>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> THE CANDIDATES FOR THIS YEAR'S PRIMARY ELECTION ARE MAKING THEIR FINAL PUSH WITH JUST HOURS TO GO BEFORE THE POLLS OPEN AT 6:00 A.M.

TOMORROW.

LAST-MINUTE CAMPAIGN STOPS AND ON THE GROUND CANVASSING, THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR IS THE MARQUEE MATCHUP WITH FOUR REPUBLICANS CHALLENGING PHIL MURPHY IN THE FALL.

THE GOVERNOR MEANWHILE IS RUNNING ON A POST ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, AND A NEW POLL OUT TODAY FOR EAGLETON SHOWS THAT HIGH APPROVAL RATINGS HE ENJOYED THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC ARE STARTING TO SLIP.

DROPPING TO 55% DOWN FROM 62% IN OCTOBER.

HE WILL HAVE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION TO REVERSE THAT TREND WHILE HIS GOP RIVALS ARE WATCHING CLOSELY.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS A CLOSER LOOK AT THE RACE LESS THAN 24 HOURS OUT.

>> THIS IS THE YEAR WE GET RID OF THE VIRUS, RID OF THE MASKS, AND RID OF PHIL MURPHY.

>> THE FINAL FALL DAY OF CAMPAIGNING PRESUMED FRONT- RUNNER IN DEEP RED OCEAN COUNTY WHICH GAVE DONALD TRUMP A 25 POINT MARGIN IN THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

IS HE COURTING THE MAG ABOUT TO WIN THIS RACE?

>> I AM ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE THERE ARE REPLICANTS.

THERE ARE A GREAT MANY REPUBLICANS IN OCEAN COUNTY.

>> Reporter: THE 59-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF BEING A BACKSTAB OR HAS SWERVED FURTHER TO THE RIGHT, ANALYSTS SAY AND SUPPORTED THE FORMER PRESIDENTS CONSERVATIVE POLICIES AFTER CALLING TRUMP A CHARLATAN IN 2015.

THE SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS IN SEES IT THIS WAY.

>> I BEEN TRUE TO MYSELF EVERYONE A GREAT CAMPAIGN I THINK ARE THE BIGGEST RACE IS WHO CAN WIN IN NOVEMBER.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT BEATING PHIL MURPHY AND I BELIEVE MIKE HENNESSY OFFERS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY REPUBLICANS REMAINED DEEPLY DIVIDED AS THEY CONSIDER FOUR CANDIDATES VYING FOR A SHOT AT THE INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT PHIL MURPHY.

BRIAN MEETINGS CAMPAIGN WENT SPORADICALLY BUT IT WAS ALSO PITTED AGAINST TWO VERY VOCAL TRUMP SUPPORTERS.

>> IF YOU CARE ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP, THEN WE GOT TO TURN NEW JERSEY RED.

>> Reporter: THE ENGINEER WHO DOES NOT RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM THE SUPPOSED LIBERAL MEDIA, AND FORMER PASTOR AND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, PHIL RIZZO WHO HELPED TROPPO TO GIVE HIM A BOOST.

>> I SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP, I WOULD HAVE LOVED HIS ENDORSEMENT, IT SEEMS THAT HE IS SITTING THIS ONE OUT.

SO DONALD TRUMP IS NOT ON THE BALLOT.

>> UNIT WITHOUT MAKING ENDORSEMENT, THE FORMER PRESIDENT WHO IS NOW ON HIS SUMMER RESIDENCE AT HIS MINSTER GOLF CLUB STILL LOOMS LARGE IN THIS PRIMARY.

BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT HE COMMANDS A SIGNIFICANT VOTER BASE.

>> THIS IS NOT IDEOLOGICAL, IT IS REALLY ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.

AND WHAT, HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO BUY INTO HIS ASSERTIONS.

ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION.

AND, THAT'S WHERE THE RANGE OF REPUBLICANS FALL.

SO, HE IS THE FACTOR, HE, DONALD TRUMP IS THE FACTOR IN THIS PRIMARY ELECTION.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS A TON OF IRREGULARITIES.

>> Reporter: PHIL RIZZO QUESTIONS THE 2020 ELECTION OUTCOME ALL EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING.

A POLICE ECHOED BY A TWEET.

THE TWO SORT OF COMPETE TO OUTRANK EACH OTHER.

>> PEOPLE KNOW WHERE I STAND ON PRESIDENT TRUMP REGARDLESS OF WHAT SOME OF MY COMPETITORS SAY, CALLING ME A NEVER TRUMPER, SIBLEY BECAUSE I VOTED MY CONVICTION IN 2016, THIRD PARTY.

BUT DON'T IMPROVE HIMSELF.

>> HE BROUGHT UP HIS 21 DINERS AND 21 COUNTIES STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN THIS MORNING AND THE BACK CORNER OF BROADWAY DINER, WHERE THE OWNER HAD CORNERED OFF THE CANDIDATE AND FORBIDDEN HIM FROM CANVASSING BREAKFAST CUSTOMERS ABOUT POLITICS.

BUT, A FEW VOTERS SOUGHT HIM OUT.

>> BECAUSE OF HIS CHRISTIAN VALUES.

AS A CHRISTIAN, I STAND BY BIBLICAL VALUES.

>> I DON'T REALLY TRUST JACK HE SEEMS LIKE MORE OF A CAREER POLITICIAN.

HE REMINDS ME OF A THIN CHRIS CRISTI EVERY TIME.

AND, YOU'RE GOING TO DUMP THAT MUCH MONEY INTO YOUR OWN CAMPAIGN INSTEAD OF DOING WORK TO GO GET IT.

>> THE ONLY CANDIDATE TO QUALIFY FOR MATCHING STATE CAMPAIGN FUNDS, SAYING IT IS MOST A RACE THAT HAS GOTTEN OCCASIONALLY NASTY.

HE HAS ONE PARTY BACKING AND EVERY JERSEY COUNTY AND THAT COULD BE CRITICAL IN A LOW TURNOUT ELECTION.

YOU CAN VOTE IN PERSON THIS TIME WHEN THE POLLS OPEN AT 6:00 A.M.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> LATE LAST WEEK LAWMAKERS CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO FILL THE SHORTAGE OF ELECTION POLL WORKERS THIS YEAR.

RUSHING THROUGH A BILL THAT WAS THEN QUICKLY SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR TO DOUBLE THE PAY FROM $200 FOR THE LONG DAYS WORK TO 400.

BUT, IT ONLY APPLIES TO THE JUNE 8th ELECTION.

IT ALSO ALLOWS VOTING DISTRICTS TO BE STOPPED TWO WORKERS INSTEAD OF THE TYPICAL 4 TO 6 AND GIVES NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS PERMISSION TO WORK THE POLLS IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES.

TO GET THE GIG, YOU HAD TO SIGN UP BY NOON TODAY.

PRIMARY ELECTIONS DON'T OFTEN GET A BIG TURNOUT, BUT THAT MIGHT NOT BE THE CASE IN THE 37th DISTRICT.

IT'S A HOTLY CONTESTED BATTLE TO SUCCEED RETIRING SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AND SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE RECENTLY GOT THE CANDIDATES TO AGREE TO A DUAL INTERVIEW.

>> ARE YOU GUYS STILL FRIENDS?

>> YES.

FOUR ASSEMBLYWOMAN?

>> WHEN HE STOPPED THROWING THE NEGATIVE LIES AT ME, MAYBE.

>> THEY SERVED IN THE ASSEMBLED TOGETHER SIDE BY SIDE FOR 15 YEARS.

VALERIE HUTTO AND GORDON JOHNSON.

RIGHT NEXT TO THE LIBERAL ICON, SENATOR LORETTO WEINBERG.

NOW, THEY ARE FACING OFF AGAINST ONE ANOTHER IN THE HEATED PRIMARY TO SUCCEED.

JOHNSON, WITH PARTY SUPPORT, AND HUDDLE RUNNING WITH SUPPORT FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PARTY AND OTHER -- SHE'S BENEFITED FROM PARTY SUPPORT IN THE PAST, BUT NOWADAYS, OFF THE LINE, SHE HAS RAILED AGAINST IT.

CALLING IT THE OLD BOYS CLUB.

>> I REACH OUT TO THE CHAIRS, THE CHAIRMAN.

THE FIRST THING THEY SAID WAS, YOU SHOULD STAY IN THE ASSEMBLY.

YOU KNOW, THIS DEAL IS ALREADY DONE.

>> I LIKE THE STRUCTURE THAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

>> THIS IS A HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT AND THE WINNER OF THE PRIMARY IS PRESUMED TO BE THE NEXT SENATOR.

THEIR VOTING RECORDS ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL, BUT THERE IS SOME SPACE BETWEEN THEM BEYOND THE DISAGREEMENT OVER THE VIRTUES OF THE PARTY LINE.

THEY SUPPORT MOST REFORM FOR JOHNSON SAYS HE DOES NOT SUPPORT IS 100% TRANSPARENCY ON POLICE RECORDS.

>> IT SHOULD BE KEPT OUT OF THE REPORT, BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, YES.

>> ON GIVING VICTIMS THE RIGHT TO SUE POLICE, HOW IS 100% YES.

AND SAYS JOHNSON, A FORMER SHERIFF'S OFFICER PARSES HIS WORDS ON THAT ISSUE BY EMPHASIZING KNOWINGLY.

>> IF A POLICE OFFICER KNOWINGLY RAKES THE LAW.

HE OR SHE SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN IMMUNITY.

IF HE OR SHE KNOWINGLY BREAKS THE LAW AND VIOLATES OUR CODE AND THE OTHER GUIDELINES, SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE OFFERED IMMUNITY.

THAT'S MY ANSWER.

>> OTHERWISE, THESE TWO ARE PRETTY MUCH ON THE SAME PAGE.

BUT, BEING IN THE SENATE TAKES TO CIRCLE FROM A.D.D., AS IT IS IN THE ASSEMBLY, DOWN TO WARTY.

MORE POWER, LIKE COURTESY TO PROMOTE APPOINTMENTS TO THE BENCH, ETC.

IT'S ENOUGH TO MAKE FORMER FRIENDS, MORE LIKE THOSE IN THE WEEK AHEAD OF THE ELECTION.

>> IS GOING TO COME DOWN THE LINE I THINK PEOPLE IN GORDON JOHNSON CAMPER FEELING GOOD ABOUT WHERE THEY ARE AND WE ARE LOOKING AT INTERNAL POLLING.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT SOMETIMES WITH A GRAIN OF SALT, BUT THE FACT THAT HE WILL BE ON THE LINE YOU KNOW.

IT'S A HUGE LEG UP IN TERMS OF OVERCOMING BEING, ANOTHER NO- NAME.

IN BOTH OF THESE FOLKS ARE NO NAME IN THIS DISTRICT.

THEY'VE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER FOR NEARLY 15 YEARS.

VERY SIMILAR VOTING RECORDS.

SO, TO ME, THIS LOOKS LIKE A LINE VERSUS AGAINST THE LINE.

AND GETTING THOSE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS OUT TO VOTE IN A VERY DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT.

>> THE LINE, NOT BEING ON THE PARTY LINE IN YOUR DISTRICT PRIMARY COULD COST UP TO 35 PERCENTAGE POINTS ACCORDING TO ONE STUDY.

THE ARGUMENT IS THAT THE LINE CAN OFTEN PROMOTE LESSER CANDIDATES WITH MORE LOYALTY TO PARTY LEADERS, AND VESTA PARTY IDEALS.

THAT IS HIS ARGUMENT.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS IN THE YEAR THAT SEES THE PARTY MORE INTENT ON SHOWING POTENCY AND PURITY.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> WE HAVE FULL COVERAGE OF THE PRIMARY ELECTION TOMORROW NIGHT TO JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL LOVE EDITION OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AT 11:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF YOUR ELECTION RESULTS AND ANALYSIS.

PLUS, FOLLOW US AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG GET THE LATEST ON THE RACES WITH MORE REPORTS AND INSIGHT THROUGHOUT THE EVENING.

>>> AFTER DECADES OF FAILING TO CONTROL INCIDENTS OF ABUSE AND ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR, GOVERNOR MURPHY, TODAY ANNOUNCED THE STATE WILL CLOSE THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR WOMEN.

NEW JERSEY'S ONLY FEMALE PRISON.

THIS, IS HIS ADMINISTRATION RELEASES AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON A VIOLENT JANUARY 11th ATTACK AT THE FACILITY WHICH MURPHY CALLED DEEPLY DISTURBING AND DISGUSTING.

THE CLOSURE WILL NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

ETIQUETTES FOR THE INMATE TO SAY SHUTTING IT DOWN ONLY SKIRTS THE ISSUE OF HOLDING STAFF ACCOUNTABLE.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WRITER HAS BEEN COVERING THE SCANDALS OF THE PRISON AND HAS THE LATEST.

KIND OF A STUNNING ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER THESE MONTHS OF REPORTING ON THIS.

WHERE DO WE STAND RIGHT NOW?

>> WE WAITED ABOUT FOUR MONTHS FOR THIS REPORT FROM MATT BOXER, AND IT'S A LONG REPORT.

75 PAGES AND VERY CRITICAL OF WHAT HAPPENED, HOW THESE ASSAULTS HAPPENS.

THAT THERE WAS NO LEADERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE FACILITY.

IT MAKES A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND ONE OF THOSE IS EITHER CLOSING, OR DOING EXTENSIVE REPAIRS, BECAUSE IT IS MORE THAN 100 YEARS OLD.

>> AND THIS IS GOING TO BE PHASED OUT OVER TIME?

IN THE MEANTIME, SHOULD WE EXPECT TO ANY OF THE NUMBER OF REFORMS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT OUT THERE TO BE IMPLEMENTED?

>> ONE WOULD HOPE SO.

AMONG THE THINGS THAT THE REPORT CALLS FOR, MOVING FASTER WITH PUTTING UP ALL THE CAMERAS THAT THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON INSTALLING.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, AND LEGISLATORS HAVE QUESTION WAS TAKEN SO LONG.

THERE'S ALSO A NEW TRAINING THAT THEY'RE CALLING FOR, REALLY NO REASON THAT THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN SOON.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IT WILL BE CLOSING AND ALSO TAKING ON OTHER STEPS.

>> OKAY WHAT ABOUT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER, THE ENTIRE STATE SENATE SUPPORTS HAVING HIM MOVED OUT, ESSENTIALLY, YOU KNOW.

IMPEACHING HIM.

WHAT ARE THE GOVERNOR SAY ABOUT THAT TODAY?

>> HE SAID NOTHING, PRETTY MUCH PRETTY SAID HE HAD NO NEWS ON THAT.

I THINK THE FACT THAT HE SAID THAT TWICE MAY INDICATE THAT HE IS MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE.

HE SAID HE WAS DISTURBED BY THE REPORT'S FINDINGS AND THE REPORT HAS SOME VERY DISTURBING THINGS TO SAY ABOUT HIM.

HE SAYS THAT HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE ADMINISTRATOR WAS LEAVING, BECAUSE THAT HAPPENED LAST OCTOBER.

AND THEN THAT HE THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS IN CHARGE OF THE FACILITY, WHO SAYS THAT SHE WAS NOT IN CHARGE, AND RECORDS ACTUALLY SHOW SHE WAS NOT PUT IN CHARGE.

SO, BOTH OF THOSE THINGS ARE DISTURBING.

AND ULTIMATELY THERE WAS NO ONE IN CHARGE.

THERE WAS NOBODY ACTING AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THAT FACILITY ON JANUARY 11th WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

PERHAPS IF THEY HAD BEEN IT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED YOU KNOW, WHO KNOWS?

>> AND OF COURSE YOU HAVE THE FULL REPORT ON OUR WEBSITE.

COLLEEN O'DAY, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> TODAY, THE SUPREME COURT SIDED WITH THE NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ON THE ISSUE OF POLICE CONDUCT RULING THE OFFICE CAN IDENTIFY POLICE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN DISCIPLINED, AND GIVE THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF WRONGDOING, INCLUDING DRINKING WHILE ON THE JOB, ABUSIVE FAMILY MEMBERS, OR GIVING FALSE TESTIMONY.

THE RULING IS LIMITED TO CASES OCCURRING AFTER 2020.

SO, OFFICERS DISCIPLINED BEFORE THAT CAN CHALLENGE THE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE IN COURT.

IN A STATEMENT, ATTORNEY GENERAL CALLED THE COURSE DECISION A NEW CHAPTER FOR POLICE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE STATE.

IT'S CONSIDERED A BLOW FOR POLICE UNIONS WHO THOUGHT THE ORIGINAL DIRECTIVE, ARGUING IT COULD ENDANGER OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

GOING FORWARD, EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO ANNUALLY PUBLISH THE NAMES OF OFFICERS WHO WERE FIRED, DEMOTED, OR SUSPENDED FOR MORE THAN FIVE DAYS.

MEANWHILE, THE FALLOUT CONTINUES AT THE STATE RUN VETERANS HOMES WERE STIMULUS FUNDS MET FOR LOW-LEVEL WORKERS ALSO GOT INTO THE POCKETS OF SENIOR MANAGERS WHO EARNED TOO MUCH TO QUALIFY.

A NEW REPORT FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL DETAILS HOW THE MONEY WAS MISHANDLED.

THE FEDERAL AID WAS INTENDED AS HAZARD PAY FOR LEARNING STATE EMPLOYEES WORKING IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS, DEALING DIRECTLY WITH COVID-19 PATIENT.

BUT, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, 8 OUT OF 9 TOP ADMINISTERED AS WERE GIVEN THE EXTRA CASH DESPITE PERFORMING ROUTINE FUNCTIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTER HAS BEEN COVERING THE COVID-19 CRISIS AT THE VETERANS HOMES AND BROKE THE STORY.

HE JOINS ME NOW.

CHRISTOPHER, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU, FIRST OF ALL.

SO, THESE TOP ADMINISTERED AS WERE TOLD THEY WERE INELIGIBLE FOR THE PAY.

HOW DID THEY WIND UP COLLECTING THE MONEY, AND HOW MUCH DID THEY GET?

>> THESE ARE ADMINISTRATORS THAT THREE STATE HOMES.

AND, THEY WERE ABLE TO GET PAID BECAUSE THEY RAN THEIR OWN PAYROLL DEPARTMENTS.

SO, THE TOP HR DIRECTOR FOR THE AGENCY HAD TOLD THEM THAT WE WERE REPEATEDLY THEY WERE INELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS AND THAT THEY WERE SUPER LOW MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS WITH DIRECT SERVICE TO PATIENTS BECAUSE THESE MANAGERS EARNED TOO MUCH AMONG THE GUIDELINES.

THEY PAY THEMSELVES ANYHOW EFFECTIVELY SIGN OFF ON THEIR OWN CHECKS AT EACH OF THE FACILITIES.

SOME OF THEM MANAGERS GOT MORE THAN 13,000 APIECE WHEN SMALLER PAYMENTS IN THE THOUSAND TO 1500 RANGE.

>> THAT'S A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY.

WHAT THEN WAS LEFT?

IT WAS CARES ACT FUNDING, RIGHT?

WHAT WAS LEFT FOR THE WORKERS WHO WERE INTENDED TO BE RECEIVING THIS PAYMENTS QUESTION >> PEOPLE WHO EARNED MORE WERE ELIGIBLE FOR BASICALLY BIGGER BUMPS TO THEIR PAY.

SO, WHEN MANAGERS, WHEN THEY HAD DONE THESE KINDS OF DUTIES LIKE YOU KNOW, CARING FOR PATIENTS, STUFF ADMINISTERED DON'T ORDINARILY DO, THEY WERE EFFECTIVELY GETTING BIGGER CHECKS THEMSELVES THAN THE WORKERS WHO ARE ACTUALLY ON THE FLOOR TREATING COVERT PATIENTS EVERY DAY IN ISOLATION MINUTES.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FACILITIES LIKE MENLO PARK WHERE NUMEROUS, NUMEROUS DEATHS TOOK PLACE.

IT WAS CONSIDERED REALLY HAZARDOUS TO BE THERE, BOTH AS A WORKER AND A PATIENT.

>> RIGHT.

THE STATES ACKNOWLEDGE THEY WERE MORE THAN 100 CONFIRMED PROBABLE COVER TESTS, AND THEY ALSO LOST A NURSE WHO WORKED THERE.

ONE NURSE THAT WE SPOKE TO FOR THE ARTICLE HAD BEEN TRACKED WITH COVID HERSELF.

WHICH THEY ESSENTIALLY CUT INTO HER HAZARD PAY BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT GETTING THAT BONUS FOR HOURS THAT SHE WAS NOT ACTUALLY WORKING AT THE FACILITY.

>> WAS HAPPENING WITH THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT TOOK PLACE BECAUSE OF THE DOCUMENTS THEY SIFTED THROUGH, YOU WERE ABLE TO FIND OUT THAT THERE IS SOME PROBING GOING ON HERE, YES?

>> RIGHT, WELL WE MADE A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST TO OBTAIN PAYMENT DATA FROM THESE COVID HAZARD PAYMENTS FOR ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES AT THE AGENCY.

INITIALLY, WE HAVE SEEN PUBLIC PAYROLL AT THE END OF THE STATE POSTED ONLINE.

SOME UNUSUAL PERSPECTIVE PAYMENTS AND JUST A COUPLE OF THE TOP MANAGERS.

AT THAT TIME, THE STATE CONFIRMED THAT THOSE PAYMENTS WERE RELATED TO THE HAZARD PAY PROGRAM THAT BEGAN WITH ITS INVESTIGATION.

THEY NOW RECOUP FUNDS FROM ALL THE MANAGERS THAT HAVE BEEN PAID AND STILL WORK AT THE AGENCY, BUT THERE ARE A COUPLE THAT ALREADY LEFT BEFORE THEY REALIZED AND THEY WERE FIRED LAST OCTOBER BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>> WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT MONEY?

IT'S GONE AND, YES?

>> THE STATE SAYS IT STILL ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER IT BUT IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT MECHANISMS THEY WILL USE TO DO THAT.

>> CHRISTOPHER REEVE OR WHAT THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> ANOTHER LIFELINE FOR BUSINESSES CRUSHED BY COVID.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE DETAILS ABOUT HELP ON THE WAY AND ARE TAUGHT BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> WE COULD FIND OUT SOON IF MORE GRANT MONEY FROM THE STATE IS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WOULD PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL $235 MILLION IN FUNDING IS SITTING ON GOVERNOR MURPHY'S DESK AFTER RECEIVING FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL.

ABOUT HALF OF THAT WOULD GO TO MICRO BUSINESSES, THOSE COMPANIES WITH ONLY A FEW EMPLOYEES.

MEANTIME, THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS SEEING PLENTY OF INTEREST IN THE CURRENT SMALL BUSINESS GRANT.

EDA CEO TIM SULLIVAN TWEETED OUT FRIDAY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 5000 APPROVALS TOTALING $60 MILLION.

POLICYMAKERS, ADVOCATES AND ACADEMICS GATHERED VIRTUALLY LAST WEEK TO TACKLE THE ISSUE OF WHY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF WOMEN HAVE LEFT THE WORKFORCE DURING THE PANDEMIC, CREATING WHAT SOME ARE CALLING NOT A RECESSION, BUT A SHE SESSION.

NEW JERSEY STATE TREASURER HOSTED PANEL DISCUSSIONS WITH EXPERTS WHO SAID THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE THE WAGE GAP EVEN WORSE, ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN OF COLOR.

ADVOCATES SAY A HIGHER PAY COULD HELP BRING WOMEN BACK, BUT WITH THE PANDEMIC REALLY HAMMERING HOME IS THE NEED FOR A RENEWED FOCUS ON CHILDCARE.

ACCORDING TO EMILY MARTIN WHO IS WITH THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER.

>> WE SORT OF HAD AND BARELY WORKING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC EXCLUDED.

AND, IT'S BEEN MADE REALLY CLEAR THAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN CHILDCARE AS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THIS COUNTRY TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES CAN SUPPORT THEMSELVES, THE WOMEN CAN GO TO WORK.

>> AND COMPANIES NEED WOMEN TO COME BACK, ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY, NEARLY HALF OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES SAY THEY HAVE MORE JOBS THAN THEY DO CANDIDATES.

THEY SAY MAY MARCH THE FOURTH STRAIGHT MONTH OF RECORD HIGH READINGS FOR UNFILLED JOB OPENINGS.

A NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY IS NOW OPEN IN CENTRAL JERSEY.

SUDDENLY HAS OPENED THEIR THIRD DISPENSARY IN THE COMMUNITY OF FLORENCE.

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

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

>>> METEOROLOGIST SAY WE ARE NOT TECHNICALLY IN A HEAT WAVE, BUT IT SURE FEELS LIKE ONE.

TODAY, GOVERNOR MURPHY REMINDED SCHOOL OFFICIALS THAT CURRENT MASKING REQUIREMENTS FOR KIDS TO HAVE EXCEPTIONS, IN CASES OF EXTREME HEAT.

THAT DISCRETION IS BEING LEFT UP TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, AND SUMMER CAMPS, THOUGH.

ESTHER DOES GET BACK TO MORE NORMAL ACTIVITIES, THERE IS AN INCREASED PUSH TO GET THE COVID- 19 VACCINATIONS IN THEIR ARMS.

ACROSS THE STATE, MORE THAN 4.3 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED AS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPORTS 165 NEW POSITIVE CASES, AND SIX ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THE CASELOAD CONTINUES DROPPING, BUT THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATION RATES AMONG TEENS AT BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS.

ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER TODAY, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, JUST OVER 1% OF 5 TO 18-YEAR-OLDS HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED, BUT 9% OF THOSE PATIENTS REQUIRED TO STAY IN THE ICU, JUST BOLSTERING PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS OPINION THAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET THIS AGE GROUP VACCINATED.

DR. JENNIFER OWENS B OFFERS HER INSIGHT AS A MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT BRISTOL-MYERS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

WE SAW A PUSH FROM THE CDC TO START GETTING THESE ADOLESCENTS 12 AND OLDER VACCINATED.

BECAUSE OF HOSPITALIZATION RATES, ACTUALLY GOING UP.

WHERE DO THEY STAND NOW FOR THIS AGE GROUP?

>> SO WE ARE SEEING A SIGNIFICANT RISE.

SINCE APRIL OR MAY?

THE NUMBERS OF HOSPITALIZED TEENAGERS HAS SERIOUSLY GONE UP.

AND NOT ONLY ARE THEY HOSPITALIZED, THEY ARE REALLY ILL.

MANY OF THEM ARE ACQUIRING THE ICU, THEIR REQUIRING VENTILATORS AND BREATHING MACHINES.

NO, WE DEFINITELY HAVE SEEN AN UPTICK STARTING IN REALLY LATE APRIL, EARLY MAY.

>> DOES NOT DISPUTE WITH MANY HAVE BELIEVED ALL ALONG DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT KIDS REALLY CAN GET SERIOUS AND SEVERELY ILL.

IT'S VERY RARE FOR THEM TO GET ILL IF THEY KEPT THE VIRUS GETS BACK SO WE ARE SEEING OLDER KIDS, TEENAGERS, YOUNG TEENAGERS, OLDER SCHOOL-AGE KIDS ARE GETTING SICKER, AND IT'S NOT CLEAR WHY, WHETHER IT IS FOR A VARIANCE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW, SOCIAL DISTANCING IS BEING REDUCED, THEY ARE GETTING SICKER.

A LOT OF THESE KIDS TO HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS.

EITHER OF ILLNESSES, CHRONIC ILLNESSES.

BUT SOME ARE JUST YOU KNOW, SOMETHING LIKE OBESITY HAS LED TO WORSENING DISEASE.

SO, IT'S NOT CLEAR WHY THEY ARE GETTING SICKER, BUT THEY ARE.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL LINK BETWEEN THE VACCINE AND BOYS 14 TO 19 YEARS OLD WHO WERE REPORTING INFLAMMATION IN THE HEART, PARTICULARLY YOU KNOW, THE MUSCLE BEING INFLAMED.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS?

AND WHAT DO WE KNOW?

BACK SO WE HAVE NOT SEEN A FEW CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

STILL, EXCEEDINGLY RARE.

EXCEEDINGLY RARE, AND AS OF NOW, RESEARCH IS STILL ONGOING.

LOOKING FOR CAUSE-AND-EFFECT LINK BETWEEN THE VACCINE AND THE INFLAMMATION OF THE HEART.

>> DOES ANYTHING THAT YOU'VE SEEN SO FAR INDICATE THAT WE MAY SEE A RECOMMENDATION FOR A PAUSE ON THE VACCINE FOR THIS AGE GROUP?

SIMILARLY TO WHAT WE SAW WITH J&J?

>> AS WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT, AGAIN.

MOST COMPANIES ARE DOING THEIR RESEARCH WITH THE UNIVERSITIES.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE BENEFIT IS STILL PROBABLY GOING TO BE TO GET THE VACCINE.

BOTH TO PREVENT ACUTE COVID INFECTION, PLUS WHAT WE SEE IN OLDER CHILDREN AS OPPOSED TO ADULTS, WHICH IS NFC.

SO, THE MULTISYSTEM INFLAMMATORY DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH COVID THAT IS DIRECTLY MEANT TO ACUTE COVID INFECTIONS.

SO, NOT ONLY WILL VACCINATION PREVENT ACUTE INFECTIONS FOR THE MOST PART, BUT WILL LIMIT THE CHANCE OF DEVELOPMENT.

SO, AS OF RIGHT NOW, I THINK THE VACCINE WOULD STILL BE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, ESPECIALLY AS KIDS ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

>> GOOD TO TALK TO YOU, THANK YOU.

>> ANYTIME, THANK YOU.

>>> AND BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU, YOU LOOK AT THE FRONT STEPS OF CITY HALL IN TRENTON WHERE A PRIDE FLAG WAS RAISED ABOVE THE BUILDING AND THE MAYOR SIGNED A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JUNE OF 2021 AS LGB TOO Q PLUS PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY OF TRENTON.

PARTICULARLY NOTABLE ESPECIALLY WHERE IT IS THE FIRST OPENLY LGBTQ MAYOR OF TRENTON AND WAS THE FIRST OPENLY MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATOR DURING HIS TIME SERVING IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY.

MORE PRIDE EVENTS ARE SCHEDULED IN THE CITY, AND ACROSS THE STATE THROUGHOUT THE MONTH.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO JOIN US FROM OUR SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION COVERAGE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 11:00 P.M. ON AIR AND STREAMING LIVE ON OUR WEBSITE.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> 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.

>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICY HOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM'S POLICY HOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS.

THE CARE TAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS.

AND THE CUSTODIANS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

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

NJM: WE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

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

THAT'S ME AND MY DAUGHTER WHEN WE WENT TO CELEBRATE OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

WITH A NEW KIDNEY I HAVE STRENGTH.

THEY GAVE ME A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

I'M STILL GOING EVERYWHERE AND EXPLORING NEW PLACES.

NOBODY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE.

NOBODY.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GROWING OLDER WITH MY WIFE.

THAT'S POSSIBLE NOW.

WE'RE TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH INNOVATIVE KIDNEY TREATMENTS.

LIVING DONOR PROGRAMS AND WORLD RENOWNED CARE AT TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S PREMIERE HOSPITALS.

THEY GAVE ME MY NORMAL LIFE BACK.

IT'S A BLESSING.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.