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>>> FROM NEW JERSEY PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A REVAMPED VERSION OF CORONAVIRUS BOOSTERS SHOTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC WITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS.

THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZED UPDATED COVID-19 VACCINES THAT TARGET OMICRON SUB VARIANTS, OFFERING MORE PROTECTION AGAINST THOSE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS BA.4 AND BA.5 STRAINS THAT HAVE BECOME DOMINANT IN THE U.S. NOW, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME UPDATED VACCINES HAVE RECEIVED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION.

SCIENTISTS BELIEVE THE REFORMULATED VERSIONS OF MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINES COULD HELP LAUNCH A SURGE OF INFECTIONS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PLANS TO MAKE SHOTS AVAILABLE JUST AFTER THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY AND ONCE THE CDC GIVES APPROVAL.

MODERNA'S VACCINE IS AUTHORIZED FOR A SINGLE-DOSE BOOSTER IN PEOPLE AGE 18 AND UP.

THE PFIZER BOOST SER CLEARED FOR THOSE 1 AND OLDER.

THE SHOTS ARE BEING DEPLOYED AS PART OF A DEFENSE AGAINST THE VIRUS THAT'S STILL KILLING AN AVERAGE OF 400 TO 500 PEOPLE A DAY ACROSS THE U.S. >>> COVID IS LARGE TOLL BLAME FOR YET ANOTHER HISTORIC DROP IN U.S. LIFE EXPECTANCY.

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, FEDERAL DATA SHOW THE AVERAGE LIFE SPAN PLUNGED, DECLINING BY NEARLY THREE YEARS SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM THE CDC, IT DROPPED FROM NEARLY 79 YEARS IN 2019 TO 76 YEARS IN 2021.

THE LAST COMPARABLE DECREASE HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE THE EARLY 1940s.

THAT'S DURING THE HEIGHT OF WORLD WAR II.

THE RESEARCH POINTS TO CORONAVIRUS AS THE DRIVING FACTOR BEHIND THE CHANGE WITH DEATHS FROM THE VIRUS CONTRIBUTING TO ABOUT HALF THE DECLINE.

THE DROP IN LIFE EXPECTANCY WAS STARKER AMONG NATIVE AMERICANS AND ALASKA NATIVES.

A DROP OF MORE THAN SIX AND A HALF YEARS SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

65 YEARS OLD WAS THE LIFE SPAN THERE.

DURING THAT SAME TIME, THE AVERAGE AGE DROPPED BY MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AMONG HISPANIC AND BLACK AMERICANS.

BUT IT WASN'T JUST THE CORONAVIRUS AT PLAY.

THE DATA REVEALED DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS WERE ALSO A FACTORS, REACHING A RECORD HIGH IN 2021, ALONG WITH DEATHS FROM UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES, ABOUT HALF OF WHICH ARE DUE TO DRUG OVERDOSE.

TODAY IN NEWARK THE FIRST PHYSICAL INSTALLATION OF THE NATIONAL OVERDOSE MEMORIAL WAS UNVEILED AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY TO MARK THIS OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY.

RAVEN SANTANA WAS THERE AND HAS THE STORY.

>> SO THAT 40-YEAR-OLD CARDIAC ARREST THAT I HEARD ON THE RADIO WHEN I WAS AT WORK WAS PRONOUNCING MY BROTHER PASSED AWAY FROM THE OPIOID CRISIS.

FAST FORWARD, DECEMBER OF 2021.

I WAS ALSO WORKING GANG, GOT A CALL FROM ONE OF MY COWORKERS LETTING ME KNOW THEY FOUND MY SISTER.

MY SISTER PASSED AWAY FROM THE OPIOID CRISIS.

>> Reporter: DR. WILL MASSENBERG BRAVELY SHARING HOW HE FOUND OUT BOTH HIS BROTHER AND SISTER HAD DIED FROM OPIOID OVERDOSES.

ONE OF DOZENS WOULD GATHERED TO UNVEIL THE FIRST INSTALLATION OF A TRAVELING NATIONAL OVERDOSE MEMORIAL.

THE DIGITAL DISPLAY, WHICH COMMEMORATES LIVES LOST TO OVERDOSE WILL TRAVEL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

>> OVER THE NEXT WEEK, THE EXHIBIT, WHICH WE ARE SEEING RIGHT HERE, WILL BE THE CALL TO ACTION TO THE WORLD AND THE RESOURCES THAT ARE NEEDED TO PREVENT THESE UNNECESSARY DEATHS.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 100,000 DIE OF DRUG OVERDOSE IN THE U.S. EVERY YEAR, OR ONE PERSON EVERY FIVE MINUTES, ACCORDING TO THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER.

IN NEW JERSEY, MORE THAN 3100 PEOPLE DIED OF DRUG GOAF DOSES LAST YEAR FROM JANUARY THROUGH JUNE 2022 THERE HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO 5600 USES OF NALOXONE TO REVERSE OPIOID OVERDOSES, AND MORE THAN 1600 SUSPECTED OVERDOSE DEATHS, AND DRUG- RELATED DEATHS AMONG HISPANIC, LATINX NEW JERSEYANS ARE MORE THAN FOUR TIMES HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO.

>> IT'S HEARTENING THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE SEEN IN OUR CITY AND MANY CITIES LIKE OURS FOR DECADES BEFORE PEOPLE REALIZED THERE WERE PEOPLE BEING ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS AND PEOPLE WERE DYING FROM IT.

>> SO WE KNOW WE CAN PREVENT.

THIS THAT'S ON THE BACK END.

ON THE FRONT END, THE ORDERING AND PRESCRIBING OF OPIOIDS HAS BEEN CONTROLLED UNBELIEVABLY THROUGH OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS, AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONS TO FIND ALTERNATIVES TO PAIN MANAGEMENT, NOT JUST A PHARMACEUTICAL SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE MEMORIAL, THE LAUNCH OF A NEW OPIOID SETTLEMENT PORTAL WAS ANNOUNCED AFTER NEW JERSEY IS SET TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $600 MILLION FROM SETTLEMENTS.

THE PORTAL IS DESIGNED TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC AND FAMILY MEMBERS ON HOW THEY THINK THE MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT.

>> WE NOW HAVE A WAY TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM INDIVIDUALS ALL THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITIES IN NEW JERSEY ABOUT WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO THEM IN THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY, $641 MILLION, TO SPEND OVER THE NEXT MANY YEARS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR RECOVERY JOURNEY.

SO WHAT DO YOU NEED?

WHAT WOULD HAVE HELPED YOU WHEN YOU FIRST BEGAN USING?

>> Reporter: FOLLOWING THE EVENT, THE NEWARK COMMUNITY STREET TEAM PROVIDED FREE NALOXONE TRAINING TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ANOTHER PUSH TO RAISE AWARENESS WHILE EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON HOW THEY CAN HELP SAVE LIVES.

>> SO WHAT WE SEE IN THE CITY OF NEWARK IS THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING OPIOID OVERDOSES FROM THE PREPS OF FENTANYL IN THEIR DRUGS.

THE TOOLS TO USE IT ARE VERY SIMPLE.

THE NASAL PROVIDE IS JUST LIKE TAKING AN ALLERGY SPRAY.

THE YOU KNOW TRAY MUSCULAR IS WHERE PEOPLE GET A LITTLE SQUEAMISH, BUT THAT'S WHERE OUR TRAINING SETS PEOPLE AT EASE.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE AGREED WITH THE RIGHT POLICIES EXPANDING ACCESS TO SERVICES AND HAVING UNLIMITED AMOUNTS OF NALOXONE AVAILABLE, ALL WAYS TO PREVENT OPIOID ABUSE AND OVERDOSES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THE MAYOR OF LAKEWOOD IS UNDER FIRE OVER A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION TO CUT DOWN ALL OF THE TREES ONCE LINING THE TOWN SQUARE.

THE MOVE CITY LEADERS DID HE FENDED AS A WAY TO DETER HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM GATHERING THERE, AFTER THEY RECEIVED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS AND TOWN EMPLOYEES.

ADVOCATES CONTEND IT'S A REACTIVE DECISION THAT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE ROOT ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES CHASING THE DREAM, FOCUSING ON JUSTICE, POVERTY, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

>> I'M JUST APPALLED.

I SAID, WHO WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

WHY WOULD THEY DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> Reporter: MINISTER STEVEN BRIGHAM IS FURIOUS ABOUT LAKEWOOD'S CLOPPING DOWN TREES TO KEEP HOMELESS PEOPLE AWAY FROM THE TOWN SQUARE.

THESE STUMPS ARE A RESULT OF A SUGGESTION TO THE TASK FORCE.

>> THEY FELT REMOVING THE TREES WOULD MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT LESS COMFORTABLE FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE UNDER THEM AND HARASS THE FOLKS WHO ARE COMING AND GOING FROM TOWN SQUARE.

>> Reporter: MAYOR RAY COLES SAYS THE TOWNSHIP HEARD OTHER COMPLAINTS.

>> PEOPLE COMING TO THEIR CARS AND FINDING HUMAN WASTE ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE THEIR CAR, AS WELL AS REPORTS OF PEOPLE URINATING ON THE CARS.

>> YOU PUT UP HOW MANY PORT-A- JOHNS YOU NEED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OUT HERE.

CUTTING DOWN TREES ISN'T THE ANSWER TO SOMEONE HAVING TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.

>> Reporter: THIS IS HOW IT USED TO LOOK.

AND MAYOR COMBES ACKNOWLEDGES IT'S BECOME A FIXER-UPPER.

>> I KNOW THAT IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD RIGHT NOW, AND THE PLAN IS NOT TO LEAVE IT LIKE.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING TOGETHER A REVITALIZATION PLAN FOR THE ENTIRE TOWN SQUARE, TO PAINT THE RETAINING WALL AS WELL AS PUT IN PLANTINGS THAT ARE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING.

>> Reporter: HOMELESSNESS ADVOCATES SAY THE TREE REMOVAL HAS DONE MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

>> A LOT OF FAMILIES WOULD COME OUT HERE AND SIT AROUND UNDER THE SHADE OF THE TREES AND SOCIALIZE WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL PARK.

IT WAS FOR EVERYBODY.

THE HOMELESS REALLY WEREN'T BOTHERING ANYBODY.

IN FACT, THE PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY WOULD COME AND HELP OUT THE HOMELESS.

>> I THINK IT'S KIND OF EMBARRASSING TO OCEAN COUNTY THAT WE CONTINUE TO TREAT HUMAN BEINGS LIKE ANIMALS AND CONTINUE TO TAKE THINGS AWAY AND PUNISH PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN LEADS ONE OF THE NONPROFITS THAT HELPS THE HOMELESS IN OCEAN COUNTY.

HE SAYS THAT IF HOMELESS PEOPLE HAVE TO SCATTER, IT WILL MAKE IT HARDER FOR NONPROFITS TO FIND AND HELP THEM.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE CAN CONGREGATE, IT MAKES IT ESHZ FOR US TO OFFER THE SERVICES THAT WE CAN PROVIDE.

IT GIVES AS YOU SAFE LOCATION INSTEAD OF US TRYING TO GO OUT INTO THE WOODS IN TENT AREAS AND CREATE MORE PROBLEMS FOR US.

>> Reporter: OCEAN COUNTY IS THE ONLY ONE IN NEW JERSEY WITHOUT A PERMANENT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SHELTER.

ADVOCATES SAY THAT'S LED TO TENT CITIES POPPING UP, INCLUDING THIS ONE IN LAKEWOOD THAT WAS SHUT DOWN BY A COURT ORDER EIGHT YEARS AGO.

THE COUNTY ALSO USED TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS IN SEASIDE HEIGHTS HOTELS, BUT MORE OF THEM ARE BEING DEMOLISHED.

MIKE McNEIL LEADS ANOTHER NONPROFIT THAT HELPS THE HOMELESS, AND HE SAYS THE HOTELS WEREN'T A GREAT ALTERNATIVE ANYWAY.

>> WE PUT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN.

THEY TORE UP THE APARTMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT CREATED A REAL HARD FEELING BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, US AND SOME OF THE LANDLORDS.

>> Reporter: McNEIL SAYS HOMELESSNESS IN OCEAN COUNTY HAS A BECOME A BIGGER PROBLEM, AND HIS EMPLOYEES ARE BUSIER THAN EVER.

>> THE REAL PROBLEM IS IN THE COURT WITH THE HIGH RENTS THAT ARE GOING, NO RENT CONTROL, AND THESE PEOPLE, WE'VE GOT PEOPLE'S RENTS THAT ARE BEING RAISED OVER $1,000.

IT'S A PANDEMIC WITH THE HOMELESS.

OH, MY GOD, YEAH.

AND IT'S NOT -- YOU KNOW, PEOPLE MIGHT THINK THAT IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, BLACKS OR HISPANICS, YOU KNOW, LIKE THAT.

NO, IT'S EVERYBODY!

>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, MAYOR COLES SAYS THE TOWNSHIP IS TRYING TO HELP HOMELESS PEOPLE GET HOUSING VOUCHERS.

>> WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THEM AND TRYING TO GET THEM OFF THE STROTZ AND INTO PERMANENT HOUSING OR SOME KIND OF TREATMENT PROGRAMS SO THEY CAN OVERCOME WHATEVER ADDICTIONS OR PROBLEMS THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: BUT ADVOCATES TELL US THAT THE VOUCHERS CAN BE DIFFICULT TO SIGN UP FOR, AND THAT A PERMANENT SHELTER WOULD HELP THEM A LOT MORE.

AS FOR THE TREES, MAYOR COLES SAID THEY HAD TO BE CHOPPED DOWN SINCE IT WASN'T FEASIBLE TO MOVE THEM.

IN LAKE WOOD, I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHASING THE DREAM IS PROVIDED BY THE J.P. B FOUNDATION, WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE PETER G. PETERSON AND JOAN GANZ COONEY FUND.

>>> A DECADE AGO MONTCLAIR BECAME THE FIRST TOWN IN NEW JERSEY TO OPEN A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY.

BUT THE TOWN COUNCIL HAS BEEN CRITICIZED RECENTLY FOR BEING SLOW TO ALLOW REC RIGSAL SALES.

WELL, AN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS ANALYSIS FINDS MONTCLAIR IS NOT ALONE.

MUNICIPALITIES ALLOWING ADULT CANNABIS SALES TEND TO HAVE LARGER MINORITY POPULATIONS AND LOWER IN CONNECTION WITH THAN THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE OPTING OUT.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THEY CUT THE RIBBON AT THE NEW ASCEND CANNABIS DISPENSARY UNMONTCLAIR TODAY.

THE DISPENSARY HAS BEEN OPEN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, BUT THAT STILL PUTS THEM IN A MINORITY, BECAUSE IN A STATE A WHERE MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF VOTERS SAID YES TO ADULT USE SALES, ANALYSIS BY NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS FOUND THAT ONLY ABOUT A THIRD OF THE STATE'S MUNICIPALITIES ARE ALLOWING SALES WITHIN THEIR BORDERS.

DESPITE OVERWHELMING VOTER APPROVALS.

MONTCLAIR IS ONE OF THOSE TOWNS THAT ALLOWS THE SALES BUT EVEN THEN ONLY AFTER A YEAR OF PUSHING AND PULLING WITH ASCEND, A MULTISTATE OPERATOR WHO YOU MIGHT EVEN CALL PART OF BIG WEED.

>> I THINK IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF PROCESS, TAKING ALONG LONGER.

IT'S A COMBINATION OF US TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE NEW LAW, TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE REGULATIONS THAT WERE REGULARLY COMING OUT FROM THE CRC, THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION, AND THEN ALSO JUST THE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WHAT'S GOING ON, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PLACE THESE, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE TOWN WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE TAX REVENUE, ALL THOSE FACTORS.

>> Reporter: WE FOUND JUST BECAUSE A TOWN VOTES FOR LEGAL WEED, DOESN'T MEAN THEY WANT IT SOLD, PARDON THE EXPRESSION, IN THEIR BACKYARD.

>> I'M EMBARRASSED AND DISAPPOINTED.

>> Reporter: COUNCILWOMAN EVE NIEDERGANG HEADED UP A TASK FORCE TO GET WEED APPROVED WHERE ALMOST 70% SAID YES.

THE EFFORT FAILED.

THE TOWN BANNED SEAMS AND IT'S LEFT A BAD TASTE IN THE COUNCILWOMAN'S MOUTH.

>> WE STARTED MEETING IN MARCH OF 2021, AND WITHIN A MEETING OR TWO OF OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS, WE REALIZED THAT WE NEEDED TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER WE WANTED TO OPT IN OR OPT OUT.

AND AT THAT TIME IT WAS NOT CLEAR THAT ONE COULD OPT OUT AND THEN OPT BACK IN LATER.

SO WE ENDED UP KIND OF MOVING FROM FOCUSING ON EDUCATION FIRST TO FOCUSING ON THIS QUESTION FIRST.

AND LOOKING BACK, THAT WAS REALLY A MISTAKE, BECAUSE PEOPLE WEREN'T READY.

>> Reporter: YOU HEAR THAT A LOT WHEN IT COMES TO CANNABIS.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR TOWN.

WHAT IT MEANS, SAYS PAUL, OF NORMAL, IS THAT BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PLACES WHERE YOU CAN LEGALLY SELL CANNABIS, IN THIS CASE TWO-THIRDS OF THE STATE, YOU'RE UNDERMINING THE SOCIAL JUSTICE SIDE OF THE EQUATION THAT SO MANY NEW JERSEY VOTERS SUPPOSEDLY VOTED FOR.

>> FOR THE FIRST HALF OR SO OF THE DECADE, THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION, OR ALMOST NO DISCUSSION, AMONG REGULATORS AND PUNDITS AND POLITICIANS ABOUT ANY SOCIAL EQUITY COMPONENT.

I THINK THAT THE WAY YOU MOST RAPIDLY HAVE AN INCLUSIVE MARKET IS TO HAVE AN INCLUSIVE MARKET.

YOU DON'T SET AN ARBITRARY CAP ON THE NUMBER OF LICENSES AVAILABLE.

YOU KEEP THE FEES THAT ARE -- THE APPLICATION FEES REQUIRED TO OBTAIN THOSE LICENSES TO BE RELATIVELY LOW, SO THE AVERAGE PERSON CAN AFFORD TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> FOR ME, THE FIRST YEAR, I'D RATHER HAVE AN ESTABLISHED ENTITY THAT KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING, KNOWS HOW THE SUPPLY CHAIN WORKS, KNOWS HOW TO CONTROL AND SECURE THE MATERIALS, KNOWS HOW TO EDUCATE CONSUMERS, AND THEN I THINK THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME FOR THE REST OF THAT TO COME ALONG.

>> NOT EVERY BUSINESS CAN GO EVERYWHERE.

AND SOTO HOLD MUNICIPALITIES TO A LEVEL WHERE WE'RE SAYING, YOU MUST DO THIS BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TOE DO, IS NOT NECESSARILY FAIR.

REMEMBER, WE STILL HAVE DRY TOWNS IN NEW JERSEY.

EVEN THOUGH WE ALLOW ALCOHOL.

>> Reporter: LEAVING THE STATE'S CANNABIS ROLLOUT OPEN TO CRITICISM ABOUT JUST WHO IS BENEFITING.

THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION SAYS TOWNS CAN ALWAYS OPT BACK IN WHENEVER THEY WANT.

MEANWHILE, MINORITIES, WOMEN, AND VETERANS MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF APPROVED LICENSES, THEY SAY.

AS FOR CLEARING THE LOCAL BANS ON CANNABIS SALES, ONLY THE BIG PLAYERS SEEM TO HAVE HAD THE TIME AND THE RESOURCES TO WORK AROUND THOSE.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WITH MOST OF NEW JERSEY'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS JUST DAYS AWAY FROM REOPENING, GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY MADE A VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE IN HOPES OF GETTING A POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR THE GROWING TEACHER SHORTAGE IN THE STATE.

MURPHY TOOK PART IN A MEETING THAT INCLUDED THE FIRST LADY, THE U.S.

SECRETARIES OF EDUCATION AND LABOR, ALONG WITH THE LEADERS OF THE COUNTRY'S TWO LARGEST TEACHERS UNIONS.

THE GROUP IS LOOKING AT WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE TEACHING PROFESSION AND HELP K-12 SCHOOL DISTRICT RECRUIT TALENT TO FILL VACANCIES WHILE KEEPING EDUCATORS IN THE PIPELINE.

NOW, IT'S UNCLEAR HOW MANY TEACHING POSITIONS ARE EMPTY IN NEW JERSEY, BUT ACROSS THE NATION, GOVERNMENT DATA SHOWS ABOUT 300,000 TEACHERS HAVE LEFT THE WORKFORCE SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

ADVOCATES SAY A BILL AWAITING GOVERNOR MURPHY'S SIGNATURE COULD BE ONE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM, BY ELIMINATING A REQUIRED TEST FOR TEACHING CANDIDATES THAT SOME SAY HAS ADDED TO THE CRISIS.

>>> MEANTIME, IN UNION COUNTY, THE ELIZABETH SCHOOL DISTRICT ALREADY FACING TEACHER SHORTAGE IS IN THE MIDST OF A VERY PUBLIC BATTLE BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND THE TEACHERS UNION.

LONG TIME DEMOCRATIC MAYOR CHRIS MADE A PUBLIC STATEMENT ON TWITTER THREATENING RETALIATION ON PROMOTIONS IF UNION MEMBERS DON'T AGREE HE TO A CONTRACT SETTLEMENT AND STRIKE ON THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL.

WELL, NOW THE UNION PRESIDENT SAYS THERE'S NO STRIKE PLANNED AND CALLS THE MAYOR'S THREATS AN ABUSE OF POWER.

BUT THIS WAR OF WORDS HAS SOME QUESTIONING HIS POLITICAL INFLUENCE OVER THE SCHOOL BOARD IN WHICH MOST OF ITS NINE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN BACKED BY BALLWIDGE AND JUST WHO CONTROLS THE SCHOOLS.

REPORTER CARLY CITRON HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS "ONLY IN NEW JERSEY" FEUD AND JOINS ME.

>> SO CARLY THIS IS A RIFT THAT'S BEEN BREWING FOR DECADES, REALLY.

WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW BETWEEN THE HE CITY OFFICIALS, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, AND THE TEACHERS UNION?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK POLITICAL CONTROL OF THE ELIZABETH BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST POLITICAL BATTLES IN UNION COUNTY FOR YEARS.

AND SO WHAT WE KIND OF SAW LAST WEEK IS THE MAYOR VERY PUBLICLY TWEETED, YOU HAVE HEARD A RUMOR THAT THERE WAS -- THAT THE UNION IS PLANNING A STRIKE, AND ANYONE WHO PARTICIPATED WOULD NEVER GET A PROMOTION.

AND THIS KIND OF VERY PUBLIC, ALMOST KIND OF INSIN SITUATION INSINUATION IS NOT HOW STATE LAW WORKS.

HIRING, FIRING, AND PROMOTIONAL DECISIONS ARE EXCLUSIVELY MADE BY A DISTRICT'S SUPERINTENDENT.

SO THE MAYOR KIND OF WEIGHING IN HERE WAS REALLY SURPRISING AND HAS KIND OF TURNED INTO THIS VERY PUBLIC BATTLE FOR WHO REALLY CONTROLS THE SECOND LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THE MAYOR, OF COURSE, AS YOU MENTIONED, CARLY, WEIGHING IN ABOUT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE UNION AND A POSSIBLE RAIDS.

BUT, REALLY, AS YOU REPORT, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE HERE ARE THE STUDENTS.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE?

WHAT'S THE LATEST?

>> YEAH.

I THINK IN MY EXPERIENCE, IN SPEAKING WITH PEOPLE LOCAL AND PARENTS WHO ARE IN THE DISTRICT, WHAT I'VE HEARD, ULTIMATELY THE POLITICAL INFIGHTING AND KIND OF THE BACK AND FORTH AND THE TUG-OF-WAR HAS REALLY TAKEN AWAY FROM THE CORE MISSION OF THE DISTRICT, WHICH IS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS.

I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PARENTS OF STUDENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS WHO SAID THEIR KIDS ARE NOT GETTING THE EXPERIENCE THAT THEY ARE OWED BY THE DISTRICT.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN THAT THE POLITICS IS TAKING AWAY FROM THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE ON THE GROUND.

NOW, THE BOARD AND THE DISTRICT WILL PUSH BACK ON THIS AND SAY THAT, OF COURSE, STUDENT EDUCATION IS ALWAYS THE TOP PRIORITY AND THE THING THEY'RE THINK ABOUT MOST.

BUT HEARING FROM THE PARENTS IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S KIND OF A GAP BETWEEN WHAT IS BEING SAID AND WHAT IS BEING EXPERIENCED.

>> HAS THE MAYOR, CARLY, RETRACTED THAT TWEET, THAT STATEMENT, SORT OF ASSERTING POWER OVER THE TEACHERS HERE?

WHAT HAS HE SAID?

>> AS OF TODAY, AS OF THIS AFTERNOON, THE TWEET IS STILL UP.

THE KIND OF LATEST IS AN ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF THE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, THE TEACHERS UNION IN THE DISTRICT, HAS SENT A LETTER TO THE MAYOR KIND OF CALLING THE TWEET SPUR SPURRIOUS AT BEST.

I HAVE REACHED OUT AND HAVEN'T HEARD BACK.

BUT, YEAH, THE TWEET IS STILL UP AND THERE IS KIND OF A LOOMING QUESTION ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF ALL OF THIS.

>> OKAY, CARLY CITRON, THANKS FOR THAT GREAT REPORTING.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, BEFORE I ANNA.

>>> A REWORKED JOBS REPORT SHOWS EMPLOYERS ARE LIKELY PREPARING FOR AN ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS ON HIRING, PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA.

>> Reporter: BRIANA, HIRING IS SLOWING DOWN, ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY-BASED ADP.

U.S. COMPANIES ADDED JUST 132,000 NEW JOBS IN AUGUST, WHICH WAS BELOW EXPECTATIONS BY ECONOMISTS.

IN JULY, COMPANIES HIRED TWICE THAT NUMBER.

THE ADP REPORT RECENTLY REVAMPED TO USE NEW METHODOLOGY ALSO SHOWED ANNUAL WORKER PAY HAS INCREASED 7.6% IN AUGUST.

THAT'S ADDING TO WORRIES ABOUT INFLATION.

ADP IS PROVIDING WAGE INFORMATION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS REPORT.

MEANTIME, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S MONTHLY REPORT ON JOBS COMES OUT ON FRIDAY SO WE'LL SEE IF JOB GROWTH LOOKS A LITTLE STRONGER IN THAT REPORT.

ONE STRUGGLING NEW JERSEY-BASED RETAILER IS SLASHING JOBS AND CLOSING STORES.

BED BATH & BEYOND, WHICH IS HEADQUARTERED IN UNION, PLANS TO LAY OFF 20% OF ITS CORPORATE AND SUPPLY CHAIN STAFF.

THE RETAILER WILL ALSO CLOSE 150 UNDERPERFORMING STORES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE COMPANY'S SALES HAVE SLUMPED, AND ITS CEO LEFT IN LATE JUNE.

AN INTERIM CEO IS IN PLACE AS THE RETAILER TRIES TO NAV GET A WAY FORWARD.

>>> HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH IS RECRUITING TO FILL OPEN POSITIONS AT ITS CHILDCARE CENTERS AFTER REVERSING COURSE AND DECIDING TO KEEP THOSE FACILITIES OPEN.

THE HEALTHCARE COMPANY ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO CLOSE ITS SIX CENTERS IN JULY BUT THEN RESCINDED THAT DECISION AFTER EMPLOYEES AND PARENTS OBJECTED.

OFFICIALS SAY KEEPING THE CENTERS OPEN WILL COME AT A COST.

TUITION INCREASES ARE EXPECTED EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>>> THE STATE IS LAUNCHING ANOTHER GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP WITH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT.

THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO REPURPOSE VACANT OR UNDERUTILIZED PUBLIC ASSETS AND PROPERTY.

TIM SULLIVAN, THE CEO OF THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OUTLINED HOW IT WILL WORK.

>> THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT IDEAS FOR HOW TO REUSE EITHER OLD OR EXISTING STRUCTURES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND SOMETIMES WHAT IS NECESSARY TO GET THE PROJECT LIKE THAT OFF THE GROUND IS REALLY EARLY PLANNING MONEY.

SO THIS PROGRAM IS GOING TO PROVIDE UP TO $50,000 OF GRANT FUNDING TO DO SOME STUDIES AND SOME FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS OF, YOU KNOW WHAT IF WE TURN X OLD STRUCTURE INTO SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE'VE ALWAYS WANTED IN TOWN OR THAT THE ECONOMY NEEDS.

>> APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH OCTOBER 24TH FOR WHAT'S BEING CALLED THE NEW ASSET ACTIVATION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM.

>>> NOW, HERE'S A CHECK ON HOW WALL STREET CLOSED OUT THE TRADING DAY.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR CONTINUES REPORT PROVIDED BY "SJ MAGAZINE."

THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

ONLINE AT SJMAGAZINE.NET.

>>> AND THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT 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'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

THAT'S WHY AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY.

MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH, TOO.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE.

ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND WE CAN HELP.

BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES.

ALL THE TIME.

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

BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM'S POLICY HOLDERS?

THEY'RE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS, AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

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

NJM.

WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.