>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC POOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

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

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THERE IS GROWING CONCERN ABOUT A HIKE AND POST HOLIDAY RESPIRATORY VIRUSES.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS ARE WARNING ABOUT THE LIVELIHOOD FOR A SURGE OF ILLNESSES FOLLOWING ALL THE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION AND THE STRAIN IT WILL PUT ON OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS.

PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS SAY WE ARE NOT IN FOR A RUDE NEED OF LAST WINTER, BUT VIRUSES THAT WERE VIRTUALLY NONEXISTENT DURING THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF THE PANDEMIC ARE RAMPANT.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY, THERE HAS BEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN NEW POSITIVE COVID CASES.

JUST OVER 2400 TODAY.

27 MORE DEBTS.

HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN GROUPING UPWARD WITH JUST SHY OF 1500 PATIENTS.

IT'S A LOT TO CONTEND WITH THIS AND AND HAS STATE OFFICIALS PONDERING 2023.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: HEALTH OFFICIALS TRACKING SEVERAL RESPIRATORY VIRUSES INCLUDING COVID, INFLUENZA, RSV C HOSPITALIZATIONS AHEAD AND MANDATORY MASKS RETURNING ONE CLASSES RESUME AND SUMS THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING PATTERSON.

THE SUPERINTENDENT NOTED, I KNOW THIS IS A RELIEF TO SOME AND FRUSTRATION TO OTHERS.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR POSITION IS, ASK FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

CAMDEN SENT HOME A LETTER, AND A KNACK FOR TWO REMAIN VIGILANT.

ALL OFFICES WILL OPERATE UNDER A SHORT MASK MANDATE UPON REOPENING.

>> ASKED HER CALL SOLUTIONS.

THERE IS A LOT OF RESPIRATORY DISEASE CIRCULATING.

IT'S ALWAYS A QUESTION OF RISK VERSUS BENEFIT.

>> SOME DISTRICTS ARE PLANNING ON COMING BACK WITH MANDATORY MASKING.

WE WILL SEE HOW LONG THAT LASTS FOR WHAT THE PUSHBACK IS GOING TO BE.

BUT THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE NEED AT THIS TIME.

>> FOR NOW, INFLUENZA DOMINATING NEW JERSEY'S FLU SEASON WITH TWO PEDIATRIC DEATHS REPORTED.

MODELS REPORT A POSSIBLE SPIKE IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.

KIDS ARE VERY EFFICIENT GERM VECTORS, MOST ESPECIALLY FOR THE FLU.

>> KIDS TAKE THE FLU HOME.

THEY WILL SNEEZE ON YOU.

GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL SO YOU ARE SURE TO GET YOUR DROPLETS FROM THEIR FACE.

THEY SHED MORE VIRUS FOR LONGER BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE PAST IMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: EB GENEALOGIST ADVISE, GET YOURSELF AND YOUR KIDS FLU SHOTS FOR NOW.

IT NOT TOO LATE AND MEANWHILE, THE RSV OUTBREAK SEEMS TO BE DECLINING.

MOST DAYS THIS WINTER, NEW JERSEY COVID DEBTS HIT DOUBLE DIGITS AND DAILY DEATHS SOMETIMES TOP 2000.

2400 TODAY.

STATE MODELS OF RCA POST HOLIDAY COVID SPIKE.

>> WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT OUT OF COVID.

OUR PREDICTIVE MODEL SUGGESTS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE AN INCREASE, WHICH SHOULD PEAK AROUND THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH.

WHICH WOULD FIT WITH EVERYBODY GETTING TOGETHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

SCHOOL IS OUT AND FAMILIES MIXING AND KIDS ALL GETTING TOGETHER.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VIRUS TO SPREAD.

>> Reporter: AND UPTAKE OF THE COVID BOOSTER, ONLY 27% OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS HAVE GONE THE SHOT OFFERING DETECTION AGAINST THE LATEST VARIANT.

>> WE'RE AT THIS DANGEROUS PLACE.

AN INTERSECTION BETWEEN A PLACE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND POLITICS IN A WAY THAT IS NEGATIVE AND DETRIMENTAL.

THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH ANTI- VACCINE AND ANTI-IMMUNIZATION RHETORIC THAT IT IS SPILLING OVER INTO OTHER PREVENTABLE ILLNESSES.

>> WE ARE SEEING INCREASED CASES, OBVIOUSLY.

STAFF IS GETTING BURNED OUT.

>> Reporter: DR. DAVISON SAYS HOSPITALS THAT GOT SLAMMED DURING LAST WINTER'S OMICRON SURGE DO NOT EXPECT IT TO GET THAT BAD THIS TIME.

STILL, HOSPITAL IS BRACING FOR JANUARY.

>> WE CERTAINLY ARE LOOKING AT STAFFING AND THINKING ABOUT RESOURCES.

THERE ARE GOOD INDICATIONS AS YOU STATED THAT OUR INFECTION RATE SHOULD RISE.

EVERYBODY HAS TO BE READY AND VIGILANT FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: THE SO-CALLED TRIPLE ENDEMIC WILL CONTINUE INTO 2023.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ADVOCATES FOR DOMESTIC SURVIVORS SAY THEY ARE PREPARING FOR A SURGE IN CALLS AND AT THE CENTER FOR HOPE AND SAFETY IN BERGEN COUNTY, EXPERT SAW A 110% INCREASE IN HOTLINE CALLS FROM SEPTEMBER 2021 TO THIS YEAR.

ALONG WITH AN INCREASE OF THE VICTIMS FOR HOUSING.

THE UPTAKE IS UNUSUAL DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND ACCORDING TO RESEARCH.

ALCOHOL AND FAMILY GATHERINGS ADD TO THE FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY OF ABUSE.

IT CAN ALSO BE A CRUCIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF THOSE VIOLENTLY SUFFERING.

JULIE MINOR IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY AND JOINS ME NOW.

LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THE UPTAKE THAT YOU AND OTHER WORKERS HAVE BEEN SEEING AND THE NEED FOR HELP FROM SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING.

WE HAVE SEEN IS THAT HE UPTAKE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REACHING OUT FOR HELP.

PEOPLE NEEDING SAFE HOUSING TO BE ABLE TO FLEE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION.

PREPEND >>, WE WOULD HAVE APPROXIMATELY 30 PEOPLE IN OUR SAFE HOUSE PROGRAM AND IT HAD INCREASED STEADILY.

WE ARE NOW REACHING CLOSE TO 150 INDIVIDUALS AND OUR STATE HOUSE PROGRAM.

IT IS CONTINUING TO INCREASE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

THE INCREASE HAS NOT BEEN DRASTIC.

BUT COMING NEXT WEEK IN JANUARY AS WE SEE EVERY YEAR, WE ARE EXPECTING ANOTHER LARGE NUMBER OF CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE.

>> WHAT TYPES OF RESOURCES CAN YOU OFFER PEOPLE?

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO FEEL LIKE MAYBE THEIR SITUATION IS NOT DEFINED BACK WE AS WHAT THEY THINK OF AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CALL OUR HOTLINE NUMBER.

IT'S AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

SPEAK WITH OUR TRAINED COUNSELORS TO FIRST UNDERSTAND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

WE CAN DO A QUICK RISK ASSESSMENT WITH PEOPLE SO THEY CAN MAKE A BETTER DECISION FOR THEMSELVES.

IF THE RISK IS ELEVATED AND THE PERSON CALLING WANTS TO MAKE A PLAN, WE WORK WITH THEM TO DEVELOP AN INDIVIDUALIZED SAFETY PLAN AND EXIT PLAN FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN TO SAFELY LEAVE THE HOME WHERE THEY ARE ASKED DANCING ABUSE AND COME TO OUR SAFE HOUSE OR GO TO ANOTHER SAFE PLACE OF THEIR CHOOSING.

>> IT IS SUCH A SENSITIVE SUBJECT FOR PEOPLE.

AS A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND, WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT YOU CAN LOOK FOR?

WHILE THE HOLIDAYS BRING US TOGETHER AND CAN ADD THE STRESS THAT YOU WILL SEE, IT IS ALSO A TIME TO MAYBE RECONNECT WITH FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN NOT TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT THEY ARE HAVING.

>> AT THE TIME OF GATHERING, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO KNOW THE WARNING SIGNALS TO SEE IF ONE OF OUR LOVED ONES IS IN DISTRESS, MAYBE IN AN ABUSIVE SITUATION.

THE LOUDEST SIGNS ARE ANNEXED WHEN THE LYRICS AND BRUISES.

AND ANOTHER SIGN IS A PERSON WHO WOULD TYPICALLY BE JOVIAL AND HAPPY.

THERE IS A CHANGE.

THEY SEEM SAD.

THEY ARE LESS EXCITED TO BE AMONGST OTHERS.

THEY MAY BE HYPERVIGILANT AND JUMP AT ANY NOISE THAT MAY OCCUR AROUND THEM.

SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS TO BE LOOKED FOR IS IF YOUR LOVED ONE, YOU NOTICE, IS BEING CONTROLLED BY HER PARTNER, THAT'S A SIGN.

BEING TOLD WHERE TO SIT, HOW TO MANAGE CHILDREN, HOW TO SPEND MONEY.

IF YOU THINK IT'S A LITTLE EXCESSIVE, THAT COULD BE A SIGN, AS WELL.

>> REALLY IMPORTANT TIPS FOR THE SEASON AND YEAR ROUND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> IN QUEUE, RIHANNA.

>>> THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS SUING ONE OF THE LARGEST DISTRIBUTORS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

THE PHILADELPHIA-BASED COMPANY AND TWO SUBSIDIARIES FAILED TO REPORT AT LEAST HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SUSPICIOUS OPIOID ORDERS TO THE DEA CONTRIBUTING TO THE EPIDEMIC THAT HAS TAKEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LIVES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THE LAST DECADE.

NEW JERSEY U.S. ATTORNEY PHILIP SALINGER TODAY SAYING THAT THE COMPANY PUT ITS PROFITS FROM OPIOID SALES OVER THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THE CIVIL COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THEY IGNORED RED FLAGS, SUGGESTING PHARMACIES WERE DIVERTING OPIOIDS TO THE BLACK MARKET, INCLUDING TWO LOCATED IN NEW JERSEY AND RECENTLY INVITED INDICTED FOR FUNNELING OPIOIDS.

THEY ALLEGE A NEW DRUG SENT TO TWO PHARMACIES IN WEST VIRGINIA AND FLORIDA WERE ALSO LIKE BEING SOLD IN PARKING LOTS FOR CASH.

IF LIABLE, THE COMPANY COULD FACE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PENALTIES.

A DEAL TO CLEAN UP ONE OF THE NATION'S MOST NOTORIOUS SUPERFUND SITES LOCATED IN TOMS RIVER IS DRAWING BLOWBACK FROM ENVIRONMENTAL WATCHERS AND THE RESIDENTS WHO SAY THEIR FAMILIES HEALTH WAS HARMED.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CLEANUP SETTLEMENT AT THE FORMER PLANT WHICH ILLEGALLY DUMPED CHEMICALS THROUGHOUT ITS YEARS OF OPERATION AND ALLEGEDLY CAUSED A CHILD CANCER CLUSTER.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE STORY.

>> I LIVE WITH A CHILD WHO WAS DIAGNOSED AT 3 MONTHS OF AGE WITH CANCER.

I WORKED WITH ALL OF THESE CHILDREN WITH CANCER WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT I WARMED, OCEAN OF LOVE, AND I BURIED OVER 150 CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: LINDA BLAMES THE PLANT FOR HER SONS DIAGNOSIS.

MICHAEL DEFIED EXPECTATIONS AND WILL TURN 33 IN FEBRUARY.

HE WAS BORN WITH NEUROBLASTOMA.

A CANCER OF THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.

>>'S BODY WAS RAVAGED BY THE TUMORS.

BUT HE IS THE MOST BRILLIANT, FUNNY, BEAUTIFUL CHILD, AND I WOULD NOT TRADE A MINUTE WITH HIM.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE LIVED IN THEIR TOMS RIVER HOME FOR 52 YEARS.

NINE BLOCKS AWAY FROM A PIPELINE USED BY THIS PLANT.

FOUR DECADES OF LEGAL AND ILLEGAL DUMPING TURNED THE FORMER PLANT INTO A SUPERFUND SITE.

THE SUBJECT OF A 13 MILLION DOLLARS SETTLEMENT PAID IN 2002 TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CHILDHOOD CANCERS.

UNDER NEW SETTLEMENT PROPOSAL WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MOST OF THE SITE WOULD BE TURNED INTO A PROTECTIVE PARK.

AND THE SUCCESSOR COMPANY WOULD PAY $100,000.

>> $100,000.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.

THAT COULD BE SPENT IN A WEEK ON A CHILD'S TREATMENT.

>> THEY SAID THE MONEY WILL PAY FOR ASSESSING DAMAGES AND OVERSEEING CLEANUP.

THE COMMISSIONER EMPHASIZED THE SETTLEMENT IS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, NOT HEALTH PROBLEMS AND >> SETTLEMENT IS ABOUT HARM TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

AND THE STATE HAS AN OBLIGATION TO RESPOND TO THAT INJURY.

IT IS VERY DISTINCT AS A LEGAL MATTER, AS A REGULATORY MATTER FROM AN INDIVIDUAL'S EXPERIENCE OF HARM.

>> Reporter: THE SETTLEMENT WOULD CREATE A 1000 ACRE PARK OCCUPYING MOST OF THE FORMER SITE.

THEY SAY THEY EXPECT TO SELL THE REST OF THE LOT TO AN INTERESTED PARTY.

>> THE IDEAS THAT WE HAD REALLY RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE WETLANDS.

TRAILS AND BOARDWALKS TO MINIMIZE HUMAN IMPACT SO THAT THE ECOSYSTEM, WHILE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL HAVE ON THE PROPERTY TO ACCURATELY CAPTURE THE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE >> Reporter: TOMS RIVER MAYOR IS UNEASY ABOUT THE PROPOSAL.

>> AT CLEARLY EXPLAINED WHO IS GOING TO BE CONTROLLING AND PAYING FOR THE UP KEEP OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER ON THE PROPERTY.

THEY HAVE A 10 YEAR COMMITMENT.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 10 YEARS?

WE ARE KNOWN FOR TWO THINGS HERE.

1998 WORLD SERIES AND THE BOOK, TOMS RIVER.

>> Reporter: HE WROTE THE BOOK WHICH DETAILS THE DUMPING AND THE CANCER CLUSTER WHICH DEVELOPED IN TOMS RIVER.

HE WON A PULITZER PRIZE FOR IT IN 2014.

>> FRUSTRATES ME THAT THEY GOT OFF PRETTY LIGHT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE SETTLEMENT COULD SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER PROPOSALS NATIONWIDE.

>> MANY OF THESE HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES.

THEY HAVE BEEN PUMPING AND TREATING GROUNDWATER.

IT IS A REALLY INTERESTING QUESTION OF HOW CLEAN IS CLEAN ENOUGH?

>> WHAT I WANT IS NOTHING TO BE THERE.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

I JUST HOPE THAT IF THIS DOES GO THROUGH AS PROPOSED, THAT THE SAFETY IS THE FOREMOST THOUGHT IN EVERYONE'S MIND.

>> IF THE SETTLEMENT IS EXPECT DID, THEY SAY PARKS WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITHIN FIVE YEARS.

IN TOMS RIVER, TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

4 2022 WAS A BUSY YEAR FOR POLICYMAKERS TRYING TO GET RELIEF FOR CASH-STRAPPED RESIDENCE.

FROM THE NEW PROPERTY TAX PROGRAM TO THAT TAX CREDIT FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES, SEVERAL BIG-TICKET ITEMS MINUTE TO THE NEXT LINE DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS.

NOT AN EASY TASK.

BUT A LONG LIST OF OTHER PROPOSALS DID NOT.

THE JURY IS STILL OUT OVER WHETHER THE REFORMS ENACTED WILL BRING THE KIND OF ECONOMIC HELP LAWMAKERS PROMISED.

OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN REITMEYER IS HERE WITH MORE ON THE TAX POLICIES THAT SHAPED THE YEAR.

WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT THE YEAR, TAXES CERTAINLY COME TO MIND.

THEY WERE KNOWN FOR OF PROPOSALS THAT MADE THEIR WAY THROUGH TRENTON.

TALK TO ME ABOUT SOME OF THE BIGGER TICKET ITEMS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

2022 WAS A NOTABLE YEAR IN TERMS OF TAX POLICY.

ESPECIALLY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW TAX RELIEF ALYSE EADY.

PROBABLY THE BIGGEST TICKET ITEM WAS THE NEW ANCHOR RELIEF PROGRAM THAT WAS LAUNCHED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

IT EXPANDS HOW MANY NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS CAN RECEIVE DIRECT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF BENEFITS AND INCREASED THE SIZE OF THOSE BENEFITS FOR A LOT OF RESIDENCE, INCLUDING RENTERS, WHO PREVIOUSLY WERE LOCKED OUT OF STATE RELIEF PROGRAMS.

THE BENEFITS ARE GOING OUT IN THIS RING AND THEY ARE SOMETHING YOU CAN APPLY FOR UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY.

BUT THEY WILL BE GOING OUT IN THE SPRING.

THERE WERE ALSO SOME OTHER NOTABLE TAX RELIEF MEASURES.

A NEW CREDIT THAT PEOPLE CAN APPLY FOR FOR THE 2022 TAX YEAR.

WHEN THEY DO THEIR TAXES IN A FEW MONTHS AND SEND THOSE RETURNS TO TRENTON, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE INCOME STANDARDS.

ALSO, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER OVER THE LATE SUMMER, THERE WAS A TEMPORARY SALES TAX HOLIDAY FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL ITEMS.

MAYBE NOT AS BIG A TICKET ITEM AS SOME OF THE OTHER ONES, BUT CERTAINLY SOMETHING A LOT OF PARENTS APPRECIATED IN NEW JERSEY EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> DID IT ALL OUT UP TO TANGIBLE RELIEF?

I CAN COUNT NUMEROUS PRESS CONFERENCES REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HELD WITH A LAUNDRY LIST OF OTHER ITEMS THAT THEY WANTED TO SEE BUT DID NOT.

>> THE PROGRAM ADDS UP TO MORE THAN $2 MILLION FOR JUST THAT PROGRAM.

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THE STATE BUDGET SET ASIDE FOR TAX RELIEF.

NOT ALL OF THE RELIEF MEASURES THAT WERE DISCUSSED OR EVEN VOTED ON MADE IT TO THE FINISH LINE IN THE STATEHOUSE.

SO NOTABLE EMISSIONS OR MEASURES THAT DID NOT QUITE MAKE IT.

ONE WOULD INDEX THE STATES INCOME TAX BRACKETS TO INFLATION.

INFLATION HAS BECOME A BIG ISSUE THIS YEAR.

WE'VE SEEN INFLATIONARY RATE THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN DECADES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FOR THOSE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FEDERAL TAXES, ALLOWS THE TAX BRACKET TO RISE WITH THE RATE OF INFLATION.

THAT PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM FACING THE FACT THAT TAX HIKES IF YOUR WAGES DO NOT GO UP AS QUICKLY AS PRICES GO UP, WHICH HAS HAPPENED.

YOU END UP BEING PUT IN A HIGHER TAX BRACKET THAT YOU ARE NO BETTER OFF FINANCIALLY BECAUSE YOU ARE FACING THIS HIGHER COST.

THAT IS SOMETHING REPUBLICANS WANTED TO SEE AN ACTIVE THIS YEAR.

>> OF COURSE, THE ISSUE OF REMOTE WORK WHICH STAYS WITH US AND WILL STAY WITH US IN 2023 IS ANOTHER TAX POLICY THEY WILL HAVE TO TACKLE.

JOHN REITMEYER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>>> IT WAS A WILD RIDE AT THE GAS PUMP THIS YEAR.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE GOING UP YOUR GAS TANK WILL COST LESS IN 2023.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> WELCOME NEWS FOR DRIVERS AND GAS PRICES ARE PROJECTED TO FALL FURTHER IN THE NEW YEAR.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO AN OUTLOOK RELEASED BY GAS BUDDY.

A COMPANY THAT TRACKS FUEL PRICES.

GAS BUDDY PROJECTS THAT THE YEARLY NATIONAL AVERAGE PRICE OF GAS IN 2023 WILL DROP BY NEARLY $.50 PER GALLON FROM THIS YEAR'S AVERAGE.

RIGHT NOW, NEW JERSEY GAS PRICES ARE AVERAGING JUST OVER $3.25 CENTS PER GALLON.

GAS BUDDY SAYS THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD WILL SPEND JUST UNDER 2500 ON GASOLINE NEXT YEAR.

MORE THAN $250 LESS THAN WHAT WAS SPENT THIS YEAR.

THE NIGHTMARE COULD SOON BE ENDING FOR PASSENGERS OF SOUTHWEST AIRLINES.

AFTER CANCELING MORE THAN 2300 ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS TODAY, INCLUDING SOME TWO DOZEN AT PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIR ART.

THE EMBATTLED AIRLINE SAYS IT PLANS TO RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATIONS WITH MINIMAL DISRUPTIONS ON FRIDAY.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, SOUTHWEST CEO BOB JORDAN WITHOUT A VIDEO APOLOGIZING FOR ALL OF THE FLIGHT INSULATIONS, SAYING THE AIRLINE NEEDS TO MAKE SOME CHANGES.

>> CLEARLY, WE NEED TO DOUBLE DOWN ON OUR ARE THE EXISTING PLANS TO CREATE SYSTEMS FOR THESE EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES.

SO THAT WE NEVER AGAIN FACE WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> SOUTHWEST HAS PUSHED TO OFFER FULL TICKET REFUNDS AND SAID IT WILL COVER TRAVEL REFUNDS FOR STRANDED PASSENGERS.

NEARLY 3000 RESIDENTS HAVE SIGNED UP FOR A 2023 HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN AT THE GET COVERED NEW JERSEY.

THE STATE'S OFFICIAL HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE.

THE STATE SAYS TOTAL SIGN-UPS HAVE INCREASED COMPARED TO THE SAME TIMEFRAME LAST YEAR.

BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE CONTRIBUTED FUNDS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL HELP TO MANY WHO SIGNED UP, LOWERING MONTHLY PREMIUMS.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE HOUSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, A SWEET FUTURE FOR SOUTH JERSEY.

WITH THE HELP OF FEDERAL GRANTS, STOCKTON UNIVERSITY IS TESTING THE POTENTIAL FOR A MAPLE SYRUP INDUSTRY IN THE REGION, USING GOOD OLD RED MAPLE TREES.

JOANNA GAGIS SHOWS US HOW THEY ARE GETTING THE PRODUCTION FLOWING.

>> Reporter: WE HAVE HERE THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH FORESTS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN TAPPED BEFORE FOR MAPLE SYRUP.

AN EMERGING CROP IN THE PINE BARONS THAT DARTED WHEN STOCKTON UNIVERSITY WON NEARLY $1 MILLION AND TWO GRANTS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE YORK THE FIRST GRANT WAS NEARLY $400,000 TO PROVE THE CONCEPT.

>> COULD REMAKE SOMETHING INDUSTRY -SIZED IN SOUTH JERSEY?

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 400 TREES ALL SET UP WITH A TUBING SYSTEM AND A VACUUM PUMP.

WHAT THE VACUUM PUMP DOES IS IT MIMICS THE PRESSURE IN THE TREE.

>> IT ENCOURAGES INCREASED DRAW WITH THE SAP.

WE ARE REALLY FINDING, ESPECIALLY HERE WITH THE WETLAND, THE RED MAPLES HERE, THAT WE REALLY DO NEED THIS IN ORDER TO CREATE THE TYPE OF PRODUCTION THAT WOULD MAKE IT MORE OF AN INDUSTRY LEVEL PRODUCTION.

>> Reporter: THERE IS NO SUGAR COATING THE REALITY THAT SOUTH JERSEY WILL NEVER BE VERMONT WHEN IT COMES TO MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION.

THAT IS BECAUSE HEALTH JERSEY RED MAPLES HAVE HALF THE SUGAR CONTENT OF VERMONT'S SWEET MAPLES.

TWICE THE SAP IS NEEDED FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF SYRUP.

>> I DON'T THINK IT WILL LOOK LIKE VERMONT BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE TO TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: THIS EXPERT SAYS NEW JERSEY CAN CREATE A SUCCESSFUL INDUSTRY SO LONG AS THE CLIMATE COOPERATES.

UNSEASONABLY WARM WEATHER COULD SHUT DOWN PRODUCTION WHICH HAPPENED IN VERMONT IN 2012.

VERMONT, NEW YORK, AND MAINE MAKE 80% OF THE NATIONS MAPLE SYRUP CROP AND MORE THAN HALF OF THAT COMING FROM VERMONT.

INSTEAD OF COMPETING FROM VERMONT, IT'S MORE ABOUT COMPETING WITH OURSELVES AND WHETHER WE COULD START SUPPLYING MAPLE SYRUP AND GET NEW JERSEYANS EXCITED ABOUT RE-MAPLE SYRUP AND THAT OF THE CORN SYRUP YOU WOULD BUY AT THE SUPERMARKET.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS SUSTAINABLE.

WE COULD SELL IT UP FARMER MARKETS.

SMALL FARMS.

SMALL BUSINESSES COULD SELL AT THEIR GIFT SHOP OR ROADSIDES ENDS.

>> WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE UPSIDES AND DOWNSIDES OF MAPLE SUGAR AND ON THE IMPACT OF THE FOREST?

>> PART OF WHAT WE ARE CHARGED WITH IS FINDING THE IMPACT ON THE FOREST.

WE KNOW FROM THE HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF TAPPING THAT HAS BEEN DONE CONSISTENTLY IN OTHER REGIONS, THAT WE ARE NOT HARMING THE TREES.

THE TREES NEED THE SAP AND THAT IS WHAT FEEDS THE FOLIAGE.

BUT WE ARE TAKING IT AT A TIME OF YEAR WHEN THERE IS EXCESS.

>> THEY ARE IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO STUDY THE ECOLOGICAL IMPACT AROUND THE SAP AND HOW TAPPING IMPACT THE SOIL IN THE FOREST.

>> WE HAVE FOREST BETTER VIRGIN FOREST.

WE CAN GET PRE-DATA AND POST DATA IN TERMS OF HOW THIS IMPACTS THE ECOLOGY OF OUR FOREST AND >> THE SECOND GRANT WENT TOWARDS SCALING UP PRODUCTION AND EXPANDING IT TOWARD THE PUBLIC SO THAT FOLKS CAN REACH OUT AND ADOPT A TREE AT STOCKTON OR TAP ONE RIGHT AT HOME.

>> RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE SIX HUB ACROSS SOUTH JERSEY WHERE PEOPLE CAN CONNECT WITH THE OWNER.

THERE IS AN EVENT THE ORDER -- EVAPORATOR PROVIDED AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BOILING THE SAP TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> DOES IT TASTE AS GOOD AS VERMONT MAPLE SYRUP?

IT PASSED THE TEST FOR THIS MAPLE SYRUP LOVER.

IN GALLOWAY, JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT IS OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE TO GO OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLAT ARMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

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

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

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

AND BY THE PSE G FOUNDATION.

>>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY AND JOBS.

EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, 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.