>>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY INSURANCE GROUP ENSURING NEEDS FOR BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS >>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOT LIKE NEWS.

>>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

A CORONAVIRUS VACCINE MAY SOON BE AVAILABLE FOR MILLIONS OF KIDS, MODERNA APPLIED FOR EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION OF A LOWER DOSE FOR CHILDREN AGES SIX MONTHS TO TWO YEARS OLD.

A LONG AWAITED MOVE FOR PARENTS WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO GET THEIR LITTLE ONES VACCINATED.

THEY ARE GOING TO MOVE FAST, POTENTIALLY MAKING IT AVAILABLE BY SUMMER AND PFIZER MAY ANNOUNCE ITS THREE-KID SIZE DOSES OF THE VACCINE WORKS FOR THE SAME AGE GROUP.

ACROSS THE STATE, MORE THAN 2500 NEW CASES ARE BEING REPORTED AND SEVEN MORE DEATHS.

A SIGN OF IT CONTINUING TO SPREAD.

HOW CLOSE ARE WE TO THE END OF THE PANDEMIC.

ANTHONY FAUCI TODAY CLARIFYING PBS NEWS HOW THAT THE PANDEMIC PHASE IS OVER INSTEAD THE UNITED STATES IS IN A TRANSITION, MOVING OUT OF THE ACUTE PHASE ACCORDING TO FAUCI.

THAT MAY BE GOOD NEWS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS THAT ARE PLAYING CATCH UP WITH PRIMARY CARE.

NEW REPORTS FROM THE CDC SHOWS CHILDHOOD VACCINATION RATES FOR KINDERGARTNERS DROPPED LAST YEAR, A CASUALTY OF THE PANDEMIC.

BRENDA FLANIGAN REPORTS.

>> WE ARE WORRIED WE WILL SEE A RESURGENCE.

>> Reporter: PEDIATRICIANS ARE PUSHING FOR KIDS TO GET THE JAB.

THEY ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT COVID-19 LATELY.

SCHOOL RECORDS NATIONWIDE SHOW A LAG IN KINDERGARTEN-AGE VACCINATION FOR STATE-REQUIRED SHOTS FOR A WRATH OF DISEASES INCLUDING MEASLES, MUMS, TENT NICE, WHOOPING COUGH AND CHICKENPOX.

>> WE HAVE OUR JOB CUT OUT FOR US TO CATCH UP THE KIDS AND THEIR FASCINATION SCHEDULES.

>> PEOPLE FORGET HOW SERIOUS THOSE DISEASES CAN BE AND THAT UNLESS YOU HAVE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE POPULATION VACCINATED THOSE DISEASES CAN SNEAK IN.

>> Reporter: DR.

CRAFT POINTS TO CDC SHOWING REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR KINDERGARTNERS DROPPED 1% ON AVERAGE, DOWN TO 94% IN THE PRIOR SCHOOL YEAR 2020- 2021, THAT EQUALS 35,000 AMERICAN KIDS THAT STILL NEED TO GET THOSE SHOTS.

DATA SLOWS JERSEY'S RATE DIPPED TO 94%.

WHAT HAPPENED?

ST. JOSEPHS DOCTOR NOTES IT STARTED DURING THE PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN.

>> THERE IS COVID-19 COLLATERAL DAMAGE.

PARENTS DID NOT WANT TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN TO DOCTOR'S OFFICES TO BE AROUND SICK PEOPLE.

SCHOOL S WERE CLOSED.

SCHOOL NURSES DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO REVIEW THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS OF THEIR STUDENTS.

AND THOSE WHO WERE WORKING IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR WERE BUSY WITH COVID-19 THE LAST TWO YEARS AND DID NOT REALLY HAVE TIME.

>> WE HEAR CONCERNS FROM PEDIATRICIANS AND FROM OTHERS THAT THERE CERTAINLY IS HESITANCY AND THINGS ARE NOT PICKING UP AS WELL AS WE LIKE THEM TO.

WE ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Reporter: JERSEY'S VACCINATION RATE FOR MEASLES, WHOOPING COUGH AND CHICKENPOX ARE BETTER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, EVEN THOUGH 1% DROP CAN SPARK HOT SPOTS PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS NOTE VACCINATION RATES ARE NOT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE STATE.

POCKETS OF VACCINE RESISTANCE CAN CREATE VULNERABILITIES.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, MEASLES, 93-95% OF THE POPULATION MUST BE IMMUNIZED FOR HERD IMMUNITY TO WORK AND PREVENT OUT BREAKS.

IF YOU HAVE A DROP OF 1% WE ARE LEAVING THESE CHILDREN VULNERABLE.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S LAST MAJOR MEASLES OUTBREAK STARTED FOUR YEARS AGO IN LAKEWOOD WHERE A HIGHER THAN AVERAGE NUMBER OF FAMILIES IN THE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY CLAIMED RELIGIOUS EXCEPTIONS TO KID VACCINATIONS DESPITE RABIS APPROVAL.

>> IT TENDS TO BE HIGHER IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES SO YOU CAN HAVE OUTBREAKS WITHIN A COMMUNITY THAT GAINS STEAM AND CAN THEN SPREAD.

>> Reporter: THE LAST LEGISLATIVE ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE RELIGIOUS EXCEPTIONS FROM NEW JERSEY SCHOOL VACCINE REQUIREMENTS ENDED WITH PROTESTS.

PEDIATRICIANS, MEANWHILE, WILL KEEP SCHEDULING VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS AND HOPING CURRENT POLITICAL CONFLICTS DON'T GET IN THE WAY.

>> THERE IS A STEADY AND, SORRY TO SAY SOMEWHAT GROWING MOVEMENT AGAINST VACCINATION.

IT WILL SPILL OVER AS WE ALREADY SEEING IN OTHER STATES.

NOT NEW JERSEY BUT OTHER STATES WHERE VACCINES ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED.

>> UNFORTUNATELY MEDICINE HAS GOTTEN POLITICAL.

IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE THING.

THERE IS NOTHING POLITICAL ABOUT KEEPING YOUR CHILD SAFE.

>> Reporter: DR. FISHER SAYS THE MOST UP-TO-DATE VACCINATION NUMBERS FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR IN NEW JERSEY WON'T BE AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS.

I'M BRENDA FLANIGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> > A MASSIVE SPENDING REQUEST FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN, TODAY, ASKING CONGRESS FOR $33 BILLION IN FUNDING TO SUPPORT UKRAINE AS THE WAR ENTERS THE THIRD MONTH, A MAJORITY OF THE AID $20 BILLION WILL BE TO SECURITY.

$3 BILLION FOR HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS AND $8.5 BILLION TOWARDS THE ECONOMY SOLIDIFYING THE UNITED STATES ROLE IN BEATING BACK RUSSIAN FORCES, ESPECIALLY AS THE BATTLE IN UKRAINE'S EAST INTENSIFIES WRAPPING UP THE NEED FOR WEAPONRY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY LAID OUT A PROPOSAL TO PUT PRESSURE ON RUSSIAN OLIGARCHS TO SEIZE THEIR MONEY TO HELP IN RUSSIA'S DEFENSE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MET WITH THE UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AND PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY IN KYIV LOOKING AT AN INVESTIGATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF RUSSIAN FORCES.

>> > MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS PASSED THROUGH ELLIS ISLAND TO JERSEY CITY LOOKING FOR A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY.

TODAY, JERSEY CITY IS STILL CONSIDERED AMERICA'S GOLDEN DOOR, WELCOMING NEW WAVES OF IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES FROM AFGHANISTAN TO UKRAINE.

AS CITY LEADERS CONTINUE SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEM STREAMLINE THE PROCESS.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 250 IMMIGRANT EXPERTS AND LEADERS FROM NONPROFITS GATHER INSIDE JERSEY CITY FOR THE OPENING DAY OF THE NEW AMERICANS CAMPAIGN CONFERENCE.

THE NATIONAL NETWORK, LED BY IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCES HELPS PEOPLE APPLY FOR U.S.

CITIZENSHIP AND SUPPORTS IMMIGRANTS, PEOPLING SEEKING ASYLUM AND REFUGEES TO OVERCOME BARRIERS.

>> IF THIS IS FOR YOU GO AND DO IT.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO POTENTIALLY HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT BENEFITS OR A JOB WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR EXAMPLE.

THAT CAN REALLY BRING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE.

THERE ARE TWO BARRIERS, THE COST AND UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SYSTEM.

WHEN GET PEOPLE THE HELP THAT THEY NEED THEN THE PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW TO NAVIGATE THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: EARLIER THIS MONTH THEY WELCOMED UKRAINIAN CHILDREN THAT FLED THEIR HOME DURING RUSSIAN'S INVASION, DIRECTOR FOR IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS AT THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS THE CITY IS SETTING A NATIONAL PRECEDENT FOR HELPING IMMIGRANTS AND HELP.

>> WE ARE THE ONLY CITY IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE ACREDIDATION.

IT IS IMPORTANT WITH SEVERAL CRISIS.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS THE PASSION TO HELP IS IMPORTANT TO HIM.

HE SHARED ABOUT HIS GRANDMOTHER'S DREAMS OF A NEW LIFE SURVIVING THE HOLOCAUST.

>> SHE WAS HOLDING HER 2-YEAR- OLD DAUGHTER, AVA, THE GUARD TOOK AVA AND GAVE HER TO THE GRANDMOTHER.

GO TO THE RIGHT AND GO TO THE LEFT.

THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND SEVERAL HOURS LATER, SHE SAW THE GUARDS AGAIN AND SHE SAID, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO BE REUNITED WITH OUR FAMILIES?

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SEE OUR DAUGHTERS, OUR PARENTS AND THE GUARDS LAUGHED AND THEY SAID LOOK AT THAT SMOKE, THAT IS YOUR DAUGHTER, THAT IS YOUR MOTHER.

THE ONE THING THAT THEY LOOKED FORWARD TO, THEY ASPIRED TO WAS TRYING TO START A LIFE AGAIN HERE.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES I SPOKE WITH SAID THE PLAIN MAIN GOAL IS TO FIND A PIPELINE OF VOLUNTEERS TO INCREASE PUBLIC SUPPORT.

>> WHAT ARE COMMON ISSUES THAT MAKE THE PROCESS DIFFICULT FOR THEM?

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO EDUCATION.

ESPECIALLY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT I SERVE, MYSELF.

SO, IT IS REALLY HARD FOR THEM TO STUDY FOR THE TEST OR ALSO GETTING READY.

AND SO WE HAVE TO HELP WITH THAT.

AND ALSO WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CAN NOT PAY FOR THE APPLICATION AND WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISABILITIES AND WE HAVE TO ASK FOR ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THEM AND THAT PROCESS CAN BE IFFY AND HARD TO DO.

>> Reporter: INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL NONPROFITS, THEY ARE HOPING TO TAKE WHAT THEY LEARNED HERE AND APPLY IT IN THEIR STATE.

>> I AM EXCITED TO LEARN A BUNCH OF NEW THINGS ABOUT WHAT DIVERSITY MEANS FOR JERSEY CITY AND HOW TO INCORPORATE THAT IN OUR DIVERSE CITY IN SAN JOSE AND YOU KNOW, NEW TECHNIQUES, NEW SKILLS TO LEARN.

>> JERSEY CITY IS THE SINGLE DIVERSE CITY IN THE COUNTRY.

WE KNOW THE IMGRANTS MADE THE CITY A BETTER PLACE.

IN PARTICULAR, DURING THESE TIMES YOU ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE ISSUES AROUND REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE TEAMS TO BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE AND HELP PEOPLE THAT COME HERE WITH A SUPPORT SYSTEM TO GET UP ON THEIR FEET.

>> NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, RAVEN SANTANA.

>> > NEARLY THREE MONTHS AGO A NEW JERSEY MOM WOKE UP TO A PARENT'S WORST NIGHTMARE.

LEARNING HER SON, KYLE, UNEXPECTEDLY DIED DURING HELL WEEK TRAINING AS A NAVY SEAL CANDIDATE.

THE 24-YEAR-OLD STAND OUT FOOTBALL STAR COMPLETED THE GRUELING FIVE DAYS OF UNDER WATER AND TACTICAL TRAINING WHERE TRAINEES ARE DEPRIVED OF SLEEP, FOOD, AND WATER.

PUSHED TO THE LIMITS.

THEN DIED A FEW HOURS LATER.

THE GRIEVING MOTHER HAS BEEN LEFT GRASPING FOR ANSWERS AND WAITING FOR A MEDICAL EXAMINER'S REPORT THAT IS YET TO BE COMPLETED BY THE NAVY.

NOW SHE IS REFUSING TO REMAIN SILENT.

REGINA, I WANT TO THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL, FOR PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE TO TALK WITH US TONIGHT.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TOLD OFFICIALLY ABOUT YOUR SON KYLE'S DEATH.

>> I JUST KNOW HE DIED IN THE BARRICKS, I KNOW HE WAS FOUND BY THE 19- YEAR-OLDS, HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD IN THE HOSPITAL, I KNOW AN AUTOPSY BY THE NAVY IS NOT COMPLETED YET.

I WAS TOLD THE MEDICAL TEAM WAS LET GO AT 12 NOON, HE WAS FOUND AT 4:00ISH OR WHAT HAVE YOU BY 19-YEAR-OLDS.

I WAS TOLD BY THE PARAMEDIC BY THE TIME THAT HE GOT THERE MY SON HAD EXPIRED.

AN D THAT HE TRIED TO REVIVE HIM FOR HALF AN HOUR.

HE KNEW HE WAS EXPIRED.

NO PULSE, NO HEART RATE.

NO RESPIRATIONS.

>> BASED ON THE CONVERSATIONS, REGINA, THAT YOU HAVE HAD, YOU ARE AN RN AS WELL.

>> YES.

>> WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE HAPPENED?

>> I BELIEVE THAT MY SON DIED.

DURING HELL WEEK HE WAS PUT ON OXYGEN.

WHEN I WAS OUT THERE IN CORONADO.

TWO OF THE DRIVERS, THE YOUNG MEN KNEW HIM FROM HELL WEEK AND THEY WERE ON MEDICAL ROLL BACK FOR THE CONDITION.

SWIMMING INDUCED A DEEMA.

I WAS TOLD WHEN HE CROSSED HELL WEEK HE WAS SPITTING UP BLOOD.

BASED ON THE BLOOD THAT WAS FROM THE PARAMEDICS SAW HE TOLD ME AND I ASKED HIM DO YOU THINK IT WAS, HE THOUGHT BUT HE CAN NOT DO A DIAGNOSE, HE IS NOT AUTHORIZED.

I HEARD HIM OVER THE PHONE WHEN HE CROSSED IT.

FEBRUARY 4th HE WAS STRUGGLING TO BREATHE.

I WAS ASKING HIM TO PLEASE CALL ME, FACE TIME ME I NEED TO KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIM.

HE COULD NOT BREATHE.

HE HUNG UP AND HE SAID MOM, I AM GOOD.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME.

I LOVE YOU AND HE HUNG UP.

AND I IMMEDIATELY TEXTED HIM TO HAVE HIS FRIEND CALL ME.

I NEED TO KNOW HIS CONDITION.

HE DID NOT SOUND GOOD.

I BELIEVE HE DIED, WHICH IS A FORM OF SEVERE PNEUMONIA AND THE OTHER BOY THAT WAS INTUABATED.

HE SURVIVED.

MY SON DIDN'T BECAUSE HE WAS NOT MONITORED AND THEY DID NOT CHECK ON HIM PROPERLY AND THEY FOUND HIM TOO LATE.

>> HE DIED.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE IT WAS MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE NAVY?

>> YES, YES, YES.

THEY DON'T HAVE, THEY PUT THEM THROUGH THIS RIGOROUS TRAINING, ELITE OF THE WORLD.

TELL THEM HOW HARD IT IS TO GET THROUGH.

THEY, YOU KNOW, THEY LOOK AT THE BOOKS AND NO MAN LEFT BEHIND.

YOU PUT THEM THROUGH THIS TRAINING, HE GETS THROUGH IT, PROVES HIMSELF, GIVES IT HIS ALL.

HOW DO YOU TREAT THEM?

YOU DON'T PUT HIM IN A HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL MONITOR THEM?

NO, YOU STICK THEM IN THE ROOM TO DIE.

>> YOU HEARD SOME STORIES FROM OTHER FAMILIES FROM OTHER SEALS, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR MESSAGE TO PARENTS TO NAVY SEAL CANDIDATES, TO GOVERNMENT LEADERS WHO MAY BE WATCHING?

>> THEY MUST, MUST HAVE CHECKS AND BALANCES.

THERE IS NO OVERSIGHT AND SAFETY NET FOR THE CANDIDATES GOING THROUGH IT.

THESE ARE GOOD MEN GOING THROUGH IT.

I MET THEM.

I AM WORRIED FOR THEM.

THAT MEDICAL IS TRASH.

THE INSTRUCTORS NEED TO HAVE PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS BEFORE THEY ARE INSTRUCTORS, SOMEONE NEEDS TO MONITOR THEM.

I AM WORRIED FOR THE MEN GOING THROUGH, WORRIED FOR MY SON'S FRIENDS THAT ARE THERE.

THEY ARE CAUGHT UP AND AFRAID TO SAY ANYTHING.

THEY ARE IN THE CODE NOW.

THEY WANT TO GET THEIR DREAMS, THEY WANT TO BECOME A SEAL.

THEY NEED TO BE IN TOGETHER AND RIGHT THE WRONG AND I SAID IT OUT THERE AND I DID NOT GET THE VIDEO OF THAT WHEN I WENT OUT TO CORONADO.

I DID NOT GET THE VIDEO THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SEND THEM TO ME.

BAND TOGETHER AND RIGHT THE WRONG, A LOT OF WRONG GOING ON AND THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THAT INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE GOING ON RIGHT NOW, SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR NCIS.

NEEDS TO BE GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

>> REGINA MULLEN, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING ON AND SHARING THIS, IT IS HEARTBREAKING, OUR HEART IS WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND WE PRAY FOR SOME ANSWERS AND SOME PEACE FOR YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, REGINA.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> IN A STATEMENT TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THE NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND SAID MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS ARE ONGOING INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING KYLE MULLEN'S DEATH.

IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO SPECULATE ON THE CAUSE OF DEATH OR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS UNTIL THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLETE.

>>> AN ELITE SOUTH JERSEY GOLF CLUB IS BEING SUED BY THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR BEING TOO EXCLUSIVE.

THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FILED A CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT AGAINST PINE VALLEY GOLF CLUB ALLEGING GENDER-BASED DISCRIMINATION BY UNLAWFULLY BANNING WOMEN FROM BECOMING MEMBERS, RESTRICTING THEIR ACCESS TO FACILITIES AND THE GOLF COURSE.

AND PREVENTING THEM FROM LEASING OR BUYING HOMES ON CLUB LAND UNLESS THEY DID SO WITH A MAN.

THE COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT THE CLUB HAD JUST SIX WOMEN ON ITS 159 PERSON STAFF.

PRACTICES THAT VIOLATE THE STATE'S ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW.

IT IS CONSIDERED ONE EVER THE GREATEST GOLF COURSES IN THE WORLD.

THEY HAVE BEEN RUMORED TO BE FORMER PRESIDENTS, CELEBRITIES AND BUSINESS LEADERS.

THE CLUB TELLS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IT LIFTED ALL GENDER RESTRICTIONS ON MEMBERSHIP AND FACILITIES LAST SPRING AFTER THE STATE'S DIVISION OF CIVIL RIGHTS BEGAN INVESTIGATING.

>>> MAKING FINANCIAL CHOICES THAT PROMOTE SOCIAL EQUITY.

WE HAVE DETAILS ON THE STATE'S NEW INVESTMENT STRATEGY AND TONIGHT'S TOP HEADLINES.

RHONDA?

>> Reporter: THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION UNVEILED A PROGRAM TO DIVERSIFY THE STATE'S PENSION FUND MANAGERS.

THE $250 MILLION INVESTMENT WILL TARGET INVESTMENTS FOR MINORITIES AND WOMEN.

IT MIGHT HELP THE PENSION FUND'S PERFORMANCE AS THERE IS SOME EVIDENCE THOSE EMERGING FUNDS GENERATE BETTER RETURNS.

>> SO, YOU ARE GETTING MORE OPPORTUNITY TO A DIFFERENT GROUP OF PEOPLE BUT ALSO POTENTIALLY IMPROVING THE REPUBLICANS FOR THE PENSION FUND THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE PENSION FUND HAS BEEN STRUGGLING THROUGH A FISCAL YEAR WHERE INVESTMENT RETURNS HAVE SAGGED.

>> RETURNS ARE UNDER 1% BASED ON PRELIMINARY NUMBERS.

YOU CAN READ MORE ON THIS ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>> > PRESIDENT BIDEN TALKED ABOUT REDUCING STUDENT LOAN DEBT BY $50,000 PER BORROWER, THE PRESIDENT IS CONSIDERING MORE AND WILL MAKE A DECISION ON THAT IN A FEW WEEKS.

>>> A NEW PUSH IS UNDER WAY FOR CONGRESS TO PROVIDE MORE RELIEF FROM THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

TODAY, THEY HELD AN ALL DAY VIRTUAL RALLY ON INSTAGRAM FEATURING CELEBRITY CHEFS, POLITICIANS AND OTHERS.

THE GROUP HAS BEEN SAYING MORE RESTAURANTS ARE IN DANGER OF CLOSING WITHOUT FEDERAL AID.

THE HOUSE PASSED LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE $42 BILLION TO RESTAURANTS, THE BILL FACES AN UPHILL BATTLE IN THE SENATE.

>> > FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC, THE U.S. ECONOMY EXPERIENCED A DECLINE IN GROWTH.

USGDP FELL IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.

THAT CAN BE A TROUBLING SIGN.

ECONOMISTS SAY BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS ARE STILL SPENDING SO THE ECONOMY SHOULD BOUNCE BACK FROM THE DROP.

>> > NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING FROM TODAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE ARE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY AND MINUTES AWAY FROM WALL STREET.

>> JOIN FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND.

ZEROING IN ON THE ENVIRONMENT, THE PUSH TO GROW NEW JERSEY'S WIND INDUSTRY AND THE COST OF SLOWING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

WATCH IT SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> WELL, TODAY MARKS DAY THREE OF THE NINTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL OFF SHORE WIND PARTNERING FORUM.

A FANCY NAME FOR THE LARGEST OFF SHORE WIND ENERGY CONFERENCE IN NORTH AMERICA.

BEING HELD THIS YEAR IN ATLANTIC CITY.

THE FOCUS, THREE WIND FARMS PLANNED FOR CONSTRUCTION OFF OF THE JERSEY SHORE.

A POTENTIAL ECONOMIC BOOM TO MANUFACTURING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING COMPANIES IN THE REGION.

THE TOPIC THAT DREW THE INTEREST OF A FEW THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS FROM ATLANTIC CITY.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY CUT SHORT HIS TRIP TO IRELAND TO SPEAK AT THIS YEAR'S INTERNATIONAL OFF SHORE WIND PARTNERING FORUM.

HE SAYS OFF SHORE PROJECTS IN NEW JERSEY HELPED GET THE STATE TO HALFWAY OF ITS GOAL OF 7.5GIGA WATTS OF POWER.

ENOUGH TO POWER FIVE MILLION HOMES.

>> EVEN WHILE WE FOUGHT THE PANDEMIC WE CONTINUED TO WORK ON MAKING THIS VISION A REALITY.

THIS IS, IF YOU WILL, NEW JERSEY'S IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME MOMENT.

BUT, EVEN WITH THIS PROGRESS WE ARE STILL NOT DONE.

>> Reporter: IT IS FOLLOWING A NATIONAL TREND.

EARLIER THIS WEEK THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAID THEY ARE LOOKING TO CREATE FOUR MILLION ACRES OF THE WIND FARMS IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.

IT IS A GOOD MOVE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS AND NATIONAL SECURITY.

>> THE WORLD CAN NOT CONTINUE TO DEPEND ON PETRO-DICTATORS FOR OUR ENERGY NEEDS, SUPPLY CHAIN INSTABILITY THAT STARTED WITH COVID-19, ALSO SHOWS THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD EXPOSURE TO VOLATILE PRICE SWINGS IN FOSSIL ENERGY MARKETS.

>> RUSSIA'S AWFUL WAR LAID BEAR THE RECOGNITION THAT ONE WAY WE CAN PREVENT AUTOCRATES HOLDING THE NATION HOSTAGE IS WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND TAKING AWAY THE FOSSIL FUELS THEY WIELD.

>> ENERGY INDEPENDENCE WILL TAKE A BIT.

ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES NOW IS FIGURING OUT HOW TO CHEAPLY MOVE ELECTRICITY 20 MILES FROM WIND FARM TO SHORE.

>> IF YOU THINK ABOUT A POWER PLANT LIKE A BIG, LIKE A BEATING HEART, THAT POWER PLANT IS PUSHING OUT ELECTRICITY LIKE A HEART PUSHES OUT BLOOD.

BUT, PREVIOUSLY ALL OF THOSE POWER PLANTS HAD BEEN LOCATED IN THE WEST AREA AND THEN PUSHING POWER EAST INTO THE CAPILLARIES INTO THE COASTAL REASONS, IF YOU WILL, NOW WE HAVE THE HEARTBEAT IN THE OCEAN AND WE HAVE TO DELIVER THAT POWER FROM EAST TO WEST.

>> THIS YEAR'S CONVENTION BROUGHT MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE TO ATLANTIC CITY.

INCLUDING LARGE ENERGY COMPANIES LOOKING FOR LOCAL PARTNERS.

>> ONE OF THE THING THAT IS SO EXCITING ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE HERE SEEING THE PLAYERS COMING TOGETHER IS BUILDING UP THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF THE UNITED STATES.

AS WE ARE SCALING UP SIGNIFICANTLY, WE HAVE PROJECTS UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST, FINDING DOMESTIC SUPPLY CHAIN AND HELPING BUILD IT IS ONE OF THE CHALLENGES BUT MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO CONNECT WITH A LOCAL SUPPLY EXPLAIN AND LEARN WHAT THE CAPABILITIES ARE FOR LOCAL SUPPLIERS IN NEW JERSEY.

I AM A JERSEY NATIVE.

IT IS EXCITING TO SEE THE INDUSTRY REPRESENTED HERE AND TAKING OFF IN NEW JERSEY.

>> WE ARE HERE EXHIBITING SHOWCASING WHO WE ARE AND TO TELL THE INDUSTRY WHAT WE STAND FOR.

WE ARE ALSO, OF COURSE, LOOKING FOR LOCAL SUPPLIERS, MANUFACTURES, BUILD OUR NETWORK AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS HERE AS WELL.

>> SMALLER COMPANIES HOPE TO NETWORK AND BUILD UP THEIR OWN BUSINESS.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW HOW YOU ARE GOING TO GET AN OPPORTUNITY OR GET INTRODUCED TO CERTAIN PEOPLE TO MAKE DECISIONS.

SO, YOU HAVE TO BE HERE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, INTERFACING, SHAKING HANDS WITH PEOPLE.

>> THIS CONVENTION COULD MAKE OR BREAK SOME OF THESE COMPANIES AS THEY HOPE TO BUILD IT OFF OF THE JERSEY SHORELINE.

BACK TO YOU.

>> TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO LEASE OFF SHORE AREAS FOR WIND POWER, YOU CAN READ JOHN HURDLES PIECE ON NJSPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>> THIS WEEK, GOING ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE GOVERNOR, FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S ECONOMIC MISSION TO IRELAND.

>>> A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS TALKING ALL OF THE POLITICAL BIG HEADLINES OF THE WEEK.

THAT IS FRIDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT YOU TUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

FOR THE ENTIRE TIME, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

>> RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOWARD.

>>AND ORSTEAD COMMITTED TO CLEAN ENERGY FOR NEW JERSEY >> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFF SHORE WIND ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

ONLINE, AT US.ORSTED.COM.