>>> FUNDING FOR GO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS BROUGHT TO YOU BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP SERVING INSURANCE NEEDS OF DISMISSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND HORIZON, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH Brianna Vannozi.

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

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG TOUCHED DOWN IN NEW JERSEY TODAY, MAKING IT OFFICIAL.

CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW PORTAL NORTHBRIDGE WILL FINALLY BEGIN.

THE 110 YEAR OLD ORIGINAL RESTING SPAN HAS BEEN A BOTTLENECK FOR RAIL SERVICE INTO AND OUT OF NEWARK STATION FOR YEARS, AND IT IS A CRITICAL PIECE TO THE WATCHER GATEWAY PROGRAM THAT WILL EVENTUALLY DOUBLE RAIL CAPACITY BETWEEN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ WAS THERE FOR THE GROUNDBREAKING.

>> Reporter: YOU KNOW IT IS A SPECIAL OCCASION WHEN THEY BRING OUT TO THE GOLDEN SHOVEL.

SO IT WAS TODAY AS GOVERNOR MURPHY, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG, THE STATE'S TWO SENATORS, HALF THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ON TOGETHER TO BREAK GROUND ON A NEW PORTAL BRIDGE.

THE EVENT 100 YEARS IN THE MAKING .

>> THIS IS THE BEST WAY I CAN THINK UP TO START A MONDAY MORNING.

THE WORST WAY I CAN THINK TO START A MONDAY MORNING IS LATE TO WORK.

AND FOR SO MANY COMMUTERS, IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO NOTE THAT YOU COULD COUNT ON OUR 111-YEAR- OLD INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT IS THE VERY FINEST, STATE-OF- THE-ART ENGINEERING OF THE TEDDY ROOSEVELT ADMINISTRATION.

BUT, WE NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT, AND SOMETHING BETTER.

>> Reporter: BY NOW YOU'VE HEARD THE STORIES OF WORKERS HAVING TO RESET TO THE TRACKS ON THE BRIDGE BY USING SLEDGEHAMMERS.

EVERY OPENING AND CLOSING IS AN ADVENTURE, AND WHEN YOU ARE ON ONE OF THESE TRAINS HEADING TO OR FROM WORK, FEWER THINGS ARE MORE FRUSTRATING.

BUT, A CHANGE IS COMING, SAID THE GOVERNOR, WHO NOTED THAT THIS WAS THE FOURTH STAR- STUDDED EVENT THEY HAVE HELPED IN THE SHADOW OF THE BRIDGE.

THE FIRST ONE WHERE HE COULD OFFICIALLY SAY: >> TODAY IS THE DAY THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW PORTAL NORTHBRIDGE, ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL CONNECTION POINTS ALONG THE ENTIRE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR DOOR, BEGINS IN EARNEST.

>> Reporter: NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON BECAUSE NOT ONLY IS IT LONG OVERDUE, BUT IN JUST THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE COST OF THE PROJECT, NOW PROJECTED AT JUST UNDER $3 BILLION, HAS GONE UP $1 BILLION.

NJ TRANSIT BUS KEVIN CORBETT PROMISED COMMUTER RELIEF IN OUR LIFETIME .

>> BEFORE I WRAP UP I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THIS WILL NOT BE A 20-YEAR PROJECT.

THE FIRST TRACKS OF THE NEW BRIDGE ARE SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN 2026.

I KNOW QUITE A FEW OF MY FELLOW COMMUTERS WHO HAVE THAT THEY MUST ON THEIR CALENDAR.

>> Reporter: ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE, BUT THERE WAS OPTIMISTIC TALK ABOUT HOW THE PORTAL BRIDGE PROJECT WILL BE JUST THE BEGINNING OF GREEN LIT GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT THAT WILL INCREASE COMMUTER CAPACITY, AND TO GENERATE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DO ALL THE THINGS THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

IT WAS A CELEBRATION FOR INCUMBENT HOUSE DEMOCRATS, BUT SENATOR BOOKER STUCK A MORE COMBATIVE TONE .

>> THIS IS NOT CHARITY.

THIS IS INVESTING IN THE MOST PROFITABLE REGION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR EVERY DOLLAR OF INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTED, WE ARE GETTING MORE THAN FIVE BACK IN ECONOMIC GROWTH.

SO, TODAY I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I HAVE TO GET IT OFF MY CHEST.

I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH OTHER COUNTRIES OUT AMERICA US.

WE ARE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THIS IS NEW JERSEY.

WE DEFINED INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE PLANET EARTH.

>> Reporter: NOT TO BE OUT AMERICA, POLITICS WAS VERY MUCH ON DISPLAY HERE WHICH MOST OF THE DEMOCRATS MAKING THEMSELVES AVAILABLE TO TAKE A SHARE OF THE CREDIT FOR AN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT THAT PROMISES TO MAKE COMMUTING LIFE A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> THERE IS EVEN MORE REASON TO REMIND THE WHITE HOUSE OF THE STATES PROXIMITY TO NEW YORK WHEN BUYING FOR MORE MONKEYPOX VACCINES.

THIS WEEKEND MAYOR ERIC ADAMS DID DECLARED A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO THE KEY PARTS OUTBREAK IN NEW YORK CITY.

THE CITY ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 25% OF ALL CASES NATIONALLY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY, WHILE AT THIS MORE MORNINGS GROUNDBREAKING SAID WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

HE DOES NOT FORESEE MAKING A SIMILAR DECLARATION IN NEW JERSEY.

BUT A SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTED, MONKEYPOX VACCINE DEMAND IS FAR OUTPACING SUPPLY .

>> WHEN YOU SAW THE LINE OF PEOPLE AT THE DOOR , IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING HOW MUCH SOMEBODY WANTED THIS VACCINE.

>> Reporter: RATE WELSH WANTED AND GOT HIS FIRST MONKEYPOX SHOT FRIDAY , AMONG THE FIRST 100 CLIENTS TO THE VACCINATION.

HE IS AN ADVOCATE FOR FOLKS WITH HIV-A.I.D.S.

AND FELT LUCKY TO BOOK A SLOT BECAUSE THE VACCINE IS IN VERY SHORT SUPPLY.

NEW JERSEY GOT JUST 2800 DOSES IN THE FIRST SHIPMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, DIVVYING UP AMONGST FIVE VEXING SLOTS .

>> WE GOT 300 VACCINE FOR THE FIRST GO AROUND.

>> Reporter: 300 IS NOT A LOT PICKS IT'S NOT A LOT .

>> I FELT PRIVILEGED.

WORKING IN PUBLIC HEALTH I AM CONSTANTLY AROUND OTHER PEOPLE.

IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO STARTED GOING BACK OUT AND GOING TO CLUBS AND SHOWS AND ALL OF THESE VENUES IN NEW YORK, WHICH IS THE EPICENTER RIGHT NOW.

>> THERE IS AN UNDERLYING FEAR WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY WILL BE EXPOSED, THEY WILL GET SIX.

>> Reporter: JERSEYS MONKEYPOX JUMPED TO 155.

NEW YORK, WHICH ALMOST 1300 CASES AS OF FRIDAY MEETS THE U.S., WHICH REPORTED MORE THAN 5000 CASES NATIONWIDE.

WHILE ANYONE CAN CONTRACT THE VIRUS, CASES SO FAR PREDOMINATE AMONGST MEN WHO ARE AND BISEXUAL .

>> THIS IS NOT A SEXUAL DISEASE.

THIS IS A DISEASE THAT IS SPREAD BY TOUCH AND HUMAN CONTACT.

IN ALL LIKELIHOOD THE STRATEGY OF FOCUSING ON JUST GETTING BISEXUAL MEN IS GOING TO LEAD TO A SITUATION WHERE IT IS SPREAD MORE WIDELY INTO THE POPULATION.

>> Reporter: ANYONE CAN GET IT, THE CDC HAS REPORTED MONKEYPOX CASES AND TWO CHILDREN AND A PREGNANT WOMEN .

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE THE PUSTULE RASH, FEVER, AND FATIGUE.

AND ANTIVIRAL TREATMENT MUST BE SPECIALLY ORDERED FROM THE CDC .

>> THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER IT AS NEEDED.

THIS PAST WEEKEND WE HAVE HAD SOMEBODY IN NEW JERSEY, WITH IN OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM, WHO GOT TREATED.

>> Reporter: MONKEYPOX VACCINES MANUFACTURED BY A COMPANY CALLED BAVARIAN NORDIC IN DENMARK.

THEY ARE SWAMPED BY DEMAND.

THE U.S. JUST ORDERED A HALF 1 MILLION MORE DOSES, BUT THE DELIVERY DATE ARE SOMETIME IN LATE FALL OUR PERHAPS AT THE END OF OCTOBER.

ARE WE HEADED TOWARD A VACCINE CLIP?

>> APPOINTMENTS ARE BEING FILLED IN EIGHT MINUTES.

IF THERE ARE LINES, ENDLESSLY GOING AROUND THE BLOCK FOR THE VACCINE.

YOU HAVE A POPULATION THAT IS REALLY WILLING TO ENGAGE IN THE VACCINATION PROGRAM.

WE CANNOT GET ENOUGH VACCINES.

THAT IS SUCH A MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ANOTHER 2700 DOSES BUT GOVERNOR MURPHY IS PUSHING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO RECALCULATE THE VACCINE ALLOCATION FORMULA AND SEND A LOT MORE TO NEW JERSEY, NOTING THE PROXIMITY TO THE MONKEYPOX EPICENTER IN NEW YORK CITY.

THE VACCINE SHORTFALL REMAINS ACUTE.

CRITICS CHARGE U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS REACTED FAR TOO SLOWLY WHEN THE DISEASE EMERGED.

>> IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.

IT KIND OF FEELS LIKE, BECAUSE A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION HAS BEEN ISOLATED AND POINTED OUT AGAIN, THAT THEY STOLE ON THIS WHOLE MATTER .

>> IT KIND OF FEELS THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: SOME COMMUNITIES IN NEW YORK REPORTED SCHEDULING ONLY ONE OF THE TWO REQUIRED DOSES TO SPREAD THE VACCINE TO A LARGER GROUP, NOT NEW JERSEY.

VICTOR IS SCHEDULING A SECOND DOSE WHEN CLIENTS GET THE FIRST SHOT, HOPING TO GET MORE VACCINE.

IN PARAMUS, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> ADULTS UNDER 50 WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THAT SECOND COVID- 19 BOOSTER SHOT.

THE FDA HAS DECIDED AGAINST MAKING IT AVAILABLE FOR THAT AGE GROUP THIS SUMMER.

IT IS ALL IN FAVOR OF THE NEW, REFORMULATED VACCINE THAT WILL HOPEFULLY ROLLOUT IN SEPTEMBER, ACCORDING TO THE AGENCY.

IT'S DESIGNED TO GET STRONGER PROTECTION AGAINST THE OVERGROWN SUB VARIANCE, PARTICULARLY THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS BA.5 STRAIN.

OLDER AMERICANS AND PEOPLE WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS ARE STILL BEING ENCOURAGED TO GET DOUBLE BOOSTED BEFORE THE FALL.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY TODAY, NEARLY 1200 NEW CASES, AND TWO CONFIRMED DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED.

SCIENTIST ARE ALSO TURNING THEIR ATTENTION TO THE LUCKY AND RARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MANAGED TO DODGE THE CORONAVIRUS FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS NOW.

WHILE OTHERS, NOT AS LUCKY, HAVE BEEN REINFECTED MULTIPLE TIMES.

SO, WHAT WITH CAN WE LEARN FROM IT QUICK?

DR. MARTIN BLASER AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY TO.

DR. BLASER, MY QUESTION IS, IS THERE SOMETHING SAFEGUARDING SPECIFIC PEOPLE FROM GETTING THIS VIRUS?

WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE ABLE TO INVADE IT WHILE OTHERS TEAMING WE GET REINFECTED?

>> WELL, THAT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS, EVEN THOUGH MY WIFE HAS, MY KIDS HAVE, ET CETERA.

SO, EITHER I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND JUST AVOIDED GETTING INFECTED, OR I HAD AN ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTION BECAUSE I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IMMUNITY FROM VACCINE.

FOR MOST PEOPLE, WE DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

IT COULD BE ONE OR THE OTHER.

>> Reporter: IS THERE ANYTHING LINKED TO GENETICS, T SELLS?

WHAT DO WE KNOW ON THE RESEARCH SO FAR?

>> THERE ARE SOME GENETIC MARKERS ABOUT SEVERITY.

I DON'T THINK THEY ARE REALLY STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THAT KIND OF DIFFERENCE.

BY NOW, MAYBE THREE QUARTERS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE HAD OBVIOUS EVIDENCE OF CONTRACTION.

THAT OTHER QUARTER OF THE PEOPLE, THAT IS KIND OF TOO BIG OF A GROUP TO ACCOUNT FOR T- CELLS ABNORMALITY.

>> WHAT ABOUT WITH THIS BA.5 SOME VARIANT, COULD THAT UP AND THE ROUGHLY 20 OR 25% OF AMERICANS WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE VIRUS OUTWARDLY?

>> YOU KNOW, THE THING ABOUT COVID IS THAT EVERY TIME WE THINK WE ARE OVER IT THERE IS A NEW SURPRISE.

BA.5 IS ONE OF THEM.

WE THOUGHT WE WERE REALLY THROUGH IT, BUT THIS VIRUS IS MORE INFECTIOUS THAN ALL THE OTHER ONES BEFORE.

AND IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE NEXT ONE, WHETHER IT IS SIX OR SEVEN WILL BE MORE INFECTIOUS.

THE VIRUS IS MUTATING TO BECOME MORE EASILY TRANSMISSIBLE FROM PERSON TO PERSON.

THAT IS THE DIRECTION OF EVOLUTION.

>> NOW, THE FDA IS LIMITING SECOND BOOSTERS IN FAVOR OF BOOSTERS BEING REDESIGNED FOR THE FALL, TO TARGET THE OMICRON VARIANT.

WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON THAT POSITION THAT THE FDA HAS TAKEN?

>> WELL, THE FDA, I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS THE FDA OR CDC, BUT THEY'VE RECENTLY SAID THAT EVERYBODY WHO IS OVER 50 SHOULD GET A SECOND BOOSTER, AND NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NEW VACCINE.

WE ARE HOPING THE NEW VACCINE IS GOING TO COME IN SEPTEMBER.

THERE MAY BE DELAYS IN SEPTEMBER MAYBE WHEN THE FIRST PEOPLE GET TO THE NEW VACCINE, BUT THE BULK OF THE PEOPLE, IT IS GOING TO BE A WILD.

IN THE MEANTIME, BA.5 IS CIRCULATING VERY WIDELY FOR AT LEAST 100,000 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE GETTING INFECTED EVERY DAY.

AND LOOKING AT THE DEATH RECORDS, IT IS STILL ABOUT 400 PEOPLE DYING EVERY DAY IN THE UNITED STATES.

IS FOUR JET PLANES CRASHING EVERY DAY.

DR. MARTIN BLASER, THANK YOU HAS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU, HAPPY TO HELP.

>>> THE DRAMA CONTINUES IN THE STATES CAPITAL CITY ARE TWO OF TRENTON MAYOR'S BIGGEST FOES HAVE FILED PETITIONS TO RUN AGAINST HIM IN NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT KATHY McBRIDE AND WEST BOARD COUNCILWOMAN ROBIN BONNER THROWING THEIR HATS INTO THE RACE.

BOTH COUNCILMEMBERS ARE FREQUENT THORNS IN THE MAYOR'S SIDE, VOTING TO BLOCK OR OF AND MANY OF HIS INITIATIVES.

WERE MOST RECENTLY NO-SHOWS TO A SPECIAL MEETING CALLED BY THE MAYOR TO FILL THE VACANT SEAT OF X AT-LARGE COUNCILMAN SANTIAGO RODRIGUEZ, FORCING THE MEETING TO AND WITHOUT A QUORUM.

VAUGHN IS A CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE IN TRENTON, WHO HAS PUBLICLY MADE HOMOPHOBIC AND BIGOTED SLURS.

THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN LOCKED IN BITTER DISPUTES OVER APPROVING BUDGETS AND OTHER PROGRAMMING FOR THE CITY.

SO MUCH SO, AT LEAST 27 CANDIDATES, INCLUDING THE MAYOR'S RACE, HAVE TAKEN UP PETITIONS TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

IT IS EXPECTED TO BE A BITTER BATTLE.

>>> FROM THE CITY COUNCIL TO SCHOOL BOARDS, BOTH BUNNIES OF ELECTED LEADERS ARE CRITICAL TO SETTING LOCAL POLICY.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS ARE TECHNICALLY NONPARTISAN, BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT GETTING INVOLVED.

A WAVE OF NEW ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE SWEEPING ACROSS NEW JERSEY AND THE COUNTRY, ALL IN AN EFFORT TO ELECT MORE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES TO THE BOARD'S.

TRANSFORMING THESE TYPICALLY SLEEPY RACES INTO ANYTHING BUT.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>>> THE SCHOOL IS THE BACKBONE OF THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT BUILDING AND YOUR ENTIRE TOWN .

>> THAT IS WHY JOSH AIKINS SAYS IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION.

'S ORGANIZATION, ARISE NJ, INSURED URGES PARENTS TO RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD.

HE SAYS THE GROUP IS NOT FOCUSES ON ELECTIVE CONSERVATIVES, THE WAS FOUND BY GOP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES AND HAS SUCH PREVIOUS INTERVIEWS THAT THE GOAL OF THE GROUP IS TO GET MORE CONSERVATIVE WITH MORE TRADITIONAL VALUES ON SCHOOL BOARDS .

>> A FEW YEARS AGO, 62% OF ALL SCHOOL BOARD POSITIONS WENT UNCONTESTED OR UNFILLED.

THAT IS HOW I GOT ON.

I SAW THAT NO ONE WAS RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD, AND I JUST HAD PEOPLE WRITE ME IN.

I WAS APPALLED THAT NOBODY WAS GOING TO THE SCHOOL BOARD.

>> Reporter: DURING THE SCHOOL BOARD AS SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS WHEN REMOTE, MORE PARENTS GOT INVOLVED AS ISSUES BECAME FLASHPOINTS AMONG PARENTS.

LAST MONDAY WAS THE DEADLINE TO FILE THE NOMINATING POSITION TO RUN FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION COMING UP IN NOVEMBER.

WHILE CANDIDATES ARE NOT IDENTIFIED BY PARTY AFFILIATION, THERE IS A MOVE BY SOME TO ELECT MORE PEOPLE WITH CONSERVATIVE VIEWS.

>> IT ALL STARTS COMING OUT OF THE 50s AND INTO THE 60s, WHERE WE LOST ACADEMIA.

WE, AS CONSERVATIVES, OR AMERICANS, LOST ACADEMIA TO THE GLOBALIST, SOCIALIST, IF YOU WILL, TO A LEFTIST MOVEMENT.

>> Reporter: FORMER CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE JOHN FLOREZ SUPPORTS HAVING MORE CONSERVATIVES SIT ON LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.

HE SAYS DISCUSSING SOCIAL ISSUES LIKE CRITICAL RACE THEORY, EDUCATION, AND THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY HAVE NO PLACE IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> I, PERSONALLY, FIND THAT TO BE A BREACH OF FAMILY VALUES, AND A HUGE OVER REACH BY THE INSTITUTION OF EDUCATION.

WE HAVE FORCED RELIGION, ANY UNDERSTANDING OF A DEITY, OR FAMILY VALUES, HAVE JUST BEEN PUSHED OUT OF EDUCATION.

AT ALL LEVELS, AND REPLACED BY THE INSTITUTION.

AND I FIND THAT TO BE VERY, VERY THREATENING TO OUR WAY OF LIFE .

>> AS I SAID BEFORE OUR ROLE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE INFORMATION IS OUT THERE, TO FREE VIEWPOINTS.

SOME AGREE, SOME DISAGREE.

THAT WILL FLIP ON ANY GIVEN THING.

ALL OF THAT SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO KIDS IN AN AGE-APPROPRIATELY .

>> THIS IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND A MEMBER OF THE NJ PBS COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD.

HE BELIEVES SCHOOL BOARDS SHOULD REFLECT ALL KINDS OF ABUSE, BUT THE IDEA THAT ANYTHING CAN BE LABELED AS CONSERVATIVE IS FRUSTRATING .

>> FOR US IS IT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHOULD BE INVOLVED AT THE SCHOOL BOARD LEVEL, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEE KIDS 60.

>> SO, WHILE WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO SEE SCHOOL BOARD POLITICS DEVOLVE INTO STRICT PARTISAN POLITICS, THERE IS ROOM FOR ALL KINDS OF STUDENTS ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION .

>> THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION IS DISCUSSING SOCIAL ISSUES AT SCHOOLS.

WE REACHED OUT TO THREE MEMBERS OF THE MORRIS COUNTY GROUP AND THEY ISSUED STATEMENTS SAYING PARENTS CONTINUING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE NJ EA AGENDA, WHICH TOUCHES ON VERY SENSITIVE TOPICS .

>> IT IS NOT THAT THEY ARE NOT FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, OR THE CRT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THEY DON'T WANT SOME OF THAT BEING TAUGHT IN SCHOOL, THEY WANT TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AT HOME .

>> RIGHT NOW, COUNTY CLERKS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF COMPILING NAMES FROM THE NOMINATION PETITIONS AND REPETITION FOR NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.

HE WILL SEE IF FLORIDA AND AIKINS RECRUITMENT EFFORTS WITH MORE TRADITIONAL VALUES PAYS OFF.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER .

>>> THE WAGES FROM YOUR FUTURE JOB BE ENOUGH TO AFFORD YOUR STUDENT LOANS?

THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION, AND THERE IS A NEW LAW TO HELP FIGURE IT OUT.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST ON AN EFFORT TO CURB STUDENT AT, PLUS TONIGHT BUSINESS HEADLINES.

YOU BREANNA, GETTING A COLLEGE DEGREE, OR GOING TO A JOB- TRAINING SCHOOL, CAN BE EXPENSIVE.

AND NOW, THERE IS A NEW LAW ON THE BOOKS THAT WILL HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE GETTING FOR THEIR MONEY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS SIGNED LEGISLATION THAT AIMS TO PROTECT STUDENTS FROM UNREASONABLY HIGH TUITION RATES THE STATE WILL DEVELOP PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR POST SECONDARY EDUCATION, AND WOULD PREVENT SCHOOLS FROM OVERCHARGING STUDENTS FOR PROGRAMS.

COMMISSIONER ROBERT PASSARO ANGELO SAYS NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO BORROW SO MUCH FOR CAREER TRAINING THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY IT BACK ONCE THEY ARE WORKING AT THE JOB THEY PREPARED FOR.

AT THE START OF THE STATE'S NEW FISCAL YEAR ON JULY FIRST, THIS WAS AN INCREASE IN UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PAYROLL TAXES.

THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAS YET TO POST INFORMATION ABOUT THE TAX HIKE FRUSTRATING BUSINESSES.

>>> IF YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO START INCREASING THE AMOUNT YOU WITHHOLD ANOTHER FOUR WEEKS LATER, WE DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER, IT GETS HARD AND EMPLOYERS WANT TO PLAN, EMPLOYERS WANT TO BE ABLE TO BE ABLE TO SET OUT WHAT THE COST ARE AND WHAT THE TAXES ARE .

>> THE NG D.A.

SAYS THE STATE HAS AN OBLIGATION TO BE MUCH MORE TIMELY AND MORE TRANSPARENT WITH THE STATES EMPLOYERS.

>>> AMAZON REPORTEDLY HAS SCRAPPED PLANS FOR DELIVERY FACILITY IN GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP.

ACCORDING TO ATLANTIC CITY, BOTH GALLOWAYS MAYOR AND THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY AMAZON WAS INTERESTED IN BUILDING ON, HAS SAID THE PROJECT IS NOT MOVING FORWARD.

AMAZON WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT, BUT EARLIER THIS YEAR THE ONLINE RETAILER ANNOUNCED PLANS TO REDUCE PHYSICAL SPACE AND SUBLEASE SOME WAREHOUSES IN NEW JERSEY AND OTHER STATES.

NOW, HERE IS THE CHECK ON TODAY'S STOCK TRADING.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, WORKING FOR ECONOMIC DISPARITY BY UNITING BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND INVENT INFORMATION ARE ONLINE AT CHAMBER S NJ.COM, AND BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> IN UKRAINE, THE FIRST SHIP CARRYING GRAIN FROM THE PORT OF ODESSA DEPARTED THIS MORNING.

PART OF A DEAL BROKE BY THE UNITED NATIONS TO HELP EASE THE GLOBAL HUNGER CRISIS.

THE U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS IT IS THE FIRST COMMERCIAL SHIP TO LEAVE THE CRUCIAL LACK SEAPORT SINCE FEBRUARY.

RUSSIA'S WORN UKRAINE BEGAN.

THE SHIP CARRIES TWO COMMODITIES IN SHORT SUPPLY, CORN AND HOPE.

THAT HOPE ABOUNDS HERE IN NEW JERSEY WHERE WAR REFUGEES ARE MAKING A NEW HOME.

AS FAMILIES TELL JOANNA GAGIS, SETTING UP A PLACE TO SLEEP IS JUST ONE PART OF A TOUGH EQUATION.

>> DO YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO UKRAINE?

>> VERY SCARED.

>> Reporter: SHE FLED TO THE USS SOON AS THE WAR IN UKRAINE STARTED.

SHE NEVER DREAMED SHE WAS STILL BE HERE LIVING WITH HER SISTER IN LAW FIVE MONTHS LATER, BUT RETURNING IS NOT AN OPTION.

>> THERE ARE SIRENS ALL AROUND, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE BOMB IS GOING TO HIT.

>> Reporter: HER HUSBAND AND IN- LAWS ARE STILL IN UKRAINE.

SHE IS SCARED FOR THEIR SAFETY, BUT IS NOW TRYING TO MAKE A HOME FOR HERSELF AND HER FOUR- YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER NICOLE HERE IN THE U.S. THAT SHE WANTS TO WORK HERE, SHE WANTS TO MAKE MONEY SO SHE CAN SUPPORT HERSELF AND HER BABY.

SHE ALREADY GAVE HER WORK AUTHORIZATION AT TBS .

>> SHE IS AMONG THE GROUP ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR TBS, OR TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS, BECAUSE SHE ARRIVED IN THE U.S. BY APRIL 11th.

SHE WAS ALSO ABLE TO APPLY FOR WORTH WORK AUTHORIZATION WHILE SHE IS HERE.

THE APPROVAL PROCESS CAN TAKE UPWARDS OF SIX MONTHS .

>> WE APPLIED FOR TBS, FOR ALL OF MY FAMILY, AND WORK AUTHORIZATION, BACK IN APRIL.

IN THE BEGINNING OF ME AS WELL, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED YET, NOTHING.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS BEEN HOUSING HER FAMILY SINCE THE START OF THE WAR, WITHOUT APPLICATION APPROVAL THEY ARE FORCED TO LIVE OFF HER PARENTS $500 A MONTH PENSION, AND SHE AND HER HUSBAND'S GENEROSITY .

>> WE TRY TO APPLY FOR EXPEDITING WORKERS AUTHORIZATION, THEY DECLINED.

>> I HAVE TWO DEGREES, ECONOMICS AND MUSICIAN, AND IN UKRAINE I WORKED AS A MANAGER POSITION AND THE HEAD OF UNEMPLOYMENT AGENCY.

BUT HERE, I DON'T CARE, AS LONG AS I CAN PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY, AND AS LONG AS I CAN BE HELPFUL HERE IN AMERICA .

>> MANY REFUGEES ARE VOLUNTEERING THE WAR EFFORT AS A WAY TO GIVE BACK, AND CONNECT WITH OTHERS IN THEIR NEW COMMUNITIES PICKS SHE SAYS THANKS TO UKRAINIAN CITY AND WORKING AND BEING A VOLUNTEER, IT STILL MAKES HER FEEL LIKE SHE IS IN UKRAINE AND SHE IS HELPING SOME WAY OR ANOTHER.

SO, SHE SAID THAT IS WHAT MAKES YOUR LIFE EASIER.

BUT IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT, IT WOULD BE VERY HARD, THAT IS ALL YOU THICK ABOUT.

>> Reporter: FOR SOME, NEW JERSEY IS STARTING TO FEEL LIKE HOME.

>> I FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE.

I FEEL LIKE THIS IS MY HOME.

MORE.

BECAUSE IN UKRAINE, WHEN THE WAR STARTED, I FELT NOT PEACEFUL.

I FELT THIS IS NOT MY HOME, I CANNOT BE ANYWHERE ELSE PICKS AFTER RECEIVING FINANCIAL AID TO ATTEND MONTESSORI SCHOOL, SHE SAYS SHE NOW FEELS THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND HER .

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO HELP US.

AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION.

AND YET, THE PEOPLE HERE FROM USA, MY FRIENDS WHO ARE HELPING ME, THEY ARE HELPING ME, WITH ENGLISH .

>> NICHOLAS PRACTICING HER ENGLISH TOO >> WHAT DO YOU MISS ABOUT YOUR HOME?

>> CAT .

>> HER CAT, WHEN SHE VERY FIRST GOT HERE SHE WANTED TO TALK TO CHILDREN.

NOW SHE FEELS LIKE SHE CAN.

EVEN IN A PARK SITUATION SHE WILL GO UP TO A KID.

BEFORE IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE KIDS TRY TO MASTER THE LANGUAGE, THEIR PARENTS ARE DESPERATELY WAITING FOR APPROVAL TO WORK THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

UKRAINIAN JERSEY CITY SAYS CLOTHING, FOOD, AND MONETARY DONATIONS ARE STILL VERY MUCH NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.

IN JERSEY CITY, I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK, AND AND SCRAM, TO KEEP ON ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

AND FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

RW JADE BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND BOOSTED, CREATING THE NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

BUT TO JUST WHO ARE AND JM POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE 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.

AND JM, WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.