>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND ORSTED, COMMITTED TO A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY SIGNED THE LARGEST STATE BUDGET IN HISTORY.

$50.6 BILLION .

BEING TOUTED BY DEMOCRATS FOR RAISING NO NEW TAXES MAKING A FULL PENSION PAYMENT AND DELIVERING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF BUT IT HAS ALSO FACED CRITICISM OVER THE FAST TRACK PROCESS, HUNDREDS OF LAST- MINUTE PROJECTS, AND MASSIVE SPENDING.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ WAS AT THE BILL SIGNING.

>> THIS IS POTENTIALLY THE SINGLE GREATEST BUDGET IN NEW JERSEY HISTORY, NO DOUBT.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR, ASSEMBLY SPEAKER, AND A SENATE PRESIDENT AMONG OTHERS TO HUG AND CONGRATULATE ONE ANOTHER FOR HAMMERING OUT A $50 BILLION SPENDING PLAN THAT MANAGED TO FIND REAL PRIORITIES AND PET PROJECTS ALL COUCHED IN THE THEME OF LOCAL TAX RELIEF.

>> WE'VE DONE THREE THINGS AT THE SAME TIME THEY SAID COULDN'T BE DONE, DELIVER HISTORIC RELIEF IN AND AFFORDABILITY, AU GRES INVEST AGGRESSIVELY IN THE FUTURE, AND BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE BUDGET INCLUDES $2 BILLION IN DIRECT TAX RELIEF IN THE SO-CALLED ANCHOR PROGRAM, $2 BILLION FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, A SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF FULL PENSION PAYMENTS.

THAT GOT APPLAUSE FROM LABOR LEADERS IN A ROOM STACKED WITH STAFF AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE NONPROFIT WORLD, MANY RECIPIENTS OF STATE FUNDING.

>> I GUESS THE BUDGET DID REALLY WELL BECAUSE LOOK AT ALL OF THE PEOPLE BENEFITING FROM IT, RIGHT?

WE ARE MAINTAINING $10 BILLION PLUS SURPLUS.

THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED THAT IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION, IT WAS LESS THAN $500 MILLION.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM WHO PUT IN BUDGET ASKS FOR $300 MILLION.

>> Reporter: A $10 BILLION SURPLUS USED BY ROBUST TAX COLLECTION AND BILLIONS IN FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS CONTROL OF WHICH THE PARTIES AGREED TO SHARE ALONG THE SAME LINES AS LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, SOMETHING THAT WAS A STICKING POINT DURING BUDGET TALKS.

THIS WAS SENATE PRESIDENT'S FIRST OF THE UPPER CHAMBER.

>> THE FACT THAT YOU ARE THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND CAN SAY YAY OR NAY TO A LOT OF THINGS, HOW DID THAT CHANGE YOUR APPROACH TO HOW YOU ENTER THESE NEGOTIATIONS?

>> IT MADE IT A LITTLE EASIER WHEN YOU HAVE A VETO TYPE POSITION ON THINGS.

YEAH, IT WAS AN INTERESTING PROCESS FOR ME.

>> Reporter: ON THE OTHER HAND, REPUBLICANS IN THE MINORITY WERE UP AGAINST WHAT THEY SAID WAS AN OPAQUE PROCESS FROM BUDGET HEARINGS TO FLOOR VOTES WHICH LEFT OTHERS IN THE CAUCUS LAMENTING WHAT THEY SAID WERE THE LOST OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WE'VE HEARD FROM THE WITNESSES THAT THEY CAN'T MAKE A DETERMINATION BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T SEEN THE DETAILS YET.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE DETAILS YET .

IN FACT, THEY ARE HERE IN THIS PACKET THAT WE JUST RECEIVED LESS THAN AN HOUR AGO.

>> WE COULD HAVE DONE SO MUCH MORE.

THE TALKING POINTS, THE SYMBOLISM ABOUT THE ANCHOR PROGRAM, THE SALES TAX HOLIDAY, THEY MAY MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF BUT REBATES DON'T GO OUT UNTIL A YEAR FROM NOW.

THE SALES TAX HOLIDAY IS REALLY SAD, IN MY VIEW.

>> Reporter: THE MORNING OF THE BUDGET SIGNING, THEIR POINTS WERE MUTED.

TODAY WAS ABOUT THE MAJORITY IN GETTING A SPENDING PLAN THAT MADE MOST OF THOSE ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE HAPPY AND LEFT OTHERS HOPING TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO ONE DAY SOON.

I AM DAVID CRUZ , NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IT WASN'T JUST A RECORD STATE BUDGET ON THE DOCKET FOR LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK.

THE LEGISLATURE POURED THROUGH HUNDREDS OF OTHER BILLS BEFORE BREAKING FOR SUMMER RECESS.

BOTH CHAMBERS PASSED A PACKAGE OF DONE REFORM MEASURES THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS TRACK THE SALE OF AMMUNITION, PROHIBIT 50 CALIBER RIFLES, AND CRACK DOWN ON THOSE SO CALLED GHOST GUNS.

THE LEGISLATURE EXPANDED LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR ABORTION IN NEW JERSEY COVERING PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS WHO TRAVEL HERE FROM OUT OF STATE FOR THE PROCEDURE.

ELECTION REFORM BILLS GOT THE GREEN LIGHT TO HELP PROCESS MAIL-IN BALLOTS QUICKER AND KEEP COUNTY WEBSITES UP TO SPEED ON ELECTION DAY.

NEW JERSEY WILL NOW JOIN 44 OTHER STATES IN REQUIRING LICENSES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

OTHER BILLS TACKLING FOOD INSECURITY AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND IT CLEARED THE WAY FOR A CONTROVERSIAL PLAN CREATING A TASK FORCE TO CHART A NEW FUTURE FOR LIBERTY STATE PARK LOCATED IN JERSEY CITY.

FOR MORE IN DEPTH COVERAGE ON THE BUDGET AND A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LAST MINUTE BILLS ADDED TO THE MASSIVE SPENDING PLAN, CHECK OUT OUR TEAM COVERAGE ON NJTVNEWS.ORG.

>>> THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT IS MAKING MORE HISTORY TODAY SWEARINGEN KETANJI BROWN JACKSON AS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO SERVE ON THE NATION'S HIGHEST JUDICIAL BRANCH AT A TIME WHEN THE CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY HAS BEEN ISSUING CONSEQUENTIAL RULINGS.

THE 51-YEAR-OLD JUDGE WAS CONFIRMED IN APRIL FOLLOWING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S NOMINATION, BUT COULDN'T TAKE THE BENCH UNTIL ASSOCIATE JUSTICE STEPHEN BREYER FOR HOME BROWN JACKSON CLERKED YEARS AGO, FORMERLY RETIRED TODAY AT NOON.

SHE WILL JOIN THE LIBERAL BLOCK ON THE COURT BUT WON'T CHANGE THE CONSERVATIVE BALANCE.

BROWN JACKSON IS THE 116th JUSTICE, 6 WOMAN AND IT 3rd BLACK PERSON TO SERVE ON THE SUPREME COURT SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1789.

>>> JUST PRIOR TO THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY, THE SUPREME COURT DELIVERED A BLOW TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE.

SHARPLY CUTTING BACK THE EPA'S ABILITY TO REGULATE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAT CAUSE GLOBAL WARMING.

IN A 6-3 RULING, THE COURT CITED WITH CONSERVATIVE STATES AND FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES IN HOW THE U.S. POWER SECTOR DELIVERS ELECTRICITY WHICH IS THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF CLIMATE WARMING POLLUTION IN THE NATION.

THE COURT'S DECISION IS AMONG THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FOR CLEAN AIR IN DECADES AND COMES AS CLIMATE EXPERTS HAVE BEEN SOUNDING OFF ABOUT THE RAPID PACE OF GLOBAL WARMING WITH RISING SEA LEVELS, WILDFIRES, AND SOME OF THE HOTTEST TEMPERATURES ON RECORD.

DOUG O'MALLEY IS THE STATE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT IN NEW JERSEY AND JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THIS RULING.

DOUG, WELCOME.

WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE NEW JERSEY?

>> FIRST OFF, BRIANA, I WANT TO SAY THIS RULING IS A HUGE BLOW TO CLEAN AIR EVERYWHERE .

POWERPLANTS RIGHT NOW ARE WARMING OUR PLANET AND THIS DECISION MAKES THINGS WORSE.

IT WILL MAKE IT HARDER TO CLEAN UP THAT POLLUTION.

BUT NEW JERSEY DOES HAVE THE TOOLS AT OUR FINGERTIPS TO BE ABLE TO REGULATE CARBON POLLUTION AND POLLUTANTS AND NEW JERSEY WILL NEED TO USE ALL OF THOSE TOOLS TO CRACK DOWN ON POLLUTANT POWERPLANTS.

WE WILL NEED CONGRESS TO GIVE THE EPA THE AUTHORITY TO DO ITS JOB, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW, THIS DECISION IS NOT A DEATH, BUT A DAGGER AT THE CLEAN AIR ACT.

IT IS NOT CAME OVER FOR CLIMATE .

>> WELL, I GUESS THE QUESTION IS THOUGH IS THAT ENOUGH?

THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF PRESSURE ON STATES WITH PLANS LIKE WE HAVE TO CUT DOWN TO ZERO CARBON EMISSIONS.

IS IT ENOUGH, WHAT WE HAVE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW?

>> THIS IS WHERE -- NEW JERSEY IS NOT AN ISLAND, RIGHT?

AIR POLLUTION DRIFTS ACROSS STATE LINES.

POLLUTION FROM THE MIDWEST AND OTHER STATES WARM THE PLANET.

THE QUESTION OF IS IT ENOUGH?

WE NEED CONGRESS TO ACT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

TO REALLY REFUTE THIS DECISION AND GIVE THE EPA THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE CARBON POLLUTANTS, TO BACK UP THE CLEAN AIR ACT AND FOR THE CLIMATE.

WE SHOULD NOT LET TODAY'S DECISION BE THE END ALL BE ALL IN CLIMATE.

SIX JUSTICES SHOULD DECIDE OUR NATIONAL POLICY ON CLIMATE AND THIS IS THE MOMENT FOR CONGRESS TO ACT.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP CONGRESS, DOUG .

I DO WONDER BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A CASE LIKE THIS IS USING A MAJOR QUESTION DOCTRINE, WHICH BASICALLY MEANS THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE AUTHORITY FROM CONGRESS FOR THESE AGENCIES TO TAKE ACTION.

WHAT IS THE ROLE HERE?

MOVING FORWARD OF CONGRESS NOW THAT THIS DECISION HAS BEEN MADE?

>> WELL, TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS A MASSIVE OVERREACH.

THIS IS AN ACTIVIST DECISION ESSENTIALLY SAYING FEDERAL AGENCIES DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO PUT FORWARD REGULAR PROTECTIONS ON LAWS THAT CONGRESS PASSED.

THE CLEAN AIR ACT IS ONE OF THE BEST ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS OUT THERE.

TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A LEVELHEADED DECISION.

THIS IS TRYING TO GOT THE EPA AND CLEAN AIR.

CONGRESS NEEDS TO RESPOND BY SAYING OF COURSE, THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT THE GOALS OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH THE CLEAN AIR ACT.

THIS DECISION HAS MASSIVE RAMIFICATIONS NOT JUST ON CLIMATE AND CLEAN AIR, BUT ON THE ABILITY FOR ALL OF OUR FEDERAL AGENCIES TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT US AND ISSUE PROTECTIONS.

THAT IS WHAT MAKES THIS DECISION SO DANGEROUS.

>> DOUG O'MALLEY, I KNOW WE WILL BE CATCHING UP WITH YOU AGAIN SOON ON THIS.

THANKS SO MUCH, DOUG.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRIANA.

>>> THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SAY THE SUPREME COURT GOT IT WRONG ON A RULING ON GUN SAFETY.

ACCORDING TO A POLL OUT TODAY, 56% OF THOSE SURVEYED SAY INDIVIDUAL STATES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SET THEIR OWN RULES ON WHO CAN CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN.

42% SIDED WITH THE COURT'S DECISION THAT PEOPLE HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CARRY WEAPONS IN PUBLIC FOR SELF- DEFENSE.

IT'S JUST ANOTHER BITTER DIVIDE BETWEEN AMERICANS AND THE SUPREME COURT, ACCORDING TO PATRICK MURRAY.

THE POLL FINDS PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN GUN SAFETY MEASURES LIKE BACKGROUND CHECKS, SO- CALLED RED FLAG LAWS, AND A NATIONAL REGISTRY FOR OWNERS REMAINS HIGH.

MORE THAN HALF, 54%, SAY THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS IS IMPORTANT, BUT SHOULD HAVE RESTRICTIONS.

>>> THE NEWARK POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN IN THE MIDST OF A REVAMP OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AFTER A 2014 INVESTIGATION BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOUND THE CITY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT DIDN'T PROPERLY INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS AND FAILED TO HOLD OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR VIOLATING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

IN RESPONSE UNDER A FEDERAL MONITOR, NEW ARC PD INSTITUTED POLICIES AND PRACTICES INCLUDING NEW TRAINING FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICERS ALL IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS AND RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST.

JOANNA GAGIS HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: NEWARK POLICE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICERS ARE LEARNING NEW RULES ON HOW THEY CONDUCT INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS , PART OF THE DISSENT DECREE ISSUED IN 2016.

>> THIS IS A HOW-TO MANUAL FOR DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATIONS.

HOW TO OPEN A FILE, MAKE A CHECKLIST, HOW TO CONTACT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN.

>> Reporter: AS THE FEDERAL MONITOR RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S COMPLIANCE, PETER HARVEY NOW PROHIBITS CERTAIN PRACTICES THAT HAVE LONG BEEN PART OF INTERNAL POLICE INVESTIGATIONS.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, IF SOMEONE COMPLAINS ABOUT POLICE CONDUCT, IT PROHIBITS NEWARK OFFICERS AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS FROM READING SOMEONE MIRANDA RIGHTS BECAUSE IT SUGGESTS THAT THE COMPLAINANT SOMEHOW WAS COMMITTING A CRIME SIMPLY BY REPORTING THINGS THEY THINK ARE INAPPROPRIATE.

>> Reporter: THIS PREVENTS OFFICERS FROM GETTING THEIR STORIES STRAIGHT BEFORE REPORTING TO INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

HARVEY EXPLAINS WHAT USED TO HAPPEN.

>> IF TWO OR MORE OFFICERS WERE THE SUBJECT OF AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMPLAINT, THOSE OFFICERS COULD SIT IN A ROOM WITH ONE OR MORE LAWYERS AND WRITE UP THEIR STATEMENTS INDIVIDUALLY.

WHAT WE NOTICED WAS THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF THE INVESTIGATION WAS FIVE TO SEVEN MINUTES.

THEY WERE NOT RECORDED AND, OF COURSE, THAT WAS CHANGED.

>> THE PROCESS IS FUNDAMENTAL IN BUILDING TRUST WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> DO THE CHANGES MAKE A CULTURAL DIFFERENCE WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE AS YOU ARE TRAINING PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE JOB FOR A LONG TIME AND WHO HAVE DONE THINGS A CERTAIN WAY FOR A LONG TIME?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I CAN TELL YOU BACK IN 2010, WE HAD EXCESSIVE FORCE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS.

THEY WERE SUSTAINED.

FAST FORWARD TO 2020.

THERE WERE 34 COMPLAINTS OF EXCESSIVE FORCE.

>> Reporter: EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT, THE 88 COMPLAINTS IN 2010 WERE ALL EXTERNAL, WHEREAS A THIRD OF THE 34 COMPLAINTS IN 2020 WERE INTERNAL.

>> OUR SUPERVISORS ARE REVIEWING BODY CAMERA AND WILL MAKE A DETERMINATION THAT THE USE OF FORCE WAS EXCESSIVE.

>> Reporter: POLICE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND TRAINING LIKE THIS DOES HELP.

>> I THINK IT'S GOOD AND IT SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED, BUT IT WILL NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM OF POLICE BRUTALITY AND RACIAL PROFILING.

THE PEOPLE OF NEWARK HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR A POLICE REVIEW BOARD WITH SUBPOENA POWER SINCE THE EARLY 1960s.

THE MAYOR ATTEMPTED TO ESTABLISH A POLICE REVIEW BOARD, BUT THE ORDER OF POLICE LODGE NUMBER 12 WENT INTO COURT TO STOP IT.

>> Reporter: IN THE END, THE SUPREME COURT RULED ONLY THE STATE LEGISLATURE COULD OFFER THOSE SUBPOENA POWERS.

>> FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING TO GET THE BILL THAT WOULD ENABLE MUNICIPALITIES TO CREATE POLICE REVIEW BOARDS WITH SUBPOENA POWER.

>> Reporter: THAT BILL NEVER MADE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE.

IT IS CRITICAL TO MAKING REAL, LASTING CHANGE IN NEWARK.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> STATEWIDE BUSINESS OWNERS ARE REELING AFTER LAWMAKERS FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A LAST- MINUTE TAX RELIEF PLAN AS PART OF THE BUDGET.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON NEW COSTS HEADING THEIR WAY STARTING TOMORROW, PLUS ALL OF TONIGHT'S BUSINESS NEWS.

>> BRIANA, SMALL BUSINESSES ARE BRACING FOR TAX INCREASES THAT ARE DUE TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW.

LAWMAKERS FAILED TO GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE USED SURPLUS REVENUE TO GIVE BUSINESSES TAX CREDITS TO OFFSET SOME OF THE INCREASE.

NEW JERSEY BUSINESS GROUPS ARE REELING.

STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYING IT IS THE LAST THING EMPLOYERS NEED AS THEY DEAL WITH INFLATION, ENERGY COSTS, AND A LABOR SHORTAGE.

THE HEAD OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ECHOES THOSE CONCERNS.

>> WHAT HAPPENS?

THE TYPICAL BUDGET SEASON, NEGOTIATIONS, AND WE ARE ALL SCRATCHING OUR HEADS SAYING WHY IS THIS SUCH A HEAVY LIFT?

IT SHOULDN'T BE.

IF THIS WERE SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, IT WOULD PROVIDE SOME DIRECT RELIEF TO BUSINESSES.

NOW THERE IS NONE.

>> THE NJBIA SAYS THIS WILL COST BUSINESSES $300 MILLION.

>>> IN ATLANTIC CITY, CASINOS ARE BRACING FOR A POSSIBLE WORKER STRIKE TOMORROW.

LOCAL 54 HAS SET A 12:01 A.M. FRIDAY DEADLINE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH FOUR CASINOS.

IT'S ALSO IN TALKS WITH OTHER PROPERTIES.

JANE IS THE FACULTY DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE AT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY.

>> BOTH SIDES ARE STILL NEGOTIATING AND IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR IT TO COME RIGHT DOWN TO THE WIRE BECAUSE BOTH SIDES WANT TO KEEP THE PRESSURE UNTIL THE VERY END.

>> IF THERE IS A WALKOUT, CASINOS ARE EXPECTED TO STAY OPEN AND REMAIN STAFFED BY NONUNION EMPLOYEES.

>>> A PARK RECEIVING $500,000 TO CLEAN UP FOUR CONTAMINATED SITES IN THE CITY.

THE $6.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS NEW JERSEY IS RECEIVING FOR REMEDIATION WILL ENABLE PROPERTIES TO BE REDEVELOPED OR TURNED INTO GREEN SPACE.

CONGRESSMAN FRANK SPALLONE SAYING IN A PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER TODAY THE CLEANUP PROVIDES AN ECONOMIC BOOST.

>> FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE SPEND -- BECAUSE WE HAVE TO SPEND MONEY.

FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE SPEND, THERE IS A RETURN OF $20.

>>> NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET FARED TODAY.

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

>>> THE FDA IS ASKING CORONAVIRUS VACCINE MAKERS TO UPDATE BOOSTER SHOTS TO TARGET THE NEWER OMICRON VARIANT ON THE RISE.

FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS WANT MANUFACTURERS TO INCLUDE TWO FORMS OF THE VIRUS, THE ORIGINAL STRAIN ALONG WITH THE VA FOR VARIANTS IN HOPES OF USING MODIFIED BOOSTERS BY THE FALL.

NEW JERSEY'S DAILY CASE COUNT SPIKED TODAY TO 3100, ABOUT 1000 MORE THAN YESTERDAY WITH 13 CONFIRMED DEATHS REPORTED STATEWIDE.

AND TONIGHT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS CONFIRMING FOUR CASES OF MONKEYPOX DETECTED IN NEW JERSEY.

HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE TAKING STEPS TO STAY AHEAD OF THE OUTBREAK GROWING ACROSS THE U.S. BY OFFERING VACCINES AND EXPANDED TESTING.

SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX INCLUDE MOSTLY FEVER, BODY ACHES, CHILLS, AND FATIGUE BUT PEOPLE WITH MORE SEVERE CASES CAN DEVELOP LESIONS ON THE FACE AND BODY.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC, THERE ARE 351 MONKEYPOX CASES ACROSS 27 STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C. >>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> TURNING NOW TO RUSSIA'S WAR IN UKRAINE WHICH HAS BEEN DEVASTATING THE COUNTRY FOR OVER FOUR MONTHS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN DURING A SPEECH AT THE NATO SUMMIT TODAY VOWED TO SUPPORT UKRAINIAN EFFORTS FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES.

HE ADDED NATO'S ACTIONS ARE GIVING RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN EXACTLY WHAT HE DIDN'T WANT, THE ECONOMIC AND MILITARY MIGHT OF THE COMMUNITY WITH NATO LEADERS FORMALLY INVITING FINLAND AND SWEDEN TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE.

BIDEN ANNOUNCED PLANS TO SEND AN ADDITIONAL $800 MILLION IN WEAPONS AID IN UKRAINE WHILE RAMPING UP MILITARY PRESENCE IN EUROPE INCLUDING AN OUTPOST IN POLAND.

AS THE WAR DRAGS ON, LOCAL AID EFFORTS ARE CONTINUING IN THE NEW JERSEY.

TED GOLDBERG JOINED A GROUP OF UKRAINIAN VOLUNTEERS WHO SAY THE WORK IS PAINFUL AND PERSONAL .

>> Reporter: RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE IS GOING ON MORE THAN FOUR MONTHS AND THE UKRAINIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER OF NEW JERSEY CONTINUES SENDING A STEADY STREAM OF SUPPLIES TO HELP SOLDIERS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE DEVASTATION.

>> WE JUST WANT TO DO ANYTHING POSSIBLE TO HELP UKRAINE.

WE WERE UNDER RUSSIA FOR SO MANY YEARS.

THEY KILLED SO MANY UKRAINIANS.

SO, IT IS VERY PERSONAL.

IT'S VERY PAINFUL.

IT FEELS LIKE SOMEBODY RIPPING YOUR SOUL OUT OF YOUR BODY.

>> Reporter: THE CULTURAL CENTERS DIRECTOR AND AN ANESTHESIOLOGIST AT COOPER AND BARNABAS MEDICAL CENTER.

UNDER HER WATCH, MORE THAN 1 MILLION MEALS HAVE BEEN SENT TO PEOPLE FIGHTING FOR HER HOME COUNTRY ALONG WITH STRETCHERS AND THOUSANDS OF FIRST AID KITS.

>> SHE GREW UP IN THE SOVIET UNION.

SHE COULDN'T READ A UKRAINIAN BOOK.

SHE COULDN'T SPEAK THE UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE.

SHE COULDN'T GO TO UKRAINIAN CHURCH.

THIS WAS ALL AGAINST THE LAW AND IF SHE DID ANYTHING LIKE THAT, SHE WOULD BE THROWN INTO JAIL OR WORSE.

>> WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME, DO YOU STILL HAVE FAMILY IN UKRAINE?

EVERY UKRAINIAN IS MY FAMILY.

MY FAMILY IS IN MARIUPOL GETTING KILLED.

>> Reporter: VOLUNTEERS COME AND SORT OUT DONATIONS, HOPING TO HELP FAMILY MEMBERS STILL IN UKRAINE.

>> I PERSONALLY HAVE FAMILY IN UKRAINE AND MY HUSBAND HAS FAMILY IN UKRAINE.

WE ARE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THEM, SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO HELP THEM.

>> Reporter: THEY SEND HUMANITARIAN AID TO KYIV ONCE A WEEK AND IT GETS DISTRIBUTED FROM THERE.

WHEN THE INVASION STARTED, THOUSANDS OF CARS CAME BY THE CULTURAL CENTER.

>> THIS WHOLE BUILDING WAS PACKED WITH SUPPLIES.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DIAPERS, FOOD.

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL.

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO FEEL THAT SOMEBODY LOVES US.

WE ARE PART OF THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: SINCE THEN, DONATIONS HAVE SLOWED SO THE CULTURAL CENTER FOUND OTHER WAYS TO RAISE MONEY.

THESE HANDMADE BRACELETS HAVE BROUGHT IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND A LITTLE MORE HOPE.

>> WE DON'T HAVE MUCH AS A NATION.

WE DON'T SEE MANY PEOPLE COMING, BUT WE TRY TO RELY ON OUR ADVERTISEMENT, LIKE THE STUFF WE ARE SELLING.

TELL EVERYBODY SO THEY SEE THAT WE WILL NOT STOP.

WE HAVE TO HELP MORE.

>> THEY ARE FIGHTING WITH THEIR HEARTS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE PRICE OF FREEDOM.

THEY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO LOSE FREEDOM.

WE'VE HAD THAT BEFORE AND WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN.

THEY DON'T WANT THAT FREEDOM TO BE TAKEN AWAY AND THEY WANT THE FUTURE GENERATIONS TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN A COUNTRY THEY CAN CELEBRATE THEIR HISTORY.

>> IT IS EATING ME ALIVE, REALLY.

WHEN I AM NOT DOING SOMETHING, I FEEL SO GUILTY.

I FEEL LIKE, WHAT ABOUT THEM?

HOW DO THEY FEEL?

SO WE DEFINITELY NEED MORE HELP.

>> INNOCENT LIVES ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY AND THEIR DREAMS AND HOPES ARE BEING TARNISHED.

THAT IS REALLY WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT AND WHY YOU SHOULD KEEP GIVING AND WHY WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO DONATE AND TO HELP.

THOSE ARE PEOPLE.

THAT IS MY COUNTRY.

PLEASE, PLEASE HELP.

>> Reporter: THE MOST IMPORTANT DONATIONS NOW ARE MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND CLOTHING.

IN WHIPPANY, I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> READ MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF VOLUNTEERS FROM CONTRIBUTING WRITER MARK DION ON OUR WEBSITE, NJTVNEWS.ORG.

>>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJTVNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI AND FROM THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> NJM INSURANCE, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS FOR 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.

>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE, OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

ORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.