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

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD FOUNDATION.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION AND THE FUEL MERCHANTS FOUNDATION OF NEW JERSEY.

>>> FROM NJPBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

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

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ORDERED A RECORD 15 MILLION BOTTLES OF OIL RELEASED FROM STRATEGIC RESERVE AIMING TO BRING DOWN GASOLINE AND OTHER COSTS.

THE ACTION IS FOCUSED ON HELPING AMERICANS COPING WITH HIGHER FUEL AND OTHER PRICES AHEAD OF THANKSGIVING.

MILLIONS HAVE ALREADY STARTED TRAVELING FOR THE HOLIDAY.

WHILE DRIVERS CAN EXPECT HIGHER GAS PRICES, LIGHTERS ARE BEING WARNED ABOUT LONGER WAIT TIMES AT INSIGHT AIRPORT TERMINALS.

MELISSA HAS A LOOK AT HOW THEY TRAVEL SO FAR.

>> Reporter: SHE CAN'T WAIT TO PUT HER ARMS AROUND HER GRANDSON WHO JUST TURNED EIGHT MONTHS OLD YESTERDAY.

SHE FLEW FROM ORLANDO THIS MORNING TO SPEND THANKSGIVING WITH HER DAUGHTER AND THE REST OF HER FAMILY.

>> IT WASN'T THAT BAD.

I DID FOLLOW THE RULES AND I WENT TO THE AIRPORT THREE HOURS EARLIER.

I WAS A LITTLE TOO EARLY.

BUT IT WAS GOOD.

THE PROCESS WAS SMOOTH.

EVERYTHING WAS IN ORDER.

AT LEAST IN ORLANDO EVERYTHING WAS IN ORDER.

I GOT HERE 20 MINUTES EARLIER.

>> Reporter: JUST ONE OF MANY PEOPLE TRAVELING IN AND OUT OF NEW JERSEY TO SEE HER FOR THANKSGIVING.

AAA PREDICTING 1.3 MILLION JERSEYANS ARE HEADING OUT OF TOWN DURING THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

>> WE ARE JUST SHY OF 2019 WHICH WAS PRE-PANDEMIC AND WAS RECORD TROUBLE NUMBERS.

WE SAW THAT ACROSS THE U.S.

IN 2019.

PEOPLE WERE TRAVELING IN DROVES.

OF COURSE 2020 WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHERE WE WERE.

AND PEOPLE WERE STILL VERY NERVOUS ABOUT COVID.

PEOPLE WERE NOT TRAVELING.

THEY WERE NOT GATHERING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

SO WE SAW A VERY DIFFERENT PICTURE IN 2020.

AND THIS YEAR WE ACTUALLY POLLED NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS TO SEE IF COVID WAS PLAYING A PART OR IF THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF COVID WHEN THEY WERE TRAVELING THIS YEAR.

ONLY 6% OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS FELT THAT TRAVELING OVER THANKSGIVING POST A RISK FOR COVID.

THAT IS IN SHARP CONTRAST TO THE 34% THAT FELT THERE WAS A RISK LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE PORT AUTHORITY EXPECTS MORE THAN 1.4 MILLION TRAVELERS TO FLY TO THEIR DESTINATIONS THIS YEAR.

MANY TAKING TO THE SKIES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

LIKE JOHN WHO IS SPENDING THE HOLIDAY WITH HIS DAUGHTERS AND GRANDCHILDREN.

>> OTHER THAN THE MASK FOR ME PERSONALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SAME AS ANY OTHER FLIGHT.

IT WASN'T REALLY A HASSLE.

>> Reporter: DESPITE HIGH GAS PRICES PEOPLE STILL HITTING THE ROAD.

90% OF TRAVELERS ARE EXPECTED TO DRIVE.

>> WE ARE NOT SURPRISED THANKSGIVING IS TYPICALLY A DRIVE HOLIDAY.

IT IS STILL THE CHEAPEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET YOUR FAMILY FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

GAS PRICES ARE EXTREMELY HIGH.

THIS IS THE HIGHEST THEY HAVE BEEN THIS TIME OF YEAR SINCE 2013.

PEOPLE ARE PAYING ABOUT A DOLLAR 23 A GALLON MORE THAN THEY WERE THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

BUT ALL OF THAT BEING SAID PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO BE DRIVING.

THEY ARE GOING TO CURB THEIR SPENDING IN OTHER WAYS.

THEY MAY NOT BE EATING OUT AS MUCH.

OR ALTERING THEIR SPENDING IN OTHER WAYS.

THEY ARE GOING TO DRIVE TO THE HOLIDAY DESTINATION.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH TODAY IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST TRAVELING DAYS A LOT OF PEOPLE WE SPOKE WITH SO FAR SAY THE TRAVEL SO FAR HAS NOT BEEN TOO BAD.

DOMINIC IS HEADING TO MIAMI TO SPEND THANKSGIVING WITH HIS MOM AND SISTER.

>> I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE DELAYS THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT ON THE NEWS.

THAT IS PROBABLY ANNOYING.

MY MOM HAD TO DEAL WITH THAT.

BUT I HAVEN'T.

>> Reporter: THIS GROUP COULD NOT HOLD BACK EXCITEMENT TO SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN.

THEY ARE PLANNING A THANKSGIVING SURPRISE FOR ANOTHER FRIEND WHO GOES TO SCHOOL IN SCRANTON.

>> I THINK IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN.

I FEEL LIKE WE CAN SEE EACH OTHER SAFE.

THAT IS PRETTY -- A FUN TIME.

>> Reporter: IF YOU STILL HAVE NOT LEFT FOR YOUR DESTINATION THE BEST TIMES TO DO SO OUR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING OR LATER IN THE NIGHT.

>> BETWEEN NOON AND THREE P.M.

SO SETTING OUT EARLY WOULD BE THE BEST THING TO DO THURSDAY MORNING IF YOU HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND THEN ON THE FLIPSIDE RETURNING HOME THE WORST TIME IS GOING TO BE SATURDAY BETWEEN TWO AND SEVEN.

AND ALSO SUNDAY BETWEEN ONE AND SEVEN.

IF YOU ARE ARE AN EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL AND YOU DON'T MIND TRAVELING AT THOSE TIMES OF THE DAY THAT WILL BE YOUR BEST BET.

>> Reporter: SUSPENDING NONEMERGENCY CONSTRUCTION EDITS CROSSINGS THROUGH MONDAY MORNING TO HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE HOLIDAY TRAFFIC ON THE ROADS.

ANYONE FLYING IS ADVISED ARRIVE TWO HOURS EARLY FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS.

THREE HOURS EARLY FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.>>> AS WE HEAD INTO THE OFFICIAL START OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON HEALTH LEADERS IN OUR STATE ARE ENCOURAGING FAMILIES TO GET TOGETHER AGAIN.

ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE VACCINATED.

WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING A SLOW RISE AND COVID 19 CASES AND DEPTH IN OUR STATE AND WARNING OF A POTENTIAL HOLIDAY SPIKE.

TODAY THE STATE REPORTING 1826 MORE CASES AND 13 MORE DEPTH.

6.16 MILLION PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED IN OUR STATE.

ONE OF THE REASONS LEADERS FEEL A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE THIS THANKSGIVING COMPARED TO LAST.

BUT THE PANDEMIC HAS LAID BARE THE STRIKING HEALTH DISPARITIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THOSE DIFFERENCES ARE DRIVEN IN PART BY RACE AND ETHNICITY AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.

IN THE REPORT SAYS WHERE ONE LIVES WITHIN THE GARDEN STATE HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HEALTH STATUS AND HEALTH VULNERABILITY.

I SPOKE WITH VP OF MEDICATIONS AND MEMBER SERVICES OF THE NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION CARRIE KELLY ABOUT THE FINDINGS.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TELL US ABOUT THE REPORT AND WHAT IT SHOWED.

>> SURE.

THANK YOU RAVEN.

ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO ACTUALLY WE CREATED A DATABASE CALLED THE VULNERABLE COMMUNITY DATABASE.

WE LOOKED AT 20 DIFFERENT DATA POINTS.

NOT JUST THINGS LIKE HEALTH ISSUES SUCH AS CHRONIC CONDITIONS.

BUT ALSO SOCIAL FACTORS SUCH AS ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS OR STABLE HOUSING.

AND WE USED THOSE DIFFERENT DATA POINTS TO CREATE A SCORECARD IF YOU WILL OF NEW JERSEY'S MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.

THEN IN 2020 WHEN WE WERE UPDATING THE DATABASE AND AS WE WERE DOING THAT, SOMETHING VERY GLARING WAS EVIDENT TO US.

AND THAT IS THAT THE COMMUNITIES THAT WERE DEEMED THE MOST VULNERABLE AND HOW STATUS WERE VERY MUCH THE SAME AS THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HIT HARDEST BY COVID.

>> IT IS INTERESTING, WHAT DO YOU FIND ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS FROM THE DATA THAT YOU COLLECTED?

>> FIRST I WOULD JUST NOTE THAT 7 OF THE MOST -- 7 OF THE TOP 10 MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN OUR SCORECARD AT THE HIGHEST COVID RATES IN THE STATE.

AND FROM THAT IT IS CLEAR TO US THAT IN ESSENCE VULNERABILITIES IN TERMS OF THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH LIKE HOUSING AND FOOD ACCESS HAVE A VERY REAL IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITIES AND HOW THEY CAN WITHSTAND A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT LIKE COVID.

>> BASED ON THE DATA WHAT IS THE MOST VULNERABLE ZIP CODE IN THE STATE?

>> THE TOP IS IT COLD WE SAW IN TERMS OF HEALTH VULNERABILITY WAS 08104 IN CAMDEN.

THAT ZIP CODE ENDED UP BEING THE THIRD HIGHEST ZIP CODE IN THE STATE IN TERMS OF THE RATE OF INDIVIDUALS HOSPITALIZED FOR COVID.

THAT NUMBER WAS 82.56 HOSPITALIZATIONS.

PER 1000 POPULATION.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS YOUR RESEARCH TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION?

>> WE KNOW THAT HEALTH FACTORS LIKE CHRONIC CONDITIONS CERTAINLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON VULNERABILITY.

LIKEWISE HAVE HAD A BIG IMPACT ON COVID.

WE ALSO KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE, WHETHER YOU HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS, WHETHER YOU HAVE A JOB, WHETHER THERE IS ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION TO THAT JOB.

THEY ALL IN MANY WAYS MUCH GREATER INSOLENCE ON HOW HEALTHY OR HOW VULNERABLE YOU ARE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT ARE SOME WAYS PEOPLE CAN HELP OTHER VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES?

>> ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WE ALL CAN TAKE AWAY FROM THIS IS THE IMPORTANCE OF CAUTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC LIKE BEING VACCINATED INCLUDING THE BOOSTER SHOT.

WEARING A FACE MASK AND ALL OF THOSE TRIED AND TRUE THINGS WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT.

THEY NOT ONLY PROTECT YOU, BUT THEY PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US.

THOSE ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT WE WOULD JUST ALSO ADD AS WE ENTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO GET LOCAL WITH THIS INFORMATION.

CONTRIBUTE TO A FOOD PANTRY COAT DRIVE OR ANY NUMBER OF WORTHY CAUSES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL PART OF TAKING CARE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE.

>> CARRIE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND SPEAKING WITH US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> SINCE THE END OF AUGUST HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN WORKING TO RESETTLE AFGHAN FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AFTER THEY WERE FORCED OUT OF AFGHANISTAN DURING THE TALIBAN AND TAKE OVER.

THOUSANDS REMAIN IN SHELTERS AT JOINT BASE McGUIRE DIX -- SOME ARE ALREADY BEGINNING THEIR NEW LIVES IN OUR STATE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN SPOKE TO A FAMILY THAT JUST WE SETTLED IN NEW JERSEY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE AHEAD AND THE HELP THEY ARE GETTING FROM PEOPLE WHO WENT THROUGH THE SAME STRUGGLES.

>> I AM HERE -- BECAUSE OF MY CHILDREN.

TO HAVE A LAND WITHOUT WAR.

WITHOUT EXPLOSION.

>> Reporter: SHE WIPED AWAY TEARS.

SHE AND HER HUSBAND SETTLED THEIR YOUNG FAMILY INTO THIS MORRIS COUNTY DUPLEX LESS THAN A WEEK AGO AFTER A HARROWING JOURNEY FROM AFGHANISTAN THEY ARE FEELING A WHOLE SPECTRUM OF EMOTIONS INCLUDING DOUBT.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GROW UP AGAIN -->> IT IS GOING TO BE TOO HARD YOU THINK TO FEEL AT HOME HERE?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK -- THE BEST PLACE FOR MY CHILDREN.>> OF COURSE IT IS MORE -- IN MY FAMILY IS SAFE.

>> Reporter: ALLIE IS A CIVIL ENGINEER AND -- IS A SURGEON WHO NEEDS TO FINISH HER RESIDENCY.

THEY HOLD SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS AND GREEN CARDS WHICH AUTHORIZED THEM TO WORK IN THE U.S.

EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE SAFELY RESETTLED TRANSITION TO LIFE IN THE U.S. IS NOT THAT SIMPLE.

>> I WAS A DOCTOR IN AFGHANISTAN.

AND I'M NOT SURE THAT I IF I CAN CONTINUE MY STATUS AND BE A DOCTOR AGAIN.

>> UNITED STATES THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY SPONSOR DOES NOT WANT US TO SHARE THEIR LAST NAME OR SHOW THEIR KIDS.

THE LONG ROAD AHEAD INCLUDES SIGNING UP FOR GOVERNMENT AID PROGRAMS.

BUT THEY WILL GET SUPPORT FROM KINDRED SPIRITS THEIR NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBORS WHO ARE ARRIVED FROM AFGHANISTAN 4 YEARS AGO.

>> THEY GO TO THE SAME MOSQUE.

UNDERSTAND THEIR RELIGION AND THEIR CULTURAL BACKGROUND IS ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT.

IN CREATING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: ALLISON -- IRC INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE.

IT HAS BEEN TASKED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO HELP 250 AFGHANS FIND NEW HOMES IN NEW JERSEY.

CLOSE TO HALFWAY THERE SHE SAID.

IT TAKES A STATEWIDE VILLAGE.

>> WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT NETWORK OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT ARE HELPING WITH FOOD DELIVERIES AND APARTMENT SETUPS AND CLOTHING DONATIONS AND ALL OF THE MEETING ALL THE FAMILY'S BASIC NEEDS IN THEIR FIRST FEW WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE SEVENTH FAMILY TO BE RESETTLED BY A NONPROFIT REFUGEE ASSISTANCE MORRIS PARTNERS.

THEY WORK WITH A LOOSE NETWORK OF VOLUNTEER GROUPS ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

PRIMARILY ORGANIZED BY THE IRC AND THEY ENCOUNTER SURPRISING SITUATIONS LIKE HALLOWEEN.

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN HALLOWEEN TO AN AFGHAN FAMILY?

>> OUR FAMILIES ARE SAVVY.

THEY GOOGLED HALLOWEEN.

THEY CAME TO EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF IT.

THEY ENJOY TRICK-OR-TREATING.

WHO DOESN'T LIKE CANDY?

>> Reporter: WELCOME HOME JERSEY CITY IN NONPROFIT THAT HAS JUST HELPED FIVE FAMILIES SETTLE INSERT REFURBISHED APARTMENTS WORKING WITH ANOTHER GROUP CALLED ONE WORLD ONE LOVE.

THIS WAS IN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF NEW JERSEY.

HE SAID THAT IS CRUCIAL.

>> THEY CAN WALK THERE TO WORSHIP.

THEY CAN WALK THERE TO PLAY.

WITH US.

THEY CAN WALK THERE TO LEARN WITH US.

>> Reporter: NOT EVERY FAMILY THAT HAS RESETTLED IN NEW JERSEY COMES FROM JOINT BASE McGUIRE -- LAKEHURST WHERE 11,000 REFUGEES CURRENTLY RESIDE IN TEMPORARY HOUSING.

THEY COULD COME FROM ANY ONE OF 8 SO-CALLED SAFE HAVENS SET UP ACROSS THE U.S. >> AND WHILE 2800 HAVE LEFT HERE TO FIND NEW HOMES IN AMERICA THE REST ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE BEST OF GROUP SHELTERS AND A JERSEY WINTER.

THEY WILL GET COATS AND BOOTS.

IT IS THE EXTRAS LIKE CRAYONS FOR KIDS AND COSMETICS THAT HELP EASE THE STRESS.

>> WE HAVE COLLECTED SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR ABOUT 2000 CHILDREN ON THE BASE INCLUDING PENCILS NOTEBOOKS AND ERASERS.

WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH ESTEE LAUDER -- DELIVER MAKEUP.

LIPGLOSS EYELINER AND MASCARA TO WOMEN.

>> Reporter: THANKSGIVING IS ANOTHER FOREIGN HOLIDAY THESE FAMILIES MUST LEARN TO DIGEST ALLEN SAID THEY SEE TURKEYS AS COMICALLY OVERSIZED LIKE CHICKENS ON STEROIDS.

BUT BESIDES THE FEAST IT IS ALSO A HOLIDAY IMBUED WITH SPECIAL MEANING.

>> IS A GREAT TEACHING MOMENT TO SORT OF BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE.

INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T YET HAVE.>>> A GUILTY VERDICT HANDED DOWN TODAY FOR ALL THREE MEN WHO CHASED AND KILLED A 25-YEAR-OLD BLACK MAN GOING FOR A RUN IN GEORGIA.

TRAVIS McMICHAEL HIS FATHER GREGORY McMICHAEL AND THEIR NEIGHBOR WILLIAM BRYANT WERE FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING AHMAUD ARBERY LAST YEAR.

WHILE HE WAS DRIVING DRUNK INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEY FACE LIFE IN PRISON AND McMICHAEL STILL FACE FEDERAL CHARGES.

INCLUDING HATE CRIME AND ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING CHARGES.

JOINING ME NOW TO DISCUSS THE VERDICT AND WHAT IT MEANS IN THE PUSH FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE IS RAQUEL HENRY.

POLICY DIRECTOR FOR SALVATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE BASED IN WOODBERRY.

RAQUEL THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THE VERDICT?

>> I WOULD NOT SAY I WAS SURPRISED.

I TEND TO GO INTO THESE SITUATIONS EXPECTING VERY LITTLE.

THE VERDICT WAS THE ONLY VERDICT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN.

WHAT I THINK WE KNOW ALL TOO WELL THAT IT COULD HAVE GONE A DIFFERENT WAY.

SO YES I AM PLEASED THAT I WOULD NOT SAY I WAS SURPRISED.

>> GIVEN THE BACKDROP OF LAST WEEK WITH THE RITTENHOUSE VERDICT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THESE TYPE OF CASES IN NEW JERSEY AND BEYOND?

>> I THINK THE TWO VERY DIFFERENT WAYS THESE STORIES PLAYED OUT IS A CAUTIONARY TALE.

I THINK IT REMINDS US THAT THERE IS STILL SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE.

IT REMINDS US THAT YOU CANNOT TAKE THESE THINGS FOR GRANTED THESE MATTERS FOR GRANTED.

IF YOU ASK ANYBODY IT SEEMS THAT WHILE THE FACTS OF THE CASES WERE VERY DIFFERENT, THE GUILT SEEMS TO BE PLAIN AS DAY.

WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WE CANNOT REST ON OUR LAURELS.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE SYSTEM TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

AND BE REMINDED THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE WORK AND THE ATTENTION BY ACTIVIST, BY ADVOCATES AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

AND YES, ATTORNEYS ALIKE.

>> HAS THIS HIGH-PROFILE CASE AND THE NATURE OF THE TRIAL RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE THE LINE IS DRAWN BETWEEN VIGILANCE AND MURDER?

>> FOR ME THERE REALLY ISN'T A QUESTION ABOUT WHERE THE LINE IS DRAWN.

I THINK THE QUESTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT WHO THE LAW APPLIES TO AND WHO IT DOESN'T.

AMERICA HAS A LONG HISTORY OF WHITE VIGILANCE NIHILISM.

THAT IS NOTHING NEW.

THAT IS AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE.

WHAT WE SEE MORE AND MORE IS THAT THIS JUSTICE SYSTEM WE WERE TOLD IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD, WE ARE NOW SEEING MORE AND MORE IT IS NOT.

THAT WE HAVE BEEN SOLD A BILL OF GOODS.

AND THAT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE.

BUT FOR TODAY WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO REJOICE THAT THE AHMAUD ARBERY FAMILY IS ABLE TO AT LEAST AT THE VERY LEAST CLAIM SOME SORT OF JUSTICE IN THIS MOMENT.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE THE VERDICT COULD SPARK CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL JUSTICE IN JERSEY?

>> I BELIEVE THE CHANGE WILL COME AS IT HAS ALWAYS COME FROM THE PEOPLE.

IT IS NOT GOING TO COME FROM ANYONE VERDICT WE KNOW FOR EVERY CASE SUCH AS THIS ONE, FOR EVERY VERDICT LIKE THIS ONE THERE ARE 10 OR 12 OR 20 THAT GO INTO THE FAVOR OF A KIA RITTENHOUSE.

I DON'T BELIEVE ANY ONE VERDICT IS GOING TO BE THE CHANGE.

I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE DEMANDING MORE FROM THE SYSTEM AND FIGHTING TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM THAT IS GOING TO BE WHAT ULTIMATELY CHANGES THINGS.

>> YOU ALSO TOUCHED ON THIS.

WHILE THIS IS A VICTORY THERE IS STILL A LONG ROAD AHEAD.

SO FOR THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING WHO FEEL INSPIRED, BUT ARE STILL SOMEWHAT HOPELESS, -- >> I WOULD SAY KEEP FIGHTING.

NOTHING IS FOR CERTAIN.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE AFTER LAST WEEK WITH KYLE RITTENHOUSE WHO WOULD HAVE SAID THIS GUY IS GOING TO GET OFF.

AND YET HERE WE ARE.>> AND KEEPER JOINING US AND SPEAKING TO US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> YEARS OF UNDERFUNDING LEFT NEW JERSEY WITH ONE OF THE NATION'S WORST FUNDED PUBLIC WORKER RETIREMENT SYSTEMS.

THAT IS STARTING TO CHANGE AS A RESULT OF RECENT EFFORTS TO RAMP UP CONTRIBUTIONS INTO THE STATE PENSION FUND.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER GIVES US A LOOK AT HOW THE STATES PENSION FUND ONE FROM $74 BILLION AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC TURNOUT NEAR $100 BILLION.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US JOHN.

IS THIS AN ISSUE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO JUST RETIREES?

>> CERTAINLY IF YOU ARE A GOVERNMENT WORKER OR RETIRED GOVERNMENT WORKER IT IS A BIG DEAL.

THE PENSION SYSTEM AND THE HEALTH OF IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

REALLY THIS IS SOMETHING THE AVERAGE NEW JERSEY RESIDENT OR ANY TAXPAYER SHOULD BE PAYING ATTENTION TO.

THE REASON IS THE STATE FOR A LONG TIME DID NOT PAY ITS PENSION BILLS AND BUILT UP A HUGE PENSION DEBT.

A LOT OF MONEY IS NEEDED NOW TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM.

$7 BILLION IN THE CURRENT BUDGET IS GOING TO THE PENSION PAYMENT.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT THAT WAY IS A LOT OF OUR TAX DOLLARS GOING TO THE SINGLE PURPOSE.

IT IS MONEY THAT IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION COULD BE FUNDING OTHER PRIORITIES.

SO EDUCATION OR EVEN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

UNTIL WE GET THE PENSION ISSUE SETTLED IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED A LOT OF MONEY.

>> HOW EXACTLY DID WE GET HERE AND HOW FAR HAVE WE COME IN THE LAST YEAR?

>> REALLY GOING BACK TO THE DOWNTURN THAT WAS TRIGGERED LAST YEAR AT THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, WE SAW PENSION FUND VALUE DROP DOWN CLOSE TO THAT $70 BILLION NUMBER.

AND REALLY OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO IT HAS BEEN TWO BIG FACTORS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE STATE NOT MAKING PENSION PAYMENTS.

IT IS NOW MAKING ROBUST PENSION PAYMENTS.

SOME OF IT IS JUST GETTING MORE MONEY INTO THE PENSION FUND ITSELF.

IT IS ALSO COINCIDED WITH THIS BIG RUN ON WALL STREET THAT WE SEE.

REALLY FOR OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

IT IS GOOD TIMING THE STATE IS GETTING MORE MONEY INTO THE PENSION FUND.

AT THE SAME TIME WHEN THE FUNDS INVESTED IN THINGS LIKE STOCKS AND BONDS AND REAL ESTATE.

AT THE SAME TIME THOSE INVESTMENTS ARE REALLY STARTING TO GENERATE A LOT OF INCOME.

>> JOHN WE KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A TROUBLE SPOT FOR THE STATE.

DOES THIS MEAN THAT THE PROBLEMS ARE OVER?

>> NOT BY A LONG SHOT.

IT IS NICE FOR THE PENSION FUND TO SEE SOME GOOD NUMBERS.

OF LATE.

IT IS A DEEP HOLE THAT THOSE YEARS AND YEARS OF THE STATE NOT PAYING ITS BILLS CREATED.

AND SO IT IS GOING TO TAKE MANY YEARS EVEN DECADES OF MAKING BIG PENSION PAYMENTS AND HOPING FOR BIG INVESTMENT RETURNS UNTIL THE ISSUE IS REALLY RESOLVED.

I THINK THERE ARE TWO BIG QUESTIONS A LOOMING.

ONE IS HOW DOES THE STATE KEEP MAKING BIG PAYMENTS BEYOND JUST THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR?

RIGHT NOW THE GOAL HAS BEEN WRITTEN DOWN ON PAPER BUT THERE IS NO PLAN TO CARRY IT FORWARD.

AND THEN WAS WHAT DOES THE STATE DO ONCE IT IS NICE GETTING THIS NICE -- FROM WASHY.

THERE WILL BE A DOWNTURN.

JUST AS THE VALUATIONS LOOK GOOD TODAY THEY WON'T LOOK AS ROSY IN THE FUTURE.

DEFINITELY SOME BIG ISSUES GOING FORWARD AS WELL.

>> YOU TOUCH ON THIS EARLIER.

ONCE WE GET THIS MONEY UNDER CONTROL WHERE CAN WE SPREAD THE WEALTH?

>> IT IS GOING TO BE A WHILE.

IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME.

ONCE THE PENSION DEBT IS PAID OFF AND BACK TO JUST FUNDING THE NORMAL RETIREMENTS.

THERE WILL BE MORE MONEY AVAILABLE FOR OTHER PRIORITIES.

IF YOU ARE COMMUTER MAYBE THAT IS MASS TRANSIT.

EDUCATION.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS.

THAT IS A WAYS OFF.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND SPEAKING TO US.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING BEFORE THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

COVERING ALL OF NEW JERSEY.

WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO DO AND SO MUCH MORE.

LOCAL NEWS STANDS AND ONLINE AT NJ MONTHLY.COM.

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 JA NJ.ORG.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT BUT HEADED OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THAT WORK AND CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH THE LATEST.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

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.

RWG BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN RAIN PROJECT I OR SPIT.

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

>>>