>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT/\ NEWS PROVIDED BY , IS SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

♪ >>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZI >>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

MIXED MESSAGES OVER NEW CDC MASK WEARING GUIDANCE, NEW JERSEY KEEPING THE MASK REQUIREMENT IN PLACE INDOORS, WHETHER YOU ARE VACCINATED OR NOT.

THIS AFTER FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES TO DROP MASKS BOTH INDOORS AND OUT.

THOSE NEW GUIDELINES ALLOW LOCAL AND STATE LEADERS TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO FOLLOW OR KEEP MORE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE, BUT GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID TODAY NEW JERSEY WILL ONLY ELIMINATE THE OUTDOOR MASK REQUIREMENT FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE.

MASKS ARE STILL MANDATED INDOORS HERE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN IMMUNIZED WILL STILL NEED TO WEAR ONE WHEN IN CROWDED PLACES AND CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE, NOTING THE BIG STEPS WE'VE TAKEN TO TURN THE TIDE ON THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS PARTLY DO TO VACCINES BEING WIDELY AVAILABLE.

NEARLY 3.8 MILLION PEOPLE VACCINATED ACROSS THE STATE AND WHILE THE INDOOR MASK RULE STAYS PUT FOR NOW, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS THAT COULD CHANGE IN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> Reporter: KATHLEEN WILSON FLASHED HER VACCINATION CARD.

SHE IS FULLY VACCINATED AND GOING COMPLETELY MASK FREE INDOORS AND OUT AND DOING IT SAFELY ACCORDING TO THE CDC'S NEW GUIDANCE.

>> IT IS LIKE THIS IS A NEW REBIRTH FOR US.

I AM SO HAPPY.

>> Reporter: NOT SO FAST, AT APRIL VACCINATION EVENT IN EAST ORANGE, FEATURING ESSEX COUNTY WHOOPI GOLDBERG, THE CELEBRITY TOLD WILSON, KEEP YOUR MASK ON.

>> UNTIL YOU ARE AROUND PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALL BEEN VACCINATED, PUT YOUR MASK ON.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WE ARE NOT RUNNING ANY POPULARITY CONTESTS, WE ARE HERE TRYING TO SAVE AS MANY LIVES AS WE CAN, KEEP AS MANY PEOPLE HEALTHY IN THE STATE AS WE CAN.

>> Reporter: PHIL MURPHY CONQUERED PARTIALLY WITH THE NEW GUIDANCE SAYING, YES, FULLY VACCINATED FOLKS CAN SAFELY REMOVE THEIR MASKS OUTDOORS, BUT HE WOULD NOT USE NEW JERSEY'S INDOOR MASK RESTRICTIONS, CDC NOT WITHSTANDING.

>> ONCE WE GET TO OUR 70%, PLUS THE KIDS WERE VACCINATING AS OF YESTERDAY, PLUS THE FOLKS WHO ALREADY HAD COVID-19, SOONER THAN LATER, I WOULD GUESS IN A MATTER OF WEEKS WE WILL GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN COMFORTABLY SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, INSIGHT, NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE OKAY.

I HAVE TO SAY AS OF THIS MOMENT IN TIME, WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

AN >> Reporter: NEW YORK STILL REVIEWING THE NEW CDC RECOMMENDATIONS, CONNECTICUT WILL REMOVE MATH REQUIREMENTS NEXT WEDNESDAY, STATE CAN SET THEIR OWN RULES.

>> WE DO SUGGEST LOCAL JURISDICTIONS LOOK AT THEIR OWN VACCINATION RATES, LOOK AT THEIR OWN CASE RATES IN THEIR AREA BECAUSE THE COUNTRY IS NOT UNIFORM WITH REGARDS TO BOTH CASES AND VACCINE SCALE OUT AND TO MAKE SOME OF THOSE POLICIES LOCALLY, BUT THE DATA HAVE NOW DEMONSTRATED TO US IT IS A FOR VACCINATED PEOPLE TO TAKE OFF THEIR MASKS.

>> THE CASELOAD OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST WEEK, THE LACK OF HOSPITALIZATIONS OR THE DECREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS ALL REALLY FORCE THE HAND OF THE CDC TO MAKE THIS DECISION, WHICH I BELIEVE IS THE RIGHT DECISION.

>> Reporter: THE HEALTH AGENCY CITED FOLLOWING CASE CODES AND RISING HIGHLY EFFECTIVE VACCINATIONS.

SOME HEALTH EXPERTS WORRY ABOUT HOW THE PUBLIC WILL REACT IF NO MASKS ARE REQUIRED.

>> BUT WE ARE ESSENTIALLY SAYING IS TAKE YOUR MASK OFF, EVERYBODY.

IF WE CAN'T REQUIRE PEOPLE TO PROVE THEY ARE VACCINATED TO GO TO BUSINESSES, TO GO INTO SCHOOLS, ET CETERA, I THINK THAT IS WHERE THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO STEP IN AND DETERMINE WHAT SORT OF POLICIES ARE GOING TO BE IN PLACE ACROSS THE STATE.

>> MURPHY SAID HE WOULD PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION MONDAY DID NOT WANT TO MAKE CLERKS AND BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE TO POLICE PEOPLES VACCINATION CARDS ALSO, INEQUITY CONTINUES TO PLAGUE NEW JERSEY'S STRONG OVERALL VACCINATION RATE.

CLOSE TO 1.8 MILLION ARE FULLY VACCINATED, BUT THAT INCLUDES TOO FEW PEOPLE OF COLOR AND MANY FEEL RELUCTANT TO GIVE UP MASKS.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE OF COLOR WERE COMING FORWARD TO GET VACCINATED, WE DON'T LIKE WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY.

>> I TOOK A VACCINATION.

I WILL STILL WEAR THE MASK ANYWAY REGARDLESS.

>> I RESPECT THE CDC, I APPRECIATE THEIR GUIDANCE.

I STILL THINK THAT IN PARTICULARLY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT HAVE BEEN MOST IMPACTED BY THIS VIRUS, THAT WE STILL NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR'S CRITICS CLAIM KEEPING THE INDOOR MASK REQUIREMENT IS DAMAGING BUSINESS AND IGNORING SCIENCE.

>> THAT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO FOLLOW THEIR BAZAAR, ANTI- SCIENCE, SLOW ROLE, PARALYZING RESTRICTIONS IS JUST STUPID.

>> Reporter: SOME FOLKS STILL FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE REMOVING THEIR MASKS, EVEN OUTSIDE.

MEANWHILE, THE DEBATE OVER MASK RULES INDOORS IN NEW JERSEY WILL DOUBTLESS INTENSIFY.

IN EAST ORANGE, BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT NEW ORDER MAY BE AMONG THE GREATEST INCENTIVES YET TO GET A COVID-19 VACCINATION, ESPECIALLY AS NUMBERS ARE SLIDING AT THE RATE OF NEW CASES CONTINUES IMPROVING.

766 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AT 30 ADDITIONAL THAT'S BEING REPORTED TODAY, BUT THE STATE IS STILL PUSHING HARD TO REACH ITS GOAL OF VACCINATING 4.7 MILLION ADULTS BY THE END OF JUNE.

WE NOW KNOW MORE ABOUT WHICH GROUPS OF RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN LESS LIKELY TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND IT TURNS OUT, THEY ARE AMONG THOSE MOST AT RISK.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS HEALTHCARE REPORTER LILO STAINTON HAS MORE.

LILO, GIVE US A LITTLE MORE INSIGHT ABOUT JUST WHO IS AND WHO ISN'T LINING UP TO GET A SHOT AT THIS POINT.

>> OUR QUESTION WAS, WE KNOW THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS TALKED ABOUT NEW GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES HERE THEY HAVE TALKED ABOUT TOWNS THAT HAD LOW VACCINE RATES.

WE WERE REALLY CURIOUS, SO WHO ARE THE PEOPLE THAT AREN'T COMING FORWARD?

IT TURNS OUT, THE BIGGEST SORT OF TARGET FOR THE ADMINISTRATION RIGHT NOW IS HISPANIC MEN, YOUNG HISPANIC MEN.

THAT IS BECAUSE HISPANICS AND BLACKS ARE GETTING VACCINATED AT LOWER RATES OR I SHOULD SAY LEFT OF THE VACCINES ARE GOING TO THOSE DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS THEN TO WHITE RESIDENTS.

ALSO, BECAUSE HISPANIC MEN, YOUNG HISPANIC MEN ARE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE THAN WHITE MEN IN THAT AGE GROUP.

IT IS BOTH A COMBINATION OF THE RISK AND THE NEED.

THE OTHER GROUPS THAT AREN'T GETTING VACCINATED AS MUCH ARE JUST YOUNG PEOPLE IN GENERAL.

UNDER 30, IT IS LIGHT BETWEEN 40 AND 55%, DEPENDING ON HOW YOUNG YOU GO.

THAT COMPARES TO 70 AND UP PERCENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE OLDER .

IT IS YOUNGER PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE STILL THE TARGETS OF THE STATE CAMPAIGN, IF YOU WILL.

>> SO WHAT IS THE STATE DOING TO TARGET THAT GROUP AND HAVE THEY NOT DONE A GOOD ENOUGH JOB TO THIS POINT?

>> THEY'VE ALWAYS SAID, THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CONCERN.

WE KNOW THEY TALK ABOUT IT AT ALMOST EVERY PRESS CONFERENCE.

THE NUMBERS ARE MOVING VERY, VERY SLOWLY, THE EQUITY NUMBERS IF YOU WILL, THE SORT OF UPTAKE AMONG VACCINES DELIVERED TO BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

THE STATE IS ROLLING OUT NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITH CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS AND OTHER FOLKS , THEY HAVE DONE A NUMBER OF PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT ESSENTIALLY USE LEADERS FROM THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AS A SPOKESPEOPLE FOR THE VACCINES.

THOSE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED PRETTY EFFECTIVE.

IT MAY JUST BE A QUESTION OF TIME, BUT IT IS ALSO THE ISSUE OF ACCESS AND TRYING TO GET AS MANY SITES AS LOCAL AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO GET THESE SHOTS.

>> ALL RIGHT, LILO STAINTON, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU , THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> AN UPDATE TODAY ON THE RARE BLOOD CLOTTING DISORDER IDENTIFIED AMONG PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

THE CDC IS REPORTING 13 MORE CASES OF THE UNUSUAL, BUT SEVERE BLOOD CLOTS.

EACH OCCURRED BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT'S 11 DAY PAUSE ON ADMINISTERING THE SHOT.

NO ADDITIONAL DEATHS WERE REPORTED AND NO NEW CASES OF THE DISORDER HAVE BEEN REPORTED SINCE RESUMING THE VACCINATION.

THE CDC SAYS THIS WEEK, THAT MEANS 28 PEOPLE HAVE NOW IDENTIFIED WITH THE BLOOD CLOTS ALONG WITH A BLUNT LOW LEVEL OF PLATELETS WITH THEIR BLOOD.

HEALTH EXPERTS SAY THE COMBINATION IS RARE AND POSSIBLE CAUSES ARE STILL BEING STUDIED.

>>> IT IS NO SECRET FORMER GOVERNOR CHRISTIE WHITMAN IS ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S MOST VOCAL CRITICS OF DONALD TRUMP.

AS PRIMARIES IN GENERAL ELECTION DRAW CLOSER, SHE AND OTHER PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE GOP HAVE A MESSAGE FROM THEIR COLLEAGUES, STOP BELIEVING WHAT THEY CALL TRUMP'S BIG LIE ABOUT A STOLEN ELECTION OR THEY ARE OUT.

EXPLORING THE START OF A NEW POLITICAL PARTY OUT OF FRUSTRATION WITH REPUBLICANS' DEVOUT LOYALTY TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

>> GOVERNOR WHITMAN, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

YOU SIGNED A LETTER THIS WEEK, SIGNED BY ABOUT 150 OTHER REPUBLICANS, THREATENING TO CREATE A NEW PARTY IF THE CURRENT PARTY CONTINUES TO BE RUN BY EXTREMISTS, WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR YOU TO ACTUALLY START A THIRD PARTY?

>> FIRST, WE WANT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BACK TO THE BASIC PRINCIPLES TO WHICH IT USED TO GO AT HERE.

WE HAVE PUT OUT THOSE PRINCIPLES, HOPING PEOPLE WILL GO TO THE WEBSITE, LOOK AT THE PRINCIPLES AND SIGN ON.

WE WILL HAVE AN OPEN PUBLIC MEETING IN THE NEXT MONTH.

IT WILL BE OPEN TO EVERYBODY.

WHAT WE WILL BE DOING IS SUPPORTING THOSE CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT BACK THE BIG LIES, THE LIZ CHENEY'S OF THE WORLD.

WE WILL BE BACKING THOSE CANDIDATES, LOOKING FOR OTHERS, PRIMARY PEOPLE WHO WILL NOT MOVE AWAY FROM THIS FIELD THE TO DONALD TRUMP, A PERSONALITY CULT WE'VE GOT GOING WITHOUT ANY ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLE BEYOND WHAT DONALD TRUMP SAYS YOU SHOULD BELIEVE IN ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

>> DO YOU STILL FIND IT INCREDIBLE THAT THE BIG LIE IS AROUND, IS BEING DEBATED, HAS ALTERED THE COURSE OF MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY?

>> I DO.

I MEAN, I WAS ABSOLUTELY--I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EARS AND EYES TO HEAR A REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN FROM GEORGIA STAND UP AND SAY WHAT HAPPENED JANUARY 6 WAS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DAY IN THE CAPITOL.

I MEAN, REALLY?

I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO HEAR HIM ANSWER THE QUESTION, WAS HE THERE, WHICH I KNOW HE WAS, DID HE LEAVE THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE CAPITOL POLICE TELLING HIM TO?

IF THESE WERE JUST REGULAR PEOPLE, WHY DID THE CAPITOL POLICE TELL HIM TO, AND WHY DID HE DO IT?

WHY DIDN'T HE JUST GO OUT AND SAY HI BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL OF THESE PEACEFUL, HAPPY PEOPLE?

WHAT THEY WERE THERE TO DO IS STOP THE COUNTING OF THE BALLOTS.

úTHAT IS UNDERMINING O DEMOCRACY.

THAT IS WHAT MAKES THIS WHOLE THING SO DANGEROUS.

IT IS SOMETHING FAR BIGGER THAN ONE MAN.

IT IS BIGGER THAN TRUMP NOW, HE HAS DONE ENOUGH DAMAGE AND HAS GOT ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE IN THE BIG LIE.

THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT IT HERE THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IN OUR INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT ANYMORE.

PEOPLE ARE NOW QUESTIONING THE SAFETY OF THE BALLOT.

IN 2020, IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC WITH A PRESIDENT WHO HAD BEEN SAYING LONG BEFORE THE ELECTION IT WAS GOING TO BE STOLEN SOMEHOW, AND YOU STILL HAD MORE PEOPLE COME OUT THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME, AND YOU HAD OVER 60 CASES THAT WERE BROUGHT AFTER THE ELECTION TO TRY AND OVERTURN BIDEN'S VICTORY, EVERYONE OF THEM WERE THROWN OUT WHEN THEY WERE HEARD BY A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT JUDGE.

>> IN 2005, YOU PUBLISHED A BOOK CALLED, "IT'S MY PARTY TOO."

IS IT STILL YOUR PARTY?

>> I THINK I WOULD PROBABLY CHANGE THE LABEL, THE TITLE OF THE BOOK IF I WERE TO REDO IT NOW.

[ LAUGHTER ] THE THING ABOUT IT, MICHAEL, AND YOU KNOW THIS PERFECTLY WELL, YOU KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE, I KNOW YOU DO, WHO HAVE LEFT THE PARTY.

REPUBLICANS WHO DON'T WANT TO BECOME DEMOCRATS, THEY ARE INDEPENDENTS NOW AND UNAFFILIATED VOTERS.

THERE ARE LITERALLY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS.

IF YOU LOOK AT VOTER REGISTRATION PATTERNS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, YOU SEE THAT, THAT THE INDEPENDENT, UNAFFILIATED VOTERS ARE THE GROUP THAT IS GROWING, FOLLOWED BY THE DEMOCRATS AND THE REPUBLICANS.

IN NEW JERSEY, THE REPUBLICANS ARE WAY BEHIND.

THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WE WANT TO GET BACK.

THOSE ARE GOING TO BE THE CENTER BACK, THE BACKBONE OF THIS EFFORT.

>> WE WILL KEEP AN EYE ON YOU, IT'S AND YOUR EFFORTS.

FORMER GOVERNOR CHRISTIE WHITMAN, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>>> IT SEEMS A YEAR AT HOME STUCK IN OUR LIVING ROOMS HAS OPENED THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY'S EYES TO A NEW VENTURE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, NEW JERSEY IS HOME TO A LOT OF NEW AND GROWING INDUSTRIES, WHETHER IT IS ENERGY, ONLINE SPORTS BETTING OR SOME RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

WE MAY BE ABLE TO ADD ANOTHER TO THAT LIST AND THAT IS e- SPORTS OR COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMING.

IT IS RAPIDLY GROWING IN POPULARITY AND e-SPORTS REVENUES ARE SOARING.

THE STATES WANT TO CAPITALIZE ON THAT.

TODAY, THAT NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED IT WILL PROVIDE STAFF AND UNIVERSITY WITH $200,000 TO SUPPORT AN e-SPORTS INNOVATION CENTER.

THE EDA SAYS NOTHING TOO WILL PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES AND WORKERS AND SOME e-SPORTS COMPANIES ARE ALREADY MAKING INVESTMENTS HERE.

THE INNOVATION CENTER WILL WORK WITH PRIVATE COMPANIES AND UNIVERSITIES AND THERE ARE PLANS TO HOST HACK-A- THONSAND OTHER CHALLENGES.

THE COLONIAL PIPELINE COMPANY PAID NEARLY $5 MILLION TO THE HACKERS THAT SHUT DOWN ITS PIPELINE, DISRUPTING THE NATION'S FUEL SUPPLY, THAT IS ACCORDING TO A BLOOMBERG REPORT .

CYBER ATTACKS LIKE THIS ARE ON THE RISE, ACCORDING TO RITA GARBAGE, THE CEO OF THE HOBOKEN BASED CYBERSECURITY FORM FIRM, STEER.

>> RANSOMWARE IS ALMOST THE COVID OF CYBER, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW.

THE ATTACKS ARE COMPROMISING COMPANIES AT, I THINK, PANDEMIC LEVELS AND IT IS EVERYWHERE.

RETAIL, HOSPITALITY, FINANCIAL SERVICES, UTILITIES, AS WE ARE AWARE.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR COMPANIES TO BE MUCH MORE PROACTIVE THAN THEY HAVE EVER BEEN BEFORE.

>> Reporter: SHE RECOMMENDS ALL COMPANIES FOCUS ON WHAT SHE CALLS BASIC CYBER HYGIENE, WHICH INCLUDES LOOKING AT WHETHER THERE IS ADEQUATE PROTECTION AROUND INTERNAL DATA AND FINALLY, A REMINDER, MONDAY IS THE DEADLINE TO FILE YOUR 2020 TAX RETURNS.

IF YOU ARE EXPECTING A REFUND, YOU MIGHT NOT GET IT RIGHT AWAY, THOUGH.

THERE IS A BIT OF A BACKLOG AT THE MOMENT, WITH RETURNS TAKING MORE TIME TO PROCESS THIS YEAR COMPARED TO LAST.

>>> THERE IS A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT.

DAVID IN A PANDEMIC, THE STATE'S FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY HAS A LOT TO OFFER.

RHONDA LOOKS AT THE AWARD- WINNING PRODUCTIONS MADE HERE AND THE INCENTIVES THAT CHECK STUDIOS AND BIG STARS.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON NJ PBS SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30 A.M. ♪ >>> IN EAST ORANGE THIS WEEK, HEALTHCARE WORKERS HOLDING PICKET SIGNS, EMPLOYEES OF THE WINTER GARDENS CARE CENTER PROTESTED THE SALE OF THE NURSING HOME.

IT COMES AS A HANDFUL OF LONG- TERM CARE FACILITIES ARE CLOSING TO RISING COSTS.

NURSING HOME UNION SAYS THE CENTER IS BEING SOLD TO COMPLETE CARE MANAGEMENT, A PRIVATELY OWNED NURSING HOME CHAIN AND WILL NOT HONOR THE UNION'S EXISTING CONTRACT FOR ROUGHLY 140 WORKERS THERE WITH CONCERNS THE NEW OPERATORS WILL RAIN RAISE INSURANCE PREMIUMS ON PLANS.

COMPLETE CARE IS NOW THE LARGEST OPERATOR IN THE STATE AFTER TAKING CONTROL OF FIVE NURSING FACILITIES IN APRIL.

THE CURRENT OPERATOR SAYS IT IS WORKING TO MAKE SURE ALL BENEFITS CONTINUE AT HEALTH COVERAGE REMAINS THE SAME.

A SPOKES PERSON FOR COMPLETE CARE MANAGEMENT SETS DISCUSSIONS WITH UNION LEADERSHIP ARE ONGOING.

THE PICKETING EMPLOYEES SAY THEY DESERVE BETTER AFTER PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

>>> MEANWHILE, IN THE STATE'S CAPITAL CITY, A HEALTH BATTLE HAS BEEN BREWING AFTER THE LARGEST CAPITAL HEALTH REGION MEDICAL CENTER CLOSED ITS LABOR AND DELIVERY UNIT, A MOVE MADE BECAUSE THE HOSPITALS REPORTED SO FEW PEOPLE WERE USING THE SERVICE.

IN THE TIME SINCE, RESIDENTS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE VOID IT HAS LEFT AND THE FEW OPTIONS WITHIN REASONABLE TRAVELING DISTANCE TO BIRTH THEIR BABIES.

JANINE DONALDSON HAS THE STORY.

>> RIGHT NOW, THERE IS NO LABOR AND DELIVERY SERVICE IN TRENTON.

>> Reporter: HEALTH COMMISSIONER AT MEETING THE STATE'S CAPITAL IS A LABOR AND DELIVERY DESERT.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WOMEN THAT RESIDE IN TRENTON HAVE ACCESS TO FIRST RATE POSTPARTUM, I'M SORRY, PRENATAL CARE.

>> Reporter: WHY ARE THERE NO BIRTHING FACILITIES IN TRENTON?

>> THE CAPITAL HEALTH BIRTHING CENTER THAT WAS HERE IN THE CITY OF TRENTON CLAIMANT DRIVE THEIR PATIENTS TO THE HOSPITAL.

>> WHAT THEY WILL DO IS SAY, I WLL PICK YOU UP MYSELF, AND I'VE HAD TO DO THAT WITH A CLIENT IN LABOR, WATER BROKE AND I HAD TO GO AND PICK HER UP AND SAY, WE WILL HAVE THIS MAYBE TONIGHT AND YOU WILL BE IN A SAFE PLACE.

>> Reporter: DR. KENNY ALI, A PEDIATRICIAN AT AUSTIN HEALTH CENTER SAYS THE ISSUES MUCH RUN MUCH DEEPER THAN NO LABOR AND DELIVERY UNIT.

IT IS A LACK OF NETTLE AND POSTPARTUM CARE.

>> I THINK THE MORE IMPORTANT ISSUE IS INCREASING THE CAPACITY FOR THOSE PRENATAL SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY THE IMPORTANT ISSUE, THE SOONER I WILL FIND OUT YOU ARE A HYPERTENSIVE MOM, YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IS ELEVATED, THE SOONER I WILL FIND OUT YOU ARE A MOM THAT HAS DIABETES, THE SOONER I WOULD FIND OUT YOU ARE A MOM THAT MAYBE HAS A HORMONE CONDITION, THEN BE BETTER OFF YOU ARE, BOTH THE MOM AND BABY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS PRENATAL CARE ALSO DECREASES INSTANCES OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND BREATHING ISSUES IN BABIES, ONLY A THIRD OF HER PATIENTS RECEIVED CARE DURING THE FIRST TRIMESTER, AT THE ONLY CLINIC IN TRENTON, WHICH IS OWNED BY CAPITOL HILL.

>> I HAD A PATIENT SIX MONTHS ALONG, SHE FOUND OUT SHE WAS PREGNANT MAYBE AROUND THREE MONTHS AND HER FIRST PRENATAL VISIT WAS AT SIX MONTHS BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BACKED UP AN APPOINTMENT.

>> DR. ALI SAYS OB DOCTORS CLOSE THEIR PRACTICES AND MOVED OUT OF THE CITY BECAUSE OF HIGH MALPRACTICE INSURANCE.

CAPITAL HEALTH SAYS THEY CLOSE THEIR TRENTON HOSPITAL BECAUSE PEOPLE WEREN'T USING IT AND MOVED ALL LABOR AND DELIVERY SERVICES TO HOPEWELL, WHERE THEY SAY MORE PEOPLE IN TRENTON WERE ALREADY CHOOSING TO GIVE BIRTH.

IN A STATEMENT, CAPITAL HEALTH SAYS QUOTE, HAVING ALL MATERNITY SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF ALLOWS FOR ALL OF OUR POSITIONS POSITIONS INSTEAD TO PROVIDE QUALITY CARE.

>> AT THIS POINT, MAKING SURE WE COLLABORATE WITH ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS, WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, WITH OUR HOSPITALS, WITH OUR DOULAS, WITH OUR MIDWIVES, WITH OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CENTERS AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THAT ONE, WE ARE GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE SERVICES AND HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY COME?

>> Reporter: EMILY BAGUETTE WITH TRENTON HEALTH TEAM SAYS THEY ARE TRACKING DISPARITIES, OUTCOMES AND FUNDING TO ALLOW PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY INITIATIVES.

>> IN ADDITION, WE WILL BE ADDING CAPACITY TO THE PRENATAL PROGRAM WITH AN ADDITIONAL MANAGER ON SITE THERE AND WE WILL ALSO BE WORKING WITH CENTRAL JERSEY FAMILY HEALTH INSERTION AND CAPITAL HEALTH ON A NEW HOME VISITING PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO SEND NURSES FOR HOME VISITS.

>> THE OVERALL GOAL IS TO CHANGE INEQUITIES OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND SUPPORT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE PREGNANT PEOPLE AND BABIES IN TRENTON GET THE CARE THEY NEED.

I AM JANINE DONALDSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, THE PANDEMIC MADE CLEAR ALL THE CHALLENGES THE STATE FACES IN TACKLING FOOD INSECURITY AND THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF MEETING THOSE IN NEED WHERE THEY ARE .

FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES, ELIJAH'S PROMISE HAS BEEN WORKING TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND ALLEVIATE HUNGER THROUGH ITS NEW BRUNSWICK BASED SOUP KITCHEN.

NOW, RATHER THAN WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO THEM, ELIJAH'S PROMISE IS HITTING THE ROAD ON WHEELS TO BE MORE EXACT.

THIS IS A PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: A STOVETOP WITH FOUR BURNERS, OVENS, GRILLS, A BOX TO KEEP FOOD WARM, ELIJAH'S PROMISE'S SOUP KITCHEN IS NOW ON WHEELS.

>> NOW I HAVE TO DO MANY THINGS IN THE KITCHEN, SO I AM SENDING PEOPLE OUT.

>> Reporter: HE LOAD THE TRUCK WITHOUT MEALS AND SANDWICHES TO TAKE ON THE ROAD.

>> THERE ARE DAYS WHERE I WILL TAKE THEM TO I THINK EAST BRUNSWICK.

WEDNESDAYS IT IS GETTING READY TO BE SPOTSWOOD AND EVERY SATURDAY WE TAKE IT TO THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

THEY WILL START TO MORE AND MORE NOW THAT THEY KNOW IT IS FREE.

>> WE KNOW THERE IS TREMENDOUS NEED OUT THERE.

OUR GOAL WAS TO BE INNOVATIVE AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN A WAY THAT COULD BETTER SERVICE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST NEW BRUNSWICK, BUT THE REGION.

>> Reporter: CHEF CURTIS SAYS HE'S TO COOK FOR ABOUT 10,000 PEOPLE A MONTH BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, NOW THE NUMBER HAS NEARLY TRIPLED AND HE IS AVERAGING ABOUT 1000 MEALS A DAY.

>> I DO BARBECUE CHICKEN, BAKED CHICKEN, GRILLED CHICKEN, SOMETIMES STEAK, SHRIMP, AND EVERYDAY WE GIVE OUT A HOT MEAL, A COLD MILL AND A TURKEY SANDWICH.

>> DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE STARTED DOING SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE, BRINGING THE MEALS TO PEOPLE WHO NEEDED THEM.

>> Reporter: ONE EXAMPLE, A SENIOR IN NEED OF LUNCH BECAUSE DAY PROGRAMS WHERE THEY WOULD NORMALLY EAT SHUT DOWN THE PANDEMIC.

ELIJAH'S PROMISE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MICHELLE WILSON SAYS THAT IS WHERE THE IDEA FOR THE FOOD TRUCK WAS BORN.

>> WE DO SERVE A HOMELESS POPULATION, BUT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR GUESTS ARE INSECURE BECAUSE OF EMPLOYMENT ISSUES.

THEY ARE WORKING FOR, MANY OF OUR GUESTS HAVE MULTIPLE JOBS.

THEY CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET.

SO, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN THERE ARE LAYOFFS, WE SAW A LOT OF NEW FACES.

WE SEE PEOPLE EVERY DAY WHO NEVER THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE EATING IN A SOUP KITCHEN.

>> IT IS IN A GOOD AREA FOR PEOPLE TO TRY AND GET TO, BUT SOME PEOPLE CAN'T MAKE IT.

I'VE HAD PEOPLE CALL MY PHONE AND ASKED CAN WE DELIVER THE FOOD?

>> Reporter: HE DRIVES TO AN AREA CHURCH ON SATURDAYS AND SAYS HE ALSO STOPPED BY THE SOUP KITCHEN EVERY MORNING ON HIS WAY TO WORK TO HELP OUT CHEF CURTIS PEERS >> HE'S LIKE THE MAYOR, GOVERNOR, PRESIDENT OF THE CITY.

EVERYONE APPRECIATES ALL HE DOES AND THEY REALLY LOVE HIM.

>> I AM ORIGINALLY FROM NEW BRUNSWICK.

I KNOW MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT COME THROUGH HERE.

A LOT OF THEM ARE GOOD FRIENDS.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE ARRIVING FOR FOOD WHILE WE WERE FILMING STARTED CHEERING HIM ON DURING OUR INTERVIEW.

>> DO YOU LIKE MY FOOD?

[ LAUGHTER ] SEGMENT YEAH!

BIG YEAH!

>> Reporter: CHEF CURTIS SAYS HE COULD PROBABLY HELP 35 MORE THOUSAND PEOPLE A YEAR NOW WITH THIS TRUCK AND HE'S READY FOR THE CHALLENGE TO COOK EVEN MORE.

>>> FUNDING FOR HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BUILD A NATIONAL CULTURE OF HEALTH THAT PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA A FAIR AND JUST OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG STORIES THIS WEEK, YOU CAN CATCH REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUISE SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY ON NJ PBS ALONG WITH CHECKBOX AT 6:30 A.M.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHT.COM TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING ALL WEEKEND LONG.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE PROGRAM, THANK YOU FOR WASHING WATCHING AND WISHING A HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY TO OUR OWN MICHAEL AARON.

♪ >>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW.

J. BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

PS NJ, CREATING THE CREATION OF A LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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