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

RWJBARNABAS 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 MJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

NEW JERSEY IS NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CONTROVERSIAL MOVE BY FLORIDA GOVERNOR, RON DESANTIS SENDING PLANES FULL OF MIGRANTS TO SO-CALLED SANCTUARY STATES, AND POSSIBLY GOD TROLLED, A GROUP OF 15 IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES STOOD AT THE READY TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE AIRPORT, ANTICIPATING THE ARRIVAL OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS AS A PART OF THE FLORIDA GOVERNORS PROGRAM TO SEND A MESSAGE ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

THE FLIGHT WAS ORIGINALLY BELIEVED TO BE HEADING TO DELAWARE, JUST OUTSIDE PRESIDENT BIDEN'S HOME, BEFORE BEING REROUTED TO NEW JERSEY.

BUT, WHEN IT ARRIVED, ONLY THE CREW WAS ON BOARD.

IT WAS THE SAME PLANE THAT TOOK MIGRANTS TO MARTHA'S VINEYARD LAST WEEK VOLUNTEERS AND ORGANIZERS CAME WITH NONPERISHABLE FOODS, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, AND SECURED ABOUT 100 BEDS FOR SHORT-TERM HOUSING, THE FLIGHT DREW THE ATTENTION OF NATIONAL MEDIA, LAWMAKERS, AND THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE INCIDENT COMES JUST DAYS AFTER TEXAS GOVERNOR, GREG ABBOTT SENT TWO BUSES WITH ABOUT 100 MIGRANTS TO VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS'S RESIDENCE IN WASHINGTON DC.

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS HAVE DEPRIVED MOVE AS A POLITICAL STUNT AND AN ABUSE OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE.

A CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP THIS WEEK FILED A FEDERAL CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST RON DESANTIS ON BEHALF OF NEARLY 50 MIGRANTS WHO LANDED IN MARTHA'S VINEYARD, ALLEGING HE VIOLATED THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT BY COERCING MIGRANTS ONTO PLANES UNDER FALSE PRETENSES.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY CALLED THE MOVE REPREHENSIBLE, ADDING HIS OFFICE BELIEVES EVERY MIGRANT DESERVES TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

MEANWHILE, IMMIGRATION ORGANIZATIONS ARE PREPARING FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS TO ARRIVE IN NEW JERSEY AT SOME POINT.

>> WE ACTUALLY CONDEMNED THE FACT THAT POLITICIANS ARE USING PEOPLE AS A WAY OF MAKING A POLITICAL STATEMENT, IT IS UNETHICAL AND INHUMANE BUT, HERE IN NEW JERSEY WE ARE READY TO WELCOME ANYBODY THAT COMES HERE AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO, WE WILL BE READY AND I KNOW A LOT OF MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE REALLY EXCITED TO WELCOME ANYBODY THAT NEEDS TO BE WELCOMED HERE.

>> IN THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS UPPING THE GREEN ENERGY GAME, MAKING A NEW PLEDGE TODAY, BOOSTING CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY GOALS.

THIS IS COINCIDING WITH CLIMATE WEEK.

GOVERNOR MURPHY JOINED NEW YORK GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO SIGN AN EXECUTIVE ORDER INCREASING NEW JERSEY'S OFFSHORE WIND TARGET BY 50%.

THE CURRENT GOAL OF 7500 MEGAWATTS BY 2035 TO 11,000 MEGAWATTS BY 2040, SOME EXPERTS ESTIMATE THAT COULD POWER UP TO 11,000 HOMES.

THE GOVERNOR SAID REACHING THAT GOAL WILL ALLOW THE STATE TO POWER MILLIONS MORE NEW JERSEY HOMES AND BUSINESSES WITH CLEAN ENERGY.

THE ADMINISTRATION TODAY ALSO RELEASED AN OFFSHORE WIND JOBS ANALYSIS AND REPORT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ON THE GREEN ECONOMY, LOOKING AT THE ROADMAP FOR DEVELOPING A GREEN ENERGY WORKFORCE HERE.

>> BEFORE TOO LONG, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAD BEEN FED A FALSE NARRATIVE THAT WOULD KEEP EITHER THE FOCUS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, OR WE COULD FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY BUT NOT BOTH.

AT NO POINT WAS THIS FALSE NARRATIVE BEING SHOT OUT LOUDER THAN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT EACH OF OUR ADMINISTRATION'S ARE PROVING AND WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO PROVING IMPORTANTLY, RIGHT ALONGSIDE OF US, IS HOW DEAD WRONG THAT SAFETY AND THOSE PRIOR POLICIES AND POLITICS WERE AND ARE.

THIS IS NOT AN EITHER OR PROPOSITION, IT IS ALL IN AND BOTH.

>> HURRICANE FIONA CONTINUES BARRELING THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN.

GAINING STRENGTH, IT IS NOW A CATEGORY FOR STORM.

FIONA IS LOOKING FOR A DIRECT HIT ON BERMUDA AFTER DEVASTATING PUERTO RICO.

AND WREAKING HAVOC ON THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IN TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS THE STORM HAS KILLED AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE, FORECASTERS SAY FIONA HAS SUSTAINED WIND AS HIGH AS 130 MILES PER HOUR WITH EVEN STRONGER AND MORE DANGEROUS WIND GUSTS.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, FIONA MAY HAVE SET A 24 HOUR RAINFALL RECORD DUMPING MORE THAN TWO FEET AND PARTS OF PUERTO RICO.

THE MAJORITY OF THE ISLAND REMAINS IN THE DARK, NO POWER, NO RUNNING WATER, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS ARE FIGHTING AGAINST THE HISTORIC FLOODING TO CLEAR MUD AND DEBRIS FROM WHAT IS LEFT OF THEIR HOMES.

NEW JERSEY SENIOR U.S.

SENATOR, BOB MENENDEZ IS LEADING A CONGRESSIONAL PUSH FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN TO ISSUE A MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR THE U.S.

TERRITORY NEW JERSEY IS HOME TO ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST PUERTO RICAN POPULATIONS AND PEOPLE HERE ARE RAMPING UP AID EFFORTS TO HELP WITH THE ISLAND'S LATEST CRISIS.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: AS HURRICANE FIONA PUMMELED PUERTO RICO, IRONICALLY THEY WERE GETTING READY TO KICK OFF THE ANNUAL PARADE, SHE SAID INSTEAD OF CELEBRATING, SHE WAS CRIPPLED WITH FEAR AND SAID SHE SEE IMMEDIATELY ASKED FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

>> WE JUST CELEBRATED THE PURRING AS THE HURRICANE WAS HITTING.

WE PREPARED FOR MONTHS THIS AMAZING CELEBRATION, AND HOW DO WE CELEBRATE DURING THIS MOMENT WHEN OUR FAMILIES ARE IN DANGER?

>> Reporter: SHE IS PRESIDENT OF THE PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE, THEY ARE COLLECTING FOOD AND MONETARY DONATIONS SPECIFICALLY TO HELP PAY FOR THE COST TO TRANSPORT THE GOODS TO PUERTO RICO.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU NEED LIGHT AND ENERGY TO BE ABLE TO COOK, SO IN THIS CASE WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS DO OUR BEST EFFORT TO BRING FOOD, READY CANNED FOOD THAT IS READY AND OPEN TO EAT.

RIGHT NOW THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING, WE ARE MAKING THE PHONE CALLS, WE ARE CONTACTING THE DOCTORS, AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO GO, THE MILITARY, FOR THEM TO HELP US DELIVER THIS.

WHILE YOU ARE IN PUERTO RICO, HOW DO YOU MOVE AROUND?

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TRUCKS AND CONTAINERS OVER THERE TO DO THE SAME.

SO RIGHT NOW, WE ARE IN THE PLANNING, THE LOGISTIC PROCESS.

I KNOW THAT ONCE WE OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE DONATIONS TO COME IN, THEY WILL COME IN.

>> Reporter: LOGISTICS WILL BE CRITICAL SAID THE COCHAIR OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S COALITION, PEGGY MET VIRTUALLY WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF PUERTO RICO FOR AN UPDATE WHERE SHE SAID THE KEY PRIORITY DISCUSSED WAS GETTING ELECTRICITY UP AND RUNNING AND GETTING RID OF MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF WATER.

>> MARIA WAS A FOURTH CATEGORY, ALMOST 5th, IT DESTROYED EVERYTHING.

ELECTRICITY, THE SEWER SYSTEM, OUR HOUSES, EVERYTHING.

THIS ONE, IT WAS CATEGORY ONE BUT IT WAS JUST AS BAD IN A DIFFERENT AREA.

IT DIDN'T TAKE OFF ROOFS AS MUCH, THE WIND WAS TERRIBLE, BUT THE RAIN WAS OVER 30 INCHES IN MANY TOWNS.

>> Reporter: ELIZABETH COUNCILMAN, CARLOS TORRES SAID FIONA WAS DEVASTATING, AS HE SAW FIRSTHAND HURRICANE MARIA'S DEVASTATION THAT FORCED HIS FAMILY TO MOVE TO THE STATES.

>> I HAD A YOUNGER SISTER, MY NEPHEW AND FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BUT AFTER THAT HURRICANE, THEY STAYED IN THE STATES, SORRY, I GET EMOTIONAL.

>> Reporter: THAT'S OKAY, THAT'S OKAY.

>> EMOTIONS ARE RUNNING HIGH, AS HE IS PREPARING FOR THE ELIZABETH ANNUAL PARADE, THE CITY IS HOME TO 20,000 PUERTO RICANS, AND HE SAID THE FESTIVAL WILL BECOME MORE OF A RELIEF EFFORT.

>> WE HAD A PURPOSE 5 YEARS AGO, AND IN 2022, WE HAVE A PURPOSE AGAIN.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN, ABOUT OUR CULTURE, SCHOLARSHIPS, IT'S ABOUT HELPING THE PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND.

>> Reporter: HE WANTS PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THE TRAILER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE PEOPLE AT THE PARADE TO DROP OFF DONATIONS.

SHE PLANS TO TRAVEL TO PUERTO RICO TO DELIVER THE DONATIONS TO THE VOLUNTEERS HERSELF IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

>> DESPITE THE AMOUNT OF AWARENESS ON DRUG OVERDOSE AND THE USE OF OPIOIDS, ADVOCATES ARE STILL CHIPPING AWAY AT THE MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HOLD ABOUT ADDICTION.

USING A NEW JERSEY REENTRY CORPORATION'S LATEST CONFERENCE TO POINT OUT THE DEVASTATION THE SYNTHETIC DRUG FENTANYL IS CAUSING IN NEW JERSEY AND HOW TO KICK ITS RAPIDLY GROWING PRESENCE.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: FENTANYL HAS QUICKLY BECOME ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS ILLEGAL DRUGS IN NEW JERSEY AND THE COUNTRY.

>> IF YOU USED A DOSE, YOU KNOW, A MONTH AGO, IF YOU USE NOW, YOU WOULD DIE.

BECAUSE THE DEPENDENCE THAT YOU DEVELOP OVER THAT MONTH PREVENTS YOU FROM DYING FROM THE CURRENT DOSE YOU WERE TAKING.

>> Reporter: FURTHER REENTRY CORPORATION, IT IS ALSO A HUGE HURDLE FOR PEOPLE LEAVING THE PRISON SYSTEM AND TRYING TO REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY.

>> I WOULD TAKE GUYS COMING OFF THE STREETS, DOING A DETOX, AND PHYSICALLY IT WOULD TAKE A TOLL ON THEM, THEY WERE HOMELESS OR WHATEVER, BUT THE TIME IT TOOK THEM TO COME BACK MENTALLY, THAT IS SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

THEY WEREN'T EVEN THERE.

>> Reporter: AND THEY BROUGHT TOGETHER HEALTHCARE WORKERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LAWMAKERS TO A CONFERENCE, TO THINK OF IDEAS ON HOW TO FIGHT FENTANYL AND SAVE LIVES.

ONE SOLUTION IS TO TRY AND STOP TREATING PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION BY PUTTING THEM IN PRISON.

>> IT COST A LOT OF MONEY TO INCARCERATE SOMEBODY IN THE STATE, SO IF WE CAN SHOW PEOPLE THAT WE ARE SAVING LIVES AND SAVING COSTS, EVERYBODY WINS.

>> WE HAVE OVERLY CRIMINALIZED A MEDICAL CONDITION, AND YOU HAVE THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING LESS LIKELY, TO WANT TO ENGAGE TO GET THE CARE THAT THEY NEED.

>> ALSO KEY IS FINDING WAYS TO REDUCE THE STIGMA OF ADDICTION.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS SAY IT IS STILL A MAJOR OBSTACLE TO RECOVERY.

>> I'VE HAD PHARMACIES CALL ME AND SAY, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOUR TAPERING SCHEDULE IS?

HOW DARE YOU, BECAUSE THERE IS A BUILT-IN BIASED AGAINST OUR PATIENTS.

>> WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY IS A PLACE WHERE THESE PEOPLE CAN COME TO FOR ALL SORTS OF RANGE OF SERVICES AND DOING IT IN A NONJUDGMENTAL WAY.

>> Reporter: PANELISTS ALSO SAY RACISM IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWING NUMBERS OF FENTANYL OVERDOSES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> IF WE CAN UNDERSTAND THAT RACISM IS SYSTEM SICKNESS, THEN WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE IMPERATIVE TO NAME HOW RACISM IS HAPPENING IN EVERY FACET OF OUR LIVES.

HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIORS DO NOT HAPPEN IN A VACUUM.

>> WE ARE DYING FROM OVERDOSES, AND I TELL YOU, AT A FAR HIGHER RATE BECAUSE OF A COMBINATION OF OPIOIDS, COCAINE, AND FENTANYL.

>> Reporter: SO, WHAT CAN BE DONE?

EXPERTS AGREE THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE EDUCATION AND MORE RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDICTED.

>> TREATMENT IS ONLY GOOD IF YOU HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE.

IF YOU HAVE A HOUSE TO STAY IN, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.

TREATMENT IS ONLY AS GOOD AS SOMEBODY WHO IS ALSO WITH A PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST, WHO CAN MONITOR THEIR MEDICATION.

>> IF WE MAKE INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROFOUNDLY MAKING SURE THAT EVERY NEW JERSEY CHILD IS REACHING THEIR GOD-GIVEN POTENTIAL, I GUARANTEE YOU THAT YOUR NUMBERS WOULD BE MUCH SMALLER.

>> Reporter: THOSE NUMBERS ARE A HARSH REMINDER OF THIS CRISIS, ALMOST 10,000 NEW JERSEY AND DIE FROM FENTANYL OVERDOSES BETWEEN 2015 AND 2020.

I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AND THE PATERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS GOING THROUGH AN OVERHAUL AFTER THE MAYOR PUBLICLY FIRED THE POLICE CHIEF FOR LITERALLY SLEEPING ON THE JOB.

AS VIOLENT CRIME RATES SPIKED THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

75 HOMICIDES WERE REPORTED FROM 2020 UNTIL 2021, THOSE WERE BACK-TO-BACK RECORDS.

THE POLICE FORCE ALSO RECENTLY WENT THROUGH THE DEPARTMENTS WORST SCANDAL IN DECADES, FIVE CONVICTED X PATERSON COPS CONVICTED FOR THEIR ROLES IN ROBBING AND ASSAULTING PEOPLE THEY ILLEGALLY STOPPED.

THE MAYOR HOPES TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BY POINTING A WELL- RESPECTED MEMBER OF THE RANKS TO TAKE OVER THE TOP JOB.

I SPOKE WITH MAYOR ANDRE SAYEGH ABOUT THE DECISION.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN REALLY A TURBULENT SITUATION FOR YOUR CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ASIDE FROM APPOINTING THIS NEW ACTING CHIEF, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO REBUILD TRUST WITH YOUR COMMUNITY?

>> WELL, OUR ACTING CHIEF HAS RISEN FROM WITHIN THE RANKS, AND A LOT OF WHAT HE HAS LEARNED WAS BY JUST BEING ON BIKE PATROL AND SOME OF OUR AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH VIOLENCE.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I IDENTIFY THE FOURTH WARD AS AN AREA WHERE YOU HAD SOME CHALLENGES.

AND HE SAID IT HIMSELF, THAT HE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT WHAT REAL POLICING INVOLVES IS ENGAGING WITH THE PUBLIC.

SO, THE PUBLIC IS A MAJOR PART OF IMPROVING POLICING.

AND THAT WE HAVE TO RESTORE THAT TRUST AND REESTABLISH THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE.

>> YOU HEAPED A LOT OF PRAISE ON MR. RIVERO, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED FOR PRAISING HIS PREDECESSOR, THE MAN YOU JUST FIRED, AND THE PREDECESSOR BEFORE THAT, TROY OSWALD.

IS THAT CRITICISM FAIR GIVEN THE FACT THAT NONE OF THESE FOLKS HAVE HELD THAT OFFICE FOR VERY LONG?

AND WE ARE SEEING THE UPTICK IN VIOLENT CRIME?

>> AS FAR AS THE PREVIOUS CHIEF IS CONCERNED, I APPOINTED HIM, I DIDN'T APPOINT HIS PREDECESSOR.

WE HAD HIGH HOPES, AND IT WAS JUST AN UNFORTUNATE CONFLUENCE OF FACTORS, BUT HE JUST DIDN'T LIVE UP TO OUR HIGH EXPECTATIONS, GRANTED HE TOOK THE HELM RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS FEBRUARY 2020, THEN IN MARCH 2020, NO GUN VIOLENCE IS SOMETHING THAT IS A NATIONAL ISSUE.

BUT, IT DEMANDS A LOCAL RESPONSE.

AND I SAW FROM OUR PREVIOUS POLICE CHIEF THAT THERE REALLY WASN'T A SENSE OF URGENCY, HE JUST WENT SILENT WHENEVER I WAS ASKING FOR A STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS IT.

>> YOU HELD A PUBLIC PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING THE FORMER POLICE CHIEF, MR. BAYCORA HIS TERMINATION, SOME SAY THAT IS A LITTLE UNORTHODOX, WHY GO ABOUT IT IN SUCH A PUBLIC WAY AND IS IT FAIR TO LAY BLAME ABOUT THE VIOLENT CRIME UPTICK AT THE FEET OF ONE MAN?

>> I'M NOT LAYING THE BLAME ON HIM, I STATED EARLIER, IT'S ABOUT REACTION.

THIS IS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, AND I HAVE ATTRIBUTED TO THE PANDEMIC AS WELL, YOU HAVE SEEN OTHER AGER CITIES IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN GUN VIOLENCE.

BUT WHEN YOU ARE FALLING ASLEEP AT THE HELM, WE HAVE TO LAY THE BLAME AT YOUR FEET.

AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO UNDERSCORE IS THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

BEFORE YOU CAN HAVE THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHICH I CITED EARLIER AS FAR AS ALL THE INVESTMENTS ARE CONCERNED, YOU HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND IF YOU HAVE A CHIEF THAT DOESN'T BY YOUR VISION, CAN'T KEEP HIS EYES OPEN DURING MEETINGS, QUITE FRANKLY YOU HAVE TO MAKE A MOVE AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE A STATEMENT AND THAT IS WHAT WE DID LAST WEEK.

>> THIS NEW CHIEF MAYOR IS IN AN ACTING POSITION, WILL YOU KEEP HIM ON THE JOB?

>> WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS INTERVIEW INDIVIDUALS, SO HE'S GOING TO BE INTERVIEWED, HOWEVER WE WILL DETERMINE THAT AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME IF THERE IS SOMEONE.

WE ARE NOW A FIRST- CLASS CITY, SO I OPEN IT UP TO ANYBODY.

>> WHEN DO YOU ANTICIPATE ANNOUNCING SOMEONE FOR THAT POSITION?

IS THERE A DEADLINE YOU HAVE IN MIND?

>> WELL, NOT NECESSARILY A DEADLINE BUT WE DO WANT AN EARNEST START, INTERVIEWING INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> PATERSON MAYOR, ANDRE SAYEGH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>>> TONIGHT, THE FEDS PLAN TO FIGHT INFLATION BUT IT COMES WITH ANOTHER COST.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS ON MORE RATE HIKES PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> INTEREST RATES ARE MOVING HIGHER AGAIN, INCREASING BORROWING COSTS FOR CONSUMERS, INTEREST RATES ON CREDIT CARD DEBT, HOME EQUITY AND CAR LOANS WILL RISE, NOW THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS HIKING RATES BY ANOTHER THREE QUARTERS OF 1%.

CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL SAID THE FED WILL CONTINUE TO RAISE RATES TO BRING DOWN INFLATION, WHICH IS AT 40 YEARS HIGHS AND HURTING MANY.

>> MY COLLEAGUES AND I ARE ACUTELY AWARE THAT IT AROSE PURCHASING POWER, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE LOOKING TO MEET THE ESSENTIALS LIKE FOOD, HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION.

>> THE REPORT POINTS TO THE ECONOMIC RISE OF FOUR PERFORM 4.4% BY NEXT YEAR.

THE RELIEF PROGRAM, RESIDENTS WERE TRYING TO CALL FOR INFORMATION SAY THEY AREN'T ABLE TO GET THERE ON THE PHONE, THE STREET TREASURY DEPARTMENT SAID THE INFORMATION HOTLINE IS EXPERIENCING INCREDIBLY HIGH CALL VOLUMES FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO ENROLL FOR BENEFITS ON THE PHONE, OFFICIALS SAY EXPECT A WAIT TIME OF AT LEAST 30 MINUTES PER THIS DATE IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF SENDING OUT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MAIL, AND A NEW CANCER CENTER IS COMING TO NEW JERSEY, WEARING HARD HATS, OFFICIALS CELEBRATED THE GROUNDBREAKING OF BARNABAS MEDICAL CENTER'S NEW FACILITY IN LIVINGSTON, THE $225 MILLION OUTPATIENTS FACILITY IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2025, AND WILL SERVE AS THE NORTHERN HUB FOR ONCOLOGY SERVICES OFFERED BY RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

THE UNDERWRITER OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND RUTGERS CANCER INSTITUTE OF NEW JERSEY.

MEANTIME, TRENTON OFFICIALS ARE RACING FOR THE EXPECTED CLOSING OF ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER, THE HOSPITAL'S OWNER TRINITY HEALTH HAS A DEAL TO SELL THE FACILITY TO CAPITAL HEALTH, IF THE DEAL WINS APPROVAL, MANY SERVICES PROVIDED BY ST. FRANCIS WOULD BE SHIFTED TO CAPITAL HEALTH AND THE TRENTON FACILITY WOULD CLOSE.

HERE IS A LOOK AT WALL STREET TRADING FOR TODAY.

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

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY S.J.

MAGAZINE, THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY, ONLINE AT SJMAGAZINE.NET.

>>> NOW THAT SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION, SO IS THE CRITICISM OVER THE STATES NEW SEX ED CURRICULUM, REQUIRED TO BE TAUGHT THIS FALL IN EVERY DISTRICT.

AND THIS WEEK THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ISSUED ITS STRONGEST LANGUAGE YET ON ENFORCING THE LESSONS.

TELLING SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT DON'T IMPLEMENT THE CHANGES TO THE HEALTH AND SEX EDUCATION PORTION OF THE STANDARDS, THAT THEY WILL FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

A SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ARE TREADING LIGHTLY.

>> REALLY HIGH RESPONSE RATE AND REALLY HIGH PARTICIPATION RATE.

>> KATE FARLEY SAID 99% OF SCHOOL PARENTS HAVE AGREED TO OPT INTO ALL UNITS TEACHING THE STATES NEW SEX EDUCATION STANDARDS THIS FALL.

MINDFUL THAT SOME PARENTS OPPOSED THE CURRICULUM, THE DISTRICT SENT HOME PERMISSION SLIPS TO 9000 FAMILIES LETTING THEM PROACTIVELY OPT INTO ALL OR SOME OF THE CLASSES.

SHE SAYS 5% OPTED OUT.

NONE OF THEM TOTALLY, MANY IN FIFTH GRADE, WHERE STUDENTS LEARN SIGNS OF PUBERTY, SEX AND REPRODUCTION AND GENDER IDENTITY.

>> WHICH I THINK DOES MAKE SENSE, IN LIGHT OF THE NEW STANDARDS AND SOME OF THE NEW LANGUAGE THAT THE STATE HAS PROPOSED BE TAUGHT TO STUDENTS IN FIFTH GRADE.

>> PERHAPS 100 FAMILIES HAVEN'T RESPONDED YET AND FARLEY EXPLAINS THEY WILL GET FOLLOW- UP LETTERS THIS WEEK WITH A WARNING.

>> LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THEIR CHILD WILL BE FULLY OPTED INTO ALL OF THE UNITS OF HEALTH, AND IF THEY DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN, WE WOULD OF COURSE ACCEPT A LETTER FROM THEM AT ANY TIME SAYING I WOULD PREFER MY CHILD NOT PARTICIPATE.

>> MIDDLETOWN FLIPPED THE SCRIPT BY EMPOWERING PARENTS TO OPT IN, NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REQUIRES DISTRICTS TO GET LETTERS FROM PARENTS SPECIFYING THEIR CHILDREN WILL OPT OUT, LISTING MORAL OR RELIGIOUS OBJECTIONS.

THE VAST MAJORITY ADOPTED THE NEW STANDARDS, SO FAR 260 OUT OF 7600 STUDENTS HAVE OPTED OUT OF THE CLASS, MOST OF THEM IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SAYS THE SUPERINTENDENT.

>> PARENTS CAN MAKE THESE DECISIONS AND PERHAPS THAT IS AN INDICATOR, IT'S NOT A BIG NUMBER OF PARENTS AT THIS POINT THAT HAVE OPTED OUT.

>> WHAT ABOUT DISTRICTS THAT DON'T COMPLY?

VERY FEW VOTED NOT TO TEACH THE STANDARDS, LAKEWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS VOTED TO LET PARENTS SIGN FORMS OPTING KIDS INTO THE SOCIAL AND SEXUAL HEALTH AND PREGNANCY CLASSES, BUT THE REST SIMPLY WON'T BE ENROLLED.

NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WORN FAILURE TO COMPLY COULD RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION, HOWEVER IT DOESN'T SPECIFY WHAT THAT ACTION MIGHT ENTAIL BEYOND MONITORING AN INTERVENTION.

MEANWHILE, PROTESTS FROM OPPONENTS AND IN WOODBRIDGE CONTINUE ON A SMALL SCALE, THAT DISTRICT WILL VOTE ON THE CURRICULUM TOMORROW.

>> THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE ABILITY TO OPT OUT IN WOODBRIDGE TO PARENTS, BUT THEY NEVER REALLY PROVIDED ANY FORMAL GUIDANCE.

THERE WAS NO FORMS PROVIDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

AND A FRIEND OF MINE FIGURED OUT THAT SHE HAD A RIGHT, A FORMAL REQUEST TO THE PRINCIPAL.

>> THE WOODBRIDGE PARENT STUDENT HANDBOOK DOES CLEARLY EXPLAIN THE ROLES AND TELLS PARENTS HOW TO DO IT.

A NEW POLL FROM RUTGERS SHOWS MOST NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS SUPPORT SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, NOTING 80% OF JERSEY RESIDENTS SUPPORTED IT IN HIGH SCHOOL, 71% BACK IT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GETS MIXED RESULTS WITH 51% OPPOSED AND 46% IN FAVOR.

>> WE SEE ABOUT AN EVEN SPLIT WHEN IT COMES TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THAT'S NOT EVEN DEFINING THE AGE-APPROPRIATE ISSUES THAT WOULD BE ADDRESSED.

THIS TELLS US EVEN THOUGH CERTAIN VOICES MAY BE THE LOUDEST OR THE MOST VOCAL, THEY NECESSARILY DON'T MATCH WHAT PUBLIC OPINION FIELDS.

>> THE POLE SHOWS AN EXPECTED POLITICAL BREAKDOWN, DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS IN FAVOR, REPUBLICANS AGAINST, WHICH COULD TAP INTO A CULTURE WAR IN CONGRESSIONAL RAGES RACES LIKE THE SEVENTH DISTRICT.

>> WE ARE GOING BACK TO THAT GENDER AND SEX ED POLITICS, SO THIS COULD CERTAINLY BE AN ISSUE THAT CANDIDATES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE USED TO COMBAT THEIR OPPONENT.

>>> YOU CAN DIVE DEEPER INTO THE ISSUES HITTING THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY TOMORROW NIGHT ON CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS TO THE U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY ABOUT HIS RECENT VISIT TO NEW JERSEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PLANS AND MUCH MORE.

WATCH AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US THIS EVENING, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> AND JN INSURANCE GROUP, ENSURING 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.