>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS TRYING 28 WITH BRIAND OF A NOSY.

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

I AM RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIAND.

RAIN IS IN THE FORECAST BUT ONLY TIME WILL TELL IF IT IS ENOUGH TO HELP JERSEYS SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS.

AND OFFICIALS NOW WARNING IF THAT WORSENING CONDITIONS DO NOT IMPROVE, THE STATE COULD GO FROM A DROUGHT WATCH TO A DRAFT WARNING.

>>> EVEN THOUGH TEMPERATURES HAVE DROPPED, DRY CONDITIONS HAVE PERSISTED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL, ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR, SEVEN COUNTIES ARE EXPERIENCING SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS, AND WHILE THE CONDITIONS HAVE LED TO MANY LUSH, GREEN LAWNS TURNING YELLOW, THE ISSUE IS NOT JUST COSMETIC.

ESTATE IS NOW ASKING THE PUBLIC TO VOLUNTARILY CONSERVE WATER, AND AS A SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS, THERE ARE SOME REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE WATER SUPPLY IN MANY OF THESE AREAS.

>> Reporter: MANY JERSEY RESIDENTS WALKED THROUGH RAIN THIS MORNING.

NOT MUCH, MAYBE AN INCH.

FLASH FLOODS FILLED THE STREETS IN A FEW SHORT HOUSE LIKE SURF CITY WHERE ABOUT THREE INCHES FELL ON TOP OF A HIGH TIDE BUT MOSTLY SCATTERED SHOWERS MOVED ACROSS THE STATE, GIVING PLANS AND CRUNCHY WANT A WELCOME DRINK AFTER SO MANY DRY WEEKS.

STILL, IT WAS NOT A DROUGHT BUSTER.

>> THESE HIT OR MISS SHOWERS, LET'S TAKE THEM.

IT GOES TO REPLENISH THE SOIL MOISTURE, WHICH REDUCES FIRE DANGER.

BUT, YOU NEED A REAL SOAKING TO GET DOWN INTO THE SOIL PROFILE AND GET SOME RUNOFF INTO OUR RIVERS, THE FLOW INTO THE RESERVOIR, GET SOME RAIN DOWN DEEPER INTO THE SURFACE TO REPLENISH GROUNDWATER.

>> Reporter: STATE CLIMATOLOGIST DAVID ROBINSON SAYS THAT DROUGHT WATCH DECLARED BY THE DEP STILL HOLDS, MEANING RESIDENTS ARE ASKED TO VOLUNTARILY CONSERVE WATER.

ESTATES WATER SUPPLY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MET FRIDAY.

EXPERTS DON'T SEE THAT DROUGHT BREAKING ANYTIME SOON.

>> THE NEAR INCIDENT OF NEEDING LONGER-TERM FORECAST IS LESS PRECIPITATION AND WARMER WEATHER.

IT DOES NOT LOOK PROMISING.

>> Reporter: RESERVOIR LEVELS KEEP DROPPING.

YOU CAN SEE BOTTOM IN THE ORANGE RESERVOIR AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION PICTURES HE AVERAGES AN INCH OF RAIN A WEEK IN SUMMER, WHERE RUNNING AT 86 TO SEVEN INCH DEFICIT IN SOME PARTS OF THE STATE, REFERENCES HAS.

>> RIGHT NOW THE RESERVOIRS ARE IN BETTER SHAPE THAN THE RAIN GAUGES, AND THE RIVERS.

BUT THEY ARE FALLING AT A FASTER RATE THAN NORMAL BECAUSE WE ARE PULLING MORE WATER OUT OF THOSE RESERVOIRS TO WATER LAWNS AND FILL POOLS.

A WELL BEHAVED TROPICAL SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE TOO BAD YET RIGHT NOW, THAT WOULD BRING TWO TO FOUR INCHES OF RAIN.

>> Reporter: TODAY, SHOWERS DID NOT COME CLOSE.

A FEDERAL MAP SHOWS SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS OF PROCESSED IN SOMERSET, UNION, AND NORTHERN MIDDLESEX COUNTIES AND MODERATE DROUGHT IN SEVEN SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

EVEN THIS BRIEF RAINFALL COULD HELP NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER COMPANY, WHICH LAST MONTH PLACED MANDATORY WATER USE RESTRICTIONS ON ITS CUSTOMERS AND --WE HAVE FOLKS STILL USING WATER ON THEIR MINDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO, THE RAIN HOPEFULLY DETERS THEM FROM USAGE.

IT EASES UP THE DEMAND A BIT.

IT IS CERTAINLY NOT ENOUGH TO MOVE THE STATE OUT OF THE DROUGHT WATCH.

WE WORRY THAT THESE THINGS ARE AS PEOPLE LIKE TO SAY, THE NEW NORMAL.

>> Reporter: MARK HEADS THE STATE'S LARGEST WATER COMPANY WHICH HAS ASKED ALL OTHER CUSTOMERS TO VOLUNTARILY CONSERVE, FARMERS, MEANWHILE, MUST IRRIGATE MORE.

EVEN THAT DID NOT SAVE CHESTER YIELD OR CHURCH LOSING 30% OF THE CROP TO THIRSTY BIRDS DRIVEN TO DESPERATE MEASURES.

>> WHEN THEY CANNOT FIND WATER IN THEIR USUAL SOURCES, THEY ARE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW TO LOOK FOR FRUITS, TO LOOK FOR VEGETABLES, AND IN OUR CASE, THEY HAVE FOUND OUR FIG TREES.

UNFORTUNATELY FOR US, THERE ARE MOST VALUABLE CROP.

SO, ALREADY WE HAVE A PARTIAL CROP FAILURE.

>> Reporter: TO SAVE THE REST OF THE FIGS, THE FARM IS ASKING STATE REGULATORS FOR PERMISSION TO FIRE NOISE CANNONS TO SCARE OFF THIRSTY BIRDS IN HOPING FOR THE WELL BEHAVED TROPICAL STORM SYSTEM.

I AM INTO ACCOUNT FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> SUNDAY MARKED THE FIRST EVER NATIONAL FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY.

THE NX BASED SIEVE, WIDELY AVAILABLE, HIGHLY ADDICTIVE DRUG IS INCREASINGLY BEING MIXED WITH OTHER ILLICIT DRUGS IN POWDER IN PILL FORM TO DRIVE ADDICTION AND CREATE REPEAT CUSTOMERS.

MANY TIMES, BUYERS ARE UNAWARE THAT FENTANYL IS IN THE DRUG THEY ARE TAKING.

EVEN MORE CONCERNING, JUST ONE PILL LACED WITH FENTANYL CAN KILL.

TO MARK THE DAY AND RAISE AWARENESS, TED GOLDBERG SPOKE WITH ADDICTION EXPERTS AND STEW LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT WHY IT IS SO PREVALENT, AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS CAUSED BY THE DRUG.

>> NATIONAL FENTANYL PREVENTION AND AWARENESS DAY HOPES TO SHED LIGHT ON THE SYNTHETIC OPIOID THAT IS 50 TIMES AS POWERFUL AS HEROIN.

IT IS ALSO FUELING MORE ACCIDENTAL DRUG DRUG OVERDOSES, WHICH HAVE KILLED THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEYANS, AND MORE THAN 100,000 AMERICANS IN THE PAST YEAR.

>> THAT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF A 737 PLANE CRASHING EVERY DAY FOR 365 DAYS.

>> Reporter: ROBERT BUT SOCK LEADS INTEGRITY HAS COME A DRUG TREATMENT CENTER IN NEWARK.

HE SAYS DEALING WITH FENTANYL IS ONE OF HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGES.

>> YOU WOULD HEAR ABOUT ONE OR TWO OVERDOSES A YEAR.

THAT WAS IT, IT WAS REALLY RARE AND IT WAS REALLY A COMBINATION OF THE SUBSTANCES THAT CAUSED THE OVERDOSE.

OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, WE HEAR ABOUT OVERDOSE DEATHS EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: ONE REASON FOR THAT IS FENTANYL'S POTENCY.

>> IT ONLY TAKES 10 TO 15 GRAINS OF FENTANYL TO KILL A PERSON.

WHEN I SAY 10 TO 15 GRAINS, IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF 10 TO 15 RINGS OF SALT.

>> TWO MILLIGRAMS THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THE TIP OF THE PENCIL RIGHT HERE, THAT'S ENOUGH FENTANYL THAT CAN KILL YOU.

>> Reporter: SUSAN GIBSON WORKS WITH THE DEA PRINCESS FENTANYL HAS BECOME WIDESPREAD BECAUSE OF ITS RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE TO MAKE IN LARGE BASSES.

>> IT IS SO CHEAP COMPARED TO A PRODUCT THAT HAS TO BE PLANTED.

BETWEEN WAITING UNSEASONAL GROWS, BETWEEN WAITING ON WEATHER TO PROCURE THAT PRODUCT, FENTANYL IS SYNTHESIZED.

SO, YOU CAN MAKE IT IN A LIMITED AMOUNT OF FENTANYL ANY TIME OF THE YEAR, 365.

>> Reporter: THESE PILLS ARE FROM A RECENT SEIZURE.

>> THIS IS A KILO AND A HALF OF FENTANYL.

ONE KILO IS ABOUT $60,000, IT CAN LEAD TO PROFITS TO 1.5 MILLION IN PROFIT.

>> Reporter: GETS AND SAYS IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BUYING PRESCRIPTION PILLS ON THE STREET, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE IT IS ACTUALLY FENTANYL.

>> EVERY TIME WE SEE THEY PILL IT GOES IN FOR TESTING.

FOUR OUT OF 10 PILLS CONTAIN ENOUGH FENTANYL THAT CAN TAKE YOUR LIFE.

WE HAVE TO SAVE THESE KIDS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE IN THE THROES OF ADDICTION TO TAKE THE ONE WRONG PILL.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST CONCERNING FACTOR ABOUT ALL OF THIS.

>> ANYWHERE FROM TWO THIRDS TO CLOSE TO 90% OF OVERDOSE DEATHS INVOLVE FENTANYL NOWADAYS.

>> Reporter: MEDICAL EXPERTS LIKE JERRY JOSEPH SAY FIGHTING FENTANYL IS AN UPHILL BATTLE.

THEY RECOMMEND CREATING MORE SPACES FOR DRUG USERS TO USE WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING ARRESTED PICKS WHETHER IT IS USING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, NOT USING ALONE NOT COMBINING WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES, AND REALLY KIND OF EDUCATING ON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF POTENTIAL OVERDOSE.

>> OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTERS ARE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SAFELY USE DRUGS WITH STAFF AVAILABLE TO INTERVENE IN THE INCIDENT OF AN OVERDOSE.

AND THESE ARE ACTUALLY ILLEGAL UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

THERE ARE TWO OPERATING IN NEW YORK CITY, AND MORE INTERNATIONALLY.

HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO REDUCE DISEASE TRANSMISSION, LITTER, CRIME, MORTALITY, ALL WHILE INCREASING TREATMENT ENGAGEMENT.

>> Reporter: ELLIOTT LIEBLING SAYS NEEDLE EXCHANGES AND THE SEVEN REDUCTION CENTERS IN NEW JERSEY ARE A GOOD START.

BUT HE WANTS TO SEE THE STATE TO DO MORE.

>> OPIOID OVERDOSES ARE REVERSIBLE BY THE LOCKS ON, AND HAVING SOMEONE AT THESE SITES ABLE TO REVERSE AN OVERDOSE.

>> THIS IS A RACE TO SAVE LIVES RIGHT NOW.

TWO JUST TAKE EVERY TOOL THAT WE HAVE IN OUR TOOLBOX, TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE LONG ENOUGH TO HELP THEM RECEIVE TREATMENT.

>> Reporter: AND HOPEFULLY SEE FEWER FENTANYL OVERDOSES BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR.

IN NEWARK, I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> CALLS FOR PEACE ECHOING THROUGH THE STREETS OF NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST CITY.

A PIECE WALK LED BY THE MAYOR MARCHED 13 MILES TO THE CITY'S FIVE WORDS WITH THE THEME NEWARK FORWARD, MINUS VIOLENCE, EQUALS OUR FUTURE.

MANY RESIDENTS JOINED IN AND BUSINESSES WERE CALLED ON TO CLOSE FOR THAT DATE IN SUPPORT OF THE MUCH.

THE CITY'S OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND TRAUMA RECOVERY WAS ANOTHER ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES BEHIND THE CITIES PEACE EFFORTS.

ALL IN AN EFFORT TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE.

WHILE VIOLENT CRIMES ARE DOWN IN NEWARK, POLICE RECOVERED MORE GUNS OFF THE STREETS IN JULY THAN IN ANY OTHER CITY IN NEW JERSEY.

ROBBERIES AND CAR THEFTS ARE UP AS WELL SOME OF THE MARCH ENDED LATE IN THE AFTERNOON AT WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL WHERE THE MAYOR SPOKE TO PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATED.

'S PINNACLE OF THE BABIES THAT WERE OUT TO TO TODAY CHEERING WE PUT IT IN THEIR HEAD IN THEIR HEARTS THAT SHOOTING EACH OTHER IS NOT RIGHT.

VIOLENCE IS NOT CULTURALLY NORMAL FOR US.

BECAUSE YOU LIVE IN NEWARK YOU SHOULD NOT ACCEPT VIOLENCE.

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GROWING UP SEEING THEIR FATHERS AND MOTHERS AND UNCLES AND BROTHERS STANDING UP AGAINST VIOLENCE.

>> IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A LAW BANNING STATE AND LOCAL JAILS FROM ENTERING INTO CONTRACTS WITH ICE TO HOUSE IMMIGRANT DETAINEES.

AND AFTER YEARS OF PROTEST ADVOCATES FOR THE PRACTICE TO END, IT HAS.

BUT AS THE ICE DETAINEE POPULATIONS IN ESSEX, HUDSON AND BERGEN DWINDLED TO ZERO, THERE IS NOW ONLY ONE FACILITY THAT CONTINUES TO HOUSE THEM.

THE PRIVATELY RUN ELIZABETH DETENTION CENTER.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE LOOK AT AT HOW MUCH THE LANDSCAPE HAS AND HAS NOT CHANGED FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED DURING THAT TIME.

>> [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: ON THE SURFACE YOU CAN SAY A LOT HAS CHANGED IN NEW JERSEY SINCE THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL BANNING CITIES AND COUNTIES FROM GETTING INTO CONTRACTS WITH ICE TO HOUSE DETAINEES.

ANY TAURUS OF THE ALLIANCE FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE WAS IN THE FOREFRONT OF THAT FIGHT.

>> WHAT HAPPENED IN NEW JERSEY LAST YEAR, IT MADE MENTION NATIONAL NEWS.

NOT ONLY DID WE BAN DETENTION AND ANY FUTURE AGREEMENTS COMING TO NEW JERSEY, BUT THE POLITICAL WINDFALL OF THAT EVENT CAUSED THE SHUTTERING OF THREE OF THE COUNTY SITES, HUDSON, BERGEN, AND ESSEX.

>> Reporter: ASK SOMEBODY LIKE JENNY HE WAS DETAINED IN 2019, AND NOW ORGANIZES IMMIGRANTS, SHE WILL TELL YOU THAT BENEATH THE SURFACE THINGS ARE NOT THAT MUCH DIFFERENT FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED.

>> Translator: THINGS HAVE NOT CHANGED IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY IN THE LAST YEAR FOR IMMIGRANTS.

WE ARE STILL HERE WHERE PEOPLE ARE BEING DETAINED.

WE ARE HEARING CASES WHERE ICE IS GOING INTO FACTORIES OR GOING INTO PLACES OF PEOPLE'S WORK, THEY ARE ROUNDING UP INDIVIDUALS AND THEY ARE STILL DETAINING THEM.

I REALLY THOUGHT THINGS WOULD CHANGE IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, BUT STILL THIS YEAR, THINGS CONTINUE TO BE THE SAME.

>> Reporter: WHERE ARE THE DETAINEES BEING PROCESSED AND FREQUENTLY HELD?

RIGHT HERE IN UNION COUNTY, IN ELIZABETH, WHERE A PRIVATE OPERATOR STILL OPERATES A FACILITY FOR ICE FOR ONE MORE YEAR, AT LEAST.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING PROCESSED AND HELD HERE?

NEITHER COURT CIVIC NOR ICE RESPONDED TO OUR REQUESTS ON THE QUESTION.

BUT TORRES AND OTHER ADVOCATES SAY ICE CONTRACT ARE A LIFELINE TO THE BOTTOM LINE OF THE PRIVATE DETENTION BUSINESS.

>> WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE IMPETUS FOR THAT TO BAN WAS BECAUSE ICE WAS PLANNING TO EXPAND ITS FOOTPRINT IN THE REGION, THEY HAVE DONE EXACTLY THAT.

THERE ARE HUGE FACILITIES NOW IN PENNSYLVANIA AFTER DRAWING MAGNETS ACROSS THE REGION, THE BECAUSE OF NEW JERSEY'S PROXIMITY TO NEW YORK, WE KNEW BECAUSE OF THE HIGH CONCENTRATION OF IMMIGRANTS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR STATE, THE HIGH CONCENTRATION OF IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS NEXT-DOOR THAT IT WAS VERY URGENT TO MAKE SURE NEW JERSEY TOOK ACTION.

>> IS THE MARKET FOR PRIVATELY RUN INSTITUTIONS, IS IT BLOOMING NOW?

>> IT HAS BEEN BUILDING FOR OVER 10 YEARS.

THESE PRIVATE PRISON COMPANIES RELY ON IMMIGRATION DETENTION AS THE PRIMARY PROFIT MAKING FIELD, RIGHT?

OR INDUSTRY.

BECAUSE THERE IS A SLOWING, OR REDUCED MARKET FOR OTHER JAILS AND PRISONS.

AND THEN, COMPARATIVELY, IMMIGRATION DETENTION HAS BECOME THE PRIMARY SOURCE FOR PROFIT FOR THESE COMPANIES PICKS POLICIES LIKE TITLE 42, THE PANDEMIC ERA LEFT OVER, THAT STILL GIVES ICE AGENTS BROAD DISCRETION TO DENY ENTRY TO ASYLUM-SEEKERS, PLUS SEEMINGLY RANDOM ICE ACTIONS THAT TARGET IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS NEW JERSEY SEEMING TO GUARANTEE THAT IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL DETAIN.

AND THE MORE THINGS SEEM TO CHANGE, THE MORE THEY REALLY JUST SEEM TO STAY THE SAME.

I AM DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A NEW LAWSUIT BY VETERANS HOME EMPLOYEES COMPLAINS THAT DECISIONS MAKE BY THE STATE LED TO HIGH DEATH RATES.

THE SUIT CLAIMS THE STATE EVEN BAND MASKS IN THE VERY EARLY DAYS.

THIS COMES AS THE STATE IS PAYING OUT NEARLY 60 MILLION MORE DOLLARS TO FAMILIES OF PEOPLE WHO DIED OF COVID-19, IN VETERANS HOMES.

THE MONEY SETTLED 71 CLAIMS OF NEGLIGENCE AGAINST THE STATE DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

THIS IS A SECOND SETTLEMENT OVER WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS IN VETERANS HOMES.

THE FIRST COMING IN DECEMBER WHEN NEW JERSEY AGREED TO PAY $53 MILLION TO FAMILIES OF RESIDENTS WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF CORONAVIRUS.

DESPITE THE PAYOUTS, THE STATE HAS ADMITTED TO NO WRONGDOING.

MORE THAN 200 RESIDENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19 SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATHS, AS WELL AS TWO OTHER INDEPENDENT ONES, ARE STILL ONGOING.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE AND RED LOBSTER, TWO OF THE RESTAURANTS THAT DELIVERED MORE THAN $450,000 IN FOOD TO MEMBERS OF THE RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM.

A BILL ULTIMATELY PAID FOR BY THE UNIVERSITY, TAXPAYER, AND STUDENTS.

ACCORDING TO A REVIEW OF INVOICES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS BY NORTH JERSEY.COM, FOR MORE THAN A YEAR RUTGERS FOOTBALL PLAYERS EXPENSED DOOR DASH DELIVERIES DURING THE PANDEMIC MEANWHILE, THE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT OPERATED AT A $73 MILLION DEFICIT.

THE INVESTIGATION ALSO FOUND THAT ATHLETES MADE ORDER FOR PHARMACY ITEMS AND ONE PLAYER ADMITTED TO MAKING ORDERS EVEN WHILE AWAY IN FLORIDA.

RUTGERS IS NOT DISPUTING THE HEFTY PAYOUT, AND INSTEAD DEFENDING THE PRICEY TABS SAYING MANY OF OUR STUDENT ATHLETES COME FROM ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED BACKGROUNDS, AND IN ADDITION TO HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO MEET THEIR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS WITH COVID, THIS WAS THE BEST WAY TO LOOK OUT FOR OUR STUDENT ATHLETES WELFARE.

>>> MONTCLARE IS NOW HOME TO JERSEY'S 19th WE STORE, LOCATED ON BLOOMFIELD AVENUE, OFFICIALLY SOLD THEIR FIRST BATCH OF ADULT RECREATIONAL WEED ON FRIDAY, AND HAVE A STEADY AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC SINCE.

THE DISPENSARY OPENED AFTER WEEKS OF NEGOTIATION WITH THE TOWNSHIP WHILE THE MONTCLARE STORE IS OPEN FROM 8:00 A.M. TO EIGHT P.M. DAILY, IT HAS A SPECIFIC MEDICAL ONLY HOURS RESERVED FOR PATIENTS, AS MANDATED BY STATE REGULARS.

EACH ATTORNEY TO WALL STREET, HERE IS HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED ON THIS MONDAY.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, BY UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT CHAMBER S NJ.COM.

>>> BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING CAN BE A STRUGGLE FOR SOME HOUSEHOLDS LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, ESPECIALLY NOW AMID THE RISING INFLATION.

IN AN EFFORT TO EASE THE FINANCIAL STRENGTH, THE SALVATION ARMY HOW THEY BACK-TO- SCHOOL GIVEAWAY EVENT IN NEW BRUNSWICK.

THE EVENT COMES AS THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THERE WILL BE A TEN- DAY TAX HOLIDAY ON SCHOOL SUPPLIES FROM AUGUST 27th TO SEPTEMBER 10th IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING MORE AFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES AND FOR TEACHERS WHO BY JACK THEIR OWN SUPPLIES AS WELL.

BUT ARE THE SAVINGS ENOUGH?

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES CHASING THE DREAM, FOCUSING ON JUSTICE, POVERTY, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

TOOK THE DAYS OF SUMMER ARE COMING TO AN END, AND IT IS ALMOST TIME FOR 7 YEAR OLD ABRAHAM TO RETURN TO SCHOOL.

>> I AM GOING TO HAVE MY OWN COMPUTER.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR HE IS EVEN MORE EXCITED TO START THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS WEARING ONE OF THESE BAGS ON HIS BACK.

>> YOU, I AM HAPPY.

>> Reporter: IT IS ALL THANKS TO THE SALVATION ARMY NEW BRUNSWICK SCHOOL BACKPACK GIVEAWAY.

THE ANNUAL EVENT PROVIDES CHILDREN ATTENDING KINDERGARTEN THROUGH NINTH GRADE WITH ESSENTIAL ITEMS THEY WILL BE IN THE CLASSROOM.

ALL FOR FREE PICKS THIS COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT ARE FACING AND FIGHTING ECONOMIC IS CRUCIAL.

>> THE SALVATION ARMY HAS BEEN HOSTING THE GIVEAWAY FOR 10 YEARS.

BUT THEY SAY IT IS ESPECIALLY SIGNIFICANT NOW WITH INFLATION FORCING FAMILIES TO SPEND HIGHER PRICES ON EVEN SCHOOL SUPPLIES.

>> WE WANT TO IMPACT THE FAMILY THAT STRUGGLES FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY JAKE THE SCHOOL STUFF, OR PAY THEIR IS TO GO BACK TO THE SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: THE STATE ALSO PROVIDING RELIEF FOR FAMILIES IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

STARTING AUGUST 27th, A TEN-DAY TAX HOLIDAY ON SCHOOL SUPPLIES WILL GO INTO EFFECT.

THAT MEANS FAMILIES AND TEACHERS WHO BUDGET THEIR OWN CLASSROOM SUPPLIES WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON THINGS LIKE NOTEBOOKS, PENS AND PENCILS, COMPUTERS UNDER $3000, THEY ARE ALSO INCLUDED.

>> I THINK THAT IS GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE, AND TO GATHER WE CAN MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE.

>> WITH NEW JERSEY SALES TAX JUST OVER 6.6%, SOME CRITICS DON'T BELIEVE THE HOLIDAY WILL PROVIDE MUCH SAVINGS.

ACCORDING TO THE RECENT REPORT FROM THE INSTITUTE ON TAXATION AND ECONOMIC POLICY, TEMPORARY TAX HOLIDAYS ARE NOT AS MEANINGFUL AS PERMANENT REFORMS TO HELP PEOPLE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

AND SINCE ANYONE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT, WEALTHY TAXPAYERS TEND TO BENEFIT THE MOST SINCE THEY HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY TO SHIFT THE TIMING OF THEIR PURCHASES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX BREAK, AN OPTION THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

SO, BACKPACK GETAWAYS LIKE THIS GO A LOT FURTHER FOR FAMILIES IN NEED.

>> IT IS GOING TO HELP ME DURING SCHOOL BECAUSE USUALLY SOMETIMES AT SCHOOL YOU NEED A LOT OF NOTEBOOKS.

SO THE SALVATION ARMY IS GOING TO HELP ME WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAT I MIGHT NEED AND THAT I CANNOT GET SICK SO, YET I AM REALLY GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THEY HAD GIVEN ME.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN MY MOM TRIED TO DO THE BEST FOR OUR FAMILY.

I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH EVERYTHING THAT I NEEDED TO GO TO SCHOOL.

AND NOW I THINK OF THE KIDS, EVERY KID I SEE WITH MY STORY.

SO, IT IS WONDERFUL.

TO SEE THEIR FACES.

HIDDEN KNOW THE HEARTS ARE LAUGHING TO.

MAKE THE BACKPACK THE WAY WILL HAVE AT LEAST 250 CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY.

A GREAT RELIEF FOR FAMILIES, KNOWING KIDS WILL START THE SCHOOL YEAR OFF ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> WEDNESDAY MARKS SIX MONTHS THAT THE FIRST RUSSIAN BOMBS DON'T DROPPED IN UKRAINE.

THOUSANDS HAVE DIED AND MORE THAN 6.6 MILLION HAVE FLED THE COUNTRY.

LETTERING NEW JERSEY REPORTER MARK GIANNA WAS AMONG THE MANY VOLUNTEERS WHO FLEW TO POLAND AT THE OUTBREAK TO HELP UKRAINIANS FLEEING THE INVASION.

HE HAS BEEN COVERING THE CONFLICT FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND HELPING ORGANIZE RELIEF BACK AT HOME.

MARK RECENTLY RETURNED AND JOINS ME TO DISCUSS THE IMPACT ON THE DONATED CLOTHING FROM NEW JERSEY IS HAVING HALF A WORLD AWAY.

WELCOME BACK.

LET'S START WITH THAT.

>> WILL, THANK YOU.

I AM GLAD TO BE HOME.

>> YOUR LATEST ARTICLE HITS CLOSE TO HOME, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE POWER OF DONATIONS COMING FROM JERSEY.

>> WILL, I THINK ONE REASON I WENT OVER THERE WAS TO YOU KNOW, TRACK AND REPORT ON THE DONATIONS THAT WERE GOING OVER THERE, AND TO LET PEOPLE KNOW HERE, FIRST OF ALL, THAT THERE IS A NEED, AND SECONDLY, MONEY AND CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS ARE NOT GOING INTO SOME BLACK HOLE.

THEY ARE ACTUALLY BEING USED.

>> RIGHT, I THINK THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.

MANY TIMES PEOPLE DO WONDER WHERE THEIR MONEY IS GOING.

AND IF PEOPLE THERE ARE GETTING HELP.

SO, YOU WERE SO FORTUNATE TO SEE HOW AND WHO IS MAKING USE OF THOSE DONATIONS.

AND HE WROTE ABOUT DONATIONS FROM SO MANY FAMILIAR NAMES OF HIGH SCHOOLS, TOWNS, AND EVEN HOSPITALS, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS REALLY COOL WHEN I READ THAT.

SO, WHAT WAS?

>> WILL, EVERYTHING THAT WAS IN THE WAREHOUSE THAT I WAS WORKING IN WAS COMING FROM THE UKRAINIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER IN WITH THE KNEE, WHICH HAS SENT OVER 17 SHIPPING CONTAINERS WORTH OF STUFF SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR.

SO, THEY ARE PURCHASING MILITARY UNIFORMS, KNEEPADS, WALKIE-TALKIES, HELMETS HERE AND THERE, ALL SORTS OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT GOING OUT THE DOOR VERY QUICKLY.

THEY ARE ALSO SENDING A LOT OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES, THEN THE CLOTHING DONATIONS AND THOSE CLOTHING DONATIONS, AS THE ARTICLE SAYS, ARE BRANDED BY THE WEST MILFORD GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL TEAM, THE MARSH PLANES PLAYSKOOL CO-OP.

SO, RICHARD HIGH SCHOOLS SENIOR BADGE.

SO, THESE BRANDED T-SHIRTS OR SURPLUSES OF WHAT WAS MADE AND THEY ARE SENDING THEM OVER.

AND THEY ARE BEING USED.

THEY ARE BEING WORN AS UNDERSHIRTS BY THE UKRAINIAN MILITARY.

>> THERE ARE STILL SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WANT TO HELP AND DONATE.

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO HELP HER DONATE, WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE.

WHAT ITEMS ARE MOST NEEDED?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY THE BEST THING TO DO IS DONATE TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT YOU KNOW IS SENDING STUFF OVER THERE.

I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT WHAT THEY ARE DONATING IS NOT GOING TO ADMINISTRATIVE COST, IT IS GOING TO PEOPLE.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE UKRAINIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER IS THAT SOME OF THE VOLUNTEERS THERE ARE ACTUALLY WOMEN WHOSE HUSBANDS AND BROTHERS AND OTHERS ARE ACTUALLY FIGHTING IN THE WAR.

>> WOW WHAT.

BRAVE, GENEROUS, AND INFORMATIVE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE RELIEF THAT YOU HELPED OUT WITH OVER THERE, AND FOR SPEAKING WITH US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU EVEN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU DID THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

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

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEED OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHASING THE DREAM IS PROVIDED BY THE GPB FOUNDATION, WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE PETER J PETERSON AND JOAN VANCE COUNTY FUND.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP HE SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE MGM'S POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE SOCIAL SURFACE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS.

MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE SKILLED LABOR, AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

AND JM, WE HAVE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.