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

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED.

AND PSEG.

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

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

>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE DAY AFTER THE TOPIC OF ABORTION WAS BROUGHT UP IN OUR GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE ON NJPBS, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THE STATE BOARD OF MEDICAL HAS ADOPTED A RULE CHANGE THAT ALLOWS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS NOT PHYSICIANS TO PROVIDE SURGICAL ABORTIONS.

THIS ISSUE OF WHO CAN PERFORM ABORTIONS HAS BEEN A POINT OF CONTENTION IN THE CAMPAIGN.

SUPPORTERS OF THE RULE CHANGE SAY IT WOULD EXPAND ACCESS TO ABORTION.

BUT JACK CIATTARELLI OPPOSE OPPOSES.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES WERE THRILLED TO HEAR THE NEW JERSEY BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS APPROVE A MEASURE ALLOWING NONDOCTOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE ABORTIONS.

>> WE HAVE SEEN PROVIDER SHORTAGES.

>> Reporter: PLANNED PARENTHOOD SAYS IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WHEN AN OBGYN IS SICK AND UNAVAILABLE, PATIENTS ARE LEFT WITH NO OPTIONS.

>> WHEN YOU CAN HAVE A NURSE PRACTITIONER, SOMEONE TRAINED AND THERE THAT DAY TO STEP IN TO PROVIDE THE PROCEDURE, THE PATIENT DOESN'T HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT OR GO TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION AND STILL, IT WILL REALLY BE A GOOD PROCESS.

>> Reporter: BUT OPPONENTS LIKE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE DECLINED THE DECISION SAYING IN A STATEMENT THIS IS A VERY DARK DAY IN NEW JERSEY'S HISTORY.

HOW CAN ANYONE BELIEVE ALLOWING NON-PHYSICIANS TO PERFORM ABORTIONS BE GOOD FOR WOMEN?

WE GRIEVE FOR THE WOMEN WHO WILL BE HARMED AND THE SNOWBALLING IFECT IT WILL HAVE ON THE NUMBER OF BABIES KILLED.

THE CDC SAYS ONLY ABOUT 1% OF ABORTIONS ARE PERFORMED AFTER 20 WEEKS.

AND DR. KRISTIN BRANDY SAYS THAT IS A DECISION BETWEEN A PREGNANT PERSON AND THEIR DOCTOR.

AS FOR WHO PERFORMS IT.

>> I THINK WE THINK OF OBYYNs PROVIDING THAT CARE, BUT THERE ARE OTHER MEDICAL PHYSICIANS LIKE FAMILY MEDICINE DOCTORS, INTERNAL MEDICINE DOCTORS THAT CAN PROVIDE ABORTION CARE AND NONMDs OR NONPHYSICIANS SUCH AS NURSE MID WIVES, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.

>> AS WITH ANY SURGICAL PROCEDURE, THINGS CAN GO WRONG.

ARE THESE CLINICIANS YOU JUST MENTIONED PREPARED TO HANDLE IT WHEN THINGS GO WRONG?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABORTION IS INCREDIBLY SAFE.

AND ACTUALLY, IF YOU COMPARE IT TO OTHER OUTPATIENT PROCEDURES LIKE REMOVING WISDOM TEETH THAT HAPPEN IN OUTPATIENT CENTERS, ABORTION IS SAFER THAN THAT.

SO I ABSOLUTELY THINK THAT PROVIDERS THAT GET TRAINED TO DO THIS CARE ARE ABLE TO HANDLE ANY OF THE COMPLICATIONS.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC DURING THE GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN AND THE DEBATE BETWEEN GOVERNOR MURPHY AND JACK CIATTARELLI.

THE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER SAID HE WOULD ASSURE THE RIGHT.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ON EITHER SIDE OF THE AISLE AND NOBODY HAS SHOOK MORE HANDS OR TALKED TO MORE PEOPLE THAN I HAVE THE PAST 22 MONTHS.

NO ONE SUPPORTS AN ABORTION IN MONTHS SEVEN, EIGHT, AND NINE, LET ALONE HAVING IT PERFORMED BY SOMEBODY OTHER THAN AN MD.

>> Reporter: THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT EXPANDS ABORTION IN SEVERAL AREAS.

BUT WITH THE BILL STALLED, DOES THE TIMING OF THE BOARD'S APPROVAL HAVE ANY POLITICAL MOTIVATION?

THE BOARD DIDN'T RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT IN TIME.

BUT THEY SAY NO.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE JANUARY.

AND SO, I THINK IT IS JUST THEIR TIMING AND THEIR PROCESS ON THE BOARD LEVEL.

>> Reporter: IT WILL BE A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE MEASURE TAKES EFFECT.

THEN COMES THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING AND TRAINING CLINICIANS.

PROVIDERS ARE STILL WAITING FOR GUIDANCE ON WHAT THAT PROCESS WILL LOOK LIKE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> HERE IS AN UPDATE ON AN ELECTION RELATED STORY WE BROUGHT YOU EARLIER THIS WEEK.

MORE THAN 13,500 NEW POLL WORKERS HAVE NOW SIGNED UP TO WORK DURING THE ELECTION SEASON WHICH THIS YEAR INCLUDES EARLY VOTING STARTING OCTOBER 23rd.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION WAS CONCERNED THERE WOULD BE A SHORTAGE OF WORKERS BUT THAT IS NOT A PROBLEM NOW.

YOU MAY RECALL LAST WEEK, THE GOVERNOR ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER INCREASING PAY FOR POLL WORKERS.

>>> THE LONG TROUBLED EDMOND PRISON IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT NINE MONTHS AFTER A SCANDAL LED GOVERNOR MURPHY TO PROMISE HE WOULD IMPLEMENT MAJOR REFORMS AND ULTIMATELY CLOSE THE FACILITY.

WE LEARNED THAT A CORRECTIONS OFFICER AT THE PRISON HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ASSAULTING AN INMATE JUST LAST MONTH.

LEAH MISHKIN LOOKS INTO WHY THE ABUSE IS STILL HAPPENING DESPITE EFFORT TO STOP IT.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S ONLY WOMEN PRISON IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AFTER A GUARD WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH SEXUAL SAY ASSAULT.

THE OFFICER ALLEGEDLY RAPED AN INMATE LAST MONTH ON SEPTEMBER 16th.

>> WHAT ALLOWED THIS TO SLIP BY WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LOOKING SO CLOSELY?

>> Reporter: IN APRIL OF 2018, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PRISON AFTER A NEWS STORY REVEALED ALLEGATIONS OF INMATE ABUSE DATING BACK TO 2008.

TWO YEARS LATER, DOJ CONCLUDED THERE IS REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT EDNA MAHAN VIOLATED THE 8th AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION BY FAILING TO PROTECT PRISONERS FROM SEXUAL ABUSE BY STAFF.

AND SCANDAL ERUPTED ON VIOLENT CELL EXTRACTIONS IN THE PRISON.

A CORRECTIONS EXPERT WAS APPOINTED AS A CONTACT FOR THE INMATES TO ADDRESS CONCERNS.

THE FOLLOWING MONTH, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO SHUT DOWN THE PRISON AFTER THE INDEPENDENT REPORT HE COMMISSIONED WAS RELEASED.

HE EXPLAINED SHUTTERS THE PRISON COULD TAKE YEARS AND IN THE INTERIM, REFORMS NEED TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY.

SOME OF THOSE REFORMS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED INCLUDE HIRING A CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONSULTING FIRM AND INTRODUCING BODY WORM CAMERAS.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER MARCUS HICKS ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION 24 HOURS AFTER THE REPORT WAS PUBLISHED FOLLOWING CALLS FOR HIM TO STEP DOWN.

THEN IN AUGUST, A 36-PAGE CONSENT DECREE LAID OUT ALL THE CHANGES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIRES OF EDNA MAHAN.

APPOINTING AN INDEPENDENT MONITOR TO MAKE SURE THE STATE COMPLIES.

THAT BRINGS US TO SEPTEMBER 16 WHEN THE LATEST ALLEGED INCIDENT OCCURS.

>> WITH ALL THE TRAINING, AND ALL THE SECURITY MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED SINCE JANUARY AND ALL THE ACTION, I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ON CAMPUS, THE COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN ON CAMPUS.

THE COMMISSIONER OF WOMEN HAS BEEN ON CAMPUS MULTIPLE TIMES.

THEY WERE STUNNED.

I WAS STUNNED.

>> SO HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?

>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

THE ONE THING I HEARD WAS THAT THE PERPETRATING OFFICER WAS REPORTED ON BY ANOTHER OFFICER WHO SAW HIM.

I THANK GOD EVERY DAY I'M HERE HOME WITH MY KIDS AND SAFE, BUT STILL, MENTALLY, I'M NOT.

>> Reporter: FORMER INMATE TONI BOLTON SAYS THE THINGS SHE HAS SEEN AND ENDURED WHILE SHE CONTINUES TO SPEAK UP AND FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE INSIDE.

>> ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TOLD US THIS BEHAVIOR IS UNCONSCIONABLE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

THOSE WHO VIOLATE THE LAW AND HARM PEOPLE MUST ALWAYS BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

THE DEPARTMENT IS A WORKPLACE FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF OPERATING SAFE AND HUMANE FACILITIES.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY ADDRESSED THE NEW ALLEGATIONS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN KICKED DOWN THE ROAD TWO OR THREE DECADES.

THIS IS NOT TRAGICALLY THE FIRST.

WE ARE CLOSING THIS THING AND WE ARE IN ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CORRECTIONS, ACTING CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER ON EXACTLY HOW QUICKLY WE CAN GET THERE.

>> Reporter: WE ASKED THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT TOOK PLACE.

THOSE DETAILS ARE NOT CLEAR JUST YET.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> A NEW REPORT LOOKS AT HOW POLICE IN NEW JERSEY RESPOND TO ISSUES LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

IT CALLS INTO QUESTION WHETHER POLICE INTERVENTION KEEPS CITIZENS SAFER OR PUTS SOME AT GREATER RISK.

AND IT ENVISIONS WHAT ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL POLICING MIGHT LOOK LIKE AND HOW SOME MODELS ARE WORKING HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> THE SYSTEM OF POLICING NOT ONLY DOESN'T WORK FOR EVERYONE, BUT ACTIVELY HARMS PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN MADE MOST VULNERABLE BY THE POLICIES THAT WE, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE CREATED.

>> Reporter: IF NEWLY RELEASED REPORT TO PROTECT AND SERVE MODELS OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT CENTER AROUND POLICE HERE IN NEW JERSEY HAVE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCE.

>> EVEN PEOPLE AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM OFTEN DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW BAD THE PROBLEM IS.

ESPECIALLY HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: MARLENA IS AUTHOR OF THE REPORT THAT SHOWS POLICE LED RESPONSES OF OVERDOSES, MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND OTHER BEHAVIORS.

>> WE HAVE SOME OF THE WORSE DISPARITIES IN TERMS OF POLICE USE OF FORCE AND INCARCERATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> AND JUST HOW BAD ARE THE RACIAL DISPARITIES HERE IN NEW JERSEY WHEN IT COMES TO INCARCERATION AND POLICE FORCE?

>> AS OF JANUARY, 61% OF PEOPLE THAT ARE INCARCERATED IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ARE BLACK.

AND, THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF ADVERSE OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE THAT EITHER USE SUBSTANCES OR HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS OR SHOW SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS.

SO 63% OF PEOPLE THAT EXPERIENCED A USE OF FORCE WERE DOCUMENTED AS SHOWING EITHER SIGNS OF BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A SUBSTANCE OR MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> THE BIGGEST DANGER WE HAVE IS THAT THE PUBLIC DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY WE HAVE THE POLICE SYSTEM WE DO AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DOMINANCE WE HAVE.

THEY HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD CRIME OR SHOOTING OR ROBBERY, YOU THINK CALL THE POLICE.

AND EVERYONE HAS THAT INSTINCT.

911 IS OUR CULTURAL RESPONSE TO FEARMENT WHEN WE DO THAT, WE ARE BUILDING A POLICE STATE.

>> Reporter: DR. JEFFREY BUTTS IS RESEARCH PROFESSOR AT JOHN JAY COLLEGE.

>> IT COMES THROUGH PARK, HUMAN SERVICES, HOUSING, ALL THE THINGS THAT BUILD A STRONG COMMUNITY, SHOULD NOT JUST THINK WHEN SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG, CALL THE POLICE.

>> Reporter: POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN THE REPORT INCLUDE INVESTING IN HEALTH CARE FOR ISSUES OF ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH, NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATION SO PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO MORE PARKS AND GREEN SPACE.

QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND VIOLENT INTERRUPTION PROGRAMS LIKE THE NEWARK COMMUNITY STREET TEAM.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A ROLE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT, IT IS NOT TO ARREST, HARASS, PROFILE.

RIGHT?

IT IS A DETERRENT STRATEGY.

WE ALL WANT TO END CRIME WITHIN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT'S THE GOAL.

RIGHT?

>> Reporter: SOLOMON MIDDLETON WILLIAMS IS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE STREET TEAM WHICH FOLLOWS A COMMUNITY BASED VIOLENCE REDUCTION STRATEGY TO CREATE SAFER COMMUNITIES FOR CITY RESIDENTS.

MIDDLETON WILLIAMS SAYS YOU CAN'T HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY WITHOUT THE PUBLIC.

>> IF YOU PROVIDE SERVICES MINUS THE ENFORCEMENT, WE SEE GREATER OUTCOMES AND GREATER NEIGHBORHOODS.

INVEST IN LOCAL STRATEGIES AND LET LAW ENFORCEMENT PLAY THE STRATEGY TO END CRIME IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND OTHER NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR STATE OR FEDERAL PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE WILL SOON BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR RELIEF.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HAS LAUNCHED A WEBSITE WHERE RESIDENTS CAN LEARN ABOUT THE $40 MILLION EXCLUDED NEW JERSEY FUND AND CHECK TO SEE IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR DIRECT ONE-TIME CASH PAYMENTS.

RESIDENTS WITH AN ANNUAL INCOME OF UP TO $55,000 MUST PROVE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO GET FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECKS OR UNEMPLOYMENT AND MUST SHOW LOST INCOME DUE TO COVID-19.

ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS CAN RECEIVE UP TO $1,000, BUT ADVOCATES ARGUE IT WILL ONLY HELP A SMALL FRACTION OF THE STATE'S HALF A MILLION UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

>>> AND FDA ADVISORY PANEL RECOMMENDED THE HALF DOSE BOOSTER SHOTS OF THE MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO SOME AMERICANS INCLUDING PEOPLE 65 AND OLDER AND THOSE WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS OR JOBS THAT PUT THEM AT INCREASED RISK OF INFECTION.

THESE ARE THE SAME GUIDELINES IN PLACE FOR THE ALREADY AUTHORIZED PFIZER BOOSTER.

TOMORROW, THE PANEL WILL MEET AGAIN TO DISCUSS A BOOSTER OF THE SINGLE SHOT JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

THIS COMES AS THE NEW STUDY FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH FINDS A DOSE OF PFIZER OR MODERNA IS A BETTER BOOSTER FOR THE 15 MILLION AMERICANS WHO GOT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, 5.95 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED AND 283,000 BOOSTERS AND THIRD DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.

THE FINAL DECISION WILL BE MADE BY FEDERAL HEALTH REGULATORS AT THE CDC AND FDA IN THE COMING WEEKS.

TO BREAK DOWN ALL THE LATEST, WE TURN NOW TO MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY EPIDEMIOLOGIST AND PROFESSOR STEPHANIE SYLVERA.

IT IS A BIG DAY FOR THE FDA AS TALK ON BOOSTERS IS TAKING CENTER STAGE.

WHAT WILL WE KNOW BY THE TIME THIS ALL CONCLUDES FRIDAY?

>> TOMORROW, THEY WILL BE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON SECOND DOSE OR THE BOOSTER.

AND SO I THINK BY THE END OF FRIDAY, WE'LL HAVE A BETTER SENSE OF WHETHER OR NOT THESE BOOSTER DOSES WILL BE OPEN AND AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WHO DID NOT GET PFIZER INITIALLY.

>> THERE WAS A STUDY RELEASED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH THAT SUGGESTED IF YOU HAD A JOHNSON & JOHNSON SHOT, A BOOSTER FROM PFIZER OR MODERNA MIGHT BE BETTER.

WHAT WAS YOUR READ ON THAT?

>> SO, THE STUDY LOOKED AT ANTIBODY RESPONSE AND NOT NECESSARILY VACCINE EFFICACY.

AND WHAT THEY FOUND WAS THAT THE ANTIBODY RESPONSE WAS BOOSTED HIGHER WHEN THE INDIVIDUALS WHO INITIALLY RECEIVED JOHNSON & JOHNSON THEN RECEIVED ONE OF THE MRNA VACCINES.

THAT SAID, IT WAS A VERY SMALL SAMPLE SIZE AND IT WAS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION OR NECESSARILY EVERYONE WHO RECEIVED THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP AND I THINK IT WILL GIVE PEOPLE WHO GOT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE WHO MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED ABOUT HOW IT IS HOLDING UP IN TERMS OF EFFICACY AND DURABILITY, A LITTLE BIT OF HOPE THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO SWITCH COURSE AND DO THE MIX AND MATCH.

BUT THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN RESOLVED AND MORE RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK THE BOOSTER CAMPAIGN IS GOING WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS IN NEW JERSEY, THE TRENDS CERTAINLY LOOK SOMEWHAT POSITIVE.

>> NATIONWIDE, ABOUT 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN A BOOSTER DOSE.

I THINK THAT IF THIS IS APPROVED, THAT NUMBERS ARE LIKELY TO GO UP.

AND WHAT IS REALLY ENCOURAGING IS THAT IN ISRAEL, WHAT THEY FOUND AND THE DATA PRESENTED EARLIER TODAY, IS THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T GET EVERYBODY WITH THE FIRST DOSE, BY HAVING THAT THIRD DOSE OF PFIZER IN THAT CASE, THE CASE RATES WENT DOWN OVERALL, EVEN AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

THERE IS EVIDENCE THIS THIRD DOSE GETS THE COUNTRY CLOSER TO THAT HERD IMMUNITY.

>> SO SHOULD WE FEEL SOMEWHAT BETTER HEADED INTO THE WINTER SEASON WHERE THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THE DELTA VARIANT?

>> I THINK SO.

AND I THINK THAT WHAT THE DATA IS SHOWING IS THAT BOTH IN TERMS OF ANTIBODY RESPONSE AND REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE, IN ISRAEL, IS THAT THIS THIRD DOSE, THIS BOOSTER DOSE, REALLY DOES HELP STEM THE TIDE IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF CASES.

AND IT CAN START TO GET US BACK ON THE RIGHT PATH TO KEEPING CASE RATES LOW ENOUGH THAT WE CAN MAYBE GET BACK TO NORMAL.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING YOU ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW WITH THE STATS FROM NEW JERSEY THAT HAS YOU CONCERNED?

>> SO, I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS WHERE THE VACCINATION RATE OVERALL EVEN FOR THE FIRST DOSE ARE LOWER.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME COMMUNITIES WITH HIGHER LEVELS OF PROTECTION.

AND I THINK WE STILL, WHILE THE BOOSTER DOSE WILL BE HELPFUL, WE NEED TO WORK ON GETTING PEOPLE THAT FIRST DOSE OF THE VACCINE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS TONIGHT, IT WAS SHOVELS IN THE GROUND EARLIER TODAY IN NEW BRUNSWICK WHERE THE NEW JERSEY INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY HUB.

DESIGNED TO BE A CENTER FOR INNOVATION, A PLACE FOR ENTREPRENEURS, RESEARCHERS, START-UP COMPANIES, AND OTHERS.

SEVERAL INSTITUTIONS ALREADY COMMITTED TO HAVING A PRESENCE THERE INCLUDING RUTGERS, PRINCETON, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, AND HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH, TO NAME A FEW.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS ONCE THE HUB OPENS A FEW YEARS FROM NOW, IT WILL BE A CENTER OF INNOVATION, RESEARCH, AND MEDICAL EDUCATION.

>> BUT IT IS HERE AT THE HUB WHERE WE WILL LEVERAGE AND PUT ON CLEAR DISPLAY AND UNDER ONE ROOF EVERYTHING NEW JERSEY OFFERS.

OUR WORLD LEADING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND OUR WORLD CLASS HEALTH NETWORKS.

OUR ACCESS TO GLOBAL MARKETS.

AND OUR HIGHLY EDUCATED AND HIGHLY SKILLED WORK FORCE.

>> JOIN ME THIS WEEKEND FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT.

WE ARE PUTTING NEW JERSEY'S REAL ESTATE MARKET IN FOCUS.

ANALYZING THE HIGH SALES PRICES, THE STATE OF INVENTORY AND NEW CONSTRUCTION, AND LOOKING AT WAYS TO TACKLE OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS AND OFFERING ADVICE FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS.

WATCH IT ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON THE CLOSING NUMBERS ON WALL STREET.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY FEEL MERCHANT'S ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY.

AND SMART 8, NJ.

>>> AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY INTO AN ALLEGED INCIDENT AT A MAPLEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES.

ACCORDING TO AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE FAMILY OF A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD MUSLIM GIRL, HER SCHOOLTEACHER FORCIBLY PULLED THE CHILD'S HIJAB.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> THERE IS NO SITUATION I CAN CONCEIVE OF ABSENT SOME SORT OF EMERGENCY THAT A TEACHER HAS A RIGHT TO PUT HIS OR HER HANDS ON A STUDENT.

>> Reporter: ATTORNEY ROBERT HARVARD JR.

EXPRESSING HIS OUTRAGE OVER AN ALLEGED INCIDENT LAST WEEK INVOLVING HIS SECOND GRADE CLIENT.

>> SHE IS A MUSLIM STUDENT, A HIJAB WHICH IS A RELIGIOUS HEAD COVERING.

SHE HAS WORN IT SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS AND HAS NEVER BEEN WITHOUT IT.

SO ON THIS PARTICULAR DAY, THE TEACHER CHOSE TO TELL HER THAT YOU CAN'T WEAR THIS.

BUT NOT ONLY DID SHE DO THAT, SHE PROCEEDED TO ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY REMOVE THE HIJAB FROM THE STUDENT'S HEAD.

THE STUDENT THEN SAID, NO, NO, THIS IS MY HIJAB.

AND HOLDING IT.

THE TEACHER AT SOME POINT STOPPED.

AND, THE STUDENT WAS ABLE TO PUT IT BACK ON.

AFTER THAT, THE TEACHER TOLD THE STUDENT THAT HER HAIR WAS BEAUTIFUL.

>> Reporter: BUT THE GIRL ISN'T SUPPOSED TO SHOW HER HAIR, MAKING THE INCIDENT EVEN MORE HORRIFYING.

>> SHE HAS BEEN TAUGHT FROM THE BEGINNING OF HER COGNITIVE EXISTENCE, FROM THE TIME SHE HAS BEEN ABLE TO THINK, THAT IS PART OF HER RELIGION, THAT IS PART OF HER BEING, TO BE COVERED FOR RESPECT PURPOSES, FOR PRIVACY PURPOSES, FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES, TO HAVE SOMEONE FORCIBLY VIOLATE THAT IS A TRAUMATIC THING.

>> Reporter: THE INCIDENT GARNERING NATIONAL OUTRAGE WHEN AN OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST AND FIRST MUSLIM AMERICAN TO COMPETE IN A HIJAB POSTED THE STORY ON INSTAGRAM FOLLOWED BY THE CHILD'S MOTHER TELLING REPORTERS OVER THE WEEKEND THAT HER DAUGHTER DOESN'T EVEN WANT TO WEAR A HIJAB ANYMORE.

THE FAMILY NOW GETTING SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY DEMANDING THE SCHOOL TAKE ACTION.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS CALLING FOR THE TEACHER TO BE FIRED, ADDING IN A STATEMENT, MUSLIM STUDENTS ALREADY DEAL WITH BULLYING FROM PEERS.

IT IS UNTHINKABLE THAT A TEACHER WOULD ADD TO THEIR DISTRESS.

ISLAMOPHOBIA IN OUR SCHOOLS MUST BE ADDRESSED IN NEW JERSEY AND NATIONWIDE.

CLASSROOMS ARE A PLACE FOR STUDENTS TO FEEL SAFE AND WELCOME.

NOT FEAR PRACTICING THEIR FAITH.

BUT THE ACCUSED TEACHER IS DENYING THE INCIDENT.

IN A STATEMENT SHARED BY HER LAWYER SHE SAID I ASKED ONE OF MY STUDENTS TO RAISE THE HOOD OF HER SWEATSHIRT BECAUSE IT WAS COVERING HER EYES.

WITH HER MASK ON, HER WHOLE FACE WAS COVERED.

I BRUSHED OFF THE FRONT OF HER HOOD.

THE MOMENT I REALIZED SHE WAS NOT WEARING HER USUAL HIJAB UNDERNEATH, SHE KEPT THE HOOD ON.

AND THE LEARNING WENT ON.

>> THE VERSION OUR STUDENT HAS TOLD, THE FACT THE TEACHER REMOVED THE HIJAB FORCEFULLY, WE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT IS TRUE.

>> Reporter: HERMAN'S LAWYER SAYS HERMAN HAS BEEN WORKING WITH KIDS OVER 30 YEARS AND NEVER HAD SOMETHING HAPPEN LIKE THIS BEFORE.

ANOTHER CLAIM THE CHILD SAYS IS FALSE.

HE SAYS THE PARENT SENT TO THE SCHOOL IN 2016, ACCUSING HERMAN OF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST HER CHILD BECAUSE SHE WAS BLACK.

>> IF THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE THERE WAS PRIOR KNOWLEDGE, WHERE THERE WAS PRIOR INFORMATION, THAT THIS TEACHER HAD SOME PROBLEMS, THEN THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE DEALT WITH.

>> Reporter: THE SOUTH ORANGE AND MAPLEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NOT SPEAKING ON THE INCIDENT.

ONLY SHARING IN A LETTER RELEASED TUESDAY THAT MAPLEWOOD POLICE SAND THE ESSEX COUNTY PROSECUTOR ARE NOW INVESTIGATING.

THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE CONFIRMING THE SAME.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE MAIN GOAL RIGHT NOW IS TO GET THE STUDENT BACK IN THE SAFE AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT AND THEY ARE WORKING ON A REENTRY PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS WITH THE SCHOOL.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

BUT IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG STORIES THIS WEEK, TUNE IN TO REPORTER'S ROUND TABLE TOMORROW MORNING WHERE SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ LOOKS AT THE WAR OF WORDS IN THE FINAL WEEKS OF THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

YOU CAN WATCH IT ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT 10:00 A.M.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

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

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION, AND BY THE ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART HEAT NJ.

>>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

BY ORSTED AND PSEG WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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