>> Tonight on New Jersey Spotlight News, the Israel-Hamas war enters day 18.

The U.S. raising concerns about a ground invasion.

>> This would be a Bloody ground campaign with a lot of risks you could kill hostages and have casualties.

>> Harming New Jersey's youth.

>> I am horrified.

>> Matt Plotkin joins 41 states suing Meta, saying it is addictive for kids.

Plus, expunging criminal records a class-action lawsuit filed against state police for sharing background slated to be cleared.

>> The state police need to fix this.

There are not workarounds.

>> NJ decides 2023, two weeks before election day, new pallet machines to avoid last year's chaos.

>> We put extra steps in place to test the ballot, and test every kind of ballot we have.

>> New Jersey Spotlight News begins right now.

>> Funding is provided by NJM Insurance Group.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, an independent licensee.

And by the PSEG Foundation.

[typewriter typing] ♪ >> From NJPBS, this NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: Good evening.

Thank you for joining us.

I am Briana Vannozzi.

Pressure mounting to delay a ground offensive in Gaza as Israeli forces intensify strikes after the assault by Hamas.

Palestinian officials to date describe the last 24 hours as a Bloody not that killed more than 700 people including entire families in a refugee camp holding tens of thousands of people who had been displaced by the Israel-Hamas war.

The depth toll inching -- death toll inching closer to 6000, with more than 15,000 injured, without the information has not been independently verified.

In Tel Aviv one of two Israeli hostages released spoke publicly today for the first time.

The 85-year-old woman described her capture by the militant group is having "gone through --" but described friendlier conditions from her captive and her release makes four total hostages freed, giving hope for the roughly 200 more kidnapped.

The U.S. and other international powers are working to address the humanitarian crisis inside the Gaza Strip and prevent a regional spillover of the war.

For more on this Michael Boyle is an associate professor at Rutgers who focuses on terrorism.

Michael, thank you for joining me.

It appears ground invasion has been imminent, but the U.S. is not sure Israeli defense forces have a clear endgame.

What would a ground invasion look like and what kind of heavy civilian losses would we be talking about.

Michael: the ground invasion is likely very, very costly, partly because Hamas has built a series of tunnels under the city.

It suggests it is a small tunnel but does not get it.

It is a network of, under Gaza City and large parts of the territory that Israel would have to clear out.

It would not be surface fighting.

It is likely the tunnels would be booby-trapped and well defended and you're likely to see the use of suicide bombers or other explosive devices deployed inside the tunnels, so it would be extremely costly urban combat but in an environment with a lot of civilians, so if the civilians have not fled north in Gaza and are in the buildings, then you risk that if you knock down buildings, you will kill civilians.

Civilians may be held hostage by Hamas.

You may see attacks on Israeli hostages as a way of leverage against Israel if Israel attacks, so this would be an extraordinarily bloody ground campaign with Risca killing hostages and casualties and that is why Israeli officials said it could be on the order of months if not years.

Briana: Is that pride that U.S. is dialing back the rhetoric, still standing to support and willing to supply Israel with all the artillery it needs and so forth, and yet really cautioning against this ground for in urging more humanitarian aid was already 5000 Palestinians have died.

Michael: I think the U.S. is worried that it would turn into a large regional conflict you would see with the ground invasion with Hezbollah launching rockets into Israel and Israel would getting engaged with the ground conflict with Hezbollah and with Iran, a large regional fallout.

It is worth pointing out there are hostages held by Hamas that are not allowed to transfer into Egypt, including Americans, so the U.S. has reason to be careful to advisors raising book, if we -- look, if we support you, you have to do it in a way that puts civilians at as little risk as possible, both soldiers, hostages, and other people trapped there.

Briana: The question is what does a post-work Israel look like?

How long could this battle be wage?

Michael: most officials suggest if the ground invasion happens, and it is likely to happen, several months if not years.

What is Israel's ultimate war aims?

To destroy Hamas and annihilate the group or destroy Hamas's infrastructure.

From what Israel has said it seems Hamas cannot be part of the governing structure in Gaza afterwards, so who governs Gaza?

If Israel, occupies Gaza it has magnified its own problems, administering the territory with its own population in Gaza city, not easy to do.

The other danger is somebody worse will come forward, and from Israel's point of view the lesson you want to do is eliminate Hamas and have a more extreme group and more violent group take over the territory.

Briana: Michael Boyle is an associate professor at Rutgers University.

Thank you.

New Jersey is taking on social media giant meta.

Matt Platt again announced a sweeping lawsuit with 41 states suing the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, accusing it of using features that purposefully addict kids and teenagers to the platforms by designing their products with frequent notifications and infinite newsfeeds that keep users on them longer and coming back and claiming the platforms are contributed to the youth mental health crisis by fueling poor self-esteem and depression rates.

A bipartisan group of 42 attorneys general presented a united front protecting children from the harm in the complaint claims that Meta collects data on kids under 13 routinely without parental consent, violating consumer protections.

The Attorney General Matt Plotkin says states are seeking an end to what they see as Meta 's harmful practices, penalties and restitution.

>> It is notable the person tasked with growing Meta's user base has said he would not but his own kids use Meta platforms, so we're saying treat our kids the same way Meta executives treat their kids.

Briana: The state office of the public defender is also taking legal action today filing a class-action civil rights lawsuit against the New Jersey state police that what it says are the police agency's extreme delays in processing tens of thousands of expunged criminal records for New Jersey residents.

Our Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan reports that justice advocates a the backlog means people are prevented from applying for or getting new jobs and housing.

Brenda: they lose out on good paying jobs at casinos, coaching kids sports and get locked out of apartments for rent after owed convictions pop up on the criminal background checks.

Even though New Jersey courts officially expunged those offenses and gave them a clean slate some people are waiting for years for the New Jersey State police to update the records.

>> The state police hold the official criminal records of New Jersey, so that means the FBI draws down the records from the state police and all the private background check companies that landlords use an employer's use are all getting their data from New Jersey state police.

>> I think the bottom line is the state police need to fix this.

There are not work arounds.

The system is set up were all roads lead to the state police and that is why this lawsuit is so important.

Brenda: the impact on people's lives forms the heart of this class-action lawsuit filed by New Jersey's public defender and represents six plaintiffs who share a common grievance that the New Jersey state police's extreme delay in processing expungement orders deprives them the right to result from the benefits.

We have disguised this complaint and at his request.

>> If I need fingerprinting, that will show up.

Brenda: he is a military vet and recovering alcoholic who now counsels in the county and wanted to get a job teaching but his prior offenses show up on background checks even though they were expunged almost two years ago.

>> The anxiety I experienced having to wait, are they going to know, say something,, not going to get the job, am I going to be judged?

>> People apply for jobs at Home Depot and get denied because the state police did not clear their criminal records, so that is why we are fighting on behalf of all of them.

Everybody who got in expungement is entitled to the benefit of being able to say they don't have any convictions.

Brenda: the lawsuit names Colonel Patrick Callahan and said his agency got a 15 million dollar appropriation to update its obsolete data systems and higher staff to process documents within a reasonable time, according to a law signed by Governor Murphy and 2019.

Meredith directs the expungement bar project at records.

Meredith: Over four years later the fact the system and backlog is worsened than when they were given $15 million is unacceptable.

Brenda: the state said we have a problem here?

Meredith: They never responded to me ever, and have completely ignored requests, emails, and letters to find out what is going on.

Brenda: she has referred a lot of data to the New Jersey state comptroller for investigation.

The lawsuit request looks simple on its face.

>> What they're asking is to mandate the state police follow the law.

People are waiting years after the court has said you are entitled to this relief, hey, state police, clear it from their records.

Brenda: the state police did not respond to our request for comment.

I am Brenda Flanagan.

Briana: The Murphy administration is looking to solidify its stance on reproductive rights today plunging the first website for the state dedicated to information about abortion and other reproductive health care in New Jersey.

Our Senior correspondent reports that the announcement comes as Democrats controlling state governments zero in on abortion rights ahead of the election.

>> New Jersey is and always will be a safe haven for reproductive health care period.

>> In a time of uncertainty it is paramount to emphasize women's rights are undeniably human rights.

Reporter: Governor Murphy today joined with leaders from Glen Rock and members of the state legislature to sign a bill that effective immediately launch the states first website dedicated to reproductive health care.

>> Nj.gov/reproductive health.

[LAUGHTER] this moment is up and running.

[APPLAUSE] Reporter: the governor calling it an information hub that will include which reproductive services are legal in New Jersey and which of the services are covered by insurance.

>> And crucially, this new hub will connect you with health care providers throughout the state, whether you need an abortion, cancer screening, birth control or any other reproductive health care.

The point is that this reproductive health care hub will be a resource for everyone.

>> Today is a testament to the fact that we have the power to make change come about our rights, voices and bodies matter.

And when we talk about access, it is not about whether something is legal or not, access means making sure that our health care system has enough facilities that are safe and modern, and has the trained staff and resources to provide abortions, as well as family-planning services and other forms of reproductive care.

Reporter: the Murphy administration has dedicated $5 million to train nurses in reproductive health care and $5 million to increase security services around family-planning clinics.

>> Sadly we know that abortion providers across the country have faced a sharp increasing threats, so this funding prepared by her and her team will protect the safety and well-being of abortion providers and their patients.

Reporter: the governor has approved nearly $1 million in grants and forgivable loans to Planned Parenthood and live well to make improvements to their facilities around the state, and has increased Medicaid reimbursements for reproductive services.

>> Whether it is finding the right health care provider, getting a prescription or making personal decisions about our bodies, women should not have to jump through hoops or break the bank to get the health care they need.

Reporter: New Jersey's new lieutenant governor finding it difficult to take offer Secretary of State at, reminding those in the room -- hat, reminding those that they need to get out and vote.

>> Early voting starts Saturday.

Vote the governor driving that point home and would likely hear from Democrats in the next few weeks.

>> The Senate minority leader said a few weeks ago that if Republicans calm that shot in Trenton, New Jersey, they would cut funding for reproductive care and restrict access to abortion and bring us back to the Chris Christie administration was funding for Planned Parenthood was gutted to zero for eight straight years.

Reporter: the campaign message that allowed them the hold onto the majority in the governor hopes will drive them to the polls on November 7.

>> Support for the medical report is provided by horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, an independent licensee of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Briana: In our spotlight on business report tonight combating the conflict between warehouse development in the communities where they are built.

A new study released today aims to solve quality of life issues for people living in southern Middlesex County, which has become a hotspot for trucks and freight traffic causing congestion on residential roads and safety concerns for pedestrians navigating the unprecedented volume.

Ted Goldberg has the story.

[typewriter typing] Ted: Driver Brent bunk enough and you will spot trucks lugging around cargo.

While some are passing through many are driving out of the 1300 warehouses in the county.

A prime location close to New York City and Philadelphia, with access to so many major highways and byways can be a double-edged sword, as it is convenient not only for residents but businesses as well.

Many warehouses here in the county are proof of that and while we are happy to offer a welcoming and supportive environment for businesses, we are incredibly proud Middlesex County is such a wonderful place to live.

Ted: warehouse growth has led to protests and shouting at meeting statewide.

The North Jersey transportation planning authority is trying to provide more information about helping communities adapt to more trucks and warehouses and today released the results from a year-long study focusing primarily on Middlesex County.

They took in more than 1000 comments and the recommendations include finding ways to steer trucks away from homes.

>> One thing is abundantly clear, truck traffic is a regional issue that must be addressed as such.

We must work together at all levels of government and with our partners in the private sector to mitigate the impact of truck traffic on our local roads.

We expect that this will make a big difference for our residents in terms of traffic, noise and safety.

Some recommendations are minor like putting up signs from stopping trucks or making left turns at certain intersections.

Ted: County leaders say they will jump on that immediately well much larger changes could come later.

>> On a long-term basis we have a project in design that would convert it into a four-Lake it signalized session and is scheduled to go construction in the next two years.

Ted: residents have use their frustration to run for office.

They are happy to hear about studies like this and hope more of Mercer County can get similar treatment.

>> I think we saw a great example of the collaboration at all levels of the government, municipalities, county, and state and how effective that is supporting the needs of the residents.

>> I'm hoping that the legislators who came out is more than a photo op and they will act on it.

There was a lot of concern about respect for the quality of life for residents and I love that.

Ted: She hopes that people follow in her footsteps and run for office if they don't like how their communities are run in regards to setting up warehouses.

>> It is easier to be part of City Hall than fight City Hall, so if you're going to do the work, you should run in local elections or find candidates who represent the values of people who are environmentally focused.

Ted: The study has 60 recommendations for changes and if the county chooses we could see those sooner than later as leaders look for ways to help trucks stay away from homes.

Briana: Now turning to Wall Street, here is a look at today's closing trading numbers.

♪ >> Support for the business report provided by the New Jersey tourism industry Association.

They will host their New Jersey conference on tourism November 30 through December 1 at resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.

Go online for event information.

Briana: Mercer County election officials are promising to avoid a repeat of last year's election Day bungalow where problems with the ballot counting process delayed some local races from being called and took workers days to counter the boats in full.

David Cruise reports that the county will roll out fancy new voting machines with verifiable paper trails in every voting district ahead of election day.

>> We were not able to count our votes on election day.

And that should never happen again.

David: With the unease about our election process it was not what Mercer County or any other County needed.

In 2022 after what the county clerk thought would be a costly change to ballots because an election day reaction chain of errors and they were forced to use paper ballots and had to be manually counted at the board of elections and took two days.

>> We got a call a little after 6:00 a.m. on election day last year saying the ballots were not scanning and I asked the person who caught me -- two, where was it, and they said it's everywhere.

I was like this is not good.

Ted: Months after that near fiasco and months of meetings with the Board of elections rebooted so to speak the system with new machines that include increased privacy and paper backups and touchscreens that county officials say would prevent a repeat of November 22.

Walker worthy is the county superintendent of elections and walked us through the new process at the warehouse where the machines are being readied for election day 2023.

What is the difference this time around and what will be different?

Walker: Well, we have new voting machines and we put a lot of time into these machines and the voters said they wanted more privacy, which the machines give them more privacy with curtains that go around the machine.

Before we did not have curtains and people felt that people were watching to see how they voted.

David: The new system limits the number of people who touch the ballots, meaning rather than a poll worker handing you the ballot, you get a card that contains information on a chip.

Walker: you go to it and it will come up.

They will get that card and run it through in your ballot will pop up.

Once the ballot pops up, you make your choice and when you are done with your choice use a push print and the ballot will come out in USA Yep, this is who I -- you will say Yep, this is who I voted for and put it in the machine.

David: It is one of several steps recommended by Peter Harvey brought in by the Attorney General's office to investigate after Mammoth County reported incorrect results last year.

Among these are more training for poll workers and creating a system whereby the Attorney General's office is not the one representing election officials when you go to court to resolve a voting issue.

>> If you go to vote on election day and have an issue, you have the right to see an election day judge, absolutely, but on the other side will be County election officials who are same for whatever reason that you don't have the right to vote.

They are represented by the Attorney General in New Jersey.

This creates a conflict of interest because they also can't then explore our navigate around the County election officials that they themselves represent.

David: And Mercer, of -- in Mercer, they are training for workers.

Creating ethics is the job for lawmakers, who you will get to elect beginning with early voting that starts his weekend, the first big test for the new equipment and for voters.

I and David Cruz, NJ Spotlight News.

Briana: That will do it for us tonight, but don't forget to download the NJ Spotlight News podcasted listen anytime.

I am Briana Vannozzi for the entire NJ Spotlight News team, thank you for being with us.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

♪ >> The members of the New Jersey education Association, making public schools great for every child.

RWJ Barnabas health but let's be healthy together.

In Orsted, committed to the creation of a new long-term sustainable clean energy future for New Jersey.

>> Have some water.

>> Look at these kids.

What do you see?

>> I see myself.

I became a teacher to give students what I wanted when I came to this country, the opportunity to learn, dream, achieve, a chance to belong and be an American.

>> My name is Julia and I am proud to be an NJEA member.

♪