>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PRO RIGHTED BY NJ INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR 100 YEARS AND BY THE PSG FOUNDATION.

>>> >> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> HELLO, WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

RUSSIAN FORCES CAPTURED THEIR FIRST MAJOR CITY ON DAY SEVEN OF THE RAID ON UKRAINE.

THE CITY HAS FALLEN AND UNDER CONTROL AS THE KREMLIN VOWS TO CONTINUE THE WAR UNTIL QUOTE THE END.

U.N. OFFICIALS SAYING ONE MILLION REFUGEES FLED TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES AND OTHERS ARE LEAVING THEIR HOMES TO SEEK REFUGE IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY FARTHER FROM THE BOMBING, 10 MILLION COULD BE DISPLACED.

SINCE THE CONFLICT BEGAN EIGHT DAYS AGO THE U.N.

RECORDED 800 CIVILIAN CASUALTY INCLUDING 209 PEOPLE KILLED.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS ASKING CONGRESS FOR $10 BILLION FOR AID FOR UKRAINE AS A SECOND ROUND OF TALKS RESULTED ONLY IN AN AGREEMENT TO CREATE HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS SO CIVILIANS CAN EVACUATE.

AS U.S. AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS WARN THE DARKEST DAYS ARE STILL TO COME.

NEW JERSEY STANDS WITH UKRAINE.

NEW JERSEY HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST POPULATIONS OF UKRAINIANS WITH ABOUT 7,000 RESIDENTS OF UKRAINIAN DESCENT.

SIGNING AN ORDER ORDERING ALL OF STATE GOVERNMENT TO SEVER TIES WITH RUSSIA.

THIS AS THE STATE SENATE VOTED ON A RESOLUTION TO CONDEMN THE ATTACK AND INTRODUCE A BILL THAT PROHIBITS GOVERNMENT DEALINGS WITH BUSINESSES ASSOCIATED WITH BELARUS OR RUSSIA.

THE GOVERNOR NOT MINCING WORDS WHEN IT CAME TO PRESIDENT PUTIN.

>> RUSSIA, SADLY BY THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE IS LED BY A THUG.

AND HE IS MURDERING INNOCENT UKRAINIANS BY SADLY, IT LOOKS BY THE HUNDREDS ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

NO EXCUSE FOR THIS.

NEW JERSEY WILL STAND STRONGLY BY THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AND BY UKRAINE.

FLY THEIR FLAGS, TAKE THE REFUGEES, I SENT A LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN JUST AS WE DID WITH THE AFGHAN REFUGEES WE ARE RAISING OUR HAND TO TAKE ANY IN NEW JERSEY.

>> AS NEW JERSEY WATCHES THEY ARE HELPING THOSE STRUGGLING IN NEED.

A UKRAINIAN CHURCH IS COLLECTING FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

ONE SHIPMENT IS ON THE WAY TO POLAND AND ANOTHER PACKED UP AND SENT TODAY AS MELISA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> PLEASE PRAY FOR US.

WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS.

>> Reporter: AN IMPORTANT REQUEST, THE REVEREND OF THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN CLIFFTON IS ASKING OF ANY AND ALL COMMUNITIES AS PEOPLE IN UKRAINE CONTINUE TO FACE AN UNRELENTING RUSSIAN INVASION.

>> IT IS GENOCIDE.

IT IS GENOCIDE ON UKRAINIAN PEOPLE.

THEY ARE SHOOTING CHILDREN, SHOOTING PEACEFUL PEOPLE, BOMBING OUR CITIES.

IT IS NOT LIKE THEY ARE BOMBING OUR SOLDIERS, THEY ARE BOMBING OUR PEOPLE, PEACEFUL PEOPLE.

IT IS NOT A WAR.

IT IS A GENOCIDE.

>> Reporter: HE AND CHURCH MEMBERS ARE PRAYING FOR THEIR LOVED ONES SAFETY BACK IN THEIR HOMELAND THEY ARE MAKING SURE UKRAINIANS LIVING IN THIS WAR STAND A FIGHTING CHANCE.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO COLLECT ALL WHAT THEY NEED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OUR FACILITIES ARE STUFFED.

OUR, EVERYTHING, CLOSED, THE SHOPS ARE CLOSED AND SO PEOPLE COULD NOT BUY WHAT THEY NEED FOR EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: THE RELIEF EFFORT HERE SHOWING NO SIGN OF SURRENDERING EITHER BRINGING IN SUPPORT.

SOME WITH NO TIES AT ALL TO UKRAINE.

>> MY KIDS AND I TALK ABOUT IT.

WE JUST WANTED TO DO, WE WANTED TO HELP.

WE DON'T THINK THIS WAR IS RIGHT AND TRYING TO DO OUR PART.

WHICH I AM SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE.

>> IT IS UPSETTING TO SEE THE WOMEN AND THE CHILDREN AND EVERYBODY THERE AND WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS FOR THE MOST PART HIS RELATIVES THERE SEEM TO BE SURVIVING OKAY BUT WITNESSING THE HORRORS OF WAR ARE DEVASTATING.

HE AND HIS WIFE, ANN, ARE STOPPING BY THE CHURCH WITH THEIR DONATION.

>> CIVILIANS.

>> IT IS AGAINST HUMANITY.

IT IS HORRIBLE WHAT IS GOING ON.

DISAPPOINTING AND I REALIZE THAT OUR COUNTRY IS IN A DIFFICULT POSITION, YOU KNOW, TO REALLY TAKE DIRECT ACTION AND I JUST FEEL REALLY BAD FOR THE PEOPLE THERE.

>> IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO WATCH CNN AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.

IT IS AWFUL.

CHILDREN.

INNOCENT PEOPLE.

>> MOMS, CANCER HOSPITAL GOT BOMBED.

CHILDREN, YOU KNOW -- >> WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO HELP.

>> Reporter: THE CHURCH IS NOT ACCEPTING CLOTHES RIGHT NOW.

WHAT THEY NEED ARE MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE BABY DIAPERS, FORMULA AND FEMININE HYGIENE PROJECTS.

>> IT FEELS TERRIFIC.

I WILL TELL YOU ONE BRIEF STORY, I WENT TO SAINT PETERS PREP, THIS IS SOME 60 YEARS AGO.

MY FELLOW CLASSMATES, THE ONE IN CALIFORNIA FOUND ME AND HE IS ORGANIZING MONEY TO BE SENT TO OUR CHURCH SO WE CAN FORWARD IT TO THEM.

IT IS, THE ENTHUSIASM IT IS JUST ENORMOUS.

>> I HOPE THAT WORLD WILL HELP US TO PROTECT OURSELVES.

IT DOES NOT WORK.

DOES NOT WORK FOR EIGHT YEARS, SANCTIONS DOES NOT WORK.

THEY WILL HELP US TO PROTECT OUR SKIES AND OUR CITIES.

I AM NOT ASKING ABOUT SOLDIERS.

I AM ASKING JUST GIVE US OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY.

WE NEED WEAPON, WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR UKRAINIANS.

>> Reporter: DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF AT THE CHURCH FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

THEY ARE ACCEPTING PRAYERS ALL DAY AND EVERY DAY IN THE HOPES UKRAINE WILL SOON BE AT PEACE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I'M MELISA ROSE COOPER.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCING A NEW TAX RELIEF PROGRAM THAT COULD BENEFIT TWO MILLION RESIDENTS IN THE STATE.

THE HOMESTEAD REBATE PROGRAM OFFERING RELIEF.

THE STATE WITH THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES OF ANY IN THE COUNTRY.

THE PROGRAM WOULD APPLY REBATES FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS.

>> THIS IS RELIEF THAT WILL PROVIDE GREATER PROTECTION FROM PROPERTY TAXES AND THIS IS RELIEF THAT WILL ALLOW THOSE FOLKS TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES.

>> Reporter: AS A PREBUDGET APPETIZER, GIVING 100 TENANTS GETTING SQUEEZED BY SKYROCKETING NATIONS AND RISING PROPERTY RATES.

>> WE WANT IT TO MEAN LASTING RELIEF THAT KEEPS FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES.

THEY WANT RELIEF THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO ANCHOR THEMSELVES IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY LOVE.

>> ANCHOR STANDS FOR AFFORDABLE NEW JERSEY COMMUNITIES FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS PROGRAM.

EXTENDING $900 MILLION IN RELIEF TO $1.8 MILLION TO RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS.

HOMEOWNERS EARNING UP TO $250,000 CAN SEE A $700 REBATE AND 600,000 RENTERS MAKING UP TO $100,000 COULD GET $250 IN FISCAL YEAR 2023.

REPLACING THE CURRENT HOMESTEAD REBATE PROGRAM AND PHASE IN THROUGH 2025 AND TRIPLE THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE FOLKS AS NEW JERSEY STATE TREASURER.

>> THE PLAN CALLS FOR FULL FUNDING BY YEAR THREE AFTER ESTIMATING TAX RELIEF AVERAGING 1,150.

AND FILLING A BUMPER TAX REVENUE CALL AND COVID-19 AID.

THE PROPOSAL GOT QUALIFIED SUPPORT BY ADVOCATES FOR THE MANY.

INCLUDING RENTERS AND PROMISING PROGRAM WITH NEWLY NAMED ANCHOR PROGRAM.

IT IS A BIG STEP.

AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THE AMOUNT THAT RENTERS CAN CLAIM IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN HOMEOWNERS CAN CLAIM.

AND, RENTERS ARE OFTEN FUNDING THEIR LANDLORD'S PROPERTY TAXES.

>> NEW JERSEY LEADS THE NATION IN PROPERTY TAX BILLS, $9200, THEY STRUGGLE TO CONTROL THE INCREASE BUT SO FAR ONLY MANAGED TO SLOW IT BY 1.7% IN MURPHY'S FIRST TERM.

>> THIS IS A GAME CHANGER.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE AVERAGE PROPERTY TAX BILL, IT IS A 7% REDUCTION THIS YEAR THAT WILL GROW UP TO 11 OR 12% A COUPLE YEARS FROM NOW.

>> IT FOCUSES ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING TAXES AND THE FOLKS WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

IT IS ALSO PROBABLY GOOD BECAUSE THEIR MONEY FUNDING IT WILL COME FROM THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FUND.

SO, THAT IS INCOME TAX IS COMING FROM PEOPLE.

SO, THIS IS GOING DIRECTLY OUT TO PEOPLE.

>> ANCHOR NEEDS APPROVAL AND THE GOVERNOR SOUNDED CONFIDENT.

THE ONGOING POLITICAL BATTLE HOW BEST TO COMBAT SORING PROPERTY TAXES AND RETURN PEOPLE'S MONEY BACK INTO THEIR POCKETS WILL HIT REPUBLICAN RESISTANCE.

>> IT IS SMOKE AND MIRRORS.

DOES NOT START UNTIL NEXT YEAR, NO REASON TO WAIT WHEN PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW.

>> REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE COUNTERING WITH THEIR OWN PROPOSAL.

A ONE SHOT INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR THOSE EARNING UP TO HALF A MILLION DOLLARS DESIGNED TO REFUND THE STATE TAX REVENUES WITH CHECKS OF $500 FOR INDIVIDUALS AND $1,000 FOR THOSE FILING JOINTLY.

>> MONEY RIGHT NOW, SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY WHEN THEY NEED IT.

EVERYONE IS STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH THE INCREASE IN GAS PRICES, WITH THE TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN INFLATION T IS ANOTHER THING, THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR.

YOUR MONEY WILL BE WORTH FIVE TO 10% LESS NEXT YEAR.

>> THE GOVERNOR SCHEDULED TO DELIVER HIS BUDGET MESSAGE NEXT TUESDAY.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WILL HAVE FULL COVERAGE.

I'M BRENDA FLANIGAN, BACK TO YOU.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE STATES IN THE NATION.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE THE HIGHLY SEGREGATED.

THAT CAUSES HARM TO STUDENTS OF COLOR WHO ATTEND SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL SCHOOLS BASED ON THEIR ZIP CODE.

THAT IS THE ARGUMENT AT THE HEART OF A LONG DELAYED LAWSUIT THAT IS BACK IN COURT TODAY AS ATTORNEYS FOR THE PLAINTIFFS AND THE STATE PRESENTED THEIR ARGUMENTS IN MERCER COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT.

IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL NEW JERSEY COULD SEE CHANGES IN WHERE THEIR CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOL.

WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE HEARING TODAY.

PATRICK, NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE STATE.

>> THE SCHOOLS ARE THE MOST, THE CAUSE OF THAT, THEY ARE ARGUING, IN LARGE PART STEMS FROM A STATE LAW THAT MAKES STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOL WHERE THEY LIVE AND BECAUSE OUR TOWNS AND CITIES ARE SO SEGREGATED OUR SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO BE, TOO.

THEY ARE PUSHING FOR A SWEEPING CHANGE TO HOW STUDENTS ARE ASSIGNED TO SCHOOLS THAT COULD LEAD TO BIG CHANGES AND HOPEFULLY THE PLAINTIFFS HOME DESEGREGATION.

>> SO, WHAT IS THE ARGUMENT FROM PLAINTIFFS EXACTLY WHO ARE BEING HARMED BY THIS AND HOW ARE THEY BEING EFFECTED?

>> THE PLAINTIFF'S POLL ON STATE DATA SHOW NEARLY TWO THIRDS OF BLACK AND LATINO STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOLS THAT ARE 75% NONWHITE.

THEY ARE GOING TO SCHOOLS THAT ARE RACIALLY SEGREGATED.

THEY ARE ARGUING, THE PLAINTIFFS, IT IS STATE POLICIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THAT.

THE STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING CHANGES TO DESEGREGATE THE SCHOOLS AND SO, WHAT THEY WANT IS THE JUDGE TO RULE THAT THE STATE IS LIABLE AND THAT WOULD MOVE THIS CASE TO THE NEXT PHASE THAT IS ABOUT THE REMEDIES, THE WAYS TO CHANGE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SO THEY START TO DESEGREGATE.

>> JUST TOUCHING ON THAT POINT, YOU KNOW, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN BATTLING AND DELAYING THIS LAWSUIT SINCE IT WAS FILED IN 2018.

SO, HOW DID THE STATE'S ATTORNEYS RESPOND TODAY?

>> YEAH, SO THE ATTORNEYS KIND OF REPEATED THE ARGUMENTS THEY MADE IN FILINGS THAT IS THEY QUESTION IF THE DATA THAT THE PLAINTIFFS PROVIDED IF IT REALLY SHOWS SEGREGATION STATEWIDE OR JUST IN SOME DISTRICTS.

AND THEY ALSO, THEY, THEY SAID THAT THERE COULD BE DIFFERENT WAYS OF MEASURING SEGREGATION.

I THINK THAT THE KEY ARGUMENT THAT PLAINTIFFS REALLY LATCH ON TO IS THAT THE STATE SAYS EVEN IF SOME SCHOOLS ARE SEGREGATED THAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT GETTING A QUALITY EDUCATION.

THAT SEEMED TO ALMOST OFFEND THE PLAINTIFFS WHO ARE ARGUING THAT IS THE SAME AS SAYING SEPARATE CAN BE EQUAL WHICH THE SUPREME COURT RULED ALMOST 70 YEARS AGO IN THE BROWN BOARD OF EDUCATION STATE THAT SEPARATE CAN NOT BE EQUAL IN EDUCATION ISSUE THE ATTORNEY FORWARDED TO THE PLAINTIFFS TODAY, HE AT ONE POINT SAID HE WAS LESS PROUD TO BE A NEW JERSIAN BECAUSE THE STATE WAS MAKING THAT CASE.

>> SOME LAWMAKERS HAVE PROPOSED LEGISLATED FIXES COULD IT BE EFFECTIVE, PATRICK?

THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT EXIST, MAGNET SCHOOLS, PROGRAMS THAT LET STUDENTS TO TRANSFER.

DISTRICTS THAT COULD HELP.

I THINK THE QUESTION IS IF THEY ARE GETTING THE SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE TO REALLY PUSH THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT DESEGREGATION AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THEM.

THAT IS WHY THEY FILED THE LAWSUIT SO THEY CAN GET AROUND THE POLITICS AND HAVE A COURT ORDER TO FORCE THE HAND OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

AND, SO, I THINK WITHOUT THAT COURT ORDER IT WILL BE SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY THAT WE WOULD SEE ANY BIG CHANGES.

>> Reporter: JUST STILL SHOCKING IN ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE STATES THIS IS A PROBLEM.

PATRICK WALL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND SPEAKING WITH ME.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> NEARLY ALL OF THE SCHOOLS IN ATLANTA COUNTY HAVE FOUND AT LEAST ONE LEVEL OF LEAD IN WATER COMING FROM SINKS AND FOUNTAINS.

A NEW REPORT RELEASED WEDNESDAY BY ENVIRONMENTAL NEW JERSEY FOUND 92% OF SCHOOLS THAT PROVIDED DATA TO THE STATE HAD AT LEAST ONE LEAD TAINTED SOURCE OF WATER.

THE BILL TOWNSHIP DISTRICT REPORTED THE MOST FINDING LEAD IN HALF OF THE SINKS AND FAUCETS, IT CALLS ON THE LOCAL DISTRICT TO USE THE MONEY THEY GOT FROM COVID-19 PACKAGES TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.

STATE RULES REQUIRED DISTRICTS TO TEST THEIR FACILITIES FOR LEAD AND WATER AFTER HIGH LED LEVELS WERE FOUND IN SCHOOLS.

MORE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS ARE DROPPING HERE IN NEW JERSEY NEWARK LIFTED THE PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR MOST INDOOR LOCATIONS IN THE CITY INCLUDING RESTAURANTS AND GYMS AS CASES DECREASE THERE AND ACROSS THE STATE.

WITH 887 NEW CASES AND 17 NEW DEATHS REPORTED STATEWIDE.

THE CEO OF UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL SAYS THERE ARE 0 COVID-19 PATIENTS IN THEIR CARE CALLING IT A HUGE MILESTONE.

PRINCETON UNIVERSITIES ARE ENDING MASK REQUIREMENTS, OTHERS ON MONDAY.

FEW INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN MORE ALTERED THAN OUR SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AS THEY GRAPPLE WITH COVID-19 OUTBREAKS, SHIFTS TO ONLINE LEARNING AND POLITICS OVER MASKS AND MORE.

NOT ONLY LEARNING AND SAFETY BEEN PUT IN JEOPARDY BUT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS HAS BECOME A CRISIS AS WE MARK THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF COVID-19 IN NEW JERSEY, WE SPOKE TO STUDENTS TO LEARN HOW THEY ARE COPING AS PART OF THE SERIES LIVING WITH COVID-19.

>> I DEFINITELY STILL EXPERIENCE BOUTS OF ANXIETY AROUND TOO MANY PEOPLE.

IT IS A SENSORY OVERLOAD, I THINK, IS WHAT IT IS CALLED.

WHEN I GET THROUGH THOSE I START BREATHING, HYPERVENTILATING, HANDS GET SWEATING AND GETTING DIZZY AND I HAVE TO BACK AWAY.

>> Reporter: LIKE SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF FAMILY MEMBERS DUE TO COVID-19 AND IT HAS HAD A PRO SURROUND IMPACT ON HIM.

>> I AM SCARED.

THANKFULLY I NEVER CAUGHT IT.

I AM SCARED TO.

MAINLY BECAUSE LIKE HOW I SAID BEFORE WITH MY FAMILY MEMBERS PASSING AWAY.

I DON'T WANT TO PASS AWAY YET.

SO IT IS SCARY.

I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF YOUNG KIDS PASS AWAY AND TO THINK THAT SO MUCH LIFE WITH POTENTIAL, SO MUCH OPPORTUNITIES TO BE CUT SHORT IT IS, IT IS DEVASTATING.

AND I WOULD NOT WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT.

>> Reporter: FOR CAITLYN ANXIETY.

>> I THOUGHT COMING BACK TO SCHOOL FULL TIME WAS THE SOLUTION.

IT WASN'T.

I WAS BECOMING ACCUSTOMED TO BEING ALONE.

COMING BACK WAS HARD AND TRYING TO RECONNECT WITH PEOPLE AND BUILD UP THOSE BONDS AGAIN WAS REALLY HARD.

AND I STILL FOUND MYSELF ANXIOUS AND IN SOCIAL SITUATIONS BECAUSE I HAD GONE SO LONG WITHOUT BEING IN ONE.

>> Reporter: STORIES LIKE THIS ENDLESS, AT A TIME OF FLUX IN THEIR LIVES COPING WITH MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT FOR SOME REACHED CRISIS LEVEL.

THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL CALLED THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLE DEVASTATING.

>> WITH MY FRIEND SHE WAS VERY ACTIVE, JOYABLE, VERY SOCIAL.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT AND WE WENT BACK TO HIGH SCHOOL SHE WAS A LITTLE DOWN.

NOT AS MUCH ENERGETIC AS SHE WAS.

>> Reporter: AND THAT IS AS CARE PLUS NEW JERSEY IS WHEN PARENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION.

>> REALLY THE BIGGEST THING IS THE CHANGE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.

IF WE ARE SEEING HUGE DIFFERENCES THAT PERSON THAT WAS ALSO SORT OF OUT GOING AND HAD A LOT OF FRIENDS AND NOW DOES NOT WANT TO SOCIALIZE AT ALL.

>> INCREASED RATES OF SUICIDAL IDEOLOGY THINKING OF SUICIDE UNFORTUNATELY WE KNOW FOR FOLKS THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE THERE CAN BE FURTHER STEPS, PERHAPS PLANNING AND MAYBE EVEN ATTEMPTING.

WE ARE SEEING INCREASE CERTAINLY IN THE PLANNING PHASE.

>> Reporter: IT IS SOMETHING SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE DEALING WITH, TOO.

>> SENDING STUDENTS OUT FOR SUICIDAL RISK ASSESSMENT WAS SOMETHING, THIS IS MY 20th YEAR IN EDUCATION THAT WAS REALLY SOMETHING THAT WAS ONCE IN A WHILE AT A MIDDLE SCHOOL, MOSTLY HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW WE ARE SEEING THE HIGHEST INCREASE IN RATE OF SENDING STUDENTS OUT IS DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: PARENTS WITH KIDS IN CRISIS DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO TURN.

MONTHS LONG WAIT TIMES AND PLANE DO NOT ACCEPT INSURANCE.

THEY HEAR OF PARENTS BRINGING KIDS TO EMERGENCY ROOM INSTEAD.

AT OCEAN CITY HIGH SCHOOL A NEW CLUB WAS FORMED TO HELP MEET THOSE NEEDS.

>> THE CLUB IS SPREADING THE POSITIVE MESSAGE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE A STIGMA, NORMALIZE THE CONVERSATION AROUND IT SO OTHER PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME FEELINGS AND NOT ONLY JUST MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS BUT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC FEEL COMFORTABLE SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES.

THE CLUB HAS DEFINITELY HELPED ME NOT ONLY BE OKAY WITH THOSE FEELINGS BUT WITH ALSO BUILDING CONNECTIONS BACK UP AGAIN.

>> THE CLUB CALLED OUR MINDS MATTER IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM THAT CAME TO OCEAN COUNTY THROUGH AN ATLANTA CARE HEALTHY SCHOOLS GRANT.

JUMPING AT THE CHANCE TO LEAD IT.

>> THE CONVERSATION HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY EVEN FOR MYSELF.

THE PANDEMIC BROUGHT TO A HEAD AN ANXIETY DISORDER THAT I HAD ALL MY LIFE AND DID NOT REALIZE I HAD UNTIL THE PANDEMIC.

AND I REALLY HIT A CRITICAL MOMENT IN MY LIFE.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I AM VERY HOPE WITH MY STUDENTS ABOUT.

ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I AM SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS CLUB AND MAKING IT OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY.

AND THAT THERE IS HELP OUT THERE FOR THAT.

>> LAST YEAR AS A SOPHOMORE.

LAUNCHING A SIMILAR CLUB IN HIS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL TO BRING PEER SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO KIDS THAT NEED IT.

>> I DO HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH MENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND I USE MY CONNECTION WITH THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS TEACHER AND HER CONNECTIONS, TOO.

IT IS A MULTIFACETED SYSTEM.

>> HE SAID LAUNCHING THIS SYSTEM HAS GIVEN HIM A RENEWED HOPE.

THEY HAVE MOBILE UNITS TO COME OUT TO YOUR HOUSE IN UNMARKED CARS TO OFFER SUPPORT AND CONNECT YOU WITH ADDITIONAL SERVICES IN AN ATTEMPT TO BRING LOPE FOR ALL OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND IT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, BACK TO YOU.

>> AND FOR MORE GO TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TO FIND OUT WAYS TO IMPROVE NURSING HOMES IN THE STATE.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, IT SEEMS BUSINESSES ARE REBOUNDING FROM THE PANDEMIC, OVER 160,000 BUSINESSES ARE START INSIDE NEW JERSEY IN 2021.

NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES HAVE RECEIVED $8.4 BILLION FROM THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM, $923 MILLION FROM THE RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND AND $239 MILLION FROM THE SHUTTERED GRANT PROGRAM ALL PROVIDED THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

THAT IS IS ACORDING TO INVEST IN AMERICA.

TODAY, THE GOVERNOR AND MAYOR GOT TOGETHER.

>> THIS WAS AN ACHIEVEMENT TO GET A LOT OF RESOURCES BACK IN OUR STATE TO OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, TO OUR RESTAURANTS TO OUR VENUES, REPRIORITIZE MAIN STREET, WE LOVE OUR MAIN STREET.

THAT IS WHAT WE KNEW.

BIG CORPORATIONS HAVE WAYS OF ACCESSING CAPITAL, SMALL BUSINESSES GET HURT.

WE INVEST IN SMALL BUSINESSES WE INVEST IN CULTURE, SMALL TOWNS, INVEST IN WORKERS, WE INVEST IN FAMILIES.

WE WANTED TO CONTINUE THAT MOMENTUM.

I WANT TO DO MORE, TOM SHARES THAT WITH ME, TO LOWER COSTS THAT BUSINESSES FACE.

>> AND HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED TODAY.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE, STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH TRAIN IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER.

>>> TUNE INTO BUSINESS BEAT, THIS WEEKEND LOOKING AT THE CHALLENGES FACING WOMEN IN BUSINESS HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

CHECK IT OUT ON NJPBS SATURDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, FOR ALL OF THE DRIVERS OUT THERE A NEW LAW THAT TOOK EFFECT TUESDAY AIMS TO MAKE NEW JERSEY ROADS SAFER FOR CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS, THE MEASURE KNOWN AS SAFE PASSING LAW REQUIRES DRIVERS TO MOVE OVER ONE LANE TO PASS PEDESTRIANS OR BIKES OR GIVE FOUR FEET OF SPACE.

IF THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO DO EITHER DRIVERS ARE REQUIRED TO PASS AT 25 MILES AN HOUR OR SLOWER.

THE NEW LAW HAS STIFFER PENALTIES FOR $100 FOR DRIVERS THAT VIOLATE THE LAW OR $500 FINE AND TWO POINTS ON THE LICENSE IF THEY BREAK THE LAW AND INJURY A PEDESTRIAN.

223 PEDESTRIANS WERE KILLED BY DRIVERS IN NEW JERSEY IN 2021 AS WELL AS 23 CYCLISTS, 2021 WAS THE DEADLIEST YEAR ON THE STATE'S ROADS IN MORE THAN THREE DECADES.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE POLITICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK TUNE INTO REPORTERS ROUND TABLE TOMORROW MORNING, THIS WEEK SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ DISCUSS THE LATEST ON THE PROJECT.

AND CHATS WITH THE TEAM OF LOCAL REPORTERS TO COVER ALL OF THE BIG HEADLINES, THAT IS TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW >>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER THAT AND ORSTED CREATING A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY EXPLAIN, 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.