>>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

MERCER COUNTY ELECTION OFFICIALS HAVE HAD THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM THIS WEEK AFTER THOUSANDS OF PALLETS WENT MISSING FROM VOTING DISTRICTS IN PRINCETON AND ROBBINSVILLE.

REPORTEDLY MISPLACED AFTER BEING TRANSPORTED FROM ONE POLLING LOCATION TO ANOTHER, TONIGHT, MERCER COUNTY CLERK CONFIRMING TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THOSE BALLOTS HAVE BEEN FOUND AND ARE BEING COUNTED.

NO OTHER DETAILS ARE BEING DISCLOSED ABOUT THE INCIDENT, BUT THE BALLOTS ARE IN POSSESSION OF THE BOARD OF COLLECTIONS.

THE SCRAMBLE COMES 24 HOURS AFTER A SEPARATE BUILDING INCIDENT IN MERCER COUNTY WHERE TECHNICAL GLITCH SHUT DOWN THE OPTICAL SCANNERS ON ALL VOTING MACHINES, MAKING THEM UNUSABLE ON ELECTION DAY.

INSTEAD, VOTERS WERE ASKED TO FILL OUT A PAPER BALLOT AND DROP THEM INTO A SECURE SCANNER BEEN.

BUT THE BALLOTS THAT WENT TEMPORARILY MISSING OR DELAYED COUNTS FOR KEY SCHOOL BOARD RACES IN BOTH OF THOSE TOWNS.

ELECTIONS THAT STATEWIDE DREW CROWDED FIELDS OF CANDIDATES AND DEEP PARTISAN DIVIDES.

REFLECTING THE SO-CALLED CULTURE WARS THAT HAVE PLAYED OUT ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'VE BEEN TO A BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING IN THE LAST TWO YEARS YOU HAVE LIKELY HEARD DEBATE ON SOME HOT BUTTON ISSUE, LIKE CRITICAL RACE THEORY, THE STATES NEW LGBTQ EDUCATION STANDARDS, OR WHAT BOOKS ARE ON LIBRARY SHELVES.

THESE TOPICS ARE POLARIZING, AND IN SOME CASES HAVE CAUSED DEEP DECIDES IN COMMUNITIES, INSPIRING MANY TO RUN FOR THE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION THIS SEASON.

RICHARD BELIEVES SOME OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE TIMING OF THE ELECTIONS.

>> POLITICS ENTERED THE SCENE WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE ELECTIONS INTO THE NOVEMBER CYCLE.

SO YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS RUNNING, SEE YOU HAVE A TENDENCY, I THINK, TO CONNECT WITH HARDEE'S MOORE AND ISSUES MORE THAN WHEN THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTES WERE ALWAYS IN THE STRAIT OF THE YEAR AND IS CONNECTED FROM THE POLITICAL.

>> WOULD YOU SAY THAT THE ISSUES OF THE DAY ARE CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS MORE POLITICIZED?

>> WE HAVE HOPE CURRICULUM, LEARNING LOSS, AND OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE REALLY BEING FOUGHT OUT AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

>> Reporter: THE STATES HEALTH CURRICULUM THAT TEACHES EDUCATION WAS FRONT AND CENTER IN SPARTA IS BOARD OF EDUCATION ELECTIONS WHERE LAURA AND CALLIER RAN ON A TICKET OF SIX.

ALL SIX RUN ON A PLATFORM OF GIVING PARENTS MORE TO LEARN.

>> PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO GET IN, TALK, GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

WHAT ARE WE TEACHING OUR KIDS?

WHERE WERE INTRODUCING THESE TOPICS?

WHY WOULD DOING IT SO YOUNG?

AND HAVING TO EXPLAIN TO SOME VOTERS THE SOMETHING HAS COME DOWN FROM THE STATE AND THESE ARE STANDARDS, BUT AS A LOCAL COMMUNITY AND A LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH YOU HAVE LEEWAY AND JURISDICTION IN TERMS OF HOW WE PRESENT SOME OF THE INFORMATION.

>> Reporter: COURTNEY KING WON AN ELECTION WHERE HE WAS INSPIRED TO RUN AFTER A LOCAL COUNSELOR WAS FIRED IN THE DISTRICT.

>> ONE OF THE COUNSELORS THAT HELPED HER A LOT WAS WRONGFULLY TERMINATED, AND IT BOTHERED ME.

>> MANY SAY SHE WAS FIRED FOR HER DEMONSTRABLE SUPPORT OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IN SPITE OF GLOWING ANNUAL REVIEWS OF HER WORK FROM THE DISTRICT.

>> IT IS AN ISSUE TO ME IF ANYBODY IS MARGINALIZED.

I BELIEVE THAT WAS WHY SHE WAS TERMINATED, BUT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN NO ACTUAL PROOF OF IT THAT IS ACTUALLY WHY.

FOR SOME REASON, THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SUPERINTENDENT, THE BOARD, AND THE PARENTS RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT ALL NEEDS TO CHANGE.

>> BUT WHILE POLITICS IS SUPPOSED TO STAY OUT OF BOARD OF EDUCATION, IT HAS PERMEATED MANY CAMPAIGNS.

IN THE NORTH HUNDRED 10 DISTRICT, RECENTLY CONSERVATIVE RADIO HOST AND REPUBLIC ASSEMBLYMAN ERIC PETERSON JOINED A CANDIDATE EVENT, DRAWING PROTEST OVER THE POLITICAL INFLUENCE.

>> WE HAVE ISSUES THAT SEPARATE BOARD MEMBERS, JUST LIKE IT SEPARATES OUR COUNTRIES AND OUR PARTIES.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING TIME POTENTIALLY AWAY FROM THE MOST SIGNIFICANT NEEDS OF KIDS IN TERMS OF THEIR GROWTH, THEIR ACADEMIC LEARNING, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO FIND OUT ON A COUPLE OF KEY ISSUES.

>> I THINK IF WE COULD SORT OF GET AWAY FROM THE BIG NATIONAL CONVERSATION AND JUST TALK IN OUR COMMUNITIES ABOUT WHAT OUR COMMUNITIES NEED AND WHAT OUR KIDS NEED AND WHAT IS GOOD FOR TEACHERS IN OUR SCHOOLS, THAT WOULD BE A POSITIVE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> A STEP MANY NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY ARE WILLING TO TAKE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

STORMING OUT OF THE DUST HAS SETTLED FROM ELECTIONS, POLITICAL INSIDERS ARE ALREADY LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEXT BIG CAMPAIGN SEASON.

THAT IS 2024, WHEN THE TICKET IS TOPPED BY A PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

NEW JERSEYANS, IT APPEARS, ARE NOT INTERESTED IN SEEING ONE OF OUR GOVERNORS ON THE BALLOT.

A NEW DICKINSON UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS THAT RESIDENTS DON'T WANT CURRENT GOVERNOR, DEMOCRAT PHIL MURPHY, OR FROM ANY GOVERNOR TO MAKE A GO AT COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

50% SAY MURPHY SHOULD NOT RUN.

IT IS A SOLID BLOCK, BUT HIGHER THAN THE SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIE WHO MADE A FAILED BID FOR THE SEAT IN 2016, AND 80% OF THE STATES REPUBLICANS SAY HE SHOULD NOT MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT THE OVAL OFFICE.

BOTH MURPHY AND CHRISTIE ARE LARGELY EXPECTED TO TRY FOR THEIR PARTY'S NOMINATIONS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY CONSISTENTLY SAYS HE SUPPORTS PRESIDENT BIDEN AND EXPECTS HIM TO RUN FOR A SECOND TERM, REITERATING THAT IN A ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW ON OUR BROADCAST LAST NIGHT.

>> NOW, I EXPECT, AND MORE TODAY THAN I DID YESTERDAY, THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL RUN AGAIN.

PARTICULARLY IF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP GETS IN THE RACE.

I HAVE BEEN UNEQUIVOCAL.

I AM ASSUMING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

IF IT DOES HAPPEN, HE WILL HAVE NO BIGGER SUPPORTER.

>> Reporter: FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS NEW POLL, WE TURN TO DAN CASINO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF POLLING.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE TO FOLKS GIVEN THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL RUN FROM ONE OF OUR GOVERNORS, BUT RESIDENTS JUST DON'T SEEM TO HAVE AN APPETITE FOR THIS.

WHAT DID YOUR POOL FIND?

>> YEAH, SO WHEN ANY GOVERNOR LOOKS IN THE MIRROR AT THE START OF THE DAY, THEY SEE A POTENTIAL PRESIDENT IN FRONT OF THEM.

WE HAVE SEEN CURRENT GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY TRAVELING THE COUNTRY AS PART OF A LEADERSHIP ROLE FOR DEMOCRATS AND GOVERNORS, GENERALLY, AND A LOT OF THAT CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE HE IS TRYING TO DRUM UP SUPPORT FOR THE RUN FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT.

ESPECIALLY CURRENT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN CHOOSES NOT TO RUN.

HOWEVER, THERE'S JUST NOT THAT MUCH APPETITE FOR IT IN NEW JERSEY.

ONLY 36% OF DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE SAY THAT THEY THINK PHIL MURPHY SHOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE PRETTY LOW, BUT THEY ARE MUCH NUMBER THAN THE VIEW REPUBLICANS HAVE OF FORMER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE.

ONLY 12% OF REPUBLICANS THINK CHRIS CHRISTIE SHOULD RUN FOR OFFICE.

WHILE HE WAS FAIRLY POPULAR RIGHT UP UNTIL THE VERY END OF HIS GUBERNATORIAL TERM WHEN THINGS WENT SOUR FOR HIM PRETTY QUICKLY, HE, IN TURN, HAS EMBRACED TRUMP THEN DISTANCED HIMSELF AND JUMPED, AND IN DOING SO, SEEMS LIKE HE HAS ALIENATED BASICALLY EVERYONE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> IS INTERESTING, GOVERNOR MURPHY JUST ON OUR AIR SAID LISTEN, I BACK JOE BIDEN.

I'M NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE HEARD THOSE WORDS BEFORE FROM FORMER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE HIMSELF.

RESIDENTS FEEL AS THOUGH THE FOCUS REALLY NEEDS TO BE HERE AT HOME AND THAT GOVERNORS, AS CHRISTIE FAMOUSLY ONCE SAID, CANNOT CHEW GUM AND WALK IT THE SAME TIME.

ELSEWHERE OUTSIDE OF THE STATE, PERHAPS CAMPAIGNING.

>> CERTAINLY WANTS GOVERNOR CHRISTIE WAS REALLY IN FULL CAMPAIGN MODE WHEN HE WAS RUNNING.

THERE WERE A LOT OF PUSH BACK HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NEWS ARTICLES.

HOW MANY DAYS HAS GOVERNOR CHRISTIE BEEN ON THE STATE?

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS NOT HAD THAT YET.

BUT I THINK THAT IS LARGELY AWAY THOSE FUNCTIONS WORK.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TRAVELING OUT OF THE STATE.

HE IS MOSTLY DOING PRIVATE FUNDRAISERS.

FACT, THERE IS NOT ANY PRESS INVOLVED.

ONCE HE STARTS DOING MORE PUBLIC OPERATIONS, PUBLIC FUNDRAISERS AND SPEECHES, THEN HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE REPORTERS ALONG.

THEN HE WILL START TO SEE THE FLOOD OF STORIES.

THAT PROBABLY ISN'T GOING TO ENDEAR HIM TO PEOPLE BACK HERE AT HOME.

>> AND YET, AND YOUR POOL, YOU FOUND THE SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE LIKE CORY BOOKER ACTUALLY DEVIATED A LITTLE BIT FROM THAT.

FOLKS WORK QUITE AS BOTHERED IF THAT U.S.

SENATOR DECIDED TO TOSS HIS HAT IN THE RING.

>> IN GENERAL, WE KNOW THAT IS TRUE.

PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT EXPECTATION OF EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY FROM SOMEONE LIKE SENATOR BOOKER OR ANY LEGISLATIVE MEMBER OF.

WE DON'T EXPECT TO BE DEALING WITH PROBLEMS AT HOME WITH THE GOVERNOR.

VOTERS WANT THEM STAYING AT HOME AND WORKING ON THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE HERE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU VERY QUICKLY ABOUT ANOTHER POLL YOU ALL PUT OUT ABOUT THE MEDIA AND OUR ROLE IN COVERING POLITICS AND THESE ELECTIONS.

>> YEAH, THE MEDIA HAS COME OF COURSE, AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN NEW JERSEY.

IN HOLDING ELECTED OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE.

WE HAVE SO MANY GOVERNMENT AGES, SOMEONE HAS TO KEEP AN EYE ON THEM.

HOWEVER, MOST VOTERS IN JERSEY DO NOT THINK THE MEDIA IS DOING A GOOD JOB OF THIS.

JUST 12% OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS SAY MEDIA IS DOING A GOOD JOB OF COVERING FOREIGN ISSUES AND HOLDING OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE.

IN THE PLURALITY, 41% SAY IT IS A POOR JOB.

THIS REALLY HAS TO DO WITH CONSOLIDATION OF MEDIA AND THE HOLIDAY OUT OF MANY PRINT MEDIA IN NEW JERSEY.

>> DIRECTOR OF THE DICKINSON UNIVERSITY POLL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AN 18-YEAR-OLD MIDDLESEX COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH A THREAT MADE TO NEW JERSEY'S SYNAGOGUES LATE LAST WEEK.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAY OMAR OF SAYREVILLE IS CHARGED WITH TRANSMITTING A THREAT ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN WHICH HE TALKED ABOUT TARGETING A SYNAGOGUE TO ATTACK.

THE MANIFESTO LED TO WARNINGS FROM THE FBI IN NEW JERSEY OF A BROAD SECURITY RISK TO SYNAGOGUES ACROSS THE STATE.

AUTHORITIES SAY HE ADMITTED TO WRITING THE DOCUMENTS AND USING INFLAMMATORY LANGUAGE IS ABOUT RELATIONS BETWEEN AND MUSLIMS.

TELLING A PERSON HE SHARED IT WITH THAT THE WORDS WERE IN THE CONTEXT OF AN ATTACK ON.

ACCORDING TO AN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN NEW JERSEY, HE WAS CHARGED WITH ONE ACCOUNT OF TRANSMITTING A THREAT IN INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE, PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM OF FIVE YEARS IN PRISON AND EIGHT $250,000 FINE.

HE WAS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR THIS AFTERNOON IN FEDERAL COURT IN NEWARK.

MEANWHILE, A LEGALLY REQUIRED REVIEW OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE FINDS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY NEEDS TO DO MORE TO COMPLY WITH A 1999 CONSENT AGREE ON RACIAL PROFILING.

THE LATEST REPORT BY NEW JERSEY'S OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER FINDS STATE POLICE TRAINING DEVIATED FROM THE CURRICULUM SET OUT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

IT'S MOST RECENT USE OF FORCE POLICY REDUCES SEVEN-HOUR COURSES TO TWO HOURS OF INSTRUCTION.

THE REVIEW ALSO FINDS NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE ARE NOT USING THE STATE VETTING PROCESSES TO SELECT TEMPORARY INSTRUCTORS AS THEY DO FOR PERMANENT ONES.

LIKE CHECKING THE HISTORY.

THIS REVIEW STEMS FROM A 1999 LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AGAINST A POLICE FOR IMPROPERLY TARGETING MOTORISTS ON THE BASIS OF RACE.

ANOTHER REVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE TO ENSURE THE AGENCY MADE THOSE RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS.

>>> YOUTH ORGANIZERS IN THE STATE ARE NOT LETTING UP ON THEIR DEMAND FOR MORE SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND LESS POLICING.

A CALL THAT HAS BEEN AMPLIFIED IN THE WAKE OF POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTINGS.

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES SPIKING DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND MORE RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF POLICE PRESENCE FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR.

THIS GROUPS TODAY HOSTED A MARCH IN ELIZABETH CALLING FOR MORE SUPPORT.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 300 ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CHANTED AND MARCHED PAST THE CITY'S HIGH SCHOOLS AND POLICE STATIONS TO DEMAND THAT THE HISTORY PROVIDE THEM WITH MORE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO STUDENTS TO RESOLVE DISCIPLINE ISSUES, MAKING NEW JERSEY ONE OF A HANDFUL OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP BUT TOGETHER THE MARCH.

AS IS TRANSPARENCY, NOT POLICE, WILL HELP STUDENTS MENTAL HEALTH.

>> PLEASE STOP THE OVER POLICING OF BLACK AND BROWN YOUTH.

IT IS NOT TAKING US ANYWHERE.

INSTEAD, WE ARE PUSHING IN A SYSTEM.

AND NOBODY SHOULD BELONG IN IT.

IT IS TIME TO ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS REAL COMMUNITY SAFETY LOOKS LIKE, WHAT DOES SCHOOL SAFETY LOOK LIKE, AND INVEST IN THE NATIVE STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THE CALL FOR MORE CARE COMES FROM THE DISPARAGING EFFECTS OF THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE, WHICH HAS HISTORICALLY IMPACTED STUDENTS OF COLOR IN NEW JERSEY AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, ACCORDING TO THE ROAD NEW JERSEY.

>> ARE SCHOOLS ALREADY FILLING PRISON, BUT NOW THEY ARE ACTUALLY SENDING US TO PRISON.

AND IT IS UPSETTING, TO BE HONEST.

NOBODY EVER WANTS TO HEAR THAT SOMEBODY THERE AGE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE FORCE WAS USED.

THEIR LIVES ARE BEING RUINED.

SCHOOL SHOULD NOT BE SENDING YOU STRAIGHT TO PRISON.

SCHOOL SHOULD BE ENRICHING YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO DO.

THESE ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICIES, WAS SAFE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE LACK OF MONEY FOR UNIFORM.

SO YOU DON'T OF THE UNIFORM, YOU ARE SENT HOME.

KEEP MISSING SCHOOL BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE THE UNIFORM.

YOU KEEP BEING SENT HOME.

YOU CAN GO TO JAIL FOR TRUANCY, MISSING SCHOOL A BUNCH, SO YOU ARE ARRESTED AND SENT TO JAIL.

BUT IF ANYBODY AT YOUR SCHOOL, ANYBODY IN AUTHORITY AT YOUR SCHOOL HAD EVER ASKED YOU WHY DON'T YOU HAVE THE UNIFORM, ALL THOSE ISSUES COULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.

IT'S BEEN LIKE MEANWHILE, NEW JERSEY APPROVED CATEGORICAL SINGLE SECURITY AID.

ACCORDING TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SINGLE SCHOOL-AGE SUMMARY.

ADVOCATES I SPOKE TO ARGUED WITH THE BULK OF THE SPENDING IS POURED AND THE SECURITY GUARD STRATEGIES THAT FAR OUTWEIGH SPENDING ON NURSES, SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNSELORS, OR EVEN TO GARDEN TEACHERS.

>> AND STUDENTS I SPOKE TO WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE MARCH SAY MORE IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED HERE FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN ORDER TO FOSTER A MORE RESTORATIVE APPROACH TO DISCIPLINE, RATHER THAN A PUNITIVE ONE, WHICH THEY SAY IS CAUSING MORE DAMAGE.

>> I WISH I WOULD HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO SPEAK OUT, MORE GUIDANCE COUNSELORS.

I FEEL LIKE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TRANSPARENCY BETWEEN ADULTS AND STUDENTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT WHERE SHOULD BE.

I REALLY WORRY ABOUT ARBITRARY THINGS, THEN WORRY ABOUT STUDYING TO PASS THESE TESTS.

IT IS TRAINING.

>> THEY'RE HAVING ALL THESE ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICIES, IT DOES NOT LEAVE ROOM FOR LENIENCY WITH FOUR STUDENTS THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH PROBLEMS.

>> NEW JERSEY SAYS THEY HAVE ATTENDED SEVERAL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS WHEN THEY HAVE SHARED WAY OVER POLICING IS NOT THE ANSWER BUT HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT.

I ALSO REACH OUT TO THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, BUT HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORTS AND I, FINALLY SOMETHING TO SHARE ABOUT.

BUT WITH THE LATEST INFLATION REPORT OUT TODAY, SHOWING CONSUMER RISES ARE STARTING TO SLOW DOWN, INCREASING AT A PACE OF 7.7% IN OCTOBER.

THAT IS STILL IN A RECORD HIGH, BUT DOWN FROM THE 8.2% RATE WE SAW IN SEPTEMBER.

ECONOMISTS SAY IT IS A SIGN THAT THIS PERSISTENT INFLATION PLAGUING THE U.S. ECONOMY COULD BE COOLING OFF AFTER REACHING THE HIGHEST POINT IN 40 YEARS OVER THE SUMMER.

THE ISSUE PLAYED A ROLE IN TUESDAY'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS, AND HAS TAKEN CENTER STAGE FOR SPENDING DECISIONS IN TRENTON, TOO.

LAWMAKERS ARE ADDRESSING A LONG-HELD COMPLAINT BY THE PUBLIC, MAKING AUDITS OF THE STATE'S FINANCES WERE USER-FRIENDLY AND EASIER TO UNDERSTAND.

BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRIGHT MEYER IS HERE TO EXPLAIN WHAT THIS ALL MEANS FOR YOU.

JOHN, IN THE BUSINESS WORLD TODAY, EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

A BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED REPORT, BUT HOW DOES THAT TRANSLATE INTO WHAT LOOKS ARE FACING RIGHT NOW IN THE STATES ECONOMY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, AND IT'S NICE TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN.

I THINK IT IS REALLY TWOFOLD.

ON ONE HAND, IT SHOWS THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME PRETTY HIGH PRICES OUT THERE.

AND YEAR-OVER-YEAR, CONSUMERS ARE STILL PAYING MORE FOR A LOT OF IMPORTANT NECESSITIES AND SERVICES THAN THEY WERE LAST YEAR.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THIS APPEARS TO SHOW ON THE ANNUAL BASIS AND THE MONTHLY BASIS SOME SLOWING PRICE INCREASES, AND PRICE INCREASES THAT ARE ARISING MAYBE SLOWER THAN WHAT THE EXPECTATIONS WERE FOR MANY ECONOMISTS.

SO WE STILL HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE IF THE TREND DEVELOPS, THE WHAT THIS MAY BE SIGNALING IS THAT WE ARE SEEING THE PEAK OF INFLATION.

SO THAT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD RING FOR CONSUMERS WHO ARE GETTING BATTERED BY THESE HIGHER PRICES, BUT IT COULD ALSO BE MEANINGFUL FOR THE FEDERAL RESERVE IN THE SENSE THAT SOME OF THESE DRAMATIC INTEREST RATE INCREASES THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING RECENT MONTHS COULD BEGIN TO EASE AS INFLATION, PERHAPS, IS EASING OFF.

>> YEAH, THE FEDS HAD A REALLY TRICKY JOB.

THEY HAD TO KEEP INFLATION AT BAY WHILE ALSO NOT PUSHING OUR ECONOMY INTO A RECESSION, WHICH DEPENDING ON WHO YOU TALK TO, WE ARE PRETTY CLOSE TO AS IT IS.

YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SOME REPORTING WITH WHAT THE STATE IS LOOKING TO DO IN ORDER TO KEEP FOLKS ABREAST OF WHERE WE ARE IF WE ARE FACING A RECESSION, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS A GRASP ON THAT.

WHAT IS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, THERE IS A BILL MOVING THROUGH BOTH HOUSES RIGHT NOW, IT HAS ALREADY CLEARED THE FULL ASSEMBLY.

IT WOULD PHYSICALLY TAKE SOME OF THE REALLY DETAILED DATE OF THE GETS RELEASED EACH YEAR IN THE STATES FINANCIAL AUDIT AND PUT IT IN A MORE USER-FRIENDLY FORMAT.

SO SOMETHING THAT IS TRANSLATED FROM THE LANGUAGE OF KIND OF FINANCE INTO SOMETHING PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND MORE PLAIN LANGUAGE.

IN ONE OF THE AREAS THAT IS DRAWING ATTENTION WOULD BE BRINGING SOME ATTENTION THAT THE DATA IS PREPARED FOR A RECESSION.

HOW ROBUST ARE THE CASH RESERVES WINTER RECESSION HITS?

WE USUALLY SEE REVENUES FALL OFF.

THAT CAN FORM BUDGET CUTS IF YOUR RESERVES ARE NOT ADEQUATE.

THAT IS HAPPENED IN THE PAST IN NEW JERSEY AND HAD THINGS LIKE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FUNDING MORE RECENTLY.

RESERVES HAVE BEEN BOOSTED.

SO THE REPORT THAT LAWMAKERS WANT TO SEE DRAFTED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, AGAIN, AND CLAIM LANGUAGE, WOULD SHOW THINGS LIKE RECESSION PREPAREDNESS, HOW MUCH DEBT THE STATE HAS, HOW ACCURATE ITS REVENUE FORECASTING HAS BEEN.

A LOT OF THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION THAT RIGHT NOW IS MAY BE HARD TO DECIPHER WHEN THAT ANNUAL AUDIT COMES OUT.

>> WE WILL BE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THAT.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>>> MARKETS REACTING TO THE LATEST INFLATION NUMBERS.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET CLOSED TODAY.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY AT AMERICAN WATER.

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING.

AND BY NEW JERSEY CPAS.

PROTECTING THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES, COMPANIES, AND ECONOMIES.

ONLINE AT NJ CPA.ORG.

>> AND MAKE SURE YOU CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND.

SHE IS LOOKING AT THE INFLUENCE OF UNIONS IN NEW JERSEY.

THEIR GROWTH IN OUR STATE, AND WHY DESPITE THAT GROWTH UNIONS COULD BE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING SOME OF THEIR BARGAINING POWER.

THAT SATURDAY MORNING ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT 10 A.M. >>> WELL, THE STATE HAD ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

APPROVING THE FIRST ROUND OF NEW LICENSES FOR CANNABIS COMPANIES THAT WERE NOT ALREADY GROWING AND SELLING IT FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES.

STATE REGULATORS SAY THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR EXPANDING THE MARKET, BUT AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, THE NEW BUSINESSES STILL HAVE SEVERAL HURDLES TO CLEAR BEFORE THEY CAN OPEN.

>> WE ARE SUPER EXCITED TO START GROWING, CULTIVATING, AND BRINGING REVENUE AND LIFE TO THIS AREA OF ELIZABETH, WHICH IS IN THE FIRST WARD.

IT IS AN IMPACT ZONE, IT IS IN AND ECONOMIC IMPACT ZONE.

>> A HUGE GOAL HOPING TO MAKE A REALITY BY EARLY NEXT YEAR.

IN JULY, THE STATE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION AWARDED A CONDITIONAL LICENSE FOR HER WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS, BLUE VIOLET GROW, TO CULTIVATE AND MANUFACTURE CANNABIS IN ELIZABETH.

>> BRINGING JOBS AND LIFE TO THIS IS REALLY EXCITING TO US, AND TO GET BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE LOOKING WITH SOME WOMEN'S GROUP TO HELP SUPPLY JOBS TO WOMEN OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND WHO HAVE CHALLENGES, FINDING CAREERS OR PEOPLE TO WORK WITH.

>> BUT THIS IS JUST STEP ONE ON A DIFFICULT PROCESS TO OPEN UPSHOT.

NEARLY 800 RECEIVED CONDITIONAL LICENSES, NOW SHE AND OTHERS MUST WORK TO EARN AN ANNUAL LICENSE.

LAST MONTH, THE CRC APPROVED THE FIRST 18.

>> THIS MIGHT SEEM LIKE A SMALL NUMBER, BUT AS I SAID, IT IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP THIS MOVING FORWARD.

>> WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH THE FACT THAT THERE IS THIS POLAR PROGRESS.

THERE IS FORWARD MOTION.

WE MET CANNABIS ASSOCIATION PROGRAM PRESIDENT APPLAUDING THE CRC FOR GRANTING MORE LICENSES.

BUT EVEN WITH DISAPPROVAL, BUSINESSES STILL FACE SEVERAL OTHER CHALLENGES BEFORE THEY CAN APPLY FOR AN ANNUAL LICENSE.

LIKE SECURING A LOCATION.

>> AS YOU MAY KNOW, WE ARE BELOW 30% IN RESPECT TO HIM AND HIS APOLOGIES THAT ADOPTED HIM.

THE REAL ESTATE BECOMES A REAL CHALLENGE FOR THOSE CONDITIONAL APPROVALS.

MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE NOT JUST REAL ESTATE, BUT THEY TEAMS, THAT THEY HAVE FINANCING IN PLACE.

THAT IS ANOTHER HUGE HURDLE WITH RESPECT TO THAT CONDITIONAL POPULATION.

>> Reporter: JESSE FEELS LUCKY TO FIND A PLACE FOR HER BUSINESS, BUT THE PROCESS TO CONVERT TO ANNUAL IS NOT EASY.

>> IT HAS BEEN A ROLLER COASTER OF A RIDE FOR MY BUSINESS, AND I KNOW OTHER CONDITIONAL LICENSES, AS WELL.

IT IS MUCH AS IT HAS MADE IT VERY ACCESSIBLE TO BUSINESSES LIKE MINE THAT ARE SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS, IT ALSO, THERE ARE A LOT OF TIGHT DEADLINES WITH THE CONVERSION APPLICATION PROCESS AFTER YOU GET YOUR CONDITIONAL LICENSE.

YOU HAVE ONE OR 20 DAYS TO TURN AROUND YOUR CONVERSION APPLICATION.

THE CRC IS GRANTING UP TO 258 EXTENSIONS RIGHT NOW, BUT IT IS A TIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME TO BE ABLE TO TURN IT AROUND AND GET YOUR MUNICIPAL APPROVAL, FINANCING, AND FIND DLC.

AND ALSO WRITE YOUR ENTIRE APPLICATION.

>> CANNABIS ADVOCATES ALSO SAY THERE ARE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A LONG TIME TO HEAR BACK REGARDING THEIR ANNUAL LICENSE APPLICATIONS.

THEY WANT THE CRC TO PAY CLOSER ATTENTION SO THE APPLICANTS WILL KNOW WHERE THEY STAND IN THE PROCESS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

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

BUT DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT CRUISE.

THIS WEEK, DAVID TALKS WITH FORMER GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE AND GOP ASSEMBLYMAN, JACK CHIARELLI ABOUT THE BATTLE OVER THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOLLOWING THE MIDTERMS.

PLUS, ALL THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK WITH A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS.

THAT IS TOMORROW MORNING AT 10 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHATEVER YOUR STREAM.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

WJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> A LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY ELECTRICITY FOR NEW JERSEY.