>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NGM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> WE BEGIN WITH THE JANUARY 6th HEARINGS THAT PLAYED OUT IN PRIME TIME LAST NIGHT DETAILING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTIONS, OR RATHER, INACTION DURING THE NEARLY THREE HOURS THAT RIOTERS DESCENDED ON THE CAPITOL, CAUSING DESTRUCTION AND DEATH.

TESTIMONY FROM NATIONAL SECURITY MEMBERS LAST NIGHT SHOWED THE REALITY OF THE DANGER OF THE VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE AND HIS TEAM AS RIOTERS WERE JUST FEET FROM HIS OFFICE AND NEARLY LIMITED ANY MEANS OF ESCAPE.

DURING THE CHAOS, PENCE'S STAFF AND SECURITY DETAIL THOUGHT THEY WERE TRAPPED AND BEGAN CALLING LOVED ONES TO SAY WHAT THEY THOUGHT WERE THEIR FINAL GOODBYES.

WHITE HOUSE STAFFERS AND AIDES ALSO TESTIFIED THAT THE PRESIDENT REFUSED TO CALL OFF THE CROWD UNTIL THE EVENING, DESPITE PLEASE THROUGHOUT THE DAY FROM HIS MOST SENIOR STAFF AND HOW IN VIDEO RECORDINGS RELEASE, THE PRESIDENT REFUSED TO SAY TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT THE ELECTION WAS OVER.

LIZ CHENEY, WHO IS SERVING AS VICE CHAIR OF THE PANEL, SAYING, PRESIDENT TRUMP TURNED HIS SUPPORTERS, QUOTE, LOVE OF COUNTRY INTO A WEAPON.

YOUR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN WANTS US TO THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HEARING.

>> Reporter: IN OUR HEARING TONIGHT, YOU SAW AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT FACED WITH A STARK AND UNMISTAKABLE CHOICE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG.

THERE WAS NO AMBIGUITY, NO NUANCE.

DONALD TRUMP MADE A PURPOSEFUL CHOICE TO VIOLATE HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

>> Reporter: THAT BRUTAL ASSESSMENT FROM COACH AVERY BUBLIK AND LIZ CHENEY, WHO DISTILLED LAST NIGHT'S JANUARY 6th COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION INTO THE 187 MINUTES FOLLOWING FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SPEECH, URGING A MOB TO MARCH ON THE CAPITOL.

RIOTERS OVERPOWERED POLICE AND TRIED TO BLOCK CONGRESS FROM CERTIFYING THE 2020 ELECTION.

>> FOR 187 MINUTES ON JANUARY 6th, THIS MAN OF UNBRIDLED DESTRUCTIVE ENERGY CANNOT BE MOVED.

>> FOR THREE HOURS, HE REFUSED TO CALL OFF THE ATTACK.

>> Reporter: THE COMMITTEE SCREEN CLIPS OF THE ATTACK SHOWING BARRIERS FALLING AND RIOTERS STREAMING INTO CAPITOL CORRIDORS AS THEN VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE IS SECRET SERVICE DETAIL DESPERATELY TRIED TO GET HIM TO 50.

>> THERE ARE SIX OFFICERS BETWEEN US AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE 5 TO 10 FEET AWAY FROM HIM.

>> WE ARE COMING OUT NOW.

MAKE WAY.

>> Reporter: DONALD TRUMP HAD URGED PENCE NOT TO CERTIFY THE ELECTORAL VOTE, BUT PENCE REFUSED.

THE COMMITTEE CHARGED TRUMP WITH A TARGET ON HIS OWN VICE PRESIDENT BACK.

A NATIONAL SECURITY WITNESS, WHOSE IDENTITY THE COMMUNITY DISGUISED, DESCRIBE THE EMOTIONAL EVACUATION.

>> STARTING TO FEAR FOR THEIR OWN LIVES.

THERE WERE CALLS TO SAY GOODBYE TO FAMILY MEMBERS, SO ON AND SO FORTH.

IT WAS GETTING, FOR WHATEVER THE REASON WAS ON THE GROUND, IT WAS ABOUT TO GET VERY UGLY.

>> Reporter: AS THE ATTACK ESCALATED, TOP TRUMP TWEETED AT 2:24 THAT MIKE PENCE DIDN'T HAVE THE COURAGE.

THAT PROMPTED NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER MATTHEW POTTINGER TO RESIGN.

>> THE PRESIDENT WAS ATTACKING VICE PRESIDENT PENCE TO DO HIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY.

THAT WE LOOK TO ME LIKE THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE REALLY NEEDED AT THAT MOMENT, WHICH WAS A DE-ESCALATION.

>> FOR HIM TO TWEET OUT THE MESSAGE ABOUT MIKE PENCE, IT WAS HIM POURING GASOLINE ON THE FIRE AND MAKING IT MUCH WORSE.

>> Reporter: WHITE HOUSE PRESS AIDE SARAH MATTHEWS SAID SHE ALSO DECIDED TO RESIGN AFTER WITNESSING TRUMP'S RELENTLESS REFUSAL TO ORDER RIOTERS TO GO HOME, EVEN AS HIS ADVISERS AND FAMILY REPEATEDLY PLEADED WITH HIM TO ACT.

TRUMP WATCHED THE ASSAULT ON TV FOR THREE HOURS BEFORE FINALLY TWEETING THAT THE MOBS SHOULD LEAVE.

>> IT WAS ONLY ONCE THE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WERE IN A SECURE LOCATION, AND THE OFFICERS DEFENDING THE CAPITOL BEGAN TO TURN THE TIDE, THAT THEN PRESIDENT TRUMP ENGAGED IN THE POLITICAL THEATER OF TELLING THE BOB TO GO HOME.

>> Reporter: AND THE COMMITTEE ROLLED OUT TAKES FROM CHUMPS VIDEOTAPED ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN HE STILL COULDN'T BRING HIMSELF TO ADMIT HE HAD LOST.

>> I WANT TO SAY THE ELECTION IS OVER.

I JUST WANT TO SAY, CONGRESS HAS CERTIFIED THE RESULTS, WITHOUT SAYING THE ELECTION IS OVER.

OKAY?

>> EVERY AMERICAN MUST CONSIDER THIS.

CAN A PRESIDENT WHO IS WILLING TO MAKE THE CHOICES, DONALD TRUMP MADE DURING THE VIOLENCE OF JANUARY 6th EVER BE TRUSTED WITH ANY POSITION OF AUTHORITY IN OUR GREAT NATION AGAIN?

>> HE OWNS THE APPARATUS OF THE PARTY.

NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: A MODERATE REPUBLICAN WATCH THE HEARINGS AND SAYS, EVEN AS TRUMP TEASES ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL RUN, HIS SUPPORTERS SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

>> I HOPE THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THEY WERE USED.

HE JUST WANTED TO HOLD ONTO POWER.

THIS WAS A COUP ATTEMPT.

HE BETRAYED THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED HIM.

HE BETRAYED HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

AND DOING NOTHING IS NOT BENIGN.

>> IT REALLY COULD HAVE BEARING ON WHETHER OR NOT HE IS A VIABLE CANDIDATE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: WRITERS SAYS IT CAN PUSH JERSEY VOTERS TO QUESTION CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES, ESPECIALLY REPUBLICANS LIKE TOM KEAN JR. WHO SAY THEY SUPPORT THE AGENDA.

A >> ONCE AGAIN, THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT BEHAVIOR AND WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS SOMETHING THEY ARE GOING TO WASHINGTON TO DEFEND.

>> Reporter: BUT LAST NIGHT'S EVIDENCE ALSO STRENGTHENED TWO CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST TRUMP, CONSPIRACY TO OBSTRUCT AN OFFICIAL PROCEEDING OF CONGRESS, AND THE MORE SERIOUS CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT SEDITION BY OBSTRUCTING U.S. LAW.

THAT, ACCORDING TO FORMER NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN FARMER.

IT >> HE CHOSE NOT TO CALL MILITARY.

HE CHOSE NOT TO CALL THE NATIONAL GUARD.

HE CHOSE NOT TO CALL ON LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERESTING.

>> Reporter: WHAT COMES NEXT?

A LOT MORE EVIDENCE NEEDS TO BE PRESENTED, PARMER SAYS.

>> THERE IS NO EVIDENCE FOR THIS AT ALL.

DOES A SHOOTING FISH IN A BARREL FROM A PROSECUTORS PERSPECTIVE.

THEY ARE BASICALLY TAILORING EVERYTHING TO MAKE THE STRONGEST CASE.

SO, WE HAVEN'T HEARD IF THERE IS ANOTHER SIDE TO THIS.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD IT YET.

>> Reporter: HAVE ACCUSED THE COMMITTEE OF SPREADING LIES AND TAGGED MATTHEWS AS 15 MINUTES OF FAME MATTHEWS, WHO I DIDN'T KNOW IS CLEARLY LYING.

THE PANEL PROMISED TO RETURN WITH MORE EVIDENCE AND ADDITIONAL HEARINGS IN SEPTEMBER.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AS THESE HEARINGS PLAY OUT, THE QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN ARE, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT, AND WHAT IMPACT WILL ALL OF THIS TESTIMONY HAVE?

FORMER REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR TOM KEAN SR. KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT THESE TYPES OF INVESTIGATIONS.

HE SHARED THE BIPARTISAN 9/11 COMMISSION.

THAT ONE WAS EVENLY SPLIT BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

GOVERNOR KANE HAS BEEN WATCHING THE JANUARY 6th HEARINGS ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, AND HE JOINS ME NOW TO OFFER HIS PERSPECTIVE.

GOVERNOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

I WANT TO ASK YOU, HOW IMPACTFUL DO YOU BELIEVE LAST NIGHT'S HEARING AND JANUARY 6th HEARINGS OVERALL HAVE BEEN?

>> I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN VERY WELL DONE.

THEY HAVE BEEN IMPACTFUL.

THEY LAID OUT THE STORY.

I THINK WE KNEW THE FACTS.

BUT TO SEE IT IN A TELEVISION PRODUCTION, WHICH IS BASICALLY WITH THE HEARING IS, THEY HAVE DONE VERY WELL.

IT HAS BEEN IMPACTFUL ON THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WATCHED IT.

>> LAST NIGHT, WE HEARD PRESIDENT TRUMP, AT THE TIME, REFUSED TO CALL UP THE CROWD FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS AS HE WATCHED FROM THE WHITE HOUSE DINING ROOM.

HE REFUSED TO SAY THAT THE ELECTION WAS OVER.

HE DID NOT CONDEMN THE CROWD GOING AFTER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE, CALLS TO HANG HIM.

HOW DAMNING IS THIS EVIDENCE AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP?

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION, THIS WAS A DERELICTION OF DUTY.

THERE IS NO REASON WHY WHEN THAT WAS HAPPENING, WHEN THE CAPITOL WAS BEING INVADED, THAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULDN'T HAVE IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO STOP IT.

AND THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR IT.

IN THIS CASE, HE WAS DEAD WRONG.

AND THE COUNTRY, I THINK, SUFFERED BECAUSE OF IT.

>> WHO IS WATCHING THESE HEARINGS?

WHO, ESPECIALLY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS SAYING, WOW, THIS MAN LIED TO US, THIS MAN CONVINCED HOWEVER MANY THOUSANDS OF FOLLOWERS TO STORM THE CAPITOL?

>> WELL, LOOK, THOSE PEOPLE WHO TESTIFIED DURING THIS HEARING AND PREVIOUS ONES ARE ALL REPUBLICANS.

ALL REPUBLICANS WHO SAID WITH A THOUGHT AND TESTIFIED AT THE HEARING.

SO, I HOPE PEOPLE WILL LISTEN.

I THINK THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEARINGS.

IT SHOULD BE AS PARTISAN AS IT IS.

THAT IS A PROBLEM.

THEY ARE SETTING PRECEDENCE WITH THE FUTURE WHEN THEY ALLOW THE DOMINANT PARTY TO PICK THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.

THAT IS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.

THAT IS GOING TO BE DONE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE WHEN REPUBLICANS TAKE CONTROL.

THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING.

THERE ARE PROBLEMS HERE.

BUT OVERALL, THE HEARINGS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED WELL.

THEY ARE GIVING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE A LOT TO THINK ABOUT.

AND THEY ARE SHOWING EXAMPLES OF SOME COURAGE, SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TESTIFYING AND PEOPLE WHO ARE PROUD TO HAVE -- >> WHAT COMES NEXT, GOVERNOR, IN TERMS OF ANY CRIMINAL ACTION THAT COULD BE TAKEN AGAINST THE FORMER PRESIDENT OR ANYONE ON HIS TEAM, WHETHER IT BE BY THE STATES OR THE PERMIT OF JUSTICE, WHAT COMES NEXT?

WELL, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF HAS A VERY, VERY HIGH STANDARD TO MEET.

I AM NO LAWYER.

FOR THE LAWYERS I KNOW TELL ME IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT THAT TO SEE IF THERE IS A REASON TO BRING IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.

AGAIN, THE LAWYERS I KNOW THAT IS A VERY DIFFICULT CASE TO MAKE.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AS A WHOLE TO KIND OF SEPARATE THOSE WHO STILL HAVE ALLEGIANCE TO TRUMP?

>> WELL, I HOPE PEOPLE WILL STOP SAYING THAT THE ELECTION WAS FRAUDULENT SOMEWHERE.

IT WASN'T.

IT HAS AN IMPACT.

IT HAS AN IMPACT OF THE COUNTRY.

THE THINGS THAT DIVIDE US, UNFORTUNATELY GO WELL BEYOND THIS.

WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR IS PEOPLE WHO BRING US TOGETHER.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WAYS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO TALK TO EACH OTHER AGAIN AND WAYS WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.

THIS IS IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE GOT TO MOVE BEYOND US AS A COUNTRY AND AS A PEOPLE AND COME BACK TO THE WAY WE USED TO BE, WHICH IS TREATING EACH OTHER WITH DIGNITY AND REASON.

WELL, YOU ALWAYS HAVE DIGNITY AND REASON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US TODAY, FORMER GOVERNOR JOHN SENIOR.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S SENATOR CORY BOOKER HAS OFFERED A BILL THAT WOULD DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA FEDERALLY.

RECREATIONAL LEAD IS LEGAL IN 18 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, BUT THIS BILL WOULD EXPUNGE CRIMINAL RECORDS NATIONALLY FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW- LEVEL MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS.

IT WOULD CREATE AN IMPAIRED DRIVER STANDARD AND PUT PENALTIES IN PLACE FOR ILLEGAL DISTRIBUTION OF LARGE COMEDIES OF CANNABIS.

HERE, THE RECREATIONAL MARKET PLACE IS STILL ROLLING OUT.

ALTHOUGH, NOT EXACTLY AS SOME HAD HOPED.

THE STATES STRONG HOME RULE ALLOWS TOWNS TO DECIDE WHO GETS IN AND WHO DOESN'T WHEN IT COMES TO CANNABIS GETTING APPROVAL TO OPEN, EVEN AFTER THEY HAVE SECURED A STATE LICENSE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS MORE.

>> IT WAS INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING, INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING.

IT MADE ME FEEL VERY CONFUSED BASED ON SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TOWARDS MY COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: A PLACE DUFFY HAS CALLED HOME AND HAS WORKED TO BUILD COMMUNITY RELATIONS SINCE 2016.

SO IN MARCH, SHE WAS EXCITED TO APPLY FOR RECREATIONAL CANNABIS LICENSE FOR HER BUSINESS LOCOMOTIVE.

BUT WHILE HER STATE CONDITIONAL LICENSE WAS STILL PENDING, JERSEY CITY DENIED HER A LOCAL LICENSE.

>> THE MOTION THEY MOVED WAS, I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY IMPACT.

MY COMMITMENT TO THE TOWN, AGAIN, LIKE I SAID, IT STARTED WELL BEFORE CANNABIS WAS EVEN IN JERSEY CITY.

AND I'M DEEPLY INVOLVED IN SO MANY WAYS THAT MY PARTNERSHIPS, MY MENTOR IN, ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS, THEY WON'T STOP IF I DON'T GET THIS LICENSE.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO CARRY ON.

AND I THINK THAT IS THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART IS THAT I AM HERE, I AM HERE TO STAY, AND I AM VERY DEVOTED TO ALL THINGS COMMUNITY IMPACTING THE QUALITY AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE WITH OR WITHOUT THE SPIRIT >> Reporter: A NUMBER OF OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES HOPING TO SELL RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA ARE EXPRESSING SIMILAR CONCERNS.

THAT IS BECAUSE ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY'S CANNABIS LEGISLATION, TOWNS OPTING INTO THE MARKET ARE ALLOWED TO IMPOSE THEIR OWN CRITERIA CALLED HOME RULE.

MEANING, EVEN IF A STATE LICENSE IS APPROVED BY THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION, THE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY CAN STILL DENY IT.

>> REALLY, THE INTENT BEHIND ALLOWING THEM TO HAVE SO MUCH POWER OF DISCRETION IS THE FEAR WAS, IF WE DON'T ALLOW THEM TO REGULATE THE WAY THAT THEY WANTED TO, WILL THESE MUNICIPALITIES OPT IN IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> Reporter: THE CANNABIS ATTORNEY JESSICA GONZALES SAYS, THE HOMEROOM STIPULATION HAS LED TO A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, REGARDING THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

>> IF YOU GO ON ANY MUNICIPAL WEBSITE, IT IS DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE, AND EVEN FIND THE MOST CURRENT ORDINANCE.

BECAUSE MUNICIPALITIES ARE ALLOWED TO AMEND THEIR ORDINANCES, SOMETIMES WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHICH ONE IS THE MOST RECENT ONE.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL IS WE ARE SEEING CAPS ON LICENSES.

SOME OF THEM ONLY ALLOWING ONE PER LICENSE TYPE.

WE ARE ALSO SEEING VERY HIGH APPLICATION FEES UPWARDS FROM 2500 TO EVEN 10,000.

WE ARE ALSO SEEING VERY RESTRICTIVE ZONING AREAS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: ONE MORE PROBLEM SMALL BUSINESSES ALREADY HAVING ISSUES SECURING A SPOT HAVE TO FACE.

>> IF THE PROPERTIES ARE OWNED BY BANKS THAT ARE CHARTERED BY THE FDIC, THEN NORMALLY THEY DON'T ALLOW THE LANDLORD TO LEASE TO THAT GIVEN USE.

BECAUSE CANNABIS IS STILL FEDERALLY ILLEGAL.

>> Reporter: WHICH ACCORDING TO REAL ESTATE AGENT COLBY PIPER IS KEEPING OUT A LOT OF SOCIAL EQUITY BUSINESSES AND PROHIBITING THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY FROM REACHING ITS FULL CAPACITY.

>> IF THEY CAN'T GO TO THE NORMAL BANKING IN A SMALL BUSINESS LOAN, THEY HAVE TO GO TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

AND IF IT IS A SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANT OF BLACK AND BROWN FAUX, WE KNOW THAT THEIR OUTREACH IS NOWHERE NEAR AS STRONG AS THE OTHER PARTIES.

WE HAVE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANT'S THAT ARE NOT RECEIVING THEIR LICENSES.

BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO ACTUALLY GET THAT BUSINESS OFF THE GROUND.

SO THEREFORE, IT JUST SITS.

>> I BELIEVE THE STATE LEVEL THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB OF MAKING IT AN INCLUSIVE PROCESS FOR WOMEN AND MINORITIES.

I DO BELIEVE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, THERE ARE SOME MISSTEPS THAT ARE HAPPENING.

AND THEY REALLY WANT TO SEE SOME MORE COHESIVENESS BETWEEN THE ENTIRETY OF THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: DUFFY IS WORKING ON AN APPEAL PROCESS TO GET HER JERSEY CITY CANNABIS LICENSE APPROVED.

THE CRC'S IS CORRECTED TO ANNOUNCE 81 ADDITIONAL APPROVALS NEXT WEEK.

SHE IS HOPING TO BE ONE OF THEM.

APPROVED APPLICANTS WILL SOON GET ZONING AND LOCAL SUPPORT BEFORE THEY CAN APPLY FOR AN ANNUAL FULL OPERATING LICENSE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, THE COST OF PUBLIC WORKERS AND TRANSPLANT COULD SPIKE BY 24%, AND LAWMAKERS ARE NONE TOO HAPPY ABOUT IT.

THE RATE HIKE WAS PROPOSED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN UNDERWRITER OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

AND THE INCREASE ALLEGEDLY RESPONSE TO RECENT INCREASES IN HEALTHCARE COSTS.

LAWMAKERS SAY IT WILL HEAVE A MASSIVE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON WORKERS WHO WILL SEE MONEY COME OUT OF THEIR PAYCHECKS AND ON MUNICIPALITIES AND ULTIMATELY TAXPAYERS WHO WILL PAY MORE IN PROPERTY TAXES.

A VOTE ON THE PRICE INCREASE WAS POSTPONED FROM THIS COMING MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK TO GIVE LEGISLATORS A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE PROPOSAL IN MORE DETAIL.

>>> BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN MIGHT BE DANCING IN THE DARK WITH A FEW LESS FANS THAT IS UPCOMING 2023 TO HER.

FANS LOOKING TO BUY A SEAT THIS WEEK WERE STUNNED TO SEE TICKETMASTER PRICES, SOME SEATS SELLING IN THE THOUSAND, EVEN UP TO $10,000 FOR A SINGLE SEAT.

IT'S PART OF TICKETMASTER'S NEW DYNAMIC PRICING THAT ALLOWS THE COMPANY TO RAISE PRICES ACCORDING TO CONSUMER DEMAND.

WELL, ONE PERSON IS NOT A FAN.

NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN BILL PASSED ROW CALLING ON TICKETMASTER TO MAKE THE TICKETS MORE PORTABLE SO FANS COULD GET BACK TO THEIR GLORY DAYS OF SEEING THEIR FAVORITE E STREET BAND CROONER PERFORM IN HIS HOME STATE.

>>> TURNING TO WALL STREET, HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED FOR THE WEEK.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> HS AND WOODWORKING TOOLS THAT ONCE BELONGED TO THE LAST KNOWN SLAVE IN SOUTH JERSEY ARE NOW ON DISPLAY AT THE AFRICAN- AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM IN ATLANTIC CITY.

ACCORDING TO HISTORIANS, LUCY HARRIS JACKSON WAS THE LAST PERSON RECORDED AS A SLAVE IN SOUTH JERSEY.

AND NOW, THE DISCOVERY OF HER CHEST AND THE TOOLS SHE WAS FORCED TO USE SHED LIGHT ON THE LIFE LUCY LIVED DURING HER TIME OF ENSLAVEMENT.

RAVEN SANTANA TAKES US INSIDE THE ATLANTIC CITY MUSEUM FOR A GLIMPSE INTO THIS DARK TIME IN OUR HISTORY.

>> Reporter: THIS MAY LOOK LIKE ANY OTHER WOODEN CHEST FOUND AT A GARAGE SALE, BUT RALPH HUNTER PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY SAYS, THIS TOOL CHEST IS ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY.

>> WE WERE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THIS WONDERFUL CHEST DONATED TO US BY THE DISTENDED FAMILY THAT WERE SLAVE OWNERS.

SO, IT HAS COME DOWN THROUGH THE LAST GENERATION OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE CHEST.

AND THEY HAVE HAD IT IN THEIR FAMILY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

AND IT WAS STORED DOWN IN THEIR BASEMENT.

AND WHEN THEY RELOCATED IT, THEY FOUND THAT IT HAD ALL THESE TOOLS AND ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL ARTIFACTS AND IT FROM LUCY.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO ROBERT BARNETT WHO STUDIED AND WROTE ABOUT LUCY STORY AND HER CONNECTION TO THE CHEST EXTENSIVELY, HE SAYS, LUCY WAS THE LAST PERSON FORMALLY DESIGNATED BY THE U.S. CENSUS AS A SLAVE IN SOUTH JERSEY.

>> I HEARD THERE WAS A TEST THAT WAS OWNED BY HER.

IT WAS HER BEDDING AND CLOTHING, RIGHT?

A CLOVES CHEST.

AND WHEN WE SAW IT, WE SAID THIS IS DEFINITELY DESIGNED TO HOLD TRAYS OF TOOLS.

IT IS GOOD WORKMANSHIP.

IT IS OBVIOUSLY MID-1800S DESIGN.

OKAY, A TOOL CHEST.

THIS WOMAN HAD A TOOL CHEST.

WELL, WHY NOT?

SHE'S THE ONLY ONE DOING WORK AND THAT FARM, RIGHT?

SO, IT MADE MORE SENSE.

>> Reporter: THE TOOL CHEST ARRIVED AT THE MUSEUM ON MONDAY MORNING AFTER BEING PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE FAMILY SINCE LUCY'S DEATH IN 1875.

IT WAS PASSED ON TO: 1974 WHEN HER FATHER DIED.

>> MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN AFTER MY DAD'S DEATH.

SHE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE THAT CONNECTION.

AND SHE SAID, WHEN I TALKED TO HER ABOUT IT, SHE SAID, I THINK I WOULD RATHER SEE THESE DONATED TO SOMEBODY WHERE IT CAN BE USED AND APPRECIATED.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE CHEST, HUNDREDS OF ARTIFACTS ARE ON DISPLAY, INCLUDING THESE TIMES THAT HUNTER SAYS ARE THE SECOND MOST SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF HISTORY FOUND IN THE CHEST.

>> WHY IS IT SO SIGNIFICANT THAT YOU HAVE IT HERE, YOU ARE PLAYING IN, PEOPLE CAN SEE IT?

>> BECAUSE IT BRINGS BACK TO ME WHAT MY GRANDFATHER, MY GREAT- GRANDFATHER, WHEN THEY WORKED ON A PLANTATION IN MISSISSIPPI.

I WONDER HOW THEY GOT A CHANCE TO EAT OR HAD A CHANCE TO GET WATER.

THEY PROBABLY USED A DIFFERENT TIME FOR DIFFERENT THINGS.

MAYBE IT WAS ONE TIME FOR LUNCH, ONE TIME FOR DINNER.

ANOTHER TIME COULD BE USED FOR SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

THE SLAVE WOULD THEN ORGANIZE THE SOUND AND THEY WOULD COME IN FROM THE FIELDS TO EAT.

>> Reporter: AND WHEN I ASKED HUNTER WHAT HE THINKS SHE WOULD SAY IF SHE KNEW ALL THIS FUSS WAS BEING MADE ABOUT HER TOOL CHEST -- >> LUCY IS LOOKING DOWN ON YOU AND I RIGHT NOW.

AND SHE IS SAYING, FINALLY I'M BEING RECOGNIZED FOR THE HUMAN BEING THAT I WAS.

WE LOOK BACK TO SLAVERY IN SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, AND WE CAN LOOK BACK AND SEE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS SO VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO HISTORY.

IT IS JUST --I'M FLABBERGASTED.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU, THE NEXT EPISODE IN OUR 21 DIGITAL FILM SERIES IS NOW ONLINE.

THIS SERIES EXAMINES THE CIVIL QUESTION OF, DOES WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE STATE AFFECT HOW YOU LIVE?

21 PROFILES ONE PERSON IN EACH OF OUR 21 COUNTIES AND LOOKS AT THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS THAT AFFECT THAT PERSON'S LIFE.

THE LATEST FILM PROFILES FROM CAMDEN COUNTY WHO LEADS BY EXAMPLE AS A BULLYING PREVENTION SPECIALIST, FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING DIVERSITY AND TOLERANCE OF HIS COMMUNITY.

BRIANA VANNOZZI WENT ONE-ON-ONE WITH HIM.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> Reporter: SO MUCH OF WHAT YOU HAVE DEDICATED YOUR LIFE TO SO FAR CENTERS AROUND BULLYING.

IS THAT BECAUSE YOU EXPERIENCED A LOT OF IT AS A KID?

>> YEAH, SO, THE BULLYING THAT I WENT THROUGH WAS, I ENTERED IT ON MY AND BECAUSE OF WHO I WAS GROWING UP IN SCHOOL.

A LOT OF IT WAS KIDS CALLING ME NAMES.

BUT AS I GREW UP, I REALIZED THAT WHAT I WAS GOING THROUGH WAS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT OTHER KIDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WERE GOING THROUGH.

SO, I REALIZED IF I COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, I WOULD DO IT.

AND THAT HIS --HOW WE HELP EACH OTHER OUT AS A COMMUNITY.

I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO CREATE SOMETHING TO UPLIFT OTHER KIDS AROUND ME THAT MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE SAME UPBRINGING AS ME, OR THE SAME SUPPORT SYSTEM.

THAT IS KIND OF WHY I PUBLISH THE BOOK.

>> Reporter: YEAH.

HE WROTE A BOOK.

YOU HAVE TRAVELED AROUND THE COUNTRY SPEAKING.

YOU HAVE EVEN WORKED WITH THE STATE POLICE HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

WHAT DOES THAT WORK MEAN TO YOU?

>> IT IS ALL ABOUT BRIDGING THE GAP AND BRINGING EVERYONE CLOSER TOGETHER, ESPECIALLY NOWADAYS.

THE AROUND LAW ENFORCEMENT, NOT THE BEST.

BUT THERE IS THINGS WE CAN DO AS CITIZENS, AS PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE STATE TO KIND OF BRIDGE THAT GAP.

THAT IS WHY IN 2018 I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO MEET WITH THE COLONEL.

HE WAS SUPPORTIVE ENOUGH TO KIND OF CREATE THAT VIDEO ABOUT THE ARTICLE OF FAITH.

HE UNDERSTOOD MY STORY AND KIND OF THE REASONING BEHIND I BROUGHT IT TO YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND THAT VIDEO HAD THE IMPACT I WANTED IT TO HAVE.

SO IT IS, I WAS HAPPY IT WORKED OUT.

>> Reporter: SO MUCH OF WHAT YOU TALK ABOUT IS THE FACT THAT IN A LOT OF THESE ROLES, YOU DON'T SEE SOMEONE WHO LOOKS LIKE YOURSELF IN THEM.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CHANGE THAT?

I KNOW YOU HAVE QUITE A BIT THAT YOU ARE STUDYING IN SCHOOL RIGHT NOW, AND A LOT OF GOALS WHEN YOU GET OUT.

>> SO, YEAH.

I DID START LAW SCHOOL SPIRIT.

I FINISHED MY FIRST YEAR.

I REALIZED WHILE I WAS INTERNING AT THE PROSECUTORS OFFICE THIS SUMMER THAT MY PASSIONS LIGHT ELSEWHERE.

THAT WAS WITHIN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I KIND OF MADE THE DECISION TO SHIFT GEARS A LITTLE BIT, BUT ALSO CONTINUE PURSUING THE GOALS I WANTED TO PURSUE FROM THE BEGINNING.

AND NOW, THE PATH IS HEADING TOWARDS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND, KIND OF, DOING WHAT I CAN TO BREAK BARRIERS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: KARANVEER PANNU, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYTHING YOU ACCOMPLISHED.

I KNOW IT IS GOING TO BE A LOT.

THANKS FOR SPEAKING WITH ME.

THANK YOU.

THANKS, EVERYONE.

>> YOU CAN MEET KARANVEER PANNU AND THE OTHER EXTREMITY RESIDENCE AT MY NJ PBS.ORG 21.

>>> HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

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

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

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

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