>>> 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.

C1 FROM NJPBS THIS IS N J SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

MORE NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE.

THE NEXT TIER OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED THAT'S HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHERS AND STAFF, PUBLIC UTILITY, COMMUNICATION SUPPORT AND SANITATION WORKERS AMONG THE LARGEST LIST.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO GET A VACCINE APPOINTMENT.

NEARLY 3.8 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND MORE THAN 1.3 MILLION PEOPLE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

THE STATE HAS HUNDREDS OF LOCATIONS ADMINISTERING THE SHOT BUT SAYS IT NEEDS THE SUPPLY TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND.

TODAY UNVEILING A NEW COMMUNITY VACCINATION CENTER IN NEWARK AT NJIT IT OPENS MONDAY THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH FEMA.

IT WILL DELIVER 6,000 DOSES A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK ALL PART OF AN EFFORT TO INCREASE EQUITY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>>> AND THE GOVERNOR WILL OPEN THE VACCINATION TO THE ENTIRE POPULATION 16 AND OLDER.

NEW JERSEY IS STILL NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION FOR POSITIVE INFECTIONS.

WITH MORE THAN 4,000 IN A SINGLE DAY AND ANOTHER 28 LIVES LOST.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ALSO REMAIN AT THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE FEBRUARY.

HEALTH LEADERS ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO COMBAT NEW INFECTIONS WHERE RAPID SPREAD IS LIKELY.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY TOOK A BOLD STEP BECOMING THE FIRST COLLEGE IN THE NATION TO REQUIRE COVID VACCINES FOR ALL STUDENTS WHO WANT TO RETURN TO CAMPUS CLASSES AND DORMS IN THE FALL.

WILL OTHER NEW JERSEY COLLEGES BE NEXT?

>> I'VE BEEN HERE FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

HAVING SO MANY PEOPLE ON CAMPUS THEN SUDDENLY IT JUST BEING EMPTY HAS DEFINITELY BEEN DIFFICULT.

>> Reporter: NO MATTER WHICH GRADE, MOST RUTGERS STUDENTS AGREE SCHOOL HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> I MISS MY FRIENDS, I MISS BEING ABLE TO CALL THEM ON A RANDOM SUNDAY AND WANT TO STUDY WITH THEM AND GET TOGETHER IN LARGER GROUPS.

>> THEY DESERVE THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: HOW DOES RUTGERS PLAN TO BRING BACK THAT COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.

BY REQUIRING ALL STUDENTS TO GET VACCINATED IN ORDER TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES.

VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ANTONIO CALCADO SAYS THERE ARE A FEW EXEMPTIONS.

>> TYPICAL ONES BEING MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS.

ALSO IF YOU'RE ON A FULL ONLINE DEGREE GRANTING PROGRAM YOU'RE EXEMPTED OR SOME INSTANCES WITHIN OUR CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS WHICH TYPICALLY ARE THINGS LIKE, CEU CREDITS ONLINE OR OFF CAMPUS.

WHAT WE'RE REQUIRING IS MUCH LIKE THE OTHER IMMUNIZATIONS THAT STUDENTS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO GET WHETHER IT'S RUBELLA OR TB.

IF YOU JUST SIMPLY REFUSE TO VACCINATE NO YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REGISTER IN THE FALL.

WE CAME UP WITH THIS AS SOON AS WE COULD.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO GET THE VACCINE.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE A HESITATION OR REASONS WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO GET THE VACCINE.

BUT I THINK IT IS PROBABLY THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION.

>> DO YOU THINK IT'S FEASIBLE TO GET EVERYONE VACCINATED BY THAT POINT.

>> THE PRESIDENT BIDEN SPOKE ABOUT HAVING AT LEAST ONE SHOT INTO EVERY ELIGIBLE ADULT BY MAY 31st.

WHEN WE SPOKE ABOUT HAVING STATES OPEN IT UP TO ALL ADULTS BY MAY 1st, WE THOUGHT THIS IS WHEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUR POPULATION IN.

>> Reporter: RUTGERS UNIVERSITY WAS APPROVED BY THE STATE TO BE A VACCINE SITE.

CALCADO ACCEPTS TO HAVE CENTERS UP IN THEIR CAMPUS IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY AND CAMDEN IN MAY.

HE SAYS THAT WILL ELIMINATE ANY POTENTIAL ASSESSABLE BARRIERS.

>> I SUPPORT IT FULL HEARTEDLY BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A DANGEROUS VIRUS.

I FEEL A VACCINE IN THIS CASE SHOULD BE A MANDATORY THING.

>> WHAT IF STUDENTS AREN'T 18 OR OLDER.

CALCADO SAYS STUDENTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE PFIZER VACCINE WHICH IS 16 AND UP.

STEPHANIE SILVERA HOPES OTHER CAMPUSES FOLLOW SUIT.

>> WE KNOW THAT 18 AND UP HAVE THE HIGHEST TRANSMISSION RATE.

SO IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE THE STUDENTS VACCINATED PARTICULARLY IF YOU'RE LIVING IN A COMMUNAL LIVING SETTING.

>> Reporter: THE VACCINE IS NOT MANDATORY FOR FACULTY AND STAFF.

BUT THE UNIVERSITY WILL OFFER IT TO ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY AT THEIR SITES.

>> HAVING EVERYONE IN THE CLASSROOM WILL CERTAINLY REDUCE THEIR LIKELIHOOD THAT THE VIRUS WILL SPREAD TO THE FACULTY.

I DON'T THINK THAT JUST HAVING THE STUDENTS WILL BE SUFFICIENT.

SO WE WANT THE FACULTY TO BE VACCINATED AS WELL.

>> Reporter: ANTONIO CALCADO SAYS THEY'RE TRYING TO CREATE THE STRONGEST CAMPUS IN AMERICA AND THE VACCINE IS THEIR TOOL.

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

>> WELL THE NATION IS ALSO FACING A CRISIS AT THE BORDER.

IT'S NOT A NEW PROBLEM BUT ONE THAT'S PERSISTED UNDER BOTH DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS ALIKE.

YET THE SITUATION IS DIFFERENT NOW IN PART BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

HERE AT HOME IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN PUSHING TO EXPAND BOTH PROTECTIONS AND RESOURCES FOR UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS.

AS CONTROVERSY GROWS OVER LUCRATIVE FEDERAL CONTRACTS ENABLING FEDERAL PRISONS TO HOUSE DETAINEES.

>> JORGE AND I WERE HAPPILY MARRIED BEFORE HE WAS ARRESTED.

HE HAD JUST GOTTEN HIS PAINTING COMPANY AND IT WAS GOING WELL.

WE LOVE OUR DAUGHTER RACHEL AND WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING A NEW BABY INTO OUR FAMILY.

>> Reporter: JORGE CHACON WAS A IMMIGRANT WHO CAME TO THE U.S. ALONE WHEN HE WAS 18 AND WAS GIVEN DACA STATUS UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA.

BUT AFTER MARRYING MARY HE DECIDED TO FILE FOR A GREEN CARD.

>> AND JUST WITHIN A WEEK, HE WAS DETAINED.

>> Reporter: ARRESTED IN FRONT OF HIS HOME AS HE WAS GETTING READY FOR WORK.

IT'S A STORY FAMILIAR TO MANY IMMIGRANT FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY.

>> NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN THE SO CALLED DETENTION HUB FOR THE REGION.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE CURRENTLY 371 ICE DETAINEES IN NEW JERSEY.

I.C.E.

BEING THE U.S. IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

THEY HAVE LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN CALLED FAIR AND WELCOMING NEW JERSEY FOR ALL THAT SEEKS PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY BY REMOVING THE WORDS LIKE ALIEN AND IMPLEMENTING SYSTEMS TO.

>> MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFER, MAKE HOSPITALS SAFER.

MAKE COURTHOUSES AND MAKE THE DATA THAT STATE AGENCIES GATHER MORE SECURE.

PEOPLE SHOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE TO SEEK THESE SERVICES AND JUST BY NATURE OF GOING TO THESE PLACES, THEY SHOULD NOT BE COOPERATING WITH FEDERAL LAW.

FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE ALSO SUPPORTING A BILL THAT WOULD ELIMINATE NEW AND SOME EXISTING I.C.E.

CONTRACTS WITH STATE DETENTION CENTERS.

>> IT DOES AFFECT TWO OUT OF THE FOUR IMMIGRATION DETENTION AGREEMENTS.

IT DOES NOT ELIMINATE IMMIGRATION DETENTION ENTIRELY IN NEW JERSEY.

SIMPLY BECAUSE SOME CONTRACTORS DON'T HAVE EXPIRATION DATES.

WE ALSO NEED TO QUESTION, IS IT LEGAL OR IS IT REASONABLE TO HAVE ANY CONTRACT THAT HAS NO EXPIRATION DATE.

>> Reporter: HUANG SAYS IT'S A NUMBERS NAME.

THE COUNTY'S PROFIT FROM THE PARTNERSHIP ALTHOUGH REVENUES HAVE DROPPED AS THE NUMBER OF DETAINEES HAS FALLEN FROM THE THOUSANDS TO THE HUNDREDS OVER THE YEARS.

BUT CHACON SAYS THE CONDITIONS FOR HER HUSBAND IN ESSEX COUNTY WERE DEPLORABLE.

SOMETHING THEY DENY.

>> IT'S BETTER TO BE HERE THAN TO BE OUT IN PENNSYLVANIA WHEN THEY WILL NEVER HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: IF THE COUNTY LOST THE CONTRACT.

>> IT WOULD NEED TO PICK UP A REVENUE SOURCE.

IF WE DON'T PICK UP THAT REVENUE SOURCE THERE'S GOING TO BE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE LAID OFF.

AND TAXES ARE GOING TO BE INCREASED.

>> WE SHOULD NOT BE MAKING PROFIT FROM INCARCERATING PEOPLE.

THE AL ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE TO FIGHT THEIR CASE FROM OUTSIDE OF DETENTION.

>> Reporter: CHACON WON HIS CASE BUT LOST HIS BUSINESS AND HOME.

>> OUR CASE WAS A COMPLETE PAIN AND MONEY AND CAUSED US A LOT OF SUFFERING.

>> Reporter: I.C.E.

IS SEEKING INFORMATION ON A NEW FACILITY TO OPEN IN THE STATE THAT COULD DEVASTATE HUNDREDS MORE FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: IN THE WAKE OF TWO MASS SHOOTINGS WHICH KILLED 18 PEOPLE, LOCAL AND FEDERAL LEADERS ARE COMING TOGETHER CALLING ON CONGRESS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF GUN VIOLENCE.

TODAY SENATORS MENENDEZ AND BOOKER HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE URGING THEIR COLLEAGUES TO TAKE ACTION ON GUN LAW REFORM EVEN BEFORE THE SHOOTINGS, DEMOCRATS IN WASHINGTON WERE ADVANCING STRICTER GUN VIOLENCE MEASURES.

DESPITE NEW JERSEY'S TOUGH STANCE ON GUNS TODAY SENATOR BOOKER SAY THEY FIND THEIR WAY ON TO OUR STREETS VOWING TO REKNEW EFFORTS IN THE POLICY OVERHAUL.

>> NEW JERSEY HAD THE THIRD LOWEST INCIDENCE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA.

THE STATE IS DOING THEIR JOB.

BUT WHEN YOU STILL HAVE HUNDREDS OF NEW JERSIANS MURDERED EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

THOUSANDS WOUNDED, SUICIDES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF OURSELVES.

BECAUSE THIS IS NOT AN INEVITABLE DESTINY IT'S A POLICY CHOICE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE ALSO RELEASED PRELIMINARY DATA ON BIAS INCIDENT IN 2020.

OUT OF 1,400 IT'S NEW JERSEY'S HIGHEST LEVEL EVER.

RELEASING MORE DATA LIKE THIS IS PART OF A STRATEGY TO PREVENT INCIDENTS AND BETTER EDUCATION THE PUBLIC.

DAVID CRUZ SPOKE TO SENATOR GRAIBAL AS PART OF REPORTERS ROUND TABLE THIS WEEK.

>> THE OTHER BIG STORY THE SHOOTING IF GEORGIA.

SIX OF THE 8 PEOPLE KILLED OF ASIAN DECENT.

IT WAS REALLY JUST A STARK EXAMPLE OF WHAT MANY ASIAN- AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS HAVE BEEN SEEING OVER THE PAST YEAR.

THE STATE JUST RELEASED THESE STATISTICS THAT REALLY PUT IT IN DRAMATIC PERSPECTIVE.

AN 82% INCREASE IN BIAS INCIDENTS AGAINST ASIANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS.

COVID IS OBVIOUSLY DRIVING THAT, WHAT'S THE PLAN OF ATTACK ON THIS FIGHT?

>> YEAH, WE HAVE, LISTEN A HATE PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY AND NEW JERSEY IS NOT IMMUNE FROM IT.

WE HAVE SEEN THE ESCALATION NOT JUST BETWEEN 2019 AND 2020.

WE'VE SEEN IT ON THE INCREASE OVER THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.

WE KNOW WHY IT'S HAPPENING, WE KNOW WHAT THE CAUSES ARE.

AND WE HAD A FORMER PRESIDENT THAT NORMALIZED HATE, HIS ENABLERS NORMALIZED HATE AND LET THEM SPREAD THESE HATEFUL MESSAGES WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS WHATSOEVER AND THAT BROUGHT THESE TERRORISTS, DOMESTIC TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS OUT OF THE WOOD WORK AND THAT LED TO PROLIFERATION OF HATE IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE SAW IT IN GEORGIA.

WE'VE BEEN RINGING THE ALARM FOR YEARS.

IN 2018 I GAVE A SPEECH IN WASHINGTON, D.C. TO AN ASIAN- AMERICAN-PACIFIC ISLANDERS CONFERENCE SAYING WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF OUR RHETORIC BECAUSE WE WERE SEEING THE PRESIDENT'S ANTI IMMIGRANT RHETORIC GIVING RISE TO ATTACKS ON BROWN PEOPLE LIKE ME.

AN INDIAN ENGINEER IN KANSAS WAS KILLED BECAUSE HE WAS TOLD TO GO BACK TO HIS COUNTRY.

IS THERE ANY SURPRISE THAT THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND HIS ENABLED WERE TALKING ABOUT THE KUNGFLU AND CHINA VIRUS.

WE HAVE A PLAY BOOK IN NEW JERSEY HERE TOO.

THE GOVERNOR PUT TOGETHER YOUTH BIASED TASK FORCE IN 2019 WHEN WE SAW THIS RISING.

WE'RE FOCUSING ON EDUCATION FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, STRICTER ENFORCEMENT AND DATA SHARING.

I'M GOING TO START RELEASING DATA ON A MONTHLY BASIS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY TO WAIT AN ENTIRE YEAR TO LET 2020 GO BY AND RELEASE NUMBERS NOW AND LOOK BACK AND SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND TRY TO THINK ABOUT SOLUTIONS.

>> WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE STATE'S COURT SYSTEM?

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SEE THAT REOPEN?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW I KNOW THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, CHIEF GRANT IS BRINGING BACK SOME, SOME FOLKS NOW.

AND THERE'S A PLAN IN PLACE TO START THAT UP AGAIN.

YOU KNOW WE'VE BEEN DOING VIRTUAL GRAND JURY AT THE STATE LEVEL TO KEEP THINGS MOVING AND TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE AREN'T BEING HELD PENDING TRIAL FOR EXTRAORDINARY PERIOD OF TIME BUT THERE ARE NO TRIALS SO WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE OVER ASPECTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS.

I KNOW THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS HAS PLANS TO BRING FOLKS BACK BECAUSE WE NEED TO START MOVING THINGS IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL CONVERSATION ON DAVID'S REPORTING ROUND TABLE THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNING AND REPORTERS CHAT BOX SUNDAY AT 8:30 A.M. >>> THE CLEAN UP CONTINUES ON LEGAL MARIJUANA.

THE GOVERNOR RELEASED A BILL TWEAKING THE MEASURE TO CONTACT PARENTS WHEN TEENS ARE FOUND WITH DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.

SOME LAWMAKERS SAY THE CHANGES NEED TO GO A STEP FORWARD.

REPUBLICAN SENATORS INTRODUCED A BILL TO ADD THE CHARGES AGAINST OFFICERS IF THEY TARGET A PERSON FOR THEIR RACE, OR ETHNICITY.

THE WHOLE PROCESS OF LEGALIZING MARIJUANA HAS BEEN SO CONTROVERSIAL.

SOME ADVOCATES SAY THE ONLY WAY TO END THE SO CALLED WAR ON DRUGS IS TO DECRIMINALIZE ALL OF THEM IN SMALL AMOUNTS.

AND DO AWAY WITH THE POLICY THEY SAY IS ROOTED IN RACISM HARMING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

THE POLITICAL WILL ON LEGAL WEED AS AN OPENING FOR THE CONCEPT.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

ADDS WE TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE A LOT OF FOLKS THINK OF IT AS RADICAL BUT YOU SAY IT'S MORE ABOUT MORALS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK WE'RE AT A KIROS MOMENT OR VERY POTENT TIME IN OUR STATE, IN OUR COUNTRY WHERE FOLKS ARE REENVISIONING AND REIMAGINING.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT BEING RADICAL IN A SENSE.

BUT IT IS ABOUT RADICAL MERCY, AND ULTIMATELY RADICALLY DOING WHAT'S RIGHT.

>> YOU'VE SEEN WHAT IT HAS TAKEN TO GET LEGALIZED MARIJUANA ON THE BOOKS.

THIS WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY BE EVEN MORE DIFFICULT AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED SAYING IT COULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES.

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO THAT?

>> THERE'S ALWAYS POTENTIAL FOR UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING HAS NOT WORKED.

THIS JUNE, THIS JULY, WE WILL BE CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF NIXONS DECLARATION OF THE DRUG WAR.

A DRUG WAR WHICH HAS BEEN, WHICH WAS ROOTED IN IN RACISM BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION.

WHAT WE CAN'T DO IS CONTINUE TO PERPETWATT A DEEPLY RACIST SYSTEM.

WHAT WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO DO IS BREAK FAMILIES APART, TO DEMONIZE PEOPLE THAT'S WHAT WE CAN'T DO.

>> IN YOUR MIND OR IN AN IDEAL SITUATION WHAT WOULD THIS DECRIMINALIZATION LOOK LIKE?

HOW WOULD IT PLAY OUT IN THE COMMUNITIES YOU WORK WITH?

>> ULTIMATELY COMMUNITIES MUST BE INVOLVED IN DETERMINING WHAT THAT, WHAT THESE KIND OF ALTERNATIVE RESPONSES WOULD BE.

WE NEED ALTERNATIVE RESPONSES RATHER THAN POLICE WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO SUBSTANCE USE SITUATIONS.

WE NEED NONCOERCIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS.

WE NEED SAFE PLACES WHERE FOLKS WHO USE DRUGS CAN GO BECAUSE THE DATA SHOWS THAT LIKE IN PORTUGAL WHEN THOSE KIND OF SPACES ARE THERE, USE ACTUALLY COMES DOWN BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT AFRAID TO ACCESS SERVICES BECAUSE THE ENVIRONMENT IS NONPUNITIVE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE LARGER INVESTMENTS IN OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM AND IN OUR MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM SO MANY OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE SELF-MEDICATING BECAUSE THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE OPTIONS BECAUSE OF HEALTH CARE OR BECAUSE OF THE VERY LIMITED ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

IF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS WOULD BE IN PLACE, AND WE WOULD BUILD UP A COMPASSIONATE HEALTH RESPONSE AND BEGIN TO DISMANTLE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSE.

>> REVEREND BOYER GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> SAME HERE, THANK YOU.

>>> THIS WEEK U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION PETE BUTTIGIEG SAID THAT HE IS READY TO GET THE BRIDGE PROJECT BACK ON TRACK.

IT'S A REGIONAL ISSUE WITH NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.

ECHOING WHAT LEADERS HAVE SAID OVER YEARS, IF THE TUNNEL FAILS, SO DOES THE AREA.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP OPPOSED THE PROJECT INCLUDING SOME SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR THE TUNNEL.

>> NOW A QUICK CHECK ON HOW WALL STREET ROUNDED OUT THE TRADING WEEK.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT SPOáRTDED BY IBE LOCAL 102, PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY EASE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

>>> THIS WEEKEND JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER, SHE LOOKS AT WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY INCLUDING NEW JERSEY'S TRANSIT BUDGET, THE PUSH FOR ELECTRIC CAR AND HOW OUR CITIES ARE GETTING MORE PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE FRIENDLY.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOUR TOWN?

WATCH IT ON PBSNJ.

>>> TONIGHT WE BRING YOU PART TWO OF A CANDIDATE CONVERSATION LOOKING AT ONE OF THE MOST HOTLY CONTESTED PRIMARY RACES THIS ELECTION CYCLE BETWEEN TWO FORMER RUNNING MATES AND FRIENDS IN BURGON COUNTY 37th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLY MEMBERS GORDON JOHNSON AND VALERIE HUTTLE ARE BOTH VYING FOR THE SEAT OF RETIRING LORETTA WEINBERG.

THE BATTLE IS SPARKING DIVISION AMONG THE PARTY.

MICHAEL ARON GOES ON THE RECORD WITH ASSEMBLYMAN GORDON JOHNSON.

>> ASSEMBLYMAN GORDON JOHNSON IS LOCKED IN A PRIMARY FIGHT WITH HIS LONG TIME MATE VALERIE HUTTLE TO SUCCEED LORETTA WEINBURG IN THESENATE.

WHY SHOULD RESIDENTS OF THE 37th DISTRICT VOTE FOR YOU OVER HUTTLE.

>> NUMBER ONE MY WHOLE LIFE HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE.

TO SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT.

EITHER AS A POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY OF INGLEWOOD FOR 37 YEARS OR AS A BUGON COUNTY SHERIFF IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR 6 YEARS.

OR AS A STATE LEGISLATOR FOR 18 YEARS.

MY WHOLE LIFE, AND ALSO, AND ALSO A MEMBER OF THE MILITARY WHERE I WAS MOBILIZED TWICE.

AND THAT WAS SERVICE TO COUNTRY.

SO MY WHOLE LIFE HAS BEEN TOWARD PUBLIC SERVICE.

ALSO I FEEL THAT ONE HAS TO GO OUT AND BE WITH THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT.

>> YOU'RE SAYING YOU'VE BEEN MORE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY THAN VALERIE HUTTLE.

>> I HAVE BEEN OUT THERE WORKING AND WALKING WITH THE PEOPLE DOING A PROCESS TO GET THE COUNTY LINE.

ONE HAS TO GO OUT AND COLLECT SIGNATURES FROM THE COUNTY COMMITTEE PEOPLE FROM 13 TOWNS.

I WENT OUT TO 12 OF 13 TALKING TO THE COUNTY COMMITTEE PEOPLE.

TALKING TO THE PEOPLE AND COLLECTING SIGNATURES THAT'S HOW I OPERATE.

I WANT TO BE WITH THEM.

>> I'VE BEEN COVERING POLITICS FOR A LONG TIME.

THERE'S VERY OFTEN A RED HERRING THROWN INTO THE RACE.

IT HAPPENED ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO WHEN SOMEBODY PLANTED WITH POLITICO A STORY ABOUT YOU MAKING A WOMAN WHO HAD COME TO SEE YOU.

A WOMAN FROM LOCAL POLITICS MAKING HER FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BY SEXUALLY SUGGESTIVE REMARKS.

WHAT WAS YOUR RESPONSE WHEN YOU READ THAT STORY?

>> THIS CAME OUT, SHE SAYS IT HAPPENED 13 YEARS AGO.

I DO NOT REMEMBER THE INCIDENT ITSELF.

I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR DR. PAUL.

DR. DUJA PAUL AND I WILL NOT DISPARAGE HER.

AND I'VE REACHED OUT TO HER.

>> VALERIE HUTTLE SAYS YOU'RE THE CANDIDATE OF THE BOSSES YOU HAVE THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE BURGON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION.

OF GOVERNOR MURPHY, OF SENATOR WEINBERG.

TO VALERIE, THAT MAKES YOU THE CANDIDATE OF THE BOSSES.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> WELL, I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG.

SHE'S BEEN MY MENTOR FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS IN THIS POSITION.

IF VALLEY WANTS TO CALL HER A BOSS THAT'S HER DECISION.

BUT I FOLLOW THE MENTORING OF SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG FOR YEARS.

>> YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING MATES OF VALERIE HUTTLE FOR 16 YEARS.

YOU'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATION FOR 20 YEARS.

HOW AWKWARD IS IT TO SUDDENLY BE AT WAR WITH SOMEONE YOU WERE ALLIES WITH FOR SO LONG?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW IT'S JUST PART OF THIS DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

AND EVERYONE KNEW THAT ONE DAY LORETTA WEINBERG.

SENATOR WEINBERG WOULD BE DEPARTING, WOULD BE LEAVING.

SO I FEEL I'M THE CORRECT PERSON TO BE PUT IN THIS POSITION IN THE STATE SENATE.

AND APPARENTLY VALERIE DOES TOO.

SO WE'LL SEE, YOU KNOW HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

BUT THAT'S JUST PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

SKWR ALL RIGHT, ASSEMBLYMAN GORDON JOHNSON, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> FINALLY A COLLABORATION BUILT NEARLY 3,000 MILES APART.

NEWARK'S MAYOR BARAKA IS TEAMING UP WITH THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES TO HELP CITIES GRAPPLING WITH VIOLENCE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

TOGETHER THEY'RE LAUNCHING THE NATION'S FIRST EVER ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS.

THE CBPSA WILL INCLUDE LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS FROM MAJOR U.S. CITIES AND HELP BUILD SUPPORT AND FUNDING TO REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY.

SO IT DOESN'T RELY ON BUT COMPLIMENTS POLICING AND BEGINS TO REFORM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ON A NATIONAL SCALE.

THE MAYORS SAY IT'S ALL ABOUT UNDERSTANDING VIOLENCE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK.

BUT HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG OR FIND US ON SOCIAL TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING ALL WEEKEND LONG.

AND A JOYOUS PASS OVER TO ALL THOSE CELEBRATING THIS WEEKEND.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI BRIANA VANNOZZI, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>>> BROUGHT TO YOU BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.