>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY 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.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

OUTNUMBERED AND RUNNING OUT OF SUPPLIES, A MILITARY COMMANDER IN MARIUPOL, UKRAINE, MAKING A DIRE PLEA FOR HELP AND WHAT HE CALLED HIS TROOPS, QUOTE, LAST ADDRESS TO THE WORLD, AS THEY RESIST RUSSIAN FORCES IN THE BESIEGED PORT CITY, LETTING A DEADLINE EXPIRE FROM RUSSIA TO SURRENDER.

THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY TODAY CONFIRMING HIS FORCES DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SERIOUS AND HEAVY WEAPONS TO DEFEAT RUSSIA IN MARIUPOL.

THE LAST HOLDOUTS, INCLUDING CIVILIANS, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN, ARE SHELTERING IN THE CITIES BOMBED OUT STEEL PLANT.

THE MAYOR CALLED FOR THE NEARLY 120,000 RESIDENTS WAITING TO EVACUATE, BUT LATE TODAY, OFFICIALS ON THE GROUND SAID THE EVACUATION CORE DOOR DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED, PROVIDING FEW DETAILS, PROMISING TO TRY AGAIN THURSDAY.

FOR THOSE UKRAINIANS WHO HAVE MADE IT OUT SAFELY, AND FOUND REFUGE IN THE U.S., THE BITING ADMINISTRATION IS EXTENDING WHAT IS KNOWN AS TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS, PREVENTING THEM FROM BEING DEPORTED, AND ENABLING THEM TO APPLY FOR CRITICAL WORK PERMITS.

BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THEIR STORIES OF RELIEF.

>>> I'M HAPPY WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: SHE HAD HER FAMILY BECAME ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS OR TPS UNDER THE EXTENDED ELIGIBILITY GRANTED BY THE BITING ADMINISTRATION, BY EXTENDING THE DEADLINE FOR UKRAINIANS BY AN EXTRA 6 WEEKS.

THE U.S.

OPENED UP TPS APPLICATIONS TO AN ESTIMATED 60,000 ADDITIONAL UKRAINIAN REFUGEES WHO ARRIVED IN THE U.S. BY APRIL 11.

>> I FEEL SECURE, 100%.

I FEEL SECURE.

I FEEL SAFE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE STAYING IN AN APARTMENT PROVIDED BY A LOCAL CHURCH, AND JUST SCHEDULED MEETINGS WITH AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER.

BOTH OF HER KIDS HAVE STARTED SCHOOL IN HOBOKEN, AND SHE HAS REASSURED THEM THEY WON'T GET DEPORTED BACK TO A WAR ZONE.

>> WE HAVE TO COME DOWN, WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT TO RETURN HOME, AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WILL BE IN THE FUTURE.

WE DON'T SEE OUR FUTURE FOR NOW.

>> Reporter: THE EXPANSION ALSO MADE REFUGEE ALEX AND HIS FAMILY ELIGIBLE FOR TPS, BUT THE U.S.

DOES NOT MAKE IT EASY, HE SAYS.

>> THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS WAITING FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES WITH OPEN ARMS, BUT OPEN ARMS AREN'T OPEN.

>> Reporter: LIKE MANY UKRAINIANS, HE AND HIS FAMILY ENTERED THE U.S. WITH TOURIST VISAS.

THEY HAVE A TEMPORARY APARTMENT, BUT HIS KIDS NEED MEDICAL AND DENTAL COVERAGE, HE NEEDS A JOB, AND OBTAINING PROTECTED STATUS INVOLVES REAMS OF GOVERNMENT RED TAPE AND APPLICATION FEES, WORKING PAPERS THAT CAN TAKE 3 MONTHS.

>> IT COSTS $410 PER PERSON.

THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE FOR US, AND THIS PROCESS TAKES A VERY LONG TIME.

FOR THESE 6 TO 9 MONTHS, WE NEED TO FEED OUR KIDS.

WE NEED TO RENT AN APARTMENT.

>> WE HAVE BIGWIG AHEAD OF US.

>> Reporter: OKSANA HAS A GROUP CALLED UKRAINIAN JERSEY CITY.

THEY HAVE FOUND SHELTER, PROVIDED FOOD AND CLOTHING, AND LIGHT UP LAWYERS FOR 21 FAMILIES.

>> WE NEED TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATIONS.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE NEEDED INFORMATION TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR PEOPLE , FOR LAWYERS WHO HAVE GIVEN PRO BONO THEIR TIME, AND SETTING UP APPOINTMENTS WITH OUR REFUGEES, AND VOLUNTEERING.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW, THEN UKRAINIAN REFUGEES ARE LIVING IN APARTMENTS DONATED BY RELIEF AGENCIES AND CHURCHES.

ONE FAMILY IS STAYING FOR FREE HERE AT THE CANOPY BY HILTON IN JERSEY CITY, BUT HOW LONG CAN THAT LAST?

>> MOST OF THEM ARE REALLY LOOKING TO SAVE THEIR LIVES WHILE MAINTAINING THEIR DIGNITY , WHICH IS THE RIGHT TO WORK, THE RIGHT TO EXIST, WITHOUT CONCERN OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE HOUSE IS GOING TO BE BOMBED.

HOW THIS PLAYS OUT IN THE OVERALL IMMIGRATION LANDSCAPE REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

>> Reporter: RENATA CASTRO SAYS GOVERNMENTS ARE SCRAMBLING, BECAUSE THE WAR ON UKRAINE OCCURRED SO SUDDENLY.

MEANWHILE, THE TPS APPLICATIONS CAN TAKE 6 MONTHS TO PROCESS.

IT'S A LONG TIME, BUT THE TPS PROTECTION PERIOD RUNS UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2023.

SHE SAYS THE COMMUNITY HERE HAS WELCOMED THEM.

>> THEY WILL GUIDE YOU.

THEY WILL HELP YOU AS THEY CAN, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS, AND THEY WILL DO WHAT THEY CAN, AND YOU WILL BE FINE.

>> Reporter: BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, AND IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS , ADULTS IN NEW JERSEY WILL LEGALLY BE ABLE TO BUY MARIJUANA FOR RECREATIONAL USE.

THAT HAS A LOT OF EMPLOYERS CONCERNED, BECAUSE THE STATES REGULATORY COMMISSION HAS YET TO COME UP WITH A SET OF STANDARDS FOR DRUG TESTING WORKERS.

AND AS JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, THE RIGHTS AND ROLES FOR BOTH EMPLOYEES AND THEIR WORK LACE ARE STILL HAZY.

>>> WE HAVE A NO DRUG POLICY.

WE TEST UPON HIRING.

WE TEST ANY TIME THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO GO TO THE CLINIC.

>> Reporter: RICHARD DOESN'T INTEND TO STOP DRUG TESTING AT HIS RUBBER COMPANY IN TRENTON, EVEN THOUGH THE LOSS AMOUNT TESTING HAVE CHANGED WITH THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

>> EMPLOYERS ARE IN A VERY PRECARIOUS SITUATION RIGHT NOW.

IF THEY SUSPECT AN EMPLOYEE IS IMPAIRED TO DO THESE JOBS, THEY CAN AND SHOULD REMOVE THEM FROM THE OPERATION.

>> Reporter: BUT IF THAT IMPAIRMENT IS DUE TO CANNABIS, EMPLOYERS DON'T HAVE LEGAL PROTECTION TO REMOVE THE PERSON, AND THAT IS BECAUSE THE LAW CHANGED HOW EMPLOYERS CAN DRUG TEST THEIR EMPLOYEES.

>> WHEN THE LAW WAS PASSED LAST YEAR, IT SAID AN EMPLOYER CAN CONTINUE TO DRUG TEST FOR CANNABIS USE, BUT THERE HAS TO BE A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION THAT GOES ALONG WITH YEARS DARIO TYPICAL URINALYSIS, FOR EXAMPLE.

THE STATE HAS HAD TO COME OUT WITH ANY STANDARDS AS LONG AS THAT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION GOES, SO RIGHT NOW THAT REQUIREMENT IS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED UNTIL THERE IS GUIDANCE.

>> Reporter: BUT LEGAL MARIJUANA SALES START TOMORROW.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS EXPECT IT WILL MEAN MORE EMPLOYEES USING CANNABIS, AND THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION HAS STILL NOT PROPOSED OR ADOPTED ANY SORT OF CERTIFICATION OF WHAT ARE KNOWN AS WIRES, WORK LACE IMPAIRMENT RECOGNITION EXPERTS, THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD PERFORM THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.

>> BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE REGULATIONS TO DO PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS BY WIRES, THEY CANNOT FIRE THESE EMPLOYEES.

THEY CANNOT DISCIPLINE THOSE EMPLOYEES.

THE BEST THEY CAN DO IS REMOVE THEM FROM WORKING FOR THAT DAY BASED ON THAT SUSPICION, BUT THEN THE EMPLOYER TAKES THE ECONOMIC LOSS, AND THAT EMPLOYEE IS BACK ON THE JOB THE NEXT DAY.

>> Reporter: YOU SAID YOU INTEND TO CONTINUE DOING THE TESTING, BUT WHEN YOU FACE A LIABILITY ISSUE WHEN SOMEONE SAYS I WAS TESTED BUT NOT IN ACCORDANCE TO THE NEW LAW.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO WORK OUT, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW, WITH THE ABSENCE OF ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE, I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN DO OTHERWISE, AND STILL FULFILL THE ULTIMATE MISSION, WISHES TO KEEP OUR EMPLOYEES SAFE.

WE HAVE EQUIPMENT THAT CAN AND HAS TAKEN APPENDAGES OFF OF INDIVIDUALS, AND COULD CERTAINLY JUST AS EASILY KILL THEM.

AS AN EMPLOYER, I DO WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: MANY INDUSTRIES FACE THE SAME SAFETY CONCERNS DIERKS >> SOMEONE WORKING IN A CHEMICAL PLANT, A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, WORKING A CRANE IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT.

THIS IS AN ISSUE OF PEOPLE BEING HARMED, THE EMPLOYEE BEING HARMED, COWORKERS BEING HARMED.

THAT IS A REAL CONCERN.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO DIE FIRST BEFORE WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> Reporter: THAT CREATES A LIABILITY ISSUE ON THE FLIPSIDE OF THE COIN.

>> OF SOMEONE DOES GET INJURED, NOW WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ARGUE THAT THE EMPLOYERS SHOULD HAVE TAKEN MORE ACTION, WHEN THEY ARE LEGALLY NOT ABLE TO TAKE MORE ACTION.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO THE CRC FOR COMMENT, AND THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY HAVE YET TO ADOPT ANY REGULATIONS FOR WIRES, BUT THE DELAY IS CHANGING HOW SOME EMPLOYERS APPROACH THE TESTING ISSUE.

>> IN RESPONSE, A LOT OF EMPLOYERS HAVE DECIDED TO COMPLETELY STOP DRUG TESTING ALTOGETHER, OR STOP DRUG TESTING JUST FOR THC USE.

>> Reporter: NEW GUIDELINES ARE EXPECTED TO COME OUT NEXT MONTH, BUT EVEN IF WIRES ARE INCLUDED, IT WILL TAKE MONTHS TO HIRE AND TRAIN THEM.

IN THE MEANTIME, BUSINESSES WILL BE FEELING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE DARK, AS WORKERS LIGHT UP THEIR LEGAL WEED PURCHASES TOMORROW.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TODAY SAID IT WILL APPEAL A RULING FROM A FLORIDA FEDERAL JUDGE THAT STRUCK DOWN THE BIDED ADMINISTRATIONS MASK MANDATE, BUT ONLY IF THE CDC DETERMINES THE REQUIREMENT IS STILL NECESSARY TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH.

FOR NOW, IT MEANS MASKS CAN COME OFF WHILE ON AIRPLANES AND OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

STATEWIDE, POSITIVE CASES ARE RISING.

MORE THAN 1600 REPORTED TODAY, AT ANOTHER 8 DEATHS.

THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION IS STILL OVER 1.2%, FUELED BY THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS BA.2 SUB VARIANT STILL CIRCULATING.

WHILE THE JUDGES DECISION REMOVING THE MASK MANDATE WAS WELCOME NEWS FOR SOME OF MY MANY HEALTHCARE WORKERS FEAR A REPEAT OF PAST HOSPITAL SURGES.

A NEW STUDY FROM THE RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING FINDS BLACK NURSES IN PARTICULAR ARE FACING A DUAL PANDEMIC, SUFFERING FROM HIGHER RATES OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS CAUSED BY COVID-19 WORRIES, AND WORKPLACE RACISM.

CHARLOTTE THOMAS HAWKINS IS AN ASSOCIATE DEAN AT THE RUTGERS SCHOOL OF NURSING AND LED THIS STUDY.

SHE JOINS US NOW FOR MORE ON HER FINDINGS.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR JOINING OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS RESEARCH, BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST OF ITS KIND.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF WHAT YOU FOUND?

>> OUR RESEARCH TEAM WANTED TO QUANTIFY THE EXPERIENCES OF NURSES.

WE COULD FIND NO RESEARCH THAT ACTUALLY MEASURED AND QUANTIFIED THE EXPERIENCE OF NURSES, AND EXAMINED THE IMPACT OF WORKPLACE RACISM ON THEIR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, AS WELL AS OTHER JOB-RELATED OUTCOMES.

SO, WE PLANNED THAT STUDY BEFORE COVID.

AS WE WERE DESIGNING THE STUDY, COVID HAPPENS, AND WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTOOD THAT WE COULD NOT SURVEY NURSES ABOUT THEIR WORKPLACE RACISM EXPERIENCES WHILE THEY WERE IN COVID ENVIRONMENTS, SO WE WERE ALSO INTERESTED IN THE IMPACT OF COVID, AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF COVID ON NURSES PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING, COMBINED WITH THE IMPACT OF WORKPLACE RACISM THAT NURSES WERE EXPERIENCING PRIOR TO COVID, AND CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE DURING COVID, ON THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AS WELL.

>> Reporter: YOUR STUDY FOUND A 61% OF NONWHITE NURSES WERE VERY WORRIED ABOUT COVID, COMPARED WITH 41% OF WHITE NURSES.

THOSE NUMBERS SAY IT.

THIS OF COURSE IS HAPPENING AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE FACING A PANDEMIC, IT ALSO SITUATIONS LIKE THAT OF GEORGE FLOYD, THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT.

THIS WAS SORT OF A DUAL PANDEMIC.

>> IT WAS A DUAL PANDEMIC, AND SO WHAT WE FOUND WAS THAT THE COMBINED EFFECT, PARTICULARLY FOR NURSES OF COLOR, SINCE NURSES OF COLOR ARE THE ONES THAT EXPERIENCED HIGHER LEVELS OF WORKPLACE RACISM, AND HIGHER LEVELS OF COVID, SO FOR THAT GROUP OF NURSES, THE COMBINED EFFECT OF WORRYING ABOUT COVID AND IT WORKPLACE RACISM EXPERIENCES AMPLIFIED THEIR EMOTIONAL DISTRESS TO SEVERE LEVELS.

>> Reporter: WHAT DOES THIS DO TO THE LANDSCAPE AND THE PIPELINE, OR NEED FOR A PIPELINE, FOR MORE NONWHITE FOLKS TO BE WORKING IN HEALTHCARE?

>> THE CONCERN IS THAT THESE NEGATIVE RACIALIZED EXPERIENCES COULD LEAD TO NURSES, ESPECIALLY NURSES OF COLOR, EXITING FROM THEIR JOBS.

SO WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO INCREASE THE DIVERSITY OF THE NURSING WORKFORCE IN NEW JERSEY , 9% OF NURSES ARE BLACK, AND 5% OF NURSES ARE LATIN NEXT, SO THEY ARE UNDERREPRESENTED COMPARED TO THE REPRESENTATION OF BLACK PERSONS IN THE NEW JERSEY POPULATION, WHICH EQUALS 15%, AND HISPANIC PERSONS IN THE NEW JERSEY POPULATION, WHICH EQUALS ALMOST 21%.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WORKPLACE RACISM IS RECOGNIZED AS A SOURCE OF DISTRESS FOR NURSES WORKING IN NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS, AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP TO RECOGNIZE THAT, AND TO ADDRESS THEIR RACIALIZED EXPERIENCES THAT THESE NURSES REPORT, SO THAT THEY DON'T LOSE TALENTED NURSES OF COLOR.

>> Reporter: CHARLOTTE THOMAS HAWKINS, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF THE RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> IT IS AN UNWRITTEN BUT IMMOVABLE ROLE IN STATE POLITICS, USED BY BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, SENATORIAL COURTESY, ALLOWING A STATE SENATOR WHO REPRESENTS A GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE'S HOMETOWN TO INDEFINITELY BLOCK THEIR CONSIDERATION, EFFECTIVELY KILLING THE NOMINATION IF THEY DISAPPROVE, AND IT IS TO BLAME FOR STALLING SEVERAL OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S CHOICES FOR TOP STATE POSITIONS, INCLUDING A MEMBER OF NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT.

DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> IT FRANKLY COULD BE THAT THE SENATE LEADERSHIP MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

I THINK THIS IS A CRISIS, AND I SUPPOSE IT IS NOT AN EARTH SHATTERING CRISIS YET.

>> Reporter: THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK LATELY ABOUT HOW SENATORIAL COURTESY HAS SLOWED THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS, OKAY, BROUGHT TO A STOP THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS FOR STATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES.

THIS IS, YOU MAY RECOGNIZE, NOT PARTICULARLY NEW.

SENATORIAL COURTESY IS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS, BUT THIS TIME, SAY AT HERTZ LIKE RON CHEN, SENATORIAL COURTESY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DO SOME REAL DAMAGE.

>> THOSE OF US WHO ARE OBSERVERS OF THE COURT HAVE BEEN NOTING THAT, EXCEPT FOR UNANIMOUS DECISIONS, OR DECISIONS THAT ARE SO OVERWHELMING THAT THE VACANCIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, IN CASES OF SOME IMPORT, THAT WE NEED THE COURT DECIDER GETTING DELAYED.

>> Reporter: MULTIPLY THAT BY SCORES OF OTHER CASES OVERFLOWING THE DOCKETS OF LOWER COURTS, WHERE VACANCIES ARE MOUNTING AS WELL, AND MAYBE YOU GET A SENSE OF CHEN'S URGENCY.

>> THIS IS ONE WHERE YOU COULD VERY EASILY SAY IT IS THE SENATE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE HOLDING THE BAG, BUT IT IS ACTUALLY A TWO-WAY STREET.

IT HAS TO BE A PRIORITY ON THE PART OF THE SENATE TO CONFIRM, AND IT HAS TO BE A PRIORITY ON THE PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONFIRM.

IF THERE ARE OBSTACLES, THEN THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TO REMOVE THEM ONE BY ONE, AND IT'S BLOCKING AND TACKLING AND HARD WORK, BUT LET ME TELL YOU, THE QUALITY OF SOME OF THESE CANDIDATES IS PHENOMENAL, IF THEY COULD JUST GET OUT THERE AND MAKE THE CASE FOR THEMSELVES.

FOR EXAMPLE, ABNER.

>> Reporter: HER NOMINATION IS BEING HELD UP BY SENATORIAL COURTESY, EXERCISED BY SENATOR HAWLEY SHIP EASY, AND MATT PLOTKIN IS ONLY ENACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, BECAUSE HIS CONFIRMATION IS BEING HELD UP BY SENATORIAL COURTESY EXERCISED BY SENATOR CODY.

NEITHER WAS AVAILABLE TO TALK TO US TODAY.

THE FIRST RULE OF SENATORIAL COURTESY, EVIDENTLY, IS YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT SENATORIAL COURTESY.

>> IS JUST A TRADITION.

IT IS NOT WRITTEN IN THE CONSTITUTION.

IT IS JUST A TRADITION, AND I WORRY, FRANKLY, ABOUT ALL OF THOSE KINDS OF GENTLEMANLY TRADITIONS.

IF THEY ARE NOT WRITTEN DOWN, THERE IS NO REASON THEY HAVE TO BE HONORED, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT HE DESERVED THE STATE SO WELL OVER THE YEARS.

>> Reporter: BUT IN OUR INCREASINGLY POLARIZED DEMOCRACY, IT CAN BE TEMPTING FOR IDEOLOGUES FIGHTING CULTURE WARS AT ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO PICK A FIGHT IN NEW JERSEY, WHERE SLOWING OR STOPPING JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS, INCLUDING LOWER COURTS IN THE STATE, CAN SO EASILY BE ACCOMPLISHED.

>> WE HAVE THIS TRADITION A PARTISAN BALANCE, WHICH I THINK IT HAS REALLY KEPT OUR COURTS ABOVE THE POLITICAL FRAY, AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY GET SUCKED INTO THE POLITICAL FRAY, IT HURTS THE STATE.

>> Reporter: BUT SENATORIAL COURTESY HAS HELD TOGETHER THE FABRIC OF THE STATES DEMOCRACY, WHERE IT HAS PUT IMMENSE POWER IN THE HANDS OF A FEW POLITICIANS TO WIELD FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY CHOOSE.

WHICHEVER SIDE HE BELIEVES, SENATORIAL COURTESY APPEARS TO BE HERE TO STAY, SO LONG AS BOTH PARTIES AGREE TO WIELD IT EQUALLY.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CAMPTON HAS REACHED A HISTORIC SEX ABUSE SETTLEMENT, AGREEING TO PAY $87.5 MILLION TO MORE THAN 300 ALLEGED CHILDHOOD VICTIMS OF CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE.

THE DEAL IS SAID TO BE ONE OF THE LARGEST SETTLEMENTS INVOLVING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT SETS UP A TRUST REQUIRING THE DIOCESE TO PAY INTO OVER A 4 YEAR PERIOD.

ATTORNEYS FOR THE ABUSE VICTIMS SAY THE AVERAGE PAYMENT WILL BE ABOUT $290,000 EACH FOR THOSE WHO FILED A CLAIM.

THE SETTLEMENT ALSO PUTS IN PLACE NEW CHILD PROTECTIVE MEASURES, INCLUDING REQUIRING CHURCH LEADERS TO PUBLICLY DISCLOSE ANY HISTORY OF ABUSE IN THE DIOCESE.

IN A STATEMENT, THE CAMPTON BISHOP DENNIS SULLIVAN OFFERED PRAYERS TO THE SURVIVORS, AND PLEDGED TO MAKE SURE THIS PART OF THE CHURCH HISTORY IS NEVER REPEATED.

>>> THE OCEAN COUNTY MAN ACCUSED OF CARRYING OUT A SERIES OF VIOLENT ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS IS NOW BEING CHARGED WITH FEDERAL HATE CRIMES .27- YEAR-OLD DION MARSH WAS PREVIOUSLY CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE OFFENSES, INCLUDING ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND BIAS INTIMIDATION, AFTER A STRING OF FOUR SEPARATE INCIDENTS ON APRIL 8 AND LAKEWOOD TARGETING JEWISH RESIDENTS, WHEN HE ALLEGEDLY STABBED AN ORTHODOX JEWISH MAN IN THE CHEST, COMMITTED A CARJACKING, AND STRUCK PEDESTRIANS.

MARSH ALLEGEDLY TOLD FAMILY THAT IT WAS, QUOTE, GOING TO BE A BLOODBATH, ACCORDING TO POLICE DOCUMENTS.

'S APPEARANCE IN FEDERAL COURT IS NOT YET SCHEDULED.

>>> TAX DAY HAS COME AND GONE, BUT FOR MANY FAMILIES WHO MAY NOT HAVE FILED IN TIME, IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO CLAIM TAX CREDITS.

ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS FOR THE FEDERAL CHILD TAX CREDIT, ALONG WITH THE STATE AND FEDERAL EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, CAN STILL FILE A LATE RETURN, AND CLAIM THE CREDIT WITHOUT ANY PENALTIES, SO LONG AS THOSE HOUSEHOLDS DON'T OWE MONEY ON THEIR TAXES.

AN IMPORTANT POINT RIGHT THERE.

IF YOU ALREADY FILED FOR YOUR RETURN, BUT FORGOT TO CLAIM THOSE CREDITS, YOU CAN FILE AN AMENDED TAX RETURN.

THE EXPANDED FEDERAL CHILD TAX CREDIT OFFERS ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS UP TO $3600 PER CHILD, AND A NOTE ON THAT, THE FIRST HALF OF THAT MONEY ALREADY WENT OUT TO FAMILIES.

THE SECOND HALF CAN ONLY BE CLAIMED ON YOUR 2021 FEDERAL TAX RETURN.

STATE TREASURER LIZ MOYER TODAY SAID HER OFFICE IS GETTING THE WORD OUT, HOPING MORE PEOPLE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

MANY FAMILIES, REFERRED TO AS ASSET LIMITED INCOME CONSTRAINED AND EMPLOYED HIM A MISSED OUT LAST YEAR.

>> THE 138,000 ALICE FAMILIES THAT DID NOT GET THE CREDIT LAST YEAR, THE CHILD CREDIT, THAT IS A STAGGERING NUMBER.

THESE ARE RESOURCES THAT COULD BE A CRITICAL LIFELINE FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE, OR PROVIDE SCHOOL SUPPLIES, OR JUST KEEP A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS, PAY THE HEATING BILL.

>> THOUSANDS OF STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS WILL NOW BE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE THEIR DEBT ERASED.

WE HAVE MORE ON THE NEWS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AND OTHER TOP HEADLINES.

>> Reporter: THE DEBT OF THE THOUSANDS OF STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS IS BEING CANCELED.

THE BIDED ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED 40,000 BORROWERS WOULD SEE THEIR STUDENT LOANS BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR DISCHARGE, AND ANOTHER 3.6 MILLION WILL MOVE CLOSER TOWARD FORGIVENESS.

THIS AFTER A REVIEW OF THE FEDERAL STUDENT AID OFFICE FOUND WHAT IS BEING CALLED ADMINISTRATIVE FAILURES ON THE PART OF COMPANIES THAT SERVICE FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID SOME LOAN SERVICERS WERE PUTTING BORROWERS FACING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES INTO FORBEARANCE, IN VIOLATION OF REGULATIONS, RATHER THAN LOWERING THEIR PAYMENTS.

ON TOP OF THAT, THE REVIEW FOUND THAT SOME LOAN SERVICERS WEREN'T PROPERLY RECORDING BORROWER PAYMENTS THAT COULD BE COUNTED TOWARDS PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS.

>>> ATLANTIC CITY'S MUNICIPAL WORKERS WILL GET RAISES UNDER A NEW BUDGET PROPOSED FOR THE CITY, WHICH WILL ALSO INCLUDE A LOWER MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX RATE.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY, MAYOR MARTY SMALLS SAYS THE $218 MILLION BUDGET WILL INCLUDE HIGHER PAY FOR CITY WORKERS, STARTING ON JULY 1st, WITH ANOTHER RAISE TO FOLLOW IN JANUARY.

SMALLS SAYS THE CITY HAS BEEN LOSING SOME WORKERS TO OTHER COMMUNITIES WHICH OFFER HIGHER SALARIES.

THE CITY'S BUDGET MUST BE APPROVED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS UNDER THE STATE TAKEOVER LEGISLATION.

HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE LEARNED A LOT AFTER COVID-19, AND THEY CONTINUE TO INNOVATE.

AT AN EVENT TODAY, MARK SPARTA, THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF HEALTH EXECUTIVE OF HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER SAID WHEN THE HOSPITAL WAS FILLED WITH COVID PATIENTS, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THOSE IN THE ICU NEEDED TO BE CLOSE TO A CT SCANNER.

>> MOVING THE SERIOUSLY ILL, CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY ON VENTILATORS AND OTHER LIFE- SUPPORT SYSTEMS IS NOT THE BEST WAY TO CARE FOR PATIENTS.

FOR A PATIENT TO BE MOVED, IT'S NOT ONLY UNSETTLING, BUT ALSO EXPOSES THEM TO POTENTIALLY OTHER INFECTIOUS MATERIALS, AND ALSO RISKS THEM LOSING THEIR DIGNITY AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE HALLWAYS IN THEIR DARKEST DAYS.

BACK AT TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE, CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOT HEIMER ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAS SECURED $775,000 FOR A NEW CT SCANNER FOR THE HOSPITAL.

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

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER , AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

♪ ♪ >>> FINALLY TONIGHT, IT IS AN UNWRITTEN JERSEY RULE, IF YOU WERE BORN, RAISED, OR LIVED HERE AT ANY POINT, WE CLAIM HE WAS ONE OF OUR OWN FOR LIFE.

THE NEW CLASS OF NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME NOMINEES IS OUT.

ON THE LIST, 35 MEN, 13 WOMEN, AND TWO FAMILIES.

SOME ARE REPEAT NOMINEES, BUT ALL ARE WORTHY.

NEWARK RAISED ACTOR MICHAEL B JORDAN, PASSAIC BORN PAUL RUDD, TONY WINNER AND STAR FROM PRINCETON, THE LATE CHEF ANTHONY BOURDAIN, GEORGE CLINTON, NATHAN LANE ALL MADE THE CUT.

IT'S AN IMPRESSIVE LIST, WHITTLED DOWN FROM HUNDREDS OF DESERVING NAMES, DECIDED BY A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, ALL SYMBOLIZING JERSEY PRIDE.

ONLINE VOTING IS NOW OPEN UNTIL FRIDAY, MAY 20th.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN TOMORROW NIGHT FOR TRAN20 FIVE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK, DAVID GETS THE BUZZ ON THE STATEWIDE CANNABIS MARKET LUNCH, THE IMPACT ON YOU , THE CONSUMER, AND OF COURSE, NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY.

YOU CAN WATCH IT LIVE AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

>>> I'M BREANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP , SERVING YOU FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

♪