>>> FUNDING FOR MJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE JERSEY ASSOCIATION MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

[MUSIC] >>> FROM NJPBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

THE DAY ENDED ON A HIGH FOR SEVERAL BUSINESSES LOOKING TO LAUNCH IN NEW JERSEY, DOZENS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO START GROWING WEED MARKING A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR THE INDUSTRY.

NOT GOOD NEWS FOR ALL.

A HANDFUL OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES WERE NOT APPROVED TO SELL RECREATIONAL POT SAYING THEY HAVE NOT SATISFIED ALL OF THE CONDITIONS TO SELL ADULT-USE CANNABIS, IT LEFT PEOPLE WONDERING WHEN SALES WILL START IN THE STATE 16 MONTHS AFTER NEW JERSEY VOTERS APPROVED LEGALIZING WEED.

WE SPOKE TO SOME OF THE WINNERS AND LOSERS OF TODAY.

>> INSTEAD OF AWARDING SEVERAL WIDELY-ANTICIPATED LICENSES FOR RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SALES NEW JERSEY REGULATORS KICKED THE CANNABIS LICENSE ISSUE DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN TODAY VOTING TO TABLE A MOTION THAT WOULD OF EXPANDED ADULT USE LICENSES TO EIGHT MAJOR ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTERS OR ATC'S THAT OFFER MEDICAL MARIJUANA ALREADY.

BUT THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION BALKED.

>> WE CAN NOT CONTINUE TO TREAT IT AS BUSINESS AS USUAL.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE CREATING COMMUNITY EQUITY BY OFFERING JOBS TO PEOPLE VICTIMIZED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS BUT MOSTLY PRESERVING SAFETY FOR USERS.

>> INCLUDING PATIENT ACCESS LINES, TELEPHONE LINES FOR PATIENT THAT CALL IF THEY HAVE TROUBLE ACCESSING THE DISPENSARIES AS WELL.

>> THE COMMISSION RELEASED A LIST OF GUIDELINES AND OFFERED TO HELP THE ATCs MEET THEIR EXPECTATIONS.

>> I AM ENCOURAGED THAT THE STAFF ARE READY TO DO A LITTLE EXTRA HAND HOLDING WHERE IT IS NEEDED.

I WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING UPDATES FROM THE INDUSTRY AND STAFF SO THAT THE CSU CAN QUICKLY LAUNCH THE ADULT USE MARKETPLACE.

>> THERE IS AN EXPECTATION NOW THAT ADULT USE SALES WOULD OF BEGUN ALREADY.

I THINK WE ARE NOW MOVING TO A PLACE WHERE WE ARE BEHIND.

>>> INDUSTRY REP BILL CARUSSO EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THEY DEBUTED THE SALE AGAIN AND URGED THE AGENCY TO HELP ATC'S MEET THE NEW SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.

>> THERE IS PENALTY UP DEMAND FROM THE CONSUMER BASE TO BEGIN ADULT USE SALES.

A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON RACIAL AND JUSTICE INITIATIVES AND IT HAS NOT STARTED YET, AGAIN, TODAY, ANOTHER COMMISSION MEETING AND NO RESULT.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER, THE COMMISSION DID APPROVE THE FIRST GROUP OF 68 CONDITIONAL LICENSES FOR START UPS IN CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURING WITH PRIORITY TO MINORITY, WOMEN OWNED AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED APPLICANTS THAT WILL NOT BE READY TO SELL FOR MONTHS.

THIS PERSON APPLIED AS A MINORITY WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS IN AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ZONE AND TODAY SHE IS CELEBRATING.

>> IT IS A MATTER.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD ME AND MY WHOLE ENTIRE TEAM TO ACQUIRE THIS LICENSE.

>> Reporter: HER CONDITIONAL MICRO-BUSINESS LICENSE LETS HER CULTIVATE CANNABIS IN JERSEY CITY FOR HIGH QUALITY NICHE MARKET.

ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS HER DREAM.

SHE ESTABLISHED A BRAND AS THE OWNER A BOUTIQUE.

SHE WILL KEEP THE NAME FOR HER NEW CANNABIS BUSINESS.

>> THE BRAND IS STRONG SO WE ARE GOING TO STICK WITH EDUCATION, DESTIGMATIZING CANNABIS JUST CRAFT HIGH-QUALITY, LOVE AND CARE AND TAKING CARE OF OUR PLANTS, OUR BUSINESS IS ROOTED IN DIVERSITY, COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION.

AND OUR CANNABIS BUSINESS WILL BE AS WELL.

>> Reporter: NOW, THE CLOCK STARTS TICKING, SHE NEEDS TO RAISE CAPITAL, FIND 25 SQUARE FEET AND VERTICAL FARM TO GROW WEED IN JERSEY CITY WHERE SPACE IS LIMITED AND EXPENSIVE AND WORK WITH CITY ZONING AND FIND A DISTRIBUTOR AND MARGINS WILL BE RAZOR THIN.

>> THE PROFIT IS A BIT SMALLER, WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH OUR NUMBERS IN ORDER FOR THIS BUSINESS TO BE PROFITABLE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE IN CANNABIS YOU WILL BE A MILLIONAIRE.

NO, THE REALITY OF IT IS THAT 37% OF CANNABIS BUSINESSES ARE ACTUALLY NOT PROFITABLE.

>> MICRO-BY THE DESIGN IS SMALL.

IT IS ALLOWING PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE FULL CAPITAL OR EXPERIENCE TO JUMP INTO THE MARKET WITHOUT LOSING THEIR SHIRT, IF YOU WILL, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY EXPAND THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF THIS.

>> Reporter: AS FOR THE ADULT EXPANSION THEY HOPE TO VOTE ON THOSE IN APRIL.

I'M BRENDA FLANIGAN, BACK TO YOU.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN IS PLEDGING 100,000 REFUGEES FROM UKRAINIAN AND AID TO SUPPORT OTHER COUNTRIES TO SUPPORT THOSE FLEEING.

HIS ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AS THEY CONVENE INSIDE BRUSSELS TO COORDINATE A RESPONSE TO RUSSIA'S WAR.

>> PUTIN WAS BANKING ON NATO BEING SPLIT.

IT WAS CLEAR TO ME HE DID NOT THINK WE WOULD SUSTAIN THIS.

NATO HAS NEVER, NEVER BEEN MORE UNITED THAN IT IS TODAY.

>> NATO WILL INCREASE BATTLE GROUPS AND POSITION ALONG EUROPEAN BORDERS SAYING IT IS PREPARED TO DEFEND EVERY INCH OF NATO TERRITORY AND PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID THE U.S. AND NATO WILL RESPOND, QUOTE, IN KIND, IF PUTIN WERE TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPON, AND ZELENSKYY CONTINUES TO ASK FOR WEAPON FOR UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN PLANS TO VISIT REFUGEES WHEN THEY HEAD TO POLAND TOMORROW.

>>> TODAY IS THE FOURTH AND FINAL DAY OF SENATE HEARINGS FOR JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON.

IT ENDED LAST NIGHT BUT NOT BEFORE CORY BOOKER SHOWED SUPPORT FOR THE NOMINEE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR HIM TO SEE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN NOMINATED TO THE COURT.

>> THIS IS WHY I GET EMOTIONAL.

I AM SORRY, YOU ARE A PERSON THAT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN YOUR RACE AND GENDER.

YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, YOU ARE A MOM, YOU ARE AN INTELECT BUT FOR ME, SORRY IT IS HARD FOR ME NOT TO LOOK AT YOU AND SEE MY MOM, I SEE MY ANCESTORS AND YOURS, NOBODY IS GOING TO STEAL THE JOY FROM THAT WOMAN IN THE STREET OR THE CALLS I AM GETTING OR TEXT.

NO ONE IS GOING TO STEAL THAT JOY.

>> TODAY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY FROM WITNESSES IN SUPPORT AND OPPOSED TO HER NOMINATION INCLUDING THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, THEY WILL HOLD THE VOTE ON MONDAY APRIL 4th TO DECIDE IF SHE WILL FILL THE SEAT OF RETIRING JUSTICE BREYER.

>>> BRIBERY IS ILLEGAL HERE IN NEW JERSEY UNLESS YOU ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

THAT LOOPHOLE IN NEW JERSEY LAW LED STATE LEGISLATURES TO MOVE FORWARD TO A BILL THAT HOLD CANDIDATES, RUNNING FOR OFFICE, TO THE SAME ETHIC STANDARDS TO THOSE ELECTED TO OFFICE.

IT IS NOT THE FIRST GO FOR THE BILL.

IT STALLED FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS.

BUT AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS, THEY DECIDED BRIBING CANDIDATES IS ACTUALLY A BAD THING.

>> RIGHT NOW IF I BRIBE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, SAY, HEY, HERE IS A POT OF MONEY COULD I GET THIS REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT?

IF YOU SAID THAT TO AN ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT IS A BRIBE.

IF I SAY IT TO A CANDIDATE RUNNING, NOT A BRIBE.

>> YES, YOU HEARD CORRECTLY.

NOT ILLEGAL IN NEW JERSEY TO ACCEPT A BRIBE IF YOU ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE ONLY ONCE YOU ARE IN OFFICE.

>> LIKE ANYBODY ELSE WHO HEARS ABOUT IT, THAT IS LEGAL?

REALLY?

AND, SO, IT IS ONE OF THOSE THAT YOU DEAL WITH AND YOU CHECK THE BOX AND FIX IT SO THE PUBLIC DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT WE STAND FOR BECAUSE WE DON'T.

16 STATES HAVE IT ILLEGAL, WHAT IS SHOCKING TO ME, 33, 34, BASED ON WHERE WE GO, IT IS ACTUALLY STILL LEGAL.

>> THAT IS WHY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AND REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLYMAN ARE PUSHING TO CLOSE A LOOPHOLE THAT MADE IT LEGAL FOR CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

>> THE FEDERAL JUDGE THAT DISMISSED THE CHARGES MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE THOUGHT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD FIX THIS LOOPHOLE.

THAT IS WHEN I SAW THE DECISION AND WHAT HE WROTE, I SAID, WELL, LET'S SEE IF I CAN TRY TO FIX IT.

SO, HERE WE ARE 10 YEARS LATER.

>> Reporter: HE HAS INTRODUCED THE BILL SINCE 2012 BUT HAS NOT MOVED UNTIL NOW.

IT COMES AS PROSECUTORS SEEK TO REINSTATE BRIBERY CHARGES AGAINST A FORMER ASSEMBLY PLAN WHO WAS RUNNING FOR THE MAYOR WHEN HE ACCEPTED A BRIBE.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE APPEALED THE DECISION TO HAVE THE INDICTMENT DISMISSED UNDER THIS LOOPHOLE AND THE DIVISION HEARD THE CASE ON MONDAY.

I UNDERSTAND IT WAS ORAL ARGUMENT ON THE CASE AND THAT THE COURT, SOME OF THE JUDGES WERE QUESTIONING THE DEFENSE COUNCIL AS TO THE INTERPRETATION OF THE STATUE THAT THE TRIAL JUDGE HAD AND IF IT SHOULD BE DISMISSED OR NOT.

>> AND COMES A DECADE AFTER A MAN WAS ACCUSED OF TAKING A BRIBE DURING THE 2009 CAMPAIGN FOR JERSEY CITY MAYOR.

IT WAS DISMISSED THANKS TO THE SAME LOOPHOLE.

>> WHEN THE FOLKS WERE WRITING THE BRIBERY LAWS IT DID NOT COME WITHIN THE DEFINITION AND THE COURTS IN NEW JERSEY RULES NARROWLY ON THIS ISSUE.

THE PERSON WAS A CANDIDATE.

THEY CAN NOT SELL THEIR OFFICE IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE OFFICE TO SELL.

NOW, MOST COMMON SENSE PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND SAY THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

THAT IS JUST A BIG LOOPHOLE, COME ON.

>> Reporter: THE PROFESSOR, DIRECTOR OF CITIZENSHIP AT ROWAN UNIVERSITY CALLS THE BILL A COMMON SENSE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HELP NOT HARM NEW JERSEY POLITICS.

>> WHEN I GET ELECTED, I THINK THE AVERAGE NEW JERSEYIAN DOES NOT DECIDE IF THEY ARE IN THAT OFFICE OR GOING TO NUMBER THAT OFFICE.

IT WILL BE A NICE THING.

OUR REPUTATION IS AS A STATE AND IN TERMS OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION IS NOT GREAT AND THAT IS UNFORTUNATE.

IT IS, IT DOES NOT MEAN OTHER STATES ARE NOT WORSE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL AND MANY WHO ARE.

BUT, LET ME SAY IF WE HAVE A CHANCE TO CLEANUP THE SYSTEM A LITTLE WITH THIS LAW IT IS A GOOD THING.

>> Reporter: THE ASSEMBLY PASSED AND HOPEFUL IT WILL MAKE IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> THE SENATE HAS TO PASS IT, WHEN IT IS DONE I WILL LOOK BACK AND SAY I SAW A WRONG AND I HELPED FIX IT.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> ANOTHER MAN PLED GUILTY TO TAKING PART IN A MURDER-FOR-HIRE THAT ROCKED POLITICS.

ADMITTING IN FEDERAL COURT THIS MORNING TO PARTICIPATING IN THE KILLING OF POLITICAL OPERATIVE.

HE WAS HIRED ONE OF TWO.

HE NOW FACES LIFE IN PRISON.

THE OTHER PLED GUILTY TO PAYING FOR THE MURDER BUT OUT OF JAIL ON A $1 MILLION BOND.

THE OTHER HITMAN PLED GUILTY.

NO MOTIVE FOR THE CRIME WAS RELEASED.

>>> 20 YEARS AGO NEW JERSEY CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM WAS IN DISREPAIR.

THE PROBLEM CAME INTO FOCUS WHEN TWO CASES WERE REPORTED OF CHILDREN STARVED AND ABUSED IN THEIR HOMES WITH NO OVERSIGHT FROM THEIR CASEWORKERS.

IT PROVED DEADLY FOR SOME OF THE KIDS.

AFTER A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED IN 1999 A FEDERAL MONITOR WAS PUT IN PLACE TO OVERSEE WHAT IS NOW CALLED THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

FAST FORWARD TWO DECADES AND THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED HIGH PRAISE FOR ITS IMPROVEMENTS EVEN BEING TAUTED AS A NATIONAL MODEL.

I AM JOINED NOW TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAS CHANGED.

COMMISSIONER, WHEN THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT CASEWORKERS WERE COMPLETELY OVER BURDENED AND THERE WERE 1400 CASEWORKERS OVERSEAS 47,000 CASES.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY OPERATION ALLEY HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM.

>> WELL, I THINK, INITIALLY THE FACT THAT WE BECAME A CABINET LEVEL DEPARTMENT IN 2006.

WE CAN FOCUS OUR ENERGY AND EFFORTS ON BEST SERVING FAMILIES IN OUR STATE AND OUR ROLE AS PROTECTING CHILDREN.

AND THEN OTHER CHANGES THAT WERE MADE OR THAT WERE FOCUSED ON WERE AROUND INCREASING OUR WORKFORCE.

AND TRAINING OUR WORKFORCE MORE EFFECTIVELY AND SPECIFICALLY FOR THE WORK THAT THEY WERE DOING.

WE LOOKED AT REALLY BUILDING CAPACITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN THE NEW DEPARTMENT.

TO BE ABLE TO BETTER SUPPORT RESOURCE PARENTS, FOSTER PARENTS, AND BETTER PROVIDE SERVICES TO FAMILIES WHILE CHILDREN ARE IN THEIR OWN HOME.

WE DID A LOT AROUND PREVENTION AND INCREASING THE SERVICES OFFERED TO FAMILIES TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE.

>> CAN YOU JUST DETAIL SOME OF THE TRAINING.

WHAT TRAINING WENT INTO PLACE FOR CASEWORKERS AND FOSTER PARENTS.

>> SO, FOR CASEWORKERS IN PARTICULAR.

WHEN SOMEONE IS HIRED AS A CASEWORKER THEY ARE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH A VERY EXTENSIVE TRAINING AND THEN SPECIFICALLY FOR RESOURCE FAMILIES WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH PROVIDER AGENCIES THAT SEEK TO SUPPORT RESOURCE PARENTS AND SOME OF THE TRAINING THAT THEY RECEIVE BEYOND THE INITIAL WHAT WE CALL PRIDE TRAINING.

SOME OF THE CHILDREN THAT HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR PARENTS AND NOW IN FOSTER CARE THEY HAVE A LOT OF NEEDS AND SO THE FOSTER PARENTS ARE BETTER EQUIPPED AND ABLE TO WORK WITH THOSE CHILDREN AND KNOW THAT THEIR WILL BE REQUIREMENTS THAT THE FOSTER PARENTS WILL BE HAVING TO ENGAGE WITH OUR STAFF ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS.

AND THEN THERE IS A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT IN EDUCATION THAT RESOURCE PARENTS ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE.

AND HAVING TO MANAGE THE DIFFICULT BEHAVIORS, A LOT OF TRAINING AROUND VARIOUS AGES, DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF CHILDREN.

THE FOSTER PARENTS ARE ALSO ABLE TO REALLY SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFY TRAINING OR SUPPORTS THAT THEY THINK THAT THEY NEED.

>> RIGHT.

>> FOR MAYBE BEHAVIORS HAPPENING IN THEIR FAMILY.

>> WITH JUST A FEW SECONDS LEFT, THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED REALLY A GLOWING REPORT.

IT HIT ABOUT 44 OF 48 BENCHMARKS THAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO REMOVE OR AT LEAST A RECOMMENDATION NOW TO REMOVE THE FEDERAL MONITOR.

SOME ADVOCATES ARE WORRIED IF THE FEDERAL PRESSURE AND OVERSIGHT COMES OFF SOME OF THESE KIDS MIGHT END UP SLIPPING BACK THROUGH THE CRACKS, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY CONCERN ABOUT THAT.

THIS DEPARTMENT IS FAR DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS 18 YEARS AGO WHEN THE LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED.

YOU KNOW, AGAIN, SINCE BECOMING A CABINET LEVEL DEPARTMENT THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY CHANGES ON THE FOCUS.

AND THE OTHER THING THE ONLY DIFFERENCE OF WHAT WE DO TODAY VS NO FEDERAL MONITOR, IS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE DATA, OUTCOMES, ALL OF WHAT WE ARE PROVIDING TODAY TO THE PUBLIC WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS WE WILL NOT BE IN COURT TWICE A YEAR.

>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> BE SURE TO CHECK OUT REPORTER'S ROUND TABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ TOMORROW.

DAVID TALKS WITH SENATE MINORITY LEADER ABOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY'S GOP AND IF THE PARTY IS ON TRACK WITH ITS AGENDA.

>>> PLUS, A PANEL OF LOCAL JOURNALISTS TO DISCUS ALL OF THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK.

THAT IS FRIDAY AT 10:30 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHATEVER YOU STREAM.

>>> A MASSIVE PILE OF DIRT, CONSTRUCTION WASTE AND DEBRIS IN THE HEART OF CAMDEN IS CONTAMINATING THE AIR FOR NEARBY RESIDENTS.

THE STATE FILED A REQUEST TO GET IT CLEANED UP BUT LITTLE HAS CHANGED.

WHAT IS WORSE, THERE IS ONE SITE OF MANY.

WE SPOKE TO NEIGHBORS AND ACTIVISTS WHO ARE DEMANDING THAT SOMETHING CHANGE.

>> Reporter: CARLTON AND HIS FAMILY OWNED THIS HOME SINCE THE '40s.

>> SEE HOW IT DESTROYED THIS FENCE HERE?

IT WENT ALL OF THE WAY AROUND.

>> Reporter: THE PROPERTY OWNERS NEXT DOOR ALLOWED FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING.

>> WHEN THE NEW GUYS TOOK OVER THEY KNOCKED DOWN ALL OF THE TREES, THEY TRIED TO DEVALUE THE PROPERTY.

>> Reporter: THE LOTS ARE OWNED BY A REALTY HOLDINGS THAT BOUGHT THEM IN 2019, NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SUING BOTH COMPANIES FOR ALLEGEDLY ALLOWING DUMPING WITHOUT A PERMIT AND NOT CLEANING UP THEIR MESS.

>> ON HOT DAYS AND IT IS WINDY THIS DUST TRAVELS ALL OVER THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN.

SO, THE DAMAGE IS EXTENSIVE AND THE HARM THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

BUT YOU SEE WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO MY FAMILY.

>> THE STATE COULD COME IN AND REMEDIATE THE SITE AND RECOVER DAMAGES LATER AS THEY DEAL WITH THE LAWSUIT.

SO, OUR POINT TODAY IS THAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT EFFECTS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMAN, THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE ARE ALREADY LOWER MOBIDITY.

>> THE CITY STOPPED THEM FROM DUMPING HE IS FRUSTRATED HE CAN NOT SEE HIS OWN PROPERTY LINE AND DEBRIS CONTINUES TO FALL IN HIS BACKYARD.

>> I LEFT MY PHONE NUMBER, MY NAME, NOBODY CAME TO SEE ME.

AS A RESULT THE DUMPING CONTINUES UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT YOU GOT HERE NOW.

RIGHT?

ONLY AFTER I GOT INTO CONTACT WITH MY COUNCILPERSON, A YEAR LATER, THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET SOME RESPONSE.

>> WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE SCHOOLCHILDREN WHO HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, COME TO SCHOOL AND PASS THIS.

AS YOU KNOW IT CAN BE HARMFUL TO THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND NEAR THE PEOPLE LIVING HERE FOR YEARS AS THEY WERE STANDING HERE THEY WERE COMPLAINING NOBODY IS DOING SOMETHING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE AND WE WANT TO TAKE ACTION.

>> CITY OFFICIALS SAY CAMDEN SPENDS $5 MILLION A YEAR TO CLEANUP ILLEGAL DUMPING.

HE AND OTHERS HERE CALL IT ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM.

>> THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT CAME DOWN FROM THE STATE WHEN I OVER HEARD ONE OF THE GUYS SAY THIS NEVER WOULD OF HAPPENED IN A WHITE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> CAMDEN HAS THE MOST CONTAMINATED SITES IN ANY TOWN IN SOUTH JERSEY.

MULTIPLE FACILITIES THAT POLLUTE THE AIR, WATER AND SOIL.

IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN IN ANY OTHER TOWN THAN IN A POOR TOWN WHERE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE ARE.

>> Reporter: HE OWNS YAPA AND SOUNDS THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THIS LOT.

HE TELLS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PRIOR TO THE SALE HERE HE REMOVED THE CONTAMINATED WASTE HE WAS FINED FOR.

AFTER THAT, IT WAS THE NEW OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THE PROPERTY FREE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL AND HAZARDOUS WASTE.

>> THE REPRESENTATIVES COULD NOT BE REACHED FOR COMMENT.

THE NEXT DAY IN COURT FOR THIS CASE IS APRIL 1st.

THAT IS WHEN THE JUDGE WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO ADD ADDITIONAL POLLUTERS TO THE CASE AND DEFENDANTS.

>>> JOBS FRONT, NUMBERS ARE OUT AT ALMOST PREPANDEMIC LEVELS.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS AND ALL OF THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES OF THE DAY.

WHAT DOES THE REPORT SLOW?

>> NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY CONTINUES TO ADD JOBS AND THE STATE SAYS 90% OF ALL OF THE JOBS LOST, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, HAVE BEEN RECOVERED.

JOB GROWTH CONTINUES FOR THE 15TH STRAIGHT MONTH IN FEBRUARY AND THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED TO 4.6%.

EMPLOYERS ADDED ABOUT 26,000 NEW JOBS LAST MONTH WITH MOST OF THE GAINS COMING FROM THE TRADE, TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITY SECTOR.

>>> A UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AT RISK OF SHUTTING DOWN RECEIVED A FINANCIAL LIFELINE.

BLOOM FIELD COLLEGE WILL RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM MONTCLAIRE UNIVERSITY AND IT WILL BE ABLE TO REMAIN OPEN THROUGH THE 2022-2023 ACADEMIC YEAR.

IN THE MEANTIME THE TWO HIGHER ED INSTITUTIONS WILL WORK TOWARDS ESTABLISHING A PERMANENT RELATIONSHIP.

>>> THE ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE WRAPPED UP TWO DAYS OF HEARINGS ON PHIL MURPHY'S PROPOSED BUDGET AND NEXT WEEK THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE WILL BEGIN ITS WORK.

EVERYONE WITH RECORD STATE SPENDING ADVOCATES SAY THE NEEDS ARE GREAT.

>> IF IS IS SERVICES FOR SENIORS OF THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED THERE ARE LAWMAKERS SAYING WE CAN USE MORE FUNDING IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS.

>> FOR MORE, CHECK OUT JOHN'S STORY ON NJ SPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> THE LAST TWO POWER PLANTS WILL CEASE OPERATIONS, REACHING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE OPERATOR OF THE SOUTH JERSEY PLANTS TO STOP BURNING COAL AS THE UTILITY MOVES TOWARDS PROVIDING CLEAN ENERGY.

ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC SAYS THE MOVE WILL SAVE ITS CUSTOMERS $30 MILLION THROUGH THE END OF 2024.

>>> FINALLY, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY A MONTH THE RUSSIAN STOCK MARKET REOPENED FOR A LIMITED TRADING, EVEN WITH EXTENSIVE SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA, THE STOCKS OF SOME COMPANIES RALLIED TODAY.

NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE U.S. STOCK MARKET FAIRED.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME-CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE ARE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATHWAY IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE FROM NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER.

>>> MAKE SURE YOU JOIN RHONDA FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT, THIS WEEKEND SHE TAKES A LOOK AT THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE ARTS IN NEW JERSEY.

FROM PERFORMING ARTS TO LOCAL ARTISTS MAKING MONEY THROUGH THE NFT MARKETPLACE.

CHECK IT OUT SATURDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL [MUSIC] >>> A HUGE SEND OFF LATE YESTERDAY FOR NEW JERSEY'S PROUD PEACOCKS.

FANS GATHER INSIDE JERSEY CITY TO CHEER ON SAINT PETER'S UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AS THEY HEADED OFF TO PHILLY TO TAKE ON PERDUE IN THE SWEET 16 TOMORROW NIGHT HOPING THEIR HISTORIC RUN CONTINUES.

FANS AND STUDENTS AT THE SMALL SCHOOL ARE THRILLED TO BE THE ULTIMATE UNDERDOGS IN THIS YEAR'S BIG DANCE.

>> MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TWEETING ABOUT IT, WATCHING IT, ALL OF THAT.

THE EXPOSURE IS CRAZY.

EVEN AFTER THIS YEAR WHATEVER GOES ON, LIKE, AT A MINIMUM THERE WILL BE FIVE MILLION PEOPLE, 10 MILLION PEOPLE WATCHING THAT NEVER HEARD OF SAINT PETERS THAT KNOW IT NOW.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BEFORE WE GO WE WANT TO REMIND YOU ABOUT OUR NEW DIGITAL DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES CALLED "21" NAMED AFTER THE 21 COUNTIES OF NEW JERSEY.

THE SERIES WILL TELL THE STORY OF ONE PERSON, LIKE COOKIE TILL FROM ATLANTIC COUNTY AND ANSWER THE QUESTION, DOES WHERE YOU LIVE EFFECT HOW YOU LIVE?

THIS DIGITAL SERIES AIMS TO HIGHLIGHT QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES, POINT TO SOLUTIONS AND HELP INITIATE CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

IT ALSO HAS DYNAMIC WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS HEALTH IN THE STATE, CHECK IT OUT.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

[MUSIC] >>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION [MUSIC] .

>>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY EXPLAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.

[MUSIC]