>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" IS PROVIDED BY, MJ INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

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

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

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> THE HEAD OF THE CDC IS CALLING FOR DRAFTING REFORM AT THE FEDERAL HEALTH AGENCY, CITING FAILURES AND MISSTEPS HE TOOK IN RESPONDING TO THE COVID- 19 PANDEMIC.

ROCHELLE WOLINSKY TODAY ACKNOWLEDGED TO CDC STAFFERS THAT THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC GUIDANCE ON THE CORONAVIRUS WAS OFTEN QUOTE, CONFUSING AND OVERWHELMING, AND CALLED FOR AN OVERHAUL IN HOW THE AGENCY ANALYZES AND SHARES DATA, AS WELL AS HOW QUICKLY IT COMMUNICATES INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC.

THE CDC FACED INTENSE SCRUTINY THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC FOR SLOW RESPONSES, AND MS. MESSAGING ON ASKING, ALONG WITH OTHER SAFETY MEASURES, AND NOW FAITH IS THE RECKONING AS IT WORKS TO HANDLE THE MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK WITH CASES SPIKING GLOBALLY, NEARLY 13,000 IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE.

NEW JERSEY ACCOUNTS FOR A 367 OF THE INFECTIONS.

LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, IS SEEING DEMAND FOR VACCINE FAR OUTSTRIPPED THE LIMITED SUPPLY.

NEW DATA FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHOWS VAST INEQUITIES ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH MONKEYPOX IN NEW JERSEY AND THOSE WHO RECEIVED A VACCINE.

HISPANICS ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE STATE'S MONKEYPOX PATIENTS, BUT RECEIVED LESS THAN A QUARTER OF THE VACCINE SO FAR.

THIS WEEK, NEWARK HOSTED A BLOCK IN VACCINE CLINIC.

AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS, PEOPLE WERE READY TO WAIT FOR HOURS TO GET TO THOSE LIMITED SHOTS.

>> A BUMP THAT IS ITCHY, WILL GO AWAY IN FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS.

>> MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE WRAPPED IN THE LINEUP AROUND THE BUILDING TO WAIT THEIR TURN TO RECEIVE A MONKEYPOX VACCINE AT THIS WALK-IN CLINIC.

>> I KNOW THE GAME AND I AM NEARLY ANGLE AFTER A FEW YEARS SINCE I LOST MY HUSBAND A FEW YEARS AGO.

SINCE I HAVE COME BACK ON THE SCENE, ALREADY THERE IS SOMETHING NEW.

IT IS ALL ABOUT OUTREACH AND IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT OUTREACH OF THE FUND, THAT IS THE REASON IT EXPLODED ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> Reporter: IS WALKING MONKEYPOX VACCINATION CLINIC IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE NORTH JERSEY RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

>> JUST WALKED IN, ARRIVED AN HOUR AND A HALF BEFORE THEY STARTED THE PROCESS.

I HAVE TO BE PROTECTED AND TO PROTECT PEOPLE AS WELL.

AS LONG AS I HAVE THE VACCINE, I WILL NOT PASS IT TO OTHER PEOPLE.

>> AS WE GET A LARGE SUPPLY ME WE WILL HAVE AN EVENT LIKE THIS AND BE ABLE TO HAND OUT VACCINE AT A RELATIVELY QUICK PACE.

>> IS STARTING TO GET MORE REGULAR, SO WE ARE PUTTING OUT A REGULAR SCHEDULE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> Reporter: CEO OF NJ CRI SAYS, THE CLINIC OPENED WITH A LIMITED SUPPLY OF 250 VACCINES FROM THE DOH.

>> WE ARE VERY INVOLVED WITH THE VACCINE.

WE SET UP SIMILAR SCENARIOS AS WE DO TODAY, A 20 SEAT MODEL, WHICH ALLOWS US TO VACCINATE LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE AT ONE TIME.

WE CAN ALSO DO HEALTH SCREENINGS AT THE SAME TIME IN A SEPARATE AREA TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE RISK FACTORS.

WHAT I CAN DO IS SAY, MONKEYPOX HAS BEEN MUCH MORE OF A DEMAND.

PEOPLE ARE MORE INTERESTED IN GETTING IT, MAYBE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH COVID AND SEE SOME OF THAT.

MONKEYPOX ALSO HAS MORE SCARS IN RELATIONS TO PHYSICAL, OUTSIDE FEATURES, WHICH I AM NOT SURE IF THAT IS WHAT BRINGS PEOPLE IN.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE CURRENTLY 367 MONKEYPOX CASES IN NEW JERSEY AS OF THIS AFTERNOON.

THERE ARE NOW 10 OPERATIONAL VACCINE SITES IN NEW JERSEY WITH THE RECENT ADDITION OF UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NEWARK.

DESPITE MORE THAN 5500 PEOPLE NOW VACCINATED AGAINST MONKEYPOX IN THE STATE, SENATOR CORY BOOKER AND CONGRESSWOMAN MIKEY CHERYL, ARE URGING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO INCREASE TESTING AND VACCINE AVAILABILITY FOR NEW JERSEY, GIVEN THE DISPROPORTIONATE RISK THE STATE FACES AS THE NUMBER OF MONKEYPOX VIRUS CASES INCREASES AROUND THE UNITED STATES.

THE GOVERNOR, WHEN ASKED ABOUT VACCINES TODAY, SAYING, MORE ON THE WAY.

>> I HAVE HAD ENOUGH FRIENDS IN MY CIRCLES LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITIES IN NEW YORK.

HAVING TO DRIVE FAR INTO QUEENS OR BROOKLYN TO GET AN APPOINTMENT.

THIS IS DIFFERENT IN THAT REGARDING COVID THAT IT WAS DEADLY POPULATION WIDE.

THIS IS NOT AS DEADLY, BUT THE SYMPTOMS ARE SO SEVERE AND PAINFUL, I'D LIKE TO BE PROTECTED.

THIS WAS MORE DIFFICULT TRYING TO FIND AVAILABILITY.

>> JERSEY CITY AND NEWARK ARE THE TWO HARDEST HIT AREAS WHEN IT COMES TO MONKEYPOX IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

WE TALK ABOUT THE ASPECT OF PROXIMITY TO NEW YORK CITY, WHICH HAS BEEN THE EPICENTER OF THIS OUTBREAK CURRENTLY.

>> QUINTON BELL IS THE STATE MANAGER OF THE LGBTQ PLUS PROGRAMS AT THE HIGH SENT FOUNDATION AND RUNS THEIR VACCINATION CLINIC IN THE CITY.

HE EMPHASIZED, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN YOU CAN GET VACCINATED AND WHEN YOU SHOULD SEEK TREATMENT FOR THE PARTIES.

>> WE WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE ASPECT THAT, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HAD LIKELY EXPOSURE FROM MONKEYPOX, REALLY BETWEEN FOUR TO 14 DAYS, THAT IS WHERE VACCINATION CAN COME IN HANDY.

WHEN WE ARE BEYOND THAT 14 DAY PERIOD, OR WHEN SOMEONE IS NOW SHOWING THEM THUMBS, TREATMENT IS WHAT WE ARE SUGGESTING BECAUSE VACCINATION WILL NOT BE HELPFUL.

>> AND, HE SAYS, YOU CAN RECEIVE THE TREATMENT BY CONTACTING YOUR PRIMARY PHYSICIAN.

IN THE MEANTIME, EXPERTS SAY, THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT THE VIRUS IS BY GETTING VACCINATED, IF AND WHEN MORE ARE DELIVERED TO WALK-IN CLINICS LIKE THE ONE HERE IN NEWARK.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS", RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> AN INITIATIVE CREATED ONE YEAR AGO, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE NATION, LAUNCHING THE PAY IT FORWARD LOAN PROGRAM, HELPING LOW INCOME NEW JERSEYANS GET INTO HIGH DEMAND CAREERS IN NURSING, TECHNOLOGY, CLEAN ENERGY BY GIVING THEM NO INTEREST, NO FEE LOANS THAT, IN SOME CASES, WON'T REQUIRE THEM TO PAY IT BACK.

THE PROGRAM USES A REVOLVING FUND, PAID FOR BY PRIVATE GRANTS, AND ABOUT 7 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE STATE BUDGET.

IT WILL COVER TUITION, BUT ALSO BOOKS SOME, SUPPLIES, AND OTHER WRAPAROUND SERVICES LIKE CAREER COUNSELING, HOUSING STIPENDS, AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS.

STUDENTS WHO LAND A JOB IN THEIR FILM FIELD AND MEET A CERTAIN INCOME THRESHOLD WILL PAY BACK THE LOANS, BUT THE MONEY WILL GO DIRECTLY BACK INTO THE FUND TO HELP PAY FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF STUDENTS.

AFTER FIVE YEARS OF CONSISTENT REPAYMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL WRITE OFF THE LOAN.

ANYONE WHO GOES THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND DOESN'T GET A JOB WON'T HAVE TO PAY BACK THE LOAN AT ALL.

PAY IT FORWARD WILL RUN THROUGH HUDSON AND CAMDEN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGES, ALONG WITH NJIT , EACH SCHOOL SPECIALIZING IN A PARTICULAR CAREER FIELD.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS AN ANTICIPATING ABOUT 600 STUDENTS TO START.

>> HIGHER EDUCATION A QUALITY JOB TRAINING SHOULD BE WITHIN THE REACH OF EVERY NEW JERSEY AND WHO WISHES TO WORK HARD AND AIM HIGHER.

TODAY IS AN IMPORTANT DAY IN OUR WORK TO INSURE THIS PRINCIPLE HOLDS TRUE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF STUDENTS IN OUR STATE, MAKING NEW JERSEY THE STATE OF OPPORTUNITY MEANS DOING ALL WE CAN TO PREPARE OUR RESIDENTS FOR GOOD PAYING JOBS AND FAMILIES STATUS SUSTAINING CAREERS, WHICH IN TURN BUILDS THE ROBUST AND TALENTED WORKFORCE WE WILL NEED FOR SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH.

>> AND, IF COLLEGES PREPARE TO RESUME FALL CLASSES, A NUMBER OF PRIVATE HIGHER ED INSTITUTIONS ARE REPORTING FINANCIAL STRUGGLES.

ACCOMMODATION OF COVID-19 RELATED TUITION FREEZES, HIGH INFLATION, AND DROPPING ENROLLMENT.

NOW, SOME SCHOOLS ARE TAKING A CREATIVE APPROACH TO TRY AND STAY AFLOAT.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> ANTHONY ME SARAH IS GETTING READY TO OFFICIALLY SPEND THE NEXT FOUR YEARS OF HIS LIFE AS A COLLEGE STUDENT HERE AT GEORGE COURT UNIVERSITY HERE IN LAKELAND.

>> A LOT DIFFERENT FROM HIGH SCHOOL, I GOT TO GET USED TO IT.

>> Reporter: THE INCOMING FRESHMAN THRILLED TO MOVE IN HIS DORM WITH HIS FAMILY BY HIS SIDE TO SUPPORT HIM.

>> I AM EXCITED FOR HIM.

HE WILL HAVE A GOOD YEAR.

HE WILL BE PLAYING LACROSSE, SO THAT WILL KEEP HIM BUSY ALSO APPEARS >> IT IS THE KIND OF EXCITEMENT THAT LETS VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT AND RETENTION NOTE THAT THEY ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

>> PRIOR TO COVID, WE WERE ON AN UPWARD TRAJECTORY, WHICH THE UNIVERSITY WAS EXCITED ABOUT EVERY YEAR.

WE WERE ENROLLING A FEW MORE STUDENTS THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

HOWEVER, WITH COVID, WE DID DECLINE A LITTLE BIT.

WE WERE DOWN JUST OVER 4% OF STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THIS UPCOMING GOAL YEAR IS THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE RAISING TUITION SINCE THE 2019, 2022 SCHOOL YEAR FROM $750 PER CREDIT TO 773, AND FROM SIX TO $60,420-$60,990 FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS.

ENROLLMENT IS LOOKING UP.

>> ARE ENROLLMENT THIS FALL IS RIGHT ON TARGET WHERE WE EXPECTED.

200 FRESHMEN AND 150 TRANSFER STUDENTS WILL BE JOINING US.

>> Reporter: BUT, TO HELP WITH RISING COSTS, THE SCHOOL RECENTLY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT TO SELL A PART OF ITS 150 ACRE LAND TO ME ABOUT YESHIVA, A PLAN THAT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS SINCE 2019, BEFORE THE PANDEMIC TO ME BUT NOW ALLEVIATING FINANCIAL STRESS.

>> THE LAND THAT WILL BE SOLD IS 36 ACRES.

IT IS JUST TREES AND FOREST.

WE WERE NEVER GOING TO USE THAT LAND, AT LEAST IN OUR CURRENT PLANS.

>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, JOSEPH MARBACH, SAYING THE MOMENT MONEY FROM THE SALE WILL GO TOWARD IMPROVING EVERYDAY CAMPUS LIFE FOR STUDENTS.

>> IT IS WHAT WE SEE AS OUR INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT INVESTING IN OUR GROWTH AREAS AND NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES HAVE BEEN OUR STRONGEST PROGRAMS TO DATE AND THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN GROWING.

>> GEORGIAN COURT IS NOT ALONE.

DREW UNIVERSITY IN MADISON IS LOOKING TO SELL 63 OF ITS 168 ACRE CAMPUS, PENDING SUPPORT FROM THE TOWN GOVERNMENT.

>> THESE ARE VERY HEALTHY DECISIONS, BY NO MEANS ARE THE ACTS OF DESPERATION.

>> Reporter: STEVE REYNOLDS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF NEW JERSEY REPRESENTS DREW AND GEORGIAN COURT UNIVERSITIES, BELIEFS CHOOSING TO SELL LAND THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE USED IS A WIN- WIN SITUATION.

>> THEY ARE TAKING THAT INVESTMENT, CASHING THAT INVESTMENT, FOR THAT AND REINVESTING INTO THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE.

THAT IS HOW YOU COMPETE IN THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.

>> GEORGIAN COURT EXPERIENCED SOME FUNDING DEPRECIATION IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT HAVE NOT HAD MUCH OF A NEGATIVE IMPACT.

>> WE'VE BEEN USING MONEY WE BORROW IN 2019 FOR CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY.

WHETHER IT IS STORM SYSTEMS, SEWAGE SYSTEMS, BUT THE FACADES OF OUR BUILDINGS, WE'VE BEEN INVESTING IN OUR CAMPUS.

OVER THE PAST INVESTED $20 MILLION IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE ON CAMPUS AND WE ARE LOOKING TO INVEST ANOTHER 50 OR $60 MILLION INTO CAMPUS.

>> Reporter: AN INVESTMENT THEY HOPE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL KEEP STUDENTS LIKE ANTHONY MOVING IN AND EXCITED TO START THEIR NEW LIFE ON CAMPUS FOR MANY MORE YEARS TO COME.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THE STATE MAY BE SCALING BACK COVID TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR UNVACCINATED WORKERS, BUT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IS IT.

SCHOOL OFFICIALS THIS WEEK DECIDED TO MAINTAIN CORONAVIRUS SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES THIS FALL, INCLUDING BEING FULLY VACCINATED AND TESTED, ALONG WITH WEARING FACE COVERINGS AT ALL INDOOR TEACHING SPACES, LIBRARIES, AND LABS.

UNVACCINATED STUDENTS AND STAFF WILL ALSO HAVE TO CONTINUE ROUTINE WEEKLY TESTING.

IN A LETTER TO THE CAMPUS, RUTGERS COO, ANTONIO CAL COTTO WROTE, THE REASON HOSPITALIZATIONS FROM THE SPREAD OF THE BA.5 SUBAREAS ARE LIMITED ARE ALL THINGS TO THE PROTOCOLS IN PLACE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

HE MOVED FROM NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST UNIVERSITY COMES ON THE HEELS OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE STATE WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE REGULAR COVID-19 TESTING FOR UNVACCINATED STATE WORKERS, SCHOOL, AND CHILDCARE EMPLOYEES.

>>> PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS NEW JERSEY ARE FACING AN EXTRA HURDLE GOING INTO SEPTEMBER, A MASSIVE STAFFING SHORTAGE THAT SOME ARE SCRIBING AS A CRISIS.

DESPITE COMMON PERCEPTION, IT IS NOT ONLY DO TO TEACHERS LEAVING THE INDUSTRY DURING AND POST PANDEMIC.

DATA SHOWS, SIMPLY BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE JOINING THE PROFESSION, AND THAT IS DUE TO A LITANY OF REASONS.

EDUCATION WRITER, JOHN MOONEY, SAYS, THE ISSUES HAVE BEEN BREWING FOR YEARS AND HAS NOW REACHED THE BOILING POINT.

JOHN JOINS ME NOW.

JOHN, THIS IS OF COURSE SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT IN THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY FOR A LONG TIME.

WHY AREN'T STUDENTS PURSUING THIS PROFESSION NOW?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF FACTORS.

I THINK THE MARKETPLACE HAS CHANGED IN MANY WAYS.

THE JOB IS NOT QUITE WHAT IT ONCE WAS, OR AT LEAST FELT TO BE.

THE CHALLENGES ARE ONLY GROWING.

LOTS OF PUBLIC PRESSURES ON THEM.

OUR PREVIOUS GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR CHRISTIE, HAD BEEN VERY CRITICAL OF TEACHERS, OR AT LEAST THEIR UNIONS.

I THINK THEY ARE JOBS THAT PEOPLE THINK AND PAY IS LOW, IF NOT BETTER, WITHOUT THE SAME PRESSURES.

THAT IS POLITICS, THAT IS CULTURE.

I THINK IT IS A REAL CHALLENGE SCHOOLS WILL BE FACING FOR A LONG TIME.

IT LOOKS WORSE NOW, BECAUSE I THINK SOME AND EXACERBATING FACTORS ARE AT PLAY, BUT I THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WILL NEED A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

>> YOU HAVE HEARD FOR YEARS COVERING THIS BEAT, I HAVE HEARD ANECDOTALLY FOR YEARS, NOT JUST UNDERPAID, OVERWORKED, AND THE CRISIS OF COVID, BUT A NEW SHIFT NOW THAT TENURED TEACHERS, WHICH WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SORT OF LIKE COVETED, ARE ALSO MOVING FROM DISTRICT TO DISTRICT.

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

>> IT USED TO BE THAT TEACHERS WOULD START AT A DISTRICT, GET TENURE IN THREE YEARS, AND LIKELY STAY IN THAT DISTRICT FOR 20, 25 YEARS.

THAT IS CHANGING.

GENERATIONALLY, I THINK PEOPLE ARE MOVING AROUND A LOT MORE THAN THEY USE TO.

THAT IS HAPPENING IN OTHER PROFESSIONS AS WELL.

CERTAINLY, I THINK THEY ALSO ARE GETTING SAVVIER AND SEEING HOW OTHER DISTRICTS ARE PAYING.

IT IS MORE TRANSPARENT.

THOSE CONTRACTS ARE OUT THERE FOR FOLKS TO SEE.

I THINK THEY ARE SEEING SOME OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

AN EXPERIENCED TEACHER WILL DO TWO, THREE, FOUR YEARS AT A NEW DISTRICT AND GET TENURED THERE.

IT IS MORE OF A SHORT-TERM THING FOR THEM, BUT THEY CAN END UP WITH CONSIDERABLY MORE IN TERMS OF PAY AND ULTIMATELY PENSIONS.

>> WHAT IS THE STATE DOING, WHAT ARE POSSIBLE REMEDIES HERE?

>> THEY ARE SORT OF CHIPPING AWAY AT SOME OF THE LOWER BARRIERS AROUND CERTIFICATION AND RECIPROCITY, AND RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS.

IT IS SLOW MOVING.

I THINK THERE WILL HAVE TO BE SOME REAL RETHINKING OF STEPS TO TAKE.

RIGHT NOW, THE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, AND DISTRICTS ARE REALLY STARTING TO SEE IT, AND KIDS WILL REALLY START TO SEE IT AS WELL.

>> I HAVE A SOURCE IN THE LINDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT, JOHN, WHO WAS RECENTLY TELLING ME ABOUT NEARLY 100 STAFFING POSITIONS, NOT JUST TEACHERS, BUT WE ARE TALKING ACROSS THE BOARD, INCLUDING PARAPROFESSIONALS.

IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE PIPELINE TO GET MORE FOLKS LOOKING AT THOSE JOBS?

IS NOT LIMITED TO JUST TEACHERS.

>> IT DEFINITELY ISN'T.

PARAPROFESSIONALS IS A LOT OF PROBLEM IN A LOT OF DISTRICTS.

AND THEY ARE CRITICAL WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION.

PARAPROFESSIONALS ARE PART OF THE PIPELINE AT THEY ARE SEEING THESE JOBS OPEN UP AS TEACHERS, SO THEY ARE MOVING INTO THAT.

IT IS ACTUALLY A DOUBLE WHAMMY IN SOME CASES.

THAT WILL BE A REAL ISSUE.

A LOT OF THESE PARAPROFESSIONALS ARE PART OF NATIONAL EDUCATION PLANS THAT ARE BINDING.

DISTRICTS WILL REALLY BE LEFT GRAMBLING TO FULFILL REALLY THEIR OBLIGATIONS.

>> NOT A GOOD POSITION TO BE IN.

JOHN MOONEY FOR US, THANKS FOR DIGGING INTO THAT FOR US, JOHN.

>>> NEW JERSEY JOINT ATTORNEY GENERAL FROM 19 OTHER STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C. TO OPPOSE A TEXAS LAWSUIT ON EMERGENCY ABORTION CARE.

TEXAS FOOD THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IN JULY OVER GUIDANCE RELEASED, TELLING THE NATION'S DOCTORS THEY ARE PROTECTED BY FEDERAL LAW TO PROVIDE AN ABORTION AS PART OF AN EMERGENCY TREATMENT, EVEN IN STATES WHERE IT WAS BANNED.

THAT GUIDANCE COMING, OF COURSE, FOLLOWING THE FALL OF ROE VERSUS WADE.

IN A BRIEF FILED IN FEDERAL COURT, ATTORNEYS GENERALS WROTE QUOTE, EMERGENCY CARE IS NECESSARY TO AVOID SERIOUS HARMFUL OUTCOMES, INCLUDING DEATH.

ARGUING, JUDGES SHOULD NOT GRANT TEXAS'S REQUEST FOR AN MARY INJUNCTION.

NEW JERSEY AND OTHER STATES THAT, THEY HAVE A STAKE IN THE CASE BECAUSE PATIENTS DENIED CARE IN TEXAS MAY TRAVEL TO NEIGHBORING AREAS TO GET THE EMERGENCY CARE THEY NEED.

>>> THE STATE HAS BEEN PUSHING TOWARD CLEAN ENERGY OPTIONS, AND NOW WE ARE GETTING A GLIMPSE AT JUST HOW MUCH IT COULD COST YOU.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS PLUS TONIGHT'S BUSINESS DEADLINES.

>> THE STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TODAY PRESENTED AND ADOPTED A 116 PAGE COST IMPACT STUDY ASSOCIATED WITH NEW JERSEY'S MASTER PLAN.

THE REPORT CONCLUDES ELECTRIFICATION WILL LEAD TO LOWER ENERGY BILLS, BUT BPU PRESIDENT JOE FIORDALISO SAYING, IT IS DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT THE EXACT AMOUNT, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE NEW CLIMATE BILL SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN, WHICH MIGHT MEAN MORE CLEAN ENERGY FUNDS COMING TO NEW JERSEY.

THE REPORT REVEALED A RANGE OF OUTCOMES IN BROAD TERMS, THE SHIFT TO CLEAN ENERGY COULD SHIFT RATES BY FROM 10 TO 20% IF A RATEPAYER CHOOSES TO DO NOTHING.

HALF OF THAT COST WOULD BE INFLATION.

UTILITY BILLS GO DROP BY 10 OR 20% IF RESIDENTS REDUCE THEIR ENERGY AND SHIFT TO ELECTRIC CARS, ANOTHER AND OTHER ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCT.

GOVERNOR JERRY MURPHY SUPPORTS EVEN AS LOCAL OFFICIALS AND ACTIVISTS OPPOSE IT.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD WIDEN THE HIGHWAY THROUGH AN EIGHT MILE STRETCH BETWEEN THE HOLLAND TUNNEL AND NEWARK BAY.

DURING AN APPEARANCE ON NEWS 12 NEW JERSEY EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE GOVERNOR SAID, THE PLAN IS QUITE AMBITIOUS AND IT IS NEEDED.

THE PROJECT IS INCLUDED IN THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITY'S CAPITAL PLAN AND WOULD BE FUNDED BY A TOLL INCREASE THAT TOOK EFFECT IN 2020.

>>> TOTAL GAMBLING REVENUE IN NEW JERSEY INCREASED 6.7% IN JULY, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST FIGURES FROM THE DIVISION OF GAMING ENFORCEMENT.

GAMES WERE EVEN STRONGER FOR INTERNET GAMING, BUT SPORTS BETTING REVENUE DECREASED, AS NEW JERSEY FACES COMPETITION NOW FROM NEW YORK, WHICH LAUNCHED MOBILE SPORTS BETTING EARLIER THIS YEAR.

MEANTIME, SOME OF ATLANTIC CITY'S CASINOS ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO RETURN TO PRE- PANDEMIC LEVELS IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT WON FROM GAMBLERS WHO ARE ON THE CASINO FLOOR.

THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN NEWARK BORN OUT OF THE PANDEMIC IS PIVOTING ITS FOCUS TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC SUPPORT FOR THE CITY.

NEWARK-BASED, AUDIBLE, HAS LAUNCHED A FOOD DELIVERY PLATFORM KNOWN AS NWKA DELIVERS.

AUDIO'S VICE PRESIDENT OF URBAN INNOVATION, AISHA GLOVER, SAYS, THIS IS THE NEXT PHASE OF AUDIBLE'S SUCCESS WILL NEWARK KITCHEN PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDED 1 1/2 MILLION MEALS TO RESIDENTS IN NEED, WHILE SUPPORTING LOCAL RESTAURANTS.

>> THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF THE NEWARK WORKING KITCHEN'S PROGRAM , WE WERE ABLE TO REALLY HELP SUSTAIN NEARLY 40 LOCAL RESTAURANTS, AND THAT EQUATES TO SEVERAL HUNDRED JOBS, AND PROBABLY MOST NOTABLY, OVER 70% OF THOSE JOBS ARE HELD BY LOCAL , NEWARK RESIDENTS.

>> AUDIBLE WILL CONTINUE TO DONATE MEALS TO NEEDY RESIDENTS FOR EACH MAIL ORDER PLACED ON THE APP.

>>> NOW, HERE IS A CHECK ON STOCK MARKET ACTION FROM TODAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE, THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY, ON LINE AT SJ MAGAZINE.NET.

>>> MILLIONS OF AMERICANS IN NEED OF HEARING AIDS WILL SOON HAVE A MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE OPTION TO BUY THEM WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION.

THE FDA THIS WOULD FINALIZE A NEW RULE, ALLOWING FOR THE DEVICES TO BE SOLD OVER THE COUNTER, NO MEDICAL EXAM, NO SPECIALIST NEEDED, THOSE ARE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BARRIERS FOR YEARS, PREVENTING PEOPLE WITH MILD TO MODERATE HEARING LOSS FROM GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> IF YOU ARE HARD OF HEARING, A NEW FDA RULE MIGHT HELP YOU OUT.

HEARING MAKES AVAILABLE WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE- COUNTER FOR PEOPLE WITH MILD TO MODERATE HEARING LOSS AND COULD TAKE EFFECT AS SOON AS OCTOBER.

>> THIS GETS PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE FENCE TO JUST PLUNGE AHEAD, WITHOUT GETTING OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED.

>> IT IS GOING TO BE A LOT MORE ACCESSIBLE BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR.

YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO GET YOUR HEARING CHECKED.

IT WILL JUST BE LIKE PEOPLE GOING TO THE DRUGSTORE LIKE WALGREENS OR CVS FOR READER GLASSES.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GO INTO A STORE OR BUY ONLINE.

>> THIS WAS WELCOMED NEWS FOR LETICIA PORTER BOND.

>> IT WAS VERY WRITING.

IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> HEARING LOSS RUNS IN HER FAMILY AND SHE HAS BEEN SUFFERING WITH HEARING LOSS SINCE THE THIRD GRADE.

>> THEY TOLD ME THAT I WAS NOT HEARING WELL IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT THEY DID NOT SAY THAT I HAD HEARING LOSS.

THE ACCOMMODATION SUGGESTED WAS TO SIT IN FRONT OF THE CLASSROOM ALL THE TIME, ALWAYS FACE PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE LOOKING AT YOU.

I DID THAT, BUT I MISSED OUT ON SO MUCH.

I STRUGGLED THROUGHOUT SCHOOL WITH MY ACADEMICS.

>> SHE GOT HER FIRST SET OF HEARING AIDS IN 1986 WITH HELP FROM A STATE-FUNDED PROGRAM.

>> THEY WERE LIKE $3000.

I WAS MAKING MAYBE $50,000 WORKING AS A SECRETARY.

THE ONLY REASON WHY I WAS ABLE TO GET THEM, WAS BECAUSE PVR PAID THEM.

THE DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MOST PEOPLE CAN'T JUST PAY THAT OUT OF THEIR POCKET.

>> ABOUT 40 MILLION OLDER ADULT EXPERIENCE HEARING LOSS, BUT JUST ABOUT 20% OF THOSE AFFECTED USE A HEARING AID.

THE HIGH COST OF PRESCRIPTION HEARING AIDS HAS REALLY BEEN A BARRIER.

>> ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY BASIC MEDICARE.

HEARING AIDS DO MORE THAN JUST HELP PEOPLE HERE.

>> LEFT UNTREATED, HEARING LOSS CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT AN OLDER PERSON'S QUALITY OF LIFE BY PREVENTING THEM FROM ENGAGING WITH OTHERS.

IT CAN LEAD TO SOCIAL ISOLATION, DEPRESSION, AND LIMIT ONE'S ABILITY TO WORK.

>> HEARING AIDS ARE MY BLOODLINE, MY LIFELINE AS FAR AS LIVING A QUALITY LIFE.

>> ADVOCATES HOPE THIS IS A START FOR MORE FEDERAL INTERVENTION TO HELP PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM HEARING LOSS.

>> HEARING TEST SHOULD BE SUGGESTED WHEN YOU GO FOR YOUR REGULAR PHYSICAL.

IT SHOULD BE A PART OF YOUR HEALTHCARE, THE SAME WAY LIKE GOING TO THE OB/GYN, OR TO THE DENTIST, HEARING TEST SHOULD BE ADDED TO HEALTHCARE, THAT WAY, THAT PERSON IS CONSTANTLY UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWING IF THERE HEARING IS DECLINING.

>> MEDICAL INSURANCE RARELY COVERS HEARING AIDS.

SOME DO, IF IT IS NEGOTIATED IN A COMPANY'S CONTRACT, BUT TYPICALLY NOT.

IN MEDICARE, NO.

I MEAN, THAT IS PREPOSTEROUS, IT REALLY IS.

THAT, IF ANYTHING ELSE, LET'S BRING THAT ATTENTION TO THAT.

>> THIS IS NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION, SINCE MANY PEOPLE STILL NEED TO VISIT AN AUDIOLOGIST FOR A CUSTOM FITTING .

IT SHOULD BE A BIG HELP TO REDUCE SOME OF THE BARRIERS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HEAR BETTER.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

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

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE SPOTLIGHT TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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