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

>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE RIGHT TO ABORTION ACCESS IS MORE CLEARLY BECOMING THE LEADING ISSUE HEADING INTO THE FALL ELECTIONS.

A GALVANIZING MOMENT IN THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY.

ABORTION- RIGHTS SUPPORTERS IN NEW JERSEY ARE USING THE ENERGY AND ANGER BEHIND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE VERSUS WADE TO CALL FOR EVEN MORE STRENGTH AND LAWS HERE.

TODAY, RALLYING OUTSIDE THE STATEHOUSE IN TRENTON, URGING GOVERNOR MURPHY TO GO FURTHER, REFERRING TO ABORTION AS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.

NEW JERSEY ALREADY CODIFY THE RIGHT TO ABORTION ACCESS TO STATE LAW AND RECENTLY PASSED TWO MORE LAWS PROTECTING THOSE WHO COME TO THE STATE SEEKING AN ABORTION FROM OUT-OF-STATE ALONG WITH THE PROVIDERS WHO PERFORM THEM.

AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS, IT IS A DRIVING ISSUE AS VOTERS GET READY TO HEAD TO THE POLLS.

>> RIGHTS, EQUITY, ACCESS.

ONE MORE TIME, MAKE SURE THEY HEAR YOU.

LET'S GET THIS DONE.

>> Reporter: PRO-ABORTION ADVOCATES RALLIED OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE, TRYING TO CREATE A POLITICAL PRESSURE WAVE FOR MORE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND ABORTION RIGHTS LEGISLATION IN THE WAKE OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S RULING TO OVERTURN ROE AND LET STATES DECIDE THE ABORTION ACCESS.

THEY SAY THE COURT'S DECISION ENERGIZED THE VOTERS.

>> WE ARE OUTRAGED AND READY TO FIGHT LIKE HELL.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS STRIPPED AWAY THE RIGHT TO ABORTION, A BOLDFACED ATTEMPT TO TAKE AWAY POWER TO CONTROL OUR OWN BODIES AND PERSONAL DECISIONS.

>> THE TRUTH IS, I THINK MANY OF OUR SUPPORTERS STILL ARE, PART OF WHY WE ARE OUT, IS BECAUSE OUR SUPPORTERS ARE THAT EAGER AND THAT FIRED UP.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES ACKNOWLEDGE, JERZY HAS ALREADY CODIFIED ABORTION ACCESS AND PAST TWO LAWS, PROTECTING BOTH PEOPLE FROM OUT OF STATE SEEKING ABORTIONS HERE AND PROVIDERS WHO PERFORM THEM BUT THEY WANT NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS TO GO FURTHER.

>> WE HEAR THIS ARGUMENT THAT WE HAVE DONE ENOUGH THAT OUR POLICIES ARE GOOD ENOUGH, AND WE ARE HEARING IT IN OUR FIGHT FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE.

>> Reporter: A LONG LIST OF ADVOCACY GROUPS REPRESENTED HERE FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, URGED LAWMAKERS TO PASS THE PROPOSED REPRODUCTIVE EQUITY ACT IN NEW JERSEY, IT WILL MANDATE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BIRTH CONTROL AND ABORTION HEALTHCARE.

>> WE HAVE HEARD REPEATEDLY THAT THIS DOESN'T MATTER, MAYBE THIS ISN'T AS IMPORTANT, I THINK NOVEMBER IS GOING TO SHOW THAT TO BE NOT THE CASE.

>> Reporter: THE LEADING DIRECTOR OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND NEW JERSEY WHICH SPONSORED THIS RALLY -- >> THE LAST GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION WAS FAIRLY CLOSE, I THINK WHAT LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO DO IS WAITING TO SEE THE TEA LEAVES AND THE ELECTION MIGHT BE WHAT THEY'RE WAITING FOR.

>> Reporter: ABORTION HEALTHCARE IS LEGAL AND PROTECTED IN FEWER THAN HALF OF THE U.S. STATES, SINCE JUNE, NEARLY ALL OF THE 13 STATES WITH SO-CALLED TRIGGER LAWS HAVE ENACTED ABORTION RESTRICTIONS.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 36 MILLION WOMEN AND LGBT PEOPLE WHO BECOME PREGNANT, WHO WILL LOSE ACCESS IN THEIR HOME STATES.

>> THE MOVEMENT TO STRIP US OF OUR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IS INEXTRICABLE TO THE MOVEMENT TO ELIMINATE AND BLOCK QUEER RIGHTS.

BOTH ARE HIGHLY POLITICIZED.

>> Reporter: THE WOMEN'S HEALTH CENTER REPORTS STANDARD PROCEDURES PER WEEK FOR PATIENTS TRAVELING TO NEW JERSEY FOR ABORTION HEALTHCARE, UP FROM 2 TO 4, FOR THE DECISION.

>> BEFORE THEY EVER WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS OF OUR CLINIC, WE ARE FIGURING OUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THEIR ABORTION CARE, WE HAVE A LOT OF PATIENTS THAT HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE, BUT A HIGH DEDUCTIBLE AND IT DOESN'T COVER ANY OF THE COST OF THE ABORTION.

FOUR NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND INSURANCE WAS STUDYING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF INSURANCE, PICKING UP THE ABORTION HEALTHCARE COSTS, A REPORT IS DUE BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR BUT FOR MANY PATIENTS, IT'S NOT JUST MEDICAL.

>> THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION COSTS, THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR FLIGHTS THEY HAVE TO TAKE, THEY ALSO HAVE TO PAY FOR A HOTEL MIGHT BE STAYING AT.

>> Reporter: IT IS AN INEQUITY ISSUE THEY WILL ADDRESS AT THE STATEHOUSE AND IN THE VOTING BOOTH.

>> WHAT DO WE WANT?

WHEN DO WE WANT IT?

>>> STATE LEADERS ARE FOCUSING ON NEW WAYS TO HELP NEW JERSEY STUDENTS IN THIS POST-PANDEMIC ERA.

BY GIVING MORE ATTENTION TO THEIR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

ADVOCATES TODAY URGED LAWMAKERS TO GET BEHIND A SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM THAT WILL IDENTIFY THE YOUTH MOST AT RISK AND CONNECT THEM WITH THE TREATMENT THEY NEED.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> IN 2018, THERE WERE 197 YOUTH OVERDOSES.

IN 2019, 36% OF NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REPORTED FEELING SAD, OR HOPELESS.

AND 15% OF NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED ATTEMPTING SUICIDE.

>> Reporter: AS ALARMING AS THOSE STATS ARE, THEY DON'T EVEN REFLECT THE REALITY OF SO MANY KIDS MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS NOW, POST-PANDEMIC.

>> SCHOOLS ARE BEST POSITIONED TO REACH THOSE STUDENTS WHO NEED HELP THE MOST.

THE YOUTH WHO SURVIVE AN OVERDOSE OR SUICIDE ATTEMPT OFTEN SAY, IF ONLY SOMEONE HAD ASKED.

WELL, SCHOOL-BASED EXPERT IS ABOUT HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH EVERY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SO THAT NO ONE IS MISSED.

>> THAT STANDS FOR SCREENING, BRIEF INTERVENTION AND REFERRAL TO TREATMENT, IT IS A PILOT PROGRAM THAT ROLLED OUT IN 2020, WAS INTERRUPTED BY COVID, BUT NOW HAS PROVEN RESULTS TO SHOW IT DID HELP STRUGGLING KIDS IN THE BURLINGTON COUNTY CITY.

LIKE EMILY.

>> BY GIVING THE SCREENING THROUGH THE SCHOOL, STUDENTS MAY BE ABLE TO COME OUT AND EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS MORE, RATHER THAN HAVING TO HIDE THEM.

I KNOW I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO WASN'T 100% COMFORTABLE SPEAKING TO MY PARENTS ABOUT THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

BUT BEING ABLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO I DIDN'T HAVE TO LIVE WITH EVERY DAY, GAVE ME THE SENSE OF SECURITY.

>> Reporter: OF THE 100 STUDENTS WHO AGREED TO THE SCREENING, A QUARTER OF THEM WERE REFERRED TO ADDITIONAL SERVICES, ADDED THROUGH THE SCHOOL OR OUTSIDE PROGRAMS.

IT IS A MODEL THAT THE SENATOR IS HOPING TO EXPAND HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE, HE SPONSORED A BILL THAT REQUIRED DISTRICT TO OFFER THE EXPERT STRUCK SCREENING TO ALL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> WE TOOK THE INFORMATION AND RESULTS RIGHT HERE IN TOWN AND THE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS TAKING ON THIS LEADERSHIP ROLE, THESE TOOLS ARE SIGNIFICANT IN TERMS OF THE WELL-BEING AND THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICTS ARE STRUGGLING WITH STAFFING SHORTAGES, THAT INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH CARE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL LET ALONE AFFORD IT, SO REFERRALS FOR OUTSIDE SUPPORT COULD LEAVE KIDS WAITING FOR MONTHS FOR AN AVAILABLE COUNSELOR.

ONE THING THE BILL MIGHT DO -- >> REQUIRE MEDICAID TO COVER THE SERVICES THROUGH THE SCHOOL, PARENTS MIGHT HAVE MEDICAID AS A PLAN FOR SERVICE OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL, BUT FOR THE SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO BILL FOR THE SERVICES, HAVING MEDICAID ELIGIBLE TO QUALIFY, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE SCHOOL IN TERMS OF THE COST.

>> Reporter: AND IN TERMS OF FUNDING AND MATERIALS NEEDED TO ROLL OUT THE PROGRAM, CAROL MURPHY SAID IT IS WORTH IT.

>> OUR CHILDREN ARE WORTH INVESTING IN, AND IF WE CAN CONTINUE COLLABORATING AND IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT HERE, SHOWING YOU THAT THE COLLABORATION NOT ONLY WITH THE LEGISLATURE, BUT ALSO WITH OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, OUR PARENTS AND OUR CHILDREN AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, THAT WE ARE ABLE TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT ONE MORE SUICIDE.

HOPEFULLY PREVENT ONE MORE CHILD SUFFERING IN SILENCE.

>> Reporter: THE LEGISLATURES ARE STILL ADDING LANGUAGE LIKE THE MEDICAID FUNDING IN SCHOOLS, THEY EXPECT IT TO COME BEFORE THE HEALTH COMMITTEE FOR A VOTE SOMETIME NEXT MONTH.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NATIONAL LEADERS ARE ALSO WORKING TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH.

DATA SHOWING ANXIETY ORDERS ARE AMONG THE MOST PREVALENT HEALTH COMPLAINTS AMONG ADULTS.

WITH MORE THAN 40% OF WOMEN IN THE U.S. AND ABOUT A QUARTER OF ALL MEN SUFFERING FROM THE SYMPTOMS.

NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, A FEDERAL TASK FORCE IS RECOMMENDING ALL ADULTS UNDER THE AGE OF 65 GET ROUTINE SCREENINGS FOR ANXIETY, REGARDLESS OF THEIR SYMPTOMS.

EXPERTS ON THE PANEL SAY THE RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE BECAUSE MANY CASES GO UNDETECTED OR UNTREATED FOR LONG TIMES, AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AS WE KNOW LED TO A SURGE IN NEW CASES OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

SUE IS WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES AT CARE PLUS NEW JERSEY AND JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSAL.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

I WANT TO ASK YOU FIRST ABOUT WHY WE ARE SEEING THIS PREVALENCE OF ANXIETY DISORDERS AMONG ADULTS, AND PARTICULARLY MORE SO AMONG WOMEN.

>> YES.

SO, WE KNOW THAT ANXIETY DISORDERS WERE THE MOST COMMON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE AMONG THE POPULATION IN GENERAL, PRIOR TO COVID-19.

AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT THEORIES ABOUT COVID-19, AND THE RELENTLESS DISEASE AND IN GENERAL, I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST ON EDGE.

AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE THAT WERE STRUGGLING ALREADY, MAYBE THIS PUSHED THEM OVER MORE TO HAVING AN IMPAIRED, ANXIOUS SITUATION, THAT REALLY DOES NEED SOME TYPE OF INTERVENTION.

>> CERTAINLY, WE SPOKE WITH A NUMBER OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC WHO WOULD TELL US, THEIR OFFICES WERE FULL OR THEY COULDN'T ACCEPT NEW PATIENTS.

WHEN DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER ISSUES ALONG THOSE LINES, WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT NOW FOR THIS SCREENING TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR THIS POPULATION?

AND DO WE EVEN HAVE ENOUGH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TO ADDRESS THE NEED?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW THIS TASK FORCE, THEY WORK TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE NATIONWIDE AND THEY ARE MAKING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TO HAVE A SCREENING TOOL IN PRIMARY CARE BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE VISIT THEIR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER IN THEIR REGULAR PHYSICALS, AND IF WE ARE LOOKING AT ANXIETY DISORDERS TO BE A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN, THEN WHY NOT DO A SHORT SCREENER AS A PART OF OUR PHYSICALS SO WE CAN PULL OUT AND GET THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND GIVE THEM THE EXTRA SUPPORT.

BEFORE DEPRESSION OR A CRISIS HAPPENS DUE TO SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS.

>> WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

DOES IT ALWAYS MANIFEST AS PANIC ATTACKS?

OR ANXIETY ATTACKS?

OR CAN IT MANIFEST ME FOR SOME PEOPLE?

>> DEFINITELY, THERE'S DIFFERENT HEIGHTS, SOMETIMES IT IS SOCIAL ANXIETY, WHERE YOU ARE FEELING OVERWHELMED WITH YOUR SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS, SO YOU START TO WITHDRAW AND MAYBE YOU START TO MISS SCHOOL OR WORK, OR YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR FRIENDS, YOU FEEL ON EDGE ALL THE TIME OR YOU ARE CONSTANTLY OVERTHINKING.

OVERTHINKING ABOUT THINGS THAT YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER, SO THAT BECOMES REALLY DIFFICULT.

>> VERY QUICKLY, I WANT TO END ON WHAT YOU ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT WITH THE STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH RIGHT NOW AND WHY PEOPLE NEED TO GET THESE SCREENINGS DONE.

>> WE ARE MOST CONCERNED BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES THERE'S STILL A STIGMA ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND GOING TO SEE A THERAPIST MIGHT BRING UPON STIGMA IN DIFFERENT CULTURES OR DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

SO, THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH, WE DO WANT THIS TO BECOME MORE OF A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN AND WE WANT ALL DIFFERENT MEDICAL TEAMS TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST IN REALLY FINDING AND PREVENTING SOME OF THESE SYMPTOMS, SO PEOPLE CAN GET HELP BEFORE THEY BECOME DEPRESSED OR IN MORE OF A CRISIS.

>> VP OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES IS AT CARE PLUS MEDICAL SERVICES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS DEPLOYING NATIONAL GUARDSMEN AND DISASTER VOLUNTEERS TO FLORIDA TO HELP IN THE RECOVERY EFFORTS FROM HURRICANE IAN, THE STORM LEAVING A PATH OF DESTRUCTION IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE STATE.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY IT'S ONE OF THE STRONGEST AND DEADLIEST HURRICANES TO EVER HIT THE U.S. RESCUERS ARE STRUGGLING TO REACH STRANDED RESIDENTS TRAPPED IN THEIR HOMES AMID RECORD HIGH FLOODWATERS.

THE STORM WIPING OUT POWER TO MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION PEOPLE.

THE IMAGES OF THE WIDESPREAD DAMAGE ARE STUNNING, GUTTED HOMES, ENTIRE BRIDGES WASHED AWAY, THE ROOF OF THE HOSPITAL WAS TORN APART IN THE TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS THAT REACHED ACROSS MORE THAN 400 MILES OF SOUTHWESTERN FLORIDA.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY PAINTED A BLEAK PICTURE ABOUT THE LOSS OF LIVES SAYING THE NUMBER OF DEATHS IS STILL UNCLEAR.

FLORIDA'S GOVERNOR SAID IT'LL TAKE YEARS TO REBUILD.

THE STORM IS EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN BACK INTO A HURRICANE AND MAKE LANDFALL IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND POSSIBLY IMPACT NEW JERSEY THIS WEEKEND WITH SOME WIND AND RAIN.

>>> IT IS OFFICIAL, THE STATE SENATE TODAY FORMERLY CONFIRMED GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PICK FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL, VOTING 24-10 MOSTLY ALONG PARTY LINES APPROVING MATT PLATKIN FOR NEW JERSEY'S TOP LAW-ENFORCEMENT POST, THREE REPUBLICANS JOINED THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN THE VOTE DESPITE A NUMBER OF OBJECTIONS FROM THE PARTY.

PLATKIN WAS ONE OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S CLOSEST ADVISORS HAVING JOINED HIS CAMPAIGN IN 2017 PRIOR TO THE GOVERNOR'S SUCCESSFUL ELECTION.

PLATKIN SERVED IN AN ACTING CAPACITY AS ATTORNEY GENERAL SINCE FEBRUARY AND HAS MADE POLICE TRANSPARENCY AND FIGHTING GUN VIOLENCE A PILLAR OF HIS TIME IN THE OFFICE SO FAR.

HE HAS BEEN LAUDED AS A HIGHLY SKILLED ATTORNEY BUT FACED CRITICISM FOR HAVING NO EXPERIENCE AS A PROSECUTOR.

AND MORE SCRUTINY FOR HIS HANDLING OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT SCANDAL DURING THE GOVERNOR'S FIRST TERM IN OFFICE.

>>> MEANWHILE, GOVERNOR MURPHY'S FAVORABILITY AND APPROVAL RATINGS ARE ENJOYING A DRAMATIC UPSWING.

A NEW RUTGERS EAGLETON POLL RELEASED TODAY SHOWS 47% OF RESIDENTS HAVE A FAVORABLE OPINION OF THE GOVERNOR.

THAT IS A DOUBLE-DIGIT INCREASE COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS AGO WHEN HE TOOK A HIT IN THE SAME POLE WITH JUST A 33% FAVORABILITY RATING.

ABOUT HALF OF NEW JERSEYANS, 54% CONTINUE TO APPROVE OF THE JOB HE IS DOING IS GOVERNOR.

THAT NUMBER IS HOLDING STEADY, TICKING UP FROM 49% >>> THE DOJ ALSO NOTED ALL OF THE BANKS BRANCHES WERE LOCATED IN WHITE NEIGHBORHOODS, AS A PART OF THE SETTLEMENT, LAKELAND BANK ADMITTED TO NO WRONGDOING.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S HOUSING MARKET LIKE THE REST OF THE NATION HAS COOLED, THE NEW JERSEY REALTORS ASSOCIATION SAYS INFLATION, HIGHER INTEREST RATES AND FEARS OF POTENTIAL RECESSION TOOK A TOLL ON BUYERS AND SELLERS THIS SUMMER.

THERE ARE 20% FEWER HOMES ON THE MARKET COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

MORTGAGE RATES HAVE BEEN CLIMBING AS OF TODAY, THE AVERAGE 30 YEAR FIXED MORTGAGE RATE IS 6.82%.

NJ REALTORS SAYS IN AUGUST, CLOSED SALES WERE DOWN MORE THAN 16% COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

BUYERS ARE THE ONLY ONES ON THE SIDELINES.

WOULD-BE SELLERS ARE ALSO HOLDING BACK ON LISTING THEIR HOMES.

>>> ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST EMPLOYERS IS HIKING WORKER WAGES, AMAZON IS INCREASING AVERAGE STARTING PAY FOR ITS WAREHOUSE AND TRANSPORTATION WORKERS, TO MORE THAN $19 PER HOUR, THAT IS UP FROM THE CURRENT $18.

THE PAY INCREASES WILL COST AMAZON NEARLY $1 BILLION NEXT YEAR BUT THE COMPANY IS HOPING THE MOVE WILL ENABLE IT TO ATTRACT AND KEEP WORKERS AS THE LABOR MARKET REMAINS TIGHT.

VICTIMS OF BERNIE MADE OFF'S MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR PONZI SCHEME ARE GETTING ANOTHER PAYMENT TO HELP COVER THEIR LOSSES.

THE U.S.'S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAYS $372 MILLION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VICTIMS OF THE SCAM FROM THE RELIEF FUND, MORE THAN 27,000 WILL RECEIVE FROM FUNDS, AFTER THIS LATEST PAYMENT, MORE THAN $4 BILLION WILL HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED AND THOSE WHO WERE SCAMMED HAVE RECOVERED AN AVERAGE OF 88% OF THEIR LOSSES.

>>> NEW JERSEY HAD ITS SHARE OF VICTIMS INCLUDING FORMER STATE SENATOR, NO WEINBERG.

HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S STOCK MARKET.

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

>> CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND, SHE NATIONAL WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH, BY SITTING DOWN WITH SEVERAL FEMALE CEOS AND ENTREPRENEURS TO DISCUSS THEIR PATH TO SUCCESS.

THAT IS SATURDAY ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, AT 10:00 A.M. >>> PRESIDENT BIDEN ON WEDNESDAY LAID OUT HIS ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO TACKLE THE HUNGER CRISIS IN AMERICA.

WITH AN AMBITIOUS GOAL OF DEDICATING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO END HUNGER WITHIN A DECADE.

KICKING OFF THE FIRST WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON HEALTH AND NUTRITION SINCE 1969.

AN EVENT THAT INCLUDED KEY VOICES FROM NEW JERSEY.

HE DETAILED THE URGENT NEED OF HELP FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS INFLATION AND FOOD PRICES TAKE IT HARDER THAN EVER TO PUT A MEAL ON THE TABLE.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS, AS A PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY, LOOKING AT FOOD INSECURITY IN THE STATE.

>> WELCOME TO THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON HUNGER, NUTRITION AND HEALTH.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE WHITE HOUSE HOSTED A CONFERENCE TO UNVEIL A PLAN TO END HUNGER IN THE U.S. BY 2030, AND FOR A CROWD OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, THE PRESIDENT OUTLINED A NATIONAL STRATEGY THAT HE SAYS WILL SUCCESSFULLY HELP THE U.S. REACH THE GOAL.

>> FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS, MY PLAN WOULD MAKE AT LEAST 9 MILLION MORE CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS, A MAJOR FIRST STEP FOR FREE MEALS FOR EVERY SINGLE STUDENT.

>> THE PROPOSALS INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STANDARDIZED PACKAGED FOOD LABELING SYSTEM SO CONSUMERS CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND NUTRITION ON THE PRODUCTS THEY BUY, EXPANDING FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS AND CALLED ON CONGRESS TO PERMANENTLY EXPAND THE CHILD TAX CREDIT THAT EXPIRED.

>> OVERWHELMINGLY, WORKING FAMILIES USE THE CHILD TAX CREDIT TO BUY BASIC NEEDS FOR THE FAMILIES AND TO HELP CUT CHILD POVERTY BY NEARLY 50% IN THE UNITED STATES.

50%.

AND TO CUT FOOD INSECURITY FOR FAMILIES BY 26%, AND EXPANDING THE CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS WE HAVE EVER SEEN.

THAT IS WHY MY STRATEGY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO EXPAND THE CHILD CREDIT PERMANENTLY.

>> I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO NOT KNOW WHERE YOUR NEXT MEAL WILL COME FROM.

BOTH AS A CHILD AND AS A PARENT.

>> AMONG THE CROWD OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, PRIVATE COMPANIES AND AMERICANS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HUNGER WAS SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN.

>> WE PASSED 30 PIECES OF LEGISLATION WHICH WAS VERY HEARTENING BY THE WAY TO HEAR SO MANY PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT WAYS TO GO ABOUT ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES AND KNOW THAT IN MANY OF THESE INSTANCES, WE HAD ALREADY DONE THAT AND SOME, WE WERE WAY AHEAD.

THE PRESIDENT SAID IT PRETTY SIS SINGLY YESTERDAY, HE SAID IF YOU CAN'T FEED YOUR FAMILY, WHAT THE HELL ELSE MATTERS?

AND I THINK THAT IS A BIPARTISAN STATEMENT IF I HAVE EVER HEARD IT.

>> ALSO, IN THE AUDIENCE, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY, CARLOS RODRIGUEZ.

RODRIGUEZ SAID THE INITIATIVES COME WHEN THE FOOD BANKS ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND.

>> NOW WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE CANNOT FEED A HUNGER CRISIS BY CREATING A HEALTH CRISIS.

THE QUALITY OF FOOD, THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES NEEDS TO BE HAND IN HAND WITH WHAT WE DO MOVING FORWARD.

>> THE DIRECTOR OF HUNGER FREE NEW JERSEY WHO WATCHED THE CONFERENCE ONLINE, SAID SHE WAS MOST OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S PLEDGE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF FOOD DESERTS.

>> THERE ARE OVER 40 MILLION AMERICANS THAT LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THERE IS NOT A GROCERY STORE NEARBY AND PEOPLE HAVE TO RELY ON BODEGAS AND DOLLAR STORES AND OTHER PLACES WHERE THEY MAY NOT HAVE HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS.

SO THAT WILL GO A LONG WAY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD AND AGAIN, THEREFORE IMPROVING PEOPLE'S HEALTH.

AGAIN, IMPROVING ACCESS TO SNAP.

>> THE PRESIDENT EMPHASIZING WE NEED TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AS WELL, BUT IT'LL TAKE MORE THAN A VILLAGE TO DO SO AND THERE SHOULD BE NOTHING PARTISAN ABOUT HUNGER, NUTRITION AND HEALTH.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>> BE SURE TO CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK, DAVID GOES ONE-ON- ONE WITH TOM KANE, HE REMEMBERS THE LATE GOVERNOR JIM FLORIO AND TALKS ABOUT THE STATE POLITICS HEADING INTO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

PLUS, ALL THE BIG HEADLINES OF THE WEEK WITH A PANEL OF LOCAL REPORTERS.

THAT'S TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> 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.

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

THAT IS ME AND MY DAUGHTER, WE WENT TO CELEBRATE MY FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> WITH A NEW KIDNEY, I HAVE STRENGTH.

I'M STILL GOING EVERYWHERE AND EXPLORING NEW PLACES.

>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE, NOBODY.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO GROWING OLDER WITH MY WIFE, THAT IS POSSIBLE NOW.

>> WE ARE TRANSFORMING LIVES WITH WORLD-RENOWNED CARE AT TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S PREMIER HOSPITALS.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.