>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE 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 WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I AM 1011, AND FOR BREANA VANNOZZI.

WHILE MARIJUANA SALES ARE NOW LEGAL, THERE ARE ALREADY WARNINGS THAT NOT EVERYONE SHOULD PARTAKE.

LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES SAY THEY DON'T WANT THEIR POLICE OFFICERS USING CANNABIS WHEN THEY ARE OFF-DUTY.

IN JERSEY CITY, MAYOR STEVEN FULOP SAYS POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE DISMISSED IF THEY TEST POSITIVE FOR MARIJUANA.

JIMMY DAVIS ALSO SUPPORTS A BAN ON OFFICERS USING POT, AND SAYS HE WILL ISSUE A DIRECTIVE SOON.

AND THE NEWARK CITY COUNCIL IS URGING MAYOR RAS BARAKA TO ISSUE A BAN AS WELL.

THE REPORT ON THE RISING TENSION BETWEEN LOCAL TOWNS, AND THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, TO MAKE A FIX ON THE CANNABIS LAW, MAKING IT ILLEGAL FOR OFF-DUTY OFFICERS TO LIGHT UP.

>> ALL POLICE OFFICERS OR ANYBODY WHO HAS A FIREARM NEEDS TO SIGN PAPERWORK WITH THE 80th AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THAT ATTESTS TO THE FACT THAT THEY AREN'T USING ANY PROHIBITED ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE BY FEDERAL STANDARDS, WHICH CANNABIS IS INCLUDED ON.

4 STEVEN FULOP IS WARNING POLICE OFFICERS IN THE CITY THAT IF THEY TEST POSITIVE FOR MARIJUANA, THEY WILL BE FIRED.

HIS ENFORCEMENT RUNS UP AGAINST THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL MESSAGE TO POLICE.

HE ISSUED A MEMO SAYING OFF- DUTY POLICE OFFICERS COULD USE RACIAL MARIJUANA, SINCE IT IS NOT PROHIBITED UNDER THE STATES CANNABIS LAW.

STEVEN FULOP DOESN'T AGREE.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY KNOWS THAT OFFICERS RESPONDING DON'T HAVE IMPAIRED JUDGMENT, THAT THEY ARE THINKING CLEARLY, AND THAT THEY ARE NOT INTOXICATED AT THE POINT OF TIME OF THEM INTERACTING WITH THE PUBLIC.

GUIDELINES IN NEW JERSEY AND JERSEY CITY ARE EVERY TIME THERE IS A CAR CRASH INVOLVING A POLICE OFFICER, OR SOMEBODY DISCHARGES THEIR WEAPON, THEY IMMEDIATELY GO FOR A BLOOD TEST.

AS SOON AS THE ONE INCIDENT HAPPEN, THAT WILL HAPPEN IN NEW JERSEY, WHERE A POLICE OFFICER TESTS POSITIVE FOR CANNABIS BECAUSE THEY WERE SMOKING OFF- DUTY WILL RENDER A LOT OF QUESTIONS AS TO WHETHER THAT PERSON WAS SMOKING ON-DUTY, AND THERE IS NO WAY TO CLARIFY THAT.

>> WE WANT TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT THE EMPLOYEE AS WELL.

THE METABOLISM NATION OF MARIJUANA WITHIN THE HUMAN BODY IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN ALCOHOL, AND PARTICULAR.

WE DON'T HAVE AS MUCH DATA, SCIENTIFIC DATA THAT WE REQUIRE, TO BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS TO THIS POINT IS TO WHEN SOMEONE WOULD BE IMPAIRED OR NOT IMPAIRED.

GUESS YOU REALIZE, CANNABIS CAN BE IN SOMEONE'S A SYSTEM UP TO 28 DAYS.

IMPAIRMENT, WE AREN'T SURE IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY, OR IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN IN A 24 HOUR OR BEYOND BASIS.

>> Reporter: THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL MATTHEW PLATKIN SAYS PUBLIC SAFETY IS HIS TOP PRIORITY.

HE RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART THAT NEW JERSEY'S LAW LEGALIZING AND REGULATING CANNABIS IS CLEAR, AND WE ARE OBLIGATED TO COMPLY.

I WELCOME CONVERSATIONS ON HOW BEST TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY.

ANY EFFORTS BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO SUBJECT OFFICERS TO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE INTERIM MAY GRADE ISSUES THAT WE EXPECT WILL BE HANDLED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS IN THE APPROPRIATE COURSE.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S MEMO I THINK DESCRIBES, NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE LAW QUITE FAITHFULLY, AND WE WOULD STAND BY THAT.

>> WE AREN'T LOOKING FOR AN US AGAINST THEM MENTALITY HERE.

WE WANT EVERYBODY'S RIGHTS PROTECTED.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT OF THE PBA SAYS THE MAYOR'S BAN AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS USING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IS A DENIAL OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

>> I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE CITY CAN AVOID STATE LAW BY CLAIMING TO ENFORCE FEDERAL LAW, BUT WE WILL SEE HOW IT SHAKES OUT.

THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE IT RECREATIONALLY AS RIGHT NOW ARE THE NEW JERSEY POLICE OFFICERS.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HE'S OPEN TO PURSUING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DEAL WITH LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS USING MARIJUANA OFF-DUTY THAT IS APPROPRIATE.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S CANNABIS SALES ARE OFF TO A STRONG START BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN JEST 2 DAYS, WITH 12 DISPENSARIES DOING BRISK BUSINESS.

A 13th IN EDGEWATER PARK IS WAITING IN THE WINGS, EAGER TO OPEN ITS DOORS.

I SAT DOWN WITH JEFF BROWN, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION, TO TALK ABOUT WHERE NEW JERSEY'S CANNABIS INDUSTRY GOES FROM HERE.

>> Reporter: WELCOME.

IT'S REALLY GOOD TO TALK TO YOU ON DATE 2 OF LEGAL CANNABIS SALES AND NEW JERSEY.

HOW DID WE DO ON THE 1st DAY?

WERE SALES AS EXPECTED?

>> IT WAS A BIG DAY WORK OBVIOUSLY, YESTERDAY WAS A MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGAL CANNABIS MARKET HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

IT WAS CONCENTRATED.

PARKING LOTS WERE FILLED UP, BUT THE ATMOSPHERE WAS FESTIVE.

I THINK PEOPLE WERE MARKING THE HISTORIC DAY, AND WANTED TO BE PART OF DAY 1 OF LEGAL SALES.

WE ARE LOOKING AT IT AS A MILESTONE, BUT REALLY THE BEGINNING OF WHAT IS, YOU KNOW, A LONG PROCESS TO GET THIS MARKET TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

CERTAINLY, 13 DISPENSARIES ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SERVE ALL OF NEW JERSEY'S ADULT USE CONSUMERS GOING FORWARD.

WE ARE CELEBRATING THE DAY, BUT CERTAINLY FOCUSED ON THE TASK AT HAND, WHICH IS TO LICENSE NEW BUSINESSES, PARTICULARLY SOCIAL EQUITY BUSINESSES, THOSE OWNED BY PEOPLE WITH PAST CANNABIS CONVICTIONS, OR MARGINALIZED BACKGROUNDS.

JUDGING FROM THE LINES, I THINK THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL SALES ACROSS THE STATE YESTERDAY.

>> Reporter: WHEN WILL THE NEXT ROUND OF LICENSES ABLE TO OPEN FOR BUSINESS?

>> IT'S DEPENDENT ON THEM.

WE'VE ALREADY ISSUED 102 CONDITIONAL LICENSES.

WHAT THEY NEED TO DO IS GO AND GET MUNICIPAL APPROVAL, ESTABLISH SITE CONTROL, SO WHEN THEY COME BACK TO US, THEY CAN THEN START TO BUILD OUT THEIR SITE, WHETHER IT IS A CULTIVATION SITE, MANUFACTURING, OR DISPENSARY.

WE ARE MOVING THROUGH APPLICATIONS.

WE HAVE OVER 750 APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED THUS FAR.

WE ISSUED THE 100 TO CONDITIONAL LICENSES.

WE'VE ISSUED OVER 300 LETTERS TO APPLICANTS WHO NEED TO FIX THEIR APPLICATION IN ONE FORM OR FASHION.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, AND I THINK THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING IS THE END OF MAY.

I WOULD EXPECT TO SEE ANOTHER SLATE OF LICENSES ON THAT AGENDA AS WE GET CLOSER.

>> Reporter: IS SUPPLY KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND, BOTH RECREATIONAL DEMAND AND MEDICAL USE?

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS FOR OUR MEDICAL CUSTOMERS, AND OF AIR SUPPLY IS THERE FOR THEM.

WE PUT IN SAFEGUARDS TO ENSURE THAT THE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTERS THAT WERE IMPROVED TO CONVERT HAD TO KEEP A MINIMUM SUPPLY ON HAND FOR THEIR PATIENTS.

IT IS BASICALLY WHAT WE WOULD ESTIMATE TO BE A MONTH OF PACKAGED PRODUCTS, AND AN ADDITIONAL 3 MONTHS OF PRODUCTS THAT ARE IN PROCESS, EITHER IN THE CULTIVATION PROCESS OR MANUFACTURING PROCESS.

REALLY, THEY HAVE TO KEEP 4 ONCE ON HAND FOR THEIR MEDICAL PATIENTS, DEPENDING ON WHAT PREVIOUS SALES HAVE LOOKS LIKE.

THEY ARE HOLDING TO THAT.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY PRODUCTS RUNNING OUT FOR MEDICAL PATIENTS.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD OF PRODUCTS RUNNING OUT FOR RECREATIONAL USERS, EITHER, YET.

SOME DISPENSARIES WERE LIMITING PURCHASES FOR RECREATIONAL USERS ON SOME PRODUCTS.

>> Reporter: I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE FACT THAT A BUSINESS LOBBYING GROUP HAS BEEN URGING THE COMMISSION TO ADOPT STANDARDS FOR WORKPLACE IMPAIRMENT RECOGNITION EXPERTS, WHICH COMPANIES NEED FOR DRUG TESTING.

ANY UPDATE ON THAT?

>> IN THE INITIAL RULES, WE DID ADOPT A RULE THAT SAID THAT THE STATUS QUO CAN CONTINUE UNTIL WE HAVE DONE REGULATIONS FOR WORKPLACE IMPAIRMENT RECOGNITION EXPERTS.

WE'VE ENGAGED WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO DEVELOPING STANDARDS AND REGULATION.

THIS IS A PROCESS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE DONE ON DAY ONE MAC.

WORKERS WERE USING CANNABIS BEFORE IT WAS LEGALIZED.

THEY WILL USE IT AFTER.

THERE IS NO CREDIBLE EVIDENCE TO SHOW THERE IS ANY SORT OF INCREASE IN WORKPLACE INCIDENTS FOLLOWING THE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> FOR ALL OF YOUR CANNABIS QUESTIONS, WHERE TO PURCHASE, OR HOW THE NEW MARKET WORKS, AND YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, CHECK OUT OUR POST ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> NOW THE LATEST FROM UKRAINE.

NEW SATELLITE IMAGES SHOW WHAT IS BELIEVED TO BE A MASS GRAVE SITE NEAR MARIUPOL, THE SOUTHERN PORT CITY THAT HAS BEEN UNDER NEAR CONSTANT ATTACK BY RUSSIA.

UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS HAVE SAID MORE THAN 20,000 CIVILIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED DURING THE 2 MONTHS OF FIGHTING.

TODAY, THERE WERE NO HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS FOR PEOPLE TO ESCAPE THE CITY.

RUSSIAN LEADER VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS DECLARED VICTORY IN THE BATTLE FOR MARIUPOL, EVEN THOUGH THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIAN FORCES REMAIN HOLED UP IN A STEEL PLANT.

MEANTIME, RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS DIPLOMATIC TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES HAVE GROUND TO A HALT.

>>> FOR A 2nd DAY IN A ROW, NEW JERSEY HAS REPORTED MORE THAN 2000 NEWLY CONFIRMED POSITIVE TESTS FOR COVID-19.

THE STATE ALSO REPORTED EIGHT ADDITIONAL DEBTS.

THE 7 DAY AVERAGE FOR CONFIRMED CASES IS JUST A SLIGHTLY HIGHER FROM A WEEK AGO, AND UP 139% FROM A MONTH AGO.

CASES ARE RISING FOLLOWING RECENT HOLIDAY GATHERINGS, AND A DECLINE IN MASK WEARING, BUT ALL OF NEW JERSEY'S 21 COUNTIES HAVE LOW TRANSMISSION RATES, ACCORDING TO THE CDC, WITH ONE EXCEPTION.

BERGEN COUNTY HAS BEEN ELEVATED TO MEDIUM TRANSMISSION.

>>> THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH A RARE BRAIN TUMORS WHO EITHER ATTENDED OR WORKED AT A HIGH SCHOOL IN WOODBRIDGE HAS GROWN TO 117 ACCORDING TO AN ALUMNI WHO HAS BEEN CONDUCTING HIS OWN RESEARCH INTO A SUSPECTED CANCER CLUSTER.

RESEARCH PAID FOR BY THE TOWN IS WELL UNDERWAY AS AN INCREASINGLY LARGE AFFECTED COMMUNITY WEIGHTS AND HOPES FOR ANSWERS.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>>> I'M CONFIDENT THAT WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS VERY COMPREHENSIVE.

IF THERE IS RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL IN THE SCHOOL THEY SHOULD PICK IT UP.

>> Reporter: AL IS A WHISTLEBLOWER WHO DISCOVERED A POSSIBLE CANCER CLUSTER AND GRADUATES AND EDUCATORS FROM COLONIA HIGH SCHOOL IN WOODBRIDGE.

HIS ALARM BELLS SET IN MOTION 2 WEEK TESTING OF THE GRANT IN AND AROUND HIGH SCHOOL, COSTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

>> THEY ARE DOING RADIOLOGICAL SURVEYING.

ONE ASPECT IS LOOKING FOR RADON IN THE SCHOOLS, SO THEY HAVE ABOUT 100 RADON CANISTERS THAT ARE SITTING THERE COLLECTING INFORMATION.

ADDITIONALLY, THEY ARE WALKING AROUND WITH BABY CARRIAGES FILLED WITH ELECTRONIC DEVICES, BATTERIES, A GPS TRACKER, AND THAT IS LOOKING FOR SURFACE RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS.

>> Reporter: THINGS LIKE ALPHA, BETA, AND GAMMA WAVELENGTHS OF RADIATION.

>> IT'S A WAY OF QUANTIFYING AND MEASURING A SPECIFIC TYPE OF RADIATION.

THOSE ARE GENERALLY PARTICULATES YOU ARE GOING TO INHALE.

BETA PARTICLES CAN PENETRATE LIGHT MATERIALS, AND THEN YOU HAVE GAMMA, THE NASTIEST OF ALL OF THEM, ABLE TO PENETRATE WALLS, AND GO THROUGH BUILDINGS AT HIGH ENOUGH LEVELS.

>> Reporter: IF THERE IS A PRESENCE, SOME CONTAMINANT THAT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO AFFECT THE HEALTH OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, ARE THE MACHINES BEING USED STRONG ENOUGH TO DETECT IT?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

>> Reporter: HE'S NOW TRACKED 117 EXTREMELY RARE PRIMARY BRAIN TUMORS, AND 72 OTHER EXTREMELY RARE CANCERS.

THE COMPANIES HIRED TO DO THE TESTING ARE, ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, CONDUCTING HISTORIC SITE RESEARCH RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF CHS IN 1967.

THAT COULD BE AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE.

THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT RADIOACTIVE PHIL COULD HAVE BEEN USED DURING THE BUILDING PROCESS, POSSIBLY BROUGHT OVER FROM THE SITE OF THE MANHATTAN PROJECT JUST 10 MILES AWAY.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT ENVIRONMENT, YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF A LOT OF THESE ISSUES.

I THINK THE BEST HISTORY WE HAVE IS FROM ISRAEL.

IN THE 1950s, PEOPLE MIGRATE TO ISRAEL, AND THEY GAVE A SMALL DOSES OF RADIATION TO THOSE CHILDREN WITH LICE, AND A LOT OF THEM WENT ON TO HAVE BRAIN TUMORS 20 YEARS LATER.

4 A NEUROSURGEON TREATED MICHELLE, AND HER SISTER ANGELA, WHO DIED FROM HER TUMOR LAST SUMMER.

HE SAYS HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI ARE ANOTHER EXAMPLE WHERE BRAIN TUMORS WERE LINKED TO RADIATION EXPOSURE 5 TO 20 YEARS AFTER THE EVENT.

CARA COLONIA, MOST OF THE CANCERS PRESENT 15 TO 30 YEARS LATER.

>> THINGS LIKE EWING'S SARCOMA, AND DISEASES HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE, AND THERE INCIDENT RATE IS JUST INSANELY LOW.

I MEAN IMA WE ARE TALKING 1 OUT OF 20 MILLION PEOPLE, AND THEY ARE ON THIS LIST.

>> Reporter: AND PERKINS LYMPHOMA, A DISEASE LINKED TO RADIATION EXPOSURE RARELY SEEN IN THE U.S., BUT TWO CASES WERE FOUND FROM COLONIA.

HIS HOPE NOW -- >> SOMEONE WITH A LOT BIGGER STAFF THAN ME TAKE THIS OVER AND CAN START TRACKING THESE ADDITIONAL CASES.

>> Reporter: THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION RELEASED A JOINT STATEMENT, SAYING THEY, QUOTE, STAND READY TO ASSIST WOODBRIDGE IN REVIEWING ANY ENVIRONMENTAL DATA IT COLLECTS TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE NEXT STEPS.

THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SAID IT WILL, QUOTE, WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER FEDERAL STATE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT EXPERTS TO ASSESS RESULTS AND DETERMINE APPROPRIATE NEXT STEPS.

IT IS NOW A WAITING GAME TO SEE WHAT, IF ANY RESULTS, COME FROM THE LAST 2 WEEKS OF TESTING, AND IF IT CAN BE LINKED TO THE SUFFERING OF SO MANY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> ON THIS EARTH DAY, RISING SEA LEVELS POSE AN INCREASINGLY GRAVE RISK TO THE WAY OF LIFE ALONG NEW JERSEY'S COAST, AND THEY ARE THREATENING TO WASH AWAY PARTS OF OUR STATE'S PAST AS WELL.

THERE ARE ALREADY 2500 HISTORIC SITES IN THE STATE THAT FLOOD WHEN WATERS REACHED JUST 2 FEET ABOVE THE AVERAGE HIGH TIDE, AND TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE ARE AT RISK AS WATERS REACH EVEN HIGHER.

IN A COLLABORATION BETWEEN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND CLIMATE CENTRAL, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS FROM ELLIS ISLAND AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, PERIL AND PROMISE: FOCUSING ON THE HUMAN STORIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARRIVE AT ELLIS ISLAND STILL STARRY EYED FROM TOURING LADY LIBERTY, DETERMINED TO SOMEHOW TRACK THEIR FAMILIES AMERICAN JOURNEY, OR MARVEL AT THE HISTORY ON DISPLAY.

12 MILLION IMMIGRANTS PASSED THROUGH THESE BUILDINGS, HOPING TO BUILD NEW LIVES IN AMERICA, BUT CLIMATE CHANGE NOW THREATENS THE VERY ISLAND THAT PRESERVES SO MUCH CULTURAL HERITAGE.

>> WE WANT TO MAINTAIN THESE PLACES SO WE CAN TELL PEOPLE'S STORIES, AND TELL OUR COLLECTIVE STORY.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IS ERIN DEMPSEY POINTS TO SUPER STORM SANDY AS A CLIMATE CHANGE WAKE UP CALL.

IT SLAMMED INTO THE ISLAND, OBLITERATING INFRASTRUCTURE, AND RIPPING UP FERRY DOCKS.

THEY FLOODED GENERATORS AT THE POWERHOUSE.

>> EVERYTHING THAT KEEPS THE PARK RUNNING OPERATING SAFELY WAS UNDERWATER AND DESTROYED.

>> Reporter: WITH POWER DOWN, AND CLIMATE CONTROL DESTROYED, BROUGHT AND MILDEW THREATENED A PRICELESS COLLECTION OF ARTIFACTS.

THE PARK SERVICE MOBILIZED A DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM, INCLUDING MUSEUM SPECIALISTS.

>> REPENT 6 WEEKS PAINFULLY PACKAGING ALL THOSE MATERIALS SO THEY COULD MOVE TO A CURATORIAL FACILITY FOR THE DURATION OF THE REPAIRS HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: BUT CLIMATE CHANGE CONTINUES TO CLOUD THE FUTURE HERE AT ELLIS, AN ISLAND SURROUNDED BY ALMOST 7000 FEET OF GRANITE SEAWALL BUILT IN THE EARLY 1900s.

IT IS UNIQUELY VULNERABLE, SAYS THE RUTGERS CLIMATE SPECIALIST.

>> THE TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WAS BUILT AT A TIME WHEN NOBODY WAS EXPECTING SEALEVEL RISE, EVEN IF PEOPLE WERE PRODUCING IT ALREADY AT A HIGH TIME OF INDUSTRIALIZATION.

>> Reporter: THE WARMING PLANET FUELS HIGHER TIDES AND STRONGER STORMS THAT BUFFETT ELLIS.

ITS CRUMBLING WALLS NEED EXTENSIVE REPAIR, THAT IS NOW UNDERWAY.

CRANES WIELDING PNEUMATIC PILEDRIVER'S POUND STEEL SUPPORTS INTO THE SEABED TO WITHSTAND FUTURE STORMS, AND THE OCEAN IS STILL RISING.

CLIMATE CHANGE HAS IMPACTED ELLIS ISLAND LONG BEFORE SUPER STORM SANDY PIXIE LEVELS HERE HAVE RISEN ABOUT 1.5 FEET SINCE THEY BEGAN KEEPING MEASUREMENTS BACK IN THE 1950s.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SEAWALL YOU CAN SEE THERE IS NOT MUCH LEEWAY LEFT.

ONLY ONE TEAR OF BLOCKS REMAINS ABOVE THE HIGH TIDE LINE.

THE ISLAND IS ALREADY EXPECTED TO FLOOD ANNUALLY, AND A CLIMATE CENTRAL ANALYSIS FOUND FLOODWATERS COULD THREATEN THE BUILDINGS MULTIPLE TIMES PER YEAR I THE MIDDLE OF THE CENTURY.

AN INTERACTIVE FEDERAL MAP PREDICTS 3 FEET OF SEA LEVEL RISE AT ELLIS, AND 6 FEET IN THE NEXT 80 YEARS.

AT THAT POINT, ELLIS IS SUBMERGED.

>> THE CHALLENGE IS THAT SCIENTISTS CAN'T GIVE US A VERY EXACT NUMBER, SO WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE EVENTUALITIES, LIKE ALL OF THE UNCERTAINTIES OF THE FUTURE.

>> THIS IS PAUL PART OF OUR CULTURAL CONSCIOUSNESS, TO EXPERIENCE THE HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS, WHAT THEY BRING, THE MATERIALS THAT YOU JUST CAN'T TO GO HOME DEPOT AND REPLACED NOWADAYS.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO SAVE, AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, TO PRESERVE IT, SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR HERITAGES, AND HOW SPECIAL A STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY IS.

>> Reporter: WORKERS COULD RAISE THE SEAWALL, BUT THE PARK SERVICE FEARS THAT WOULD NOT ONLY CHANGE THE HISTORIC CHARACTER, BUT WOULD ALTER THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE.

>> ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE'S WHOSE ANCESTORS PROCESSED THROUGH AND ELLIS ISLAND, AND HOW ATOLL FORTRESSLIKE SEAWALL WOULD MAKE THEM FEEL AS THEY COME OVER.

WE ARE DOING THIS REHABILITATION WORK, MAKING SURE THE MASONRY IS IN GOOD SHAPE, MAKING SURE IT CAN STAY AS IT IS FOR ANOTHER 150 YEARS.

>> Reporter: WITH A FEDERAL GRANT TO SPEND ON CLIMATE RESILIENCE, THE PARK SERVICE BUILT A NEW MEZZANINE, RAISING GENERATORS UP ABOUT 20 FEET TO KEEP THE HVAC SYSTEM OUT OF STORMS REACH.

EVERYTHING IS COMPUTERIZED.

IT UNDERSCORES THE TENSION BETWEEN TRYING TO PRESERVE AN HISTORIC MONUMENT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE, AND STILL MAINTAIN ITS HISTORIC VALUE.

>> A LOT OF THE ARTIFACTUAL MATERIAL WE HAVE ARE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN DONATED FROM FAMILY MEMBERS OVER TIME.

I THINK THAT COLLECTION IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IN TERMS OF ITS INTRINSIC CULTURAL VALUE TO PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE HERE AT ELLIS ISLAND, AND THAT IS WHAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE LOST, THAT HISTORY, THAT DEEP PERSONAL CONNECTION PEOPLE FEEL.

>> Reporter: ELLIS HOLDS A PRECARIOUS PLACE AMID RISING SEAS ON A WARMING PLANET, BUT IT'S BUILDINGS, ARTIFACTS, AND STORIES HOLD AN ICONIC PLACE IN THE AMERICAN NARRATIVE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FOR MORE ON THIS GROWING CLIMATE CRISIS, AND THE SEA RISE IMPACT ON ADDITIONAL HISTORIC SITES HERE IN NEW JERSEY, CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR REPORTING WITH CLIMATE CENTRAL AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS TODAY, GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS LEFT THE STATE HEADING OVERSEAS, AND IT IS ALL ABOUT BUSINESS.

HIS FIRST STOP IS FRANCE, WHERE HE WILL MEET WITH FRENCH COMPANIES TO ENHANCE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR STATE.

ON SUNDAY, THE GOVERNOR AND FIRST LADY WILL MAKE A PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED TRIP TO IRELAND, HE WILL BE JOINED BY MEMBERS OF CHOOSE NEW JERSEY.

THE RIPPLE VISIT DUBLIN AND CORK ON A 4 DAY ECONOMIC MISSION TRIP, SEEKING TO STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN OUR STATE AND IRELAND, AS WELL AS ENCOURAGE IRISH BUSINESSES TO INVEST IN NEW JERSEY.

THE GOVERNOR WILL HEAD BACK HOME NEXT WEDNESDAY.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKET CLOSED OUT THIS TRADING WEEK.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY MARTIN TAUCHMAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, OFFERING NEW JERSEY'S FIRST BACHELORS OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN FINN TECH, BUSINESS FOCUSED AM A TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN.

>>> JOIN ME FOR "NJ BUSINESS BEAT" THIS WEEKEND FOR A LOOK AT THE BUSINESS BEHIND OUR FURRY BEST FRIENDS, INCLUDING MY PETS ARE PROVING TO BE INFLATION PROOF, AND HOW NEW JERSEY WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF VETERINARIANS.

WATCH SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M., AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 ON NJ PBS.

>>> INSPIRATION BIRTHS CREATIVITY FOR A CAUSE IN SOUTH ORANGE.

WOMEN AT JESPY HOUSE, A NONPROFIT GROUP THAT SUPPORTS ADULT WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, WANTED TO HELP HER UKRAINIAN NEIGHBORS AND THEIR LOVED ONES OVERSEAS.

SO, THEY USED THEIR ARTISTIC SKILLS TO CREATE SPECIAL PINS TO SELL LOCALLY.

IF YOU SOLD TURNED INTO A DOZEN, TURNED INTO HUNDREDS AS WORD GOT AROUND.

TED GOLDBERG WAS THERE AS JESPY HOUSE MADE ITS DONATION, AND HE EXPLAINS HOW THE MONEY WILL HELP UKRAINIANS OVERSEAS.

>> Reporter: JESPY HOUSE GAVE A WARM WELCOME TO FATHER SVIATOSLAV HOT, ALONG WITH A CHECK TO HELP PEOPLE IN UKRAINE.

>> I AM RECEIVING A LOT OF VIDEOS FROM THEM, THEY SENT, BECAUSE THEY TRY TO EXPLAIN ME WHAT IS GOING ON, WHAT KIND OF HELP THEY NEED.

I AM RECEIVING THE PICTURES.

I SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH THE PEOPLE WHO DEFENDS IN THE UKRAINE ON THE FIRST LINE.

THEY CALL INTO ME AND TELL ME, LISTEN, WE NEED MEDICAL STUFF FOR THE SURGERY.

>> Reporter: THAT MONEY CAME FROM THE SALE OF THESE PINS.

WOMEN AT JESPY HOUSE NETTED THEM, CROCHETED THEM, AND SOLD THEM FOR FIVE DOLLARS APIECE AROUND SOUTH ORANGE.

>> IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER INTO SOMETHING FOR CHARITY, AND RAISE MONEY FOR A WONDERFUL CAUSE.

IT WAS JUST A GREAT, REALLY IMPORTANT THING TO DO.

>> Reporter: WHY DID THEY WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

>> I LIKE TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE IN TROUBLE.

SO, THAT'S WHY I DO IT.

>> I THINK IT'S A VERY GOOD IDEA.

>> I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE, AND I JUST FEEL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A UKRAINIAN CHURCH IN MAPLEWOOD, AND A LOT OF OUR NEIGHBORS, AND IT IS JUST A REALLY IMPORTANT THING TO BE THERE.

>> I FEEL LIKE I AM SUPPORTING UKRAINE, AND THEY GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

ONCE THEY GET THE HELP THEY NEED, IT GIVES ME PEACE OF MIND.

>> Reporter: THEY WEREN'T SURE HOW MANY PINS WOULD SELL.

THE WOMEN WERE A BIT TAKEN ABACK AFTER HUNDREDS OF THEM WENT OUT THE DOOR, RAISING $1000.

>> IT WAS VERY SURPRISING HOW IT WOULD TAKE OFF THAT QUICK.

I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD TAKE THAT QUICK AMOUNT OF TIME FOR US TO JUST RAPIDLY TAKES A MANY PINS, AND THEN SELL THEM THAT FAST.

>> SOME KIND OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF GENEROUS AND HELPFUL, AND THIS CHECK WHICH WE RECEIVED TODAY, IT CAN HELP US TO PURCHASE SOME ITEMS TO SHIP TO UKRAINE, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE.

>> WE ARE GLAD WE COULD RAISE ALL THE MONEY, AND ANY PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE, WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN ALSO.

>> Reporter: CONTINUING TO PLAY A BIG ROLE IN THE SOUTH ORANGE COMMUNITY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE WEEKS BIG LITTLE HEADLINES, CHECK OUT "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

ON THIS EARTH DAY, DAVID TALKS WITH ED POTOSNAK, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ABOUT TOP ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IN THE STATE, AND THE UPCOMING PLASTIC BAG BAN.

THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M., AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. PLUS, ON "CHATBOX" DAVID DIVES INTO THE STATEWIDE CANNABIS INJURY LAUNCH, AND THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M., AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M., BOTH ON NJ PBS.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

FOR THE ENTIRE CREW, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

LEAD FUNDING FOR PERIL AND PROMISE IS PROVIDED BY DR. P ROY WATERLOO SANTA ANA T VACA LOS.

MAJOR SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE MARK HAAS FOUNDATION, AND SUE AND EDGAR WALK IN HEIMER THE THIRD, AND THE SHARE AND PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY.