>>> 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.

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

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

HOT SUMMER MONTHS ARE A NON- PRECURSOR FOR CRIME.

BUT, MANY CITIES ACROSS NEW JERSEY AND THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY REPORTING TRAUMA AFTER TRAUMA LONG BEFORE THE HEAT WAVES SET IN.

A NATIONWIDE OUTBREAK OF VIOLENT CRIME, MORE SPECIFICALLY, INVOLVING GUNS.

THE EXPERTS WHO TRACK IT WENT TO THE PANDEMIC FOR WORSENING THE CAUSES AND THE VIOLENCE, IN TRENTON, AND TROUBLESHOOTING OVER THE HOLIDAY, INJURING 216- YEAR-OLD.

ONE, FATALLY.

ONE WAS KILLED AND ANOTHER INJURED IN A FRIDAY MORNING SHOOTING IN CAMDEN AND IN PATTERSON, THE CITY IS ON TARGET FOR ONE MOST VIOLENT YEARS WITH MORE SHOOTING VIC'S WITHIN 2020.

ONE OF THE WORST ON RECENT RECORD.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> FAR TOO MANY GUNS ON OUR STREETS.

DRUGS AND GUNS IS WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR TODAY ADDRESSED THE RISE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN HIS CITY OF PATTERSON THIS PAST WEEKEND, AND OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

THERE HAVE BEEN SIX VIOLENT CRIME INCIDENTS IN THE LAST SIX DAYS WITH 10 VICTIMS.

>> THERE IS AN ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE SURGE.

60% INCREASE IN LIGHT OF SALES IN 2020, OVER 2019 AND, THE SEARCHES SEEM TO CONTINUE INTO 2021 AS WELL.

>> THE INCREASE IN GUN SALES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A 20 TO 30% RISE IN GUN VIOLENCE VICTIMS FROM YEAR-TO-YEAR.

OFFICIALS IN PATTERSON POINT TO A LACK OF POLICE PRESENCE TWO COVID, BUT THIS YEAR, THE CITY IS ON TRACK TO OUTPACE LAST YEAR'S SHOOTINGS, AND 163 PEOPLE WERE SHOT AT 2020 ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE STATE POLICE.

THIS YEAR, ALREADY MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ARE SHOT, AND IT'S ONLY MIDYEAR.

>> BY CONDUCTING SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND YOU WILL SEE THE RESULTS.

WE ARE GOING TO BRING THOSE VIOLENT OFFENDERS TO JUSTICE.

>> Reporter: CITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE DOUBLING DOWN ON THE POLICING EFFORTS AND WHILE THERE IS A NEW CLASS OF POLICE RECRUITS STARTING THIS WEEK, PUBLIC A FEW DIRECT THEIR UNDERSTANDS HIS OFFICERS CANNOT FIX THIS ALONE.

>> WHETHER IT BE LAW ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES, COMMUNITY COLLABORATION, WHETHER IT BE PARTNERSHIPS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS TOGETHER IS HOW WE WILL RESPOND TO THE VIOLENCE.

>> GROUPS LIKE CEASE-FIRE AND THE PATTERSON HEALING COLLECT THE ARE TRYING TO OFFER YOUNG PEOPLE ALTERNATIVES TO GANG ACTIVITY AND RETALIATORY MEASURES.

>> WE ARE THERE CONTINUALLY, YOU KNOW, REACHING OUT, OFFERING ALL THE RESOURCES, BUT THERE HAS TO BE A PRESENCE, AND THAT PRESENCE HAS TO BE THERE TO OFFER SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> I WOULD SAY AT LEAST IS NOT 95%, PROVIDING RETALIATION AND REINJURY, ONLY IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WERE LEFT IN THE YEAR.

WE'VE HAD OVER CLOSE TO 90 PARTICIPANTS COME THROUGH OUR DOORS, AND SO FAR, WORK HAS BEEN GOOD WITH HELPING THEM MAINTAIN A BALANCE.

TWO THE ORGANIZATION WAS STARTED IN OCTOBER..

TRAINED BY THE COMMUNITY STREET TEAM THAT HAS GREAT SUCCESS, BRINGING THE RATE OF SHOOTING STUNNING NEWARK.

>> TONS OF RESEARCH, TONS OF EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS COMMUNITY- BASED PUBLIC SAFETY HAS A LOT HAPPENS.

THERE IS YOU KNOW, PROGRAMS LIKE THE HOSPITAL BASED INTERVENTION PROGRAM LIKE OURS, THAT'S EVIDENCE-BASED.

>> Reporter: WITHOUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT OVER THIS PAST YEAR, THEY ARE CONFIDENT THE SHOOTINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW, AND THEY SAY HIRING MORE POLICE IS NOT THE ANSWER.

>> A LOT OF TIMES IT'S A CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSE:00 THEM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY AND WE ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THAT PERSPECTIVE, TALKING ABOUT HOW WE BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE COMMUNITY.

HOW DID WE GET MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS INTERVENTION OF THE KEY POINT OF WHERE IT IS IN THE FOREFRONT.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THAT HAS DEPLETED THE RESOURCES MAKING GUN VIOLENCE WORSE.

>> IF WE LOSE ACCESS TO A LOT OF THE RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES AND IT MIGHT OTHERWISE REDUCE THE ODDS AND END UP IN A CONFLICT.

>> Reporter: THESE COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE CALLING FOR SIGNIFICANT FUNDING ONCE PATTERSON RECEIVES A SUPPLICATION FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

>> WE SEE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND WE ASK HIM HOW TO HAVE A SHOT.

IF THERE'S 10 PEOPLE ON THE BLOCK, THAT IS A PROBLEM, RIGHT QUESTION MARKS OF THE CITY OFFICIALS ARE NOT WILLING TO PUT THE FOREFRONT, WE ARE NOT GOING TO ADDRESS THIS.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS REVIEWING HOW THESE GROUPS FULLY FUNDED.

AND PATTERSON, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> CITIES LIKE PATTERSON WILL BE LOOKING TO STATE LEADERS TO PRIORITIZE THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS, AND IT WILL BE A TOPIC FRONT AND CENTER FOR THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE THIS FALL.

GOVERNOR MURPHY COME IN TODAY, QUOTING LATINO VOTERS AND TELLING HIS PROGRESSIVE POLICIES THAT HELP COMMUNITIES OF COLOR DURING THE PANDEMIC.

PART OF AN EFFORT TO SHOO UP HIS BASE, BUT WILL HE STILL BE ABLE TO RELY ON THAT RECORD, NOVEMBER?

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>>> IT'S BEEN A RELIABLE VOTING BLOCK FOR PHIL MURPHY.

82% FOR 2017, AND THE CAMPAIGN IS EXPECTED TO BE JUST AS WELCOME NOVEMBER.

TODAY'S ENDORSEMENT OF THE NEW JERSEY COALITION OF LATINO PASTORS AND MINISTERS IS AN EARLY STEP TOWARDS THAT GOAL.

>> Reporter: TO BE SURE, MANY OF THESE PASTORS ARE CONNECTED TO DEMOCRATS IN AND OUT OF THE OFFICE, BUT YOU DON'T GET 80% OF THE VOTE WITHOUT DELIVERING ON SOME POLICY PROMISES.

FREE COLLEGE TUITION, AND FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS, INCLUDING SO-CALLED DREAMERS.

DRIVERS LICENSES FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED.

A GAME CHANGER FOR THOUSANDS OF WORKERS.

AS WELL AS NUTRITION, AND HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR POOR AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THE OTHER STATE.

NOT TO MENTION, MILLIONS MORE TO UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS TO THE PANDEMIC RELIEF FUND FUNDED BY THE STATES FIRST LADY.

>> 21% IS A HUGE VOTING BLOCK.

>> Reporter: IS THE STATE PERCENTAGE OF LATINO RESIDENTS BUT IS GROWING NOT ONLY IN SIZE, BUT IN DIVERSITY.

CARLOS MEDINA RUNS THE STATEWIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUT HE SAYS LATINOS ARE NOT JUST CONSUMERS, THEY ARE ENTREPRENEURS, AND MANAGERS OF COMPANIES.

>> ONE OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT'S REALLY GOT AN A RATING IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAS BEEN THE EDA.

SO I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE EDA HAS HELPED A LOT OF UNDOCUMENTED HISPANIC BUSINESS OWNERS, WHICH IN TURN HAVE HELPED UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS.

>> BUT, PROGRESSIVES IN THE PARTY SAY MURPHY HAS COME UP SHORT ESPECIALLY IN THE YEAR WITH THE STATE WAS FLUSHED WITH CASH AND HANDING OVER BILLION DOLLARS IN CHRISTMAS TREE ITEMS IN THE STATE BUDGET.

THE ADMINISTRATION PUT UP $40 MILLION IN A STATE FUND TO HEL UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS HIT HARD BY THE ECONOMIC LOSSES OF COVID, A NUMBER EVEN THE GOVERNOR ADMITS IS NOT ENOUGH.

BUT, THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR, AND THE GOVERNOR'S COALITION INCLUDES SOME CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS, SO YOU WILL SOMETIMES BE FORCED TO WALK A FINE LINE, SAYS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS SOCIAL JUSTICE REPORTER, >> I THINK HE HAS TO.

I THINK THAT'S WHY HE'S BEING SO CAREFUL ABOUT SIGNING THIS BILL ON THE DETENTION, THE ICE DETENTIONS BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S A LOT RIDING ON THIS, RIGHT?

AND EVEN WHEN HE PUT OUT HIS OFFICE PUT OUT THE RELEASE ON THE MONEY, THE $40 MILLION FOR UNDOCUMENTED, IT WAS PART OF A LARGER RELEASE ON HOW MUCH MONEY YOU SPEND TO SMALL BUSINESSES, ETC.

HE DID NOT WANT THAT TO BE THE FOCUS.

SO, I THINK HE'S VERY AWARE OF WHAT HE NEEDS, LIKE WHAT HE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO, HE IS VERY CAREFUL ABOUT SOME THINGS AT THIS POINT.

>> BUT REALLY, AS SOME HAVE POINTED OUT, WHERE ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO GO?

THIS IS WHAT REPUBLICAN JACK CHIARELLI HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE UNDOCUMENTED.

>> LASTING LEGAL CITIZENS ARE WAITING FOR MONTH UPON THE UPON UNEMPLOYMENT PACKAGE IS ONE TAX DOLLARS, WHETHER STATE OR FEDERAL ARE BEING USED FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

SOME >> THE LAST TIME A REPUBLICAN WON THE LATINO THAT WAS IN 2013 WHEN CHRIS CRISTI GOT 51%.

OF COURSE, THAT WAS PRE-TRUMPED CHRISTIE AT THE HEIGHT OF HIS CLINICAL POWERS, AND POPULARITY.

IT'S A RECIPE THAT JACK CHIARELLI WILL HAVE TO TRY HARD TO REPLICATE.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY IS TAKING SOME HEAT FOR ATTACHING A PERSONAL MESSAGE WITH HIS NAME TO THE $500 REBATE CHECKS BEING MAILED OUT TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES THIS WEEK.

CRITICS ARE CALLING IT AN ELECTION YEAR STUNT, BUT YOU WILL NOT HEAR PUSHBACK FROM THE HEADS OF NEW JERSEY'S THREE LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTERS.

ALL SLATED TO SHARE A POT OF $450 MILLION FROM FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLANS FOR PANDEMIC RELATED UP TRADES.

COOPER UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN CAMDEN, RW J BARNABAS WITH JOHNSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NEWARK.

WE WILL EACH RECEIVE UP TO $150 MILLION TO HELP THEM PREPARE FOR THE NEXT EMERGENCY.

LEADERS AT ALL THREE FACILITIES WERE STUNNED TO FIND OUT THE FINAL BUDGET INCLUDED THE CASH.

WE ASK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL PRESIDENT AND CEO, DR. CHARISSE OMAHA HOW HE PLANS TO USE IT.

DR. OMAHA, RIGHT OFF THE BAT, I JUST WANT TO GET YOUR REACTION TO THE FACT THAT THE HOSPITAL WILL BE RECEIVING THIS MONEY, BECAUSE I WOULD SAY IT'S PROBABLY FAIRLY INFREQUENT THAT THE ORGANIZATION GETS FUNDING THAT YOU DON'T KNOW IS COMING YOUR WAY.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

SO FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE THRILLED THAT THE GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP, AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATOR VOTED TO ADMINISTER THOSE FUNDING TO LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTERS.

I THINK EVERYONE RECOGNIZED HOW MEANINGFUL OUR EFFORTS WERE PUT IN AIDING THE RESPONSE, ESPECIALLY FROM HOSPITAL CAPACITY.

I THINK IT WAS WITH THAT RECOGNITION THAT WE GOT THIS INCREDIBLE INVESTMENT, AND WE ARE GOING TO MAKE GREAT USE OF THAT MONEY IN A NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE HOSPITAL THAT WILL BE MORE TO PANDEMIC READY, BUT ALSO BEAT THE LONG- TERM HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY MUCH MORE GOING FORWARD.

>> SO WHAT ARE THE PLANS BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR WAS PRETTY VAGUE, CALLING IT MONEY FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AND ARE THE LIMITATIONS ON HOW YOU CAN IN THE MONEY?

>> WELL, WE HAD TO GO ON THE GUIDANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ON HOW WE SPEND THE MONEY AND HOW MUCH BETTER IT PREPARES US AS HOSPITALS, BRICK- AND-MORTAR INSTITUTIONS BUT ALSO WHAT MORE WE CAN DO FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I CAN TELL YOU WE ARE ALREADY THINKING VERY HARD ABOUT HOW TO SPEND THE MONEY WHEN IT COMES TO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, WE ALREADY HAVE PLANS TO BUILD A NEW FACILITY HERE.

I KNOW THAT THIS MONEY WILL BE CRUCIAL FOR THAT EFFORT, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE CONSULT WITH THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT OR THAT IS GOING TO HAVE MEANINGFUL OVERSIGHT BUT ALSO ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE PROCESS, BUT WE ARE LEAKING FORWARD TO PUTTING THE FUNDS TO GOOD USE.

>> WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE NEW CONSTRUCTION?

ARE YOU HOPING TO FOCUS IT MORE TOWARDS OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES?

YOU KNOW, FUTURE PERHAPS EMERGENCIES QUESTION MARK >> FIRST OF ALL, IT WAS CLEAR THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC AND EVEN NOW THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CAPACITY TO MEET THE NEED AND DEMAND OF HEALTHCARE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

SO THE VERY FIRST THING WE ARE GOING TO DO IS EXPAND OUR EMERGENCY ROOM, AND THAT UPGRADE OUR EMERGENCY ROOM AND AT HOSPITAL BED, AND ULTIMATELY GROW THE CAPACITY AND SEE PATIENTS HERE.

THINK THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT MEASURE.

IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS BECAUSE IF YOU REMEMBER, WE HAD TO HAVE A MEDICAL STATION AT A FIELD HOSPITAL TO HELP US TRANSITION PATIENTS AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO, I THINK HAVING THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL THAT SERVES THE MOST VULNERABLE BE ABLE TO TAKE ON PATIENTS WITH MORE BEDS, MORE STAFF.

ALL OF THAT IS TO BE NECESSARY GOING FORWARD.

AND THEN, SECONDARILY, OF COURSE WE ARE GOING TO BE BUILDING OTHER SERVICES THAT FOLKS ARE GOING TO NEED POST PANDEMIC, BECAUSE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES THAT HAVE GONE UP SINCE THEN, DEFERRED CARE, THE LATE CARE, BUT ALSO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES THAT HAVE ONLY EXPLODED, UNFORTUNATELY.

>> THERE IS THIS IDEA THAT AN YOU KNOW, A CRISIS EMERGES AND THE MONEY COMES.

CRISIS OVER, MONEY STOPS POURING IN.

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT THE TYPE OF SHORT-TERM THINKING THAT CAUSED OUR PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE TO EITHER GO UNDERFUNDED OR EVEN DETERIORATE OVER TIME IN SOME WAYS.

AND NEW JERSEY IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE BETTER FUNDED PUBLIC HEALTH STATES, YOU HAVE A LOT OF STATES THAT HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE DOLLAR OF ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND DECADES WHO SUFFERED EVEN MORE TO THIS PANDEMIC, AND SO I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO REPAIRING THIS, THAT MEANS ALSO LOOKING AT ISSUES AROUND HEALTH EQUITY, AND THE FACT THAT JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS MEDICAID, OR RELIES ON CHARITY CARE, THAT SHOULD NOT DETERMINE THE STATUS OF THE HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THEM, IN FACT EVEN BETTER WITH MORE HEALTHCARE.

SO I THINK THIS IS A NON-STORED EQUITY WITH THE BLACK AND BROWN AND VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY DOCTOR.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SINCE THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE EARLY DAYS OF PANDEMIC, THE STATE IS REPORTING ZERO DEATHS RELATED TO COVID-19.

THE LAST TIME THAT HAPPENED WAS NEARLY 16 MONTHS AGO ON MARCH 17th OF 2020, TWO WEEKS AFTER THE STATE ANNOUNCED ITS FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

THE STATE IS ALSO REPORTING ANOTHER 145 POSITIVE TESTS.

HEALTH LEADERS SAY THE OUTBREAK IS LEVELING OFF AS MORE PEOPLE GET FULLY VACCINATED.

MORE THAN 5 MILLION AS OF TODAY, AND EVEN WITH AN INCREASE IN INFECTIONS CAUSED BY THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS NEW DELTA VARIANT, THERE'S ALSO NEW DATA TONIGHT SUGGESTING THE PFIZER CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IS LESS EFFECTIVE AGAINST DELTA, BUT ADULTS WITH SEVERE ILLNESS AND HOSPITALIZATION.

IN A JUNE STUDY CONDUCTED IN ISRAEL, THE VACCINE PROTECTED 64% OF THOSE WHO HAVE THE SHOTS FROM INFECTION DURING AN OUTBREAK OF THE DELTA STRAIN.

NOW THAT IS DOWN 30% FROM THE DATA COLLECTED IN MAY WHEN THE VARIANCE WAS LESS PREVALENT.

IT WAS 94% EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING SERIOUS SYMPTOMS DURING THE SAME PERIOD.

METHODOLOGY AND DATA ON WHICH THE FINDINGS ARE BASED HAVE YET TO BE RELEASED.

THE NEW RESEARCH IS PROMPTING HEALTH LEADERS THERE'S A PUSH FOR MORE STUDIES ON THE LONG- TERM EFFICACY OF THE VACCINE.

OTHER BOOSTER SHOTS WILL BE NEEDED.

MEANWHILE, IN CAMDEN, AN EFFORT TO BUILD THE CITY UP BY TEARING DOWN HOMES.

THE INITIATIVE IS CALLED CAMDEN STRONG AND TARGETS ABOUT 300 UNSAFE HOLDINGS.

STARTED AT THE KRAMER HILL NEIGHBORHOOD MOVING ACROSS THE CITY, THE MAYOR SAYS THE DEMOLITION AS PART OF HIS LARGER 100 A PLAN TO REBUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY.

IT ALSO CALLS FOR CLEANING UP ILLEGAL DUMPING AND ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO GET INVOLVED IN KEEPING THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS CLEAN.

THE MAYOR SAYS RIDDING THE ABANDONED HOMES WILL ALSO HELP WITH CRIME.

THEY OFTEN SERVE AS STASH HOUSES FOR DRUGS AND FIREARMS ARE EASILY CONCEALED VIOLENT CRIMES LIKE ROBBERY OR SEXUAL ASSAULT.

THE PROJECT IS BEING INTO TWO PHASES OVER ABOUT TWO YEARS AND WILL COST ROUGHLY $15 MILLION WITH FUNDING HELP FROM THE STATE.

CONTRIBUTION STATE PROJECT IS TAKING SHAPE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER IS HERE WITH OUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> ALONG THE BASE NOW SITTING ON GOVERNOR MURPHY'S DESK IS SOMETHING THAT PROMOTES SOLAR POWER IN THE STATE BUT NOT EVERYONE IS SATISFIED WITH THE LEGISLATION.

THE ENCOURAGED THE LARGE SOLAR GRIDS WITH GENERATE ELECTRICITY IN A LOWER COST THAN OTHER SIMILAR PROJECTS LIKE SOLAR PANELS ON PEOPLE'S HOMES.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT IS THE LARGE PROJECTS THAT WILL HELP NEW JERSEY MEET ITS CLEAN ENERGY GOALS.

IT ESSENTIALLY SPOTLIGHTS TOM JOHNSON'S ASSET, THE LEGISLATION COMES AT A PRICE.

>> THE PROBLEM IS, THEY LIFTED A CAP ON HOW MUCH CAN BE'S VENTS ON SOLAR PROJECTS.

AND THAT COULD INCREASE PAIRS, WHICH IS CONTRARY TO THE ADMINISTRATION'S GOAL OF KEEPING RATES AFFORDABLE.

>> THIS STORY, CHECK OUT MY COLLEAGUES REPORTING ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF WIND POWER ANOTHER PRIORITY FOR THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, AND THIS PLACE TO GET WORKERS TRAINED FOR NEW JOBS.

IT'LL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY.

THE STATE IS AWARDING $3 MILLION TO ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WHICH WILL DEVELOP A WORKPLACE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR THOSE JOBS.

THE COLLEGE AIMS TO HAVE A CERTIFIED TRAINING PROGRAM AND FACILITY UP AND RUNNING BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

THE LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND IS GOOD FOR MANY BUSINESSES, BUT THOUSANDS CONTINUED TO STRUGGLE.

AND ONE LOBBYING GROUP IS PUSHING HARD FOR MORE FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP THE INDUSTRY.

ESPECIALLY NOW WITH A SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION HAVING CLOSED THE $28 BILLION RESTAURANT THE LATERALIZATION PROGRAM.

ACCORDING TO THE INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT COALITION, 265,000 SMALL RESTAURANTS STILL NEED FINANCIAL HELP AND THEY ARE ON THE BRINK OF PERMANENT CLOSURE.

THE RESTAURANT PROGRAM PROVIDED GRANTS FOR 100,000 RESTAURANTS FOR ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF FUNDING.

THE APPROVAL HAS RUN DRY.

GOVERNING MOVIE RECENTLY SIGNED LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE MORE GRANTS TO NEW JERSEY RESTAURANTS AND THE STATES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES ARE STILL TAKING APPLICATIONS THROUGH MID JULY FOR ITS PROGRAM, WHICH ALLOWS NONPROFITS TO BUY MEALS IN BULK FROM NEW JERSEY RESTAURANTS.

NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET PERFORMED TODAY.

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

>>> A SURREAL SCENE OUTSIDE OF A HOME ON MONDAY AS POLICE ESCORTED A MAN FROM HIS HOME AND INTO CUSTODY AS ROUGHLY 100 PEOPLE PROTESTED OUTSIDE.

ALL IN RESPONSE TO A VIRAL VIDEO THAT SHOWED THE MAN SHOUTING RACIAL SLURS AT NEIGHBORS.

POLICE SAY 45-YEAR-OLD EDWARD MATTHEWS IS CHARGED WITH HARASSMENT AND BIAS INTIMIDATION AFTER A RESIDENT REPORTED BEING CONTINUALLY HARASSED HIM AND PROVIDED FOOTAGE SHOWING MATTHEWS ALSO SPIT ON THE VICTIM.

POLICE SPENT HOURS IN INTENSE STANDOFF OUTSIDE THE HOME AS PROTESTERS COUNTERED OUTSIDE SHOUTING FOR HIM TO SHOW FACE AND VERBALLY CONFRONTING POLICE.

IT ALL CAME TO A HEAD AFTER OFFICERS ENTERED MATTHEWS HOME TO ESCORT HIM OUT.

THAT IS WHEN REPORTS SAY PROTESTERS THROUGH PLASTIC BOTTLES AND USE PEPPER SPRAY HITTING BOTH MATTHEWS AND THE OFFICERS AS THEY LEFT.

NO ONE WAS INJURED.

AFTER EXTENDED SCHOOL CLOSURES CAUSE LIMITED LEARNING DURING THE PANDEMIC, NEWLY RELEASED STANDARDIZED TEST RESULTS SHOW NEWARK STUDENTS STRUGGLED THIS YEAR, AND THE DISTRICT HAD THE INFORMATION, BUT FAILED TO SHARE IT WITH THE PUBLIC.

NEARLY 80% OF THIRD GRADERS AND ALMOST 90 PERCENT OF FOURTH- GRADERS WOULD NOT MEET THE PASSING SCORE ON STATE MATH EXAMS.

ACCORDING TO A DISTRICT ANALYSIS AT THE TEST, AND THEY LIKELY CONTINUE TO SLIP BEHIND AS REMOTE LENDING STRETCHED ON.

IF THE DISTRICT TOOK STEPS THAT INTENTIONALLY OR NOT WITHHELD THE PANDEMICS FULL IMPACT ON THE STUDENT BODY, FOR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY.

OUR CONTENT PARTNER FROM CHUCK B HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY.

PATRICK, AT LEAST ACCORDING TO WHAT YOU REPORTED HERE FROM THESE FINDINGS, THE DAMAGES DONE.

THESE RESULTS ARE PRETTY ALARMING.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE FIRST GLIMPSE THAT WE'VE HAD OF HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED NEW YORK STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY, AND THIS IS NOT SURPRISING.

THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE AT THE NATIONAL AND THE STATE LEVEL.

REMOTE LEARNING HAD A REALLY DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON A LOT OF STUDENTS LEARNING, BUT WHAT THIS SHOWS IS THAT THIS HAS REALLY SET BACK NEWARK STUDENTS AT LEAST A SUBSET OF THEN PRETTY EXTENSIVELY.

THIS IS JUST LOOKING AT MATH FOR A COUPLE OF GRADES, BUT BASED ON WHAT THE DISTRESSED SAUL ON THESE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, IT LOOKS LIKE THE STUDENTS WERE NOT EXPECTED TO THE STATE EXAMS.

>> SO THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PUBLIC MEETINGS AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, THE SUPERINTENDENT WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS, AND WHEN THEY WERE CONFRONTED WITH IT, WHAT DID THE DISTRICT SAY?

>> WELL, PART OF THE ISSUE IS THAT THE DISTRICT HAS NOT REALLY REVEALED THESE PUBLICLY, AT LEAST AT THE WARD MEETINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS SOMETHING OTHER DISTRICTS ARE GOING TO SEE AS WELL.

STUDENTS WOULD NOT ONLY TAKE THESE TESTS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC THEY WERE CANCELED.

SO, DISTRICTS WERE GIVING THEIR OWN TEST, AND THAT MEANS IS UP TO DISTRICT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO SHARE THAT DATA WITH THE PUBLIC OR NOT.

AND IN THIS CASE, SO FAR, THE DISTRICT REALLY HAS NOT, AND WHAT SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS I SPOKE WITH SAID IS THAT THEY DON'T BLAME THE DISTRICT FOR THIS LEARNING LOSS, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT STUDENTS ARE SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY DOING, BUT IF THE DISTRICT DOES NOT MAKE IT PUBLIC IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO TRACK STUDENTS PROGRESS CATCHING UP, AND TO HOLD IT JUST ACCOUNTABLE.

>> IT WAS NOT JUST A TEST SCORES, RECKLESS ROCKY SPOKE WITH FOLKS ANONYMOUSLY ABOUT OTHER THINGS THAT WERE A LITTLE LESS THAN TRANSPARENT WITHIN THE DISTRICT.

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT YOU KNOW, DEFINITELY I'M SURE THIS IS THE CASE ELSEWHERE, WE HAD TO TAKE A LOT OF THE DATA FROM OVER THE PAST YEAR, SO WITH A HUGE GRAIN OF SALT, BECAUSE SO MUCH OF IT WAS TAKEN DIFFERENTLY.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, ATTENDANCE.

IN A LOT OF CASES INCLUDING NEW YORK, STUDENTS WERE NOT PRESENT IF THEY WERE JUST A TYPED INTO GOOGLE CLASSROOM LIKE HELLO IN THE MORNING IF THEY REACHED OUT TO A TEACHER IN AN EMAIL.

NOT ACTUALLY SHOWING UP FOR VIRTUAL CLASSES.

AND THEN WITH FOUR CARDS, SOME TEACHERS ARE SAYING THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE FAILING GRADES FOR WHICH AGAIN, MIGHT BE GOOD EDUCATIONAL REASONS FOR THAT BUT I THINK WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO TO MAKE IT HARDER TO KNOW THE REAL IMPACT ON STUDENTS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A VERY HARD DATA.

>> SURE, I CAN WE'VE CERTAINLY HEARD THAT ANECDOTALLY AND ANONYMOUSLY FROM TEACHERS AS WELL.

NO, WHAT IS THE PLAN TO MAKE UP FOR THIS ACADEMIC LOSS?

>> WELL, WHAT WE HEARD HERE IN NEWARK SO FAR AS THEY ARE DOING SUMMER SCHOOL AND THEY ALSO TALKED ABOUT DOING AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND TUTORING, AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT I THINK A LOT OF DISTRICTS ACROSS NEW JERSEY IN THE COUNTRY ARE GOING TO DO, BUT ONE POINT I WOULD MAKE IS THAT IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO QUALITY TO HOW WELL THESE PROGRAMS ARE IMPLEMENTED.

THERE'S ONE SAY FOR EXAMPLE THAT FOUND A HIGH DOSAGE TUTORING WITH KIDS GETTING MULTIPLE SESSIONS A WEEK IN VERY SMALL GROUPS.

I CAN BE 15 OR 20 TIMES MORE EFFECT THAN LESS FREQUENT TUTORING.

SO, THEY JUST DO WHAT THEY NORMALLY HAVE DONE.

IF IT'S NOT MORE INTENSE, OR HIGHER-QUALITY THAN THE PAST, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE IS NOT GOING TO HELP'S CATCH UP.

>> WILL ANY OF THIS LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AFFECT THE DISTRICT IN HIS STANDING TO RECEIVE RIGHT NOW ABOUT $40 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP WITH LEARNING LOSS?

ARE THEY TAKE A HIT BECAUSE OF THIS?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT THAT WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT THE FUNDING.

THAT SHOULD ALREADY BE ON ITS WAY, AND IN FACT, I THINK THE DISTRICT ISSUING SOME OF THAT, SOME OF THIS DATA WITH THIS STATE AND WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IT'S REALLY WITH THE PUBLIC, WITH PARENTS, WITH TEACHERS.

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO REALLY HAVE NOT SEEN THIS DISTRICT LEVEL DATA AND HOW THINGS ARE DOING AND THEY ARE THE FOLKS THAT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW IT'S GOING.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS FOR TALKING TO US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, ANOTHER SPRINGSTEEN ON THE BIG STAGE, AND THIS TIME, IT'S THE U.S. OLYMPICS.

JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN, DAUGHTER OF THE BOSS, LEGENDARY ROCK STAR, AND JERSEY GUY, SPRINGSTEEN, IS HEADING TO THE TOKYO OLYMPICS.

ONE OF THE FOUR MEMBERS ON THE AMERICAN SHOW JUMPING TEAM.

THE 29-YEAR-OLD BEGAN WRITING HORSES WHEN SHE WAS FOUR AT THE FAMILY'S FARM, AND NOW RANKS NUMBER 3 ON THE U.S.

WRITER LIST.

NUMBER 27 IN THE WORLD.

NOT BAD.

HER TRUSTY PARTNER, A 12-YEAR- OLD ELGIN WARM BLOOD STALLION.

HIS NAME, DON ONE VAN DON HELVEY.

GOOD LUCK TO THE TEAM.

AND A REMINDER, CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ IS BACK THIS WEEK FEATURING A SPECIAL EXIT INTERVIEW WITH OUTGOING ATTORNEY GENERAL LIVE THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND JOIN THE CHAT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> 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.