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

AND, BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS RECOMMEND A COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT FOR MOST AMERICANS.

REGARDLESS OF AGE.

EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THEY RECEIVED THEIR SECOND DOSE OF EITHER THE PFIZER OR DURING THE VACCINE.

THE BOOSTER PROGRAM COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS MID-SEPTEMBER.

A FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT IS EXPECTED AS EARLY AS TOMORROW.

OFFICIALS SAY IT IS THE BEST WAY TO COMBAT IMMUNITY IN THE SEARCH OF NEW CASELOADS BEING DRIVEN BY THE DELTA VARIANT.

ACROSS THE STATE, MORE THAN 1300 NEW POSITIVE TESTS WERE CONFIRMED, AND 20 MORE LIVES LOST.

THAT IS THE MOST DEBTS ANNOUNCED IN A SINGLE DAY IN ROUGHLY 3 MONTHS.

THE DELTA VARIANT, ACCOUNTING FOR 96% OF ALL NEW CASES, ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WITH MORE THAN 5.4 MILLION PEOPLE HERE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

MEDICAL EXPERTS INSISTING THE PANDEMIC IS BEING FUELED BY THE UNVACCINATED, AND SAY AN ADDITIONAL VACCINE DOSE WILL BE THE COUNTRY'S BEST DEFENSE.

AS MORE STUDIES SUGGEST, PROTECTION AGAINST SERIOUS ILLNESS HAS DROPPED AMONG THOSE WHO WERE FIRST VACCINATED IN THE WINTER.

AS HE OFTEN DOES, DEAN OF THE RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH JOINS US TO EXPLAIN THE UPDATE.

>> SO, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

A BOOSTER SHOT QUESTION MARK WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU, OR I, OR ANYONE WHO'S BEEN VACCINATED.

WHO IS FIRST IN LINE QUESTION THE XO, THE BOOSTER SHOTS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO GET OUR IMMUNE SYSTEMS EVEN MORE READY TO FIGHT THE VIRUS, SHOULD WE BECOME REINFECTED.

SO, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE RECEIVE THE INITIAL DOSE OF THE VACCINATION IS THAT YOU CREATE ANTIBODIES DURING AND OVER TIME, THOSE ANTIBODIES WANE.

SO, IF YOU GET A BOOSTER, YOU INCREASE THE PRESENCE OF ANTIBODIES IN YOUR BODY THAT ARE AVAILABLE, MUCH MORE READILY.

HERE IS MY METAPHOR FOR IT.

IF YOU IMAGINE WE ARE DOING A 100 METER RACE, RIGHT?

AND THE PERSON WHO GETS OUT OF THE BLOCK FASTEST IS ABLE TO GET TO THE LINE THE QUICKEST.

THAT IS THE SAME IDEA HERE.

IF YOU GET A BOOSTER, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AN IMMUNE REACTION THAT IS MUST MORE RAPID AND MUCH MORE QUICK THAN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BOOSTER.

SO, IT WILL FIGHT THE VIRUS IN A SHORTER AMOUNT OF TIME THAN IF YOU DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE THE BOOSTER, SO IT'S BENEFICIAL TO CONTROL AND SPREADING YOUR BODY.

>> OKAY, SO WHO WOULD BE FIRST AMONG US ALL TO GET THIS BOOSTER SHOT.

IS THERE A LIST?

>> SO THE CDC HAS RECOMMENDED FIRST AND FOREMOST IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PEOPLE.

PEOPLE WHOSE IMMUNE SYSTEMS ARE ALREADY RAVAGED BY OTHER DISEASE.

AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN OVER TIME IS THAT THE REST OF US, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THE REST OF US WILL BE ANNOUNCED OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT MONTH OR SO OF BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE IT.

MY EXULTATION IS THAT IN THE FALL, THE MAJORITY OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE BOOSTER VACCINATION, AND WE SHOULD ALL DO IT.

>> YEAH, SO LET ME ASK YOU, MY FAVORITE TOPIC IS ALWAYS PUBLIC MESSAGING ABOUT THIS.

YOU KNOW, UP UNTIL NOW, FEDERAL OFFICIALS WERE NOT NECESSARILY SAYING THAT THIS WOULD BE A MUST.

JULY 4th, NOT THAT LONG AGO, THE PRESIDENT WAS TALKING BUT DECLARING OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM THE VIRUS.

I MEAN, IS THIS JUST AN OVERALL SHIFT ALSO BECAUSE THE NATION HAS SORT OF LOST THE CONTROL THAT WE HAD ON THE PANDEMIC?

OR, IS IT THE DELTA IS THAT MUCH MORE ABLE TO EVADE THE VEXING QUESTION YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST DELTA.

ULTIMATELY, ACTUALLY TO BE LIKE YOU KNOW SIGMA OR SOMETHING AND ONLINE IT'S GOING TO BE EVEN WORSE THAN DELTA.

I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY IS NOT TO GET THE BOOSTER IN THEIR TO CONTROL THE VIRUS, TO BUILD FUNDING SYSTEM SO THAT EVEN A MORE POWERFUL VARIANT COMES ALONG WE ARE ABLE TO MANAGE IT.

BUT WE LEARNED IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS, WE HAVE TO BE NIMBLE.

RIGHT?

WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO CHANGE.

WE ARE LEARNING NEW THINGS EVERY DAY.

SO, VACCINATION, GOOD, VACCINATION WITH BOOSTER, BETTER.

>> LET ME SWITCH GEARS QUICKLY.

HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU HEADING INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR QUESTION THAT WE HAVE YET TO SEE AUTHORIZATION FOR SOME OF THE DATA, WAITING FOR THAT IN SEPTEMBER.

FOR THE VACCINE FOR THOSE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12.

WE KNOW THAT PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE BEEN RISING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ALTHOUGH NEW JERSEY IS FARING A BIT BETTER.

HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU HEADING INTO THE FALL CUSTOMER >> IF I HAD A CHILD RIGHT NOW AND THE CHILD WAS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, I WOULD BE ALARMED.

I WOULD BE ALARMED FOR TWO MAIN REASONS.

NUMBER 1, THERE WAS, AS YOU SAY, PART POPULATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN UNDER 12 ARE NOT ABLE TO BE VACCINATED YET.

HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE.

WE KNOW THAT THE RATES OF INFECTION ARE GOING UP AGAINST AMONG CHILDREN.

AND THERE'S THIS HUGE ANTI-MASK EFFORT FOR SCHOOLS.

SO, I DON'T COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND.

MAYBE THERE IS NO LOGIC TO ME, THAT IF I WERE A PARENT, AND IT IS MANY PEOPLE ARE, YOU WANT TO GET EVERYTHING TO PROTECT HER CHILD.

HAVE YOUR CHILD VACCINATED AND WEAR A MASK IN SCHOOLS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO CAUSE THIS PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE THAT PEOPLE CLAIM IS GOING TO CAUSE.

COVID MAY CREATE MUCH WORSE DAMAGE, INCLUDING DEATH.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO TALK TO, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR INSIGHTS TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> A FRESH FIGHT OVER MASK MANDATES.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IS BEING SUED BY A NONPROFIT ACTIVIST GROUP BY 18 STUDENTS OVER THE SCHOOL'S REQUIREMENT FOR STUDENTS TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BEFORE RETURNING TO CAMPUS IN THE FALL.

THE LAWSUIT ARGUES THAT THE MANDATE VIOLATES STUDENTS 14th AMENDMENT DEPARTING THEM OF THEIR RIGHT TO REFUSE UNWANTED MEDICAL TREATMENT.

ACCUSING RECORDS OF COERCING STUDENTS TO GET A EXPERIMENTAL COVID-19 VACCINE, MAKING THE DECISION ONLY AFTER IT WAS TOO LATE FOR STUDENTS TO ACCEPT ADMISSION TO ALTERNATIVE EQUIVALENT COLLEGES, OR TRANSFER.

A RECORDS UNIVERSITY SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE SCHOOL'S POSITION IS SUPPORTED BY THE LAW.

THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT LAST WEEK BLOCKED A CHALLENGE TO INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S COVID- 19 VACCINE MANDATE FOR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> AS OF TODAY, AS ACCOUNTING NO LONGER HOUSES ICE DETAINEES AT ITS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

THAT, ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT FROM COUNTY EXECUTIVE, JOE D VINCENZO, COUNTY OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED A DECISION TO END A 13 YEAR CONTRACT WITH ICE IN APRIL.

IT COMES AS THE IMMIGRANT POPULATION HAS FALLEN AT THE JAIL, WHICH ONCE HOUSED AS MANY AS 700 DETAINEES, AND WITH IT, LESS REVENUE COMING IN NOW.

IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN PRESSURING THE COUNTY TO GET OUT OF THE IMMIGRANT DETENTION BUSINESS.

INSTEAD, SIX WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH A NEW SHARED SERVICES CONTRACT WITH THE SHUTTERED UNION COUNTY JAIL TO HOUSE THOSE INMATES AT THE FACILITY.

MANY TALIBAN HAVE NOW BEEN IN CONTROL FOR AFGHANISTAN CAPITAL CITY FOR 48 HOURS.

U.S. MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THE AIRPORT IN KABUL HAS BEEN SECURED, AND FIGHTS HAVE BEEN RESUMED.

AS THE PENTAGON AIMS TO GET 5 TO 9000 PEOPLE A DAY OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

MANY OTHER NATIONS ARE EVACUATING THEIR CITIZENS, AND TEMPORARILY SHUTTING DOWN EMBASSIES.

THE TALIBAN IS PROMISING AMNESTY, CLAIMING THEY WILL RESPECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS WITHIN ISLAMIC LAW.

THOUGH, SOME REPORTS ON THE GROUNDS DISPUTE THAT CONCILIATORY TONE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ADMITTED YESTERDAY THE AFGHANISTAN GOVERNMENT COLLAPSED QUICKLY THAN THE U.S.

ANTICIPATED.

BUT, STOOD BY HIS DECISION TO WITHDRAW U.S.

FORCES BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

HE ANNOUNCED $500 MILLION TO HELP WITH REFUGEE SETTLEMENTS, AND MIGRATION NEEDS.

ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS NEW JERSEY ARE PREPARING FOR AN INEVITABLE INFLUX OF AFGHAN REFUGEES, BUT HOW MANY WILL COME?

AND WHEN THEY WILL ARRIVE IS STILL UNKNOWN.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU HAVE IN THE STATES?

>> IT DEPENDS ON LIKE HOW CLOSE THEY ARE?

YOU CAN SEE THE BEDROOMS UPSTAIRS, THEY FILL LIKE THREE, SOME OF THEM CAN FIT THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE.

MAYBE A SMALL FAMILY.

>> CITY RESIDENT, LINDA HAS BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO GET THIS APARTMENT READY FOR AFGHANS FLEEING THE COUNTRY FROM THE TALIBAN TAKEOVER.

THE LEASE WAS SIGNED LAST WEEK.

FURNITURE WAS BROUGHT IN OVER THE WEEKEND AND VOLUNTEERS ARE READY TO PUT THE FINAL TOUCHES IN PLACE.

MATTRESSES AND FOOD.

>> THE THING ABOUT AFGHANISTAN IS THE RESETTLEMENT ORGANIZATION, DOES IT HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO FIND PERMANENT HOUSING FOR PEOPLE?

SO, THIS IS LIKE A PLACE THAT CAN GO TO SEARCH FOR PERMANENT HOUSING.

>> THE GRASS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION WELCOMES HOME JERSEY CITY HAS ASCERTAINED TO DISCLOSE THE LOCATION OF THE HOME FOR SAFETY REASONS.

THEY DON'T KNOW HOW MANY REFUGEES TO EXPECT, OR WHEN TO EXPECT THEM, BUT SHE HAS HER PHONE CLOSE BY, WAITING FOR THE CALL FROM THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE.

WHICH, HELPS TO COORDINATE RESETTLEMENT SPIRIT >> YEAH, YEAH.

SO, WITH THIS BASE NOW WE ARE HOPING TO FIND THEIRS AS WELL.

>> HEARTBREAKING SCENES UNFOLDED AT THE AIRPORT IN RECENT DAYS.

PEOPLE CLINGING TO A U.S. AIRCRAFT AS IT TAKES OFF.

ONE AND 600 AFGHANS, CRAMMED INTO A U.S. MILITARY CARGO PLANE, BOUND FOR QATAR, SHOWING THE DESPERATION TO GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY AT THE TALIBAN TAKES HOLD.

AFGHANS WHO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE U.S. MILITARY AS INTERPRETERS AND IN OTHER CAPACITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS,.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS SOME 2000 ESSAY THE APPLICANT AND HER FAMILIES HAVE ALREADY ARRIVED IN THE UNITED STATES.

NEARLY 20,000 MORE ELIGIBLE AFGHAN ALLIES WHO RISK THEIR LIVES TO HELP U.S.

TROOPS HAVE REPLIED, BUT STILL REMAIN IN LIMBO.

WITHOUT VISAS FOR THEMSELVES, OR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> AND, WE ARE AWAITING IMMIGRANT INTERVIEWS, YOU KNOW, IN KABUL OR IN A THIRD COUNTRY, IF NEED BE.

AND FOR THE PROBLEM IS THAT A LOT OF THOSE INTERVIEWS RIGHT NOW ARE NOT HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY SAYS SOME PEOPLE IN THE U.S. HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS, FIANCES, SPOUSES WHO ARE ALSO STUCK.

>> DOCUMENTS UPLOADED SOMEWHERE IN THE PROCESS, WHEN TIM IS GREAT AND CANNOT GET THOSE INTERVIEWS SCHEDULED AT THE U.S. EMBASSY.

AND ARE HAVING A HARD TIME LEAVING TO GET TO A THIRD COUNTRY TO EVEN HAVE THEIR INTERVIEW.

>> RECORDS, CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS PROFESSOR SAYS THESE APPLICATIONS HAVE LONG BEEN HELD UP IN RED TAPE, BUT THE SITUATION HAS GROWN WORSE IN RECENT DAYS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE TIMING OF THIS WITHDRAWAL IN THE DEBACLE THAT IT'S TURNED INTO, I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE BUREAUCRACY HAS COME TO A GRINDING HALT.

IT'S TO FIGURE OUT WHO, WHO IS ELIGIBLE.

>> WE HAD ALLIES THERE ON THE GROUND WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE THAT MORAL OBLIGATION NOT TO LEAVE THEM BEHIND, AND NOT TO CONDEMN THEM TO A GOVERNMENT, A NEW GOVERNMENT THAT WE KNOW IS ALREADY SEEKING PEOPLE OUT FOR EXECUTION.

AND, FOR RETRIBUTION.

>> WILLIAM WESTERMAN IS A SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR AT NJ FOR YOU, AND COFOUNDER OF THE REFUGEE AND RIGHTS GROUP 1st FRIENDS OF NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK.

HE SAYS HE HOPES TO SEE AFGHAN FAMILIES, TO THE REGION SOON.

>> THEY NEED RENTAL ASSISTANCE, THEY NEED FOOD ASSISTANCE MEDICAL CARE.

>> WHEN YOU WERE RUSHING TO GET ALL OF THE FURNITURE IN, WERE YOU THINKING ABOUT THESE FAMILIES?

RIGHT NOW?

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO BE HERE WHEN YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARRIVE TO HELP THEM.

>> FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> TURNING NOW TO OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT LATE LAST WEEK, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY'S DEMONSTRATION BEGAN NOTIFYING EMPLOYERS OF THEIR PART TO HELP REPLENISH THE STATE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND.

DEPLETED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT WILL COME IN THE FORM OF A MAJOR PAYROLL TAX INCREASE THAT COULD COST BUSINESSES AS MUCH AS $1 BILLION OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS., A BIG SHARE OF NEW JERSEY'S PANDEMIC RELIEF AID IS STILL SITTING ON THE SIDELINES.

DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAY THOSE FUNDS SHOULD BE TAPPED FIRST, BEFORE TURNING TO EMPLOYERS.

OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER, JOHN REITMEYER IS HERE TO EXPLAIN.

WE HAD HEARD FROM GOP LAWMAKERS, AND OF COURSE BUSINESS LOBBYISTS, BUT NOW, DEMOCRATS ARE JUMPING ONTO THIS CALL FOR THE STATE TO USE FEDERAL MONEY TO HELP OFFSET THESE COSTS.

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN THE NEW BUT IT WAS COMING TOGETHER IN TRENTON, IT WAS REPUBLICANS WERE SOUNDING THE ALARM ABOUT THIS LOOMING PAYROLL TAX INCREASE THAT BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ABSORB TO GET THE ON A PLANET FUN BACK INTO GOOD SHAPE AFTER SO MANY PEOPLE COLLECTED BENEFITS DURING THE WORST MONTH OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND, WITHIN THE LAST FEW DAYS, AS THIS IS BECOMING MORE REAL FOR BUSINESSES, WE HAVE HEARD FROM SOME DEMOCRATS NOW WHO ARE AGREEING THAT AT LEAST YOU KNOW, WITH ALL OF THIS MONEY THAT THE STATE HAS SITTING ON THE SIDELINES, ALL OF THIS FEDERAL PANDEMIC, THAT IS STILL UNALLOCATED, AT LEAST A PORTION OF IT SHOULD BE USED TO OFFSET TAX HIKE, WHICH IS HITTING BUSINESSES.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE STATE IS STILL TRYING TO PROVIDE BUSINESSES WITH ASSISTANCE AND GRANTS, HELP THEM GET THROUGH THE RECOVERY.

AND SO, IT REALLY IS A SORT OF A MIXED MESSAGE THAT ON ONE HAND, THEY ARE STILL PUMPING OUT DAY PROGRAMS WHILE ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY ARE TELLING BUSINESSES HEY, YOU HAVE TO PONY UP MORE MONEY TO GET THE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND BACK.

>> HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT THE STATE WILL USE THIS MONEY WE SPOKE YESTERDAY WITH THE BIA PART.

AND WE ALSO SAID THE STATE HAD A SOAPBOX TO PLAY WITH AS WELL.

SO THEY'RE NOT USING THE FEDERAL MONEY OR THE SURPLUS MONEY.

>> YEAH, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION POSITION RIGHT NOW SEEMS TO BE THE CURRENT PROCESS PLAY ON CONSTRUCTED IN STATUTE.

THEY DID PASS ALONG AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, AND SPREAD OUT THE INCREASE OVER THREE YEARS.

AND SO, THAT PROVIDES SOME RELIEF, BUT THE BILL THAT STILL REMAINS IS ALMOST 250, LITTLE MORE THAN $250 MILLION.

SO, THE IDEA WOULD BE THAT HE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO PASS A NEW LAW TO HEAD OFF THAT INCREASE.

>> THIS IS SET TO GO INTO EFFECT IN OCTOBER.

CAMPUSES IS SUSTAINED?

JUST TO KEEP THE MUSCLE.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION BECAUSE IN THE EMPLOYEE PAYROLL IT'S A PAYROLL TAX.

TO THE ONES THAT HAVE KEPT PEOPLE ON THE JOB ARE GETTING HIT THE HARDEST BIT SO, I THINK THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION THAT WE HAVE GOING FORWARD, WHAT IS GOING TO THE IMPACT QUESTION >> A TOUGH ONE AHEAD ALL RIGHT.

GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> FOR MORE OF JOHN'S REPORTING ON THE POTENTIAL TAX HIKE, HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> AFTER A DECADE WITHOUT FUNDING, THE STATES ORGAN ENTERPRISES OWN IS BEING FULLY REVIVED.

ACTING GOVERNOR THOMAS TODAY SIGNING LEGISLATION THAT HAS SET ASIDE MORE THAN $40 MILLION TO BRING THE PROJECT BACK TO FULL OPERATION.

YOU E-ZINES WERE ESTABLISHED IN THE EARLY 1980s STIMULATE GROWTH IN URBAN COMMUNITIES FIREFIGHTING INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESSES TO SET UP SHOP, AND CREATE PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS.

ONE OF THE MOST FAMILIAR ELEMENTS IS THAT REDUCED STATE SALES TAX IN THOSE ZONES.

BUT, A DEDICATED SOURCE OF FUNDING LAPSED IN 2011 AND LOCAL LEADERS SAY IT MADE IT TOUGH TO CONTINUE EXPANDING.

THE MUNICIPALITY FOR THE NEW LEGISLATION RESTORES EXPIRED URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONE IN FIVE CITIES EXTEND THE PROGRAM FOR FIVE MORE YEARS, AND UPDATE GUIDELINES FOR THE 32 ZONES, AND THOUSANDS OF BUSINESSES.

>>> AND ON WALL STREET, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

>>> IF YOU NEED ANY MORE PROOF OF THE TOLL THIS PANDEMIC TOOK ON WOMAN, CHECK OUT LABOR STATISTICS.

THE NUMBER OF WOMEN PARTICIPATING IN THE WORKFORCE IS AT ITS LOWEST POINT IN 30 YEARS.

BETWEEN CHILDCARE NEEDS, HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RETURNING TO THE OFFICE, AND SHIFTING ATTITUDES TOWARD WORKLIFE BALANCE, ECONOMIST WORRY THAT THE ASSETS OF WOMEN COULD SIGNIFICANTLY HURT THE BROADER U.S. ECONOMY.

WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO BRING THEM BACK?

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> I WAS PREGNANT.

SO, I ENDED UP LEAVING, MATERNITY LEAVE, AND AFTER THE SIX WEEKS, MY SIX WEEKS WITH A I WAS GOING TO GO BACK TO WORK, AND THE PANDEMIC HIT.

IT SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN SO I HAVE NOT BEEN BACK TO WORK SINCE THEN.

>> BUT IT'S NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING, SAYS DOMINIC VIRGO.

>> I TRIED TO GO BACK FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, BUT THE CHILDCARE WAS AN ISSUE, SO I WAS DOING WITH MY STEP KIDS MONDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY AND HOMESCHOOLING.

IT WAS JUST LIKE I WAS HOME, HOME HIM OF BEING AN AT-HOME MOM.

>> HER STORY IS ONE OF MANY WOMEN CAN RELATE TO SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

SAYS COLE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW THE LABOR FORCE WAS GROWING FOR THE PANDEMIC, IT'S ACTUALLY AROUND 2.3 MILLION FEWER WOMEN WORKING NOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE PANDEMIC HAVING HAPPENED.

>> ACCORDING TO A RECENT POLL, THERE ARE 3.1% FEWER WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE COMPARED TO 2.2% FEWER MEN BUT THE IMPACT IS ESPECIALLY BURDENSOME ON FAMILIES OF COLOR.47% OF BLACK MOTHERS AND 44% OF LATINO MOTHERS ARE THE PRIMARY OR THE SOLO BREADWINNER OF THEIR FAMILIES COMPARED TO 37% OF WHITE MOTHERS.

SO FAMILIES ARE REALLY RELYING ON MOTHER'S EARNINGS, WOMEN'S EARNINGS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET, AND MAINTAIN SOME LEVEL OF ECONOMIC STABILITY.

>> HOW DID THAT CHANGE AFFECT YOU FINANCIALLY QUESTION!

A LOT, BECAUSE I ENDED UP BEING BEHIND ON BILLS, AND ON TOP OF EVERYTHING I THING IS IN THE AMOUNT I WAS GETTING WITH NOT ENOUGH I WAS OUT OF WORK FOR A WHOLE YEAR.

SO.

IT WAS HARD.

IT WAS REALLY HARD.

ARE YOU STILL BEHIND ON BILLS RIGHT NOW?

>> YES.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE ECONOMY WAS HARD ON AND LONG.

AND, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DATA, HALF OF THE UNITED STATES, 36% WERE FOR JOBS THAT ARE LOW.

SO, WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT BY RACE, WHICH IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO DO, WOMEN OF COLOR HAVE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE.

>> COMBINING LOW WAGES WITH HIGH CHILDCARE COSTS HAS CREATED THE PERFECT STORM WHERE MANY WOMEN ARE UNABLE TO RETURN TO WORK.

IF VIRGO LANDS THE SECURITY JOB ON A PATTERSON SCHOOL THAT SHE HAS JUST APPLIED FOR, HER $14 AN HOUR WON'T COVER THE COST OF DAYCARE.

SO, SHE APPLIED FOR A CHILDCARE SUBSIDY THROUGH PASSAIC COUNTY, AND RAN INTO A CATCH-22.

>> THEY ENDED UP DENYING MY APPLICATION BECAUSE I'M WORKING 30 HOURS.

I'M TRYING TO FIND A JOB SO IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE FOR THE FELLING THAT WAS KIND OF, IF SHE WAS ABLE TO GO BACK, HAVE SOME TYPE OF CHILDCARE I WOULD'VE FOUND A JOB FASTER.

>> WHAT IS THE SOLUTION QUESTION THE SHORT ANSWER, IT IS PROPAGATED.

BUT, IT STARTS WITH POLICIES, SAYS ASHLEY.

>> WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PAY WOMEN, SPECIFICALLY WHAT THEY ARE WORTH IN ORDER TO AFFORD CHILDCARE ON TOP OF THAT.

AND THAT IS BY DECREASING THE GENERAL WAGE GAP THAT CURRENTLY EXIST HERE IN AMERICA.

>> WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR CHILDCARE INDUSTRY.

WE NEED TO INVEST SO THAT FAMILIES CAN ACCESS AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE.

>> IS IMPORTANT TO BRING MEN INTO THE SOLUTION.

>> WE NEED TO NOT ONLY HAVE PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR FEMALES, MATERNITY LEAVE, BUT WE ALSO NEED MATERNITY LEAVE.

WE NEED TO GET MEN IN THE EQUATION, AND HAVE EVERYONE SUPPORTING WOMEN BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

>> EASY TO SAY, HARDER TO ACCOMPLISH.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS >>> WOMEN, PARTICULARLY MOTHERS, WERE ALSO TASKED WITH HELPING THEIR KIDS MAKE A FOR LEARNING LOST DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AN ONGOING RACE AS THE SCHOOL YEAR IS SET TO START IN JUST A FEW WEEKS.

STANDARDIZED TEST RESULTS FOR CITIES LIKE NEWARK ARE NOW SHOWING A DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS MEETING STATE STANDARDS FOR MATH COME A LOT OF BRICK CITY IS ROLLING OUT A NEW TUTORING PROGRAM TO BOOST THAT ACADEMIC PROGRESS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> WE HAVE A DESPERATE NEED IN OUR CITY RIGHT NOW TO IMPROVE OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> PASTOR DAVID JEFFERSON CEO SQUIRE OF METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH, DISCUSSING HIS GOAL TO HELP KIDS IN NEWARK SUCCEED IN SCHOOL.

>> I AM SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, BECAUSE WHAT IT WOULD DO, IT WOULD OFFER FREE TUTORING TO STUDENTS HERE IN THE CITY OF NEWARK.

AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO REALLY HELP CLOSE THE LEARNING GAP THAT EXISTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> HIS CHURCH IS TEAMING UP WITH THE NEW JERSEY CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION AND GREAT OATH LEGACY CHARTER SCHOOL TO CREATE THE NEW TUTORING CENTER.

THE PROGRAM IS SLATED TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH WITH SESSIONS HAPPENING AFTER SCHOOL AND ON THE WEEKENDS.

STRINGS WILL BE PAIRED UP IN SMALL GROUPS AND WILL ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTACT A TUTOR ON THE PHONE IF SOMETHING COMES UP OUTSIDE OF CLASS.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAD THAT GAP TO START WITH, BUT THE VIRUS HAS COME IN SO MANY WAYS, EXACERBATED THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT WE HELD A MAJOR FORUM.

IT WAS A TOWN HALL.

IN THE MONTH OF JUNE.

CENTERED AROUND THE IMPACT OF COVID ON THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM HERE IN THE CITY OF NEWARK.

AND IT WAS VERY CLEAR DURING THAT DIALOGUE THAT PARENTS WERE DESPERATE, AND ALMOST PLEADING FOR HELP IN ORDER TO CLOSE THAT GAP.

BECAUSE, WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT OUR KIDS HAVE LOST SOME LEARNING DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

>> THE PROGRAM IS AN EXTENSION OF GREAT OAKS AWARD-WINNING HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING MODEL.

RECOGNIZED FOR ITS EFFECTIVE METHODS OF COMBATING LEARNING LOSS.

>> I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME WIDE-RANGING STUDIES THAT HAVE SHARED THAT WE ARE ABOUT 9 OUT OF 10 STUDENTS IMPACTED SOMEWAY ACADEMICALLY BY COVID.

AND SO, WE KNOW THAT COMING BACK, EVERY STUDENT IS GOING TO NEED ALL THAT NEWARK CAN OFFER, AND WE ARE JUST HAPPY TO DO OUR PART.

AND IN PARTICULAR, FOCUSING ON THE CONTENT GREAT, BECAUSE WE KNOW SOME OF THOSE 10 CHRISTIANS REALLY MISSED OUT ON AN ENTIRE INTEREST IN YOUR OF MacQUARIE, AND THOSE NEW FRESHMEN ARE GOING TO NEED EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN TO STAY ON THE COURSE TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL.

>> ACCORDING TO RECENT REPORTS, ONLY 9% OF STUDENTS IN GRADES 2 TO 8 IN NEWARK MET EXPECTATIONS FOR MATH AFTER TAKING TEST THIS PAST SPRING.

AND FOR READING, ONLY 11% OF KIDS MET THE MARK.

>> THERE IS NO WAY FOR THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN COLLEGE UNLESS WE CLOSE THAT GAP.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF KIDS WHO HAVE TO TAKE REMEDIAL CLASSES AT LEAST A YEAR IN COLLEGE BEFORE THEY CAN REALLY START IN THEIR REAL CURRICULUM.

AND, WE HAVE TO THEREFORE PREPARE THEM FOR LIFE.

>> WE KNOW THAT IF YOU CAN READ AND WRITE WELL, YOU CAN DO BASIC MATH, AND THEN YOU BEGIN TO ACCESS ALL OF THE OTHER SUBJECTS.

BUT, THOSE FOUNDATIONAL STILLS WILL BE KEY TO STUDENTS ACCESSING EVERYTHING THE OTHER SCHOOLS ARE OFFERING.

THE PLANETS HAVE TUTORING SESSIONS HERE AT THE CHURCH SEVERAL DAYS A WEEK WITH STUDENTS GETTING HELP IN WHATEVER SUBJECT AREAS THEY NEED ATTENTION AND.

>> WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE FALL BEHIND IN OTHER CAPACITIES AND THEIR PARENTS HAVE THE REAL RESOURCES TO HELP CLOSE THAT, THEY GIVE THEM A TUTOR.

OUR KIDS DON'T HAVE THAT.

IN THE INNER-CITY.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT TUTORING.

THEY CAN LEARN, THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY.

AND IN THEIR OWN WAY, THEY ARE GENIUSES, BUT YOU HAVE TO CULTIVATE THAT AND PROVIDE THEM WITH WHAT THEY NEED.

THAT'S WHAT THIS PROGRAM WILL DO.

>> ORGANIZERS WILL EVALUATE THE PROGRAM SUCCESS AT THE END OF THE PILOT IN DECEMBER IN HOPES OF EXPANDING IT NEXT YEAR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

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RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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