Announcer: Major funding for NJ Spotlight News is serving the residence of businesses, and by the PSEG foundation.

>> Fears the Israel-Hamas war is escalating into a wider regional conflict.

What it means for further U.S. involvement.

>> The U.S. is not likely to respond directly against Hezbollah or Israel.

U.S. has already begun to respond in the region in different ways.

>> And growing tensions in the Middle East lead to safety concerns here in New Jersey.

One town cancels its Palestinian flag raising ceremony.

>> This would have been the first official act on the part of the local government to acknowledge the humanity of the Palestinian people that live here.

>> Plus renewed calls for the senior senator's expulsion.

Our new Washington, D.C. correspondent digs into Fred Daibes' donations.

>> They extended to politicians especially in the northern half of the state.

Since then a mom than a quarter million dollars.

>> A major winter storm is set to slam the Northeast this weekend, up to 10 inches in some parts of our state.

>> It is going to be a heavy snow, which is a concern for trees and power lines and such.

>> NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

♪ Announcer: From NJPBS Studios, this is NJ Spotlight News, with Rihanna Vannozzi.

-- briana Vannozzi.

Briana: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in the Middle East for a weeklong trip through several countries amid fears a full-scale war could've wrapped in the region.

Those anxieties were recently heightened by a suspected Israeli strike on a Hamas leader in Lebanon, twin bombings in Iran, and note and insight to Israels war in Gaza, where Israel' is military says it struck more than 100 targets overnight as it intensifies operations in central and southern parts of the strip.

But as many Middle East experts point out, each recent conflict is interconnected and shows that tensions are at a boiling point.

So far, the U.S. has held back from using direct military retaliation over worries of broader regional conflict could have dire political and economic consequences.

But are we on the brink of one anyway?

I'm joined now by Dr. Michael Boyle, an associate professor of political science at Rutgers University.

Thanks so much for coming back on the show.

The U.S. is engaged obviously in this renewed diplomatic push by being in the Middle East right now.

What are the chances of this conflict escalating to a more regional war?

Michael: Fairly substantial.

The U.S. came out this morning and said they think the risks are very real.

But of the reason the risks are very real is that we have started to see increasing cross-border tensions on the southern border with Lebanon and on the border with Israel.

Has blood has essentially been shelling the border towns of northern Israel -- Hezbollah has been shelling border towns of northern Israel.

Israel has been bombing Beirut.

That puts Hezbollah in a position of do they escalate attacks along the border and start deeper attacks into Israel itself.

If that happens, the Israeli government has said they will respond with force.

So I think what is going on is the U.S. is attempting to make sure that the responses are calibrated.

In other words, that Israel does not go too far in its response to Hezbollah provocations, and whoever is talking to Hezbollah can try to convince Hezbollah not to provoke Israel.

Briana: Leaders from Hezbollah did not mince words that there will be retribution for that attack in Beirut.

At what point does the U.S. respond militarily?

It seems like these extremist groups are walking right up to the line.

Michael: U.S. is unlikely to respond directly against Hezbollah, though Israel might.

The U.S. is responding to groups in the region in different ways.

In the last week, U.S. forces actually attacked Syria's boats that were attacking U.S. naval forces.

We also conducted strikes in Iraq with the Iraqi government.

The reason is that there is a network of armed groups working with but not entirely directed by Iran, which links the who the -- houthi and cerium groups in Iraq.

That is important because the Biden administration is coming under pressure not simply to sit there as these groups attack them.

It would expect escalation from the U.S. point of view, but not directly against Hezbollah.

Against Lebanon, the concern is whether that would pop off between Israel and Hezbollah.

Briana: Not to mention it is an election year for the U.S., so there is that interest.

Let me ask you, is there a national interest for the major parties, regional powers really, in the Middle East, to engage in some sort of broader conflict Weston market you mentioned Iran.

-- broader conflict?

You mentioned Iran.

They are linked to these groups.

Is it even avoidable?

Michael: It is avoidable.

Iran usually coordinates its use of violence against enemies, whether that be the United States or Israel, to press them but not to provoke to the point that it invites a response against Iran.

That is in part because what is in play is nuclear weapons.

That is the concern.

Israel has nuclear weapons.

Iran is developing nuclear weapons.

That usually puts a cap on how far they are willing to go.

That said, there is a real chance of miss consolation.

Iran might think that sponsoring militant attacks on Israel or the United States -- it walks up to a line but does not cross it.

That does not guarantee the line is not crossed.

There is a real risk of escalation.

Briana: Let me ask you in the time remaining about this long-term peace plan that Benjamin Netanyahu has laid out, and whether or not the U.S. has the tolerance for something of this extent.

Michael: The plan that was put forward by the Israeli government is in part a response to the Biden administration tell us your plan for the day afterward.

What Israel has table does not square with what the United States wants.

This is a situation in which Palestinians will be in charge of Gaza but there will be some unspecified multinational force.

Egypt will play some sort of role.

Israel will have security response ability.

Essentially, there will be no more Palestinian Authority.

Biden administration is clear that the only legitimate body they see running Gaza after the war ends is the Palestinian Authority.

That is the root of the conflict at the moment between the United States and Israel this week, his understanding who is running this the day after.

So it is good that there is a plan on the table, but I don't think that plan is acceptable to the United States, and I think this is where you start to see more hard conversations continue with Israel about what this looks like.

Briana: Dr. Michael Boyle is an associate professor of political science at Rutgers University.

Think so much.

The strain of the Middle East conflict is being felt thousands of miles from the war, including right here in New Jersey.

Many communities are starkly divided over the ongoing bloodshed.

In West Orange, fuel was added to the fire after the mayor scrapped a Palestinian flag raising event scheduled for today, saying in a statement the event got canceled to prioritize the town's safety.

As Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis reports, critics are questioning whether that is the truth.

>> we had a great opportunity here with the mayor to work with her and have her really sponsor and champion for people who have been silenced, and really create an environment where all people can be heard, and really give people a glimpse of the Palestinian culture in a safe, peaceful, celebratory way.

Joanna: Members of the group West Orange for humanity were deeply disappointed to hear last week that a Palestinian flag raising ceremony scheduled by the Township for today was later canceled by West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney.

>> This week had been the first official act on the part of local government to acknowledge the humanity of the Palestinian people that live here and call West Orange home, and are suffering and are hurting as a result of what is going on halfway around the world.

Joanna: City Council President Bill Rutherford says the municipality has rightly supported its Jewish community with an Israeli flag raising ceremony, among other things.

Given the heightened tension Rutherford feels in the Township right now, he opposed the mayor's decision to cancel the Palestinian flag raising.

>> To cancel or postpone that I thought sent the wrong signal.

In particular, it does not acknowledge their importance to the community, their participation in the community, and the fact that they should enjoy the same rights and privileges as everyone else.

Joanna: The mayor issued a statement regarding her decision, saying while the decision brings deep driven by a commitment to prioritize the But organizers of the event are crying foul because the mayor first approved the event, issued a permit, reviewed their announcement, and publicized it.

Members of the Jewish community pushed back on language that was used in the promotional flyer that said Palestinian joy is resistance, saying it was anti-Semitic and hateful.

The flyer was then removed from the township's electronic signage.

>> a small group of political activists trying to make a blankly pro terrorism and anti-peace statement.

They lied and they deflected, and they misled about their attempt -- intent.

The intent was clear in their own words.

They wrote in their flyers and posters and said this is intended to celebrate the joy of resistance.

This is coded language here.

Assistance means armed struggle.

Joanna: A Palestinian resident of West Orange denounces that perspective.

>> we stand against anti-Semitism and anti-Arab speech across the board.

The language was not hateful in any sense.

But what sadly, I believe, happened is that people fell into the anti-Muslim, anti-Arab trope or belief that, you know, Palestinian existence or Palestinians resisting their morning, their pain, their grief at what is happening to their community, somehow insinuate something against anyone else.

Joanna: A Jewish resident supports raising the Palestinian flag.

>> I am Jewish.

All of my grandparents were killed in the Holocaust.

And I was born in occupied Palestine after the war.

Criticizing any government, our own or any other for their actions, is not anti-Semitic.

Joanna: The Palestinian community did still gather in front of town Hall today, although there was no official flag raised.

They are hopeful that Mayor McCartney reconsiders her decision.

In West Orange, I am Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: It is a new year with the same problems for U.S.

Senator Bob Menendez.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman is real thing his demand for Congress to remove Menendez from his seat.

The latest calls for expulsion come on the heels of another superseding indictment against the senior senator, no accused of accepting bribes and eight when he thousand dollar watch to benefit Qatar -- $23,000 watch to benefit Qatar.

Menendez is now accused of acting as a foreign agent for two nations, Qatar and Egypt.

Menendez has pled not guilty to the charges, but he allegedly introduced his developer friend, and codefendant, Fred Daibes, to high-ranking officials in both countries, enabling both men to profit from the relationships.

Long before Daibes was charged with federal bribery and corruption, he was a well-known entity among New Jersey political circles, donating heavily not just to Menendez, but several other prominent elected officials in the state.

Our new Washington, D.C. correspondent followed the money trail and shares what he found.

First of all, welcome to the team and welcome to the show.

You followed the money trail here.

What specifically did you find about the donations that red babies have -- that Fred Daibes has been making over a span of years to politicians including Senator Menendez?

Ben: Mr. Daibes has been a long time for little player and his donation started, at least at the federal level, it was the focus of our reporting, in 1989.

New Jersey politicians particularly in the northern half of the state.

Since then, more than a quarter of a million dollars, 270 thousand dollars, roughly.

Really anyone from Bill Bradley all the way to the present day.

And also has given pretty heavily to Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Senatorial campaign committee, which is the arm of the Democratic Party that raises money for Senate candidates.

I lay this out in better detail in the story online.

Briana: Where their frequent fliers?

Were there specific members of Congress, federal politicians, who Daibes devoted a lot of these funds to?

Ben: Yes, Congressman Pascarella received $18,000.

Some other sitting members -- Coleman and Mikey Cheryl -- also received money.

They have been quick to distance themselves from that money.

They have said they have returned it.

I will follow that in a later story.

The strongest connection is Menendez.

As I point out in my piece, he has received campaign donations back several decades.

Briana: Bring that back home for me, because certainly there is no crime in donating to political campaigns, what it is also not supposed to be transactional.

Do these donations tell us anything at all about whether there was perhaps bribery involved?

Ben: I would not say that.

The federal prosecutors in New York have made the accusations of bribery.

It establishes a trail.

It establishes a pattern, certainly, of connection between Daibes and Menendez.

Briana: You have got a number of folks who have received donations.

There are obviously accusations now involving not just Egypt, but also Qatar, and Senator Menendez's involvement there.

The fact that Fred Daibes was in on some of these meetings with officials from there -- above all, does it just looks fishy?

Ben: Again, I'm not going to speculate, but it will be fascinating to watch the timeline until May when the senator is scheduled to appear at trial in New York city.

It establishes serious linkage between the two men.

I am fascinated to hear what happens next.

Obviously, as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which Menendez has stepped down since these charges were laid against him, he has significant power.

And it is not unusual for someone in that position to meet with foreign leaders.

What is unusual, and what the federal prosecutors are saying constitutes a breach of federal law, is meeting and using your position of power for your own benefit, and to benefit those around you.

So that is the distinction.

Memories of Congress meet with foreign leaders frequently, especially if they are on committees with that sort of jurisdiction.

The federal folks are saying Menendez went further than that and is looking out for folks in his orbit.

Briana: You can read Ben Hulac's full story on our website.

He is our new Washington, D.C. correspondent.

Good to have you on the show.

New Jersey leaders are not done swinging in the fight over the state's last remaining immigrant detention center.

Attorney General not slackened -- the Attorney General has appealed a decision allowing the center to remain open.

The facility argued New Jersey' is law banning private detention centers from contracts with ice violated federal law.

In a court filing Wednesday, the Attorney General argued nothing in state law is stopping ICE from operating its own facility or buying and operating the detention center in Elizabeth itself.

According to ICE, immigrations and customs enforcement, there are 247 detainees at the Elizabeth Center as of today.

The initial ruling has deepened the split among U.S. courts over the validity of state bans on immigrant detention.

A massive four alarm fire is burning in Elizabeth today at the former Singer sewing machine factory.

The site, which is just south of Newark airport, is a 1.4 million square foot building that has been converted into office and storage space.

The fire was first reported at 5:30 a.m. More than 100 firefighters responded to the blaze.

City officials say it is now under control, but is likely to burn for hours, if not days.

Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles, even showing up on the weather radar.

Smoke and ash was being carried east across Northbay.

Residents of Bayonne and Staten Island were advised to keep their windows closed as a precaution.

The Dr. Martin Luther King school in Elizabeth was closed on Friday.

The state environmental authorities say there is no sign that hazardous materials are being burned in the fire, and air quality monitoring is in place.

In our spotlight on business report, a last-minute bill to ease restrictions on breweries in the state could soon be headed for the governor's signature.

They appear to be on the same page with guidelines in the measure, which has been a pain point for the industry.

But even as the compromise bill moves forward, some worry without liquor license reform, it falls short of what Governor Murphy has requested.

Ted Goldberg reports.

Ted: With a brewery bill on the fast track for passage in Trenton, New Jersey breweries smell like hops and optimism.

>> We are confident that this one is going to get past by the assembly and going to be signed by the governor.

Ted: Tim Hewitt is the head brewer of wet ticket brewery.

He says life will be easier if Trenton passes a bill that would ease regulations on breweries.

He previously told us about the concerns of being forced by law to give a tour to every paying customer.

When we spoke last year.

Tim: Now we are paying a $2500 fine.

That is not going to employee salaries, raw materials.

That was actually settled with the ABC.

I think through all these regulations, they have been put in a somewhat difficult situation.

Ted: Hewitt likes giving tours when customers ask for them and time allows.

Tim: It is a great opportunity to talk to customers and tell them what we are about.

Unfortunately, sometimes it gets pretty busy in here.

The fact that we could miss one of these tours and be potentially find, like we were, it is unsettling.

>> I thing this is a game changer for not just the brewery industry, but also for modernizing New Jersey's archaic liquor laws.

Ted: Senator Troy Singleton is a sponsor on the bill, which also removes caps on the number of events breweries can host, and allows breweries to coordinate with food trucks.

It is part of a compromise with the governor's office that also adds measures aimed at getting more liquor licenses into the market.

Sen. Singleton: we have tried to thread a unique needle in the state of New Jersey, but I think we have done a pretty good job of doing that.

I have not heard a lot of naysayers tell us this is the wrong approach.

Ted: It is 100 -- Tim: It is 100% of what we were looking for.

Ted: Eric Orlando was happy to see the bill get a hearing yesterday.

He was not thrilled to see breweries become a bargaining chip.

Eric: We got to the situation because of restrictions put in place by this administration.

We also sent the governor a bill back in June that would have taken care of this six months ago, but here we are, right?

We are happy to support a bill that once again is going to fix the restriction on breweries in the state.

>> What is proposed here is a minimal win at best.

Ted: Courtney Mercer leaves the nonprofit downtown New Jersey, and likes parts of the bill.

She says the changes to breweries are terrific.

But she is not optimistic that the bill will successfully move around inactive licenses for restaurants, the way it is supposed to.

Courtney: In the bill, it says if a license has to be bought at the prevailing rate of the last three licenses -- the last three licenses sold at between half a million and a million dollars.

This license will have to be sold between half a million and a million dollars.

So we are still not hitting affordability.

Ted: The bill gives inactive license holders two years to sell before licenses expire, and municipalities can sell them to neighboring municipalities.

Purser says that is an improvement over the old "use it or lose it" method which was rarely enforced.

Courtney: If the municipality says use it or lose it, and they have more licenses than the population cap allows, the municipality also loses the license.

So they are never going to enforce that.

Ted: The bill also carves out new licenses for restaurants attached to homes.

Trenton has until Tuesday at noon to pass the bill and get it to the governor's desk to be fined -- to be signed.

I'm Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: December caps off a healthy year of hiring in the U.S. Last month' us jobs report shows employers added 260,000 new positions, while the on a point rate held steady at 3.7%, -- the unemployment rate held steady at 3.7%, much better than economists expected.

Here is how the markets reacted to the news.

Tune in this weekend to NJ Business Beat with Raymond Santana.

She focuses on your financial health in the new year.

I'm getting a hold of your debt to building your savings now and for retirement.

Watch it Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. on NJPBS.

♪ The first major snowstorm in roughly two years is set to hit the state this weekend, although forecasters still aren't entirely sure how it will play out.

The northwest area of the state, where elevations are highest, is expected to get walloped, with up to a foot of snow possible.

But much of it could be mixed with sleet, making it a heavy, wet powder that raises concern for taking down tree limbs and powerlines.

Over toward that 95 corridor, forecasters believe it will be a wintry mix of rain, sleet, and snow, with a couple of inches possible there.

The concern is the impact on the roads.

East of the nighty five corridor, heading to the shore will likely be a cold rain event.

The winter storm watch is in effect for Saturday morning through Sunday morning for most of North Jersey.

The National Weather Service is warning against travel.

The storm comes after the region and a large chunk of the U.S. reported the warmest December on record.

New Jersey state climatologist Dave Robinson says there is still more to come.

Dave: Believe it or not, it is just a prelude to a warm big storm, Tuesday/Wednesday next week.

Those who get snow out of the storm, take advantage of building the snowman and getting out on your cross-country skis quickly, because it is likely to be washed away with the next storm, which is going to take a very different track, a track that will bring in a large amount of warm air, some very strong winds, and some very heavy rain.

Briana: That is going to do it for us tonight, but don't forget to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast, so you can listen anytime.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

Thanks for being with us.

Have a great weekend.

We will see you right back here on Monday.

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