>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS BROUGHT BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RJW BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

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

>> HELLO, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> IN ATLANTA CITY TODAY, A PANDEMIC LEADERSHIP COUNCIL WAS HELD WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH TO DISCUSS LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HERE IN NEW JERSEY, AND TO MAP OUT FUTURE HEALTH PRACTICE IS.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID THIS WEEK'S FORMAL REVIEW OF THE STATE'S HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC, WHICH HE HAS PROMISED TO FINISH FOR YEARS, COULD BE COMPLETED IN JUST A FEW DAYS.

AHEAD OF THAT, A MAN WHO BLEW THE WHISTLE ON SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS AND NEW JERSEY'S VETERANS HOMES IS NOW SPEAKING OUT.

HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS DIED AND TWO OF THE STATES HARDEST HIT NURSING HOMES AS COVID SPREAD RAPIDLY IN THE SPRING OF 2000.

DAVID JASINSKI WORKED AT ONE OF THE HOMES AND TOLD BRENDA FLANAGAN THAT THE TRAGEDY AT THE VETERANS HOMES WAS A LONG TIME IN THE MAKING.

>> NOBODY KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

IT WAS LIKE A BIBLICAL PLAGUE THAT JUST STARTED MOWING PEOPLE DOWN.

>> Reporter: HE REMEMBERS WHEN COVID ROARED TO THE VETERANS HOME IN PARAMUS.

HE WAS WORKING THERE IN APRIL 2020 AS BUSINESS MANAGER AT THE 3600 BED FACILITY FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED MILITARY VETERANS.

HE RECALLED SIX OR SEVEN RESIDENTS DYING DAILY, WITH THE STAFF AND FULL-BLOWN PANIC.

>> THE IDENTIFIED A RESIDENT AND TOLD THE FAMILY, HE'S DOING WORK AND HE'S FINE.

MEANWHILE, HE'S AT THEM MORE.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS SAT BEHIND LOCKED DOORS AS A CRISIS I ROLLED OUT OF CONTROL.

HE DESCRIBES TRYING TO GET MONEY TO ORDER MASKS FOR STAFFERS ONLINE.

>> HAD A FRIEND WHO HAD A DEAL WITH THE TREASURY, SO THEY NEED SOME JUSTIFICATIONS ON THIS.

I THOUGHT, HOW ABOUT A COUPLE OF DOZEN DEATH CERTIFICATES?

>> Reporter: USING ENCRYPTED EMAIL THROUGH A SWISS SERVER, OFSHINKSY BLEW THE WHISTLE TO REPORTERS IN NORTH JERSEY.COM.

>> THIS HAD TO BE OUT IN THE MEDIA, AND IT WORKED.

THE DAY AFTER, THERE WAS A HELICOPTER OUT FRONT.

NEWS CREWS SHINING LIGHTS DOWN ON THE PLACE, THE NATIONAL GUARD IS MARCHING IN.

>> Reporter: ULTIMATELY, OVER 2000 RESIDENTS DIED IN MENLO PARK IN PARAMUS.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION OUSTED THE CEOs, BUT OFSHINKSY WHO WORKED AT THE PARAMUS FACILITY FOR 5 YEARS SAYS THE DYNAMICS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL RUNNING A NURSING HOME AREN'T WORKING.

>> THEY PUT PEOPLE IN THERE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO LONG-TERM MEDICAL CARE.

YOU GET HIT WITH A PANDEMIC, THAT'S NO TIME FOR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.

SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH REALLY NO QUALIFICATIONS.

THEY JUST GOT THE JOB AS A BIT OF CRONYISM.

>> Reporter: WE ASKED FOR A RESPONSE TO THE STORY, BUT GOT NO COMMENT.

AS FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PROMISE MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO -- >> IT'S TAKING LONGER THAN I WANTED, I'M HOPING IT'S GOING TO BE READY IN A FEW COUPLE OF DAYS.

THERE'S NO BAD REASON, IT'S JUST TAKING LONGER TO MAKE SURE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, NO PUN INTENDED.

>> WE NEED TO DO THE POSTMORTEM, AS YOU SAID, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE GOT TO FIX THIS THING ASAP.

>> Reporter: STATE SENATOR SAYS HE'S MEETING MONDAY WITH SEVERAL COLLEAGUES TO BRAINSTORM A MAKEOVER FOR JERSEYS THREE VETERANS HOMES.

HE POINTED TO A RECENT INSPECTION AT THE MENLO PARK FACILITY, WHICH SCORED SO POORLY THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING CUTTING OFF MEDICARE PAYMENTS.

>> TO ME, THE OBVIOUS QUESTION IS, WHO HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE BUSINESS ?

SOMEBODY THAT DOES IT RIGHT, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP WILL CONFER WITH THE GOVERNOR.

MEANWHILE, OFSHINKSY IS GLAD HE BLEW THE WHISTLE.

HE'S RETIRED NOW, BUT HE IS STILL PUSHING FOR REFORMS .

>> THERE STILL WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE , AND TO HOPEFULLY GET THE CHANGES THAT WE ARE LEAVING IN PLACE.

>> I BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> STATE LEADERS ARE EXTENDING THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE ANCHOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM.

HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS NOW HAVE AN EXTRA MONTH UNTIL JANUARY 31st TO APPLY.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE TENANTS.

UNDER THE ANCHOR PROGRAM, MORE PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TAX RELIEF THAN WERE DURING THE PREVIOUS HOMESTEAD REBATE PROGRAM, AND THE BENEFIT IS HIGHER.

PROPERTY OWNERS CAN RECEIVE UP TO $1500 IN RELIEF, AND RENTERS CAN GET $450 TO HELP OFFSET RENT INCREASES.

NOT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF ANCHOR.

LEADERS SAY THEY WILL LAUNCH AN AGGRESSIVE ADVERTISING AND MARKETING CAMPAIGN TO GET THE WORD OUT.

IT WAS GOOD WHILE IT LASTED AFTER SEVERAL YEARS ABOUT A TOLL HIKE.

TOLLS ARE GOING UP ON THE BRIDGES AND TUNNELS TO NEW YORK.

THE PORT AUTHORITY IS INCREASING TOLLS BY A DOLLAR, BLAMING HIGH INFLATION AND REVENUE LOSSES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

TOLL INCREASES WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st, ASSUMING THE AGENCY'S BOARD OF COMMISSIONS APPROVES THE PORT AUTHORITY'S NEW $8.3 BILLION BUDGET FOR 2023 NEXT MONTH.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A $.45 INCREASE IN FARES FOR THE AIR TRAIN AT NEWARK AIRPORT.

THE FARES WILL NOT INCREASE.

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TOLL INCREASE SINCE 2019.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS SET TO VOTE YET AGAIN ON THE TEMPORARY WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS.

THIS LEGISLATION IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT TEMP WORKERS , AND SET STANDARDS FOR THE TEMP AGENCIES THAT EMPLOY THEM.

THE LEGISLATION HAS HAD A BUMPY ROAD IN TRENTON, BUT THE BILL'S SPONSOR IS OPTIMISTIC IT WILL WIN APPROVAL NEXT WEEK.

AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, NEW JERSEY'S MORE THAN 100,000 TEMP WORKERS ARE EAGER TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

>> THEY DON'T GIVE YOU ANY TOOLS.

>> EVEN STEPHEN MIKADO EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION WITH THE TREATMENT HE SAYS TOO MANY TEMP WORKERS FACE.

A TEMP WORKER HIMSELF, HE STILL REMEMBERS THE STRUGGLE.

>> YOU GO TO THOSE PLACES, THEY SAY YOU GO IN THAT PART.

YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING.

THEY SEND YOU TO DIFFERENT WORK PLACES AND DON'T GIVE YOU ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PAYMENT.

>> Reporter: TO CONTINUE THEM OINTMENT FOR THESE WORKERS, THERE'S BEEN A PUSH TO PASS A TEMPORARY BILL OF RIGHTS.

MOTION IS GONE TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR , PASSING THE SENATE TWICE , ONLY TO BE CONDITIONALLY VETOED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

LAST MONTH, THE BILL WAS PULLED AFTER NOT HAVING ENOUGH SUPPORT AFTER SOME SENATORS SWITCHED THEIR VOTE FROM YES TO NO.

>> IT'S COMING UP FOR ITS FOURTH FULL FLOOR VOTE THIS MONDAY, BUT THEY VOTED IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL WITH BIPARTISAN PORT MULTIPLE TIMES.

FOR TEMP WORKERS HAVE DIED IN THE WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS.

>> THE DIRECTOR MAKE THE ROLE NEW JERSEY SAYS HAVING A BILL OF RIGHTS WILL PROVIDE NEEDED TRANSPARENT THE FOR MORE THAN 127,000 TEMP WORKERS IN THE STATE.

>> WE KNOW THERE ARE WORKERS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE SAME POSITION WORKING SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH PERMANENT WORKERS FOR YEARS, 10 YEARS SOMETIMES.

THEY ARE DEPRIVED OF BASIC LABOR PROTECTIONS, A LIVING WAGE, HEALTHCARE, AND THIS LAW WILL AND THAT.

THEY WILL REQUIRE THESE WORKERS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SIMILAR WAGES AND BENEFITS.

>> I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE WAY THAT THE BILL IS WRITTEN RIGHT NOW, IT SAYS AVERAGE.

IF IT PREVIOUSLY SAID EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEE COUNTERPART, THAT'S WERE YOU BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT COMPARISON ATTEMPTS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR YEARS.

>> THERE SHOULD BE MORE TRANSPARENCY.

HE RUNS A TEMP TO HIRE AGENCY WHERE WORKERS KNOW WHAT THEIR AGENTS RATE IS GOING TO BE, AND TO PREPARE PEOPLE HIRED FOR LONG-TERM ASSIGNMENTS.

HIS COMPANY SUBSIDIZES TRANSPORTS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF AN ASSIGNMENT WHEN WORKERS DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY YET.

BUT IT DOESN'T WORK IF THE COST ISN'T SHARED.

>> IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SHARE SOME OF THAT EXPENSE WITH THE APPLICANT, IT REALLY LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO DO IT, AND WE WOULD HAVE TO USE APPLICANT SECOND FIND THEIR OWN MEANS DIRECTLY.

IT WOULD LIMIT A LOT OF WORKERS THAT REALLY HAVE THE MOST CHALLENGE FINDING WORK.

>> SENATOR JOE CRYAN SAYS HE'S CONFIDENT THE BILL WILL PASS DESPITE SOME LEGISLATORS PREVIOUSLY SWITCHING THEIR VOTES.

>> MEMBERS RAISE CONCERNS BASED ON THE GOVERNOR'S CONDITIONAL VETO.

WHEN WE TALK MEMBERS THROUGH THAT, THEY CLEARLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANT.

AND THE CONCERN WE CONTINUE TO HAVE IS THE OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS BEING SPENT BY TEMP AGENCIES AND THE NEW JERSEY STAFFING ALLIANCE TO PROTECT THEIR BUSINESS MODEL, WHICH IS A BUSINESS MODEL THAT ABUSES WORKERS AND NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.

>> ALTHOUGH THE SENATOR BELIEVES THE BILL OF RIGHTS WILL PASS NEXT WEEK, IF IT DOESN'T, IT ADVOCATES SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT UNTIL IT FINALLY BECOMES LAW.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S GAMBLING REVENUE DECLINED SLIGHTLY IN OCTOBER ACCORDING TO THE LATEST FIGURES FROM THE DIVISION OF GAMING ENFORCEMENT.

MONEY FROM IN PERSON GAMBLERS IN ATLANTIC CITY'S CASINOS FELL MORE THAN 7% COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

THE FOUR CASINOS, HAD HIGHER IN PERSON REVENUE LAST MONTH THAN THEY DID IN OCTOBER 2019 BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

MEANTIME, REVENUE FROM INTERNET GAMBLING INCREASED 16% WHEN COMPARED TO LAST OCTOBER, AND SPORTS BETTING HAS PICKED UP.

THE AMOUNT WAGERED TOP THE BILLION-DOLLAR MARK FOR THE SEVENTH TIME.

NOW LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED OUT THE WEEK.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORTS PROVIDED BY NJ T.I.A.

CONFERENCE ON TOURISM DECEMBER 1st AND SECOND AT RESORTS CASINO HOTEL IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE .

>> AND MAKE SURE YOU CATCH NJ BUSINESS MEET WITH ME THIS WEEKEND, WITH FOOD PRICES SKYROCKETING WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING NEW JERSEY'S FOOD INDUSTRY AND ITS MANUFACTURING GROWTH TO THE PRESSURE ON FARMS AND HOW ORGANIZATIONS ARE FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY.

THAT IS SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 ON NJ PBS.

>>> IT'S BEEN SIX MONTHS SINCE NEW JERSEY'S BAD BAN WENT INTO PLACE, PERMITTING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS IN STORES AS WELL AS PAPER BAGS IN LARGE GROCERY STORES.

IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, YOU MAY FORGET TO BRING A REUSABLE BACK TO THE STORE, AND MAYBE YOU HAVE A PILE OF REUSABLE BAGS BACKED UP IN THE CLOSET.

THOSE MINOR INCONVENIENCES ASIDE, THE BAG BAN IS ALREADY HAVING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON NEW JERSEY'S ENVIRONMENT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS , WHILE THERE ARE STILL A FEW POTENTIAL TWEAKS IN THE LAW TO COME, ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE SAYING THE BAG BAN IS A SUCCESS.

>> THE FOOD COUNCIL OF NEW JERSEY RELEASED THE NUMBERS THAT THERE IS 2.4 BILLION PLASTIC BAGS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PUT INTO OUR WASTE TRAIN SINCE IT WENT INTO EFFECT.

AND 68 MILLION PAPER BAGS HAVE NOT BEEN PUT INTO USE.

SO WE HAVE SAVED OUR ENVIRONMENT FROM THAT MANY BILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF BAGS.

>> Reporter: THOSE NUMBERS COME AFTER JUST SIX MONTHS OF NEW JERSEY'S PLASTIC BAG BAN BEING IN EFFECT.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS.

>> THE FACT THAT WE'VE HAD 3.4 BILLION PLASTIC CARRY BAGS NOT DISTRIBUTED IS DEFINITELY AN IMPACT WORTH CELEBRATING.

BECAUSE THOSE BAGS ARE MADE OUT OF FOSSIL FUELS AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS.

>> AN AMAZING REDUCTION IN WASTE, AND ALSO AN IMPACT ON NEW JERSEY'S HEALTH.

>> Reporter: SENATOR BOB SMITH SPONSORED THE BAN OF BAGS IN GROCERY STORES.

IT ALSO BANS STYROFOAM AND PLASTIC STRAWS EXCEPT BY REQUEST.

IS THRILLED BY THE NUMBERS OF THE SIX MONTH MARK, BUT SINCE WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> PEOPLE GENERALLY THINK OF PLASTIC POLLUTION AS BEING THE CONTINENT OF PLASTIC THAT'S IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

BUT THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT IF THEY WENT TO A HOSPITAL TODAY AND TESTED FOR MICRO PLASTICS IN THEIR BLOOD, UNFORTUNATELY, IT WOULD BE FOUND IN THEIR BLOOD.

PLASTIC MATERIALS BREAKDOWN IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND BECOME PLASTIC THAT GETS IN FISH IN THE AIR THAT YOU BREATHE AND SOMETIMES EVEN THE WATER YOU DRINK.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY SHOPPERS HAVE HAD SIX MONTHS TO GET USED TO THE BAN.

>> IT COULD BE INCONVENIENT, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD ALLOW MORE PAPER BAGS.

IT'S THE PLASTIC BAGS IN MY OPINION THAT TRULY WERE EVERYWHERE.

>> I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING.

YOU KNOW, IT KIND OF REDUCES THE WASTE.

>> I THINK IT'S A CROCK OF BALONEY, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PLASTIC BAGS GOING AROUND.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY SHOULD BAN THE ONES FROM SHOPPING.

>> Reporter: ONE PLACE THEY ARE STILL GOING AROUND, FOOD PANTRIES.

THE LAW EXTENDED THEIR PLASTIC USE, BUT THE DEADLINE IS CREATING A CHALLENGE.

>> WE DID HAVE A SIX MONTH CUT OUT FOR THE FOOD PANTRIES ACROSS THE STATE, WHICH WAS WONDERFUL.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT GOES INTO -- THEY HAVE TO START COMPLYING ON THE FOURTH OF NOVEMBER, OF THIS MONTH, WHICH IS RIGHT IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> THEY HAVE ALREADY ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE NOT ENFORCING ANYTHING AGAINST FOOD BANKS, BECAUSE THAT'S ONE ISSUE WE HAVE TO WORK OUT.

>> Reporter: NO FOOD PANTRIES WILL BE PENALIZED, WHILE THE OFFICE AND THE LEGISLATURE COME UP WITH A NEW PLAN.

THEY ARE ALSO WORKING THROUGH PROVISIONS FOR SOME COMPANIES USE CARDBOARD BOXES AND PAPER BAGS ARE GROCERY DELIVERIES , AND DETERMINING THE ROLE OF REUSABLE BAGS DURING THOSE DELIVERIES.

THOSE ISSUES ASIDE, HER CAUGHT CLEANUP COORDINATORS ARE THRILLED WITH THE PROGRESS.

>> PLASTIC BAGS HAVE ALWAYS ENDED UP ON THE TOP 10 LIST OF ITEMS THEY FIND DURING THEIR CLEANER PROGRAMS.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE ANYMORE.

THEY ARE FINDING VERY FEW PLASTIC BAGS, AND THAT'S THE FIRST TIME, YOU KNOW, THAT I'VE BEEN DOING THIS IN 30 YEARS THAT WE'VE FOUND A REALLY GREAT TOOL TO ACTUALLY PREVENT LITTER.

>> Reporter: EXACTLY THE RESULT ENVIRONMENTALISTS WERE HOPING FOR.

IN CEDAR GROVE, AND JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY THIS WEEK SIGNED A BILL THAT WOULD TREAT AS CONFIDENTIAL ALL NAME CHANGES FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY.

THEY WOULD ALSO BE EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO VOICING HIS SUPPORT OF A NEW BILL THAT WOULD WAIVE THE $50 FEE PEOPLE MUST PAY TO FILE NAME CHANGES.

THE GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS CAME DURING TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK, WHICH RUNS THROUGH THIS SUNDAY.

THE WEEK IS DESIGNED TO RAISE VISIBILITY ABOUT LGBTQ PEOPLE , AND ADDRESS ISSUES THEY FACE, INCLUDING HIGH RATES OF SUICIDE AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES.

DAMIEN ALLEN LOPEZ IS A PROJECT MANAGER AT GARDEN STATE EQUALITY, THE LARGEST LGBT PLUS ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION IN NEW JERSEY.

WELCOME, DAMIEN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WHAT IS BEING DONE CURRENTLY, AND WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT TRANSGENDER PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?

IT'S ESPECIALLY TROUBLING THAT SO MANY YOUTHS HAVE CONTEMPLATED SUICIDE.

>> DEFINITELY.

I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, YOU KNOW, EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND POLICIES THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT IN TO PROTECT LGBT INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ARE SO IMPORTANT.

RECOGNIZING THE LEADERS WHO SUGGESTED THIS LANGUAGE, BECAUSE THERE WAS A WEIRD LOOPHOLE IN ORDER FOR INDIVIDUALS TO MEET -- UNFORTUNATELY THROUGH THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION.

BUT RECOGNIZING THAT SPECIFICALLY MENTAL HEALTH IS A HUGE DISCREPANCY IN TERMS OF NAVIGATING THROUGH TRANSITIONING AND AFFIRMING YOURSELF , WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY OF PUT IN THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER, IT REALLY DOES SHOW THAT HE IS ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TYPE OF PROCESS TO ENSURE TRANS PEOPLE SAFETY AS WELL AS GENDER DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DOING THIS PROCESS IN ORDER TO AFFIRM THEMSELVES.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE RECOGNIZING THESE TYPE OF DISCREPANCIES AND DISPARITIES OF THE COMMUNITY, BECAUSE THAT DOES CREATE MORE KNOWLEDGE.

>> THERE ARE SOME REAL OBSTACLES IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSGENDER.

CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF THOSE DETAILS SO THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF?

>> SOME ENCOUNTERS THAT TRANSGENDER MEMBERS AND INDIVIDUALS ENCOUNTER IN HEALTHCARE SPECIFICALLY WOULD BE THINGS LIKE, NOT REALLY GETTING THEIR GENDER AFFIRMING SURGERIES OR BEING COVERED, AND THAT SOMETHING WE ARE STILL NAVIGATING THROUGH.

THERE'S DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLICIES AND BARRIERS THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO GO THROUGH IN ORDER TO REALLY AFFIRM THEIR IDENTITY AND WHO THEY ARE.

AND ALSO, THE KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS MAKING SURE THEY ARE PRACTICING WHAT THEY ARE PREACHING IN TERMS OF CAPTIVATING AND CULTIVATING A SAFES BASE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY SECOND GLANCES PRAY TRANS MEN WHO HAS TO COME INTO A GYNECOLOGIST LOCATION FOR SERVICES BEING DONE.

KIND OF CULTIVATING THAT SAVE SPACE AND EQUITABLE KNOWLEDGE FOR ALL NURSES AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO PROVIDE SAFE SPACE IN AFFIRMING THESE INDIVIDUALS.

>> HOW HAS THE EXPERIENCE OF YOUR ADVOCACY -- >> AS A TRANSGENDER MAN, IT REALLY DOES PUT A NEW LEVEL ON WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING, ESPECIALLY CONNECTING WITH INDIVIDUALS WERE MORE MARGINALIZED OR ARE IN SPECIFIC AREAS THAT I GREW UP IN.

I GREW UP IN NORFOLK, SO MESSING THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE, MORE PERSONABLE INTERACTIONS -- BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO FEEL AFFIRMED FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LOOK LIKE YOU OR FEEL LIKE YOU OR HAVE SIMILAR STORIES.

SO JUST REMINDING THOSE WHO HAVE ARE SIMILAR STORIES THAT WE SEE THEM AND WE ARE HERE FOR THEM AND WE ARE ALWAYS WATCHING OUT FOR THEM.

>> THINK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THE NEXT EPISODE IN OUR 21 PART DIGITAL SERIES IS OUT NOW.

DOES WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE STATE AFFECT HOW YOU LIVE?

21 PROFILES ONE PERSON IN EACH OF OUR 21 COUNTIES AND LOOKS AT THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS THAT AFFECT THAT PERSON'S LIFE.

THE LATEST FILM INTRODUCES US TO JOE MORRISON OF HUNTERDON COUNTY.

IS A SECOND GENERATION DRAG RACER .

NITRO JOE SPENDS HIS TIME OFF THE TRACK EXPANDING HIS RESPIRATORY DISEASE AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS THERE IS NONPROFIT, RIGHT TO BREATHE.

INSPIRED BY HIS FATHER'S LATE IN LIFE COPD DIAGNOSIS, HE JOINS ME NOW.

SO NICE TO TALK TO YOU.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> TELL ME ABOUT RIGHT TO BREATHE.

WHAT YOUR MISSION IN YOUR MOTIVATION?

>> REALLY, THE MOTIVATION IS TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH LUNG DISEASES LIKE COPD BE ABLE TO DO THE THINGS IN LIFE THAT THEY LOVE TO DO, AND REALLY STILL LOVE AND ENJOY THEIR LIVES, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH COPD.

AND THE MOTIVATION REALLY IS JUST TO -- TO LEARN FROM -- MY DAD'S JOURNEY WAS SHARED IN LEARNING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, SPECIFICALLY THE FACT THAT HIS PASSION FOR DRAGRACING HELPED HIM OVERCOME THE DIFFICULT OBSTACLES OF LIVING WITH LUNG DISEASE.

PART OF OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS THAT WE BELIEVE PEOPLE CAN OVERCOME GREAT OBSTACLES WHEN THEY ALLOW THEIR PASSIONS TO INSPIRE THEM.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACING, SOMETHING THAT YOU SHARED WITH YOUR DAD.

YOU THINK OF HIM WHEN YOU'RE BEHIND THE WHEEL?

>> NOT NECESSARILY.

WOMEN BEHIND THE WHEEL, I'M REALLY FOCUSED ON THE TASK AT HAND .

IT REALLY TAKES ALL OF MY FOCUS, BUT I DO THINK ABOUT HIM A LOT WHEN I'M AT THE DRAGSTRIP.

ALL THE TIME ANYWAY, BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM AT THE TRACK.

I DO THINK ABOUT HIM A LOT.

>> HOW FAST DO YOU GO?

>> THE FASTEST I'VE GONE IN THE 1000 FOOT RACE COURSE, FROM A STANDING START -- FROM THE STARTING LINE TO THE FINISH LINE IN 3.9 SECONDS AT 313 MILES AN HOUR.

0 TO OVER 300 AND LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS.

>> THAT IS INCREDIBLE.

COMMUNITY MATTERS TO YOU.

YOU GOT THE RACE CAR COMMUNITY, AND YOU ARE A MUSICIAN, SO YOU HAVE YOUR FELLOW PERFORMERS.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THESE COMMUNITIES?

WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT TO YOU?

>> INTERESTING.

BOTH OF THOSE COMMUNITIES, THE RACING COMMUNITY AND THE MUSICIAN COMMUNITY, THEY ALL ARE VERY GOOD ABOUT RALLYING AROUND SOMEONE WHEN THERE IS A NEED.

WHEN SOMEONE IS IN NEED.

EVEN IN RACING, I'VE HAD TIMES AT THE SEMI PRO LEVEL WHERE ONE OF MY COMPETITORS HELPED ME WORK ON MY CAR TO GET IT READY FOR THE NEXT ROUND.

YOU DON'T SEE THAT IN OTHER PLACES, RIGHT?

YOU WOULD NEVER SEE A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM HELPING OUT THEIR UPCOMING OPPONENT.

SO I THINK WHAT I'VE LEARNED MOST IS THAT -- THAT OF COURSE, WHEN IT COMES TO COMPETITION, WE ARE OUT THERE TO COMPETE IN A RACE TO WIN.

BUT WHEN WE ARE NOT, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO ALL PULL TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD .

AND THE MUSIC COMMUNITY AND RACING COMMUNITY ARE VERY ALIKE IN THAT WAY.

>> YOU GOT A GREAT STORY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING IT WITH US.

YOU CAN MEET JOE AND THE OTHER EXTRAORDINARY JERSEY RESIDENTS AT MYNJPBS.ORG.

AN IMMERSIVE PERFORMANCE OPENS THIS WEEKEND AT THE JERSEY THEATER CENTER.

DISPLAYED IS BOTH AN ARTIST EXHIBIT AND A DANCE PIECE DESIGNED TO REFLECT THE DIVERSE NATURE OF THE WORLD AROUND US.

THE COMPANY OF DISABLED AND NONDISABLED DANCERS BEGIN AND END TO THE PIECE AS AN IMMERSING LIVING SCULPTURE COURT.

IN BETWEEN, THEY BREAK OUT OF THAT STILLNESS AND MOVE THROUGH THE SPACE, INVITING THE AUDIENCE TO INTERACT WITH AND BECOME PART OF THE PERFORMANCE.

DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE PIECE ARE PERFORMED ANNUALLY IN CITIES AROUND THE WORLD IN HONOR OF THE UN'S INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

THE PIECE IS ACCESSIBLE TO WHEELCHAIR USERS AND INCLUDES AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

>> WHERE I WAS PERSONALLY, AND WHERE I THINK A LOT OF DISABILITY MOVEMENT -- PARTICULARLY DISABILITY JUSTICE -- WE WERE THINKING A LOT ABOUT DISABILITY AS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN REPRESENTATION.

AND I THINK IT'S TRUE FOR ALL OF THE FORMS OF DIVERSITY THAT ARE INTERSECTING IN THIS CAST.

REPRESENTATION DOES MATTER, AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK, TUNE INTO REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS WITH SUE ALTMAN OF THE NEW JERSEY WORKING FAMILIES PARTY ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR PROGRESSIVES AFTER THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SATURDAY AT 10:00 AT NJ PBS.

AND ON CHAT BOX WITH DAVID, HE LOOKS AT THE IMPACT OF TRUMP 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RUN WILL HAVE ON BOTH PARTIES, BUT ESPECIALLY THE GOP HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

WATCHES SATURDAY AT 6:30 AND SUNDAY AT 10:30 A.M. ON NJ PBS.

I RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

ENJOY THE WEEKEND, AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

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

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AND NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.COM .