>>> MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF THE NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE MASKS MAY BE COMING BACK.

TONIGHT THE DIRECTOR OF THE CDC IS URGING THE PUBLIC TO CONSIDER MASKING UP AGAIN AT INDOOR SETTINGS.

CITING NEW DATA SHOWING THE VIRUS IS SPREADING AT AN ALARMING PACE.

POSITIVE CASES NEARING ABOUT 100,000 DAILY NATIONWIDE.

AND LIKELY TO GROW AS WE GET CLOSER TO TRAVEL AND GATHERINGS FROM MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

IT'S NOT JUST A SPIKE IN NEW INFECTIONS THOUGH.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE RISING ACROSS THE COUNTRY TOO.

IN NEW JERSEY MORE THAN 4,800 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND NINE MORE DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED.

CASES ARE UP IN JUST ABOUT EVERY POCKET OF THE STATE.

FOR BUSINESS OWNERS NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC WELL HASN'T GOTTEN ANY EASIER TWO YEARS IN.

MANY ARE STILL ADAPTING FINALLY GETTING THEIR FOOTING AMID ANOTHER COVID WAVE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> IT DIDN'T SHUT US DOWN, OKAY?

BUT WE WERE IN DEEP TROUBLE, DEEP TROUBLE.

>> Reporter: COVID HIT HIS COMPANY ATLANTIC SCALE PARTICULARLY HARD.

THE VIRUS KILLED HIS OLDER BROTHER, FRED, ATLANTIC'S FORMER CEO.

THEY STRUGGLED THROUGH THE TRAGEDY TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESS GOING, ADOPTING MASS VACCINATION MANDATES.

BUT TWO YEARS LATER IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT OPERATION.

>> WE DO HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE STILL WEARING MASKS, NOT MANDATED BY THE COMPANY JUST ON THEIR OWN.

THEY FEEL SAFER DOING THAT.

AND OBVIOUSLY WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP THEM FROM DOING THAT.

>> Reporter: CONSIDER THEM AS A CASE IN POINT.

TWO YEARS AGO COVID TOPPED THE LIST OF PRIORITIES FOR JERSEY BUSINESSES.

NOW THE SUPPLY CHAINS AND INFLATION THEY SAY.

LIKE MANY COMPANIES ATLANTIC IS ACTIVELY HIRING AND LOOSENED COVID RESTRICTIONS TO HELP ATTRACT QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.

>> IT'S TOUGH, DIFFICULT TO GET PEOPLE.

>> DO YOU REQUIRE VACCINATIONS?

>> WE DON'T, WE DON'T REQUIRE VACCINATION.

>> IS THAT A CHANGE?

>> THAT'S A CHANGE.

I COULDN'T PUT PEOPLE ON.

SOME PEOPLE OUT THERE DON'T WANT TO BE VACCINATED.

>> WE ARE LETTING OUR GUARD DOWN MORE.

PEOPLE ARE NETWORKING AGAIN IN PERSON WITHOUT MASKS.

>> Reporter: ADVISING COMPANIES ABOUT COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS SAYING BUSINESSES MUST REWORK MASKING VACCINATION AND COVID TESTING REQUIREMENTS BASED ON INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND SAFETY.

FULL DISCLOSURE NJ PBS SENDS THEIR FIELD CREWS WEEKLY PCR TESTS WHILE ATLANTIC DOESN'T REQUIRE REGULAR COVID TESTING.

>> WHEN THEY'RE A SUSPECT WE CAN THEN GIVE A TEST AND IT'S VOLUNTARY, OF COURSE.

>> THEY DO WANT TO WORK.

THEY DON'T WANT TO STAY HOME.

THEY BEGGED US TO LET US COME BACK, I DON'T HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS AT ALL, I KNOW I TESTED POSITIVE.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A COLD IF THAT.

WE DO ALLOW THEM OBVIOUSLY TO TAKE THEIR SICK TIME.

>> Reporter: THOSE DISCUSSIONS OCCUR ONLY IF THEY TAKE A COVID TEST.

MONTCLAIR, A GROWING RELUCTANCE TO MISS FIVE DAYS OF WORK FOR A POSITIVE TEST AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CDC.

>> THE MESSAGE HAS BEEN FOR SO LONG THAT COVID IS MILD.

THAT PEOPLE ARE INTERPRETING THEIR SYMPTOMS AND SAYING WELL IT COULD JUST BE A COLD OR IT COULD JUST BE ALLERGIES.

THEY'RE THINKING IF THEY TEST THAT TRIGGERS THEM HAVING TO EITHER KEEP THEIR KIDS HOME FROM SCHOOL OR STAY OUT OF WORK, WHICH MIGHT NOT BE FEASIBLE OR DESIRABLE.

>> Reporter: THE ECONOMY IS SO BAD SOME EMPLOYEES NOW AVOID TAKING COVID TESTS AT ALL.

SORT OF A DON'T TEST DON'T TELL APPROACH.

>> WE USED TO TAKE THE COVID TEST EVERY THURSDAY AND THEY WOULD STOP TAKING A COVID TEST.

>> Reporter: SHE MANSION THE WAREHOUSE AT BLUE APRON AND SAYS IT IS NOW UP TO INDIVIDUAL WORKERS TO TEST AND REPORT.

MOST FOLKS IF THEY TEST AT ALL USE THE FAST ANTIGEN KITS.

RESULTS AREN'T OFFICIALLY REPORTED INCLUDING SOME POSITIVES THEY SUSPECT.

>> AND I'M FEELING CONFIDENT OR WHATEVER LIKE THAT AND I DON'T KNOW, PROBABLY GOT IT.

BUT THEY ARE SCARED.

THERE IS TOO MUCH TIME FOR THEM, YOU KNOW, TO BE OUT OF WORK.

YOU CAN'T STAY OUT FOR TOO LONG.

YOU COULD BE BEHIND YOUR BILLS TRYING TO CATCH UP.

>> Reporter: BLUE APRON OFFERS SICK DAYS, BUT THOSE COULD RUN OUT FAST AND WHAT IF IT'S YOUR CHILD WHO IS SICK AND THEY REQUIRE KIDS WHO TEST POSITIVE TO STAY HOME FIVE DAYS EVEN PARENTS WITH THE WEEK OF SICK LEAVE THINK TWICE SAYS RUTGERS CARMEN MARTINO.

>> IF YOU USE UP THE FIVE DAYS AND IT'S STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR YOU'RE DONE, YOU'VE USED THEM ALL.

>> AND WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND WHY YOU MIGHT NOT BE SO INCLINED TO TEST THEM IF YOU'RE WORRIED THEY MIGHT HAVE THE VIRUS.

BUT THE QUESTION THEN BECOMES WHAT DO I DO?

DO I STAY HOME WITH MY CHILD?

>> IT FEEDS INTO THE IDEA OF WELL IF THEY'RE JUST A LITTLE SICK, DON'T TEST THEM, COAST THEM WITH ASPIRIN AND SEND THEM TO SCHOOL.

WE ARE REALLY BACK TO PREPANDEMIC WAYS OF THINKING ABOUT ILLNESS UNFORTUNATELY.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY AS CASE LOADS RISE THAT ATTITUDE COULD TRANSLATE INTO A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE WORKPLACE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> DOZENS OF FAMILIES ARE LEADING TO THE COVID RELATED DEATHS OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

ATTORNEY PAUL DECOSTAS TELLS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AN ADDITIONAL 69 PEOPLE ARE FILING NOTICES WITH THE STATE.

DECOSTAS IS REPRESENTING 53 OF THOSE AND WORKED FOR MANY OF THE 119 FAMILIES INVOLVED IN THE INITIAL SETTLEMENT CLAIMING RECKLESS CONDUCT AND INCOMPETENCE OF VETERANS TAY FAIRS OFFICIAL TO BLAME FOR THE DEATH.

IF CONFIRMED IT MEANS THE DEATH TOLL AT THE STATE RUN HOMES WAS ACTUALLY 240 TOTAL.

NOT THE 157 DEATHS OFFICIALLY REPORTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS.

THE STATE REACHED A NEARLY $53 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH THE FIRST ROUND OF CLAIMANTS LAST DECEMBER.

THE VETERANS HOMES HAD AMONG THE HIGHEST COVID RELATED FATALITIES IN THE NATION AND REMAIN UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY'S OFFICE DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE PENDING LITIGATION.

>>> ALL RIGHT, WELL RELIEF IS WITHIN REACH FOR STRESSED OUT PARENTS DESPERATE TO FIND BABY FORMULA.

THE HEAD OF THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION TODAY TOLD A PANEL OF FEDERAL LAWMAKERS FAMILIES SHOULD BEGIN TO SEE IMPROVEMENT ON STORE SHELVES WITHIN DAYS.

THAT'S A QUOTE.

BUT ADDED IT WILL TAKE A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THINGS ARE BACK TO NORMAL.

THAT'S THANKS TO MORE OUTPUT FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTS BEING BROUGHT IN BY MILITARY PLANES AFTER PRESIDENT BIDEN INVOKED THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT THIS WEEK.

A WARTIME TOOL THAT ALLOWS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PUSH BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURERS TO MAKE CERTAIN PRODUCTS A PRIORITY.

ON CAPITOL HILL THE HOUSE PASSED A PAIR OF BILLS TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS INCLUDING $28 MILLION IN ENERGY SPENDING AS OTHER FEDERAL LAWMAKERS GRILLED THE FDA COMMISSIONER ABOUT TWO FEW COMPANIES CONTROLLING THE MARKET FOR BABY FORMULA.

YESTERDAY I SPOKE TO U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER WHO AGREED.

>>> THE FORMULA SHORTAGE, GOVERNOR MURPHY WENT AS FAR TO CALL A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THE SENATE SIDE TO HELP WHAT HAS REALLY BECOME A CRISIS?

>> YEAH, THIS CRISIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S AT THE FOUNDATION OF IT IS HOW MUCH CORPORATE CONSOLIDATION WE ARE SEEING MORE FOOD INDUSTRY.

THIS IS A HANDFUL OF COMPANIES CONTROLLING AN OUTSIDE SHARE OF THE MARKET.

WHEN ONE OF THESE COMPANIES DOES THINGS THAT ARE IRRESPONSIBLE LIKE WE SAW WITH THIS ABBOTT COMPANY, IT CAUSES INCREDIBLE SHOCKS AND A LACK OF SUPPLY TO CONSUMERS.

AND SO YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN LEADING WITHIN THE CAUCUS TO GO AFTER THIS INDUSTRY TO DEMAND THAT THE FDA DO BETTER JOB OF REGULATING THIS INDUSTRY, SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

BUT ULTIMATELY WE NEED TO ENFORCE OUR ANTITRUST LAWS SO CONSUMERS AREN'T VULNERABLE TO ONE SINGLE COMPANY FALLING DOWN.

I APPLAUD GOVERNOR MURPHY FOR TAKING THOSE STEPS TO ENSURE THEY WOULD GET THROUGH THE CRISIS.

>> TO REFORCE THE ANTISTATE LAW, SENATOR?

>> BOTH.

ONE WE NEED TO ENFORCE THEM AND I DON'T THINK WE ARE.

THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING THEM TOO MUCH POWER.

I ALSO BELIEVE WE NEED CHANGES IN ANTITRUST LAWS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO BRING THESE CASES AND TO BE VICTORIOUS.

>> A LONG AWAITED YOUTH TASK FORCE IS SPARKING A CRITICAL DEBATE WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE IN THE BUSINESS OF INCARCERATING MINORS.

THE TASK FORCE SUPPORTED CLOSING TWO OF THE STATE'S LARGE YOUTH PRISONS WHILE OPENING THREE SMALLER FACILITIES IN THEIR PLACE.

THAT'S NOT THE KIND OF REFORM SOME ACTIVISTS ARE LOOKING FOR.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS PLANNING ON REPLACING LARGE YOUTH PRISONS WITH THREE FACILITIES.

THAT'S A PART OF RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE YOUTH TASK FORCE.

RAY JAVIS WAS INCARCERATED AT 15 YEARS OLD.

THAT PUT HIM ON A PATH THAT LED TO A 20 YEAR PRISON SENTENCE A FEW YEARS LATER.

>> IT WAS LIKE A GAD CREATOR SCHOOL WHERE THEY SUFFERED THE SAME CONSEQUENCES OF THE IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES.

WE ALL SUFFER FROM THE SAME THING.

WHAT WE SAID WE WOULD DISCUSS THINGS MOST OF THE TIME IT WAS ABOUT GOING BACK OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND CONTINUING ON THE PATH THAT WE WERE ON.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT WILL COME MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AFTER FORMER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE FIRST CALLED FOR THE CLOSURE OF HEAT AND THIS STATE'S TWO LARGEST JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES.

IT SAYS NEW PRISONS SHOULD BE CAPPED AT 48 BEDS.

THEY SAY THE ISSUE ISN'T CAPACITY, BUT THE PRISONS THEMSELVES.

>> THESE FACILITIES WILL COME TO GET A PAYCHECK AND THAT'S IT.

THEY WILL COME TO UNLOAD A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF AGGRESSION BECAUSE OF HATE AND TRAUMA.

>> YOU DON'T WANT TO ADDRESS THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THE BEHAVIOR IS OCCURRING.

THAT'S WHY THEY WANT TO BUILD THOSE BUILDINGS AS IF THEY WILL FIX IT.

WE'LL SEND OUR KIDS AWAY AND THAT'LL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.

WHETHER WHETHER THEY ARE SMALL, PINK, BLUE, WHATEVER THEY ARE, DOESN'T ADDRESS THE FUNDAMENTALS.

THEY'RE BUILDING AND OPERATING AS A PART OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND IT HAS NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY.

>> THESE ARE OLD FACILITIES.

THEY'RE SET UP IN THE PRISON LIKE FASHION AND THEY'RE LARGE.

SO THEY ARE IN THAT FASHION.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE A PART OF THE TASK FORCE SAYING SMALLER PRISONS, THEY'RE A GOOD SHORT-TERM SOLUTION BECAUSE THEY WOULD KEEP INCARCERATED YOUTH CLOSER TO WHERE THEY WOULD LIVE AND THEY WOULD BE MORE ECONOMICAL.

KEPT IN THEIR PRISONS BECAUSE OF STAFFING AND OTHER FIXED COSTS, IT WOULD COST MORE THAN HALF A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO HOUSE EACH OF THEM.

>> THE CARJACKINGS, THE ROBBERIES, THEY WOULD HAVE A PLACE TO GO THAT EVERYONE COULD BE SATISFIED WITH.

IF WE DON'T PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE IN THAT YOUTH SYSTEM, THAT WILL BE FOUND IN THE ADULT SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: AFTER SPENDING 30 YEARS IN PRISON, THEY WORK FOR THE CITY OF CAMDEN HELPING AT-RISK YOUTH.

HE SAYS THAT MONEY SHOULD GO TOWARDS COMMUNITY SERVICES LIKE A BASEBALL PROGRAM HE REMEMBERS DURING ONE SUMMER IN THE 80s.

>> THAT WHOLE SUMMER NOT ME OR ONE OF MY FRIENDS WOULD GET IN TROUBLE BECAUSE WE HAD TO GO TO PRACTICE, RIGHT?

WE HAD TO GO TO GAMES.

THEN THE NEXT YEAR THEY DEFUNDED IT, OH WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY.

THAT'S WHAT I'VE SEEN THE NEXT SUMMER A LOT OF MY FRIENDS ARE GOING IN AND OUT.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT MAKES ABOUT 40 OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR ALUMINOUS ACCUSED OF CRIMES.

WHEN ASKED FOR COMMENT, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SENT THIS STATEMENT.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THEM INTEGRATED INTO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>>> ON THAT SENSE THE DAWN OF LEGALIZED CASINO GAMING HAS ATLANTIC CITY SEEING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A GROWTH OF A NEW INDUSTRY.

OFFICIALS ARE NOW HEDGING THEIR BETS ON THE NEW RECREATIONAL CANNABIS MARKET.

BANKING ON THEIR LOCATION.

TO HELP LEGAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES EXPLODE LIKE GAMBLING DID ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.

JOCKEYING TO BE THE NUMBER ONE CANNABIS DESTINATION ON THE EAST COAST.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> IF NEW JERSEY WANTS TO BE THE EAST COAST HUB FOR CANNABIS, BY US HAVING A BLOOMING TOURISM, CASINO INDUSTRY THAT PUTS US IN PRIME POSITION TO SET THE TONE AND TO LEAD THE WAY FOR THE REST OF THE STATE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS ATLANTIC IT CITY IS PREPARING TO BE OPEN FOR CANNABIS BUSINESS SOON.

THE SAME CITY THAT ATTRACTS TOURISTS WITH THEIR CASINOS AND CONCERTS WILL BECOME A CANNABIS HUB FOR THE REGION.

>> I FEEL AS THOUGH CANNABIS IS EXACTLY LIKE MUSIC.

IT BRINGS A LOT OF PEOPLE TOGETHER.

THIS WILL BE A VERY BOOMING INDUSTRY IN ATLANTIC CITY.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE TWO MULTI-STATE OPERATORS THAT WERE JUST APPROVED FOR ADULT USE IN AC.

IT HAPPENED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> WE'RE ON BOARD OF THE THINKING THAT, YOU KNOW, ATLANTIC CITY WILL BECOME THE HUB ON THE EAST COAST.

ONCE WE ARE ABLE TO OPEN IT UP TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULD HAVE THE CANNABIS CONVENTIONS IN THE CITY.

AND REALLY ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF WHAT RECREATIONAL CANNABIS MEANS TO SUCH A PLACE IN ATLANTIC CITY IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE GIVEN LICENSES WITH CONDITIONS SAYS ROB MAHIA.

>> A PART OF WHAT THEY HAD TO DO WITH ATLANTIC CITY IS PROMISE TO HELP WITH SOME OF THE SMALLER OPERATORS.

THEY HAVE PROMISED TO PLEDGE FUNDS.

THEY'VE OFFERED TO BE MENTORS.

THEY'VE OFFERED TO TRAIN SOME OF THE LOCAL FOLKS.

SO THEY REALLY NEED TO HELP SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO AS YOU MENTIONED WERE HARMED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS.

>> Reporter: AROUND THE STATE MANY LEGACY OPERATORS, PEOPLE WHO SOLD WEED ON THE BLACK MARKET ARE HITTING A WALL IN GETTING APPROVAL FROM MUNICIPALITIES EVEN AFTER THEY HAVE GOTTEN STATE APPROVAL.

NOT SO SAYS MCKINLEY.

MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES WILL BE A PRIORITY.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE ANYONE WHO IS APPROVED THROUGH THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, YOUR PROCESS WITH THE MUNICIPAL PARTY WILL BE SMOOTH.

WE WILL NOT HINDER OR BECOME AN OBSTACLE OR DO ANYTHING TO STOP YOU FROM GETTING YOUR OWNERSHIP ON THIS CANNABIS OPPORTUNITY.

NOW THE ONE THING THAT I'M STRESSING TO THE PUBLIC IS THIS IS STILL BIG BUSINESS, SO YOU HAVE TO COME WITH YOUR T'S CROSSED AND THE I'S DOTTED.

>> HAVE THEY FOUND A WAY TO TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE PROFITS AND REINVEST IN THE REGIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HARDEST HIT BY THE WAR ON DRUGS?

>> OF COURSE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE THINGS THAT WE'LL NEED OUT HERE IS HOMEOWNERSHIP.

WE WANT TO REINVEST INTO OUR CITIZENS OWNING MORE HOMES IN OUR TOWN.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SAFER COMMUNITIES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR STREETS ARE CLEAN.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A HIGH CLASS EDUCATION.

>> THE CITY IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO BENEFIT FROM THE MARKET BECAUSE IT WON'T HAVE TO COMPETE WITH THE CASINOS.

>> THE CASINOS EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW IT WILL BE SO POPULAR AND THEY ARE NOT GETTING INTO THE BUSINESS AT ALL.

THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW RULES THAT ARE BASED IN FEDERAL LEGISLATION LEGALIZATION.

>> SO UNTIL IT IS LEGAL NATIONWIDE PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THE CASINOS TO GET THEIR PRODUCTS.

>> THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF DISPENSARIES TO SERVE THAT POPULATION AND SOME CONSUMPTION LOUNGES.

THERE WILL HAVE TO BE A FULL CULTIVATORS THERE, PROCESSERS.

>> THAT'LL PUMP MONEY INTO THE DOWNTOWN ECONOMIES.

>> AND THOSE ARE GOING TO EMPLOYEE PEOPLE LIKE PAVERS FOR THE PARKING LOT.

PEOPLE TO CONSTRUCT THE FENCES.

PEOPLE TO PUT UP THE SECURITY CAMERAS.

YOU'LL NEED INTERIOR DESIGNERS.

PEOPLE TO DO THE CONSTRUCTION AND PLUMBERS, PAINTERS, ELECTRICIANS.

IT WILL JUST GO ON AND ON AND ON.

>> Reporter: THE CITY SAYS THIS LOCATION JUST A FEW BLOCKS OFF THE ATLANTIC CITY BOARD WALK WILL SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE THAT ANYONE CAN BE A WINNER IN THIS MARKETPLACE.

IN ATLANTIC CITY I'M JOANNA GAGIS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WELL THE LATEST JOBS REPORT SHOWS THE DOG DAYS OF COVID MAY FINALLY BE OVER FOR JOB SEEKERS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST ON THE LABOR MARKET PLUS TONIGHT'S BIG HEADLINES.

HEY RHONDA.

>>> BRIANNA, IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD BACK FOR THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEYIANS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

TODAY WE LEARNED NEW JERSEY'S DROUGHT MARKET HAS BEEN FULLY RECOVERED FROM THOSE TOUGH DAYS.

THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT REPORTS NEW JERSEY HAS REGAINED 95% OF THE JOBS LOST IN MARCH AND APRIL OF 2020 WHEN THE PANDEMIC LOCKDOWNS HIT THE STATE HARD.

THEY'VE BEEN ADDING NEW JOBS FOR 17 STRAIGHT MONTHS INCLUDING NEARLY 15,000 POSITIONS LAST MONTH.

AND THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS NOW DROPPED TO 4.1%.

>>> WHEN BUSINESSES CLOSED AND LAYOFFS OCCURRED BACK IN 2020 THERE WAS A FLOOD OF PEOPLE FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WITH THE STATE.

EVENTUALLY DEPLETING THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND.

TO REPLENISH IT BUSINESSES IN NEW JERSEY ARE SET TO PAY HIGHER TAXES.

FOR SOME TIME BUSINESS LEADERS HAVE ARGUED THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE INCREASE, WHICH THEY SAY WITH TOTAL NEARLY $1 BILLION.

TODAY THE ASSEMBLY COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ADVANCED A BILL THAT WOULD OFFSET THOSE EXPECTED TAX INCREASES BY PROVIDING TAX CREDIT TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

>>> INFLATION IS A PROBLEM FOR BUSINESSES AND FOR YOU AND ME AS WE ARE PAYING MORE FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IT SEEMS.

BUT IN SOME WAYS INFLATION HAS BEEN GOOD FOR THE STATE.

INFLATION HAS HELPED WITH STATE TAX COLLECTIONS TO UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS ACCORDING TO BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER.

>> WHAT WE'RE HEARING IN THE HEARINGS IS THAT, YOU KNOW, EVEN ON THE ANALYST AND THOSE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THEY SEEM TO THINK THIS IS A TEMPORARY LIFTING OF THE REVENUE PIE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE HAPPENING YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> Reporter: FOR MORE CHECK OUT JOHN'S STORY ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT MONTH EXISTING HOME SALES IN THE U.S. FELL IN APRIL.

AND SALES WERE SLIGHTLY HIGHER AND HOME PRICES ARE CLIMBING STILL.

BUT TODAY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTOR SAID IT EXPECTS U.S. HOME SALES TO CONTINUE TO DROP ADDING THE MARKET IS LIKELY TO RETURN TO PRE-PANDEMIC ACTIVITY AFTER A TWO-YEAR BOOM.

NOW WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET FAIRED TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> PROVIDED BY NJ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY WHERE BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PATHWAY IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER.

AND PRESENTING THE JERSEY CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL JUNE 4 AND 5.

EVENT DETAILS INCLUDING PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES AND LOCATIONS ARE ONLINE AT LIBERTYJAZZ.ORG.

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

SHE'S LOOKING AT THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY.

RHONDA HIGHLIGHTS MAJOR GROWTH IN THE INDUSTRY ACROSS THE STATE AND GETS A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT SOME JERSEY BASED FASHION AND COSMETIC MARKETS.

WATCH IT SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> REPUBLICANS IN NEW JERSEY'S FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WILL HAVE THEIR CHOICE OF THREE PRIMARY CANDIDATES FOR THE JUNE 7 ELECTION.

ALL VYING TO UNSEAT DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE JOSH GOTTHEIMER.

THEY WILL FAVOR THE CANDIDATE WHO HAS THE BACKING OF THE BERGEN COUNTY REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION, THE COUNTY THAT WILL MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF THE DISTRICT.

BUT THERE IS ALSO THAT TRUMP FACTOR AT PLAY.

SENIOR WRITER COLLEEN O'DEA JOINS US WITH THE LATEST ON THE RACE, HEY.

SO TALK TO ME ABOUT THESE CANDIDATES?

WHAT ARE THEIR POSITIONS?

HOW FAR APART ARE THEY?

>> Reporter: AND SO THEY'RE ACTUALLY REALLY PRETTY SIMILAR AS FAR AS WE COULD TELL IN TERMS OF ISSUES.

AND THEY ARE RUNNING A FRONT RUNNER'S CAMPAIGN.

AND YOU KNOW, AS YOU POINT OUT THEY'VE GOTTEN THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE BERGEN COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE AND THAT IS REALLY THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE DISTRICT, SO THAT WOULD SEEM TO CERTAINLY FAVOR HIM.

BUT IF YOU LOOK ON HIS WEBSITE, THERE IS NOT EVEN A SECTION THAT WILL TALK ABOUT ISSUES, SO YOU KNOW, THAT'S KIND OF WHERE THAT CONFIDENT FRONT RUNNERS POISE WILL COME IN.

HE'S BEEN CRITICIZED FOR THAT BY FRANK POLATA WHO HAS GOTTEN THE ENDORSEMENT ON THE OTHER TWO COUNTIES SUSSEX AND PASSAIC.

BUT THEY ARE A MUCH SMALLER CHUNK OF THAT DISTRICT.

PALATTA RAN TWO YEARS AGO AGAINST GOTTHEIMER AND LOST BY SEVEN POINTS.

BUT IN THAT RACE, HE DID GET A TWITTER ENDORSEMENT FROM DONALD TRUMP AND SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT ONE WOULD THINK HE WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT.

BUT AGAIN IN TERMS OF ISSUES, THEY SEEM TO BE, YOU KNOW, CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS FOR THE MOST PART.

AS FAR AS WE COULD TELL.

>> AND HE'S ALSO GOT THAT NAME RECOGNITION, CORRECT?

WHICH WE KNOW GOES A LONG WAY WHEN IT COMES TO ESPECIALLY PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

OKAY, THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING DISTRICT.

HE IS A VERY CENTER RIGHT DEMOCRAT.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF SOMEONE UNSEATING HIM COME NOVEMBER?

>> IT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

IT WAS MADE BECAUSE THEY WON THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS AND IT WAS PURPOSELY DRAWN TO BE FRIENDLIER TO THE DEMOCRAT TO GOTTHEIMER.

THAT'S IN HIS FAVOR AND HE HAS WON, YOU KNOW, ELECTIONS THREE TIMES NOW INCLUDING IN 2016 WHEN DONALD TRUMP WON THAT DISTRICT.

HE WON A FIFTH DISTRICT, BUT STILL HE UNSEATED THE REPUBLICAN AT THE TIME.

AND SO HE ALSO HAS A LOT OF MONEY.

KIND OF LIKE A FUNDRAISING MACHINE AND HE'S GOT $13 MILLION IN THE BANK.

BUT YOU KNOW IT'S A MIDTERM ELECTION.

AND USUALLY THE PARTY THAT IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND IN THIS CASE THE DEMOCRATS LOSE SEATS.

THE ECONOMY IS NOT IN GREAT SHAPE AND INFLATION IS HIGH AND GAS PRICES ARE HIGH, SO ALL THOSE THINGS COULD FAVOR THE REPUBLICAN.

>> ALL RIGHT, COLLEEN O'DEA FOR US THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE'LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT THAT AS WE WOULD MOVE TOWARDS THE ELECTION.

>> THANK YOU, BRIANNA.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT A REMINDER NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS HAS LAUNCHED ITS FIRST PODCAST SERIES CALLED HAZARD NJ.

THAT DIGS THROUGH THE MUCK OF EACH CONTAMINATED SUPER FUND SITE HERE IN THE STATE TO GIVE YOU A CLEARER PICTURE OF WHAT THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE THREATS TO EACH SITE WILL BE.

SUBSCRIBE TO HAZARD NJ AND LISTEN ON ANY OF THE PLATFORMS YOU'LL GET YOUR PODCASTS.

THE FIRST EPISODE IS OUT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

>>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, 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.

>>> HAVE SOME WATER.

LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, AND TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJE MEMBER.