>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, 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.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THIS MONDAY NIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

UKRAINE IS FACING A NEW BARRAGE OF ATTACKS FROM RUSSIAN FORCES.

MILITARY OFFICIALS, REPORTING AT LEAST FOUR MISSILE STRIKES IN THE WESTERN CITY, A PLACE THAT HAS BECOME A REFUGE FOR THOSE FLEEING THE WAR.

AT LEAST 7 PEOPLE WERE KILLED THERE BUT, THE DEATH TOLL IS EXPECTED TO RISE.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE LARGE- SCALE OFFENSIVE ALSO HIT MORE THAN 300 MILITARY TARGETS OVERNIGHT.

MAINLY IN EASTERN UKRAINE.

AS UKRAINIAN TROOPS REFUSED TO BACK DOWN IN THE BATTLE FOR THE BESIEGED CITY OF MARY A POLE.

ACCORDING TO FIGHT UNTIL THE END.

THEY ARE NOW TRAPPED WITH SOLDIERS INSIDE A LARGE STEEL PLANT IN THAT CITY.

THEY ARE OFFERING TO PROTECT TEMPORARY DETECTIVE STATUS ALREADY LIVING IN THE COUNTRY.

THE BODY DEMONSTRATION OFFERED LEGAL PROTECTION TO UKRAINIANS WHO ARRIVED HERE BEFORE MARCH 1st.

THE PROTECTIVE STATUS WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR 18 MONTHS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PREDICTS ROUGHLY 60,000 UKRAINIANS COULD BE ELIGIBLE.

BUT WE TURN NOW AS WE OFTEN DO FOR INSIGHT ON THIS WAR TO ALEXANDER'S.

ST. PETER'S UNIVERSITY.

>> PROFESSOR SANDERS I WANT TO START FIRST WITH THIS NEWS THAT CAME OUT AFTER THE WEEKEND THAT AT LEAST FOUR MISSILE STRIKES IN THE WESTERN CITY OF TEL AVIV IN UKRAINE, THIS WAS LARGELY A THOUGHT TO BE A SAFE HAVEN ESPECIALLY FOR REFUGEES.

NOT THE CASE ANYMORE, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN NOW?

FOR THIS PHASE OF THE WAR?

>> I THINK WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT THE ENTIRE LAND OF UKRAINE, THE ENTIRE COUNTRY OF UKRAINE IS UNDER ASSAULT.

NOW, I THINK THE RUSSIANS WANT TO CONCENTRATE THEIR MILITARY ASSAULT TO THE EAST.

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THE RUSSIANS TO TRY AND SCARE THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY SO THAT THEY CAN CONCENTRATE IN THE EAST.

YOU KNOW, THE DIVERSIONARY TACTICS PERHAPS ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE RUSSIANS ARE STRIKING WHAT APPEARED TO BE MILITARY TARGETS, MILITARY INFRASTRUCTURE, TO TRY AND SOFT AND UP THE UKRAINIAN MILITARY.

PRIOR TO THE MAJOR ASSAULT OF THE RUSSIANS ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE IN THE EAST.

SO, AS PART OF BECOME PERHAPS A STRATEGY.

UKRAINIAN FORCES SOFT OF THE MILITARY AT THE STRUCTURE OF UKRAINE AND LAUNCH A MAJOR ASSAULT OF EAST.

AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT THE ANALYSTS EXPECT TO HAPPEN.

>> WHAT DOES IT SAY THAT UKRAINIAN FORCES ARE STILL STANDING UP TO REJECTING IF YOU WILL, THIS IMPOSED DEADLINE THAT RUSSIA GAVE FOR THEM TO STAND DOWN?

WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE OFFENSE HERE?

>> YOU KNOW, MARY OPAL HAS BECOME SORT OF AN ICONIC BATTLEFIELD.

SOMETHING OF IMPORTANCE TO BOTH THE RUSSIANS AND TO UKRAINIANS.

SO, THE UKRAINIANS OF COURSE MARK'S COURAGE.

TRIES TO RALLY, ALLOWS UKRAINIANS TO RALLY THEIR MORALE AND FORCES.

FOR THE RUSSIANS OF COURSE, THERE'S ALSO AN ICONIC ELEMENT, HERE.

THEY NEED A MAJOR VICTORY AND IF IT FELL, IT WOULD BE A MAJOR VICTORY.

THERE IS ALSO A MILITARY COMPONENT AND THAT IS THE RUSSIANS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A LAND BRIDGE BETWEEN THE EASTERN PART OF UKRAINE THAT BORDERS THE AISLE IN THE CRIMEAN PENINSULA WHICH IS ALSO BORDERING THE SEA OF AS OFF.

IF THEY CAN CONTROL A LAND BRIDGE AT LEAST A PART OF UKRAINE, THEY WOULD CUT OFF A MAJOR PART OF THE ACCESS TO THE SEA THAT UKRAINE HAS AND OF COURSE FACILITATE THE CONTROL OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF UKRAINE FOR RUSSIA.

NO, THERE IS A SYMBOLIC COMPONENT FOR BOTH UKRAINIANS AND FOR THE RUSSIANS BUT ALSO THE MILITARY OBJECTIVE TO CONTROL CERTAIN PART OF UKRAINE.

>> WE EXPECTED, ANALYSTS EXPECTED THE SITUATION TO GROW WORSE, IT HAS.

BUT, THERE IS STILL HOPE, YES, THAT UKRAINE CAN WIN THIS.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW.

IT IS HARD TO KNOW WHO WILL COME OUT AHEAD OF TIME.

OR AHEAD OF WHAT THEY SAY.

FOR THE RUSSIANS, OF COURSE, WHAT IT MEANS, IF THEY WERE TO WIN THE BATTLE FIELD IS USED, IT WOULD MEAN THAT THEY WERE CONTROL THAT PART, IT WOULD CERTAINLY WEAKEN THE UKRAINIANS, BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A BATTLE AND WAR THAT IS OWING TO LAST A LONG TIME, NO MATTER WHO WHEN THE CURRENT BATTLES AND THE IMMEDIATE BATTLES THAT ARE LOOMING, NO MATTER WHO WINS THOSE, WE ARE IN FOR A LONG CONFLICT, AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT WILL DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENS TO UKRAINE AND WHAT HAPPENS TO RUSSIA.

SO, WHAT WE REALLY HAVE TO LOOK AT IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE LONG-TERM, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SHORT-TERM BATTLES THAT ARE GOING TO BE FOUGHT.

UNFORTUNATELY, VERY SOON AND UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE NOUNS ARE GOING TO BE COSTLY FOR BOTH SIDES.

THEY WERE VERY TRAGIC SITUATIONS, UNFORTUNATELY, WHICH IS GOING TO LAST FOR A LONG TIME.

>> NOW, WHEN YOU HAVE THE FOREIGN MINISTER THERE SAYING THAT CITIES LIKE THAT ARE VIRTUALLY GONE, YOU KNOW, WIPED OFF THE MAP, NO DOUBT A VERY LONG TIME, PROFESSOR ALAN SANDERS, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR INSIGHT TODAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND IS BREAKING NEWS TONIGHT FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT PASSENGERS.

A FEDERAL JUDGE IN FLORIDA IS OVERTURNING THE CDC'S NATIONAL LAST MANDATE COVERING AIRPLANES AND OTHER FORMS OF PUBLIC MASS TRANSIT.

THE DECISION, BY U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE, CATHERINE KIMBALL MOSEL ARGUES THAT THE CDC OVERSTEPPED ITS AUTHORITY AND FAILED TO JUSTIFY THE AGENCY'S DECISION, OR FOLLOW CORRECT RULEMAKING.

COMES JUST A WEEK AFTER THE CDC EXTENDED THE LAST MANDATE, WHICH WOULD HAVE EXPIRED TODAY, UNTIL MAY 3rd.

AS WE APPEARED TO BE IN THE THROES OF THIS LATEST WAVE OF RISING CASES, FUELED BY THE CONTAGIOUS BA TO COVARIANT, JUST OVER 900 NEW CASES REPORTED STATEWIDE TODAY.

THE FIRST DAY SINCE EARLY APRIL IN FACT THAT NUMBERS UNDER 1004 ADDITIONAL DEBTS.

THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION IS ALSO STILL ABOVE ONE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS THAT THE STATE EXPECTED CASES TO GROW, PARTICULARLY COMING OUT OF THE EASTERN PASSOVER WEEKEND.

ARE WE BETTER PREPARED THIS TIME AROUND?

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> I TESTED BEFORE YOU GOT HOME.

THE TEST LITERALLY LIT UP LIKE A MATCH WITHIN SECONDS, AND I WAS SHOCKED, COMPLETE A SHORT TRIP >> LISA LIEBERMAN DOES NOT HAVE SYMPTOMS, BUT SHE DOES HAVE COVID.

HERE'S AN EDUCATOR WHO HEADS THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY.

SHE SAW THE HEALTH THE CAMP ADVISORY TEAM.

SHE IS DOUBLE-BREASTED, FULLY VACCINATED AND WEARS A MASK BUT THE CONTAGIOUS EA TO COVARIANT IS BREAKING THROUGH.

>> I'VE BEEN PROTECTING MYSELF, TESTING BEFORE I HAVE GONE TO SEE MY UNVACCINATED GRANDCHILDREN.

YOU KNOW, SO, REALLY, WHEN I SAW THAT I WAS POSITIVE, I WAS ANGRY.

I WAS LIKE, HOW CAN THIS BE QUESTION MARK >> MEAN, LOOK.

I HAVE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHO ARE BOOSTED, DOUBLE BOOSTED.

>> BA TWO AND THE LEVEL OF TRANSMISSIBILITY IT HAS COME I THINK IT'S GOING TO REALLY CREATE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS, NOT ONLY FOR VACCINATED PEOPLE BUT PARTICULARLY, THOSE WHO STILL ARE NOT VACCINATED.

>> NEW JERSEY'S, CASELOADS ARE RISING AGAIN, THE 70 EVER DONE MORE THAN 130% OVER LAST MONTH, AND THAT IS JUST COUNTING PEOPLE WHO GET OFFICIAL PCR TESTS.

MANY USE HOME TEST KITS AND STARR REPORT RESULTS.

SO, CASELOADS COULD BE UNDERCOUNTED.

THE GOOD NEWS QUESTION MARK NEW JERSEY'S HOSPITALIZATION RATE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID TODAY.

>> SO, RATES HAVE INCREASED IN POSITIVITY AND RATES OF TRANSMISSION.

THEY ARE NOT MATCHED BY THE RATE OF INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATION OR SEVERE ILLNESS, OR FATALITY.

OTHER WORDS COME UP A LITTLE BIT BUT THE CURVE IS A LOT FLATTER THAN THE CASES, AND THAT IS WHAT THE EXPERTS WOULD HAVE EXPECTED.

>> WITH THE HEAD?

NEW FORECAST MODEL BY JERSEY DEPARTMENT HELP PREDICT TWO POSSIBLE TRACKS AT A MODERATE COVID SEARCH THAT PEAKS IN LATE APRIL AT A BIT OVER 900 CASES DAILY WITHOUT 455 PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED.

THE HIGH SURGE MODEL PEAKS IN EARLY MAY WITH MORE THAN 3800 DAILY CASES AND 1200 HOSPITALIZED.

BOTH MODELS PREDICT A SECOND SURGEON JUNE.

>> NOT SURPRISED TO SEE THOSE NUMBERS WHATSOEVER, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IN THE AMERICAN POPULATION IS THAT WE ARE PAST THIS AND WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT INFLATION.

>> RECORDS DEAN SAYS THE MODEL SO HOSPITALS WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE SURGE JERSEY IS RELATIVELY WELL VACCINATED, MEANWHILE, ANOTHER INDICATOR ALSO SEES COVEN INFECTION CLIMBING.

>> THE SEVERITY IS ACTUALLY VERY USEFUL.

>> TESTS OF WASTEWATER BY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SHOW RISING LEVELS OF COVID GENETIC MARKERS THIS APRIL, 2 1/2 TIMES HIGHER IN LITTLE FAIRY, AND 7 TIMES HIGHER IN EDGEWATER THAN BACK IN MARCH.

IT IS AN ACCURATE MEASURE, EXPLAINS DR. MARTIN BLASER.

>> NOT EVERYBODY HAS TO GET TESTED AND LOOK AT TEST.

BUT EVERYBODY HAS TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.

AND SO, YOU CAN USE WASTEWATER TO ASSESS WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> MEANWHILE, LIEBERMAN IS STAYING HOME WITH HER HUSBAND WHO ALSO TESTED POSITIVE AND DOES HAVE SYMPTOMS BUT IS RESPONDING WELL TO ANTIVIRALS.

>> WE ARE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.

WE ARE NOT TERRIBLY OH.

I WILL BE STAYING AWAY FROM MY UNVACCINATED GRANDCHILDREN FOR A LITTLE WHILE UNTIL WE ARE BOTH 100% SURE THAT WE ARE OUT OF THE WOODS COULD >> LIEBERMAN FIGURES COVID SPREAD BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE PERHAPS DON'T HAVE SYMPTOMS.

OR THINK THEY JUST GOT SPRING ALLERGIES.

SHE SAYS IT IS COMPLICATED.

>> THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED, BUT STILL AT RISK.

AND, THERE IS STILL AN ENTIRE GROUP OF PEOPLE UNDER 5 WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED.

AND, THERE'S ALSO A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED BY CHOICE.

AND SO, THE END RESULT OF THAT IS EVERYBODY IS MIXING TOGETHER AND NOT EVEN KNOWING WHO IS INFECTING HER.

>> I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THE STATUS JUST DAYS AWAY FROM LEGALLY SELLING ADULT RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, AND DESPITE GROUNDWORK PREPPING FOR THE MARKET, THERE'S STILL A FEW GREAT AREAS LEFT TO ADDRESS.

LIKE WHEN THE COPS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM USING CANNABIS WHILE OFF DUTY.

STATE SENATOR SUGGESTED AS MUCH, TWEETING THAT HE LIKE TO MODIFY THE LAW, WHICH DOES NOT PREVENT OFFICERS FROM USING MARIJUANA ON THEIR OWN TIME.

BUT, DOES PUNISH THEM IF THEY SHOW UP TO THE JOB IMPAIRED.

THE TROUBLE IS, EXISTING TEST MAKE IT TOUGH TO KNOW EXACTLY WHEN SOMEONE USED THE SUBSTANCE.

GOVERNOR INSLEE TODAY SAID HE IS OPEN-MINDED TO A LEGISLATIVE FIX AS THE STATE GEARS UP FOR AT LEAST 10 LOCATIONS TO BEGIN SALES ON THURSDAY.

JOANNA GAGIS VISITED ONE SIDE AND ELIZABETH TO FIND OUT IF THEY ARE READY.

>> DEFINITELY HAVE PRODUCT THAT IS STRICTLY FOR MEDICAL AND STRICTLY FOR RECREATIONAL.

>> JOE CRAIN SAYS ELIZABETH IS READY FOR LAUNCH THIS THURSDAY, 4:21 WHEN THE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS MARKET PLACE OPENS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THEY HAVE DOUBLE BASS SUPPLY, AND MOST OF THEIR OPERATION.

>> WE DOUBLED OUR STAFF TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DELIVER TO THE NEW JERSEY MARKET.

ALSO AT OUR FACILITY GROW, WE DEFINITELY RAMPED UP THE KITCHENS, WE RAMPED UP THE GROWS, WE DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF GROW ROOMS AT THE FACILITY, AND WE ARE SOON GOING TO BE OPENING UP TO NEXT-DOOR, SO WE HAVE A BIGGER WAITING ROOM FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.

>> JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, THAT WAS ONE OF SEVEN MEDICAL FACILITIES BLOCKED BY THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION, OR CRC FROM LAUNCHING A RECREATIONAL MARKETPLACE.

BUT, LEST WE COME ALL 7 WERE APPROVED, GREEN SO THEY HAD TO DEMONSTRATE HOW THE PRIORITIZE MEDICAL PATIENTS, THINGS LIKE THEIR OWN WAITING ROOM, CURBSIDE PICKUP, AND HOME DELIVERIES, AND THEIR OWN SHOPPING HOURS.

>> SO, FIRST AND LAST HOUR OF EVERY DAY WILL BE STRICTLY FOR MEDICINAL PATIENTS, AND THEN, IN BETWEEN AND WILL BE FOR RECREATIONAL.

>> EVEN WITH ALL THE PREPARATION, THE MANAGEMENT TEAM HERE AT THE ZEN LEAF IS EXPECTING TO SEE A MASSIVE TURN ON THURSDAY WITH CROWDS LIKE THAT NEVER SEEN HER BEFORE.

>> WE HAVE OUR STATION SET UP TO PREPARE FOR THE BIG LONG LINES THAT WE WILL BE ENTERING.

>> SO MEDICALS OVER HERE.

>> YES, MEDICAL WILL BE ON THE SIDE, THEIR OWN LINES TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THE MEDICINE THAT THEY NEED.

>> AT LEAST 10 ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTERS HAVE CONFIRMED THEY WILL START SELLING THIS WEEK AND LONGTIME MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION ETIQUETTE, CAN SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT MEDICAL PATIENTS WILL COME FIRST, ESPECIALLY WITH THE GUARD RAILS THE CRC IS PUTTING IN PLACE.

>> THE CRC SAID THAT THEY WILL YOU KNOW THEY CAN INSTITUTE A SERIES OF FINES, YOU KNOW UP TO $10,000 A DAY AND SUSPENDING THE LICENSE FOR ANY APC THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACT PATIENT ACCESS, SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEGATIVE IMPACT IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE RECREATIONAL SUPPLY, NOT GOING TO BE ON PATIENT SUPPLY.

>> IS A SYSTEM IN PLACE FOR THE CRC TO MONITOR THE ROLLOUT ESPECIALLY IN THE EARLY DAYS.

>> WE KEEP REPORTS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOING TO THE CRC, FROM THE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTERS EXPLAINING WHAT KIND OF ISSUES COME UP, AND ALSO, OUR ORGANIZATION FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN NEW JERSEY IS GOING TO BE HAVING WEEKLY CALLS WITH THE NEW JERSEY TRADE ASSOCIATION, SO WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO IDENTIFY AND REMEDIATE ANY ISSUES THAT COME UP.

>> IF OTHER STATES ARE ANY INDICATION, THE RECREATIONAL LAUNCH COULD CAUSE FEAR AMONG MEDICAL PATIENTS, WHICH COULD IMPACT SUPPLY, SAYS CHRIS GOLDSTEIN.

>> WILL BE SEEN IN OTHER STATES ESPECIALLY ONES THAT HAVE LAUNCHED THE ADULT USE PROGRAM, HOW THOSE MEDICAL DISPENSARIES IS THAT THERE IS INDEED A DOUBLE RUSH.

PATIENTS FEEL THAT THEIR SUPPLIES MIGHT BE OUT THERE SO THEY WOULD TRY AND PURCHASE.

THEN YOU GOT ALL THESE CONSUMERS COMING IN TOO, SO THAT IS A REAL DOUBLE CRUNCH ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

>> AND THAT BEGS THE QUESTION, HOW WOULD IT IMPACT THE COST FOR CONSUMERS CUSTOMERS BACK ULTIMATELY, ON OPENING DAY, PEOPLE PAY THE HIGHEST PRICE THE MOST PREMIUM PRICE FOR CANNABIS.

THE REASON FOR THAT?

NOT REALLY.

AFTER A FEW YEARS, AND YOU GET HUNDREDS OF OPERATORS LICENSE, YOU REALIZE THERE'S MORE COMPETITION AND THE PRICE GOES DOWN PRINT >> MEDICAL PATIENTS WILL KEEP PAYING $60 FOR AN EIGHTH OF AN OUNCE, MUCH HIGHER THAN THE BLACK MARKET PRICES, AND FOR ADULT USE CUSTOMERS, THEY CAN EXPECT THEY'LL BE PAYING MORE THAN THAT FOR THEIR FIRST LEGAL STASH.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>> BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, A NEW CLASS OF STATE TROOPERS WILL BE ON THE JOB.

ONE 2 NEW CLASSES BEING PLANS TO BOLSTER THE STATE POLICE FORCE BY 23 POINT GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY SAID THE ADDITIONAL RECRUITS WILL HELP THE AGENCY MEET CRITICAL LAW- ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT NEEDS.

PAYROLL HAS GROWN IN ITS DEMAND SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, AND MORE FREQUENT TROPICAL STORMS AND OTHER SEVERE WEATHER.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS OVER 100 AND MOST OF STATE TROOPERS WILL BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR RETIREMENT BY OCTOBER 22, AND MORE THAN 100 ADDITIONAL TROOPERS WILL BE ELIGIBLE THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

IN THE STATE POLICE CLASSES ARE BEING FUNDED WITH FEDERAL MONEY, SET ASIDE UNDER THE AMERICAN WEST YOU PLAN AND STATE FUNDS.

>> THE STATE POLICE ARE THE CENTRAL POINT OF CONTACT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

FOR TACTICAL, TECHNICAL, AND FORENSIC SERVICES.

IT IS THE CLEARINGHOUSE FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND REGULATORY SERVICES FOR FIREARMS.

AND THE PRIVATE DETECTIVE INDUSTRY.

THE TROOPERS HERE AT THE ROCK ARE OUR FRONT LINE IN PREPARING FOR, MANAGING OUR REAL-TIME RESPONSE TO STORMS, NATURAL DISASTERS, AND AS WE ALL KNOW ARE CRITICALLY AWARE, TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES.

>> MEANWHILE, IN NEWARK, THE END DATE HAS COME AND GONE TO REMOVE THE FEDERAL WATCHDOG OVERSEEING THE CITIES POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE OVERSIGHT IS NOW SET TO STAY IN PLACE UNTIL 2023.

DESPITE PUSHBACK FROM MAYOR BARAKA AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR SAY THAT CITIES MAY HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS SINCE THE INDEPENDENT MONITOR WAS PUT IN PLACE IN 2016, FOLLOWING A DEPARTMENT JUSTICE INVESTIGATION UNCOVERING CIVIL RIGHTS ABUSES AND MISCONDUCT BY OFFICERS.

AND THE CITY NO LONGER NEEDS THAT HAVE A PAID POSITION.

SR.

POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> THE SLOW EVOLUTION OF THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM THE OCCUPYING FORCE, THEY HELPED THE CITY BURNED FIVE DECADES AGO, TO THE MODEL OF MODERN-DAY POLICING HAS BEEN PAINFUL AND PAINSTAKING.

AND, SAYS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AFTER 5 YEARS AND MORE THAN $7 MILLION, NOT DONE YET.

>> THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD WAS FROM JULY OF 2016 TO JULY OF 2021.

WE ARE NOW, THE CONSENT PERMITS A TWO YEAR EXTENSION OF THE MONITOR SHIP.

NOW, THE COURT HAS NOT ENTERED AN ORDER EXTENDING IT FOR TWO YEARS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN THE CITY OF NEWARK ARE DISCUSSING THAT EXTENSION COULD >> THAT IS PETER HARDY, THE FORMER STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND, THE FACE OF THE FEDERAL ROLE IN REFORMING THE NEWARK POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HE SAYS THE PANDEMIC AND SUBSEQUENT SHUTDOWN AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS SLOWED THE MONITORING TEAMS WORK, ACTUALLY STOPPING IT FOR A TIME.

HE SAYS EXTENDING THE TIMEFRAME FOR THE MONITORING IS NOT UP TO HIM.

BUT, HE SAYS THE EFFECT OF THE CONSENT HAS BEEN POSITIVE.

>> WHAT WAS COMING WHEN YOU CAME AND THAT IS NOT COMMON ANYMORE AND I DEPARTMENT CUSTOMER >> WHAT WAS COMMON WAS THAT OFFICERS ALMOST NEVER WERE DISCIPLINED, DESPITE COMPLAINTS MADE TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

THAT HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR ORDERLY REPORTS, TYPICALLY THE ONES FROM THE FOURTH QUARTER OF ANY PARTICULAR YEAR, MEANING THE LAST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR, WE PUT IN STATISTICS THAT TELL THE PUBLIC, AND UNTIL THE COURT HOW MANY OFFICERS WERE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE, HOW MANY WERE SUSPENDED, HOW MANY WERE TERMINATED.

>> THINK IT'S CHANGES THAT ARE OBVIOUS, NOT JUST IN TERMS OF POLICE INTERACTIONS WITH FOLKS ON THE STREET, AND DATA ABOUT THOSE INTERACTIONS, BUT IS ALSO OBVIOUS FROM SOME DATA THAT IS NOT BASED UPON POLICE STATISTICS.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE NUMBER OF POLICE BRUTALITY LAWSUITS, AND THE AMOUNT PAID OUT BY THE CITY OF NEWARK TO SETTLE THOSE LAWSUITS HAS DECREASED DRAMATICALLY.

90% OVER A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE MOST RECENT FOUR-YEAR PERIOD WE HAVE NOW.

>> IS A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOW THE POLICE INTERACTED WITH US, SAY, IN 2013 AND, HOW THEY INTERACT WITH US NOW.

THERE IS A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

>> LARRY HAMM HAS LED MORE DEVASTATIONS IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND ANY ACTIVIST HERE, PROBABLY EVER.

AND HE SAYS THINGS ARE BETTER, THAT IS SOMETHING.

HE SAYS THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON STUFF, THAT MEANS SOMETHING TO COOK IT'S BEEN WHEN THE PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE WITHOUT A MONITOR?

NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> EVEN ROSCOE COULD NOT TURN THAT AROUND.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THIS PROGRESS IS IN FACT THE RESULT OF THE INTERVENTION OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, THE PUTTING INTO PLACE OF CONSENT DECREE, AND THE FEDERAL MONITOR.

>> HE SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY FOR MOST, IF NOT ALL OF THE MONITORS WORK GOING FORWARD.

$7 MILLION IS A LOT FOR ANY CITY TO PAY EVEN IF IT IS CLEANING UP ITS OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IF ANYTHING, TO SLOW OR STOP THE EXTENSION OF THE WORK, IT WOULD BE A DEBATE OVER WHO PAYS FOR IT.

BECAUSE, THERE'S ALWAYS A PRICE PER PROGRESS, AND THE WORK HERE MUST STILL GO ON.

DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IS NOT JUST OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SAYS A NUMBER OF LEGAL QUESTIONS REMAIN AS THE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA MARKET OPENS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS AND CONCERNS FROM BUSINESS OWNERS ALONG WITH TONIGHT'S TOP HEADLINES.

>> WITH LEGAL MARIJUANA SALES JUST DAYS AWAY, THE STATES LARGEST BUSINESS LOBBYING GROUP SAYS KEY ISSUES AROUND DRUG TESTING AND WORKPLACE SAFETY HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.

EMPLOYERS WHO ARE ALLOWED TO CONTACT DRUG TEST ON THE WORKERS UNDER THE CANNABIS LAW WORKER WHO TEST POSITIVE MUST ALSO GET A PHYSICAL EVALUATION, CONDUCTED BY WHAT IS KNOWN AS A WORKPLACE IMPAIRMENT RECOGNITION EXPERT.

ACCORDING TO RAY CANTOR, VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION HAS YET TO ADOPT REGULATIONS TO CERTIFY THOSE EXPERTS, LEAVING EMPLOYERS IN LEGAL LIMBO.

>> WORKPLACE SAFETY IS IMPORTANT, NOT ONLY FOR YOUR EMPLOYEE BUT FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, ESPECIALLY TALKING ABOUT VERY DANGEROUS OCCUPATIONS LIKE WORKING IN A CHEMICAL PLANT, NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, WORKING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WORKERS ARE NOT IMPAIRED ON THE TOP.

>> THE NJ BIA HAS BEEN URGING THE COMMISSION TO WORK QUICKLY ON ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS.

FINALLY, NEW JERSEY DRIVERS ARE GETTING A BREAK ON GAS PRICES.

THEY HAVE FALLEN TO THEIR LOWEST LEVEL IN A MONTH, AVERAGING A FEW PENNIES OVER FOUR DOLLARS A GALLON.

AND IN A FEW COUNTIES IN THE STATE, THE PRICE DROPPED BELOW FOUR DOLLARS, GAS PRICES HAVE FOLLOWED BY THAT $.20 PER GALLON SINCE LAST NOT MONTH.

PRICES HAVE EASED SINCE PRESIDENT BUT ANNOUNCED PLANS TO TOP NATIONS PETROLEUM RESERVE, WHICH PUTS MORE SUPPLY ON THE MARKET.

TODAY WAS THE DEADLINE TO FILE YOUR TAX IS AND, IF YOU WAITED UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, DON'T EXPECT A REFUND RIGHT AWAY.

THE IRS STARTED THE SEASON WITH A BACKLOG OF 10 MILLION UNPROCESSED CLAIMS, AND HAS BEEN WARNING THAT REFUNDS WILL BE DELAYED.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE IRS OFFERS THIS REMINDER.

IF YOU NEED AN EXTENSION TO FILE YOUR PAPERWORK, THE MONEY YOU OWE IS STILL DO TODAY.

NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WALL STREET TRADING.

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

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY.

UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT CHAMBERSNJ.COM >>> FINALLY, TONIGHT, LOOKING FOR A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK, OR EASTER EGGS BURIED ON THE BEACH.

HUNDREDS OF KIDDOS COULD BE SEEN ELBOW DEEP IN THE SAND THIS WEEKEND AT THE LINCOLN AVENUE BEACH IN WILDWOOD, USING SHOVEL AND PAIL, HANDS, OF COURSE ALL IN THE HUT FOR 12,000 PLASTIC EGGS.

MOST OF THEM, CONTAINING STICKERS OR SMALL TOYS.

BUT, IF YOU WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND ONE OF THE 150 GOLDEN EGGS BURIED ON THE BEACH, YOU GOT A TICKET FOR A LARGER PRESS COLLECTED AFTER THE HUNT WAS OVER.

AND JUDGING BY ALL THE SMILES ON THE FACES, THE EVENT WAS A WELCOME RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER TWO YEARS OF CANCELED EASTER ACTIVITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC, NO BETTER TIME FOR A REBIRTH OF THE TRADITION.

THEN, THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

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

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

>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

POWERED BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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.

>> YOU'VE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION, AND SO HAVE WE, SO DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.