>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NGM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

>>> HELLO.

WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

SOME PARENTING.

ABOUT TWO KEY CHANGES THE STATE ME TO ITS CURRICULUM STANDARDS.

FIRST, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION GUIDELINES THAT INSTRUCT SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INCLUDE AGE- APPROPRIATE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT GENDER AND GENDER IDENTITY FOR STUDENTS IN K-12 GRADE.

THE LGBTQ AND DISABILITY CURRICULUM THAT INTRODUCES THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF DISABLED AND LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS THROUGH HISTORY.

IS THE GENDER IDENTITY DISCUSSIONS THAT BROUGHT THE IRE OF PARENTS WHILE GUIDELINES CALL FOR DINNER AND IN THE EDUCATION, THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS TO TEACH GENDER IDENTITY AND EARLY GRADES.

SOME PARENTS ARE FURIOUS EDUCATORS WILL DISCUSS MATTERS WITH THEIR KIDS THAT THEY SEE AS KITCHEN TABLE TOPICS MEANT TO STAY WITHIN THE HOME.

I SPOKE WITH ADVOCATES OF THE LESSONS, INCLUDING A TRIP TRANSGENDER STUDENT, WHOSE THAT THIS TYPE OF REPRESENTATION CAN BE A CRITICAL LIFELINE FOR OTHERS LIKE HIM.

>> I LIKE TO THINK IF I HAD THE ACCESS TO BOOKS OR OTHER CERTAIN SOURCES OF LEARNING, THAT IF I KNEW WHAT THE WORD TRANSGENDER MEANT, I WOULD HAVE CAME OUT TO MY PARENTS AND PEERS SOONER.

>> ELI TRANSITIONED AMONG HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THE AGE OF EIGHT.

HE HAD NO MODEL FOR WHAT TRANSITIONING TO A NEW GENDER LOOKED LIKE.

EVEN THOUGH HE FELT FULLY SUPPORTED, HE SAID IT WAS STILL HARD.

>> WHEN I WAS EIGHT, I DIDN'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE LANGUAGE TO TELL MY PARENTS I WAS FEELING, THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OUT TO THEM THAT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE IN MY BODY AND EVERYONE IS CALLING ME THIS NAME AND PRONOUNS I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH.

>> HE IS IN SUPPORT OF THE STATES UPDATED GUIDANCE FOR NEW JERSEY SCHOOL CURRICULUM THAT DISCUSSES GENDER IDENTITY AND SOME HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES.

>> WE HAVE DONE A COUPLE DIFFERENT LESSONS IN HEALTH CLASS, ON GENDER.

HAVING SUPPORT AROUND YOU, HAVING TEACHERS YOU CAN GO TO AND TRUST TO TALK TO, I THINK THAT IS HUGE.

IT FEELS MASSIVELY MORE INCLUSIVE.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, I NEVER HAD BOOKS WERE TEACHING AROUND ME OF DIFFERENT LGBTQ TOPICS.

>> ONLY 2% OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE U.S. IDENTIFY AS TRANSGENDER, NON-BINARY, OR NOT CIS GENDER.

ACCORDING TO THE TRANGAY, LESBIAN, AND STRAIGHT EDUCATION NETWORK, MANY FACE HARASSMENT IN SCHOOLS.

DAMIEN LOPEZ SAYS THE CLASSES ON GENDER IDENTITY CAN HELP STUDENTS FEEL SAFER.

>> FOR SOMEONE QUESTIONING THEMSELVES, IT IS SOMETHING THAT SAYS IT IS OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT.

IT IS OKAY TO QUESTION HOW YOU WILL LOOK.

IT IS OKAY TO QUESTION FEELING A BIT DIFFERENT IN YOUR SKIN.

HAVING THAT REPRESENTATION VISIBILITY IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, WE CAN SURE THEY KNOW IT IS OKAY TO DISCOVER THEMSELVES IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A BINARY ONE.

REMOTELY CURRICULUM FACED OPPOSITION FROM PARENTS AND POLITICIANS.

A GROUP OF REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS INTRODUCED A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WILL ACCOMPLISH THE 3RS, REPEAL, REPLACE, AND RESTORE THE STATES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CURRICULUM.

IN THE ARE CONFLATING CURRICULUM UPDATES.

>> WE HAVE THIS LGBTQ AND DISABILITY INCLUSIVE MANDATE THAT WORLD OUT NOT TOO LONG AGO WHICH HELPS EMPHASIZE CONTRIBUTIONS AND HISTORY OF LGBTQ AND DISABLED PEOPLE IN OUR HISTORY, WHICH IS OUTSTANDING.

RECENTLY, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF ATTENTION PUT ON THE HEALTH AND PHYSICAL STANDARDS, WHICH HAVE BEEN UPDATED.

THE UPDATED CAME SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE NEW HEALTH STANDARDS HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE >> A LOT OF STUDENTS DON'T FEEL SEEN.

THERE IDENTITY, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY IS REPRESENTED IN THE CLASSES THEY TAKE.

THAT IS DAMAGING AND HARMFUL TO STUDENTS.

EDUCATION AND CURRICULUM ARE UPDATED TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE, THAT HELPS STUDENTS.

>> LET'S SAY YOU HAVE A YOUNG GIRL WHO HAPPENS TO BE A, QUOTE, TOMBOY.

LET'S SAY YOU HAVE A YOUNG BOY WHO HAS MORE EFFEMINATE CHARACTERISTICS, SOME PARENTS ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT AS GENDER IDENTITY LESSONS ARE TAUGHT, THAT SOME YOUNG PEOPLE THINK THIS APPLIES TO ME AND MAYBE I'M NOT A BOY, MAYBE I'M NOT A GIRL, AND THEY MAY BE PERSUADED TO THE OTHER GENDER.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> THE WAY I READ THOSE STANDARDS IS MORE TO HELP KIDS UNDERSTAND THAT BOYS DON'T HAVE TO LIKE TRUCKS AND GIRLS DON'T HAVE TO LIKE DRESSES, JUST AS MUCH AS HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERYBODY MAY FEEL THEY WERE BORN A BOY AND STILL ARE A BOY.

THAT THERE ARE ALL OF THESE OTHER AREAS OF GRAY WHERE IF YOU ARE A BOY AND DON'T HAVE THOSE TRADITIONAL BOY CHARACTERISTICS, THAT IS COOL, TOO.

THAT GENDER ROLES, GENDER COLORS, AND GENDER LANGUAGE ARE CONTRIVED.

BUT OUR TRADITIONAL CURRICULUM HAS BEEN A BIT BEHIND THE CURVE BALL IN REPRESENTING >> JUST BECAUSE I AM CHANCE AND I READ A BOOK WITH A CIS GENDER PERSON IN IT, ISN'T GOING TO MAKE ME CIS GENDER.

YOU CAN ARGUE THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

>> IS A CHILD GROWING UP, I WAS A TOMBOY.

IDENTIFY THE REALMS OF A GIRLY GIRL GROWING UP.

HAVING THAT VISIBILITY TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING THIS PERSON, OF KNOWING THERE IS DIFFERENT WAYS, THERE IS NOTHING SET IN STONE TO BE WHO YOU ARE.

>> IT IS A MESSAGE OF ACCEPTANCE THAT HASN'T BEEN ACCEPTED BY ALL.

>>> SUPERINTENDENCE AROUND THE STATE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF THIS NEW INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM, WHILE ADAPTING TO EVER-CHANGING HEALTH GUIDELINES, AND GOING ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATING OUR KIDS.

IT IS A TIRELESS AND THANKLESS JOB HAS DONE WHEN HE LEARNED WHEN HIS FOR THE DAY WAS SUPERINTENDENT SHAUNA DiMARCO.

HE JOINS ME TO SHARE WHAT HE SAW IN THE DAY OF THE LIFE IN A NEW JERSEY SUPERINTENDENT.

DESCRIBE FOR ME WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE TENNIS LIKE DISTRICT ON THE DAY YOU SHADOWED SHAUNA DiMARCO.

>> IT WAS A COUPLE DAYS AFTER SPRING BREAK HAD RETURNED.

SO, THERE WAS A FAIR AMOUNT OF UNCERTAINTY ABOUT LATEST WAVES, INFECTION BREAKS, AND THE LIKE.

THEY HAVE BEEN OUT OF MASKS FOR A MONTH PLUS.

THERE IS STILL UNCERTAINTY WITH THE DOOR IS OPEN EVERY DAY, TO HOW MANY KIDS THEY WILL BE DEALING WITH, WHO ARE INFECTED, WHERE THEY HAVE TO DO CONTRACT CONTACT TRACING.

AT THIS CASE, THE NUMBERS ARE PUT PRETTY WELL.

THERE IS LOTS TO DO TO RUN A DISTRICT AND DEALING WITH 3000 KIDS AND 600 STAFF MEMBERS.

RIGHT AWAY, YOU ARE DEALING WITH A FIREHOSE OF HIS SHOES THAT YOU HAD TO CONTEND WITH ON A DAILY BASIS.

AND I SPENT A FAIR AMOUNT OF THE STORY TALKING ABOUT DEALING WITH THE DEPARTMENT COMING FROM THE STATE THESE DAYS, NOT JUST ABOUT COVID, BUT A LOT OF THESE CURRICULUM CHANGES WE HAVE SEEN IN ABOUT AND TALKED ABOUT.

ADMINISTRATORS NEEDED TO WORK OUT HOW THIS WOULD WORK IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> IN NEW JERSEY, SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE A LOT OF LATITUDE IN TERMS OF HOW THEY BROUGHT THESE CURRICULA.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES INHERENT IN THAT PROCESS FOR SUPERINTENDENT?

>> NEW JERSEY IS PROUD OF ITS ROLE.

THERE CERTAINLY, IN THE CASE OF CURRICULAR CHANGES, IT IS LESS THE LOCAL DISTRICTS TO DEVELOP THE LESSON PLANS AND SPECIFIC TARGETS AND ASSESSMENTS AROUND IT.

I WAS SURPRISED AFTER HOW MUCH TIME WAS SPENT ABOUT NAVIGATING WITH THE CITY SAYS YOU NEED TO BE DOING.

THERE ARE SECTIONS OF MEETINGS WHERE THEY WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS INTENDED AND WHAT IT WOULD MEAN.

WE WRITE ABOUT THIS POLICY STUFF.

>> KIND OF IN THIS POST COVID OR COVID WORLD WE ARE LIVING IN AND WITH CURRICULUM CHANGES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT COMING, THE SPOTLIGHTS FEELS LIKE IT IS FOCUSED ON SUPERINTENDENTS.

DO YOU FEEL THEY ARE PULL AWAY FROM FOCUSING ON THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATION IN THE WAY THEY HAVEN'T BEEN BEFORE?

>> THIS IS THE STATE OF EDUCATION RIGHT NOW.

MY THOUGHT ON THAT IS THIS IS DEALING WITH EDUCATION ISSUES IN 2022.

CERTAINLY A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME HAS BEEN SPENT ON IT.

THEY ARE THE POINT PEOPLE IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC FOR BOTH THE KIND OF LOOP ACCOUNTABILITY REASONS.

THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TWO YEARS, BUT EVEN MORE RECENTLY WITH THESE CURRICULUM ISSUES.

ARE PRETTY CONTENTIOUS.

IT IS THE SUPERINTENDENT WHO IS IN THE LINE OF FIRE THERE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHAUNA SAID, HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED, SHE SAID WELL, MY SKIN HAS GOTTEN A LOT THICKER.

IT IS NOT AN EASY JOB TO BE SURE.

>> I CAN'T BE ALL BAD.

WERE THERE ANY POSITIVE CHANGES THAT SHE HAS SEEN RECENTLY?

>> IT CERTAINLY HAS OPENED AS TO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY NEED TO DEAL WITH TO REACH ALL OF THEIR KIDS.

I THINK THERE IS SOME MONEY THAT IS BEING EXPENDED AS WELL.

SHE IS A VERY POSITIVE PERSON.

I THINK SHE WAS GOING TO DO HER BEST TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE SITUATION.

>> GREAT WORK., FOR SHINING A LIGHT ON WHAT GOES ON THAT IS OFTEN UNNOTICED IN THE WORK OF A SUPERINTENDENT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A MAJOR SPIKE IN CARJACKINGS SINCE THE STATE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE STATE REACHED A FIVE-YEAR HIGH WITH 14,000 VEHICLES STOLEN.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY AND ACTING ATTEMPTING GENERAL MATT PLOTKIN ANNOUNCED $10 MILLION WILL BE INVESTED INTO AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY.

HIGH-SPEED AUTOMATED CAMERA SYSTEMS BE ABLE TO CAPTURE AND STORE LICENSE PLATES IN A CENTRALIZED DATABASE, HELPING LAW ENFORCEMENT TRACK THOSE MISSING VEHICLES.

THE CAMERAS WILL BE MOUNTED ON FIXED LOCATIONS, AND ALL MOBILE UNITS AROUND THE STATE.

HERE IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT TODAY AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN MARLBORO TOWNSHIP, WHERE JUST YESTERDAY, FOUR SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTING TO STEAL A CAR.

>> THIS INVESTMENT IN OUR POLICE CAN BE LESS OFFICER HOURS SPENT CHASING LEADS AND MORE OF THEM RECOVERING STOLEN VEHICLES AND GETTING CAR THIEVES OFF OF OUR STREETS.

IN ANY TIME AND ANY CRIME, AND TWO GUYS FORGOT MORE ABOUT THIS, TIME OF IS OF THE ESSENCE.

THAT IS TRUE WHEN A STOLEN VEHICLE CAN BE CLEAR OUT OF THE COMMUNITY AND HALFWAY ACROSS THE STATE IN A MATTER OF MOMENTS >> MOST OF NEW JERSEY'S POLICE FORCE IS WHITE AND MALE.

70%, IN FACT.

EVEN THOUGH ONLY HALF OF THE STATES POPULATION IS NON- HISPANIC WHITE.

THIS THE FIRST TIME DEMOCRATIC DATA HAS BEEN COLLECTED.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE BEGAN THE PROCESS IN RESPONSE TO A LAW PASSED IN NEW JERSEY FOLLOWING THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD BY A MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER IN 2020.

THE NEW LAW ESTABLISHED A PROGRAM TO RECRUIT MINORITY POLICE OFFICERS ONTO THE POLICE FORCE TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE STATE TO REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES.

OUR SENIOR WRITER HAS MORE ON THE DATA FROM STATE POLICE AND ON WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

>> 75% OF THE RANKS A NINE HISPANIC WHITE AND 9% IN MEN.

WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN NOW IS THAT AGENCIES THAT DO NOT REFLECT THEIR COMMUNITIES NEED TO TRY TO DO SOME RECRUITMENT.

JUNE 7th IS WHEN THESE AGENCIES HAVE TO SUBMIT PLANS, ESSENTIALLY A RECRUITMENT PLAN.

THEY HAVE TO ALSO BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITES.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WILL REVIEW THOSE.

>>> LEGAL WEED HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR A YEAR NOW AND THE CELLS KEEP GROWING.

12,000 PEOPLE OPEN UP THEIR WALLETS SPINNING A COMBINED $2 MILLION.

THE PACE OF CUSTOMER TURNOUT HAS ONLY TURNED UP AS THE WEEKS HAVE GONE ON.

TECHNICAL BIRD VISITED TO DISPENSARIES TO SEE HOW THEY ARE FARING AS THEY ROUND THE CORNER INTO WEEK TWO OF AN OPEN MARIJUANA MARKETPLACE.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY AND SPENT ALMOST $2 MILLION ON RECREATIONAL WEED THE FIRST DAY THAT THEY COULD BUY IT.

ONE WEEK LATER, DEMAND IS STILL STUDY.

>> THIS IS A TIME THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING DECADES FOR.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO GET QUALITY CANNABIS WHERE THEY KNOW WITH THE VENDOR IS COMING FROM YOU WITH OCCASIONAL THIS IS COMING FROM.

>> Reporter: ZACH JAMAICA MANAGES IS IN CANNABIS.

HE SAYS OPENING DAY WAS BUSY.

IS NOT EXPECTING HIS REVENUE STREAM TO SLOW DOWN.

>> MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL WANT TO GET QUALITY CANNABIS AS RELIABLE.

PEOPLE FROM SURROUNDING STATES AND TOURISTS WILL COME TO EXPERIENCE WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER HERE.

>> Reporter: IN ROCHELLE PARK, A SEND IS TO AVERAGE 100 CUSTOMERS A DAY WHEN SELLING MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

EVER SINCE RECREATIONAL OPENED UP, THEY ARE AVERAGING 2000 CUSTOMERS A DAY.

>> WE HAVE HEARD SO MANY TIMES PEOPLE SAYING I BEEN WAITING 35 YEARS FOR THIS.

I HAVE BEEN WAITING 50 USE OF THIS.

IT IS COOL TO BE PART OF AND SEE THE EXCITEMENT.

TO SEE THEIR FACE LIGHT UP WHEN THEY SEE THE SPACE INSIDE, HOW BIG IT IS, HOW MANY REGISTERS WE HAVE, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN HERE.

>> Reporter: WHILE SOME PEOPLE WERE EXCITED FOR OPENING DAY, SOME FOLKS ARE UNDERWHELMED BY THE AMOUNT OF CELLS FROM 12,000 BUYERS.

>> THEY SELL $12 MILLION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS IN PENNSYLVANIA ON AN AVERAGE DAY.

NEW JERSEY HAD A TIMID OPENING DAY, EVEN COMPARED TO PENNSYLVANIA'S ONGOING MEDICAL MARKET.

>> Reporter: FOR SCHOOL START IS A REGIONAL MARKET OFFICER FOR THE NONPROFIT NORMAL TURKEY THINKS SALES COULD HAVE BEEN HIGHER AND MORE COMPANIES COULD GET IN THE GAME.

>> WHEN THERE IS A LOT MORE COMPETITION, EVEN LARGE CORPORATE OPERATORS LOWER THE PRICES.

IF NEW JERSEY OFFERED BY THE PRICING AT SAY $200 AN OUNCE, THAT WOULD HAVE ATTRACTED A LOT OF THE CONSUMERS IN NEW YORK CITY WHO ARE USED TO HIGH PRICES IN THE UNDERGROUND MARKET.

IF WE HAD MORE REASONABLE REGULATED CANNABIS, THAT CAN ATTRACT A LOT OF SALES.

>> THE STATES INFRASTRUCTURE HAS HELD UP.

CANDLES DELETES THE COALITION FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN NEW JERSEY AND HE HAS NOT HEARD OF WIDESPREAD ISSUES WITH PATIENTS GETTING MARIJUANA ALONGSIDE RECREATIONAL USERS.

>> THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN.

MANY PATIENTS WERE UPSET ABOUT IT.

SOME PATIENTS WERE ALSO WANTING TO SHOW THAT THE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AND THAT THIS IS A GREATER EXCUSE FOR HOME CULTIVATION, WHICH WAS ONE OF OUR GOALS.

THEY WORK WITH SCHOOL TO HAPPEN.

THE ROLLOUT WAS VERY SMOOTH.

>> Reporter: SENATOR SINGLE PAL AND JOYCE WALTON INTRODUCED A HOME CULTIVATION BILL IN THE PAST BUT HASN'T FOUND SUPPORT IN TRENTON.

SENATE PRESIDENT!

TIME IS A BIG PROPONENT OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.

HE SAID HE WANTS THE INDUSTRY TO GET OFF THE GROUND BEFORE ADDRESSING HOMEGROWN PLANS.

>>> NEW BUSINESS IN NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN THE THEME OF THE WEEK FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY, FOLLOWING HIS TRIP TO IRELAND.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE OF THAT, PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS ALLIES.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE NEW SURROUNDED JOB GROWTH IN THE STATE?

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY BEGAN AND ENDED THE WEEK ANNOUNCING COMPANIES ARE EXPANDING IN NEW JERSEY AND CREATING NEW JOBS.

MONDAY, HE ANNOUNCED APPLE GREEN WAS OPENING A U.S. OFFICE IN GLEN ROCK.

TODAY, HE JOINED OFFICIALS IN THE MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY OF HOPEWELL AT A GROUNDBREAKING FOR A NEW U.S. MANUFACTURING AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR BEIJING, A BIO PHARMA COMPANY FOCUSED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER MEDICINES.

THE COMPANY HAS FIVE OFFICES IN THE U.S. AND SAYS THE HOPEWELL FACILITY WILL BE ITS FLAGSHIP U.S. CENTER.

THE COMPANY SAYS IT WILL ALSO ADD HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS.

A LEGAL TECH COMPANY, CALLED MEL BACK, OPENED ITS HEADQUARTERS IN PRINCETON THIS WEEK, SAYING IT PLANS TO HIRE MORE STAFF AS IT EXPANDS.

WITH SO MUCH ATTENTION FOCUSED ON OFFSHORE WIND THIS WEEK, IT IS WORTH NOTING WHAT WILL HIGHER EDUCATION IS PLAYING IN ADVANCING THE INDUSTRY.

THERE IS WORKFORCE TRAINING, OF COURSE, BUT THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY RECENTLY PROVIDED A TOTAL OF $1 MILLION TO RUTGERS, ROWAN, AND MONTCLAIR UNIVERSITIES, ALONG WITH THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, TO ADVANCE ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND OPTIONAL WIND.

CEO TIM SULLIVAN SAYS MOST OF THE TECHNOLOGY USED IN OFFSHORE WIND WAS DEVELOPED IN EUROPE AND IS STILL MADE THEIR.

HE WANTS TO CHANGE THAT.

>> WE WANT MANUFACTURING TO COME HERE, BUT WE WANT THE NEXT ITERATION OF WIND TURBINES TO BE DEVELOPED, INNOVATED, BUILT, AND BORN.

PART OF THE FOLKS LIKE WORKERS AND ANOTHER OF INSTITUTIONS THAT THE STATE TO REALLY ENHANCE OUR ARE INDEED CAPABILITIES OF THE SECTOR.

>> NEW JERSEY SPORTS HAVE NEVER BEEN BUSIER.

CARGO VOLUME AT THE PORT OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY SET A RECORD HIGH IN MARCH WITH ACTIVITY OF MORE THAN 47% COMPARED TO MARCH 2019 BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

THE PORT AUTHORITY ALSO SAYS TRAFFIC AT THE BRIDGES AND TUNNELS HAVE RETURNED TO SIMILAR PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, ALTHOUGH PAST RIDERSHIP IS 52% OF WHAT IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AT THE AIRPORTS, PASSENGER VOLUME IS 83% OF WHAT IT WAS BEFORE COVID-19.

NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW STOCK TRADING ENDED TODAY IN WHAT WAS A VOLATILE WEEK ON WALL STREET.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY MARTIN TUCKMAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT NJ IT, OFFERING NEW JERSEY'S FIRST BACHELORS OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN INTACT.

BUSINESS FOCUSED, TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN.

>> JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND.

SHE ZEROS IN ON THE ENVIRONMENT, THE STATES AGGRESSIVE MASSIVE ENERGY PLAN TO PUSH NEW JERSEY'S WIND INDUSTRY AND THE COST OF SLOWING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

WATCH IT ON NJ PBS SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 A.M. >>> THIS WEEK, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CREWS SAT DOWN WAS IN BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR A VERY HONEST CONVERSATION AROUND MOTHER HAD AND THE CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH IT.

BREANNA OPENED UP ABOUT HER POSTPARTUM JOURNEY AND SHARED REAL STRUGGLES SHE EXPERIENCED THAT MANY MOTHERS AND PARENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED BUT OFTEN DON'T TALK ABOUT OUT OF AN INHERENT SENSE OF FEAR OR SHAME.

HERE IS A PORTION OF THAT CONVERSATION WE HOPE WILL BE THE SPOT FOR OTHERS TO START SHARING THEIR STORIES, TO.

>> IT IS CRAZY, WELL, BEAUTIFUL, HECTIC, AND ALL OF THE THINGS YOU WOULD EXPECT IT TO BE.

YOU KNOW, WORKING FULL TIME AND ARE A JOB DOESN'T END WHEN WE LEAVE HERE.

THAT IS TOUGH WHEN YOU HAVE A NEW BABY AT HOME AND YOU ARE JUGGLING ALL THE EMOTIONS AND COMPLEXITIES THAT COME WITH NEW MOTHERHOOD AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT STILL EXIST OUTSIDE OF THAT.

I NEVER FEEL NERVOUS, BUT THIS TOPIC STILL MAKES ME GET THAT LITTLE BUTTERFLY BECAUSE I JUST THINK THAT SHARING MY TRUTH ABOUT MY ENTIRE JOURNEY OF MOTHERHOOD HOPEFULLY IT WILL GIVE THE SPACE FOR OTHER PARENTS TO DO THE SAME.

I THINK THERE IS IS REALLY UNREALISTIC NARRATIVE OUT THERE ABOUT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

THAT PRESSURE DEFINITELY ADDS TO IT.

AND THEN HAVING THIS BEAUTIFUL BABY COME INTO THE WORLD AND DEALING WITH, FOR ME, POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY THAT STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

AND I STILL STRUGGLE WITH EVERY DAY.

DAYS ARE FAST AND SLOW.

SOMETIMES IN THE SAME MINUTE, I WANT TO PUSH FAST-FORWARD, WIND, AND PAUSE ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH SHAME AND SO MUCH EMBARRASSMENT THAT COMES WITH IT THAT SHOULDN'T BE THERE.

PERSONALLY, THE MORE WE TALK ABOUT IT AND NORMALIZE IT I HOPE IS THAT WILL BE LESS SO THE CASE.

IT IS A FEAR FOR NEW MOMS TO ADMIT.

>> YOU MENTIONED THIS A LITTLE BEFORE THIS NARRATIVE ABOUT HOW PARENTS AND MOTHERS ARE SUPPOSED TO ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF THIS PERIOD WITH THEIR CHILD.

YOU LOOK AT SOCIAL MEDIA, IT PAINTS A REAL DIFFERENT PICTURE THAN WHAT IT IS REALLY LIKE.

YOU TALK ABOUT THIS, THE SHAME AND THE STRESS (SPACE.

DID YOU JUST SHUT OFF YOUR INSTAGRAM AND YOUR FACEBOOK WHILE YOU WERE HAVING THIS PERIOD AFTER THE BABY WAS BORN?

"I DID, ACTUALLY.

I'M NOT SOMEONE WHO TRUTHFULLY LOVE SOCIAL MEDIA ANYWAY.

A LOT OF WHAT I DO IS BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT WE DO.

YOU FEEL THIS STIGMA AND THE SHAME AS A MOTHER THAT YOU ARE NOT SINGING FROM THE ROOFTOPS.

AND THAT YOU HAVE NOT HAD THIS EXPERIENCE.

I THINK WE HAVE BEEN REALLY SERVED OF WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO ENTER INTO PARENTHOOD, THAT IT IS NOT SUNSHINE AND RAINBOWS.

I HAVE A BABY WHO IS OTHERWISE HEALTHY, BUT SCREAMS STILL ALL NIGHT LONG.

WE GET 2 TO 3 HOURS OF SLEEP A NIGHT SIX MONTHS IN.

I AM NOT ENJOYING ALL OF THOSE MINUTES.

I LOVE HIM TO DEATH.

I AM SACRIFICING EVERYTHING I POSSIBLY CAN TO ENSURE HE GETS BETTER, BUT IT IS COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE MORE EMOTIONALLY OPEN ABOUT WHAT THIS REALLY LOOKS LIKE INSTEAD OF THIS PERFECTLY POST PHOTOS OF THIS FAMILY AND OH, LOOK HOW WONDERFUL LIFE IS, WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT TOOK TO GET THAT PHOTO, OR THAT THEY WERE SCREAMING AND CRYING.

I TRIED TO SHARE SOME VERY RAW EXPERIENCES FROM MY POSTPARTUM JOURNEY, YOU KNOW, THOSE THREE A.M. FEEDINGS WHERE YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHICH DAY IT IS, YOU HAVEN'T SHOWERED IN FOUR OR FIVE DAYS, THE TEARS ARE COMING DOWN YOUR FACE ALONG WITH THE BABIES, BUT YOU WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR THE WORLD.

IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT HARD.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THIS CONVERSATION HAS GONE ASKEW, THAT THOSE THINGS NEED TO BE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

I CAN SAY IT IS HARD AND NEED HELP AND STILL LOVE IT.

AND STILL WANT TO BE A MOM.

FOLKS SAY HE TRIED SO HARD FOR THIS BABY, THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED.

OF COURSE IT IS.

OF COURSE IT IS.

>> I THINK IT IS NERVOUS TO NEW PARENTS BY NOT HAVING THESE DISCUSSIONS UPFRONT.

>> YOU CAN WATCH DAVID'S WILL INTERVIEW SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 1030 A.M.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE WE EXPECT POLITICAL HEADLINES TO DAVID'S ROUNDTABLE.

GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY'S CHIEF OF STAFF FOLLOWING THE GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC RECOGNITION TO IRELAND.

THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US THIS WEEK.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK ON MONDAY.

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

ARE WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, THAT'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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