>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

>>> NO SIGN OF IT YESTERDAY, BUT IF THE LINES ARE ANY SIGN, CANNABIS SALES ARE DOING WELL.

AND CUSTOMERS HAVE NO PROBLEM WAITING FOR HOURS AT SOME SITES TO MAKE THEIR PURCHASE.

A THIRD SITE STILL WAITING FOR THEIR LICENSE TO HAVE THEIR GRAND OPENING.

MEANWHILE, OTHER BUSINESSES SAY THEY'RE FRUSTRATED WITH RED TAPE THAT IS KEEPING THEM FROM OPENING THEIR BUSINESSES.

>> I'M REALLY FRUSTRATED.

I'M FEELING VERY DISRESPECTED.

>> Reporter: CABRERA IS ONE OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT GOT A LICENSE TO RUN THEIR CANNABISSHOP.

SHE'S MANAGED TO FIND A CULTIVATION PARTNER AND SOME FINANCING BUT SAYS CITY HALL IS NOT HELPING FIND A LOCATION.

>> IT'S HURTFUL.

BECAUSE MY COMMUNITY RESPECTS ME AND THEY WANT ME TO SUCCEED.

BUT MY CITY GOVERNMENT, IS NOT HERE FOR ME.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE CHEAPEST RENTAL SHE CAN FIND IS 18,000 A MONTH FOR 7,000 SQUARE FEET AND IT'S UNAFFORDABLE.

>> MEANWHILE, CITIES LIKE NEWARK, I'VE SPOKEN TO PEOPLE IN NEWARK THEY SAY BRING YOUR PLANT SHOP HERE.

BRING YOUR CANNABIS BUSINESS HERE.

WE WANT TO HELP YOU.

WE WANT TO GIVE YOU LOANS.

AND THE CITY THAT I LOVE, THAT I RUN MY BUSINESSES OUT OF, THEY ARE NOT HERE TO SUPPORT ME.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT JERSEY CITY SAID WE HAVE OVER 40 APPLICANTS WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND AFFORDABLE RENTAL SPACES.

WE'RE DOING ALL WE CAN FROM A CITY LEVEL TO SUPPORT APPLICANTS THAT BALANCE SOCIAL EQUITY AND INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

BUT CABR ERA'S EXPERIENCE UNDER SCORES HOW CRUCIAL A ROLE TOWNS PLAY IN GETTING A WEED BUSINESS UP AND RUNNING.

>> IT'S BEEN AN EXTREMELY LONG PROCESS.

IT'S BEEN PAINFUL ALL ALONG THE WAY.

>> Reporter: THE AGRO BUSINESS ALREADY GROWS PLANTS WHERE HE PROPOSED RAISING CROPS OF CANNABIS BACK IN 2014.

IT TOOK EIGHT YEARS TO FINALLY GET A LICENSE.

ONE OF 30 GRANTED LAST OCTOBER TO CULTIVATE MEDICAL WEED IN NEW JERSEY.

HE HOPES TO GET GROWING WITH REGULATORY APPROVAL WITHIN 30 DAYS AND IT'S GOT A MANUFACTURERS LICENSE PENDING.

>> THE PROBLEM HERE IN NEW JERSEY IS SUPPLY.

OVER THE NEXT, YOU KNOW, A YEAR, TWO YEARS.

THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH SUPPLY.

>> Reporter: WITH NEW $20 MILLION GREENHOUSES HE FIGURES HE WILL PRODUCE FIVE TO 700- POUND OF CANNABIS WITHIN A YEAR.

>> THERE'S ONLY 20 TO 25% OF THE TOWNS THAT HAVE SOME FORM OF APPROVAL FOR CANNABIS, SO IT'S STILL, THE TOWNS ARE THE GATE KEEPERS OF THESE LICENSES.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, TERRA LEAF ONE OF 13 BUSINESSES APPROVED TO SELL RECREATIONAL WEED LAST WEEK IS STILL WAITING APPROVAL BUT WON'T SAY WHY.

HE SAYS HE HAS SANK $3.25 MILLION ONLY TO HAVE THE TOWN OPT OUT OF LEGAL CANNABIS SALES.

IN MARCH, HIS COMPANY GOOD LETTUCE WAS ONE OF 102 APPLICANTS TO GET CONDITIONAL LICENSES.

>> BEING VETERANS OF AN APPLICATION PROCESS IN JERSEY WE KNOW WHAT IT TAKES.

WE HAVE A BUILDING FOR A TIER SIX LICENSE.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE CONDITIONAL APPROVAL AND THE PREFERENCE LETTER.

>> Reporter: GOOD LETTUCE GOT CULTIVATOR AND MANUFACTURERS LICENSES FOR A FACILITY IN SALEM COUNTY.

IT GIVES GOOD LETTUCE A LEG UP ON CURRENT NEW JERSEY GROWERS.

>> REMEMBER THEY HAVE THE REQUIREMENT.

FOR US WE HAVE A CLEAR RUNWAY, PRODUCE, PRODUCE, PRODUCE.

>> Reporter: ALSO HELPING TO BUILD A CULTIVATING OFFICE, BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ NEWS.

>>> TWO HIGH OFFICIALS MADE A TRIP TO UKRAINE THIS LAST WEEKEND.

MAKING IT THE HIGHEST LEVEL AMERICAN VISIT TO THE CAPITAL SINCE RUSSIA INVADED IN LATE FEBRUARY.

PLEDGING TO SUPPORT UKRAINE'S WAR EFFORT THROUGH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MILITARY AID.

AND COMMITTING TO REOPEN THE U.S. EMBASSY IN KYIV FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY NAMING BRIDGETTE BRINCA THE NEW AMBASSADOR.

>>> SECRETARY BLINKEN AND AUSTIN TODAY INSISTED THAT RUSSIA'S WARE AIMS ARE FAILING.

DIRECTOR AUSTIN GOING SO FAR AS TO SAY, THE U.S.

WANTS TO SEE RUSSIA'S FORCES WEAKEN TO THE POINT THAT THEY CAN'T ATTACK UKRAINE.

THEY CONTINUE THE BARRAGE OF ATTACKS WITH SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS TRAPPED INSIDE.

>>> THE SIZE OF YOUR WAR CHEST MAY NOT BE AS IMPORTANT AS IT WAS ONCE.

THE FIRST CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT OF THE YEAR IS OUT FOR NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES AND SO FAR DEMOCRATS ARE OUTRACING REPUBLICANS.

EMBRACING THEM TO PUT UP A FIGHT IN WHAT WILL BE TIGHT RACES.

THAT MAY NOT BE A LOOK AT HOW RACES WILL FAIR.

COLLINCOLLEEN ANADAY.

>> Reporter: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT COME ELECTION TIME?

>> IT'S INTERESTING THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE SO MUCH MORE MONEY THAN THE REPUBLICANS.

IT'S NOT TERRIBLY SURPRISING ON THE ONE HAND.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS THAN WE DO REPUBLICAN INCUMBENTS ON THE OTHER HAND WE DO HAVE MORE CONTESTED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RACES THAN WE DO ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

SO THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ABOUT SIX TIMES MORE MONEY IN THE BANK THAN REPUBLICANS HAVE.

AND THAT GIVEN THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE CONTESTED PRIMARIES FOR THE MOST PART THAT THE REPUBLICANS DO, THAT'S MONEY THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY OVER INTO THE GENERAL ELECTION TIME WHEN YOU KNOW WE THINK THEY'LL REALLY NEED THAT BECAUSE THIS IS A MIDTERM ELECTION.

WE'VE GOT A PRESIDENT WHO'S NOT TERRIBLY POPULAR AT THE MINUTE OF THEIR PARTY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN.

HIS POPULARITY RATING OR HIS APPROVAL RATING IN THE STATE IS ABOUT 45%.

DESPITE THIS BEING KNOWN AS A PRETTY BLUE STATE.

AND INFLATION IS AT 40 YEAR HIGHS.

SO THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM TRYING TO WIN THEIR ELECTION IN NOVEMBER SO THEY WILL NEED THIS MONEY.

>>> WILL IT BE ENOUGH TO HELP THOSE FOLKS IN THE CONTESTED RACES SWING THEIR VOTE IN THEIR FAVOR.

HOW MUCH OF AN ADVANTAGE IS IT HAVING MONEY THIS EARLY ON?

>> WE USED TO SAY THAT MONEY WAS SUPER IMPORTANT IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE WE'RE SANDWICHED IN NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.

THOSE ARE TWO OF THE MOST, AMONG THE MOST EXPENSIVE MEDIA MARKETS IN THE NATION.

BUT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SHIFTED FROM, WATCHING REGULAR TV.

YOU KNOW THEY'RE STREAMING.

THEY'RE FOCUSED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT MONEY MAY NOT BE QUITE AS IMPORTANT AS IT WAS IN THE PAST.

INCUMBENT CY IS STILL VERY IMPORTANT.

AND MONEY IS IMPORTANT BUT PROBABLY NOT AS MUCH AS IT USED TO BE.

SKWR COLLEEN WHICH CANDIDATES IN PARTICULAR HAVE THE MOST CASH AND ARE IN THOSE REALLY CONTESTED RACES?

>> SO JOSH GOLHEIMER IS JUST LIKE A FUND RAISING MACHINE.

IT'S CONSISTENTLY BEEN THE TOP FUNDRAISER IN NEW JERSEY.

HE'S GOT ABOUT $15 MILLION AND HE RANKS I THINK IT'S 16th IN THE NATION FOR HIS FUND RAISING.

HE WON HIS SEAT IN 2016 BUT WHICH IS BEFORE THE BLUE WAVE THAT WE HAD RIGHT WHEN DONALD TRUMP WAS IN OFFICE.

BUT THAT HAS BEEN A REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

IT HAS GOTTEN A LITTLE LESS REPUBLICAN THROUGH REDISTRICTING.

STILL WE'RE EXPECTING REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO CHALLENGE HIM HARD FOR THAT.

>>> COLLEEN, WE HAVE PRIMARIES AND THEN WHAT?

>> THE PRIMARY IS, YOU KNOW IN THE BEGINNING OF JUNE AS WE ALL KNOW, PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK OUT, THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS ARE ALREADY IN THE MAIL.

SO IF YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN YOURS AND YOU HAVE BEEN VOTING IN THAT WAY, THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO COME VERY SOON.

WE ALSO WILL HAVE THREE DAYS OF EARLY VOTING BEFORE THE PRIMARY.THIS YEAR WHICH IS GOING TO BE NEW.

AND LET'S LOOK FOR A LULL OVER THE SUMMER AND THEN IN SEPTEMBER USUALLY IS WHEN THAT HARD, FALL ELECTION YEARING HAPPENS AND EXPECT TO SEE ADS ONLINE AND ON TV.

AND YOU KNOW HARD FOUGHT CAMPAIGN FOR A DOZEN CONGRESSIONAL SEATS.

>> COLLEEN O' DAY FOR US, THANK YOU COLLEEN.

>>> IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE BUT MAYBE NOT FOREVER.

THE LATEST RESIDENTIAL POLL SHOWS RESIDENTS FEELING UPBEAT.

RATING THE STATE AS A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE WITH AN INDEX SCORE OF PLUS 27.

THAT'S ONE IN THREE NEW JERSIANS GIVING A HIGH REVIEW.

BUT THE DESIRE TO LEAVE IS ALSO AT AN ALL TIME HIGH.

59% SAID THEY'D LIKE TO MOVE OUT AT SOME POINT.

WITH THE STATE'S PROPERTY TAX BURDEN REMAINING THE TOP REASON TO EXIT AND SHOWING A PARTISAN GAP.

THE AREAS WITH THE LEAST POSITIVE VIEWS OF QUALITY OF LIFE CAME FROM HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC URBAN AREAS AND HEAVILY REPUBLICAN RURAL COUNTIES.

ACCORDING TO MAMMONTH UNIVERSITY, THAT POLITICAL LINE IS WORTH WATCHING.

>>> THERE'S ALSO A GOOD NEWS- BAD NEWS SCENARIO IN TODAY'S COVID NUMBERS.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY HOSPITALS ARE IN SOLID FOOTING AND NOT AT RISK OF BEING OVERWHELMED BY NEW CASES BUT NEW POSITIVE TESTS ARE STILL ON THE RISE.

MORE THAN 1,200 NEW CASES AND THREE ADDITIONAL DEATHS REPORTED TODAY.

THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANT RESPONSIBLE FOR 89% OF CASES IN THE MOST RECENT SAMPLEING.

THE UP TICK IS ALSO BEING ATTRIBUTED TO LESS MASK WEARING AND MORE TRAVEL.

MEANWHILE SOUP KITCHENS ARE ONCE AGAIN HITTING ANOTHER SURGE.

WITH FAMILIES IN NEED AND PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE EARNINGS ENDING.

FOCUSING ON THE COMPLEXITY OF FOOD INSECURITY HERE IN THE STATE.

>> Reporter: TODAY WE'RE DOING SOME CHICKEN, ROASTED BROCCOLI AND MEXICAN RICE.

TOMORROW WE'LL BE DOING A BLACKENEDTY LAP TILAPIA AND SQUASH.

WE TRY TO CATER TO THE COMMUNITY WE'RE SERVING.

>> Reporter: THE COMMUNITY IS GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED.

>> SOME OF THEM ARE DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO PEOPLE WHO MAY BE STAYING AT ROOMS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IN ORDER FOR THEM TO HEAT THEM UP.

THEY'RE PRECOOKED, WE COOL THEM DOWN THEY JUST HEAT THEM UP AND EAT THEM.

>> Reporter: THAT IS A HAND THAT THEY'VE BEEN GIVE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

BETWEEN FARMERS MARKET AND MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE THE ORGANIZATION HELPS FEED ANY WHERE FROM 3,000 TO 4,000 PEOPLE EACH WEEK.

>> A NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH ARE WITH HOMES AND WITH MICROWAVE OVENS AND WITH THE ABILITY TO REHEAT THE FOOD.

TAKE IT HOME AND EAT IT.

SO THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE, HAVE JOBS TO GET BACK TO AND HAVE THESE OTHER THINGS THAT JUST KIND OF NEED OUR HELP.

>> Reporter: WITH INFLATION CAUSING THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING FROM FOOD TO GAS TO INCREASE, COO DAVE VINE SAYS MAKING SURE EVERYONE WHO NEEDS A MEAL GETS ONE IS BECOMING MORE OF A CHALLENGE.

>> SOMETHING LIKE EGGS, FOR OUR FREE FARMERS MARKETS WE PROBABLY GIVE OUT 150 DOZEN EGGS A WEEK.

SO WHEN THAT'S GOING UP BY A DOLLAR A DOZEN, THAT'S $600 A MONTH THAT'S A BIG NUMBER AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

SO THAT'S FOR A NONPROFIT.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN'T SAY, WE'RE GOING TO STOP PROVIDING EGGS.

WE HAVE TO.

WE'VE COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH INFLATION HIT A NEW RECORD WITH PEOPLE PAYING 8.5% MORE FOR GOODS THAN THEY DID A YEAR AGO.

IT'S THE FASTEST ONE MONTH INCREASE THAN THEY HAVE IN 40 YEARS.

SINCE NJ DOESN'T ACCEPT FUNDING, THEY RELY ON DONATIONS TO FILL THE CONSTRAINT.

>> IT'S PUTTING A SCARE IN A LOT OF THE FOLKS OUT THERE.

THAT'S A CONCERN OF OURS.

WE HAD 2.5 YEARS WHERE WE COULDN'T DO OUR FUND RAISING BECAUSE OF COVID.

WE WERE HIT WITH HIGHER PRICESINCURRED.

EVERYBODY IS.

THERE'S A CONCERN OUT THERE BUT WE STILL TRY.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE CHANNELS THEY FACED THEY NEVER MISSED A DAY OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION OR TURNED ANYBODY AWAY.

>> A LOT OF TIMES IT'S JUST KNOWING THAT WE'RE THERE TO HELP THEM THAT GIVES PEOPLE THE HOPE THEY NEED AND I ALWAYS SAY TO OUR DONORS AND OUR SUPPORT OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY, YOU'RE THE ONES GIVING THEM THE HOPE THEY NEED TO GET THROUGH THE NEXT DAY OF THEIR LIVES.

>> Reporter: NOURISH NJ EXPECTS THE OPERATING BUDGET WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AS FAR AS THEIR PRICES RISE BUT THEY ARE DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO NEEDS HELP GETS IT NO QUESTIONED ASKED.

I'M ALYSA, ROSE COOPER.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY IS TOUTING THE FRUITS OF HIS LABOR FROM ISLAND NETTING HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS FROM THE STATE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: ISLAND HAS ALREADY LED TO ONE COMPANY AGREEING TO INVEST IN THE STATE.

APPLE GREEN WILL INVEST $6 MILLION IN THE STATE.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL RELOCATE IT'S TRAVEL PLAZA HEADQUARTERS TO GLEN ROCK ADDING AT LEAST 100 NEW JOBS.

APPLE GREEN WILL REDEVELOP NEW JERSEY'S HIGHWAY SERVICE PLAZAS CREATING ANOTHER 800 JOBS IN THE COMING YEARS.

MEANTIME THERE ARE ALSO MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNS THAT WILL ALLOW COLLABORATION BETWEEN NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY AND AN IRISH UNIVERSITY AND TECH COMPANY.

>>> MEANWHILE THE GOVERNOR STATED THAT THE COFFEE CHAIN STARBUCKS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZE THE UNION AND ENTER INTO CONTRACT TALKS.

>>> IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR BUDGET HEARING IN TRENTON.

TODAY THEY HEARD FROM EDUCATION AND HEARINGS.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ASKED THAT LAWMAKERS PROVIDE $1 MILLION TO EACH O NEW JERSEY 21 COUNTIES FOR THE OPERATION OF 911 SYSTEMS.

AS WE'VE BEEN REPORTING MONEY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO GO TO LOCAL 911 SYSTEMS HAS BEEN DIVERTED FOR YEARS.

BUT AS BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN MYER REPORTS, THE REQUESTED $21 MILLION COULD BE USED TO SUPPORT REGIONALIZED CENTERS.

>> THE MILLION DOLLARS COULD HELP SUCH CENTERS START UP AND A PUSH TO GET A REGIONALIZED 911 CENTER.

THAT WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WOULD SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY.

>>> THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM TWITTER IS GOING PRIVATE.

THE COMPANY ACCEPTED AN OFFER FROM BILLIONAIRE ELON MUSK.

THE DEAL CAME SOON AFTER MUSK HAD ACQUIRED A LARGE STAKE IN THE COMPANY.

HERE'S THE LATEST CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

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

WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.

BY UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT CHAMBER SMJ.COM.

>>> TONIGHT RESTORING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE ONCE LUSH ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR FOREST ALONG THE JERSEY COASTLINE ARE NOW PALE IN COLOR AND BARELY SURVIVING.

DUE TO INCREASING SURGES.

LEAVING BEHIND WHAT EXPERTS TOUT AS GHOST FORESTS.

THEY'RE ENGAGED IN THE LARGEST RESTORATION FOR THIS TREE SPECIES IN THE NATION.

FOCUSING ON THE HUMAN STORIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: ATLANTIC WHITE CEDARS TOWER OVER THE BRENDAN T. BURNS STATE FOREST.

NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WANTS TO KEEP IT THAT WAY FOR A LONG TIME.

>> MY KIDS WILL GO THERE IN THEIR OLD AGE AND SEE WHAT YOU'RE SEEING TODAY.

>> I THINK THINGS WILL BREAK OUR WAY.

BECAUSE WE'RE PUTTING THE INVESTMENT AND THE PLANTING AND PERFORMANCE FORWARD SO WE CAN REESTABLISH IT.

>> IT TAKES ABOUT 100 YEARS FOR THE ATLANTIC WHITE CEDARS TO GROW THIS TALL.

AND ALONG THE WAY, THERE'S A LOT OF ELEMENTS THAT CAN CAUSE IT TO DIE.

>> A LOT OF TIMES THEY'RE STANDING DEAD AND THEY WEATHER AND DECAY SLOWLY SO YOU END WITH WITH THESE GRAY TREES.

>> Reporter: LATHROP COAUTHORED A STUDY ON WHY WE'RE LIKELY SEEING MORE OF THESE GHOST FORESTS.

HE SAYS IT'S LIKELY BECAUSE OFSEA LEVELS RISING AND FLOODING.

>> IT STARTS TO BASICALLY SATURATE THE SOILS AND SO A NUMBER TREE SPECIES CAN'T LIVE IN SITUATIONS WHERE THERE'S YOU KNOW SUPER SATURATED SOILS.

>> WHICH INCLUDE ATLANTIC WHITE CEDARS.

NEW JERSEY USED TO HAVE 125,000 ACRES OF THEM.

NOW IT'S CLOSER TO 25,000.

THANKS TO HUMAN ACTIVITY AND NATURAL FACTORS LIKE THIS BEAVER DAM.

>> WE NEED TO CREATE ENOUGH RESILIENCY IN THE SYSTEM FOR BEAVERS TO EXIST, FOR WILDFIRES TO OCCUR.

JUST FOR NATURAL MORTALITY.

THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE PUT IT BACK ON THE LANDSCAPE.

PUT IT IN DIFFERENT PLACES SO WE HAVE SPOTS THE BEAVERS ARE GOING TO IMPACT AND THERE ARE PLACES THAT WILL CONTINUE TO THRIVE.

>> Reporter: THE CDT IS SPENDING $10 MILLION TO TRY TO RESTORE 10,000-ACRES OF THESE TREES.

BILL ZIPLEY SAYS HE'S SEEN A LOT OF PROGRESS.

>> THE TREES WERE MAYBE THIS TALL.

ABOUT UP TO MY BELLY.

NOW THEY'RE YOU KNOW 30 FEET TALL, 35 FEET TALL.

AND THERE WERE, YOU KNOW THERE'S NOW PROBABLY OVER 5,000 TREES PER ACRE ON THIS SITE.

>> IT IS A SPECIAL FOREST.

WHEN YOU GO SEE IT, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> BOB WILLIAMS IS A PROFESSIONAL FORESTER WHO HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF THE DEP IN THE PAST.

HE LIKES THEIR PLAN TO BRING BACK THESE CEDARS AND WISHES IT WENT A STEP FURTHER.

>> WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ADJACENT FIRE HAZARD OF THE UPLAND PINE FOREST.

IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO SPEND $19 MILLION SUCCESSFULLY RESTORING A SPECIAL ECO SYSTEM.

AND THEN HAVE IT END UP WHICH COULD HAPPEN.

>> WILLIAMS KNOWS THAT THESE TREES WON'T GROW TO THEIR POTENTIAL IN HIS LIFETIME.

HE'S THINKING BEYOND THAT.

>> YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

SO THAT SOME SCHOOL CLASS 100 YEARS FROM NOW GOES OUT THERE, THEY'LL HAVE A VIDEO AND HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR WHAT FOREST MANAGEMENT IS.

>> AND AN APPRECIATION FOR CLEANER WATER.

>> THE ROOT STRUCTURE OF THESE TREES PROVIDES AN INCREDIBLE WATER QUALITY.

IF -R THE PEOPLE OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE STATE THAT DON'T HAVE LARGE WATER SYSTEMS CARRYING THEIR DRINKING WATER THEY ARE RELYING UPON THESE TREES TO CLEAN THE WATER THAT THEY DRINK AND THEY THEN FEED THEIR KIDS EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: IT'S A TALL TASK FOR THE STATE, TRYING TO HELP THESE TREES GROW PAST OBSTACLES BOTH MANMADE AND NATURAL.

FOR NY SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M TED GOLDBURG.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, HAILING A HERO IN THE WAKE OF TRAGEDY.

21-YEAR-OLD JERSEY CITY RESIDENT JACK DEHAN IS BEING HAILED FOR HIS COURAGE AND QUICK THINKING GIVEN A KEY TO THE CITY FRIDAY IN PROSPECT PARK NEW JERSEY FOR HELPING THE NYPD IDENTIFY AND CAPTURE THE SHOOTING SUSPECT.

DURING THE EVENT AT THE BOROUGH HALL, MEMBERS OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY PRAISED TEHAN WHO'S FAMILY FLED WAR TORN ALEPO WHILE HE WAS A BABY FOR BEING AMERICA FIRST AND REPRESENTING WHAT OUR HUMANITY IS ALL ABOUT.

TEHAN ALSO RECEIVED COMMENDATIONS FROM THE NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATURE A NUMBER OF TOWNS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

IT WAS QUITE AN EVENT.

IN TRUE HERO STYLE, TEHAN WAS HUMBLE IN HIS ACCEPTANCE SAYING ANYONE WOULD DO THE SAME IF THEY WERE IN HIS SHOES.

>> THAT DOES FOR US THIS EVENING.

CHECK US OUT ON OUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL PLATFORMS.

BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NJTV NEWS CREW, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU HERE TOMORROW.

>>> BROUGHT TO YOU BY RWJ BARN BALL HEALTH AND ORSTEAD.

LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> BROUGHT TO YOU BY THAT PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA A FAIR AND JUST OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL BEING, LEAD FUNDING FOR PARAMOUNT PROMISE IS PROVIDED BY DR. VAGALOS.

MAJOR SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE NARCOST FOUNDATION AND THE SHERYL AND PHILLIP MILSTEAN FAMILY.

>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE NJMs POLICYHOLDERS.

THEY'RE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE'RE STILL HERE.

>> THAT'S ME AND MY DONOR WHEN WE WENT TO CELEBRATE MY FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> THEY GAVE ME A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

>> I'M STILL GOING PLACES AND EXPLORING PLACES.

>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WOULD BE HERE.

>> NOW WHEN I LOOK FORWARD TO SPENDING LIFE WITH MY WIFE, THAT'S POSSIBLE NOW.

>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY, TOGETHER.