Briana: Tonight on NJ Spotlight News -- Remembering 911.

22 years after the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, New Jerseyans are still seeking justice.

>> But justice dictates that those who aided and abetted the terrorists on that day are brought to an accounting.

Briana: Also, 10 years after the bridge gay scandal, will be abuse of power impact Chris Christie's bid for the presidency?

-- Bridgegate scandal, will be abuse of power impact Chris Christie's bid for the presidency?

Plus, deplorable care at two of the state's veterans homes, lawmakers vowing major changes.

>> They need to clean up house, and we need to get competent medical people in there that know how to run long-term care facilities.

Briana: That overweight.

-- battle brewing.

>> Breweries in other states do not understand what is happening in this industry.

Briana: NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

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♪ From NJ PBS, this is NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi.

Briana: Good evening and thanks for joining us this night.

Monday I am Briana Vannozzi.

We begin with the solemn tributes being made up and down the state as residents look back on the tragedy of the September 11 terrorist attack 22 years ago today, when four planes, hijacked by terrorists, crashing to the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.

Nearly 3000 people were killed in a matter of hours, 740 six from New Jersey alone.

Their names tearfully read aloud by loved ones today.

Their memories honored during moments of silence at annual state ceremonies.

After two decades, many families are still searching for closure.

Those accused of carrying out the deadliest attack on U.S. soil were arraigned in May 2012, but they have yet to have a trial.

As Ted Goldberg reports, it is costing both peace of mind for 9/11 families and justice.

♪ Ted: John a Candela.

>> William John Erwin.

>> We gather here today and everyday to remember the nearly 3000 people who died as a result of these orchestrated attacks on the United States.

Ted: Anyone old enough to remember 9/11 can remember where they were when they learned America was under attack.

>> I was in third grade, I was in school.

We were actually watching a movie and will.

And then all of a sudden, my cousin and grandma picked me up, and I had no idea what was going on.

It was so traumatizing.

Ted: Megan's mother and networked at the World Trade Center it was one of 57 Essex County residents killed that day.

>> It took a few months to get back into it, and I felt like I was never back into it, because people would make fun of me.

That would say "your mom died from 9/11," they would say oh, you are the one has no mom.

Kids were very cruel.

They do know what to say.

The teachers do not know to say, either.

Ted: Megan keeps her mother's memory alive by coming to the 9/11 Memorial Association less than 20 miles from Ground Zero.

>> It is important to keep doing this every year, especially for children, and children who were not here during that time, to know what had happened, how bad it was for our country.

>> We suffered an unsuspecting, vicious attack, and attack by terrorists that struck us at our very core.

They wanted to break us and everything that we represent as we the people.

>> On this day in which we remember and reflect on the tragedy that came upon us, we should acknowledge not only the pain of our losses but also be grateful for the blessings that beautify our lives.

Ted: Speakers marked the 22nd anniversary of the terror attacks by calling for kindness and unity.

>> You don't have to be an elected person, but what we have to be is filled with compassion.

Who are we in our neighborhoods?

Who are we in our community?

We recognize sometimes that the person sitting next to them does not have enough food to put on the table.

For me, that is what 911 stands for, who are we in those spaces of love?

Ted: During that call for kindness and unity, some families of 9/11 victims, in New Jersey and nationwide, are calling for some part of closure, criticizing leaders for taking too long to bring the alleged masterminds to justice.

Five prisoners held in Guantánamo Bay were afraid 11 years ago and offered plea deals that was spared them the penalty -- the difficulty.

Defense lawyers are asking for no solitary confinement and treatment for health issues stemming from alleged CIA torture.

The Biden administration has rejected those conditions.

Senator Robert Medvedev says justice is coming for 9/11 families, even if it takes a long time.

Sen. Menendez: no money in the world will bring back their love ones, but justice dictates that those who aided and abetted the terrorists on that day are brought to an accounting, and I will not stop until it finishes.

Ted: A promise that may fall on deaf ears for people like Megan, still hurting more than two decades later.

In West Orange, I am Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: This week also marks 10 years since the now infamous lane closures at the George Washington Bridge, better known as Bridgegate.

Staff members and appointees of Chris Christie colluded to shut down lanes of traffic in Fort Lee.

It was punishment for longtime Mayor Mark Soccer which, because he refused to endorse Chris Christie's reelection bid.

It prompted an investigation that ultimately derailed many of Christie's ambitions, including his David Cruise reports on how this part of Christie's legacy could affect his second shot happy White House.

Mr. Christie: The biggest mistake I made in public life is I put people into authority who detoured and diverted traffic off the George Washington Bridge.

David: On the campaign trail, Chris Christie usually brings up the gwb scandal on his own, owning it in a buck stops here kind of way, but still tenures later, insisting he had nothing to do with the plan.

That is David well seen and Bill Baroni, there with Christie on the first day of the lane closures in 2014, to punish Fort Lee may, Democrat Mark Sokolich.

>> New Jersey Democrats have been asking questions about who cause those traffic delays on the George Washington Bridge.

David: A joint committee opened a hearing and said the "traffic building," as they claim, was suspect.

Looking into unrelated matters at the Port Authority soon dug in.

Cochaired the committee with then cochaired Loretto Weinberg.

>> That was so over-the-top that we decided there was something more than leads -- meets the eye.

David: then there was the email that set up a frenzy of hearings and ultimately federal indictments of Baroni and Kelly.

Loretto Weinberg remembers the report commissioned by Christie, and paid for by taxpayers, that, a, mostly exonerated him, and B, painted Kelly as a woman scorned.

Loretta: when it ended up insinuating that Kelly was "dissed" by her boyfriend and therefore she closed lanes on the George Washington Bridge, that was the thing that sent me over the line.

David: In the end, Baroni and Kelly were found guilty, based largely on comments from Weinstein.

The jury is still out on whether the scandal will have cost Chris Christie a shot at the presidency.

>> Nobody will talk about Bridgegate, because they say they hate Chris Christie because he does not like trump, it is not believable within the hierarchy of the New Jersey governor's office that there were a group of people freelancing and doing stuff the governor did not know about.

Loretta: I think he helped, it cost him the presidency, because he came with that baggage.

David: As for Mark, has it cost him the presidency, and is a little book part of you say -- part of you say good?

Mark Sokolich: does a little part of me say you deserve it?

Suddenly -- certainly.

David: For the record, Mark Sokolich come up for reelection next year, currently the longest serving mayor in Fort Lee history.

Chris Christie is still polling around 1% in national polls.

I'm David cruz, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: There's a growing chorus of anger tonight after a scathing report from the Justice Department recently revealed the state run veterans homes failed residents during COVID-19 and continue to violate their constitutional rights.

Now top state leaders appear to agree with the federal government that the nursing homes need major overhaul, but it is still unclear how they plan to do it.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan reports.

Regina: It hurts me to read it, because some of the cases, I really knew the people.

Brenda: It took Regina dicsenza three times to read through the graphic report on how they failed residents, closed during the pandemic and afterwards.

Her mom and dad lived at the Menlo Park facility, which locked down in March during Covid's lethal first wave.

Regina: My father, I did not even know he was sick until he was critical.

Brenda: But their systemic inability to implement clinical care policy was slammed, adding "failure to ensure basic staff competency let the virus spread virtually unchecked."

The report found systemic deficits, exposed by the initial Covid outright, continued, despite changes in leadership made by the Murphy administration.

Rep. pascrell: so who is going to change here?

Brenda: Bill Pascrell demanded an investigation.

The DOJ seven much later, Governor Murphy months later.

>> Nobody wants to take responsibility.

I want to see people appear before the justice system on the decisions they make for our veterans.

Jay: now it's time for the Murphy administration to move his Attorney General, to get this investigation done at level criminal charges against those that are culpable, when you look at it, for over 200 homicides, if you want to call it that.

Brenda: J box well is with New Jersey's VFW and has pushed for wholesale changes.

He says the report proves New Jersey lawmakers should move the events homes from the chain of commands and reports -- supports crating an entirely new cabinet level, focused solely on Veterans Affairs.

Jay: it needs to be a cleaning of house, and we need to get competent people in there.

Dave: I think they need to get somebody into those homes ASAP, to ensure that they are better, that medical care is happening.

Brenda: Davis should speak -- dave ofshinsky blew the whistle about Covid that's an incompetent management and was not surprised when he read other execs try to interfere with the DOJ's investigation.

Dave: the staff would interrupt us and follow us, the Fed was trying to do interviews.

They want to review -- preserve the way they were doing things, but they Brenda: Brenda: Were not listening.

The Menlo Park home now has an interim CEO and interim infection control specialists, directing, and other consultants.

Paramus hired nursing consultants.

Also nursing supervisors at 03 vets homes have received 26 hours of infection control training for it all now have resident advocates, and rooms can be converted to single occupancy for better infection control over the next five years.

Regina: I think every improvement that is possible needs to be made.

People deserve quality of life, even at end of life.

Brenda: discenza reached a settlement along with others.

I am Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News Briana: Our coverage on the fallout of the veterans homes continues online.

Check out the reporting by heading to NJSpotlight.org.

Owners of Drew Brees -- breweries in New Jersey say their lives have become political football.

A report lifting restrictions, but Governor Murphy is not on board.

Senior correspondent Joanna Gagis reports he is planning to send the bill back months later for a version that will finally revamp the state's antiquated liquor license law.

Tim: I can't tell you how many , on Saturday night, we had a band, how many people came up to me and said, you made a big change.

I'm getting a little emotional, because we really like it here in town.

You know?

But, At some point, with these regulations, it does not make any sense.

Brenda: Tim Prewitt and his partner Alan povalski are frustrated.

last week, Governor Murphy indicated he would veto a bill that would relax some tight restrictions on breweries here in the state.

Tim: I think with the governor is missing here is really the economic and social community values that we bring into town here.

Brenda: The governor did not sign the instructions on how many guests who could be on site at a time, but said he won't sign this bill that was unanimously passed by boathouse -- both houses of the legislature in June unless it includes an overhaul of the state's liquor licensing policy, but that is drawing criticism from folks who say this bill should move forward on its own.

Eric: It would allow various food options for customers, it would have enhanced the ability to host off-site events, >> I don't has always been in the thigh of -- I know that has always been a Ford in the thigh of breweries.

Something Brenda: A Brenda:, now they are paying the price.

>> Telling us we will have to close in eight to 10 days because someone missed a tour, that means employees are working, that means people are not coming and visiting the local restaurants.

We can't make beer for a week.

Alan: these rules that are set in place by the state of New Jersey are draconian, and I feel that it makes it harder for us to do business.

Joanna: Senator Mike Testa says the governor's decision flies in the face of clear, unanimous support of the legislature to approve the industry.

Sen. Testa: I believe we need reform, and if someone opens a restaurant, they should be able to potentially serve beer and wine, maybe not spirits.

I think there is a long, hard discussion that may need to be had and a reasonable solution.

Holding the breweries re-hostage is not a fair solution nor is it fair to the breweries that are suffering.

Eric: Due to these Brewery restrictions, we ever open again, we will never do so in New Jersey.

Joanna: A group of breweries started selling a special IPA called "sign the bill, Phil.

It would automatically turn the village of Law because is that on the governor's desk for more than 45 days, but they are not expected to return before the election, leaving breweries in limbo.

Eric: breweries cannot operate in this type of environment.

Trying to ask a business to work when the rules keep changing around them, I don't see how that is possible.

Joanna: The owners here had been considering an expansion next door and adding a pavilion in the back, which they think will be a boon to the community, but until then, it is a holding pattern.

I'm Joanna, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: In our spotlight on business report, more options are coming for legal weed customers who prefer to eat or drink their cannabis.

The state is finally easing its restrictions on edible rocks -- products that resembled food.

Rules approved by the cannabis regulatory commission on Friday will allow dispensaries to start telling Weed brownies or chocolates and THC beverages.

New Jersey is one of the few in the country that prohibited those products.

Medical manufacturers could only sell in pills, syrups, chewables, and capsules.

Meanwhile, two of the state's largest operators were hit with fines from the commission.

One was issued a $100,000 fine and Columbia care got hit with $50,000 for failing to follow rules on serving medical patients and collective bargaining in good faith with labor unions.

More than a year after trustees at New Jersey city University declared that the school was in a financial crisis of the state has tapped a so-called turnaround expert to dig the University out of the mess.

Henry Amoroso has been tapped as a state monitor for Njcu.

His consulting firm specializes in restructuring budgets for governments, private companies, and nonprofits.

Omarosa will have overseen budgeting and staffing of the school.

The mismanagement ledge what investigation by the state comptroller, which revealed significant underlying issues, including efforts to cover it up.

I recently asked Henry Amoroso about how he plans to write in the ship.

-- righten the ship.

Henry Amoroso, welcome to the show.

It is a pleasure to talk to you.

Let me ask you off the back, what is your first order of business as the turnaround expert here?

Dr. Amoroso: My immediate logos -- focus is very much working with targets, decisions need to be made in the next several weeks, working at the board, with board leadership, working with the trafficking leadership, with union leadership, and all of the state governments.

Briana: The school did look to expand its footprint with some very pricey along the waterfront in Jersey City.

What can you tell us about whether or not you believe the school will be able to move forward with that, and I'm curious about how concerned you are about the fiscal practices that were happening there.

There were credit cards being used by staff and faculty, paying for items that certainly did not fall within the purview of educational items.

How concerned are you that these practices are still happening now, even as you have come on board?

Dr. Amoroso: I am much more comfortable today.

As I began to review what was put in by interim leadership, a state oversight, following a very excellent report from the state comptroller.

I intend to see the remaining portions of those recommendations, to the extent that any still not yet implemented, we will be sure they are implemented.

It is a little too early for me to fully analyze the real estate transactions, and I know certainly what I have read in the comptroller's report, I don't I've read the staff reports from the University as well as the excellent average -- coverage that have been provided by this news outlet.

I have an opportunity to go over all of that, so I'm in the process of analyzing all of that and see what can be done on a going forward basis to improve those situations, to ensure the sustainability, a very important mission.

Briana: By my count, is -- you sit currently on half a dozen boards, you are an associate professor at Seton Hall, you are a practicing attorney.

You obviously have this strategic firm, where you are an advisor to other government if entity and nonprofits, inside and outside of New Jersey.

how can we be sure you can get the job the dedication it needs?

Dr. amoroso: in my consultation with the governor's office and the secretary, I assured them that this would be a priority.

I have reduced my responsibility at Seton Hall -- and I am grateful to Seton Hall for their cooperation.

I have reduced myself to part-time.

The boards that I am on, I have taken leave from some already.

I don't have an active practice, I am more of counsel, and I provide strategic guidance, and I reduced consulting work for other municipalities, so I've cleared my calendar, to this job, My full commitment.

Briana: Henry Amoroso, a pleasure to speak with you.

We wish you luck in the task ahead, and we look forward to catching up with you as the work gets underway.

Thanks again.

Dr. Amoroso: thanks so much.

Briana: This will be a big week for Wall Street, as it awaits new inflation data.

Here is how the markets closed today.

♪ >> Support for the business report provided by the chamber of Commerce of southern New Jersey, looking for economic prosperity for 150 years.

Membership and event information online at chamber.snj.com.

♪ Briana: That is going to do it for us tonight, but do not forget to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast, so you can listen anytime, anywhere.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire NJ Spotlight News team, thank you for joining us.

Have a great night.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

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