>>> 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.

>>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

WE ARE GETTING A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE SURGE IN NEW COVID-19 CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT DOES NOT BODE WELL FOR NEW JERSEY.

NEARLY HALF OF ALL NEW INFECTIONS NATIONWIDE ARE BEING LINKED TO JUST FIVE STATES.

JERSEY BEING ONE.

THIS IS ACCORDING TO DATA COMPILED BY JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY REPORTED ANOTHER 3500 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND 45 MORE DEATHS.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE UP TO A HIGHEST NUMBER OF PATIENTS SINCE MID FEBRUARY.

THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY SAID THE UK VARIANT IS NOW THE MOST PREVALENT FORM OF COVID-19 IN THE U.S. UK VARIANT IS NOW THE MOST PREVALENT FORM OF COVID-19 IN THE U.S. AND THE STOUTS A BREAK MODEL SHOW A PEAK IN CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS BY APRIL 18 FOR BOTH BEST AND MODERATE CASE SCENARIOS.

THEY CAUTION SOCIAL BEHAVIORS CAN SWING THE PENDULUM EITHER DIRECTION.

GIVEN ALL THAT THERE IS MOUNTING PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT TO DISTRIBUTE MORE SUPPLY TO STATES LIKE OURS WITH RISING CASES.

BUT WILL THE WHITE HOUSE SHIFT ITS POLICY TO PRIORITIZE HOTSPOTS?

>> I THINK IF WE PUT THE FIRE OUT AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE IT WILL BE BENEFICIAL.

>> Reporter: THIS EPIDEMIOLOGIST COMPARES COVID TO A NATIONWIDE FIRESTORM.

JUST FIVE STATES INCLUDING NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 44% OF THE VIRUS INFECTIONS IN THE U.S., ALMOST HALF.

JUST LIKE WE REST RESOURCES TO STAMP OUT FIRE OUTBREAKS, THEY SHOULD SURGE EXTRA VACCINES INTO STATES WHERE COVID IS BURNING HOTTER.

UK STRAIN IS THE MOST PREVALENT STRAIN IN THE U.S. >> WHAT WE SEE WITH THIS VARIANT IS IT SEEMS TO HAVE A DEADLIER ASPECT TO IT.

AND IT IS VERY CONTAGIOUS.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO INFUSE THOSE VACCINATIONS INTO THE COMMUNITY AT A HIGH RATE, THEN IT MAKES THIS A REAL POSSIBILITY FOR THE VARIANT TO BE SPREADING.

>> WHAT YOU DO IS YOU RECOGNIZE THE HOTSPOTS AND YOU TARGET YOUR EFFORTS INTO THOSE HOTSPOTS.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT WILL PERPETUATE THE DISEASE WITHIN THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THE RUTGERS DEAN POINTED TO PLACES LIKE FLORIDA WHERE SPRING BREAK CHAOS IS APPARENTLY DRIVING AN INFECTION SPIKE.

BUT ALSO TO PEOPLE'S COVID THE TO GET HOME.

OR VACCINES IS AN EASY FIX.

>> WE CAN PUT A NEEDLES IN SOMEBODY'S ARM AND NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT THEY DO AFTERWARDS.

THAT IS WHY PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON THE VACCINE.

I THINK THE PROBLEM HERE IS, PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR CHANGED IN PREPARATION FOR REACHING HERD IMMUNITY.

>> WHERE YOU ARE SEEING CASES SURGE IS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE PRIORITIZING ALLOCATION OF VACCINES.

I AM SURE THE STATE IS MAKING CLEAR THAT NEW JERSEY, BEING AS HIGH- RISK AS IT IS RIGHT NOW FOR INCREASING CASES, REALLY IS A NEED FOR MORE VACCINES.

>> Reporter: THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CEOs SAID JERSEY NEEDS MORE COVID SHOTS, DESPITE THE NEW FEMA MEGA SITE THAT HAS DELIVERED 44,000 SHOTS ON TOP OF THE USUAL FEDERAL VACCINE ALLOCATION.

ASKED WHETHER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL DELIVER EXTRA VACCINE, WHITE HOUSE SENIOR COVID ADVISOR AGAIN REPLIED -- >> NOTHING IS OFF THE TABLE IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN THE TERMS OF SUPPORT THAT WE CAN PROVIDE.

WE WILL KEEP OPTIONS OPEN.

>> Reporter: HE EXPLAINED FEDERAL VACCINE ALLOCATION BASED LARGELY ON POPULATION.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THEY ARE IN TOUCH WITH THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> WHAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF HIS SUPPLY AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO POUND AWAY ON.

THIS IS NOT AN ADVERSARIAL RELATIONSHIP.

IT IS CONSTRUCTIVE.

THERE IS A SUPPLY DEMAND REALITY FOR THEM AS WELL.

>> Reporter: JERSEYS COVID MAP IS SOLID ORANGE SHOWING HIGH LEVELS OF VIRUS ACTIVITY AND ALL COUNTIES AND ITS HONORABLE PACT BETWEEN NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA WERE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS ALSO FAN THE FLAMES OF INFECTION.

UNIVERSITY'S DR. SAID HE BELIEVES INCREASED TESTING WILL CONFIRM THE VARIANT DOMINATES NEW CASES IN NEW JERSEY.

>> IT IS CONCERNING.

THAT VARIANT IS NOT ONLY MORE TRANSMISSIBLE BUT MORE SEVERE CLINICALLY.

IT DOES EXPLAIN WHY WE ARE SEEING YOUNGER FOLKS BEING ADMITTED TO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL WITH COVID-19 AT DEMOGRAPHICS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THE RATES OF ADMISSIONS WE SEE NOW.

>> Reporter: HE SAID VACCINES AND MITIGATION CAN STOP IT BUT ONLY OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND JERSEY RESIDENTS COOPERATE.

>>> THE GOVERNOR EXPECTS THE STATE WILL HAVE 5 MILLION TOTAL SHOTS IN ARMS BY WEEKS END.

MAYBE EVEN AS SOON AS TOMORROW, WITH NEARLY 4.9 MILLION DOSES GIVEN AS OF TODAY AND SHY OF 1.9 MILLION RESIDENTS FULLY VACCINATED.

MURPHY IN THE FIRST LADY WILL GET THEIR FIRST SHOTS ON FRIDAY AT THE ATLANTIC CITY MEGA SITE.

THEY ARE PART OF THE EXPANDED GROUP MADE ELIGIBLE THIS WEEK.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID SUPPLY FROM JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS EXPECTED TO DROP SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS BY 95%.

DUE TO THE RECENT MIXUP AT A BALTIMORE FACTORY.

YOU WILL WANT TO HAVE ALL YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW WHEN YOU GO TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO SECURING YOUR SPOT INCLUDING A Q&A ALONG WITH IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

>>> MORE CASES ARE BEING LINKED TO SCHOOL OUTBREAKS.

OVER 1000 AS OF TODAY CAUSING A NUMBER OF DISTRICTS TO MOVE TO REMOTE LEARNING PREEMPTIVELY AFTER SPRING BREAK.

10 GLENROCK, STUDENTS RETURNED AND THEN THEY HAD TO SWITCH TO AN ALL REMOTE LEARNING PLAN.

24 STUDENTS TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS.

CONTACT TRACERS BELIEVE THEY WERE EXPOSED OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.

ANOTHER DISTRICT IS MOVING AHEAD WITH REOPENING.

NEWARK IS AMONG THEM.

AFTER BEING VIRTUAL FOR 13 MONTHS, THEY WILL START A HYBRID SCHEDULE STARTING APRIL 12.

WE REPORT ON WHAT IT TOOK TO SECURE THE RETURN.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS A PALPABLE SENSE OF EXCITEMENT FROM NEWARK SUPERINTENDENT AS HE PREPARED FOR THE RETURN OF STUDENTS TO CLASSROOMS.

IN THE STATE'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> IT IS ALMOST AN AWAKENING, IF YOU WILL, WHERE EVERYONE IS BACK TO ALMOST NORMAL.

EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW IT IS NOT THE NORMAL WE LEFT IN MARCH.

IT IS AN ACTUAL GREAT MOMENT IN TIME.

NOT ONLY FOR OUR TEACHERS, BUT STUDENTS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: STARTING MONDAY UNDER STRICT MASKING AND DISTANCING GUIDELINES, NEWARK SCHOOLS WILL BE ON A HYBRID, IN PERSON INSTRUCTION MODEL.

WITH KIDS IN CLASSROOMS MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS OR THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS, WITH WEDNESDAY RESERVED FOR DEEP CLEANING OF SCHOOLS.

FOR THIS NINTH GRADE TEACHER, PREPARING TO GET BACK INTO THE PHYSICAL ROUTINE OF GETTING UP AND OUT OF THE HOUSE AND GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, WILL BE HER CHALLENGE, AS FOR WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE VIRTUAL BECOMES THE IN PERSON -- >> I WILL DO WHAT I ALWAYS DO.

THAT IS LOVE ON THEM.

IT IS JUST NOW CATCHING THOSE STUDENTS UP TO ACADEMICS.

AND PROVIDING THE NECESSARY SKILLS.

I KNOW I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GO RIGHT INTO INSTRUCTION.

IT WILL ALMOST BE LIKE STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS THREE CHILDREN IN THE CITY SCHOOLS.

LIKE A LOT OF PARENTS, INCLUDING MANY WHO THEMSELVES ARE WORKING FROM HOME, DOING DOUBLE DUTY AS PARENT AND HALL MONITOR CAN BE A CHALLENGE.

>> THE INTERNET AND ONLINE IS A BLESSING AND A CURSE.

A BLESSING BECAUSE WE MANAGED TO GO TO VIRTUAL LEARNING IN SUCH A RAPID PACE.

BUT A CURSE BECAUSE THEY FINISH THE CLASS SO THEY CAN GO TO ONLINE GAMING.

IT IS KIND OF LIKE TO TRY TO MANAGE THESE TWO, HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE.

>> Reporter: KIDS GOT TO BE KIDS AND PARENTS KNOW THAT THE JOY OF HAVING THEIR YOUNGSTERS UNDER THE SAME ROOF IS A BLESSING, BY AND LARGE.

BUT THIS WOMAN PUT THREE KIDS THROUGH COLLEGE IN THE PRE- PANDEMIC DAYS SAYS THAT WHILE SHE LOVES HEARING HER GRANDCHILDREN PRACTICING PIANO OR SHARING THEIR ARTWORK, SHE KNOWS THEY NEED TO BE AROUND PEERS.

>> I KNOW THEY MISS THAT SOCIALIZATION PIECE OF BEING THERE AND NOT ALL TEACHERS ARE EQUAL.

AND NOT ALL STUDENTS ARE EQUAL.

THE ENGAGING PIECE IS WHAT IS MISSING ONLINE.

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST IN THE PROCESS, YOU AND I COULD HANDLE IT A LOT BETTER.

CERTAINLY FOR SOME OF THEM THEY NEED TO HAVE A PERSON IN FRONT OF THEM.

TO KIND OF MOTIVATE THEM.

>> Reporter: LEARNING LOSS IS REAL.

EVEN IN DISTRICTS THAT DON'T FACE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT LARGE URBAN DISTRICTS LIKE NEWARK DO.

HOW TO MAKE IT UP IS A CONUNDRUM PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS ARE WORKING ON SOLVING RIGHT NOW.

>> IT WILL NOT BE AN EXTENSION OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, BUT IT WILL BE AN EXTENDED SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM.

I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF STAFF TO HANDLE THE SITUATION.

THEY ARE PREPARING THAT AND WORKING OUT SCHEDULES AND CONTACTING PARENTS AND STUDENTS WHO ARE DEMONSTRATING DEFICIENCIES.

AND NEED THE EXTRA ASSISTANCE.

>> Reporter: IT WILL NOT BE A NORMAL SCHOOL YEAR, BUT IN NEWARK AND OTHER DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE THE PROCESS OF DEFINING THE NEW NORMAL BEGINS ON MONDAY.

>>> A NEW BODY CAMERA PILOT PROGRAM IS ROLLING UP FOR OFFICERS AT A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR WOMEN.

THE PRISON HAS BEEN UNDER SCRUTINY AFTER YEARS OF SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS IN A RECENT VIOLENT ATTACK AGAINST INMATES.

80 CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THAT CASE SO FAR.

THE FACILITY WAS ALSO CALLED OUT IN A FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PROBE LAST SPRING FOR ALLOWING RAMPANT SEXUAL ABUSE TO BE QUOTE AN OPEN SECRET.

THE BODY CAMERA PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO GIVE MORE OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY INSIDE PRISONS.

TOMORROW THEY WILL TESTIFY BEFORE LAWMAKERS.

THE SPECIAL SESSION TOMORROW TAKES PLACE AS THE LEGISLATURE HEARS FROM THE PUBLIC ON GOVERNOR MURPHY'S NEARLY $45 BILLION SPENDING PLAN WITH SOME QUESTIONING THE STATES PANDEMIC RELATED BORROWING LAST YEAR.

>>> THE FISCAL PITCHER LOOKS BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

THE NUMBER OF ESSENTIAL IMMIGRANT WORKERS WANT LAWMAKERS TO SET ASIDE SOME OF THE COVID RELIEF MONEY FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

RALLYING OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE AND STARTING A MULTI-DAY FAST SAYING NEW JERSEY IS LEFT OUT OF RELIEF AID.

THE STATE IS GETTING READY TO RECEIVE ABOUT $6 BILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

HEARINGS INTO THE SPENDING OR TENSE AGAIN TODAY.

BUDGET AND FINANCE REPORTER HAS THE LATEST.

>> THE GRILLING CONTINUE TODAY ON THE ADMINISTRATION, ESPECIALLY FROM REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS.

>> Reporter: IT SURE DID.

THIS BORROWING ISSUE CONTINUES TO BE A SOURCE OF CONTENTION IN BUDGET HEARINGS.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THE REVENUE NUMBERS HAVE COME IN A LOT BETTER IN THE MONTHS SINCE THE STATE BORROWED NEARLY $4 BILLION WHEN IT WAS PROJECTING SIGNIFICANT LOSSES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF SECOND- GUESSING IN THE COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

BUT THE TREASURER IS DEFENDING THE DECISION TO ISSUE THIS DEBT SAYING AT THE TIME THE ADMINISTRATION JUST DID NOT KNOW HOW THIS WAS WANT TO PLAY OUT.

IF IT AT WORK THE OTHER WAY AND THE LOSSES WERE WORSE, BETTER TO BE PREPARED THE NOT PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES.

>> DID WE GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER ON HOW THEY PLAN TO PRIORITIZE THE DEBT?

>> Reporter: IN SOME WAYS WE DID .

THERE IS ALSO THE BIG BATCH OF FEDERAL MONEY THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE USED FOR DEBT REDUCTION.

IT WAS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE THAT WAS DISCUSSED.

EVEN THOUGH LAWMAKERS AT TIMES WERE FRUSTRATED THAT THE WAY THE EMERGENCY BOND ISSUE A STRUCTURED MUSIC CANNOT BE RETIRED EARLY, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION MADE CLEAR IN THE HEARINGS THAT YOU COULD PAY OFF OTHER BONDED DEBT.

NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE MOST INDEBTED STATES IN THE COUNTRY AND A LOT OF THAT DEBT HAS A HIGHER INTEREST RATE THAN THE STATE ENDED UP GETTING ON ITS EMERGENCY BONDS.

ALMOST LIKE PAYING DOWN YOUR HEFTY CREDIT CARD DEBT, INSTEAD OF PAYING OFF YOUR MORTGAGE EARLY, THE INTEREST RATE IS PROBABLY HIGHER ON THE CREDIT CARD DEBT.

>> WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE TOLD TO DO WITH OUR OWN PERSONAL FINANCES.

THE FEDERAL AID, THERE WAS A RALLY TODAY SPECIFICALLY TARGETING THE MONEY.

ANY NEWS?

>> Reporter: IT IS STILL THE SAME FROM TREASURY AND WAITING FOR GUIDANCE FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IN TERMS OF EXACTLY HOW IT CAN BE USED.

A LITTLE BIT OF A COMMITMENT TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH LAWMAKERS OR AT LEAST AN OPENNESS TO DO THAT GOING FORWARD.

>> WE HEARD THE GOVERNOR SAY TODAY AS IT PERTAINS TO THE UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS HE IS HOPING THAT THEY CAN COME TO SOME AGREEMENT WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

>>> LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY IS FOREVER CHANGED BY THIS PANDEMIC.

BUT COULD IT BE FOR THE BETTER?

WE TAKE A DEEPER LOOK ALONG WITH TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER FOR NEW JERSEY'S VAST HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.

A NEW REPORT LOOKS AT HOW THE INDUSTRY CAN EMERGE STRONGER AND WORK BETTER.

TODAY THE NEW JERSEY HEALTHCARE QUALITY INSTITUTE IN -- RELEASED A REPORT WITH TWO DOZEN RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE QUALITY INSTITUTE SAID THE GOAL IS TO BE BETTER PREPARED FOR THE NEXT CRISIS.

>> STRONGER PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE.

WITH REINFORCED, MORE RESILIENT HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE.

AND WITH SYSTEMS IN PLACE THAT REALLY HELP THE PUBLIC HAVE TRUST AND CONNECTION TO HEALTH CARE.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT CALLS FOR DEVELOPING AND RETAINING HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND SUPPORTING NEW PAYMENT AND DELIVERY MODELS LIKE TELEHEALTH.

AND MAKING SURE THAT MORE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

THEY SAY TO DO ALL THIS, INVESTMENTS WILL NEED TO BE MADE.

>> CERTAINLY THERE WILL BE COST .

HOPEFULLY SOME OF THE FEDERAL MONIES WILL BE PUT TO GOOD USE IN TERMS OF BRINGING SOME OF THIS CHANGE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT NOTES THAT NEW JERSEY'S HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE UNDER RESOURCED , WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER STATES .

RANKING 41st OUT OF 50 STATES AND PUBLIC HEALTH EXPENDITURES.

NEW LABOR AGREEMENTS BETWEEN RECORDS UNIVERSITIES AND SOME LARGE FACULTY AND STAFF UNIONS OF ART LAYOFFS THROUGH THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR.

BUT SOME WORKERS WILL HAVE TO TAKE FURLOUGH DAYS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

PAY INCREASES OUR OWN EYES UNTIL JULY 1 AND A HIRING FREEZE ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT.

BUSINESS GROUPS ARE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO RAISE CORPORATE TAXES.

THE PLAN WHICH WAS FORMALLY RELEASED TODAY WOULD RAISE THE TAX RATE TO 28% FROM 21%.

SOME NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS ARE SAYING ANY TAX CODE CHANGES SHOULD INCLUDE REPEALING THE SALT TAX WHICH HURT HIGH TAX STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY.

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

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY CGI.

CGI IS A GLOBAL IT AND BUSINESS CONSULTING SERVICES FIRM.

WE HAVE BEEN HELPING GOVERNMENTS AND PRIVATE SECTOR CLIENTS IN NEW JERSEY WITH EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS FOR 30 YEARS.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES AT LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SERVICES@CGI.COM.

NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

THEY OFFER PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

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

LEARN MORE AT, NJCU .EDU.

AND SJ MAGAZINE, THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY ONLINE .

>>> EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE MARKET TO BUY A HOME IT HAS BEEN TOUGH TO MISS THE HEADLINES ABOUT THE PANDEMIC IGNITED HOUSING BOOM.

SALES ARE HITTING PEAKS NOT SEEN SINCE THE MID-2000 AND LIMITED SUPPLY IS SPARKING OUTRAGEOUS BIDDING WARS.

SOMETHING THE HIGH PRICES ARE BUILDING ANOTHER HOUSING BUBBLE JUST READY TO BURST.

BUT THAT ANOMIC AND INDUSTRY EXPERTS SAY NOT SO.

THIS MARKET IS A NEW GAME.

>> I JUST FELT IT.

>> Reporter: THIS NEWLY ENGAGED RESIDENT SAID HE AND HIS FIANCC FIXER-UPPER.

>> YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE.

>> BEFORE I DID MYSELF.

>> Reporter: IT TOOK EIGHT MONTHS SEARCHING AND SEVERAL OFFERS TO FIND AND CLOSE ON A HOME.

THEY SIMPLY KEPT GETTING OUTBID.

>> THE SELLERS PRETTY MUCH EXPERIENCING BIDDING WARS AND BUYERS PRETTY MUCH COMING IN AT FULL ASK OR OVER.

>> Reporter: THE REAL ESTATE AGENT SAID IT REMINDS HER OF THE 2006 MARKET.

LOW INVENTORY, HIGH DEMAND.

PEOPLE PAYING UPWARDS OF $60,000 OVER ASKING PRICE.

DO YOU FEAR WHAT HAPPENED BACK THEN WILL HAPPEN NOW IN TERMS OF A POTENTIAL CRASH?

>> I DON'T SEE A MAJOR CRASH.

ONLY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY GUIDELINES TO GETTING THESE LOANS.

BEFORE THEY WERE HANDING THEM OUT TO ANYBODY.

NOW THEY ARE HANDING THEM OUT TO BUYERS THAT ARE EXTREMELY QUALIFIED.

SO YOU HAVE TOP DOG BUYERS AGAINST EACH OTHER.

THAT HAVE GOOD JOBS.

SAVED ALL THEIR MONEY.

IT IS TOUGH.

>> THERE IS PLENTY OF FIRST- TIME HOMEBUYERS THAT QUALIFY.

THEY NEED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND THEY HAVE THE MONEY DOWN.

TO QUALIFY FOR THE LOAN.

BUT THEY ARE BEING SHUT OUT BECAUSE THERE IS MULTIPLE OFFERS ON THE TABLE.

AND PEOPLE ARE BIDDING OVER THE ASKING PRICE.

>> Reporter: HE IS PRESIDENT- ELECT OF NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

HE SAID WHAT IS HAPPENING ALL ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

>> THE LUXURY MARKET, SECOND HOME, VACATION MARKET, WE SEE PEOPLE THAT WOULD TYPICALLY PAY CASH NOW GETTING A MORTGAGE BECAUSE MORTGAGE MONEY IS A LOT LESS THAN DIVESTING THEIR ENTIRE PORTFOLIO TO COME TO THE TABLE WITH CASH.

IN A MIDMARKET OR MOVED UP MARKET, THAT $600,000 UP TO $900,000 RANGE, WE SEE PEOPLE COMING TO THE TABLE EITHER AS CASH OR WITH MORE MONEY DOWN.

WE SEE UPWARDS OF 25% OR 35% DOWN PAYMENTS.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE BUYER FOR THE PROPERTY.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF HER CLIENTS ARE MILLENNIALS WHO SAVED UP MONEY WAITING FOR A MOMENT LIKE THIS ONE.

A PANDEMIC THAT MAKES YOU REEVALUATE APARTMENT LIVING VERSUS SUBURBAN LIFE.

THE OTHER PART IS LOCAL INTEREST RATES.

>> LIKE JUNE 2020 WAS NOT BAD BUT THEN I WOULD SAY BY JULY, IT WAS INSANE.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE IT IS A SELLERS MARKET YOU HAVE TO BE INNOVATIVE WITH OFFERS FOR THIS HOME SHE OFFERED THE SELLER AS IS EXCEPT FOR ANYTHING HAZARDOUS, STRUCTURAL OR MECHANICAL.

THEY WERE ABLE TO PAY $5000 UNDER LISTING PRICE.

>> I HAD BEEN IN TOWN MY WHOLE LIFE.

MY WHOLE FAMILY IS IN TOWN.

MY BUSINESS IS IN TOWN.

NO REASON TO MOVE.

WE HAVE ALWAYS LOVED IT HERE.

>> Reporter: THEY SPENT $20,000 MORE THAN HE ORIGINALLY WANTED TO PAY.

HE SAID THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE BEEN SAVING.

>>> MUCH OF THE HOLDUP FINALIZING THE STATES LEGAL WEED LAW CENTERED ON ENSURING MINORS WERE NOT BEING GROUPED INTO THE ADULT USE MARKET.

INTERNATIONAL STUDY FINDS GOOD REASON FOR THE CONCERN AND IT SHOWS THAT ADOLESCENTS AND TEENS WHO TRY MARIJUANA ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME DEPENDENT ON IT JUST ONE YEAR LATER.

BY YEAR THREE, 20% OF THE SAME AGE GROUP DEVELOPED A SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER ACCORDING TO RESEARCHERS AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE.

THIS PEDIATRICIAN AT ST. JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER SAID DOCTORS NEED TO START SCREENING TEENS NOT JUST ADULTS FOR MARIJUANA USE.

SHE JOINS US NOW.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE STUDY AND I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT 11% OF TEENS AND ADULTS THAT WERE FOUND TO BE DEPENDENT A YEAR LATER, DID THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> IT ACTUALLY DID NOT SURPRISE ME.

WE HAVE KNOWN FOR QUITE SOME TIME THAT TEENS WHO USE SUBSTANCES AT AN EARLIER AGE ARE MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP SUBSTANCE ABUSE DEPENDENCY.

THIS STUDY, IT REALLY JUST SHOWED US THE DATA THAT REALLY SUPPORTED WHAT WE ALREADY KNEW.

>> Reporter: DOES THAT KIND OF JIVE WITH WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN YEARS PAST WITH RELATION TO TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL USE AMONG THIS AGE GROUP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT ANY TYPE OF SUBSTANCE USE IN THIS AGE GROUP.

WE DO KNOW THAT THE TEEN BRAIN DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO BE VERY VULNERABLE.

WE CONSTANTLY COUNSEL THAT IT DOES NOT MATURE UNTIL THE MID- 20s.

WHETHER IT IS ALCOHOL OR COCAINE OR PRESCRIPTION USE THAT IS ABUSED OR CANNABIS, WE HAVE BEEN VERY WORRIED ABOUT A VARIETY OF SUBSTANCES THAT OUR KIDS ARE EXPOSED TO.

>> Reporter: THIS IS BEEN PART OF THE DEBATE ABOUT THE ADULT USE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY IN NEW JERSEY.

ENSURING THAT MINORS DON'T GET GROUPED IN.

FROM YOUR VANTAGE POINT, HASN'T BEEN ENOUGH OF THE CONVERSATION , KNOWING WHAT THE STUDY SHOWS?

>> I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING NATIONALLY ABOUT ADULTS USING MARIJUANA, WE STILL NEED TO COUNSEL OUR KIDS.

WE DO NOT THINK THAT CANNABIS USE UNDER ANY RECREATIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE IS A GOOD IDEA FOR THE KIDS.

THERE ARE LOTS OF REASONS THAT TEENS CAN BE DRAWN TO USING THE SUBSTANCES BUT MAYBE NOT HAVE THE DECISION-MAKING CENTER OF THE BRAIN MATURE TO MAKE THE DECISIONS.

>> Reporter: HOW EFFECTIVE ARE THE SCREENINGS THAT YOU DO AND YOU TEACH THOSE UP AND COMING IN THE MEDICAL WORLD TO DO IN TARGETING AND HELPING THESE ADOLESCENTS WHEN YOU DETECT THEY ARE USING?

>> A LOT OF PEDIATRICS IS ABOUT PREVENTATIVE CARE AND COUNSELING.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY TALKING ABOUT ARE YOU BEING EXPOSED TO VAPING?

ARE YOU BEING EXPOSED TO MARIJUANA?

ARE YOU EXPOSED TO ALCOHOL?

WHAT ARE YOUR FRIENDS DOING?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT HOME?

HAVE YOU TRIED THIS AND HOW OFTEN ARE YOU USING THAT?

I THINK MAKING A CONNECTION WITH THE PATIENTS IN THE OFFICE IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL.

A LOT OF KIDS ARE SHY THE FIRST TIME THEY MEET YOU.

IT IS NOT SURPRISING IF THEY DON'T WANT TO SAY EVERYTHING ON THE FIRST VISIT.

AND HOPEFULLY OVER TIME, WHAT IS NEEDED IS THE BOND BETWEEN THE PHYSICIAN AND THE PATIENT SO THEY CAN ESTABLISH TRUST.

AND HOPEFULLY OVER MULTIPLE VISITS OF EARLY COUNSELING ABOUT IT WE HAVE GIVEN THEM THE TOOLS TO MAKE SOUND DECISIONS.

TO BE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT WHEN THEY NEED TO SEEK HELP TO STOP.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>>> THIS WEEK JOIN DAVID ON CHAT BOX FOR A SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE LUCAS BROTHERS.

A COMEDY DUO ORIGINALLY FROM NEWARK WHO COWROTE THE OSCAR- NOMINATED DRAMA, JUDAS IN THE BLACK MESSIAH.

THEY DISCUSS HOW GROWING UP SHAKE THEIR COMITY AND THEIR LIVES.

THEN HE GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE.

YOU CAN CATCH THAT LIVE THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME OR ASK THEM LIVE ON THE SHOW.

THE FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS SO YOU NEVER MISS A THING.

>>> FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP .

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

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>>> IN UNCERTAIN TIMES YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

THAT IS WHY AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY.

MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE.

ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND WE CAN HELP.

BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES.

ALL THE TIME.