>>> RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

, AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW 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.

IN ANOTHER SHIFT TOWARD POST PANDEMIC LIFE, GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED THE STATE WILL BEGIN PHASING OUT ALL SIX OF THE VACCINE AT MEGA SITES, INCLUDING THE FEMA RUN SITE IN NEWARK.

NEARLY 1 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED AT THOSE LOCATIONS SINCE THEY BEGAN OPERATING, TWO OR ALREADY WINDING DOWN OPERATIONS, ATLANTIC AND GLOUCESTER GIVING AT THE LAST FIRST DOSE IS TODAY.

THE BURLINGTON COUNTY MEGA SITE WILL BE THE LAST TO STOP ADMINISTERING SHOTS, FINAL SECOND DOSES ARE SLATED TO BE GIVEN OUT BY JULY 23rd.

INSTEAD, THE STATE WILL SHIFT ATTENTION TO LOCAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED VACCINE SITES TO REACH ITS GOAL OF VACCINATING 70% OF ADULTS BY THE END OF THE MONTH AND STATE LEADERS ARE GETTING CLOSER, THOUGH THEY ARE INCHING ALONG, MORE THAN 4.2 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED AND NEARLY 5 MILLION FIRST DOSES HAVE BEEN PUT IN ARMS.

>>> THE GOVERNOR MARKED ANOTHER MILESTONE TODAY, THE 200th COVID-19 BRIEFING AND WAS JOINED BY A GUEST FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, THE FEDERAL COVID- 19 RESPONSE COORDINATOR WHO HEAPED PRAISE ON THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION CALLING THE VACCINATION PROGRAM ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST STATES TO HIT THE IMPORTANT MILESTONE OF 70% OF ADULTS WITH AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

NOW YOU ARE CONTINUING TO DRIVE THAT PERCENTAGE HIGHER WITH MORE THAN 74% OF ADULTS WITH AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

THAT, I BELIEVE IS SIX IN THE NATION.

AND 61% OF ADULTS IN NEW JERSEY ARE FULLY VACCINATED, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO GO BACK AND GET THE SECOND SHOT.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE IS PICKING REOPENINGS AND EASED RESTRICTIONS ON MORE SHOTS GOING IN ARMS AND THE DECLINING NUMBER OF NEW CASES.

237 POSITIVE TESTS REPORTED TODAY, AND 20 NEW DEATHS.

TODAY, HE APPEARED TO WAVER ON HIS STRONG STANCE ABOUT STUDENTS WEARING MASKS IN SCHOOLS AS THE ACADEMIC YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE, HE IS STARTING THE MORE THAN A 400 DISTRICTS OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK FOR IN PERSON LEARNING.

AND A 360 HAVE A HYBRID SCHEDULE AND JUST SEVEN DISTRICTS REMAIN ALL REMOTE.

THAT WON'T BE AN OPTION THIS FALL.

THE GOVERNOR CALLED IN THE HELP OF ANOTHER FEDERAL LEADER TODAY TO BACK HIS DECISIONS.

>> Reporter: MASKED UP AND LAYING IN BAND CLASS, BERGENFIELD HIGH SCHOOL KIDS PROVIDED THE BACKDROP FOR A POLITICAL TO PROMOTING A FULL RETURN TO IN PERSON INSTRUCTION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HOSTED U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY MIGUEL CARDONA AND EXPLAINED THERE IS A CHANCE HE MIGHT DITCH THE CURRENT MANDATE FOR STUDENTS WHEN CLASSES RECONVENE IN SEPTEMBER.

>> I WILL PUT ON MY EPIDEMIOLOGICAL HAT AND ESSAY THREE MONTHS FROM NOW, MIGHT BE FIVE LIFETIMES, SO THE ANSWER IS ABSOLUTELY, OUR MINDS ARE OPEN.

>> WHILE I WOULD LIKE TO PREDICT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO REOPEN SCHOOLS IN THE FALL WITHOUT MASKS, I AM GOING TO LEAN ON MY HEALTH EXPERTS PARTNERS, WE TALKED REGULARLY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN THAT LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO REOPEN SCHOOLS BY ENSURING HEALTH AND SAFETY DRIVE EVERY DECISION.

>> Reporter: VACCINES APPROVED FOR 12-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, ALTHOUGH KIDS AS YOUNG AS SIX MONTHS AND UPPER PARTICIPATING IN TRIALS, THEY MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR SHOTS BY THE FALL.

SEVERAL SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE SENT MURPHY A LETTER ASKING HIM TO JUST DITCH THE MASK MANDATE.

>> KIDS HAVE BEEN TROOPERS WITH WEARING MASKS THE ENTIRE YEAR, THEY HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY GREAT WITH IT, VACCINES ARE EXPANDING THE VAST MAJORITY OF TEACHERS ARE VACCINATED, WE HAVE HIGH SCHOOLERS WHO ARE VACCINATED.

I AM NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THE STATEMENT OF THERE WILL DEFINITELY BE MASKS, SO, I AM GLAD HE WALKED BACK BACK.

>> Reporter: HE WANTS MURPHY TO OFFER CLEAR GUIDELINES FOR KIDS, SAYING PARENTS ARE CONFUSED OVER MIXED MASK MESSAGES.

HE SAYS SCHOOLS TAKE RATE CARE TO FOLLOW SAFETY GUIDELINES, ESPECIALLY ON AIR QUALITY.

>> WE HAVE BETTER FILTRATION THAN IN A DINER OR PIZZA HUT.

KIDS CAN GO UNMASKED IN THOSE AREAS.

I THINK, STRAIGHTENING THAT CONFUSION, ADDRESSING IT IS GOING TO HELP US.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS LAUNCHED A PETITION, TELL GOVERNOR MURPHY TO UNMASK OUR KIDS.

>> IT HAS OVER 10,000 SIGNATURES.

THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY ARE SPEAKING AND THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE LISTENING.

HE HAS CONSISTENTLY STATED THIS ENTIRE ERA THAT THE DATA WOULD DRIVE THE DATES.

NUMBER ONE, THE LEGISLATURE HASN'T BEEN PROVIDED THE DATA, ALSO, THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN CUT OUT OF THE MAJOR DECISION- MAKING DURING THIS ENTIRE ERA.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS GETTING $2.7 BILLION IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC EIGHT, SPECIFICALLY FOR EDUCATION.

BUT THE QUESTION IS, HOW IS THAT MONEY GOING TO BE SPENT?

>> OVER 800 DIFFERENT DISTRICTS OR SCHOOLS, SO EACH ONE IS A HAND TAILORED REALITY.

IT COULD BE VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN ONE SCHOOL VERSUS A VERY DIFFERENT USE OF MONEY AND ANDOVER.

>> THIS IS THE CLOSEST WE HAVE TO A RESET BUTTON ON THINGS WE KNOW DIDN'T WORK IN EDUCATION, SO, I ASK EDUCATORS, FAMILIES TO THINK INNOVATIVELY ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO DIFFERENTLY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR LEARNERS IN BETTER WAYS THAN WE HAVE NOW.

>> Reporter: THE MONEY COULD HELP ANY STUDENTS MAKE UP THE SIGNIFICANT LEARNING LOSSES AND COUNSEL KIDS STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES BROUGHT ON BY THE PANDEMIC.

ESTATE IS OFFERING GUIDANCE, BUT ULTIMATELY, EACH DISTRICT MUST SUBMIT ITS OWN SPENDING PLAN.

>>> PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE HIGH HOPES THAT MORE SCHOOL AGED KIDS WILL BE ABLE TO GET A SHOT IN SEPTEMBER, AND IT APPEARS HESITANCY ABOUT VACCINATIONS IS DECLINING IN BLACK AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES.

A NEW SURVEY OF REGISTERED VOTERS CONDUCTED BY CHANGE RESEARCH FOR PROJECT READY, E- VOTING ADVOCACY GROUP IN NEWARK, FOUND THE BIGGEST INDICATOR OF RELUCTANCE WAS POLITICS, NOT RACE.

HOW WILL THAT INFLUENCE THE CONVERSATION MOVING FORWARD?

ALL ALONG, WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS ABOUT CONCERN OVER HESITANCY, SPECIFICALLY AMONG DIFFERENT RACIAL GROUP, BUT THIS SURVEY KIND OF POINTS THE NEEDLE IN ANOTHER DIRECTION.

>> IT DOES, THIS IS SOMETHING I KEPT HEARING FROM OTHER PEOPLE.

I WAS TALKING TO DR. DENISE ROB JURIS AT RUTGERS ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE AND SHE KEPT SAYING, PEOPLE ARE OVERLOOKING THE FACT THIS IS REPUBLICAN WHITE MEN WHO ARE THE ONES THAT AREN'T GETTING VACCINATED.

THE SURVEY, AND THIS IS JUST NEW JERSEY AND ONLY 1200 PLUS PEOPLE, SO IT IS FAIRLY SMALL, BUT IT DID FIND 92% OF DEMOCRATS HAVE OR WILL GET THE SHOT, 64 PERCENT OF INDEPENDENTS AND 51% OF REPUBLICANS, SO, WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THAT GAP OF WHO IS UNVACCINATED, WE WERE SORT OF JOKING BUT MAYBE, MAYBE WE NEED A NEW SET OF INCENTIVES, WE NEED TO RETHINK HOW WE ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE, WHERE WE ARE PUTTING THE RESOURCES.

I DON'T KNOW, BUT CLEARLY THAT IS WHERE THE ISSUE IS, IF YOU WELL.

>> YOU SPOKE WITH THE HEAD OF THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND HE SAID THIS PROVES THAT ALL OF THE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION WHICH HAVE BEEN DOING IS WORKING, IS THAT WHAT IT IS?

>> RIGHT, I THINK IT IS ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND, AS YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS, THERE IS A REASON THE STATE HAS INVESTED ALL THESE RESOURCES IN GETTING VACCINES TO BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

THAT IS BECAUSE WHITE PEOPLE ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO GET HOSPITALIZED OR DIE, YOU KNOW, HISPANICS, LIKE, THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY, THE STATISTICS ARE OFF THE CHARTS.

OR IS THIS GREATER NEED, AND THAT, YOU KNOW, AND WHAT THE DOCTOR WAS SAYING, CERTAINLY IN THE STATISTICS, IT APPEARS BETWEEN THE BEERY AND MAY, WHICH IS WHEN A LOT OF THIS WORK HAS BEEN DONE, AMONG THE BLACK COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT, EITHER HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE OR WILL GET THE VACCINE WENT FROM 62 10 69%, AMONG HISPANICS, IT WAS QUITE HIGH, 77 TO 83%, WHITES, IT HAS BEEN KIND OF STUDY, 71 TO 73%.

CLEARLY THEY HAVE MOVED THE NEEDLE WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO.

>> TO ANY OF THE DEMOGRAPHICS OR BREAKDOWNS OF THE DEMOGRAPHICS SHOW WE ARE STILL LAGGING?

IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM.

>> WHEN THEY DID THE SURVEY, THAT IS THAT KEY PART, HAVE OR WILL, RIGHT?

HOW DO YOU GET FROM WILL TO DONE, RIGHT?

SO, THE INTERESTING THING IS, WHEN THEY ASKED PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN VACCINATED IN MAY, 35% OF THE BLACK RESPONDENTS, 56% OF HISPANICS, AND 68% OF WHITE FOLKS, SO, CLEARLY, WHO HAS GOT, WHO IS GETTING MORE OF THE SHOTS, STILL MORE SHOTS ARE GOING TO QUITE A FOCUS.

OF COURSE, WHITE PEOPLE ARE THE MAJORITY, SO, THERE IS THAT, YOU HAVE TO KEEP IT ALL IN MIND.

THERE IS ROOM TO GROW STILL, MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> WITH THE PRIMARY ELECTION LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY, THERE IS A GROUNDSWELL AGAINST WHAT SOME CALL A DIRTY LITTLE SECRET IN POLITICS.

A ROLE THAT LETS PARTY BOSSES CONTROL PRIMARY YOUR BALLOTS.

AS A RESULT, GIVES THEIR PREFERRED CANDIDATE THE TOP SPOT, NOW THAT POLICY IS BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT BY ADVOCATES, CANDIDATES, EVEN SOME LAWMAKERS WHO BENEFITED IN THE PAST.

>> Reporter: THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE SAYS THE LATEST GROUP TO SIGN ON TO THE LAWSUIT, WHICH SEEKS TO BRING AN END TO THE LONG- STANDING TRADITION OF THE PARTY LINE.

FILING A BRIEF ON BEHALF OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND OTHERS, THE LINE GRANTS FAVORABLE PALLET POSITION TO PARTY INSIDERS.

HER TO CANDIDATES WHO ARE HANDPICKED I PARTY LEADERS AND THEN GROUPED TOGETHER.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS ABOUT VOTERS GETTING TO CHOOSE, AND OUR SYSTEM, OUR PRIMARY BALLOT SYSTEM OF USING THE LINE WHERE WE BRACKET PEOPLE OFF AND PUT OPPONENTS OUT IN SIBERIA, HARMS VOTERS, IT IS HARMFUL TO VOTERS' TOYS, THAT IS A PROBLEM FOR DEMOCRACY.

>> Reporter: WE ARE THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT RUNS ITS PRIMARIES LIKE THAT.

JULIA SASS RUBIN LOOKED AT THE 2020 PRIMARIES.

>> THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING ON THE COUNTY LINE IN ONE COUNTY VERSUS HAVING YOUR OPPONENT ON THE COUNTY LINE'S IN ANOTHER COUNTY, THE AVERAGE DIFFERENCE WAS DIRTY FIVE PERCENTAGE POINTS.

WHICH IS, OF COURSE, A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR MOST OTHERS, IT WAS LARGER, IN THE REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATE RACE, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING ON THE COUNTY LINE AND HAVING YOUR OPPONENT ON THE COUNTY LINE WAS 50 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

THE BALLOT IS DECIDING WHO WINS.

>> Reporter: HERE IS A SAMPLE OF WHAT OUR BALLOT LOOKS LIKE.

A PARTY LINE.

HERE IS THE PARTY CHOICE, AND HERE IS THE OFFICE THEY ARE RUNNING FOUR.

THE PLAINTIFFS ARE ASKING FOR THE BALLOTS TO BE REDESIGNED, OR LIKE THIS, OFFICE DOUBLED BY A ROTATING LIST OF ALL THE CANDIDATES RUNNING.

THIS LAYOUT MAKES IT MORE LIKELY VOTERS TO THE PICKING, NOT THE PARTY INSIDERS, SAY THE PLAINTIFFS.

>>, WALK MY NEIGHBORHOOD, KNOCK ON THE DOORS OF THESE REPUBLICANS IN THAT LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND PARTY INSIDERS, THEY WOULD LAUGH AT SOMEBODY OFF THE FRONT STEPS.

>> Reporter: AS A COUNTY COMMITTEEMAN, HE FACES HUNDREDS OF PRIMARY VOTERS TO GET ELECTED TO THE COMMITTEE.

THAT IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF DEMOCRACIES, HE SAYS.

>> LET'S STOP INSULTING PRIMARY VOTERS ON BOTH SIDES FOR STANDING UP AND ELECTING WHO THEY WANT IN A VERY DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

>> THAT THAT IS NOT THE DEFINITION OF DEMOCRACY, IT IS VOTERS BEING ABLE TO SELECT THE CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOOSING WITHOUT BEING MANIPULATED INTO THIS CONFUSING LAYOUT THAT MAKES IT REALLY DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHAT RACES ARE UP FOR ELECTION, HOW MANY CANDIDATES TO CHOOSE, AND WHO IS RENTING.

>> Reporter: IT IS EARLY IN THIS CASE, AND NEXT WEEK'S PRIMARY WILL NOT BE AFFECTED, BUT IF THE PLAINTIFFS WIN, IT COULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR BROADER PRIMARY CHALLENGES TO INCUMBENTS, WHICH PARTY LEADERS MIGHT NOT ENJOY, BUT REFORMERS SAY IS THE BEST CHANCE TO CHANGE A PARTY SYSTEM THAT IS FAVORING THE POWERFUL OVER THE REST OF US.

>> FOR MORE ON THE FIGHT ON THE PARTY LINE, INCLUDING MORE DETAILS ON THE COURT CHALLENGE, CHECK OUT THE STORY ON NJTVNEWS.ORG.

>>> THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF RACES TO WATCH COME JUNE 8, PRIMARY NIGHT IN NEW JERSEY.

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL LIVE ADDITION OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AT 11:00 P.M. FOR ALL YOUR ELECTION RESULTS AND ANALYSIS, PLUS FOLLOW US AT NJTVNEWS.ORG AND GET THE LATEST ON THE RACES WITH MORE REPORTS AND INSIGHT ALL NIGHT LONG.

>>> THE SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS BEING HIT WITH ANOTHER SCATHING REPORT FROM THE STATE'S INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG AGENCY.

IT IS THE SECOND IN THE LAST YEAR.

OVER A PATRONAGE SCANDAL INVOLVING THE FORMER CEO.

ACCORDING TO NORTH JERSEY.COM, THE REPORT SAYS THE ISSUES WERE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF INCONSISTENT AND QUESTIONABLE MANAGEMENT POLICIES THAT LED TO COSTLY CONSTRUCTION OVERRUNS AND WASTEFUL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS, AND SAYS UNLESS CHANGES ARE MADE, THE PUBLIC CAN'T BE CONFIDENT THE AUTHORITY IS TRUSTWORTHY WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

THE INVESTIGATION PREVIOUSLY CONFIRMED SHE IMPROPERLY FIRED LONGTIME EMPLOYEES TO HIRE MORE THAN TWO DOZEN FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO LIKED QUALIFICATIONS.

THE GROUP MAKES A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS IS LIKE HIRING AN OUTSIDE MONITOR.

>>> YET ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS IN JERSEY TODAY, MARCIA FUDGE, THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT VISITED CAMDEN COUNTY TO ANNOUNCE A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT WILL GO INTO REDEVELOPMENT OF STRESSED HOUSING AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE CITY.

THE $35 MILLION GRANT WILL BE USED AT ABLATIVE VILLAGE, A NEARLY 18-YEAR-OLD APARTMENT COMPLEX IN NEED OF MAJOR UPGRADES.

IT IS THE OLDEST REMAINING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY.

THE MONEY WILL REPLACE IT WITH 350 NEW ENERGY-EFFICIENT UNITS, INCLUDING NEARLY 2 DOZEN APARTMENTS SET ASIDE FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.

THIS IS THE SECOND CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT THEY HAVE RECEIVED, THE FIRST WAS FOR MORE THAN $13 MILLION IN THE CENTERVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SECRETARY FRENCH WAS JOINED BY THE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, AND OTHER DEMOCRATIC LEADERS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ONCE CALLED IT HOME.

>> YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN WHAT A CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT CAN DO.

YOU WERE FINISHING ONE UP NOW THAT WE GAVE YOU SOME YEARS AGO, JUST THINK OF THIS IS ALMOST TRIPLE WHAT YOU GOT THE LAST TIME.

I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE OF CAMDEN, THAT I AM SO VERY PROUD TO BE HERE WITH YOU ON THIS PROUD DAY.

BECAUSE THE NEXT TIME I COME BACK, I AM GOING TO SEE A COMMUNITY THAT NONE OF YOU CAN PROBABLY EVEN IMAGINE.

>> THE PROGRAM THAT HELPED BUSINESSES KEEP THEIR LIGHTS ON DURING THE PANDEMIC IS WINDING DOWN.

>>> IT HE FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT PROVED TO BE A LIFELINE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES HAS ENDED.

THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED TO NEW LOAN APPLICANTS.

THE PPP PROGRAM PROVIDED NEARLY $800 BILLION TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BEGINNING AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

IN NEW JERSEY, THE PPP PROGRAM PAID OUT NEARLY $26 BILLION TO OUR STATE'S BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS.

THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR IN NEW JERSEY.

>> WE HAVE REALLY TOUCHED A LOT OF LIVES WITH US AND HELPED A LOT OF BUSINESSES, AND I KNOW THERE WILL BE BUSINESSES OUT THERE THAT NOT EVERYBODY GOT EVERYTHING THEY WANTED, BUT I THINK FROM A NATIONWIDE STANDPOINT, THIS HAS BEEN HUGELY SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: IN THE LATEST ROUND OF FUNDING, THE SBA APPROVED MORE THAN 153,000 LOANS IN NEW JERSEY WITH BUSINESSES RECEIVING ON AVERAGE ABOUT $55,000.

>>> WHILE THE PPP LOAN PROGRAM IS CLOSED, THE STATE CONTINUES TO ROLL OUT ITS OWN PROGRAMS TO HELP BOOST THE ECONOMY.

THE LATEST OFFERING FOR THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CAME THIS WEEK WHEN IT REOPENED A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES INCENTIVES FOR DEVELOPERS SEEKING TO BUILD HOUSING.

THE INCENTIVES ARE HIGHER FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE BUILT IN SOME OF THE STATE'S MORE DISTRESSED COMMUNITIES.

THE CEO SAYS IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED NEW HOUSING, THE PROGRAM WILL HELP DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH BY CREATING CONSTRUCTION JOBS, $50 MILLION HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S HOSPITALS ARE PAYING IT FORWARD.

WHEN THE STATE WAS ONE OF THE WORST HOTSPOTS FOR COVID-19, OUR HOSPITALS RECEIVED DONATIONS OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO HELP MANAGE THROUGH THOSE DIFFICULT MONTHS.

NOW THOSE SAME HOSPITALS ARE DONATING EQUIPMENT AND CASH TO HOSPITALS IN INDIA, WHICH IS STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH A SEVERE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 CASES.

ABOUT 30 HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS ARE MAKING DONATIONS, ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

KATHY BENNETT IS THE ASSOCIATION'S PRESIDENT AND CEO.

>> NEW JERSEY, WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST STATES THAT GOT HIT HARDEST BY THIS PANDEMIC LAST MARCH.

WE UNDERSTOOD THE CHALLENGES THAT THE PEOPLE IN INDIA ARE FACING TODAY.

AS OUR NUMBERS IN NEW JERSEY ARE IMPROVING AND WE SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN INDIA THEY ARE THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH, THEY HAVE COVID-19, AND OVER 300,000 PEOPLE HAVE DIED, OUR MEMBERS, OUR HOSPITALS WANTED TO STEP UP AND HELP OUT.

>> Reporter: THE ASSOCIATION WORKED WITH THE SENATOR TO GATHER SUPPLIES.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET TRADING ENDED TODAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> MUNICIPALITIES ARE FEELING THE PRESSURE OF A LOOMING AUGUST 21st DEADLINE.

THAT IS WHEN THEY WILL HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO PASS ORDINANCES OUT RIGHT BANNING CANNABIS BUSINESSES ARE JUST LIMIT THEIR PRESENCE WITHIN THE TOWN.

IF THEY DON'T TAKE ACTION, TOWNS WON'T BE ABLE TO BAN THOSE BUSINESSES FOR FIVE YEARS.

DOZENS OF CITY LEADERS TESTIFIED TUESDAY AT THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION, MOST OF THEIR CONCERNS CENTERED AROUND ISSUES LIKE ZONING AND TRAFFIC AND THE NEED TO MAKE THEIR CHOICE BEFORE THE COMMISSION UNVEILS THE GUIDELINES FOR CANNABIS FACILITIES.

THEY AREN'T REQUIRED TO PUT THOSE OUT UNTIL AFTER THAT AUGUST DEADLINE.

IT IS ONE REASON THE CITY OF HOBOKEN IS ADDING ITS NAME TO A GROWING LIST OF MUNICIPALITIES QUICKLY MOVING TO PASS RULES PUTTING RESTRICTIONS ON THE NUMBER OF STORES AND MANUFACTURERS THAT CAN SET UP SHOP WITHIN THEIR BORDERS.

>>> IN THE WAKE OF THE DEREK CHAUVIN CONVICTION AND CONTINUED POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTINGS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE GRAPPLING WITH WAYS TO BRING ABOUT MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AND REFORMS.

A GROUP KNOWN AS THE CITIZENS' CAMPAIGN IS WORKING WITH POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND LEADERS TO MAKE THAT CULTURAL SHIFT, AND ALREADY, TWO NEW JERSEY CITIES THAT HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST ARE ON BOARD.

>> JUST THINK WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT WE DON'T NEED TO BE CAPTIVES OF A BINARY CHOICE BETWEEN EITHER OPPOSING THE POLICE OR FAVORING THE POLICE.

WE DO NEED TO START TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AS A COMMUNITY, AS A WHOLE, AND SAYING WHAT CAN WE DO?

>> Reporter: THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HARRY, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FOR THIS CITIZENS CAMPAIGN, IS TRYING TO MAKE HAPPEN, ALONG WITH OTHER VOLUNTEERS WHEN IT COMES TO POLICING AND COMMUNITIES.

THE GROUP PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO IMPROVE ISSUES IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS WITHOUT ASSIGNING BLAME.

ONE MAJOR PROBLEM, EXCESSIVE POLICE FORCE.

>> WHEN THIS COUNTRY DECIDED IT WAS GOING TO HAVE A, QUOTE, WAR ON DRUGS, IT INTRODUCED VERY STRONGLY WARRIOR MENTALITY, ON AVERAGE, POLICE OFFICERS RECEIVE EIGHT HOURS OF FORCE TRAINING FOR EVERY ONE HOUR OF DE- ESCALATION TRAINING.

SO, WE LITERALLY ARE PRIMING POLICE OFFICERS TO USE FORCE.

>> Reporter: IS A PATTERN CONTINUES TO REPEAT ITSELF.

>> THESE ARE HISTORICAL ISSUES THAT HAVE GONE ON THROUGHOUT TIME, SPECIFICALLY FOR BLACK AND OTHER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WITH THESE ISSUES WE SEE TODAY IN TERMS OF USE OF FORCE, DEADLY FORCE, ARE RECURRING ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE AMERICAN POLICING SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY DEALING WITH ITS OWN HISTORY OF ACCUSATIONS.

IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMUNITY'S NEED FOR CHANGE, THE CITIZENS CAMPAIGN IS WORKING WITH RESIDENTS, POLICE CHIEFS, AND OFFICIALS TO ENFORCE MORE DE- ESCALATION TECH X.

THAT INCLUDES MORE TRAINING ON HOW TO NONVIOLENTLY SOLVE A SITUATION.

THEY RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED THEIR OWN TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY RELATIONS THAT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE ANY OFFICERS RECORD OF POLICE FORCE TO BE FACTORED IN DETERMINING PROMOTIONS.

>> THERE IS A MISCONCEPTION THAT POLICE OFFICERS ARE RELUCTANT TO FIND NONVIOLENT WAYS TO HANDLE VIOLENT SITUATIONS, AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY INACCURATE.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE THE POWER OF OUR VOICE, TO USE THE POWER OF OUR BODY LANGUAGE TO BRING A SITUATION DOWN BEFORE WE HAVE TO RESORT TO BODILY FORCE.

>> Reporter: PATTERSON SUFFERING FROM A SERIES OF EXCESSIVE FORCE COMPLAINTS, IS ALSO HOLLOWING THE LEAD WHEN IT COMES TO DECIDING OFFICER PROMOTIONS.

THE MAYOR SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH, SAYING HE HOPES IT WILL BUILD A BOND BETWEEN POLICE AND THE PEOPLE THEY ARE SWORN TO PROTECT.

>> IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS FAR AS RESTORING FAITH AND REESTABLISHING THAT TRUST THAT IS SO NECESSARY.

>> Reporter: THE CAMPAIGN CITING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS BASED OFF RESEARCH DONE IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> WHEN YOU USE COMPREHENSIVE DE-ESCALATION, NOT ONLY DOES IT VIRTUALLY ELIMINATE EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE, THERE IS A DROP OF ABOUT 28.1% IN THE USE OF FORCE, GENERALLY.

>> Reporter: NOT EVERYONE IS SURE THAT IS THE SOLUTION.

>> HOW DOES DE-ESCALATION VARY IN BLACK COMMUNITIES VERSUS WHITE COMMUNITIES?

WE SEE IT EVER PRESENT IN THE MEDIA WHEN IT MIGHT BE A WHITE GUY WITH A NICE AND AN OFFICER DE-ESCALATE THE SITUATION, WHEREAS IT COULD BE, THERE IS A MIRRORED SITUATION WITH A BLACK MAN AND THE OFFICERS AUTOMATICALLY SHOULD THE SUSPECTS.

>> Reporter: THE CAMPAIGN IS COMMITTED TO FACILITATING CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, SO ULTIMATELY, THERE IS A SOLUTION THAT IS AGREEABLE FOR EVERYONE.

>>> DON'T FORGET TO JOIN DAVID CRUISE LIVE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. FOR A SPECIAL EDITION OF CHECKBOX AS WE CONTINUE OUR COVERAGE OF KEY RACES AHEAD OF THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

HE WILL SPEAK WITH CANDIDATES FROM DISTRICT 37, FORMER RUNNING MAKES TURNED OPPONENTS.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

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.