>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH .

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

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

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

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS FROM THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS TWO AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS WERE KILLED IN BATTLE THIS WEEKEND.

ONE, A NEW JERSEY NATIVE.

IDENTIFIED AS LUKE LUCYSZYN, A FATHER OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN.

THE OTHER, BRYAN YOUNG OF CALIFORNIA.

THE TWO WERE KILLED IN ACTION BY RUSSIAN TANK FIRE DURING AN HOURS LONG OFFENSIVE IN EASTERN UKRAINE ALONGSIDE TWO CANADIAN AND SWEDISH VOLUNTEERS.

THE MEN WERE PART OF A SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCE FOR UKRAINE WHOSE MISSION WAS INJURED BY A TANK SHELL DURING THE AMBUSH.

THE OTHER THREE MEN ATTEMPTED TO HELP HIM WHEN A SECOND SHELL KILLED THEM ALL ACCORDING TO MILITARY REPORTS.

MOSCOW ALSO CARRIED OUT MISSILE STRIKES THIS WEEKEND, HITTING THE PORT OF ODESA.

JUST ONE DAY AFTER BOTH COUNTRIES AGREE TO A PARTIAL DEAL ALLOWING SHIPMENTS OF VITAL GRAIN EXPORTS TO CONTINUE FROM UKRAINE.

AIMED AT EASING A GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS SPARKED BY THE WAR, U.S. OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON A PLAN B TO MOVE THOSE EXPORTS OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

>>> THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IS SOUNDING THE ALARM OVER THE MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK.

DECLARING IT A GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

IT'S THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS THAT HAS HAPPENED.

FIRST, OF COURSE, BEING COVID- 19.

THE DECISION CAME SATURDAY AFTER AN EMERGENCY COMMITTEE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION MET AGAIN OVER THE ISSUE.

IN JUST A FEW WEEKS, THE DISEASE SPREAD TO DOZENS OF COUNTRIES, AND INFECTED TENS OF THOUSANDS.

INCLUDING TWO CHILDREN IN THE U.S. A TODDLER IN CALIFORNIA, AND AN INFANT, WHO IS A NONCITIZEN, BUT WAS TESTED WHILE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

ACCORDING TO FEDERAL HEALTH LEADERS.

IN NEW JERSEY, THE STATE IS NOW REPORTING 81 PROBABLE AND CONFIRMED CASES OF MONKEYPOX.

EPIDEMIOLOGISTS WARNED THE U.S. IS POTENTIALLY RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS HERE.

THIS DOCTOR OF MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY EXPLAINS WHAT THIS MEANS.

GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

FIRST, I THINK IT'S HELPFUL TO GET UP TO SPEED ON WHAT A DECLARATION LIKE THIS MEANS.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

>> SO, I THINK THE PURPOSE OF THIS DECLARATION IS TO REALLY ALERT COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD THAT THIS -- WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AS AN LIMITED OUTBREAK, ARE NOW BECOMING WIDESPREAD.

THERE BEEN ALMOST 60,000 CASES OF MONKEYPOX WORLDWIDE, OF WHICH ALMOST 3000 HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE U.S. ALONE.

40 ONE OF THOSE CASES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN NEW JERSEY.

SO, THIS IS TO REALLY TRIGGER THAT PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE THAT WE NEED TO GET THIS UNDER CONTROL.

>> WE SHOULD NOTE OF COURSE THAT THE WAY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CATEGORIZES IT IS PROBABLE UNCONFIRMED.

THEY PUT IT AT 81.

THAT BEING SAID, FROM YOUR VANTAGE POINT, IS THE U.S.

BEING COMPLACENT, OR HAS IT BEEN COMPLACENT IN THE RESPONSE TO THIS?

>> I DO.

I THINK WE HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT PLAYED BY PANDEMIC FATIGUE.

NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT YET ANOTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASE.

I THINK UNFORTUNATELY GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW AND THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, WE CAN NO LONGER BE COMPLACENT.

NOT JUST ABOUT MONKEYPOX, BUT ALSO LOOKING AT OTHER EMERGING AND REEMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

>> IS THERE A BLUEPRINT NOW BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC?

BECAUSE OF COVID-19 THAT HAS SORT OF HELPED PUT OTHER PROTOCOLS IN PLACE?

IS IT SPURRING PUBLIC HEALTH AGENTS INTO ACTION?

>> IN THEORY THERE SHOULD BE A PLAN ALREADY, BECAUSE MONKEYPOX IS NOT A NEW VIRUS.

IT'S A REEMERGING VIRUS, AND IT IS EMERGING IN GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS IT PREVIOUSLY HASN'T BEEN SEEN.

WE ALREADY HAVE A BLUEPRINT FOR HOW TO DO THIS, WE SIMPLY NEED THE POLITICAL WILL TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT THOSE PLANS.

I THINK PART OF THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN THAT SO FAR, THIS INFECTIOUS DISEASES BEING SEEN AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN.

IT'S LOOKED AT THROUGH THAT LENS.

IT IS NOT A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S PRIMARILY IMPACTING THOSE COMMUNITIES, THIS CAN IMPACT ANYBODY.

IT IS THROUGH DIRECT CONTACT, OR CLOSE PHYSICAL CONTACT.

MEANING IF YOU'RE IN A CROWDED NIGHTCLUB, IT DOESN'T MATTER YOUR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE HAD SEX WITH SUBIE, YOU CAN BE AT RISK.

>> I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF IT.

THIS IS NOT A DISEASE OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

THE WORLD HEALTH COMMUNICATION IS THAT WE CAN'T SAY IT IS ONLY GOING TO STAY CONTAIN TO THOSE COMMUNITIES.

HOW FAST CAN IT SPREAD?

WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL?

>> THE BIG CONCERN IS THAT MOST OF US HAVE NOT HAD THE SMALLPOX VACCINE.

THEREFORE, WE HAVE A LARGE POPULATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AT RISK SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE NO KNOWN IMMUNITY TO THIS.

SO, WE NEED TO REALLY TAKE THIS QUITE SERIOUSLY.

MY CONCERN IS THAT GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, WE ARE GOING TO SEE THIS POTENTIALLY SPREAD TO CHILDREN FOR WHOM IT CAN BE MORE DANGEROUS.

>> YEAH, AND A WIDER OUTBREAK FOR SURE.

DOCTOR, REALLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR US, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SOME GOOD NEWS.

RELIEF IS FINALLY IN SIGHT FROM THIS INTENSE WEEKLONG HEATWAVE.

FORECASTERS SAY THIS IS THE LAST DAY OF EXTREME TEMPERATURES REACHING INTO THE 90s, WITH THE HEAT INDEX PEAKING AS HIGH AS 101 DEGREES IN PARTS OF SOUTH JERSEY.

NEWARK AT A RECORD OVER THE WEEKEND.

FIVE DAYS STRAIGHT OF TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, HITTING 102 DEGREES SUNDAY AFTERNOON, BREAKING THE OLD RECORD SET IN 2010, WHEN THE THERMOMETER HIT 99.

THE SWELTERING HEAT IS BEING WASHED AWAY TODAY WITH INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS, WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS FLOODING.

BUT, EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS LIKE HEAT WAVES HAVE ANOTHER UNWANTED SIDE EFFECT ON OUR AREA.

THE GROWTH OF HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN LAKES AND RECREATIONAL WATERS.

IT'S BEEN THE SOURCE OF PROLONGED SHUTDOWNS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, AND IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE LETTING UP JUST YET.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WE'VE SEEN THE WATER TEMPERATURE BREAK 80 DEGREES IN PARTS OF THE LAKE.

IT'S VERY HIGH LEVELS THAT WE ARE SEEING.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN KNOWS LAKE HOPATCONG.

HE SAYS WATERS JUST ABOUT SYMERTON THIS SUMMER HEATWAVE ESPECIALLY IN CRESCENT COVE.

IT COOKED UNDER A HOT SUN, AND LAST WEEK SERVED UP THE LAKE'S FIRST HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM ADVISORY THIS YEAR DESPITE MULTIPLE AERATORS BUBBLING AWAY NEARBY.

>> IT STARTED GREEN IN CRESCENT COVE SO WE TESTED IT.

WE DO REGULAR PERIODIC TESTING.

SURE ENOUGH, WE GOT INTO THE ADVISORY LEVEL.

IT IS BEING MONITORED OBVIOUSLY VERY CLOSELY, BECAUSE THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS PUT ANY PERSON OR ANIMAL IN DANGER.

>> IT IS DRIVING A LOT OF THE RESIDENTS AROUND THE LAKE A LITTLE CRAZY.

IT IS SOMETHING UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND WE ARE WORKING ON WAYS WE CAN HELP MITIGATE THESE IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: CRESCENT COVE REPORTED 178,000 ALGAL CELLS PER MILLILITER OF WATER.

THAT IS MORE THAN TWICE THE THRESHOLD.

EACH HAS REMAINED OPEN BECAUSE ELEVATED SAMPLES CAME FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE COLD, NOT NEAR SWIMMING AREAS HEALTH OFFICERS NOTED.

MAKE OFFICIALS MUST NOW DECIDE HOW MUCH TO SPEND ON FIXING CRESCENT COVE.

ABOUT $5000 BUYS THEM CHEMICAL TREATMENT WHICH HELPS STAR BACTERIA.

>> IT JUST KIND OF LIKES THE NUTRIENTS INTO THE SEDIMENT SO THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR CYANOBACTERIA TO USE.

>> Reporter: LAKE HOPATCONG IS NOT ALONE.

IT'S GOT ONE OF ABOUT 20 ADVISORIES ON THE DEP'S STATEWIDE MAP THIS SUMMER, INCLUDING MERCER COUNTY'S ROSEDALE LAKE.

>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ELEVATED LEVELS.

WE ARE TRYING TO USE PROACTIVE MEASURES.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY PARK SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THEY ARE INSTALLING FLOATING ISLANDS TO HELP ABSORB NUTRIENTS THAT ALGAE FEED ON, AND LINING THE LAKE EDGES WITH STRAW BALES TO BLOCK RUNOFF.

>> WE ALSO INSTALLED AERATORS WITHIN THE LAKE.

THAT ACTUALLY HELPS TO CIRCULATE THE LAKE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY LOVE IS TO HAVE STAGNANT WATER.

>> Reporter: HEAT WAVES AREN'T THE ONLY AGGRAVATING FACTORS.

HEAVY RAINS THAT FLUSH NUTRIENTS INTO THE LAKE HELP FEED THE ALGAE, AND THE LONG- RANGE FORECAST GIVEN BY CLIMATE CHANGE ISN'T GOOD.

>> IT'S REALLY PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS.

>> Reporter: STUDIES SHOW EXTREME PRECIPITATION IS ALREADY FROM 2.5 TO 10% HIGHER THAN EXPERTS PROJECTED SOME 20 YEARS AGO.

BY THE YEAR 2100, IT WILL JUMP 20%, PERHAPS 50% IN NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY COUNTIES.

THEY WARN WE ARE NOT READY.

>> THAT REALLY MEANS MUCH OF OUR EXISTING STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IS UNDER DESIGNED.

AS WE FUND PROJECTS, AND AS WE FIGURE OUT WHAT STEPS TO TAKE NEXT, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE ARE INVESTING IN, AND THE ACTION WE ARE TAKING, IS INFORMED BY THESE PREDICTIONS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S DEP HAS FUNDED SEVERAL GRANT PROGRAMS AND BOOSTED TESTING AND SURVEILLANCE, ADDING A DOZEN BUOYS TO MONITOR WATER QUALITY IN REAL TIME.

A FEDERAL PANEL MET FRIDAY TO DISCUSS FUNDING INITIATIVES LIKE $90 MILLION TO BUILD A NEW STEWARD SYSTEM FOR JUSTICE AND.

>> WE NEED TO PROTECT IT.

WE DON'T WANT TO SEE ANOTHER SUMMER LIKE 2019 WHEN THE LAKE WAS SHUT DOWN DUE TO A MAJOR OUTBREAK.

>> Reporter: LAKE HOPATCONG OFFICIALS ARE KEEPING CLOSE WATCH AND PLANNING FOR THE WORST.

>> ESTABLISHING A POTENTIAL BUDGET GOING FORWARD FOR ANY OTHER POTENTIAL THINGS THAT COULD HAPPEN ON THE LAKE.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY WILL HAPPEN.

AT HOPATCONG STATE PARK, BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO SEE MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE ROADS.

TODAY ANNOUNCED $60 MILLION IN INCENTIVES TO HELP GET THEIR.

RENEWING THE STATE'S CHARGE UP PROGRAM FOR A THIRD YEAR, OFFERING UP TO $4000 CASH TO GET DRIVERS TO BUY OR LEASE ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS IN EACH OF ITS FIRST TWO YEARS, THE PROGRAM MAXED OUT AND HELPED PUT MORE THAN 13,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON NEW JERSEY ROADWAYS.

THE STATE IS ALSO OFFERING A $250 CASH INCENTIVE FOR RESIDENTS TO USE TOWARD INSTALLING A HOME CHARGING STATION, AND MILLIONS MORE FOR LANDLORDS, DEVELOPERS, AND OWNERS OF MULTIUNIT BUILDINGS TO INSTALL CHARGERS.

IT'S ALL PART OF A LARGER STATE GOAL OF PRIORITIZING SO-CALLED OVERBURDENED COMMUNITIES, AND REACHING 100% ENERGY IN THE NEXT 30 YEARS.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE ARE OFFERING UP TO $4000 CASH ON THE HOOD TO GET MORE NEW JERSEY DRIVERS INTO ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

AS THE PRICES OF EV'S CONTINUES TO FALL, MORE IN MORE LINE WITH GASPARD PARS, ESPECIALLY IN THE ALL IMPORTANT MIDPRICE CATEGORY, WE KNOW THIS INCENTIVE CAN PUSH MORE BUYERS TO MAKE THE DECISION TO GO ELECTRIC.

>>> IN JERSEY CITY, A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT IS SENDING RIPPLES THROUGH THE POLITICAL COMMUNITY AND RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT EQUAL JUSTICE.

AFTER COUNCILWOMAN AT LARGE AMY DEGISE' DAUGHTER OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, WAS INVOLVED WITH A CRASH WITH A CYCLIST TUESDAY MORNING.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, SHE LEFT THE SCENE, BUT REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO POLICE AFTER HITTING HER HEAD AND COMING TO THE REALIZATION OF WHAT HAPPENED.

TONIGHT, JERSEY CITY MAYOR STEVE, WHO RAN WITH DEGISE ON HIS TICKET, SPEAKS WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ ABOUT THE INCIDENT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> Reporter: IT HAPPENED AROUND 8:00 A.M. LAST TUESDAY.

ACCORDING TO A POLICE REPORT, THE VICTIM TOLD POLICE HE WAS RIDING HIS BIKE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITH THE LIGHT WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY WHAT HE CALLED A BLACK SUV, WHICH POLICE LATER DETERMINED WAS DRIVEN BY COUNCILWOMAN AMY DEGISE.

THE VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES.

THE COUNCILWOMAN ACKNOWLEDGED THE CRASH BY A STATEMENT THE DAY AFTER.

BUT AS FAR AS EXPLAIN WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED HERE, SHE HAD NOTHING TO ADD.

WHILE THE TRAFFIC SUMMONS THAT WAS ISSUED, IS DEALT WITH IN THE COURT SHE SAYS IN A STATEMENT, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AT THIS TIME.

INTO THE VACUUM OF THE COUNCILWOMAN'S ISLANDS COMES QUESTIONS AND RUMORS.

THE REPORT SAYS POLICE LOOKED AT SURVEILLANCE VIDEO TO DETERMINE THAT THE VEHICLE BELONGED TO DEGISE.

DID THEY REACH OUT TO HER, OR DID SHE REPORT THE CRASH ON HER OWN?

THE REPORT SAYS THERE WAS NO ALCOHOL OR DRUG TEST.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR DEGISE TO REPORT THE CRASH?

ALSO, WHAT POSSIBLE REASON COULD SHE HAVE HAD FOR LEAVING THE SCENE?

THE POLICE REPORT DOESN'T SAY.

>> LOOK, I THINK YOU SHOULD NEVER LEAVE THE SCENE OF A CRASH.

I THINK THE RESPONSIBLE THING IS TO WAIT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOLLOW THE LAW.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THAT'S REALLY JUSTIFIABLE.

>> Reporter: AT THIS POINT, WE MAY WANT TO MENTION THAT AMY DEGISE IS THE COUNCILWOMAN AT LARGE, AND FORMER DEMOCRATIC CHAIR WHO HAS HERETOFORE BEEN SEEN AS A POTENTIAL MAYORAL CANDIDATE.

THE CURRENT MAYOR ON HIS TICKET DEGISE RAN IN 2021, WAS MAKING HIS FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT THE INCIDENT TODAY.

>> SHE SAID CERTAINLY HAVE NOT LEFT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH.

THAT WAS A TREMENDOUS MISTAKE THAT SHE MADE.

I'M HAPPY THAT SHE TOOK SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT, ALTHOUGH IT DOESN'T CORRECT WHAT SHE DID, SHE TOOK SOME RESPONSIBILITY BY GOING TO THE POLICE AND PROACTIVELY LETTING THEM KNOW AFTERWARDS.

THAT WAS THE CORRECT MOVE AFTER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER LEAVING.

>> Reporter: BUT THE POLICE REPORT DOESN'T SAY THAT, AND THAT IS RAISING SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> I WOULDN'T BE STANDING HERE TALKING TO YOU.

I WOULD BE IN HUDSON COUNTY JAIL LIKE ANYBODY ELSE.

LAWS THAT THEY GO BY IS NOT THE LAWS THAT IS IN THE COURTROOM 595 NEWARK AVENUE.

>> THERE'S A FEAR OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE TO LIVE BY THE LAWS THAT THE REST OF US HAVE TO LIVE BY.

IF YOU OR I HIT A BICYCLIST AND DROVE OFF, I DON'T THINK THERE WOULD BE AN OPTION OF TURNING YOURSELF IN AND GETTING AWAY WITH IT.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN, WHO HAS BEEN ON OPPOSITE POLITICAL SIDE FROM DEGISE IN THE PAST, IS AMONG SEVERAL ACTIVISTS, INCLUDING ADVOCATES LIKE JIMMY LEE, CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF THE FOUR THAT POLICE USED TO IDENTIFY DEGISE'S CAR.

>> I WOULD NOT EXPECT OUR ELECTED LEADERS TO BE GOOD EXAMPLES AND TO OBEY THE LAW.

ON A JUST BASIC LEVEL.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS HE SUPPORTS THE IMMEDIATE LEVEL OF THE FOUR.

HE SAYS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL PLAY OUT.

THIS STORY AND ITS POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS ARE JUST BEGINNING.

DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE DEADLINE FOR STATE RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR HELP PAYING THE RENT ENDS TODAY.

THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SAYS 4000 HOUSEHOLDS IN NEED WILL BE SELECTED THROUGH A LOTTERY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

THE RUB IS MORE THAN 20 TIMES THAT AMOUNT APPLIED.

OFFICIALS SAY AS OF THIS MORNING, MORE THAN 80,000 RENTERS SUBMITTED THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE WAITING LIST.

80,000!

EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS IN THE STATE.

THE STATE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HELPS VERY LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS, WHICH THE STATE DEFINES AS THOSE MAKING LESS THAN 30% OF THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME FOR THEIR COUNTIES.

SO FOR EXAMPLE IN MERCER COUNTY, THAT IS ROUGHLY $47,000 PER YEAR FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.

THEY SAY THE AWARDS WILL BE MADE RANDOMLY, GOING TO 1000 PEOPLE IN EACH OF FOUR CATEGORIES.

RESULTS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OR AFTER AUGUST 15th.

>>> A BIPARTISAN BILL YEARS IN THE MAKING COULD FINALLY REDUCE OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON THE LEGISLATION, PLUS TONIGHT'S BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: U.S.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ AND SEVERAL NEW JERSEY BUSINESS LEADERS TODAY URGED CONGRESS TO APPROVE A BILL ENCOURAGING SEMI CONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING HERE IN THE U.S. AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THEY VOICED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE LEGISLATION KNOWN AS THE CHIPS ACT WHICH WOULD SUPPORT $52,000 IN SUBSIDIES TO COMPANIES LOOKING TO BUILD DOMESTIC PLANTS.

GLOBAL SHORTAGES HAVE HOBBLED SEVERAL INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR.

JOHN KENNEDY, THE CEO OF ONE COMPANY SAYS THE BILL WOULD ALLOW THE U.S. TO BETTER CONTROL THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF COMPUTER CHIPS.

>> WE USED TO MAKE OVER 40% IN THE UNITED STATES.

NOW, WE MAKE 12%.

THE CONTROL OF THEM IS OVERSEAS , AND THAT CERTAINLY ISN'T A PLUS FOR NEW JERSEY OR THE U.S. MANUFACTURING MARKET.

>> Reporter: THE STATE HAS LAUNCHED WHAT IT CALLS A NEW, FIRST IN THE NATION, OFFICE TO SUE FIREARMS COMPANIES.

ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL MATTHEW ATKINS SAYS THE STATEWIDE AFFIRMATIVE FIREARMS ENFORCEMENT OFFICE IS BEING SET UP TO BRING CIVIL AND ACTIONS AGAINST GUNMAKERS AND DEALERS THAT VIOLATES STATE GUN LAWS.

LEGISLATION SIGNED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY EARLY THIS MONTH, AUTHORIZES THE STATE TO BRING LAWSUITS AGAINST GUNMAKERS IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

THE STATE DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY POTENTIAL TARGETS FOR CIVIL LAWSUITS.

>>> ALL EYES ON THE FEDERAL RESERVE THIS WEEK AS FED OFFICIALS BEGIN A TWO MEETING TOMORROW TO DISCUSS INFLATION AND INTEREST RATES, AND WILL GIVE NEW REPORTS ON THE HEALTH OF THE ECONOMY AND HOUSING MARKET THIS WEEK AS WELL.

MEANTIME, THE LATEST REPORT ON NEW JERSEY'S LABOR MARKET OUT LATE LAST WEEK, SHOWS NEW JERSEY HAS RECOVERED NEARLY ALL OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS LOST DUE TO COVID-19, AND EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE NOW EXCEEDS THREE PANDEMIC LEVELS.

NEW JERSEY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN JUNE WAS 3.9%.

>>> NOW, HERE'S A CHECK ON HOW THE STOCK MARKETS FARED TODAY.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITED BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE.

>>> AND BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> TONIGHT, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE POWER OF STORYTELLING THROUGH MOVEMENT.

THE ICONIC CAMP IS BACK IN NEWARK, FULLY IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

THE DANCE CAMP WAS FOUNDED BY A RENOWNED DANCER AND CHOREOGRAPHER, WHOSE PRESTIGIOUS TROOP HAS A LONG HISTORY OF PERFORMING.

THE CAN'T TARGETS STUDENTS WITH ACADEMIC, SOCIAL AND HOMELESS CHALLENGES, WHO IN THE END, USE DANCE TO FIND THEIR VOICE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, CHASING THE DREAM, LOOKING AT JUSTICE, POVERTY, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.

>> [ MUSIC ] >> Reporter: THESE KIDS ARE SPENDING THE WEEK OUT OF SCHOOL A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

INSTEAD OF GOING SWIMMING OR PLAYING SPORTS LIKE IN A TYPICAL SUMMER CAMP, THEY ARE BRINGING WEST AFRICAN CULTURE TO LIFE RIGHT HERE IN NEWARK.

>> I LOVE THE PASSION OF IT.

I LOVE MOVING YOUR BODY TO TELL A STORY AND TO SAY A LANGUAGE.

I THINK THAT'S AWESOME.

>> Reporter: THIS WEST AFRICAN DANCE CLASS IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL ACTIVITIES HAPPENING EVERY DAY AT THE CAMP.

IT IS A SIX WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM STARTED JUST BEFORE A LEGENDARY DANCER'S PASSING IN 1989.

NEWARK IS ONE OF NINE CITIES IN THE COUNTRY WHERE IT TAKES PLACE.

THIS PERSON WHO HAS BEEN A DANCER FOR 12 YEARS IS THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR.

>> IT WAS HIS VISION THAT THE PROGRAM SERVE THE YOUTH THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE ARTS.

ALSO A QUALITY EXCELLENT PROGRAM.

HERE IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT -- THEY DON'T HAVE AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES AS OUR KIDS AND SOME OF THE OTHER CITIES.

QUITE FRANKLY, IT'S FREE.

SO WHERE CAN YOU GO AND HAVE A PHENOMENAL SUMMER EXPERIENCE FOR NOTHING?

WRIGHT EACH DAY, STUDENTS SPLIT UP INTO DIFFERENT GROUPS AND PARTICIPATE IN A ROTATION OF CLASSES, LIKE BALLET AND JAZZ.

BUT IT ISN'T ALL ABOUT DANCE.

STUDENTS ALSO WORK ON PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS RECITING THEIR DAILY AFFIRMATIONS.

REMINDING THEM OF THEIR ABILITY TO DO ANYTHING THEY WANT TO DO.

>> THE FOUNDATION, THE DAILY CAMP IS REALLY OUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT CLASS WHERE WE TALK ABOUT SELF-ESTEEM, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, PEER PRESSURE, HEALTH EDUCATION, AND IT IS ABOUT CRITICAL THINKING AND LIFE SKILLS WITH THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

TRYING TO BUILD SOME LEADERS HERE, AND EVERY YEAR WE HAVE A THEME.

THIS YEAR IT IS FAITH.

WE ARE EXPLAIN WHAT FAITH MEANS TO US, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

HOW IT PROPELS US.

HOW IT SUPPORTS US.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALSO THE FIRST TIME THE CAMP IS FULLY OPERATING IN PERSON SINCE THE PANDEMIC, WHICH IS SOMETHING THEY ARE REALLY HAPPY ABOUT AFTER VIRTUALLY ATTENDING LAST SUMMER.

>> I WAS VERY EXCITED TO HEAR THAT IT WOULD BE IN PERSON.

DURING THE FINAL SHOW WE WERE IMPERSONATING AND A PACK.

I WISH THIS WERE FOR THE ENTIRE CAMP.

HERE I AM.

THERE IS A PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT.

THAT >> AS PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL, THEY KNOW IT'S INCREDIBLE TO WITNESS THE POSITIVE EFFECTS THIS CAMP HAS ON STUDENTS.

AS WE KNOW, THE PANDEMIC TOOK A REALLY, REALLY GREAT TOLL ON THE CONFIDENCE LEVELS AND MENTAL HEALTH.

SO, SEEING THE CONFIDENCE.

SEEING THOSE INTROVERTS BECOME EXTROVERTS, IN MANY CASES.

SEEING THEIR VULNERABILITIES IN THOSE SPACES, THE CREATIVE SPACES.

THEN COME ON THE STAGE.

ON THE DANCE FLOOR, IS SOMETHING THAT YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE FROM DAY ONE TO EVEN DAY THREE.

OR DAY FIVE.

>> IT'S JUST AWESOME.

I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYTHING ELSE.

WHEN I GOT IN I WAS JUST LIKE, I WAS LIKE THIS.

WHEN I GOT HERE I WAS SO HAPPY.

>> Reporter: KIDS WILL GET A CHANCE TO SHOW OFF EVERYTHING THEY'VE LEARNED DURING A FINAL PERFORMANCE ON AUGUST 10th.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, THE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE IS MOURNING THE DEATH OF THEIR COLLEAGUE, ASSEMBLYMAN RON DANCER.

AN ARMY VETERAN AND REPUBLICAN FROM OCEAN COUNTY, WHO SERVED FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

DANCER DIED AFTER BATTLING A LONG ILLNESS, BUT MOST RECENTLY SERVED AS ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER FOR HIS PARTY.

HE WAS KNOWN FOR HIS QUIET DEMEANOR ON THE ASSEMBLY FLOOR.

MOST OF THE LEGISLATION HE USHERED THROUGH FOCUSED ON MILITARY VETERANS, FARMING COMMUNITIES, AND THE HORSERACING INDUSTRY, OF WHICH HIS FAMILY WAS FAMOUS FOR.

IN A STATEMENT, GOVERNOR MURPHY NOTED DANCER'S ABILITY TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND HIS HUMBLE NATURE.

THE MINORITY LEADER CALLED HIM A TRUE PATRIOT, STATESMAN AND GENTLEMAN.

STATE FLAGS WILL BE LOWERED TO HALF STAFF IN HIS HONOR AND MEMORY.

RONALD DANCER WAS 73 YEARS OLD.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR THE SIS EVENING.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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>>> NJM INSURANCE 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 AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHASING THE DREAM IS PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION.

WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM ANOTHER FUND.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, BUT JUST TO ARE THERE POLICYHOLDERS?

FOR THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS.

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR.

AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.