR HAVING ME.

I THINK THAT WE ARE ALL HEARTBROKEN.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TIME WHERE WE ARE CELEBRATING USHERING A NEW NEW YEAR THAT BRINGS AND HOPE AND PROSPERITY IN SPRINGTIME.

YOU KNOW, IT IS A TWO WEEK HOLIDAY, AS WELL, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING THEY DISCUSSED.

IT IS SAD TO THINK THAT FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, LUNAR NEW YEAR WILL JUST BE MARRED BY WHAT HAS HAPPENED, WITH THESE SHOOTINGS.

>> THERE IS STILL SO MUCH WE DON'T KNOW IN TERMS OF WHY THESE SHOOTERS CHOSE TO PERPETRATE THIS ACTION ON THE FOLKS THAT THEY DID.

DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE THAT BOTH SHOOTERS WERE FROM THE ASIAN COMMUNITY?

WE KNOW THAT SO MANY WERE KILLED FROM THE ASIAN COMMUNITY.

>> IT HONESTLY DOESN'T.

I NOTE THAT'S A PART OF A LOT OF THE DISCOURSE THAT IS HAPPENING ON TWITTER.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ASIAN AMERICAN SCHOLARS, ADVOCATES, AND JOURNALISTS, WHO ARE ALL SEEN PUSHBACK AND ANTI-ASIAN HATE AS A RESULT OF WHAT TRANSPIRED.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE IS REAL.

THE ANTI-ASIAN DISCRIMINATION, AND DENIAL OF THESE ACTS ARE VERY MUCH REAL.

ANTI-ASIAN SENTIMENT, ALSO, AGAINST COUNTRIES THAT THOSE PEOPLE ARE PART OF, IS A VERY REAL PART OF SOCIETY.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT ADVOCATES, AGAIN, JOURNALISTS AND SCHOLARS, ARE ASKING FOR PEOPLE TO DISCUSS, THAT WHAT WE HAVE ALL BEEN GOING THROUGH FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS IS HORRIBLE.

IT HAS BEEN BUGGING US ALL DOWN.

IT HAS MADE US VERY DEPRESSED, SCARED TO GO OUTSIDE, AND REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT THESE ACTS ARE COMING FROM WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, I THINK IT GOES TO SHOW THAT WE ARE ALSO IN CRISIS AND THAT WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING MORE EXPLICITLY.

>> YEAH.

YOU SAID IN YOUR ARTICLE THAT TO BE ASIAN IN AMERICA TODAY MEANS THAT NEED TO BE RESILIENT.

YOU MENTIONED THE LAST THREE YEARS ESPECIALLY.

WHAT HAS THAT FELT LIKE?

WHAT HAVE YOU LIVED WITH?

WHAT HAVE FOLKS IN THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY LIVED WITH?

>> SINCE THE BEGINNING OF ASIANS IMMIGRATING TO THIS COUNTRY, WE HAVE BEEN MET WITH VITRIOL.

IT IS VERY MUCH A PART OF OUR STORY OF IMMIGRATION TO THIS COUNTRY.

AGAIN, SINCE DAY ONE IN THE LATE 1800s.

AND THAT IS KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE EXISTED WITH FOR OUR ENTIRE LIVES, THAT WE GROW UP WITH.

WHAT WE HAVE EXPENSED IN THE LAST THREE YEARS ISN'T SOMETHING NECESSARILY NEW.

PERHAPS, MAYBE, NOT THE CONSISTENT RATE THAT IT IS HAPPENING IS DIFFERENT THAN PAST TIMES IN AMERICA.

>> TAYLOR, WHAT ARE YOU LIVING WITH ON A DAILY BASIS?

>> IT IS THE RACIAL SLURS THAT YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE.

POTENTIALLY, THE MICRO AGGRESSIONS IN THE WORKPLACE, FROM THOSE NOT UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR CULTURE.

IT IS ALSO BEING FEARFUL OF GOING OUT IN THE STREETS AND POTENTIALLY BEING ATTACKED ARE NOT BEING SURE IF YOUR PARENTS ARE GOING TO BE ATTACKED THAT DAY BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE INSTANCES ARE HAPPENING AGAINST ASIAN ELDERS.

SO LIVING IN THAT CONSTANT FEAR, WHILE ALSO TRYING TO TACKLE EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE ALL ARE WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS VERY EXHAUSTING.

IT IS TAXING.

I THINK IT IS SHOWING THROUGHOUT THESE SHOOTINGS THAT IT IS TAKING A TOLL ON OUR ASIAN ELDERS.

>> TAYLOR JUNK, SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC.

THANK YOU FOR BEING OPEN AND HONEST WITH US.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

>> TO READ THE FULL STORY, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST CITY IS FULL OF RENTERS HOPING TO PUT DOWN ROOTS AND BUY THEIR FIRST HOME, BUT NEWARK HAS STRUGGLED TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR YEARS.

IN THE SITUATION IS ONLY GETTING WORSE, AS BIG INVESTORS BUY UP PROPERTIES, ONLY TO TURN THEM INTO RENTALS, CREATING A VICIOUS CYCLE FOR NEW YORK FAMILIES STROLLING TO FIND A HOME.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER EXPLAINS HOW AN ORDINANCE COULD PROTECT PROPERTIES FROM THOSE INVESTORS AND MAKE NEWARK AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE.

>> WITH RENTS RISING ACROSS THE STATE, NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST CITY IS TAKING STEPS TO GIVE NEWARK COMPANIES FAMILIES AND AFFORDABLE PLACE TO MAKE HOME.

IT AIMS TO STOP A TREND OF LARGE INVESTORS SNATCHING UP PROPERTIES THAT COULD INSTEAD BE TURNED INTO LOW-COST HOUSING.

>> THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO US, BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE GAIN A PROPERTY FROM THE CITY AND THEN THEY SELL IT.

THEY RENTED OUT FOR LARGE AMOUNTS OF RENT.

OR THEY SELL IT FOR A LARGE AMOUNT, AS WELL.

WE HAVE CONTROL OVER THE PROPERTY ONCE WE SELL IT TO THE BUYER.

PUTTING IN THIS RESTRICTION IS REMARKABLE.

IT IS A HEALTHY STEP TOWARD TRYING TO PUT SOME GUIDELINES TO IT.

>> IT ALSO GIVES CERTIFIED NONPROFIT HOUSING DEVELOPERS A CHANCE TO MATCH OFFERS FROM OTHER DEVELOPERS, GIVING THEM A LEG UP IN THE BIDDING PROCESS.

IT IS ANOTHER AVENUE AVENUE TO ADDRESS INEQUITY THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTING THE CITY.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS HAPPENING IN NEW YORK.

WE HAD SUSPICIONS.

THE SUSPICIONS CAME OUT OF THE FACT THAT RENTS WERE RISING DRAMATICALLY IN MANY AREAS OF NEWARK.

IN PARTICULAR, TWO AREAS THAT WERE PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND IN PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOODS IN THOSE TWO WORDS, WE ONCE HAD A HIGH RATE OF HOME OWNERSHIP, AND NOW YOU ARE STARTING TO SEE A LOT LESS.

>> DAVID TROUT IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE RUTGERS CENTER ON LAW AND EQUALITY IN AND METROPOLITAN EQUITY.

IN A REPORT, HE FOUND CORPORATE INVESTING GROUPS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALMOST HALF OF RESIDENTIAL SALES IN NEWARK BETWEEN 2017 AND 2020.

>> WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT RENTS ARE INDEED CLIMBING IN THESE AREAS, THAT INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS ARE ACTING LIKE INVESTORS DO, TRYING TO MAXIMIZE THEIR PROFITS BY RAISING RENTS AS HIGH AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN.

THIS HAS PUT A TREMENDOUS STRAIN ON RENTERS, NOT ONLY JUST IN TERMS OF PAYING MORE THAN A THIRD AND OFTEN HALF OF THEIR INCOME ON RENTS, BUT ALSO PREVENTING THEM FROM BEING IN A POSITION TO BUY A HOME THEMSELVES, AND POSSIBLY PUTTING THEM AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT, WHERE THEY ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD ESCALATING RENTS.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT ALLISON LOTT, NEWARK WORKER FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, SAYS THE CITY DOESN'T WANT TO HAPPEN.

>> WE KNOW THAT IS NOT A WAY TO BUILD WEALTH.

WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE ARE REDUCING THE WEALTH GAP BETWEEN OUR FAMILIES THAT LIVE HERE IN THE CITY, AND COUNTERPARTS THAT ARE IN THE MAJORITY.

>> NEWARK IS DEVELOPING A LIST OF WHICH CITY PROPERTIES WILL BE DEED RESTRICTED, BUT FOR NOW, THE CITY COUNCIL SAYS THE ORDINANCE IS A HUGE GAIN IN CREATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THEY UNVEILED A NEW PROPOSAL TO ALLOW STUDENT ATHLETES THE ABILITY TO TRADE TEAMS WITH NO PENALTY.

UNDER PREVIOUS RULES, ANY STUDENT SWITCHING TEAMS WOULD NEED TO PROVIDE A CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM AND THEN WOULD FACE A 30 DAY SET OUT PERIOD, WHERE THEY COULD NOT PLAY THEIR SPORT.

THE NEW RULES WOULD ALLOW A ONE-TIME TRANSFER WITHOUT PROOF OF A MOVE OR A SIT OUT PERIOD.

BUT ONE BASKETBALL TEAM IN CAMDEN IS COMING UNDER FIRE FOR BRINGING HOOP STARS INTO THE DISTRICT FROM OUTSIDE TOWNS.

AS TED GOLDBERG REPORTS, THE INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION IS CHALLENGING THE STAR STACKING IN THE APPELLATE COURT.

>> IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS IS A NAKED --'S BUT THAT IS HIS CONCLUSION AFTER CAMDEN HIGH BROUGHT IN TALENT AND DOMINATED GROUP TO BASKETBALL IN NEW JERSEY LAST YEAR.

>> THEY WERE BEATING OPPOSING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN NEW JERSEY BY 38 POINTS A GAME, AND THEN CAMINO, THEY WOULD WIN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND THEY WIN THAT BY 41 POINTS.

>> ARMSTRONG IS A REPORTER AT NJ ADVANCED IMMEDIATE WHICH INVESTIGATED CAMDEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND FOUND THAT MANY OF THEIR BEST PLAYERS DON'T ACTUALLY LIVE IN CAMDEN.

THE INVESTIGATION ACCUSES CAMDEN OF SKIRTING STATE RECRUITING RULES TO ATTRACT MORE HIGH-POWERED STARS AROUND THEIR GENERATION CAMDEN STANDOUT, DJ WAGNER.

>> WHAT PART OF THE STATE ARE YOU FROM?

IT QUICKLY BECAME, WILLINGBORO.

IT'S LIKE, OKAY, THAT'S NOT IN THE CITY.

DJ HIMSELF, YOU WOULD ASK FAMILY MEMBERS OR PEOPLE COME AND THEY GO, DJ DOESN'T LIVE IN THE CITY.

>> THE INVITATION FOUND THAT PLAYERS WHO LIVED UP TO 70 MILES AWAY ENROLLED IN ONE OF THE MAGNET SCHOOLS WHICH SHARE A BUILDING WITH CAMDEN HIGH.

THEY WERE THUS ELIGIBLE TO PLAY FOR THE PANTHERS.

THE WEBSITES FOR BIG PICTURE LEARNING ACADEMY STATES THAT STUDENTS MUST BE CAMDEN RESIDENTS TO APPLY.

THE COCOUNSEL FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ARGUES OTHERWISE.

>> STUDENTS DO NOT NEED CAMDEN RESIDENCY TO GO TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS ARE THE MAGNET SCHOOLS.

>> WILLIAM TIM BUSEY HAS BEEN BROUGHT ON BECAUSE THE ARTICLE SPARKED INFESTATION FROM THE NEW JERSEY INTO ELASTIC INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

TWO WEEKS AGO, CAMDEN WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN APPEARANCE IN FRONT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE NJISAA.

THAT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED BY A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE.

>> AT THE NJISAA HAS GIVEN US ITS ASSURANCES IN WRITING THAT NONE OF THE PLAYERS ON THE TEAM NOW ARE INELIGIBLE.

WHAT OF THE NJISAA IS RELYING UPON IS HEARSAY.

>> TAMBUSSI SAYS IT WOULD VIOLATE STATE AND FEDERAL LAW TO SHARE THE INFORMATION.

THEY WERE CHARGED $1500 A YEAR TO ATTEND CAMDEN CHARTER SCHOOLS, WHICH TYPICALLY COST MORE THAN $22,000.

ARMSTRONG SAYS THE DISTRICT TOLD HIM ONLY $500 HAS BEEN COLLECTED BETWEEN THE FIVE STUDENTS OVER TWO YEARS.

IN THE LEGAL FILING, CAMDEN SCHOOLS CLAIMS THE DISTRICT IS NOT A COLLECTION AGENCY.

CERTAINLY, A SLOW PACE OF COLLECTION DOES NOT EQUAL A SCHOLARSHIP GRANT.

>> A CASH-STRAPPED SYSTEM THAT HAS HAD TEACHER LAYOFFS, AND, YOU KNOW, NEEDS MONEY IN TERMS OF JUST OPERATING ITS FACILITIES AND WHATNOT, IT CLEARLY CREATED A PATHWAY HERE THAT, YOU KNOW, GOES AGAINST NJISAA REGULATIONS, IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE CREATING SYSTEMS STRICTLY FOR ATHLETIC GAMES.

IT'S HARD TO ARGUE THAT THEY ARE NOT DOING THAT WHEN THE FIVE KIDS GIVEN THE PRIVATE TUITION CONTRACTS ARE ALL-STAR BASKETBALL PLAYERS.

>> THE STATE INVESTIGATION COULD STRIP CAMDEN OF LAST YEAR'S TITLE OR MAKE THIS YEAR'S TEAM INELIGIBLE.

NEW JERSEY IS CONSIDERING TWEAKING SOME OF ITS TRANSFER RULES, BUT IT IS UNCLEAR IF THEY WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE WITH CAMDEN'S TEAM.

>> I'M HOPING THAT IT STABILIZES THINGS A LITTLE BIT.

IT'S GOING TO GIVE SOME FLEXIBILITY.

WILL RESULT IN MORE TRANSFERS?

I'M NOT SURE.

>> PAUL POPPA DUKE IS THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER FOR TRANTER.

UNDER CURRENT RULES, VARSITY ATHLETE TO SWITCH SCHOOLS HAVE TO SIT OUT FOR 30 DAYS, UNLESS IT IS CONSIDERED A BONA FIDE MOVE, LIKE IF SOMEONE MOVES WITH THEIR PARENTS.

A RULE CHANGE WOULD GIVE STUDENTS A ONE-TIME PENALTY FREE TRANSFER, WELL ADDITIONAL TRANSFERS WOULD BRING ABOUT THE 30 DAY PENALTY FOR ATHLETES AT ANY LEVEL.

>> IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE SCHOOLS TO POLICE THAT.

IT IS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO DO THAT.

I THINK IT IS RATHER EASILY MANIPULATED.

THERE ARE SOME OTHER ISSUES WITH THE HAVES AND HAVE NOTS.

IT IS A LOT EASIER FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT.

>> IN LEGAL FILINGS, THE NJISAA ARGUES THAT TO HOST THE TOURNAMENT WHERE ONE SCHOOL EXEMPTS ITSELF FROM HER PLATE REGULATION AND IF IT'S THE NJISAA HEARING PROCESS IS CONTRARY TO THE RULES FOR FAIR PLAY.

IT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE FOR THE LEGAL PROCESS TO SORT OUT WHAT IS FAIR AND WHAT IS NOT.

WHILE THAT IS HAPPENING, CAMDEN HIGH HOOPS WILL KEEP PLAYING AND TRY TO DEFEND THEIR STATE TITLE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M TED GOLDBERG.

>>> THERE IS PUSHBACK FOR THE PLAN FOR THE CORPORATE TAX CODE.

WHY SOME ADVOCACY GROUPS WANT THE TAX TO STAY IN PLACE, PLUS TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PUSHBACK?

>> WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNALED THAT HE WOULD SUPPORT THE SUNSETTING OF THE CORPORATE TAX SURCHARGE, BUSINESS GROUPS APPLAUDED HIS COMMENTS.

NOW, A COALITION OF ADVOCACY GROUPS AND UNIONS SAY THEY WILL FIGHT IT.

MEMBERS OF THE GROUP FOR THE MANY HAVE SENT THE GOVERNORS AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS A LETTER, CALLING FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE SURCHARGE.

THE GROUP NOTES THAT THE SURCHARGE IS PAID BY THE TOP 2% OF THE WEALTHIEST CORPORATIONS OPERATING IN THE STATE.

SHEILA REINERT SAYS THAT THE WEALTHY SHOULD NOT BE GETTING A TAX CUT.

>> ALLOWING THIS GIANT TAX BREAK TO GO THROUGH SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE.

TO EVERYDAY NEW JERSEY FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP WITH HIGHER COSTS, WHO ARE STILL STRUGGLING, RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> SHE SAYS, AS OF EARLIER TODAY, THERE HAVE BEEN NO RESPONSES TO THE CONCERNS OUTLINED IN THE LETTER.

>>> TWO NEW JERSEY FERRY SERVICES ARE RECEIVING FUNDS FOR UPGRADES.

THEY ANNOUNCED THAT NY WATERWAY WILL RECEIVE $7.3 MILLION TO TRANSITION OLDER FERRY VESSELS FROM USING DIESEL ENGINES TO CLIMATE FRIENDLY HYBRID TECHNOLOGY.

ADDITIONALLY, $4 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO MAKING REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BELFORD FERRY TERMINAL IN MIDDLETOWN.

>>> FINALLY, ANYONE WHO HAS BOUGHT A DOZEN EGGS LATELY KNOWS THAT EGG PRICES HAVE SKYROCKETED.

THE USDA HAS POINTED TO A RECORD OUTBREAK OF AVIAN FLU AS A REASON FOR THE HIGH PRICES, BUT A FARMERS ADVOCACY GROUP CALLED FARM ACTION IS NOW ASKING FEDERAL REGULATORS TO INVESTIGATE APPARENT PRICE GOUGING BY EGG PRODUCERS.

THE GROUP KNOWS THAT EGG PRICES HAVE SURGED 138% IN THE PAST YEAR.

>>> NOW, HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

THOSE ARE A LOOK AT YOUR TOP STORIES.

>>> THE BALD EAGLE, THE VERY SYMBOL OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY WAS AT ONE POINT FACING EXTINCTION.

TODAY, THE BALD EAGLE POPULATION HERE IN NEW JERSEY HAS TAKEN AND FIGHT.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, THE BIRD OF PREY HAS INCREASED MORE THAN TWO FOLD IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, AND WITH THE NEW NEST, READY TO WELCOME BABY EAGLE LET'S THIS MONTH, THE NUMBERS COULD BE EVEN HIGHER.

RAVEN SANTANA VISITED DUKE FARMS TO SEE THE MAJESTIC ANIMALS IN ACTION.

>> THE LIKELIHOOD OF SPOTTING A BALD EAGLE IN NEW JERSEY KEEPS GETTING BETTER.

ACCORDING TO THE 2022 BALD EAGLE PROJECT REPORT, THERE HAS BEEN A MORE THAN TWO FOLD INCREASE OVER A TEN-YEAR PERIOD, BEGINNING IN 2013.

THE ZOOLOGIST KATHY CLARK, CO-AUTHOR OF THE STATES ANNUAL REPORT, SAYS THAT IS WHEN 119 ACTIVE NESTS WERE WRITING.

>> WE HAVE DOCUMENTED AN INCREASE IN PREPARATION FOR MANY YEARS NOW.

BUT IN 2022, WE REACHED 250 ACTIVE PAIRS.

THAT IS A NEW HIGH.

WE ALSO GOT THOSE PEERS PRODUCING 335 OFFSPRING.

75% OF OUR NESTS ARE ON PRIVATE LAND.

PRIVATE LANDOWNERS ARE REALLY DOING THE JOB IN A LOT OF CASES OF PROTECTING EAGLE NESTS.

>> IN THE FIRST BALD EAGLE OF 2023 ARRIVED HERE AT DUKE FARMS IN HILLSBORO.

>> THE FIRST YEAR, WE FEARED OUT OF THE THE MAIL THAT WAS HERE IN THE FIRST YEAR IS THE SAME MAIL AND IS STILL HERE.

IT HAS A DISTINGUISHING DESIGNATION.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS BRACELET, IT SAYS THAT HE WAS BANDED IN 1999.

HE IS EITHER 23 OR 22 NOW.

HOWEVER, THESE BIRDS WILL BREED FOR LIFE, QUOTE, UNQUOTE.

I THINK THIS IS THE SECOND OR THIRD FEMALE HE HAS HAD.

THAT'S EITHER BECAUSE SHE PASSED AWAY OR DIDN'T COME BACK OR SOMETHING HAPPENED WHERE SHE DIDN'T RETURN.

>> THAT NEST IS LOCATED ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM THIS LOCATION, IN A TREE ABOUT 80 FEET HIGH.

THANKS TO TECHNOLOGY, YOU CAN WATCH A LIVE STREAM OF THE BALD EAGLES NESTING ON THE DUKE FARMS EAGLE CAM.

>> THE LOGISTICS ARE PRETTY TOUGH.

IN 2008, WE HAD IT FIGURED OUT.

WE BEGAN TO BROADCAST.

IT DRIVES MOST OF OUR TRAFFIC TO YOUR WEBSITE.

WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT OF GOOD THINGS.

WE LEARNED ABOUT THEIR FOOD RESOURCES, WHAT THEY EAT, WHEN THEY EAT.

WE HAVE SEEN IN DIRECTIONS THAT HAVE GONE VIRAL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> TOM ALLMENDINGER BLAMES THE BAN ON THE PESTICIDE DDT FOR REVIVING THE POPULATION.

>> FOR SURE, WHEN THEY BANNED DDT, IN IT CAUSED EXCELS TO BE THIN, SO THAT ADULTS WOULD CRUSH THEIR OWN X1 THEY SAT ON THEM.

THERE WERE NO NEW BABIES BEING BORN.

THAT WAS A HUGE ONE.

TO ME, IT IS A REALLY GOOD INDICATION OF A GREAT CONSERVATION STORY WITH SCIENCE, INFORMING POLICY, INFORMING RELATION.

>> ANYONE WANTING TO BE THE FIRST TO WITNESS BREAKING NEWS, TOM ALLMENDINGER SAYS THE NEW EGGS ARE EXPECTED TO HATCH AT THE END OF THE MONTH AND IT CAN ALL BE VIEWED ON THE FIRM'S 24-HOUR EAGLE CAM.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN MONTANA.

>> THAT IS HER CHAUFFEUR TONIGHT.

BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, MAKE SURE TO HEAD 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 JOANNA GAGIS FOR THE ENTIRE PGCE, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> MGM ENTRANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

>> NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REALTY IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM, AND BY THE PGCE FOUNDATION.