>>> FUNDING YOUR M.J.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY M.J. INSURANCE GROUP SERVING BUSINESSES AND BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

.

>>> FROM NJPBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEW JERSEY IS THE MIST OF A THIRD WAVE IN THE PANDEMIC, A FOOT RACE BETWEEN GETTING SHOTS IN ARMS AND CONTAGIOUS VARIANTS CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

DESPITE A BUMP IN VACCINATIONS NEW JERSEY HAS ONE OF THE PER CAPITA RATES OF NEW POSITIVE DAILY CASES IN THE COUNTRY.

TODAY HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING 4,700 NEW CONFIRMED TESTS AND 30 ADDITIONAL DEATHS REACHING A NEW MILESTONE WITH MORE THAN 800,000 TOTAL CASES STATEWIDE.

WHAT'S MORE, A CONCERNING NEW TREND IN HOSPITALS.

A RISE IN NEW PATIENTS INCLUDING YOUNGER RESIDENTS, FEELING QUESTIONS ABOUT JUST HOW BAD THE NEXT WAVE COULD BE.

ROUGHLY A YEAR TO THE DAY OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN SUITED UP AND WENT INTO AN ICU SLAMMED BY NEW PATIENTS AND TONIGHT SHE REVISITS THE HOSPITALS WHERE LEADERS ARE MUCH BETTER PREPARED THIS TIME AROUND IF FACING ANOTHER SURGE.

>> THE PATIENTS JUST KEEP COMING AND EMERGENCY IS OVER CROWDED.

>> Reporter: ONE YEAR AGO THE PANDEMIC SLAMMED HUDSON REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND TURNED IT INTO A COVID WARD STRUGGLING TO FIND BEDS.

THE HOSPITAL ER DOCTOR LED US ON A TOUR OF THE ICU.

>> WE CAN'T HAVE ANY MORE PATIENTS IN THE ACTUAL ICU ITSELF WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE A SPILLOVER ON THE FLOOR.

>> IT IS DAY AND NIGHT.

>> JUST TWO COVID PATIENTS OCCUPY THE ALMOST EMPTY ICU WITH SIX MORE IN ISOLATION ON AN ACUTE CARE FLOOR.

UNUSED BED LINES THE WALLS AND THE VIRUS IS SURGING AGAINST WITH HOSPITAL COVID ADMISSIONS UP 28% STATEWIDE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

STILL -- >> NOT LIKE LAST YEAR WHERE WE WERE COMPLETELY BLIND SIDED BY THE POTENTIAL OF HOW THIS DISEASE WILL IMPACT US.

WE MAY PATIENTS TODAY CALLED.

>>> EVERY TIME WE SEE THE SLIGHT INCREASE, WE GET NERVOUS BUT NOT IN A WAY THAT YOU KNOW WE'RE READY, I MEAN WE -- I WOULD BE VERY, VERY SURPRISED IF WE SEE ANYTHING LIKE WE SAW LAST YEAR.

I THINK THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO LIVE WITH LEVELS OF COVID IN THIS RANGE PROBABLY THROUGH THE SUMMER.

>> HOLY NAME IS PREPARING JUST DEBUTED A HIGH-TECH ICU WITH BUILT IN STABILIZATION AND WILL MOVE PATIENTS IN SHORTLY.

>> THE UV LIGHT WE'RE USING TAKES IT A SAFER LEVEL AND SAFER FOR PATIENTS.

>> BUT COVID PATIENTS ARE SKEWING YOUNGER IN NEW JERSEY AND UNTIL THEY GET VACCINATED, THE DOCTOR SEIZE A PROBLEM.

>> THEY'RE AT A BAR OR PARTY, THEY'RE AT THE BEACH, THEY'RE AT WHATEVER IT MAY BE, IT IS EXPECTED FOR THEM TO HAVE THE DISEASE AND SPREAD THE DISEASE.

>> Reporter: HOSPITALS HOPE VACCINATIONS WIN THE RACE AGAINST THE VIRUS AND ITS VARIANTS AND FLATTEN THE THIRD WAVE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN N.J.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AN INGREDIENT MIXUP AT A BALTIMORE PLANT PRODUCING THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE REPORTEDLY RUINED 150 MILLION OF THE ONE SHOT DOSES.

THE ERROR WAS FIRST REPORTED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES AND WILL CAUSE A DELAY IN FUTURE SHIPMENTS LIKE THE FDA INVESTIGATES.

IT IS OPERATED BY EMERGENT BIO SOLUTIONS AND PRODUCES DOSES OF J&J AND ASTRAZENECA SHOT.

THE BATCHES NEVER MADE IT TO THE FINAL PROCESS BECAUSE THE PROCESS IS BEING REVIEWED.

NO DOSES CURRENTLY IN CIRCULATION ARE AFFECTED AND THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY IS STILL ON TRACK TO DELIVER ONE MILLION DOSES TO THE U.S. BY THE END OF MAY.

>>> AND THE GOVERNOR IS TAUNTING VACCINATION SITES.

MORE THAN 4.3 MILLION AND 1.6 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE VACCINATED.

NEW JERSEY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS NOT EXPECTING AN IMPACT ON NEXT WEEK'S SHIPMENT WHICH IS DOUBLE THE USUAL J&J ALLOTMENT BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

WE ASKED A DIRECTOR OF BIO MEDICINE AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY.

>> IT IS BEING CALLED HUMAN ERROR BUT HOW DOES SOMETHING OF THIS SCALE HAPPEN AND HOW BIG OF A DEAL IS IT?

>> I THINK IT'S FAIR TO MAKE AN ANALOGY THAT THE COVID STORY IS LIKE WE ARE AT WAR.

WE ARE AT WAR AND WE HAVE A BIG CAMPAIGN.

SOMETIMES ERRORS OCCUR JUST LIKE THEY DO IN WARS.

I THINK THE BAD NEWS IS 15 MILLION DOSES ARE OUT, DOWN THE HATCH.

THEED GOOD NEWS IS NOBODY GOT THEM.

YOU KNOW, IT'S PART OF THE COST OF GOING TO WAR.

>> ARE YOU CONCERNED THOUGH THAT THIS WILL ERODE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE SHOT?

I MEAN WE SAW WITH HAPPENED WITH ASTRAZENECA.

>> YEAH, EVERY TIME THERE IS A MISTAKE, SOME PEOPLE SAY, OKAY, THAT'S IT.

IT'S NOT FOR ME.

BUT BASICALLY, VACCINES HAVE BEEN GIVEN NOW TO 50 MILLION PEOPLE.

IT'S A REALLY BIG -- IN THE U.S. AND TENS OF MILLIONS MORE ELSEWHERE.

AND THANKFULLY, UP TO THIS POINT, THE VACCINES ARE VERY SAFE.

ERRORS OCCUR.

FORTUNATELY THEY CAUGHT THE ERROR.

IT MIGHT NOT HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN AN ERROR IF IT HAD GONE INTO PEOPLES' ARMS AND WE DON'T KNOW AND WON'T FIND OUT.

I THINK THE SAFETY MEASURES ARE GOOD.

AND WHEN THEY FIND SOMETHING WRONG, THEY HAVE TO THROW IT AWAY EVEN IF IT IS ON THIS SCALE.

>> Reporter: BASED ON WHAT YOU KNOW, DR. BALAZER ABOUT VACCINE INTLIE CHAIN SHOULD WE ANTICIPATE IN NEW JERSEY TAKING A HIT ON WHAT DOSES AND SHIPMENTS WE'LL BE GETTING IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS.

>> WHEN YOU TAKE OUT 15 MILLION DOSES, ESPECIALLY FOR THE J&J WHICH IS A SINGLE-DOSE VACCINE, IT WILL HIT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

IT WILL SLOW THINGS DOWN.

I GUESS THE GOOD NEWS IS THE PACE HAS ACCELERATED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

WE'VE GONE FROM LESS THAN A MILLION DAY AND NOW WE'RE ALMOST AT 3 MILLION A DAY.

SO -- THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IS PERFORMING.

>>Reporter.

WELL J&J IS STILL SAYING THEY WILL DELIVER THE 100 MILLION DOSES BY THE TIME LINE THEY INITIALLY SET.

IS THAT A LITTLE TOO AMBITIOUS AT THIS POINT.

>> I CAN'T TELL.

I'M ASSUMING IF THEY SAY THEY WILL MAKE IT, THEY WILL MAKE T. THEY HAVE A LOT OF CAPACITY IN EUROPE.

THEY WANTED TO BRING THE CAPACITY TO THE U.S.

BUT THERE WAS A PROBLEM.

IT WAS WITH -- IT WAS WITH A CONTRACTOR.

IT WASN'T ACTUALLY J&J.

IT WAS A COMPANY THEY WERE INN PARTNERSHIP WITH.

>> Reporter: RIGHT.

>>> LET ME END ON THIS BRIGHT NOTE.

PFIZER SAID TODAY IT'S VACCINE IS SHOWING TO BE PROTECTIVE UP TO 6 MONTHS AFTER PEOPLE GET THE SHOTS.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE SEEING THAT SAME TYPE OF EFFICACY WITH THE OTHER VACCINES?

>> YOU KNOW, I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE.

BUT IN THE PRELIMINARY WORLD, ALL THE VACCINES LOOKED ABOUT THE SAME.

THEY LOOKED ABOUT THE SAME AND HOW MUCH IMMUNITY THEY RAISED AND WHAT KIND OF PROTECTION THAT WAS FOUND IN THE CLINICAL TRIALS.

SO IF -- PFIZER FOUND THAT, I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THE SAME WERE TRUE FOR THE OTHER ONES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: DOCTOR, THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> RISING CORONAVIRUS CASES WAS ONE REASON CITED BY PATERSON SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR POSTPONING STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM.

IN A WEDNESDAY NIGHT VOTE, THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT AGREED TO DELAY THE MAY 3 REOPENING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

THE DISTRICT IN THE LAST MONTH ALONE NEW COVID-19 INFECTIONS INCREASED BY NEARLY 50% IN PATERSON AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES AND POINTED TO A POSITIVE CASES LISTENED TO IN-SCHOOL TRANSITION.

28,000 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN LEARNING VIRTUALLY SINCE LAST MARCH.

THE LOCAL TEACHERS UNION WAS PUSHING FOR THE PAUSE UNTIL MEMBERS COULD BE GIVEN A TOUR OF THE BUILDINGS TO CHECK SAFETY MEASURES.

>>> IT HAS BEEN A ROCKY FOR NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AS INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE INTO AN ATTACK AT THE ALL WOMENS PRISON AND AVID STRIKE AGAINST COVID PROTECTION.

PRISONER'S LIVES OUTSIDE THE WALLS AFTER RELEASED OR OFTEN JUST AS TOUGH.

THE NEW JERSEY RE-ENTRY CORPORATION IS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS FOR JOBS AND MENTAL HEALTHCARE FOR THOSE HOPING TO START THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THEIR LIVES.

DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> THIS IS THE SEASON OF RES RECOLLECTION LITERAL AND NIAGARATIVE.

IT IS FITTING THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE PRESENTED EXAMPLES OF INSPIRING SOULS ONCE LOST AND NOW FOUND LIKE JAMES BROWN OF PART #107B9Z, O.G.

WHO HAS BEEN NOW THE OF PRISON MOST RECENTLY FOR DEALING HEROIN FOR THE LAST 22 OF HIS 52 YEARS WHEN I FINALLY DECIDE TO LOOK AT MY TIME, WHICH WAS AT THE AGE OF 50.

>> YEAH.

>> I BELIEVE THAT WOW, I DID NOTHING WITH MY LIFE BUT SELL DRUGS, USE DRUGS AND GO TO PRISON.

>> ACTUALLY I SPENT MORE THAN HALF MY LIFE IN AND OUT OF JAIL.

>> JAMES AND ALI SURVIVED PRISON AN ACCOMPLISHMENT IN ITSELF BUT FOUND AS MANY PAROLEES DO, THEY WERE NOWHERE WITHOUT WORK AND HOUSING AND CLOTHING AND LACKING BASIC DOCUMENTS EVEN TO GET ANY OF THOSE THINGS.

>> WHERE I KEPT GOING BACK WAS -- AFTER TREATMENT, I DIDN'T HAVE I.D.

OR A JOB, YOU KNOW WHAT I AM SAYING?

I WAS CLEAN BUT I WAS, YOU KNOW, AT A STANDSTILL.

>> Reporter: AND THAT'S WHERE THE NEW JERSEY RIO CORPORATION DOES IT'S MOST CRITICAL WORK PROVIDING THE BRIDGE TO ACTUAL FREEDOM IF NOT OUT RIGHT REDEMPTION.

THE CONFERENCE LED BY FORMER GOVERNOR JIM MCGREVEY ATTRACTED A LIST OF TV PERSON AMOUNTS AND LYNDSAY CHRISTIAN TEE AND SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY.

MCGREVEY SAID DURING A BREAK IT IS ABOUT COMPLAINING BEHAVIORS AND FINDING FAITH AND ABOUT WISE INVESTING.

>> WE WILL PAY $55,000 A YEAR FOR 20 YEARS AT OVER OVER A MILLION DOLLARS OR PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH AN I.D.

>> THE DISCUSSION TOPIC INCLUDED WOMEN IN PRISON.

CONSENSUS THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION HAS A LONG WAY TO DO AND WHAT GOVERNMENT CAN DO TO HELP FACILITATE A SMOOTHER TRANSITION FOR MEN AND WOMEN TRYING TO FIND WAYS HOME.

SENATE PRESIDENT SWEENEY TALKED ABOUT LEGISLATION HELPING TO DO JUST THAT.

>> WE'VE COME SO FAR FROM MANNED TEAR MINUTES, LOCK THEM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY TO LET'S GET PEOPLE THAT MADE MISTAKES AND GET THEM BACK INTO SOCIETY BECAUSE IT IS CHEAPER FOR US AS TAX PAYERS AND IT IS BETTER FOR US AS HUMAN ACCIDENT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>>Reporter: LIKE ANY COWORKER OR MOTORIST OR GRANDPA.

>> YEAH, YEAH IT BLOWS MY MIND -- BLEW MY MAN I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO PUT ON A PAM PER, THESE ARE THE SMALL THINGS THAT I DIDN'T CARE FOR BEFORE.

THE SMALL THINGS MEAN SO MUCH TO ME NOW CHANGE PG THE PAMPER AND BURDEN OF PROOFING AND HAVING MY GRANDSON ON MY CHEST.

>> IT FELT GOOD TO HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND NOT WORRIED ABOUT GETTING PULLED OVER AND BEING ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR, YOU KNOW, I'M DOING THINGS THAT IT IS CRAZY AT THIS LATE AGE, I'M JUST NOW DOING BUT IT IS A BLESSING THAT I'M DOING IT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>> IT FEELS TREMENDOUS; RIGHT?

>> NO DOUBT, NO DOUBT.

>> Reporter: AMAZING GRACE.

I'M DAVID CRUZ N.J.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> DESPITE A PANDEMIC-ROW LATE FREEZE ON EVICTIONS.

RENTERS ACROSS THE STATE ARE STILL REPORTING BEING ILLEGALLY LOCKED OUT OF HOMES.

THE RULE WAS PUT IN PLACE TO HELP RESIDENTS STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY DUE TO COVID-19 AND ADVOCATES WARN THE STATE COULD FACE A EVICTION CRISIS ONCE THE MORATORIUM LIFTS IN JUNE.

STATE LEADERS ARE STEPPING IN TO PROVIDE MORE PROTECTIONS.

WE HAVE THE STORY.

>> I WOUND UP IN THE HOTEL FOR SIX DAYS.

I HAD NO WHERE TO GO.

>> THIS RESIDENT LIVED IN THE SAME APARTMENT FOR 14 YEARS.

NEVER MISSED A RENT PAYMENT AND NEVER PAID LATE.

SO SHE WAS STUNNED WHEN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT LOCKED HER OUT OF HER APARTMENT SHE SAYS ON FEBRUARY 16.

>> NEVER BEEN IN THIS SITUATION LIKE THIS BEFORE.

YOU KNOW?

AND IT WAS JUST LIKE -- EMBARRASSING.

HURTFUL, I FELT DISRESPECTED BECAUSE I'VE BEEN WITH THIS LANDLORD FOR FIVE YEARS AND HE SAID IF YOU DON'T GET THEM OUT, I WILL CALL THE DOG POUND.

>> SHE EXPLAINS SHE HAD BEEN RECEIVING UNAUTHORIZED OCCUPANT LETTERS FOR MONTHS BUT DIDN'T OPEN BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T ADDRESSED TO HER.

THE TACTIC TO SAY A TENANT IS A SQUAT TER HAS BEEN USED BY LANDLORDS TRYING BYPASS THE MOTHER FOR YUM IN PLACE UNTIL JUNE 17 UNLESS EXTENDED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>> I TALKED TO THEM AND I HAD MAINTENANCE COME OUT AND FIX THINGS IN THE APARTMENT AND EVERYTHING BUT HE ACT LIKE HE DIDN'T KNOW WHO WAS RESIDING THERE.

>> SHE CONTACTED LEGAL AID AND GOT HERSELF AN ATTORNEY AND A JUDGE RULED ON FEBRUARY 26 THAT SHE COULD REMAIN IN HER APARTMENT.

>> I FULLY BELIEVE HE'S TRYING TO GET ME OUT TO GET MORE FOR THE APARTMENT BECAUSE I'M ON SECTION 8.

>> HER SITUATION IS ONE EXAMPLE OF WHAT ATTORNEY GENERAL HOPES TO STOB.

>> THEY KNOW THAT THERE'S NO LEGAL AVENUE FOR EVICTION RIGHT NOW.

IN THE MOST EGREGIOUS OF EXAMPLES, SOME UNSCRUPULOUS LANDLORDS CHANGED LOCKS ON TENANT OR SHUT OFF UTILITIES WITHOUT TENANT'S KNOWLEDGE.

>> HIS OFFICE ISSUED A #-PAGE DIRECTIVE TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS EXPLAINING A STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO HANDLE SITUATIONS AND SPOT ILLEGAL LANDLORD BEHAVIORMENT FIRST, WHO REALLY LIVES IN THE PROPERTY.

AND THEN ISSUE WARNING TO RESPONSIBLE PERSONS.

NEXT MAKE SURE ANYONE ILLEGALLY EVICTED GETS BACK IN THEIR HOME AND FINALLY ISSUE A SUMMONS IN LANDLORD IGNORE THE WARNING.

>> I'M WILLING TO WORK WITH MY TENANTS.

I DON'T HAVE ANY INTEREST IN TRYING TO EVICT ANYBODY.

I DON'T THINK THAT REALLY SERVES ANY USEFUL PURPOSE.

>> IN LANDLORD OWNS SEVERAL SINGLE FAMILY UNITS IN MERCER AND BURLINGTON COUNTIES.

HE SAYS MOST OF HIS TENANTS ARE PAYING ON TIME AND HE'S WORKING WITH THE TWO THAT AREN'T TO FILL OUT RENTAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS.

>> SO BASICALLY YOU'RE TRYING TO HELP THE RENTERS GET THE MONEY SO THEY CAN PAY YOU TO YOU CAN PAY YOUR BILLS?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AND I DON'T THINK THE ANSWER IS GOING TO THE MORTGAGE COMPANIES AND ASKING FOR ABEYANCE, ALL YOU'RE DOING IS PUSHING THE DEBT ON THE BACK END OF THE LOAN NOR DOES IT HELP ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE CONCERNS MAINTENANCE COSTS AND TAXES TO THE LOCAL TOWNSHIP.

>> HE IS HAVING TO PAY AT MAINTENANCE COSTS OUT-OF-POCKET WHICH IS EATING AWAY AT SAVINGS.

>> NEITHER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR STATE GOVERNMENT COULD BUILD LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR.

SO OUTSIDE OF THAT, IF THEY CAN'T PROVIDE THE HOUSING, THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT CAN, ARE THE LANDLORDS.

SO WE NEED ASSISTANCE.

HELP US MAINTAIN THESE PROPERTIES SO PEOPLE HAVE A PLACE TO STAY.

OTHERWISE, WE'LL HAVE A HUGE HOMELESS CRISIS.

>> I'M LEAH MISHKIN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THERE IS A NEW ROUND OF MOANS AIMED AT KEEPING DOORS OF THOUSAND OF BUSINESSES OPEN.

RHONDA HAS MORE.

>> THE STATE WILL PROVIDE MORE FUNDS TO NEW JERSEY SMALLEST BUSINESSES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A BILL TODAY TO PROVIDE $25 MILLION IN AID TO BUSINESSES WITH 5 OR FEWER EMPLOYEES.

THE LEGISLATION WAS ONE OF OF A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WOULD PROVIDE $100 MILLION IN TOTAL TO BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE WILL BE SIGNING ADDITIONAL AID BILLS LATER THIS MONTH.

A POLICY GROUP WANTS TO SEE N.J.

TRANSIT MOVE QUICK TO REPLACE THE INSPIRE DIESEL BUS FLEET WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE SAYS THAT'S BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE SWITCH WOULD END UP REDUCING THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

N.J.

SPOTLIGHT ONHURDLE SAYS CONVERTING THE FLEET WOULD COST $5.7 BILLION.

>> IT'S NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE MONEY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

POLICY PERSPECTIVE DOES PROPOSE A NUMBER OF STATE AND FEDERAL SOURCES AND THE STATE SOURCES INCLUDE THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS CURRENTLY PLANS TO PAY FOR ROAD WIDENING.

>> FOR MORE READ JOHN'S REPORT ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THAT.ORG >>> NEW JERSEY DRIVERS WOULD HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL TOLL TO TRAVEL INTO MANHATTAN UNDER A CONGESTION BRYCING PLAN THAT IS ADVANCING IN NEW YORK.

THE STATE WANTS TO SET UP TOLLS FOR VEHICLES COMING INTO MANHATTAN BELOW 60TH STREET.

IF THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION SIGNS OFF NEW YORK WOULD BE THE FIRST CITY IN THE COUNTRY TO IMPLEMENT CONGESTION PRICING AND MONEY RAISED WOULD BE USED TO FUND MASS TRANSIT.

>>> THE RECENT STIMULUS PACKAGE PASSED BY CONGRESS WAVES FEDERAL TAXES UP TO $10,200 WORTH OF PAID OUT TO PERSON.

NOW THE IRS SAYS IT WILL BE SENDING REFUNDS STARTING IN THE FIRST WEEK IN MAY FOR THOSE WHO PAID THE TAXES.

>>> WE LEAVE YOU NOW FOR NUMBERS ON WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER WITH YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY M.J.C.U.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE'RE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT M.J.CUEDU/GAME CHANGER.

.

>>> AS THE STATE LOOKS TOWARDS BIG PROGRAMS TO COMBAT THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

ONE TOWN IS TACKLING THE PROBLEM THROUGH SMALL CHANGES.

ONE HOUSEHOLD AT A TIME.

A FIRST OF ITS KIND FOOD RECYCLING EFFORT IN NORTH JERSEY THAT HELPS TO SAVE BOTH MONEY AND THE PLANET.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS AS PART OF THE ON GOING SERIES ON THE HUMAN STORIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE, PERIL AND PROMISE.

>> WHILE WORKING AT THE SINK CHOPPING OR WHATEVER, WE PUT EVERYTHING IN HERE LIKE ORANGE PEELS, IT'S A LITTLE EMBARRASSING.

COFFEE FILTERS, PAPER TOWELS.

>> PLASTICS HAVE BEEN ALL THE RAGE WHEN COMES TO ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND FOOD WASTE IS A MAJOR PLAYER IN HARMING THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE WASTE WE PRODUCE EITHER GOES TO AN INCINERATOR OR GOES INTO A LANDFILL AND BOTH OF THOSE PROCESSES PRODUCE BIO GASES, YOU KNOW, GREEN GASES THAT ARE TERRIBLE FOR THIS PLANET.

>> RIDGE WOOD LAUNCHED A PILOT PLAN TO RECYCLE FOOD WASTE.

COUNCIL WOMAN IS ONE OF HUNDRED FAMILIES PARTICIPATING.

>> IT IS A AMAZING HOW MUCH FOOD WASTE WE GENERATE.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE MAYBE 10% OF THE GARBAGE.

BUT FOR US, IN THIS HOUSEHOLD, IT IS FULLY 50%.

>> SHE KNOWS THIS BECAUSE PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO WEIGH FOOD WASTE AND THEIR REGULAR GARBAGE SO THE TOWN CAN COLLECT THE DATA.

>> THEY REALIZE EXACTLY HOW MUCH THEY THROW AWAY AND FOOD SCRAPS THAT IS VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR THE PLANET THAT WE CAN USE TO MAKE HEALTHY COMPOST THAT GOES BACK INTO OUR LAND.

>> AND THEY'LL TAKE JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

>> FOOD SCRAPS, WE TAKE ANY KIND OF VEGETATIVE WASTE AND WE TAKE MEAT, BONES.

>> OLD ROTTING FOOD STINKING UP THE PLACE, NOT THE MOST PLEASANT IDEA EACH HOUSE IS GIVEN A 5 GALLON AIRTIGHT RESEPTEMBER ACLE.

>> IT DOESN'T HAVE A SMELL.

>> THEY CAN DROP IT OFF AT THE TOWN'S RECYCLING CENTER WHENEVER THEY CHOOSE.

ONCE A WEEK IT IS PICKED UP BY A COMPANY CALLED NATURAL UP CYCLING THAT BRINGS TO TRENTON RENEW ABLS THAT TURNS IT INTO COMPOST AND USES IT TO POWER THE PLANT.

>> WE'RE HOPING BY WORKING WITH THE COMPANY WE CAN LEARN HOW TO -- HOW TO DO THIS OURSELVES.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.

WE'RE JUST, YOU KNOW, DIPPING OUR TOES INTO THE WATER INTO A MUCH LARGER PROGRAM WE CAN INSTITUTE IN THE TOWN.

>> Reporter: THE TOWN WILL DECIDE WHETHER TO MAKE IT PERMANENT AFTER ANALYZING THE DATA THAT THEY'RE COLLECTING MONTH BY MONTH.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE RESTAURANTS INVOLVED AS WELL AND MAKE SURE THAT MORE GOES BACK TO THE EARTH.

>> BUT FOR YOU PERSON SALE IT A GRATIFYING FEELING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THIS IS THE GARDEN STATE.

YOU KNOW THIS IS WHAT WHAT WE TAKE PRIDE IN AND IT IS TIME THAT WE REALLY START TO THINK ABOUT COMPOSTING THIS FOOD INSTEAD OF PUTTING IT INTO LAND FILLS.

>> Reporter: THIS PILOT PROGRAM RUNS FOR NINE MONTHS AND WITH JUST 100 FAMILIES INVOLVED THEY EXPECT THEY WILL REDUCE THE FOOD WASTE IN TOWN BY 22%, A NUMBER THEY HOPE TO SCALE IN THE FUTURE.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS N.J.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FUNDING YOUR UPPED MAJOR SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE MARK HOUSE FOUNDATION AND SUE AND EDGAR WALK HIEM THE THIRD AND CHERYL AND PHILIP MILL STEPHEN FAMILY.

>>> HEAD OVER TO N.J.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG OR FIND US ON SOCIAL TO CONTINUE REPORTING AND DON'T FORGET SUBSUBSCRIBE TO N.J. YOUTUBE PAGE AND TURN ON THE NOTIFICATIONS SO YOU DON'T MISS A THING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR N.J.

SPOTLIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>>> NEW JERSEY PUBLIC SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

R.W.J.

BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER AND WOULD SAY STEAD COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY SUSTAINABLE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> THIS IS A WORLD THAT RUNS ENTIRELY ON GREEN ENERGY.

LOCATED OFF THE COAST OF ATLANTIC CITY.

WORE STEAD OCEAN WHIPPED PROJECT WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFF SHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUBREPLY CHAIN AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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