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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG, COMMITTED TO 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 AND THANKS FOR JOINING TONIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE CONVERSATION AROUND THE RACE FOR NEW JERSEY'S NEXT GOVERNOR TOOK AN UNEXPECTED TURN THIS WEEK AFTER VIDEO WAS RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC, AND EJECTED A RALLY AT A CAMPAIGN LAST MONTH WHERE HE WAITED INTO A HOT BUTTON SOCIAL ISSUE FOR MANY CONSERVATIVES ON THE STATES NEW LGBTQ CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS.

PROGRESSES AND RIGHTS ADVOCATES BLAST TO THE CANDIDATE FOR HIS SPECIFIC CHOICE OF WORDS ON THE SUBJECT.

WHEN HE SAYS IS BEST LEFT FOR PARENTS TEACH THEIR KIDS.

SIMILAR STANCES ON THE ISSUE HAVE NOT PLAYED WELL FOR OTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IN THIS BLUE STATE, BUT WILL IT AFFECT THE BASE OF VOTERS HE WILL NEED TO UNSEAT GOVERNOR MURPHY?

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS A STORY.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE HAS GOT A NAME RECOGNITION ALBUM MORE THAN HALF OF JERSEY VOTERS DID NOT KNOW WHO HE WAS IN AND EAGLETON POLL LAST MONTH.

BUT, THE MEDIA RECENTLY TURNED A HOT SPOTLIGHT ON HIM OVER CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS AT A PRIVATE GOP EVENT WHERE HE INCORRECTLY CLAIMED JERSEYS LGBTQ CURRICULUM TEACHES SEXUAL ORIENTATION TO KINDERGARTNERS AND SODOMY TO SIXTH-GRADERS.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT WHEN I'M GONE.

WE ARE NOT TEACHING SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN CANADA.

WE ARE NOT TEACHING SODOMY IN SIXTH GRADE.

WE ARE GOING TO ROLL BACK THE LGBTQ CURRICULUM.

>> I WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE WERE AT A POINT IN SUSIE NEW JERSEY WHERE WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE ANY MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND ANTI- LGBTQ TALKING POINTS IN ORDER TO ATTRACT VOTERS.

>> Reporter: GARDEN STATE EQUALITY CHRISTIAN SAYS NEW JERSEY'S CURRICULUM INVOLVES AGE-APPROPRIATE LESSONS FROM CONTRIBUTIONS FROM LGBTQ PEOPLE, UPDATED HEALTH LESSONS UNRELATED TO CURRICULUM THAT REQUIRES A GREATER TO KNOW ABOUT DIFFERENT FORMS OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE.

HE SAYS THE USE OF THE WORD SODOMY FELT PARTICULARLY OFFENSIVE.

>> I'M NOT SURE WHO IN 2021 IS USING SODOMY TO DESCRIBE SEXUAL ACTS BETWEEN TWO CONSENTING HUMAN BEINGS, SO FOR HIM TO USE THAT WORD I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT HE WAS SPEAKING IN CODE TO A VERY SPECIFIC FOR A VOTING BASE.

>> THE FACT THAT THAT IS THE KIND OF MESSAGE HE THOUGHT HE NEEDED TO CONVEY TO THAT AUDIENCE SUGGESTS THAT HE FEELS THAT HE STILL NEEDS TO WORK TO SHORE UP THE BASE.

AND IT'S ALSO DEVASTATION WHERE THAT BASE IS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: PATRICK MURRAY SAYS IN BLUE STATE NEW JERSEY, LEARNING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES GENERALLY FOCUS ON BREAD-AND- BUTTER ISSUES LIKE TAXES.

IN FACT, AND TAKE A RHETORIC COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ELECTION LOSSES FOR GOP CANDIDATES LIKE FORMER CONGRESSMAN SCOTT GARRETT AND GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, JIM KORNER IN THE PAST.

BUT, THE CURRENT MAG MOVEMENTS PUT DIVISIVE SOCIAL ISSUES FRONT AND CENTER.

TO WIN A PERCEIVED MODERATE LIKE CHIARELLI NEEDS OF VOTERS FROM BOTH SIDES TO OVERCOME DEMOCRATS DOMINANCE AT THE POLLS.

BUT, MURPHY THINKS THAT SHIFTING POLITICAL CLIMATE POSSIBLY SKEWING CAMPAIGN STRATEGY.

>> THERE ARE NOT SWING VOTERS IN THE TRUMP ERA THAT YOU CAN PULL OVER TO YOUR SIDE.

IT'S ABOUT THE BASE, AND YOU KNOW, IT'S WHAT I THINK HE MAY BE HOPING FOR, AND ENSURING HIS BASE AND HOPING THAT THE DEMOCRATIC BASE BECOMES UNENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT PHIL MURPHY BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY'S REACTION?

>> INCREDIBLY DISRESPECTFUL.

HE USED WORDS THAT ARE EVERYBODY KNOWS OR DELIBERATE AND INFLAMMATORY.

>> BUT HE!

IT HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH SOMEONE'S SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND THE INFERENCE THAT IT DOES IS PURPOSEFULLY MISLEADING.

ADDING THAT PARENTS ARE ANGRY THAT EXTREMIST LIKE GOVERNOR MURPHY ARE INFRINGING ON THE RIGHT AS PARENTS TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT LIFE'S MOST PERSONAL AND INTIMATE TOPICS.

CHIARELLI'S POSITION COULD RISK ALIENATING UNDECIDEDS.

>> THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT HE SEEMS, THAT HE REALLY NEEDS TO BRING INTO HIS CAMPAIGN UNDER HIS TENT, AND THIS KIND OF RHETORIC IS NOT, DOES NOT SEEM TO BE THE KIND OF THING THAT IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP HIM DO THAT.

SO, OVERALL IT JUST DOES NOT SEEM TO MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE.

>> Reporter: BUT HE ALSO NOTES THAT WHILE THIS COULD BE THE WRONG KIND OF PUBLICITY FOR CHIARELLI, THESE ARE THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, AND JERSEY VOTERS TYPICALLY ARE NOT PAYING MUCH ATTENTION TO ANYONE'S CAMPAIGN.

COME OCTOBER >> THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT SODOMY IN THE FALL.

THAT IS JUST NOT GOING TO BE THE ISSUE THAT I THINK UPON WHICH THE SELECTION WILL TURN.

>> EVER LOCK IT HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

TWO NEW VISITORS TO THE ASBURY PARK BOARDWALK, NO CIGARETTES, NO CIGARS, AND DEFINITELY NO WEED.

THE TOWN COUNCIL IS THE LATEST TO BAN SMOKING OF ANY KIND ON THE POPULAR BOARDWALK, FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF SEASIDE HEIGHTS.

STATES CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY SMOKING BAN WITH BEACHES AND PARKS.

ADVOCATES HOPE THIS IS THE START OF A LONGER LIST OF PLACES WHERE YOU CAN'T LEGALLY LIGHT UP.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: MARTHA SAYS SHE CAN ENJOY THIS A SUNNY AND WARM DAY IN ASBURY PARK BECAUSE HER MORNING WALK IS SMOKE-FREE.

>> SMOKE IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU, FOR ONE THING.

OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE AROUND IT IF THEY ARE NOT, IF THEY ARE NON-SMOKERS.

YOU KNOW, SMOKING IT IN FRONT OF THEM, AROUND THEM, YOU KNOW.

YOU DON'T WANT TO INHALE THAT.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE LIKE MARTHA WON'T HAVE TO INHALE IT AS SOON AS THIS GOES INTO EFFECT.

>> I THINK IF PEOPLE ENJOY SMOKING THEY SHOULD DO IT IN THEIR PERSONAL SPACE.

YOU REALLY INFRINGING ON THIS ONE IN PUBLIC AND AIR THAT THEY BREATHE, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE.

LIKE THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED LAST NIGHT TO APPROVE A BAN ON ANY KIND OF SMOKING INCLUDING MARIJUANA ON THE BOARDWALK AS WELL AS THE ENTRYWAYS AND ARCADES, EXTENDING A PRIOR MEASURE ALREADY PRIVATE SMOKING ON THE BEACH.

>> JUST CLARIFIES THINGS A LITTLE BIT SO THAT IT'S REALLY CLEAR TO ANYONE WHO COMES TO THE BOARDWALK OR BEACH THAT NO SMOKING OF ANY KIND IS ALLOWED, YOU KNOW.

WE WOULD NOT WANT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE CONFUSED ABOUT YOU KNOW, MAYBE A VAPE IS ALLOWED BUT A CIGARETTE IS NOT.

IT'S JUST A BLANKET PROHIBITION JUST MAKES IT REALLY EASY AND CLEAR FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY THE BEACH.

>> Reporter: ANYONE CAUGHT SMOKING COULD BE FACED TO PAY THE FEE OF $250 FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE AND $500 FOR THE SECOND.

EVEN FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY AS MUCH AS $1000.

BUT, IT IS SOMETHING CITY OFFICIALS SAY IS NECESSARY, ESPECIALLY AFTER GETTING SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT PEOPLE LITTERING THE BEACH WITH CIGARETTE BUTTS.

>> IS ONE OF OUR, ONE OF THE REASONS THAT PEOPLE COME TO VISIT, AND IT'S AN ECONOMIC JOB FOR US.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PRESERVE THE BEAUTIFUL NATURAL RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AS WELL.

>> THEY ARE TURNING OUR BEACHES INTO ASHTRAYS SO THAT'S WHY WE BANNED SMOKING ON THE BEACHES.

AGAIN, THIS CHEMICALS IN THERE THAT ARE HAZARDS DONE SO, THE GROUNDWATER OR THE WATERWAYS AS WELL.

SO, THERE'S A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS TO ANIMALS IN PARTICULAR.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH SAID THEY USE THE BOARDWALK ALLOWED HAMS TO EXERCISE AND TO HANG OUT.

SO, THEY AGREE THAT THE SMOKING GUN IS A GOOD IDEA.

>> THE PEOPLE ARE SMOKING AND IT STINKS, I DON'T NEED THAT.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY NEEDS THAT.

WHATEVER YOU DO, IT'S YOUR BUSINESS, I REALLY DON'T CARE.

I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD BE SMOKING OUT HERE.

YOU SHOULD BE SMOKING ANYWHERE THAT IS NOT PUBLIC.

>> THIS IS A WONDERFUL SUMMER, IT IS HOTTER THAN NORMAL.

THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO IT IN THE SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT.

YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY FOR THEIR HEALTH, BUT THE HEALTH OF THEIR CHILDREN, AND BENDING SMOKING, YOU'RE ALSO BANNING ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT COME FROM IT.

AND SO, WE SEE YOU KNOW, TOWNS STEPPING FORWARD AND HELPING TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE BAND DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY DESIGNATED AREAS AROUND THE BEACH FOR SMOKING.

BUT, CITY OFFICIALS SAY THE SOMETHING THEY COULD CONSIDER IF THERE IS A WAY TO MAKE SURE THE BEACH STAYS CLEAN AND VISITORS ARE PROTECTED.

THE BAN GOES INTO EFFECT NEXT MONTH.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> CROWDS AT THE BEACHES AND BOARDWALKS HAVE BEEN AT RECORD LEVELS THIS SUMMER.

PEOPLE ITCHING TO GET OUT AFTER ALL THOSE MONTHS OF RESTRICTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND IS MORE THAN 5.1 MILLION PEOPLE HERE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID- 19, THERE ARE CONCERNS THE SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE UNVACCINATED COULD CAUSE A BACKSIDE IN THE FALL WITH 441 NEW CASES AND TWO MORE DEPTH REPORTED STATEWIDE TODAY.

THAT IS THE MOST POSITIVE TEST REPORTED IN A SINGLE DAY SINCE MAY.

AND NOW, NEW DATA FROM THE CDC'S GIVING HEALTH WORKERS A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE TOLL BOTH THE HEALTH CRISIS AND STAY-AT- HOME ORDERS TOOK ON OTHER AREAS OF OUR LIVES.

DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN 2020 HIT THE HIGHEST NUMBER EVER RECORDED IN THE U.S.

RISING BY NEARLY 30%.

THE CDC ESTIMATES MORE THAN 93,000 PEOPLE DIED FROM DRUG OVERDOSES.

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE REHABILITATION CENTER INTEGRITY HOUSE SAYS WHEN YOU COMBINE THE STRESS AND ISOLATION OF THIS PANDEMIC, UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NO SURPRISE.

>> FATHER, OF COURSE IT IS TOUGH TO PINPOINT EXACTLY, BUT WHEN LOOKING AT NUMBERS THIS BIG PER THE CDC, ONE HAS TO IMAGINE THAT THE PANDEMIC REALLY JUST INTENSIFIED WHAT WAS ALREADY AN ONGOING CRISIS.

>> OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS WE SEEN THE WORST OVERDOSE CRISIS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, BUT IT HAS SURPASSED ANY PREVIOUS YEAR.

BUT, IN COVID JUST EXACERBATED THE PANDEMIC.

I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE ALREADY SAW THE INCREASE IN OVERDOSE DEATHS.

VERY EARLY IN 2020.

THE MONTH OF JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH, WE WERE ALREADY SEEING AN INCREASE.

AND THEN, ONCE COVID HIT US, IT JUST COMPOUNDED THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

>> THE STATE HAS BEEN LOOKING AT A NUMBER OF POLICY AND POLICY CHANGES OVER THE YEARS.

HOME REDUCTION IS SORT OF THE ONE REALLY BEING TALKED ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

WHAT POLICY ARE WE MISSING?

READY UCS NEEDING TO MAKE A CHANGE?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO DO MORE WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW.

WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW IS EXPANDING THE USE OF MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENT, WHICH IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR OPIATE USE.

THAT MEDICATION -ASSISTED TREATMENT NEEDS TO BE COMBINED WITH THERAPY AND COUNSELING, AND TREATMENT WHEN APPROPRIATE.

WE FIND THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE IMPACTED, THEIR ENTIRE LIFE HAS BEEN BROKEN DOWN.

THEY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THEY HAVE PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND THEY REALLY NEED AN INTERVENTION TO HELP THEM PUT THEIR LIFE TOGETHER.

>> WHAT ABOUT REACHING OUR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES?

IF THERE'S ONE THING WE KNOW FROM THIS PANDEMIC, IT REALLY PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON ALL SAY THE HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS, AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN LACKING THESE RESOURCES FOR YEARS.

>> YES.

THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A DEEPER DEMONSTRATION TO THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND IN MANY CASES, WE HAVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, BUT THERE IS MORE ACCESS TO THESE RESOURCES.

SO, THE KEY IS TO TAKE THE RESOURCES INTO THE COMMUNITY, AND TO MAKE THEM AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE IN NEED.

>> ARE THESE, I GUESS, THE RIGHT STEPS, BOB?

WE FIRST LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS AND IT'S DISHEARTENING TO SAY THE LEAST.

HOW DO WE BEGIN TO CLIMB OUT?

>> SO, IT IS ABSOLUTELY DISHEARTENING.

I'VE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS FOR 36 YEARS, AND I AM SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH MANY COLLEAGUES, AND OUR GOAL IS TO DETERMINE THE TIME ON THIS OPIATE OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC.

AND, RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE MANY TOOLS IN OUR COMMUNITY BOX.

WE HAVE MEDICATION -ASSISTED TREATMENT.

WE HAVE NARCAN, WE HAVE TELEHEALTH, WE HAVE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, WE HAVE PURE RECOVERY SUPPORT, WE HAVE A LOT OF THE TOOLS READY TO GO.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS CONNECT THE INDIVIDUALS WITH THE TOOLS.

>> ROBERT, THAT IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF INTEGRITY HOUSE.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> THE PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION IN NEW JERSEY CONTINUES.

SEVERAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR, KIT BATEMAN LED A RALLY OUTSIDE THE STATEHOUSE IN TRENTON TODAY, URGING THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER LAWMAKERS TO USE ANY POWERS AT THEIR DISPOSAL TO STOP FURTHER APPROVALS NEEDED TO BUILD ROUGHLY 150 MILE LONG NATURAL GAS PIPELINE.

THE PROTEST COMES ON THE HEELS OF A RECENT U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING GIVEN PRIVATE COMPANIES THE GREEN LIGHT TO USE EMINENT DOMAIN TO TAKE LAND FROM STATES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION.

THE GROUPS HAVE BEEN PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE PROJECT FOR NEARLY 7 YEARS NOW, OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE ROUGHLY 200 WATERWAYS, WETLANDS PARKS AND CONSERVATION AREAS THEY SAY WILL BE THREATENED.

>> THIS ISSUE IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF NEW JERSEY, AS A PARENT AND AS A NEW GRANDPARENT, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE LEAVE OUR PLANET CLEAN AND THAT WHEN WE FOUND IT BUT OBVIOUSLY, WITH PENNIES WHEN GOING IN, THAT IS AWKWARD TO HEAVEN.

PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS, AND THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS, IT JUST ENCOURAGES FRACKING, AND FRACKING IS SO BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT.

>> LYNN MURPHY CONTINUES HIS VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY, DINING WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND GERMAN CHANCELLOR FOLLOWING AN INFRASTRUCTURE MEETING YESTERDAY WITH THE PRESIDENT IN A GROUP OF BIPARTISAN GOVERNORS AND MAYORS.

BIDEN'S ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO SHORE UP SUPPORT FOR A NEARLY $600 BILLION PLAN TO INVEST IN ROADS, RAILS, BRIDGES AND INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS CAUSED A HUGE GAME CHANGER FOR NEW JERSEY.

THE VISIT COMES AS SENATE DEMOCRATS ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE STRUCK AN AGREEMENT ON A THREE AND HALF TRILLION DOLLAR BUDGET RESOLUTION.

THAT'S THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS BEING ABLE TO PASS AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL LATER THIS YEAR WITHOUT A SENATE FILIBUSTER BLOCKING THEM.

AND, IT WILL INCLUDE ABOUT $120 BILLION TO RESTORE THE STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTION.

THAT WAS CAPPED AT $10,000 IN A 2017 REPUBLICAN TAX LAW.

NEW JERSEY'S SENIOR U.S.

SENATOR, BOB MENENDEZ IS A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE THAT DROPPED THE SPENDING BILL AND SAYS THE DETAILS ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT, BUT RELIEF FOR HIGH TAX STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY WILL BE INCLUDED.

MEANWHILE, STATE LAWMAKERS JUST WRAPPED UP ADOPTING A NEW FISCAL YEAR BUDGET HERE.

WALL STREET IS LOOKING AT IT FAVORABLY, THANKS TO THE STEPS IT TAKES IN ADDRESSING SOME LONG-STANDING ISSUES, PRIMARILY BORROWING AND PAYING OFF PENSION DEBT THANKS TO A BIG TAX WINDFALL.

THE ANALYSTS THIS WEEK DELIVERED GOOD NEWS BUT CONSIDERING ALL THE EXTRA CASH IS OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE REPORTER TELLS US, IT WAS NOT EXACTLY WHAT STATE LEADERS WERE HOPING FOR.

SO, EXACTLY WHAT DID WE LEARN THIS WEEK?

>> MOODY'S ADJUSTABLE -- FROM STAPLE, IT'S A GOOD SIGN, AND IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING FOR FREE AGENCY TO TAKE NOTICE OF THINGS THAT NEW JERSEY DOES WITH ITS BUDGET AND WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THIS IS THE SECOND OUTLOOK ADJUSTMENT OF THE LAST YEAR FOR MOODY'S, AND SO THAT SIGNALS A GOOD TREND.

AND SO CERTAINLY THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR NEW JERSEY AND ITS BUDGET.

HOWEVER, IT'S NOT THE ELUSIVE DOWNGRADE AND UPGRADE THAT NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN SEEKING AFTER REALLY A STRETCH OF DIFFICULT YEARS THAT BEGAN WITH THE GREAT RECESSION, CONTINUED INTO THE ECONOMIC TURBULENCE THAT WAS TRIGGERED BY CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC LAST YEAR, WHEN THE STATE SUFFERED A SERIES OF DOWNGRADES, SO NOT THE OUTLOOK, BUT THE ACTUAL DOWNLOADING.

SO, NEW JERSEY IS STILL TRYING TO COME OUT OF THAT HOLE, CLIMB OUT OF THAT HOLE AND, THIS IS A NICE ADJUSTMENT TO THE OUTLOOK, BUT NOT THAT DOWNGRADE AND UPGRADE THAT MAYBE SOME LAWMAKERS WERE HOPING TO SEE AS A RESULT OF THE NEW BUDGET THAT WAS JUST ENACTED EARLIER THIS MONTH.

>> WHAT DOES IT UPGRADE MEAN FOR THE STATE?

WHAT IS THE IMPACT?

>> WELL, IF IT'S OVER TO BE A PRETTY, THAT TYPICALLY CAN MAKE IT A LOT EASIER WHEN YOU HAVE TO FINANCE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE, SO THINGS LIKE ROADS AND BRIDGES OR MAYBE BUILDING A NEW SCHOOL, WE ARE NOT GOING TO FUND THAT IN ONE BUDGET YEAR UNTIL YOU CAN GET BETTER INTEREST RATE, YOU CAN GET MORE INVESTOR INTEREST IN GENERAL.

SO, YOU KNOW.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS STILL A GUESS INTO THE FUTURE, THAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN, BUT GETTING THESE OUTLOOK IMPROVEMENTS THAT STATE HAS RECEIVED, INCLUDING THIS MOST RECENT ONE, THEN SIGNAL TO INVESTORS THAT THE STATE IS TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, SO THAT COULD HELP FOR SURE.

>> FREQUENTLY, JOHN, THERE WAS STILL SOME CONCERN ABOUT SPENDING IN THEIR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, AND MOODY'S HIGHLIGHTED AN INCREASE IN YEAR- OVER-YEAR SPENDING, THE SPENDING DOWN SURPLUS THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO REJECT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO COVER THIS NEW LEVEL SPENDING INTO THE FUTURE.

AND THAT WAS EXPRESSED FOR SURE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS AS ALWAYS.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> FAMILIES SHOULD CHECK THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS TODAY.

IF YOU HAVE KIDS AGES 17 AND YOUNGER, YOU MAY HAVE QUALIFIED FOR A NEW FEDERAL TAX CREDIT, ONE PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS WILL CUT CHILD POVERTY AND HALF ACROSS THE NATION.

ROUGHLY 35 MILLION AMERICAN FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE.

THEY WILL START RECEIVING MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $300 IF THEIR CHILD IS UNDER THE AGE OF SIX, AND $250 IF THEY ARE BETWEEN 6 AND 17 YEARS OLD.

SINGLE PARENTS WITH A GROSS INCOME OF UP TO $75,000 A YEAR AND MARRIED COUPLES WHO FILE A JOINT TAX RETURN WITH INCOME UP TO $150,000 QUALIFY.

SO, IN TOTAL, THAT IS UP TO $3600 A YEAR INFUSED INTO THE BANK ACCOUNTS OF MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES.

THE MONEY IS COMING FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, BUT THE PRESIDENT AND SOME DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS ARE LOOKING TO FIND WAYS TO EXTEND THE BENEFIT BEYOND THIS YEAR.

AND, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS ON WALL STREET.

>>> THERE IS A POTENTIAL BREAKTHROUGH IN DETECTING EARLY LUNG CANCER.

A SOUTH JERSEY HOSPITAL IS JUST A SECOND IN THE STATE TO USE A NEW, ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY, GIVING PHYSICIANS THE ABILITY TO BOTH DETECT AND BIOPSY TINY HARD-TO- REACH GROWTHS IN THE LUNGS.

LUNG CANCER IS STILL THE LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATHS WORLDWIDE, AND AS LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS, THE NEW ROBOTICS COULD SAVE LIVES.

>> Reporter: INSIDE AN OPERATING ROOM AT VIRTUAL MOUNTAIN HOSPITAL IT MAY LOOK LIKE THIS DR. IS PLAYING XBOX, BUT HE'S NAVIGATING THROUGH THE LUNGS WITH ROBOTIC ASSISTANCE.

>> YOU CAN SKI THE SCHOOL THROUGH THAT.

HAVE A STRAIGHT SHOT TO THE NODULE.

>> LUNG CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATHS.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, EACH YEAR, MORE PEOPLE DIE OF LUNG CANCER THAN OF COLON, BREAST, AND PROSTATE CANCERS COMBINED.

>> HOW DOES IT BEGIN?

IT BEGINS AS A SMALL NODULE, AND THEN IT GROWS.

UNFORTUNATELY BY THE TIME PATIENTS ARE SYMPTOMATIC, THEY HAVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH, THEY ARE BRINGING BLOOD.

IT'S TOO LATE.

>> PATIENTS ARE AT HIGH RISK BASED ON AGE AND SMOKING HISTORY, SHE SAYS THAT SHE GET A SCREEN WITH YEARLY C.A.T.

SCANS TO SPOT ANY NODULES AT ANY STATE.

NOW, THIS NEW ROBOTIC ASSISTED BRONCHOSCOPY WILL ALLOW DOCTORS TO BIOPSY ALL OF THE NODULES AT FAULT TO SEE IF THOSE SAMPLES ARE LUNG CANCER.

>> THE TOOL WHICH GOES INSIDE YOUR WINDPIPE'S, WE CALL AIRWAYS, BASICALLY IT'S A FLEXIBLE TOO, IT IS A SOFT TUBE, AND IT HAS CAMERA AT THE TIP.

THE DIFFERENCE FROM THE PREVIOUS RON HOSKO P IS, AN OPERATOR WAS HOLDING THAT TUBE.

YOU ARE DRIVING, YOU ARE WATCHING ON THE SCREEN AND YOU ARE DRIVING LIKE YOU'RE DRIVING A CAR, YOU SEE WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU.

NOW, THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

I'M NOT HOLDING THAT SCOPE, THE SCOPE IS HERE.

THESE ARE THE ROBOT ARMS.

>> WITHOUT THE SCOPE, HE EXPLAINS IT WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TAKE THE BIOPSY SAMPLE A CERTAIN NODULES BECAUSE OF SHARP TURNS.

THE TARGET WAS INSIGHT, BUT YOU COULD NOT REACH IT.

THAT ALL CHANGES WITH THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY.

>> I CAN MAKE ANY ANGLE, WHICH WE WANT, AND THAT WILL HELP US TO DIAGNOSE THE LUNG CANCER AT AN EARLY STAGE.

DATA RIGHT NOW SUGGESTS THAT FROM 60 TO 65, PRESENT ABILITY TO REACH THOSE NODULES HAS INCREASED 80 TO 90%.

>> IS NOT SURGICAL PROCEDURE IS PLANNED BEFOREHAND SO DOCTORS KNOW WHAT TO LOOK.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE SCREEN IS LIVING ON THE SIDE, NOW I NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO I PUSHED THE FORWARD BUTTON, AND YOU CAN SEE THE SCOPE IS MOVING.

SO, THIS IS, YOU CAN SEE THE SCOPE, BUT THE PATIENT IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.

>> Reporter: WATCH THE TOP RIGHT SIDE OF THE SCREEN AS IT MOVES CLOSER TO THE TARGET.

THE DOCTORS CONTROLLING IT UNTIL HE REACHES THE NATION.

>> ONCE YOU HAVE THE TARGET AND YOU ARE ONE HALF, TWO CENTIMETERS AWAY FROM THE TARGET, YOU BASICALLY TARGET THERE, OR YOU PUT IN THE -- SO IT WILL NOT MOVE HOW I CAN PUT MY CONTROLLER ON THE STAND AND THEN ALL THE TOOLS COME TO THE WORKING CHANNEL.

SO THESE ARE THE TOOLS WE USUALLY START WITH WITH THE NEEDLE BRUSH, AND WE WRITE IT DOWN.

I TAKE A BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT HE WANTS TO HAVE A SAMPLE OF YOU SEE THEY GET SENT THE PHOTOLYSIS.

AND WHAT THEY SAY YES, IT IS CANCER, THEN WE CAN SEND THOSE PATIENTS TO OUR SURGICAL COLLEAGUES.

>> WHICH WAS ONLY THE SECOND HOSPITAL IN THE STATE TO HAVE THIS TECHNOLOGY.

AND THEY SERVE ANOTHER LETTER PURPOSE.

THE TEAM BEHIND US AS THEY ARE NOW WORKING ON A WAY TO INTRODUCE NEW THERAPEUTICS FOR LUNG CANCER THROUGH THIS MACHINE.

TO DRASTICALLY SPEED UP THE TIME IT TAKES TO GO FROM DIAGNOSIS TO TREATMENT.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , LEAH MISHKIN.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> THE 34th ANNUAL NEW JERSEY SANDCASTLE CONTEST WENT OFF WITHOUT A HITCH YESTERDAY AND THEY DID NOT DISAPPOINT USING THE SANTOS ARE CANNAS, CONTESTANTS WORKED WITH JUST ABOUT EVERY TOOL YOU CAN THINK OF, CREATING A CHEESEBURGER, EATING A MASSIVE MICKEY MOUSE.

THE EVENT IS FREE, AND THAT DOES EVALUATE ENTRIES FOR CREATIVITY, RESOURCEFULNESS, ORIGINALITY, AND ACCESSORIES.

IT WAS CANCELED LAST YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC BUT IT MADE A RETURN.

THE KRISTA FAMILY WON FIRST PLACE IN THE 16 AND UP CATEGORY FOR THEIR SANDCASTLE DETECTING A WOMAN FLOATING ON A RAFT, BUT ONCE AGAIN, IT WAS THE BIKINI BOYS FROM SEASIDE HEIGHTS WINNING BEST ON THE BEACH.

THIS TIME FOR THEIR FINDING NEMO SCULPTURE, COMPLETE WITH A FALSE HEAD OF SHARP TEETH.

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THAT IS JUST SAND UNDER THERE.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG FOR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US, WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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