>> FUNDING BY NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION.

RG W BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT, AND PSEG.

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

FROM NJ PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> HELLO, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I AM RHONDA, IN FOR BRIANA.

MORE BOOSTER SHOTS COULD SOON BE AVAILABLE.

THE CDC'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES, TODAY, RECOMMENDED BOOSTER DOSES OF MODERNA AND J&J VACCINES, ONE DAY AFTER THE FDA ALSO RECOMMENDED BOOSTERS.

THE PANEL'S DECISION NOW GOES TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE CDC, WHO WILL GIVE THE FINAL OKAY.

IN NEW JERSEY, THE STATE IS ALREADY MAKING PLANS TO ADMINISTER ADDITIONAL BOOSTER SHOTS, AND IT CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON INCREASING VACCINATION NUMBERS.

AS THE NUMBER OF FULLY VACCINATED RESIDENTs RISES, THE STATE'S COVID-19 TRANSMISSION RATE IS FALLING.

IN NEW JERSEY, THERE ARE NOW NEARLY 6 MILLION FULLY VACCINATED RESIDENTs , ABOUT 77% OF THE STATE'S ELIGIBLE POPULATION.

IN SOME COMMUNITIES, THE VACCINATION RATE IS HIGHER.

PATTERSON HAS REACHED A HUGE MILESTONE.

90% OF THE CITY'S ADULTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN LOOKS AT HOW THEY ACHIEVED THAT.

>> WE PUT OUR FAMILIES AT RISK, WE PUT OURSELVES AT RISK.

WE CONTINUE BECAUSE THIS CITY NEEDS TO RISE AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

THANK YOU.

>>Reporter: BOB MCINTYRE AND HIS COLLEAGUES AT PATTERSON'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT GAVE THEMSELVES A MUCH MERITED STANDING OVATION, FOR HITTING A NUMERICAL MILESTONE IN THE WAR AGAINST COVID.

FULLY 90% OF THE CITY'S ELIGIBLE ADULTS HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED, THE HIGHEST SUCH RATE IN NEW JERSEY.

BUT, IT TOOK MONTHS OF DIFFICULT, DANGEROUS WORK.

>> LONG, HARD DAYS, STRUGGLES, RIGHT?

YOU GET NO ACCOLADES.

>>Reporter: TODAY, ACCOLADES ABOUNDED WITH SO MANY LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS UNDER SIEGE OVERWORKED, UNDERFUNDED, AND BURNED OUT BY COVID, THIS ONE TOOK A BRIEF BREAK TO CELEBRATE.

>> LUNCH.

>> JOVIAL CONGRATULATIONS COULD NOT ALWAYS HIDE THE STRESS ENDURED OVER MORE THAN 20 MONTHS FIGHTING A DEADLY VIRUS, IT IS CLEAR, PATTERSON SUCCEEDED IN PART BECAUSE IT ALREADY HAD 50 CONTACT TRACERS READY TO GO, AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TEAM MEMBERS DELIBERATELY DIVERSIFIED THEIR SKILLS BUT THIS IS A ALL-STAR TEAM.

WE HAVE BEEN IN ALL-STAR TEAM FROM THE INCEPTION.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE THREE OR FOUR JOBS WITHIN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS THAT EVERYBODY CROSS TRAINED, NOBODY DID JUST THEIR JOB.

EVERYBODY HAD TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY.

WE DOVE IN HEADFIRST.

>>Reporter: THE CITY DISPATCHED MOBILE VACCINATION BANDS AND REACHED OUT TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN ICONS TO HELP PERSUADE MEN OF COLOR TO GET THE JAB AND DENSELY POPULATED PATTERSON, WERE LARGE FAMILIES SQUEEZE INTO SMALL HOUSES.

>> WE HAD AN INSTANCE WHERE ONE PERSON IN THE HOUSE OF 12 WAS INFECTED, AND THEY LIVE IN CLOSE QUARTERS, SO THEY REALLY COULDN'T REALLY ISOLATE THEMSELVES IN A BASEMENT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY.

IF ONE GOT ALL 12 GOT IT.

>> DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WE HAD WITH CLUSTERS WITHIN FAMILIES, WE FIGURED IT OUT.

WE DID A GREAT, GREAT JOB ALL THE WAY FROM CONTACT TRACING TO TESTING, TO VACCINATION.

AND I AM PROUD OF US.

>>Reporter: THE CITY STILL FACES CHALLENGES.

ONLY ABOUT 53% OF ITS MUNICIPAL WORKFORCE IS VACCINATED.

MOST OF THE RISK IT TOASTED ONCE A WEEK BUT THERE ARE SOME NOVAK'S NO TEST HOLDOUTS.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THEM?

>> YOU GET YOUR PAY DOCKED, UNFORTUNATELY.

THAT'S A SMALL PERCENTAGE ONLY 3% OF PEOPLE AFFECTED SO FAR.

>>Reporter: MEANWHILE, PATTERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT CELEBRATED A 70% VACCINATION RATE AMONG ITS 12 AND OLDER STUDENTS, ACHIEVED IN PART BY BUSING KIDS TO GET VACCINATIONS AND REWARDING THEM WITH MCDONALD'S GIFT CERTIFICATES.

ABOUT 73% OF STAFF HAVE GOTTEN COVID SHOTS BUT WEEKLY TESTING FOR THE REST HIT A SNAG WHEN THE VENDOR KEPT SHOWING UP LATE, ACCORDING TO TEACHERS UNION PRESIDENT.

>> THIS IS NO WAY TO RUN AN OPERATION.

EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED AND TRYING TO BE TESTED DESERVE THE PRIVACY OF BEING ABLE TO GO BEFORE SCHOOL SO THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DOES NOT NECESSARILY KNOW WHO THESE FOLKS ARE.

>> ALL ABOUT MAKING IT CONVENIENT FOR STAFF SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO GO ON THEIR OWN TIME, ON A WEEKEND COME ON AN EVENING AND TAKE AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES, BUT TRYING TO MAKE IT CONVENIENT FOR THEM.

IT DIDN'T WORK OUT PERFECT, BUT WE WILL GET THERE.

>>Reporter: AS FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED TEACHERS WHO, SO FAR, HAVE NOT SHOWN PROOF OF EITHER SHOTS OR TESTS, SHE SAID THEY WILL BE SENT HOME STARTING MONDAY.

TODAY, AT THE LUNCHEON, TODAY WAS FOR RECOGNIZING THE FOLKS ON THE FRONT LINES.

>> HEALTHCARE HEROES, WE SALUTE YOU.

THANK YOU.

FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.

AND PATTERSON, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HE HAS NO IMMEDIATE PLANS TO FOLLOW NEW YORK'S STRICT, NEW MANDATE THAT ALL TEACHERS, GOVERNMENT WORKERS GET VACCINATED OR BE PUT ON UNPAID LEAVE.

WITH NO OPTION FOR WEEKLY TESTING.

ALTHOUGH MURPHY, WOULDN'T RULE IT OUT.

FOR NOW, HE'S COMFORTABLE WITH NEW JERSEY'S PLAN TO REQUIRE AND VACCINATED WORKERS TO UNDERGO TESTING.

BRENDA MENTIONED SOME OF THE TESTING CHALLENGES UNDERWAY IN THE PATTERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IT IS A PROBLEM HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE.

MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVEN'T STARTED TESTING STAFF AT ALL.

>> AS SOON AS THEY ARE READY, WE WILL BE READY AND BE UP AND RUNNING SO WE CAN CONDUCT THE TEST.

>>Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY'S MONDAY [ INAUDIBLE QUESTION ] A MARIE CORONEL TEACHING STAFF TO BE VACCINATED OR SUBMIT TO REGULAR TESTING, HAS COME AND GONE, LEAVING HUNDREDS OF DISTRICTS IN NEW JERSEY WITHOUT TESTING PROGRAMS IN PLACE.

>> WE WERE TOLD SOMETIME AROUND NOVEMBER 1st.

WE ARE A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO SUPPORT OUR STAFF IN BEING COMPLIANT WITH THE TESTING MANDATE WITHOUT THAT SERVICE.

>>Reporter: PEMBERTON IS PLANNING TO USE LTS, ONE OF THE STATE'S FOUR TESTING VENDORS.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO FIND OUT WHY COMPANIES WEREN'T READY IN TIME FOR THE GOVERNOR'S OWN MANDATE, THEY HAVEN'T YET RESPONDED.

BUT FORCED THE GOVERNOR TO GRANT AN EXTENSION TO 375 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHOSE TESTING PROGRAMS ARE NOT UP AND RUNNING.

>> WE VERIFIED, AND CONVERSATIONS WITH THE STATE, AND THE VENDOR'S LICENSE, THAT IT IS STILL AN APPROVED VENDOR OF THE STATE.

>>Reporter: IN MONTCLAIR, TESTING DELAYS WERE CAUSED BY ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST ITS TESTING VENDOR BY SCORPION CAPITAL, WHICH ACCUSED THE COMPANY OF ENGAGING IN A FINANCIAL SHELL GAME, BUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAS YET TO CANCEL ITS CONTRACT, TELLING US IN A STATEMENT, WE ARE AWARE OF THE ACCUSATION REPORTED IN THE MEDIA, AND IT APPEARS THIS ACCUSATION BECAME PUBLIC AFTER THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED IN AUGUST.

WE WILL MONITOR FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE COMPANY, AND REMAINING CONTACT WITH ALL VENDORS TO ENSURE THEY ARE CAPABLE OF COMPLYING WITH THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT AND STATE PROCUREMENT LAWS.

A MESSAGE FOR MONTCLAIR SUPERINTENDENT, EARLY THIS WEEK, WAS A RELIEVED KENDRA JOHNSON WHO HELPED START A PARENT RUN TESTING PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AS A STOPGAP FOR THE DISTRICT.

PARENTS ALSO PUSHED FOR DISTRICT TESTING TO BE DONE OUTDOORS WHEN THE PROGRAM RESUMES NEXT WEEK.

>> THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD BE DOING TESTING OUTDOORS AND FOR AT LEAST THE AGES OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND SOME OF THE SIXTH AND 7th GRADERS UNDER THE AGE OF 12 AND CAN'T BE VACCINATED, THEY WOULD BE A PRIORITY AND DONE WEEKLY.

THAT MEANT MOST OF OUR GOALS AND ON BILLY'S GOAL IS TURN THIS OVER TO THE DISTRICT TO MAKE TESTING STILL OPTIONAL?

>> IT IS STILL OPTIONAL.

>>Reporter: YOU BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY?

>> I DO.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE DO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR.

A PARENT SPOKE AT THE MEETING LAST NIGHT ASKING FOR THE BOARD TO BRING A VOTE ABOUT MANDATORY TESTING FOR CHILDREN.

>>Reporter: MONTCLAIR HAS ABOUT 60% OF ITS STUDENT SIGNED UP FOR WEEKLY TESTING NOW.

THEY ARE HOPING THE NUMBER INCREASES.

CAMDEN HAS BEEN TESTING STUDENTS SINCE LATE SEPTEMBER ALTHOUGH ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF PARTICIPATING AND TO KICK OFF TEACHER TESTING, AS AMENDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND NEWARK IN SCHOOL TEACHER TESTING IS STALLED ALTHOUGH AND VACCINATED STAFF HAVE HAD TO TEST WEEKLY SINCE THE START OF THE YEAR.

>> PROBABLY ONE OF THE FIRST TO START DOING IT FROM DAY ONE.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO, THOSE PEOPLE WHO CHOSE TO NOT GET VACCINATED, IT HAS TAKEN THEM A WHILE TO FIND A STEADY TESTING SITE OF A RELATIVELY QUICK TURNOVER OF RESULTS.

THAT WAS THE FIRST TWO OR THREE WEEKS, A LITTLE BIT HECTIC.

BUT ULTIMATELY IT HAS CLEARED UP.

>>Reporter: BUT NOT CLEARED UP WITHIN THE NEW YORK DISTRICT THAT STILL HASN'T ANNOUNCED A TIMELINE FOR ITS TESTING PROGRAM.

AND NO NEW DEADLINE OF THE GOVERNOR'S EXTENSION FOR DISTRICTS THAT CANNOT COMPLY.

FOR NOW, IT IS ANYONE'S GUESS WHEN IT WILL ALL START.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY JOINED NJ TRANSIT OFFICIALS TODAY, AT A CEREMONY MARKING A NEW CLASS OF 14 GRADUATING TRAIN ENGINEERS, WHO WILL COMPLETE THEIR TRAINING IN THE FIELD THIS FALL.

THE GOVERNOR USED THE OCCASION TO TALK ABOUT HOW CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS IMPROVED SINCE IT BEGAN STAFFING UP.

THE TRANSIT AGENCY HAS ADDED 127 NEW ENGINEERS SINCE THE GOVERNOR TOOK OFFICE.

WHICH MURPHY SAYS, HAS LED TO BETTER ON-TIME PERFORMANCE OF THE TRAIN.

>> NJ TRANSIT WILL HAVE SEEN SO MANY TRAIN ENGINEERS EITHER RETIRE, JUMP SHIP, OR JUST GIVE UP A SINGLE CALL OUT, CREATING A DOMINO EFFECT OF CANCELLATIONS.

>>Reporter: THE GOVERNOR SAID CANCELLATIONS DUE TO ENGINEER AVAILABILITY HAVE DECREASED 38% SINCE NJ TRANSIT BEGAN TO REBUILD ITS STAFF.

MEANWHILE THE TRANSIT AGENCY ALSO ANNOUNCED PLANS TO PURCHASE ITS FIRST ALL ELECTRIC BUSES.

NJ TRANSIT'S BOARD APPROVED A $9.4 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF EIGHT ELECTRIC BUSES THAT WILL OPERATE IN ONE AREA OF CAMDEN.

NJ TRANSIT SAYS THE BUSES WILL HAVE LIMITED DEPLOYMENT IN THE CITY WHICH WILL ALLOW THE AGENCY TO TEST OUT THEIR PERFORMANCE SUCH AS HOW FAR THEY CAN TRAVEL BEFORE RECHARGING.

THE CONTRACT INCLUDES OPTIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF UP TO 75 ADDITIONAL ZERO EMISSION BUSES.

NJ TRANSIT INTENDS TO TRANSITION TO A 100% ZERO EMISSION FLEET BY THE END 2040.

>>> THE PAY GAP BETWEEN WHITE AND MINORITY WORKERS HAS LONG BEEN AN ISSUE AND THE LATEST NUMBERS ARE DISCOURAGING.

THE RUTGERS CENTER FOR WOMEN AND WORK ISSUED A REPORT FOR LATINA EQUAL PAY DAY FINDING NEW JERSEY RANKS 49th OUT OF THE 50 STATES ON PAY EQUITY FOR LATINAs .

WHY THE INEQUALITY EXISTS AND THE EFFORTS TO CLOSE THE GAP.

>>Reporter: WORKING CONDITIONS FOR LATINA WOMEN ARE NOT EASY AND JERSEY ACCORDING TO THE CO- AUTHOR OF A NEW REPORT THAT RANKS JERSEY ONE OF THE WORST DAYS IN THE COUNTRY FOR LATINA WOMEN'S WAGES.

>> IT TAKES AN ADDITIONAL TEN POUNDS FOR A LATINA WORKER TO EARN WHAT A WHITE NON-LATINA WORKER EARNED LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: SHE IS THE FACULTY DIRECTOR FOR WOMEN IN WORKING CO-AUTHOR OF THE REPORT.

SHE SAYS WHILE AMERICAN WOMEN EARNED 83 CENTS FOR EVERY DOLLAR AND WHITE MANNERS IS EVEN WORSE FOR LATINOS AND JERSEY.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT LATINA WORKERS EARNED 57 CENTS FOR EVERY DOLLAR AND WHITE NON- LATINA EARNED IN A NEW JERSEY ITS WORST IS 46 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR.

NEW JERSEY LATINAs ARE ABOUT 11 CENTS LESS THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, ROGERS SAYS LATINA WOMEN ALSO PAY THE MOTHERHOOD PENALTY.

SHE SAYS THIS HAPPENS WITH WOMEN, INCLUDING LATINAs EXCEPT LOWER PAYING JOBS OR LEAVE THE WORKFORCE TO CARE FOR CHILDREN.

>> THE OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION LATINA WORKERS CLUSTER IN OCCUPATIONS THAT ARE VERY LOW PAY ESPECIALLY CHILDCARE WORKER, SECRETARY, FOOD SERVICE ALSO A MOTHERHOOD PENALTY WHERE THEY EARN EVEN LESS THAN WOMEN WITHOUT CHILDREN, AND SOME DISCRIMINATION.

>> MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILIES.

WE HAVE CHILDREN AND PARENTS AND WE ARE OFTEN RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH GENERATIONS.

THAT CREATES LONG-TERM IMPACT ON YOUR WEALTH AND YOUR ABILITY TO HAVE WEALTH IN YOUR OLDER AGE OR BUILD WEALTH FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> RESTAURANTS, LAUNDROMATS, LAUNDRY, ALL CLOSED FOR THREE MONTHS AND WE ARE PROVIDING THEM FOOD, PROVIDING THEM RENT ASSISTANCE.

>>Reporter: THE REPORT A SPARKING AWARENESS ABOUT THE ISSUE, AND HELPING NONPROFITS LIKE THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND RESOURCE CENTER IN ASBURY PARK, .

>> 5000 LATINA WOMEN THE CENTER SERVES THAT FOUR DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, 60% EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC ABUSE IN TURN CAUSING THEM TO LOSE THEIR JOBS.

>> LET'S FACE IT IF YOU DON'T HAVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THUS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE.

WE NEED TO HELP THEM BE ABLE TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT SO THEY CAN SUPPORT A FAMILY AND LEAVE THE ABUSER AND MAKE A DECENT LIVING BECAUSE OF YOU GO OUT AND MAKE $10 AN HOUR HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT 2- 3 KIDS SPEAK THEY SAY THE CENTER WAS A LIFELINE FOR THEM WHEN THEY LOST ALL HOPE.

>> DIFFICULT FOR LATINA WOMEN HERE BUT THE CENTER HELP ME WHEN I FELT ALONE.

I DON'T FEEL ALONE ANYMORE SPAGHETTI MY CERTIFICATE HERE I'M ABLE TO WORK $12 AND MAKE MORE MONEY AND HAVE TIME TO SPARE MY KIDS.

>> THE LATINA ACTION OR FOUNDATION TAKING PROACTIVE ROLE NARROWING THE PAY GAP TO PROVIDING JOB TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT TO LATINAs .

>> A LOT OF RESEARCH STUDIES AREN'T FULLY INCLUSIVE SO WE ARE WORKING AT A GRASSROOTS LEVEL AT A COMMUNITY-BASED LEVEL TO GET INFORMATION AND DATA ON THE WAYS WE CAN IMPROVE THESE WOMEN'S LIVES SO THEY ARE FULLY INTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY.

>> INTO MY'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, DEMONSTRATORS GATHER OUTSIDE THE PORT AUTHORITY'S MONTHLY BOARD MEETING TODAY TO AGAIN PROTEST THE AGENCY'S CONTROVERSIAL PLAN FOR A MASS OF DOLLAR AMAZON CARGO HUB AT NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THIS, AFTER A HEDGE FUND WALKED DOWN GROUP CALLED HEDGE CLIPPERS SAID THE PORT AUTHORITY PUSHED TO THE DEAL WITH THE PUBLIC, AND LIKELY VIOLATED ITS OWN BYLAWS ON TRANSPARENCY.

FOR ITS PART THE PORT AUTHORITY SAYS HE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THE AMAZON TRANSACTION WERE PRESENTED IN PUBLIC SESSION AND IT WELCOMES CONTINUED DIALOGUE WITH THE COMMUNITY AS THE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD.

OPPONENTS LIGHT WORKER SAFETY AND AIR QUALITY CONCERNS STREAMING THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTs ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY UTILITY BILLS, AND THE GRACE PERIOD PREVENTING UTILITY SHUT OFFS WILL CEASE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

NUMEROUS PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN EXPANDED TO OFFER MORE HELP, LIKE THE PROGRAM FOR MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTs WHO SUFFERED A FINANCIAL SETBACK DURING THE PANDEMIC.

A FAMILY OF FOUR AND MAKE UP TO $106,000 A YEAR TO QUALIFY.

THE STATE IS TRYING TO WAYS AWARENESS FOR THAT AND OTHER PROGRAMS AS PART OF UTILITY ASSISTANCE WEEK.

I SPOKE WITH THE PRESIDENT ABOUT WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE AND HOW FAR BEHIND RESIDENTs ARE IN PAYING THEIR BILLS.

FIRST OF ALL, GREAT TO TALK TO YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE REELING FINANCIALLY FROM THE PANDEMIC.

HEATING COSTS ARE RISING.

POTENTIALLY HOW MANY RESIDENTs IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND STILL ARE, ESPECIALLY AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE GRACE PERIOD FOR UTILITY SHUT OFFs AND ENDING?

>> THE ACTUAL NUMBER IS ASTRONOMICAL.

I'M GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU IN DOLLARS AND CENTS.

OVER $650 MILLION, TO THE VARIOUS UTILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FROM WATER BILLS, ELECTRIC BILLS, GAS BILLS, AND FOLKS ARE REELING.

>> THAT NUMBER IS ASTRONOMICAL.

GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS IS CRITICAL.

YOU HAVE ONE PROGRAM TO HELP.

THAT HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY EXPANDED TO PROVIDE MORE ASSISTANCE.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT?

>> THE USF IS PART OF OUR FRESH START PROGRAM.

IT PROVIDES UNLIMITED FORGIVENESS OF OVERDUE ELECTRIC AND/OR GAS BILLS FOR ANY USF PARTICIPANT, WITH AN OVERDUE BALANCE OF $60 OR MORE.

FRESH START CUSTOMERS NEED TO PAY THEIR CURRENT BILL IN FULL EACH MONTH FOR 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS, TO EARN FULL FORGIVENESS ON PRE-EXISTING, PRE-EXISTING, OVERDUE BILLS.

>> I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE MENTION THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, BECAUSE THIS PROGRAM ELUDES ELIGIBILITY HAS BEEN EXPANDED.

THIS IS A KEY PROGRAM THAT HELPS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE STATES THAT THAT'S THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

IT IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM.

THIS HELPS HOUSEHOLDS 60% OR BELOW THE STATE MEDIAN INCOME OF $77,272.

FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.

AND WILL PAY FOR HEATING COSTS, ELECTRIC, GAS, DELIVERABLE FUELS, EMERGENCY GRANTS, TO PREVENT SERVICE SHUT OFFS.

SO, IF YOU ARE MAKING $6400 PLUS 39, $6439, YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR LIHEAP ASSISTANCE.

THAT'S GONE UP OVER $2000.

>> IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT GRACE PERIOD COULD BE EXTENDED AGAIN?

>> THAT CURRENTLY IS NOT UNDER DISCUSSION, RHONDA, BUT I GUESS ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

>> IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE SPEAKING WITH YOU.

TEAM ACT.

THANK YOU.

THIS WEEKEND DREAMERY FOR NJ BUSINESS WEEK.

I TALKED TO REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ABOUT HIS ECONOMIC PLAN FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

CATCH IT ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S STOCK MARKET ACTIVITY ON WALL STREET.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY FUEL MERCHANTs ASSOCIATION NEW JERSEY, AND SMART HEAT NJ.

♪.

>> ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S OLDEST PRIVATE COLLEGES HAS ISSUED A PLEA FOR HELP.

BROOMFIELD COLLEGES FACING FINANCIAL TROUBLES, AND ENROLLMENT HAS BEEN FALLING IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EXACERBATED THE MONEY TROUBLES.

THEY PRIMARILY SERVE MINORITY AND LOW INCOME STUDENTS.

IT IS A SCHOOL DEDICATED TO THE SUCCESS OF STUDENTS.

NOW, COLLEGE LEADERS ARE ASKING DONORS TO STEP FORWARD.

WITHOUT MORE FUNDING, THOSE LEADERS SAY, THE SCHOOL MAY CLOSE.

>> I'M ON MY THIRD INTERNSHIP RIGHT NOW AND EACH ONE OF THOSE WERE FROM A FACULTY OR STAFF MEMBER SAYING HEY, TYLER THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WILL BE PERFECT FOR YOU.

THE HAY TIRE ALWAYS CATCHES ME BY SURPRISE BECAUSE WE ARE A SMALL SCHOOL, YOU'RE NOT JUST A NUMBER.

YOU ARE A FACE AND A NAME.

>>Reporter: A MAJOR REASON WHY TYLER BROOKS WANTED TO ATTEND BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE.

BROOKS IS A SENIOR WITH THE HOPES OF BECOMING A BROADCAST JOURNALIST.

SHE SAYS IT IS A DREAM SHE IS NOT SURE WOULD BE POSSIBLE HAD SHE PURSUED HER STUDIES ELSEWHERE.

>> I GREW UP IN WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY AND WENT TO WEST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL.

EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A GREAT SCHOOL I FELT LIKE I WAS OUTNUMBERED.

HERE, I HAVE THREE PEOPLE IN MY CLASSES, ONE PROFESSOR SO I'M ABLE TO HAVE THEIR PHONE NUMBERS, CALL THEM ASKING FOR ADVICE ABOUT MY CAREER, ABOUT LIVE IN GENERAL.

>>Reporter: THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, STUDENTS LOVE SO MUCH, ARE IN JEOPARDY IF BLOOMFIELD IS UNABLE TO COULD SECURE THE FINANCIAL HELP IT NEEDS TO KEEP GOING.

>> THE COLLEGE MAKING A PLEA FOR PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORTS THE HBCU AND OTHER MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS LIKE BLOOMFIELD HAVE BEEN RECEIVING PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT FROM BENEFACTORS AND CORPORATIONS.

WE ARE AT THAT POINT WE NEED TO HAVE SOME OF THAT SUPPORT AS WELL.

WE ARE AT PBI PREDOMINATELY BLACK INSTITUTION WHICH IS A DESIGNATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THOSE SCHOOLS ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED RELATIVE TO THE MORE FREQUENTLY KNOWN HBCUs FROM THAT IS WHERE MUCH OF THE DONATIONS AND SUPPORT GOES TO.

WE ARE TRYING TO RAISE THE FLAG THAT PBIs LYCOS, AS WELL AS HSIs HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTIONS, ANOTHER DESIGNATION OF OURS, ARE IN THE NEED OF THE SAME KIND OF SUPPORT.

>>Reporter: NEARLY 1300 STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED AT BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE WITH ABOUT 96% FROM HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

OFFICIALS SAY THERE HAS BEEN A STEADY DECLINE OVER THE LAST DECADE, ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> MOST OF OUR STUDENTS ARE FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS.

LOW SOCIOECONOMIC.

THE AVERAGE INCOME OF US AND FAMILIES IS $32,000 A YEAR.

THE IDEA, DURING A PANDEMIC, OF SPENDING MONEY ON TUITION AS OPPOSED TO SPENDING MONEY ON TAKING CARE OF THEIR FAMILY, STUDENTS CHOSE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES, WHETHER BY WORKING OR SITTING OUT EDUCATION FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

>> RETAINING AND TEACHING STUDENTS IS THE MAIN PRIORITY, ANY FINANCIAL HELP WILL ALSO BENEFIT THE ENTIRE STATE.

>> MANY STUDENTS GO FROM THE FIFTH QUINTILE TO THE SECOND QUINTILE.

JUST TWO WEEKS AGO I HAD THREE STUDENTS GET A JOB MAKING OVER SIX FIGURES PROVIDED MAKE THAT MUCH WITH MY PhD.

WORKING WITH STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL LITERACY AND NEXT STEPS, TRANSFORMS NOT ONLY THEIR LIVES BUT THE WHOLE FAMILY SYSTEM, AND STUDENTS STAY IN NEW JERSEY.

>> WE SERVE A COMMUNITY THAT NEEDS US.

THIS IS A TIME WHERE WE STAND UP PROUDLY AND SAY WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO.

>> FACULTY AND STAFF SAY THEY ARE TOTALLY COMMITTED TO EACH AND EVERY STUDENT AT BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE, AND THEY ARE HOPING THAT DEDICATION WILL ATTRACT THE DONORS THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THE DOORS OF THIS INSTITUTION STAY OPEN.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IF YOU LIST ALL THE POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK, TUNED INTO REPORTER'S ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK HE TALKS TO THE CHAIR OF THE NEW JERSEY CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION, ABOUT THE LATEST ON THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY IN NEW JERSEY, AND WITH THE FUTURE HOLDS IN TERMS OF LEGAL SALES AND EXPANSION IN THE STATE.

THAT IS FRIDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

HAVE HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

.

>> MGM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING 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.

PSE FOUNDATION, AND THE FUEL MERCHANTs ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, AND SMART HEAT NJ.

.

>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT, AND BY PSEG.

PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS.

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

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

.

>> I AM KAYLA AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR, TO TEACH HIM.

TO PROTECT HER.

AND TO TAKE CARE OF ME, TOO.

I NEED HEALTH INSURANCE THAT DOES THE SAME, THAT MAKES THINGS EASIER FOR MY SCHEDULE, SO I CAN FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS.

THIS IS MY LIVE IN THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

AND HIM.

AND HER.