>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE 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 NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, THEY WERE HAILED AS HEROES DURING THE PANDEMIC AND HELPED BRING THE STATE THROUGH THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS .

NOW A NEW SURVEY SHOWS MANY NURSES IN NEW JERSEY HAVE CONSIDERED LEAVING THE JOB.

THEY SAY A STATEWIDE STAFFING SHORTAGES HURTING PATIENT CARE.

THE REVELATIONS AREN'T NEW BUT CEMENT A CRISIS THAT HAS BEEN BREWING SINCE BEFORE COVID-19 UNLEASHED ON THE WORLD.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS ON THE ALARMING CONCERNS FROM THE STATES LARGEST HEALTHCARE WORKERS UNION.

>> DOES THE PUBLIC KNOW THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH STAFF IN THE HOSPITAL TO TAKE CARE OF THEM WHEN THEY GET THERE?

I'M NOT SO SURE.>> NURSES ARE COMING TO WORK DAY AFTER DAY, SHORTSTAFFED, NOT ABLE TO GET TIME OFF FROM WORK, NOT ABLE TO TAKE VACATION BECAUSE THERE IS NO STAFF TO FILL IN WHEN THEY ARE GONE.

>> Reporter: OVERWORKED AND POORLY COMPENSATED, THAT IS JUST SOME OF THE PAINFUL AND SHOCKING TESTIMONY MADE BY NURSES DURING A VIRTUAL MEETING TO DISCUSS THE RESULTS OF A NEW SURVEY RELEASED BY THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND EMPLOYEES, NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST UNION OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

>> THE RESULTS WERE SO CHILLING AND MUCH MORE ALARMING THAN WE IMAGINED.

AND IF WE DON'T TAKE CONCRETE STEPS TO FIX THIS, OUR HEALTH SYSTEM, HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY IN HOSPITALS, WILL BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE.

IN FACT, I WOULD POSE, BASED ON THIS SURVEY THAT WE ARE ALREADY IN DEEP, DEEP TROUBLE.

>> Reporter: DEBBIE WHITE SAID THE RESULTS ARE A WAKE UP CALL FOR EVERYONE IN THE STATE, THE STUDY WHICH SURVEYED 507 NEW JERSEY NURSES FROM AUGUST 10 TO THE 16th FOUND THAT NEWER NURSES ARE THE MOST LIKELY TO CONSIDER LEAVING THE BEDSIDE.

95% OF THOSE WITH 5 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OR LESS.

THE NUMBER ONE REASON IS DUE TO POOR STAFFING.

THE SECOND IS A RESULT OF THE FIRST.

BURNOUT AND STRESS.

>> I HAVE BEEN AT UNIVERSITY NORTH LITTLE HOSPITAL NORTH, THE NURSES HAVE TO ACHIEVE SO MUCH WITH JUST LITTLE RESOURCES.

I'M THE RESPIRATORY THERAPIST BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY FOUR ON DURING THE DAY, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ANYONE TO TRANSPORT PATIENT TO DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES, SO I HAVE TO TRANSPORT THEM TO DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES AND WE ARE STRUGGLING.

>> Reporter: THIS FOLLOWS A SURVEY EARLIER THIS MONTH OF WORKERS AT JERSEY SHORE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER THAT FELL MORE THAN HALF OF THE WORKERS DO NOT FEEL SAFE EVEN BEING A PATIENT IN THEIR OWN HOSPITAL.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH WHICH OWNS NEW JERSEY MEDICAL CENTER SAID THE SURVEY WAS DEVOID OF FACTS AND SHOULD BE SCRUTINIZED CLOSELY FOR THE MOTIVES AND TIMING THE CITING ONGOING UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S THAT THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THEIR NURSES, I THINK IT'S THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT THE BEST WAY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT A GOOD WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR WHATEVER HEALTHCARE EMPLOYEE THEY HAVE.

WE HAVE ANTICIPATED TO BE IN A NURSING SHORTAGE, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO SUPPORT THE NURSES WITHIN THE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.

AGAIN, BE IT AN INCREASE IN WAGES, BE IT ORGANIZATION OR RESTRUCTURING OF THE WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND REALLY TAKING A DEEP DIVE INTO HOW MUCH PAPERWORK AND COMPUTER WORK THAT THE NURSES ARE DOING THAT ARE TAKING AWAY FROM THE WORK THAT THEY WANT TO DO WHICH IS TAKING CARE OF PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: WHICH IS WHY THEY ARE ADVOCATING FOR THE PASSAGE OF A STATE LAW TERM REQUIRING SATE SAFE STAFFING LEVELS IN ALL HOSPITALS AND AMBULATORY CARE CENTERS MOVING FORWARD.

THE DATA SUPPORTS THE ARGUMENT THAT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION CANNOT BE SUCCESSFUL UNLESS THE LEVEL OF SAFETY WAGES, AND WORKLOAD FOR NURSES IN HOSPITALS IMPROVES SOON.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> IN SOUTH JERSEY, THE SHORTAGE OF PHYSICIANS IS TO BLAME FOR THE OFFICIAL END OF MATERNITY SERVICES AT CAPE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.

NOW EXPECTED MOMS IN THE AREA COULD HAVE TO DRIVE AS FAR AS 40 MINUTES AWAY FOR THEIR OBSTETRIC CARE.

AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, HEALTH PROVIDERS ARE HOPING TO FILL THE GAP.

>> KNOWING THAT THERE WAS MORE FOR ME WAS GREAT TO KNOW AND I DIDN'T HAVE THAT PRIOR KNOWLEDGE BEFORE, I DIDN'T HAVE THE ACCESSIBILITY.

>> Reporter: SHE JUST WELCOMED HER THIRD BABY INTO THE WORLD, EVEN THOUGH BECOMING A MOM WASN'T NEW, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SHE LEARNED SHE HAD A VOICE IN HER CARE.

>> TO JUST THINK, OKAY, I HAVE TO DO WITH THE DOCTOR SAYS, NO, YOU CAN REQUEST THINGS, IF YOU WANT THINGS DONE FOR YOURSELF OR YOU DON'T WANT CERTAIN THINGS DONE AT AN APPOINTMENT, YOU CAN SPEAK AND BE AN ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF, WHICH I DID NOT KNOW.

I THOUGHT THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO LISTEN TO MY DOCTOR, AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I COULD BE AN ADVOCATE FOR MYSELF, I SPEAK UP FOR MYSELF.

>> Reporter: THANKS TO A NEW PROGRAM, GRAYSON AND DOZENS OF OTHER WOMEN LIVING IN ATLANTIC CITY ARE RECEIVING MORE OPTIONS FOR MATERNAL CARE.

CREATED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CASINO REINVESTMENT DEVELOPING AUTHORITY AND THE GOAL IS TO ADDRESS INFANTS AND MATERNAL MORTALITY IN THE CITY.

>> WE LEARNED THAT ABOUT 450 ATLANTIC CITY MOMS ANNUALLY DELIVER, AND THAT 25% OF THEIR BABIES WIND UP BEING ON NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.

WE HAVE THE REGIONS ONLY LEVEL III, SO PRETTY SICK BABIES WIND UP THERE.

SO THE QUESTION WAS WHY, WHY ARE THE BABIES ENDING UP THERE?

WELL, WE LEARNED A FEW THINGS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED IS THAT MANY OF THOSE MOMS, ABOUT 30 TO 35% HAVE LITTLE OR NO PRENATAL CARE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING CARE LINKED TO A DECLINE IN DOCTORS.

ACCORDING TO A 2019 REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN CONGRESS OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS, A SHORTAGE OF UP TO 22,000 OB/GYN'S IS EXPECTED BY 2050.

>> OUR PROGRAM HAS NURSES, WE HAVE CERTIFIED MIDWIVES, WE HAVE THE RECOVERY SPECIALIST, BECAUSE WE KNOW MANY OF OUR MOMS NEED THAT SERVICE.

>> Reporter: ATLANTIC CARE BECOMING EVEN MORE OF A RESOURCE FOR WOMEN IN SOUTH JERSEY SINCE CAPE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, THE COUNTY'S ONLY HOSPITAL AND MATERNAL AND OBSTETRIC CARE EARLIER THIS MONTH DUE TO LACK OF PHYSICIAN COVERAGE.

THEY PLAN TO WORK WITH ATLANTIC CARE AND SURE MEDICAL CENTER TO GET THE PATIENTS THE SERVICES THEY NEED.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR SHORE MEDICAL CONFIRMING ITS COMMITMENT TO HELPING MOTHERS AND BABIES, SAYING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE TEAM AT CAPE REGIONAL TO ENSURE THOSE LOOKING TO START OR EXPAND THEIR FAMILIES CAN DO SO.

BUT FOR THOSE IN THE COUNTY, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN HOME AND THESE OTHER FACILITIES PRESENTS ANOTHER BARRIER.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT WE FIND, WHEN WE SUPPORT MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF ASSESSMENTS ACROSS THE REGION, PARTICULARLY DOWN IN THE SHORE COMMUNITIES, THE LARGEST BURDEN THAT OUR FAMILIES FACE IS TRANSPORTATION.

>> Reporter: HELEN HANNIGAN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PERINATAL COOPERATIVE WHICH WORKS WITH HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE MATERNAL CARE.

SHE SAYS WHILE THERE ARE CONCERNS WITH MATERNAL AND OBSTETRIC CARE, THE HOSPITAL WAS ONLY AVERAGING MORE THAN ONE BIRTH PER DAY.

>> WE SAW THAT, AND WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE YEARS, THAT MANY WOMEN FROM CAPE MAY ARE ALREADY NOT DELIVERING, THEY HAVE ALREADY SELECTED AND CREATED RELATIONSHIPS WITH PROVIDERS THAT WILL SUPPORT THEIR CARE AT SHORE MEMORIAL, OR EVEN SOME OF THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE REGION.

>> Reporter: SO IT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THE RESOURCES ARE MADE AVAILABLE.

GRAYSON KNOWS FIRSTHAND THE IMPACT IT CAN MAKE.

>> KNOWING THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HAPPENED, THAT HAVE NEVER HAPPENED TO MY BODY BEFORE BECAUSE I WAS YOUNGER WHEN I HAD MY OTHER TWO CHILDREN, IT DEFINITELY HELPED.

JUST KNOWING THAT I HAD THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: A SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT IS LIFE-CHANGING FOR THIS MOM OF THREE AND HER FAMILY.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> TOMS RIVER WITH ITS LARGE ITALIAN-AMERICAN POPULATION IS THE LATEST TOWN IN NEW JERSEY TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THE MOVEMENT TO END COLUMBUS DAY CELEBRATIONS, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION GOT AN EARFUL WEDNESDAY NIGHT AFTER VOTING EARLIER THIS MONTH TO ELIMINATE COLUMBUS DAY FROM THE SCHOOL CALENDAR.

TO HELP SHORTEN THE ACADEMIC YEAR.

AND WHILE THERE IS GROWING EVIDENCE THAT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS WAS INVOLVED WITH ENSLAVEMENT AND THE MASSACRE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, ADVOCATES ARGUE REMOVING THE DAY IS AN ATTACK ON HISTORY AND HERITAGE.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THE TOMS RIVER BOARD OF EDUCATION SAID HAVING SCHOOL ON COLUMBUS DAY IS ALL ABOUT HAVING STUDENTS START SUMMER A WEEK SOONER.>> THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITHIN THE SCHOOLS YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT, SO IT'S A WAY TO GET THEM BACK INTO SCHOOL SO THEY CAN GRADUATE AND OUR KIDS CAN GET TO WORK AND SUPPORT THE LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT THEY CHOOSE TO DO.

>> Reporter: SOME LOCALS SAY IT IS MISGUIDED AT BEST, AND AT WORST, AN ATTACK ON THE ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE.

>> I DEFINITELY THINK IT IS TARGETING THE ITALIAN AMERICAN KIDS BECAUSE THERE'S NO OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THEY ARE BEING FORCED TO GO TO SCHOOL ON THEIR CULTURAL HOLIDAY.

>> THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE, THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO SHORTEN THE YEAR BUT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS THEY CAN DO THAT, OTHER HOLIDAYS THEY CAN WORK WITH.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS HAVE ALWAYS HAD OFF FOR COLUMBUS DAY, WHILE STAFF STILL WORKED IN PERSON.

THAT IS CHANGING THIS YEAR.

SPARKING STRONG RESPONSES AT LAST NIGHT'S BOARD OF EDUCATION HEARING.>> YOU SEND A MESSAGE THAT COLUMBUS DAY IS NOT IMPORTANT FOR THE STUDENTS, YOU HAVE GIVEN AMMUNITION TO THE NATIONWIDE ATTACK THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, AND TO OUR HERITAGE, WE ARE A VERY STRONG AND COMPASSIONATE GROUP.

SO IT WAS NOT WITH ANY INTENT TO CANCEL CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DAY.

>> Reporter: COLUMBUS DAY HAS LONG BEEN A POINT OF PRIDE FOR ITALIAN-AMERICANS, OTHER PEOPLE SAY IT REPRESENTS ENSLAVEMENT AND BRUTALITY AGAINST NATIVE AMERICANS AND IS NOT DESERVING OF A HOLIDAY.

STATUES IN PLACES LIKE NEWARK AND TRENTON HAVE BEEN REMOVED.

>> TAKING THE BOOKS OFF THE SHELVES AND TAKING STATUES DOWN DOES NOT CHANGE HISTORY.

IN FACT, I WOULD SAY, THE LESSONS IN HISTORY, TELL YOU WHAT WAS RIGHT AND WHAT WAS WRONG AND THAT IS HOW WE LEARN.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO CONVEY HERE.

>> WHY DO THIS TO THE ITALIAN- AMERICANS?

WHY CONTRIBUTE TO THIS ATTACK ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO EDUCATE ABOUT COLUMBUS DAY, AS OUR ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY IT'LL BE MORE MEANINGFUL TO HAVE THE DAY OFF, COMPARED TO HAVING STUDENTS IN SCHOOL LEARNING ABOUT COLUMBUS.>> WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO BE TREATED EQUALLY.

ACROSS-THE-BOARD, BUT ON THE HOLIDAYS, THEY ARE OBSERVED.>> YOU HAVE THE AMERICAN HOLIDAYS COME YOU HAVE THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS, REMOVING COLUMBUS DAY IS TELLING THE STUDENTS A MESSAGE, IN THE WAY YOU INTEND TO DO IT OR NOT.

IT STILL IS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

THERE ARE OTHER DAYS YOU COULD HAVE TAKEN.

>> Reporter: HAVING CLASS ON COLUMBUS DAY MAKES THE TOMS RIVER SCHOOL YEAR FOUR DAYS SHORTER BUT TO CONTINUE TO STIR UP THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING COLUMBUS DAY HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WE HEARD A LOT FROM CRITICS ABOUT NEW YORK'S CONGESTION PRICING PLAN BUT TODAY IN JERSEY CITY, A GROUP OF ADVOCATES RALLIED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED TOLLING AND THE BENEFITS THEY SAY IT'LL BRING TO BOTH SIDES OF THE HUDSON RIVER.

TRANSIT RIDERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS GOT TOGETHER OUTSIDE THE PATH STATION AT EXCHANGE PLACE TO TOUT WHAT NEW JERSEY STANDS TO GAIN THROUGH THE CONGESTION TOLL LIKE A REDUCTION IN CARBON EMISSIONS AND POLLUTION THINGS TO LESS TRAFFIC, AND UPGRADES TO PUBLIC TRANSIT THAT SERVES MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE TRI-STATE AREA.

CONGESTION PRICING WAS ADOPTED AS A PART OF NEW YORK'S 2019 STATE BUDGET AND IS SLATED TO RAISE OVER $1 BILLION PER YEAR BY CHARGING A TOLL ON DRIVERS WHO ENTER MANHATTAN SOUTH OF 60th STREET, THE MOST RECENT ESTIMATES SHOW IT COULD RANGE BETWEEN FIVE DOLLARS AND $23 PER DAY FOR COMMUTERS BUT OPPONENTS ARGUE THE BURDEN OF THAT COST, AS MUCH AS $5000 A YEAR WILL FALL ON NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO DRIVE IN AND OUT OF THE CITY.

CRITICS INCLUDE GOVERNOR MURPHY AND THE CONGRESSMAN, JOSH, PUSHING FOR CAR VOUCHERS AND A PORTION OF THE REVENUE TO BE DEDICATED FOR PROJECTS ON THIS SIDE OF THE RIVER.

>> MORE THAN 77% OF NEW JERSEY AND THE NEW YORK ARE TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT.

DOES THAT MEAN THAT CONGESTION PRICING IS PERFECT?

NO.

IT CAN GET BETTER.

THIS IS A BOLD PLAN TO FUND PUBLIC TRANSIT THAT BENEFITS THE REGION.

WE ALSO NEED A PLAN FOR NEW JERSEY.

THIS PLAN FOR PRODUCTION CONGESTION PRICING, WE NEED THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO PUSH FORWARD TO HAVE STABLE, DEDICATED FUNDING FOR NEW JERSEY TRANSIT.

>> NEW JERSEY'S EFFORTS TO WOO NEW YORK BASED COMPANIES HERE MAY BE WORKING, RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST ON PLANS FROM CITIGROUP PLUS, TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> WITH COMMUTING COSTS ON THE MINDS OF MANY, ONE NEW YORK- BASED INVESTMENT BANK IS RETHINKING ITS OFFICE STRUCTURES WHO HELP NEW JERSEY WORKERS.

DURING A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING, THE TOPICS MENTIONED THAT THE BANK IS NOW CONSIDERING OPENING ADDITIONAL FACILITIES IN NEW JERSEY SO THAT THEIR WORKERS CAN AVOID COMMUTING EXPENSES.

THE CEO MABEL'S COMMENTS IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION FROM NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN, JOSH SCOTT HEIMER, THE CONGRESSMAN HAS THROWN HIS SUPPORT BEHIND A BILL OPPOSED AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT WOULD INCENTIVIZE NEW YORK BUSINESSES TO OPEN NEW OFFICES IN THE GARDEN STATE FOR THEIR NEW JERSEY-BASED EMPLOYEES.

THE STATE IS AWARDING $200,000 IN GRANTS TO 12 RESEARCHERS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AND TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY, THE TWO SCHOOLS COLLABORATE ON PROJECTS.

THE GRANTS FROM THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WILL SUPPORT A WIDE VARIETY OF RESEARCH TOPICS INCLUDING RESEARCH ON GENE EDITING, PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND QUANTUM COMPUTING.

>>> AFTER ANNOUNCING NEW INTEREST-RATE HIKES, JEROME POWELL INDICATED IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE ECONOMY TO AVOID A RECESSION.

THE U.S. CONFERENCE BOARD, A NONPROFIT BUSINESS GROUP IS FORECASTING A SHORT RECESSION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

BUT ECONOMIST, ERIC MOM BELIEVES THAT CONSUMERS WILL BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH IT OKAY.

>> I THINK THAT IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE PANDEMIC, THERE WAS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS, THAT INJECTED MONEY INTO U.S.

HOUSEHOLDS.

SO THEY ARE WALKING INTO THE STORM IN A BETTER PLACE THAN THEY HAVE IN PREVIOUS RECESSIONS.

>> FALL IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING BUT ALREADY SOME OF THE NATION'S BIGGEST RETAILERS ARE ANNOUNCING THEIR HOLIDAY HIRING PLANS, TARGET SAID TODAY IT INTENDS TO HIRE UP TO 100,000 SEASONAL WORKERS, THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.

WALMART WILL HIRE 40,000 U.S. WORKERS, MOST OF THEM SEASONAL.

THAT IS A MORE CAUTIOUS APPROACH LAST YEAR WALMART HIRED 150,000 WORKERS.

HERE IS A CHECK ON TODAY'S TRADING ACTION FROM WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP IS NESTORIUS.

>>> MAKE SURE YOU CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEK WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER, SHE LOOKS AT THE POST PANDEMIC WORKPLACE AND WHY WORKING FROM HOME MAY BE HERE TO STAY.

WITH IMPORTED INSIGHT FOR EMPLOYERS ON HOW THEY CAN GET AHEAD OF SO-CALLED QUIET QUITTING, THAT IS SATURDAY ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT 10:00 A.M. >>> MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN PUERTO RICO AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER OR RUNNING WATER.

AS EMERGENCY CREWS WORK TO REPAIR THE ENERGY GRID AND GET TO UTILITIES THAT WERE DESTROYED BY HURRICANE FIONA.

NOW A CATEGORY FOUR STORM, CHURNING TOWARD BERMUDA.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL REPORTS, FIONA HAS KILLED AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE ACROSS THE CARIBBEAN.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY ANNOUNCED NEW JERSEY IS SENDING AID TO HELP IN THE RECOVERY EFFORT, DEPLOYING 74 HIGHLY SKILLED STATE TROOPERS IN TWO WAVES TO SUPPORT PUERTO RICO'S POLICE BUREAU.

THE STATE WILL ALSO SEND A SPECIALIZED 12 MEMBER TEAM TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH FEMA ON THE GROUND.

THANKS TO A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT, ALLOWING STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY AND TERRITORIES TO SHARE RESOURCES IN THE AFTERMATH OF NATURAL AND MAN- MADE DISASTERS.

FIONA IS THE WORST STORM TO HIT PUERTO RICO SINCE 2017, THAT IS WHEN HURRICANE MARIA DEVASTATED THE ISLAND, TAKING 3000 LIVES, DESTROYING HOMES AND CRIPPLING THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>>> FROM IMPROVED PUBLIC PRESCHOOLS TO FREE SCHOOL MEALS AND BETTER FOSTER CARE, CECILIA ZALKIND HAS BEEN BEHIND ALMOST EVERY MAJOR POLICY IN THIS STATE THAT CHAMPIONS NEW JERSEY'S KIDS.

IN HER POST AS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NEW JERSEY, SHE MOST RECENTLY HELPED USHER THROUGH UNIVERSAL HOME NURSING VISITS FOR NEW PARENTS.

ALONG WITH ADDED SUPPORT FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS OF COLOR.

BUT AFTER NEARLY 40 YEARS OF SERVICE, CECILIA ZALKIND ANNOUNCED SHE WILL RETIRE LATER THIS YEAR, LEADING THE ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION SHE HELPED BUILD.

I CAUGHT UP WITH HER TO ASK WHAT THAT MEANS FOR NEW JERSEY'S CHILDREN.

IN THE ALMOST 4 DECADES YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WORK, YOUR NAME HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH EARLY CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION, ADVOCACY OBVIOUSLY.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS DIFFERENT NOW THAN WHEN YOU STEP INTO THIS POSITION?>> WELL, I THINK TWO THINGS, THE ISSUES ARE A BIT HARDER I THINK NEW JERSEY HAS REALLY MADE A COMMITMENT OVER THE YEARS TO CHILDREN, AND A LOT OF THE INITIATIVE POLICIES THAT WE ADVOCATED FOR WE HAVE, WE HAD A GREAT HEALTHCARE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN, WE HAVE THE BEST SCHOOL PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY, I THINK WE HAVE DONE SO MUCH AS A STATE.

BUT I THINK THE CHALLENGES ARE HARDER AROUND POVERTY, AROUND RACE AND CERTAINLY THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC HAS HIGHLIGHTED THOSE EVEN MORE.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE THE LAST 2 YEARS HAVE TO RANK UP THERE IS AMONG THE MOST DIFFICULT FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM, JUST IN COMBATING A LOT OF THE HURDLES THE KIDS HAVE FACED.

>> YES, IT HAS CERTAINLY BEEN A CHALLENGE, THAT I THINK THAT WE HAVE HAD SUPPORT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND WE HAD THE STATE HELP US NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS.

>> OBVIOUSLY WE COULD RUN THROUGH THE GAMUT OF THE NUMBER OF ISSUES YOU HAVE PUSHED FORWARD, THE NUMBER OF TIMES YOU HAVE GONE BEFORE THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS STILL LEFT OUT THERE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE DONE BEFORE YOU RETIRE, AND WHAT YOU ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT?>> I THINK THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROMISE OF PRESCHOOL MET, IN 2008, WHEN THE STATE PASSED SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM, WE ARE GETTING CLOSER, WE HAVE A HUGE INVESTMENT BUT WE ARE NOT THAT YET.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROGRAM FULLY IMPLEMENT IT.

I ALSO THINK WE COULD DO A LOT MORE TO COORDINATE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MORE EFFECTIVELY.

WHETHER ON THE STATE LEVEL OR ON THE COMMUNITY LEVEL.

THIS PAST 18 MONTHS, WE HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING A PARENT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, WE HEARD FROM PARENTS ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS AND ACCESSING SERVICES.

AND WE CAN ACHIEVE POLICY WAS BACK.

I THINK THAT IS ON MY WISH LIST AS WELL.>> YOU BEGAN YOUR WORK AS A CASEWORKER WITH WHAT WE USED TO CALL DIFIS, BUT I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PARTICULARLY YOUR WORK IN THE FOSTER CARE ENVIRONMENT.

>> I THINK IT HAS HAD A HUGE INFLUENCE ON MY LIFE IN GENERAL, AND BY THE WAY, I GO SO FAR BACK, WHEN I WORKED THERE, IT WAS THE BUREAU OF CHILDREN SERVICES, I THINK I WORKED THERE FOR ALMOST 12 YEARS, AND IT WAS AT THE TIME THAT THE COUNTRY WAS WAKING UP TO THE FACT THAT THE CHILD ABUSE LAWS HAD BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN INTO FOSTER CARE AND LEFT THEM THERE AND IT WAS FRUSTRATING AND TRAGIC TO SEE CHILD AFTER CHILD , WHO WAS BASICALLY ABANDONED IN FOSTER CARE WITH NO PLANS FOR THEIR FUTURE.

EVERY CHILD HAD A RIGHT TO A PERMANENT HOME, AND IT IS REALLY A DRIVING FORCE IN WHAT I HAVE DONE, IT CERTAINLY BROUGHT ME TO LAW SCHOOL BECAUSE AFTER READING CASE AFTER CASE OF CHILDREN IN THE SAME POSITION, MY REACTION WAS THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.

WHY SHOULD THE KIDS SUFFER FOR LAWS THAT COULD BE BETTER?

AND I STARTED ON MY JOURNEY.

I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH WHILE I WAS STILL IN LAW SCHOOL IN MY LAST SEMESTER, TO WIND UP THERE, IT WAS TRULY A GIFT, I HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO BE ABLE TO WORK HERE.>> CECILIA ZALKIND, WE WILL CERTAINLY MISS YOUR INSIGHT AND ARE REPORTING, BUT WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT.>>> MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WHERE SENIOR CO-LITTLE -- POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ SPEAKS TO KATIE BRENNAN, LOOKING TO BREAK THE VIOLENT, THROUGH THE SPEAK OUT ACT, WHICH GIVES VICTIMS OF WORK IS ASSAULT THE RIGHT TO SPEAK PUBLICLY, EVEN IF THEY HAVE SIGNED MANDATORY MDA'S.

THEN A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS BREAKS DOWN THIS WEEK'S BIG HEADLINES.

WATCH TOMORROW AT 10:05 AM 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.

>> NJN INSURANCE GROUP, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION AND NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY, MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE 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 .

>> WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

THAT'S WHY AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED, MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY, MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH, TOO.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE, ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND WE CAN HELP, BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, ALL THE TIME.