>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH .

THAT'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

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

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, I'M RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A GOLF TOURNAMENT AT TRUMP NATIONAL GOLF COURSE ISN'T JUST ABOUT THE SPORT.

OR, THE MORE THAN $25 MILLION PURSE.

THE SAUDI BACKED SERIES IS DRAWING ANGER AND PROTESTS.

CRITICS SAY IT'S AN ATTEMPT BY THE SAUDI'S TO IMPROVE THEIR REPUTATION ON THE GLOBAL STAGE IMAGE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES, AND THE MURDER OF JOURNALIST JAMAL KHASHOGGI.

THE CONTROVERSIAL TOURNAMENT TEES OFF AS A FORMER PRESIDENT IS WEIGHING A SECOND RUN FOR OFFICE.

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT.

SO HAVE THE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF 9/11 WHO PROTESTED THE SAUDI GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN THE 9/11 ATTACKS.

IT IS BEING PLAYED AND WHAT THEY ARE CALLING THE BACKYARD OF WHERE THE FORMER TOWERS STOOD.

BRENDA FLANAGAN IS THAT THE TOURNAMENT WERE PROTESTERS ACCUSE THE NATIONAL GOLFERS OF CHOOSING TO TAKE A SAUDI PAYOUT AND TURN A BLIND EYE TO CORRUPTION.

>> WE ARE IN THE BACKYARD OF GROUND ZERO.

TO HAVE THIS EVENT HERE IS UNBELIEVABLE.

>> Reporter: VARIOUS 9/11 FAMILIES PROTESTED NEAR DONALD TRUMP'S NATIONAL GOLF CLUB WHERE THE SAUDI FUNDED L.I.V.

TOURNAMENT, THE RICHESON GOLF HISTORY TEED OFF TODAY LESS THAN 50 MILES FROM WHERE THE TWIN TOWERS FELL.

BRANDISHING FBI DOCUMENTS SAY SAY INDICATE SAUDI OFFICIALS IN PART SUPPORTED THE ATTACK, FAMILIES ANGRY CALLED THE L.I.V.

TOURNAMENT WHITEWASHING AND SPORTS WASHING OF AN ATROCITY.

>> THE SAUDI'S DID IT.

THEY PLOTTED IT, FUNDED IT.

NOW, THEY ARE TRYING TO DISTRACT EVERYONE OF THOSE THINGS WITH A GOLF TOURNAMENT 50 MILES AWAY FROM GROUND ZERO.

IT'S DEPLORABLE.

>> THAT WE CAN'T GET A GOLFER TO AT LEAST LOOK US IN THE EYE AND TELL US THEY ARE DOING IT FOR THE MONEY AND THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE ATROCITIES OF SAUDI ARABIA, THEY ARE COWARDS.

THE GOLFERS AND THE FORMER PRESIDENT ARE COWARDS.

>> Reporter: DONALD TRUMP IS PROBABLY HOSTING THE L.I.V.

TOURNAMENT'S THIRD EVENT AND TOLD THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE 9/11 FAMILIES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP TO THIS.

AS FOR 9/11 -- >> NOBODY HAS GOTTEN RID OF 9/11 AND THEY SHOULD HAVE.

>> DONALD TRUMP IS A LIAR.

HE LIED TO MY FACE THREE YEARS AGO.

IT IS REPREHENSIBLE THAT HE HAS DECIDED TO TURN HIS BACK ON THE 9/11 FAMILIES WHO HE OFFERED TO HELP GET SOME ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Reporter: IN 2019, HE MET AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH TRUMP WHO LATER RENEGED ON PROMISES TO DECLASSIFY FBI DOCUMENTS IN THE 9/11 INVESTIGATION.

PRESIDENT BIDEN FINALLY RELEASED THE INFORMATION LAST SEPTEMBER 11th UNDER PRESSURE FROM 9/11 FAMILIES.

THE FORMER PRESIDENT NOW HAS NOTHING BUT PRAISE FOR THE SAUDI'S, AND THE L.I.V.

TOURNAMENT.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN FRIENDS OF MINE FOR A LONG TIME.

THEY'VE INVESTED IN MANY AMERICAN COMPANIES.

FRANKLY, WHAT THEY ARE DOING FOR GOLF IS SO GREAT.

WHAT THEY ARE DOING IT FOR THE PLAYERS IS SO GREAT.

THE SALARIES ARE GOING TO GO WAY UP.

THE PJ WAS NOT LIKED BY A LOT OF THE PLAYERS.

>> Reporter: THE SAUDI KINGDOM HAS DENIED INVOLVEMENTS IN THE 9/11 ATTACK OR IN THE MURDER OF JAMAL KHASHOGGI.

AS FOR DONALD TRUMP, HOSTING THE SAUDI TOURNAMENT LET'S AND MAKE SOME BIG BUCKS, AND ALSO TAKES SOME SWEET REVENGE ON THE PGA, WHICH MOVED ITS CHAMPIONSHIP AWAY FROM HIS BEDMINSTER COURSE IN THE WAKE OF THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION.

THE PJ ALSO SUSPENDED PLAYERS WHO JOINED THE SAUDI BACKED STARTUP, BUT 48 TRAVELED TO BEDMINSTER FOR TODAY'S L.I.V.

EVENT.

THE TOTAL PRIZE MONEY TOP $25 MILLION COMPARED TO $15 MILLION FOR THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP.

SOME GOLFERS SIDE OF THE LOWER OF ALL THAT CASH.

>> HOW MUCH MONEY DOES IT TAKE TO TURN YOUR BACK ON YOUR COUNTRY?

ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?

>> TO THE GOLFERS I SAY THIS.

THE SENSE, THE OUTER, DISCUSSING STENCH OF THAT BLOOD MONEY IS SURE TO FOLLOW YOU ALL THE REST OF YOUR DAYS.

>> Reporter: MANY FAMILIES BROUGHT PHOTOS OF LOVED ONES LOST ON 9/11.

THEY SAY THEY WILL FOLLOW THE TOURNAMENT, AND CONTINUE THEIR PROTESTS UNTIL THEY GET THE FULL TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY THEY NEED ABOUT THE ATTACKS.

IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD.

>> WE ARE EXHAUSTED.

WE, EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS, WE HAVE BEEN SCREAMING AND SHOUTING.

I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A COLLECTIVE BREATH AND GATHER WITH OUR FAMILIES.

THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

I NEED TO GO HOME TO MY KIDS.

>> HOW OLD ARE YOUR KIDS?

>> I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER.

AND A 4 MONTH OLD SON.

>> Reporter: IN BEDMINSTER, AND BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A JERSEY CITY COUNCILWOMAN CAUGHT ON VIDEO SPEEDING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION SLAMMING INTO A CYCLIST, AND THEN LEAVING THE SCENE WITHOUT STOPPING, IS FINALLY PUBLICLY RESPONDING IN A STATEMENT RELEASED LATE TODAY.

SHE SAYS SHE WILL NOT RESIGN, DESPITE MOUNTING CALLS FOR HER TO DO SO.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ GOES BACK TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME, AND TALKS WITH THAT HIT AND RUN VICTIM, ANDREW BLACK, SEEN FLYING OVER THE VEHICLE'S HOOD, AND ONE OF TWO COUNCILMEMBERS WHO ARE CALLING FOR DEGISE TO RESIGN.

>> Reporter: THE INTERSECTION OF FOURTH STREET AND MLK DRIVE WAS BACK TO ITS USUAL HECTIC EBB AND FLOW TODAY.

RESIDENTS MOSTLY UNAWARE, AND SEEMINGLY UNFAZED BY THE CONTROVERSY SWIRLING AROUND COUNCILWOMAN AMY DEGISE AFTER SHE BLEW THROUGH THIS CRASH EARLY LAST WEEK.

OFFENDING JERSEY CITY DELIVERYMAN, ANDREW BLACK.

>> MY FRIENDS WERE JUST SURPRISED WHEN THE SAW THE VIDEO THAT I STOOD UP.

I JUST WALKED -- IT HONESTLY WASN'T HORRIBLE AT THAT TIME.

THEN, MY BACK AND MY -- I GOT A PAIN SPECIALIST I NOW SEE THREE TIMES A WEEK.

>> Reporter: BLACK, WHO SAYS MAKING FOOD DELIVERIES FOR AN ONLINE SERVICE IS HIS MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME, SAYS THE ATTENTION HAS BEEN A BIT OVERWHELMING.

HE SAYS HE HASN'T HEARD FROM DEGISE, THE MAYOR, OR ANYONE ELSE FROM THE CITY ASIDE FROM HIS COUNCIL MAN.

STILL, HE SAYS HE ISN'T ANGRY AT DEGISE, BUT MADE ONE THING CLEAR.

DO YOU THINK AMY DEGISE IS A CRIMINAL?

>> I MEAN, SHE COMMITTED A CRIME.

WHAT I NOTICED IS THAT EVERYBODY CAN COMMIT A CRIME.

EVERYBODY SHOULD BE PROCESSED LEGALLY.

UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, NOT EVERYBODY CAN BE CAUGHT.

THIS IS NIGHT AND DAY A HIT AND RUN.

SHE HAS TO BE CHARGED.

>> Reporter: COUNCILMAN JAMES SOLOMON WAS THE FIRST MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO CALL FOR DEGISE TO RESIGN.

HE SAID HE RESERVE JUDGMENT UNTIL HE SAW THE VIDEO, AND WONDERS WHY, ASIDE FROM COUNCILMAN FRANK GILMORE, WHO CALLED FOR DEGISE TO RESIGN AS WELL, THE REST OF THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR, WITH WHOM THEY ARE ALIGNED, HAVE BEEN SO SILENT, EVEN AFTER SEEING THE CCTV VIDEO.

>> IT'S NEVER THE WRONG TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

THAT IS WHAT I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL DO.

TO THE SILENCE FROM THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN DEAFENING TOO MANY WHO HAVE SEEN THE DISTURBING FOOTAGE.

THE MAYOR WAS UNEQUIVOCALLY ABOUT DEGISE LEAVING THE SCENE ABOUT IT THIS WEEK.

>> SHEETS THAT CERTAINLY HAVE NOT HAVE LEFT THE SCENE OF THAT CRASH.

THAT WAS A TREMENDOUS MISTAKE THAT YOU MADE.

>> TODAY, THE CITY RELEASED NEW VIDEO OF DEGISE SHOWING UP TO THE WEST DISTRICT POLICE STATION TO REPORT THE CRASH, SIX HOURS AFTER IT HAPPENED.

STILL UNANSWERED IS WHETHER SHE WAS CONTACTED BY POLICE, OR CAME IN ON HER OWN.

>> PUBLIC SERVANTS SHOULD BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

HOW CAN YOU LEGISLATE AND ASKED THE PUBLIC TO TRUST YOU IF THEY ARE NOT -- IF YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED A DISREGARD FOR THE PUBLIC IN SUCH A KIND OF CALLOUSED MANNER.

>> Reporter: BLACK, WHO HASN'T RULED OUT A LAWSUIT, SAYS HE WOULD WELCOME A MEETING WITH DEGISE, AND ALTHOUGH HE THINKS SHE SHOULD RESIGN, HIS HOPE IS THAT THERE CAN BE SOME POSITIVE TO COME FROM THIS.

>> I'M NOT ONE TO HOLD AND THAT IS, SO LET'S SAY THIS COUNCILWOMAN STAYS IN OFFICE.

HAVE HER PLEAD FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY.

LIKE BIKE LANE SAFETY SO THAT THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> Reporter: TO BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR THAT.

>> EXACTLY.

LET THE EXPERIENCE TEACH US RATHER THAN INTEREST.

AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID, WE ARE NOT ENEMIES, WE ARE FRIENDS.

WE MUST SUCCUMB TO THE BETTER ANGELS OF OUR NATURE.

JUST BY THIS NEGATIVITY, THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M STRIVING FOR IS A CITIZEN OF THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: MLK, LIKE A LOT OF MAJOR THOROUGHFARES IN THIS CITY OF OVER 300,000, CAN LOOK A BIT LIKE THE WILD WEST WHEN IT COMES TO TRAFFIC RULES.

RED LIGHTS AND CAUTION SIGNS CAN OFTEN SEEM LIKE MERE SUGGESTIONS.

BLACK SAYS HE THOUGHT HE HAD THE LIGHT AT FIRST, REALIZING LATER THAT HE DIDN'T.

BUT, STREET SAFETY ADVOCATES LIKE JIMMY LEE SAY SAFE STREETS ARE FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST MOTOR VEHICLES.

>> SAFE STREETS AND SAFE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION, WHICHEVER MODE SOMEONE CHOOSES, BUS, TRAIN, LIGHT RAIL, OR BIKE OR WALKING, OR DRIVING, HOW CAN THEY SAFELY GET TO WORK, OR GET TO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO?

GET TO DAY CARE.

GET TO SCHOOL.

WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT DANGEROUS STREETS.

>> Reporter: THE SPOKESMAN FOR DEGISE SAID SHE WILL NOT RESIGN.

THE DEMONSTRATION SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW WILL AMPLIFY CRITICS' CALLS FOR HER TO STEP DOWN.

THE NEXT SCHEDULED PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL IS AUGUST 15th.

WEATHER AMY DEGISE WILL BE THERE IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY QUESTIONS THAT STILL REMAIN UNANSWERED IN THIS GROWING CONTROVERSY.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> SENATOR CORY BOOKER IS LOOKING TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA NATIONWIDE WITH A NEW BILL HE SAYS IS GETTING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN CONGRESS.

IT'S ALL IN THAT CREATING SOCIAL JUSTICE SURROUNDING THE DRUG THAT IS NOW LEGAL IN 19 STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C.

HE SPOKE WITH NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS ANCHOR BREANNA POTOSI ABOUT HIS EFFORT, AS WELL AS THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY ACT.

>> Reporter: YOU RECENTLY HELD YOUR SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING.

I'M WONDERING THOUGH, SENATOR, HOW YOU BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN GETTING YOUR COLLEAGUES IN PARTICULAR TO SEE THIS AS A SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE, WHEN SENATOR TOM COTTON, AT THE START OF THE HEARING, SAID THAT YOUR BILL THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING WOULD BE A GIFT TO THE DRUG CARTELS.

HOW DO YOU BRIDGE THAT GAP?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK WE WILL EVER GET TOM COTTON.

OVERWHELMINGLY THE MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS AND AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE EITHER MEDICAL MARIJUANA, WHICH OVER 90% OF AMERICANS AGREE WITH, OR HAVE ADULT USE MARIJUANA, WHICH CLOSE TO 70% OF AMERICANS AGREE WITH.

REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT.

PEOPLE REALLY THINK WE SHOULD STOP ARRESTING PEOPLE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS FOR DOING THINGS THAT THREE OF THE LAST FIVE PRESIDENTS ADMITTED TO DOING.

YOU HAVE SENATORS AND VICE PRESIDENTS THAT HAVE ADMITTED TO DOING IT.

WE HAVE A JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT IS NOT EQUAL.

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES FOR EXAMPLE USING MARIJUANA, BUT BLACKS ARE ALMOST 4 TIMES AS LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED.

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A BILL THAT DOES A FEW THINGS.

NUMBER ONE, TRY TO CREATE SOME RESTORATIVE JUSTICE TO ALLOW FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN HURT WITH MARIJUANA CHARGES WHERE THEY CAN'T GET JOBS AND MORE, LET THEM HAVE PATHWAYS.

NUMBER TWO, MAKE SURE THE BUSINESSES IN NEW JERSEY ARE NOT OPERATING IN A WAY THAT PUTS THEM SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, BECAUSE IT IS CASH BUSINESSES.

IT'S HARD TO ACCESS BANKS.

NUMBER THREE, WE GOT TO DO THIS ANYWAY, IN MY OPINION, MAKE SURE WE DO IT SAFELY.

FOR RESEARCH AND UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT MARIJUANA CAN DO FOR USERS LIKE WITH PTSD, AND ALSO HOW DO WE KEEP CHILDREN AND OTHER PEOPLE SAFE.

>> Reporter: YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR YEARS.

YOU BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR WHAT FEELS LIKE DECADES.

I WONDER THOUGH, IF YOU ARE NOW OPEN TO A PATHWAY BASED ON SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT YOU MADE DURING THAT HEARING, TO REFORM THE BANKING INDUSTRY, AS YOU MENTIONED.

I BELIEVE A LOT OF FOLKS SEE IT ALSO AS AN EQUAL JUSTICE ISSUE.

WITHOUT THAT REFORM.

>> LOOK, I'M A COMPROMISE GOT.

NEW JERSEY SENT ME DOWN HERE TO GET THINGS DONE, NOT TO MAKE STANDS WERE I MAKE GOOD POINTS, BUT DON'T PASS BILLS.

THE GUN BILL WE JUST PASSED, I WAS ONE OF THE 10 DEMOCRATS THAT LEANED IN WITH 10 REPUBLICANS TO ACTUALLY GET THAT BILL OVER THE LINE.

IT DIDN'T DO EVERYTHING I WANTED TO DO, BUT IT'S GOING TO MAKE NEW JERSEY A SAFER PLACE WHEN IT COMES TO GUN VIOLENCE.

SO, THIS IS THE SAME THING.

I HAVE THE GOLD STANDARD BILL, I BELIEVE, WITH THE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER.

THE REALITY IS I'M OPEN TO COMPROMISES THAT ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE MY GOALS OF SAFETY, OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE EQUAL FOR BUSINESS COMMUNITIES, AND FINALLY, TO MAKE SURE WE DO SOMETHING FOR ALL OF THESE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW WHO HAVE MARIJUANA POSSESSION CHARGES THAT DESERVE SOME RELIEF FROM THE IMPACT THAT'S HAVING ON THEIR ECONOMIC AND FAMILY WELL-BEING.

>> Reporter: LASTLY, YOU ALL HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY.

I JUST WANT TO SHIFT NOW TO THIS VOTE ON THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, OF COURSE OUR STATE HAS ALREADY ENSHRINED INTO LAW, BUT FEDERALLY, IT IS NOT.

WHERE DO YOU FEEL THIS IS GOING?

A LOT OF REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN QUIET ON THE BILL.

>> GOD BLESS JERSEY.

WE ARE A STATE THAT IS VERY BALANCED IN A SENSE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, WE ARE NOT LIKE SOME OF THESE OTHER STATES THAT ARE LITERALLY ALLOWING A TO SUE A SURVIVOR WHO TRIED TO GO GET AN ABORTION AND COLLECT THE BOUNTY NEW JERSEY HAS ALWAYS FOUND A WAY TO BALANCE A LOT OF THESE ISSUES AND PRESERVE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS.

I THINK FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IS A WOMAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE HER DECISIONS ABOUT HER BODY, NOT POLITICIANS.

I BELIEVE FRANKLY THAT, WHEN IT COMES TO THE RIGHT TO MARRY, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO MARRY WHOEVER YOU WANT.

JUST LIKE PROTECTING ROE V. WADE, A LOT OF REPUBLICANS AGREE NATIONALLY.

BEN SENATOR COREY BUSCH, THANKS AS ALWAYS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO BE ON.

>>> REPUBLICAN SENATORS EARLIER THIS WEEK SCUTTLED A PROPOSAL TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS TO MORE THAN 3 MILLION VETERANS WHO WERE EXPOSED TO TOXIC BURN PITS WHILE SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.

THE BILL CALLED THE PACK ACT HAD PREVIOUSLY GARNERED OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

CLEARING THE SENATE ON AND 84- 14 VOTE IN JUNE, DUE TO A TECHNICAL ISSUE IT HAD TO BE VOTED ON AGAIN.

ON WEDNESDAY, 25 REPUBLICAN SENATORS REVERSED THE POSITION OF HER CONCERNS FOR LANGUAGE RELATED TO SPENDING AUTHORITY.

WHICH BLOCKED THE NEW VERSION FOR MOVING FORWARD.

SENATE LEADERS HAVE PLEDGED TO FIX THE ISSUE, AND ANOTHER VOTE COULD BE HELD AS SOON AS MONDAY, BUT THAT PROMISE HAS DONE LITTLE TO STOP THE OUTRAGE FROM VETERANS GROUPS AND ADVOCATES LIKE FORMER DAILY SHOW HOST JON STEWART.

>> COWARDS ALL OF THEM.

NOW THEY SAY, WELL THIS WILL GET DONE, MAYBE AFTER WE GET BACK FROM OUR SUMMER RECESS.

MAYBE DURING THE LAME-DUCK.

THEY ARE ON SENATE TIME.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

YOU LIVE AROUND HERE.

SENATE TIME IS RIDICULOUS.

THESE [ BLEEP ] LIVE TO 200.

THEY ARE TORTOISES.

THEY LIVE FOREVER, AND THEY NEVER LOSE THEIR JOBS, AND THEY NEVER LOSE THEIR BENEFITS, AND THEY NEVER LOSE ALL THOSE THINGS.

THEY ARE NOT ON SENATE TIME, THEY ARE UNHUMAN TIME.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS EXPANDING ITS EFFORTS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MONKEYPOX.

RESIDENTS AND GET VACCINATED AT TUA VACCINATION SITES.

COOPER UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER ONE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

THE NEW SITES ARE OPENING AS THE STATE'S CASES OF MONKEYPOX HAVE MORE THAN TRIPLED IN 10 DAYS.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 118 PROBABLE AND CONFIRMED CASES OF THE VIRUS HERE.

THE VACCINATION SITES ARE MEANT TO BETTER PROTECT RESIDENTS WITHOUT A CONFIRMED EXPOSURE, OR WHO BELIEVE THEY MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, OR WHO ARE AT HIGH RISK FOR HAVING BEEN EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS.

ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, ANYONE CAN GET MONKEYPOX, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASES SO FAR HAVE BEEN AMONG GAY, BISEXUAL AND OTHER MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN.

>>> FIRST RESPONDERS, LIBRARIES AND SHELTERS, ARE JUST SOME OF THE DOZENS OF AGENCIES NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER FREE NALOXONE TREATMENT THROUGH A NEW PROGRAM LAUNCHED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

NALOXONE IS A LIFE-SAVING NASAL SPRAY THAT REVERSES AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.

IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2022, NALOXONE WAS ADMINISTERED OVER 6000 TIMES, AIDING A CRISIS THAT TAKES ROUGHLY 3000 LIVES A YEAR IN NEW JERSEY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES LAUNCH THE NALOXONE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THE PROGRAM ALLOWS ELIGIBLE AGENCIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST DIRECT SHIPMENTS OF NALOXONE ONLINE, ANYTIME THEY NEED IT, FREE OF CHARGE.

DHS IS INTERESTED AGENCIES THAT MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS MUST REGISTER ONLINE.

>>> A NEW FEDERAL SPENDING BILL IS NOT SITTING WELL WITH THE NEW JERSEY CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST ON THE S.A.L.T.

TALKS, PLUS BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> CONGRESS MOVED QUICKLY THIS WEEK TO APPROVE A BILL DESIGNED TO EASE SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGES FOR SEMI CONDUCTORS.

BY SUPPORTING INCENTIVES FOR DOMESTIC CHIP MANUFACTURING BUT A NEW SPENDING BILL ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE, HEALTHCARE AND INFLATION, IS ON A BUMPIER PATH.

THE BILL DOES NOT INCLUDE A PROPOSAL TO RAISE OR ELIMINATE THE CAP ON STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTIONS KNOWN AS S.A.L.T.. THAT IS SOMETHING MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY DELEGATION HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR, AND WILL NEED TO CONSIDER THAT IF THEY DECIDE WHICH WAY TO BOTH.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ AND CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOTTHEIMER HAVEN'T TAKEN A PUBLIC POSITION ON THE BILL JUST YET.

THE BILL DOES INCLUDE TAX CREDITS FOR BUYERS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

THAT COMES ON THE HEELS OF GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCING CASH INCENTIVES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE PURCHASES IN NEW JERSEY.

GIVEN THE PUSH TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES, A COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL BE ADDING ELECTRIC VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING TO ITS CURRICULUM.

THIS IS DEAN OF THE S.T.E.M.

INSTITUTE.

>> THERE ARE VERY MANY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS THAT EVEN OFFER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY.

THERE'S AND EVEN FEWER NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER TRAINING IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

SO OF COURSE OUR IMMEDIATE THOUGHT WAS, WELL, WHO IS GOING TO TRAIN THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED TO MAINTAIN AND REPAIR ALL OF THESE VEHICLES?

>> SENATORS MENENDEZ AND CORY BOOKER JOINT 98 OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ASKING PRESIDENT BIDEN TO EXTEND THE MORATORIUM ON FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS , WHICH IS SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH.

MEANTIME, THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN CONSIDERING STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF OF $10,000 PER BORROWER.

POLITICO REPORTS DOCUMENTS FROM THE U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DETAIL A PLAN TO PROVIDE THAT RELIEF TO MILLIONS OF STUDENT BORROWERS IF THE PRESIDENT OKAYS IT.

>>> YESTERDAY WE REPORTED HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS TO RENT IN NEW JERSEY, AND ONE CITY TOPS THE LIST BY FAR.

IN JUNE, AVERAGE MONTHLY RENTS IN JERSEY CITY HIT $5500 ACCORDING TO RENT.COM, WHICH SAYS THAT'S THE HIGHEST RENT OF ANY U.S. CITY.

IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THE SURVEY DID NOT REVIEW LISTINGS IN NEW YORK CITY.

"THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS AVERAGE MONTHLY RENT IN THE CITY TOPS $5000.

>>> HERE NOW IS A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET ENDED THE TRADING WEEK.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> WITH INCREASED WORRIES ABOUT A RECESSION LOOMING HERE IN NEW JERSEY, UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS JUST UNDER 4% DESPITE THE STATE ADDING SOME 9800 JOBS IN JUNE.

BUSINESSES ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS.

WITH THE FEDERAL RESERVE RAISING INTEREST RATES ONCE AGAIN, AND PRICES CONTINUING TO CLIMB FOR MOST EVERYTHING YOU ARE BUYING TODAY, AND INFLATION RISING TO ITS HIGHEST LEVELS IN 40 YEARS, TED GOLDBERG REPORTS ON WHAT THIS ALL REALLY MEANS FOR YOUR MONEY.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET TO BUY A CAR OR A NEW HOUSE, EXPECT TO PAY MORE.

WHEN THE FEDERAL RESERVE RAISES INTEREST RATES, TO FIGHT INFLATION, IT MAKES CAR BUYING AND HOUSE BUYING MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FORCED OUT OF THE HOUSING MARKET.

I WAS GOING TO BUY A NEW HOUSE THIS YEAR BUT I THOUGHT MORTGAGE RATES WERE 3%, NOW THEY ARE 6%.

NOW MY PAYMENTS WENT UP SIGNIFICANTLY.

I WAS GOING TO BUY A NEW CAR, AND THEY WERE OFFERING 1% OR 2% FINANCING.

SUDDENLY THAT IS HIGHER.

>> IT RESTRICTS LENDING AND INVESTMENT, WHICH THEN HAS IMPACTS ON EMPLOYMENT.

THEN, LEADS TO LAYOFFS AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

>> Reporter: THE FED'S MOVE COMES AS THE AMERICAN ECONOMY IS STUCK IN WHAT THESE ECONOMISTS I TALKED TO ARE ALREADY CALLING A RECESSION.

THE TRADITIONAL DEFINITION IS NEGATIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN BACK-TO-BACK QUARTERS.

>> IF IT HAPPENS FOR A MONTH OR TWO OR EVEN A QUARTER, YOU SAY LET'S NOT JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS.

AB IT'S JUST AN ANOMALY.

IF IT DOES IT FOR SIX MONTHS, TWO SUCCESSIVE QUARTERS, IT'S NO LONGER AN ANOMALY.

>> I'M LEANING TOWARD SAYING WE ARE IN A RECESSION.

TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ARGUES IT'S NOT A RECESSION, CITING LOW UNEMPLOYMENT AND POSITIVE JOBS REPORTS.

>> THEREFORE WE WOULD SAY WE ARE NOT IN A RECESSION.

THE ANSWER BACK TO THAT IS, WE HAVE A SEVERE LABOR SHORTAGE.

TODAY, NATIONWIDE, THERE ARE 11 MILLION, MORE THAN 11 MILLION JOB OPENINGS, AND LESS THAN 6 MILLION UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: RECESSION OR NOT, NEW JERSEY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS UNDER 4%, SHRINKING FROM JUST OVER 5% EARLY THIS YEAR.

>> WE ARE VERY THRILLED WITH RECENT JOB NUMBERS MONTH OVER MONTH.

THE CONTINUAL INCREASES WE HAVE WITH EMPLOYMENT AT LARGE.

CERTAINLY HERE IN NEW JERSEY, REDAN INCREASES HAVE COME FROM THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

THAT'S A GREAT SIGN GIVEN HOW BATTERED OUR TOURISM ECONOMY HAS BEEN.

>> Reporter: TOURISM HELP THE STATE ADD ALMOST 10,000 JOBS IN JUNE.

HELPING THE PRIVATE SECTOR GET PAST PRE-PANDEMIC EMPLOYMENT LEVELS.

HE SAYS THOSE JOBS ARE SPREAD AROUND DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES.

>> A COMBINATIONS OF FOOD SERVICES AND HOSPITALITY HAS GONE UP 7.4%.

TO BE CLEAR ALSO, TRANSPORTATION WAREHOUSING, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

REAL ESTATE RENTAL, LEASING, PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL DATA, HAVE ALL GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> Reporter: HE THINKS LOW UNEMPLOYMENT WILL HELP CUSHION THE NEW JERSEY IF THE AMERICAN ECONOMY GETS EVEN WORSE.

HE IS WORRIED THAT THE FED WAITED TOO LONG TO RAISE INTEREST RATES, AND THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE LAST YEAR.

>> THEY ARE WAY TOO LATE, AND AS A RESULT, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE MUCH LARGER THAN WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE.

THAT IS GOING TO SUCK DEMAND OUT OF THE ECONOMY.

IT WILL BRING THE INFLATION RATE DOWN EVENTUALLY.

BUT, MONITOR POLICY TAKES AT LEAST 3 TO 6 MONTHS.

>> MY FEAR IS THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO GET WORSE AS THE CONTINUED INTEREST RATE INCREASES TO BRING DOWN -- THEY SHOULD BRING DOWN INFLATION.

SO IN THE LONG RUN THAT WILL BE GOOD FOR REAL WAGES, BUT IN THE SHORT RUN IT WILL MAKE THINGS I THINK WORST FOR REGULAR PEOPLE AND FOR WORKERS.

TO THE FED'S INTEREST RATE SITS AT 2.5%.

ITS HIGHEST MARK SINCE DECEMBER OF 2018.

ALL SIGNS POINT TO THAT CLIMBING EVEN HIGHER LATER THIS YEAR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M TED GOLDBERG.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR THIS THIS EVENING, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

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.

>>> ♪ NJM 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.

>>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.