>>> FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

ARE WJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE TOGETHER.

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

>> FROM NJ PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANNA FOR NOSY.

>> GOOD EVENING A THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

AFTER CAUTIONING THE COUNTRY ON THE BEST WAYS TO AVOID COVID FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS CHIEF WHITE HOUSE MEDICAL ADVISOR AND THE LEADING VOICE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE, DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, TESTED POSITIVE TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME.

FAUCI IS FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED TWICE AND HIS SYMPTOMS ARE REPORTEDLY MILD.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, AS CASES CLIMBED TODAY TO ALMOST 2500, PARENTS WAITING FOR A VACCINE FOR THEIR YOUNGEST KIDS HAVE RECEIVED WELCOMED NEWS.

AND FDA ADVISORY PANEL RECOMMENDED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIIZATION FROM BOTH MODERNA AND PFIZER'S VACCINE FOR THIS YOUNGEST GROUP, SIX MONTHS UP TO 5 YEARS OLD.

THE VACCINES NOW NEEDFUL FDA APPROVAL AND SIGNOFF FROM THE CDC, BUT COULD START ROLLING OUT AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR FAMILIES HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> I'M VERY EXCITED THAT IT'S FINALLY HERE.

I JUST REALLY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO TAKE THIS LONG.

>> Reporter: LIKE MANY PARENTS AMY IS THRILLED AS COVID SHOTS FOR THE YOUNGEST KIDS FINALLY NEAR EMERGENCY FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION.

THE FDA'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD HEARINGS TODAY ON TRIAL RESULTS FOR PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES THAT WOULD IMMUNIZE CHILDREN FROM AGES SIX MONTHS UP TO 5 YEARS OLD.

AMY HAS THREE KIDS UNDER FIVE, INCLUDING 10-MONTH-OLD TRUDY, AND SAYS IT HAS BEEN A FRUSTRATING WEIGHT.

>> IT IS WORTH WAITING FOR, BUT I JUST WISH I DIDN'T HAVE TO WAIT QUITE SO LONG.

BUT I'M DEFINITELY STILL PLANNING TO GET THEM VACCINATED, YES.

>> I TRUSTED MY YOUNGEST CHILD TO THE STUDY PROCESS I FOUND IT RIGOROUS.

>> Reporter: NICK SIGNED UP HIS TWO-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER FOR THE PFIZER TRIAL AND SAYS SHE BREEZED THROUGH IT.

MONTCLARE DAD OF TWO TESTIFIED THIS AFTERNOON AND WHILE HE IS A STATIC OVER THE VACCINE'S IMAGE APPROVAL HE STRONGLY CRITICIZED THE LONG DELAYS IN GETTING COVID VACCINE TESTED AND APPROVED FOR THE YOUNGEST KIDS.

>> WE FELT ABANDONED.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP COVID OUT OF OUR HOME.

AND WE HAVE BEEN PROMISED THAT RELIEF WAS COMING IN A MATTER OF WEEKS FOR ALMOST A YEAR.

SO, AT SOME POINT HOPE GIVES WAY TO FRUSTRATION.

I HAVE BEEN VERY CONCERNED AS A PARENT THAT THE DELAYS HAVE UNDERMINED CONFIDENCE IN THESE VACCINES.

>> IT'S COMING AT A TIME WHEN THE URGENCY, IT SEEMS, HAS BLUNTED.

THEN WHAT IT USE TO BE.

THAT SAID, I THINK IT'S STILL IMPORTANT THAT THE CHILDREN BE PROTECTED.

>>> AND DR. GAR OVERSEEING THE RECORD PFIZER TRIALS, SHE SAYS THE PFIZER VACCINE TRIAL FOR KIDS AGE 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS IS ONE THIRD THE ADULT DOSE ADMINISTERED IN THREE SHOTS OVER 11 WEEKS.

MY MODERNA VACCINE IS GIVEN IN TWO SHOTS A MONTH APART.

MILD SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDE FEVER, ACHES, AND REACTION AT THE INJECTION SITE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

I WOULD URGE PARENTS TO REALLY, STRONGLY CONSIDER GIVING THIS TO THEIR CHILDREN.

JUST, A, BECAUSE IT'S SAFE.

B, BECAUSE IT IS PROTECTIVE AND IT WILL PROTECT CHILDREN FROM GETTING SERIOUS ILLNESS.

>> WE WILL NOT BE GETTING THE COVID VACCINE.

I JUST DON'T SEE A NEED FOR IT AT THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: STEPHANIE HAS A 16 AND AND 8 AND A FOUR-YEAR-OLD.

COVID HAS GONE THROUGH HER HOUSE AND SHE SAYS HER KIDS AND FRIEND'S CHILDREN DID OKAY.

JERSEY POPS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTS JUST 3.4% OF COVID CASES HAVE INVOLVED KIDS UNDER 18, 2.3% OF CASES HAVE HOSPITALIZED KIDS UNDER 18.

0.05% OF NEW JERSEY COVID DEATH HAVE BEEN KIDS UNDER 18.

BUT THAT IS 16 CHILDREN.

11 UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE.

TO PERSIA ADMITS -- >> MAYBE THE VACCINE IS GOOD FOR SOME, BUT FROM WHAT I'M SEEING AND WHAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED WE ARE NOT, MY KIDS ARE NOT GETTING SERIOUSLY ILL FROM THIS.

>> Reporter: MANY PARENTS WHO DO WANT TO GET THEIR KIDS VACCINATED THEY THEY ARE NOT SURE WHERE TO GO.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS NOTE JERSEY HAS ORDERED MORE THAN 61,000 DOSES, ALMOST 45,000 OF PFIZER, MORE THAN 16,000 OF MODERNA ON BEHALF OF 190 SITES, INCLUDING HOSPITALS, FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS, LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT, PEDIATRICIANS, AND SOME PHARMACIES.

MORE THAN 100 PHARMACIES HAVE SEPARATELY PLACED ORDERS.

IT'S NOT CLEAR WHEN VACCINES WOULD BE DELIVERED.

>> WE WILL BE GETTING IT IN, WE JUST HAVEN'T GOTTEN THEM YET.

WE ARE JUST GOING TO WAIT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

ONE DAY WHEN WE GET IT IN WE WILL BE DISTRIBUTING IT TO THE CHILDREN.

TO HUDSON --NOT EVERY PHARMACY WILL VACCINATE THE YOUNGEST KIDS CVS WILL GIVE SHOTS TO KIDS AS YOUNG AS 18 MONTHS, WALGREENS AT THREE YEARS AND UP.

THE VACCINES ARE EXPECTED TO GAIN FULL EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIIZATION BY JUNE 21st.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> FOR MORE ON WHAT THESE VACCINES MEAN FOR THE KIDS IN NEW JERSEY CHECK OUT LILO STANTON'S REPORTING AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

RESIDENCE IN NEW JERSEY COULD BE GETTING MORE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY AND THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY THAT $2 BILLION WILL BE SET ASIDE IN THE BUDGET TO PROVIDE PROPERTY TAX REBATES FOR MORE THAN 2 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS.

THE PLAN AS IT WAS ANNOUNCED WILL PROVIDE HOMEOWNERS EARNING UP TO $150,000 A CREDIT OF $1500 AND EARNERS UP TO $250,000 WILL RECEIVE $1000 CREDIT.

RENTERS WILL BE INCLUDED TOO.

IN FACT, THEY MADE UP ABOUT HALF OF THOSE GETTING REBATES.

RENTERS EARNING UP TO $150,000 WOULD SEE OR HUNDRED $50 EACH YEAR.

TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT MORE THAN DOUBLES THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THE GOVERNOR LAID OUT FOR THE PROGRAM WHEN HE FIRST ANNOUNCED IT EARLIER THIS YEAR.

PUBLICANS ARE PROPOSING THEIR OWN PLAN THAT THEY ARE CALLING GIVE IT BACK, TO PROVIDE $1000 REBATES TO 4 MILLION FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY.

BUT ANY PLANS NEED TO BE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE JUNE 30th BUDGET DEADLINE.

>>> WE ALL KNOW PROPERTY TAXES PUT PRESSURE ON OUR MIDDLE-CLASS WORKING FAMILIES ON A GOOD DAY.

THE PRESSURE THEY ARE FACING NOW, DURING A TIME OF HYPER GLOBAL INFLATION, IS EVEN GREATER.

IT MAKES OUR MISSION THAT MUCH MORE URGENT.

>> AFTER A SLOW ROLLOUT NEW JERSEY'S CANNABIS MARKETPLACE IS PICKING UP STEAM.

GARDEN STATE DISPENSARY IS EXPANDING THREE OF ITS LOCATIONS TODAY TO INCLUDE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SALES.

THE WOODBRIDGE, EATONTOWN, AND UNION DISPENSARIES HAD ALREADY BEEN SELLING MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR A LONG TIME.

THE EXPANSION SIGNALS ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THE LEGAL WEED MARKET.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER VISITED THE WOODBRIDGE LOCATION TODAY FOR THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AND SHE HAS MORE ON WHAT IT ALL MEANS.

>> FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE.

>> ON THE WOODBRIDGE>> Reporter: JUST LIKE THAT WOODBRIDGE IS NOW ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S 16 MARIJUANA NEW JERSEY'S OPEN FOR RECREATION SALES REGARDING STATE DISPENSARY OPENING THEIR DOORS TO NONMEDICAL CUSTOMERS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THIS LOCATION ON ROUTE ONE.

>> I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY.

I HAVE BEEN HAVING TO GET MY FLOUR FROM A FRIEND OF A FRIEND OF A FRIEND OF A FRIEND.

NOW I'M ON MY OWN AND I CAN GET WHAT I NEED WHEN I NEED IT.

>>> IN THE WOODBRIDGE LOCATION IS NOW ONE OF THREE GARDEN STATE DISPENSARY, WHICH IS OFFERING ITS BY AIR WELLNESS.

THE COMPANY ALSO SETTING UP SHOP IN EATONTOWN AND UNION, MAKING THEM THE FIRST DISPENSARIES TO SELL RECREATIONAL CANVAS IN CENTRAL JERSEY.

>> WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO WELCOME CUSTOMERS.

AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE PATIENT ACCESS.

>> WE DEFINITELY NEED IT THERE IS PENT-UP DEMAND AND JUST AS OF A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WE ONLY HAD 12 DISPENSARIES.

THEY WERE SERVING 9.2 MILLION PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY.

OF COURSE, THERE IS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING OVER FROM NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ET CETERA.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE OUR MARKET MATURES.

>> Reporter: CANNABIS STUDIES AT CHUCK PROFESSOR AT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY BELIEVES THERE IS ROOM TO SUPPORT SEVERAL HUNDRED DISPENSARIES IN THE STATE, WHICH ALSO MEANS MORE JOBS.

>> OVERALL, WE HAVE HAD A PRETTY SMALL MEDICAL MARKET.

WE ROUGHLY HAD ABOUT 3200 PEOPLE WHO HAD FULL-TIME JOBS IN NEW JERSEY IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

ONCE YOU GIVE THE MARKET A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO MATURE IN A COUPLE OF YEARS YOU GET SOME NEW OPERATORS GOING AND YOU HAVE MORE CLASSES OF LICENSES AND YOU WILL SEE THAT NUMBER GROW UP TO 10 TIMES THE AMOUNT WE HAVE NOW.

PROBABLY IN 2 TO 3 YEARS WE ARE GOING TO SEE AROUND 30,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING FULL-TIME IN THE NEW JERSEY CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

>> SOMETHING WOODBRIDGE MAYOR JOHN McCORMICK IS HOPEFUL WILL HAPPEN.

PLOTTING AIR WELLNESS FOR AN EXISTING CONTRIBUTIONS TO A LOCAL RECREATION CENTER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ADULTS >> NOW AIR CORPORATION IS GOING BASICALLY TO SPONSOR THAT GREENHOUSE AND STUFF IT WITH PEOPLE THAT HELP OUT, BUT ALSO BRING SUPPLIES AND GETTING GOING WHAT'S REALLY COOL IS A SPECIAL NEEDS ADULTS WILL NOW LEARN A SKILL.

WHO KNOWS?

THEY MIGHT WORK HERE SOMEDAY.

>> Reporter: CUSTOMERS COULDN'T HIDE THEIR EXCITEMENT.

MANY LINING UP HERE BEFORE THE STORE EVEN WAS OFFICIALLY OPEN.

>> WE COULD AWAIT I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE 1983, 1982, FOR IT TO BE LEGAL IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: JOHN HARKNESS LIVES IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY AND IS HAPPY NO LONGER HAS TO TRAVEL FOR FOR CANVAS PRODUCTS.

>> THE ONE AND ELIZABETH WAS PROBABLY 20 MINUTES AWAY AND BLOOMFIELD WAS ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AWAY.

ADDING ALL THIS EXTRA CARBON INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND ALL THE OTHERS THINGS GOING ALONG WITH IT.

IT'S BETTER TO HAVE SOMETHING CLOSE AND MORE CONVENIENT TO US.

>> Reporter: SINCE DISPENSARIES BEGAN SELLING FOR THE MARKET IN APRIL THE STATE SAW JUST OVER $24 MILLION IN ITS FIRST MONTH OF RECREATIONAL SALES.

GARDEN STATE DISPENSARY IS ALSO TAKING STEPS TO MAKE SURE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CUSTOMERS AREN'T FORGOTTEN.

ITS LOCATIONS WILL BE OPEN TO MEDICAL PATIENTS ONLY DURING THE 1st AND LAST HOURS OF OPERATION.

>> WE ARE DOING LAST CALL HALF AN HOUR BEFORE, JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW IF YOU'RE RUNNING LATE DON'T BOTHER AS AN ADULT USED CUSTOMER PICK DON'T BOTHER WASTING YOUR TIME.

WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE IN FOR A LAST CALL AT 7:30, SO WE ENSURE WE ARE NOT DOING TRANSACTION DURING PATIENT HOURS.

>> Reporter: A HOME DELIVERY SERVICE IS ALSO IN THE WORK.

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

>>> AND WHEN NEW JERSEY WAS AWARDED $641 MILLION IN THE MASS OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT AGAINST JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND 3 OTHER LARGE PHARMACEUTICAL DISTRIBUTORS THAT STATES COMMITTED TO USE THOSE FUNDS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC ON THOSE IMPACTED THE MOST WELL, TODAY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED A NEW PILOT PROGRAM CALLED, THE CHILD TRAUMA RESPONSE INITIATIVE.

IT WILL USE $2 MILLION OF THE SETTLEMENT FUNDS TO TRAIN POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDING TO AN OPIOID RELATED INCIDENT TO IDENTIFY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA, BECAUSE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBER'S OPIOID ADDICTION.

THOSE OFFICERS WILL CONNECT THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO SERVICES PROGRAM WILL BE RUN IN PART BY NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

I SPOKE RECENTLY WITH DCF COMMISSIONER CHRISTINE ORBIT BUYER TO EXPLAIN IT FURTHER.

>> COMMISSIONER, THIS CHILD TRAUMA RESPONSE INITIATIVE IS ROLLING OUT IN THREE TELLS.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT THE PROGRAM LOOKS LIKE?

>> YEAH.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED WITH THE APARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, THE DEFERMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DIVISION OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE OAG OFFICE TO OPERATE IN THOSE MAIN THREE COUNTIES SOLIDIFYING THE LINK BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT, OUR DCF OF SERVICE, AND THE OPIOID OVERDOSE RECOVERY PROGRAM.

REALLY, THE PROGRAM IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY, TO TRAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, TO RECOGNIZE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT OFTEN OCCUR IN CONDITIONS WHERE PARENTS OVERDOSE WHERE THERE IS A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE AS A RESULT OF SUBSTANCE USE THAT COULD BE TRAUMATIC TO CHILDREN.

IT'S AN EFFORT TO LINK FAMILIES TO OUR DCF PERFORM CARE SERVICES, WHICH ARE SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN.

WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.

ALSO, AN OPPORTUNITY TO LINK ADULTS TO THE OUTPATIENT OVERDOSE RESPONSE PROGRAM OR OTHER TREATMENT SERVICES THAT THEY MIGHT BENEFIT FROM.

>> WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE TRAUMAS THAT CHILDREN EXPERIENCE?

WHAT ARE POLICE OFFICERS LOOKING FOR, WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THOSE TRAUMAS?

HOW ARE THOSE TRAUMAS MANIFEST?

>> I THINK IT'S NOT NECESSARILY WHAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE RIGHT ON THE SPOT, BUT WE KNOW THAT'S ABOUT ONE THIRD OF CHILDREN WHO ENTER FOSTER CARE IN NEW JERSEY HAVE A PARENT SUFFERING FROM SUBSTANCE USE.

HISTORICALLY, CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS HAVE TAKEN A PUNITIVE APPROACH WITH FAMILIES IMPACTED BY SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER WE REALLY WANT TO CHANGE THAT.

WE KNOW THAT PARENTS STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION NEED ACCESS TO SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

SO, THIS PILOT DEMONSTRATES OUR COMMITMENT TO ENGAGING FAMILIES THROUGH A HEALING LENS.

WHEN CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN SITUATIONS WITH PARENTS WHO ARE SUBSTANCE USERS AND IT GETS TO THE POINT OF AN OVERDOSE, THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS TRAUMATIC TO CHILDREN.

SO, YOU KNOW, COMING OUT OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT WE MAY SEE THAT CHILDREN WITH DRAW, THEY COULD ACT OUT, THEY BEGIN TO DEVELOP UNHEALTHY COPING STRATEGIES.

IN THE SHORT TERM.

AND COULD HAVE PHYSICAL OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OVER THE LONG- TERM.

THIS WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INTERVENE EARLY, TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY TO KEEP THOSE THINGS FROM DEVELOPING.

>> SUCH IMPORTANT WORK.

MISSION ORBIT BUYER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> ALL EYES IN THE BED TODAY AS I MOVES TO STOP GROWING INFLATION RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THOSE DETAILS, PLUS ALL OF TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THOSE INTEREST RATES?

>> JOANNA, IN AN ATTEMPT TO PUT A STRANGLEHOLD ON SKYROCKETING INFLATION THE FEDERAL RESERVE RAISED INTEREST RATES BY THREE QUARTERS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT, THE BIGGEST INCREASE SINCE 1994.

FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT EARLIER TODAY.

>> WE AT THE FED UNDERSTAND THE HARDSHIP THAT HIGH INFLATION IS CAUSING.

WE ARE STRONGLY COMMITTED TO BRINGING INFLATION BACK DOWN.

WE ARE MOVING EXPEDITIOUSLY TO DO SO.

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE BRING INFLATION DOWN IF WE ARE TO HAVE A SUSTAINED PERIOD OF STRONGER LABOR MARKET CONDITIONS THAT BENEFIT ALL.

>> COUPLE INDICATED THIS WOULD NOT BE THE LAST RATE HIKE AND SAID THE FED HAS ALSO CUT ITS OUTLOOK ON U.S. ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THIS YEAR.

WITH TODAY'S MOVE BORROWING COMES EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE.

INTEREST RATES WILL INCREASE ON MANY CONSUMER LOANS.

EVERYTHING FROM MORTGAGES TO CAR LOANS TO CREDIT CARDS.

HIGHER BORROWING COSTS TYPICALLY COOL CONSUMER DEMAND, WHICH THEN LEADS TO LOWER PRICES.

MERGER PLANS BETWEEN OUR WJ BARNABAS HEALTH AND ST. PETER'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM HAVE COME TO AN END THE TWO HEALTH SYSTEMS HAD HOPED TO CREATE AN ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER IN NEW BRUNSWICK.

BUT EARLIER THIS MONTH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION BLOCKED THE PROPOSED DEAL, SAYING AMONG OTHER THINGS, IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN HIGHER PRICES AND LOWER QUALITY OF CARE FOR RESIDENTS.

THE HEALTH SYSTEMS DECIDED NOT TO CHALLENGE THAT RULING.

OUR WJ BARNABAS HEALTH CEO BARRY OSTROWSKI, THE MEMBER OF THE NJ PBS BOARD OF TRUSTEES SAYS A DECISION TO TERMINATE THE MERGER WAS A DIFFICULT ONE.

JERSEY CITY RESIDENCE RACING FOR POSSIBLE TAX INCREASES AS THE CITY COUNCIL GETS SET TO VOTE ON A NEARLY $700 MILLION MUNICIPAL BUDGET.

THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER COULD SEE THEIR MUNICIPAL TAX INCREASE BY OVER $1000.

FINALLY, WE LEAVE YOU WITH A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET CLOSED TODAY AFTER THAT THAT ANNOUNCEMENT.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

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

THE HEART AND SOLE OF SOUTH JERSEY.

ONLINE AT SJ MAGAZINE.NET.

>>> IT HAS BEEN SEVEN YEARS SINCE SHOAL HARBOR IN MIDDLETOWN WAS DREDGED AND VOTERS ARE WORRIED THEY WILL DAMAGE THEIR BOATS AND LIVELIHOODS IF THEY RUN INTO ONE OF THE RIDGES OF SAND KNOWN AS SHOALS COLLECTING UNDER THE WATER.

TED GOLDBERG VISITED THE HARBOR TO TALK WITH FISHERMEN WHO SAY HELP CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH TO CLEAR OUT THE SHOALS AND KEEP THE FISHING ECONOMY AND CENTRAL JERSEY THRIVING.

>> NAVIGATING SHOAL HARBOR HAS BECOME MANY THINGS, BUT SMOOTH SAILING.

>> WHEN SHE COMES DOWN OFF THE SEA, BANG BANG I MEAN, YOU'RE HITTING ALL THE TOPICS RICHARD ISAACSON SAYS SHOALS IN THE HARBOR IN COMPTON CREEK HIT HIS BOAT EVERY DAY.

DAMAGE HAS BEEN MINOR, BUT HE'S ALWAYS WORRIED SOME OF HIS EMPLOYEES MIGHT NOT BE SO FORTUNATE.

>> I GOT 100,000 POUNDS OF FISH ON BOARD.

IF YOU RUN AGROUND IT AIN'T TOO GOOD ON THE KEEL.

THAT'S WHAT I WORRY ABOUT.

I WORRY ABOUT RUNNING AROUND IN NASTY WEATHER.

IF YOU GET NASTY WEATHER YOU RUN AGROUND AND YOU COULD BE IN SERIOUS PROBLEMS.

>> Reporter: A FISHMAN HAS HIS WHOLE LIFE AND THAT WILL.

>> THAT BOAT IS HIS LIFE RIGHT WHERE HIS KIDS AND WIFE ARE.

SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE BOAT HE'S IN TROUBLE.

>> Reporter: THESE WATERS WERE LAST DREDGED IN 2015.

IN THAT TIME ISAACSON HAS SEEN OTHER LOCAL WATERWAYS GET IMPROVEMENTS.

WHILE HE ASKED FOR SOMEONE TO DREDGED THE CHANNEL.

>> GATEWAY RIGHT UP THE STREET HERE.

THERE HARBOR IS DREDGED AND THEY GOT MARKED BUOYS AND EVERYTHING.

SOMETHING AT LEONARDO.

THEY HAVE ALL NICE BUOYS THERE.

IT'S ALL DREDGED AND EVERYTHING.

HERE YOU HAVE A WORKING PORT AND THEY'RE NOT HELPING YOU.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN FRANK ALONE SAYS $8 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING WILL PAY FOR A PROJECT TO DREDGED THE NAVIGATION CHANNEL AND MAKE IT SAFER FOR BOATS.

THE MONEY COMES FROM A FEDERAL SPENDING BILL SIGNED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> IT GENERATES OVER $8 BILLION ANNUALLY AND SUPPORTS OVER 50,000 JOBS.

THE STATE HAS THE LARGEST SALTWATER RECREATIONAL FISHING INDUSTRY AS WELL.

NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE, UNLESS WE HAVE ADCO MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES OF THE WATERWAYS.

THIS IS SUCH A CRITICAL TIME FOR THIS HARBOR FOR COMPETENCE CREEK AND TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS DREDGED TO PROVIDE THE ECONOMIC SUCCESS THAT IS NEEDED FOR OUR FISHERMEN FOR OUR FERRY TERMINAL.

THESE ARE ALL VITAL ENGINES OF THIS AREA OF MIDDLETOWN AND OF MONMOUTH COUNTY.

THIS COLLABORATION OF THE BIPARTISANSHIP, IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THIS HARBOR.

WE ARE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: ISAACSON IS HAPPY TO SEE THIS FEDERAL PROJECT COME TO MIDDLETOWN.

ESPECIALLY AS PASSENGER FERRIES BECOME MORE COMMON HERE.

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS ESTIMATES THAT ALMOST 9000 BOATS COME TO THIS CHANNEL EVERY YEAR.

WORK 24 A DAY.

>> YOU CAN GET A FISHING BOAT COMING IN AT A FERRY BOAT COMING IN.

WHO TAKES THE WORST?

WHO GOES TO THE SIDE AND TAKES THE CHANCE OF GROUNDING?

WHO GOES BY?

SOMETIMES BOTH OF THEM RUN AGROUND BECAUSE BOTH SEPARATE AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH WATER.

>> Reporter: CONGRESS MONTH ALONE SAYS BIDS FOR THE PROJECT COULD COME AS SOON AS SEPTEMBER AND WORK SHOULD START EARLY NEXT YEAR.

IN MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP I'M TED GOLDBERG.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN 10 YEARS SINCE PRESIDENT OBAMA ESTABLISHED A POLICY KNOWN AS DACA, DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS, TO PROTECT KIDS WHO CAME TO THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION FROM BEING DEPORTED.

IT WAS MEANT TO BE TEMPORARY, BUT CONGRESS HAS UNTIL NOT PASSED ANY MEANINGFUL INFO IMMIGRATION REFORM A DECADE LATER IT'S STILL IN PLACE GUN JOIN NOW BY IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY RENATA CASTRO TO DISCUSS WHAT IT MEANS FOR THOSE UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN, NOW ADULTS, LIVING IN NEW JERSEY.

RENATA, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

YOU HAVE REPRESENTED THESE KIDS, NOW ADULTS, FOR A LONG TIME.

WHAT HAS LIFE BEEN LIKE FOR THEM AS THEY WAIT FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO BE PASSED?

>> MY PRACTICE IS A FEDERAL PRACTICE.

I HAVE SEVERAL CLIENTS, IN FACT, IN NEW JERSEY, WHO HAVE BEEN VERY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THEIR FUTURE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THEY ARE NURSES BUT THEY ARE PROFESSIONALS.

THEY ARE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE NOW AUTHORIZED TO WORK AS A RESULT OF DACA.

HOWEVER, EVERY TWO YEARS THEY GO THROUGH THIS EMOTIONAL LIMBO OF NOT KNOWING WHERE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CALL HOME IN THE NEXT POLITICAL SEASON.

IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT CONGRESS AND THE SENATE MAKE A DECISION ABOUT PASSING COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM, WHICH WILL ALLOW THOSE KIDS, NOW ADULTS, TO REMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES LEGALLY.

>> YEAH.

IT'S INTERESTING, DACA HAS BEEN CHALLENGED IN THE COURTS SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS BEEN UPHELD AT LEAST FOR THOSE ALREADY GRANDFATHERED IN.

THERE WILL BE THE MATTER GOING BEFORE THE APPEALS COURT NEXT MONTH.

WHAT CONFIDENCE CAN THEY HAVE THAT THEY WILL KNOW WHERE HOME IS?

THAT THEY CAN SECURELY MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR LIFE HERE IN THE U.S.?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THEY DON'T.

MOST OF THE DACA KIDS ARE DREAMERS AND ARE PURSUING SOME KIND OF IMMIGRATION RELIEF THAT IS ALTERNATIVE TO DACA WHENEVER AVAILABLE.

HOWEVER, AS YOU SAID, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY POLITICIZED ISSUE OF WHETHER OR NOT THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AT THE TIME PROPERLY EXERCISED ITS POWERS WHEN ISSUING THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT ALLOWED THESE INDIVIDUALS TO WORK AND REMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES, THIS HAS BEEN IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT TWICE.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE LAST OF LITIGATION ABOUT DACA THAT WILL CONTINUE HAPPENING UNTIL CONGRESS AND SENATE PASS A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNITED STATES WHO WILL THEN BE ABLE TO CALL AMERICA AND NEW JERSEY HOME.

>> THERE IS NO POLITICAL WILL TO PASS LEGISLATION FOR THIS RIGHT NOW, IT SEEMS.

THIS BECAME A HUGE ISSUE WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TRY TO REVERSE DACA.

PUBLICANS DO NOT SUPPORT IT MANY DEMOCRATS HAVE TRIED TO PUSH IT THROUGH.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DONE, FIRST OF ALL, IN TERMS OF CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION?

AND THEN HERE IN NEW JERSEY TO SUPPORT THESE FOLKS?

>> IT IS WITHOUT QUESTION THAT IMMIGRATION HAS BECOME THE ISSUE DU JOUR, WHETHER A PARTY IS FOR OR AGAINST IMMIGRATION.

THIS HAS BEEN A WAY THAT CAMPAIGNS ARE RUN TO GARNER VOTES DACA HOLDERS ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO CREATE JOBS, WHO WORK AND PAY TAXES AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT AMERICA, AND NEW JERSEY, MORE SPECIFICALLY, RELY ON THE QUALIFIED AND UNQUALIFIED LABOR PROVIDED BY IMMIGRANTS AND BY DACA HOLDERS THAT WE HAVE INVESTED AS A NATION IN THE EDUCATION AND THE BUILD OF THESE CITIZENS.

AND THAT NOT ONLY DO THEY DESERVE TO STAY IN THE UNITED STATES TO THE PASSAGE OF COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM, AMERICA IS BETTER BECAUSE WE HAVE THESE HARD- WORKING FOLKS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> RENATA CASTRO, THANK YOU FOR AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION >> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CREWS BUT I FOR DAVID THIS WEEK WILL TALK TO CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOTTHEIMER ABOUT HIS PLAN TO TACKLE RISING FOOD COSTS PLUS HIS PERSPECTIVE ON THE JANUARY 6th COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AND THE FATE OF PROPOSED FEDERAL GUN LEGISLATION.

THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> >> INTERIM EXPERT INTEREST GROUP, SERVING 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 BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM.

AND FOR ME.

IN BODY AND IN MIND.

I NEED TO HELP ENSURE THAT HELPED ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH.

THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO, BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE SO DELAY.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

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