>>> 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 AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

ACCORDING TO THE WHITE HOUSE, HE'S EXPERIENCING MILD SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING FATIGUE, BUT NO FEVER.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME THE PRESIDENT, WHO IS FULLY VACCINATED AND TWICE BOOSTED, IS TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

IN A VIDEO POSTED ON TWITTER, THE PRESIDENT SAID HE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WHILE IN ISOLATION AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

HE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED PAXLOVID, IT'S AN ANTIVIRAL DRUG USED TO TREAT MILD AND MODERATE CASES OF THE DISEASE.

FOR PEOPLE AT RISK OF SEVERE ILLNESS, AT 79 YEARS OLD, THE PRESIDENT IS PART OF THAT GROUP.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC, BEING FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE CHANCES OF HOSPITALIZATION OR DEATH FOR OLDER ADULTS.

>>> ACROSS NEW JERSEY TODAY, THE SUPER STEALTH BA.5 VARIANT IS CONTINUING TO INFECT RESIDENTS.

MORE THAN 3800 NEW CASES AND SEVEN MORE DEATHS BEING REPORTED.

NEARLY 7 MILLION ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED HERE.

THE LEAST AMONG THEM THOUGH, YOUNG CHILDREN.

AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, LOW DEMAND ISN'T JUST DUE TO HESITANCY FROM PARENTS.

>> NOW THAT HE'S GOT BOTH OF HIS SHOTS, THAT HAS CLEARED UP SO MUCH STRESS AND ANXIETY IN MY MIND.

>> Reporter: THIS WOMAN'S 3- YEAR-OLD HAS A GENETIC CONDITION.

PROTECTING HIM FROM COVID HAS BEEN STRESSFUL.

YESTERDAY, HE COMPLETED HIS SECOND ROUND OF COVID VACCINE.

>> IT JUST SO RELIEVING.

IT PLAYED SUCH A BIG PART IN MY MIND THESE LAST TWO YEARS.

WHEN IS HE GOING TO GET VACCINATED?

HOW CAN I KEEP HIM SAFE?

>> Reporter: SHE HAD TO FIND A LOCATION WITH SHOTS.

MANY PEDIATRICIANS ARE NOT YET CARRYING IT.

FOR SOME FAMILIES, THE SEARCH CAN BE HARDER BECAUSE FAMILIES ARE LICENSED TO ADMINISTER SHOTS TO KIDS THAT DO 3.

PLUS, SOME ONLY WANT ONE SPECIFIC BRAND.

>> WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED OVER THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET APPROVED, PFIZER WAS HOLDING THEM BACK, AND THAT WAS REALLY FRUSTRATING.

I KNOW A LOT OF PARENTS WERE NOT GOING TO GET PFIZER.

>> Reporter: MANY OFFICES ARE ONLY CARRYING PFIZER.

>> THERE IS A PREFERENCE BASED ON THE OFFICES.

NATURALLY BECAUSE WE'VE USED PFIZER FOR THE LAST YEAR AMONGST THE POPULATION.

A LOT OF OFFICES PREFER TO STICK WITH ONE VACCINE AS OPPOSED TO BOTH.

>> Reporter: THIS DOCTOR SAYS THE STATE IS OFFERING BOTH THAT LARGER SITES.

SHE'S OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WHERE THE STATE STANDS ON VACCINATING ITS KIDS.

>> WE ARE DOING FAIRLY WELL IN THE OLDER, OLDEST CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

MORE THAN TWO THIRDS OF THEM HAVE HAD BOTH OF THEIR VACCINES.

MANY OF THEM HAVE HAD BOOSTER SHOTS.

FOR THE YOUNGER, 5 TO 11, THAT WAS A LITTLE SLOWER UPDATE, AROUND 40% NOW.

WE ARE SEEING THE SAME THING WITH THE UNDER 5 GROUPS.

>> Reporter: A SIMILAR SLOW START IN THE YOUNGEST KIDS AS WELL.

OUT OF THE STATE'S 550,000 KIDS UNDER NUMBER FIVE, ONLY ABOUT 12,000 SHOTS HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.

MODERNA DATA ISN'T YET CLEAR.

ONE DOCTOR DOES SEE A LOT OF VACCINE HESITANCY AMONG PARENTS OF THE YOUNGEST KIDS.

>> I THINK THE PARENTS ARE GETTING A LITTLE MORE COMPLACENT.

THEY ARE THINKING THAT THE PANDEMIC IS OVER.

THE MASKS ARE OFF AND THEY ARE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE THEY CAN.

>> Reporter: ARE YOU SEEING A DIFFERENCE IN THE RATES OF COVID BETWEEN THE OLDER PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED VERSUS THE YOUNGEST TO HAVEN'T?

>> SINCE WE'VE GOT THEM ALL VACCINATED, I THINK WE ARE SEEING WITHIN THE LAST THREE MONTHS PALMA I'D PROBABLY SAY, LESS AMONGST THE TEENAGERS.

PROBABLY MORE SO TO YOUNGER KIDS.

WE ARE SEEING BABIES, INFANTS, STILL GETTING COVID, BUT I THINK WE ARE SEEING LESS IN THE VACCINATED POPULATION, AND MORE SO IN THE UNVACCINATED POPULATION.

>> Reporter: THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS SHOWS AN UPSWING OF KIDS GETTING COVID.

>> WITH THE OMICRON VARIANT, A LOT OF THE DISEASE HAS BEEN IN THE UPPER AIRWAY.

SO ABOVE THE THROAT.

A LOT OF CONGESTION IN THE NOSE AND ALSO SORE THROATS.

FOR THE YOUNGEST CHILDREN, THAT CAN BE A PROBLEM.

THEY CAN DEVELOP BRONCHITIS.

THEY CAN MAKE THAT BARKING COUGH AND SOMETIMES GET INTO TROUBLE WITH THEIR AIRWAYS.

>> Reporter: A CONCERN THAT THE WOMAN TAKES WITH HER.

>> SHE IS PROTECTED.

WE DID WHAT WE CAN.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HE HASN'T SEEN IN TWO YEARS.

THAT'S REALLY NICE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER STEP IN THEIR RETURN TO NORMAL.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> TURNING NOW TO OUR OTHER TOP STORY TONIGHT.

THE SCORCHING HEAT WAVE NOW IN ITS FOURTH DAY.

THE HEAT INDEX CLIMBING ABOVE 100 DEGREES IN MANY AREAS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, MAKING TODAY THE HOTTEST AND MOST HUMID IN THE STRETCH.

BY 1:00 IN NEWARK TODAY, THE THERMOMETER ALREADY HIT 98 DEGREES.

THESE DANGEROUS TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO LAST THROUGH MONDAY.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUT ALL 21 COUNTIES UNDER A HEAT ADVISORY.

HALF THE STATE HAS BEEN ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ALERT.

AT THE SAME TIME, NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER, THE STATE'S LARGEST WATER COMPANY, IS ASKING CUSTOMERS AND SEVEN COUNTIES TO RESTRICT WATER USAGE.

THEY ARE BEING ASKED TO PULL BACK ON WATERING THEIR LAWNS AND GARDENS, EVEN THOUGH THEY SURE COULD USE IT.

MORE THAN HALF THE STATE IS EXPERIENCING WHAT'S CALLED ABNORMALLY DRY CONDITIONS.

WITH FIRE DANGERS ELEVATED.

A RUTGERS METEOROLOGIST EXPLAINS WHAT IS DRIVING THE HEAT.

>> AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK EARLY NEXT WEEK, GIVEN THE LARGE SCALE CONDITIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND THE CENTRAL PLAINS ARE ALLOWING THE HEAT TO BUILD.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GETTING RIGHT NOW AND THE WINDS ARE COMING FROM THE WEST AND SOUTHWEST.

THAT BLOWS THE HOT AIR RIGHT TOWARDS US.

AS THE DROUGHT CONDITIONS CONTINUE ACROSS THE CENTER U.S., CERTAINLY THE CONDITIONS ARE THEREFORE CONTINUED BURSTS OF HEAT TO MAKE THEIR WAY EAST.

>>> NEW JERSEY OFFICIALLY JOINED 46 OTHER STATE TODAY IN REQUIRING ALL POLICE OFFICERS TO BE LICENSED.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED THE LEGISLATION CREATING A SYSTEM OF CERTIFYING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT REQUIRES EVERY OFFICER TO HOLD A VALID, ACTIVE LICENSE, ISSUED BY THE POLICE TRAINING COMMISSION.

THE MOVE IS AN EFFORT TO BUILD PUBLIC TRUST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND PREVENT OFFICERS WHO ARE FOUND GUILTY OF MISCONDUCT FROM JUMPING BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS.

THE LAW HAS BUY IN FROM SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND POLICE UNIONS.

OFFICERS WILL NEED TO RENEW THEIR LICENSE THREE YEARS AFTER IT IS ISSUED.

>> BEING A MEMBER OF NEW JERSEY'S LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY IS A PRIVILEGE, IT IS NOT A RIGHT.

THIS NEW LICENSE WILL SEND A STRONG MESSAGE THAT THE PERSON ENTRUSTED WITH IT TAKES THIS PRIVILEGE SERIOUSLY.

THAT THEY ARE COMMITTED TO BEING AN EXAMPLE FOR THEIR COLLEAGUES, AND COMMUNITIES.

AND THAT THEY ARE LIVING UP TO THEIR PROFESSIONAL OATHS IN ALL THAT THEY DO.

ITS VALUE IS MUCH MORE THAN THE PAPER IT IS PRINTED ON THE LINES.

IT IS ON EVERY OFFICER IN THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE.

>>> A LARGE TURNOUT IN CAPE MAY WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

ABOUT 200 50 PEOPLE MARCHED FROM CONVENTION HALL IN PROTEST OVER ABORTION RIGHTS.

RAISING AWARENESS AND ABOUT $5000 FOR A NATIONAL FUND SUPPORTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND ABORTION.

THE BANS OFF OUR BODIES MARCH WAS ORGANIZED BY A WOMEN OWNED AND RUN TATTOO SHOP IN WEST CAPE MAY.

IT IS ALL IN RESPONSE TO THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE.

SUPPORTERS GATHERED ON THE BEACH CARRYING SIGNS AND BANNERS AND LEADING CHANCE AND HANDING OUT RESOURCES TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO GET INVOLVED.

ORGANIZERS MADE THE POINT THAT THE FIGHT IS NOT JUST FOR WOMEN, BUT TRANS MEN AND NON- BINARY PEOPLE WHO ALSO SEEK ABORTION CARE.

>>> WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT ANOTHER CRITICAL HEALTH ISSUE IN THE STATE.

THE RAPID RISE IN OVERDOSE DEATHS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

TOTALITY SPIKED 30% FROM 2019 TO 2020.

FUELED BY UNPRECEDENTED LOCKDOWNS THAT RAISED LEVELS OF STRESS AND ANXIETY, THAT PART THOUGH IS WELL KNOWN.

NEW DATA FROM THE CDC REVEALS SOME COMMUNITIES WERE HIT HARDER THAN OTHERS.

FATAL OVERDOSES AMONG BLACK RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES WAS TWICE THAT OF WHITE RESIDENTS.

WORSHIPER BLACK TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS.

OVERDOSE DEATHS JUMPED 86% AMONG THE 15 TO 24-YEAR-OLD POPULATION.

THE BIGGEST RISE IN ANY DEMOGRAPHIC.

HISPANICS IN THE SAME AGE GROUP SAW A 51% INCREASE IN THESE DEATHS.

BOTH THE CORONAVIRUS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ARE TAKING A DISPROPORTIONATE TOLL ON PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> THE PANDEMIC HAD AN UNBELIEVABLY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S MENTAL HEALTH.

IT DISTRESSED, THE ANXIETY, THE FEAR, THE DEATH, ALL OF THAT.

THAT WAS EXACERBATED IN BLACK AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES.

THEY WERE MORE LIKELY TO BE ON THE FRONTLINES IN JOBS.

THEY WERE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE IT SPREAD AT HOME AND IN COMMUNITIES, AND LESS LIKELY TO HAVE ACCESS TO CARE.

VACCINES AND CARE.

THESE FACTORS MAY HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO DO, LIKELY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH WHY WE ARE SEEING HIGHER OVERDOSE RATES.

>>> 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.

>>> AN UPDATE ON A STORY WE FIRST BROUGHT YOU IN APRIL.

THE MOTHER OF A 24-YEAR-OLD, THE NAVY S.E.A.L.

CANDIDATE WHO DIED DURING HELL WEEK TRAINING CONTINUES HER NIGHTMARE JOURNEY WITH HER PUSH TO REFORM THE TRAINING PROCESS.

LAST WEEK, THE U.S. HOUSE VOTED TO APPROVE THE NAVAL SAFETY ENHANCEMENT AMENDMENT.

IT IS LED BY A NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN AND DIRECTS THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO CONDUCT A REVIEW, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MORE OVERSIGHT AND MEDICAL CARE FOR NAVY CANDIDATES IN HIGH STRESS TRAININGS.

REGINA MULLEN IS STILL SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS, AND ACCOUNTABILITY AS TO WHY HER SON DIDN'T RECEIVE PROPER MEDICAL ATTENTION.

MILITARY AUTOPSIES REVEALED HIS CAUSE OF DEATH AS PNEUMONIA.

HE INDICATED HE WENT UNTREATED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE.

I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH REGINA MULLEN'S.

HEAD DO YOU THINK THAT HAD THIS BEEN IN PLACE WHILE KYLE WAS GOING TO THE TRAINING, THAT HE MIGHT STILL BE HERE?

>> THERE IS NO MIKE, HE WOULD DEFINITELY STILL BE HERE.

OVERSIGHT AND DIAGNOSING OF HIS PNEUMONIA AND TREATING IT IS WHY HE IS DEAD TODAY.

THAT IS SAD TO SAY TO ME.

>> YOU ARE STILL CALLING FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION FROM THE NAVY.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

>> THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE NCIS INVESTIGATION, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT CAN'T BE SIMULTANEOUS LIKE I'VE COMPLETED LISETTE.

EVEN NCIS JUST GETS WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR OR WHAT THEY ARE ALLOWED, THOSE MEN ARE ALLOWED TO TELL THEM.

ANYONE WHO SAYS ANYTHING AGAINST THE COMMAND GETS LET GO AND THEY GET SEVERE DISCIPLINE.

THAT IS GOING ON.

THE ONLY WAY I CAN PROVE THAT IS BY THAT INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.

I ASKED FOR THE MEN TO GO IN FRONT OF CONGRESS UNDER OATH.

WHETHER IT IS THE 54 THAT BEGAN HELL WEEK, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LOT TO SAY, TRUST ME WHEN I TELL YOU, OR THE 20 THAT SECURED HELL WEEK WITH MY SON.

THEY ARE ALL AFRAID TO SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE THE ONES THAT RANG THE BELL ARE IN THE NAVY AND THEY WOULD BE SEVERELY RETALIATED AGAINST.

THE ONES THAT CROSSED, THE ONE THAT DID, HE IS GETTING DISCHARGED.

>> RINGING THE BELL MEANING THEY SIGNAL FOR MEDICAL CARE.

MEDICAL HELP.

>> WELL, YES.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IF THEY QUIT.

IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN THAT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU ARE GOING TO GET MEDICAL ATTENTION, BUT THAT IS WHAT WAS GOING ON.

THAT WILL COME OUT AND I HOPE IT DOES WITH NCAA AS.

IT WILL DEFINITELY COME OUT WITH INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.

THERE IS SO MUCH WRONGDOING, WHETHER THEY ARE SWIMMING AND HIGH BACTERIA BODY OF WATER WHEN THEY SHOULD BE.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE BACTERIA LEVEL WAS, WHICH COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO HIS PNEUMONIA.

I DON'T KNOW.

THERE IS DEFINITELY, POSSIBLY, HGH AND STEROIDS PROBLEMS GOING ON.

THAT COULD BE ALSO PROVEN AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE.

THERE IS DEFINITELY MY SON WAS AN ENLISTED MEMBER.

THEY ARE TORTURED MORE THAN OFFICERS, AND HE WAS DEFINITELY SINGLED OUT.

THOSE MEN WOULD TESTIFY THAT IF THEY HAD THAT INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.

THAT'S WHY HE WAS BASICALLY IN THE WORST SHAPE.

THE MEN ARE ALMOST LIKE GEARED TOWARD THIS CULTURE WHERE IF YOU ARE SICK YOU ARE WEAK AND THEY WON'T HELP YOU.

IT'S TERRIBLE.

>> YOU FOUGHT FOR THE AUTOPSY REPORT.

YOU HAD TO GO ABOUT GETTING A PRIVATE ONE CONDUCTED.

DO YOU FEEL THAT THE NAVY IS STILL COVERING UP?

>> I DO.

>> WHAT IN PARTICULAR?

>> STEROID, HGH ABUSE.

DEFINITELY TORTURE, THEY CALL IT TRAINING, IT'S TORTURE.

THEY WENT OUTSIDE OF PROTOCOL, WHICH IS WHY THE MEN WERE SEVERELY INJURED.

UNDERREPORTING INJURIES.

GOING OUT OF PROTOCOLS TO TEST FOR HGH STEROIDS.

THEY ARE DOING TWO MEN AT A TIME AS OPPOSED TO ONE AT A TIME.

THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE ONE IN A ROOM.

THEY PUT TWO MEN TOGETHER SO THEY CAN CROSS SAMPLES.

THERE'S A LOT GOING ON.

IT'S REALLY BAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THE COMMANDER GETS TO RETIRE.

HE WASN'T PULLED IMMEDIATELY.

DERELICTION OF DUTY, AND LOSS OF CONFIDENCE BY THE MEN.

I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M HEARING THE MEDICAL COMMANDER IS GETTING PROMOTED.

THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

>> YOU DON'T PLAN TO STOP HERE WITH THIS AMENDMENT, WHAT'S NEXT?

>> I REALLY DON'T KNOW YET.

I JUST TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME.

I'M GETTING BRIEFED AUGUST 4th.

I JUST FOUND THAT OUT TODAY.

I'M GETTING BRIEFED BY I DON'T KNOW WHO.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT SURVEY THAN THE NCIS INVESTIGATION, OR COMMAND INVESTIGATIONS.

THAT'S JUST TO SAY WHAT CHANGES THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE.

I'M TOLD THE NCIS INVESTIGATION TELLS WHAT PUNISHMENT IS GOING TO BE MADE.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND OUR THOUGHTS TO YOUR FAMILY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> A MASSIVE PROJECT IS UNDERWAY TO REMOVE AND REPLACE 6500 LEAD SERVICE LINES.

HALF ARE LOCATED IN PATTERSON.

THE PASSAIC VALLEY WATER COMMISSION AND THE MAYOR TODAY ANNOUNCED THE START OF THE WORK, WHICH INCLUDES INVESTIGATING ANOTHER 11,000 SERVICE LINES THAT MAY ALSO BE POSING SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS.

THE AGING PIPES CONNECT THE WATER MAIN TO WATERLINES INSIDE HOMES AND BUILDINGS.

THE ROUGHLY $50 MILLION PROJECT IS BEING PAID FOR THROUGH A STATE BOND, AND LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM DUE TO LEGISLATION REQUIRING ALL LEAD AND GALVANIZED STEEL SERVICE LINES BE REPLACED BY 2031.

THERE'S NO SAFE LEVEL OF LEAD EXPOSURE, BUT IT'S NOT JUST FOUND IN DRINKING WATER.

LEAD IS STILL PRESENT IN OLD PAINT FOUND IN THE AGING HOUSING STOCK ACROSS NEW JERSEY, AND IT'S A COMMON SOURCE OF POISONING FOR YOUNG KIDS.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS ON A NEW LAW REQUIRING THE STATE TO REMEDIATE THOUSANDS OF LEAD BURDEN HOMES GOING INTO EFFECT THIS WEEK.

>> IF IT'S A YOUNG PERSON, IF A CHILD TESTS POSITIVE, THAT'S WHEN THE STATE STEPS IN AND TAKES ACTION.

TODAY, WE CHANGE THAT PRACTICE.

NO LONGER OUR KIDS THE LITMUS TEST.

>> Reporter: STARTING FRIDAY, THE NEW LEAD SAFE CERTIFICATE LAW WILL GO INTO EFFECT.

THE NEW LAW WILL REQUIRE ALL NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALITIES TO ENFORCE LEAD INSPECTION FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES LIKE THIS ONE HERE IN TRENTON.

>> THERE ARE AT LEAST 257,000 HOUSING UNITS IN NEW JERSEY WITH CHILDREN UNDER 6.

THEY ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE TO THIS LEAD POSTING.

257,000 UNITS ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, THAT WE KNOW OF, THAT HAVE LED MacPAINT.

>> Reporter: THIS CEO THAT SUPPORTS FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES IN TRENTON, SAYS THE NEW REQUIREMENT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS HAVING SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS INSPECTED IN HOMES.

>> A SWEET AND LOW PACKET, RIGHT, A LITTLE PACKET YOU SEE AT THE RESTAURANT.

ONE OF THOSE IS ENOUGH TO CONTAMINATE THE ENTIRE FOOTBALL FIELD AT GIANTS STADIUM.

THAT'S ALL IT TAKES.

ONE LITTLE PILE OF LEAD LIKE THAT.

YOU ARE JUST IN A SMALL HOME, EVEN LESS.

MUNICIPALITIES, OR LANDLORDS, LANDLORDS CAN STEP UP AND DO THIS, WILL NEED TO BE TESTING RENTAL UNITS THAT WERE BUILT BEFORE 1978.

THAT'S WHEN THE LAW CHANGED IN THE UNITED STATES AND YOU NO LONGER COULD USE LED MacPAINT.

IF YOUR UNIT WAS BUILT IN 1979 OR LATER, THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO YOU.

IT IS OLD HOMES LIKE THIS WHERE YOU'VE GOT THE CHALLENGE OF LEGACY LED MacPAINT.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS REQUIRE THAT THEY GET INSPECTED AND IF WE FIND THE PAINT, MAKE SURE IT IS SAFELY TAKING CARE OF.

IT CAN BE DONE FOR A REASONABLE COST, AND THE OTHER EXCITING THING IS THE STATE JUST PUT INTO THE BUDGET THIS YEAR $170 MILLION TO HELP LANDLORDS AND TENANTS MAKE SURE THAT THESE BUILDINGS GET CLEANED UP SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY.

>> Reporter: WHAT WAS DONE HERE?

CAN YOU GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WHAT WAS CHANGED TO MAKE THIS SAFE?

>> WE REPLACE THE WHOLE WINDOW.

THE WINDOW, THE WINDOW JAM, AND THE WINDOW STOP.

THEN, FROM INSIDE WE ENCAPSULATE THE WINDOW SILL, WHICH IS SCRAPING DOWN THE BEAR WOULD AND PAINTED IT WITH PAINT.

WHATEVER COLOR IT WAS WE RETURNED THAT COLOR.

>> Reporter: WE GOT A TOUR OF THIS MULTIFAMILY RENTAL UNIT.

WHILE WE OFTEN HEAR ABOUT THE CONCERNS, THE PRESENCE OF LEAD IN OLD PAINT THAT CAN BREAK OFF OR TURN INTO DUST IS A MORE COMMON SOURCE OF LEAD POISONING IN CHILDREN.

>> WE DO A RISK ASSESSMENT.

WE GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE HOUSE.

WE FOCUS ON THE FRICTION SURFACES.

THAT'S WHAT CAUSES THE MOST BEST.

WHATEVER KIDS CAN REACH, THAT'S WHAT WE FOCUS ON.

THE WINDOW SILLS, WINDOW APRONS, DOOR JAMS, BASEBOARDS.

JUST SURFACES LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A LEAD BASED PAINT EXPERT AND RUNS A FIRM.

HE HAS BEEN FIELDING CALLS FROM TOWNSEND LANDLORDS SINCE THE REGULATIONS CAME OUT THIS WEEK, AND SAYS SAYS THE REACTION IS MIXED.

>> THERE'S ALSO A POPULACE OF PROPERTIES, I DON'T WANT TO SAY THEY ARE BAD LANDLORDS, BUT MAYBE THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THEIR PROPERTIES OR WHATEVER.

I THINK THAT GROUP IS CERTAINLY NOT THRILLED WITH THIS NEW LAW.

THE BENEFIT IS TO KNOW.

>> Reporter: WHILE REMEDIATION CAN BE COSTLY, IT'S MORE LIKELY SOME LANDLORDS WILL OPT TO ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE HAZARD THROUGH A MORE SHORT-TERM FIX LIKE APPLYING A PROTECTIVE COATING OVER THE EXISTING PAINT INSTEAD OF PERMANENTLY REMOVING IT.

UNITS NEED TO BE INSPECTED EVERY THREE YEARS OR WHEN A NEW TENANT MOVES IN.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, MORE SIGNS LIFE IS RETURNING TO THE PRE-PANDEMIC NORMAL.

THE PORT AUTHORITY IS REPORTING VOLUME INCREASES AT ITS AIRPORTS, ON TRAINS, AND IN CARDS.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST DATA, TOTAL RIDERSHIP FOR JUNE 2022 IS AT 56% OF LEVELS SEEN IN JUNE, 2019.

JUST SHY OF 4 MILLION RIDERS USED THE TRAINS LAST MONTH, AND SLIGHTLY ABOVE WEEKLY RAIL RIDERSHIP FOR NEW JERSEY TRANSIT.

PORT AUTHORITY AIRPORTS ARE NOW AT 91% OF PRE-COVID VOLUME.

AIRPORTS HANDLED 11.5 MILLION PASSENGERS IN JUNE ALONE.

THE 1% JUMP FROM ME.

ALL THAT TRAFFIC AT THE BRIDGES AND TUNNELS, IT'S NOW EVEN TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

BUT, THE BIGGEST INCREASES AMONG CARGO SHIPS.

SEAPORT ACTIVITY CONTINUES A RECORD-BREAKING STREET.

JUNE WAS THE SECOND BUSIEST MONTH OF ALL TIME.

>>> TURNING NOW TO WALL STREET TODAY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

>>> THEY JUST CAN'T SEEM TO STAY AWAY FROM THE JERSEY SHORE, AND WHO CAN BLAME THEM?

AS WE REPORTED EARLIER THIS WEEK, HUMPBACK WHALE SIGHTINGS ARE INCREASING IN THE WATERS OFF THE NORTH JERSEY COAST AND NEW YORK CITY.

RESEARCHERS AT RUTGERS SAY THE WHALES ARE RETURNING MORE FREQUENTLY, AND STAYING LONGER, AND IT APPEARS, JUST LIKE THE REST OF US, THEY COME TO ENJOY THE FOOD.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> WILL WATCHING IS UNIQUE.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

YOU ARE ALWAYS HAVING TO PAY ATTENTION.

WHATEVER TRIP YOU ARE ON IS UNIQUE.

THE NEXT TRIP YOU GET ON CAN BE BETTER, COULD BE NOT AS GOOD.

PEOPLE JUST LOVE GOING OUT AND JUST SEEING SOMETHING THAT THEY'VE ONLY SEEN IN THE MOVIES.

>> Reporter: SO, IT'S BEEN NOTHING BUT EXHILARATION FOR THIS MAN TO SEE MORE AND MORE HUMPBACK WHALES POPPING UP ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN COMING OUT HERE FOR FIVE YEARS, SEEING THE WHALES AND TAKING PEOPLE OUT.

IT'S BEEN FANTASTIC.

>> Reporter: HE ISN'T THE ONLY ONE NOTICING MORE HUMPBACK WHALES IN THE WATER.

DANIEL BROWN, PHD CANDIDATE AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, AND LEAD RESEARCHER FOR THE ABBASID GROUP, SAYS THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN SIGHTINGS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.

>> WE FOUND THAT ABOUT 50% OF THE WHALES WE SEE OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN THE SAME YEAR.

MANY OF THEM TO RETURN IN CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

MOST OFTEN IT IS 2 TO 3 YEARS IN A ROW, BUT WE HAVE A FEW WHALES THAT CONTINUE TO RETURN.

THEY'VE RETURNED IN AT LEAST NINE DIFFERENT YEARS, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING.

>> Reporter: IN A NEW STUDY FROM RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, THERE ARE 101 INDIVIDUAL WHALE SETTINGS OFF THE NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK CITY WHAT IS.

AS OF THIS WEEK, THAT NUMBER ROSE TO 257.

RESEARCHERS FOUND MANY OF THE WHALES ARE YOUNG, UNDER 5, AND THEY USUALLY STICK AROUND FOR ABOUT 38 DAYS.

>> OUR THEORY IS THAT IT IS RELATED TO WHAT THEY ARE FEEDING ON.

THE PREY SPECIES WE SEE IS CALLED ATLANTIC MENHADEN, OR BUNKER.

IT IS VERY VISUALLY OBVIOUS WHEN THEY ARE FEEDING AT THE SURFACE.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER PREY SPECIES.

THERE IS EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASE IN THOSE ATLANTIC MENHADEN OVER THE LAST DECADE OR SO.

THERE'S LIKELY A RELATIONSHIP HERE THAT IS PROBABLY WHAT BROUGHT THEM HERE INITIALLY.

AS FAR AS WHY THEY ARE STAYING HERE, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SUFFICIENT PREY FOR THEM.

THEY ARE CONTINUING TO COME BACK.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS SAY THEIR CONTINUED RETURN IS PROOF THAT EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP THE WATER SURROUNDING NEW JERSEY ARE WORKING.

>> THEY ARE SEEING AN IMPROVEMENT IN WATER QUALITY OVERALL.

THE LARGER ANIMALS, SUCH AS THE HUMPBACK WHALES THAT ARE COMING --WITH GREAT FREQUENCY NOW, THEY ARE HERE FOR FOOD.

THE REASON THEY HAVE FOOD, IS GOOD, CLEAN WATER.

SO, AS THE WATER QUALITY IS IMPROVING, THEIR FOOD SOURCES ARE IMPROVING.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE WHALES DON'T POSE A THREAT TO HUMAN, THERE IS CONCERNS FOR THE WHALES THEMSELVES.

>> WE HAVE LOTS OF BIG SHIPS AND SMALL BOATS.

RECREATIONAL VESSEL ACTIVITY AROUND US.

IT'S A RISK FOR THE WHALES.

SO, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO BE AWARE THAT THIS IS THE NEW NORMAL.

WE HAVE WHALES HERE.

THEY ARE HERE FOR A LONG TIME AND THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO COME BACK.

EVERYONE JUST NEEDS TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL OUT ON THE WATER.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW, WHALE WATCHERS ARE HAPPY TO HAVE THEM AROUND, AND LOOK FORWARD TO MORE HUMPBACK SIGHTINGS.

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

>>> THAT'S IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

BUT, MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS.

YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT.

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

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> AND, ORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OPTIONS FOR WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.