>>> FUNDING NOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHIDE.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'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 WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

NEARLY A QUARTER OF ALL UKRAINIANS, 10 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE NOW BEEN DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES.

THREE AND A HALF MILLION HAVE BECOME REFUGEES.

THOSE THAT REMAIN HAVE FACED SOME OF THE WORST HUMANITARIAN ATROCITIES IMAGINABLE.

BOMBS CONTINUING TO RAIN DOWN ON CIVILIAN TARGETS, AND YESTERDAY THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN TAKEN FROM THEIR PARENTS IN THE DONBASS REGION INTO RUSSIA ACCORDING TO THE UKRAINE'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SPOKE WITH LEADERS OF GERMANY, ITALY, BRITAIN, FRANCE YESTERDAY, PREPARING TO TRAVEL TO EUROPE ON WEDNESDAY WHERE HE'LL ATTEND A NATO SUMMIT, A GROUP SEVEN MEETING, AND WILL MEET WITH EU HEADS OF STATE.

HE'LL TRAVEL TO POLAND TO MEET WITH THE PRESIDENT TO TALK ABOUT THE U.S. SUPPORT OF UKRAINE AND DISCUSS ITS ROLE IN THE REFUGEE CRISIS CREATED BY RUSSIA'S WAR.

BUT SOME REFUGEES HAVE ARRIVED HERE IN NEW JERSEY, MANY COMING ON TOURIST VISAS.

THEY DON'T HAVE OFFICIAL REFUGEE STATUS, SO THEY'RE NOT BEING MET WITH THE USUAL SUPPORT GIVEN TO REFUGEES.

ONE ORGANIZATION HAS STEPPED UP TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.

UKRAINIAN JERSEY CITY, WHICH STARTED JUST A FEW YEARS AGO AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION HAS QUICKLY TRANSITIONED TO AN ADVOCACY GROUP THAT'S PROVIDING HUMANITARIAN AID.

I'M JOINED NOW BY UKRAINIAN JERSEY CITY'S PRESIDENT.

OKSANNA, DESCRIBE THE WORK JERSEY CITY STARTED DOING PRETTY MUCH AT THE ONSET OF THIS WAR IN UKRAINE?

>> WE STARTED GATHERING SUPPLIES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR HUMANITARIAN AND MEDICAL AID.

WE CREATED AMAZON LANES.

WE HAD VOLUNTEERS TO BRING THINGS TO THE NATIONAL HOME IN JERSEY CITY FROM WHERE WE STARTED PACKAGING EVERYTHING, AND SENDING FIRST, AND NOW WE'RE USING VARIOUS WAYS TO SEND SUPPLIES TO UKRAINE.

>> SO YOU WERE DELIVERING GOODS RIGHT TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEEDED IT ON THE GROUND IN POLAND, TRYING TO GET IT INTO UKRAINE AS WELL, YES?

>> THAT IS CORRECT, YES.

>> EVEN IN JUST A FEW WEEKS SINCE THIS WAR STARTED YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS TRANSITIONED YET AGAIN.

YOU'RE NOW WORKING ALMOST AS A DE FACTO RESETTLEMENT AGENCY.

JUST DESCRIBE THE WORK YOU'RE NOW DOING AND WHAT THESE FAMILIES NEED.

>> SO WE ARE -- SO WE TRANSITIONED FROM BEING JUST AN ORGANIZATION HERE IN JERSEY CITY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO PROVIDING HELP TO OUR VOLUNTEERS ON THE GROUND IN UKRAINE AND PEOPLE WHO TRY TO HELP OUT TO NOW HOUSING PEOPLE WHO CAME ON TOURIST VISAS TO THE UNITED STATES, HELPING THEM OUT WITH HOUSING, WITH FOOD, WITH CLOTHES, WITH SCHOOLING, AND JUST DOING ALL THE JOB THE REFUGEE AGENCIES TAKE ON THEMSELVES.

BUT IT'S GOOD TO KNOW STATUS CURRENTLY.

WE ARE HELPING THEM OUT, OUR ORGANIZATION TOOK A TURN IN HELPING THEM OUT HERE ON THE GROUND IN JERSEY CITY.

WE WILL TRY TO HELP PEOPLE IN NEW YORK AS WELL, AND WE ALSO CREATED A LEGAL HELP THAT IS NOW WORKING OVERTIME TO ADVOCATE ON THE PART OF THE PEOPLE TO GET SOME SORT OF ESTABLISHMENT WITH THE LAW.

>> YEAH BECAUSE RIGHT NOW YOU'RE NOT A RESETTLEMENT AGENCY, AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE COMING OVER HAVE NO REFUGEE STATUS.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF GAPS HERE.

WHAT WOULD YOU ASK FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING STATUS?

WHAT DO THESE FAMILIES NEED?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST THEY NEED HOUSING, SCHOOLING, AND THE ABILITY TO WORK.

AND ALSO ON HEALTH INSURANCE, BUT THAT WILL COME.

WE HAVE SOME VERY NICE PEOPLE COMING, VERY EDUCATED PEOPLE, BUT WE NEED TO EXPEDITE.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE RULES AND EXPEDITE.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE LAWS BECAUSE OUR PEOPLE ARE COMING, THEY DON'T HAVE SHELTER AND MANY OF THEM ARE COMING WITH FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN.

WE NEED HELP.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE WANTED TO HELP.

WHAT ARE THE GREATEST NEEDS IF THERE ARE FAMILIES ON THE GROUND RIGHT NOW WHO COULD ACCEPT HELP FROM THE COMMUNITY, WHAT ARE THE GREATEST NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST SHELTER.

SHELTER.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE I SAID THEY COME ON TOURIST VISAS.

SECOND IS FOOD.

THIRD WOULD BE PROBABLY JUST GETTING AROUND THE METRO PARTS.

AND ANOTHER THING WE DO NEED IS HELP WITH IN-HOUSE APARTMENTS.

THE KIDS WHO ARE ARRIVING THEY NEED UNIVERSAL HOUSE RECORDS, AND THEIR VACCINATIONS UP TO DATE, AND YOU KNOW IF DOCTORS CAN VOLUNTEER AND PROVIDE THEIR HELP, PLEASE REACH OUT, UKRAINIAN JERSEY CITY.

WE WOULD LOVE TO PUT YOU ON FILE AND CONNECT YOU WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ARRIVING HERE.

AND ANOTHER THING IS THE LEGAL HELP.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR ATTORNEYS WITH ORGANIZING TEAMS OF ATTORNEYS TO ADVOCATE ON OUR BEHALF.

>> OKSANNA CONDON, THIS IS NOT THE WORK YOU SET OUT TO DO, BUT YOU'RE MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE NONETHELESS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AN UNARMED BLACK MAN WAS SHOT AND PARALYZED BY TRENTON POLICE LAST MONTH AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS AS TO WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED THAT LED TO JUWAN HENDERSON BEING SHOT WHILE SITTING IN A CAR.

NOW TRENTON'S MAYOR IS CALLING FOR THE FULL RELEASE OF ALL VIDEO FOOTAGE INCLUDING POLICE BODY CAMERAS, DASH BOARD CAMERAS, AND ANY NEARBY SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT.

EVEN THOUGH IT OCCURRED IN MERCER COUNTY, THE AG IS RUNNING THE INVESTIGATION THROUGH THE UNION COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TO AVOID CONFLICT.

HENDERSON'S FAMILY HAS FILED SUIT AGAINST THE POLICE DIRECTOR AND THE UNNAMED OFFICERS.

>>> LAWMAKERS ARE FINDING IT HARD TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN KEEPING VIOLENT OFFENDERS OFF THE STREETS WHILE CHANGING LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES LIKE BAIL THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGET LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

A BILL WAS RECENTLY PROPOSED THAT WOULD FURTHER REFORM THE STATE'S BILL REFORM BILL PASSED IN 2017, BUT IT WAS PULLED THIS WEEK AND NOW BEING REVISED BY ITS SPONSORS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER TALKS WITH STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT WHAT THEY BELIEVE SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT BE IN THE BILL.

>> WE ALL WANT TO BE SAFE, BUT A MAJOR RESPONSE TO THE FAILED TOUGH ON CRIME POLICIES OF THE PAST WILL NOT MAKE US SAFER IN THE LONG RUN.

IT WILL ONLY BOLSTER A RACIST SYSTEM OF MASS INCARCERATION.

>> Reporter: SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES VOICING THEIR CONCERNS IN FRONT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE YESTERDAY AS THE LEGISLATURE CONSIDERS A BILL AMENDING BAIL REFORM.

UNDER CURRENT LAW DEFENDANTS CAN AWAIT TRIAL AT HOME UNLESS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN PROVE THEY POSE A RISK.

BUT UNDER THE NEW BILL DEFENDANTS CHARGED WITH CERTAIN GUN CRIMES COULD AUTOMATICALLY BE DETAINED PRETRIAL.

ADVOCATES OPPOSE THE MEASURE.

>> BLACK PEOPLE ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY DETAINED IN COUNTY JAILS ACCOUNTING FOR 42% OF ALL JAILED INDIVIDUALS DESPITE BEING ONLY 50% OF THE POPULATION.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST BLACK TO WHITE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE NATION FOR ADULT AND YOUTH INCARCERATION.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS PREDICTS THIS BILL AS DRAFTED WILL DOUBLE THE PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ALREADY DETAINED FOR GRADES AT DEFENSES.

IT'S UP TO 97.6% DETAINED AND OVER 70% OF THIS GROUP WILL BE BLACK.

>> INSTEAD OF MOVING FORWARD WITH THE BILL, JOSEPH CRYAN MADE A DECISION TO WITHDRAW IT, ACKNOWLEDGING THE BILL MAY HAVE CAST TOO WIDE OF A NET.

>> IT MAY, IN FACT, FOR A LACK OF A BETTER WAY TO PUT IT, PUT A PRESUMPTION OF INCARCERATION FOR THOUSANDS WHEN WE ALL BELIEVE THE NUMBER SHOULD BE IN THE HUNDREDS.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED TO REACH FOR A CONSENSUS.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSED CHANGE OF BAIL REFORM COMES ACROSS THE GARDEN STATE WHERE WE HAVE SEEN AN UPTICK IN GUN CRIME ESPECIALLY THE LAST TWO YEARS.

SEVERAL MAYORS HAVE SHOWN THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE LEGISLATION.

MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGREE IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WE SAW A LOT WHEN BAIL REFORM PASSED.

IT WAS GOING TO ADDRESS LOW-LEVEL DRUG OFFENSES.

IT WAS GOING TO ADDRESS PEOPLE WITH LOW DOLLAR WARRANTS THAT COULDN'T MEET.

THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT SHOULD NOT BE DETAINED, WE AGREED WITH THAT.

NOBODY SAID PEOPLE THAT COMMIT GUNS, COMMIT CRIMES WITH GUNS WERE GOING TO WALK.

AND SO THE FACT YOU'RE ADDRESSING THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE MORALE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT IT TAKES LONGER TO FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK THAN IT DOES FOR PEOPLE TO WALK OUT THE DOOR OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS REALLY, REALLY NEGATIVELY IMPACTING THE MORALE OF OFFICERS ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE WATCHING CRIME RISE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THE CURRENT LAW IS ALREADY SUFFICIENT AND AMENDING IT WITH UNDERMINED CRIMINAL REFORM.

>> WE KNOW SINCE NEW JERSEY ENACTED BAIL REFORM IN 2017 IT HAS BEEN AN A BASH OF SUCCESS.

THE JAIL POPULATION HAS DECLINED BY 47%.

ACTUALLY SERIOUS CRIME HAS GONE DOWN IN THAT BY 10%.

SO THE FEAR THAT'S DRIVING THIS PUSH TO ROLL BACK BAIL REFORM IN NEW JERSEY IS REALLY THAT.

IT'S FEAR MONGERING.

IT'S NOT DRIVEN BY THE DATA OR EVIDENCE THAT BAIL REFORM ISN'T WORKING.

>> WE'VE SEEN IN THE MORNING AND THE AFTERNOON, URBAN AREAS, SUBURBAN AREAS.

UNFORTUNATELY THOSE BULLETS DO NOT HAVE NAMES ON THEM.

>> Reporter: BENJI WIMBERLY WHO IS SPONSORING THE SAME BILL IS WILLING TO DISCUSS ANY WORRIES CRITICS MAY HAVE.

TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE AS AN ONGOING PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

>> THERE ARE MORE CONCERNS FROM PEOPLE IN THE LEGAL FIELD.

WE DO NOT WANT TO MAKE IT A BILL THAT IS AN ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR.

BUT WHAT I WILL SAY TO THAT THE VICTIMS, YOU KNOW, AS WE LOOK AT THE RACIAL ANALYSIS FOR THOSE WHO WILL BE IMPACTED BY THE BILL.

LET'S ALSO LOOK AT THE RACIAL IMPACT THAT IT HAS ON BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES WHEN IT COMES TO INNOCENT VICTIMS.

>> Reporter: A BILL IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY.

SENATOR CRAN IS PLANNING TO INTRODUCE A VERSION OF HIS BILL NEXT MONTH.

ADVOCATES ARE ENCOURAGING LAWMAKERS TO INSTEAD INVEST MORE IN ANTIVIOLENCE PROGRAMS THEY SAY HAVE PROVEN TO HELP CURB CRIME.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT COULD DECIDE WHETHER NEW JERSEY IS ABLE TO LEAVE THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION.

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY CREATED IN THE 50s TO COMBAT CRIME AND REGULATE EMPLOYMENT AT THE PORT.

BUT OVER THE YEARS THE GARDEN STATE HAS TAKEN ON THE MAJORITY OF THE PORT'S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND NOW VIEWS THE PARTNERSHIP AS UNNECESSARY AND IMPEDING ITS OWN ECONOMIC GROWTH.

GOVERNOR MURPHY'S INTENTION TO WITHDRAW FROM THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION WAS MET WITH RESISTANCE.

NEW YORK FILED AN INJUNCTION TO STOP THE MOVE.

ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS NOW ASKED THE HIGHEST COURT TO DECIDE WHETHER THE NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE CAN ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMISSION AS PLANNED.

>>> SO IT TURNS OUT BEING CONVICTED OF A CRIME WHILE HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE REALLY DOES MEAN YOU CAN'T RUN FOR OFFICE AGAIN.

A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE RULED AGAINST FORMER PATERSON MAYOR JOEY TORRES THIS WEEK SAYING HIS CORRUPTION CONVICTION FROM 2017 BARS HIM FROM EVEN RUNNING A CAMPAIGN BECAUSE IT'S NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC TO ELECT SOMEONE WHO CAN'T SERVE.

TORRES WAS CONVICTED WHILE MAYOR AND LATER SERVED 13 MONTHS IN PRISON.

HE WAS BANNED FROM EVER HOLDING OFFICE IN NEW JERSEY AGAIN, BUT ARGUES THAT SHOULDN'T STOP HIM FROM RUNNING AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHETHER OR NOT HE COULD ACTUALLY HOLD THE POSITION LATER.

WELL THE COURTS DISAGREED.

TORRES STILL FACES A CRIMINAL CONTEMPT CHARGE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOR VIOLATING A COURT ORDER WHEN HE LAUNCHED THIS CAMPAIGN.

>>> WITH 564 MUNICIPALITIES AND CLOSE TO 700 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE IDEA OF SHARING SERVICES IN NEW JERSEY SEEMS LOGICAL, BUT IT'S BEEN MET WITH CONSISTENT RESISTANCE BY THOSE WHO DEFEND HOME RULE.

COULD GOVERNOR MURPHY HAVE SOME SYCES AS THEY FLOAT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET PROCESS.

DAVID CRUZ LOOKS AT WHY SOME LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING FOR SHARED AND CONSOLIDATED SERVICES, AND WHY SOME CITIES ARGUE IT WILL LEAD TO FRUSTRATION.

>> THE THING TO KNOW ABOUT NEW JERSEY IS THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAN WE HAVE TOWNS.

SO YOU COULD BE FORGIVEN FROM ROLLING YOUR SKEPTICAL EYES WHEN YOU HEAR THE RENDITION OF THE CONSOLIDATION SHARED SERVICES.

BUT WITH AFFORDABLE THE THEME OF THE NEW SEASON, THERE IS HOPE THAT PUBLIC OPINION ALONG WITH STATE INCENTIVES WILL MAKE THIS THE YEAR OF CONSOLIDATION.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNING A BILL THIS YORE AND TO LOOK AT JOINING UP WITH OTHER DISTRICTS.

>> YES, 73 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE IN THE STATE STARTING CONSOLIDATION NOW.

>> STEVE SWEENEY WAS A BIG ADVOCATE IN HIS SENATE DAYS.

AND HE IS DEDICATING A PART OF HIS NEW MISSION TO TRY TO FIND MORE PERFECT UNIONS.

>> I'LL GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF CONSOLIDATION, WHICH IS BASICALLY JUST CREATING A DISTRICT.

THEY WILL SAY BETWEEN 6.5 TO $8 MILLION JUST BY NOT CLOSING SCHOOLS, MOVING KIDS, DOING NOTHING, BUT HAVING A REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION.

>> Reporter: OF THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES.

>> THE CONSOLIDATION HAS TO BE DONE WITH THE WILLING PARTICIPATION OF ALL PARTIES.

>> Reporter: MEANING TOWNS GOT TO GET OVER THEIR HOME RUN MINDSET.

SOUTH ORANGE, EAST ORANGE, AND ORANGE, ORANGE, WE SHARE GEOGRAPHY, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE CONFUSED IT THE OTHER TIME ACROSS THE STREET.

THEY TOOK DECADES OF DEBATE AND REPEATED REFERENDUM BEFORE THEY TIED THE KNOT WITH PRINCETON BOROUGH TO BECOME JUST PRINCETON A DECADE AGO.

>> THE TOWNSHIP AND THE BOROUGH SHARED A LOT OF SERVICES ALREADY.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACTUAL CONSOLIDATION, I THINK EVEN THOSE WHO ARGUE THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT POLICY AND IT HAS LED TO MORE EFFECTIVE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, WE COULD SEE THAT, IT DIDN'T LEAD TO THE ADVANCED HEARING.

>> THEY WERE STRUCTURED, SO WE COULD BETTER MANAGE SOME OF THE STAFFING REDUCTION THROUGH NUTRITION AND RETIREMENTS.

SOME OF THE LARGEST SAVINGS WERE IN THE AREA OF POLICE.

JUST POLICE SAVINGS ALONE RESULTED IN $2.1 MILLION OF THE $3.2 MILLION IDENTIFIED TOTAL SAVINGS.

>> Reporter: BUT EVEN THE FORMER MAYOR ADMITS SHARED SERVICES CAME FIRST AND ACTUAL CONSOLIDATION FOLLOWED.

THEY'RE NOT THE SAME THING POINTS OUT RUTGERS PROFESSOR MARK PEIFFER.

>> SHARED SERVICES ARE MUNICIPALITIES WORKING TOGETHER WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES OR THEIR COUNTY GOVERNMENT OR BOARD OF EDUCATION TO SHARE THE THINGS THEY DO AND COMMENT.

MUNICIPAL CONSOLIDATION IS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

THAT'S WHERE TWO MUNICIPALITIES DECIDE TO BASICALLY MERGE TOGETHER AND BECOME ONE MUNICIPALITY WITH ONE GOVERNING BODY AND ONE ORGANIZATION PROVIDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

YOU CAN'T CONSOLIDATE YOURSELF INTO SAVING MONEY.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO DO IT.

SHARED SERVICES CAN HELP DO THAT.

BUT AS FAR AS FINDING SUBSTANTIVE BIG TIME SAVINGS THAT WILL REDUCE A TAX BILL THAT PEOPLE NOTICE IS REALLY HARD TO DO.

>> YOU DON'T GET TO MAGICALLY SHRINK THE SIZE OF THE GOVERNMENT BY SNAPPING YOUR FINGERS.

LET'S SAY WE HAVE TWO SCHOOLS.

WE COMBINE INTO ONE SCHOOL.

WELL WE STILL HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF TEACHERS.

WE STILL NEED A SAME NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATORS TO MANAGE ALL THOSE TEACHERS.

STILL NEED SUPPORT STAFF.

STILL NEED, YOU KNOW, THE END OF BUILDING WILL BE TWICE AS OCCUPIED.

>> SO IT'S LIKE ANY GOOD RELATIONSHIP.

YOU START OUT BY SHARING A FEW SERVICES AND YOU SEE HOW IT GOES BEFORE YOU JUMP IN TO THE SERIOUS COMMITMENT THAT CONSOLIDATION REPRESENTS.

SO FAR IT LOOKS LIKE MOST TOWNS ARE TAKING A LOOK AT CONSOLIDATION SWIPING LEFT.

I'M ANDY CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> DRIVERS WILL BE STAYING PUT AT THE PUMP.

HE WOULD NOT SUPPORT A BILL TO ALLOW DRIVERS TO PUMP THEIR OWN GAS BECAUSE NEW JERSEYIANS OVERWHELMINGLY WANT TO LET SOMEONE ELSE DO THEIR DIRTY WORK.

73% FEEL THIS WAY ACCORDING TO A RECENT RUTGERS EAGLETON POLL.

SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL SAY IT COULD SAVE DRIVERS MONEY, BUT THERE'S NO PROOF OF ANY MAJOR SAVINGS.

WITHOUT HIS SUPPORT THE BILL DOESN'T STAND MUCH OF A CHANCE, BUT HE WOULD RECONSIDER IF DRIVERS SENT THE SIGNAL FOR A CHANGE.

>>> IF YOUR HOME WAS HIT HARD DURING TROPICAL STORM IDA, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR NEW FUNDING COMING FROM FEMA.

$10 MILLION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO WANT TO RAISE THEIR HOME, MOVE IT OUT OF THE FLOOD ZONE, OR HAVE THE PROPERTY PURCHASED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THE FUNDING COMES FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN'S BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT'S FOCUSING ON STRENGTHENING NATIONAL STORM PREPAREDNESS AND RESISTANCE.

THREE OTHER STATES WILL ALSO SHARE IN THE $60 MILLION FUND.

PENNSYLVANIA, MISSISSIPPI, AND LOUISIANA.

THE FOUR STATES HAVE SEEN THE GREATEST NUMBER OF UNMITIGATED, REPETITIVE LOSSES ON PROPERTIES ENSURED BY THE NATIONAL FLOOD PROGRAM.

ANYONE ENSURED BY NFIP CAN APPLY FOR FEDERAL AID BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND OCTOBER 3 OF THIS YEAR.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED TODAY.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY IEBW LOCAL 102, PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102 LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

>>> SAINT PETER'S UNIVERSITY IS STILL DANCING IN ITS GLASS SLIPPERS.

THE DARLING STUNNING EVERYONE WITH ITS CINDERELLA RUN TO THE SWEET 16 EVEN THEIR OWN FAITHFUL.

STUDENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE NOW WELCOMING THE SPOTLIGHT ON THEIR SMALL SCHOOL.

WITH ANTICIPATION BUILDING TOWARDS THEIR MATCH UP WITH PURDUE ON FRIDAY, WE SENT TEDDY BALKIND TO GET A SENSE OF PRIDE AND BUILDING IN NEW JERSEY CITY AND AROUND THE STATE.

>> NOT RUTGERS, NOT SEETON HALL, BUT SAINT PETER'S, THE ONLY TEAM REPRESENTING NEW JERSEY IN THE SWEET 16.

EVEN THE SCHOOL'S PRESIDENT COULDN'T AVOID THOSE WHILE WATCHING THE PEACOCKS BEAT KENTUCKY.

>> ONE OF THE SECURITY GUARDS CAME OVER TO ME AT HALF TIME AND SAID YOU KNOW I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE BLOWN AWAY IN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES.

THIS IS A REAL GAME.

>> Reporter: OF COURSE, HE HAD FAITH.

>> WE ALWAYS HAVE FAITH, WE'RE JESUIT.

>> Reporter: AND SO DID PLENTY OF PEACOCK FANS IN JERSEY CITY.

>> YEAH, WE MADE HISTORY, SO IT WAS REALLY SHOCKING BASICALLY.

I CAN'T TELL YOU.

>> LAST WEEK HAS BEEN A DREAM.

I HONESTLY WAS COMING OFF OF A MAC WIN.

I WAS LIKE YES, THIS IS THE BEST IT'S GOING TO GET.

I WAS JUST GLAD THEY GOT A SEAT.

BUT THE FACT THEY'RE MAKING IT THIS FAR IS REALLY CRAZY TO ME.

>> NEXT TO THE BIRTH OF MY TWO KIDS, THE COOLEST EVER.

EVEN COOLER ON THURSDAY THAN IT WAS ON FRIDAY.

>>> PEACOCKS GEAR IS NOW FLYING OFF THE SHELVES.

SAINT PETER'S SOLD MORE COLLEGE MERCHANDISE ON AMAZON LAST WEEKEND THAN ANY OTHER UNIVERSITY IN THE COUNTRY.

A HUGE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION HAS SETTLED ON THE SMALLEST SCHOOL.

WITH ABOUT 3,000 STUDENTS.

>> OUR WEBSITE CRASHED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GAME ENDED, SO WE WERE LIKE WOW, THIS IS CRAZY.

WE'VE GOT TO GET ON TOP OF THIS.

WHERE IS SAINT PETER'S WAS TRENDING ON GOOGLE.

SO THAT WAS REALLY EXCITING.

SINCE THEN WE'VE SEEN OVER A THOUSAND PERCENT INCREASE ON OUR INSTITUTIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS.

>> BOYER HAS WORKED AT SAINT PETER'S FOR 11 YEARS.

SHE SAYS NOTHING HAS BOOSTED SAINT PETER'S ONLINE PRESENCE LIKE A PAIR OF WINS IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

>> WE'VE HAD A TON OF ADVERTISING, BRANDING CAMPAIGNS, BUT REALLY IT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET COMPARED TO WHAT MARCH MADNESS HAS DONE FOR THE INSTITUTION.

>> THIS KIND OF PROMOTION IS CERTAINLY BEYOND OUR CAPABILITY OF GARNERING.

AND SO THIS WIN HAS PUT US ON THE MAP.

A LOT OF THE EARLY REPORTS WAS WHO IS SAINT PETER'S, WHERE IS SAINT PETER'S?

NOW EVERYBODY KNOWS SAINT PETER'S AND THEY KNOW WHERE WE ARE IN JERSEY CITY.

>> Reporter: IT'S AN ACHIEVEMENT FOR A SCHOOL THAT HAS PLAYED DIVISION I BASKETBALL SINCE 1930 AND NEVER WON AN NCAA TOURNAMENT GAME UNTIL LAST WEEKEND.

>> FOR THE UNIVERSITY IT REALLY TRULY IS EPIC.

WE'RE GETTING NATIONAL EXPOSURE THAT WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET.

IT IS REALLY REMARKABLE.

I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS A FEEL GOOD STORY NOW, RIGHT?

THE WORLD IS IN STRESS COMING OUT OF COVID AND WITH ALL THE OTHER THINGS HAPPENING.

THIS CINDERELLA STORY REALLY HAS CAPTURED THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> IT IS SUCH A GREAT STORY.

WE'RE SO PROUD OF THE PLAYERS AND THE TEAM, THE COACH, EVERYONE OVER IN ATHLETICS, IT'S AMAZING.

BUT I'M CURIOUS TO SEE WHEN THIS ALL MOVES ON WHAT IT MEANS FOR SAINT PETER'S AND HOW IT WILL ALL CONTINUE TO HELP US BUILD THE BRAND AND GET THE NAME OUT THERE TO PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN US BEFORE.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY NEVER HAD A DOUBT.

HE PICKED THE PEACOCKS TO MAKE THE SWEET 16.

OUR EYES ARE ON SAINT PETER'S' NEXT MATCHUP AGAINST PURDUE NEXT FRIDAY FOR A SPOT IN THE ELITE EIGHT.

IN JERSEY CITY I'M TED GOLDBERG NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BUT BEFORE WE GO, WE WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT A NEW DIGITAL DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES WE'VE LAUNCHED.

IT'S CALLED 21 NAMED AFTER THE 21 COUNTIES OF NEW JERSEY.

THE SERIES WILL TELL THE STORY OF ONE PERSON FROM EACH COUNTY AND ANSWER THE QUESTION DOES WHERE YOU LIVE AFFECT HOW YOU LIVE?

HERE IS A SHORT PREVIEW.

>> NEW JERSEY, WE ARE THE GARDEN STATE.

WE SHOULD ELEVATE THAT.

>> WHAT THAT MEANS IS YOU HAVE TO GET MORE INVOLVED.

IT JUST FEELS INCREDIBLE.

>> HOW DO YOU SAY I REALLY DON'T FEEL LIKE DOING THAT?

THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE?

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT ME, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS, BUT IT'S ABOUT ALL OF US.

>> THIS DIGITAL SERIES AIMS TO HIGHLIGHT QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES, POINT TO SOLUTIONS, AND HELP INITIATE CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

IT ALSO HAS A DYNAMIC WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTING LIFE AND HEALTH HERE IN THE GARDEN STATE, SO CHECK IT OUT.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE'LL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>>> HAVE SOME WATER.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJEA MEMBER.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAYS TO DO IT FROM ANYWHERE.

YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR APP.

OR USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH AN RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU'VE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION AND SO HAVE WE, SO DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> 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.

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