>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

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

AND NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI >> AT EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

AS WE END THE WEEK, IT SEEMS WHAT USED TO BE ELECTION DAY IS TURNING INTO ELECTION WEEK AND MAYBE EVEN ELECTION MONTHS.

WITH THE CONTROL OF POWER STILL NOT DECIDED IN THE SENATE OR CONGRESS, AND IN FEWER THAN A DOZEN OTHER STATES THAT ARE LEFT TO DECIDE WHO WILL BE OLD THE GAVEL IN THE HOUSE, NANCY PELOSI OR KEVIN McCARTHY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN BLOCKING THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED RED WAVE, SAYING THE PARTIES MESSAGE MIRRORED THE PARTY'S AGENDA.

AS BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS, NOT EVERYBODY IS TOWING THE PARTY LINE.

>> TUESDAY WAS A GOOD DAY FOR AMERICA.

A GOOD DAY FOR DEMOCRACY.

AND IT WAS A STRONG NIGHT FOR DEMOCRAT.

>> Reporter: IN A POST-MIDTERM VICTORY LAP, PRESIDENT BIDEN THANKED VOTERS FOR REDUCING THE PREDICTED RED WAVE DOWN TO A POLITICAL DRIBBLE, AND CREDITED DEMOCRATS FOR WRITING A CONVINCING MESSAGE.

>> THEY LIKE OUR AGENDA.

BY THE WAY, ALL THE DEMOCRATS RAN ON THE SAME AGENDA WITHOUT BEING TOLD.

>> WE DON'T EXACTLY KNOW WHAT DEMOCRATS WERE RUNNING ON.

SOMETIMES IT WAS ABORTION, SOMETIMES IT WAS JANUARY 6th, SOMETIMES IS PREVENTING ANOTHER TRUMP PRESIDENCY.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST JULIE RICK KINSKI SAYS THE PARTY PERFORMED, BUT DESPITE ALL THE PRESIDENTIAL PRAISE, IT LACKED A COHESIVE MESSAGE, UNLIKE REPUBLICANS DISCIPLINED FOCUS ON INFLATION AND CRIME.

SHE'S NOT THE ONLY CRITIC.

>> WE ARE FAMOUS FOR NOT BEING CHRIS ON OUR MESSAGE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE LEGISLATURE UP FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR, JERSEY DEMOCRATS TO SHARPEN THEIR ATTACK.

>> I THINK WHAT VOTERS STAY UP WORRYING ABOUT IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING IS NOT SOCIAL ISSUES, IT'S FINANCIAL ISSUES.

>> Reporter: BUT IT MOSTLY WORKED ALL THE TIME.

ROWAN UNIVERSITY ANALYST BEN PORTER BELIEVES HE SAYS CAMPAIGNS WILL OFTEN TAILOR MESSAGING TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM IMPACT.

>> THEY HAD ANY NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MESSAGES WORKING , NOT NECESSARILY IN CONCERT, BUT THERE IS CIVIC TO THEIR CANDIDATE.

>> Reporter: IT'S COMPLEX.

THE PARTY IS BY NO MEANS A MONOLITH.

IT'S OFTEN EASIER TO RALLY DEMOCRATS AGAINST A COMMON OPPONENT THAN PRESENT A UNITED MESSAGE ON VOLATILE ISSUES, LIKE FOSSIL FUELS VERSUS RAIN ENERGY.

>> WE HAVE SOME OF OUR OWN CHALLENGES AS REPUBLICANS ON OUR SIDE OF THE PARTY.

WE SHOWN THAT WE CAN RALLY TOGETHER AS DEMOCRATS.

>> Reporter: THIS MIDTERMS MESSAGING DIDN'T NECESSARILY MOTIVATE.

NEARLY 38% OF JERSEY VOTERS BOTHERED TO CAST BALLOTS.

AND PARTY MESSAGES OFTEN LACKED SUBSTANTIVE INPUTS FROM CERTAIN CONSTITUENCIES , ESPECIALLY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> THERE IS HER ATTEMPT TO ONE SIZE FITS ALL ON ALL OF THESE ISSUES.

I THINK THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO USE THE DIVERSITY THAT THEY HAVE.

WE HAVE TO USE IT TO WORK TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.

>> Reporter: JASON WILIAMS ADVISES DEMOCRATS TO REFINE THE PLAYBOOK.

GO INTO THE COMMUNITIES AND LISTEN TO PEOPLE.

>> IT WOULD BEHOOVE THEM NOT TO JUST RELY ON THE LOYALTY FROM THESE PEOPLE, BUT REALLY TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM.

>> IT TAKES STARTING EARLY, IT TAKES TALKING TO EVERY VOTER, IT TAKES TALKING TO EVERY VOTER ABOUT A MULTIPLICITY OF ISSUES.

>> Reporter: TARGETED GRASSROOTS VOTERS , THE LATINO ACTION NETWORK CANVASSED THIS FALL IN A GET OUT THE VOTE PILOT PROJECT AIMED AT MOTIVATING INFREQUENT VOTERS.

>> THE TIME OF JUST GOING TO YOUR MOST LOYAL VOTERS IS NOT ENOUGH, AND IT BAD FOR DEMOCRACY.

WE NEED EVERYBODY TO PARTICIPATE.

>> Reporter: THAT'S A MESSAGE THEY HOPE WILL RESONATE WITH EVERY VOTER AS THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE BEGINS.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>>> AS WE WAIT TO LEARN WHERE THE BALANCE OF POWER LANDS IN CONGRESS, THE QUESTION STILL REMAINS -- CAN EITHER SIDE REACH ACROSS THE AISLE TO CREATE MEANINGFUL POLICY CHANGE?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ SAT DOWN WITH CORY BOOKER ABOUT WHY HE IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT GETTING BIPARTISAN WORK DONE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, AND THE TEST THE NATION'S FACING RIGHT NOW.

>> THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT ANYBODY ON EITHER SIDE PARTICULARLY WANT TO WORK WELL WITH THE OTHER SIDE.

WHEN YOU GO INTO THE NEXT TWO YEARS, ARE YOU MORE LIKELY TO SEE TALK OF IMPEACHMENT AND INVESTIGATIONS THEN YOU ARE ABOUT PROBLEM SOLVING ON THE ECONOMY AND OTHER ISSUES?

>> YEAH, I'M WORRIED THAT -- >> I KNOW YOU ARE AN OPTIMIST, AND TRY TO GET YOU TO NOT BE SO OPTIMISTIC.

>> GOT A LOT OF BIPARTISAN STUFF DONE IN THIS .

TWO OF MY BIGGEST BILLS TO HELP THE ECONOMY, TO DO WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, WERE DONE UNDER THE LAST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT.

SO I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT HIS FIRST PUTTING POINTS ON THE BOARD FOR NEW JERSEY, MYSELF AND OTHERS , MORE BIPARTISAN WORKERS LIKE ANDY KIM , MIKEY CHERYL, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DELIVER WINS FOR JERSEY.

LET ME GIVE YOU THE ONE THING THAT'S MORE PESSIMISTIC TONE, BECAUSE I LISTEN TO MY COLLEAGUES.

WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU WHO THEY ARE, BELIEVE THEM.

AND WHAT I HEARD FROM A LOT OF REPUBLICANS RUNNING AROUND THE COUNTRY IS THEY ARE EXCITED FOR REGAINING THE HOUSE AND IT HAD MUCH MORE TO DO WITH PLANS TO TAKE ON HUNTER BIDEN AND JOE BIDEN THEN PLANS TO DEAL WITH THE CRISIS BEING INFLATION , AND THE CRISIS THAT IS CURRENTLY GOING ON WITH COVID.

THEY WERE NOT PUTTING FORTH COHERENT PLANS.

THE ONLY ONES I DID HEAR SCARED ME, LIKE CUTTING SOCIAL SECURITY OR PRIVATIZING SOCIAL SECURITY AND CUTTING MEDICARE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO THE ON THE FACT OF, IF THEY CONTROL THE HOUSE, THEY ARE GOING TO LAUNCH A SERIES OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO HUNTER BIDEN'S LAPTOP AND ALL THOSE THINGS THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR PLANS ARE GOING TO BE FOR SOUND ECONOMIC POLICY TO HELP AT THE KITCHEN TABLE.

>> AND AS YOU LOOK AT THE LANDSCAPE HERE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AS YOU SAID, YOU BEEN STOPPING FROM COAST TO COAST.

DOES THE RESULTS FROM THIS -- DO THE RESULTS FROM THIS WEEK SUGGEST THAT THERE WILL BE MORE OF A CHALLENGE TO DONALD TRUMP COME 2024, AND LESS OF A CHALLENGE TO JOE BIDEN FROM INSIDE THE PARTIES?

>> I CAN'T TELL.

SO I WILL GIVE YOU -- MY STAFF ALWAYS TELLS ME NOT TO.

DON'T BE A POLITICAL PUNDITS.

FOCUS ON WHERE YOUR STRENGTH IS.

BUT THE ONE THING I WANT TO SAY IS, THERE REALLY IS A TEST GOING ON IN THIS NATION.

AND I THINK DONALD TRUMP, UNFORTUNATELY, IS FORCING THE TEST, WHICH IS -- DO WE BELIEVE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES, THE CONTINUANCE OF GOVERNMENT , WHAT HAS BEEN LIGHT OF DEMOCRACY IN THIS COUNTRY FOR A WHILE -- EVEN IF IT'S TO THE DETRIMENT OF A PARTY -- OR DO WE SAY WE ARE ABOUT THE PERSON, DONALD TRUMP?

NO MATTER WHAT, WIN OR LOSE -- EVEN IF IT'S UNDERMINING DEMOCRATIC TRADITIONS AND DEMOCRATIC NORMS.

THAT'S THE TEST RIGHT NOW.

IT'S NOT ONLY A TEST GOING ON IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, BUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW WITH CORY BOOKER ON CHAT BOX RIGHT HERE ON NJ PDS.

WATCH IT SUNDAY AT 1030 P.M., AND THE POLITICS CONTINUE ON REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE.

DAVID TALKS TO GOP ASSEMBLYMAN JACK CHIARELLI ABOUT THE BATTLE FOLLOWING THE MIDTERMS.

CHECK IT OUT SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 P.M. ON NJ PDS.

>>> DESPITE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO BAN IT, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HE WILL END HIS BAN ON THE BLACK BEAR HUNT IN NEW JERSEY.

HE SAYS HE'S BRINGING BACK THE HUNT DUE TO A SHARP INCREASE IN SIGHTINGS AND MORE INCIDENTS SINCE LAST YEAR.

OPPONENTS ARE FURIOUS AND ACCUSING THE GOVERNOR GOING BACK ON HIS PROGRESS.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> I HAD A FRIEND NOT TOO LONG AGO WHO TOOK HER DOG OUT, AND A BEAR ATTACKED THE DOG, SHE WENT TO GO PROTECT THE DOG, AND HE GOT ON TOP OF HER AND BROKE A COUPLE OF RIBS TO HER.

SHE DIDN'T WANT ANY MEDIA ATTENTION.

>> Reporter: FOR EVERY BEAR ATTACK THAT IS REPORTED TO THE STATE, COUNTLESS MORE GO UNREPORTED BY RURAL NEW JERSEYANS WERE USED TO SHOWING A SPACE WITH THEIR FURRY BLACK NEIGHBORS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF DAMAGE FROM THE BEARS IN DIFFERENT FARMERS REPORTING IN.

WE GET CALLS LITERALLY EVERY DAY .

WE HAVE CONTRACTS AND WE PICK UP THE DEER, AND EVERY SINGLE DAY JUST ABOUT WE GET CALLS THE BEARS ARE GETTING HIT BY CARS.

>> Reporter: THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 457 REPORTS OF BLACK BEARS DISTURBING THE PEACE.

THIS YEAR, THAT NUMBER HAS TRIPLED TO MORE THAN 1500 IN DENSE, AND THAT'S LED GOVERNOR MURPHY TO CHANGE COURSE ON CANCELING THE BEAR HUNT, A CAMPAIGN PROMISE THAT HE RAN ON AND FINALLY ENACTED THIS YEAR.

HE TWEETED THIS MORNING, WE MUST CHANGE COURSE TO PREVENT TRAGIC HUMAN/BEAR INTERACTIONS BY REINSTATING OUR REGULATED AIR HUNT IN SEPTEMBER.

IT'S BROUGHT PRAISE FROM SOME AND I ARE FROM OTHERS.

>> IT'S UNJUSTIFIED, AND IT NOT GOING TO REDUCE ANY BEAR INTERACTIONS WITH HUMANS.

BACK IN 2014, WHEN GOVERNOR CHRISTIE HAD A BEAR HUNT EVERY SINGLE YEAR, THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN BEARS AND HUMANS WERE TWICE WHAT THEY ARE NOW.

>> Reporter: 2014 WAS ALSO THE YEAR A YOUNG HIKER WITH KILLED BY A BLACK BEAR.

BUT HIS PROMISE TO SUE THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IF THEY FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE HUNT.

>> WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IS BEAR INTERACTIONS.

THEY ARE DOWN COMPARED TO WHEN WE HAD BEAR HUNTS.

SO BEAR HUNTING ISN'T WHAT NEEDS TO GET DONE.

>> CONSERVATIONIST SAY MURPHY FAILED TO ROLLOUT A BEAR SAFE TRASH CAN PROGRAM THAT WOULD'VE ELIMINATED THE PROGRAM NATURALLY.

>> THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE IS GARBAGE.

TRASH PROGRAMS THAT PREVENT BEARS ACCESS TO A NATURAL FOOD SOURCE CAN ACTUALLY DELAY THE REPRODUCTION FOR UP TO 11 YEARS.

>> BUT BECAUSE BEARS HAVE SO MUCH ACCESS TO FOOD IN NEW JERSEY, AND THE ARE REPRODUCING BY AGE 3, HAVING 2 TO 3 CUPS EACH YEAR.

IF THAT FOODS SERVICE WERE CUT OFF -- >> IF THEY DON'T GO IN THE DEN AND HIBERNATION TIME WITH A CERTAIN LEVEL OF FATS, THEY REABSORB THEIR EMBRYOS.

>> Reporter: PROPONENTS OF THE HUNT DISAGREE.

NOT PUTTING OUT BIRDFEEDERS, CLEANING UP YOUR GRILL, NOT LEAVING FOOD IN YOUR CAR .

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE COMMON SENSE THINGS THAT WE SHOULD DO.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE CAN CUT OFF ALL OF THESE FOODS HORSES, AND THE BEAR STILL HAS TO EAT.

SO THE ONLY WAY TO REALLY CONTROL A BEAR POPULATION IS HARVESTING THE EXCESS ANIMALS.

>> Reporter: THIS COMING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15th, NEW JERSEY'S FISH AND GAME COUNCIL WILL MEET TO DISCUSS WITH THE DETAILS COULD BE AND WHAT LIMITATIONS COULD BE PUT ON IT.

FOR EXAMPLE, NO KILLING OF ANY BEAR UNDER 75 POUNDS.

>> NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE FISH AND GAME COUNCIL AND THE COMMISSIONER ARE SOLIDIFIED AND WE HAVE A SEVEN YEAR PLAN, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A COUPLE YEARS FOR THAT PLAN TO ACTUALLY AFFECT AND DECREASE THE BEAR POPULATION IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, THIS LOOKS HEADED TO THE COURTS.

WHEN A GAG IS, NJ SPOTLIGHT MEANS.

>>> FEDERAL OFFICIALS FRIDAY RELEASED A NEW PLAN TO DO WITH MERCURY TAINTED SOIL IN NEW YORK.

UNDER THE PLAN, THE U.S. EPA WILL OVERSEE THE REMOVAL OF 7500 CUBIC YARDS OF CONTAMINATED DIRT FROM THE FORMER CHEMICAL FACT , AND THE CITY'S INDUSTRIAL SECTION NEAR NEWARK BAY.

THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO COST $2.4 MILLION, WHICH WILL BE PAID BY THE PROPERTY OWNER.

THE PLAN, WHICH IS PART OF A LARGER EFFORT TO DO WITH POLLUTION AT THE SITE, SUBJECT TO PUBLIC COMMENT UNTIL DECEMBER 12th.

PEARSON'S CREEK IS ONE OF FOUR SUPERFUND SITES AT THE SURVEY, ALONG WITH THE PASSAIC RIVER.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE NEW EPISODE OF THE HAZARD NJ PODCAST.

THEY EXAMINE THE GROWING WILDFIRE THREAT IN SOUTH JERSEY, AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR POLLUTION CLEANUP IN THE AREA.

HAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO CATCH THE LATEST EPISODE, OR DOWNLOAD IT WHEREVER YOU LIST THEM.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS GETTING MORE THAN $640 MILLION IN A MULTISTATE LAWSUIT AGAINST OPIOID MANUFACTURER JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICALS.

A BRAND OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON.

NOW THE QUESTION COMES -- HOW WILL THAT MONEY BE PUT TO USE, AND HOW WILL IT HELP THOSE UNDER OPIOID ADDICTION?

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSS WHO GETS WHAT, AND WHERE ADVOCATES WANT TO SEE THE MONEY GO AS NEW JERSEY CONTINUES TO SEE DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS RISING.

>> IT'S A WELCOME AND NEEDED RELIEF TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> MICHAEL SARAH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES ARE PLOTTING RECENT MANDATORY EFFORTS TO CURB THE STATES OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED A MULTIS DATE OPIOID TITLE MEANT THAT WOULD DISTRIBUTE $641 MILLION TO THE GARDENS DATE TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND ASSIST AFFECTED COMMUNITIES.

>> THERE'S REALLY A MYRIAD OF PROGRAMS.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S TREATMENT SERVICES.

THERE'S COUNSELING SERVICES.

THERE IS EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

>> WE THINK THAT THIS EDUCATION NEEDS TO START AT A VERY YOUNG LEVEL.

>> Reporter: LEWIS CAPPELLI JR. SAYS BELIEVING UNDER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ADDICTION WILL HELP REMOVE NEGATIVE STIGMAS.

HE SAYS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, THERE'S BEEN OVER 300 OVERDOSE DEATH ALONE.

>> IT'S A DISEASE.

IT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT NO DIFFERENTLY THAN DIABETES AND CANCER.

IT'S A DISEASE THAT HAS TO BE DEALT WITH.

ANY AND ALL SICKNESS ASSOCIATED WITH AN ADDICTION DISORDER NEED TO BE ELIMINATED.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE, ROUGHLY 3000 PEOPLE DIED OF A CYST ACTED DRUG OVERDOSE IN 2020.

THAT NUMBER INCREASING TO OVER 3000 102,021.

AS OF NOVEMBER 7, THERE HAVE BEEN NEARLY 2500 THIS YEAR.

>> WE ARE SEEING A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DYING FROM OVERDOSE IS, AND THE USE OF OPIOIDS.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO ADDRESS THIS OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND SAVE LIVES.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES A IT'S IMPORTANT THE MONEY BE DEDICATED TO HARM REDUCTION SERVICES, INCLUDING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO BEEN HISTORICALLY TARGETED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS.

>> IN THE PAST, THEY HAVE MET SUBSTANCE USE, BUT POLICING , MORE AND MORE PUNISHMENT , FORCED TREATMENT.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THAT THOSE THINGS AREN'T NECESSARILY WORKING.

>> CAITLIN O'NEILL SAYS AND THAT, REINVESTING IN THESE COMMUNITIES IS A BETTER OPTION.

>> NOT JUST ACCESS THAT WE NEED, BUT THINGS THAT ACTUALLY MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT.

THAT BRINGS A WHOLE NEW TARGET OF SUBSTANCE USERS INTO A SYSTEM OF CARE.

MAKES A WHOLE NEW GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING TESTED FOR HIV AND HEPATITIS.

BRINGS A WHOLE NEW SYSTEM OF CARE TO PEOPLE THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY NOT BEEN OUTREACH TO IN NEW JERSEY AS FAR AS HARM REDUCTION SERVICES GO.

IT WOULD ALSO LOOK LIKE TRAUMA SUPPORT.

COMMUNITY-BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION.

IT WOULD LOOK LIKE , REALLY, ACCESS TO NOT JUST HEALTHCARE, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

NO HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH.

REALLY LOW BARRIER PURPOSES.

>> THE STATE IS CREATING AN ADVISORY TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE OPIOID CRISIS TO WEIGH IN ON WHAT PROGRAMS WILL BEST START THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND WHILE LEADERS SAY NOTHING MAY EVER BE ENOUGH TO COMPLETELY END THE CRISIS, THEY ARE HOPING IT WILL BRING THEM ONE STEP CLOSER TO SAVING MORE LIVES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA COOPER.

>>> IT LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DELAY FOR NEW JERSEY COLLEGE STUDENTS LOOKING FOR DEBT RELIEF AS A FEDERAL JUDGE IN TEXAS STRUCK DOWN THE PRESIDENTS LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS, PLUS TODAY'S TOP HEADLINES.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS AFTER A COURT STRUCK DOWN THE PLAN LATE YESTERDAY.

THE FEDERAL JUDGE RULED THE PRESIDENT USURPED CONGRESSES POWERS TO MAKE LAWS.

IN MAKING HIS DECISION, THE JUDGE, APPOINTED BY FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, SIGNED WITH A CONSUMER ADVOCACY GROUP.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS ALREADY FILED AN APPEAL, EVEN BEFORE THIS LATEST DECISION, THE STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF PROGRAM WAS ALREADY ON HOLD , AS ANOTHER COURT HERE'S ANOTHER LAWSUIT FILED BY SIX REPUBLICANS DATE TO BLOCK THE PLAN.

MEANTIME, 26 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY FILED FOR STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF.

>>> NEXT WEEK, THE STATE BEGINS ITS ANNUAL PROGRAM THAT PREVENTS UTILITY SHUT OFF DURING THE COLDER MONTHS FOR THOSE THAT ARE UNABLE TO PAY THEIR BILLS.

AHEAD OF THAT, OFFICIALS ARE URGING RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND UTILITY PAYMENTS PLANS.

THIS YEAR, THE STATE IS RECEIVING ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ITS LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WHICH MEANS MORE HOMES IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE WILL BE HELPED.

>>> WORRIES ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND INFLATION TOP THE MINDS OF VOTERS DURING THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

SO WHAT MIGHT THE NEW CONGRESS DO ABOUT THOSE ISSUES?

DESPITE ALL THE CAMPAIGN TALK, ONE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIST DOES NOT EXPECT MUCH IN THE WAY OF CHANGE IN ECONOMIC POLICY WHEN THE NEW CONGRESS CONVENES.

THAT'S THE OPINION OF THE EDITOR BUSINESS ECONOMICS AND FORMER CHIEF ECONOMIST AT THE NEW JERSEY TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

>> I DON'T THINK THE ISSUES IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING THE ECONOMY OUR LEGISLATIVE.

I THINK IT'S MOSTLY THE FEDERAL RESERVE AND WHAT HAPPENS WITH THINGS LIKE FOOD PRICES, WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

I DON'T THINK ANY MAJOR ECONOMIC INITIATIVES ARE GOING TO BE OFFERED OR PASSED IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO.

>> THE LATEST REPORT ON THE ECONOMY TODAY SHOWED CONSUMER SENTIMENT WEEKEND THIS MONTH.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET WRAPPED UP THIS TRADING WEEK.

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

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORTS ABIDED BY NJ T.I.A.

CONFERENCE FOR TOURISM , AT RESORTS CASINO HOTEL IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJTIA.ORG.

AND BY NEW JERSEY CPAs.

ONLINE AT NJCPA.ORG .

>> AND MAKE SURE YOU CATCH NJ BUSINESSWEEK THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

SHE'S LOOKING AT THE INFLUENCE OF UNIONS IN NEW JERSEY, GROWTH IN OUR STATE, AND WHY DESPITE THAT GROWTH, UNIONS COULD BE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING SOME OF THEIR BARGAINING POWER.

THAT SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 ON NJ PBS.

>>> VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS MARKING VETERANS DAY BY HAILING THE BEST OF AMERICA IN A RAINY ERA MONI AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL SEROTONIN TODAY , HONORING THOSE LOST AND STILL SERVING THEIR COUNTRY.

A NEW REPORT OUT SHOWS THAT 24% OF NEW JERSEY'S NEARLY 295,000 VETERANS STRUGGLE TO AFFORD THE BASICS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO UNITED WAY OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY AND ITS RESEARCH ENGINE, UNITED FOR ALICE.

SO WHY ARE SO MANY VETERANS HOMELESS, LACKING BASIC ESSENTIALS, AND OUT OF WORK HERE IN THE STATE?

NATIONAL DIRECTOR FOR UNITED WAY OF NEW JERSEY, DR. STEPHANIE HOOPES, JOINS ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY VETERANS ARE STILL STRUGGLING AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CHANGE THAT.

THE LATEST REPORT SHOWS THAT 4% OF NEW JERSEY VETERANS FELL BELOW THE POVERTY LINE IN 2019, BUT FIVE TIMES AS MANY WERE UNDER THE ALICE THRESHOLD.

AND YOU FIRST EXPLAIN TO VIEWERS WHAT THE ALICE THRESHOLD IS, AND WHY SO MANY OF OUR VETERANS ARE DEALING WITH FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS?

>> THANK YOU.

ALICE IS AN ACRONYM FOR ASSET LIMITED INCOME CONSTRAINED EMPLOYED.

SO THIS IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS BELOW THE BARE MINIMUM TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE MODERN ECONOMY , WITH THINGS LIKE CHILDCARE, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTHCARE.

AND THEY OFTEN EARN ABOVE THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, SO THEY ARE OFTEN NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

AND OUR LATEST RESEARCH IS ON VETERANS , AND OUR FINDINGS ARE STRIKING, THAT HERE WE ARE IN A COUNTRY WHERE PEOPLE HAVE SERVED AND SACRIFICED, SO YOU WOULDN'T THINK ANY OF THEM WOULD BE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY.

AND YET, AS YOU SAID, ABOUT A QUARTER OF VETERANS IN NEW JERSEY ARE EARNING BELOW THAT ALICE THRESHOLD , THAT IS POVERTY AND A.L.I.C.E.

COMBINED.

REALLY STRUGGLING AND HAVING A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE THAN MAYBE SOME OF THE AVERAGES AND THE GENERAL STORIES WE HEAR ABOUT VETERANS.

>> THE REPORT ALSO POINTS OUT THAT VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES FACED HIGHER RATES OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP IN NEW JERSEY.

WHY IS THAT?

>> SO WE SEE DISABILITY AS A DRIVER OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ROSS THE BOARD.

WE HAD A RECENT RESEARCH BREAKOUT IN JULY THAT REALLY HIGHLIGHTED THAT.

AND SO IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT VETERANS WITH A DISABILITY WOULD HAVE HIGHER RATE OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.

THERE ARE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND HIGHER HEALTH COSTS THAT OFTEN COME WITH A DISABILITY.

>> ANOTHER INTERESTING POINT THAT WE SPOKE ABOUT WAS A FINDING THAT VETERANS IN THE STATE ARE SLIGHTLY BETTER OFF THAN NONVETERANS.

>> RIGHT.

SO THERE IS A RAY OF HOPE IN THE RESEARCH, AND THAT IS THAT VETERANS ARE OVERALL DOING SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN OTHER GROUPS THAT WE HAVE STUDIED IN THE PAST.

THREE THINGS REALLY STAND OUT ON THAT.

ONE, VETERANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE WORKING FULL TIME.

THE SECOND, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO EARN THEIR OWN HOME.

AND THE THIRD IS THAT THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL DISABILITY AND HEALTH BENEFITS.

THESE ARE THREE AREAS WHERE VETERANS GROUPS , THE GOVERNMENT, AS WELL AS FOUNDATIONS AND NONPROFITS, YOU CAN HAVE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD PROGRAMS THAT ARE TARGETED IN THESE AREAS AND MAKE THAT -- MAKE A DIFFERENCE THERE.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO WALK AWAY WITH HERE ON VETERANS DAY , WHEN THEY HEAR ABOUT THIS REPORT?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

SO WE WANT FOLKS TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE VETERANS WHO ARE STRUGGLING, THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED YOUR HELP AND HAVE GIVEN A LOT ON THEIR END AND THEY OFTEN FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

WITH PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

WE SEE A LOT OF THEM NOT EVEN ELIGIBLE FOR THINGS LIKE SNAP, FOOD STAMPS, HOUSING SUPPORTS .

AND THAT IS A SHAME IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> DR. STEPHANIE HOOPES, WONDERFUL REPORT.

AND JUST A REMINDER THAT WE CAN DO A LITTLE MORE TO HELP THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED AND SACRIFICED FOR US ON THIS VETERANS DAY.

AND FOR MORE ON VETS IN NEW JERSEY FACING FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS, CHECK OUT LILO STANTON'S REPORTING ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLAT WARMS 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.

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

RJW BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER .

AND ORSTED.

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