>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

SOME 20,000 FEDERAL WORKERS NOW FACE A STRICT CHOICE PER GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19, OR SUBMIT TO REGULAR TESTING AND MATH PROTOCOLS.

THE NEW MANDATE IS FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN, TODAY ANNOUNCING IT APPLIES TO ALL CIVILIANS FEDERAL WORKERS, HOPING TO GIVE A JOLT TO NATIONWIDE VACCINATION NUMBERS.

AND FROM PLEADING WITH AMERICANS TO GET SHOTS IN THEIR ARMS TO A STANCE.

THE MANDATE IS GETTING RESISTANCE FROM LARGE WORKFORCES.

IT COMES AT THE CDC SHIFTS GUIDANCE ON MASK MANDATES.

1000 TEST REPORTED TODAY IT'S THE HIGHEST SINGLE DAY COUNT SINCE MAY.

AND THREE ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

STATEWIDE, OTHER KEY METRICS LIKE THE POSITIVITY AND TRANSMISSION RATES ALSO APPEAR TO THE GOVERNMENT HE SAID THE DELTA STRAIN NOW MAKES UP ABOUT 90% OF ALL NEW CASES.

THAT'S JUST UNDER 5.3 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

TODAY, GOVERNOR MURPHY SPOKE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUISE WITH HIS INTERVIEW FOR CHECKBOXES SAYING HE'S UNDECIDED WHETHER NEW JERSEY WILL FOLLOW THE PRESIDENCY BY MANDATING VACCINES FOR STATE WORKERS.

>> WE ARE STUDYING AT VERY INTENTLY AS WE SPEAK AND I GOT NO NEWS TO BRING TODAY, BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL OF THE DIMENSIONS AROUND THE TESTING.

YOU WON'T BE SURPRISED THAT OUR HYPERFOCUS IS ON COMMUNITIES YOU WOULD WANT US TO BE APPEARED HEALTHCARE SETTINGS, HOSPITALS, LONG-TERM CARE.

WE ARE NOT QUITE THERE YET.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER STEPS WE TAKE TO GET THIS RIGHT.

BUT, WE ARE LOOKING AT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS, AND MY GUESS IS WE WILL HAVE NEWS ON THAT FRONT SOONER THAN LATER.

>> THIS WEEK, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION STRONGLY RECOMMENDED BOTH VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED RESIDENTS TO MASK UP, ADDING FUEL TO AN ALREADY TENSELY HOT DEBATE.

ONE THAT HAS PARENTS ON EDGE AS THEY PREPARE TO SEND THEIR KIDS BACK FROM IN-PERSON LEARNING.

TODAY, THE STATE'S LARGEST TEACHERS UNION TOOK A STANCE.

THROWING SUPPORT BEHIND NEW CDC GUIDELINES, CALLING FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO WEAR A MASK REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.

MEDICAL EXPERTS ARE ONCE AGAIN STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT MASK QUALITY.

MANUFACTURERS OF N95 IS WORKING OVERTIME.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN CHECKED WITH THE PATTERSON FACTORY WE VISITED LAST YEAR THAT HAS BEEN RAMPING UP PRODUCTION AS CASES SURGE.

>> Reporter: WORKERS GUIDED A LONG RIBBON OF N95 MASKS WINDING ITS WAY THROUGH ROLLERS AND STEPS, AND CUTTERS.

BUSINESS IS BRISK THE AT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT IN PATTERSON.

THE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS DELTA STRAINS, DRIVING 90% OF NEW CASES IN NEW JERSEY, NOW AT MORE THAN 1000 TODAY, AND 83,000 NATIONWIDE.

THE GOVERNOR URGENTLY PUSHED THE RETURN TO MASKS EARLIER TODAY, EVEN FOR VACCINATED FOLKS.

>> I KNOW IT'S NOT NECESSARILY POPULAR, BUT IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

WE HAD TO GO TO STRONGLY RECOMMEND MASKING WHEN YOU'RE INDOORS.

>> SO, THE ORDERS HAVE JUST BEEN GOING THROUGH THE ROOF THE LAST FEW DAYS.

SOMETHING WE WERE NOT EXPECTING.

>> SHE CAN EASILY MEET THE INCREASED DEMAND AFTER SPENDING MONTHS PLAYING CATCH-UP TO SUPPLY DESPERATE FRONT-LINE WORKERS WITH SCARCE PPE DURING THE PANDEMIC'S BRUTAL EARLY MONTHS.

BACK THEN, THE PUBLIC HAD ALMOST 0 ACCESS TO TOP GRADE MASKS.

WHEN SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES EAST, PHD STOCKPILED MATERIALS SO AS NOT TO GET CAUGHT SHORT AGAIN.

THERE IS ENOUGH HERE TO MANUFACTURE 10 MILLION MASK.

THAT IS DEALT HAS CHANGED THE CODE EQUATION AGAIN WITH OFFICIALS LIKE FORMER FDA BOSS, NOW URGING EVERYONE TO MASK UP WITH MEDICAL GRADE GEAR.

>> IF YOU WANT TO CONSIDER WEARING A MASK, THE QUALITY OF THE MASK DOES MATTER, SO IF YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON A K N95 MASK, OR AN N95 MASS, THAT IS GOING TO AFFORD YOU A LOT MORE PROTECTION.

>> DISCOVERED PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER.

WE ARE STILL IN A FIGHT FOR OUR LIVES.

>> WORKERS EXPLAINED DELTA IS PUSHING PEOPLE TO UP THEIR GAME BECAUSE THE VARIANCE VIRUS CAN BE SO HIGHLY CONCENTRATED IN YOUR NOSE AND MOUTH.

>> MAYBE UP TO 1000 TIMES MORE VIRUS PARTICLES THEN WE HAD WITH YOUR ORIGINAL COVERT STRAIN.

PEOPLE HAVE SAID MAYBE YOU SHOULD WEAR AN N95 TYPE OF MASK, AND THEY'VE ALSO BEEN TESTED TO REDUCE THE ABILITY OF PARTICLES TO COME IN OR OUT OF THE MASK.

>> DOCTORS CANNOT EVALUATE WITH A CLOTH MASK AND REDUCING YOUR EXPOSURE.

>> Reporter: PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT, MITCH ROSEN, AND OTHERS SAY IT IS HOW YOU WEAR A MASK THAT TRULY MATTERS.

>> N95'S AND K N95 CERTAINLY PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION THAN COUGH MASKS.

BUT, WHATEVER MASK THAT YOU WANT TO WEAR, THE FIT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> OVER THE NOSE AND MOUTH, NO GAPS.

DOUBLE MASKING HELPS THEM TIGHTER AGAINST HER FACE IF YOU DO SHOP FOR N95'S, YOU MIGHT WERE COUNTERFEITS FLOODING THE MARKETPLACE.

FRAUDULENT MASKS ONLY FILTER 30 TO 60% OF PARTICLES SAYS PHD'S EVAN SHULMAN.

>> THEY LOOK LIKE IDIOTS LIKE IT BUT DON'T FEEL LIKE IT.

FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON, NO ONE CAN TELL.

BUT, THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FAULTY ONES OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS CAUSING MORE BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS AMONG THE FULLY VACCINATED.

BUT, FEDERAL REGULATORS HAVE BEEN LUKEWARM ON THE NEED FOR A THIRD SHOT.

PFIZER HAS RELEASED PLENARY DATA THAT HAS SUGGESTED A BOOSTER COULD RACE IMMUNITY LEVELS AGAINST DELTA.

PARTICULARLY FOR VULNERABLE ELDERLY AND IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PEOPLE.

FOR NOW, EXPERTS ARE, GET A COVERT SHOT, WEAR A MASK.

>> WHY NOT USE A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST THE POTENTIAL OF BECOMING INFECTED?

>> I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE PANDEMIC MADE CLEAR HOW MUCH WORK REMAINS TO BRIDGE GAPS IN HEALTHCARE FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.

ESPECIALLY AS HOSPITALS BECAME QUICKLY OVERWHELMED DURING THE CURRENT HEALTH CRISIS.

EAST ORANGE IS TRYING A NEW APPROACH, USING INTERFAITH LEADERS AND A RECENTLY OPENED URGENT CARE WALK-IN CENTER TO ENSURE RESIDENTS ARE BEING TREATED FOR MIND, BODY, AND SOUL.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, CHASING THE DREAM REPORTING ON POVERTY JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

>> IT SHOULD BE INSURANCE CARRIER, MEDICAID, MEDICARE, COMMERCIAL, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY INSURANCE, THIS IS THE PLACE YOU COME.

>> THE ASSURING RESIDENCE IN EAST ORANGE, HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE IN NEED OF MEDICAL SERVICES.

>> WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO MORE THAN EVER.

NEED TO EXTEND SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY IN EAST ORANGE AND BEYOND.

THIS IS AN EVENT THAT IS GOING TO BRING OUT PEOPLE, THE COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH COLOR, AND THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THAT HAS BEEN STRUGGLING TO GET OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND GET THEIR LIFE BACK TO NORMAL.

>> THAT IS WHERE THE URGENT CARE WALK-IN MEDICAL SUITE TEAMED UP WITH OTHER LEVEL ORGANIZATIONS FOR THIS SOCIAL SERVICE THERE.

>> THE PROCESS UNDERSTAND SOCIAL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY TENDS TO URGENT CARE WITH COLLABORATION WITH SUNRISE.

THE CORPORATION WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER THIS HEALTHCARE MORE OF THE 65 DIFFERENT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY FROM JOB, FROM MEDICAID, FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY, IDENTIFICATION, FOOD STAND COST NASTRO >> WE UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY.

SO, WE ARE HERE TO ASSURE THEM THAT WE ARE HERE FOR THEM, AND WE HAVE THIS BEST INTEREST AT HEART.

>> ORGANIZES FOR THIS EVENT SAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE SERVICES LIKE THIS IN NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE EAST ORANGE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO PROPER HEALTHCARE.

>> AND THAT INCLUDES FORMERLY INCARCERATED RESIDENCE POINT >> IN THE JERSEY CORPORATION BACK WE PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR SECOND CHANCES.

I MEAN A LOT OF PEOPLE COME OUT OF PRISON, AND THEY MAY NOT HAVE ONLY NOT HAVE HAD HEALTH CARE, BUT THEY MAY NOT HAVE MEDICAID AND SO, IN THE NEW JERSEY CORPORATION WILL DO IS WE WILL REGISTER THEM IMMEDIATELY FOR MEDICAID.

THEY HAVE A JOB, WE WILL REGISTER THEM IMMEDIATELY FOR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, SO WE CONNECT PEOPLE TO HEALTH INSURANCE SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE THESE SERVICES.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS.

YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE STAY HEALTHY.

YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TEENAGERS STAY HEALTHY.

OR YOUNG ADULTS, OR MORE SO, VALUABLE, WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR THEM TO HAVE HEALTHCARE.

>> THEY ARE HOPING TO HELP SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY LOOKING FOR A JOB.

>> JUST SENDING OUT, PASSING OUT FLYERS, JUST LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE ARE IN THE AREA AS WELL.

WE DO STOP FOR HOME HEALTH AIDE.

WE ALSO STAFFER DST WHICH IS THE DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS.

WHO HAS A GROUP HOME FOR MENTALLY DISABLED ADULTS.

>> WHAT ARE WE SEEING?

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION.

AND DON'T RECEIVE WHAT THEY NEED TRIP SPECIFICALLY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS, PEOPLE WITH BACKGROUND DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT INFORMATION.

SO A NEGOTIATING REENTRY CORPORATION FREEWHEELING ON PROVIDE JOB PLACEMENT FOR THEM.

THERE ARE ALSO TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT WE BELIEVE IN GIVING THE PROVINCIAL TO THE EX- OFFENDERS.

THAT'S THE REASON WE ARE HERE.

>> ORGANIZERS ARE HOPING THIS WILL HELP HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THEY SAY THEY ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE FOR ANYONE WHO MISSED IT AND NEEDS ASSISTANCE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> TONIGHT, THE HIGHEST- RANKING CATHOLIC OFFICIAL IN THE UNITED STATES IS FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR SEX ABUSE.

FORMER CARDINAL THEODORE McCARRICK HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A TEENAGE BOY DURING A MASSACHUSETTS WEDDING RECEPTION IN 1974, ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE.

HE WAS DEFROCKED IN 2019 AFTER A VATICAN INVESTIGATION CONFIRMED HE SEXUALLY MOLESTED BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN.

THE 91-YEAR-OLD IS BEING CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF INDECENT ASSAULT AND BATTERY ON A PERSON OVER THE AGE OF 14.

LAWSUITS WERE ALSO FILED BY FOUR NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK SURVIVORS WHO ALLEGED McCARRICK ABUSED THEM AS CHILDREN HE WAS WORKING IN BOTH STATES.

IN A STATEMENT, THE LAW FIRM ARE VISITING THEIR CASES SAID THE SEX CRIMES WERE IGNORED BY THE CHURCH FOR DECADES.

ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, AN ATTORNEY SAYS THEY LOOK FORWARD TO ADDRESSING THE CASE IN THE COURTROOM.

MEANTIME, NEW JERSEY IS NOW JUST A SECOND STAY IN THE NATION TO ADOPT A LAW HELPING NEW PARENTS, CREATING A UNIVERSAL HOME NURSE VISITATION PROGRAM, GUARANTEEING EVERY NEW PARENT OF TWO THREE IN-HOME VISITS BY A REGISTERED NURSE REGARDLESS OF INCOME INSURANCE, OR ZIP CODE, AND AT NO COST.

SO, THE STATE WILL MANDATE A FIRST VISIT WITHIN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS AFTER DELIVERY, AND INCLUDE ADOPTIVE PARENTS AND THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE TO STILLBIRTH, INCITING THE BILL TODAY, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID IT'S PART OF A LARGER PLAN TO REDUCE THE TURTLE MORTALITY RATES.

NEW JERSEY HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.

NEARLY DOUBLE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

BLACK MOTHERS ARE SEVEN TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM BIRTH -RELATED COMPLICATIONS AND WHITE MOTHERS.

ONE MOTHER SAYS THAT SHE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN SHE HAD PREECLAMPSIA IF NOT FOR AN IN- HOME NURSE VISIT.

>> I WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY TO THE EUROPEAN MY BLOOD PRESSURE WAS AS HIGH AS 190.

SO, BUT, THINK I AM HERE, I AM ALIVE.

BUT, I'M INCOME I THINK IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE VISITATION.

I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT.

I WOULD HAVE JUST BEEN HOME SAYING OH, IT IS A HEADACHE.

TYLENOL.

IT'S A HEADACHE, TYLENOL.

AND THEN, GOD FOR BID.

BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF THAT.

SO, BECAUSE OF THE VISITATION, I WOULD SAY I AM ALIVE TODAY.

>> TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR NEW JERSEY RENTERS FOR THE STATES EVICTION MORATORIUM EXPIRES AUGUST 31st FOR TENANTS WITHIN A CERTAIN INCOME BRACKET AS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES REMAIN BEHIND ON PAYMENTS.

SO FAR, JUST 30% OF THE ROUGHLY 718 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDS MEANT TO HELP LANDLORDS AND TENANTS HAVE BEEN DOLED OUT TO THE STATES RED RELIEF PROGRAM.

ACCORDING TO DATA.

THAT MONEY HAS BEEN USED TO HELP ABOUT 30,000 HOUSEHOLDS.

BUT, RECENT REPORTS SHOW NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS OWE ABOUT $1 BILLION IN BACK RENT.

HOUSING ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN WARNING OF A TSUNAMI OF EVICTIONS ONCE MORATORIUM LIFTS.

EVEN US COURTS SCRAMBLE TO WORK THROUGH EVICTION FILINGS.

TENS OF THOUSANDS REMAIN.

SOME HOUSING EXPERTS SAY THE DELAYS MAY BE CAUSED BY APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS, EVEN HESITANCY AMONG RENTERS AND LANDLORDS TO APPLY.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE DCA SAYS THE MONTH OF JUNE, THE STATES PROGRAM AND TO SIXTH IN THE NATION FOR DISTRIBUTING THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

COMMUTERS MAY NOT BE JUMPING AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOP BACK ON PUBLIC TRANSIT, BUT, VEHICLE TRAFFIC IS NEARING PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

HE PROBABLY SIGN IN.

NEW DATA FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY SHOW BRIDGE AND HALL TRAFFIC IS DOWN JUST 2% COMPARED TO JUNE 2019.

MEANWHILE, RIDERSHIP ON PATH TRAINS HAS NOT SEEN NEARLY THE SAME RETURN OF JUST OVER TWO AND HALF MILLION PASSENGERS IN JUNE.

THE NUMBERS, ABOUT 63% COMPARED TO THE SAME TIMEFRAME IN 2019.

NOW, SOME TRANSIT EXPERTS WORRY IT COULD TAKE YEARS TO SEE THE SYSTEM REBOUND, ESPECIALLY AS UNCERTAINTY GROWS WITH THE SPREAD OF NEW COVID-19 VARIANCE.

ALL PUTTING AN EXTRA STRAIN ON THE ROADS AND BRIDGES ESSENTIALLY LEADING TO, IF YOU CAN PICTURE IT, EVEN MORE CONGESTION, AND GRIDLOCK.

>>> SUPPORTING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS A KEY PIECE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS.

SO, DO THEY HAVE A DEAL?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST IN OUR BUSINESS REPORT.

RHONDA?

>> NEW JERSEY'S MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM COULD GET A MAJOR FUNDING BOOST BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE THAT HAS KEY BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN WASHINGTON.

THE SENATE HAD A PROCEDURAL VOTE TO ADVANCE THE $1 TRILLION DEAL, MAKING ME FOR ADDITIONAL DEBATE AND FORMAL VOTES.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THAT PACKAGE WILL INCLUDE BILLIONS FOR THE GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT.

IT'S ALSO FUNDING FOR A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER PRODUCTS.

ANYTHING FROM HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS TO BUILDING UP BROADBAND AND MODERNIZING THE COUNTRY'S ELECTRIC GRID.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS MAKING IT EASIER FOR MILLIONS OF SMALL BUSINESSES TO GET THEIR PPP LOANS FORGIVEN.

COMPANIES THAT BORROWED $150,000 OR LESS CAN STILL APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FOR FORGIVENESS.

AND, THEY WON'T HAVE TO SUPPLY DOCUMENTATION DETAILING CERTAIN REVENUE LOSSES.

IN NEW JERSEY, MORE THAN 300,000 BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS RECEIVE THOSE EMERGENCY PPP LOANS.

THE GOVERNMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF WINDING DOWN THE PROGRAM.

OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS, SPEAKERS PROMOTE A WIDE VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE.

THEY OFFER THEIR SUGGESTIONS TO THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, AND HOW BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS SHOULD BE SPENT.

JOHN WRIGHT MEYER LISTENED IN ON THOSE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND FOUND THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF IDEAS.

>> SMALL BUSINESSES ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL BEING BEHIND ON THEIR RENT OR WILL NOT HAVE BILLS COMES IN FOR THAT.

IT REALLY GOES ACROSS NEW JERSEY IN THAT THERE IS A LOT OF MEAT OUT THERE STILL.

THIS AND MORE DETAILS ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL AT THE NATIONWIDE BAN ON EVICTIONS EXPIRE THE SATURDAY AFTER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SIGNALED IT WOULD ONLY BE EXTENDED UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH.

NEW JERSEY HAS A STATE LAW IN PLACE THAT EXTENDS OUR MORATORIUM FOR SEVERAL ADDITIONAL MONTHS.

ALTHOUGH, LANDLORDS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FILE EVICTION CASES.

AND THOSE CASES ARE SET TO BE HEARD SHORTLY.

NOW, HERE IS A CHECK ON TODAY'S WALL STREET TRADING.

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

>>> AFTER A TUMULTUOUS YEAR OF POLITICS AND PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, THE STATE IS BRINGING CIVICS BACK TO THE CLASSROOM.

THE NEW LAW REQUIRES ALL MIDDLE SCHOOLERS TO TAKE AT LEAST ONE COURSE ON THE SUBJECT, STARTING NEXT YEAR.

HOPING TO FILL WHAT PROPONENTS CALL A CRITICAL GAP IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND PERHAPS NO BETTER TIME.

JANINE DONALDSON REPORTS.

>> WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS DONE, AND ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS ADDED TO THE CURRICULUM FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO CLOSING THE LEARNING GAP IN SCHOOLS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY PASSED THE LAW REQUIRING CIVICS CLASSES BE TAUGHT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> STUDIES SHOW THAT THE AVERAGE HIGH SCHOOLER ACROSS THE NATION IS REALLY LACKING IN AN UNDERSTANDING OF CIVICS EDUCATION.

>> REPORTER:, BILL SPONSOR TOM KEAN JR. SAYS IT'S MUCH MORE THAN A SINGLE CLASS.

IT'S AN ENTIRE FOCUS ON WHO WE ARE AS A COUNTRY.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BRING OTHERS TOGETHER.

ONE THING THAT IS INSTITUTIONAL AND HISTORICAL, BASIS IN OUR BOOTS, AND FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THOSE COMMON AND ENGAGED CITIZENS AND STUDENTS.

>> ALLIES NAME FOR THE LONGEST- SERVING POLE WORK IN THE COUNTRY.

THEY WERE DEPOSING NEW JERSEY FOR 79 YEARS UNTIL SHE PASSED AWAY.

A LEADER AND HOW TO APPLY CIVICS AND BE ENGAGED.

>> THE UNDERSTANDING WAS THE GOVERNMENT, THE TRUST IN THE GOVERNMENT.

IT CAN MEAN THE WAY THAT PEOPLE INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER.

>> ASSOCIATE DEAN OF COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY, DR. LESLIE WILSON SAYS THE CIVICS TEACHES YOU ABOUT PUBLIC DISCOURSE.

HOW DO YOU TALK TO EACH OTHER QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU ENGAGE IN A CONVERSATION, AND HOW DOES THAT CONVERSATION LEAD TO MEANINGFUL CHANGE?

>> WE HAD A LOT OF BOOK ENGAGEMENT, BUT WE HAVE NOT REALLY HAD CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

SO, A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE COUNTRY HAVE BASICALLY TURNED INTO DEMONSTRATIONS.

>> AND OF THE PRIMARY SPONSOR OF THE BILL LACEY JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION ON CAPITOL HILL IS THE PUSH NEEDED TO GET THE LAW PATH.

SAYING THAT A STATEMENT, THE INSURRECTION WAS ALARMING TO MANY PEOPLE, AND SERVE AS A WAKE-UP CALL THAT WE NEED TO PREPARE FUTURE GENERATIONS ABOUT CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT.

HE SAYS IF MORE PEOPLE IN CIVICS, THE INSURRECTION MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

>> PEOPLE HAVE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE WAS -- >> SO, MAYBE 30 YEARS OF NOT HAVING CIVICS IS, THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

>> ARLENE GARDNER, PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR CIVIC EDUCATION IS WORKING TO DEVELOP THE CURRICULUM.

SHE SAYS THE MISSION OF MOST SCHOOLS IS USUALLY CREATING INFORMED ENGAGED CITIZENS.

BUT, SHE SAYS WITHOUT TEACHING CIVICS, THAT CANNOT HAPPEN.

THE ACT ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE'VE ALREADY STARTED WORKING ON IS REALLY WORKING ON THOSE SKILLS FOR HAVING A CIVIL DISCOURSE WHEN YOU DISAGREE WITH PEOPLE.

>> SHE SAYS THEY HAVE ABOUT 20 SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS AND SUPERVISORS, AND SOME UNIVERSITY FACULTY THAT ARE WORKING TO DEVELOP THE TRICKY ONE.

ULTIMATELY, IT IS STILL LEFT TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT HOW THEY DO THIS.

OKAY?

THAT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

THE CURRICULUM GUIDE, THE RESOURCES, THE MATERIALS WE ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH THAT WE'VE ALREADY STARTED TO PUT TOGETHER.

THAT IS NOT A MANDATED CURRICULUM, THAT'S TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE TEACHERS.

>> UNDER THE NEW LAW, CIVICS CLASSES WILL BE REQUIRED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 2022 AND 2023 SCHOOL YEAR.

I AM JANINE DONALDSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER LAST YEAR, NEWARK MAYOR COMMITTED THE CITY TO PROVIDING MORE COMMUNITY-BASED ANTIVIOLENCE PROGRAMS.

AND ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF INCARCERATION FOR AT RISK JUVENILES AND ADULTS.

THE ANSWER IN PART IS THE NEW SAFE SUMMER ACADEMY, SETTING RESIDENTS OFFER A PATH TO SUCCESS.

LEAH MISHKIN HAS THE STORY.

>> AND SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE IN NEW YORK IN A SPACE TRANSFERRED INTO A CLASSROOM, THERE'S A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY AND GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

>> THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR TO ESTABLISH GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

RIGHT?

SO, BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY BEEN A DISPARITY, YOU'VE BEEN ON THE HAMSTER WHEEL.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE SAFE SUMMER ACADEMY, PROGRAM AND BY THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND TRAUMA RECOVERY WHICH STARTED A YEAR AGO.

PART OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUT IT WAS INVESTED TO FUND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS LIKE THIS ONE.

>> WOULD BE HEAD-ON.

>> MEDIUM INCOME IS JUST ABOUT $20,000.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT SPECIALIST SAYS HER GOAL IS TO HELP PARTICIPANTS LEARN HOW TO EARN MONEY AND HOW TO KEEP IT.

>> SO THEY COULD BE MULTIPLIED AND BECOME GENERATIONAL WEALTH FROM THE NEXT GENERATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE HELPING THEM TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES, SO WE ARE GIVING THEM BUSINESS PLANS FOR BUSINESS MODELS.

THEY ARE WORKING ON IT.

ALL THE PARTICIPANT COME IN AREAS WHERE CRIME RATES ARE HIGH.

THE TEAM KNOCKED ON DOORS LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE TERMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, OR BEEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE.

>> ALL THE PARTICIPANTS ARE CONNECTED TO A SOCIAL WORKER.

SO, THEY ALL HAVE THERAPIST THAT THEY CONNECTED TO COUNSELORS IN THERAPY, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT MOST PEOPLE FROM INNER CITIES DON'T NECESSARILY TAP INTO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

>> WHEN I LEAVE THE HOUSE, ALL I SMELL IS GUNSMOKE BECAUSE OF THE ENVIRONMENT I'M IN.

BUT I KNOW WE KEEP WORKING AT IT.

>> BRENDA MATUTE IS ONE OF THE HUNDRED AND 20 PARTICIPANTS SAFE SUMMER ACADEMY TARGETS PARTICIPANTS AGE ANYWHERE FROM 14 TO 40.

EACH PERSON IS GIVEN UPWARDS OF $15 AN HOUR TO SPEND THE SUMMER LEARNING LIFE SKILLS .2 INSTEAD OF US GETTING UP IN THE MORNING, BEING ON A CORNER, WE ARE INTO BOOKS, WE ARE READING LITERATURE, EXERCISING HER VOCABULARY, AND MAKING THIS GREAT AS PERSONS.

>> THEY ARE GETTING FINANCIAL LITERACY, TRAINING, THEY WILL BE GETTING CERTIFICATIONS.

WE'VE DONE WIG MAKING CLASSES IN THE PAST.

MAKEUP CLASSES, CARPENTRY, ELECTRICAL SKILLS, WELDING.

>> I SEE A LOT OF ENTREPRENEURS IN THERE THAT LEFT THE LOCK ALONE.

>> LLOYD SAID HE IS COMMITTED, LOOKING TO CHANGE HIS WHOLE LIFE FOR HIS SIX-YEAR-OLD SON BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE WITHOUT A FATHER.

HIS DAD WAS KILLED WHEN HE WAS YOUNG.

>> MY DREAM IS TO MY HOUSE AND HAVE A RANCH.

BECAUSE I WANT TO GROW FOOD, AND I WANT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY TO NOT ACCESS THE FIDELITY TEACH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND WE WANT TO BREAK THE GENERATIONAL CURSE OF GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

>> HE HAS A STORE WHERE HE SELLS FRUITS AND WATER.

IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY, HE TOLD US HIS MOM USUALLY PASSED AWAY, AND HE'S BEEN SLEEPING IN HIS CAR TO SAVE MONEY.

BUT, HE IS NOT DISCOURAGED.

>> EACH DAY YOU WAKE UP AND YOU GO THROUGH SOMETHING AND YOUR BACK IS AGAINST THE LAW, YOU CAN ADAPT TO IT.

JUST KNOW SOME PEOPLE DID NOT WAKE UP TODAY.

SOME PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING FOR THE LIGHT.

WE GOT IN THE CHANCE OF LIFE.

WE MAY NOT HAVE $100,000 IN OUR SAVINGS, BUT HAVE A CHANCE TO BE GREAT.

>> IN NEWARK, FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> AND FINALLY TONIGHT, YOU CANNOT JUST GET ANY MORE JERSEY THAN A PARKWAY REST UP.

HAVING ONE IN YOUR NAMESAKE, NOW THAT IS A TOP HONOR.

IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO FILL UP YOUR TANK OR GRAB A SNACK AT THE JOHN BON JOVI, WHITNEY HOUSTON, OR JAMES GANDOLFINI REST AREA.

THE NAMES OF 9 ICONIC NEW JERSEYANS ALONG THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, COMPLETE WITH AN EXHIBIT DISPLAYING HIGHLIGHTS OF THEIR WORK AND LIFE IN THE STATE, COURTESY, OF COURSE OF THE NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME.

THE OTHER NOTABLES INCLUDE CONNIE CHUNG, LARRY DOBY, JUDY BLOOM, CELIA CRUZ, TONI MORRISON, AND OLD BLUE EYES, FRANK SINATRA.

TO CLEAR UP ANY CONFUSION, THE BOSS WAS ASKED, BUT BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN DECLINED THE HONOR.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THE LATEST RISING COVERT CASES AND SHIFTING GUIDANCE TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ.

HE SPEAKS WITH DR. SHARIF DOWN THE HALL.

THE CEO AND PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.

A PANEL OF JOURNALISTS DISCUSSED THE LATEST ON THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

WATCH IT ON THE NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> 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.