>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, 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 AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT I'M BRIANA VANNOZI.

IT WAS ONE YEAR AGO TODAY THAT GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED BY A MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER.

HIS ARREST AND MURDER CAPTURED IN A DISTURBING VIDEO.

>>> TOUCHING OFF MASSIVE PROTESTS, CALLS FROM POLICE REFORM AND A MURDER CONVICTION.

PRESIDENT BIDEN AND CORY BOOKER EACH SEPARATELY MET WITH THE FAMILY WHOM HAVE BEEN HIGHLY VOCAL AND CALLS FOR CONGRESS TO ACT ON THE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES IN POLICING.

LAWMAKERS HAVE YET TO COME TO A COMPROMISE.

ACTIVIST SAY MUCH AS CHANGED, TOO MUCH REMAINS THE SAME.

FOR McCAIN IS AN BARBARIC.

THE VIDEO CAPTURED BY DANIELA FRAZIER ONE YEAR AGO TODAY.

THE AGONIZING SCENE OF DEREK CHAUVIN, WHOSE KNEE PRESSED INTO THE NECK OF GEORGE FLOYD.

THAT COULD HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD.

>> WE HAVE SEEN A CHANGE IN PEOPLE'S THINKING ABOUT THE POLICE.

A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY WILL ADMIT THAT POLICE BRUTALITY IS A REALITY.

4 THE DECADES OF ACTIVISM HAVE BEEN CONCENTRATED IN THE WORK BUT AIMED AT EVERYONE IN THE STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

SINCE THE KILLING HE HAS SEEN THE USUAL COALITION EXPAND.

>> I WAS INVITED TO SPEAK AT PLACES THAT IF YOU HAD TOLD ME JUST 30 DAYS BEFORE THAT THERE WOULD BE A DEMONSTRATION, I SAID YOU'RE CRAZY.

IT HAPPENED.

>> THE MORE IT IS EXPOSED, MORE USE THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND PLATFORMS, IT BECOMES MORE REAL.

SOMETHING YOU CAN TOUCH AND IDENTIFY WITH.

OR IT GIVES A SHOCK TO YOUR SYSTEM.

I BELIEVE WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING, WHETHER THEY BELIEVE OR NOT, YOU CANNOT ERASE WHAT YOU SEE.

>> THAT PROMPTED WORDS OF SUPPORT FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND AROUND THE STATE.

IN PATTERSON, THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED THAT USE OF FORCE RECORDS WILL BE A FACTOR.

THIS IS GOVERNOR MURPHY COMMENTING ON THE ANNIVERSARY AT HIS REGULAR COVID BRIEFING.

>> WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS.

THE SOBERING NEWS, WE ARE NOT CLOSE TO BEING FINISHED.

I SUSPECT THAT WILL BE THE CASE FOR A LONG TIME.

>> WORDS LIKE THESE HAVE NOT DEVOLVED INTO ACTIONS.

THE LEGISLATURE SO FAR FAILED TO MOVE ON LEGISLATION LIKE ESTABLISHING COMPLAINT REVIEW BOARDS OR BANNING CHOKEHOLDS OR ENDING QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FOR FEAR OF OFFENDING MORE CONSERVATIVE VOTERS IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

>> IN THE STATE LED BY DEMOCRATS .

DEMOCRATS THAT ARE VERY CRITICAL OF REPUBLICANS FOR NOT STANDING UP TO TRUMP AND SAYING THEY SHOULDN'T BE AS CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEXT ELECTION AS THEY ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING, ARE THE VERY PEOPLE THAT WILL NOT STAND UP TO TRUMP LIST TYPE THINKING, AROUND DOING WHAT IS RIGHT IN REGARDS TO POLICE VIOLENCE IN NEW JERSEY AND ARE ONLY THINKING ABOUT THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> Reporter: LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS AND ENDOW THEM WITH THE TINA POWER.

>> Reporter: >> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN SLOWED BY LEGISLATIVE -- .

>> TO HEAR THE RHETORIC ABOUT ELECTIONS, THEY COME AND GO.

YOU DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE.

THIS BILL, THE IMMUNITY BILL AND CHOKEHOLD BILL, THOSE WILL PROHIBIT THE USE OF FORCE AND MURDER OF PEOPLE.

IT IS NOT RIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD AWAKENED MANY TO THE DAILY INJUSTICES FACED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

UNTIL THOSE WITH THE POWER TO QUANTIFY JUSTICE ACTUALLY TAKE ACTION, IT WILL REMAIN A FLEETING ILLUSION TO BE PURSUED BUT NOT ATTAINED.

STRIKE THE STATE HASN'T BEEN ENTIRELY STAGNANT EITHER.

NEW LAWS REQUIRING BODY CAMERAS TO BE WORN AND INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS OF OFFICER INVOLVED DEATHS ARE ON THE BOOKS.

USE OF FORCE GUIDELINES WERE UPDATED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES.

MOST ADVOCATES AND LEADERS AGREE THAT NEW JERSEY IS FAR FROM THE FOREFRONT.

ACCORDING TO NATIONAL PORTS, MORE THAN 30 STATES AND DOZENS OF LARGE CITIES HAVE CREATED RULES TO LIMIT OR BAN POLICE TACTICS SUCH AS NECK RESTRAINTS AND NOW REQUIRE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT TO INTERVENE WHEN A FELLOW OFFICER IS USING EXTREME FORCE.

WE ASKED THE FORMER NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL, PETER HARVEY, ABOUT HOW MUCH IS CHANGED AND WHAT CRITICAL WORK REMAINS UNDONE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

I WANT TO ASK YOU, WHAT YOU FIND MOST SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THE FACT THAT MANY REFORMS THAT WE SEE HAVE COME BY WAY OF DIRECTIVES FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, NOT FROM THE GOVERNOR OR LEGISLATURE.

>> IT IS AN EXPRESSION OF THE AUTHORITY IN NEW JERSEY.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BY STATUTE, HAS EXTRAORDINARY POWER TO ISSUE DIRECTIVES THAT ARE BINDING ON POLICE OFFICERS AND ON PROSECUTORS.

THESE DIRECTIVES ARE IMPORTANT.

THEY SHOULD COME FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS A CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT HAS RESPONSIBILITY BY STATUTE, TO COORDINATE OFFICIAL JUSTICE ENFORCEMENT AND POLICY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT ONE OF THOSE DIRECTIVES.

THE STATE NOW REQUIRES EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE RECORDS TO BE MADE PUBLIC.

OTHER DISCIPLINARY RECORDS ARE NOT.

HOW IS THE STATE FARING WITH RECORD-KEEPING AND ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION?

>> NEW JERSEY IS AHEAD OF MOST STATE'S.

YOU HAVE TO SEPARATE DISCIPLINE BETWEEN MINOR AND MAJOR.

MAJOR DISCIPLINE IMPOSED ON A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, IN THE VIEW OF MANY, SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC.

IF YOU ARE SUSPENDED FOR 10 DAYS OR TWO WEEKS OR A MONTH BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE, THE PUBLIC ARGUMENT IS, WE SHOULD KNOW THAT.

BY THE WAY, CHIEFS OF POLICE IN OTHER TOWNS AND CITIES SHOULD KNOW THAT AS WELL.

THAT WAY IF YOU GET TERMINATED OR DECIDE TO RESIGN BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU WILL GET TERMINATED AND YOU GO TO ANOTHER ORGANIZATION AND APPLY FOR EMPLOYMENT, THAT CHIEF SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHECK SOME RECORD TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR DISCIPLINE HAS BEEN IN THE PLACE WERE YOU PREVIOUSLY SERVED.

RIGHT NOW, CHIEF COULDN'T DO THAT.

>> IS THERE ONE PARTICULAR AREA OR LEGISLATION WHEN NEW JERSEY IS LAGGING.

THE JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT COMES TO MIND.

A MAJOR STICKING POINT OVER QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT OUT WHERE.

THERE IS A BILL NOW.

WHERE ARE WE LAGGING?

>> QUALIFIED IMMUNITY IS JUDICIAL.

THE LEGISLATURE COULD ELIMINATE IT AS A DEFENSE IN A CIVIL PROCEEDING.

THE ONE AREA NEW JERSEY IS LAGGING IN HIS POLICE LICENSING.

THERE IS NO GOOD REASON WHY THERE SHOULD NOT BE A LICENSE, HELD BY POLICE OFFICERS AND THAT THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS SET UP TO OBTAIN THE LICENSE AND RENEW THE LICENSE.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE A 19-YEAR- OLD BE ARMED WITH A BADGE AND A GUN AND THE ABILITY TO DEPRIVE SOMEONE OF LIBERTY OR THEIR LIFE.

I DON'T THINK YOU KNOW ENOUGH.

ANY CULTURAL EDUCATION AND MORE SCHOOLING.

YOU ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN THEIR BACKGROUND, SUCH AS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN OR CHILDREN.

IF YOU HAD A RESTRAINING ORDER YOU SHOULD NOT BE A POLICE OFFICER.

THAT SUGGESTS VIOLENT TENDENCY.

WE NEED LICENSING AND NEED IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

>> IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE YOUR INSIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>>> THERE COULD SOON BE A SECOND VACCINE OPTION FOR ADOLESCENTS.

MODERNA SAID THERE VACCINATION APPEARS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IN 12 TO 17-YEAR-OLDS.

THEY SAID CLINICAL STUDIES CONDUCTED IN 3700 PARTICIPANTS SHOW THAT THE SHOT WAS GENERALLY WELL TOLERATED AMONG THE AGE GROUP AND TRIGGERED THE SAME SIGNS OF IMMUNE PROTECTION IN KIDS AS IT DOES IN ADULTS WITH SIMILAR TEMPORARY SIDE EFFECTS LIKE HEADACHES OR FATIGUE.

NO CASES OF COVID-19 AND THOSE GIVEN TWO DOSES OF THE MODERNA VACCINE.

423 NEW POSITIVE CASES ACROSS THE STATE TODAY AND 24 DEATHS ARE BEING RIPPED PORTED.

THE DATA FOR TEENAGERS IS EXPECTED TO BE SENT TO THE FDA AND OTHER REGISTERED -- REGULATORS NEXT MONTH.

LEADERS CONTINUE THE PUSH TO GET EVERY ELIGIBLE RESIDENT VACCINATED.

MORE THAN 4 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY IMMUNIZED.

4.8 MILLION HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

MORE BUSINESSES ARE ALSO STARTING TO MAKE THE SHOTS A REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT AND RETURN TO THE OFFICE.

IS IT LEGAL?

RANDE FLANAGAN HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS DRIVING STAFF TO GET VACCINATED.

SOME PANTS DEMAND TO SEE FANS VACCINATION CARDS AS WELL.

>> TO GO TO A METS GAME YOU HAVE TO SHOW YOUR VACCINE CARD.

PEOPLE WILL PICK RULES BASED ON HOW THEY THINK THEY WILL KEEP THE WORKFORCE SAFE.

>> Reporter: IN NEW JERSEY, YOUR JOB COULD DEPEND ON GETTING VACCINATED, PARTICULARLY IF YOU WORK IN A HEALTHCARE SETTING.

STING EMPLOYED IS WHY HOME HEALTHCARE STAFF ARE ELSIE -- ENDED UP WAITING FOR A SHOT AT HER CHURCH LAST WEEK.

VERY RELUCTANTLY.

>> I DON'T WANT TO GET IT.

>> WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE?

>> BECAUSE OF MY JOB.

>> THERE WERE SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS THAT DECIDED THE VACCINE WAS NOT RIGHT FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: SHE HEADS THE LONG- TERM CARE COMPANY WITH THREE FACILITIES.

THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY SUFFERED TRAGIC LOSSES DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN THE VIRUS KILLED NEARLY 8000 RESIDENTS.

ONLY 60% OF STAFF HAVE GOTTEN VACCINATED.

EMPLOYERS NOW MANDATE COVID SHOTS AT JUST THREE COMPANIES IN NEW JERSEY.

SUNRISE LIVING, ATRIA AND JUNIPER.

AUDIT FOR 2000 EMPLOYEES, 40 REFUSED AND LEFT, INCLUDING TWO IN NEW JERSEY.

>> IN SOME CASES THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SHORT DEVELOPMENT TIMEFRAME AND IN OTHER CASES, THERE WAS JUST HESITANCY.

THE REMAINDER WERE EITHER VACCINATED OR HAD MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS.

TODAY, WE ARE OVER 95% FULLY VACCINATED.

>> IF YOU ARE WORKING IN AN ORGANIZATION WHERE YOU HAVE HEALTH COMPROMISED CLIENTS AND PATIENTS, YOU WANT TO PROTECT THEM.

ONE WAY IS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A VACCINATED WORKFORCE.

THIS IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS IT MIGHT APPEAR.

>> Reporter: THE LAW IS COMPLEX.

EMPLOYERS CAN LEGALLY REQUIRE VACCINATIONS.

>> PEOPLE HAVE RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS THAT WE DO RECOGNIZE.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE HEALTHCARE REASONS.

SOME DOCTORS TELL PEOPLE NOT TO GET THE VACCINE AND PEOPLE ARE GUIDED BY THEIR DOCTOR.

WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.

>> THE VACCINE IS THE PATHWAY TO PROTECTING AND ENSURING THE SAFETY OF ALL EMPLOYEES.

BETWEEN NOW AND JULY 21, WE ASK STAFF TO BECOME FULLY COVID-19 VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION CEO, KATHY BENNETT, SAID SHE SURVEYED THE STAFF FIRST.

5% OF THE 130 WORKERS MAY OPT OUT.

>> BE REACHED OUT AND ASKED ABOUT THE EXEMPTION PROCESS.

LIKE SOME BUSINESSES, WE ARE OFFERING MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION.

>> Reporter: BARNABAS HEALTH ANNOUNCED 1283% OF THE WORKFORCE IS VACCINATED, IT WILL NOW REQUIRE ALL WORKERS TO GET SHOTS.

THE CEO SAID WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO ALL WE CAN.

EMPLOYERS SHOULD PROCEED CAREFULLY AND CONSIDER A CARROT VERSUS A STICK.

THE BENCHMARK FOR BASEBALL IS 85%.

>> OF THE TEAM DOES NOT HAVE 85%, WENT ON THE ROAD THEY HAVE TO STAY IN THE HOTEL'S.

>>> THE MASK MANDATE BECOMES OPTIONAL IN JUST A FEW DAYS.

NOT FOR EVERYONE.

UNTIL THE VACCINE IS AUTHORIZED FOR KIDS, STUDENTS WILL HAVE TO WEAR A MASK IN THE CLASSROOM.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID HE DOES NOT EXPECT A CLINICAL TRIAL FOR CHILDREN 12 AND YOUNGER TO BE COMPLETED BY FALL.

AS A RESULT, HE WILL KEEP THE REQUIREMENT IN PLACE.

THEY ARE PLANNING TO RELEASE MORE GUIDANCE IN JUNE ABOUT WHAT THE RETURN TO SCHOOL WILL LOOK LIKE IN SEPTEMBER.

MURPHY IS ADAMANT ABOUT GETTING KIDS BACK IN CLASSROOMS FOR FULL TIME, AND PERSON LEARNING.

ESPECIALLY A STATEWIDE TESTING AND REPORT SHOW WIDENING GAPS IN LEARNING LOSS FROM THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

A STUDENT SPENT THIS YEAR, LARGELY IN VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS.

SCHOOLS ARE NOW PLAYING CATCH- UP.

>>> ONLY ONE IN THREE STUDENTS IS PROJECTED TO BE ON GRADE LEVEL IN ENGLISH AND ONLY ONE IN FOUR IN MATH.

THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT DECLINES.

>> INTERRUPTIONS FROM COVID.

EVEN THOUGH NEW JERSEY HAS SOME OF THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE NATION, ONLY HALF OF OUR STUDENTS WERE ON GRADE LEVEL BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN.

THE RISK OF LEARNING LOSS COULD COMPOUND THE LOSSES FROM THIS LAST YEAR OF VIRTUAL LEARNING.

>> NEARLY HALF THE STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY EXPERIENCED SOME TYPE OF LEARNING LOSS.

SOME STUDENTS WOULD LOSE ALL OF THE ACADEMIC GAINS OVER THE SUMMER.

ADDING THOSE ADDITIONAL LOSSES, IF WE LOSE ANY GAMES, WE ARE SETTING STUDENTS EVEN FURTHER BEHIND.

>> THE GOVERNOR CALLED IT AN EQUITY ISSUE THIS MORNING.

>> THE LOSSES DEEPER IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES THAN ON AVERAGE.

HE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET KIDS UP TO PAR.

>> THAT INCLUDES TUTORING AND SUMMER PROGRAMS.

IT IS ALREADY A KEY PART OF THE CURRICULUM IT THE CHARTER SCHOOL IN NEWARK.

>> WE SAW AN INCREASED NEED IN THAT ATTENTION.

LEARNING OF RESUME WAS A BIG ADJUSTMENT.

TUTORING PAID EVEN MORE OF A KEY ROLE.

THAT IS WHAT WILL CLOSE THESE GAPS WHEN WE COME BACK IN SUMMER AND FALL.

>> THE SCHOOL USES VOLUNTEERS TO TUTOR STUDENTS.

THEY ARE EXPANDING NEXT YEAR.

>> THEY NEED THE RIGHT SUPPORT.

WE ARE INCREASING TUTORS FROM 120 TO 150 NEXT YEAR, IN PREPARATION FOR MAKING SURE STUDENTS HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> THEY ARE ALSO STARTING NEXT YEAR IN AUGUST TO GET MORE LEARNING TIME.

CAMDEN IS EXPANDING TO FULL DAY AND REMOVING CAPACITY LIMIT IS.

THEY WILL OFFER A SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS TRANSITIONING TO HEIST WILL AND CREDIT RECOVERY FOR STUDENTS THAT NEED TO MAKE UP CREDIT.

>> THE FOCUS IS MORE INTENSELY ON LEARNING RECOVERY AS WELL AS BALANCING THAT WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

WE HAVE STEM, CODING, LITERACY AND MATH.

LOTS OF HANDS-ON COOKING.

>> -- IS TRYING TO MEET EMOTIONAL NEEDS THE SUMMER.

>> WE ARE EMBEDDING CODING AND ROBOTICS.

THERE WILL BE HORSEBACK RIDING.

THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SWIM TWICE A WEEK.

IT WILL REALLY BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISTRICT.

>> BOTH PLEASANTVILLE AND CAMDEN WILL USE FEDERAL FUNDING TO EXPAND THE OFFERINGS.

>> WANT TO OFFER THAT, CAN YOU PUT THE GENIE IN THE BOTTLE?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO.

I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO GET WETTER AND BETTER WITH SUMMER OFFERINGS.

IF THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO PARTNER WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS, WE SHOULD DO THAT BECAUSE WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO RISE AND NOT SHIFT BACKWARD.

>>> ATLANTIC CITY IS EYEING A COMBAT.

>> Reporter: ATLANTIC CITY IS GEARING UP FOR A POTENTIALLY BACK TO NORMAL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

NOW THE GOVERNOR MURPHY LIFTED RESTRICTIONS, NET REVENUES ARE STILL DOWN, COMPARED TO ONE YEAR AGO.

JANE -- , THE COORDINATOR OF THE LEVINSON INSTITUTE OF GAMING HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM SAID, THERE HAS BEEN STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN NUMBERS.

>> WE SAW REVENUE AND GROSS OPERATING PROFIT INCREASE IN THE FIRST QUARTER, COMPARED TO THE FOURTH QUARTER.

ALSO, THE EXPRESSWAY TOLLS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOLLS FROM PLEASANTVILLE PLAZA, THEY WERE UP BY ABOUT 300,000 OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.

THAT IS A VERY GOOD INDICATION THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING TO THE CITY.

>> DURING THE WINTER, THE OCCUPANCY RATE WAS JUST OVER 50%.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST FIGURES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TRAVELED TO MOORESTOWN TO TALK THE WORKFORCE EXPANSION AT A LOCAL LOCKHEED MARTIN FACILITY.

LATER THIS YEAR, LOCKHEED MARTIN IS LOCATING SOME ACTIVITIES FROM A PLANT IN BALTIMORE.

DUE TO THAT, MORRIS TOWN LOCATION WILL BE ADDING 400 NEW JOBS WITHIN TWO YEARS.

ATTRACTING NEW JOBS WILL BE KEY IF THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO RECOVER.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>>> THE STATES LARGEST UTILITY -- .

SHOULD BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO RUN THE UTILITY IN THE 118 YEAR HISTORY.

-- HAS BEEN WITH PS ENG -- PSE&G, SINCE 1986.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY .

>>> COMBATING FOOD INSECURITY IS THE TOUGHEST.

IT ALSO SPURRED CREATIVE IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS.

SOUP KITCHEN 411 IS AN EXAMPLE.

DEAR FEEDING THOSE IN NEED WHILE SUPPORTING HARD-HIT RESTAURANT SO WORKERS WILL NOT GO HUNGRY.

AS PART OF HER ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

>>> TUESDAY MORNING MEANS ANOTHER DAY HEADED TO WORK.

COMING TO ST. JOHN SOUP KITCHEN AND GETTING A FREE MEAL MEANS ONE LESS BURDEN TO CARRY.

>> BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, I LOST MY JOB.

THEY ARE REALLY GOOD PEOPLE.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME EVER GOING THROUGH A SITUATION LIKE THIS.

I AM NOT HOMELESS BUT THINGS ARE TIGHT.

>> Reporter: THIS SOUP KITCHEN IS ONE OF MANY TAKING PART IN THE FEED NJ CAMPAIGN.

IT WAS CREATED IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC.

THE GOAL IS TO CURB FOOD INSECURITY WHILE HELPING STRUGGLING RESTAURANT STAY IN BUSINESS.

IT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT PETE DOBBS SAID TEAMING UP WITH THE CAMPAIGN MAKES SENSE.

>> RESTAURANTS DO NOT SURVIVE LONG IF PEOPLE DO NOT COME IN.

SOUP KITCHEN 411 DECIDED TO BUY MEALS AND FEED PEOPLE IN NEED IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE WERE CONNECTED LAST YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO OUR MENUS THAT WE COOK EVERY DAY.

SOMETIMES WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO CERTAIN THINGS AND THEY FILL THE GAP.

>> WHATEVER THEY NEED, WE BRING DOWN.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE BEEN DOWNTOWN SINCE THE 30s.

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD.

>> ANYONE THAT NEEDS THE FREE MEAL CAN COME TO THE SOUP KITCHEN, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

VOLUNTEERS STATUS A GREAT FEELING TO GIVE BACK.

>> SOME NEED MORE HELP THAN OTHERS.

WE TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT.

>> IT IS WELCOMING PEOPLE, FEEDING THEM AND GIVING THEM SOMETHING.

IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THEM SOMETIMES TO FIND WHAT THEY NEED .

>> A CHALLENGE THAT COLBERT KNOWS ALL TOO WELL.

HE IS GRATEFUL THE KITCHEN EXISTS BECAUSE IT GIVES HIM AND OTHERS THE STRENGTH TO MAKE IT THROUGH ANOTHER DAY.

>> IT IS EVERYTHING.

IT IS SOMETIMES WHAT WE NEED.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR JOB.

YOU BECOME DEPRESSED.

YOU COME HERE AND THEY TALK WITH YOU.

THEY ARE NICE PEOPLE.

I NEEDED IT.

>> THANK YOU EVERYBODY.

>>> 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.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS OR FIND US ON SOCIAL.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE.

ALSO RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH .

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

ALSO THE OCEAN WING PROJECT BY OR STEAD AND -- .

CREATING FOR A SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> LOOK AT THE KIDS, WHAT DO YOU SEE K I SEE MYSELF.

TRYING TO GIVE STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND DREAM AND ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BE KNOWN AND BE AN AMERICAN.

I AM PROUD TO BE A NJEA MEMBER.