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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

BE HEALTHY TODAY AND THE OCEAN WING 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.

>> GOOD EVENING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

MILLIONS OF KIDS ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO BEING ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

PFIZER ASKED THE FDA FOR EMERGENCY USE OF THE CORONAVIRUS SHOT FOR CHILDREN 5 TO 11.

A FEDERAL ADVISORY PANEL IS SCHEDULED TO MEET OCTOBER 26th TO CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATION.

IF THEY DO, THE SHOTS COULD BECOME AVAILABLE WITHIN WEEKS.

SOMETIME BETWEEN HALLOWEEN AND THANKSGIVING, A KEY TIME FOR FAMILIES.

MORE THAN 5.9 MILLION PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY ARE FULLY VACCINATED AS OF TODAY FROM OUR YOUNGEST TO OLDEST MEMBERS OF THE STATE.

NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR THE SHOTS, PART OF AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE VULNERABLE GROUP.

MORE THAN 8500 STAFF AND RESIDENTS AT LONG-TERM CARE CENTERS DIED DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

NOW THEY ARE ROLLING UP THEIR SLEEVES FOR A BOOSTER SHOT, CONSIDERED A CRITICAL LAYER IN KEEPING THE HIGH RISK ADULTS FROM GETTING INFECTED.

>> Reporter: IN DECEMBER OF 2020 WITH NEW JERSEY IN THE MIDDLE OF A SECOND DEADLY WAVE OF COVID-19, THIS LONG TERM CARE FACILITY WAS THE FIRST TO GET LIFE SAVING VACCINES FOR ITS VULNERABLE RESIDENTS AND STAFF.

NOW THEY ARE LINING UP FOR BOOSTER SHOTS.

FIRST UP IS 84-YEAR-OLD JoANNE SCWAB WHO JUST MOVED IN A FEW MONTHS AGO AND ENJOYS THE ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY BINGO.

THIS GRANDMOTHER SAYS IT'S HELPFUL SHE CAN GET THE BOOSTER WITHOUT LEAVING THE FACILITY.

>> TO PROTECT MYSELF AND EVERYBODY ELSE.

I DON'T SEE WHY PEOPLE OBJECT TO IT.

>> Reporter: HOW MANY STAFF HAVE RECEIVED THE VACCINE?

>> STAFF APPROXIMATELY 75 TO 80% OF THE STAFF HERE HAVE RECEIVED THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: WHAT ABOUT RESIDENTS?

>> ABOUT 90%.

>> Reporter: THOSE NUMBERS ARE IN LINE WITH WHAT WE ARE SEEING ON A STATEWIDE LEVEL.

VACCINATION COVERAGE FOR RESIDENTS IS HIGH AT MORE THAN 92%.

NOT AS HIGH AMONG STAFF AT 80% ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

BUT SOME FACILITIES STILL ONLY REPORT 30 TO 40% OF STAFF ARE VACCINATED.

>> IT'S VERY SURPRISING TO HEAR THE HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE RESISTANT TO GETTING VACCINATED.

WE KNOW THAT AT THIS POINT, THIS IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE.

WE WORK WITH A VERY VULNERABLE POPULATION AND THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO DEFEND THEM AND TO DEFEND OURSELVES.

>> Reporter: STAFF ARE NOT REQUIRED TO GET A VACCINE HERE BUT AS THE STATE GUIDELINES GO, THOSE WHO OPT OUT HAVE TO TAKE A COVID TEST ONE OR TWO TIMES A WEEK.

SHE RECEIVED HER BOOSTER SHOT.

ARE YOU HAPPY THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING BOOSTERS TO PREVENT SOME OF THOSE BREAK THROUGH CASES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WITH THE BREAK THROUGH CASES, MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE NONSYMPTOMATIC.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY, YOU KNOW, LUNG PROBLEMS, NOT HOSPITALIZED.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S LONG TERM CARE SAYS BOOSTER SHOTS ARE CRITICAL IN KEEPING THE FACILITIES OPEN.

IN OCTOBER 24th DEADLINE FOR LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES TO SCHEDULE THE FIRST BOOSTER CARE CLINIC.

MORE THAN 162 FACILITIES ARE REPORTING OUTBREAKS.

THE POSITIVE CASES HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SHUT DOWN FACILITIES.

>> DELTA THREW US A CURVE.

THE BOOSTER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

>> Reporter: THIS CARE CENTER SAID THEY HAD BREAK THROUGH CASES A FEW WEEKS AGO BUT NOBODY HAS SEVERE SYMPTOMS.

EVERYONE EXPOSED WENT INTO QUARANTINE.

>> WE SHUT DOWN TO DO THE FIRST ROUND OF TESTING.

>> Reporter: THE PROTOCOL, POSITIVE CASES, YOU SHUT DOWN.

EVERYONE IN THE BUILDING GETS TESTED.

>> CORRECT, ALL STAFF, ALL RESIDENTS GET TESTED.

>> Reporter: THEN ONCE THE ONES THAT AREN'T IN QUARANTINE ARE GOOD TO GO, VISITORS CAN COME BACK IN.

>> CORRECT.

>> Reporter: IS THAT NEW BECAUSE OF THE VACCINES OR SOMETHING THAT YOU WERE DOING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THAT HAS BEEN UPDATED SINCE THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: WAS BINGO EVER CANCELED AT THE FACILITY.

>> BINGO IS A HUGE THING HERE.

BINGO WAS NEVER CANCELED.

THEY STILL PLAY BINGO ON A REGULAR BASIS AND GET THEIR PRIZES.

THEY ARE HAPPY WITH BINGO.

>> I JUST SPOKE TO THE CHAMPION.

>> YES, YES.

>> SHE SAID SHE IS GOOD.

>> SHE IS.

>> AT 2:00, WE WILL BE DONE BY DINNER.

>> Reporter: YOU WILL BE DONE FOR SURE.

I WOULD NEVER MAKE YOU MISS BINGO.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> CANDIDATES ARE RAMPING UP THE CAMPAIGN SCHEDULE AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY.

THERE IS 26 LEFT.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS HOLDING A GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION EVENT WITH ANDY KIAMAN AND GABBY GIFFORDS.

AS A REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, JACK CIATTARELLI IS MAKING STOPS IN GOP STRONGHOLDS.

HE HAS A STEEP HILL TO CLIMB.

AS MANY AS HALF DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS.

COULD THESE LOCAL TOWN HALL EVENTS CHANGE THAT?

BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THE STORY.

>> TODAY IS A DIFFICULT DAY FOR ME.

HIS RED SOX BEAT MY YANKEES.

>> Reporter: AFTER GETTING THAT OFF HIS CHEST, REPUBLICAN JACK CIATTARELLI DELIVERED HIS USUAL STUMP SPEECH TO A WARMLY RECEPTIVE CROWD, MORE THAN 80 RELIABLY RED GOP CANDIDATES.

CALLING IT PREACHING TO THE CHOIR.

>> I'M ON A MISSION.

I WANT TO GET RID OF THIS VIRUS, GET RID OF THE MASK AND IN 27 DAYS MY GOAL IS TO GET RID OF PHIL MURPHY.

>> Reporter: HE HIT THE SWEET SPOTS PROMISING LOWER TAXES, FEWER MANDATES AND TRASHED THE INCUMBENT GOVERNOR'S RECORD ON COVID NURSING HOME DEATHS AND BALLOONING STATE BUDGETS.

BUT DURING THE Q AND A THEY TRIED TO GAUGE HIS CONSERVATIVE CREDENTIALS HOT BUTTON ISSUES LIKE CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

>> THE WHITE PERSON IS THE OPPRESS SORE AND WHITE AND BROWN ARE OPPRESSED.

DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD TEACH HISTORY WARTS AND ALL, I DO.

>> Reporter: HE SUPPORTED RAISING APPARENTLY NO CLIPS FROM 10 TO 15 ROUNDS AND PROMISED TO CONSIDER RELAXING CONCEALED CARRY FOR SOME.

WOULD HE REVERSE LIMITING COOPERATION WITH ICE AGENTS SEEKING TO ARREST UNDOM ME MEANT IMMIGRANTS IN COUNTY JAILS?

OCEAN COUNTY SUED THE GOVERNOR OVER THAT AND LOST.

>> WE SHOULD NOT BE ENCOURAGING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AT ALL AND NOT TO NEW JERSEY WITH SANCTUARY CITIES AND SANCTUARY STATES.

THERE WILL BE NO SANCTUARY CITIES AND WE WON'T BE A SANCTUARY STATE.

>> Reporter: DURING THE FIRST DEBATE HAD A MODERATE TONE.

HE OPPOSES OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE AND SUPPORTS DRIVER'S LICENSES FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

HOW DOES THAT PLAY IN SOLIDLY RED OCEAN COUNTY?

>> HE IS MORE CENTRIST THAN I MAY LIKE BUT HE IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RED ISSUE ON THINGS.

>> ANYTHING WILL BE BETTER.

ANYTHING WILL BE BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: THAT MATTERS IN A BLUE STATE WHERE DEMOCRATS OUTNUMBER REPUBLICANS BY A MILLION VOTERS.

CIATTARELLI IS WALKING A POLITICAL KNIFE EDGE.

POLLS PUT HIM 9 TO 13 POINTS BEHIND MURPHY.

HE NEEDS CROSSOVER VOTES BUT MUST HOLD HIS BASE.

ANYONE SIT THIS OUT BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET ANYTHING THEY WANT.

>> I THINK THEY LEARNED THE LAST TIME THEY SAT IT OUT.

MY VOTE DON'T COUNT.

>> IS THE QUESTION GETTING RID OF MURPHY OUTWEIGH HIS -- THE JACKET TRUE BELIEVER IN THE TRUMP WORLD OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?

SOME PEOPLE ARE WEIGHING THAT EQUATION.

I THINK THAT'S WHY WE ARE SEEING A LOT ON THE CIATTARELLI SIDE OF MAKING SURE THAT HIS BASE IS ENERGIZED.

>> Reporter: NOBODY MENTIONED THE PRESIDENT'S NAME BUT MURPHY FREQUENTLY LINKS HIM TO CIATTARELLI.

>> THEY SAID I'M NOT TRUMP ENOUGH AND THE GUY SAYS I'M I'M TOO TRUMP.

>> Reporter: MAGA PURCHASIST MAY CONSIDER HIM A REPUBLICAN IN NAME ONLY BUT COULD HE BE THE TICKET FOR THOSE DUMPING THE DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>> WATCH THE TWO GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES SQUARE OFF LIVE 8:00 P.M. ON OCTOBER 12th AT ROWAN UNIVERSITY ALONG WITH WNYC NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO AND ROWAN INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND CITIZENSHIP.

SEND QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATES TO NJ DECIDES AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND WATCH IT ONLINE AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND OUR PARTNER WEBSITES.

FOR A PREVIEW OF WHAT TO EXPECT, CHECK OUT REPORTER'S ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ LIVE TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M.

HE TALKS TO MICHAEL ARON AND A PANEL OF JOURNALISTS ABOUT THE TOPICS THAT TOOK CENTER STAGE.

CATCH IT WHERE YOU STREAM.

THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS CHANNEL, TWITTER OR FACEBOOK.

>>> AS OF WEDNESDAY NIGHT, THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY IS OFFICIALLY OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF HOUSING DETAINED IMMIGRANTS AT COUNTY JAILS.

IN A UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ENDED THE AGREEMENT WITH IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.

OVER THE YEARS THE COUNTY JAILHOUSED THOUSANDS OF DETAINEES BRINGING IN MILLIONS FROM ICE AND PROTESTS CONDEMNING CONDITIONS AT THE FACILITY.

BERGEN WILL BEGIN A NEW CONTRACT WITH THE U.S. MARSHALL SERVICE.

HERE TO EXPLAIN THE IMPACT OF ALL OF THIS MOVING FORWARD IS MATT KATZ, WNYC AND NPR.

THESE DETENTION POPULATIONS ARE FALLING GRADUALLY OVER TIME.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE LAST NIGHT USED SPECIFIC WORDS NO LONGER IN THE COUNTY'S BEST INTEREST.

INSTEAD, THOUGH, THEY ARE GOING TO ANOTHER CONTRACT WITH THE U.S. MARSHALL SERVICE.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, WHEN THEY SAY BEST INTEREST, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FINANCIAL INTEREST.

SO, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, A NUMBER HAVE PLUMMETED SO DRAMATICALLY SINCE THE TRUMP ERA, COVID, IN HEIGHT OF TRUMP ERA, ARRESTS OF IMMIGRANTS ON THE STREETS.

THAT FILLED THE COUNTY JAILS.

AT ONE POINT HALF OF THE PEOPLE LOCKED UP IN THE BERGEN COUNTY JAIL WERE IMMIGRANTS OR ICE DETAINEES.

THOSE NUMBERS PLUMMETED.

THE OTHER PIECE THEY DIDN'T SAY AT ALL BUT NO LONGER IN THEIR POLITICAL INTEREST.

THIS WAS A BIG HEADACHE FOR BERGEN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SHERIFF, THEY ARE DEMOCRATS.

PROTESTS OUTSIDE, PRAYER VIGILS.

SOME OF THE PROTESTS GOT VIOLENT, ATTENTION, VIOLENT CLASHES FROM POLICE AGAINST THE PROTESTERS.

THIS BECAME A PROBLEM BOTH FINANCIALLY, NO LONGER LUCRATIVE FOR THE COUNTY MAKING MONEY OFF ICE AND POLITICALLY.

>> WHAT DOES THIS SIGNAL AND DOES IT SIGNAL ANYTHING FOR THE STATE, THE FACT THAT THEY WILL NO LONGER BE USING ICE MONEY TO FILL THE BUDGETS.

IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE FOLLOWING SUIT WHAT WE SAW IN ESSEX COUNTY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY MADE AN INDICATION THAT THEY WILL LOOK AT OTHER COUNTIES AND DO SHARED SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS WHERE THEY WOULD POSSIBLY HOLD PRISONERS FROM OTHER COUNTIES WHERE THE JAILS MIGHT BE TOO DECREPIT FOR THE REGULARLY CRIMINALLY CHARGED DETAINEES.

THAT'S WHAT ESSEX DID.

I THINK THAT IS HOW THEY WILL MAKE UP FOR THE REVENUE WHICH WILL, YOU KNOW, A, GIVE THEM REVENUE TO MAKE UP FOR THE ICE MONEY AND ALLOW THEM TO KEEP THE OFFICER CORRECTION JOBS.

>> THERE WAS ABOUT TWO DOZEN FOLKS JAILED THERE.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WHERE THE DETAINEES WILL BE SENT.

WILL IT BE LOCAL?

WHERE WILL THEY BE.

>> THIS IS THE BIG QUESTION.

ICE WON'T SAY.

SOME OF THEM WILL GO TO ORANGE COUNTY JAIL WHICH IS JUST UPSTATE NEW YORK.

SO, THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT WILL BE CLOSE TO THE RELATIVES AND LAWYERS.

OTHERS MIGHT BE RELEASED.

THAT'S WHAT ACTIVISTS ARE DEMANDING.

THEY COULD BE RELEASED WITH AN ANKLE BRACELET OR NOT.

THEY ARE ONLY BEING HELD THERE JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY SHOW UP FOR THE COURT PROCEEDINGS REGARDING THE DEPORTATIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR FAMILIES IN CRESSKILL AFTER SPENDING A YEAR LEARNING REMOTELY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL ARE STARING DOWN THE PROSPECT OF YET A SECOND YEAR IN THE SAME VIRTUAL PATTERN.

THE TOWN WAS ROCKED BY THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE ADA.

IT TORE THROUGH THE SCHOOL.

THE COMMUNITY IS DESPERATE FOR HELP.

>> IT'S TOUGH.

I'M SUPPRESSED OUT MORE THAN I WOULD BE.

THIS WHOLE SCHEDULE FOR HALF OF MY HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM ME.

>> Reporter: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CRESSKILL ARE COPING WITH REMOTE INSTRUCTION AFTER HURRICANE ADA DESTROYED THE BUILDING BEFORE THEY WERE SET TO RETURN TO SCHOOL IN PERSON AFTER COVID CLOSURES.

>> I BELIEVE THIS ENTIRE BUILDING WILL BE UP AND RUNNING EXCEPT FOR THE AUDITORIUM AND MEDIA CENTER OUT ARE THE FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR BUT THE CLASSROOMS SHOULD BE READY BY JANUARY.

HOW DO WE BRIDGE THAT GAP.

>> Reporter: IT'S A QUESTION THAT MIKE BURK FACES AS HE WORKS TO REMEDIATE THE BUILDING AND GET APPROXIMATELY 1,000 STUDENTS BACK TO LEARNING IN PERSON.

>> WE ANTICIPATE BRINGING STUDENTS BACK TO THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL SHORTLY AND OPENING THE BUILDING WITH PART OF THE WINGS AND PART OF THE CLASSROOMS BEING AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: BURK IS WORKING TO GET A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY FOR NEARBY ST. THERESE AND TRYING TO MITIGATE A PORTION OF THE DAMAGED BUILDING FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS TO RETURN.

STUDENTS WOULD BE IN A ROTATION OF IN PERSON AND REMOTE LEARNING.

STUDENTS LIKELY THESE TWO OLDER SONS, ONE A FRESHMAN AND ONE A SENIOR THAT NEVER DREAMED THEY WOULD BE REMOTE THIS YEAR.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THE KIDS THAT WERE EXCITED TO GO BACK TO FULL DAY, REGULAR SCHOOL YEAR AND IT'S NOT HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: IS WHAT THE FEELING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY?

FRUSTRATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OR IS THERE UNDERSTANDING?

>> WE DO UNDERSTAND THE ADMINISTRATION.

THEY ARE WORKING NIGHT AND DAY TO HAVE THE KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL.

IT'S FRUSTRATION THAT THE KIDS ARE NOT BACK AT SCHOOL.

WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: THAT TIMING ISN'T JUST ABOUT REPLACING DAMAGED EQUIPMENT, HEATING AND AIR- CONDITIONING UNITS IN EACH CLASSROOM BUT PROCESS.

BURK APPLIED FOR EMERGENCY USE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PURCHASE NEW EQUIPMENT WITHOUT GOING OUT TO BID SHAVING MONTHS OFF THE PROCESS.

BUT HE STILL HAS TO PAY FOR IT ALL AND HIS $31 MILLION BUDGET HAS NO ROOM FOR $18 MILLION IN REPAIRS.

SO, HE HAS TURNED TO FEMA.

>> WE STARTED THAT PROCESS YESTERDAY WITH A CONFERENCE CALL WITH MULTIPLE FEMA REPS FROM WASHINGTON AND OTHER AREA AS WELL.

THEY WILL WORK TO REPLACE EVERYTHING IN THE BUILDING THAT WE NEED, DESKS, CHAIRS, SMART BOARDS, COMPUTERS, CHROME BOOKS.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE MEDIA CENTER AND AUDITORIUM.

THAT IS COVERED.

>> Reporter: THE COMMUNITY HAS STEPPED IN TO HELP, TOO.

>> WE HAD A FEW PARENTS AT A FUNDRAISER.

THE SOCCER TEAM.

>> WE HAD A $27,000 CHECK HANDED TO US BECAUSE AT A WEEKEND LOCAL SOCCER EVENT, PARENTS GOT TOGETHER TO HELP.

THAT IS CRITICAL.

DO WE HAVE THE MONEY TO WRITE A P.O.?

GETTING MONEY LIKE THAT ALLOWS US TO START THE PROCESS.

EXPENSIVE TO DO REMOTE HEATING ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

>> THAT P.O.

IS THE STOP GAP MEASURE HE IS USING TO GET KIDS BACK INTO THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING WHILE THEY CONTINUE WITH A THREE-MONTH PROJECT TO REPLACE THE UNI VENTS IN THE CLASSROOM.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> PROTECTING PATIENTS FROM THE SPREAD OF THE CORE.

A BIG CHANGE AT ONE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

HEY, RHONDA.

>> Reporter: ONE NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL IS ADJUSTING THE VISITATION POLICY DUE TO A IS RADIO IN COVID CASES.

ATLANTA CARE IS NOT ALLOWING IN PATIENT, OUTPATIENT OR EMERGENCY PATIENT VISITATION.

THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS.

FOR INSTANCE, VISITORS WILL BE ALLOWED TO SEE HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN.

IN THE MEANTIME, ANOTHER HEALTH CARE COMPANY, CARE POINT HEALTH ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT IT WILL CONVERT FROM A FOR PROFIT HOSPITAL SYSTEM TO A NONPROFIT SYSTEM.

CARE POINT OWNS BAYONNE MEDICAL CENTER, CHRIST HOSPITAL IN JERSEY CITY AND HOBOKEN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER.

THEY HAD QUITE A HISTORY AS NJ SPOTLIGHT'S LILO STAINTON TELLS US.

>> THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, TWO OR THREE COMPANIES INCLUDING BARNABAS HEALTH CARE TRIED TO COME IN AND BUY ONE OR MORE OF THESE HOSPITALS.

THERE ARE THREE IN HUDSON COUNTY, RIGHT.

AND, SO, I THINK -- THOSE DEALS HAVE ALWAYS FALLEN APART.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS ABOUT PRESERVING THIS ENTITY OF THREE HOSPITALS WHICH PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PICK OFF ONE BY ONE.

>> Reporter: IN OTHER NEWS, NEW JERSEY REGULATORS ARE SEEKING TO MAKE PERMANENT A PILOT PROGRAM THAT BRINGS SOLAR ENERGY TO LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES.

BEFORE THE PROGRAM, LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES WERE BEING LOVED OUT OF THE MOVE TO SOLAR DUE TO COST AND OTHER FACTORS.

THE NUMBER OF WORKERS FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR THE FIRST TIME CONTINUES TO DROP IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT ONE SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION IS UNDER EMPLOYED.

THAT IS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

THIS MONTH, DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH.

EASTER SEALS NEW JERSEY IS LAUNCHING AN EFFORT TO EDUCATE BUSINESSES IN THE STATE.

THEY RELEASED A GUIDE TO BUSINESSES ON INCLUSIVE HIRING.

>>> STOCKS GOT A LIFT AS PROGRESS WAS MADE IN WASHINGTON TO EXTEND THE DEBT CEILING.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> YOU CAN JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER THIS WEEKEND FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT HIGHLIGHTING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH THE SURGE IN LATINX BUSINESSES AND IMPACT ON THE STATE'S ECONOMY AND EFFORTS TO GET THE BUSINESS OWNERS MORE ACCESS TO FUNDING.

WATCH IT ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT BUSINESS CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. >>> WELL IT THE IT HAS BECOME A ROUTINE.

NEARLY EVERY FALL ON THE JERSEY SHORE THE SUMMER SUNBATHERS LIVE AND THE U.S. ARMS CORPS OF ENGINEERS ROLLS IN BRINGING TONS OF NEW SAND TO KEEP BEACHES PRISTINE AND SHIELD AGAINST FUTURE FLOATING.

IN MONMOUTH COUNTY THE PROJECT KICKS OFF FOR THREE TOWNS BUT COMES WITH A $24 MILLION PRICE TAG STIRRING LONG-STANDING CONCERNS ABOUT THE COST AND THE SIDE EFFECTS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> A TEMPORARY FIX THAT PROVIDES FALSE HOPE.

>> Reporter: TAYLOR LIVED HERE ALL HER LIFE.

SHE ENJOYS WALKS ON THE BEACH AND TAILING IN THE SIGHTS OF THE JERSEY SHORE.

SHE SAYS BEACH REPLENISHMENT PROJECTS ARE RUINING IT.

>> THEY ARE PRISTINE.

IT BRINGS IN DEVELOPMENT IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

WE ARE PUTTING MORE PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY.

THAT IS A HUGE ISSUE.

>> Reporter: SHE AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL AND FISHING GROUPS ARE CALLING ON THE STATE TO FIND OTHER WAYS TO PROTECT THE SHORELINE FROM STORMS.

>> CONCERNS WITH SWIMMING SAFETY, MARINE LIFE IN GENERAL.

>> THEY PUMP 15 FEET OF SAND AFTER SANDY ON THESE BEACHES AND DESTROYED A BEAUTIFUL ECOSYSTEM.

ALL THE STAR FISH, ALL THE CRABS, THE CLAM BEDS OFF THIS JETTY, EVERYTHING WAS BURIED AND DIED.

NOW THEY WANT TO DO IT AGAIN.

>> Reporter: STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THE STATE SHORE PROTECTION FUND THAT HELPS PAY FOR BEACH REPLENISHMENT PROJECTS TO $50 MILLION.

BEACH ADVOCATES QUESTION THE NEED FOR SO MUCH FUNDING.

>> THESE BEACHES HAVE NEVER BEEN LARGER.

PREVIOUS HISTORY OF MONEY SPENT FOR STORM DAMAGE?

AS YOU CAN SEE, THESE HOMES ARE 15, 20 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL.

I DARE SAY THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE DURING SANDY IS RELATIVELY MINIMAL COMPARED TO THE COST THAT WE HAD SO FAR FOR NOURISHING THESE BEACHES.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER CONCERN, PUBLIC ACCESS ON THE BEACH.

ADVOCATES SAY SOME RESTRICT ACCESS TO VISITORS AND IT'S NOT FAIR.

>> ORDINANCES THEY TRIED TO PASS THAT WOULD REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF PARKING SPACES AND ISSUE PARKING PERMITS JUST TO RESIDENTS OR JUST INCREASE, YOU KNOW, FEES FOR PARKING.

SO, JUST LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE FRANK MALONE ISSUING A STATEMENT SAYING BEACH REPLENISHMENT IS A COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO ENSURE THAT HOMES AND BUSINESSES AND ROADS ALONG THE COASTLINE ARE PROTECTED AGAINST FUTURE STORMS.

THEY ARE AN INVESTMENT IN THE STATE'S ECONOMY SO RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS CAN ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> IT'S NOT JUST GOOD FOR ANYONE EXCEPT FOR THE FEW PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE STRETCH OF BEACH IN NEW JERSEY AND WANT TO RESTRICT YOUR ACCESS TO ENJOY THE BEACHES THAT YOU BUILT AT YOUR COST.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES BELIEVE THE STATE SHOULD LOOK INTO ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS LIKE RELOCATING PROPERTIES FROM HAZARDOUS AREAS AND MORE BUYOUT PROGRAMS INSTEAD OF ADDING MORE SAND TO THE BEACH THAT IS NOT NEEDED.

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

A QUICK NOTE.

YOU WILL SEE FAMILIAR BUT DIFFERENT FACES IN THE ANCHOR SEAT THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

YOU WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS.

I SPENT THE LAST NINE MONTHS PREFAIRING FOR WHAT IS CERTAIN TO BE MY GREATEST AND MOST REWARDING ASSIGNMENT TO DATE, MOTHERHOOD.

SO, IF I LOOKED A LITTLE GREEN OR CAUGHT ME FLINCHING MID STORY, THAT WAS BABY LETTING YOU KNOW HE IS READY TO BE PART OF THIS NV SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM.

I'LL SEE YOU SOON.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND GOOD NIGHT.

>> NJ INSURANCE GROUP SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

PSEG FOUNDATION AND SMART HEAT NJ.

>> OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

PSEG FOUNDATION.

WE 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 NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> I'M KAYLA.

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