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

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

IN THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

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

THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIAND A NOSY.

>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M LEAH MISHKIN.

MANY BUSINESSES ARE WORRIED THEY WILL NOT HAVE PRODUCTS IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

THE POTENTIALLY LARGER ISSUE, BOTTLENECKS COULD DISRUPT HOW FAMILIES GET BASIC NECESSITIES, LIKE FOOD.

FOOD BANKS AND SCHOOLS ARE ESPECIALLY FEELING THE PINCH.

BOTH SAY THE SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES ARE MAKING IT HARD TO SECURE SOME ITEMS.

DRIVING UP THE COST OF OTHERS.

FORCING ADMINISTRATORS AND ORGANIZERS TO GET CREATIVE.

>> WE QUICKLY SAW THAT THERE WERE GOING TO BE ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY-CHAIN.

WE DECIDED TO HONE IN ON ITEMS THAT OUR STUDENTS WOULD LIKE.

THE SHORTAGES ARE BEING FELT AROUND THE STATE IN THE NATION.

SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE REALLY STRUGGLING TO GET FOODS AND SUPPLIES FOR THEIR SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE FACING DELAYED DELIVERIES AND SUBSTITUTING MENU ORDERS.

SERVING DISHES AND UTENSILS ARE ALSO IN SHORT SUPPLY.

>> IF YOU WANT TO SERVE SOUP AND YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SPOONS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

WHERE WE ARE RELEASING MOST CHALLENGES ARE WITH THE COUNTRY ITEMS.

CHICKEN SANDWICHES, BURRITOS, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ITEMS HAVE TO BE CHANGED AT THE LAST MINUTE.

>> WHILE THE SHORTAGES.

THE CHALLENGES SHOW UP AT ALL STAGES.

FROM COMPANIES NOT PRODUCING ENOUGH PRODUCT.

RESULTING IN NOT TO SCHOOLS BEING IMPACTED, BUT FOOD BANKS AND PANTRIES.

>> WE DESPERATELY NEED NEW TRUCKS AND NEW PALLET JACKS AND EQUIPMENT TO DELIVER THIS INCREASED VOLUME OF FOOD.

BUT LIKE THE CAR SHORTAGE, THOSE MICROCHIPS ARE MISSING FOR OUR NEW TRUCKS.

THE FOOD PACKAGING IS IN SHORT SUPPLY AS WELL.

>> WAS ALSO IN SHORT SUPPLY, THE FUNDS.

>> REALLY WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THE COST OF HEALTHY FOOD IS GOING UP EVEN HIGHER.

THEY HAVE TO PLACE HIGHER ORDERS AND THERE ARE HIGHER MINIMUMS AND THAT IS IMPACTING BOTH THE EMERGENCY FOOD SECTOR AND THE SCHOOL EDUCATION SECTOR.

SO THEY HAVE TO PURCHASE MORE FOOD AT ONE TIME.

EVERYONE'S BUDGETS ARE REALLY STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED FINANCIALLY BY THIS.

BY THE SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES.

AND JUST THE OVERWHELMING DEMAND.

WE ARE PURCHASING MORE FOOD THAN EVER BEFORE.

ABOUT 30% MORE FOOD.

SO MONETARY DONATIONS ARE MORE ESSENTIAL THAN EVER TO US.

BECAUSE WHAT WE NEED TO DO, FOR EXAMPLE, TO PURCHASE 70,000 TURKEYS THAT WE WILL DISTRIBUTE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IS WE NEED TO ADVANCE AND ORDER IN MAY AND JUNE.

EVEN WHEN WE ORDERED IN MAY AND JUNE, IT WAS $.35 MORE A POUND THIS YEAR THAN IT WAS IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

>> WHAT WE HAVE DONE HERE IN BRIDGETON IS REALLY LOOKED AT WORKING WITH OUR VENDORS AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE.

AND GETTING THEM TO PROVIDE US WITH SUBSTITUTIONS IN A TIMELY FASHION.

WE HAVE ALSO TAKEN IN QUITE A BIT OF SURPLUS ITEMS AND STORE THEM HERE IN OUR FREEZER SO THAT WE CAN BE CREATIVE AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE FED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE'S HAD TO GET CREATIVE WITH LESS, CHALLENGING HIMSELF TO COME UP WITH NEW MENU OPTIONS.

>> IF WE KEEP SERVING CHICKEN PATTIES OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME MENU FATIGUE.

BUT IF YOU MAKE A CHICKEN RANCH CHICKEN PATTY OR CHICKEN PARMESAN CHICKEN PATTY, THE WAY YOU WORK THINGS, I AM A CHEF BY TRADE.

SO IT'S BEEN FUN FOR ME TO KIND OF BRING SOME OF THOSE TRADE USES BACK AND GET IT GOING.

>> BUT THE FUN WILL AND IF THE SUPPLY DOES NOT PICK UP.

NORMALCY NEEDS TO BE RESTORED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY KID THAT NEEDS A MEAL GETS A MEAL.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> OASIS IS THE ONLY PLACE IN ATLANTIC CITY WITH A SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAM WHERE PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS CAN GET A CLEAN SYRINGE.

THIS PREVENTS SYRINGE SHARING AND STOPS THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS AS WELL AS OTHER BLOOD- BORNE PATHOGENS LIKE HEPATITIS C. IN JULY, THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO SHUT DOWN THE PROGRAM.

ARGUING ATLANTIC CITY SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY COMMUNITY TO SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF REHABILITATION.

BUT A JUDGE STOPPED THE SHUTDOWN ON FRIDAY AT LEAST TEMPORARILY.

NOW, A NEW BILL COULD TAKE POWER AWAY FROM CITIES AND TOWNS.

GIVING THE STATE THE ABILITY TO DECIDE WHERE HARM REDUCTION CENTERS WOULD OPERATE.

>> IF THEY SHUT IT DOWN, IT'S GOING TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO GET HIGH.

AND GOING TO INCREASE --TO GET HIGHER AND HIGHER.

>> AUTO GRAHAM IS A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF ATLANTIC CITY.

HE SAYS HE DOES NOT DO DRUGS, BUT HE KNOWS PEOPLE THAT DO, SO HE'S HAPPY THE SYRINGE PROGRAM IS PROVIDING HELP.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE GET THE NEEDLES.

MAKE SURE THAT THEY STAY CLEAN.

>> Reporter: BUT THE FACILITY IS IN DANGER OF CLOSING ITS DOORS.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTING TO SHUT IT DOWN OVER CONCERNS OF WHERE IT'S LOCATED.

>> IT'S RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF OUR BUSINESS DISTRICT.

AND THE AREA WE ARE TRYING TO DEVELOP AND EVERYONE AGREES WE SHOULD MOVE IT.

THE QUESTION IS WHERE SHOULD WE MOVE IT TO?

>> HE SAYS IS NOT THE CITIES INTEND TO GET RID OF THE PROGRAM.

THEY UNDERSTAND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS AN ONGOING ISSUE IN THE CITY BUT THEY FEEL ATLANTIC CITY HAVING ONE OF ONLY SEVEN SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAMS IN THE STATE IS QUITE THE BURDEN.

>> IF WE HAD BUY-IN FROM MOBILE UNITS, EXHILARATING --IN OTHER COMMUNITIES, IT WOULDN'T BE SUCH A STRAIN OF PEOPLE TO BE IN ATLANTIC CITY.

>> WE ARE GETTING REALLY MIXED MESSAGES AND INCONSISTENT MESSAGES AND NO ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE WALKABLE OR ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE IN THE CITY.

>> Reporter: ATLANTIC CITY HAS OPEN THIS PROGRAM.

THERE HAVE BEEN NO INVESTIGATORS AGAINST THE PROGRAM.

THE OWN HEALTH DIRECTOR AND FORMER POLICE CHIEFS HAVE SAID THAT IT REDUCES SYRINGE LETTER.

OCEAN CASINO RESORT SPOKE IN FAVOR OF THE ACCESS PROGRAM AND SAID IT'S A BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY.

SO IT'S REALLY NOT RESIDENTS VERSUS THE PROGRAM.

IT'S REALLY AN IDEA THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FEEL ARE CONTRARY TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE.

BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING FROM OCEAN CASINO RESORT THAT WHEN WE ALL DO BETTER, WE'LL DO BETTER.

INCLUDING OUR ECONOMIC WELL- BEING.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE HARM REDUCTION COALITION, THE SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAM HAS REDUCED HIV RATES BY 91%.

DATA SHOWS PEOPLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO DIE FROM AN OPIOID RELATED OVERDOSE AND THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO STOP SUBSTANCE ABUSE ALTOGETHER.

NOW, THERE IS A PUSH TO MAKE MORE OF THESE AVAILABLE ACROSS THE STATE.

A NEW BILL WOULD GIVE MORE POWER TO AUTHORITIES TO DECIDE WHERE THESE CENTERS GO AND WE GIVE THE STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER THE EXCLUSIVE POWER TO SHUT A CENTER DOWN.

>> THESE ARE REDUCTION SERVICES THAT WOULD HELP SAVE LIVES.

OR BE RESTRICTED BY MUNICIPALITIES WHETHER THAT'S NOT IN MY BACKYARD.

WE WENT TO TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF IT BECAUSE WHEN YOU SAY, NOT IN MY BACKYARD, UNFORTUNATELY, DRUG ADDICTION IS IN ALL OF OUR BACKYARDS.

AND EVIDENCE CERTAINLY PRESENTS THAT SYRINGE ACCESS DOES SAVE LIVES.

>> Reporter: A JUDGE EXTENDED A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ALLOWING --TO STAY OPEN UNTIL AT LEAST NEXT MONTH.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATES SAY IT'S AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE AND ONE THAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> FOR MORE ON HARM REDUCTION CENTERS, CHECK OUT --ARTICLE ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> 12 MORE IN COVID-19 OPTICS WERE REPORTED THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1st.

BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBERS SINCE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR TO 160.

THOSE OUTBREAKS ONLY INCLUDE CASES LINKED TO IN SCHOOL TRANSMISSION AND DO NOT ACCOUNT FOR THOUSANDS OF OTHER CASES AMONG STUDENTS AND STAFF THAT HAVE BEEN LINKED TO CONTACT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.

MORRIS TOWN HIGH SCHOOL MADE THE SWITCH TO VIRTUAL LEARNING LAST FRIDAY AFTER ROUGHLY 20 MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TESTED POSITIVE WITH HUNDREDS MORE POTENTIALLY EXPOSED, PUTTING ACTIVITIES AND EVEN THE SCHOOL PLAY ON HOLD.

STATEWIDE, ANOTHER 1300 NEW CASES WERE REPORTED TODAY AND 24 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

>>> THE PANDEMIC HAS OVERSHADOWED MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES THAT STILL IMPACT NEW JERSEY, PUTTING THINGS LIKE HIV PREVENTION ON THE BACK BURNER.

NOW, RUTGERS NEW JERSEY MEDICAL SCHOOL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IS LEADING TO NEW STUDIES FOR NEW MEDICINE THAT MAY HELP CURB THE SPREAD OF HIV.

SHE JOINS US NOW.

DR., WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF HIV PREVALENCE IN NEW JERSEY?

>> OVERALL, IN NEW JERSEY, WE HAVE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB WITH RESPECT TO CALLING THE EPIDEMIC AS WE CALL IT.

THERE HAS BEEN A CONSISTENTLY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NEW INFECTIONS.

THAT BEING SAID, CERTAIN PARTS OF THE STATE DO HAVE HIGHER INCIDENCE.

AND WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT?

SX AND --COUNTIES ARE 2 OF THE COUNTIES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS HAVING HIGH IMPACT AREAS, MEANING IN THESE TWO COUNTIES, THERE NEED TO BE RELATIVELY HIGHER RATES OF NEW HIV INFECTIONS AS COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> IS THAT WAY YOUR TEAM IS PREPARING TO LAUNCH TWO NEW STUDIES?

AMONG DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES?

>> YES, SO OUR SITE IS ONE OF MANY SITES GLOBALLY THAT IS TRYING TO HELP IDENTIFY NOT ONLY MEDICATIONS THAT MAY HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF NEW INFECTIONS, BUT PREVENTING NEW INFECTIONS IS ALSO CALLED PREP OR PREEXPOSURE.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY ONLY TWO APPROVED MEDICATIONS.

BOTH OF WHICH REQUIRE TAKING ONE PILL A DAY FOR TRANSGENDER WOMEN AND THERE'S ONLY ONE PILL APPROVED FOR TRANSGENDER WOMEN.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE NOVEL WAYS TO HELP EXPAND THE AVAILABLE MEDICATIONS >> HOW DO YOU ANTICIPATE YOUR CITY BEING ABLE TO DO THAT?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO FIND?

IN OUR STATE IS A VERY DIVERSE STATE.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE POPULATIONS DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

FOR SOME PATIENTS, TAKING A PILL A DAY MAY BE GREAT AND FOR THEM, THAT'S FINE.

WE ALREADY HAVE SOMETHING.

WHILE THERE HAS BEEN I THINK A SHIFT IN THE HIV TREATMENT AND PREVENTION LANDSCAPE, WE ARE TRYING TO FIND NEWER, LONGER APPLICATIONS THAT WILL HELP REDUCE THE BURDEN ON MEMBERS TO TAKE A PILL EVERY DAY.

BECAUSE MANY OF YOU KNOW, MYSELF INCLUDED, IT'S HARD NOT TO TAKE A 7-10 DAY COURSE OF AN ANTIBIOTIC TO TREAT IMPORTANT INFECTIONS.

NOW, WHEN YOU PUT THAT INTO CONTEXT, WITH TELLING PEOPLE I NEED YOU TO TAKE A PILL EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS, THAT'S WHAT THEY ASKED.

SO WE ARE LOOKING, THE TWO STUDIES THAT WE HAVE LAUNCHED OUR THE MPOWER 024 STUDIES.

THESE ARE STUDIES THAT ARE PREPARING THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY FOR A NOVEL NEW MEDICATION CALLED -- WHICH IF HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WILL BE TAKEN AS ONE PILL TAKEN ONCE A MONTH.

COMPARED TO THE CURRENTLY PROVEN MEDICATIONS OF ONE PILL ONCE PER DAY.

IF THESE MEDICATIONS WORK, THEN THAT WILL BE A REMIND --A REMARKABLE DIFFERENCE.

>> THAT IS DEFINITELY A BIG DIFFERENCE.

SO HOW LONG DO YOU HOPE TO STUDY THIS TO SEE IF IT WILL IN FACT WORK.

>> SO THESE ARE LARGE CLINICAL TRIALS THAT ARE AS MANY SITES INCLUDING IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE POWER 0244 MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN OR TRANSGENDER WOMEN ARE CURRENTLY SLATED TO FOLLOW PARTICIPANTS FOR ABOUT 2- 3 YEARS.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY EXCITING TO BE WATCHING THIS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ON OUR SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

>>> THE GOVERNOR MAKING A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT THIS MORNING.

SAYING NEW JERSEY WILL INVEST $400 MILLION IN REVOLVING BOND FUNDS TO STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

MURPHY SAYS HE WANTS THEM TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH OUT-OF- STATE FACILITIES ON INFLATE TUITION PRICES AND AMENITY PRICES.

THE STATE ANNOUNCING THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO GET SOME RENT RELIEF.

ALL OF THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES OF THE DAY?

>> THERE IS AN IMPORTANT DEADLINE FOR NEW JERSEY RENTERS WHO ARE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE.

ANYONE STRUGGLING TO MAKE RENT PAYMENTS SHOULD APPLY BY DECEMBER 15th.

AFTER THAT, THE APPLICATION WINDOW FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE WILL CLOSE.

TO DISTRIBUTE THE REMAINING FEDERAL FUNDS.

MORE THAN $124 MILLION IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO MORE THAN 47,000 FAMILIES.

A SURVEY BY THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY OF CPAs FINDS THE BIGGEST PRIORITY FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY'S SECOND TERM SHOULD BE REDUCING PROPERTY TAXES.

>> WE ARE LOSING PEOPLE, PEOPLE LEAVING THE STATE TO GO ELSEWHERE TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS.

WITH REGARD TO SENIORS, STATE TO COLLEGE.

THE CPA GROUP SAYS THE GOVERNOR SHOULD AUDIT STATE AGENCIES FOR OVERSPENDING AND WASTE.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL MAY BE STRESSFUL AND IT MAY BE EVEN MORE SO IF YOU ARE FLYING OUT OF NEWARK AIRPORT.

EXPECTS SECURITY DELAYS.

GETTING TO THE AIRPORT TWO HOURS EARLIER FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS IN THREE HOURS AHEAD OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DUE TO ONGOING RENOVATIONS, SOME CHECKPOINTS ARE CLOSED IN TERMINAL A.

THE GREATEST IMPACT IS FOR PASSENGERS FLYING ON AIR CANADA AND ALASKA AIRLINES.

THERE'S AN EFFORT UNDERWAY TO GET MORE TRAVELERS AND TOURISTS TO NEW JERSEY.

A STATE SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCED A BILL TO ADVOCATE $25 MILLION OF THE STATES REMAINING FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF DOLLARS TO BOOST OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY.

NOW, HERE IS A CHECK ON HOW THE STOCK MARKET ENDED THE STATE.

I'M RHONDA --AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> JOIN RHONDA AS SHE MODERATES ONE OF OUR VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLES LOOKING AT THE MANY CHALLENGES THAT EXIST FOR THE STATE.

INCLUDING TAXES AND PENSION UNDERFUNDING.

THAT'S TOMORROW 4:00 P.M. TO REGISTER, JUST HEAD ON OVER.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT SUBSIDED --PROVIDED BY --DECEMBER 1st AND SECOND.

AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT -- AND BY >>> DISPUTES BETWEEN CITY LEADERS AND THE CITY'S RADIO OPERATOR LEFT TRENDING ON THE VERGE OF LOSING ITS 911 SYSTEM.

HUMAN IS THE CAPITAL CITY FACES HISTORICALLY HIGH LEVELS OF VIOLENCE.

PASSING 2 RESOLUTIONS.

THE OTHER RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH -- SOLUTIONS.

A NEW COMPANY TO DO THE UPGRADES.

TRENTON'S 911 SYSTEM WILL NOW BE ON THE NEW JERSEY STATE AIRWAVES.

THIS WAS THE CASE THAT CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF THE NATION.

GABBY POTATO WAS REPORTED MISSING AFTER GOING ON A ROAD TRIP WITH HER FIANCE IN SEPTEMBER.

A CORONER RULED THE 22-YEAR-OLD DIED BY STRANGULATION.

HEARTBREAKING NEWS AS THE COUNTRY PRAYED SHE WOULD BE FOUND ALIVE.

ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN, MORE THAN 50 BLACK GIRLS ARE MISSING FROM NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AS OF MAY.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS MORE WOMEN OF COLOR MISSING NATIONWIDE.

SO, WHY HAVEN'T THEIR STORIES RECEIVED ANY MEDIA COVERAGE?

OUR TEAM LED BY CORRESPONDENT RAVEN SANTANA INVESTIGATES HOW RACE IMPACTS COVERAGE.

>> THE DISAPPEARANCE OF 22-YEAR- OLD GABBY POTATO HAS A NATIONAL INTEREST.

SOME PEOPLE COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THE STARK DISPARITIES IN SEARCHING FOR MISSING WOMEN OF COLOR.

>> I DON'T THINK BLACK WOMEN ARE CALLING FOR LESS MEDIA COVERAGE IN THIS INSTANCE.

WE JUST WANT BLACK WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR TO GET COVERAGE AT THE SAME RATE AS WHITE WOMEN.

>>> JONES SAYS PART OF THE PROBLEM IS HOW THE PUBLIC VIEWS BLACK WOMEN.

>> OFTEN TIMES, WE SEE WITH THE BLACK WOMEN OR WOMEN OF COLOR IN GENERAL, WHEN THEY GO MISSING THAT THERE IS THIS NOTION THAT INVISIBILITY BECAUSE THEIR LIVES JUST SIMPLY ARE NOT VALUED AS MUCH AS OTHERS.

>> Reporter: ALSO REFERRED TO AS MISSING WHITE WOMAN SYNDROME.

WHERE CASES RECEIVE MORE ATTENTION.

IS BEEN COINED BY GWEN IFILL.

JOSIAH MOORE AND LAUREN CHO ARE TWO EXAMPLES OF CASES THAT DID NOT GAIN ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.

IN JUNE, CHO WAS REPORTED MISSING AND IN OCTOBER, MOORE WAS REPORTED MISSING.

BOTH CASES DID EVENTUALLY GAIN COVERAGE AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY EMERGED ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS THAT THEIR CASES DID NOT RECEIVE AS MUCH ATTENTION AS POTATOES.

AS PETITO'S?

OFTEN TIMES, IT IS NOT A MISSING BLACK GIRL.

IT IS ONLY THE MISSING BLACK WOMAN.

>> IT KIND OF FEEDS THE NARRATIVE THE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE TREATED IN A LESSER MANNER THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

>> Reporter: HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THE ACTING ESSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR SAYS WOMEN OF COLOR HAVE BEEN DISAPPEARING AT DISPROPORTIONATE RATES.

>> I THINK THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE MISSING IS STAGGERING.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CRIME INFORMATION CENTER, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS IN CIC, THERE'S ALMOST 540,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE MISSING IN 2020.

40% OF THAT NUMBER WERE YOUNG WOMEN UNDER THE AGE OF 21.

AND HALF OF THEM WERE WOMEN OF COLOR.

SO THAT'S WELL OVER 100,000 PEOPLE.

AND SO, LOOKING AT THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION IS SEVERE.

>> YES, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF THE BURDEN THAT IS PLACED ON WOMEN OF COLOR, AND THAT IS NOT HOW IT SHOULD BE.

I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE FRONT AND CENTER BECAUSE THEIR VOICES I THINK SHOULD BE CENTERED AND TOO OFTEN WHITE PEOPLE STEP IN AND TAKE UP THE SPACE.

SOURCE THIS BALANCE I THINK BETWEEN IT IS OUR JOB AS WHITE FOLKS TO SAY THIS MATTERS AND THIS IS IMPORTANT AND STEP IN.

>> Reporter: NICOLE JOHNSON IS AN ASSOCIATE COUNSELOR AT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY PETER JOHNSON SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE LESS TALKING AND MORE ACTION ON THE MATTER.

>> THIS MEANS --NEEDS TO BE MORE THAN JUST LIKE A CONVERSATION, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE, THERE NEEDS TO BE AT LEGISLATION THAT HAS CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THIS.

THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY.

LIKE WHY?

WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT POLICE AND LOOKING AT WHO ARE THEY LIKE CONSIDERING?

WHO ARE THEY ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR AND WHO ARE THEY NOT?

AND HAVING SOME KIND OF ACCOUNTABILITY OF THAT IN ORDER TO ACTUALLY MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN.

>> THERE'S NO DENYING THAT PETITO'S CASE IS A TRAGEDY THAT NO ONE SHOULD ENDURE, BUT EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH SAYS IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE OTHER FAMILIES WHO ARE JUST AS DESERVING OF THOSE ANSWERS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

TUNE INTO MOUNTING.

WE HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE WITH GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY.

WHAT IS THE GOVERNOR'S AGENDA MOVING FORWARD FOR THE STATE?

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT --WILL ANSWER THAT QUESTION AND MORE.

THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT RIGHT HERE ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

FROM OUR ENTIRE TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, AND GOOD NIGHT.

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

VERIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

THE PSA G ASSOCIATION AND THE VIEW MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION AND SMART EAT NJ.