>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT IS IS PREVENTED BY, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND BY THE PSC G FOUNDATION.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRANAGH WHEN IS A.

>> HELLO.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

WAS WAS A PLANNED CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN FORCES ENDED WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS LOCKING ANY AND ALL HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FROM GETTING INTO THESE DEVASTATED CITY.

REPORTS ARE ABOUT AS MANY AS 3000 CITIZENS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE, THE UNITED NATIONS SAYING 4.1 MILLION REFUGEES HAVE FLED THE CONFLICT.

IS ACCUSED OF ATTACKING THE FUEL DEPOT AND BELGOROD, WHICH UKRAINE DENIES.

THE ALLEGATION LIKELY MEANS THE END OF PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE NATIONS, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

THE STATED TAKE IT TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES AND SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA BY SANCTIONING RUSSIAN TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES AMONG OTHERS.

PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY CONTINUE TO TRY TO HELP THOSE IN UKRAINE BY DONATING GOODS.

ONE FOR THE ORGANIZATION HAS SHIPPED 77 TONS OF AID TO POLAND IN UKRAINE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THOSE EFFORTS AND THE IMPACT THEY ARE HAVING.

>> IT HAS BEEN FOUR WEEKS SINCE VOLUNTEERS SHUT ABOUT THIS WAREHOUSE IMPORTANTLY SPENDING ENDLESS HOURS PACKAGING ITEMS INTO UKRAINE.

>> IT'S AN OVERWHELMING REACTION, MEANING SOMETIMES WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH BREAD, BECAUSE IT IS SO EMOTIONAL AND TOUCHING.

>> Reporter: SOCIALIST McCLOSKEY IS THE ORGANIZER BEHIND THE GROUP.

THE SUPPORT THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING FROM THE COMMUNITY'S AND STARTED COLLECTING DONATIONS LAST MONTH HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

>> IT IS 87 PURCHASES SO FAR ONLY THROUGH AMAZON REGISTRY.

I CANNOT COUNT HOW MANY THE NATION HAS BEEN WALKED IN THROUGH THE WALKED IN PEOPLE AND HOW MANY BOXES WE GOT FROM OTHER COMPANIES, BUT IT IS A LOT.

THE WEIGHT WE SHIPPED OVER TO UKRAINE ALREADY IS EITHER IN TRANSIT OR ALREADY HAS BEEN DELIVERED ON I WILL SIT CLOSE TO 70 TIMES WHICH IS ABOUT IMPERIAL TIME.

THAT IS 2.2, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT'S ABOUT HUNDRED, I DON'T KNOW, 70,000 POUNDS OF GOODS THAT HAVE BEEN SHIPPED.

OUT OF THIS HUNDRED 70,000 POUNDS, I WOULD SAY CLOSE TO 30,000 POUNDS HAVE BEEN DELIVERED AND OTHERS A 37 POUND, I WILL SAY 20,000 ARE IN THE HANDS OF SOLDIERS, DOCTORS AND CIVILIANS.

>> IT'S AMAZING TO OPEN PACKAGES TO SELECT WHAT GOES WHERE AND WHAT TO PUT.

TO DO IT WITH ALL OUR LOVE.

>> Reporter: ALDERMAN ALL DAY HAS BEEN VOLUNTEERING EVERY DAY FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS.

>> Reporter: IT IS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

IT IS SOMETHING HUMAN THAT AT THIS MOMENT WE WILL HAVE TO BE TOGETHER AND DO WHATEVER WE CAN .

PRO PEAS, PRO-LIFE, PRO-LOVE, PRO-RESPECT, AND PRO- CONSIDERATION TO OUR CONSCIENCE, TO OUR NEIGHBORS AND FAMILY.

>> I AM FROM BELARUS.

I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND A LOT OF FAMILY, CLOSE RELATIVES OF ANY KIND, BUT I'M NOT FROM UKRAINE SO I WANT TO HELP.

IT IS HELPING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

IT IS INCREDIBLE WHAT WE ARE DOING.

I AM SAYING VIDEOS FROM THE GROUND FROM UKRAINE OF OUR PACKAGES ARRIVING.

I SEE MY HANDWRITING ON THE BOXES.

IT TOUCHES ME ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL.

>> Reporter: WHILE DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED, ORGANIZATIONS HELPING UKRAINE, LIKE THE UKRAINIAN CONGRESS COMMITTEE OF AMERICA, SAY WHAT THEY REALLY NEED IS MONEY TO TRANSPORT EVERYTHING.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF SUPPLIES AND A LOT OF HOSPITALS DONATING MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

WE ARE A LITTLE SHORT ON GETTING IT OVER THERE.

WE WANT TO GET IT OVER AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.

WE DON'T WANT TO HOLD IT IN THE WAREHOUSE IS.

WE WENT TO GET IT IN AND GET IT OUT IN TWO DAYS, AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WILL LITERALLY FROM THOUSANDS OF MILES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR.

ISN'T THAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FOR?

>> Reporter: IT IS WHAT KEEPS THESE VOLUNTEERS COMING BACK EVERY DAY.

FOR NJTV SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MARISSA CABRERA.

>> Reporter: TV PING IS ON THE RISE.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO USED HE CIGARETTES INCREASED FROM 12% IN 2017 TO 20% IN 2020.

MIDDLE SCHOOL OR STEMMED FROM CLOSE TO A HALF PERCENT TO NEARLY 5% OF THE TEAM SAME TIME PERIOD.

ON THIS TAKEDOWN TOBACCO DAY OF ACTION, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN TALKS WITH EXPERTS AND LAWMAKERS LEADING THE CHARGE TO COMBAT THIS DANGEROUS PEEPING TREND.

>> Reporter: KIDS LOVE THE SWEET FRUITY FLAVORS AND HE CIGARETTES LIKE PINK LEMONADE AND CANDY RAINBOW.

2 MILLION MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REPORTED USING E CIGARETTES LAST YEAR.

SALES HAVE EXPLODED BECAUSE MOST KIDS DON'T SEE FLAVORED VAPING AS DANGEROUS?

ACCORDING TO THIS WRECKERS UNDERGRAD.

>>, CANDY, SOUR PATCH, CORNFLAKES, OR WHATEVER FLAVORS THEY HAVE OUT THERE?

THAT MAKES IT SOUND LESS SCARY, APPROACHABLE AND APPEARED APPEALING.

THAT IS WHY THE PINK IS SEEN ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING USED BY TOBACCO COMPANIES TO MANIPULATE KIDS.

ADULTS WHO USE TOBACCO ARE NOT SEEKING THE FLAVOR.

>> Reporter: DURING A FACEBOOK Q&A TO MARKET TAKEDOWN TOBACCO DAY, ADVOCATES DISCUSSED THEIR ONGOING BATTLE TO BLOCK FAVORITE VAPOR SALES, WITH FORGED.

AND EFFEXOR IS FOUND A REGULATORY LOOPHOLE IN SMOKE THE FEDS USING SYNTHETIC NICOTINE INSTEAD OF THE NATURAL DRUG DERIVED FROM DEVOUT PRO TO EVADE FEDERAL OVERSIGHT.

CONGRESSMAN.

HELLO TO THE RULES WITH LANGUAGE OF THE LAST SPENDING BILL.

>> WE PUT A PROVISION IN THERE THAT GIVES THE FDA THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE ALL SYNTHETIC NICOTINE PRODUCTS.

>> Reporter: ALONE SENT LETTERS TO SEVERAL MAJOR VAPING COMPANIES ASKING ABOUT PLANS TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW REGULATIONS REGARDING SYNTHETIC NICOTINE.

>> THE LETTERS REQUESTED DETAILS AND MARKETING PRACTICES IN EXPLAINING THE ROLE AND PROMOTION OF A PINK AND NICOTINE SPIKES THEY CAN.

>> Reporter: THE COMPANIES DO NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

MORE KIDS ARE BEEPING.

CIGARETTE USE FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ROSE FROM 11.7% IN 2017 TO 20% IN 2020.

AND FROM LESS THAN 1% TO 4.7% IN MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS.

THEY ARE HOT PRODUCTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND EASY TO HIDE FROM PARENTS.

>> THEY ARE ATTRACTIVE TO HOLD AND YOU CAN CONCEAL.

THEY LOOK LIKE PINS AND USBS.

THEY LOOK LIKE SMART WATCHES IN SOME CASES.

>> GOING TO A SHOP, I HAVE EXAMPLES OF WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.

YOU HOW THESE FLAVORED THC LEAPS AND EVERYTHING OUT THERE.

WHAT CAN WE DO AS PARENTS TO PREVENT THEM FROM EVEN TRYING?

>> Reporter: IS SICK INDUSTRY DENIES THEIR TARGETING KIDS STATING THAT IS A CLEAR DEMAND OF FLAVORS FROM ADULTS, PARTICULARLY AMONG EX-SMOKERS WHO RELY ON PRODUCTS TUESDAY ON COMBUSTIBLE TOBACCO PRODUCTS, RATHER THAN IGNORE THE LESSONS TAUGHT BY ALCOHOL AND CANNABIS PROHIBITION, WE SHOULD SET PRODUCT STANDARDS RESTRICT AND WE ARE ALL TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS CAN BE SOLD.

PEDIATRICIAN DR. BRIAN JENSEN SAYS 80% OF ADOLESCENTS WHO TRIED TOBACCO REPORT THEIR FIRST PRODUCT WAS FLAVORED.

HE ADVISES PARENTS -- THE MESSAGING AROUND THE HEALTH HARMS IS IMPORTANT BUT THAT IDEA OF MANIPULATION.

TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO MANIPULATE YOU AND PULL YOU IN TO FLAVORED TOBACCO.

THAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACH.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WHO WANT TO STOP CAN GO TO NJ?

LINE.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

>>> MORE THAN 150 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY A COVID OUTBREAK AT SOUTH BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL AFTER A SCHOOL RELATED EVENT HELD THIS PAST WEEKEND.

THE HASKELL CLOSED EARLY YESTERDAY AND ALL STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS UNTIL THE OUTBREAK SUBSIDES.

NO CASES ARE CREEPING HIGHER.

WITHIN 1200 REPORTED TODAY AND NINE DOES.

IN THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION REMAINS OVER ONE.

REMEMBER A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN CASES WERE SURGING AND AT-HOME TEST KITS WERE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND?

SOME PHARMACY STARTED SELLING PROFESSIONAL TEST KITS FOR PERSONAL USE AND THEY ARE NOW UNDER FIRE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

HEALTHCARE WRITER LEO STAINTON REPORTED ON A.

SHE JOINS ME TOO!

WHAT HAPPENED.

RECENTLY REPORTED SOME NEW JERSEY PHARMACIES WERE ILLEGALLY SELLING PROFESSIONAL TEST KITS FOR AT-HOME USE.

HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING THERE.

CLIMAXING BACK TO THE HEIGHT OF THE MOST RECENT SEARCH WHEN EVERYBODY WAS TO GET A TEST AFTER CHRISTMAS AROUND THAT TIME.

I TALKED TO ONE PHARMACIST WHO SAID WE THOUGHT WE WERE HELPING PEOPLE.

WE REPACKAGED THESE KIDS IN PLASTIC BAGS WITH INSTRUCTIONS THAT WE THOUGHT WERE A GOOD THING AND NOW WE ARE GETTING FINED $5000.

IT IS PART OF A BIGGER LOOK AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION HAVE BEEN DOING.

I HAVE SENT 2000 LETTERS MORNING PEOPLE I THINK 100 SUBPOENAS.

THEY HAVE ALSO FIND 16 BUSINESSES IN THE TEST KITS FOR THE SITUATION BUT PREVIOUSLY DEFINED SOMEBODY MORE THAN $12,000 FOR MARKING UP THE PRICE OF MASKS HE WAS TRYING TO RESELL TO NEW YORK CITY.

THERE ARE PEOPLE JACKING UP THE PRICE OF CHEERIOS, WATER AND SANITIZER.

IS BACK WHEN THE LOCKDOWN BEGAN AND THINGS ARE REALLY STRICT.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE.

>> IT SEEMS INNOCENT ENOUGH, EXCEPT FOR INFLATING THE PRICES.

WHAT WAS THE IMPACT OF THE SALES?

>> Reporter: THAT WE DON'T KNOW BECAUSE WE CAN'T QUANTIFY HOW MANY PEOPLE BOUGHT THESE PRODUCTS WORK ON FOR BID SOMETHING WENT WRONG IN THE TESTING.

IS A GOOD THING IS I THINK OF THE PERSON GOING TO THE STORE IN TRENTON, PATTERSON OR ROBERT NEED TO BUY A BOX OF CHEERIOS AND THEY ARE DOUBLE THE PRICE WERE 50% HIGHER.

BUT IS A REAL CONCERN.

THAT IS WHERE THE ISSUE IS WHY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS STILL GOING AFTER THIS.

>> THE REMOTE APPROVED FOR AT- HOME USE.

>> THEY WERE PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY AND THERE WERE INSTRUCTIONS IT.

IT IS INTENDED IN THE WAY THEY WERE AUTHORIZED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THIS THE PHARMACIST SAYS THEY WERE JUST PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: WITH SOME CONSEQUENCES IS FROM THE 60s?

>> THE FINES GO OUT TO $5000.

THEY CAN APPEAL IT.

A PHARMACIST I SPOKE TO SAID HE WILL EXPLAIN HIS CASE TO THE STATE BUT DOESN'T CONSIDER IT IT APPEAL BECAUSE HE SAID I DID WHAT THEY SAID I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AT THE TIME.

>>>@ALUM OF COLONIA HIGH SCHOOL IN WOODBRIDGE IS RAISING THE ALARM OF A POSSIBLE CANCER CLUSTER AMONG THE SCHOOL'S GRADUATES.

A PIANO, A 1989 GRADUATE OF THE SCHOOL, IDENTIFIED MORE THAN 80 COLONIA HIGH GRADS, INCLUDING HIMSELF AND TO OTHERS IN HIS OWN FAMILY, WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AN EXTREMELY RARE BRAIN CANCER.

HE WROTE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR IN INTO WOODBRIDGE LAST MONTH, SAYING HIS OWN RESEARCH INDICATES THE ONLY COMMON FACTOR IN EACH OF THE CASES IS COLONIA HIGH SCHOOL AND EACH PERSON WITH CANCER ATTENDED THE SCHOOL BETWEEN 1972 AND 1995.

IN A STATEMENT THURSDAY, THE WOODBRIDGE MAYOR AND SUPERINTENDENT SAY THEY HAVE ASKED MULTIPLE STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO INVESTIGATE LJUBLJANA'S CLAIMS CONSIDER TAKING THE INFORMATION SHARED VERY SERIOUSLY.

WOODBRIDGE OFFICIAL SHARED WITH NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, A DOCUMENT CONFIRMING A RADIOACTIVE ROCK WAS MOVED FROM A SCIENCE CLASSROOM CLOSET IN 1987.

THE ROCK HAD BEEN DONATED TO THE SCHOOL.

THERE IS NO CONFIRMATION BETWEEN A LINK WITH THESE ROCK AND CANCER CASES.

>>> VACANCIES CREATING MASSIVE BACKLOGS AND DELAYS IN THE STATE COURT SYSTEM.

YESTERDAY, THE U.S.

IN A CONFIRMED CHERRY HILL ATTORNEY GEORGIA KASTNER TO SERVE AS A JUDGE ON THE FEDERAL BENCH FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.

CASTOR BECAME THE FIFTH JUDGE NOMINATED BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO BE SEATED ON THE BENCH AND SHE WAS CONFIRMED IN A VOTE OF 52-47.

HER CONFIRMATION LEAVES OPEN TO FEDERAL JUDICIAL SEATS STILL IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: ON EMPLOYMENT REMAINS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN ATLANTIC CITY.

MAYOR MARTY SMALL RECENTLY LAUNCHED A JOB TRAINING PROGRAM THAT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST GETTING SEATS AND CHAIRS.

THE PROGRAM FIND SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH NO DEGREES, CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS OR THOSE WHO NEED TO PICK UP A SECOND OR THIRD SHIFT JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

RAVEN SANTANA SPOKE WITH THOSE INVOLVED TO HEAR HOW THEY'RE MAKING THE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ATLANTIC CITY RESIDENTS.

>> Reporter: I CAN'T GO NOWHERE WITHOUT ANYONE ASKING ME FOR A JOB IN SOME WISHES TO INFORM.

THAT IS LITERALLY ANYWHERE PICK UP ATLANTIC CITY MAYOR MARTY SMALL BLUNTLY SLANTING WITH THE JOB MARKET HAS BEEN LIKE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS IN ATLANTIC CITY.

>> Reporter: INITIALLY DURING THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE NUMBER ONE IN UNEMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OUR INDUSTRY WAS SHUT DOWN.

CASINOS REOPENED AT 25% CAPACITY IN JULY 2020.

I OFTEN SAID HOW CAN YOU IMPLY 100% OF YOUR WORKFORCE WHEN IT'S ONLY 25% OF THE CASINO FLOOR OPEN YOU CAN HAVE PEOPLE AND CONVENTION CENTERS.

RESTAURANTS WERE LIMITED 10 TO 20%.

IT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT ASSISTANCE DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHICH CREATED A LOGJAM IN THE WORKFORCE LAST YEAR.

WE COULDN'T GIVE AWAY JOBS.

>> Reporter: ATLANTIC CITY IS NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 8.4% FOR JANUARY ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, TWICE THE STATE RATE OF 4.8% BUT DOWN FROM 16.2% LAST YEAR AND A PANDEMIC HEIGHT OF 46.9% IN JUNE THE 2020.

>> SON MAY BE JOB READINESS SKILLS THAT THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE INTERVIEW SKILLS PERHAPS OR THE RESUME WRITING SKILLS TO GET THAT APPLICATION ACROSS SOMEONE'S DESK.

THOSE ARE TYPES OF SKILLS THAT MAY NEED TRAINING AS WELL.

ANYONE CAN REINVENT THEMSELVES.

THE CASINOS ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ADVANCE INTO OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND HAVE UPWARD MOBILITY.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHEN THE MAYOR CREATED THE ATLANTIC CITY JOBS TRAINING PROGRAM.

THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM LOCATED HERE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF CITY HALL IS TO HELP RESIDENTS ACCESS A JOB.

>> THEY CAN SEE WHO THE EMPLOYER IS., PROGRAM DIRECTOR MARCUS WILSON SAYS THERE IS A JOB FOR EVERYONE AT EVERY LEVEL FOR EVERY AGE.

>> I GET DATABASES FOR ALL TYPES OF JOBS, FROM EX-OFFENDER FRIENDLY EMPLOYERS, TO PEOPLE WITH DEGREES, TWO PEOPLE WITH NO HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS.

I HAVE A DATABASE HERE I'M LOOKING AT, FULL-TIME, PART- TIME, BILINGUAL, SECOND SHIFT, THIRD SHIFT.

THERE IS A MIXED DEMOGRAPHICALLY.

THERE IS INLETS IN THE AGE RANGES.

A LOT OF THE OLDER PEOPLE HAVE NOT REALLY BEEN COMING HERE, REALLY, 55.

THE OLDER OLDER PEOPLE, I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THOSE.

WITH THE YOUTH, SOME OF THE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMING HERE, 30s, 25'S.

I HAVE IN CHINA HAVE A LOT OF THOSE.

>> Reporter: AFTER A CLIENT SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINS A POSITION, WILSON SAYS IT DOESN'T END THERE.

HE FOLLOWS UP WITH THE CLIENT FOR THE NEXT 3 TO 6 MONTHS TO ENSURE THEY KEEP A JOB.

>> PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS, BABYSITTING.

SOME PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD A PAIR OF SHOES THEY NEED TO WEAR.

WE SENT THE RESOURCES AND STABLE THEM FOR 30, 60, 90 DAYS AFTER TO HELP THEM KEEP THEM JOB.

>> Reporter: THERE HAVE BEEN 40 PEOPLE WHO USE THE PROGRAM SERVICES.

MAYOR SAYS THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO PREPARE PEOPLE OF ATLANTIC CITY TO RETURN TO THE WORKFORCE AND BUILT THE JOBS OUT THERE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MONTANA.

>> Reporter: AMAZON WORKERS ARE FOLLOWING IN THE STEPS OF STARBUCKS WORKERS, VOTING TO UNIONIZE.

RHONDA HOUSE THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN THE UNITED STATES, AMAZON WORKERS HAVE VOTED TO UNIONIZE.

WORKERS AT A STATEN ISLAND WAREHOUSE APPROVED UNION MEMBERSHIP IN A VOTE THAT COULD SET OFF EFFORTS TO UNIONIZE OTHER AMAZON WAREHOUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THIS VOTE IS BEING VIEWED AS A MAJOR WIN FOR ORGANIZED LABOR AT A TIME WHERE A TIGHT JOB MARKET HAS EMPOWERED WORKERS TO ASK FOR HIGHER WAGES AND OTHER BENEFITS.

EVIDENCE OF THE ROBUST LABOR MARKET CAME TODAY IS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S MONTHLY JOBS REPORT SHOWED 431,000 NEW JOBS WERE ADDED TO THE ECONOMY IN MARCH WHILE THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED TO 3.6%.

>>> SOME NEW VOICES IN THE STATES BUDGETING PROCESS.

THE SWEENEY CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY AT ROWAN UNIVERSITY PUT TOGETHER A NONPARTISAN GROUP OF 25 ECONOMISTS AND FINANCE EXPERTS, TO DEVELOP A FIVE-YEAR BUDGET REPORT FOR THE STATE.

FORMER STATE SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY TEARS THE CENTER'S ADVISORY BOARD.

>> THE BUDGETING CONSENSUS FORECASTING IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO GET IT RIGHT.

IT IS REALLY WORK TOWARDS ONE YEAR YOU ARE GREAT AND THE NEXT YEAR YOU HAVE A HUGE CLIFF YOU FALLEN OFF OF AND HAVE TO CUT PROGRAMS YOU JUST FUNDED.

A LOT OF STATES DO THIS AND THEY ARE BETTER OFF BECAUSE THEY DO.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP HELD ITS FIRST MEETING YESTERDAY AND AIMS TO RELEASE A REPORT BY EARLY JUNE.

NEW JERSEY RECEIVED ITS SECOND CREDIT UPGRADE IN LESS THAN A MONTH.

S&P GLOBAL RATINGS RAISED THE RATING ON THE STATES GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO A- FROM TRIPLE PLEA PLUS.

IT IS THE FIRST UPGRADE FROM S&P SINCE 2005.

FINALLY IN WASHINGTON DC, THE HOUSE APPROVED A BILL TO MONTHLY INSULIN COSTS AT $35 FOR MILLIONS OF DIABETICS WHO RELY ON THE MEDICINE.

THE BILL HEADS NEXT TO THE SENATE.

HERE IS A CHECK ON HOW WALL STREET WRAPPED UP THE TRADING WEEK.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS SUPPORT PROVIDED BY MONTAUK SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT NJ IT OFFERING NEW JERSEY'S FIRST BACHELORS OF SCIENCE DEGREE IS INTACT.

BUSINESS FOCUSED, TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN AND THE IML TOGETHER FUND , NEWARK HAPPENING ESSEX COUNTY AND BRANCHBURG PARK AND ITS, AMASSING SO FRESH SAYS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS FESTIVAL COMING TO ESSEX COUNTY BRANCHBURG PARK APRIL SECOND AND THIRD.

DETAILS ONLINE AT WWW.SO FRESH FEST.COM.

>> JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER THIS WEEKEND.

SHE DIGS DEEPER INTO THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF RUSSIA'S INVASION IN UKRAINE FROM SKYROCKETING FOOD AND OIL PRICES TO HOW NEW JERSEY'S BIGGEST COMPANIES ARE SENDING AID AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE.

CHECK IT OUT ON NJ PBS SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 930 A.M. >>> TODAY IS THE START OF NATIONAL DISTRACTED DRIVING MONTH.

NO SURPRISE HERE, DISTRACTED DRIVING IS A HUGE PROBLEM IN NEW JERSEY.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE RELEASED THE RESULTS OF THE 2021 REPORT TODAY SHOWS ONE IN FIVE DRIVERS ON CERTAIN HIGH CRASH CORRIDORS WERE DRIVING DISTRACTED.

SOME DISTRACTIONS INCLUDE CELL PHONE USE, EATING, DRINKING OR GROOMING WHILE DRIVING.

THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED BY ROWAN UNIVERSITY AND THE DIVISION ON HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY OR HTS, WHICH TODAY LAUNCHED A STATEWIDE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN CALLED TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR DESTINY, ALONG WITH AN ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN CALLED YOU DRIVE, YOU TEXT, YOU PAY.

>>> THROWING A PARADE FOR A LOSING TEAM?

NO, IT'S NOT AN APRIL FOOLS' DAY PRANK.

MR. ENZI PRIDE JERSEY CITY IS CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS ST. PETER'S UNIVERSITY MEN'S TEAM HAD IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT MAKING IT ALL THE WAY TO THE ELITE EIGHT BEFORE A CRUSHING LOSS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA'S TAR HEELS.

MAYOR'S PHILIP PRESENTED A KEY TO THE CITY TO A TEAM THAT FOUND THE KEY TO OUR HEARTS THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

TED GOLDBERG WAS THERE.

WHAT ARE YOU SINGING ON THE STREET?

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT EVERY DAY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PILE ONTO JERSEY CITY STREETS LIKE THIS.

IT'S NOT EVERYDAY THE ST. PETER'S PEACOCKS GO ON A RUN IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.

AFTER THEY WON THE FIRST EVER GAMES IN THE BIG DANCE, THEY'RE GETTING A LOT OF LOVE FOR PEOPLE AND JERSEY CITY.

>> WE MADE HISTORY, ALL OF US, PEACOCK NATION, WE MADE HISTORY.

>> IT IS GOOD FOR NEW JERSEY IN FOR THE BASKETBALL PROGRAM AND THE UNIVERSITY.

IT IS GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.

WE ARE EXCITED TO RECOGNIZE THESE ATHLETES THAT DID SOMETHING NO OTHER COLLEGE TEAM HAS DONE.

>> THOSE 10 DAYS AND TWO WEEKS FOR A DIFFERENT WORLD WE WERE LIVING IN.

EVERYONE WAS TOGETHER TALKING ABOUT THIS TEAM.

IT WAS REALLY GOOD.

IT WAS LIKE A HOMETOWN FEEL IN THIS BIG CITY.

>> IT WAS INTENSE.

EVERYONE ELSE CONSIDER THEM AS UNDERDOGS.

LIKE NO, WE ARE, ON TOP NEW JERSEY IS BUILDING DISTRICT LEGACY.

THE CROWD INCLUDED SOME OF JERSEY CITY'S IN THE ST. PETER'S FANS AND NEW JERSEY'S SENIOR SENATOR FROM A ST. PETER'S ALUM.

>> THERE STORY IS ABOUT GRIT, DETERMINATION, HARD WORK AND SACRIFICE.

THOSE ARE GREAT LIFE LESSONS TO TAKE WITH YOU ON THE BASKETBALL COURT ACADEMICALLY AND IN LIFE.

I THINK THERE ARE TREMENDOUS CHAMPIONS AND MORE THAN THE BASKETBALL COURT.

>> Reporter: THEY SPEAK TO THE CHARACTER OF THE CITY, BLUE- COLLAR AND IMMIGRANT BACKGROUND.

EVERYBODY SEES A LITTLE OF THEMSELVES IN THIS TEAM.

WE ARE HAPPY, EXCITED AND THANKFUL.

>> Reporter: THEY CELEBRATED THE PEACOCKS NOT JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDERDOGS WHO REACH THE ELITE EIGHT, IT IS HOW THEY WANT AND HOW PLAYERS CONDUCTED THEMSELVES.

>> THEY WERE NOT AFRAID TO COMPETE AGAINST TEAMS THAT WERE RUN ON AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE REPRESENT JERSEY AS BEST AS WE CAN.

>> TWO KIDS WERE GOING TO CLASS AND I WAS ON A RUN EVER STOP THEM LIKE DUCKY, YOU'RE GOING TO SCHOOL?

THE SCHOOL IS GREAT.

YOU NEED TO LEARN TO BUDGET YOUR TIME, PRACTICE, PLAY HARD AND GO TO SCHOOL AT THE SAME TIME.

>> SOME PEOPLE SAY THEY MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE HAPPEN.

IF YOU ARE FROM ST. PETER'S UNIVERSITY, IS A GRADUATE OF THE SCHOOL, YOU KNOW THAT IMPOSSIBLE IS WHAT WE DO, WHETHER IN LIFE, ACADEMICALLY, OR IN THE CASE OF THESE YOUNG MEN, WITH A DID ON THE COURT.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY MAY HAVE THOUGHT OF JERSEY CITY WITH THE CIVIC ABOUT IN THE 70s, 80s AND 90s, A DIFFERENT CITY THAN TODAY.

IT EXPERIENCED ONE OF THE BEST RENAISSANCE STORIES IN THE COUNTRY.

THE LIGHT SHINED ON US OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS HAS SHOWED THAT.

THREE WEEKS AGO, NOBODY KNEW WHERE IT WAS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND TODAY PEOPLE DO.

>> Reporter: SHANE HOLLOWAY WAS STILL PART OF THIS PARADE AND ON THE FOOT WITH HIS PLAYERS, EVEN THOUGH HE TOOK THE HEAD COACHING JOB AT SETON HALL EARLIER THIS WEEK.

GOT A LARGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR FOLKS IN JERSEY CITY SHOWING THEY WON'T FORGET WHAT HE DID WITH THIS TEAM ANYTIME SOON.

>> GREAT STUFF.

>>> THAT IS A FOR US TONIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO CATCH UP ON ALL THE OTHER TOP POLITICAL HEADLINES OVER THE WEEK WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CREWS.

BUT A SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:00 AND.

ALSO TUNE INTO CHAT BOX WITH DAVID.

HE TALKS WITH STICKER?

HOFFMAN MOTHER CALLS FOR HEARINGS TO DEAL WITH ITALY'S AMOUNT OF THE STATES CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

ON THE SATURDAY OF 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M.

I AM THRILLED TO TELL YOU THAT BREANNA WILL BE BACK HERE ON MONDAY AND YOU ALL THE NEW JERSEY NEWS YOU'VE COME TO EXPECT FROM OUR TEAM.

.

I AM JOANNA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US THIS WEEK.

SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION , MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD .

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEART HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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