>> 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.

THE STATE IS NOW CONSISTENTLY HITTING RECORD LOWS ACROSS JUST ABOUT ALL THE METRICS RELATED TO THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

TODAY, GOVERNOR MURPHY PRAYS THE EFFICACY OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE FOR GETTING US THERE, OUT OF THE 138 NEW POSITIVE CASES AND FIVE ADDITIONAL DEATHS REPORTED TODAY, THIS HEALTH CRISIS IS INCREASINGLY SHIFTING TO A PANDEMIC OF UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE ALSO AT THE LOWEST NUMBER SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS NUMBERS HAVE STABILIZED ENOUGH TO LIFT CLOSURE ORDERS ADULT MEDICAL DAY HEALTHCARE CENTERS, EFFECTIVE TODAY, ADVOCATES AND FAMILIES HAVE BEEN PROTESTING THEIR DELAYED REOPENING FOR MONTHS, AND THAT GUIDANCE WILL GO OUT WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

MEANTIME, THE STATE INCHES FORWARD IN ITS GOAL OF VACCINATING 70% OF ELIGIBLE ADULTS BY THE END OF JUNE.

NEW DATA SHOWS SENIORS, THOSE 65 AND OLDER HAVE THE BEST VACCINE COVERAGE.

89% RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

AND, THAT NUMBER DIP SLOWER WITH EACH YOUNGER GENERATION.

MORE THAN 4 1/2 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED, OR ABOUT 63%.

BUT, EVEN IF WE DO HIT THE MARK IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, MORE AND MORE EXPERTS ARE SAYING HITTING HERD IMMUNITY WILL BE A TARGET FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

FOR MORE INSIGHT, WE GO TO THE DEAN OF THE RUTGERS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL PUBLIC HEALTH.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, AS ALWAYS.

WE ARE AT THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH, AND IS THE STAY ON TARGET TO REACH THIS 70% GOAL OF VACCINATING ELIGIBLE ADULTS?

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, AND THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

THE STATE HAS DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB GETTING TO ABOVE 60% IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

70% IS AN ASPIRATION.

WE'RE THE MIDDLE OF MONTH, WE HAVE TWO WEEKS LEFT WILL BEGET 70%?

CLOSE TO 70%.

EVERY EFFORT BEING MADE IN THE STATE AND ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO GET VACCINE INTO PEOPLE'S ARMS.

>> IS THAT 70% STILL THE RIGHT MILE MARKER?

>> IN THIS SITUATION, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CASES WHERE THE BIGGER THE NUMBER, THE BETTER.

AND SO, WITH EVERY PERCENTAGE POINT THAT WE INCREASE, WE ARE GOING TO SEE A BENEFIT IN OUR STATE, SO FOR EXAMPLE, AT 60%, WE ARE ALREADY SEEING CASES LESS THAN 200 A DAY.

THAT IS REMARKABLE.

AND SO, WE CANNOT THINK ABOUT HERD IMMUNITY AS A THING, A SLIGHTLY ESCALATING NUMBER AND WAS EVEN MORE ESCALATION, THE CASES GO DOWN.

70 GETS US TO A PLACE WHERE WE ARE GOING TO SEE MAYBE 100 CASES A DAY.

WHERE WE WANT TO BE ULTIMATELY IS 100%.

>> YEAH, YOU MENTIONED CASES, BUT OF COURSE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS, ALSO SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT THERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, WHEN THE DISEASE IS NOT SPREAD ANYMORE, WHEN THE DISEASE IS BEING CONTAINED, WHICH IS WHAT HERD IMMUNITY IS ALL ABOUT, THEN, AS A RESULT, PEOPLE DON'T GET SICK AND IF PEOPLE DON'T GET SICK, THEN PEOPLE DON'T DIE, AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE WANTED TO DO FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.

>> WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON HOW THE STATE HAS NOW BEEN SHIFTING THE WAY VACCINE SUPPLY IS BEING DISTRIBUTED AND ADMINISTERED TO KEEP UP WITH HOW IT IS EVOLVING?

HOW DEMAND IS EVOLVING?

>> I THINK THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND GOVERNOR MURPHY HAVE BEEN REALLY INNOVATIVE OF THEIR APPROACH AS YOU KNOW, WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THERE'S GOING TO PROBABLY BE BE 20% OF THE POPULATION THAT'S NEVER GOING TO GET VACCINATED, NO MATTER WHAT WE DO.

WE COULD GIVE THEM MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND THEY WON'T GET VACCINATED, BUT THE FACT THEY ARE USING THE INITIATIVE, USING THE EMS INITIATIVE, TRYING TO THINK OF HOW YOU GET TO PEEP ALL IN INDIRECT WAYS, OR IN INNOVATIVE WAYS IS KEY.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE POP-UP SITES, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SETTING UP OUTSIDE BODEGAS AND SUPERMARKETS, JUST GETTING THE VACCINE TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE, AND THEN WE WILL GET TO THAT 80% PROBABLY WITHIN BY THE END OF THE SUMMER VERY EASILY.

>> TO THINK THAT SOME OF THOSE COMMUNITY APPROACHES SHOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN INTEGRATED EARLIER ON WITH THE MEGA SITES?

>> SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE VERY BEGINNING.

POP-UP SITES, EMS, MEGA SITE CHURCHES ARE ALL THE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE FOR THE BEGINNING, BUT PEOPLE WERE JUST MOVING SO QUICKLY, THEY DID NOT THINK ABOUT THAT STUFF.

SO, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, RIGHT?

BUT MORE INNOVATION.

>> DR. PERRY, GOOD TO TALK TO, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> TO MEET READ MORE ABOUT HOW THE STATE IS TO CHANGING THE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR VACCINES AS DEMAND FLIES, CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG .

>>> A FOR COVID-19 VACCINE COULD BE IN THE PIPELINE LATER THIS YEAR.

BIOTECH COMPANY SAYS LATE STAGE CLINICAL TRIALS SHOW IT'S TWO DOSE REGIMEN WAS SAFE AND 90% EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING SERIOUS ILLNESS, OR HOSPITALIZATION.

AMONG THOSE TESTED, SIDE EFFECTS MAY BE MORE TOLERABLE AND OCCUR LESS REGALLY COMPARED TO THE VACCINES CURRENTLY APPROVED.

RANGING FROM FATIGUE, TO HEADACHE AND MUSCLE PAIN.

THE SHOTS ARE ALSO EASIER TO STORE AND TRANSPORT.

BOB VACCINE DEMAND IS WANING, BUT THE NEED IS STILL CRITICAL IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT TO REQUEST FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION FOR THE VACCINE IN THE U.S. BY SEPTEMBER, AND PRODUCE A 100 MILLION DOSES A MONTH BY THEN.

PARENTS AND MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP HELD A RALLY EARLIER TODAY OUT OF FRUSTRATION OVER THE STATES IN SCHOOL MATH MANDATE.

THEY JOINED WITH REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS CALLING FOR MORE PARENTAL CHOICE, PROTESTING THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER, WHICH RECENTLY SHIFTED TO GIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS JURISDICTION OVER WHETHER THEY HAD ENFORCE THE RULE, ESPECIALLY ON HIGH HEAT DAYS.

BUT AS JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, THAT CHANGES CAUSING CONFUSION AND EVEN ANGER OVER THE REQUIREMENT.

>> LIKE ALL THINGS SCHOOL RELATED DURING THIS PANDEMIC, YOUR ZIP CODE DETERMINES YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHERE YOU LIVE, AND YOUR SCHOOL BOARD DECISIONS DICTATE WHAT HAPPENS WITH YOUR CHILD WEEK TO WEEK.

SINCE SEPTEMBER, THE GOVERNOR MANDATED MASKS AND SCHOOLS, THEN, LAST WEEK UNDER OPPRESSIVE HEAT, MURPHY GIVE SUPERINTENDENTS SOME FLEXIBILITY SAYING SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE EMPOWERED TO RELAX AMONG STUDENTS AND STAFF IN THE BUILDINGS GIVEN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS BUT, SOME SUPERINTENDENTS, LIKE JERSEY CITY'S FRANKLIN WALKER MAINTAINED THE MASK MANDATE REGARD AS OF THE NEW EDICT.

>> HE KNEW IN JERSEY CITY THAT 30,000 STUDENTS IN A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF OUR STUDENTS ARE NOT VACCINATED, THAT OUR POSITION, WE WILL USE WHATEVER PROVISIONS WE CAN TO MITIGATE THIS VIRUS AND WEARING A MASK IS OF THAT.

>> OTHER DISTRICTS LIKE THE JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RELAX THEIR RULES AND MADE MASKS OPTIONAL FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

LEAVING NEW JERSEY PARENTS HEADS PINNING, FEELING THEY DON'T HAVE A CHOICE OR A VOICE IN THE MATTER AS ASSEMBLY MAN JOHN MANIC.

>> HOW DO YOU NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A PARENT TO HAVE A QUESTION AND ANSWER WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.

I THINK THAT'S BASICALLY THE BASIS OF DEMOCRACY, AND I CAN'T SEEM TO GET ANY HELP FROM THE MEDIA.

>> CALLING FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE MATTER.

SO, THE SOME WOMEN HOSTED ONE HIMSELF LAST WEEK.

HE WAS ESPECIALLY MOVED BY THE TESTIMONY OF THE KINDERGARTNER.

>> HAVE HEARD A LOT IN TRENTON AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN THERE.

AND THAT WAS THE HARDEST TESTIMONY TO HEAR, YOU COULD LIKE ERIC HER FRIENDS, SHE COULD NOT SEE HER FRIENDS TALK TO HER FRIENDS.

SHE WAS BEHIND PLASTIC.

IT WAS EMOTIONALLY DRAINING FOR EVERYONE ON THE CALL.

>> SHOULD THE GOVERNOR REMOVE THE MASK MANDATE AND SCHOOLS?

>> WELL, LET ME TELL YOU.

I BELIEVE AT LEAST IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS THAT ABSOLUTELY, BUT I'M NOT A SCIENTIST OR THAT'S WHY WE NEED A HEARING.

LET ME HEAR FROM THE EXPERTS.

BUT THE GOVERNOR HEAR FROM THE EXPERTS IN A PUBLIC ARENA.

WHO DOES THIS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THAT IS MY CONCERN.

>> CHRISTINE IS A MAMA FOR WHO HAS KEPT HER KIDS HOME THIS YEAR BECAUSE SHE DID NOT WANT THEM WEARING MASKS ALL DAY.

>> I THINK THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY REALLY NEEDS TO HEAR THESE PARENTS AND YOU KNOW, I'M SPEAKING OUT TODAY BECAUSE THESE CHILDREN NEED A VOICE.

THESE CHILDREN NEED A VOICE.

HIS PARENTS NEED TO BE HEARD.

NO ONE SHOULD EVER, EVER FORCE OR MANDATE A CHILD, OR A PARENT TO COVER THE CHILD'S FACE.

AND, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE DATA IS NOT THERE, THE RESOURCES ARE NOT THERE.

THERE'S NO LONG-TERM STUDIES, AND IT'S FOR A VIRUS THAT IS NOT -- RARELY AFFECTS THEM.

>> EPIDEMIOLOGIST DISAGREES.

>> WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT NOW, ESPECIALLY INTERNATIONALLY WITH THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES ATTRIBUTED TO THE DELTA VARIANT, WHERE MORE AND MORE CHILDREN ARE BECOMING EFFECT DID AND THERE'S MORE ILLNESS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PARTICULAR STRAIN.

THIS IS GOING ON THE TIME TO LET DOWN THE BAR FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> SUPERINTENDENT WALKER SAYS EVEN IF IT DOES TAKE GUIDANCE ON MASS ESPECIALLY CHANGES, HE STILL INTENDS TO KEEP THE MASK MANDATE HERE IN THE JERSEY CITY SCHOOLS.

IN JERSEY CITY, I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> WITH MY RETURNING TO A POST PANDEMIC,, MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING BACK TO THE SUMMER ACTIVITIES THEY'VE ENJOYED IN THE PAST.

IT'S BEEN A LITTLE TOUGH AT THE STATES LAKES AND RESERVOIRS WHERE AN OLD INVADER HAS SHOWN UP ONCE AGAIN.

THAT'S SICK PEA SOUP LIKE ALGAE CODING IN THE WATER MAKING IT TOXIC FOR SWIMMERS AND TOUGH FOR BIOLOGISTS TO CONTAIN.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES ON THE STORIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE, PERIL, AND PROMISE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS FOR YEARS TRIP SO, IN THE SUMMERTIME IT GETS LIKE THIS.

>> ESHELMAN BEACHED HIS KAYAK ASPERS RESERVOIR AMIDST A HARM WILL BLOOM THAT HUG THE SHORELINE FLOATING IN GREEN BLOBS AND STRINGS.

STATE PARK STAFF STOP WATER AND POSTED SIGNS ADVISING VISITORS NOT TO SWIM HERE.

THE WEBSITE SAYS THE SWIMMING AREA IS OFF-LIMITS FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER.

>> YOU'RE STILL ALLOWED TO FISH.

>> THAT'S IT.

>> IS TRAGICALLY BECAUSE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT COME HERE TO THE RESERVOIR TO USE THE SWIMMING AREA ARE COMING FROM LONG DISTANCES.

AND THEY SHOW UP HERE AND THE DAY IS SHOT.

>> THE HEADWATERS ASSOCIATION SAYS SPRUCE IS NOT ALONE.

BLOOMS LIKE THIS ONE ALREADY.NEW JERSEY, AND THEY'VE APPARENTLY BEEN INCREASING.

IN 2017, THE DEP TESTED 30 WATER BODIES FOR POSSIBLE HOUSE AND CONFIRMED 20 OF THEM.

NUMBERS CLIMBED STEADILY.

DOUBLED IN 2019 WHEN 74 TESTS CONFIRMED 30 5/2, AND ROSE AGAIN LAST YEAR WAS 83 WATER BODIES, 40 7/2 CONFIRMED.

THE MORE TEST CONDUCTED, THE MORE HALVES COUNTED >> WE ARE SEEING CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING HAPPEN.

THAT'S AN AWFUL TOUGH ISSUE FOR PEOPLE TO WRESTLE WITH.

>> WE HAVE TOOLS THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT TO DEAL WITH THIS.

AND, HAVE EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO PRACTICE.

WE'RE JUST NOT DOING IT IN A COORDINATED FASHION.

>> HIGHLIGHTS COALITION RECALL 2019 WHEN THEY FELT ONE SO BADLY VACATIONERS CANCELED RESERVATIONS.

MARINAS ANOTHER LAKESIDE BUSINESSES LAID OFF STAFF.

SO FAR, THIS YEAR'S HALF COUNT WAS ON PAR WITH LAST YEAR, HIS WORST-CASE SCENARIO?

>> WERE NOT ONLY PEOPLE CAN'T SWIM.

PRIMARY CONTACT, BUT THEY CAN NO LONGER FISH.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE LOCAL ECONOMY AROUND THE LAKE DIES ALONG WITH THE LAKE.

>> SPRUCE RUN RESERVOIR IS REALLY A RIVER AND IT'S PRETTY SHALLOW.

WHEN RAINSTORMS TO WASTE AND FERTILIZER IN HERE, IT LIKE A PAN OF SOUP.

YOU TURN UP THE TEMPERATURE, IT COOKS UP SOME ALGAE.

>> WE ARE HAVING WET OR SEVERE WEATHER, THEN MORE LIKELY WE WILL HAVE MORE DURING THE SUMMER.

>> THE PROFESSOR QUALITY QUALITY PROGRAM MONITORS THE BACTERIA THAT PRODUCE THE BLOOMS WITH HARMFUL TOXINS.

SHE SAYS CLIMATE CHANGE WITH IT MILDER WINTERS BUT THE BACTERIA KEEP GROWING AND RE-BLOOM WITH FEROCIOUS VIGOR AND HOT SUMMERS.

>> WE ARE INTO THE SEASON WHERE YOU KNOW, THAT WITCHES BREW OF NUTRIENTS AND POLLUTANTS GIVE TO THE WATERWAYS AND JUST START THE ALGAE GROWING AND SUCKING MORE OXYGEN OUT OF THE LAKES.

>> YOU CANNOT CONTROL SUNLIGHT OF THE TEMPERATURE BUT WE CAN TRY TO ADDRESS NUTRIENTS.

WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT MANAGING THIS PROBLEM, WHICH HAS BEEN A LONG TIME IN THE MAKING WILL TAKE A LONG TIME.

>> THE DEP'S KATRINA SAYS THE STATE AWARDED 2 1/2 MILLION IN MANAGEMENT GRANTS, $2 MILLION FOR WATERSHEDS, AND $10 MILLION FOR MAJOR PROJECTS LIKE TAKING SUB TAKE SYSTEMS OFF-LINE AND HOOKING UP HOMES TO SEWER LINES.

SHE SAYS THEY ARE COLLECTING MORE DATA EVERY YEAR.

>> WILL CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO STAY ON TOP OF IT AND GET AHEAD OF IT AND SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY KEEP AS MANY OF THESE PLACES AS OPEN AS POSSIBLE.

>> CONSIDER THIS, BRUCE RUNS A DRINKING RESERVOIR FAMILY OF THE PEOPLE.

THE MORE TOXINS, THE MORE THE WATER HAS TO BE TREATED.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

TWO IT STARTED WITH THE STONEWALL UPRISING IN JUNE OF 1969.

NO PRIDE MONTH CELEBRATES AND COMMEMORATES LGB TO CULTURE AND ACTIVISM.

THAT LOOKS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR AS WE EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC.

WE TAKE STOCK IN ALL THE WAYS THIS HEALTH CRISIS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED THE COMMUNITY.

WE AS CHRISTIAN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GARDEN STATE EQUALITY ABOUT THE PROGRESS IN ADVANCING RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

CHRISTIAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

WHEN I LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST YEAR, SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT HAVE MOVED FORWARD, LGBTQ INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM, MORE PROTECTIONS FOR OUR SENIORS IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

FOR VETERANS TO ACCESS BENEFITS.

HOW DOES THE STATE STACK UP WITH WHERE YOUR ORGANIZATION WOULD LIKE TO SEE US BE?

>> YOU'RE SO PLEASED WITH THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND GOVERNOR OF HIS LEADERSHIP OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

WE ARE ONE OF THE MOST PRO- LGBTQ EQUALITY STATES IN THE NATION, IN FACT WE KEEP SHARING THAT TITLE WITH NEW YORK OR CALIFORNIA.

WE KEEP GOING BACK AND FORTH, BUT WE MADE A TON OF PROGRESS THE LAST FOUR YEARS, DESPITE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND AFTER FOUR YEARS, OR EIGHT YEARS OF THE CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION.

>> YOU THINK ABOUT THE PANDEMIC AND THE TOLL IT'S TAKEN MENTALLY, SOCIALLY, ECONOMICALLY.

ON THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE EFFORTS DESIGNATED TO REALLY TARGETING HELP FOR THOSE SPECIFIC PEOPLE.

>> YEAH, WE REALLY POSITIONED HIMSELF TO FOCUS ON ISSUES OF EQUALITY AS WE BECOME A STATE WITH MORE LAWS ON THE FOLKS IN FAVOR OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

AND SO, FOR US, LIVED EQUALITY MEANS FOLKS IN THE DAILY LIVES BEEN ABLE TO EXPERIENCE AND BENEFIT THE LAWS THAT EXIST.

AND ONE OF THOSE BARRIERS IS ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, IS MAKING SURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE IN SCHOOLS, BUT ALSO ENSURING THAT PEOPLE HAVE POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH EXPERIENCES.

UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF YOUNG LGBT PEOPLE GO THROUGH ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES.

AND SO, WE TRY TO COMBAT THAT BY INTERVENING AT A YOUNG LEVEL AND EMPOWERING PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO STAND WITH LGBTQ YOUTH AND YOUTH FROM LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES FROM DIFFERENT RACIAL BACKGROUNDS.

ALL THE WAY TO OLDER ADULTS IN NURSING HOMES WHO ARE UNFORTUNATELY IN SOME CASES GOING BACK INTO THE CLOSET BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE.

>> IS THERE MAYBE ONE AGENDA ITEM THAT COMES TO MIND THAT YOU ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON USHERING THROUGH THIS YEAR OR WOULD LIKE TO SEE MAKE SOME MORE MOVEMENT?

>> IT'S PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER AND STANDS WITH TRANSGENDER WOMEN.

ESPECIALLY TRANSGENDER WOMEN OF COLOR.

RIGHT NOW, THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A TRANSGENDER WOMAN IS 35 YEARS OLD, AND THAT'S BECAUSE MURDER RATES AND VIOLENT ACTS AGAINST THEM IS SO HIGH ALL ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.

HAD A YOUNG AGE, YOUR BEING A SENSATION POPPING UP ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, EVEN HERE IN NEW JERSEY TO TRY TO PREVENT TRANSFER ROLES FROM DISSIPATING IN SPORTS.

SO, YOU KNOW.

IT'S GREAT THAT LGBTQ PEOPLE CAN FINALLY ENJOY THE LOSS THAT WE HAVE FOUGHT FOR, BUT WE STILL NEED TO RALLY FOR OUR SIBLINGS AND ENSURE THAT WE CAN PUSH EQUALITY FOR WORK FOR EVERYBODY.

>> CHRISTIAN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TWO FOR ROUGHLY A YEAR, LAWMAKERS ON THE STATE'S SOUTHERNMOST DISTRICTS HAVE CALLED ON THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO EXPAND MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION SERVICES FOR THE AREA.

IN CAPE MAY COUNTY, THERE'S JUST ONE AGENCY WITHIN A 60 MINUTE RADIUS THAT IS CURRENTLY OPERATING AS A LICENSING CENTER ONLY, MEANING YOU CANNOT REGISTER YOUR VEHICLE, GET LICENSE PLATES, TITLES, OR COMPLETE OTHER TRANSACTIONS STATE SENATOR TODAY SAID HIS OFFICE HAS BEEN INUNDATED THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC WITH CALLS FOR HELP FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO SAY THE AREA IS DEPRIVED OF THE SERVICES MADE WORSE BY CLOSURES AND SHUTDOWNS DUE TO COVID-19.

>> CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICES, OUR RESIDENTS MUST TRAVEL TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS.

MANAHAWKIN WHICH IS 70 MILES AWAY.

CARTERSVILLE, WHICH IS 80 MILES AWAY.

SO MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS HAVE CALLED OUR OFFICE TO COMPLAIN THAT THEY HAVE THIS NOT WORK, LOST WAGES ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT WHEN THEY GET MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION, THAT THEY CANNOT BE SERVED THAT DAY OR THEY HAVE TO GO TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

>> THE STATE IS WINDING DOWN PANDEMIC RELATED FORGIVENESS ON THOSE UNPAID UTILITY BILLS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS IN OUR BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT.

RHONDA?

>>> A LYNN MURPHY SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TODAY ENDING THE MORATORIUM ON UTILITY SHUT OFF AS OF THE FIRST OF JULY., THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT OVERDUE BILLS MUST BE PAID RIGHT AWAY.

NOR, WILL SHOPS OCCUR.

THE ORDER CREATES A GRACE PERIOD GIVING CUSTOMERS TIME TO ENROLL WITH THE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PLAN.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE GRACE PERIOD ENDS ON DECEMBER 31st, BUT THEN THE ANNUAL WINTER MORATORIUM ON SHUTOFF BEGINS, WHICH MEANS RESIDENCE WILL BE FULLY PROTECTED FROM SHUTOFF THROUGH MID MARCH OF 2022.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS SOME OF THE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS MAY BE USED TO HELP HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO PAY THEIR BILLS.

NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS MAY HAVE LITTLE'S DAY ON HOW LAWMAKERS IN THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION WILL SPEND AN EXTRA $11 BILLION OF CASH THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE TO THE STATE, WHILE PUBLIC HEARINGS HAVE A PROPOSED STATE BUDGET THAT WERE HELD BACK IN MARCH.

THE SITUATION IS MUCH DIFFERENT NOW AS WE SENT REVENUE FORECASTS HAVE DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED.

BUT, PUBLIC MEETINGS FROM THE STATES NEW REVENUE FORECAST WERE CANCELED LAST WEEK AS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS'S JOHN WRIGHT MEYER TELLS US AS OF NOW THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RESCHEDULED.

>> THEY COULD NOT HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS WEEK.

TAKE TESTIMONY, THEN GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

BUT, THAT RARELY EVER HAPPENS IN TRENTON IN A NORMAL YEAR, AND THIS YEAR, THERE'S SO MUCH EXTRA MONEY THAT HAS TO BE DIVVIED UP, WHETHER IT'S THE STATE TAX THE FEDERAL COVID AIDE.

BUT IT LEAVES LITTLE TIME FOR THERE'S A JULY 1 DEADLINE FOR THE SALT TO GET DONE.

>> FIND OUT MORE ABOUT READING JOHN THE STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG .

>>> JERSEY CITY RESIDENTS WOULD GET A TAX CUT UNDER THE NEW MUNICIPAL BUDGET INTRODUCED BY STEPHEN PHILIP.

THE $620 MILLION SPENDING PLAN WOULD CUT TAXES BY $967.

ON AVERAGE FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD.

THE BUDGET GOES BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL LATER THIS WEEK.

NOW, HERE'S A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY ON THIS MONDAY.

I AM TRANS EXPERIAN HERE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PEER WORKING TO KEEP NEW JERSEY IN BUSINESS ONLINE AT NJ CHAMBER.COM.

>>> WE SAW JUST HOW FRAGILE THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN IS IN THE RECEPTION AND THE CRITICAL NEED TO DO PROTECTED.

IN BURLINGTON COUNTY, NEW COMMUNITY GARDEN IS HELPING TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN FARM TO TABLE.

IT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

SO, NEIGHBORS CAN LEARN HOW TO GROW THEIR OWN FRESH FOOD AND FORGE STRONGER TIES.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> YES.

>> JESSICA PORTER AND KATIE LUCAS JUST PART OF A GROUP OF LOCAL VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE HOPING TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS COMMUNITY GARDEN BECOMES A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR RESIDENTS.

>> IT IS JUST SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO, IS DO SOMETHING WITH THE COMMUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I MOVED AWAY OUT OF STATE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I MISSED MY HOMETOWN, I GREW UP IN RIVERTON AND NOW I LIVE IN PALMYRA.

AND, I REALLY MISS THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

AND I REALLY LOVE THE IDEA OF EVERYBODY SHARING AND BEING TOGETHER AND LEARNING WHERE FOOD COMES FROM.

>> LOCATED NEXT TO THE NATURE CENTER IN PALMYRA COVE, THE COMMUNITY GARDEN IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE BRIDGE COMMISSION AND PALMYRA BOROUGH TO OFFER FREE SUSTAINABLE FOOD TO PEOPLE IN THE AREA.

>> WE HAD ABOUT 20, 25 VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY COME OUT AND HELP US GET ALL 12 BEDS PLANTED.

WE GOT EVERYTHING FROM GREEN BEANS, TOMATOES AND CABBAGE, AND THEN WE HAVE TWO OR BEDS THERE THAT WILL SUPPLY YOU KNOW, HERBS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR YEARS TO COME.

YOU GOT ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT PEPPER PLANTS.

>> IN MY PAST I'VE HEARD OF COMMUNITY GARDENS WHERE FAMILIES OR ORGANIZATIONS WITH SIGN-UP FOR A PLOT AND KIND OF SUPERVISE THAT.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE RESIDENCE IN THE RESIDENCE COMING HERE, SO YOU CAN WORK FOR YOU CAN PLANT, YOU CAN HARVEST, AND REALLY MAKE IT A COMMUNITY INTERACTION, AND THAT'S A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE THAT WERE ALL VERY PROUD OF.

>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PALMYRA COVE NATURE PARK AND THE INSTITUTE FOR EARTH OBSERVATIONS.

HE SAYS THE GARDEN IS ALSO AN EXCELLENT WAY TO TEACH ADULTS AND KIDS SOME IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS.

>> AND OVER THE YEARS, WE SEE THAT YOU KNOW, NOT EVERYBODY KNOWS THESE DAYS WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM.

AND, WITH SUSTAINABILITY BEING SUCH A STRONG TOPIC TO TALK ABOUT, THE YOUNG PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO KNOW HOW THEIR ARE THINGS THAT GO ALONG AND I WOULD SAY MOST PEOPLE WILL YOU KNOW, THE FOOD MARKET SHUTDOWN TODAY, WE WOULD ALL BE IN TROUBLE IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.

SO IT'S REALLY A LIFE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE COME BECAUSE ANYBODY COULD DO THIS IN THEIR BACKYARD.

>> THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM, THEY THINK THAT THE FOOD IS COMING FROM A CAN.

YOU KNOW BECAUSE THEY GET THE LUNCHES, WHICH SUSTAIN THEM.

THE BREAKFAST IS LOW THAT SUSTAINS THEM., THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE IT COMES FROM.

SO, SEEING IT FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE -- IF YOU'RE MAKING A BIG POT OF TOMATO SAUCE AND YOU NEED BASIL YOU CAN COME DOWN AND JUST PICK IT.

>> THE GARDEN IS NOT ONLY A SPECIAL ADDITION TO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT IT ALSO MEANS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED YOU TO LIFE.

>> ANYBODY WHO COMES TO VISIT THERE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIVE IN TOWN.

IT'S A COME HELP, SERVE YOURSELF.

WE TELL PEOPLE IF YOUR COMMUNITY GARDEN, COME TAKE WHAT YOU NEED.

>> ANY SURPLUS OF VEGETABLES WILL DEEP BE DONATED TO A LOCAL CHARITY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> AND THAT IS OUR SHOW TONIGHT, BUT HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING, OR FOLLOW ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST NEWS.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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