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

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A ONCE IN A CENTURY FIGHT IS PLAYING OUT ON CAPITOL .

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS UNABLE TO AGREE ON THEIR NEXT HOUSE SPEAKER.

REPUBLICAN KEVIN McCARTHY FAILING TO LOCKDOWN THE VOTES NEEDED TO WIN DURING SEVERAL ROUNDS OF VOTING TODAY.

IT IS THE FIRST TIME THE RACE HAS GONE TO MULTIPLE BALLOTS SINCE 1923.

THE SIGN OF THE FRACTURES WITHIN THE GOP.

A GROUP OF 19 HARD-LINE CONSERVATIVES BANDING TOGETHER IN THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE REPUBLICAN LEADER, USING THEIR RAZOR THIN REPUBLICAN MAJORITY AS LEVERAGE TO PULL CONCESSIONS FROM HIM.

BUT ULTIMATELY, BACK REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JIM JORDAN, DENYING THE 218 VOTES NEEDED FOR McCARTHY TO WIN.

DEMOCRATS, MEANWHILE, RALLIED BEHIND MINORITY LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES OF NEW YORK .

THE DRAMA CASTING A SHADOW OVER WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF BUSINESS FOR THE 118th CONGRESS.

ALL OF IT, THOUGH, GRINDING TO A HALT.

THE HOUSE CANNOT CONTINUE WITH ANY OTHER BUSINESS INCLUDING SQUARING IN ITS MEMBERS, 12 FROM NEW JERSEY, UNTIL A SPEAKER IS ELECTED.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHERE REPUBLICANS WILL GO FROM HERE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS IS ON THE GROUND IN WASHINGTON, D.C. , WHERE SHE GOT UP AT ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S NEWEST CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS .

>> Reporter: I AM IN FRONT OF THE CAPITAL WORLD WAS ANYTHING BUT BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE 118th CONGRESS WERE NEW JERSEY SENT 10 INCUMBENTS AND TWO FRESHMAN DELEGATES.

THOSE FRESHMEN, TOM KEAN JR. AND MENENDEZ ARE BOTH NEW TO WASHINGTON POLITICS BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE POLITICAL GAME AND THEY'RE BOTH THE SONS OF POLITICAL HEAVYWEIGHT FATHERS.

I SAT INSIDE THE CHAMBER TO SEE THEM CAST THEIR FIRST VOTES ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT HISTORIC, BUT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT ROB MENENDEZ WAS JOINED BY HIS FATHER, SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ WHO SAT BESIDE HIM FOR THE FIRST VOTE.

TOM KEAN SAT NEXT TO REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS SMITH.

NEW JERSEY'S MOST SENIOR DELEGATE AREA AND WAS ACTUALLY GREETED VERY QUICKLY BY REPRESENTATIVE JIM JORDAN FROM OHIO, WHO HIMSELF ACTUALLY ENDED UP SECURING SEVERAL VOTES FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

ALTHOUGH JORDAN, HIMSELF, WAS SUPPORTING KEVIN McCARTHY.

HISTORY WAS MADE TODAY IS REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN McCARTHY DID NOT SECURE THE VOTES NEEDED TO BECOME THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN 100 YEARS THE HOUSE HAD TO GO TO A SECOND VOTE FOR IT I SPOKE TO SEVERAL OF NEW JERSEY'S DELEGATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO FIND OUT WHAT THIS DAY AND WHAT THOSE HISTORIC PROCEEDINGS MEANT TO THEM.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THE PLACE OF LOVE FOR A LARGE AMOUNT OF MY LIFE .

THERE'S A LOT WE CAN GET THEM.

THE BALL IS IN THEIR COURT.

HOPEFULLY THEY WANT TO WORK ON TANGIBLE RESULTS FOR OUR VOTES AND IF THEY DO, WE WILL BE THERE.

>> Reporter: MENENDEZ SAYS INFLATION WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES TO ADDRESS.

>> WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MEET THE CHALLENGE TO DRIVE DOWN INFLATION.

THAT IS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

HOW WE DO IT, THERE WAS PROBABLY A CHALLENGE WITH REPUBLICANS.

>> IS INVESTIGATING HUNTER BIDEN WILL BE A PRIORITY.

DO YOU THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HIS BUSINESS DEALINGS?

>> I THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING WITH AFFORDABILITY RIGHT NOW AND MAKING ENDS MEET AND THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD ALL BE FOCUSING ON.

>> WHAT ARE THE AREAS WHERE YOU THINK THERE COULD BE BIPARTISANSHIP?

>> OFF THE BAT , ISSUES LIKE OPIOIDS AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

I'VE BEEN TALKING TO MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT OUR DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING AND SUPPORTING THAT TO STAND UP TO CHINA LIKE WE DID WITH CHIPS IN THE LAST CONGRESS.

A HUGE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FUND, NOT DEFINED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CONTINUE SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS.

A LOT TO WORK ON TOGETHER .

IMMIGRATION REFORM IS A TOUGH ONE.

I KNOW WE ARE EAGER TO GET SOMETHING DONE THERE.

THE IF WE CAN GET THE OTHER SIDE TO COME TO THE TABLE ON THAT.

>> Reporter: NOW IN HER THIRD TERM, MIKEY CHERYL IS CONCERNED THAT WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE WILL BE A CONCERN THE SESSION.

>> WE HEARD FROM McCARTHY HIMSELF THAT HE WANTED TO DEFEND UKRAINE.

THEY MIGHT WANT TO HOLD THE DEBT FEELING HOSTAGE.

>> 20 DEFINED MEDICAID, MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY.

ALL VERY UNPOPULAR THINGS WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I THINK WE SAW EVEN BEFORE THE SPOT THAT THE REPUBLICANS REALLY WERE NOT GOING TO HAVE IT TOUGH TIME -- THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A TOUGH TIME REPRESENTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN THE CONGRESS.

>> THEY SAID THE UNITED STATES WOULD NO LONGER BE WRITING BLANK CHECKS FOR UKRAINE.

WHAT YOU THINK OUR POLICY SHOULD BE WHEN WE ARE SUPPORTING UKRAINE?

>> WE ARE SUPPORTING UKRAINE AND THEIR FIGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE SUPPORTING ALL OF US.

THEIR STAND FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS AGAINST THE POWERS LIKE RUSSIA, THEY'RE MAKING SURE THAT THEY PROTECT OUR NATO ALLIES AND MAKING SURE THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, RUSSIA DOES NOT GOING TO POLAND.

MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT I WILL BE WORKING WITHIN A PIPE ARTISAN WE WILL BE REPUBLICANS.

MANY REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE ARE ON THE SERVICES COMMITTEE AND FEEL AS DEEPLY ABOUT THIS FIGHT AS I DO.

>> A LOT OF ISSUES TO BE HAMMERED OUT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR IN THE NEXT ROOM.

I WILL TELL YOU WE TRY TO CONNECT WITH TOM KEAN JR. MUCH LIKE HE AVOIDED THE PRESS DURING HIS CAMPAIGN, TODAY WAS BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR HIM.

HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE AN INTERVIEW HAPPEN.

REPUBLICANS HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AS THEY TRIED TO COALESCE AROUND A NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

IN WASHINGTON, JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> JERSEY CITY MAYOR STEVE PHILIP OFFICIALLY INFORMING INFORMING RESIDENTS TODAY HE WILL NOT RUN FOR REELECTION IN 2025 AND IT'S NO SURPRISE RED HE HAS ASPIRATIONS FOR HIGHER OFFICE.

TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT IS WIDELY SEEN AS A SIGNAL THAT HE WILL RUN FOR GOVERNOR AGAIN.

PHILIP NEVER OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED HER CANDIDACY FOR GOVERNOR IN 2017 BUT HE WAS CONSIDERED A FRONT-RUNNER AT THE TIME.

HE ANNOUNCED BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC THAT HE WOULD NOT RUN AND INSTEAD ENDORSED TOM MURPHY RED PHILIP WAS FIRST ELECTED MAYOR IN 2013 AFTER SERVING MORE THAN A DECADE ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

HE HAS ALREADY RECEIVED VERBAL SUPPORT FROM SEVERAL KEY HUT AND 20 POLITICAL PLAYERS.

TODAY, HE SPOKE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ BUT WOULD NOT SAY WITH CERTAINTY HE IS EYEING A GUBERNATORIAL RUN.

>> I AM CERTAINLY LOOKING AT IT.

DEFINITELY INCHING AND MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

I WOULD NOT PAY THAT WE ARE 100% THERE YET.

BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT YOU WILL BE ON THE BALLOT AGAIN IS NEAR.

>> A NEW OFFSHOOT OF THE OMICRON VARIANT IS SPREADING FAST IN PARTS OF THE U.S. FUELED BY A BUSY HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON, SPARKING WORRIES ABOUT A NEW WAVE OF COVID INFECTIONS.

THE LATEST STRAIN KNOWN AS X BB 15 IS A HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE VERSION OF THE CORONAVIRUS NARES ON ZABUL FOR 40% OF CASES IN THE COUNTRY.

AND ABOUT 75% OF CONFIRMED CASES HERE IN THE NORTHEAST ALONE ACCORDING TO THE CDC.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY TODAY, MORE THAN 1800 NEW CONFIRMED CASES AND 22 MORE DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED .

IT IS A STEADY RISE FROM WEEK TO WEEK , BUT STILL FAR BELOW THE SURGERY SO LAST WINTER.

EPIDEMIOLOGIST PROTECT X BB-15 WILL BECOME THE DOMINANT VARIANT IN THE REGION AND INCREASE CASES NATIONWIDE AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THIS VARIANT CAUSES MORE SEVERE ILLNESS BUT THE RATE OF SPREAD IS WORRISOME FOR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS.

ESPECIALLY AS THE UPTAKE ON THE LATEST BOOSTER SHOT REMAINS LOW.

THE UPTAKE IN NEW INFECTIONS WAS ENOUGH FOR SEVERAL SCHOOLS TO BRING BACK MASK MANDATE FOLLOWING HOLIDAY BREAK.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL BELL RANG CALLING KIDS BACK TO CLASS AND BACK TO A RENEWED MASK MANDATE IN PATTERSON TODAY.

HIGH COMMUNITY LEVELS OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES LIKE , RSV, AND COVID-19 PROMPTED SUPERINTENDENT EILEEN SCHAEFER TERRY AND THE MASK MANDATE FOR MORE THAN 23,000 STUDENTS.

PLUS ALL STAFFERS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

>> YOU WILL SEE THE KIDS WEARING THE MASKS AND NOT FOREVER.

IT'S GOING TO BE UNTIL WE SEE THESE NUMBERS COMING DOWN.

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT KIDS TO BE OUT.

I DON'T WANT TEACHERS TO BE OUT AND I WANT EVERYBODY TO BE IN FOR IN PERSON INSTRUCTION.

>> WHEN COVID-19 LEVELS ARE HIGH AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, WE HAVE TO TAKE SOME SPECIFIC MEASURES.

THERE ARE GUIDELINES SET ASIDE BY THE CDC.

>> Reporter: HEADERS AND SCHOOLS LOG 35 TO 40 NEW CASES BEFORE HOLIDAY BREAK.

AND PASSAIC COUNTY COMMUNITY LEVEL IS HIGH.

THEY RECOMMEND WEARING A MASK INDOORS IN PUBLIC AND ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

15 COUNTIES HAVE HIGH COVID LEVELS , THE CDC SAYS.

MEANWHILE, INFLUENZA IS RAMPANT ACROSS THIS DATE.

THIS MAN'S NEPHEW HAS IT AND MISSED SCHOOL TODAY.

>> SECOND GRADE.

SO STILL, HE IS SICK .

TODAY, HE'S NOT COMING.

>> THE SITUATION IS SEVERE.

AND THE FLU.

>> Reporter: THEY AGREED TO THE RENEWED MASK MANDATE LIKE MOST FOLKS DID WITH A WEARY RESIGNATION.

KIDS WHO FORGET MASKS CAN GET ONE!

BUT NO ONE IS ALLOWED IN WITHOUT ONE.

>> IT'S GOOD, BUT OTHER KIDS DON'T LIKE IT.

I WILL SAY IT'S OKAY.

>> THEY CAN'T BREATHE SOMETIMES.

MY OWN KIDS SAY, LIKE , I CAN'T BREATHE.

ALL WEARING A MASK.

>> YOU DON'T LIKE IT ?

>> NO.

>> WE HAD A GREAT OPENING THIS MORNING.

AS FAR AS I HAVE HEARD , IT IS BUSINESS AS USUAL, EXCEPT WITH A MASK ON.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS SAID SOME SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY REIMPOSE A MANDATORY MASK MANDATE DUE TO RISING RESPIRATORY VIRUS CASELOADS , BUT THE STATEWIDE MANDATE REMAINS ON LIKE THE .

EXCEPT FOR PLACES THAT ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE THEM LIKE A CENTERS AND PATTERSON IS NOT THE ONLY DISTRICT THAT HAS REINSTATED THE MASK MANDATE.

NOTED CAMDEN AND PASSAIC SCHOOLS.

PATTERSON IS STRUGGLING TO HIRE MORE TEACHERS TO FILL VACANCIES.

IT IS USUAL TO KEEP STAFF HEALTHY.

>> I KNOW WHEN I DO THIS, I WAS GOING TO GET RESPECT AND NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

PEOPLE EMAILING ME, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS.

AND SOME PEOPLE, I WILL SAY LESS, THAT ARE SAYING, WHY DO WE HAVE DO THIS?

>> SCHAEFER KNOWS IT IS A MATTER OF EQUITY IN A DISTRICT THAT IS 100% MINORITY.

THEY STILL DO CONTRACT TRACING , ALERTING FAMILIES OF NEW CASES AND THE CITY IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH A NEW MEDICAL RESPONSE UNIT TO OFFER TEST AND VACCINATIONS.

>> PATTERSON IS DOUBLING DOWN ON THE TRIPLE >>.

WE WILL BE UNVEILING A NEW, MULTIPURPOSE MOBILE UNIT TO ADDRESS RSV, THE BLUE , AND COVID-19.

>> THE UNIT DEBUTS THURSDAY.

MASKS WILL REMAIN UNTIL COMMUNITY VIRUS LEVELS RETREAT.

IN PATTERSON, BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> DESPITE ALL THEIR EFFORTS IN 2022, ANTI-SMOKING ADVOCATES WERE NOT ABLE TO PUSH A BAN ON TALKING IN NEW JERSEY CASINOS OVER THE FINISH LINE.

ONE OF JUST A HANDFUL OF PLACES IN THE STATE WHERE YOU CAN TELL LINEUP INDOORS.

WORKERS ARE FRUSTRATED BY HEALTH CONCERNS, BUT CASINO OWNERS ARGUE A BAN WILL DRIVE GAMBLERS OUT OF DATE.

MANY EXPECT THE BILL TO ENFORCE THE BAN WILL PASS, BUT IT IS UNCLEAR IF AND WHEN IT WILL GET A VOTE FOR TED GOLDBERG HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: IT IS ABSURD AND BARBARIC TO HAVE TO BE THIS MOCS FILTER.

>> FOR SOME DEALER , BEING THIS MOCS FILTER IS AN OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD.

CASINOS ARE ONE OF THE FEW PLACES LEFT IN NEW JERSEY WHERE YOU CAN LEGALLY SMOKE INDOORS.

SOME DEALERS SAY THEY'VE HAD ENOUGH.

>> YOUR EYES START BURNING.

YOUR THROAT GETS SCRATCHY.

DRIVE.

YOU JUST NOW.

IT'S POISON.

YOU CAN TELL YOUR BODY REACT TO IT.

I'M NOT ALLOWED TO TURN.

IS THAT UPWARDS OF $1 MILLION OF CHIPS IN FRONT OF ME AND I CANNOT TURN MY HEAD OR WALK AWAY.

>> WE ASKED HIM NOT TO BLOW SMOKE AT US, BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID THE SMOKE AND EVEN WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO BE POLITE .

WITH WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT SECONDHAND SMOKE AND THE LONG-TERM DAMAGE , THAT'S ALWAYS IN THE BACK OF OUR MINDS.

>> A LONG-STANDING PROPOSAL IN NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATURE WOULD IS THE CARVEOUT IN THE SMOKE-FREE AIR ACT AND BAN SMOKING IN ATLANTIC CITY'S NINE CASINOS.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY HAS SAID THAT HE WOULD SIGN THE BILL WHEN IT LANDS ON HIS DESK.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME PUSHBACK AGAINST THIS.

SOME PEOPLE WORRY BANNING SMOKING IN NEW JERSEY CASINOS WOULD SEND GAMBLERS ACROSS THE DELAWARE RIVER.

>> IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE OPTION TO SMOKE AND YOU ALLOW IT IN PENNSYLVANIA, THERE IS GOING TO BE A NET DROP IN GAMING IN NEW JERSEY.

>> BOB McDEVITT LEADS THE LOCAL 54 UNION, WHICH REPRESENTS MORE THAN 10,000 HOSPITALITY WORKERS AND MANY OF THEM IN ATLANTIC CITY.

HE SAYS NEW JERSEY SHOULD WAIT TO BANDS TALKING UNTIL PENNSYLVANIA DOES IT IN NEW JERSEY IS NOT AT A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE.

IF PEOPLE OPT NOT TO GO, THEY ARE NOT STAYING IN A HOTEL.

NO REASON TO HAVE THEM MAKE THE HOTEL BEDS.

IT WILL NOT JUST HAVE AN EFFECT ON FOLKS WHO ARE DEALERS AND BARTENDERS.

>> WYNN CASINOS REOPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC, YOU COULD NOT SMOKE FOR ABOUT A FULL YEAR.

CRAP STEELERS LaMONT WHITE AND PETE MACK ARE REALLY SAY GAMBLERS WERE NOT DISSUADED BY A BAN ON SMOKING.

>> THEY WENT OUTSIDE LIKE THEY DO EVERYWHERE ELSE.

AND THEY CAME BACK AND .

I'VE SEEN GAMBLERS.

THE GAMBLERS WILL SWIM THROUGH A MOAT OF ALLIGATORS TO GET BACK TO THE BLACKJACK TABLE.

>> IF THEY COME TO A GAME AND IT IS NON-SMOKING FOR SOME REASON AND WE SAY, YOU CANNOT SMOKE AND THEY PUT THE CIGARETTE OUT AND THEY PLAY.

FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, THEY GO SMOKE OUTSIDE.

THEY ARE NOT LIKE, AND LEAVING.

I'M GOING TO DRIVE TO PHILLY.

>> THEY POINT TO A STUDY FROM A CONSORTIUM THAT STARTED CASINOS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS AND FOUND CASINOS THAT BANS NOTHING ON THEIR OWN DID NOT OFFER SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN REVENUE OR MARKET SHARE.

BUT ANOTHER STUDY DONE BY THE SPECTRUM GAMING GROUP PROJECT THAT GAMING REVENUE WOULD DROP BETWEEN 4% AND 11% IF SMOKING WAS BANNED.

>> WHY DON'T YOU PAY US -- PASS A BILL THAT SAYS THE DAY PENNSYLVANIA BANS SMOKING, NEW JERSEY WELL, AS WELL AND USE THAT PREVENTIVELY TO SAY, LET'S JUST PUT IT OUT THERE ON THE TABLE.

WE WILL SIGN IT.

>> THE BILL HAS ENOUGH SPONSORS THAT IT IS PRACTICALLY A SHOE IN TO PASS THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND SENATE.

BUT UNTIL A VOTE IS HELD, PEOPLE IN ATLANTIC THAT HE WILL HAVE TO HOLD THEIR BREATH AND OR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, AND TED GOLDBERG.

>>> DAYS INTO 2023, THERE IS A FRESH ROUND OF CASH OF GRAB TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE STATE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE DETAILS ON THE PROGRAM PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA.

>>> THE NEW YEAR BEGINS WITH MORE HELP FOR NEW JERSEY'S SMALL BUSINESSES.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS RECEIVING $255 MILLION IN FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL STATE SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT INITIATIVE.

NEW JERSEY WILL USE THE FUNDING TO DEVELOP SIX PROGRAMS THAT WILL PROVIDE BOTH FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SMALL AND EARLIEST AGE COMPANIES INCLUDING THOSE FOCUSED ON INNOVATION.

A PORTION OF THE FUNDS WILL BE SET ASIDE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.

THE STATE IS RUNNING TO LAUNCH PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THE ENERGY AND LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRIES , AS WELL AS A FEW PROGRAMS TO HELP THOSE ENTREPRENEURS JUST GETTING STARTED WITH THEIR BUSINESSES.

GET READY TO PAY MORE TO DRIVE INTO MANHATTAN DARTING THIS SUNDAY.

HOLES WILL INCREASE BY ONE DOLLAR ON THE PORT AUTHORITY BRIDGES AND TUNNELS.

THE CURRENT TOLL FOR EASY PASS USERS WILL RISE TO $14.75 .

IF YOU PAY BY CASH, THE NEW FAIR IS $17.

IF YOU USE THE MONORAIL TO GET TO NEWARK OR WORK, THAT'S GOING TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE , TOO.

FARES ARE GOING UP $.45 TO EIGHT DOLLARS.

THESE PLANS, ON TOP OF FIRE TOLLS THAT WENT INTO EFFECT OVER THE WEEKEND ON THE TURNPIKE , PARKWAY, AND ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY.

SURVEYS HAVE SHOWN AMERICANS ARE NOT SAVING AS MUCH FOR RETIREMENT AS THEY WOULD LIKE.

A RECENTLY PASSED BILL IN WASHINGTON CREATES INCENTIVES TO SAVE MORE.

RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED A BUDGET BILL THAT INCLUDED THE BIPARTISAN SECURE 2.0 ACT.

DYLAN TYSON IS PRESIDENT OF RETIREMENT STRATEGIES IN THE NEWARK-BASED CREDENTIAL.

>> BAD THINGS THAT HELP BOTH YOUNGER AND OLDER SAVERS ALIKE.

ONE OF THE KEY PROVISIONS THAT IS AIMED AND WILL HELP YOUNGER FOLKS IS A PROVISION THAT BRINGS AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT TO 401(K) PLANS.

FOR THOSE CLOSER TO RETIREMENT, THE LAW WILL ALLOW FOR LARGER CATCH-UP CONTRIBUTIONS IN RETIREMENT PLANS.

THOSE CHANGES COME OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

HERE'S A CHECK ON THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET AND RHONDA SCHAFFLER ARE THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS DORIES.

>>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST POLICY FIGHTS OF THE LAST YEAR INVOLVED REVAMPING NEW JERSEY'S YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM , MEANT TO BEEF UP SERVICES FOR KIDS CONTINUING TO NAVIGATE THE EMOTIONAL TOLLS OF THE PANDEMIC.

STATE OFFICIALS RECEIVED MAJOR PUSHBACK FROM EDUCATION ADVOCATES AND PARENTS WHO WORRIED THAT MOVING AWAY FROM THE CURRENT SCHOOL-BASED MODEL TO A REGIONAL HUB AND SPOKE APPROACH WOULD LEAVE MANY KIDS BEHIND.

FOR MORE ON THE PROPOSAL AND ITS FUTURE IN THE NEW YEAR, I AM JOINED BY MENTAL HEALTH WRITER, BOBBY BREYER.

THE STATE HAS POURED TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO REVAMPING THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM FOR KIDS.

WHAT IS THE REAL BLOWBACK ABOUT?

>> ADVOCATES HAVE TOLD ME RIGHT NOW WHAT THEIR MAIN CONCERNS ARE IS THAT THIS CURRENT PROGRAM THAT THEY HAVE IN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE 90 SCHOOLS WILL ESSENTIALLY BE REPLACED BY WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS A NOT AS EFFECT PROGRAM.

ONE THAT THEY ARE HIGHLY OPTICAL OF THAT WOULD REPLACE THIS CURRENT ONE.

ESSENTIALLY, THERE HAS BEEN A MAJOR VICTORY, AS WE KNOW, AS ADVOCATES HAVE SAID, IN KEEPING THE CURRENT GRAMS IN PLACE FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT YEAR , WHILE THE STATE ROLLS OUT WHAT THEY ARE CALLING THEIR HUB AND SPOKE MODEL OR THEIR NJ 4 S PROGRAM .

AFTER THAT ROLLS OUT AND THERE ARE PROGRAMS GOING ON TO SEE WHO IS ABLE TO STAFF THOSE PUBS, ADVOCATES HAVE TOLD ME THERE'S GOT TO HOLD THE THIS PROGRAM WOULD BE AS EFFECTIVE AS THE ONE THEY HAVE IN PLACE NOW.

THAT IS WHERE THE MAIN CONCERN AND BLOWBACK IS COMING FROM.

>> IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF NATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THIS MODEL, AS WELL SUPPORT FOR THIS MODEL, AS W%L BUT THE STATE SAYS, LISTEN, WE CAN REACH MORE KIDS WITH THIS REGIONAL APPROACH.

WHAT DOES THE DATA SHOW?

>> THE DATA HAS SHOWN, FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN, IS THAT THE MOST EFFECT OF APPROACH IS THE CURRENT SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES PROGRAMS.

WHAT BACKS THAT UP IS THE FACT THAT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS , CLINICIANS AND THERAPIST , FORM RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS THAT ENABLE A LEVEL OF TRUST THAT THEY MIGHT NOT FIND ELSEWHERE OUT OUT OF THE SCHOOL.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE DATA POINTS TO .

ESPECIALLY FOR FOLKS WHO MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THINGS LIKE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS.

EVEN A FOOD PANTRY OR A CLOTHING DRIVE THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.

SO THAT IS REALLY THE MAIN POINT OF THE DATA POINTS TO.

THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE IN MULTIPLE STATES ARE OF THE COUNTRY, AS WELL.

>> WHAT ELSE TO DEFEND THE STATE WOULD NEED TO KEEP UP WITH THIS CRISIS?

THERE HAS BEEN AN EMPHASIS ON HIRING MORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKERS TO GET THEM INTO THOSE JOBS TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS.

WHAT ELSE, THOUGH, IS MISSING?

>> FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES IS THAT REALLY, THE LACK RIGHT NOW IS IN CHILD PSYCHIATRIST THROUGHOUT THE STATE , THAT THERE COULD BE MORE OF THERAPISTS IN GENERAL BUT ESPECIALLY CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST , THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE EMPHASIS ON GETTING FOLKS INTO THOSE PROGRAMS AND OUT INTO THE WORK FORCE.

THE NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATURE HAS PROPOSED LAWS THAT WOULD ENHANCE THOSE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORK FORCES.

ESPECIALLY GEARED TOWARDS PSYCHIATRIST AND CHILD PSYCHIATRIST .

IT MIGHT BE MONTHS OR YEARS BEFORE WE START TO SEE THE BENEFITS OF THOSE LAWS TO THAT IS ESSENTIALLY THE MAIN GAP I AM SEEING RIGHT NOW.

THE FACT THAT THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THIS DATE THAT DO NOT RECEIVE DCF FUNDING.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FUNDING FOR THESE SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES PROGRAMS, BUT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAMS.

ANOTHER FEAR WOULD BE IF THIS NEW PROGRAM IS IN PLACE, THESE CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT DON'T RECEIVE FUNDING WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME OPERATING ANYMORE ON THEIR OWN.

THOSE ARE KIND OF THE MAIN POINTS THAT ARE CAPTURED HERE RIGHT NOW.

>> ESTATE WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY TO PLAY WITH .

MOVING FORWARD, THAT WILL BE AN ISSUE.

BOBBY BREYER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> IN QUEUE.

>>> TO READ MORE ABOUT THE CONTROVERSY ADDRESSING NEW JERSEY'S YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> FINALLY, COLLETT DISCOVERED FOR THE RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM .

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, RIGHT IS UPSET THE NUMBER ONE RANKED TEAM IN THE COUNTRY.

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, THAT TEAM WAS PRETTY.

RUTGERS GOT A ONE POINT VICTORY AGAINST THE BOILERMAKERS ON THE ROAD.

HOLDING ONTO A WIN AS PURDUE STORMED BACK AFTER HALFTIME.

RUTGERS TOOK THE LEAD WITH A THREE BY KIM SPENCER WITH 13 SECONDS TO GO.

THEY CLAMPED DOWN FOR THE FINAL STRETCH TO SEAL THE WIN READ FARE 10-4 ON THE SEASON, HOSTING MARYLAND ON THURSDAY.

THE UPSET MEANS THE UNIVERSITY OF MEXICO, LOBOS ARE THE LAST UNDEFEATED TEAM REMAINING IN THE NATION.

THAT'S OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE TO GO OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND ALL OF US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

HERE IS TO A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC WAS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD AREA 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.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF TO I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE OF A LONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA CROMPTON AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN NJEA MEMBER.