>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJN INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

NEW JERSEY'S WATER STRUCTURE IS IN DIRE NEED OF UPGRADES, PARTICULARLY IN THE SMALLEST TOWNS IN OUR STATE WHICH MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO FEDERAL FUNDING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.

TODAY, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY LAUNCHED A PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THOSE GAPS.

IT IS CALLED NJ TAP.

IT IS DESIGNED TO GUIDE NEW JERSEY'S SMALLEST MUNICIPALITIES THROUGH THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING THEIR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

APPLYING FOR FUNDING AND GETTING THE WORK STARTED.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT SPOKE WITH LEADERS ABOUT HOW TOWNS CAN USE THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: FROM CENTURY OLD WATER MAINS THAT BREAK AND FLOOD STREETS TO LEAD SERVICE LINES THAT THREATEN PUBLIC SAFETY, EVERY NEW JERSEY TOWN'S GOT A TO-DO LIST OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

BUT HOW CAN SMALL MUNICIPALITIES COMPETE FOR THE MILLIONS IN FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE.

>> WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE MONEY FOR YOU AND WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

>> Reporter: AND THAT'S NO JOKE, SAID THE EP COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCING THE NEW JERSEY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR TAP.

IT WILL HELP TOWNS PUT TOGETHER PROPER APPLICATIONS FOR SAFE WATER TREATMENT CENTER UPDATES OR NEW DISTRIBUTION PIPELINES.

THE EAST NEWARK MAYOR SAYS A FREE PROGRAM LIKE NJ TAP COULD KEEP A LID ON TAXES.

>> I WILL USE ANY RESOURCE THAT COMES OUT OF THE EPA AND THE DPE.

WE ARE A VERY SMALL BOROUGH.

WE HAVE STABILIZE TAXES AND WE DON'T WANT TO BURDEN OUR RESIDENTS.

>> Reporter: HER TOWN IS PARTICIPATING IN THE EPA'S ACCELERATED LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM AND SHE ENVISIONS NJ TAP COULD FIX A PROBLEM WITH COMBINED SEWER AND STORM WATER OVERFLOWS.

>> AND WE ALSO DON'T HAVE THE EXPERTISE.

THEY HAVE THE EXPERTISE.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.

WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY.

WE DON'T HAVE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE.

THAT'S WHAT THE EPA AND NEW JERSEY DEP WILL PROVIDE FOR US.

>> PART OF OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THE WATER SYSTEMS ARE DELIVERING CLEAN WATER SO WE HAVE ALL OF THEIR DATA.

WE KNOW WHERE THERE IS MORE NEED THAN OTHERS.

AND WE CAN IDENTIFY FROM OUR RECORDS WHERE FOLKS SEEM TO BE STRUGGLING WHO COULD USE OUR HELP.

SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUNDING THAT IS AVAILABLE.

>> AND THAT'S REALLY THE GOAL.

MAKING SURE THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED THE FUNDING THE MOST ARE ABLE TO COME IN THE DOOR AND ACCESS THAT FUNDING.

>> Reporter: FIVE TOWNS HAVE ENROLLED.

ATLANTIC CITY.

GLOUSCESTER CITY.

IT WILL OFFER TECHNICAL, FINANCIAL, AND MANAGER EXPERTISE TO CLEAN UP PROBLEMS LIKE TOXIC CHEMICALS AND DRINKING WATER.

BUT IT WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

SO RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROJECTS.

IT'S A MATTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY.

>> IF THE PUBLIC HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS THAT THE BENEFITS THAT THEY WILL BRING, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A SAY IN WHERE AND HOW THESE FUNDS ARE GOING TO GET DISTRIBUTED.

>> Reporter: DAVID ZIMMER HEADS NEW JERSEY'S INFRASTRUCTURE BANK.

HE SAY IT IS BANK HAS ALREADY APPROVED $118 MILLION IN WATER LOANS IN FEBRUARY ALONE AND HE SAYS THAT CREATED CLOSE TO 1500 CONSTRUCTION JOBS.

NJ TAP CAN HELP TOWNS GET THE FUNDING.

>> WE WILL HAVE TO REVIEW PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE COMPLIANT WITH ALL THE LAWS AND THE REGULATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE MONEY IS ALREADY FLOWING OUT OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTUCKTURE AND NJ TAP IS UNDERWAY SO TOWNS WITH VEXING WATER PROBLEMS ARE URGED TO GET IN THE PIPELINE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AS NEW JERSEY APPROACHES THE ONE YEAR MARK OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS SALES, SOME ARE QUESTIONING WHILE THERE ARE STILL NO BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES GROWING OR SELLING CANNABIS IN THE STATE.

AT A MEETING OF THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION YESTERDAY, COMMISSIONER CHARLES BARKER SUGGESTED THEY HALT GIVING OUT ANY MORE LICENSES UNTIL BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES HAVE A CHANCE TO OPEN.

NOTING THAT THE REASON BEHIND LEGALIZING CANNABIS IN THE STATE WAS TO ADDRESS THE HARMS OF THE FAILED WAR ON DRUGS ON MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

>> WE CAN BE MORE PATIENT.

UNTIL IT IS A MORE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD SO THAT WHEN WE PROPOSE, THERE'S PARITY AND PEOPLE ARE STARTING ON EQUAL FOOTING.

>> Reporter: BARKER'S FELLOW COMMISSIONERS NOTED A QUARTER OF ANNUAL LICENSES HAVE SO FAR BEEN GRANTED TO BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS.

BUT TRANSLATING THOSE STATE LICENSES INTO SHOPS THAT ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS ISN'T ALWAYS EASY.

EVEN AFTER A BUSINESS WINS APPROVAL TO OPEN A CANNABIS CULTIVATION FACILITY OR DISPENSARY, THE BUSINESS OWNER CAN STILL FACE HOLDUPS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: DAQUON BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO MAKE A PURCHASE AT HUDSON COUNTY'S RECREATIONAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

>> IT IS WHAT WE WANT.

IT IS HOW WE WANT PEOPLE PURCHASING CANNABIS.

AGAIN, THERE IS A PROCESS TO GET HERE.

BUT WE ARE HERE AND I'M GLAD THAT THESE GUYS COULD MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THE LOCATION IS HARMONY DISPENSARY'S LATEST FACILITY TO ENTER THE RECREATIONAL MARKETS AFTER ADULT USE SALES BEGAN LAST APRIL.

>> WE LOOK TO REALLY GET AND FOCUS ON THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE ARE IN.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF BUSINESSES ARE GETTING IN AND TRYING TO OPEN UP.

WE HELP A LOT OF BUSINESSES GET THERE.

AND WE GUIDE THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS WHEN WE CAN.

WE DEFINITELY SEE SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR PEOPLE TO FOLLOW.

BUT NOT ONLY AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW, BUT ALSO ASSISTING OTHERS IN GETTING THERE.

>> Reporter: OTHERS LIKE LAUREN CHANG THOMPSON AND HER HUSBAND MAX WHO ARE MILES AWAY IN HOBOKEN AND EXCITED ABOUT OPENING THEIR DISPENSARY BLUE VIOLETS.

>> WE WILL ONLY BE ABOUT 800 SQUARE FEET.

WE WANT TO FOCUS ON THE ESSENTIAL OILS THAT ARE ACTUALLY IN ALL BOTANICAL LIFE.

ANY SORT OF PLANT MATERIAL.

ANYTHING THAT YOU SMELL IS ACTUALLY MORE OR LESS ATTRIBUTED TO THEIR CENTRAL OILS.

>> Reporter: NEARLY TWO YEARS AFTER STARTING THE PROCESS TO OPEN THEIR DISPENSARY, THE COUPLE BECAME THE FIRST RECREATIONAL CANNABIS APPLICANTS TO RECEIVE FULL APPROVAL FROM BOTH THE STATE AND THE CITY OF HOBOKEN.

BUT PLANS TO OPEN THE DOORS ARE NOW ON HOLD.

>> CURRENTLY WE ARE BEING SUED.

OUR LOCAL APPROVAL IS BEING CHALLENGED.

THEY ARE SUING US AND THE CITY.

WE ARE STILL NAVIGATING THAT PROCESS.

FIGURING OUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR US.

IT MEANS WE HAVE TO PAY LAWYERS UNFORTUNATELY.

THAT'S WHERE OUR FINANCIAL FOCUS IS NOW.

>> Reporter: IS SUIT IS BEING FILED BY HOBOKEN FOR RESPONSIBLE CANNABIS.

MEMBERS DECLINED AN INTERVIEW BUT ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART BLUE VIOLETS VIOLATES THE COMMON SENSE CANNABIS REGULATIONS WHICH STATE THAT A DISPENSARY CAN'T BE WITHIN 600 FEET OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

IT IS 250 FEET FROM TWO SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE OFFERED TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY A NEW LOCATION CONSISTENT WITH HOBOKEN'S LAWS.

>> WE EXPECTED IT A LITTLE BIT.

THE PEOPLE SUING US ARE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

FOR MONTHS THEY HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING US FOR MEETINGS AND COMPLAINING ABOUT OUR LOCATION AND COMPLAINING ABOUT CANNABIS IN HOBOKEN SO IT WASN'T A TOTAL SURPRISE.

BUT WHEN WE GOT THE LAWSUIT, WE NOTICED IT WAS ACTUALLY FILED, YEAH, IT'S STRESSFUL.

WE HAD COMMITTED TO MUCH.

WE REALIZE WE HAVE TO DO EVEN MORE, SPEND MORE MONEY AND TIME AND STRESS FOR SOMETHING WE FELT WE HAD ALREADY DONE.

IT'S FRUSTRATING.

>> Reporter: THE LAWSUIT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD IN COURT YESTERDAY, BUT GOT PUSHED TO JULY LEAVING THE THOMPSONS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT COMES NEXT.

>> IT'S FIGURING OUT HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE.

AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO CUT COSTS AND TAKE THINGS ONE DAY AT A TIME WHICH IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING.

>> Reporter: BUT THE COUPLE SAYS THEY WON'T GIVE UP THE FIGHT AND ARE DETERMINED TO MAKE THEIR DREAM OF OPENING UP THEIR CANNABIS DISPENSARY A REALITY SOON.

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

>>> STARTING NEXT WEEK, NO LOCAL REPORTERS WILL BE COVERING NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IN WASHINGTON DC.

THIS AFTER NJ ADVANCED MEDIA CLOSED ITS DC BUREAU AND LAID OFF JONATHAN SOLANT.

I SPOKE WITH JONATHAN ABOUT THE SHRINKING MEDIA LANDSCAPE AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE STORIES THAT SHOULD BE TOLD ARE NOT.

>> JONATHAN.

WELCOME.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON AND I'M SORRY ABOUT YOUR SITUATION.

>> THANK YOU.

ACTUALLY THE PLEASURE IS MINE.

>> WERE YOU SURPRISED TO BE THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FOR YOU FROM MOST OF NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AFTER THE NEWS WAS OUT?

>> I WAS SHOCKED.

NOT JUST THE DELEGATION.

IT IS GOVERNOR MURPHY.

IT IS FORMER WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARIES AT SOME OF THE TOP CONGRESSIONAL REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON.

I DIDN'T KNOW THEY READ MY STUFF.

I'M JUST SO IN AWE AND OVERWHELMED BY THIS SUPPORT THAT IT MADE EVERYTHING ELSE SECONDARY.

>> WE HAVE ALL READ YOUR STUFF BUT YOU HAVE BEEN THE ONLY NEW JERSEY REPORTER BASED IN DC FOR SOME TIME.

WHY DO YOU THINK THEY HAVEN'T MADE COVERAGE OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL A PRIORITY?

>> THE NATIONAL NEWS EVERYBODY PAYS ATTENTION TO, YOU CAN GET FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES AND THE WASHINGTON POST AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND WRITERS AND BLOOMBERG ON THE INTERNET.

YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING NOW.

SO BUT IT'S THE LOCAL STUFF.

IT IS EASY TO SAY WE DON'T SEE THE WASHINGTON REPORTER UP.

WE CAN CUT THAT BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE SOMEBODY COVERING CITY HALL.

IT AFFECTS MORE PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO COVER THE STATE HOUSE BECAUSE IT AFFECTS MORE PEOPLE DIRECTLY AND THEY MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES THAT DON'T HAVE WASHINGTON REPORTERS ANYMORE WHICH IS A SHAME.

BUT THERE ARE NEWSPAPER CHAINS OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON VOTERS OF HAVING NO DEDICATED DC REPORTERS FROM NEW JERSEY?

>> WELL, THAT IS SOMEBODY, HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

IF YOU ARE NOT THERE WATCHING THEM OR TALKING TO THEM, YOU CAN'T HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

ALL YOU CAN DO IS KNOW WHAT THEY SEND DOWN IN A PRESS RELEASE OR WHAT THEY PUT ON A PAID AD.

YOU ARE NOT READING DOCUMENTS, YOU ARE NOT TALKING TO THEIR COLLEAGUES.

HEY, DID YOU KNOW YOUR CONGRESSMAN DID THIS?

DOWN IN DC, YOU BUILD ALL THESE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT WORK WITH YOUR CONGRESS PEOPLE.

AND ARE WILLING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT.

>> WHAT DO YOU HOPE THAT READERS TOOK AWAY FROM READING YOUR STORIES ALL THESE YEARS?

>> WELL, DEMOCRACY DEMANDS KNOWLEDGEABLE ELECTORATE.

THERE IS AN OLD NEW YORKER CARTOON WITH A FOUR LEGGED CREATURE IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER SAYING THE CAPTION IS ON THE INTERNET, NOBODY KNOWS YOU'RE A DOG.

ON THE INTERNET, EVERYTHING IS EQUAL.

YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CREDIBLE AND WHAT'S NOT CREDIBLE.

YOU NEED THE CREDIBLE REPORTER TO GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION.

LOOK AT ALL THE MISINFORMATION WE HAD IN 2020 AND 2022.

IT IS THE TRAINED JOURNALISTS HAVING TO CUT THROUGH THAT.

YOU HAVE TO EDUCATE THE ELECTORATE.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN EDUCATED ELECTORATE, HOW CAN THEY KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR?

>> YOU HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE MOST CREDIBLE REPORTERS OVER THE DECADES.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORDS YOU HAVE WRITTEN.

YOU WILL BE MISSED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> AN UPDATE TONIGHT TO A STORY WE HAVE COVERED IN NEWARK.

RESIDENTS AT THE GEORGIA KING VILLAGE COMPLEX ARE FRUSTRATED AS THE LANDLORD WAS GIVEN A ONE MONTH EXTENSION TO FIX EVERYTHING FROM A RAT INFESTATION TO BLACK MOLD AND LEAKY PIPES.

WE TOUR THE DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS WITH RESIDENTS A FEW WEEKS AGO.

AFTER CITY LEADERS SAW THE CONDITIONS, THEY ASKED A JUDGE TO PUT THE COMPLEX INTO RECEIVERSHIP.

MEANING ALL RENT PAID WOULD NOT GO TO THE LANDLORD AND INSTEAD BE IMMEDIATELY USED TO PAY FOR FIXES.

THIS WEEK, THE JUDGE GAVE L AND M ONE MORE MONTH TO FIX THE PROBLEMS BEFORE ENTERING RECEIVERSHIP.

THE LANDLORD ALSO HAS UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH TO FINISH THE IMPROVEMENTS OR RISK LOSING ITS TAX BREAK FROM THE CITY.

L AND M SAYS IT HAS COMPLETED ALMOST 700 WORK ORDERS AS OF THIS WEEK.

>>> IT'S BEEN ONE MONTH SINCE THE DEATH OF PETE REID.

A VOLUNTEER MEDIC FROM NEW JERSEY WHO WENT TO UKRAINE TO TREAT WOUNDED CIVILIANS.

HE IS A MAN DEDICATED TO SERVING OTHERS TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

THIS WEEK, OUR BRIANA VANNOZZI SPOKE WITH HIS WIDOW ALEX POTTER TO REFLECT ON HIS LIFE, HIS WORK, HIS PASSION, AND THE LEGACY HE LEADS.

>> YOU SPOKE ABOUT YOU AND PETE BEING SOUL MATES.

I HEARD THAT USED FROM FOLKS WHO KNOW YOU BOTH.

WHAT IS IT THAT WAS DRIVING YOU BOTH TO DO THIS TYPE OF WORK?

THAT OF COURSE INEVITABLY PUTS YOU IN DANGER?

>> I THINK BOTH OF US ARE VERY SERVICE MINDED PEOPLE.

YOU HEARD THE PHRASE SERVICE BEFORE SELF IN SOME FORUMS AND INDUSTRIES.

OR IN THE MILITARY REALM THAT I'M IN.

I THINK THAT SERVICE HAS JUST COME NATURALLY TO BOTH OF US FROM THE TIME WE WERE KIDS EVEN BEFORE WE MET EACH OTHER.

WHETHER IT WAS FOR HIM BEING A MENTOR.

AT CAMP BECKET AND ALWAYS WANTING TO HELP PEOPLE WHAT THEY WERE STRUGGLING WITH.

MYSELF, PREVIOUSLY BEING A JOURNALIST TRYING TO BRING LIGHT TO CONFLICTS AND PEOPLE WHO WERE STRUGGLING.

YEAH.

WE WERE BOTH REALLY CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH I THINK.

WE OBVIOUSLY HAD DIVERGENT INTEREST INS OUR OWN PASSIONS AND THE THINGS WE WANTED TO PURSUE.

BUT WHAT WAS AT THE HEART OF OUR MORAL COMPASS AND DRIVING FORCE IN OUR LIFE WAS HELPING OTHER PEOPLE AND WE ARE BOTH PRETTY EXTREME PEOPLE.

SO THAT JUST KIND OF LED US TO SERVING IN THE MOST EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE WILLING OR ABLE TO HELP.

>> SAVING LIVES ULTIMATELY.

I'M SURE YOU MUST HAVE HEARD FROM FAMILIES, SURVIVORS WHO YOU ALL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GIVE A SECOND CHANCE.

>> WHEN PEOPLE WERE SUFFERING IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM WEIGHED HEAVILY ON HIM.

HE COULD STILL REMEMBER INDIVIDUAL CASES WHERE WE WEREN'T ABLE TO SAVE THE PERSON AND THAT REALLY WEIGHED ON HIM.

SO THE MORAL IMPERATIVE TO DECREASE OR ELIMINATE SUFFERING WAS REALLY AT THE FOREFRONT OF HIS MIND.

>> I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE, FRIENDS OF YOURS, OF PETE'S SAY WE SHOULD ALL TRY TO LIVE LIKE PETE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> I MEAN, HE WASN'T A PERFECT PERSON BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.

HE WAS ROWDY AND SHOW BOATY.

AND A LITTLE BIT NOT FOR EVERYBODY.

BUT HE WAS ALWAYS VERY CARING, WANTING TO HELP PEOPLE.

BUT HE WAS ALWAYS VERY PRESENT.

SOMETHING I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH FOR BEING COMPLETELY PRESENT IN THE MOMENT.

THAT IS WHY EVERYBODY THOUGHT PETE WAS THEIR BEST FRIEND AND THEY FELT CLOSE TO HIM EVEN IF THEIR INTERACTION WAS SO SHORT.

HAVING THAT CARE, BUT TRULY BEING WITH SOMEONE IN THE MOMENT THAT THEY NEED YOU TO BE IN.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT HIS MEMORY TO BE?

>> JUST AS A GUY, HE WAS BIGGER THAN LIFE.

AND HE REALLY CARED AND LOVED PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW.

HE STRUGGLED A LOT WITH HIS OWN DEMONS FROM BEING IN AFGHANISTAN AND BEING IN MOSUL.

BUT NO MATTER WHAT HE WAS STRUGGLING WITH, HE WAS ALWAYS THERE TO SUPPORT ME AND UPLIFT ME AND DO THE SAME WITH EVERYONE AROUND HIM SO HE WAS AN INCREDIBLY LOVING, STRONG, AND BRAVE HUMAN BEING AND I HOPE HE IS REMEMBERED AS SUCH.

>> WELL ALEX.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN.

IT IS NOT EASY TO DO THESE CONVERSATIONS AND YET YOU HAVE JUST BEEN GRACE UNDER FIRE.

WE ALL SEND OUR THOUGHTS TO YOUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES.

THOSE WILL BE WITH YOU.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>>> THIS IS JUST A SEGMENT FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH ALEX POTTER.

YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON OUR WEBSITE.

NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE DISEASE OFTEN ARE FACED WITH NO TREATMENTS, AND NO CURES.

HEALTH CARE LEADERS AND ADVOCATES SAY MORE FUNDING IS NEEDED TO BOOST RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN ORDER TO DISCOVER LIFE CHANGING TREATMENTS.

AT AN EVENT IN VALLEY HOSPITAL THIS WEEK MARKING RARE DISEASE WEEK, CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOTHEIMER ANNOUNCED TWO BIPARTISAN BILLS HE SAID WILL INCENTIVIZE MORE RESEARCH IN RARE DISEASES.

AS TED GOLDBERG REPORTS, FOR ONE FATHER OF A CHILD DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE DISEASE, THE BILLS OFFER HOPE FOR HIS CHILD AND OTHERS.

>> MY STORY BEGAN ON JULY 26th OF 2018 WHEN I WAS CALLED INTO AN OFFICE.

THE FIRST TIME I HAD EVER HEARD THAT WORD SAN FOLIBO SYNDROME.

MY DAUGHTER HAD IT.

>> Reporter: ROB'S DAUGHTER SUFFERS FROM A RARE DEGENERATIVE DISEASE.

SAN FILIPO SYNDROME LEADS TO CHILDREN LOSING LEARNED SKILLS, AND GENERALLY CUTTING THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY TO FEWER THAN 20 YEARS.

ROB'S DAUGHTER CAMERON WAS PLACED IN A CLINICAL TRIAL AND GIVEN GENE THERAPY.

>> HAD SHE NOT BEEN TREAT I THINK SHE WOULD HAVE LOST MORE SKILLS BY NOW.

SHE CAN STILL GO TO SCHOOL.

IT'S A LOT OF HAND OVER HAND AND THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEBODY WITH HER HELPING HER.

BUT SHE IS ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH A SCHOOL DAY AND SHE IS BETTER OFF FOR IT.

>> WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS IN THESE FRONTS BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> Reporter: IT AFFECTS FEWER THAN 200,000 AMERICANS.

SO IT IS CLASSIFIED AS A RARE DISEASE.

THAT'S THE SUBJECT OF TWO NEW BILLS INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOTHEIMER.

>> MORE THAN 90% OF RARE DISEASES STILL HAVE NO FDA APPROVED TREATMENT.

RARE DISEASE RESEARCH IS CRITICAL.

NOT ONLY CAN IT LEAD TO A CURE OR A TREATMENT FOR THOSE INFLICTED, BUT THE RESEARCH CAN ALSO BE A GATEWAY TO BREAKTHROUGHS FOR OTHER TREATMENTS IN CURES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE IDEA BEHIND THE BILLS IS TO GIVE COMPANIES INCENTIVES TO CONTINUE RESEARCH THAT WAS PAUSED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> ONLY 12% OF ALL DRUG RESEARCH PROJECTS LEAD TO A GO TO MARKET DRUG.

SO IT IS EXPENSIVE.

IT IS TAKING A LOT OF SHOTS ON GOAL AND HOPING ONE OF THEM GOES IN.

BUT YOU HAVE TO KEEP TAKING THE SHOTS.

>> Reporter: ONE OF HIS BILLS WOULD GIVE COMPANIES LONGER EXCLUSIVITY TO SELL DRUGS FOR A RARE DISEASE.

THE OTHER BILL WOULD RESTORE THE SO-CALLED ORPHAN DRUG TAX CREDIT WHICH GIVES COMPANIES TAX BREAKS FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGAINST RARE DISEASES.

>> RESTORING THESE FUNDS WILL HELP NEW JERSEY'S LIFE SCIENCE LEADERS INVEST MORE IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

IT WILL ALLOW PHYSICIANS SUCH AS MYSELF THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE LIFE SAVING TREATMENTS TO PATIENTS WHO HAVE CONDITIONS THAT REPRESENT A SMALL PORTION OF THE POPULATION.

>> THE 2017 TAX HIKE BILL CUTTED OUR SALABLE TAX DEDUCTION AND SENT US IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

CUTTING THE ORPHAN DRUG RESEARCH TAX CREDIT IN HALF.

MAKING TREATMENT FOR RARE DISEASES EVEN RARER.

LITERALLY BY CUTTING IN HALF, THEY MADE ORPHAN DRUGS MORE OF AN ORPHAN.

>> Reporter: IN THE FIVE YEARS SINCE HIS DAUGHTER'S DIAGNOSIS, ROB STARTED THE CAM FOUNDATION WHICH SPREADS AWARENESS OF SAN FILIPO SYNDROME WHILE RAISING MONEY TO HELP FIND A CURE.

HE SAYS BILLS LIKE THESE COULD LEAD TO A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR FOLKS LIKE HIS DAUGHTER.

>> THAT IS VERY ENCOURAGING.

WE WERE NOT IN A VERY FRUITFUL PLACE TO BEGIN WITH AND I THINK WE CAN GET TO A BIGGER AND MORE PRODUCTIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORLD FOR OUR DISEASE AND ALL OTHER RARE DISEASES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: HIS BILLS ARE BIPARTISAN GIVING THEM A BETTER CHANCE TO PASS AND POSSIBLY GIVING PATIENTS OF RARE DISEASES A BETTER OUTLOOK.

IN RIDGEWOOD, I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS TONIGHT, A MAJOR MERGER WILL COST WORKERS INCLUDING TEACHERS THEIR JOBS AT BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE.

WE HAVE TOLD YOU HOW BLOOMFIELD IS SET TO MERGE WITH MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY TO PREVENT BLOOMFIELD FROM SHUTTING DOWN FOR GOOD.

NOW WE HAVE LEARNED 13% OF BLOOMFIELD'S FULL TIME EMPLOYEES WILL NOT BE HIRED AFTER THE MERGER.

THIS INCLUDES TEN FULL TIME FACULTY MEMBERS.

THE TEACHER'S UNION FILED AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE COMPLAINT AGAINST THE SCHOOL A FEW WEEKS AGO.

CLAIMING SCHOOL LEADERS HAVE FAILED TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH.

A MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY SPOKESMAN TOLD NJ ADVANCED MEDIA THE SCHOOL IS LOOKING TO OFFER POSITION TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

THE MERGER IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY JUNE 30th.

>>> NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

>>> A REMINDER TO JOIN ME FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND.

I WILL DIG INTO THE STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND TALK TO STATE ECONOMIC LEADERS ABOUT WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN MEANS FOR YOUR WALLET.

WATCH IT SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30 ON NJ PBS.

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

ANNOUNCING ITS RENEWED JERSEY BUSINESS SUMMIT AND EXPO.

MARCH 14th AND 15th IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE AT NJCHAMBER.COM.

>>> THE SAXOPHONIST WAYNE SHORTER KNOWN FOR HIS SOLO WORK AND TIME WITH MILES DAVIS' SECOND GREAT QUINTET AND THE JAZZ FUSION BAND WEATHER REPORT HAS DIED AT THE AGE OF 89.

HE GREW UP IN NEWARK'S IRON BOUND NEIGHBORHOOD AND WENT TO THE NEWARK ARTS HIGH SCHOOL.

THE FIRST PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN THE U.S. TO SPECIALIZE IN THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.

LATER HE STUDIED AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY WHERE HE EARNED THE NICKNAME NEWARK FLASH.

HE SERVED TWO YEARS IN THE ARMY AT FORT DIX BUT CAME BACK TO THE JAZZ WORLD.

HIS TRUE LOVE AND CALLING WITH ART FLAKEY'S JAZZ MESSENGERS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BUT DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE REPORTER'S ROUND TABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ THIS WEEKEND.

DAVID TALKS TO ASSEMBLYMAN RALPH CAPUTO ABOUT HIS DECISION TO RETIRE FROM THE LEGISLATURE AFTER FIVE DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

WATCH IT SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:00 ON NJ PBS.

>>> AND ON CHAT BOX, DAVID LOOKS INTO THE STATE'S RECORD SETTING BUDGET PLAN AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES' BOTTOM LINE.

THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. OR SUNDAY AT 10:30.

BOTH RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND WE'LL SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

>>> 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.

CREATED TO THE CREATION OF A SUSTAINABLE LONG TERM CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES.

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS.

OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY.

EQUITY.

AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

INVESTING IN PARTS.

HELPING TOWN TO GO GREEN.

SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY.

>>> I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I'M STILL HERE.

>> THAT'S ME AND MY DAUGHTER WHEN WE WENT TO CELEBRATE OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> WITH A NEW KIDNEY I HAVE STRENGTH.

>> IT GAVE ME A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE.

NOBODY.

>> AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING OLDER WITH MY WIFE.

THAT'S POSSIBLE NOW.

>> WE ARE TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH INNOVATIVE KIDNEY TREATMENTS.

LIVERING DONOR PROGRAMS AND WORLD RENOWN CARE AT TWO OF NEW JERSEY'S HOSPITALS.

>> IT IS A BLESSING.

>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.