>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

AND BY THAT PS E.G.

FOUNDATION.

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

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE McCARTHY MASS DRAGS ON FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT DAY.

CONGRESSIONAL GOP MEMBERS ARE STILL GRIDLOCKED OVER THERE VOTE FOR HOUSE SPEAKER.

A CORE GROUP OF CONSERVATIVES DELIVERING DEFEAT AFTER DEFEAT TO REPUBLICAN LEADER KEVIN McCARTHY IN HIS QUEST FOR THE GAVEL.

IT IS AN EMBARRASSING BLOW TO THE HOUSE MAJORITY THAT HAS THROWN POST THE PARTY AND ITS AGENDA INTO CHAOS.

TODAY MEMBERS PUT FORWARD AN ALTERNATIVE CANDIDATE.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE BYRON DONALD OF FLORIDA WHO RECEIVED CONSISTENT 20 VOTES AND HAKEEM JEFFRIES OF NEW YORK GETTING UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM HIS CAUCUS.

SEVERAL PROMINENT LEADERS OF THE GOP URGED McCARTHY TO MAKE A DEAL WITH THE MEMBERS OPPOSING HIS SPEAKERSHIP OR STEP ASIDE, WHILE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TOLD HIM TO HOLD ON.

HIS DEFECTORS AND TELLING THEM TO, QUOTE, NOT THAT OFF.

PRESIDENT BIDEN CALLED IT AN EMBARRASSMENT.

NOTHING ENDING THE IMPASSE, AND ONE THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN 100 YEARS AND KEEPING ALL CONGRESSIONAL BUSINESS AT A STANDSTILL.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS HAS BEEN AT THE CAPITAL FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS AND AS THE LATEST ON THE STALEMATE.

>> Reporter: 118th CONGRESS DID ANYTHING BUT PROCEED TODAY.

ONCE AGAIN, ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES WAITING TO BE SWORN INTO OFFICE.

SOME FOR THE FIRST TIME, BECAUSE REPUBLICANS CANNOT AGREE ON WHO SHOULD BE >> SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN McCARTHY STILL UNABLE TO SECURE ANY OF THE VOTES AGAINST HIM THAT TODAY ALL WENT TO FLORIDA CONGRESSMAN BYRON DONALD.

YOU HAVE TO ASK IF THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT.

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING AS THEY HELD NOT ONE, TWO, THREE, BUT SIX VOTES THAT ALL ENDED WITH THE SAME RESULT.

NO TO SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> THEY'RE FLYING BY THE SEAT OF THEIR PANTS AT THIS POINT.

YOU'VE GOT 20 HOLDOUTS ON KEVIN McCARTHY, WHO SEEM TO BE UNSHAKABLE.

AND THAT IS A BARRIER NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO GET OVER.

>> EVEN AFTER THREE VOTES YESTERDAY, THREE VOTES TODAY, AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THIS MORNING URGING REPUBLICANS TO UNITE BEHIND McCARTHY, HE COULD STILL NOT WIN THE MAJORITY VOTE.

WE REACHED OUT TO ALL OF NEW JERSEY'S REPUBLICAN DELEGATION.

CONGRESSMAN'S CHRISTMAS AND TOM KEAN JR., YET TO BE SWORN IN.

NONE RESPONDED TO THE REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW, BUT THEY WERE UNWAVERING FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF McCARTHY OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS.

NEW JERSEY'S DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES SAY THIS AND ABILITY TO GET GOVERNMENT GOING IS CONCERNING.

>> OUR COUNTRY DESERVES BETTER.

THEY HAD BASICALLY TWO MONTHS SINCE ELECTION DAY TO SORT THIS OUT.

THE FACT THAT THEY COULD NOT SHOULD BE REALLY WORRYING.

NOT JUST ABOUT THE SPEAKER VOTES, BUT EVERYTHING THAT COMES NEXT.

AND IT'S BEING LAID OUT FOR ALL OF AMERICA TO WATCH.

BUT WHAT IS SAD IS THAT IT IS HAMPERING OUR ABILITY TO DO OUR JOB.

I'VE YET TO BE SWORN IN AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS FOR MY THIRD TERM.

I CAN'T INTRODUCE ANY LEGISLATION, VOTE ON ANY LEGISLATION.

>> Reporter: HAS ANYONE FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY REACHED OUT TO YOU OR ANY OF YOUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES ASKING FOR SUPPORT FOR A SPEAKER?

>> I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF.

THE ANSWER IS NO.

NO ONE HAS REACHED OUT TO ME.

I'VE NOT HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANYBODY ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WHO HAS RECENTLY RECEIVED ANY OUTREACH.

HONESTLY, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT IT WOULD ACTUALLY MAKE IT EVEN HARDER FOR THEM TO GAIN VOTES.

IF KEVIN McCARTHY OR SOMEONE ELSE WAS STARTING TO LEAN IT DEMOCRATIC, THEY WOULD CRATER REPUBLICAN SUPPORT.

>> THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE SOMEBODY THAT WOULD BE APPROACHED, JUST GIVEN THAT I HAVE SOME GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH REPUBLICANS.

IF THEY WERE KIND OF FEELING PEOPLE OUT, WE MIGHT HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS.

I THINK WHAT WE ARE WAITING TO SEE IS SORT OF WHERE THIS IS HEADED.

MAYBE THERE IS A BETTER CANDIDATE THAN McCARTHY.

SOMEBODY WHO IS MORE MODERATE AND HAS NOT ENGENDERED THE ANGER IN THE EXTREME OF THE PARTY AND COULD MAYBE STAND UP A LITTLE.

WOULD NOT HAVE TO GIVE AWAY THE WHOLE SHOP.

MAYBE SOMEBODY WOULD REACH OUT TO A HANDFUL OF DEMOCRATS SO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO KOWTOW TO THE EXTREME RIGHT.

>> IT'S THE FREEDOM CAUCUS PUSHING BACK ON McCARTHY.

POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR ROSS BAKER SAYS -- >> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY QUITE KNOWS WHAT IT IS.

I THINK THAT AMONG THE 20, THERE ARE VERY DIFFERENT KINDS OF REASON WHY THEY OPPOSE.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE THE VOTES AND IT'S TIME TO WITHDRAW.

>> Reporter: McCARTHY SUPPORTERS SAYING THE DISCORD COULD THREATEN THEIR PARTY.

>> WE RISK THE WORST OUTCOME IF WE CANNOT UNITE BEHIND THE MAN WHO HAS HELPED US TO ACHIEVE THESE SUBSTANTIVE REFORMS.

REFORMS THAT OFFER ALL OF US, THIS WHOLE BODY, HOPE FOR CHANGE IN THIS BROKEN STATUS QUO.

REFORMS THAT OUR VOTERS HAVE DEMANDED, THAT WE HAVE WORKED HARD TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE, AND FINALLY, REFORMS THAT WE RISK OR FITTING IF WE DO NOT WORK TOGETHER AS REPUBLICANS TO ELECT THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: IT ENDED EXACTLY AS IT STARTED.

A DEEP DIVIDE WITH NO END IN SIGHT.

WHO CAN SECURE THE SUPPORT OF REPUBLICANS TO SECURE THE CHAMBER AND GET GOING IS A QUESTION WITH NO ANSWER.

BACK TO YOU.

>>> A STORY LINE UNFOLDING AROUND THE NEXT POTENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

JERSEY CITY MAYOR HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION.

HIS FIRST STEP TOWARDS A GUBERNATORIAL RUN.

POLITICAL JOCKEYING AND WHAT WILL BE A CLOUDED FIELD OF CONTENDERS FOR THE RACE.

DAVID CRUZ HAS THE STORY.

>> AFTER TALKING IT OVER WITH JACQUELINE AT THE START OF THE NEW YEAR, I'VE DECIDED I WANT BE ON THE BALLOT AS MAYOR.

>> AND ROLLED OUT LIKE A CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT COMPLETE WITH DRONES OF THE SKYLINE, HERMETIC MUSIC, A LAUNDRY LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

ALL BUT CONFIRMING HE IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR BY CONFIRMING HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR --MAYOR THREE YEARS FROM NOW.

>> TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO NEXT.

>> WHAT THAT MIGHT BE, YOU MAY ASK.

TO BE CLEAR, HE'S INTENDING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

THE FIRST ONE OUT OF THE GATE SO TO SPEAK.

WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.

IN 2016 HE WAS CONSIDERED SOMETHING OF A FRONT-RUNNER WHEN HE SUGGESTED HE WAS PLANNING A RUN FOR GOVERNOR UNTIL HE SUDDENLY WAS NOT.

>> NUMBER ONE IS YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN IN THIS OFFICE OR 10 YEARS.

IN 2017 IT WAS THREE YEARS.

SECONDLY, I THINK IN THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, LIFE HAS CHANGED FOR ME A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT.

I'VE HAD LOSSES IN MY FAMILY OR MY BROTHER PASSED AWAY.

I GOT MARRIED, HAD TWO KIDS.

MOVED INTO A HOUSE IN THE HEIGHTS.

LIFE CHANGES.

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

YOU GROW.

>> AN IMPORTANT LESSON FOR 2017.

YOU DON'T GET IN AND OUT OF THE RACE.

YOU SEND A CLEAR SIGNAL.

HE IS DOING ALL OF THOSE THINGS NOW.

>> MICHAEL RASMUSSEN SAYS FULOP IS SMART TO GET OUT THERE EARLY.

THE FIELD IS EXPECTED TO BE THICK WITH CANDIDATES.

FORMIDABLE CANDIDATES.

>> McCUE CHERYL, GREG CONKLIN, POTENTIALLY INTERESTED.

SENSORY AND NOW JERSEY CITY MAYOR STEVE FULOP.

IT WILL NOT BE AN EASY FIELD FOR ANYBODY.

>> IT IS THREE YEARS AWAY.

BUT IN POLITICS, THAT'S RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS COIN IS THE MAYOR'S JOB, A PRETTY GOOD ONE.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK ALSO START THE BALL ROLLING ON THAT ELECTION, ALSO THREE YEARS AWAY.

INSIDERS SAY THERE WAS PRESSURE ON PHILIP TO MAKE HIS INTENTIONS KNOWN SO THAT OTHERS LIKE FORMER COUNCILMAN AND CURRENT COUNTY COMMISSIONER BILL O'DAY CAN MAKE THEIR MOVES.

>> I WOULD WANT TO SEE WHO ELSE WOULD WANT TO RUN.

IF THERE IS SOMEBODY MAYBE YOUNGER OR BETTER.

YOU KNOW, MY EGO IS NOT THAT BIG, DAVE.

IF I THINK THERE IS SOMEBODY YOUNGER AND BETTER THAT SHARES MY PHILOSOPHY AND I COULD HELP THEM, I COULD LIVE WITHOUT.

BUT I AM A VERY YOUNG 63.

>> Reporter: HE IS POPULAR IN THE CITY, ALBEIT NOT WITHOUT DETRACTORS.

HE IS A GOOD DEMOCRATIC STORY TO TELL.

JERSEY CITY IS ONE OF THE MOST DYNAMIC CITIES IN THE STATE AND THE MAYOR HAS BEEN BUILDING HIS PROFILE FOR YEARS NOW, HOPING THAT THE FIELD THIS TIME AROUND WILL AT LEAST BE PREDICTABLE, AND THAT THERE IS NOT ANOTHER PHIL MURPHY OUT THERE TO SHORT-CIRCUIT THIS EFFORT.

DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS MOVING THE NEEDLE IN MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES.

THE HOSPITAL BIRTHING CENTERS HAVE SAVED HUNDREDS OF LIVES ACCORDING TO A NEW ASSESSMENT FROM THE NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

THE SAME IMPROVEMENTS ENABLED ABOUT 10,000 WOMEN TO AVOID UNNECESSARY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SURGICAL OR CESAREAN DELIVERIES.

AND CONTRIBUTED TO SIGNIFICANT DROPS AND FATAL BLEEDING.

ONE OF THE MOST COMMON AND DEADLY BIRTHING COMPLICATIONS.

THE SUCCESSES ARE THANKS, IN LARGE PART, TO THE PERINATAL COLLABORATIVE, A PROGRAM FUELED BY FEDERAL DOLLARS TO HELP CLINICIANS IMPROVE CARE.

IN THE STATE, IT IS LOGGED AMONG THE HIGHEST MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES IN THE NATION.

FIRST LADY TIMMY MURPHY HAS MADE THE ISSUE OR FOCUS THROUGH THE NURTURE NJ PROGRAM.

SHE JOINS ME NOW.

NOT IN FIRST LADY, FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS REALLY DEDICATED THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS TO MITIGATING THIS ISSUE, THE NEWS AND THIS REPORT HAS TO BE WELCOME FOR YOU.

>> 100%.

WE ALWAYS KNEW THAT WE WERE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IT IS REALLY GRATIFYING TO START SEEING SOME OF THESE BENCHMARKS COME BACK AND REALLY SHOW THAT WE ARE HELPING.

>> IS THERE A GOAL THAT YOU HAVE IN MIND?

THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT AS YOU NOTED, A NUMBER OF C-SECTIONS THAT WERE DIVERTED WHEN I BUY GENERAL BIRTH COULD HAVE BEEN DONE SAFELY AND WAS APPROPRIATE.

THERE IS STILL A VERY HIGH RATE OF 'S ASSYRIANS BEING PERFORMED.

IS THERE A GOAL THAT YOU HAVE IN MIND, MUCH LIKE YOU HAVE AIMED TO CUT THAT MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IN HALF?

>> WHAT I WOULD SAY TO YOU IS THAT EVERYTHING GOING ON HERE, WHETHER IT IS WITH THE NJ PEAK YOU SEE, OR WITH NURTURE NJ, WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER.

AND I THINK THAT THE END GOAL IS TO MAKE NEW JERSEY THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY TO DELIVER AND RAISE A BABY, PERIOD.

THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF DOGGED WORK.

BUT I GENUINELY BELIEVE IF WE ALL STAY TRUE TO FORM AND KEEP THAT AS OUR YOU KNOW, ULTIMATE GOAL IN MIND, THEN I THINK WE WILL GET THERE.

BUT IT IS NOT AN OVERNIGHT PHENOMENON BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.

I WOULD ALSO SAY, AND I KNOW YOU KNOW THIS, BUT JUST THE FACT THAT THIS REPORT HAS COME OUT IN SUCH A POSITIVE LIGHT AND THAT WE RECENTLY HAD THE MARCH OF DIMES REPORT ON THE ANNUAL REPORT CARD, WHICH SHOWS THAT OF THE 53 THAT WERE INVESTIGATED AND ANALYZED, 47 WENT BACKWARDS.

47 SLEPT AND ONLY FOUR MOVED FORWARD.

NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THOSE FOUR.

SO I THINK WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF SEEING A LOT OF THESE REPORTS ARE GOING TO SHOW THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS RIGHT AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WANT TO BE THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY TO DELIVER AND RAISE A BABY.

I HOPE WHAT WE ARE DOING WILL RUB OFF ON SOME OF THE OTHER STATES AND THEY WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING AND LEARN FROM THE PRACTICES THAT WE HAVE AS WE DO WITH OTHER STATES.

>> PROGRESS CAN CERTAINLY BE SEEN IN THE REPORT.

THERE ARE RACIAL DISPARITIES, YES?

HOW IS THE STATE TARGETING THOSE IN WAYS THAT ARE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST THAT MAYBE HAS NOT WORKED?

>> SURE.

HONESTLY, WE ARE DOING SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.

I WOULD SAY WE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS NOT, AGAIN, AN OVERNIGHT PHENOMENON.

WE HAVE TO TARGET THIS, WHETHER IT IS THROUGH IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING ON ONE HAND, WHETHER REIMBURSING FOR COMMUNITY DOULA CARE.

THE NEW INCREDIBLE UNIVERSAL NURSING HOME VISITATION PROGRAM, WHICH IS COMPLETELY STIGMA FREE, BUT IT EXACTLY TARGETS THE DISPARITIES PIECE.

WHETHER IT IS RAISING THE SALARIES FOR THE MEDICAL PROVIDERS, AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE MIDWIVES, DOULAS, AND ANYBODY INVOLVED IN THE SPACE.

YOU COULD LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, AND I WOULD HIGHLIGHT, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS LEANING IN, AS WELL, AND HELPING MOMS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE TO GET TO AND FROM APPOINTMENTS TO GET THERE.

AND THAT'S JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

THERE ARE SO MANY -- WE STARTED ON THIS JOURNEY FIVE YEARS AGO NOW WITH TWO DEPARTMENTS WORKING ALONGSIDE MY TEAM IN MY OFFICE.

I'LL TELL YOU TODAY THERE ARE 21 DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION TOGETHER IN THE SPACE.

EACH ONE OF THOSE IS DOING SOMETHING AND CONTRIBUTING SOMETHING TO THE BENEFIT OF OUR MOMS AND BABIES ACROSS THE STATE.

THERE'S NOT ONE SILVER BULLET THAT I CAN SAY IS GOING TO BE THE ONE TO MAKE THE IMPACT.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT I THINK THE UNIVERSAL NURSING HOME VISITATION MODEL IS REALLY DYNAMIC.

IT IS A GAME CHANGER.

>> FIRST LADY TIMMY MURPHY FOR US ON THE STATUS OF MATERNAL HEALTH IN NEW JERSEY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

TAKE CARE.

>> THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE COMING TO PATIENT ACCESS AND ABORTION MEDICATION.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE FDA CLEARED A PATH FOR RETAIL PHARMACIES TO SELL THE PILLS.

THINK CORNER DRUGSTORES ALL THE WAY UP TO BIG CHAINS LIKE CVS AND WALGREENS.

THE MOVE IS EXPECTED TO WIDELY EXPAND ABORTION ACCESS THROUGH MEDICATION.

UNTIL NOW, PATIENTS COULD ONLY OBTAIN THE DRUG REGIMEN THAT SAFELY ENDS A PREGNANCY THROUGH PRESCRIPTION MAIL ORDER OR IN PERSON FROM A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.

A PRESCRIPTION IS STILL NEEDED.

BUT IT PATIENT CAN NOW PICK UP THE MEDICATION IN THE PHARMACY OR WITH THE SAME MAIL ORDER.

THE PILLS ARE ALREADY USED IN MORE THAN HALF OF PREGNANCY TERMINATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES ACCORDING TO ABORTION RIGHTS ADVOCATES, BUT HAVE BECOME MORE WIDELY REQUESTED AFTER THE FALL OF ROE V. WADE.

>>> MORE SAFEGUARDS.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION APPROVED $6 MILLION TO BE USED IN ZERO INTEREST LOANS SO THOSE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND ABORTION PROVIDERS CAN MAKE UPGRADES TO THEIR SECURITY SYSTEMS, LIKE HIRING MORE STAFF, EXPANDING I.T.S SERVICES, AND MAKING EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENTS.

ACCORDING TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT, IT'S ENOUGH MONEY FOR ABOUT 15 APPLICANTS DURING THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PROGRAM.

THOSE RECIPIENTS INCLUDE MULTIPLE PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER FAMILY PLANNING CENTERS.

LOCATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS TARGETS FOR VIOLENCE, VANDALISM, AND HARASSMENT.

>>> NEW JERSEY COLLEGE STUDENTS HOPING TO GET A REFUND FOR THEIR PANDEMIC-FORCED REMOTE LEARNING RECEIVED A BLOW FROM THE COURTS.

A STATE APPLET PANEL DISMISSED A LAWSUIT BROUGHT FROM KANE AND MONTCLAIR UNIVERSITIES SEEKING TUITION REFUNDS AFTER THEIR CLASSES SHIFTED TO ONLINE ONLY DURING THE SPRING OF 2020.

THEY ARGUE THAT THE VIRTUAL CLASSES DEPRIVED THEM OF THE EDUCATION THEY PAID FOR, AND IN SOME CASES, THE TECHNOLOGY OR EQUIPMENT THEY NEEDED.

THE JUDGES SIDED WITH THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, RULING THE SCHOOLS WERE IMMUNE TO LIABILITY BECAUSE THEY WERE ACTING THROUGH AN EMERGENCY HELP BACK ORDERED BY THE GOVERNOR.

AFTER FACING INTENSE SCRUTINY OVER COMMUNITY-POLICE RELATIONS, PATTERSON IS THE LATEST BIG CITY IN NEW JERSEY TOUTING A DECREASE IN MAJOR CRIME OVER THE LAST YEAR.

BY DECREASE, WE MEAN A DOUBLE-DIGIT DROP IN SHOOTINGS AND HOMICIDES.

A NOTABLE CHANGE.

ACTIVISTS IN THE CITY QUESTION WHETHER THOSE STATISTICS TELL THE WHOLE STORY.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, WE'VE SEEN A DECREASE IN VIOLENT CRIMES.

PATTERSON MAYOR UPLOADING THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO CURB VIOLENT CRIMES.

THE CITY RECORDED 27 HOMICIDES AND 101 SHOOTINGS IN 2022.

THAT IS ABOUT A 20% DECLINE FROM 2021 THE CITY SAW WHAT THE MAYOR CALLED AN EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE.

THE MAYOR SAYS THERE ARE TWO MAIN REASONS FOR THE DROP.

FIRST, POLICE TAKING MORE THAN 200 GUNS OFF THE STREETS.

SECOND, A PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY ANTIVIOLENCE GROUPS.

>> THIS IS NOT A VICTORY LAP.

IT IS SHOWING PROGRESS IN AN AREA WHERE MANY CITIES FROM ALBUQUERQUE TO ALBANY HAVE EXPERIENCED A SURGE IN GUN VIOLENCE.

>> PATTERSON IS NOT THE ONLY CITY IN NEW JERSEY EXPERIENCING A DECREASE IN SHOOTINGS.

THERE WERE 57 INCIDENCE AND 13 HOMICIDES IN JERSEY CITY LAST YEAR COMPARED TO 75 SHOOTING INCIDENTS AND 24 HOMICIDES IN 2021.

IN NEWARK, THE CITY RECORDED 50 HOMICIDES AND 187 SHOOTINGS COMPARED TO THE PRIOR YEAR WERE THERE WERE 59 HOMICIDES AND 293 SHOOTINGS.

DANIELSON MENSA, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, ATTRIBUTES PART OF THE DECLINE TO THINGS NORMALIZING A BIT MORE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> AN ENORMOUS DISRUPTION AT FIRST AND 2020.

THEN IT REALLY CARRIED ON IN 2021, BY BLOCKING SOCIAL SERVICES THAT WERE HELPING TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

THINGS REALLY OPENED UP AND STARTED TO GO BACK TO NORMAL.

THESE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES HAVE BECOME MORE AVAILABLE.

I THINK WE ARE REALLY STARTING TO SEE THIS HERE IN NEW JERSEY AND MORE BROADLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY DO NOT BELIEVE THE DECLINE IN SHOOTINGS AND HOMICIDES TELLS THE WHOLE STORY.

>> THE LAST I CHECKED, PATTERSON IS NUMBER THREE ON THE MAP OF THE 10 MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN THE STATE.

>> COMMUNITY ACTIVIST COREY TEAGUE SAYS VIOLENT CRIME IS STILL A MAJOR ISSUE.

HE FEELS A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS MAY NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE COUNT BECAUSE THE CRIMES ARE COMMITTED BY POLICE THEMSELVES.

STANDING WITH LOVED ONES OF THE MAN WHO WENT MISSING A YEAR AGO AFTER BEING DETAINED BY POLICE.

THE MAN NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS DURING TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE, KNOWING HE WOULD SPEAK WITH THEM AT A LATER TIME.

>> THE LAST TIME HE WAS IN LOVE, HE WAS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE PATTERSON POLICE.

NOW IT'S GOING TO BE A YEAR, RIGHT?

A YEAR IN ANOTHER MONTH.

IN ANOTHER MONTH, IT'S GOING TO BE A WHOLE YEAR THAT HE HAS BEEN MISSING.

YOU SEE THE RESPONSE THE FAMILY GETS WHEN THEY COME IN AND TRY TO DEMONSTRATE IN A PEACEFUL WAY AND GET THE WORD OUT.

>> IF THIS HAPPENS IN A SUBURBAN TOWN, ALL THIS EFFORT IS PLACED INTO HEALING THE COMMUNITY.

WHAT IS BEING DONE HERE?

WE'VE GOT VICTIMS FROM HERE BEHIND ME.

THERE WAS NOT A SLEW OF MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES BUT WENT OUT AND SUPPORTED THEM.

WE HAD PEOPLE SHOT AT 14 YEARS OLD IN THE FIFTH WARD FOR THEY HAD A TAKEDOWN IN GANGS.

WHERE WAS THE SUPPORT NEEDED IN COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS?

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES ARE CALLING FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY AND INVESTING IN NEIGHBORHOODS TO REALLY TACKLE CRIME.

CITY OFFICIALS SAID THEY ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS, PROMISING PLANS TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENTS, BUILDING MORE TRUST BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RESIDENTS.

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

>>> THE LABOR MARKET SEEMS TO BE TIPPING IN FAVOR OF WORKERS AT THE START OF THE NEW YEAR.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS FROM THE LATEST LABOR REPORT.

PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, WE GET A GOOD SENSE OF HOW THE JOB MARKET IS FARING AS A SERIES OF REPORTS ARE RELEASED.

THE FIRST ONE OUT TODAY SHOWS THE DEMAND FOR WORKERS REMAINS HIGH FROM THE END OF LAST YEAR WITH NEARLY 10.5 MILLION UNFILLED POSITIONS IN NOVEMBER.

BOTTOM LINE, THE REPORT SHOWS CONTINUED STRENGTH IN THE JOB MARKET.

MORE TO COME LATER THIS WEEK INCLUDING CLOSELY WATCHED DATA ON WAGES.

EVEN BEFORE THE LATEST MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE, NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH HIGHER COSTS FOR WORKERS FOR SOME TIME ACCORDING TO PETER, THE NEW JERSEY MARKET EXECUTIVE FOR WELLS FARGO.

>> EVERY INDUSTRY, WHETHER FOOD RELATED, RETAIL, INDUSTRIAL, IS FACING THE CHALLENGE OF HIGHER WAGES FOR THEIR PEOPLE AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE MANAGING THAT IN ADDITION TO HAVING TO RAISE WAGES.

I THINK THEY ARE STARTING TO LOOK AT AUTOMATION DEPENDING ON THE INDUSTRY AND IF THEY ARE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> THE MEDICAL CENTER IN FREEHOLD IS ADMITTING PATIENTS AFTER WHAT THE HOSPITAL WAS CALLING AN I.T.S NETWORK ISSUE, WHICH RESULTED IN PATIENTS BEING DIVERTED LATE LAST WEEK.

THINGS ARE MOSTLY BACK TO NORMAL, ALTHOUGH WALK-INS ARE NOT BEING ACCEPTED IN THE OUTPATIENT RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT ACCORDING TO A SPOKESWOMAN.

HOSPITALS ACROSS THE U.S. HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS AND BREACHES ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY 594 DATA BREACHES WERE REPORTED BETWEEN JANUARY 1st AND OCTOBER 31st OF LAST YEAR.

WITH THE NEW YEAR COMES AN INCREASE IN BENEFITS FOR ALL SORTS OF THINGS, SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

ALSO IN NEW JERSEY, S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS HAVE INCREASED.

LEGISLATION SIGNED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY LAST SUMMER PROVIDES A MINIMUM S.N.A.P.

BENEFIT OF $50 PER MONTH.

THE BENEFIT IS INCREDIBLY MEANINGFUL TO WORKING FAMILIES AND SENIORS, ESPECIALLY AS NEW JERSEY BRACES FOR THE END OF PANDEMIC ERA FEDERAL EXPANSIONS TO S.N.A.P., OR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

HERE IS OUR LOOK AT WALL STREET TRADING FOR TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> THAT IS OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK, HE LOOKS BACK AT THE TOP HEADLINES AND NEWSMAKERS FROM 2022.

TALKING HEALTHCARE, POLITICS, EDUCATION, AND THE ARTS.

THAT'S THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE 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.

>> FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, NEW JERSEY REALTORS HAVE BEEN HELPING CLIENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS LIVE AND WORK IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES JUST LIKE HERE IN BEAUTIFUL ASBURY PARK.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR NEEDS ARE, THERE IS A NEW JERSEY REALTOR FOR YOU.

FIND YOUR REALTOR AT NJ.REALESTATE/FIND.