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.

WE BEGIN WITH TWO NEW STUDIES SHOWING INCREASED CONFIDENCE THAT VACCINES OFFER PROTECTION AGAINST THE CONCERNING NEW DELTA VARIANT OF COVID-19.

TWO SEPARATE REPORTS FROM RESEARCHERS IN THE UK PUBLISHED MONDAY FOUND THAT PFIZER'S VACCINE WAS 96% EFFECTIVE AGAINST HOSPITALIZATION AFTER BOTH DOSES, AND ASTRAZENECA'S, NOT YET AUTHORIZED IN THE U.S. WAS 92% EFFECTIVE.

IT IS A HOPEFUL SIGN AFTER EARLY CONCERNS THAT VACCINES MIGHT NOT PROTECT AGAINST NEW STRAINS OF THE VIRUS.

A GLOBAL ISSUE, AS THE UNITED STATES MARKS 600,000 DEATHS RELATED TO COVID-19.

AND, AN UPDATE ON MILLIONS OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON DOSES FOUND TO BE CONTAMINATED OUT OF BALTIMORE PLANT TWO MONTHS AGO.

THE FDA IS ADVISING THE DRUG COMPANY TO THROW OUT ROUGHLY 60 MILLION DOSES, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 75 MILLION DOSES THAT CANNOT BE USED BECAUSE OF THE AIR.

IN NEW JERSEY, JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S VACCINE ACCOUNTS FOR JUST FOUR CENTS OF ALL DOSES GIVEN.

MORE THAN 9 MILLION AS OF TODAY, AND MORE THAN FOUR AND 6 MILLION RESIDENTS WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

VACCINES ARE DRIVING DOWN THE NUMBER OF NEW CONFIRMED CASES STATEWIDE.

278 REPORTED TODAY, AND 11 MORE DEATHS.

IT IS ALSO THE 11th GET A DAY THE STATES REPORTED FEWER THAN 300 CASES.

THAT PROGRESS MEANS THAT PEOPLE ARE SHUTTING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT HEADING BACK INTO A DOCTOR'S OFFICE, FINALLY TAKING CARE OF CHECKS OF AND HEALTH ISSUES PUT ON THE BACK BURNER DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AS LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS, THOSE DELAYS COULD HAVE HAD DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES IF PUT OFF ANY LONGER.

>> Reporter: A CONSTANT CONCERN AMONG DOCTORS DURING THE PANDEMIC, PATIENTS BECOMING MORE RELUCTANT OR UNABLE TO GET ROUTINE CHECKUPS.

PERMANENT RISK OF MISSING EARLY DETECTION, AND CAUSING GRAVE CONCERN FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS.

>> 16 MONTHS AGO COMING TO THE HOSPITAL WAS SO HIGH THAT THAT EMS WAS REPORTING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN A FIVE-TIME INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ACTUALLY PRONOUNCING THAT AT HOME.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE NIGHTMARE SCENARIO.

FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE WALKED PAST THAT.

FOUR THE CHIEF PHYSICIAN EXECUTIVE, DR. DANIEL VARGAS SAYS THEY ARE STILL SEEING LESS PATIENCE THAN THEY WOULD TYPICALLY SEE IN TERMS OF PREVENTATIVE SCREENINGS, AND ELECTIVE SURGERIES.

A REALITY FOR OTHER HOSPITALS WE SPOKE WITH THE NEW JERSEY.

>> DOCTORS BACK IN THE SEARCHES WE ARE REALLY DOING A LOT OF TELEHEALTH VISITS.

WE DON'T GET A LOT OF SCREENING DONE FOR NOW THAT MOSTLY BACK IN THE OFFICE, AGAIN.

AND AGAIN, IT JUST TAKES SOME TIME FOR THE PEOPLE TO GET IN, GET IN, GET YOUR THE PREVENTATIVE SERVICES, AND THEN DIAGNOSES ARE FOUND, AND THEN THEY, YOU KNOW.

THEY GO ON FOR THE NEXT LEVEL OF CARE.

>> Reporter: TO FISHER WHO IS THE SPECIAL ADVISER SAYS COVID HERE IS STILL REAL AND SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL NOT GOING TO THE DOCTOR YET.

>> WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE WILL BE DELAYS IN MAKING CANCER DIAGNOSES AND OTHER ROUTINE SCREENING TESTS.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SCREENING IS AS FREQUENT AS THEY ARE, IS BECAUSE IF YOU'RE MISSING ONE YEAR BECAUSE THE SCREENING TEST IS NOT 100% SENSITIVE, THEN IT'S LIKE TO GO PICK UP THE NEXT YEAR, SO DELAYING A YEAR IS A REAL PROBLEM.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, MANY HOSPITALS REPORT THERE'S BEEN A HUGE UPTICK IN EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS.

>> I THINK SURPRISING THOMAS OTTO HOSPITALS IN NEW JERSEY THIS LAST FIVE OR SIX MONTHS, WITH VIRTUALLY NO INFLUENZA, THE AMOUNT OF COVID-19 THAT WAS, RED'S WERE STILL BUSTING AT THE SEAMS.

>> I WOULD SAY IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, IT'S GONE UP APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20% IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS.

>> I THINK PATIENTS FEEL MORE CONFIDENT SEEKING EMERGENCY CARE AT THEIR VACCINATED ALEXANDER IS DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE AT THE HOSPITAL.

FEMA THINGS LIKE THAT PRESSURE AND SUGAR, WE HAVE BEEN SEEING INCREASED VISITS DUE TO THOSE NOT BEING PROPERLY MANAGED IN THE OUTPATIENT ENVIRONMENT.

>> IF NOBODY'S TAKING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE POINTING IT STRAIGHT ON YOUR HEART AND THAT YOU HAVE THAT INCREASED POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO YOUR KIDNEYS INTO YOUR BRAIN INTO A VARIETY OF OTHER WORK.

>> HE ANTICIPATES THE DATA WILL POINT IN THE DIRECTION, ONLY LOOK BACK.

>> WE SEE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WITH AGREEMENT DR. FISHER IS ALSO CONCERN FOR CHILDREN WHO MISSED HEARING, VISION, AND AUTISM SCREENINGS, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> THERE ARE MANY CONDITIONS WHEN YOU INTERVENE EARLY YOU HAD GOOD OUTCOMES.

AUTISM IS ONE OF THOSE.

>> ALSO.

>> AND SET IT 80 TO 95% OF CHILDREN BEING IMMUNIZED ON TIME, WE WERE DOWN IN THE RANGE OF 1/3 TO 2/3, AND WE KNOW THAT THAT HAS NOT COME BACK YET.

>> I'M HOPEFUL THAT BY THE TIME WE HIT THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER, THAT WE START TO SEE IT BACK.

A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE JUST COVID AND OUT RIGHT NOW AND WOULD REALLY LIKE, YOU KNOW WANT TO TAKE THE FAMILY ON A VACATION.

WOULD REALLY LIKE TO JUST GET BACK TO NORMAL.

WE ARE ACTUALLY DOING VERY AGGRESSIVE OUTREACH TO OUR PATIENTS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE YOU KNOW, GET IN FOR THEIR ANNUAL PREVENTIVE EXAMS, GET IN FOR THEIR ROUTINE CARE.

>> THE SENTIMENT ECHOED BY ALL PHYSICIANS WE INTERVIEWED.

I AM LEAH MISHKIN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSE THE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND LOOK AT ASSOCIATION.

>>> THE DROP A NUCLEAR CASES AND THAT IS ALSO RETURNING WILL SEE TO OTHER SECTORS OF LIFE.

STARTING TODAY, IN PERSON JURY CRIMINAL TRIALS REOPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE NOVEMBER AFTER JURIES WERE SUSPENDED DUE TO A SECOND WAVE OF THE VIRUS.

BUT, CIVIL JURY TRIALS WERE LARGELY STAY REMOTE AND THE FIRST PHASE OF JURY SELECTION IS ALSO STILL BEING CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY.

IT MEANS CLEARING UP THE BACKLOG, THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CASES THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN LOOKED THAT WON'T BE EASY.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> JOHN RAMOS HAS BEEN ATTENDING DRUG COURSES 2017.

BUT, SINCE THE COURTS HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN FOR IN PERSON SERVICES FOR THE LAST YEAR, HE'S BEEN ATTENDING VIRTUAL PROCEEDINGS AND DOING CHICKENS AT HOME WITHOUT HAVING TO MISS WORK.

>> USUALLY COME APPEAR IN THE DAYTIME, WE'VE GOT TO, AND REPORT ALL THE STUFF IT USUALLY THROUGH VIRTUAL, WE'VE BEEN DOING IT THAT WAY AND THEY COME AND VISIT US AT OUR HOUSE.

>> FOR MANY OTHERS, INCLUDING HUNDREDS OF INMATES AND DETAINEES WHO HAVE BEEN BEHIND BARS AWAITING TRIAL, THE SHUTDOWN HAS NOT BEEN SO PLEASANT.

>> I THINK THE CLOSURE IS NECESSARY, I THINK WHAT WAS DONE WITH THE INMATES COULD HAVE BEEN DONE.

I THINK THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAD THE MONEY.

THESE AND WERE SITTING IN THE CELL FOR 23 HOURS A DAY.

23 HOURS A DAY.

SOME OF THEM DID NOT GET THEIR SHOTS, SOME OF THEM DID NOT GET THE PROTECTIVE WEAR.

THE ARGUMENTATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS HAS WORKED SIGNIFICANTLY WITH THE LAWYERS OF THE STATE TO REALLY TRY TO COME UP WITH ESSENTIALLY WHAT I WOULD CALL BAND-AIDS TO STOP THE BLEEDING, YOU KNOW.

BUT YOU'RE STILL VIOLATING MANY DEFENDANT'S RIGHTS TO A SPEEDY TRIAL.

NO, MANY PEOPLE HAVE LIVED BEEN LANGUISHING IN JAIL FOR WELL OVER A YEAR.

>> BUT NO, THE COURTS ARE RESUMING IN PERSON JURY TRIALS, OFFICIALS HOPE THINGS WILL START TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

MAJOR RELIEF IS NOT EXPECTED ANYTIME SOON, THOUGH.

ESPECIALLY THE CAPACITY LIMITED TO 50%.

>> IT'S ALWAYS GOOD NEWS THAT THE COURTS ARE REOPENING, BUT THE TRUTH AND THE MATTER IS, IT'S STILL GOING TO BE A VERY LONG TIME BEFORE WE SEE CASES EFFECTIVELY BEING MOVED TO THE COURTS.

THERE'S JUST A TREMENDOUS BACKLOG OF CASES AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC AND SOME OTHER FACTORS, LIKE JUDICIAL VACANCIES, WHICH EXISTED BEFORE THE PANDEMIC COME BUT THE SITUATION HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY COURTS DATA, AS OF APRIL 2021, THE STATE IS EXPERIENCING AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 146 AND 6% OF BACK LOG CASES IN COMPARISON TO LAST YEAR.

IN HUDSON COUNTY ALONE, THE BACKLOG IS UP 225.7%.

THE SHORT JUDGE IS AVAILABLE IS NOT MAKING THE SITUATION ANY BETTER.

>> RIGHT NOW, AT THIS POINT, VACANCIES A STAND AT 68.

IT'S HISTORICALLY HIGH.

I THINK IT'S UP TO ABOUT 75 WHICH IS THE HIGHEST IT'S EVER BEEN A FEW MONTHS BACK.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME NOMINATIONS RECENTLY, BUT THAT'S ONLY GOING TO BRING THE NUMBER DOWN TO ABOUT XT, WHICH IS STILL MUCH TOO HIGH.

INTENSE STRAIN IN A JUDICIARY LIGHT YOU KNOW, SUSPENSE AND OF CRIMINAL JURY TRIALS.

THEY'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE AT ONCE.

SO THEY CANNOT HAVE A SHORTAGE AT ALL, THAT ALONE A HISTORIC SHORTAGE OF JUDGES.

>> KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO IS RUSH THINGS.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT WE ARE BACK TO NORMAL, THE BARS ARE OPEN, RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN, AND YET, WE ARE STILL USING THIS HYBRID METHOD OF JURY SELECTION.

OPEN UP THE COURTS.

WITH DUE JURY SELECTION THE RIGHT WAY.

LET'S HAVE OUR TRIALS.

>> DESPITE ONGOING CONCERNS, SOME RESIDENTS ARE STILL HOPE ALL THE REOPENING OF COURTS WILL START THE PROCESS OF GETTING THINGS BACK TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

>> WE ARE ACTUALLY POWERLESS DUE TO THIS PANDEMIC, THERE'S NOTHING WE REALLY CAN DO.

SO, I USUALLY THROW MY HANDS UP TO SURRENDER AND BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE.

>> FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> PART OF THE STATE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM EFFORT IS A MOVE AWAY FROM THE SYSTEM THAT DEPLETES THE DEFENDANT'S ABILITY TO POST BAIL AND ATTAINS ONLY THOSE WHO WOULD POTENTIALLY THREATEN THE SAFETY OF OTHERS, OR FAIL TO SHOW UP IN COURT IF RELEASED.

ESSENTIALLY, ELIMINATING CASH BAIL.

SINCE THE STATE PASSED A BILL REFORM ACT IN 2013, URBAN MAYORS SAY IT HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITIES, ALLOWING PEOPLE WHO ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY TO MAINTAIN MORE STABILITY FOR THEMSELVES, AND THEIR FAMILIES.

NOW, THE CITY OF PATTERSON AND THE NEW JERSEY URBAN MAYORS ASSOCIATION IS PUSHING FOR NEW AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW, SAYING IT'LL MAKE THEIR COMMUNITIES EVEN SAFER.

>> THE MAYORS BACK HERE BELIEVE IN BAIL REFORM.

WE SUPPORT REFORM.

WE ARE CONCERNED SPECIFICALLY ABOUT FOLKS WHO ARE ARRESTED WITH GUNS, WHO ARE HAVING A HISTORY OF USING GUNS.

GUYS THAT ARE ARRESTED FOR SHOOTING.

PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES WITH GUNS, LIKE WE BELIEVE THAT THOSE GUYS SHOULD BE HELD UNTIL RESOLUTION OF THAT MATTER.

SEE MY POST, PLEASE DO HIS WORK TO GET EVERY OFFICER OUTFITTED WITH A BODY WORN CAMERA.

THERE'S A NEW DEBATE OVER HOW THAT FOOTAGE IS USED WHEN WRITING INCIDENT REPORTS.

MOVING THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY WOULD ALLOW POLICE TO REVIEW THE FOOTAGE BUT MORE WRITING A REPORT THAT IS CURRENTLY NOT ALLOWED AS PART OF THE NEW CAMERA LAW.

BUT A GROUP OF LAWYERS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVIST ARE FIGHTING THE PROPOSAL, SAYING IT COULD BIAS THE REPORT AND TAKE THE OFFICERS MEMORY BY LEAVING OUT IMPORTANT INFORMATION SEEN OR HEARD BUT WAS NOT CAPTURED ON CAMERA.

LAWMAKERS AND LEADERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT 80 FOOTAGE HELPS ESTABLISH FACTS, AND BETTER RECALL DETAILS OF AN ARREST OR MULTIPLE ARREST THAT HAPPEN WITHIN A SHORT SPAN.

>> SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY THIS NOT AS A CLEANUP, OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS DO, THAT MORE AS YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT IS SCIENTIFICALLY AND ALSO AS A MATTER OF JUSTICE, SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

THAT OFFICER SHOULD NOT REVIEW THIS FOOTAGE BEFORE WRITING THE REPORTS.

WE HAVE HEARD THAT THIS SKILL IS ON A FAST TRACK.

SO THAT LEGISLATORS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT DONE IN TIME FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SUMMER RECESS, WHICH IS GOING TO HAPPEN YOU KNOW, SOMETIME BEFORE JUNE 30th.

>> TO READ MORE ABOUT THE BILL AND WHITES TURNED INTO SUCH A CONTENTIOUS DEBATE, CHECK OUT COLLEN O'DEA'S FULL STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

YOU MAKE THE EFFORT TO REMEDY THE TOXIC CULTURE IN STATE POLITICS CONTINUES .

AT A VIRTUAL HEARING LAST NIGHT, THE WORKGROUP ON HARASSMENT SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND MISOGYNY INTO JERSEY POLITICS HAD ITS SIGHTS SET ON MOVING TWO KEY PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN TIME FOR THE FALL ELECTION.

AND ACCUSED A POWERFUL MEMBER OF THE STATE AND IT OF BLOCKING AT LEAST ONE.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> Reporter: DURING A VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING LAST NIGHT, SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG GAVE AN UPDATE ON TWO BILLS THAT WERE MEANT TO STOP SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND MISOGYNY IN TRENTON.

>> WE DID GET SOME INPUT FROM FOLKS.

SOME OF WHICH WERE ABOUT THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

>> Reporter: AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT WOULD OVERSEE AN INVESTIGATIVE UNIT.

THE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION WOULD LOOK INTO ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSED NOT FOLLOWED BY THOSE WORKING IN POLITICS AND ON CAMPAIGNS.

IT'S A CRITICAL PIECE OF THE ANTIHARASSMENT EFFORTS, BUT IN THE ORIGINAL BAIL, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WOULD BE APPOINTED LARGELY BY THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT.

THAT DID NOT SIT WELL WITH THE WORKING GROUP THAT IS LEADING THE REFORM EFFORT, WHICH WAS CREATED AFTER AN ALLEGATION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN GOVERNOR MURPHY'S 2017 CAMPAIGN.

>> WE NEVER AGAIN HAVE A CAMPAIGN THAT IS SELF INVESTIGATES ALLEGATIONS OF TOXICITY FOR THAT WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT BODY THAT IS NOT BEHOLDEN ABOUT THE GOVERNOR, SENATOR, OFFICIAL.

>> I AGREED AND WE CHANGE THE MAJORITY OF THE APPOINTEE WILL COME THROUGH VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS NOW.

LIKE NAACP AND THE ACTION NETWORK, AND SENATOR OF WOMEN AND POLITICS.

THEY WILL MAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> JULIE SAYS THAT SHE AND OTHERS IN THE GROUP TO INTEND TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AS THEY MAKE THOSE APPOINTMENTS.

ALSO, CRITICAL TO THE REFORM IS A CLEAR PROCESS OF TRAINING AND VOTING PROBLEMS.

>> SO, THE BILL REALLY AS I SAID, SETS UP THE PROCESS FOR CAMPAIGN WORKERS, AND REQUIRES CAMPAIGNS TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE ARE TRAINED, AND THAT ANY VOLUNTEER THAT COMES IN KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PERSON, OR A PLACE THEY CAN CALL IF THERE ARE ANY UNCOMFORTABLE ISSUES.

SEE LIKE ANY POINT OF CONTENTION WAS WHAT IF SOMEONE IS A STUDENT WHO VOLUNTEERS FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, DOES THIS EXTEND TO EVERY SINGLE VOLUNTEER OR CAVEATS?

>> TRAINING WILL EXTEND TO EVERY VOLUNTEER WHO WORKS MORE THAN FOUR DAYS IN A CAMPAIGN.

WE KIND OF SET UP A SEPARATE PROCESS FOR THOSE, LIKE YOU JUST DESCRIBED, A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO WORKS ON THE GET OUT THE VOTE, THEY WILL BE GIVEN A PAPER FROM THE CAMPAIGN THE WAS ON ONE PAGE, THAT THE CAMPAIGN DOES NOT TOLERATE ANY KIND OF ISSUES AROUND SEXUAL HARASSMENT MISOGYNY.

IT WILL BE GIVEN IT IF THEY HAVE ANY PROBLEMS.

>> BUT, THE SENATOR DID NOT LET LAST NIGHT'S HEARING AND BEFORE AIRING A GRIEVANCE.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WHOSE SEIZURES IS HOLDING UP A PACKAGE OF BILLS DOING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

>> IS REALLY NOT QUITE SURE THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY EXIST.

HE FEELS THAT MOST OF THE CASES HE'S SEEN IN HIS LEGAL CAREER HAVE BEEN MADE UP.

>> THEY TOLD NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TODAY THAT HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT AND DID NOT RECENTLY ABOUT THESE BILLS.

>> YES, HE DID, AND I KNOW HE MIGHT NOT REMEMBER, BUT HE KNOWS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, BUT YES, THAT IS THE CONVERSATION.

>> THE SENATOR TOLD US THE BILLS ARE BEING REVIEWED BY THE COUNCIL AND WILL MOST LIKELY GET A HEARING.

HE'S HOPING ALL THE BILLS GET PAST BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS IN.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> NEARLY 5 YEARS AFTER THE FATAL NEW JERSEY TRANSIT AT THE HOBOKEN TERMINAL, FIVE FAMILIES OF THOSE INJURED OR KILLED REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH THE AGENCY.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT PAID JUST OVER $8.1 MILLION THE FOUR INDIVIDUALS HURT, AND THE FAMILY OF THE 34-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, KILLED BY THE CRASH.

MORE THAN 30 LAWSUITS WERE FILED AGAINST NEW JERSEY TRANSIT.

THE MTA AND THE TRAIN ENGINEER.

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER THE TRAIN GOT UP TO TWICE AS BOTH POSTED SPEED LIMIT, CRASHING THROUGH A CONCRETE AND INTO THE STATION.

AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD THAT CONCLUDED IN 2018 FILED NJ TRANSIT FAILED TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT THE ENGINEERS SLEEP APNEA AND POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL TECHNOLOGY THAT AUTOMATICALLY STOPS OR SLOWS THE TRAIN.

THE ISSUE HE HAS SINCE INSTALLED PTC ON ITS RAIL LINES.

>>> THE STATES GOT A MASSIVE SURPLUS IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR, SETTING UP A LIKELY TUG- OF-WAR OVER HOW IT GETS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS IN OUR BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT.

>>> THERE IS NO SHORTAGE , ALTHOUGH THE MERCY OF MS. FISHER SHOULD DO WITH THE $6 BILLION OF FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS.

THE LATEST IDEA WAS OFFERED BY CONGRESSMAN JOSH WHO SAYS THE STATE SHOULD CONSIDER GIVING RESIDENCE A $500 BACK TO WORK PAYMENT.

HE SAYS THAT A WAY TO ADDRESS THE LABOR SHORTAGE, SOME BUSINESSES ARE FACING.

UNDER HIS PAN, THE BONUS WILL GIVEN TO AN UNEMPLOYED RESIDENT IF THEY START A JOB ON AUGUST 1st, AND KEEP UNEMPLOYMENT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1st.

IN MEANTIME, SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS THAT SOME OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING SHOULD BE USED FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

HE SAYS TARGETED ENDING LIKE THAT WOULD HELP NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY.

HE SPOKE AT A RECENT TOWN HALL HOSTED BY THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE NJ BIA.

SO, UNEMPLOYED RESIDENCE MAY SEE A DELAY IN THEIR PAYMENTS THIS WEEK.

THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT THAT IS BECAUSE OF SOME TECHNICAL UPGRADES THAT WERE MADE TO THE PLATFORM IN RECENT DAYS.

THE RESIDENCE AND TWO COMMUNITY GROUPS ASSUMED THE TOWNSHIP AND ZONING BOARD OVER A PLAN FOR NEW HARASSED WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT.

THEY ARE BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST EXAMPLE OF A COMMUNITY LEGAL CHALLENGE TO WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION IN THE STATE.

THIS COULD BECOME A TOP PLAYER IN THE e-SPORTS INDUSTRY IN THE U.S..

THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF GAMING SAYS THE STATE IS ONE OF ONLY TWO IN THE COUNTRY WITH THE TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE CURRENTLY IN PLACE TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF e-SPORTS INTO A GAMING ENVIRONMENT.

>> AND IT THIS IS IN ITS NATIONS STAGE BUT I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE CAN BE A LEADER IN THIS AREA BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THE INFRASTRUCTURE, WITHOUT THE COMMITMENT.

>> IS LOOK AT A RECENT VIRTUAL DISCUSSION ON THE TOPIC POSTED BY THE GREATER ATLANTIC CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

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

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

>>> JOIN US TOMORROW FOR A VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE ABOUT OFFSHORE WIND.

THE STATE IS RENT DEVELOPMENT TO MEET CLEAN ENERGY GOALS, BUT WHAT ROLE WILL IT PLAY IN JOB CREATION AND TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE?

TOM JOHNSTON MODERATES STARTING AT 4:00 P.M. SIGN UP ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WEBSITE.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WORKING TO KEEP NEW JERSEY AND BUSINESS ONLINE AT NJCHAMBER.COM.

>>> IS NEVER TEENS GET BACK TO NORMAL, WE PULL FURTHER AWAY FROM THE PANDEMIC.

A LOT OF PEOPLE REPORT FEELING STAGNANT, EVEN EMPTY ABOUT THE FUTURE.

IT TURNS OUT THERE IS A NAME FOR THAT GENERAL SENSE OF LAW HOVERING OVER SO MANY OF US, AND IT IS CALLED LANGUISHING.

YOU CAN BLAME IT FOR THAT LOSS OF MOTIVATION, CONCENTRATION, AND THE PANDEMIC LOSE.

IT'S ONE LONG-HAUL SYMPTOM EVEN THOSE WHO AVOIDED CONTRACTING THE VIRUS TO SHARE.

WE ASKED THE VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT CARE PLUS NEW JERSEY TO ASK LANE.

>> MELISSA, WHY HAVE LARGELY NOT HEARD OF THIS TERM UNTIL NOW, AND WHAT CAUSES IT?

>> SO, MANY PEOPLE WILL WERE UNPREPARED FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH AFFECT THE PANDEMIC.

INITIALLY, FEAR AND GRIEF HAVE SUBSIDED.

YOU KNOW, FROM 2020 AND THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT PEOPLE ARE FALLING INTO A STATE OF WHAT X IS OUR CALLING LANGUISHING.

THIS IS IDENTIFIED DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING, LACK OF EXCITEMENT FOR THE FUTURE, FEELINGS OF AIMLESSNESS, YOU KNOW, THE THERE'S SOMETHING ON THE MENTAL HEALTH ACTION, DEFINING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT EXACTLY DEPRESSED BUT NOT EXACTLY THRIVING PEOPLE.

>> DOES THAT MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY AND TREAT?

>> WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NEVER SOUGHT OUT MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, YOU KNOW, LOOKING FOR SERVICES.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HAD ANY FORM OF ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION IN THE PAST, WHO ARE NOW FEELING IN THIS STATE OF WHAT WE ARE CALLING LANGUISHING, WHERE THEY ARE JUST NOT, THEY ARE FEELING OFF.

>> SO, I MEAN.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT, BECAUSE HE WOULD INC., THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER.

WE'VE GOT VACCINES OUT THERE, THERE IS HOPE ON THE HORIZON, BUT FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, IT JUST DOES NOT FEEL THAT WAY, SO IT CAN BE DONE?

>> WE CANNOT JUST SNAP OUR FINGERS AND BRING THE PANDEMIC TO AN END.

THERE ARE ACTIONABLE WAYS TO COPE.

SETTING BOUNDARIES, GIVING YOURSELF UNINTERRUPTED TIME TO FOCUS ON THINGS THAT YOU ENJOY.

TAKING TIME OFF FROM WORK WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

GIVING YOURSELF PERMISSION TO ENJOY YOUR HOBBIES AND ACTIVITIES THAT YOU USE TO TEND TO.

YOU KNOW, PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

CHANGING YOUR SCENERY, MOST OF US ARE WORKING FROM HOME IN SOME CAPACITY.

SO, DESIGNATING US FACE IN YOUR HOME SEPARATE FROM WHERE YOU WORK, AND WHERE YOU RELAX.

AND, WE WILL GET INTO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SUCH AS THERAPY IF IT, IF THEY CHALLENGE IT.

>> WHAT CAN YOU DO, LET'S SAY AS AN EMPLOYER, IF YOU'RE STARTING TO IDENTIFY THIS AMONG YOUR WORKERS?

TO SUPPORT THEM?

>> OUT AN EMPLOYER, OUR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REALLY TO HELP FOSTER A GRADUAL RETURN TO WORK PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES, TO REALLY HELP THEM DIP THEIR TOE IN THE WATER.

ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES TO PERCEPT THEIR OFFICE SPACES, PLEASING AND CLEAN ORGANIZED ENVIRONMENT IS REALLY GOOD FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

ESTABLISHING BETTER SLEEP HYGIENE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WE ARE SO USED TO WORKING FROM HOME, AND WAKING UP JUST MOMENTS BEFORE WE ARE STARTING OUR WORKDAY.

SO, ESTABLISHING A BETTER SLEEP CYCLE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> IS JUST TWO WEEKS LEFT TO NEGOTIATE THE NEW STATE BUDGET.

JOANNA GAGIS SITS IN FOR DAVID CRUZ ON CHAT BOX THIS WEEK AND DIVES INTO THE DEBATE ON WHERE THE EXTRA MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT.

WATCH IT LIVE ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. JOIN THE CHAT, AND SEND YOUR QUESTIONS.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>> 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.