>>> SEVER INVESTIGATING THE INSURANCE NEEDS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJ REALTOR.COM AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

FROM NJPBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> THE RECENT STRING OF DEAD WHALES WASHING UP ON THE YEARS SHORE IS PITTING PEOPLE AGAINST EACH OTHER.

THEY CALL ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO STEP IN AND HALT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WHILE SCIENTISTS AND MARINE MAMMAL EXPERTS SAY THERE IS LITTLE TO NO EVIDENCE SUPPORTING THE CLAIM POINTING TO OTHER FACTORS LIKE THE INCREASE OF WHALES FEEDING OFF NEW JERSEY COAST.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS ON THIS GROWING CONTROVERSY.

>> WE HAD MORE BEACHED WHALES IN A MONTH THAN IN A YEAR ON AVERAGE.

SO, WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF WHALES BEING WASHED UP DEAD ON THE BEACHES IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

>> YOU HAVE THEM ISOLATED HERE AND THERE OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS, NOTHING LIKE WHAT WE ARE SEEING NOW.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY HAS SEEN FOUR WHALES WATCH UP ON BEACHES SINCE DECEMBER.

IT'S UNITED ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND SOME MOLL TISH SHOPS IN CALLING FOR THE STATES TO PAUSE ALL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AND INVESTIGATE IF THERE IS ANY CORRELATION.

>> EVERYBODY QUASHEES ABOUT IT.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

FROM MY STANDPOINT, IF IT TAKES TWO, THREE, FOUR WEEKS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WHALES, THAT IS THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO.

>> UNTIL WE KNOW IF THOSE ACTIVITIES ARE HARMFUL OR NOT WE NEED TO STOP THE ACTIVITIES UNTIL IT'S DETERMINED, THE CAUSE OF DEATH IS DETERMINED.

>> Reporter: CORY IS AN ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR CLEAN OCEAN OUT OF LONG BRANCH.

SHE SENT A LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN URGING HIM TO TAKE ACTION AND INVESTIGATE IF MAN MADE SONAR IS INTERFERING WITH SONAR FROM WHALES.

>> THOSE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES CREATE NOISE AND MAKE A LOT OF NOISE.

ANIMALS IN THE OCEAN USE IT TO COMMUNICATE.

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF SONAR THAT THEY ARE USING AND THE FREE QUEENLY LEVEL.

>> Reporter: DANIELLE BROWN WORKS FORGOT THAT MANY WHALE A NONPROFIT THAT COLLECTED DATA FROM WHALES NEAR NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK THE LAST DECADE.

SHE SAYS MORE WHALES ARE ENDING UP ON NEW JERSEY BEACHES IN PART BECAUSE MORE OF THEM ARE STARTING TO LIVE OFF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.

>> WE KNOW THERE IS AN INCREASE BECAUSE WITH THAT WE HAVE SEEN THE INCREASE IN STRIKES BUT EVEN TANGLEMENT CASES AND CLOSE CALLS BETWEEN WHALES AND FISHERMEN.

>> Reporter: WHEN THEY ARE STRANDED, THIS STRANDING CENTER COMES IN TO INVESTIGATE.

>> A LOT IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE GIVEN NECROPSIES TO THE WHALES AND A SECOND WHALE IN THE CITY.

THEY WERE LIKELY STRUCK BY BOATS BUT THEY HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE LAB RESULTS TO KNOW THE CAUSE OF DEATH.

THEY COULDN'T FULLY INVESTIGATE THE FIRST TWO WHALES TO WASH UP IN NEW JERSEY.

>> ONE WAS BADLY DECOMPOSED AND THE ONE IN ATLANTIC CITY, AGAIN DECOMPOSED BUT OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS THERE WAS A REALLY BAD STORM HAPPENING WHEN THAT WHALE WAS ON THE BEACH.

WE WERE LIMITED.

>> Reporter: OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS DISAGREED WITH CLEAN OCEAN ACTION AND SAY THERE IS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN OFFSHORE WIND ACTIVITIES AND THE INCREASE IN STRANDED WHALES.

>> IMPERSONALLY CRUSHED BY ALL THESE WHALES WASHING UP, I AM EQUALLY CRUSHED BY A LOT OF THE GROUPS BASELESSLY CLAIMING THAT THE STRANDINGS ARE LINKED TO TYPES OF SURVEY VESSELS OPERATING OFF THE COAST.

THE REALITY IS THAT WE DON'T KNOW THAT.

>> OFFSHORE WIND IS NOT THE TOOL THAT DESERVES THE BLAME.

THAT IS THE TOOL THAT HELPS US GET TO CURB THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: DEAN SAYS THIS ISN'T A FIGHT SHE WANTS TO JOIN.

>> IT HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING.

WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE WIND FARMS BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE ANIMALS.

WE DON'T WANT TO POINT A FINGER AT ANYBODY.

WE COULD SAY THE NAVY, FISHING VESSELS, WE DON'T KNOW.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL FIND ANSWERS BUT IN THE MEANTIME WE WOULD RATHER STAY OUT OF THE CONTROVERSY WITH EVERYBODY BECAUSE IT ISN'T REALLY WHAT WE ARE ABOUT.

WE ARE HERE FOR THE ANIMALS ONLY.

>> Reporter: ON FRIDAY, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY SAID THE STATE WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD WITH OFFSHORE WIND WHILE MONITORING ANY CONNECTION TO THE DETAILS.

>>> WHILE IT'S BEEN A THORN IN THE SIDE OF LEGISLATORS FOR DECADES AND NOW IT APPEARS THAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS LAWMAKERS TO OVERHAUL THE STATES OUTDATED LIQUOR LICENSING LAWS DURING AN ELECTION YEAR OFFERING UP A PROPOSAL DURING HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS WITH SCANT DETAILS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A LOOK AT THE FALLOUT.

>> I AM TRYING AS HARD AS I CAN TO GET --TO STAY AFLOAT AND SURVIVE WITH THE STYLE THAT WE DO.

>> Reporter: WITHOUT A LIQUOR LICENSE, AARON SAYS IT'S HARD.

ADDING SPIRITS TO THE MENU WOULD GIVE THE HIRER END BYOP RESTAURANT A BIG FINANCIAL SHOT IN THE ARM.

>> YOU ARE LOOKING AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 20 TO 30% INCREASE IN REVENUE ALONE.

>> Reporter: BUT THE TOWN HAS ZERO LICENSES LEFT TO OFFER UNDER ANTIQUATED STATE LAW THAT LIMITS LIQUOR LICENSES FOR ONE TO EVERY 3,000 RESIDENTS.

THE LANES ONE SOLD FOR $1.1 MILLION.

>> IT'S DEPRESSING THAT IT GOT TO THIS STATE.

THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY WITH LICENSES IS OUTDATED.

>> IT MAKES NO SENSE TO RESTAURANT TARS LIKE AARON.

STAND UP AND TAKE A BOW.

>> Reporter: IN THE STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH GOVERNOR MURPHY OFFERED HIM A SHOUT OUT AND REFORMING THE NEW JERSEY LIQUOR LICENSE STATUTE THAT DATES BACK TO AFTER PROHIBITION.

IT RESTRICTED NEW JERSEY TO 750 OLICK CORE LICENSES STATEWIDE.

WITH MAIN STREET STILL REELING FROM PANDEMIC PRESSURES, MURPHY SAID.

>> I PROPOSE THE NEXT FEW YEARS WE GRADUALLY RELAX THIS REQUIREMENT AND EXPAND THE AVAILABLE NUMBER OF LICENSES UNTIL THE RESTRICTION IS ELIMINATED IN THE ENTIRETY THEN THE MARKET CAN WORK FREELY.

>> WE ARE SEEING THE CHANGES IN THE STATE AND CHANGING THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING WRONG.

WE SEE THAT AND RECOGNIZE THERE IS AN ISSUE AND THERE ARE PLACES THAT NEED LICENSES.

>> Reporter: BUT THE LICENSE BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION SAYS CURRENT BARS AND RESTAURANTS SANK SERIOUS MONEY INTO THEIR LIQUOR LICENSES.

THEY FEAR FLOODING THE MARKETPLACE COULD TRASH THE LIFETIME INVESTMENT EVEN THOUGH THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED COMPENSATING THEM WITH TAX CREDITS.

>> IT'S MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILIES.

THIS IS THEIR LIVELIHOOD AND RETIREMENT.

WE WANT TO PRESERVE THAT.

>> Reporter: A STRIDENT E-MAIL URGING MEMBERS TO OPPOSE MURPHY'S PLAN JUST WENT OUT WARNING THAT IT COULD PUT THEIR LICENSES AT RISK AND DEVALUE THEIR ASSETS.

>> THE BIGGEST FEAR IN THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INVESTED IN THIS IS IT WOULD HAPPEN QUICKLY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY JUST LOST THE VALUE OF THIS INVESTMENT WHICH ANYONE COULD UNDERSTAND THAT, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH RECIPE FOR CHANGE THAT EVERYONE CAN SWALLOW?

ONE PROPOSED BILL WOULD IGNORE THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN TO CREATE A WHOLE BATCH OF NEW LIQUOR LICENSES BUT INSTEAD WORK WITH EXISTING LICENSES ON THE BOOKS.

THAT'S A PROPOSAL THAT IS POTENT AND MORE POTABLE FOR ESTABLISHED MEMBERS OF THE BEVERAGE INDUSTRY.

>> I THINK WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN EXPANDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND RECOGNIZING THE INVESTMENT AND EVALUATION.

>> Reporter: UP TO 20%, ALMOST 1400 OF NEW JERSEY'S LIQUOR LICENSES ARE INACTIVE MEANING SOMEONE BOUGHT THE LICENSE BUT ISN'T USING IT.

HE IS COSPONSORING A BILL TO REPURPOSE THE INACTIVE LICENSES BY LETTING TOWNS AWARD THEM TO THE HIGHEST BIDDING MUNICIPALITY.

>> THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE STEP THAT WE CAN TAKE THAT ADD LESSES THE GOVERNOR'S CONCERNS ABOUT INCREASED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND WITHOUT UNDER CUTTING THE EXISTING SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: AND BUYS TIME.

GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PLAN THAT WOULD LOWER THE PRICE AND PHASE OUT THE POPULATION CAP WOULD TAKE A NEW LAW AND YEARS TO IMPLEMENT.

AARON SAYS HE MAY NOT HAVE THAT LONG.

>> WE WILL KEEP TRYING BUT, YOU KNOW, IT HAS ME THINKING THAT MAYBE WE INVEST IN A DIFFERENT STATE.

>> Reporter: IN MILLBURN, BRENDA FLANAGAN, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> BLOOD DONATION SUPPLIES ARE HITTING CRITICAL LOWS IN NEW JERSEY.

IT'S A PROBLEM THAT OFTEN HAPPENS THIS TIME OF YEAR FOLLOWING A LULL IN BLOOD DRIVES OVER THE HOLIDAYS AND AN UPTICK IN SCHEDULED MEDICAL PROCEDURES AT THE START OF THE NEW YEAR.

THIS WINTER, THE SURGE IN RESPIRATORY VIRUSES IS AGGRAVATING THE SHORTAGE NATIONWIDE.

HOSPITALS ARE BLEEDING WITH ANYONE WILLING AND ABLE TO ROLL UP THEIR SLAVES AND POTENTIALLY SAVE A LIFE.

>> ONE LITTLE PINCH AND YOU ARE DONE.

>> Reporter: BRADLEY BEACH RESIDENT IS ONE OF ABOUT 35 PEOPLE WHO MADE AN APPOINTMENT HERE AT THE BANQUET HALL TO GIVE BLOOD.

IT CAN MAKE A BIG IMPACT FOR THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

>> I KNOW THERE IS SUCH A NEED FOR IT HAVING BEEN IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, I'M WELL AWARE THAT WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO GET OUT THERE AND GIVE MORE BLOOD.

>> Reporter: JANUARY IS NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH AND SALLY WELLS FROM ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BLOOD SERVICES SAYS BLOOD AND PLATELET DONATIONS ARE CRITICAL AND THEY ARE MAKING AN URGENT APPEAL FOR THOSE DONATIONS, ESPECIALLY TYPE O BLOOD.

>> WE FOUND OURSELVES IN A SITUATION WHERE WE HAD LESS THAN A ONE DAY SUPPLY OF BLOOD ON THE SHELVES AND WE LIKE TO SAY THAT IT'S THE BLOOD ON THE SHELVES THAT MATTERS BECAUSE IT'S THE BLOOD ON THE SHELVES THAT WILL BE USED FOR A TRAUMATIC INJURY, A SURGERY, FOR CANCER TREATMENT AND FOR ANY OF THE OTHER ROUTINE AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES THAT HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE PROVIDE.

TYPE O NEGATIVE IN PARTICULAR IS THE UNIVERSAL DONOR MEANING THAT TYPE O BLOOD CAN BE GIVEN TO ANYBODY.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE WINTER WEATHER ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN IT LAST MONTH WITH SNOWFALLS IN PARTS OF UPSTATE NEW YORK.

SO, WHEN THAT OCCURS, THOSE BLOOD DRIVES ARE CANCELED.

THE BLOOD IS NOT COLLECTED.

BLOOD CANNOT BE STOCKPILED OR MANUFACTURED.

IT HAS TO COME FROM HUMAN VOLUNTEERS DONATING BLOOD.

AND IT DOESN'T HAVE A LONG SHELF LIFE.

ABOUT 42 DAYS.

WE ARE JUST ASKING PEOPLE TO PLEASE THINK OF THE PATIENTS THAT ARE IN NEED RIGHT NOW AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND DONATE BLOOD.

3% OF THE POPULATION DONATES BLOOD.

>> WHICH IS WHY BRADLEY BEACH MAYOR SAYS THEY MADE SURE TO SPREAD THE WORD ANYWAY THEY COULD.

>> ELECTRONIC BOARD OUTSIDE, FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL NEED DONATIONS FROM 52 PEOPLE IN ORDER TO REACH THE GOAL OF 40 UNITS OF BLOOD.

PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH HERE SAY THE PROCESS TO DONATE BLOOD ISN'T JUST IMPORTANT.

IN SOME CASES, IT'S PERSONAL TO THEM.

>> I GIVE EVERY FOUR MONTHS.

SO, WHENEVER THEY SEND OUT THE INVITATION THAT THERE IS A BLOOD DONATION SITE, I GO.

SO, WHETHER IT'S BRADLEY BEACH OR LAKEWOOD OR MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY, I'M ON THE SCHEDULE.

>> Reporter: IS THIS PERSONAL TO YOU?

>> YES.

YEAH.

I HAVE GIVEN 77 TIMES.

I KEEP TRACK.

ACTUALLY TWO THINGS.

WHEN I WAS AN INFANT, I HAD TO HAVE A BLOOD TRANSFUSION.

SO, THAT WAS ONE.

AND THEN WHEN I WAS IN THE SERVICE, I MET A GUY ON THE SHIP THAT I WAS ON.

HE STARTED TALKING ABOUT LIKE HE IS ALMOST AT 100 POINTS AND I WAS 20 SOMETHING AT THE TIME AND I SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT'S A NICE GOAL TO TRY TO AIM FOR.

SO, I HAVE BEEN DOING IT EVER SINCE.

>> NOT MY FIRST TIME.

I HAVE DONATED MANY TIMES.

I DO IT BECAUSE MY BLOOD TYPE IS O NEGATIVE AND THAT IS WHAT THEY USE FOR BABIES.

I THINK EYE EXTRA IMPORTANT TO DONATE WHITE GOES TO CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: THE BEST PART IS THE COOKIE AFTER.

>> AND IN MANY CASES, DONATING COMES WITH PERKS AND INCENTIVES.

IN BRADLEY BEACH IN ADDITION TO SNACKS YOU RECEIVE A T-SHIRT, BAG AND STARBUCKS GIFT CARD.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 17 YEARS OF AGE, WEIGH AT LEAST 110 POUNDS AND MAY BE REQUIRED TO WAIT A FEW WEEKS TO DONATE BLOOD AFTER CERTAIN VACCINATIONS.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS," RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> MASKS ARE BACK OFF IN PATTERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE DISTRICT TODAY LIFTING THE MANDATORY FACE MASK REQUIREMENT PUT IN PLACE DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JANUARY.

IT WAS TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE RISE IN COVID-19 CASES.

IN A LETTER SENT TO PARENTS AND STAFF, THE SUPERINTENDENT CITED A DECLINE IN INFECTIONS MAKING THE MASKS OPTIONAL.

ACCORDING TO THE LETTER, THE NUMBER OF NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES IN PATTERSON DROPPED FROM 32 AT THE STATE OF THE YEAR TO FOUR CASES AS OF LAST THURSDAY.

STATEWIDE CASES ARE HOVERING AT THE 2,000 MARK THE LAST WEEK BUT THEY ARE DOWN OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND TO OVER 1100 REPORTED INFECTIONS TODAY ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

>>> IT'S NOW WELL KNOWN THAT THE PANDEMIC SPURRED A RISE IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUTH.

THERE IS A PARTICULARLY ALARMING PATTERN AMONG BLACK TEENS AND ADOLESCENTS THAT PREDATES THE CORE CORONAVIRUS.

A RISE IN SUICIDES.

A STUDY FOUND THAT FROM 2013 TO 2019 THE SUICIDE RATE WENT UP 47% FOR BLACK MALES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 TO 24.

IT WAS UP 59% FOR BLACK FEMALES IN THAT SAME AGE GROUP.

WELL, DEIDRE KNOWS THE PAIN OF IT TOO WELL.

HER SON, DARREN CLARK JUNIOR, DIED BY SUICIDE FIVE YEARS AGO WEEKS AFTER HIS 24th BIRTHDAY.

SHE IS DEDICATING HER LIFE TO HELPING OTHERS WHO ARE SUFFERING FIND AN OUTLET.

SHE JOINS ME NOW.

THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL, FOR BEING WILLING TO TALK TO US.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT THIS EVER GETS EASIER AND, YET, YOU HAVE DEDICATED EVERYDAY AND THIS FOUNDATION TO HELP FAMILIES THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH WITH YOUR SON.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THAT.

>> WHY DID I DECIDE TO HAVE THIS FOUNDATION?

BECAUSE, FIRST OF ALL, IT WAS ONE OF MANY REQUESTS DARREN HAD FOR ME WAS TO TAKE THE MONEY THAT I SPENT ON HIM AND OPEN UP A BUSINESS THAT WOULD HELP THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

THAT WAS ONE ASPECT OF IT.

THE SECOND ASPECT WAS NO PARENT SHOULD FEEL THE PAIN THAT I FEEL LOSING A CHILD.

BY GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT FEEL THE PAIN.

>> DO YOU FEEL THAT THIS MEMORIAL, THIS FOUNDATION IS FULFILLING THAT WISH THAT DARREN MADE WHICH MUST HAVE REALLY STRUCK YOU AS A MOTHER THAT HE INSTEAD OF WANTING TO FOCUS ON HIM, WANTED TO YOU HELP OTHER PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S THE NATURE.

HE WAS ALWAYS A GIVER.

PUTS HIMSELF LAST.

WHATEVER HE HAD HE WILL OFFER IT TO ANYONE THAT NEEDED IT.

THAT'S WHO HE IS.

AND IT CONTINUES WITH HIM NOT BEING HERE.

>> THE STATE HAS MADE INVISIBLE PAIN DAY IN LARGE PART DUE TO YOUR WORK.

THAT WAS JANUARY 7th.

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS TREND, THIS REALLY ALARMING TREND, ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK YOUTH?

>> THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THERE IS, FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS DISPARITY WE KNOW IN HEALTH CARE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITIES.

WE JUST NEED TO BE THERE TO GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED.

LET THEM GIVE THEM THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE AND WHERE THEY CAN GET THE RESOURCES.

JUST PROVIDING THEM THE -- WHAT THEY NEED, THE BASICS.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY TO OTHER MOTHERS, FATHERS, CARE GIVERS WHO ARE REALLY GOING THROUGH THIS WITH A LOVED ONE?

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THEM?

>> NOT TO GIVE UP HOPE.

NOT TO FOCUS ON THE WHAT THEY ARE DOING BUT TO FOCUS ON THE WHY.

THE WAY IS IMPORTANT.

THE WHY IS THE CORE OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

>> YOU KNOW, AS A MOTHER MYSELF, A NEW MOTHER, YOUR STORY STRUCK ME THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT IT AND EVEN RIGHT NOW, TO HAVE THAT COURAGE TO RETELL THE STORY THROUGH.

THROUGH THE PROCESS OF HELPING OTHERS HAS IT HELPED YOU AT ALL OR YOUR FAMILY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

GIVING OF MYSELF HELPS A LOT.

SEEING THAT I MADE A DIFFERENCE IN A FAMILY'S LIFE IS FULFILLING TO ME.

IT'S VERY REWARDING.

MY GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL THE PAIN.

>> NOT JUST INDIVIDUALS, THE ENTIRE STATE IS BENEFITING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO AND THANKS FOR SHARING IT WITH US TONIGHT.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

MY PLEASURE.

>>> AFTER EXPERIENCING A PANDEMIC BOUNCE BACK, RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE OPTIMISTIC FOR THE YEAR AHEAD EVEN AMID A RECESSION FEAR.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE AND THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: AS WE HEARD FROM BRENDA, A POTENTIAL CHANGE TO NEW JERSEY'S LIQUOR LICENSE SYSTEM IS TOP OF MIND FOR THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY WHICH HAS WEATHERED A LOT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AS COVID DISRUPTED BUSINESS FOLLOWED BY A LABOR SHORTAGE, SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND RISING INFLATION.

AT THE SAME TIME THE INDUSTRY IS RECOVERING AND THERE IS OPTIMISM AS THE NEW YEAR TAKES HOLD.

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO AT THE NEW JERSEY RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION SAYS RESTAURANTS WERE BOOKED DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND PEOPLE ARE LESS WORRIED ABOUT DINING INDOORS.

BUT SHE SAYS ONE BIG WILD CARD FOR THIS YEAR IS WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ECONOMY OVERALL.

>> WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE THE ECONOMY IS TRICKY.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP WATCHING THAT AND CERTAINLY PEOPLE ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT SPENDING.

>> THIS IS A DISPOSABLE INCOME TYPE OF INDUSTRY IN A LOT OF WAYS.

THAT UNCERTAINTY IN THE ECONOMY IS STILL EFFECTING US.

>> Reporter: THE LATEST SNAPSHOT ON NEW JERSEY'S REVENUE SHOWS THAT YEAR TO DATE TAX COLLECTIONS ARE UP 3.2% OVER THE SAME SIX MONTHS LAST YEAR.

THAT IS DESPITE A MORE THAN 12% DECLINE IN REVENUES IN DECEMBER WHICH THE STATE TREASURY SAYS WAS EXPECTED.

TREASURY EXPECTS REVENUE COLLECTIONS TO MODERATE IN THE COMING MONTHS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE UPCOMING TAX SEASON AS LAST YEAR'S HISTORICALLY HIGH COLLECTION LEVELS ARE UNLIKELY TO BE REPEAT.

THIS WEEK NEW JERSEY WHO DREAMS OF BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR CAN LEARN HOW TO APPLY FOR GRANTS TO GET THE BUSINESS VENTURES OFF THE GROUND.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS HOSTING AN INFORMATION SESSION ON THURSDAY TO EXPLAIN HOW THE $10 MILLION NEW JERSEY INNOVATION FELLOWS PROGRAM WILL WORK.

IT IS COMPETITIVE AND WILL SUPPORT TEAMS OF AT LEAST THREE ENTREPRENEURS WITH MENTORSHIP, TRAINING AND CAPITAL.

GRAND OF UP TO $400,000 WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN THE PROGRAM LAUNCHES LATER THIS YEAR.

>>> NOW A CHECK ON THE TRADING FROM WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> FINALLY, THIS MIGHT BE ONE OF THE ONLY CAREER FAIRS WHERE A DRUG TEST HAS A DIFFERENT MEANING FOR EMPLOYERS.

A LARGE CROWD OF JOB SEEKERS TODAY ATTENDED A CANNABIS EXPO AT PASSAIC COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

THEY CHECKED OUT OPPORTUNITIES AROUND THE STATE IN WHAT IS A COMPETITIVE NEW FIELD.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: ALMOST NINE MONTHS IN AND THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE GROWING IN NEW JERSEY'S CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

JOB SEEKERS ATTENDING THE CANNABIS JOB FAIR ARE GETTING A CHANCE TO ENTER WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE A BOOMING INDUSTRY.

>> GREAT.

ABOUT TIME.

I MEAN, LIKE WHAT WERE WE WAITING FOR.

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN JERSEY YEARS AGO.

>> THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PASSAIC COUNTY BUSINESSES AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE WITH THE EXIK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND FOR RESIDENTS TO FIND JOBS IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

IT'S EMERGING IN RETAIL, MANUFACTURING AND CULTIVATION AND THAT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD THE BUSINESS IN PASSAIC COUNTY.

>> Reporter: JOHN BARTLETT IS EXCITED ABOUT THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY GROWTH AND WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTY UP HOLDS THE STATE'S COMMITMENT TO ENSURING SOCIAL EQUITY.

>> LAST MONTH WE HOSTED AN EXPUNGEMENT FAIR IN CONNECTION WITH A LAW FIRM THAT DOES CANNABIS LAW WORK FOCUSED ON THE FACT THAT FOLKS CAN GET JOBS IN THIS INDUSTRY EVEN IF THEY HAVE A HISTORY IN TERMS OF A CRIMINAL RECORD RELATED TO DRUGS.

WHEN WE GO THROUGH THAT EXPUNGESMENT STEP.

WE POSTED THAT FAIR, NOW A JOB FAIR.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNIT IS OPEN TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO ESTABLISH IN PASSAIC COUNTY AND WE ARE A WORKFORCE FOR NEIGHBORING COUNTY.

>> I HAVE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY AS A CULL AT THE VIRGINIA TORE FOR FOUR 1/2 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS.

I HAVE SEEN THE INDUSTRY GO THROUGH A LOT OF EBBS AND FLOW.

I FEEL MOST PROUD OF THE INDUSTRY TODAY AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDRA IS A SOURCING MANAGER FOR A DISPENSARY SET TO OPEN THIS YEAR.

>> WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF VOICES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED IN THE INDUSTRY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS COME OUT ABOUT THE ISSUES OF THE INDUSTRY AND HOW TO FIX THEM AND WE ARE FINALLY SEEING PEOPLE AT THE CRC AND GOVERNMENT LEVEL MAKE THESE CHANGES TO IMPROVE THE INDUSTRY FOR THE WORKERS AND FOR THE ENTHUSIASTS AND I AM REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF EVENTS LIKE THESE AND WHERE THE INDUSTRY GOES WITHIN THE NEXT TWO, THREE, FOUR, 10 YEARS.

>> THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY IS EXPLODING IN NEW JERSEY.

WE HOPEFULLY WILL BE ABLE TO TRAIN PEOPLE IN ALL ASPECTS OF CANNABIS.

IF IT GETS PEOPLE JOBS, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ABOUT.

>> Reporter: THERE IS HELP AVAILABLE FOR JOB SEEKERS WANTING TO ENTER THE INDUSTRY WHO MISSED OUT ON THE JOB FAIR.

THE COUNTY HAS RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND ONE STOP CAREER CENTER.

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

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

HEAD OVER TO "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS".ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> WJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

BE HEALTHY TOGETHER AND COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ASL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THE COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN NJEA MEMBER.