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FROM NJPBS THERE IS SPOTLIGHT NEWS >> GOOD EVENING THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

IF THERE WAS ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE TOLL THESE CORONAVIRUS HAS TAKEN ON PUBLIC HEALTH, NEW CDC DATA MAKES IT CLEAR.

U.S. LIFE EXPECTANTCY IS ESTIMATED TO LIVE 77 YEARS PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE SEEING THE BIGGEST DECLINE.

BLACK AMERICANS HAVE A LIFEEXPECTANCY THREE YEARS LOWER THAN 2019.

THOSE FIGURES ARE MORE STARK FOR HISPANIC MEN AS INFECTIONS SURGE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, NEW JERSEY IS TOUTED FOR HAVING ONE OF THE HIGHEST VACCINATION RATES IN THE NATION, THOUGH THE DELTA MEANS WE'RE NOT IMMUNE TO RISING CASE LOADS.

FIVE ADDITIONAL DEATHS ARE REPORTED IT MEANS BOTH OUR TRANSMISSION RATES ARE UP AS NOT SEEN FOR MONTHS AS HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN THIS IS A PANDEMIC AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

>>> THE AFTERMATH IS FAR FROM OVER.

ASK A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN THE STATE REELING FROM MONTHS OF CLOSURES TO CURB THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS AND LOOKING FOR WORKERS TO STAFF THE RESTAURANTS NOW THAT THEY'VE RE- OPENED.

17 MONTHS INTO THE PANDEMIC, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS RELEASING ANOTHER ROUND OF MONEY TO GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET.

BRENDA HAS THE STORY.

>> WE REALLY NEED THAT MONEY.

WE NEED THE MONEY.

>> SHE OWNS THE VIETNAM RESTAURANT AND HE HAS BACKED UP BILLS TO PAY.

HER AND HER SON WELCOMED THE GOVERNOR FOR A BILL SIGNING TODAY IT MAKES $135 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS AVAILABLE TO SMALL BUSINESSES HIT HARD BY COVID.

>> IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY, THINGS BREAK DOWN ALL THE TIME.

MY WATER HEATER JUST BROKE DOWN, MY STOVE IS NOT WORKING AND I STILL OWE THE ELECTRICIAN AND IT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY.

>> NOW TRYING TO ARE I OPEN, WE'RE GETTING AN INFLUX OF CUSTOMERS AGAIN.

PEOPLE ARE FEELING MORE COMFORTABLE COMING OUT AND STAFFING HAS BEEN OUR HARDEST ISSUE.

>> SO HAPPY TO SAY THIS BECAUSE GOD KNOWS THAT SMALL BUSINESSES NEED THIS DESPERATELY, THIS IS NOW THE LAW OF THE LAND.

>> IT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AND THE 135 MILLION GETS SPLIT FIVE WAYS TO MICRO BUSINESSES, 15 MILLION TO BARS AND RESTAURANTS, 10,000,000 TO CHILD CARE FACILITIES, ANOTHER 10,000,000 TO CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS AND 45 MILLION TO ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS >> IF YOU GO TO MAIN STREETS, BUSINESS IS BOOMING DEMAND IS HIGH FOR RESTAURANTS, BARS AND OTHER PURCHASES.

THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE LABOR MARKET IS STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP.

>> THEY CAN USE IT FOR PAYROLL, RENT, UTILITIES EVEN, BUT SOME SAY IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO VERY FAR TO SEE THE ALL FOR HIRE SIGNS, THE HIRING BONUSES THAT EXIST RIGHT NOW.

SO AGAIN IF WE COULD JUST STRESS THAT THE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES ARE THERE AND THAT THEY'RE WORKING IS REALLY CRITICAL TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS ASSOCIATION SAYS THAT THE ONGOING WORKER SHORTAGE THREATENS TO SLOW NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

THE RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY ASKED FOREXTRA AIDE TO OFFER CASH INCENTIVES TO FOR EMPLOYEES TO RETURN TO WORK.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION IT IS REAL.

I HEAR IT EVERYWHERE I GO.

IT'S PARTICULARLY REAL IN A SEASONAL PERSPECTIVE AND IT WILL GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER BECAUSE KIDS WHO GO TO COLLEGE WILL PEEL OFF TO GO TO COLLEGE IN A COUPLE WEEKS >> SOME HAVE OFFERED NON-TIP WORKERS $15 AN HOUR TO SWEETEN THE STAFF.

>> WE WILL TRY TO OFFER OUR STAFF A LITTLE HIGHER PAY.

OUR STARTING SALARIES HAS TO BE HIGHER ALSO BECAUSE YOU SEE IT EVERYWHERE, THAT EVERYBODY HAS RAISED THEIR STARTING PAY.

>> I HAVE A HELP WANTED SIGN IN THE BACK SO WHEN THINGS GET OUT OF HAND AND CUSTOMERS GET IMPATIENT, WE PUT THE HELP WANTED OUT.

>> TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE, BE PATIENT.

>> YES.

>> MOST FOLKS UNDERSTAND.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>> A SHAKEUP IN ATLANTIC COUNTY.

COUNTY PROSECUTOR IS RESIGNING PENDING LAWSUITS AND COMPLAINTS.

TO LETTER DIDN'T EXPLAIN THE REASONS FOR LEAVING, BUT ALLEGATIONS INVESTIGATED THAT HI LIED TO THE PUBLIC AND RETALIATED AGAINST A WHISTLEBLOWER AND OTHER ITEMS HE WAS ACCUSED OF ENGAGING IN UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR.

HE WAS SWORN IN AS THE FIRST BLACK PROSECUTOR UNDER CHRIS CHRISTIE, FIRST ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR CARRY SHIELD WILL TAKE OVER.

>>> AN ADVOCATE CHAINING THEMSELVES TOGETHER AND FORMING A BLOCKADE ON TUESDAY MORNING IN FRONT OF AN UNMARKED IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOM OFFICE IN KNEW WAR IN -- THE GROUP HAVE BEEN PROTESTING FOR THE RELEASE OF DETAINEES TO THEIR FAMILIES ACCUSING ICE OF INHUMANE PRACTICES.

THIS IS AFTER 4 CENTERS BEGAN HALTING THEIR AGREEMENTS WITH ICE.

>>> NO ARRESTS WERE MADE AND NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE DEMONSTRATION.

>>> AN UPDATE TONIGHT ON A STORY THAT WE BROUGHT YOU IN JUNE WHEN THREE FAMILIES WERE HANDED THE KEYS TO A PLACE THEY CAN CALL THEIR OWN AT A TIME WHEN CITIES ARE STRUGGLING TO BOOST HOMEOWNER SHIP AND PULL GENERATIONS OUT OF HEALTH DISPARITIES.

IT'S THE LARGEST CITY IN NEW JERSEY, BUT HOMEOWNERSHIP IS LOW, ABOUT 70% OF THE RESIDENTS IN NEW ARK RENT.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVED OUT.

ANITA EXPLAINS PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN STARTED TO BUY INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, RENTING IT OUT AND COLLECTING A CHECK.

>> TENANTS SOMETIMES DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A STAKE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT PLAYS A BIG PART AND WHEN YOU HAVE HOMEOWNERS THAT DON'T MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.

>> SO THE CITY IS HOPING TO REVERSE THIS TREND BY GIVING FAMILIES A CHANCE TO OWN THEIR FIRST HOME.

>> THE GOAL WITH THE NORTH LAND BANK IS TO TELL THE PROPERTIES TO FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS WHETHER YOU'RE A RESIDENT OR SOMEONE LOOKING TO MOVE HERE AND THERE'S GOING TO BE HOUSES SET ASIDE FOR THE ACTUAL PROGRAM FOR THE SECTION 8 PROGRAM.

>> ON WEDNESDAY, THREE FAMILIES SELECTED BY A LOTTERY GOT TO SEE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE, CLOSING ON THEIR FIRST HOMES.

THE HOMES FROM THE LAND BANK WERE RENOVATED FOR FAMILIES ENROLLED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

THEY STRUCTURED PAYMENTS SO THEY COULD USE THEIR VOUCHER TOWARD A MORTGAGE AND IN 15 YEARS TIME, THEY WILL OWN THEIR OWN HOME.

>> IT'S A GREAT STORY TO PULL PEOPLE FROM RENTING FOR YEARS AND PUT THEM INTO A HOME.

THAT'S WHAT THE AMERICAN DREAM IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT.

HOMEOWNERSHIP IS THE LARGEST REASON THERE'S A WEALTH GAP BETWEEN BLACK AND BROWN AND FAMILIES IN AMERICA.

>> A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT EXISTED HISTORICALLY, DIDN'T FIND THEIR WAY INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.

THAT PLAYS A BIG ROLE OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE CITY AND WE'RE LOOKING TO TURN THE TIDE AND ASSURE THAT EQUITY IS NOW TARGETED AND BUILT IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

>> IT'S GIVING THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO GET PROPERTIES THAT ARE AFFORDABLE.

>> SHE GAVE US A TOUR OF THE ONES SHE BUILT.

IT WAS A BLIGHTED, CITY-OWNED PROPERTY VACANT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS LAST YEAR THE CAMERAS WATCHED THE FAMILIES MOVING IN TAKING A TOUR FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> THE KIDS RUNNING AROUND, MY BACKYARD, I'M NOT LEAVING.

IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES SHE'S A HARD-WORKING MOM, AND DAD AND THE PARENTS AND TO BE ABLE TO BUY A HOME UNDER THIS SECTION 8 PROGRAM IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S A LEGACY THAT SHE STARTS FOR HER CHILDREN.

>> YOU SEE A HOME LIKE THIS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, EVERYONE ELSE STARTS TO INVEST AND REHAB BECAUSE THEIR PROPERTY VALUES GO UP AS WELL YOU START SEEING A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE TO DEVELOP AROUND THIS INVESTMENT.

>> THE CITY IS CURRENTLY IN THE DEMOLITION PHASE ON FOUR OTHER PROPERTIES TO BE AWARDED TO ADDITIONAL RECIPIENTS >> AS WE BOOST THE PERCENTAGE OF HOMEOWNERSHIP, THERE'S EQUITY BEING BUILT AND EQUALITY IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITY.

>> AN APPEAL TO ALLOW TENANTS HIT BY THE PANDEMIC TO USE THEIR SECURITY DEPOSITS TO PAY RENT.

PART OF THE ATTEMPT TO STAVE OFF EVICTIONS.

IT'S A BLOW FOR THE FIVE LANDLORDS ARGUING THE ORDER SAYING THE GOVERNOR OVERSTEPPED HIS AUTHORITY AND VIOLATED THEIR RIGHTS.

JOINING US TO EXPLAIN WHERE IT GOES FROM HERE.

>> JOHN, THIS HAS BEEN QUITE THE BATTLE BETWEEN LANDLORD AND TENANTS WHAT DID THE COURT SAY WAS THE REASON FOR DISMISSING THIS?

>> THE COURT CONCLUDED THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS WITHIN HIS RIGHTS TO ISSUE THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER LAST APRIL WHICH ALLOWS TENANTED WHO WERE BEING HIT BY THE PANDEMIC TO USE THEIR DEPOSITS TO HELP PAY THEIR RENT.

AND THE REASONING WAS, HE WAS AUTHORIZED UNDER STATE LAW, IT GAVE HIM A WIDE DISCRETION TO TAKE MEASURES THAT IN HIS JUDGMENT PROTECTED PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.

OF COURSE, THE GOVERNOR WAS ANXIOUS TO PREVENT ANY INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS.

>> WHAT DID THE LANDLORD SAY WAS THE STICKING POINT FOR THEM ABOUT SPECIFICALLY USING THAT SECURITY DEPOSIT MONEY.

>> REASON THAT PEOPLE PAY SECURITY DEPOSITS IS TO PRIMARILY IS TO HELP THE LANDLORDSES COVER ANY POTENTIAL DAMAGES TO THE PROPERTY THAT THE TENANTS OCCUPIED.

AND OF COURSE THE LANDLORDS WERE UNHAPPY THAT THEY, UNDER THIS ORDER, THEY WERE NOT GOING TO BE COVERED AS IT WERE AND ONE OF THE PLAINTIFFS WAS A LANDLORD THERE AND CLOSER TO SAYING THAT HIS TENANTS USED ABOUT $1,500 WORTH OF THEIR SECURITY SECURITY DEPOSIT AND THEN LEFT AND THEN THE LANDLORD ACCORDING TO THE JUDGMENT YESTERDAY WAS LEFT WITH A BILL FOR DAMAGES TO THAT APARTMENT FOR ABOUT $1,800.

THAT'S A SMALL EXAMPLE OF THE KINDS OF CONCERNS THAT THE LANDLORDS HAVE.

>> VERY QUICKLY, IS THERE ANY WAY FOR THE LANDLORDS TO RECOUP THE MONEY?

>> THE GOVERNOR IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDER PUT CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROTECT THE LANDLORD'S INTERESTS IF TENANTS RENEWED THEIR LEASE, THEY MUST REPLENISH THEIR SECURITY DEPOSIT IF ANY OF IT HAD BEEN USED TO PAY RENT.

>> GOODS TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

IN OUR BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, A HISTORIC SETTLEMENT YEARS IN THE MAKING OVER THE NATION'S DEADLY OPIOID CRISIS.

THE JERSEY-BASED COMMENT THAT WILL PAY BILLIONS.

>> A DEAL HAS BEEN REACHED TO SETTLE THOUSANDS OF OPIOID LAWSUITS.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND THREE DRUG DISTRIBUTERS HAVE AGREED TO PAY $26 BILLION TO SETTLE GOVERNMENT LAWSUITS ARGUING THAT THEIR MISHANDLING OF THE PAINKILLERS HELPED TO CREATE A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON WILL PAY $5 BILLION AS PART OF THE SETTLEMENT.

LOCAL COUNTY AND STATE GOVERNMENTS FILED THOUSANDS OF SUITS SEEKING BILLIONS SPENT BATTLING THE OPIOID CRISIS.

>>> ONE OF THE DEVELOPERS PLANNING TO BUILD A WIND FARM OFF OF THE JERSEY COAST IS GIVING AN UPDATE.

ATLANTIC SHORES RECEIVED APPROVAL FOR A MEGAWATT PROJECT ON A PORTION OF THE LEASE IT OWNS AND EXPECTS THE WINDS FORM TO BE OPERATIONAL BY 2027.

AS OUR TOM JOHNSON FOUND OUT, THE COMPANY IS HOPING TO BUILD MORE THAN THAT.

>> THEY HAVE THE LARGEST LEASE AREA OF ANY WIND PROJECT IN THE COUNTRY AT THIS POINT.

AND THEY HOPE TO BUILD ANOTHER TOTAL, EVENTUALLY, A TOTAL OF 3,000 MEGAWATTS OF OFF-SHORE WIND IN NEW JERSEY.

>> A LONG WAY TOWARD MEETING NEW JERSEY'S CLEAN ENERGY GOALS ATLANTIC SHORES SAYS THAT THE PROJECT WILL CREATE THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS FOR MORE ON THIS STORY, CHECK OUT TOM'S REPORTING ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> THE NEW JERSEY LOTTERY LIKES TO SAY ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN NEW JERSEY AND NOW THAT INCLUDES RECORD LOTTERY TICKET SALES THE TOTAL $368 BILLION THIS YEAR.

SALES WERE BOOSTED IN PART BECAUSE CONSUMERS HAD FEWER OPTIONS FOR ENTERTAINMENT SPENDING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HERE'S A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING.

THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS NARK MAKING THE SWITCH WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR THOSE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM WHILE TRYING TO GET INTO THE RHYTHM OF VIRTUAL SCHOOL IN THE PANDEMIC.

SKILLS THAT TOOK YEARS TO LEARN MAY HAVE SLIPPED AWAY DURING THE PERIODS OF ISOLATION WE TURN TO THE DOCTOR, SECTION CHIEF FOR BEHAVIOR PEDIATRICS >> THIS IS THE TIME WHEN FAMILIES REALLY TAKE STOCK IN WHAT THIS LAST YEAR DID TO OUR KIDS.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE IMPACT FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER?

>> IT STARTS WITH ONE OF THE CORE FEATURES OF THE DISORDER WHICH IS ATTENDCY TOWARD REPRESENTATIVE BEHAVIORS, A NEED FOR RITUALS AND ROUTINES AND SOMETIMES THOSE ARE OBVIOUS TO PEOPLE LIKE HAND CLAPPING OR ROCKING, BUT IT CAN BE SUBTLE THINGS JUST A TENDENCY FOR A NEED FOR A CERTAIN SCHEDULE AND A CERTAIN WAY OF DOING THINGS.

SO FOR OUR PATIENTS ON THE SPEC RUM AND THEIR SPECTRUM, THAT WAS THE FIRST MAJOR CHANGE WAS THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT TO DEAL WITH AND NOW AS WE THINK ABOUT GOING BACK IN THE FALL, HAVING IN- PERSON SCHOOL AGAIN, WHICH MANY ARE WELCOMING, BUT IT'S ANOTHER CHANGE.

>> WE DID.

WE HEARD FROM SO MANY PARENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO SAID YOU CAN'T IMAGINE THE CHALLENGES WE'VE BEEN UP AGAINST WHAT IS THE ADVISE FOR MAKING IT A SMOOTHER TRANSITION?

>> WHAT I TRY TO FOCUS IS ON PREPARATION FOR MANY ON THE SPECTRUM, IF THEY HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTAND OF WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHAT THEIR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE AND IT CAN BE COMMUNICATED IN DIFFERENT WAYS FOR DIFFERENT KIDS.

A VISUAL SCHEDULE.

A SCHEDULE WITH PICTURES ON WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE DAY, IT COULD BE ACTUAL PICTURES OF THE ENVIRONMENT THEY WILL BE IN.

THAT COULD BE HELPFUL.

IT COULD BE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PHYSICALLY GO INTO THE SCHOOL AND RUN THROUGH WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO GO AND WHAT TO DO DURING THE DAY TO HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE AHEAD OF TIME.

ANY WAY THE PARENT CAN CREATE IT, THAT WOULD BE MY ADVICE.

>> IF I'M SOMEONE WHOSE CHILD WAS REMOTE, IS THERE A WAY TO SET A TIME FRAME ON HOW LONG IT MIGHT TAKE TO MAKE UP FOR THE LEARNING LOSS?

>> THAT'S A VERY, VERY GOOD QUESTION IT'S NOT THE SAY THAT ALL KIDS FAILED IN VIRTUAL LEARNING.

SOME WERE SUCCESSFUL WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING AND WHAT I'VE SEEN, SOMETIMES IT'S ACADEMICALLY THEY EXCELLED IN ONE AREA BUT IN SOCIAL THEY SUFFERED.

IT'S HARD TO SAY HOW THE RESULTS WILL BE FELT, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN SPECIAL NEEDS, WHAT MAY TAKE ONE CHILD A FEW MONTHS TO GET OVER, I ALSO ANTICIPATE IT WILL TAKE DOUBLE THAT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WITH DIFFERENT NEEDS.

WE HAVE NO WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LAST SUMMER WAS A FIRST FOR MANY PARTICIPATING IN RALLIES AND MARCHS IN THE MOVEMENT FOR BLACK LIVES THIS SUMMER IS A CONTINUATION OF THAT ACTIVISM WITH A NEW SPACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME CIVICALLY ENGAGED.

A BLACK LIVES MATTER SUMMER CAMP OVERSEEN BY THE CHAPTER.

FREE TO ANYONE INTERESTED AND THE CAMP IS NOT JUST GEARED TOWARD THE YOUTH, IT'S BEEN RUN BY THEM TOO.

WHEN MOST PEOPLE THINK OF SUMMER CAMP, THINGS LIKE PLAYING SPORTS, SWIMMING AND OUTING TO THE PARK COME TO MIND.

>> THE THING WE'RE GOING TO READ TODAY IS HOW TO WORK DOWN.

>> THINGS ARE DIFFERENT IN PATTERSON.

>> WE USUALLY GO OVER ANY TYPE OF SOCIAL INJUSTICES.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT RACISM, COLORISM, THINGS THE KIDS WILL COME INTO CONTACT WITH IN SOCIETY TODAY.

>> OVER A DOZEN CHILDREN IN THE SIXTH TO EIGHTH GRADE ARE SPENDING PART OF THEIR SUMMER ATTENDING THIS CAMP.

>> OUR TEACHER DOESN'T TEACH US THIS STUFF.

THE ONLY PEOPLE THEY TEACH US ABOUT IS MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., ROSA PARKS AND MARCOM X.

>> WE WANT TO HAVE A SPACE TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT ARE NOT TALKED ABOUT IN THE SCHOOL.

>> IT'S LED BY COUNSELORS OF 15- 18 YEARS OLD.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE 12-YEAR-OLD APPRECIATES.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE I WOULDN'T BE WILLING TO SHARE ANYTHING WITH PEOPLE I DIDN'T TRUST.

BUT BECAUSE IT'S PEOPLE I TRUST, IT'S EASIER TO TELL THEM THINGS >> OVERSEEN BY THE BLACK LIVES MATTER PATTERSON CHAPTER.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT THEY'RE SCARED BECAUSE YOU CHOSE THIS JOB.

I DID NOT CHOSE TO BE BLACK, THAT'S HOW I AM.

>> HOW ELSE DO YOU EXPECT ME TO REACT WHEN I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG AND YOU PULL OUT A GUN?

I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG AND YOU'RE PUTTING MY LIFE AT RISK FOR NOTHING.

>> CAMPERS GET A CHANCE TO OPENLY EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS OF SOCIAL ISSUES WITHOUT JUDGMENT AND FEAR OF CONSEQUENCES >> I KNOW MY RIGHTS MY RIGHTS ARE JUST TO BE BLACK.

I SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE BLACK WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY AM I GOING TO GET SHOT?

AM I GOING TO GO TO JAIL?

>> DURING THIS ACTIVITY, THEY WERE ASKED TO WRITE DOWN STEREO TYPE WORDS.

>> I'M NOT LESS THAN, I AM NOT VIOLENT AND I AM NOT GET -- >> I FEEL LIKE WE CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS OF REF FORMATION WITH WE'RE NOT DOING THE WORK AND PUTTING OURSELF INTO THE WORK AND NOT EDUCATING AS MANY AS I CAN.

AS A PERSON OF COLOR, IF I CAN'T TELL OTHER PEOPLE OF OTHER RACES TO RESEARCH IF I'M NOT SETTING THE EXAMPLE.

>> THE BLACK LIVES MATTER CAMP RUNS TO THE END OF THE MONTH.

THEY HOPE IT IS SOMETHING TO BRING BACK NEXT YEAR.

I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THOSE MASSIVE WILDFIRES BURNING IN THE U.S. AND CANADA ARE CREATING THEIR OWN WEATHER YOU'VE LIKELY NOTICED A LITTLE EXTRA SUMMER HAZE IN THE AIR THIS WEEK.

THE SMOKE IS TRAVELING WITH THE JET STREAM DRIFTING INTO THE NORTHEAST SOME RESIDENTS REPORTED A BROWN-LIKE TINT TO THE SKY.

THEY ISSUED AIR QUALITY ALERT THROUGH COUNTIES THROUGH MIDNIGHT TONIGHT.

THEY SAY THAT THE SMOKE IS HIGH IN THE ATMOSPHERE SO YOU WON'T SMELL IT BUT IT IS RUINING WHAT WOULD BE BLUE-SKY DAYS THE HAZE IS MAKING FOR SOME PRETTY VIVID SUNSETS AND SUNRISES THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD OVER TO OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

THE OCEAN WING PROJECT.

PSAG CREATED TO THE CREATION OF A LONG-TERM GREEN FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHASING THE DREAM IS PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING --