>>> 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, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

TONIGHT, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS PLEADING WITH THE PUBLIC TO GET A COVID-19 VACCINATION AS THE DELTA VARIANT MAKES UP MORE THAN HALF OF ALL NEW CASES BEING REPORTED STATEWIDE AND CONTINUES TO SPREAD RAPIDLY, PARTICULARLY AMONG UNVACCINATED GROUPS.

WITH POSITIVE TESTS RISING AFTER REACHING RECORD LOWS IN JUNE.

593 NEW CASES AND 12 MORE DEATHS REPORTED.

THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS THE STATE'S ANNOUNCED MORE THAN TEN FATALITIES IN A SINGLE DAY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ALSO BEGAN RELEASING BREAKTHROUGH CASES THIS WEEK.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED BUT TEST POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS.

THAT NUMBER IS EXTREMELY LOW, SOMETHING HEALTH OFFICIALS CREDIT TO THE VACCINE.

BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN A BIG JUMP IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED.

JUST UNDER 5.2 MILLION.

SO WHAT DO THE BREAKTHROUGH CASES TELL US?

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> WE DO NOT HAVE A PANDEMIC AMONG THE VACCINATED.

WE ONLY HAVE A PANDEMIC AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

>> Reporter: AS THE DELTA VARIANT BECOMES THE DOMINANT STRAIN, CASE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN NEW JERSEY.

THE VARIANT ACCOUNTS FOR 51.4% OF CASES IN THE STATE OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

>> THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE GETTING SICK OVER 99% WITH COVID ARE PEOPLE UNVACCINATED.

SO BREAKTHROUGH CASES ARE VERY SMALL.

>> Reporter: A BREAKTHROUGH CASE IS WHEN SOMEONE WHO IS FULLY VACCINATED, TWO WEEKS FINAL DOSE, TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

BETWEEN JANUARY AND JUNE 28th, THERE WERE NEARLY 3500 UNVACCINATED PEOPLE WHO GOT COVID OUT OF 4.5 MILLION.

THAT IS A 0.08% RATE.

OR, 8 OUT OF EVERY 10,000 PEOPLE.

84 PEOPLE WITH BREAKTHROUGH CASES WERE HOSPITALIZED AND 31 DIED.

>> THE MORE COMORBIDITIES, OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS YOU HAVE, THE MORE LIKELY YOU WILL HAVE A BAD OUTCOME OR DEATH.

PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMUNE SUPPRESSED ARE NOT ABLE TO MOUNT A STRONG IMMUNE RESPONSE TO THINGS LIKE THE VACCINE.

THAT IS WHY WE ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO BE VACCINATED.

>> THE VACCINES WORK.

THEY ARE PROVING MORE THAN 99.9% EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM CONTRACTING THE VIRUS.

MORE THAN 99.99% EFFECTIVE IN KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

AND, MORE THAN 99.999% EFFECTIVE IN KEEPING PEOPLE ALIVE.

>> Reporter: EPIDEMIOLOGIST DR. STEPHANIE SAYS THE SYMPTOMS FOR VACCINATED PEOPLE WHO GET COVID ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.

>> MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED WILL SHOW VERY MILD TO NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL.

RUNNY NOSE, PERSISTENT COUGH.

SNEEZING SEEMS TO BE A SYMPTOM FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED.

>> SO WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT A BREAKTHROUGH INFECTION, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THE VACCINE IS FAILING BECAUSE IT IS STILL HOLDING TRUE, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO PROTECTION AGAINST SEVERE DISEASE LEADING TO HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATHS.

>> Reporter: THE QUESTION IS SHOULD YOU FEEL SAFE DOING PRE- PANDEMIC ACTIVITIES IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED?

>> YOU FOR THE MOST PART CAN GO OUT AND LIVE YOUR LIFE AND FEEL FAIRLY CONFIDENT THAT YOU WILL STAY HEALTHY.

THERE ARE CAVEATS.

IF YOU ARE SOMEBODY WHO IS OLDER THAN 65 WITH A PREEXISTING CONDITION.

IF YOU HAVE AN AUTO IMMUNE DISEASE OR OTHERWISE COMPROMISED, YOUR RISK PROFILE WILL BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: SHOULD YOU WEAR A MASK IF YOU ARE VACCINATED?

>> THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT IF YOU ARE POSITIVE, THAT YOU CAN STILL SPREAD THE VIRUS.

SO, YOU MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH PEOPLE UNVACCINATED, YOU MAY CONTINUE TO WANT TO WEAR THE MASK.

>> I WILL NOT SOCIALIZE WITH A PERSON WHO IS UNVACCINATED IF POSSIBLE.

THE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE PEOPLE IN AMERICAN SOCIETY, IN NEW JERSEY SOCIETY RIGHT NOW, FOR ONE, BECOMING SICK AND DYING AND FOR SPREADING THE DISEASE TO OTHER PEOPLE ARE UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

THEY ARE THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES IN THE CONTINUATION OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: WALKER SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DEAN RECOMMENDS WEARING A MASK INDOORS EVEN IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> WHILE IT IS NOT INCREDIBLY LIKELY THAT I MAY BECOME INFECTED WITH THE DELTA VARIANT, IT IS POSSIBLE.

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

>>> NEW HIGHLY ANTICIPATED GUIDANCE FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS IS TAKING A STRONG STANCE ON MASK WEARING FOR KIDS.

RECOMMENDING ALL CHILDREN OVER THE AGE OF TWO WEAR MASKS WHEN THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL THIS FALL WHETHER THEY ARE VACCINATED OR NOT.

DIVERGING FROM THE CDC WHICH SAYS VACCINATED STUDENTS AND TEACHES DON'T HAVE TO WEAR MASKS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HIS ADMINISTRATION WILL LEAVE IT UP TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS BUT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE HIS MIND.

WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE PARENTS?

HERE TO DISCUS THE LATEST RECOMMENDATION IS DR. GENE CRAFT, PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS.

DR.

CRAFT, GIVEN THE RISE OF NEW VARIANTS, IS THAT THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS RECOMMENDATION FROM THE ACADEMY?

>> AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS ROUTINELY UPDATES THE GUIDANCE BASED ON BEST AVAILABLE DATA.

TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION A NUMBER OF THINGS.

ONE IS CERTAINLY THE RISE OF THE DELTA VIRUS.

THE DELTA VERSION OF THE VIRUS.

WE KNOW THE DELTA VARIANT IS MORE EASILY TRANSMITTED FROM PERSON TO PERSON.

WE KNOW THAT THERE MAY BE AN INCREASED RISK OF SEVERE DISEASE WITH THAT PARTICULAR VARIANT.

THE OTHER THING THAT WE KNOW IS THAT IF WE LOOK AT THE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR A VACCINE, THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANYBODY UNDER 12.

THAT IS YOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE UP TICK AMONG ADOLESCENTS AGED 12 TO 18 HAS NOT REACHED THE LEVELS WE HAD HOPE AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> IS GOVERNOR MURPHY RIGHT IN HIS STANCE THAT HE IS SAYING HE IS COMFORTABLE LEAVING HIS DECISION IN PLACE THAT EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SHOULD DECIDE WHAT IS BEST BASED ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THAT COMMUNITY.

DOES THAT POSE MORE OF A RISK?

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY IS REALLY TRYING TO BALANCE THE ABILITY TO BE FLEXIBLE IN TERMS OF HOW GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE APPLIED.

AND, IF WE LOOK AT NEW JERSEY, NEW JERSEY IS DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS EVEN A MONTH AGO.

WE HAD BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE CASES WERE RELIABLY DECREASING.

THAT HAS CHANGED.

WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE CHANGES BETWEEN NOW AND THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AS MORE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

AS, THE STATE OF THE PANDEMIC CHANGES.

IT IS LIKELY THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE ADJUSTED AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME.

>> OF COURSE YOU KNOW, THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF PARENTS AND EDUCATION GROUPS WHO WON'T BE HAPPY WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION.

ARE YOU WORRIED AT ALL THAT SOME OF THE LAWSUITS WE ARE SEEING COULD PROHIBIT THE STATE FROM REINSTATING THESE MANDATES AT A TIME AS YOU ARE SAYING WE MAY NEED THEM THE MOST?

>> I THINK PARENTS IN GENERAL ARE A VERY OPTIMISTIC GROUP.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE CAN'T WISH THE PANDEMIC AWAY.

WE KNOW THAT CASES ARE RISING IN NEW JERSEY.

AND WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME VERY BASIC THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO LIMIT THE RISK TO CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY AS THEY RETURN TO SCHOOL.

VACCINATION IS ONE OF THEM.

CHILDREN UNDER 12 ARE NOT ELIGIBLE YET.

WE KNOW THAT A COMBINATION OF MITIGATING STRATEGIES INCLUDING WEARING YOUR MASK, WASHING YOUR HANDS, NOT GOING TO SCHOOL WHEN SICK, THAT APPLIES TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE NEED TO REMAIN FLEXIBLE SO THAT AS THE SITUATION CHANGES AS MORE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE, WE CAN ADJUST HOW WE KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE AND HOW WE KEEP OUR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF SAFE.

>> DR.

CRAFT, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

>>> VACCINES ARE NOTES AN OPTION FOR HIGH LEVEL WORKERS AT RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM CONFIRMS IT FIRED SIX SUPERVISOR LEVEL EMPLOYEES FOR REFUSING TO COMPLY WITH ITS VACCINE MANDATE.

THE HOSPITAL MADE THE REQUIREMENT OFFICIAL IN MAY GIVING HIGH-RANKING EMPLOYEES UNTIL THE END OF JUNE TO GET BOTH SHOTS.

ACCORDING TO RWJ, 99.7% OF STAFF AT THE SUPERVISOR LEVEL AND ABOVE HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED OR HAVE A MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION.

THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SAID IT WILL BE ANNOUNCING A MANDATE FOR ALL STAFF AND PHYSICIANS WITHIN COMING DAYS.

RJW BARNABAS HEALTH IS AN UNDERWRITER OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN JERSEY CITY WANTS TO OVERHAUL THE ADMISSIONS POLICIES AT TWO OF THE POP PERFORMING SCHOOLS SHIFTING THE SELECTION PROCESS FROM SOLELY REPRESENTATION OF RACE TO A FAMILY'S INCOME.

DATA SHOWED LOWER INCOME STUDENTS WERE BEING LEFT BEHIND.

BUT COULD THE DESESSION HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES?

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> IT IS A SHORT-TERM GAIN FOR A LONG TERM LOSS.

THIS PLAN IS A WOLF IN CHEEP'S CLOTHING.

>> Reporter: TWO ELITE HIGH SCHOOLS IN JERSEY CITY SOUND I ALARM BELLS AROUND A CHANGE IN THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS THAT WOULD CHANGE STANDARDS.

>> WHAT WE NOTICE IS SORT OF A SHARE OF STUDENTS THAT HAVE FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH, SORT OF THE HIGHER BURDEN FROM A SOCIAL ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE.

THOSE PERCENT OF STUDENTS HAVE BEEN DECREASING AT THESE SCHOOLS THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> Reporter: SCHOOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY LIKE NEW YORK CITY, BOSTON, AND FAIR FAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED THEIR ADMISSIONS CRITERIA TO TEST SCORES AND SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS.

>> WE ARE CHANGING THE STANDARDS OF WHAT IT TAKES TO GET INTO ELITE SCHOOLS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT FALLING BEHIND AND THAT WE ENSURE ACCESS.

>> Reporter: BUT THE SUPERINTENDENT FRANKLIN WALKER DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> THE SYSTEM IS NOT PERFECT.

HOWEVER, IT SATISFIES THE DESEGREGATION PLAN BETTER THAN ANY OTHER SYSTEM THAT WE PUT IN PLACE.

IF YOU CHANGE THE CURRENT SYSTEM, THERE WILL BE LESS BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS ACCEPTED INTO MCNAIR.

>> WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN SIMPLY IS WITH THE GENTRIFICATION THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE.

AND WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE PLACE IN JERSEY CITY.

IT IS TOO CLOSE TO NEW YORK, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE NEIGHBORHOODS DOWNTOWN WILL BECOME NO LONGER WHAT THEY CURRENTLY ARE.

>> Reporter: ADRIANA WILLIAMS IS A RECENT GRADUATE WHO IN HER SENIOR YEAR RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT PERSISTENT RACISM FOR BLACK STUDENTS FROM OTHER STUDENTS OF COLOR.

SHE DOESN'T THINK THIS WILL MAKE IT WORSE.

>> IT GOES HAND IN HAND.

THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SOCIALLY ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED NEED TO BE ALLOWED IN THESE SCHOOLS MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.

>> Reporter: THE CURRENT MAKEUP IS 42% ASIAN.

20% WHITE, 18% HISPANIC AND 16% BLACK.

PAMELA JOHNSON SAYS EVEN WITH THE CURRENT ADMISSIONS PROCESS INCLUDING RACE, IT IS HARD FOR BLACK PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

>> IF IF YOU SWAP OUT THE CURRENT REQUIREMENT AND PUT IN THIS ECONOMIC COMPONENT, THAT IS A HARDSHIP FOR BLACK STUDENTS.

WE KNOW THE DISPARITY AND WE KNOW THAT BLACK FOLKS ARE CONTINUOUSLY LEFT OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

WHEN YOU BRING IN THAT ECONOMIC COMPONENT, IT THEN HAS SO MANY OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS AHEAD OF US WITH THAT ECONOMIC COMPONENT, IT IS GOING TO ACTUALLY HURT US.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IT SHOULDN'T BE AN EITHER OR CHOICE.

>> DO BOTH.

WHAT IS THE LOGICAL REASON OF TAKING OUT WHAT IS ALREADY EXISTING?

THAT REQUIRES YOU TO TAKE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF STUDENTS ETHNIC BACKGROUND BASED?

SO, WHAT IS THE ISSUE WITH LEAVING THAT AND ADDING THE ECONOMIC?

>> Reporter: THE BOARD WILL DELIBERATE IN THE COMING MONTHS.

IF ADOPTED, THE CHANGES WOULD START IN THE FALL OF 2022.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR IS JOINING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION.

SENATOR CHRIS BROWN IS RETIRING FROM THE LEGISLATURE EARLIER THAN PLANNED TO TAKE A ROLE IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

SERVING AS A SENIOR ADVISER ON ISSUES RELATED TO ATLANTIC CITY.

OVERSEEING THE ONGOING STATE TAKEOVER THAT BEGAN IN 2016 AND WILL CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS UNDER A NEW LAW SIGNED LAST MONTH BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

BROWN REPRESENTED ATLANTIC CITY FOR NEARLY A DECADE.

IN A STATEMENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE FORMER SENATOR WILL BE AN ASSET TO THE ADMINISTRATION.

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS OF AC.

BROWN'S DISTRICT IS CONSIDERED A BATTLEGROUND IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION FOR HIS SENATE SEAT.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND THE NATION'S THREE LARGEST DRUG DISTRIBUTERS ARE ON THE VERGE OF A $26 BILLION SETTLEMENT COVERING THOUSANDS OF LAWSUITS IN STATES AND CITIES FOR THEIR ROLE IN THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

THE MONEY WILL LARGELY GO TO ADDICTION AND PREVENTION SERVICES ACROSS THE U.S.

BUT IT IS SEVERAL STOPS AWAY FROM A FORMAL AGREEMENT.

IT COMES AS OTHER TRIALS CLOSE IN ON THE COMPANIES AND AS OPIOIDS BOTH LEGAL AND ILLEGAL ONES LIKE HEROIN HAVE BEEN LINKED TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OVERDOSE DEATH IT IS LAST 20 YEARS.

IN NEW JERSEY, MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE DIED OF DRUG RELATED CAUSES IN 2020 ALONE.

IN 2021, THAT NUMBER HAS ALREADY HIT A RECORD HIGH.

IN A STATEMENT TODAY, JOHNSON & JOHNSON STOOD BY ITS PREVIOUS COMMITMENT TO CONTRIBUTE UP TO $5 BILLION TO THE NATIONAL SETTLEMENT.

ADDING PROGRESS TOWARD FINALIZING THE AGREEMENT CONTINUES TO GET CRITICAL ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES COMMUNITIES IN NEED BUT SAYING THE SETTLEMENT IS NOT AN ADMISSION OF LIABILITY OR WRONG DOING.

>>> AND IN OUR BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, ANOTHER ROUND OF MONEY MEANT TO HOLD OVER BUSINESSES HIT BY ALL THE EXTENDED COVID CLOSURES.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS AND OUR TOP STORIES.

>> Reporter: MORE FUNDING IS AVAILABLE TO SOME OF NEW JERSEY'S SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS TRYING TO REBUILD AFTER THE PANDEMIC TOOK ITS TOLL.

ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES CAN RECEIVE UP TO $100,000 IN FINANCING.

THROUGH THE SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM.

NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES CEO TIM SULLIVAN FILLS US IN.

>> WE ARE STARTING PRE- REGISTRATION TODAY.

STARTED FOR THE NEW $10 MILLION ROUND OF LOAN FUNDING.

ZERO INTEREST LOANS FOR BUSINESSES PARTICULARLY GROWING OR TAKING NEW SPACE OR EXPANDING AS THE PANDEMIC RECEDES.

>> Reporter: PRE-REGISTRATION RUNS THROUGH JULY 30.

AFTER THAT, APPLICATIONS WILL BE APPROVED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS.

ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT INDUSTRIES DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS HOSPITALITY AND A NEW REPORT OUT TODAY SHOWS JUST HOW SLOW THE RECOVERY HAS BEEN FOR WORKERS.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION FINDS NEARLY 500,000 LODGING JOBS WON'T RETURN BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AS HOTEL OCCUPANCY AND REVENUES REMAIN BELOW PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

IN NEW JERSEY, THE GROUP PREDICTS 23% OF THE INDUSTRY'S JOBS WILL BE LOST BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

WHEN COMPARED WITH PRE-PANDEMIC JOB LEVELS.

THE ORGANIZATION IS LOBBYING CONGRESS FOR MORE HELP.

>>> IN JERSEY CITY, OFFICIALS LAUNCHED THE HELMETS AND HARD HATS PROGRAM FOR WOMEN AND VETERANS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

THEY ARE USING A $300,000 STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT GRANT TO LAUNCH THE FIRST INITIATIVE IN JERSEY CITY TO SUPPORT HUDSON COUNTY VETERANS.

PLANS ARE FOR THE PROGRAM TO EXPAND TO OTHER COUNTIES IN THE NORTH.

JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE GETTING NO RELIEF FROM RISING GAS PRICES.

IN THE PAST MONTH, GAS PRICES HAVE JUMPED MORE THAN 11 CENTS A GALLON ON AVERAGE.

OVER THE WEEKEND, OPEC REACHED A DEAL TO INCREASE OIL PRODUCTION IN AUGUST.

BUT WITH EVERYONE OUT TRAVELING THIS SUMMER, DEMAND FOR GAS IS STRONG.

>>> WALL STREET BOUNCING BACK AFTER YESTERDAY'S SELL-OUT.

HERE IS HOW THE DAY WRAPPED UP.

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

>>> WHILE NEW JERSEY'S COOKIE CONTRABAND IS OVER, OR AT LEAST CLOSE TO IT, UNDERGROUND HOME BAKERS HAVE BEEN BANNED FROM SELLING THE GOODIES MADE IN THEIR HOME KITCHENS.

AND EVEN WITH ALL OUR PROGRESSIVE POLICIES, NEW JERSEY IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION TO BAN THE SALE OF HOMEMADE FOODS OVER HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS.

NO MORE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS POISED TO DROP A DECISION THAT WILL MAKE THE MARKET LEGAL.

JENYNE DONALDSON REPORTS.

>> SO MANY OF US ARE WAITING FOR THE MOMENT AND WE ARE THE ONLY STATE IN AMERICA THAT DID NOT HAVE THE COTTAGE FOOD LAW.

WE FINALLY GOT THE CHANCE EVERY OTHER STATE HAS.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO SELLING THEIR HOME BAKED GOODS FOR PROFIT.

>> MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY HOME BAKERS ASSOCIATION HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING THROUGH LEGISLATURE.

AND THE LAWSUIT FOR THAN TEN YEARS.

>> THE RULING THAT CAME OUT LAST WEEK FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH COUNCIL, IN CONJUNCTION WITH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL NOW ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO COOK AND BAKE FROM THEIR HOME KITCHEN.

>> Reporter: SENATOR BATEMAN HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR THE LAW MORE THAN A DECADE AND SAID THE HOLDUP WAS DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS.

>> THE CHAIRMAN CONCERNS WAS ABOUT THE SANITARY CONDITIONS OF INDIVIDUAL'S KITCHENS AND HOW COULD THEY MONITOR IT.

AND HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT INDIVIDUALS GETTING SICK AND WHATNOT.

AND YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALS HAVE PETS.

>> Reporter: ATTORNEY ROB PACOLA IS REPRESENTING THE HOME BAKER'S ASSOCIATION IN AN ONGOING LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SAYS HOME BAKED GOODS ARE VERY SAFE.

>> YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING THAN YOU ARE TO GET SICK FROM EATING A HOME BAKED GOOD.

BUT, IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING SAFETY CONCERNS, BAKERS WHO OBTAIN A LICENSE ARE REQUIRED TO ABIDE BY BASIC SANITATION AND CLEANING PROTOCOLS.

>> Reporter: ONCE THE RULES ARE PUBLISHED THEY WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A TWO YEAR PERMIT MUCH CHEAPER THAN ONE FOR A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN.

>> IF I CAN'T SELL MY BAKED GOODS YET, WHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THE MONEY TO START RENTING A KITCHEN WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SELL THEM YET?

>> Reporter: SHE LEARNED TO BAKE FROM HER GRANDMOTHER AND AUNTS AND ALTHOUGH IT IS HER PASSION, A SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION PREVENTS HER FROM BEING ABLE TO WORK LONG HOURS IN A BAKERY.

>> IT WILL MEAN A LOT BECAUSE I WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE MY TALENT WITH THE WORLD, WELL, NOT THEWORLD BUT THE CITY AND I WILL BE ABLE TO BAKE OUT OF THE COMFORT OF MY OWN HOME WITHOUT WORKING THE 12 HOUR SHIFTS PASTRY CHEFS WORKS.

>> Reporter: SHE MAKES BROWNIES, MUFFINS AND A HOST OF OTHER TREATS SHE WILL BE ABLE TO SELL OUT OF HER HOME, THE FARMER'S MARKET FOR PROFIT.

>> THIS WILL BE A LIFELINE FOR HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF HOME BAKERS ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

IT WILL BE A FINANCIAL LIFELINE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: SENATOR BATEMAN SAYS NEW JERSEY IS A LEADER ON THESE ISSUES AND IT IS TIME THE STATE TO JOIN THE PARTY.

>> FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO REALLY HAVE TALENTS, IF THEY WANT TO, YOU KNOW, EXPLORE.

AND LET OTHERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR GREAT BAKING.

>> Reporter: THE RULES ARE EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED IN EARLY FALL.

I'M JENYNE DONALDSON, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MEANWHILE, FOOD INSECURITY IS STILL ON THE RISE DESPITE A TURN AND IN THIS PANDEMIC.

THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF RESIDENTS WHO NEED HELP PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE.

IN TRENTON, SUPERKITCHEN 411 IS JOINING FORCES WITH THE LOCAL POLICE UNION TO GET FREE MEALS OUT THE DOOR AND BUILD A COMMUNITY BOND WHILE THEY ARE AT IT.

ROSE COOPER REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: THEIR MISSION IS TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

TODAY, POLICE OFFICERS IN TRENTON ARE GOING THE EXTRA MILE.

>> WE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE FROM THE STATE PBA.

KNOWING THAT ONE IN 12 PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY ARE FOOD INSECURE, WE THOUGHT TRENTON BEING CHALLENGED WITH FOOD AND, LOW INCOME.

AND EVERYTHING THAT THIS WOULD BE THE PLACE THEY COULD USE IT.

>> Reporter: THE GIVE AWAY IS PART OF A INITIATIVE WITH SOUP KITCHEN 411.

THE NONPROFIT GROUP PROVIDES MEALS TO PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

SINCE THE PANDEMIC, THEY HAVE SEEN AN UP TICK IN FOOD INSECURITY WITH 14% IN THE POPULATION IN THE STATE ON TRACK TO BEING FOOD INSECURE.

>> OBVIOUSLY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT FOOD IN PEOPLE'S STOMACHS AND MAKE PEOPLES' DAY GIVING THEM A MEAL IF THEY NEED IT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR COMMUNITIES.

THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE COMMUNITIES YOU ARE FROM.

>> I WAS OVER AT THE SOUP KITCHEN AND I WAS TALKING TO MY SOCIAL WORKER SO SHE COULD GET ME A JOB.

>> Reporter: WHILE BARBARA WAS TRYING TO GET HELP TO FIND A JOB, SHE SAYS A POLICE OFFICER TOLD HER TO COME OVER AND GRAB SOME LUNCH.

NOW, NOT ONLY IS SHE GETTING A MEAL, SHE IS ALSO PAYING IT FORWARD, DELIVERING SOME OF THESE BAGGED LUNCHES TO THE HOMELESS.

>> IT IS GREAT.

IT IS A GOOD FEELING THAT I'M HELPING SOMEBODY INSTEAD OF SITTING HOME FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY WHO SO MUCH PATRONIZE US.

IT IS REWARDING.

I THINK IT IS AN OBLIGATION.

AS A FRANCHISEE, AS AN ENTREPRENEUR TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL EVENTS THE PBA HAS BEEN DOING WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE SOUP KITCHEN TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND, POLICE OFFICERS SAY IT GIVES THEM GREAT PLEASURE TO GIVE BACK TO SOME OF THE PEOPLE THEY ARE COMMITTED TO SERVING.

>> DAY IN AND DAY OUT, THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

HELPING PEOPLE.

WE DON'T DO A GREAT JOB OF PUBLICIZING IT BUT I SEE THE WORK THAT GETS DONE EVERY DAY.

I'M PROUD OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WHAT THEY DO TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

TODAY IS MORE OF A PUBLIC EVENT.

YOU KNOW.

BUT THE WORK GOES ON EVERY DAY.

IT IS NEVER FINISHED.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING THE LESS FORTUNATE IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND, IF WE CAN HELP PEOPLE WHO MAY BE FOOD INSECURE, THIS IS SOMETHING WE WOULD LIKE TO DO.

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

>> THAT'S IT FOR US.

BUT HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

BY ORSTED.

AND PSE&G.

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

FUNDING FOR HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION.

WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BUILD A NATIONAL CULTURE OF HEALTH THAT PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA WITH A FAIR AND JUST OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL BEING.