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

SERVING THE IINSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN HUNDRED YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSING OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

AND THE PSE&G FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY.

AND SMART HEAT NJ.

[INTRO MUSIC] FROM PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

AHEAD OF THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY THIS WEEK GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY IS URGING MORE RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR BOOSTER SHOTS IN AN EFFORT TO STOP A POTENTIAL COVID SPIKE.

THE CDC ISSUED A NEW RECOMMENDATION EXPANDING BOOSTER ELIGIBILITY TO ALL ADULTS.

MEANING ANYONE WHO GOT A PFIZER MODERNA COVID 19 VACCINE AS OF MAY 22nd CAN NOW GET A BOOSTER.

THOSE WHO GOT A JOHNSON & JOHNSON BOOSTER AT LEAST TWO MONTHS AGO ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR ANOTHER SHOT.

AS OF TODAY JUST OVER 1 MILLION NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS HAVE GOTTEN A BOOSTER.

WHAT 6.1 MILLION ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

DESPITE THE HIGH VACCINATION NUMBER THE STATE IS SEEING TROUBLING TRENDS IN ITS COVID DATA.

THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION HAS TICKED UP TO ONE .23 MEANING THE VIRUS IS SPREADING.

HOSPITALIZATIONS AND VENTILATOR USE ARE ALSO UP AND COULD MORE THAN DOUBLE OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

WHILE MOST CASES ARE STILL AMONG THE UNVACCINATED STATE LEADERS SAY THOSE PEOPLE CAN STILL SPREAD THE VIRUS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED.

ESPECIALLY AS PROTECTION FROM THEIR FIRST TWO SHOTS STARTS TO WANE.

>>>>> PFIZER SAID IT'S VACCINE IS 100% EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING INFECTIONS IN 12 TO 15-YEAR- OLDS UP TO FOUR MONTHS AFTER THEIR SECOND DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

WITH NO SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS.

ISA PLANS AS THE FDA FOR FULL APPROVAL OF HIS VACCINE FOR THOSE 12 AND UP.

THE SHOT IS UNDER AN EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION.

FOR THE KIDS FROM AGE 5 TO 15.

>>> VACCINATION AMONG THAT YOUNGER AGE GROUP HAS BEEN SLOW HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

THE GOVERNOR SAID IT IS CRITICAL TO GET THESE KIDS VACCINATED.

AND THAT GET THEIR SHOTS.

THE STATE COULD CONSIDER LIFTING THE IN SCHOOL MASK MANDATE THAT HAS NOW BEEN IN PLACE FOR THE BETTER PART OF TWO YEARS.

SO HOW ARE SCHOOLS KEEPING TRACK OF THAT DATA AND HOW MANY KIDS WILL NEED TO BE VACCINATED BEFORE MASKS COME OFF?

JOANNA REPORTS.

>> Reporter:>> WE HAVE VACCINATED 140 STUDENTS AT TO SCHOOL SO FAR.

>> Reporter: AND WEEKENDS OFFERING VEXING CLINICS FOR 5 TO 11-YEAR-OLDS IN THE PLAINFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SUPERINTENDENT DIANA MITCHELL IS ENCOURAGED THAT PARENTS ARE FINDING IT EASY TO OPT IN.

>> I WAS HAPPY WITH THE TURNOUT WE HAD AT WASHINGTON AND EMERSON SCHOOL.

I BELIEVE AS WE CONTINUE WITH MORE CLINICS MORE PARENTS WILL COME.

>> Reporter: 15% OF PLAINVILLE STUDENTS RECEIVED ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE SO FAR.

STATEWIDE 56% OF 12 TO 17-YEAR- OLDS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

SO FAR ALMOST 9% OF 5 TO 11- YEAR-OLDS HAVE GOTTEN THERE FIRST SHOT IN THESE FIRST FEW WEEKS.

IN THE CHATHAM'S DEMAND AT PACE SUPPLY AT SCHOOL VACCINATION CLINICS RUN BY THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THIS PAST WEEK.

>> THEY BROUGHT 150 DOSES OF VACCINE.

WE PROBABLY HAD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 300 FOLKS WHO CAME OR 300 CHILDREN WHO WISH TO BE VACCINATED.

SO THEY MANAGED TO GET THROUGH HALF OF THEM.

THEY MAY COME BACK IF THEY ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE MORE VACCINE DOSE AND CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THE RESPONSES BEEN MORE SLUGGISH IN CAMDEN WHERE PARENTS ARE MORE RELUCTANT TO AGREE TO THE SHOT.

SO THE DISTRICT IS TRYING TO MAKE IT AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE STATIC CLINICS IN CERTAIN SCHOOLS EVERY WEEK AND POP UP CLINICS THROUGHOUT THE MONTHS OF DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

OUR GOAL IS SCHOOL NURSES IS TO PROVIDE ACCESS FOR OUR YOUNGEST STUDENTS AGES FIVE AND UP TO GET THE COVID VACCINE.

IT WILL BE A GAME CHANGER FOR US FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

IT IS THE GATEWAY FOR US TO GET BACK TO MAYBE A POST COVID WORLD IF THERE IS SUCH A THING.

>> Reporter: THAT WORLD COULD BE ONE WHERE KIDS DON'T WEAR A MASK IN SCHOOL.

IT IS ALREADY HAPPENING IN STATES LIKE MASSACHUSETTS WHERE ONCE A SCHOOL REACHES AN 80% VACCINATION RATE STUDENTS WHO HAVE GOTTEN THE SHOT AND DITCH THE MASK.

SO WHEN COULD THAT HAPPEN IN NEW JERSEY?

>> FOLKS NEED TO HEAR THIS LOUD AND CLEAR.

THE MORE KIDS VACCINATED THE MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED.

THE MORE PEOPLE USE IT THE SOONER WE WILL BE ABLE TO PULL BACK ON XY OR Z AND OBVIOUSLY THE SCHOOL MASK MANDATE IS A BIG ONE.

I DON'T HAVE A NUMBER TO HANG OUR HAT ON YET.

I CONTINUE TO ENVISION SOMETHING THAT LOOKS FACED.

>> PENNSYLVANIA WILL RETURN LOCAL CONTROL TO DISTRICT THE JANUARY.

THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT MANDATES MASK SCHOOLS IN NEW JERSEY EXPIRES JANUARY 11th.

>> WOULD YOU BE COMFORTABLE WITH MASKS COMING OFF OF 80% WERE VACCINATED?

>> MAY BE CLOSER TO 90 OR 95%.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE 93% OF STAFF VACCINATED.

ONCE WE GET ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF STUDENTS VACCINATED I WOULD SAY YES.

>> Reporter: IF THE GOVERNOR WERE TO REMOVE MASK MANDATE WOULD YOU KEEP IT IN THE PLAINFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT?

>> I WOULD KEEP IT.

JUST FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

EVERYBODY IS NOT COMFORTABLE WITH REMOVING THE MASKS.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID HE WILL FOLLOW STATE GUIDANCE.

>> IF THE GOVERNOR SAYS IF YOU HAVE A VACCINATION RATE OF 80% AND A SCHOOL THEN MASKS WOULD BECOME OPTIONAL.

I BELIEVE OUR MASKS WOULD BE OPTIONAL AT THAT POINT.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE VACCINES THAT HAVE KEPT HIS KIDS IN SCHOOL THIS YEAR BECAUSE VACCINATED STUDENTS DON'T HAVE TO QUARANTINE EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT.

AND THAT IS REALLY THE POINT SAID -- >> DO QUARANTINING NOT AS MANY CHILDREN THANKFULLY HAVE TURNED UP POSITIVE AFTER BEING DEEMED A CLOSE CONTACT IN THE SCHOOL.

SO THE FACT WE HAVE HAD TO QUARANTINE HUNDREDS OF KIDS AND SO MANY LOST SCHOOL DAYS, THERE HAS GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY TO DO IT.

WHAT WE KNOW FROM HOW THE VACCINE HAS IMPACTED ADULTS IS THAT IT WORKS.

>> Reporter: NOW IT IS ABOUT BUILDING TRUST WITH FAMILIES WHO HAVE QUESTIONS TO HELP THEM MAKE UP THEIR MINDS.>>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE IN THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.>>> THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NARROWLY PAST PRESIDENTS MASSIVE SOCIAL SPENDING AND CLIMATE BILL KNOWN AS BUILD BACK BETTER.

THE PLAN WOULD SPEND ROUGHLY $2 TRILLION OVER 10 YEARS ON MEASURES INCLUDING FREE UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND FOUR WEEKS UP LATELY.

AND WOULD ALSO INVEST MORE THAN HAPPY TRILLION DOLLARS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

BUT THE BILL FACES AN UNCERTAIN ROAD AHEAD IN THE SENATE BEFORE IT MAKES IT TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> FULL-COURT PRESS TIME FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

DEMOCRATS ANYWAY.

WITH HOUSE NUMBERS ABOUT THE PROGRESSIVE ITEMS THEY STUFFED INTO THE BILL BACK BETTER BILL PASSED ON FRIDAY.

PROSPECTS FOR THE BILL ARE A LITTLE LESS CERTAIN IN THE SENATE.

AND AN EVENT -- CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE AND OTHERS HIGHLIGHTED THE POTENTIAL POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE HOUSE VERSION AND THEN PUT THE ONUS ON THE SENATE.

>> THE GOAL OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT -- BLASKO CONFERENCE -- HOUSE EMISSIONS BY 2050.

WE DO BELIEVE ALL OF THIS COLLECTIVELY WILL GO FAR.

TO HIS ACHIEVING THAT GOAL.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THE SENATE HAS TO PASS THIS BILL.

WHICH HOPEFULLY THEY WILL.

AND PROBABLY COME BACK TO THE HOUSE AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE DONE BY THE END OF DECEMBER.

>> THE BEST HOLIDAY GIFT WE COULD HAVE IN THESE YEAR OF GRATITUDE AT THIS MOMENT OF GRATITUDE AROUND THINGS GIVING IS TO BE ABLE TO FINALLY BUILD BACK BETTER BYPASSING THIS ACT IN THE SENATE.>> THE SUPERFUND TAX TO CLEAN UP TOXIC WASTE SITES AND MONEY TO CAPTURE METHANE GAS AND PROMOTE SOLAR AND WIND AND PROTECT THE OCEANS ARE ALL SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND IN SOME CASES ELIMINATION.

>> THERE MAY BE CHANGES.

I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO SEE MAJOR CHANGES.

THE REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE WE WORKED WITH THE SENATE.

NOT ONLY WITH CHUCK SCHUMER WITH CINEMA AND OTHERS.

MOST OF WHAT IS IN THIS BILL HAS BEEN AGREED TO BY THE SENATE.

>> Reporter: THE SENATE HAS NO ROOM TO WIGGLE ON BOATS.

EVERY SENATOR CAN BE A BILL KELLER AND BY THE TIME THE BILL MAKES IT BACK TO THE HOUSE FOR A FINAL VOTE IT COULD BEAR LITTLE RESEMBLANCE TO LAST WEEK'S FEEL-GOOD PACKAGE.

BUT SENATOR MENENDEZ SAID TODAY THAT>> THERE IS NO DEAL.

>> Reporter: THE SALT DEDUCTION THAT MUST FOUGHT FOR STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTION IS IN THE BILL RIGHT NOW.

IT UPS THE LIMITS TO $80,000 FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

BUT THERE HAS BEEN A HEALTHY PUSHBACK ON HOW MUCH THE SALT DEDUCTION MOSTLY HELPS THE STATES WELL-TO-DO.

MENENDEZ SAID HE WOULD ADD A MEANS TEST TO THE MEASURE.

>> I HAVE A DIFFERENT PROVISION IN THE HOUSE.

MY PROVISION WOULD ALLOW AND IT IS REVENUE NEUTRAL WHICH MEANS IT WOULD NOT COST A PENNY.

IT WOULD HAVE FULL DEDUCTIBILITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SOMEWHERE APPROXIMATELY $550,000-$600,000 A YEAR INDIVIDUAL INCOME.

AND WHO ARE A LITTLE OVER $900,000 FOR JOINT INCOME TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE SENATOR ALWAYS SAID TO IGNORE THE SAUSAGE MAKING BUT SEEM TO REFLECT THE ROUGH ROAD AHEAD WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS OWN DESIRES FOR THE BILL.

>> THE SENATE HAS ITS OWN WILL AND WILL WORK ITS WAY.

THE ESSENCE OF THE BILL I BELIEVE WILL STAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IMMIGRATION REFORM AS PART OF IT.

WE HAVE TO GET PAST THE PARLIAMENTARIAN.

IT IS MY HOPE OUR THIRD OPTION WILL GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE BILL.

>> Reporter: IMMIGRATION IS MOST LIKELY HEADED FOR THE CHOPPING BLOCK ACCORDING TO MOST OBSERVERS.

WHILE SALT MAY BE HARD TO SWALLOW FOR SOME THE HOPE IS THAT THE OTHER PROVISIONS ON THE EXPANSION OF THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET AND THE PROMISE OF NEW JOBS WILL GET MORE AMERICANS ESPECIALLY VOTERS FEELING LIKE THEY ARE GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF ALL OF THIS.>>> A HEALTH WARNING COMING FROM CAMDEN COUNTY.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS URGING PEOPLE TO GET A HEPATITIS A SHOT AT THE STARBUCKS EMPLOYEE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE INFECTION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID IT FOUND OUT WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 17th ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE AT STARBUCKS AT BLACKWOOD COMPTON ROAD AND GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP.

AN INSPECTION SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF FOOD SAFETY VIOLATIONS.

BUT THE STORE CONTINUES TO BE CLOSED FOR OPERATION AND WILL NOT BE REOPENED UNTIL ALL EMPLOYEES ARE VACCINATED.

HEPATITIS A IS ONE OF SEVERAL HEPATITIS VIRUSES WHICH CAN CAUSE INFLAMMATION AND AFFECT LIVER FUNCTION.

>>> A LONG-DELAYED STUDY ON THE LINKS BETWEEN THE SO-CALLED FOREVER CHEMICALS IN PUBLIC HEALTH HAS NOW BEGUN.

RUTGERS RETRACTORS ARE TAKING PART IN A PROJECT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE FAS CAN CAUSE ILLNESSES INCLUDING LIVER DAMAGE AND CANCER.

STARTING IN PAULSBORO AND GLOUCESTER COUNTY WHICH HAS REPORTED THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF ONE OF THOSE FOREVER CHEMICALS IN THE WORLD.

AND WHERE RESIDENTS HAVE REPORTED A HOST OF HEALTH ISSUES.

MELISSA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE ARE STILL BEING EXPOSED AND WE NEED TO STOP THAT.

TRACY -- FRUSTRATED WITH AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE WATER HERE IN PAULSBORO.

>> THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPOSED IT TURNS OUT NOW WE FIND OUT FOR DECADES.

TO ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY TOXIC FOREVER CHEMICALS OR PFA AS COMPOUNDS.

PF IN A.

NOBODY KNEW THEY WERE DRINKING WATER THAT COULD HARM THEIR HEALTH.

>> Reporter: IS A DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DELAWARE KEEPER NETWORK SHE HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS TO MAKE SURE IT IS SAFE FOR RESIDENTS TO USE AFTER PF IN A WAS FOUND IN THE TOWN'S WATER SYSTEM AND NEARBY PRIVATE WELLS BACK IN 2013.

THE HIGHLY TOXIC CHEMICAL WAS ALSO FOUND IN SEVERAL OTHER TOWNS IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY.

AN AREA THAT HAS REPORTED SOME OF THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATIONS OF PF IN A IN THE WORLD.

>> YOU HAVE ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN.

BUT STILL THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE.

BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY ARE DRINKING THE WATER IN NOT KNOWING WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE PFA AS COMPOUNDS.

NOT EVERY SINGLE WATER SYSTEM HAS BEEN SAMPLING LONG ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: THE PROBLEM IS BIGGER.

PF IN A IS ONE CHEMICAL IN THE PFA AS FAMILY.

AND THOSE SUBSTANCES ARE TURNING UP IN WATER SYSTEMS AROUND THE GARDEN STATE.

>> WE KNOW VERY CLEARLY FROM THE SCIENTIFIC AND HEALTH STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE THE MORE EXPOSURE YOU HAVE THROUGH DRINKING WATER AND OTHER SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION THE HIGHER LEVELS BUILD UP IN YOUR BLOOD.

THAT MEANS YOU ARE INCREASING YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING A DISEASE THAT IS CONNECTED TO PFA AS COMPOUNDS.

>> Reporter: A TEAM FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SCIENCES INSTITUTE IS WORKING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS TO THE HUMAN BODY WHEN IT IS EXPOSED TO PFA'S.

PART OF A NATIONWIDE STUDY FUNDED BY THE CDC.

>> THE WATER NOW IS THEY PURIFIED AND IS SAFE TO DRINK.

THE ISSUE IS THAT PRIOR TO 2016 THERE ARE THESE RELATIVELY VERY HIGH LEVELS COMPARED TO OTHER COMMUNITIES OF THIS PARTICULAR CHEMICAL PF IN A.

THAT CHEMICAL STAYS IN THE BLOOD FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME.>> MAYBE WE CAN PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING OTHER PLACES.

SPOON EVEN THOUGH FINDING OUT HOW THE BODY REACTS TO THESE CHEMICALS IS IMPORTANT ADVOCATES SAY CLEANING UP THE SOURCE OF THE POLLUTION IN THE FIRST PLACE IS JUST AS CRUCIAL.

FOR YEARS COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BLAMED THE CHEMICAL COMPANY -- AND NEARBY WEST BEDFORD FOR CONTAMINATING THE WATER.

THEY STOPPED USING PF IN A AND ITS WORK YEARS AGO.

RECENT EPA FINDINGS SUGGEST THE COMPANY TURNED TO OTHER PROBLEMATIC CHEMICALS INSTEAD.

THEY HAVE PROMISED TO STOP USING ANY PFA'S THIS YEAR.

>> -- HAS BEEN USING A REPLACEMENT FOR PF IN A THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SAFER AND IT TURNS OUT THERE IS ACTUALLY MORE TOXIC THAN THE ORIGINAL PF IN A COMPOUND.

IT IS AN ABSOLUTE TERRIBLE IRONY THAT PEOPLE WHO WERE EXPOSED TO THE PF IN A FOR DECADES ARE RIGHT NOW STILL BEING EXPOSED TO THIS REPLACEMENT COMPOUND.

WE KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST -- FOR HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN CONTAMINATING THE WATER.

BUT THE COMPANY HAS ARGUED IN COURT THE SOURCE IS ACTUALLY FROM NEARBY ENERGY PLANTS PAULSBORO REFINERY.

-- AGREED TO PLAY PAY FOR BOTTLED WATER FOR RESIDENTS AND NEW FILTERS FOR THE AFFECTED WATER SYSTEMS AND WELLS.

BUT WITHOUT ADMITTING LIABILITY.

IN A STATEMENT TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS MOST PERSON SAID THE COMPANY'S OWN INVESTIGATIONS HAVE FOUND OTHER SIGNIFICANT SOURCES OF PFA'S INCLUDING PF IN A EXIST WITH IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY.

THIS INCLUDES USERS OF FIREFIGHTING FOAMS WHICH THEY HAVE NEVER MANUFACTURED OR USED AT HIS WEST BEDFORD CODE FACILITY.

INFORMATION CONCERNING OTHER SOURCES OF PFA'S HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO NJ DEP AS PART OF THEIR INVESTIGATION.

AND REMEDIATION.

THE RUTGERS TEAM LEADING THE STUDY IN PAULSBORO WANTS TO RECRUIT 1000 ADULTS AND 300 CHILDREN FOR THE STUDY.

IN THE MEANTIME ADVOCATES ARE HOPING EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THE WATER IS SAFE FOR EVERYONE.>>> THE PORT AUTHORITY UNVEILED THE NEW BUDGET AND AT LEAST ONE TRAIN TICKET IS GOING TO COST A LITTLE MORE IF IT IS APPROVED.

RHONDA SHEPLER HAS DETAILS AND THE DAYS TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> THE PORT AUTHORITY IS TAKING COVENANTS ON HIS NEWLY INTRODUCED BUDGET THAT GIVES COMMUTERS A BREAK.

THE $7.9 BILLION BUDGET PUT FORWARD LATE LAST WEEK DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY TOLL HIKES OR INCREASES FROM FARES.

THERE IS A SLIGHT INCREASE FOR TRAVELERS TO USE THE AIR TRAINS TO NEW WORK FOR JFK AIRPORTS.

THOSE RIGHTS WILL GO UP BY 25% -- $.25.

THE BUDGET COMES AT A TIME WHEN ITS REVENUES CONTINUE TO REMAIN BELOW PRE-COVID LEVELS.>>> ELLA MURPHY TODAY PROVIDED AN UPDATE ON THE STATES RETURN AND EARN PROGRAM.

WHICH CONNECTS JOBSEEKERS WITH COMPANIES LOOKING FOR NEW EMPLOYEES.

THE STATE PROVIDES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES TO TRAIN WORKERS AND IT ALSO PROVIDES SIGNING BONUS FOR THOSE RETURNING TO THE WORKFORCE.

THE GOVERNOR SAID TODAY SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PROGRAM IN SEPTEMBER MORE THAN 3700 NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EXPRESSING INTEREST AND BECOMING PART OF RETURN AND ARM.

SO FAR MORE THAN 60 CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND NEARLY A HALF MILLION DOLLARS COMMITTED.

>>> A BILL TO ADJUST NEW JERSEY'S TAX BRACKETS TO KEEP UP WITH RISING INFLATION HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE BUT IT IS NOT YET SCHEDULED FOR A VOTE IN THE LAME DUCK SECTION.

THE BILL SPONSORED BY SENATOR ANTHONY -- WOULD ADJUST NEW JERSEY'S TAX BRACKETS AUTOMATICALLY EACH YEAR.

THERE ARE A FEW FACTORS THAT MAY HELP THAT BUILD GET SOME TRACTION.

>> ONE IS WE ARE IN A PERIOD WHERE WE ARE SEEING A RISE IN INFLATION.

THAT IS BRINGING MORE ATTENTION TO ISSUES LIKE THESE.

THE OTHER THING IS WE CAME OFF AN ELECTION IN NEW JERSEY WERE REPUBLICANS WHO WERE THE ONES BACKING THESE TYPES OF CHANGES MADE GAINS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

FIND OUT MORE BY READING JOB STORY ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> FLOW COMMUNICATION COMPANY -- IS BEING ACQUIRED.

THE EUROPEAN COMPANY ERICSSON IS BUYING -- FOR $6.2 BILLION.

EMPLOYEES WILL STAY WITH THE COMPANY AFTER THE MERGER IS COMPLETE.

>>> WALL STREET THE STOCK MARKET TRADED TO NEW HIGHS DURING THE SESSION.

AFTER PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID HE WOULD NOMINATE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE JEROME POWELL TO A SECOND TERM.

>>> IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKET ENDED THE TRADING DAY.>>> THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJTIA NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE ON TOURISM.

DECEMBER 1st AND SECOND AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVEN INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJTIA.ORG.

>>> AND BY JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS HALL OF FAME.

A VIRTUAL EVENT ON DECEMBER 9th AT SIX P.M. MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT JANJ.ORG.

>>> THE KIA RITTENHOUSE VERDICT SPARKED PROTESTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IN NEW JERSEY THE ACQUITTAL IS RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE STATE'S QUEST FOR CRIMINAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE REFORM.

ADVOCATES WORRY ABOUT THE PRESIDENT SET BY THE VERDICT AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR NEW JERSEY'S LEGISLATIVE AND COMMUNITY EFFORTS.

I SPOKE WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE ACLU OF NEW JERSEY -- ABOUT WHAT THE VERDICT MEANS FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

NOW WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THE VERDICT ON FRIDAY?

>> I FOUND IT TO BE SHOCKING BUT NOT ALL THAT SURPRISING.>> 'S JERSEY HAS SOME OF THE STRICTEST GUN LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

IS IT SOMETHING YOU COULD EVER SEE HAPPENING HERE?

>> I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE -- WE HAVE IN THE COUNTRY WE WILL SEE AN INCIDENT LIKE THIS.

I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT.

HOWEVER I THINK THAT THERE ARE ELEMENTS OF WHITE SUPREMACY IN NEW JERSEY.

I THINK THERE IS VIOLENCE IN NEW JERSEY AS A RESULT OF RACIAL DIVISIONS IN OUR COUNTRY.

AND I THINK THERE IS HATRED IN OUR STATE.

THESE ARE ALL THINGS WE NEED TO CURE.

THERE ARE WAYS TO DO IT THAT I THINK WE NEED TO ADDRESS INCLUDING THE WAY IN WHICH POLICING HAPPENS IN OUR STATE.

>> WHAT OTHER ISSUES DOES THIS CASE BRING UP HERE IN OUR STATE?

>> LET'S THINK ABOUT A FROM MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES.

YOU HAD A YOUNG WHITE KID WHO WAS ALIGNED WITH WHITE SUPREMACIST CARRYING A MASSIVE WEAPON INTO A BLACK LIVE SMATTER PROTEST.

PROTESTING THE SHOOTING OF AN UNARMED BLACK MAN WHO WAS SHOT SEVEN TIMES BY POLICE IN WISCONSIN.

SO ALL OF THAT COVERS SO MUCH.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT POLICE MISCONDUCT AND VIOLENCE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BLACK LIVES MATTER IN MAKING SURE THAT BLACK FOLKS ARE TREATED HUMANELY BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INSTANCES OF WHITE SUPREMACIST VIOLENCE COMING INTO THE MIX.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE RIGHT TO PROTEST.

AND WHETHER OR NOT PRESENTING AN ARMED WEAPON OR PRESENTING A PERSON WHO IS ARMED IN THAT SPACE CREATES A SENSE OF INTIMIDATION AND WE THINK IT DOES.

AND SORT OF DENIES PEOPLE THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TOGETHER.

SO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A WHOLE NUMBER OF ISSUES COMING TOGETHER IN ONE.

AND CREATING THIS COMBUSTIBLE MOMENT THAT RESULTED IN THE PERSON THAT WAS MOST CULPABLE OF KILLING PEOPLE AT THE PROTEST.

AND ACTUALLY FIRED HIS WEAPON AND KILLED PEOPLE AT THE PROTEST.

GETTING OFF THE HOOK.

AS A RESULT OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS INCLUDING BIAS IN THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.

THAT STARTS WITH THE WAY JUDGES MAY BE BIASED.

THE WAY JURIES MAY BE BIASED.

OF COURSE TO THE WEIGHT LAW ENFORCEMENT TREATS PEOPLE ON THE GROUND.

>> NEW JERSEY HAS SEEN MANY PROTESTING CALLS FOR POLICE REFORM BUT NONE EXPERIENCE VIOLENCE.

WHY IS THAT?

>> I THINK IT IS A MIXTURE OF THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL IT IS NOT THAT NONE HAVE EXPERIENCED ANY VIOLENCE OR HAVE BEEN INSTANCES OF VIOLENCE AND PROTEST IN NEW JERSEY.

THEY HAVE BEEN INSTANCES OF POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST PROTESTERS IN OUR RECENT PAST.

HOWEVER WE HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED THE SAME SORT OF THING THAT YOU SAW IN WISCONSIN OR IN OTHER STATES.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT CANNOT HAPPEN.

IT HAS HAPPENED IN OUR PAST.

WE'VE SEEN WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE NEW WORK REBELLION.

WE'VE SEEN WHAT HAPPENED IN OTHER INSTANCES WITHOUT JUDGMENT THROUGHOUT THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

WHAT WE MAY WANT TO MAKE SURE IS THAT THINGS DON'T ESCALATE IN OUR STATE.

AS A RESULT OF HAVING A DIVERSE STATE AS WE DO, HAVING RELATIVELY BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR GOVERNMENT IN SOME INSTANCES.

AND HAVING MORE CLEAR COMMUNICATION I THINK WE DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT WE CAN'T DO BETTER THAN THAT.

AND HAVE BETTER TRUST BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY SERVE.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> IT IS THANKSGIVING WEEK AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE ALREADY GIVING BACK FOR THE HOLIDAY.

IN JERSEY CITY AND NBA PLAYER RETURN TO HIS HOMETOWN TO HELP ARRANGE A THANKSGIVING FOOD AND COAT GIVEAWAY.

LOUIS KING WHO PLAYS FOR THE SACRAMENTO KINGS PARTNERED WITH STOP & SHOP AND HUNGER FOR NEW JERSEY TO HOST THE EVENT.

200 FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO WALK AWAY WITH A TURKEY ALL THE FIXINGS AND A WARM WINTER COAT.>>> VOLUNTEERS WORKED WITH THE GROUP MEET THE NEED TO GATHER CLOSE TO 900 THANKSGIVING BASKETS FOR FAMILIES WHO NEEDED IT MOST.

THOSE BASKETS WILL BE DELIVERED TO FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE FROM TRENTON TO NEW WORK ACCORDING TO THE GROUP.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEADED OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH THE LATEST.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

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

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>> AND THE OCEAN RAIN PROJECT.

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

NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NJM POLICY HOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 HUNDRED YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM'S POLIC HOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS.

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR.

AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> 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 TELE-MED APP.

USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH HER RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST.

EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION AND SO HAVE WE.

SO DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH .

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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