>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS SPONSORED BY THE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

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

>> HELLO, WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I AM IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WELCOME TO THE --HAVE VOTED TO STRIKE WITH 94% IN FAVOR.

THE BOAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY WILL WALK OFF TODAY, BUT UNION LEADERSHIP NOW HAS THE POWER TO CALL A STRIKE AT ANY POINT.

NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO UNIONS REPRESENTING THE SCHOOLS 7500 PROFESSORS, GRAD STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS HAVE FAILED.

THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR 8 MONTHS WITHOUT A CONTRACT.

IN RESPONSE, RECKER SAID IN A STATEMENT, NO ONE WANTS TO DISRUPT STUDENTS' ACADEMIC PROGRESS.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN TO NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS WITH A FAIR, REASONABLE, AND RESPONSIBLE.

WE HAVE ALREADY HELD MORE THAN 100 BARGAINING SESSIONS AND WILL CONTINUE TO MEET IN GOOD FAITH.

IF A STRIKE IS CALLED, IT WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME IN RECKER'S 256 YEAR HISTORY THAT EDUCATORS WALK OFF THE JOB.

JORDAN ME NOW IS --PRESIDENT OF THE UNION AND AN SCHOOL PROFESSOR AT RUTGERS'S SCHOOL OF RELATIONS.

YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

THE FACULTY TODAY VOTED TO AUTHORIZE A STRIKE.

WHEN AND HOW WILL YOU DESCRIBE --DECIDE TO GO ON STRIKE?

>> THE LEADERSHIP WILL DECIDE BASED ON THE BARGAINING TABLE.

WE STILL WANT TO BARGAIN A CONTRACT WITHOUT A STRIKE.

WE HOPE THAT RUTGERS ADMINISTRATION WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

IN THE COMING WEEKS, MEMBERS ARE TELLING US THAT THEY WILL BE OUT OF PATIENCE AND OUT OF TIME.

>> WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN ASKING FOR THAT UNIVERSITY HAS EITHER DENIED, OR HAS RESPONDED IN A WAY THAT YOU DEEM UNSATISFACTORY?

>> OUR DEMANDS ARE REALLY SIMPLE.

THEY ARE PRETTY BASIC.

WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR THE MOON.

WE ARE ASKING FOR EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK.

WE ARE ASKING FOR A LIVING WAGE FOR GRAD WORKERS WHO PERFORM ESSENTIAL WORKERS AT THE UNIVERSITY.

WE ARE ASKING FOR FAIR TREATMENT OF OUR STUDENTS, THEIR HOUSINGS COST, NOT BEING SENT TO COLLECTIONS FOR UNPAID BILLS.

WE ARE REALLY ASKING FOR BASIC FAIRNESS AND A BETTER RUTGERS FOR ALL OF US.

WE HOPE THE ADMINISTRATION WILL SEE THAT WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE A PLACE THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY.

>> WHERE AND HOW HAVE THESE NEGOTIATIONS VOLUNTEER?

IS THERE A KEY STICKING POINT?

>> HONESTLY, WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR RESPONSES ON SOME OF OUR PROPOSALS THAT WE PUT ACROSS THE TABLE NINE OR 10 MONTHS AGO.

THE PROGRESS HAS BEEN PAINFULLY SLOW.

WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD.

WE WANT TO SETTLE THE CONTRACT.

>> WERE YOU SURPRISED TODAY BY THE TURNOUT?

THE PERCENTAGE OF FACULTY THAT VOTED YES TO AUTHORIZE THE STRIKE?

>> I WAS NOT SO MUCH SURPRISED AS INSPIRED.

I THINK WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE WILLING TO DO TO BUILD A BETTER RUTGERS IS AMAZING.

I FEEL INSPIRED, I FEEL MOVED, READY TO MAKE A BETTER RUTGERS.

WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE LOVE RUTGERS, WE LET THE STUDENTS, THE WORK WE DO.

WE WANTED TO WORK FOR ALL OF US.

>> THERE IS NEVER ACTUALLY BEEN A STRIKE WERE FACULTY AND STAFF HAVE WALKED OUT ON THE JOB, BUT IF A STRIKE WAS AUTHORIZED US IN 2019, TELL US WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK WHETHER THIS AUTHORIZATION TO STRIKE MIGHT BE A SUCCESS.

>> YEAH, LAST ONE IN 2019, WE CAME WITHIN A FEW HOURS OF GOING ON STRIKE, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO SETTLE.

OUR MEMBERS HAVE TOLD US LOUD AND CLEAR THAT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO WAIT FOREVER.

THE BALL IS IN THE ADMINISTRATION COURT.

IT IS UP TO THEM.

IF THEY WANT TO BARGAIN SERIOUSLY, TAKE OUR PROPOSAL SERIOUSLY AND WORK WITH US TO MAKE THE UNIVERSITY THE PLACE IT CAN BE, WE ARE HAPPY TO DO THAT.

>> HOW DIFFERENT ARE THE DEMANDS THAT YOU ARE MAKING NOW VERSUS 2019?

DO YOU THINK YOU WILL BE ABLE TO RESOLVE IT SUCCESSFULLY?

>> I THINK WE ARE MAKING DEMANDS THAT ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE.

THEY REQUIRE RECORDS --RUTGERS TO BE REASONABLE.

MAKING SURE THAT THE FACULTY ARE PAID EQUALLY WITH OTHERS DOING THE SAME WORK.

OUR DEMANDS MAY BE AMBITIOUS, BUT WE THINK RUTGERS CAN LEAD WITH US AND CAN SET A NEW STANDARD.

>> REBECCA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> THINKS ARE HAVING ME.

>>> WHEN YOU THINK OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE IMAGE OF A BATTERED WOMAN MAY COME TO MIND.

IT ALSO COMES IN THE FORM OF CONTROL AND MANIPULATION THAT MAY NEVER LEAVE A PHYSICAL MARK, BUT CAN DESTROY A PERSON'S LIFE.

YESTERDAY, THE ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED IN A PACKAGE OF BILLS.

BRINGING THE LEGAL SYSTEM UP TO THE REALITIES OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER WAS THERE WITH A SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, AND LAWMAKERS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REDEFINE DOMESTIC ABUSE.

>> EMOTIONS ARE RUNNING HIGH AS DOMESTIC ABUSE SURVIVORS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS TESTIFIED AT THE STATEHOUSE.

YESTERDAY, THE ASSEMBLY LOT AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE HELD A JOINT HEARING WITH THE ASSEMBLY TRADITION VERY COMMITTEE AS MEMBERS REVIEWED A PACKAGE REVIEWING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE THE SERVICES AND SUPPORT THEY NEED.

UNFORTUNATELY, MANY TIMES WHEN THEY INTERACT WITH VARIOUS SYSTEMS, THE COURTS, HEALTHCARE, THEY ARE OFTEN NOT MET WITH INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE THE TRAINING AND BACKGROUND IN INFORMATION ON UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN ALL OF THE DIFFERENT FORMS IT MAY TAKE PLACE FOR THEM.

>> NICOLE, POLICY AND EDUCATION DIRECTOR AT THE NEW JERSEY COALITION TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TESTIFIED IN SUPPORT, SAYING IT COULD HELP THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> ONE BILL THAT WE WERE JUST TESTIFYING TO WHAT HELP TO ENSURE THAT THE COURTS CAN CONSIDER THE CONTROL IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES, WHICH IS REALLY THE FOUNDATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHAT MOST VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS EXPERIENCE.

IT USUALLY INCLUDES MANY DIFFERENT FORMS OF NON-PHYSICAL ABUSE.

TRADITIONALLY, MANY TIMES, WE THINK OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN ITS PHYSICAL TERMS.

THIS WILL HELP TO ENSURE WE HAVE THAT UNDERSTANDING OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

>> INCLUDING 11 MEASURES AIMED AT IMPROVING THE SURVIVORS.

IT PASSES IN BOTH COMMITTEES, BUT NOT WITHOUT OPPOSITION.

>> DESPITE THE CRITICISM THAT THEY WILL SAY, MY BILL, HER BILL, IT DOES NOT CREATE A NEW CLIENT.

IT DOES NOT.

IS DOES NOT CHANGE WHO WAS ELIGIBLE.

OKAY?

NUMBER THREE, IT DOES NOT IMPACT THE ASSURANCE OF A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER.

>> Reporter: SHE IS ONE OF THE BILLS SPONSORS.

SHE SAYS THE LEGISLATION IS A NECESSITY.

>> SO MANY WOMEN, THEY KEPT QUIET.

YOU KNOW, THEY KEPT QUIET, THEY STAYED HOME.

THEY DON'T GO OUT.

THEY TAKE THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL, BUT THEY COME BACK HOME.

THIS IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PATROLLING, DOMINANT MALE PERSON IN THEIR HOME CONTROLLING EVERY ASPECT OF WHAT THEY DO.

>> Reporter: PARTS OF THE PACKAGE OR DRANK CONCERN.

LAWRENCE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE -- ASSOCIATION.

WHILE SHE APPLIES THE EFFORT TO TACKLE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SHE BELIEVES SOME OF THE LANGUAGE SHOULD BE AMENDED.

>> THEY HAD COMPELLING WITNESSES TESTIFY YESTERDAY ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

IN SOME OF THE ACTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IT WAS NOT COVERED ON THE LIST.

THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT BEING VICTIMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA STALKING, OR HAVING A YOUTUBE CHANNEL GEARED AT THEM.

THAT IS NOT COVERED ON THE LIST.

THOSE WERE OUR CONCERNS THAT IT JUST WAS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO DRAFTY STATUTE IN A LIST TYPE FORM.

WE WANT TO ENCOMPASS THE CONCERN IN A MORE BROADER FASHION SO ALL VICTIMS HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD.

>> THE PACKAGE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILLS NOW HEADS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES ARE HOPEFUL IT WILL LEAD TO CHANGE SO NO ONE ASKED TO SUFFER AT THE HANDS OF ABUSE AGAIN.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IT IS GETTING HARDER FOR ASTHMA SUFFERERS TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH WITH NEWS THAT ALBUTEROL, THE MEDICATION THAT TREATS ASTHMA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES, IS FACING A SHORTAGE.

IT WAS PUT ON THE DRUG SHORTAGE LIST IN OCTOBER.

SINCE THEN, ONE OF THE MAJOR PRODUCERS OF THE LIQUID FORM HAS CLOSED ALL OF ITS OPERATIONS, INCLUDING THE LOCATION IN NEW JERSEY.

ACORN, FILING FOR CHAPTER SEVEN BANKRUPTCY LEAVES ONLY ONE CHAPTER OF TRENT 27, PHARMACEUTICALS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

F8 TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT THE ALBUTEROL SHORTAGE MEANS FOR HOSPITALS AND PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THE LIFE-SAVING DRUG.

>> Reporter: FOR ASTHMA AND ALLERGY PATIENTS WHO SNEEZE AND STRUGGLE FOR BREATH, THE DRUG ALBUTEROL QUICKLY OPENS AIRWAYS.

A CRITICAL NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF LIQUID ALBUTEROL, THE TYPE USED IN NEBULIZERS, NOW THREATENS TO LEAVE SOME PEOPLE GASPING FOR HELP, ESPECIALLY OLDER FOLKS WHO USE LIQUID ALBUTEROL BECAUSE IT IS CHEAPER THAN IN HALLER'S AND COVERED BY MEDICARE.

>> I HAVE HAD SOME PATIENTS LIKE TO COMPLAIN THAT THEY ARE WAITING, THE PHARMACIES DON'T HAVE THE MEDICATION, OR THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR IT.

THIS IS CONCERNING.

THAT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM.

I'M AFRAID THEY WILL END UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

>> DR. ERIC WITH VIRTUAL HEALTH, WHICH HE SAYS HAS BEEN STOCKPILING THE LIQUID ALBUTEROL FOR MONTHS AFTER ITS MAJOR MANUFACTURER, A COMPANY CALLED ACORN, SHUTDOWN PLANTS, INCLUDING ONE HERE IN NEW JERSEY, AND THEN SUDDENLY DECLARED BANKRUPTCY IN FEBRUARY.

SOME HOSPITALS AND PATIENTS HAVE MANAGED BY COMBINING AND COMPOUNDING SMALLER PACKAGE DOSES OF LIQUID ALBUTEROL.

>> AT THIS POINT, WE NO LONGER HAVE LARGE BOTTLES OF THE ALBUTEROL.

WHAT WE ARE DOING, WE ARE TAKING THE ALBUTEROL AND DOING SOMETHING CALLED A CONTINUOUS NEBULIZED TREATMENT WHERE YOU NEED TO USE MULTIPLE VIALS.

WE HAVE BEEN USING THE SMALL ONES.

TRYING TO USE THAT TO HELP OUR PATIENTS.

>> THE LIQUID TRANSFER SEVEN WAS ON THE SHORTEST LIST BACK IN OCTOBER.

THAT IS WHEN DEMAND FOR THE DRUG INCREASED WITH THE SO-CALLED 'TRIPLE-DEMIC' SEARCH.

>> THERE WAS A SEVERE AND PROLONGED SEARCH IN BOTH ADULT AND PEDIATRIC RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES THIS PAST WINTER.

IT HAS LEFT SUPPLIES OF THESE MEDICATIONS AT LOW LEVELS, OR ON INTERMITTENT BACK ORDER.

>> SOMEONE CREATED A CHART LISTING OTHER MEDICATIONS LIKE -- ALBUTEROL THAT THEY COULD SUBSTITUTE.

>> EACH IS BEING ASSESSED UPON PRESCRIBING.

DURING THAT TIME, IT IS DETERMINED IF THEY CAN BE SWITCHED TO AN ALTERNATIVE MEDICATION, PREVENTING THOSE GAPS IN TREATMENT, WHICH COULD BE CRITICALLY, YOU KNOW, SIGNIFICANT FOR A PATIENT THAT IS REALLY RELYING ON THIS AND PREVENTING THEM FROM HAVING TO GO TO EMERGENCY ROOMS.

>> SOMETIMES, SUBSTITUTIONS COST MORE THAN PATIENTS CAN AFFORD.

>> WE ARE ALSO PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE INSURERS TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS OUT OF OUR HANDS.

WE SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZING PATIENTS JUST BECAUSE THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF ONE AGENT, BUT NOW WE HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE THAT IF THEY REFUSE TO COVER, THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

>> Reporter: ACORN LAID OFF ALL OF ITS WORKERS.

THE FDA IS PUSHING A DRUG COMPANY TO RAMP UP LIQUID ALBUTEROL PRODUCTION.

THE VA JUST RECALLED THE ALBUTEROL INHALERS BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURING DEFICIENCIES CITED BY THE FDA.

SO MANY KINKS IN THE SUPPLY CHAINS, DOCTORS WORRY ABOUT ALLERGY SEASON APPROACHING.

>> THIS IS WHERE OUR ASTHMATICS AND --BECAUSE IT IS BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE.

>> DOCTORS ADVISE PATIENTS TO GET THEIR ALLERGIES UNDER CONTROL USING LONG-TERM MEDS INSTEAD OF RELYING ON FAST ACTING RESCUE DRUGS LIKE LIQUID ALBUTEROL BEFORE THE POLLEN FLIES.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> DID YOU KNOW THAT MARCH IS COLORECTAL CANCER MONTH?

IF NOT, YOU MAY NOT ALSO BE AWARE THAT: CANCER CASES ARE ON THE RISE IN YOUNG ADULTS UNDER THE AGE OF 55.

WHEN THEY ARE DIAGNOSED, THEY ARE AT INCREASINGLY ADVANCED STAGES.

IT IS FRUSTRATING PROVIDERS WHO HAVE LONG WARNED THAT IT IS ONE OF THE MOST REASONABLE TYPES OF CANCERS IF PEOPLE WOULD ONLY GET CHECKED.

RAVEN SANTANA SPOKE WITH ONE WOMAN WHO LOST HER MOM, AND THEN LATER LEARNED THAT SHE, TOO HAD THE DECEASED --DISEASE.

SHE IS SHARING HER STORY TO HELP OTHERS.

>> IN NOVEMBER OF 2011, I WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE COLONOSCOPY.

THAT IS WHEN THEY FOUND A TUMOR IN MY COLON.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WAS --IT CAME AFTER SEVERAL PEOPLE IN HER FAMILY WERE DIAGNOSED, INCLUDING HER MOTHER, WHO PASSED AWAY AT AGE 46.

GENETIC TESTING WAS NOT WIDELY AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF HER DIAGNOSIS.

SHE WAS ABLE TO GET TESTED AFTER HER TREATMENT ENDED.

HER RESULTS REVEALED SHE HAD -- SYNDROME.

>> YOU ARE PREDISPOSED TO: CANCER AND --SMALL CANCER.

YOU HAVE A HIGHER CHANCE OF DEVELOPING THOSE CANCERS IN YOUR LIFETIME.

>> SHE IS NOW ADVOCATING THAT PEOPLE GET SCREENED WHEN SOMETHING SEEMS OFF.

THE CDC RECOMMENDS REGULAR SCREENINGS STARTING AT 45.

SHE NOTES HER DIAGNOSIS CAME FOUR YEARS BEFORE THAT BENCHMARK.

>> KNOWLEDGE IS SO POWERFUL.

WITH THAT KNOWLEDGE, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO --HONESTLY, ADVOCATE FOR: CANCER AWARENESS IN THE APPEARANCE OF SCREENING, BUT SCREENING AT YOUNGER AGES.

IT IS KIND OF A LITTLE INFURIATING THAT IT IS NOT TAKEN MORE SERIOUS.

RIGHT?

THEY GIVE YOU SOME OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINE TO HELP RELIEVE IT, BUT THEY ARE NOT EXPLORING IT.

THAT IS WHERE I THINK AS A YOUNG ADULT, IN YOUR 40s, YOU HAD TO SPEAK TO YOUR DOCTORS ABOUT GETTING SCREENED FOR COLON CANCER.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO A RECENT REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, THE PROPORTION OF COLORECTAL CANCER CASES DIAGNOSED IN ADULTS YOUNGER THAN 55 INCREASED FROM 11% IN 1995 TO 20% IN 2019.

>> WE NEED MORE AWARENESS OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING TREND.

YOU NEED TO KEEP THAT IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND ON SOMEBODY, EVEN IF THEY ARE 35 COMES IN WITH G.I.

COMPLAINTS.

THAT, YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS.

WE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THE KIND OF TO SAY, WELL, IT IS COLITIS.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

>> DR. HOWARD, THE DIRECTOR FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH AND DIRECTOR OF -- INSTITUTE SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY, NOT YOUR AGE WHEN SOMETHING SEEMS OFF.

>> IF YOU ARE BETWEEN 45-55, YOU SHOULD TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT AN INITIAL SCREENING COLONOSCOPY.

EVEN IF YOU ARE HEALTHY AND HAVE NO SYMPTOMS.

THAT IS WHY WE CALL IT SCREENING.

THERE AREN'T ANY SYMPTOMS.

THE REASON THAT IS IMPORTANT, THAT COLONOSCOPY NOT ONLY CAN FIND PRECANCEROUS LESIONS, BUT IT CAN REMOVE THEM.

AND THEN YOU NEVER GET COLON CANCER.

>> Reporter: GETTING SCREENED FOR COLON CANCER JUST A MORE AFFORDABLE NOW THAT GOVERNOR MURPHREE SIGNED A NEW LAW PROVIDING THAT THEY COVER COLONOSCOPIES BEGINNING AT AGE 45.

THE NEW LAW ALSO REMOVES OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS FOR PATIENTS WHO NEED TO HAVE A COLONOSCOPY FOLLOWING A POSITIVE NONINVASIVE SCREENING TESTS.

>> THINK OF IT IN YOUR CAR.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD TO CHECK THE OIL, WE HAD TO SERVICE THE BATTERY.

YOU HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CAR WILL RUN PROPERLY, OTHERWISE IT WILL BREAK DOWN.

WE ARE ASKING INDIVIDUALS TO SCREENED BY THE AGE OF 45.

IT IS A SIMPLE TEST.

WHAT IT ALLOWS US TO DO, TAKING A FRESH CLEANUP, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO LOOK INSIDE OF YOU RELATIVELY QUICKLY, SAFELY, AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE PREDISPOSED TO SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T WANT.

>> DR. MARK, THE SPECIALISTS AT --MEDICAL CENTER SAYS THAT WHILE THE SYSTEMS FOR: CANCER CAN SOMETIMES BE LESS OBVIOUS, HE SUGGESTS HITTING A SCREENING.

>> YOU HAVE A CHANGE IN THE SIZE OF THE SCHOOL CALIBER, IT IS BECOMING THIN LIKE A PENCIL.

WELL, IT IS GOT TO GET EVALUATED.

IF YOU'RE LOSING WEIGHT, FEEL FATIGUED, IF YOU FEEL UNLIKE YOUR NORMAL SELF, IT IS PROGRESSING, THEN NOT TO BE SILENT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

>> IT REMAINS UNKNOWN WHAT HAS LED TO THE UPTAKE.

EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH STRESSED THAT REGULAR SCREENING IS CRITICAL TO PREVENT COLON CANCER.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

SO MAKE THE LATEST JOBS REPORT IS OUT.

PLUS OUR OTHER TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA, WHAT IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE JOB GROWTH?

>> JOANNA, A BURST IN THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR IS ONE REASON BEHIND THE SELLER JOB SUPPORT.

IT SHOWED THE U.S. ECONOMY ADDED 311,000 NEW JOBS LAST MONTH.

ONCE AGAIN, THAT WAS STRONGER THAN EXPECTED.

THIS LATEST MONTHLY REPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT COMES AFTER A SEARCH OF NEW JOBS IN JANUARY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYING TODAY, HIS MINISTRATIONS POLICIES HAVE SUPPORTED ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PUT MORE PEOPLE TO WORK.

>> BECAUSE OF OUR ECONOMIC PLAN, UNEMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN BELOW 4% FOR 14 STRAIGHT MONTHS SINCE JANUARY 2022.

LAST MONTH, THE UN-IMPLEMENT RATE REMAINED NEAR THE LOWEST LEVEL IN 15 YEARS.

>> MEANTIME, THE PRESIDENT YESTERDAY, UNVEILING HIS $6.8 TRILLION BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

IT SEEMS TO RAISE REVENUE BY INCREASING TAXES ON THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS, AS WELL AS CORPORATIONS.

THE BUDGET ALSO OUTLINES STEPS TO REDUCE THE BUDGET DEFICIT.

THE SPENDING PLAN INCLUDES $700 MILLION FOR THE GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT.

OTHER FUNDING WOULD BE USED TO EXPAND THE TAX CREDIT, INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY'S PROPOSED BUDGET IS IN WINNING OVER --ACCOUNTANT, NEARLY 60% OF CPAS SURVEYED BY THE SOCIETY OF CPAS SAY THAT THE MURPHY BUDGET PROPOSAL WOULD LEAVE NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY WORSE OFF.

RESPONDENTS SAY THAT THE STATE NEEDS PENSION REFORM AND A NEW SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA AMONG OTHER THINGS.

THE CPAS SAY MORE SHOULD BE DONE FOR NEW JERSEY SMALL BUSINESSES.

>>> MEANTIME, THERE IS LEGISLATION ADVANCING THAT WOULD HELP ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESSES IN NEW JERSEY.

IT AIMS TO GENERATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE BUSINESSES TO WORK WITH THE STATE.

TO LEARN MORE, READ MY STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

SUMMIT HERE IS A LOOK ON -- FROM WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES., A REMINDER TO CATCH -- WITH F-18 IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S DAY THIS WEEK.

THE CHALLENGES WOMEN STILL FACE IN THE WORKPLACE, FROM THE GENDER PAY GAP TO LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND WHAT ARE SOME SOLUTIONS TO SOLVE THE INEQUITIES?

WATCH IT SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 A.M.. NEW JERSEY SCIENTISTS AND LAWMAKERS ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE WHY WELLS CONTINUE WASHING UP ON THE JERSEY SHORE.

THE QUESTION REMAINS WHETHER IT IS TIED TO OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT.

REPRESENTATIVES CHRIS SMITH AND JEFF ARE CALLING FOR A PAUSE ON THE TESTING THAT THEY SAY COULD BE IMPACTING WELL MIGRATION PATTERNS.

THEY ARE HOLDING A HEARING NEXT WEEK WITH INDUSTRY EXPERTS TO GET THEIR TAKE ON THE WIND IMPACTS.

SOME SAY IT IS NOT -- THAT IS AT PLAY HERE.

BRIANA VANNOZZI SPOKE WITH THE -- YELLED 360 ABOUT HIS RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF SOUND ON THE MARINE MAMMALS.

>> Reporter: ANDREW, WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM A NUMBER OF GROUPS.

EVEN ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF WELL DEATHS.

YOUR REPORTING SHOWS THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.

IS IT LESS UNUSUAL THAN WE HAVE BEEN LED TO THINK?

>> YEAH, IT IS.

I WAS STRUCK BY THAT CLAIM THAT IT WAS UNPRECEDENTED, AS WELL.

THAT IS SOMETHING I REALLY WANTED TO LOOK INTO.

I JUST REFERRED TO THE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE WEBSITE THAT NOAH HAS FOR ANYONE TO TAKE AND CHECK OUT.

PRETTY QUICKLY AS I WENT THROUGH EACH YEAR, LOOKING AT THE MAP, SOMETHING POPPED OUT.

THAT WAS IN 2016/2017 EVENT IN VIRGINIA AROUND THE MOUTH OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

IT WAS PRETTY STRIKING.

THAT IS IN TERMS OF BEING THE SAME THREE MONTHS, SO DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY.

SIMILAR AMOUNT OF ANIMALS.

SIMILAR SPATIAL DISTANCE FROM THE NORTHERN END TO THE SOUTHERNMOST.

AT THAT POINT, IT BECAME QUITE CLEAR TO ME, THIS IS A SEVEN-YEAR PROBLEM.

>> SOME OF THE ARGUMENT WE HAVE HEARD IS THAT SEISMIC TESTING FROM OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT COULD BREATHE --BE TO BLAME.

WHAT DOES THE SCIENCE TELL US?

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE CLEAR THAT NOISE IS A BIG CONCERN.

THAT IS AMONG THE MEMO SCIENTISTS, MILITARY, THE TESTING HAS BEEN PROVEN TO DISRUPT THE BEHAVIOR OF HUMPBACK WHALES TO THE POINT THAT THEY DO STRAND.

NOISE, AGAIN, IT IS A CONSTANT CONCERN.

SCIENTISTS ARE DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH INTO IT.

QUITE FRANKLY, THEY DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF THE RISKS OF NOISE.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE MORE CAREFUL ABOUT HOW WE THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE NUANCES THAT COME INTO PLAY WITH REGARDS TO THE WATER DEPTH, ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT SCIENTISTS TELL ME MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO HOW SOUND IMPACTS MARINE MAMMALS.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO GET YOUR TAKE ON THE ARGUMENT NEXT WEEK.

TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL LAWMAKERS, REPUBLICANS WILL BE HOLDING AN EVENT.

THEY ARE CALLING FOR A PAUSE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OFFSHORE WINDS.

I WOULD LOVE TO GET YOUR TAKE ON THAT, GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW AND THE FACT THAT THAT PART OF IT HASN'T BEEN FULLY INVESTIGATED.

>> IF THEY WANT TO CALL FOR A PAUSE, THAT IS FINE.

I THINK THE PROBLEM HERE, THE ISSUE BY WHICH THEY ARE HANGING THE ARGUMENT ON.

YOU CAN BE ANTI-OFFSHORE WIND.

THAT IS NOT REALLY THE POINT IN THE SITUATION.

THE POINT IS THAT A FALSEHOOD THAT, YOU KNOW, VIRTUALLY EVERY SCIENTIST THAT I HAVE TALKED TO, IT IS UNSUBSTANTIATED.

IT DOESN'T FACTOR INTO WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> ANDREW LEWIS PRESS.

GREAT REPORTING, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING IT WITH US.

>> THAT IS ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU THIS WEEK.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS TO NEW YORK'S INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MONITOR ABOUT POLICE REFORM IN THE WAKE OF THE DEADLY POLICE SHOOTING IN PATTERSON.

WATCH IT SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON MATHEW BORGES.

AND ON TAP BOX, DAVID CONTINUES THE CONVERSATION ABOUT POLICE REFORM WITH THE PROJECT DIRECTOR, --THAT A SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:30 P.M. ON NJPBS.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US THIS WEEK.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY?

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

NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALATOR.COM AND BY THE -- FOUNDATION.

>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS.

OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS, THE FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

INVESTING IN PARTS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN, SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.