>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP,'S SERVING INSURANCE NEEDS FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

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

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

TONIGHT IS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S 100th DAY IN OFFICE AND HE SPENDING IT ON THE ROAD PUSHING HIS PLANS IN PERSON FOR MASSIVE NEW FEDERAL PROGRAMS, HIS FIRST STOP IN GEORGIA WITH A VISIT TO FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER AND A DRIVING CAR RALLY AND THEN ONTO PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA AND THE DAYS AHEAD.

HIGHLIGHTING PIECES OF HIS SWEEPING PROPOSALS LAID OUT IN HIS FIRST ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS, A HISTORIC MOMENT WHERE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN U.S. HISTORY, TWO WOMEN STOOD BEHIND THE PRESIDENT ON THE DAIS.

IN HIS SPEECH, BIDEN DECLARED AMERICA IS, QUOTE, RISING ANEW AS HE CALLED FOR AN EXTENSION OF SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS AND GOVERNMENT SPENDING THAT EVOKED FDR'S NEW DEAL.

URGING CONGRESS TO PASS A PAIR OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSALS EACH WITH A PRICE TAG WORTH TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

TO HELP PULL THE ECONOMY PAST THE PANDEMIC, HE PROPOSES INVESTING HEAVILY IN CHILDREN, FAMILIES, EDUCATION, INTERNET ACCESS AND THE NATION'S ROAD STRIKING AN OPTIMISTIC AND PERSONAL TONE AND EMPHASIZING THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AS A FORCE OF GOOD.

>> WE HAVE TO PROVE DEMOCRACY STILL WORKS IN THE GOVERNMENT STILL WORKS AND WE CAN DELIVER FOR OUR PEOPLE.

THE FIRST 100 DAYS TOGETHER, WE OF RESTORED PEOPLE'S FAITH IN DEMOCRACY TO DELIVER.

WE ARE VACCINATING A NATION AND CREATING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS.

WE ARE DELIVERING REAL RESULTS TO PEOPLE THEY CAN SEE AND FEEL IN THEIR OWN LIVES.

OPENING DOORS AN OPPORTUNITY AND GUARANTEEING MORE FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE.

THAT'S THE ESSENCE OF AMERICA.

>> VISUALLY THE SPEECH FELT DIFFERENT THAN MOST OTHER PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES.

BIDEN SPOKE TO A LARGELY EMPTY CHAMBER, A SIGN OF THE PANDEMIC TIMES WITH JUST 200 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE, MASKED AND SIX FEET APART AND JOINING ME NOW IS MIKEY CHERYL WHO TOOK IN THE ADDRESS FROM HER HOME IN THE 11th DISTRICT.

CONGRESSWOMAN, YOU WERE WATCHING THE SPEECH FROM HOME AS A LOT OF MEMBERS DID, LAST NIGHT, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF IT, BROAD PROPOSALS BEING TALKED ABOUT HERE?

>> WELL, IT WAS REALLY GREAT AND THE FIRST THING THAT STRUCK ME AND I DON'T THINK I WAS PREPARED FOR HOW MUCH IT WOULD MOVE ME REALLY WAS THAT IMAGE OF TWO WOMEN STANDING ON THE DAIS TO SEE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BOTH WOMEN, THAT KIND OF SET THE TONE THAT THIS WAS DIFFERENT, THIS WAS NEW.

AND YET, I REALLY THOUGHT THE TONE AND TENOR OF THE PRESIDENT WAS SO GOOD.

SOMEBODY THAT WAS THERE TO SAY THIS IS TIME WORKING FOR YOU.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY GOOD SPEECH.

>> TWO MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSALS THOUGH, TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS EACH, WHAT WOULD THEY MEAN FOR NEW JERSEY AND IS NOW THE TIME TO BE RAISING TAXES TO BE SPENDING LIKE THAT?

>> I THINK SOME OF THESE PROPOSALS ARE CRITICAL TO NEW JERSEY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT WHICH QUITE FRANKLY WE SHOULD ALREADY HAVE SHOVELS IN THE GROUND.

I WAS JUST REMINISCING WITH A FRIEND OF MINE YESTERDAY ABOUT A SOMEWHAT HEATED CONVERSATION I HAD WITH SECRETARY CHAO IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION SO GETTING THE GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT FUNDED WE ARE RELYING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND EISENHOWER ERA INVESTMENTS AND WE HAVE GOT TO ADDRESS THAT NOW.

SO IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK WE ALSO ARE LOOKING AT ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENTS WE CAN MAKE IN OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FAMILIES, BECAUSE THAT IS ANOTHER AREA WE HAVEN'T ADDRESSED IN DECADES.

>> ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT THE INCREASES BEING SUSTAINABLE?

THE PRESIDENT SPECIFICALLY IS TALKING ABOUT THE TOP 1% OF EARNERS AND THIS IS A TIME OUR ECONOMY IS GOING THROUGH A RECOVERY.

>> I AM NOT FOR RAISING TAXES ON NEW JERSEY FAMILIES.

WE ALREADY MORE THAN PAY OUR FAIR SHARE AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING SO STRONGLY TO GET RID OF THE STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTION CAP.

WE REALLY HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT UNFAIR TAX CAP WHICH IS PUNISHING STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY, THE ECONOMIC DRIVERS AND ENGINES OF THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, THAT WE ARE BEING PUNISHED WITH DOUBLE TAXATION FOR INVESTING IN THINGS LIKE THE BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> THE RESPONSE FROM REPUBLICANS LAST NIGHT WAS LARGELY, HEY, WE ARE ON BOARD FOR SOME OF THESE, BUT THIS IS SWINGING A LITTLE TOO FAR TO THE LEFT.WE HEARD IT CALLED LIBERALIST AND YOU AND I SPOKE ABOUT IT SO IS IT A MODERATE ENOUGH PLANNER DID THE PRESIDENT GO TOO FAR TO THE LEFT TO BE ABLE TO GET BIPARTISANSHIP?

>> I THINK THE PLAN IS A MODERATE ENOUGH PLAN TO GAIN A LOT OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

I THINK WERE THE NEGOTIATIONS WILL COME AND WHERE I HEAR MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES EXPRESSING CONCERNS IS THE COST OF IT.

I AM WILLING TO NEGOTIATE AND LOOK AT THE BIPARTISAN PLANS BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF AGREEMENT THERE.

BUT WE DO HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT WHERE WE ARE MAKING CUTS BECAUSE AGAIN, I WANT TO MAKE SURE NEW JERSEY COMES OUT ON TOP.

>> I WANT TO SWITCH GEARS QUICKLY TO IMMIGRATION.

THE ISSUE AT THE BORDER, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HOW TALKS ARE GOING IN CONGRESS?

>> I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

THE FRUSTRATION TO ME IS I THINK THERE IS PROBABLY SPEAKING A PATH FORWARD ON IMMIGRATION REFORM.

COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

WE NEED TO CONTROL OUR BORDERS.

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A THOUGHTFUL IMMIGRATION SYSTEM AND WE ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF IMMIGRATION.

WHY DO WE HAVE REFUGEES COMING TO OUR BORDER?

I CAN IMAGINE AS A MOTHER SENDING MY YOUNG CHILD ON A DANGEROUS AND ARDUOUS JOURNEY TO OUR BORDER.

NOBODY THINKS THAT IS WHERE THEY WANT TO BE.

WHAT IS PRESSURING THEM?

WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE ARE FORMING OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM AND WHO WE ARE AS A NATION WHEN WE ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN MIKEY CHERYL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY AND GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

>> LIKEWISE AND THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> HOUSING IMMIGRANT DETAINEES HAS BEEN A FLASHPOINT FOR ADVOCATES ACROSS THE STATE WHO ARE PROTESTING FOR YEARS TO PUT AN END TO CONTRACTS BETWEEN COUNTY JAILS AND I.C.E.

AND THIS WEEK ESSEX COUNTY OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THEY WILL LEND A CONTROVERSIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT THE FRONT AND MILLIONS IN REVENUE OVER THE LAST DECADE IN EXCHANGE FOR HOLDING THOSE DETAINEES.

INSTEAD ESSEX COUNTY STRUCK A DEAL TO TAKE IN INMATES FROM A NEARBY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND IT REMAINS UNCLEAR WHAT THE NEW AGREEMENT WILL MEAN FOR IMMIGRANTS CURRENTLY DETAINED.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> MY TIME INSIDE WAS EXTREMELY HORRIBLE.

>> Reporter: CARLOS WAS DETAINED FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN I.C.E.

CUSTODY AT THE ESSEX COUNTY JAIL.

HE WAS SEPARATED FROM HIS SON.

>> I DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO REPRESENT MYSELF.

I WAS REPRESENTING MYSELF PRO SE.

I COULDN'T EVEN PREPARE FOR MY LEGAL DEFENSE.

I WAS LIVING IN VERY UNSANITARY CONDITIONS.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN CAMPAIGNING FOR YEARS TO GET I.C.E.

DETAINEES OUT OF COUNTY JAILS SO THEY CAN FIGHT THEIR CASES FROM HOME.

ON WEDNESDAY, NEWS BROKE ESSEX COUNTY WILL NO LONGER JAIL I.C.E.

DETAINEES.

>> ANY OF THE JOY THAT CAME OUT OF YESTERDAY'S NEWS DISSIPATED WHEN WE REALIZED THE DECISION WAS ONLY MADE BECAUSE OF THE DEAL WITH UNION COUNTY.

>> UNION COUNTY JAIL IS CLOSING DOWN THEIR JAIL.

AND WE ARE TAKING IN THEIR INMATES.

POPULATIONS AND JAILS WILL ALL DECREASE, THE NUMBERS HAVE DECREASED.

IT IS TIME FOR US TO BE ABLE TO CONSOLIDATE THE FACILITIES.

THIS IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

>> Reporter: ESSEX COUNTY MAKES $117 A DAY TO HOUSE EACH I.C.E.

DETAINEE.

THE POPULATION HAS BEEN AS HIGH AS 700 SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT THE POPULATION IS NOW DOWN TO 164.

AN EXECUTIVE SAID THEY WILL MAKE $104 PER UNION COUNTY INMATE BUT THEY WILL HOUSE MORE PEOPLE AND IT WILL EVEN OUT FINANCIALLY.

>> IT'S NOT THAT WE ARE THROWING I.C.E.

OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE A GREAT PARTNER OF OURS BUT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY INSTEAD OF HAVING INMATES AND DETAINEES NOW WE HAVE ALL INMATES.

IT'S EASIER.

>> WHY WE NEED THIS STEP NOW I'M LESS FOCUSED ON AND JUST HAPPY THAT WE HAVE MADE THIS STEP.

>> Reporter: COUNTY COMMISSIONER IS A LONGTIME COMPONENT OF THE I.C.E.

CONTRACT AND SAID THEY WORKED ON IMPROVED CONDITIONS FOR DETAINEES BUT ENDING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH I.C.E.

IS THE RIGHT MOVE IT >> THAT PUTS US HOPEFULLY ON A TRACK WHERE WE WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING IN WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A MORALLY WRONG PROCESS.

>> Reporter: SOMETHING ECHOED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRESIDENT WAYNE RICHARDSON.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES.

THESE ARE GOOD, HARD-WORKING PEOPLE WHO ARE ESCAPING GANG- RELATED VIOLENCE, NATURAL DISASTERS, AND NO PERSON SHOULD BE INCARCERATED BECAUSE OF THEIR STATUS.

>> Reporter: I.C.E.

HAS UNTIL AUGUST TO DEPOPULATE THE ESSEX COUNTY JAIL.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING.

THAT WILL BE UP TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND I.C.E.

WHERE THEY GO.

I HOPE THE DETAINEES STAY SOMEPLACE IN NEW JERSEY BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY FOR THEIR FAMILIES TO BE CLOSE TO ATTORNEYS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE I.C.E.

NEWARK OFFICE THE AGENCY IS CONSIDERING OPTIONS LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY AND HAVE CONTACTS IN HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTY WHICH SPARKED PROTESTS AND HUNGER STRIKES.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ CALLED THE REVENUE FROM THE PARTNERSHIPS BLOODMONEY.

>> PEOPLE FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THESE I.C.E.

DETAINEES DON'T BELONG IN JAILS.

BUT THAT IS THE LAW.

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS FOLLOWING THE LAW.

THE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE WORKED WITH THAT WORK WITH I.C.E.

ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THEY DO THE RIGHT THING AND FOLLOW THE LAW.

THE WAY THAT IT HAS CHANGED IS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAKING DECISIONS THEY HAVE TO MAKE.

>> Reporter: EXECUTIVE JOE DB AND CHEN'S OLD RECOMMENDS BRINGING IN NEW INMATES BY JULY 1st AND THEY HIRED A LOT OF THE CLOSING JAIL EMPLOYEES.

>> WHAT IT MEANS IS ALL THE SAME HARMS WILL BE REPLICATED ON PEOPLE WHO WILL BE HOUSED FROM UNION COUNTY.

>> Reporter: I AM LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> STARTING TODAY ALL SIX OF THE VACCINE MEGASITES OFFER WALK-IN VACCINATIONS WITH NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE SITE IS LOCATED TO GET A VACCINATION EITHER.

IT'S A SHARP CONTRAST TO THE LAST FEW MONTHS WITH RESIDENTS CLAMORING TO GET A DOSE AND THE SUPPLY NOW OUTPACES DEMAND.

JUST OVER 6.9 MILLION TOTAL DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED AS OF THIS MORNING AND NEARLY 3 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

A BREAKDOWN BY RACE AND ETHNICITY SHOWS WHITE RESIDENTS ARE STILL MAKING UP THE BIGGEST PERCENT OF THOSE WITH SHOTS IN ARMS AT 55% OVERALL, IN PATERSON, THE CITY IS OPENING PUMP UP VACCINATION SITES TO ADDRESS HESITANCY AND BARRIERS TO ACCESS AMONG THE MUSLIM POPULATION.

THE MAYOR SAYS THE HUBS WILL OPERATE THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF RAMADAN AND ARAB, TURKISH AND BANGLADESH MOSQUES AND TODAY AMBASSADORS CALLED FOR MORE LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

WE HAVE TO USE UP EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO IS NOT ABLE TO GET TO THE LINE AND GET VACCINATED.

IF I WANT THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THEY GET PART OF THIS VACCINATION PROCESS, THEN THE IMAMS AND WHOEVER THE HEAD OF THE MOSQUES, THEY SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE LISTENED TO BY PEOPLE AND ALSO PEOPLE TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY.

>> IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL TODAY IN JERSEY CITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A YEAR.

PRE-K THROUGH THIRD GRADE STUDENTS WERE TURNED TO CLASSROOMS FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING UNDER A HYBRID SCHEDULE.

IT COMES AFTER THE DISTRICT REVERSED COURSE TWICE LAST WEEK ON REOPENING PLANS, OVER STAFFING CONCERNS AS HUNDREDS APPLIED FOR ACCOMMODATIONS TO WORK FROM HOME AMID CORONAVIRUS AND CHILDCARE CONCERNS.

ACROSS THE STATE THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES IS REMAINING STEADY WITH ROUGHLY 2000 CONFIRM POSITIVE TEST'S WITH 20 ADDITIONAL DEATHS REPORTED.

AS OF YESTERDAY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS 25 DISTRICTS REMAIN IN ALL REMOTE INSTRUCTION.

WE ARE ON THE GROUND IN JERSEY CITY AS STUDENTS MADE THE LONG- AWAITED RETURN.

>>> TODAY IS MY HOBBY DAY BECAUSE THE CHILD IS BACK IN SCHOOL.

>> I'M HAPPY!

>> I'M GLAD TO SEE MY FRIENDS.

MY TEACHER!

>> SHE WAS REALLY EXCITED WHEN I TOLD HER SHE'S COMING TO SCHOOL AND THAT IS WHAT SHE IS WAITING FOR.

>> Reporter: IT'S A DAY MANY RESIDENTS DIDN'T THINK WOULD COME THE SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD IT WOULDN'T A WEEK AGO.

TODAY SCHOOLS REOPEN THEIR DOORS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE LAST MARCH.

ONE WEEK AGO -- >> WE WERE ON THE STREETS PROTESTING FOR OUR RIGHTS TO RETURN OUR CHILDREN FOR IN- PERSON EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: TODAY RELIEF, JOY -- >> MY SON HAD THE FIRST DAY JITTERS.

>> Reporter: FOR THIS 5-YEAR- OLD HE MEETS HIS FRIENDS AND TEACHERS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN REAL LIFE.

>> I CAN SEE THEM BECAUSE I LIKE GOING TO SCHOOL!

>> Reporter: MANY PARENTS REVELED IN THEIR KIDS JOY AS THEY BATTLE THEIR OWN APPREHENSION.

>> I FEEL EXCITED BUT AT THE SAME TIME A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THINGS GOING ON, BUT I AM SURE SHE IS IN GOOD HANDS.

>> I'M NERVOUS TO LET HIM OUT OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE OF ALL THE CORONAVIRUS CASES AND STUFF BUT I KNOW THE SCHOOL IS PROTECT BECAUSE THE PRINCIPAL HAS BEEN UPDATING US ON EVERYTHING GOING ON AND HOW THEY ARE SANITIZING.

>> Reporter: HANDS AND FEET SANITIZED AT THE DOOR IN A SCANNING SYSTEM CHECKING BODY TEMPERATURES AND PLEXIGLAS IN EVERY DESK AND AIR FILTERS IN CLASSROOMS AND EVEN THOUGH THE CDC STANDARD IS THREE ALL STUDENTS HERE WILL BE SPACED 6 FEET APART FOR NOW.

>> MAKING ADJUSTMENTS WITH SIX AND DEVELOPED THE HABIT SO IF WE GO TO THREE IT'S EASY TO MAINTAIN.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERINTENDENT TOLD NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THERE'S NO PATH FORWARD FOR GETTING STUDENTS IN POINTING TO TEACHER SHORTAGES AND UNION CONTRACTS AS THE BARRIER BUT THE NEXT DAY HE ANNOUNCED ALL 33 SCHOOLS WOULD REOPEN.

>> EVERYONE CAME TO THE TABLE AND OFFERED WHATEVER THE NECESSARY WAS TO GET STUDENTS BACK.

>> Reporter: IF THEY COULD'VE GOTTEN TO THE RESOLUTION SOONER -- >> MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK IS EASY TO BE AND COULD YOU CAN SECOND-GUESS BUT I CAN TELL YOU THIS, THAT IS THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT WE WAY EVERY OBSTACLE AND CIRCUMSTANCE IN EVERY SITUATION IN EVERY METRIC TO IDENTIFY WHAT WERE THE BEST SITUATIONS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE EDUCATION FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: INCLUDING THE NUMBER HE SAID THE NUMBER OF COVID POSITIVE CASES IN HUDSON COUNTY DOWN IN TWO WEEKS FROM 4000 TO 1200 NOW AND AS A TREND DOWNWARD SO DO SCHOOLS WERE MEANINGFULLY REMOTE ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK.

>> ONLY 25 SCHOOLS OR DISTRICTS STATEWIDE REMAIN IN AN ALL REMOTE POSTURE WHICH IS DOWN 22 FROM TWO DAYS AGO.

THIS IMPACTS 115,000 STUDENTS, JUST A .5% OF THE TOTAL POPULATION ARE ON REMOTE.

>> Reporter: BUT A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICTS LIKE JERSEY CITY WITH LARGE POPULATIONS OF PEOPLE OF COLOR WERE STUDY SHOW LEARNING LOSSES BEEN SIGNIFICANT AND WERE ONLY A THIRD OF STUDENTS ARE RETURNING TO IN-PERSON.

>> WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO COMPENSATE FOR LEARNING LOSS AND PART OF THAT IS IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR AND SUMMER PROGRAMS AND IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE WE HAVE RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: TWO WEEKS BEFORE OLDER STUDENTS, FOURTH-GRADERS AND UPPER BACK IN THE BUILDING AND THEY WILL BE SPACED 6 FEET APART BUT THIS IS ALL JUST A DRY RUN FOR SEPTEMBER WHEN ALL STUDENTS ARE BACK IN THE BUILDINGS FULL-TIME.

IN JERSEY CITY, I'M JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WITH THE SUMMER AROUND THE CORNER RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON HELP AVAILABLE TO KEEP OUR RESTAURANT INDUSTRY ALIVE ALONG WITH TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: RESTAURANT OWNERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW FEDERAL GRANTS AND THEY NEED TO TAKE ACTION TOMORROW.

THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION HAS $28.6 BILLION AVAILABLE IN A RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND.

INTERESTED BUSINESSES THAT MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD PREREGISTER ON THE SBA SITE TOMORROW.

THAT OPENS AT 9:00 A.M.

THE SBA WILL THEN START TAKING APPLICATIONS ON MONDAY.

ALTITUDE ON THE SBA DISTRICT DIRECTOR FOR NEW JERSEY RECOMMENDS REVIEWING THE APPLICATION IN ADVANCE.

>> FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH AND GET ALL THE INFORMATION TOGETHER SO THAT MONDAY YOU COULD GO IN BECAUSE IT'S A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED GRANT PROGRAM.

THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.

WHILE YOU WANT THE INFORMATION TO GET IT QUICKLY BUT YOU WANTED TO BE ACCURATE.

>> Reporter: ANY ERRORS PREVENT THE APPLICATION FROM MOVING FORWARD.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVING TO FILE NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS CONTINUES TO DROP ACROSS THE U.S. WEEKLY JOBLESS CLAIMS ARE AT THE LOWEST LEVEL SINCE THE PANDEMIC SLAMMED THE ECONOMY SHUT LAST YEAR, BUT IN NEW JERSEY THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN NEW CLAIMS IN THE LATEST WEEK.

MORE THAN 12,000 WORKERS FILED FIRST-TIME CLAIMS.

MEANTIME ECONOMIC GROWTH DEFINITELY PICKED UP IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.

THE GOVERNMENT GDP REPORT WHICH IS A BROAD READING ON ACTIVITY SHOWS THE ECONOMY IS GROWING AT A RATE OF 6.4%.

TWO NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS TEAM UP IN A BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO ADDRESS NEW JERSEY COMMUTER TAX.

CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOTTHEIMER AND STATE SENATOR STEPHEN ORNE JOSE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING REMOTELY AT THEIR NEW JERSEY HOME SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY TAXES TO NEW YORK THIS YEAR.

>> WE'RE BOTH SORRY NEW YORK CITY IS FACING THAT CHALLENGE AND WE HAVE HER SHARE OF CHALLENGES TOO IN JERSEY AND LET'S BE CLEAR.

BUT WERE NOT TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR OUR ROLE BY PICKPOCKETING NEW YORKERS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

NEW YORK KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS WRONG AND TO DO IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC TO FAMILIES ISN'T RIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE LAWMAKERS HAVE SENT A LETTER TO THE IRS REQUESTING NEW FEDERAL GUIDANCE FROM THE COMMUTER TAX ISSUE I HAD OF THE MAY TAX FILING DEADLINE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY SIGNED INTO LAW A BILL THAT WOULD PROVIDE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE TO AIRPORT WORKERS AND MURPHY ESTIMATES 10,000 WORKERS AT NEWARK LIBERTY AIRPORT COULD BENEFIT FROM A HEALTHY TERMINAL ACT.

NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP IS THE STORIES.

>>> THIS WEEKEND JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT AS SHE TAKES US BEYOND THE PANDEMIC TO LOOK AT THE WAYS TRADITIONAL SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE CHANGED AND THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES THE STATE IS MAKING AVAILABLE TO THOSE OWNERS.

WATCH IT HONOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. >>> THE WHITE HOUSE RELEASES NOMINEES TO FILL FEDERAL COURT VACANCIES AND INCLUDE LONGTIME NEW JERSEY TRIAL ATTORNEY CHRISTINE O'HEARN WHO IS BEEN A PARTNER AT THE FIRM BROWN AND CONNERY FOR THREE DECADES PRACTICING LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW.

U.S.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ, CORY BOOKER AND GOVERNOR MURPHY WERE QUICK TO GET BEHIND HER NOMINATION CALLING HER A CHAMPION FOR WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE.

THE STATE VACANCIES ON THE BENCH ARE BEING CALLED A, QUOTE, JUDICIAL EMERGENCY AND SIX DISTRICT COURT SEATS REMAIN UNFILLED, NUMBER 2nd ONLY TO CALIFORNIA.

>>> STATE HEALTH EXPERTS LOOK TO STEM THE TIDE OF VIOLENCE IN A NEW AND PERHAPS LESS CONVENTIONAL VOCATION.

INSIDE OUR HOSPITALS.

SO FAR PROGRAMS LINKED TO MEDICAL SYSTEMS HELPING VICTIMS OF TRAUMATIC INJURY SHOW EARLY PROMISE ANOTHER STATE HOPES TO BUILD ON THAT SUCCESS WITH THE HELP OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUNDING SET ASIDE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

IS IT WORKING?

OUR STORY COMES FROM A NEW MEMBER OF THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS REPORTING TEAM, JENYNE DONALDSON.

>> I THINK RECOGNIZING TRAUMA IN GENERAL, INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE SPECIFICALLY IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE THAT IT IS WOULD MAKE PEOPLE THINK, BOY, MAYBE THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE TREATING LIKE A DISEASE, THE DISEASE AND IS.

>> Reporter: DR. JAMES EAKINS BELIEVES WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR APPROACH TO TREATING VIOLENCE INDUCED, AND THINKS VIOLENCE NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A DISEASE.

>> YOU LOOK AT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY TRAUMA AND HOW MANY ARE INJURED EVERY YEAR AND HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE AS A RESULT, AND LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE GOVERNMENT PUTS TOWARDS RESEARCH FOR THAT AND COMPARE IT TO SOMETHING LIKE HIV.

THERE IS A LOT FEWER PEOPLE AFFECTED BUT THE RESEARCH DOLLARS ARE WAY HIGHER.

>> Reporter: TO WIN THE DISEASE ACCORDING TO HIM, YOU NEED TO BEGIN THE TREATMENT AS A TRAUMA BUT HIM STILL LAY IN THE HOSPITAL AND THEIR WOUNDS ARE FRESH.

>> THE OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO PREVENT TRAUMA RECIDIVISM.

WE DON'T WANT TO SEE PEOPLE COMING BACK AS VICTIMS OF TRAUMA A SECOND AND THIRD TIME.

WE ACTUALLY SAW A PATIENT WHO HAS BEEN HERE AS A TRAUMA PATIENT THREE TIMES.

>> Reporter: AFTER TREATING 1605 TRAUMA PATIENTS LAST YEAR, ATLANTIC HEALTHCARE WITH HELP FROM STATE FUNDS ALLOCATED THROUGH THE FEDERAL VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT LAUNCHED ONE OF THE FIRST VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS IN THE STATE IN MID- MARCH.

THE GOAL WAS TO ADDRESS INTERPERSONAL TRAUMA EXPERIENCED FROM GUNSHOTS AND STABBINGS.

22 PATIENTS HAVE BEEN REFERRED, BUT SO FAR ONLY 11 SIGNED ON.

>> SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE SUSPICIOUS.

RIGHTFULLY SO.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHO WE ARE.

THEY ARE COMING OUT OF A CIRCUMSTANCE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE ARE THE POLICE ARE NOT.

>> Reporter: THE BIGGEST HURDLE IS TRUST.

THE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST ARE SELECTED BY CREDIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY.

ROBERT ROBERT HARGROVE IS ONE OF THEM.

>> WHO DO WE ASSIGN TO THE INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE FROM NINE MONTHS TO A YEAR WHEN WE HOLD THEIR HAND AND TRANSITION THEM BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

FOR 30 YEARS I'VE DONE THIS TYPE OF WORK AS A VOLUNTEER AND WHAT THAT HAS DONE FOR ME HAS MADE ME A TRUSTED VOICE.

>> Reporter: THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES SAID THE GOAL IS TO ENGAGE PATIENTS DURING THE GOLDEN HOUR, THE FIRST MOMENTS THEY ARE COHERENT.

>> HOW DO WE ENGAGE THEM AT BEDSIDE BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE SOME NEED TO CHANGE AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO REALLY WANT TO INVEST IN CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM OFFERS WRAPAROUND SERVICES LIKE HOUSING, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, FOOD AND CLOTHING BY COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.

GROUPS LIKE VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA, JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES, COALITION FOR A SAFE COMMUNITY AND IMPACT THROUGH THE PROSECUTORS OFFICE WORK IN UNISON.

>> THOSE DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE FOR THEM, AND TO HAVE OUR WORKERS GUIDE PEOPLE THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: THE TOOLS ALLOW THE PROGRAM TO PIVOT FROM VIOLENCE INTERVENTION TO PREVENTION.

>> THESE STATISTICS IN THESE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THAT ALMOST 40,000 GUNSHOT WOUNDS HAPPEN AND ONE-THIRD OF THEM ARE HOMICIDES, WE DEFINITELY NEED TO ROLL THIS OUT AND HAVE HOSPITAL-BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> I WILL ALWAYS HAVE WORK TO DO.

ANY LITTLE BIT THAT WE CAN DECREASE IN ANY POTENTIAL TRAUMA WE CAN PREVENT, THAT IS A VICTORY AND A GOOD THING.

>> Reporter: THE STATE AGREED TO FUND THE PROGRAM FOR 21 MONTHS BUT ATLANTIC HEALTHCARE HAS ALREADY BEGUN SECURING ADDITIONAL DONORS TO KEEP IT GOING LONG AFTER.

I'M JENYNE DONALDSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT'S A BROADCAST AND CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ LIVE TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

IT STARTS WITH INSIGHT ON THE LOOMING EVICTION CRISIS AND THEN A PANEL OF REPORTERS DISCUSSED TOP STORIES THIS WEEK.

WHY YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE AND TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS AND NEVER MISS A SHOW.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI AND THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

BY ORSTED AND PSEG.

WHO PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATION, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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