>>> 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.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IT IS A DAY MANY OF US HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR .

MOST COVID CAPACITY LIMITS ARE ENDING.

THE STATE IS LIFTING MANY OF THE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GATHERING RESTRICTIONS FIRST PUT IN PLACE 14 MONTHS AGO TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

THE GOVERNOR IS CALLING IT ONE OF OUR BIGGEST STEPS FORWARD YET.

HERE IS WHAT IS INCLUDED AND WHAT IS NOT.

CAPACITY LIMITS ARE REMOVED ON ALL OUTDOOR GATHERINGS.

RESTAURANTS, BARS, GINS, CASINOS, SALONS, RETAIL STORES, AND INDOOR RECREATION CAN ALSO GET RID OF THE CAP ON CUSTOMERS BASED ON PERCENTAGES, BUT INDOOR MASKING AND 6 FEET OF PHYSICAL DISTANCE IS STILL REQUIRED.

NEW YORK AND CONNECTICUT ARE MAKING SIMILAR CHANGES TODAY AND REMOVING THE PUBLIC AND/OR MASK MANDATES.

NEW JERSEY IS NOT.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT THAT COULD CHANGE AS MORE RESIDENTS GET A COVID-19 SHOT.

NEARLY $4 MILLION OR NO FULLY VACCINATED.

TO GET THAT NUMBER HIGHER IN REACH A GOAL, STATE LEADERS TODAY OFFERED A FEW NEW INCENTIVES TO GET THE VACCINE.

HOW IS WINE AT NEW JERSEY VINEYARDS SOUND?

OR NEW SEASON PASSES TO ANYONE OF THE STATE PARKS WHO ANYONE GETS AT LEAST THEIR FIRST DOSE OF VACCINE BY JULY 4th, AND IF YOU GET YOUR SHOT BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH, YOU COULD WIN A PRIVATE DINNER WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY AND THE FIRST LADY.

BUSINESS OWNERS SAYS THIS NEW LIFT ON RESTRICTIONS MAY STILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO RECOVER FROM THE YEAR.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: ELINOR CYNTHIA BUSTLED ABOUT HER RESTAURANT THIS MORNING SERVING CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE.

INSIDE, PEOPLE STILL WORE MASKS EXCEPT TO DINE.

THE TOTAL BREAKFAST EATERY SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF RETURNING TO 100% CAPACITY BECAUSE IT STILL NEEDS TO KEEP GUESTS 6 FEET APART UNDER JERSEY COVERT REGULATIONS.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO CHANGE MY TABLING IN HER BECAUSE OF THAT.

YOU KNOW?

SO LIKE WE DO OUR BEST TO KEEP EVERYBODY AT 6 FEET DISTANCE AND YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES I WON'T SEE DETAIL BECAUSE IT'S TOO CLOSE TO ANOTHER TABLE.

>> SHE SAYS HER OUTDOOR PATIO TABLES KEEP CINDY GOING BUT INDOOR SOCIAL DISTANCING PRESENTS AN ONGOING LOGISTICAL HURDLE INDUSTRYWIDE IN NEW JERSEY.

IT'S ONE THIRD OF THE POPULAR RESTAURANTS INDOOR DINING AND PERHAPS HALF OF ITS REVENUES DURING THE PANDEMIC ACCORDING TO MANAGER CARLO ALOE VERA.

100% CAPACITY ADDS NO VALUE HERE.

>> AS LONG AS THE TABLE TO HAVE TO BE 6 FEET APART.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TABLES.

BASICALLY.

>> THAT MEANS WE STILL HAVE BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO MAXIMIZE THEIR REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE REALLY STARTING TO FEEL COMFORTABLE GETTING BACK OUT AGAIN, AND OF COURSE, WE ARE HEADING INTO THE KICKOFF FOR OUR MAJOR SUMMER SEASON.

WE REALLY NEED THOSE TABLES TO BE ABLE TO BE CLOSER.

>> I WAS SPEAKING TO THE ADMINISTRATION BEFORE THEY MADE THEIR DECISION ON THE MASK ROLE.

I MADE THE SIX FOOT DOWN TO THREE FOOT EVEN IS A GAME CHANGER.

I BELIEVE IT'S A QUESTION OF WHEN AND NOT IF.

I WOULD PREFER IN THIS CASE THAT THE FEDS MAKE THE MOVE.

>> Reporter: CYNTHIA'S HAS GOT MORE TABLES BUT THEY WILL STAY IN STORAGE, AT LEAST FOR NOW, IN ORDER TO KEEP 6 FEET OF SOCIAL DISTANCING HERE.

MEANWHILE, UNLIKE NEW YORK AND CONNECTICUT, NEW JERSEY CONTINUES TO REQUIRE MASKS AND DOORS OF PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY'S POLICY HAS TURNED WAITSTAFF INTO UNWILLING MASK POLICE SAYS RESTAURANT TOUR BOB WAGNER.

>> HOT BURGERS, COLD BEERS, REALLY SIMPLE.

BUT RIGHT NOW, WHERE IS YOUR MASK?

YOU CAN YOU PLEASE PUT YOUR MASK ON?

>> HE CLAIMS THAT ON HIS CELL JERSEY RESTAURANTS OVER THE PAST WEEKEND, MANAGERS HAD TO STEP IN WHEN IRATE CUSTOMERS CLAIMING CDC HAD CLEARED VACCINATED PEOPLE TO REMOVE MASKS INDOORS REFUSED TO FOLLOW NEW JERSEY'S INDOOR MASK REQUIREMENTS AND THE RAIDED HIS EMPLOYEES.

>> THEY CALL ME 11:00 AT NIGHT CRYING.

BEEN WITH ME FOR OVER 20 YEARS BECAUSE THEY'RE LIKE I DON'T GET PAID TO LOOK AT SOME CALLING ME AN IDIOT BECAUSE THEY WAY THE VACCINATION CARD FOR THE THAT'S NOT MY JOB.

THIS WEEKEND WE THREW OUT OVER 40 PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR IGNORANCE TO MY EMPLOYEES.

I'M NOT TOLERATING IT.

AND I TOLD MY EMPLOYEES YOU DON'T HAVE TO TOLERATE IT.

PEOPLE ARE FED UP AND NOTHING HAS TO BE DONE.

>> I'M NOT SURPRISED.

WE'VE BEEN SEEING THIS NASTINESS SINCE LAST YEAR.

>> STEPHANIE SILVERA SAYS THE CDC'S MESSAGING ON MASKS COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER COORDINATED WHILE NEW JERSEY'S VACCINATING PEOPLE, NEARLY 57% OF ADULTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED IT VARIES WIDELY BY COUNTY.

CUMBERLANDS LOGGED ONLY 37%.

>> I THINK WE NEED PEOPLE TO YOU KNOW, TAKE A DEEP BREATH FOR A MOMENT, KNOW THAT WE ARE GETTING TOWARDS HERD IMMUNITY, THAT ONCE WE GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED, THE MASS QUESTION WILL LIKELY GO AWAY.

>> IS DENNIS FELT FINE ABOUT MASKING UP EXCEPT FOR WHEN THEY'RE EATING.

>> I PUT SAFETY FIRST SO YOU KNOW, HAVING A MASK IN PLACE IS PROBABLY BETTER FOR SOCIETY AT LEAST FOR NOW.

>> I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NEWS.

THE HEAD OF THE NATION'S LARGEST NURSES UNION IS BACKING THE DECISION INTERESTING COMING DOWN HARD ON THE CDC'S NEW GUIDANCE WHICH SAYS PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 NO LONGER NEED TO WEAR MASKS INSIDE OR OUT WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS.

IN A CRITICAL REPORT, NATIONAL NURSES UNITED 170,000 MEMBER UNION IS CALLING ON THE CDC TO REVERSE ITS GUIDELINES.

SAYING FRONT-LINE WORKERS ESPECIALLY NURSES ARE THE ONES BEING PUT AT RISK, AND POINT TO HUNDREDS OF NEW DAILY REPORTED DEPTH ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND THOUSANDS OF NEW CASES BEING LOGGED EACH DAY.

THE GUIDANCE DOES NOT APPLY TO HEALTHCARE SETTINGS OR CERTAIN PUBLIC AREAS, BUT THE UNION SAYS THE CDC'S UPDATE CREATED MASS CONFUSION AND USED INCOMPLETE DATA AND STUDIES TO MAKE THE DECISION.

ANOTHER BIG SHIFT IN THIS PANDEMIC.

STARTING IN SEPTEMBER, REMOTE LEARNING WILL NO LONGER BE AN OPTION FOR STUDENTS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY THIS WEEK ANNOUNCING THE NEW ORDER, CITING WIDE AVAILABILITY OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE, ALONG WITH DECLINING RATES OF INFECTION.

504 NEW POSITIVE CASES AND 21 MORE DEATHS BEING REPORTED TODAY.

THAT MEANS ALL STUDENTS WILL BE IN SCHOOL FIVE DAYS A WEEK FOR IN PERSON LEARNING AND PARENTS WON'T HAVE THE SAME ABILITY TO BROADEN AND OPT OUT LIKE THEY DID THIS YEAR.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE TO ENSURE EVERYONE'S SAFETY AND QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT HOW TO MEET THE REQUIREMENT.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WE ARE OUT OF PLACE NOW WITH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WHERE WE CAN PLAN FOR STUDENTS RETURNING.

WE HAVE DONE WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO TO PREPARE OUR BUILDINGS, ENSURING WE HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION.

>> THE CONVERSATION ABOUND SCHOOLS REOPENING SOUNDS DIFFERENT AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK THAT ALL SCHOOLS WILL BE OPEN FOR FULL-TIME, IN PERSON INSTRUCTION IN SEPTEMBER.

THE USUAL NAYSAYERS ARE BY AND LARGE SUPPORTIVE.

>> WE ARE JUST LOOKING TO GET BACK TO THAT MORE NORMAL STATE, JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

HAVE OUR CHILDREN GO BACK INTO THE SCHOOLS AS WELL, AND SEE, YOU KNOW.

SEE OUR KIDS AND FORM THOSE COMMUNITIES SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.

>> ONLY A HANDFUL OF DISTRICTS ARE STILL ON THAT AS OF TODAY HILLSIDE IS ONE OF THEM, BUT THEY ARE GOING BACK TO 5/2 DAYS A WEEK STARTING MONDAY.

SUPERINTENDENT ROBERT GREGORY SAYS HE'S GRATEFUL FOR THE TIMING OF THE GOVERNORS IN OUR, MUCH DIFFERENT THAN LAST SUMMER.

>> WE NO LONGER HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JULY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE EXPECTATION IS, WITH THE GUIDELINES ARE.

I THINK THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE CDC HAVE REALLY OUTLINED A PLAYBOOK FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FOLLOW.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT OPERATIONALIZING THAT PLAYBOOK.

ROMA HE SAID THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO REOPEN THE SCHOOLS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE USING CARES ACT FUNDING, PLEASANTVILLE ON THE OTHER HAND, IS ANOTHER DISTRICT STILL CLOSE, BUT NOT BECAUSE OF COLOR, THEY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH A MOLD PROBLEM ALL YEAR.

>> WE DID HAVE A COMPANY COME IN.

ONCE AGAIN, TO REMEDIATE THE MOLD.

SO, I AM YOU KNOW, ECSTATIC THAT AS OF THIS MONDAY, WE YOU KNOW, ARE HAVING A SPECIAL MEETING NEXT WEEK TO OFFER IN PERSON LEARNING EFFECTIVE JUNE 1st TWO ARE SPECIAL ED AND ARE STUDENTS.

>> THE FULL REMOTE OPTION WILL BE REMOVED FOR PARENTS.

WE COULD NOT FIND WHEN HE DISAGREED WITH THIS, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SURE TO BE SOME OUT THERE.

DANIEL IS THRILLED THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR FOR THE DISTRICT THEY JUST WENT BACK TO FULL-TIME THIS WEEK FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS BUT, SHE'S NOT CONFIDENT ALL KIDS WERE EXPERIENCE WITH HERS ARE.

>> DON'T HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY WILL STAND BEHIND HIS WORDS.

HE MADE A STATEMENT BACK OVER THE SUMMER THAT EVERY SCHOOL WAS GOING TO OPEN FOR SOME FORM OF HYBRID WITH IN PERSON INSTRUCTION AND THEN PIVOTED IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST AND ALLOWED A LOOPHOLE FOR DISTRICTS TO REMAIN REMOTE COME SEPTEMBER AND WE SAW THE FALLOUT OF WHAT HAPPENED.

>> DISTRICT IS OFFERING LUNCH IN SCHOOL, A HANGUP FOR DISTRICTS LIKE HILLSIDE AS THEY TRY TO PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR.

PLEASANTVILLE TO ADD MORE LUNCH SO STUDENTS CAN BE SPREAD OUT WITHOUT MASKS.

BUT SUPERINTENDENT IS PRIMARILY FOCUSED NOW ON USING THE SUMMER MONTHS TO GET KIDS READY FOR SEPTEMBER.

>> GOING INTO JULY 6, OUR BUILDINGS WILL BE OPEN FOR SUMMER SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN AND 12th GRADE.

ANY STUDENT WHO HAS EARNED A C OR LOWER AND WE ARE DOING THAT TO TRY TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

>> I THINK IT SHOULD BE A SUMMER PROGRAM SO THAT THEY CAN YOU KNOW, HAVE THAT WHAT THEY NEEDED.

>> BASES DISTRICTS CAN FUND THIS WITH A $2.7 BILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS COMING INTO THE STATE SO THAT ALL STUDENTS CAN BE AGAIN THE SCHOOL YEAR ON THE SAME STARTING LINE.

>> ON THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD REFORMING NEW JERSEY'S PRISON SYSTEM ARE IN MOTION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS ANNOUNCING HELENA TORME AS THE NEW ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES.

SERVING AS A LIAISON TO THE STATES FEMALE INMATES AND WORKING WITH A PRIVATE CONSULTING FIRM, INVESTIGATING INCIDENTS AT THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

ONE MEASURE, ALONG WITH ABOUT A HALF-DOZEN OTHERS BEING PROPOSED BY LAWMAKERS IN RESPONSE TO THE CHRONIC PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE REPORTED AT THE WOMEN'S ONLY PRISON.

THE SENIOR WRITER COLLEEN O'DAY HAS MORE ON WHAT IS NEXT.

>> OKAY, SO COLLEEN, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT MAKING CHANGES.

NOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S HAPPENING.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED.

>> RIGHT CAUSE OF THE LEGISLATORS WERE REALLY KIND OF SHOCKED AFTER THAT THEY LONG HEARING THEY HAD A MONTH AGO, AND VOWED TO COME UP WITH SOME CHANGES, AND THEY MOVED REALLY QUICK WE YESTERDAY TO IMPLEMENT, PUSHING SOME OF THOSE THROUGH.

THE BIGGEST ONE WOULD REQUIRE BODY CAMERAS FOR ALL CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AT ALLSTATE PRISON STATEWIDE.

AND SO, THAT WOULD ALSO AFFECT THEM, BUT THIS WOULD BE MORE OF A SYSTEMWIDE APPROACH AS WELL, BECAUSE ADVOCATES SAY THERE ARE PROBLEMS AND OTHER PRISONS AS WELL, AND THAT'S GOT YOU KNOW, A HEFTY PRICE TAG OF ABOUT 26 MILLION OR SO OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.

THAT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE EVERY PRISON AGAIN TO EXAMINE THEIR CURRENT SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM AND DEVISE A PLAN, AND THEN IMPLEMENT IT TO PUT STATE-OF- THE-ART SECURITY CAMERAS THROUGHOUT THEIR FACILITIES.

AND, TO DO THAT WITHIN 30 DAYS IS COMING UP WITH A PLAN.

AND THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ASSEMBLE BECAUSE HE SAID YOU KNOW, AT LEAST THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT DOING THIS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, AND STILL NO THAT WON'T BE DONE UNTIL ABOUT SEPTEMBER.

AND THEN, THERE'S ANOTHER BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE NEW TRAINING FOR THOSE OFFICERS WHO ARE INVESTIGATING SEXUAL ASSAULT SO THAT THEY CAN DO IT MORE YOU KNOW, PERHAPS TO A BETTER JOB, AS WELL AS TO PROHIBIT ANY OFFICER WHO MAY BE RELATED TO SOMEONE WHO IS ACCUSED OF WRONGDOING FROM INVESTIGATING THAT INCIDENT.

>> COLLEEN, DID THESE GET TO THE HEART OF WHAT LAWMAKERS WANT TO ADDRESS AND THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT?

>> SO THERE ARE SOME OF THESE THAT DO, YESTERDAY WE ARE TOLD THAT THE OTHER COMMITTEES, THIS IS THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S COMMITTEE, WHICH WAS ALSO PART OF THAT HEARING, WHICH IS GOING TO HAVE ITS OWN PACKAGE OF REFORMS COMING OUT NEXT MONTH.

AND, YES.

THESE BILLS GOT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT YESTERDAY AS THEY WERE RELEASED.

SO YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD MOVE QUICKLY.

THEY ARE ALL FOR THE ASSEMBLY TOMORROW, IN FACT.

>> COLLEEN O'DAY, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> MEANTIME, ANOTHER ELECTION IS JUST ABOUT ALWAYS AROUND THE CORNER IN OUR STATE.

LOCAL LEGISLATIVE AND GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES ARE GEARING UP FOR THE PRIMARY HAS DOZENS OF REPUBLICAN LED STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE ENACTING TIGHTER VOTING LAWS, INCLUDING REQUIRING FORMS OF PHOTO I.D.

AT THE BALLOT BOX.

AND WHILE THOSE RULES ARE NOT IN EFFECT HERE, VOTING RIGHTS GROUPS SAY INCREASED ACCESS IS CRITICAL TO INCREASING TURNOUT, AND LIMITING DISENFRANCHISEMENT.

TWO ITEMS THAT ALMOST ALWAYS HIT LICHEN BROWN COMMUNITIES HARDEST.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> IT COMES DOWN TO, DO YOU BELIEVE, ACTUALLY BELIEVE IN THE RIGHT TO VOTE?

>> IT'S LIKE EVERY ELIGIBLE RESIDENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXERCISE.

BUT, ACCORDING TO PATEL, DIRECTOR OF THE DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE PROGRAM AT THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE, ESPECIALLY IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

>> THERE ARE OFTEN SYSTEMIC ISSUES DID NOT EVERYONE NECESSARILY KNOWS THAT ELECTIONS ARE OUTSIDE OF NOVEMBER.

PARTICULARLY NONPRESIDENTIAL YEARS, AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

WE HAVE AN OFF CYCLE ELECTION, RIGHT?

A HUGE ELECTION YEAR IN NEW JERSEY AND I SAY THIS ALL THE TIME, THE GOVERNOR SAID A TON OF LOCAL RACES, THOSE ARE UP THIS YEAR.

>> TELL SAYS SOME STATE POLICIES ACTUALLY CREATE BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE GETTING TO THE POLLS, LIKE THE INABILITY TO REGISTER TO VOTE ON THE SAME DAY.

SHE SAYS A PRIME EXAMPLE HAPPENED LAST YEAR AFTER VOTING RIGHTS WERE RESTORED TO FORMER PRISONERS ON PAROLE AND PROBATION.

>> OVER 400 PEOPLE WERE RELEASED FROM PRISON BETWEEN OCTOBER 14th AND NOVEMBER 3rd.

SO, THEY WERE RELEASED FROM PRISON AND HAD THE RIGHT TO VOTE UNDER LAW, BUT THEY HAD MISSED THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE.

THE DEADLINE THEY COULD NOT MEET WHILE THEY WERE INCARCERATED.

>> BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES MANY ADVOCATES AGREE, KEEP BLACK AND BROWN VOTERS FROM THE POLLS IT'S WHAT KNOWN AS THE VOTING LINE.

A CONCEPT THAT REFERS TO THE WAY BALLOTS IN NEW JERSEY ARE DESIGN.

>> NEW JERSEY IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAS WHAT IS CALLED THE LINE.

THE DEMOCRATIC LINE, OR THE REPUBLICAN LINE.

SO, IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE WHO IS RUNNING WITH THE SUPPORT, YOU CAN LISTED ON THE LINE WITH THE BODY.

>> POLITICAL LABOR LEADER SAYS THIS PRACTICE NOT ONLY DISCOURAGES BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE FROM VOTING BECAUSE THEY DON'T TAKE THAT THEIR VOTE ACTUALLY COUNTS, BUT IT ALSO PREVENTS INTERESTED CANDIDATES OF COLOR FROM SEEKING ELECTION.

IT OFTEN RESULTS WITH INCUMBENTS BEING OFFICE.

>> ANYONE WHO IS A CHALLENGER, AND MORE OFTEN A PERSON OF COLOR OR A WOMAN BECOMES A CHALLENGER, THEY GET PLACED SOMEWHERE ELSE ON THE BALLOT.

HE MIGHT GET EXCITED BECAUSE SOMEONE FROM YOUR COMMUNITY IS RUNNING, BUT YOU CANNOT FIND THEM IN THE BALLOT THAT EASILY.

AND THE FACT THAT WE DON'T HAVE NEW FACES OR PEOPLE OF COLOR RUNNING IS NOT AN INCENTIVE FOR MINORITY COMMUNITIES TO VOTE.

>> Reporter: AS THE ELECTION APPROACHES, THERE'S A PUSH FOR CHANGE.

LIKE THIS CAMPAIGN FROM THE GRASSROOTS GROUP, THE GOOD GOVERNMENT COALITION OF NEW JERSEY.

BUT, ADVOCATES SAY THAT IT'S ONLY A START.

>> THERE HAS TO BE A COMMITMENT INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE THE X IT'S AS IT RELATES TO THESE ISSUES.

THERE IS A REAL LIVED EXPERIENCE THAT NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED IN POLICY.

SO, I THINK ONCE THERE IS A REAL COMMITMENT AND INTENTIONAL EFFORT TO DO THAT, THEN WE WILL START TO SEE SHIFTS IN POLICY.

>> ADVOCATES SAY SOMETHING SIMPLE AS SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT UPCOMING ELECTIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA CAN HELP GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED, AND INCREASED LICHEN BROWN VOTER TURNOUT.

THE MAJOR CIRCLE WILL SEE THEM.

THEY'LL COME OUT AND UNDERSTAND THERE'S AN ELECTION?

>> AND WITH THE OPTION TO VOTE EARLY IN NEW JERSEY HAPPENING, ADVOCATES ARE HOPEFUL MORE RESIDENCE IN THESE COMMUNITIES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE WILL MAKE THEIR VOTE COUNT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> AND ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, NJPBS WILL HOST A VIRTUAL PRIMARY DEBATE BETWEEN CANDIDATES ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 26 AT 8:00 P.M.

THE HOUR-LONG DEBATE WILL BE PRODUCED ENTIRELY REMOTELY FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS, IT WILL AIR LIVE ON NJPBS OR YOU CAN STREAM IT LIVE ON OUR WEBSITE, NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWSCHANNEL.

WE WANT YOUR QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATES.

THE DESIGNS THAT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS OR NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

THEN FOLLOWING THE DEBATE, SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ WILL MODERATE A SPECIAL EDITION OF CHAT BOX WITH ALL OF YOUR DEBATE ANALYSIS EXCLUSIVELY ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THEIR JOB CREATION IS FREQUENTLY KEY TO GETTING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ON MAJOR LEGISLATION.

COULD THAT BE THE CASE WITH THE NEW FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

HEY, RHONDA.

>> DESPITE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS IN WASHINGTON, THERE IS STILL NO DEAL BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ON THAT MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN A FEW WEEKS AGO.

THE ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO TRYING TO WIN SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS LEADERS.

THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE, WHICH REPRESENTS TOP CEOs IN THE COUNTRY RELEASE WITH ECONOMIC ANALYSIS BESIDES INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT COULD CREATE 29,000 NEW JOBS IN NEW JERSEY THIS DECADE, AND BOOST GROWTH FOR THE STATES BUSINESSES.

THE BIG STICKING POINT ON THIS BILL REMAINS HOW TO PAY FOR IT.

THE STATE IS EXPLORING HOW TO GET NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS PREPARED FOR JOBS IN THE STATES GROWING WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAS LAUNCHED A COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO COME UP WITH A WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM.

UP TO $1 MILLION WOULD BE AWARDED TO A SCHOOL THAT CREATES AN OFFSHORE WIND TURBINE TECHNICIAN TRAINING PROGRAM.

THEY WANT THE SCHOOLS TO COLLABORATE WITH UNION TRADE GROUPS ON THE PROGRAM INITIALLY TO AID ASSOCIATES DEGREE OR HIGHER.

THE CURRENT CURRENCY BITCOIN EXPERIENCED A STEEP DROP IN PRICE TODAY UNNERVING SOME INVESTORS.

BITCOIN HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 2009, BUT IT'S ONLY IN RECENT YEARS THAT INVESTING IN BITCOIN AND OTHER CRYPTOCURRENCY'S HAS REALLY TAKEN OFF.

THE BIG PRICE THINGS WE ARE SEEING IS NOT SURPRISING ACCORDING TO RECORDS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND EXPERT A DIGITAL CURRENCY.

SHE SAYS THE FLUCTUATIONS ARE PART OF THE CRYPTOCURRENCY'S GROWING PAINS.

>> IS LIKE THE INTERNET.

THE INTERNET ALSO STARTED VERY VOLATILE.

YOU KNOW ME PROBABLY KNOW THAT WE HAVE WHAT YOU CALL, THE.COM BUST IN 2000 BUT WE SURVIVED AND LOOK AT US TODAY.

USING THE INTERNET, YOU KNOW.

SECOND NATURE.

>> SHE SAYS THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND CRYPTOCURRENCY THE, THE DATABASE KNOWN AS CHAIN IS HERE TO STAY AND WILL BECOME MORE MAINSTREAM.

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

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

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE, THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

ONLINE AT SJMAGAZINE.NET.

>>> DESPITE PUBLIC AND POLITICAL PRESSURE, GOVERNMENT IS NOT BUDGING ON THE STATES INDOOR MASK MANDATES.

IS ALSO TAKING A FIRM STANCE AGAINST USING COVID-19 VACCINATION PASSPORTS.

THESE ARE CARDS EITHER VIRTUAL OR HARD COPY SHOWING PROOF OF THE VACCINE STATUS AND TEST RESULTS.

OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEW YORK WILL BE THE FIRST IN THE U.S. FOR A NEW ACT DIGITALLY LINKING THE DATA.

COULD THIS PAST MAKE ITS WAY TO THE SIDE OF THE RIVER?

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: AFTER RECEIVING THE VACCINE COME YOU GET A CARD, PROOF THAT YOU GOT THE SHOT.

A PIECE OF PAPER YOU CLUTCH ONTO, AFRAID TO LOSE IT.

>> NEW YORK STATE AFFECTED US IN JANUARY TO CREATE THE NEW SOLUTION WITH THE IDEA OF RESTARTING THE ECONOMY.

>> THE OUTCOME, A FIRST IN THE NATION FREE ACT TO DIGITIZE YOUR VACCINE CARD.

EXCELSIOR HAS PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED THE VACCINE OR TEST IN NEW YORK TO STORE SECURE, DIGITAL PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATIONS, OR NEGATIVE TEST RESULTS, AND BUSINESSES WILL SCAN YOUR PAST WITH A MOBILE DEVICE OR TABLET.

>> WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY DIFFICULTIES WHATSOEVER.

>> THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE UNION CENTER, A 17,500 FEET SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY IN ALBANY SAYS EMPLOYEES TESTED THE PILOT PROGRAM, THEY FOUND THAT ACTUALLY'S BUT UP THE ENTRY PROCESS.

PEOPLE CAN ALSO BRING THEIR VACCINATION CARDS AND SHOW THOSE, BUT IT'S SO MUCH EASIER JUST TO HAVE IT ON THE PHONE.

>> JUST OPEN YOUR PHONE AND SHOW YOUR QR CODE, IT'S ACTUALLY NO INTEGRATED INTO YOUR WALLET.

AT SOME POINT YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO USE THAT FOR BOARDING A PLANE, GOING ON THERE, ENTERING THE HOTEL BUT WE SEE A MUCH BIGGER PLAY.

>> GLOBAL VICE PRESIDENT OF EMERGING BUSINESS NETWORKS EXPLAINS.

>> THE DATA SAYS IS COMING FROM A DATABASE THAT NEW YORK STATE MAINTAINS HIMSELF.

>> BABY DOING THAT FOR 25 YEARS, THEY'VE BEEN MAINTAINING VACCINE RECORDS FOR THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN EVERY STATE IN THE U.S. IS DOING THE SAME THING.

WE, AS A TECHNOLOGY VENDOR, WE DO NOT ACCESS THE INFORMATION.

THE INFORMATION STAYS WITH THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND IS COPIED INTO YOUR PHONE WITHOUT US BEING INVOLVED INTO THE DATA.

WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THAT'S WHY WE USE BLOCK CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES.

>> LOOKING BEYOND THE PANDEMIC HE SAYS THIS AT THEM IN THE BIGGER CONCEPT.

THE PEOPLE THAT IS ALREADY SAVED OR NOT HAVE THE INDIVIDUAL HAVE THE ABILITY TO TAP INTO THOSE RECORDS?

A WAY TO SECURELY STORE ON YOUR PHONE YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE, NURSING CREDENTIALS, VACCINATION RECORDS FROM THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE LIST GOES ON.

>> CONTROLLED BY ME, WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION I WANT TO EXCHANGE OR SHARE WITH THEM.

>> WILL NEW JERSEY CREATE ITS OWN OUTBOARD.THIS ONE?

UNLIKE NEW YORK WHICH REQUIRES INDOOR GUEST TO SHOW PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION, OR A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST.

JERSEY IS JUST REPLYING PEOPLE TO REMAIN SUCCEED APART WITH MASTS INDOORS.

>> IS RELEASED TO ANYTHING THAT IS OF A PASSPORT, WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

JUDY TALKS EVERY DAY ABOUT LATINO AND BLACK PENETRATION OF THE VACCINE.

IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS, AND HAD TO SAY AS LONG AS IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS, I AM UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY WE WON'T GET THERE.

>> WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS READY TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS.

>> Reporter: THE VACCINATION PASS AND EXCELSIOR FEATURES AN EXPIRATION DATE ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER YOUR FINAL DOSE.

THE DECISIONS NEW YORK STATE MADE FOR NOW UNTIL THEY HAVE MORE INFORMATION AROUND IF YOU NEED A BOOSTER.

I AM LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US FOR NOW BUT REMEMBER TO CATCH CHAT BOX WITH SR.

CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ ON THURSDAY.

THERE IS NOT JUST CONFUSION, BUT A GREAT POLITICAL DIVIDE OVER GOVERNOR MURPHY'S DECISION NOT TO FOLLOW THE LATEST CDC MASK RANG RECOMMENDATIONS.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION LIVE ON CHAT BOX THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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