>> 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.

THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS DELTA VARIANT IS THE NOW STRONGEST CORONAVIRUS STRENGTH IN THE U.S. MAKING UP MORE THAN HALF OF ALL NEW CASES.

AN ESTIMATED 51.7%.

IN NEW JERSEY, THAT NUMBER IS LOWER.

THE DELTA VARIANT ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 27% OF NEW INFECTIONS, BUT IT IS GROWING.

ROUGHLY DOUBLING EVERY WEEK SINCE HEALTH OFFICIALS BEGAN SEQUENCING THE NEW STRAIN.

WITH 240 NEW CASES OVERALL STATEWIDE AND 8 MORE DEATHS REPORTED TODAY, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS ONE FOR WEEKS THAT DR. COULD THREATEN THE NATION'S RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC, URGING MORE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED AS THE SHOTS HAVE PROVEN EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE STRAIN.

NEW JERSEY'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS REPORTING ROUGHLY 10% OF RESIDENTS HAVE GOTTEN THEIR FIRST SHOT ARE NOT GETTING A SECOND DOSE, CRITICAL TO PROTECTING AGAINST DELTA.

AS OF TODAY, JUST UNDER FIVE 1 MILLION PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK, OR GO TO SCHOOL IN THE STATE ARE FULLY IMMUNIZED BUT EVEN AS NEW JERSEY LEADERS TAPPED THAT MILESTONE, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES LAGGING IN VACCINATION RATES.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS FROM ONE TOWN AT RISK OF OUTBREAK.

>> A LOT OF CONCERN, FRUSTRATION.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR IS WORRIED DESPITE THE THREE SUMMERTIME RESPITE.

WHEN PEOPLE PLAY OUTDOORS, THE VIRUS COULD COME ROARING BACK IN FALL, ONCE MORE TURNING THIS TOWN INTO A PANDEMIC HOSPITAL.

YET, AMONG NEW JERSEY'S LARGER CITIES, LAKEWOOD POST THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATE, ONLY 38% OF THE ADULT POPULATION HERE IS FULLY VACCINATED.

WHY?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST STEMMING BOX HAVE COME ACROSS AS PEOPLE SAYING I HAVE THE ANTIBODIES, I DON'T NEED THE VACCINE RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: IT'S IRONIC FOR LEG WITH PREDOMINANTLY ORTHODOX POPULATION WHO STRENUOUSLY RESISTED COVERT RESTRICTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC'S HEIGHT.

THE VIRUS RAVAGED RESIDENTS WHO KILLED 310 SO FAR INFECTED MORE THAN 13,700.

BUT, MANY MORE ARE ACTUALLY GETTING SICK.

THE COVID ANTIBODY ARGUMENT GOES.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT IT, WHOLE FAMILIES GOT A, THEY STAYED HOME AND NEVER WENT TO THE DOCTOR, NEVER TESTED.

>> THE CHALLENGE LAKEWOOD FACES IN TERMS OF GIVING EVERYONE VACCINATED OR YOU KNOW, A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ALREADY HAD COVID.

>> Reporter: DESPITE EFFORTS BY THE MURPHY OF MENSTRUATION AND RESPECTED RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO PROMOTE COVERT SHOTS AT LOCAL CLINICS LIKE THIS SPRING, VACCINES REMAIN A TOUGH SELL TO ORTHODOX JEWISH RESIDENTS WHO FIGURE, NOW THEY'VE GOT ANTIBODIES.

>> IT'S LESS MOTIVATION FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE ILL WITH COVID, EVEN IF THEY WERE A SYSTEMATIC, BUT THERE'S LESS MOTIVATION FOR THEM TO WANT TO GET VACCINATED.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DATA FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE THEIR ANTIBODIES THROUGH HAVING HAD COVID, AND SO, THE RECOMMENDATION IS STILL TO GO GET YOUR VACCINE.

>> Reporter: EPIDEMIOLOGIST STEPHANIE SILVERA SAYS SCIENTISTS DON'T KNOW HOW LONG ANTIBODIES PROTECT PEOPLE AGAINST FAST SPREADING NEW STRAINS, LIKE THE DELTA VARIANT.

THIS FALL, SHE PREDICTS THAT -- >> WE WILL SEE THESE SMALL LOCALIZED OUTBREAKS THAT I THINK WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT FOR ECONOMIES AND SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: AND THE LIQUID WORK 30,000 KIDS ATTEND SCHOOL AND 6500 MOSTLY HISPANIC STUDENTS GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THAT COULD CREATE PROBLEMS.

YOUNGER KIDS ARE NOT YET ELIGIBLE FOR SHOTS AND SOCIAL ADVOCATES SPREAD COMMUNITY FEAR WITH LOW VACCINATION RATES.

>> BECAUSE NOT MANY PEOPLE FROM THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY BUT ALSO IN THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL IN LAKEWOOD, THEY ARE STILL HESITANT TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: LAKE WITH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT RECENTLY UNVEILED A COVID PLAN FOR FALL CLASSES.

IT CALLS FOR MANDATORY MASKS AND TEMPERATURE CHECKS.

THAT, AS OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE MAKING MASKS VOLUNTARY.

LAKEWOOD SPANISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY, MOSTLY CHRISTIAN, AND SOME WITH A DEEP DISTRUST OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN GREAT RELUCTANCE TO LINE UP FOR COVERT SHOTS.

ADVOCATES SAY SOME BELIEVE CONSPIRACY THEORIES THEY SEE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> THERE IS STILL UNEASINESS AND DISTRUST TOWARDS THE VACCINE.

THE REASON BEING IS BECAUSE THERE IS A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING.

>> PEOPLE SAID THEY FELT THAT THEIR RELIGION WAS INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES AS MANY IMMIGRANTS BLAMED BIG GOVERNMENT RUN COVERT VACCINATION SIZE, SO HER GROUP RUBBED LOCAL CLINICS WITH LATE EVENING HOURS TO ACCOMMODATE DAY WORKERS.

MEANWHILE, RABBI ENCOURAGES THAT 46% OF ADULTS HAVE GONE AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

>> HEALTH CLINICS ARE ACCOMMODATING SKITTLES, MAKING IT AS AVAILABLE AND AS EASY TO GET THE VACCINES AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: BUT NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, CONCERNED ABOUT THE APPARENT ELECTION ACE INSTALL DEPLOYED COVID AMBASSADORS TO LAKEWOOD TWO WEEKS AGO TO SPEED THINGS UP WITH MORE STATE RESOURCES.

>> WORKING WITH THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS, AND ELECTED COMMUNITY LEADERS TO DEVELOP MORE POP- UPS, POP UP SITES SO THAT WE CAN INCREASE THE VACCINATION RATES.

>> Reporter: I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THE GOVERNOR CONTINUES HITTING THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL SHORING UP MORE OF HIS BASE.

IT WAS BLACK VOTERS WHO PROPELLED HIM TO VICTORY IN 2017, AND TODAY, MURPHY AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHEILA OLIVER SECURE THE ENDORSEMENT OF OVER 260 AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAITH LEADERS IN THEIR REELECTION BID.

PRESENTING PARISHIONERS ACROSS THE STATE, VIRTUALLY LED BY REVEREND CHARLES BOYER, A PROMINENT VOICE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY WITHIN SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES AND JERSEY POLITICS.

IT WAS NOT LONG AGO THAT BOYER AND OTHER BLACK CLERGY MEMBERS TOOK THE GOVERNOR TO TASK, ACCUSING HIM OF ADVANCING OTHER GROUPS AGENDAS WHILE LEAVING THE BEHIND.

TODAY, IT WAS A DIFFERENT TUNE.

HE HAD BEEN PRAISED BY MURPHY FOR TACKLING ISSUES LIKE ACCESS TO THE BAR, RACIAL INEQUITIES AND WAGES, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

MEANWHILE, TURN OFF FOR LAST MONTH PRIMARY ELECTION MAY HAVE BEEN MEDIOCRE, BUT THE SPENDING WAS BIG.

>>> RECORD FUNDRAISING BY LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES A STATEWIDE ANNOUNCE THAT GROUPS SPENT HEAVILY ON THE JUNE RACE TOO.

IN FACT, IT WAS THE MOST EVER ACCORDING TO AN ANALYSIS BY THE STATE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION.

CANDIDATES TOOK IN MORE THAN $37 MILLION, AND IF THEY WANT, THEY COULD USE WHAT IS LEFT OVER IN THE NOVEMBER RACE.

SENIOR WRITER, COLLEN O'DEA SAYS INCUMBENTS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE.

I GUESS IT IS NO SURPRISE, BUT WHY DO INCUMBENTS HAVE AN EDGE THEN, WITH THE FUNDRAISING?

>> WELL, BECAUSE THEY ARE KNOWN.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE A KNOWN COMMODITY.

THEY ARE ALREADY OUT THERE CASTING BOTH.

SO, LOBBYIST SNOW THEM.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF MONEY COMES IN REALLY FROM LOBBYISTS FROM COMPANIES, FROM GROUPS THAT ARE TRYING TO INFLUENCE LEGISLATION.

YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALS MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TOO, BUT YOU KNOW, THESE GROUPS THAT KIND OF HAVE A STAKE AND WAS HAPPENING IN TRENTON ARE THE ONES THAT TEND TO BE MORE GENEROUS WITH GIVING MONEY.

>> SO, THEY RAISE MORE AND IN TURN THEY WILL HAVE MORE ON HAND THROUGHOUT THE ELECTION SEASON, NOT JUST PRIMARIES.

>> YEAH, EXACTLY RIGHT, AND THE MONEY THAT YOU DON'T AND IN YOUR PRIMARY, YOU CARRY OVER TO YOUR GENERAL ELECTION.

SO, IT DEFINITELY HELPS YOU, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT I THINK THE ADVANTAGES ARE 10 TO 1 INCUMBENTS VERSUS CHALLENGERS.

THAT IS A HARD THING TO OVERCOME IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOT NO-NAME RECORD OCEAN.

>> WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU WHEN YOU'RE SIFTING THROUGH THE NUMBERS IS FIRST DISTRICTS, CANDIDATES, AND OTHER AREAS WHERE THE SPENDING WAS BIG?

>> WE KNEW THESE WERE INTERESTING ELECTIONS BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WE HAD A FEW CASES WHERE THERE WERE INCUMBENTS WHO WERE NOT ENDORSED BY THEIR PARTY, THERE WERE SOME INTERPARTY FIGHTS, BUT WAS INTERESTING TO ME WAS THAT THESE INDEPENDENT SPENDING GROUPS THAT YOU KNOW, KIND OF DARK MONEY GROUPS THAT DON'T HAVE TO REPORT WHO GIVES THE MONEY OR NECESSARILY WHERE THEY SPEND IT, BUT THEY SPENT $2 MILLION, WHICH IS FOR A PRIMARY, QUITE A LOT IN NEW JERSEY.

NOT EVERYONE FILED WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO YOU KNOW, THE DEADLINE WAS JUNE 20th FOR CANDIDATES SO WE ARE GOING TO SEE HOW THE MONEY COMES IN YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE EVEN HIGHER FOR THAT $37.4 MILLION THAT WAS RAISED, AND YOU KNOW, IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER ALL OF THE INDEPENDENT SPENDERS HAVE FILED ALL OF THEIR REPORTS YET.

AGAIN, THE ROLES ARE A LOT MORE RELAXED FOR THEM.

>> TIES TO THESE INDEPENDENT GROUPS, COLLEEN?

ANYTHING THAT THAT WE SHOULD BE KEEPING AN EYE ON FOR NOVEMBER.

>> THE BIGGEST BENDER WAS THIS NEW GROUP, AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY, WHICH IS RELATED OR HAS TIES WITH GEORGE WHO WE KNOW IS THE YOU KNOW, THE BIG POWER DOWN IN SOUTH JERSEY, THEY SPENT ALMOST 700,000 IN THE 37th RACE, WHICH WAS THAT VALERIE HUDDLE TO REPLACE LUETTA WEINBERG.

>> ALL RIGHT, KEEP FOLLOWING THE MONEY, COLLEN O'DEA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> COULD A SIMPLE BLUE SUIT PURCHASED ON SALE GO TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE?

IT BELONGS TO NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN, ANDY KING, AND IMAGES OF HIM WEARING HIS BREAD QUICKLY ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE EVENING AFTER THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

PHOTOGRAPHS CAPTURED HIM KNEELING IN THE SUIT WITH TRASH BAG IN HAND, CLEANING UP IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE RIOT, KIM SAID HE BOUGHT IT TO WHERE CELEBRATION ON INAUGURATION DAY.

INSTEAD, IT BECAME SYMBOLIC FOR A BREACH OF DEMOCRACY, LATER WEARING IT TO CAST HIS VOTE FOR FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SECOND IMPEACHMENT.

VOWING NEVER TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN UNTIL HE GOT A PHONE CALL ASKING HIM TO DONATED TO HELP TELL THE STORY OF JANUARY 6, IN A SERIES OF TWEETS COMING HE HOPES IT TELLS A DIFFERENT SIDE TO THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY, NOT JUST ONE OF DESTRUCTION BUT OF THE HOPE AND RESILIENCE SHOWN THAT DAY TOO.

>>> RESILIENCE IS THE KEY IN A PUBLIC CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT ATLANTIC CITY'S SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL PROPOSE TO ELIMINATE THE SERVICE.

IT'S ONE OF JUST A HANDFUL IN THE STATE, AND AS PART OF A HARM REDUCTION STRATEGY TO COMBAT THE OPIOID CRISIS.

WITHOUT IT, THOSE FIGHTING TO KEEP THE PROGRAM IN PLACE SAY IT'LL PUSH THIS DATE BACKWARD IN PROGRESS MADE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: A CROWD GATHERED WITH A MESSAGE TO CITY COUNCIL.

DON'T SHUT DOWN OASIS, THE ONLY STERILE SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAM IN THE AREA.

>> SO, WE GIVE PEOPLE CLEAN SYRINGES, IT'S A FREE PROGRAM, AND THEN THEY BRING THEM BACK TO US.

>> Reporter: THE CEO OF SOUTH JERSEY IS ALIVE, THE ORGANIZATION THAT RUNS THE SITE AT RISK OF HAVING STERILE SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAM SHUT DOWN.

SHE SAYS IS A VITAL RESOURCE.

IN 2019 THEY SAW MORE THAN 1200 CLIENTS.

>> WE GIVE PEOPLE A SYRINGE, THEY DON'T SHARE THOSE SYRINGES, AND HERE IN NEW JERSEY, ONE OF THE HIGHEST RISK GROUPS FOR SPREADING HIV AND AIDS, AS WELL AS HEPATITIS AND OTHER PATHOGENS HAS BEEN THROUGH SHARING NEEDLES.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THEIR MISSION IS HARM REDUCTION.

>> THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A FIXED SITE BECAUSE YOU ARE JUST REALLY GIVING A SYRINGE IS ON A MOBILE SITE.

WHAT WE DO HERE IS WE HAVE NURSES, WE HAVE MEDICAL FOLKS, WE DO HIV TESTING, WE DO HEPATITIS TESTING, STD TESTING, EVERY TIME SOMEBODY COMES IN FOR A VISIT, IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THEM.

>> THE MESSAGES THAT I GOT FROM THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM WAS THAT MY LIFE WAS VALUABLE.

>> Reporter: CHERRY HILL RESIDENT CAME OUT TO SHOW SUPPORT BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS A SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAM THAT HELPED HIM TO GET INTO RECOVERY NEARLY 2 WICKETS AGO AFTER A BATTLE WITH AN ADDICTION TO CRYSTAL METH.

>> WHEN I WAS READY TO FINALLY GET HELP, I KNEW WHAT THE PLAN WAS GOING TO BE, BECAUSE THE PEOPLE AT THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE HAD BEEN PITCHING NOT PLAN TO ME FOR MONTHS.

>> THE ARGUMENT IS NOT WHETHER THE ISSUE BE HARM REDUCTION, THE ARGUMENT IS THAT THE BURDEN SHOULD BE SPREAD ACROSS THE WHOLE AREA.

>> Reporter: ATLANTIC CITY COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT SAYS COUNSEL PUT FORWARD THE ORDINANCE TO HAVE ALL STERILE SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAM ACTIVITIES STOPPED ALL BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SEE THE VALUE, BUT- - >> WE HAVE 535 MINUTES THE PARTIES IN NEW JERSEY, THE HARM REDUCTION CENTER.

THEY ARE NOT DOING -- PEOPLE USING DRUGS.

THE ANSWER AND IT HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE, SEND THEM TO PATTERSON, SEND THEM TO CAMDEN, SEND THEM TO TRENTON, AND THAT IS EASY TO DO, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CORRECT THING TO DO.

IT'S NOT JUST A PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT BROUGHT IN A JAR TO A MEETING WITH 65 NEEDLES HE COLLECTED IN THE TWO OR THREE BLOCKS BY HIS HOME.

>> THIS IS REALITY OF THE PROBLEM THAT I'M SEEING.

THE SAME CONSIDERATION THAT PEOPLE HAD IN THEIR GROUP FOR THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND THEIR TRANQUILITY AND WHAT THEY WANT, THEIR DECISION DESERVES THE SAME CONSIDERATION.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ARE CITY COUNCIL, I THINK BELIEVES IS THAT IF THEY REMOVE US FROM OUR SITE THAT ALL OF THE SUDDEN ALL THE DRUG USERS WILL LEAVE, AND THAT CLEARLY IS NOT THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO USE AND WEIRDEST THERE TO HELP THEM USE IT SAFELY.

>> THE ORDINANCE WILL BE VOTED ON IN TWO WEEKS AND ALL GOVERNMENT WILL BE IN TALKS.

SO PEOPLE ARE NOT LEFT WITHOUT SERVICES THE ATLANTIC CITY ORDINANCE PASSES.

BUT THAT SOLUTION IS, HE WOULD NOT SUFFICE AT THIS TIME.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> PARENTS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE USING ALL TOOLS AVAILABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION TO LEARNING LOSS CAUSED BY PROLONGED VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ESPECIALLY AS MORE DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT JUST HOW SIGNIFICANT THAT THE CLIENT WAS IN SOME SCHOOLS.

PARENTS NOW HAVE ANOTHER OPTION, THOUGH IT MAY BE A LAST RESORT, A NEW LAW ENABLING THEM TO REQUEST THAT THEIR CHILD REPEAT A GRADE LEVEL TO IMPROVE THEIR ACADEMICS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> MOST NEW JERSEY STUDENTS ARE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM AFTER LEARNING REMOTELY FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

AT THIS FALL BY GOVERNESS ORDERS, EVERY STUDENT WILL BE LEARNING IN PERSON.

WHILE FAMILIES MIGHT BE HAPPY ABOUT GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, THE CHALLENGE OF VIRTUAL LEARNING IS LEAVING SOME LINGERING CONCERNS.

>> WE ARE ALL ABOUT A FAIR AND EQUITABLE EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE SOME BEING ABLE TO SIGN RIGHT IN AND BEING FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE TEACHER, AND OTHERS NOW, HOME WITH A PACKET WHERE SOME PARENTS HAD TO WORK, WE HAD A LOT OF MEMBERS WHO WORKED IN HOSPITALS, AND YOU KNOW, THE DAILY FIRST-LINE FOLKS, AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THAT HELPED.

>> Reporter: SO PARENTS FEEL THEIR CHILD ARE NOT AT THE LEVEL THEY SHOULD BE, THEY HAVE THE OPTION TO HOLD THE STUDENT BACK A YEAR.

>> I INTRODUCED THIS BILL AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH PARENTS AND TEACHERS, IN THE TRENTON DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR, I HEARD A LOT OF HORROR STORIES ABOUT HOW POORLY THE REMOTE LEARNING WAS BEING DONE.

BECAUSE, IT TOOK THE STATE SO LONG TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY TECHNOLOGY, PARTICULARLY IN THE LOW INCOME URBAN DISTRICTS.

SO, WE SAW A GREATER AMOUNT OF LEARNING LOSS.

>> Reporter: NOW SIGNED INTO LAW, THE LEGISLATION ALLOWS PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OF STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE TO REQUEST THEIR CHILD THE RETAINED FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

>> BASICALLY WHAT THE BILL SAYS IF THERE IS AGREEMENT WITH THE SCHOOL LEADERS THAT THE CHILD SHOULD BE RETAINED, THEN THE SUPERINTENDENT WOULD APPROVE IT.

IF THERE IS DISAGREEMENT OVER WHETHER THE CHILD WILL BE RETAINED OR NOT THEN THE SUPERINTENDENT WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION.

FOUR IN MEXICO TO PARENTS THEY HAVE A SAY IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

>> NO ONE REALLY KNOWS EXCEPT THEY DO HAVE THE FRONT ROW SEAT THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS.

>> I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND WHY PARENTS WOULD WANT THIS, SEE FOR OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS, AND REMOTE EDUCATION JUST DOES NOT WORK WELL.

THESE CHILDREN LEARN BEST HANDS ON, IN PERSON, WITH EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: WHILE SOME CHILD ADVOCATES AGREE WELL PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO KEEP THE CHILD BACK, HE COULD LEAVE TO NEGATIVE EFFECTS DOWN THE LINE.

>> THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO DROWN IT OUT, HAVING COMPLETED LESS EDUCATION.

I THINK THERE'S EVIDENCE THEY HAVE MORE SOCIAL DIFFICULTIES BECAUSE THEIR PEERS ARE OLDER.

THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO HELP KIDS CATCH UP, PROVIDING INTENSIVE ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING THAT DOES NOT TRY TO COVER EVERYTHING, BUT JUST THE THINGS THAT THE CHILD IS BEHIND IN PEER THAT CAN BE MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE.

>> Reporter: BUT NO MATTER WHAT SIDE OF THE LINE THEIR OWN, EVERYBODY AGREES IT'S ALL COMING DOWN TO PUTTING THEIR NEEDS FIRST.

>> IS APPARENTLY DOES FEEL THERE'S A NEED FOR THE CHILD TO REPEAT THE GRADE, THAT I HOPE THAT TEACHERS, SUPERINTENDENTS, PRINCIPALS ARE LISTENING TO THIS REQUEST, AND DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CHILD.

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

>>> THE SURFSIDE CONDO COLLAPSE IS HAVING LOCAL LEADERS RETHINK CONSTRUCTION.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER IS HERE WITH DETAILS AND ARE TAUGHT BUSINESS STORIES.

>> JERSEY CITY IS PROMPTED TO RE-EXAMINE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CITY'S HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS.

MAYOR STEPHEN PHELPS IN A ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO CREATE NEW SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.

IT MANDATES STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS OF ALL CONCRETE BUILDINGS ABOVE SIX STORIES.

AT LEAST EVERY 10 YEARS.

THE INSPECTIONS WOULD INCLUDE EXAMINING STRUCTURAL FOUNDATIONS, BALCONIES, AND WATERPROOFING CONDITIONS.

ADDITIONALLY, EXTERIOR WALLS WILL BE INSPECTED EVERY FIVE YEARS.

MAYOR PHILLIPS SAYS SINCE THAT CONDO COLLAPSE IN FLORIDA, HE'S BEEN HEARING FROM JERSEY CITY RESIDENCE THAT THERE CONDO BOARDS ARE DELAYING WORK BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL COST TO RESIDENTS.

THIS NEW LEGISLATION GOES BEFORE JERSEY CITY COUNCIL NEXT WEEK.

THE STATE IS OFFERING NEW REBATES TO RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO DRIVE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES ANNOUNCED CAR BUYERS CAN RECEIVE REBATES OF UP TO $5000 UNDER THE CHARGE OF NEW JERSEY ELECTRIC VEHICLE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

REBATES APPLIED DURING THE PURCHASE OR LEASING PROCESS OF CAR DEALERSHIPS.

INCENTIVES ARE LIMITED TO VEHICLES PRICED LESS THAN $55,000.

THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM DURING YOUR 1 INCENTIVES WERE AWARDED TO 7000 DRIVERS CURB THE ROLE HERE IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON NEW JERSEY'S ROADS.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HOPES TO SEE 330,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE ROAD BY 2025, AND WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THAT RIGHT NOW.

NJ TRANSIT HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON A NEW CONTRACT FOR 9 OF ITS EMPLOYEE UNIONS.

THE UNIONS REPRESENT BUS DRIVERS, MECHANICS, AND OTHER WORKERS.

SPECIFIC DETAILS HAVE NOT YET BEEN RELEASED.

THE TRANSIT AGENCY IS CURRENTLY HOLDING CONTRACT TALKS WITH ITS UNIONS.

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

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE.

HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

ONLINE AT SJMAGAZINE.NET.

>>> AND FINALLY TONIGHT, IT WOULD BE TOUGH TO BEAT THE ACCOMPANIMENTS OF THIS JERSEY KID.

AT JUST 12 YEARS, FOUR MONTHS AND 25 DAYS TO BE EXACT, THE YOUNGEST CHEST GRAND MASTER IN HISTORY, BREAKING A RECORD THAT STOOD FOR 19 YEARS, EARNING THE TITLE AT A TOURNAMENT IN BUDAPEST WHERE HE HAS BEEN PLAYING AROUND THE CLOCK WITH DAD AT HIS SIDE SINCE APRIL, EARNING TWO OUT OF THE THREE SCORES HE NEEDED TO GRAB THE TITLE AND LESS THAN TWO MONTHS.

AMAZING.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM FROM THERE.

HE'S FROM ENGLISHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.

ON THE BACK FROM PRACTICE OF COURSE, JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE HE HEADS TO RUSSIA FOR THE CHESS WORLD CUP.

IT'S GREAT TO MEET YOU, CONGRATULATIONS ON SUCH A TITLE.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING SO BIG AND SO YOUNG?

>> IT FEELS AMAZING, ALL MY YEARS OF HARDWARE, EVERYTHING IS FINALLY PAID OFF.

IT'S GREAT TO KNOW THAT OUT OF MILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF PEOPLE I WAS CHOSEN TO BREAK THIS RECORD.

IT'S AN AMAZING FEELING.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND IT, YOU WANT TO PLAY CHESS AT 2 1/2 YEARS OLD?

IS THAT RIGHT QUESTION MARKS >> YES, MY DAD STARTED TEACHING HOW PIECES MOVE AND AT THE AGE OF FIVE I WAS ABLE TO START ENTERING TOURNAMENTS.

>> SO, WHEN DID YOU DECIDE THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE YOUR MISSION, AND THAT YOU WERE REALLY GOING TO DEDICATE YOURSELF TO ACHIEVING IT?

>> I MEAN, I'M NOT REALLY SURE ABOUT THE TIME, BUT EVERYTHING, WHEN I GOT TO KNOW ABOUT THE GAME AND WHEN I STARTED LEARNING, IT SEEMED LIKE AN AMAZING GAME, SO I GUESS ONE DAY THINGS STARTED AND I KEPT ON LIKING IT, SO I JUST KEPT ON GOING WITH IT, AND THEN YEAH.

EVERYTHING STARTED WORKING OUT.

>> DID IT ALWAYS COME NATURALLY TO YOU?

BECAUSE OF COURSE, CHESS IS A GAME OF SKILL, AND STRATEGY, AND YOU HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME PRACTICING, BUT THERE IS A NATURAL RAW TALENT THAT COMES WITH IT AS WELL, DID IT COME EASILY FOR YOU?

>> MEAN, I DON'T REALLY, I DON'T THINK MY SUCCESS IS BECAUSE OF THIS.

I FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE RESULT OF ALL MY, ALL THE HOURS I PUT IN OVER THE LAST MANY YEARS.

>> HOW HAVE THE COMPETITIONS BEEN AND HOW MUCH HAS COVID, THE PANDEMIC PLAYED A ROLE IN YOUR STRATEGY AND PRACTICING AND ABILITY TO PLAY IN TOURNAMENTS?

>> YEAH, WHEN I BECAME YOUNGEST MASTER TWO YEARS AGO, THIS RECORD SEEMS LIKE I WILL GET IT EASILY BECAUSE WE HAD AROUND 21 OR 22 MONTHS.

LIKE A FULL YEAR, MORE THAN THAT.

ONCE COVID CAME IN FOR 14 MONTHS, I WAS NOT ABLE TO PLAY THAT MANY GAMES.

SO, THIS RECORD WAS ALREADY VERY DIFFICULT TO BEGIN WITH.

IT'S BEEN STANDING FOR 19 YEARS.

TO ADD COVID AND THAT MADE IT AT LEAST 10 TIMES MORE DIFFICULT.

>> WILL BE ABLE TO THEN PRACTICE MORE?

DID YOU PRACTICE WITH?

ARE YOU AT HOME STRATEGIZING?

>> YES.

I WAS AT HOME EVERY DAY.

I WOULD, AT LEAST 12 HOURS A DAY FOR THOSE TIMES I WAS DOING.

>> DOES OUT LOOK TYPICAL?

10 HOURS A DAY OF CHEST PRACTICE?

AND THAT IS MINIMUM?

>> YES.

NOTHING US TO DO, NO POINT WASTING TIME, SO I JUST KEPT ON WORKING AND ONCE I GOT THE OPPORTUNITIES, THAT HELPED AND I WAS ABLE TO BREAK THROUGH EVERYTHING.

>> WHAT YOU DO FROM HERE?

YOU HOLD THIS TITLE NOW, WHAT IS NEXT?

>> MY NEXT GOAL IS TO BECOME A SIMPLE MASTER, AND AFTER THAT, THE FINAL GOAL IS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION ONE DAY.

>> 2700 COMPLETING THE LEVEL OF PLAY THAT YOU NEED TO REACH IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THAT, WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT OF COURSE.

>> YES.

I'M PLANNING TO INCREASE HOURS EVEN MORE, AND WITH THIS KIND OF WORK, I FEEL LIKE I WILL BE ABLE TO GET THERE AND AFTER THAT, THAT'S NOT THE END OF IT.

>> WE HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU WILL.

GREAT TO TALK TO, CONGRATULATIONS, AND WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> 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.