>>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND BY THE PS E.G.

FOUNDATION.

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

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT, I'M BREANNA THE NEW Z.

THE SUSPECTED BROOKLYN SHOOTER IS IN CUSTODY, THE NYPD MAKING THE ARREST IN MANHATTAN, 60 -YEAR-OLD FRANK R JAMES WILL BE CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT ON MULTIPLE COUNTS INCLUDING VIOLATING A FEDERAL TERRORISM ACT AND COULD FACE LIFE IN PRISON FOR CONVICTED.

ALLEGEDLY OPENING FIRE ON A BROOKLYN TRAIN, INJURING 23 PASSENGERS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SAYS RESIDENTS SHOULD REST A LITTLE EASIER.

>> LESS THAN 30 HOURS LATER, WE CAN SAY WE GOT HIM.

>> MAYOR ERIC ADAMS APPLAUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ARRESTING 62-YEAR-OLD FRANK JAMES, THE MAN WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHOOTING OF A BROOKLYN TRAIN YESTERDAY MORNING.

>> WE USED EVERY RESOURCE AT OUR DISPOSAL TO GATHER AND PROCESS SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE THAT DIRECTLY LINKS MR. JAMES TO THE SHOOTING, WE WERE ABLE TO SHRIEK HIS WORLD QUICKLY, THERE WAS NOWHERE LEFT FOR HIM TO RUN.

>>> OFFICERS ARRESTED HIM THIS AFTERNOON IN THE EAST VILLAGE SECTION OF MANHATTAN.

>> OFFICERS IN RESPONSE TO A TIP STOPPED MR. JAMES AT 1:42 P.M. ON FIRST AVENUE IN MANHATTAN.

HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND HAS BEEN TRANSPORTED TO AN NYPD FACILITY.

HE WILL BE CHARGED WITH COMMITTING YESTERDAY'S APPALLING CRIME AND BROOKLYN.

>> HE IS ACCUSED OF FIRING 33 SHOTS INTO A TRAIN AS IT WAS PULLING INTO A 36 STREET STATION JUST BEFORE 8:30 YESTERDAY MORNING.

VIDEO OBTAINED SHOWS JAMES ENTERING THE TRAIN STATION JUST MOMENTS BEFORE HE CARRIED OUT THE ATTACK, 10 WERE SHOT IN A DOZEN OTHERS HURT.

>> TO TAKE THIS TRAIN ALL THE TIME AND THIS IS THE FIRST DAY THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: THE ATTACK LEADING TO A CITYWIDE MANHUNT FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS, POLICE SAY EVIDENCE FOUND ON THE SCENE INCLUDING HIS GUN, A GLOCK NINE MILLIMETER HANDGUN, A CREDIT CARD AND A KEY TO A U-HAUL LED TO A U-HAUL THAT WAS ABANDONED IN ANOTHER SECTION OF BROOKLYN.

HE BELIEVED HE DROVE IT TO NEW YORK, PARKING BLOCKS AWAY FROM HIS STATION.

>> I LIVE AROUND AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

>> THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE'S BEEN KNOWN TO POLICE, THE NYPD LINKING HIM TO ANOTHER CRIME AND OTHER STATES INCLUDING NEW JERSEY FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT, TRESPASSING AND LARCENY, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS SHOW HIM EXPRESSING HATEFUL MESSAGES.

>> THIS WAS QUICKLY SOLVE USING TECHNOLOGY IN GETTING THAT INFORMATION OUT TO THE PUBLIC.

TAKING TO THE TRAIN HAS BEEN SCARY AND YESTERDAY'S SHOOTING IS NOT MAKING THINGS ANY BETTER.

>> YOU HAVE TO WATCH YOUR BACK WHEREVER YOU GO, IT'S RIDICULOUS, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN EVEN RIDE THE TRAIN, THIS IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL.

I KNOW THE COPS ARE DOING EVERYTHING BUT IT'S LIKE AT THIS POINT, I HAVE NO CHOICE.

>> SINCE THE ATTACK, POLICE HAVE BEEN STEPPING UP THE PRESENCE HERE IN JERSEY CITY BUT MANY COMMUTERS SAY THEY STILL FEEL ON EDGE.

>> YOU WAKE UP AND GO.

>> EVEN WITH HIM BEHIND BARS FACING A FEDERAL TERRORISM CHARGE THE NYPD SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE EFFORTS TO MAKE COMMUTERS FEEL AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> A NEW ROUND OF AID FOR UKRAINE, THE WHITE HOUSE IS SENDING ANOTHER $800 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE TO THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO $3 BILLION, PRESIDENT BIDEN CONFIRMING THE CONTENT WITH VLADIMIR ZELINSKI.

PRESIDENT BIDEN NOW CALLING THE CONFLICT A GENOCIDE, THE FUNDING COMES AS THE PRESIDENTS VISITED UKRAINE TODAY IN A SHOW OF SUPPORT, THOSE COUNTRIES WHERE THEY TOO COULD FACE A RUSSIAN ATTACK IN THE FUTURE IF UKRAINE FALLS.

WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS ESCALATING THE CONFLICT, THE MILITARY THREATENING TO STRIKE DECISION CENTERS INCLUDING KYIV.

THE IMPACT HITTING NOT POCKETS AT HOME WITH THE HIGHEST INFLATION RATE IN 40 YEARS.

AS BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS, THE PRICE OF JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IS UP.

>> Reporter: FROM GROCERIES TO GAS, U.S. INFLATION AVERAGED 8.5% FOR THE YEAR AND A LAST MARCH.

UNCERTAIN GLOBAL SUPPLIES WERE ACT BY THE WAR GROVE THE STEEPEST SPIKES, MORE THAN $.70 FOR OIL, INFLATION AND A BIRD SPIRAL.

>> IF YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK, IT'S COSTING YOU MORE.

IF YOU GO TO THE SUPERMARKET, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE FOR MAY STABLES AND MANY ITEMS OF GOOD, CONSUMERS ARE BUYING LESS AT THE SUPERMARKET AND BUYING SMALLER PORTIONS.

>> HOW DO YOU MAKE MONEY WITH RISING COSTS AND PEOPLE BEING CAREFUL HOW THEY SPEND NOW.

>> Reporter: HE OWNS A RESTAURANT, A CRAB CAKE THAT ONCE COST $16 NOW RUNS 22.

'S MENU DRAZEN CUSTOMERS ON WEEKNIGHTS, INFLATION IS IMPACTING EVERYTHING.

>> THERE IS NOT AN ITEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED.

PAYROLL, EVERYONE NEEDS MY BECAUSE IT COSTS MORE.

IT HAS REALLY CREATED A LITTLE MONSTER.

>> IT IS HARD, VERY HARD.

WE PROVIDE A SERVICE THAT PEOPLE RELY ON US FOR AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO INCREASE OUR RATES.

>> Reporter: DENISE MUST PASS ON TO CUSTOMERS RISING EXPENSES FOR SUPPLIES, UNIFORMS AND FUEL, HER JANITORIAL COMPANY FIELDS 13 EMPLOYEES WHO DRIVE ALL OVER THE OCEAN IN THE AREA, CLEANING BUSINESSES.

>> WE SUPPLY MONEY FOR GAS JUST TO HELP THEM WITH THE FUEL COSTS, WE HAD TO DOUBLE THAT.

>> YOU ATTACK ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, INFLATION, AND THIS CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR US.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE SAYS DIESEL COSTS MARCEAU DELIVERIES COST MORE AND WITH GAS SO EXPENSIVE, SHE WONDERS HOW FAR WILL PEOPLE DRIVE?

THAT IS SPARKING REAL CONCERN WITH MANY BUSINESSES STILL RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> AS WE GO INTO TWO-ROOM CITIZEN, WILL FAMILIES BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO GO ON VACATION?

>> IT IS HARD TO MAKE PREDICTIONS, THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS ENACTING DIFFERENT POLICIES THAT COULD PLAY A ROLE IN COOLING INFLATION, SO WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE HOW THIS WILL PLAY OUT.

>> Reporter: JOHN WRIGHT MEYER SAYS JERZY HAS SOME ADVANTAGES, THE STATE IS FLUSH WITH CASH FROM OVER PERFORMING TAX REVENUES AND THEIR GAS PRICES AVERAGING TOO.

THEY STILL TOP FOUR DOLLARS A GALLON, MIGHT CONSIDER TAX REBATES.

>>'S PERHAPS SOME OF THE SURPLUS NEW JERSEY IS BUILDING UP RIGHT NOW COULD BE DEDICATED TO FUNDING A ONE-TIME PAYMENT, MAY BE GEARED TOWARD THOSE IN LOWER INCOME BRACKETS, GETTING HIT THE HARDEST.

>> IT'S NOT JUST THE PRICE OF FOOD BUT IT'S ALSO WHAT INCOME IS BEING PULLED AWAY FROM FAMILIES JUST TO GET TO WORK, AND THE PRICE OF GAS.

>> Reporter: CARLOS SAYS INFLATION IS ASKING FORCING MY PEOPLE TO ASK FOR HELP THAT FOOD PANTRY STRETCHING FOOD BANKS LIKE HIS TO THE LIMIT AND THEY CAN'T PASS THE COST ONTO THE CUSTOMER.

>> WE HAVE TO ABSORB IT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO STRETCH OUR ABILITY TO FEED EVERYONE THAT NEEDS FOOD BECAUSE OTHERWISE, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FEEL THEIR WAY OUT OF THIS ECONOMY THE WAY THEY WANT TO.

>> FOR MORE ON HOW THE RISE IN INFLATION COULD IMPACT THE ONGOING STATE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, CHECK OUT JOHN'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE SPARRING OF OUR NEW CURRICULUM FOR TEACHING SEX EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUTTING THE TOPIC FRONT AND CENTER IN A NATIONAL CULTURE WAR OVER EXACTLY WHAT STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT SEXUAL HEALTH AND WHEN.

THE BACKLASH ERUPTED AFTER A LOCAL BOARD RELEASED SAMPLE DOCUMENTS TEACHERS CAN USE WHEN CREATING THEIR LESSON PLANS, PROMPTING THE GOVERNOR TO ORDER A REVIEW OF THE STANDARDS, ADDING FUEL TO THE CONTROVERSY.

>> Reporter: OUR CULTURE WARS ARE MOST OFTEN FOUGHT OVER AND THROUGH OUR INSTITUTIONS.

OUR PLACES OF WORSHIP, HOSPITALS, AND IN THIS CASE, OUR SCHOOLS.

REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, JERSEY INCLUDED, HAVE BEEN TARGETING LOCAL SCHOOL CURRICULA, WHICH THEY SAY ARE PROMOTING A RADICAL AGENDA THAT EXPOSES KIDS TO SEXUALITY AND GENDER ROLES AT AN INAPPROPRIATELY YOUNG AGE.

>> I THINK TEACHING KINDERGARTNERS, FIRST-GRADERS, SECOND GRADERS, JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE A VULVA OR A, DOES NOT MAKE YOU A GIRL OR A BOY.

I THINK IN GRADES OF FOURTH AND FIFTH, HAVING TO HAVE PRETTY, YOU KNOW, BASED UPON THE PROPOSED LESSON PLANS, KIND OF EXPLICIT CONVERSATIONS.

>> THE PROBLEM WITH THE COMMENTS ACCORDING TO DAN RICE OF ANSWER, THE NATIONAL SEX ED ORGANIZATION, WHICH HAD INPUT INTO CREATING STATES STANDARDS, IS THAT SHE IS WRONG.

>> STANDARDS ARE THE GOAL OF WHAT SCHOOLS HAVE TO ACHIEVE BUT SCHOOLS CREATE THE CURRICULUM WHICH THEN DETERMINES HOW THEY ACHIEVE THOSE PIECES, ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS IS GENDER IDENTITY AND SECOND GRADE, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACTUAL SECOND-GRADE INDICATOR IN THE STANDARDS, IT'S ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT GENDER ROLES, NOT GENDER IDENTITY.

>> IT IS A FINE POINT FOR DISTORTION IN MY CONSTANT DRUMBEAT OF MISINFORMATION IS MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A NUANCED CONVERSATION, WHICH PROMPTED THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY THAT HE IS ORDERING A REVIEW.

UNFORTUNATELY, LEARNING STANDARDS HAVE BEEN MISREPRESENTED BY POLITICIANS SEEKING TO DIVIDE AND SCORE POLITICAL POINTS, AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF SAMPLE LESSON PLANS BEING CIRCULATED THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADOPTED IN OUR DISTRICTS AND DO NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE SPIRIT OF THE STANDARDS.

ANY PROPOSED EDUCATIONAL CONTENT THAT IS NOT AGE- APPROPRIATE SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY REVISED BY LOCAL OFFICIALS.

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR ENCOURAGED THE REVIEW AND REMINDS PARENTS THAT THEY CAN OPT OUT OF ANY CURRICULUM THEY FIND AN APPROPRIATE.

>> I HAVE HUNDREDS OF MESSAGES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND A LOT OF IT, SOME PIECES OF CURRICULUM ARE DOCTORED WITH NO LINK TO WHO IT IS COMING FROM.

I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING FROM AN ACTUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: K, AND OUR TEACHER, WHO FOUNDED MAKE IT BETTER FOR USE WHICH HELPS TO BUILD COMMUNITY AMONG LGBTQ KIDS SUPPORTS THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> IT IS NOT CUTE, IT IS AWFUL WITHOUT THE INPUT AND SUPPORT OF PEOPLE.

IF THAT TON OF PEOPLE IS WORKING TOGETHER IN CONCERT WITH ACCURATE INFORMATION, WE CAN MAKE DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE DECISIONS ABOUT THE CONVERSATION I HAVE ABOUT BODY, CONSENT, YOUR PARTS, WHAT YOU DO WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: PARENT SHOULD KNOW THE BEST FILTER FOR TRUTH IS NOT ALWAYS A PRESS RELEASE FROM A POLITICIAN.

AS AN OLD REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT ONCE SAID, TRUST BUT VERIFY, WHICH APPLIES WHETHER YOU ARE NEGOTIATING PEACE TREATIES OR CHECKING ON YOUR KIDS LESSON PLANS.

DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOU CAN TAKE YOUR MASK OFF ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION EXTENDED THE MASK MANDATE THAT WAS SET TO EXPIRE MONDAY FOR TRAINS, PLANES AND BUSES AND TRANSIT HUB SIDING INCREASES ON THE AVERAGE OF NEW CASES IS THE MAIN FACTOR BEHIND THAT DECISION, NEW JERSEY IS ALSO EXPERIENCING AN UPTICK.

MORE THAN 1800 NEW CASES IN NINE ADDITIONAL DEATHS BEING REPORTED TODAY.

NEARLY A THIRD OF ALL THE DEATHS OCCURRED IN NURSING HOMES, MORE THAN 9000 IN FACT, MORE THAN ONE FACILITY IS NOW THE TARGET OF A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED BY FAMILIES OF LOVED ONES WHO DIED WERE INFECTED BY COVID-19.

THEY FAILED TO PROTECT THEIR RESIDENCE AND PREVENT THE VIRUS FROM SPREADING DURING THE SPRING OF 2020 BY ALLEGEDLY FAILING TO PROVIDE MASKS TO EMPLOYEES INTERACTING WITH RESIDENTS AND VIOLATING OTHER FEDERAL STANDARDS.

A REPRESENTATIVE FROM CANTERBURY DID NOT RETURN OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

>>> THE U.S. IS FACING ANOTHER HEALTH CRISIS, ONE OF THE HIGHEST MATERNAL MENTALITY RATES OF ANY WEALTHY NATION, SPECIFICALLY AMONG BLACK BIRTHING PEOPLE FOR WHOM HAVING A BABY CAN BE DEADLY.

DATA SHOW BLACK WOMEN ARE THREE TIMES TO FACE MORBIDITIES THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS IN THE PANDEMIC ONLY MADE THE SITUATION WORSE.

RATE INCREASED 26% SINCE THE START OF COVID-19 DUE TO DISPROPORTIONATE HEALTH COMPLICATIONS AND OTHER SYSTEMIC INEQUALITIES ON THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

TO MARK THIS WEEK'S HEALTH WEEK, VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS HOSTED A ROUNDTABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE DISPARITIES.

>> THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS NOT JUST ABOUT HEALTHCARE, IT IS ABOUT TREATING A WOMAN AS A WHOLE HUMAN BEING.

UNDERSTANDING THAT IF WE ARE TO EXPECT AND ACTUALLY INFLUENCE POSITIVE OUTCOMES ON THIS ISSUE, WE MUST SEE HER AS A WHOLE HUMAN BEING, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE GATHERED THE LEADERS THAT ARE HERE TODAY SO WE CAN ADDRESS ISSUES SUCH AS THE ISSUE OF HOUSING, ISSUES AS TRANSPORTATION, NUTRITION, WHICH ALL HAVE AN IMPACT ON NOT ONLY THE EXPERIENCE THAT SHE WILL HAVE AND THEREFORE, HER FAMILY WILL HAVE, BUT ALSO GENERATIONAL IMPACT.

>> THE SITUATION IN NEW JERSEY IS NOW BETTER, THE STATE IS RANKED 47th IN THE NATION FOR MATERNAL DEATHS AND HAS SOME OF THE WORST RACIAL DISPARITIES FOR INFANT MORTALITY, A BLACK MOTHER IS SEVEN TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN A WHITE MOTHER TO DIE FROM MATERNITY RELATED COMPLICATIONS.

A BLACK BABY IS THREE TIMES AS LIKELY THAN A WHITE BABY TO DIE BEFORE THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAY.

DR. CAMPBELL IS AN OB/GYN WITH RUTGERS NEW JERSEY MEDICAL SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NEWARK.

SHE HAS BEEN AMONG THE MOST VOCAL IN THE STATE FOR THE NEED TO FIX WHAT MANY CALL A SHAMEFUL PROBLEM.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT IS DRIVING THESE STATISTICS?

>> WE KNOW THAT DRIVING THESE NUMBERS ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FACTORS, SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH.

IT'S NOT ONLY ABOUT THE MEDICAL CARE THAT PEOPLE GET, BUT WE CERTAINLY DO NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE.

BUT ALSO, YOU KNOW, CONNECTING THE DOTS.

PEOPLE CAN'T REALLY WORRY ABOUT THEIR PREGNANCIES AND THEIR HEALTH WHEN THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO LIVE, WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO EAT TOMORROW, HOW THEY CAN GET TO AN APPOINTMENT.

SO, DEALING WITH SOME OF THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT WHAT ALONG WITH THE QUALITY OF OUR MEDICAL CARE, AND LASTLY, I WOULD SAY WE DO KNOW THAT BLACK WOMEN, EVEN THOSE WHO ARE COLLEGE EDUCATED, HAVE A HIGHER MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

WE KNOW INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM IS ALSO A PART OF THE PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT BY ACKNOWLEDGING OUR BIASES AND MAKING SURE ALL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS HAVE AND USE STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE IMPLICIT BIAS.

THERE IS NO MAGIC SOLUTION.

THEY ARE DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND WORKING WITH THEM AND THE MATERNAL QUALITY COLLABORATIVE AND THAT IS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY STAKEHOLDER GROUP THAT IS BEING CONVENED, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, AND THAT GROUP IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THE ISSUES.

>> IS THERE A PROBLEM THERE WITH OUR PIPELINE INTO THE MEDICAL FIELD?

SO YOU ARE SEEING A DOCTOR WHO UNDERSTANDS YOU, WHO SEES YOU, WHO LIVES IN THE COMMUNITY YOU LIVE IN?

>> ABSOLUTELY, SADLY, 4% OF PHYSICIANS IDENTIFY AS AFRICAN AMERICAN AND 9% AS UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES, THAT INCLUDES LATIN ACTS AND ALSO NATIVE AMERICAN, ALASKAN NATIVES.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE MOST RECENT CENSUS DATA, WE REPRESENT OVER 40% OF THE POPULATION IN NEW JERSEY.

SO, PEOPLE WILL FIND IT DIFFICULT TO FIND A PROVIDER WHO LOOKS LIKE THEM, WHO UNDERSTANDS SOME OF THEIR STRUGGLES WHEN THERE IS A DISPARATE NUMBER OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, IT IS NOT THE CORRECT REPRESENTATION.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK IN THIS SPACE, THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> TODAY MARKS THE FIRST IN- PERSON MEETING FOR THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MORE THAN TWO YEARS AND THEY WERE GREETED WITH A RALLY LED BY ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES, PUSHING BACK ON A RESILIENCY PROJECT ON THE TRANSIT GRID WHICH WOULD RELY ON A NEW NATURAL GAS PLANT TO SUPPLY POWER IN FUTURE STORMS.

THE GROUP WARNED THAT A NEW POWER PLANT WOULD ADD TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF AIR POLLUTION.

MULTIPLE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE KNOWLEDGE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS BUT SAID THE SYSTEM CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE STORMS FOR CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TO BECOME AVAILABLE.

THEY APPROVED A $6 MILLION CONTRACT TO A NEW PLACE TO PARK TRAINS IN NEW BRUNSWICK.

IT'S PART OF LARGER WORK NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS STILL DOING NEARLY 10 YEARS AFTER SUPER STORM SANDY, WHEN FLOODWATERS RAVAGE THE MAINTENANCE YARD, RACKING 343 TRAINS, CAUSING $400 MILLION IN DAMAGE.

STRACHAN ARE SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, A FORMER RETAIL GIANT WILL CLOSE THE DOORS ON ONE OF ITS LAST REMAINING DOORS, WHEN KMART SHUTTERS THIS SATURDAY, THERE WILL BE JUST ONE KMART LEFT IN ALL OF NEW JERSEY, THREE IN THE U.S. KMART HAS STRUGGLED TO COMPETE WITH WALMART AND TARGET AS WELL AS AMAZON'S MASSIVE ONLINE SHOPPING REACH BUT RETAIL ANALYST SAY THE COMPANY WAS ALSO HURT BY POOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS.

THE CHAIN FOUND SUCCESS IN THE 90s, OPERATING MORE THAN 2000 STORES BEFORE FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY IN 2002.

THE LOAN REMAINING KMART WILL BE IN WESTWOOD.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT THE TRADING NUMBERS TODAY ON WALL STREET.

>>> TRENTON'S MAYOR IS PLEADING FOR HELP ASKING THE ADMINISTRATION TO INTERVENE AND PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE CITY'S ANIMAL SHELTER.

THE REQUEST COMES DAYS AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO CUT TIES WITH THE LOCAL NONPROFIT RUNNING THE FACILITY, LEAVING THE SHELTER WITHOUT STAFF AND A HANDFUL OF CITY WORKERS CARING FOR THE HUNDREDS OF ANIMALS THAT CYCLE THROUGH THE SHELTER IN ANY GIVEN YEAR.

>> Reporter: THEY SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> THIS IS POLITICS.

>> Reporter: GEORGE MICHELLE IS LIVID THAT A BUDGET DISPUTE IS ACTUALLY AFFECTING SHELTER ANIMALS.

LAST WEEK, THE COUNCIL VOTED AGAINST RENEWING ITS CONTRACT WITH THE NONPROFIT TRENTON ANIMALS ROCK, SO THE CITY IS ASKING THE STATE FOR FUNDING.

>> I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PET AND I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THEM AND I KNOW A LOT OF US DO AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE TREAT ALL THE ANIMALS HUMANELY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WILL BE MORE CHALLENGING BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> I WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE THE MONEY WAS ALREADY BUDGETED, WE HAVE BEEN DOING AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB.

>> MY WHOLE CAREER IS WITH CANINES, DOING THE DRUGS UNDERCOVER AND I LOVED MY CAREER AND I'M A DOG MAN, AN ANIMAL LOVER.

>> THERE WASN'T A REASON I THOUGHT THEY WOULD VOTE NO, AT LEAST NOT ANY LOGICAL REASON.

>> ACCORDING TO MICHELLE, THE REASON IS PURE POLITICS.

>> CERTAIN COUNSEL PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE A CERTAIN POLICE DIRECTOR AND THEY WENT TO ANOTHER COUNCILPERSON AND TRIED TO WORK OUT A DEAL AND WHEN IT FELL THROUGH, THEY TURNED AROUND AND VOTED TO SHUT THE ANIMAL SHELTER DOWN BECAUSE THIS POLICE DIRECTOR'S STAYED.

THE POLICE DIRECTOR WAS DOING NOTHING WRONG BUT IT WAS ALL POLITICS.

THEY WANTED, AND THE ANIMALS HAVE TO SUFFER FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO THE FOUR COUNSEL PEOPLE WHO VOTED AGAINST THE SHELTER FUNDING AND WE DIDN'T HEAR BACK.

ROBIN VANN POSTED ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE, LOTS OF MISINFORMATION GOING AROUND ABOUT TRENTON CITY COUNCIL AND THEIR VOTE AGAINST RENEWING THE CONTRACT FOR CERTAIN SERVICES AT THE TRENTON ANIMAL SHELTER.

THE CITY OF TRENTON DID NOT CLOSE THE SHELTER AND WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS DOING JUST LIKE IT IS DONE HISTORICALLY, FULLY STAFFED WITH CITY WORKERS OR EMPLOYEES, NOT BEING OUTSOURCING A CONTRACT.

LEADERS TELL US THAT ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS ALREADY HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE AND TRENTON ANIMALS RACK PROVIDED A HUGE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT.

>> THEY GO ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THE STATE REQUIRES US TO DO AND ASPECTS OF ANIMAL CARE.

THEY WILL DO ADOPTIONS, FOSTERING, WALKING.

>> WE ARE OUT THERE INVESTIGATING, ASSISTING ENTITIES WITH OTHER INVESTIGATIONS, HELPING POLICE ENTER PROPERTIES AND REMOVING ANIMALS, WE ARE HELPING ANIMALS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND A PLETHORA OF OTHER THINGS WE DO.

>> HE SAYS, ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS WILL OPERATE THE SHELTER DAY TODAY.

HE IS WORRIED HIS EMPLOYEES MIGHT BURN OUT.

>> I HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND BACK IN THAT PLACE, ALL 23 YEARS HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO THAT PLACE AND IT BE CAN BECOME OVERWHELMING, VERY TOUGH ON YOUR MIND, YOUR EMOTIONS, WE HAVE FAMILIES, WE HAVE CHILDREN, AND WE HAVE TO TAKE THE STUFF HOME WITH US.

>> HE CLAIMS THE SHELTER WILL NO LONGER BE IN OAK HILL SHELTER UNLESS THE STATE INTERVENES.

>> OUR BOARD IS MEETING LATER THIS WEEK TO DETERMINE HOW LONG WE CAN DO THAT FOR.

>> FOR NOW, THE ANIMALS ARE SAFE BUT THEIR FUTURE IS IN JEOPARDY.

AND TRENTON, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON ALL OF OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE AGAIN TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND OR STENT, COMMITTED TO THE NEW SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.