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

>> FROM NJPBS , THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

IT LOOKS LIKE OUTDOOR DINING IS HERE TO STAY IN NEW JERSEY.

AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

RESTAURANTS, BARS, BREWERIES WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE USING THE OUTDOOR FIXTURES YOU HAVE SEEN ON SIDEWALKS AND IN PARKING LOTS.

AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY THIS MORNING SIGNED A LAW THAT EXTENDED OUTDOOR DINING UNTIL NOVEMBER OF 2024.

THE OPTION WAS BORN OUT OF NECESSITY TO KEEP BUSINESSES AFLOAT DURING THE PANDEMIC SHUT DOWN.

AS OUR SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT REPORTS, IT IS A JERSEY WAY OF LIFE.

>> THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO DEMONSTRATE HOW TO EAT A PIZZA.

>> I KNOW HOW TO EAT A PIZZA.

>> Reporter: YOU CANNOT FOOL GOVERNOR MURPHY, HE TOOK SOCIAL MEDIA FLAK FOR AN UNFLATTERING PIZZA EATING PHOTO FLAK HAD A DO OVER TODAY, AND HIGHLIGHTING THE RESTAURANT WAS A WAY FOR MURPHY TO TURN AROUND LINGERING PERCEPTION ON THE PART OF SOME THAT HE IS NOT DOING ENOUGH FOR SMALL BUSINESS.

>> WE WANT OUR RESTAURANTS NOT TO JUST BE LOCATIONS BY DESTINATIONS.

WE WANT THEM NOT JUST TO BE PLACES TO EAT WHERE NEIGHBORS GATHERED AND COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

THIS IS JUST ONE WAY WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: IT SEEMS LIKE A NO- BRAINER THAT RESTAURANTS USE OUTSIDE DINING AS A WAY TO INCREASE THEIR SEATING CAPACITY DURING COVID BASED INDOOR LIMITS AND MAYBE TO ADD A LITTLE BIT OF ZEST TO NEW JERSEY DOWNTOWNS.

>> IT HAS ADDED A EUROPEAN ELEMENT TO THE DINING EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: HOW HAS IT CHANGED THE PERSONALITY OF YOUR PLACE?

>> BECAUSE, AS THE SENATOR AND GOVERNOR MURPHY MENTIONED, IT BUILDS A COMMUNAL ASPECT, WHEN YOU'RE OUTSIDE AND YOU CAN SEE EVERYBODY EATING.

IT IS A WARM, FAMILY COMMUNITY FEEL.

>> Reporter: THIS IS NEW JERSEY WHERE HOME RULE RULES AND HOW WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON WHEN AND WHERE OUTDOOR DINING CAN TAKE PLACE.

IN RIDGEWOOD, THE TOWNSHIP DECIDED THAT, BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAD A ROBUST OUTDOOR DINING SCENE, THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE BACK THE PARKING SPACES THE EXTENDED OUTDOOR DINING TOOK AWAY.

>> STREET PARKING WAS OUR MOST VALUABLE CUSTOMER PARKING, THOSE ARE THE SPACINGS THAT TURNOVER MORE FREQUENTLY AND THE PARKING SPACES THAT WERE BEING CONSUMED BY THE DINING CROWD REALLY IMPACTED SERVICES, STUDIOS, BRICK AND MORTAR RETAILERS, AND OTHER RESTAURANTS WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF THE OUTDOOR DINING.

>> Reporter: DANA OF THE RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION DOES NOT CALL THEM DINING CORRALS, SHE IS A BIG FAN OF HOW OUTDOOR DINING HAS CHANGED A LOT OF DOWNTOWNS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> I THINK IT IS A VERY EXCITING SHIFT.

WE SAW THAT LAST YEAR WHEN THERE WERE STILL RESTRICTION ON INDOOR DINING.

I THINK IT IS WONDERFUL PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THIS COMMUNITY FEEL.

>> Reporter: MURPHY SAYS HE WANTS TO MAKE THIS PERMANENT.

A LITTLE THING THAT HAS ACTUALLY GONE A LONG WAY TOWARDS MAKING PEOPLE BELIEVE HE KNOWS HOW TO HOLD AND FOLD A SLICE WITHOUT GETTING ANY ON HIS SHIRT.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PICK FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL GO BEFORE THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ON MONDAY, IF APPROVED, HIS CONFIRMATION VOTE WILL GO BEFORE THE FULL STATE SENATE.

THE ENDORSEMENT WAS THE FINAL HURDLE IN HIS SIX MONTH LONG CONFIRMATION PROCESS.

AS GOVERNOR MURPHY'S FORMER CHIEF COUNSEL, THE NOMINEE WILL FACE QUESTIONING OVER WHETHER HE CAN ACT INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE GOVERNOR.

THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IS ALSO EXPECTED TO CONSIDER FIVE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE NOMINEES.

IT WILL MAKE A DENT BUT WILL NOT SOLVE THE STATE'S UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF JUDICIAL VACANCIES.

>>> STORE SHELVES ARE SLOWLY FILLING BACKUP WITH BABY FORMULA SUPPLIES, EASING THE CRISIS THAT PLAGUED THE COUNTRY FOR MONTHS, BUT THE SHORTAGE IS FAR FROM OVER.

STOPPING IT COULD TAKE A WHILE ACCORDING TO INDUSTRY EXPERTS.

DESPITE IMPORTS AND RAMPING UP PRODUCTION WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, FORMULA AVAILABILITY IS NOT BACK TO NORMAL.

AS WE REPORT HIM IT IS HITTING SOME FAMILIES HARDER THAN OTHERS.

>> MY DAUGHTER WAS SCREAMING IN PAIN, IT WAS DEVASTATING.

>> Reporter: STACY DESCRIBING THE MOMENT HER FIVE-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER BECAME SICK WHILE USING A NEW FORMULA AFTER SHE AND HER FIANCE WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND HER DAIRY FORMULA.

>> WE WENT TO THE STORE WHERE WE ALWAYS GIVE HER FORMULA, IT WAS NOT THERE AND THE SHELVES WERE EMPTY.

MY FIANCE WENT TO TARGET.

WE HAVE BEEN THERE BEFORE AND THEY HAVE HAD IT.

HE CALLS ME UP AND SAYS IT IS NOT THERE.

WE ARE BOTH ON THE PHONE IN SILENCE.

FOR THE NATIONAL 80 FORMULA NUMBERS FROM A CHICAGO-BASED MARKET RESEARCH FIRM, 79.46% OF ALL BABY FORMULA IS IN STOCK AND 70% OF POWDER FORMULA IS IN STOCK FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 24th.

WHILE THE NUMBERS HAVE IMPROVED SINCE THE START OF THE SHORTAGE, DOES NOT MEET AVAILABILITY IS 100% BACK TO NORMAL FOR EVERYONE.

THERE ARE STILL MILLIONS OF MOTHERS STRUGGLING TO FIND FORMULA, AND SOME FEEL FORGOTTEN BY HER COUNTRY.

>> EVERYBODY WAS TALKING ABOUT IT.

EVEN IF YOU DO NOT HAVE KIDS, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT IT.

A MONTH AND IT WAS DIFFERENT.

WE WERE STILL GOING INTO STORES AND ASKING, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GET A SHIPMENT?

BEEN TOLD, I DON'T KNOW.

THE UNCERTAINTY OF NOT BEING ABLE TO KNOW IF YOU CAN FEED YOUR CHILD AND NOT HEARING A WORD FROM THE GOVERNMENT WHAT IS HAPPENING, WHAT IS GOING ON, WHEN WILL THIS BE FIXED.

YOU START TO FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN SHOVED TO THE SIDE.

>> SHE IS CORRECT, THE SHORTAGE IS NOT OVER UNTIL EVERY SINGLE MOTHER, FATHER CAN GO TO THE STORE AND FIND THE EXACT FORMULA THEY NEED BECAUSE EACH BABY HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS.

>> Reporter: HER CONCERNS ARE ECHOED BY THIS MOTHER OF TWO, SHE ALSO HAD TROUBLE FINDING FORMULA FOR HER 10 MONTH OLD BABY BOY, STARTED A WEBSITE TO HELP MOTHERS WHO SHE SAYS ARE STILL IN NEED.

>> CARE FOR PREMATURE BABIES, THE ALPHA AMINO IS GETTING A LITTLE BIT BETTER BUT THE GERBER EXTENSIVE, PEOPLE CANNOT FIND THAT.

THERE IS STILL DEFINITELY AN ISSUE.

BUT, FOR THE MOST PART, FOR MOST BRANDS, GETTING BETTER.

>> Reporter: MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF PEDIATRICS SAYS IT IS NOT ALL BAD NEWS AND THERE MAY BE A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

>> I AM NOT SURPRISED PARENTS ARE STILL HAVING A HARD TIME.

NUMBER ONE, I THINK THOSE PARENTS ARE FEWER AND FAR BETWEEN.

MEANING THAT MORE AND MORE PARENTS ARE ABLE TO FIND THE FORMULA THEY NEED.

THERE ARE SOME ISSUES, AS ALWAYS, WITH SUPPLY AND DEMAND WERE COSTS WILL BE HIGHER.

STACKED ON TOP OF THE SHIPPING CONCERNS.

BUT THE SHELVES ARE GETTING A LITTLE BIT FULLER.

THE OPTIONS ARE GETTING BROADER.

AND I THINK, BY THE FALL, OR MAYBE EARLY WINTER AT THE LATEST, WE SHOULD BE SEEING OURSELVES BACK TO NORMAL.

>> Reporter: FOR THESE MOTHERS, IT MAY NOT BE SOON ENOUGH.

>>> LAST YEAR, POLICE USED DNA FROM AN INFANT'S BLOOD SAMPLE TO TRACK DOWN A SEX CRIME SUSPECT IN NEW JERSEY.

THE PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO THE STATE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THE BLOOD SAMPLE WAS OBTAINED THROUGH A MANDATORY NEWBORN HEALTH SCREENING PROGRAM USED TO CHECK FOR METABOLIC AND GENETIC DISORDERS, NOT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.

AND WAS USED WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT.

NOW THE OFFICE IS SUING THE STATE TO FIND OUT JUST HOW OFTEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE USED SIMILAR INFANT BLOOD SAMPLES TO SUPPORT THEIR WORK.

JENNIFER FROM THE NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER IS WITH ME NOW TO SHARE THE LATEST.

JENNIFER, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I WONDER, WHAT IS THE CONCERN WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT GOES AND USES INFORMATION LIKE THIS?

>> THE CONCERN WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT TRIES TO USE GENETIC MATERIAL IN A WAY THAT SIDESTEPS THE WARRANT REQUIREMENT, IS JUST THAT, WE HAVE A PROCEDURE IN PLACE, THAT WHEN A POLICE OFFICER OR AN INVESTIGATING BODY WANTS TO ACCESS MATERIAL AS PRIVATE AS OUR GENES, THERE IS A PROCESS FOR THAT AND THE PROCESS IS TO APPLY FOR A SEARCH WARRANT.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE IS THE PROCESS THAT WENT AROUND THE WARRANT REQUIREMENT AND USED THIS DATABASE THAT WAS CREATED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF SCREENING NEWBORNS FOR GENETIC DISEASES.

WE SEE POLICE USING THIS DATA IN A WAY IT WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE USED AND WE SEE IT AS AN END RUN AROUND THE CONSTITUTION.

>> Reporter: YOUR OFFICE FILED AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST LOOKING FOR SUBPOENAS.

SUBPOENAS THAT WERE USED TO GATHER THIS INFORMATION.

I WAS DENIED SO YOU TOOK IT A STEP FURTHER.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO FIND?

>> IT IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO FIND BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DON'T KNOW.

WE PUT THE RECORDS REQUEST OUT THERE BECAUSE, WHAT WE WANT TO FIND OUT, HOW OFTEN THIS PROCESS IS BEING USED?

HOW OFTEN ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TRY TO ACCESS A PUBLIC HEALTH DATABASE FOR A PURPOSE THAT IT WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE USED FOR?

DID IT HAPPEN ONCE, HUNDREDS OF TIMES, WHERE IS IT HAPPENING?

THE ONLY ONES -- ONLY ONCE WE HAVE THE DATA CAN WE DECIDE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS AND HOW WE GO FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THE CASE THIS WAS USED IN GARNERED A CRIMINAL AND A SEXUAL ABUSE ACT THAT MAY NOT HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN CAUGHT BUT THERE IS NO CONSENT.

THAT IS THE ISSUE, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT, NOT JUST THERE IS NO CONSENT BECAUSE POLICE GET WARRANTS ALL THE TIME TO ACCESS DATA FOR WHICH THEY DO NOT HAVE CONSENT OF THE OWNER OF THE DATA WE ARE NOT AGAINST USING WHATEVER INVESTIGATIVE METHODS IT TAKES TO INVESTIGATE CRIMES IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE ARE BEING LAWFULLY DONE.

>> Reporter: IS A FAIR TO SAY, IF NOT FOR THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THE DOOR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN OPENED TO EVEN KNOW THAT THIS WAS GOING ON?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF IT WAS NOT FOR THIS PARTICULAR CASE, AND SOME EXCELLENT WORK BY THE ATTORNEY INVOLVED IN THE CASE, AND THROUGH OUR FORENSIC SCIENCE EFFORTS, WE WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS.

WHERE WE ARE NOW IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW OFTEN THIS IS HAPPENING AND CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN WE GET THERE.

WE THINK THE PUBLIC AND PARENTS AND CHILDREN WHOSE BLOOD IS BEING STORED IN THE DATABASE DESERVE TO KNOW HOW IT IS BEING USED, AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO ARE CHARGED WITH CRIMES, THEY DESERVE TO KNOW HOW IT IS BEING USED SO IT CAN BE USED LAWFULLY.

>> Reporter: JENNIFER WITH THE NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> AFTER A NUMBER OF DELAYS AND PROTESTS, THE U.S. SENATE VOTED TUESDAY, APPROVING A BILL THAT WILL HELP MILLIONS OF VETERANS EXPAND HEALTHCARE ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICE MEMBERS WHO WERE EXPOSED TO TOXIC BURN PITS.

THESE ARE MASSIVE TRASH PILES COME UP TO ONE ACRE IN SIZE, USED TO GET RID OF WASTE ON U.S. MILITARY BASES.

YOU FIND THEM MOSTLY IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.

THE LEGISLATION PASSED 86-11 JUST DAYS AFTER REPUBLICANS PULLED SUPPORT OVER DISPUTES ABOUT HOW TO PAY FOR THE ROUGHLY 200 $80 BILLION IN BENEFITS, IT IS THE BIGGEST EXPANSION OF VETERAN HEALTHCARE SINCE THE AGENT ORANGE ACT OF 1991 WHICH BOOSTED BENEFITS FOR VIETNAM WAR VETERANS.

THE NEW LEGISLATION WILL HELP ANY AMERICAN SERVICEMEMBER STATIONED IN COMBAT ZONE OVER THE LAST 32 YEARS AND NOW GOES TO THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

>>> STATE RESIDENT WILL HAVE MORE PLACES SOON TO PURCHASE LEGAL WEED.

THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY OVERSEEING THE NEW JERSEY CANNABIS MARKET APPROVED TWO MORE LOCATIONS FOR ADULT USE MARIJUANA SALES AND GREENLIGHTED DOZENS MORE CONDITIONAL LICENSES.

WHILE THE AGENCY HAS BEEN BUSY STARTING THE MARKET, EMPLOYERS SAY THEY HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD ON HOW TO HANDLE CANNABIS USE IN THE WORKPLACE.

WE HAVE A REPORT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN PLANNING FOR THE START FOR ADULT USE FOR A LONG TIME.

WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND OUR OTHER TWO LOCATIONS, LORENZ AND ELIZABETH, IT HAS BEEN OVER THREE MONTHS.

>> Reporter: THEY CAN FINALLY ADD THE THIRD LOCATION TO THE LIST, THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION GIVING APPROVAL FOR THE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTER IN NEPTUNE TO EXPAND INTO THE ADULT USE MARKET.

JAMES, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SAYS IT IS A STEP THE COMPANY IS MORE THAN READY TO TAKE AND HIGHLIGHTING THE COMPANY'S COMMITMENT TO MAKING SURE MEDICAL PATIENTS ARE TO A PRIORITY AFTER WATCHING RECREATIONAL SALES AT THE OTHER TWO LOCATIONS IN APRIL.

>> WE HAVE DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES FOR PATIENTS RIGHT UP FRONT WHEN THEY COME IN, MEDICAL PATIENTS, THEY CAN SKIP THE LINE, EXPRESS CHECK-IN.

FOR IT IS ONE OF TWO OF THE APPROVAL WAS ISSUED TO.

>> WE HAVE BEEN CULTIVATING, IN A SMALLER LOCATION, FOR ADULT USE AND MEDICAL, NOW THIS WILL GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE SUPPLY, BOTH TO OUR DISPENSARIES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR ALL THE NEW DISPENSARIES THAT ARE SOON TO BE ONLINE.

>> Reporter: THE LICENSES HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO 79 MORE BUSINESSES LOOKING TO BEGIN RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SALES THAT STILL NEED TO GET ZONING APPROVAL AND PROOF OF LOCAL SUPPORT BEFORE THEY CAN GET AN ANNUAL FULL OPERATING LICENSE.

A MOTION TO HOME DELIVERY AND CURBSIDE PICKUP FOR MEDICINAL CANNABIS ALSO APPROVED.

>> FOR SOME PATIENTS, ONLY WAY THEY CAN ACCESS THE MEDICINE AS THEY CANNOT GET OUT OF THEIR LIVING SITUATION AND THEY NEEDED TO BE DELIVERED.

>> Reporter: ONE AREA OF CONCERN NOT ADDRESSED IS THE SALE OF ANIMALS, HE SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THEY ARE DOING WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO TO MAKE SURE PRODUCTS ARE PROPERLY REGULATED AND SO SOMETIMES EDIBLES ARE THE BEST OPTION.

>> SOME MEDICAL PATIENTS CANNOT SMOKE OR EVEN VAPORIZE IT.

REPORTER MIKE ANOTHER CONCERNED NOT ADDRESSES WORKPLACE SAFETY.

WHEN RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA WAS LEGALIZED LAST YEAR, LEADERS AGREED ON A DISINTEGRATE WORKPLACE IMPAIRMENT RECOGNITION EXPERTS, BECAUSE A PERSON CAN TEST POSITIVE FOR MARIJUANA FOR QUITE SOMETIME AFTER USING IT, THE RULE IS TO DETERMINE IF AN EMPLOYEE IS IMPAIRED ON THE JOB.

BUT THE CRC HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RULES GOVERNING WORKPLACE RULE.

>> THE EXPECTATIONS THOSE RULES WILL BE THE ANSWER AND THE END- ALL BE-ALL TO ALL CONCERNS OF EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE EMPLOYEES IN SAFETY SENSITIVE FUNCTIONS, THAT IS A FALSE DICHOTOMY.

THERE IS, FOR EXAMPLE, NO SCIENTIFICALLY ESTABLISH CONNECTION BETWEEN SIGNS OF IMPAIRMENT AND CANNABIS USE.

THE USE OF CANNABIS IS HIGHLY IDIOSYNCRATIC, IT IS NOT LIKE TESTING FOR ALCOHOL.

THAT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY, THAT DIFFERENCE, AND BY THE COURT IN MANY STATES.

>> Reporter: THERE WORKING TO ADDRESS CONCERNS LIKE WORKPLACE SAFETY AND THE SALE OF EDIBLES.

THE PUBLIC CAN SPEAK ON THE UPDATED RULES FOR MY PERSONAL USE CANNABIS BEFORE THE MEETING NEXT MONTH.

>>> THE LATEST GLIMPSE INTO THE LABOR MARKET IS A GOOD INDICATOR FOR WHAT IS COMING UP, THAT IS THE LATEST IN A NEW REPORT.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS AND THE BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> Reporter: CLOSELY WATCHED DATA ON THE JOB MARKET IS OUT THIS WEEK.

IT COULD TELL US A LOT ABOUT THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY.

THE BIG QUESTION IS THE SUPERSTRONG JOB MARKET COOLING?

IN NEW JERSEY, SOME COMPANIES ARE NO LONGER HIRING AGGRESSIVELY.

THAT IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NEW JERSEY BANKERS ASSOCIATION SAYS, BANKS ARE HEARING THAT FROM THEIR CUSTOMERS.

>> YOU SEE A SLOWDOWN IN HIRING, POSITIONS THAT MAY BE ADVERTISED OR NOT NECESSARILY BEING FILLED AT THE PACE THAT THEY WERE BEING FILLED IN THE PAST.

I THINK THERE IS A MOMENT OF CAUTION WHICH IS BEING EXERCISED BY BOTH BANKERS AND THEIR STAFFING, AND BUSINESSES.

>> Reporter: THE MONTHLY JOBS REPORT, DUE OUT ON FRIDAY, IS EXPECTED TO SHOW COMPANIES STILL ADDING NEW JOBS BUT NOT AT THE PACE THEY DID BEFORE.

>>> HUNDREDS OF ADDITIONAL JOBS COULD BE CREATED IN NEW JERSEY'S ROLLING WIND ENERGY SECTOR, IT -- ATLANTIC POWERTRAIN MISSION AND MORRISON ENERGY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO INVEST IN THE STATE WORKFORCE BY TRAINING WORKERS FOR JOBS AT A NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY.

THE FACILITY WOULD BUILD WHAT IS KNOWN AS JACKET FOUNDATIONS, THOSE ARE STRUCTURES WHICH REPORT OFFSHORE WIND SUBSTATIONS.

THE MANUFACTURING PROJECT, THE FIRST FOR THE EAST COAST, WOULD MOVE FORWARD IF ATLANTIC POWER IS AWARDED ITS BID TO BE IN OFFSHORE WIND TRANSMISSION PROVIDER.

>>> THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES CONTINUE FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM ALL, IT'S JUST ANOTHER PAYMENT, THIS TIME AT $8.8 MILLION INTEREST PAYMENT TO ITS BONDHOLDERS WHICH WAS DUE ON AUGUST 1st.

IN A REGULATORY FILING, 555 CITED INSUFFICIENT FUNDS AS THE REASON, A MALL SPOKESPERSON TOLD THE MEDIA THAT AMERICAN DREAM IS UNDER NO FINANCIAL OBLIGATION TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO ITS BONDHOLDERS.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE, THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

AND BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> A CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM PILOTED IN NEW JERSEY IS GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION AFTER THE JOE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ASKED LEADERS ON INPUT ON HOW TO ROLLOUT A COMMUNITY SOLAR PROGRAM SIMILAR TO ONE HERE.

IT BUILDS SOLAR PROJECTS AND LOW TO MODERATE INCOME AREAS AND ENABLES NEARBY RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR POWER FROM THE PROJECTS AT A FRACTION OF THE COST.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: EVEN IN THE POURING RAIN, NEW JERSEY IS FINDING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE TO SWITCH TO SOLAR POWER.

>> IF WE ARE GOING TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, EVERYBODY, YOU, ME, EVERYBODY HAS TO PARTICIPATE.

>> Reporter: THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY SOLAR PROGRAM, THE STORAGE BUSINESS IN NEPTUNE HAS ITS ENTIRE ROOF COVERED IN SOLAR PANELS.

IT PROVIDES CHEAPER POWER FOR A FEW HUNDRED NEIGHBORHOOD HOMES.

>> LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FOLKS, PARTICULARLY IN URBAN AREAS, SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MITIGATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THE NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY SOLAR PROGRAM IS GROUNDBREAKING.

KEVIN SAYS, IF ALL GOES WELL OVER THE NEXT YEAR, NINE MORE EXTRA SPACE STORES WILL HAVE SOLAR PANELS AND I COULD POWER MORE THAN 1000 ADDITIONAL HOMES.

>> IT WAS THE FIRST TO MAKE SURE THAT MORE THAN HALF OF ELECTRICITY GENERATED WILL GO TO LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

WE SEE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN ACTION.

JOB CREATION, COST SAVINGS, AND CLEANER AIR IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, WE SEE THE VISION OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION OF ENERGY EQUITY COME TO FRUITION.

REPORT ONE OF THOSE JOBS IS SOLAR PANEL INSTALLER, IT'S RECIPIENT IS NICO WHO USED TO WORK FOR A FARM BEFORE JOINING SOLAR LANDSCAPE ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO.

>> IT IS A GOOD THING TO LEARN.

IT IS A NICE JOB TO HAVE AND I AM LEARNING YOU CAN MAKE A NICE LIVING, YOU CAN SUPPORT A FAMILY.

>> Reporter: HE HAS LIVED IN NEPTUNE'S WHOLE LIFE AND IS PROUD TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> IT MEANS A LOT HELPING THE COMMUNITY, HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT, I GET TO LEARN A LOT.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I LIKE WORKING WITH PLANTS.

I WANTED TO BE A FARMER AND I WAS WORKING AT THE FARM AND NOW I AM A SOLAR FARM OR.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY SOLAR HAS BEEN A NEW JERSEY PROGRAM FOR 2.5 YEARS AND LAST WEEK THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND FOUR OTHER STATES WOULD JOIN NEW JERSEY IN A NATIONAL COMMUNITY SOLAR PROGRAM WITH THE HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL SAVE MONEY ON ENERGY BILLS WHILE FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> THE WORLD IS TRYING TO GRAPPLE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, NEW JERSEY IS GROUND ZERO IN THE U.S. WITH A PROJECTED FIVE FEET OF SEA LEVEL RISE BY 2100, COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS ARE ON THE FRONT LINES.

BUT IT IS NOT JUST SHORE COMMUNITIES, INCREASE PARTICIPATION, MORE INTENSE HEAT WAVES, WILDFIRES, OUR ENTIRE STATE IS AT RISK.

>> IT HAS TO BE ALL HANDS ON DECK IF WE ARE GOING TO WIN THIS BATTLE.

WE WILL BE JUDGED BY FUTURE GENERATIONS BY HOW WELL WE MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THEY WANT PEOPLE TO GIVE SOLAR A LOOK.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF GRANTS AND THINGS THAT I THINK GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS DONE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GET SOLAR PANELS ON THEIR HOMES.

I FEEL LIKE EVERYBODY SHOULD LOOK INTO IT.

REPORT ONE MORE REASON WHY COMPANIES MAY CONSIDER PUTTING SOLAR PANELS ON THE ROOF, TO MAKE MONEY, WHEN PEOPLE LIKE SOLAR LANDSCAPE PUT PANELS ON ROOFS, THEY PAY RENT TO EACH SQUARE FOOT COVERED BY A SOLAR PANEL, TURNING ROOFTOPS INTO RENTABLE REAL ESTATE.

>>> ONE OF THE STATES MOST EXCLUSIVE CLUBS HAS A NEW LIST OF MEMBERS AND THEY ARE JOINING SOME JERSEY LEGENDS.THE NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME IS ANNOUNCING ITS 14th CLASS TO BE INDUCTED THIS FALL.

IT RANGES FROM PERFORMERS LIKEMAX WEINBERG, DRUMMER FOR THE E STREET BAND, CHELSEA HANDLER, AND THEY HONOR THE DECEASED, INCLUDING DOROTHEA DIX, SUPERINTENDENT OF ARMY NURSES FOR THE UNION ARMYIN THE CIVIL WAR, THE 45th GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY, RICHARD J. HUGHES, IS ON THE LIST, AS WELL AS NEW JERSEY MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS WHO WILL BE INDUCTED AS UNSUNG HEROES.THE CEREMONY WILL BE VIRTUAL, A PANDEMIC HOLDOVER, BUT BROADCAST ON NJPBS.

AND IN PERSON EVENT IS BEING PLANNED FOR 2023, MARK YOUR CALENDARS.>>> THAT WILL DO IT TO US THIS EVENING.

MAKE SURE YOU GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE NEWS IN THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM ,THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD,RWJBarnabas Health, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> I AM MILES AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM AND FOR ME.

IN BODY AND IN MIND, I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO BECAUSE, WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE, AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.