>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS 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 NJ PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS IN THE MIDST OF A BRUTAL HEAT WAVE, EXPECTED TO LAST WELL INTO THE WEEKEND WITH HEAT INDEXES IN SOME AREAS OF THE STATE CLIMBING WELL ABOVE 100 DEGREES ACCORDING TO FORECASTERS.

19 OF NEW JERSEY'S 21 COUNTIES ARE UNDER HEAT ADVISORY'S.

AIR-QUALITY ALERTS WERE TRIGGERED TODAY FOR AT LEAST HALF THE STATE.

IT TOMORROW THOUGH, IT WILL BE WORSE WITH MOST OF THE STATE UNDER AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH.

IT IS A SWEATY, SWELTERING WEEK FOR MOST OF THE U.S. TOO.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS ROUGHLY 110 MILLION AMERICANS ARE BATTLING DANGEROUS HEAT.

IT ALL COMES AS THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED NEW STEPS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE.

BUT IT FELL SHORT OF ISSUING THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION SOME DEMOCRATS CALLED FOR.

AS BOTH THE U.S. AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD BRACE FOR SOME OF THE HOTTEST DAYS ON RECORD.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THEY DANCED THROUGH THE HEAT WAVE OF ONE OF BERGEN COUNTY'S FOUR MAJOR -- WERE SENIORS CLAPTON BOGEYED WHILE STAFF DISTRIBUTED BOTTLES OF COLD WATER.

OUTSIDE, TEMPERATURES SIZZLED.

AND FOLKS ENDED HID BENEATH UMBRELLAS.

BUT IN HERE, THEY HOSTED A LUAU.

>> WONDERFUL.

VERY NICE.

AND TODAY, OUTSIDE HOT, BUT INSIDE IS NOT.

>> Reporter: ICE CREAM, FRUIT PLATTERS, ANYTHING TO KEEP THEM COMFORTABLE AND SAFE AND OUT OF THIS DANGEROUS HEAT.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER ONE THING ABOUT SENIORS, YES, THEY MAY HAVE AIR CONDITIONING, BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, IN THIS TIME OF INFLATION, THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO RUN IT.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE FORGETS.

>> THE HEAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW, IT DOES LOOK LIKE WE ARE GOING TO BE POTENTIALLY APPROACHING TRIPLE DIGITS IN AT LEAST PARTS OF NEW JERSEY FOR THE NEXT FIVE DAYS.

>> Reporter: RECORDS CLIMATOLOGIST SAYS MOST OF NEW JERSEY IS UNDER A HEAT ADVISORY TODAY.

BUT TOMORROW THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST TWO THIRDS OF THE STATE WILL BE UNDER AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN TERMS OF THE HEAT INDEX, IT WILL PUT PEOPLE AT A HIGH RISK OF HEATSTROKE WARNS METEOROLOGIST STEVE DECKER.

IT >> THE TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 90s.

TO OUR BODIES, IT WILL FEEL LIKE IT IS AROUND THOSE RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES OF 105 OR SO.

>> Reporter: THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS.

>> IT IS.

PEOPLE WANT TO STAY IN THE SHADE, STAY IN A COOL LOCATION AND TAKE IT REALLY EASY.

DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS.

>> Reporter: KEYNOTE, IT IS NOT JUST THE HEAT, IT IS THE LACK OF RAIN.

DROUGHT MAPS ARE ABNORMALLY DRY.

AND CENTRAL NEW JERSEY WILL BE ADDED TOMORROW.

MONDAY'S TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR HELPED FILL RESERVOIRS, BUT IT DIDN'T DO MUCH TO QUENCH A THURSDAY LANDSCAPE.

THE FOREST FIRE RISK IS HEADED TO HIGH, SAYS WARDEN CHRIS BRANDON.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT SOMETHING SIMILAR THAT HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 1999 AND 2000 WHERE WE HAD THESE LONG STRETCHES WITH VERY LITTLE TO NO RAIN.

IF WE DID HAD RAIN, IT CAME DOWN IN BUCKETS FOR AN HOUR.

WE MIGHT RECEIVE THREE INCHES.

BUT IT REALLY DOES IMPACT THE DRY SOIL BECAUSE IT IS LIKE CONCRETE.

IT HARDENS UP.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS, MERCER SOMERSET, AND UNION COUNTIES ARE IN STAGE TWO RESTRICTIONS.

NO GROUND CAMPFIRES PERMITTED AT ALL.

AND UNATTENDED CAMPFIRES SPARK THE BLAZE LET RECENTLY CHARGED THOUSANDS OF ACRES IN SOUTH JERSEY'S HIGHLANDS AROUND THE RIVER, ACCORDING TO JERSEYS FOREST FIRE A SERVICE.

YES, JERSEY IS DRIVE, BUT WITH MOST RESERVOIRS SITTING AT JUST ABOUT AVERAGE LEVELS, DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES AREN'T THREATENED.

>> WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE.

THE RAIN ON MONDAY FELL OVER A COUPLE OF OUR RESERVOIRS IN NORTHEASTERN JERSEY.

PARTICULARLY IN BERGEN COUNTY.

THE WATER LEVEL CAME UP THREE OR FOUR FEET.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE HEAT WAVE MAY NOT SET RECORDS, IT IS AN EXTREME EVENT AND DRIVEN BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

IT IS INCREASINGLY COMMON.

>> HERE IN CENTRAL NEW JERSEY WHERE I LIVE, THE NUMBER OF DAYS EXCEEDING 90 DEGREES HAS BASICALLY DOUBLED OVER THE LAST THREE OR FOUR DECADES.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE TODAY, VOWING TO USE HIS EXECUTIVE POWERS AFTER WEST VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT JOE MANCHIN BLOCKED PROPOSED WHITE HOUSE LEGISLATION.

>> NOT A SINGLE REPUBLICAN IN CONGRESS STEPPED UP TO SUPPORT MY CLIMATE PLAN.

NOT ONE.

SO, LET ME BE CLEAR.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS AN EMERGENCY.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED NEW FEDERAL PROGRAMS TO BOOST OFFSHORE WIND POWER AND SET SAFE WORKPLACE STANDARDS FOR EXTREME HEAT.

HE ALSO PROMISED $385 MILLION TO HELP COMMUNITIES COPE WITH SOARING TEMPERATURES.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME, STATES WILL BE ABLE TO USE FEDERAL FUNDS TO PAY FOR AIR- CONDITIONERS AND HOMES, SET UP COMMUNITY COOLING CENTERS IN SCHOOLS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET THROUGH THESE EXTREME HEAT CRISES.

>> Reporter: BY THE PRESIDENT STOP SHORT OF A NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

MEANWHILE, THE LUAUS AT SOUTHWEST REGIONAL SENIOR CENTER WILL CONTINUE.

>> WE WILL HAVE TO ASK THEM TO LEAVE AT 6:00.

AND WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS ALL WEEK.

WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS ALL WEEK.

>> Reporter: I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THERE IS A NEW BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN CATCHING EYES ON HIGHWAYS IN SOUTHERN STATES.

IT'S URGING BUSINESSES IN PLACES THAT RESTRICT ABORTION TO PACK THEIR BAGS AND HEAD TO NEW JERSEY.

THE NONPROFIT CHOOSE NEW JERSEY IS BEHIND THE DIGITAL AD THAT WILL RUN THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH.

IN GEORGIA, FLORIDA, TEXAS, AND MISSOURI.

TOUTING THE STATE'S EDUCATION SYSTEM, THE RANKING AS BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN THE U.S., AND WHERE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO ABORTION EXISTS.

HOPING TO TALK ON THE MORAL HEART STRINGS OF BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE WAKE OF THE RULING ON ABORTION RIGHTS.

IT COMES A MONTH AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY SENT LETTERS TO NEARLY A DOZEN COMPANIES AND STATES WITH LAWS RESTRICTING THE PROCEDURE AND AN OP-ED IN THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE URGING COMPANIES THERE TO COME TO A STATE WHERE HE SAYS, WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE RESPECTED.

IN ANOTHER MOVE TODAY, THE OFFICES OF NEW JERSEY'S U.S. ATTORNEY AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED A PARTNERSHIP TO CONDUCT OUTREACH AND SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE, THEY SAY, THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AT ALL LEVELS WILL PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS OUT-OF- STATE PATIENT, AND HEALTH PROVIDERS.

>> PROTECTING THE RIGHTS TO CHOOSE MEANS PROTECTING THE PATIENTS, THEIR PROVIDERS, AND THE PLACES THAT THEY TURN TO.

THE STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP THAT WE ARE ANNOUNCING IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO PROTECTING ABORTION RIGHTS.

IT IS A MODEL FOR HOW STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS OF THEIR RESIDENCE.

>> WHILE SEVERAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WERE ARRESTED TUESDAY IN A PROTEST OUTSIDE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN SUPPORT OF ABORTION RIGHTS, NEW JERSEY REPRESENTATIVE BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN, AMONG THEM.

TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR BLOCKING TRAFFIC ON A STREET THAT RUNS IN FRONT OF THE COURT BUILDING.

WATSON COLEMAN IS PART OF A GROUP OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS CALLING TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT WILL ADD FOUR JUSTICES TO THE CONSERVATIVE LEANING BENCH, EXPANDING THE HIGH COURT FROM 9 TO 13 SEATS.

ECHOING CONCERNS OF ADVOCATES WHO FEAR THE COURT COULD OVERTURN RIGHTS TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, CONTRACEPTION, AND OTHER RIGHTS.

REPRESENTATIVE WATSON COLEMAN HAS BEEN RELEASED AND IS WITH ME NOW FROM DC.

CONGRESSMAN WATSON COLEMAN, I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU ARE WELL, THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER IN CUSTODY.

OF COURSE, THAT IS WHAT EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT.

BUT REALLY THE QUESTION HERE IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU FEEL THE IDEOLOGICAL MAKEUP OF THIS COURT IS A THREAT TO SOMEWHAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD CONSIDER SOME BASIC RIGHTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY, I THINK THAT THIS IS A PARTICULARLY POLITICIZED COURT.

I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE IDEOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS IS DETRIMENTAL TO OUR PRIVACY AND THE RIGHTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED.

OR EVEN ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY LAW BUT HAVE BEEN TERMINATED BY THE COURT FROM VOTING RIGHTS TO WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

OBVIOUSLY NOW, IT IS WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

IT WILL BE OTHER ISSUES, I BELIEVE.

THEY THINK THAT THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS.

I THINK THIS IS A VERY TRYING TIME, A VERY EXTREME TIME.

AND THE EXTREME ASPECTS OF THEIR ENGAGEMENT OF CALL US TO ACT PROACTIVELY AND USE WHATEVER TOOLS THAT WE HAVE AT OUR DISPOSAL TO ENSURE THAT WE PROTECT PRIVACY AND RIGHTS.

>> WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD CONGRESSWOMAN, OF PASSING LEGISLATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF JUSTICES ON THE COURT?

>> PEOPLE REFERRED TO THIS AS A RADICAL MOVE.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS CHANGED ITS NUMBERS ON OTHER OCCASIONS.

THEY HAVE KEPT UP WITH THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE AND THAT DISTRIBUTIONS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.

SO, IT'S READY.

IT IS POISE.

AND BECAUSE OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING COMING OUT OF THE COURTS, AND BECAUSE WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN RIGHT-WING EXTREMISTS WHO HAVE BEEN DONORS TO GET THESE PARTICULARLY JUDGES ON THE BENCH, AND TO --BECAUSE WE HAVE JUDGES THAT LITERALLY LIE DURING THEIR CONFIRMATION HEARINGS ABOUT WHERE THEY STAND ON CASE PRECEDENT AND THINGS DECIDED BY THE COURTS BEFORE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A BALANCE ON THE COURT.

>> THE HOUSE DID GET A BIPARTISAN VOTE TO ENSHRINE THE RIGHT TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS THERE, AND THE FACT THAT THAT ACTION WAS TAKEN?

THE NEXT STEP IS THE SENATE.

AND SO, WE HOPE THAT WE GET TO PROTECT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE FROM BOTH HOUSES AND THAT THE PRESIDENT GETS TO SIGN INTO LAW THE CODIFICATION OF THE DENUNCIATION OF THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT, AND THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES.

WOMEN ARE PURSUING RIGHT NOW PERMANENT TYING OF THEIR TUBES SO THEY DON'T BECOME PREGNANT.

CAN'T FORCE THIS ON PEOPLE JUST SO THEY CAN ENSURE THEY CAN CONTROL THE ECONOMY OF THEIR BODIES.

AND WE CAN'T WAIT ON THIS COURT TO FIND ITS MORAL COMPASS AND DO WHAT IT SHOULD.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN FOR US IN DC FOLLOWING HER ARREST PROTESTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS TO ABORTION.

CONGRESSWOMAN, THANK YOU.

>> THINK YOU, BRIANA.

>>> THE U.S. NOW HAS A FOURTH COVID-19 VACCINE.

CDC OFFICIALS ON TUESDAY GAVE THE FINAL GREEN LIGHT FOR A TWO- SHOT DOSE FROM NOVAVAX.

BACKING THE FDA'S EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION, HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE HOPING IT WILL APPEAL TO THE ROUGHLY 23% OF U.S.

ADULTS WHO HAVE YET TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST THE VIRUS.

UNLIKE THE THREE OTHER VACCINE OPTIONS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN THE U.S., NOVAVAX DOESN'T USE MRNA TECHNOLOGY.

IT IS A SO-CALLED PROTEIN VACCINE, A MORE CONVENTIONAL TECHNOLOGY ALREADY USED TO PREVENT DISEASES LIKE THE FLU AND SHINGLES.

THE SHOTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

NATIONWIDE, ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF ALL ELIGIBLE AMERICANS ARE VACCINATED.

BUT HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THAT SHARE IS HIGHER WITH 80% OF THOSE ELIGIBLE VACCINATED.

NEARLY 3000 NEW INFECTIONS AND ANOTHER 15 CONFIRMED DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED STATEWIDE TODAY.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS ALSO EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE MONKEYPOX VACCINE, NOW AVAILABLE TO HIGH RISK RESIDENTS AND THOSE WHO THINK THEY MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED.

NEW JERSEY HAD 49 CONFIRMED AND PROBABLE CASES AS OF THIS AFTERNOON.

THOSE NUMBERS THOUGH ARE EXPECTED TO GROW WITH THE EPICENTER OF THE OUTBREAK JUST ACROSS THE RIVER IN NEW YORK CITY.

>>> TWO PHARMACISTS WHO HELP THEIR COMMUNITY DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC JUST LAUNCHED A BIGHEARTED EXPERIMENT.

THE STATES FIRST EVER CHARITABLE PHARMACY, DELIVERING LIFE-SAVING MEDICINE, FREE OF COST TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST BUT CAN'T AFFORD IT.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> LOOKING AT A SCENARIO WHERE SOMEBODY HAS TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE OR WANT TO SPEND THAT MONEY TO BUY THE MEDICATION.

>> Reporter: A POTENTIALLY LIFE OR DEATH CHOICE IS HOPING NO ONE HAS TO MAKE HERE IN RED BANK.

SO, IN APRIL, HE AND HIS WIFE OPENED UP THIS CHARITABLE PHARMACY PROVIDING FREE MEDICATION TO LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.

IT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE STATE.

>> IT IS A MILLION-DOLLAR THING, LET ME TELL YOU.

MONEY CANNOT BUY THIS JUST JOY.

EVERY PERSON WHO WALKS INTO THE PHARMACY FEELS THAT A, YOU KNOW WHAT, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO -- ONE OF MY PATIENT IS ON SEVERAL MEDICATIONS.

EVERY TIME THEY COME --A SONG ABOUT LORD JESUS AND HAPPILY COMES IN.

>> Reporter: ANY RESIDENTS LIVING AT OR BELOW THREE TIMES THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE OR HOUSEHOLD OF FOUR MAKING ROUGHLY 83,000 IS ELIGIBLE TO GET THEIR MEDICATIONS HERE FOR FREE.

HE WAS INSPIRED BY THE LOSS OF HIS SISTER LAST YEAR IN INDIA.

>> THIS IS HOW WE WANT TO PAY TRIBUTE TO HER BY PROVIDING MEDICATION.

BECAUSE WE BOTH ARE PHARMACISTS.

AND WE HAVE SEEN NOT HAVING ACCESS TO MEDICATION CAN CREATE THIS CALL.

SHE SUFFERED WITH DIABETES, HEART CONDITION, AND MENTAL ILLNESS.

AND A LOT OF TIME DURING, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE SUFFER WITH STIGMA.

THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

HOW DO WE OPEN UP AS SERVICES, PROVIDING THE EDUCATION, NOT ONLY PROVIDING MEDICATION BUT PROVIDING THAT EDUCATION TO PATIENTS AND MAKE SURE THAT MEDICATION ACCESS IS AVAILABLE?

>> Reporter: THE CHARITABLE PHARMACY IS ONE OF 220 OTHERS AND 38 STATES WORKING WITH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, DISPENSARIES OF HOPE, TO DISTRIBUTE COSTLY MEDICATION.

>> IF YOU ARE LOW INCOME OR RELATIVELY LOW INCOME IN OUR SOCIETY, EVEN WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS OR A TERMINAL ILLNESS, THAT DOES NOT QUALIFY YOU FOR PUBLIC COVERAGE.

AND THE REALITY IS, IF YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID AND MEDICARE, YOU BECOME ONE WHO ARE IN THE ROLES OF THE UNINSURED.

IN THAT INSTANCE, YOU HAVE TO ALIGN YOUR HEALTHCARE, TYPICALLY YOURSELF.

>> Reporter: CHRISTOPHER PALOMBO IS THE CEO FOR DISPENSARY OF HOPE.

HE SAYS HAVING ACCESS TO A CHARITABLE PHARMACY IS KEY TO MAKING SURE PEOPLE WHO OFTEN FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS GET THE MEDICATIONS THEY NEED CONSISTENTLY.

>> YOU HAVE COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO JUST ORGANIZE WITH THE PHARMACY WHO JUST HAD ENOUGH AND WANT TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY, WANT TO SERVE THEIR FELLOW PERSON AND IN THAT INSTANCE, THEY OPENED UP A PHARMACY.

THEY RECEIVED PHARMACY LICENSING.

AND WHAT THEY PROVIDE IS MEDICINE TO FOLKS WHO ARE LOW INCOME AND UNINSURED AND THEREFORE LEFT TO HAVE TO PURCHASE MEDICINE OUT OF THEIR OWN MEANS, CASH.

WELL, THAT BECOMES REALLY CHALLENGING, VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE ON ONE PERCEPTION MEDICINE.

>> Reporter: IF THERE IS A LINKAGE BARRIER, THE PHARMACY PROVIDES AN ON-SITE INTERPRETER TO MAKE SURE ALL PATIENTS GET HELP.

>> I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I GREW UP IN THIS TOWN, AND I KNOW THAT IT IS VERY HISPANIC AND LATINO ORIENTED.

I HAVE SEEN LANGUAGE BARRIERS WITH MY FAMILY AS WELL.

MY MOM ONLY SPEAKS SPANISH.

SO, IT MEANS A LOT TO ME TO BE PART OF THIS.

AND I AM GLAD TO BE HERE FOR >> I AM SO THANKFUL TO MY ENTIRE ADVISORY BOARD.

THEY PROVIDED SO MUCH SUPPORT.

ALSO FINANCIAL SUPPORT SO WE CAN DO THIS.

>> Reporter: 400 PATIENTS HAVE BEEN SERVED SINCE OPENING ITS DOORS.

THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE MEDICATIONS TO AT LEAST 2000 BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> TONIGHT, WE GET A DEEPER LOOK INSIDE AT LAST NOVEMBER'S CONTROVERSIAL TRI-STATE NEGOTIATIONS DIVVYING UP $14 BILLION IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS.

EARMARKED THE REGION'S TRANSPORTATION NEEDS IN WHICH NEW JERSEY LOST DOUBT ON $850 MILLION TO NEW YORK.

UNDER A STANDARD FUNDING FORMULA PREVIOUSLY USED TO SPLIT FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION MONEY, THE GARDEN STATE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED 3 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS.

BUT AFTER SIFTING THROUGH HUNDREDS OF EMAILS, NORTH JERSEY.COM TRANSPORTATION REPORTER COLLEEN WILSON DISCOVERED THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION AGREED TO A LOWER AMOUNT.

WHILE CONNECTICUT CONCEDED NOTHING UNDER THE FORMULA AND NEW YORK GOT THE LION'S SHARE.

SO, WHAT DID NEW JERSEY GET OUT OF THE DEAL?

THAT IS THE QUESTION.

AND COLLEEN WILSON JOINS ME NOW WITH MORE ON HER INVESTIGATION.

SO, LET'S BEGIN THERE, COLLEEN.

AND WELCOME TO YOU.

DO WE KNOW WHAT THE NEGOTIATIONS ENTAILED AND WHAT NEW JERSEY IS MAYBE GETTING IN RETURN FOR THIS?

>> WE ARE NOT TOTALLY SURE WHAT THE ULTIMATE AND FINAL AGREEMENT WAS, IF THERE WAS MORE TO THAT ARRANGEMENT.

ALL WE KNOW IS WHAT THE SPLITS ENDED UP BEING.

AND THE BASIC MATH FROM THE FORMULA TO WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING SHOWS, AS YOU SAID, NEW JERSEY SAW AN $850 MILLION SHORTFALL.

BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT NEW JERSEY AND CONNECTICUT WERE UNITED FOR THE FIRST ANY NUMBER OF MONTHS, SIX MONTHS OR SO, 6 TO 8 MONTHS OR SO, THAT THEY SHOULD FOLLOW THE FORMULA, WHICH HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY DONE.

THEY WERE HARD MIND ABOUT THAT.

THEY REPEATED THAT TO ME FOR STORIES THAT I WAS WRITING ABOUT THE TOPIC AT THE TIME LAST SUMMER.

AND THEN THERE WAS A PIVOT AT ONE POINT IN TIME.

IT LOOKED LIKE PROBABLY OCTOBER, 2021, BASED ON THESE EMAILS THAT THERE SEEM TO BE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT NEW YORK PERHAPS NEEDED CASH IMMEDIATELY.

AND NEW JERSEY WOULD ACQUIESCE TO THAT.

>> ULTIMATELY, THROUGH YOUR REPORTING, THOSE STIPULATIONS THAT WERE SET OUT WERE DROPPED.

WHAT IS THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAYING NOW ABOUT THE FINAL NUMBER THAT THEY AGREED TO?

>> I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SINCE THE STORY CAME OUT THIS WEEK.

BEFORE THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN I SEND QUESTIONS FOR THIS STORY, THEY WERE LEANING INTO THIS IDEA THAT THE FORMULA WASN'T APPLICABLE IN THIS SITUATION, WHICH IS ALSO WHAT THEY INDICATED IN APRIL WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT IT.

AND ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HOW FORMULA FUNDS, FEDERAL FORMULA FUNDS WOULD BE SPLIT.

AND AS MY STORY AND MY REPORTING SHOWS, THE FORMULA WAS ABSOLUTELY APPLICABLE IN THIS SITUATION.

>> VERY QUICKLY, FROM YOUR REPORTING, COULD THIS OPEN THE DOOR FOR DIFFERENT CALCULATIONS TO BE USED IN THE FUTURE WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT POTS OF FEDERAL FUNDING LIKE THIS?

YOU WRITE, THE STATE COULD HAVE BOUGHT 700 ELECTRIC BUSES, 95 LOCOMOTIVES.

THIS IS A SIZABLE CHUNK OF CHANGE.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I THINK, IN MANY WAYS THE STORY IS ABOUT.

WHAT PRESIDENT DOES THIS SET?

THE FORMULA IS IN PLACE FOR A REASON.

IT COULD BE FLAWED, AS SOME HAVE SAID, INCLUDING HAPLOID.

BUT THE REALITY IS THAT IT HAS DICTATED HOW THESE FUNDS ARE SPLIT HISTORICALLY.

AND IN LARGE PART, MAYBE NOT TO A T EVERY TIME, BUT BY AND LARGE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

AND I KNOW THERE ARE TRANSIT OFFICIALS, TRANSIT PEOPLE AT NEW JERSEY TRANSIT WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HOW THESE FUNDS WILL BE SPLIT.

>> COLLEEN WILSON, USA TODAY, THINK OF THE GREAT REPORTING.

>>> AND NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY FOLLOWING TUESDAY'S RALLY.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS PURPORT FUNDED BY SJ MAGAZINE.

ONLINE AT SJ MAGAZINE.NET AND BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC AUTHORITY, HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> THERE IS ANOTHER ROUND OF FEDERAL MONEY HEADING TO HOMEOWNERS HIT HARDEST BY HURRICANE IDA.

THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS THIS WEEK WILL MAKE AVAILABLE $30 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDING TO HELP WITH THE REBUILD.

PART OF THE SECOND PHASE OF NEW JERSEY'S IDA RECOVERY PLAN.

IT WILL HELP RESIDENTS ELEVATE THEIR HOMES AND PUT IN OTHER PROTECTIONS AGAINST FUTURE FLOODING DISASTERS.

TO GET IT, YOU WILL NEED TO FILL OUT A SURVEY ONLINE THROUGH THE DCA WEBSITE.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT WILL HELP DETERMINE HOW TO DOLE OUT THE MONEY.

MEANWHILE, A DECADES-OLD PLAN FIRST PROPOSED TO HELP WITH STORM RESILIENCY AT UNION BEACH IS FINALLY LAUNCHING.

AN AREA THAT BECAME THE POSTER CHILD FOR DESTRUCTION FOLLOWING HURRICANE SANDY.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: EVEN ON BEAUTIFUL BEACH DAYS, IT CAN BE IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET ABOUT THE DEVASTATION CAUSED BY SUPER STORM SANDY ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO.

ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE IN UNION BEACH.

>> AT THAT TIME, IT WAS VERY CHAOTIC, VERY STRESSFUL.

YEAH.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO REVISIT VERY MUCH.

ALL OF US NEEDED HELP.

EVERYONE, ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS, EVERYONE STEPPED UP.

THE TOWN WAS --THE TOWN TO TAKE A VERY BIG HIT.

>> Reporter: A FEDERAL PROJECT IN UNION BEACH NOW AIMS TO BETTER PROTECT PEOPLE FROM FUTURE STORMS BY BUILDING COASTAL DEFENSES.

WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED, THEY COULD LOOK LIKE THE SEA WALLS AND FLOODGATES IN PORT MONMOUTH.

WISSMAN FRANK MALONE SAID SOMETHING HAD TO CHANGE AFTER SANDY.

>> I WAS THERE IN UNION BEACH, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, AFTER SANDY.

AND THEY WITNESSED THE DESTRUCTION THAT OCCURS WHEN YOU HAVE A MAJOR STORM LIKE SANDY.

AND IT WAS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT WE NEEDED TO PUT TOGETHER AN ARMY PROJECT THAT INVOLVED FLOODGATES.

YOU KNOW, AND TO PROTECT THE TOWN.

AND THIS IS WHAT IS NEEDED.

SO, IF WE CAN GET THIS DONE BEFORE A MAJOR STORM OCCURS AGAIN, IT WILL PROVIDE A LOT OF PROTECTION.

>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THE BOROUGH BE BETTER PREPARED FOR ANOTHER STORM THAT WOULD BE SIMILAR TO SANDY OR WORSE.

>> Reporter: BOB HOWARD IS THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR UNION BEACH.

HE SAYS, PHASE ONE OF THIS LONG- TERM PLAN WILL ADD DEFENSES ON THE BEACHFRONT, INCLUDING A SAND DUNE TO SLOW DOWN EROSION.

>> THE REST OF THE PLAN CONSISTS OF LEVEES, BERMS, OR FLOOD WALLS.

>> Reporter: THIS $50 MILLION PROJECT WAS FINALLY AWARDED LAST WEEK AFTER NEARLY 30 YEARS OF PLANNING.

HOWARD SAYS, A FAX FROM SANDY DIDN'T ACTUALLY CHANGE THE PLANS ALL THAT MUCH.

BUT IT IS BADLY NEEDED.

>> NO ONE IN UNION BEACH WANTS TO GO THROUGH SANDY AGAIN.

AND THEY HAVE SAID IT IS A 1 IN 100 YEAR STORM.

WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY STORMS RECENTLY THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY THAT WERE NOT DECLARED A 1 IN 100 YOUR STORM AND THOSE COMMUNITIES WERE DEVASTATED.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT IS FEDERALLY FUNDED.

>> SOME OF THE HOMEOWNERS MAY BE IN BUSINESSES, REFUSED TO GIVE THE RIGHT-OF-WAY TO THE PROJECT.

AND SO WE HAD TO GO TO COURT.

AND THAT LITIGATION DRAGGED ON FOR YEARS.

MY FRUSTRATION SETS AND.

ALL RIGHT, THIS HAS TAKEN A REALLY LONG TIME.

BUT AT THE SAME TOKEN, YOU DO KNOW IT IS COMING.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU BALANCE THAT OUT.

I THINK PROJECTS OF THIS SCALE, WITH THE COORDINATION THAT IS REQUIRED ALONG WITH FUNDING AND SOME OF THE OTHER ASPECTS THAT GO INTO IT, YOU KNOW, IT TAKES A LONG TIME.

>> Reporter: HOWARD SAYS ALL PHASES CAN BE COMPLETED IN 45 YEARS.

WELCOME RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS HERE AS THE SANDY ANNIVERSARY APPROACHES.

IN UNION BEACH, I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT IS GOING TO DO IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

>>> I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT.

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

RWJBARNABAS 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 IS 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 PLAN 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.