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

RJW BARNABAS HEALTH .

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> THAT EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A FEDERAL ROADBLOCK FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY LESS THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE THE GOVERNOR DELIVERS HIS SIXTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, A FEDERAL JUDGE ISSUED A BLOW TO THE NEWEST GUN LAW.

ONE OF THE PROGRESSIVE POLICIES HE WAS LIKELY TO TOUT DURING THIS BEACH.

THE COURT GRANTED A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER, GRANTING PART OF NEW JERSEY'S CARRY LAW TO BE ENFORCED.

IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS CLASSIFY THE SENSITIVE LOCATIONS, LIKE PUBLIC LIBRARIES, RESTAURANTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES, AS WELL AS IN VEHICLES AND PUBLIC PROPERTY .

GUN RIGHTS GROUPS WHO BROUGHT THE CASE AGAINST THE STATE ARGUED THE LAW WAS DECLARING WAR ON THE SECOND AMENDMENT, CONTENDING THE LIST OF SO-CALLED SENSITIVE PLACES WENT TOO FAR.

TODAY'S DECISION MIRRORS THE STRIKE DOWN OF NEW YORK'S CONCEALED CARRY LAW.

BOTH WERE PASSED IN RESPONSE TO A SUPREME COURT RULING, MAKING IT EASIER TO GET A YIELD CARRY PERMIT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL TODAY SAYING IN A STATEMENT, HE WAS DISAPPOINTED BY THE RULING, BUT WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS THE CASE, INCLUDING ULTIMATELY ON APPEAL.

GOVERNOR MURPHY WILL STILL HAVE PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT DURING HIS SPEECH TOMORROW.

IT'S THE FIRST IN PERSON DATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IS THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

CHARLIE STYLE IS HERE WITH MORE ON WHAT WE CAN EXPECT.

SO AS WE DO EVERY YEAR, CHARLIE, WE SIT HERE AND SPECULATE ABOUT WHAT WE MAY AND MAY NOT HEAR FROM THE GOVERNOR TOMORROW.

I AM WONDERING , THOUGH, FIRST QUESTION TO YOU -- IF YOU THINK HE WILL COME OUT WITH AS MANY OF HIS PROGRESSIVE AS HE HAS IN THE PAST, GIVEN THE FACT THAT THIS YEAR THE LEGISLATURE IS ON THE BALLOT.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR A LOT OF PROGRESSIVE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

I DO THINK HE IS GOING TO TAKE A VICTORY LAP , TOUTING ALL HIS PROGRESSIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WHICH HE HAS ALREADY BEEN DOING OVER THE WEEKEND ON HIS SOCIAL MEDIA FEED, REMINDING THE WORLD THAT HE CODIFIED MARRIAGE , AND THAT LEGISLATION REMINDING EVERYBODY ABOUT CODIFYING THE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN NEW JERSEY, WHICH WAS DONE A YEAR AGO.

TOUTING HIS CLEAN ENERGY POLICY , MAINLY THE WIND FARMS THAT HE'S APPROVED IN SALEM COUNTY, AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

HE SEEMS TO BE CHECKING OFF ALL THE PROGRESSIVE THEMES THAT, FRANKLY, ARE KIND OF A VIDEO RESUME FOR 2024.

>> AREN'T THE SPEECH IS USUALLY A TIME TO SHOW OFF AND TELL THE NATION HOW GREAT WE ARE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

THERE'S NO TIME TO BASK -- I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH BASKING EVER GOES ON IN NEW JERSEY AS OPPOSED TO NATIONALLY, BUT DEFINITELY THAT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO SET THE AGENDA GOING FORWARD FOR THE STATE, AND THAT'S WHAT THE CONSTITUTION TECHNICALLY KIND OF PRESCRIBES US.

COMMUNICATING TO THE LEGISLATURE THE STATE OF THE STATE, ESSENTIALLY.

YEAH, DEFINITELY IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

IN HIS CASE, HE IS KIND OF WINDING UP A SORT OF JUST IN CASE CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT HE'S ONE THAT'S EVER GOING TO THROW HIS HAT IN THE ARENA AS LONG AS JOE BIDEN IS IN THE RING.

BUT I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING, JOE BIDEN, HE'S OLD, HE MAY NOT WANT TO FACE A LONG CAMPAIGN AND ANOTHER TERM.

WHY NOT GET READY IN CASE?

>> IS HE STILL A GOOD CANDIDATE IF THAT WERE THE CASE?

AS YOU WROTE IN YOUR COLUMN, WE WILL FIND OUT IF PHIL MURPHY IS BILL RELEVANT IN TERMS OF WHAT HE'S BEEN DOING.

BUT IN THE BACK ROOMS, AND THE POLITICAL CIRCLES, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT IS STILL BEING WORKED ON?

'S >> THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE TOMORROW.

I DON'T KNOW -- I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY POLICIES THAT THEY ARE GOING TO ROLL OUT THAT WILL FILL OUT THAT NARRATIVE.

FRANKLY, IT'S UNLIKELY THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO WANT TO PLAY BALL AND RUBBERSTAMP ANYMORE LEFT LEAVING POLICIES.

THE IDEA , THE PRESSURE HE'S GOING TO FEEL FROM THE LEGISLATURE, THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP KEEPS IT FORECAST ON AFFORDABILITY.

DON'T LURCH TOO FAR TO THE LEFT.

>> CHARLIE STYLE, COLUMNIST .

I KNOW YOU WILL BE WATCHING.

AND MAKE SURE YOU JOIN US TOMORROW AT 2:00 P.M. AS GOVERNOR MURPHY DELIVERS THE 2023 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS LIVE AND IN PERSON FROM THE STATE HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS.

WE WILL HAVE INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS FROM OUR POLITICAL REPORTERS, PLUS THE POLITICAL RESPONSE.

>>> WELL, IT TOOK 15 VOTES AND SEVERAL DAYS, BUT CONGRESS FINALLY HAS A SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

CALIFORNIA GOP LEADER KEVIN McCARTHY, WHO POINTED TO DONALD TRUMP'S SUPPORT AT THE END OF HIS LOSING BATTLE.

IT MEANS WORK CAN OFFICIALLY BEGIN FOR CONGRESS, THAT IT ALSO MEANS THE HARD PART IS JUST BEGINNING.

>> THE 15th TIME WAS THE CHARM.

HE CLUTCHED THE GAVEL LIKE HE WAS HAVING A WORLD CUP TROPHY.

AT THE END OF THE WEEK THAT SAW McCARTHY FLOGGED INTO SUBMISSION BY A BLOCK OF MEMBERS WHO STRIPPED HIM OF PROTECTIONS AND A GOOD DEAL OF HIS POWER.

LATE FRIDAY NIGHT, THE NEW SPEAKER SOUNDED LIKE IT NEVER HAPPENED.

>> WE WILL HOLD THE SWAMP ACCOUNTABLE.

FROM THE WITHDRAW OF AFGHANISTAN, TO THE ORIGINS OF COVID, AND TO THE WEAPONIZATION OF THE FBI.

THE POWER OF THE SUBPOENA TO GET THE JOB DONE.

>> MY CONCERN IS, YOU GOT A BAD EXTRA MIST THAT WERE HOLDING THE SPEAKER AND THE INSTITUTION HOSTAGE.

MY FEAR GOING FORWARD BASED ON WHAT THEY AGREED UPON IS THAT THAT WILL JUST CONTINUE.

>> RULE CHANGES BEING CONSIDERED TODAY, AMONG THEM A RULE THAT PUTS McCARTHY'S LEADERSHIP IN PERIL.

PLUS DELIBERATIONS UNCRITICAL SPENDING AND OTHER BILLS.

>> IS A MOTION TO VACATE, WHICH REALLY MEANS THAT THEY ARE SAYING TO THIS BEAKER, IF YOU DO A, B, OR C, WE ARE GOING TO DEFROCKED YOU AND THROW YOU OUT.

>> OTHER RULES THAT COULD MAKE FOR A TWO YOUR SLOG INCLUDE A 72 HOUR WAITING PERIOD BEFORE BILLS CAN BE VOTED ON, AND UNLIMITED AMENDMENTS TO BILLS.

>> MEETING THAT YOU GET TO THE FLOOR, AND YOU CAN AMEND A BILL IN AN UNLIMITED WAY.

OFTEN, THE RULES COMMITTEE SAYS YOU CAN ADD 10 AMENDMENTS.

NOW IF YOU HAVE AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF AMENDMENTS, EACH MEMBER GETS TO DEBATE THAT AMENDMENT, AND NEEDS TO VOTE, SO THIS BECOMES A REALLY LONG PROCESS.

>> ALSO A THIRD OF THE SEATS ON THAT RULES COMMITTEE WILL GO TO MEMBERS OF THE RECALLED FREEDOM CAUCUS, A GROUP OF MEMBERS AT THE CENTER OF THIS REVOLT.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BIPARTISANSHIP?

>> ANY REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT, ARGUABLY, WHO WANTS TO GET THINGS PASSED IN THE U.S. HOUSE AND WANTS TO MAKE SUMS CIVIC POLICY PROGRESS, WOULD BE SMART TO THINK ABOUT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE.

>> THERE'S A PROCEDURE CALLED MOTION TO DISCHARGE.

WITH 118 SIGNATURES, YOU CAN PUT A BILL ON THE FLOOR AND FORCE A VOTE ON IT.

THE OTHER QUESTION IS, ARE THERE ENOUGH REPUBLICANS?

>> WE SAW WITH THE MAJORITY LAST TIME HOW MANY THINGS WE GOT DONE, AND THE PROBLEM IS, IF CAUCUS WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF MOST OF THOSE AGREEMENTS.

>> WHAT WE DETERMINE IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD IS, WHAT MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY CONGRESSPEOPLE CAN PLAY.

BIG FOR NEW JERSEY.

CHRIS SMITH COULD BE EXPECTED TO LEAD THE CHARGE IN SUPPORT OF FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

THEN THERE IS THE SPECTER OF TRUMP, WHO IS RUMORED TO BE AT THE MIDDLE OF NEGOTIATIONS LAST WEEK.

>> I DO WANT TO THANK PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SHOULD DOUBT HIS INFLUENCE.

>> TIME AND AGAIN, PEOPLE COMMENT ON, WILL THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FINALLY REJECT TRUMP?

WILL THEY SEE THAT HE'S NOT ELECTORALLY BENEFICIAL TO THEM?

TIME AND AGAIN, THEY DON'T.

>> THE 118th CONGRESS IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

JUST BE READY FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR DELIVERY.

I'M DAVID KRUSE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> TECHNOLOGY IS PROVING TO BE A CRITICAL TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT CIVIL LIBERTIES ADVOCATES ALSO SAY IT CAN BE AN ASSAULT ON YOUR PRIVACY.

THOSE GROUPS ARE INCREASINGLY SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE USE OF FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY BY POLICE AGENCIES, ARGUING IT IS RIFE FOR ABUSE.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> WE HERE IN SOUTH ORANGE ARE NOT GOING TO USE FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY WITH THE CAMERAS WE HAVE AROUND TOWN.

>> Reporter: THE LIEUTENANT MAKING IT CLEAR THAT ANYBODY LIVING, WORKING, OR JUST DRIVING THROUGH SOUTH ORANGE WILL NOT BE TRACKED OR HAVE THEIR FACES ANALYZED BY ANY OF THE STREET SECURITY CAMERAS USING FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY, WHICH USES BIOMETRICS TO MAP RACIAL FEATURES FROM PEOPLE CAUGHT ON CAMERA, AND THEN COMPARES THE RESULTS TO DATABASES OF KNOWN FACES TO HUNT FOR A MATCH.

>> SOME PRIVATE ENTITIES MIGHT TAKE THAT TECHNOLOGY AND INTEGRATE THAT WITH THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE THAT HAS COLLATED FACES AND DATA FROM WHO KNOWS WHERE.

THAT, TO US, IS SOMETHING WE DON'T EVER WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN.

>> Reporter: HE DROVE AROUND SOUTH ORANGE TO SHOW ME EXACTLY WHAT THE TOWNS CAMERAS LOOK LIKE AND THEIR PURPOSE WITHOUT ANY FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY.

THIS CAMERA RIGHT HERE, AS YOU CAN SEE ABOVE THE LIGHT, IS ONE OF ABOUT 13 IN TOTAL LOCATED AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS LIKE THIS ONE HERE IN SOUTH ORANGE THAT LIEUTENANT AZEVEDO SAYS IS USED PRIMARILY FOR TRAFFIC RELATED INCIDENTS.

>> CAMERAS ARE MOST USEFUL FOR EVIDENCE COLLECTION AFTER THE FACT, THE INVESTIGATION.

THERE IS NO ONE SITTING THERE WATCHING WHAT'S GOING ON LIVE HERE FOR ANY REASON AT ALL.

IT DOES NOT HAVE THAT CAPABILITY OF DOING FACIAL RECOGNITION.

>> Reporter: GINA COLLINS SAYS THE DECISION TO INCLUDE FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY CAME AFTER QUESTIONS CAME .

>> WHERE DO WE CUT IT OFF?

WHERE DO WE SAY WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT FOR POLICING, VERSUS WE WANT TO BE CUTTING-EDGE IN THE TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY?

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK, THEY LAUNCHED AN ONLINE PORTAL SOLICITING COMMENT FROM THE PUBLIC ON LIMITING THE USE OF FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY BY LAW ENFORCEMENT IN NEW JERSEY.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT CAN HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT IDENTIFY ELUSIVE CRIMINALS AND FIND MISSING CRIMINALS.

CRITICS COUNTER IT IS A PRIVACY INVASION THAT THEY SAY CONTRIBUTES TO RACIST POLICING.

>> THERE ARE REALLY THREE CONCERNS.

ONE IS THE UNKNOWN.

THERE IS SIMPLY THAT IS SIMPLY SO UNTESTED AND SO UNREGULATED AND UNDISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

BUT THAT MAKES THE SECOND TWO EVEN MORE CONCERNING, WHICH ARE, IT'S UNRELIABLE AND IT DOESN'T WORK AS MUCH AS PEOPLE WOULD WANT IT TO OR HOPE IT WOULD.

THIRD IS, IT IS RACIST.

IT WORKS LESS WELL WITH PEOPLE WITH DARKER SKIN TONE.

>> Reporter: SENATOR MIA GILL HAS INTRODUCED SEVERAL BILLS TO LIMIT USE OF THE TECHNOLOGY.

>> CAMERAS HAVE TO BE AUDITED.

THERE HAS TO BE A STANDARD FOR ACCURACY IN IDENTIFICATION .

THE DATA, WHERE IT IS STORED, DATA RETENTION, WHO HAS ACCESS TO THAT DATA, AND THE AGENCY WHO THEN WANTS TO USE THAT DATA CANNOT USE THE DATA IF THE STANDARDS HAVE BEEN BREACHED.

>> Reporter: THE SENATOR SAYS SHE IS NOW HOPING THAT THE BILLS TO REGULATE THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE VOTED ON SOON, AS SHE SAYS THE TECHNOLOGY IS BECOMING MORE POPULAR AND AFFORDABLE.

EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH AGREED THAT THE BIGGEST CONCERN ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY IS WHERE THE DATA IS STORED AND WHO HAS ACCESS TO IT.

>>> IT MAY BE WINTER, BUT FLOOD VICTIMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES TODAY REMINDED THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION THE NEXT MASSIVE FLOODING EVENT PROPELLED BY CLIMATE CHANGE COULD BE JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

URGING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO ADOPT PROPOSED INLAND FLOOD HAZARD RULES IMMEDIATELY.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THE BOROUGH OF MANVILLE HAS BECOME GROUND ZERO FOR THE EFFECTS OF POOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS OVER THE DECADES.

>> Reporter: OVERDEVELOPMENT IN THE MUNICIPALITIES AROUND MANVILLE HAS CAUSED WATER RUNOFF TO REPEATEDLY FLOOD AND DESTROY HIS TWO SQUARE MILE TOWN.

>> YOU CAN SEE A PICTURE, MAJOR FLOOD EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED THAT ONLY HAVE BECOME MUCH WORSE OVER TIME.

>> I KNOW ALL TOO WELL WITH A FIVE-MINUTE RAINFALL CAN DO IN MY CITY.

>> SHE SAYS THE RECENT INCREASE OF INLAND FLOODING CREATES AN ECONOMIC JUSTICE ISSUE IN URBAN AREAS.

>> INCREASED FLOODING ON OUR ROADS, RAW SEWAGE, BACKUPS IN OUR HOMES -- THIS IS REALLY CRUCIAL TO OUR HEALTH , RIGHT?

AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE A GROUP OF 49 ADVOCATES CALLING OF THE DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO IMMEDIATELY ADOPT A NEW SET OF RULES TO CHANGE WHERE AND HOW DEVELOPERS CAN BUILD IN AND AROUND INLAND REGIONS FLOOD EASILY.

LINDA GREENSTEIN JOINED THEM TODAY.

>> THE INLAND FLOOD PROTECTION RULE WOULD ENSURE THAT AREAS OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RISK ARE BETTER DEFINED , AND THAT NEW AND RECONSTRUCTED ASSETS IN THESE AREAS ARE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED USING THE BEST AVAILABLE CLIMATE INFORMED PRECIPITATION DATA.

>> Reporter: THAT DATA IS A MAJOR PART OF THE PROBLEM, SAYS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY'S JENNIFER COFFEY, BECAUSE THE STATE IS DEALING WITH DATA THAT IS OUTDATED BY MORE THAN 120 YEARS.

>> NEW JERSEY CURRENTLY USES DATA THAT DATES BACK TO 1899.

TO ASSESS 100 YEAR RAINFALLS AND 100 YEAR STORMS.

THAT DATE ARRANGES TO 1999, WHERE I KNOW I WAS STILL USING A ROTARY PHONE.

>> Reporter: CLIMATE CHANGE HAS ACCELERATED RAINFALL RATES EVEN IN THE LAST 25 YEARS, AND THE NEW INLAND FLOOD PROTECTION RULES WOULD PREDICT FUTURE FLOODING INSTEAD OF BASING MODELS ON HISTORIC LEVELS.

THE RULES WERE FIRST OUTLINED IN MAY, AND THE DEP JUST PUBLISHED THEM IN DECEMBER, AND NOW IT COULD TAKE A YEAR FOR THEM TO BE ADOPTED, AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> DEVELOPMENTS PROBLEMS ARE COMING INTO DEP UNDER THESE OLD RULES, SO NO ONE HAS TO DESIGN TO THESE NEW STANDARDS UNTIL THESE RULES ARE ADOPTED.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE ASKING FOR A MORATORIUM TO STOP ANY NEW AND EXISTING PERMITS FOR MOVING FORWARD UNTIL THESE RULES ARE ADOPTED.

THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IS PUSHING BACK, SAYING IT WOULD UNFAIRLY PUNISH DEVELOPERS WHO NOW FIND THEM ELVES AND A NEWLY MAPPED FLOOD ZONE, SAYING THOSE WAS THE TIME AND MONEY TO SECURE FINANCING AND OBTAINED MOST OF THEIR PERMITS ARE NOW UNFAIRLY OUT OF LUCK BECAUSE THE STATE CHANGED THE RULES AND PUT THEIR PROJECT IN A FLOOD ZONE THAT DID NOT EXIST BEFORE.

FLOOD STANDARDS NEED TO BE UPDATED, BUT THEY SAY THE RULES FAILED TO ADDRESS THE PRIMARY CAUSES OF FLOODING, WHICH IS INADEQUATE STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

IN ESSENCE, THEY ARE USING INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE TO INCREASE THE REGULATORY PROBLEM.

>> A LOT OF IT IS OLD AND HAS NOT BEEN MAINTAINED.

BUT AS WE DO NEW DEVELOPMENT, AS WE DO REDEVELOPMENT, WE'VE GOT TO STOP DRILLING HOLES IN THE SINKING BOAT.

>> THE SOLUTION TO ADDRESSING FLOODING, WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC IMPACTS, PROTECTING COMMUNITIES, IS YES AND.

SO IT IS YES, LET'S STOP PUTTING PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY, AND YES, LET'S UPDATE AND IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: THE ADVOCATES OF LIGHT THAT MORATORIUM TO GO INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

THE DEP IS HOLDING A VIRTUAL HEARING THIS WEDNESDAY AT 1:00 P.M., AND THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE OPEN UNTIL FEBRUARY 3rd.

I JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THOUSANDS OF NURSES IN NEW YORK CITY STRIKE OVER FAILED NEGOTIATIONS TO ADDRESS WORKING CONDITIONS, PAY, AND STAFFING LEVELS.

THE LABOR ACTION INVOLVES MORE THAN 7000 NURSES AND NEW YORK CITY'S TWO LARGEST HOSPITALS, MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER IN THE BRONX, AND MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL HOSPITAL IN MANHATTAN.

PATIENTS ARE FEELING THE DISRUPTION.

ELECTIVE SURGERIES ARE BEING POSTPONED, AND AMBULANCES ARE BEING DIVERTED TO OTHER HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.

THE NEW YORK STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION, THAT THE UNION REPRESENTING THE WORKERS, SAID THEY HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO STRIKE IN ORDER TO BRING ATTENTION TO CHRONIC UNDERSTAFFING.

NURSES SAY IT BEGAN LONG BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND LEFT THEM TO CARE FOR TOO MANY PATIENTS.

HOSPITALS ARRANGED FOR TRAVELING NURSES AND OTHER TEMPORARY STAFFING SO AS TO MINIMIZE IMPACT ON PATIENTS.

MONTEFIORE AND MOUNT SINAI ARE THE LAST OF A GROUP OF HOSPITALS WITH THEIR UNION CONTRACTS EXPIRING AT THE SAME TIME.

OTHER HOSPITALS WERE ABLE TO ARRANGE AN AGREEMENT BEHIND THE DEADLINE, STAVING OFF ON EVEN LARGER PICKUP LINE.

THE LARGEST NURSES UNION SAYS THEY STAND WITH THE STRIKING NURSES.

>>> WELL, IT APPEARS EVEN TO MEET REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATES COMPASSIONATE RELEASE LAW , THEY MAY NOT BE GRANTED IT.

NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT RULED THAT A TERMINALLY ILL PRISONER INCARCERATED FOR MURDERING A POLICE DETECTIVE INSIDE THE ESSEX COUNTY COURTHOUSE IS ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE, BUT WAS DENIED.

THE INMATE MET THE LAW'S REQUIREMENTS, WHICH INCLUDE BEING CERTIFIED BY TWO DOCTORS AS TERMINALLY ILL WITH LESS THAN SIX MONTHS TO LIVE, OR BEING PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED.

THE HIGH COURT CONCLUDED THAT THE COMPASSIONATE RELEASE IS ULTIMATELY UP TO THE JUDGES DISCRETION .

IN THIS CASE, HIS RELEASE WAS DENIED DUE TO WHAT THE COURT CALLS EXTRAORDINARY AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES , WHICH CAN BE GROUNDS FOR DENIAL.

IN A SECOND CASE OF A WOMAN KNOWN ONLY AS AM WHO KILLED HER HUSBAND, THE HIGH COURT RULED THERE WERE NO EXTRAORDINARY AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES AND GRANTED HER RELEASE.

>> THE KEY IS, WHAT WE WERE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT AND WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO AVOID, WAS A RULE THAT WOULD EFFECTIVELY MEAN IF YOU ARE CONVICTED OF MURDER, YOU WOULD BE DENIED COMPASSIONATE RELEASE.

AND I THOUGHT THIS HOLDING MAKES CLEAR THAT EVEN THOSE CONVICTED OF MURDER SHOULD GENERALLY RECEIVE COMPASSIONATE RELEASE IF THEY CAN SATISFY THE HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY PORTIONS OF THE STATUTE.

>> THERE'S A NEW APPROACH TO ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON A PROGRAM THAT IS SOON TO LAUNCH, LESS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> FOR THE 1.5 MILLION NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE DESERT, GETTING FRESH FOOD IS HAMPERED BY A NUMBER OF THINGS, INCLUDING NOT BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE GROCERIES BECAUSE THEY LACK A DELIGHT RELIABLE DELIVERY LOCATION.

NOW THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS LAUNCHING ITS LATEST GRANT PROGRAM TO DEAL WITH FOOD SECURITY IN THE 50 NEW JERSEY COMMUNITIES IDENTIFIED AS FOOD DESERTS.

STARTING WITH FOOD RETAILERS LOOKING FOR GRANTS UP TO $50,000 TO BUY TEMPERATURE LOCKERS SO THAT FOOD CAN BE STORED IN STORAGE LOCKERS FOR PEOPLE TO PICK UP WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT FOR THEM.

>>> IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR AN APARTMENT IN NEW JERSEY, YOU KNOW HOW TOUGH IT CAN BE TO FIND A PLACE.

NORTH AND CENTRAL JERSEY ARE TWO OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE RENTAL MARKET IN THE NATION, ACCORDING TO A YEAR END REPORT BY RED CAFE, WHICH WAS FIRST REPORTED ON NORTH JERSEY.COM.

IN FACT, NORTH JERSEY IS THE FIFTH MOST COMPETITIVE MARKET IN THE NATION.

21 PROSPECTIVE RENTERS FOR EVERY AVAILABLE UNIT.

>>> WITH RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SALES EXCEEDING $100 MILLION IN NEW JERSEY AND NEIGHBORING STATES GETTING INTO THE CANNABIS BUSINESS, THE INDUSTRY IS ATTRACTING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

LAST MONTH, ROWAN UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED ONE OF THE FIRST PILOT CANNABIS INDUSTRY APPRENTICES PROGRAMS OF THE NATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE AND OTHERS.

NOW, MORE PARTNERS WANT TO JOIN THE EFFORTS.

ACCORDING TO PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF AFFAIRS AT ROWAN -- >> WE WERE ANTICIPATING 20 STUDENTS STARTING THIS SPRING, BUT SINCE THIS HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED, WE HAVE HAD SO MANY COMPANIES COMING OUT AFTER READING ABOUT THIS AND SAYING, WE WANT HELP, TOO.

WE ARE LOOKING AT, WHAT IS OUR CAPACITY?

>>> HERE'S A CHECK ON WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDENS DATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> AND JM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE NEEDS FOR BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

AND, BY THE PSEG ORGANIZATION.

>> AND JM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN SERVING NEWBIES NEW JERSEY INSURANCE GROUPS HELPING KEEP VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, EMPLOYEES ON THE JOB, AND PROJECT ON TRACK.

WORKING TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES FROM ILLNESS AND INJURY , TO KEEP GOODS AND SERVICES MOVING ACROSS THE STATE.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY.

AND JM.

WE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.