>>> FUNDING FOR AN SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY 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, CLEAN ENERGY NEW JERSEY.

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

>> HELLO, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCING HE WILL BE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE TIME, TAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM HIS MAR-A-LAGO HOME IN FLORIDA, UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ACTIONS SURROUNDING HIS LOSS IN 2020, AND FOR ORGANIZING THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION.

NOT TO MENTION, THE AUGUST RAID OF HIS ESTATE WERE THE FBI RECOVERED CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS ALLEGEDLY TAKEN FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT SHOCKED POLITICAL PUNDITS, THEY THOUGHT TRUMP WOULD FADE FROM THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE.

HIS ALREADY RECEIVED THE ENDORSEMENT OF ONE NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN, JEFF VAN TRUE.

BUT WHAT WILL ANOTHER CAMPAIGN YIELD FOR THE GARDEN STATE?

DOES HE STILL HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT IN NEW JERSEY TO EVEN SECURE HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION?

DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> IN ORDER TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AND GLORIOUS AGAIN, I AM TONIGHT ANNOUNCING MY CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF REPUBLICAN HANDWRINGING, OR BECAUSE OF IT, DONALD TRUMP RETURNED AS A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT, MAKING IT OFFICIAL BEFORE A CROWD AND HIS FLORIDA RESORT YESTERDAY.

>> I AM YOUR VOICE.

I AM YOUR VOICE.

>> Reporter: BUT IT'S INCREASINGLY UNCLEAR IF TRUMP SPEAKS FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE GOP ANYMORE.

ANY OF HIS HIGHEST PROFILE ENDORSEMENTS TURNED OUT TO BE LOSERS AT THE POLLS LAST WEEK, AND PROMINENT REPUBLICANS ARE BLAMING TRUMP, WHO GOT 70 MILLION VOTES FOR PRESIDENT JUST TWO YEARS AGO FOR THE GOP'S UNDERWHELMING SHOWING.

IN NEW JERSEY, REPUBLICANS MADE GAINS IN THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR AND HAVE DREAMS OF FLIPPING AT LEAST ONE HALF OF THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR, TRUMP HAS BECOME A LIABILITY.

YESTERDAY, STATE PARTY CHAIRMAN BOB YOU CAN WAS NONCOMMITTAL ON TRUMP.

>> IS A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTER, I BELIEVE THEY'RE GOING TO GET A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SEE DIFFERENT VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE, NEW VISIONS.

I THINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS GOING TO BE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF GOOD CHOICES.

>> NEW JERSEY CANNOT BE DEFINED BY DONALD TRUMP IF WE ARE GOING TO DO WELL.

>> AND HAS BEEN CALLING ON HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE PARTY TO EJECT TRUMP FOR YEARS NOW.

HE SAYS AS BAD AS DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN FOR THE ECONOMY, VOTERS ARE STILL REJECTING REPUBLICANS AS AN OPTION.

>> JUST SCREAMING AND YELLING AT THE DEMOCRATS AND BEING MEAN-SPIRITED IS NOT A PATH TO VICTORY.

MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS WILL TRUST US AS AN ALTERNATIVE.

IF WE LOOK CRAZY, THEY ARE DEVOTING FOR US.

SIMPLE AS THAT.

THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT INFLATION, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT TAXES, THEY THINK WE ARE NUTS AND NOT A REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> IS JUST THE DEVICE OF AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE A LEADER AGAIN.

AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY PROBLEMATIC FOR OUR PARTY IF HE STAYS IN FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

AND GOES OUT ON THE ATTACK AGAINST --SOME OF OUR OWN LEADERS.

I DON'T SEE HOW IT ENDS WELL FOR US.

>> Reporter: TRUMP MUST STILL BE CONSIDERED A FRONT RUNNER.

AGAIN, 70 MILLION VOTES IN 2020.

GOVERNOR DESANTIS IN FLORIDA IS BEING TOUTED AS A TRUMP ALTERNATIVE, AND OTHERS FROM MIKE PENCE TO CHRIS CHRISTIE AND BEYOND ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE A RUN AT THE FORMER PRESIDENT, WHO IS APPARENTLY NOW NOT SO SCARY A FORCE ANYMORE, ESPECIALLY IN STILL MOSTLY MODERATE GOP CIRCLES.

>> ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, REPUBLICANS HAVE ENTHUSIASM ON THEIR SIDE GOING INTO THE STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES.

THEY THINK THEY CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE SOME GAINS AS THEY MADE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF CYCLES.

NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE REJECTED A DEEPLY UNPOPULAR GUY IN THIS DATE ON THEIR SIDE.

THAT'S BAGGAGE THAT THEY DON'T WANT.

>> THE CORRIDORS OF POWER, THEY ARE OUR CORE DOORS.

THESE ARE OUR CORE DOORS.

AND WE ARE COMING TO TAKE THOSE CORRIDORS BACK.

>> THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROMISE AND A THREAT IS CONTEXT.

TRUMP CALLS HIMSELF PERSECUTED AND THE VICTIM.

HE HAS ALREADY SHOWN THE LENGTHS TO WHICH HE WILL GO TO TRY TO MAINTAIN POWER, AND THAT IS LEAVING AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY DOUBTING IF THEY SHOULD GIVE HIM ANOTHER SHOT AT IT.

I DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD PROTECT THE RIGHT FOR AN ABORTION MAY BE COMING TO A VOTING BOOTH NEAR YOU.

STAY DEMOCRATS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING THE BALLOT QUESTION DURING NEXT YEAR'S ELECTION PROTECTING THE VOTING RIGHTS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

DEMOCRATS WERE CONSIDERING ADDING THE QUESTION TO THE 2023 BALLOT, EVEN BEFORE THE LANDMARK REVERSAL OF ROE V WADE.

BUT DEMOCRATS ARE HANGING THEIR HATS ON THE ISSUE OF ABORTION, HOPING TO KEEP THEIR SLIM MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

THE MEASURE HAS 20 DAYS TO SIT WITH LAWMAKERS AND WILL LIKELY HAVE TO BE VOTED ON BY THE END OF THE YEAR TO SEND VOTERS THE BALLOT QUESTION.

>>> NEARLY 20% OF NEW JERSEY'S SAID THEY SHOULD NOT AWARD PREFERENTIAL BALLOT POSITIONS, KNOWN AS PARTY LINES, TO HAVE THEIR ENDORSED CANDIDATES WIN A ELECTION.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW POLL RELEASED LATE YESTERDAY.

NEW JERSEY IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT STRUCTURES ITS PRIMARY BALLOTS TO FAVOR CANDIDATES WHO RECEIVE PARTY BACKING, GIVING THEM A LARGE EDGE AND A HUGE DISADVANTAGE TO OPPONENTS, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT.

SO HAVE NEW JERSEY POLITICAL PARTIES BEEN ABLE TO HOLD ONTO THEIR INFLUENCE IN PARTIES ANYWHERE ELSE?

HOW WILL THIS IMPACT TRUMP'S BID FOR PRESIDENT?

OUR PROJECT EDITOR JOINS ME TODAY TO BREAK IT ALL DAY.

COLLEEN, GIVEN TRUMP'S ANNOUNCEMENT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT AND THE LACK OF THE RED WAY WE SAW HERE IN JERSEY LAST WEEK --AND WE ALSO SAW A LOT OF TRUMPED BACKED CANDIDATES FAILED TO WIN.

THE ORGANIZATIONAL LINES IMPACT IS BALLOT POSITION?

>> IT USUALLY HAPPENS IN NEW JERSEY ON THE PRESIDENTIAL SIDE.

IT KIND OF DEPENDS ON WHO THE NOMINEE WINDS UP BEING.

AND BECAUSE OUR PRIMARY IS IN JUNE, IT'S MOSTLY DECIDED BY THEN.

SO I THINK IF -- IF HE WINDS UP BEING THE NOMINEE BY THEN, OR IF IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOING TO WIN THE NOMINATION, THEN CERTAINLY, I THINK THE PARTIES ARE GOING TO WIND UP BEING BEHIND HIM.

BECAUSE WHY BUCK THE TREND?

BUT I THINK IT WOULD ALL DEPEND ON WHAT THOSE EARLIER STATES -- YOU KNOW, WHO THEY WIND UP VOTING FOR.

>> COLLEEN, DID THIS POLL REVEAL WHICH PARTY FEELS MORE STRONGLY AGAINST BETTER BALLOT POSITIONS FOR CANDIDATES?

>> IT WASN'T SURPRISING TO ME THAT 68% OF REPUBLICANS OPPOSED BALLOT POSITIONS, VERSUS 61% OF DEMOCRATS.

THAT IS STILL OBVIOUSLY MORE THAN A MAJORITY OF BOTH PARTIES, BUT I THINK WHEN WE THINK OF THE LINE, WE THINK MORE DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATIONS IN PLACES LIKE HUDSON COUNTY, ESSEX COUNTY, CAMDEN, MIDDLESEX, AS BEING REALLY STRONG --YOU KNOW, COUNTY PARTIES.

AND SO HAVING THIS STRONG AFFINITY FOR THE LINE.

>> COLLEEN, HOW DOES THIS IN TURN IMPACTS LOW NAME RECOGNITION?

>> IT'S JUST -- AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAID, THERE WAS A REPORT OUT BY A RUTGERS PROFESSOR.

THERE IS THIS PENDING LAWSUIT.

THE FOLKS WHO ARE OFF THE LINE WIND UP GETTING PUSHED WAY DOWN THE BALLOT.

IF YOU ARE IN THE VOTING BOOTH AND YOU ARE LOOKING TO MAKE YOUR CHOICES, YOUR EYES ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE RIGHT AT THE START OF THE BALLOT.

AND SO PUTTING SOMEONE DOWN AT THE END OF THE BALLOT MAKES IT MUCH HARDER FOR THEM TO WIND UP GETTING RECOGNITION IF SOMEONE GOES IN AND DOESN'T KNOW WHO TO WORK FOR.

YOU KNOW THEY HAVEN'T DONE THE RESEARCH.

>> WE KNOW THE POLL COMES AS A GROUP OF PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES SAY THE PARTY BACKING IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THAT?

>> THAT'S STILL PENDING.

IT TAKES A LONG TIME.

THROUGH THE COURTS, IT WAS FILED MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO.

THERE WAS A MOTION TO DISMISS BY THE CLERKS THAT TOOK SOME TIME.

THAT WAS DENIED.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME FILINGS SINCE THEN, BUT SINCE THEN, NO ORAL ARGUMENTS AND NO TRIAL YET.

>> ULTIMATELY, GIVEN THIS REPORT, WHAT YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN?

'S >> THIS REALLY HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.

WE HAVE SEEN A COUPLE OF COUNTIES TRY TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE LINE.

I THINK, CERTAINLY, A POSITION IN A LAWSUIT THAT WOULD MAKE -- THAT WOULD DECLARE IT IMPROPER OR UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO USE THE LINE, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE -- WOULD DEFINITELY MAKE ALL OF THE COUNTIES KIND OF CHANGE WHAT THEY DO.

BUT IT IS REALLY INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT NEW JERSEY IS THE ONLY STATE WHERE THIS HAPPENS.

>> SOME INTERESTING FINDINGS.

COLLEEN O'DEA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THE EXPLOSION IN POLAND THAT KILLED TWO PEOPLE WAS MOST LIKELY A UKRAINIAN MISSILE.

THAT'S THE WORD FROM NATO, BUT THEY SAY WAS NOT UKRAINE'S FAULT.

THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AS RUSSIA LAUNCHED A WAVE OF ROCKET STRIKES ACROSS UKRAINE TARGETING THE POWER GRADE.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION SUGGESTS THE BLAST IN THE POLISH VILLAGE RIGHT ON THE BORDER WITH UKRAINE WAS CAUSED BY UKRAINIAN AIR DEFENSE MISSILE MEANT TO PROTECT UKRAINIANS FROM THE RUSSIAN STRIKES.

THE NATO INVESTIGATION GOES AGAINST PREVIOUS REPORTS CLAIMING IT WAS A RUSSIAN ROCKET OR MISSILE.

THE WHITE HOUSE ALSO EASING CONCERN TO SAY, SAYING IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT MISSILE WAS FIRED BY RUSSIA, AND THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THIS WAS AN INTENTIONAL ATTACK ON POLAND.

BUT WITH THIS NEW EVIDENCE, WHERE DOES A WAR BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA STAND?

ELLEN SANDERS JOINS US TO DISCUSS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WAR, AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE STRIKE.

ALLEN, WITH THIS NEW EVIDENCE, WHERE DOES THE WAR BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA STAND?

>> WELL, IT STANDS AT A STANDSTILL FOR THE MOMENT.

THAT IS TO SAY, YES, UKRAINE IS STAGED OFFENSIVE ATTACK AND GAINED TERRITORY, BUT WE ARE HEADING INTO THE WINTER MONTHS AND MOST MILITARY ANALYSTS BELIEVE THAT COULD LEAD TO A FREEZING OF THE ARMIES IN PLACE, OR MORE OR LESS IN PLACE.

IT'S HARD TO ADVANCE IN THE WINTER, BECAUSE WINTER IS HARSH.

AND THEREFORE, I THINK WHAT MOST ANALYSTS ARE PREDICTING IS A STALEMATE.

OF COURSE, WE WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT.

THE RUSSIANS ARE FACING SOME GREAT DIFFICULT AGAIN, WITH THE MANPOWER.

AND OF COURSE, THAT THE UKRAINIANS ARE FACING A VERY HORRIBLE WINTER, IN LARGE MEASURE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TARGETED CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAUSED GREAT POWER OUTAGES, HEAT PROBLEMS, WATER PROBLEMS.

THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH ACTED AS A TERRORIST STATE HURTING CIVILIANS RATHER THAN MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN THE ARMY AND THE NAVY AND THE AIR DEFENSES OF UKRAINE.

>> DESPITE NATO SAYING IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THE MISSILE WAS FIRED BY RUSSIA, WE'VE NOT HEARD FROM THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT SUPPORTING THAT.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT SAYS THIS WAS AN INTENTIONAL ATTACK ON POLAND.

IS THIS PROBLEMATIC?

>> I DON'T BECAUSE PROBLEMATIC.

I THINK ONE SHOULD BE REALLY VERY HAPPY AND PRAISEWORTHY OF PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS ACTIVE THROUGHOUT THE WAR, BUT ALSO IN PARTICULAR DURING THIS CRISIS, IN A COOL, CALM, AND EMOTIONALLY MATURE WAY.

HE WANTED THE EVIDENCE.

HE INDICATED LAST NIGHT THAT HE DIDN'T SEE THE EVIDENCE, AND TODAY THERE'S FURTHER CONFIRMATION THAT THIS PROBABLY DID NOT COME FROM RUSSIA.

AS FOR UKRAINE, THEY ARE FACING AN ATTACK BY RUSSIA.

THE LIKELIHOOD, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST INFORMATION, IS THAT THE STRIKE, OR THE INCIDENT IN POLAND, WAS THE RESULT OF AIR DEFENSES OF UKRAINE.

AND OF COURSE, THE AIR DEFENSES OF UKRAINE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED IF IT WASN'T FOR RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.

AND RUSSIAN AGGRESSION THAT HAS COME VERY CLOSE TO THE BORDER BETWEEN UKRAINE AND POLAND.

SO IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY IS UPSET, AND OF COURSE, HE'S ASKING FOR A FULL AND COMPLETE INVESTIGATION.

THE RESULTS ARE ONLY PRELIMINARY.

I DON'T THINK THIS WILL CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS.

IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE THAT MR. ZELENKSYY BELIEVES THE RUSSIANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS OCCURRING, BECAUSE OF COURSE IT IS THE RUSSIANS THAT STARTED THE WHOLE PROBLEM.

I THINK THIS WILL BE IRONED OUT, THERE WILL BE A COOL, CALM, AND COLLECTED DISCUSSION TO HELP AVOID SUCH INCIDENTS IN THE FUTURE.

>> IN THE FUTURE, COULD WE SEE ANOTHER INCIDENT LIKE THIS?

>> YES.

THIS IS THE NIGHTMARE SCENARIO THAT MILITARY ANALYSTS HAVE TALKED ABOUT AND DISCUSSED AD NAUSEAM.

WHEN YOU GOT A WAR SITUATION IN ANY REGION, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL SPILL OUT IN ADJOINING REGIONS.

IF A CURRENT SCENARIO AS TO WHAT HAPPENED IS CORRECT, YOU CAN STAGE A DEFENSIVE MANEUVER, A DEFENSIVE STRIKE, AND IT GOES AWRY FOR SOME REASON.

THE MISSILE ISLES DEFLECTED, IT'S MISFIRED, SOMEBODY POINTED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION BY ACCIDENT -- THERE ARE MANY SCENARIOS HERE.

THIS IS THE NIGHTMARE SCENARIO, THE THINGS THAT WEREN'T PLANT OCCUR AND CREATE A FURTHER CRISIS.

>> ALAN SANDERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF FOUR STATES TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE ITS STATE OF MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH YEAR-OVER-YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST MARCH OF DIMES 2022 REPORT CARD RELEASED TODAY.

NEW JERSEY ERNIE B-FOR ITS PRETERM BIRTH RATE OF 9.2%, ONE OF EIGHT STATES TO RECEIVE AN ABOVE AVERAGE GRADE.

IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP THE STATE GRADES ABOVE AVERAGE, FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY ANNOUNCED SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN MATERNAL HEALTH THAT WILL HOPEFULLY CONTRIBUTE TO THOSE IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

ALYSSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO MAKING SURE NEW JERSEY OFFERS THE VERY BEST CARE FOR MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES.

TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT, JUST ANOTHER STEP TOWARD MAKING SURE THAT GOAL HAPPENS.

>> WITH OUR COLLECTIVE AND PERSISTENT COMMITMENT, WE WILL ROOT OUT THE INSTITUTIONAL RACISM THAT HAS AFFECTED EVERY CORNER OF OUR SOCIETY, ALL THE WAY TO OUR MOTHERS AND BABIES.

>> Reporter: FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY TAKING PRIDE IN NEW JERSEY'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTHCARE IN THE STATES.

ALL MOTHERS DESERVE TO HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE DELIVERY, BUT THERE ARE STARK DISPARITIES THAT TOO OFTEN KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING.

>> WE KNOW THE URGENCY OF THIS CRISIS REMAINS, AND THAT ITS ROOT CAUSE IS QUITE SIMPLY, INSTITUTIONAL RACISM.

BLACK WOMEN IN NEW JERSEY ARE OVER SIX TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN WHITE WOMEN TO DIE FROM MATERNITY RELATED COMPLICATIONS, AND BLACK BABIES ARE OVER THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN BLACK BABIES TO DIE BEFORE HIS OR HER FIRST BIRTH DATE.

AS A MOTHER OF FOUR INCREDIBLE CHILDREN, THIS TERRIBLE KNOWLEDGE WEIGHS HEAVILY ON MY HEART.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT, BUT FOR THE COLOR OF MY SKIN, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST LADY IS APPLAUDING INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE OVERALL CARE.

IT COMES ON THE HEEL OF THE LATEST MARCH OF DIMES 2022 REPORT CARD GIVING NEW JERSEY A B-FOR HAVING A PRETERM BIRTH RATE OF 9.2%.

IT'S ONE OF EIGHT STATES TO RECEIVE AN ABOVE AVERAGE GRADE.

DATA SHOWS THE BIRTH RATE INCREASED TO 10.5% IN 2021.

THAT'S A 4% JUMP IN ONE YEAR, AND THE HIGHEST RECORDED RATE SINCE 2007, EARNING THE U.S. A D+.

>> THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS HAPPENING IN THE STATE.

I KNOW NEW JERSEY'S FIRST LADY HAS BEEN CHAMPIONING THE HEALTH OF MOMS AND BABIES THROUGH THE NURTURE AND J INITIATIVE, AND WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THE POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED, INCLUDING NEW JERSEY BEING ONE OF THE FIRST DATES TO EXTEND MEDICARE COVERAGE TO NEW MOTHERS UP TO A YEAR AFTER BIRTH.

GREATER THAN 40% OF THE PREGNANCIES IN OUR COUNTRY ARE COVERED BY MEDICAID.

WE ARE ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE MOMS CAN HAVE INCREASED RISK OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY UP TO A FULL YEAR AFTER MOM GIVES BIRTH.

WE ARE ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THE INITIATIVE NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN CHAMPIONING ABOUT DUAL SUPPORT FOR MOMS, DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY.

WE DO KNOW THAT DUAL SUPPORT IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED MEASURE TO HELP IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR MOMS.

WE ARE SO EXCITED THAT NEW JERSEY IS A LEADER IN SUPPORTING THOSE MEASURES FOR MOMS.

>> WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE IN NEW JERSEY.

WE HAVE EXCELLENT OBSTETRICAL CARE VERY MUCH THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

UNLIKE OTHER STATES THAT HAVE LARGE AREAS OF THEIR STATES THAT ARE MATERNITY CARE DESERTS, MOST COUNTIES IN NEW JERSEY HAVE EXCELLENT --WOMEN HAVE EXCELLENT ACCESS TO PRENATAL CARE.

THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE MOVES FROM OUR GOVERNOR, A LOT OF WORK FROM OUR FIRST LADY, THAT HAS REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Reporter: HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE COMMITTED TO ENDING THIS HEALTH CRISIS, AND THESE INVESTMENTS WILL BRING THE ONE STEP CLOSER.

IN HACKENSACK, I'M ALYSSA ROSE COOPER FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SIGNED UP YESTERDAY ON A NEW POLICY TO RESUME BEAR HUNTING IN NEW JERSEY.

THE MOVE IS A BIG REVERSAL FOR THE GOVERNOR, WHO HAD PLEDGED TO BAN THE BEAR HUNTS WHEN THEY FIRST CAMPAIGN FOR OFFICE.

INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND BEARS HAVE SKYROCKETED THIS YEAR, LEAVING MURPHY TO RETHINK HIS STANCE.

ILLEGAL HUNTING REMAINS AN ISSUE.

STATE CONSERVATION POLICE YESTERDAY ARRESTED 22-YEAR-OLD MATTHEW LIKE US OF GREENWOOD AND CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF ILLEGALLY HUNTING BEARS AFTER FOUR CUBS WERE FOUND DEAD IN RINGWOOD STATE PARK OVER THE WEEKEND.

LYGAS ALSO FACES CHARGES RELATED TO THE INCIDENTS, INCLUDING HUNTING WITH A FIREARM WITHOUT A FIREARM LICENSE.

IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, THE STATE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES IS HOLDING THEIR ANNUAL CONFERENCE DOWN IN ATLANTIC CITY THIS WEEK.

>>> STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS WILL BE DISCUSSING PRESSING ISSUES FACING MUNICIPALITIES LIKE INFLATION, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, AND PROPERTY TAXES.

ONE OF THE PANELS FOCUSED ON WHAT SHOULD BE FOCUSED WAS REVIEWING CANNABIS APPLICATIONS.

TED GOLDBERG SPOKE TO COUNTIES.

>> WHEN HE GREW UP IN OHIO, HE EXPERIENCED FIRST-HAND THE DAMAGE FROM THE WAR ON DRUGS.

>> GROWING UP, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE GO TO JAIL BEHIND CANNABIS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CLOSE TO ME.

YOU GET LOCKED UP FOR TWO YEARS FOR WEED IN CERTAIN STATES, AND IT WILL JUST MESS YOUR RECORD UP.

HAVING MARIJUANA AS A SCHEDULE ONE, LIKE FENTANYL, IS ATROCIOUS.

>> Reporter: NOW HE IS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN NEW JERSEY, HOPING TO OPEN A DISPENSARY SOMEWHERE IN THE STATE.

OTHER PEOPLE AT THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES CONFERENCE, TRYING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A BRAND-NEW BUSINESS.

>> FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT, THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN THERE FOR ME.

I'M JUST A REGULAR GUY WHO MADE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING, AND I'M TRYING TO JUMP INTO BUSINESS TO TRY TO HELP GUYS WHO -- IF A GUY JUST COMES FROM SOME JAIL, HE CAN COME WORK FOR ME.

>> I REALLY WANTED CLARITY, BECAUSE IT'S A SPACE THAT REALLY NO ONE KNOWS.

IT'S SO NEW.

JUST TO GET THE INFORMATION FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES.

>> Reporter: BUILDING OUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MARIJUANA SALES IS AN ONGOING PROCESS.

AS ROB MONDELLO PUTS IT -- >> WE ARE BUILDING THE PLANE WHILE WE ARE FLYING IT.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR'S WAS THE FIRST HELD AFTER RECREATIONAL CANNABIS STORES OPEN STATEWIDE.

HE SAYS THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT'S LEGAL, AND WHAT'S NOT.

HE SAYS LEADERS AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL HAVE A TON OF QUESTIONS.

THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

>> THEY ARE NOT TO BLAME.

ATTORNEYS HAVE THEIR HANDS IN 1000 DIFFERENT THINGS.

A LOT OF THE OWNERS OF THE WAREHOUSES --IF YOUR CULTIVATOR, YOU WANT TO GROW INSIDE THE WAREHOUSE.

A LOT OF THOSE GUYS DON'T BELIEVE IN CANNABIS, AND THEY WILL GOUGE YOU.

AND THEY ARE LIKE, YOU KNOW.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO LEASE TO YOU BECAUSE THEY HAVE A TRUCKING COMPANY COMING IN.

>> I THINK DELIVERY IS REALLY A SPACE THAT HAS A LOT OF GRAY AREA.

THERE ARE CERTAIN BUSINESSES THAT ARE DELIVERING CANNABIS, BUT IT'S UNDER THE GUISE OF, WELL, YOU PURCHASE A BROWNIE, AND YOU ARE GIFTED THE CANNABIS.

>> Reporter: WHEN PHIL MURPHY FIRST RAN FOR GOVERNOR FIVE YEARS AGO, LEGALIZING CANNABIS WAS PART OF THIS PLATFORM.

THE REST OF HIS PLATFORM WAS UNDER REVIEW BY FOUR EX-GOVERNORS AT A SECOND CAMP.

>> WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER STATES, I THINK WERE TRYING HARD.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB.

>> THIS IS A MAJOR SUCCESS STORY.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS NECESSARILY RECEIVED IN CREDIT.

>> Reporter: JOHN BENNETT WAS MORE CRITICAL.

>> WE SAW WHAT I THINK IS HAPPENING NOW WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION.

A FOCUS SHIFTING FROM TRAVELING AROUND TO DIFFERENT STATES.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY AN ECONOMIC BONUS FOR NEW JERSEY, BUT IT'S GIVING SOME EXPOSURE TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT PLAY IN 2024.

>> Reporter: THE CANNABIS PANEL ALSO GIVE ADVICE FOR MUNICIPALITIES THAT AREN'T ALLOWING CANNABIS SALES.

PART OF THAT WAS REMINDING MAYOR OFFICES THAT THEY CAN'T INTERFERE WITH DELIVERIES FROM A TOWN THAT DOES ALLOW RECREATIONAL SALES.

I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FOR MORE ON THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES CONFERENCE AND HOW OFFICIALS ARE DEALING WITH EFFORTS TO CONTROL NEW JERSEY'S RECORD HEIGHT PROPERTY TAXES, HAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG FOR MORE A BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRIGHT MYERS REPORTING.

THERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED TODAY.

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

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING.

ONLINE.

>>> NASA TOOK ONE STEP CLOSER TO RETURNING HUMANS TO THE MOON LAST NIGHT WITH THE LONG ANTICIPATED LAUNCH OF THE ARTEMIS ONE MISSION.

THE 322 FOOT TALL SPACE SYSTEM LIFTED OFF FROM CAPE CANAVERAL IN FLORIDA JUST BEFORE 2:00 A.M., MAKING IT THE MOST POWERFUL ROCKET LAUNCHED BY NASA.

IT CARRIED AN UNMANNED ORION SPACECRAFT, THE SAME KIND OF CAPSULE THAT WILL ONE DAY CARRY ASTRONAUTS TO THE MOON'S SURFACE.

NOW ON ITS WAY, ORION IS SCHEDULED TO DO A FLYBY OF THE MOON NEXT WEEK BEFORE TAKING A LONG ORBIT BACK TO EARTH.

THE SPACECRAFT IS EXPECTED TO SPLASHDOWN IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN IN DECEMBER.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, SOME SAD NEWS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY RELEASING A STATEMENT ANNOUNCING THE PASSING OF FORMER FIRST LADY LUCINDA FLORIO.

LUCINDA FLORIO WAS A FORMER EDUCATOR, A STEADFAST CHAMPION FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS, AND CREATED THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY.

MURPHY IS SAYING WE HAVE LOST A FRIEND, AND OUR STATE HAS LOST AN EXEMPLARY LEADER.

LOGS WILL BE DIRECTED TO FLY AT HALF STAFF IN HER HONOR AND MEMORY.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE BUSINESS NEEDS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

AND NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

THAT'S WHY IT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY, MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH, TOO.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE, ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED AND WE CAN HELP.

BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES.

ALL THE TIME.