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>>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS FRIDAY.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA, IN FOR BREANA VANNOZZI.

YOU MAY NO LONGER HAVE TO STICK A LONG, UNCOMFORTABLE COTTON SWAB UP YOUR NOSE, OR SPIT IN A TUBE TO IF YOU COVID-19.

A NEW DIAGNOSTIC TEST HAS BEEN ISSUED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION.

IT'S THE FIRST COVID-19 TEST THAT USES BREATH SAMPLES.

IT CAN PRODUCE RESULTS IN LESS THAN 3 MINUTES BY DETECTING CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE KOMODO VIRUS.

IN A STUDY, IT IDENTIFIED ANYONE PERCENT OF POSITIVE CASES IN 99% OF -ONES.

THE TEST COMES BACK POSITIVE, THE FDA SAYS IT SHOULD STILL BE CONCERNED WITH PCR.

THE NEW OPTION COMES AS POSITIVE CASES ARE RISING IN THE STATE AGAIN, WITH THE 7 DAY AVERAGE FOR TESTS UP 30% OVER LAST WEEK.

ANOTHER 1990 CASES WERE REPORTED TODAY, AND 15 NEW DEATHS.

THERE IS CONCERN OF A POSTHOLIDAY SPIKE WITH PASSOVER, RAMADAN, AND EASTER ALL FOLLOWING THIS WEEK, MEANING MORE PEOPLE WILL BE GATHERING INDOORS.

ADDICTIVE MODELS SHOW AN INCREASE IN CASES AND HOSPITALIZATION FOLLOWING THE HOLIDAYS, WITH A PEEK AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY, THAT COULD BE AS HIGH AS A NEARLY 4000 CASES.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY HOSPITALS SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE CAPACITY.

>>> THE STATE CONTINUES TO FACE A CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS, WITH NEARLY A THIRD OF NURSES PLANNING TO LEAVE THE PROFESSION, WHILE A LARGE PERCENTAGE REPORTED BEING ACCOUNT BY THE PANDEMIC.

THERE WERE STILL SOME LEFT FEELING INSPIRED.

BRENDA FLANAGAN SPEAKS WITH GRADUATES MOVING INTO NURSING CAREERS ABOUT THEIR MOTIVATIONS AND THE CHALLENGES THEY WILL FACE.

>> Reporter: ROBERTA BERNARD LED THE LINE OF 31 NURSES GRADUATING FROM BERKELEY COLLEGE.

LIKE MANY OF HER CLASSMATES, THE FORMER LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE WORKS THROUGH THE ENTIRE PANDEMIC, WHILE ATTENDING CLASSES TO EARN THE BACHELORS DEGREE IN NURSING.

>> COVID HIT US PRETTY HARD, ESPECIALLY LONG-TERM PATIENTS.

DOCTORS ARE AMAZING, BUT THE PEOPLE HAVE THE REAL IMPACT ON THE PATIENT'S ARE THE NURSES.

THEY SPENT THE MOST TIME WITH THEM, GET TO KNOW THEM, THEIR FAMILIES.

4 WATCHING HER NURSES CARE FOR HER MOM, WHO HAD A HEART ATTACK IN 2008, CONVINCED THE OCEAN TOWNSHIP RESIDENT TO PURSUE A NURSING CAREER.

A SINGLE PARENT WHO INTEGRATED FROM HAITI URGED HER TO GO FOR THE BACHELORS DEGREE.

>> I WORKED HARD TO PUSH MY DAUGHTER TO BE WHATEVER SHE WANTS TO BE, AND I AM SO PROUD OF HER TODAY.

>> THE PRACTICAL NURSES ALREADY IN THE FIELD, IT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE THE CAREER PATHWAY.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE THEY HAVE WORKED IN HEALTHCARE, THESE GRADUATES HAVE FEW ILLUSIONS ABOUT WHAT LIES AHEAD.

HOSPITALS ARE STRUGGLING WITH A CHRONIC NURSING SHORTAGE THAT BEGAN EVEN BEFORE COVID.

BERNIE McCABE WORKED AS AN EMT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> RIGHT NOW EVERY FACILITY WHERE THERE IS NURSES IS SHORTSTAFFED, AND IT IS VERY HARD.

>> THIS IS A VERY TOUGH PROFESSION, AND EVERY DAY IS NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD THING.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO NOT GIVE UP.

>> Reporter: THAT ADVICE FROM BERKELEY INSTRUCTOR ANGELICA DE LA CRUZ HIT HOME.

THE PANDEMIC INSPIRED MANY NURSES, BUT IT TRAUMATIZED OTHERS.

THE PROFESSION IS UNDERGOING A SEISMIC SHIFT.

>> THEY ARE TIRED.

NOW WITH THE SHORTAGES, THEY ARE WORKING EVEN HARDER MY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF COLLEAGUES THAT THEY HAD IN THE PAST.

THE TECHNOLOGY CHANGES, ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS.

>> Reporter: THESE NEW GRADUATES ENTER THE JOB MARKET AT A TIME WHERE THE HEALTHCARE AND INDUSTRY IS DESPERATE FOR NURSES.

DEMAND IS EXPECTED TO RISE BY 7% THROUGH 2030.

THAT AS NURSES BURNED OUT BY THE PANDEMIC WAVE THE PROFESSION.

WHILE THOUSANDS OF NURSES ARE EXPECTED TO RETIRE, MORE STUDENTS ARE APPLYING TO NURSING SCHOOLS.

THEY SAW APPLICATIONS NEARLY DOUBLED SINCE THE PANDEMIC, BUT IS IT ENOUGH TO CLOSE THE GAP?

>> IT'S NOT.

WE'VE ALL HAD TO GET CREATIVE.

>> Reporter: HOLY NAME HAS 60 TO 80 JOB OPENINGS FOR NURSES AT THE MEDICAL CENTER.

IT IS RUNNING AND EXTERN PROGRAM FOR 28 NURSING STUDENTS IN THEIR FINAL YEAR OF STUDY, PAID POSITIONS OF THE SUMMER THAT WILL HOPEFULLY LEAD TO HIRING, BUT MANY NURSING SCHOOLS CAN'T REALLY EXPAND.

AGAIN, IT IS A STAFFING PROBLEM.

>> WE HAVE AN EXTREME SHORTAGE OF NURSING FACULTY.

ALTHOUGH THERE MAY BE MANY MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING NURSES, THERE AREN'T A LOT OF SLOTS WITHIN SCHOOLS OF NURSING DUE TO THE FACULTY SHORTAGE.

>> WE HAVE INCREASED THE SCHOOL SIZE AND CLASS-SIZE, BUT WE CAN'T INCREASE IT MUCH MORE, BECAUSE THAT IS ANOTHER GROUP OF NURSES WHO HAVE RETIRED, AND LEFT THE FIELD ALTOGETHER.

>> Reporter: BERKELEY CULTIVATED A NURSING EDUCATOR PIPELINE, AND WILL OFFER A MASTERS PROGRAM IN THE FALL.

IN FACT, BERNARD WANTS AN ADVANCED DEGREE.

MORE THAN THAT, SHE WANTS A VOICE.

>> A LOT OF TIMES, THE PEOPLE MAKING THE DECISIONS ARE THE ONES WORKING ON THE FLOORS AND TAKING CARE OF THE PATIENTS.

THE HIRED THE DEGREE, THE MORE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE.

>> Reporter: SHE IS WELL ON HER WAY.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IT'S OFFICIAL, LEGAL RECREATION ADULT USE MARIJUANA SALES WILL BEGIN IN NEW JERSEY NEXT THURSDAY, APRIL 21st.

POT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT 13 DISPENSARIES UP AND DOWN THE STATE, AFTER THE STATES CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR SEVEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMPANIES TO BEGIN SELLING TO RECREATIONAL CUSTOMERS OVER AGE 21.

FOR THOSE KEEPING SCORE, YES THAT IS THE DAY AFTER 4/20.

SOME COMPANIES REPORTEDLY DID NOT WANT TO BEGIN SELLING ON THAT DAY, BECAUSE OF CONCERNS THAT THEIR SUPPLY WOULD GET CLEARED OUT TOO QUICKLY.

ALL LOCATIONS MUST PRIORITIZE THE SUPPLY FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS OVER RECREATIONAL CUSTOMERS, OR FACE FINES OF $10,000 PER DAY.

>>> THE WAR IN UKRAINE REACHED A 51 ON FRIDAY, WITH RUSSIA REPORTEDLY AMASSING FORCES FOR A NEW PUSH INTO EASTERN UKRAINE.

TODAY, UKRAINIAN POLICE OFFICIALS OF THE BODIES OF MORE THAN 900 CIVILIANS HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IN THE KYIV REGION, AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN FORCES.

THE MAJORITY OF THOSE CIVILIANS HAD BEEN FATALLY SHOT, AND MORE ARE BEING FOUND BURIED IN THE RUBBLE.

350 OF THOSE VICTIMS WERE THOSE FOUND IN BUCHA.

MEANWHILE, RUSSIAN MISSILES CLAIMED TO HAVE STRUCK A MISSILE FACTORY OUTSIDE OF KYIV, AND A FRIEND TO INCREASE ATTACKS ON THE CAPITAL.

IT FOLLOWS THE THINKING YESTERDAY OF THE FLAGSHIP OF RUSSIA'S BLACK FLAG FLEET.

UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS SAID THE SHIP WAS STRUCK BY UKRAINIAN MISSILES.

RUSSIA HAS SAID THE CAUSE WAS A FIRE.

THE RUSSIANS HAVE REPORTEDLY WARNED THE U.S.

THIS WEEK TO STOP SENDING ADVANCED WEAPONRY TO THE UKRAINIANS.

IT COMES AFTER PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED ANOTHER $800 MILLION WORTH OF AID TO THE EMBATTLED COUNTRY.

THE U.S. HAS NOW PLEDGED MORE THAN $3 BILLION IN MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE.

>>> IS TODAY MARKS THE END OF LACK WOMEN'S MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK, FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY DOUBLED DOWN ON THE SYSTEMATIC ALBUMS CONTRIBUTING TO THE MATERNAL HEALTH CRISIS GROWING WORSE IN THE STATE, PARTICULARLY FOR BLACK AND BROWN WOMEN.

THAT COUPLED WITH THE LACK OF RESOURCES TO THE PANDEMIC, AND IS A GROWING CONCERN FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH OF MOTHERS ACROSS THE STATE, LED THE FIRST LADY TO CREATE A STRATEGIC BLUEPRINT.

IN PART TWO OF BREANA VANNOZZI'S INTERVIEW, THE FIRST LADY LAYS OUT HOW SHE PLANS TO BREAK THOSE BARRIERS.

>> Reporter: YOU'VE BEEN AS BOLD AS TO SAY SYSTEMIC RACISM IS TO BLAME FOR MATERNAL MORTALITY, AND FOR THE STRUGGLES WE ARE SEEING.

DO YOU STILL FEEL THAT WAY?

>> I ABSOLUTELY WOULD TELL YOU THAT INSTITUTIONAL RACISM IS 100% OF THE ROOT CAUSE, AND WE CONTINUE TO SEE IT ACROSS A NUMBER OF AREAS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO JUST WORK TOGETHER, AND THIS WEEK IN PARTICULAR IS SO IMPORTANT TO MY BEING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK.

IT'S A CHANCE TO ELEVATE THOSE VOICES, AND EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE THAT THERE IS A CHALLENGE THAT WE ARE SUFFERING FROM, AND I JUST HERE IN NEW JERSEY, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: I WANT TO TALK A BIT ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE OF MATERNAL HEALTH.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN TERMS OF RESOURCES BEING AVAILABLE FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY, CANDIDLY, I SUFFERED FROM POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS FOR ME TO FIND A THERAPIST, AND I THOUGHT ABOUT JUST HOW DIFFICULT IT IS FOR BLACK PARENTS TO FIND THAT HELP.

WE KNOW THAT THE NORMAL SUPPORTS JUST WEREN'T THERE DURING COVID, AND THE RATES OF THINGS LIKE POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION WENT UP, SPECIFICALLY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE TRIED LIKE HECK TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE, AND TO REALLY PUBLICIZE THOSE AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.

THESE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO GIVE PEOPLE THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE THAT THEY MIGHT NEED, AND IN SOME CASES THAT THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW THAT THEY NEED.

FOR MAC IN SOME CASES, WE HAVE HEARD SPECIFICALLY FROM BLACK PHYSICIANS ABOUT MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT, BUT ALSO A SENSE OF FEELING THAT YOU CAN TRUST THE PROVIDER, AND THAT YOU ARE SEEING SOMEONE MAYBE WHO LOOKS LIKE YOU, WHO LIVES IN YOUR COMMUNITY, OR WHO UNDERSTANDS THE SITUATION YOU ARE IN.

BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT WHERE YOU GO FROM HERE.

IT IS A PRETTY STEEP RATE THAT YOU ARE LOOKING TO CUT IN HALF AND JUST A MATTER OF YEARS.

>> I WILL TELL YOU, I AM VERY EXCITED, BECAUSE THERE IS, SOMEWHERE AROUND $33 MILLION IN THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR THAT IS GOING TO EXPLICITLY TACKLE A LOT OF THE AREAS THAT ARE PRESENTED IN THAT PLAN.

THOSE ARE ANYTHING FROM TRAINING WORKFORCE, ENSURING MEDICATION REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT WORKFORCE, PRENATAL EPISODIC CARE, EXTENDING COVERAGE FOR 365 DAYS POSTPARTUM.

ESTABLISHING THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM THAT I JUST TOLD YOU ABOUT, AND ALSO, WHAT MY REAL CONCERNS OR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO LAUNCH THIS MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CENTER, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP US TO NOT ONLY PROTECT THE DATA THAT WE HAVE UNEARTHED ALREADY, BUT ALSO TO MAKE THE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR OTHERS.

>> Reporter: YOU ARE A MOTHER OF FOUR, SO I IMAGINE A LOT OF THAT EXPERIENCE HAS PLAYED INTO THIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

100%.

I AM GRATEFUL EVERY DAY THAT I HAD MY CHILDREN, AND I KNOW BUT FOR THE COLOR OF MY SKIN I COULD'VE HAD A DIFFERENT OUTCOME.

THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH MY MOTIVATING FORCE HERE.

>> Reporter: FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> THE FIRST LADY HAS MADE IT HER MISSION TO HIGHLIGHT THE DISPARITIES IN MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR ALL WOMEN, BUT ESPECIALLY FOR PREGNANT BLACK WOMEN.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC, BLACK WOMEN ARE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM A PREGNANCY RELATED CAUSE THAN WHITE WOMEN.

THE STATISTICS ARE EVEN WORSE HERE IN JERSEY, WHERE BLACK BABIES ARE MORE THAN THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN A WHITE BABY TO DIE BEFORE HIS OR HER FIRST BIRTHDAY.

I WAS IN NEWARK THIS WEEK FOR THE OPENING OF A NEW WELLNESS CENTER AIMED AT GIVING MOTHERS RESOURCES AND BETTER ACCESS TO CARE.

>> I JUST KNEW THAT I HAD THIS NEW BABY, AND I AM SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPY.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO REACH OUT OR WHAT TO DO.

>> CANDIDLY SPEAKING ABOUT HER PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION.

SHE SHARED HER JOURNEY THAT SHE SAYS INSPIRED HER TO HELP OTHER MOMS IS A PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR THE MATERNAL WRAPAROUND PROGRAM.

IT IS GEARED TOWARDS WOMEN STRUGGLING WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND ADDICTION DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY.

>> SOCIETY LOOKS AT IT AS A HAPPY MOMENT, AND NOT EVERYBODY EXPERIENCES THAT WAY.

WE TALK ABOUT IT ENOUGH, LIKE WE WANTED TO GO TO WAY.

>> POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AFFECTS 1 AND 8 NEW MOTHERS.

ONE STUDY BY RESEARCHERS AT THE ICON SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN MOUNT SINAI, NEW YORK, FOUND THAT BLACK WOMEN WERE MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE POSTPARTUM PRESSURE DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS THAN WHITE WOMEN.

BLACK WOMEN ARE ALSO LESS LIKELY TO RECEIVE HELP, INCLUDING IN NEWARK, WHERE RIBBON-CUTTING WAS HELD FOR THE SOUTHWARD WELLNESS CENTER, THAT HAS A SPECIFIC FOCUS ON EXPECTANT MOTHERS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY DON'T GET MATERNAL SERVICES EARLY IN THEIR PREGNANCY.

BY HAVING A COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER AVAILABLE AT A LOW COST TO EVERYONE, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE SERVICES AND CARE FROM THE BEGINNING, AND WE CAN START TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES.

>> OUR WOMEN AND OUR COMMUNITY ARE SUFFERING, NOT BECAUSE OF BAD CHOICES THEY ARE MAKING, BUT BECAUSE OF SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION AND RACISM, THAT HAS BEEN CLEAR IN THE STATE AND COUNTRY FOR DECADES.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DELIBERATELY, DELIBERATELY GET IN THE WAY OF THAT.

>> ONE THING THAT MAKES HIS HEALTH CENTER DIFFERENT IS THAT IT WILL HAVE A SPECIALTY ON SUPPORTING THE PRENATAL FAMILIES IN THE SOUTH WARD.

ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE HOUSED IN THE CENTER WILL BE THE SOUTH WARD HEALTHY BEGINNINGS PROGRAM, LED BY DIRECTOR JASMINE SPENCER.

IT'S DESIGNED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES FROM PRENATAL ALL THE WAY UP TO AGE 3.

>> MEDICAL RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL.

IT'S ALL TOO OFTEN NOT SPOKEN ABOUT.

SAME THING WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION.

BLACK WOMEN FOR SO LONG HAVE BEEN LOOKED UPON AS WOMEN TO BE ABLE TO COME OUT LIKE, SHE CAN HANDLE IT.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT HER.

SHE'S FINE.

MORE AND MORE, WE ARE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR MOMS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, AS WELL AS THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH.

WE ARE DEFINITELY ENCOURAGING AND HAVE STAFF ON-SITE TO IDENTIFY WHEN MOTHERS ARE FACING POSTPARTUM, AND THE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS IT.

>> IN ADDITION TO OFFERING EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND FAMILIES ACCESS TO CRITICAL CARE, STAFF HERE IS A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE DOCTORS, EULAS, AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL, WILL ALSO RESEMBLE THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY ARE CARING FOR, WHICH THEY SAY IS KEY TO SUPPORTING BLACK WOMEN SPECIFICALLY.

>> A MAJORITY OF OUR STAFF LOOK LIKE THE MOMS WE ARE SERVING.

AFRICAN AMERICAN AND BROWN WOMEN OF COLOR ARE SUPPORTING MOMS IN THE HOSPITALS, AND DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS.

>> PATIENTS CAN BEGIN SIGNING UP TODAY TO BE SEEN STARTING NEXT WEEK.

STAFF SAYS THE GOAL IS TO SEE 125 MOTHERS WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM REAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THE NUMBER OF CASES AND A POSSIBLE CANCER CLUSTER TIED TO A HIGH SCHOOL HAS NOW RISEN TO MORE THAN 100.

THE INVESTIGATION INTO A POSSIBLE SOURCE HAS BEGUN, AS WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP BEGAN TESTING SOIL AT THE HIGH SCHOOL THIS WEEK.

LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE URGING STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES TO STEP IN AS FRUSTRATED AND HER BROKEN FAMILIES GRAPPLE WITH THE DEVELOPING SITUATION.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>>> MY EMOTIONS HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE PLACE.

I'VE GONE TO RAGE THEM INTO CRYING.

>> Reporter: THEY JUST PASSED THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF HIS WIFE JANICE'S DEATH.

SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE BRAIN TUMOR AT THE AGE OF 33.

THE BIGGER SHOCK IS THAT HER DIAGNOSIS CAME DAYS AFTER HER YOUNGER SISTER HAD ALSO BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AN RARE BRAIN TUMOR.

>> WE JOKED AROUND BACK THEN, A FUNNY SENSE OF HUMOR, BUT DID YOU OR YOUR SISTER HAVE LUNCH WITH HIGH TENSION WIRES GROWING UP?

>> Reporter: THEY DIDN'T, BUT THE GIRLS, ONCE KNOWN AS THE BLACK SISTERS, DID BOTH GO TO COLONIAL HIGH SCHOOL IN THE 90s.

THEY PASSED AT THE AGE OF 38.

NOW PART OF A GROUT JOINT INCREASING RISK LIST OF PEOPLE WHO WERE DIAGNOSED OR HAVE DIED FROM EXTREMELY RARE BRAIN TUMORS.

>> I GOT MY FINAL DIAGNOSES AFTER AN MRI ON AUGUST 24, JUST A FEW HOURS AFTER MY SISTER-IN- LAW GOT HER DIAGNOSIS.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE WAS TOLD SHE HAD AN ACOUSTIC NEUROMA, SOMETHING AL HAD OVERCOME SEVERAL YEARS BACK.

BOTH WERE BENIGN, BUT THE PROGNOSIS FOR AL'S SISTER WAS TERMINAL, AND SHE DIED FROM HER CANCER JUST MONTHS LATER.

>> PEOPLE SEEMED TO HAVE LIVED WITH IT FOR A FEW YEARS, SO WE THOUGHT WE HAD A LOT MORE TIME THAN WE DID.

IT CAME WAY TOO FAST.

IT'S HARD.

>> Reporter: MARIANNE LOST HER BROTHER PAUL IN 2020 AFTER HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A GRADE FOR GLIOBLASTOMA, ANOTHER RARE BRAIN CANCER.

>> HE WENT TO RADIATION AND CHEMOTHERAPY.

HE SURVIVED 20 MONTHS WITH THAT.

IT WAS VERY PAINFUL.

HE HAD TWO CHILDREN.

IT WAS VERY SAD.

>> Reporter: THEY CONNECTED, WHO HAD BEEN COMBINING A LIST OF COLONIA WITH RARE CANCERS, MANY ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BRAIN.

MUST'VE BEEN GRADUATED BETWEEN 1970 AND 1985, BUT AS THEY SUSPECTED, THE CANCER CLUSTER HAS NOW GROWN TO MORE THAN 100.

SO TOO ARE THE DATES THEY ATTENDED THE SCHOOL, THE LATEST EFFORT 2018.

THEY ARE NOW CONCERNED FOR THEMSELVES.

>> I'VE BEEN GETTING A MIGRAINE ON THE LEFT SIDE.

IT HAS BEEN, LIKE, CONSTANT.

I DID GET AN MRI.

THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING, BUT I'M GOING TO LET THEM KNOW, LIKE, WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> THE FREQUENCY OF FAMILIAL CASES HAS CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF SEVERAL DOCTORS.

>> RAIN TUMORS DON'T RUN IN FAMILIES, SO ONCE YOU HAVE, IT IS NOT GENETICALLY LINKED, MOST OF THE BRAIN TUMORS.

SO WHEN YOU HAVE MANY MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY OR SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON, YOU AUTOMATICALLY HAVE A RED FLAG ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON.

>> Reporter: THAT SOMETHING ONLY POINTS TO ONE ANSWER, RADIATION EXPOSURE.

IT'S THE SAME CONCLUSION THAT AN EXPERT IN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS CAME TO WITH HIS ONCOLOGIST.

>> AND PEOPLE GET RADIATION TO THE DIFFERENT BODY PARTS, AND YOU GET EXPOSURE TO THE RADIATION TREATMENT, WHAT WE CALL IONIZING RADIATION, THAT IS ONE RISK FACTOR FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE BRAIN TUMORS.

>> Reporter: THE TOWN OF WOOD RIDGE BEGAN 2 WEEKS OF SOIL TESTING ON THE HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS, LOOKING FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIAL LOOKED IN THE BUILDING PROCESS, OR ILLEGAL DUMPING OF TOXIC WASTE.

CONCLUSIVE RESULTS CAN BE DIFFICULT TO FIND, BUT FOR THESE FAMILIES, AN ANSWER MEANS EVERYTHING.

>> FOR HALEY, IT HAS BEEN STRESSFUL RAISING MY DAUGHTER, BECAUSE EVERY HEADACHE, SHE HAS A LOT OF ANXIETY IN REGARDS TO WHETHER OR NOT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN TO HER.

>> Reporter: HIS NIECE HAS THE SAME ANXIETY, SO FOR THEM IN ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR WOULD MEAN RELIEF.

THEY LEFT BEHIND FOUR GIRLS WHO ALSO LIVE IN COLONIA.

>> MY OLDEST NIECE GRADUATED FROM THERE LAST YEAR, IT WOULD TEAR US APART TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE POTENTIALLY BEING AFFECTED AS WELL.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID THEIR MISSION IS TO SAVE OTHER FAMILIES FROM THE SAME HEARTACHE THEY ARE LIVING THROUGH NOW.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> READ MORE ABOUT HOW POSSIBLE CANCER CLUSTERS ARE INVESTIGATED AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> THERE IS GOOD NEWS FOR JERSEY WHEN IT COMES TO TAX REVENUE.

NEW FIGURES FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY SHOW TAX COLLECTIONS CONTINUE TO RUN STRONG HEADING INTO THIS MONTH'S CRUCIAL INCOME TAX FILING DEADLINE.

RISING WAGES, AND A STRONG WALL STREET BONUS SEASON, HELPED PUSH STATE INCOME TAX COLLECTIONS UP BY NEARLY $1.7 BILLION YEAR-OVER-YEAR THROUGH THE END OF MARCH, ACCORDING TO TREASURY OFFICIALS.

JOHN REITMEYER SO SEVERAL OTHER TAX SOURCES, INCLUDING THE INHERITANCE AND REALTY TRANSFER TAXES CONTINUE THEIR OWN HOT STREAKS AMID THE ONGOING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

>> THAT IS SORT OF THE MILLION- DOLLAR QUESTION RIGHT NOW, HOW LONG DOES THE HOT STREAK GO.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE REVENUE REJECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT FORWARD, BOTH BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY AND THE LEGISLATURES OWN FISCAL ANALYSTS, THEY BOTH FOR C GROWTH CONTINUING THROUGH THE END OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

>> NEW JERSEY EMPLOYERS CONTINUED A 16 MONTH STREAK OF JOB GAINS LAST MONTH, ADDING NEARLY 18,000 JOBS IN MARCH.

ALMOST ALL IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, ROUGHLY 5000 OF THOSE POSITIONS WERE ADDED IN LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY, AN INDUSTRY HARD-HIT BY THAT PANDEMIC.

THE STATEWIDE AND EMPLOYMENT RATE HAS DROPPED TO 4.2%, THOUGH IT IS STILL HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL RATE OF 3.6%.

NEW JERSEY HAS NEVER COVERED MORE THAN 600,000 OF THE JOBS LOST 2 YEARS AGO AT THE START OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, OR ABOUT 93%.

>>> TURNING NOW TO WALL STREET, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S TRADING NUMBERS.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY MARTIN TUCKMAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT NJ I.T.

OFFERING NEW JERSEY'S FIRST BACHELORS OF SCIENCE DEGREE.

BUSINESS FOCUSED, TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN.

>>> CONVENTIONAL WISDOM SAYS TO PAIR OYSTERS WITH WINE.

ALONG THE SANDY HOOK BAY SHORE, THEY ARE THROWING OUT CONVENTIONAL WISDOM IN ORDER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

BEER LOVERS ARE BREWING UP AN OYSTER STOUT.

YES, A BEER MADE WITH OYSTERS, AND SELLING IT TO RAISE MONEY TO BRING OYSTERS BACK TO PARTS OF OUR STATE.

TED GOLDBERG EXPLAINS THE BENEFITS OF RESTORING THE OYSTER POPULATION, AND HOW THE BEER TASTES.

>> Reporter: JOHN KNOWS THE SECRET TO A GOOD BREW.

>> YOU CAN'T MAKE GOOD BEER WITHOUT GOOD, CLEAN WATER.

>> REPORTER:'S COMPANY, ROSS BREWING, SITS NEAR SANDY HOOK BAY NEXT TO A FLEET OF FISHING TRAWLERS.

HIS LOVE OF NEW JERSEY WATERS INSPIRES HIS BEERS.

>> OUR WHOLE RAISON D'ETRE AT ROSS BREWERY, BECAUSE WE ARE OUT ON BOATS, AT ON THE RIVERS, WE SELL, THE FLAGSHIP BEERS.

>> Reporter: THE RIVERS ARE ALSO A BIG FOCUS FOR THE AMERICAN LITTORAL SOCIETY.

THEY ARE TRYING TO REINTRODUCE OYSTERS, AND HE WANTED TO HELP THEM OUT.

HIS IDEA WAS TO BREW A BEER MADE WITH OYSTERS.

SOME OF THE PROCEEDS GO TO HELP THE LITTORAL SOCIETY CLEANUP NEW JERSEY'S WATERS.

>> 250 YEARS AGO, THESE WATERS WERE PRISTINE, AND THE OYSTERS WERE THRIVING.

OF COURSE, THROUGH GENERATIONS OF FARMING, AND US ALL ENJOYING THE OYSTERS, THOSE HAVE BEEN BROUGHT DOWN.

THEIR PROJECT RESTORING OYSTER BEDS, WE HAD TO GET INVOLVED.

>> NEW JERSEY HISTORICALLY WAS ONE OF THE OYSTER CAPITALS OF THE WORLD.

IT WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM, AND ALSO THE FOUNDATION OF A REALLY GREAT OYSTER INDUSTRY.

WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS PUTTING ALL THOSE PIECES BACK IN PLACE.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS AND HEALTHY INDUSTRIES HELPING BUSINESSES BUILT AROUND OYSTERS.

>> Reporter: OYSTERS PROVIDE A LOT MORE THAN GOOD EATING.

>> THEY PROVIDE HABITAT FOR OTHER FISH AND CRABS AND MARINE LIFE, AND THEY FILTER WATER.

THEY ARE TREMENDOUSLY EFFICIENT AT PUMPING WATER THROUGH THEIR SYSTEM, WHICH IS HOW THEY FEED THEMSELVES.

THEY PUMP UP TO 50 GALLONS PER DAY INDIVIDUALLY.

IT HAS A TREMENDOUS BENEFIT AND TAKING CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WATER THAT DON'T DO GOOD THINGS FOR THE BAY OUT OF THE WATER.

>> Reporter: HE WAS THRILLED TO HEAR ABOUT THE CONCOCTION.

>> WE LOVE BEER ALMOST AS MUCH AS WE LOVE OYSTERS.

IT'S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP AND A GREAT THING THEY ARE DOING.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ROSS FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY WILL MAKE.

>> I'M EXTREMELY EXCITED.

I AM A HUGE FAN OF STOUTS.

I'M NOT A HUGE FAN OF EATING OYSTERS MYSELF.

I PREFER TO PUT THEM IN THE ECOSYSTEM, BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT MYSELF.

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE THAT PARTNERSHIP.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE STATE BREWING LICENSE, SO THE STOUT IS MADE ELSEWHERE.

HE SAYS THAT AT FIRST, PEOPLE WERE A LITTLE WEIRDED OUT.

>> THE INITIAL REACTION WASN'T OVERLY ENTHUSIASTIC.

JUST SOUNDED TOO STRANGE I THINK FOR MOST PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE END RESULT IS A SALTY STOUT, THAT SHOULDN'T TASTE LIKE SEAWATER.

>> THERE ARE NO OYSTER FLAVORS.

YOU'RE NOT DRINKING THIS AND THINKING YOU ARE DRINKING OYSTERS.

WHAT YOU ARE GETTING IS THE SALINITY, THE MINERALOGY OF THE SILICA IN THE SHELL.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS WE CAN EXPECT ANOTHER BIVALVE BREW OVER THE SUMMER, SOMETHING A LITTLE LIGHTER.

I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

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

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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