>>> FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED.

AND PSEG.

COMMIT TODAY THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE CDC IS URGING PARENTS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADOPT MORE COVID SAFETY MEASURES AS STUDENTS PREPARE TO HEAD BACK TO THE CLASSROOM.

IT STEMS FROM A CONCERNING RISE IN PEDIATRIC CORONAVIRUS CASES NATIONWIDE INCLUDING AN UP TICK IN HOSPITALIZATIONS.

LARGELY DUE TO THE SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT.

THE CDC SAYS MASKS, PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND VACCINES FOR ALL ELIGIBLE SHOULD BE ENFORCED IN SCHOOLS AS THE STATE ADDS ANOTHER NEARLY 2,000 NEW CONFIRMED CASES AND 18 ADDITIONAL DEATHS TO THE TOLL FROM THIS PANDEMIC.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE ALSO RISING A BIT.

MORE THAN A THOUSAND AS OF THIS MORNING.

MEANTIME, GOVERNOR MURPHY'S OFFICE IS PREPARING TO WELCOME BACK ALL STATE WORKERS.

ANNOUNCING THEIR SCHEDULE TO RETURN TO OFFICES FULL TIME ON OCTOBER 18th.

THE SAME DATE STATE EMPLOYEES WILL NEED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 OR, UNDERGO TESTING AT LEAST ONE TO TWO TIMES PER WEEK.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY MORE THAN 5.5 MILLION PEOPLE ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND THE STATE REMAINS DIVIDED ON MANDATES FOR MASKS AND VACCINES AND HOW TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST THIS VIRUS, ESPECIALLY AMID ANOTHER WAVE OF INFECTIONS.

WITH ALL THE TOOLS NOW AT PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS' DISPOSAL, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: KAREN SINGER BOOKED HER COVID BOOSTER AT HUDSON DRUGS SIX MONTHS AFTER HER LAST SHOT OF THE MODERNA VACCINE.

>> I DON'T WANT TO DIE.

I DO NOT WANT TO GET IT AGAIN.

AND, I FORMALLY BELIEVE THAT A BOOSTER IS IMPERATIVE.

>> IT IS NEVER FAIR.

BUT IT HAPPENS.

AND THE WHOLE WORLD IS TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THIS.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE MARTIN GOT HER PFIZER BOOSTER TODAY.

PHARMACIST YAZ SAYS HE HAS GIVEN ABOUT 40 BOOSTER SHOTS.

NURSING HOME PATIENTS WILL SOON QUALIFY.

FOR NOW?

>> PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMUNO COMPROMISED.

THEY ARE ALLOWED TO GET THE BOOSTER SHOT.

>> THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE BOOSTING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

>> Reporter: DR. MARTIN BLAZER SAYS BACK BEFORE THE JULY 4 HOLIDAY, PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS BET THAT ENOUGH COULD BE VACCINATED TO HAVE LIFE RETURN TO NORMAL.

PEOPLE TOOK OFF THEIR MASKS.

IT PROVED TO BE A PIVOTAL MOMENT.

>> PEOPLE BECAME MORE RELAXED, NATURALLY SO, INCLUDING ME.

THEN ALONG CAME THE DELTA VARIANT.

WHICH IS SO MUCH MORE INFECTIOUS.

AS A GROUP, WE DIDN'T SCALE UP APPROPRIATELY FOR THIS MUCH MORE INFECTIOUS VIRUS.

AND, OF COURSE, WE ARE SEEING THAT PLAYING OUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: NOW, AS LABOR DAY APPROACHES, COVID IS SURGING ACROSS THE NATION, SOME STATES INCLUDING NEW JERSEY HAVE MANDATED COVID VACCINES OR TESTING.

>> STUDENTS NEED TO GET READY TO GO BACK TOO SCHOOL, INCLUDING COLLEGES.

SO WE WILL SEE A RUSH ON TESTING.

WHICH, I WISH WE SAW THAT SAME RUSH FOR VACCINATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE PHARMACY HAD BEEN ORDERING ABOUT FIVE TO 10 COVID TESTS A DAY.

NOW, THEY ARE SELLING BETWEEN 25 AND 30.

SOME PEOPLE BUY SEVERAL.

THE HOME TEST RUNS 30 BUCKS A POP WHICH DIDN'T DETER ONE WOMAN WITH A SON GOING BACK TO UNIVERSITY, SHAW SAYS.

>> SHE WANTED TO BUY 15 TESTS AND SHE WANTED HER CHILD TO KEEP IT IN HIS DORM ROOM SO HE COULD TEST AND HIS ROOMMATES COULD TEST EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS SEEKING COVID TESTS HAS ALMOST DOUBLED TO 230 A DAY SINCE JULY IN THE HOSPITAL AND THE POSITIVE TEST RATE RUNNING FIVE TIMES HIGHER.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE ALSO UP.

MOSTLY UNVACCINATED PATIENTS.

>> WE ARE REALLY NOT SEEING MANY OF THE ELDERLY.

MORE MIDDLE-AGED PEOPLE.

AGED 30 TO 60.

AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: AS HOSPITAL RATES IN NEW JERSEY SLOWLY RISE, THE TEMPERATURE OF SOCIAL DEBATE OVER MASKING AND VACCINATIONS IS BOILING OVER, STOKING EMOTIONAL PROTESTS AND CAUCUS TOWN DEBATES.

>> ADDITIONAL MANDATES.

ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE NECESSARILY READY FOR OR EXPECTING OR HAVE THE PATIENCE FOR AT THIS POINT.

HOWEVER, FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT, THEY COULDN'T BE MORE IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: FRONT LINE WOKERS AN PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE FEELING FATIGUED.

BURNED OUT AS ANOTHER SURGE SAPS THEIR PERSONAL RESOURCES.

>> WHEN PEOPLE PUSH BACK, I HAVE GOTTEN HATE MAIL FOR THESE THINGS.

IT IS HURTFUL AND IT IS FRUSTRATING AND AT TIMES IT MAKES YOU WANT TO THROW YOUR HANDS UP.

BUT IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT I DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO TAKE CARE OF MY COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> TONIGHT, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS DIRECTING ALL U.S. AND NEW JERSEY FLAGS TO FLY HALF STAFF IN HONOR OF THE U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS AND CIVILIANS KILLED IN THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN AFGHANISTAN'S KABUL AIRPORT.

THE PENTAGON NOW SAYS IT WAS A SINGLE SUICIDE BOMBING THAT KILLED 13 AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS IN ACTION.

AFGHAN HEALTH OFFICIALS ALSO UPDATING CASUALTIES.

ESTIMATING THE DEATH TOLL COULD BE AT LEAST 170 AFGHAN CIVILIANS WITH ANOTHER 200 WOUNDED.

THE TERRORIST GROUP ISIS-K IS CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK.

PRESIDENT BIDEN PLEDGING RETALIATION, VOWING "WE WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND MAKE YOU PAY."

JUST FOUR DAYS REMAIN BEFORE THE DEADLINE TO WITHDRAW U.S.

TROOPS.

THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY SAYING THE MILITARY WILL NEED TO WORK WITH THE TALIBAN TO EVACUATE ANYONE BEYOND THAT DEADLINE.

DESPITE A LACK OF TRUST FOR THE GROUP.

NOW, FLIGHTS HAVE RESUMED OUT OF KABUL AIRPORT.

12,500 PEOPLE HAVE EVACUATED ON U.S. MILITARY AND COALITION FLIGHTS IN JUST THE LAST 24 HOURS.

THAT NUMBER INCLUDES 300 AMERICANS.

THE RACE TO LEAVE IS BECOMING MORE DESPERATE AFTER THIS ATTACK, AS SPECIFIC CREDIBLE THREATS PERSIST.

THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TODAY AUTHORIZING THREE MORE U.S. MILITARY INSTALLATIONS TO HELP IN THAT EFFORT, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO SEVEN.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS ESTABLISHING THE TASK FORCE ON AFGHAN REFUGEE ASSISTANCE TO COORDINATE STATE EFFORTS OUT OF JOINT BASE MCGUIRE WHERE CLOSE TO 1200 REFUGEES ARE HOUSED RIGHT NOW, OUR SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITER HAS THE LATEST ON EVACUEES ARRIVING IN NEW JERSEY.

>> AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING EVERY DAY HERE, YOU HAVE BEEN KEEPING TRACK OF SOME OF THE LOCAL EFFORTS ON THE GROUND.

WHAT'S THE LATEST TODAY?

>> YES, WE ARE HEARING, WE ARE SEEING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND, I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO PEOPLE ON THE GROUND THAT ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING EVACUEES ARRIVING IN NEW JERSEY.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT EFFORTS AROUND THE STATE TO COLLECT THINGS THAT THEY MIGHT NEED.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LEFT, YOU KNOW, THEIR HOMES WITHOUT ANYTHING.

SO, YOU ARE COLLECTING CLOTHING, BOOKS FOR THE CHILDREN, YOU KNOW, RUGS FOR PRAYER, QURANS.

DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THEY WOULD NEED AS THEY SETTLED HERE IN HOMES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

OR IN OTHER STATES.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY GET HERE?

I THINK THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION ON EVERYONE'S MINDS.

>> YES, SO, WE KNOW THAT IT COULD TAKE UP TO 9,500 PEOPLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE CAN POTENTIALLY GET THAT NUMBER THERE.

AND, ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAD TO DO IN THE PAST WHEN WE RECEIVED REFUGEES, THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH MEDICAL SCREENINGS.

THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

ADD COVID-19 TO THE MIX, AND THEY WILL BE TESTED.

IF ANYBODY COMES OUT POSITIVE, THEY HAVE TO TAKE STEPS WITH THAT.

SO, THEY WILL SEE THAT.

THEY WILL ALSO GET MEDICAL SERVICES YOU KNOW.

MANY OF THEM HAVE GONE THROUGH TRAUMA.

THEY WILL BE NEEDING TO SPEAK TO THERAPISTS.

AND, YOU KNOW, OTHER SERVICES.

MIGHT GET SOME PREGNANT WOMEN.

IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.

AND THEY WILL BE NEEDING DIFFERENT SERVICES AND THAT IS WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING THE FIRST FEW DAYS.

>> YOU BRING UP AN INTERESTING POINT.

NEW JERSEY DOES HAVE A HISTORY HERE.

WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF TAKING IN EVACUEES, REFUGEES AND HELPING WITH RESETTLEMENT.

>> THE MOST RECENT ONE WAS 1999.

WE GOT MORE THAN 4,000 PEOPLE THERE.

AND, YOU READ ABOUT SOME OF THE STORIES THAT WERE HAPPENING THERE.

A WEDDING HAD OCCURRED IN THAT BASE DURING THE MONTHS WHEN THE REFUGEES WERE LIVING THERE.

SO, WE CAN EXPECT THAT TYPE OF THING TO HAPPEN.

I SPOKE TO A WOMAN WHO CAME BACK IN 1999.

SHE WAS SIX MONTHS PREGNANT.

A LOT OF RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES DONATED A BUNCH OF THINGS SHE NEEDED ONCE THE BABY ARRIVED.

I THINK WE WILL START SEEING THAT, WHO IS THERE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED, AND I THINK HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WAITING TO HELP.

AND WE WILL START SEEING MORE OF THAT IN THE UPCOMING DAYS AND WEEKS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> THE LATHEST RULING, THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED A BAN ON FEDERAL EVICTIONS.

MEANING MILLIONS OF RENTERS ACROSS THE NATION WILL SEE THAT PROCESS RESUME.

AND COULD POTENTIALLY BE KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOMES FOR FAILING TO PAY RENT.

BUT NOT IN NEW JERSEY.

RENTERS ARE PROTECTED UNDER A STATE LAW WHICH ENDS ON DIFFERENT DATES DEPENDING ON YOUR INCOME.

RESIDENTS WHO MAKE UP TO 120% OF THEIR COUNTY'S MEDIAN INCOME HAVE JUST A FEW MORE DAYS UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH.

WHILE RENTERS MAKING LESS THAN 80% OF THEIR AREA'S MEDIAN INCOME CAN'T BE EVICTED THROUGH THE END OF THIS YEAR.

THE STATE IS SET TO BEGIN LANDLORD TENANT TRIALS IN SEPTEMBER WITH MORE THAN 50,000 PENDING CASES ARE.

JUST AS THREE CITIES, TRENTON EAST ORANGE AND ATLANTIC CITY LAUNCH A NEW ANTIEVICTION PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP TENANTS AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES GET LEGAL SERVICES AND OTHER SUPPORTS.

>>> THE LATEST CLASS OF NEWARK'S POLICE RECRUITS WERE SWORN IN EARLIER THIS WEEK, BUT NOT EVERYONE GRADUATING ON THE STAGE DONNED A UNIFORM.

IN A HISTORIC FIRST FOR THE CITY, THE NEW CLASS OF HIRES WELCOMED TEN SOCIAL WORKERS TO THE DEPARTMENT.

SETTING A PRECEDENT FOR THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY POLICING IN NEW JERSEY AND PUBLIC SAFETY NATIONWIDE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR ONE'S ALLEGED CONTACT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR THEM TO GET HELP.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY NEWARK IS TAKING A NEW APPROACH WITH THE WAY IT HANDLES EMERGENCIES.

THE CITY WELCOMING TEN SOCIAL WORKERS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DURING A CEREMONY FOR THE LATEST RECRUIT OF OFFICERS.

THE GOAL TO INCLUDE SOCIAL WORKER INS NON-VIOLENT CALLS TO PREVENT THEM FROM ESCALATING.

>> SO THEY CAN GO OUT WITH SOME OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE CALLS.

WE CAN ALSO GO OUT INSTEAD OF.

AND SO MY THOUGHT IS THAT IT IS A GREAT IDEA AND A GREAT WAY TO USE RESOURCES AND NOT OVEREXTEND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO POLICE.

THEY GET CALLED FOR EVERYTHING FROM A CAT IN THE TREE TO A PERSON WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OR A PERSON BEGGING OUTSIDE.

>> HAVING SOCIAL WORKERS AS A COPARTNER IN PUBLIC SAFETY WITH POLICING IN THE CITY.

>> Reporter: WHILE NEWARK'S POLICE DEPARTMENT MAY BE ONE OF THE STATE TO IMPLEMENT SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE WAY IT HANDLES EMERGENCIES, OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOING SO, INCLUDING ACROSS THE BORDER IN NEW YORK.

>> IT HAS BEEN GOING ON WITH THE CAHOOTS PROGRAM SINCE 1989.

IT HAS BEEN IN DENVER.

WITH THE BE HEARD PROGRAM IN HARLEM, IT IS WORKING.

AND EACH OF THOSE.

EACH OF THESE PROGRAMS IT HAS HAD A VARIED SUCCESS.

IF YOU SEND A COUNSELOR TO THE SCENE, THEY WILL NOT BE ARMED.

BUT IN THE CAHOOTS PROGRAM, OVER 99% OF THE CALLS THEY CAN HANDLE THEMSELVES.

IN THE SPACE OF ONE YEAR, IT IS 24,000 CALLS.

LESS THAN 150 OF THOSE CALLS NEED TO CALL BACKUP.

THAT IS 23,000 CALLS THEY ARE RESPONDING AND PROVIDING TREATMENT FOR.

>> IN NEW YORK, SINCE LAUNCHING ITS PILOT PROGRAM IN JUNE, CITY OFFICIALS SAY ABOUT 25% OF MENTAL HEALTH CALLS WERE AROUND THE BEHAVIOR TEAMS ONE MONTH.

OUT OF THOSE CASES, 95% OF PEOPLE ACCEPTED TREATMENT FROM THE PROGRAM.

THAT IS HIGHER THAN THE 82% IN TRADITIONAL 911 RESPONSES.

>> WHEN WE THINK ABOUT SOCIAL WORKERS GOING OUT INSTEAD OF POLICING, SOCIAL WORKERS MAY HAVE A BETTER HANDLE ON RECOGNIZING CRISIS.

IF A PERSON IS JUST HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR IF THEY ARE PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, DEALING WITH SIGNS OF EARLY DEMENTIA.

THINGS OF THAT SORT IS WHAT A SOCIAL WORKER WOULD BE MOST APPROPRIATE FOR.

AS OPPOSED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> I THINK MOVING FORWARD, HAVING AN INDEPENDENT BODY THAT DOES THE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST RESPONDERS.

AND WITH THAT INDEPENDENT BODY, HAVING THE ABILITY OF THE THE CALL TO POLICE IN WHEN NECESSARY.

THAT IS THE OPTIMAL SITUATION.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY BRINGING IN SOCIAL WORKERS IS JUST THE START.

THEY ALSO WANT THE CITY TO MAKE MORE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

HOPING TO PREVENT CONFRONTATIONS WITH POLICE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THE LONG AWAITED LAUNCH OF NEW JERSEY'S LEGAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM IS FINALLY IN VIEW.

REGULATORS RECENTLY AGREED ON RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE INDUSTRY AS THEY PREPARE TO OPEN UP THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO LICENSE NEW BUSINESSES.

SO, WITH THE BALL ROLLING AND THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS BEHIND THE EFFORT, WHY ARE SO MANY TOWNS OPTING TO BAN SALES IN THEIR AREA?

LEAH MISHKIN HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THE 160 PAGE REGULATIONS RELEASED BY THE NEW JERSEY CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION HAS BEEN MET WITH PRAISE BY ADVOCATES AND BUSINESS OWNERS.

>> SINCE IT HAS GIVEN PRIORITY TO SMALL MINORITY AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES -- >> Reporter: THEIR ENTHUSIASM IS NOT MATCHED ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

ONLY ABOUT 30% OF THE TOWNS IN THE STATE HAVE OPTED IN TO RECREATIONAL POT.

>> MOST, BUT NOT ALL OF THE MAJOR URBAN AREAS OPTED IN.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, IT IS HARD TO FIND ANY REAL PATTERN AS WE SEE.

IT IS PRETTY DIVERSE IN TERMS OF NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH.

A LOT OF TOWNS HAVE OPTED AWAY FROM RETAIL.

BUT, ARE LOOKING FOR PROCESSING OR CULTIVATION.

AND I THINK THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE, BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF COMMUNITIES SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT.

AND LOOKING AT THE OLD INDUSTRIAL SITES.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MIKE SARA SAY IT IS NOT A SURPRISE THAT MOST CHOSE TO OPT OUT FOR NOW BECAUSE IT IS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER STATES THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH LEGALIZATION.

>> A QUARTER OF THAT MAY BE TO A THIRD OF THAT GROUP, ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN MONITORING THE REGULATIONS AND SEEING WHAT COMES OUT OF IT.

AND MIGHT HAVE SOME INTEREST IN ANOTHER SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR.

>> Reporter: FOR EXAMPLE, THE REGULATIONS ALLOWED THE CONSUMPTION OF LIQUIDS, DROPS, WHAT ISN'T INCLUDED IS INGEST ABLES THAT ARE CONSIDERED EDIBLES LIKE GUMMIES, COOKIES, DATES.

THE NEW JERSEY CANNABIS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT UNDERSTANDS WHY THEY DID IT.

>> THE BALANCED CITIZEN CONCERNS WITH COMMERCE.

AND, ULTIMATELY, WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS THE FACT THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO GET USED TO THE IDEA THAT IT IS IN FACT A LEGAL, REGULATED INDUSTRY.

>> THE MORE THEY KNOW, THE MORE THEY SEE IT, THE MORE THIS BECOMES LIKE THE BREWERY OR THE BAR OR, YOU KNOW, THE CANDY MANUFACTURER IN THE INDUSTRIAL PARK.

IT'S FINE.

IT IS OKAY.

THE CHI IS NOT FALLING.

>> MANY TOWNS ARE WAITING TO SEE HOW THE RULES ARE ACTUALLY ENFORCED IN PRACTICE.

>> THE SMALLER ENTREPRENEUR, WILL THAT PERSON BE ABLE TO ENTER INTO THE MARKET?

WILL THEY BE ABLE TO SECURE FINANCING AND OTHER ASPECTS OF IT?

SO I THINK THAT IS WHAT FOLKS WILL BE WATCHING.

>> TOWNS HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO ABILITY TO GOVERN TWO THINGS.

THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO POSSESS AND RECEIVING IT VIA DELIVERY.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE ALREADY IN THE GATE.

IT GIVES THEM A LEG UP.

>> NOT ONLY IN TAX REVENUE, BUT, JUST IN THAT TRANSITIONAL REVENUE.

PEOPLE COMING IN TO THEIR TOWNS.

PEOPLE BUYING THINGS.

BESIDES CANDIES.

>> Reporter: THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY HE SAYS HE DIDN'T WANT HIS CITY TO MEET.

CITY COUNCIL VOTED 6-1 TO OPT OUT OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BUT HE VETOED IT.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO MISS THE SITE ALREADY IN TOWN.

>> WHAT IS GENERATING $60,000 IN REVENUE FOR US A QUARTER.

AND THEN JOBS THAT WE WILL NEVER GET BACK, AND THE POTENTIAL OF MORE INVESTMENT.

COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY THIS.

NOW, BECAUSE OF THE LEGALIZATION, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS.

NOW, THE BALL IS IN THE COURT OF THE COUNCIL.

IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR THEM TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE TO REGULATE AND TAX CANNABIS IN OUR CITY.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> A FINANCIAL BOOST FOR HOSPITALS JUST AS THEY ATTACK ANOTHER WAVE OF SEVERE CORONAVIRUS CASES.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST IN TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

AND NOW, THEY ARE GETTING SOME ADDED RESOURCES AT A CRUCIAL TIME.

THANK TO A CHANGE IN THE WAY MEDICARE REIMBURSES PATIENT CARE.

NEW JERSEY'S HOSPITALS WILL GET AN ESTIMATED $150 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ AND BILL PASQUAL SAYS IT WILL ADDRESS THE DOCTOR SHORTAGE IN THE STATE AND THE NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION CONCURS SAYING THE FUNDING LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD FOR NEW JERSEY AND WILL HELP SYSTEMS KEEP CRITICAL CARE GIVERS IN OUR STATE.

MORE MONEY IS IN THE POCKETS OF SOME NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS.

THE PAST FEW WEEKS, THE STATE HAS BEEN MAIMING OUT TAX REBATE CHECKS OF UP TO $500.

OVER 600,000 HAVE BEEN SENT AND MORE ARE ON THE WAY AS 760,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SET TO REACH THE FUNDS.

ELIGIBILITY IS BASED ON INCOME OR WHETHER YOU HAVE A DEPENDENT CHILD.

>>> IMAGINE IF YOU COULD TAKE A TRAIN RIGHT TO METLIFE STADIUM.

NJ TRANSIT IS EXPLORING THAT POSSIBILITY.

THE TRANSIT AGENCY IS SPENDING $3.5 MILLION TO STUDY WHETHER CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAIL CONNECTION BETWEEN SACACUS JUNCTION AND THE MEADOWLANDS MAKES SENSE.

IT IS CALLED TRANSIT WAY AND HNTB HAS BEEN HIRED TO DESIGN THE PROJECT.

>>> THE GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND PORT AUTHORITY SUBMITTED AN UPDATE FINANCIAL PLAN TO THE TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION FOR THE LONG AWAITED HUDSON TUNNEL PROJECT.

THE NEW PLAN ESTIMATES THE EIGHT YEAR PROJECT WILL COST $12.3 BILLION TO BUILD.

AND THAT TRANSIT GROUPS ARE HOPING TO RECEIVE $5.6 BILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS TO COVER PART OF THAT WHICH INCLUDES FINANCING COSTS.

THE GATEWAY COMMISSION SAY IT IS PROJECT WILL CREATE THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS.

NOW, HERE'S A CHECK ON THE STOCK MARKETS TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> LIVE PERFORMANCES ARE FINALLY SET TO RESUME THIS FALL.

THAT'S A RETURN A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

BUT BEFORE YOU HEAD TO A SHOW, SOME THEATERS ARE ENFORCES STRICT COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

30 THEATERS IN 11 COUNTIES WILL REQUIRE AUDIENCES TO SHOW PROOF OF THEIR VACCINE.

VENUES WILL ALSO ACCEPT A NEGATIVE PCR TEST WITHIN 36 HOURS OF THE PERFORMANCE OR A NEGATIVE ANTIGEN TEST WITHIN SIX HOURS.

MASK WEARING WILL ALSO BE ENFORCED INDOORS.

THE NEW JERSEY THEATER ALLIANCE SAYS THE GUIDELINES WERE PUT IN PLACE DUE TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF NEW COVID INFECTIONS AND ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE BEING USED ON BROADWAY.

IT COMES ON THE HEELS OF THREE NEW NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, HIGHLIGHTING HUMAN KINDNESS.

WE BRING YOU THE STORY OF ONE NORTH JERSEY MAN WHO HAS GAINED A FOLLOWING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND A REPUTATION FOR EXTENDING A HAND TO THOSE IN NEED.

HE POSTS FUNNY CONTENT AND SOBERING TALES ABOUT HIS FAMILY'S BUSINESS AS OWNERS OF THE LINCOLN TUNNEL MOTEL.

IT HAS BECOME A REFUGE OF SORTS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HIT HARD TIMES OR WITHOUT A PLACE TO CALL HOME.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, CHASING THE DREAM.

POVERTY AND OPPORTUNITY IN AMERICA.

>> PEOPLE NEED A PLACE TO STAY JUST LIKE I DID.

>> Reporter: RYAN ACOSTA ARIA KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE NOT TO HAVE A HOME.

HE GREW UP IN A HOTEL.

A SECRET HE KEPT FROM THE WORLD IN HIS EARLY YEARS.

>> I LEARNED TO PLAY A BIKE IN A HOTEL PARKING LOT.

>> Reporter: AS THE SON OF A HOTEL OWNER, AND FATHER OF FOUR, HE IS USING HIS EXPERIENCE TO HELP OTHERS IN NEED.

>> BECAUSE OF THE FREQUENCY YOU SEE THESE FACES, YOU GET TO KNOW THEIR WHOLE LIVES.

THEIR APARTMENT BURNED DOWN.

GOT KICKED OUT BY THE LANDLORD.

OR THEY NEED SOMEWHERE PRIVATE TO STAY.

ARGUMENTS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

THEY COME OVER HERE.

>> Reporter: HE DOES GET THE EVERYDAY TRAVELER LOOKING FOR A NIGHT STAY.

BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, HIS GUESTS ARE REGULARS.

MANY STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

SOME FAMILIES RESIDENTS STAYING AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

THEY COME BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY ARE WELCOME AND HE CARES.

HE STARTED SHARING ABOUT IT ON TIKTOK.

>> I GET CRITICIZED FOR TAKE IN THE PEOPLE OTHER MOTELS DON'T WANT BECAUSE THEY SAY I'M ENCOURAGING BAD BEHAVIOR.

BUT WHY ELSE WOULD I LEARN WHY ADDICTS CARRY AROUND BRILLO PADS?

>> I TURN A BLIND EYE TO YOU CAN'T PAY THIS WEEK?

OKAY.

AND YOU KNOW WHY?

BECAUSE MY DAD DID THAT.

>> Reporter: HE HAS BEEN FINED FOR ALLOWING GUESTS TO STAY WHO DON'T HAVE LEGALLY REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION.

>> NOT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO PROPER IDENTIFICATION.

IF THEY GOT OUT OF PRISON, GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

I JUST THINK THAT IS A TRAVESTY.

YOU KNOW.

I WANT TO HELP EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: THE RECENT EVENTS UNFOLDING IN AFGHANISTAN TOUCHED HIS HEART AND HE SHARED A VIDEO TO LET IT BE KNOWN THEY WERE WELCOME.

>> WATCHING THE NEWS IN THE OFFICE.

I'M LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT I CAN DO?

I CAN USE TIKTOK.

I HAVE ALMOST 500,000 FOLLOWERS.

I CAN USE IT TO NOT NECESSARILY BE POLITICAL ABOUT IT.

BUT I CAN SAY, JUST LIKE I SAY HERE UP THE BLOCK, IF YOU NEED A PLACE TO STAY, AND, YOU LIVE UP THE BLOCK, COME DOWN THE BLOCK, COME DOWN TO US.

IF YOU LIVE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY.

COME OVER HERE.

>> Reporter: IT IS NOT JUST SHELTER THAT HE OFFERS.

HE POSTED A WISH LIST ON HIS TIKTOK PAGE THAT HAS GENERATED HUNDREDS OF DONATIONS A WEEK.

EVERYTHING FROM TOILETRIES AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS, TO TOYS FOR THE KIDS WHO STAY THERE.

>> ANYONE NEEDS ANYTHING.

I TRY TO GO OUT OF MY WAY.

IF THEY NEED A RIDE SOMEWHERE.

IF THEY NEED FOOD.

IF THEY NEED ANYTHING.

I WILL HOOK THEM UP.

>> AND WILL THEY TELL YOU?

>> DEFINITELY.

IF YOU PUT IT OUT THERE.

THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE TO TALK TO PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: HE IS HOPING THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE WILL SPREAD THE WORD TO REACH SOME OF THOSE FOLKS COMING FROM AFGHANISTAN TO LET THEM KNOW THAT HERE, THEY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO LAND.

IN NORTH BERGEN, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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