>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJ INSURANCE GROUP.

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

AND BY THE PSU G FOUNDATION.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANNA BUT NOSY.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS OUT OF BROOKLYN.

WHERE A MANHUNT IS UNDERWAY WHERE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WERE SHOT AND INJURED IN A SUBWAY STATION SHOOTING DURING THIS MORNING'S COMMUTE.

SETTING OFF PANIC AND SHEER CHAOS.

NEW YORK CITY POLICE SAY A MAN WEARING A GAS MASK OPENED FIRE AND PUT A GAS CANISTER ON A MANHATTAN BOUND TRAIN AS IT PULLED INTO A STATION IN THE SUNSET PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.

ACCORDING TO THE NYPD COMMISSIONER, NONE OF THE VICTIMS HAVE LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

ALL ARE RECEIVING CARE.

AUTHORITIES ARE NOT TREATING THE INCIDENT AS AN ACT OF TERRORISM AT THIS TIME.

POLICE BELIEVE THEY HAVE RECOVERED THE SUSPECT GUN AND BAG AT THE SCENE.

TONIGHT THE PORT AUTHORITY IS ELEVATING SECURITY AT ALL FACILITIES, INCLUDING COUNTERTERRORISM TEAMS AND CANINE PATROL UNITS.

ALYSSA COOPER IS ON THE GROUND IN SUNSET PARK FOLLOWING THE DEVELOPMENTS AS THEY UNFOLD.

MELISSA?

>> Reporter: JUST BEFORE 8:24 THIS MORNING, SMOKE WAS REPORTED ON A NORTHBOUND BROOKLYN TRAIN PULLING INTO THE 36th STREET STATION.

WITHIN MOMENTS MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS RANG OUT ABOARD THE CROWDED SUBWAY WITH PEOPLE ON THEIR MORNING COMMUTE.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO TREAT 16 PATIENTS.

10 OF THOSE PATIENTS ARE SUFFERING FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS AT THIS TIME.

FIVE OF THEM ARE IN CRITICAL STABLE CONDITION IN OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS.

>> Reporter: LAUREN GUERRERO WAS EVACUATED FROM THE STATION PLATFORM.

SHE DESCRIBED TO ME THE CHAOS ERUPTED.

>> I DID SEE THEM.

THEY WERE TRYING TO FIND SOMEBODY TO HELP TREAT INJURED PEOPLE.

THEY WERE, YOU KNOW, BRINGING PEOPLE OUT TO THE MEDICAL VANS.

THE FIRST THING THAT WENT THROUGH MY MIND WAS I WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE SUBWAY.

I COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS WRONG.

I DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO BE TRAPPED ON A TRAIN OR UNDERGROUND.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THIS WAS A VIOLENT INCIDENT, REPORTEDLY WE HAVE NO ONE WITH LIFE- THREATENING INJURIES.

REPORTS WERE THE IDENTIFIED SUBJECT PUT ON EIGHT GAS MASK PRIOR TO THE SMOKE DETONATION BUT ESCAPES DURING THE FRENZY.

>> HE IS BEING REPORTED AS A MALE, BLACK, APPROXIMATELY FIVE FOOT FIVE WITH A HEAVY BUILD.

HE WAS WEARING A GREEN CONSTRUCTION VEST AND A HOODED SWEATSHIRT.

THE COLOR IS GRAY.

>> Reporter: ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT THE SHOOTING, INCLUDING A POSSIBLE MOTIVE, ARE STILL UNKNOWN.

AUTHORITIES ASK THE PUBLIC BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE SUSPECT WHO REMAINS AT LARGE.

>> THIS INDIVIDUAL IS STILL ON THE LOOSE.

THIS PERSON IS DANGEROUS.

WE ARE ASKING INDIVIDUALS TO BE VERY ALERT.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION AND ARE MAINTAINING A HIGH POLICE PRESENCE IN ALL JERSEY CITY PASSES PATIENCE.

IN A STATEMENT, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID WE ARE PRAYING FOR THE VICTIMS AND THOSE IMPACTED BY THIS MORNING'S HORRIFIC SHOOTING IN BROOKLYN.

POLICE HAVE NOW OPENED THE STREETS IN BROOKLYN, BUT CONTINUE TO BE IN AND OUT OF THE SUBWAY STATION AS THEY CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR THAT SUSPECT AND LOOK FOR A POSSIBLE MOTIVE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER IN SUNSET PARK.

>>> IN OCEAN COUNTY, OFFICIALS ARE PRESSING FEDERAL AUTHORITIES TO INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE HATE CRIMES AFTER A MAN WAS ARRESTED FOR CARJACKING A DRIVER, HITTING TWO PEDESTRIANS, IN STABBING A CIVILIAN.

ALL WITHIN A SEVEN HOUR TIMEFRAME IN THE JACKSON AND LAKEWOOD COMMUNITIES.

AN AREA LARGELY POPULATED BY ORTHODOX JEWISH PEOPLE.

THE INSTANT EVENT IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY MULTIPLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, BUT NEIGHBORS IN THE AREAS OF THEIR LIVING IN FEAR.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES EXPLORING HATE ON ANTI-SEMITISM, RACISM, AND EXTREMISM.

>> THERE TRAUMATIZED.

THERE TRAUMATIZED.

>> Reporter: WHILE VICTIMS FAMILIES INTO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY HAVE EMBRACED EACH OTHER WITH SUPPORT, THEY ARE STILL STRUGGLING WITH THE TERROR AND TRAUMA INFLICTED FRIDAY.

AFTER VICIOUS ATTACKS APPARENTLY DIRECTED AGAINST JEWS A 27-YEAR-OLD DIONNE MARSH OF MANCHESTER.

>> FOR ALL TECHNICAL PURPOSES, THIS GUY WAS OUT TO MURDER JEWS.

NOTHING LESS .

THAT WAS HIS INTENT.

THE FACT THAT THESE PEOPLE SURVIVED WAS A MIRACLE.

>> Reporter: MARSH REMAINS IN CUSTODY FOR ALLEGEDLY CARJACKING VEHICLE, RUNNING OVER TWO PEDESTRIANS, AND STABBING A THIRD MAN IN THE CHEST IN LAKEWOOD AND JACKSON.

HE SAYS ONE VICTIMS KIDS SAW THE ATTACK.

>> THEY ARE TERRIFIED TO GO OUTSIDE.

THEY SAW IT.

THEY WITNESSED IT.

>> THIS WAS THE BUSIEST TIME OF THE WEEK RIGHT BEFORE THE SHABBOS CAME IN.

CHILDREN ARE GOING TO SCHOOL, CHILDREN ARE HELPING OUT AT HOME.

SO MANY PEOPLE WITNESSED DIFFERENT PARTS OF IT, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: RABBI SCHOOLEY FREED HEADS A KIDS CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM COUNSELING FAMILIES.

HE SAYS THE COMMUNITY IS RESILIENT AND IS COPING, BUT THE CHILDREN ARE PARTICULARLY HARD HIT.

>> KIDS WERE EATING THEIR MEALS ALL OVER LAKEWOOD ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND HEARD CHOPPERS HOVERING OVERHEAD.

THERE WAS LIKE A DIRECT IMPACT ON EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: IS ADVISING PARENTS TO LISTEN TO THEIR CHILDREN'S FEARS AND REASSURE THEM THAT THEY ARE SAFE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND THAT THE ALLEGED SUSPECT HAS BEEN ARRESTED.

COMMUNITY LEADERS CONTINUE TO GRAPPLE WITH THIS LATEST OUTBURST OF BIAS HATRED.

RABBI DAVID LEAVY SAYS, LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED MARSH EXPRESSED THAT CLEARLY.

>> IT SEEMS, AT LEAST FROM THE EARLY REPORTS, THAT IT WAS A ACTIVE HATE.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF HATE CRIMES AGAINST FAITH COMMUNITIES ARE AGAINST JEWS.

WE ARE 2% OF THE POPULATION, AND IN THE LAST REPORT, 55% OF FAITH-BASED HATE CRIMES WERE AGAINST THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: SCOTT RICHMOND WITH THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE, HE SAYS NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY LED THE NATION IN THE NUMBER OF BIAS CRIMES REPORTED LAST YEAR.

AND THAT NEW JERSEY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORTED A 29% SPIKE IN HATE CRIMES.

EXPERTS BLAME DEEP POLITICAL DIVISIONS THAT HAVE INFLAMED LONG SEATED PREJUDICES.

>> SOCIAL MEDIA IS MOST ASSUREDLY A BIG DRIVER OF HATE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BECOME A PLATFORM FOR PEOPLE TO GET OUT THEIR HATEFUL VIEWS.

>> PEOPLE PUT UP A FACEBOOK PAGE.

THEY WILL WRITE SOMETHING TO ELICIT COMMENTS.

SOME OF THEM ARE JUST HORRIBLE.

>> Reporter: MAYOR MICHAEL REYNA SAYS JACKSON OFFICIALS WILL TRY TO SET UP A COMMUNITY MEETING SO PEOPLE CAN GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER BETTER, AND DEBUNK THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES THAT MOTIVATE HATE CRIMES.

BUT HE SAYS, PEOPLE ARE TWO POLARIZED.

>> THEY JUST NEED SOMETHING TO SPARK.

RIGHT NOW IT IS A BAD TIME FOR THIS TYPE OF UNREST.

FOR THIS TIME OF HATRED.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH MET WITH ONE VICTIMS FAMILY.

HE IS CALLING ON THE FBI TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER THIS WAS A FEDERAL HATE CRIME.

>> MY HOPE IS THAT BY BEING VERY AGGRESSIVE, LAW ENFORCEMENT , THE FBI, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAN ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO COPYCATS.

THAT THERE IS SURE AND SWIFT JUSTICE.

>> Reporter: MARSHALL IS SCHEDULED FOR A DETENTION HEARING TOMORROW, APRIL 13th.

I AM BRENDA FRANKLIN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> UKRAINIANS ARE BRACING FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER IN RUSSIA'S BLOODY WAR.

NOW IN ITS SEVENTH WEEK.

MILITARY OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING AN ONSLAUGHT OF RUSSIAN TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT POURING INTO UKRAINE'S EASTERN REGION.

AS THE U.S., BRITAIN, AND AUSTRALIA INVESTIGATE AN UNVERIFIED REPORT OF POSSIBLE CHEMICAL WEAPONS USED DURING ATTACKS IN MARIUPOL.

A MEETING IN POLARIS, TODAY.

A DEFIANT RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN DIDN'T MINCE WORDS AND MAKE CLEAR THE CONFLICT IS FAR FROM OVER.

SAYING PEACE TALKS WITH UKRAINE REACHED A DEAD END.

PUTIN WENT ON TO DISCLAIM -- PUTIN ALSO MET, THIS WEEK, WITH AUSTRIA'S CHANCELLOR.

THE FIRST WESTERN LEADER TO SPEAK IN PERSON WITH THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, WHO SAID HE LEFT THE TALKS FEARING PUTIN WILL DRASTICALLY ESCALATE THE BRUTALITY OF THIS WAR.

THE U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, LINDA THOMAS GREENFIELD, SPOKE WITH STUDENTS AT SETON HALL'S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

SHE SAID SHE IS NOT YET GIVING UP ON DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN BUILDING OVER TIME.

WHILE DIPLOMACY HAS NOT YET WORKED, I AM STILL A DIPLOMAT AT HEART.

YOU NEVER, EVER GIVE UP ON DIPLOMACY.

YOU MAY HAVE TO BRING OTHER TOOLS IN, WHICH WE HAVE.

WE HAVE BROUGHT SANCTIONS IN, WE ARE RATCHETING UP THE PRESSURE ON THE RUSSIANS.

BUT DIPLOMACY IS STILL AVAILABLE.

TO FIND AN END TO THIS WAR.

STRUCK BY THIS TIME NEXT MONTH HE WILL LIKELY BE ABLE TO PURCHASE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA LEGALLY, FOR ADULT USE.

THAT IS RIGHT.

A MAJOR STEP FOR NEW JERSEY'S WEED INDUSTRY NOW THAT THE STATES CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION APPROVED SEVEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA OPERATORS TO EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS FOR RECREATIONAL SALES AT 13 DISPENSARY LOCATIONS.

THIS MOVE WAS 17 MONTHS IN THE MAKING.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IF TIME IS INDEED A FLAT CIRCLE, YOU HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN WAITING ALMOST THREE YEARS FOR NEW JERSEY TO GET AN ADULT USE CANNABIS INDUSTRY UP AND RUNNING.

IF YOU DON'T SUBSCRIBE TO THAT MIND-SET, THEN YEAH.

IT HAS BEEN ALMOST THREE YEARS.

IF YOU ATTENDED YESTERDAY'S SPECIAL VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION, YOU GOT THE FEELING THAT THE TIME MAY ACTUALLY BE NIGH.

JAMES LEVANT IS IS AN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AT ONE OF THE SEVEN ALTERNATE TREATMENT CENTERS, OR ATC'S, THAT GOT APPROVALS TO ENTER THE MARKET PLACE YESTERDAY.

>> THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN US A DATE CERTAIN.

BUT I DO THINK IT IS GOING TO BE AROUND THE TIME OF 420.

I DON'T THINK WERE GOING TO LAUNCH ON 420, BUT NEXT WEEK IS MY BEST GUESS.

>> Reporter: HE WAS ONE OF THE ATC'S THAT HAD TO GIVE A PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD YESTERDAY, REALLY FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT.

MUCH OF THE REQUIREMENTS ON SEPARATE PARKING, ACCESS FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS CLIENTS, SECURITY, AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR MONTHS.

>> WE WERE AWARDED OUR PROFESSIONAL LICENSE IN 2018.

WE OPENED OUR CULTIVATION CENTER IN FEBRUARY OF 2020.

FOR THE LAST TWO, THREE, FOUR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN PLANNING FOR THIS SINCE THAT TIME.

>> Reporter: THE CRC, CELEBRATING ITS ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, HAS HAD A BUMPY RIDE.

FROM THE MAKEUP OF THE BOARD TO THE STOP AND START NATURE OF THE ROLLOUT, IT HAS BEEN A LIGHTNING ROD FOR CRITICISM.

NOT LEAST OF WHICH CAME FROM SENATE PRESIDENT NIX KOTHARI, WHO SAID HE WOULD HOLD HEARINGS ON THE MATTER.

AFTER YESTERDAY'S MEETING, HE SAID HIS MIND HAD NOT CHANGED.

I WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT HEARINGS SO WE CAN GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE DELAYS, THE UNCERTAINTIES, AND ANY OBSTACLES THAT HINDER THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CANNABIS LAW, HE SAID.

IT IS THAT KIND OF POLITICAL PRESSURE THAT PROMPTED YESTERDAY'S SPECIAL CRC MEETING.

THE SAME KIND OF POLITICAL PRESSURE THAT WILL BEGIN A STRUCTURAL DISADVANTAGE FOR SMALLER BLACK AND BROWN OWNED CANNABIS AND PRESSURE PRIZES WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF THE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY PIECE OF THIS LEGALIZATION.

>> YOU ARE LITERALLY HOLDING BACK THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MOST IMPACTED.

FORCING THEM TO WAIT SO THAT THE VERY FOLKS WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BENEFITING THE MOST CAN GET EVEN MORE OF AN ADVANTAGE.

IT IS LITERALLY THE DEFINITION OF DISADVANTAGE.

>> Reporter: THE TRUTH IS THAT THE 34 COMMERCIAL LICENSES ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY, THAT'S ABOUT 100 ISSUED NOW FROM OVER 700 APPLICANTS, THOSE LICENSES WILL PROBABLY NEED A YEAR TO GET RAMPED UP.

THAT IS A PRETTY GOOD HEAD START FOR THE MULTISTATE OPERATORS.

BILL CARUSO HAS BEEN AN INDUSTRY BOOSTER FOR YEARS NOW.

HE SAYS THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BIG FISH IN ANY MARKETPLACE.

LOOK BEYOND YESTERDAY'S MEETING , HE URGES.

>> NEW OPERATORS COMING INTO THIS SPACE.

SMALLER, MINORITY OWNED, LEGACY MARKET FOLKS.

JERSEY FLAVOR.

THIS IS THE CRAFT CANNABIS EXPERIMENT THAT JERSEY IS GOING TO RAISE.

THIS IS THE CRAFT CANNABIS INDUSTRY THAT WE SEE SPRINGING UP AMONG OUR CANNABIS ENTREPRENEURS.

JERSEY HAS CREATED A HOME FOR THIS.

DAVID, IT IS ALL HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: FOR A SELECT GROUP, TO BE SURE.

IF THIS INDUSTRY DOES LAUNCH NEXT WEEK, OR MAYBE ON 420, IT WILL BE WELL RECEIVED BY CANNABIS FANS AND THE STATE.

BUT THOSE LOOKING FOR A WAY INTO THE INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW ARE FINDING THE DOOR NOT LOCKED, BUT CERTAINLY CLOSED FOR NOW.

I AM DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MEDICAL EXPERTS ARE WARNING THAT IT IS TOO SOON TO SAY IF THE RECENT UPTICK OF CORONAVIRUS CASES IN THE NORTHEAST IS THE START OF A NEW SURGE.

INFECTIONS ARE ON THE RISE IN THE REGION, INCLUDING HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

NEARLY 1500 NEW CASES, AND SEVEN MORE DEATHS, ARE BEING REPORTED STATEWIDE.

THE BA.2 VARIANT ACCOUNTING FOR MORE THAN 80% OF POSITIVE TEST SAMPLED DURING THE LAST FULL WEEK OF MARCH.

IN THE MEANTIME, IN PHILADELPHIA, OFFICIALS ARE REINSTATING THE INDOOR MASK MANDATE.

BECOMING THE FIRST MAJOR U.S. CITY TO DO SO.

THE WHITE HOUSE IS ALSO REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE FEDERAL MASK MANDATE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

INCLUDING PLANES, TRAINS, BUSES, AIRPORTS, AND OTHER TRANSIT HUBS WHICH EXPIRES MONDAY.

DON'T PANIC, THOUGH, SAYS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S NEW COVID-19 RESPONSE COORDINATOR.

HOSPITALIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY SPREAD RATES BOTH REMAIN LOW, AND IT IS NOT A MOMENT TO BE EXCESSIVELY CONCERNED.

MEANWHILE, THE PANDEMICS EFFECT ON LEARNING LOSS WAS FRONT AND CENTER DURING MONDAY'S BUDGET HEARINGS AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S ACTING EDUCATION COMMISSIONER GOT AN EAR FULL FROM LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, CRITICIZING THE ADMINISTRATION FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THE DEFICIT CAUSED BY SCHOOL CLOSURES AND REMOTE LEARNING.

NOT TO MENTION THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN SCHOOLS.

EDUCATION WRITER JOHN MOONEY REPORTS THOSE TOPICS JUST SCRATCH THE SURFACE DURING THE FOUR HOUR-LONG HEARING.

JOHN JOINS US NOW.

JOHN, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF FINGER-POINTING GOING ON.

THE BUDGET CHAIR SAYING THE URGENCY IS NOW FOR THESE KIDS.

WHO IS TO BLAME?

>> Reporter: I THINK IT IS HARD TO SAY THERE IS ANYONE TO BLAME.

THIS HAS CLEARLY BEEN A, YOU KNOW, EXTRAORDINARY TIME.

NO DOUBT THERE HAS BEEN DISRUPTION FOR MANY KIDS EDUCATION.

CERTAINLY, I THINK THE MAIN POINT OF THE LEGISLATURE YESTERDAY WAS FOCUSING ON WHETHER THE STATE HAD DONE ENOUGH IN TERMS OF ITS OWN FUNDING, IN TERMS OF ITS GUIDANCE.

IT IS A TRICKY ONE, BECAUSE DISTRICTS ALSO DON'T WANT TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO.

THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, OR AT LEAST EARMARKED FOR IT.

WHETHER ALL OF THEM HAVE STARTED OR NOT, SUMMER SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR OBVIOUSLY HAVEN'T.

HOW YOU SPEND IT IS GOING TO BE A BIG QUESTION.

WHETHER THE STATE IS BEING AGGRESSIVE ENOUGH, WHETHER THEY ARE EVEN COMMUNICATING ENOUGH.

I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS.

THE STATE HASN'T REALLY BEEN OUT FRONT WITH DISTRICT ABOUT WHAT IT WANTS THEM TO DO.

IT IS A TOUGH ONE.

NO DOUBT THE ACTING COMMISSIONER WAS IN A TOUGH SPOT TRYING TO FEND OFF A BUNCH OF THESE ISSUES.

>> PART OF THAT PROBLEM LIED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION SAYING THEY WANT TO GIVE AUTONOMY TO THESE DISTRICTS IN THESE SITUATIONS.

BUT RIGHT, THERE WAS NO GUIDEBOOK, SO TO SPEAK.

I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT FUNDING PORTION.

YOU WRITE THAT THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA DID NOT COME UP.

YET THE PRICE TAG COSTS FOR CONSTRUCTION, THE NEED MORE FOR MORE SEATS, THAT DID.

>> Reporter: SCHOOL FUNDING IS ALWAYS A HOT ISSUE.

THERE IS DISTRICTS WHO LOST CONSIDERABLE AMOUNTS THIS YEAR.

AS WELL AS THE MAJORITY OF DISTRICT WHO GAINED.

I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE MORE OF A BACK-AND-FORTH.

BUT REALLY, I THINK THEY ARE SOMEWHAT RESIGNED TO THE PATH THEY ARE ON RIGHT NOW.

IT WASN'T AS HOT AN ISSUE.

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IS A HUGE ISSUE IN THIS STATE.

WE HAVE MANY DISTRICTS, RICH AND POOR FOR THAT MATTER, THAT HAVE SOME BUILDINGS THAT NEED SOME WORK.

THE STATE IS GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP, YOU KNOW, WITH SOME CONSIDERABLE FUNDS.

YESTERDAY THEY TOSSED AROUND 6 BILLION.

THAT IS JUST FOR THE DISTRICTS UNDER THE BURKE LITIGATION.

IT IS GOING TO BE A BIG PRICE TAG.

IT IS SOMETHING THE STATE IS GOING TO HAVE TO FACE, YOU KNOW, SOONER THAN LATER.

>> THIS IS JUST THE START FOR SURE.

JOHN MOONEY, THANKS FOR HOPPING ON TODAY.

>>> YOU'RE NOT ALONE WITH THAT STICKER SHOCK.

THE LATEST DATA FROM THE LABOR DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS PRICES ARE AT A 40 YEAR HIGH.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS, AND TODAY'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> Reporter: THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, OR CPI, FROM MARCH SHOWS CONSUMER PRICES RACED 8 1/2% FROM A YEAR AGO.

AS COST FOR ESSENTIALS CONTINUE TO RISE.

IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, GASOLINE PRICES ROSE 48%.

FOOD COST INCREASED 8.8%.

THE COST FOR SHELTER UP 5%.

MEDICAL CARE SERVICES ROSE NEARLY 3%.

MEANTIME, THERE WERE DOUBLE- DIGIT PRICE INCREASES FOR BOTH NEW AND USED CARS.

VICES HAVE BEEN RISING DUE TO STRONG CONSUMER DEMAND, AND SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGES MADE WORSE BY RUSSIA'S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE.

THE U.S. FEDERAL RESERVE IS EXPLAINED IN SEVERAL INTEREST RATE HIKES THIS YEAR TO TRY TO COOL INFLATION.

SURGING INFLATION HAS NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS TALKING ABOUT WHETHER TO PROVIDE COST OF LIVING INCREASES TO PENSION PAYMENTS MADE TO RETIRED GOVERNMENT WORKERS.

SOMETHING THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED IN A DECADE.

AS BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITERS REPORT, MAKING THOSE ADJUSTMENTS WOULD COST THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MORE THAN 3 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS IN TOTAL.

IT IS A TOUGH ISSUE FOR STATE LAWMAKERS.

>> THEY HAVE TO CONSIDER RETIREES WHO HAVE ALREADY GONE A DECADE WITH NO ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS AS WE'VE SEEN INFLATION RISE OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, THINKING ABOUT THE BLOW TO TAXPAYERS.

WHETHER THAT IS AT THE STATE LEVEL THROUGH THE BUDGET, OR AT THE LOCAL LEVEL THROUGH PROPERTY TAXES.

IT IS A REAL DIFFICULT ISSUE AND BALANCING ACT THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE TO CONSIDER.

>> YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THIS ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

RISING INFLATION IS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC FOR THOSE HURT EARN LESS THAN OTHERS.

THIS IS THE SITUATION FOR BLACK AMERICANS.

THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, TODAY, RELEASED ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF BLACK AMERICA WHICH SHOWS INEQUALITY WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCIAL WELL- BEING.

THE REPORT FINDS THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR BLACK PEOPLE IS JUST BELOW $44,000.

THAT IS 37% LESS THEN THE MEDIAN INCOME OF WHITE PEOPLE, WHICH IS NEARLY $70,000.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

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

>>> FINALLY, TONIGHT, GIVING THE GIFT OF LIFE EVEN IN DEATH.

APRIL IS DONATE LIFE MONTH.

IT TIME TO ENCOURAGE ORGAN DONOR REGISTRATION AND REMEMBER THOSE WHO DIED WAITING FOR A TRANSPLANT.

NEARLY 4000 RESIDENTS IN NEW JERSEY ARE IN NEED OF A HEALTHY ORGAN, AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS, IT CAN TAKE YEARS TO FIND A MATCH.

>> I WAS IN FULL KIDNEY FAILURE.

MY DONOR, IT IS MY BROTHER-IN- LAW.

YOU KNOW, I REALLY -- IT IS MY SAVIOR.

>> Reporter: HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW MARK LOCATED A KIDNEY AFTER DISCOVERING HE WAS A MATCH.

HE FOUND OUT HE HAD KIDNEY FAILURE AND APRIL 2021, WHEN HE WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL.

>> WE DON'T KNOW HOW MY KIDNEY FAILED.

BECAUSE WHEN I FIND OUT, DR. TOLD ME THAT I WAS CLOSER -- >> Reporter: BUT HE DID MAKE IT THANKS TO ORGAN DONATION.

IN AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE MORE ORGAN DONATION, DONATE LIFE MONTH IS CELEBRATED EVERY APRIL.

ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY SHARING NETWORK, ONE ORGAN OR TISSUE DONOR CAN SAVE LIVES AND ENHANCE THE LIVES OF OVER 75 OTHERS.

>> 4000 PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR LIFE-SAVING TRANSPLANT, HERE, IN NEW JERSEY.

100,000 PEOPLE NATIONWIDE.

LAST YEAR, FOR THE NEW JERSEY SHARING NETWORK, WE REACHED AN ALL-TIME HIGH WITH 233 GENERATION ORGAN AND TISSUE DONORS.

599 ORGANS WERE TRANSPLANTED FROM NEW JERSEY.

>> A LOT OF PATIENTS DON'T DO VERY WELL WITH DIALYSIS, AND CERTAINLY A LOT OF PATIENTS WILL ESSENTIALLY DIE WHILE WAITING ON THE WAITING LIST.

FOR A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT, AND CERTAINLY FOR HEART, LUNG, LIVER TRANSPLANT AS WELL.

THAT IS WHY DONATE LIFE MONTH IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SURGEON AT COOPER BARNABAS MEDICAL CENTER.

HE HAS PERFORMED NEARLY 4000 TRANSPLANTS HERE.

>> WE WILL DO ABOUT 200 DECEASED DONOR TRANSPLANTS IN A GIVEN YEAR.

WHAT WE TELL PATIENTS, IS THAT WAITING TIME FOR A DECEASED DONOR KIDNEY IN NEW JERSEY IS ABOUT 5 TO 7 YEARS.

>> Reporter: HERE AT THE MEDICAL CENTER, THEY ARE CURRENTLY 1500 PEOPLE WAITING FOR A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.

WHICH IS WHY THE DOCTOR STRESSES THE SIGNIFICANCE AND BENEFIT OF IDENTIFYING A LIVING KIDNEY TRANSPLANT DONOR.

>> THE SUCCESS RATE IS GREATER.

LONGEVITY OF THE TRANSPLANT IS GREATER.

THEIR WAIT TIME IS ESSENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, A FEW MONTHS.

OR IN SOME CASES ALMOST ZERO IF THEY CAN IDENTIFY SOMEONE WHO IS A POTENTIAL LIVING DONOR.

>> YOU ARE ABLE TO GIVE THESE PATIENTS A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

>> Reporter: FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS INTERVENTIONAL HEART FAILURE PHYSICIAN SAYS MANY PATIENTS MISSED OUT ON RECEIVING A HEART TRANSPLANT DUE TO COVID.

>> WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING COVID POSITIVE DONORS NOW.

THERE COULD BE A SITUATION WHERE A DONORS HEART IS SUITABLE, BUT IT MAY BE COVID POSITIVE.

THAT DONOR IS NO LONGER CONSIDERED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO DONATE.

JUST BECAUSE IT IS SO NEW AND WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE LONG-TERM EFFECT ARE.

>> Reporter: JOHN MORAN SAYS HE CONSIDERS HIMSELF LUCKY AFTER UNDERGOING A SUCCESSFUL HEART TRANSPLANT IN JANUARY BY DR. MONTGOMERY.

AFTER HAVING A SON AND MASSIVE HEART ATTACK.

HE SAID DOCTORS SAID HIS ONLY CHANCE TO LIVE WAS TO RECEIVE A NEW HEART.

>> IT IS TOUGH TO THINK ABOUT.

YOU ARE LAYING HERE AND GOING, IF I DON'T GET A HEART I WON'T LEAVE HERE.

I MIGHT HAVE A MONTH OR TWO MONTHS LEFT.

>> Reporter: MORAN NOW HAS A WORD OF ADVICE TO OTHERS WHO MIGHT BE HESITANT TO DONATE THEIR ORGANS.

>> IF YOU COULD SEE IT IN YOUR HEART, NO PUN INTENDED, YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND DO IT.

YOU CAN DO IT WITH YOUR LICENSE.

IT IS THAT EASY TO DO.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US, THIS EVENING.

IN THE EVENING, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORM FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU HERE, TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH, THAT'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

MAJOR FUNDING FOR EXPLORING HATE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE SYLVIA A AND SIMON B POYNTER PROGRAMMING ENDOWMENT TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM.

SUE AND EDGAR.

CHARLOTTE AND DAVID ACORD.

THE PETER G PETERSON AND JOAN GANZ COONEY FUND.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT D.C.?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN.

TO DREAM.

TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BE KNOWN AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I AM PROUD TO BE IN NJ AE MEMBER.

>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES.

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS.

OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS.

THE PSE G FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITABLE, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

INVESTING IN PARTS.

HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN.

SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES.