FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

HER RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, 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 MONDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE PATTERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ONCE AGAIN UNDER SCRUTINY, THIS TIME AFTER A 31-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO WORKS WITH THE CITY'S VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM WAS FATALLY SHOT BY OFFICERS OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE INCIDENT FOLLOWED AN HOURS LONG STANDOFF WHILE THE MAN WAS BARRICADED INSIDE HIS APARTMENT, REPORTEDLY EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

LOCAL ACTIVISTS ARE CIRCULATING A PETITION WITH MORE THAN 4300 SIGNATURES TODAY, CONDEMNING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DEMANDING A TOTAL RESTRUCTURING.

THOSE WHO WORKED CLOSELY WITH SEABROOK TO PREVENT SHOOTINGS LIKE THIS SAY THEY WERE BLOCKED FROM PROVIDING THE HELP THEY WERE TRAINED TO GIVE.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> Reporter: PATTERSON WAS NOT SAYING MUCH TODAY, THREE DAYS AFTER A FOUR-HOUR STANDOFF ENDED WITH POLICE SHOOTING VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONIST, NOT GC BROOKS.

DID NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT SHOOTING WHEN APPEARING AT AN UNRELATED EVENT THIS MORNING.

>> OR HOURS, THE POLICE TRIED TO DE-ESCALATE THE SITUATION.

THEY ENLISTED THE ASSISTANCE OF ONE OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS.

THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.

WE ARE MOURNING HIS LOSS.

WE'VE SPOKEN TO HIS MOTHER, AS WELL BUT WE WANT TO BE SURE THIS INVESTIGATION PLAYS OUT RID >> FAMILY MEMBER THE MAYOR REFERS TO AS A POLICE OFFICER FROM ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

MEMBERS OF THE ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL BASE PATTERSON HEALING COLLECTIVE, PHD, AN ORGANIZATION FOR WHICH SEABROOK'S WORKED AS A HIGH RISK INTERVENTIONIST WERE AT THE SCENE LAST FRIDAY, BUT NOT ALLOWED ACCESS TO SEE BROOKS, WHO WAS FACING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN.

LEADERS OF THE HEALING COLLECTIVE SAID THERE STILL GRIEVING AND DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK TO PRESS TODAY, BUT OFF-CAMERA, THEY TOLD US THAT THE PAIN WAS MADE WORSE BY THE PACT THAT HE DID NOT HAVE TO DIE.

>> THIS IS AN INJUSTICE, SAID LISA CHOWDHURY IN A STATEMENT.

THE POLICE DID NOT ALLOW US TO HELP OUR BROTHER.

THE VERY SERVICES WE ARE TRAINED TO PROVIDE WERE DENIED TO HIM.

THEY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING A SOMETIMES FRUSTRATING BATTLE IN A CITY THAT HAS SEEN RECORD LEVELS OF VIOLENCE EXACERBATED BY WELL-DOCUMENTED POLICE MISCONDUCT THAT HAS ENDED AND DISCIPLINE OF OFFICERS AND SEVERAL CIVIL SUITS AGAINST THE CITY.

POLICE CLAIM SEE BROOKS LUNGED AT THEM WITH A KNIFE LAST FRIDAY.

THEY WERE NOT TALKING TODAY AS SENTIMENT GROWS THAT THE VERY AGENCY EMPOWERED TO PROTECT AND SERVE IS ACCOMPLISHING NEITHER.

>> IF YOU KNOW THE REASON WHY THE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION GROUPS EXIST IS BECAUSE POLICE ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE SITUATIONS OF PRICES AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY SOLUTION TO HANDLING CRISIS.

OTHER PEOPLE, WHETHER INDEPENDENT CRISIS ASSISTANCE NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN THAT CITY OF PATTERSON, OAKLAND, AND OTHER PLACES.

THAT WOULD SHOW A REDUCTION IN THESE TYPES OF EVENTS.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY RECENTLY ANNOUNCED $10 MILLION FOR AND ARRIVED TOGETHER PROGRAM TO PAIR SOCIAL WORKERS WITH POLICE TO SPECIFICALLY DEAL WITH PURPLE IN EMOTIONAL CRISIS.

BUT CRITICS SAY THAT'S A PITTANCE COMPARED TO POLICE.

THEY'VE CALLED ON THE MAYOR TO RESIGN THIS WEEKEND AND CALLED FOR THE STATE TO DO MORE FOR INTERVENTION GROUPS LIKE THC.

>> IF WE CAN FILTER BILLIONS OF BALLOTS TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN NEW JERSEY, SURELY WE CAN STAND UP FOR THESE ORGANIZATIONS AT THE SAME LEVEL.

I BELIEVE THAT FOLKS ARE STARTING TO GET IT BECAUSE HAD PATTERSON HEALING COLLECTIVE BEEN ABLE TO GET TO THEIR BROTHER, THEIR TEAMMATE, HAD THEY BEEN ALLOWED, HE'D BE ALIVE TODAY.

>> Reporter: THE COALITION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE PHC, BLACK LIVES MATTER, PATTERSON, THEY WILL HOLD A PRAYER VIGIL OUTSIDE CITY HALL TOMORROW AT 5:00 P.M.

THE HOPE IS THAT THIS WILL SERVE AS A TIPPING POINT FOR POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS HERE.

BUT GAUGING FROM TODAY'S LACK OF RESPONSE FROM CITY OFFICIALS, PATTERSON COULD BE FACING A LONG ROAD AHEAD.

DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> MORE THAN A MONTH AFTER THE MURDER OF A CEREBRAL COUNSEL WOMAN, THE CASE REMAINS A MYSTERY.

NO ARREST MADE.

NO DETAILS OF A SHOOTER OR NOT SUSPECT IN THE KILLING OF THE 30-YEAR-OLD.

ON SATURDAY, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES GATHERED FOR HER FUNERAL AT THE BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH IN NEWARK SAYING THEY REMAIN IN A STATE OF SHOCK.

THE FIRST FROM REPUBLICAN COUNCILWOMAN AND CHURCH LEADER WAS FOUND DEAD IN HER SUV FEBRUARY 1st WITH MULTIPLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS.

IN 911 CALLS MADE PUBLIC, WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING A MAN DRESSED IN BLACK SHOOTING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THEN ESCAPING ON THAT.

HER FAMILY IS NOW GETTING HELP FROM FORMER ASSEMBLYMAN JOHN WISNIEWSKI, KNOWN FOR LEADING THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE BRIDGE GATE SCANDAL A DECADE AGO.

THEY ARE SLATED TO MEET WITH AUTHORITIES LATER THIS WEEK TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE THE INVESTIGATION STANDS.

LOCAL OFFICIALS WANT TOUGHER CONSEQUENCES FOR BULLIES IN THE WAKE OF 14-YEAR-OLD ADRIANA KUCH'S SUICIDE.

SHE TOOK HER LIFE AFTER BEING ATTACKED AT SCHOOL AND A VIDEO OF THE ASSAULT WAS SHARED WIDELY ONLINE.

LEADERS ARE PUSHING THE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT ADRIANA'S LAW NAMED IN HER HONOR PENALTIES ON ANYONE FILMING AN ASSAULT ON MINOR AND SHARING THE VIDEOS.

AN INCREASE IN DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AMONG TEEN GIRLS.

MANY OF THOSE WHO WORK IN INTERVENTION ARE ATTRIBUTING THAT RISE TO THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> SETTING UP AT NIGHT, JUST TRYING TO DO CRUNCHES BEFORE YOU GO TO BED TO TRY TO LOOK LIKE THEM AND GET THAT BODY.

TRYING TO EAT LESS TO GET THAT PERFECT FIGURE.

JUST A LITTLE TWEAKS.

HOW MUCH THAT ACTUALLY TEARS YOU APART READ >> Reporter: REBECCA SAYS HER THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE STARTING AT AGE 12 STEMMED FROM AN EXTREME ADDICTION TO SOCIAL MEDIA APPS THAT DARTED WHEN SHE WAS JUST 10.

>> WATCHING YOUTUBERS.

THEY'RE SO PRETTY.

LOOK HOW HAPPY THEY ARE.

LOOK WHAT THEY HAVE.

FIRST, IT'S ALMOST ADMIRATION OF THEM.

BUT THEN AS I GOT OLDER, ABOUT 12, YOU KNOW, I WANTED TO IMPROVE MYSELF.

I STARTED GETTING REALLY SELF-CONSCIOUS.

THAT'S WHAT I LOOKED TO TO DECIDE WHAT I SHOULD BE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO A BEHAVIOR SURVEY BY THE CDC, TEEN GIRLS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES ARE EXPERIENCING EXTREME LEVELS OF HOPELESSNESS.

THE REPORT FOUND THAT NEARLY 60% OF FEMALE STUDENTS EXPERIENCED PERSISTENT FEELING OF SADNESS OR HOPELESSNESS IN 2021, OF 36% FROM 2011.

NEARLY ONE IN THREE TEENAGE GIRLS AND SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED SUICIDE.

THAT'S UP 60% FROM A DECADE BEFORE.

TEENS REPORTING FEELINGS OF SADNESS OR HOPELESSNESS INCREASED ACROSS ALL DEMOGRAPHICS DURING THIS DECADE.

>> I THINK SUICIDAL IDEATION AND RECITAL BEHAVIOR IS AN INCREDIBLY LIKE TOPIC.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CONTRIBUTING FACTORS INVOLVED.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS DEFINITELY ONE.

CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO MORE AND MORE INFORMATION.

THEY ARE SEEING PEOPLE LIVE THESE BEAUTIFUL DREAM LIVES THEY WANT TO BE LIVING.

>> Reporter: DANA IS A SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S MOBILE RESPONSE AND STABILIZATION SERVICES FOR CARE PLUS NEW JERSEY.

THE NORTHERN NEW JERSEY HEALTH OPERATOR OPERATES RESPONSE IN BERGEN COUNTY AND 24/7 STABILIZATION HOTLINE THAT RESPONDS TO CRISES WITHIN ONE HOUR.

>> BETWEEN 2020 AND 2022, WE SAW A 60% INCREASES IN OUR OVERALL NUMBER OF DISPATCHES IS TO YOUTH AND FAMILIES ACROSS BERGEN COUNTY.

>> CHILDREN SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN SCHOOL.

THAT'S A HUGE TRIGGER FOR A LOT OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS.

IF YOUR CHILD IS FEELING THEY ARE BEING BULLIED OR MIGHT NOT EVEN LOOK LIKE THEY'RE BEING HIT OR PHYSICALLY BULLIED.

IT COULD LOOK LIKE NO ONE IS TALKING TO THE KID.

THEY ARE JUST SITTING BY THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: PSYCHIATRIST SONIA LEWIS SAYS THE ENVIRONMENT CAN REALLY IMPACT A CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH.

EVERYONE, NOT JUST TEACHERS, CAN PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN PROBLEM SOLVING AND HEALING.

>> IT TAKES MORE THAN ONE PERSON.

IT HAS TO HAVE THE BUY-IN OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL WHETHER YOU ARE A TEACHER OR THE LUNCH LADY.

IF YOU SEE A KID BEING ISOLATED, YOU KNOW, SAYING THAT'S NOT MY JOB, THAT'S NOT MY CLASS, YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE THE BUY-IN OF, WE ARE GOING TO ESTABLISH A KIND, PROACTIVE, INCLUSIVE CULTURE IN THIS WORLD.

>> DR. LEWIS URGES PARENTS TO LISTEN AND VALIDATE THEIR FEELINGS AS NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS WHEN IT COMES TO DEPRESSION.

SHE ENCOURAGES PARENTS TO REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FROM THERAPISTS OR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS LIKE HERSELF.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, AND RAVEN SANTANA.

>> FEWER STAFF TRAINED TO RESPOND TO OTHER MEDICAL EMERGENCIES AROUND THE STATE.

EMTs ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY.

A COUNTYWIDE EMS UNIT IS BEING ROLLED OUT TO HELP LOCAL AGENCIES STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP AMID BUNDLING VOLUNTEERS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS HAS THE STORY.

>> IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY ARE STILL RELYING ON VOLUNTEERISM TO HELP RESPOND TO THE COMMUNITY NEEDS, EMS IS UNFORTUNATELY ONE OF THOSE SEVERAL DISCIPLINES THAT REALLY NEEDS THE EXTRA HELP.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, THERE IS A GROWING EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONDER SHORTAGE THAT HAS REACHED CRISIS LEVEL.

THEY HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN VOLUNTEER POSITIONS AND PEOPLE JUST ARE NOT TURNING OUT FOR THE JOB ANYMORE.

>> HAS TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND MORE PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO WORK TWO JOBS, THREE JOBS, AND A LOT OF WIVES HAVE GONE TO WORK TO SUPPORT THE FAMILIES BECAUSE THERE JUST WAS NOT ENOUGH MONEY COMING IN.

SO OUR MEMBERSHIP STARTED DROPPING.

IT REALLY HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, ESPECIALLY DUE TO COVID.

>> Reporter: ALLAH WEILER SAYS DURING THE WORST OF THE PANDEMIC THEY LOST YOUNGER VOLUNTEERS DUE TO STATE RESTRICTIONS AND MANY OLDER VOLUNTEERS GAVE IT UP FOR FEAR OF GETTING SICK.

>> I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT THE SHORTAGE ALIGNS WITH THE MEDICAL SHORTAGE OVERALL IN GENERAL.

WE SEE HOSPITALS LOOKING FOR DOCTORS AND NURSES AND ESPECIALLY EMTs.

>> THE SHORTAGE HAS LED MANY TIMES TO SHUT DOWN THEIR EMS PROGRAMS ALTOGETHER.

TOWNS LIKE ELMWOOD PARK, MIDWOOD, AND NORTH HELD IN IN BERGEN COUNTY ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHERE THE ISSUE BECAME SO CRITICAL THAT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT STEPPED IN.

>> WE WERE WAITING 45 MINUTES FOR AN AMBULANCE.

THE MAYOR IS CALLING AND SAYING, THE COUNTY HAS TO HELP.

WE NEED HELP.

WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE IN OUR SMALL COMMUNITIES.

WE HEARD THE CALL.

WE ENDED UP LAUNCHING ABOUT A MONTH AGO THE BERGEN COUNTY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE ABLE TO AFFORD THE COST OF THE RESPONSE PROGRAM FOR THE 70 MUNICIPALITIES BY USING INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENTS.

THEY HAVE FOUR AMBULANCES AND SERVICE NOW AND THEY ARE WORKING TOWARDS GROWING THE PROGRAM.

>> THE CHALLENGE IS PURCHASING AMBULANCES TAKES ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS FOR DELIVERY.

AND SO, WE WILL BE BUYING MORE AND HIRING MORE EM KEYS AREA >> Reporter: IS THIS A SITUATION WHERE MUNICIPALITIES NEED TO BE PAYING FOR THE POSITIONS, RATHER THAN BASING IT SOLELY ON VOLUNTEERISM?

>> IS NOT THE END-ALL BE-ALL ANSWER THAT WILL RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, THAT WILL RESOLVE THE SHORTAGE AT ALL.

TO ARGUE, THERE ARE HOSPITALS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR NURSES AND THEY ARE PAYING AS MUCH AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN AND IT'S STILL JUST A TERRIBLE SITUATION.

>> EVEN THE PAID AGENCIES THAT HIRE PEOPLE AND PAY THEM SALARIES, HOSPITAL BASED PLACES, ALSO HAVING DIFFICULTIES FINDING EMTs.

PART OF IT IS THE TRAINING AND TRYING TO SUPPORT YOURSELF FIRST AND THEN STILL TAKING THE CLASSES, DOING THE STUDYING, AND GOING BACK TO YOUR JOB THE NEXT DAY WHEN YOU MAY HAVE BEEN UP TO FIVE, SIX, SEVEN HOURS, CUTTING INTO YOUR SLEEP TIME.

>> Reporter: VOLUNTEERS DON'T NEED PREVIOUS MEDICAL EXPERIENCE.

THEY NEED TO COMPLETE 250 HOURS OF TRAINING AND MAINTAIN CPR TRAINING.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALIFICATIONS -- >> HAVING A GENEROUS HEART AND WANTING TO HELP THEIR NEIGHBORS OUT.

>> Reporter: RESTRICTIONS HAVE NOW BEEN LIFTED SO PEOPLE AS YOUNG AS 16 CAN VOLUNTEER AS EMTs.

16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS ONLY NEED TO GIVE SIX HOURS IN A TWO-WEEK PERIOD.

ANYONE OVER 18 NEEDS TO GIVE 22 HOURS IN TWO WEEKS.

BUT WHEN YOU VOLUNTEERS REALLY UP TO YOU.

IN FARALLON, JOANNA GUY GUESS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST DIAGNOSED CASE OF COVID-19 IN NEW JERSEY.

INFECTION RATES WENT ON TO SEARCH.

MORE THAN 8000 PEOPLE WERE HOSPITALIZED JUST A MONTH LATER IN APRIL 2020.

TO DATE, MORE THAN 36,000 RESIDENTS HAVE DIED AS A RESULT.

ANOTHER 165,000 MORE HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED FROM THE VIRUS.

BUT AS WE ALL LEARN TO LIVE WITH COVID AMONG US, NEW CASES ARE DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY AND CONTINUALLY DROPPING, THANKS IN LARGE PART TO COVID TESTS, VACCINES, AND TREATMENTS BEING MADE WIDELY AVAILABLE.

MUCH OF LIFE HAS NOT RETURNED TO A NEW NORMAL.

PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS ARE FOCUSING ON ANOTHER IMPORTANT DATE.

THAT'S MAY 11th WHEN MANY OF THE PROGRAMS ENACTED BY THE NATION'S PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ARE SET TO EXPIRE.

HEALTHCARE WRITER LILO HAS MORE ON WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE FUTURE AS PART OF OUR LIVING WITH COVID SERIES.

LET'S TALK FIRST ABOUT WHAT SERVICES CAME ABOUT DURING THIS NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND WHICH ONES WOULD ESSENTIALLY END.

THERE'S A WHOLE SUITE OF THINGS TIED IT TO THE HEALTH EMERGENCY OR INDIRECTLY TIED.

SOME ARE NOT CHANGING.

THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK INITIALLY ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION OF THE VACCINES AND THE MEDICATIONS FOR COVID.

THOSE ARE NOT CHANGING.

THOSE WILL STILL BE ON THE MARKET.

THEY WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE.

WHAT DOES CHANGE IS ACCESS.

BY THAT, I MEAN PRIMARILY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED OR REALLY LOW INCOME.

AND THINGS LIKE THE VACCINES AND THE TESTING WILL NOW SHIFT FROM FREELY AVAILABLE GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS LARGELY GIVING THEM AWAY RIGHT NOW.

OR PAID FOR BY INSURANCE COMPANIES TO DIFFERENT WAYS.

IT DEPENDS WHEN YOU HAVE MEDICARE OR MEDICAID.

ESSENTIALLY, PEOPLE COULD END UP PAYING OUT-OF-POCKET.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE INSURANCE AS MUCH AS $130 FOR A COVID SHOT.

INSURANCE WILL COVER IT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CO-PAYS WILL BE.

REALLY MOVING TO A MARKET SITUATION.

THE COMMERCIAL MARKET SITUATION FOR THOSE MEDICATIONS.

WE KNOW HOW THAT LOOKS IN THE UNITED DATES WHERE PRICES GO UP AND UP AND UP.

THAT'S A STARTING POINT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE END OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

I KNOW YOU SPOKE WITH FOLKS LIKE EDDIE AND OTHERS WHO WERE REALLY ON THE GROUND LEVEL FOR THE STATE WHEN THE PANDEMIC HEAD.

ABOUT THE LOWER INCOME SENIORS BEING VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF ACCESS TO THE IS LIKE TESTING, VACCINES.

ALSO, YOU WROTE ABOUT TELEHEALTH AND SUPPORT STAFF AT HOSPITALS THAT WERE READY TO BE BROUGHT ON.

>> YEAH.

IT WAS INTERESTING.

EVERYONE I SPOKE TO WAS FROM LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH.

I SPOKE TO DR.

RESIDENTS.

STATE OFFICIALS AND EVERYBODY INCLUDING STATE OFFICIALS SAID THAT OUR REAL CONCERN IS PEOPLE AT RISK AND UNDERSERVED.

AND ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO GO TO USE FREE VACCINE CLINICS NOW WHETHER THAT IS FOR FLU OR SOMETHING ELSE.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER IN MONMOUTH COUNTY TOLD ME AT $130 A POP, IT'S REALLY HARD FOR THEM TO BUY ENOUGH VACCINES TO HOLD A FREE CLINIC.

BUT IT'S ALSO THINGS LIKE MEDICAID.

WE ARE GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OR WILL BE GOING FOR A PERIOD NOT TIED TO BUT RELATED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY THAT --THROUGH WHICH THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY SCRUBBING THE MEDICAID ROLLS, WHICH COULD MEAN AS MANY AS 286,000 PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY LOSE COVERAGE.

THAT IS LESS THAN THE GAIN THAT PICKED UP DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT IS STILL A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COULD LOSE WHAT IS, YOU KNOW, REALLY CRITICAL COVERAGE FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOME AND THEIR KIDS.

THEN FOOD.

FOOD BANKS.

>> INSECURITY IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

WHAT ABOUT, VERY QUICKLY, BOOSTER UPTAKE AND VACCINATION UPTAKE.

>> NOT GOOD.

BOOSTER UPDATE IS STILL 16% OF THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

THAT IS PART OF THE CONCERN.

IF WE DO NOT HAVE A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, HOW MUCH OF A PRIORITY ARE PEOPLE GOING TO PUT A MAP?

THERE ARE STILL DOZENS OF BERGEN COUNTY.

39 NURSING HOMES IN BERGEN COUNTY HAVE OUTBREAKS.

37 IN MONMOUTH.

27 IN OCEAN COUNTY.

IT IS STILL GOING AROUND IN PLACES WHERE PEOPLE ARE HIGH RISK.

>> IT'S NOT OVER FOR SURE.

>> NOT OVER.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS.

>> YOU CAN READ ABOUT THE PROGRAM SLATED TO AND AND WHO IT WILL AFFECT MOST BY CHECKING OUT THE FULL STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, THE BACKLASH AGAINST POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA APPS TIK-TOK IS CIRCULATING.

HEIMER IS THE LATEST FEDERAL LAWMAKER PUSHING FOR LEGISLATION TO GIVE PRESIDENT BIDEN POWER TO BAN THE APP IN THE UNITED DATES.

AT AN EVENT OUTSIDE THE BERGEN COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER TODAY, HE RAILED AGAINST THE CHINESE OWNED COMPANY FOR THREATS THAT TIK-TOK IN THE CHINESE COMMUNIST ALREADY POSED TO CHILDREN, DATA, AND SECURITY.

TIK-TOK ADMITTED TO GETTING REMOTE ACCESS TO THAT DATA AND RECENTLY SETTLED A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FOR HARVESTING PERSONAL DATA OF AMERICANS WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT IN WRITING THAT OF CHILDREN AGE 13 AND YOUNGER.

SOME GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INCLUDING NEW JERSEY HAVE ALREADY BANNED THE USE OF THE APP ON GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHONES..HEIMER TODAY SAID HE WILL WRITE TO TIK-TOK TO CEASE ALL DATA COLLECTION AND SUPPORT, GIVEN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THE POWER TO FIGHT BACK IF THE COMPANY REFUSES.

>> 14 --TIK-TOK MILLIONS OF PEOPLE'S DATA.

PASSWORDS, OTHER INFORMATION.

PICTURES, VIDEOS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS.

AN ENORMOUS ASSET IN THE HANDS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY.

A KNOWN ADVERSARY.

CHINESE LAW OBLIGATES THE PARENT COMPANY TO SUPPORT AND ASSIST, COOPERATE WITH STATE INTELLIGENCE WORK.

BASICALLY BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY.

>>> ON WALL STREET TODAY, HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKETS CLOSED.

>>> FINALLY, A MEDIUM THAT CRITICS HAVE CLAIMED FOR YEARS TO BE DEAD AND DYING IS IN FACT ALIVE AND WELL ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

WRITER UNIVERSITIES STUDENT RUN RADIO STATION DISCLAIMED A BIG WIN.

NAMED, GET THIS, THE BEST STUDENT STATION IN THE COUNTRY FOR ITS CATEGORY ACCORDING TO A NATIONAL AWARDS GROUP.

SINCE 1962, 107.7 THE BRONC HAS GIVEN STUDENTS A CHANCE TO SPEND THEIR FAVORITE MUSIC AND GET A JUMPSTART ON THEIR CAREER IN MEDIA.

TED GOLDBERG SPOKE TO SOME OF THE STUDENTS BEHIND THE STATION.

>> 107.7 THE BRONC, THIS IS WAKEUP, WRITER.

I'M NICK, JOINED BY ALLEN.

>> Reporter: AFTER MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF SHARING MUSIC, CONVERSATION, AND SPORTS, THE STUDENT RADIO STATION IS GETTING THE NATIONAL RECOGNITION IT DESERVES.

THE INTERCOLLEGIATE BROADCASTING SYSTEM MEDIA AWARDS HAS NAMED THE BRONC THE BEST COLLEGE RADIO STATION FOR SCHOOLS WITH FEWER THAN 10,000 ROOMS.

>> I DON'T LOOK TO WIN AWARDS BUT IT'S NICE KNOWING OUR HARD WORK IS BEING RECOGNIZED.

IT SHOWS THAT WE ARE NOT JUST COLLEGE STUDENTS, BUT HARD WORKERS, AS WELL.

>> IT FEELS LIKE WE GIVE THE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

>> Reporter: JOHN MOSES HAS BEEN THE MANAGER FOR 25 YEARS.

HE SAYS THE STUDENTS LEARN A LOT FROM THE VARIETY AND FROM HAVING A LONG LEASH.

>> WE PUT THE MAN, YOU KNOW, ON SHOWS, UPDATES, EVENTS, WHATEVER THAT WE THINK THEY CAN SUCCEED IN AND THEN GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW, STUMBLE, AND HAVE SUCCESS AS WELL, TOO.

>> JOHN REALLY PUSHES US.

HE KNOWS WE CAN DO BETTER.

LIKE, THIS IS GOOD BUT YOU SHOULD DO THIS.

TAKING THE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM AND TWEAKING IT AND MAKING YOUR OWN IS REALLY HELPFUL.

>> SELLING THE GAME WITH A GAME-WINNING THREE-POINTER.

>> Reporter: SERRANO TRANSFERRED IN SEPTEMBER, THANKS TO THE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE TRANSIT PAIN.

>> I TOOK A TOUR HERE IN THANKSGIVING.

JOHN WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO TAKE ME AROUND.

THIS WAS ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO DO.

KIND OF FELL IN LOVE WITH IT WHEN HE CAME IN.

WHEN I CAME BACK TO ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID WAS COME IN HERE ON MY FIRST DAY.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER BIG WINNER FROM THE IBS AWARDS, EARNING THE BEST HONORS FOR BEST SPORTS UPDATE.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT WHEN I CAME HERE, I WOULD MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE RADIO STATION.

IT WAS WILD.

>> THEY SEE SUCCESS AND BECOME MORE COMPASSIONATE, MORE AGGRESSIVE.

THEY TRIED TO BECOME BETTER.

THEY LEAVE HERE AND INTO THE REAL WORLD THEY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

I ALSO THINK THAT IT DEVELOPS PRIDE.

WHETHER IT IS THE RADIO STATIONS OR THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAMS.

WHEN YOU WIN, PRIDE ENVELOPS THE CAMPUS.

>> Reporter: SERRANO WANTS TO WORK IN RADIO OR TELEVISION AFTER GRADUATING.

HE SAYS WORK ETHIC IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS HE HAS LEARNED.

>> JOHN ALWAYS SAYS 365, 24/7.

WEEKLY.

NOTHING STOPS HERE.

>> TALKING TO PEOPLE.

BEING MORE PERSONABLE.

I WAS ALREADY OUTGOING READ BY TALKING TO PEOPLE AND UNDERSTANDING.

BEING MORE EMPATHETIC OF WHAT THEIR SITUATION IS.

HELPS ME BE A BETTER FRIEND AND COWORKER.

LEARNING MORE LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

>> Reporter: SERRANO HAS ONE MORE YEAR IN COLLEGE.

MIGHT NOT BE DONE RACKING UP RADIO AWARDS.

IN LAWRENCEVILLE, TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

YOU CAN NOW LISTEN TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS ANY TIME, VIA PODCAST WHEREVER YOU STREAM IT.

MAKE SURE TO DOWNLOAD IT AND CHECK US OUT AND THEN FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ALONG WITH NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, 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 NJREALTOR.COM.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES FOR OVER A CENTURY.

AS PART OF THE GARDEN STATE, WE HELP COMPANIES KEEP THEIR VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, EMPLOYEES ON THE JOB, AND PROJECT ON TRACK, WORKING TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES FROM ILLNESS AND INJURY.

TO KEEP GOODS AND SERVICES MOVING ACROSS THE STATE.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY.

NJM.

WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>> IF YOU NEED TO STAY SEE A DOCTOR, RWJBARNABAS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAYS TO DO IT FROM ANYWHERE.

SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR TELEMEDICINE APP.

OR USE THE WEBSITE TO BOOK A VISIT WITH A RWJBARNABAS HEALTH PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST.

EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU'VE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION AND SO HAVE WE.

DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.