>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER AND THE PROJECT BY ORSTED.

AND PSEG.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A 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'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

BIG CHANGES STARTING TODAY ACROSS THE STATE AS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS BEGIN LIFTING JUST IN TIME TO CELEBRATE MOM THIS WEEKEND OR HEAD TO THE PROM.

OUTDOOR GATHERING LIMITS ARE CAPPED AT 500 PEOPLE AND INDOOR UP TO 50% CAPACITY, BUT NO MORE THAN 250 PEOPLE.

IF YOU HAVE A FAVORITE LOCAL SPOT YOU CAN ONCE AGAIN GRAB A SEAT AT THE BARBOR.

STARTING TODAY YOU CAN HIT THE BUFFET LINE AND THE DANCE FLOOR AT WEDDINGS AND CATERED EVENTS.

THE STATE IS LIFTING MOST CAPACITY LIMITS INDOORS.

ALL ARE MOVING INTO THE POST PANDEMIC LIFE WITH THE NUMBER OF POSITIVE CASES REMAINING STEADY AT JUST OVER 13030 BUT WITH 29 MORE LIVES LOST.

THIS COMES AS PFIZER AND THEIR PART ANYWHERE ARE ASKING THE FDA FOR FULL APPROVAL OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE FOR THOSE AGED 16 AND OLDER.

RIGHT NOW IT'S BEING USED UNDER AN EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION IN THE U.S.

IT COULD TAKE SIX TO TEN MONTHS FOR THE APPROVAL TO BE GIVEN.

THE DRUG MAKER IS ASKING THE FDA TO EXTEND THE OUTER BANKSZATION FOR KIDS 12 TO 15 YEARS OLD, A DECISION THAT COULD COME AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

WE REPORT ON THE EFFORTS TO GET KIDS VACCINATED HERE AT HOME.

WE KNOW A LOT ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF THESE VACCINES.

WE'RE GOING TO BE MOSTLY LOOKING AT WHETHER CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE AN IMMUNE RESPONSE TO THE VACCINE AND TO WHAT LEVEL THE IMMUNE RESPONSE IS AND IF IT'S PROTECTIVE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE GOAL OF A CLINICAL TRIAL STUDYING PFIZER'S VACCINE IN CHILDREN AT RUTGERS ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL.

THEY'LL FOLLOW 50 KIDS SIX MONTHS TO TWO YEARS, AND UP TO A HUNDRED KIDS 5 TO 12 YEARS OLD ALL FOR TWO YEARS.

INTERNATIONALLY THERE WILL BE ABOUT 46030 KIDS STUDIED, MUCH LESS THAN THE ADULT CLINICAL TRIALS.

>> THERE WILL BE MUCH MORE DIFFERENT DOSES TRIED.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO IT IN CHILDREN BECAUSE WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THE DOSE.

>> Reporter: THEY'LL BE LOOKING FOR SIDE EFFECTS.

>> GENERALLY, WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT VACCINES IS IF THERE IS GOING TO BE AN IMPACT IT HAPPENS WITHIN THE FIRST SEVERAL WEEKS, SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS.

IT'S REALLY RARE TO HAVE EXTREMELY LONG-TERM IMPACTS.

HAVING SAID THAT, ALL THE VACCINES, THE PARTICIPANTS, ARE BEING FOLLOWED FOR TWO YEARS.

>> Reporter: THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME RUTGERS WAS SELECTED TO RUN A TRIAL FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

FAMILIES ARE ENROLLING NOW AND KIDS HAVE TO QUALIFY TO BE RANDOMLY INVESTIGATED.

DR. STANLEY WEISS SAYS GETTING THIS POPULATION IS CRITICAL TO THE REOPENING EFFORTS.

>> SOME OF THE NEW VARIANTS ARISING ARE MORE COMMONLY TRANSMITTED AMONG CHILDREN THAN THE INITIAL VARIANT.

SO WE REALLY NEED TO OFFER THEM FULL PROTECTION.

BY GETTING THEM VACCINATED WE CAN ENSURE THEIR SAFETY FOR A RETURN TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL.

>> Reporter: IS IT REALISTIC THAT THE KIDS ARE RETURNING TO SCHOOL VACCINATED?

>> I THINK SO.

THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE WE'LL HEAR GOOD NEWS NEXT WEEK FROM THE FDA AND THEY'LL APPROVE IT FOR 12 TO 15.

WE HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE IN THE PIPELINE SO THAT, WITH GOOD COOPERATION, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE KIDS VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: THAT COOPERATION IS KEY AND MANY PARENTS ARE NERVOUS.

>> FOR ME THERE IS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION AS FAR AS LONG-TERM EFFECTS, WHAT THIS CAN DO TO OUR CHILDREN.

WE HAVE NO IDEA BECAUSE THIS IS A BRAND NEW TECHNOLOGY JUST BEING USED IN HUMANS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

SO, FOR ME, I JUST DON'T FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT IT.

>> IT'S ALREADY DIFFICULT TO GET THE PARENTS TO HAVE THEIR SIX MONTHERS RECEIVE THE FLU VACCINE.

NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER VIRUS THAT'S RELATIVELY NEW.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME EDUCATION.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE PATIENCE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE PUTTING THE VACCINE IN PLACES WHERE PARENTS ARE FAMILIAR, COMFORTABLE AND TRUST THE EXCHANGE THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOUR PEDIATRICIAN.

>> Reporter: AS FOR WHERE THEY'LL BE ADMINISTERED, PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PLAN IS TO USE PEDIATRICIAN OFFICES AND PHARMACIES.

THAT PRESENTS MORE CHALLENGES.

>> THE STATE IS ALSO STARTING TO SEND MORE SUPPLY TO LOCAL PHARMACIES AND SMALLER CLINICS, FOCUSING ON HARD TO REACH COMMUNITIES N.NEWARK, 30% OF ALL ADULTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT'S NEARLY 37.5 MILLION RESIDENTS TOTAL AS OF THIS MORNING.

THE MAYOR SAID HE NEEDS MORE ACCESS TO DOSES FROM THE STATE TO RAISE THE NUMBERS, HOLDING POP-UP VACCINE SITE AT A CHURCH TO REACH THOSE WITH DISACTS, OFFERING MODERNA AND JOHNSON&JOHNSON.

THE EVENT FOCUSED ON RESIDENTS SPECIAL NEED, BUT WAS OPEN TO EVERYONE IN THE CITY.

>> I FEEL BETTER TAKING THE SHOT.

THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR FOR HELPING THE DEAF COMMUNITY GET THE SHOT.

IT'S PERFECT.

THANK YOU.

>> IN ANOTHER EFFORT TO BOOST VACCINES, STARTING TUESDAY THE FEMA RUN SITE IN NEWARK WILL OFFER WALK-INS EVERYDAY FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. AS MORE OF THE STATE POPULATION GETS VACCINATED AND RECLAIMS NORMALCY, JERSEY SHORE BUSINESS OWNERS EXPECT A BUSY SUMMER.

THE UNOFFICIAL KICKOFF TO THE SUMMER IS WEEKS AWAY AND SEASIDE TOWNS ARE READY TO MAKE UP FOR THE SLUGGISH WINTER AND LAST YEAR.

BUSINESSES ARE REPORT AGNEW HURDLE AS THEY GEAR UP FOR TOURISTS, FINDING ENOUGH WORKERS TO HELP THEM REOPEN.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALL READY TO GO, THE FERRIS WHEEL GRISTENING IN THE SUN, THE WAVES INVITING YOU TO COME IN, SHOPS READY FOR BUSINESS.

>> MY INTUITION IS WITH THE SUN COMING OUT, THE SPIRITS OF PEOPLE WANTING TO GO OUT AND NOT GO OUT OF STATE OR THE COUNTRY, VISITATIONS ARE GOING TO COME HERE.

>> Reporter: ONLY PROBLEM?

>> MORE EMPLOYEES.

>> Reporter: THE PIER STARTS OPENING DAILY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

THEY ALWAYS GET AN INFLUX OF APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER JOB, BUT THIS YEAR THERE IS STILL ABOUT 200 EMPLOYEES SHORT.

>> GAME ATTENDANTS AND RIDE OPERATORS AND COOKS AND BARTENDERS.

WE NORMALLY HIRE INTERNATIONAL WORKERS.

>> Reporter: THE PROBLEM IS RIGHT NOW THERE IS AN EXTREME BACKLOG OF GETTING VISA APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE THE CEASE SO ISSUED.

NOT ALL OFFICES AROUND THE WORLD ARE OPEN YET AND THEY'RE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING VISA POINTMENTS.

WE NEED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO PRIORITIZE THE VISAS.

>> Reporter: SHORE TOWN UP AND DOWN THE STATE ARE FACING THE SAME STRUGGLE.

VICKI CLARK IS PRESIDENT OF ONE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> OUR BUSINESS ARE REALLY EXPERIENCING HIRING CRISIS.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE ALSO FACING CHALLENGES HIRING LOCALS.

>> THERE ARE HELP WANTED SIGNS EVERYWHERE, JOB FAIRS BEING HELD AND NO ONE IS SHOWING UP.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST FACTOR NMY OPINION, IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS GIVEN TO PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC PEOPLE CAN COLLECT AN ADDITIONAL $300 FEDERAL ON TOP OF UNEMPLOYMENT UNTIL SEPTEMBER.

>> MONTANA HAS STOPPED THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THAT BACK EVENTUALLY.

BY PEOPLE NOT GOING OUT TO WORK IT IS AFFECTING THE STATE'S INCOME AND REVENUE.

>> FOR THOSE MAKING MINIMUM WAGE, SAYING TOTEM SELVES, I MAY AS WELL WAIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER.

THAT DOESN'T HELP US IN SEASIDE HEIGHTS.

THERE IS NO JOBS AFTER SEPTEMBER.

THE JOBS ARE NOW.

>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME NEED ASSISTANCE.

WHEN IT'S HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE KIDS THAT IS AFFECTING EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: THE OWNER OF FROZEN CUSTARD SAYS THEY NORMALLY HIRE 65 EMPLOYEES SPREAD ACROSS SIX SHOPS IN NEW JERSEY.

THEY ARE STILL 15 SHORT FOR NIGHT SHIFTS BECAUSE TYPICALLY HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE KIDS FILL THE SPOTS.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

>> 14 AND 15-YEAR-OLDS AND I STARTED HIRING 15-YEAR-OLDS WITH HAVING TO GET A LETTER OF PERMISSION TO WORK TILMON 9:00.

>> Reporter: THAT LEAVES HIM WITH THREE TO FOUR HOURS OF LOST REVENUE.

>> WE HAVE THE SENIOR CITIZENS THAT WE HIRE, THOSE THAT ARE RETIRED AND THEY'RE FRIGHTENED OF THE VIRUS AND BEING IN CROWDS.

>> WE NEED THE OLDER 18 PLUS- YEAR-OLDS TO WORK PAST 9:00, CAN WORK OVER 40 HOURS.

A LOT OF THOSE ARE ON UNEMPLOYMENT.

>> WE'LL HEAD FURTHER DOWN THE SHORE TO ATLANTIC CITY.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR MORE WORKERS LIKE FINANCIAL HELP FROM THE LEGAL WEED INDUSTRY.

THE ATLANTIC CITY RESTART AND RECOVERY GROUP RELEASE ADD REPORT WITH THAT SUGGESTION.

THE REPORT IS DESIGNED TO ACT AS A ROAD MAP IN HELPING THE CITY BOUNCE BACK FROM THE HEALTH CRISIS AND SUGGESTED USING THE MONEY FROM MARIJUANA SALES TO HELP PAY FOR THE WORK NEEDED I CONCLUDE REBUILDING THE ICONIC BOARDWALK AND UPGRADES TO THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT AND MAKING THE CITY'S ECONOMY LESS RELIANT ON THE CASINO.

THEY SUGGESTED MORE SERVICES FOR DRUG ABUSE AND ADDRESSING POOR NUTRITION AND OUTREACH TO YOUTH.

THE REPORT FAILED TO EXPLAIN HOW ALL OF THE PROJECTS WOULD BE FUNDED.

AS YOU HEARD, EMPLOYERS ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS, YET THE CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE RISING.

RHONDA SCHEFFLER SORTS THROUGH IT ALL.

>>> ARE IT'S HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE JOB MARKET.

THOUSANDS ARE OUT OF WORK AND MORE ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS EVERY WEEK.

THE STATE'S LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS NEW CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT ROSE IN THE LAST WEEK.

AS WE'VE BEEN REPORTING, COMPANIES SAY THEY CAN'T FIND WORK ISSUES.

WAWA SAYS THEY'LL HAVE TO CLOSE STORES BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND EMPLOYEES.

ECONOMISTS THOUGHT THE U.S. ECONOMY CREATED ONE MILLION JOBS LAST MONTH AND THAT WAS WRONG.

THE GOVERNMENT'S JOB REPORT OUT TODAY WASN'T CLOSE.

ONLY 266,000 NEW JOBS CREATED IN APRIL.

I ASKED THE CHIEF ECONOMIST AT A FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP TO MAKE SENSE OF ALL OF THIS.

>> IT'S UNCLEAR EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE LABOR MARKET.

IT COULD BE THERE ARE SOME WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CATCHING THE CORONAVIRUS AND THEY DROPPED OUT OF THE LABOR FORCE.

YOU'RE DEALING WITH ISSUES OF MOTHERS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WHOSE KIDS ARE SCHOOLED AT HOME.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE EXTRA UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T SEE THE NEED TO GET A JOB RIGHT AWAY.

HE'S STICKING BY HIS FORECAST THAT JOB GROWTH WILL PICK UP OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY GOT FLACK THIS WEEK FOR HIS VETO OF ONE AND SOME ARE CHEERING THE MOVE.

THE GOVERNOR'S VETO CAME AFTER THREE DOZEN LABOR COMMUNITY GROUPS SAYS THE BILL WOULD HAVE WEAKENED REGULATIONS.

>> FOR OVER A YEAR THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN PROVIDING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PPP LOANS TO BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

THIS WEEK THE SBA ANNOUNCED THEY'VE RUN OUT OF MONEY FOR MOST BORROWERS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED END DATE OF THE PROGRAM, MAY 31st.

THEY'LL CONTINUE TO FUND APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED.

>> NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

.

>> THIS WEEKEND JOIN RHONDA SCHAAF LEHR FOR NJ BUSINESS WEEK, ALL ABOUT THE GARDEN STATE.

SHE CHECKS IN WITH THE NEXT GENERATION OF JERSEY FARMERS ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES CHANGING THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.

FIND IT SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 9:30 A.M. >> NOT ONLY IS NEW JERSEY ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE STATES IN THE NATION TO BUY AND OWN A HOME, PANDEMIC PRICING HAS MADE IT EVEN TOUGHER TO GET INTO THE MARKET.

LAWMAKERS WANT TO PROVIDE EXTRA HELP FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FIRST TIME BUYERS BY CREATE AGNEW TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO HELP THEM SAVE FOR THE BIG PURCHASE AND SET ASIDE AID TO ENCOURAGE MORE BUYERS TO PURCHASE FIXER- UPPERS.

COLLEEN EXPLAINS.

COLLEEN, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS NOT A NEW ISSUE HERE, BUT THESE ARE INTERESTING NEW IDEAS AT LEAST.

>> Reporter: YEAH, YOU KNOW MOST OF WHAT NEW JERSEY HAS NO CUSSED AN TO DATE IS CREATING NEW RENTAL UNITS.

THERE HAS NOT BEEN A HUGE EMPHASIS ON GETTING PEOPLE INTO HOMES AND, YOU KNOW, HOMEOWNER SHIP IS THE WAY MANY MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES HAVE GROWN THEIR WEALTH OVERTIME AND CERTAINLY IT'S TRUE TODAY.

SO THERE ARE TWO PROGRAMS THAT THE STATE OR THAT LEGISLATORS ARE THINKING OF TO TRY TO HELP THIS ALONG.

ONE WOULD BE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SAVE MONEY FOR A HOME, UP TO $15,000 A YEAR IN BANKS THAT AGREED TO CREATE THE PROGRAMS AND THAT MONEY, YOU GET A TAX BREAK EVERY YEAR ON YOUR INCOME TAXES.

THE INTEREST WOULD ALSO BE TAX FREE, PROVIDED THAT YOU USE THE MONEY TO BUY A HOUSE OR PAY FOR YOUR CLOSING COST OR WHATEVER.

THAT'S KIND OF A NOVEL PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE NOT HEARD OF BEFORE AND THERE IS A SECOND ONE THAT PROVIDES DIRECT GRANTS, $10,000 WOULD BE THE MAXIMUM FOR FOLK WHO'S ARE LOOKING, WOULD HAVE TO BE FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS.

THESE FOLKS ARE TARGETED AT LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FOLKS.

YOU COULDN'T HAVE MORE THAN 80% OF THE MEDIAN INCOME OF THE COUNTY YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY IN.

YOU'D HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY A HOME OR REHABILITATE A FIRST HOME.

>> WHAT DOES THE SUPPORT LOOK LIKE FOR THIS AND HOW DO YOU GET THE WORD OUT?

HOME BUYING IN GENERAL IS DAUNTING, ESPECIALLY FOR FIRST TIMERS.

>> YEAH, I SPOKE TO SOME HOUSING ADVOCATES WHO SAY THERE ARE SOME PROGRAMS OUT THERE TO HELP TO LOW TO MODERATE INCOME.

THERE ARE SOME THAT EXIST.

CERTAINLY, THIS ONE WOULD BE A WELCOMED ADDITION TO THOSE.

THE BILLS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

THAT IS ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN.

THE SAVINGS BILL DOESN'T HAVE A GREAT COST ATTACHED TO IT.

THE GRANTS TO LOW INCOME FOLKS WOULD COST ABOUT $25 MILLION A YEAR.

THERE IS ALWAYS A QUESTION IF THAT IS THE KIND OF THING THE GOVERNOR WOULD SUPPORT.

HE'S TALKED ABOUT SUPPORTING HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME IN THE PAST.

>> COLLEEN O'DAY, THANK YOU.

>> ENTER PARTY TURMOIL IS HOW MANY ANALYST AND HOW SOME MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WOULD DESCRIBE THE STATE OF THE NATIONAL GOP FROM DIVISIONS OVER THE FORMER PRESIDENT TO CURRENT LEADERSHIP AND POLICY.

OUR CHIEF POLITICAL OR RESPOND DENT, MICHAEL ARON, GOES ON THE ROAD ABOUT WHETHER THE NATIONAL BATTLE COULD HAVE IMPLICATIONS IN NEW JERSEY AND ANOTHER FORMER REPUBLICAN FIRE BRAND BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

>> Reporter: HOW DIVIDED IS THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY AND WHAT IS IT DIVIDED ABOUT?

THE CIVIL WAR GOING ON IN THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY RIGHT NOW IS A SERIOUS ONE AND IT'S DIFFERENT THAN SAY PAST BATTLES BECAUSE IT'S NOT IDEOLOGICAL.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT OLD WATER CONSERVATIVES AGAINST NELSON ROCKEFELLER MODERATES.

THIS IS FUNDAMENTALLY ABOUT DONALD TRUMP AND HOW LOYAL YOU HAVE BEEN AND HOW LOYAL YOU PROMISED TO BE TO DONALD TRUMP.

SO THAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT THAN OTHER BATTLES.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT ONE.

>> Reporter: I HEARD SOMEONE ON THE RADIO THIS WEEK SAY IT'S NOT A BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

TRUMP OWNS IT LOCK STOCK AND BARREL.

DO YOU AAGREE OR DISAGREE?

I AGREE THAT TRUMP IS CLEARLY IN CONTROL OF A MAJORITY OF THE PARTY.

PEOPLE WHO ARE ABSOLUTELY DEVOTED TO HIM ARE REALLY DEVOTED IF NOT ABSOLUTELY, ARE STILL THE BULK OF THE PARTY, A CLEAR MAJORITY.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THIS FIGHT IS OVER.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS THE IMPLICATION FOR THE GOVERNOR'S RACE HERE IN NEW JERSEY FOR JACK, THE LIKELY REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE?

THIS IS NOW A DIFFICULT TERRAIN FOR HIM TO NAVIGATE MADE MORE SO UNDER SCORED BY THIS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, YES OR NO?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A DITCH DIFFICULT TERRAIN FOR SOMEBODY LIKE JACK, LEADING CANDIDATE, ODDS ON FAVORITE TO WIN TO RUN AGAINST PHIL MURPHY.

NO MAJOR POLITICIAN ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE HAS STEPPED UP TO FILL THAT VOID, THE STEP UP AND DO IT.

SO THAT'S ONE.

THE SECOND REASON WHY I THINK WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THE NATIONAL FIGHT SPILL OVER INTO, AND HAVE IMPLICATIONINGS FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HERE IN NEW JERSEY, IS BECAUSE OF GEOGRAPHY AND EDUCATION.

FACT IS TRUMP VOTER, NOT TRUMP VOTERS, BUT THE TRUMP BASE IS LARGELY WHITE WORKING CLASS LIVING IN RURAL AREAS AND WE ARE VERY EDUCATED STATE IN NEW JERSEY AND WE DON'T HAVE MANY, IF ANY, RURAL AREAS THE WAY OTHER STATES DO SO I THINK IT'S JUST AN INHOSPITABLE PLACE FOR TRUMPISM TO TAKE PLACE.

>> >> REPORTER: MANY ARE GATHERING IN TEXAS THIS WEEK END FOR A KIND OF CATTLE CALL AUDITION, CHRIS CHRISTIE INCLUDED.

WHAT ARE HIS PROSPECTS GOING FORWARD FOR PRESIDENT?

>> I THINK HE HAS A SOLID SHOT.

HE IS AN EXTREMELY TALENTED POLITICIAN WITH TREMENDOUS POLITICAL SKILLS.

I THINK THE QUESTION THAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT OUT OF THIS TOWN HALL, THE FIRST OF MANY, WILL CHRIS CHRISTIE OR ANY OF THESE OTHERS REALLY BE ABLE TO FIND A MESSAGE THAT RESONATES WITH ALL PARTS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> FINALLY, A NOD TO MOM AS WE HEAD INTO THIS MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND.

THERE IS NO DOUBT THIS PANDEMIC HAS TAKE AN MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL TOLL ON EVERYONE, BUT RESEARCH SHOWS MOTHERS HAVE SHOULDERED MUCH OF THE BURDEN.

AN EVENT TO PUT HEALTH AND WEALTH BEING FIRST OF MOTHERS IN NEWARK CELEBRATE ALL THEY DO.

>> Reporter: ELLEN WRIGHT CAN'T HELP BUT SHOW HER EXCITEMENT.

>> MY YOUNGEST GRAND BABY WAS 12 YEARS OLD YESTERDAY.

>> Reporter: FOR MONTHS THE PROUD MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER SAID SHE COULDN'T SEE HER FAMILY BECAUSE OF COVID, BUT NOW SHE'S GRATEFUL.

>> BLESSED.

>> Reporter: HEMP STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE IS BEING CELEBRATED BY THE CITY OF NEWARK JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHER'S DAY.

>> LAST MOTHER'S DAY WE WERE ALL IN THE HOUSE AND WE WERE SCARED.

WE'RE TRYING TO LET PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE IN A NEW DAY, NOT OUT OF DANGER, BUT MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> COME ON DOWNSTAIRS.

COME OUTSIDE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY PARTNERING WITH WALGREENS PHARMACY TO OFFER RESIDENTS FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS AND COVID TESTS.

>> IN A PANDEMIC LIKE THIS IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT PEOPLE ARE LEARNING WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND FAMILY MEMBERS HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

>> [ INAUDIBLE ] >> Reporter: MEMBERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ON HAND PROVIDING INFORMATION TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHERE TO GET VACCINATED.

>> IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND SAFETY.

WE WANT TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF KEEPING OUR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SAFE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN TERMS OF COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: WITH PLENTY OF FOOD AND GIVEAWAYS, THEY SAY IT MEANS THE WORLD.

>> MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

I LOVE IT.

I'M LOVING IT TO THE FULLEST.

>> Reporter: AND EVEN THOUGH MOTHER'S DAY COMES AROUND JUST ONCE A YEAR, CITY OFFICIALS SAY IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CELEBRATED EVERYDAY, NOW MORE THAN EVER.

>> IT HELPS TO LIFT UP THE VISION OF MATRIARCHS HERE, NOT ONLY IN THE CITY OF NEWARK AND GREAT WORK THAT WOMEN HAVE DONE IN THE CITY, ESPECIALLY MOTHERS AND TO HIGHLIGHT THEIR EFFORTS ESPECIALLY AT TIMES LIKE THIS GOING THROUGH AND COMING OUT OF COVID, REALIZING THEY ARE THE GLUE AND STAPLE TO CONTINUE TO PUSH OUR FAMILIES AND CONTINUE TO ALLOW US TO WALK THROUGH SOME TROUBLING TIMES.

>> Reporter: A MOTHER'S DAY THESE MOMS SAY THEY WON'T EVER FORGET.

>> IT WAS ANOTHER BIG NEWS WEEK .

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE TOP STORIES CATCH REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON NJPBS ALONG WITH CHAT BOX, SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M. THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUPS, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> I'M KAYLA AND I TEACH HIM TO PROTECT HER AND TAKE CARE OF ME.

I NEED HEALTH INSURANCE THAT DOES THE SAME.

IT MAKES THINGS EASIER FOR MY SCHEDULE SO I CAN FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS.

THIS IS MY LIFE AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY LOOKS FOR ME AND HIM AND HER.