>>> 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.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND A THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

I'M RON ROIN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> VICTIMS OF TROPICAL STORM IDA ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO RECOVER MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER THE STORM, AND MANY ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF FINANCIAL HELP.

EARLIER THIS WEEK GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED MORE AID IS COMING FOR RESIDENTS, AND LAST NIGHT THE STATE HELD ITS FIRST PUBLIC HEARING SEEKING INPUT ON HOW NEW JERSEY SHOULD SPEND MORE THAN $228 MILLION IN FEDERAL DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS.

EMOTIONS RAN HIGH AT THE MEETING WITH RESIDENTS SAYING THEY NEED HELP NOW.

THEY ARE FRUSTRATED THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY MONEY YET AND ARE FED UP WITH THE BUREAUCRACY.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN WAS IN MANNVILLE AT THE HEARING AND REPORTS THEY'LL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WAIT.

>> I'M BEGGING ON MY KNEES FOR HELP.

I DON'T HAVE A HOME ANYMORE.

I DON'T HAVE MY THINGS.

AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE A PERSON ANY MORE.

>> Reporter: IDA VICTIM KATHRYN SADDLER CRIED, TELLING HER STORY IN MANNVILLE HIGH SCHOOL'S CROWDED AUDITORIUM.

SHE LOST EVERYTHING, LIKE MANY OTHER STORM VICTIMS.

THERE'S A SPENDING PROPOSAL FOR $228 MILLION IN FEDERAL AID.

THAT MONEY IS SADDLER'S LAST HOPE AFTER FEMA DENIED HER APPLICATION.

>> IF THERE'S SOMEBODY HERE FROM FEMA -- I THOUGHT SO BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE.

I'M DISGUSTED WITH FEMA.

>> YOU GUYS NEED TO GET WITH THE PROGRAM.

YOU KNOW WHY?

BECAUSE EVERYBODY HERE IS SUFFERING, AND NOBODY IS GOING TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

BUT YOU HAVE TO GET US UP HERE TO SHARE OUR FRUSTRATIONS A YEAR LATER BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET WITH IT.

>> Reporter: STATE OFFICIALS CAUGHT IN THE ANGRY CROSSFIRE SET THIS UP TO GET SUGGESTIONS FOR SPENDING THAT $228 MILLION IDA ASSISTANCE BLOCK GRANT FROM HUD.

JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS WOULD ALLOCATE ALMOST 153 MILLION ON HOUSING AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE, 58 MILLION ON INFRASTRUCTURE, 6 MILLION ON PLANNING, AND MORE THAN 11 MILLION ON ADMINISTRATION.

HUD RULES DIRECT 70% OF AID TO LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES, AND 80% MUST GO TO THE SEVEN HARDEST HIT NEW JERSEY COUNTIES.

FIVE OTHER LESS IMPACTED COUNTIES GET THE REST.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO HEAR FROM THE FOLKS TONIGHT IS TO WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN TO MAKE MANNVILLE MORE STORM RESILIENT.

WHETHER IT'S MORE BUYOUTS OR ELEVATION.

WE DESERVE, I BELIEVE, A GOOD CHUNK OF THE MONEY.

>> AND THAT'S WHY YOU'RE HERE TONIGHT TO SAY, HEY, MY HOUSE HASN'T BEEN REBUILT, OR I DID GET SOME INSURANCE MONEY, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO REBUILD.

>> Reporter: THE PANEL APPOINTED PROGRAMS EACH WITH COMPLICATED RULES AND EXPLAINED THIS AID COVERS JUST 60% OF IDA DAMAGES.

THERE'S SOME OTHER MONEY AVAILABLE.

30 MILLION FOR ELEVATING HOMES ABOVE FLOOD LEVEL, 50 MILLION FOR BUYOUTS IN FLOOD-PRONE AREAS, BUT THE BUREAUCRACY AROUND OBTAINING IT CAN BE DAWNTDING.

>> I UNDERSTAND THERE'S RULES BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE AFFECTED.

WE JUST NEED THE HELP.

>> Reporter: THEY EXPLAIN THIS WOULD BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE THE STATE IS TWEAKING ELIGIBILITY RULES.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO SAY, I NEED MY HOUSE ACQUIRED, WHETHER IT'S FROM THE TRAUMA OR WHETHER IT'S FROM DISABILITY, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, I CAN'T ELEVATE, I DON'T WANT TO BE THERE.

SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR THE STATE TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY AND THEN POTENTIALLY REDEVELOP IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> Reporter: TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

STATE OFFICIALS MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THIS FUNDING WON'T COME QUICKLY.

DCA WILL SUBMIT THE PLAN AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER TO HUD BUT THEN THE FEDS GET ANOTHER 60 DAYS TO REVIEW IT.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE EARLY SPRING, BEST-CASE SCENARIO, WHEN PEOPLE HAVE MONEY IN THEIR HANDS.

>> WE'RE BEHOLDEN TO PROCESSES THAT REQUIRE TO US GET FEEDBACK.

>> Reporter: THE FEEDBACK WAS FEROCIOUS.

>> WHERE'S THE COMPASSION?

WHERE'S THE HUMANITY?

STOP BEING BUREAUCRATS!

GET OFF YOUR ASS AND DO YOUR JOB!

>> Reporter: AFTER FLOYD, IRENE, AND SANDY, AND WITH CLIMATE CHANGE DRIVING UP THE FREQUENCY OF CATASTROPHES, IDA VICTIMS WANT MONEY FOR REPAIRS NOW.

THEY WANT THE RED TAPE CUT.

>> I'M TIRED OF GOING THROUGH THE FLOODS, HAVING TO PICK UP, PUT IT TOGETHER, THEN THE NEXT FLOOD COMES, THEN YOU HAVE TO DO IT OVER AGAIN.

>> I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW HURT, HOW DISGUSTED I AM, AND I NEVER KNEW WHAT A DISASTER MEANT UNTIL NOW.

>> Reporter: THE STATE WILL HOLD ONE MORE HEARING IN NEWARK ON MONDAY BEFORE SUBMITTING ITS PROPOSAL TO HUD.

IN MANNVILLE, I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WELL, THE BEACH UMBRELLAS ARE PUT AWAY, THE LABOR DAY BARBECUES ARE OVER, AND NOW CAMPAIGN SEASON IS IN FULL SWING.

NEW JERSEY HAS A FEW KEY CONGRESSIONAL RACES WE ARE WATCHING.

AND THERE ARE LOTS OF IMPORTANT ISSUES TO DISCUSS.

CAMPAIGN ADDS ARE NOW STARTING TO CROP UP ALL OVER THE PLACE.

BUT WILL WE GET SUBSTANCE OR SOUND BITES?

NASTY OR NICE?

AND WHY IS ONE CANDIDATE WITH STRONG NAME RECOGNITION KEEPING SO QUIET?

FOR ANSWERS WE TURN TO SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

>> DEMOCRAT ANDY KIM HAS AN EXTREME BACK-TO-SCHOOL AGENDA, PUSHING RADICAL SEX ED CURRICULUM.

>> WHEN NEW JERSEY PROTECTED ROE V. WADE, TOM CANE JUNIOR VOTED NO.

>> HE FOLLOWED NANCY PELOSI.

>> Reporter: LABOR DAY IS DONE.

IT'S TIME FOR YOUR TELEVISION AND SOCIAL MEDIA STREAMS TO GET INUNDATED WITH A $LIKE THESE FOR CANDIDATES VYING FOR ELECTION, OR RE-ELECTION, IN THE MIDTERMS IN NOVEMBER.

AND WITH CONTROL OF CONGRESS AT STAKE, EXPECT MORE STRIDENT, MORE POINTED ADS ON NOT JUST PROPERTY TAXES.

JERSEY'S PERENNIAL GO-TO HOT BUTTON ISSUE.

>> NEGATIVITY IN CAMPAIGN ADDS COULD BE A STICKING POINT.

THEY CAN INFLUENCE VOTER DECISIONS.

ESPECIALLY WITH HOW NATIONALIZED ALL OF THESE RACES HAVE BECOME AS WE APPROACH THE MIDTERMS.

ADS ARE A PERFECT MEDIUM TO TOUCH UPON THESE VISCERAL SOCIAL ISSUES IN PARTICULAR THAT CANDIDATES WANT TO NAIL THEIR OPPONENTS TO.

>> Reporter: ABORTION, SEX ED, INFLATION.

IT'S THE OTHER GUY'S FAULT WE'RE IN THE MESS WE'RE IN.

IN THE HOTLY CONTESTED, SOMETIMES LEANING BLUE, SOMETIMES LEANING RED 7th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, THE TV AND DIGITAL ADS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE THE MAIN WAY VOTERS GET TO SEE WHAT THEIR CANDIDATES SOUND LIKE.

INCUMBENT TOM HAS BEEN UBIQUITOUS ON THE TV NEWS.

HIS OPPONENT, TOM CANE JUNIOR, NOT SO MUCH.

>> YOU CAN'T SPEAK FOR PEOPLE IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO SPEAK TO PEOPLE.

AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, HE SEEMS TO BE AFRAID TO ACTUALLY GO OUT AND TALK TO VOTERS WHO MIGHT DISAGREE WITH HIM, WHO MIGHT, GOD FORBID, ASK HIM A QUESTION THAT WELCOME BACK HAZARD FOR HIM TO ANSWER.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, HE HAS TURNED DOWN AT LEAST A HALF- DOZEN REQUESTS FOR INTERVIEWS OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS FROM THIS REPORTER AND SEVERAL OTHERS WE SPOKE TO.

HIS CAMPAIGN ISSUED A STATEMENT AFTER REJECTING OUR REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW FOR THIS STORY.

TOM CANE JUNIOR HAS DONE INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL NEWS OUTLETS ON EVERY POSSIBLE MEDIUM, INCLUDING ON CAMERA FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, IT SAYS.

HE IS CONSTANTLY MEETING PEOPLE AT PUBLIC EVENTS INCLUDING A FORUM HE HOSTED LAST NIGHT FOR CONCERNED PARENTS.

>> THIS IS SORT OF LIKE A FOUR- CORNER STALL IN BASKETBALL.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> Reporter: VETERAN POLITICAL COLUMNIST CHARLES STILE IS ONE OF SEVERAL REPORTERS WE SPOKE TO WHO SAY IT'S EASIER TO GET AN INTERVIEW WITH ALMOST ANY OTHER CANDIDATE, IN OR OUT OF THE RUNNING, THAN IT IS TO GET A MINUTE WITH TOM CANE JUNIOR.

>> THEY LOOK AT THE RESULTS LAST TIME.

THEY CAME WITHIN ONE PERCENTAGE POINT, 5,000 VOTES OF ALMOST WINNING.

BY AND LARGE, I MEAN, THAT WAS THE FORMULA THAT WORKED.

KEEP HIM OUT OF HARM'S WAY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: WHICH MOST ANY STRATEGIST, IF THEY ARE BEING HONEST, WILL TELL YOU MAKES A LOT OF SENSE, ESPECIALLY AS MORE AND MORE VOTERS ARE JUDGING CANDIDATES THROUGH UNFILTERED TV ADS RATHER THAN DEBATES WHERE THERE MAY BE A COUNTER POINT TO EVERY CLAIM.

>> IF THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE HEARING, IF THIS IS HOW THE AGENDA IS BEING SET, IF THIS IS WHAT'S FRAMING THE TOP ISSUES IN VOTERS' MINDS AND AGENDA SETTING, IT COULD VERY WELL INFLUENCE WHAT VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS FOR.

>> Reporter: SO STRAP IS IN AND KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON YOUR CANDIDATE'S TV ADS AND THAT OF THEIR OPPONENT'S, BECAUSE IT MAY BE AS CLOSE AS YOU GET TO MEETING SOME OF THE CANDIDATES WHO ARE CONTENT TO READ A SCRINT AN AD AS WAY TO PUT THEIR BEST FOOT FORWARD RATHER THAN ANSWERING DIRECT QUESTIONS AND RISK TRIPPING OVER THEMSELVES.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> AND HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO KEEP UP WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW HEADING INTO THE FALL ELECTIONS, INCLUDING WHETHER YOU'RE REGISTERED TO VOTE AND WHO IS RUNNING IN YOUR DISTRICT.

BY CLICKING ON THE TAB NEW JERSEY DECIDES 2022.

>>> JERSEY CITY RESIDENTS AGAIN CALLED FOR THE RESIGNATION OF COUNCILWOMAN AT LARGE AMY DeGISE FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT WHEN SHE HIT A CYCLIST AND KEPT DRIVING AND WAITED SIX HOURS TO ALERT THE POLICE.

ONLY A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE COUNCILWOMAN WHO DID NOT PUBLICLY RESPOND TO HER OPPONENTS.

LAURA, WHO LIVES IN JERSEY CITY, AMONG THOSE WHO WANT TO SEE DeGISE OUT OF OFFICE.

>> WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF NOT BEING HEARD BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT WILL SPEAK LOUDER THAN OUR VOTES.

THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN HUDSON COUNTY AND EVEN THE GOVERNOR HAVE MADE IT MORE THAN CLEAR THAT THEY DO NOT CARE.

THEIR ONLY CONCERN IS THEIR PERSONAL GAIN, AND THAT IS WHY SHE WILL NOT RESIGN.

IF OUR CURRENT ELECTED OFFICIALS WILL NOT LISTEN, WE HAVE TO VOTE THEM OUT.

WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND VOTE IN ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO WILL LISTEN, WHO ARE GOING TO WORK IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CON STITT WEAPONS THEY SERVE, AND NOT THEIR OWN PERSONAL GAIN.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY SIGNED A PACKAGE OF BILLS TO MAKE SURE NEW JERSEY SCHOOL CHILDREN DON'T GO HUNGRY.

THE LEGISLATION EXPANDS ACCESS TO FREE SCHOOL MEALS TO INCLUDE STUDENTS FROM WORKING CLASS AND MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES.

SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE BREAKFAST AND LUNCHES, POTENTIALLY SAVING A FAMILY OF FOUR ABOUT $1,000 A MONTH.

THE CHILDREN OF FAMILIES MAKING UP TO 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL ARE NOW ELIGIBLE.

WITH TODAY'S BILL SIGNING, MORE THAN 26,000 MORE NEW JERSEY CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO GET FREE MEALS.

>>> GOING BACK TO SCHOOL THIS YEAR IS POIGNANT FOR SOME NEW JERSEY STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT RETURN TO THE SCHOOLS THEY LOVE NEXT YEAR.

THEY ATTEND CHARTER SCHOOLS, AND THE NEW JERSEY CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION SAYS HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES ARE AFFECTED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S DECISION TO DENY REQUESTS MADE BY ABOUT A DOZEN CHARTER SCHOOLS WHICH WANTED TO EXPAND.

THE DOE CITED A NUMBER OF REASONS FOR THE DENIAL, INCLUDING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS CHARTER SCHOOL SUPPORTERS SAY THEY WILL FIGHT THE STATE'S DECISION.

>> GOING TO SCHOOL IS CHALLENGING.

THE TEACHERS PUSH YOU.

>> Reporter: ONE THIS STUDENT BELIEVES IS A MAJOR BENEFIT.

SHE IS DISAPPOINTED SHE AND HER FELLOW CLASSMATES MAY HAVE TO LEAVE ONCE THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDS.

>> SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE ALMOST FOR SIX, 7th, 8th, WE PLAN TO GRADUATE FROM HERE.

>> Reporter: ACHIEVERS ONE OF A DOZEN CHARTER SCHOOLS WHOSE REQUEST FOR EXPANSION WAS DENIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE STATE CITING VARIOUS REASONS FOR TURNING THEM DOWN.

A LETTER SENT TO ACHIEVERS UNFEBRUARY STATED THE SCHOOL DIDN'T MEET STATEWIDE PROFICIENCY RATES, BUT THE PRINCIPAL SAYS THE ASSESSMENT WAS BASED ON TEST RESULTS FROM THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR WHEN ACHIEVERS FIRST OPENED.

>> TYPICALLY IT TAKES TWO TO THREE YEARS FOR SCHOOLS TO REALLY SHOW THEMSELVES, RIGHT?

SO WE'VE HAD INTER HE VINGS PLACE, DIFFERENT THINGS IN PLACE TO GET OUR STUDENTS WHERE THEY NEEDED TO AND IT JUST TAKES TIME.

>> THERE IS A MORAL IMPERATIVE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: HARRY LEE IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NEW JERSEY CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION AND SAYS THE DOE'S DECISION IS DEVASTATING FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES.

>> THREE OUT OF FOUR FAMILIES WHAT ATTEND PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS COME FROM LOW-INCOME BACKGROUNDS.

WE ALSO HAVE 20,000 STUDENTS ON WAIT LISTS.

AND THESE DECISIONS ARE TOO CONSEQUENTIAL TO BE MADE IN THE MANNER WITH WHICH THEY WERE MADE.

OUR FAMILIES DESERVE BETTER.

>> Reporter: FAMILIES LIKE ANNA WHO HAS TWO SONS ATTENDING CHARTER SCHOOLS.

HER OLDEST WHO SHE SAYS WAS ONCE BULLIED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL AND HAS ADHD HAD TO FIND A NEW SCHOOL AFTER THE CHARTER HE WAS ATTENDING WAS DENIED A REQUEST TO EXPAND PAST THE EIGHTH GRADE.

HE IS AT ANOTHER CHARTER NOW, BUT IT IS FURTHER AWAY, PLACING THE SINGLE MOM IN A A DIFFICULT FINANCIAL POSITION.

>> I'VE GOT ANOTHER CAR.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS FOR A SINGLE MOM.

ANOTHER CAR PAYMENT.

ANOTHER INSURANCE.

BUT I GOT THE CAR SO I NEED TO DRIVE.

EVERY DAY I DRIVE ALMOST TWO HOURS BECAUSE I DROP HIM OFF IN THE MORNING, I LEAVE MY JOB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY, I PICK HIM UP, AND THEN -- I GO BACK AND FORTH LIKE FOUR TIMES.

>> Reporter: SO CHARTER STUDENTS WHO NEED TO FIND NEW SCHOOLS, THE DOE TELLS US THEY WILL WORK WITH FAMILIES TO FIND PROPER PLACEMENT.

DAICHED SIERRA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE EDUCATION LAW CENTER, WHICH PREVIOUSLY FILED LAWSUITS CHALLENGING NEW WORK'S CHARTER EXPANSION AGREES THIS IS A STEP FAMILIES CAN TAKE.

>> I THINK THE DEPARTMENT HAS DONE ITS JOB, AND THEY DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL, IF THEY THINK THAT THE DECISION WAS NOT BASED ON THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS PUT IN THE RECORD, THE INFORMATION THAT THEY PROVIDED, OR THAT THE DEPARTMENT GOT IT WRONG.

>> SENATOR PAUL WHO CHAIRS THE EDUCATION A COMMITTEE CALLING FOR THE DOE TO EXERCISE MORE TRANSPARENCY, SAYING THE STATUS QUO APPROACH IS NOT EFFECTIVE AND THEY SHOULD PUT TOGETHER A LONG-TERM PLAN.

>> IT SNATCHES AWAY OUR FUTURE, BASICALLY, BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE HERE.

THIS IS THE SCHOOL WE HAVE CHOSEN TO GRADUATE FROM, AND IT'S LIKE IT'S NOT FAIR AND IT'S NOT OKAY TO TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US.

>> Reporter: CHARTER SCHOOL ADVOCATES SAY THEY ARE WORKING TO APPEAL THE DENIALS AND WILL KEEP FIGHTING UNTIL THEIR CONCERNS ARE HEARD.

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

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY HAS EXPANDED ITS FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM, GIVING MORE STUDENTS A FREE RIDE.

STUDENTS WHOSE FAMILIES EARN $100,000 A YEAR OR LESS WILL LIKELY ATTEND THE SCHOOL FOR FREE AS THE UNIVERSITY WILL PAY FOR TUITION, ROOM, AND BOARD.

PREVIOUSLY, ONLY STUDENTS WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOMES WERE $65,000 OR LESS QUALIFIED FOR FULL FINANCIAL AID.

THE IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITY SAYS IT EXPECTS MORE THAN ONE QUARTER OF ITS UNDERGRADS WON'T PAY ANYTHING.

THE EXPANDED AID PROGRAM COMES AFTER PRINCETON RAISED TUITION BY 2.5%.

THAT'S LESS THAN THE AVERAGE 3% INCREASE AT OTHER NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS LIKE RUTGERS.

TUITION AND FEES AT PRINCETON WITHOUT AID EXCEED $57,000 A YEAR.

>>> NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED OUT THE WEEK.

>>> THE NEXT EPISODE IN OUR 21 DIGITAL FILM SERIES NOW ONLINE.

THE SERIES EXAMINES THE SIMPLE QUESTION OF DOES WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE STATE AFFECT HOW YOU LIVE.

21 PROFILES ONE PERSON IN EACH OF OUR 21 COUNTIES AND LOOKS AT THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS THAT AFFECT THAT PERSON'S LIFE.

THE LATEST FILM INTRODUCES US TO JAY FISCHER FROM SUSSEX COUNTY.

JAY KNOWS YOU CAN'T BEAT MOTHER NATURE, SEW FOCUSES ON THE SCIENCE BEHIND NATURALLY RECYCLING FOOD WASTE ITEMS AND DIVERTING THEM FROM LANDFILLS.

HE IS A PASSIONATE COMPOSTER.

ANCHOR BRIANA VANNOZZI CHATTED WITH HIM.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU FIRST HOW GROWING UP IN SUSSEX COUNTY INSPIRED YOU TO START THIS RECYCLING BUSINESS.

>> GROWING UP HERE IN SUSSEX COUNTY, YOU KNOW, I'M VERY FORTUNATE, AND AS I AVENUE GOTTEN OLDER I'VE LEARNED TO REALLY APPRECIATE GROWING UP HERE.

MY PARENTS MOVED OUT OF GLENDALE, QUEENS BEFORE I WAS EVEN BORN, SO I WAS VERY LUCKY TO GROW UP IN A LITTLE PLACE CALLED LAKE TRANQUILITY.

AND REALLY WAS THE PEOPLE AROUND ME, THE GUYS I GREW UP WITH -- I MEAN, SOME OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS I'VE KNOWN SINCE I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD, AND WE'RE STILL CLOSE FRIENDS AND STILL GET TOGETHER NOW.

ESTABLISHING ALL THOSE CONNECTIONS OVER THE YEARS, BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO IT.

AND THROUGH MY ENTREPRENEURIAL INTUITION AND STARTING ONE BUSINESS KIND OF LED INTO ANOTHER.

THE FAMILY SAWMILL BUSINESS LED US TO START AG CHOICE, AND IT WAS THROUGH MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE RENECTO AT THE SHOP RITE WHERE WE STARTED COLLECTING FOOD WASTE.

>> WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS TAKE THIS FOOD WASTE AND TURNING IT INTO A COMMODITY.

HAS THE GROOVE TEE OF JUST HOW IMPORTANT THIS, GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT, REALLY HIT YOU?

AND COMING FROM A RURAL AREA, WHERE YOU SEE A LOT OF THESE CHANGES FIRSTHAND.

>> FOR ME, I LOOK AT THE FOOD WASTE AND LIVESTOCK WASTE -- I TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THEM AS COMMODITIES AND POTENTIAL VALUE ADDED AS OPPOSED TO JUST WASTE PRODUCTS.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OVER THE LAST 18 YEARS, COLLECT, COMPOST FOOD WASTE AND PRODUCE AN AMAZING SOIL PRODUCT WITH NO NEGATIVE EFFECTS TO THE ENVIRONMENT, NO NEGATIVE EFFECTS TO OUR NEIGHBORS.

>> WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO FOLKS WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE A MARK IN THEIR COMMUNITY, LIKE YOU HAVE, BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S GOT TO HAPPEN KIND OF GENERICALLY.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO DO SOMETHING, AND YOUR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AND YOU'RE DOING IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS, AND YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT, YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.

THE BUSINESSES THAT I'VE SEEN FAIL, AND REGARDLESS OF THE FIELD, HAS ALL BEEN THE SAME RECIPE.

THEY WERE FOCUSED STRICTLY ON THE MONEY SIDE OF IT.

YOU KNOW, IT WASN'T A PASSION OF THEIRS.

THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT START BUSINESSES THAT ARE TRULY PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING -- AND I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A BARBER, POPPER SCOOPER BUSINESS, YOU KNOW, OR A COMPUTER ENGINEERING COMPANY.

IF THE LEADERS OF THOSE COMPANIES ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING, THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> JAY FISCHER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU CAN MEET JAY AND THE OTHER EXTRAORDINARY JERSEY RESIDENTS AT MYN.J.

PBS.ORG/2 1.

GAIN HARDWICK CHILDREN ARE ATTENDING A CAMP DESIGNED TO HELP COPE WITH LOSS.

THE COMFORT ZONE CAMP IS THE FIRST EVER NATIONAL BEREAVEMENT CAMP.

IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1999 AND WAS BROUGHT TO NEW JERSEY AFTER 9/11.

THESE CAMPERS FIND SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG THEIR PEERS AND COUNSELORS WHO ALSO KNOW THEIR PAIN.

THIS YEAR, AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, 9/11 FAMILIES ARE NOW COUNSELING THE CHILDREN WHO LOST LOVED ONES TO COVID-19.

>> I STARTED COMING TO COMFORT ZONE CAMP WHEN I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD AFTER MY DAD WAS KILLED IN THE WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACKS ON 9/11.

IT DEFINITELY WAS EVERYTHING THAT I NEEDED FOR MY GRIEF JOURNEY.

>> KATIE PEREIRA IS NOW A COUNSELOR AT COMFORT SCENE CAMP, FREE WEEKEND BEREAVEMENT CAMP.

>> GRIEVING KIDS DON'T LOOK LIKE ADULTS WHO ARE GRIEVING.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT ADULTS TEND TO MISS AND DISMISS THAT THE KIDS AREN'T GRIEVING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MIRROR THEIR OWN GRIEF.

BUT THEY DO GRIEVE.

THEY JUST GRIEVE IN SHORT BURSTS.

FOR INSTANCE, THEY MIGHT STILL BE ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL AND MAINTAIN ALL THEIR ACTIVITIES, BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN THEY FALL AND SKIN THEIR KNEE, THEY'RE CRYING, AND THEY'RE CRAWLING ALSO BECAUSE THEIR KNEE HURTS AND THEY MISS THEIR MOM WHO DIED.

>> Reporter: THE CAMP IS A PLACE TO GIVE KIDS PERMISSION TO BE OKAY WITH NOT BEING OKAY.

THERE ARE DEEPER MOMENTS OF CONNECTION MEETING IN GROUPS.

>> THE SAME GROUP MEETS FOUR TIMES OVER THE WEEKEND, AND MAYBE THEY HAVE NEVER TOLD THEIR STORY BEFORE.

THEY MIGHT TELL THEIR FAVORITE MEMORIES OF THEIR LOVED ONE AND PASS A PICTURE AROUND.

THEY WILL TALK ABOUT COPING SKILL, HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED AT HOME, AND ALSO TO ANTICIPATE THOSE UPCOMING DATES WITHOUT THEIR LOVED ONE.

>> Reporter: LYNN HUGHES LOST BOTH HER PARENTS AS A KID.

SHE LAWSMED COMFORT ZONE CAMP IN VIRGINIA AS A WAY TO FIND MEANING IN THAT LOSS.

THEN 9/11 HAPPENED, AND SHE BROUGHT THE CAMP TO NEW JERSEY.

>> AND WHAT WAS REALLY UNIQUE TO THE SEPTEMBER 11th KIDS IS THAT SO MUCH -- IT WAS HARD FOR THEM TO PERSONALIZE THEIR LOSS.

THEY FELT LIKE THEY WERE GRIEVING IN A FISHBOWL, AND IF REFERENCES CAME UP IN SCHOOL, ALL HEADS WOULD TURN AND LOOK AT THEM.

OUR COUNTRY WAS COLLECTIVELY MOURNING.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR'S CAMP IS HOSTING ANOTHER GROUP OF KIDS.

THOSE WHAT HAVE LOST FAMILY TO COVID.

ONLY THIS TIME, IT FEELS WORSE BECAUSE IT FEELS POLITICAL.

>> AS SOON AS THEY SAY IT'S COVID, PEOPLE START GIVING THEIR POLITICAL OPINIONS.

WERE THEY VACCINATED, WERE THEY NOT VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: LIKE THE ABBOTT FAMILY FROM ALABAMA WHO LOST THEIR DAD AND HUSBAND LAST SEPTEMBER TO COVID.

THEY CAME LOOKING FOR HEALING AFTER A HEARTBREAKING YEAR IN A COMMUNITY THAT DIDN'T QUITE KNOW HOW TO SUPPORT THEM, SAYING THINGS LIKE -- >> YOU JUST NEED TO LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, OR IT HAPPENED FOR A REASON.

NO, WE NEED TO BE SAD, AND WE NEED TO GRIEVE.

SO WE JUST ARE -- WE'RE LOOKING -- IN DESPERATION OF LOOK FOR WHATEVER HEALING WE CAN TO MOVE PAST -- NOT MOVE PAST MY HUSBAND.

I'LL NEVER MOVE PAST THAT BUT THE HOPELESS PES.

>> GRIEF IS ALREADY LONELY, BUT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY FOR YOU.

SO THAT'S MY GOAL, TO MAKE RELATIONSHIPS.

>> TO FORM A RELATIONSHIP WHERE THEY KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH, TO JUST LIKE GO THROUGH LIFE TOGETHER, JUST LIKE BEING THERE FOR EACH OTHER.

>> THE BIGGEST THING ABOUT I WANT TO COMMUNICATE TO GRIEVING CHILDREN IS THAT YOUR LOSS IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THERE.

YOU MAY HAVE EASY DAYS, YOU MAY HAVE HARD DAYS.

IT'S ALL ABOUT HOW YOU DECIDE TO LET YOUR LOSS BE IN YOUR LIFE.

I DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE MY ONLY IDENTIFIER.

I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO USE IT TO SHARE MY STORY TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE.

>> THAT SHIFT IS EXACTLY WHAT SANDY BRUNO ZAHN HER GIRLS AFTER COMING TO COMFORT ZONE CAMP.

>> SEEING THEM GROW HE FROM YEAR TO YEAR AND USING THOSE COPING SKILLS THAT THEY ARE LEARNING AT CAMP AND THROUGH DIFFERENT RESOURCES IS JUST THE BEST THING THAT I COULD HAVE EVER HOPED FOR.

>> Reporter: AND BORE THE ABBOTS THIS WEEKEND THEY'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO THEIR DAD IN A WAY THEY DIDN'T GET TO WHEN HE DIED.

>> WE HAVE A BONFIRE.

THE KIDS WRITE A NOTE TO THEIR LOVED ONE AND TALK ABOUT THE SMOKE CARRYING THAT MESSAGE.

>> Reporter: THE KIDS WILL ARRIVE LATER TONIGHT AND STAY THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON WHEN THEIR PARENTS WILL JOIN THEM FOR THAT SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO THEIR LOVED ONE.

IN HARDWICK, I'M JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FINALLY AS WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, HERE'S A LOOK AT WORKERS TESTING THE TRIBUTE IN LIGHT DISPLAY IN LOWER MANHATTAN AHEAD OF THE 21st ANNIVERSARY OF THINE 11.

OVER THE WEEKEND, COMMEMORATIONS WILL BE HELD AROUND NEW JERSEY TO MARK THE DAY MANY OF US WILL NEVER FORGET.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US THIS WEEK.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

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HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

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

AND NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

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MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.