NJ Spotlight News
NJ Spotlight News: May 26, 2022
5/26/2022 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Watch as the NJ Spotlight News team breaks down today's top stories.
We bring you what's relevant and important in New Jersey news, along with our insight. Watch as the NJ Spotlight News team breaks down today's top stories.
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NJ Spotlight News is a local public television program presented by THIRTEEN PBS
NJ Spotlight News
NJ Spotlight News: May 26, 2022
5/26/2022 | 26m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
We bring you what's relevant and important in New Jersey news, along with our insight. Watch as the NJ Spotlight News team breaks down today's top stories.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS A BRIANA VANNOZZI .
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI .
NEW DETAILS ABOUT THE POLICE RESPONSE AT THE MASSACRE IN TEXAS THAT LEFT 19 CHILDREN AND TWO TEACHERS DEAD, AUTHORITIES SAY THE GUNMAN WALKED FREELY INTO THE SCHOOL AND HE WAS NOT CONFRONTED BY AN ARMED SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE OFFICER OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING AS INITIAL REPORTS INDICATED.
HE WALKED THROUGH THE HALLWAYS, SHOOTING, AND TELL HE REACHED AN OPEN CLASSROOM AND BARRICADED HIMSELF INSIDE OPENING FIRE.
POLICE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE SCHOOL BUT TOOK ON FIRE FROM THE GUNMAN.
A SHARPSHOOTER FATALLY SHOT THE GUNMAN ABOUT AN HOUR LATER.
FAMILIES IN UVALDE NOW PLANNING FUNERALS INSTEAD OF SUMMER VACATIONS.
THE NATION IS REELING FROM THIS LATEST TRAGEDY, ESPECIALLY STUDENTS WHO HAVE GROWN UP IN THE MIDST OF THE GUN VIOLENCE CRISIS WHO ORGANIZED A NATIONAL WALKOUT, DEMANDING TO BE HEARD.
BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.
>> Reporter: MORE THAN 200 STUDENTS GATHERED OUTSIDE TO PROTEST GUN VIOLENCE IN THE WAKE OF THE UVALDE SHOOTING THAT LEFT 19 STUDENTS AND TWO TEACHERS DEAD.
THE UNSPEAKABLE TRAUMA SUFFERED BY FAMILIES ROCKED THESE KIDS IN A JERSEY'S SUBURB.
>> I'M FRUSTRATED, SCARED, ANXIOUS.
>> Reporter: SHE JOINED ORGANIZERS ON THE WALKOUT, ONE OF MANY ACROSS THE NATION CALLED UP BY STUDENTS DEMANDING ACTION.
AT RIDGEWOOD, THEY HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED SAFETY DRILLS AND LOCKDOWNS, ONE LAST MONTH FOR A BOMB THREAT THAT LEAVES SOME TEAMS WITH HEIGHTENED ANXIETY.
>> YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED TO BE WORRIED OF FOR YOUR LIFE OR IF YOU ARE SAFE AND THAT IS SCARY BECAUSE OUR DISTRICT CAN'T FIX A PROBLEM LIKE THAT.
>> THIS COULD HAPPEN AT ANY SCHOOL AND IT IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE IT KEEPS HAPPENING.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO GET OUR VOICE OUT THERE.
>> WE STOOD HERE TODAY IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE WHO DIED IN UVALDE AND BUFFALO, WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
>> Reporter: RIDGE WHAT IS AN AFFLUENT COMMUNITY THAT TAKE SAFETY SERIOUSLY AND ALMOST CREATES A BUBBLE BUT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE GRAHAM HISTORY IN THE U.S., SOME RECALL THEIR PROTEST PROTESTING THE PARKLAND SHOOTING IN 2018.
>> OUR GOAL IS TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT STOPS THIS FROM OCCURRING BECAUSE IT'S NOT NORMAL AND IT HAS BECOME OUR NORMAL.
>> REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE SO HUNG UP ON IT MUST BE THIS WAY OR THIS WAY, THEY ARE NOT EVEN ABLE TO TAKE ONE STEP TOWARDS PREVENTING ANOTHER SHOOTING, WHATEVER IT IS.
>> Reporter: THEY HAVE OFFERED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES SAYING SAFETY IS A TOP PRIORITY IN JERSEY'S ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL STEPPED UP LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE, SAYING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD FEEL SAFE HERE.
EXPECT TO SEE EXTRA OFFICERS AT EVENTS LIKE GRADUATIONS ON TOP OF MEASURES INSTALLED AFTER SANDY HOOK WHERE 20 CHILDREN WERE KILLED AND SIX ADULTS.
OTHER SECURITY UPGRADES ARE QUITE RECENT LIKE NEW DIGITAL GEO-MAPPING AND MONITORING.
>> SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BECOME A BIG PLAYER IN ALL OF THIS, SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY MONITORING.
WE ARE GETTING INFORMATION ON WHAT THE THREAT LEVELS MAY BE, SO THAT MAY BE THE NEWEST SEGMENT OF INFORMATION SHARING.
>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY ALREADY HAVE STRONG LAWS BUT EVENTS LIKE UVALDE TRIGGER EMOTIONAL SHOCKWAVES AND CAN MAKE SAFE PLACES FEEL A LOT LESS SECURE, SAYS THE SCHOOL NURSE, ROBIN.
>> THE ANXIETY LEVEL IS SO HIGH, TIE FOR KIDS, FOR STAFF, WE LOOK AROUND AND LOOK FOR EXITS OR PLACES TO HIDE.
THAT IS NOT HOW SCHOOL IS SUPPOSED TO BE.
GENERATION LOCKDOWN?
WE ARE OKAY WITH THOSE TERMS?
>> Reporter: SHE SAYS ACTION IS NEEDED AT A FEDERAL LEVEL TO ADDRESS THIS CRISIS.
ONE PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERT ADVISES EACH SCHOOL TO PLAN A SITDOWN WITH STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND ACKNOWLEDGE HOW THEY ARE FEELING BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, IT IS NOT GOOD.
>> PEOPLE ARE HAVING TOUGH TIMES GOING INTO SCHOOLS AND WORK.
PEOPLE ARE FRIGHTENED, A LOT OF PERSONNEL ARE PARENTS.
THEY ARE DROPPING THEIR KIDS OFF AND FEEL DISEMPOWERED.
>> Reporter: THE GROUP MARCH FOR LIFE PLANS A JUNE RALLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. TO PROTEST GUN VIOLENCE BUT IN UVALDE, THEY MUST BEGIN MY SAD TASK OF BURYING THEIR CHILDREN.
I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.
>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY IS ORDERING ALL USM STATE FLAG TO FLY AT HALF STAFF THERE SATURDAY IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE 21 LINES LOSS.
IT COMES ON THE HEELS OF HIS FIERY PITCH TO LAWMAKERS, URGING THEM TO TAKE ACTION ON A NEW PACKAGE OF GUN REFORM BILLS AND AS THE STATE'S CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CALLS FOR INCREASED PRESENCE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SPOKE WITH US ABOUT HIS PLANS TO ENSURE A SIMILAR TRAGEDY DOES NOT HAPPEN HERE.
YOU KNOW, PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE OF COURSE ON EDGE, WHAT IS THE STATE DOING TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE SAFE IN SCHOOL RIGHT NOW?
WE DIRECTED ALL LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO MAINTAIN A VISIBLE PRESENCE AROUND OUR SCHOOLS.
THIS IS A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION BUT ONE WE HOPE WILL PROVIDE COMFORT AND SECURITY TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
>> Reporter: IS THERE EVIDENCE THAT A BEEFED UP PRESENCE DETERS SHOOTINGS FROM HAPPENING?
>> IN NEW JERSEY, WE ARE TRULY AHEAD OF THE CURVE IN TERMS OF HOW WE MONITOR AND PREVENT VIOLENT ACTIVITY OCCURRING EVERYWHERE, INCLUDING IN OUR SCHOOLS.
ONE OF THE WAYS WE DO THAT IS THEIR HAVING TRAINED OFFICERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCED AND ABLE TO PERFORM LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS IN WAYS THAT DO NOT DISRUPT CLASSROOM AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND THEY HAVE PROVEN EFFECTIVE AT IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL THREATS, REPORTING AND RESPONDING TO THEM.
HERE IN NEW JERSEY AT LEAST, THE INCREASED SECURITY PRESENCE CAN AND WILL HAVE AN IMPACT BUT IT'S ONLY PART OF THE SOLUTION AND WE KNOW WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR CHILDREN AND IDENTIFYING RISK FACTORS THAT WE CAN RESPOND TO BABY.
ONE THING WE HAVE IS AN EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER WHICH WAS A LAW SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR AND IF SOMEONE HAS DISPLAYED THOSE RED FLAGS AND HAS COME INTO CONTACT WITH A FIREARM, THEIR FAMILY OR FRIENDS OR LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN GO TO COURT AND PETITION TO TAKE THAT FIREARM AWAY.
>> Reporter: UA WHAT THE GOVERNOR YESTERDAY WHEN HE WAS PUSHING FOR THESE NEW GUN REFORM PROPOSALS, WHAT IS THE ONE ITEM OUT OF THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
WE HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST RATES OF GUN VIOLENCE PER CAPITA IN THE COUNTRY.
WE KNOW 80% OF THE GUNS FOUND IN CRIMES IN NEW JERSEY ORIGINATE OUT OF STATE.
SO WE IN NEW JERSEY IN MY OFFICE ARE TAKING EVERY STEP WE CAN TO PREVENT THOSE GUNS FROM COMING INTO THE STATE AND ALSO TO USE OUR CIVIL ENFORCEMENT TOOLS TO HOLD MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS ACCOUNTABLE WHO ARE PROFITING OFF OF THOSE GUNS COMING INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND INJURING AND KILLING NEW JERSEYANS.
IT'S AN EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN THAT AUTHORITY IN OUR OFFICE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO GO AFTER THOSE WHO ARE PROFITING OFF THIS BLOODSHED.
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, WE APPRECIATE IT.
>>> BREAKING NEWS TONIGHT ON NOT POSSIBLE CANCER CLUSTER LINKED TO COLONIAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE STATE ANNOUNCED NOW UNUSUAL LEVELS OF RADIATION WERE DETECTED IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY CONDUCTED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS.
STATE INVESTIGATORS LED WEEKS OF TESTING IN APRIL AND MAY AFTER A GRADUATE OF THE SCHOOL WENT PUBLIC WITH A LIST OF MORE THAN 100 FORMER STUDENTS OVER THREE DECADES WHO WERE DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE BRAIN TUMORS.
NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE ARE AT OR NEAR THE HIGH SCHOOL AND DID NOT FIND LEVELS OF RADIATION THAT DIFFER FROM NATURAL RADIATION ALWAYS PRESENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT, ADDING NO FURTHER TESTING IS REQUIRED.
WE WILL HAVE A FULL REPORT TOMORROW.
>>> ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MID-TURN CONTESTS IN THE NATION IS HEADING TO A RECOUNT.
A CELEBRITY SURGEON BACKED BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HOLDS A RAZOR THIN LEAD OVER DAVID McCORMICK IN THE RACE FOR PENNSYLVANIA SENATE SEAT, FALLING WITHIN THE MARGIN OF OUR MANDATORY RECOUNT.
THEY WILL BATTLE IT OUT IN COURT DRAGGING THE ELECTION INTO JUNE.
THE WOMEN WILL FACE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JOHN FETTERMAN AND WHAT DEMOCRATS HE IS THEIR BEST CHANCE TO PICK UP A SEAT IN A CLOSELY DIVIDED SENATE.
IN TRENTON TODAY, PRESSURE IS INTENSIFYING FOR LAWMAKERS TO EXPAND VOTING OPTIONS AND PASS A BILL ALLOWING SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION.
RAVENS ANTENNAE REPORTS.
>> WE CANNOT HAVE ARBITRARY, UNNECESSARY OBSTACLES TO CASTING YOUR VOTE.
>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS DEMANDING LEGISLATORS TO PASS A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION.
THE BILL WOULD ALLOW VOTERS TO SHOW UP AT THE OLD ON ELECTION DAY AND VOTE BY A PROVISIONAL BALLOT.
CURRENTLY, YOU WOULD HAVE TO REGISTER 21 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION.
>> WHY SHOULD THERE BE ENCUMBRANCES?
>> Reporter: HE IS THE ONLY REPUBLICAN COSPONSOR OF THE BILL.
IF PASS, IT WOULD REMOVE ALL REDTAPE FOR THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE AND WANTING TO VOTE.
>> I BELIEVE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, YOU SHOULD VOTE.
I DON'T CARE IF IT'S 30 DAYS OR 10 DAYS BEFORE BECAUSE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, YOU SHOULD VOTE.
LET'S ASSUME YOU MOVED IN LAST WEEK, THAT COULD BE A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, WHY CAN'T YOU VOTE?
I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ALL THIS FRAUD IN VOTING, I THINK THAT A BUNCH OF MALARKEY, GENERALLY.
THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEBODY WHO IS INELIGIBLE TO VOTE BUT THAT IS GENERALLY NOT WHAT OCCURS, ASK CLERICS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND YOU WILL FIND OUT SIMPLY THAT THERE IS LIMITED FRAUD.
IN MY JUDGMENT, THIS BILL DOES NOT CREATE MORE FRAUD.
>> Reporter: THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD BENEFIT INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE FORMALLY INCARCERATED.
>> NOW IN NEW JERSEY, PEOPLE WHO ARE ON PAROLE AND PROBATION HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE WHICH WAS A HUGE LEAP FORWARD FOR DEMOCRACY.
PEOPLE WHO ARE RELEASED FROM PRISON AFTER THE THREE-WEEK PERIOD HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE BUT CAN'T VOTE IN THE ELECTION BECAUSE OF OUR VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE.
NEW CITIZENS, THEY DON'T HAVE THE OPTION TO REGISTER EARLIER.
>> Reporter: THEY HAVE HAD THEIR VOTE TO WRITE BECAUSE 2020 AFTER SERVING 38 YEARS IN PRISON.
HE SAYS HE WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN HE COULD NOT VOTE AND DOES NOT WANT THE SAME FOR OTHERS.
>> BECAUSE OF THE FACT WE ALREADY HAVE THE FIRST OR SECOND STRIKE, GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY, I WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL LIKE BEING ABLE TO VOTE THE SAME DAY IS MORE OF A FREEDOM LIKE COMING HOME FROM PRISON AFTER SO LONG.
COMING FROM A LESS THAN IDEAL SITUATION AND BEING ABLE TO VOTE AND HAVE THAT SAME DAY VOTE IS ALSO A PART OF THE WHOLE FREEDOM PROCESS.
>> Reporter: THE BILL WOULD ALSO EXPAND ACCESS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MADE RECENTLY MOVED AND WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN TRYING TO REGISTER THROUGH THE DMV.
LAURA SULLIVAN SHARED HER DISAPPOINTMENT.
>> I WENT TO THE DMV TO CHANGE AND UPDATE MY REGISTRATION AND LICENSE AND I WAS ASKED IF I WANTED TO REGISTER.
I SAID YES, BY THE TIME I FIGURED OUT I HAD NOT REGISTERED, THE DEADLINE HAD PASSED.
>> THIS ALSO ALLOWS SAME-DAY REGISTRATION.
THIS DOES NOT CHANGE OUR EXISTING OPTIONS, YOU CAN STILL VOTE BY MAIL IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE AWAY LONG-TERM.
>> Reporter: ADVOCATES A WITH THE PRIMARY SEASON UNDERWAY FOR ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTIONS IN OUR HISTORY, MAKING SURE NO ONE IS DENIED IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
HE HAS PREVIOUSLY SAID HE HAS NOT BEEN CONVINCED TO SUPPORT IT.
TIME RAVENS ANTENNAE.
>>> THE STATES NEW RECREATIONAL CANNABIS MARKET IS BOOMING.
CUSTOMER SPENT $24 MILLION ON PART PRODUCTS IN THE FIRST MONTH AND ACCORDING TO HEADSET, NEW JERSEY'S ANNUAL SALES COULD REACH NEARLY 3 BILLION A YEAR MAKING IT ONE OF THE HIGHEST REVENUE CANNABIS MARKETS IN THE COUNTRY.
THE REGULATORS THIS WEEK APPROVED PERMITS ALLOWING MORROW MEDICAL DISPENSARIES WITH MORE RECREATIONAL BUSINESSES HOPING TO JOIN.
>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN FIVE WEEKS SINCE NEW JERSEY WELCOMED ITS FIRST SALE OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY 13 DISPENSARIES APPROVED AND SALES ARE EXPECTED TO EXPAND MORE SOON SINCE THE REGULATORY COMMISSION RECENTLY GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT TO FIVE MORE LOCATIONS.
>> IT'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK TO GET HERE, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PREPARED FOR A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH IN MAKING SURE WE ARE STILL PRIORITIZING PATIENT ACCESS.
>> Reporter: THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR AIR WHILE MY SWITCH OPERATES GARDEN STATE DISPENSARY.
AFTER THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMPANY WAS DENIED APPROVAL TO EXPAND IN APRIL, THIS WEEK, THEY APPROVED RECREATIONAL SALES THAT THE THREE DISPENSARIES.
THEY ALSO RECEIVED A CONDITIONAL LICENSE FOR A CULTIVATION FACILITY IN OCEAN COUNTY.
>> WHEN WE THINK ABOUT CENTRAL NEW JERSEY WHERE OUR STORES ARE LOCATED, WE HAVE 3.4 MILLION INDIVIDUALS HERE IN ONLY TWO DISPENSARIES (BEING A RESIDENT MYSELF, I'M EXCITED TO OPEN THE FIRST PERSONAL USE DISPENSARY HERE AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ACCESS POINTS FOR INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
>> YOU REALLY COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR A SMOOTHER ROLLOUT GIVEN WE ARE STARTING WITH 12 DISPENSARIES FOR ESTATE OF 9.3 MILLION PEOPLE.
>> Reporter: JEFF BROWN SAYS THE STATE HAS SEEN OVER $24 MILLION DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF SALES, PROOF THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR NEW BUSINESSES TO OPERATE WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
NOW, MEDICAL DISPENSARIES NO LONGER HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR AFTER ENTERING THE ADULT USE MARKET.
>> THEY HAVE TO SHOW THEY MEET THE FULL COMMITMENTS OF THE APPLICATION, BUILD OUT THEIR FULL FACILITY, SHOW THEY CAN SERVE MEDICINAL PATIENT AND THEN MADE THE EXPANSION STANDARDS WE SET IN OUR RULES.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE FOLKS WHO COULD MEET THE HIGH BARS MORE QUICKLY COULD BE REWARDED FOR THAT.
>> RATHER THAN AN ARBITRARY DESIGNATION OF A CERTAIN TIME PERIOD FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTER CAN GO FROM MEDICINAL TO ADULT USE SALES, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION, HOW MANY SALES THEY HAVE, THEIR CANOPY SIZE, PRODUCTION CAPACITY, AND WHAT IS THEIR INVENTORY?
THEY ARE MAKING SURE THE MEDICAL PATIENTS ARE NOT GETTING THROWN UNDER THE RUG WHEN THE ADULT USE SALES CONTINUE TO EXPAND AS WE EXPECT THEM TO.
>> Reporter: GOOD NEWS FOR CAN, WHOSE COMPANY WAS GRANTED A LICENSE TO CULTIVATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BACK IN OCTOBER.
HE SAYS THE PLAN IS TO GET INTO THE ADULT USE MARKET ONCE WE ARE UP AND RUNNING.
>> ONCE WE GET APPROVAL, WE SHOULD HAVE PRODUCT IN SEPTEMBER.
WE ARE BUILDING A LARGE FACILITY HERE FOR CULTIVATION AS WELL.
SO, WE PLAN TO INCREASE PRODUCTION, YOU KNOW, AS WE GO INTO 2022 AND 2023.
>> Reporter: THEY ARE REVIEWING APPLICATIONS ON A ROLLING BASIS.
THIS WEEK, TO PROVE MORE THAN 11 NEW LICENSES FOR RECREATIONAL DISPENSARIES.
THOSE WILL BE THE SHOPS THAT WILL BE ABLE TO SELL CANNABIS.
FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, A MELISSA ROSE COOPER.
>>> WHAT BETTER GIFT TO GIVE A RECENT GRAD THAN A JOB?
PLUS TONIGHT BUSINESS HEADLINES.
>>> SOUTH JERSEY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS DOING ITS PART TO SET SOME LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL KIDS ON A CAREER PATH.
ATLANTICARE LAUNCH WHAT IT CALLED ITS HIGH SCHOOL HIRING BLITZ THIS MONTH, PROVIDING SENIORS WITH JOBS UPON GRADUATION.
THEY EXTENDED JOB OFFERS TO MORE THAN'S DUTY 30 STUDENTS THAT INCLUDE DIETARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.
THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WORKS WITH TEEN CENTERS RUN BY ATLANTICARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THAT THREE SOUTH JERSEY HIGH SCHOOLS.
THEY PROVIDE TUTORING, EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AND COLLEGE PREP FOR STUDENTS.
I SPOKE WITH CHRISTIAN BROTMAN ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
>> AS WE ARE TALKING TO SENIORS, WE ARE GIVING THEM CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND ALLOWING THEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INVESTMENT AND HAVING BENEFITS AND RESOURCES THAT ALLOW THEM TO LIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, THEY CAN WORK AND BE THE FACE THAT REFLECTS THE COMMUNITY THEY SERVE.
>> OPPOSITION IS GROSSING AND WHAT A RICH, POWER VENTURES IS SEEKING TO BUILD A PLANT THAT IS OPPOSED BY ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND OTHERS.
LAST NIGHT, THIS THE COUNCIL VOTED IN SUPPORT OF A RESOLUTION AGAINST THE PLAN'S CONSTRUCTION, JOINED SEVERAL OTHER MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND OPPOSING THE PROJECT.
>>> THE HOLIDAY GETAWAY IS ALREADY UNDERWAY, AAA PROJECTS 4.2 MILLION DRIVERS WHO WILL USE ONE OF THE BRIDGES OR TUNNELS IN NEW JERSEY OR NEW YORK OVER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, THEY BELIEVE THE BUSIEST GETAWAY IN OUR AREA WAS TODAY.
ANOTHER SURVEY FINDS HIGH GAS PRICES WILL FACTOR INTO SUMMER TRAVEL DECISIONS.
THE HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION FINDS EIGHT OUT OF 10 TRAVELERS WILL HAVE SOME IMPACT IN TRAVEL PLANS WHAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SAYING THEY ARE LIKELY TO TAKE FEWER OR SHORTER TRIPS.
HERE IS A LOOK TODAY AT THE CLOSE THAT WALL STREET.
I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.
>>> SUPPORT WERE FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE, MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.
LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAME CHANGER.
>>> RIVERVIEW JAZZ, PRESENTING THE JERSEY CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL JUNE 5th.
DETAILS ARE ONLINE AT RIVERVIEWJAZZ.ORG.
>>> WEST WINDSOR'S TOWN OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS ARE GOING TOE TO TOE OVER A PROPOSAL TO BUILD SEVEN WAREHOUSES TOTALING 5 1/2 MILLION SQUARE FEET ON UNDEVELOPED LAND ACROSS FROM THE QUAKER MODEL.
ADVOCATES ARGUE THE PROPERTY IS ALREADY LIMITED TO INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY AS ENVIRONMENTALISTS WARN NEW JERSEY IS CHANGING FROM THE GUARD INTO THE WAREHOUSE STATE.
>> Reporter: FOR 18 YEARS, GRASS AND ARREST HAVE TAKEN OVER THE FORMER SITE IN WEST WINDSOR.
ALMOST 700 ACRES OF LAND JUST SITTING AROUND.
SOME MIGHT THINK IT MIGHT BE A GOOD SPOT FOR A WAREHOUSE AND WEST WINDSOR'S PLANNING BOARD IS CONSIDERING AT.
>> THE PROJECT HAS BENEFITS BECAUSE WE WILL BE GAINING SOME NEW JOBS BUT THERE IS A CONCERN ABOUT CONGESTION AND THE IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT IN TERMS OF AIR QUALITY.
>> THE NOISE IS A PROBLEM AND HOMES ARE GOING TO HAVE TRUCKS AND THEIR FRIEND >> SMALL AMOUNTS OF CHLOROFORM AND OTHER CHEMICALS ARE STILL THERE.
THE EPI SAYS THEY WILL NATURALLY DILUTE BUT THERE IS ENOUGH CONTAMINATION TO DISCOURAGE ANYTHING BUT INDUSTRIAL USE FOR THIS LAND.
>> THE PRODUCTION AS PRECIPITATION WILL INCREASE ABOUT 40% OVER THE PERIOD OF THE STUDY WHICH BEGAN IN 1999.
THAT IS A LOT MORE WATER THAN PEOPLE ANTICIPATE AND WE HAVE TO CONTROL IT OTHERWISE WE WILL HAVE FLOODING AND CONTAMINATION IN THE STREAMS WHICH BECOME OUR DRINKING WATER.
>> INDUSTRIAL LAND IS BECOMING MORE VALUABLE IN NORTH AND CENTRAL JERSEY IN THE REGION IS SEEING A BOOM IN WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT.
ACCORDING TO A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FORM, RENTS ROSE 23% IN THE LAST YEAR.
THE AVERAGE SPACE GOES FOR MORE THAN $12 A SQUARE FOOT, ALMOST 3 DOLLARS MORE THAN LAST YEAR, IT TOO SOON TO KNOW WHETHER THE SITE WILL BE A PART OF THAT.
SOME BOARD MEMBERS ARE OPTIMISTIC.
>> I RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
>> OTHERS SOUND A BIT MORE SKEPTICAL.
AFTER RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO HEAR ALL SIDES LAST NIGHT.
>>> THAT DOES IT THIS EVENING, IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG FOR ALL THE NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.
I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI , FROM THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM , THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.
WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.
>>> RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.
LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER .
AND OR STENT, COMMITTED TO THE SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.
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