>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION AND IT NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT M.J. REALTOR.COM.

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

>> IT EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

IT I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GOVERNOR MURPHY AND STATE LEADERS ARE CONDEMNING AN ATTACK IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO THIS WEEKEND IN WHICH A GUNMAN OPENED BODY ARMOR AT AN LGBTQ NIGHTCLUB SATURDAY KILLING FIVE PEOPLE AND WOUNDING AT LEAST 25 MORE.

POLICE IN THE STATE SAID THE 22-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT IS BEING HELD ON FIVE COUNTS OF MURDER AND FIVE COUNTS OF BIASED MOTIVATED CRIME, CAUSING BODILY MOTIVATED INJURY CHARGES.

THOSE CHARGES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

AUTHORITIES SAY AT LEAST TO HER RELIC PATRONS AT CLUB Q HELPED PREVENT EVEN MORE BLOODSHED BY TACKLING AND SUBDUING THE GOVERNMENT UNTIL POLICE ARRIVED.

THE INCIDENT TAKING PLACE JUST ONE DAY BEFORE TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE.

AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT HELD EVERY NOVEMBER 20th TO MEMORIALIZE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR DUE TO ANTI-TRANSGENDER VIOLENCE.

THIS YEAR GATHERINGS IN NEW JERSEY WERE HELD IN NEWARK, JERSEY CITY, MONTCLAIR, PRINCETON, AND ASBURY PARK WHERE ORGANIZERS READ THE NAMES OF THOSE KILLED.

THE LIST TOPPING 300 PEOPLE THIS YEAR ALONE.

AND POINTED TO THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE FOR IGNITING HATRED.

SAYING THAT THE COMMUNITY IS USED AS A POLITICAL LIGHTNING ROD BY BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE IN THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE.

>> I DON'T THINK POLITICIANS UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH IT EXPOSES US TO DANGER.

USING THIS IN RIDICULE.

HOW THEY TRIED TO CREATE SO MUCH MORE ANGER AND HATRED TOWARDS PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER MET US BEFORE.

DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW BEAUTIFUL WE ALL ARE.

HOW MANY GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW.

IT'S NOT FAIR.

THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS.

>> VIGILS ARE BEING HELD TODAY AND ASBURY PARK AND IN T-MAC LATER THIS WEEK.

GOVERNOR MURPHY AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDING A CONFERENCE CALL WITH LGBTQ LEADERS EMPHASIZING THERE ARE NO SIMILAR ACTIVE THREATS IN NEW JERSEY , BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO REMAIN, QUOTE, EXTREMELY VIGILANT.

THE COLORADO SHOOTING, OF COURSE, REKINDLING MEMORIES OF THE 2016 MASSACRE AT THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB IN FLORIDA.

COLORADO AUTHORITIES SAY THE ALLEGED GUNMAN PURCHASED THE FIREARMS RECOVERED AT THE SCENE OF THE SHOOTING, INCLUDING AN AR-15 STYLE RIFLE.

AT THE STATEHOUSE, GUNS WERE TOP OF MIND FOR LAWMAKERS TODAY, VOTING ON A SWEEPING PROPOSAL TO OVERHAUL AND LIMIT THE STATES CONCEALED CARRY GUN LAWS, SPARKING AN INTENSE DEBATE AND FIERCE OBJECTIONS FROM REPUBLICANS WHO SAY THE BILL IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL .

THAT WASN'T THE ONLY ISSUE IGNITING PROTEST IN TRENTON.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA IS AT THE STATEHOUSE WITH THE LATEST.

>> I AM HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE WERE TWO OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BILLS ARE BEING VOTED ON TODAY.

THE TEMPORARY WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS IN THE SENATE AND THE CONCEALED CARRY GUN LAW IN THE ASSEMBLY.

BOTH HAVE BEEN HOT BUTTON ISSUES , SPURRING INTENSE DEBATE.

FOR THE GUN BILL, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE SAW TODAY.

>> THIS BILL IS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

MORE THAN IT IS ABOUT GUNS.

WE HAVE MADE DOZENS OF AMENDMENTS TO MAKE THIS LEGISLATION BETTER.

BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PUBLIC.

>> Reporter: REQUIRES OWNERS TO TAKE TRAINING COURSES, PURCHASE LIABILITY INSURANCE, AND LIMIT WHERE A PERSON CAN GO WITH A WEAPON.

>> THE REAL PROBLEM IS THE CRIMINALS.

THE BAD GUYS AND BAD GUYS WITH GUNS.

BUT NO, WE DON'T WANT TO TARGET THEM.

WE WANT TO TARGET THE MOST LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS THE MOST WELL-TRAINED, WHO GO THROUGH POLICE BACKGROUND CHECKS.

>> THIS BILL AUTOMATICALLY TURNS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WOMEN, AND TO CRIMINALS.

IF THEY COME AS MUCH, STEP FOOT ON THE PROPERTY OF THEIR NEXT TO DROP OFF THE KIDS, A WOMAN CAN AND WILL BE CHARGED WITH THIRD-DEGREE OFFENSE AND POSSIBLY LOSE CUSTODY OF THOSE KIDS.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS TALK ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY IN THE WAKE OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION EXPANDING CONCEALED CARRY NATIONALLY.

>> IT DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS THE BREWING DECISION.

YOU ARE REQUIRED BY EUROPE TO FOLLOW.

>> THIS LAW IS BLATANTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> Reporter: THEN CAME THE WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS.

ADVOCATES RALLIED TODAY IN ADVANCE OF THE VOTE THAT HAS BEEN UP IN THE SENATE FOUR TIMES NOW.

>> TO DEMAND THAT THE NEW JERSEY SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY PASSED THIS BILL NOW.

NO MORE DELAYS.

NO MORE EXCUSES.

>> Reporter: THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE PROTECTIONS FOR TEMPORARY WORKERS LIKE REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO PAY SALARIES AND BENEFITS COMPARABLE TO TRADITIONAL WORKERS, REQUIRE BETTER RECORD-KEEPING VIOLATIONS THAT COULD POSE A RISK TO WORKERS AND MORE TRANSPARENCY SO WORKERS KNOW WHAT HOURS, PAY, AND TIME OFF AND SAFETY CONCERNS THEY CAN EXPLAIN AND EXPECT WITHIN A JOB.

THEY SAID THE BILL PUTS UNDUE BURDEN ON ALREADY STRUGGLING COMPANIES.

>> THE LOBBYING AFFECTS OF BIG CORPORATIONS AND THE DELAYING TACTICS ARE WHAT IS STOPPING THE BILL.

WORKING WITHOUT PROTECTIONS FOR SAFETY.

WE'VE ALREADY SEEN FOLKS BEING KILLED, UNFORTUNATELY.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE REPORTED INJURIES FOR FEAR OF REPRISAL AND JUDGMENT.

THEY'RE WORKING WITHOUT COMPENSATION.

>> THE BILL HAS A LOT OF MONEY AGAINST IT.

A LOT OF THESE AGENCIES THAT MAKE A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF ABUSING WORKERS FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND THEY ARE NOT GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT.

THERE'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MISINFORMATION.

AS A RESULT, IT IS A TIGHT VOTE.

WE DON'T HOST VOTES TODAY, BUT WE THINK THEY WILL NEXT MONTH.

>> ADVOCATES BEGAN PROTESTING OUTSIDE OF THE SENATE CHAMBER WITH ONE BEING EXPORTED OUT.

>> Reporter: WITH A FEW WEEKS LEFT TO GO IN THE SESSION, DEMOCRATS CAN STILL NOT MUSTER THE SUPPORT IN THEIR CAUCUS FOR THIS BILL.

IT MAKES YOU WONDER, WILL IT EVER HAPPENED?

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THEY ARE ALSO TACKLING THE JUDICIAL VACANCY IN THE STATE.

TODAY, CONSIDERING FOR NOMINEES TO BE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES.

AS TED GOLDBERG REPORTS ITS PROGRESS, BUT NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO CHIP AWAY AT THE BACKLOGS IN STATE COURTS.

>> THINGS ARE ON FIRE OUT HERE IN THE LEGAL WORLD.

IT'S JUST NOT BEING MET WITH THE RESPONSE THAT IT NEEDS TO BE.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S COLLECTION OF SUPERIOR COURT VACANCIES IS CREATING MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE LEGAL WORLD.

>> ARE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BACKLOG HAS INCREASED TENFOLD.

IF YOU NEED TO GO TO COURT BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN HARMED BY A PARTNER, SPOUSE, SIGNIFICANT OTHER IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE, YOU ARE GOING TO FEEL THAT RAMIFICATION OF BEING DEPRIVED YOUR DAY IN COURT.

>> THE QUESTION WE NEED TO FILL THESE VACANCIES.

NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: STATE SENATOR JOHN REMNICK DEFENDS THAT JUDICIARY DECISION, WHICH REQUIRES JUDGES TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND APPROVED BY THE SENATE.

HE SAYS IT LEADS TO A FAIR JUDICIARY, EVEN THOUGH IT IS MORE CUMBERSOME THAN HAVING JUDGES BE ELECTED.

>> THE JUDICIARY IN THE STATE ACROSS THE BOARD IS PROBABLY THE BEST IN THE NATION.

REALLY FAIR.

IF SOMEBODY IS CRAZY , THEY ARE NOT GETTING THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

>> CHECKING REFERENCES, FINANCIAL RECORDS.

TAKES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME .

HOWEVER MUCH TIME IT'S GOING TO TAKE, IT ALWAYS TAKES MORE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER OPTION IS A SENATORIAL COURTESY WHICH CAN DELAY OPTIONS IF PEOPLE WANT TO PLAY POLITICS.

>> IF SOMEONE IS FROM A PARTICULAR COUNTY, THE SENATORS FROM THE COUNTY HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON THE NOMINEE.

THERE IS SOME HORSE TRADING THAT GOES ON, AS WELL.

ALL IN ALL, PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY CAN BE VERY CONFIDENT SO THAT ONLY THE BEST LEGAL MINDS ARE BEING PUT ON THE BENCH.

>> Reporter: THE NEW JERSEY BAR ASSOCIATION SAYS IT IS ARE NOT JUST VACANCIES AS USUAL.

35 JUDGES HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED.

AS OF THIS MORNING, 69 VACANCIES STATEWIDE.

MORE EXPECTED AS JUDGES RETIRE.

WITH NO ELECTIONS, THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO FILL THE COURT AND HAVE THEM RUNNING MORE EFFICIENTLY.

>> MORE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S THE ONLY ANSWER.

WE DO NOT HAVE ELECTED JUDGES IN THE STATE.

>> NOTHING MAKES JUDGES POLITICIANS.

>> IT IS THE SPEED WITH WHICH THEY ARE BEING VETTED.

>> Reporter: THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARD TENET FROM FIVE NOMINEES TODAY.

FOUR OF WHOM WERE NOMINATED OVER THE SUMMER.

ROBERT JONES HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A SECOND TERM ON THE SUPERIOR COURT.

LIKE THE OTHER NOMINEES, IS BROKE BRIEFLY BEFORE HE WAS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE.

>> A YOUNG WOMAN SAID THIS TO ME RECENTLY.

JUDGE, I WAS MAD AT YOU FOR SENDING ME TO TREATMENT.

THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE.

I HEAR THE SENTIMENT OFTEN IN MY ROLE AND IT DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THAT FOR A JUDGE.

>> IT'S A TRUE TESTAMENT THAT CHILDREN FROM THE INNER-CITY, EDUCATED IN THE POOREST SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN ASPIRE AND ATTAIN THEIR DREAMS.

>> NEXT UP FOR THESE CANDIDATES, A VOTE IN FRONT OF THE FULL SENATE.

FIRST STEP TOWARDS FILLING THESE VACANCIES.

>> CHAIRMAN NOMINATION IS RELEASED.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND TRENTON, AND TED GOLDBERG.

AN SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ARE SCRAPPING PLANS TO PERMANENTLY PUT ABORTION RIGHTS IN THE NEW JERSEY CONSTITUTION.

AS FIRST REPORTED BY NJ GLOBE, THEY PROPOSED TO LET VOTERS CHOOSE TO ENSHRINE ABORTION THROUGH 2023 BALLOT REFERENDUM, BUT STOPPED SHORT OF LOSING SUPPORT OF MEMBERS OF THE PARTY AND KEY GROUPS LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NEW JERSEY AND THE ACLU.

LEADERS HAVE ALREADY CODIFIED ABORTION ACCESS EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED THE FREEDOM OF REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE ACT.

A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD MEAN IT CAN'T BE REPEALED WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF VOTERS.

SOME ABORTION-RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS MORE ABOUT BOOSTING TURNOUT FOR DEMOCRATS DURING AN OFF YEAR ELECTION.

INSTEAD, WANT LAWMAKERS TO ADDRESS ISSUES WITH ACCESSING REPRODUCTIVE CARE.

ADVOCATES FROM PLANNED PARENTHOOD WERE ALSO WORRIED THAT THE LANGUAGE USED ON THE BALLOT COULD CAUSE CONFUSION AND END UP HURTING THE CAUSE.

HIGH PROFILE DEMOCRATIC PLEADED GUILTY ON TWO COUNTS OF FRAUD.

FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT ADMITTED TODAY THAT HE COMMITTED TAX EVASION AND WIRE FRAUD IN 2014 AS PART OF A SCHEME WITH SEAN CARROLL.

THE POLITICAL CONSULTANT AT THE HEART OF A MURDER FOR HIRE SCHEME.

HIS ATTORNEY SAYS HE IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE MURDER CASE, ALTHOUGH THE FRAUD WAS UNCOVERED AS PART OF THAT INVESTIGATION.

HE FACES A MAXIMUM OF UP TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON AND MUST PAY ABOUT $55,000 IN RESTITUTION FOR HIS CRIMES.

HE IS SCHEDULED TO BE SENTENCED IN MARCH.

>>> IT'S NOT JUST SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ, BUT HIS WIFE WHO IS NOW UNDER SCRUTINY BY THE FEDERAL PROSECUTORS, LOOKING TO DETERMINE WHETHER SHE IMPROPERLY RECEIVED GIFTS OR SERVICES IN EXCHANGE FOR POLITICAL FAVORS FROM HER HUSBAND.

ACCORDING TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, THE DISTRICT OF NEW YORK SENT SUBPOENAS TO HER WIFE WHOM HE MARRIED IN 2020.

THE INVESTIGATION DATES BACK TO 2019 WITH FEDERAL AUTHORITIES PROBING POSSIBLE UNDISCLOSED FOREIGN LOBBYING AND OTHER VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL LAW ON THE PART OF MENENDEZ, WHO IS A TOP RANKING MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SENATOR SAID HE IS AWARE OF THE INVESTIGATION AND WILL COOPERATE WITH ANY OFFICIAL INQUIRIES, BUT DENIES WRONGDOING.

JOINING ME NOW, KAREN REMY, REPORTER FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL WHO BROKE THE STORY.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR REPORTING WITH US.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT INVESTIGATORS ARE PROBING HERE WITH REGARD TO THE SENATOR'S WIFE NOW?

>> WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED IS THAT THE SENATOR'S WIFE , WHOM HE MARRIED IN 2020 IS A FEDERAL FOCUS IN THAT CASE AGAINST SENATOR MENENDEZ.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT GIFTS AND FAVORS THAT SHE MAY HAVE RECEIVED FROM PEOPLE WHO SOUGHT SOME SORT OF OFFICIAL ACTION FROM THE SENATOR.

>> IS THERE ANY INDICATION WHAT THOSE POLITICAL FAVORS OR ACTIONS WERE LINKED TO OR WHOM THEY WERE LINKED TO?

THROUGH YOUR REPORTING, WE LEARNED THAT THERE WERE SUBPOENAS SENT OUT TO SEVERAL OF HER ASSOCIATES .

>> WE KNOW THAT SUBPOENAS WENT TO HER ASSOCIATES AND PROSECUTORS HAVE ASKED ABOUT HER.

PROBABLY WHAT GIVES US THE CLEAREST PICTURE OF THE EARLY BIT OF THE INVESTIGATION OF SOME COURT FILINGS FROM 2020 THAT SHOW THE PROSECUTOR OR THE INVESTIGATORS EXECUTED SEARCH WARRANTS AT THE HOME AND BUSINESS OF ONE OF HER ASSOCIATES.

AT THIS POINT, ACCORDING TO THOSE COURT DOCUMENTS , RELATING TO THOSE CHARGES OF OUR VIOLATIONS OF FOREIGN LOBBYING LAWS AND OTHER SIMILAR STATUTES.

OUR UNDERSTANDING NOW IS IT'S ONE PUBLIC PRODUCTION.

>> HOW DOES THAT WORK IN SENIOR CONGRESS WHEN THE SENATOR SITS AS THE CHAIRMAN FOR THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, IF, IN FACT THESE ARE THE ITEMS BEING INVESTIGATED?

OF COURSE, WE DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT.

NONE OF THAT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.

>> I THINK WE DO NOW, AS CHAIR OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, THAT MENENDEZ SAT IN A POSITION OF POWER AND THAT THE ALLEGATIONS AND COURT DOCUMENTS WILL NOT , THEY DO NOT MENTION THE SENATOR .

THAT THEY ARE A CERTIFIED BUSINESS AND A DESIGNATION THAT IT RECEIVED FROM EGYPT.

IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT U.S. OFFICIALS IN POWERFUL POSITIONS COULD HAVE HAD SOME INFLUENCE IN THAT DESIGNATION.

>> IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT YOU CAN SEE A SIMILAR SITUATION PLAYING OUT IN 2017 WHEN THE SENATOR SET TRIAL, OF COURSE.

ARE WE LOOKING AT SORT OF A DEJA VU HERE?

THIS IS THE THIRD FEDERAL INVESTIGATION FOR THE SENATOR IN ABOUT A DECADE OR SO, I BELIEVE.

>> IT IS HARD TO SAY.

IN CASES IN GENERAL , THEY DON'T TEND TO BRING CHARGES IN CASE IT'S REALLY BUTTONED DOWN .

I THINK PUBLIC CORRUPTION IS A TRICKY AREA.

IT'S TRICKY UNDER THE LAW .

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SUPREME COURT DECISIONS THAT NARROW THE SCOPE OF WHAT IS CONSIDERED PUBLIC CORRUPTION.

THESE CASES ARE HARD.

WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THERE COULD BE CHARGES, WHETHER THE INVESTIGATION MIGHT EVENTUALLY BE DROPPED.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> A CALDWELL MOTHER IS SPEAKING OUT AND DEMANDING LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT RACISM AFTER A NEIGHBOR CALLED THE POLICE ON HER 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, WHO IS BLACK, FOR SPRAYING TREES TO SAVE THEM FROM SPOTTED LANTERN FLIES.

AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, THE STORY IS SPARKING DEBATE AND SUPPORT FROM THOSE OUTSIDE NEW JERSEY.

>> SHE HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE THAT DAY.

I'M DOING MY JOB, JUST LISTENING AND TRYING TO LET HER KNOW EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY THAT SHE DID NOT DO ANYTHING WRONG.

>> Reporter: YET THAT IS A THOUGHT THAT MONIQUE JOSEPH SAYS HER 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER QUESTIONED LAST MONTH AFTER A POLICE OFFICER APPROACHED THEM WHILE BOBBI WAS SPRING TREES WITH A HOMEMADE SOLUTION TO KILL SPOTTED LANTERN FLIES.

>> SHE WANTED TO FEEL LIKE SHE WAS HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT AND IT LITERALLY JUST CAME FROM THAT.

EVERYBODY ON THE NEWS.

TEACHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

THERE ARE TWO TREES ON THE BLOCK.

MAYBE I CAN SAVE THOSE TWO TREES.

>> IT WAS SHOCKING TO LEARN THAT HER NEIGHBOR, FOR MOST CITY COUNCILMEMBER , SOMEONE SHE HAS THAT FROM THE INTERACTIONS WITH IN THE PAST, CALLED POLICE.

>> HOW YOU DOING?

I'M AT 15 ELIZABETH STREET .

THERE IS A LITTLE BLACK WOMAN WALKING AND SPRING STUFF ON THE SIDEWALKS AND TREES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE -- SHE IS DOING.

IT SCARES ME, THOUGH.

>> INITIALLY, I SPOKE TO HIM, IMMEDIATELY AFTER, MY FIRST QUESTION WAS, LET ME ASK HIM WHY HE FELT THE NEED TO CALL.

IN THE CONVERSATION, HE TOLD ME TWO THINGS THAT DON'T CORRELATE WITH THE 911 REPORT.

TOLD ME HE THOUGHT SHE COULD'VE BEEN A LOST LITTLE GIRL OR COULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE OLD LADY WITH DEMENTIA.

I IMMEDIATELY CHALLENGED THAT.

DID YOU ASK IF SHE WAS LOST?

HOW COULD SHE BE LOST ON HER STREET?

YOU KNOW US.

YOU KNOW BOBBI.

HIS RESPONSE WAS, YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO SAFE.

PEOPLE ARE CRAZY OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: BIAS TREATMENT AND RACISM.

HIS ATTORNEY DENIES RACIAL PROFILING WAS INVOLVED, BUT BECAUSE OF THE ACCUSATIONS, HE SAYS HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE NOW GETTING PHYSICAL THREATS.

THE INCIDENT IS DRAWN SUPPORT FROM IN THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND WHO WANT TO MAKE SURE BOBBY UNDERSTANDS SHE DID NOTHING WRONG.

>> I READ THE STORY AND IS OUR TESTIMONY.

IT IMMEDIATELY BROKE MY HEART BECAUSE THESE ARE THINGS THAT BLACK GIRLS GO TO THROUGH ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE CHILDREN AND EXPLORE THAT WORLD WHERE THERE ARE ADULTS, GENUINELY TRYING TO RUIN THEIR CHILDHOOD.

NOT EVEN JUST RUINING THEIR CHILDHOOD, BUT TRYING TO SIPHON THEIR BRILLIANCE.

>> Reporter: THIS DR. IS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND PROFESSOR OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.

IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR HER TO SHOW BOBBI THAT BLACK WOMEN LIKE HER ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT.

SHE INVITED HER AND HER FAMILY FOR A TOUR OF THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT.

>> I IMAGINE HOW EXCITED YOU MUST HAVE BEEN TO GO OUT INTO HER COMMUNITY AND SAVE HER TREES AND HER PLANET LIKE THE STATE IS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO.

I DID NOT WANT HER TO WALK AWAY FROM THAT EXPERIENCE THINKING THAT WAS A BAD THING.

I WANTED TO WORK WITH THE FAMILY TO REPLACE THAT WITH A POSITIVE AND IMPACTFUL MEMORY THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE IS GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT.

BOBBI .

I DON'T WANT HER TO LOSE HER STEAM FOR STAM.

IT STARTS AT HOME.

>> Reporter: SHE IS HELPING WHAT HAPPENS TO HER DAUGHTER CAN BE USED AS A TEACHING MOMENT SO OTHER BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN NEVER HAVE TO BE AFRAID TO BE AT HOME.

A PLACE WHERE THEY ARE ALWAYS SUPPOSED TO FEEL SAFE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, DESPITE GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECESSION, NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY LOOKS STABLE.

THE LATEST ECONOMIC REPORTS SHOW THAT THE STATE IS CONTINUING ITS STREAK OF STEADY PRIVATE SECTOR JOB GROWTH AND STRONG REVENUE COLLECTIONS.

HOW LONG THE GOOD NEWS WILL LAST IS ANOTHER QUESTION.

ONE THAT WE WILL PUT TO BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER, JOHN WRIGHT MEYER, WHO JOINS ME NOW.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT IN THESE REPORTS THAT TELUS NEW JERSEY MIGHT BE IN A BETTER STANDING THEN SOMEWHAT EXPECT?

>> YEAH.

NICE TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN.

WHAT WE DO IS WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH BOTH JOBS AND WITH REVENUE COLLECTIONS FROM STATE TAXES TO KIND OF GET A SNAPSHOT.

AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, AS CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT NOW AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

ACROSS A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS, WE ARE SEEING STRONG SIGNS OF ECONOMIC STRENGTH.

TAX COLLECTIONS OVERALL ARE STRONG, INCLUDING THE INCOME TAX.

THAT IS ITS BIGGEST SOURCE OF REVENUE IN NEW JERSEY.

JOB GROWTH.

PRIVATE SECTOR JOB GROWTH HAS BEEN RUNNING NET POSITIVE FOR THE LAST 30 MONTHS NOW .

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINS LOWER IN NEW JERSEY THAN NATIONALLY.

THESE ARE GOOD TIMES.

WE LOOK AT TRENDS.

RIGHT NOW, THE TRENDS ARE ALL GOOD.

SOME AREAS WHERE THERE IS SOME TROUBLE SPOTS TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

COMES TO JOBS AND TAX REVENUE.

THINGS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD AT THE CALENDAR YEAR.

>> THERE ARE SOME INDICATORS, AS YOU WRITE, THAT SOME OF THESE PIECES COULD BE SLOWING DOWN AND BE ON THE VERGE OF THAT.

>> WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY, YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS BEEN RAISING INTEREST RATES IN RESPONSE TO HIGH INFLATION.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY.

PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY SEEING LESS IN THEIR BUDGET AVAILABLE FOR AN ACTUAL HOME PRICE BECAUSE THEY ARE BANKING AND PAYING HIGHER MORTGAGE INTERESTS.

THE TREASURY HAS REPORTED THAT THE TAX REVENUE FROM THE REALTY TRANSFER TAX IN NEW JERSEY IS DOWN IN OCTOBER COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

DEFINITELY AN AREA TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

WE MAY BE AT THE BEGINNING OF A SLOWDOWN WHEN IT COMES TO THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY.

HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BLEED INTO OTHER AREAS.

CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

THEN REPORTED THE FINANCE SECTOR SHOWS NET LOSSES.

THAT'S ANOTHER AREA .

LOOKING TO SEE IF THE TREND DEVELOPS.

>> HOW CONCERNED SHOULD PEOPLE BE ABOUT THAT?

THERE ARE A LOT OF INDICATORS THAT ANALYSTS LOOK AT .

BY MOST ACCOUNTS, THEY WERE PRETTY DARN CLOSE.

>> IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO USE A LABEL AND HAVE A DIFFERENT IMPACT.

TO SEE WHETHER SOMETHING TECHNICALLY DOES OR NOT.

WE SAW THE BUDGET RESERVES PADDED.

THAT'S A GOOD THING.

IF THERE ARE REVENUE LOSSES IN THE FIRST TIME , IT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO AVOID SOME OF THE BIG BUDGET CUTS DURING SOME OF THE PAST YEARS.

>> THANK YOU, AS ALWAYS.

>> A SHORT WEEK FOR WALL STREET WITH THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKET IS CLOSED TODAY.

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

DECEMBER 1st AND SECOND AT RESORTS CASINO HOTEL IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJTIA.ORG .

>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

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

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE , THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE NJM INSURANCE.

SERVING THE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

CREATED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM FUTURE.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN PART OF NEW JERSEY FOR OVER A CENTURY.

WE SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAM, SUPPORTING ARTS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, REBUILD COMMUNITIES, AND HOW TO CREATE A NEW GENERATION OF SAFE DRIVERS.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY.

WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>> VERY GRATEFUL .