>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY 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.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> FINALLY, RELIEF FROM THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER.

THE UNRELENTING EIGHT-DAY HEAT WAVES SNAPPED AT TODAY.

A BRAND FINALE THAT COULDN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.

FORECASTERS SAY THE STATE WILL GET A TASTE OF COOLER WEATHER FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

BUT LIKE ALL GOOD THINGS, IT WON'T LAST.

DRY, HOT TEMPERATURES WILL FIND THEIR WAY BACK BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY EVEN LAUNCHING A NEW ONLINE RESOURCE FOR HOW TO HANDLE AND PREPARE FOR HEAT WAVES AT HEAT.GOV.

CENTER FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS SAYS, ACROSS THE GLOBE, HOT DAYS ARE GETTING HOTTER, AND MORE FREQUENT.

TOOLS LIKE THIS MAY BECOME MORE ESSENTIAL.

MEANWHILE, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS ASKING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO CONSERVE WATER HERE IN THE STATE.

IN SIMPLE WAYS LIKE HOLDING BACK ON HOW MUCH YOU ARE HOSING DOWN THE LAWN AND GARDEN.

EVEN THOUGH RESERVOIRS AND OTHER INDICATORS ARE HEALTHY, STATE LEADERS WORRY THIS INTENSE HEAT AND DRY WEATHER COULD QUICKLY IMPACT OUR WATER SUPPLIES.

IT IS ALREADY CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR NEW JERSEY FARMERS, STRESSING CROPS AND LIVESTOCK.

ON TOP OF DEALING WITH INFLATION AND HIGHER COST.

MAKING IT ALL THE HARDER TO PRODUCE THAT JERSEY FRESH.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS A STORY.

>> Reporter: WE HAVEN'T HAD DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN AT LEAST THE LAST 15 YEARS.

THE PRIZING FOR SHERRY AFTER WITNESSING WHAT SHE SAYS WAS A PRETTY NORMAL SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER.

BUT AS COAL MANAGER AND COOL OWNER OF HONEY BROOK ORGANIC FARM IN CHESTERFIELD, THE LACK OF BRAIN IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN FOR HER CROPS.

>> EVEN THOUGH PARTS OF SOUTH JERSEY, FOR EXAMPLE, GOT RAIN LAST NIGHT, WE DIDN'T GET THAT HERE.

SO, WE HAVEN'T HAD RAIN NOW IN CENTRAL JERSEY FOR AT LEAST 10 DAYS.

SO, IT IS NOT QUITE AT A CRITICAL POINT.

BUT WE ARE KIND OF PRE- CRITICAL.

>> Reporter: THE EXTREME HEAT NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THIS LAST WEEK, NOT MAKING LIFE ON THE FARM ANY EASIER.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE HARVESTING BLACKBERRIES.

AND THEY ARE JUST NOT AS FLAVORFUL, WHICH WE THINK MIGHT BE IN PART DUE TO THE HIGH HEAT.

SOMETIMES HIGH HEAT ADVERSELY IMPACTS LABOR.

IT IS MOSTLY AFFECTING OUR WORKERS.

SO, WHILE WE ARE HAVING THESE REALLY HIGH TEMPERATURES WITH HUMIDITY, THEY ARE STILL WORKING.

>> Reporter: IT IS NOT JUST THE CROP THAT IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN, BUT THE WORKER SAFETY TOO.

HIGH HEAT MEANS TAKING MORE BREAKS TO COOL OFF, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A SLOWDOWN IN PRODUCTION.

>> THINGS THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE AVAILABLE LIKE MID AUGUST, MIGHT SHOW UP A LITTLE BIT LATER FOR FIELD CROPS, THINGS LIKE FIELD CORN, SOYBEAN, OUR SECOND CUTTING OR THIRD CUTTING OF HAY.

ALL OF THAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED.

>> Reporter: FARM BUREAU'S EDWIN QUINN SAYS NEW JERSEY FARMERS ARE ALSO HAVING TO FACE INCREASES IN LABOR COSTS AND INFLATION.

BUT NOW, MANY ARE SPENDING ABOUT 20 TO 30% MORE ON SERVICES THAN THEY DID LAST YEAR.

>> A LOT OF OUR FERTILIZERS AND THINGS COME FROM EUROPE AND THE UKRAINE AND RUSSIA.

SO, THE CONFLICTS OVER THERE INCREASE THOSE PRICES.

AND THEN THE GENERAL ENERGY PRICES THAT WENT UP FOR EVERYBODY ALSO WENT UP FOR FARMERS.

DIESEL IS STILL AN EXPENSIVE FUEL.

A LOT OF FARM EQUIPMENT RENTAL DIESEL.

>> Reporter: PRICES HAVE INCREASED BY 20 TO 25%.

>> I THINK THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO TRY TO NOT HAVE THAT IMPACT WITH THE COST OF THE PRODUCT IS FOR THE CONSUMER.

THEY ARE VERY AWARE THAT THERE IS A THIN MARGIN THERE OF WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR, BUT ALSO VERY AWARE OF WHAT THE COST IS FOR THEM TO PRODUCE IT.

SO, I THINK WE ARE SEEING A MIX OF SOME INCREASED COSTS FOR CONSUMERS.

BUT IT ALSO MEANS THAT THE FARMERS ARE BEARING THE WEIGHT OF THAT INCREASED COST THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST DROUGHTS FARMERS HAVE SEEN IN A WHILE, IT IS FORCING THEM TO WATER THEIR CROPS A LOT MORE, JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY HEALTHY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING WATER ON THEM BOTH DRIP AND ALSO SPRINKLER, SPRINKLING, TWICE A DAY FOR 20 MINUTES A DAY, 10:00 AND 2:00, JUST TO KIND OF KEEP THE HEAT DOWN.

>> Reporter: BUT FARMERS ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF CUSTOMERS HERE IN THE STATES TO BUY LOCALLY.

>> THERE ARE MANY FARMERS, OR OTHER VENDORS WHO ARE BRINGING IN PRODUCT AND USING THE JERSEY FRESH SIGNS TO MARKET IT AS JERSEY PRODUCT WHEN IT IS NOT COMING FROM JERSEY.

AND THE CONSUMER IS LEARNING ABOUT THAT TYPE OF FRAUD.

AND THEY ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT.

AND THAT IS TURNING PEOPLE AWAY COMPLETELY FROM FARMERS MARKETS.

>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, FARMERS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ADJUST THEIR PRACTICES ACCORDINGLY AND HOPE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR THEIR CROPS IMPROVED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> FOR YEARS, NEW YORK CITY LEADERS HAVE TOUTED A DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT THE FORMER RIVERFRONT STADIUM AS A BOOM FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT PLANS TO TRANSFORM THE ONE- TIME HOME OF THE NEWARK BEARS MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM HAVE YET TO TAKE OFF.

AND THE MOST RECENT LUXURY NEXT TO USE PROPOSAL CALLS FOR GIVING THE TEAM A TAX EXEMPT.

SR.

POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> Reporter: FOR MEMBERS OF 32 BJ OF THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL, THE STRUGGLE FOR FAIR WAGES AND BENEFITS CAN SEEM LIKE A LONELY BATTLE.

BUT AS THEIR VICE PRESIDENT LIKES TO SAY -- >> WHEN WE FIGHT -- >> WE WIN.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS RALLIED OUTSIDE OF CITY HALL AND INSIDE WITH THE CITY COUNCIL HELD A SPECIAL MEETING TO CONSIDER AN $18 MILLION TAX ABATEMENT FOR CITIES WHERE, MORE THAN 4000 HOUSING USE AND RETAIL, RESIDENCE, COWORKER SPACES AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BUT MORE THAN THEY STARTED WITH, SAID THE CITY'S HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.

>> THERE WILL BE 10% ON AFFORDABLE AND A 10% PAYMENT IN LIEU.

AND IT FALLS UNDER THE CURRENT INCLUSIONARY ZONING ORDINANCE.

THE 10% IS ACTUALLY DUE TO THE DISCUSSIONS BY THIS COUNCIL LED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT McIVER AS WORD MEMBER AND INSOMUCH THAT THE DEVELOPMENT HAS INCREASED THEIR ON-SITE AFFORDABLE FROM 5% TO 10%.

>> Reporter: THAT IS ONE OF THOSE SMALL VICTORIES FOR RESIDENTS, BUT WINDOW DRESSINGS, SAY SOME WHO ARE WATCHING PRIME REAL ESTATE PROPERTY, GO TO BIG DEVELOPERS AFTER LAYING FALLOW FOR ALMOST A DECADE.

THEY REMEMBER RIVERFRONT STADIUM AND HOW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE ECONOMIC STARTER IN 1998.

BUT THE BEARS NEVER CAUGHT ON, AND THE TEAM FOLDED AFTER THE 2013 SEASON.

MOST OF THE CROWD HERE TODAY RECOGNIZE THAT THE TAX BREAK ON THE AGENDA WAS A DONE DEAL.

BUT THEY WERE GOING TO BE HEARD.

>> WHY ARE WE GIVING DEVELOPERS MONEY?

WHERE ARE THE TRAFFIC STUDIES?

WHERE IS THE PARKING?

WHERE IS THE POLICING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY?

MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU AREN'T EVEN FOLLOWING YOUR OWN ORDINANCES.

YOU ARE NOT ADVOCATING FOR THE RESIDENCE.

OR THE UNIONS.

>> Reporter: THE CITY SAYS THEY HAD AN EMAIL FROM THE DEVELOPER'S LAWYER PROMISING TO USE UNION LABOR ON THE CONSTRUCTION AND TO PAY PREVAILING WAGES TO FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, WHICH THE UNION MEMBERS THAT THEY APPRECIATED, BUT POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS JUST AN EMAIL.

>> WITHOUT A CLEAR COMMITMENT TO DO GOOD JOBS, THE WORKERS WHO IS SERVICE A LUXURY DEVELOPMENT WILL BE LEFT BEHIND.

NONUNION BUILDING, SERVICE WORKERS CAN EARN AS LOW AS A MINIMUM WAGE AND HAVE FEW BENEFITS BEYOND THE BASICS LEGAL FLOOR.

>> I DON'T ACCEPT VERBAL.

GIVE IT TO ME IN WRITING.

BECAUSE THE VERBAL STUFF, I HAVE BEEN AROUND.

I HAVE BEEN AROUND THE FIELD TOO LONG.

AND I DON'T SETTLE FOR AGREEMENTS THAT ARE VERBAL.

GIVE IT TO ME IN WRITING, AND THEN I WILL CONSIDER WHAT I'M GOING TO DO WITH THIS.

>> Reporter: COUNCILMAN QUINTANA ABSTAINED, BUT THE COUNCIL OTHERWISE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE DEAL.

A MAJOR HURDLE FOR A PROJECT THAT HAS CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES ITSELF ON ITS WAY TO BECOMING THE LATEST TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT DOWNTOWN.

FRANK SINATRA SANG, THERE USED TO BE A BALLPARK RIGHT HERE.

A SONG ABOUT LOSS AND CHANGE.

WELL, THE NEWARK BEARS ARE LONG GONE, BUT THE HOPE IS THAT TODAY'S ACTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL WILL PROVIDE A RESIDENCE HERE A TURN AT BACK.

I AM DAVID CHRIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IT BECAME WITH STARBUCKS, THEN AMAZON.

WORKERS SPARKING A MOVEMENT TO UNIONIZE.

AND WINNING THE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE BETTER WAGES, BENEFITS, AND LABOR CONDITIONS.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN AN UPHILL BATTLE, MAKING IT TOUGHER UNIONS TO EVER IT OFF THE GROUND.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: WHEN EMPLOYEES AT THE HOPEWELL STARBUCKS VOTED TO UNIONIZE, THEY KNEW IT WAS A BIG DEAL.

THEY WERE THE FIRST STARBUCKS IN NEW JERSEY TO SUCCESSFULLY ORGANIZE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR STORE THOUGHT THAT GETTING THIS UNION WAS GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST VICTORY OF THEM ALL.

AND IN REALITY, THE WORK HAS JUST BEGUN.

LIKE, THAT WAS AN AMAZING VICTORY.

I AM SO PROUD OF US, BUT THERE IS STILL SO MUCH WORK WE HAVE TO DO.

AND I CAN'T WAIT TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: THREE MONTHS SINCE THE VOTE, THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR ANY SORT OF CHANGE.

LIKE SITTING DOWN WITH CORPORATE AND AGREEING ON A CONTRACT.

THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE DATE YET FROM THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

AMBER RISA HALEY KENNY THINKS STARBUCKS IS NOW STALLING FOR TIME.

>> BEFORE WE EVEN HAD OUR UNION, WE HAD THOSE HEARINGS.

AND WE HAD THESE LISTENING SESSIONS.

AND THEY ALL JUST FELT LIKE STEPS TO -- AN ELECTION.

AND NOW THAT WE HAVE OUR ELECTION, AND WE WON IT, IT SEEMS LIKE THE NEXT STEP IS TO DELAY OUR BARGAINING.

>> WE HAVE SEEN MORE CORPORATIONS ACTUALLY DELAYING TACTICS AND DELAYING ACTUALLY EVEN WORKERS COLLECTING ON THE AGREEMENT.

SO, THAT IS WHY YOU SEE A LOT OF UNION ACTIVITY, BUT THEN THOSE DON'T TRANSLATE INTO ACTUAL UNION MEMBERSHIP.

>> Reporter: PATRICIA CAMPOS MEDINA ARGUES AMERICA'S LAWS GIVE COMPANIES THE UPPER HAND AFTER THE EMPLOYEES WILL TO UNIONIZE.

SHE SAYS, UNLESS CHANGES ARE MADE, IT'S EASY FOR COMPANIES TO DRAG OUT NEGOTIATIONS UNTIL A UNION BREAKS.

>> IF WE MAKE IT AS A POLICY, AND WE PUT SOME TEETH INTO IT, THAT GIVES POWER TO WORKERS AND COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN DONALD NORCROSS FEELS THE SAME WAY.

AND HOPES TO CHANGE THE FACT THAT MONEY SPENT ON FIGHTING UNIONS IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE FOR PARENT COMPANIES.

>> THE IDEA THAT YOU SHOULD GET A TAX BREAK FOR GOING AGAINST THE U.S. POLICY AND MAKING A DEDUCTIBLE IS NUTS.

>> Reporter: NORCROSS IS ONE OF 103 CONGRESSMAN INTRODUCING A BILL THAT WOULD CHANGE THAT.

THE NO TAX BREAK FOR UNIONBUSTING ACT RECLASSIFIES THAT SPENDING AS POLITICAL SPEECH, SO IT WOULD NO LONGER BE TAX-EXEMPT.

>> THE PREMISE IS TO HAVE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

THAT IF YOU FOLLOW THE RULES, THAT WHEN IT COMES TO THE ABILITY FOR A WORKER TO MAKE A CHOICE, THAT IT IS A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

IT CLEARLY IS NOT.

>> Reporter: WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS AGREE ON ONE THING, DEFINING UNIONBUSTING CAN BE TRICKY.

>> IT IS HARD TO SAY WHAT IS AND ISN'T UNIONBUSTING, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND EVERYTHING PRETTY QUICKLY BEFORE IT EVEN BECOMES AN ISSUE.

>> WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MANDATES IN THE WORKPLACE AND UNIONIZATION, BECAUSE IT IS VERY COMPLICATED.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE SAYS SOME EMPLOYERS ARE FIGHTING UNITIZATION BECAUSE IT PUTS A BUFFER BETWEEN WORKERS AND THEIR MANAGERS.

>> I HAVE SEEN WHERE, UNFORTUNATELY, IT BREAKS DOWN THE DIRECT RELATIONSHIP FROM THE EMPLOYER TO THE FRONT-LINE WORKER.

THERE IS THIS COLLECTIVE GROUP STANDING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.

AND SOMETIMES, THAT CREATES A LITTLE BIT OF A RUB IN THE CULTURE FROM BOTH SIDES, FRANKLY.

>> Reporter: KENNY HAS SEEN COMMUNICATION DIMINISHED, BUT SHE SAYS, CORPORATE IS TO BLAME, NOT HER UNION.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE SOME OF THE MORE PROUNION SUPERVISORS ARE SET UP TO FAIL.

WE DON'T GET MUCH, AS MUCH COMMUNICATION WITH MANAGEMENT.

BUT ALSO, WE SEEM TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE SCRUTINIZED.

THEY HAVE BEEN MORE HEAVILY DISCIPLINED.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO STARBUCKS FOR THE STORY AND DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

THREE STARBUCKS STORES IN NEW JERSEY HAVE VOTED TO UNIONIZE, AND ANOTHER STORE IN MONTCLAIR IS MAILING BALLOTS UNTIL AUGUST 5th.

BUT VOTING TO UNIONIZE DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT CHANGE COMES QUICKLY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> ALL SIGNS INDICATE THE HOUSING MARKET IS COOLING DOWN, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU WILL PAY LESS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE REAL ESTATE ECONOMY, PLUS TONIGHT BUSINESS HEADLINES.

RHONDA.

>> Reporter: BRIANA, IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME IN NEW JERSEY, YOU COULD SHELL OUT MORE THAN HALF $1 MILLION.

THE MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME IN THE STATE REACHED $510,000 IN JUNE, UP 12% FROM A YEAR AGO WHEN IT WAS $455,000, ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY BUILDERS.

CLOSED SALES DROPPED MORE THAN 15% IN JUNE, COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AS INFLATION ERODED SPENDING POWER AND MORTGAGE RATES ROSE.

HIGHER RATES HAVE IMPACTED HOMEBUYERS IN DIFFERENT WAYS, ACCORDING TO CHRISTOPHER MARR, THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF OCEAN FIRST BANK.

>> THOSE THAT WERE MORE DEPENDENT ON MORTGAGE FINANCING CERTAINLY THE ENTRY-LEVEL HOMES, MIDRANGE HOMES, YOU HAVE SEEN A MARKED SLOWDOWN IN THAT MARKET.

YOU HAVE ALSO SEEN SOME SLOWING IN THE LUXURY END.

ALTHOUGH, THAT HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT LESS PRONOUNCED.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY WILL RECEIVE 2 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS AS PART OF A SETTLEMENT WITH WAWA OVER A DATA BREACH IMPACTING MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS WHO MADE PURCHASES AT THE COMPANY'S STORES.

THAT DATA BREACH OCCURRED IN 2019 WHEN HACKERS BROKE INTO WAWA'S PAYMENT SYSTEM.

THE DATA BREACH HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN FIVE OTHER STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C. .

WAWA WILL PAY A TOTAL OF $8 MILLION IN THE MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT.

UNEMPLOYED WORKERS IN NEW JERSEY ARE NOW ABLE TO SCHEDULE IN-PERSON APPOINTMENTS WITH THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

THE DEPARTMENT BEGAN LIMITED IN- PERSON APPOINTMENTS BACK IN MARCH.

BUT NOW, THEY ARE OPEN TO ANYONE LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE ON THEIR CLAIMS.

STATE LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY CRITICIZED THE DEPARTMENT FOR KEEPING OFFICES CLOSED SAYING, THEIR CONSTITUENTS WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THEIR CLAIMS ONLINE OR OVER THE PHONE.

FINALLY, THE LATEST COMEBACK FOR THE ONCE BANKRUPT NEW JERSEY-BASED TOYS "R" US IS HAPPENING NOW.

AS THE BRANDS PRODUCTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING STOCKED IN MACY'S STORES.

THE NEW OWNER OF THE TOYS "R" US BRAND REACHED A DEAL WITH MACY'S TO SELL TOYS AND IT STORES FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON.

NOW, HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET FARED TODAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> STUDENTS WILL HAVE AT LEAST ONE STANDARDIZED PERFORMANCE TEST WAITING FOR THEM WHEN THEY HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RECENTLY TOLD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS THEY WILL NEED TO ADMINISTER THE START STRONG TEST BY SEPTEMBER 30th.

THE THIRD YEAR OF THE EXAM MET TO TRACK GAPS AND POTENTIAL LEARNING LOSS FROM DISRUPTIONS DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC.

THE START STRONG TESTS WERE OPTIONAL IN THE FALL OF 2020 WHEN MOST SCHOOLS WERE STILL OPERATING REMOTELY.

BUT IT BECAME A REQUIREMENT UNDER THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION FOR 2021 AND NOW 2022.

CRITICS SAY, IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY.

AND IT SETTLES TEACHERS WITH MORE BURDENS.

MEANWHILE, A SUCCESSFUL SUMMER TUTORING PROGRAM IS EXPANDING THIS YEAR.

WITH THE HELP OF $1 MILLION FROM THE STATE BUDGET AND RESULTS THAT SHOW THIS TYPE OF ONE-ON-ONE ACADEMIC HELP IS NETTING GAINS FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS THE STORY.

>> 5C.

>> 20.

>> Reporter: WHO KNEW MULTIPLICATION COULD BE SO FUNNY?

HERE AT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, LEARNING MATH AS PART OF SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY THE NEW JERSEY TUTORING CORPS.

THE TUTORING PROGRAM FOCUSES ON GRADES K THROUGH FIVE AND LAUNCHED STATEWIDE THAT SUMMER TO ACCELERATE LEARNING RECOVERY FOR STUDENTS IMPACTED BY PANDEMIC RELATED LEARNING LOSS.

THE SUMMER PROGRAM IS NOW IN ITS SECOND YEAR, REACHING APPROXIMATELY 2000 NEW JERSEY ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WITH HIGH DOSAGE MATH AND LITERACY TUTORING.

CATHERINE BASSETT IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM.

>> WE HAVE 20 SITES THIS SUMMER THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

WHAT WE DO IS WE PROVIDE TUTORS, PRESERVICE CANDIDATES, IN-SERVICE TEACHERS, RETIRED EDUCATORS, PARAPROFESSIONALS, SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS, WHO ALL HAVE THEIR CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CLEARANCE AND THEIR I-9 CLEARANCE.

AND THEY WORK WITH SCHOLARS.

WE TYPICALLY WORK WITH HIGH NEED STUDENTS, SCHOLARS WHO ARE NOT WELL SERVED IN TERMS OF FUNDING.

>> Reporter: BASSETT SAYS AN EVALUATION OF THE 2021 SUMMER PILOT SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN MATH AND LITERACY PROFICIENCY AMONGST ITS CAMPERS.

>> LAST SUMMER, WE HAD AN EXTERNAL EVALUATOR.

THE EXTERNAL EVALUATOR FOUND THAT OUR SCHOLARS GREW BY 13% TO 69% IN MATH.

LAST SUMMER, THAT IS ALL THAT WE DID IS MATH.

AS WE DID THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, WE ALSO ADDED LITERACY, AND OUR SCHOLARS GREW SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE NINE TUTORS CURRENTLY AT THIS LOCATION.

WE SEE ABOUT 16 STUDENTS A DAY, BUT WORK WITH GROUPS OF ABOUT 3 TO 5 AT A TIME.

>> EACH TUTOR HAS ONE GRADE LEVEL.

SO THE KINDERGARTEN TUTOR WILL SEE ALL THE KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS.

IN THE MORNING, SHE WILL DO THE MATH.

AND IN THE AFTERNOON, SHE WILL DO THE READING.

AND THEY ARE USUALLY HERE 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK WORKING WITH THEIR SCHEDULE.

BUT THE STUDENTS WILL BE SEEN ABOUT 1 TO 2 HOURS EVERY WEEK.

>> Reporter: WHILE MATH I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW, BUT MY DID TEACHER HELP ME OUT A LOT.

>> Reporter: AND WHAT DID YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOU KNOW NOW?

>> WELL, I BARELY KNEW HOW TO DIVIDE AND MULTIPLY.

BUT NOW I KNOW ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

>> Reporter: WERE YOU EXCITED WHEN YOU COME HERE?

>> YES.

>> Reporter: THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT THE MATH COMPONENT OF THIS PROGRAM IS THE KIDS GET TO DO A LOT OF HANDS ON ACTIVITIES.

IT IS VERY ENGAGING.

WE INTEGRATE A LOT OF THE MATH WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS PHYSICS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: ARE YOU LEARNING TO READ?

ARE YOU LEARNING TO WRITE?

>> SOME OF THEM WILL SAY THAT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO READ.

AND I WILL ENCOURAGE THEM, LIKE, THAT'S OKAY.

THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE.

WE ARE GOING TO START FROM THE BEGINNING, THE BASICS.

AND THEN EVEN WHEN THEY CAN READ, LIKE A SENTENCE, I GET SO EXCITED.

I APPLAUD THEM.

>> IT'S ANOTHER LAYER OF A SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AND THE TUTORING CORPS CAN OFFER THEM.

THE CONSISTENCY OF HAVING THE SAME TUTORS WORKING WITH THE SMALL GROUPS, BOTH IN MATH AND READING, AND JUST ALSO, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE TUTORS ARE TEACHERS AND COLLEGE KIDS WHO ARE A DIFFERENT ROLE MODEL THAT THE KIDS MIGHT NOT SEE EVERY DAY AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY AT THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS HERE IN TRENTON AND RUNS ANYWHERE FROM 7 TO 9 WEEKS ON AVERAGE.

BASSETT SAYS, THEY ARE NOW HOPING TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM TO MORE SITES AND OFFER IT TO MORE STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> WELL, THE COUNTRY'S NEXT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY COULD SOON CALL OUR REGION HOME IF A PROPOSAL IS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO ADD THE HUDSON CANYON TO THE LIST.

IT IS A SPRAWLING UNDERSEA VALLEY ABOUT 100 MILES FROM THE STATUE OF LIBERTY WITH AN OVERWHELMING DIVERSITY OF DEEP- SEA LIFE.

IF APPROVED, THE AREA WOULD BE CLOSED TO ANY FUTURE OIL, GAS OR MENTAL DEVELOPMENT TO BENEFIT THOSE MARINE HABITATS.

BUT NEW JERSEY'S FISHING COMMUNITY WORRIES THEIR LIVELIHOOD WILL BE HURT BY FUTURE REGULATIONS ONCE THE AREA IS GIVEN THAT NATIONAL DISTINCTION.

CONTRIBUTED WRITER JON HURDLE SHARES THE LATEST ON THIS STORY.

YOU MIGHT THINK A NATIONAL DESIGNATION LIKE THIS WOULD BE GOOD NEWS TO THE HEIRS OF FISHERMEN.

WHAT IS THERE HESITATION?

>> WELL, THERE HESITATION IS THAT THEY DON'T NECESSARILY BELIEVE THE ASSURANCES OF OFFICIALS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE FISHING IN THIS DESIGNATED NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY, IF THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS.

THE FISHERMEN SAY, AND THIS IS BOTH ON THE RECREATION AND COMMERCIAL SIDES, THAT THEY ARE ALREADY SUBJECT TO A LARGE NUMBER OF FEDERAL RULES THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND FISHERIES AND EVEN THOUGH FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY CHANGE, THEY WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO CATCH FRESH IN THAT AREA , THEY ARE WORRIED THAT THE RULES MIGHT CHANGE.

>> Reporter: WHAT RIGHTS DO THEY HAVE?

WHAT ASSURANCES DO THEY WANT TO BE GIVEN?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT THEY WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH IS IF THERE WAS NO DESIGNATION OF THIS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY, BECAUSE THEY FEEL THAT THAT WOULD OPEN THE DOOR TO RULE CHANGES THAT THEY WOULD FEEL ONEROUS.

>> WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHING INDUSTRY?

I MEAN, OF COURSE WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS THROUGH AN ENVIRONMENTAL LENS.

BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THOSE INDUSTRIES SHOULD THOSE RESTRICTIONS BE PUT IN PLACE?

>> WELL, IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

OF COURSE, THEY ARE, TO SOME EXTENT, DEPENDENT ON THAT AREA.

WHICH BY THE WAY, IS A VERY BIG AREA.

IT STARTS AT ABOUT 100 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY.

IT GOES FOR 350 MILES OUT INTO THE ATLANTIC.

EXCUSE ME.

AND IT IS UP TO TWO MILES DEEP.

AND SO, WHAT FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY IS THAT IT IS HOME TO A LARGE NUMBER OF SPECIES OF FISH AND MANY KINDS OF MARINE MAMMALS, WHALES, SHARKS, TURTLES, DOLPHINS, THAT SORT OF THING.

BUT THEY STRESS THAT THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON THE FISH.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF MARINE LIFE, CORAL, I MEAN, A LOT OF JUST SEE LIFE THAT ENVIRONMENTALISTS HAVE PUSHED TO KEEP THE WATER CLEAN AND PROTECT.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO THEM THAT THIS DESIGNATION IS MADE?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS IS THAT IF THIS DESIGNATION IS MADE, IT WOULD PREVENT ANY FUTURE OR DEVELOPMENT FOR OIL AND GAS AND/OR MENTAL RIGHTS, MINING MINERAL RIGHTS IN THE SEABED THERE.

SO THOSE THINGS, THEY WOULD HAVE PROTECTION FROM THOSE ACTIVITIES WOULD OF COURSE PROTECT MARINE LIFE AND VARIOUS KINDS.

THE OTHER THING THE ADVOCATES ARGUE IS THAT THIS DECLINATION WOULD ALLOW A CLOSER MONITORING AND MORE STUDY BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ABOUT THE -- INTO THE BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS THERE, INCLUDING HOW THE AREA IS BEING AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> JON HURDLE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS REPORTING PERIOD >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK, AND INSTAGRAM.

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.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> 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.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY, THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN NJE MEMBER.