>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

>> GOOD EVENING I THINK YOU FOR JOINING US.

PRIMARY ELECTION EVE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WILL CAST THEIR VOTES TOMORROW IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY DECIDING WHO WILL BE THE CANDIDATES FOR NOVEMBER'S MIDTERM ELECTION.

ALONG WITH A NUMBER OF LOCAL RACES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AT THE TOP OF THE BALLOT NOMINEES FOR ALL 12 OF NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

10 OF WHICH ARE CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS AS REPUBLICANS AIM TO TAKE BACK BOTH CHAMBERS OFCONGRESS.

TARGETING FORMERLY SAFE GOP DISTRICTS THAT DEMOCRATS FLIPPED DURING THE BACKLASH AGAINST THE ELECTION OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ALREADY MORE THAN 266,000 RESIDENTS MADE THEIR SELECTIONS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW IN PERSON EARLY VOTING OPTION AND VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ TAKES A LOOK AT THE MOST HOTLY CONTESTED RACES HEADING INTO ELECTION DAY.

>> Reporter: PRIMARIES ARE TRADITIONALLY LOW TURNOUT CONTEST.

WHERE THE PARTIES MOST FAITHFUL TURNOUT.

THERE IS NOTHING TO EXPECT THAT THIS PRIMARY SEASON WILL BE MUCH DIFFERENT.

BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE RESULTS WON'T BE SIGNIFICANT.

BECAUSE WHO THESE PARTIES ELECT AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ON THE BALLOT IN THE FALL SAYS A LOT ABOUT WHERE THE PARTIES ARE COMING FROM.

>> REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO NATIONALIZE THESE ELECTIONS.

TO SAY THE COUNTRY IS GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

JOE BIDEN IS UNPOPULAR.

WE HAVE INFLATION.

YOU WANT TO CHANGE VOTE REPUBLICAN.

THE DEMOCRATS AND CONTRAST ARE TRYING TO LOCALIZE THE ELECTIONS.

TO MAKE IT NOT ABOUT RAW HOW IS THE COUNTRY IS DOING.

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT DEMOCRATS WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT REPUBLICANS.

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ME?

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PERSON I AM RUNNING AGAINST?

>> WE HAVE A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY SAYING THAT THE VICIOUS ATTACK ON COPS AND THE CAPITAL WAS LEGITIMATE DISCOURSE.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG.

>> THIS ONE FROM SEVENTH DISTRICT INCUMBENT TOM RAN THE ANTI-TRUMP BILL LOUDLY.

THE HOPE IS THERE IS STILL SOME JUICE TO SQUEEZE OUT OF THE ANTI-TRUMP ORANGE.

ON THE OTHER HAND IN DISTRICT 4 WERE INCUMBENT CHRIS SMITH HAS BEEN SERVING COMFORTABLY SINCE 1980 CHALLENGERS ARE CALLING HIM A RHINO.

THAT IS REPUBLICAN IN NAME ONLY.

THIS AD FROM CHALLENGER MIGHT A CREDIT TRUMP BACKING CONSERVATIVE TALK SHOW HOST.

>> WE HAVE BEEN REPRESENTED BY A NUMBER OF CONGRESS WHO IS VOTED WITH PELOSI ALMOST 50% OF THE TIME.

SUPPORTING THE JANUARY 6 WITCHHUNT.

A NATIONAL VACCINE DATABASE.

A NATIONAL GUN REGISTRY.

A CRITICAL RACE THEORY BILL.

AND A RUBBER STAMP ON JOE BIDEN'S BUILD BACK BETTER GREEN NEW DEAL INFRASTRUCTURE SCAM.

>> I THINK NEW JERSEY ESPECIALLY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS AT THIS TURNING POINT WHERE THEY NEED TO DECIDE ARE THEY EMBRACING TRUMP MAYBE IT IS A GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONAL THING.

IN TERMS OF WHETHER THEY DECIDE TO OR NOT.

WERE THEY GOING TO CONTINUE THAT MODERATE BRAND OF REPUBLICANISM THE GOP AND NEW JERSEY HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN FOR.

OBVIOUSLY VOTERS WILL BE TURNING OUT TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES WITHIN THEIR OWN PARTY.

BUT WE SEEN A LOT OF DISTRICTS THAT CANDIDATES HAVE SOME PRETTY STARK DIFFERENCES EVEN WITHIN THEIR OWN PARTY.

AND SO THIS COULD REALLY SHAPE THE TICKET FOR THE FALL.

AND IT COULD BE REALLY TELLING ABOUT WHAT KINDS OF VOTERS WITHIN EACH OF THE PARTIES TURN OUT TO VOTE.

>> Reporter: IDENTITY STRUGGLE IS ALSO GOING ON IN THE THIRD DISTRICT.

WERE INCUMBENT ANDY KIM IS FACING ONLY TOKEN OPPOSITION AS A PARTY WHILE THE INSURGENT REPUBLICAN --ARE RUNNING HARD TO THE RIGHT OF BOB HEALY.

A BUSINESSMAN WHO IS RUNNING A WELL-FINANCED MACHINE BACK AND TV HEAVY CAMPAIGN.

>> I'M A CONSERVATIVE.

I BELIEVE IN FREEDOM AND LIBERTY.

FREE MARKETS OVER SOCIALISM.

FREE EXPRESSION NOT CANCEL CULTURE.

>> THE MAJOR TWO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF PEOPLE.

BOB IS SOMEBODY BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH.

WHO SPENT MOST OF HIS LIFE IN A PUNK ROCK BAND JUST KIND OF DOING WHATEVER HE PLEASED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE DAY HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO UP AND BE A CONSERVATIVE BUSINESSMAN.

>> SMITH IS FINDING IT HARD TO LIVE DOWN HIS PAST VEHICULAR HOMICIDE PLEA AND HIS RECENT DWI ARREST.

WHICH HAS SLOWED THE CAMPAIGN THAT WAS COUNTING ON COVID TO BE A MUCH BIGGER ISSUE.

>> EVEN SOME STATES THAT WOULD ORDINARILY BE SAFE OR WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WATCH.

DEMOCRATS GOT THE MAP THEY WANTED THROUGH THE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION WHICH BROUGHT ANDY KIM'S DISTRICT THE THIRD DISTRICT OUT OF OCEAN COUNTY AND BROUGHT IT NORTH INTO MORE DEMOCRATIC LEANING TOWNS LIKE HAMILTON AND LAWRENCE.

THAT SHOULD PROTECT TOWN.

AND BIDEN WANTS TO THE DISTRICT BY ABOUT 14 POINTS.

BUT IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE 2021 MINUTES ORIOLE ELECTION PHIL MURTHY ONLY WON BY A HERE.

THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT HAS ARGUABLY GOTTEN WORSE FOR DEMOCRATS SINCE LAST NOVEMBER.

ABOUT TO A SURE THING IS IN THE EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHERE ROB --APPEARS TO BE READY TO FOLLOW HIS FATHER INTO WHAT WAS HIS CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

AND WHAT COULD BE A FALL OF MASSIVE LOSSES FOR THEIR PARTY DEMOCRATS CAN AT LEAST REST EASY HERE.

EVEN WHILE THE VOLATILE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT MAKES NO PROMISES TO ANYONE.

THAT IS WHY YOU GET TO DECIDE.

>>> AND THERE IS A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER.

HEADING INTO TUESDAY'S PRIMARY.

SETTING THE TONE FOR ONE OF THE MOST CONTENTIOUS MIDTERM ELECTIONS IN RECENT HISTORY.

A NUMBER OF SOCIAL ISSUES THAT COULD DRIVE MORE VOTERS THAN USUAL TO THE POLLS.

AND A LOOK AT NEW JERSEY'S FIRST EXPERIMENT WITH EARLY VOTING.

TWO OF OUR VETERAN REPORTERS ARE HERE TO LAY OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

SENIOR WRITER COLLEEN O'DAY AND SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

WELCOME.

>> DAVID YOU HIGHLIGHTED THE KEY RACES YOU ARE WATCHING.

WHAT ELSE ARE YOU LOOKING AT HEADING INTO TOMORROW PARTICULARLY I'M THINKING ABOUT THE TRUMP FACTOR?

>> Reporter: TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

THESE ARE USUALLY LOW TURNOUT ELECTIONS BUT WE HEARD --AND RP'S SAY THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO NATIONALIZE THIS ELECTION WHILE THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO LOCALIZE IT.

SO YES WHO TURNS OUT TOMORROW?

IS AT THE BASE OF THE PARTIES AND THEN WHAT DO THE RESULTS SAY ABOUT THE STATE OF MIND OF THE BASIS?

ARE THE DEMOCRATS SO FAR LEFT THERE AND THE PROGRESSIVE AOC CAMP THAT ONLY THOSE FOLKS ARE GOING TO TURN OUT AND THE MODERATES ARE GOING TO SIT THIS ONE OUT ON?

REPUBLICAN SIDE IS TRUMP THE BIG FACTOR HERE?

AND WILL HE CREATE UPSETS IN SOME OF THESE POSTERIOR RACES?

IS THE THING WE WANT TO LOOK FOR.

>> COLLEEN IS DEBIT MENTIONED HISTORICALLY LOW TURNOUT WHEN IT COMES TO THESE PRIMARY RACES.

WHAT DO WE EXPECT WE'VE GOT EARLY VOTING HAPPENING FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?

YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON SOME NUMBERS.

>> Reporter: LAST TIME AND WE SHOULD LOOK AT 2018 BECAUSE THAT WAS THE LAST MIDTERM ELECTION WHEN CONGRESS WAS AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

LAST TIME WE HAD 20% OF THE REGISTERED DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WENT OUT.

706,000 PEOPLE.

NOW INDEPENDENCE OR UNAFFILIATED VOTERS CAN VOTE IF THEY DECLARE A PARTY AT THE POLLS.

BUT THE VAST MAJORITY DON'T PICK SO FAR WE HAVE HAD 266,000 PEOPLE VOTE EITHER BY MAIL OR EARLY IN PERSON.

AND THE VAST MAJORITY IS BY MAIL.

ONLY ABOUT 20,000 PEOPLE VOTED EARLY IN PERSON.

ONE OF THEM I STILL GOT MY STICKER FOR IT YESTERDAY.

WAS EASY QUICK NO LINES.

WHICH KIND OF IS IN A GOOD THING.

THE 226 266,000 WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THEN REPRESENT 38% OF ALL THOSE WHO VOTED FOUR YEARS AGO.

AS FOR WHETHER SOME OF THESE FOLKS WOULD NOT HAVE VOTED THAT THIS WASN'T AVAILABLE WE DON'T KNOW.

WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY GO TO THE POLLS TOMORROW.

>> I WONDER DAVID HOW MUCH THE ISSUES LIKE GUN VIOLENCE, LIKE DELETE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON ROE V. WADE MAY PUSH FOR IS THAT MAYBE WOULD HAVE STAYED HOME.

>> Reporter: THAT IS GOING TO BE REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

THOSE ARE REALLY YOU HIT THEM RIGHT ON THE HEAD THE OVERRIDING ISSUES IN THIS RACE.

FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

WHETHER OR NOT THOSE THINGS REALLY RESONATE IN NEW JERSEY WILL HAVE TO SEE.

NEW JERSEY HAS AS YOU KNOW SOME OF THE STRICTEST GUN LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND SOME OF THE MOST LIBERAL ABORTION RIGHTS AND LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

SO WILL THOSE MOTIVATE VOTERS WHO ARE NOW SUPERCHARGED BECAUSE OF THE LEAK AT THE SUPREME COURT AND SOME OF THE MASS SHOOTINGS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS?

WILL THAT BRING PEOPLE OUT AND WHO WILL THAT BRING OUT --WILL BRING OUT MODERATES LOOKING FOR MORE GUN CONTROL OR WILL IT BRING OUT MORE OF THE EXTREME PARTS OF THE PARTY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WHO WANT THIS PARTY TO BE MUCH MORE TRUMP?

>> COLLEEN HOW MUCH DOES THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP VECTOR IN?

'S >> Reporter: IN TERMS OF THE PRIMARY EFFECT IS IN A LITTLE BIT.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME RECENT SHIPPED SOME FOLKS IN FACT ONE DISTRICT CHOSE TO RUN IN A DIFFERENT ONE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE MATH WAS DRAFTED.

BUT MOSTLY IT IS GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN NOVEMBER.

WE'VE SEEN THE DEMOCRATS SHORE UP SOME SUPPORT THEORETICALLY ANYWAY AND THE THIRD DISTRICT.

THE FIFTH AND THE 11th.

WHERE THEY HAD SLIMMER MAJORITIES BEFORE.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND THE SEVENTH DISTRICT WHERE TOM IS THAT DISTRICT HAS GOTTEN MORE REPUBLICANS.

THAT SHOULD BE A BIG FACTOR IN NOVEMBER.

>> YOU BOTH WILL BE COVERING IT ALL FOR US TOMORROW AND IN NOVEMBER.

COLLEEN O'DAY AND DAVID CRUZ THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> BE SURE TO JOIN US TOMORROW FOR OUR LIVE NJ DECIDES 2022 PRIMARY NIGHT COVERAGE.

WE WILL HAVE THE FINAL VOTES PLUS POLITICAL ANALYST AND LIVE REPORTS FROM THE KEY CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY RACES WE ARE WATCHING.

10 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON NJP PS AND STREAMING ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

UNTIL THEN HEAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THAT ORRICK AND CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAB FOR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TUESDAY'S ELECTION.

IT'S ABOUT HOW TO VOTE AND WHO IS RUNNING IN YOUR DISTRICT.

>>> IT WAS A VIOLENT WEEKEND FOR CITIES ACROSS THE U.S. 10 MASS SHOOTINGS THAT LEFT AT LEAST A DOZEN PEOPLE DEAD.

AND MORE THAN 60 INJURED.

FROM A NIGHTCLUB IN CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE TO A GRADUATION PARTY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

IN NEARBY PHILADELPHIA POLICE SAY MULTIPLE SHOOTERS FIRED INTO A CROWD ON BUSY SOUTH STREET LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.

A BUSTLING AND POPULAR DESTINATION IN DOWNTOWN PHILLY.

THE GUNFIRE KILLED THREE PEOPLE AND WOUNDED AT LEAST 11 OTHERS.

THE BLOODSHED COMES AS THE NATION GRIEVES KILLINGS FROM THE MASSACRE AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TEXAS AND THE RACIST RAMPAGE AT A SUPERMARKET IN NEW YORK.

AMONG OTHERS.

IT IS RAISING THE STAKES FOR BIPARTISAN NEGOTIATIONS OVER GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION THIS WEEK.

AS CONGRESS RECONVENES.

TO CUT DOWN ON POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTINGS ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL TODAY ANNOUNCE THE EXPANSION OF A PROGRAM THAT HELPS LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPOND TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISES.

PEERING PLAINCLOTHES STATE TROOPERS WITH LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO RESPOND TOGETHER TO 911 CALLS.

THE INITIATIVE WAS PILOTED LAST YEAR IN RURAL CUMBERLAND COUNTY WILL NOW EXTEND TO ELIZABETH AND LYNDON IN UNION COUNTY TO URBAN COMMUNITIES.

HE ARRIVED TOGETHER PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND POLICING.

REPORTS SHOW TWO OUT OF EVERY THREE USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS INVOLVE SOMEONE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OR IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.

TODAY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAID IT HOPES TO ONE DAY PROVIDE THIS PROGRAM IN EVERY COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

SOME THERE ARE MORE SIGNS TONIGHT THE NUMBER OF NEW COVID 19 CASES IS LEVELING OFF.

>>> NEW INFECTIOUS DROPS FOR MORE THAN 2700 CASES SUNDAY TO JUST OVER 2000 TODAY.

WITH 2 CONFIRMED COVID RELATED DEATHS.

THE NUMBERS COME AS THE CDC REPORTS A SIGNIFICANT NEW FINDING.

SYMPTOMS OF THE VIRUS CAN LINGER LONG AFTER A PERSON NO LONGER TEST POSITIVE ADDING THAT ONE IN FIVE ADULTS WILL EXPERIENCE SO-CALLED LONG-HAUL COVID.

SUFFERING MONTHS EVEN YEARS AFTER THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS.

THERE IS CURRENTLY NO KNOWN REASON WHY SOME COVID SURVIVORS EXPERIENCE THESE SYMPTOMS.

BUT MANY RIGHT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: IT IS SCARY.>> I WAS ATHLETIC.

WAS ALWAYS EXERCISING AND VERY HEALTHY.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS BEFORE DARLENE GET COVID BACK IN SPRING 2020.

SHE HAS BEEN STRUGGLING EVER SINCE WITH SYMPTOMS LIKE A SUDDEN RAPID HEARTBEAT.

SHE GETS DIZZY SHORT OF BREATH.

SHE'S GOT ALONG COVID.

>> I JUST SPENT TWO YEARS GOING TO EVERY DOCTOR, EVERY SPECIALIST, CARDIOLOGISTS PULMONOLOGISTS.

>> Reporter: WHAT THEY TELL YOU?

>> NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: LIKE OTHER PATIENTS WITH LONG COVID SHE IS BEEN EVALUATED SEVERAL TIMES.

THEY CHECKED HER HEART AND LUNGS.

NO ANSWERS.

THE 46-YEAR-OLD IS AN ACTRESS BUT THE VIRUS SIDELINED HER FOR A WHILE.

>> SHE WOULD RATHER LEAVE HER AUDIENCE BREATHLESS THAN EXPERIENCE IT HERSELF.

IT HAS BEEN A FRUSTRATINGLY SLOW RECOVERY.

>> I'M TIRED OF GOING TO DOCTORS.

I'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR 2 YEARS.

THAT WAS MY JOB FOR 2 YEARS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY FOR THESE PATIENTS WITH LONG COVID TREATMENT OPTIONS HAVE BEEN LIMITED.

THE TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS FOR THE SHORTNESS OF BREATH BRAIN FOG HAVE NOT WORKED ALL TOO WELL.

>> Reporter: PEDIATRICIANS FIGURE 3 TO 400 JERSEY KIDS WERE GETTING SOME SORT OF MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR LONG COVID.

BUT THERE IS NO FDA APPROVED PROTOCOL.

AND WHILE NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF LONG COVID HERE, THE CENTRUM CAN GET VERY COMPLEX.

>> FROM THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD WITH HAIR LOSS TO DYSFUNCTION AND DISCOLORATION OF YOUR SKIN IN TERMS OF COVID TOES.

EVENT ANYTHING FROM BETWEEN NEUROLOGIC SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED.

>> Reporter: IS TOUGH TO ESTIMATE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE LONG COVID.

THE CDC DEFINES IT AS SUFFERING AT LEAST ONE SYMPTOM THREE MONTHS AFTER INFECTION.

A RECENT CDC STUDY SHOWED ONE IN FIVE SURVIVORS AGED 18 TO 64 EXPERIENCED AT LEAST ONE INCIDENT CONDITION THAT COULD BE CONNECTED TO COVID.

THE RATE RISES TO ONE AND 4 FOR THOSE 65 AND OLDER.

ALSO COVID SURVIVORS HAVE TWICE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING PULMONARY EMBOLISM'S BLOOD CLOTS IN THE LUNGS THAT CAN BE DEADLY.

COMPLETE RECOVERIES ALLUSIVE.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR PATIENTS HAVE HAD SOME RECOVERY.

SOME OF WHICH HAVE NOT MADE IT BACK TO ABOUT 100% BUT ARE ABLE TO GET BACK TO WORK, GET BACK TO GOING OUT WITH THEIR CHILDREN, DOING THEIR NORMAL ACTIVITIES OF LIFE.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE TIMETABLE IS DIFFERENT FROM EACH PERSON.

>> Reporter: THIS CARDIOLOGIST IS STUDYING 20 PATIENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 50 WITH LONG COVID HEART PROBLEMS.

USING BETA BLOCKERS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF STRESS HORMONES ANECDOTALLY RESULTS LOOK GOOD HE SAID.

>> WE DO --SOME OF THESE PATIENTS SYMPTOMS PARTICULARLY THERE A TACHYCARDIA --IMPROVE.

>> Reporter: PATIENTS LIKE DARLENE GO BACK TO WORK BUT MONITOR THEIR STRESS LEVELS AND LIMIT THEIR PROJECTS.

>> IT IS A LONELY PLACE.

FRIENDS THEY DON'T GET IT.

SOME PEOPLE JUST THINK YOU ARE MAKING IT UP WHICH IS EVEN IT IS SO HURTFUL.

>> Reporter: SHE FIGURES SHE IS 80% RECOVERED AND SHE FEELS HOPEFUL SHE IS GRATEFUL TO HALF- FULL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

MANY DOCTORS PREDICT LONG COVID IS GOING TO TAKE A TOLL NOT ONLY ON THE NATION'S OVERALL PRODUCTIVITY AND HEALTH FOR YEARS, BUT ALSO ON ITS HEALTHCARE NETWORK.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S RECREATIONAL CANNABIS MARKET HAS BEEN BOOMING SINCE LAUNCHING SIX WEEKS AGO.

BUT THE STATE HAS YET TO CREATE A SET OF PROTOCOLS FOR EMPLOYERS WHO SUSPECT A WORKER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OR TEST POSITIVE FOR CANNABIS.

LEAVING LAWMAKERS AND THOSE BUSINESS OWNERS FRUSTRATED AND FEELING IN THE DARK.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> MY GREATEST CONCERN IS SAFETY.

WE HAVE A DANGEROUS EQUIPMENT HERE.

THE EQUIPMENT AND THE JOB REQUIRES FULL ATTENTION.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE REASONS WHY RICHARD OPERATES A DRUG- FREE WORKPLACE AND HIS BUSINESS.

WORKERS ARE TESTED FOR DRUGS INCLUDING MARIJUANA WHEN THEY ARE HIRED AND WHENEVER THERE'S AN ACCIDENT.

HOWEVER UNDER THE CURRENT LAW EMPLOYERS CANNOT DISCIPLINE EMPLOYEES WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR CANNABIS.

HE SAID IT IS STILL HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE HIS WORKERS ARE SAFE.

>> WHILE I RECOGNIZE THE DRIVE TO UTILIZE LEGALIZED MARIJUANA GENERALLY SPEAKING.

I THINK THAT THERE HAS BEEN TOO MUCH HASTE IN GETTING THIS DONE.

I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS FAIR TO EMPLOYERS.

TO ROLL THIS OUT IN FRONT OF US AND FRANKLY SUBJECT US TO NOT ONLY THE CHALLENGES OF SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE BUT ALSO THE CHALLENGES --ACCUSE SOMEBODY OF BEING HIGH.

AM I AT RISK FOR DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT?

>> Reporter: IT IS A CONCERN SHARED BY OTHER BUSINESSES.

WHEN MERCURY NATIONAL MARIJUANA WAS LEGALIZED LEADERS AGREED ON A PROVISION TO CREATE WORKPLACE IMPAIRMENT RECOGNITION EXPERTS OR WIRES.

IS A PERSON COULD TEST POSITIVE FOR MARIJUANA FOR QUITE SOME TIME AFTER USING IT THE ROLE OF THE WIRES IS TO DETERMINE IF AN EMPLOYEE IS IMPAIRED ON THE JOB.

THE CANNABIS ROGATORY COMMISSION AS AN NOT ISSUED ANY RULES GOVERNING WORKPLACE USE.

SOME WE HAVE AN EXISTING STATUTE THAT SAYS THAT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE AND LIKE ALL OTHER SUBSTANCES, LIKE ALCOHOL WE NEED TO HIRE THESE WORKPLACE RECOGNITION EXPERTS.

WE ARE WAITING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO COMPLY WITH THIS NEW LAW.

>> IT IS INCUMBENT UPON THE CRC TO IMPLEMENT THE RULES NECESSARY SO THAT THE LAW CAN BE FOLLOWED.

>> SENATOR ANTHONY SAID NOT HAVING THE PROPER GUIDELINES CREATES A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.

>> WE PUT PEOPLE AT RISK IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.

THOSE OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY.

IN THE HOSPITALS.

WE KNOW THAT CANNABIS LAST IN THE SYSTEM FOR A LONG TIME.

IF YOU ARE TESTED YOUR BLOOD IS TESTED YOU WILL COME UP POSITIVE FOR CANNABIS EVEN DAYS AFTER IF YOU HAVE USED IT.

SO IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYEE AND YOU'RE GOING TO WORK, AND YOU ARE SUSPECTED OF BEING HIGH ON CANNABIS, THERE IS NO GUIDELINES RIGHT NOW FOR AN EMPLOYER TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT YOU VIOLATED THEIR POLICY.

AND THAT IS AN ISSUE.

>> WILL THERE EVER BE A WIRE REGULATIONS?

RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO GENERALLY SCIENTIFICALLY ACCEPTABLE APPROACH TO ASSESSING IMPAIRMENT BECAUSE OF CANNABIS.

IN FACT THE SIGNS OF CANNABIS IMPAIRMENT CAN ALSO BE SIGNS OF PHYSICAL MALADIES LIKE A STROKE.

SO THE COMMISSION MIGHT CONCLUDE IT IS AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK.

>> Reporter: THE CRC'S CHIEF COUNSEL SAID THEY WERE WORKING ON RESEARCH BEHIND THE SCENES TO ADDRESS THE WIRE GUIDELINES.

BUT IT IS STILL UNKNOWN WHEN THEY WILL BE RELEASED.

>>> A GROUP OF THE STATES FINANCIAL EXPERTS JUST THREW A WET BLANKET ON ANY HOPE FOR A REBOUND IN THE ECONOMY LATER THIS YEAR.

RHONDA SHAFFER HAS THE DETAILS PLUS ALL OF TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> Reporter: ONE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS GROUP HAS A DOWN VIEW OF THE ECONOMY.

ACCORDING TO A NEW SURVEY FROM THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY OF CPAS, NEARLY 65% OF THE CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS WHO WERE SURVEYED SAID THEY EXPECT THE STATE'S ECONOMY TO GET WORSE DURING THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.

THE GROUP CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RALPH ALBERT THOMAS SAID THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF REASONS FOR THE PESSIMISM.

>> INFLATION OBVIOUSLY WAS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

THEN THE AVAILABILITY OF SKILLED PERSONNEL.

I THINK THAT WAS A BIG ISSUE FOR EVERYBODY.

IN THE MARKETPLACE.

STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIES THAT WERE UNFRIENDLY TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

COMBINED WITH SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS.

>> Reporter: THE CPAS ALSO CITED NEW JERSEY'S REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT AS A NEGATIVE.

>> THE STATE IS EXTENDED A GRANT PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO MITIGATE POLLUTION AND IMPROVE RECREATION AND CONSERVATION AND PUBLIC LAKES IN NEW JERSEY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION RECENTLY LAUNCHED A $10 MILLION LAKES MANAGEMENT GRANT PROGRAM THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO THIS FRIDAY.

HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR FAN FAMILIES IN NEED.

THOMAS MIN PALLONE ANNOUNCING LATE LAST WEEK A NEW UNITED WAY FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES CENTER WILL OPEN IN THE CITY.

TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND COACHING.

THE CENTER AIMS TO ASSIST THOSE FAMILIES WHO ARE TRYING TO RECOVER STILL FROM THE FINANCIAL STRAINS DUE TO COVID 19.

>>> THE PLANS AT THE CENTER OF A NATIONWIDE BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE HAS RESTARTED PRODUCTION.

ABBOTT NUTRITION RESUMED OPERATIONS AT ITS STURGIS MICHIGAN PLANS AND WILL FIRST PRODUCE A SPECIALTY.

FORMULA FOR CHILDREN WITH DIGESTIVE ISSUES.

THEY HOPE TO HAVE THAT FORMULA AVAILABLE FOR CONSUMERS AROUND JUNE 20th.

AND IS WORKING TO RESUME PRODUCTION OF OTHER FORMULAS INCLUDING SIMILAC.

HE WAS A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET BEGAN IN NEW TREATING REIT.

>>> A NEW TRADING WEEK.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT CHAMBER S NJ.COM.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT A LONG-AWAITED RETURN COLORFUL CROWDS MARCHING DOWN THE STREETS OF ASBURY PARK ON SUNDAY.

FOR NEW JERSEY'S 30th ANNUAL LGBTQ PLUS PRIDE CELEBRATION.

BACK AFTER A TWO-YEAR PAUSE FROM THE PANDEMIC.

WITH FLOATS FLAGS MARCHING BANDS OF COURSE.

KICKING OFF THE FIRST WEEKEND OF PRIDE MONTH UNDER SUNNY BLUE SKIES.

THE VISIBILITY AND DIVERSITY OF THE COMMUNITY ON FULL DISPLAY.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

BETWEEN OUR ELECTION COVERAGE TOMORROW BE SURE TO CATCH OUR NEW MUSIC SERIES SOUND CHECK.

PREMIERING THIS TUESDAY AT 9:30 P.M. ONE OF OUR VERY OWN PRODUCERS JEN ECKERT NOW HOLDS TALKS WITH ARTISTS LIKE --ABOUT THE STORIES BEHIND THEIR SONGS AND THE MUSIC ICONS THEY COLLABORATE WITH LIKE JIMMY BUFFETT AND KENNY LOGGINS.

IT IS 9:30 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

>>> AND JM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE THERE POLICYHOLDERS?

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS.

AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

AND JM.

WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> I'M VERY GRATEFUL I'M STILL HERE.

>> WE WANT TO CELEBRATE OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> WITH A NEW KIDNEY I HAVE STRENGTH.

>> THEY GAVE ME A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

>> I'M EXPLORING NEW PLACES.

>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE.

NOBODY.

I LOOK FORWARD FOR GETTING OLDER WITH MY WIFE.

>>> TRANSFORMING LIFE THROUGH INNOVATIVE KIDNEY TREATMENTS AND WORLD RENOWN CARE AT TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S PREMIER HOSPITALS.

>> THEY GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK.>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.