>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

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

AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

THE 1st OF SEPTEMBER.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, NEW JERSEYANS WOKE UP TO THE VIOLENT REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM IDA, THE DEADLIEST, MOST DESTRUCTIVE STORM TO HIT OUR AREA SINCE SUPERSTORM SANDY A 10 YEARS AGO.

30 PEOPLE IN THE STATE WERE KILLED.

MOST DROWNED FROM THE FLASH FLOODING THAT TRAPPED THEM IN THEIR CARS OR HOMES.

UP TO 10 INCHES OF RAIN FELL WITHIN A MATTER OF HOURS IN PARTS OF CENTRAL JERSEY, EQUIVALENT TO SEVERAL MONTHS WORTH OF RAINFALL.

DAMAGING TORNADOES TOUCHED DOWN IN SOUTH JERSEY, DESTROYING HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY COMMEMORATED THE ANNIVERSARY IN HILLSBORO WHERE TWO RESIDENTS WERE KILLED IN THE STORM AND WARNED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> FLOYD, SANDY, IRENE, IDA, ALL NAMES THAT NEW JERSEY WOULD LIKE TO FORGET.

BUT THEY SHARE A COMMON THREAD.

THEY EACH DEVASTATED OUR STATE.

THEY EACH REMINDED US THAT THE NEXT STORM IS JUST A MATTER OF WHEN, SADLY, AND NOT IF.

THEY EACH GAVE US A CLEARER VIEW INTO OUR FUTURE, THAT IF WE DO NOT TAKE STRONG AND DECISIVE STEPS AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE, WE WILL UNFORTUNATELY CONTINUE TO LIVE THESE REALITIES.

>> STATE LEADERS SAY THEY'RE STILL TALLYING THE COST OF THE DEVASTATION WITH FAMILIES STILL WORKING TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND HOMES.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A LOOK AT THE ONGOING RECOVERY FROM IDA ONE YEAR LATER.

>> THEY'RE KIND OF TELLING ME, YOU EVE GOT TO GET ON THE BOAT, YOU'VE GOT TO GET ON THE BOAT.

AND I'M LIKE, I DON'T WANT TO GET ON THE BOAT.

>> Reporter: MANNVILLE HOMEOWNER DEBBIE RECALLS HOW IDA HIT AT 3:00 A.M.

FLOOD WATER ROSE.

POLICE EVACUATED HER IN A BOAT AS THE 500-YEAR STORM SENT RIVERS BOILING OVER THEIR BASICS.

FLASH FLOODS KILLED 30 PEOPLE TRAPPED IN CARS AND BASEMENT APARTMENTS.

IDA DAMAGED OR DESTROYED THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES, AND TODAY MANY REMAIN IN NEED OF REPAIR, ABANDONED, RAVAGED BY FIRE, FLOOD WATER, AND LACK OF FUNDING.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S SOMETHING YOU GET OVER, OR AT LEAST NOT FOR ME.

I WANT THE TOWN, THE GOVERNMENT, YOU KNOW, TO STEP UP AND PROVIDE THE RESOURCES THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO BUILD -- REBUILD OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: MAKE IT RIGHT.

>> MAKE IT RIGHT.

>> Reporter: DEBBIE MOVED BACK IN THIS APRIL.

IT TOOK THAT LONG TO REPAIR HER SINGLE-STORY THREE-BEDROOM HOME.

IT'S STILL UNFURNISHED, EXCEPT FOR A BED.

SHE'S HAD TO BUY CLOTHES AND SHOES, ALL STACKED IN CONTAINERS AFTER HER HOUSE WAS GUTTED AND EVERYTHING SHE OWNED PILED AT THE CURVE.

IDA LEFT STREETS AND HARD-HIT TOWNS LINED WITH DEBRIS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TOURED DEBBIE'S NEIGHBORHOOD, PROMISED AID.

>> THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO TO NOT JUST BUILD BACK, BUT BUILD BACK BETTER.

>> HE KISSED ALL THE BABIES, BUT WHERE'S THE FUNDING THAT YOU PROMISED?

>> Reporter: FEMA PROPPED UP APPLICATION OFFICES WHERE VICTIMS COULD APPLY FOR AID, AND DEBBIE APPLIED, BUT SHE GOT NOTHING WHEN HER PRIVATE HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE, PLUS A $25,000 LOAN FROM SBA COULDN'T COVER THE COST OF REHAS BILL TATING HER HOME.

THE SINGLE MOM OF TWO TOOK OUT PERSONAL LOANS.

SHE IS APPEALING TO FEMA.

MANNVILLE'S EMERGENCY CHIEF SAYS FOLKS NEED HELP.

>> PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO GET BACK INTO THEIR HOMES.

THEY ARE STILL REBUILDING.

WE STILL HAVE SOME HOMES THAT HAD FOUNDATION COLLAPSE AND THINGS LIKE.

AS MUCH AS THERE'S POSITIVES, THERE'S STALE LOT OF NEGATIVES.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST HE THINGS IS THE MONEY.

>> Reporter: STATEWIDE, FEMA APPROVED ALMOST 45,000 INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS AFTER IDA FOR A COMBINED PAYOUT TOTALING $253.4 MILLION.

BUT FEMA AID IS NOT MEANT TO MAKE PEOPLE WHOLE.

>> THE DISASTER RECOVERY SYSTEM IS NOWHERE NEAR WHERE IT SHOULD BE AND GENERALLY LEAVES A LOT OF PEOPLE BEHIND.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HURRICANE IDA SURVIVORS HAVE NOT SEEN GRANT FUNDS NEARLY A YEAR AFTER THE STORM.

>> Reporter: INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES COULD GET LOANS AND THE SBA RECEIVED MORE THAN 10,800 APPLICATIONS.

IT APPROVED ABOUT 60% OF THEM.

BUT WHAT EX AS SPEER RATES SO MANY TRYING TO RECOVER IS JERSEY IS STILL SITTING ON $228 MILLION IN UNRELEASED HUD BLOCK GRANTS THAT WERE SET ASIDE BY CONGRESS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> THESE PROGRAMS UNFORTUNATELY TAKE TIME.

AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUSH TO MAKE SHOULD, PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE ANNIVERSARY.

WE WILL STAY ON IT.

>> Reporter: BUT ADVOCATES WANT JERSEY POLITICIANS TO PUSH FOR MORE FEDERAL FUNDING.

THEY SAY THE HUD FUNDING IS ONLY ENOUGH TO COVER ABOUT 60% OF IDA VICTIMS.

>> NOBODY ASKED FOR A DISASTER TO HAPPEN TO THEM.

WE NEED A GUARANTEE THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE IN FUNDING OF $180 MILLION.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, CRITICS CHARGE MONEY AND AID PROGRAMS DON'T ALWAYS LAND EQUITABLY, HE IS SPECIALLY IN LOW-INCOME MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS LOCATED NEAR INDUSTRIES.

>> YEAH, OUR COMMUNITY BETTER SORT OF DAILY WITH ANOTHER LEVEL OF DANG PROCEDURE THE FLOODING, AS WELL AS SOME SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC VULNERABILITY THAT MAKE IT HARDER FOR THEM TO WITHSTAND DAMAGE AND LOSS AND HARDER FOR THEM TO RECOVER.

>> Reporter: EVEN AS THEY WAIT FOR MONEY TO FIX THE DAMAGES FROM IDA, MANNVILLE OFFICIALS SAY THEY KEEP LOOKING OVER THEIR SHOULDER, WATCHING THE WEATHER FORECAST.

AREAS LIKE THIS FLOOD REPEATEDLY.

SO WHAT CAN THEY DO?

WELL, ONE ANSWER IS ELEVATION.

ONE LOST VALLEY HOMEOWNER PAID CONTRACTORS OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET TO RAISE HIS HOME ABOVE FLOOD LEVELS.

HE'S STILL LIVING IN A HOTEL.

>> SOME RESIDENTS IN TOWN, THEY DON'T WANT TO LEAVE.

THEIR FAMILIES ARE HERE.

THEY WANT TO ELEVATE IF THEY CAN.

IF THEY CAN ELEVATE, GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: POST-IDA, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION WOULD SPEND 30 MILLION TO FINANCE HOME ELEVATIONS AND 50 MILLION ON BLUE ACRES BUYOUTS.

COMMUNITIES EVERYWHERE ARE ADJUSTING.

>> BECAUSE IDA HIT US SO UNEXPECTED, AREAS THAT HAD NEVER BEEN FLOODED, WE SEND POLICE NOW TO THOSE AREAS WHEREVER THERE ARE STRONG RAINS.

>> Reporter: PASSAIC'S MAYOR SAYS THE CITY IS STILL RECOVERING.

FEMA CONTINUES TO ASSESS DAMAGE WHERE FLOOD WATERS SWEPT THREE TO THEIR DEATHS.

THE MAYOR HOPES TO RECOVER $5 MILLION FOR DAMAGES AND AID TO PREVENT MORE TRAGEDY.

>> HERE'S THE PROBLEM.

SOMETIMES RED TAPES, OR THE RED TAPE OF BUREAUCRACY ENDS UP BECOMING THE WHITE RIBBONS OF MOURNING AT A FUNERAL.

>> Reporter: FEMA OFFICIALS UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY BUT SAY REGULATIONS STILL APPLY.

>> AT THIS POINT WE'RE LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS, WHAT COULD BE DONE, AS THE MONEY BECOMES AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: DEBBIE SAYS SHE WILL FIGHT TO SAVE HER HOME.

>> THIS IS WHERE I WANT TO BE.

THIS IS WHY I BOUGHT MY HOUSE HERE.

>> Reporter: SHE WILL BE SPEAK OUT AT A PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 8th.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WELL, THE WEATHER HASN'T EXACTLY BEEN KIND THIS SUMMER, EITHER.

BUT ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM.

NEARLY ALL OF NEW JERSEY IS NOW EXPERIENCING SEVERE OR MODERATE DROUGHT.

THE LATEST MAPS FROM THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR SHOW THE CONDITIONS HAVE SPREAD TO ALL OR PART OF 15 OUT OF THE STATE'S 21 COUNTIES.

THE WORST OF IT SMACK IN THE MIDDLE, COVERING ALL OF MIDDLESEX AND UNION COUNTIES, ALONG WITH MOST OF SOMERSET.

SEVERE DROUGHT IS ALSO HITTING MORE OF SOUTH JERSEY, TOO, INCLUDING ALL OF CAPE MAY COUNTY, MOST OF CUMBERLAND AND PARTS OF ATLANTIC.

IT MEANS FIRE DANGER IS ELEVATED, AND THE HARD TIMES CONTINUE FOR FARMERS WITH CROP GROWTH STUNTED.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, THE NEXT CHANCE FOR RAIN WON'T COME UNTIL LATE SUNDAY OR MONDAY WITH DROUGHT 0 EXPECTED TO PERSIST INTO THE FALL.

THIS JULY WAS THE 13TH DRIEST ON RECORD FOR MORE THAN 125 YEARS.

THIS YEAR THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL JITTERS AREN'T JUST HITTING STUDENTS, BUT DISTRICT LEADERS, TOO.

THAT'S BECAUSE ACROSS THE STATE, SCHOOLS ARE DEALING WITH MASSIVE TEACHER SHORTAGES AND VACANCIES FOR DOZENS OF OTHER POSITIONS.

AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE PREPARING FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR AND A NEW SET OF CHALLENGES.

>> WE ARE CURRENTLY IN NEED OF ABOUT FIVE TO EIGHT BUS DRIVERS.

WE ARE IN NEED OF BUSING.

WE ARE IN NEED OF CAFETERIA WORKERS, PAIR RAY PROFESSIONALS, TEACHERS, HALL MONITORS.

YOU NAME IT, WE'RE IN NEED OF IT.

>> Reporter: AND SAYERVILLE ISN'T ALONE WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOL STAFFING SHORTAGES.

MANY ARE OPENING THEIR DOORS WHILE POSITIONS ARE STILL OPEN FOR HIRE.

>> WE STARTED WITH 240 VACANCIES.

WE'RE NOW DOWN TO 117.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE RETIRE AND RESIGN EVERY YEAR.

BUT IN THE PAST THREE YEARS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HIRE AND BACKFILL ALL THOSE POSITIONS.

>> Reporter: MANY DISTRICT SAY THIS YEAR IS THE WORST THEY HAVE SEEN IT, LIKE IN CHATHAM, A DISTRICT THAT'S EASILY ATTRACTED CANDIDATES IN THE PAST.

>> IT'S A MULTIFACETED ISSUE.

NOT ONLY IS THERE FIERCE COMPETITION AMONG DISTRICT, THERE'S ALSO NOT THE VOLUME OF CANDIDATES COMING OUT OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

HERE IN CHATHAM WE DEFINITELY HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A DOWNTURN IN THE NUMBER OF VIABLE CANDIDATES COMING INTO THE PIPELINE.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT CAME TO THE END OF THE SUMMER AND CHATHAM STILL SED OPEN POSITIONS, THEY ENDED UP FILLING THEM WITH EXISTING TEACHERS WHO NOW HAVE TO TAKE ON THE ADDITIONAL WORK LOAD, BUT THAT'S KEPT THEM FROM HAVING TO INCREASE CLASS SIZES.

>> WE HAVE ELONGATED SCHEDULES TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT FOR THE CONTRACT.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY BROUGHT IN SUBSTITUTES WHO ARE HIRED TO REPORT EVERY DAY.

SO ALL OF THOSE THINGS COMBINED HAVE TAKEN THE EDGE OFF, BUT CERTAINLY IT'S NOT AN IDEAL SITUATION.

>> Reporter: A SIMILAR STRATEGY IS BEING USED IN PATERSON.

>> WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT'S CALLED CLASS COVERAGE.

SO TEACHERS CAN COVER A CLASS DURING THEIR PREP AND GET PAID FOR IT.

WE HAVE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL A SIXTH PERIOD WHERE TEACHERS CAN EARN ADDITIONAL MONEY BY TEACHING A SIXTH PERIOD.

SO WE'RE USING ALL OF THOSE STRATEGIES TO COVER OUR CLASSES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: BUT IT'S SPECIAL EDUCATION WHERE THE SHORTAGES ARE HAVING THE GREATEST IMPACT ON STUDENTS.

>> TO THIS DAY WE STILL HAVE ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHING VACANCIES WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FILL.

THERE ARE MANDATORY CLASS SIZES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.

YOU CAN'T GO OVER A CERTAIN NUMBER IN CLASSES WITH STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL ABILITIES.

WOULD REQUIRE TO US ASK THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO GRANTED AS YOU WAIVER.

>> Reporter: IT COULD MEAN STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS MIGHT NOT GET IT.

YESTERDAY GOVERNOR MURPHY SPENT THE DAY BRAINSTORMING AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

WHILE IT'S NOT JUST A NEW JERSEY PROBLEM, NJEA PRESIDENT AND COMMUNITY ADVISE BOARD MEMBERRER SAYS ALL SOLUTIONS HAVE TO BE ON THE TABLE.

>> WE ARE HEARING SOME PLACES LOOKING AT TRYING TO INCENTIVIZE WITH BONUSES AND COMING IN THAT WISCONSIN AND TRYING TO HELP.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF CREATIVE IDEAS OUT THERE.

WE'RE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ON TRYING TO COME UP WITH A RECRUITMENT STRATEGY OR PLAN OR SOMETHING TO GET OUT THERE TO GET KIDS TO COME IN MORE.

THIS IS A CRISIS WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW.

AND I THINK THAT UNLESS WE ADDRESS THIS AGGRESSIVELY WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT STRATEGIES WE ARE GOING TO BE INREAL TROUBLE.

>> Reporter: A SOBERING THOUGHT FOR DISTRICT JUST BARELY MAKING IT WORK THIS YEAR.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> THE LONG DELAYED GAIT WAY TUNNEL PROJECT IS FACING DELAYS.

AND A HIGHER PRICE TAG.

IT NOW LOOKS LIKE CONSTRUCTION TO REPLACE THE CENTURY OLD RAIL TUNNEL WON'T BE COMPLETE UNTIL 2035.

THAT'S THREE YEARS LATER THAN EXPECTED, ACCORDING TO THE GATEWAY TUNNEL COMMISSION WHICH IS MANAGING THE PROJECT.

THE OLD TUNNEL, WHICH IS MANAGED BY AMTRAK BUT MORE HEAVILY USED BY NEW JERSEY TRANSIT WON'T BE FULLY REHABBED UNTIL 2038.

THAT'S ALSO THREE YEARS LATER THAN EXPECTED.

THE COMMISSION ON WEDNESDAY ALSO SAID THE COST CLIMBED TO $16.1 BILLION.

THAT'S ABOUT $2 BILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR'S PROJECTION.

OFFICIALS AT THE AGENCY BLAMED RISING INFLATION AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, CITING PLANS TO SEEK MORE FEDERAL AID TO COVER THOSE RISING COSTS.

THE ORIGINAL TUNNEL PLAN, KNOWN AS THE ARC, WAS SCRAPPED WAY BACK IN 2010 BY FORMER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE BECAUSE OF, YOU GUESSED IT, THE COST.

AT THE TIME, FEDERAL OFFICIALS ESTIMATED THE PROJECT WOULD HAVE RUN ABOUT $14.7 BILLION.

>>> THE FAMILY OF A 39-YEAR-OLD MAN FATALLY SHOT BY POLICE OFFICERS MORE THAN A YEAR AGO IS SUING THE NEWARK POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CITY HE AFTER WHAT THEY SAY HAS BEEN A FAILURE BY THE STATE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE THE SHOOTING OF THE UNARMED MAN, OR PROVIDE ANSWERS SURROUNDING THE INCIDENT THAT LED TO HIS DEATH.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> THE OFFICER THAT KILLED MY BROTHER AND THE OFFICERS WHO WATCHED HIM DIE ON THE CONCRETE, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU AS HUMAN BEINGS.

I'M VERY DISAPPEAR POINTED YOU AS COPS AND USING YOUR RIGHT.

YOU DID NOT PROTECT AND SIIVE MY BROTHER.

>> Reporter: WITH TEARS IN HER EYES, MEDINA PERSON SENDING A STRONG MESSAGE AFTER HER BROTHER, CALLED DORSEY, WAS SHOT AN KILLED LAST YEAR BY A POLICE OFFICER.

>> AND I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU TOOK AWAY A VERY IMPORTANT PERSON FROM OUR LIVES.

YOU TOOK AWAY SOME KID'S FATHER, YOU TOOK AWAY MY BROTHER, YOU TOOK AWAY A NEPHEW, A SON, AND HE REALLY MEANT A LOT TO US.

>> Reporter: THE SHOOTING HAPPENED JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S DAY 2021 NEAR WOODLAND AVENUE AND SOUTH 11th STREET.

POLICE SAY OFFICERS WERE RESPONDING TO A CALL WHICH LATER RESULTED WITH DETECTIVE ROD SIMPKINS SHOOTING AND KILLING DOOR SEE.

SURVEILLANCE VIDEO CAPTURING THE FATAL MOMENTS.

>> THE VERY CLEAR FACT IS ON THAT PARTICULAR DATE IN JANUARY OF 2021, AT ALL TIMES, RELEVANT TO ANYTHING HERE, CARL WAS UNARMED, CARL HAD NO VERBAL OR PHYSICAL ALTERCATION WITH SIMPKINS, SIMPKINS WAS IN PLAINCLOTHES, THERE WAS NO INDICATION HE WAS A POLICE OFFICER.

SIMPKINS DROVE UP IN A REGULAR VAN, UNMARKED, NO INDICATION THAT HE WAS A POLICE OFFICER.

AND IN THOSE MOMENTS WHEN SIMPKINS CONFRONTED CARL DORSEY, SIMPKINS MADE A DETERMINATION THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS UNARMED, ALTHOUGH HE PRESENTED NO THREAT, HE WOULD TAKE HIS LIFE.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY IS NOW SUING THE NEWARK POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY ITSELF, ACCUSING POLICE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE AND VIOLATING THE STATE'S CIVIL RIGHTS ACT, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME SUCH KINS HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF UNLAWFUL BEHAVIOR.

>> WHY IS HE STILL IS ON THE FORCE?

IF THAT HAD BEEN ADDRESSED AS SOON AS THAT HAD BEEN REVEALED, THIS FAMILY WOULD BE ENJOYING THEIR FAMILY.

THAT YOUNG MAN WOULD BE HERE.

>> Reporter: IT'S NOW ALMOST TWO YEARS SINCE THAT FATAL SHOOTING HAPPENED, AND THE FAMILY IS STILL IN SO MUCH PAIN AND SAYS THEY CAN'T BELIEVE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE INVESTIGATION.

>> IT MAKES US FEEL LEFT OUT.

HAVE IT MAKES US FEEL LIKE SOMETHING IS BEING SWEPT TURNED RUG.

>> PUT IN CONTEXT.

JANUARY 6th, 2021 IS WHEN THE INSURRECTION OCCURRED AT THE CAPITOL.

WE HAVE HAD NOT JUST AN INVESTIGATION OF THAT MATTER, BUT WE HAD FULL-BLOWN HEARINGS.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE SUBPOENAED AND WE'VE HAD FINDINGS ON THAT MATTER.

AND YET WE'VE HEARD NOTHING BUT CRICKETS FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WITH REGARD TO THIS MATTER.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WHICH INVESTIGATES ALL POLICE SHOOTINGS IN NEW JERSEY CONFIRMS THIS INVESTIGATION INTO THE SINCE ONGOING AND NO FURTHER INFORMATION WOULD BE RELEASED AT THIS TIME.

WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO THE CITY OF NEWARK FOR COMMENTS BUT HAVE NOT YET HEARD BACK.

IN THE MEANTIME, DORSEY'S FAMILY AND SUPPORTERS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT UNTIL JUSTICE IS ACHIEVED.

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

>>> AFTER CRYING "POOR" A YEAR, ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS ARE NOW PAYING THE PRICE FOR MILLIONS THEY RECEIVED IN TAX BREAKS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS ON A NEW COURT RULING, PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA.

>> Reporter: BRIANA, SOME QUESTIONS REMAIN AFTER THIS WEEK'S SUPERIOR COURT DECISION THAT STRUCK DOWN A STATE LAW GIVING TAX BREAKS TO ATLANTIC CITY'S CASINOS.

IT IS THE SECOND RULING AGAINST THE PILOT LAW IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

THE SUPERIOR COURT RULED THAT THE REVAMPED PILOT LAW WAS PASSED ON DUBIOUS GROUNDS AND VIOLATED THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

LAST YEAR AT THE REQUEST OF THE CASINO INDUSTRY, THE STATE LEGISLATURE CHANGED THE PILOT, OR PAYMENT IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES PROGRAM, REDUCING THE AMOUNT CASINOS HAD TO PAY TO ATLANTIC CITY AND THE COUNTY.

BUT AS THE CASINOS ARGUED FOR TAX RELIEF, THE INDUSTRY WAS REBOUNDING, ACCORDING TO REPORTING FROM PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY, AS PART OF PROPUBLICA'S LOCAL REPORTING INITIATIVE.

REPORTER ALLISON BERTO TELLS ME WHAT THE CASINOS NOW HAVE TO PAY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS UNCLEAR.

>> RIGHT NOW THESE TWO CASES LEAVE US AT A LITTLE BIT OF CONFUSION AS TO WHAT THE NEXT PAYMENT FROM THE CASINOS WILL BE.

THEY MAKE THESE PILOT PAYMENTS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, AND I REACHED OUT TO STATE REGULATORS, AND THEY DID NOT GET BACK TO ME TO CLARIFY WHAT WE SHOULD EXPECT FROM THE CASINOS FOR THEIR PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT IN THE NEXT QUARTER.

>> Reporter: MEANTIME, THE CASINO ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE RULING.

THE STATE IS PLANNING TO APPEAL.

>>> REAL ESTATE PRICES HAVE SOARED IN RECENT YEARS IN JERSEY CITY, MAKING HOMEOWNERSHIP UNATTAINABLE FOR SOME RESIDENTS.

BUT THERE IS A PROGRAM TO HELP.

JERSEY CITY IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ITS FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM WHICH HELPS LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME RESIDENTS BUY A HOME IN THE CITY.

JERSEY CITY RESIDENTS WHO QUALIFY WILL BE ENTERED INTO A LOTTERY SELECTION PROCESS.

IF CHOSEN, THE CITY PROVIDES DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND CLOSING COSTS OF YOU UP TO $150,000.

>>> ON WALL STREET, THE STOCK MARKET JUST HAD ITS WORST AWNG SEVEN YEARS.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW STOCKS FARED ON THIS FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER.

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

>>> WELL, FINALLY TONIGHT, THERE'S A POTENTIAL NEW TREATMENT THAT COULD HELP PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ALCOHOLISM.

THE PSYCHODELIC INGREDIENT IN WHAT'S KNOWN AS MAGIC MUSHROOMS, COMBINED WITH PSYCHOTHERAPY, HELPED PEOPLE REDUCE HEAVY DRINKING FOR UP TO EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THEIR FIRST TREATMENT.

THE RESULTS COME FROM THE LARGEST CLINICAL TRIAL OF ITS KIND AND ARE AMONG THE LATEST IN A GROWING NUMBER OF SCIENTIFIC STUDIES LOOKING INTO HALLUCINOGENS AS A MEANS TO TREAT CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

IT'S ALSO BOOSTING YOU ONE KEY STATE LAWMAKER'S EFFORT TO DECRIMINALIZE THE DRUG HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

CONTRIBUTING WRITER BOBBY BREYER COVERS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND JOINS ME WITH MORE DETAILS.

>> BOBBY, WE HAVEN'T SEEN A TRIAL EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE TO DATE.

WHAT EXACTLY DID IT ENTAIL?

>> YEAH, SO THIS WAS A SMALL CLINICAL TRIAL WITH A TOTAL OF 95 PARTICIPANTS, SPEARHEADED BY FOLKS AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO.

AND ESSENTIAL WHAT THEY DID IS THAT THEY TOOK ALL THE 95 PARTICIPANTS AND GAVE THEM EITHER PSILOCYBIN, WHICH IS A CLASSIC PSYCHEDELIC, WHICH IS ALSO A CHEMICAL COMPOUND FOUND IN HALLUCINOGENIC MUSHROOMS, OR THEY HAD GIVEN THEM A GENERIC FORM OF BENADRYL.

AND ESSENTIALLY WHAT THEY DID WAS, AFTER EACH PARTICIPANT GOT BOTH OF THESE DRUGS, THEY WERE GIVEN A ROUND OF PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR A TOTAL OF 12 WEEKS.

NOW, THE ENTIRE TRIAL ITSELF LASTED A TOTAL OF 32 WEEKS.

BUT WHAT THEY FOUND AFTER THIS 32-WEEK TRIAL WAS THAT THE FOLKS WHO TOOK THE PSILOCYBIN IN ADDITION TO PSYCHOTHERAPY SIGNIFICANTLY HAD LESS DRINKING THAN THEY HAD BEFORE.

SO THIS WAS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLED WITH ALCOHOL ADDICTION, AND THEY HAD FOUR OR FIVE HEAVY DRINKS A DAY, AND AFTER TAKING THE PSILOCYBIN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, IN ADDITION TO THE PSYCHOTHERAPY, THAT HEAVY DRINKING WENT FROM 15 OR 16 DAYS A MONTH, DOWN TO THREE DAYS PER MONTH.

SO THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE THERE.

>> WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE PSILOCYBIN, BOBBY, THAT CHANGES OR ALTERS THE MENTAL STATE AND THE MENTAL HEALTH FOR THESE FOLKS?

>> YEAH, SO SILO SIGN INIS A DIRECT SEROTONIN ENHANCER.

IT BRICKS DOWN A LOT OF THE WALLS THAT ALLOW DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BRAIN TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER.

ESSENTIAL IT ALLOWS FOR A WHOLE NEW SET OF THINK AND EXPERIENCES TO HAPPEN WITHIN THE BRAIN, AND THERE IS A NEW TYPE OF BUR BURKS RGEONING THERAPY THAT IS WORKING.

>> POTENTIALLY THIS COULD BE YIEWND OTHER AREAS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S BEEN PREVIOUS STUDIES THAT HAS SHOWN THAT PSILOCYBIN HAS HELPED WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER.

IT IS A HELPFUL SIGN.

>> THE SENATE PRESIDENT NICK SCUTARI, AS YOU NOTED HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR THIS TO BE BOTH DECRIMINALIZED BUT ALSO PRODUCED HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

BUT THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THAT YOU ARE USING ONE DRUG TO TREAT ANOTHER.

>> ABSOLUTELY, YEAH.

SENATE PRESIDENT SCUTARI HAS BEEN VERY OUT FRONT WITH THIS IN HIS LEGISLATION.

HE HAD ALSO CHAMPIONED THE LEGALIZATION OF BOTH RECREATIONAL AND MEDICINAL MARIJUANA.

WHEN I SPOKE TO HIM, HE REALLY SAW THIS AS A POTENTIAL FOR SCIENTISTS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO BE ON THE FOREFRONT OF WHAT HE SAW AS A MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT FOR FOLKS, ESPECIALLY STRUGGLING WITH THINGS LIKE LONG-TERM ADDICTION, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

AND HE SAW IT AS SOMETHING THAT COULD REALLY PUT NEW JERSEY AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS ISSUE, ALONG WITH STATES LIKE OREGON, WHICH HAD PASSED A BALLOT MEASURE IN 2020 TO USE -- FOR THE USE OF PSILOCYBIN.

>> WHICH, OF COURSE, HE WAS THE ARCHITECT BEHIND RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA USE.

BOBBY BREYER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTING.

>> THANK YOU, BRIANA.

>> YOU CAN READ MORE OF BOBBY BREYER'S REPORTING ON THE USE OF PSILOCYBIN AS A MEDICAL TREATMENT ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ 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.

>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

ORSTED.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.

>>> I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I'M STILL HERE.

>> THAT'S ME AND MY DONOR WHEN WE WENT TO CELL BRITT OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> WITH THE NEW KIDNEY I HAVE STRENGTH.

>> THEY GAVE ME A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

>> I'M STILL GOING EVERYWHERE, EXPLORING NEW PLACES.

>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE.

NOW I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING OLDER WITH MY WIFE.

>> INNOVATIVE KIDNEY TREATMENTS, WORLD RENOWNED CARE AT TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S PREMIERE HOSPITALS.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.