>>> 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.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

>>> FRO NEW JERSEY PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> THE NEW COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS ARE ALREADY IN ARMS JUST DAYS AFTER THE CDC GREEN-LIT THE ROLLOUT WITH AN UPDATED VACCINE.

THEY'LL REPLACE PREVIOUS BOOSTERS OFFERED IN THE U.S. AND TARGET BOTH THE ORIGINAL CORONAVIRUS STRAIN AND OMICRON SUBVARIANT.

NOW BEING UP TO DATE A WITH YOUR VACCINE WILL INCLUDE HAVING THIS NEW SHOT.

IN NEW JERSEY, MORE THAN SEVEN MILLION PEOPLE HAVE FULL VACCINATION STATUS.

JUST OVER FOUR MILLION PEOPLE ELIGIBLE IN THE STATE FOR A BOOSTER HAVE RECEIVED ONE.

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS HOPE THE NEW BOOSTER WILL PERSUADE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE FENCE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY WAS SCHEDULED TO MAKE A PUBLIC PLEA FOR AMERICANS TO GET THE UPDATED SHOTS AND DETAIL HIS ADMINISTRATION'S PLANS TO MAKE AVAILABLE BUT CANCELED THE SPEECH DUE TO THE DEATH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH, BRITAIN'S LONGEST REIGNING MONARCH.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING TO RAPIDLY GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT BOOSTERS.

AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, RESIDENTS IN NEW JERSEY APPEAR TO BE LISTENING.

>> WE OPENED UP THE APPOINTMENTS LAST NIGHT AND WE HAVE MORE THAN HALF FILLED UP.

SO WE ARE SEEING NICE RESPONSE FROM OUR COMMUNITY FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO GET THE NEW VACCINE.

>> Reporter: THE NEW PFIZER AND MODERNA COVID BOOSTERS THAT ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW JERSEY.

AND THIS ONE GOT PEOPLE LINING UP AGAIN.

>> AS OF TODAY WE ONLY HAVE MODERNA, AND THAT'S 18 AND UP.

>> Reporter: IN MONTCLAIR, BOTH SHOTS ARE BEING OFFERED.

>> PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR ABOUT MONTH NOW, BECAUSE THEY HEARD IT WAS COMING UP.

SO THEY'RE CALLING, AND OUR CALENDARS ARE FULL FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE 200 DOSES.

SO WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS BOOSTER?

IT'S A BI VAILANT SHOT SOUGHT HAS TWO PARTS.

>> A LITTLE BIT OF THE OLD VACCINE AND A LITTLE BIT OF THE NEW VARIANTS WHICH HAVE BEEN MORE CONTAGIOUS.

>> SOME OF THE CRITICISM ABOUT THESE NEW VACCINES IS THEY SEEM TO BE BEHIND THE CURVE.

IS THAT THE CASE HERE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK BECAUSE THE BA.4 AND 5 IS ACTIVE NOW AND WE'RE SEEING PEOPLE STILL GETTING SICK WITH THAT VARIANT, I THINK THAT WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE WITH THIS VACCINE COMING OUT.

>> Reporter: BA.4 AND BA.5 ARE SUB VARIANTS OF OMICRON.

AND THIS IS THE FIRST SHOT TO OFFER ANY PROTECTION AGAINST OMICRON.

>> I THINK THIS IS VERY EXCITING.

THIS IS WHAT WE HAD ALL HOPED WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN THE MRNA TECHNOLOGY WAS INTRODUCED.

SO THIS VACCINE WAS MORE LIKE A FLU SHOT, IN THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE TYPES OF COVID VIRUS REPRESENTED.

>> Reporter: AND WHERE THEY'RE MUCH DIFFERENT IS THE SPEED AT WHICH RESEARCHERS CAN ADJUST FOR THESE NEW STRAINS.

>> THE MAJORITY OF OUR FLU VACCINES ARE STILL BEING GROWN IN EGGS, WHICH TAKES -- IT'S A MONTHS LONG PROCESS TO CURE THAT OUT.

THAT'S WHY YOU REALLY CAN'T CHANGE THE PRODUCTION LINE THAT QUICKLY, AS OPPOSED TO THIS MORE MOLECULAR TECHNOLOGY.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS THE SPEED AT WHICH RESEARCHERS CAN MAKE A NEW VACCINE TO REFLECT WHAT'S SPREADING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW?

>> SO IN TALKING WITH PEOPLE THAT DO VACCINES FOR A LIVING, AND MANUFACTURE VACCINES FOR A LIVING, USING THE mRNA A PLATFORM, THEY TELL ME YOU CAN SWITCH IN THIS WEEKS, YOU KNOW.

IT'S A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

AS SOON AS YOU KNOW THE GENERIC SEQUENCE OF THE VIRUS, COMPONENT, SUBGROUP, VARIANT, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SAY, THAT YOU WANT TO TARGET, YOU CAN CHANGE IT WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> Reporter: JUST HOW WELL DO THESE BOOSTERS WORK?

IT'S STILL EARLY, BUT HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR.

>> IT IS REALLY PROTECTING US AGAINST HOSPITALIZATION AND REALLY SERIOUS ILLNESS AND DEATH.

IT DOESN'T PROTECT AGAINST MILD ILLNESS, BUT WE CAN LIVE WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: FOR ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING THE SHOT?

>> THE CONCEPT OF HAVING MULTIPLE COMPONENTS DIFFERENT VIRUS COMPONENTS IN THE VACCINE IS NOT NEW.

IT'S NEW FOR COVID, BUT IT'S NOT A NEW CONCEPT.

AND WITH INFLUENZA, THERE'S BEEN NO PROBLEM IN PEOPLE TOLERATING BIVAILANT OR TRIVAILANT VACCINE.

I THINK PROBABLY WE WILL BE HAVING THESE IN THE FUTURE.

>> WE FEEL BETTER DOING IT NOW BECAUSE I KNOW EFFECTIVENESS HAS BEEN DROPPING, SO IT'S COMFORTING TO KNOW THEY'VE HAD TIME TO WORK IN THE NEW VARIANTS.

THESE ARE NEW DISEASES SO GOOD TO HAVE ALL THAT IN THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MORE THAN 800 SITES, INCLUDING PHARMACIES AND FQHC'S WILL HAVE HAVE THE DOSES SOON.

NEWBRIDGE IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE 5,000 DOSES TOMORROW SO APPOINTMENTS WOULD BEGIN NEXT WEEK.

IN PARAMUS, JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAW THE DEPARTURE OF ANOTHER TOP LEADER LEAVING FIVE VACANCIES WITHIN THE 13 RANKS.

ONE POST HAS BEEN EMPTY FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS.

AT LEAST ANOTHER 100 POSITIONS ALSO REMAIN UNFILLED.

THE NEWS IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLING AS THE STATE ISN'T FINISH CONTENDING WITH THE PANDEMIC AND OTHER ONGOING PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES, RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER THE DEPARTMENT HAS THE CAPACITY TO HANDLE ITS DUTIES.

HEALTHCARE WRITER LILO STAINTON JOINS ME NOW.

QUITE A BIT OF TURNOVER AT THE DEPARTMENT.

WHO IS THE LATEST TO HAVE LEFT THE AGENCY?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, DR. DAVID AVANERO WHO WAS DIRECTING THEIR PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR, TESS LATEST TO HAVE DEPARTED.

AND WITH THAT, THERE ARE NOW A NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN LEADERSHIP, AS WE FOUND OUT.

A NUMBER OF VACANCIES THE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME ABOUT 100 PEOPLE WHO ARE -- THEY'RE IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING 50.

CLOSER THAN THE OTHER 50, BUT THERE IS OTHER WORK TO BE DONE.

SO THEY HAVE SOME VACANCIES TO FILL.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION THIS IS A DEPARTMENT THAT HAS MORE THAN 5,000 EMPLOYEES SO IN THE GRAND SCHEME, IT'S A SMALL NUMBER.

BUT HOW IS IT AFFECTING THEIR DAY TO DAY?

>> RIGHT.

AND IT IS AFFECTING THEIR DAY TO DAY.

I HAVE HEARD -- I MEAN, I HAVE HEARD OF STORIES ABOUT, YOU KNOW, APPLICATIONS FOR CHANGES, ADDITIONS OF BEDS OR CHANGES OF VENUE FOR HOSPITALS OR ACUTE CARE PLACES, YOU KNOW, THAT A HAVE BEEN DELAYED.

THIS PROCESS TAKES AWHILE.

INSPECTIONS ARE -- THEY NEED PEOPLE IN THE INSPECTIONS OFFICE.

THEY NEED PEOPLE IN A NUMBER OF SPOTS.

I AM NOW HEARING A LOT ABOUT REGULATIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN YEARS.

I HEARD ONE TODAY THAT WAS MORE THAN A DECADE INVOLVING BREAST MILK.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN DELAYED, NOT ENTIRELY BECAUSE OF STAFFING ISSUES, BUT PARTLY BECAUSE OF STAFFING ISSUES.

CRITICS WILL SAY THIS WHOLE MANTRA OF TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT AND LEAN AND DO MORE WITH LESS ONLY GOES SO FAR.

AT SOME POINT YOU CANNOT DO ENOUGH OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO FOR OPERATIONS.

AND THIS IS NOT TO SAY THEY'VE DROPPED ANY MAJOR BALLS.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS DONE -- I THINK YOU LOOK NATIONALLY, A PRETTY FANTASTIC JOB OF KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> WELL, YEAH.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT SAYING ABOUT THAT?

ARE THEY DEFENDING THEIR ABILITY TO DO THEIR JOB.

>> WELL, THEY ARE SAYING, FIRST OF ALL, THAT THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO HIRE A LOT OF PEOPLE THROUGH FEDERAL FUNDING.

THEY DO DEFEND THE WORK THEY DO, AS THEY SHOULD.

AND I THINK THE OTHER THING THEY ARE PUSHING BACK A LITTLE BIT IN SAYING SOME OF THESE LEADER PSHIP POSITIONS THAT WE MENTIONED IN THE STORY HAVE PEOPLE SERVING IN THAT CAPACITY.

THE ARGUMENT THAT WE'RE MAKING, EVEN WHEN YOU'RE DOWN SOMEONE, AND SOMEONE IS THE WORK OF THAT JOB, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE POSITION IS FILLED.

THERE'S STILL VACANCIES.

AND ACCORDING TO PEOPLE A WE'VE TALKED TO, THESE ADD UP.

AND SO THERE IS AN IMPACT.

>> SO WHAT'S THE REASON, THEN, FOR THE TURNOVER?

IS THIS JUST WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING IN OTHER SECTORS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, OR IS THERE A REAL INTERNAL PROBLEM THERE?

>> NOBODY IS SUGGEST ANY INTERNAL PROBLEM.

TO BE CLEAR, I THINK IT IS LARGELY -- SOME OF THESE ARE GAPS THAT HAVE REMAINED OVER TIME, RIGHT?

POLICIES PERSPECTIVE HAS DONE REPORTING ON THIS, AND THEY HAVE LOOKED AT LOSSES SINCE THE CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION, RIGHT WHEN THE GOVERNOR REALLY TRIED TO DOWNSIZE.

OTHERS POINT TO GOVERNOR CORZINE WHO ALSO WAS VERY KEEN ON DOING MORE THAN LESS, AND AS HE SAID, SOMETIMES WE DO LESS WITH LESS.

SO I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT HISTORY.

THERE IS ALSO THE REAL CHALLENGE OF TRYING TO HIRE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE'S TONS OF COMPETITION.

THESE PROFESSIONALS WHO DESERVE HIGH PAY, AND THE PUBLIC SECTOR IS SLOW AND PAYS LESS.

>> NOT EASY.

LILO STAINTON, THANKS SO MUCH, LILO.

YOU CAN READ LILO'S FULL STORY AT NEW JERSEY SPOTLIGHT.ORG.

>>> ONE OF THE HEALTH RISKS IS THE RISE IN DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND SUICIDE RATES AMONG ADOLESCENTS.

ADVOCATES SAY THE CRISIS WAS INTENSIFIED DURING THE PANDEMIC AND SYSTEMS WERE MONEY WILL HEL HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH CARRIER CLINIC.

ACCORDING TO BELIEVE I DON'T RECALL HEALTH LEADERS HE, KIDS AND TEENS ARE WAITING FIVE DAYS OR MORE IN HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS BEFORE THEY CAN ACCESS THE APPROPRIATE CARE.

THE MONEY WILL ADD TO A LARGER EXPANSION PROJECT BEING PLANNED FOR THE CARRIER CLINIC, ADDING UP TO 52 INPATIENT ROOMS FOR KIDS, TEENS, AND ADULTS, ALONG WITH MORE RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES.

>> THERE IS A GLOBAL CRISIS IN MENTAL HEALTH AND A BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS AMONG NEW JERSEY'S YOUNG PEOPLE.

IT'S A SAD FACT OF REALITY.

>> 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.

>>> NOW THAT SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION, ANTI-HUNGER ADVOCATES ARE RAMPING UP THE CALLS TO MAKE SURE NO CHILD IS LEFT WITHOUT A MEAL.

THEY ARE ANTICIPATING THE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WHO WILL GO HUNGRY AS A PANDEMIC-RELATED FREE SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM ENDS.

IN BERGENFIELD TODAY, CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOTTHEIMER CALLED ON CONGRESS TO GRANT A ONE-YEAR EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM THAT LAST YEAR PROVIDED MORE THAN 250 MILLION FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MEALS TO KIDS IN NEED.

IN NEW JERSEY JUST OVER 14% OF STUDENTS ARE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE AND QUALIFY FOR THE FREE MEALS PROGRAM.

BUT ACCORDING TO ADVOCATES, MANY GO WITHOUT, DUE TO STIGMA AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE HURDLES THAT COME WITH SIGNING UP FOR THE PROGRAM.

REPRESENTATIVE GOTTHEIMER SAYS MAKING THE PROGRAM UNIVERSAL TO ALL, REGARDLESS OF FAMILY INCOME, WOULD ELIMINATE BOTH THOSE ISSUES AND A ENSURE KIDS ARE GETTING THE NUTRITION THEY NEED.

>> TOO OFTEN CHILDREN HAVE TO GET THROUGH THEIR DAY IN SCHOOL WITHOUT THE FUEL THEY NEED.

YOU CAN'T PROPEL A ROCKET WITHOUT FUEL.

THE SAME GOES FOR A GROWING STUDENT.

THEY ARE ROCKETS, READY TO TAKE OFF FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE AND SUCCESSFUL CAREER.

BUT THEY WON'T REACH THEIR DREAMS WITHOUT THE FUEL THEY NEED EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> IT APPEARS EDUCATION FOR SKILLED TRADES IS MAKING A COMEBACK AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS REPORT THEY ARE SEEING AN UPTICK IN DEMAND.

IT'S AN APPEALING ALTERNATIVE TO THE FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE THAT'S LEFT TOO MANY SADDLED WITH BURDENSOME DEBT AND FEW OR LOW PAYING CAREER PROSPECT.

AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS, VO-TECH SCHOOLS MAY FINALLY BE SHEDDING THEIR STIGMA.

>> Reporter: DON'T BE FOOLED BY HER TRENDY BLACK BOOTS.

16-YEAR-OLD OMARIANI JONES COULD EASILY BE THE PERSON BUILDING YOUR NEXT HOME.

>> I GUESS LIKE THE STAIR WHY HE TYPE FOR GIRLS WHO LIKE THIS TYPE OF STUFF WOULD BE LIKE, YOU KNOW, TOM BOYISH, WHEN THERE ARE LIKE GIRLIE GIRLS WHO DO THIS TYPE OF STUFF.

>> Reporter: JONES IS ABOUT ONE OF 1200 STUDENTS THAT ATTENDS THE SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY.

JONES, WHO WANTS TO MAJOR IN ENGINEERING IN COLLEGE WHEN SHE GRADUATES, SAYS SHE KNEW THAT SAFING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION WOULD BETTER SERVE HER.

>> THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY I CAME HERE, TO UNDERSTAND HOW ALL OF THIS PLAYS INTO BUILDING A HOUSE, BECAUSE I WANT TO BUILD HOUSES, BASICALLY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THE OLD VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, THE OLD TRADE SCHOOLS, AND WE'RE FAR FROM THAT, BECAUSE WE DO OFFER A WHOLE HOST OF DIFFERENT AP COURSES.

WE HAVE AN HONORS PROGRAM.

WE HAVE VARIOUS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS THAT I WOULD GO UP AGAINST A COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL ANY DAY AS FAR AS OUR ACADEMICS.

>> Reporter: GIVEN THE RISE IN COLLEGE TUITION AT ALMOST ALL OF NEW JERSEY'S FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES, JACKIE BURKE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COUNCIL OF VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOLS SAYS TRADITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IS NO LONGER THE MOST DESIRABLE OPTION FOR STUDENTS.

SHE OVERSEES OVER 60 VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN NEW JERSEY THAT OFFER CAREER PROGRAMS RANGING ANYWHERE FROM CYBERSECURITY TO HEALTHCARE.

>> SO THEY ARE ABLE TO EARN, YOU KNOW, THE EXPERIENCE OF COLLEGE, THE CREDITS.

I MEAN, WE HAD, IN THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022, WE HAD 216 STUDENTS GRADUATE WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE BEFORE THEY GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

AND WE HAD 9500 STUDENTS EARN COLLEGE CREDIT.

CYBERSECURITY INDIVIDUALS WANT SOMEONE TO THINK LIKE A HACKER.

THEY DON'T NECESSARILY WANT SOMEONE WOULD WENT TO COLLEGE.

SO THERE ARE CAREERS THAT YOU CAN ENTER DIRECTLY INTO THAT PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS THINK ABOUT.

>> THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME OUT WITH A SKILL OR A TRADE, AND THEY CAN LEARN AND, AS WELL AS THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT, FOR EVERY STUDENT THAT IS HERE, THERE ARE FOUR STUDENTS THAT ARE TRYING TO GET IN HERE.

>> Reporter: AND STUDENTS I SPOKE WITH SAY IT'S THE SCHOOL'S UNIQUE HANDS-OBJECT ELEMENT THAT ALLOWS THEM THE PRACTICAL TRAINING THAT THEY WANT AND NEED TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING ONCE THEY GRADUATE.

>> WITH MY TEACHER, HE HELPS US UNDERSTAND IT IN A WAY SO THAT WE COULD MASTER THE CONTENT.

I COULD TALK ABOUT POLITICS, OTHER COULD TALK ABOUT THE LAW COMFORTABLY WITH MY FRIENDS WHO AREN'T IN LPS, AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THEY'RE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND IT.

>> Reporter: THIS STUDENT IS REFERRING TO HER TEACHER, CASEY BOYLE WHO PRACTICED CORPORATE LAW IN MANHATTAN FOR TEN YEARS.

>> WE ARE LEARNING BASIC ACADEMIC SKILLS AS WELL AS APPLYING THEM THROUGH ACTIVITY SUCH AS MOCK TRIALS AND MOOT COURTS SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO USE THE COURTROOM FURNITURE, AND STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO GET A FEEL FOR WHAT IT POIT BE LIKE.

>> WHETHER YOU WANT TO BE A PLUMBER OR A DOCTOR, INSTRUCTORS HERE STRESS THAT ATTENDING A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL IS A WAY TO PURSUE ALL CAREER OPTIONS AND CAN LEAD TO RECEIVING NOT ONLY COLLEGE CREDITS BUT A FULL-TIME JOB OR EVEN AN INTERNSHIP.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> SOME 10,000 POLICE OFFICERS WERE UNDER INVESTIGATION LAST YEAR FOR ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT OR OTHER VIOLATIONS.

THAT INFORMATION IS BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME IN STATE HISTORY THROUGH A NEW ONLINE DASHBOARD OPERATED BY THE OFFICE OF NEW JERSEY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL.

RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SEARCH ALL ALLEGATIONS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN AGAINST MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SEARCH THE ONLINE PORTAL BY POLICE DEPARTMENT, STATUS OF INVESTIGATION, AND DISCIPLINE TAKEN.

ONE THING YOU WON'T FIND, THOUGH, IS THE NAMES OF OFFICERS.

POLICE UNIONS FOUGHT TO KEEP THAT INFORMATION SHIELDED OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE NEW INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION DASHBOARD IS THE PRODUCT OF THE STATE'S EFFORT TO HEAL FRACTURED TRUST BETWEEN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE NATION AND NOW JOINS A USE OF FORCE DASHBOARD RELEASED LAST YEAR UNDER FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL GRAYWALL.

>>> YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE DASHBOARD AND SEE HOW TO DO YOUR OWN SEARCH BY CHECKING OUT TAYLOR JUNG'S REPORTING.

>>> GET READY TO PAY MORE FOR YOUR HEATING BILLS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE ON A BIG JUMP IN NATURAL GAS PRICES.

>>> PLUS, TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> HEY, RHONDA.

>> Reporter: BRIANA, YET ANOTHER HIGHER BILL FOR NEW JERSEYANS.

HEATING A HOME WITH NATURAL GAS WILL COST MORE THIS FALL AND WINTER AS THE STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES HAS APPROVED RATE INCREASES.

RESIDENTS WILL PAY, ON AVERAGE, ANYWHERE FROM $21 TO $31 MORE A MONTH, DEPENDING ON THE UTILITY.

HIGHER COMMODITY COSTS DUE TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE AMONG THE FACTORS THAT LED TO THE INCREASE, WHICH COMES AT A TIME WHEN MANY ARE STRUGGLING TO MANAGE HOUSEHOLD COSTS.

CLOSE TO A MILLION FALLING BEHIND IN UTILITY PAYMENTS.

BRIAN LIT MAN, DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF RATE COUNSEL IS ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE STATE.

>> PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE IN THE PAST MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR HELP NOW.

THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY, AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT, NEWER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE BECAUSE OF THE COVID AND THE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT WE'RE UTILIZING TO HELP THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY ARE IN NEED, AND FRANKLY MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE IN NEED AFTER THIS.

>> FOR MORE ON THIS STORY, CHECK OUT MY COLLEAGUE TOM JOHNSON'S REPORTING ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> PAYING PROPERTY TAX BILLS ALSO CHALLENGING FOR SOME RESIDENTS, SO THE STATE SURGING THOSE WAR ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO THE SENIOR FREEZE PROGRAM, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO GIVE SENIORS AND DISABLED NEW JERSEYANS A TAX BREAK.

UNDER THE PROGRAM, RESIDENTS RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE STATE TO OFFSET OR FREEZE PROPERTY TAX INCREASES.

IN RECENT YEARS, THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN EXPANDED, INCOME LIMITS HAVE BEEN RAISED, MAKING MORE PEOPLE HE WILL GIRL, EVEN THOSE WHAT DID NOT QUALIFY IN THE PAST.

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM THIS YEAR IS OKAY 31st.

>>> A SECAUCUS-BASED COMPANY HAS RECEIVED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FDA FOR ITS MONKEYPOX VACCINE.

QUEST DIAGNOSTICS SAYS THE AUTHORIZATION IS THE FIRST GRANTED TO A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE MONKEYPOX TEST IN THE U.S., THIS AS THE FDA ANNOUNCED STEPS TO FURTHER EXPAND ACCESS TO MONKEYPOX TESTING.

>>> NOW HERE'S A CHECK ON HOW THE STOCK MARKET FARED TODAY.

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

>>> MORE THAN 33 MILLION PEOPLE IN PAKISTAN HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY DEADLY FLOODS THERE.

AT LEAST A THIRD OF THE COUNTRY IS SAID TO BE UNDERWATER.

IT'S A DEVASTATING SITUATION FOR A LAND ALREADY IN PERIL.

THE FLOOD WATERS HAVE RIPPED AWAY MOUNTAIN SIDES AND WASHED AWAY BRIDGES, DID HE DESTROYED HOMES AND FARM LANDS, KILLING MORE THAN 1300 PEOPLE SINCE MID- JUNE.

MANY MORE NOW FACE THE RISK OF FOOD SHORTAGES.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS ON THE RELIEF EFFORTS FROM HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WATER IN THE STREETS.

THERE'S NO EFFECT OF DRAINAGE.

IF THE WATER CONTINUES TO STAY THERE, THERE WILL BE WATERBORNE DISEASES.

>> DR. JOFFREY IN DISBELIEF AT THE FLOODING IN HIS NATIVE PAKISTAN.

THE FLOODS LINKED TO A CATASTROPHIC MONSOON SEASON CLAIMING MORE THAN 1300 LIVES, AND LEAVING MANY TOWNS UNDERWATER, INCLUDING THE ONE WHERE DR. JOFFREY WAS BORN AND RAISED.

>> HONESTLY, I CANNOT GET OVER IT.

I LOVE MY HOME.

A LOT OF PLACES OF DISCUSSION, BEAUTIFUL GARDENS WITH MY COLLEAGUES HERE.

NOW MOST ARE GONE.

>> Reporter: DR. JOFFREY'S ORGANIZATION, THE ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIANS OF PAKISTANI DESCENT OF NORTH AMERICA, IS ONE OF THE GROUPS HERE IN NEW JERSEY WORKING TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AFFECT BY THE FLOODING.

>> WE HAVE RAISED MORE THAN $20,000, SENDING MANY BEDS DIRECTLY TO THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES, JUST TO FEED PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THIS DOCTOR LEFT PAKISTAN ALMOST 40 YEARS AGO AND SAYS BECAUSE OF THE WARM AND HUMID WEATHER, FLOODING ISN'T UNUSUAL.

>> BUT NEVER LIKE THIS BEFORE.

THIS IS WHAT SOMEBODY SAID MONSOON ON TESTOSTERONE.

IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH RAIN CAME IN JUST A FEW DAYS AND FLOODED THOSE RIVERS AND THOSE LOW LYING AREAS AT THE SAME TIME, AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS A GLACIER IN THE MOUNTAINS MELTING.

AND THE RIVERS WERE ALREADY FLOODING AND FULL.

THAT DID NOT HELP.

>> Reporter: THE DEVASTATION IN PAKISTAN ALSO BEING FELT ACROSS THE STATE.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, NEW JERSEY HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST PAKISTANI AMERICAN COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY WITH ROUGHLY 28,000 CALLING THE GARDEN STATE HOME, LIKE THIS ASSEMBLY WOMAN.

>> I THINK IT'S VERY SAD THAT PAKISTAN ISN'T REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT THAT WE'RE SEEING, AND YET THEY HAVE TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF IT -- OR THEY ARE BEARING THE BRUNT OF IT, WHERE AS PEOPLE A WHO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, HAVE MUCH OF A HIGHER CARBON FOOTPRINT, AND OUR INDUSTRY AS WELL HAS HAD MUCH BIGGER IMPACT.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW GROUPS SAY THEIR MAIN FOCUS IS GETTING PEOPLE IN PAKISTAN FOOD AND MEDICINE SINCE THERE'S SUCH A SHORT SUPPLY.

>> THEY NEED TO HAVE CLEAN WATER FOR DRINKING, AND THERE ARE LOTS OF CHILDREN THERE, TOO.

AND OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE PROVIDING CLEAN WATER BROUGHT BY TANKERS FROM NEARBY CITIES.

CITIES WHICH ARE NOT AFFECTED BY FLOOD.

>> Reporter: THE ORGANIZATION IS ACCEPTING MONETARY A DONATIONS THROUGH ITS WEBSITE TO HELP WITH RELIEF EFFORTS ON THE GROUND IN PAKISTAN.

PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS TO COLLECT OTHER NEEDED ITEMS LIKE CLOTHING AND HYGIENE PRODUCT IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS HAVE.

FOR NEW JERSEY SPOTLIGHT NEW, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GUARD PEN 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.

8.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

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

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT HE LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND 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 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.