>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

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

>> EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A SHARP REVERSAL FROM THE NATIONS TOP HEALTH AGENCY TONIGHT, THE CDC IS NOW RECOMMENDING THAT PEOPLE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 SHOULD RESUME WEARING MASKS INDOORS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WITH HIGH OR SUBSTANTIAL TRANSMISSION RATES.

NOW, THAT INCLUDES 8 TOTAL COUNTIES IN NEW JERSEY, AND IN A STEP FURTHER, THE AGENCY SHIFTED ITS STANCE ON MASKS FOR STUDENTS.

NOW, RECOMMENDING EVERYONE IN HER K-12 STOOP SCHOOLS, STUDENTS, AND TEACHERS WERE A MASK REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.

THE NEW GUIDANCE COMES JUST TWO MONTHS AFTER THE AGENCY SIGNALED A MAJOR MILESTONE DECLARING VACCINATED RESIDENCE NO LONGER NEEDED TO MASK UP IN MOST SETTINGS.

INDOORS, OR OUTSIDE.

IT ALSO COMES AHEAD OF AN EXPECTED FALL SURGE CAUSED BY THE DOSE OF VARIANCE.

TODAY, STRESSING DELTA BEHAVES DIFFERENTLY THAN PAST STRAINS OF COVERT SHOWING IT CAN SPREAD EVEN AMONG THE FULLY VACCINATED WHO TEST POSITIVE.

THE MAJORITY OF TRANSMISSION IS HAPPENING AMONG UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, 792 NEW POSITIVE CASES, AND SEVEN ADDITIONAL DEATHS BEING REPORTED.

THE TRANSMISSION RATE AT ITS HIGHEST POINT SINCE THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE POINT OF 5.2 MILLION PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED ACROSS THE STATE.

TODAY, A SPOKESPERSON FOR GOVERNMENT HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION IS REVIEWING THE NEW RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONTINUES ENCOURAGING EVERYONE AGE 12 AND UP TO GET VACCINATED.

VACCINE RATES THOSE YOUNGER THAN 12 STILL CAN'T GET A SHOT SO HOW CRITICAL IS IT TO GET THE JABS IN ARMS?

WE HAVE THIS REPORT.

>> I HAD BROTHERS YESTERDAY, ONE WAS VACCINATED AND THE OTHER ONE IS NOTREPORTS.

HAVE BROTHERS YE FOR THE OTHER ONE WAS VACCINATED.

NOT SURE.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE ABOUT WHAT I SHOULD DO.

I SAID THESE ARE THE FACTS.

GREAT.

THE VACCINE IS COMING FRIDAY IN OUR OFFICE.

>> Reporter: THESE TWO BROTHERS, BOTH TEENAGERS IS ECHOING IN MANY DOCTORS OFFICES TODAY AS PARENTS ARE SPLIT OVER WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE THE KIDS AGAINST COVID.

49 BETWEEN THREE AND 11 SAID THEY ARE LIKELY TO GET THE CHILDREN VACCINATED ONCE IT'S APPROVED ABOUT 51% SAID THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO.

BUT AS THEY WEIGH THEIR OPTIONS, THEY WILL NOW HAVE MORE TIME TO DECIDE.

>> SOMETIME MID FALL, LATE FALL.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S GOING TO BE NEXT TENSION >> A CLINICAL TRIAL STUDYING VACCINE COULD 5 TO 11.

PART OF THE RESEARCH TEAM AT RUTGERS STUDYING THE PFIZER VACCINE.

THE FDA RECOMMENDED THAT BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA EXPAND THE SIZE OF THEIR CLINICAL TRIALS AFTER CONCERNS THAT SOME CHILDREN ARE EXPERIENCING INFORMATION OF THE HEART OR MYOCARDITIS.

IT'S NOT CLEAR HOW VITAL RECORDS RESEARCH, BUT THEIR RISK IS FROM THE VACCINE VERSUS COLOR, JUST DON'T COMPARE.

>> A NUMBER OF MARKETING I'VE SEEN THAT WE THINK MAY BE VACCINE RELATED IS ABOUT A HANDFUL.

>> THE RISK OF COLOR, FOR EXAMPLE IS TO DO SO A LOT OF COACHES NOT AS MULTISYSTEM DISEASE WAS MUCH, MUCH, MUCH HIGHER.

>> Reporter: WELL SIDE EFFECTS ARE RARE, THEY HAVE CAUGHT THE MEDIA'S ATTENTION, AND MIGHT BE CONTRIBUTING TO PARENTS FEARS AND VACCINATING THEIR KIDS.

RIGHT NOW, ONLY 44% OF THOSE 12 TO 17 HAVE GOTTEN A SHOT.

DR. JEFFREY FIELDS QUESTIONS REGULARLY FROM PARENTS DURING PEDIATRIC APPOINTS.

>> THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IT, THEY WANT TO KNOW IS IT SAFE, THEY WANT TO KNOW IS THIS GOING TO HELP GOING INTO THE FUTURE, INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE DELTA VARIANT?

>> Reporter: WHAT YOU SAY TO THE PARENT WHO SAYS I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD.

THE DATA SHOWS THAT YOUNG CHILDREN HAVE NOT BEEN VERY EFFICIENT SPREADERS OF THE VIRUS, DO I REALLY NEED TO GET VACCINATED WHEN THE RISKS OF THEM GETTING VERY SICK ARE ALSO LOW?

>> WE DO KNOW THAT VACCINATION HELPS TO BLOCK THE SPREAD OF ILLNESS.

AND, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE REALLY AIMING TO.

>> IT'S ALSO TRUE THAT THE DELTA VARIANT DOES APPEAR TO BE MAKING YOUNGER PEOPLE SICKER, AND WE KNOW THAT LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED.

>> DR. MIKE FISHER ALSO POINTS OUT THAT MORE CHILDREN ARE NOW EXPERIENCING WHAT IS CALLED LONG-HAUL HER SYMPTOMS THAT HAVE BEEN MORE COMMON IN ADULTS WHO GET COVID.

>> SO, THERE'S ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH CONCENTRATION, WITH ENERGY LEVEL, WAS JUST GETTING BACK TO BEING YOURSELF, AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT THAT FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> WITH JUST A FEW WEEKS INTO THE START OF SCHOOL, FISHER SAYS ALL VACCINATIONS ARE CRITICAL FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ON AVERAGE 9% BEHIND THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED SHOTS.

>> COVERT IS IMPORTANT, BUT ALSO, ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN PROTECT YOU AGAINST, THERE ARE 16 DISEASES THAT WE CAN PROTECT YOU AGAINST.

WE REALLY WANT EVERYONE TO GET PROTECTED.

>> THINGS LIKE MEASLES, MUMPS, AND MENINGITIS.

SHE SAYS ANY COMBO OF THOSE ILLNESSES WITH COVID COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS REALITY FOR OUR YOUNGSTERS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>> DELTA VARIANT IN THE MIX, THERE ARE CONCERNS THE TREND OF RISING COVERT CASES COULD GET WORSE THIS FALL.

EVEN AS THE STATE HOLDS ONE OF THE HIGHEST VACCINATION RATES IN THE COUNTRY, A TRUSTED MODEL FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON PREDICTS THAT BY LATE SEPTEMBER, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COULD AGAIN BE INFECTED DAILY BY THE VIRUS.

SUGGESTING THE STATE COULD BE AS MANY AS 9000 DAILY POSITIVE CASES.

THAT'S NOT ONLY SINCE APRIL 2021, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE CASES WOULD GO UNDIAGNOSED.

THAT SAME ACADEMIC MODEL SHOWS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF INFECTED PATIENTS ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A PEAK OF NEARLY 2400 HOSPITALIZATIONS BY NOVEMBER.

GOVERNOR MURPHY THIS WEEK SAID HOSPITALS ARE ALREADY SEEING AN UPTICK ABOUT 30% FROM TWO WEEKS AGO.

COVID RELATED DEATHS FOLLOW A SIMILAR SCHEDULE AND PAYS ACCORDING TO THE MODEL.

PREDICTED TO INCREASE TO NEARLY 30 A DAY BY NOVEMBER, AND MORE SEVERE THAN THE CURRENT DEATH TOLL AT ABOUT 2 TO 5 FATALITIES A DAY.

HEALTH OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO STRESS THE VAST MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS BEING INFECTED, HOSPITALIZED, AND DYING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS ARE NOT VACCINATED.

>> FOR MORE ON THE LATEST CODE NUMBERS AND MODEL PREDICTIONS, CHECK OUT THE REPORTING ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER THE PANDEMIC FIRST, MILLIONS OUT OF A JOB, WORKERS SAY THE HEALTH CRISIS DEEPENING CHANGE THE WAY THEY VIEW THEIR EMPLOYMENT.

MANY, CITING A WHOLE RANGE OF REASONS OPTED NOT TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

THE RESULT IS A HIRING CRISIS, NOT SEEN IN YEARS.

FOR SEASONAL BUSINESS OWNERS, SURVIVING THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC WAS JUST THE START.

JANINE DONELSON REPORTS.

>> UP AND DOWN THE JERSEY SHORE, BUSINESSES ARE DESPERATE FOR WORKERS.

SEASONAL, YEAR-ROUND, PART- TIME, FULL-TIME, RESTAURANTS, AMUSEMENTS, HOTELS, FISHING BOATS.

>> Reporter: TOURISM ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE IS BOOMING, BUT THE HIRING CRISIS IS CAUSING PANIC AMONG BUSINESS OWNERS AS THEY APPROACH THE BUSIEST MONTH OF THE SEASON.

>> BASICALLY EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS THAT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IS INVOLVED IN YOUR VACATION IS UNDERSTAFFED AND OVERWORKED, AND THE PROBLEM IS ONLY GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY WITH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WORKING SUMMER JOBS, PREPARING TO RETURN TO SPORTS TEAMS AND THE CLASSROOMS BEGINNING IN AUGUST.

>> Reporter: VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SAYS SHORE TOWNS ARE USED TO THE STRUGGLE OF STAFFING BECAUSE LOCAL POPULATIONS DON'T SUPPORT THE SUMMER SWELL, BUT THIS YEAR, WITH PEOPLE OPTING TO STAY ON UNEMPLOYMENT, IT IS THE WORST THEY'VE EVER SEEN.

>> AUGUST IS OUR BUSIEST MONTH, ARE MOST REVENUE, AND WE KNOW WE ARE GOING INTERNET 30% DOWN IN TERMS OF EMPLOYEES, AND I KNOW I'M LOSING ANOTHER 25% BEFORE LABOR DAY, SO I CAN HAVE A REAL IMPACT ON OUR REVENUE, AND I EXPECT THAT IT WILL.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THERE WERE HUGE DEMANDS TO FILL POSITIONS WITH THE STATE APARTMENTS WORK TRAVEL PROGRAM.

BUT, BECAUSE IT COVERED INSTRUCTIONS AND SHUTDOWNS, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PROCESS AS MANY STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: TYPICALLY IN THE SUMMER, THERE IS ANYWHERE FROM 80,000 TO 90,000 STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY CONCENTRATED IN TOURISM AREAS, AND I'VE HEARD FROM SEVERAL OF THE SPONSORS THAT WORK WITH THE PROGRAM ABOUT 10% OF THAT.

SO ABOUT 8000 TO 9000 WHEN IT WAS NORMALLY 80,000 TO 90,000.

SO, BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> Reporter: ANY DIFFERENCES ARE MAKING THE HARD CHOICE TO CLOSE SO THEY DON'T BURN OUT THE EMPLOYEES THAT THEY DO HAVE.

>> SO, WE LOSE ABOUT 24 TO 26 DAYS TOTAL IN OUR SEASON BY CLOSING THAT ONE DAY.

SO, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT'S A MONTH WORTH OF REVENUE AFTER THE WHOLE SEASON.

>> WE ARE CLOSING A DAY HERE, A DAY THERE, OR CLOSING EARLY, JUST TO OFFSET THAT SECOND CREW OR THIRD CREW THAT WE NORMALLY WOULD HAVE THAT WE JUST DON'T.

>> JOE OWNS SEVERAL RESTAURANTS AND SAYS THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO OPEN, BUT ON ANY GIVEN DAY, HE NEEDS AS MANY AS 6 MORE WORKERS.

>> PART-TIME, FULL-TIME OR ANY TIME.

NORMALLY, WE WOULD SAY OKAY YOU HAVE A SCHEDULE.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN DO FIVE DAYS A WEEK YOU KNOW, YOUR HIRE.

NO, YOU CAN DO FIVE HOURS YOU KNOW.

IN ONE WEEK.

WE WILL TAKE YOU.

>> HE SAID HE FEELS LIKE PEOPLE HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE THE SUMMER OFF AND FOR THOSE WILLING TO WORK, BUSINESSES ARE COMPETING AGAINST BIG BUSINESSES THAT CAN OFTEN HIGHER SALARIES.

HE SAYS THE PROBLEM IS ALSO FINDING CHILDCARE.

>> WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO FOLKS THAT HAVE WORKED FOR US IN THE PAST AND THEY SAID SOMEONE APPOINTED BENEFITS ARE TOO ATTRACTIVE TO RETURN.

MOSTLY SENIORS OR TEENS SAY THEY HAVE TO STAY HOME TO HELP WITH THEIR GRANDCHILDREN, OR TO HELP WITH THEIR SIBLINGS.

>> IS MRS.

THE HIRING CRISIS IS CAUSING THEM TO GET BAD REVIEWS BECAUSE VISITORS EXPECT THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE WITH LESS STAFF.

>> WE ALSO HAVE RIDES THAT ARE CLOSE, WE HAVE SERVICES WE DID NOT OFFER THIS YEAR, WE HAVE REDUCED HOURS AND ALL OF OUR FACILITIES.

SO, WE KNOW IS HAVING A REALLY BIG IMPACT ON OUR REVENUE AND OUR ABILITY TO GROW, OUR ABILITY TO GIVE RAISES AND ATTRACTIVE FULL-TIME WORKFORCE.

SO, IT'S HEARTBREAKING.

>> WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO LEAVE OUR BUSINESS AND AND LEAVE POINT PLEASANT BEACH AND SAY WELL, EVERY RESTAURANT OR EVERY HOTEL, IT WAS LIKE AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO SERVICE THEM.

>> BUSINESS OWNERS ARE CALLING ON THE LEGISLATOR TO CREATE PAYCHECK INCENTIVE PROGRAMS TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK, AND ALSO HELP STRUGGLING BUSINESS OWNERS KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN.

I AM JANINE DONELSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THE NEED FOR MORE WORKERS IS ONLY ONE HALF OF THE EQUATION.

PARTS AND MATERIALS ARE JUST AS HARD TO COME BY.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER EXPLAINS IN OUR BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT.

RHONDA?

>> THOUGH BUSINESSES ARE NOT DISTILLING THE TABLE LABOR SHORTAGES THESE DAYS, THERE IS ALSO A SHORTAGE OF SOME RAW MATERIALS.

THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF OCEAN FIRST BANK SAYS HIS NEW JERSEY CLIENTS ARE HAVING TROUBLE SOURCING SEVERAL PRODUCTS NOW, BEYOND SEMI CONDUCTORS.

>> WE ARE SEEING ANOTHER MATERIALS, PLASTIC RESINS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT'S MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR OUR CLIENTS TO MEET THE ORDERS THEY HAVE.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ORDERS ARE UP SHARPLY, THERE'S A LOT OF BUSINESS TO BE DONE, THE BACKLOGS ARE GROWING, BUT THEY NEED A MORE CONSISTENT AXIS TO MATERIALS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.

>> IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, PRICES ARE RISING AND INFLATION IS IMPACTING BUSINESSES TOO.

TOMORROW, THE FEDERAL RESERVE MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

POLICYMAKERS BEGAN A TWO DAY MEETING ON INTEREST RATE TODAY, AND WILL ANNOUNCE THEIR DECISION TOMORROW.

OFFICIALS MAY ALSO COMMENT ON HOW RISING COVID-19 CASES COULD IMPACT THE ECONOMY'S RECOVERY.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS HOLDING TWO VIRTUAL MEETINGS THIS WEEK TO SOLICIT INPUT ON HOW TO SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS.

JOHN WRIGHT MEYER EXPLAINS THAT SOME OF THE $6 BILLION HAVE BEEN EARMARKED FOR THINGS LIKE RENTAL ASSISTANCE OR TO HELP PEOPLE PAY THEIR UTILITY BILLS.

BUT, NOW THE STATE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT OTHER POSSIBLE USES FOR THE FUNDS.

>> THE PROCESS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS STARTING IS TO GAUGE WHAT A LOT OF GROUPS THINK THE NEEDS STILL ARE IN NEW JERSEY.

YOU KNOW, AS WE CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH AND IN SOME WAYS RECOVER FROM THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

>> YOU CAN READ MORE ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO BREAK RECORDS ACCORDING TO THE LATEST HOUSING FROM SNP.

IT'S HOUSING INDEX SHOWS AVERAGE HOME PRICES AND CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY OVER THE PAST YEAR ENDING IN MAY, THE INDEX ROSE 16.6%.

THAT IS THE FASTEST PACE SIMILAR TO 16 YEARS.

THAT IS IT FOR TODAY'S TRAINING ON WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES IN WHICH RESIDENTS STAND DIVIDED AROUND THIS TIME OF YEAR WITHOUT FAIL, IT IS THE BEAR HUNTS.

A CONTROVERSIAL SEASON REGULATED BY THE STATE TO HELP THE POPULATION OF BLACK BEARS FOUND PREDOMINANTLY IN RURAL JERSEY, AND IN RECENT YEARS, EVEN DENSELY POPULATED URBAN CITIES.

WHILE THE HUNT IS OFF FOR 2021, NOW ADVOCATES AND OPPONENTS WANT TO KNOW THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION'S NEW POLICY IF THERE IS ONE.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY SAID HE PUT AN END TO BEAR HUNTING AFTER THE 2020 SEASON, AND HE STOOD BY HIS WORD.

THE STATE THAT THE CURRENT BEAR MANAGEMENT POLICY EXPIRE LAST WEEK, AND WITHOUT ONE, THE BEAR SEASON IS CLOSED.

HE ALSO SAID THERE WOULD BE A NEW POLICY, TO MANAGE THE BEAR POPULATION WITH NONLETHAL TECHNIQUES.

WHAT THAT PLAN IS IS STILL UNCLEAR.

>> THE BUDGET THAT I CITED INCLUDES 1 MILLION A HALF DOLLARS OF NONLETHAL MANAGEMENT OF THE BLACK BEAR POPULATION.

EVERYTHING FROM HIRING MORE FOLKS TOWARD EDUCATION, TWO MORE SCIENCE.

>> WE ASK NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WHICH OVERSEES THE FISH AND WILDLIFE DIVISION FOR MORE DETAILS, BUT WE WERE TOLD IN A STATEMENT WE WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION IN THE COMING WEEKS ABOUT OUR PLAN.

>> IT'S TYPICAL OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, THEY HAVE LOTS OF TIMES THEY WILL TELL YOU HOW TO DO THIS AND THEY HAVE NO ANSWER, AND YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD WITH YOU KNOW, AND WERE BETWEEN 30 504,000 BEARS.

YOU KNOW, THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: BEARS HAD AND STARTED IN 18 COUNTY SO FAR THIS YEAR.

MOST OF THEM AND SUSSEX.

>> AND NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY, IF YOU GO BETWEEN ROUTE 78 AND NORTH OF 287, IT'S THE MOST DENSELY POPULATION OF BEARS, PROBABLY IN THE NATION.

THREE OR 4 BEARS PER SQUARE MILE.

>> Reporter: DATA FROM THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE SHOWS YOUR SIGHTINGS MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM 2019 TO 2020, SHOULD SHOWING DAMAGE AND NUISANCE WENT UP BY 400 INCIDENTS.

THIS IS, THERE'S BEEN A ROUGHLY 31% DECREASE IN BEAR SIGHTINGS, DAMAGE, AND NUISANCE THROUGH JUNE 21st.

>> WE WANT TO SEE VIABILITY, OR SUSTAINABLE FISH AND WILDLIFE POPULATIONS.

HUNTING IS DONE WHEN YOU HAVE SURPLUS ANIMALS.

>> WILDLIFE PROFESSIONAL SAYS HUNTING IS HEAVILY REGULATED, AND A NECESSARY TOOL FOR CONTROLLING THE BEAR POPULATION.

THE NUMBER OF ENCOUNTERS IN NEW JERSEY NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT DOING A KNEE-JERK REACTION WHEN YOU'RE MAKING THESE TYPES OF DECISIONS TO OUTLAW HUNTING WITHOUT THAT.

>> IN COLORADO, WILDLIFE OFFICIALS HAVE DONE A SERIES OF STUDIES ON THOSE STUDIES AND THEY SAID THAT YOU KNOW HUNTING DOES NOTHING TO REDUCE CONFLICT.

>> ANIMAL PROTECTION LEAGUE OF NEW JERSEY WILDLIFE POLICY DIRECTOR, SUSAN RUSSELL WAS MET AT THE GOVERNOR FOR CANCELING THE HUNT THIS YEAR AND SHE WANTS TO SEE A TRASH PROGRAM IN THE NEW POLICY.

>> THE BEARS ARE USED TO GETTING FED BY HUMANS BECAUSE OF THE BAIT.

WE NEED TO CUT UP THE BAIT AND WE NEED TO SECURE THE GARBAGE.

AND YOU GOT TO DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

OUR NEIGHBORING STATES DON'T PERMIT BAIT.

PENNSYLVANIA DOES NOT PERMIT IT, AND NEW YORK DOES NOT PERMIT IT, WHY?

BECAUSE IT INCREASES CONFLICT.

>> Reporter: RUSSELL SAYS SHE PITCHED HER PLAN TO THE COMMISSIONER RECENTLY.

>> WE COULD NOT GET AN ANSWER, WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IS THE DEP RULE SAYING THAT THESE TOWNSHIPS THAT LIVE IN BEAR COUNTRY MANDATE PROOF BEDS.

TOWNS IN WYOMING'S AND COUNTING'S IN BOULDER, AND ASPEN.

THEY'VE ALL DONE IT WITH NO CONTROVERSY.

>> WE ARE GOING TO FIND ANOTHER SOURCE, DEFINITELY GOING TO THE FARMERS FIELD, BUT IS ANOTHER PART WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.

>> ASSEMBLYMAN SAYS HE FEELS FOR HIS DISTRICT, WHICH COVERS ESSEX COUNTY, THE HEART OF THEIR COUNTRY.

>> WE HAVE WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS THAT ARE SCIENTISTS IN THE FIELDS TO TELL WHETHER THERE IS OVERPOPULATION OF A CERTAIN SPECIES FOR HUNTING SEASON, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IT IS A CONTROLLED HUNT, NOT A TROPHY HUNT.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, AND LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> PRESENT BIDEN THIS WEEK MARKED THE 31st ANNIVERSARY THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT BY PUSHING FOR ANY REFORM, ALLOWING PEOPLE WITH LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST THIS TERMINATION UNDER THE LAW.

THIS YEAR'S MILESTONE COMES AS ADVOCATES TAKE STOCK IN THE PROGRESS MADE, AND THE WORK REMAINING FOR THOSE WITH DIFFERENT NEEDS.

AN ISSUE MAGNIFIED DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND ONE BEING HIGHLIGHTED BY NEW JERSEY'S VISIT DISABILITY DEPARTMENT.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR IS CHAIR OF THE NEW JERSEY DISABILITY'S COVID-19 ACTION COMMITTEE AND JOINS US WITH MORE ON WHERE THE STATE STANDS.

WHERE DO WE STAND NOW, ESPECIALLY GIVEN ALL WE'VE BEEN THROUGH IN THE LAST YEAR.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND THE PROGRESS THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE MADE, AND WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS YOU KNOW, WE SEEN PROGRESS IN EMPLOYMENT ISSUES, PROGRESS AND ACCESS.

BUT STILL, TO SOME EXTENT ARE STAGNATED IN OTHER AREAS.

WE SAW THAT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

YOU KNOW, SO, YES, WE'VE SEEN AMAZING PROGRESS, AND YES, A LOT OF GREAT THINGS HAVE HAPPENED.

BUT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DISABILITIES IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE NATION ARE STILL AT RISK OF COVID-19 IMPORTANT IMPORTANTLY, THEY ARE AT RISK SOMETIMES EVEN OF INSTITUTIONALIZATION BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT WORK WITH THEM ARE NOT PAID A DECENT WAGE AT THIS POINT.

>> IT'S INTERESTING THAT YOU BRING UP WAGES BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS I FREQUENTLY HEAR FROM FAMILIES IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE HOME HEALTH AIDES, OR OTHER WORKERS, THE ONE ON ONES WHO ARE SO CRITICAL TO THEIR LIVES, BUT ALSO THE FACT THAT FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES DESPITE THE A.D.A.

CAN STILL PAY LOWER WAGES.

HERE WE ARE IN 2021.

>> TO SOME EXTENT HOW PEACEFUL WITH DISABILITIES WILL SAY IT'S EITHER A LOWER WAGE OR NO JOB AT ALL.

AND APPOINTMENT STATISTICS FOR THE DISABILITIES HOVER AROUND 65% UNEMPLOYMENT WHICH IS UNIMAGINABLE FOR ANY OTHER POPULATION AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LATINOS WITH DISABILITIES WERE AFRICAN AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 85 TO 90% APPOINTMENT.

SO, YOU KNOW, THESE NUMBERS THEMSELVES PUT PRESSURE TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE NOT ALWAYS THE BEST.

NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT THROUGHOUT THE NATION, WE STILL HAVE THINGS TO SHELTERED WORKSHOPS WITH BILLED PEOPLE PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR FOR YOU KNOW, WORK THEY ARE DOING.

YOU KNOW, IN MY ESTIMATION, THAT YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT THE WAY THAT WE MOVE FORWARD.

WE MOVE FORWARD BY USING THE CAPITAL OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES MONEY WILL HAVE MASTERS AND DOCTORATES, AND YOU KNOW, MANY OTHER DEGREES AND THOSE THAT DON'T.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE WILLING TO WORK.

SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS REALLY AN UNTAPPED LABOR POOL.

>> IS THAT YOUR HELP KNOW MOVING FORWARD NOW THAT THIS LIGHT SHED?

>> MOVING HOPE FORD, I WOULD HOPE THAT THE A.D.A.

BECOME STRONGER, NOT WEAKER.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE ACCESS IN PLACES LIKE OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL TOWNSHIPS.

YOU KNOW, WHERE YOU HAVE STILL TODAY, NO CURB CUTS.

ALL YOU HAVE TOWNSHIPS LIKE NEW JERSEY.

ARE YOU BILLED THE CURVE ON ONE SET OF THE BLOCK, A CURVE COULD BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BLOCK, AND NOTHING IN BETWEEN.

SO, INDIVIDUALS WITH THIS CANNOT EVEN USE YOU KNOW, THOSE SIDEWALK.

SO, YOU KNOW.

PROGRESS IS COMING SLOW.

IF WE HAVE FULL ACCESS, WE CAN BE FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS.

>> GOOD TO TALK TO YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> AMID ALL THE HURDLES OF VIRTUAL LIFE THIS YEAR, STUDENTS BASED THEIR OWN BATTLES AND ENSURING THEY HAVE ALL THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO AVOID THE SO-CALLED DIGITAL DIVIDE.

BUT, WHEN ACCESSORY NEEDED FOR CLASS MAY HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED.

UNTREATED, BUT COMMON VISION PROBLEM.

SO, A SUMMER CAMP IN WEST MILFORD IS GIVING LOW-INCOME KIDS THE GIFT OF SIGHT.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>>> THE DAYS OF SUMMER CAMP ARE ALMOST OVER FOR THESE KIDS ATTENDING HANSEN FOR YOUTH CAMP.

BUT BEFORE IT'S TIME TO PACK AND PICKING UP AND SAY GOODBYE, A SPECIAL VISIT FOR SOME CAMPERS IN NEED.

>> THEY ARE COMING TOGETHER.

THE CAMP THAT WE LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, AND VISION TO LEARN, WHICH IS GIVING GLASSES TO KIDS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE VERY INVOLVED WITH BOTH OF THOSE PROGRAMS, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE ARE EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE MARRIAGE OF THOSE TWO PROGRAMS TO GIVE KIDS EXAMS, AND GLASSES THAT MADE THE CAMP AND YOUTH PROGRAMS ALL AROUND NEW JERSEY.

>> THE CAMP IS JUST ONE OF NEARLY A DOZEN CAMPS, THE VISION TO A MOBILE CLINIC IS STOPPING BY NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING HUNDREDS OF CAMPERS WITH FREE EYE SCREENINGS AND FREE GLASSES TO ANYONE IN NEED.

>> HEY, LOOK AT ME.

>> YOU KNOW THAT QUESTION >> THE ORGANIZATIONS GOAL TO HELP ALL KIDS HAVE PROPER ACCESS TO VISION CARE, ESPECIALLY SINCE REPORTING TO REGIONAL MANAGER, GIOVANNI .1 AND 5 IN THE STATE DON'T HAVE THE GLASSES THEY NEED TO DO THEIR WORK AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL.

>> THE PANDEMIC HAS DONE A NUMBER OF KIDS VISION.

SCREEN TIME HAS INCREASED, TRIPLED FROM THE TIME THE YEAR BEFORE.

AND THAT HAS AFFECTED THEM TREMENDOUSLY.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE ACCESS TO VISION CARE FOR KIDS IS ENOUGH TO FALL FOR MANY PARENTS BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC REASONS, HEALTHCARE, BECAUSE OF A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS TO THE SCHOOLS AND TO CAMPS, AND TO PROGRAMS IS SUCH A BENEFIT THAT IS NORMALLY TO THE PARENTS, THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO TO THE KIDS WHO NEED THE GLASSES TO SEE, TO BE ABLE TO DO WELL IN SCHOOL, TO JUST HAVE A BETTER LIFE.

>> ONE BY ONE, CAMPERS WHO QUALIFIED WERE GIFTED WITH THEIR NEW GLASSES, TRYING THEM ON FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

>> A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS LACK THE RESOURCES FOR GLASSES.

A LOT OF THE STUDENTS REDUCE THE HAVE NEVER HAD AN EYE EXAM FOR THEY'VE NEVER WON GLASSES, AND IT LIFE-CHANGING.

WHEN YOU'RE IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AND THINGS LIKE THAT A LOT OF HEALTHCARE IS KIND OF DICTATED BY DO THEY HAVE INSURANCE OR NOT.

AND WITH AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS ONE, KIND OF ABLE TO REACH THOSE WHO REALLY DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF GET TO A PRIVATE PRACTICE OR GET THE KID IN NEED.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE LIKE THAT AGE.

A LOT OF YOUR LEARNING FROM LIKE THIRD GRADE IS VISUAL.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KIND OF GET TO THESE KIDS AT THIS AGE.

>> THE BEST PART IS KNOWING IT CHANGES THEIR LIVES.

>> ALMOST INSTANTLY.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT YOU KNOW YOU CAN SEE THE WORLD IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT.

AT SUCH AN AMAZING FEELING TO SEE PRISCILLA THE KID I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD THEM, THEY WANT TO VIEW THEM.

SO I CAN SEE.

>> WE WERE SPONSORING THIS.

WE HAVE VISION IS ONE OF OUR MAJOR PROGRAMS ON BECAUSE MY DAD IS GOING BLIND AND WE WANT TO BE DOING THINGS FOR KIDS TOO TO MITIGATE ANY VISIONARY ISSUES THAT THEY HAVE.

>> A CHANCE FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR 60 CHILDREN HERE AT THE CAMP.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, IOM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THIS THURSDAY, A CONVERSATION WITH GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY ON THE SEASON FINALE OF CHAT OXO DAVID CRUZ, TALKING THE ROAD TO THE NOVEMBER GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION, AND TOP ISSUES FACING THE STATE FROM THE ECONOMY AND JOBS TO THE RISE IN COVERT NUMBERS, AND THE GREAT MASK DEBATE.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR THROUGH EMAIL AND TWITTER.

THAT IS THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE TRANSFER YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING, WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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