>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

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

>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, TONIGHT, NEW DATA ON SO-CALLED BREAKTHROUGH CASES OF GOVERNING FOR THE VACCINES ARE BOTH EFFECTIVE AND ABLE TO STAND UP TO THE SPREAD OF HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANCE.

WHILE LOOKING AT INFECTIONS, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY SAID ALL THREE AUTHORIZED SHOTS ARE NEAR-PERFECT.

99.9% EFFECTIVE.

OUT OF NEARLY 4 AND HALF MILLION FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY, JUST UNDER 3500 TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID, 4 WERE HOSPITALIZED AND 31 DIED IN DATA REPORTED THROUGH JUNE 28.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY, SAYING THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

BUT, POSITIVE TEST ARE UP ABOUT DOUBLE FROM THIS TIME A MONTH AGO, 324 NEW CASES AND FOUR NEW DEBTS STATEWIDE.

THEY REMAIN PREDOMINATELY AMONG THE UNVACCINATED ACCORDING TO STATE RECORDS.

THAT NUMBER IS SLOWLY TICKING UPWARD, JUST SHY OF 5.2 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE ARE NOW FULLY IMMUNIZED.

TO HELP PUSH THE NEEDLE, SOME EMPLOYERS ARE SETTING UP VACCINE CLINICS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE OFFICE.

OTHERS ARE GIVING WORKERS A CHOICE, GET VACCINATED, OR LOSE YOUR JOB.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WHEN I HEARD THEY WERE GIVING A HERE IT WAS MORE CONVENIENT FOR ME I WAS LIKE, I MIGHT AS WELL JUST GO AHEAD AND GO FOR IT.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ABOUT ONE A DOZEN PEOPLE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THIS POP-UP CLINIC IN FRONT OF THIS OFFICE BUILDING TODAY.

IT'S HELPED PEOPLE LIKE ASIA RADLEY WHO HAVE HAD AN APPOINTMENT FOR A SHOT BUT NERVOUS ABOUT ACTUALLY GOING.

>> I WAS WAITING FOR THE APPOINTMENT TO COME UP, BUT STILL HESITANT ABOUT GOING.

BUT, LIKE SINCE IT'S RIGHT HERE IN MY FACE, LIKE I ALWAYS HAVE TO WALK PAST IT.

IT'S LIKE WHEN OUT, I SHOULD.

>> Reporter: AND THAT WAS THE POINT TO REACH EMPLOYEES IN THEIR PLACE OF WORK.

PEOPLE MIGHT NOT NOT OTHERWISE GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO GET VACCINATED, SO THE ORGANIZERS, HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH, AND ONYX, THE GATEWAY BUILDING DEVELOPER.

>> TO MY KNOWLEDGE, ONYX IS THE FIRST ONE DOING A VACCINATION CENTER ON LOCATION FOR THEIR TENANTS.

>> IS A PROGRAM TO MAKE IT EASY, OUT OF CONVENIENCE TO GIVE PEOPLE A PLACE TO GET THE VACCINES AND BRING THE FAMILIES, IF THAT WORKS FOR THEM.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE VACCINATED.

AND WE HOPE THAT THE MORE ACCOMMODATING IT IS, THE BETTER CHANCE THAT PEOPLE WILL BE VACCINATED, ESPECIALLY NO, WHEN WHAT IS GOING ON IS USUALLY PEOPLE HAVE HELD OFF BEING VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE HAVE THE CHOICE FOR A ONE AND DONE OR TO SPLIT UP THEIR SHOTS.

MANY WHO CAME IN TODAY GETTING THEIR SECOND DOSE.

>> HAD TO GO TO THIS PLACE OR THAT PLACE AND TRY TO FIND A SHOT, SO I WAS LIKE OKAY I MIGHT AS WELL JUST GO HERE AND TAKE THE SHOT.

>> Reporter: THOSE COMING IN, IS IT WORTH IT?

>> IF YOU CAN VACCINATE ONE PERSON, THAN ANYTHING YOU DO WAS WORTH IT.

>> Reporter: HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH HOPES THAT REACHING THE LAST PERCENTAGE OF UNVACCINATED FOLKS IS GOING TO BE BY THE LENS, BUT IS A CRITICALLY IMPORTANT PROCESS FOR ALL OF US.

>> WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE VACCINES WERE DESIGNED SO WELL, AND WERE SO EFFECTIVE, BUT EVEN MORE SO, THAT THEY'VE BEEN EFFECT TO THAT PREVENTING THE WORST END OF THE DISEASE SPECTRUM AGAINST ALL THE VARIANCE.

MY GREATEST FEAR IS THAT ONE DAY WE SET THERE, AND WE'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE NEXT VARIANCE, AND THE VACCINE NOT OFFERING PROTECTION, AND WE ARE RIGHT BACK TO SQUARE ONE.

>> AND THAT IS WHY THE H&H SYSTEM HAS MANDATED THAT ALL EMPLOYEES BE FULLY VACCINATED BY NOVEMBER 15th OR RISK TERMINATED.

>> YOU KNOW HEALTH SYSTEMS SHOULD LEAD, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND WE SHOULD BE LEADING ON THIS, AND EVEN MORE SO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SQUASHED THIS PANDEMIC.

>> ASKED FOR A STATE MANDATE FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS NOT WANT TO COMMIT TO ONE.

>> I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH A PASSPORT REQUIREMENT BECAUSE OF THE INEQUITIES THAT IT IS TO SAY YOU ARE RUNNING A HOSPITAL OR A NURSING HOME, AND I THINK IN COMMUNITIES LIKE THAT, I THINK WE HAVE TO BE OPEN-MINDED TO THE FACT THAT FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF RESIDENTS, PATIENTS, BUT AGAIN, I THINK IT'S REALLY DIFFERENT WHEN TALKING ABOUT A HOSPITAL SYSTEM VERSUS A BROAD, SOCIETAL REALITY.

>> Reporter: AS OFFICES CONTINUE REOPENING WE MAY SEE MORE EMPLOYERS MANDATING VACCINES WITHIN THEIR OWN WORKSPACE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> OF COURSE, THERE ARE STRONG OPINIONS ON THE VACCINE MANDATE.

HOW CAN STATE SENATOR SAW HIS TWITTER ACCOUNT SUSPENDED OVER THE WEEKEND FOR TWEETING THAT COVID HAS BEEN CRASHING DUE TO NATURAL IMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY VACCINATIONS, SAME BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE'S NO REASON ANYONE SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE THE VACCINE, LINKING TO AN ARTICLE FROM A DISREPUTABLE SOURCE.

HE IS VACCINATED AND HAS WORKED TO BOOST VACCINE RACE IN HIS COUNTY.

HE STATED HIS ACCOUNT AFTER HE REMOVED THE TWEET.

NOW, HE'S CALLING FOR AN APOLOGY AS REPUBLICANS BLAST TWITTER, CALLING IT A SUPPRESSION OF FREE SPEECH.

>> HOUSING HAS BECOME SO EXPENSIVE, THERE IS NOT A CITY, COUNTY, OR STATE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE FULL-TIME MINIMUM WAGE WORKER CAN AFFORD RENT.

THE NEW REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION COMES AS NO SURPRISE TO JERSEY RESIDENCE.

THE STATE IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE THE SIX MOST EXTENSIVE RENTAL MARKET IN THE U.S.

BUT, IT UNDERSCORES JUST HOW OUT OF REACH THIS BASIC NECESSITY HAS BECOME FOR LOWER INCOME WORKERS.

LEAH MISHKIN HAS A STORY.

>> IT WAS SHOCKING BUT NOT SURPRISING.

>> Reporter: IT'S AN UPHILL BATTLE BUT SEEMINGLY NEVER- ENDING FOR FAMILIES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

ACCORDING TO NEW REPORTS FROM THE NATIONAL HOUSING COALITION, THERE IS NO STATE, COUNTY, OR CITY IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE YOU CAN WORK 40 HOURS A WEEK AT MINIMUM WAGE AND AFFORD A MODEST TWO BEDROOM OF THE FAIR MARKET RENT.

>> TODAY PEOPLE DOUBLE UP OR TRIPLE UP OR LIVING IN DECENT HOUSING CONDITIONS TO KEEP A ROOF OVER THE HEAD BECAUSE IT'S SIMPLY OUT OF REACH.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK OF NEW JERSEY, STACY BURGLAR SAYS THE RENTAL CRISIS WAS HERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

>> WE ARE SIXTH IN THE LEAST AFFORDABLE PLACES TO RENT A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, YOU NEED TO MAKE ABOUT $32 AN HOUR TO AFFORD A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT IN NEW JERSEY.

SO YOU DON'T PAY MORE THAN 30% OF YOUR INCOME FOR RENT, WHICH IS THE STANDARD BUDGET.

>> THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE, ON THE PATH TO $15 AN HOUR, EVEN THAT DOES NOT KEEP PACE WITH THE COST OF AFFORDING A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'RE MAKING MINIMUM WAGE AT JUST $12 AN HOUR, YOU NEED TO WORK 107 HOURS PER WEEK, OR TWO .7 FULL- TIME JOBS.

>> TWO WEEKS OUT OF THE YEAR, AND NOT TAKE A DAY OFF, OR EVEN AN HOUR OFF IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO HOUSE YOUR FAMILY.

THAT IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO RUN A STATE OR COUNTRY.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT LOOKS THAT WAY EVERYWHERE, BUT IF WE NEED A NATIONAL SOLUTION AS WELL AS STATE AND LOCAL SOLUTIONS.

>> WE ARE SUCCESSFULLY BUILDING OVER THE NEXT 5 TO 7 YEARS, WE WOULD HAVE LITIGATED SUCCESSFUL ABOUT 65,000 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS HERE IN THE STATE.

BUT, THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE.

>> 100 RENTERS AND EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 33 OR 34 APARTMENTS ACTUALLY AVAILABLE FOR THEM.

SO, BECAUSE THE MARKET IS SO TIGHT, AND BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO RENT, THE RATE JUST GOES UP BECAUSE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE AN ISSUE.

>> HOUSING CENTER OF NEW JERSEY, DIRECTOR OF JUSTICE POLICY, JAMES WILLIAMS US IS HOW CAN WE ASK TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND ENCOUNTERS WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM QUESTION MARKS YET YOU CAN EVEN AFFORD TO LIVE.

IT JUST SPEAKS TO THE NEED AND SPEAKS TO THE URGENCY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ENSURING THAT PEOPLE HAVE MINIMUM WAGE, CLOSING THE WEALTH GAP.

>> WE INHERITED AN ENORMOUS AFFORDABLE HOUSING CHALLENGE WHEN WE CAME IN 3 1/2 YEARS AGO, AND WE'VE BEEN CHOPPING AWAY AT IT AS BEST WE CAN, THIS ALL-TIME HIGH RELIEF ON HOUSING AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE IN OUR BUDGET, AND A LOT OF THE FEDERAL MONIES THAT WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF SUPPLY, SO WHEN WE TALK TO DEVELOPERS ABOUT IN PARTICULAR ABOUT DEVELOPMENT, WE HAVE A LASER OBSESSION AND FOCUS ON THE PERCENTAGE OF THAT DEVELOPMENT THAT WE WILL HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, WHETHER THEY BE RENTAL OR FOR SALE.

AGAIN, THIS IS, THIS HAS BEEN BUILDING FOR DECADES AND WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY OF ONCE IN A GENERATION, MAYBE ONCE-IN-A- LIFETIME TO INVEST IN MAKING HOMES BE AFFORDABLE THROUGH THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY WILL WAIT BEING TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE.

>> FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>> THE FIRST RUN OF PAYMENTS UNDER THE NEWLY ENHANCED CHILD TAX CREDIT HIT FAMILIES BANK ACCOUNT LAST WEEK.

THE TRACKS ARE $300 PER CHILD DELIVERED EVERY MONTH OVER THE NEXT YEAR AFTER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

BUT, A GROUP OF DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS IS RENEWING THE PUSH TO MAKE THE TAX CREDIT PERMANENT WAS SAYING IT'LL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS ENDING CHILD POVERTY.

NEW JERSEY SENATORS, BOB MENENDEZ AND CORY BOOKER TODAY MET WITH FAMILIES WHO RECEIVED THEIR FIRST PAYMENT UNDER THE PROGRAM, WHERE ONE HALF MILLION KIDS IN THE STATE ARE OF FAMILIES WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE EXTRA CASH.

THE SENATOR SAID THE GOAL IS TO MAKE THE PROGRAM PERMANENT, AND AT THE LEAST, EXTENDED DOWN THIS YEAR.

IT'S PART OF A $3.5 TRILLION BUDGET PACKAGE.

CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS PLAN TO PASS THE RECONCILIATION.

>> WE CENTER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FIRST THROUGH THAT.

IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE, BUT THERE IS NO BETTER INVESTMENT THAN YOU CAN MAKE IN AMERICA THAN INVESTING IN CHILDREN FOR THAT IS NOT RHETORIC, THAT IS ACTUALLY FACT.

EVERY DOLLAR YOU SPEND IN AMERICA, RAISING A CHILD ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE, NO EXAGGERATION RETURNS 7 DOLLARS TO OUR ECONOMY.

>> MEANWHILE, A FEDERAL JUDGE IN SOUTHERN TEXAS IS ORDERING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO IMMEDIATELY STOP EXCEPT DURING NEW APPLICATIONS TO DACA, THE PROGRAM THAT PROTECTS IMMIGRANTS THAT WERE BORN IN THE U.S. FROM DEPORTATION.

SEVERAL STATES ARE TRYING TO END THE OBAMA ERA POLICY SAYING IT WAS CREATED ILLEGALLY.

CURRENT RECIPIENTS WON'T HAVE THE STATUS PULLED, ACCORDING TO THE RULING, BUT, IT PUTS IN JEOPARDY THE PROGRAM PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS BEEN TRYING TO SAVE HER NEW JERSEY HAS ROUGHLY 17,000 ACTIVE DACA RECIPIENTS IN ANOTHER 36,000 WILL QUALIFY BUT I'M CURRENTLY ENROLLED.

IN A STATEMENT, THE BITING AND MINISTRATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WILL APPEAL THE DECISION, AND CALL ON CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION CREATING A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THE SO- CALLED DREAMERS.

FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO TRAVEL ABROAD FOR WHATEVER REASON, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE ON YOUR PAST AT FIRST.

THERE IS A NATIONWIDE BACKLOG IN PROCESSING PASSPORT APPLICATIONS DUE TO A STAFFING SHORTAGE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, AND A MASSIVE RUSH OF PEOPLE LOOKING TO MAKE UP FOR A YEAR OF LOSS TRAVEL.

AS JANINE DONELSON REPORTS, A PROCESS THAT USED TO TAKE WEEKS COULD NOT SET YOU BACK SEVERAL MONTHS.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL, AND YOU NEED A PASSPORT, OR A PAST RENEWAL, YOU WILL NEED TO GET ONE WITH AT LEAST FIVE MONTHS ADVANCED PLANNING.

>> THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING TO PROCESS AN IMMENSE BACKLOG OF PASSPORTS, LEAVING MANY PEOPLE SCRAMBLING FOR ANSWERS AND CANCELING VACATIONS.

>> NATIONAL PASSPORT IS SAYING THAT THEY ARE ABOUT 1.5 TO 2 MILLION APPLICATIONS BACKLOG.

NOW, THEY ALWAYS HAVE A BACKLOG, BUT THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY BACKLOG.

FROM COVID, STAFFING ISSUES, AND OF COURSE, THE FACT THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED, AND NOW WANT TO TRY TO TRAVEL.

>> Reporter: UNION COUNTY CROOKS IS IF YOU APPLY FOR A PASSPORT NOW, YOU'LL PROBABLY GET IT BY THANKSGIVING.

THE COUNTY CLERK SAYS EXPEDITING YOUR PASSPORT WILL ALSO TAKE MONTHS.

>> YOU CAN PAY AN EXTRA $60, AND YOU CAN EXPEDITE YOUR PASSPORT, BUT EVEN THAT IS NOW TAKING UP TO THREE MONTHS.

SO, THAT'S VERY, VERY LONG.

IT USED TO ONLY TAKE TWO WEEKS, 2 TO 4 WEEKS TO GET PASSPORT BACK, NOW IT IS GETTING TO BE THREE MONTHS TO TAKE AN EXPEDITED PASSPORT TO GET BACK.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE CREATIVE THINKING, AND A MARGIN OF ATTENTION TO DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: MONMOUTH COUNTY CLERK IS URGING PEOPLE NOT TO WAIT TO THE LAST AND ENTER ANOTHER PASSPORT, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MANY COUNTRIES REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE AT LEAST SIX MONTHS LEFT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE FOR ENTRY.

>> WE CAN HELP CUSTOMERS, WE CAN HELP ANSWER TO AND DO THEIR APPLICATIONS COME BUT ONCE IT IS OUT OF OUR HANDS, WE HAVE NO CONTROL.

>> THE COUNTY WAS VERY HELPFUL IN GETTING HER APPLICATION.

BUT, WHEN WE FOUND OUT HOW LONG WAS GOING TO TAKE, THEY WERE TELLING US IT WAS GOING TO BE MONTHS, WE REALIZED WE WERE GOING TO MISS OUR TRIPLETS >> THEY HAD AN EXPLOITED PASSPORT FOR HIS SON IN JANUARY, SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE FAMILY TRIP IN MAY, BUT AFTER MONTHS OF WAITING, HE REACHED OUT TO HIS CONGRESSMAN FOR HELP.

>> IT'S A SHAME, WE SHOULD NOT WORK THIS WAY, YOU KNOW.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE, GOVERNMENTS SHOULD CONTINUE TO RUN.

>> HE RECEIVED THE PASSPORT A FEW WEEKS LATER IN TIME TO MAKE THE TRIP.

THE CONGRESSMAN SAYS HIS OFFICE HAS RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF CALLS, AND SAYS THE BACKLOG IS UNACCEPTABLE.

>> I HAVE FAMILIES IN MY DISTRICT THAT HAVE LITERALLY, THEY WAIT IN LINE, THEY WERE TOLD TO GO SOMEWHERE, THEY ARE GOING OUT OF STATE TO TRY TO FIND APPOINTMENTS.

SOMEBODY DROVE UP TO VERMONT THE OTHER DAY TO TRY TO GET UNEMPLOYMENT, GOT THERE AND THEY SAID I'M SORRY, WE ARE NO LONGER DOING APPOINTMENT EVEN THOUGH WE TOLD YOU THE DAY BEFORE THAT YOU COULD COME HERE.

FOUR SOME HAVE SUGGESTED THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAVE FAKED PASSPORT EXPIRATION DATES.

THIS STARTS AT GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

>> IN WRITING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT, ASKING FOR THEM TO ADD MORE PEOPLE TO HELP OUT HERE, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THEY ANSWER THE PHONE, THEY GET BACK TO PEOPLE IN THE AMERICANS MORE INFORMATION.

THERE'S NO REASON WHY WE CANNOT PUT MORE RESOURCES BEHIND THIS TO HELP YOU IN THE BACKLOG, HERE.

>> THE U.S.

POSTAL SERVICE AS THEY RECEIVE MORE THAN 300,000 APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR THAN THEY DID IN 2019.

I AM JANINE DONELSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE STATES CASINOS ARE PULLING IN BIG CROWDS AND RECORD REVENUE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS IN THE BUSINESS REPORT, AND TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THE CASINOS WERE BOUNCING BACK TO ATLANTIC CITY AND NOW THAT THE PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED.

THE LATEST FROM THE STATE SHOW THAT CONSUMERS THE RECORD FOR GROSS GAMBLING REVENUE, THE LEADING REVENUE, $335 MILLION.

AN INTERNET GAMBLING REVENUE WAS FOUND THAT MORE THAN 26% COMPARED TO A YEAR EARLIER.

A PROGRAM TO HELP TEACHERS BETTER PREPARE THEIR STUDENTS FOR THE WORKFORCE IS UNDERWAY IN SOUTH JERSEY.

THE SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATORS ALLOWS TEACHERS TO MEET WITH BUSINESS LEADERS WHO SAY THEY CAN'T FIND JOB CANDIDATES THAT HAVE THE SKILLS NEEDED FOR THE STUDENT AND PRESIDENT CEO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY SAYS EDUCATORS MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH COMPANIES BIG AND SMALL.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT JOBS THAT ARE TECHNICAL IN NATURE, GOOD PAYING JOBS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO COLLEGE FOR, AND THEY FILL THESE JOBS.

SO, THAT EXPOSES THOSE TEACHERS TO THOSE KINDS OF AVENUES.

>> THE PROGRAM IS NOW IN AND INTERPRETED THIS WEEK, SEVERAL KEY REPORTS FROM THE HOUSING MARKET WILL BE RELEASED.

HOME SALES, EXISTING HOME SALES ACROSS THE U.S. HAVE DECLINING ON A MONTHLY BASIS IN SPRING.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE POCKETS WHERE SALES REMAIN STRONG, NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN ONE OF THOSE AREAS.

ESPECIALLY IN THE LUXURY MARKET.

ACCORDING TO NORTHJERSEY.COM THOSE PRICES MAY BE CHANGING GOING FOR.

BUT NEW LAWSUITS AGAINST BABY POWDER CAN BE LINKED TO CANCER.

>>> JOHNSON & JOHNSON REPORTEDLY IS SEPARATING ITS BABY POWDER BUSINESS INTO A WHOLE DIFFERENT UNIT THAT WILL THEN SEEK BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THOSE THAT SAY JAN JADE HAS NOT YET DECIDED ON ANY PARTICULAR COURSE OF ACTION.

>>> CONCERNS ARE MOUNTING ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS.

HURTING THE GLOBAL ECONOMY AND IT'S SPILLING INTO SEVERAL NATURAL RESOURCES TODAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S TRADING NUMBERS.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE ARE PREPARING TO SHARE ROUGHLY 2 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF AID ON THE CONDITION THAT THE STATE DOES NOT USE THE MONEY TO MAKE THEM ELSEWHERE.

BUT, EDUCATION ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN PROTESTING AND FILING LAWSUITS AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION FOR DOING JUST THAT.

STICKING TO A FUNDING FORMULA THAT CUTS ABOUT 200 DISTRICTS DEEMED AS RECEIVING TOO MUCH.

WELL PUMPING MORE INTO SCHOOLS PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED UNDERFUNDED.

NOW, A BUDGET NOW REQUIRES THE STATE TO RESTORE THAT MONEY.

EDUCATION WRITER, JOHN MOONEY HAS THE LATEST.

JOHN, AS IT USUALLY IS, THIS LANGUAGE WAS TUCKED AWAY IN THE BUDGET BILL.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT SAY?

>> WELL.

NOT TUCKED AWAY.

IT WAS THE VERY LAST ITEM IN THE BILL.

SO, IT WAS LATE TO THE GAME.

BASICALLY, IT PROVIDED THE STATE SOME OPENING TO REINSTATE SOME CUTS TO YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY, AS MANY AS A COUPLE HUNDRED SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT WERE SEEING SOME CUTS IN THE STATE BUDGET.

AND, THIS PROVIDED SOME LANGUAGE THAT IF THE STATE NEEDS TO FILL IN THOSE PREDOMINANTLY SO THEY CAN RECEIVE WHAT IS A LOT OF MONEY, $2.4 BILLION IN FEDERAL AID, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO SOME.

BUT, IT'S DONE QUIETLY.

IT DOES GIVE THEM THE LEGAL JUSTIFICATION TO DO SO.

>> I MEAN, WHATEVER HEARING FROM THE STATE AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER ABOUT THESE REQUIREMENTS.

IS IT REALLY GOING AGAINST WHAT THE LAW SAYS?

>> I MEAN, IN SHORT, THE REQUIREMENT COMING FROM THE FEDS, THEIR FUNDING ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS LIKE THE STATES, ALL THIS MONEY TO TURN AROUND AND THEN MAKE CUTS ELSEWHERE.

YOU KNOW, THEY PLAY BALL.

AND SO, THE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT OR MAINTENANCE OF EQUITY CAUSES THAT BASICALLY THE STATES CAN BE MAKING PARTS OF THEIR GOING TO ACCEPT THESE FUNDS.

AND YOU KNOW, IT MAKES SOME SENSE.

NOW, YOU KNOW, THE FEDS ARE GOING TO BE SITTING ON STATES IN NEW JERSEY AM ASSUMING WILL BE AMONG THEM.

BUT, YOU KNOW.

THEY BASICALLY ARE HELPING THEIR DISTRICTS ANYWAY, AND THE MONEY THAT THEY ARE GETTING IS IN ADDITION TO THAT.

AND NOT REPLACING.

>> VERY QUICKLY, WHICH DISTRICTS ARE STARTING TO BENEFIT AND WHICH ARE GOING TO LOSE?

>> THE BIG DISTRICTS IS JERSEY CITY, WHICH IS $60 MILLION.

BUT, THERE'S ANOTHER 5 OR SIX DISTRICTS DOWN THE RIVER, YOU KNOW, REGIONAL THAT IS MILLION- DOLLAR, AND YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE TEACHERS.

THOSE ARE LIKE BODIES IN THE CLASSROOM.

SO IT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT FOR SURE.

>> TEACHERS AND PROGRAMS OF COURSE THAT WERE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK IN THE TIME THAT WE COVERED ALL THOSE PROTESTS FOR THE PANDEMIC.

JOHN MOONEY, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> TO SEE YOU.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, THE GIFT OF LIFE.

AND, THE UNSPEAKABLE BOND BETWEEN THOSE WHO TRULY KNOW IT IS FAR BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE.

THE BIANNUAL TRANSPLANT GAMES OF AMERICA IS WRAPPING UP AT THE MEADOWLANDS TODAY.

A UNIQUE COMPETITION AND CELEBRATION FOR ALL THOSE WHOSE LIVES HAVE UNTOUCHED BY ORGAN DONATION.

BRING TOGETHER A COMMUNITY THAT WAS TO EMPHASIZE HOW MUCH THIS LIFE IS WORTH LIVING.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> THE AMERICAN DREAM LAND IS NORMALLY A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE COME TO SHOP AND PLAY.

>> WE GET TOGETHER EVERY TWO YEARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

GENERALLY HAVING 12 TO 15,000 PARTICIPANTS IN PLACE THAT COME OUT TO CELEBRATE.

THEY REMIND THE WORLD THAT THERE ARE STILL 110,000 PEOPLE WAITING FOR HER.

>> AFTER LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF COLOR, THE FOUR DAY EVENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEW JERSEY SHARING NETWORK, R WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, AND MEADOWLANDS CHAMBER.

>> THE AMERICAN DREAM HOSTING THESE GAMES, SHOWCASING ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION AND WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT WITH A GRATEFUL MESSAGE.

>> Reporter: A MESSAGE THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO THIS MOTHER OF THREE WHO IS ABLE TO LOVE TODAY BECAUSE OF A TISSUE DONATION AFTER TEARING THREE LIGAMENTS IN HER KNEE IN A SKIING ACCIDENT FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THE GIFT I RECEIVED.

I KNOW SOMEBODY HAS BASICALLY DIED SO I CAN HAVE A BETTER LIFE.

I AM FULLY GRATEFUL.

THIS IS SOMETHING I REALLY CANNOT DESCRIBE BECAUSE A SIMPLE THANK YOU IS NEVER GOING TO JUSTIFY HOW I REALLY FEEL.

>> Reporter: BUT THE SIMPLE THANK YOU MEANS THE WORLD TO PEOPLE LIKE DENNIS ROTH.

HER SON MATTHEW'S LIFE WAS TRAGICALLY CUT SHORT AT THE AGE OF 24 WHEN HE WAS KILLED IN A COLLISION BETWEEN TWO DRIVERS WHO WERE DRAGRACING.

SHE SAYS HIS ORGAN DONATION WAS ABLE TO SAVE FIVE LIVES, INCLUDING GIVING SOMEONE ELSE THE GIFT OF SIGHT.

>> ACTUALLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM ONE OF HIS RECIPIENTS WHO HAD A YOUNG DAUGHTER AND SHE SAID NOW SHE'S ABLE TO BE THERE FOR HER DAUGHTER AND WATCH HER GROW UP THROUGH MY SON'S ORGAN DONATION.

SO DEFTLY GIVES ME COMFORT.

>> ON BEHALF OF THE 4000 PEOPLE CURRENTLY WAITING A TRANSPLANT WE HAVE 115,000 WAITING TRANSPLANT NATIONWIDE.

FOR US TO BE HERE AT AMERICAN DREAM, BRINGING THE ENTIRE TRANSPLANT COMMUNITY TOGETHER, AND CELEBRATING LIFE, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE YEAR THAT WE HAD, IT'S JUST SO IMPORTANT AND EXCITING, AND A HEARTWARMING THING TO BE HERE.

>> THIS YEAR, DONORS PARTICIPATED VIRTUALLY IN COMPETITION SINCE APRIL THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

WITHIN PERSON ACTIVITIES CULMINATED TO MARK THE END OF THE GAMES.

>> IT'S AMAZING PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED AMAZING THINGS AND GIVEN LITERALLY THEMSELVES SACRIFICED AND TO BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO THEM IN FOR A WONDERFUL CAUSE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS THING FOR ME.

>> ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NETWORK FOR ORGAN SHARING NEARLY 20 PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY DIE EVERY DAY WAITING FOR A TRANSPLANT.

ONE ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR ALONE CAN SAVE 8 OF THOSE LANDS.

OFFICIALS FOR THE TRANSPLANT LIFE FOUNDATION SAY THEY HOPE THOSE TRANSPLANT GAMES WILL ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO REGISTER DENTISTRY POTENTIALLY GIFTING SOMEONE ELSE A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

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

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

>> IS GOING TO DO A TRUST.

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

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

>> 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.