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

>>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

MORE PEOPLE ARE HEADING BACK TO THE OFFICE AFTER A LONG MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND AS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE TO EASE.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT HAS HOPES SOME OF THOSE COMMUTERS WILL START HOPPING ON THEIR TRAINS AND BUSES AGAIN.

IT WAS THIS TIME LAST YEAR RIDERSHIP PLUMMETED NEAR ZERO.

RESIDENTS PURPORTED EMPTY TRAIN CARS AND SOLO TRIPS ON CERTAIN ROUTES.

AFTER BEING PLAYED THE YEARS OF CANCELLATIONS AND ENGINEER STAFFING SHORTAGES, THE AGENCY IS PREPARING FOR A COMEBACK, RESTORING SERVICE TO DOZENS OF TRAINS JUST IN TIME FOR THE SUMMER SEASON.

WILL THE CUSTOMERS FOLLOW?

BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS A STORY.

>> MORE PEOPLE ARE HAVING BUSINESSES ARE HAVING PEOPLE COMING IN.

>> Reporter: NEXT WEEK, WHETHER YOU ARE HEADED BACK TO THE OFFICE FOR WORK WERE DONE IN THE SHORT TO PLAY, NJ TRANSIT IS ADDING MORE, DOZENS OF TRAINS TO TRANSPORT FOLKS EMERGING FROM THEIR ISOLATION.

RIDERS SAY THEY NEED THE AGENCY TO SCALE UP SERVICE.

>> I SEE MORE PEOPLE THAN BEFORE ON THE TRAIN, MORE CROWDED THAN IT WAS.

IT WILL BE A GOOD THING.

I THINK IT WILL BE A GOOD THING, AND IT MIGHT BRING MORE PEOPLE ACT.

>> THE LAST FEW WEEK, STILL A LONG WAY TO GO, BUT IT HAS BEEN UP OVER 30, 35%, >> Reporter: KEVIN CORBETT SITES FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION RATES AS ONE REASON WHY PEOPLE FEEL MORE SAFE TAKING THE TRAIN AND THE AGENCY IS ANALYZING BACK TO OFFICE TRENDS.

BUT WITH THEATERS, BEACHES, BOARDWALKS BECKONING, RIDERS WANT MORE PLEASURE TRIPS.

>> PEOPLE DEFINITELY WANT TO GET BACK AND ENJOY LIFE, ON THE WEEKENDS, WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS RIDERSHIP AT 40%, EVEN 50%.

WE SEE PEOPLE EAGER TO GET BACK.

>> Reporter: NJ TRANSIT WILL REVIVE WEAKENED SERVICE ON THE GLADSTONE BRANCH, ADDING 39 TRAINS BETWEEN GLADSTONE AND SO MUCH, WHICH I'VE USED BUSES.

THE AGENCY WILL ALSO RESTORE 12 NORTH JERSEY COASTLINE TRAINS CUT DURING THE PANDEMIC TO PROVIDE WEEKEND SHUTTLE SERVICE BETWEEN LONG BRANCH AND BAY HEAD, BUT NO EXPRESS SERVICE YET.

>> EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED.

A LOT MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WORKING REMOTELY, MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOOK TO TRY TO SEE, CAN I DO A COMMUTE FROM THE SHORE, SO THERE MAY BE MORE DEMAND.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL ALSO RESTORE WEEKDAY TRAINS CUT BACK IN AUGUST, INCLUDING TWO NORTHEAST CORRIDOR TRAINS BETWEEN NEW BRUNSWICK AND NEW YORK PENN STATION, AND THREE RARITAN VALLEY LINE TRAINS.

OTHER TRAIN SCHEDULES WILL GET DEPARTURE TIMES TWEAKED TO PROVIDE LESS CROWDED TRIPS.

WRITERS WANT THAT, PLUS RELIABLE TRAIN SERVICE.

>> THEY ARE SKEPTICAL THAT CANCELLATIONS AND DELAYS WILL BE THE NORM, MANY PLAN TO CONTINUE TO WORK FROM HOME, AND THOSE THAT ARE GOING TO GO INTO THE OFFICE ARE GOING TO DO SO PERHAPS TWO, THREE TIMES A WEEK.

>> THEY'RE JUST REALLY, REALLY FULL.

IF YOU ARE TRYING TO FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING, THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: RIDERS CAN EXPECT BIG IMPROVEMENTS THIS SUMMER.

>> EVERY DAY WE HAVE ENOUGH ENGINEERS AND WE HAVE THAT CUSHION FOR THE SUMMER COMING IN.

>> Reporter: NJ TRANSIT NOW HAS 390 NEW ENGINEERS, ENOUGH TO AVOID THE SUMMER PITFALL OF SUDDEN VACANCIES ON ONE TAKES VACATION DAYS.

>> PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO SUMMER VACATIONS.

WE HAVE ANOTHER GRADUATING CLASS COMING NEXT WEEK.

>> Reporter: AS IT RAMPS BACK UP, NJ TRANSIT REMAINS CONSTRAINED BY OLDER EQUIPMENT AND BY HUDSON RIVER TRAIN TUNNELS THAT CAN'T HANDLE MUCH MORE PEAK TRAFFIC.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION GREENLIGHTED THE $11.6 BILLION GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT LAST WEEK, MOVING FORWARD A LONG- DELAYED PLAN TO EXPAND TRAIN SERVICE THAT WILL, NONETHELESS, TAKE YEARS TO COMPLETE.

>>> IT IS DAY ONE OF A NEW STATE LAW REQUIRING EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT TO EQUIP THE OFFICERS WITH BODY WORN CAMERAS.

A COSTLY PROGRAM THAT EXPERTS SAY CAN HELP DE-ESCALATE CONFLICT AND SIGNIFICANTLY CUT USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS.

OF A NEW ERA IN POLICING THE MARKET THERE IS A LOT RIDING ON THIS TECHNOLOGY.

CAN IT DELIVER?

>> MOST OBVIOUSLY, CAMERAS GENERATE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF POLICE CONDUCT AND INTERACTIONS WITH RESIDENTS.

THIS FOOTAGE, AS WE HAVE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN, IS A TREMENDOUS TOOL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Reporter: AS OF TODAY, EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT ACROSS NEW JERSEY HAS TO HAVE THEM.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY TOWARD THE CAMDEN POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE BODY WORN CAMERAS HAVE BEEN USED SINCE 2016, AND ARE CREDITED WITH REDUCING USE OF FORCE.

>> ALL OF US ARE UNITED IN ONE VISION, THAT IS ENSURING NOT JUST THE CITY OF CAMDEN, BUT THIS COUNTY, OUR ENTIRE STATE CONTINUES TO BE A SAFE PLACE FOR FAMILIES TO CALL HOME.

SO MUCH OF THAT DIVISION RESTS ON ENSURING STRONG BONDS OF TRUST BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE.

>> Reporter: IN SEPTEMBER, LESS THAN HALF OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAD BODY WORN CAMERAS AND MANY STILL DON'T.

THE STATE MADE A TOTAL INVESTMENT OF $58 MILLION TO SUPPLY CAMERAS FOR OFFICERS THROUGH GRANTS.

487 AGENCIES APPLIED FOR THEM, BUT MANY ARE STILL WAITING.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ACKNOWLEDGING THERE ARE SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES.

>> IN FAIRNESS, AS LONG AS A DEPARTMENT IS I HAVE BEEN IN GOOD FAITH, THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR THOSE GRANTS.

THERE ARE SOME, IT IS LIKE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN SCHOOLS, WE HAD A BACKLOG ON THE EQUIPMENT, WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THAT UP TO ZERO.

I AM COMFORTABLE BRINGING THIS TO ZERO AS WELL.

>> Reporter: CAMERAS ALONE WON'T MAKE THE COMMUNITY SAFER, BUT THEY ARE A STEP IN BUILDING COMMUNITIES AND POLICE ACCOUNTABLE.

>> BODY CAM'S IS A PROTECTION FOR NOT JUST THOSE THAT HAVE INTERACTIONS WITH POLICE, BUT THEY ARE ALSO A GOOD PIECE OF INSURANCE TO PROTECT OFFICERS IN DOCUMENTING THAT THEY HAVE FOLLOWED THE APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES AND THE APPROPRIATE PRACTICES.

>> Reporter: CAMERAS HELP HOLD THOSE IN POWER ACCOUNTABLE, BUT CAMDEN POLICE CHIEF GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ SAYS TRANSPARENCY COMES WHEN THE FOOTAGE IS RELEASED.

>> I AS CHIEF OF POLICE WILL FIGHT TO GET THAT FOOTAGE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY TO THE PUBLIC.

THAT IS PART OF TRANSPARENCY, THEY HAVE TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> Reporter: CAMDEN MAYOR SAYS CAMERAS, ALONG WITH OTHER MEASURES, HAVE MADE THE COMMUNITY SAFER.

>> OUR CITY HAS REALIZED A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN VIOLENT CRIME.

THAT IS 44%.

OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT THE SAFEST THEY HAVE BEEN IN DECADES.

>> Reporter: THAT IS DUE IN PART TO ENHANCED TRAINING.

ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THE CAMERAS GENERATE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THE LEASE CONTRACT, WHICH CAN BE USED AS A TEACHING TOOL.

>> POLICE SUPERVISORS WILL REVIEW VIDEO WITH OFFICERS TO SEE WHAT IS WORKING AND SEE WHAT ALSO CAN BE IMPROVED.

BUT PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT BENEFIT OF BODY WORN CAMERAS IS THAT PEOPLE, ALL PEOPLE BEHAVE BETTER WHEN THEY KNOW THEY ARE ON TAPE.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HE WANTS TO SEE BODY WORN CAMERAS EXPANDED TO CORRECTIONS OFFICERS IN THE FUTURE.

A BILL MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE WOULD REQUIRE THEM IN PRISONS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN 100 YEARS SINCE THE TULSA MASSACRE OF 1921, AN EVENT LARGELY LEFT OUT OF HISTORY BOOKS.

BUT IT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE WORST INCIDENTS OF RACIAL VIOLENCE THIS NATION EVER EXPERIENCED WHEN ON THE EVENING OF MAY 31st, A MOB OF HUNDREDS OF WHITE PEOPLE BRUTALLY ATTACKED A THRIVING BLACK COMMUNITY KNOWN AS THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA, BURNING BUSINESSES AND HOMES, MURDERING ROUGHLY 300 LAKH RESIDENCE.

THE PRESIDENT MADE A STOP THERE COMMEMORATING THE ANNIVERSARY AND LAID OUT A SET OF POLICIES TO NARROW THE WEALTH GAP BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE AMERICANS.

A MASSACRE MAY HAVE HAPPENED MORE THAN 1000 MILES AWAY, BUT THE IMPLICATIONS CAN BE FELT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

REALLY GOOD TO TALK TO YOU TODAY, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS MOMENT WE ARE IN NOW, PERHAPS THE PARALLELS WE CAN DRAW FROM A CENTURY AGO WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME UP THROUGH EDUCATION IN THIS NORTHEAST REGION MAY NOT HAVE EVEN HEARD OF THIS MASSACRE.

>> THE TULSA MASSACRE BRINGS UP FOUR POINTS ABOUT THE AMERICA THAT MANY OF US HAVE COME TO KNOW.

ONE OF THEM IS VIOLENCE.

SECOND ONE IS COVER UP, THIRD ONE IS SHIFTING THE BLAME, AND THE FOURTH ONE IS JUST OUT RIGHT ROBBERY.

WHY DO I SAY ALL OF THAT?

WELL, JUST TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN TULSA.

WHITES KILLED BLACK PEOPLE AND THEY COVERED UP THE CRIME.

AND THEY BLAMED THE BLACK PEOPLE FOR BEING KILLED.

FINALLY, THEY TOOK THEIR PROPERTY.

IT WAS WHEN I BECAME AN ADULT I FIRST HEARD ABOUT TULSA, SO YOUNG PEOPLE NOW COMING A LITTLE EARLIER TO THE KNOWLEDGE THAN I AM, THEN I DID, PERHAPS, THIS IS FRESH IN THEIR MINDS, THIS IS FRESH IN THEIR MIND BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW, IT WAS KEPT FROM THEM.

THAT IS PART OF THE WHOLE PROCESS, THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.

WE HAVE TO ALWAYS REMEMBER TULSA AND ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO STAY TOGETHER.

WHITES ARE INTERESTED, WHITE PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN JUSTICE, AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE, THERE ARE A LOT THAT ARE, THEY HAVE TO BE WILLING TO GO BEYOND JUST THE COME BY YOUR MOMENT I WAS TALKING ABOUT BEFORE.

WE CAN FORGIVE AND GO FORWARD, BUT WE MUST REPAIR THE DAMAGE, THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF JUSTICE.

RIGHT NOW, EVERY TIME WE GET CLOSE TO THE TOP OF THE HILL, SOMEBODY REACHES UP AND GRABS AND PULLS US BACK DOWN.

THAT IS WHAT TULSA SHOULD BE REMINDING PEOPLE ABOUT ALL THE TIME.

>> LET ME ASK YOU HOW IT HAS SHAPED BLACK HISTORY HERE IN NEW JERSEY, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT DISCRIMINATION ACROSS THE BOARD, IF YOU LOOK AT HOUSING, IF YOU LOOK AT BANKING, EMPLOYMENT, HOW HAS IT SHAPED WHAT IS STILL HAPPENING TODAY HERE?

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME RECORD OF VIOLENCE THEY DO IN TULSA FOR THAT THEY DID IN TULSA, BUT WE HAVE, STILL HAVE THAT ROBBERY, WE STILL HAVE THAT TAKING.

THERE WERE 40 SQUARE BLOCKS OF BLACK WALL STREET, OF BLACK SUCCESS IN TULSA, NOW THERE IS ONE.

SO, THE SAME IS TRUE IN PLACES LIKE NEW YORK, WE DON'T HAVE WHAT WE USED TO HAVE, A LOT OF THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY, YOU HAVE A MAN WHO IS CONSCIOUS OF THIS, STRIVING FOR EQUITY AND MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANS AND WITH PURPOSE.

I THINK ALL OF THAT SHOULD HAPPEN AROUND THE STATE.

>> THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY, APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AMONG THE POLICIES PROPOSED TODAY BY THE PRESIDENT, A PUSH TO BOLSTER HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR BLACK AMERICANS BY ADDRESSING DISPARITIES IN HOME APPRAISALS IN BLACK AND WHITE NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND REVERSING TWO TRUMP DIRECT HOUSING RULES SO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN MORE STRONGLY ENFORCE THE FAIR HOUSING ACT.

IN NEW YORK, A LOCAL PROGRAM IS TURNING MORE LOW INCOME RESIDENTS TO HOMEOWNERS, A FIRST OF ITS KIND EFFORT AIMING TO INVEST IN THE CITY AND ITS PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC IS DIFFICULT NO MATTER WHAT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE, BUT WHEN YOU'RE JUGGLING TEENAGERS AND THREE LITTLE ONES, IT TAKES A LOT OF COORDINATION.

>> WE HAVE CHILDREN THAT NEEDED ASSISTANCE, HOW TO RAISE YOUR HAND VIRTUALLY, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, THEN WE HAVE A TODDLER RUNNING AROUND ON TOP OF THAT, >> Reporter: SHE GOT HER DREAM DROP BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT, SO HER PARTNER DECIDED TO STAY HOME TO HELP THEIR KIDS WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING IN THEIR SMALL STATE TO SUBSIDIZE DEPARTMENT.

>> WE HAVE A THREE-YEAR-OLD WHO LIKES TO WATCH HIS SHOWS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND THEY OVERHEAR.

>> I NEVER HAD A HOME OF MY OWN, I ALWAYS WANTED.

>> Reporter: HAKIM IS A SECTION 8 HOLDER.

ONE LANDLORD THREATENED TO THROW HER FAMILY ONTO THE STREETS.

>> LOOKED AT ME AS IF I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BECAUSE I WAS ON SECTION 8.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS WORKED ALL HER LIFE TO OWN HER OWN HOME.

>> I DESERVE ONE.

>> Reporter: SHE FOUND OUT THERE WAS A LOTTERY TO GET THREE FAMILIES ON SECTION 8 BRAND-NEW HOMES AT NO COST OTHER THAN THE CURRENT RENT SHE IS ALREADY PAYING, SO SHE PUT HER NAME ON THE LIST.

TWO WEEKS AGO SHE GOT THE CAR.

>> HOME OF MY OWN.

THIS IS SOMETHING I NEED IT.

I NEEDED THIS HOME.

>> NO DOWN PAYMENT, CLOSING COSTS, PERFECT CREDIT.

>> Reporter: THE HOMES WERE OWNED BY THE CITY OF NEWARK.

INVEST NEWARK DEVELOPED THE PROPERTIES AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE OF AMERICA FIGURED OUT HOW TO STRUCTURE PAYMENTS SO NEW HOMEOWNERS WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN THEY ARE ALREADY PAYING ON SECTION 8.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE, THE MONEY PAYING RENT WILL GO TOWARDS A MORTGAGE.

>> 15 YEARS THEY OWN THE PROPERTY OUTRIGHT FREE AND CLEAR.

OF ANOTHER FAMILY WHO WON THE LOTTERY WAS MOVED TO TEARS AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED IN MAKING ME AND MY KIDS, OUR DREAM COME TRUE.

NOW THEY HAVE SOMEWHERE THEY CAN CALL THEIRS.

THAT ONLY BELONGS TO THEM.

>> Reporter: THAT GOT TO TOUR THEIR NEW HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH THE KIDS.

>> WE SPREAD OUT, WE DON'T HAVE TO BE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.

>> THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THE PEOPLE STRUGGLING A CHANCE TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN.

EVERYBODY AIN'T LOOKING FOR A HANDOUT, BUT WE NEED TO HAND OUT SOMETIMES, TO MAKE THAT STEP.

THE EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD.

>> Reporter: NEWARK SAYS IT OWNS HUNDREDS OF ABANDONED HOMES, MAKING AN EXPANSION OF THIS PROGRAM NOT ONLY ACHIEVABLE, BUT SOMETHING THE MAYOR SAYS HE INTENDS TO DO.

IN NEWARK, I'M LEAH MICHIGAN, FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AFTER A STRONG START AND A FRANTIC FIRST FEW MONTHS, THE PACE OF RESIDENCE GETTING VACCINATED HAS SLOWED AND HEALTH OFFICIALS AS WELL AS PRIVATE COMPANIES ARE LAUNCHING MORE CREATIVE WAYS TO INCENTIVIZE THOSE WHO ARE STILL ON THE FENCE.

STARTING TODAY, CVS IS HOLDING A SWEEPSTAKES, GIVING AWAY PRIZES INCLUDING A VIP TRIP TO THE SUPER BOWL, FREE CRUISES, TRIPS, AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN CASH.

ANYONE 18 AND OLDER WHO RECEIVED OR IS PLANNING TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE IS ELIGIBLE TO SIGN UP ON THE WEBSITE.

THE GOAL IS TO GET SHOTS IN THE ARMS OF AS MUCH OF THE POPULATION AS POSSIBLE.

THAN 4.2 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED ACROSS THE STATE, AND NEARLY 5 MILLION RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

AN EFFORT THAT CONTINUES EVEN AS CASES DECLINE.

137 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND SEVEN MORE DEATHS REPORTED TODAY WITH MORE PANDEMIC RELATED RESTRICTIONS SET TO LIFT LATER THIS WEEK.

>>> ONE OF THE MAJOR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES GETS A REJECTION FROM THE HIGHEST COURT.

>> JOHNSON & JOHNSON HAS LOST ITS APPEAL TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OVER A $2 BILLION VERDICT AGAINST IT IN A CASE INVOLVING ITS TALK PRODUCTS.

NATION'S HIGHEST COURT MADE NO COMMENT AS IT REJECTED THE APPEAL, LEAVING IN PLACE THE VERDICT IN FAVOR OF WOMEN WHO CLAIM THEY DEVELOPED A VARIANT CANCER FROM USING THEIR PRODUCTS.

A MISSOURI JURY HAD FOUND THE COMPANY'S TALK PRODUCTS CONTAIN ASBESTOS AND ASBESTOS LEASED HOW CAN CAUSE OVARIAN CANCER.

THEY DISPUTED BOTH OF THOSE POINTS, THEIR BABY POWDER IS NO LONGER SOLD IN THE U.S. OR CANADA, ALTHOUGH IT REMAINS ON THE MARKET ELSEWHERE.

J & J FACES THOUSANDS OF LAWSUITS.

>>> A U.S. AGENCY HAS PUT OUT LONG-AWAITED EXPANDED GUIDANCE ON HOW COMPANIES CAN ISSUE VACCINE MANDATES FOR WORKERS.

THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION SAYS VACCINES CAN BE MANDATED FOR WORKERS RETURNING TO THE OFFICE, BUT NOT FOR THOSE WHO WORK REMOTELY.

THE EEOC SAYS REQUESTING PROOF OF VACCINATION IS NOT AN UNLAWFUL REQUEST UNDER FEDERAL DISCRIMINATION LAWS.

THE GUIDANCE ALSO STATES EMPLOYERS CAN OFFER INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE WORKERS TO GET VACCINATED.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S ARPELAR INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO BUY ELECTRIC CARS WILL BE OFFERED AGAIN IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR STARTING JULY 1st.

IN THE PAST YEAR, THE STATE HANDED OUT $36 MILLION TO RESIDENTS WHO BOUGHT OR LEASED AN ELECTRIC CAR, WITH MOST PEOPLE RECEIVING $5000, WHICH WAS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED.

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES IS LOOKING AT WAYS TO TWEAK THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF CAR MODELS THAT WOULD QUALIFY.

TOM JOHNSTON SAYS THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP NEW JERSEY MEET ITS CLEAN ENERGY GOALS.

>> THE GOALS ARE PRETTY AMBITIOUS, THEY WANT TO GET 330,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON NEW JERSEY ROADS BY 2025, AND RIGHT NOW, WE ARE ONLY AT 40,000.

THEY'VE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO, THAT IS WHY THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST IN THIS PROGRAM.

>> YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM BY READING HIS ARTICLE ON NJTVNEWS.ORG.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S STOCK TRADING ON WALL STREET.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, VOTERS WILL CAST THEIR BALLOTS FOR THE STATEWIDE PRIMARY RACE, 120 LEGISLATIVE SEATS ARE UP FOR GRABS AND FILTERS WILL GET TO DECIDE WHO FACES GOVERNOR MURPHY IN THE GENERAL ELECTION THIS FALL.

A NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN INCUMBENTS ARE ON THE BALLOT AND SOME ANALYST SAY THEY ARE BATTLING AN IDENTITY CRISIS WITHIN THE PARTY THAT IS STILL IN REPAIR SINCE THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

DAVID CRUZ HAS A PREVIEW.

>> IT IS GLORIOUS, ABSOLUTELY, YOU CAN TELL ALL WEEKEND, DESPITE THE RAIN, DESPITE THE WIND, PEOPLE ARE JUST READY TO BE OUT AND BE SEEN AND SEE PEOPLE, IT IS REALLY WONDERFUL.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICAN SENATOR DECLAN O SCANLAN AND HIS RUNNING MATES, COMPLETE WITH CUTE GRANDKIDS, WERE MAKING THEIR WAY AROUND THE DISTRICT FOR MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATIONS, FOLLOWED BY OLD- SCHOOL CAMPAIGNING, AS REPUBLICANS HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK'S PRIMARY, MOST INCUMBENTS ARE FEELING PRETTY GOOD.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET?

>> I BELIEVE JACK WILL BE THE NOMINEE, I BELIEVE, I KNOW FOR A FACT SHE WILL MAKE A GREAT GOVERNOR, AND I THINK IT WILL BE A REALLY COMPETITIVE RACE.

>> Reporter: HE IS STILL THE FAVORITE IN THIS RACE, HE ANNOUNCED BACK IN JANUARY OF 2020 AND HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE PARTY ESTABLISHMENT.

BUT THE PRESENCE OF DONALD TRUMP STILL LOOMS OVER THIS CAMPAIGN.

HIS SO-SO TRUMP CREDIT HAS PROVIDED AN OPENING FOR TRUMP ACOLYTE, WHICH HAS FORCED HIM TO PIVOT TO THE RIGHTS.

>> JACK, A CAREER CENTRIST POLITICIAN, ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICAN POLITICIAN, IS FORCED TO ADOPT OR EMBRACE SOME OF TRUMP'S POLICIES, SHOWED UP AT A STOP THE STEEL RALLY IN THE FALL, AGAINST HIS OWN INCLINATIONS, HIS OWN TRACK RECORD.

>> PEOPLE ARE WONDERING IF THIS IS A RACE FOR THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF NEW JERSEY'S REPUBLICANS.

>> IN EIGHT DAYS, THEY WON'T HAVE TO WONDER, WE WORK VERY HARD, WE HAVE WON ALL 20 COUNTY CONVENTIONS, RAISED A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY, WE ARE GOING TO WIN THE PRIMARY AND WE ARE GOING TO GET ON WITH OUR FOCUS.

>> Reporter: THE CAMPAIGN INSISTS THERE IS A POLL OUT THERE WITH HIM IN STRIKING DISTANCE, AND THERE ARE TWO OTHER CANDIDATES IN THIS RACE, CONSERVATIVE PASTOR PHIL RIZZO AND FORMER SOMERSET COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIAN LAVIGNE.

THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAS STRONG SUPPORT IN THE STATE.

THE OTHER NOTABLE GOP PRIMARY, TRUMP LEANING SESSA GROSSMAN IS COUNTING ON THAT IN HIS SECOND DISTRICT SENATE PRIMARY AGAINST VINCE.

ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE REPUBLICANS WHO BELIEVES THAT JOE BIDEN WAS FAIRLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> Reporter: DO YOU THINK TRUMP IS GOING TO HAVE A LASTING EFFECT ON THE PARTY?

>> NOT IF WE MOVE FORWARD, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO REALLY LOVED HIS POLICIES, BUT IT DIDN'T LIKE, PER SE, HIS DELIVERY OF THEM AND I THINK THERE IS A WAY THAT WE HEAL THE PARTY, BRING THE ACTIONS TOGETHER AND MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THE FORMER ATLANTIC CITY MAYOR ON THE BALLOT IN THE SECOND DISTRICT ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IS EITHER A VISIONARY OR A HOPELESS ROMANTIC WHEN HE SUMS UP THE STATE OF HIS PARTY HEADING INTO THE 2021 PRIMARY.

>> IT IS THE PARTY OF THE FUTURE.

WE REPRESENT THE VALUES OF FAMILIES, WE REPRESENT THE VALUES OF HARD-WORKING PEOPLE, BUT WE ALSO ARE COMPASSIONATE FOR THOSE THAT HAVE ISSUES THAT THEY CAN'T TAKE CARE OF BY THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HE WOULD RESPOND TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS ONLY, WHICH IS NOT HOW WE CONDUCT INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES.

>>> THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF RACES TO WATCH COME JUNE 8th, PRIMARY NIGHT IN NEW JERSEY, JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL LIVE IN ADDITION OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS AT 11:00 FOR ALL YOUR ELECTION RESULTS AND ANALYSIS, PLUS FOLLOW US AT NJTVNEWS.ORG AND TO FOLLOW THE LATEST ON THE RACES WITH MORE REPORTS AND INSIGHT ALL NIGHT LONG.

>>> WE WILL CONTINUE OUR COVERAGE OF KEY RACES AHEAD OF PRIMARY NIGHT.

THIS THURSDAY, JOIN DAVID CRUISE LIVE AT 6:30 P.M. FOR A SPECIAL EDITION OF CHATTERBOX.

HE WILL SPEAK WITH THE CANDIDATES FROM DISTRICT 37, THEIR FORMER RUNNING MATES OR DEPONENTS.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>> 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 TORIANI CROMPTON AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJEA MEMBER.

>>> I'M MILD, AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR, GET TO BE THE BEST COME IN BODY AND IN MIND.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH, THAT IS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS I CAN TALK TO HER THEY NEED TWO.

WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO TODAY.

THIS IS MY LIFE AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.