>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS FUNDED BY NGM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING INSURANCE NEED FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, POWERED BY THE PS E.G.

FOUNDATION.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING ETHICS FOR JOINING US ON THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

17 MONTHS AFTER VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED LEGALIZING MARIJUANA SALES ARE SET TO BEGIN IN NEW JERSEY WITHIN A MATTER OF WEEKS.

THE STATES CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION TODAY IMPROVED SEVEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES FOR ADULT USE SALES.

THE LOCATIONS ARE ALSO KNOWN AS ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTERS, AND WILL BE THE FIRST SITES TO SELL RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.

THE COMMISSION TODAY ALSO GIVING THE GREEN LIGHT TO 34 MORE BUSINESSES, APPROVING CONDITIONAL LICENSES WITH GROWERS AND MANUFACTURERS SO THEY CAN BEGIN BUILDING UP OPERATIONS.

OUR SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE DEVELOPMENT ALL DAY AND HAS THE LATEST, DAVID?

>> A, THE COMMISSION MET TODAY IN A VIRTUAL SESSION AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS INDUSTRY THAT THE CRC HAS BEEN SLOW TO GET THINGS GOING, WE TALKED TO FOLKS OFF THE RECORD BEFORE THE MEETING TODAY, AND THE SENSE WAS THAT ON THE ONE HAND, HEY, MORE LICENSES GRANTED, THAT IS GOOD.

OTHERS ARE SAYING IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE THE CRC WAS PUT TOGETHER AND SO FAR, OF THE MORE THAN 700 APPLICATION, THEY FINALLY APPROVED THEIR 100th TODAY.

HERE'S A SAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENED AT THE MEETING TODAY.

WE WILL HEAR FIRST FROM CHAIRPERSON WHO MARKED THE MEETING BY CONGRATULATING THE BOARD ON ITS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY AND THEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JEFF BRAUN WHO EXPLAINS SOME OF WHAT IT TAKES TO GET ONE OF THESE LICENSES, WHICH SOME SMALLER OPERATORS SAY IS MUCH MORE CUMBERSOME THAN IT NEEDS TO BE.

>> TOMORROW MARKS THE COC'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, IN JUST ONE YEAR, THEY'VE DONE TREMENDOUS WORK TO EXPAND THE CANNABIS PROGRAM, ADAPT AND THE RECREATIONAL INDUSTRY.

DEFINE PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS, AND NOT UPSETTING THOSE WHO HAD BET MONEY AGAINST US, AND PROUD THAT THE COMMISSION NOW GOES WITH 52 HARD-WORKING PUBLIC SERVANTS, WHO MAKE EACH DAY AND EACH MILESTONE POSSIBLE, AND WE ARE STILL GROWING.

>> I WANT TO GO THROUGH IT HAPPENINGS FOR ADDITIONAL LICENSE APPLICANTS AFTER IF THEY ARE APPROVED BY THE BOARD AFTER BROWER BOARD APPROVAL, SO THERE IS SOME KEY STEPS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN BEFORE LICENSES ARE ISSUED.

SO, THE LICENSE APPLICANTS THAT WERE APPROVED AT THE LAST MEETING, MANY ARE STILL IN THIS PROCESS.

AND SO, OSTENSIBLY THEY HAVE TO CONFIRM ACCEPTANCE OF THE AWARD, THERE'S AN INITIAL VERIFICATION OF APPLICATION INFORMATION, AND THIS IS ESSENTIALLY A CRC STAFF MEMBER OR STAFF MEMBERS, CALLING THE APPLICANT JUST TO RUN THROUGH SOME QUESTIONS AND BRIEFLY VERIFY THE INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION IS TRUTHFUL AND ACCURATE.

ONCE THAT IS COMPLETED, THEN THE APPLICATION IS APPROVED IN OUR LICENSING SYSTEM AT WHICH POINT, THE APPLICANT IS NOTIFIED THAT THEY CAN THEN SUBMIT PAYMENT AND ONCE PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED, THEN THE LICENSE IS ISSUED THROUGH THAT SYSTEM.

>> SEVERAL OF THE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTERS, THAT IS THE MEDICAL CANNABIS SUPPLIERS WERE ASKED TO MAKE PRESENTATIONS TODAY, REPEATING SOME OF WHAT THEY PRIVATELY SAY IS INFORMATION THEY'VE ALREADY GIVEN TO THE CRC.

IN THE END, THE BOARD SAYS IT IS DOING PRETTY GOOD JOB WITH INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS THAT SEEM TO BE OKAY TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THEM AFTER A YEAR.

BUT, SMALLER WOULD BE OPERATORS CONTINUE TO EXPRESS FRUSTRATION THAT THE ACCESS THEY WERE PROMISED HAS NOT YET BEEN DELIVERED.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, WE WILL SEND IT BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, DAVID THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WELL, A SERIES OF ATTACKS IN THE JACKSON LAKEWOOD AREA IS BEING CONDEMNED BY OFFICIALS AS POSSIBLE HATE CRIMES, AUTHORITIES CHARGE 27-YEAR-OLD DIONNE MARSH OF MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP WITH CARJACKING BY HIS INTIMIDATION AND ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER FOUR SEPARATE VIOLENT INCIDENTS.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, HE CARJACKED A MOTORIST IN JACKSON, AND LATER STRUCK TWO PEDESTRIANS AND STABBED A MAN IN LAKEWOOD.

ALL THREE VICTIMS WERE TAKEN TO JERSEY SHORE MEDICAL CENTER AND ARE IN STABLE CONDITION AFTER HIS ARREST, HE ALLEGEDLY MADE ANTI-SEMITIC STATEMENTS TO INVESTIGATORS, TWO THIRDS OF LAKE WITH 100,000 RESIDENTS ARE ORTHODOX , INCLUDING THE MAN THAT WAS STABBED IN FRIDAY'S ATTACKS.

IN A LETTER TO THE FBI YESTERDAY, U.S.

CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH REQUESTED THAT THE AGENCY DETERMINE IF ANY OF THE CRIMES HE IS ACCUSED OF CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL HATE CRIME LAWS.

>> THE WHITE HOUSE IS ATTEMPTING TO CRACK DOWN ON THE SO-CALLED GHOST GUNS.

WORKING GUNS MADE FROM KITS OFTEN SOLD ONLINE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID TODAY IT'S TIME TO END A GROUP AROUND PARTS WITHOUT SERIAL NUMBERS.

MAKING THEM VIRTUALLY UNTRACEABLE.

AND A GROWING PROBLEM FOR U.S. LAW ENFORCEMENT AS GHOST GUNS ARE INCREASINGLY TIED TO VIOLENT SHOOTINGS.

THE NEW RULE WOULD CLASSIFY THE KIDS AS FIREARMS, WHICH REQUIRE COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURERS TO INCLUDE SERIAL NUMBERS WITH THEM.

THE RULE WOULD ALSO REQUIRE COMMERCIAL SELLERS OF THOSE KIDS TO BE FEDERALLY LICENSED AND PERFORM BACKGROUND CHECKS.

IN HIS ANNOUNCEMENT, PRESIDENT BIDEN ALSO NAMED FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY, STEVE HAS HIS NOMINEE TO DELETE THE BOROUGH OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS, THE AGENCY HAS BEEN WITHOUT A SENATE CONFIRMED DIRECTOR FOR NEARLY A DECADE.

>> IS EXTREME TO PROTECT POLICE OFFICERS, EXTREME TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN?

EXTREME TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO CANNOT EVEN PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK?

>> LOOK, THE IDEA THAT SOMEONE ON A TERRORIST LIST COULD PURCHASE ONE OF THESE GUNS.

IT'S EXTREME, BASIC COMMON SENSE >> THE WHITE HOUSE IS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH UKRAINE OVER A NEW ROUND OF MILITARY AID PLANNING TO SUPPLY UKRAINE WITH MORE WEAPONS.

SPECIFICALLY, THOSE TAILORED TO COMBAT RUSSIAN FORCES IN THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE CONFLICT IS ESCALATING.

THE TALKS COME AS MORE EVIDENCE SURFACES OF THE ALLEGED WAR CRIMES.

THE MAYOR SAID TODAY, MORE THAN 10,000 CIVILIANS DIED IN THE RUSSIAN SIEGE OF HIS CITY, BUT ANTICIPATES THE DEATH TOLL TO BE MUCH HIGHER, DESCRIBING A SCENE OF CORPSES CARPETED THROUGH THE STREETS.

IN AN ADDRESS TO THE COUNTRY SUNDAY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR ZELENSKY PRAISE THE BRAVERY OF THE CITIZENS FOR FIGHTING BACK.

AND A USED RUSSIAN LEADERSHIP OF BLAMING UKRAINE FOR ACTIONS COMMITTED BY THEIR TROOPS.

WHO NOW HAVE A NEW COMMANDER LEADING THE WAR.

ARMY GENERAL, ALEXANDER IS TAKING THE REINS OF THE RUSSIAN MILITARY, A MAN ACCUSED OF ORDER AND STRIKES ON CIVILIAN NEIGHBORHOODS IN SYRIA.

>> WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT THE CENTER OF NEWARK'S WATER CRISIS IS GETTING A MAJOR OVERHAUL.

$23 MILLION PROJECT TO RAISE THE REQUIRED WATER TREATMENT PLANT.

THIS CAPACITY AND IMPROVE THE TRICKING WATER FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS ARE SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN, REPORTS.

>> THIS MASSIVE PIPE SENDS OUT 25 MILLION GALLONS OF DRINKING WATER PURIFIED DAILY FOR CHRONIC TREATMENT PLANT TO THOUSANDS OF HOUSEHOLDS IN JERSEYS LARGEST CITY, PLUS, SEVERAL OTHER TOWNS AS WELL.

>> NEW YORK WANTS TO STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE AND BE STATE OF THE ART.

>> IN ABOUT A YEAR, CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOTICE IMPROVED WATER QUALITY.

FEMA PROBABLY THE MOST NOTICEABLE THING THE COLOR WILL BE PURE AND IT WILL BE REMOVING ORGANIC TASTE AND ODOR YOU WOULD OCCASIONALLY GET.

>> WE PULL OUR SOURCE WATER OUT OF THE GROUND OR OFF THE SURFACE WATER.

WE GOT TO REMOVE THE HARMFUL THINGS THAT COULD BE IN THAT WATER.

>> NEWARK DRAWS ITS WATER FROM FIVE PRISTINE RESERVOIRS.

INSIDE THE PLANT, THE WATER IS TREATED AND PASSED FILTERS THAT REMOVE THE PARTICULAR DEBRIS.

WORK HAS ALREADY BEGUN ON UPGRADES, GRANULATED CARBON WILL REPLACE GRAVEL FILTERS, THESE OLD DRAINS WILL GET A MAKEOVER WITH STAINLESS STEEL.

IT WILL ALLOW TO PURIFY WATER FASTER TO FEDERAL TURBIDITY STANDARDS THAT ARE NOW 3 TIMES MORE STRINGENT THAN WITH THE PLAN OPEN.

POSSIBLE DESIGN ENGINEER WALKED US THROUGH THE PLANTS, POINTING TO OUTDATED SYSTEMS.

>> A NEW CONTROL ROOM WITH TOUCHSCREEN TECHNOLOGY WILL REPLACE AGING MACHINERY FROM THE 1990s TO NEW AIR BLOWERS WILL HELP SCOUR FILTERS CAN COME IN NEW SLUDGE PUMPS WILL REMOVE WASTE.

DOZENS OF NEW VALVES, GIGANTIC PIECES OF EQUIPMENT ORIGINAL TO THE 30-YEAR-OLD PLANT.

IT IS GEARING UP FOR TOUGHER WATER QUALITY REGULATIONS.

>> BELLS AND WHISTLES.

>> EVEN THOUGH RIGHT NOW ALL NEWARK'S WATER MEETS REGULATORY LEVELS, THERE ARE NEW REGULATIONS COMING DOWN THE PIPE, THINGS LIKE PHARMACEUTICAL CONTAMINANTS THAT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE WATER.

>> NEWARK RECENTLY EARNED PRAISE FROM THE BOTTOM DEMONSTRATION FOR SUCCESSFULLY REPLACING 23,000 LEAD SERVICE LINES THAT CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER AND 2017 AND 2019.

ENGINEERS TRACED THE PROBLEM TO INADEQUATELY TREATED WATER AT THE AQUATIC PLANTS, AND SWITCHED TO A NEW TREATMENT PLAN THAT IS WORKING WELL.

THE CITY HOPES FOR FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY, BUT MAKING AN INVESTMENT NOW.

>> WE ARE NOT ONLY INVESTING NOW WITH WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, WE ARE INVESTING IN PERSONNEL, WE HAVE A GROUP OF ABOUT 7 OR 8 OF OUR YOUNG SCIENTISTS, CHEMISTS, ENGINEERS THAT'S GOING TO BE HANDED TO THEM IN THIS PROJECT.

WHO KNOWS WHICH MARK WE HAVE THIS PLANTS TO THE PLACE IT NEEDS TO BE.

WE NEED TO DELIVER WATER TO MORE CUSTOMERS IN THIS AREA.

SPIRIT THE PROJECT IS FINANCED BY A LOW INTEREST LOAN FROM JERSEYS INFRASTRUCTURE BANK, BUT ONCE THE PLANT RAMPS UP TO 60 MILLION GALLONS A DAY, IT'LL BE ABLE TO SELL OFF SOME OF THAT WATER TO HELP YOU BACK ALONE.

IN WEST MILFORD, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE MARKET MINISTRATION HAS ITS SIGHTS SET ENDING THE STATES BACKLOG OF THOUSANDS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS BEFORE THE END OF HIS SECOND TERM.

THE GOVERNOR TODAY TALKED ABOUT A LARGE POT OF FEDERAL MONEY WANTS TO USE TO GET THERE.

THE NEW HOUSING PLAN WILL HAVE TO FIRST SURVIVE TRENTON'S BUDGET NEGOTIATION PROCESS.

ALYSSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> FOR THE PAST NEARLY 50 YEARS, NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN A BROAD EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT EVERY FAMILY, NO MATTER THEIR CIRCUMSTANCE, CAN FIND AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY WANT TO LIVE.

>> SO, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS PUSHING FOR APPROVAL OF A NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND, WHICH WOULD BE CREATED USING FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING.

>> WAS ALREADY AN EXPENSIVE STATE TO LIVE IN NOT WITHSTANDING ALL OF OUR EFFORTS, AND TO TELL FOLKS HERE IN BURLINGTON COUNTY, BECAUSE THAT IS THE CASE IN VIRTUALLY EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE.

PEOPLE ARE TRIPPING OVER THEMSELVES TO MOVE INTO THE STATE.

PARTICULARLY, POSTCODE.

>> THE GOVERNOR JOINED OTHER OFFICIALS OUTSIDE THE MORRIS TELL MOM WHEN USING NEW HOUSING UNITS WILL SOON BE BUILT.

>> BEEN WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS AT THE INVESTMENT TRUST TO TURN AN AGING MALL INTO A VITAL, REVITALIZED NEWTOWN CENTER THAT WILL INCLUDE NOT ONLY SHOPPING, DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT, BUT RESIDENCES, LITERALLY RIGHT WHERE WE ARE STANDING.

IT'LL BE 375 APARTMENTS HERE, 20% OF WHICH WILL BE AFFORDABLE, AND RIGHT BEHIND ME OVER MY SHOULDER WILL BE ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT OF 75 AFFORDABLE UNITS.

>> THIS PROJECTS PARTICLE TO CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS THE STATES, AND OFFICIALS SAY THEY WANT THE TOWN TO BE KNOWN AS A COMMUNITY THAT IS INCLUSIVE FOR EVERYBODY.

>> THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED IN LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY, SUCH AS WHAT THE GOVERNOR DESCRIBED, OUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, I THINK A BETTER TEACHER AIDES, I THINK A BETTER TEACHERS.

THINK ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE STARTING THEIR CAREERS OUT.

THE MILLENNIAL'S, IF YOU GO ALL ACROSS THE STATE TO SOME OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THE 11th, YOU'LL FIND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO JUST GOT OUT OF COLLEGE STARTING A LIFE, STARTING WORK, THEY ALSO NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> THE PROGRAM CALL BEFORE THE HOUSING PRODUCTION FUND AS PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL AND REQUIRES APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATOR.

THE GOAL IS TO BUILD 3300 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, CLEARING THE STATES BACKLOG OF PROJECTS BY THE END OF NOVEMBER THE SECOND TRUMPET >> WHERE ONE LIVES IS INEXTRICABLY CONNECTED TO EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND HEALTH AND WELL- BEING.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC MADE THIS EVEN MORE CLEAR.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE STILL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOMES IN OUR STATE.

BUT, THE $300 MILLION INVESTMENT WILL HELP ACCELERATE DEVELOPING TO ADDRESS THAT GAP.

>> WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS PUSH FORWARD AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO NOT JUST TO RECOVER, NOT JUST REBUILD, BUT PUSH OURSELVES FORWARD WITH NEW VISION FOR WHAT NEW JERSEY THIS COMMUNITY WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE AND THAT THE FATHER OF A FOUR-YEAR-OLD AND A SIX-YEAR-OLD, THAT'S EXACTLY THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP IN THE KIND OF SUPPORT THAT I WANT TO SEE.

>> ANOTHER $30 MILLION FROM THE STATE WILL ALSO GO TOWARDS MAKING SURE THE PLANT TO CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PUSHES FORWARD.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> IS DEFINED FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED FOR COVID-19.

IF THEY DON'T, THEY WILL FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION INCLUDING LOSING THEIR JOB.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGN AS AMENDED IN JANUARY, AND DESPITE INITIAL PUSHBACK, IT APPEARS TO BE WORKING.

MORE THAN 9 OUT OF 10 WORKERS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN THE STATE HAVE THE FULL SERIES OF SHOTS.

THIS, AS JUST OVER 1000 NEW CASES AND FOUR THAT ARE BEING REPORTED IN NEW JERSEY TODAY.

BUT, WHILE MANY HOSPITALS SAY THE MAJORITY OF WORKERS ARE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED, OUR HEALTHCARE WRITER, LILO STAINTON REPORTS THAT SOME FACILITIES ARE LAGGING AND THAT MEANS LOSING WORKERS AT A TIME WHEN STAFFING SHORTAGES ARE NEAR CRISIS LEVEL.

SHE SHOT JOINS US WITH THE LATEST.

AS YOU WRITE IN YOUR REPORTING, THIS IS AN INDUSTRY THAT IS ALREADY FACING AN UPHILL BATTLE COMING OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> RIGHT.

AND, AS EVERYONE WAS TELLING ME, FROM THE WORKFORCE REPRESENTATIVES, TO THE INDUSTRY OR PREVENTATIVE'S, YOU KNOW, STUFFING REMAINS THE NUMBER 1 CONCERN.

HOWEVER, THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTUALLY LOSING THEIR JOB AS A RESULT OF THIS MANDATE APPEARS TO BE PRETTY SMALL.

YOU KNOW, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 1 AND 2%.

THERE'S A GREAT NUMBER, LARGER NUMBER OF PEOPLE CAUGHT IN THE PROCESS IF TODAY WAS THE DEADLINE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND THAT SHOULD INCLUDE, INCLUDES PEOPLE IN HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES, YOU KNOW, REHAB HOSPITALS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY INDIVIDUAL DOCTORS WHO WORK IN INDEPENDENT PRACTICES, IT IS FOR FACILITIES.

AS SOMEONE TOLD ME, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO KEEP IN MIND THE FEDERAL MANDATE, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS THREATENED TO SUSPEND MEDICAID AND MEDICARE PAYMENTS TO HEALTHCARE THE STUDIES THAT DON'T HAVE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED WORKFORCE.

SO, IT'S BECOME REALLY HARD TO GET A JOB IF YOU DON'T HAVE VACCINATIONS AND BOOSTERS FOR COVETED >> TOUGH TO GET A JOB AND YET, A STAFFING CRISIS.

OKAY, TALK TO ME ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER SETTINGS WHERE THESE MANDATES WILL BE COMING UP JUST TO SHORTLY BEYOND JUST THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR.

>>, SO THE ORDER THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED, AND I SHOULD NOTE, YOU KNOW, TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO A VACCINE MANDATE, BUT THERE'S NOT, THAT DEADLINE WAS A LONG TIME AGO.

AS OUR STATE WORKFORCE, BUT THE DEADLINE COMING UP ON MAY 11th APPLIES TO PEOPLE IN THESE SETTINGS, INCLUDING CHILDCARE WORKERS, PEOPLE WHO WORK IN GROUP HOMES, AND OF COURSE, PRISON STAFF AT CORRECTIONS FACILITY.

SOME OF THE GROUPS ARE DOING WELL, YOU KNOW, ANYWHERE, 80% ARE VACCINATED AT GROUP HOMES, BETWEEN 42 AND 57% HAVE BOOSTERS, SO THAT'S GOT A WAYS TO GO.

IT'S STILL LAGGING AS IT WAS A MONTH AGO WITH ROUGHLY 2/3 VACCINATED AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY BOOSTED.

SO, THERE'S A WAYS TO GO THERE.

>> AND OF COURSE PRISONS ARE EARLY ON IN THE PANDEMIC WHERE WE SAW SOME OF THOSE OUTBREAKS THAT CANNOT BE CONTAINED.

OKAY, LILO STAINTON REPORTING FOR US, THANKS.

>> ATLANTIC CITY IS BETTING ON A RECORD TOURISM SEASON, RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS A DETAILED AND TODAY'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE PRETTY HELPFUL IN SOUTH JERSEY CUSTOMER >> SEVERAL ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS ARE SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO UPGRADE AND RENOVATE, IN ANTICIPATION OF A STRONG SPRING AND SUMMER SEASON.

AND, THERE IS REASON FOR OPTIMISM.

RECENT FIGURES FROM THE DIVISION OF GAMING ENFORCEMENT SHOW THAT LAST YEAR CAUCUSING EARNINGS SURPASSED PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

THE CITIES 9 CASINOS EARNED ABOUT $767 MILLION IN 2021, AFTER A DIFFICULT 2020 WHEN THEY WERE CLOSED FOR A FEW MONTHS TO TO COVET.

A FEW COMPANIES ARE OPENING NEW OFFICES IN NEW JERSEY AND STUFFING UP.

A COMPANY WHICH TRIES TO ACCELERATE THE COMMERCIAL ADOPTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IS UNVEILING A NEW CENTER IN HARRISON THAT WILL SERVE AS BOTH A MANUFACTURING SITE AND A SHOWROOM FOR PRODUCTS.

IT'S OPENING LATER THIS YEAR WITH PLANS TO HIRE BETWEEN 75 TO 100 WORKERS.

MEANTIME, THE BUSINESS COMPANY CDI, WHICH EMPLOYS ABOUT 250 PEOPLE IN THE REGION HAS OPENED A NEW OFFICE IN NEW BRUNSWICK.

WHILE THIS IS THE FINAL TO GET YOUR TAXES IN ORDER, THE TAX FILING DEADLINE IS A WEEK FROM TODAY, APRIL 18th, DUE TO A HOLIDAY ON THE 15th.

WE ASKED CPA, A SENIOR TAX MANAGER WITH A COMPANY FOR SOME LAST-MINUTE TIPS.

SHE POINTS OUT THAT ANYONE WHO RECEIVED THE MONTHLY ADVANCED CHILD TAX CREDIT LAST YEAR HAS TO CAREFULLY DOCUMENT THAT.

>> SO IF YOU DID RECEIVE ADVANCED CRITICAL YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE PROPERLY RECONCILING THE AMOUNT ON YOUR TAX RETURN FOR THE IRIS KNOWS WHAT THEY GAVE YOU, IF YOU SUBMIT A RETURN AND IT IS NOT MET, THE IRIS WILL TAKE IT INTO A SECOND MANUAL REVIEW, WHICH WITH AND SUBSEQUENTLY DELAY YOUR REFUND.

>> THE LATEST POLL ON SELF- SERVICE GAS STATIONS FINDS 54% OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS OF OR SELF-SERVICE AS LONG AS THERE IS A GAS STATION ATTENDANT ON DUTY FOR THOSE WHO WANT FULL SERVICE.

MEANTIME, 70% OF RESIDENTS SAID THEY WOULD PUMP THE GAS IF THE GAS IS CHEAPER THAN FULL- SERVICE.

NOW, HERE IS A CHECK ON HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY, I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION, ONLINE AT CHAMBER SN DAY.COM.

>>> THE CLEANUP CONTINUES AND PARTS OF BERGEN COUNTY TRYING OUT FROM LAST WEEK'S FLOODING.

RESIDENCE REPORTED FRIGHTENING SCENES AS RESCUE BOATS TRAPPED BY THE RISING WATERS SAY PEOPLE.

THE RIVER OVERFLOWED INTO THE STREETS.

THAT TOWN IS STILL REPAIRING DAMAGE CAUSED BY TROPICAL STORM, IDA.

THE FLOODING IS DUE TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING RAINFALL, FILLING UP LOCAL RESERVOIRS WHICH COULD NOT HANDLE THE ROUGHLY 3 INCHES THAT FELL THURSDAY NIGHT.

IN THE PAST, STATE OFFICIALS ORDERED COMPANIES TO LOWER THE LEVELS OF THOSE SITES HAD A BIG STORMS.

AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, BERGEN COUNTY EXECUTIVE SAID LOCAL LEADERS ARE STILL TALLYING THE TOTAL DAMAGE CALLED ON THE NEW OWNER OF SUEZ WATER TO STEP UP FOR FLOOD MITIGATION EFFORTS.

OKAY, FINALLY, TONIGHT, SUPPORTING UKRAINE THROUGH MUSIC.

AS UKRAINIAN REFUGEES FREE FROM THE WAR IN THEIR COUNTRY, A COUPLE THOUSAND PEOPLE PACKED THE POINT PLEASANT BEACH BOARDWALK DOING THE ART TO RAISE MONEY THROUGH BENEFIT CONCERT THIS WEEKEND WITH THE HELP OF SOME OF THE JERSEY SHORE'S BEST FANS.

EVERY DOLLAR, GOING TO THOSE WHO HAVE LOST SO VERY MUCH.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE STORY.

>> FOR BOBBY, LAST NIGHT'S GIG WAS ONE FOR THE AGES.

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M JUST CLIMBING ON EFFORTS.

IT WAS FUN.

IT WAS FUN.

>> IT'S HOT UP THERE, I KNOW IT'S COLD OUT AND THEY HAD THE DOORS OPEN BUT IT WAS PACKED.

AND PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE A GOOD TIME FOR THE FORMER BON JOVI GUITARIST BROUGHT SOME FRIENDS FOR A BENEFIT CONCERT TO HELP UKRAINIANS.

HE WAS INSPIRED WHEN HE HEARD POINT PLEASANT'S MAYOR FLEW TO POLAND TO HELP REFUGEES.

>> IT WAS JUST A MONTH AGO THAT I WAS DRIVING HOME, DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT FROM THE BORDER.

AND, AT THAT TIME I WAS ALREADY THINKING ABOUT YOU KNOW, WE BUSTED OUR HOME FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND WE HELPED THOUSAND PEOPLE OR SO IS WHAT WE FIGURE.

VERY PROUD OF THAT.

>> IN FACT, FOUR SUITCASES FOR THE STUFF, FOR PEOPLE COMING OVER THE BORDER IN DIRE NEED OF MOST EVERYTHING.

AND, HE STOOD THERE AND HANDED ALL HIS STUFF OUT AND I WAS LIKE WOW, I SAID WHAT A GREAT GUY.

I SAID POINT PLEASANT?

I'VE GOT TO KNOW NOBODY DOES KNOW SOME.

>> THE MAYOR WAS ALL TOO HAPPY TO GET THAT CALL IN TO SEE POINT BEACH CARES TAKE CENTER STAGE.

>> EASTERN EUROPEAN MICROPHONE HAD BEEN TO UKRAINE AND MET THE PEOPLE.

THEY WERE INCREDIBLE.

HOW POLISH AND SLOVAKIAN ANCESTRY AS WELL.

IF YOU GO BACK HUNDREDS OF YEARS, ANYWHERE THAT THE BEAT HAS A SPECIAL CONNECTION TOO, WE ARE HERE AT JENKINSON AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, UKRAINIANS, THE BEEN COMING ON FOR YEARS HELPING WITH HER RATHER THAN TRASH AND ENJOYING THEMSELVES FOR THE SUMMERTIME TO IT WAS ABOUT A HITTING PLACE THAT YOU COULD HAVE TO GET BACK.

>> 2000 PEOPLE PILED IN FOR THE SHOW.

>> WE CANNOT SELL ANY MORE TICKETS, IT WAS A PACKED HOUSE.

WE SOLD THE NO-SHOW TICKETS AND I MEAN, THE ENERGY WAS INCREDIBLE.

>> GOES TO SHOW HOW MUCH PEOPLE WANT TO TRY AND HELP.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS A HORRIBLE THING.

IT'S HAPPENING, AND PEOPLE WANT TO HELP.

AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL, GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

1800, WE ARE HERE TONIGHT AND THERE'S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM.

>> POINT BEACH CARES BROUGHT IN ABOUT $200,000 LAST NIGHT.

BETH INCREDIBLE, THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

THAT IS POINT PLEASANT BEACH AND THE JERSEY SHORE COMMUNITY SAYING ON A GLOBAL STAGE WE CARE AND HERE'S WHAT WE ARE DOING, LITERALLY PUTTING MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS.

>> I HOPE IT MAKES IT EASY FOR SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE.

I REALLY DO.

>> FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, AND TED GOLDBERG.

>> AND ANOTHER FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS.

YOU CAN FIND THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US HERE TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

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

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

>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS, THE MEN AND WOMAN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR, AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.