>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJ SPOTLIGHT GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS " TRAN04 SPOTLIGHT NEWS" WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> WITH THE FALLOUT FROM THE PANDEMIC, NURSING HOMES MAY HAVE MANAGED TO SURVIVE THE CRISIS, BUT NOW THEY ARE UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH RISING COSTS, THE NEED FOR INCREASED STAFF AND LIMITED FINANCES.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE STATES COVID FATALITIES CAME FROM THOSE FACILITIES LAST SPRING.

WORKERS WERE ON THE FRONT LINES AS THE VIRUS QUICKLY SPREAD.

THE SITUATION IS FAR DIFFERENT NOW, THOUGH CAUSING WORRY FOR SOME HEALTH EXPERTS AS STATEWIDE 803 NEW POSITIVE CASES AND FOUR CONFIRMED DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED TODAY WITH HOSPITALIZATIONS HITTING MORE THAN 400 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A MONTH.

THAT UNCERTAINTY IS NOT HELPING THE INDUSTRY.

THE BERGEN COUNTY HEALTHCARE CENTER IS THE LATEST TO SHUTTER WHAT WOULD IT MEAN FOR FAMILIES AND WORKERS?

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> I SEE PEOPLE CRYING.

I SEE PEOPLE DISTRESSED.

I SEE PEOPLE NOT KNOWING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

AN 36-YEAR-OLD BRETT LANDIS HAS CEREBRAL PALSY LIVES AT THE BERGEN COUNTY HEALTH CENTER, A NURSING HOME WITH A FIVE STAR RATING.

HE IS ONE OF 46 RESIDENTS HERE WHO LEARNED THIS WEEK THE COUNTY IS PLANNING TO PERMANENTLY SHUT THIS FACILITY DOWN, MAINLY FOR FINANCIAL REASONS BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

RESIDENTS CAN MOVE TO BERGEN COUNTY'S NEW MEDICAL CENTER IF THEY WANT, BUT MANY HAVE LIVED HERE 10 TO 15 YEARS.

>> THEY KNOW THESE PEOPLE, WE ARE LIKE FAMILY HERE.

TO HAVE THE CARPET PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THEM.

>> Reporter: BERGEN COUNTY CITED INADEQUATE REIMBURSEMENT, A SHIFT TOWARD HOME OR COMMUNITY-BASED CARE, OUTDATED INFRASTRUCTURE, ALONG WITH THE COVID PANDEMIC AS REASON FOR THE CLOSURE.

LANDIS DOES NOT BY ITS.

>> I THINK THAT PARDON MY FRENCH, IT IS [ BLEEP ].

I AM SURE THERE ARE 20 OF PRIVATE PAY PEOPLE THAT KNOW ABOUT THIS FACILITY, IT IS FIVE-STAR, THE NUMBER ONE IN THE STATE.

THERE WERE PEOPLE LINING UP TO GET IN HERE.

>> IT IS STILL YOUR HOME THAT IS CLOSING DOWN AND YOU HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER ONE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE'S PATIENT'S ADVOCATES WORRY THAT THIS IS THE FOURTH NURSING HOME TO CLOSE SO FAR THIS YEAR.

70% OF JERSEY'S 300 SO NURSING HOMES ARE FOR PROFIT.

>> THE TREND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS ARE EITHER CLOSING OR PRIORITIZING PRIVATIZING, GOING INTO PRIVATE HANDS, RUN BY EQUITY FUNDS, HEDGE FUNDS, OTHER COMPANIES THAT HAVE PROFIT AS THEIR PRIMARY MOTIVATOR.

THE QUALITY OF CARE IN THE FOR PROFIT NURSING HOMES IS NOT AS GOOD AS IT IS IN THE NOT-FOR- PROFIT NURSING HOMES.

YOU CAN SEE THAT IN THE CMS AND FEDERAL DATA.

>> WE SEE FREESTANDING FACILITIES EITHER SELLING OR CLOSING BECAUSE IT IS BECOMING VERY, VERY HARD FOR THOSE FACILITIES FINANCIALLY TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

IT WAS A TREND BEFORE COVID.

COVID HAS EXACERBATED IT.

COSTS ARE HIGHER NOW YOU'RE COVID HAS IMPOSED A LOT OF COSTS.

>> Reporter: ANDY ERICKSON SAYS AFTER COVID KILLED MORE THAN 8000 NEW JERSEY NURSING HOME RESIDENTS AND STAFFERS, THE STATE IMPOSED NEW RULES GOVERNING INFECTION CONTROL AND STAFFING RATIOS.

THE PATIENT CENSUS STATEWIDE IS NOW A LITTLE LOWER.

ANDY SAYS THE STRUCTURE IS STILL UNDER FUNDS, EVEN WITH A 10% FUNDING INCREASE TO BOOST STAFFING LEVELS, THE REJECTS THE ASSERTION THAT FOR-PROFITS STANDS ON CAREGIVING.

>> THE TYPE OF OWNERSHIP DOES NOT DICTATE THE QUALITY OF CARE.

QUALITY OF CARE IN FOR PROFIT FACILITIES, PRIVATE CARE IN PRIVATE FACILITIES IS JUST AS GOOD, IF NOT BETTER.

>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, RESIDENTS AND STAFF AT BERGEN ARE PREPARED TO LEAVE.

ABOUT 20 TO 25 NURSING SINCE REPRESENT BY THE NURSING UNIT STILL RISK LOSING JOBS THAT PAY A LITTLE LESS THAN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, BUT COMPENSATE WITH FULL PENSION AND HEALTH BENEFITS.

>> I CAN'T THINK OF ANY WORKERS , MAYBE BESIDES HOSPITAL WORKERS THAT ARE MORE FRONT LINES IN THE PANDEMIC THE NURSING STAFF.

FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO PUT OUT A PLAN THAT DID NOT FULLY ACCOUNT FOR THE NEEDS OF THESE MEMBERS WAS SHOCKING AND DISAPPOINTED FROM THE UNION.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY SAYS IN A STATEMENT, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING THEY ARE DOING TO KEEP RESIDENTS HEALTHY AND SAFE AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF OUR VALUED EMPLOYEES TO FIND OPTIONS AT OTHER HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.

BRETT LANDIS HAS BEEN LIVING HIM APART FROM HIS WIFE AND SON FOR 2 YEARS AS THEY CAN'T FIND AN AFFORDABLE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE APARTMENT.

>> I AM TRYING MYSELF WITH A DISABILITY RIGHTS ATTORNEY TO FIND A PLACE OF MY OWN, BUT BECAUSE OF THE CLOSURE AND WHEN THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE CLOSED, NOW IT IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON ME AND PUTTING US IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION.

>> Reporter: PATIENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE OUT BY OCTOBER 31st.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE LAST OF THE STATE'S SIX VACCINATION MEGA SITES DELIVERED ITS FINAL SHOT TODAY AT THE MOORESTOWN MALL, WHERE WORKERS HAVE ADMINISTERED MORE THAN 390,000 VACCINE DOSES SINCE OPENING JANUARY 13th.

AS A THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK AND WILLINGNESS OF RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR SHOUT SHOT, A CLAPPED OUT.

[ APPLAUSE ] THOSE RIGHT THERE ARE THE FINAL RECIPIENTS.

61 TOTAL SHOTS GIVEN TODAY, THAT IS A STARK CONTRAST FROM WHERE IT STARTED.

AT ITS PEAK, THE MEGA SITE ADMINISTERED JUST UNDER 6000 VACCINE DOSES A DAY AND HAVE FULLY IMMUNIZED ROUGHLY 195,000 PEOPLE, HELPING THE STATE REACH ITS TOTAL OF MORE THAN 5.2 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED AS OF TODAY.

>>> THE BURLINGTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE GIVING VACCINES FOUR DAYS A WEEK AT ROTATING SITES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, PART OF THE NEXT PHASE TO CONCENTRATE EFFORTS ON A MORE LOCAL LEVEL.

>>> IN CAMDEN, THAT LOCAL OUTREACH IS SHOWING UP IN LESS TYPICAL PLACES, THE BARBER SHOP FOR ONE, WHERE IT IS EASY TO GET THE EAR OF A CLIENT AND THE MESSAGE IS ALREADY HAVE A BUILT- IN LEVEL OF TRUST.

THE PROGRAM IS WORKING WITH 15 BARBERS IN THE CITY TO HELP GET THE WORD OUT AND CHIP AWAY AT REMAINING HESITANCY OVER THE VACCINE THAT IS SHOWN TO BE HIGHER IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: MOST DAYS OF THE WEEK, YOU CAN FIND RANKINGS INSIDE A CENTRAL BLENDS HAIR STUDIO IN CAMDEN, GIVING FRESH LOOK TO CUSTOMERS IN HIS CHAIR.

>> IT IS AN AWESOME FEELING.

[ LAUGHTER ] ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SPEND THE CHAIR TO THE MIRROR AND SEE THEIR REACTION.

IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

LIKE I ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: IT IS USUALLY A TIME FOR RANKINS TO CATCH UP, SHARE A SMILE WITH HIS CLIENTS.

>> THE WORLD AND THE BOLICK BARBERSHOP IS ANYWHERE FROM POLITICS TO RELIGION.

THOSE TOPICS TURNED TO HEATED DEBATES.

I TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM GETTING INTO THOSE SITUATIONS.

>> Reporter: MOST RECENTLY, IT HAS ALSO BECOME A SAFE PLACE TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, GETTING VACCINATED.

>> COMING OFF OF QUARANTINE, REAL HEAVY ON THE MASK, GLOVES, SANITIZER AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.

ONCE EVERYTHING OPENED BACK UP FULLY, IT WAS LIKE THE MASK MANDATE THAT LIFTED AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT, SO PEOPLE JUST ASSUMED I STOP WEARING MY MASK BECAUSE OF THAT.

I JUST EXPLAINED TO THEM, THEY COME IN, NO MASK?

I AM NOT WEARING MINE, I AM FULLY VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: RANKINS IS NOW ONE OF SEVERAL OTHER BARBERS IN THE AREA BEING RECOGNIZED AS COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS IN THE EFFORT TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

>> THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SOME OF US AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AND THE CENTER FOR FAMILY STUDIES.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS JUST GET INFORMATION INTO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF VACCINE HESITANCY RIGHT NOW, AS YOU KNOW.

I THINK ALL OF US ARE A LITTLE BIT ANXIOUS, TO SAY THE LEAST, AFTER THIS LAST YEAR.

>> WE SEE A LOT OF FOCUSING ON USING PEOPLE LIKE JOE BIDEN, OPERA, LeBRON JAMES SAYING LET'S GET THIS SHOT, BUT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THEM, THEY DON'T TRUST THEM.

PEOPLE DO TRUST THEIR BARBER AND HAIRSTYLIST AND PEOPLE THAT THEY GO TO FOR THESE TYPES OF THINGS AND SPEND TIME AND HAVE RELATIONSHIPS.

WE WANTED TO THINK OF WAYS WE COULD BE USED, SOME FUNDED TO LEVERAGE THAT TRUST THAT THE BARBERS AND STYLISTS HAVE BUILT UP AND USE THAT TO BUILD THE CONFIDENCE AND REDUCE RELUCTANCE HE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS ARE FEELING.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH , OVER 10 MILLION DOSES OF THE VACCINE HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED STATEWIDE WITH OVER 5 MILLION PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED.

IN CAMDEN COUNTY, OVER 500,000 DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED WITH ONLY LESS THAN 300,000 CONSIDERED FULLY VACCINATED.

>> CAMDEN IS ONE OF THE MUNICIPALITIES THAT IS BEHIND.

WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG ADULTS AND THAT IS A POPULATION THAT IS LAGGING BEHIND.

>> I DON'T EVEN TAKE FLU SHOTS.

IT WAS WEIRD.

IT WAS SCARY AT FIRST.

I ALSO HAVE A CLEANING SERVICE, SO I WAS BEING ESSENTIAL AT THE TIME THAT I STILL HAD TO GO OUT AND DO THESE BUILDINGS.

I AM OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND COME BACK HOME TO MY KIDS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I DID NOT WANT TO GET SICK AND COME BACK HOME TO THEM AND GET THEM SICK.

I SAID I NEED TO MAKE THE DECISION TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: NOW HE IS SHARING HIS STORY WITH ANYONE THAT WANTS TO LISTEN.

>> I LET THEM KNOW I AM FULLY VACCINATED, BUT IT IS UP TO YOU TO MAKE THAT CHOICE.

>> ALTHOUGH NO WAY TO KEEP TRACK, ORGANIZERS FOR THE PROGRAM SO THEY HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF GREAT FEEDBACK.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> BUILDING TRUST BETWEEN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAS ALSO BEEN A TOP PRIORITY THIS YEAR, BUT GETTING THERE HAS NOT BEEN EASY.

NEW RESEARCH AVID RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, CAMDEN IS SHEDDING LIGHT UPON THE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF COMMUNITY POLICING.

NOT ALL TACTICS ARE CREATED EQUALLY.

ACCORDING TO CO-AUTHOR AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR HODGE, THE FORMAT THAT FOCUS ON BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS MAY REDUCE VIOLENCE, BUT SO-CALLED PROACTIVE POLICING ACTUALLY HAS THE OPPOSITE EFFECT.

SHE JOINS US NOW.

PROFESSOR, COMMUNITY POLICING HAS BECOME SOMEWHAT OF A BUZZWORD WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REFORMS.

WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE AND WHAT DID YOUR RESEARCH TELL YOU?

>> IT IS A BUZZWORD, RIGHT?

THERE IS NO ONE SET BEING THAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

IT COULD LOOK LIKE COFFEE WITH A COP, COMMUNITY POLICING COULD ALSO LOOK LIKE COLLECTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES THAT INVOLVE PREVENTING CRIME.

SO FROM OUR RESEARCH, WE FOUND THAT THOSE PROACTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES THAT DEPARTMENTS AWFULLY DEPLOY AREN'T NECESSARILY EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING POLICE VIOLENCE AND RESEARCH HAS ALSO SHOWN IT HAS NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE IN ACTUALLY REDUCING CRIME RATES WITHIN CITIES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WE HAVE BROKEN IT DOWN INTO THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMUNITY POLICING, THOSE THAT ARE SYMBOLICALLY, OR COMMUNITY POLICING THAT IS SYMBOLICALLY INFLUENCED BY DEPARTMENTS.

THAT MIGHT BE A FORM OF A MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAYING,, WE HAVE COMMUNITY POLICING, BUT NOT NECESSARILY EQUITY IN THOSE THINGS.

WE HAVE ALSO FOUND IN TERMS OF INTERACTIONS, IT HAS BEEN USED AS A WAY TO INCREASE SOCIAL CONTROL WITHIN COMMUNITIES.

THAT IS THAT PROACTIVE PROBLEM- SOLVING TECHNIQUES AND STUFF LIKE THAT, THEN THERE ARE SOME COMMUNITY POLICING PROGRAMS THAT ACTUALLY HELP TO BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS BECOME POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> WHAT ARE THOSE PROGRAMS THAT ARE EFFECTIVE?

COMMUNITY COPS WALKING THE BEAT?

ARE THESE PROGRAMS MORE INFORMED BY CITIZENS, VERSUS PROGRAMS INFORMED MORE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> OUR RESEARCH FOUND COMMUNITY OFFICERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO PRODUCE POLICE VIOLENCE, HOWEVER, THE RESEARCH ON COMMUNITY POLICING HAS BEEN SO MIXED.

THAT IS A PROBLEM WE HAVE WITH COMMUNITY POLICING, AS WELL AS A BUZZWORD WITH COMMUNITY POLICING.

WHO HAS ACTUALLY BENEFITED, IS IT ACTUALLY BENEFITING THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE POLICE ARE POLICING, OR IS IT BENEFITING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RELEASING THE COMMUNITY?

>> I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS, IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ALREADY DEPLOYING SOME OF THOSE TACTICS ARE REALLY LOOKING TO IT NOW, BUT TO MAKE SURE IT IS DONE SUCCESSFULLY, WHAT DOES YOUR RESEARCH SHOW ABOUT THOSE TYPES OF INTERACTIONS THAT ARE POSITIVE, IN WHAT TYPE OF FORMATS?

>> SURE.

I AM A BIG ENDORSER OF BEING TRANSPARENT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND BEING VERY, VERY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HOW POLICING IS CARRIED OUT WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

IT SHOULD NOT BE THE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATOR OR DEPARTMENT CHIEF JUST DICTATING HOW THINGS SHOULD LOOK IN THIS PARTICULAR COMMUNITY.

INSTEAD, IT SHOULD BE VARIOUS CONVERSATIONS AND FORUMS THAT ARE EMPLOYED IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT COMMUNITY ACTUALLY NEEDS BECAUSE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S PERCEPTION OF WHAT A COMMUNITY MIGHT NEED MAY ACTUALLY BE TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE ACTUALLY COMMUNITY NEEDS.

>> PROFESSOR HODGE, THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR WORK AND INSIGHT TODAY.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT BUDGET IS IN LIMBO.

IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS TONIGHT, THE AGENCY'S BOARD MET THIS WEEK, BUT COULD NOT PASS A NEW FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET BECAUSE OF AN ONGOING FEUD WITH NEW YORK OVER HOW TO GET SPLIT INCOMING FEDERAL FUNDING, MONEY NJ T NEEDS ON ITS PLAN.

INSTEAD, THE BOARD VOTED TO EXTEND THE CURRENT BUDGET WHILE THEY WORK ON SECURING THAT MONEY.

IT IS A PART OF MORE THAN $14 BILLION IN TRANSIT RELIEF AID THROUGH THE C.A.R.E.S.

ACT TO BE SHARED AMONG THREE STATES.

THIS WEEK, NEW YORK'S MTA, METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, LAID CLAIM TO ABOUT $10 MILLION OF THAT MONEY BASED ON REVENUE LOSSES AND THE RIDERSHIP OR MILLER.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT ISN'T GIVING IN AND ALL 12 OF NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS ARE LENDING SUPPORT, SENDING A LETTER TO THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION TO STICK WITH THE CURRENT FORMULA.

AND IN JT STANDS TO LOSE MORE THAN $600 MILLION.

>>> WE ARE MORE THAN HALFWAY THROUGH THE SUMMER AND ONE OF THE STATE'S BIGGEST TRUEST TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IS STILL STRUGGLING TO FILL DROPS HERE AT SIX FLAGS SAYS IT WILL SWEETEN THE DEAL BY OFFERING CASH BONUS PACKAGES FOR NEW EMPLOYEES.

SEASONAL TEAM MEMBERS WHO WORK THROUGH OCTOBER 31st OF THIS YEAR CAN EARN UP TO AN EXTRA $500 TO $1000 OR MORE ON TOP OF THEIR WAGES.

THE COMPANY SAYS CUSTOMERS PEAKED AFTER A PANDEMIC YEAR, BUT THE PARK DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS TO SERVE THEM.

SEASONAL HIRES HAVE BEEN TOUGH FOR INDUSTRIES UP AND DOWN THE STATE.

BUSINESS LEADERS THAT IT IS A COMBINATION OF IMMIGRATION RESTRICTIONS, LIMITING THE NUMBER OF TEMPORARY NATIONAL WORKER VISAS, SCHOOL AND OTHER SCHEDULES DISRUPTED BY COVID AND THE EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

>>> TURNING NOW TO WALL STREET, A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

♪ >>> UTILITY COMPANIES ARE SEARCHING FOR BETTER WAYS TO BOLSTER THEIR EQUIPMENT AGAINST EXTREME WEATHER AND EVEN CYBER ATTACKS.

SOUTH JERSEY GAS RECENTLY SHELLED OUT BIG BUCKS TO UPGRADE ITS PIPELINE, SPENDING $69 BILLION ON A NEW PUMP STATION.

WHAT WILL IT DELIVER?

JANINE DONELSON REPORTS AS A PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, PARALLEL PROMISE, THE HUMAN STORIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS SOLUTIONS.

>> CUSTOMER SAFETY AND RELIABILITY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY, WHICH IS WHY THIS PROJECT, WHICH IS WHY WE STARTED THIS PROJECT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

ALLOWING THEM TO HAVE SAFE, RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE DELIVERY, ENERGY WAS OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL HERE.

AN SOUTH JERSEY GAS RECENTLY OPENED THEIR NEW CENTURY PUMP STATION, ENSURING CUSTOMERS FROM VIOLENT TO ATLANTIC CITY WILL HAVE GAS IN THEIR HOMES, EVEN UNDER EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> THIS PROJECT REDUCES THE RISK OF DEATH SUPPLY INTERRUPTIONS CAUSED BY EITHER EXTREME WEATHER MORE CYBER THREATS, OR OTHER ISSUES WHICH COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON INTERSTATE PIPELINES.

>> Reporter: THIS PAST YEAR, AN ATTACK ON THE COLONIAL PIPELINE LEFT MILLIONS OF PUMPS EMPTY AND DURING THE WINTER, THOUSANDS OF THOSE IN TEXAS WERE LEFT IN THE COLD WITH FREEZING TEMPERATURES CRIPPLED THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE, LEAVING PEOPLE UNABLE TO COOK OR HEAT THEIR HOMES.

>> THE KEY TAKE AWAY HERE IS RESILIENCY AND RELIABILITY.

THAT IS WHAT A PROJECT LIKE THIS STANDS FOR.

IT IS ALWAYS WHAT YOU WANT TO HAVE IN YOUR SYSTEM.

THE GRACE BECAUSE OF THOSE INCIDENTS, IN FACT, THEY STARTED CONSTRUCTION IN JANUARY 2018 TO SUPPORT ABOUT HALF OF THE COMPANY'S MORE THAN 100,000 CUSTOMERS IN THE WESTERN AREA OF THE STATE.

>> AS WE LOOK AT WAYS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND WHAT HAVE YOU, WE ARE LEADERS AS WELL AND WE ARE LOOKING AT GNG, GLOBAL NATURAL GAS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREEN HYDROGEN.

WE WANT THIS SUPPORT.

WE HAVE THE SUPPORT IN THESE VENTURES AND WE ARE PARTNERS WITH THEM.

AND ENSURING, AS MELISSA SAID, WE WANT THE CUSTOMER TO GO TO THEIR STOVE, GO TO THEIR THERMOSTAT AND NOT WORRY ABOUT HEY, WE ARE IN A WEATHER EVENT, IS NATURAL GAS GOING TO BE HERE, IT IS GOING TO BE THERE.

>>> 2000 COMPRESSORS WILL ENSURE THE COMPANY HAS MORE CONTROL OVER THE SYSTEM.

THE COST OF THE UPGRADE, $69 MILLION.

>> WE SUBSCRIBE TO A CERTAIN PRESSURE FOR OUR VENDOR.

IF THAT CAN'T BE MET, IN THIS CASE HERE, THE SYSTEM WOULD TECHNICALLY KICK ON.

IT WOULD SUPPLY A BOOST, A PRESSURE BOOST TO OUR SERVICE TERRITORY TOWARDS THE EAST.

IT IS AN INVESTMENT THAT WE COULD SUBSCRIBE TO INCREASE PRESSURES.

WE WANTED MORE CONTROL OVER THAT.

WE WANTED TO ALLOW THE SYSTEM, THE GAS PRESSURE TO COME INTO OUR SYSTEM AND ON THOSE SHAVING DAYS, THOUGH CERTAIN WEATHER EVENTS, OR IN THE EVENT OF AN ISSUE, WE HAVE THAT CONTROL TO SUPPLY THAT CONSTANT PRESSURE TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT AND CEO MELISSA ORSEN SAYS THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE.

>> WE ARE MODERNIZING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE SO THAT ANYTHING CAN FLOW THROUGH FOR THE FUTURE.

WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE A PARTNER.

WE SHARE THE SAME GOALS.

WE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A SHARED GOAL, REACHING CARBON EMISSIONS BY 2040, AND WE WILL MEET THOSE GOALS.

THIS IS ANOTHER STEP TOWARD THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: JANINE DONELSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AN ABRUPT EXIT FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

KIM O'DONNELL, WHO SPENT ROUGHLY THREE DECADES IN THE GOP IS OUT, CONFIRMING SHE HAS FILED A BOARD TO SWITCH HER AFFILIATION REPUBLICAN TO UNAFFILIATED.

SHE SPENT EIGHT YEARS SERVING UNDER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE AND WAS THE PARTY'S REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR IN 2017.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHY SHE LEFT, ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM THE NJ GLOW, IT STEMS FROM A INCREASINGLY CONTENTIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHAIRMAN SEAN GOLDMAN.

THE TIMING IS TOUGH FOR REPUBLICANS IN THIS BLUE STATE WHO HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY GIVING GETTING THEIR FOOTING IN THE WAKE OF THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY AND HAS SEEN TRADITIONALLY RED SEATS FLIPPED IN THE TIME SINCE.

THAT HAS HELPED TO BRING BACK SOME POLITICAL VETERANS INTO STATE RACES.

FORMER REPUBLICAN VINCE MELSON IS VYING FOR THE SEAT AND SOUTH JERSEY'S SECOND DISTRICT.

HE WENT ON THE RECORD WITH OUR CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL ERIN.

>> FORM ASSEMBLYMAN, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

AS YOU KNOW, CHRIS BROWN RESIGNED FROM THE SENATE THIS WEEK TO TAKE A JOB IN THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, SORT OF OUT OF THE BLUE.

EVERYONE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO STEP DOWN IN JANUARY, BUT NOW HE IS LEAVING EARLY, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

>> I THINK GOVERNOR MURPHY AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RECOGNIZED THAT ATLANTIC CITY COULD USE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM A GUY LIKE SENATOR BROWN, WHO HAS HAD EXPERIENCE IN THE MILITARY, EXPERIENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, EXPERIENCE IN STATE GOVERNMENT, FORMER ASSEMBLYMAN AND SENATOR, I THINK THEY RECOGNIZE HE HAS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE THAT WILL HELP ATLANTIC CITY, HELP THIS REGION AND HELP ATLANTIC COUNTY WORKING FAMILIES THAT DEPEND ON ATLANTIC CITY.

>> SO NOW REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN YOUR LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT GET TO DECIDE WHO WILL SERVE OUT THE REMAINDER OF BROWN'S TERM UNTIL JANUARY.

HOW LIKELY IS IT, WELL EVERYBODY EXPECTS THEY WILL NAME YOU, BUT HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT YOU WILL BE A SENATOR BEFORE ELECTION DAY?

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE OUR COUNTY COMMITTEE MEETING ON AUGUST 4th, I EXPECT, AND LOOKING FOR SUPPORT FOR THE COUNTY COMMITTEE TO SELECT ME TO SUCCEED SENATOR BROWN.

THEN, THERE IS SOME QUESTION AS TO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

OBVIOUSLY, THE SENATE HAS INDICATED THEY WILL NOT BE IN SESSION UNTIL AFTER ELECTION DAY, SO SOME SPECULATION OF MAYBE THEY WILL NOT SWEAR ME IN.

>> STEVE SWEENEY, SENATE RESIDENT, HAS INDICATED HE WILL NOT SWEAR YOU IN UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION.

HAVE YOU SEEN THAT?

>> I HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE COMMENTARY AND SOME OF THE SPECULATION.

I THINK THAT GOES AGAINST EVERY GOOD GOVERNMENT POLICY WE HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

AS I JUST SAID, DISTRICT DESERVE A SENATOR, CONSTITUENTS DESERVE A SENATOR.

THEY WANT TO JUST PLAY POLITICS FOR THE SAKE OF PLAYING POLITICS, I GUESS THAT IS THEIR CHOICE.

WE WILL SEE WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO TRY AND MOVE THE BALL ALONG, BECAUSE WE SHOULD HAVE A SENATOR IN THAT DISTRICT.

>> THE RACE AGAINST VINCE MATTHEW, WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?

HOW DO YOU FRAME THE RACE?

>> I HAVE BEEN OUT OF POLITICS NOW FOR 10 YEARS, MICHAEL, AS YOU KNOW.

A TREMENDOUS TIME RAISING MY FAMILY, RUNNING MY BUSINESS.

A LOT OF THE ISSUES ARE STILL THE SAME AS WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATOR 10 YEARS AGO.

WE TALK ABOUT THE TAX BURDEN WE PUT ON PEOPLE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY IN THE STATE, YOU TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR JOBS, ESPECIALLY IN OUR AREA AND WE HAVE SEEN THE STRUGGLES OF ATLANTA ATLANTIC CITY.

THOSE ISSUES ARE STILL THERE FROM 10 YEARS AGO.

WE ARE NOW FACED WITH ADDITIONAL THINGS OF WHEN YOU HAVE THESE RADICAL MOVEMENTS TO EITHER DEFUND POLICE OR DEMONIZE POLICE.

SOME OF THE MANDATES WE HAVE SEEN COMING DOWN FROM TRENTON ARE A TREMENDOUS PROBLEM DOWN HERE FOR OUR BUSINESSES.

THE SITUATION NOW WITH THE UNIMPLEMENTED INSURANCE WHERE PEOPLE ARE BEING PAID TO STAY HOME FROM WORK IS HAVING A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES HERE THIS IS A DEFINITE CONTRAST BETWEEN VINCE MATTHEW AND I AND WE WILL SEE HOW THE VOTERS RESPOND.

>> FORM ASSEMBLYMAN VINCE POLISTINA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN, MICHAEL.

I'M SURE WE WILL TALK AGAIN BEFORE NOVEMBER 2nd.

>>> DONNELLY TONIGHT, THE BALLOONS ARE BACK AFTER A TWO YEAR HIATUS.

THE NEW JERSEY FESTIVAL BALONEY TODAY MADE A SPECTACULAR RETURN.

OUR CAMERAS WERE THERE VERY EARLY THIS MORNING AS ABOUT 100 SPORTS AND SPECIAL HOT AIR BALLOONS WERE GIVEN LIFE, BLOWN UP AND READY TO TAKE FLIGHT OVER THE COUNTRYSIDE.

OLD FAVORITES LIKE THE WONDER BREAD BALLOON, A HIGHFLYING AMERICAN FLAG AND FUN CHARACTERS LIKE THIS UNICORN COULD BE SPOTTED.

THE EVENT RUNS THROUGH SUNDAY AND TYPICALLY DRAWS BIG CROWDS, HITTING A RECORD OF ABOUT 170,000 PEOPLE AT THE LAST EVENT IN 2019.

THERE IS MUSIC, FOOD AND OTHER PERFORMERS AND A PARK FOR THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED.

YOU WILL GET A TICKET DISCOUNT AND EVEN BETTER, ENTERED INTO A SWEEPSTAKE FOR A CHANCE TO HITCH A RIDE IN THE NEW JERSEY LOTTERY SON BALLOON.

A LOT OF FUN.

>>> THAT IS IT FOR US TONIGHT.

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